“And how did you end up in prison?” Killian asked again.
“Well, I suppose murdering a Scottish clansman is considered a crime even if he was in allegiance with a dark demon. I just happened to get wounded in the battle and wasn’t able to use my ability to move through time till I healed.”
“Couldn’t the gods have simply assisted you with that?” Alainn reasoned.
“Apparently not, when they didn’t order the clansman murdered. In hearing his deranged thoughts, I learned he had violated a young woman and I couldn’t allow him to go unpunished for the crime or permit him to repeat the unforgivable offense. But that is another grim story, and tonight is to be a time of joy and celebration.”
Alainn nodded in seeing the serious look in her father’s dark blue eyes and wasn’t surprised to learn he was a chivalrous sort. Having lost his young sister to a depraved being who took her virtue and her life, he would surely feel compelled to rescue women from a similar fate or avenge any wrongdoings done to young women.
“We have more than a decade to catch up on, Killian. You must tell me much of what has happened in these last years.” Kieran insisted as he looked up at his tall, muscular son. “And how did you grow to be so big and tall, sure you must have taken after your mother’s people for her father and grandfather were believed to have a distant lineage to giants because of their unusual height, or so it was rumored.” They smiled as they looked off at the many actual giants included in this unusual celebration.
“Your uncommonly handsome and grandly built son is a modest sort and will surely not state his many accolades so I will proudly sing his praises for him. He is a champion at every manner of weaponry and hails champion of all Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Old Meathe, and surely he would be of Ulster as well, had he ever battled against those from the northern province. He is unbeatable at the broadsword, pith and sparth axe, and morning star as well. He is a master at the bow, unmatched at one-to-one combat using only strength and agility, and is as able a horseman as you could ever find. He is strong and stalwart, courageous and gentlemanly, and the cause of many a young maiden’s swooning.
“He is also a fine chieftain and the youngest ever named to the council of the clans for he was only two and twenty at the time. He can eloquently sway men with his knowledge of political matters and battle strategy… and—”
“Enough, Alainn!” Killian said and his face was now crimson at her voicing her pride in him. “My wife may be somewhat biased, I fear.”
“Not a word of it, Killian O’Brien. You could ask anyone who knows him, I assure you. They would tell you the same.”
“Then perhaps I might boast just so regarding you; I might alert our fathers to your generous nature and kind heart, and the surely incalculable lives you have saved and bettered as a gifted healer even without the magic?” He lifted his eyebrow as he spoke.
Both their fathers glanced at them as they shared an amused moment, stared at each other with notable fondness, and then kissed once more.
Alainn listened as Killian and his father continued sharing various details of what had taken place in the past decade, with their family, the O’Briens, and others they knew both at Castle O’Brien and Castle O’Donnel. She happily observed the two of them together. Even though Killian was considerably taller and broader than his father, she noted the many similarities between father and son. Their hair was nearly the same rich, dark brown color, although Kieran’s temples were streaked with gray. Their ears and nose were almost identical. But many of their mannerisms were strikingly similar as well, the way they cocked their head at precisely the same angle as they listened intently, and when they smiled it was with their eyes and not simply their lips. As they appeared engrossed in their discussion, Teige moved closer to his daughter so they might converse as well.
“And you and me, Alainn, we have an entire lifetime to speak on,” Teige said with a far-off look in his eyes. “I cannot believe I have missed out on seeing you grow to a young woman.”
“I am now eight and ten,” she informed him.
He shook his head and it was obvious there was much regret.
“I should have gone back, should have seen for myself that Mara was killed. They told me she was dead, insisted she had already been buried. I should have questioned it more, should have demanded to see her body. But, I was ailing physically for I’d been beaten for insulting the chieftain, my heart was broken and my spirit as well. I wanted revenge, for it was Hugh’s father who had supposedly ordered her death for it was always rumored Mara possessed magical abilities and she was sometimes feared because of it. I wanted to shelter her from all of that and had planned to take her away to my chiefdom where magic was accepted.”
Alainn allowed her thoughts to fall on the dismal, lonely life her mother had led living in a cave near the stone close, and on the fact her mother had taken her to live with another couple when she was only days old. She had believed Alainn’s life would be easier if no one knew she was the daughter of the infamous glade witch who’d placed the curse on the O’Briens. Alainn had only learned about her connection to Mara just over one year earlier and much difficulty had ensured because of it. Instead of dwelling on the past unpleasantness, she cleared her thoughts, hoping her father wouldn’t hear them, for sure he would feel even more useless guilt in learning those hard truths, and that Mara hadn’t raised their daughter.
“They told my mother the same, that you’d been killed, and although she wasn’t entirely certain she gave credence to the account, she said she always believed if you lived you would have come for her.”
“I would have, if I’d thought for even a moment she was alive, I would have gone to the ends of the earth for her, for both of you.”
“Why did you never come back to visit your parents, or to see your sister Siobhan? They have all fretted endlessly and grieved much in your regard.”
“I suppose they have, and I am regretful of that as well. When you are enlisted by the gods, I think they somehow weaken the emotional links to those we’ve left behind, maybe to make it more bearable to be parted. But, I admit I was fiercely angry when I left. My father and I never did see eye to eye on many subjects. Not to say he wasn’t a great chieftain, a learned druid, a steadfast father, and a good, wise man. But I was outraged when he wouldn’t wage war on Hugh O’Brien’s father when I requested it. Now that I am older and wiser, I understand his reasoning. Hugh was married to my sister, Siobhan, and they had two small sons. They would have been caught in the cruel aftermath. I was young and wanted certain vengeance for Mara’s death. Now I see it would have cost many lives and much bloodshed. I did not want to hear my father’s reasoning in telling me no amount of violence or bloodshed would bring Mara back to me. My father was wise to understand that.”
“He is still a wise man,” Alainn announced.
“My father still lives?” Teige questioned with warmth in his eyes.
She nodded.
“And Mother?”
She shook her head. “I was with her when she passed to the beyond, though at the time I did not know she was my grandmother.”
“We have so much to talk about, Alainn, and so little time.” He glanced toward the moon in the sky to determine just how much time they would be allowed together.
Alainn was startled to see the spirit of Shylie appear. The spectral girl smiled at Alainn and at Teige.
“You have finally met your father. That pleases me.”
Alainn’s eyes must have revealed her concern for Mary, and Shylie spoke through telepathy once more.
“Before you rebuke me, Alainn, I assure you Mary is well. Conner has arrived and has barely left Mary’s side. She is in good hands. Not her husbands’ hands, but who could blame her, for you well know my opinion of your cousin; he is an irredeemable arse!”
Alainn was happy to hear Conner had made it to Mary safely, and she laughed aloud at Shylie’s accurate description of Riley.
“Aye, well, that might be q
uite true, but he’s your nephew as well.” Alainn jested.
Teige stared at her with much uncertainty as she continued her conversation with his sister, now a spirit.
“I wasn’t aware spirits could venture to the realm of the gods. Can your brother, with all his many supernatural abilities, not see you, then?” Alainn spoke apparently to the empty air.
“Shylie, ’tis good to see you.” Killian turned when he saw her and warmly addressed the spirit girl.
“You speak as though you see, Shylie, Teige’s young sister. She died many years ago.” Kieran said.
Teige stared at Alainn and Killian as though they had lost their minds or consumed altogether too much mead.
“Ah, so you have capably blocked the ability that allows you to see spirits,” Alainn deducted. “I have done so at times as well, but your younger sister is a persistent sort and came through the veil even when I did not necessarily desire it to be so.”
Teige remained unsure of what she referred to.
“When was the last time you viewed a spirit?” she asked her father.
“Oh, I was only a young lad, maybe not yet four years of age. Their presence disturbed me greatly, so I simply refused to see them. They were everywhere and some of them not so very pleasant, so I decided I wouldn’t see them again. I doubt I am capable any longer.”
“And now do you desire to see them again?”
“Well, I admit I’d like to see Shylie again after so many years.”
Alainn placed her hand on her father’s eyes and then on his temples. She closed her own eyes and spoke in the undecipherable combined druid and fairy language. When she opened her eyes, she saw her father jump in earnest for Shylie stood beside him.
Though surely not a man who often allowed his sentiments to be seen, his eyes filled with obvious joy to see the spirit of his young sister who had been killed well over twenty years earlier.
Shylie smiled and embraced her older brother.
“Teige, my beloved older brother, how I have missed that familiar grin.”
Tears formed in her father’s eyes as he looked upon his long-departed younger sister.
“And I you, Shylie. It has been so long since I’ve seen your sweet face.”
“How is it Killian possesses the ability to see spirits? I didn’t know there were any magical abilities in our line,” Kieran remarked.
“Alainn has healed me with her blood on more than one occasion which makes me apparently immune to some of her magic, but now capable of some small magical feats as well. And we have recently learned Mother’s own mother, my grandmother who died when Mother was only a babe, possessed magical abilities, so I suppose I do have some magic in my lineage.”
Alainn gazed lovingly up at her husband and at the small group at their table. It warmed her heart to see Killian reunited with his father and Shylie with her brother. She glanced over at Danhoul who was speaking with Lugh at the moment. Then her eyes went to Aine who stared at Alainn from her place in the large table of the gods.
“I will return directly, Killian. I must speak to Aine.”
*
Killian stared at Alainn as she walked away and his expression must have made the others curious.
“What is it, Killian?” Kieran quizzed and Teige glanced at Killian as well.
“I well recognize that look. My lovely young wife has that unmistakable, determined expression upon her beautiful face. She is off to speak with Aine and clearly up to something. I only hope the sparks will literally not soon fly between those two.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Both Killian and Danhoul were staring at Alainn with not a little concern as she spoke with Aine.
“I wasn’t previously aware that spirits could journey to the realm of the gods?” She related to Aine.
“It isn’t a common occurrence but it has been done. I see your father’s young sister is here even now.”
“I have a great service I must ask of you, Aine.”
“Go on then, although after your life was spared, and the evil within you terminated, I would not have expected you to be asking for more favors this day.”
“Well, it is not entirely for myself I ask.”
“It seldom is, my compassionate kin.”
Alainn didn’t miss the seriousness and suspiciousness on the goddess’s face and the way she crossed her arms.
Lugh had seen the apparently austere conversation taking place and he’d curiously come to see what the two strong-willed females were discussing.
“If the eminent journey to the future Danhoul and I must embark upon is near, and therefore our time limited, I would ask that you lift the condition placed on Danhoul so that he might have a duration apart from me.” Alainn requested as she glanced at Aine and then at Lugh.
“You may still need to be protected,” Aine warned.
“But I sense within my heart and with my intuition, even though many events have been reversed and undone, the demon that has been pursuing me for so long is finally dead. Is that truth?”
“The demon is well and truly dead,” Aine confirmed.
“With the demon dead and the evil being within me gone, there is no immediate or apparent threat. Allow Danhoul this time free from such strict limitations, and grant Killian and I this cherished time alone together.”
“But Odhran could send another demon any time or another coven of witches might be conjured and sent to harm you and spread their darkness.”
“And the sun might not rise one day and leave the world in perpetual darkness. The moon might fall to the sea and send an endless tide that floods the earth, or I might simply slip in sheep dung and break my damnable neck! And how will Danhoul prevent any of that?” Alainn stated with sarcastic impatience. “I will not live my entire life fretful of what may or may not come to pass.”
Aine shook her head at her preposterous suggestions. “I am most serious, my kin. You will always need your guardians.”
“And I will have Killian by my side and sure Danhoul could be summoned if he is truly needed, but for now, won’t you allow Danhoul to learn of his family and his history? Won’t you permit him time spent with Diadra and Ardal?”
Aine stared at Alainn with warning in her eyes, but did not speak further in objection so Alainn spoke on.
“If Danhoul is soon to be sent to the future then it seems only fair that he should have this time with his parents now.”
“Even after all the pain and misfortune you have encountered, you maintain the belief that life is fair… for a human or a god?”
“Allow Diadra and Ardal to be with Danhoul.”
“It isn’t possible,” Aine declared. “It poses too much of a risk.”
“Where and when would it be less risky than now here in the realm of the gods? Odhran has never been here so apparently he is incapable. If spirits are able to venture here and Danhoul has spent much time here, let them have time together as a family. I implore you, tell Danhoul of his parentage.”
“I think we should allow it, Aine.” Lugh surprisingly revealed.
“You do have a generous heart and a soft spot for Danhoul, after all.” Alainn smiled appreciatively at the immense Celtic god.
“Well, I have spent much time with the young druid and trained him for many years. He may tend to be somewhat trying at times, but so, too are all humans I suppose,” Lugh offered. “I believe it would a benefit to him to meet his parents.”
“We will need to discuss this with Dagda,” Aine solemnly stated.
“And then the gods will all need to converge together and then to take a vote and by the looks of the lot of them they may have no interest in voting at the moment.” Alainn sighed.
They all glanced over at the table where the gods drank and feasted and a not a few of them were even now romantically or passionately engrossed.
“Let us make this decision, Aine, for Ardal and Diadra have been loyal to the gods for so many centuries. What’s the worst that can happen?”
“Well, we are immortal. I’m certain we would find a way to return. We always have!” He beamed broadly. “After thirteen human centuries I would think it is high time Diadra and Ardal are reunited and allowed time with their son. And after all the lives young Danhoul has lived and all he’s done in servitude to the gods, he should finally learn the truth. This is to be the last life they live, after all!” Lugh’s tone had grown more solemn in stating this.
“You speak the truth, Lugh. I shall summon the spirits now and we will allow them to be united for a time here in our realm and young Danhoul will be given time with them as well.”
“The condition will be lifted from Danhoul… his head will no longer throb when he is parted from me?”
“It shall be done,” Aine agreed with some hesitation. “Lugh, go call young Danhoul here to us.”
Killian had come to join Alainn when he had seen the seriousness on her face. He placed his arm around her waist, but posed no questions so Aine didn’t question or protest his presence.
Danhoul’s face was filled with much uncertainty as he walked toward Alainn and Aine.
“What is it you need, Aine? Lugh said you required my presence.”
Danhoul and Killian were both stunned when the spirits of Diadra and Ardal suddenly appeared with broad smiles on their faces and standing together holding hands.
“We are to be allowed time together?” Diadra happily questioned.
“Yes, you are free to remain here in the realm of the gods together for a time, as long as you are all well aware Danhoul will be summoned when the time comes for him to be called to be of service as Alainn’s guardian or sent to the future.”
“Would someone please tell me what the hell all of you are talking about?” The confusion on Danhoul’s face was apparent.
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