“So it seems.” Curious, she smiled at him and pulled him after her. “Come on. Let’s take a closer look.”
For some reason, she felt like she was walking on thin air. Maybe because of the tree, but mostly because of what Declán had said earlier. How he wanted her to stay. Marry him. Become his queen. In some ways, it felt far too fast and more than a little fairytale-ish, but in the way that mattered most, it made her long for the moment. She had no reservations about him.
None whatsoever.
The thought of remaining with him, loving him, somehow felt like the biggest adventure of her life while at the same time one she knew all too well. As if she had already experienced the thrill and wanted to do it again and again because she knew it would never grow dull. Interesting because while not necessarily a stuffy sort, Declán certainly wasn’t as upbeat as Liam. He was sterner. Hard around the edges with others but softer when it came to her.
And she wanted to soften him even more.
She wanted to meet the man beneath the rough exterior. The one she caught more and more glimpses of. Wanted to see him smile more often. Laugh. Open up to her.
“This is unreal.” She gazed up at the stunning tree. Luna plopped down next to her and looked up at it as well. “Why do you think this is?” She glanced from Declán to the tree. “Do you think it has to do with me finding my dagger beneath it?”
“I think it has everything to do with that.”
“As do we,” Madison said as she and Cian joined them. “Now we just have to figure out why.” Her sister marveled at it, clearly seeing it the same way as her. “Because it’s definitely tied in with King’s Heart every bit as much as the waterfall and pond.”
“That’s right.” Hope lit Riona’s eyes when she looked at Declán. “I’d love to go to the pond soon. If we have to wait until after Raghnall, then—”
“We do,” he replied more curtly than she expected. “’Tis far too dangerous right now.”
She didn’t have to ask what made him so moody so fast based on his and Cian’s tense postures. The way they avoided looking at each other.
“Yet Cian took Madison there when faced with two enemies who could have been right around the corner.” She arched a brow at Declán. “Good thing, too, because had he not, they never would have fulfilled their end of the prophecy, right?”
“One thing at a time,” he said gruffly. “Before all else, we must see to our warriors.” His gaze settled on Cian. “All of us so that we might further discuss what I learned about Raghnall’s defenses.” He frowned at Madison. “Though it might be best for you to stay safely behind castle walls considering—”
Cian might be frustrated with his brother, but Riona didn’t miss his slight flinch when Declán attempted to keep Madison safe.
A flinch warning Declán about the sharp response that soon came.
“Considering what, Declán?” Madison’s brows whipped together. “I’m here, at the heart of everything our enemy is currently determined to conquer, including my sister, rather than behind my own castle walls. So do you honestly think I’ll be cowering behind your walls any more than I would my own because I’mpregnant?”
Declán went to respond but stopped when Cian shook his head once. A gesture that her sister, fortunately, didn’t catch but might just be the beginning of Declán and Cian finding their way back to each other.
“Good,” Madison replied, taking Declán’s silence as the right answer. She looked from Declán to Cian before her gaze returned to the tree. “I should be with you guys anyway because I know how to stop Siobhán’s portals which I’m sure she’ll try to use to get Raghnall’s men here faster.” She shook her head. “Not just that, but everyone needs to remember these prophecies can’t be fulfilled without help from me and my sisters.”
Technically, Madison had already done her part, but Riona was no more willing to point that out than the men. Besides, she liked having her sister along and knew she could hold her own now that she had come fully into her gift.
More than that, Madison could hold her and Cian’s border as well while here. Or, to be precise, the trees and animals of the forest could at her bidding, which, as far as Riona could tell, came automatically. Not just that but her sister's familiar, Oran, and his new mate, Cian's fairy, Aisling, were standing guard alongside said nature and creatures, so all was well. Seemingly impregnable.
“How do you suppose I get the trees and animals to help me out when the time comes?” she asked her sister after Declán introduced her to several people. All bowed when they spied her dagger. Like those inside, she thanked them and asked them to treat her as their equal.
“The animals and trees will help you when you call to them,” Madison replied as they prepared to leave. “You’ll know how when the time’s right.” She shrugged. “After that, they become more in tune with you. Just like nature does after you connect with it.”
“So the land and animals will protect the Kingdom of Connacht while you’re here?” she asked. “You’re sure?”
Madison nodded. “I am.”
“And what about closing off Siobhán’s portals?” Riona tilted her head in question. “Surely that’s something you can teach me to do.”
“Honestly, I don’t think it is.” Madison shook her head. “It’s one of those things your magic has to feel out to understand.” She handed Riona a satchel. “You have to be missing your camera, so I manifested you a sketchpad and pencil to make up for it.”
She was surprised by the relief that washed over her. How necessary her drawings and photos had become to releasing what built up inside her.
“Thanks.” She gave her a quick hug. “This is more appreciated than you know.”
“I thought it might be.”
