Aeron laughed. “None of us do, especially when you’ve been so bloody wounded by everyone around you. Just remember, you owe him your life. Had you not done right by him, I would have left you to them what wanted you today, and let them have their wicked ways with you.” He winked at Nick. “No matter what anyone else tells you about Xevikan, he’s a good man. A loyal friend. Better than any I know.”

“That’s what I sense, too.”

Aeron inclined his head to him. “Listen to your heart, Malachai. It will never fail you. Other senses lie. Especially the tongues of others. But it never does.” He turned into a small bluish-white light that hovered at eye level. “Now, follow me and I’ll help you.”

Livia curled her lip at Aeron’s small, ghostly light form. “He looks like a little fairy.”

Aeron snorted. “I am a little fairy in this form, woman. It’s what a púca is. If you’re trying to insult me masculinity, you’ll have to try a lot harder. I was a Celtic warrior and war god who fought, wrestled, played, and went to war naked with other men, including me brothers and uncles. I’m quite comfortable in me skin and with me life choices, whatever they’ve been. Excepting the stupidity what led me here. It’ll take a lot more than some waspish wisp of a fey shrew calling me names to hurt me feelings, and make me doubt meself.”

Nick laughed. “You remind me a lot of a Dark-Hunter I know named Talon of the Morrigantes. Must be a Dark Age Celt thing.”

Aeron didn’t comment on that.

“This is not the way to the Nemed!” Lerabeth warned as she flew low, next to Nick’s shoulder. “Where are you taking us, púca?”

“The shortest route through the cursed woods.”

She cawed loudly before she spoke again. “It’s a trap, Malachai. You cannot trust him! Púcas are all about deception and lies. Their jobs are to take unwary travelers into the woods and strand them there. It’s what they do.”

Aeron’s light began to dim.

“I’m not doubting you, Aeron.” Nick narrowed his gaze at both women. “I have faith in people to do the right thing. It’s what my mother taught me. Until I have a reason to, given to me by Aeron himself, I refuse to listen to the evil spewed against him by others. I will trust his actions and my gut instincts, not the words of others who don’t know the truth of what lies in his heart.”

Aeron hesitated. “You are not a typical Malachai.”

“So everyone keeps telling me. Though I’m not sure if it’s a compliment or insult the way they say it.”

Aeron laughed lightly as he led them through the dense forest.