Luathara - Book Three of the Otherworld Trilogy

by Johnson, Jenna Elizabeth

I gasped and punched him in mock outrage. It was a good thing he liked my tendency to blush because I could feel the heat spreading across my face again. Cade caught my hand and kissed my palm.

  You were terrified Meghan, but even then I knew you had spirit; that you were made of something more. That, all the Celtic gods willing, I had finally, finally, found another Faelorehn who could understand me and maybe one day grow to love me.

  I bit my cheek as hot tears spilled from my eyes.

  I love you Meghan. I love you so very much, he sent to me, his thoughts smothered in bliss.

  I sighed contentedly and snuggled up against his chest, reveling in how warm his bare skin felt against my own. Last night had been wonderful, scary and nerve-wracking and absolutely wonderful. When we had first entered Cade's room and he'd set me on his bed, I had sensed that uncharacteristic violence in him once again. As the night progressed, however, that darkness behind his eyes and beneath his skin slowly melted away, our glamour flaring up and mingling together as we let go of everything but each other. The sensation had taken my breath away and I wondered, what with the fact that my self-control had been all but absent last night, how I had managed to keep that other well of magic silent. A miracle. It must have been some sort of miracle.

  Taking a deep breath, I decided now was as good a time as any to ask Cade about that strange darkness.

  "Cade?" I murmured.

  "Mhmm?"

  "Yesterday, after the fight with the faelah," I paused, not sure how to go on.

  A few moments ticked by and I took a deep breath. If I couldn't have an open conversation with him after what we'd done last night, then I was in trouble.

  "You seemed different, like a piece of your battle fury decided to stick around. The way you kept looking at me all afternoon, and how you reacted to Drustan."

  "That little asahl was trying to abscond with my girl."

  He kissed my forehead and I bit back a grin. "What does asahl mean?"

  Cade cleared his throat. "Something unpleasant I don't wish to teach you."

  "Will you teach me the language of Eile someday?"

  "Yes," Cade murmured, "but not the crude words."

  I giggled and then took a deep breath. Alright, where had this conversation started . . . Oh, yes, Cade's strange aggression.

  "So, is that what happened then? Did part of your riastrad linger behind after the battle?"

  Cade drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I tensed up as I waited for his response, which was a bad idea. What with us being so close together, both physically and emotionally, Cade picked up on every minute detail.

  "I'm sorry Meghan, please don't be afraid." He held me tighter, as if he feared I would bolt. "I don't really know what caused it, but I think your theory might be correct. At the end of the fight, while the battle fury was leaving me, I saw something that made it flare just a bit before I was myself again. I think the riastrad was trying to stay with me as long as possible and when I saw you after the battle, and when Drustan was speaking to you, all I could think of was protecting you. My battle fury runs on pure instinct when it takes over, so although I was mostly in control, I think that tiny lingering piece of it came out when I felt the need to keep you safe."

  I tilted my head back so I could see his eyes. Worry was etched in their depths, but I couldn't see anything else other than the Cade I knew so well.

  "What did you see?" I murmured. "At the end of the battle. What convinced that little part of your battle fury to linger?"

  His eyes darted away from me and I noticed a struggle there. When his gaze caught mine once again, he took a small breath and whispered, "The Morrigan. In raven form."

  I drew in a quick breath. So. He had seen her after all.

  "I saw her too," I admitted, burrowing my head back into his shoulder. "I didn't say anything because I didn't want to worry you."

  He nodded. "Me too."

  Then he chuckled a little and dropped a kiss to the top of my head. "Look at the anxiety we cause in each other by keeping secrets."

  A jolt of panic shot through me and I flinched.

  Cade noticed right away. "Meghan? Are you alright?"

  "Um, yes, just my nerves recalling the fight yesterday," I lied.

  In the corner of my mind, I saw a sharp image of the spider, furiously working to gather up all the thoughts that suddenly sprang into my mind. Cernunnos's gift, the great secret I had to keep. Couldn't tell Cade, couldn't tell anyone . . .

  The bitter bite of guilt soon followed my flush of alarm and I had to work really hard not to start shaking. I'm sorry Cade, I thought, careful not to send the words into the space that I used for shil-sciar. But I have to keep this secret from you . . .

  Eventually, I polished my intense worry down to nothing more than a smooth pebble of concern. I picked the pebble up for a moment, felt its weight in my imaginary palm, then tossed it away to consider at some future date. I was lying in bed with Cade, the two of us blissfully alone and wrapped up in each other's arms, and I wasn't about to let my stupid problems ruin the moment.

  The gentle caress of Cade's hand down my spine quickly brought me back to the present. When he leaned into me and whispered playfully into my ear, "Are you up for a repeat of last night?", the only thing I was concerned about was answering him fast enough.

  I mimicked his attentions and when he gasped against my mouth, I said with a grin, "What do you think?"

  * * *

  By the time Cade and I were ready to face the Dagda and the rest of his household, it was almost noon. I gathered up my dress from the night before and scurried over to the door that connected our two rooms, casting Cade a bashful glance over my shoulder. He was still reclined in bed, his hands folded behind his head. His auburn hair was unkempt and the sheets were bunched up around his waist, leaving his entire bare chest in plain sight. A few more tattoos, similar to the intricate knot work on his arms, decorated his torso. One stretched down his side from the bottom of his ribcage to his hip, the other was a circular design just below his collar bone on the opposite side. I had noticed them last night, but now that they were on full display in broad daylight, I could see them better. I must have been gawking because Cade cleared his throat. My eyes flicked up to his face and I was greeted with a lazy smile.

  “Are you going to go get ready, or have you changed your mind? Because I wouldn’t mind in the least if we spent the whole day up here.”

  “No,” I answered quickly, my face warming, “the Dagda will worry if we never come downstairs.”

  I smiled and disappeared before I let the appeal of Cade’s comment tempt me into running back to the bed and curling up next to him. I wouldn’t mind staying upstairs either.

  After seeking out the bathroom and teaching myself how to use the shower (luckily, it was very similar to the one at Luathara), I donned some fresh clothes and returned to Cade's suite. He must have been in the bathroom because he was nowhere in sight. Shrugging, I closed the door and glanced around the room, noting the sparse furniture and simple design.

  A moment later Cade stepped around the corner, wearing nothing but a white towel around his waist, and I bit my cheek to keep from smiling like an imbecile. He strode past me, planting a kiss on my forehead, then reached out for the pair of pants draped over the back of a chair. I tried not to stare, but the image of male perfection standing in front of me was too tempting to resist. Before I could start drooling, however, I forced myself to turn around and study one of the oil paintings on the wall. A minute later I felt the heavy warmth of Cade's arms as they draped over my shoulders. Sighing, I fell back into his embrace. He pressed his face into my damp hair and took a deep breath before leaning forward and kissing me on the cheek.

  “Good morning my love,” he murmured, and I felt my nerves melt all over again.

  I savored his touch, absorbing his heat and breathing in his own unique sent. I allowed my eyes to drift shut and the memories of last night flooded my mind. I sighed, no longer
feeling shy or embarrassed.

  "Shall we let my foster father know we are awake?" Cade asked, taking me by the hand and pulling me towards the door.

  The Dagda's grand hall was empty and quiet except for a few servants bustling about their mid-day chores, and a small pack of wolfhounds snoozing by a crackling fire. Cade never dropped my hand, even when we made our way into the kitchen.

  "There you are!" the Dagda roared, his face bright with amusement.

  He wore the robe I'd seen him in so many times; an all-purpose garment meant for everyday lounging.

  "I'm assuming you two must be hungry," a red-haired woman said.

  "Yes Mairin. Thank you," Cade answered, leading me to an open seat.

  The woman, Mairin, smiled warmly in my direction, curtsied, then left, claiming she had errands to run. When I turned around, there was a plate sitting in front of me, heaped with some sort of meat and vegetable pie, the flaky crust golden and already split open. As soon as the wonderful scent reached my nose, my stomach growled loudly.

  The Dagda grinned and gestured towards my fork before picking up a steaming mug of tea. "Please. Eat! We've already had our morning and afternoon meals."

  He nodded at Cade, his blue eyes almost sparkling they were changing color so fast. Cade grumbled something under his breath in that old language and got busy with his own meal.

  A comfortable silence fell, but like all quiet moments in the Dagda's abode, it didn't last long.

  "So," our host drawled after taking a long sip from his mug, "I take it you two had a splendid evening?"

  My fork froze in midair and I cast Cade a startled look.

  He arched a brow at me and then glanced at his foster father. "Of course, Dagda. Your parties, no matter how large or small, are always enjoyable."

  "Oh, I was referring to the after party."

  As calmly as possible, I set my fork down and glanced up at the Dagda. He looked as relaxed as a bear in his den after a huge meal, but his eyes were bright and his mouth was curved in a knowing smile. Ugh. He knew about Cade and me.

  "Dagda, I should think that your hospitality has not waned over the years, or that you are so desperate for entertainment that you have taken up the practice of spying on your guests."

  Cade's voice was formal, but beneath the cool tone was slight irritation.

  "Relax my dear boy! I have never, nor will I ever, spy on my guests. Alannah went up earlier to check on your Meghan and when she didn't find her in her own room, she merely put two and two together. She came to me this morning, grinning from ear to ear, so I insisted on knowing the reason for her obvious joy."

  He huffed out the last part of his sentence, as if Cade's tone had insulted him, and gave me an exasperated look. "Be warned Meghan, there are no secrets in this household. Just know that eventually everyone will know what you're up to."

  I gave a half smile and got back to my meal. I wasn't comfortable with the idea that the Dagda's entire household knew Cade and I had spent the night together, but it's not like I was ashamed. Maybe I just needed to get used to the idea before everyone else did.

  Cade's hand found mine under the table and he gave it a gentle squeeze.

  I'm sorry, he said using shil-sciar.

  I'm not, I sent back. I mean, I'm not thrilled your foster father knows, but I don't regret it.

  I turned to look at him and he smiled at me. My stomach did a flip and all the sensations from last night and this morning came flooding back to me.

  Pressing my lips together to prevent looking like a lovesick fool, I got back to finishing my lunch. Cade, you can't look at me like that. It's distracting.

  Then you had better get used to walking around with your eyes closed because I simply can't help myself.

  That only made it harder to keep my composure. I tried to focus my thoughts on the Dagda's cheerful voice as he told us the most amusing events from the Lughnasadh party the night before. Cade's hand never left mine, but I made a point not to look directly into his eyes for the rest of the afternoon. I honestly didn't need the distraction.

  * * *

  Despite the relaxed atmosphere of the Dagda's house, the following week passed by swiftly, with Cade and I hardly spending a single moment out of one another's company. During the daylight hours, we would go for short rides on Speirling and Lasair, or Cade would help me practice my magic or teach me how to fight with my dagger. In the evenings we would join the Dagda and listen to him weave tales of the past. He was a wonderful storyteller and he loved our company (or so he claimed), so it was no trouble to spare a few hours indulging him with our presence. After the night of the Lughnasadh party, I moved most of my stuff into Cade's room. Having another body sleeping next to me was a new experience, but the sense of protection and warmth I got from sharing a bed with Cade was worth those first few awkward nights. By the time I got used to our new routine, however, it was once again time for us to go. The week was up and we would be traveling to meet with my mother and the other Tuatha De. The night before we left, I was even more grateful to have Cade so close to me.

  The next morning the entire household was up early preparing for the journey to Erintara. Lasair and Meridian met me in the stables and I was glad to see that the red horse's injuries from the battle the week before were finally completely healed up.

  As soon as I stepped into the hay-scented building, Meridian descended from the rafters to come to rest on my shoulder. I offered Lasair an apple while my spirit guide nestled up against my neck, then headed back out into the main yard. The second we left the warm stable behind, Meridian pulled her wings in close.

  Ice! she sent to me.

  I nodded and wrapped my arms around my torso. It was freezing, but then again the bright colors of summer had begun fading a week or so ago. Autumn came cool and early in the Otherworld.

  We followed the wide dirt path around a small hill and found several of the Dagda's guard, milling about in the open, preparing their own horses and packing their bags. Among them were Cade and his foster father, donning serious looks and giving out orders to the other men and women.

  Cade looked up and saw me, his expression softening. He said something to the Dagda, then grabbed Speirling's reins and headed my way.

  "Are you ready for this?" he asked quietly.

  I knew he was talking about seeing my mother again and not the ride to Erintara. Pulling a slow, cold breath into my lungs, I glanced up at him and said, "I'm ready for anything with you by my side."

  Cade's eyes glinted as his face split into a huge smile. He gave me a quick kiss then helped me climb atop Lasair. Once Cade was settled on his own horse, we turned to face the Dagda and his retinue.

  "There is a dolmarehn a few miles from here that will take us to the woods behind Erintara," the Dagda said as he nudged his giant horse closer to us. "But we'll ride swiftly. I don't know if any of the faelah from the other day still linger."

  Cade's foster father led us out of the hills and onto open ground. Once we were clear of his domain, the horses broke into a faster pace. I was no expert rider, but Lasair's smooth gait, along with the fact that he now had a saddle, made the ride easier than it could have been. Cade rode by my side on Speirling, and Meridian and Fergus trailed after us, keeping a lookout for faelah. At the pace we were going, we reached the dolmarehn in half an hour. The structure was huge, like the one behind Luathara, and in no time we were all through, emerging in the middle of a sparsely forested area.

  The trees here were mostly beech and oak, their leaves wearing the first, burnished golds and rusts of autumn. Cade and I eventually caught up with the rest of the group, all who had stopped in response to the Dagda's raised arm. Cade urged Speirling forward and I followed him. The Dagda and his horse stood near the edge of the woods on a ledge that overlooked rolling farmland. He lifted an arm and pointed.

  "Erintara," he said.

  I raised my hand to shade my eyes and squinted. In the distance, the glassy surface of Lake Ohll stretched on
forever. Rolling hills continued to the east of the lakeshore, and resting on top of the tallest hill was a great castle. Erintara. The home of Danua, high queen of Eile. My mother.

  I settled back down in the saddle and gave Cade a solemn look. The last time I had spoken to Danua things hadn't gone so well. She had told me to stay away from Cade and I had refused, informing her that she had no say in my life. Now I was returning, and Cade and I had grown closer than ever. I was afraid of how she would take that little morsel of news.

  What's wrong? Cade asked me using shil-sciar.

  I sighed. Just thinking about how Danua and I parted the last time we were here.

  He brought Speirling closer and reached out to take my hand. It will all work out Meghan. Don't fret.

  That was easy for him to say. I'd been confident when we left the Dagda's home this morning, but now that we were within sight of the castle, those pesky nerves started their tap dance once again.

  Gritting my teeth and telling myself I was silly to be nervous, I nodded and clicked Lasair on as the Dagda began leading us down the side of the hill. The countryside proved to be a welcome distraction, its beauty shining forth as it succumbed to fall's approach. Most of summer's green had given way to duller hues, but every so often we crossed paths with a pile of golden leaves or several red apples clinging to an orchard tree, waiting patiently for the harvest.

  As we got closer to the city of Erintara, we began to see more people out working their land. Many stopped, leaning on a pitchfork or resting against their plow horse, gawking at the Dagda and his guard. Some even removed their hats and bowed, clearly aware of who it was passing by on their road.

  Despite the cold morning, the city of Erintara was alive with people scurrying about, but once they caught a glimpse of the god riding the golden horse, they paused in their tracks and showed reverence. Some bowed like those in the countryside, others cheered. By the time we reached the gates of the castle, we had the entire city treating us like the spectacles of a town parade. Cade remained gallantly silent the entire way and I did my best to mimic him. I never liked being the center of attention and Cade had been alone for so long I imagined he shared my sentiment. But, despite what Cade had told me, I still dreaded the idea of facing my mother, and something told me he wasn't looking forward to it either.