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"It's one thing to be defeated by some wild, exiled youth of a werewolf who then spat on your pride and turned away, and quite another to be defeated by theRed Wolf, who is proving his strength to not one pack or clan butallof them."
"You'd made a legend of yourself. Oh, Conall, they were all spoiling you to get you tostay," I cried out.
He laughed and nodded. "Exactly. Thankfully, Andrés explained that to my thick skull too. He was very patient with me. I don't know how much he knew of my story, of my father, or if he only had the sense to see me for what I was. I was even less inclined to challenge him after we spoke, but he was right—if I favored any pack over another, it would be as if I was stepping into my father's shoes, threatening to rule over them all. We had to make a bit of a performance out of the fight. And then I had to move on."
My heart ached for the young man he'd been, bound to be alone, to continue his own exile. I closed my eyes and Conall kissed my temple.
"After that, I was more…circumspect in my challenges. I watched packs from afar, waited to see how they were ruled, if it was worth proving myself once more. Occasionally, I'd hear a rumor that a certain region thought I hadn't come because I was frightened of their strength." He shrugged and grinned at me. "So of course, I went to set them straight. I started seeking out other monsters for company, rather than other werewolves, and discovered an entirely different world, a different hierarchy where I was an impressive curiosity rather than a legend."
"It feels quite absurd the way we talk about you now, so young, when really you are—"
Conall laughed and shook his head. "No, I like it. Iamyoung by comparison. I'm sure Hywel has tales that could make my hair curl. It's an honest perspective, and I appreciate the respect I am afforded. I am glad I never took a pack. I wouldn't have a friend like Asterion, and I wouldn't have…"
Our horse stopped and I blinked, startled to find us suddenly in the orchard in front of the castle. Laszlo touched down from the air, straightening to two legs and murmuring to Hywel as he dismounted.
"I wouldn't have met you,mo chroí," Conall whispered in my ear. "Now you know all there is to know."
He jumped down from his horse and then turned, reaching his hand up to help me down. Cold air struck my back, the void of heat he'd stolen away. I reached a hand down, combing it into his tangled red locks, and shook my head.
"No, Conall. There is always more to know. That's the beauty of learning another person," I said.
The fixed charm he wore so easily faltered on his face, revealing an open and vulnerable terror, and my decision was set in stone. I would love this man. I would love him as no one else had tried to love him in his life. I'd thought love would come back to me, the sudden swoon and storm of feelings that had seemed to possess me of their own accord when I was younger.
I was making love a choice now, a course I would follow every day, actions I would relearn and practice and memorize. I knew where I wanted to start.
"Would you be offended if I admit I'm nervous?" Conall whispered.
I placed my hands on his shoulders, and he pulled me down to stand in front of him. I shook my head and offered him a smile. "No, I understand perfectly. But I'm going to tell you what you'll do next."
He grinned. "Oh, you will, will you?"
I nodded. "You're going to take my hand and follow me inside. And you're not going to let go until I tell you."
Conall sucked in a deep breath and stepped back, holding out his hand. "Very well,mo chroí. Lead the way."
CHAPTER32
IN THE NEST
As we entered the castle, all of us weary and cold from our unexpected bath in the cavern, I gave Excalibur to Hywel for safekeeping. He kissed my forehead and tipped his head to Asterion, the pair of them heading toward the armory. Ronalt left for his guest suite, and finally it was only the pair of us, Conall and me. I already knew exactly where to find Laszlo.
I led Conall up to the tower nest. He balked as I approached the stairs, but I squeezed his hand and held his gaze until he swallowed and matched my steps once more.
Laszlo was inside the large room as if he'd expected us. No, hehadexpected us, his gaze glittering as it met mine, a pleased smile curving his lips.
"I started you both a bath."
I looked at the pair of them, Conall with fresh scars and bloodied clothes, Laszlo and his crooked feathers and ragged, windswept hair.
"Will it fit two?" I asked.
"Of course," Laszlo said.
I nodded. "Good. Then it's the pair ofyougoing in. I'll play maid."
There was a fair amount of bluster in response.
"No, dear one, your bruises need to be dressed in oil."
