“Do ye not?”
The boy shook his head bravely.
Darkfest lifted his right hand. Felt the air crackle around him as he summoned his power, shaping it in his mind.
“I am Darkfest, master of fire and flame, change this mortal to a creature new, frog be now his name.”
Amid a shower of green and silver sparks, the boy was transformed into a large green bullfrog. Sitting on the horse, the frog stared at Darkfest through bulging eyes, the croak that erupted from his throat filled with panic.
“Are ye still unafraid, hunter?”
Though the hunter now wore the guise of a frog, his awareness was that of the boy’s. The frog croaked again and again, louder each time.
With a wave of his hand, Darkfest returned the boy to his own shape.
Ronin stared at him, unable to disguise the fear in his eyes.
“Go home, hunter,” Darkfest said, “lest a worst fate befall ye.”
Ronin glanced at Channa Leigh. “May the gods protect you, girl, for ye’ll see me no more.”
“Ronin!” She called his name, but heard only the sound of his horse’s hooves galloping away.
“What did ye do to Ronin? I heard the croaking of a frog. Ye didn’t turn him…”
He turned in the saddle to face her. “I did, but only for a moment. He doubted my power. He doubts no more.”
“And wishes to wed me no more.”
“Does that sadden ye?”
She searched her heart, then shook her head. “Still, it was cruel to treat him thus.”
“Would ye rather I had left him that way? I canna have him following us, and I willna be responsible for his safety. And there’s an end to it.”
And so saying, he urged his horse forward.
The mare trotted obediently behind.
Chapter Nine
Because it grieved him to think of Channa Leigh being trapped in darkness, because he longed to feel her touch upon him once more, Darkfest gathered his power around him and transformed into the wolf that night.
“Magick!” Her voice was filled with joy when he laid his head in her lap. “What are ye doing here? How did ye know where I was?”
He growled low in his throat as he felt energy flow out of him. Out of him and into her as her hands fisted in the ruff at his neck.
“Sure and ye are a magic wolf,” she exclaimed softly. “For yer eyes have changed color again!” They were green now, as green as new grass. She ran her hands over his head and neck as she glanced at her surroundings. They were in a small dell surrounded by lacy ferns and night-blooming flowers that filled the air with a sweet perfume. Overhead, a million stars twinkled on a bed of indigo velvet. A small fire burned nearby, fingers of orange and crimson dancing brightly in the darkness.
“But where is he?” she wondered aloud. “The wizard? Do ye know where he goes? He worked mischief upon Ronin this very day.” She smiled wistfully. “T’was brave of Ronin to come after me.”
The wolf growled low in his throat.
“Ye disagree, Magick?”
The wolf barked once.
“Well, tis no matter now. My lord Darkfest frightened Ronin away. I doubt he shall ever find the courage to face my lord Darkfest again. Nor can I blame him. The wizard is a powerful man and though I fear him greatly, I shall never forget how he saved my mother’s life.”
