“How fares Ciara?” She dared to ask.
His deep green eyes filled with a greater agony as she posed the question and she immediately regretted having quizzed him on the painful subject.
“She did not take the news well, as I’m sure you heard, and she remains mostly inconsolable. She was nearly fitful before I left. Her father and grandmother could scarcely control her, so great was her grief. Glynnis finally gave her a remedy to make her sleep. And she blames me for Will’s death!”
“She blames you?” Alainn repeated his words. “How could she, Killian?”
“She said if it weren’t for me her husband would have spent his day as he always did, creatin’ lovely items and articles and perfectly content in so doing!”
“But surely the man hunted for his family’s food?”
“No, apparently he seldom has through the years, I am told. He bartered with others with the articles he crafted. I suppose I had no business takin’ him out on the hunt after all!”
“But, Killian, you said he was a fair shot with a bow, and he seemed so eager to go on the hunt! Please don’t flay yourself or listen to her accusing words. She speaks with a bitter tongue influenced by grief!”
Killian sat down on the bed. He slumped forward and his entire body seemed consumed with his pain. Alainn went to him and pulled his head to her bosom and kissed the mass of thick chestnut brown hair. She felt his pain and his guilt and tried to take away what she could. She, too, soon felt overcome with maudlin woefulness.
“You’re trying to heal my heart. I can feel it, Alainn. You are attemptin’ to take away my despair and ease my sore conscience. You should not, for it will drain you and you’re already ailing. And sure that can’t be good for our son!”
“We’re well enough!” she whispered as she headed for the door.
“But where are you off to?”
“You must eat, Killian, you’ve had no food since this morning, and sure tomorrow you’ll have to meet with Ciara again and the priest, the sexton, and the gravediggers. The wake must be planned. You’ll need your strength and if you’re physically drained you’ll have no reserve to fight your emotional despair.”
“How did you acquire such wisdom in less than eight and ten years?” he asked with a warm smile on his face and the evidence of his deep love for her in his expressive green eyes.
She smiled but didn’t respond as she opened the door. As the door closed behind her Killian remembered the words of the young soldier, Danhoul Calhoun, regarding Alainn needing a guard. He instinctively picked up his sword and went after her.
Chapter Seventeen
As she came around a bend in the long hallway, she heard a low menacing growl and out of the corner of her eye in the darkened corridor she watched in horror as her beloved wolfhound leapt at her. She tried to hold up her hands to magically prevent the attack as she screamed in terror and in pain as his teeth caught her shoulder and narrowly missed her throat. Then she saw the animal drop to the ground with Killian’s sword still sheathed straight through him.
Killian ran to her and caught her before she fell to the floor. The blood was spilling from her wound and he noticed her tear-filled eyes as she looked down on the cherished animal that she had adored for many years. She began to sob into Killian’s shoulder.
“I had to do it, Lainna. Tell me you know that?”
“Aye, I know it well, Killian, as well as I know you just saved my life and that of our son!”
She glanced toward the wolfhound and he briefly released her from his arms so she could go to the animal. She softly touched his thick fur.
“Oh my dear old Wolf, sorry I am that you fell prey to such dark magic. I will see to it that whoever created the damnable spell will be justly punished!” She sobbed.
Eireen and Fergus Flannery must have heard the commotion for they came to investigate and soon the entire corridor was filled with other servants wanting to learn what had transpired.
“Eireen, we’ll need some cloths to serve as bandages for Lady Alainn’s wound. Fergus, see to it Danhoul Calhoun is sent for immediately. The chamber next to our bedchamber must be prepared for the man will not only need to heal her, he’ll be staying with us from now on as he must be close at hand to help keep constant watch over her!”
The day William McCree was laid to rest was a dismal dreary day; a day befitting such a mournful event. Alainn was standing in the graveyard next to Killian as the cold wind gusted and the driving rain pelted down miserably. Alainn noted how many people attended the service. Surely, all the servants, villagers, and many nobles of Clan O’Donnel, were in attendance. She stood, holding tight to Killian’s arm, and she tried to keep her eyes from the location of where the family of William McCree stood. She could vaguely see Eireen holding the young boy, Kale, and a lump formed in her throat at knowing the boy would not remember his father. They had seemed so fond of each other. She thought that in itself was a tragedy.
Fergus Flannery and Glynnis, the healer, stood on either side of the young widow, holding tight to her arms as though to keep her from collapsing. She keened and wailed loudly in her great sorrow. Alainn could only see the long, black curly hair that hung down the woman’s back. She thought it strangely curious that she had never met the woman when she had lived here for over two moons. When the priest spoke first in Latin, and then in Gaelic, which was customary in Ireland, Alainn listened to the profound words.
Father Sean was kind and caring and Alainn had grown to admire and respect the man. She thought of the priest that had been employed by Hugh O’Brien at Castle O’Brien and she shuddered, for that man had been the person responsible for her poisoning and causing her near death. He and the dark demon who had called the man to do his evil bidding had formed an unholy and deadly alliance. She’d not seen the demon since then but, lately, she thought she sensed his presence and that left her feeling a terror she had seldom felt in her life.
She pondered if the demon could be behind the animals’ peculiar behavior and the attacks on her. She had tried to conjure his image to learn if he had been involved but, thus far, she had been unable. Every time she dwelled upon who was behind the dark charm placed upon the animals, her head begin to hurt but, more disturbingly, she had experienced a distinct pain and tightness across her belly. Clearly someone or something was purposely keeping her from learning the truth. She had even suspected Ciara may be behind the spell put on the animals, but Alainn doubted she was capable of that degree of dark magic, and given the fact she’d hideously abused so many animals she couldn’t foresee her being capable of controlling animals.
She shivered once again and Killian took her hand and held tight to it, obviously thinking it was the cool, damp weather and the present mournfulness that had caused her chill.
When the solemnities were concluded, each person present walked past the graveside to respectfully toss their handful of soil upon the coffin that now rested within the grave. Killian waited till everyone else had left before he approached the grave with Alainn on his arm. She bent down to pick up a handful of earth and Killian did so as well. As they drew nearer to the family, Alainn felt another unpleasant chill as she glanced at the young woman for the first time.
Ciara lifted her swollen eyes to meet Alainn’s. Her eyes were almond shaped and amber colored. Her complexion was dark and almost exotic looking. Her lips were full and her figure perfectly proportioned and appealing. The expression in her eyes held no kindness as she looked upon Killian and Alainn. Alainn tried to view the widow respectfully and nodded toward her. She was about to tell her how terribly aggrieved she was for her great loss when the woman spoke first.
“You should not have laid your hands upon my husband. It has been said you are a witch and surely your touch cursed him and perhaps even caused his death! He should have been taken to my grandmother, her healing powers are uncommon. She might have saved him if she’d been allowed the opportunity.”
Alainn was startled by the harshness of th
e woman’s accusations and by her furious gaze when she stared at her.
“My wife did nothing wrong, Ciara. It was I who took Will to her, and it was already too late, nothin’ could be done. Even Glynnis agreed; nothing could have been done!”
“And you, the great and powerful Chieftain O’Brien, you are the reason my husband now lies cold in the ground. He had no business being out on a hunt. If not for you and your damnable hunt my child and I would not be left entirely alone!”
Killian went to the woman who was now sobbing openly and he gently touched her shoulder to console her. The woman flung herself into Killian’s arms, clutched him tightly, and wept openly. Alainn’s heart constricted and her breath caught in her throat. She met the eyes of Glynnis, the healer, and there was a strange expression within the dark eyes that were much like her granddaughter’s.
Alainn glanced at Eireen as she held the sweet, wee boy and Alainn knew she must leave this graveyard straightaway. She felt her stomach grow queasy and it was not from her injured arm, for that had healed unquestionably quickly after Danhoul had aided her with his blood, as did the wound from the wolfhound.
Killian’s back was to her, which allowed Alainn to slip away unnoticed as he remained holding the woman who was weeping and clinging to him in such desperation. As Alainn rounded the stone gate-post that lead to the graveyard, she saw Danhoul looking at her with a curious expression. She knew he had read her thoughts.
“You know you’re not to be alone, Lady O’Brien!”
“Don’t refer to me by that!” she snapped. “Call me, Alainn. I’ve told you I despise the title of lady.”
“Then why did you marry a chieftain? Though I suppose at the moment you’re askin’ yourself that very question, or that particular chieftain at the very least!”
“Leave me alone, Danhoul. I am retiring to my bedchamber. You needn’t worry for my safety; you and Killian have made certain I am nearly a prisoner in the castle. I might as well be taken to the north tower.”
“There’s not even a window in that tower. ’Tis a dark and unappealing place.”
“Aye, precisely.”
“But your chambers are quite luxurious and your husband would offer you any pleasure or comfort you might ask for. He is only keepin’ such close watch over you because he is vexed about you, as am I. And we’ve great cause to be fretful for the powers of you and I combined have not been able to discover who means you such harm.”
They had walked alongside each other up the steep hillside toward the castle. The ground was damp and muddy from the recent rain and the slipperiness beneath their feet caused the chivalrous young man to take her elbow to ensure she did not fall. She was not entirely pleased to have him near her at the moment, for she wanted to distance herself from men in general, but he seemed determined. He stayed in her company till they reached her chambers.
When they stood before her bedchamber he opened the door with the key as had become customary since the dog had attacked her. As he went to leave her she held out her hand in order for him to pass her the key.
“I know by way of your powers you have already procured possession of your husband’s key from the pocket of his overcoat. If I give you this key, then you shall possess both keys. You intend to lock him out of his own bedchambers.”
“Ah, you are a most intelligent and intuitive lad.”
“He’ll be fiercely riled!”
“That will make two of us, Danhoul. And you can be sure to tell him he can find another bed to sleep in this night for he’ll not be sleepin’ here.
Since Danhoul had already capably heard her thoughts there was no reason to keep her voice silent on this infuriating subject.
“I knew Killian had a colorful past and that he’d bedded a good many women. I knew well enough he’d been with both virtuous maidens and known whores, but it stuns me to learn he was entirely aware Ciara was married and belonged to another man and still he took her to his bed. It has left me questioning what other secrets he may have and how well I actually know my husband!”
“I understand you’re most displeased and enraged by this discovery, but I think I’ll leave it to you to alert your husband to the sleeping arrangements, for I’ve no desire to pass that bit of information on to him.”
“As you wish.” She seethed as the door closed and she was left alone in the chamber.
Chapter Eighteen
Some time later Alainn heard the voices of Killian and Danhoul outside the chamber. She was feeling completely outraged and lamenting so entirely, she went to the chamber where her child would soon sleep. She sat at the stool by the large harp and played as loudly as possible in hope that she could keep the raised voices from coming to her. In truth, she wished she had war drums to play for the sound of something loud and thunderous and angry might appeal more to her at the moment. She felt hurt and enraged and betrayed. She’d been foolishly guileless. Always priding herself on her intuitiveness and her instinctual ability even beyond her magical abilities as a seer, how could she have missed what was right here before her eyes? She heard Killian’s loud angry voice hollering through the door, but she paid no mind to the sound, though it continued on for some time.
When the sounds finally quieted, she angrily changed into her nightclothes and decided it would be best to simply put an end to this damnable day. She would go to sleep if she was able, and perhaps tomorrow she would feel less irate and more understanding or charitable. She sat upon the settee and untied the ribbons from her hair. She took to brushing her long golden tresses as she gazed into the looking glass upon the wall.
She was soon disturbed by a loud battering sound against the outside door. She closed her eyes to envision what was happening, when she heard the slamming against the door once more, this time even more forcefully. She envisioned the huge timber that was being hurled against the portal, and she was disbelieving that even Killian would go to this drastic measure to maintain access to his chambers.
She angrily drew closer to the door and screamed at him.
“Killian O’Brien, don’t be such a damnable arse! You’ll knock the door down entirely!”
“That’s the general idea of a batterin’ ram!” he replied with evident annoyance.
“Aye, well you can surely break the door, you can most certainly force your way inside, but you’ll not be able to make me to talk to you and you sure as hell can’t force me to share your bed or be anywhere near you!” She screeched in a furious tone.
“Well sure we shall see about that! But if you make me break down the damn door then we’ll not have a hint of privacy, and I’ve a feelin’ we’ve much to discuss.”
Alainn was so enraged by now she thought opening the door was possibly not a wise notion, but she believed Killian was truly stubborn enough to go through with knocking down the door, so she finally relented. When she looked at the sight outside the door she grew even more perturbed. Six men stood holding the massive timber that had already caused the door to begin to bend and bow. She glowered furiously at each one of them. There stood Pierce and Mackenzie MacArthur, Connor McLain, Danhoul Calhoun, Cookson Kilkenny and at the very front, of course, Killian O’Brien.
“Have I no allies here in this castle, then?” she asked in a voice that though angry was nearly tearful as well. “Cookson, you are my dear friend, and Pierce and Mac, you have been my friends for so many years as well!”
“Aye, but Killian is your husband and our chieftain!” Mac admitted, and he and the men wore sheepish expressions.
“And, Connor MacLain, are you entirely daft, if you have ripped open that wound by liftin’ that weighty timber, I swear you can bleed to death for all I care, for I’ll not lift a hand to prevent you from losin’ the damn arm.” The huge Scot wore an expression something close to a grin and she hurled the large key at him, but he ducked in time to escape being hit.
“And you, Danhoul Calhoun, I think I am the most disappointed in you. You have read my thoughts, you know what causes me such
discord and unhappiness this night and still you won’t give me this time of peace to come to terms with what I know and what I’ll do regarding the entire cursed situation.” She spoke telepathically to the man.
“You need your husband, to protect you and to keep you balanced. ’Tis in dark times when you are distanced from him, you’ll be most tempted to turn to the dark side of your own powers! For always you will need a guardian, Alainn!” He answered her with his voice and not in the usual telepathic manner.
Both Killian and Alainn looked at the man with an odd expression for they’d heard Aine, her great grandmother and Celtic goddess, issue that very warning once before.
Alainn finally allowed herself to look up at Killian and by this time they had placed the large timber on the floor. She felt enraged and frustrated when she looked at him; she desperately wanted to assert her powers. So instead, in her temper, she turned and angrily, loudly slammed the door once more, in truth several times. Finally Killian stormed in and slammed the door himself.
“You can go straight to hell, Killian O’Brien! You can, for I don’t give a shite if you do. If I have to look upon your face anytime soon, I swear I’ll feckin’ kill you!”
“And you can stop that damn cussin’ for ’tis most unladylike and unbecomin’ to you. I’ve never used that filthy language in your presence!”
“Aye, you have once before!”
The man strained to think of when she might be referring to and then seemed to recall. “Aye, well, I’d just been lashed and thrown into a dungeon by my uncle. I was feelin’ more than a little pained and furious!”
“And you don’t think I’m feelin’ pain and fury at the moment? Do you think I truly well care if you find me unbecomin’? And if that’s truth than you can simply go to your brazen, black-haired wench!”
“Alainn, you are bein’ entirely unfair!”
“It’s unfair, I’m bein’, is it? Aye, well, now I find it a wee bit unfair that you didn’t feel compelled to tell me there was a woman right here in this very village who had shared your bed!”
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