Free The Forest Lord by Susan Krinard

spoke only to myself," he said. "Are you in pain?"
    Dalziel laughed. "Aye. But I thank ye for saving Master Donal."
    For stepping in to protect his own son. Donal
. It was a good name. Hartley smiled when he remembered the boy's fearlessness in the presence of an angry stallion. Yes, the Fane gift was there. A magical bond had already begun to grow between them.
    Hartley knelt and touched Dalziel's damaged shoulder. The man flinched and gasped.
    "Be still," Hartley commanded, "or you will suffer more."
    Dalziel froze. Hartley turned a small part of his attention to the injury and drew his hand over the bloodied skin and torn shirt. Dalziel released a long breath of relief and amazement.
    "The pain… it's all but gone," he said, staring at Hartley in amazement.
    Hartley got to his feet. " 'Tis but an easing. The arm is back in place, but only time will heal it."
    Dalziel stuttered questions and thanks, but Hartley did not answer. He untied Atlas and led him into the stable, took a brush from a rack on the wall, and began to groom the stallion with long, sweeping strokes.
    Healing Dalziel, though the effect had somewhat weakened him, proved that his Fane magic had not waned after five years of sleep. The forest remained the source of his power. Even man's Iron, all around him in this place, was an irritant he could endure. He could enchant Donal and whisk him away before
Eden realized he was gone.
    But where was the challenge in that? Where was the sweet victory over mortals who thought that they could defy a lord of the Fane and go about their lives unscathed?
    No. Let his last days on earth purge him of all mortal desires. He'd beat Eden and her father at their own game.
    Atlas snorted for emphasis as Hartley picked up his near hoof to examine it for stones. If he was to play mortal again, he must get used to such humble tasks. He would work his way into
Eden's life as he'd done before. And when he had taken what he wanted, he would leave her as she had left him.
    Alone. Utterly alone.
     
    Eden
found Mrs. Byrne in the sitting room. Donal had
run ahead, and he and the housekeeper were chattering away in an almost incomprehensible Irish dialect.
    "My lady?" Mrs. Byrne nodded and touched Donal's shoulder. "The boy has told me what happened. Is Dalziel hurt so badly, then?"
    "I believe so. He cannot move his arm. The doctor must be sent for immediately."
    "The nearest doctor is five miles away, in Ambleside. I'll send Armstrong on our fastest horse, but Dr. Huddleston may not be at home. And with these roads—well, it may take half the day or more."
    "Let us hope not. In the meantime, I require men to bring Dalziel down to the house where he may rest comfortably."
    "Aye. I've a notion where Hindle and Grubb may be." Mrs. Byrne pulled the bell cord. Armstrong appeared, and she gave him the instructions. Then she summoned Hester and sent her to find the outdoor servants.
    Donal came to
Eden's side and took her fingers in his small but surprisingly strong hand. "Mo—Lady Eden, will the doctor fix Dalziel?"
    She smiled at him. "Yes, he will." She kissed the top of his head, savoring the smell and texture of his thick, clean hair. "You did very well, Donal. I'm proud of you."
    "May I go back to the stable and see Hartley Shaw again?"
    "Perhaps your ladyship should sit down," Mrs. Byrne said. "You look flushed. Shall I bring you a tisane?"
    Eden felt her cheek self-consciously. "I must return to Dalziel."
    "Wisht, Dalziel should have sold that brute Atlas long ago, but I understand that Lord Bradwell bought him as a colt and had great hopes for him. You knew Dalziel, my lady?"
    "He was with my father six years ago."
    "If he's badly hurt, he will not be able to look after the horses."
    "One of the men—Grubb perhaps—can take Dalziel's place until he is recovered."
    "Grubb is afraid of horses, and Armstrong hasn't the strength, though he can ride well enough. Hindle knows nothing of the beasts."
    "Then we shall simply have to hire