Celtic Rose

by Campbell, Jill

  “Kalan is in another room. Ramina is with him. He got thrown into a window by the snake. It cut him up a little. He needed stitches in his head and one of his arms. Ramina got him up and she ended up getting cut too. She had to get stitches in her hand. It’s not too bad. They just wanted to keep Kalan for the night so they could keep an eye on his head.” Talus grabbed Kallisto’s hand and pulled it to his chest, placing the other on her head.

  “Where’s William?” Kallisto was a little worried that William wasn’t there, thinking, did he decide he didn’t want to be my friend after all? Talus saw her worried expression.

  “William’s fine; he probably just went to get some coffee. He’s been in here as long as I have. This is the first time either one of us has left.” He chuckled. “I’ll bet he’s going to be upset. I would’ve been very upset if you had woken up when I was gone.”

  “So he doesn’t know about us then?” Kallisto asked hopefully.

  “No, not yet.” He looked down at her hand. “We don’t have to tell him now. There’s enough to worry about.”

  “I’m fine. I don’t even feel that much pain.” She pulled his hand to her lips and he gave her that half grin she liked so much.

  “You do know that’s just the pain medicine, right? You have two broken ribs, honey. You’ll be feeling it later.” He bent down and kissed her. They heard the door and he pulled back quickly. It was William, but luckily, he hadn’t seen anything. He came through the door carefully so he wouldn’t spill the two cups of coffee he carried. He saw Talus awake first.

  “Finally; I’ve been awake for hours.” Then he noticed Kallisto looking at him. “You’re awake!” he said excitedly. He sat the coffee down quickly and ran to the side opposite Talus and grabbed her hand gently, kissing it.

  “I was so worried.” He kissed her forehead and then glanced at Talus. Talus’ face was smooth with no emotion, but Kallisto felt his hand tighten slightly on hers.

  “I’m fine, don’t worry. I’ll be running around before you know it,” she said, smiling confidently. Talus chuckled. William rolled his eyes.

  “Pain meds?” William asked Talus. Talus nodded.

  “I’m serious. I heal fast,” Kallisto said stubbornly. They both grinned at her.

  “Wait until the pain medicine wears off and then tell me that. I might believe it then.” William said, touching her nose. She wrinkled it.

  “Why does everyone always touch my nose? No wonder it looks flat when I turn to the side.” She tried to cross her arms but it was difficult since she was still holding Talus and William’s hands. They didn’t let go either; they just pulled her hands back to their chests. This upset Kallisto a little. She couldn’t even pout properly. William and Talus looked at each other, smiled, and then simultaneously began touching her nose.

  “All right, that’s it.” Kallisto yanked her hands from them and slapped at them with both hands. The pain hit hard, as if she’d been stabbed. She yelled out in pain. The guys both grabbed for the nurses’ button, and hit it at the same time. They each grabbed a hand and tried to make her be still. Kallisto knew the pain was caused from her moving, but she wanted to curl in on herself and was being kept from it, which only made her fight harder.

  “Stop moving.” Talus grabbed her face and made her look at him. “The pain will stop if you stop; the nurse will be here in a second. Calm down.” He rubbed down her cheeks slowly with his fingers, in a calming motion. Kallisto stopped moving, lulled by his soothing tone. William stared at them sadly, beginning to understand. Kallisto wished she could keep him from that knowledge to save him the pain that she could plainly see on his face. She reached for him, but he smiled sadly and backed away.

  “I’ll be back later. There’s something I need to do.” He left before Kallisto could say anything. She didn’t want to lose him as a friend, but thought it must be better than having him around all the time being sad. She wanted to see the happy confident guy that she met yesterday, not the pain on his face. She couldn’t believe so much had changed in just one day. The nurse came in and gave her a dose of pain medicine, but it didn’t affect her right away. The nurse left without a word.

  “Do you think he’ll come back?” A tear escaped the corner of her eye. Talus wiped it away gently.

  “He’ll be back. He just has to clear his head. I’ve thought about this a lot; if the situations were reversed, I wouldn’t be able to stay away from you. Don’t worry. He loves you too much to stay away,” Talus said, smiling. She stared at him in shock.

  “I’ve known him for one day and he loves me. Wow! That was fast.” She grinned.

  “Hey, I love you too, you know.” He smiled, his eyebrows bunched together in mock rage.

  “I love you too, Talus. It’s strange. I never thought that could happen so fast, or even at all.” Kallisto reached for him as he bent down and kissed her. After a moment he leaned back, smiling.

  “Apparently, we are meant to be together if the dreams are any indication, so it’s not like we’re rushing into things; just continuing where the dreams left off,” Talus said happily.

  “We really need to go back to Oklahoma. We need to find out why this is happening. And I’d really like to know exactly what we are continuing. I mean, we felt a connection on the ship, but it’s not like we’re together or anything in the dream. I’m sure the dreams will continue, but there’s no telling where they’ll go. I mean, what if I don’t find you in the dream? What if I do end up marrying William? There are so many questions, I could probably sit here for hours rambling off about them all, but we really need to ask them to someone who seems to know. I wonder if your parents know, or if it’s just my mom.” Kallisto thought she was definitely rambling.

  “My parents seem to know something. When the dreams started I told them about it, Kalan, and you…” He turned away with a smirk.

  “What? When did you tell your parents about me? I haven’t even had time to tell my mother.” Kallisto tried to look him in the eyes, but he dodged the look.

  “I told them about you before we met. I think I fell in love with you when Kalan showed us pictures of you. All the pictures were of you in your everyday life; I felt like I was right there with you, during every occasion. I wished that I could’ve been there with you during those times. When I mentioned how gorgeous you were to Kalan, he started hounding me about you. He told me I should come home with him for spring break, but then your mother called and said you had come to Phoenix. Kalan said I should meet you then and there; that’s why he brought me. I told my parents the day we came to see you. They had said you were probably just right for me. It seemed strange at the time–I mean, they didn’t even act surprised when I said it. It was almost as though they expected it. William had seen your pictures too, and tried to convince Kalan that he’d treat you well. Kalan was convinced that you would pick me though. He never once mentioned that to William, and he was too good of friends with William to tell him he couldn’t come.” He explained quickly; the more he spoke, the more in love with him Kallisto felt.

  “My brother knows me well. Sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself. I didn’t think there was anyone on this planet that would be my type. I’m not even sure I knew what my type was until now. I’ve felt more connected with our little group than I have with even my own mother. I’ve even been happier in the one day that we shared than I have in my entire life. Even Ramina said she’s never seen me this happy.” Kallisto did feel happy, but with William gone she felt a little sad. Talus read it in her face.

  “He will be back, Kallisto, I know he will.” He kissed her and she almost couldn’t open her eyes when he pulled back. The medicine finally started to kick in and she tried to fight it, but she knew the sleepiness would win. She felt too tired to fight, plus there was a chance that she could figure out what happened later in the dream. Talus saw her eyes starting to glaze over sleepily. “Sleep now, my love. I’ll let you know when William comes back. Sleep well.” He kissed her head and
she drifted off.

  Kallisto was riding along at a trot through the forest on her brothers horse, Reverend, so named for his glossy black body and the white ring around his neck. He was a magnificent horse. He was trained for battle so he’d protect his rider. That was the reason Kalan had Kallisto take his horse; that way she’d be somewhat protected just in case she happened upon a situation that her fighting skills couldn’t handle.

  She heard rustling in the trees behind her and turned to see what was there. A shadow moved through the trees, too big to be a wolf or a large cat. The figure was hunched down; it could’ve been a crouching human, but she didn’t want to find out. She snapped the reigns, picking up the pace. As she turned forward, something hit her, knocking her to the ground. Reverend reared, kicking at whoever it was. The soldiers surrounded him, grabbing the reigns. They threw ropes over him, and he was trapped. While the soldiers held Reverend, more came at Kallisto. The breath had been knocked out of her from the blow. She crawled backward trying to get far enough away to gain her bearings.

  Finally, she jumped up and pulled her sword. There were seven men; four were holding Reverend and three were advancing on Kallisto. The two on the sides rushed her. Clearly, they planned to hold her for the third–they were grinning hugely. She swiped the sword one way and then the other, catching one across the chest. She felt it cut deep; he fell, but the other one jumped back, out of range. He lunged again, quicker. She swiped fast and hard with her sword, slicing his back. He yelled out and turned at her again, pulling his sword. He came at her, swinging the sword side to side. They fought for minutes before she struck him down. The third yelled for the others; two of them released their ropes and ran to the sides of the soldier that was left. This left only two soldiers holding Reverend. He reared and kicked, slinging the two soldiers that held him. The three around Kallisto attacked as one. She fought to hold them off, but was no match for their well-trained strength. Reverend kicked one soldier, sending him flying into the trees. The last man that held him struggled but was easily trampled by Reverend’s strong hooves.

  Reverend ran toward Kallisto as she fought to fend off the remaining soldiers. He rammed one with his head and the man flew past Kallisto from the force of the horse’s powerful blow. One soldier turned his sword on Reverend and slashed wildly, slicing his shoulder. He neighed loudly, almost sounding like a scream; it was enough to distract Kallisto, and the soldier she was fighting slashed her arm. Reverend charged both soldiers, knocking them both on their backs. He ran to Kallisto and she grabbed hold of his saddle and swung herself onto it. They dashed into the forest, keeping up the fast pace until they were several miles away from the attack site.

  They found a small village about an hour later. Needing to be bandaged and in dire need of food and drink, they stopped. There was a small stable on the edge of town, and Kallisto paid the stable master grandly for his care of Reverend’s wound along with the housing and food he would receive. Leaving Reverend to rest, she went to a pub; it was a rundown building, but nobody seemed to care that she walked in, so she welcomed the dirty surroundings.

  She went to the edge of the bar and paid the barmaid for the food and drink. When she asked her for some bandages, she handed them over without a second look at her; apparently it happened often enough to be normal. Kallisto carried the food, drink, and bandages to a corner table, where she sat with her back to the wall, scanning her surroundings. After she dressed her wound, she ate the dry meat and drank the stale ale, too hungry and thirsty to really care about the taste. Once sated, she watched the drunks around her laughing and having fun. The experience was new to Kallisto and she wanted to see and remember everything. For the first time in her royal, pampered life, she felt free. She wasn’t sure where she was headed or what would become of her, but she didn’t want this feeling of freedom to end. Maybe she could live like this; no castle to keep her locked up, no worry about dignity and honor, and no betrothed marriage to be forced into. The only problem was the fact that she was alone–no brother, no friends, and no prince.

  As she looked around, she noticed several hooded figures among the revelers in the small bar. One in particular kept her attention. He sat in a corner, like her, away from everyone. She wondered if he was a like soul running from something as well. Her thoughts were interrupted as two more hooded figures came through the door. Their faces were masked by the shadows of the cloaks, but the one in the back had the hood pulled back just enough to allow her a glimpse of his face. Kallisto saw a strong defined nose, sharp cheek bones, and a defined chin. There were wisps of shiny, black hair on his forehead and along his cheeks. Finally she looked to the eyes; the blue-green eyes shined like stars in that beautiful face–it was Talus.

  Kallisto’s hood was pulled to hide her face, but Talus seemed to sniff the room as he scanned. At first she thought he just smelled the stench that had caught her attention when she first walked in, but then his eyes were on her. There was a glint in those beautiful eyes that stopped her heart momentarily. His lips tilted up in that half-grin that made her heart race and her breath come faster. He knew it was her, but she didn’t know how. He started to walk toward her. Her heart was pounding so fast she thought it would burst from her chest.

  She had wanted to see Talus again, but she was supposed to find him, not the other way around. She thought there were too many questions to his being here. Was he just in the region for…what? A day trip? Did he come for her? Did he come to kidnap her and use her for a ransom from the Irish? Did he come to kill her? Or did he come because he truly shared her feelings and wanted to be with her? Or did his being there have nothing to do with her at all? If not for Kallisto, then why was he swaying those luscious hips over to her table, smiling like a cat that ate the canary? And why on God’s holy name did she feel like that canary about to be eaten? Her instincts were usually right about these things, thanks to Gabriel’s vigorous training, so he had to be there for her, but how did he find her?

  She couldn’t get the answers she needed in the crowded pub. She thought if she ran then she could find him later, alone, and possibly get the answers that way. But she needed a way out. He was coming ever so much closer, and her time would be up to decide. Luckily the hooded figure in the corner that she had watched before Talus came in kicked the chair of a man at the table closest to him hard enough to knock it over. The man jumped up, screaming, and a fight broke out between them and ended up right between Talus and Kallisto, giving her a chance to escape. She took it quickly and ran toward the window across from her. She launched herself through the opening into the cool starry night and did a tuck and roll, getting to her feet quickly as a cat and bolting. There was no way she could make it into the stables and back out in time to get away, so she ran straight into the cover of the forest. She would trail back and get Reverend as soon as she was sure she had lost Talus.

  Kallisto was fairly good at finding her way around strange places, Gabriel had taken her and Kalan into different forests around the castle and left them to find their way back. At first they would get lost and Gabriel would find them and bring them back. When he felt they were ready he taught them all the tricks to finding a way through unfamiliar territory; all she had to do was pay close attention to her surroundings as she ran, and remember which directions she turned. In the distance, she heard the sound of waves crashing against land–if she stayed close to that she could find her way back easily. She looked back and caught a fleeting glimpse of Talus running after her. Kallisto twisted and turned in hopes that she might confuse him enough to be able to back track and stay close to the sound of the water. If she got too far out she might get lost herself. She thought he must’ve been a hunter. He seemed to track her even when she was careful not to disturb her surroundings too much. Gabriel’s training was very extensive in that area, because he always feared that she’d be lost and alone, and he wanted her trained to be able to survive on her own.

  Kallisto finally found a nook inside a giant tree; she h
id inside quietly watching. After only a few seconds, she saw Talus pass. He ran so gracefully she was stunned for a moment after he went by. She crept out slowly and quietly, looking as she went. Talus was gone, so she started back the way she’d come, careful not to make much noise. She jogged along at a steady pace, retracing her steps.

  As she jogged past another great tree, an arm shot out from behind it and grabbed her around the waist. Talus pulled Kallisto to him and locked both arms around her, holding her tight against his chest. He leaned down and put his lips to her ear.

  “Hello Princess,” he chuckled.

  “Hello my prince.” Kallisto slammed her elbow into his stomach. He lurched with a huff of air and released her. She drew her sword as she spun to face him. He stepped back with a smug grin and raised his arms to show that they were empty. He didn’t seem to believe she’d hurt him. She didn’t want to, but she could see his sword at his side and was worried that he might draw it anyway. She took a step forward, raising her sword toward his throat.

  “Now now, Princess, I am unarmed.” He took another step back as Kallisto advanced.

  “Draw your sword then!” she said angrily and lunged. Talus drew his sword quickly to block the swipe of her sword. They fought, and matched each other perfectly. Every swipe he made she deflected, and every swipe she made he deflected. It seemed funny that she could think how perfect they were together while they were fighting. She ducked under one of his lunges and swiped her leg around, knocking him off his feet. She jumped up quickly and put her sword to his throat.

  “Do you yield?” She hoped he would. She really didn’t want to hurt him.

  “Never.” He grinned mischievously. She couldn’t help but smile back.

  Out of nowhere a hooded figure flipped out of the trees and landed in front of her, sword drawn. The hood flew back and there stood Ramina. She wore a look of sheer hatred and danger on her face. Kallisto took a step back and dropped the tip of her sword, but that wasn’t enough to stave off Ramina. She came at Kallisto hard and fast. Kallisto brought her sword up to block the blows as quickly as she could, but she could barely keep up with Ramina. She was more dangerous than Kallisto ever could have pictured her outside of this dream world. Kallisto thought it was extremely frightening to watch Ramina come at her like that. She thought she should have been jolted awake by the pounding of her heart; in nightmares that was how she always woke up, but for some reason the rules didn’t apply to these dreams. Eventually Kallisto couldn’t take any more of Ramina’s blows and she dropped, breathing heavily. Kallisto dropped her head and closed her eyes, preparing for the death blow, but it never came. She opened her eyes to see why. Ramina had stopped with her sword in midair, staring up into the trees.