“You would meet with King Henry of England? Surely that is a most dangerous consideration, Killian, for clearly the man is not to be trusted. He creates much havoc in his own country. He has commanded the death of many of his own subjects, had his own wife beheaded, ordered the destruction of many churches and abbeys, and I have heard it said half his court and advisors either fear or despise him.”
“Aye, it’s not certain he would agree to meet with us and there’d be no assurance he’d be trustworthy enough to follow through with what he said anyway. His own personal life seems to be in a shambles most of the time. I doubt his head is where it should be on the runnin’ of his country or his life! But, still, I wonder if lookin’ him in the eye, talkin’ to him face-to-face, man to man might make his following assaults less severe.”
She disliked pondering a time or a possibility of Killian going to England much less speaking with the unscrupulous and infamous King Henry VIII. She dismissed the notion and posed a query.
“When do you leave for Galway then, Killian?”
He seemed hesitant to answer.
“Killian, you leave on the morrow?” she asked in a voice filled with dread.
“Aye, I was not eager to reveal that to you, for I know the uneasiness you feel already with all that has transpired as of late. I am much chagrined to leave you again, Alainn!”
Alainn felt her lip trembling and her tears threatening to fall, but she attempted to put on a brave front for she realized Killian had enough on his mind without having to deal with her melancholy tears. Clearly, any discussion of her encounter with Ciara, or her confusing and disturbingly irksome vision would only fuel his worries. His arms tightened around her for surely he felt the same despair in knowing by the next night they would not be together.
“Sorry I am, Killian, that I am terribly difficult much of the time. I need you to know I trust you and I do have immeasurable faith in you, as a man, as a chieftain, and as my husband. I remember Aine warning me I would one day pay for my great jealousy. I cannot for all my attempts seem to prevent the emotion, but I must be less uncharitable toward you because of it. I want no wedge between us, Killian. It was unforgivable of me to be so unreasonable when we are often parted much more than I would desire. And I must apologize for denying you a physical love last night. I was furious at that woman and I made you suffer because of it, and myself as well for I despise being parted from you in any manner.”
“Tis important, Alainn, that you know I will only be your man, I have spoken the vows and told you many times, and I assure you it will always remain so!”
“I do, of course I do, Killian, but I still need to hear you say it on occasion.”
“I am yours, Alainn, and I always will be only yours. Will that suffice for now, then, Lainna?”
“Aye!” she whispered, as their bodies lie together in the fashion of spoons, his chin resting upon her head.
He placed his large hand on her belly and chuckled as was usual when he felt the strong movements within her.
“And I must thank you, Killian, for how you are to me; for being a tolerant and patient husband, an affectionate man, and a generous lover, for many women are not so fortunate in having men love them as you love me.”
“Well though you may be a bit strong willed at times, Lainna, I recognize what a great gift I have in you, as well. I know of no other woman who I can tell my heart to or who knows my heart as you do, and who wants to be loved as frequently as you. But, how is it you know not all men are generous lovers? Do womenfolk actually discuss such matters on such an intimate level?”
“Occasionally,” she murmured.
Alainn was unable to divulge Mary’s discussion to Killian, but she suspected he knew well enough who she was referring to. He didn’t inquire any further so it was simply left at that.
As he continued to hold his hand on her belly he spoke of something that both pleased and frightened her. “Before I set out on my journey on the morrow, I want to name our son.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Killian is there something you’re not tellin’ me, is there a possibility of battle in Galway or on your journey?”
“That is always a possibility, Alainn. You know that well enough, even when times are not as uncertain as they are now with the English, there has been dangerous unrest and brutal battles waged between Irish clans for centuries. I only thought it would be a good time to think on a name, since we’ve not discussed it at length.”
She shivered for though she did not sense any immediate danger the reoccurrence of her vision of the O’Brien clan dying on a battlefield was ever present in her mind and her fears.
“Will Rory be at this meeting in Galway, and Riley as well?”
“I’ve been tryin’ to tell Riley to stay back, to send Niall to vote for the O’Rorke clan, if your grandfather is improved enough by then, and maybe my Uncle Sean will represent Castle O’Brien this time for word has it Uncle Hugh remains unwell. Sean and Rory share joint chieftainship for the time being. I even attempted to convince Cormac to cast my vote, but he insists the council elected me for a reason, and it is apparently law, anyone who sits on council must attend.”
“Aye. ’Tis surely important for you to attend, Killian. I’m certain Riley will be boar-headed and not stay back regardless of whether Grandfather makes the journey.”
“Don’t be fretful about it, Alainn. There was clearly more chance of attack near Dublin for there are more English guards there nearer to The Pale, and more Irishmen who are English supporters. We all managed to make it home safe and well from there! Did you not indicate in your drawing it was surely closer to Dublin? Sure, we’ll be safe. Now, enough of this dreary dismal talk. Tell me; what names do you fancy for our son?”
“Sure ’tis often the father who names the male children, Killian. You must choose a name to your liking.”
“Aye, well I’ve thought on it for some time now. He could be named for my father or my brother, or your father.”
“Or you, Killian. But, we will surely have many sons therefore many names will be needed at any rate. Whatever name you choose will be to my likin’ for I am honored to carry your child.”
“Then I’ll think on it more this night.”
“And is thinkin’ all you want to do this night, husband? If we are to be soon parted again then best we make this time together memorable.”
As she softly put her hands on his stubbled cheeks, and kissed him he pulled her close to him in a passionate gesture and hoped she was still unable to read his thoughts and know his fears.
Some time had passed and, as they both lie awake, each with many concerns on their minds, Killian nudged her gently and whispered.
“Come dance with me, Lainna!”
She turned to face him and could make out his face by the low, soft firelight.
There was mirth in her voice. “Dance with you Killian; ’tis the middle of the night.”
“Aye, I’m much aware of that, but you’re awake and so am I. Let us distance our fretfulness and our disquieting thoughts for a time and dance, my lady.”
Killian took her hand as she left the bed to stand beside him. She was donned in her nightdress, but he was entirely unclothed.
“And will you not be chilled to the bone then, my love?”
She smiled at his impressively strong and muscular form. By way of her powers she held her hands toward the hearth and it blazed brightly soon filling the chamber with glowing warmth.
“And shall we dance without benefit of music, husband?” She beamed up at his handsomeness, and his chestnut hair as it fell appealing around his face nearly to his shoulders.
He smiled back at her as his arms tightened around her. “Well if you can so aptly create fire, I suspect you can magically create music as well.”
The door to the adjoining chamber which held the grand harp, opened effortlessly and the immense instrument magically slid through the doorway. Killian’s fiddle which had hung upon the wa
ll sailed through the air as well. Soon the harp’s strings moved of their own accord, and the fiddle immediately joined in. A lovely Celtic ballad filled the chamber and Killian grinned in appreciation of his wife’s enchanting magic.
They held each other lovingly and danced together and before long their cares lessened and their hearts grew lighter.
“You are so very beautiful to me, my sweet Lainna.”
“And you to me as well, my Killian!”
He stared down upon her with seriousness in his eyes as he spoke. “No matter what the future may hold for us, Lainna, we shall always have this night, this magical time together... the music, the fire, our unparalleled love, just the two of us so unquestionably happy, filled with much hope and anticipation of the joy our wee son shall bring to us. Whether I should die in battle as a young warrior, or in my sleep as an aged old man with thinning silver hair and a frail broken body, I shall always hold in my memory this night with you, this enchanting time with my captivatingly lovely and magical wife.”
Alainn questioned him briefly with her eyes as though he might suspect something ominous soon to befall them. But she simply returned his smile and his love, and his words of adoration.
“Aye, we shall always call to mind the wondrous memories of this night to draw elation and contentment on darker days, Killian, my handsome husband, my stalwart champion... my only love.”
They shared a tender kiss and he grazed her full lips with his fingertips and stared into her eyes. He untied the fastenings of her gown and it slipped to the floor. They continued to move together to the music for a lengthy time, skin touching skin, hearts beating together. He gazed down into her sparkling, pale blue eyes and saw his passion was mirrored within those eyes that held his heart so completely. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to their bed and loved her once more.
As Alainn sat at the table in the great hall, she waited for Killian to finish his meeting with Fergus. They were going over details Killian must see to before he left on his journey. Alainn had not been feeling entirely well this morning. She’d felt a nagging pain across her back, and occasionally a slight discomfort encircled her midsection as well. She was hesitant to think their lovemaking might have caused the worrisome sensation for Killian had been gentle, gentler than she might have wanted, but she reasoned perhaps soon they would be forced to terminate their physical love until after the child was born.
She also thought of the strange vision she’d experienced by the lakeshore the previous day. She recalled so vividly the peculiar and somewhat gruesome appearance of the woman who surely must be Ciara when she grew older, and at how the woman had threateningly pointed at her rounded belly. Did she mean harm to her unborn child? Could she harm him through way of a vision?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Alainn was seated at the long table surrounded by many others, but still she shivered at the memory of the vision and, as much as she despised thinking about it or dwelling on it, she was quite certain that it held great meaning and a strict warning. As she waited for Killian to come to her so they could break fast together, she felt another ache across her belly, nothing severe, but nothing to ignore either. She remembered the vile woman from her vision who had purposely pointed displeasingly at her belly. Could an unpleasant happening or a frightening encounter in a vision cause pain or harm to the person who had experienced it? She placed her hand to her stomach and sent a healing sensation throughout her body. The discomfort dissipated and she breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps it was simply a form of warning that Ciara might wish her son harm some time in the future. Alainn did not care to dwell on that unpleasant possibility either.
Alainn tried to calm her fretful thoughts by using her knowledge as a healer. She was certainly aware women often times experienced a false labor sometimes weeks before their time, so she attempted to ignore her fretfulness. She believed remaining calm would be most beneficial at this time. She allowed herself to dwell on her night with Killian, her perfectly romantic time, dancing with her love. It took away some of her trepidation of which she was much relieved.
When Killian finally came to join her he kissed her before he sat, but she noticed the creases in his brow. He seemed notably distracted and Fergus came to him once more to have him sign a decree before he had an opportunity to begin his meal.
“Your tasks are many, Killian, and your worries not a few!”
He nodded as he spoke. “There have been reports of horse-thievery nearby. Clan Gallagher had their stables raided. Over half the horses were stolen and several others killed when the stables were set fire. And ’tis believed the culprits are in allegiance with the English and are selling the horses to the English army. I’ve had to sign a decree that any man found guilty of that crime here at Castle O’Donnel will be hanged.
There’s not been such a grievous punishment issued since I’ve been chieftain and, in truth, I believe there were few hangings here in all the time my father was chieftain. I truly hope it does not come to that. I’ve enlisted more guards and more men to our clan’s army, but ’tis a worry. And if they can get to the horses, then they can get to the village, and perhaps to the castle and to you! And just knowin’ I must leave you now makes me question where my full concern should be... most especially when you are nearing your term. My place should be here with you to keep you protected!”
“But you are needed in Galway, Killian. And, in truth, your vote may protect many. You are a wise man and I trust you. Others can protect our castle, but not so many men can rally the clans as you seem able. So go to Galway and do what you must and what you can!”
His expression was one of mixed emotion, relief at her words of comfort to him, but deep concern as well. He seemed nearly disinterested in eating his meal which was unusual in itself for Killian always possessed a hearty appetite. They were sitting there together when the young servant girl brought Alainn her cup of milk, and Alainn thanked the girl. She smiled sweetly at Alainn and handed her the drink, barely glancing at Killian, though she bowed respectfully to both of them. When she left, Killian questioned her.
“You have a servant girl bring you the milk now?”
“Aye, ’tis a convenience.”
“And is it tasted first then, if you don’t prepare it yourself, as all the food we eat is to ensure there is no poison present?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but either Cookson or Nellie will surely have prepared it and they are trustworthy. And if it were poisoned I would surely know for I’d be hard-pressed to find a poison I don’t know well, by scent alone.”
“Aye, but be cautious, Lainna. There are unscrupulous sorts who wish ill to nobles at any time, but now most especially, and you are apparently a target of someone who wishes you great harm. Have someone taste it first from now on Alainn; it will ease my mind.”
“Aye, I’ll do it then,” she said smiling reassuringly as he stood and donned his overcoat and then his woolen cloak. The weather had grown cooler and the ride to Galway would take the better part of the day. Some of the trip was near the coastline so the wind from the sea could be most bitter and unpleasant.
“If you could manage a bit warmer weather to make the journey more agreeable, I’d be appreciative.” Killian smiled as he took her in his arms.
“I’ll see what I can do. Who will be traveling with you, Killian?”
“Several of the army’s guards will accompany us, as well as a hearty amount of my clansmen. Pierce has decided he wishes to come with us. Unfortunately, your grandfather remains feelin’ most weary as you’ll know, so Riley will be travelin’ with us and many of the O’Rorke and O’Donnel clans as well.”
“And have you had word of Rory?” She felt compelled to ask.
“We’ve had no further correspondence, but I promise we’ll be cautious, Alainn. Danhoul will be stayin’ here and Mac, as well as a good portion of the guard and the soldiers. The castle will be well protected. And heed the boy, but keep him at bay!”
“Killia
n, fret not about me, just do what you must and come back to me safely; Godspeed, my love.”
He kissed her, a long and tender kiss. Ordinarily, she would have escorted him out of the castle and down the steps, walked with him until he mounted his horse and watched him ride off until she could see him no longer. However, she sensed his urgency to begin the journey, and given the pain she’d been experiencing, she thought it best to move as little as possible. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him again resolute that she would shed no tears until he was gone.
He placed a kiss on her belly as had become a certainty each time he left her. When he opened the huge door of the main entrance, she attempted a surely unconvincing smile and a hasty wave then turned from him so he would not see the tears she could not prevent from falling. She headed straight for their bedchamber and was only halfway up the winding stairwell when she was startled to see Killian beside her again.
“I think we should name him Cian, for my brother, for ’tis hoped both my father and yours may one day be found, and we’ll name the babes that follow after them. But, in honor of my beloved brother, who did not live to wed or know the joy I have shared with you, if it pleases you, I want to have him named Cian!”
“Aye, it well pleases me, Killian.” She wept as he took her in his arms again. “I promised myself I would not have you see my tears, that just this one time I would behave as a lady, to be regal and poised and not act the part of a emotional girl-child, but it saddens me so when we are to be parted, Killian!”
“And if you did not weep when I was leavin’ I’d worry more so, Lainna, for ’tis how you are and though I’d not choose to see you melancholy, I know ’tis only because you love me well that causes your tears. And that is all a man can truly ask for, to be loved well by a woman he loves equally well. And I do, Lainna, I love you entirely, completely, unendingly! Now, I must go, for the sooner I’m off, the sooner I’ll be back here with you.”
A Chieftain's Wife Page 20