Free Caledonia Fae 04- Druid Lords by India Drummond Page B

essence,” she told him.
    “I sensed you at the shifting of the gates.”
    “I faltered,” she said and looked away as though ashamed.
    Oszlár stepped towards Flùranach. “I can’t allow this.”
    “I need you,” Rory said, and Flùranach’s face lit up.
    “I will do anything you ask,” she said. “Have you forgiven me?”
    “I…” He was trapped. If he said no, Oszlár would make things difficult. But he didn’t want to lie. This moment felt too important to tarnish it with falsehood. “I want to.”
    “I forbid you to leave,” Oszlár said to the girl. “Go to your room.”
    Flùranach bowed her head in a submissive manner unlike any Rory had seen her demonstrate before. He almost didn’t recognise her. “If a druid lord commands me to go with him, I cannot refuse. I don’t wish to defy you, but I have little choice.”
    “I heard no command,” Oszlár said. “He wishes to speak with you, and I’m telling you that you aren’t ready. This is too important for us all, child. Don’t be selfish, as is your habit. Remember, your wilful selfishness initiated the whole of your misfortune.”
    “I command you to come with me, Flùranach,” Rory said. The authority in his voice sounded strange and foreign even to his own ears. “You will serve the Druid Hall.”
    She bowed her head low, as a servant would do. “As you wish, my lord druid.” She kept her eyes down and didn’t meet Oszlár’s glare as she walked around him.
    “You are willing to take responsibility for her, are you?” Oszlár said. “You don’t even know what has happened to her, where she has been, or what she’s endured. You haven’t forgiven her for her last catastrophic mistake. What happens when she makes another? What will you do if she breaks another druid and you realise you might have prevented the disaster by leaving her to train with me?”
    The keeper’s words stung. The last thing Rory wanted was for Aaron or Huck or some future druid to go through what he had. The Flùranach standing in front of him didn’t look like the same impetuous young woman who had attacked him. But was he prepared to challenge Oszlár? Why did the keeper’s insistence on keeping them apart grate so much? Why didn’t he just leave her behind? They could talk to this girl of Huck’s without Flùranach. Sure, her talents would make life easier by confirming what they suspected, but they weren’t against a wall…yet.
    “I will take responsibility for her,” Rory said, staring into Flùranach’s downcast eyes. “She won’t hurt anyone else.”
    Oszlár gazed at Rory searchingly, then nodded. “I will give my blessing on one condition.” He turned to Flùranach. “Return here every fourth day so we might continue your training. If I sense you are becoming unstable, you will return here permanently without argument.”
    “Thank you,” Flùranach said and bowed to the keeper. She turned to Rory and waited for his next command.
    Every eye in the room was on him. Jesus , he thought. What have I done? “Fine,” he said. “Let’s go.”
     

Chapter 6
     
    Huck ascended the stairs with Rory and Flùranach behind him. The tension stretched between them as they walked in silence. Everything about Flùranach exuded regret. She didn’t seem dangerous. In fact, her behaviour came across as eerily submissive, in stark contrast to the eager, brash young woman who’d approached Huck six months before with wild claims about him being a druid. But Huck hadn’t seen her since, so he was hardly an expert.
    He turned as they arrived at the portal. He opened his mouth to speak but froze when Rory turned to Flùranach. “Stop it,” Rory said. “Or I send you to Oszlár right now. Got it?”
    She nodded and blushed. Huck didn’t know what she did that bothered Rory and wasn’t going to ask.
    Rory asked Huck, “Are you ready? If we leave now, do you think we’ll get through Ashkyne and to the German gate before daybreak?”
    Huck