Forbidden Fate (Sisters of Danu Book 1)

by Mia Pride

  “It was a right big mistake, My Lady. Liam was crushed, as were ye. This made the king distraught and remorseful, but it was too late. Liam never did try to take ye away from Baine. He always said that ye would come to him for help, if ever ye desired it, but ye never did. So, Liam assumed ye were happy with Baine and he left ye alone, tried to go about his own life. Until the night Baine was seen dragging ye out of the gates of our tuath alone, looking angry.

  “Liam followed ye and tried to find ye in time, but he did not succeed until ye were already unconscious on that shore…what else was he supposed to do? Drag ye back to Baine?” Looking up at Gwynn’s pale, ghost-white face, he feared he had said too much and he slowly reached out and placed a hand on her cold arms, snapping her out of her silent horror.

  “How can I not remember any of this?” Gwynn was unconsciously twisting her worried hands through her loose tendril of hair. “You said my father was king.”

  “Aye, My Lady, he was. He passed away that same morning before your accident.” He was twiddling his thumbs impatiently, wondering if he should dare to tell her who the new king was, or keep that secret just a little while longer. If Liam hadn’t told her right away, perhaps there was a reason. Duncan decided to keep quiet on that subject. It wasn’t his news to tell.

  “So, there is a new king? Can I meet him if you take me back to my village…Iverni? Surely he must know who I am, if I was the daughter of King Doran. I cannot ever go back as Baine’s wife. But, perhaps, the new king would show mercy? Mayhap a family in need of help will take me in?” Her green eyes were shining with the promise of a new life, one not dominated by Baine. Knowing the new king pretty well himself, Duncan’s face brightened at the prospects of her idea.

  Looking up into Gwynn’s face, wearing a wide smile filled with hope, he knew instantly that this was the right plan. Liam was on his way back to Iverni with Baine right now. They would surely arrive before he and Gwynn did, giving Duncan time to adjust the fine details of their new plan. He promised to take Gwynneth to the new King of Iverni. Duncan had a gut feeling the new king would be more than willing to aid the woman.

  Chapter 6

  Gwynneth awoke on the damp floor of the forest. Even sleeping on top of her cloak that Duncan had so cleverly remembered to bring along before tracking her down, her blue dress was damp with morning dew and clinging to her side. She peeled the linen fabric away from her chilled skin and looked up, squinting into the sky.

  The sun was shining in bright beams of light through the branches of the gangly oak trees high above as the singing of birds drifted into the frigid morning air. If only Gwynn could feel as content as her feathery companions. Feeling an exceptionally cold wind against her neck, she wrapped her wool cloak tighter about herself, clutching the fabric tightly in her fist as she pulled the hood over her head.

  The night before, once he had a fire and had found a rabbit for them to eat, Duncan had time to explain the events that unfolded after she fled. Liam had desperately wanted to follow Gwynn himself but knew it was his responsibility to escort Baine, hands now bound in a makeshift braided leather rope, back to the tuath to face the judgment of the tribe. Liam pleaded with Duncan to track Gwynn’s path and safely return her to the village.

  As angry as Gwynneth wanted to be at Liam, still feeling hurt and betrayed, she could not help but begrudgingly warm to him, hearing how much he sacrificed for her. The bitter thought did cross her mind that he could have asked Duncan to escort Baine back, while he came and rescued her, himself. Why did Liam feel as if it were his responsibility alone to bring back Baine? Was the glory of returning her husband more important to him than Gwynneth’s safety?

  Gwynn looked across the fire at Duncan, his long auburn hair disheveled more than ever, with multi-colored leaves stuck in it and almost every piece falling out of his leather strung cue. Somehow, in such a short amount of time, she had become quite fond of Duncan. He had an innate ability to make her feel safe and protected. Perhaps it was just because she knew how loyal he was to Liam, but she felt as though she could trust him with her life, and to keep his hands to himself. Gwynneth was more than thankful for his tracking skills last night, both in finding her, and in trapping the rabbit. He provided warmth, company, and a hot meal.

  Gwynneth had to admit to herself that, after a fortnight of only Liam for company, she was missing him horribly. The earthen floor had felt like a slab of ice against her body all night, freezing her bones and causing her jaw to ache with the clattering of her teeth. Having Liam here would have at least allowed them to share their warmth…if she agreed to allow him near her at all. Gwynn sighed at her wandering thoughts. Liam was not here. He had betrayed her with lies and then chose to escort her husband instead of her. Duncan was here and she owed him her life. Desperately wanting to be of use to him as well and feeling guilty for putting him into this position, she whispered, “Thank you for the meal, Duncan. I can go and find us some berries, if you will just let me…”

  “Nay!” he exclaimed, interrupted her, “I did not track ye all the way out here and sleep on the cold forest floor just so ye can wander off into the woods again.”

  Gwynn shrugged at Duncan. “I was just going to take your leather flask over to the stream while you were hunting.”

  His eyebrows rose up high as his forehead crinkle in surprise, “A stream? There is nay a stream within a day’s walk of these woods. I walked in every direction last night searching for water.”

  “You must have missed it then.” Gwynn said matter-of-factly with a shrug, “because I found it last night while you were hunting rabbit and if you want me to take you to it, I will gladly do so.”

  Her face was wearing a smug, crooked smile, feeling accomplished knowing she could contribute something after all. She giggled as she stood up quickly, brushing the loose leaves off of the backside of her dress, and playfully extended a hand to Duncan. Looking up at her smiling face, Duncan smiled back and decided to humor Gwynn.

  Taking her hand as he rose, he adjusted his tunic and wiped debris off of his mangled tan trousers. “I am nay so sure ye will find this mystery stream of yours, My Lady, but I do hope that ye do. Fresh water would be a welcome treat to my parched throat. And fish would make a mighty fine meal.” Searching the ground with his eyes, Duncan found a long stick, pulled out a dagger and began sharpening the tip. “Come, let us go find us some fish.”

  “I don’t understand!’ Gwynn threw her hands up in exasperation. “It was right here just last night. I even drank from it!” Looking around the forest floor, Gwynn felt confused. There was no sign of the stream at all, only dry dirt and leaves littered the forest floor.

  “Ye were quite frazzled last night…perhaps ye only dreamt of the stream?” Duncan suggested with an awkward shrug. “Tis not here, we have looked in every direction.”

  “It WAS right here.” Gwynneth pointed stubbornly to the forest floor as she stomped her foot on the dry earth. “I remember because it was next to this strange looking tree…” and she pointed up as both of them looked at the very unique, gnarled tree rising high above their heads. As they both look back down to the earth, they jumped back in shock as they saw it at the same time. There, right at their feet, as if it had been there all along, was a twisting stream. Cool water ran through the shallow stream, small enough to hop across, but traveling as far into the distance as the eye could see.

  “Well, I will be…” was all Duncan could articulate as his jaw went slack. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. “How did ye find this stream last night, Gwynn? It was not here.”

  “I was thirsty and went out to search for water, and there it was,” she shrugged and looked down at the stream again. “Simple as that.” She looked slightly aghast, but did not know what else to say. Duncan was looking very uncomfortable, starring down at the stream with suspicion. But, there it was, fresh, crystal clear water running across his dirty leather boots, complete with orange and black fish ignorantly flapping along. Deciding that lack
of sleep and food must have caused him to go daft, he shook his head and handed the leather flask to Gwynn as he prepared to spear the fish, hoping for a decent midday meal.

  An hour later, and with several fish tied on a rope slung over his shoulder, Duncan smiled at Gwynn with the look of a warrior who had just singlehandedly defeated an army. “Well, My Lady, we shall eat like the gods today,” he said with pride as he puffed out his chest and rocked back and forth on his heels. “Now that we have food and water, let us discuss our plan. We will need to be of one mind, if we are going to make it back to the tuath in one piece.”

  Gwynn’s pride in finding the stream had dissipated. Once again, she must rely on the survival skills of Duncan. She had no idea where they were, which direction their tuath was in, or even what it looked like. Being a helpless woman did not sit well in her bones, but without her memory, she was completely dependent on Duncan. Sending him a resigned smirk and a shrug of her shoulders, she gave Duncan full control over their next move.

  Gwynn watched with amusement as Duncan’s mind snapped into survival mode. “Well, the home that ye were staying in was south of Iverni, nay more than a day’s walk back, if ye know which way ye’re going.” He scratched his pondering brain as the fish jingled on his shoulder. “The direction ye ran off to sent us to the east about a half day’s walk…” he was crinkling his eyes shut, trying to visualize the lay of the land in his mind.

  “The sun is on the rise, so that way is west. If we follow the sun in that direction, we should arrive at Iverni by sunset.” He seemed a little skeptical at his calculations and Gwynneth had to stifle a grin. He was a prideful man and would be insulted if she questioned his skills. “I have never been out here before, at least without a company of men. In fact, I believe us to be much closer to our neighboring tuath, Coraindt. I hope we avoid Ériu’s many bogs…that would put us in a foul position, for certain.”

  Duncan remembered Liam’s last words to him just before he set out to find Gwynn. “Find her and bring her back, but stall her just a little.” Liam needed time to get Baine back to Iverni, and it would not be easy. The men were equal in strength. If Baine put up a fight, a fight it would be. He could not have Gwynn showing up to the tuath before he did, before Baine was under control.

  “Ye know, My Lady, perhaps it would be wise to continue wandering a bit more east. If we can find the border to Coraindt, we can perhaps find help and shelter until we can better determine our way. The King of Coraindt is an ally to Iverni, and has travelled there frequently with his people to offer trade. I have met him on many occasions.” Again, Duncan puffed out his chest with pride as he spoke. “Perhaps he will gather an escort team for us.”

  Gwynneth bit her lower lip, partly in concentration, and partly to keep herself from laughing at Duncan’s ever-puffing chest. “Your plan is a good one, Duncan, and it makes sense. Better to continue and seek help, than wander in the wrong direction. But, what makes you think that the King of Coraindt would give up his time and men just to help us back to our tuath?”

  “Och, knowing our new king as well as I do…growing up with him as I did, I have nay doubt he will make it worth King Garreth’s efforts for aiding ye…” he stared at her face intently, seeing if she would catch his subtle hint at the new king’s identity.

  “Well then, that is our plan, Duncan. Thank you.” She looked up at him and flashed him a grateful smile. “I mean it, Duncan. Thank you, for everything, for helping me when I am most desperate. And, for being a loyal companion to Liam.”

  Duncan started to blush slightly at the affection in her eyes. “Och, nay.” He waved her off as if her praise didn’t flood him with pride. “I know that ye cannot remember anything preceding the last fortnight, but ye and I have always been mates. It is an honor to be here to help ye, and to help Liam.” Desperate to change the subject and move away from this awkward exchange of affections, Duncan’s voice switched back to his usual gruff tone of authority. “Now, if tis a plan, then let us get moving. Autumn is coming to an end and the days will be shorter. Let us go find the King of Coraindt.”

  Chapter 7

  Liam walked up the steep hill, flourishing with bright green grass and wild yellow flowers randomly scattered across its undulating surface. It was a beautifully warm day and the birds were singing their love songs up high in the cherry trees, enjoying the warmth of the sun on this cloudless day. A light breeze ruffled Liam’s short brown hair and sent a welcome current of air through his thin white linen tunic. He inhaled the scent of the pollens mingling in the wind. Love was in the air.

  With a bright blue strip of linen cloth hastily bunched up in the belt of his tan trousers, Liam caught his breath as he made his way to the top of the hill. Sitting alone underneath their favorite birch tree, Gwynneth had her head down as she twirled a yellow wild flower in her hand and nibbled on some ripe strawberries she had picked on the way. Hearing the soft crunching of grass as Liam arrived at the top of the hill, she looked up and smiled. His heart fluttered wildly at the sight of her. Her soft yellow dress was gently billowing in the breeze as her platinum hair danced around her face. Her eyes rivaled even the greenest blade of grass in all of Ériu.

  “My Lady Gwynn,” he said as she took his outstretched hand, pulling her to her feet. Kissing her hand gently, a dark pink stain spread across her face as her lashes fluttered against her cheeks. He lightly plucked the yellow flower from her fingers and tucked it behind her ear as he leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss on the mouth, tasting the sweet strawberries on her lips.

  “Good morrow, Liam! Today so beautiful, is it not?” she twirled in the grass as her yellow dress swished around her body. Almost losing her balance, she felt Liam’s arms catch her and wrap around her waist to steady her. Looking up to him with a shy smile and a light giggle, she stared at his dashingly dimpled smile, his perfect straight teeth, and the stubble on his face. She felt as if she would swoon just at the sight of him.

  At eighteen years old, only three older than she, the lad Gwynn had met five years ago upon this very hill was now turning into quite the strong, devastatingly handsome man. He had muscles where he did not before and his obvious infatuation for her had blossomed into something she couldn’t quite describe.

  Gwynn had equally strong feelings for him, but could never believe that he loved her in return. The other lasses in their tuath stopped and stared at him constantly with their flirtatious gaze. They were older, beautiful and far more developed than Gwynn, particularly the lusciously built Fiona, who clung to Liam as if he were a puff of smoke threatening to slip through her fingers if she dared to let go. Though she was already of a marriageable age, Gwynneth feared Liam would want to take an older lass as his wife, one who was more mature, perhaps more experienced. But, Liam’s devotion for Gwynn was unwavering, and he made plans daily to meet her here, under their birch tree.

  “Gwynn,” Liam looked down upon the delicate young woman in his arms, her eyes wide with admiration. “I promised you last summer that I would make you my wife someday. Do you remember?”

  Feeling her heart rate increase as the blood rushed to her face, she whispered in a soft, timid voice, “I could never forget…” and she sighed as he pulled her into a protective hug.

  “Do you know what today is? It is the first day of Lughnasadh---” Liam started to speak but Gwynn let out an audible gasp. She had completely forgotten that today was the festival of Lughnasadh, the time of year when her people celebrated the arrival of the summer season.

  But, more than this, it was a popular time of year for handfast ceremonies, when couples promised to marry. Once handfast, the couple had one year and one day to decide if they wanted to officially marry. As her body started to shake and her knees went weak, she could feel herself slowly being lowered into the grass as Liam sat down next to her, never letting go of her waist.

  “Tis always been you, Gwynn. Since the first moment I met you upon this very hill while you were collecting wildflowers, I knew you would
one day be my wife. Before that day, I never dared to get too close, for I knew I would lose myself. But once I did, I knew it was you I could not bear to lose. You are in your fifteenth year now and turning into a beautiful young woman. I want to be the man next to you, holding your hand, as you grow into a beautiful old woman.”

  A single tear slowly shed from the corner of Gwynn’s eye as she gripped on to his strong shoulders tightly to steady her shaking body. Releasing one arm from around her tiny waist, Liam’s unsteady hand pulled the long blue piece of fabric that he borrowed from his mother’s sewing basket out of the belt around his waist. He looked anxiously over his shoulder, seemingly signaling to someone. Suddenly, Duncan’s auburn hair peaked over the top of the hill as he steadily climbed his way to the top. Making eye contact first with Gwynn, then Liam, his eyes opened wide with an impatient look, urging Liam to signal him to come or go.

  Liam smiled at Duncan and lifted the blue fabric in the air as it flapped in the breeze. With a sigh of relief, either from nervousness for his friend, or perhaps from knowing that his trek uphill was worthwhile, Duncan came nearer. Wearing his nicest red tunic and clean white trousers, he appeared to have carefully combed and cued his hair, presumably in preparation for this moment. He walked forward and took the fabric from Liam’s hand. Smiling at Gwynneth, Duncan took her hand and raised her back up on her feet. Liam followed, stretching out his tall body. Having grown up watching this ceremony many times over, the three youths knew exactly what to do. It did not require a witness, but Liam wanted to make sure that it was official.