One Thousand Years to Forever

by Mary Moriarty

  Colum pulled her in closer. “Yes, everything is fine. Everyone is well fed, we have a herd of cattle that is at our disposal if need be.”

  Katherine looked up into Colum’s face. “Are you pulling my leg?”

  Colum softly chuckled. “I would never pull your leg. That’s what we normally feed off of. We can snack frequently, so as not to hurt the beasts and that way we have a constant source. It’s only when I forget to feed that I get ravenous and need to feed until I am full. In that case, we go hunting and there is a lot of meat in the freezer for a worse case scenario,” he hugged her close. “Don’t worry.”

  Katherine heard the family talking as Sally had left the front door open. Katherine gave one last look at Colum, quickly caught his lips in a quick kiss, then pulling him with her, she went to greet her family.

  Chapter 13

  Katherine sat next to Colum on the comfy overstuffed couch in the family room. Colum had this room added and finished in record time. It wasn’t like there weren’t enough rooms, but Colum had said he wanted something new for their future family. She had looked at him funny when he had said that, but now as she looked at all the family members who sat around the cozy room she could understand what he had been talking about. He hadn’t meant so much he and her and future babies which she knew was slim to null in happening, but her children that Colum said would be raised just like his own and all her extended family.

  She felt his arm go around her and give her a squeeze as she nestled back into his arms. He turned his attention to her father who had asked Colum about his military service. Katherine knew her father would be happy talking for hours about anything military.

  Colum gave Katherine an extra squeeze. “If you will excuse me for a while darling, I want to show your father my library.” He turned to her brother. “William, would you like to join us?”

  Katherine saw her brother smile. “Sure.” Turning to his wife he gave her a quick peck on the cheek and got up.

  Issy and Katherine’s mother stood. “Katherine, give us a tour of your new home... ”

  Katherine smiled and stood. “Sure, Mom.”

  Issy turned to her kids, “You kids stay out of trouble.”

  The three of them looked at their Mom and rolled their eyes. “Mom, we’re old enough to know better.”

  Issy wouldn’t be deterred. “I know you all too well... stay out of trouble.”

  Katherine gave her sister-in-law a hug. “Issy, they can’t get into too much trouble with Thor and Odin around.”

  Sally stood and went and hugged her Aunt. “Yea Auntie, Thor and Odin are my own personal body guards. They even sit outside my door every night... ”

  Issy looked from her niece to Katherine. “You can’t be serious? How bad is it that... ”

  Katherine interrupted, pulling her along. “Come on, I will explain. Sally, take the kids down to the barn to show off your new horse.” All the cousins were happy with that prospect.

  “Sweet... ” could be heard as Katherine left the family room with the female members of her family.

  Issy and her mother-in-law were perched on the bar stools as Katherine poured tea water. Travis was working quietly in the background, fixing appetizers.

  As Katherine put out teacups, she looked at the women in her family. “It seems I have gained a following of would be terrorists or, as I think of them, The gang that couldn’t shoot straight. They don’t seem to have it together. The only thing that drives them is the apparent personal offence they have taken with the rant I gave a John’s funeral. Apparently, I should not have been allowed to voice myself.”

  Issy took her tea and added cream. “Well, you did kinda challenge them. I mean, I wouldn’t care, but I guess they have a sick sense of duty and even though they would have said the same thing. But because it came from a corrupt American, like yourself, who knows what else they have called you.”

  Katherine sat at a stool that Travis had placed for her across from her family, then he left the room.

  Katherine’s mother leaned in towards her daughter. “Do they hover like that all the time?”

  Katherine smiled. “Yes. It’s taking some getting used to. I am not sure how long it will feel like this? Sort of a claustrophobic feeling, but Travis is really trying to let me do more alone. It’s like being a head of state. Wherever I go, I must have security go with me. The kids are followed to school and like Sally said, she has the brothers…”

  Issy laughed. “Their names aren’t really Thor and Odin?” She saw Katherine’s look. “You can’t be serious, who names their sons that?”

  “It’s a long, long story.” Katherine said with a smile.

  * * * * * * *

  Later that evening the family, including Colum’s parents, sat in the large, cozy family room. The kids were sprawled out on the floor in front of the fireplace playing with the kittens and the puppy that belonged to Sally. Katherine’s mother watched the scene and smiled. She was happy for her daughter. Even with all of the money that was evident in Colum’s family, if her daughter wasn’t happy, she wouldn’t want the relationship. She saw how Colum obviously loved her daughter. It was like they had known each other forever. Just their little movements, and the looks that passed between the two of them. Just like a couple who had been married forever.

  She also saw Thor and Odin’s adoration for Sally. She had voiced her concern to Colum and he had said, “Not to worry, everything is under control and that they would never dream of touching Sally.”

  So she sat and relaxed, watching as the cousins talked and joked quietly, and she enjoyed the scene in front of her. She watched as Travis came in and gave a message to Cormac. She watched as Cormac read the paper and then turned and whispered something to Colum who quickly squeezed Katherine’s hand and got up.

  “If you will excuse me for a few moments.” He turned to Thor and Odin. “Come with me.”

  The men walked at a brisk pace, a sense of urgency matching their steps, as they turned the corner and went down to the lower levels of the home. Lights came on, but dimly, as the men walked down to the lowest level. Colum hit some buttons on a keypad that were on the wall and a door slid open.

  They walked into a command center, where men sat at screens and voices could be heard coming from speakers. Colum passed by two monitors and came up to the screens that showed the property. All gathered around to watch as a man struggled with the confines of the wire that had shot out when he had gone across the invisible barrier.

  Colum zoomed in the camera and they could see the face clearly. “This is getting tiresome.”

  Cormac hit a button and the man screamed after receiving a jolt of electricity. Turning towards his son and heir, he said, “I doubt they will ever stop. They want Katherine and hope to capture her.”

  “Never!” Colum’s fist came down on the counter. “I won’t lose her again. That’s why we mustn’t let her out of our sights. Should I lose her, I will start a holy war the likes of which they have never seen.”

  Cormac brought an arm up around his son’s shoulders. “I would gladly step down now so you have the authority to launch such an attack on them.”

  Colum smiled a rueful smile. “It’s not what I want, but it would take care of two problems, though I would still be without my Kat. No, I will not allow them to get to her. I need her as she needs air to breath.”

  Cormac let his arm fall. “Then change her now.”

  Colum turned to his father. “I can’t, it’s too risky.”

  “Life and death and rebirth are always a risk. If you love her enough, take that risk, before it’s too late. You can’t keep her cocooned forever. She is taking it well for right now, but for how long? She is not the kind of woman to be coddled for long. She is and was a warrior in her own right. She won’t last long before she breaks free, would you want her any other way?”

  Colum shook his head. “No, Sir.”

  “Well don’t think about it long because they seem to have endless supply
of men to go through, to sacrifice…”

  Colum turned to the brothers “Take our uninvited guest and dispose of him properly. But first take a photo of him and send to the group so they know they have lost two today... ”

  “Yes, Sir.” They said in unison.

  Chapter 14

  Thanksgiving morning dawned bright and clear. Katherine could feel Colum watching her. She felt his mood. Turning, she saw concern written on his face. Capturing his face, she kissed his lips. “What’s the matter, darling?”

  Colum pulled her in. “Nothing that a lifetime of forever won’t cure, dearest of my heart.”

  Katherine let her lips taste him. She tasted the honey that he was fond of tasting. He had been up and in the kitchen early.

  “That doesn’t answer what’s bothering you. Tell me.”

  Colum let his lips skim over hers, tasting her, letting his tongue explore her mouth as he felt her moan in his kiss. He felt her body awaken and mold to him. She moved under the covers, her hands finding him, touching him. As he pulled her in she offered up her neck.

  “It could be so simple... ”

  Colum kissed her smooth, ivory skin. Gently nipping it. “No my Kat, it’s not that simple and we can’t take the chance, not while your family is here. Only in life and death circumstances would I take the chance of changing you.”

  Katherine pulled away a bit. “Then don’t worry... you are borrowing trouble Colum. If you won’t change me then don’t worry. Enjoy me, love me but don’t worry over me. You are doing everything in your power to keep me safe. Nothing gets in or at least survives trying,” She saw his look. “I know more then you think. Travis told me of our prowler... but I forced it out of him, so don’t be mad.”

  Colum could feel the laughter bubbling up from her. Pulling her in, he said, “You are a marvel, you know that don’t you? You and my mother will be running the show, joint Queens and us men will have nothing to do but watch along the sidelines. You have made the men putty in your hands.” He pulled her in and kissed her soundly as he let his hands explore her body. “I think I need a pre-Thanksgiving snack... ” he said as he moved down her body.

  * * * * * * *

  Colum’s mother watched Katherine as she and the women of her family moved around the kitchen finishing up the grand meal they had been working on all morning. “You know, my dear, your color is so much better than it was a few weeks ago.”

  Katherine looked up and pushed a stray wisp of hair out of her face with her arm. She smiled. “Must be my new diet.”

  Issy looked up from the pie crust she was working on. “Oh, and what’s that?”

  Katherine looked at Elsabet with a wink. “Lots of um, liver for my iron deficiency.”

  Issy finished up and wiped her hands on her apron. “Oh, I didn’t know you were having a problem.”

  Katherine got up and went to the stove to turn off the burner for the homemade cranberry sauce. She loved the swirl of color as she stirred it. “Yes, I was feeling like a washed out rag. Colum’s been checking on other first responders and people who survived, and the numbers of people who are coming down with maladies, is alarming. It appears mine is just a simple deficiency. Colum had me go to the family doctor who, umm, is an expert in blood disorders, you might say.”

  Katherine looked over at her future mother-in-law, the Queen, who smiled at her. “Phew, if only they knew... ”

  * * * * * * *

  Colum walked with Katherine’s father and brother down the path to the new horse barn. He knew that all of the younger kids, along with Thor and Odin, were down at the beach. Being such a calm day, they had opted to go down and see what they could find after the early season storm.

  Colum showed the men the new horse, which had come running right over. Colum had watched as her ears had gone back and she had sniffed the air as he approached.

  “It’s OK, Princess... you needn’t fear me or any of us. You belong to Sally and are quite safe.”

  Katherine’s father watched the horse danced around the paddock. “I don’t think you came down here to show us the horse, entirely. Is there something you would like to speak to us about?”

  Colum thought speaking to young John was bad enough but he felt worse having to ask her father and brother. “Well, might as well get it over with.”

  He stood facing both men, cleared his throat. “Sir, William, I wanted to have a few moments with you down here to ask you if I may have Katherine’s hand in marriage?”

  * * * * * * *

  Katherine had seen the men head down to the new barn. She turned and bumped into the mug sending it crashing over, tea spilling everywhere. “Crap... ”

  Elsabet had seen the men also but in her mind’s eye so she knew what was bothering Katherine, though she knew the outcome. She need not fear. Katherine’s father and brother would say yes. She also saw, but couldn’t see clearly, that Katherine wasn’t going to be in her human form for much longer. With any change came pain and sadness, but it would be for the best, especially for their kind and Colum. She smiled at Katherine who looked at her, ruefully.

  * * * * * * *

  All sat smiling, some rubbing their stomachs. Katherine’s father groaning, “I won’t be having any dessert for a couple of hours. Let’s see what games are on the TV.”

  Sally jumped up. “I’m going riding.”

  Issy watched as Thor and Odin jumped up also. Two brothers, both tall and built like tanks. Odin was the dark one and Thor was the lighter, with silver blond hair. For guys that much older than Sally, it seemed strange to her that they were so utterly devoted to a sixteen year old.

  Katherine watched her sister-in-law watch the brothers who walked out with Sally and some of the younger cousins. “Issy had always been a hard one to convince. She couldn’t even begin to think how she could tell Issy who Colum and his family were. Yes, she knew they were richer than most royals of England or Europe, but the whole vampire, Fallen Angel thing would not go well with Issy. Even the mere fact that their Grannie had been a Fairy Queen... ”

  Katherine smiled at her sister-in-law and felt Colum’s eyes on her. She took his hand and squeezed it. “It would take something extraordinary to convince Issy and her family about Colum and his real identity...”

  Chapter 15

  Katherine woke up and saw that Colum wasn’t in their bed. She climbed out and walked down to the kitchen. No one was around; everyone was still asleep. She looked up at the clock and saw that it was just 6:45 in the morning. She went to the fridge and saw that they were low on milk. She wanted to make some pancakes but not knowing where anyone was she decided she would go to the store herself. No one would miss her and she would be back before anyone realized.

  She put on her sweat shirt, grabbed the Rover keys off the hook and went to the garage,

  * * * * * * *

  Colum walked up the staircase with a stack of papers to read in bed while he waited for Katherine and the others to wake up. Opening the door he had a clear view of the bed. He saw that Kat wasn’t in bed as he closed the door. “Kat?” No sound. He went to their bathroom saw that she wasn’t in there. It was then that his phone buzzed.

  “Yes?”

  “Sir, this is Travis, the alarm for the gate just went off. It appears Katherine has taken the Rover... ”

  Colum was already running down the stairs yelling as he went. “Travis, get a fix on the Rover, get the men and follow me... ”

  Thor and Odin were in the barn with Sally when the alarm went off. They looked at one another. “Sally, get to the house quick, go to the bottom level and don’t move till we come back.”

  Sally had never heard the alarm, didn’t know what it could mean. “But... ”

  Odin came up to her quickly, picking her up but holding her at arm’s length. “You must, little bird, we don’t have time to explain but something has happened and we can’t be with you. Do you trust us?”

  Sally had never been touched by either of them. Ever. It felt strange to b
e held up like she was a fragile piece of art or something that was being examined.

  “Do you trust us?” He repeated.

  “Yes,” she said in a whisper.

  Odin put her down and gave her a gentle push. “Then run to the house, get the others, and go to the bunker. The King and Queen will be there when you arrive.”

  Sally ran, but not before giving one last look as the two brothers took off running in the direction of the garage.

  Katherine’s parents woke to an alarm. Jumping up, they looked at each other, baffled by the sound. A knock came to the door. “Come in.”

  Issy was with little John and Pat. “We were told to go to the basement or bunker... something has happened.”

  Katherine’s father stood quickly along with his wife. “Where’s Katherine?”

  For the first time, John felt like crying. “We don’t know... ”

  * * * * * * *

  Katherine was in and out of the store and she hoped that no one would be the wiser. She would get back, maybe get scolded by Colum and Travis, but nothing more. She was about to turn the vehicle over when her door flew open and a hand grabbed her. Turning she saw the face of some man, most likely Middle Eastern from the looks of him, his face only inches from her own.

  Katherine was shoved roughly and the man, pointing a gun at her head, slid in.

  “Do anything and I will shoot you here. It doesn’t matter to me... ”

  Katherine tried to think as they sped out of the parking lot. Did she dare jump? She looked around wildly but no cars were around so she would be at the mercy of this man either way. She tried to think. There was her phone and saw it light up. She went to grab for it without thinking. She hit the talk button.