He watched her through narrowed eyes and grinned as she entered the abbey. Defiant and beautiful. Women like her were far and few between.
Flawless.
Chapter 12
The light dimmed over Vacrey Isle and the odd whirling wind whispered to the goddess, “Come to me.”
The glowing green light of the lake rose in vapors to the sky and glided to the soft fluffy cloud that awaited Her. She wrapped her light around the cloud as She took form. Her long braided golden hair shimmered with tiny pink butterflies as her delicate sensual face appeared through the vapor. Her white gown clung to her breasts and cascaded down her waist in white waterfalls to her feet.
Stars twinkled in Her eyes as she looked upon the approaching black thunder cloud. Her seductively sweet smile etched across her face as the dark cloud reached hers. Lightning flashed and pierced the earth in a thunderous mighty booming voice. She turned to the smoke that billowed out from the cloud and held out her hand.
“Oh, stop your fussing and come join me. Our grandchildren are reluctant to our persuasions.” Her voice was sweeter than honey suckles and sent trails of butterflies dancing around her form.
“It is your grandchildren that always dare to defy me!” Dagma's voice echoed loudly and sent hundreds of giant lightning streaks to the earth below and shook the heavens with rage.
Fae, Mother of Vacrey, pouted at the black smoke and held out both of her hands, “Come to me.”
The smoke solidified and Dagma, Father of Earth, stepped out of the smoke onto Her cloud. His crimson essence surrounded Fae and caressed her soft glorious shoulders. The red mist lingered on her neck and lightly brushed her cheeks. He unbraided her hair and pushed through it making it fall about her body in golden ecstasy. Honey and vanilla, the spices of sweet seduction, flowed into his senses and wrapped around his eager appetite.
“Just because you are leader of the pack,” Fae whispered as his wispy red fingers stroked her arms, “does not mean you can have your way with me.”
“I say I can have my way,” his voice was soft and rain drizzled from the sky, “And I see that it pleases you.”
His ora completely surrounded Fae as she welcomed his embrace. Dagma formed as he kissed her lips in breathtaking need. Fae leaned onto his strength and overwhelming power as she responded urgently to his rising desire.
“Where are the others?” His voice threatened to make her wilt before him.
“They come shortly. I needed a few moments of you to myself. It has been too long without you in my arms,” she smiled as his passion burned through his steel gray eyes.
Dagma's armored body and godly mind reeled in pleasure as he picked her up and soared into the sky. His large hands roamed her body as they twisted together in the heavens and sailed to his throne above the world. Fae threw her head back as he sealed kisses upon her skin. Her form weakened and collided with his. Her green mist swirled inside of his crimson power and welcomed his pleasure with her own.
Time stood still as they exploded into the heavens. Rain poured from a cloudless sky and the earth shook with sweet surrender. The moon disappeared, giving the lovers the privacy they so desperately needed.
When Dama, JaQuay, and Haggart arrived, Dagma sat at Fae's feet on his throne. Fae stood and relinquished the throne back to him as she smiled. The others tried to appear ignorant of the situation and all three bowed as he reclaimed his throne.
“Seems you three are not succeeding in your battles with fate. How does the provocation go with the youngest McKregan?” Dagma turned to Fae and winked. Her eyes lowered as she tried to hide her smile.
JaQuay stepped forward, warmth and love radiated from her presence. Her body appeared in the aged form of Ell'andra. Even Dagma caught his breath at her beauty and quickly looked away in fear that Fae was watching. He listened intently to her voice that sounded like the sweetest nightingale's song.
“The two are evenly matched and will soon have their first encounter. I suspect all will go well. Queen Joaquinn is positive her daughter has been looking upon the McKregan with wanton eyes.” JaQuay's tight smile begged Dagma's attention.
“And the queen?”
“Joaquinn's heart is full of regret and she often dreams of the man who sired her children. She no longer wants to be queen. I will gladly release her when Ell'andra comes to the throne,” JaQuay frowned as she continued, “I am not positive that Ell'andra will wish to take the throne and if she does not, your plans will come unglued at the seams.”
Dagma considered her words and tried to understand JaQuay's sadness, “And what of you? Do you want her to be queen?”
JaQuay answered slowly, “I want her to be happy.”
Haggart in flowing white robes and matching beard stepped forward, “Joaquinn's love may not be so easily accepted by Douglas. He may not forgive her when she explains why she left. And let us not forget that he has thought her dead now twenty and one years. There is always the possibility that he will no longer trust her words.”
Dagma frowned, “Has his fire for her not been rekindled after meeting Ell'andra?”
“Yes, it has. But men's hearts are hard and hide in anger if they are hurt. His pain was great when he thought he had lost her,” Dama glared at her father, knowing what her son was about to face, “Pain of the heart can easily kill a man and often they take their own lives to end the torture of a broken heart.”
“I am fully aware that Kagan has a hard path before him, but he must prove himself worthy or die to get to Valhalla,” Dagma's words hit Dama hard but he did not spare her the time to heal, “If he fails me and does not stand firm, he will not be welcomed here.”
Dama retaliated and stepped to the bottom of the massive throne with defiance in her gray eyes, “He is my son! How can you allow him to fail? He has served you with every fiber of his being and has already proved himself to be a great warrior. I will not let you best him with your arrogance.”
Dagma's heart swelled with pride at his daughter's conviction to her son but he forced his smile to form a frown, “You will not interfere with my plans and fate will lead him to his destiny, whatever it may be.”
Dama fumed, “And what of Ell'andra? She has grown stronger than you had hoped. Against all odds she still stands firm against men and against you. She will not be persuaded to fall at his feet. She will be the death of him and I will never forgive you!”
Fae stepped to Dama's side and placed her arm around her shoulders, “She already loves him and a woman's heart yearns for a man. Give her time to accept him before you convince yourself all is going wrong.”
Dama looked upon Ell'andra's grandmother and softly smiled at her sweetness, “He is my son and I only want him to succeed.”
“Give them both a chance before you seal them with a horrible fate,” Fae whispered.
Dama and JaQuay shimmered and disappeared as Fae waved a farewell to her god, to her lover. Fae glided back down to her cloud and fluttered back to the lake on Vacrey Isle. She smiled as a single delicate strand of lightning lit up the lake with brilliant light. She laughed and her heart jumped as the lake was filled with red and gray butterflies. Their fire and ice swirled around her as they kissed her body with feather light goodbyes. The God of War and Earth was soft as butter when it came to Fae.
Haggart grinned as he watched Dagma send his love to Fae. He chuckled as Dagma gave him a warning look. They spoke in ancient silent thought as they walked through Valhalla's halls.
“Your grandson will soon be off to war. I have staged a great revolt with the wanderers of the highlands. It will prove to be a mighty battle. He will have to overcome many trials and use all his powers of strength and knowledge to defeat this enemy.”
“And does he rise to the challenge as he should?”
“Does he ever not rise to a challenge?”
“And what of our plans for Ell'andra? Will he overcome the grief?”
“His arrogance may be his downfall. He often lets his pride override his ars
e. He continues to claim Ell'andra as property and she continues to defy him.”
“If Kagan needs a rude awakening then I will give him one he will never forget!”
“But you....you swore to Fae...swore you would not interfere.”
“I am not going to interfere, I am going to prevent.”
Kagan returned to his keep late in the fourth evening of his second disappearance. Andra was standing at a window overlooking the bailey when he arrived, leaping from Demon's back like a lion jumping onto its prey. He wore his usual arrogant roguish smile and was cradling a white box in one massive hand.
Andra was remotely impressed when he turned to Demon and drug the quilt from his back and released his reigns. He did not lead him to the stable and let him go off on his own across the bailey. Demon looked up towards Andra and snorted a quick hello. Andra smiled and waved at him as he sauntered out of sight.
She watched Kagan talk with the warriors who jousted with spears earlier. They listened intently to whatever he was saying and grinned as they slapped each other on their backs. Kagan laughed and looked pleased with himself as he walked out of sight. Andra groaned, knowing she would have to deal with his presence sooner or later. She walked down the corridor and turned the corner that lead to her room. She slipped in and went to the vanity by the tub and sat down and stared at her reflection.
She was so very different from the women she had met and known all of her life, so very homely compared to them. She stared into her own eyes and wondered if her mother had looked like her. She smiled as her aunt came to mind, Andra did resemble her. They shared the same eyes and hair and even her face was the same shape as Joaquinn's. Andra quickly assessed the small traits that they held in common. Perhaps she was not as ugly and homely as she had once thought. Perhaps, she was even pretty. Perhaps.
Kagan hurled himself into his bed and smiled at the ceiling. He would wait until Andra was asleep before testing Haggart's potion. He would make her want him and be the seducer he knew he was. She would fall at his feet begging him to bed her, begging him to touch every soft lovely inch of her glorious body.
He tilted the small flask to his lips and let the bitter liquid run down his throat. It stung all the way down to his stomach. His guts roared in anger as it spread and entered his bloodstream. His pulse quickened and raged under the brew's spell. He took a deep breath as his body relaxed and his heart beat slowed to a silent murmur. His fingers and toes went numb and his lips felt heavy and confined. He closed his eyes letting the spell work out it's harsh beginning.
An hour later, he stood and stretched like a cat, his eyes were dull and his emotions no longer controlled his body. He would be resistant to her and she would have to exercise her greatest charms to entice him tonight. A roguish smile appeared on his lips as he imagined her begging him to take her.
He eased to the secret door and strolled into her room. He stood at the edge of her bed and smiled. Slowly, he eased down and kissed her forehead and was taken aback when she spoke.
“I am'na asleep and ye will kindly refrain from touchin' me.”
Kagan caught his tongue and replied, “I need ye to ease the pain in my back.”
“Lie down and I will see to it right away milord,” Andra bit out sarcastically.
Kagan obeyed with a grin and fell as if drunk at her side. She sat up and knelt by his side. She rubbed hard and intended on making his back hurt worse, but she was angered by his snore. She slapped his head and rolled over onto her shoulder. She grunted her anger when he laughed and turned his back to her.
“Rub, I only jest with ye,” he lazily admitted as her hands pinched his shoulders.
“Ye be drunk and mean,” she retorted.
“Nay, wrong on both counts.”
“Men are all mean and self-righteous,” she gritted as she kneed him in the butt, “Ye each should ha'e ye arses kicked three times a day for ills ye ha'e done, will do, and plan to do.”
Kagan chuckled as she slid her hands to his back and continued her speech, “Ye be a vile creature and care na what others think or feel. Ye only want to conquer those who are weaker than ye and want to destroy those who can best ye.”
Kagan's eyes grew heavy and he rolled onto his back, “Hush woman. I am tired and need sleep.”
“Then go to ye chamber and lea'e me alone,” she replied as he crossed his arms under his head, “I can'na sleep with the likes of ye snorin' and breathin' like a dragon.”
“How do ye know I snore and breath...like a dragon?” He smiled as his words slowly drawled from his lips.
She sat up and smacked his chest, “I can hear ye through that damn door!”
“Then what difference does it make whether I sleep here or in there?
“Because I sleep naked and donna want the sweat of ye body drippin’ on mine,” she angrily shot at him as she smacked his chest again.
“If ye continue smackin' me, I will be forced to ha'e my guard come in and tie ye hands 'hind ye back and then ye will ha'e to use ye pretty little toes to rub my neck,” he teased as he strained to turn over facing her.
Her green eyes brightened, “If ye donna call ye dogs down, I will be forced to use my wily ways to seduce e'ery last one of 'em into doin' whate'er I want 'em to do!”
Kagan laughed, “They are loyal only to me and donna fall for tricks of womanly flesh. Do as ye will and see I speak the truth.”
Andra bolted out of the bed and cursed under her breath as she stomped out of the door to face the two guards in the hall. Andra gently shut the door and grinned as Kagan swung his boots to the floor. She turned smiling sweetly and leaned onto the arm of the first giant man. She sighed and ran her fingers down his arm. He stiffened and looked at his laird's door.
“Can ye help me, can both of ye help me?” she whispered as she batted her lashes, “I am in need of the company of real men and am engulfed with erotic dreams. I do grow lonely at night without a man to share my bed.”
“Milady, the laird would kill us both if we took yer kind offer,” he sternly replied, “Go back to bed and rest easy.”
Andra pouted and leaned closer, running her hand up his great chest, “Just for a few moments, come sit with me on my bed and hold me while I fall asleep.”
The other guard stepped forward and took her hand. His foolish grin thrilled Andra and she stepped to his side, “I am so very stirred and my body is in sweats after my dream.”
The first guard placed his hand on her back and eased her back to her door. He turned the knob with a greedy look in his eye. The other guard smiled broadly at the first as he led her back in. Andra shrugged her sleeve off of her shoulder and smiled. She silently hoped Kagan would hurry up and blow his temper.
Kagan swung the door open, a lazy grin on his face. “Fear na woman, I ha'e already explained to 'em what tricks ye may use against them,” he laughed, “I in my wisdom ha'e allowed for all that ye could possibly conceive.”
Kagan’s grin did little to hide the dulled expression on his face. She stared at him and wondered how long he had been drinking. He stared at her and wondered how long she had planned her little escapade. She knew she was losing the battle at hand and decided to change her tactics. She placed her hand on her forehead and winced as if she were in pain. The guards disappeared as she grabbed his arm and swayed against his strength.
“I feel faint,” she muttered against his chest, “I...”
She smiled wickedly as he swept her up into his arms and quickly crossed the floor to her bed. She faked a soft moan as he bent to lay her down. He felt of her head to see if she were feverish and gently rubbed her neck, feeling for her heartbeat. He scanned her body and met her laughing gaze and cursed under his breath. She had won again and he laughed in his present state of shrouded mind.
She grinned and hugged his neck and rewarded his caring gesture with a kiss. Her lips were soft and exploring and he let her take him in her arms and pull him down next to her. He silently wished he had not taken the brew and hoped she
did not explore his midriff, for it was useless and soft. She caressed his shoulders and her green eyes misted and he smiled lovingly at his woman for reasons he could not explain. He knew she had cast her shell aside and under the influence of potions or not, he was going to enjoy it.
“Under what whiskey are ye besieged that ye ego has melted and ye seem a mere man?”
“Donna I seem to be a man any other time?” He asked as she gently tugged on his hair.
“Nay, ye walk about as if ye were a lion greedily licking it's hungry lips.”
“Perhaps this lion hungers for his lioness that holds him back from her succulent side,” he whispered as she slid her hands down his numb arms, “Perhaps he hopes she will let him claim her and shower her with radiant kisses and caresses.”
“The drunken lion needs to quieten his tongue or he will be kicked in his royal backside!” She grinned, “And the lioness is'na impressed with his show of arrogance and pride.”
Kagan rested his heavy head on her shoulder and sank into her warmth. For a few brief minutes he wondered if he were dreaming and then she yawned in his ear as pushed him up. He rolled as best he could so she could stretch out on the bed. His silence and indifferent touches threatened her pride. She toyed with her hair as she pouted at him. He stood and the room grew fuzzy.
She puffed and frowned, “Go to bed and sleep ye drunkenness away, I grow ill of ye slurred speech and swaggered steps.”
He groaned as he made his way to the door deciding he had taken too much of the poison. He stepped through the doorway and shut the door. He turned towards the bed and fell forward, landing on his knees. His eyes shut and the floor broke the reminder of his fall. He slept deeply and dreamt of breaking Haggart's bony neck and skinning his old wrinkled body.
Crimm frowned as he watched the small army make camp on the southern border of Geldamar. They had traveled for three days now and were intent on reaching Fendenbrair in less than a week. Crimm had followed and kept to the shadows to learn what scheme lay at hand. Trouble was brewing among the nomads and O'Donnells. Silt O'Donnell was either ignorant and arrogant or he was relaying on King James to come to his rescue again. O'Donnell had demanded his cousin, the king, to deploy two thousand soldiers and lay waste to his enemies. Unfortunately for him, the King did not take to being ordered around. King James had other plans for O'Donnell and Crimm held the orders in his tightly wadded fist.
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