Page 18 of The Shadow Path (Shadowlands #2)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A fter Naida had healed Carys’s twisted ankle and Godrik had sent his wolves home, Cadell flew them to two other fae gates. The first was on the edge of a wolf town, near a school, and while the abundant flowers growing across the meadow delighted the children, all the adults were worried.

The other was on an island where two rivers met, and the magic there felt dark and seductive. Carys understood immediately why Godrik was concerned about both. While none of them were resting places for ancient forest gods, Dru and Naida both confirmed that magic that should have been sleeping was very much awake.

That night they gathered in the library in Dafydd’s house. Carys’s ankle was still a little red, but the swelling was gone. She sat near the fire with her leg propped up on a small table as the rest of them shared a drink.

“So you see why we’re concerned.” Godrik sat near the fire, a bandage wrapped around one arm and a long slash across his jaw. “This is not common magic for our territories. And the one near the school is especially concerning.”

“But fae gates are everywhere.” Naida was drinking bright red wine. “Some are more active than others, but surely your people expect to feel their magic.”

“Not like that.” Godrik leaned forward and raised his bandaged arm. “Not like this.”

Carys said, “That wasn’t from a fae though. That was a forest god.”

Dru lifted a glass of whiskey. “True indeed, Carys Morgan.”

“Fine, but why did he suddenly decide to wake up?” Godrik asked. “Did I miss something? Did you do something to wake him, fae?”

Naida leaned forward and narrowed her eyes. “I do not care for your form of address, wolf. We risked ourselves trying to help you today.”

“My love.” Dru reached out his hand toward Naida. “I did nothing but connect with the ground, Godrik. The old one was already waking up. I might have sped up the process when he felt my father’s magic, but he would have woken up eventually. Sooner rather than later.”

“So is that because of something the fae are doing?” Godrik persisted. “Is this part of Cian and Orla’s plan? Or is it something else entirely?”

Dru raised one eyebrow. “An excellent question.”

“Yer not fucking giving us many answers though, are you?” Duncan sat across from Godrik, nursing a whiskey and a foul expression. “I’ve spent a decade working out some kind of defense against the fae in this damn place, but I don’t have any defenses against a fucking god.”

Dru frowned. “That old one wasn’t harming anyone. He’s unique. He only cares for that patch of ground.”

“Are they comin’ after the humans?” Duncan persisted. “The wolves? Why did the earth trap Carys this morning? I swear to you, those rocks were holding her. Every time I dug around them, they just gripped tighter. And I was digging with steel.”

Naida shuddered, but Dru only shrugged. “The old gods care nothing about iron. They exist on both sides of the gates. It was the Brightlands that birthed them. They just retained more of their magic in the Shadows. Steel and iron are nothing to them.”

Laura spoke from the corner. “Where Carys and I come from, the old gods are still alive and moving. The salmon never lost his power. The crow still flies and we honor all of them, human and magical creatures both. Do the gods hide here?”

“Not exactly,” Naida said. “But they’re not active.”

“Something is waking up old magic.” Dru looked at Laura. “That is what you’re feeling. In Briton, the old gods retreated as humans stopped honoring them. They allowed the fae to take their place.”

“But there are still cults that honor the old gods,” Carys said. “And most of the magical creatures do as well.”

“Yes, but most humans don’t,” Duncan said. “To most humans here, the fae are the higher power.”

“And fae are not gods.” Dru shook his head. “Even though they may act it at times.”

“So where does that leave us?” Godrik asked. “What am I supposed to tell Harold?”

Dru stared at the fire for a long moment. “Tell Harold that making offerings to Tamis and the other river gods in the city would be wise right now. If the old gods still sleep, it will be seen as a nod to tradition. If they are waking—for some reason—then it will appease them.”

Godrik nodded. “Not a bad idea. I wouldn’t have thought of that.”

I told you we needed fae allies. Carys thought it, but only Cadell, sitting outside in beast form, heard her.

It’s not polite to brag, Nêrys.

Naida added, “And it will put the fae in their place. Remind Orla and Cian that they’re not deities. They’re magical creatures like the rest of us.”

“Should I tell the king and Winnie about the forest god?” Godrik asked.

Dru and Naida exchanged a look, and some unspoken conversation happened between them.

“That would probably be wise,” Naida finally said. “Harold should have all the information he needs. I don’t believe in coincidence. The fae gates, the forest god” —Naida looked at Carys— “the Crow Mother asking for passage to the Brightlands. Some greater plan is in the works, and all of us must be ready.”

Carys stared at the ceiling in her room, watching the flickering light from the fire as it cast shadows across the painted beams.

Shadow. Light.

Old gods. Fae.

What was magic? What was elemental?

And what was Queen Orla planning?

Was Queen Orla behind any of this? Or was it Prince Cian?

Her bed was massive and cold. Her body ached from so many hours in a coracle and the multiple jolts of surprise. Her leg ached a little bit, but it had accepted Naida’s healing.

Laura had gone to bed soon after they finished in the library.

Cadell had gone to visit his children at the horde nesting grounds.

Carys had been an only child. She knew how to be alone.

She didn’t want to be alone, but she was almost asleep when someone knocked on her door.

She rolled across the massive bed, then threw on the wool wrap that kept her warm in the old stone house and slid into a pair of deerskin slippers.

She walked to the door and somehow wasn’t surprised to see Duncan on the other side when she opened it. “Hi.”

“Hello.” He leaned his massive shoulder against the arched doorway. “How are you? How’s the ankle?”

“Sore but better. Tired.” She was tired. She was… weary.

“Can I come in? Just for a minute.”

She opened the door and let him inside. “I have to tell you, if you’re planning any seduction-type activities, I am probably not up for it tonight.” She wanted a bath something fierce, but this wasn’t the place to hop in the bathroom for a quick “freshen up” shower. Taking a bath meant planning ahead.

Duncan smiled and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet and wrapping an arm around her bottom, then carried her to the bed. “Are you sure? I might be able to change your mind.”

He probably could. She could take a very cold sink-bath, right? She probably didn’t smell that gross. And she was only kind of sore. As long as he wasn’t expecting gymnastics?—

She winced as he set her on the edge of the bed.

“Kidding.” He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and ran his warm fingers along her jaw. “Jesus, Carys, you scared me to death today. And when you told Laura I had my sword?—”

“Listen, if it’s between losing a foot and dying, I would rather lose a foot, and I don’t think that’s a crazy thing to say.”

Duncan pulled a stool over the edge of the bed and sat in front of her, settling her sore ankle on his lap and looking up. “Do you know what that would do to me?” His voice was rough, and his eyes were shining. “Even the thought of hurting you?—”

“I would have made Laura do it,” Carys jumped in. “She could cut off a limb for me if I needed it. She’s very practical, and she’s kind of mean.”

“Fuck me.” He let out a harsh laugh, bent forward, and leaned his forehead on her knees. “I can’t believe you’re joking about it.”

“Hey.” Carys reached out and ran her fingers along the short crop of his russet-brown hair. “I’m okay. Nothing bad happened. I have a twisted ankle and a giant bruise on my butt. But that’s all. Remember when I thought I was leaving you to the terrifying fae bear in the murder forest? This was not nearly as bad as that.”

He turned his head to the side, rested his cheek on her legs, and let out a long breath. “Let me take you back to London tomorrow. The real London. Fuck all of them. This isn’t our fight. You and Laura and me—and your fucking dragon, obviously—we can just go. Fly back to California and forget about all of them. I need to fuck off and take a vacation anyway. Fiona’s been at me for months because I’ve been in a foul mood.”

“You just used fuck in three successive sentences with three different usages. It truly is the best curse word.”

Duncan looked up, and his entire face was smiling. Eyes. Mouth. Beard. All of it. “I adore you, Professor Morgan.”

Her heart flipped over in her chest. “You know, I was talking with someone the other day. Someone who reminded me of you.”

His smile dimmed a little bit. “Is that so?”

“Don’t get that look.” She pulled on his beard a little bit. “He told me that you…” She let out a long breath. “That you were a good man. But you’re not just good, Duncan. You’re one of the best men I’ve ever known.”

“Don’t make me noble, Carys.” He shook his head. “I just told you we should run away from a fight. I’m only noble in small quantities.”

“This person who reminded me of you, he also said you’d do anything for me. Be anything.”

Duncan’s green eyes burned. “Then he does know what he’s talking about, because I would.”

“And I told him I just wanted you to be yourself,” Carys whispered.

Duncan stood slowly, parted her legs, and moved between them, leaning into her. “The man I want to be is the one at your side, Carys Morgan. The one you call when you’re hurt or lonely or just need to vent. The man who helps you fight your battles and fucking… washes your socks if that’s what you need. I just want to be with you. I just want to be yours.”

Enough.

Carys reached up, pulled him down, and kissed him.

Duncan wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her into his body, settling the heat between her thighs against the prominent erection behind his pants. Carys arched into him, needy with desire and ignoring the pain in her body.

“Oh fuck.” She closed her eyes and let her head fall back when Duncan’s kisses trailed from her mouth to her neck. “I’m warning you, I haven’t had a bath in two days.”

He tugged the hair at her nape and angled her eyes to his. “One, I don’t care. But two, if you really do, there’s a hot bath waiting in my chambers.”

Her eyes flew open. “Are you serious?”

“I asked for it and then couldn’t stop thinking about you and I came up so?—”

“Take me to your room right now,” she whispered.

His eyes laughed at her. “Just for the hot water?”

“Let’s start there and see where it goes.”

He glanced down at her ankle. “You can’t walk that far.”

“I’m not in that much— Oooh!”

With one swoop, Duncan had hoisted her up and over his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, I’ll carry you.”

“You cannot carry me through the castle like this!” she whispered, trying not to laugh.

“Watch me.”

He strode to the door, opened it, and then slammed it behind them as he walked down the stone hallway, which was lined with torches.

Carys was a little uncomfortable lying over Duncan’s shoulder, but she was mollified by the truly excellent view of Duncan’s ass as he walked.

The man might be a laird, but he also enjoyed physical work, and it showed. His thighs were thick as tree trunks, and his ass was rounded with muscle.

“Are you staring at my arse?”

“Yes.”

He reached up and slapped hers, and Carys winced. “Bruise!”

“Oh fuck me!” His hand smoothed over her bottom. “I’m sorry, darling, I completely forgot about that.”

Okay, but if he kept his hand there, that wasn’t bad.

Moments later, Duncan carried her through the doorway of a smaller chamber, and the scent of rosemary filled the room.

He kicked the door closed and slowly lowered her to the ground. “Hello there.”

Carys looked around at the cozy room. It was smaller than hers, didn’t have as many windows, and thus it was a lot warmer. Duncan’s room had a four-poster bed with heavy curtains covering the sides, a small table and a set of chairs by the fire, and a large wooden bath in the corner, surrounded by wooden screens.

She spun around, taking it all in.

“Carys.” Duncan’s voice was soft. “Truly, lass, I’ve been playing with you. If you’d like a bath, please take it. I can wait in the hallway to give you privacy or?—”

“Stay.” She pulled him down and planted a kiss on his full mouth.

Duncan hesitated for only a heartbeat before he wrapped his arms around her, angled his mouth over hers, and feasted.

His lips were soft and his beard was rough, but all Carys could think about was the sensation of his mouth moving over hers, his callused hand gripping the small of her back, and the hand that smoothed over the bruise on her left buttock.

Her head was swimming as Duncan lifted her and walked her toward the bath, setting her down on the thick rug next to the wooden tub. He drew back and silently unwrapped her dressing gown before tossing it on the bed behind her. Then he reached down and took her nightgown by the edge and pulled it slowly up and over her head, leaving her completely naked save for her woolen slippers.

Duncan knelt in front of her and lifted one foot, then the other, staring up at her, his eyes scanning her body, taking in every inch.

Carys had never felt more exposed in her life. “Duncan?—”

“Beautiful.” His voice was rough. “You’re so beautiful, Carys.” He leaned forward and kissed her hip where a bruise was forming. Then a small scar next to her belly button. “I want to taste every inch of you.” His tongue licked out and his teeth scraped along the soft flesh of her belly. “God, I want to ravish you, but I know you’re sore.”

She pulled at his shirt. “It’s a big bath. Why don’t we both get in before it gets cold?”

His eyes met hers, and they glinted with amusement. “I do like the way you think.”

Duncan stood and quickly disrobed.

It was… surreal.

While he and his twin were identical in looks, their bodies were remarkably different in build. Duncan was thick everywhere. Shoulders, arms, legs.

And yes, the minute he took his pants off, she looked. How could she not?

His cock was thick, erect, and it had an intriguing curve to it. She felt her body heat up, and she couldn’t drag her eyes away.

Duncan caught her stare. “If you keep looking at me like that, this bath is going to get cold.”

Carys climbed in and she was glad they hadn’t waited, because in the chill of the evening air, the water was hot, but it was cooling off. She sat down and reached for his hand. “Come on then. Sit between my legs and give me some of that soap I love. I’ll wash your back.”

“You’re testing my patience, Professor Morgan.”

“Indulge me.”

The heat of the water was as delicious as the rippling muscles on his arms and back, and Carys didn’t hesitate a moment before running the chunk of fragrant soap over his skin.

Duncan let out a sigh and leaned back into her touch as she wrapped her legs around him. He ran his hands along her legs and cradled her foot and ankle in his strong hands.

“How’s this?” He touched her ankle. “The swelling is almost gone.”

“It’s good. That magical healing is the best.” She arched her foot and managed to run a toe along the length of his erection.

Duncan hissed. “I wasn’t wrong before—you’re a menace.” He pressed his back against her. “I love the feeling of your tits on my back.”

She was washing him, but she was also feeling him up, her fingers slipping over the ridges of his arms, along his side, and across rippled abdominal muscles that made her body clench.

Carys reached under his arm and ran the soap across his chest, marveling at the rock-hard span of muscle under her fingers. “You are… incredibly strong.”

“Hmm.” He grunted. “And you are…” His hands reached back, trailing along her wet legs and the outside of her thighs. “…soft as silk.” He grabbed the soap from her and lathered it between his palms, then thoroughly washed her shoulders, arms, and hands, dipping her fingers in the water so he could take them in his mouth and slowly suck them, running the tip of his tongue along the soft folds where her fingers joined.

It was an obvious demonstration, but Carys didn’t want to rush. She ran soapy fingers down Duncan’s chest, along his abdomen, and down below the water, wrapping both her hands around his erection as he arched back and turned his head, searching for her mouth.

“Woman, you’ll kill me.”

She whispered in his ear. “They call it the little death for a reason.”

He captured her lips with his own, groaning into her mouth as she stroked him.

Duncan’s kiss grew desperate and his body grew harder. Impossibly hard.

There was a low growl in his throat as he ripped her hands away, spun around as quickly as he could turn his massive body in the wooden tub, and reached for her.

“That’s enough of that,” he growled. “I want my mouth on your sweet tits and my cock in your?—”

Carys leaned forward and kissed him again, her hand going back to his erection. She tore her mouth away as Duncan’s fingers slid between her thighs, and she was nearly overcome with lust until Duncan froze and sat back.

“What?”

He slapped a hand over his eyes. “Condoms.”

“Oh fuck.” Carys nearly growled with frustration. “Well?—”

“Good.”

“Good?”

Duncan stood, dragged Carys out of the cooling water of the tub, and threw a towel around her before he picked her up and tossed her on the bed. “Yes, good.”

She crawled up the bed, confused and still turned on when she saw him naked and marching toward her. He didn’t look like he was second-guessing anything.

“You’re injured?—”

“Ish,” she protested. “Injured-ish.”

“Still, wouldn’t want to rush a good thing.” He crawled onto the bed, and his grin was wicked. “I’ll figure out the condom thing tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean I can’t taste you tonight.”

“Oh.” Her entire body flushed, and Duncan’s lips grew red.

“Fuck me, you were right. It all turns red, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

He licked his lips and eyed her pussy, but first he crawled up and over her, capturing her mouth in another bone-melting kiss that had her seriously considering throwing all her careful safe-sex lectures out the window.

She dug her hands into the muscles of his shoulders as he trailed his mouth from her lips to her neck, nibbling along her collarbone before he gathered both her breasts in his hands and kissed each nipple delicately.

Carys let out a harsh breath. “You’re going to make my head explode if you don’t— Fuck!”

As she was speaking, Duncan opened his mouth, drew one pointed tip between his lips, and lapped at her as if she were candy. He sucked and bit lightly; her breasts swelled under his touch, aching from the pleasure.

Carys dug her fingers into the muscles of his shoulders and pushed. She needed him…

She needed more.

“Aye, lass, those are delicious.” He scooted back and gently raised her injured ankle before he placed it on his shoulder, baring her sex to his hungry eyes. “But Carys Morgan, I’ve been thinking about getting my mouth between your thighs for months now, and I don’t think I can wait.”

Without another word, he bent down, put his mouth directly on her sex, and ran his tongue up the dripping folds of her pussy until he reached the apex.

He circled her swollen clitoris with his tongue, teasing and stimulating her with his mouth as his hands stroked over her body, the fingers of his right hand teasing her breasts while his left kneaded her bottom and his thumb caressed her entrance.

Carys was awash in the most intense arousal she’d ever experienced, and her mind went blank. Duncan’s fingers threaded through her own as her body began to seize.

She was sensation and hunger. And Duncan…

Duncan.

He was everything she needed.

When her climax took her, all she could remember was his hand holding hers.