Luathara - Book Three of the Otherworld Trilogy

by Johnson, Jenna Elizabeth

  "I missed you," he murmured against my hair.

  Forgetting my embarrassment, I returned the gesture. "Me too."

  We walked back to the center of the village, hand in hand. Fergus and Meridian returned just as the first rays of morning light pierced through the fog. As we ate, Cade entertained the youngest of the wildren with tales of his battles against the faelah. Me, well, I just sat back and enjoyed the fact that Cade had come back to me in one piece.

  Once breakfast was over, Cade and I helped everyone clean up, despite their protests. Afterwards, I led Cade away to the meadow where Enorah and I had practiced. We spent the entire morning there, with me showing Cade all I had learned and him demonstrating a few more tricks. By the time we returned to the village we had missed the noontime meal, so by nightfall we were starving.

  Dinner that night was a casual event. Some of the older teens had gone hunting earlier, so we ended up roasting hunks of meat and vegetables over the bonfire. I did my best not to hoard Cade all to myself. After all, Enorah deserved some time with him as well.

  As the fire died down, the younger kids headed off for bed. Eventually only Cade, Enorah and I were left. The logs crackled and popped, the hot flames whispering along with the sounds of the forest creatures at night. Silence descended upon us, but then Enorah let out a big yawn, dumped the dregs from her mug into the fire and stood up, stretching.

  "I'm going to call it a night, but I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

  She glanced at me, then her brother, and although it was hard to see in the dark, a glint of regret crossed her eyes. I frowned, but Cade nodded before I could ask what was wrong. With one last smile, Enorah turned and headed towards her cabin, leaving Cade and me to soak up the warmth of the fire.

  Cade reached over and pulled me close, kissing my forehead and wrapping his cloak around me.

  We have to leave in the morning, his shil-sciar words brushed against my mind.

  I sighed. So that explained Enorah's morose mood. I figured as much.

  You seem disappointed. I thought you were eager to get to the Dagda's, he continued.

  I am. I've just grown fond of the Weald, I guess.

  Cade took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I would rather you stayed here, where you're safe.

  I can't hide forever Cade, and that's not the reason I'm reluctant to leave.

  I lifted my chin up so I could see his face. I like it here and I'll miss Enorah and all the kids.

  Cade chuckled and murmured, breaking the silence, "Oh, you're definitely a keeper if you have the patience to like Enorah."

  I smacked him. "Is that the only reason you can think of for keeping me?"

  I meant it as a joke, but his green eyes darkened and his voice grew deeper as he answered, "Oh no, far from it. You're so beautiful Meghan. Your eyes," he bent down and kissed each of my eyelids, then gently ran his fingers through my hair. "Your hair, your nose with its freckles." He smiled and nipped my nose with his lips. "And your unrelenting spirit."

  He lifted a hand and pressed it against my skin, right above the space between my heart and my magic. And of course, my glamour let out a burst of energy, the blue rose next to it cracking open to see what was going on.

  I felt as if I was melting under the warmth of Cade's endearments, but I had just enough sense to get control of Cernunnos's gift. Stay shut, you, I growled at it.

  "You're perfect Meghan. How could I ever let you go?"

  He bent down and kissed me for real that time, drawing it out so that I thought it would never end. The fire grew suddenly hot and I had to pull away to catch my breath.

  I cuddled next to him so that my hand was placed over his heart. "I don't plan on ever letting you go either," I murmured drowsily, then yawned and felt my eyes drift shut. I could so fall asleep just as I was, with Cade as my mattress and blanket all in one.

  Before I could register what was happening, Cade had lifted me up into his arms and was carrying me across the dark village square.

  "What are you doing?" I murmured, my eyes still working to remain open.

  "I'm going to get you settled in your cabin. You can hardly keep your eyes open."

  "Not true," I said as I fought another yawn.

  Cade snorted as he managed to push open my cabin door. In one second I was safe in his arms, and the next I was being tucked under my quilt. It wasn't nearly as warm and didn't smell quite as good as Cade.

  Go to sleep Meghan, he whispered into my mind. I need to check the perimeter of the village one last time, then I'll join you.

  A shiver coursed through me at his promise and I was determined to stay awake until he got back. Unfortunately, that resolve waned and I was asleep within five minutes of curling up in bed. I never even heard Cade come in after his inspection, and it wasn't until morning that I realized the warm sense of safety I felt was really his arms wrapped tightly around me.

  -Twelve-

  Lasair

  The sky was still dark when Cade and I left the small village behind. Enorah was up to see us off of course, but none of the other wildren were awake.

  Cade's sister met us outside of our cabin, her arms crossed with her elbows resting in her hands. She was like a silent wraith of the forest; serious and grim. Her current mood, so unlike the general cheerful one from the past several weeks, made my stomach churn into knots. She was worried about her brother; about the both of us. Suddenly, the idea of leaving seemed extremely unappealing. Why couldn't we just hide in the Weald with all the other castoff children? Why not just wait out the Morrigan's fury?

  Because she will not rest until she has had her revenge, Meghan, or your power . . .

  The words seemed to whisper in the wind, though the eerily still forest was blanketed in a thick, static fog. I shivered. The words weren't from Cade or Meridian, perched far above us. Nor were they from my own conscience. Yet I knew who they had come from, and he was right. Cernunnos didn't give me that magic so I could sit in the middle of the Weald and hide. He had given it to me so that I could go out and fight against the evil that threatened all that I loved.

  Suddenly I was angry and that anger helped burn away the fear. How dare the Morrigan threaten me, threaten all of us? Who cares if she was an all-powerful goddess. What right did she have to take what she wanted and hurt those who couldn't defend themselves? For some bizarre reason, an image of Michaela West and Adam Peders and their gang of friends popped into my head. I hadn't thought about my high school tormentors in months, yet, in a way, they were very similar to the Morrigan. They too took what they wanted and treated people like dirt. Well, I had fought back against them and I'd fight back against the Morrigan as well.

  "Meghan?"

  Cade's voice snapped me out of my internal tirade.

  I blinked up at him.

  "Are you okay? You seem tense."

  Quickly, I smiled and hoped my face didn't reflect the way I felt.

  I leaned into him and said, "Yes, just a little sad about leaving."

  Cade relaxed, then helped me settle my now full backpack and quiver on my shoulders.

  "Before you go," Enorah said, lifting up her hands. Resting on her forearms were two daggers, one slightly larger than the other, enclosed in identical sheaths. "For both of you, to keep you safe."

  "Enorah," Cade whispered, his voice gruff as he lifted the larger knife, "where in Eile did you get these?"

  He drew the dagger from its cover, the bright silver blade clean and sharp. It was about the length of his forearm and the head of a hound decorated the pommel.

  Not knowing what else to do, I mimicked him and examined the other dagger. Mine was shorter and instead of a hound's head, the profile of a merlin adorned the top of the hilt.

  "This is so beautiful Enorah," I murmured, tears returning to my eyes.

  "Keep them on you at all times, it will give me peace of mind."

  Cade reached out and grabbed his sister into a tight hug. Enorah left one arm free, so she used it to p
ull me into the embrace as well, the three of us fighting our brimming emotions. Eventually, Cade loosened his grip and we both paid Enorah our final farewells, waving as we turned down the trail that would take us out of the Weald.

  "Let me know what the final plan is," she called after us. "Those of us who are able would be honored to help in the battle against the Morrigan."

  Cade only nodded, waving one last time as Enorah's figure disappeared behind the shroud of mist.

  By the time we made it out of the cave behind Luathara, the sky was bright with morning light. The castle itself stood quiet, so different from how it had been when Cade and I had fled four weeks ago.

  We entered the back of the castle, through the great oak door that now stood in the repaired wall. Inside, the castle was dark and cold and I could barely make out some of the colors in the tapestries decorating the walls.

  "Where is everyone?" I whispered.

  Despite my attempt to speak quietly, my voice carried through the vast hall.

  "At their homes in Kellston. My mother could still target the castle just to spite me."

  "Oh Cade," I murmured as I moved closer to him, "I'm sorry."

  He stopped his forward movement and stepped up to me, taking my face in his hands.

  "It's not your fault, Meghan. We'll continue with the construction when we've defeated the Morrigan."

  I nodded, my thoughts grim nonetheless. And how are we to defeat a powerful Celtic goddess?

  By pooling our resources.

  I frowned at him.

  He smiled and traced one of my eyebrows with his thumb. "I managed to visit most of the Tuatha De while you were stuck in the Weald with my sister, busy training your glamour to answer to your beck and call. Remember? They have agreed to meet with Danua and discuss our options with regards to the Morrigan."

  Just because they'd agreed to meet, didn't mean they would help. I wondered if Cade had learned anything else about the person who was helping his mother regain her power so quickly, but that was a question for another time.

  Taking a deep breath, I nodded, my head moving between Cade's hands.

  "In a week we'll meet up with them at Erintara."

  I tried not to wince, but Cade noticed and arched a brow. I sighed and glanced away, attempting to find something to focus on in the dark hallway.

  "I haven't spoken to my mother since that day I told her I'd have nothing to do with her."

  Cade chuckled and pulled me closer, resting his chin on the top of my head. "She is your mother, Meghan. No matter how often you might disagree, she will always care about you."

  I took a breath and said softly, "You're mother doesn't care about you."

  Cade stiffened and I immediately regretted my words. I pulled away and looked him in the eye, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

  He only shook his head and took my hand, drawing me towards the stairs. "No Meghan, it's the truth, and that's why I have no qualms about challenging her. She wishes to overthrow Danua and to be the new high queen of Eile. Imagine what life would be like for all of us if she succeeds. That is why the entire contingency of the Tuatha De have agreed to this meeting. We must take action before it is too late. We can no longer turn a blind eye as the Morrigan grows in power."

  As we wound our way downstairs, I thought about why Cernunnos had given me the extra power that day I visited the Tree of Life. Could he, for some reason I couldn't fathom, really be trying to help me? Or did he have some other ulterior motive? Naturally, that thought didn't comfort me as we stepped through the castle's main doors.

  Speirling greeted us in the courtyard, whinnying and tossing his great black head. I smiled, forgetting my dismal thoughts. I'd missed the huge horse. Once we were both secure on the stallion's back, Cade led him out into the fields and up the hill towards the dolmarehn that would take us to the Dagda's. Meridian followed us from the sky and Fergus trotted ahead, keeping an eye out for faelah. Being at Luathara again had made me nervous, but between the castle and the large dolmarehn, we saw no sign of the Morrigan's underlings.

  Once through the great stone gateway, Cade nudged Speirling in the ribs and the black stallion veered to the left, stepping gingerly around the stones and lumps of grass that decorated the otherwise barren landscape.

  "Where are we going? The Dagda's is east of here, not north."

  Cade turned and threw me a mischievous smile. "We have a stop to make along the way."

  "What stop?"

  I leaned forward and tried to see further ahead of us. A crop of tall, rugged hills loomed far in the distance, their jagged tips standing stark against the sun's early light.

  You'll see, Cade whispered in my mind, his words a beautiful pale pink.

  I grumbled to myself but simply leaned in closer to him and rested my cheek against his broad back. I inhaled deeply, and his scent helped calm my spirit. Speirling's easy breathing and rhythmic plodding must have lulled me to sleep because I jerked awake some time later.

  How long have I been out? I sent to my spirit guide.

  Meridian swooped from the sky and came to rest on my shoulder.

  An hour, she answered.

  That surprised me. Who would have ever thought I could sleep for an hour atop a horse?

  I glanced around at our surroundings, not bothering to question Cade any further about our destination. I would find out eventually. We had reached the rugged hills I had seen earlier, but a broad, smooth river snaked along their base, cutting us off from the thick woods on the other side. There were plenty of trees on our side as well, but those across the river seemed to have a more powerful aura to them, as if they were guarding something.

  "It's beautiful," I whispered.

  Cade turned his head to glance down at me. He looked weary, but a smile graced his perfect face nonetheless.

  "I have a surprise for you."

  I returned his smile. "You always seem to have a surprise for me."

  He laughed and nudged Speirling on.

  We followed the river's edge for another half hour and I occupied my time listening and looking for the birds I could hear chirping in the trees. Eventually the land sloped downward and drew level with the river. A small stream flowed from the hills to meet up with the larger tributary and a wide beach on either side suggested that it was shallow enough to cross.

  Cade pulled Speirling to a stop and slid off his back, helping me down once he was steady on his feet.

  Fergus, who had been jogging between us and the unseen Otherworldly creatures he chased, broke free of the brush and joined us on the small stretch of bare land.

  "Let's see if our friends are nearby," Cade murmured.

  He lifted his fingers to his mouth and let loose a harsh whistle.

  A moment went by, then another. In the distance a horse whinnied and Speirling answered it.

  I glanced up at Cade, the question plain on my face.

  He lifted a hand and grinned. "Just wait," he said.

  I turned back towards the river, my eyes on the opposite shore. Soon the air filled with the voices of several horses, calling out to one another. A faint rumble followed shortly after, and then the rumbling overtook the sound of the wide, rushing river. A film of dense mist still hugged the low parts of the land, but the sun had managed to burn through a few patches of it, the bright rays painting pools of yellow on the ground.

  The pounding grew louder and in the next moment a herd of horses broke free of the trees. Like a flock of birds, they moved as one and followed the stream down to the river bank. I gasped so loud that I stumbled in place, Cade catching hold of me.

  Led by the most beautiful cream colored mare I had ever seen, the herd tore through the shallow river, sending up great plumes of water. I had half a mind to bolt; to find a tall bolder to take refuge on so I wouldn't get trampled, but the magnificence of the herd kept me glued in place. Well, that and Cade's firm grip on my arms.

  The herd's leader didn't pause until she was a few feet in front
of us. Her ears were pinned back against her head and she was breathing heavily.

  "Steady now, you know me," Cade said firmly but calmly.

  The pale horse drew back on her hind quarters and let out a loud whinny, but as she descended back to the ground, her form faded and morphed into something else entirely.

  My mouth dropped open and my eyes grew wide. No longer was I staring at a horse, but a tall woman with great tangles of pale blond hair falling over her shoulders and reaching the backs of her knees. I had seen the Faelorehn transform before, particularly the Morrigan and then Cernunnos, but for some reason this change took me by surprise.

  I made a sound that could have been a squeak and pressed myself against Cade. He only smiled softly, squeezing one of my hands in his own, and all I could do was chastise myself for being lame. Honestly, I had within me magic powerful enough to rival the gods, and I was afraid of a tall woman?

  The woman who had been the horse just seconds ago turned to her herd and raised a hand. The agitated horses stilled immediately and perked their ears forward, their large eyes now gleaming with intelligence and curiosity. The woman turned back around and eyed me suspiciously, her sharp, clear grey eyes flashing to hazel then gold. She drew in a deep breath through her nose and I distracted myself by counting her freckles. I had a feeling I could be at it all day and I'd never reach the final number.

  "Caedehn," she finally said, her voice clear and crisp and her eyes now trained on him. "What brings you to my realm? Is this the lost Faelorehn girl everyone has been speaking of?"

  I instantly snapped out of my daze. Okay, two things. One, I wasn't lost and two, everyone was talking about me? Alright, maybe that was a pointless thought. After my mother had announced to her entire court that I was her illegitimate daughter, I couldn't be too surprised that I had become the latest source of gossip in Eile. But I resented being considered lost.

  Forgetting my earlier apprehension, I cleared my throat and stepped away from Cade. The horse woman snapped her eyes back to me and I ignored the unease that formed in the pit of my stomach.