Page 164 of Cathmoir's Sons

“I’m very flauntable. I live to be flaunted.”

“You’re absurd.”

He pushes off the door and stalks toward me with that rolling gait all of the Cait have. When he reaches me, he gathers me up in his arms and pulls me close, crushing my feather mantle against his chest. He nips the tip of my nose when I turn my face up to him.

“I missed you,” he says. “My toe beans were pining.”

“Would you like to go back inside and I’ll kiss your toe beans, you deranged fairy cat?”

“I’d like that. I’d also like to know what you were doing out here that raised all the hairs on my body.”

“Calling the Mother.”

He chokes. “Calling ... the Mother. Did she, uh, answer?”

“Yes.”

His mouth works silently for a moment. “What did she say?”

“That if we invoke her, she’ll decide the Oak King’s fate.”

“The Mother’s Justice.”

I nod.

“That ritual hasn’t been performed in ... a very long time.”

“Luca could quote the year.”

“Luca’s still a student. I’m a dignified alumnus. I don’t need to quote dates like a schoolboy.”

“You are utterly ridiculous.”

“Which you love about me.”

“Which I love about you,” I admit. “I needed to say goodbye to my dad. Just in case.”

“I understand. Luca and I did the same while we were hunting.”

“Your parents may understand but Aine would never forgive me if anything happens to either of you.”

“True, so let that be a warning if you decide to do anything impossibly brave and reckless tomorrow, like throw us against the might of a thousand barghest.”

“I won’t. Or, I’ll try not to. I don’t really know what will happen. I know when it will happen, though. Three a.m. When the moon sets.”

“Soul’s midnight,” Law observes. “The Holly King will not appreciate us disturbing his beauty sleep.”

“Too bad. He’s on my shit list after eating my sheep at dinner.”

“But your sheep was delicious and enjoyed by all.”

“You are a very naughty kitty, as Jane once observed.”

He grins. “Cait.”

Chapter 46

The Old Man in the Tree

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