by Audra Hart
Morna walks over and does another healer’s read on her sister. She smiles and says, I think you are in good shape kiddo. I am going home to eat, sleep and recharge so that I can do Rodrigo’s treatment in nine hours.” Morna kisses her softly on the cheek. “I love you big sister.” Morna looks at Mordir, “I hope you are done with my mate.”
“I am. I have basically ran every test that I can think of. I have a lot of data to evaluate. But I am already convinced that Luca will continue to do well. Morna come a little early so we can draw a few more antibodies. I want to make sure we have enough to keep on hand for Breena in the future and for study.” Mordir says absently as he writes in a chart.
“Hell no!” Storms Luca. “She won’t donate just for study.”
“Luca, I am making the antibodies at a very high rate. My health is excellent, our son is perfectly safe, calm down. Storing antibodies for Breena is important, and I want Mordir to be able to study them. Who knows what they can learn from them. Perhaps they can learn how to attack diseases at the cellular level, can you imagine?” Morna says with a smile on her face.
“Morna, honestly love, when are you going to start thinking of your own wellbeing first?”
“Probably the very same day that you do,” Morna says with a smile. “Baby, that is not what we are about, and you know it. We are both Spell Weavers, our magic and our lore teaches us to put others first. I am proud of what we are.”
Luca nods and squeezes her about the shoulders and they turn to leave the Healer‘s Hall. “I know love, I know. Okay, I will leave you alone about this. Mordir would not ask you to do anything that was even remotely harmful to you or the baby.”
Morna laughs and says, “You are getting mellow in your old age, Beloved.”
“Sure, Morna.” Luca laughs, “Why have you not mellowed? You are considerably older than me.”
Morna laughs and says, “Someone doesn’t want to get laid tonight.”
Luca laughs and says, “Bet you can’t catch me, slow poke.” And he takes off running.
Morna laughs and takes off after him. She knows that she can’t catch him, but it is still fun to try. When she gets to the house Luca is sitting on the porch grinning happily. “Gee, old woman, I think we may have to get a walker for you soon.”
Morna laughs and pushes him off of the porch. “Don’t make me kick your ass, old man.” Luca reaches out and sweeps her off her feet. He catches her before she hits the ground and starts kissing her immediately. They are rolling around on the grass laughing and kissing when their children and Morna’s Father and Grandfather come out of the house see what the commotion is all about.
Nora laughs happily as she runs and jumps into the fray. Luca catches her and starts tickling her. Soon, all of their children but Aideen, who remained at the Healer’s Hall, are in the middle of the fracas. The two Norsemen and Sammy stand on the porch and watch them happily.
After several minutes of watching the family at play; “I guess it is pretty safe to assume that the healers could save Breena.” Vali says with a laugh. He then clears his throat loudly and says, “You silly children need to come inside and wash up. Auggie almost has your dinner ready. She keeps going on about this being a special meal.”
Bellona comes up behind them and says, “This family must be one of the happiest, strongest families ever.”
Vali reaches down and wraps his arms around his beloved and says, “Yes my dear, I believe it is.”
The family finally comes inside for dinner when Aideen arrives home and laughs hysterically to find her family wrestling around the front yard. After everyone has cleaned up and come to the table, Tena and Skjarr begin serving everyone grilled venison steaks and boiled potatoes along with salad and steamed veggies. Morna asks Skjarr if Mac is still taking her meals in her room. “She is, Lady Morna. She really likes your family, but it is so big it overwhelms her. I usually take meals with her. She is a great deal of fun to be around.” Morna nods at that, she knew the pair was getting close, and she wonders how Damian is taking this new development.
Everyone is preparing to eat when Luca stops them and says, “I want to take a moment to say grace.” Everyone bows there head and Luca does the same. “Almighty Father God, thank you for all of the blessings in our lives. Thank you so much for my family. I am truly a man blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Lord please guide us and help us to fulfill your will in all things. In Christ’s name, Amen.”
The family is tucking in happily to the delicious meal before them when Auggie comes out and sets Luca’s plate down in front of him, along with his silverware and a tall glass of cold milk. Everyone at the table stops eating and looks at Luca in surprise. He smiles broadly and picks up his steak knife and a fork and starts cutting his steak. He puts the first bite in his mouth and chews slowly. It tastes so good that he can’t help it, he moans with pleasure.
Morna reaches out and strokes her mate’s arm, with a broad smile on her face. When Luca finishes chewing and swallows the bite of steak and begins to cut another, Morna can’t help it. She giggles in delight. Luca looks up to Auggie who is standing beside him and says, “Auggie, it tastes better than I remember Morna’s steaks ever tasting.”
He laughs and winks at Auggie when Morna smacks his arm and says, “Old man, that one you will pay for! I have taken enough grief over the years from our three youngest children about my cooking to last me a hundred lifetimes.” Everyone laughs at that, especially Kyle, Aiden and Nora. Morna is only a mediocre cook when it comes to most recipes, and it had been a source of many a family giggle fest at dinner time.
Suddenly the family dining room is very loud with everyone asking questions at once. Finally, Luca whistles loudly and everyone falls silent. Luca looks at Morna and says, “Mama healed me. Now let’s eat.” The rest of the meal passes happily. With Morna answering all questions about Breena’s condition but evading questions about Luca’s new status and how it came about.
When everyone has finished their meals Auggie comes out and says, “I hope that you have saved room for dessert. And she is pushing a cart with several cakes on it. Bellona and Aideen get up to help Auggie cut the cakes. Morna gets up to help when Kyle and Kylor both say, “Sit down, Mom.”
She laughs and complies and watches in pride as her sons deliver the delicious cake to everyone. Morna couldn’t decide between the chocolate cake and the coconut cake, so she takes a generous piece of both kinds. Luca opts for the lemon cake because he says that the smell of lemons was a smell that he always enjoyed, even when other food scents were very unappealing.
He is happily eating the lemon cake when Nora laughs, “Daddy, you are funny. Who but you would like lemons over chocolate?” Morna agrees with her daughter and laughs happily, as do the other women in the room, who all have generous slices of chocolate in front of them.
After dessert Morna and some of the other adults enjoy a cup of coffee. Luca declines trying the beverage. “I am stuffed. Actually, I feel a little uncomfortable. I don’t want to overdo with my first real meal.” The conversation during the coffee is very ordinary, and could have taken place at any family table in the world. Everyone is peaceful and happy to be with their loved ones.
This is the scene that Ewan finds when he comes back from Heimdall’s. “The watcher couldn’t find Nyx,” he says in frustration. She is too familiar with the dark places in the realms. Far too good at hiding her evil from the rest of the world.” He notices the dessert plate sitting in front of Luca and laughs, “Lucian, I thought you smelled different. How did this happen?”
“Morna cured me,” is all Luca will say.
“Didn’t know that there was a cure for vampirism,” Ewan says quietly.
“There’s not,” Morna says. “I am a vampire, of sorts. Now Luca is like me.”
Ewan snorts, “Morna Glynn Michaels, I haven’t known you well, but I have known you a long time, you are not a vampire.”
Morna chuckles, “Surely you can smell what is in this cup.”
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“I can, and you probably need it keep you healthy while you carry the baby, but you aren’t a vampire. You are nothing like the Stone Colds nor the psychic vamps that drain a person’s mental and magical energy. And you sure as hell are nothing like the Blood Wraiths.”
Morna giggles and shrugs.
“I spoke to my Grandfather. He will be here early tomorrow for the hearing. He wants to spend some time with his friends before the hearing. He also asked me if you remember yet”
“Remember what?” Morna asks feeling confused.
“I guess that means not yet.” Ewan grins and says, “It’ll come to you, Madam First Weaver.” He smiles up at Auggie when she brings him a heaping plate of food. “Thank you, Ma’am! It smells and looks delicious.”
Morna looks at Ewan trying to figure out what he is talking about. Something is tugging at her memory… but what is it? She looks around for Tena who comes to see what she needs, “Do we have a room left for the MacGregor?”
“We do, Morna. It’s small, but it’s comfortable,” Tena says with a big smile.
“No need Morna. I will be outside tonight, in my wolf form. Don’t need a bed.” The Shape shifter Laird grins at his hostess.
“You don’t have to be on guard duty, Ewan,” Luca begins.
“No, but I worry about what the Dark One will do next. She must sense that things are coming down to the wire and that we are on to her. I would just feel better if I am outside where I can watch out for danger. Honestly, I am safer in that form anyway.” Ewan takes a huge bite of the venison steak and smiles at Auggie, “Pretty lady, if I didn’t already have a mate I would propose on the spot.”
Auggie blushes and goes back to the kitchen. Luca chuckles, “What are you planning on doing about your mate?”
“Not a hell of a lot I can do. I made a stupid ass mistake, now I have no right to get involved in her life. I will keep an eye on Bitty and my son. And when the time comes I will prepare him for the Change.”
Morna grunts, “Dumb ass! Go lay claim to her, she’s your mate. Tell her what happened! Give her the opportunity to decide who she wants. Don’t let stupid male pride ruin three lives.”
Luca touches her arm and shakes her head no at his mate. “Leave him be, baby.”
Ewan who is only half finished with his meal gets up from the table and walks over to Morna, “It’s just not that simple, Ma’am.” He turns and walks toward the door. As he leaves he says, “Lucian, I will warn you telepathically if anyone snoops around tonight.”
Everyone in the dining room watches the MacGregor leave and wonders what that’s all about. Morna looks upset, and at one point starts to get up. Luca touches her arm and shakes his head no at her. Finally Luca says, “Morna it is getting late, you need to rest before you return to the healer’s hall for Rodrigo’s final healing rite and to check on Breena.” He walks around and scoops Aiden up and throws him over his shoulder saying, “Time for bed little man.” Aiden starts giggling when Luca tickles him as he carries him toward his bed room. Morna picks up Nora and says, “You too, Pumpkin. Tell everyone good night.”
After Morna and Luca get the two little ones tucked into bed they meet up in the hallway. Kyle and Kylor are waiting for them. Kyle looks at his Mom and hugs her. “Mom, you are amazing. I guess, you essentially did the same thing with Dad that you have been doing with Rodrigo.”
Morna blushes and says, “Essentially, yes. Why?”
Kylor chuckles at his mother’s blush. He thinks he knows exactly what happened but keeps it to himself for obvious reasons. “Mother, may we come and observe you as you administer the last healing rite to Rodrigo? Plus, we really want to check on Aunt Breena.”
“Sure boys that would be fine. It’s not a state secret or anything. I just ran everyone out that first night because I wasn’t totally certain how the magic wanted to be respected. I needed privacy and space to figure it out.”
Luca smiles at his sons, he is glad that they are interested in their mother’s healing methods. “Mom’s approach is very different from most Spell Weavers, but it is very spiritual and moving, none the less. I was much moved watching her tonight. Be ready to go at five am. Mordir wants to collect more antibodies in case Breena needs them later.”
The brothers thank their mother, kiss her and tell her to rest up, and promise to be ready on time. And decide to go to Kyle’s room to watch a DVD.
Morna and Luca watch their sons go and listen to them cut up about the movie they had watched earlier today. They stand there and listen to them for several minutes until it becomes obvious that the movie has started and they are intent on watching the film. Luca kisses his mate, opens their suite door and starts leading his mate towards their bed chamber when he says, “Old woman, am I still on the ‘not getting any’ list?”
Morna laughs and says, “Nah, I’ll cut you some slack this time.”
She laughs happily when he scoops her and darts for their bed. He lies her in the center of the bed gently and starts taking her clothes off. When he has her completely naked, he starts lovingly caressing her swollen belly and laughs happily when Madigan kicks. He kisses her belly and says, “Your Mom is an amazing woman. But I am sure that you already know that.”
“He knows his Daddy is pretty awesome as well.” Morna purrs in delight. “But Mama isn’t too happy with him right now.” Luca raises an eyebrow at that and Morna giggles, “He’s still wearing his clothes.”
Luca laughs and stands up, “I can take care of that.” Morna smiles happily as she watches him disrobe and sighs contentedly when he is finally naked and joins her on the bed. He kisses her lovingly, and gently caresses her breasts. “Or would your rather a firm hand my love?”
“No, this is lovely.” Morna murmurs. Luca is amazed that her eyes already indicate that she is fully aroused. They spend the next thirty minutes gently exploring each other’s bodies and whispering of their love for each other. When Luca moves to lie beside his mate and lift her leg over his own, and enters her eager body slowly. He penetrates her deeply and proceeds to slowly make very gentle and very sweet love to his mate. When they finally climax at the same time, Morna is so moved that she begins to cry softly as she turns and pulls him to her and clings tightly to him.
“Love, what is wrong?” Luca asks frantically. He is very confused and fears that Morna is ill or in pain.
“Nothing is wrong. Luca, that was … was beautiful. God, I love you Luca!” Morna says. He holds her tightly and tells her how precious she is to him.
After a while Morna is calm and feeling very open and content. She decides it is time to ask him the thing that has been weighing on my mind ever since Luca watched her perform the healing rite on Breena tonight. “Luca you have not asked me any details of the healing rites I have had to perform on Rodrigo. You did not even comment on the fact that I briefly fed on my sister’s blood tonight.”
Luca sighs and moves to look his mate in the eyes, “Baby, I smelled the blood in your breath that first night. I assumed it was necessary to the rite. I must admit that I admire your control.”
“It’s no greater than yours.” Morna says quietly.
“Oh but it is. I love you Morna. I would be essentially killing myself if I drained your blood and ended your life. That knowledge has always been in the back of my mind, knowing the indescribable pain that would be in store for me if I ever lost control and killed you. Keeping you safe has almost been a type of self-preservation for me. But you control yourself for a virtual stranger. That is amazing.”
“Perhaps.” Morna says sleepily. “You don’t feel…”
“Threatened?” Luca supplies. “No. Morna, I know where your heart resides. With me and with our children. Nothing outside of our little family affects how you feel about me, or my importance to you. No need to feel threatened by a healing ritual.”
“I am glad.” Morna murmurs in her sleep thickened voice. Luca smiles, he knows she has been struggling to remain awake. He snuggles in contentedly and f
eels sleep beckoning him. When he hears her speak again, “Baby, I need another bite. You probably should drink more too.”
“Are you sure Morna? I mean is it really necessary?” Luca asks reluctantly.
“I don’t know. But I need it, I want it so much that I need it. Do you understand?” Morna says softly as she sits up, fully awake now and looking at her mate’s beloved face. “I want it darling.”
“God help me, I do too.” And without another word he leans in bites her neck and drinks deeply. Morna sighs happily and holds his head as he drinks. When he stops she smiles lovingly at him and moans when he moves to her mouth to kiss her deeply. Her tongue plunders his mouth and his. Luca is aroused but knows she is exhausted and should sleep.
“Love me again,” Morna whispers.
“No. Sleep, we can love when you come back from the Healer’s Hall.” Luca says gently.
“Hold you to it,” she whispers as she drifts off to sleep. Luca smiles at her wanting to make love when she was half asleep.
“I love you, my little wanton.” Luca whispers as he too drifts off to sleep.
CHAPTER SEVEN - THE BEAST
About twenty minutes later he is thrown out of bed when Morna begins screaming and fighting off an unseen attacker. She is on her knees in the bed, screaming and fighting for her life against an invisible enemy. Luca cusses loudly when a chestnut wolf with a dark face materializes in their bedroom and runs across the bed in front of Morna, apparently fighting the same unseen entity. The wolf and his invisible enemy seem to be fighting on the floor beside their bed until the wolf disappears.
Kylor and Kyle have rushed into the room, they arrive just in time to see the wolf disappear.
Luca looks at Morna, she is fully awake now, pulling the sheet around her naked body. She had been watching the wolf. “What the hell was that about?” Luca demands. And then he smells blood and carefully opens the sheet to examine his wife’s body. He finds long scratches down the front of his wife’s belly. “That son of a bitch scratched you, Morna!”
