“But you do,” Cian said softly, not buying it. “Clearly. And I think you know that, lass.”
She shook her head and frowned, trying her best to act baffled when it felt like her skin was on fire again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Why are you lying?” Madison frowned. “What’s going on with you, Constance?” She nudged her back into the room, gripped her shoulders from behind, and made her look into the full-length mirror Constance had done her best to ignore. “Look at yourself. This isn’t you.” Madison shook her head. “You haven’t eaten in days. You’re way too thin. Gaunt almost.” She caught her gaze in the mirror and touched the area under her own eyes. “Good God, look at the dark circles under your eyes, sis.”
“I haven’t been sleeping much,” she confessed. And when she did, she was tormented by nightmares. She met Madison’s eyes in the mirror. “Can you blame me, given how terrifying this has been? Because it has been for me knowing you, Riona, and Shannon are putting your lives on the line.”
Her sister was right, though. She looked awful. Nothing like she had when she first arrived here less than a week ago. Typically, she kept her hair clean and tidy. Now it was askew and lackluster. Her skin wasn’t ivory but red and drawn like she was suffering from a sunburn. If that weren’t bad enough, her eyes seemed haunted and lifeless rather than churning with the rage she felt.
“I get that you were worried about us, but still.” Madison’s frown deepened. “You’re seriously not yourself right now. Sick, if I were to guess.” She shook her head again. “And it’s safe to say we’re a whole lot more worried about you right now than you are about us.”
Madison squeezed Constance’s shoulders and went on. “We’re okay. All three of us.” Renewed worry flashed in her eyes when she put the flat part of her wrist against Constance’s forehead like she had when they were kids, and checked her temperature. “You’re burning up.” She shivered and glanced at the open windows and fan. “Despite the fact that it’s freezing in here.”
“You know I’ve always run hot.” Yet it gave her an idea. “But I’ll admit a cool shower couldn’t hurt.” She worked at a smile. “It might help me look and feel somewhat normal again.”
“I suppose it couldn't hurt.” A flicker of hesitation and distrust flashed in Madison’s eyes. “Then we’ll talk, and afterward, we’ll all return to Ireland.” She shook her head at the room. “No more holing yourself up in here.”
She nodded in agreement, sure to look relieved that her big sister was helping her. Providing her own little intervention to save Constance from self-destruction. Something she was sure to thank her for before she gathered a change of clothes, headed into the bathroom, and hopped into a cold shower.
As icy as she could get it.
She swore the water sizzled on her skin. That her temperature had to be well above normal. Something she assumed must have to do with tapping into magic for the first time. Perhaps even reuniting with Siobhán despite the distance.
She braced her hand against the shower wall and let the refreshing water pour over her face. Down her chest. Over her body. Relished what was to come. Reuniting with her blade, then ending Aodh with it. What would it feel like to kill for the first time? To see her demon fall? To witness the evil drain from his lifeless body?
Something nobody, including her sisters, would stop her from doing.
That in mind, she washed up quickly, left the water running, and got out. After she tugged on jeans and a t-shirt, then slid into sneakers, she opened the bathroom window and peered down. Where her bedroom window would have been obvious, this one wasn’t. She could tie towels together and manage it.
Or she would have had she not sensed Madison talking to Cian about this very thing. Her sister was worried she was going to do something rash. That she might try to go to Siobhán based on what Aodh had said to Liam. Therefore, Madison felt either she or Cian should stand guard in front of the oak tree.
“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath, out of time. “Only one way to do this, then.”
She burst out of the bathroom, raced down the stairs with a hand to her stomach, and claimed she needed to get outside right away. Needed fresh air, or else she was going to throw up.
Madison and Cian, who had been standing in the kitchen, flew after her, but it was too late. Their magic couldn’t touch her as she raced at the old oak and willed it to take her back to Siobhán. To medieval Ireland and all the good she could do there.
All those she could help if she brought peace to the land.
That’s all she thought about, all she cared about, untilwhoosh, the tree vanished, and thick woodland surrounded her. While tempted to slow down and look around, there was no time. So she kept running. Barely felt the renewed chill in the air or smelled the salt on the wind. All she could see were the warriors ahead.
Siobhán’s warriors.
She continued racing forward, only for something monstrous to crash down in front of her. Its huge wings knocked her backward so hard she fell and started rolling. When she came to a stop, she blinked and tried to make sense of what was happening, only to see Aodh’s massive black dragon roaring fire at Siobhán’s warriors.
“No,” she cried, but it was too late. He had already incinerated the first line of men and roared fire at those trying to flee.
“No!” she screamed, trying to see through the cloying smoke. Constance shook her head and staggered to her feet. “Don’t hurt them,” she choked out, having trouble breathing. “Leave them alone, you monster!” She tried to keep going but tripped on numerous gnarled roots and fell, landing in an ungraceful heap on the forest floor. “Aodh,” she screamed again. “Leave them alone!”
“I will not,” came a deep rumble. “Any more than you should.” One last burst of fire erupted from the fog before a tall, well-built man with longish black hair and the iciest pale blue eyes she had ever seen emerged through the smoke. “And I am not Aodh but Viking King Ulrik Sigdir, son of Tor and Raven, here to repay a favor to Cian, King of Connacht.” He shook his head. “And you are not the peacemaker in your tale, woman.” He held down his hand to her. “I am.”
