The riders drew closer. All wore hooded robes of gray; all bore spears or swords or other weapons with spiked or pronged or serrated blades. There were scythelike cutters and stranger items that spoke of spell craft. The two lines approached in silence from before and behind. When they were a certain distance away they deployed in a circle with Cathal and me in the middle. The torches bathed us in a flickering red light.

One rider guided his horse forward, a tall, black animal with a dangerous eye. The rider dismounted and pushed back his hood. His dark gaze passed over Cathal and fastened on me. “So you were lying after all,” he said. “You wanted far more than a night with my son. You lied to Mac Dara.”

My heart hammered. “Didn’t you expect that?” I asked. “We’re in your realm, not mine. You must be used to lies.”

“Perhaps she didn’t tell you,” said the Lord of the Oak, walking closer to Cathal. “Your little human playmate gave me a promise tonight, and I expect people to keep their promises. It’s clear you didn’t perform for her. That may be just as well, since your child would have been forfeit if you had. Your failure means she’s mine. Lord Sean’s daughter promised to bear me another son if you couldn’t give her one. A backup, let’s say, in case you fail to come around to my way of thinking. We’ve seen how much Clodagh likes babies. She’s perfectly happy to rear mine for me in the comfort of her father’s stronghold and give him back when I want him. Isn’t that right, Clodagh?” Beneath his outrageous, gloating smile, I thought I could see well-masked pain.

I could not look at Cathal. “That’s not quite what I promised,” I said through chattering teeth. “What I said was—”

“The exact wording is immaterial,” said Mac Dara coolly. “At the very least, you owe me one night for the trouble you’ve caused me. Seize her.”

Two of his entourage rode forward and dismounted, but before they could step any closer Cathal had put me behind him. “Lay a hand on Clodagh and I’ll kill you,” he said coolly. “I’ll fight you while there’s breath in my body. Of course, if my father is so disgusted with me that he wants me dead, I suppose that might suit him quite well. On the other hand, if you happen to make an end of me it’s possible he may get quite angry. He doesn’t have his replacement yet.”

Mac Dara raised his black-gloved hand. There was something in the gesture that told me he was not directing his warriors to apprehend me or to attack Cathal, but was preparing to cast a spell. I slipped my hand into my pouch and took out the egg-shaped stone. “Now,” I murmured, and threw it to the ground in front of me.