Page 38 of The Tides of March

“Stop it,” Tony said calmly, righting Ronan and guiding him back so he was reclining again.

“Agreed,” Nox said as he pulled the footstool into place and hefted Ronan’s boots onto it. He dusted off his hands before aiming his palms at the stack of cold logs in the hearth. A spark jumped from them and Nox murmured something in Gaelic until a healthy fire warmed the room.

“That’s better!” Merlin declared while Arawn and Bryn carried a full, steaming cauldron from the bag to the hearth.

“The evenin’ tide…” Ronan groaned as he became more alert. “Ye don’ understand,” he managed in a mumble and Merlin hummed knowingly. “Ye have to go before it returns.”

“We most certainly do, young man. You’ve been dealing with one of Balor’s children and it’s nearly done you in,” he said and there was another groan and a nod from Ronan.

“Someone sent it for the witch god. Thought I could handle it but the bastard’s been toyin’ with me, like a cat with a trapped mouse, while it waited for him to come.”

Nox was shaking his head and filling one of Ronan’s coffee mugs with Irish whiskey from a flask. “We finally figured it out and we’ll deal with the sender as soon as we’ve dealt with this kraken and you’re on the mend.”

“Thas good. D’you know how to kill a kraken, then?” Ronan asked as he accepted the mug. He took a long drink, sighing gratefully. “Ye might be thegoodgod after all.”

“Bah!” Nox waved dismissively. “Let’s get you settled before the tide rolls in and this thing kicks off.”

With that, Nox and Merlin went to work, preparing salves and ointments while Fletcher volunteered to raid Ronan’s pantry and prepare some soup for the patient. It took some serious negotiation but they were eventually able to convince Ronan to relocate to the bed.

“Still think of this as yers,” he told Tony. “Didn’ disturb it after ye left. The pillows and the blankets still smell like ye,” he confided as Tony tucked him in.

Tony’s books were still stacked on the bedside table and a handkerchief had been draped over his glass of water. “You’re a real knucklehead, you know that?” Tony whispered and pressed an angry kiss to Ronan’s lips. “So am I for believing you and for staying away.”

“Had to be extra convincing. Ye know how irresistible I can be,” Ronan replied, earning an eye roll from Tony.

“I’ll deal with you after we get rid of this kraken. We’re going to have a long talk, you and I,” he promised Ronan.

“Aye… If there’s one thing yer good at, it’s talkin’ a man to death,” Ronan said, then smirked at Merlin as he arrived with a tonic and a spoon. “Maybe ye should let Tony have a go at it first.”

Merlin and Tony exchanged pleased smiles and the older man chuckled as he filled the spoon and held it out to Ronan. “I had a feeling you’d start to recover your energy with Tony here. Take this and let’s get a look at your injuries.” He narrowed his eyes, then hummed in approval when Ronan obeyed, taking the tonic.

“Gah!” Ronan gagged and shuddered. “Go on with yer evil potions, ye wee pervert.”

“Be nice,” Tony scolded, giving Ronan’s forehead a flick but Merlin tittered and waved it off.

“I’ll take it as a compliment and good sign. The big, bad merrow is on his way to making a full recovery and will be his unpleasant self in no time. Nox and I can manage him but someone should keep an eye on Everly while the twins are doing reconnaissance,” he said with a nod at the door.

Everly came in with an armful of firewood and there were hisses and sympathetic grunts when he tripped, dumping the logs and scuffing his chin on the stone floor. The twins had taken the dogs for a quick run around the island to see what they could find and Everly had offered to mind the fire and assist Nox and Merlin.

“I have a better idea, Ev,” Tony said as he headed for the door. “Let’s do a little exploring and see if there’s anything around the cottage or inside the lighthouse that might be useful for fighting a kraken,” he suggested earning an enthusiastic thumbs up from Nox.

“Great idea,” he said, nodding quickly. “Just stay together and don’t go too far. The tide will be coming in soon and there’s still some old, undetonated explosives on the interior of the island,” he reminded them. “If the kraken doesn’t get ya,” he teased.

“Not funny,” Ronan grumbled but Tony was comforted by how much his color and shitty mood had recovered.

“We won’t be long,” Tony said but Ronan gestured for him to wait.

“If ye go in the lighthouse, look in the tall cupboard, behind the rakes and brooms and spare lumber. Ye may find somethin’ useful in there,” he rasped.

Tony flashed him a cheeky smile as he took Ronan’s keys off the hook and opened the door. “Will do. Just do me a favor and remember that you don’thave tobe the world’s lousiest patient and give Nox and Merlin a shitty time while I’m out.”

There was a disgruntled snort from Ronan and he tossed a hand at the door. “Why don’ ye do me a favor and bugger off? I didn’ ask all o’ ye to come, did I?” he muttered but there was no bark in his bite and Ronan’s stormy gray eyes glittered as they held Tony’s.

“I’ve missed you too, you ridiculous asshole. I’ll be right back.” Tony blew Ronan a kiss, then left with Everly, giving Nox and Merlin a little more room to work and less chance of a calamity.

The adorable changeling was learning witchcraft and had shown real promise from all Tony had heard, but Everly was the most accident-prone individual he had ever encountered. And while Everly’s heart was always in the right place, his feet rarely were and he was usually the one in need of medical attention.

“Have you ever been inside a lighthouse?” Tony asked, making Everly gasp.

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