“Do ye sense Aodh and his men back within the perimeter?” Declán asked Cian, trusting his magic more than his own right now.
Cian shook his head, equally concerned. “I do not.”
“Nay.” The warrior with Raghnall’s voice issued a slow grin. “Who would have thought I would have a dragon at my disposal?” He tossed his head back and laughed before his expression turned sly. “And such astrongone at that.”
Something about that made Declán especially unsettled. Had Raghnall somehow planned this? Had Aodh truly been going to meet his men this morning, or had he been lured? Because what better weapon could Raghnall have at his command than a dragon?
Rather than let his warrior-turned-Raghnall incite more fury from him, Declán ordered Áengus to see to the men tied to the tree and told Madison and Riona to get back on their horses without saying another word. They would speak again once they were out of earshot.
Nothing was harder than riding away from his possessed men, but he had no choice. No more than he did last time Raghnall possessed his warriors at Cian’s border.
Naturally, their enemy sneered and tried to incite them as they departed. From trying to lure Riona back into his arms to all he had planned for Declán for daring to take what belonged to him. What had been his.
Wouldalwaysbe his.
“I noticed he didn’t mention being angry at you for infiltrating his ranks,” Riona said once they were clear of the possessed warriors. “In fact, Ialmostget the sense he might have known what you were up to.”
“I agree.” Cian gave Declán a warning look. “Which, again, lends to him not trusting you. To that end, if he didn't trust you, why didn't he keep a closer eye on you? Especially once Riona arrived?”
“Whatever his reasons, I can say with certainty he never trusted Declán.” Madison looked at Declán with equal warning. “I felt it in the magic used to possess the men tied to the tree.” She shook her head. “I think Raghnall was doing the same thing as you when he welcomed you to his side. He was seeing what he could learn about his rival kingdom.”
“Which means we can’t trust anything you saw or heard,” Cian said, stating the obvious. “For ‘twas likely all for show.”
“Except the chapel.” Riona's eyes met Declán’s, and she visibly shivered. “I’m not sure how I know it, but that was real.” She glanced back the way they had come, then met his gaze again. “I also think defecting to his side for me played right into his hands somehow. Otherwise, why would I have asked you in dreams over the years to fortify your castle as though there was some sort of siege coming? A siege that might very well be here soon?”
He agreed, but it mattered little in the end because he would have gone after her regardless. He would have saved her from Raghnall no matter what it took.
“A siege you were on the other side of, Riona,” Cian pointed out. “If we're to go off the sketch of you and Raghnall standing on his battlements.”
“Itwouldseem that way,” Madison said, seeming to sense something in that. Or, more specifically, something in Riona. “Yet I have a feeling that was either Riona's misguided emotions due to burning in that fire with Raghnall or simply a call to action for Declán. A means to make sure he defected no matter what so he would be there for her. Save her.”
Riona nodded slowly before she gave a firm nod and wore a look of relief when she looked at Declán. “While I’m not sure which one it was, Madison's right.” She shook her head. “Whether I somehow get taken by him at the end of all this or not, that picture has nothing to do with this siege.”
“’Tis a relief to hear,” Declán replied. A relief was putting it mildly. He couldn't imagine her being anywhere but fighting by his side. The truth of it was if she were his opponent, he would be helpless against her no matter her power.
He would let her take him down before he ever hurt her.
Best to focus on what lie ahead rather than an alternate reality, though.
“Whatever happens, we are ready for this siege.” He looked at Madison and Cian grimly. “My only regret outside of Aodh being caught on the outside is the two of you being trapped on the inside, away from your kingdom and people.”
“A kingdom that’s safe,” Cian said gruffly, more sympathy in his eyes than Declán expected. “Where mayhap many of your men are not.”
Declán dreaded to find out how many had been lost on the other side of the wall. How many were at the whims of Raghnall and his warriors. So he focused on measures they could take now instead. Measures he had already begun making by moving people from the outlying villages closer.
“They’ll all fit, won’t they?” Riona marveled, catching his thoughts. What had to matter most right now. “You’ve built your castle and its surrounding walls large enough to fit everyone in your kingdom? To protect them better than most castles?” Her voice dropped an octave, emotional. “A true fortress on the outside if ever I saw one.”
“I have you to thank for that,mo chroí.” He looked at her with gratitude. “Because of what you told me to do in our dreams over the years.”
“Mo chroi?” Madison echoed softly, eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and approval. “Do you feel that strongly about my sister already?”
“I do.” He wondered at the look in her eyes and spoke with the respect due her. Especially given the topic. “Otherwise, I would have never betrayed my brothers, my people, your husband.” He shook his head at Cian before looking at Madison again. “Never would have betrayed my closest friend.” Though he spoke to Madison, his gaze settled on Riona. “It always had more to do with your sister than fulfilling the prophecy. More to do with how I came to feel about her over the years, even if only in my dreams.”
“Dreams she doesn’t remember.” Madison’s gaze went to Riona. “Yet you feel more strongly than you thought you would for Declán far too quickly?”
Riona nodded and slid him the sort of smile that made his chest tighten. “I do.”
“Enough to marry him as quickly as I did Cian?” Madison asked, catching them both off guard. “Enough to at least make you his in the eyes of not just our four kingdoms but Raghnall’s?” She perked a brow at Riona. “Do that, and I guarantee things won’t go nearly so smoothly for the bad guy.” She shook her head. “Not in this day and age.”
