by Mary Morgan
“No,” he stated emphatically. “Not possible.”
Her lips thinned with irritation. Liam held his hand up, halting the biting words she was about to fling at him.
“The woman, Aelish, is a Fae. Her title is Master Apothecary. Furthermore, I believe she was responsible for informing the Fae council about his liaison with you.”
“Liaison,” she echoed tersely.
Crossing the room, Rose leaned her head on the cool glass. Her mind was dizzy with the new information. “Betrayal even among my friends,” she mumbled, unable to fathom that one of their dearest women was not who she portrayed herself to be.
“I pray one day you can forgive me,” uttered Aelish softly.
Stunned to hear the woman’s voice, Rose turned around slowly. Anger replaced sorrow. “You lived with us. Ate at our table. Held our quaking bodies during sorrowful times. Why?”
Aelish clasped her hands in front of her, but made no attempt to enter the room. “It was not my intention to bring about this destruction. I merely stated my concerns to an elder. The knowledge was sent to the council.”
Confusion marred Liam’s features. “You did not seek out the Fae council?”
Sorrow reflected within Aelish’s eyes. “No. I admit to being angry with Aidan and saying harsh words, but I did not wish to cause him harm.”
Rose moved away from the window. “This does not explain why you lived with us. For what purpose, Aelish?”
“My duties are to guide those with certain gifts. Your sister, Lily, has a powerful connection to the land. One which extends to you. Regardless, I am Lily’s guardian. In truth, I have come to love all the women at the Society.” Aelish approached. “If you will permit me, I can assist you in Aidan’s healing.”
“You cannot,” warned Liam, stepping in front of Aidan’s bed.
Aelish jabbed a finger into the warrior’s chest. “Might I remind you that you’ve already broken a law by removing him from the Tree of Life?”
Liam grimaced. “Rose would have been caught in the fury of the storm’s path.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Aelish tilted her head to the side. “Am I correct in believing you are now Rose’s guardian?”
Liam nodded slowly, and Rose gasped.
“My last solemn vow given to my leader before they led him away,” he confessed.
Rose’s mind throbbed with all this new information. She had no time to consider everything. All energy had to be spent in saving the man she loved.
Going to Aidan’s bedside, she stared at him. If his injuries were internal, what could they do? Reaching for his hand, Rose brought it to her chest. “What can we do, Aelish?”
“I have brought herbs from the Fae realm and those from Aidan’s garden. We can tend to his body, but I fear his mind is where the battle is ongoing.”
Glancing sharply at the woman, Rose feared to ask the question. “Battle?”
“The one between life and death. Aidan will either accept this new transformation or succumb to the Land of Forever.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“A warrior can train and hone his body as sharp as his sword. Yet, his mind must be far more superior.”
~Edicts of the Fenian Warriors
“As the lush rolling vista spread out in a carpet of emerald green, I ran barefoot across the heady bouquet of floral scents, which filled my being.” Rose closed the large book and shoved it across the bed. “What a nauseating scene, right? Would you prefer a story on an epic war battle? Swords slashing, guns blazing? Taking out the enemy and rescuing the fair maiden?”
Rose huffed out a breath and removed her reading glasses. Stretching out alongside Aidan, she placed her hand on his chest, allowing the rhythm of his heartbeat to soothe her inner turmoil.
“Two weeks is long enough, my love. You have not budged, cried out, twitched—nothing.” Her voice caught, and she rolled over onto her back.
Fatigue, worry, and pure exhaustion had become her companions. Each day, Rose fought the wave of emotions. Battling against hope and doubt, she and Aelish continued to care for Aidan. Liam returned daily at dusk, asking the same question about his friend. And the answer remained the same. No change.
If not for the warmth of his skin, Rose would have believed him to be a corpse. Even his breathing was barely notable. Nevertheless, defeat was not an option, and she breathed the very words across Aidan’s face every day.
Rose rolled over and caressed the dark shadow of his beard, which now required daily shaving. “I do not mind this new look, Aidan. You’re sinfully seductive, reminding me of a pirate. You may have to keep this look when you awake.” After placing a soft kiss on his lips, she left the bed and wandered over to the window arch.
She traced a path over the stained glass. “Did you know it’s summer? You missed the Midsummer festival, but no worries, we shall attend next year.”
Opening the window, Rose inhaled deeply. The air was warm, and no threat of rain was in the forecast. Shielding her eyes, she glanced in front of the trees that bordered the front of Aidan’s castle.
“What the bloody hell?” She leaned forward and let out a small gasp. As far as she could see, Fae stood with their fists clenched over their hearts. She lost count after twenty.
Quickly dashing out of the chamber, Rose almost collided with Aelish. “Sorry. Do you know those men outside?”
“Yes.”
“Are they here to take Aidan away?”
Fear seized Rose’s heart. Without giving a chance for the woman to answer her, she ran down the stairs and out into the courtyard. As she came to a halt at the end of the gates, she fisted her hands on her hips. There were so many of them and only one of her. Her courage and determination were like a rock inside her.
“You can’t have him! Leave this place!” Her resolve unwavering, she took a step forward. “You are not welcome.”
“Rose, they are not here to take him away,” uttered Liam, coming alongside her.
She glanced sharply at the man and gestured outward with her hand. “Then why are they here? And so many?”
Sadness reflected within his eyes. “These Fenian Warriors are waiting to escort him to Tir na nÓg.”
Lights blurred Rose’s vision. Wiping a trembling hand across her forehead, she refused to acknowledge this was happening. Taking a deep breath in, she released it slowly and straightened. “No,” she declared. “He will not go. He will not die!”
The pain was far too great to shed tears in front of all these men. On a choked sob, Rose fled down through a rough path sloping toward the river. The sting of branches slapped against her face, but she gave no care. Onward she traveled, stumbling over tree roots until she came to the edge of the water.
Letting out an anguished cry of grief, Rose bent her head and collapsed to the ground.
“There is nothing you can do.” Liam knelt down beside her.
“There is always a plan,” she mumbled, refusing to believe the man she loved with all her soul would die. For if he did, Rose feared she’d be unable to handle the pain of his loss.
“The land here is powerful to our people. He is too connected in Ireland and his spirit longs to be free,” protested Liam, reaching for her hand.
She drew back, realizing he was correct. Recalling everything Aidan had told her about the Fae and Ireland, an idea blossomed and grew. No wonder he wasn’t able to heal here.
Rose lifted her head and wiped a shaky hand over her brow. “You can tell the other Fae to say their parting words of farewell and then leave. Aidan Kerrigan will not require an escort.”
“Rose,” pleaded Liam.
Pointing a warning finger at him, she ordered, “You may stay, since I need your aid in this next plan to save Aidan’s life.” Standing on shaking limbs, Rose retreated back along the path.
Liam groaned and stood. Running alongside her, he asked, “What is this plan of yours?”
As they entered the castle, Rose glanced up at the dragon statue wit
h a renewed sense of hope. “We must remove him from Ireland to his other home in Scotland.”
Liam rubbed a hand over his chin in thought. “I never thought of this solution.”
Rose laid a gentle hand on his arm. “We must try. I refuse to give up. Aidan would expect nothing less from us and not this defeatist attitude, right?”
Smiling, Liam nodded. “You are a mighty warrior, Rose MacLaren.”
“Rose Kerrigan,” she corrected.
Aelish stood at the top of the stairs. “It is a grand idea, and I shall prepare everything if we are departing for Scotland.”
“Let me pack my belongings and book a passage on the ferry. I’m assuming you’ll transport him magically to Balleycove?” asked Rose.
“Wrong,” countered Liam. “You are coming with us as well.”
Her eyes grew wide. “With magic?”
“Of course. The only link to this world keeping Aidan alive is you, Rose. Anything can keep you from making the journey—from weather to traffic.”
The thought of traveling magically in a matter of seconds made her queasy. She clutched her stomach. “I think I’m going to be ill.”
Aelish descended the stairs and took her arm. “I will give you something to calm you before we depart.”
“No. I’ll keep my eyes closed.”
The woman clucked her tongue in disapproval. “Do you not trust me?”
“Most definitely,” Rose blurted out. “But I’d rather keep my wits.”
Within an hour, they were all huddled in Aidan’s chambers. Rose took a sweeping glance around. Everything in the castle had been secured. Sadness filled her at having to leave their beautiful home—a place where they had made love countless times and which brought them both so much joy.
“Did you forget something?” asked Aelish, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Why do I sense we’ll never return to Ireland and Croí Dragon,” muttered Rose, staring at Aidan’s limp body on the bed.
“Does your gift of sight extend to the future?”
“It never has before,” admitted Rose. Going to Aidan’s side, she brushed her fingers over his brow. “Nevertheless, I firmly believe we’re doing what’s best for him by leaving.”
“I concur. Ready?” asked Liam, approaching the bed.
Rose nodded.
Liam lifted Aidan’s body into his arms and for a brief moment, Rose ached to see any response from him.
“Clutch my arm,” stated Aelish.
Rose took a hold of the woman’s arm and closed her eyes.
“Remember to breathe, Rose.”
“I will.”
Dizziness swept through Rose as the ground beneath her floated away. She dared not open her eyes for fear she’d faint. In seconds, her feet touched the ground.
Aelish squeezed her fingers. “We are at Balleycove.”
“Great Goddess! How amazing. And we’re inside the castle.” Rose glanced in all directions within Aidan’s chambers, marveling at how swiftly they got to Scotland.
Aelish chuckled as she deposited her bag by the table.
After Liam settled Aidan into his bed, he went to Rose and grasped her hands. “I must return to the Fae realm. If you need anything, have Aelish send for me.”
Rose swallowed. “Thank you so much. Will you offer prayers for him in your world?”
He smiled fully. “Most assuredly.” Releasing her hands, Liam inclined his head toward Aelish. In a whisper of light, he vanished.
Rose shivered. “I swear it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen him disappear, I will never get used to this form of magic.”
Shrugging, the woman moved toward the door. “Magic for us is as simple as breathing. We carry it within us as you do certain parts inside your body.”
Rose went and sat next to Aidan. She gripped his hand, placing it against her cheek. “How will you deal with this loss, my love?”
“Aidan is one of the strongest Fae I’ve ever known,” confessed Aelish. “His love was strong enough to get him this far, so anything else will not be so difficult for him to deal with when he awakens.”
“But if what you stated is true about magic and the Fae…” Rose paused and placed a kiss in his palm. After lowering his hand over his chest, she stood.
“Do not allow the black cloud of death to linger in this room.”
She knew the woman was correct. Rose had to focus on the positive, even though the weight of the past several months were beginning to take a toll on her body and mind. “Would you like some tea? Food?” offered Rose.
Smiling, Aelish wandered to her side. “Let me go prepare you a meal.”
Rose took the woman’s hand. “I think I can manage a simple task.”
The woman cupped her cheek. “Slip into something more comfortable, and I’ll bring a tray up to you. In the morn, you can fix your own meal. When a human is transported it is vastly different than for a Fae. It can weaken you for a time.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as Aelish departed the room, Rose rummaged through her clothing and pulled out a short sleeveless nightgown. She stripped off all her clothing and slipped the silky garment over her head. Letting out a sigh, Rose went to the window. Unlatching the clasp, she pushed it outward.
“Bonny Scotland…We are home, Aidan. Here there is a rugged beauty.”
After saying a silent prayer to the Goddess, she crawled into bed beside him.
“I love you, my husband,” she murmured on a yawn.
Within seconds, Rose slid into the abyss of deep slumber.
****
Tapping the pen to her chin, Rose contemplated what else she could add to her growing list of what she wanted for her handfasting to Aidan. It had become her morning ritual for the past several weeks. Afterwards, she wandered Balleycove, surveying all nineteen rooms, a massive library, enclosed nursery, kitchen gardens, orchard, stables, and what looked like a sparring camp. What she found fascinating was the grand room containing a huge collection of armory—from swords, shields, axes, a variety of bows, equipped with arrows, and other unique blades. Some were studded with precious gems, but the ones Rose admired greatly were the giant claymores.
“I want you to teach me archery, Aidan. Then you can show me how to handle a blade.” She pursed her lips in concentration. “I’ve never mentioned that I have this fascination with ancient weaponry.” Smiling faintly, she added, “Yes. Another fascination.”
Rose looked over her shoulder at Aidan. “You missed the feast day on the first of August.”
Dropping her pen, she stretched her arms over her head and stood. “It really is a lovely day, my love. Won’t you wake up?”
She scooted away from the desk and went to Aidan’s side. In recent days, his coloring had faded. It was as if he remained in a cocoon of suspended time, unable to break free from whatever hell he was experiencing. Yet, even after all this time, he maintained his massive physique. Aelish told her it would be the last to diminish, when or if he passed over to the realm of forever.
Sitting down on the bed next to him, she blew out a frustrated breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. Her grief was becoming a lodestone on her chest. Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked. Her resolve to remain strong was failing miserably. She even thought about calling her sister to come and assist her when they first arrived, but she swiftly banished the idea. Rose didn’t want the others to know about Aidan’s condition, and Aelish was in agreement.
Time was slipping away as surely as the mists over the hills behind Balleycove.
Rose reached for his hand and placed it over her abdomen. Unable to hold back the tide of emotions, she let the tears fall freely. “I’m tired, Aidan. Really, really tired. I need you to come back to me. It’s important.” She paused, biting her lower lip, uncertainly filling her. “This is not how I wanted to share my beautiful news with you. But I refuse to let you go without knowing what you’ll be leaving. We are going to have a daughter, Aidan Kerrigan. I have
seen her in a vision. In a beacon of light she came to me.” Choking on sobs, she continued, “If you won’t fight for us, fight for her, Aidan.”
Her grief consumed her, and for the first time, Rose let the pain of everything take over. Great wracking sobs broke free, and she curled up against his body. Was this her final goodbye to the Fae who held her heart? How could she go on without him?
She wept until there were no more tears. Until every ounce of sorrow left her spirit.
When she was drained of all her pent-up emotions, Rose hiccupped, but refused to leave Aidan’s side. Weariness seeped into her bones and spirit, leaving her even more exhausted and empty. There was nothing more she could do or say.
Rose concentrated on the soothing rise and fall of Aidan’s breathing and remained by his side for the entire day. Sleep did not beckon her as she waited for him to take his last breath. Their plan had failed. She gently placed her arm over his chest.
Once the last ray of light slipped out of the chamber, Rose whispered the words she thought never to say, “I release you from your pain, my love. Go find the light of Tir na nÓg. Be well and watch over me and your daughter. I only ask that you come for me when my time has ended here.”
Her heart pounded fiercely, hating what she was doing. Nevertheless, she could not let Aidan continue in this lingering state of torment. Rose had no idea the pain he might be suffering. She was being selfish.
Lacing her fingers with his, Rose placed their joined hands in the middle of his chest and lowered her head. “I shall love you until the last star shines in the universe.”
“Mo ghrá.”
The familiar burr of his voice sent a tremor of shockwave throughout Rose. Was she dreaming? Had he already crossed the void to the afterlife?
The blood pounded in her ears, and slowly Rose lifted her head to gaze into the dazzling lavender eyes she had always adored. “Aidan?” Her question barely audible.
“Who else did you expect,” he uttered softly.
“Aidan!” she blurted out. Releasing her hand, she cupped his face and kissed him tenderly. “Oh, Aidan, you came back to me.”
“I was never far away, beloved. Merely…healing.”
