Luathara - Book Three of the Otherworld Trilogy

by Johnson, Jenna Elizabeth

  It took quite a while for the stew to cook and as we awaited the meal that would feed not only our stomachs, but our magic as well, several people pulled out pipes and harps and fiddles. Cade drew me into a dance more than once and held me closer than what might have been deemed appropriate. For those several blissful minutes, I was able to forget about all that had been worrying me since coming to Eile. Thoughts of the Morrigan and her hatred of me, of my mother's cold aloofness up until recently, of Aiden's capture, of the burden of the extra magic I carried and kept secret . . . All of it seemed to vanish as Cade led me in one dance after another. For a few hours I was simply the Meghan I was before, carefree and unburdened by troubles greater than not fitting in. That afternoon I caught a glimpse of what my life might be like if we won the battle tomorrow and everyone I loved came out of it alive. Cade and I would be together, happy, not worried about what his mother might do next.

  We were in the middle of a slow dance when the Dagda called for everyone's attention. By now, the courtyard was crowded with men and women; all those from Erintara and those who had traveled with their Tuatha De king or queen to fight. Enorah stood off to the side with about twenty people dressed in the style of the Weald, all of them looking eager for tomorrow's battle. Cloth-draped tables, weighed down with a variety of food and dinnerware, stood waiting against the courtyard's tall stone walls.

  As the cheerful murmur of voices died down, the Dagda lifted his arms and said in a loud voice, "I will now begin the ceremony to transfer the Cauldron's power into the food we shall eat. Remember, if you feel a little strange after eating, that is perfectly normal. It is only your body absorbing the extra glamour."

  The crowd fell utterly silent, and we formed a large circle around the bonfire and the Cauldron suspended above it. Cade and I had managed to find a spot close to the Dagda, with my mother beside me and Enorah stepping forward to take a place next to her brother. The others were scattered about with their own people; Lugh and Nuadu were across from us, and next to them were Epona, Goibniu and Oghma. Much further out, Cernunnos watched like the silent tenant of the forest that he was. The antlered god caught my gaze and held it.

  Soon, Meghan, his thoughts seemed to float on the air, soon . . .

  I clenched my teeth and returned my gaze to the Cauldron. I was so tempted to curse Cernunnos for this so-called gift he'd given me. It had seemed to be more trouble than it was worth, but at least I'd get to finally set it free tomorrow during the fight. I only hoped it was enough to get Aiden back.

  The Dagda lifted his arms, the strange silence of the courtyard and cold, damp breeze making room for his unmistakable presence. He closed his eyes and threw his head up to the grey clouds, muttering under his breath and slowly speaking the ancient words of Eile.

  For a while, nothing happened, but then I felt it. A tiny reverberation that started in my core, making my bones vibrate. It was a strange sensation and I wondered if anyone else could feel it. Suddenly, the courtyard flared with a brilliant, violet flash of magic. It lasted no longer than a lightning strike, but I blinked my eyes and took several shallow breaths, as if the air had been driven from my lungs. When I'd managed to blink all the stars out of my eyes, I looked up at the Cauldron. A deep purple glow emanated from the thick soup it held.

  The Dagda drew a few ragged breaths and I glanced over to see that he was slightly bent at the middle with his hands on his knees. Sweat beaded on his forehead and he looked genuinely tired.

  "Dagda?" I asked tentatively, releasing Cade's hand and reaching out to his foster father.

  The Dagda lifted a hand. "I'm well. It just takes a lot of effort to pull so much magic out of the Cauldron."

  He glanced up and smiled at us. I returned the gesture, though my own smile felt a bit weak.

  Eventually, the Dagda straightened and gestured towards my mother. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice hoarse, "this is in your hands now."

  Danua nodded once to him, cast me a look I imagined was meant to give me strength, then climbed the stone steps that hugged the Cauldron. A biting wind ruffled her skirts and tossed her hair into dark streamers, but she remained steadfast as she inspected the men and women crowding the castle's courtyard. Some were her own soldiers, others served under the Dagda, Nuadu, Lugh and Epona, away from their own realms to protect the wellbeing of all those living in Eile. Some were formally trained for battle, others were merely farmers and business owners who knew their high queen needed all the help she could get. Or perhaps they were too familiar with what could happen should the Morrigan get her way and seize Danua's throne.

  The people in the courtyard and the thousands more I could see crowding against the wide open castle gates grew still and silent as their high queen prepared to talk. Cade and I listened as my mother, with the diplomacy and elegance only a queen could possess, told her people about the common enemy they faced tomorrow. She explained that we fought not only to free ourselves of the Morrigan's terror, but for the life of her other child, Aiden, as well. At the end of her speech, Danua gave her people the opportunity to step down if they believed this fight was not theirs. Not a single person turned to leave, and I was touched by their loyalty. It seemed they had finally forgiven my mother for loving a Fomorian warrior.

  As the sun dipped below the eastern horizon, many of the soldiers worked together to remove the Dagda's Cauldron from the fire. Several bundles of wood were thrown into the blaze and soon the flames were roaring higher and higher, lighting up the courtyard with their brilliance.

  The party was just getting started, but I had no desire to stay. I wanted to be with Cade. I was resigned to accept whatever fate awaited me, but if either of us was destined to die tomorrow I wanted to spend as much time alone with him as possible.

  Taking Cade's hand, I led him through the throngs of people, their boisterous voices working in unison as they regaled the war stories of old. We were jostled and saluted as I pulled Cade behind me, heading for the stairs that would take us up to our room. The castle itself was crowded with random people high on the Cauldron's power and the mead that had been passed around, but they paid no attention to us as we made our way upstairs.

  Finally, I reached the door to our room. I threw it open, yanked Cade inside, and latched the door shut before reaching up and hooking my hand behind his neck. Cade let out a small noise of surprise when I jerked his mouth down to meet mine, but it didn't take him long to realize my plan. Soon he had his arms around me and he was leading the kiss and I was following.

  "I don't want to feel anything else tonight Cade," I breathed as I pulled away from him to get some air. "I don't want to feel fear or sadness or regret. I only want to feel you."

  "Well," he said, his own voice deep and raw with emotion. "I think I can arrange that."

  He kissed me again, his lips trailing down my throat, then lifted me up and carried me to the bed. For the next few hours Cade kept true to his word, banishing all of my worries as our glamour and our love took us to a place no means of magic could ever reach.

  -Twenty-One-

  Omen

  I jerked awake some time later only to notice that I was standing in the middle of a stone-littered field. My shoes were gone and I was wearing the clothes I'd had on the day before. Where was I and how had I arrived here? A cold wind drifted past me and I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, fighting the need to shiver. Maybe I had walked in my sleep again. If so, why hadn't Cade woken up?

  Something, a small sound or my own intuition made me look up. I had been cold before, now I felt as if my body had frozen solid.

  The Morrigan stood on that desolate plain with me, a dagger in her hand and a cruel smile on her lips. At first I was confused, but then I glanced beyond her and my eyes grew wide. I gasped as I brought both my hands up to cover my mouth. Cade . . .

  He was naked and bound in chains, his skin pale and his eyes haunted, and surrounding him were two dozen Cumorrig.

  I cried out and moved to rush towards him, but
the Morrigan held up a hand.

  “Ah, ah little Meghan. Make any sudden moves and I’ll instruct my pets to attack.”

  I balled my fists, the bile rising in my throat. “What do you want?” I managed to bite out.

  She sighed, as if immensely bored. “You know what I want. The same thing I have wanted since the beginning, and rumor has it you’ve been keeping . . . secrets. Tsk, tsk.”

  My heart almost stopped as all the blood in my veins headed for my feet. Did she know about Cernunnos's gift? How could she know? Even now I could picture my little spider, working away to keep my secret hidden. I took a deep breath and pushed my panicked thoughts aside.

  "You have another chance Meghan, another chance to keep your loved ones from harm. Before Danua and her army awaken, I must have you in my custody. Turn yourself over Meghan. Is it really worth all the pain and suffering the others will go through simply because you are too selfish to see the big picture?"

  I clenched my fists, my arms shaking from fear and the cold. "You wish to use my power to harm others. How does sacrificing myself change the fact that many will still come to harm?"

  The Morrigan regarded me with shrewd eyes. "As usual, you refuse to see things my way. Very well." She sighed, then continued as if I hadn't said a word, "When you wake, you will have exactly three hours to send word that you are on your way to the dolmarehn that separates my realm from Danua's."

  "How am I to send word?" I asked, trying to catch her in a lie.

  She only stared at me, her grin one of malevolence. "When you reach the edge of Erintara, you will know, believe me."

  That made absolutely no sense. Angry at her arrogance, I shouted, “And if I refuse to give you what you want?”

  She smiled again, and my spine turned to ice.

  “Oh, silly, sentimental little Faelorah. I would tell you I'd release your pathetic little brother, but I fear that wouldn't be quite enough to ensure your cooperation, so, that is why I've set up this little insurance policy."

  She gestured towards Cade. He wouldn't meet my eyes and I had the horrible feeling that his magic was nearly drained.

  The Morrigan narrowed her scarlet gaze and continued, "The Dagda’s Cauldron can’t make your precious Caedehn whole again if you can’t find all the pieces. This is what will happen if you fail to obey my summons.”

  She snapped her fingers and the closest Cumorrig lunged, clamped its jaw onto Cade's shoulder, and tore away flesh and muscle.

  I felt myself gag and the horrible vision vanished as I tore out of my deep sleep, screaming and choking on my sobs. As I came violently back to consciousness, a frosty whisper caressed my mind: Three hours Meghan . . . You have three hours to decide . . .

  I swallowed back my horror, ready to release another scream when I felt strong arms wrap around me.

  “Meghan! Meghan, what’s wrong?”

  Cade. Alive, safe with me. I immediately hugged him back.

  He rocked me gently in his arms and I clung to him, the way a starved dog clings to a bone. He ran his hands down my bare back, over my face, through my hair, speaking soothing words in his ancient language. When my hysteria began to subside, he kissed me, carefully at first, but I reacted, purely on instinct. I laced my fingers through his hair and pulled his mouth back down to mine, kissing him so hard he gasped in surprise.

  I broke away but didn't release him. Instead we simply lay there on the bed, gazing at one another in the dark. Cade ran a gentle hand through my hair once again.

  Tell me about the dream, my love, he sent with shil-sciar.

  I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to force the images away. They had been so vivid; so real, and the last thing I wanted to do was relive them.

  I'm alright now, honestly, I returned. You know how dreams seem so realistic when you're lost in them. The edge has worn off.

  Huh, liar, my conscience accused. That had been the most realistic dream I'd ever had, as if the Morrigan had somehow plucked me out of bed in order to force me to take part in her macabre little show-and-tell.

  Cade pulled me in closer so that our bodies molded together. Instantly, the coldness that had been gathering just underneath my skin vanished as his body heat and what I suspected was the gentle aura of his magic permeated my senses. I sighed and tried to relax; tried to convince myself it had only been a bad dream. Unfortunately, every instinct I possessed warned me that it had been a message from the Morrigan, one I could not ignore.

  I forced the dream to resurface. As much as I wanted to forget it, I had to consider it. The horrible goddess already had my brother, and if any of that dream had been true, then I could now safely say she would take Cade away from me again as well. She coveted my magic, and in order to get it she needed to strike at everyone I loved.

  I tried to curl up into a pathetic ball of despair, but Cade shifted next to me. I could tell by his breathing that he was asleep, but he still wouldn't release me. And that was how it would be. No matter what happened, Cade would not let me go. If I ignored the Morrigan's message, then tomorrow, when we pitted ourselves against her and Donn and all the horrors they had at their disposal, Cade would have me as a constant distraction. He would protect me instead of focusing on the fight, and his mother knew this. She knew he would be an easy target, and he'd be the first one she would go after.

  I bit my lip in order to keep it from trembling. Carefully, I extracted myself from Cade's embrace so as not to wake him. Once I was free, I studied his face in the soft light of the dying fire in the hearth. When he was asleep, all the strain of this whole mess disappeared from his features. I felt tears prick at my eyes. It was all because of me and my family. He despised his mother more than anything, but because of me and Aiden and Danua, he would confront her once again.

  Pain and anger shot through me then. Danua and I had been near enemies up until a few days ago and now I was on the verge of losing the family I had always wondered about. The family I belonged to. But the Morrigan had my little brother. Aiden, who had been so helpless in the mortal world, must be terrified and so confused. How powerless must he be here, in Eile? He must think he’s in a living nightmare, and he couldn’t let anyone know, not with his autism . . . But, my mother had said something about that earlier. Aiden wasn’t autistic after all. In the mortal world, his magic had been suppressed, so much so that he couldn't even communicate properly with us.

  Frustrated, I shoved my face into my pillow and let loose a silent scream. All the events of the past several weeks went swirling through my mind, as if a tornado had picked them up. Returning to Eile, the attack on Luathara, my four weeks in the Weald, learning about my magic with Enorah, Cernunnos's strange visit and the imparting of his magic, the Lughnasadh party at the Dagda's, the council with the Tuatha De, news of Aiden's kidnapping, the draining of the Cauldron's magic, the parley with the Morrigan and then her insufferable arrogance in my nightmare . . .

  Around and around the thoughts went, scratching at the edges of my sanity until I wanted to tear out my hair. Gradually, the phrases of my memories became single words; Magic, Cauldron, Cade, Aiden, Secret, Sacrifice, Cernunnos, War, and the one that repeated itself the most: Morrigan.

  Suddenly, my pain and anger honed themselves into a sharp point, one aimed directly at the goddess's heart. She had been controlling Cade’s life, my life, for far too long. And then, in a powerful wave of realization strong enough to sweep the frantic tornado in my mind off course and force the air from my lungs, I understood what I needed to do. As the storm of confusion in my brain lost its bluster, a few words lingered before disappearing completely. It was something Cernunnos had said to me on that balcony the night he told me I had all of his magic, and then repeated at the council meeting with the Tuatha De: You must first visit the lair of the Morrigan before you can use my magic. . .

  Hissing in a breath, I slowly sat up in bed, my eyes wide and my mind working once again. Only, this time I had full control of my thoughts. For several minutes I merely sat there
, thinking hard, and finally, a plan began to form. It was as insane as it was brilliant; reckless, crazy, and dangerous as hell. But if I was right and it worked out, then I could save both Aiden and my new found family. Only problem was, there was a good chance I might not be around to enjoy those I hoped to save . . .

  I looked over at Cade, his face relaxed in sleep. Tears spilled from my eyes when I thought about how my plan could go wrong. This could be the last time I ever saw him. No Meghan, if you are to do this you must be strong, you must be willing to let him go.

  Silently, I crept out of bed, threw on a robe, and took up residence in the tall, stuffed chair closest to the fireplace. Three hours, the Morrigan was giving me three hours to hand myself over. Although I had already decided what to do, I needed some time to get the details straight in my mind. As the middle hours of the night slipped away, I fine-tuned my plan, going over every possible detail and outcome.

  An hour and a half after waking from my terrible dream, I felt there was nothing else to consider; no stones left unturned. I just needed to remain patient and follow the script I'd so painstakingly put together in my head. Digging deep into the recesses of my memory, I collected the ancient words Enorah had given me when I'd created my little spider. I was going to need another one, one that would hide every thought connected to my plan. When I had accomplished that, I gathered up my courage and recalled another spell Enorah had taught me, the one that encouraged deep sleep, and padded silently back over to the bed. I leaned forward and pressed my mouth against Cade's ear and focused a small cloud of my magic into a tiny pebble. I took a breath, drawing the speck of power up into my throat. As I exhaled, I spoke the ancient word that went along with the spell: codladh . . . sleep. I could feel the glamour traveling over my tongue, flowing into Cade's ear so that it could take hold and keep him unconscious longer than what was natural. I hated to do it, but it was the only way to guarantee my getting out of the room without waking him.