Earth's Requiem(116)

Rune, hackles raised the length of his back, growled. “I told you she was trouble.” What he’d heard pass between Aislinn, Fionn, and Dewi must have upset him terribly. He ran in circles, unable to contain himself. Making a dash for the dragon, he barked and snarled, fell back, and then did it again. Aislinn called him, worried Dewi would turn him into cinders if she got angry enough, but the wolf didn’t listen.

Fionn reeled in his magic. “If ye are certain ye doona wish me to avenge your honor—”

Aislinn shook her head. “Save your magic for when I really need it.” Besides, you’d have to kill both of them to truly avenge anything.



“I think we’re about ready to go,” Arawn said, once he’d thanked what looked like the last human to check out. “We did better than I expected. Losses on our side totaled forty-six.”

Gwydion, who’d shown up during Fionn’s discussion with Dewi, let out a low whistle and rubbed his hands together. “Aye, good news indeed. I canna think of another battle where we had so few casualties.”

“We need to hear about what happened betwixt you and Slototh.” Bran shot a meaningful look at Aislinn. “But not here.”

“Wait.” Dewi stalked close. Her unsettling gaze zeroed in on Aislinn. “This is an apology to the MacLochlainn. I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you. It’s not as if you were a maid, after all. I honestly did not know you would be so upset.”

Aislinn moved from under the protective arm Fionn had draped across her back. Squaring her aching shoulders, she faced the dragon. “If you mean that, apology accepted. We can talk more later when I’m not so tired. For now, can you promise me you will never do anything like that to me ever again?”

Dewi nodded.

Sensing a trick, Aislinn snapped, “I need to hear you say it.”

“I will never pull you into something we have not agreed upon again.”



Aislinn closed her eyes. They felt gritty. She opened them and held Dewi’s whirling gaze. “I will hold you to that,” she said solemnly.

“Somehow, I do not doubt it.” Dewi threw back her head and laughed, spewing fire. She was still laughing when she spread her wings and took flight.

“Nice work.” Gwydion dusted the palms of his hands against one another. “That one has needed a good come-uppance for a thousand years.” He gazed around the group. “Where are we going?”

“How about back to Marta’s?” Aislinn suggested. “There’s more food there than any place else I know. Unless one of you has a better suggestion.”

The men looked at one another. Something silent passed between them that Aislinn was too tired to decipher. Left to their own devices, she supposed they’d go back to the Old Country.

“Agreed.” Arawn tried to smile, but he looked as done in as the rest of them.

Fionn held out his arms. “Come here, mo croi. I’ll have you home in no time. Once we’re there, I’ll see ye get rest and food.”

He whistled for Rune. The wolf came at a lope. He’d chased the dragon’s flight path from the ground, apparently intent on making certain she was really gone, not simply hiding behind something.





Chapter Twenty-Seven


Aislinn didn’t remember much about the journey back to Marta’s. True to his word, Fionn carried her down the hallway and tucked her into bed. She thought she should clean up first, but couldn’t even get the words out before she fell asleep. She remembered waking to eat. Fionn handed her a bowl, but her efforts to manipulate the spoon were pathetic. After watching her fumbling efforts to feed herself, he filled the spoon and guided it to her mouth until the bowl was empty.

Finally, her eyes opened, and she felt more-or-less like herself. She wondered how long she’d been dead to the world and if it was day or night. Fionn had drawn the curtains, so it was hard to tell. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked to the window. Pushing the heavy drapery material aside, she peeked out. A stellar sunset, the sky a panoply of perfect pastels, brought a smile to her face. “Nice to wake up to,” she murmured.

Rune padded into the room, came to her, and licked her hand. “You’re awake.”

“How long did I sleep?”

“Dawn came, and then came again.”

She blinked. It had been nearly night when they’d arrived back at Marta’s, so she’d slept for the better part of two full days. When she turned away from the window, Fionn stood framed in the doorway, the raven perched on his shoulder. “Sleeping beauty. I was wondering if you’d ever waken. Another twenty-four hours, and I’d have gone hunting for a counter spell.”