Read Online The Stag Lord by Darby Kaye - Free Book Online Page A

hall, a door opened and closed with a soft snick. Then Bann appeared. Barefooted and clad in jeans and a T-shirt, the Knight stood running his fingers through his rumpled hair. “Good morning to you.” He cocked his head toward the kitchen. “And would that be coffee I’m smelling?”
    Shay nodded, mind still reeling from the revelation. Her head swiveled of its own accord to watch as he walked across the living room and into the kitchen. He greeted Max when the dog passed by on his way to flop down by Shay’s feet. She continued to watch while Bann opened the refrigerator in search of cream.
    His back to her, he spoke over a shoulder. “Is there a reason you are gawking at me like I’ve grown a goat’s head?”
    â€œSorry. I was just…” Wrenching her gaze away, she looked down again at the picture of Brian Boru. She closed the book with a snap when Bann sauntered around the end of the sofa a minute later and took a seat in a nearby chair.
    â€œShay, we’ll be leaving today as soon as I repair the camper. But before I go, is there something I can do around here in payment for your hospitality and care of my son?”
    â€œYou can’t go yet.” The Healer in her took over. “Cor needs a few more days.”
    â€œHe’ll be fine. And we need to keep on the move.”
    â€œBecause of Cernunnos?”
    Bann froze, mug halfway to his lips. Wariness veiled his eyes. He started to speak when she opened the book to the correct page and held it up.
    â€œYou’re the descendant of the King, aren’t you?”
    He stared down at the illustration for a moment. “I am.”
    The words seemed to hang in the air between them. Then, suddenly, Shay grinned and shook her head. “Unbelievable.”
    â€œWhat is?”
    â€œThat the long-son of the High King would be sitting in my living room. All that ”—she waved a hand at his mussed hair and bare feet—“and having morning coffee with me.”
    Bann shrugged. “You understand why we must leave. Today. You’re not safe as long as you shelter us.”
    â€œMy risk to take.”
    â€œDon’t you understand? He will slaughter you without a thought to get to me and Cor.”
    â€œI do understand that, yes. But before you get all lone-wolf about everything, can I at least ask some questions?”
    Bann started to argue, then relented. “Ask away.”
    â€œSo. Cernunnos. Has he been hunting your family for all this time?”
    â€œStrangely, no. In fact, there had been no sign of him for centuries, although the story of the Stag Lord’s oath of vengeance has been passed down from father to son. My father warned me to be on eternal vigilance, for we never knew when the Horned One would appear.” Bann made a face. “It would seem I drew the short straw.”
    Something clicked in Shay’s head. “Is that how your wife died?”
    â€œAye.” Bann hesitated, then spoke, gaze fixed on the cold hearth. “How he came to the New World is still a mystery. In fact, I thought I had left him behind when I fled to America and settled in Pennsylvania amongst our people. I even thought I could marry and raise a family in relative safety.”
    â€œIs that where you met your wife?”
    â€œIt was. Elizabeth and I had Cor not two years after we were wedded.”
    â€œHow long has it been since your wife…” Shay let the words fade.
    Bann drained his mug. “A year ago. I was not home when he attacked. He killed Elizabeth right in front of Cor. Why he didn’t kill my son, too, remains a mystery.” Glancing toward the hallway and the guestroom beyond, he added, “He still has nightmares.”
    Shay’s heart twisted for both father and son. “Why didn’t you call upon the other Knights?”
    â€œI did. I went to my chieftain, my wife’s drying blood on my hands and my terrified child in my