Page 138 of The Shadow Path
Carys was able to shake off the next one that tried to land on her arm, but there were more coming. And more. They swarmed in the air like bugs.
Even Dru’s face was scrunched and his eyes narrowed as he batted the imps away from his face, but his focus was on two tall figures striding through the trees. “Duncan, get Carys away.”
“Are those trolls?”
“I’ll be fine.” He glared at Duncan and pointed to the edge of the forest where the light broke through the trees. “Get the nêrys ddraig back to her dragon!”
What is happening?She heard Cadell’s voice in her mind.
Just a bit of an imp situation.
Did they bite you?
Only once.
“Come on.” Duncan grabbed her and tucked her against his chest.
The big man was wearing a heavy cloak that the imps couldn’t seem to penetrate, and he’d pulled it up and over her as he bodily carried her through the forest and away from the swarm.
“What kind of place is this?” She hid her face against his chest. “Half-size fae with beetle wings, bloodthirsty sprites, and now trolls?”
Duncan paused, shaking his head and swiping one more imp away from his beard. “Dru is dealing with the trolls.”
Carys looked under Duncan’s arm and saw the ground buckling and the trees swaying behind them. Whatever Dru was doing looked like he was tearing the forest from the roots, and Carys couldn’t help but feel a kind of desperation when she heard trees crashing and branches snapping.
Nêrys, I’m coming to you.
“Let me down.” She could see the edge of the forest from the path where Duncan had been running, and between the trees, Cadell was waiting. “I need to get back to him before he burns down this forest.”
I’m here!she shouted with her mind.Cadell, just leave it. I’m almost to you right now. Dru stayed behind to take care of the trolls.
“Haven’t seen trolls in the forest before,” Duncan shouted. “They usually keep to the ports and the mountains.”
“Why do you think they’re here?”
“They’re greedy.” Duncan grunted. “Well, some of them are. If Cian paid them enough, they’d fight for him. But only if they’re convinced he can win.”
“Can he?” She stepped from under the shadow of the trees and fought the urge to run to Cadell.
“Can he win?” Duncan shrugged. “Anything’s possible, Carys.”
They walked away from the forest and into the waist-deep waving grass of the hills.
Cadell was lying on a hillside, his glowing gold eyes watching the thrashing trees in the distance.The fae prince is powerful.
“Cadell says Dru is powerful.”
“I’ve never seen him fight,” Duncan said. “He always seems to be able to talk his way out of things.”
Carys.
“What?” She turned to look for Cadell, but the moment she turned her head, the dragon that had been on the grassy hillside was gone.
Carys.
Carys turned in circles and saw the plain empty of everything and everyone save for the golden, waving grass and a white mare and rider silhouetted on the ridge that overlooked the forest.
Carys Morgan.
