No Time to Cry (Nine While Nine Legacy Book 1)

by Stasia Morineaux

  Oh. And the one where I fly above the tree tops, gathering something important for Uldwynah, from within the branches, leaves and berries, for something magical—that’s a good one too. I like flying.

  As dreams do—always frustratingly do—they shifted, twisted, merged, came back upon themselves, pretzeling all night, with messages to remember and places I craved to be. I’d wake longing to understand.

  Two nights ago, I’d seen my wings. They were grey, not drab, but more a pewter shade, a multidimensional blend of warm and cool hues, and they were glistening. Wings!

  In my waking hours…I swear I can feel them behind me. I find myself looking in the windows that I pass, looking for them in my reflection.

  But my favorite dreams are the ones of Gideon, torturous as they may be. Always so teasingly close, but never close enough.

  Sometimes, the dreams repeat—they often repeat—almost as if I’m supposed to remember them or glean something from them. I write them down of course. It’s all great material for my book.

  I still hadn’t put the mysterious pendant on. I don’t have any idea where it had come from…unless I accept the wildly impossible notion and admit that I’d brought it back from the dream. I’ve been carrying it with me every day, in hopes that Gideon would show up and I can have him clasp it for me, as Uldwynah had instructed. Why take any chances, right?

  Two days after I’d last seen Gideon, I’d asked Michael where he was, why he was never around. He only replied that he was out of town, on business. Then he’d changed the subject.

  I found myself wondering, briefly, every now and again if Liam would attempt to play while the cat was away, but I had not seen him at all since that night in the courtyard. I found myself caring less with each passing day—or night. With each dream of Gideon.

  I tried to busy myself, to keep my mind off of the missing Gideon, the why of his absence…and wondering if it had anything to do with my special, surfacing abilities.

  Before I knew it another few days had passed—close to two weeks altogether—in a blur of culling, writing, and hanging with Serena.

  Still no Gideon.

  No messages.

  Not a single word.

  Serena turned out to be something of a sanity-saver. We lunched. We dinnered. We shopped. We danced. I had even returned to Allegory with her and Jeremy on a couple of nights.

  Thankfully, Liam never showed up.

  Until tonight.

  We were having a great time. I didn’t have to work the next day, so we were cocktailing it up and dancing like mad. Laughing, having a fabulous, wonderful time. A night to rival those of my past life.

  We sat in a little tucked away booth, sweetly private and oh-so-posh. Jeremy had left only a few minutes before. I was telling Serena all about the newest installment that I’d listed the night before on my publishing site. A new set of chapters, my second set, and it was selling like crazy, as was the previous one. I’d be getting my first paycheck as Iliana Evenwicht just after the beginning of the month.

  I’d been keeping myself exceedingly busy with writing every day after culling, and often during the night, sometimes after larking about with Serena.

  There were occasions when I’d wake at 3:00 am, after being startled awake from a frightening dream—or more often than not by a very good dream of Gideon that would leave me too restless to fall back asleep immediately—and I’d write some more.

  Serena excused herself to make a visit to the Ladies…Liam plopped down next to me. Scared the bejeebies out of me too.

  I almost slugged him.

  “What the hell?” he snarled.

  “What? I should be asking you that. Why are you here? Is Gideon back?” My heart did a little flip, beat faster at the thought.

  “No…and good thing too.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “Are you crazy? You’re writing a book? You’re selling books online?” He was fuming, steaming angry; he grabbed my arm trying to pull me from the booth. It was my tattooed arm. It was healed and didn’t hurt where he gripped it—well, the tattoo didn’t, but the pressure he was using was not exactly comfortable.

  “I’m a writer. I write books. It’s nice when people buy them. Having money is fun,” I sassed back at him. Seriously. As long as I made my culls, which I had been, not a single one missed or mucked up, what did it matter to him.

  “The topic Iliana. The topic you’re writing about. What are you thinking?”

  “That it’s sky-rocketing on the best seller status reports, which is awesome.”

  He glared at me.

  “And stop hurting my arm.” I tugged my limb back from him.

  “What the feck is that?!” He was staring at my ink.

  “It’s a tattoo Liam.”

  “No shit.” He growled.

  I smiled.

  “What the feck Iliana, are you losing your mind?”

  “Feck?” I giggled. I had tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t keep it all in. I knew he meant fuck…what the fuck. But when he got angry his accent grew thicker. I’d noticed the same of Gideon. I almost wondered if I sometimes purposely goaded them on just to hear their wonderful brogue pop out more starkly.

  Nah. Wink wink.

  He glowered at me. Too angry for words?

  “It’s my body Liam. Isn’t it bad enough I’m being told who I can’t desire?”

  He gave me a scorching gaze for just a bare second, then he seized my arm back, turned it tattoo side up and studied it.

  “Hey!” I protested.

  “Why this? Why this tattoo?”

  “What? I like it. It’s pretty.”

  “Iliana…” he was pale, “serious, why this particular symbol?”

  “Geez Liam.” He ran his fingers over the two week old ink. It kinda tickled, then felt warm. Liam was touching me. I was too aware of his touch suddenly. It felt good. I didn’t want it to.

  He stroked the mark. My heartbeat escalated a bit. “Stop it,” I growled and tugged my arm away.

  Things had been going pretty well the last couple of weeks; I didn’t need to start feeling something for him again.

  “Why this one?” He asked again.

  He was not going to let up.

  “I saw it in a dream…a long time ago actually…and then again a couple of weeks ago.”

  “You dreamed of this? Before you met us?”

  “Yes! Exactly Liam. All of it. Almost all of it. Years ago. That’s what I’ve been writing. I had all of those notes; I’d jotted down all the dreams a long time ago. Before I met you, before you dragged me to this life. So strange. I’d forgotten all about them. My publisher’s just wanted more of the vampire series, so all the other ideas and possible books were on a back burner for another time. I found all the notes on my flash drive.” I tossed back the last of my Aviation.

  “Gideon’s going to blow.” He raked his fingers through his hair…now it was perfectly unkempt. “Just another reason I should not have let you take anything.”

  “Oh Liam, I still would have written what I have been. The dreams still happen. They didn’t end back then. They happen almost every night.”

  “Dreams.”

  “Sometimes multiple.”

  He just stared at me going very still. “What are the dreams?”

  “Hey guys! Who do we have here?” Serena had returned, interrupting the interrogation.

  “Why Iliana…you minx!” She gasped playfully.

  “This is Liam. Liam, Serena.” I offered. Good distraction. Serena was lively and always full of conversation, never ran low. Perfect diversion. In fact Liam seemed immediately captivated by her.

  I had mixed feelings about that. Was I over him enough to see this yet? My arm still felt heated where he’d stroked it. I still had a smidge of unresolved feelings when it came to him. Why keep torturing myself. Maybe I needed a nice, normal, non-Bháis boy.

  Could Gideon dictate to me over that choice?

  Next thing I knew Seren
a was singing to Liam and pulling him to the dance floor, and he looked completely smitten within five minutes. He’d looked at me like that just a few weeks ago.

  I suddenly felt a little low…alone. It would essentially make things easier, but it stung a little too fresh right now. And I was tired. And why should I answer any of Liam’s questions when I was waiting for more than a dozen of my own to be answered still. I should steal away now, while Liam was preoccupied so completely.

  I grabbed my coat and as I headed for the exit waved my good-bye to them, flashing the call-me sign. Neither protested my departure as they cozied up to each other to some NIN. I genuinely felt a little sick. I’d been the one cozied up to Liam right here at this place just about two weeks ago.

  Now I wasn’t. My new best friend was.

  I stopped by Liam’s on my way home and left him a note. I didn’t know if maybe he felt as weird as I did with the new situation, but I wanted to clear the air in advance.

  On the short cab ride—I really needed to get a car—I made myself think of the dreams of Gideon. I never dreamed of Liam like that. Why not? If I felt so intensely for Liam why were my dreams of Gideon so tantalizing and provoking, and yet the only role Liam played in mine was as informant to Gideon? Liam never desired me in my dreams…Gideon made my breath and heart cease to function correctly, even upon waking, without ever having kissed me. That had to mean something. It made writing the short letter easier.

  Liam ~

  I just wanted to let you know I’m okay. Okay with this life, okay with my ‘job’, okay with you and Serena. I’m fine, just got tired, needed to come home and sleep. Too many late nights this week.

  See you soon ~ Iliana

  ~ Chapter Twenty-Four ~

  I sit in an idyllic courtyard. The most exquisitely beautiful courtyard and garden that I’ve ever seen, surrounded by flowers that I have no names for; listening to music unlike anything I’ve ever heard before, feeling a breeze tease through my hair. I’m relaxed and feel completely, finally at home.

  The courtyard and garden belong to a remarkable manor. From where I lounge I can see only the backside of the sprawling estate, but it is surrounded by other luxurious gardens and rolling pasture lands that are in turn edged by copious woods that seem to go on forever.

  Birds sing, butterflies of the most astounding colors flitter by, kissing my cheeks on occasion. The breeze is soft and slightly warm. The autumn sun embraces me.

  I’m enjoying a drink, something slightly tart and just barely sweet. I would want to equate it to lemonade, but it’s really nothing like it. It is by far better.

  “It’s important to remember…all you hear, all you see. Commit it to your memory.”

  “What about the other dreams?” I ask the woman. It’s the same woman from the ‘tree’ dream, Uldwynah.

  “You’re not wearing the pendant.”

  “Gideon hasn’t returned, and he’s been gone nearly two weeks already.”

  “Hmmm. This is taking longer than I’d anticipated. Be patient, he’ll be back to you, very soon. Be sure to have him put that on you then.”

  “I miss him.” Why had I confessed that to her? Shit. I didn’t want anyone knowing that secret.

  “You should.” She smiles. “Time moves differently in Tiarnas and Réimse Eile. For you weeks, for him mere days. He’ll receive his answers, and you yours…in time.” She refills my goblet, not a cup or glass, but an actual carved goblet of some sort of heavy crystal, some variety of beautiful, clear blue stone.

  It reminds me of the pool, the natural pool from the dream, the iridescent water…Gideon.

  I sigh. I can’t help it. I imagine for just an instant being here with him.

  In this perfect place.

  No culling, no schedule, just drinking and eating and relaxing here with him. I realize that the pool is here, somewhere here, in this land. I know in that same way, that same place that the glow comes from.

  “Such a tender heart in you.”

  “Such a torn up heart you mean.”

  “Oh posh! That will heal.” She pats my hand tenderly.”Now, take a walk with me…we have much to talk about that cannot wait.” She takes me by both of my hands and leads me through the gardens to sit on a carved wooden bench under a towering oak. She takes a seat next to me and gazes into the nearby forest.

  “The creatures known only for century upon century as myth, are coming forward, showing themselves, unveiling in increments to the human eye, They’ve always been present, always existed. They are the forerunners of the change.” She glances at me to see if her words are soaking in. “Humans, mortals, will always un-see or explain away what they don’t want to see, or what does not make sense to their brains. They are notorious for it.”

  She has quite successfully pulled my attention back, back from thoughts of Gideon.

  “What?” I hear her, but what exactly is she saying. I understand her, but…really? And at the same time…yes. I get that too. I want to see them.

  How come I haven’t seen any fantastical creatures of myth and lore? Were they in Seattle?

  “The Old Realm will not share with the new realm. An inevitable conflict will occur.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You will. Time. There is much to learn. Listen well to me. Listen well to Gideon. He has catching up to do, but once he does, he’ll know how to guide you, teach you.”

  “Gideon?”

  “Oh yes.” She laughs. “He’ll surprise you that one. He may come across incredibly stormy and callous with you, but deep down…you just give him a chance.”

  I watch as a leaf, a lone green leaf in the autumn landscape flutters by my feet on an errant breeze. I lean over and pick it up. I hold it in my palm, admiring its shape and verdant shade…and suddenly the leaf is gone and a five dollar bill sits in its place on my upturned hand.

  “Oh! Look there! You’re learning all on your own, and so quickly!” she claps her hands together merrily, pride shining in her eyes.

  “What?”

  I go back to staring in disbelief and amazement at the bill. I hold it between two fingers and examine it, rub the paper, feel the blend of linen and cotton, smell it—money has a distinct smell, it does not smell like paper—it appears to be the real deal.

  “Oh, it’s real…in your world. Will not do you a bit of good here.”

  Hmmm…my world. What world was I in? Before I can ask she speaks.

  “Continue to let the silence guide your mind.” She pats my hand endearingly. “Now put that away, save it for another day.”

  I push the five note into my coat pocket. Nifty trick. Could I do it back home?

  When I look back up from zipping my pocket, the terrain has changed and I’m no longer at the edge of the woods sitting on a bench with Uldwynah, but instead I find myself sitting on a stone ledge overlooking Draíochta ar Linn.

  It just happened. Right there, those words. And I know what they mean. Don’t really know…but sense it, feel it, that kind of knowing. It’s where I was before, in the water, where I sprouted wings. I quickly reach over my shoulder, twisting and turning to see and feel my back. No wings.

  But I’m wearing another remarkable ensemble. The top is flowing and made of a similar fabric as the chemise before, but it’s only a tunic, with fitted sleeves that flare from the elbow and are slit open from wrist to elbow. It’s a lovely pale silvery mossy green. It’s paired with buttery suede like pants in a dusky port color that hug my curves and accentuate my lanky legs. On my feet are mid-calf boots in a color only slightly darker than the pants. It would be awesome if this came home with me.

  I stand up to wander the woods—wondering why I’m here and where Uldwynah has gotten off to—the fiery bursts of the raining leaves beckon to me.

  I stop in the middle of a circular cluster of trees and look up marveling at their splendor and loftiness. I can see stars in the velvety blue of the sky above. I see stars falling into and among the branches of the trees. B
ut they’re not stars. They dance and bob about and make me smile. I know what they are, what they’re named…but I can’t recall at the moment.

  Arms wrap around me from behind, encircling my waist. I spin, startled from my reverie.

  “You’re safe here.” It’s Gideon. Gideon is holding me in his arms. My heart and stomach flutter in unison. He kisses me.

  Gideon kisses me.

  No hesitation. No warring of emotions.

  I like it here. I never want to leave. Safe in his arms. In his kiss. A kiss, the first kiss, that makes my limbs weak and my heart nearly burst.

  Then he’s gone, my lips go cold. His sudden exodus shakes me. No kiss. No arms secure around me and snug. I’m alone. More alone than I was before he appeared.

  But…through the trees I see a procession, a silver mist flows through the woods with them.

  “They are the An Bunaidh Naoi. The Original Nine.” I turn to see Uldwynah is with me now. “Oh, the treachery of the times, the betrayal. You must prepare. You must be ready for what is to befall.”

  I watch as they proceed through the forest.

  They are painfully beautiful. Something tugs in my heart, beckons to my blood; something quickens, comes alive deep in my mhésen, it brings tears to my eyes. I long to be with them; traveling with them through these woods.

  “Nine will Rise,

  Nine will Fall,

  the Old shall replace the New,

  the New shall become the Old”

  “What’s that?” I ask as I watch them disappear beyond a stand of trees, that something pulls at me relentlessly.

  “Naoi Cé Naoi Oidhreacht…The Nine While Nine Legacy.” She gazes at me steadily, reading me. “Your legacy, dear.”