“Got to close the door soon,” Motley put in. He had his feet braced, both hands holding onto the door handle as though someone—or something—was pulling on it from the other side. “Can open it again later, when they’ve gone back to sleep.”
Cathy decided that she didn’t want to know who ‘they’ were. “We’d better wrap this up. I’m sorry to drop this on you all. Are you sure you’ll manage?”
Tamsin nodded. “We’ll sort everything out. Don’t worry, Cathy. We can make up a story about you having to drop everything and rush off due to a family emergency or something.”
“Leave the practical details to us,” Jack agreed. “And keep in touch.”
“I will.” Cathy gazed at her friends, one by one, warmth filling her heart. “This isn’t goodbye, you know. Just farewell for now.”
“We know.” Tamsin smiled at her, then Aodhan. “Take care of each other, okay?”
Aodhan’s fingers tightened on Cathy’s. “We will.”
“And Cathy!” Daisy called as Motley shut the door. She winked. “Have fun.”
Cathy laughed as the door closed and vanished. “You know, I think I will.”
“I certainly hope so.” Aodhan put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer—then winced. “Ow.”
She quickly angled her body away from his. Under Aodhan’s direction, she’d used her magic to patch up the worst of his injuries, but she knew he was still bruised from hip to shoulder under his robes. “Are your ribs still hurting?”
“No, they’re fine now.” He tapped a finger against her metal-covered shoulder. “Your armor poked me.”
“Sorry, I forgot. Hang on.”
Cathy had only summoned the armor in order to show it off to her friends. Now she concentrated, visualizing her regular clothes. Her rose-covered armor dissolved, reforming back into her green dress.
“There.” She leaned into Aodhan again. “Better?”
“No.” He tipped her head up for a kiss. “Just different. I like you in armor. Though I have to admit, in some circumstances I do prefer you out of it.”
“My, my,” Motley announced. The raven shifter was staring pointedly at the sky. “Looks like rain. Better be going.”
Cathy laughed again, feeling her cheeks flush. “Sorry, Motley. You don’t have to leave, really.”
“I was hoping you’d stay a while, actually,” Aodhan said to the raven shifter. “You’re the only person I know who can make portals at will. I could do with your help.”
A shadow crossed Motley’s face. He looked down at his hands. “Want to help. But don’t think I can. Don’t know how it works. How I open the doors.”
“Just watching you might give me some insight. But that’s not the only reason for the invitation. Cathy would enjoy your company, and so would Kevin.” Aodhan hesitated for a moment, then added, “So would I.”
Motley looked up sharply. For an instant, he just stood there, open-mouthed—and then he sprang at Aodhan.
“Ribs, ribs!” Aodhan gasped as Motley seized him in a hug. “For Herne’s sake. A simple ‘thank you’ would have sufficed.”
“Wouldn’t.” Motley gave the mage a last squeeze before releasing him again. “Yes. Will stay.”
Aodhan straightened his robes like an offended cat licking its fur—though, Cathy noted, he didn’t look entirely displeased by Motley’s enthusiasm. “I’ll make a room for you. Might as well, since I have to create one for Kevin anyway. Can’t have you nesting in the grimoires like a stray pigeon.”
“Will need shelves,” Motley informed him. “But only for treasures. No putting your books on them.”
“No books?” Aodhan said, as though Motley had demanded a room with no walls. He drew himself up, nostrils flaring. “Now see here—”
“Mom! Aodhan!”
Kevin ran up, forestalling the brewing argument. He cradled a small black shape, tucked tight against his chest.
“I found her at last,” he said breathlessly. He opened his arms, revealing the crow-cat. “She was shivering behind some scrolls in the history section. I put her under my tunic to try to warm her up.”