Page 95 of The Last Kelpie

“I agree with Áedán. The Editor has given up on the kelpie myth, but there are so many others they can focus on now. I'm glad you're coming home. I assume you're coming here first to pick up your things and Áedán's car?”

“Yes. We'll be there tomorrow. It's a long flight.”

“Good. I'll let Caelum know. Have a safe trip.”

“Thank you.” I hung up and looked at Áedán.

“You're still worried.” He took my hand.

I nodded.

“Ethan, after all we've been through, you should know that we're going to be fine. Whatever happens, we'll face it together.” Áedán smiled, but there was a shadow in his eyes.

“You're worried too.”

He winced. “Nae, I'm happy. I love you. I'm going to be by your side until you take your last breath.”

“My last breath,” I whispered. “That's what frightens you now.”

Áedán squared his shoulders. “Aye, but I'm not so much of a fool that I'll squander what time we have on fear. You gave me my life back, Ethan. I'm going to live it to the fullest and take every moment with you that I'm given.”

I kissed him and smiled, but inside, I was just as frightened as he was. My mind filled with an image of Áedán burying me beside the loch and then wandering its shores forever alone, mourning me. I couldn't let that happen, couldn't let him turn into Caelum. I hadn't saved him only to let him live in grief. But I didn't know what to do.

Chapter Thirty-Four

We got back to the estate late the next night and went to bed. The next morning, we had breakfast and then went for a walk in the garden. It was strange to have nothing to do. I had to wait for Caelum to determine whether my assignment was complete before I could return to Scotland with Áedán.

Caelum found us that afternoon, sitting beneath Velas's Oak, watching the light filter through the leaves. Áedán had his head on my shoulder, one hand tracing idle patterns on my knee. The tree branches moved overhead though there was no wind, but it didn't bother me. I'd stopped questioning things like that.

“Walk with me.” Caelum's voice was quiet, but it carried.

Áedán lifted his head and eased back so I could get up.

“Both of you,” Caelum added.

We got up, exchanging a curious look, and followed him through the gardens, past the herb beds where mint and lavender grew in careful rows, through the orchard where Owen was pruning apple trees. The groundskeeper nodded as we passed. A robin landed on his shoulder and stayed there.

Caelum took us to a stone bench near the wall beyond the orchard, where climbing roses bloomed. He sat and gestured for us to do the same. “Your assignment is complete, Ethan.”

I glanced at Áedán. “So, you don't think the Editor will come after Áedán again?”

“We'll keep watch over Áedán's story.” Caelum patted my knee. “But I think the Editor will go after an easier mark now. You've made Áedán's myth too strong, too loved to be altered again. It would take decades to undo what you've built in these past months.”

Áedán's hand found mine and squeezed.

“Well, all of you did a lot of work too. It wasn't just me.”

“No, but you've changed us for the better.” Caelum grinned and shook his head. “Your first assignment, and you've already made your mark in the Velasca. Your grandmother must be so proud, smiling down on you.”

“I hope so.” It had been a while since I'd thought of her. But she'd understand. She'd been here before me, so she knew what it was like.

“Which brings me to the reason I asked you here.” Caelum leaned back against the stone wall. A vine reached out from the wall and curled into his hair, roses blooming on it as it moved. “You've completed your first assignment, Ethan. Successfully.” He chuckled. “More successfully than anyone in a hundred years. That means you have a permanent position with the Velasca, if you want it.”

My throat felt tight. “I want it. Uh, I can work from Áedán's cottage, right?”

“Yes.” He grinned. “And there's a benefit that comes with permanent employment. Something we offer to all our human Velascans.”

I waited.