Page 59 of A Celtic Secret
“’Tis just that the enemy’s wall has closed in even more,” Áengus reported. “Almost all villagers are safe within our walls, and no more of our warriors have been possessed, but I thought ye would want to know.”
“Thank ye,” he said. “How much has Raghnall’s wall closed in on us this time? How much land is left around the castle? And has there been any sign of Aodh?”
“No sign of yer brother, m’lord.” Áengus looked grim. “As to the enemy’s wall, I am afraid ‘tis far closer now and ‘twill likely make the castle impossible to leave by tomorrow morn.”
Declán went to stand, alarmed by that, but Riona put a hand to his chest, shook her head, and issued Áengus a kind smile and nod. “Thank you, Áengus. We fully expected that, which means it’s time to prepare for a siege. I promise you, this castle is ready in all ways that matter.” She looked from Declán back to Áengus. “I guess my only question is, are our men ready? Have we enough weapons?”
“We do.” Áengus nodded, clearly impressed with her confidence. Pleased to say what he said next. “And we are ready. Ready since last night when ye and our king made clear we will not be defeated.”
“Good.” Her smile grew, her pride obvious. “Then now’s the time to double-check everything, then do so once more. Make sure nothing’s been missed, and everyone you can get within these walls are in and safe.”
“Ta, m’lady.” Áengus looked at Declán for confirmation.
“Do precisely as yer queen requested.” He nodded once. “Ye need not ask me as well.”
“Ta.”Áengus nodded at them before he backed away and vanished around the corner.
“We’re running out of time,” Riona said. “But we knew that. We knew it would happen fast once I saw the tree tapestry. Once we started remembering.”
“’Tishappening fast.” He cupped her cheeks and made sure her eyes stayed with his. “But there is time for this.” He brushed his lips across hers. “And this.” Again. “And just one more to make clearIam the one who should be sorry. Not you.” This time when he kissed her, he gave her his heart, his regret at his behavior in a kiss that left her dewy-eyed when he pulled away. “Do you accept my apology?”
“What do you think?” she asked hoarsely. “But you knew that. Knew I accepted it before you kissed me.”
He smiled, grateful for the elation he felt because she was right.
“I did,” he admitted, grinning. “But ‘twas worth the kisses.”
She met his grin. “It was, wasn’t it?”
“Indeed.” He ran his finger over her kiss-swollen lips. Wanted to bring her back upstairs so badly it hurt. Yet they needed to focus on the looming threat. “Now we need to make our way around the castle grounds because I’m beginning to sense less obvious changes on top of the physical changes.” He narrowed his eyes. “Magical changes to the castle created by....”
“You,” she said when he trailed off, sensing more by the moment. “And me...” She looked around, marveling at everything. “I think you built everything to my specifications, but somehow we got all mixed up in it. Whatever we were when we dreamt. Whatever we created when we were together.”
“Ta.”He brushed his lips over hers one last time, stood, and set her down. “You’re right. So let us explore.” He dragged his gaze from her face and looked around. “Let us figure out what we forgot. What these things we built are truly meant for. How they will help.”
“Agreed.” Riona drifted deeper into the small area of woodland closest to them. It was full of a variety of trees, including oak, ash, hazel, birch, and rowans. “And we start here. Where it matters most...in nature.” She looked up into the trees, then gazed around. “Yet it’s not proper nature, is it?”
When he frowned in confusion, she went on.
“There are no birds.” She touched a tree trunk and looked up. “There should be birds. Something.” Her gaze went to the sizable chunk of woodland on this side of the castle. “There used to be, weren’t there? Animals that weren’t hunted but peacefully co-existed here?”
“Ta.”He felt out the small patch of forest, the trees, only to realize she was right. They were all gone. Vanished. And somehow, he knew why. “They fear something.” He shook his head. “Because they were here before....”
“Before I arrived,” she said, filling in the blanks when he hesitated to hurt her feelings. After all, what could be worse for a druidess than animals abandoning her in her time of need?
“It wasn’t that,” she said softly, following his thoughts. He wasn’t sure he liked the look on her face when she explained why. “Or should I say they don’t fear me.”
