CHAPTER23
Ferghal’s promise to return ‘on the morrow’ turned out to mean ‘in three days.’ Aodhan, familiar with seelie punctuality—or lack thereof—did his best to keep Cathy from fretting over the delay. This meant that by the time Ferghal did finally ride into the village, the place looked rather different.
“By the sun.” Ferghal reigned in his steed, and Aodhan had the rare delight of seeing a Summer Knight look completely floored. “What in the lost queen’s name happened here?”
The previously shabby, humble village was now a riot of roses. They grew from every spare patch of earth, filling the air with sweet scent. Gold-edged petals carpeted the dirt streets.
Even Eislyn seemed impressed. She flicked her tail, eying the glorious flowers with reluctant approval. “It is a distinct improvement. Though some variety would not have gone amiss. It is perhaps possible to have too many roses.”
“I must disagree,” Aodhan said blandly.
“Evidently, so does Lady Rose,” Ferghal said, staring around. With clear effort, he managed to pull himself together, recovering some of the usual high sidhe arrogance. “Well. I am, ah, delighted to see that the lady sorceress has made herself at home. Inform your mistress of my arrival, creature. I will escort her to my estate at once.”
Aodhan let the ‘creature’ pass without comment. He sketched a bow, trying not to make it too sarcastic. “I shall convey your message, and see when it suits her to depart.”
He found Cathy behind the headman’s cottage, pacing back and forth, Noodle faithfully following at her heels. The two osses stood nearby, chewing on roses with calm indifference.
“He’s here,” Aodhan told her. Cathy immediately turned to her mount, but he barred her path. “No. Don’t rush. Keep him waiting, otherwise he’ll think he outranks you.”
Above her green dress, Cathy’s face was pale. Her hands twisted together. “I can’t, Aodhan. We’re so close to Kevin now. I can’t bear to wait any longer.”
He caught in his arms, drawing her close. “Just a few minutes, that’s all. It’s nearly over, Cathy.”
She sighed, leaning her forehead against his chest. Aodhan held her, resting his head on hers. Closing his eyes, he tried to memorize the precise feel of her; her warmth, her scent, the way her body fit perfectly to his.
Because it was nearly over. His heart felt tugged in two, split between conflicting emotions. He wanted to reunite Cathy with her son… but it meant losing her himself.
A slight rustle made him look round. A faun child who couldn’t have been older than ten shrank back into the vegetable patch, ears flattening in alarm.
“Wait!” Cathy said, as the girl turned to flee. “Don’t run away.”
The child froze, clearly torn between self-preservation and a direct order from a superior. Her eyes swiveled, searching for escape.
“It’s all right, little one.” Aodhan let go of Cathy, addressing the faun. “The sorceress is not angry. What is it?”
“I—I just wanted to ask…” the child stammered, looking like she wished she was a thousand leagues away. “If… if the great lady…”
“Yes?” Cathy said, when the girl didn’t continue. She crouched, offering her a reassuring smile. “Go ahead. Whatever it is, I’d be happy to help.”
“Can we pick the roses?” the girl said, all in a rush. “If you’re done with them, I mean. I heard the grown-ups talking about how we could make petal wine and sugar blossoms and all kinds of good things. But nobody dares touch them.”
“So your elders sent you to ask permission?” Aodhan frowned. “They should have known better. It is not safe for little ones to approach seelie nobles.”
The young faun shook her head vigorously. “No one sent me. Everyone’s too scared. But, but—I look after the hens, and I saw you, sir. You said words and now they don’t have mites and even Lazy Gray’s started laying. And, and the great lady smiled at me, the other day, when I brought eggs for her breakfast. The two of you, you aren’t like the lord. So… so I thought, maybe you wouldn’t mind. About the roses. If I asked.”
From the way the poor child’s ears were pinned back against her head, she was deeply regretting her own daring. Cathy smiled at her, plucking a rosebud from the nearest bush.
“What’s your name?” Cathy asked the girl.
The girl’s throat bobbed. “Tara, great lady.”
“Well, Tara.” Cathy tucked the flower into the girl’s curly hair, next to one stubby horn. “Someone as brave as you should have all the roses she wants. Tell your elders that everyone is free to take them, with my blessing.”
The girl broke into a broad, gap-toothed smile, her ears perking up. She bobbed a curtsy, hesitated, then darted forward. Before Aodhan could react, she seized his hand, pressing it to her brow.
“I thought only high sidhe could be mages,” Tara whispered. “But the elders say you’re lesser fae, like us. I’ll practice the words, sir. Every day.”
Without waiting for a response, she dashed away, small hooves flashing. Aodhan was left standing there, one hand still outstretched, blinking after her.