Darach by RJ Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

comfortable in my closed quarters and assist me?"
    "Of course I will, Guardian. It is my role in this to support you."
    Guardian smiled ruefully. "You make it easy for me to go and do what I need to do. Can you not tell me instead that I can stay here and not have to worry?"
    "I wish I could, youngling." Guardian shivered at the resignation in Madoc's voice. "I wish I could."

Chapter 4
     
    Ceithin smelled the familiar scents of home. The chill of night that heralded the impending winter was pushed back by the low, early morning sun. The canopy of gold and red leaves provided shelter from the rain as they drew closer to home. They were little more than an hour away, and each bush, all of the trees, every path, all that lay around them was as familiar to Ceithin as the siding on his own home was familiar to Darach. With each stride of their horses, memories of the City faded as Ceithin let his guard down and welcomed his world, his home, back into his heart.
    Darach was finally, blissfully, quiet next to him, and the horses had slowed to a sedate but constant walk, the rolling gait lulling the other man to a half doze in the saddle. The path they followed climbed gently until finally they reached the cliff overlooking the south plains. Every last bit of tension slid from Ceithin's shoulders. He allowed some of his Fire to call to his father's, letting his family know he was home, then he pulled his mount to a halt. With a soft word, the mare stopped next to him.
    "Darach?"
    Unimpeded blue shimmering about him, Darach half opened his eyes with a small groan, catching himself as gravity tried to pull him from his seat. "Are we here?" He coughed and unconsciously moved a hand over his chest as if it hurt. Ceithin imagined the damp and the ride had taken its toll on the youngling and he leaned over the horse, placing a hand on Darach's thigh, feeling the tension in him. Like iron, he was stiff and unyielding against Ceithin's palm. However, his touch provided enough contact to allow Ceithin to pass over some of his scarlet Fire, which he knew would heal any infection inside his companion.
    "Don't," Darach protested weakly. He pushed the hand away ineffectually, gasping as the crackle of their two Fires spat at them. Blue Fire and the tempestuous scarlet were not best suited, if the writings of the Ancients were to be believed. Ceithin sighed inwardly at both Darach's protests and the snap of the Fires. Color flooded Darach's face, and he half smiled, sleepy and unfocused. Ceithin's gut clenched at the sight of the man whose Fire tempted his own. Lulled into a false sense of security by the beautiful smile, Ceithin was stunned when Darach suddenly pulled himself back and upright, the smile disappearing in an instant.
    "Get your hands off me, Cariad. I will not be violated by you." Darach's voice dripped with bitter accusation, hate, a healthy dose of fear, and a splash of outrage.
    Ceithin couldn't help it. The snigger broke through his shock with explosive force. Violating Darach. God… in his dreams. "I didn't—"
    "You can cast all you want." Darach was really digging his heels in on this one. "You've dragged me this far, but I won't let you inside my head as well."
    "Wait. I didn't drag you here! You came of your own accord."
    "You spelled me—"
    " Like Annwn I did . " Ceithin laughed again . " Y ou got on that horse all by yourself , youngling. The Council on your back is enough to make any man run. "
    "The Council doesn't frighten me." Darach's conviction sounded so positive Ceithin sobered immediately.
    "It should."
    "I'm a good and noble citizen, not a murdering thief of a clan who hide like cowards in the forest."
    The snap of Ceithin's finger was harsh and fast. His magik tore through the barrier Darach's Fire instinctively attempted to raise like a sharp knife through skin, finding its mark and sending Darach toppling to the ground. Ceithin followed him down, leaping from the gelding and straddling Darach, his hand