Page 101 of First Light
“Not your servant, dragon.” Duncan rose from the bench by the hearth. “But I’ll bring them for Carys.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
They set off into the forest, Cadell remaining in human form and carrying a painted pitcher of heavy cream, Carys and her flowers at his side, and Duncan bringing up the rear with the crate of journals on his shoulder.
“Do you remember the way?” Duncan asked.
“How many times have I visited your forge, human?”
Duncan muttered something that Carys couldn’t hear.
The part of the forest where they were walking was alive with birdsong, and as they walked, dead leaves crunched under their feet. She was glad she’d dressed comfortably that morning. The daylight was dimming, but she had no idea what time it was. Clocks didn’t exist in the Shadowlands, and neither did the sun.
She glanced over her shoulder at Duncan. “How do you get used to the darkness?”
His eyes met hers. “I don’t. That’s why I don’t usually stay in this place for long stretches.”
It had been over a week that they’d been gone, and her one trip back had been at night.
“Does time pass like normal in the Brightlands while we’re here?”
Cadell said, “Unless you’re taken by certain people with pointy ears into one of their forts or hills, then yes. A week here is a week in the Brightlands.”
“It was a good idea to go back and call my friends.” The passing of time in this place felt longer and shorter at once. It was easy to get confused.
“Well, I already had one American woman descending on me and threatening to call the police—I didn’t want Mary facing two more.” He glanced down. “She knows what it’s like to worry.”
All this was no big deal as long as Carys returned to Scotland unharmed. But what if she didn’t? What if she was delayed? “You said that time passes the same, but what if I’m taken by the fae?—”
Cadell spun and swiftly put a hand over her mouth, stifling the words before they could leave her mouth.
“Christ, Carys.” Duncan cursed loudly. “Watch your words.”
Cadell looked to the left and right. He glanced up, then to the left again. The birds in the forest had gone silent, and something rustled in the underbrush.
He spoke directly in her mind.You’re human. Don’t tempt them with questions like that or they’ll think you’re curious.
When he released his hand, she whispered, “They’re here?”
We are in the forest. Sprites and nymphs are the ears of the fae.
Carys nodded. “We should get on our way to see Angus.”
Cadell looked down at his pitcher of cream. “I didn’t spill it.”
“You’re acting like he’s a fine fairy lord,” Duncan grumbled. “He’s Angus. He’d be happy with milk in a bowl. You didn’t have to get fancy.”
“We’re asking the úruisg for a favor. Show the proper respect.”
They passed over a small rise and then down again into a narrow hollow in the folded hills where Carys could hear a stream flowing. They walked over a small stone bridge, and the birds started singing again. A lightness filled the air despite the gloom overhead, and Cadell’s shoulders relaxed.
“This is a good place.” He nodded at Duncan. “You’ve warded it well. Safe from fae ears.”
“It is,” Duncan said. “But the wards are all Angus. I wish I had a bit of the magic that Carys does, but no spell works for me.”
“I told you he was powerful,” Cadell said. “How do you think they haven’t found this place in the past ten years?”
Carys asked, “You’ve had this place for ten years?”