Raudrich staggered away from Laurel, his arousal painful in its intensity. Thank God for the darkness. Without it, he would’ve been unable to shield it from view. Shaking his head, he tried to pull himself together and think clearly as the small group of riders approached. He’d been certain he would never see or hear from Sydney again. How could she possibly have found him? As the group of riders came into view, his confusion only grew.

Pinkie led the group, his wide smile and few teeth making him unmistakable even in the shaded darkness. Next to him rode Sydney—her voice and dark hair the giveaway. The other two riders, he couldn’t yet see.

“Sydney, lass, what are ye doing here?” He looked over to Pinkie before his friend even had time to respond. “Pinkie? Do ye know Sydney?”

Pinkie spoke first, quickly dismounting before walking over to shake his hand.

“It seems yer sight has returned. Ach, I am glad of it, Raudrich. To answer yer question, aye, I know Sydney now, though I dinna a few days ago. I was halfway home when I stopped at a small inn and came across these three. When I heard the description of the man they were looking for, I knew ’twas ye. So, I offered them my assistance, for a price, o’course.”

He nodded as he shook the man’s hand.

“Naturally.” He stepped away. He could feel Sydney’s anger at a distance. “Excuse me, Pinkie, I believe I’ve some apologies to make.”

“Aye, ye do. I dinna know lassies knew such language. I only thought wives got so angry at men, but she swears she doesna love ye in such a way.”

Ignoring Pinkie, Raudrich hesitantly walked over to Sydney’s horse and extended her his hand.

“Let me help ye.”

She crossed her arms and shook her head.

“No, thank you. I’ve lived in this bloody time long enough to know how to get myself on and off a damn horse. Open the gate. I see no need to dismount before we actually get to the castle. When we do, though, you and I are having a nice, long talk. Alone. Do you understand?”

He would never say so, but it pleased him that Sydney was angry. It meant she was the true friend he knew her to be.

“Fine, lass, but who is that ye’ve brought with ye?”

Both riders brought their horses closer as he mentioned them.

“Silva?”

It couldn’t be good that the lass who was meant to be tending to Allen territory was here.

“’Ello, Raudrich. Once Sydney is done with ye, ’tis I who needs to speak with ye. I’m not so pleased with ye, either.”

He didn’t recognize the man next to Silva, but the man spoke up as he looked at him.

“I’ve no need to speak with ye, so ye can relax yer mind a little. Ye may not know me. It has been some time since we last met. I’m Griffith MacChristy.”

Upon hearing his name, Raudrich could see the resemblance the boy bore to his brothers, but the lad was right. The last time he’d seen young Griffith, the lad had been little more than a boy. Now, he was a strapping beast of a man.

“Aye, I do know ye. Ye’ve grown.”

He turned to unlock the gate.

“Come. All of ye. ’Tis too cold for us to continue this outside.”

He stood beside the gate allowing the others to ride inside. Understandably, Pinkie hesitated.

“Last I was here, ye dinna know if ’twas safe. Is it now? I care for ye friend, but I doona care for faeries. If I’m at risk, tell me now, and I will bid ye all goodbye.”

He smiled and waved the man on through.

“’Tis fine, lad. I promise to keep ye safe.”

---

Raudrich apologized nonstop as we made the short ride up to the castle. It was unneeded. I’d seen the look of surprise on his face at the sound of his friend’s voice. He had no idea they were coming.

Eventually, I couldn’t bear to listen to him ramble on any further. I reached my hand up behind me to gently cup his face.

“It’s okay. She clearly really needs to speak with you, or she wouldn’t have come all this way. I’m rather tired anyway. I’ll just slip away to your room when we get inside and leave you to them for the evening.”

I felt the sharp intake of his breath against my back.

“Do ye…do ye wish me to stay in Calder’s room, lass?”

“Definitely not. It’s not like it will be our first time sleeping next to one another.”

“Ach, thank God, lass. Knowing that I have yer warm arms to look forward to may be all that helps me survive the angry lassies that await me inside the castle. Doona wait up, though. I canna say how long they will keep me.”

There was no way I would sleep, but I had no intention of letting him know just how much I would be anticipating his return to his bed.

“Okay, I won’t. Hurry as fast as you can. It’s a cold night. I need you to keep me warm.”

He groaned and nibbled at my neck as he rode into the stables.