Page 51 of The Shadow Path
Winnie smirked. “We’re not supposed to spy on our allies.”
“Bullshit,” Carys said. “All countries spy on their neighbors.”
Winnie said, “They may not be…spies, but magical creatures gossip worse than humans do.”
“What do you mean?” Carys asked.
“The wolves have heard rumors. Fae gates that have been dormant for years are waking.”
According to Carys’s sources, wolves loved war. She glanced at Cadell.Can the wolves be trusted?
Some of them.
Dafydd added, “We’ve heard the same from the dragons. Fae gates are shifting. The trees are growing faster, and old magic is waking.”
“Are there wolves in Éire?” Carys spoke aloud. “Do they have—I don’t know—connected clans? Can they find out more that way?”
Winnie shook her head. “The fae hunted and drove the wolves from Éire long ago, so we have to acknowledge there is bad blood between the fae and the wolves, but I don’t think Godrik would lie to me about this. His people have seen strange things around fae gates here in Anglia.”
Dafydd said, “And Lachlan says the Alban unicorns have also raised concerns.”
Cadell stepped forward. “Concerns like what?”
“Activity in barrows they thought were abandoned centuries ago,” Dafydd said. “Magical activity near gates that have been all but dead.”
“Godrik’s people have reported unseasonable vegetation that smells like magic in Essex,” Winnie added. “We’d like to investigate more, but I have to be very careful who to trust even among the Kingsguard. Much of the leadership is still loyal to Edgar’s memory, and Harold is a new king. My cousin trusts me and Godrik right now. Not many others.”
“Cadell and I can help.” Carys looked at Dafydd. “Right?”
“Absolutely.” Dafydd nodded. “Robb and Elinor are in agreement with Eamer and me that Orla and her ambitions are not in keeping with the Queens’ Pact. Her union with Cian haspushed her toward fae interests instead of human. We think she’s looking to exert more than her share of power in Briton.”
“Balanceis what is needed in Briton,” Mared said. “Not ambition.”
“Meet with us here,” Carys said to Winnie. “Between Cadell and me, Duncan and Lachlan, we can help you and Harold.” Carys sat up. “Laura can help too. She can read runes, and she’s smart as hell.”
Winnie looked at Carys. “You’re proposing an alliance?”
Dafydd beamed at Carys. “I told you, Winnie.”
“Oh no.” Carys held up her hand. “This is not me making a play for the Cymric throne. That’s a whole other problem, Uncle Dafydd.”
Unfortunately, Dafydd was still beaming.
“I’m just saying that until Harold is situated,” Carys said, “until he has confidence in his guards, he has backup from Cymru and Alba, right?” She looked at Cadell. “We can work quietly. I’m sure Lachlan and Duncan will help us figure out what’s going on.”
Cadell raised an eyebrow. “Lachlan and Duncan will do anything you ask them to. Backward and hopping on one foot if necessary.”
“I don’t need the sarcasm,” Carys muttered. “That’s not necessary.”
Winnie couldn’t hide her smile. “Godrik and me, Cadell, Carys, your American friend, and the two Alban boys. That makes seven of us. Seven isn’t a bad number.”
“It is not,” Dafydd said. “Let us meet after Harold’s coronation tomorrow, Captain. For now I’ll send a company of my people to the Night Bridge to reinforce Harold’s troops and start on our…” Dafydd glanced at the dragons. “…new development project. We’ll get all this cleaned up by tomorrow; I guarantee it.”
Carys was walkingout of Dafydd’s morning room when she heard footsteps to her right. She turned and saw Anwyn walking toward her from a long narrow corridor with daylight at the end. The armor-clad woman saw Carys, stopped, then leaned back on her right foot and lifted her chin.
Carys had a feeling that Anwyn practiced that expression in the mirror, because the angle of her head displayed the long red scar that looked like a claw mark down the side of her face.
The effect was a little terrifying.
