Chapter One
Beneath the Hill of Tara, Ireland, Early spring—the season of growth and renewal in the Fae realm
His fingers moved deftly over the hilt of his sword, aching to unsheathe the blade and sever the hand from the warrior’s body. Watching the scene unfold in the training camp below, Aidan Kerrigan drew in a sharp hiss. The wind slapped at his face, mocking him to make his move against the defiant Fae. Branches smacked his back in an effort to sway him from his concealment within the trees. He barely registered the wolf’s low growl behind him.
Nevertheless, Aidan was a seasoned warrior, not some young lad showing off his prowess in front of his peers and those others whom Aidan had fashioned into hardened Fenian Warriors. No, he would not rush in, though his instinct begged him to do so. He would choose the right moment to reveal himself.
“Why is there always one who defies my orders?” he uttered with contempt.
And the question Aidan posed was immediately answered.
“Because this is how you pluck those who are unworthy to continue with their training in the Brotherhood.”
Aidan gripped the hilt more firmly, refusing to acknowledge his friend and kept his sight riveted on the scene below. “Then explain why those not worthy are the ones who possess the most power?”
“Power is intoxicating. Even the strongest cannot deflect the energy all the time.”
Arching a brow, Aidan glanced sharply at the Fae. “Do you speak from experience, Flynn? Or was this part of your elusive training when you left the Brotherhood to study under the king’s guards?”
A shadow of annoyance passed briefly over his friend’s features. “Intoxication in any form is a hindrance to the Fae. Power can fill our bodies, flood our veins, and heightened our senses.”
“As with any drug, woman, or libation,” countered Aidan, releasing his grip on the sword. “This is why I order all initiates to undergo a year without all three. If I deem they cannot control their basic urges, then they are not creditable to continue with their training.”
“So with the first brush of Fenian power, you believe they should harness the intensity of the feeling?”
Shifting his stance, Aidan clasped his hands behind his back. “Instantly. With one thought, a warrior could obliterate a man into ashes within seconds in the human world. The power should not control the warrior. Are you wavering from your own training, Flynn?”
His friend rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Until my last breath, I shall always recall the rush of power when it first entered my body after the seclusion.”
“You did not answer my question.”
“No. But for a fraction of a second, I almost let lose the power,” Flynn acknowledged.
Aidan eyed his friend warily. What possessed him to make such a confession? And why now? “Is there a reason you’re admitting this declaration?”
Flynn sighed heavily. “It is a pity. Loman is a strong warrior. In addition, he is blood kin to my own royal house. I only sought to share my story in hopes you would find mercy and allow him to remain.”
“Yours was a split-second indecisiveness.” Aidan cast his hand outward. “This warrior making a mock display of authority over the others is vastly different. There is no comparison. Furthermore, Loman continues to build the energy without thought to the repercussions. As you know me so well, Flynn, I give no mercy to any warrior in training.”
His friend shifted his stance, but remained silent.
The wolf padded around in front of Aidan.
“Your companion’s interest has grown,” commented Flynn.
Aidan shrugged. “Even the animal can sense the misuse of power.”
“Or his next feast.”
The wolf as well as Aidan snapped their gazes toward Flynn.
“This wolf is a higher species than those animals in the human world,” declared Aidan.
“You should not have brought him into the Fae realm,” argued Flynn.
The wolf snickered and returned its attention to the group of Fae below.
Aidan fought the smile forming on his mouth. “The man or beast? Which one should not have been permitted into the kingdom?”
Flynn arched a brow. “Are they not one and the same?”
“His clan is interested in observing the training we do with the young warriors. It was the same with the Dragon Knights. We brought them here for a short time to witness and learn.” Aidan waved a hand dismissively. “Dragons, wolves, does it matter?”
“I’d rather deal with dragons,” admitted Flynn, folding his arms across his chest.
Aidan chuckled softly. When he requested to bring a member from Clan Sutherland to the Fae realm to survey the training within the Brotherhood, all argued against the preposterous idea. The council judged it unsafe to have a Highlander from the Wolves of Sutherland wander among the Fae and animals, striking at any for his meal. Regardless of Aidan’s assurance that they did not act upon their predatory instinct to kill for their meal, the council denied his appeal.
Therefore, Aidan took his petition to the king and won. The council was not pleased.
Apparently, Flynn regarded the wolf as a hunter and not an elite warrior, trained in the art of all forms of combat. He had yet to share with his friend that Magnar was also the war chieftain for his clan.
“He has made a vow not to devour any Fae while in our homeland,” Aidan remarked.
“I do not find your statement amusing,” stated Flynn dryly. “Can he not observe in human form?”
In a soft blur of gray shadows, the wolf shimmered into a man. Fisting his hands on his hips, he glared at Flynn—all seven feet of him and totally naked. “Will ye be more comfortable now that I am in my human skin?”
“I was comfortable before,” argued Flynn.
Magnar sniffed the air. “Liar.”
Flynn’s eyes flashed silver, and he took a step toward the man.
Aidan put a fist to his mouth to stifle the laughter, eager to watch the display of power between his friends. “Be warned, Magnar moves as fast as you or I.”
“Ahh…it has been eons since I’ve challenged anyone in the training lists,” professed Flynn.
Magnar relaxed his stance. “And I only accept those I consider worthy to confront.”
“Arrogant bastard.”
“Aye, but do ye not have any Fae curse words?”
Flynn shrugged. “You would not comprehend their meaning.”
“It will be a pleasure beating ye in the lists.” Magnar’s smile turned predatory as he shifted back into his wolf form.
Aidan smacked his friend on the shoulder. “Save the event for when I can gather the other warriors.”
Flynn pinched the bridge of his nose. “A spectator sport was not what I intended to—”
A blast of power had both men stumbling back. Aidan was the first to recover as he scanned the area below. Loman had increased the sphere of energy into a massive swirling globe, effectively showing off his power. However, he was unable to control the building orb, and the sparks of energy bolted outward in all directions.