He didn’t listen but kept going. Raced into the darkness so swiftly that she had no choice but to hold on tight. She hugged his neck when she felt rather than saw the ceiling get lower and lower. There was no way to know how long they ran or how far they went, only that it seemed like forever before she spied a dim flash of light ahead.
Then another and another until the flashes became brighter, and they broke from the cave and raced through the woods again. Only this time, warriors on horseback weren’t chasing them but falling in around them. Closing ranks based on the way they held their weapons at the ready to defend rather than attack.
“These are King Declán’s men,”Caith said.“We have made it onto his land.”
“Then let’s stop.”She glanced back.“Wait for him,”she bit back emotion,“and hopefully Luna.”
“Nay.”Caith kept running.“Not until I know ye’re safe.”
“Safe?”Declán had seemingly saved her, but what if he had an ulterior motive?“Shouldn’t you bring me to Madison and Cian?”
“There’s no time.”He kept going.“Best to get you within the walls of King Declán’s castle.”
Was it? Really? She was about to argue again when they broke the tree line, and she caught flashes of a monstrous castle looming in the distance. Where she had been in awe of Raghnall’s castle on the sea, this one terrified her in a way she couldn’t put words to. It wasn’t beautiful by any means, not even in a haunting way, but built more like a mighty fortress. As if it had been designed with its hard, angular lines to withstand a tornado.
Even the thick layer of towering trees around it seemed intimidating. As though they were an extra line of defense surrounding a castle that already seemed impregnable. And it did seem that way with double moats and multiple portcullises.
This castle had been built to be the first line of defense.
To defend Declán’s brothers and the rest of Ireland against Raghnall.
Yet he had turned on his brothers. Insinuated it was on purpose. How could she be sure, though? What if he were still the enemy in disguise? She swallowed hard at how the castle made her feel as they drew closer. At how what seemed like more and more warriors falling in around them made her feel. Truly, shealmostfelt like she was escaping one spider web only to get caught in another.
Until she saw Aodh appear on the drawbridge ahead.
“Thank the gods,” she whispered as they drew closer. “He’s okay.”
It had appeared that way the last time she saw him, but it was nice to have confirmation.
“He will be confused,”Caith said.“Just explain I am yer horse now and—”
“Welcome, lassie,” a deep voice said before a warrior with features as hard as the castle fell in beside her. He offered no smile but a brisk nod of greeting. “I am Áengus, King Declán’s second-in-command.”
“Hello.” She gestured at Aodh, then pointed at the forest behind her. “I’m with him, so if you could go help Declán...I mean,KingDeclán, that’d be great.”
She frowned when the warriors, who had been stalwart around her up until now, chuckled.
“What?” She frowned at them. “What’s so funny?”
“M’lord does not need help.” Áengus eyed her. “Despite the trouble he has found of late.” His expression grew hard to read. “Our orders are to protect ye at all costs.” He shook his head. “Not him.”
Not about to be offended quite yet, she narrowed her eyes. “Even so, you should go back and help him.” She made a point of looking at as many warriors as she could. “And a little black and white dog, too, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Riona didn’t care how silly that sounded. Orders or not, they needed to save their kingandher dog. Simple as that. If they wouldn’t, she would and made that clear when she did her best to swing Caith around, only to tumble off him and take a hard fall on her backside.
“Ouch,” she groaned, peering up at Caith when he looked down.“Is it me, or do you just keep getting taller and taller?”
He bared his teeth and neighed in what almost sounded like a chuckle as several men swung down from their horses to help her.“Taller, I would imagine, when you decide to fall off me rather than direct me.”He tossed his mane as though shaking his head. “A pointless attempt at that, because I will not take you back into danger.”
“I have you,lassie.”Aodh knelt and meant to carry her, but she put a hand up and shook her head.
“Nope.” She blinked against the rain. “Thanks, but I’ve been carried by you more than enough for one day.” When he tried again, she narrowed her eyes. “No.”
If she wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes when he held out his hand. “Might I help you up, then, Riona?”
“You may.” She took his hand and stood, grateful she was in her blue dress rather than the scale-down-a-castle miniskirt she had created earlier. Especially with so many curious eyes on her. “Thank you.” She considered him. “I can only assume you got the message that Declán isn’t a traitor?”
“I did,” he assured, “the moment he touched you.” He gestured at Áengus. “’Twas through me that he relayed the message to his men that he was returning with you. To be ready.”
