Chapter Forty-One #2
Jace eventually pulled back and wiped the tears from Shae’s cheeks. He murmured to her, and she nodded, and they walked hand in hand from the meadow.
“What’d I miss?” Owen came up beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Oh, just the happiest ever after ever,” I sighed, watching them until they rounded a bend. “Tell you in a bit. How did your chat with Charles go?”
That’s when I noticed his furrowed brow and the faraway look in his eyes. His hand gripped my waist.
“Owen? What’s wrong?”
He turned and cupped my cheeks. “I’d follow you to the ends of the Earth, love. I hope you know that.”
“Of course I know that. What’s wrong?”
He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, letting his fingers trail along my skin like he was savouring every touch. “Nothing. Battle has me worried, that’s all. I’m so happy to have you in my life.”
“And?” There had to be more.
“I still can’t believe my grandfather is a tree.” He chuckled, but it sounded strained. “Just feeling a little overwhelmed by it all.”
I grinned, squashing the feeling that there was something he wasn’t telling me.
I had just gotten Jace and Shae sorted. I wanted to exist in this state of happiness a little longer.
“You’re the grandson of the Rootstone Guardian.
” I shrugged. “A Veil Walker. You have a magical sword, and we’re about to face a demon.
It would be a lot for anyone. Is Charles going to train you to fight? ”
“We both are.”
We turned at the sound of Shamus’s voice, and I was surprised to see him striding toward us holding two normal-looking swords and wearing another strapped to his back. He flourished the swords, expertly spinning them with his wrists, and my eyes widened. Shamus had skills.
“I’ve been waiting for Charles to reveal himself to you. Now we can have some fun. You’re welcome to practise, too, Kira, but I don’t think sword fighting will be your role in this battle. Especially not after that move with Hargraves in the kitchen earlier.”
Owen head swivelled to me.
“It’s nothing,” I said.
“Hargraves made to smack her, and she gave him what-for. Wasn’t nothing about it.” Shamus cackled with glee.
Owen’s eyes turned to steel. “He tried to hit you?” His voice was soft, dangerous. I knew this look, and I loved it, but Owen’s self-control was hanging by a thread. Hargraves’s life might actually be in danger.
“Now, Owen—” I began.
“I want him out of Neamh. Now.”
Shamus nodded. “Freya is packing him up as we speak. He’ll be gone in no time, son. Don’t you worry. I’d say Kira can take care of herself, though.”
Freya and Hargraves rounded a bend on their way to the Yew, a sword strapped to Freya’s back as well.
“Let him go, Owen,” I sighed. “He’s not worth it.”
Owen gave no indication that he heard me, but he didn’t make any moves toward Hargraves, either.
He watched the general like a hawk, his sword half raised toward him.
Hargraves eyed the sword and Owen cautiously, but it was my gaze he avoided.
He exited Neamh through the trunk with Freya making a tsking sound and a good-riddance motion as he disappeared.
When Charles appeared a moment later, Shamus tossed him a sword. He caught it easily. Freya smiled like she was remembering something from long ago, and I was more curious than ever about these incredible people who had welcomed me into their home.
Charles, Freya, and Shamus began parrying with Owen. Although I was intrigued to learn how to use a sword, I preferred watching for now. Jace and Shae eventually emerged from the garden, and Jace’s eyes widened with excitement at the sight of the four swords flashing in the afternoon sun.
“Do we all get swords?” Then his gaze landed on Owen’s grandfather. “Charles?!”
Jace and Shae had heard that Charles was alive, but seeing it for themselves was altogether different. Even Jace’s eyes looked misty as he and Shae hugged Charles.
To Jace’s delight, Shamus handed his sword to him, then unsheathed the one from his back. Charles and Owen continued to fight, while Shamus and Freya took Jace through simple training exercises.
“Men.” Shae chuckled, shaking her head as she watched Jace. “You hand them swords and they’re like kids on Christmas morning.” She wrapped me in a warm hug. “Thank you. For what you did. Jace and I have a starting point now. We’re talking, and I think we’ll be able to heal.”
“I’m so glad,” I said. “And I’m glad you waited.”
“Stubborn man,” she scoffed, but there was a twinkle in her eye as she watched Jace. “I wouldn’t have waited much longer. Well, maybe a little longer, but I was starting to think he wouldn’t come.”
“He did, though. In the end. He followed you. He just needed a little push. Everyone does sometimes.”
“Ms. Kira! Ms. Shae!” Charles called. “Come here, please. I’d like to try something.”
Shae and I walked toward the group, Charles assessing us as we approached.
“I have a theory. Freya and Shae, hold each other’s hands.
Both hands. Good. Freya, this might be easier for you, but Shae, I believe your powers are latent, correct?
” She nodded, and Charles continued. “Close your eyes and focus on me. I’m hoping you can amplify my power and transfer it to Kira.
Kira, don’t reach for your power until I tell you. ”
I nodded and waited, smiling when I heard him tell Shae she wasn’t in a yoga class.
We were silent for a long time, Charles’s occasional murmured words and the gentle rustling of the long grasses and wildflowers the only sounds.
Butterflies flitted past us, crickets chirped, and I took a deep breath, savouring my new favourite place.
“I felt it!” Shae shouted, and we all startled. I grinned at her excitement.
“Good. Now don’t drop it this time,” Charles coached. “Try again.”
She nodded, and my heart swelled when I noticed how Jace was looking at her. Come on, Shae, I silently cheered. You can do this.
“Now, Kira,” Charles said. “But slowly.”