Page 33 of Druid Cursed
“For the record, when it comes to women, you’re useless.” Caedmon arched an eyebrow. “Sure, slink off to the castle. Ditch Maggie for the night. See how that works out for you.”
He growled, the only answer Caedmon deserved.
“Fine. Be noble, selfless, and in complete control, as always.”
At the unusually bitter edge to Caedmon’s voice, Kellen faced his twin.
The veneer Caedmon always wore around his guests was gone, and for an instant, only his brother stood before him, lost and unsure.
Alone. Fie , he was the worst sort of cretin, wallowing in his own burdens while his brother bore his own.
“Do you remember when we were first brought to the druids and Master Finnegan took me from you?” Caedmon asked quietly. He lifted the acorn pendant on the chain around his neck—their mother’s locket—and stared at it, rubbing his thumb back and forth over it.
Kellen nodded. That day was a scar on his memory.
They had both been torn from their mother with no rational explanation, taken into custody by a frightening stranger who would become master, tormenter, and teacher.
Worst of all, they had been separated for the entirety of a year and knew not the other’s fate save for what their respective warden chose to share, and there had been no method to decipher truth from lie.
“They were smart, separating us to gain control,” Caedmon said.
“I know what you were told to keep you in line that first year—that if you didn’t cooperate, whatever punishment you earned would be doubly upon me.
From the very beginning, your master recognized your nature, that you’d do anything to protect me, even if it meant your own suffering. ”
The warning had been more effective than any noose around his neck.
Kellen would have fought until his last breath without fear of the consequences, but when his master had informed him after that first beating how Caedmon suffered due to his choices?
Aye, he had leashed his rage and took on the yoke of obedient student and slave.
He’d dared not question the veracity of the claim, not when he had no manner of determining the truth, not when his brother’s welfare depended on him.
Caedmon released the pendant and studied his fingernails, as if their conversation was no more than casual, not stirring up an ancient pain that would never fully heal.
“I never divulged what Finnegan used to keep me under his heel that first year. He crushed my spirit the very first night, offered up my worst fear, and made me live it.” He lifted his gaze and moisture shimmered in his eyes.
“He told me you were dead, and I had no reason not to believe him.” His voice cracked.
He cleared his throat. “I would have endured all the beatings in the world to have known that you were alive that first year.”
“Och, brother.” Kellen could barely make the words, his airway closing up. “Why did you not say so before?”
Clenching his jaw, he shook his head. “My point is that if you ever turned your back on me, if I ever lost you, it would destroy me.” He cleared his throat, taking the rasp in his voice with it.
“Sorcha knows that. She seeks to separate us because apart, we’re vulnerable.
Our birthright, the very land itself is now endangered.
This could have ripple effects throughout all of Ireland.
But together, we’re a force she can’t stand against.”
Kellen waited a moment for his emotions to settle before he spoke. “Do you know what kept me sane while in my prison?”
Caedmon blinked, and the sheen of unshed tears in his eyes vanished along with his sentiment. “I doubt it’s singing to yourself. Your voice could make a corpse crumble.” He snapped his fingers. “Why haven’t we tried that on Sorcha yet?”
Kellen let the humor slide off him and squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “I think of you. How strong you are for taking on most of my duties along with yours, alone. What mischief you are causing without me there to balance you.”
“I do miss your disapproving scowls.” Caedmon’s smile was twisted and pained. “Every decade or so.”
“I think of how you unceasingly fight for my freedom.” He leaned his forehead against Caedmon’s. “I will never be able to repay you for the years you have continued on alone, for always being there for me. For simply being my brother.”
“For God’s sake, stop it. I can’t bear the melancholy. Bring my brooding, ill-tempered brother back before I sic Jeeves on you.” Caedmon pushed him away and swiped at his eyes. “One can die from too many blueberry muffins. Proven fact.”
Kellen gave him a small grin and allowed his brother the reprieve from sharp emotions and even sharper memories.
“I reinforced the remaining ward around the main grounds as much as I could.” As the last bastion against Sorcha’s evil, he prayed it would hold.
“Are all the preparations for tonight in place?”
“Of course.” Caedmon sniffed in mock offense. “Nothing but the best for me and my sordid appetite.”
“I will meet you in the sacred oak grove, then retreat to my castle.” And he would be nowhere near Maggie for the rest of the night.