Lost Wanderer Awakened - Book One of the Airendell Chronicles

by Audra Hart

  “On her twelfth birthday a compliment of Elvish envoys from Alfheim came on an official mission to Airendell. Their seers had predicted a massive and sustained threat to our talismans. But they told the Elders to take heart, that we had the means to protect them, but one of us would have to make a great sacrifice to protect the talismans.”

  “They informed the Elders that Morna must be afforded the full rank of Warrior of the First Order of Airendell. The envoys said that she had already demonstrated a willingness and ability to protect the talismans at all costs. The Elders balked. She wasn’t even a Weaver yet. She had not yet ascended. How could they bestow such a prestigious rank on one who might never ascend? The envoys told the Elders that there was no doubt that she would ascend on the day she turned nineteen… But she must receive the official rank as First Warrior immediately. The Elders finally complied and bestowed the rank to Morna, it was truly no more than she deserved.”

  “I can tell you there was a lot of heated debate about this. I realize now that something in our mother changed that day. Her feelings for Morna, her allegiance to Morna, everything started deteriorating. Magdrid was jealous, I believe. It poisoned her view of Morna, her affection for Morna. Mother‘s affection for me has deteriorated because I have stood by Morna against her. It‘s a mess. Mother resisted the Elvish envoys, even tried to make them leave, but the Elders would not hear of it.”

  “The Elvish envoys called Morna before them, and they prepared her for her role as protector of the talismans. She had to endure a ten day sauna and fasting. Then she was fed a special meal of milk and cheese from Audumla, a supernatural being who nourished the first magical beings with her never ending supply of milk.”

  Then her true heritage was revealed. Our father, Neill, was not Morna’s true father. Her true father was a being named Valiant. He was the offspring of Vali, [who was the son of Odin and the giantess Rind], and Enna, [a human female, a chieftain’s daughter, her lineage gave rise to the noble classes in Viking and Irish lands].

  Valiant had become enamored of our mother, and had impregnated her one night while our father, Neill was out on a hunting trip. Mother denied any of knowledge of this, but I didn’t believe her. I think she knew fully who Valiant was at the time Morna was conceived. Needless to say father was devastated by this news, he adored Morna. And Morna adored him. It was Father that had chosen the name, Morna, because Father said she was to be much beloved by all. Mother was angered by all of this, because she knew her daughter would be far greater than she ever could be.”

  Luca interrupts to ask, “Do you mean Morna is descended from a Norse God and a giant?” When Breena nods, he asks, “But what does a half Norse God’s offspring have to do with people in Ireland?”

  “Valiant came with the Vikings that invaded Ireland and established settlements at Waterford in 914. Airendell gateway is near Waterford. Valiant has adopted Ireland and Wales as his home,” answers Breena. “Shall I continue?”

  When Luca nods, she resumes: “I don’t know the details of the rest of ceremony because everyone else had to leave at that point. One time I asked Morna about it, and she said she did not remember it. But when the ceremony was over, Morna emerged and the physical embodiments of the talismans were gone. Morna was changed that day, her previous devotion to duty was enhanced, focused, sharpened. Her duties had been expanded to defend upper-world against invaders from middle-world. Morna‘s official title is truly a mouthful. She is a Spell Weaver of the First Order of Airendell, First Warrior of the First Order of Airendell, and all of Ireland and Wales, and (I believe now it includes the New World), and First Protector of the Gateways from the Middle-World and the Talismans of Airendell. Apparently, Airendell was always destined to be the chief protector of the Gateways.”

  Luca’s eyes widen in surprise at this. He wonders why Morna never told him any of this. But he remains silent, listening to Breena.

  “But a physical change had also occurred. Before the ceremony her eyes were the same pale blue color as mine. But when she emerged, her eyes were the beautiful emerald green that they still are today.”

  Luca gasps at this because those beautiful green eyes, and the unmistakable scent of her blood, have always enabled him to find her in her various incarnations.

  “The same eyes that have marked every one of her incarnations. The same color eyes as your daughter, Aideen. I don’t know if the eye color in Aideen has any special significance, but in Morna is does. They represent the talismans. She is now the very embodiment of our power to heal, and defend by magic.”

  “Luca, I do not know this for certain, but I suspect that the reason Morna has been under attack for all these many, many years is to destroy our Guild’s, our clan’s talisman. Without our talismans, we can not protect the gateways.”

  “The attacks have taken many forms, but I suspect they all have the same source. I don’t believe mother is the source; someone or something is just taking advantage of mother’s jealousy over Morna’s power and prestige. I think the attacks will continue to escalate. The ancient writings that I have researched over the years mention some sort of huge confrontation. I told you a little bit about it once, that morning after Morna had established the first connection with me. There is to be some sort of gathering of magical and supernatural beings, all of them from the fair side who will confront a gathering of magical and supernatural beings, from the dark side. Whoever, whatever is at the head of that gathering is the source of these attacks on Morna.” Breena takes a deep breath and pours more scotch.

  “Have you ever noticed that in every incarnation Morna is reborn near a gateway to our middle-world? I observed Morna in a few of these incarnations. She would defend those gateways. But she did not seem to be aware that she was doing it. When she was Gigi, you took her to London, but she kept going back to France. She was going back on Protector Business, I am certain of it. But I don’t think she was aware of it when she was in her mortal form. I also believe that when she was in what you call limbo between incarnations, I believe during those times she was working in middle-world, probably doing battle to protect the upper-world. I know our talismans remained intact because the Guild‘s powers never waver when she dies in one of her mortal incarnations. So she must still exist in the magical realms when her mortal body dies.”

  Luca sat quietly as he listened to Breena, then he said, “Yes, she would disappear for days at a time, with no explanation as to where she had been, I don‘t think she even knew. I tried to follow her one time, but she disappeared, later I found out that the place where I lost sight of her was near a gateway to middle-world. I assumed that she was going through the Gateway. Often she would be injured when she returned. I would perform the healing spells for her. It was always a very troubling thing.”

  “She doesn’t deliberately keep things from me, unless she feels it will hurt me. For instance, she has never told me about her association with a young man when she was in college. I know she is ashamed of it. And she never wants to talk about her relationship with her husband, Rolan, how she met him, how she came to married to him I mean.” Luca stands and paces a few steps before continuing; “If it weren’t for the children, I think she would like to pretend the whole marriage never took place. But she recently told me about something he had done to her, so I guess I can understand why should would like to leave him in her past.”

  Breena can’t help herself; she has to ask Luca, “How do you know about the young man from college?”

  Luca would have blushed if he were physical able to do so, as it is, he ducks his head, “Morna talks in her sleep. When she knows that I am near, she can sleep soundly and she talks freely. She will even answer questions. I know, I shouldn’t take advantage of that, but with a woman like Morna, it helps to know as much as possible. She needs a lot of looking after. Which really sounds funny considering what a great warrior she is. But I think you probably understand what I mean.”

  “I must confess, I questioned her in her sleep m
ostly because I was jealous, she mentioned another man’s name in her sleep one night shortly after she left the hospital. I had to know what he was to her.”

  Breena nods. “Yes I do understand that Morna takes a lot of looking out for because of the curse and that has happened to her, and you for that matter. And that is why I am going to tell you something my sister told me to never tell you. Well actually, you already know. But she needs to know that you know, apparently it hasn’t affected your feelings for her.”

  “You mean about the young man from college?” Luca asked.

  “Yes, Luca. She really hates herself for that. She had no feelings for the man, she was just trying to fill up an emptiness in her life that she didn’t understand she had. I think she was trying to fill the void left by your absence. If you don’t hold it against her, she needs to know. However, if you do resent it, please, please keep it to yourself. She can’t stand to hurt or disappoint you, she has always been so,” says Breena earnestly.

  Luca’s only response is to nod. The pair sits quietly for several minutes, and then Breena says, “Well I guess our impromptu slumber party is over. I might as well go back to my room. But before I go I must ask you something, it has been eating at me all night. You probably won’t like me asking, but I have to, I just can’t stand it.”

  “It’s okay Breena; I think I know what this about. Go ahead and ask,” says Luca.

  Breena takes a deep breath and then says, “Why were you feeling guilty earlier this evening? The feelings of self-reproach coming from you was so very strong it was smacking me in my face, figuratively, of course.”

  Luca exhales between his teeth slowly, and tries to think of the best way to explain this to his mate’s sister. “Apparently the darker side of my nature is getting stronger, or my commitment to controlling myself it is getting weaker. I don’t know. But whatever the cause, the lure of Morna’s blood is getting stronger for me, not weaker. Vile creature that I am, there is a part of me that would love nothing better than to drain my mate’s body dry, to feast on her blood. But the scent of her blood doesn‘t just make me thirst… It excites raging passion in me as well.” He admits, looking every bit the part of man that is deeply afflicted and tortured by that affliction.

  “I should be keeping my distance from her. But Morna’s draw as a woman, as my lover, is irresistibly strong for the part of me that is a man. It is stronger for me in this incarnation that it has ever been. I feel guilty because the man who can’t stand to be apart from Morna is winning at every turn. I should keep her arm’s length. I should be keeping her safe at any cost to me, instead I continue to satiate my passion for her, and revel in her nearness. It‘s a true double edged sword for me. On one side being with her is my heart‘s desire, on the other side, being with her tortures me with a need to feed on her blood.” Luca admits brokenly.

  Breena looks greatly relieved when she replies, “You know what she would say to that. She would hate that, if you kept her at arm’s length. She has always known the risks ever since you were changed. It didn’t change anything for her. She still needs you and would be devastated if you withheld yourself from her. You know that Luca. You know how it hurt her when she carried Aideen and you wouldn’t get near her. You are not being a vile creature as you put it. You are being a devoted husband to a devoted wife.”

  “I know she feels that way Breena, she always has. But I should do whatever it takes to protect her, at any cost to myself,” insists Luca.

  “Luca you do. You know that is true, I know it, and most importantly, Morna knows it. I am so glad that is all that was bugging you. Anyway, it’s almost 6:00 am. I am in room 1231, call me there or on my cell if you guys need anything. I will come by in a few hours and take her to breakfast, if she’s up to it.”

  Luca hugs his sister in law before she goes. He is glad Breena is back in Morna’s life, he believes she is going to need all the support she can get before too long.

  He can’t help but be amazed at how Breena seems to accept the danger her sister is in everyday when she is around him. Especially when they are intimate. It’s not that Breena is cavalier about Morna’s wellbeing or that she doesn’t recognize the possible threat her vampire brother in law poses to her sister, it’s just that she accepts it, because Morna accepts it.

  CHAPTER 21 - MORNA REBORN

  Morna only slept for about ten minutes. Shortly after Luca got up to go speak to Breena Morna was wide awake with no hope of going back to sleep. She heard all Luca’s and Breena’s conversation. At first she felt bad about being able to hear them, but then she realized most of what they were talking about was things about herself that she didn’t remember yet. And if she were to go in there, they would stop talking so freely. So she laid there in bed, and eavesdropped.

  Actually, she is pretty surprised that Luca doesn’t seem to realize she is awake. He is so in tuned to her physical patterns. Surely he could hear that she was awake, that her breathing pattern and heart rate had changed. After Breena left, she lies there and listens to Luca pick up after Breena and herself. “He’s probably not too thrilled about me smoking tonight,” she thinks. “But that’s probably small fries compared to the rest.”

  Morna is lying there, trying to sort it all out when Luca comes into the bedroom of their hotel suite. She watches him undress in the dark and slide into bed with her. She stops herself when she starts to reach for him. Finally, after a few seconds he chuckles and draws her to him. “You little sneak, I probably should have told your sister that you were awake and could hear us. I don’t think she realizes how much you have gained in physical abilities.”

  “Sorry, I debated on whether or not to come out there, but then I decided you two would probably not speak as freely if I were in the room. But of course I realized you surely had to know I was awake,” Morna confesses. “Forgive me for being an eavesdropper?”

  “Of course,” Luca assures her. “Besides, I didn’t speak of anything to your sister that I would not speak of to you.”

  “Even that last bit?” she asks skeptically.

  “Even that last bit,” he confirms. “I know Breena was right about it. I know how you feel. On one level I think you’re right, but on another, I just can’t bear to think what could happen when we are so close, so intimate. We obviously don’t have any barriers between us most of the time. At least not in physical side of our relationship.”

  “And there never should be,” she affirms as she snuggles into him.

  “Well, my dear, what about barriers in the emotional side of our relationship?” he asks softly.

  “I can only assume you are referring to things in my past I just don’t want to talk about?” she sighs, and pulls back slightly.

  “Yes, why not share that burden?” He tilts her face up to his. “I already know the essence of it. What I didn’t know before I got a pretty good look at tonight when you linked with me,” he replies.

  She exhales slowly. “You don’t think that it is some sign of my poor character or something?” she asks quietly.

  Luca holds her closer, and says, “Of course not. I know your character better than anyone. I also understand what you were probably looking for. You even alluded to it yourself. Even when you don’t know about me, early on in an incarnation, I think a part of you realizes that I am missing. That you belong with me. Does that make sense, or am I just being vain to think there is something missing in your lives when I am not with you?”

  “You are never vain Luca,” she assures him.

  “I’m not going to ask you to tell me about any of that which bothers you so deeply, but I desperately want you know, it is not something that offends me, or makes me think less of you. It is just something that was. I am sad that it hurts you, though,” Luca assures her. After a minute of silence between them he says, “I hesitate to bring this up, but since we are clearing the air so to speak, I feel like I should admit that it does hurt me that you didn’t seem to think you could trust me to know this and still lo
ve you,” he confesses.

  She pulls closer to him, and says, “I am sorry, I think that my reluctance to reveal those things to you is born of my poor opinion of myself and is in no way a reflection of my opinion of you, if that makes any sense,” she says.

  “It makes sense, but it still makes me sad. Whether you were motivated to keep this secret because of your opinion of yourself or because of your opinion of me, either way, it is a wretched thing.” He pulls her close and kisses her gently and asserts, “It is very heartbreaking if you ever feel you have to hold part of yourself back from me.”

  “Luca, I get that, I honestly do love. I won’t make that mistake again,” she hesitates, and then decides to get it all out there. “But didn’t you do exactly the same thing? You have been struggling with the allure my blood scent has for you. I know this, I can often sense it. You tense up; there is a certain shudder that goes through your body, a degree of detachment I feel in you at times. I understand what motivates it, so why hide it. Why not let me try to help, at least let me know what you are going through?”

  He chuckles poignantly, “It’s almost absurd isn’t it? That we have both held back things that we fear might hurt the other, when in truth, it is the holding back that causes the other pain?”

  She laughs diffidently, “Yes, I suppose it is. That was pretty dumb of both of us, wasn’t it? I propose we stop being so foolish, what do you think?”

  “I agree whole heartedly,” he laughs. “But now you should sleep, your heart rate is up, how is the head feeling?”

  “Pretty bad,” she admits. “A lot of what Breena was talking about tonight is new information; well you know what I mean, new this time.” She laughs at the absurdness that is her cycle of lives.