Page 64 of Changelings
Utter silence and shocked stares met his declaration. Balar met each he could, determined to show them how serious he was. They might think him friendly, neighborly. A tame cat or interesting oddity.
He could be those things. But he could also be dangerous.
He intended to live peacefully in the Darrowlands, but that didn’t mean he’d suffer such grave insults to his mate.
Sure that his point had been made, Balar took a running leap into the sky. He left Dermott behind. It was up to the villagers whether he was worth aiding.
Balar couldn’t care less anymore. The fiery anger in his belly had been sated by blood. Now, it was time to return home.
It was fully dark by the time he landed in the meadow. A bonfire had been lit in the outside fire pit, a cauldron hung over it. Around it gathered his brothers and Orek, and all looked up to watch him land.
Soren met him, handing back his clothes.
“Is your heart settled now,seska?”
“I have tasted his blood. That will do,” Balar answered as he redressed. “How is she?”
“Sofie managed to get her to eat. She and Sorcha are sitting with her.”
Balar was glad to hear it. “Then I will go see her.”
“Come and eat something first. You must keep up your own strength.”
“After,” he promised, hustling into the cottage.
Shadow lifted his head, his tail beginning to wag when he saw Balar. Coming over for pats and reassurance, he followed Balar further into the cottage.
Heart in his throat, he scratched at the doorframe.
Inside the bedchamber, Imogen lay serenely, Sofie and Sorcha on either side of her bed. Sorcha smiled to see him, standing so that he could take her place.
“Good timing. She’s awake and has been asking for you.”
Balar fell to his knees beside the bed, grabbing up one of Imogen’s hands.
“Imogen?” he called softly.
Her head rolled toward him, and her eyes peeled open. She was tired and hazy, but she was there.
The breath rushed out of Balar in a relieved exhale.
“Mmm…Balar…?”
“I’m here,urisá.” He gently cupped her cheek in his paw, grateful he hadn’t gotten Dermott’s blood on it.
Sighing, she groggily lifted her own hand to place over his.
“It was traps,” she whispered. “So many. Had to be Dermott.”
Balar’s chest ached. His strongkigarawas trying to tell him what had happened.
“Don’t worry,urisá.Everything is all right. You got the animals home and Sorcha will take care of them.” Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to her other cheek. “And Sofie and I will take care of you.”
“There were traps,” she said, a little frown marring her brow. “I pushed them to the side, but…”
“Diar has found them and cleared them away. They won’t hurt anyone else.”
“Dermott…”
