| |
The remaining leg of their journey saw them in Dublin by day’s end. Although The Pale, the area of Dublin occupied by the English was supposedly a dangerous area for the Irish to enter, because they had decrees stating they would be meeting with King Henry, the chieftains and their traveling companions were allowed access. To Alainn’s surprise, they were expected to stay in the home now held by the English, but once occupied and owned by Thomas Fitzgerald’s father, Geraldine, and his grandfather as well.
While Killian was meeting with Brendan O’Leary and the chieftains who were slated to meet with the English king, Alainn spent the evening in a luxurious chamber. It contained a grand bed with regal bedclothes and a velvet curtained partition about the bed. Best of all, in Alainn’s opinion, it boasted a most welcomed immense bathtub. After she’d bathed and changed into one of the more elegant dresses she’d brought with her, she was shown down to the hall by a servant. She noticed Danhoul was there waiting for her, but there was no sign of Killian or Riley.
When she asked of the others the servant informed most of the guards and soldiers had been put up in a nearby inn. Apparently only the chieftains, Alainn, Riley, and Danhoul were to stay in this grand manor house. When several servants brought the extensive and delicious evening meal and still only she and Danhoul were present, she began to grow wary.
“Where is Killian, Danhoul?”
“Seeing to business, I’m certain, Alainn! He said he’d return later this evening.”
“He goes to speak with Declan Fitzgerald, aye?”
Danhoul turned his head to conceal his face and attempted to block his thoughts, but she heard them. “Your husband is an intelligent man. I suspect they are being secretive and meeting at an out of the way location.
“He knows how perilous that might be to converse with him here in Dublin with so many English about. Nearly all the Fitzgeralds have been taken to the Tower of London and surely face the same fate as Silken Thomas and his accomplices.”
“Tis a strange set of circumstances for the man lived in London most of his life, lived as an Englishman more than a man of Irish blood, but somehow he was convinced entirely his father was killed by the English. When he rode into St. Mary’s Abbey here in Dublin and publicly renounced King Henry with one hundred and fifty armed horsemen accompanying him, he surely and irrefutably lost favor with the King and all English. Then attackin’ Dublin Castle and ordering the execution of Archbishop Alen at Clontarf caused him to lose any support from the clergy. Although he was not captured until nearly a year later and even then promised fair treatment by Lord Grey, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, still he sits in the tower nearly two years later.”
“Why would Killian risk the same fate? ’Tis beyond my understanding, and he keeps it from me when we were to have no more secrets between us.”
Danhoul looked across the wide elaborate table at the concerned look Alainn wore. “Aye, well, ’tis not as if you have been entirely forthcoming with him. You’ve still never mentioned the demon you witnessed back in Castle O’Brien, at Castle O’Rorke, and at the oak grove during Samhain. That night he came perilously close to taking your life and perhaps your soul as well. The same demon you’ve seen in your dreams with the dark coven, or the fact he is able to present himself in human form and as an Englishman!”
“No good can come of him knowing, Danhoul! I simply choose not to worry him regarding an enemy he has no way of fighting. And I did not know you were aware of all of this!”
“Aye, well, some I learned because I have seen him often in your dreams.”
“I dream of the demon often?” Alainn was startled. “I had no notion I dreamed of him often. Perhaps it is a kindness I do not recall these dreams, then. And can you see all of my dreams?” she asked with equal distaste. “All my dreams or only those of the evil quality?”
The young man did not need to answer for she could tell by the ruddy color of his cheeks he had seen more dreams than she would have cared for him to witness.
“Don’t be concerned about it, Alainn. At least ’tis only your husband you dream such erotic dreams about.”
“I doubt that would appease him should he learn of this. He is already disturbed by you hearing many of my thoughts and I yours. How is it I have never seen your dreams then, Danhoul?”
He was much relieved when the servant girl came into the hall to clear their dishes for he would have been entirely humiliated to relate to her how desperately he attempted to keep his dreams and his memories from her.
When the meal was completed and they’d sat there for some time, it was apparent neither Killian nor Riley would be joining them this night. As they left the dining hall and walked down the dark corridor, Alainn glanced up at the many immense paintings upon the wall. She was startled to see a painting of a girl who bore a striking resemblance to her. Danhoul commented on it as well.
“It must be your grandmother when she was a young girl, for sure she would have been raised in this house.”
Alainn looked at the somber faces of the men and women who seemed to gaze down at them and she shivered. She heard the many echoes in this home and knew her grandmother’s father had been a harsh man. Danhoul seemed to hear the echoes also and he narrowed his eyes and then placed his arm around Alainn’s shoulder as both listened to the severe beating her grandmother was being issued as a small girl. It wasn’t uncommon for a father to severely punish children, Alainn knew that well enough, but it was the severity of the beating and the reason for the beating that most disheartened Alainn. The man had witnessed his daughter employing magic and had warned her if he saw it again he would disown her and send her to live with her druid relatives to the north.
Alainn had never known much about her grandmother’s family and her grandfather’s grief was still so fresh she hadn’t asked about her often. She had only met the woman moments before she had died and felt saddened about it, knowing they surely would have had much in common. Apparently the threat toward her grandmother when she was a child had been carried through for she had gone to live with her mother’s relatives in the north and soon after met Niall O’Rorke. They had married when she was only ten and five and he not much older.
“Tell me of these unusual memories you have, Danhoul!” she insisted, but he appeared doubtful.
“What memories, Alainn?” He pretended to not understand.
“The ones you spoke of to my grandfather the night of Samhain. Have we truly lived many other lives together? Was there truth to what you spoke of, for I know you had consumed a good deal of drink?”
“Not as much as you if I remember correctly!” he interrupted.
“Don’t change the subject. I was not ready to hear it then for I had many other concerns on my mind. Now I wish to know.”
“For you have absolutely no concerns on your mind at the moment, with a demon hovering about your dreams and your thoughts, an evil witch and her coven who mean you harm, and your husband carting you off to London so he might speak with a king that some think of as little better than a devil himself!”
“Have you had a vision, Danhoul, is that why you so strongly oppose me accompanying Killian to London?”
“No, I’ve had no visions, but I am not certain it is wise, though I know you are certainly happier when you are with your husband so perhaps the demon cannot get to you then?”
“But you have had no visions?”
“No, I assure you I have not.”
“And have there been dire consequences in London before in one of these other lives you claim we have lived.”
He shook his head, clearly unwilling to divulge such information.
“Then please do not openly oppose him on this or he will perhaps be forced to keep us parted.”
“Aye, well, I’ve already explained to you the reason that is not a possibility.”
“And if Killian were not a compassionate man, if he did not consider you to be a friend and ally. If he wasn’t of the belief you are an asset in keeping me safe, do you suppose he would care that you are in physical torture when we are distanced?”
“He’s not a cruel man, Alainn. True it ’tis he’s possessive of you and not a little jealous. And he may not be well pleased about our connection, but I do not believe he would wish me ill or harm! I would like to think we are friends.”
“And if he knew you believed you and I were lovers in one or many other lives, how then do you suppose he would feel about you?”
The young man considered this for a time and pushed his blonde hair from his smoky grayish-blue eyes that held such familiarity to her. “He’d be far more disturbed I’m certain, to learn you believe it as well!”
Alainn glanced at the man and sighed as she looked away. He was correct for from the first time she had seen him, when he had innocently touched her, she had felt a spark. He did possess magical abilities so that could account for the reaction the first time he had touched her many months ago to lift her upon a horse, but it did not explain the attraction she had felt for him from the beginning. She loved Killian with all her heart, and she was more than satisfied with their marriage and their physical relationship, but occasionally, when she looked at Danhoul, she would get a sense that one time they had shared something very meaningful and torrid as well. She’d always had those feelings about Killian. From the first time she’d met him when they were just children she knew she would love him one day. That had been proven to be truth.
“I need to know, Danhoul!”
His usually sparkling eyes that held a constant mirth, clouded. “Some things are best not known or remembered, Alainn. Events will happen when they are meant to happen. They always do!”
“This concerns the gods, the ancient Celtic gods and magical fairy beings. Does it concern Deidra and Ardal as well?”
“I don’t know their connection, Alainn, for some of my remembering is filled with only partial muddled memories as well!”
“But if I am supposedly a great witch with nearly limitless powers,” she exaggerated her voice with mockery, “why do I know so little about what has happened and what will happen to me? And what do you know that I do not?”
“We’ll both know what we need to when the time comes, I suspect!” Danhoul dared to suggest, knowing she would not care for that reasoning.
She surprised him by pushing the issue no further and simply shaking her head and starting up the immense staircase. When she was halfway up the steps she called back to him.
“Do you know where Riley is this night?”
“Not for certain,” he admitted, “but I have a suspicion about that as well!”
“As do I!” She sighed.
Killian returned late that night. He had been quiet when he’d entered the room so as not to waken Alainn if she was asleep. He’d silently undressed and slipped beneath the bedclothes. Though she did not speak to him, he felt certain she was awake, but simply sore at him for coming back halfway through the night and filled with not a little drink. He slowly pressed his unclothed body against her. She felt warm against him and he longed to love her.
“Are you awake then, Lainna?” he whispered gently against her ear.
“Aye, well, if I wasn’t already awake I soon would be with you pokin’ me with your diddler!”
“My diddler, Christ that’s a lovely way to refer to it, and I’ll show you pokin’ woman, if you’ll agree to it?” He chuckled.
Alainn turned to face him and smiled at him in the firelight and put her arms around his neck kissing him with a lengthy passionate kiss.
“Am I to take it you’re not opposed to the notion entirely then!” He jested as he placed kisses down her neck and shoulders.
“Aye, I’ll agree to it, for by tomorrow eve we’re sure to be in London and then ’tis uncertain when we’ll be able to be together.”
“Aye, well, we’ll be together this night, Lainna. For certain we’ll be together this night.”
The manor house was in darkness when Alainn’s terrified scream woke Killian out of a deep sleep. He instinctively reached for his sword as he pulled open the curtains surrounding their bed, his eyes skirting the room for intruders, when he noticed Alainn sat upon the bed shivering and weeping.
“What is it, Alainn? Have you had a fearful dream, then, is that all it was, my Lainna?”
She had not answered so he set the sword on the floor by the bed and took her in his arms. They were both started to hear Danhoul’s voice outside their chamber.
“Open the damn door!”
“What the hell are you talkin’ about, Danhoul?”
The young man did not wait for them to open the door, but simply employed his magic, turned the lock, capably moved the wooden plank with his powers and walked straight in. Alainn was stunned, but even in her fright she managed to pull the bed sheets up over her bare bosom. Killian was clearly in disbelief the man would walk in on them without being invited and he retained possession of his weapon.
“What makes you think you have the right to enter our private chambers, Danhoul Calhoun? You’re clearly oversteppin’ your rights here!”
Killian stood to his full height beside the younger man and Danhoul looked about the room as Killian had done, but then glanced at the large man who remained unclothed. He glanced away, but then looked at Killian once more.
“Christ man, would you quit gawkin’ at me in that manner or I’ll be inclined to listen to the rumors that have been circulatin’ about you!”
He seemed to not actually hear Killian for he was now looking at Alainn.
“Was he here this night, for it did not seem like a dream to me this time? I believe he might actually have been here. Sure he must have escaped the portal and is seekin’ you out, Alainn.”
“Who... what? One of you had better explain what the hell is goin’ on!”
Alainn was still trembling and she pulled the covers more tightly around her for she felt undeniably chilled.
“You tell your husband or I will!” Danhoul threatened.
“Tell me what?”
“I have a demon pursuing me,” she said in a small voice that still shook.
“A demon?” he asked in disbelief. “Such beings exist then here in the human realm?”
“Aye.” She nodded. “They do, and he is a hideously, inherently evil being, one who can take the form of many creatures including a man.”
Killian slowly lowered himself to the bed, put his sword down yet again, and stared at her.
“How long has this creature been after you?”
“For several months. He first came to me back at Castle O’Brien, the day you were involved in the challenge with your uncle. I was taken to the dungeon and he came to me. He was the most grotesque and foul being I have ever seen. He came through the portal in the Unseelie Court. That day, I went back in time so that I would not be made to deal with it, but he has come to me more than once since then.”
“You went back in time back at Castle O’Brien? Have you not told me that before?” he questioned seeming to be somewhat confused.
They turned and looked at him at that question, wondering if he possessed memories of the other lives they had lived as well.
“I do recall Shylie and Deidra saying you were in certain danger the night I brought you down from the tower in our castle. When I stood outside the door I thought I heard a man’s voice, and when I opened the door I saw an unusual shadow. Was that him?”
“Aye!” Alainn whispered once more.
“For the love of Christ; what does he want with you?”
“He wants my powers and my soul, and he wanted the soul of Cian as well!”
“Cian, he wanted the soul our wee son?”
“Aye!” Her voice was mingled with fear and sadness as she related that.
“That’s why you were so insistent he be baptized?” He realized aloud.
“That was part of it, aye.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me about this, either one of you?”
“Don’t hold Danhoul responsible, Killian. He wanted to tell you. I thought it would only worry you when naught can be done about it.”
“What do you mean nothing can be done about it? Surely you can get rid of him somehow. With the powers of the two of you combined you must be capable of getting rid of him. You say he’s escaped from a portal. What portal?”
“I created a portal which somehow led to many others. He was imprisoned within one, but sure he must have found a way to be released.”
Killian was wide-eyed and duly fretful as he continued with his questions. “Why did you think he was here this night?” Killian looked at the other man with a desperate expression.
“I see your wife’s dreams.”
“Why does that not startle me? At this point I suppose very little could actually startle me.”
“He is also connected to the coven of dark witches for in my dreams and my visions I have seen him with them. I suspect he was also involved in Glynnis’s demise. At Castle O’Brien and in my dreams he turned into the form of an Englishman. He had dark hair and eyes and a soft charming voice.” Alainn explained.
“Is that why you think she should not come to England with me, Danhoul?”
“I do not oppose her accompanying you. She is perhaps safest when she is with you for he cannot get to her so easily when she is happy and content. It is in times of darkness and despair he will be capable of gettin’ to her. But, he does employ humans and other beings to assist him. I believe Ciara is one of his evil followers. Alainn has seen him with her and the coven in her dreams. Alainn should never be alone in dark places and should never be in total darkness. I am inclined to believe if she wears her amulet and we charm each location where she sleeps, he should be unable to harm her.”
Killian’s face had gone ashen. He looked at Alainn with deep concern and then touched her cheek. “Why would you attempt to shelter me by keepin’ this from me?”
Alainn had no desire to quarrel with Killian and though she wanted to admit she was aware there were secrets he kept from her in hopes to shield her as well, she did not. “You are made to be fretful too often regarding me, Killian. I wanted to keep you free of some of the uncertainties that come with lovin’ me.”
Danhoul seemed to have grown calmer when he saw Alainn was well and unharmed. He only then seemed to remember Killian’s previous words. “What rumors are bein’ said about me?”
A slightly devious smile crossed Killian’s full lips and he glanced at Alainn. She threw him a riled expression and shook her head.
“You’d best tell me!” Danhoul sheathed his sword and brushed his lengthy light hair from his eyes. “I’ll simply decide to hear your thoughts.”
“The men are questionin’ why you’re not ever seen with any women, bar my wife.”
He seemed to not understand so Killian continued. “You never seek out the company of a woman, never go to a brothel, simply ignore the numerous advances the maidens make toward you, and spend a good deal of time with my lovely wife and never attempt anythin’ untoward.”
“Well, I’d have to be daft entirely to attempt anythin’ with Alainn when you’d surely cut out my heart, or when she could send me away to another realm if I did so!”
Killian narrowed his eyes and looked from one to the other as if waiting for one of them to explain.
Finally, Alainn spoke. “Another secret!” she admitted in a sheepish tone. “I sent Lugh to another realm!”
“Lugh, the Celtic god who was supposedly one of your guardians?”
“Do you know another Lugh?” she sarcastically jested.
“’Tis not the slightest bit humorous, Alainn. How do you possess the power to send a god to another realm?”
“I was fiercely riled!” she admitted.
“And what caused your trepidation?” Killian questioned further.
“He wanted to mate with me, I believe was the terminology he used!”
“The bloody depraved, lustful, debaucher....”
“You can call him all the horrid names you can come up with, Killian, but he’ll not hear you for he’s still banished to another realm. Even the other gods were astonished Alainn managed it. But ’tis perhaps that very deed that made the demon pursue her again for never before has a witch possessed so many uncommon powers.”
“Can you bring Lugh back?” Killian inquired hesitantly.
“Why, so you might battle swords with him?”
“No, so he can help us protect you?”
Alainn looked doubtful, but answered. “Aye, I’ll attempt to think of a spell that will free him, if you desire me to do so.”
“Aye, and then when we send the demon back to whatever hell he came from, then I’ll kill the lecherous god.”
“He’s immortal!” Alainn reminded him.
“And what of the damnable rumor regardin’ me, then?” Danhoul interrupted them.
“Some people think you might have a preference to men?” Killian finally conveyed the information.
Danhoul looked at Alainn. “They don’t; why would I have not heard their thoughts? I like women well enough, because I’m not spendin’ my nights in the company of whores does not indicate that I...”
Killian attempted to keep a smile from spreading across his face.
“You are rather pretty and you seem oblivious to the maidens’ advances when they openly flirt with you often.” Killian unmercifully chided him.
“Pretty!” He fumed. “You think I am pretty?”
“Well, myself, I think you are a most handsome, appealing man.” Alainn smiled.
“That’ll be quite enough of your fawnin’ over the boy for I know well enough he’s not inclined toward men for I’ve seen how he looks at you and I recognize that look!”
Danhoul released a huge breath as if he’d been holding it for a long while. “If I was so inclined I would admit it openly. One of my best friends is gay.”
“What does cheerfulness have to do with it?” Killian asked clearly confused.
“It is a term used to indicate someone who prefers their own gender.”
“I haven’t ever heard such a term,” Alainn proclaimed.
Killian shook his head as well.
“It won’t be used for some time. It is a word used in the future.”
Alainn eyed Danhoul with much interest both fearful and intrigued by what he might know of the future, but she chose to address the topic they’d been discussing.
“I believe people should be free to love whomever they choose,” Alainn offered.
“As do I,” Killian agreed, “I offer no judgment to those who are drawn to their own gender and, aye, it is my belief as well, everyone should be free to choose whomever they want. But we are all well aware ’tis a most dangerous consideration for ’tis unaccepted by most. It is viewed as a sin and punished as a crime. Sadly, many meet an unfairly cruel fate simply because of their choices in that regard,” Killian said in seriousness.
Both Alainn and Danhoul grew solemn at this statement for each had known of those who had suffered such an ill fate.
Alainn lightened the mood as best she could. “Do you actually believe men inclined toward other men are feminine and pretty,” Alainn curiously queried, “I’ll have you know Chieftain Gallagher’s nephew is well attracted to other men.”
Both men seemed in disbelief.
“The huge burly man who nearly towers over me?” Killian asked.
“Appearances are most deceiving!” Alainn declared. “And fallacies are oft exaggerated.”
Both seemed to be assessing her words when Danhoul glanced over at Killian who remained sitting upon the bed not bothering to cover his nakedness. Once more Danhoul glanced at his impressive form.
“With the grand proportions of the rest of him did you expect that any part of him would be anything less impressive, Danhoul?” Alainn baited the young man after she’d heard his thoughts.
“No, but I admit I’ve never seen a man quite so generously endowed and I was in an army so I’ve had opportunity to see a good many men without benefit of garments.”
“If the two of you are quite through discussin’ the proportions of my diddler then maybe we could get back to sleep for a time, for we’ve a long day before us.”
“Diddler?” Danhoul snickered.
“My wife’s word; not mine!”
“And a fine word it is!” It was Danhoul’s turn to snort and chuckle as he turned and started for the door. “But keep the fire burin’ in the hearth!” he warned, once more becoming filled with seriousness.
