Page 24 of A Celtic Secret
“He’s not my horse anymore,” Aodh said gruffly but not harshly, eyeing Caith. In turn, her familiar’s steady gaze never left his face. “Are ye?” His voice dropped an octave as he seemed to look closer. “Nor were ye ever,ta?”
“Tell him all is well,”Caith said into her mind.“But, nay, I was only ever here for ye, m’lady.”
“Why?”
“Because we are very old friends.”
She felt the truth in that. Theywereold friends. More so, she sensed he would tell her their backstory when the time was right if she hadn’t figured it out already.
“He thanks you for the time you spent together, Aodh,” she said gently, understanding what needed saying. “It wasn’t long, but he appreciates it.”
Aodh’s eyes flashed with his inner dragon. His gaze went back and forth between the two before he nodded, stepped close, and touched Caith between the eyes. “You speak the truth, Unnamed One, as does Caith.” He held the horse’s eyes before he nodded. “Tabhair aire mhaith di, a chara.Take good care of her, my friend.”
It was one thing asking a king to give up his horse. Another thing altogether not knowing what she was supposed to do with said horse other than stay close to him. To make sure he was okay.
“And I am okay,”Caith said, clearly following her thoughts.“Now ye must go to the safety of the castle and await its king.”
“Or,”she theorized.“You, me, and Aodh could hightail it to Cian and Madison’s kingdom and be done with both enemy kings.”
“We could.”Caith eyed her.“But is that truly what ye want?”
“Not really,”she replied.“Especially considering Luna might still make her way here.”
“She might,”he agreed.“But that is not the only reason ye wish to stay, and ye know it.”
He was right and what happened next only made that clear.
Chapter Eight
DECLÁN HAD GLIMPSEDLuna in the woodland near the mouth of the cave, also known as King’s Echo, so he didn’t think twice about heading back to retrieve her. If he didn’t, it would only be a matter of time before she met her end. While some might say he was vastly outnumbered, he enjoyed a challenge so rushed at the incoming warriors.
He had always relished the thrill of battle. How it made his blood rush. The excitement that came with taking his opponents down. Either one by one or sometimes two or three at a time. It felt methodical and wild all at once. Primal in a way that freed him to do what he loved best.
Down anyone who stood against him.
Anyone who tried to hurt an innocent.
