Page 154 of The Shadow Path
The cries erupted from the columns of troops, and Carys saw the princess, mounted on a great brown stallion, put her head down and ride forward, aiming straight for Cian.
Finola had her sword already drawn, but before she reached the fae prince, the ground beneath her opened up and her horse went tumbling.
A voice boomed over Saris Plain. “Cian Elathason!”
Coming up from the plain, his wild fae army arrayed behind him, walked Diarmuid mac Lir. His height stretching to over eight feet tall, his hair flowing down his back like dark water, the fae prince’s arms were spread wide as the sea and doom was on his face.
His eyes were fixed on his brother.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Diarmuid mac Lir, the son of the sea god, strode across the land, and beneath his feet the water rose up, splashing against his legs as he marched toward his half brother.
“So the wandering bastard returns.” Cian sneered at his younger brother, dismounted from his horse, and walked toward Dru, with each step growing in stature until his height was even greater than the dark prince’s.
His arms grew long, and from his right hand, a gold-tipped spear emerged.
“We will end this.” Cian’s voice filled the air everywhere. “You and me.”
“Gladly.” Dru reached into his black cloak and drew out a silver sword. “This fight was always and only between you and me.”
The wild fae hung back as the two sons of Queen Aine wrestled for power in the stone circle where the oldest humans had prayed.
The wolves came to ring around the fight, but the remaining fae hung back, watching the two princes meet to decide their fate.
Dru lifted his sword and swung, but Cian struck first, his gold spear stabbing Dru just underneath his ribs.
Duncan hissed, but Carys’s attention wasn’t fixed on the battling fae princes. She kept one eye on them and grabbed Duncan’s hand, keeping low as they scuttled behind the hills below the Éiren army.
“What are we doing?” Duncan asked.
“Looking for Finola.” She was searching for Finola’s guards as the fae and the human armies’ attention was fixed on the battle between Dru and Cian. She hadn’t missed the look of rage that the crown princess had sent her mother’s consort.
“I have a feeling there’s no love lost between Finola and Cian.” She spotted the crown princess watching the battle with two tall knights on either side of her.
Cadell. She could feel the dragon circling overhead and knew he was dying to fly down and pluck her off the field where she was surrounded by soldiers.
Nêrys, there are too many people. Run toward the Anglian line and?—
Did Seren know Princess Finola?
The dragon was silent.
Cadell!
You need to leave the battle. The situation is volatile, and I cannot protect you on the ground.
Did Seren know Finola?
Yes, they met on many occasions, and Seren had great respect for her.
“Okay.” Carys breathed out slowly. “Seren knew Finola.”
“What does that mean?” Duncan muttered as they crouched behind a rock. “I don’t need to remind you that you are not your Shadowkin.”
Carys, I am coming down to meet you. Tell Duncan to stay with you until I am there!
“No!” She turned her head up to the sky.Stay overhead. Watch us. Cover us from above.
