“So they’re vampires who don’t drain or drink blood.” Andrew scratched his head.
“Hilarious, don’t you think?”
“Yes.” Andrew chuckled.
“I love a good joke.” Mannan grinned.
The nurse-druid brought a box of crystals in from the storeroom and laid them in a large circle on the floor. She tossed white rose petals inside the circle.
Andrew clasped Margaid’s hand so their wrists touched in promenade fashion. “You’re so beautiful.”
He led her around the crystal ring, then they strolled into it, together.
Mannan stepped inside the center of the circle along with the nurse-druid. He gazed at Margaid and Andrew. “In the world of humans and the land of the fey, nothing can stand between a man and a woman meant for each other.”
Andrew flashed a bright smile at Margaid as he squeezed her hand.
She peered deep into his blue eyes. “You want to marry me, spend your whole life with me?”
“Margaid, as in the famous American movie, you had me at hello or rather Laa mie.”
“You mean the moment I swam up to the docks, and you didn’t have your contacts, and you could barely see me?”
“Yes, even without my contacts, I followed you to the bottom of the sea and into a magic cave, didn’t I?”
“That you did.” She rose up on her tip-toes and brushed her lips across his cheek.
“And I’ve followed you every moment after that. I knew you were mine the minute I laid eyes on you, as you walked out of the Hilton.”
His lips touched hers like a whisper.
In a melodic voice, Mannan asked, “Fairest Margaid, do you take this man from this day forth, in weal and woe, forever and anon?"
“I do.”
At Andrew’s compelling smile, swirls of heat spiraled through her.
He didn’t even glance at Mannan, he kept his eyes glued to Margaid.
“Andrew, do you plight your troth to this woman as her lover and protector, whether weal or woe, forever and anon?”
He rasped, “Yes, I do.”
The fire that flickered in Andrew’s eyes was so intense, Margaid fanned herself with
her hand.
Mannan withdrew his blade, Fragarach, again and laid it on the floor. “By leaping over the magic sword, you both cut ties with your life before this day.”
Holding Andrew’s hand, Margaid jumped with him over the blade.
The nurse-druidess and Mannan cheered loudly.
Andrew gathered Margaid into his arms and captured her mouth with his. A warm shiver ran through her.
When he pulled his lips off hers, Andrew smiled at the god Mannan. “When you leave us, and the druid Orbsen mac Alloid finds we are not only in one piece but married, he’ll be surprised.”
“No, Andrew, Mannan is Orbsen mac Alloid.” Margaid flashed a bemused smile.
“Orbsen mac Alloid’s his human name and cover. As soon as he said his name, I knew. That’s why he took my voice away, so I couldn’t tell you.” She raised her shoulders. “I tried to.”
Andrew turned to the god and laughed. “You had me going there for a moment.”
Margaid giggled. “Such a joker.” She patted the god on the back.
“Yes indeed.” Mannan grinned. “And what else am I?”
“God of the sea,” she answered confidently, though she wondered why he asked.
“And?” Mannan folded his arms across his broad chest.
Margaid scraped her teeth across her lower lip. “Umm, the trickster god.” What is he after?
Mannan sighed. “And?”
“And what?” Well, there’s only one choice left that I can think of. “The god of transformation.”
Mannan snapped his fingers. “That’s it.”
With a loud crack and a puff of smoke, he suddenly vanished and the ‘B is for Big’ boxers guy stood in his place.
“The tattoos...I should have known.” Andrew slapped the heel of his hand against his forehead.
Margaid couldn’t stop laughing. “I didn’t know. I didn’t even guess. Oh Mannan, that was a good one.”
When his laughter subsided, Andrew asked, “So Orbsen or Mannan, my mom can see Margaid now?”
“Yes, everyone can. She’s completely human.”
“Everyone,” Margaid piped. “Everyone can see me.”
“Margaid, my mom has to meet you. We’ve got to tell her the good news. I think 9:00 am tomorrow will be good. Her flight leaves at 9:30 am.”
“But then she won’t have any time to get to know me.”
“And no time to try to change my mind about staying here in Man with my new wife.”
“You want to stay in Man? I can’t believe it. How wonderful. Gosh, I‘ve lived here for thousands of years. It’s the only home I’ve ever had, though it’s changed a lot over time.”
“This place is wild and magical and it’s your home. And I haven’t had a chance to eat your kippers, queenies, or bonnag yet.” He pulled her into the circle of his arms. “Yes, I want to stay here. It’s the perfect place to live.” He twirled her about.
She stopped giggling and gazed deep into his eyes. “Do you really think your mom won’t like me?” You only want me to see her for thirty minutes, what does that mean?
“It’s not you. How can anyone help but love you? No, she won’t like the idea of all of this. More than that, she’ll be hopping mad. Believe me, we won’t get off as easy with my mom as we did with Mannan beg mac y Leir.”
“Is she mean?” Margaid crossed her arms. “She seemed nice in your hotel room and at breakfast. Mannan liked her. And she liked him. They were dating, remember?”
“I think that was just a joke on Mannan's part.”
“She’s your mother. Shouldn’t she have been at your wedding? And what about your little brother, don’t you want him to get to know me?”
“I do, but it’s a lot for them to take in. I didn’t even know we were getting married until that nurse said so.”
“You’re not saying you’re sorry you married me, are you?”
“Never. But it’s going to be a shock to my mom.”
“That’s why you have to give her some time to adjust to the idea. Introduce me to her. We don’t have to tell her we’re married or that you’re staying here forever. Not right now. Try to persuade her to extend her vacation. That’s all.”
“Why not? Anything for you. I’m not sure that druid wedding is legal anyway even though it was performed by a god.”
“Andrew, don’t tell her the sea god married us, she may not be ready for that.”
“No.” He let out a soft chortle. “She might take both of us down to Nobles Hospital.”
“Gosh, I have a husband and a mother-in-law. A whole new family. I have to get her a gift.”
“Buy anything you want.”
“Goodie, I get to go shopping.” Margaid clapped her hands.
“While you pick out something for my mom, I’ll get your wedding gift.”
“Ah, you’re so sweet.”
“Mannan,” the nurse said in a scolding tone.
“Oh, okay, Andrew your gift to Margaid is on the house, complimentary. Free. Get anything you want, why not?” The large god shrugged.
“Can I get his mother’s gift here also?”
“Both gifts are on the house. What is a god for?”
“I know, I’ll buy her a gift and I’ll also bake her some kippers. Then at least she’ll know I can cook for you.”
“She’ll like that.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Umm, let’s get back to the hotel for our wedding night.”
“Sounds good to me.” A hot ache burned through her at the thought of his body entwined with hers.
###
About the Author
When Cornelia Amiri was five years old, she saw Walt Disney’s The Sword and the Stone and has been interested in Celtic history and mythology ever since. She has eighteen published books, including Steampunk/Romance
books. She also writes under the name of Maeve Alpin. She lives in the sultry, southern city of Houston, Texas as does her son, her granddaughter and her cat.
Visit my world at:
http://CelticRomanceQueen.com
http://MaeveAlpin.com
https://www.facebook.com/CelticRomanceQueen
https://twitter.com/CorneliaAmiri
For More of Cornelia Amiri’s Vampiric Fey,
The Dancing Vampire series is available now
in eBook formatsfrom Ellora’s Cave
at most online books stores
The first book in the series is:
Dance of The Vampires By Cornelia Amiri
One of Ian’s six brothers kicks over the stones of an ancient cairn, unknowingly freeing Sorcha and her six sisters from underhill. The seven handsome Scots are enchanted by the voluptuous temptresses until they turn on the men. Ian captures Sorcha, giving his brothers a chance to escape. With the dark fey woman still in his grasp, Ian is saved by the rising sun.
Her sisters vanish with the light of dawn and Sorcha is trapped in the mortal realm. The seductress can’t resist Ian’s attentions as he stirs throbbing urges she’s never felt before. Ian is bewitched by the wild delights offered by this vampire siren. He can’t get enough of her. Still, her wicked sisters and his highland brothers want nothing more than to attack and kill each other. Will Sorcha and Ian’s sizzling passion prove strong enough to overcome the differences between the dark fey and humans?
Dance Of The Vampires, Excerpt:
Ian wobbled out the door of the pub ahead of his six brothers. Focusing as hard as he could, pushing one foot in front of the other, he stumbled across a field in the moonlight. A clump of gorse and heather brushed against his jeans.
“Brother, be careful not to step on a thistle in the dark,” Lachlan yelled in slurred speech.
“I have my boots on,” Ian snapped.
“Are you sure, little brother?” Malcolm, the oldest, called out. “You usually run barefoot and cry like a girl when you get a thorn in your foot.”
“I was five years old the last time that happened.” Tired of the lot of them, he stomped ahead. “I’d go off by myself and leave all of you here, but someone has to lead you home.”
Well past midnight, silence engulfed the field until Calin burst out laughing and couldn’t stop.
“Shut up,” Angus, the middle brother, yelled.
“He’s hammered.” Errol nodded his head toward him. “He cannot help it.”
“Well, I do not know what’s so funny or why we had to leave right when I spotted the pretty women in the pub.”
Tavish kicked a stone with his foot as he tromped through the grass with his brothers.
“Because we are all drunk.” Lachlan’s body wavered, leaning forward then back. “That is why the lassies started looking so bonny to you. Those were the same ones you called old and ugly when they first came in, you bampot.”
“They were old, that was Liam’s mother and aunt.” Angus grabbed Tavish’s head and jostled it back and forth. He ducked out of Angus’ way.
“Ooch!” Ian jumped back.
“What is wrong with you?” Malcolm set his hand on his hip.
Ian pointed to the ancient mound of stones caked over with dirt and grass. “I almost stepped on a fairy mound.” His stomach knotted.
“Brother, are you afraid of a pile of old stones?” Calin threw his head back and rocked with laughter.
“It’s a cairn.” Ian’s heart still thudded from the near miss. “Any who disturb it will be cursed.”
“I dare you to knock it over.” Errol crossed his arms over his chest.
Ian stepped back, a horrified look on his handsome face. “I will not.”
“I will.” With long, sure strides, Tavish stepped toward the ancient gravesite.
“Do not do it.” Ian’s belly clenched even tighter, until he felt sharp jabs of pain.
Before the other six could stop him, Tavish drew back his foot and crashed it into the sacred cairn with a hard kick. A loud, sharp gasp from each of his brothers hung in the air. One lone stone rolled free of the mound.
Malcolm’s mouth dropped open. “You disturbed the fey.”
“You’ve done it now.” Lachlan stepped back, attempting to separate himself from the sacrilege.
“He dared me.” Tavish pointed at Errol. “I had to do it, now didn’t I?”
“Errol’s a turnip-headed bampot,” Calin shouted. “You too, Tavish.”
“I do not like it.” Ian shook his head. “It’s sacred. It’s cursed.” The knot in his stomach froze, growing as cold as ice.
“This is bad.” Angus shook his head.
“Let’s keep walking.” Calin slid his foot forward with a confident stride.
Malcolm bobbed his head. “We should hurry home before something happens.”
“We are,” Errol snapped. “We’re in this field taking a shortcut, remember?”
“Come on.” Malcolm headed away from the disturbed monument. “Walk faster.” He took the lead as the others followed.
“Look.” Ian came to an abrupt stop.
His brothers froze as their gazes turned to where he pointed his finger. Seven women, all in odd dresses of green tartan silk, stood beside the cairn. Their lush, scarlet lips curved into smiles as seductive as warm kisses.
The Dancng Vampire Series is for ages 18 and up, only.
A Fine Cauldron Of Fish Page 7