The Chieftain's Daughter

by Leigh Ann Edwards

  He clicked his tongue and Storm came to him. He mounted the horse without benefit of saddle, and looked back at her. He saw the displeased look on her face and the tears that brimmed in her eyes and threatened to fall.

  “I won’t be long away, Alainn.”

  “Oh take your time, milord; sure I’ll welcome the blessed solitude!”

  “I am now your husband and not your lord, and I’ve asked you not to refer to me by that title, for it riles me fiercely!”

  “Then it serves my purpose well!” She sniped and snapped her fingers. He saw she was now clothed in a garment he’d never seen before.

  “And where are you off to, then?” he questioned as his horse reared obviously in need of a run.

  “To converse with magical beings who do not condemn my powers and abilities!”

  “ ’Tis clear there is no use speakin’ with you at the moment. I’ll meet you back here straightaway.”

  “Don’t make haste on my account, I am, after all, only your wife and this is only our honeymoon and soon to be our last day here together!” she sarcastically stated in a wounded tone as she began to hastily walk away in the opposite direction.

  “Ah, so I’m not to be allowed to take a piss without ye with me then since we’re now wed; is that how you see it?” He blared.

  “Go you to hell, Killian O’Brien!” She hollered angrily as she glared at him.

  “Sure, you’re already seein’ I’m livin’ there, Alainn Mc—” He caught himself using her former name. She smiled at that, closed her startlingly blue eyes and disappeared before his.

  Alainn brushed against the flowery bush and inhaled the sweet scent of the blossoms. She saw the clouds above her clear, and the soft rain stop. A bright and beautiful rainbow formed across the sky. She smiled at the magical sight, uncertain how much her powers determined the weather within the fairy glade.

  Many tiny creatures had accompanied her on her walk. Some spoke, others simply flew near her or gently touched her to dispel her uncertainties. She shouldn’t have allowed her quick temper to present itself, not here where the harmonious balance needed to be maintained, not now when their time together was so short. She glanced about and saw the dozens, no surely hundreds of magical beings that were gathering here, and Samhain was still months away. Perhaps her increased powers simply allowed her to see what had always been.

  She longed for a place and a time when she could truly test her powers and see what limits or pinnacles she could reach or achieve with them. She doubted that would ever become a reality. She’d clearly had just such an opportunity in the realm of the gods, but at that time Lugh was demandingly obstinate and attempting to control her, and all she could dwell upon then was the need to be back with Killian.

  Now she knew she must protect those around her, though that, too, oftentimes required the use of her powers no matter what Killian said or how he felt on the subject. Did he truly believe she could simply allow him to possibly be mortally wounded; or taken from her when their lives together had just begun? Yet, if she interfered, he surely would see it as a slight to his masculinity, a disservice a wife should never do to her husband. Perhaps he would not know, but that in itself would be entirely too deceptive. And he would know, for he knew her well, even before they’d been joined by her magical protection charm and by matrimony. Therefore, she would be forced to stand by and let fate deal whatever hand it had in store for them, to keep her husband’s love and to ensure she knew what deep respect she held for him.

  She tried to envision the results of the challenge between Killian and his uncle. It would not come to her for all her attempts and her continued efforts only made her head ache fiercely as though she was not meant to know the outcome. That disturbed her as well. The child moved inside her and she shook her head.

  “You, wee imp, are you so like your father; you are already determining I should not use these powers?”

  She jumped when she saw Lugh suddenly materialize before her.

  “Why are you here?” she questioned in a rude tone, which was replaced with trepidation when she considered what the reason might actually be. “Are you here to take me back to your realm? Has the Council of the Gods deemed I should be punished for my actions during my time there?”

  The male god dismissed her concerns. “No, they do not seem interested in your part of the happenings and though they have discussed the matter with me at length, they have yet to issue sentence to me, as well. I am here for I simply needed to look upon you once more. I am admittedly most attracted to you, enchanting woman! It’s been millennia since I’ve felt such an attraction and never before to a human woman!”

  “You well know I am a married woman!” she insultingly retorted.

  “And at odds with your husband after less than a week of being wed; perhaps he is not truly suited to you after all or simply incapable of satisfying you!”

  “I most certainly will not discuss this with you! Killian and I have often been at odds for half our lives, because we sometimes disagree only indicates we are strong-willed and of opposing opinions at times; it does not change how we feel about one another. It certainly does not give cause to question if our love is any less because of it, and I am well satisfied, I’ll have you know!”

  “Ah, but you’ve never been pleasured by a god!”

  “Nor will it ever be so!”

  She pushed past Lugh and, when she looked up, she saw Aine standing before them.

  She was scowling disapprovingly at the male god. “Once more, Lugh, you refuse to listen to reason or commands, even after the events when last time you acted so negligently. You were not to make contact again, only to look down upon Alainn. Once more you are overstepping your rights and ignoring your responsibilities.”

  “Aine, you are far too serious, perhaps it is you who needs an erotic time with me to ensure you are duly satisfied?”

  She glanced at him briefly, but soon shook her head. “Not by destiny or desire!” She rebuked him, but smiled at her descendant.

  Alainn questioned the other woman. “You told me Killian and Danhoul are to be my guardians. This most distasteful being is no longer required, ’tis doubtful he ever was!”

  Aine smiled at the Alainn’s open and shared dislike of the male god.

  “On earth, when all is well with you, your husband and Danhoul, the young druid, will be your protectors and guardian of your powers, but destiny may determine a time when you are and your husband are parted. And your kind often requires many guardians. There are also worlds and times where your husband cannot venture, and not all gods, creatures, or even angels can enter into the realm of humans. And though you may not believe it now, this arrogant, distasteful male will be needed.

  “Destiny be damned, I’ll not ever be long-parted from my husband, and I assure you I’ll never need the likes of him!”

  When Alainn heard the sound of a horse’s hooves in the distance, she knew Killian was near and she felt her heart gladden.

  Lugh noticed. “You truly are in love with the man?” He mused in complete astonishment.

  “Entirely in love, evidently beyond what you are capable of understanding,” she whispered and she saw the god vanish before her. Soon Aine was gone as well.

  Killian espied her standing by a laurel bush and he smiled a broad smile at the enchanting sight of her. Her hair shone even more lustrously than usual, here in the glade, and her eyes were a sparkling, magically luminous blue as she lovingly turned to meet his gaze. He leaned over and effortlessly pulled her upon the horse with him.

  “Your rancor has cooled, then, Killian?”

  “Aye, and has your own vexation lessened as well, Lainna?”

  “It has!” she whispered as she turned and her lips grazed his throat.

  “Then I’ve a notion we’d best take advantage of this time and this place and continue with the more favorable aspects of bein’ wed, for I’ve missed ye even in this short time we’ve been apart!”

  “Aye, milo
rd! I’ve missed you as well!” She cooed teasingly as she leaned back against him and his hands moved upward from her waist to her breasts.

  “If I’m your lord, then surely you’re my servant! Do you intend to service me?”

  “Aye, but to be serviced as well!” She chortled seductively.

  He nudged his horse in order to hasten them to their private haven.

  They spent the remainder of the day and the evening in their marriage bed. They’d made love once in a slow, gentle, tender fashion and the next time in a torrid, reckless, uninhibited manner. The third had begun in the water. Alainn had taken a scented soap to bathe in the warmth of the water, where Killian joined her on the intention of merely soaping down her back. Of course, it had led to something much more primal and pleasing. When the gloriously sensual joining was completed, they’d slept...in each other’s arms, entangled in intimate embraces, but always, always touching. Alainn sensed neither of them really wanted to dwell on the time they would be made to leave this place.

  As she began to drift off to sleep, she heard him whisper to her though she’d been almost certain he was asleep.

  “Promise me you won’t interfere with the challenge, Alainn!”

  “Mmmmm...” she simply whispered back pretending she was mostly asleep.

  “An unintelligible mumble will surely not serve as a binding promise, Lainna!” He caressed the back of her neck as he spoke. “I need to hear you pledge the words to me on this!”

  She turned to face him and looked into his serious eyes.

  “Swear to me!” He pressed.

  She sighed resignedly and glanced up at him with doubt upon her lovely face. “I don’t pretend to like it and I am greatly fearful of the upcoming challenge, but I will do as you wish. I swear I will not interfere with your challenge in any manner, including by way of magic!”

  He smiled a serious sort of smile, and kissed her hand as he held tight to it.

  “I require further time in the spring,” she interrupted the solemn moment. “Come join me, Killian! Let us gaze upon the stars and forget our woes while we bathe in the warmth of the enchanting water?”

  “Aye, that sounds like a fine notion, Lainna!”

  Chapter Twelve

  When they’d spent a considerable time basking in the warmth of the pleasing spring waters, Alainn made a further suggestion. “Might we walk in the glade and see what can be seen through the portals.”

  “I promised your kin and the fairies we’d not venture through the portals or into any other realm, and I intend to remain true to my word.”

  “I agree, Killian. I do not wish to go through the portals, for we must remain here to ensure the curse is truly lifted, and our child remains well, but would it not be of interest to you to simply gaze into other realms, or other times?”

  “Aye, indeed it would! I’d be most intrigued by that. I know well enough with your many abilities you are able to see these magical places, but will I actually be capable of seein’ through the portals?”

  “If you take my hand and I envision a sight, I believe I can show you. I have not attempted it often but I believe I am capable. In truth, I believe you could envision something and I will be able to manifest the image so we can see it before our eyes, as though we were there in the location, actually present where the memory was created.”

  “How could that be?”

  “Come here, sit beside me and we’ll give a go!”

  “Would it not be best done in daylight?” he questioned.

  Soon the stars above them shone brighter and the entire area surrounding them was lighted with surely a thousand lightening bugs, then magical lanterns appeared that cast an ethereal glow. She smiled at being able to use her powers openly and gestured for him to join her on the edge of the water.

  He did as she’d instructed and sat beside her on the soft, green grass, their feet still trailing in the water. They’d become so entirely relaxed and contented with each other that being unclothed had become completely natural to them. She took his large hands in her own and told him to close his eyes and think of an image of something she’d never seen.

  She sat still for a time, but finally spoke. “I haven’t actually seen it, but I’ve been near it?” she questioned.

  “Aye, you’re correct!” He grinned, enthralled by this entertaining pastime.

  She summoned all her powers and her mind filled with the vision of the sight he’d seen within his mind’s eye. When she finally told him to open his eyes, he gasped and almost let go of her hands, but she told him to remain as they were. When she opened her eyes, it appeared they were in an immense bedchamber. The walls were stone and the bed that stood before them was adorned with rich brocade fabrics. The furniture was grand and elegant and of a dark, colored wood.

  “Where is this place, Killian?”

  “ ’Tis my parent’s bedchamber. I’d always imagined we would spend our honeymoon here. God willing, this is where we shall sleep and love for all our married life after we make the journey to our castle,” he promised, barely able to believe she had formed this image simply from his memory. “How is it you can’t read my mind, but you can see my thoughts of this place?”

  “I don’t begin to attempt to understand my powers any longer. Perhaps because we are touching or because you were willing to have me see this, it is possible.”

  “But I would be willing to have you know my thoughts. Well, most of the time” he added as an afterthought.

  “Not this afternoon during our quarrel?”

  “No, I think I told you well enough what was on my mind! You didn’t need to hear my thoughts”

  “Aye, sure you didn’t seem inclined to keep your anger within!”

  “I can’t, Alainn. God help me, I do try, but with you I can’t conceal the good or the bad of what I’m feelin’, and you make me feel the both of those extremes, and on a regular basis.”

  She nodded with understanding and trying to dispel his seriousness, she spoke. “Would you like to see somethin’ I envision within my mind, the very day when first I laid eyes upon you?”

  “The day in my bedchamber, when you healed me?” He wondered.

  “Nay, ’twas before that, Killian. Would you like me to show you?”

  “Aye, I would!” He held her hand and softly caressed it as they sat there together.

  She closed her eyes once more and visualized a time several years previous. She brought the image to her mind and when she opened her eyes, he was staring even more disbelievingly than he had before.

  “ ’Tis me, when I was only a young boy. I would have been perhaps eight years of age yet it is at Castle O’Brien. My God, Alainn, my parents are there, and my siblings, Cian and Nola as well. She’s so young then. How is it you remember this?”

  Alainn pointed to the small child in the corner hiding by the castle gate.

  “ ’Tis you?” Killian exclaimed, looking at the wee girl with the long golden hair and the large, frightened blue eyes, holding tight to Morag, the old healer’s hand.

  “Aye, I remember it well for it was the day the farrier took me to live with Morag. I was fearful and felt great despair and uncertainty. I saw your family arrive for a stay with the chieftain and his family. I remember wishing to have a family like yours, wondering what it would be like to feel so entirely loved. And you gazed at me, your warm green eyes looked at me so intently, and it was as though you knew what I was thinking. You smiled at me, and I think then, Killian, that very day when I was but three years of age that was truly when I fell in love with you.”

  “Why don’t I have a memory of that?” Killian wondered aloud.

  “It was of no consequence to you at the time and why would you remember a young servant child?”

  “If you looked as sad as you do in this vision, then surely I should have remembered you!”

  “You were only young yourself and on your way to spend time with your cousins whom you hadn’t seen in a goodly while. You were overjoyed an
d excited, you couldn’t wait to be with them, and I was excited for you. After you smiled at me and I felt the warmth of your eyes, I was no longer afraid. And even then I knew we would one day be close, perhaps even then I knew one day we would fall in love.”

  “And that is why you believe you somehow caused the events that led to me coming to live at Castle O’Brien?”

  “Aye, at times it plagues me still, Killian. What if the desires of a powerful, wee girl capable of magic were the cause of your family’s tragedy and despair?”

  “I don’t believe it, Alainn, not for a second, and you shouldn’t either. You must dismiss that grim and disturbing line of thinking entirely. You can make me another promise this night; that you’ll not dwell on this, not ever again. Will you promise me that?”

  “I can hardly control what I think or what I fret about.”

  “Well you’re not doin’ yourself or me any favors by worryin’ regarding this, Alainn. So tell me when these dark and unsettling thoughts enter your mind you’ll think of an enormous blue dragon who belongs only to you...a dragon whose only purpose is to be there to do your bidding and protect you from fears and perils.”

  “Have you gone completely daft, Killian O’Brien?” she asked as he rattled on adding more and more to the fanciful statement. “Were you too long in the water or too long distanced from humans?”

  He chuckled loudly at that. “No, ’twas something my mother used to say to my brother and me, but most especially me because of my often troublesome imagination. I would lie awake at night afraid of what might be hiding under my bed or what despicable monster might visit me in my dreams, so my mother tried to reason with me. She’d tell me every time a fearful thought entered my mind to envision a large dragon, usually green for I had an affinity for that color, but I thought since you have mentioned your preference to blue, I’d change the details a wee bit for you. And now that I know you’ve actually seen dragons you should have no difficulty imagining such beings.”