and Harken’s brother? The dragon rider.”
“He is. And the taoiseach of Talamh.”
“Him? Well, why the hell not? Now, why would some dark faerie try to drag me off against my will, and who the hell is Odran?”
“I believed you were still hidden from Odran, that there was time still to prepare you, to explain, and to teach. I can’t say whether the one Keegan killed was sent, or if he was a scout or spy who got lucky, you could say, before he got unlucky.”
“That doesn’t answer either question.”
“He would have wanted to take you. There would surely be a grand reward for it. He would have been one of Odran’s. Your grandfather.”
“My—Why would my grandfather, one you failed to mention, want me scared witless and hauled off by . . . He’s the one who took me when I was a child.”
Her face tight, Marg urged the horse to quicken her gait. “The fault’s mine there as well. We’re a peaceful world. You have to work to have peace, and there are times you have to fight for it. There are those who live for, who thrive on destroying, on taking, on the ruling of others against their will. Odran is such a one.”
Any world, Breen thought, magicks or not, was the same.
“Why does he want me?”
“You’re his blood as you are mine. And you’re so much more than you know, mo stór.”
Before she could speak again, Breen saw the dragon glide overhead before it, and its rider, veered off toward the west.
“Where’s he going?”
“He would take the ash of the dark to the Bitter Caves, bury them deep, and salt the ground.” Marg drove the cart a moment in silence. “We’ll soon be home. Can you wait for the rest?”
She wanted to protest, but noted Marg looked as pale as she felt. “I’ve waited this long.”
She looked up, watching Mahon soar. “If Keegan is taoiseach, who is Mahon?”
“His oldest friend, and a brother to him even before he and Aisling took vows. A good man, is Mahon, and one you can trust, who stands as Keegan’s right hand.”
“He’s . . . of the Sidhe, and Aisling—you said—was of the Wise. So the different . . . tribes, I guess it would be, can intermarry.”
“Of course. A heart loves who it loves. Harken pines for Morena, and always has. But he’s a bit slow on such matters, and she’s more than a bit stubborn, so they circle each other yet.”
Marg turned onto the path toward the cottage. “When I have Igraine settled, I want to look you over again, or I could call on Aisling, as healing is her greatest strength.”
“I’m not hurt. Probably some bruises, and my left ankle’s sore, that’s all.”
“We’ll have a look, and we’ll have some wine, and I’ll tell you what you need to know.”
“All of it,” Breen insisted. “Not what you think I need to know.”
“All of it.”
When she pulled up, Mahon dropped down to help Marg out of the cart. “I’ll see to the horse and cart.”
“Ah, Mahon, I know you’re wanting home.”
“And I’ll have it soon enough.” He gave her another kiss, gave the dog a rub. “You’re very welcome in Talamh, my lady Breen.”
“Thank you.”
Because her ankle had stiffened up on the drive in, she had to fight not to hobble to the door.
“Sit there, by the fire.” Marg flicked her fingers to have it going from dying embers to low flame. “Let’s put that foot up now, and get the boot off.”
“I just twisted it when I fell. My ass actually took the brunt of it.”
Marg frowned over it. “A bit bruised, a bit swollen. Healing’s not my greatest strength, but I can tend to this.”
Sitting on the low table, Marg propped Breen’s foot in her lap. “
It just needs ice and elevation.”
Marg said, “Hmmm,” and gently ran her fingers over the ankle, slow circles, the lightest touch. “When you learned to walk, you only wanted to run. Bruises and scrapes, scrapes and bruises. You’d just pop back up again and go.”
“I like to run. I ran track in school. For a while.”
The fingers felt so soothing, so cool and soothing, Breen’s eyes drooped.
“Now just sit, and I’ll get us some wine, and you some balm to finish off the healing.”
When Marg got up, Breen opened her eyes again. Not only was the stiffness and ache gone, so were the bruises, the swelling.
“Is it some sort of spell?”
“Oh, no indeed. A skill, you could say, though if it had