Page 164 of First Light

“And I have a dragon.” She looked up at Cadell, who was circling slowly overhead. Watching. Waiting for her.

Always, Nêrys.

Lachlan laughed a little. “Admit it—the dragon is your favorite.”

She gripped his shoulder in her hand. “I can’t answer that right now because we need to get back to Aisling and stop your army from going to battle with the unicorns.”

“Oh fuck.” He hoisted himself up and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand just as Duncan came running up the hill.

His eyes scanned the rubble. “Is she here?”

“Who?”

“Mags.”

“Not here.” Lachlan handed his brother the sword. “That thing is too heavy.”

“Not for me.” Duncan took the sword, hastily slid a cloth over the blade, and secured it in the scabbard. “You didn’t even clean it.”

“Not the time.” Carys tried not to yell. “Wounded friend. Unicorns. Remember?”

Dafydd raised his arms and sent a sharp whistle into the sky. Seconds later, Mared swept down and grabbed Dafydd and Lachlan in her claws.

“Cadell!”

I am coming.

Her dragon flew down with a roar, opened his claws, and grabbed Carys and Duncan in a single dive. She felt the cold security of Cadell’s grip around her and the warm radiance of the fire in his belly.

Duncan was clutching Cadell’s leg, his eyes closed and his mouth muttering something she couldn’t hear.

“Are you praying?” she shouted.

“This is mad!” He looked up, then back at Carys. He started to smile. Then to laugh. “Absolutely mad!”

“Where was Mags?” Carys shouted. “She wasn’t there?”

“I couldn’t find her,” he shouted back, “but I’ll get Angus looking when I can.” He looked at the ground. “Is Aisling still alive?”

“Cadell?”

She’s alive,the dragon’s voice said in her mind.But she’s very, very weak.

When they landed,Lachlan was already kneeling in the meadow at Aisling’s side, and Naida’s hands were on her. The army of Sgàin waited a short distance away, standing down as their leader knelt by the dying healer and the small fae woman.

The unicorns stood among the trees, watching the soldiers with cautious eyes while their chief knelt beside the dying human.

She’s still alive. But barely.

Darius and Naida were speaking softly and urgently in a language Carys didn’t recognize.

“I need to talk to her.” Carys walked over, leaving Duncan with Lachlan’s men.

Lachlan was holding Aisling’s hand. “Let them heal you,” he said. “They say you’re blocking their magic. Why?”

Aisling shook her head. “Where is Carys?”

“I’m here.” Carys knelt in the grass.