Page 58 of A Celtic Vow
A life they still knew so little about yet suspected they soon would. The wind had died down earlier than he’d anticipated, so likely sooner rather than later.
“We need to go, don’t we?” She leaned into his touch. “The winds have died down enough?”
“They have.” Though tempted to take her one more time, he knew the winds could kick up again just as quickly. This was their window of opportunity. “’Tis time to go if you mean to do this, lass.”
“I do.” Clearly rallying her courage, she sat up and nodded once. “This is the way. The next step.”
“Ta, then.” He knew it was only a matter of time before her dress manifested itself on her again, but until then, best to clothe her appropriately. So he chanted her into pants, sturdy boots, and a tunic cinched at the waist with a belt for her dagger and a pocket for her talisman.
“I had wanted to work with you some on battling.” He chanted himself into clothes and pulled her up with him. “But I fear ‘tis too risky to take the extra time.”
“It’s okay.” Her eyes shone not with her inner dragon but her druidess when she picked up the dagger. “I have a feeling I’ll be just fine. That my time at King’s Heart taught me everything I need to know.” She offered him a small, well-satisfied smile. “Besides, I much prefer the way we spent our time.”
He couldn’t agree more and showed her as much when he reeled her into his arms and kissed her one last time. Kissed her until he made himself stop lest he bring her to the ground again. Yet all the while, he massaged the back of her neck, easing her tension. The fear hovering beneath the surface.
“Are you ready, wife?” He searched her eyes. Looked for the strength he needed to see. “Do you need a few more—”
“No.” She notched her chin in defiance of her emotions. “Let’s do this.”
He nodded and backed away, praying this would go well. That he wouldn’t see terror in her eyes again. Because no matter how much she had the right to feel it, he knew it would hurt his dragon.
Nevertheless, it had to be faced.
Thisneeded to be faced.
So he embraced his inner beast and peered down, ready for the worst but hoping for the best.
Chapter Nineteen
CONSTANCE BRACED HERSELFfor terror but felt no such thing when Aodh’s great dragon stood before her. This time she didn’t see her nightmare but her best friend. The love of not one life but two. She was certain of it.
“I’m not afraid,”she said into his mind, so he didn’t worry.“Not even a little bit.”
Instead, she marveled at him. His dragon was every bit as muscular and strong as his human. Every bit as impressive.
“’Tis good to hear.”He lowered his head until they were face to face.“For as my human half promised, I would never hurt ye, mo thine.”
