Celtic Fury

by Ria Cantrell

  When they caught up to Rory and Brielle, Rory could see the satisfied smirk on Shawn’s face. Brielle looked at Shawn, pleadingly, her eyes still welled with the tears she had just shed.

  “T’is alright, Lass. We let him go. We dinna’ kill him.”

  But as she turned to take her reins, Rory saw Shawn rubbing his knuckles. His eyes flew to Shawn’s. With a smug nod of his head, Rory knew what had happened. Rory could not say he wasn’t glad. In fact, he wished he would have been allowed at least as such. Derek deserved worse, but he did not give Shawn’s secret away. A smile lifted Rory's lips.

  “And they call me the Wolf of the highlands…because of my temper…God help the man who crosses Shawn,” Rory thought.

  Rory looked over at Brielle. She was going to be alright. She had already recovered from her long hard cry. She was a strong one, his Brielle. She had overcome so much in her life…from the way he had met her, broken and battered on the road, to all the injustices and grief she suffered through her life and still she was sweet tempered and good… and kind. He had so much to learn from her. She did not let her grief poison her. She still loved with all her heart, never closing it off just because she had suffered loss.

  Rory said a silent prayer that with love and with many years together, he would learn her gentleness and find a way to love the way she did. He already loved her so much. Time had helped him find his perfect love and mate. Time with this mate would release him from the pall of the past.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Rory stood flanked by his brothers in the little kirk in the village. The past couple of weeks had probably been the happiest he could ever remember. He and Brielle had truly begun to put their past behind them; casting the grief and sorrow to the winds of time as they turned to face their future together. They used their time to learn more about each other. Rory thought about how each new thing he learned about her, made him love her all the more. His heart was lightened. He felt the darkness recede into the shadows of memories, now that he had found light and love with this beautiful woman.

  Brielle’s physical wellbeing improved steadily. All physical evidence of her ordeal was gone. She had blossomed back into a true beauty; one who was now strong and happy. Her morning sickness was much less now that she was someplace clean and had nourishing food to eat. Morag made Brielle her own personal project of sorts, giving her soothing concoctions to drink and feeding her good things to eat to build her up. Brielle positively thrived under the love and care of the Clan, bringing joy and laughter to all of MacCollum Keep.

  Rory was lost in his musings as he thought about how Brielle continued to inspire him to goodness. Why just last week, Maggie had come to the keep seeking a word with Brielle. Rory was reluctant to allow it, knowing that Maggie could say hurtful things concerning how he had shared her bed many a night before speaking the Ancient Vows to Brielle.

  Brielle agreed to meet with the girl. Upon their meeting, Maggie broke down in tears, begging Brielle’s forgiveness. She had been the one to tell Jerome McManus how to find Brielle. She confessed she had done it out of spite so that Rory would once again come to her bed, never realizing how much harm could have come from that spiteful thing. Rory expected Brielle to be furious, but instead, she just smiled and told Maggie, all was well now, even knowing that ultimately her abduction had lead to her own brother’s death. She never put that upon the girl. Instead, she once again offered forgiveness, where Rory was sure he could not.

  Their days were spent doing the things that brought normalcy to their lives. Rory knew it was important to do those ordinary things in order for them to look ahead instead of looking back. During the day, Rory worked training the MacDougal forces, while Brielle learned the many aspects of being a MacCollum in the very well run keep of the clan. Their nights were spent making love and enjoying being in each other’s arms. Rory was certain he had never felt so content as he did knowing that Brielle was snuggled safely in his bed beside him every night.

  Now, he was waiting to wed her properly, to finally combine the ancient rite to the Christian one. Rory’s heart was thrumming in his chest as he waited for Brielle to join him before the altar of God. He was anxious just to get a glimpse of her and he could not wait to see her. He glanced over at his brothers. Although he was still not back to his full health, even Liam stood beside Rory. Rory looked into the pews and he saw his beloved sister, Bronwyn and her two babies. She and Drew had arrived that morning, just in time for the wedding. Little Ian waved happily at his uncle and Rory nodded to him with a wink. Just then, the doors of the kirk opened and to the strains of the piper, Caleb MacCollum walked Brielle down the aisle to join him.

  When Rory saw her, it was as if time had frozen and all outside distractions were gone. She was beyond beautiful. She wore a stunning silk gown, in the English style, but donned his plaid over her shoulder. That marked her as his, and he felt pride building inside him. Her hair, unbound, hung past her waist in soft curls. How he longed to tangle himself in that glorious mane as he had done so many nights these past few days. Her eyes met his, from across the church and he felt her love envelope him. It was the most powerful thing he had ever encountered. Rory felt suddenly overwhelmed. How had he gotten so lucky to be blessed with this beauty?

  As Caleb led Brielle to Rory, Rory felt consumed with emotion. He swallowed hard to control it but he was struggling to keep it down. He felt the burning behind his eyes and he swallowed again. Brielle’s eyes were bright but as they drew closer to the front of the church, she could feel Rory’s sentiment as if it were her own. Their eyes held and he swallowed a third time.

  I love ye’, Ruiri, with all I am.

  Nodding, he agreed, Aye, Sweetheart, as I love ye’.

  As their hands were joined and wrapped with the ribbons of marriage, the rest of the world fell away. They were lost in each other, barely aware of the others around them. Time was of no meaning as the long nuptial mass went on around them.

  When at last, their vows were spoken and their union blessed, Rory and Brielle left the kirk and stepped into the glorious day. Spring had finally come and with it, the birds and flowers to beacon the passing of winter. The day was warm, and the scent of the trees gone to leaf was heady with the perfume of nature’s bounty. The dappled sunshine warmed Brielle’s cool flesh as Rory stood and kissed his wife unabashedly in front of all those who had attended their wedding. That kiss got cheers from all present. It spoke of passion still to come, which Rory could not wait to experience...again and again.

  Rory helped Brielle into the open carriage. As his hands lifted her to her place beside him, Brielle felt that now familiar charge of energy race through her as his hands touched her. She suddenly could not wait to be alone with him, either. As the wedding procession made its way back to the keep, Rory and Brielle kissed; unable to refrain from touching even for a few brief minutes.

  Rory whispered, “I am so in love with ye’, Brielle. I feel like my heart is now whole again.”

  She placed her hand against his jaw and she touched her lips to his again. “Oh, my beloved Ruiri, ye’ have filled my empty heart. I am so happy.”

  “As I am, too.”

  His arms drew her closer, pulling her into his arms.

  As the carriage rapidly approached the keep, skirting the pristine forest on the eastern side, Rory saw a strange shimmer amidst the trees. He looked over at Brielle and saw her eyes had been drawn to that spot as well. He gave a command to halt the carriage and leading Brielle down out of it, they walked towards the trees at the edge of the outer forest walls. Rory took Brielle’s hand and approached the shimmering light within the trees. There in the dappled sunshine, Caitlyn stood before them, smiling, her hands extended toward the couple. While she seemed to float just about the ground, she was whole and real. This was no mere wisp of fancy or even a specter to be feared.

  Brielle murmured, “Lady…”

  Rory's head swung swiftly to look at her, astonished that she saw what he did. H
e asked, “Ye’ see her too?”

  “Aye, Ruiri. I see her. I always have.”

  The wind seemed to whisper, “Be happy with each other. The past is done…and now ye’ have the future.”

  Rory answered, “Dear Caitlyn.”

  Brielle now spoke, “Thank you, Lady, for leading us to each other. I will protect his heart at all costs.”

  Caitlyn nodded and they heard the breeze whisper, “T’is time for me to go.”

  “Aye, my first love. Be at peace now.”

  To Brielle she actually spoke and said, “Thank you for loving our Ruiri. I leave him now in yer’ hands. ” She started to vanish and Rory said, “Caitlyn, wait…I…”

  “I take the love with me, Ruiri. It never has ended. It goes on with me as it shall now stay with you.”

  Both Brielle and Rory lifted their hands as if to wave goodbye.

  Caleb and Morag watched the strange behavior of the newlyweds from a distance. Caleb turned to Morag and asked, “What are they doin’?”

  “I suspect they are saying goodbye to Caitlyn.”

  “Do ye’ see her, old Woman?”

  “Nay, but I sense her presence. She is no longer held here. She is giving them her blessing, she is releasing our Ruiri to Brielle now.”

  When the couple turned back to return to the wedding celebration, Morag said, “She is gone.”

  “So then, it is over? No more trouble in the future?”

  “They will have their trials as all couples do, but their love will keep them and guide them through it. Now Caitlyn is released. For now, all is as it should be.”

  The couple made their way back to the well-wishers to begin the wedding feast and to begin their lives together. Rory hugged Brielle and brushed the tears from the corners of her eyes.

  “Ye’ really have seen her all along.”

  Brielle nodded, looking up into the eyes of her tall husband.

  “I told ye’ I did. I saw her the first day, when ye' found me.”

  “And I didn’t believe ye’. I am sorry for that, Brielle.”

  “Shhh, it was a hard thing to believe. I am sure ye’ didn’t believe you saw her yerself. I was not certain I actually did. I owe her so much. Her sacrifice enabled me to be with ye’. I would not be in your arms today if Caitlyn had not been sacrificed by my brother. While I am sad for her parting, I am so grateful to be able to love ye’ in her place.”

  He kissed her lips and said, “I love ye’ so much, Brielle. I am not he same man who was betrothed to Caitlyn. I think ye’ are the perfect mate for me.”

  He held her for a lingering moment; enjoying the promise of his future with this woman, he now called his wife. All the blackness was gone and as Caitlyn’s soul was finally at rest, he realized the living soul of this beautiful woman—his beautiful woman, had healed him and would continue to bring the healing into his heart. Rory was sure he had never been so complete. Feeling the heat rise between them as she held him, made Rory long for not only their future, but for their time to be alone, when all the feasting was done. Brielle was life. She represented light and hope. She ignited passion in him with the smallest of contact, to form a burning fire within him. Brielle was his here and now and she was his destiny. Their journey was going to be a wondrous one and Rory looked upon the future with joy and great anticipation.

  Epilogue I

  Gabrielle MacCollum felt her heart flutter at the sight before her. Her big, handsome husband had just entered the keep. He was not returning from war or raids, this time, or from the training of his men. No, this time he was returning home after a morning out in the fields. He had spent the morning with Brighid Caitlyn, their little daughter, teaching her to ride her very own horse.

  As their beloved child put her tiny hand in Rory’s, Brielle’s heart leapt again. Rory was holding a fistful of wild flowers and heather; the bouquet only a small child would have picked. Brielle suppressed a giggle, not wanting to give her hiding place away, but as she thought about her very masculine, virile and lethal warrior carrying the ragtag little nosegay picked by his child, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unbridled joy. Rory had also woven a circle of wild flowers, which now sat a top of the shiny straight dark hair of his beautiful little daughter. Brielle marveled at how the pretty little child resembled her father in so many ways.

  The two had not yet noticed Brielle watching them from her hiding spot. Brielle loved to share these private moments between a father and his daughter by watching; herself half hidden in the shadows. The two positively adored each other and that gladdened a mother’s heart so deeply. Tonight was going to be the perfect time to tell Ruiri that Brighid was going to have a little brother or sister, but for now, she kept that secret to herself for just a little longer. She watched Ruiri stoop down and whisper something to Brighid Caitlyn. Giggling, the little girl snatched her precious bundle of flowers and ran right to where Brielle was hiding. Of course, Rory had known she was there all along!

  “Mama, Daddy and I picked these for ye’…and Daddy made me a flower princess, see,” she said twirling before her mother.

  “I see that. What a beautiful princess ye’ are!”

  Bending down to meet her daughter, Brielle hugged her for the gift. Rory joined them and helping Brielle up, he held her tightly in his arms. His lips wandered down her cheek and she said, “Ah Ruiri, ye’ knew I was there all along.”

  Kissing her hair, he said, “Dunna’ I always, Aye? Ye’ were easy to find. I felt ye’ before I saw ye’. Ye’ canna’ hide from me.”

  Brighid Caitlyn hugged around her mother’s legs and said, “Aye, Daddy said ye’ canna’ keep secrets from him. He said ye’ speak a magic language that I canna’ hear.”

  “Oh? He told ye’ that faery tale, did he?”

  The little girl looked astonished. Adamantly she replied, “Oh, t’is not a tale, Momma. Daddy wouldna’ tell me a tale. He told me that yer’ hearts speak to each other and sometimes ye’ dunna’ need to say words…because Daddy loves ye’ so much.”

  Rory kissed Brielle again and he smiled into her beautiful face.

  “That’s right, Brigheed,” he said with the deep delicious burr Brielle loved so much.

  “Ask yer’ ma what I told ye’ to ask her.”

  “What is it, Briggie?”

  “Daddy wants me to ask ye’ what’s my brother’s name?” Glancing at Rory, Brielle said, “Briggie,ye’ dunna’ have a brother.”

  Nodding her precious head excitedly, Brighid said, “Yes I do. Daddy says he is living in yer’ tummy and that he dinna’ get borned yet.”

  Brielle turned her eyes to Rory. He was grinning at her.

  Ye’ know?

  Bringing her hand up to his lips, Rory said, “Of course I do. I dinna’ want to spoil yer’ surprise, but I’ve been bursting with the news of it. I’ve been wonderin’ why ye’ were waitin’ so long to tell me, Aye?”

  “I just wanted to be sure, my love.”

  They had not been able to conceive since Brighid had been born, well near four years ago and Brielle had started to think Brighid would be her only child. Rory had been so loving when she expressed that fear, telling her that it would happen; that sometimes these things just took time. He had assured her that even if it was so, Brighid was gift enough for him. In seeing the look of joy on Rory’s face, Brielle was so happy to be able to give him another precious babe. Brighid tugged on Brielle’s skirt.

  “Is he, Mamma? Is my brother livin’ in yer’ tummy? Did my daddy tell me a tale?”

  Scooping Brighid up into her arms, Brielle said, “Nay, yer’ daddy told ye’ the truth. I had just wanted to surprise yer’ Da with that news.”

  “But he said ye’ told him already with yer’ magical language.”

  “I suppose I did.”

  Rory took his child into his arms and hooked his arm around Brielle’s still very thin waist. It would be sometime before she was thick with child and even then Rory knew he would still find her so very beautiful, as h
e had when she carried Brighid Caitlyn. Kissing his little girl’s nose, he said, “Come, sweeting. T’is time fer yer’ nap and while ye’ are having sweet dreams, Daddy and Mommy will be talking about what to name yer’ brother.”

  “Mama, will ye’ kiss my daddy?” Rory shot Brielle the most disarming grin and she knew he had other plans for their time alone. Feeling that wonderfully familiar heat between them, Brielle couldn’t wait to be alone with her beloved Ruiri.

  “Aye Brighid, I think I will kiss yer’ daddy.”

  “Why do ye’ like to kiss him so much?”

  Rory thought back to what seemed like a lifetime ago when his little nephew asked his sister much the same question. He never thought, then, that he would be explaining the same thing to his own little girl. That had seemed an impossible dream; one born in a lifetime ago. Yet, here he was, with his own child and another on the way and the love of his life in his arms.

  “T’is how mommies and daddies show their love for one another, Brigheed,” Rory said. Brighid thought for a moment and compared the kisses she knew in her own life.

  “When ye’ kiss me, Daddy, it is different than how Mommy kisses ye’.” Brielle tried not to giggle as Rory rolled his eyes. He was smirking, suddenly not sure how to be able to explain the difference to his curious little girl. Brielle thought to make some sense of it as best she could to a little child. She said, “Baby, it is different because yer’ daddy is my sweetheart. Someday a handsome boy will want to kiss ye’ like that, too.”

  Brighid wrinkled her adorable little nose and said, “Nay. I dunna’ want a boy to kiss me. I think I like the kisses ye’ and daddy give me.”

  Rory felt a pang of foreboding in his heart thinking of some rogue kissing his beautiful little girl. A dark look marred Rory's features, reminiscent of his ill tempered past, at such a thought.

  “Never ye’ mind about that Brigheed. T’will be a long time afore that happens.” And silently he added