“Ash knows who you are.”
“He what?”
“He called you by name and said you were a mage who turned himself into a bird. Heknowsyou.” I settle on the floral-print sofa next to his perch, realizing it’s quite comfortable. “Or at least he knowsofyou. Since you turned yourself into a bird before he was even alive, he doesn’tknowyou. That’s probably why he’s being such a—” I cut myself off and huff out a breath.
Rowan doesn’t answer right away. When he does, he says, “Exactly how old do you think I am?”
I turn my head to look at him. “I don’t know. Around Laverna’s age. I’ve been making myself sick over the fact that…well, that you might not have much time left.” Inconvenient tears sting my eyes. “I don’t want you to die a bird.”
“You think I’meighty?”
I sniff. “Aren’t you?”
He laughs—really laughs. It’s a strange sound, maybe even slightly unstable.
“Are you having a birdy breakdown?” I whisper.
“Ashknows?” Rowan demands, sounding angry now. “He’s known all this time?”
I sit up a little straighter, gauging his mood. He’s small but angry. “Apparently.”
He mutters something, flapping his wings, and then flies into the kitchen. I’m not sure if I should follow him.
But I don’t have to. Not even ten seconds later, he flies back.
“Why were you talking about me anyway?” he demands.
“He brought it up—not me.” I pause. “Okay, I sort of did. But I swear, I wasn’t talking aboutyou.”
“Just some other bird left in your care?”
“I didn’t bring up a bird at all!” I glare at him. “Don’t be angry with me when you’re actually mad at yourself. It’s not my fault you’re like this.”
The feathers over his eyes lower like eyebrows, making him look irked.
A crash of thunder shakes the cottage.
“I’m going to bed,” I say, turning around.
“Kit, wait?—”
He’s cut off by a knock.
We both turn toward the door, startled.
“Kathleen!” Ash yells from the other side.
“It’s pouring out there,” I say dumbly, looking at my annoying owl.
Rowan stretches his neck, miffed. “I don’t see how that’s our problem.”
Growling because these Neilfellow men are extremely trying, I cross the room, unlatch the deadbolt, and throw the door open.
Ash stands on the step, looking like a drowned rat.
A very handsome drowned rat.
“Why are you still here?” I demand. “And what about your horse? You can’t leave him out in this.”
