Oh, and sing, Aodhan had thrown over his shoulder, right before he’d abandoned her to her watery doom. He can’t resist a wet, beautiful woman singing.
Well, she was a woman, and she was definitely wet. She couldn’t do anything about the ‘beautiful’ bit, which left only one way to improve the odds.
Cathy tried to think of something to sing. Unfortunately, her repertoire was not extensive, and had mostly been formed during Kevin’s preschool years. She doubted any fae creature was going to be enticed by a rousing chorus of ‘The Wheels on the Bus.’
“La di dah,” she sang at random, feeling as stupid as she no doubt looked. “Splish splash. Here I am, enjoying a bath. La la la.”
A passing sparrow gave her some serious side-eye.
This clearly wasn’t working. Cathy gritted her teeth and waded further into the pond. Water seeped up her jeans. She tried to ignore the unpleasant sensation of her underwear plastering itself to her butt.
“What a lovely day,” she announced, despite all evidence to the contrary. She toyed with the buttons of her blouse. “Maybe I’ll go skinny dipping.”
A nearby squirrel chattered in alarm and whisked up a tree.
Just as she was starting to worry that she really was going to have to appall the local wildlife with an alfresco strip tease, the surface of the water rippled. Even though she’d been prepared for it, a squeak of fright still escaped her lips. She clamped her mouth shut, forcing herself to stay still.
Trust Aodhan, she told herself as the water mounded higher, humping like a stretching cat. He knows what he’s doing. He won’t let it hurt me he has a plan oh God oh God oh God—
And then her growing panic simply… stopped. Calm dropped over her like a weighted blanket.
An equine head emerged from the water—except it was water, living water, clear as crystal. Droplets pattered from the stallion’s glassy hide as he pulled himself from the pond, standing on the water as though on solid ground.
Cathy stood enraptured, all discomfort forgotten. Of course she didn’t need to run. Why would she want to run from something so beautiful?
The kelpie arched his neck, streaming mane glittering like falling rain. There was something looped around that proud, noble head—a thin, braided silver cord, like a makeshift halter. Reins dangled invitingly, just out of reach.
Slowly, Cathy stretched out a hand. The kelpie didn’t snort and shy away as she’d feared. Instead, he sidled closer, turning to offer easier access.
There was a saddle on his back now—or had it always been there? Cathy didn’t know, and she didn’t care. Those deep, glowing eyes promised escape, and freedom, and speed. This beautiful creature would carry her away from everything, swift as running water, washing away all her cares. All she had to do was reach out and touch him—
“All right, that’s quite enough.” Aodhan’s sharp voice shattered her trance. He strode out of the bushes on the far side of the pool, Noodle snarling at his side. “Hold it right there, Neifion, or I’ll turn you to vapor.”
The kelpie froze, one hoof poised in mid-air.
Released from the water horse’s spell, all Cathy’s fears returned like a flock of homing pigeons. She recoiled, stumbled, and would have fallen flat on her butt in the shallow pool if Aodhan hadn’t caught her elbow with his free hand.
“That was far too close.” Aodhan had his wand out, trained on the kelpie like a sniper rifle. “I never should have let you do that.”
“I’m all right,” Cathy gasped, though her heart was still thumping against her ribs. “Your plan worked.”
“It was a stupid plan.” He hauled her out of the pond, then handed her back her bag and pan. “Herne’s balls, I don’t know what I was thinking. If I ever suggest something like that again, promise you’ll hit me over the head with your cursed iron pan until I see sense.”
The kelpie cleared his throat, with a sound like water circling a drain. “Look, there’s clearly been an unfortunate misunderstanding. I’ll just be—”
Aodhan leveled his wand, the glow at the tip brightening.
“…staying right here,” the kelpie concluded. “Apparently.”
“I’m terribly sorry for the deception,” Cathy said hastily, before Aodhan could start issuing demands. “I realize this is an awful imposition, but we desperately need your help, if it’s not too much trouble.”
The kelpie’s ears pricked forward with interest. “Well, at least someone has nice manners. What’s in it for me?”
“Your continued existence as a single corporeal entity,” Aodhan growled. “And not, for example, six scattered puffs of steam.”
Cathy kicked the side of his foot. “Of course we’ll pay you for your time.”
“We will?” Aodhan said.