Page 42 of A Celtic Secret
Riona turned her attention to Caith and smiled when he was brought over to her. “Good morning. How are you doing? Did Bran treat you well?”
“Very well, m’lady.”
“Call me Riona.”
“If ye insist.”
When Caith positioned himself so she could mount him, she eyed the saddle warily. Declán had swung her up last night.
Evidently sensing her hesitation, Declán joined her and showed her how it was done. “Truthfully, I would have preferred you on a horse better suited to your size, but it seems your familiar thinks this is best for you.”
She smiled. “I guess he wants me to look intimidating.”
Declán met her smile. “Something tells me that before all is said and done, you will be intimidating all on your own.”
“We’ll see.” Determined to do it by herself, she shook her head when Declán offered to help and managed to swing up, if not a bit clumsily. “Whoa.” She eyed the ground warily. “Why does this seem even higher than it did last night?”
“Because nighttime has a way of altering perception.” He swung onto his own horse and stayed close. “Not just that but ‘twas all rather rushed and dangerous last night.”
“It was,” she agreed, scanning the courtyard as they headed toward the drawbridge. “Where’s Aodh? I haven't seen him around this morning. I was hoping to take a look at his injured leg because I never got a chance to last night.”
“He’s gone to intercept more of his warriors.” Declán nodded thanks to Cian when he and Madison fell in beside them. “My brothers have brought many men to my kingdom’s aid, and I’m thankful for it.”
Cian offered no reply other than a tight nod in return.
“You don’t have to stay beside me, you know,” she said to Declán as they headed over the drawbridge. Several dozen warriors had fallen in both ahead and behind them. “I might be new to horseback riding, but I have the benefit of riding a horse that would only ever keep me safe.” She gestured ahead. “You should ride with your brother. Try to fix things.”
“She’s right.” Madison fell in beside Riona on a pretty mare with the same color hair as her sister. “I’ll be here if Riona has any issues with Caith, which we all know won’t happen.”
Declán eyed Riona with concern. “Ta? You’ll be all right?”
“Absolutely.” She patted her horse. “Caith will keep me safe.”
Declán eyed her and the horse for another moment before he nodded and pulled ahead to ride beside Cian.
“I hope they’re able to work things out.” Riona sensed Declán’s inner turmoil. How difficult this was for him. “Declán needs Cian’s comradery. His friendship.”
“I agree,” Madison replied. “Cian needs his as well.” She considered her husband. “He was so relieved to discover Declán hadn’t betrayed him that I don’t think he realized how troubled he felt at the lengths his brother had to go to pull off his ruse. The sacrifices he was willing to make.”
She could just imagine, and it upset her the more she thought about it. Mainly that she had been at the heart of those men losing their lives.
“You’re also at the heart of making sure their countries and families live on,” Madison said, following her guilty conscience. “I know it’s not easy, but you have to remember that. As awful as it sounds, your life had to mean more, and Cian knows it. Had the tables been turned, he would have done the same for me in a heartbeat.”
Riona frowned, refusing to think that way. “My life doesn’t mean more than anyone else’s.”
“It does as long as you’re fulfilling this prophecy, and I guarantee the men who died would agree.” Madison sighed and gave her a compassionate look. “I know that doesn’t make you feel any better, which, in my opinion, will only make you a much better queen.”
“That was a big jump.” She frowned at her sister but knew what she was doing. Knew she was trying to take her mind off the fallen. “What makes you so certain I’ll be becoming a queen too?”
“Because it’s been on your mind pretty much since the moment Declán mentioned it.” Madison eyed her with amusement. “And anyone can see how you look at him. How quickly you’ve fallen for him.”
“Well, you did say the best way to get Raghnall’s face out of my mind was to look at Declán.”
“I did.” Madison chuckled. “I’m just glad you’re looking at him the way he’s looking at you.”
“Ah.” She saw where this was going. “You thought I was attracted to Liam.”
“I did.” Madison's knowing gaze flickered between Declán and Riona. “But it’s clear I was wrong. You and Declán are much better suited to each other.”
