Consumed

by Julia Crane

  “What are your plans for the day?” Emerald asked.

  Keegan glanced over at Rourk. “Not sure. Tonight, we are going over to Rourk’s house to have dinner with his father. Speaking of fathers, is dad home? I feel like I haven’t seen him in forever.”

  “He’s home. He took the boys out to give me some quiet time.”

  “Which we are interrupting,” Keegan said apologetically.

  “Nonsense. I barely get to see you anymore. Sit down, you two, and tell me what’s going on in your lives. Rourk, how’s work going?” She set a mug of cocoa in front of him, and then took a seat across from Keegan.

  “It’s a lot of fun. I can see why Richard stayed in so long. The human military is a great community.” He picked up the mug to take a sip but when the steam hit his face, he decided to let it cool down. “I’m certainly looking forward to getting to Washington and being placed on a team.”

  “It’s too bad you guys weren’t going to be stationed closer.” Emerald sighed.

  “We’ll be back here before you know it. Rourk doesn’t plan on staying past his contract. Right?” Keegan raised an eyebrow. Of course, she would go anywhere with him, but she missed her home. A few years away wouldn’t be too bad.

  “As far as I know, I just serve my term and then come back here to the Army of The Light. Of course, that could change.” Rourk lightly squeezed Keegan’s leg under the table.

  “Speaking of changes. I’ve decided to change my major to photography.” She might as well spit it out while it was just her mother, and Rourk was there to back her up.

  “Really?” Her mother took a sip of her cocoa and set the mug down. “You’ve always wanted to be a marine biologist. Are you sure you want to make that big switch? You haven’t really given it a try. I could tell how much you loved working at the sanctuary.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it for the last couple of months. Photography makes me happy. I can always go back to school later for biology.” Keegan’s shoulders slumped in anticipation of her mother’s criticism over her choice.

  “Well, I think it’s a wonderful idea. You are clearly talented, and life is too short to be unhappy.”

  “Really?” Keegan’s mouth hung open. “I thought you would tell me it was a ridiculous idea and be upset that I wasted money on school.”

  Emerald laughed. “Not at all. It’s your life, you have the right to change your mind if you want to. When I was growing up I wanted to be so many different things. The only reason why I was surprised is because you never wavered on your path until now. Ever since you were old enough to talk, you told me how you wanted to work with Dolphins.”

  “Well, now she can take photographs of dolphins.” Rourk smiled over at Keegan.

  “I guess you better start working on your scuba license.” Emerald sat back in her seat with the mug between her hands.

  Keegan had thought for sure her mother would disapprove of her choice. But once again, she had surprised her. She hoped someday she would be as understanding of a mother.

  “Oh, that’s a great idea. Rourk, we should do that once we get to Washington. I’ve always wanted to scuba.”

  Richard and the boys walked through the door. Warrick came running up to his mother and held his arms up.

  “What’s this I hear about scuba? Did you already get picked up for a scuba team Rourk?” Richard took off his coat and tossed it over the chair. Emerald gave him a disapproving look so he picked it up and put it on the coat rack.

  Keegan’s dad was a big, burly man with flame-colored hair and a bushy beard. He looked dangerous because of all his visible scars, but in reality, he was just a teddy bear to those he loved. Keegan gave him a big smile.

  “No, Keegan was just saying we should take classes together.”

  “That’s a great idea. I’m quite certain you will be picked up for a scuba team. They usually take the most physically fit. Never hurts to get a leg up.”

  “I’ll find out soon what team I’m on.”

  Emerald moved to the stove and put on some more milk to make cocoa for the rest of them. Keegan loved being at home with her family.

  Thaddeus sat down and filled them in on the day. They had been out teaching Warrick about tracking. He already knew the difference between a deer’s print and a dog’s—not too bad for a three-year-old. Richard grabbed a piece of paper and pencil off the counter and drew several different prints. He held it up to show Warrick. The baby walked over, staring at the paper silently for a moment.

  “Deer.” He pointed at the correct hoof.

  “Dog.” Warrick clapped.

  “Bear?” Warrick asked.

  Richard picked him up. “You got it. That’s a bear. I think we have another warrior in the family, Emerald.”

  “I would hope so.” She handed Warrick a marshmallow, and he struggled to get out of his father’s arms. They all watched as he ran out of the room. It was amazing to see a young elf start to show signs of their powers.

  “Emerald, did you tell them about their wedding gift yet?” Richard asked.

  “No, I was waiting for you.”

  “We were trying to decide on a suitable gift, and your mother came up with a great idea. If you are interested, we’d like to give you the twenty acres around Keegan’s spot. The place where you will be wed.”

  Keegan jumped up and ran around the table, throwing her arms around her father. “That’s the best gift ever. Isn’t it, Rourk?”

  Rourk smiled. “Thank you. I agree, it’s the perfect gift. We can build Keegan’s dream house there.”

  Richard squeezed his daughter back. “Don’t forget—I said it was your mother’s idea.”

  Keegan reached over and hugged her mother. “I love you guys.”

  “Great. I thought we were rid of her.” Thaddeus smirked.

  “Oh hush, you will be out of the house by the time they move back. Take your brother into the play room.” Emerald handed the youngest off to Thaddeus. Thaddeus mumbled under his breath but grabbed his brother and left. The little dog ran behind them.

  Rourk opened the truck door for Keegan and the cold air hit her face. She pulled the plate of warm chocolate cookies closer to her body as they hurried up the walkway to Rourk’s father’s house.

  Greg opened the door before they got there. “Come in. Get out of the cold.”

  Keegan handed him the plate of cookies. Greg peeked under the wrapping and grabbed a cookie. “Mmm, these are great. I have a soft spot for homemade cookies. Rourk’s mother used to make them all the time.”

  “Rourk told me they were your favorite. Is that roast I smell? It smells delicious.” Keegan shrugged off her coat and placed it on the coat hanger.

  “Yes, it’s pot roast. Rourk had to give me a crash course in cooking before he left for the military. Whoever invented the crock-pot was a genius.” Rourk’s father led them into the living room. Rourk and Keegan sat on the couch while Greg took the seat across from them.

  “So, this time next week, you will be my daughter-in-law. I wish Rourk’s mother had been here to see it.” Silence filled the room.

  “I would love to have known her. I’m sure she was an amazing woman.” Keegan looked over at Rourk. “My grandmother told me we would use the broom from your wedding.”

  Greg stood up. “That’s right. I almost forgot about that tradition. I’ll be right back.” He hurried out of the room.

  “Does it bother you to talk about your mother?” Keegan asked quietly.

  Rourk shook his head. “It makes me miss her more, but I don’t think that is a bad thing. I wish my father would talk about her more. I was so young when she died.”

  Greg walked in the room carrying a large box and set it down on the coffee table. He gingerly opened the wooden box; the hinge creaked. It obviously hadn’t been opened in a while. Rourk and Keegan leaned forward in their seats to get a closer look.

  Keegan’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, thank you for sharing this with us.”

  Greg s
miled sadly. “I’ve never been able to talk myself into opening this until now.” He pulled out her long, off-white dress and brought it to his nose. “There’s still the slight scent of lilacs. Your mother’s favorite scent. That was the best day of my life.”

  He handed the dress to Keegan and pulled out a photo album. Rourk walked over and stood behind his father to look at the photographs. His parents made a striking couple: his father with his chiseled good looks and his mother with her natural beauty.

  Keegan stood beside Rourk. “Your mother was breathtaking.”

  “That she was,” Greg said softly. He shut the book and handed it to Rourk. “You two can look through the rest of this stuff. I need to check on dinner. This is harder than I expected.” Moister glistened in his eyes as he stood and walked to the kitchen.

  Keegan placed her hand on Rourk’s shoulder, not sure what to say.

  “Why don’t you look at what else is in there?” Rourk’s voice sounded strained.

  “Ok.” Keegan knelt in front of the box and pulled out the most beautiful broom she had ever seen. It was handmade from dark brown twigs and wrapped in white ribbon that had shamrocks embroidered on it. Ivy climbed up the handle. Keegan ran her hands over the broom, her palms tingling, and she wondered how many generations it had been passed down. She closed her eyes and pictured Rourk’s parents on their day and with smiles on their face as they jumped the broom.

  “This is amazing.” Keegan handed the broom to Rourk and looked back in the box. A green velvet box lay on the bottom. Keegan reached down and pulled the box out; she was curious to see what was inside.

  She snapped the box open. A pair of blue sapphire and diamond antique earrings sparkled back at her.

  Greg walked in the room and noticed the box. He gingerly took it from Keegan’s hand, stared silently at them for a moment, and then handed the box back to Keegan. “These are yours. They were my mother’s, and her mother’s before that. I’m not sure how many daughters these have been passed down to. Hopefully, someday you will give me a granddaughter, and you can pass them on to her.”

  Keegan jumped up and threw her arms around Greg. “I’ll be honored to wear them. Thank you.”

  Greg smiled. “You’re welcome. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

  Rourk draped his arm over Keegan’s shoulder as they walked to the dining room. She laid her head against him.

  “Do you need any help?” Rourk asked.

  “Sure. You can grab the drinks.” Greg set the plate of roast in the center of the table, and went back for the rolls.

  Keegan’s stomach growled as Greg walked back into the room. He laughed. “Dig in! We don’t want you wasting away on us.”

  She piled her plate with roast, potatoes, and vegetables. Rourk set a glass of water in front of her and then passed her a roll and the butter.

  “Thank you.” She smiled sweetly as she buttered the roll and took a bite.

  “Dad, thanks for bringing out your wedding box to share with us. I know that wasn’t easy for you,” Rourk said quietly after some time had passed.

  “It’s what she would have wanted. Let’s talk about your wedding. Where are you going for your honeymoon?”

  Keegan looked up sharply at Rourk. “He won’t tell me. He says it’s a surprise.”

  “Surprises are good. Did you have any trouble taking time off?” Greg asked.

  “No, I was due for time off. With the holidays, it worked out well.” Rourk could tell his father wanted to change the subject, so he went into details about his training and upcoming schedule. Keegan told him about switching schools and their new home.

  After they ate, Rourk made coffee and they sat around the fire place chatting. It was a nice evening, and Keegan was glad she got to know Rourk’s father a little better. The rest of the weekend flew by and once again it was time to say goodbye.

  They next time they would meet, it would be their wedding day.

  Chapter 22

  Keegan took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. Her heart was beating at such an accelerated pace she could feel it in her throat. She couldn’t believe today was the day she had been waiting for since she was little girl.

  The household had woken to the sound of pouring rain. In her pre-wedding panic attack, Keegan got hysterical over the weather, and her mother had to remind her that the weather manipulators in the family would take care of it.

  “Besides,” Emerald had said, brushing Keegan’s hair behind her ears. She cupped her face in one hand. “Rain on your wedding day is good luck.”

  But the weather manipulators didn’t need to do anything. Within an hour, the rain had let up and the sun was shining brightly.

  Keegan really hoped she didn’t trip or do something completely embarrassing. She was so nervous that she didn’t know how she was going to make it to the ceremony spot. Thankfully, with elfin weddings she didn’t have to walk there by herself. Rourk would be waiting downstairs for her and they would walk together. She loved that they stuck so close to their ancestors’ traditions.

  Her mother was expertly braiding white ribbon into a section of Keegan’s auburn hair with her petite fingers. She glanced up in the mirror, catching her daughter’s eye. “You look stunning.”

  Keegan flushed as there was a knock at the door.

  “Is everyone decent?” Thaddeus called out.

  “Yes,” they said in unison.

  Thaddeus walked through the door looking dashing in his military dress uniform. His hair had been slicked down so that it didn’t stick up like usual, and his uniform was perfectly pressed. He looked like a young man instead of a boy, and it brought tears to Keegan’s eyes.

  “I can’t believe you are making me dress up,” Thaddeus complained. He had a small white box in his hands with a green bow tied around it.

  “It’s tradition.” Emerald said simply.

  Thaddeus walked across the room and offered Keegan the box. “Dad said I had to give this to you before you left. For luck.”

  Curious, Keegan reached for the box. She shook it—whatever was inside shifted with a thump. Tentatively, she unwrapped the bow and slowly lifted the lid. A huge grin spread across her full lips. She pulled out the horseshoe and stared at it. Her brother had obviously put a lot of time into it. It was painted green and had three shamrocks on each side with Keegan and Rourk written in calligraphy. “You did this?”

  Thaddeus shrugged. “I came across it on one of my runs. I figured it was meant for you guys. Rourk could use all the luck he can get marrying you.”

  Keegan stood up, straightening her dress around her legs before she flung her arms around her brother. “I love it! Thank you so much. I can’t wait to put it up in our house.”

  “Don’t ever let it tip upside down or your luck will run out.” Emerald’s eyes twinkled. “You know you have to carry that with your bouquet.”

  “Really? Let me guess—tradition? Well, I will proudly carry it.”

  “Now, get out of here so Keegan can finish getting ready.” Her mother shooed Thaddeus out the door.

  Her mother pulled her hair into a loose bun, leaving a braid coiled on each side. She slipped some baby’s breath in the back. Emerald grabbed the blush and swiped it across Keegan’s cheekbones.

  Keegan watched wide-eyed as her mother pulled the veil out of a box. It was beautiful—long and flowing with Celtic symbols embroidered on the bottom. She secured it on Keegan’s bun and then pulled a layer over her face. “Perfect. Stand up so I can get some pictures. Remember don’t remove the veil until the kiss.”

  Keegan set the horseshoe on her vanity table careful to make sure it didn’t fall down. She stood up and stared at herself in the full-length mirror. She lightly touched Rourk’s mother’s earrings and hoped she was watching. Today, she would become Mrs. Kavanagh. She felt like a different person. She could feel the magic flowing through her veins. “Thank you, Mom.”

  “Give us a ten minute head start before you go downstairs to meet Rourk
.” Emerald cupped Keegan’s cheeks and smiled, tears in her eyes. “I love you. You are simply radiant.” Her mother hurried out of the room.

  Keegan looked at the clock—ten minutes was going to feel like a lifetime. She sat on her chair and took deep, cleansing breaths. You can do this. Next thing she knew, she looked at the clock and exactly ten minutes had passed.

  She stood up and slipped into her heels. She made it to the door before she realized her feet felt too constricted and kicked the shoes off. Barefoot felt right. Her hands shook as she reached for the doorknob. One last deep breath, and she pushed the door open.

  Holding her dress at the sides so it wouldn’t drag, she headed for the stairs, feeling like she was floating. She looked down the stairwell and met Rourk’s eyes—the intensity of his stare was overpowering. She could feel his quiet confidence from where she stood, frozen to the spot. He looked so striking in his military uniform.

  “You take my breath away. I’ve never seen a creature look more lovely,” he said softly, holding out a hand for her.

  Keegan slowly descended the stairs, clutching the flowers and the horseshoe. Each step brought her closer to her new life with her chosen. When she reached the final step, she grasped his hand and could have sworn sparks flew when their skin met.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Definitely.” Keegan nodded her head and laced her arm through her chosen’s.

  She wondered if Rourk could hear her heart pounding. It seemed to vibrate in her ears.

  They stepped outside and the warmth of the sun greeted them. Birds were chirping all around, and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. It wasn’t cold, but just right—she knew that was a gift from the weather manipulators. Celtic music could be heard in the distance. Keegan squeezed Rourk’s arm, and he smiled down at her.

  Once they reached the clearing, Keegan inhaled sharply. She felt like she was in a fairy-tale. How had they managed to pull this together in such a short amount of time? Magic, of course. She smiled to herself. Her special oasis had turned into a botanical garden. Brightly colored flowers and lush greens replaced the bare winter grounds. Rows of white chairs flanked the spot where they would be wed; each chair was hung with purple lilacs.