When they reached the thick briars surrounding the fairy glade, Killian dismounted.
“Animals are allowed within the glade,” she said.
“Aye, but I intend to carry my new bride over the threshold.”
He pulled her gently from the beast and slid her slowly down his body until she stood on her feet. Then, he lowered his lips to hers in a deep and thorough kiss that left her dizzy. Swinging her up into his arms, he stepped forward and clucked his tongue for the horse to follow.
At the hedge, Alainn whispered the words, and Killian listened intently for future regard. Both of their amulets began to glow and warm their skin.
“There will be more to see this time, Killian, and sure you’ll be allowed to see more. I should warn you, fairies adore brides and love, romance and weddings.”
“I’ve heard they’ve been known to steal brides away because of their great beauty, and sure there’s never been a more beautiful bride than mine. Will you be safe?”
“They’ll not steal me away, Killian O’Brien,” she reassured him, “for they’d be stealin’ one of their own.”
“If you say so, Alainn O’Brien.”
“I am at that, an O’Brien,” she mused.
“Forever more,” he said and stepped to the portal.
He paused. The sound of pounding horse hooves fast approached. They glanced back to see the chieftain’s captain galloping toward them.
“The chieftain has disappeared!” he shouted. “I was keeping watch on the man, myself, so you could marry without incident. He woke in his chambers, completely enraged; I have never seen the man so unreasonably furious. He consumed more of the potions you advised against, Alainn, and I tried to calm him down, even attempted to subdue him by physical restraint. He has an unusual strength I have never witnessed before, certainly not in a man of his condition or advancing age. He threw me against the castle wall as though I were a feather and charged out of the chamber like a demon possessed.” Mac rubbed the large lump on his head and regarded the young couple with deep consternation. “I have many men searching for him, for I dinna ken where he would have gone in such a state.”
“Aye, we are well grateful to you for that, Mac.”
“Fare thee well then the both of you, and I give you my good wishes on your nuptials,” he said almost as an afterthought as he turned his horse back toward the castle and sped off.
“Should we go back then?” Alainn asked quietly.
Though his brow was furrowed with deep consideration, Killian shook his head.
“No, ’tis our wedding day and sure we will be safer within the glade. Mac and his army will do what they can to find and contain my uncle until he returns to himself.”
“But will your mind be with me in the glade or with the uncertainty of your uncle’s disposition and the safety of his family?”
He opened his mouth to respond when Danhoul Calhoun came running toward them from around the nearest bend in the briar bushes.
“You must come with me now!” he urged in a breathless voice.
They followed him without question to a location not far from the portal. Lying upon the ground was Ramla, his garment soaked a deep red. A pool of blood covered the ground near him, and a large knife protruded from his chest. Alainn knelt beside him and noted his skin remained warm and rigidity had not yet begun to set in. When she looked more closely at the weapon, she saw it almost pulsed with an eerie greenish glow, as though it exuded wickedness.
“A cursed blade,” Alainn whispered dishearteningly to Danhoul.
“Aye, ’tis what I suspected as well,” Danhoul soberly agreed.
“Who is this man?” Killian demanded, gesturing to the dead man. “And what does this musician or soldier, or whoever in hell he may be, have to do with any of this?”
“This is Danhoul Calhoun. He possesses magical abilities, as did Ramla, this man recently killed. They were helping me in learning what dark forces were attempting to seek knowledge of my abilities.” Her voice held much regret as she continued to look upon the body of the large man. “Sure it was because of me Ramla was killed.”
“Do you know who might have done this to him?”
“I was on the other side of the glade near the alternate portal,” said Danhoul. “I thought perhaps to find another way inside. We were to meet back here, and that is when I found him like this. I saw your chieftain’s priest lurking near the edge of the stone close, earlier this day. He had the oddest look about him, and his aura was unusually dark.”
“His aura always has been dark, even since I was a child and first able to recognize auras, but recently it has grown more sinister to be certain. I have attempted to avoid the man entirely since my return from Galway.”
“You believe the priest murdered this man?”
“ ’Tis a possibility,” said Danhoul.
“Aye, the priest believes I should be put to death because of my powers. If he learned of Ramla’s supernatural abilities, he would have been spurred to end his life.”
“And you did not think to inform me of any of this?” Killian asked, trying to contain his growing anger and trepidation.
“I thought we had quite sufficient quandaries to confront.”
“You may be safest within the fairy glade,” Danhoul suggested.
“But what of your safety, Danhoul? If Ramla’s life was ended simply because he was enlisted to assist me, then your life is endangered as well.”
“Someone must search for the killer.”
“And do you not believe yourself to be in danger?” Killian asked.
“In truth, I have faced danger and uncertainty much of my life. I will not be dissuaded because danger is a possibility.”
Killian looked at Alainn with resignation, and she feared what he was about to say.
“I must help the man, my love, for sure you are both in peril because of the supernatural abilities you possess. And your mother must be warned, as well.”
“What is it you suggest we do, then?”
“Perhaps if you go to the glade, surely the fairies and benevolent creatures within will see to your safety.”
“ ’Tis not how I envisioned our wedding night,” she lamented.
He held her close, his heart thumping loudly with fear and uncertainty. A booming crack of thunder made them all jump. The sky blackened and more thunder beat the air, which began to shriek with a cold wind, setting the nearby briar bushes to humming. The entire thick hedge began to glow, looking as though it might burst into flame, and all three dove to the side as a beam of light shot down from the skies liken to a bolt of lightning. A bright glow surrounded them and they shielded their eyes.