I’d completely forgotten about Satchel. I stared down at her as her tail twitched. Her eyes never left mine.
“Who is she?” I asked. “And what is she?”
The Goddess smiled. “She is made of magic, just as you are, though her talents are different from yours. There are many who choose to serve me and they answered the call when you were lost. They have searched the realms for you. She happened to find you, but Rhiannon’s curse prevented her from reaching me. So she found a way to be close to you.”
I laughed. Considering the cat barely tolerated me, that statement was hilarious. I never would have taken in a cat anyway. Then I stopped laughing. That was why Satchel approached Savannah. She had understood the only way to remain close to me was through her. It all made sense.
The Goddess nodded to me then her eyes dropped to Satchel. “You have served me well, daughter. It is time to release you from your vow.”
The cat mewed and the sound was sad.
“It is time for you to rebuild your life, daughter,” the Goddess declared, her voice soft but firm. “You have hidden long enough.”
The cat growled just a little and the Goddess surprised me by laughing.
“You are my business,” she said to Satchel. “You have done well, even without my guidance. I have no doubt that you will be fine.”
The cat meowed again and hopped up into my lap. I jumped, but instinctively put a hand on her side to keep her from falling from my leg. She leaned into me, still making sounds.
The Goddess studied us both for a few moments. “She wishes to remain in your realm with you, Aveta,” she stated. “Would you be willing to take her in and help her until she is ready to begin her life?”
The cat looked up at me and I stared down at her for a long moment. I could see the hope and intelligence in those feline eyes and wondered how in the hell I’d ever believed Satchel was just a cat.
“Of course,” I murmured softly. I knew what it was to be cast adrift with no one to point to safety or even cared where you washed ashore.
“I cared,” the Goddess whispered. “And I never stopped looking for you.”
I lifted my head. As our gazes met, I knew that I would spare Rhiannon. I would protect her from Macgrath’s revenge and bind her before sending her back to the Goddess.
I only hoped my mate would understand.
We returned tochaos. There was a roar that I recognized.
It was Macgrath. His back was to me as he tore the dresser apart, clothing flying everywhere.
I looked around in shock. The bedroom had been destroyed. There was no other word for it. Every piece of furniture was in splinters and the sheets had been shredded into confetti.
“What happened?” I cried out, rushing toward him. I leaned over to drop Satchel onto her feet a few steps away from him.
He froze in his frenzy and turned to face me. His eyes were pools of emerald and gold fire, burning with rage and desolation.
“Ava?” he asked, his voice gruff and so low it was nearly inhuman.
I approached him and put a light hand on his chest. “Ewan, what happened? Are you hurt? Is Savannah all right?”
He groaned, the sound ripped from his chest, and he snatched me up in his arms. As he cradled me, his body trembled violently. I felt dampness on my shoulder and realized that he was crying against my skin.
“Ewan.” I cupped the back of his head, my nails gently scraping his scalp. When he didn’t respond, I tried again. “Alaunus, what happened?”
After a long silence, he finally replied, “I thought I lost you again. We returned to the house and you were gone. We searched for you everywhere. Kerry cast spell after spell but you had vanished off the face of the earth. I thought Rhiannon had taken you. I…I snapped.”
His arms tightened around me and I whimpered. It hurt. He relaxed a bit but didn’t release me. He didn’t lift his head either.
I stroked his scalp and pressed a kiss to the side of his head. “I’m here and I’m sorry.”
“Where were you?” His voice was marginally calmer, but his body was still shuddering.
“The Goddess called for me,” I answered. I lifted my other hand, which still held the flower she had given me. Her vow. “She gave me this. It will help us find and capture Rhiannon.”
