Page 84 of The Last Kelpie

“Okay?”

“Okay.” He kissed me again, softer this time.

We stood there on the side of the road as the sun climbed higher, holding each other as if no one else existed.

Áedán eased back to look at me. “I love you. Even when I forget everything else, I'll remember that.”

“I know, because I'm going to make damn sure that you remember me.”

He laughed. “I'm holding you to that.”

We got back into our vehicles and drove back to the estate together, his Land Rover in front of me the whole way.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The idea came to me somewhere on the drive back as I watched Áedán's Land Rover eat up the miles ahead of me. The sun caught the rear window at an angle that made it look like water, and I thought about how Áedán had changed over the centuries. He'd learned to drive so he could explore. He'd adapted to modern clothing, mobile phones, and a world that no longer needed water guardians in the way it once had. Áedán must have spoken another language before. He had even changed his form.

Áedán had survived by changing. Not by staying frozen in the old stories. That was why he was the last kelpie.

By the time we pulled through the gates of the estate, past the metal arch with its Latin inscription, I knew what I needed to do. I just had to convince Julian. And Caelum. Especially Caelum.

Áedán parked in the lot near the main hall. I pulled up beside him and got out. He was already walking toward me, and the look on his face said he knew I was planning something.

“What are you thinking?” He caught my hand.

“I need to talk to Julian and Caelum. And probably everyone else.”

“Aboot?”

“About how we've been doing this wrong.”

Áedán's eyebrows rose. “That should go over well, seeing as I'm your first assignment.”

“That won't matter to them. They're too intelligent for that kind of bias. Will you come with me?”

He squeezed my hand. “Of course.”

We found Julian in his office, still going through the failed missions. He glanced up when we entered and set the folders aside immediately.

“You're back.” His gaze moved between us. “Together.”

“Yes, and I've had an idea. Could you call a meeting?” I asked. “Senior Velascans and Caelum.”

Julian studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “I'll gather everyone. Give me twenty minutes. We can use the meeting room on the second floor.”

“Thank you.”

We headed to the dining hall for breakfast. Rory was there with Zephyr. As I went up to them, Zephyr squawked and met me halfway. I picked him up and went to Rory.

“Thank you so much.” I handed Rory his keys.

“You brought him back.” Rory grinned at Áedán. “That's enough thanks for me.”

We ate breakfast with Rory, sharing with Zephyr, and then went upstairs. The meeting room overlooked the central garden where Velas's oak stood like a sentinel. Large windows let in streams of light that warmed the mahogany table. A red Persian rug lay beneath the table, and mismatched chairs gathered around it, feeling comfortable rather than careless. We sat down facing the windows and waited. Zephyr found a spot in the sun and curled up on the floor.

Julian arrived first, followed by Agnes with a leather-bound notebook. Hassan came next, already looking as if he wanted to lecture someone. Mei Lin bounced in wearing a bright yellow dress embroidered with cranes, and her hair pinned up with jade sticks. Then Mateo appeared with a tray of tea and biscuits. He made sure everyone had some before he sat down.

Caelum arrived last. He moved through the doorway like spring arriving, and I swore the plants in the window boxes outside leaned toward him, pressing against the glass. He wore a dark green suit today in his usual style that hung like a robe. The color went well with his bright hair and enhanced the leafy vines threaded through it. His toes peeked out from beneath the hem of his pants.