Prince, Prelude-Legend

by Claudy Conn

  Why, she wondered, was she able to resist Lamia’s command? Was it the talisman in her pocket? Was it the power she had of blocking her mind? Or both, was it the power of both? Yes, she rather thought so. Julian’s power, however, even with the stone pendant, was not quite as strong. This worried Maxie very much.

  * * *

  Lamia was in a frenzy as she turned on her heel and left the teahouse in a fit of anger.

  She went directly to Shamon. “Where is their coach?”

  “In the stables down the road. Their horses are being watered.”

  “Go there and give the stableboy a coin and get him out of the way on any excuse. Then do what you can to the wheels…I want the coach to have an accident…”

  “But, my lady—”

  “No buts, Shamon. I want this done. I want it done now!”

  “Yes, my lady…but this will not serve.”

  “Who will it not serve?”

  “I serve thee, only thee, and—”

  “Then do as I ask.” She thundered at him.

  He could see there would be no dissuading her. He would do as she asked. He had no choice. “Yes, my lady…but it will make them suspicious. They are bound to discover that the coach wheel was tampered with while they were in the teahouse.”

  “Yes, but I will have the satisfaction of hurting them and ruining their oh so wonderful day! Be happy, Shamon, that all I am doing now is making them uncomfortable, because what I want to do is wipe out the Reigate family to the last man!” She thought for a moment and said, “Indeed…perhaps, just perhaps this accident will serve. Perhaps I can use it to get to that hateful chit and put an end to her existence!”

  “But they will protect her.”

  “I have the power to trance them. They are not in my way.”

  “Yes, my lady, but they—”

  “Go now…do as I say.”

  Shamon had no choice. A few moments later he had slipped the stableboy a coin and sent him off to fetch them both refreshments. He then took up the tool he needed and loosened both rear wheels. Shamon looked at his handiwork and sighed sadly.

  This was not what he wanted. This was not how he would exist in this life if he had a choice, but his will belonged to Lamia DuLaine. He would always do her bidding. He had no escape. Even if he did, would he take it?

  ~ Twenty-one ~

  “SOMETHING IS WRONG,” Maxie said all at once.

  They had been chattering and laughing within the confines of the coach. It was growing dark, but they had less than a mile to reach home and weren’t concerned. Their minor battle against Lamia had been thoroughly discussed, and each one of them had their own take on the encounter and needed to share and explore before they were able to put it aside.

  Then suddenly Maxie sensed evil in the air. There was no other way to describe it. She felt as though something unseen was slinking, hovering, waiting to ensnare them. She had no sooner said this than the coach took a heaving lurch to one side at a dangerous tilt. Then, as the horses continued to try and pull it along, it screeched to a resounding thump.

  The occupants were thrown forward and propelled forcefully against the interior. The squire landed hard against the coach door and was flung outside. His lady screamed and reached for him only to be flung about like a featherweight within.

  Maxie was up and jumping out of the coach, which was beginning to creak precariously. She was bruised, battered, bleeding, but not broken, and she was running for her father, who lay still by the side of the road.

  She couldn’t see Lamia in the dark of the forest. She and Shamon had ridden into town on their horses. The day had been cloudy, gray to almost gloominess, and Lamia always preferred to ride. Lamia cloaked herself, Shamon, and their horses from all eyes. She dismounted and gave the reins to Shamon as she approached Maxie, her mind silently working the spell. She had Maxie’s strand of hair in her hand. She had taken it at the teahouse when she brushed her shoulder.

  She chanted, she demanded, she called on the Dark Magic to do its work, to give her control.

  Maxie stopped just before she reached her father and turned to the woods. She held the talisman in her gloved fingers. Even so, she felt herself walking towards the woods, against her will.

  No! She would not. Her father…was lying in the road…And then something else happened. She saw past the cloak of invisibility. She saw Lamia DuLaine.

  She broke out of the pulling force and ran to her father, ignoring Lamia for the moment. She dropped to her knees to cry out, for his eyes were closed and he was so very still, “Papa…Papa…”

  Her father opened his eyes and smiled. “Don’t fret, my girl. I’m just winded…getting my breath back. I will be fine.”

  Julian was there behind her, bending to one knee to inspect the squire for injuries. “Sir…do you think you have broken anything?”

  “No, no. I am fine.”

  “Where is Mama? Lamia is here…here in the woods! Where is Mama…?”

  “She is I think all right…yes, here she is.” He took Maxie’s shoulder. “How do you know she is in the woods? Where—can you show me?”

  “No. You must not approach her now. She is strong, Julian. She called for me, and I almost went to her. It was so hard to break away…and then all at once the fog of invisibility lifted, and I could see her.”

  Mrs. Reigate was on the ground, taking her husband’s head in her lap. “Darling …?”

  The squire sat up. “A man can’t even catch his breath! I was only taking a minute…but I see I better stand if I am not to have two hysterical females on my hands!” With that he winced but did in fact get to his feet.

  The coachman had gotten the horses together and came running to them, swearing that, from what he could see, someone had tampered with the wheels.

  Julian frowned and asked gravely, “Show me, Tom.” They walked back to the coach.

  Maxie looked towards the woods, and her mind shouted in a Druid voice she didn’t know she possessed, Stay away from my family. You want me to fear you? Think again, Lamia DuLaine. I see you. I know you. Think again, Lamia, and then fear me, Lamia DuLaine. Fear me!

  This had a force that Maxine felt with every fiber of her body. She knew her Druid mind was expanding its powers. She hadn’t known until then, when she was filled with rage, just how powerful she could be.

  Julian returned and said gravely to her father, “If you can walk. I think we had better start for home.”

  “Yes. We must,” Maxie agreed. “Out here…my parents are not immune to her voice. Julian, you know, don’t you, that she did this. She wants to hurt all of us.”

  “There is no doubt of it.” Julian growled. “And I will see her in hell before this is over. That is my solemn vow.”

  “What surprises me is she knew you would be with us. I wouldn’t think she would want you hurt.”

  “She was teaching me a lesson. I have ignored her and worse. She wanted to show what she could do to the people I care about. This was a threat we could relate to. This wasn’t just magic. This was human evil. She wanted us battered and bruised. If her man had damaged two wheels on one side, I believe it would have been much worse. Indeed, I don’t think she meant for us to be more than hurt. She was showing us that we had crossed the wrong woman.”

  “Yes, this was punishment.”

  They helped her father, who seemed to be holding his own. Fortunately, Mrs. Reigate had only sustained a minor bruise. “We have about a twenty-minute walk, Papa. Do you think you and Mama can manage it?”

  “What then, am I an invalid? Manage it indeed. Of course we can manage it. Can’t we, my love?”

  “Yes, yes, and the sooner the better. I don’t want to be out here any longer than we have to be.” Mrs. Reigate was anxious.

  Tom, their coachman, took down the gun he always kept handy in his perch and smacked it for emphasis. “There be no one trying anything more while oi’m here looking round. Next time oi’ll be staying wit the coach when we go into town or an
ywhere else for that matter!”

  “This was not your fault,” Maxie said at once. “We told you to go get something to eat. There was no need for you to stay with the coach. The coach house stableboy should have been there.”

  “That is correct,” said Julian grimly. “And tomorrow, I will be paying him a little visit.”

  * * *

  Lamia DuLaine was in shock. The voice that Maxine Reigate had used to reach her was full with ancient power, full with an arcane magic she had not seen for a very long time. It had slapped her alongside her face. It had sent a bolt of lightning through her mind. It had demanded attention. It had demanded respect.

  How could the chit have such ability? What was Maxine Reigate? Could she be of Gypsy dissent? Lamia had met many Gypsies in her years who were very powerful. They would tattoo themselves with the ancient runes to protect against the Dark Magic while they put it to their use. They had their knowledge of magical potions, and it was said they were privy to things Fae that most humans were not.

  In all her nearly one thousand years, she had never glimpsed a Fae, but she knew what they were. She had heard all the stories as she grew up in her community. The Seelie Fae (or Tuatha Dé) were beloved by most Druids. She knew they were a beautiful alien race, so beautiful it was difficult for a human to look directly at them unless they donned human Glamour.

  The Fae males were agile, and many were powerfully built. Their eyes held colors beyond the rainbow. The Fae women had skin so soft that a male human could not touch one without succumbing to passion. She had heard all these things and more. It was said that because Gypsies still worshipped the Fae as gods, they had been given the power to use some of the ancient spells. Could Maxine have Gypsy blood in her? An interesting theory, one she should explore.…

  Lamia had always kept Gypsies at a distance. She had no wish to tangle with the all-powerful Fae. They rarely bothered with the affairs of humans, but if they chose, they could do much harm to her and so she had no wish to infringe on the Gypsy people.

  Hence, the question remained: was Maxine of Gypsy dissent and perhaps linked to the Fae? How was that possible though? Maxie was aristocracy. She could not be a Gypsy—so what was she? This was so very confusing. What was she going to do?

  She couldn’t believe the chit had threatened her. Fear her?

  Lamia had taken the strand of hair. She had used it with the ancient chant. Maxie should have been hers for the taking. At that moment in time she had only meant to cower her, to show her that her rudeness in the teahouse would not be tolerated. She had only meant to frighten her…just for a bit of revenge. She couldn’t do much more with Julian there, but instead, Maxine had thundered against her.

  This was a new development. If she had Gypsy blood and if she had Gypsy knowledge, she would be a formidable opponent. Legend had it that the Fae and humans had made some kind of agreement. The Fae no longer attacked and killed humans. This was due to the queen’s intervention. The Fae had long ago retreated to their “Otherworld”, also known as Tir nan-og, or ‘Land of Youth.’ There, hidden from the eye of man, they held their court and lived their immortal lives.

  However, in spite of the queen’s edict, the Seelie Fae were intrigued by man and often spent their time watching humans. They watched them at war (some said they chose their sides and warrior-hearted Fae fought alongside their favorites). They watched them at play. They watched human intrigues and marveled at their capacity for love. Now and then a Fae would show himself or herself to a favorite human. Now and then they took a mortal lover. Very often their immortality got in the way.

  These were all things Lamia had heard when she had led her human life so many centuries ago…and there was more…so much more forgotten. She waved it away.

  She turned to Shamon. “Come then…we are for home.” This needed research. Thankfully, she had collected quite a few books on the subject over the last few centuries. She was well equipped against any adversary…any except the Fae. No one was equipped against the Seelie Fae.

  Shamon nodded and silently followed her as she worked her horse into a trot. He was thankful, so very thankful that the Reigate family had not been seriously injured. It was what he had hoped, and planned…

  Breslyn’s voice whispered in his ear, “Go on, Shamon—the saddest of your kind.”

  ~ Twenty-two ~

  BRESLYN, ROYAL PRINCE of the House of Dagda, found Aaibhe in her chambers and approached uninvited.

  The queen extended her hand, and he quickly bent over her delicate fingers. “What is it, Breslyn? I can see there is something wrong.”

  “Things do not go smoothly for our humans, and I am here because I want to do more than observe, and I beg your permission to extend a lending hand in the matter.”

  Her eyebrow went up. This was one of his greatest faults. He cared for the humans more than was good for him. “Explain.”

  “The DuLaine means to kill Maxine Reigate at any cost.”

  “Did not my Druid Realm arrange for her to find the talisman?”

  “Aye, but that won’t serve. I think, my Queen, it is time for us to intercede.”

  She frowned and studied his chiseled good looks now set with irritation and impatience. Trouble shone in his bright, starlit silver eyes. However, in this instance, she too was disturbed. She had hoped that Maxine and Julian both would survive the DuLaine…

  “Tell me,” she said softly.

  His hair was loose, and he ran his hand through it distractedly. “As I said, she means to kill the Druid child, who has not the training to ward her off…and Julian…although he has the training…he can be compromised…I fear for them both. It needs intervention, and, my Queen…it needs me.”

  “No…we may not.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why.”

  “Because of Fate?”

  “Because Jehu and Madelyn are meant to be reunited when it is right. If the time is not now…it is meant to be another time.”

  “I cannot accept that!” He realized he was shouting and hung his head.

  “My Prince, calm yourself. In the end…it will be right.”

  “It won’t…I tell you this beast…will ruin all…”

  “Breslyn, take warning—fate is written. What is meant is meant,” Aaibhe said sadly. “We have done all we can do.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I don’t accept that.”

  “Then if you must…do more,” the queen said softly.

  He eyed her then suspiciously. What was she saying? What did she know? She knew so much. She looked so sad. What did she already know?

  * * *

  Maxie laughed with happy abandonment as she rode her horse across the field. Julian cantered easily beside her. Finally her parents had eased up and they were alone together and enjoying the beautiful spring day.

  Just another day to get through and they would be married in a private ceremony. Tomorrow she would be Lady Talbot. Tomorrow they would fulfill their promise to one another…and to Jehu and Madelyn.

  The DuLaine did not know. She thought the wedding was still a distant month away. Once they had pledged themselves with Christian vows, they would retire to a private corner to pledge themselves to each other with the Druid vows used by their ancestors…

  Their lives and their souls would be forever bound to one another.

  They slowed their horses, and Julian reached out for her gloved hand, but just at that moment, Maxie saw Lamia in her mind. She didn’t want to see her and ruin the moment, but there she was. She didn’t want anything to spoil the loveliness of this day, this moment, but that was what Lamia was to them: the ‘spoiler’.

  Maxie could see Lamia clearly, but she couldn’t hear what she was saying. She had books strewn about her library floor and was reading out loud. She seemed frantic and now, yes, now Maxie could hear her calling for Shamon.

  “What is it? My love…what is it?” Julian asked.

  Maxie turned to him, and her mind said softly, Watch wit
h me… She felt a thrill as he shifted on his horse and she found him inside her head. He was stroking her somehow, touching her with intense feeling, and she smiled to stop him with a hushed, Look at her…

  They watched Lamia, and it was terrifying. She had definitely come to a decision. Her man Shamon had his head bowed as she paced the room. They could hear him say softly, “My lady…it will take some time to do as you wish…”

  “You don’t have time. Get me what I ask…it takes precedence over everything else.”

  “Yes, my lady.” Shamon bowed to her and backed up a bit before he turned and left the room.

  Before he was gone, Maxie and Julian felt sorrow, deep sorrow emanate from him.

  Maxie looked at Julian. “It is gone now. What can it mean?”

  “Nothing good, my love.” He looked around. “Come on, let’s get back to Reigate. I don’t want you out here away from the grange.”

  “Oh, but, Julian…we are finally alone…”

  “It won’t serve. She wants you dead. Did you not feel it? Her power is immense, and she wants you dead. We are for home.” He reached out and touched her face. “Just another day and we will be married and off for Scotland by early afternoon. Ancient wards protect my ancestral home in the Highlands. Those wards are ones she cannot break. We will reach there before she knows we are gone. There we will find a way to put an end to Lamia DuLaine…for our sake and for the sake of all future beings within her sights!”

  “So be it, my love, but now…we are alone …” Her eyes suggested what she wanted, what she needed.

  He laughed and reached out to fondle her full breast. “I want to take these out and touch them. I want to lick your nipples into hardness. I want to bury my face between them and put my hand in that soft tuft of yours…I want and I want and I want. But more than all that, I want you safe. It is for home, my beloved tart. It is for home.”

  She grimaced but was silently delighted. He loved her. It showed itself always and in all things. How lucky could any one woman be?