Page 40 of The Last Kelpie

“Everyone keeps saying that.” Áedán grinned at the dwarf. “You look hearty, though.”

Brannoc grunted as if that were a given.

Baba Yara released him and turned her sharp gaze on me. She sniffed once, the way she had during our first encounter. “Still drinking too much caffeine. Still not sleeping enough.”

“I'm working on it,” I said.

“Work harder. You have an epic life in your hands, and I don't mean your own.” She turned back to Brannoc. “And you! Stop burning my mandrake root.”

“I wasn't burning it, I was—”

We left them to their argument. Áedán continued to smile as we walked away.

“They've been arguing about herb preparation for at least two centuries.” Zoe rolled her eyes. “I think they enjoy it.”

I blinked at how easily she spoke about centuries. What would it be like to live so long? I imagined all the things I could learn about if I were immortal. I'd travel the world.

We rounded a corner near the gardens and nearly walked into a couple standing close together beneath a flowering tree. One was human, a Velascan I'd seen in the Archive. The other was clearly a myth, with skin that shimmered like water and hair that moved as if caught in a current. They were kissing. Not furtively or hidden, just kissing the way people do when they're in love, and don't care who sees.

Once we were out of earshot, Áedán muttered, “Everyone around here is disgustingly happy.”

I glanced at him. “You sound jealous.”

He was quiet for a moment, watching Zoe as she walked ahead. “I might be.” Then he stopped walking, turned to me, and kissed me.

It was quick. Barely more than a press of lips, over almost before I could register it was happening. Then he pulled back and resumed walking as if nothing had happened, hands in his pockets, expression carefully neutral.

I stood frozen on the path, watching him catch up to Zoe. My heart started to race, finally catching up to what had just happened. I could smell his clean scent and feel the ghost of his mouth against mine. I lifted a hand to touch my lips.

Then my mind launched a protest. This was a terrible idea. Getting involved with Áedán—someone I was supposed to be saving—was the worst possible decision I could make. My heart argued that I had wanted him since our first meeting. My desire and admiration for him had only increased since then. Every interaction made me want him more. When he told stories about his mother, shared his magic to take me somewhere magical, threatened machines, and even when he complained about coffee, I was enthralled. I wanted him in ways that had nothing to do with preservation, conservation, or duty.

I admired Áedán. His strength, his vulnerability, and the way he'd survived the loss of everyone he loved with his compassion intact. The way he looked at the world with eyes that had seen civilizations rise and fall, but could still find wonder in a child feeding ducks. He was incredible man.

“Ethan?” Áedán called over his shoulder, not looking back. “Are you coming?”

I broke into a lope and caught up to them. I glanced at Áedán, and he grinned. We didn't talk about the kiss. Didn't acknowledge it. But something had shifted between us, subtle as a change in current.

Zoe led us back into the main hall and to the grand staircase within. As if he'd known we'd be there, perhaps watching us from his office, Julian was already waiting before the stairs.

“Hello, Áedán,” Julian said.

Zoe took one look at Julian and backed away. “I'll see you later, Áedán.”

Áedán nodded without taking his eyes off Julian. Once she was gone, he said one word. “Why?”

Julian didn't pretend to be confused. “We didn't know, Áedán. We have so many to watch, and your clan vanished so quickly. I just found out, and only because one of our members was on holiday near your loch.” He stepped forward, his expression wounded. “I assumed if anything were wrong, you'd tell us yourself. But instead, you hid from us. You stopped writing, stopped visiting. I thought that one of us had angered you, and—” He sighed. “Damn it all. I was trying to give you space. Then I heard about your clan. I realized why you were angry, and so I sent someone you wouldn't recognize, hoping you'd speak to him.”

Áedán's expression shivered, stuttered, and went blank.

“Áedán, we would have been there for you. I thought you knew that.” Julian cocked his head, his eyes full of regret.

Áedán shook his head. “I dinnae ken that. All I kent was that my clan faded and no one seemed to care. The humans played in our water while I held my brother in my arms and watched him disappear.”

“Oh, Áedán.” Julian pulled Áedán into his arms. “I'm so sorry, so very sorry.”

I stood there, unsure what to do. Áedán had lost his clan and family while believing the Velasca didn't care. When all along, they would have been there, helping him, if only he had sent word. It had to be crushing for both of them.

Áedán stepped out of Julian's embrace. “I thought Caelum would ken.”