“Sorry. Didn’t mean to be morbid, but I do have a request.”
“Name it.”
“Will you take me out horseback riding? I’d like to see more of the countryside.”
“If that’s your wish.” He released her hand, intending to see about the horses. Regardless of her prediction, he’d decided to pretend like it was any other day. As though she were a sister or a friend, not the woman he felt so drawn to. He wouldn’t let himself fall into the trap of caring for her, not if she was going to die. Best to shield himself from it.
Mary ventured a smile. “I’ve never been on horseback before. It looks like a beautiful way to see the land.”
“It is.” He saw her take a step forwards, as though she were about to embrace him. Instead, he moved away, taking the long path towards the stable. He didn’t miss the disappointment in her eyes, but it was for the best. It would hurt far less, if he kept himself distant from her.
After he saddled her horse and led her out of the ring fort and across the bridge of the crannog, he stayed at her side. “My family has lived here for a hundred years. The crannog is an artificial island, but it protects us from raiders and wild animals.”
He thought she mumbled something about “killer squirrels” but couldn’t be sure. When they reached the open fields, Mary turned to him. “Show me how to gallop.”
“You said you’ve never been on a horse before. It’s not safe.”
“Oh, come on. I want to go faster. How hard can it be?”
“Your backside won’t forgive you.” But he reached over and lifted her on to the horse in front of him. “It’s better if I take you with me.” Driving his heels into his stallion’s back, he took her across the meadow as fast as he dared. Her hair streamed away from her face, and she gripped the horse’s mane tightly. He brought her towards the sea, letting her glimpse the deep blue waters against the harsh cliffs. Then he slowed the horse.
Mary turned to him, and the blinding smile on her face stole his breath. She rested her palm on his cheek and drew him in for a light kiss.
He knew he shouldn’t touch her, but he wanted to hold her. She eased her leg until she sat side-saddle, and put her arms around his waist. “That was amazing. Thank you.”
She sat against his lap, and he let her remain there, with her head resting against his chest. “I’ve only known you for a single day, but it feels like longer.”
His grip tightened around her, for she was right.
“I’m glad you’re here, Cian,” she murmured.
His answer was another kiss on her temple. Right now he wanted to take her back home, to keep her at his side for always. But just then, the wind whipped against them, rippling the grasses on the hillside. His gaze was drawn to one of the mounds, and upon it, he saw one of the Daoine Sídhe. The small man stared at them, his gaze threatening.
“That’s the man I saw,” Mary whispered. “Kevan. He’s the one who said I’m going to die before dawn tomorrow.”
Cian turned his mount towards the man, but as soon as they reached the foot of the hill, Kevan vanished. “How did you offend him?”
“I stepped into a fairy circle,” she admitted. “I thought it was just a ring of mushrooms.”
She shivered in his arms. “Take me back, Cian. I need something to take my mind off tomorrow morning.”
Cian had gone out searching for blackberries along the edge of the forest when the back of his neck began to prickle.
“Fulfilling her last request, are you?” Kevan interrupted. The tiny man of the Daoine Sídhe had a smug expression on his face.
Cian didn’t bother to hide his anger. “She’s innocent and never meant to offend. She didn’t even know what the circle was.”
Kevan laughed. “She didn’t tell you how to break the curse, did she?”
Cian stilled, not knowing what the man was speaking of. “No.”
“Well now.” Kevan rubbed at his beard. “She didn’t tell you that love has the power to save her life? I find that interesting.”
“I don’t want her to die,” Cian said, forcing himself to kneel on the ground. If he had to humble himself before a member of the Daoine Sídhe, so be it. Mary’s life was worth it. “I will love her, if that’s what I’m meant to do.”
Kevan laughed. “You can love her all you wish, but it won’t save her. Only if she loves you in return, will she live. And it doesn’t seem that she feels the same way now, does it?”
The words pricked him like the blackberry thorns. “There’s time enough to convince her.”
