Page 37 of The Tides of March

He was checking his watch. “I agree with Tony. We need to go now.”

Two-and-a-half-hours later, the whole team—minus Nelson—was racing across the bay to Pooles Island. Nelson was waiting back on dry land with his Continental but Fletcher, the twins, and Everly had joined in the mission and Merlin was at the wheel with Nox. The weather was cooperating and the current was relatively calm but everyone was on guard for any sign of a kraken.

“There’s Pooles!” Nox called and pointed when the island came into view.

“Where the hell is Ronan?” Tony searched the beach and the path to the cottage but there was no sign of the miserable merrow. “He has to know we’re coming. Where is he?” he shouted but Nox shook his head.

“He should be there.”

The closer the boat got without any sign of Ronan, the more concerned Tony became. He had convinced himself that he didn’t care, that Ronan deserved to rot on Pooles by himself. But Tony was beginning to suspect that he had been sent away for his own protection. His conscience was almost as loud as his fears by the time Nox sidled into the shallows and Tony felt guilty for not catching on sooner.

Of course, Ronan would send Tony away if the island wasn’t safe. And he’d be sure to burn every bridge between them soTony never looked back. Remorse and dread filled Tony as the little boat approached the shore but he was too furious with himself to wait any longer.

Tony grabbed the rail and leaped over the side, ignoring everyone’s cries. He landed, up to his neck in icy water, but pushed against the waves that threatened to wash him back out to sea.

“Tony!” Nox yelled above the howling winds. “Wait for us!”

But Tony swam and trudged forward until he reached the beach, stumbling and freezing in his soaked layers. He didn’t care that his legs were burning or about the wet wind, stinging his cheeks. All that Tony cared about was that Ronan was alone and hurting and he begged the gods, pleading with them to make his merrow hold on for just a little bit longer.

“I have to go! Ronan needs me!”

A few moments later, Nox and the twins had the boat tied up next to Ronan’s and there were more shouts as everyone disembarked and raced after Tony. He didn’t slow down or wait for them to catch up. He staggered up the sandy path, his lungs burning as his entire body shook from the cold and the fear. He didn’t know what he’d do if Ronan was dead and he had wasted months believing the worst.

“Ronan, I’m coming!” he called when he came over the last dune and reached the grass. Finally able to run, Tony sprinted the rest of the way and bounded over the two steps to Ronan’s door. “Ronan, it’s Tony. I’m here!”

The excited barks and whimpers from inside the cottage were encouraging but Tony detected several frantic notes within the chorus. He beat his fist against the heavy wooden panels but there was no answer.

“Come on, Ronan. I know you’re home and can hear me. Please open the door,” Tony urged, shaking his head when Nox and the others reached him.

“Anything?” Nox asked.

Tony shook his head. “He’s not answering,” he said and didn’t wait, he turned and slammed his shoulder against the door. It didn’t budge but Tony gave it another try. “We’re here to help!” he said, then stopped when Bryn eased him aside.

“Allow me,” he said with a cocky bow, then gave the door a firm shove with his shoulder. There was a loud crack as it split from the jamb. “As you were,” he drawled, gesturing grandly for Tony to proceed.

“Thanks.” Tony offered him a quick nod before rushing inside. It only took a moment to find Ronan despite the canine pandemonium their arrival had caused. The entire pack was elated to see Tony but were also on high alert, growling and circling the strangers in their midst. “Ronan!” Tony hurried to the armchair by the fire, alarmed to find a gray and motionless heap by the empty hearth. “No, no, no! You have to wake up!” he begged as he gathered Ronan’s face in his hands and patted his cheeks. “Please!”

“Is he still alive?” Nox asked as he weaved around the dogs and joined Tony while the twins got the pack in hand.

Tony shook his head, his fingers were too frozen and were trembling too hard to find a pulse beneath Ronan’s beard. “I can’t tell. Help!”

Arawn crouched next to the chair, taking Ronan’s wrist. “He’s still alive but barely,” he said and laughed as Fergus and Myrtle nuzzled and licked him. “Good job keeping him safe, gang,” he told them softly.

“Get that fire lit!” Merlin ordered when he finally caught up and fell through the cottage’s front door. He was hugging his carpet bag, breathless and sweating beneath his cape. “He should do better now that Tony’s here but he’ll need soup and salve,” he said as he looked around, taking stock of the amenities.

“No…” They heard Ronan mumble and everyone went silent, listening. “Ye have to go.Now!” he rasped weakly and swung his head toward the door.

“We’re not leaving!” Tony laughed, incredulous but relieved to his core. “You stubborn, asshole. Why didn’t you tell us you were in trouble?”

“No.” Ronan shook his head harder, seeming to muster some strength. He opened his eyes and they swam as he blinked and swayed until he located Nox, snatching his sleeve. “Not me.Him. It’s a trap.”

“A trap for me?” Nox guessed and Ronan nodded.

“Go before the tide rises,” he said, then smiled up at Tony. “I’m glad… Never thought I’d see yer beautiful face again but ye need to get out while there’s still time.”

“I’m not leaving you again, Ro?—”

Ronan let out an anguished but wheezing roar as he tried to push Tony away. “Go!” he ordered, but almost fell out of his chair.

---