Caitlin slipped her hand into Declan's big, battle-scarred paw, saw surprise widen the warrior's eyes. "I thank you, for all your kindness to my father, to me. You gave my parents pieces of my childhood by the tales you told. Maybe when Niall is well, you would grant me one last favor as well. You could tell me what they said, what they thought, tell me if they laughed or cried when you spun stories about me. Then it would almost be as if—as if we shared those times together, like a real family."
Declan's eyes watered. He cleared his throat gruffly. "They never stopped loving you, longing for you. Every day, I heard them speak of their little daughter."
A ruckus sounded beyond the door, someone yelping in pain. Declan's hand went to his sword, Caitlin rising, facing the portal just as a warrior staggered in, clutching his shin.
"We are under attack! Beware—"
The surge of alarm in Caitlin dissipated into relief and what was almost amusement as a slender girl with bright red hair charged into the room.
"Try to stop me again, and you will be crawling for a week, you puling worm! That is my brother in there!"
The girl rushed in, cheeks flushed and travel-stained, eyes wide with terror.
"Fiona! It is too soon for the riders to have reached Daire! However did you get here?"
"We were already riding like fire, Owaine and I. He awoke, told me when he went to deliver Niall's message Conn tried to kill him! Owaine knew something was wrong and guessed Niall was in danger."
"He was."
"I left the others behind because I had to know. Caitlin, the warriors said that Conn... Conn poisoned him."
Caitlin stepped away from the bed. Hated the horror contorting Fiona's small face.
"Is he...?" Dead? Fiona could not speak the word, but it hung there between them.
"He lives. If he would only awaken."
"He will. He has to," Fiona choked out. "He—he always comes back for me. Even this time, after so very long... he came back."
Caitlin brushed a lock of hair from Fiona's stricken face. "He asked me to tell you that you were right about your father. Conn confessed Ronan was innocent before he died. Niall said you loved nothing more than proving him wrong."
"Then he can just wake up and give me the pleasure of gloating! Niall!" Fiona shook him by the shoulder. "Niall, I came all the way to Glenfluirse to find you again. Tell you—I..." Her voice roughened. "I love you, curse you to hell!"
Caitlin peered into the girl's face, with its anguish and devotion. Surely, even the cruelest fate could not steal her brother away.
Caitlin knelt at Niall's side, touched his cheek. "Niall, please, you must awaken now. I know Fiona has never said those words before. It took so much courage... but then, she learned courage from you. We cannot lose you now, Fiona and I. Aye, and your mother."
Her breath caught. Had she seen his eyelashes flicker? His lips move? Or was it her imagination? Nay, he was trying to say something!
"Now I have to stay... dead."
"What? Niall?" Caitlin gasped.
"He said something!" Fiona cried.
"I said, now I have to stay... dead. If I live, Fiona will never forgive me for... hearing that." His eyes drifted open, bloodshot, weary, but sparkling with wry humor. "Say it... again... wee one."
"Niall!" Fiona sobbed, flung herself across his chest.
"Help!" came a muffled yelp. "I really will be dead. You are smothering me!"
Caitlin tugged Fiona away, and the girl fell into Declan's arms, the two of them hugging, laughing.
Caitlin dropped to her knees beside Niall's bed. "You came back to us. Fiona knew you would."
"I was so... so tired. Wanted to let go, sleep. It hurt so much, lady. But every time I thought I could not hold on, I saw my father shimmering before me with something in his hand."
"What was it?"
