“I think I’ll throw out every pair of sunglasses I own,” Heather mused, her arm linked in Aidan’s, her face tilted to the sun. “How in the hell did you stand going without this for so long?”
“About as well as ye might expect. Ye do recall the mood I was in when we met.”
She grinned. “You were a grumpy asshole. Of course, I thought that was mostly because you were horny.”
“Tha’ too.”
He kissed her forehead, then stepped away.
“Think I’ll take me a stroll. Back in a bit, love.”
Heather blinked. “Something wrong?”
“Of course no’,” Aidan said easily. “Just need to stretch my legs for a minute.”
She let him go, but he knew she wasn’t fooled. He’d lied a bit and she’d call him on it later. It wasn’t because he had anything to hide from Heather, but because he hadn’t wanted to alert the others to what he’d seen and ruin the festive mood.
There was a patch of darkness out under a great oak that spread its branches right before the tree line. In the deepest bit of that shadow, Aidan thought he’d seen something glittering. Something like green sparks.
By the time he’d made his way up behind the tree, he knew his instincts had been dead right.
“Hello, Bav.”
She sighed, those red curls waving in the light breeze, bright against her pale cloak. “You really aren’t so arrogant to think that you snuck up on me, do you?”
Aidan started. Actually, he had thought that, but he said nothing, waiting for her to tell him what the hell she was doing here. Nobody invited the goddess of death to a wedding.
Bav kept looking out at the lawn, away from him. “I knew you were coming the moment you left that mortal’s side. I could have vanished, you know. I didn’t care to.” She sniffed. “You don’t know me as well as you think, Aidan O’Neill.”
“There may be some truth to tha’,” Aidan said slowly. “For instance, I suppose I should be saying thank you right now.”
She flinched. “I think we’d both rather you didn’t.”
“Ronan said ye helped with the ghrian siúlóir.”
“He exaggerated. It was all his doing.” Bav smiled tightly without meeting Aidan’s gaze. “I’ve no love for that one, but you certainly picked your friends well.”
“Tha’ I did.”
Bav pulled her robe over those vivid curls and turned to go, then looked back over her shoulder once, not at him, but at the rest of the wedding party.
Aidan followed her gaze, trying to see it as she did. The Fitzpatrick children running over the grass, having an impromptu game of football despite their finery. Ronan and his brothers shouting advice from the sidelines. Lacey’s head cupped to her husband’s wide chest as he played absently with the short copper strands that glistened in the bright sunlight.
Moiré was cutting fresh-baked bread on the trestle table she’d had Daire and Michael set out earlier this morning. Shelagh stood next to her, one hand on her hip, the other curled around a glass of wine as she watched her brood. Both of the women were laughing.
Lacey’s sister, Kate, stood a ways apart from the rest of the group with her own glass of wine, her eyes following Daire’s broad shoulders as he waded into the children’s game, a faint smile on her lips.
Mac was reclining against another oak, reading one of Sloane’s books, his fingers threaded through her golden hair as it lay spread across his lap. She looked up at him in a way that made Aidan’s heart ache with loss, pride and a deep, unshakeable love.
He blinked and turned to see the goddess watching him with an expression that must have mirrored his own closely. No sooner had their eyes met than the look was gone, replaced by the cool indifference of a creature who had lived thrice his lifetime and more. Lived it alone, without ever once finding what he had.
It took Aidan a second to recognize the tightness in his gut as pity. By the time he had, Bav was walking deeper into the woods, her snow-white velvet robes swishing against the grass.
“Bav?”
She stopped, half turning toward him so that he could just make out her profile under the soft cowl. “What is it, Aidan?”
“I hated ye for wha’ ye did. For centuries and centuries, it consumed me.” He stared at her. “I canna scarce remember a time when I didna have the taste of it with every breath I took.”
Her shoulders tightened, but the goddess said nothing, waiting him for him to finish. Above them the huge tree rustled, branches creaking, reminding Aidan of another tree, one soaked in blood and terror. But that tree had been uprooted long ago. He took a deep breath.
“The hate is gone now. I doona know if I can ever forgive ye completely, or tha’ I even should, but . . . Whatever ye did or why ye did it, it led me here. And fer tha’ I will be saying thank ye, like it or no’.”
Her slim hands clenched into fists as the hood fell forward, obscuring her face completely, but not before Aidan’s preternatural eyesight had caught the sheen of tears in those green eyes. It was her only acknowledgement of his words.
Before he could say anything more, the goddess was gone in a cascade of dancing emerald sparks. He had a feeling he’d never see her again. For some inexplicable reason, the thought tightened his throat painfully.
Awareness tickled the back of his neck and the tightness eased. Aidan turned, letting a smirk curl his lips.
“Making sure I’m no’ running off on ye?”
Knowing him better than he knew himself, Heather went with it, even though he knew she’d seen Bav. “As if I have anything to worry about,” she snorted. “You can’t even look at another woman without thinking about me.”
“And ye call me arrogant, Nobody.” His hand slipped around her waist, his eyes drinking in the fine sight of his wife in the daylight. The mix of emotions slowly settled into a feeling he’d long ago forgotten, if he had ever known it at all. Contentment.
Heather smiled, but that violet gaze was soft with concern. “Is everything all right, Aidan?” she asked quietly, glancing once at where the goddess of death had so recently stood.
Aidan didn’t notice. He was looking back over the lawn toward their family and friends. He pulled her into his arms before resting his chin on top of her head. “Everything is so bloody right, it fair makes my head spin.”
Heather finally relaxed against him. It was a moment before she spoke again, and this time the teasing in her voice wasn’t forced, but genuine. “It’ll be spinning again tonight, Aidan O’Neill.”
“Is tha’ a promise then?”
“No.” She ran her nails lightly up his chest, flicking the buttons of his dress shirt before giving him an impish look. “It’s a threat.”
Tossing a throaty laugh over one shoulder, Heather headed out into the sunshine, the golden light swallowing her whole.
With a grin, Aidan followed.
THE END
Acknowledgments
Being an author is often a lonely and frustrating endeavor. Here’s to the people who make it less so:
Zachary, Nicholas, James & Jocelyn: Thanks for understanding, or least pretending to, when we can’t go to the beach or play D&D quite as much as you want. You all grow more amazing with each day that passes and I will cherish each and every one. Now go do your chores. <3
Veronica: Because sometimes you’re the only one between me and quitting. Not sure if I should love or hate you for that…
Rachel: Because you love Aidan almost as much as I do.
Lizz: You didn’t have much to do with this series, it’s true, but you have everything to do with making me better.
And to every reader who left a review when I was just starting out, who sent me a message or followed my page:
You fucking rock. Thanks for being there.
AUTHOR’S NOTES
A few notes.
First, there is no standing stone at Cashtal yn Ard, not like I’ve described in this book. I’ve also taken many liberties with the history and t
he placement of that site and others. I adore the Isle of Man as much as Sloane and highly recommend a visit to this lovely island, but don’t go, as Mac says, “expecting fairies and leprechauns around every rock and bush.”
It’s lovely enough just as it is.
Second, this was intended to be the final book in the Celtic Elementals series, but . . . you never know.
I understand how intrigued many of you are by Bav. She fascinates me, too. If she cooperates, there may be another book sometime in the distant future. (For the curious, Bav does make an appearance in “The Game,” a title featured in my short story collection, Shivers.)
I am also considering a novella featuring Lacey’s sister, Kate.
Finally, I am certain I am far from done with Ireland, the Isle of Man, or Celtic myth in general, but for now I have other things on my plate.
If you’d like to find out what, please check me out at the usual haunts (links included below). I love hearing from and interacting with readers!
Facebook
Amazon
Twitter
Goodreads
[email protected]
Also by Heather R. Blair
Celtic Elementals
Smoke In Moonlight
Lightning In Sea (coming 2017)
Toil & Trouble
Sixpence & Whiskey
Blackbirds & Bourbon
Roses & Rye
Threescore & Tequila
Deja Vu & Gin
Magpies & Moonshine (coming 2017)
Phoenix Inc.
Phoenix Rising
Phoenix Fallen
Phoenix Broken
Cast of Characters (and list of terms)
a chuid den tsaol: Irish Gaelic; “my share of life”
Ailech: a keep in Uí Néill
Aillen: Fomorian prince; half-brother to Aine; ruler of demons and changelings
Aillte an Mhothair: now the Cliffs of Moher; a famous site in western Ireland
Aine: goddess of the moon and time cycles; patroness of werewolves
álainn: Irish Gaelic; “beautiful”
amhasóg: Irish Gaelic; a little bitch, a little barking dog, or a woman being fierce or foolish
An bhfuil tú féin: Irish Gaelic; “do it yourself”
An bhfuil tú go hiomlán gan chiall, tá tú bean dÚsachtach
athair: Irish Gaelic; “father”
Balor: Fomorian king killed by Lugh; he of the evil red eye; killer of Nuada
Bav: the prime form of the goddess trinity known as the Morrighan; goddess of death, cycles and war; patroness of vampires. Her other forms are Anu, the crone; and Machu, the maiden.
brehon: judge, or arbitrator; also used in the term “brehon law.” This was a largely hereditary role taken on by several clans in ancient Ireland.
Bréifne: a keep in Connaught
Brian Boru: the last high king to be crowned at Tara
Brigid: goddess of hearth and home and fire
cábúnach: Irish Gaelic; a stupid or foolish person, a big talker
Cad é seo?: Irish Gaelic; “What’s this?”
Cashtal yn Ard: Manx Gaelic; “Castle of the Heights”; ruins on the Isle of Man
changelings or the Sluagh: undead creatures formed from lost and damned souls to do the bidding of Aillen
claíomh na gréine: Irish Gaelic; “sword of the sun”; a term used for Lugh’s sword, currently in Ronan Fitzpatrick’s possession. It can only be wielded with Lugh’s blessing.
Conchobar: man at arms to Connor Mac Nessa
Connaught: one of the ancient kingdoms of Ireland; in northwestern Ireland
Connor Mac Nessa: ancient king of Connaught
Craiceann a bhualadh le do thoin: Irish Gaelic; “Go fuck yourself.”
Cróeb Ruad: Irish Gaelic; “branch of red”; a legendary band of warriors loyal to Connor Mac Nessa
Cú Chulaind: Irish Gaelic; “Cullen’s hound”; a term applied to Cúchulainn
Cúchulainn: legendary hero of the Cróeb Ruad; half-human son of Lugh of the Long Hand
Damnú air: Irish Gaelic; “damn it” or “sod it”; an expression of frustration
Danu: queen mother of the Tuatha de Danaan; first of their race
daor: Irish Gaelic; “slave”
Dhraíocht: Irish Gaelic; “Are you completely without sense, you crazy woman?”
Dian Cécht: one of the Tuatha de Danaan; a healer and inventor
Du’n Dreach-Fhoula: castle of the vampire Abhartach; located in the area of County Kerry now known as Macgillycuddy’s Reeks
Eire: Irish Gaelic; “Ireland”
eirnin: Irish Gaelic; “iron”
Emain Macha: keep of Connor Mac Nessa
Emer: mortal wife of Cúchulainn
Fand: queen of the fae; former wife to Manannán mac Lir; believed to be a sometime-lover of Cúchulainn
faoladh: werewolf; Werewolves are not traditionally ‘evil’ in Irish folklore. They were more like protectors, though they were considered extremely dangerous.
Finn MacCool: a legendary hero of Irish mythology, much like Cúchulainn
Fomorians: the demon gods who ruled before the Tuatha de Danaan
ghrian siúlóir: Irish Gaelic; “sun walker” or “one who walks in the sun”
Go bhfuil tú ag tiomáint dÚsachtach dom. Ní féidir liom cuimhneamh seo: Manx Gaelic; “You’re driving me crazy. I can take no more of this.”
Le do thoil, a rún mo chroí, ní raibh mé chiallaíonn sé: Irish Gaelic; “Please, secret of my heart, I did not mean it.”
Leinster: one of the ancient kingdoms of Ireland; in the southeast; includes Dublin
Lia Fáil: legendary stone of destiny; said to have been broken by Cúchulainn
Lir: god of the sea (not Manannán mac Lir, but his father)
Litha: the summer solstice
luchóg: Irish Gaelic; “mouse”
Lugh of the Long Hand: current king of the Tuatha de Danaan, foster son to Manannán mac Lir and grandson to Balor, king of the Fomorians. Lugh killed Balor to end the war of the gods. He is the god of the sun, among other things. The term “long-hand,” or sometimes “long-arm,” is for his deadly prowess with the spear.
Mac Giolla Phadraig: ancient name of the Fitzpatrick clan
Manannán mac Lir: god of the sea and horses and weather; foster father of Lugh of the Long Hand
Manx: familiar term for The Isle of Man
mo ghrá: Irish Gaelic; “my love”
Munster: one of the ancient kingdoms of Ireland; in the southwest
Natilus: Catholic priest
Ní thuigim déithe: Irish Gaelic; “I don’t understand gods.”
Niall of the Nine Hostages, perhaps the same as Niall of the Red Hand: an ancient king in Ireland. Many stories are told of a man called Niall who was king for a time in Uí Néill. It is not clear if they are all one and the same man or merely related.
Nuada: former king of the Tuatha de Danaan; prosthetic arm of silver made for him by Dian Cécht after he lost it in battle; killed by Balor
Orthannach: demon henchman and executioner for Aillen
Peel: a city on the Isle of Man
Ramsey: city on the Isle of Man
ruad: Irish Gaelic; “red”
Shannon: well-known waterway in Ireland
Tá fáilte romhat sa teach seo, mo dheartháir: Irish Gaelic; “You are welcome in this house, my brother.”
Tá mé chomh mór sin i ngrá leat tá sé nimhneach: Irish Gaelic; “I am so much in love with you it hurts.”
Tá tú cheana féin: Manx Gaelic; “You already have.”
Tara: an ancient site in Ireland; once the seat of high kings; located in Leinster
Tarraing mó coileach: Irish Gaelic; “Suck my cock.”
Ti’rna No’g: a place of the Otherworld; a starry city in the sky that vanishes with the rising of the sun; a place mortals cannot go
Tuatha de Danaan: the people or tribe of the Danu, the gods of Ireland
Ulster: a province in Ireland, mainly the north
Valhalla: Norse; the Viking afterlife
*Please note: Gaelic translations, particularly of Manx Gaelic, are as accurate as the author can make them.
Lightning In Sea (CELTIC ELEMENTALS Book 3) Page 18