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TEAGAN WATCHED HIS retreating form and a small measure of hope flared to life inside her. Perhaps this meaningless nightmare they seemed trapped in would soon end. If Léachtlann was true to his word, and she believed he would be, they had just added three thousand seasoned warriors to their cause. Eight thousand against ten thousand didn’t look as suicidal as the measly five thousand they had beforehand. Teagan rubbed her forehead in a frustrated manner and shook her head. They still needed more warriors, but where could they get them? Teagan felt Aidan’s warm hands massaging her shoulders and she glanced over her shoulder at him. He smiled sadly but remained quiet as if he knew she needed this time to think.
Teagan looked back at the depleted beam of sunlight which, in the last few minutes, had diminished into nothing but tiny specks that sparkled like gold flecks and floated aimlessly through the mist. She was sad that the spot of sunshine was gone. As she looked out at the beautiful city, Teagan was impressed by the fact that the Milesian poet Amergin had left his beloved countrymen and had created this beauty with his magic for the one he had loved. It was amazing really, but not shocking. After all, most poets were very sensitive. Behind her, Teagan heard Aidan clear his throat and she turned to look at him.
“We need them Aidan, and if you are mad because I spoke with him privately...”
“I’m not mad Teagan, I was worried.” Aidan shook his head in denial and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at the wooden slats of the porch and toed a knothole with the tip of his boot, closely resembling a scolded child.
Teagan ran her hands up the solid strength of his chest, never getting tired of the feel of him. Her arms crept slowly up to his shoulders, and she looped her hands behind his head toying with the little curls at the nape of his neck. Teagan felt a shiver of anticipation run through his body, and her body instantly responded to his reaction with a shiver of its own. Her body was still tense from the unreleased power from the earlier fight. She leaned her head back slightly and rolled it gently from side to side, trying to ease some of the tension. One of Aidan’s strong hands reached up to cup her neck, messaging gently.
“That, Teagan, is what royalty is made of. You spoke with authority and wisdom, and any man who chooses not to follow you would have to be stupid not to see it. You would make a good queen, and a just one. You do not see the flaws of others because you look only for the good in them.” As Aidan spoke, Teagan could feel the truth of his words.
“These people should not be punished for the sins of their ancestors. If that were the case, I’m sure we would all be exiled at one point or another.” Teagan said passionately. “In any case, we need them because we can’t defeat the traitor without them.”
Aidan nodded his head in agreement.
“Do you know how beautiful you are when your power surges through you?” He asked, a sensual look on his face.
Teagan looked in his eyes for the brief moment before his mouth came crashing down on hers. She felt as if he were going to devour her. His need was ravenous, and it washed over her in waves as their link shared his emotions. As the heat of his tongue scorched her mouth and his hands roamed sensually over her body, the last of her tension eased away, and Teagan poured her soul into returning his passionate embrace. As her fingers twined through his soft hair, their tongues played and danced with each other in the timeless fashion of mating. Teagan leaned closer to his virile body, and his hands clasped her waist, hoisting her against his teeming manhood.
“Hum um.” Teagan heard her Colin clear his throat, and she pulled her head back from Aidan’s in embarrassment.
Aidan let her slide, scandalously, down the length of him, making sure that she felt one-hundred percent of his manhood as she dropped to the ground. Teagan took a moment to compose herself before she found the courage to turn towards Colin. But something caught her attention.
Her eyes strained as she looked through the foggy mist. Teagan was sure she saw one of Léachtlann’s warriors approaching the tree house hurriedly. She watched, her curiosity highly aroused and completely forgot about Colin and Aidan, as the warrior climbed the steps in huge strides taking them three at a time. Teagan turned a questioning look on Aidan who in turn shrugged his shoulders in an unknowing gesture. She watched as the warrior stepped through the arched doorway, with barely a booted foot inside the threshold, and bellowed loudly.
“Nuala has come! She stands at the gate awaiting entrance to the city.” He panted as his spoke, almost undone by his rushed delivery.
Looking through the doorway, Teagan watched as Léachtlann leapt up from his chair in such haste that it spilled to the floor in an unnoticed clatter and the room suddenly swarmed to life around him. Warriors stood at full attention and women hustled to straighten their dresses as the servers stumbled around trying to clear a place at the table; all for Nuala. Teagan’s brows shot up in instant curiosity. It was almost as if these people treated Nuala like she was royalty.
“Why the duce did you leave her standing there, you fool?” Léachtlann roared. “Must I do everything myself?” With that he pushed past the startled warrior who had delivered the message and practically jumped down the stairs. Teagan was surprised he did not fall in his haste.
She clasped her hands together in excitement and looked out over the shrouded city waiting for her first glimpse of Nuala and felt relief for the first time since they’d left the human realm. Nuala had come!
Teagan felt Nuala, before she saw her. A calming breeze wafted past Teagan, lifting her hair slightly with its gentle caress. The warmth of Nuala’s soul radiated through Teagan like a hot shower on a cold day. When Teagan did finally see Nuala, it was not so much Nuala’s form as it was a great beam of white light shining through the blue mist. Teagan leaned forward grasping the wooden rail, with her hands, waiting for her turn to greet her grandmother.
Teagan watched in awe as warrior after warrior bowed with a hand over heart to greet her grandmother with the same respect offered to royalty. Over and over again, Teagan heard the words repeated, “Fáilte Dé Taíltíu, High Priestess,” until at last Nuala stopped before Teagan. Teagan bowed her head to Nuala, in a show of respect, and Nuala held her hands out to Teagan. Teagan grasped them tightly and fell into her warmth, hugging her as tightly as she dared. Nuala returned Teagan’s hug with as much enthusiasm as Teagan had put into it, much to the dismay of the villagers who either sucked in a breath or gasped in outright shock. “So,” Teagan thought, “the daoíone sidhe don’t hug either.” This was a very interesting fact that Teagan shoved to the back of her mind for later processing.
The Fae woman standing at the entrance was the most beautiful woman Teagan had ever seen. She was more beautiful than Aria and Aoife, and even the Queen that Teagan remembered from her past. Her face was pale, almost translucent, with eyes that glittered like a fire topaz and shone as bright as any star. Her hair was a cascade of luminous silver that fell to the floor like silken sheets, and her wings sparkled like the glittering night sky.
When she walked, she moved with effortless grace, making it seem as if she were gliding across the floor. Every movement she made was like dancing the intricate steps of an elaborate waltz. Every Fae in around them instantaneously fell to one knee bowing their heads with respect. Their voices raised in unison as they greeted her, “High Priestess.” It was quite an elaborate display of respect, although Teagan didn’t need the announcement. She already knew who the beauty approaching her was. Teagan had felt her the moment she had arrived and now stood frozen in place unable to take her eyes off the Fae.
As the Fae’s radiant white light reached her, Teagan came to her senses and sorry for her obvious lack of respect, she started to bow. Effortlessly the Fae reached out to stay Teagan in her endeavor. When she spoke, her voice was rich like music and honey to Teagan’s ears.
“The Granddaughter of the Fae Queen bows to none but the Queen,” and as Teagan stood there silently awed by her pureness, she ventured to bow her head to Teagan.
“Grandmother,” Teagan breathed softly.
In a rush of emotion Teagan found herself embracing the Fae emotionally as a spatter of hot tears fell from her cheeks. Teagan was suddenly saddened by all the years she had missed knowing her grandmother, Fae or not, and by all the years she’d been denied her warmth. As Teagan held her, Nuala surprised her by returning the gesture wholeheartedly. After Árdghal’s nonexistent response to her affection, Nuala astonished her with her uninhibited warmth. Before Teagan could draw away from her warmth, Nuala whispered softly into her ear.
“It has been too long, síofra ionúin, since I have felt the warmth of such a pure soul. Take heed mo síofra, the court is restless and there is a darkness present that threatens our existence as we know it. The Queen will be betrayed, but if you stand by her side justice will prevail. Do not be frightened Dearbháil, this is your destiny. You are our suil, our hope.”
When she was finished speaking, she pulled back and caressed Teagan’s tear streaked face. Then, she spoke out loud so that everyone else could hear her, “You must go now and prepare yourself to see the Queen.”
As Nuala glided gracefully out the entranceway, the warrior’s voices rose again in unison.
“I’m glad to have finally met you, grandmother.” Teagan whispered into Nuala’s ear, but it was caught by some of the closest villagers and she heard more collective gasps and murmurs among them.
“And I you, síofra moí!” Nuala said and kissed Teagan gently on the forehead. Nuala’s calming strength flowed into Teagan.
Teagan finally felt like she could handle the tasks appointed her, with her grandmother at her side.
“Are you here to stay with me now? I fear I can’t do this on my own. I need you.” Teagan asked her softly.
“My child, you are so much more capable then you believe yourself to be, but yes, for the next task I will be with you.” Nuala said softly and then turned to address Léachtlann. “We must talk privately; do you have a place?”
“I will see to it immediately High Priestess.” Léachtlann said with a curt bow and hurried inside to clear the room they had just eaten in.
Nuala and Teagan followed him inside, accompanied by Aidan and Árdghal. When we were all seated, Nuala took a deep breath and began speaking. Teagan held her breath dreading what was coming next.
“Three hundred of our warriors were captured earlier on the move from the west to join us Breena. One of the warriors escaped the encampment and relayed to us how they were bragging about their numbers.” She looked directly at Árdghal as she spoke. “Two hundred of their men were slain, but twelve thousand remain.” Silent shock radiated throughout everyone at the table. We need to get Teagan to the castle, before it’s too late.”
“But Mag Mell has been compromised,” Colin said.
“They will move away in the evening. We will be safe there after the second setting.”
***
THE UNCANNY GROUP OF rebels grasped hands with Nuala, and suddenly they were whirling through space. Closing her eyes tightly, waiting for the pain, Teagan was confused. “Where was the mind-numbing pain? Where was the blackness?” She thought but didn’t have time to ask as the group landed close to the stones, they had entered Tir na nÓg through such a short while ago. The area the group landed in was thickly wooded and everyone instinctively crouched low.
The sky was turning dark as the last of the sun’s rays shimmered dimly above the trees that surrounded Teagan and she worried that time was running out. There seemed to be no way for them to reach their destination. Cautiously peeking through the undergrowth, Teagan noticed a band of black cloaked Fae warriors seemingly standing guard at the stones. She heard Aidan swear under his breath, and her gaze shot towards him. He was looking at Nuala questioningly, and Teagan could feel what he was thinking as the words were mirrored in her own mind. The stones were their only way to the castle.
“Quickly,” she said, “join hands; there is another way to reach it.”
The small group joined in a semi-circle again and clasped hands, but as they did, Nuala held back distancing herself from them. Teagan noticed her hesitation. Nuala was not coming with them.
“I must return. As First Council Royal, I cannot leave the Queen to this fate.” Nuala said solemnly.
Teagan broke the circle and walked the few paces to face Nuala.
“Nuala,” she pleaded, “They could kill you for helping us.” Teagan grabbed her arms gently, begging her to come with them.
Nuala shook her head, smiling sadly, as she looked deeply into her eyes.
“I know my destiny. I have walked in this world and the last, and I will walk in the next.” She caressed her granddaughter’s face lovingly. “In all my thousands of years of existence, I have never been so proud or so sure of anyone, as I am of you. Your destiny awaits you, my girl. Go with love in your heart and light in your soul.”
Nuala backed away from them. Teagan walked back to the circle dejectedly, took her place at Aidan’s and Colin’s sides, and found a small measure of comfort by placing hers in theirs. Aidan clasped her hand firmly and squeezed it to reassure that things would be alright. Teagan nodded at Cian, signaling that she was ready to go, and they sifted immediately. Within a matter of seconds, the small group minus one, landed on the craggy mountain cliffs in the northern most point of Tir na nÓg. Teagan looked around suspiciously. She knew this place! She had been here with the Queen when she was a child.
Unfortunately, the stones that they needed to use to get into the Fae castle lay in a huge pile of ruins. Great stones that had stood strong against the elements for thousands of years had not stood a chance against the dark magic of the traitor. Two of the massive rocks were crushed into fist sized pieces that lay scattered like rubble over the third rock which was broken completely in half. Teagan sat down on a large rock, several feet away from the stones with her head in her hands and wanted to cry at the brutal destruction of such a monumental piece of history. At the stones of Cell Dara, like the stones at in the human realm, even in her ignorance, Teagan was aware of a strange pulsing hum. The humming was the gentle flow of magic emitted by the stones. But here, in the wake of an evil and unjust power, there was no gentle hum of magic left, only silence.
As Cian and Ian built a fire, Aidan led Teagan a small distance away to a soft patch of moss-covered ground. She sat down, the weight of the destruction and worry for Aoife and her grandmother taking its toll. Teagan sat in a daze as Aidan removed his undershirt and handed it to her. Grateful for his thoughtful action, she smiled weakly at him, offering her thanks. Teagan put the heavy shirt on, practically swimming in the largeness of it, and lay back in the grass. She was exceedingly weary, and as she curled onto her side. With her arm tucked under her head for a pillow, she closed her eyes and drifted into a restless slumber.
Sometime during the night, Teagan woke to the warmth of Aidan’s strong arms around her and gazed up at the dazzling star-filled sky. She couldn’t quit thinking about Nuala. She couldn’t let her grandmothers suffer at the hands of such evil. Fate had led her to this moment, even though she wasn’t sure of her powers or what she could do to help other than returning Aoife to her body. They were so close. Teagan shifted restlessly and Aidan stirred. Not wanting to wake him, she closed her eyes once more and willed herself back to sleep.
The next morning Teagan woke to the hushed murmurs of the men and the dim light of morning overhead. The sky was cloudy and dark, and it matched her mood perfectly. In her somber mood, she felt the need to be alone. She made the small trek to the cliff’s edge while the men talked quietly by the ruined pile of stones. As she stood on the cliffs, she stared out at the open expanse of rolling black waves. The water was dark this time, unlike the crystal blue it had been when she’d first seen it. Teagan took it as an omen of unrest, a symbol of impending doom. Mist rose from the dark waters, and as it parted, Teagan saw an island in the distance. Funny, but she did not remember the island from her childhood visits with the queen.
Momentarily dismissing the island, a wave of sadness washed over Teagan as the words of Nuala replayed through her mind. ‘The Queen will be betrayed, but if you stand by her side, justice will prevail.’
“So, it is my destiny to save the Queen?” Teagan asked Aoife. “Or is it your destiny to save Faery, and no one can save the queen?”
A few minutes later, Teagan felt a presence behind her. Aoife stood there, at Teagan’s side, in her non-corporeal form, with her gaze fixed on the turbulent sea, standing much like Teagan stood. In the wild wind that beat at the coast, Aoife’s hair whipped back from her pale face and Teagan could just make out her saddened expression. Teagan could feel Aoife’s sadness.
Needing other thoughts to divert to, Teagan nodded out at the island. “What’s that? I don’t remember it being here before.” Teagan asked Aoife quietly.
“It is Emain Ablach, the Isle of Women.” Aoife’s voice was steady and soothing as she answered.
“That’s Avalon?” Teagan asked in amazement.
Aoife smiled at Teagan’s enthusiasm and nodded once in acquiesce. “Some have called it that in the past.”
“Oh!” Teagan breathed, helplessly enchanted. “Will you take me there some day?”
Aoife nodded again and cleared her throat, signaling a change in the subject.
If you search under the largest stone, I believe the portal is still partially intact. It won’t get you inside the castle, but with Árdghal and Kylan with you, they won’t deny you entry. Rouse the men. It’s time to act. We’re both weakening, and I fear it won’t just be one of us that goes, it’ll be both.