Cathy wanted to sweep him up in her arms, but she knew he’d only push her away. She released Aodhan, taking two swift steps toward her son—as close as she dared go, without risking startling him into flight.
“Kevin, listen to me,” she said urgently. “An unseelie prince is on his way. He’ll be here any moment.”
Her heart broke at the fear that flashed across Kevin’s face. He clutched at Noodle, hugging the dog to his chest like a teddy bear. “I don’t want to go back to the unseelie.”
“Don’t worry. That’s not going to happen.” Even as she spoke, a shuddering impact rocked the house. Screams came from downstairs, along with the clash of weapons. “Aodhan is going to get you out of here.”
“Aodhan is going to get both of you out of here,” Aodhan corrected her without looking round. He was busy setting wards around the door, his wand scrawling glowing lines in mid-air. With a last tap on a sigil, he stepped back. “There. That won’t slow Morcant down for long, but even seconds might count.”
“Aodhan.” She touched his arm, lowering her voice. “You’ll go faster without me.”
“No.” He cupped the side of her face briefly, his mouth curving in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll go faster with you.”
Before she could argue further, he dropped his hand, stepping back. Golden light ran down his body. His outline blurred, shifting.
In alicorn form, he filled the room. Cathy turned to Kevin, intending to boost him onto that broad white back, but Aodhan unfolded a wing, blocking her way.
“Wait.” Aodhan sank down, one foreleg folding underneath himself, the other stretching out. His mane fell around his neck like a golden waterfall as he bowed his head. “Put your hand on my horn first.”
Trusting that he knew what he was doing, Cathy reached out. Her fingertips brushed the hard, gleaming length—and white light flared.
She snatched her hand back. The glow died as though she’d flicked a light switch off, but she could still feel an electric crackle of energy tingling across her skin.
“What—?” she started.
“No time.” Aodhan’s breath steamed in the suddenly freezing air. He bowed lower, thrusting his head under her hand. “This is the only way. Do it, Cathy. Now!”
Whatshe was doing, she had no idea—but there was no time to ask questions. She set her palm to his forehead, at the base of his horn.
Light glowed around her fingers. Cathy sucked in her breath as it spiraled up her arm. She would have jerked away again, but Aodhan pressed harder against her palm, maintaining contact.
“Don’t stop.” His voice was a strangled rasp. Under his white hide, his muscles trembled and twitched, as though he was having to fight to stay still. “My choice, Cathy. Let me do this for you.”
The scent of roses filled the air. Behind her, Kevin gasped as the light spread over her whole body, growing brighter.
White armor materialized around her, hugging her shoulders and chest. Her dress dissolved, reforming into butter-soft leather leggings and articulated greaves. Engraved roses twined across every gleaming metal plate, each petal outlined in glowing gold.
The armor should have been a sudden weight, dragging her down—yet instead it seemed to support her. Cathy lifted onto her toes, buoyed up by light. She felt strong, powerful—
And she felt him. It was Aodhan’s strength that moved through her veins, pouring from his body into hers. Aodhan’s heart, beating alongside her own.
She could see herself through his eyes; a warrior queen, crowned with white roses and armored in light. She could feel how her own hand burned against his forehead like a brand, marking him forever.
“I answer your Call,” Aodhan said softly, as her light wound around him, wrapping his body and binding his soul. “I am yours, my knight.”