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He went silent, pale eyes darting as he stopped fighting and took a stilted step forward, forced to obey. Lonan opened the hut door for him and waited.
“Sorry,” I said sheepishly to Ogma. “I’m sure he’ll… grow to like it.”
She cackled. “Whether he likes it or not doesn’t matter.”
“Do you think he’ll be good company, at least?” I asked doubtfully, leaning my shoulder against the side of the hut. “He doesn’t talk much, I don’t think. Not usually, anyway. He was pretty vocal on the way here.”
“When you’ve been alone as long as I have, any company is better than none.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed, but I said nothing as I watched Cethlen let out a shuddering breath, then disappear into the dark hut.
“Hold on,” I blurted as Lonan closed the door behind him and walked over to join me. “Won’t he be able to hear Folk’s names when they come and find you? That seems a little risky.”
Ogma chuckled. “No. No one can hear them but me.”
I nudged Lonan with my elbow. “Ooh, I bet he’ll hate that. Being so close to Folk sharing their best-kept secrets and not being able to hear them.”
“I’m sure he will.” He slipped his arm around my back and looked at Ogma. “Our bargain has been fulfilled on both ends.”
“It has.” She peered at us through the opening. “It was good to see you both again. Enjoy your long lives.”
“We will.” I grinned at her and slapped the side of the hut. “No guards waiting to kill me when I leave this time, right?”
She huffed in amusement. “Not unless your holly king has secretly turned on you.”
I burst out laughing and slung my arm around Lonan’s neck, tugging him closer so I could press a smacking kiss to his cheek as he grinned. “As if.”
“Then you’ll be safe,” she said dryly. “I appreciate the companion, Death King. Send my regards to Sloga.”
The smell of sulphur returned as black mist surrounded us, obscuring the little hut in the pale grove that we would never see again. Nor would we ever see Cethlen again. Or Bres. Or Balor. Or the Carlin.
They were all finally gone.
When the fog dissipated and the forest reappeared around us, calm and quiet and green, I inhaled a deep breath of relief and smiled as Lonan slipped his arm around my middle from behind. He kissed the bend of my neck, resting his lips there.
“Thank you for coming with me.”
Turning, I draped my arms over his shoulders and fiddled with his hair. “I kind of can’t believe they’re all finally gone.”
His smile was radiant, long fingers slipping under my shirt to stroke my skin. The touch made me shiver, and I couldn’t stop myself from tugging him closer and crushing my mouth to his. He kissed me back eagerly, parting his lips against mine so our tongues could meet.
When the kiss eventually ended, my breaths were coming faster and my hands were buried in Lonan’s hair. He grinned, pressing a final kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“What now, Oak King?”
“I don’t know.” Sheepishly, I admitted, “I know we’re supposed to be all responsible now, but I don’t want to go back to seelie yet.”
He smiled, fingers drifting lower to fiddle with my waistband. “I don’t want to go back to unseelie yet either.”
Sighing, I tipped my forehead to his. “Well we have to pick one.”
Something flickered in his eyes as he gazed at me, before his mouth tipped up into that tiny familiar smile.
“No, we don’t.” He stepped back and took my hand. “I know where we can go.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lonan
