“Whatever the hell you claim to be, you can leave this instant. My wife and I have a few matters we must discuss.”
“Do you truly wish me to leave?” He looked at Alainn and indiscreetly raised his eyebrow suggestively.
“My God, I have never seen anyone so entirely full of themselves. I thought of you because I thought you might serve my husband, not me.”
“What?” both males yelled with matching looks of uncertainty and disdain on their faces.
“Not in that manner! Though I am well aware and by no means opposed to the fact many people are attracted and indeed hold deep love and longing for their own gender, that is not what I was referring to.”
Both men had not lost their chagrined expressions which only proved to further amuse her. Alainn giggled in earnest and then found herself unable to stop laughing at the very thought of what they’d believed she was implying.
“He has a weapon!” She managed through her uproarious laughter.
“Is that the terminology humans have given to such bestowments?” The man glanced down at the barely adequate triangular garment covering his masculine attributes.
“No, you oaf, you possess a sword. My husband needs someone to spar with for he must do battle this day and he has been without training these past days.”
“I would suggest he may well have been doing some endurance training for the amount of time you’ve spent within this space.” He waved at the area of the spring. “This veil ensures no beings can see within, and your time behind it has been quite lengthy.”
Killian finally seemed to grasp the meaning of what she’d been trying to tell him. A smile crossed his face.
“You would do battle with me, man?” the other being asked.
“And why wouldn’t I; do you think I fear you?”
“He is immortal, Killian!” Alainn announced. “Pass me your sword, husband!”
“You don’t need to shelter or protect me, Alainn. I’m not afraid to participate in sword play with him.”
“But if you allow me to charm your sword then it can wound him!”
The god’s eyes widened and he glanced at the woman who remained wrapped in the bedclothes, looking most alluring.
“Alainn, get yourself dressed before I have to cut out his eyes for the way he’s starin’ at you.”
“Pass me your sword and then I will get dressed.”
“And how do you mean to hold tight to the bedclothes and take hold of this heavy sword?” he queried.
She snapped her fingers and the bedclothes were instantly replaced by a gown. Killian passed her his sword, she worked her magic on it and then gave it back to him. Then a sword magically appeared in Lugh’s hands as well.
“Now you must fight with skill, Lugh. But if you hurt my husband I swear you’ll deal with me.”
“And if he hurts me?” he asked in a voice filled with obvious mockery.
“You will bleed!”
The male was not entirely convinced but Killian deducted it was the first time he actually believed the other male began to take the bout seriously.
“I won’t stay to watch, Killian, but I am secure in your abilities.”
“But where are you headed, Alainn?”
“There is something I must attend to, but we’ll break fast together when I return. For then we must leave this realm.”
“Aye!” he agreed and the look of resignation on her face matched how he felt regarding the subject as well.
Alainn could hear the steady clanking of the metal swords as she started out. She dreaded what she must do next, but she reasoned she needed to do it just the same. She found the location where she and Killian had been the previous night; the place where she had looked far into the future. She dared to look once more. Again her distaste for that time grew evident. It assaulted her senses. She searched through the many buildings she had seen the night before. She found the one she was looking for and her eyes skirted the many windows to the exact window she’d seen the previous night.
And, once again, she was terrified by what she saw. The eyes that stared back at her were most certainly her own.
Chapter Sixteen
Her heart ached at the sadness of the eyes within the reflection for they appeared fearful, lonely, and confused. She tore herself away from the portal, and struggled to understand what she’d just seen. Obviously, she would be made to travel ahead in time. Apparently, one day that was what was fate had in store for her. Well, she was adamant she would not go willingly. She would fight it with whatever powers she could summon, for she would not leave the life she had, the time she lived in now, and, most importantly, she would not leave Killian.
When she turned to make her way back to Killian, Alainn saw Aine staring at her.
“You have seen what is to be then?”
“I have seen what might be. I will simply not allow it to come to fruition.”
The goddess looked at her with obvious consideration. “Some things are not within our power to change, Alainn. And perhaps it is the very powers you possess that will deem you must journey to places or times you would not choose to if you were truly given the choice!”
“There is always a choice!” Alainn rebelled.
“And if the choice is death?”
“Then I would die in this world, and my time, with my husband.” Alainn glanced at Aine with a new seriousness and another inquiry. “As a powerful being do you hold within you the power to remove the magical abilities I possess?”
The female goddess stared at her with a stern expression on her face and deep thoughtfulness in her eyes. “Nay, your powers are of an ancient origin and, as I mentioned before, there were any number of elements present to create your unique magical abilities. I possess no knowledge of any god or mystically enchanted being capable of simply dissolving your abilities or rendering them completely ineffectual. It is as I have previously explained; the conditions and events of your conception and birth created the many magical abilities you retain and lay claim to. They cannot simply be undone. There is surely a destined purpose for your powers and a charted destiny.”
Alainn’s eyes filled with profound sadness and uncertainty.
“And my kin, you have healed not a few and in truth saved many humans and often times those dearest to your heart because of your gifts and powers!” Aine stated, well aware of the truth.
Alainn nodded in agreement, but added, “Aye, but perhaps I have endangered as many with drawing and attracting dark beings because of my abilities as well.”
“There is never a gift without consequence, or an asset without responsibility, not for humans or for gods. In truth, your powers may possibly endanger you and those around you, but more often they will clearly ensure your safety and benefit you and yours as well. Do not question them, revel in them, learn from them and one day, you will surely relish the fact you have been bestowed with such powerful, enchanting magic!”
They had no further time for discussion although Alainn longed to ask many more questions of the goddess, her ancestor who appeared to possess infinite knowledge as well as supernatural capabilities. Their conversation was cut short when Killian and his opponent were seen walking toward them. Alainn was relieved to see Killian had no wounds and all vital parts seemed to remain intact.
The male beside him appeared to be viewing Killian with new appreciation and respect. “He is an able swordsman and a capable warrior! For a man!” He added for Killian’s benefit.
“And was Lugh able to challenge you adequately, Killian?” Alainn taunted the god.
“He’ll have to do until I can spar with an actual man, I suppose!” Killian returned the jesting on the other male’s account.
“Humans have absolutely no notion of what is humorous!” Lugh declared before he aptly vanished.
Alainn felt a deep sadness settling in her heart and her soul as they prepared to leave the glade.
Killian recognized it and, as they walked hand in hand across the fairy glade, h
e tried to reassure her. “At week’s end, as soon as we have attended Riley and Rory’s marriages, we shall leave straightaway for our castle. Then, after I have seen to some necessary matters at Castle O’Donnel, we will take an entire moon if we choose and never leave our bedchamber. It will be as perfect and wonderful as it was here. Well, nearly at any rate, perhaps not so magical, but we can make our own kind of magic when we are alone together, aye?”
“Aye!” she whispered, but tears glistened in her eyes as she spoke.
“Don’t be maudlin, Alainn! I know you fret overly much regarding the challenge, but you needn’t worry so. I am confident I will defeat my uncle!”
They had reached the opening to the human world and Alainn felt her magical protective triquetra amulet grow warm and begin to glow. She knew it would not be a pleasant crossing for her this time for she had many concerns that plagued her mind.
When they reached the other side, she felt weak and her stomach reeled. She attempted to conceal this from Killian for he had more than his share of concerns to deal with. He led Storm as they slowly walked together through the stone close.
“I think it best you remain at Cook and Margaret’s cottage this night. I will miss you most assuredly, but tomorrow night, after the challenges are concluded, we will never spend another night apart. I will tell my uncle of our marriage then. We will spend tomorrow night in my bedchamber in the castle.”
“Aye!” she agreed but spoke no further, keeping her concerns and fretfulness within.
Killian continued speaking and informing her of what he believed would assist her. “This day, Alainn, you must go about your daily tasks as you would any other day. Go tend to your herbs and I ask again that you refrain from using your powers. Above all, you must attempt to avoid my uncle and his priest. Sure if we get through the next two days then we’ll be through with all of this unpleasantness. We will locate the missing crest that belonged to your father. It will prove you are Teige O’ Rorke’s daughter, and sure soon we can then begin our journey to our castle where you will be living next to your grandfather. You’ll be able to get to know each other as you should.”
She wanted to tell him she didn’t believe locating the crest would be a simple task, and they would surely never be able to leave Castle O’Brien with the curse still upon them. She wanted to reveal that she must also attempt to locate the record of her parent’s wedding, and somehow make Hugh O’Brien, his brothers and all of the O’Briens recognize and accept her as nobility in order to ensure their child would live. Of course she spoke of none of these dismal topics for he had bouts and challenges that he must concentrate on.
She simply put her arms around his neck and was content to have him hold her for a moment longer before they would need to be parted. Finally they reluctantly pulled from their loving embrace. He escorted her to Cook and Margaret’s cottage, where they held tight to each other once more, neither one wanting to let go. He finally began to walk away from her at Cook’s gate, but then returned straightaway and he eyed her suspiciously.
“My sword, Alainn. Whatever you did to it by way of your magic, it must be undone.”
She nodded and while he held it she touched the blade. It glowed, turned a bright golden color and then returned to its normal silver shade.
“I love you more than you could ever truly know, Killian O’Brien!” she whispered.
“And I you, Alainn O’Brien!” He smiled lovingly as he left her there and she inhaled several times in hope of calming her fears and stilling the tears that threatened to fall.
Chapter Seventeen
Alainn stopped to spend some appreciated time with Molly and Margaret. She was most happy to see them again and as she and Molly lovingly embraced, the younger girl’s eyes filled with easily recognized happiness for her friend. Upon seeing her Margaret, she beamed widely and she, too, gathered Alainn close to her bosom for an affectionate moment of motherly doting.
Alainn was pleased at how quickly the morning passed. The three women sat comfortably together, enjoying a hot herbal drink while the many noisy Kilkenny children each came to claim their time with Alainn.
Cook and Margaret had thirteen children in all. Alainn’s friend, Cookson was the eldest and he and four of his brothers, who were of an adequate age to work, were off in the castle’s kitchen where they were employed with their father, who was head cook.
The Kilkenny’s cottage was not large by any measure, and it always seemed bursting at the seams with playful, energetic children. Alainn smiled at their enthusiasm and their sweet, affectionate mannerisms.
She held the youngest babe upon her lap and noted, as always, Margaret maintained a happy home and a loving disposition toward her family. Although she could be stern when necessary and had clear expectations of her children, she did not agree with the common belief that children should be seen and not heard. She was never unduly sharp or impatient, and she often allowed her children to be raucous and willful. Because of this, their home was oftentimes chaotic and undoubtedly noisy, and there surely was never a dull moment.
As the women attempted to speak, the playful din around them made it seemingly impossible. Margaret finally stood, cast a strict maternal look, and gestured to her many children. Without so much as a commanding word spoken, they all obediently congregated to the other side of the cottage and soon partook in a quieter game.
“Now, we may actually be able to get a word in edgewise!” Margaret smiled.
“You wedding was so very lovely, Alainn. I was greatly pleased and honored to be able to attend. And you truly spent your honeymoon within a fairy glade, Alainn!” Molly gushed. “It must have been a magical time.”
“Aye, well, we weren’t allowed an actual moon within the glade, but it was truly enchanting. If not for missing my friends, including the two of you, I think we might have stayed there indefinitely.”
Margaret smiled at Alainn, clearly pleased at how radiantly happy she appeared.
“What news have you of the chieftain?” Alainn finally dared to ask.
“He has returned.” Margaret assured her. “The captain and much of his army searched for him for no less than three days with no success in locating him. Then he returned of his own accord with no explanation of where he’d been. The physician apparently assessed his condition and found he had no obvious ill effects, although Seamus tells me the chieftain himself has no clear memory of his time away. Lady O’Brien and their sons were understandably wrought with concern at his absence. Myself, I was thinkin’ maybe it would be better by far if he’d just stayed away for good, I was, the feckin’ arse that he’s been as of late!” Margaret admitted, and Alainn smiled at the woman’s off-color language. “And sure then there’d be no cursed challenge between the earl and your Killian!”
Alainn nodded as she glanced at the seriousness in Margaret’s eyes and, but for the fact Hugh O’Brien was quite possibly needed to do his part in ending the curse by accepting her, she would have much been in agreement with the other woman. The thought of the upcoming challenge left Alainn fearful once more.
“The chieftain did not appear to be overly enraged regarding Killian’s absence then?” Alainn inquired.
“Da says from what he’s noticed the earl seemed somewhat more agreeable since his return. I pray that continues, perhaps he’ll simply cancel the damnable challenge.”
Margaret glanced disapproving at her usually shy daughter and her uncommon use of unacceptable language.
“Not so becoming of a young lady!” She declared.
“Well ’tis a dreadful challenge and sure all present here at this table would be much grateful if it was cancelled.”
“To be sure!” Her mother concurred.
Alainn thought that was highly unlikely and it was doubtful Killian would ever agree to it even if his uncle suggested it. She longed to have the worrisome topic out of her mind and she hurriedly changed the subject.
“Molly, have you and Pierce had occasion to spend further time
together?”
Molly’s cheeks turned crimson and she nervously twirled her finger in one of her many lovely, red ringlets.
“Aye, we’ve spent some time together.” She blushed as though she longed to speak more freely with Alainn, but didn’t elaborate since she was in her mother’s company as well.
“Aye, they’ve requested time together on more than three occasions, never alone, mind you, for you’ll know Seamus and I would not allow that consideration. The young man was here to dinner just last evening.” Margaret related. “Sure, he’s a brave sort for the lad withstood a meal and an entire evening at the Kilkenny table without complaint, which as you know is no easy feat!” She winked at the young women at the table beside her. “And her brothers were a might irksome toward their sister and her new beau!”
“Ardan and Carrig were ever so disagreeable, Alainn! Sure, they were horribly embarrassin’ and they taunted Pierce unmercifully for they found a lovely poem he’d written for me. Even Cookson joined in the great delight of pokin’ fun at the situation. When Pierce took leave, I gave them all a good tongue lashin’, I did!” She smiled as her cheeks colored once more and the affection for her brothers was obvious no matter how often they chided her.
“And sure the lad must not have objected too severely for he’s asked if he and his father might stop by this evening. So, I’ve invited the captain and his son for dinner this night. Come to it, best I’d better quit dawdlin’ and get busy preparin’ the meal.”
Molly’s hazel eyes brightened at the prospect of seeing Pierce again and Alainn sensed her friend’s infatuation with the captain’s son was changing to a more mature affection and possibly even love.
Alainn bid the women fond farewell and set off. The next stop she made was to the kitchen. She saw Cook and went to him upon seeing him.
“You look happy, Alainn!” He commented as he affectionately gathered to him the young woman whom he thought of as a daughter.
“I am happy, Cook...sure I am elated!”
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