Celtic Peril (Celtic Storm Book 6)

by Ria Cantrell

  While she was pondering how to smooth over Derek’s brusqueness, Tom replied in perfect Gaelic, “I meant no harm, mate. She is a beautiful woman…but she is like a sister.”

  “You speak Gaelic,” Kiera interrupted. “When did that happen?”

  With a cheeky grin, Tom shrugged. “Been studying it for a while. It comes in handy when we sing those Celtic ballads in the show. Sort of seems to come natural to me for some reason.” He momentarily thought about what his mother had said before he left and he smiled.

  “Natural? You’ve got to be kidding. I sure could have used you last year when Derek and I …well when we first met. Damn it! You sound like you were born speaking it.”

  Tom laughed and said, “I know. It’s so weird. It just seemed really easy for me to learn.”

  “I can’t believe you think it is easy. You can’t be serious. Derek’s been trying to teach me and while I understand a lot of the language more these days, speaking it is an entirely different story.”

  “Well, while I am visiting, we can practice, right Derek?”

  Hearing his native language took the surly tone out of Derek’s demeanor and he offered his hand finally in a proper greeting. Tom shook it in a firm grip and then he grabbed his bags. Derek and Tom walked toward the car, seemingly chatting in the language Kiera loved to hear, even if she could not speak it fluently yet. She thought it was good that Tommy had come. She hoped Derek and he would hit it off. Derek had not made many friends and Kiera wondered if he craved male companionship since the grant of his second chance to live life in the real and mortal plain. Kiera was happy to hang back as the two men spoke to each other. Once the baby was settled in the car seat and Tom’s bags were stowed in the boot of the car, they took off for the scenic road that led them to Castle Campbell.

  As they drove up to the impressive fortress, Tom was speechless. “Seriously, this is where you live? I thought you were kidding.”

  Kiera laughed and she welled with pride at his words. “Well, we live in the upper apartments. The main part of the keep is mostly a museum. It’s sometimes used for banquets and weddings, but mostly, people just come here to do some sightseeing. If you aren’t too zonked from the trip, I’ll show you around the place once you’ve had something to eat and have a chance to settle in.”

  Kiera looked over at Derek and he nodded. All wariness seemed to have been lifted at the sound of his native language.

  “I would love to see the place. I have been fascinated with medieval history for years and this place looks like the real thing. Whoever restored it paid attention to the details of the times. At least from what I read. For that matter, your braw laddie here looks like something right out of the pages of the books I have read.”

  Derek’s eyes glanced over at his wife and he stifled a chuckle with the pretense of a cough. Kiera tried not to grin too broadly. Instead, she said, “You don’t look so modern yourself. You’ve got that romance cover model look going on.”

  “Oh, do I?” Tom laughed and said, “I grew my hair longer for the show. You know, I get to strut my stuff in a kilt and the audience just eats it up.”

  “I bet; especially the girls. There is something about a man in a kilt.”

  This time, Derek coughed in earnest knowing full well how his natural attire affected his wife. To say it made her wild was an understatement and there was a time or two when he thought his medieval heart wouldn’t be able to bear the strain of her attentions, or for that matter her appetite.

  Tom sighed and said, “Well yeah, the girls like it but being on the road a lot makes it sort of difficult to hook up…err I mean form relationships at times.”

  “Oh Wah Wah! I know about all the groupies. I’m sure you have a full dance card. Do women still throw their undies at singers?”

  “Love, I remember ye’ throwing…uggh, woman why do ye’ injure me?”

  Kiera’s elbow had hit the mark on Derek’s thigh at his divulging of private matters in front of her cousin. Tommy hadn’t missed it and he smiled. These two were positively smitten with each other. Their banter was rather fun to watch. He said, “Seriously, Ki, it’s not as easy to meet girls as you’d think.”

  Then with a more heavy sigh, Tom said, “Sometimes I really think I’d like to meet a nice girl. What about Derek here? Does he have a sister?”

  The darkness returned to Derek’s eyes and he murmured, “Aye, I have a sister…rather I had a sister. She’s been gone many years now.”

  “Oh, Jeez, I’m sorry. I’m an idiot. Sure know how to make friends…”

  Kiera ran her hand up the bicep muscle of Derek’s arm in a comforting caress. She gave him a little reassuring squeeze. She knew it was hard for him to think about all the people he knew who were centuries lost at this point.

  “T’is no harm. It’s been a long time now.”

  “But it still hurts. I am really sorry.”

  “Well, ye’ could nay have known. T’was an innocent mistake.”

  Kiera was proud of Derek’s response. He had clearly come a long way from the time he was cursed to seek his redemption. She gave his arm another gentle squeeze and she said, “Come on, Tom. I’ll show you to your room.”

  She wanted to quickly change the subject and she hoped that Tom wouldn’t question Derek further about his sister, Brielle. Sometimes it was still hard to explain the simplest of things when it came to Derek’s and her relationship. She couldn’t just say, well, you see, Tom, Derek was locked in a spell bound purgatory for 700 years until he was found worthy to live again…and you see, all the people he knew are beyond dead…Kiera found it best to avoid the details if she could.

  Tom took his bags and followed Kiera up the stone steps leading into the guest wing of the keep. He cleared his throat and said, “I sure made a good first impression on your husband.”

  “Don’t give it another thought. It’s just hard on him sometimes. He’s had a lot of losses that have been hard to deal with.”

  “Damn it, how’d she die?”

  Crap, that’s what I wanted to avoid. “I don’t really know. He doesn’t talk a lot about it. I think they hadn’t been speaking at the time.”

  “That’s rough. Families all have the same struggles. No matter where they are from or live.”

  “Yeah, that’s true.” Kiera’s explanation seemed to quell any further questions until he said, “So how did you two meet?”

  “Uhm, I came to work here as a tour guide. I was burnt out from a bad breakup and so I found the Highlands a soothing balm for my bruised heart. Well, Derek’s keep has been his home his entire life and well, you know, we sort of were drawn to each other and here we are today, married a little more than a year.” That sounded reasonable and it wasn’t untrue.

  “Yeah, sorry about things with Jackson. You had already moved to Scotland when I moved to New York, but my dad told me the wedding was called off.”

  Kiera didn’t want to talk about Jackson Samms. He had almost ruined her life and by the grace of God she was given a second chance when Derek was miraculously returned to her. She forced a smile and said, “It’s in the past. I’m really happy here. Derek is wonderful to me, even though you may not believe it.”

  “I can see you guys are totally into each other. It’s good, Ki. I’m really happy for you.”

  “Thanks.” Kiera turned the skeleton key in the ancient lock and opened the door to the luxurious guest suite. Tom dropped his bags and said with a laugh, “You’re shitting me!”

  Kiera smiled and said, “Oh sorry, you don’t like it? I can get you something else if you wish.”

  “Are you kidding? This is unfreakin’ real.”

  He flopped down on the big bed that lived at the far end of the room. “This is effin’ awesome.”

  Kiera chuckled a little. She had felt the same way when she had learned what her apartments looked like.

  “I know. Isn’t it something? Sometimes I still can’t believe I actually live here and I wake up and pinch myself to ma
ke sure it’s all still real.”

  “Freakin’ amazing,” Tom said, looking up to the regally appointed boxed velvet canopy that rose above the enormous and intricately carved four-poster bed. Kiera said, “The bathroom is past the living area. If you’re hungry, I’m afraid the kitchen is down stairs. It’s used for all the banquets and we have staff most of the time that take care of things, but I get to cook down there, too. Derek and I are going to renovate our living space and he wants to add a private kitchen for me up here eventually, but for now we have to use the commercial one. It’s not all bad, honestly. So I’m sure I can scrounge up some goodies for you to eat if you’re hungry.”

  Tom sat back up and said, “Not yet. Maybe later. I thought we could go for a pint at one of the local pubs, anyway.”

  “Maybe you and Derek can go. I don’t have anyone to watch the baby.”

  “C’mon Ki, in a big place like this? Besides, I don’t know if I want to be alone with the big brute just yet. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like me too much.”

  “Oh, it’s not that. Derek isn’t always comfortable around new people. I think living here sort of kept him…isolated.” And 700 years alone didn’t help him garner any social skills.

  “I’d love it if the two of you became friends. Also, I’ve got a ton of studying to do. Working towards my PHD.”

  “Hmmm, impressive.”

  “Ha, yeah, well it’s gonna’ take me years yet, but I’ll get there. Come on, Tom. What do you say? After a few drinks you two will get along great.”

  “I don’t know, cuz. I sort of made it worse when I asked about his sister.”

  “Well just don’t even worry about that. Maybe, you’ll meet a nice local girl. Come on…”

  Tom didn’t understand why it was so important to Kiera, but he said, “Okay. I’ll think about it. I’m gonna’ unpack and then I’ll take you up on that tour, if you wouldn’t mind.”

  “No, it’d be my pleasure.” Kiera gave Tom directions to find his way back down to the main hall and she arranged to meet up with him in an hour so he had time to get unpacked. Then she would give him the special tour of the place she loved to call home.

  ~

  Chapter Fifteen – Scotland – 1387 ~

  Bronwyn accompanied Morag to the standing stones. The old one moved so much slower these days and the cold seemed to hinder her progress even further. Bronwyn had linked her arm through the older woman’s to help steady her as she walked toward the stones. The moon was full this night and it cast an unearthly light on the rocky path which led to the Ancient Giants. Even after spending her life in supplication to the Old Ways, Bronwyn breathed a silent prayer to her Christian God to watch over this woman who had ever been her friend and teacher. The tale she had told was almost not to be believed but one thing Bronwyn knew for certain was that Morag never lied. She didn’t even bend the truth. Nay. She was a woman who only spoke without falsehood and tarnish. Bronwyn did not know what to expect once they reached the sacred stones, but she felt blessed to be a witness to it now.

  As the two women walked carefully upon the path, both murmured prayers. One prayed to the Ancients and the other prayed to the High King of Heaven, but both prayed for the same things; protection for the daughter who had fled their midst, protection for the old one’s perilous journey through the mists of time, and protection for the woman who would travel back with Morag to aid them in their deception of the royal guest.

  A fierce gust of wind suddenly blew through their cloaks as if to warn them from their course, but it did little to deter them from their trek into the shadowed wood.

  The dense thicket seemed to grasp at the hems of the women’s garments, like freakish fingers and on more than one occasion, they each had to wrench their skirts from the undergrowth at their feet, renting the fabric in their wake. Still they were undaunted. So lost were they in their thoughts and prayers that they barely noticed the tears in their garments caused by wayward roots and twigs.

  Bronwyn did not like this night. It was the time of year when the Veil was thinning and unease crept inside her; gripping her stomach like icy claws. She was not certain what she would witness this night, but she knew it would be something that would forever change their lives. Regardless of the fact that Morag had done this before, the unknown was frightening, even to one known to be brave in daunting situations as Bronwyn had always been.

  As the moon dipped in and out of the striated clouds on this autumn night, the women were cast into darkness only to have their path lit again upon its reappearance. The stones were just ahead and Bronwyn realized that Morag had walked this route many times in her old life. Why had Bronwyn not visited them more often? Clearly the stone giants held secrets and magic that Bronwyn suddenly wished she knew more about. As the woods gave way to the clearing where the stones stood, Morag turned to Bronwyn and said, “I dunna’ know if the Ancients will draw me through time. If They do nay, our plan will fail. If they do allow me to pass into the time forward, I canna’ say how long I will be held there. I dunna’ know when I will return to this place. I think ye’ should wait no longer than when the moon begins to sink back toward the land. Now I will prepare myself to make my journey. Daughter of my heart, ye’ must stand clear of the circle cast by the stones. Do nay even place your foot into the shadow for that is where the power rests.”

  Bronwyn hugged the old woman who was so much like a mother to her and she thanked Morag for venturing into this frightening journey on her behalf. She hoped the old woman would remain safe. Bronwyn had no idea how the arduous travel affected the physical condition of the old one, but she imagined it would be hard on the body. She watched as Morag walked inside the stones and she stood clear of their silhouette as warned. Bronwyn could only just hear the charm spoken by Morag, which now sounded like a dulled whisper on the edges of the breeze.

  She felt a shimmer of energy that seemed to radiate from the outstretched arms of the woman she had trusted with all of her secrets. Bronwyn was loath to turn her gaze from the woman even for a second and so when a flash of lightening split the sky, Bronwyn flinched for the briefest moment and she shielded her eyes from its brightness. As she pulled her hand away, she could see Morag no longer stood within the stones. Bronwyn’s heart seemed to be beating rapidly and she put her hand up toward her throat as she tried to still the frantic pulse that fluttered there. Another flash across the sky drew her eyes upward and Bronwyn saw a streaking star arching overhead. “Safe travels my dear friend,” she murmured and she sat down upon a boulder at the edge of the woods to wait in the stillness of the night.

  ~

  Chapter Sixteen – Scotland – Present Day ~

  Kiera stretched her neck. She had been pouring over her studies for a couple of hours. She stood to check on the baby and after finding her to be sleeping soundly, she walked out onto the parapet outside their apartments on the battlements of the castle to move her legs and get some fresh air. It was a crisp night; clear with stars dotting the late sky in abundance. She breathed in the smells of the land and the scent of pine needles and fallen leaves filled her. How she had grown to love this place!

  She checked her watch to see what time it actually was and she smiled. Her husband and cousin had been gone for more than a few hours. She was glad they were getting along after all. She had encouraged Derek and Tom to hit the local pub and throw back a couple of ales. She had long stopped worrying about Derek’s treks into town. Most of the locals now knew him as the resident Lord of Campbell Keep and they were used to seeing him about. She had been troubled at first, that he would have a hard time fitting in to their modern world, but her fears soon rested easily. He was part of the land and its history. Why, he even gave lectures at the local university about Medieval Scotland and no one ever dared to question his credentials. It was as if his very presence gave him credence.

  Kiera took one last look at the dark sky dotted with pinpricks of light before heading back in and just before she turned from the view, a la
rge streak of light crossed the velvet night as a shooting star seemed to fall from the heavens. Kiera knew she was supposed to make a wish, but she could not think of anything she really needed. She had everything and she felt blessed and happy.

  Kiera went back inside the inviting room and she moved the sliding doors closed against the chill of the night. The warmth of the burning fire in the hearth dispelled the cold that clung to her and eased the gooseflesh that had appeared on her arms. Kiera pulled the comfy and bulky sweater tighter about herself and she went to make a cup of tea.

  There was no telling how late her husband would be, but she was determined to wait for him. She would hurry down to the kitchens to put on a kettle, secure in the fact that the baby was sleeping soundly. It would only take a few minutes to get her drink, so she made her way into the dimly lit corridor. As she pulled the door behind her, she was startled by a figure appearing from out of the shadows. She gave a little yell of surprise and brought her hand up to her throat.

  Kiera’s heart pumped furiously as she fought against the fright of seeing someone in her home, but as the lone figure moved slowly toward her, Kiera’s eyes lit in recognition.

  The old woman, walking with the aid of a staff said, “I dinna’ mean to frighten ye’, Sweet.”

  “Oh, Morag. You did startle me. What are you doing here? I thought you had returned to your time and…”

  “Aye, lassie, I had returned but I have been sent back here to speak to ye’ about an important matter.”

  Taking a deep breath to calm her jangled nerves, Kiera answered, “Of course, come in. I was just going down stairs to get myself some tea. Would you like a cup?”

  “That would be so kind of ye’.”

  “Well, come in. Come see the baby and make yourself at home and I will fetch us some tea.”

  Kiera led her old friend into the apartments and brought her to look in on the little girl who was still sleeping soundly. A misty smile crept onto the old one’s face as she peered down on the slumbering baby. Kiera could see some emotions warring beneath the calm visage of the old woman. “Ach, she is so beautiful, Lass. She is like a fae angel.”