“Winter!”
“Yes, sir?”
“You’ve done very well on the field. You’re needed where the bulk of the fighting is going on,” Gabriel said. He was one of the alphas under Aaron.
“Thank you.”
“Join this squad of wolves and magic users. They’re running to the northern shore of the island. Naberia and Aine are dueling there.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Go now.”
I ran beside wolves in human form as the wolves in animal form raced ahead. Two legs couldn’t keep up with four, but the race to fight another battle, perhaps the most important one, stirred my blood.
To hold a sword once more, to fight with pride for a purpose larger than my own small desires. This was liberation in a way few things in my life could ever match. Because of the difference in body shape, my balance was off, and the sword they’d given me left a lot to be desired. But I’d built up my muscles tending fields and building cottages in the Skye Sidhe and I’d had a chance since I’d arrived in this realm to boost my skills by sparring with a wide assortment of creatures.
Lord Kennet had killed many demons in battles fought for the same selfish reasons that brought Aine and Naberia together. I’d used magic as easily as one might use a simple tool. But today, I’d killed three demons, one in warrior form, and two of the vampires who’d worn the strange necklaces. I’d fought hard using only my brain, my training, and my determined will. When a few wounds slowed me down, I put my small store of energy to use by healing my body then racing back into battle to take up my sword once more.
If I died today, I would be grateful I’d died bravely and with honor for a worthy cause. If I lived, I would face my fate with acceptance. Someone would mention me in passing to someone else who would tell the king or queen, or worse, Fionna. Father would call me back and what would happen then was not worth my time worrying about. Not today.
Naberia and Isaiah were facing off, shouting at each other in the center of a large sandy clearing. The demon forces had stopped fighting, most of them wearing confused or panicked expressions. They tore off their armor and tugged at their torcs. I unlocked as many as I could as I made my way forward.
Charles was directly in front of me, guarding the barrier with the rest of his team.
When I reached the front, I handed the key to another demon who raced back to his group to free his men. I was as close to Charles as I dare get. Jay was there and Brina. Jacqueline and Garrett on his other side. Charles spoke to the crowd, but I did not focus on his words. He lived.
He saw me in the crowd and I smiled at my son.
His gaze moved on without any reaction, but he’d spoken with great passion, drawing approval from many. Pride swelled my heart, unreasonable, as I’d had little to do with raising him.
Someone grasped my arm. “Brother.”
“Don’t call me that.” I didn’t look at her. “Leave immediately.”
“You don’t have to remain in this form any longer. Queen Aine has reversed Father’s spell.”
“And why would I ever want to become that lord again? To be a target of so much hatred holds no appeal to me.”
“But under Aine, you will have your magic again. Even more.”
She tugged on my sleeve, but I yanked it away. “I don’t want it. Leave me.”
“I will not. You are my brother, Kennet!” And of course at that moment the field had quieted.
Charles turned his head in my direction.
We stared at each other for several heartbeats, the world narrowing to that singular point in time unlike all others. The Now. Charles’ expression changed as the simple clerk he’d smiled and nodded to, dissolved in his mind into his birth father. His hated enemy.
I hoped he might see truth in my gaze. Deep regret. Boundless pride. I would never ask for forgiveness, but perhaps one day he would listen. And I would listen to him.
My son.
His hand was on the hilt of his dagger as he took a step forward. A dragon’s cry rang out. A war shriek of that type only sounded when an attack was imminent. We glanced up at once.
A steel gray dragon dove toward Charles, his mouth opening as he prepared to shoot flame. The singular Now inched on, another and another, as my focus turned to Charles and his vulnerable position, blocked by his family to each side with a barrier to his back and nowhere to go.
I picked a fireproof shield off the ground where a warrior had tossed it and ran as I’d never run before.