Page 27 of A Celtic Secret
“Welcome, Unnamed One and King Cian,” Imag said. “’Tis such a pleasure to have ye.”
“Thank you.” Madison gestured that they stand before she scowled at Riona and muttered, “Don’teverdo that again, sis. Always so damn impetuous. Foolhardy! Thinking you have it all figured out.” She held her at arm’s length and looked her over with concern. “Outside of being drenched, are you okay?” She swallowed hard. “Did Raghnall...hurt you in some way I can’t see with the naked eye?”
“No.” Riona shook her head and apologized, yet he sensed the nugget of defiance in her. The adventurer that had long dealt with her sisters worrying over her. “He didn’t have the chance...and I’m not sure he would have.” She glanced between the brothers and then looked from Madison to Eisibél rather than at Imag. “Can my sister join us while I change? I’m pretty cold and could use some time alone with Madison.”
“Ar ndóigh,”Eisibél replied. “Of course.” She nodded goodbye to everyone and urged Riona and Madison to follow her. “Join me, and we will see to things. Then, I will leave ye be.”
Due to the weather and so many warriors on duty at the moment, the great hall was quiet. Those who meandered about made themselves scarce as ale was brought out, and Declán joined his siblings by the fire.
“Ye’ve much to explain, brother,” Cian said gruffly. There was no missing his frustration and hurt when he looked at Declán. “For starters, why did ye not tell us,me, what ye planned?” He ground his jaw and clenched his fists. “Had ye, I might have been able to save my warriors at yer border.” His expression tightened even more. “Good friends all, who died needlessly at the hands of yer warriors. Men possessed by Raghnall’s magic,ta?”
“Ta.”He sighed and took a much-needed gulp of ale. “I would have told ye my plans had there not been so much at stake. Namely, Riona’s life, which would have ultimately meant the loss of so many more lives had she remained with Raghnall. This was certain knowledge even before I knew she was an Unnamed One.”
“Something that has been confirmed?” Aodh asked.
“If ye mean has she come together with her blade yet?” He shook his head. “Nay. She did, however, heal you, did she not?” At least according to her thoughts. “Not to mention she not only saved Caith almost effortlessly from near death but transformed him, her familiar, to a beastie more suitable to her size.” Curious, he looked from brother to brother. “Have either of ye ever seen such a feat?” He gave them a pointed look. “Not to mention, ‘tis safe to say if Madison’s an Unnamed One, so too are her sisters.”
“On that, we are in agreement.” Cian’s frown remained firmly in place. “How did ye know Riona’s life was in jeopardy? And why, again, did it mean sacrificing so many good men? Not telling yer brothers of yer plans?”
“I knew her life was in jeopardy with good reason and will share why once she rejoins us,” he said. “What I can tell ye now is that I saw her arrive on Raghnall’s land in a most unusual way. Knew she would be drawn to him. Moreover, I knew the only chance I would have at getting her back would be to ingratiate myself to our enemy, which in the end, could only help us.” He looked at Cian with remorse. “Yer men, friends all to me and mine, will be sorely missed. We will hold a night of remembrance for them.”
He closed his eyes to the sacrifices that had been made for the greater good before he opened them to Cian again. “Their deaths were the last thing I wanted, brother, but I could not stop Raghnall if I meant to save Riona. Ihadto be there.Hadto make him trust me. Not telling ye three made things appear more genuine.” He flinched. “I cannot say if he knows Riona’s secret as well but ‘tis likely considering shewashis wife in their last life.”
Stunned silence fell.
“You cannot be serious,” Aodh finally said, baffled.
“Never more so.” He looked from brother to brother again. “So ye see, no matter what, I had to get her away from him because, as ye saw, he’s capable of holding sway over her. Enough that I believe she might have not only become his wife again but very likely battled against us. Against her own sisters.”
“Adding a formidable opponent to our enemy’s ranks,” Cian muttered, finally taking a solid swig from his mug as well.
“At the very least,” Declán agreed. “Not only would he have an Unnamed One at his command, but one of us would have lost the druidess meant to fulfill our prophecy.”
“How did ye trick him, though?” Cian eyed Declán with distrust. “Raghnall might be many things, but he’s no fool. How did ye convince him that ye were willing to turn on yer own brothers? Yer own flesh and blood? ‘Twould have had to be very convincing. More convincing than merely not telling us. Even more convincing than allowing him to possess yer warriors.”
“’Twas,” he said carefully, looking at Aodh. Best to give them the truth sooner rather than later. “And neither ye nor Liam is going to like it.”
