Foretold Fate (Sisters of Danu Series Book 2)

by Mia Pride

  “Gwynn…”

  “I am so humiliated! Do you know how I felt watching that woman press her breasts against you like that? Having to sit back and listen to her describe the love you once made to her? To see her looking so confident in her seduction! She truly believed she could seduce you and it makes me wonder why.”

  “What is that supposed to mean, Gwynn? If I wanted Fiona I would not have told you to come along! I would not have married you instead of her! I thought she wanted to discuss the babe! I made it clear I was not interested!”

  “Not clear enough, it seems! I wonder, would you have responded differently to her advances if you did not know your wife was watching?”

  “This is madness! How could you mistrust me so?” Liam stepped back, hurt flashing in his cobalt eyes. “So, this is my reward for being honest and including you in this mess? I knew I should have kept it to myself. Lesson learned. I will handle this myself from now on.”

  “You will not! You will not see her! You will not speak to her! You will not meet in your ‘usual’ place with her or I will...I will—”

  “You will, what, Gwynneth?” Liam walked up and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her gently. “What will you do? Not trust me? Not listen to me? Not respect me? You already do not do any of those things!” Liam released her with a slight shove and whirled on his heels, leaving her staring at his retreating body as he left the house faster than she could react.

  Gwynneth paced back and forth for several moments alone in their home while the fire blazed behind her. She did not want to be there, but she had nowhere else to be. She was feeling restless and could not bring herself to sit down. Her mind kept replaying over and over the image of the stunning Fiona trying to seduce her husband before her eyes. Then she thought of last night when he had been alone with Fiona, agreeing to this ridiculous meeting. Fiona did have control over him, whether he knew it or not, otherwise he would never have been weak enough to agree to that meeting.

  Then, as unwelcome as it was to her mind, the words of Fiona describing their lovemaking came crashing through her memory, sending sharp lightning bolts of pain to her heart as clear images of her husband bedding Fiona came unbidden to her imagination over and over.

  “I cannot take this anymore!” she cried out loud as she pulled at her wavy blonde hair. “I need to get out of here.” Suddenly she thought of her own “usual” meeting place with Liam, the very hill where they had met every day so long ago. Her heart ached to be back in those carefree days when they never fought, only laughed and spoke of their wonderful plans for a future together.

  “Some future we have made,” she mumbled as tears streamed down her face. Let him walk out on her, but she would not still be here brooding when he returned. The day was still young and it was lovely and warm, though Gwynneth hardly noticed through the iciness in her heart. Without further thought, she walked out the door, forgetting to tell Katriona that she and Liam may not be back for the evening meal, and she let her body guide her to that familiar place where she always felt at peace.

  “I do not know what to do with her anymore, mother! She is out of her mind!” Liam paced back and forth in his mother Aileen’s small round living space, running his fingers through his hair and cursing under his breath. “She turns me away if I keep information from her and then pushes me away when I include her in it! Things are worse than ever with this Fiona situation. By the cursed cauldron of Dagda!”

  Aileen looked concerned as she watched her only son yelling about his wife, pacing in her house. They were a passionate couple, that much was certain. When they loved, they loved deeply and when they fought, they fought hard. It seemed that the two of them could never keep their emotions in a safe place. “You need not curse the gods, Liam,” she chided. He looked at her warily and she sighed. “I am sorry to hear this. Tis a horrible situation. But, I must say, your first mistake was becoming involved with a woman like Fiona in the first place.”

  “My mistake? Mother, I was an unwed man, free to do as I chose!”

  “Aye…and you chose her. Of all the other sweet, kind lassies who would have loved a chance to be with you…you chose her. She is a disreputable woman and certainly that is why you chose her, hmmm?” His mother looked reproachfully at him, yet a soft smile twitched on her small thin lips. Her gray hair was in a loose low bun with small wispy ringlets falling around her neck and face. Liam stopped pacing and stared into his mother’s soft blue eyes. She had always been his voice of reason. No matter how much she loved her son, she would give it to him straight, and well he knew it, expected it, even.

  “Mo leanbh, I am not blaming you for what you did as an unwed man, nor am I suggesting that you are not trying to handle this situation with grace. I am simply saying that if you had accidently gotten any other woman with child, this situation would not be nearly as complicated! She is an extremely vile woman with nay morals! She is trying to steal you from Gwynneth openly. How do you think this makes Gwynn feel? I would guess that Gwynn is not as upset about the child as she is about the woman carrying it, am I right?” Her brows furrowed as she regarded her son.

  “Aye, that is so. She said she will support the child if it is mine. It is being stuck forever dealing with Fiona that has her in a mood.”

  “Because she does not trust Fiona!! Because she should not trust Fiona. Again, it comes down to the character of the woman you chose. Honestly Liam, how could you be so in love with a woman as wonderful as Gwynneth and yet have spent two summers being with a woman so horrible as Fiona?”

  “That is the very point, is it not, mother? I could not stand to be with anyone who reminded me of Gwynn. It hurt too much. Gwynneth is fair-featured, caring, kind, respectful, and loyal. Fiona is dark-featured, aggressive, feisty, ill-tempered…I suppose she was easier to handle emotionally than a woman who constantly reminded me of Gwynn.” His shoulders slumped as he realized his mistakes.

  “And yet, you walked out on her. You left the woman you have loved all your life alone after such a horrifying encounter with your former mistress, simply because she is worried about the character of the woman you chose before her. And, rightfully so…she did see her try and seduce you. This is simply a matter of butting wills. Neither of you is wrong. You must sit down and work this out.”

  Liam walked over to his mother with a smile. Placing his hands on either side of her face, he came down and planted an affectionate kiss on her aging lips. “As usual, you are right, mother. My thanks for your insight.”

  As Liam left his mother’s house and strolled, deeply in thought, back to his home to speak with Gwynn, he let his mother’s advice swirl around in his brain. He could have chosen a less aggressive woman, he supposed. It never occurred to him that the situation would turn out as it had. If anyone had told Liam just five moons ago that he would finally get his chance to marry Gwynn and get her with child, only to find out his past lover was also with child, he would have laughed at them. Now, however, it was no laughing matter at all and he was determined to make things right again. Why could he and Gwynn not live in a calm world without constant intrusions?

  Arriving back to his home, he walked in and quickly realized Gwynneth was no longer there. He did not expect her to be, in truth. It was not Gwynneth’s style to sit at home and sulk. She would seek out a place to think, a place she felt comfortable, with privacy and memories. Just then, it hit him; he knew exactly where to find his stubborn, angry wife.

  As Gwynneth reached the top of her favorite small hill in all the land, she sighed and looked around at the overwhelming scene of nature’s pureness. This was the very beauty of the place; it never changed. In every season, it was luscious with thick flowing green grass and in the spring, it was predictably covered with the very same small yellow wildflowers that meant so much to her.

  It was those small bursts of color that had brought her up to this hill one wet spring morning as a young child of ten summers. She had collected a little bouquet of these flowers to bring back home t
o her papa. When she walked back down the hill, she and Liam made contact for the very first time. He was just a lad of ten and three summers, but his deep blue eyes had spoken to her. Over the years, they would meet at this very same hill. Liam would pick her one yellow flower and hand it to her every day she met him under the tall lone birch tree resting at the very peak of the hill, its gnarled roots sticking out above the earth.

  As time passed, Gwynneth fell in love with Liam under this tree surrounded by the scents of nature budding all around, and they eventually married here. It was a place so very near to her heart that she ached with all the memories it provoked within her as she reached the top of the hill and breathed the fresh spring air deeply into her lungs. Only a few soft fluffy clouds hovered above the endless blue sky and she slowly let the air escape through her lips, conscious of the painful ache in her heart.

  Gwynneth sat down beneath the birch tree, spread out the flowing white fabric of her dress, and kicked off her leather slippers. Running her ticklish toes between each blade of cool grass reminded her of her wedding day, walking up to this hill barefoot to see Liam’s broad contented smile beaming down at her, prepared to spend a lifetime of happiness together. It was hard to believe that had been only five moons ago, and still so much had changed.

  As their shouting filled her memory, she brought her knees up, wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her head deep into the folds of her skirt, allowing the retching sobs buried within to reach the surface. How was she ever to move past this situation with Fiona? Her marriage could not thrive if she repeatedly rejected Liam because of a decision he made before they were together. And yet, that decision had enormous consequences that would affect her for a lifetime. How could she make peace with this?

  She could feel the warmth of her wet tears soaking through the thin fabric of her dress as they dropped, but the warmth was a welcome sensation to her chilled body. Nothing in her life felt settled, and being home again made her want to forget everything else. Forget the legend and the knowledge of her existence as a Sister of Danu. Mayhap she did not want to be a Sister of Danu. All she wanted was to be a normal woman with a normal husband and live a normal life.

  Knowing that by this time on the morrow they would again be on the road to find another sister made her feel weak and tired. And this new argument with Liam was still so fresh, as was the memory of Fiona’s bare breasts pressed against his palms. Mayhap they needed to get out of here, after all. Away from that woman.

  No matter how long they were gone, however, they would have to return home and deal with her then. They could not stay away forever; Liam was king! He was lucky to have Duncan, who was so completely capable of filling Liam’s shoes, but Duncan had no ambition to take Liam’s place forever, having his own farm to care for and family to feed.

  The tribal assembly had unanimously chosen Liam as king, and this was his task in life. If not for his need to seek out the last sister, he would never have been allowed to leave for so long. But the people in both Coraindt and Iverni were willing to exist without their kings until the task was complete, knowing the importance of it all.

  It seemed everyone had high hopes for her, Ceara, and Una. What will happen when they come together? Will anything change? She knew very well that, no matter if she was a descendant of the goddess Danu, Dana the faery, or any other god, she was a mere mortal, just a woman. She bled, she hurt, and she cried…far too much as of late. All at once, Gwynneth started questioning her entire purpose in life and the existence she so desperately wished to alter.

  Just as a complete wave of despair fell over Gwynneth and she felt a strong will to give up on everything and run away, a cold breeze brushed across the tears streaming down her cheeks. Something touched her back and she wheeled around with fright. Standing behind her with a serene look on her face was Katriona. Gwynneth got chills through her entire body and flinched back with confusion. “Katriona? What are you doing here? Is anything amiss?” Suddenly Gwynneth started to clamber to her feet, fearing something had happened to Liam.

  “Everything is just fine, lass.” Katriona leaned forward and ran her comforting hand up and down Gwynneth’s back as she sat back down in the grass.

  “I do not understand…how did you know where I was? Why are you here?” Wiping her tear-streaked cheeks with the hem of her sleeve, Gwynneth sniffed and looked up at Katriona with swollen red eyes.

  “I am here because this is my home. My original home.” Seeing Gwynn’s face contort with confusion, Katriona giggled and sat down next to Gwynneth in the soft grass. “This hill, or specifically, under this hill.” Gwynneth stared at the old woman’s features, trying to read the hidden meaning of her words. How could she live under a hill? Katriona never struck Gwynneth as unstable or verging on madness.

  “This is a faery hill, my dear. Why do you think you have been drawn to it repeatedly all these years? You are part of it. The blood of Dana runs through your veins. You have lived among the humans for so long that you have never realized the attachment you have to the faery world. But it has been here, on this hill, all along. Just beneath your very feet. And you have come back every day to enjoy the immense peace that radiates through your body when you sit here, have you not?”

  Gooseflesh prickled every surface of Gwynn’s body and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she started to feel light-headed. “Katriona, I am sorry, did you say…are you, a faery? How is that possible? You have lived with my father since I was a child.”

  Katriona nodded happily and smiled. “Aye, since you were born, in fact. You see, I am the shapeshifter Deaglan mentioned. I met with him on that faery hill twenty summers ago and told him where to deliver Una.” She placed a steady hand on Gwynn’s shaking fingers and squeezed. “I have watched over you all these years, knowing that you would need guidance one day. I know you question who you are, but you are a very special woman, Gwynn. All three of you are.”

  So many questions ran through Gwynneth’s mind. Every day, new secrets were revealed. “Did my father know? Did Deaglan know yesterday when he visited?”

  Katriona laughed and nodded, “Oh aye, they both knew. I came to stay with your father after your mother died. He was so helpless. He was forced to separate your sisters and he had nay idea how to care for a babe, or the house, for that matter! I helped raise you, cleaned, cooked, but most importantly, I watched over you. I am not to intervene with fate; that is not for me to do. I can simply guide you. And, I will tell you this: you are not safe here. Fiona means you harm. I can sense it with every bone in my faery body. You must not be alone here, or anywhere, until you leave. She has a dark soul, that one.” Katriona’s face became very grave and Gwynneth shuttered. She should have expected as much from Fiona, but this was more serious than she had thought.

  Just then, Gwynneth spotted a tall, strong figure in the distance, coming toward her on the hill. Squinting her tired eyes through the rays of the sun, she instantly recognized the silhouetted figure of her husband. “Liam is on his way…”

  “Aye, I know.” Katriona patted Gwynn’s hand in a very motherly gesture. “You may choose to tell him anything you wish about me. That is your choice. But I must be off.” Gwynneth turned her head to look at Liam’s approaching figure, but when she looked back, not a trace of Katriona remained. It was as if she had never been there at all. Gwynneth shook her head to clear her thoughts. Too much was coming at her too quickly to absorb. And now she had to deal with this argument between her and Liam.

  The news of Katriona’s identity would have to wait. As Liam approached the top of the hill and made eye contact with Gwynn, she could see the turmoil in his eyes. Her heart clenched in her chest at the sight of him. He bent over to pick a flower and handed to her with a crooked, shy smile. As she accepted it, she smiled shyly back. “My thanks.”

  Liam enfolded her in his strong grip and squeezed until she thought she could no longer breathe. He released her and just stared down at her. “I am sorry, a chailín mo
chroí. Truly.”

  She sighed and leaned into the comforting strength of his warm body. “Nay, I am the one who should be sorry. How many times can I continue to punish you in different ways for the same problem? How can you even stand me right now?” Her voice rose with emotion and he put a finger to her lips to silence her.

  “Because, I love you more than my own life. Perhaps I have done a terrible job at showing you that?” he looked up at her with hurt in his blue eyes.

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Gwynn, if you truly understood how strong my love is for you, you would be certain that nay woman could ever sway me away from you. You are the air I breathe. The only woman I have ever loved. What one woman looks like on the outside cannot compare to everything you are, inside and out. I realized today, with the help of my mother, that I did make a mistake. I was not wrong to be with another woman while you were married…but I did pick the wrong woman. I chose one of very poor character, and I am desperately sorry that you are now stuck dealing with the unfortunate aftermath of my careless choices.”

  “Oh, Liam! I—”

  “Wait. There is something else. Do you know why I chose to be with her?” He shook his head in shame and then continued. “Tis because she is nothing like you. I could not stand to be with another sweet, soft, caring woman. It would always remind me of what I was missing with you, and I would feel guilty for hurting her when I was incapable of reciprocated her love. With Fiona…well she is selfish, vindictive, every poor quality that you are not. Being with her allowed me to be emotionally detached, focusing only on the physical. I never felt bad for not loving her, because she was never worthy of that love. I know that sounds cruel.”

  “Nay, I understand. Thank you for sharing that with me,” she sighed with relief. “I think so much of my pain has been from lack of understanding what you saw in that horrid woman. I could not understand how you could go from someone like her to someone like me. Then, when I saw her up close today, I saw it. She is breathtaking and it made all those feelings resurface. I felt insecure. In that moment, I understood what you saw in her. For every terrible trait of her character, she makes up for it with exquisite external beauty. I felt very plain in her presence.” Gwynneth sighed and squeezed Liam even tighter around the waist, breathing in the familiar masculine scent of his skin.