Page 117 of Broken Veil
Cadell stood up. “Let me. I can stretch my wings, listen for news from any dragons in the area, and find food for Naida.”
“No deer,” Naida said.
Cadell smiled. “I have learned, small friend.” He looked at Carys for her approval.
She looked at Naida. “We’re here for a few hours at least, right?”
Naida nodded. “Godrik needs to rest.”
“Good.” Carys nodded at the dragon. “Then Cadell’s plan sounds good.”
Lachlan drew his bronze sword. “I’m going to check the perimeter.” He cast his eyes around the forest. “This gate seems lightly traveled, but we should make sure there are no redcaps or imps in the forest.”
“Thank you,” Carys said. “Good thinking.”
“I’ll stay with Godrik and the women,” Duncan said.
He and Lachlan exchanged a loaded look; then Lachlan disappeared into the trees and Duncan paced around the clearing, his hand on the cricket bat he’d stolen from Jibril’s cottage.
Men.
Yes, Nêrys?
Carys hadn’t realized that she’d thought that toward her dragon.Not you. There’s just a lot of testosterone floating in the air.
They are in an unfamiliar place. It is to be expected.
At least Lachlan looks happier with a job to do.
Cadell was silent for a long moment.
We all need to feel purpose,he finally said.
She knew he was right, but the silent hostility between the two brothers felt like a weight hanging directly on her shoulders, and Carys didn’t even know why.
She turned back to Godrik, whose color was improving by the minute.
“I have to ask, how did you end up here?” Carys asked. “Thank you, by the way. Your timing was perfect.”
“When I couldn’t find you in Alba, I headed home.” He sat up, carefully moving the leg the bison had stomped on. “I searched for word of you, but it wasn’t until I ran into a fae beekeeper in Eskari territory that I heard you were in the south.”
The Blean Woods was denser in the Shadowlands, and the trees towered over them, blocking out any light save for the glowing blue lamps that Naida hung in the air over Godrik’s body.
“Bees,” Carys said. “Never taking them for granted again.”
Godrik nodded. “They are the best messengers.” He looked at Laura. “Shadow-walker, you are well?”
“Uh… yeah.” Laura took a deep breath. “Still kind of freaked out from that bison stampede, but I’m fine.”
Godrik frowned. “I thought the great beasts were common in your homeland.”
Laura’s eyebrows flew up. “Bison? In North America, sure. In Northern Europe? Not so much.”
“We did run into a bear near Birmingham though,” Carys told him. “That was unexpected.”
Godrik reached for Naida’s hand and wove his fingers through hers. “Truly, you have had many adventures without me. I shall try not to be jealous.”
“How do you feel about a few more?” Carys said. “Because the Morrígan is still out there, I still have to stop her, and I’m pretty sure I can use all the help I can get.”
