Page 20 of The Shadow Path
Dragons. An entire horde of dragons.
Her heart raced, and she turned to Cadell. “Go. I know you want to.”
Dru added, “It’s safe here. I’ll make sure she gets to Dafydd’s castle.”
“As will I,” Duncan said.
“And I,” Lachlan added. “I’m staying nearby.”
The fire in Cadell’s eyes matched the glowing fire in his throat. “My children are near. I can feel them.”
“Then go!” Carys impulsively reached up and gave him a hug. “Go. I’m safe on Dafydd’s estate. You know I am. Give them my love.”
“Thank you, Nêrys.” Cadell stepped away from her, handing his pack to Duncan before he ran toward the open field, his human body shimmering away as his arms reached to the sky, swiftly growing into massive wings that lifted his iridescent green body from the prison of the ground and into the sky that was his home.
Laura let out a small breath as her eyes followed Cadell’s path into the clouds. “That never gets old.”
“Nope.” Carys felt his joy in her heart, and she nearly called him to come and grab her in his giant claws to carry her into the air with him.One of these days I want to meet your children, Cadell.
One day you will.
“Come.” Dru motioned them toward a pair of massive bronze gates set into a high stone wall. “Your uncle will be expecting you.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “And we must get our halflings a proper second breakfast.”
“Carys!”Dafydd’s voice boomed through the hallway Dru led them to. “You are most welcome.” He left his chair and walked toward them. It appeared a small banquet really was laid out. “Most welcome, my dear.”
“Dafydd.” Carys was immediately enveloped in a hearty embrace that reminded her so much of her father it brought an unexpected rush of tears to her eyes. “It’s so good to see you.”She held on far longer than she intended but noticed that Dafydd did the same.
“Well.” When he finally pulled away, he dashed a bright sheen of tears from his eyes. “You’re looking well.”
“As are you.” She blinked back her own tears and stepped back and held out her hand for Laura. “I brought a friend from California. I hope that’s okay.”
Dafydd’s face registered surprise, but it gave way immediately to pleasure. “Of course. You must treat my home as your own.” He held out a hand. “A pleasure to meet you, my dear.”
“I appreciate your hospitality.” Laura shook his hand. “I’m a friend, but I’m also a pauwau inwe of the Yurok people. I’m born Brightkin, but I’m an ambassador between our people on both sides of the gates.”
“Yes, I have heard of this,” Dafydd said. “An excellent system. I believe it fosters better relationships between the fae and the humans in your country.”
“We think so.”
“Welcome to our islands and to my home,” Dafydd said. “You are most welcome. I will inform Harold’s people that an ambassador from across the sea will be joining our party. I can assure you they will welcome such an esteemed guest.”
“You’re very kind.”
Carys looked at the empty seat on the other side of Dafydd’s chair. “Where’s Eamer?”
“Back in Cymru,” Dafydd said. “Looking after things while I am here.” He lowered his voice. “After what happened in Alba, there has been some… hesitation about Eíran participation in the coronation.”
What had happened in Alba was nothing less than a revelation of treachery from two Eíran noblewomen. Regan, the daughter of the Eíran queen and a powerful sorceress, hadassassinated Carys’s Shadowkin—Dafydd’s daughter Seren, the heir to the Cymric throne. She’d also kidnapped Carys and nearly killed her before she destroyed Duncan’s home.
Only Carys knew that Aisling, Seren’s best friend and a granddaughter of Queen Orla of Éire, was truly responsible for Seren’s death.
“Duncan.” Dafydd greeted the tall blacksmith. “So good to see you. And Lachlan of course.” Dafydd shook hands with both of them. “Glad your father could spare you for the event.”
“He wanted Rory to catch up with the chiefs,” Lachlan said. “I was able to get away.”
“Only because you’re the most likable, my boy.” Dafydd clapped Lachlan on the shoulder and led all of them to the table filled with food.
Seren’s death and Carys’s kidnapping were sordid crimes surrounded by more rumor than fact. Carys wasn’t surprised that the Anglian court was suspicious of the Eíran throne, particularly when Queen Orla was so closely aligned with powerful fae.
