“I did. You know, she babbled like a brook. It was so delightful. Don’t you agree?”
Sawyer nodded. “Draco says I sound like her sometimes.”
“What a marvelous compliment to pay. Now, do me one favor?”
“Okay,” Sawyer said.
She reached into the folds of her voluminous skirt and pulled out a large pouch. “Will you give this to Cecil for me? This will help your strength. And you are right about…what did you call him? Yellow eyes?”
“Yes,” Sawyer said, accepting the bag she offered him.
“He will know when the time is right to come to you. Now, run this back to Cecil for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sawyer turned and walked away, sending a curious look Andvari’s way before going.
“And now for you, Andvari. A long time ago, I received a gift. It wasn’t meant for me, however. I was told that when the time was right, I would know. That is my gift. Knowing.”
She removed a velvet cloth from another pocket Andvari hadn’t even realized was in her skirt. She held the cloth out to him.
He took it and unfolded the edges. An immaculate dagger rested inside. The handle was stunning, a mixture of runes and entwined metals. The blade was finely honed, sharper than any he currently possessed. “It’s beautiful.”
“Keep it with you at all times, my boy. You will know when you must use it.”
Andvari nodded and knelt down. He removed the dagger he kept in his boot and replaced it with the one he’d been gifted. “I will treasure it.”
She smiled at him. “You mustuseit. And now, I must go. Will you take me back to Hartwig?”
“Of course.”
“Please give my apologies to Sawyer. I’m afraid we cannot stay for dinner, as much as Hartwig would like to. He did me this favor, and now I must steal him away early.”
“I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“Yes, he will. Besides, you’ll have your hands full soon enough.”
“Should I be concerned?” Andvari asked.
She laughed as they walked back through the woods. “That depends. Have you had the pleasure of meeting Dalinda yet? I believe she is your mate’s mother.”
“I have not,” Andvari said.
“Please remind Draco that his mother means well. He sometimes needs the reminder.”
He led the way, meeting his clan leader with the others. Hartwig nodded at him once more, then walked back down the hill with Gamayun’s arm through his.
“What did you think of her?” Draco asked softly.
“She was something, I just don’t know what.”
“One of the old ones,” Draco said.
“She said she knew Mama Thea. Sawyer’s going to struggle with that once he has more time to think it over.”
“Yes. He knows she was aware of our world, but each new revelation makes him doubt all he knew as a child.”
“She told me to remind you that your mother means well.”
