So when Aine enlisted me with the task of raising her tweenling child, I bargained for the ability to magically heal others so I might ensure the dear girl I was instructed to raise was kept safe and well. Alas, even so, I was not able to save her for she died brokenhearted only days after her she birthed your mother, I suppose you areas much aware as anyone even magic does not always hold the solution of ensuring all will be well. I do pray your line will now be free of unrest for your female kin have had their share of misfortune and now you as well, caileag leanabh!”
Alainn nodded solemnly, and both felt it was unlikely herself or any of her descendants would be entirely free of tribulations and woes. But who, human, witch, or any other species, truly was, Alainn wondered? Even the fairies had their burdens to bear, which was not often a consideration. Morag’s voice pulled her from her deep thoughts.
“And you have now mended the soreness between yourself and Mara. That pleases me, also. She was once so dear to me, as well, though I never truly showed any of you—Ainna, Mara or you, caileag, how truly blessed I was to have each of you in my life. I seldom showed any form of affection or warmth. I never told you how very precious you were to me, how much you enriched my life. I never dared to speak the words aloud. I thought it would make you soft, unable to deal with all life’s difficulties if I did not harden you. Perhaps I was wrong in that.”
“We knew how much you cared, Morag, through all your gruffness on the exterior, we knew your heart was full of love for us. You may not have birthed us, but you raised three of us and we could not have loved you any more if we’d been born of your body.”
“I know you will leave this location soon, caileag. Listen well to your husband, and allow him to guide you if not rule you. He loves you entirely and will always have your best interest at heart, though I’m certain there will be times you will question that. I will miss you, caileag, but I’ll watch over you when I can. Though I sense I won’t come to you again.
Alainn glanced at her, a brief hint of sadness in her eyes, but she did not disagree knowing the woman had lived her life and that her place was now beyond, in the spirit world.
“Be happy always, caileag! That will gladden an old woman’s heart.”
“I am happy, Morag. Though I shall miss you, I will think of you often and be grateful to you till the end of my days when it is my time to join you in the beyond.”
The woman nodded, squeezed her hand one more time and then before she left, the spectral image of Ainna appeared. The two spirits smiled at one another and then at Alainn as they faded away together.
Alainn felt strangely content after Morag left as if she simply knew that was how it was meant to be, and she would not pine for the old woman who had lived a life that was long and full. She was also most pleased that Ainna and Morag would remain together eternally.
She heard the door open behind her and saw Killian walking toward her. When their eyes locked, he beamed.
“You’re mirthful, Alainn, and you appear much improved. Your eyes and your cheeks are beginning to glow with health and radiance again! You’ve not overdone it though, standing for so long, have you?”
“Stop doting on me, Killian O’Brien, sure you sound like an aged, old crone.” She smiled as she spoke.
“Back to barraging me; that must be a good omen. Sure you’re nearly mended.” He grinned.
“I am mended, Killian. My health is entirely restored!” She exclaimed exuberantly.
Killian raised his eyebrow as he gently took her in his arms. “Do I have reason to be concerned?” he asked suspiciously.
“Concerned, about what?” She seemed genuinely uncertain of his meaning.
“Of what you’re about to attempt to make me do, or what you are about to request of me?”
“What makes you believe I am to ask something of you?”
“Your eyes hold that mischievous glint, the one I noticed the first day you came to me, and have seen perhaps a thousand times since. And your lovely, full lips twitch ever so slightly when you wish to ask me or convince me of something that you know full well I’ll not be in favor of doin’.”
She smiled up at him. “You know me far too well, milord.”
“Aye, and I revel in that, Lainna!”
“I wish to finally make the long overdue journey to your castle.”
“ ’Tis a difficult ride. Even by coach, it is a long way and the road is not smooth.”
“The road to what our hearts’ desire is never smooth, Killian. And do you intend for us to wait here the remainder of my term, and for our son to be born here at Castle O’Brien?”
“If that is what is necessary for the two of you to remain safe and well, then we shall stay here, aye!”
“I am well...we are well. I promise you, Killian. We can employ a coach and not travel on horseback if that is what you wish. We can go slowly, take a week to make the journey if you will simply agree to it. I am a gifted healer; surely I know when I am well, and our son, also.”
He glanced down into her eyes and saw the excitement and eagerness within the lovely blue pools.
“My plight is greater!” he began.
“And why is it greater?” She smiled happily, playing along with the familiar game they’d begun so long ago.
“Because I do, indeed, desperately long to leave this place behind us, to begin our new life together, perhaps even more so than you, Alainn, but I must know with no uncertainty that you are well and that it will be entirely safe for you to make the journey.”
“I am well! Trust me, Killian. I shall make the journey without incident and, in two days’ time, we will be at your castle.”
“Our castle, Alainn, all that is mine is yours, and you just told me we would take a week to make the journey!” He teased.
“Only if it is necessary, and that is what you desire, my love!”
She stepped closer to him and placed her arms around his neck, allowing her body to rest against his. He attempted to move from her, but she pulled his head down to hers so that she could kiss him deeply and passionately.
“Alainn!” He scolded her when he finally managed to break from the ardent kiss.
“ ’Tis my plight that is surely greater.” She pouted. “For clearly my husband now thinks of me as a matronly old, married woman, ripening with child and no longer desirable in his eyes!”
“You’re a nasty, wee imp and you well know it! You’re as lovely a creature ever created, and as beguiling as any woman who ever lived. And the fact you carry my child has surely only made you more radiantly beautiful! You fairly glow, Lainna! You know very well how badly I want you, and that it is not a possibility for me to bed you, yet still you insist on temptin’ me.”
“But, Killian, why do you believe it is not possible for us to be together?”
“You nearly died, Alainn. And you very nearly lost the child, sure there’s no safe way to be with you in a physically intimate manner and not jeopardize the babe!”
“We are both well; I’m entirely recovered, Killian. And I need you. I miss being with you so very much. Tell me you don’t miss making love to me.”
“Aye, you know well enough I miss bein’ with you, surely more than I could possibly begin to express to you, but I won’t let my desires rule me and endanger the child, or you.”
“It will be a very long few months, Killian. I am only just passed the middle of my term. ’Tis now only late summer and the babe is not expected till early winter.”
“I know well enough when he is to be expected, and I am aware it is a goodly long time to be without you, but I suspect I am not the first man who has been made to wait so long, for others have faced the same set of circumstances.”
“You will most certainly be the first that will not simply be permitted to stray, or be forgiven should you take a mistress, a servant, or a whore to ease your desires!” she said, this time her voice had become filled with jealousy.
“I’ll take no other woman, Alainn, not ever! You we
re not to question my faithfulness ever again, you’ll recall. You told me you would not. How can you think so little of me, to suggest I would want another woman when I have been given the greatest gift imaginable in having you come back to me from the brink of death?”
“A man’s desires are great. Your desires are great, Killian,” she continued, “and there are temptations all around you. Women practically throw themselves at you, and are willin’ to lift their skirts at even a sideways glance from you.” She had slowly made her way to his side again and was presently caressing his broad chest, but only momentarily for he effortlessly picked her up and carried her to the bed. When she’d barely begun to believe he was finally going to make love to her, he gently settled her and began walking toward the door.
“Killian O’Brien, get yourself back here this instant and make love to me, or I swear I’ll find someone else who will, for clearly my desires are great as well.”
“But you’re so entirely old, married, and matronly, how could you possibly accomplish the task of finding anyone who might care to bed you?” He taunted.
She began furiously tossing the many pillows at him as she continued to pout prettily. “I suspect I might find some elderly man whose eyesight is not keen, or some young man who has never had a woman and is so desperate he won’t care what I look like, only that I’m needing someone to ravage me!”
“You’re not rilin’ me, Alainn. I know you’re set on doing so and only hopin’ to make me come to you and accomplish what you’ve set out to do.”
“And am I to be at all hopeful it might eventually occur?” she asked as she lay upon the bed in a most seductive manner.
“Use your good sense, Alainn. We can’t be together. You might just as well become accustomed to the notion for I won’t be swayed.”
“I’ll bewitch you!” She threatened. “Give you a love potion so unfailingly potent, you’ll be filled with such complete lasciviousness you’ll not be capable of resisting me.”
“I’m barely capable of resistin’ you now, you wee vixen; you’ve no need to create any damnable potion!”
“Then come here to me, Killian. I am most serious. All is well, and I need you, and I love you. And it can be slow and gentle and tender, if you wish, but please just come love me before I go mad with desire for you.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you have a way about you, Alainn. You’d be capable of talkin’ a starvin’ man out of his very last morsel of food, you would!”
“ ’Tis not food, I am hungry for!” She cooed as she began to sensually remove the fastenings of her gown and let it slowly slide down her shoulders and breasts, to reveal she had no chemise beneath the garment. A look of complete surrender crossed his handsome face, and there was resolve in his green eyes, mingled with evident passion.
He drew nearer to her, took her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. “I will not see you hurt in any way, Lainna!”
“I’ll not be hurt, Killian, unless I am made to be without you till winter and beyond for often a time without physical love is required after the birth of a babe. You must come love me now. I promise you as a healer and a seer, our bein’ together will be good for both of us.”
“Oh, I’ve no doubt, but it would be good.” He felt himself drowning in her sensuality, and he finally relented and kissed her, a thorough, deep, and dizzying kiss. She moaned and pulled at his tunic and tugged his trews impatiently.
“Oh no, Alainn, you said you’d be willin’ to have it slow and gentle, and that my sweet, Lainna, is what you’ll get.”
Later as they lay together beneath the bedcovers, tenderly holding and caressing each other, she smiled up at him in contentment and in elated satisfaction, she sighed appreciatively. He chuckled.
“Well, Alainn McCreary O’Rorke O’Brien, since apparently you appear to get your way so entirely, sure you must tell me, would the day after tomorrow suit you well to be off to our castle, to begin our new life together, then?”
“Aye, Killian O’Brien.” She smiled sweetly at her husband. “It would suit me most well, sure ’tis time we begin this next chapter in our lives and that I truly begin to experience life and new adventures as a chieftain’s wife.
The End
Don’t miss any of Leigh Ann Edwards’ books in...
The Irish Witch series
Book 1: The Farrier’s Daughter
Book 2: The Witch’s Daughter
Book 3: The Chieftain’s Daughter
About the Author
Since she was a child, Leigh Ann Edwards has always had a vivid imagination and lots of stories to tell. An enthusiastic traveler and author for over twenty years, her adventures in Massachusetts, Ireland, and the UK inspired The Farrier’s Daughter and its sequel novels in the Irish Witch series. Edwards adores animals, history, genealogy, and magical places—and Ireland is filled with many magical places. She lives with her husband and two cats in the lovely city of Edmonton, Alberta.
Visit Leigh Ann at www.leighannedwards.com
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