by Mia Pride
Slowly they dressed one another, sharing intimate kisses and touches, wishing they could make love once more, but knowing they had better find their way to the hall. She reminded herself of her own words. They had forever to make love. Only, now that they had, she found that forever did not feel like nearly long enough and awaiting his return from his next mission would feel like an eternity.
Arm in arm, they left his home… her new home, she reminded herself and walked toward everyone he knew. Her heart felt light and her stomach fluttered wildly. Soon, she would finally become Brennain Mac Greine’s wife.
* * * *
Brennain could not believe his good fortune. He was to marry the only woman he had ever loved. He did not know what he had done right to win her over, but he was glad of it. There was a moment in time he worried she would never forgive him for stealing her away, but she seemed to have accepted that he did what was best for her and Glennis, what she was too afraid to do herself.
They walked into the gathering hall holding hands and he felt nothing but peace and happiness washing over him and a ridiculous smile plastered on his face that he was certain his brother would never allow him to live down. He could not care. He had made love to Morna for the first time and, though he had rushed to the finish because he knew he could not hold back, he had wanted to stay in bed with her all night, make love to her another ten times and show her with his body how much he cherished every inch of her. Her body had blown his mind. She was more beautiful than he could have ever imagined, and her desperate pleas and groans still rang in his ears, making him half hard again with wanting. They would come to celebrate with his people, announce their plans to wed, then he would drag her home and make love to her again and again. If he did not sleep a wink, that would be all right with him, so long as he was with her, his future wife.
As he navigated the crowd and blinked through the smoke, it seemed the entire place cheered when he entered. He smiled and clasped forearms with the men or gave shoulder slaps with one hand while he held Morna close to his side with the other. He could feel her pushing closer to him, obviously overwhelmed by the crowd of unfamiliar faces. He flashed her a reassuring smile and felt her relax slightly. Someone handed him a mug of ale and he nodded his acceptance as he spotted his family gathered in their usual space toward the front of the hall near Tuathal’s large seat, though he did not sit in it unless they had important guests. Tuathal never wanted to tower over his people more than he naturally did.
“Brennain!” He heard his cousin Eoin shouting when he drew closer. “So glad you could make it to your own celebration. Reaghan arrived an hour ago.” His cousin quirked a brow but Brennain just scoffed. He remembered very clearly when Eoin had fallen in love with their adopted cousin Treasa as a child. They had loved each other all their lives yet waited until their marriage to finally share a bed. Eoin had been so nervous but Brennain had been the one to tell him everything he needed to know. Even back then, Brennain had been the one sleeping with all the lassies. But those days were over, and he could not be more pleased.
“Eoin, do you remember Morna?”
Eoin nodded and smiled at her. “’Tis nice to see you again, Morna. My cousin did nothing but blab about you like a love-sick fool for several moons after we left Miathi. How did he convince you to come back with him?”
“He kidnapped me,” she smiled widely, and Brennain chuckled at his cousin’s gaping mouth.
“Nay…”
“Aye. I did. Do you expect more of me, Eoin?”
“Nay, I suppose I should not be shocked. Though I am shocked Morna seems happy about it.” He gave Morna a mock reproving look and she giggled and blushed, tightening her grip on his side.
“That is quite enough, Eoin. Do not antagonize my bride.” He loved saying those words. He loved even more how Morna looked up at him with fluttering lashes. The look of shock on Eoin’s face only added to the moment.
“Well… wow… I am speechless. Never thought I would see the day. Does Auntie Una know?”
Brennain shook his head. “Nay. Nobody knows yet. I plan to tell them tonight, then I leave on the morrow for my last mission before we expect the arrival of Mal’s army.”
Eoin’s features darkened. “Aye. King Tuathal has told me all. This is it, Brennain. Winner takes all.”
“Then we had better win. But I do not wish to think of war. Tonight is a night of celebration.” His cousin nodded, and they walked toward the rest of the family. Brennain wanted to shake the dark, looming thoughts that threatened to overpower his happiness, but so much hung in the balance. As much as he did not want to leave Morna’s side, he knew the sooner he buried the treasure and came home to fight the battle, the sooner he could settle down with his wife and Glennis at his side.
Chapter Thirteen
Sitting around the table filled with Brennain’s family in the hall, Morna took in a deep breath and tried to soak it all in. These people would become her family, even if they did not know it yet… though she suspected that most of them expected it. Thoughts of making love to Brennain continued to run through her mind, causing her to flush at random times as she thought about his hands on her body, how his silky hair had dragged enticingly over her soft skin. The way he lost control when they made love, as if he had been as desperate for it as she had been. She hated the thought of him leaving on the morrow but knew she would be safe and welcome within his family home.
“Are you ready?” His hot breath fanned over her ear and neck as he whispered gently and pulled her hair away from her face. He sat so close to her that his thighs nudged against hers beneath the table. Glennis wriggled in his arms, desperately trying to grab his lips and pull on them.
“Glennis. Do not do that,” Morna chided before looking back at Brennain, who smiled widely and seemed too focused on the announcement of their marriage to care. “Aye. If you are certain I am who you want for the rest of your life, then I am ready.” Those words made her insides flutter and she chewed on her bottom lip to hide what she knew would be a ridiculous smile. She had dreamed of this moment for two years but now that it was here, her nerves sparked with anticipation.
“I am more than certain.” He leaned in and kissed her lips before quickly standing up, holding Glennis tightly in his arms. “I have a very important announcement to make!”
Morna flinched and hunched her back, taken aback by his booming voice. She had expected him to tell his family, but as every voice in the entire hall quieted instantly, her body shook with anxiety. She had no opposition to the entire room knowing, she had simply not expected it.
“As many of you know, two years ago I was sent across the sea on a mission to a small village called Miathi. What you may not know is that I left my heart there when I returned. I left it in the hands of the woman I fell in love with.” His gaze locked on Morna and he gave her a searing look, as his nostrils flared slightly. She could see the emotion in his eyes as he spoke, and her heart felt as if it would beat from her chest. Breathing became a laborious task. How she loved this man.
“Leaving her behind was the biggest regret of my life, but I am glad I did so.” Her brow furrowed at those words. That was not very kind of him to say to all his people. “Had I not, she would never have adopted this beautiful wee lassie as her own and I simply cannot imagine my life without either of them.”
Glennis let out a high-pitched squeal as she finally grabbed his nose and everyone in the crowd laughed or sighed, but nobody could even begin to feel as warm or fulfilled as Morna did at that moment.
“I went back to Miathi to track the movements of Mal Mac Rochride—” Several men booed or shouted foul words at the mention of their enemy’s name and Brennain put a hand up to silence them. “Nay. Tonight is not a night for anger or ill will. It is a night of celebration, for I have brought the love of my life and her daughter back with me, and on this night, she has agreed to be my wife.”
The crowd cheered and Morna smiled in spite of herself, feeling her cheeks fl
ush as people shouted all sorts of things, both loving and bawdy. His entire family whooped all around them and Morna was overwhelmed by the sheer delight and astonishment in most of their eyes.
“Never thought I would see the day!” Eoin laughed.
“How did you manage to tame him after all these years?” Aislin hollered.
“Oh… my!” Morna felt someone come from behind her and crush her in a strong grip. She recognized the lavender scent of his mother instantly and felt her heart warm once more.
As the crowd continued to chatter excitedly, Brennain pried Una off her back so he could help her stand beside him. When she did, he kissed her hard and possessively before the entire hall filled with the people of Ráth Mór. More cheers, and a few groans of disappointment from some lassies, filled her ears, but Morna was much too wrapped up at the moment to consider anyone else but Brennain.
“Papa!” Glennis said loudly. “Papa iss Mama!”
Morna laughed and shook her head at her daughter with a smile.
“Not yet, wee lassie… but soon enough I will be your papa, and I will ‘iss’ her every day for the rest of my life.”
Glennis blew him raspberries and everyone within hearing distance laughed. Una looked as if she would melt into the floor she was so happy. His father came forward and pulled her into a strong embrace. “Thank you for finally showing my eldest son what love is. I had lost hope for a while.” She smiled and allowed him to squeeze the life out of her, but thankfully Brennain came to her rescue once more and pulled Brocc away just in time before the entirety of his family lined up to show their support, exchanging words of encouragement. His female cousins chattered all at once, making it impossible for Morna to pick out more than a few words about dresses, dates, and flowers.
It all felt surreal, but Morna accepted every embrace with a genuine smile, finally having a family of her own. Her mother was last in line, wearing the biggest grin of all. “I am very happy for ye, my wee lassie. I did not like the man at first, as ye know. But I see how much he loves ye and Glennis and he has risked his life to have ye here with him. Ye do right by marrying him.”
Morna gripped her mother’s hands in hers and choked back a tear. “Aye. I know it, Mama.”
After several moments of laughter and celebration, Brennain’s Aunt Ceara walked up to them with a serious look on her face. “I need you to come to my home, Brennain. I have…” she looked around to make certain nobody could hear her words. “I have the treasures. There is a trick to the chest. ‘Tis sealed with magic. We need to put everything of value inside, seal it, and have it ready for transport. It will require all three Sisters of Danu to seal it.”
Brennain did not seem alarmed by a chest sealed with magic, but Morna frowned in confusion as she listened. His family truly was special, and she was a little overwhelmed, yet intensely curious to see this chest… if they allowed her to be present, though she doubted they would. She was still an outsider after all, and what they were doing was so important to the future of Ériu, they would likely not trust her to be involved.
“Brennain, I will head back home. When you are finished, wake me up to say farewell.” She put her hands out to grab Glennis from him, but both he and Ceara gave her a strange look.
“You do not wish to come, Morna?” Ceara asked as she cocked her head.
“Well… ‘tis only that… I did not think…” she stuttered, feeling foolish and self-conscious. “I am not family and…”
Ceara snorted and waved her off. “Nonsense. Of course, you are. Now, come along.” Ceara did not await an answer as she turned her back and strode across the room with more grace in her little toe than Morna owned in her whole body. Was she truly about to watch the Sisters of Danu do magic? She shook her head. She had better adjust to her new reality fast, or else she would keep making a fool of herself.
“You heard my aunt. Now, stop doubting your place in my family. You are as good as my wife now. As soon as I arrive back, I expect to find you in a beautiful dress made by Aunt Gwynneth, smelling like the honey-rose soap my mother makes, wearing a wreath of flowers around your head made by my cousins, and prepared to exchange vows with me.” He cocked a brow at her and she couldn’t help but laugh. He was irresistible at best, seductive at worst, and too handsome for his own good. No wonder she heard so many disappointed lassies groaning in the crowd today. She would be mighty disappointed to have missed out on a chance with Brennain Mac Greine, herself.
“If you are certain,” she responded.
“Stop that,” he chided.
She pouted and crinkled her brow. “Stop what?”
“Asking me if I am certain. Just because your former husband was a cursed fool, does not mean I am. I am certain of everything I have ever done. I am not one to waver. Do you understand? I will never give you up. I will never change my mind.”
She sighed and kissed his cheek. He was right. She was so insecure after spending years with a husband who wished to have nothing to do with her, that she found it hard to believe any man could truly want her. She needed to stop second-guessing him and accept it. “All right then. Now let us follow your aunt. I am curious to see what this mysterious chest is all about.”
* * * *
Brennain’s Uncle Garreth walked into the room carrying a medium-sized iron chest covered in a thin layer of dust. Morna stayed silent, wondering what could possibly be so special about such an ordinary looking chest. It did not appear large enough to hold a spear, sword or cauldron, let alone whatever jewels, coins or other possessions they wished to stuff within.
Being in a room with all three Sisters of Danu and their enormous husbands was not helping Morna’s nerves at all. She had heard so many stories about them and now she was to become part of their family? It was all too surreal, but she simply remained quiet and clutched Brennain’s hands while Garreth carefully placed the chest on the ground.
“I have not seen this chest in a few years,” Gwynneth sighed, not seeming happy to see it again. “I suppose it served its purpose. ‘Tis time to give the treasure back to the gods.”
“Aye,” Una nodded as Brocc gripped her shoulders from behind. The love between all the men and women in Brennain’s family was palpable and she knew, despite his promiscuous past, he had several good examples of love in his family and knew he would make a fine husband and father as soon as he returned from hiding this treasure.
Ceara looked at her sisters and raised a brow. “Are you ready?” The others nodded and Garreth blew the dust away from the top, exposing three ancient runes, depicting the elements of fire, water, and earth. Morna frowned as she pondered the designs etched carefully into the top of the chest. She knew those were the same elements the Sisters of Danu controlled, but wondered why they would be on the chest that held the treasure.
She felt Brennain touch her back and she looked up at him to see his reassuring smile just before he reached for her hand. She had no idea why he felt the need to comfort her, but she gripped his back and squeezed, feeling calmer just by being connected to him.
The three sisters all linked hands and formed a circle around the chest, yet Morna could still see the top of it from a particular angle between Gwynneth and Una’s bodies.
“Hear me, Brigid, goddess of fire. Share with us your treasures within, knowing we use them only for Ériu.” Ceara murmured, and the hearth fire popped loudly and shot straight up to the ceiling. Morna gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth but did not seem to disrupt the concentration of the sisters, who continued to chant so softly that Morna could only hear parts of their words.
“Hear me Boyne, goddess of water. Unlock the chest that holds your ancient treasures, knowing we shall ever keep it safe,” Gwynneth added to the chant. Water in the cauldron hissed and boiled over, flooding the hearth fire beneath, but having no effect on its burning flames.
Never had Morna seen anything like this. Aye, she believed in the magic of gods and faeries but never had she experienced it or ever thought to. She
blinked rapidly as smoke filled the room and water continued to pour from the cauldron, being swallowed by the flames as if the two were one flowing entity, feeding off one another. Her heart pounded and Brennain gripped her hand tighter. Now she knew why he had done so before.
“Hear me Danu, goddess of Earth and all its children. Hear your daughters requesting access to your treasure, where we shall only add to it, never deplete.” Una spoke softly, and a strong wind blew across Morna, twisting her hair around her face and causing the fires of the hearth to sway in its embrace.
As all three elements became one, the symbols on the chest began to glow blue and blink in a rhythmic pattern, as if the gods were listening but not yet ready to obey the command of mortals, even mortals who were part goddesses themselves. Simultaneously, the sisters chanted, “Hear us Lugh, Dagda, and Nuada, keepers of the relics, deliverers of our freedom. Entrust us with your powers,” repeatedly, until suddenly the glowing blue lights faded, the wind stopped, the fire calmed, and the water stopped flowing. Everything in the room went silent and Morna held her breath, wondering if the spells had not worked. She had no idea what was supposed to happen.
Liam, Gwynneth’s husband stepped forward and kneeled before the chest. With a loud creak, the iron hinges gave way and the lid slowly opened, though she could not see what was inside of it.
“Come,” Brennain whispered in her ear, and pulled her to her feet. “I want you to see this. This is part of your world now. Our children will be a part of the Sisters of Danu legacy.”
Morna stumbled to her feet, mostly taken aback by his casually spoken words. Of course, she had dreamed of one day having children with Brennain, several times over the past two years and even more frequently as they grew closer and agreed to wed, but never had she thought of them being a part of all this. Their children would have the blood of the gods running through their veins. That was a very heavy thought and though it frightened her somewhat, she felt honored at the same time. There was nothing less than impressive about Brennain and his family.