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

arms.” Bann’s jaw muscle jumped. “He told me it was my fight, not theirs.”
    I don’t blame him for being so bitter about our people , Shay thought. “So, what now?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWell, you can’t keep running forever. What if something happens to you? What would happen to Cor? You need to find a way to destroy that creature once and for all.”
    â€œWould you care to tell me how? His magic makes him almost impossible to kill. He is both human and animal, thus with the strength and speed and cunning of two creatures in one.”
    â€œWell,” Shay began. “I do know a Knight who has—”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWould you just listen for a minute—”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œâ€”before saying no? Look, you and Cor could settle here in High Springs. Get to know the other Knights and their families. Make a new life for yourselves.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBann, I’m trying to help you—” Shay could feel her face flush. The sympathy that had filled her earlier faded. What a stubborn jackass. Hardass. No. Wait. All-around ass .
    â€œI dinna ask ye to!” Bann’s voice rose. Nearby, Max jumped to his feet, hackles raised. Just in case.
    â€œWell, you don’t have to shout!”
    â€œUm…Dad?” A voice whipped their heads around.
    Cor stood a few feet away, his face creased from sleep and hair working hard at imitating a nettle hedge. “Hey, boy.” He patted Max, who had joined him, then looked from his father to Shay and back again. “Are you fighting?”
    â€œNo,” they said in unison.
    â€œSure sounded like it.” He fussed with the sling. “Can I take this off now?”
    â€œLet me see you move it.” Grateful to be doing something to distract herself from slapping some sense into the Knight’s head, Shay walked over and helped Cor slide his arm free. Wincing faintly, he raised and lowered his limb a few times. “Still hurting?” she asked.
    â€œJust a little.” Cor raised it again. “Feels better without the sling.” He pulled the cloth over his head and draped it around Max’s neck with a grin.
    â€œLet’s not get dog hair on that, shall we?” She plucked it off, marveling how quickly the sláinte nettle worked on the young. “Now, what would you like for breakfast?” Heading to the kitchen, she tossed the sling on the island and headed toward the refrigerator. A glance over her shoulder showed Bann gathering up their coffee mugs. Hope he knows we’re not finished with that conversation. No, sirree. Not by a long shot .
    Cor followed her. Taking a seat at one of the tall stools at the counter, he thought for a moment. “Anything but oatmeal. We eat that all the time.”
    â€œEggs?”
    â€œYes, please.”
    â€œBacon, too?” Shay pulled out a skillet and a spatula, already knowing the answer.
    â€œI like bacon.” Bann joined his son at the counter. Neutral ground.
    â€œI didn’t ask you .” She wagged her spatula at the man. “ You’re getting oatmeal.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause you were yelling,” Cor said.
    â€œ She was shouting, too, I’ll have you know.”
    â€œBut it’s her house, so she’s the boss. Just like Mom was the boss.”
    Silence filled the kitchen. Keeping her attention fixed on the stove, Shay busied herself with the bacon. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Knight Who Wasn’t running his hand over Cor’s hair, smoothing it from the night-long fight with the pillow.
    â€œAye, your mum was the boss, to be sure,” Bann said in a quiet voice. He cleared his throat. “Go wash your face and hands.”
    After Cor disappeared, Bann walked around the island. “My apologies for my poor manners earlier. May I help?”
    â€œSure. Plates are in the cupboard over the