The wolf. What was there about his being the wolf that restored her sight? In wolf form, his own form, or any other, he was still Darkfest. He frowned. Was it the fur?
A bit of magic made quick work of cleaning up after dinner. He fixed a bed for Channa Leigh and one for himself, assured her that the fire would burn all through the night, keeping wild animals at bay.
He sat by the fire long after she was asleep, his gaze returning time and again to her face. A sigh escaped her lips, and then she smiled. It took all his self-control to keep from stealing into her dreams to see what it was that made her smile.
It was nearing midday when he realized they were being followed. Reining his horse to a halt, he turned in the saddle. Summoning his wizard's vision, he scanned their back trail, his gaze narrowing when he saw Ronin the hunter in the distance.
Darkfest cursed under his breath.
"What is it?" Channa Leigh asked. "Is something amiss?"
"Your betrothed is following us."
"Ronin? But how… ?"
Darkfest shook his head; then, realizing she could not see, he said, "I dinna know, the fool."
"You will not harm him?" she asked, her voice tinged with alarm.
"Nay, I will not harm him," he muttered, "but I may change him into a toadstool."
"What?"
"I said I will not harm him." At least not permanently.
Darkfest watched the boy ride toward them, then rein his horse to an abrupt halt when he saw Darkfest waiting for him. The boy looked around, as though seeking a place of concealment, even though he had no hope of hiding now that he had been seen. He might be a mighty hunter, Darkfest mused, but he was not a warrior.
"Ride on," Darkfest commanded. "There is no place for ye to hide."
Squaring his shoulders, Ronin urged his horse onward.
"Why are ye following us?" Darkfest demanded.
"Why are you taking Channa Leigh away?"
" 'Tis my own business and none of yours. Be gone with ye before I turn ye into a croaking toad."
The boy's eyes widened, and then he sat up tall and straight in the saddle. "I fear you not, wizard."
"Do ye not?"
The boy shook his head bravely.
Darkfest lifted his right hand. Felt the air crackle around him as he summoned his power, shaping it in his mind.
"I am Darkfest, master of fire and flame; change this mortal to a creature new; frog be now his name."
Amid a shower of green and silver sparks, the boy was transformed into a large green bullfrog. Sitting on the horse, the frog stared at Darkfest through bulging eyes, the croak that erupted from his throat filled with panic.
"Are ye still unafraid, hunter?"
Though the hunter now wore the guise of a frog, his awareness was that of the boy. The frog croaked again and again, louder each time.
With a wave of his hand, Darkfest returned the boy to his own shape.
Ronin stared at him, unable to disguise the fear in his eyes.
"Go home, hunter," Darkfest said, "lest a worst fate befall ye."
Ronin glanced at Channa Leigh. "May the gods protect you, girl, for you'll see me no more."
"Ronin!" She called his name but heard only the sound of his horse's hooves galloping away. "What did you do to Ronin? I heard the croaking of a frog. You didn't turn him…"
He turned in the saddle to face her. "I did, but only for a moment. He doubted my power. He doubts no more."
"And wishes to wed me no more."
"Does that sadden ye?"
She searched her heart, then shook her head. "Still, it was cruel to treat him thus."
"Would ye rather I had left him that way? I canna have him following us, and I willna be responsible for his safety. And there's an end to it."
And so saying, he urged his horse forward.
The mare trotted obediently behind.
CHAPTER 9
Because it grieved him to think of her being in darkness, because he longed to feel her touch upon him once more, he gathered his power around him and transformed into the wolf that night.
"Magick!" Her voice was filled with joy when he laid his head in her lap. "What are you doing here? How did you know where I was?"
He growled low in his throat as he felt his energy flow out of him. Out of him and into her as her hands fisted in the fur at his neck.
"Sure and you are a magic wolf!" she exclaimed softly. "For your eyes have changed color again!" They were green now, as green as new grass. She ran her hands over his head and neck as she glanced at her surroundings. They were in a small dell surrounded by lacy ferns and night-blooming flowers that filled the air with a sweet perfume. Overhead, a million stars twinkled on a bed of indigo velvet. A small fire burned nearby, fingers of orange and crimson dancing brightly in the darkness.
"But where is he?" she wondered aloud. "The wizard? Do you know where he goes? I think he worked mischief upon Ronin this very day." She smiled wistfully. " 'Twas brave of Ronin to come after me."
The wolf growled low in his throat.
She looked down at the wolf. "You disagree?"
The wolf barked once.
"Well, 'tis no matter now. My lord Darkfest frightened Ronin away. I doubt he shall ever find the courage to face my lord Darkfest again. Nor can I blame him. The wizard is a powerful man, and though I fear him greatly, I shall never forget how he saved my mother's life."
The wolf licked her hand, his tail thumping against the ground.
"Dare we go for a walk?" she asked.
The wolf stood, his tail wagging. Thrusting her hand into the thick ruff at his neck, she walked away from the fire and into the darkness. The grass beneath her feet was a thick deep green.
"I wonder where he is," she mused again. "Do you know him? I should very much like to know what he looks like. I can tell he is a tall man, for when he speaks to me, his voice is above my head. His voice is rich and deep, but not unkind, though I sense a great sadness there. Perhaps because he lives alone?" She walked a few moments in silence. "I wonder why he lives alone. He seems of an age to have a wife."
She gasped with pleasure when she came to a small moonlit pool. Kneeling, she put her hand in the water. "A hot spring," she said. "It feels heavenly." She glanced around. "Do I dare… ? Will you guard me if I slip into the water?"
The wolf barked, his eyes bright as she removed her shoes and stockings, unbraided her hair, undressed quickly, and slid into the warm water.
"Magick? Are you there?"