Alainn felt the mist upon her face and she inhaled deeply and turned to look at the man and then away from him yet again. Soon the thunder began to crash and streaks of jagged lightning lit up the sky.
“You can do magic, Lady Alainn. Surely that can assist you in a manner less drastic than throwing yourself over these cliffs.”
She had to raise her voice to be heard above the ever heightening wind and her voice sounded hollow and her tongue thick with the amount of herbal remedies she’d been drinking. “There are some things that cannot be mended, Conner, not by love nor with magic. There are some fates so much more unimaginably dark and terrible that death is surely simply easier and far more welcomed.”
She felt herself growing ever-dizzy and queasy and so she lowered herself to the stony ground and simply sat with her legs dangling over the edge of the precipice. Conner dared to sit down beside her and placed his arm around her.
“You’re liable to get yourself killed, Conner. For although I haven’t made up my mind on this...not entirely, this wind is strong and unpredictable and if the lightning should find us, then I think it may not be instant or painless. As a healer I tell you, I have seen it before.”
“You once claimed to be my friend.” Conner was apparently not deterred by the prospect of possibly being hit by lightning.
“I am your friend.”
“Well then, as your friend, I canna allow you to end your life this way. You’re a treasure, Lady Alainn; you’re kind and you’re caring. You see the good in people even when others refuse to consider it. You don’t judge others and that is rare. Besides, as a gifted and knowledgeable healer you’ve saved the life of many, surely only recently with the fever that struck this land.”
When she didn’t reply, he obviously changed his strategy in hoping to dissuade her from attempting anything untoward.
“Do you not ken how many people would be devastated at losing you? What of Killian? How could he bear having you lost from his life, most especially in this manner for he would sure place blame on himself? He loves you perhaps more than any man ever loved a woman. I see it in his eyes.”
Alainn felt her own eyes stinging with tears and she turned away from Conner.
“What of Mary, she cares deeply for you and she’s so near her time; you canna do this to her Lady Alainn! Though I know not what has you so verra hopelessly distraught you feel this grim ending is the only way out, there has got to be another way. You are unusually strong and gifted and incredibly loyal and compassionate. You feel empathy and love for all those around you. Think of young Lily. I am aware you prevented her from being harmed back in England, but what would this do to her, to lose someone else so dear to her?”
“That’s unfair, Conner.”
“And throwing yourself over the cliffs to land on the damnable sharp and unforgiving rocks below, ending your life in such a violent manner, perhaps having someone who loves you find you like that, do ye believe would that be fair to those who hold you dear in their hearts? I already fashioned a casket for your wee bairn, don’t make me do the same for you, Lady Alainn.”
Alainn finally turned to look at Conner for the first time. She had no desire to tell him what had brought her to these cliffs this night, yet she could sense his empathy and feel his own pain and she did want to make him understand her plight.
“Conner, as you’ve said, you know I possess magical abilities and often I am able to foretell the future. Believe me when I say, if what I fear may happen, if what I have seen in my visions should come to pass then I assure you, anyone dear to me, including Killian, Mary, Lily, and you will be made to suffer grievously, far more than simply the hardship of the loss of one life.”
“Tell me then, as your friend confide in me, and let me be the judge.”
Alainn’s hair blew wildly about her face as the cold wind continued to howl around them. She considered whether to alert him to the desperate truth, or to simply allow him to escort her back to the castle so that she might return to her warm bed beside Killian.
The serious look in his eyes and the sense that he was much affected allowed her to speak further.
“Do you perhaps know of an old crone somewhere in Scotland that is able to capably end a woman’s time with child?”
“For the love of Christ Almighty, ye want to end your life simply because you carry a child?”
“It is much more complicated than you might assume,” she whispered so he could barely hear the words.
He clearly struggled to understand. “So it’s not your husband’s bairn then?” he surmised.
“No,” she whispered.
“Young Danhoul’s then?” he suggested.
“No! I have not ever been with Danhoul in such a manner,” she blared in obvious insult. She fought to pull away from Conner, but he held tight to her shoulders.
“Och, aye, you’re correct, it’s none of my concern who fathered the bairn. But if yer body’s found at the bottom of the rocks, then there’s bound to be many a conclusion drawn as to what circumstances might have led to you being found there, and one possibility would be that you took your own life, the other might be that another ended your life. If it is discovered you carried a child, that lends to many untoward possibilities.”
“You’re suggesting they might suspect Killian harmed me? That would be an entirely ludicrous assumption. He would never harm me,” she gasped not caring to cause any further discord for him.
“If it is discovered you carry a child then it will give the gossipmongers much to reckon.”
“I s’pose you’re correct on that count.”
“Could ye not simply pass the child off as your husband’s bairn for it’s not like you haven’t been with him, you’re at each other all the time? Any of those who have spent time with the two of you know you share an uncommon passion. And your husband is a good man, an honorable man. I saw how deeply he mourned your wee son as well. He’d make a good father. If I had the opportunity to raise Mary’s bairn, I would do so without question. I believe you and your husband and the child could have a happy life together. Though I’m not saying deceptiveness is a commendable asset to a marriage, I’m thinking in this instance what he doesna know canna hurt him, lass...and it would surely hurt him much less than finding your damaged body at the bottom of the cliffs or worse yet, never knowing what happened to you should the waves take you out to sea.”
“I am not Mary, Conner. Although Riley is not a pillar of honor or integrity, and he has been known to be unpleasant, unfaithful, and uncaring, the child I carry was fathered by an uncommonly powerful man with little conscience.”
“Focking hell, you carry the child of King Henry of England? You allowed yourself to be violated in order to keep young Lily from harm’s way, aye?”
She supposed he would know the man’s reputation with women, and that she had spent time in the company of the king. Although he’d been carried off to the dungeon, he had known she had said or done something that allowed Lily to be returned to her parents. She closed her eyes and nodded her head reasoning there was little use in denying it.
“Well it’s not as though the king knows of the child, aye?”
“He does not.”
“We can be much thankful for that at the verra least. If the bairn is raised by you and Killian it is unlikely he will inherit any of the king’s unfavorable traits. The king is tall, so it is likely your wee child could pass as your husband’s bairn, I’m certain and maybe the child will favor you and be fair and blonde so then appearance won’t much be a consideration.”
“If only it were so simple, and appearance was all that was to be considered Conner. The child I carry was terribly affected by the cursed blade I suffered. Every day he grows within me, the darker his nature becomes and the stronger his powers. If he inherits some of my abilities, is born and allowed to become a man, he may cause much unimaginable devastation and is sure to be the end of all those I love, for I believe within my heart he will join the allegia
nce of the dark side. I have seen it in a dream this very night.”
Although the dark storm clouds capably ensconced the moonlight, Alainn could determine even by the minimal light of the lantern Conner’s face had grown ashen.
“And you cannot find a way to end this with your herbal remedies or your magic?”
“Not thus far, no.” She shook her head.
He obviously believed in Alainn’s abilities and she aptly heard his thoughts. She knew Conner trusted in her and that if she believed something so horrific would come to pass should she bear the child she now carried, then he knew he would have little choice but to side with her and prevent whatever evil she feared.
“I will be certain to find someone who can assist you, Lady Alainn. Set off on our journey tomorrow and I promise I will find someone who can accomplish the deed. I see it weighs heavy on you, but it is preferential to ending your life. You are too well important to so verra many people.”
“I do thank you, Conner. If the unthinkable deed is done far away from here it is to be hoped no one else will ever need learn of what I shall be forced to do to end this.”
“It sounds to me like a good many of us will have you to thank for preventing whatever evil happenings might come to be.”
She nodded and feeling more steady she attempted to stand when an unnaturally strong wind gusted over the cliffs and caught her woolen cloak. She felt herself being pulled over the edge and Conner grabbed her, but it was almost certain they would both fall to their deaths. She attempted to call upon her magic, always stronger during the light of the full moon, but she felt as though something was preventing it. She was soon overcome with severe and debilitating dizziness at the precise time the wind caught them once more.
Conner forcefully grabbed her arm and they were both pulled over the edge. As they hovered above the earth, her suspended in mid-air and Conner clinging to her hand, she attempted to use her powers to carry them back to safety. When they were finally above the land and not the water, she allowed her magic to be released, but then the wind caught them again. In fear and desperation, Conner lunged toward her and threw her to the ground. When he stumbled on the slippery surface, he fell and landed directly on top of her. She screamed out in agony as pain surged through her head as it struck the rock and the wind was soon knocked from her by the weight of Conner’s body above her. As she fought to catch her breath, Conner cussed and she realized he had re-injured the old wound on his shoulder. He moaned and grunted and awkwardly attempted to move from her, when she saw the moonlight catch the glint of the sword above them.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Her eyes must have revealed her terror, but she’d hit the ground with such force she could not catch her breath so she might voice the truth of the situation. She saw Killian’s sword dangerously close to Conner’s head and she used her magic to respond. She saw Killian’s sword fly through the air and over the embankment. Conner was magically lifted from his position above her and set down upon the rock beside her. Killian’s eyes were filled with uncommon rage and he flung himself upon the other man who remained moaning in pain and unable to move.
Alainn finally managed to take a breath. She attempted to right the dizziness in her head, and the ringing in her ears. She needed to go to Killian to explain the situation before he caused further damage to Conner, but when she placed her hand to her head she felt the warm trickle of blood and a distinct queasiness. She shook her head and then heard another very angry male voice call out to her in accusation.
“Alainn, what in hell are you doing up here on these cliffs? And why have you purposely blocked your thoughts so that I cannot hear them? The gods informed me I needed to come up here at once. They said Shylie had already sent Killian to search for you, but they believed my magic might be needed to save you.”
Danhoul seemed to entirely ignore the fact Killian was earnestly punching Conner, and by now the two big men were rolling around together and Conner had gotten in a sturdy hit or two as well.
“You had better explain yourself, Alainn!” Danhoul demanded.
Her head was throbbing and she stared at Danhoul with fury at his demanding tone. Still unable to stand, she glanced at all three men. She used her magic to cause Conner to sail through the air once more and this time she purposely sent the large man crashing into Danhoul and they both toppled to the ground. When they managed to disentangle themselves, all three men sat cross-armed openly staring at her, and none of them appeared pleased in the slightest.
Alainn called to the wind to still it, and soon the thunder and lightning ceased as well. She was startled when she saw the spirit of Shylie appear beside her and then the spectral Brendolyn O’Donnel materialized once more, as well. Alainn shook her head at the absurdity of the entire situation when Shylie began to speak.
“Diadra insisted I must go to you. She said she was certain you were in need of immediate protection, but when I saw you heading toward the cliffs, I reasoned you seldom care to listen to me at any rate, so I hurriedly went to find Danhoul, but he could not be found.”
“Aye, because he was apparently off in the realm of the gods,” Alainn said with rancor, still most displeased with Danhoul at the moment.
“I thought Danhoul might surely assist you, but when I couldn’t locate him I immediately went in search of your husband. I told him to go to the cliff and find a way to end the perilous threat toward you this night.”
“Aye, well it appears it was this damnable, unconscionable Scot that was the peril this night,” Killian declared in enragement and glared at Conner.
“Killian, that is entirely absurd. Conner meant me no harm. His intentions were pure and born of concern for me.”
“You were going to lop off my damn head without even finding the truth of what was happening!” Conner’s swollen eyes were now blackening as he looked disbelievingly at Killian who also sported a colorful eye and had blood spewing from a cut in his swollen lip.
“I found you on top of my wife, she was screaming and you were panting and moaning like a stag in rut. I doubt I needed clarification of what was transpiring. I didn’t think to stop to ask questions when I witnessed my wife being violated.”
“I’ve my trews on, can ye not see that? And your wife’s gown and her honor are in place, I assure you. I was attempting to assist her, not harm her.”
“Conner had no intention of hurting me, although I believe there was no need for such man-handling. I wasn’t actually in danger. I was simply putting a theory to test.”
“Well if the test was to see if you should die if you leapt from the cliff, then I am verra pleased neither of us met with harm this night,” Conner charged.
“What are you speaking of man?” Killian wiped the blood from his mouth and looked from Alainn to Conner and then to Danhoul as if he might finally offer some truths to the situation.
“Ask yer wife, for I’ve no desire to be involved in this melee any longer, and I now I doubt I’ll be capable of seeing much of anything on the morrow,” Conner insisted. “And I might be a wanted man in my country, but it was for murder, not rape, I assure you.”
“That’s ever-comforting!” Killian sarcastically retorted.
Danhoul had remained completely silent since Alainn had used her magic against him and she was aware he was attempting to read her thoughts.
“And you can stop that this very moment, Danhoul Calhoun!”
“What has Danhoul done to affront you?” Shylie defended him as she stared up at Danhoul clearly smitten by the young druid.
“He is attempting to hear my thoughts and I am much displeased with the invasiveness of such intrusive actions. A woman’s thoughts should be entirely her own.”
“Aye, ’tis true.” Shylie gazed dreamily at Danhoul and Alainn wondered why she hadn’t noticed how the young spirit fawned over him until now.
“Unless she is considering something entirely foolish and putting herself in harm’s way,” Danhoul argued. “Then it is imperativ
e someone do what they can to prevent her from following through with some foolish and ludicrous intentions.”
Alainn narrowed her eyes at Danhoul in displeasure, but then turned to address another.
“And why are you here?” Alainn appeared to be staring into nothingness and speaking to no one.
Killian had slowly risen and gone to Alainn. He tenderly placed his hand to the wound on her head, and his eyes were filled with concern.
“Who are you speakin’ to, Alainn? Did the knock on the head cause you ill effects?”
“So you cannot see her?”
“I see the spirit-girl Shylie,” Killian replied.
“A spirit is here?” It was apparent Conner couldn’t see either of the spirits present. His battered face grew anxious and the large man glanced around as though attempting to see the spirit himself.
“Do you not see her?” Alainn looked at Danhoul this time, and he shrugged and shook his head as Shylie sat down on the rock beside him, smiled and batted her eyelashes at him. He moved away slightly, but didn’t appear to understand Alainn.
“Of course I see her, she’s right beside me. I see her as I always see her.”
“She doesn’t mean me, Danhoul? She’s asking if you are able to see the spirit of her husband’s grandmother?”
By now Conner’s face had gone completely ashen and Danhoul shook his head. Killian, too, glanced around and stared at Alainn hoping for a confirmation of Shylie’s words.
“In truth there are dozens and dozens of spirits here with me, perhaps hundreds, as always, but that’s an entirely different matter. Aye, Killian’s grandmother, Brendolyn O’Donnel seems intent on coming to me this night.”
A Witch's Quest Page 37