“And I will attempt to discover what I might from the spirits, and why your Morag is unable to come to you,” Danhoul offered.
“And what might I do?” Alainn asked, perplexed.
“There are many who hold much love in their hearts for you. They long to keep you safe and wish you only happiness. Allow them to care for you and assist you. Surround yourself with those who lighten your soul and lift your spirits. Use your magic wisely; learn about it and from it. We will soon be in touch with you to inform you what we have discovered and to alert should we sense any immediate peril.”
She nodded her head, though unconvinced, feeling overwhelmed with the many uncertainties.
“And cheer up, Alainn!” Danhoul jested.
“I am to remain cheerful when I am apparently pursued by many dark evil entities who wish to seek my powers, when Morag’s spirit cannot contact me even though she attempts to speak to me of something dire I need learn, when I am to employ my magic in degrees I have never attempted so that it may benefit me in my greatest time of need so long as no malevolent beings witness me so doing, when I must prove beyond a doubt I am a noble to end a curse that will otherwise claim the life of the unborn child I carry?”
“You did not inform us of that topic, White Witch.”
“You kept that information quiet, Alainn.”
“Aye.”
The both looked at her so intently she blew her breath out in a huff and crossed her arms.
“You both possess unusual supernatural abilities and the gift of second sight! Perhaps I assumed you had discovered my condition. And ’tis not as though I simply announce that fact to anyone who cares to listen, especially when the father does not yet know or may never learn it to be truth!”
“Danhoul Calhoun,” announced Ramla, “I shall meet you this night, and we will combine our powers to see what might be done to assist the white witch.” The portal glowed and Ramla stepped through it.
“Alainn,” Danhoul said, “I will walk you to the nearby clearing, for the woman who is your mother searches for you.”
“Do you still believe I should simply be cheerful?”
“Aye well, a sunny disposition does tend to distance the dark souls,” Danhoul replied, a hint of mirth in his blue-grey eyes.
“Then, I will attempt to be ever so joyful and mirthful,” she sighed.
“ ’Tis not such a grand start,” the young man coughed. Something in his mischievous smile was contagious. She felt the corners of her mouth turning up in spite of everything.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Killian knocked upon the door to his aunt’s bedchamber. She opened it a crack and peered out at her nephew.
“I have heard Alainn has returned. Is it so?” Killian asked, his face filled with concern. He noted how pale and drained his aunt appeared after their harrowing afternoon.
“Aye, she rests now. Father wishes her to attend the feast this evening. I am not certain that is the wisest of considerations, for she is undoubtedly weary. But he wants to present her as his granddaughter. He feels my husband will have no choice but to accept her as kin if the announcement is publicly offered. And then many of the requirements will have been made toward ending the curse. We must find the other portion of the amulet, for that will end all doubt that Alainn is of noble birth. Mara says only Alainn will be capable of finding it, for there was a protection spell placed upon it.”
Killian had stood listening intently to his aunt’s words.
“Does she appear well? I worry much for her.”
“Then tell her of your concerns, Killian. You know she will not be bullied. If she is capable of abilities that allow her to be taken to another location in times of discord and uncertainty, we must all attempt to assist her, not to impose more tumultuousness upon her.”
“Aye I know it, Aunt Siobhan, and I agree with you.”
He held a package in his arms and passed it to his aunt as he spoke. “Please see to it, Alainn wears this tonight. I want her to have it, though perhaps you might not tell her it is from me. She seems very sore with me.”
“She’ll get past it, Killian. But, you must give her ample time. She’s being made to contend with many issues at the moment.”
“Aye well, of course I care about her feelings, but ’tis her safety that must first be addressed, and her bruised feelings later.”
“Perhaps,” Lady Siobhan simply stated as she watched her nephew leave.
“I see no need for such primping! I have never had maids attend to my gowns or my hair!”
“Aye, you are a natural beauty, of that there is no question, Alainn, but my nephew takes it for granted he is the only one for you. When every man in the hall has his eyes on you, it will surely force Killian’s hand to take you for his bride.”
“I do not want to force any such thing!”
“Your child needs a name and a father.”
Alainn sighed heavily, for she was unaware the other woman had learned of her condition. She was donned in a lacy chemise and when she glanced at the long gown the handmaids were carrying in, she gasped aloud at the beauty of the garment. It was a combination of silk and velvet, and an array of many hues of blue. It had a front skirt panel and long flowing sleeves with shoulder ties of dark blue ribbons.
When she was finally stuffed into dress and the many ribbons were tied, she stood before the immense looking glass and felt her eyes well with tears. Never had she seen such a lovely gown. It fit perfectly. The velvet bodice hugged her breasts, but revealed little. The back was open half way down. Lady Siobhan did a minor adjustment so that the gown rested lower on her chest and her cleavage was evident.
“You look radiant! And your hair is magnificent in that manner. It suits you most well.”
The lengthy tresses were swooped up and piled upon her head in a queenly fashion. Several long wispy curls had been left to trail down her neck and shoulders. Alainn had insisted the combs Killian had given her be placed in her hair, and the blue blended perfectly with her gown. Lady Siobhan dabbed a lovely feminine scent upon Alainn’s neck. The two servants smiled warmly and nodded their obvious approval.
The knock at the door made Alainn jump for she was uncertain if she hoped it would be Killian or not. It was not. Her newly discovered grandfather smiled appraisingly at Alainn’s appearance.
“You are a vision, Alainn O’Rorke!”
Her eyes grew wide at the usage of a name she had never known to be her own.
“I apologize for my behavior earlier this day. I did not wish to insult you or to be—”
“You must surely have gotten your temperament from your father,” he chuckled. “Teige was a strong-willed young man. ’Tis another testament to the similarities between you and my son. He was a good man, but headstrong to be sure.”
“He is not gone from this world, for he was not within the spirit world.”
“Teige is not dead?” he whispered hoarsely.
“I cannot seem to locate him, for I have tried much this day. I have attempted to summon his spirit, but no, I do not believe him to be deceased.”
“But, he would have come back to us. Sure even as angry and displeased as he was at me, he would not have held a grudge for all these years.”
“Something prevents his return, but it is not within my power to yet see what it is.”
The man reached within the pocket of his tunic and drew out an amulet with a fine silver chain. Alainn recognized the trinity knot, the triquetra symbol, from her original amulet. This one was smaller, more delicate and feminine, and on the back it bore the O’Rorke family crest. She was moved at the man’s obvious acceptance of her.
“The castle blacksmith is a capable man,” he said. “He fashioned it for us this very day, and it has been charmed for you. By my blood as your father’s sire, by the blood of your mother and of Killian’s.”
“Why would Killian’s blood be a required element in the protection charm?”
“He is your protector and sure
ly the most important person in your life. He will be necessary to your safety and well-being.”
“Sure he is thrilled to be a necessity in my life,” she muttered softly under her breath.
Her grandfather placed the amulet around her neck and fastened the clasp. It grew warm as it touched her skin and began to glow.
“Do not remove this, child. It will keep you protected from evildoers, and from your own powers as well. It may limit your powers somewhat, but it is necessary. I ask you freely to not remove it, for I sense if I forbid it, you will resent me and perhaps rebel against me.”
“I do not intend to be so difficult! ’Tis the way I am and have always been.”
“ ’Tis an inherited family trait and part of who you are. I hope we will get to know one another better, for I suspect there is much we can learn from one other.”
Lady Siobhan smiled at the two and felt moved to hug them. They were clutched together in a loving embrace when a loud knock came to the door of Lady Siobhan’s bedchamber.
Alainn shuddered and turned, rasping, “Chieftain O’Brien!” when the door was violently flung open and he stalked inside the room uninvited.
“What in God’s name is the meaning of this? A servant girl dressed to dine with nobility? What guise is this? And why did my wife and father-in-law see to it her wedding was prevented this day?”
“Calm down, Hugh!” Chieftain O’Rorke ordered.
“I’ll calm down when I’m damn good and ready, and when my questions are answered!” he roared. But, the man could scarcely keep his eyes from the young woman who stood beside his wife, for she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. No queen in all the world could have looked more stunning and elegantly regal.
“She is my granddaughter, the daughter of my son Teige and the woman you know as Mara. She will be wed to a noble when the time comes.”
Alainn braced herself as she watched to see how he would respond to this knowledge. For although she had admitted to Hugh O’Brien to being Mara’s daughter even she had not previously known her actual paternity.
“It cannot be!”
“Of course it can, Hugh,” his wife insisted. “Take a long look at her and you will see. She is like Teige and my dear sister, Shylie, and even liken to our son, Rory.”
“My God, can it be true? Is she nobility? Is she truly the one to end the curse?”
“If she is acknowledged as nobility and allowed to live the life of a noble, accepted by all the O’Briens, then the curse will finally be ended!” Lady Siobhan exclaimed.
“What proof do you have, beyond the physical resemblances?”
“We have Mara’s word.”
“Which is worth nothing by my estimation!” The man glared at Alainn as he spoke.
“I know it within my bones!” the older man assured his son-in-law.
“She had possession of my brother’s amulet, given to Mara before Alainn was born.”
“And you are certain it is your brother’s amulet?”
“Most certain, though the family crest is missing.”
“I will not accept her as a noble until the amulet is found, and even then she will be an illegitimate child, a product of an adulterous fornication.”
Alainn glowered at the man but held her rage as she spoke to him.
“Soon there will be evidence of my ancestry and of my legitimacy. I will bring you proof so that the curse will be ended forever.”
“Aye well,” he said gruffly, “I will await proof then before I pass judgment on my opinion of this matter.”
“There is another matter of which I wish to speak with you. I would ask you to reconsider the acceptance of Killian’s challenge. No good can come of kin fighting kin,” Alainn asserted.
“It was my nephew who offered the challenge, and only he can rebuke it.”
“But it was you who issued such unfair and unreasonable stipulations.”
“I was never informed of the reasoning for the challenge. Perhaps you would care to enlighten me as to why Killian feels he must do battle with you, husband?” Lady Siobhan asked.
He was saved from answering by yet another knock at the door. This time it was Riley accompanied by his uncle, Hugh’s brother, Sean. It seemed they both needed to speak with the chieftain. He quickly left to address their needs rather than to deal with his wife’s uncomfortable inquiry.
Alainn stood between her grandfather and her aunt feeling more nervous and anxious than ever before in her life. Her grandfather had just publicly declared her to be his granddaughter. There had been stunned silence from the crowd for a time, then a muffled chorus of low voices in conversation. From down the long table, Rory smiled and raised his goblet. Riley would not meet her eyes, and Killian was nowhere to be seen. He had not come to the banquet hall and Alainn couldn’t help noticing that Mary MacDonald was also absent. The feast had begun and still no sign of Killian was to be had.
Alainn picked at her food, feeling entirely out of place dining with nobility. Brigid smiled at Alainn from down the table and even her sister seemed most amiable, though their mother appeared riled by the news that the woman she thought of a lowly servant was now proclaimed nobility. When the meal was nearly concluded, Hugh O’Brien stood to address his guests and made a startling announcement of his own.
“I wish to address all of you and inform you of a rather unusual turn of events. Earlier this week I announced the betrothal of my two sons and of my nephew. There have been occurrences that have brought about some changes to the details. My brother Sean has requested he be allowed to wed the eldest McDonnel, Iona. Since her father and my son, Riley are in agreement to this, and the alliance of the clans will remain unaffected, it will be so.
“My son Riley has requested he be wed to Mary MacDonald. Again all parties involved have agreed to the arrangement, so the betrothal is accepted. And my nephew Killian will remain unwed at this time, until a suitable match for him is found.” He coughed and glanced briefly at Alainn as he spoke, but she avoided his eyes.
Once more the crowd buzzed with much discussion. Alainn glanced over at Sean O’Brien and saw how adoringly he looked at Iona. She appeared entirely pleased as well, and Alainn supposed her happier temperament could be attributed to her falling in love with Sean O’Brien, for love held great power over one’s happiness and disposition.
After the meal was completed and many of the tables had been cleared for dancing, Alainn received numerous offers to dance by many lords and chieftains of varying ages. She politely refused most, accepting only a couple, and was very relieved when Rory saved her from dancing with a most obnoxious and entirely drunken young lord. Alainn felt comfortable for the first time that evening and she smiled at Rory as he led her in the dance most aptly.
“I thank you Rory for not treating me any differently than if it were any other day.”
“No thanks is necessary, Alainn. Truly, I think of you no differently than before I knew you were my cousin. I would have not been surprised to learn you were my sister. I oft wondered if you were a product of one of my father’s indiscretions, for always I have felt a connection to you.”
“And my powers have not frightened you?”
“Aye well, they are somewhat unsettling to be sure, but it was those powers that allowed you to save my life so many years ago, so I will not question whatever abilities you possess or where they have come from.”
“I would suggest you are alone on that count, for Riley looks at me as though I have sprouted another head, and Killian, well, I feel his absence speaks volumes as to how he’s regarding me this night.”
“Give him time, Alainn. Though he is strong and undoubtedly courageous, he is easily wounded. I am certain he will come round soon enough, for he loves you well.”
“But, is love truly enough, Rory? I wonder if love can actually conquer all as I once believed.”
“There, you worried unnecessarily after all, Alainn,” Rory said, pointing. “Here comes Killian now. And he appears to
be looking quite dashing.”
Alainn’s eyes found him immediately, and she blushed for Rory was most correct in his assessment of Killian’s appearance this night. He wore a tunic of rich velvet, a dark green shade that complimented his eyes. His trews were of a matching color and fabric, and gold buttons adorned the area that covered his muscular thighs. His dark brown hair was tied back in a plait, which was an oddity. Alainn was uncertain she had ever seen his hair worn in such a fashion.
She noticed that Mary MacDonald had arrived as well, and she and Killian appeared engrossed in conversation. Perhaps, Killian was regretting his hasty decision to allow Riley to marry the pretty Scottish girl. Alainn gazed intently at him, and his eyes turned toward her as if he felt her gaze. His eyes warmed immediately though he did not attempt to approach her. Her dance with Rory ended and he left her standing with their grandfather.
“Would you allow me this dance, Alainn, or is your heart set on saving the remaining dances for the man from whom you cannot take your eyes?”
“Am I that transparent?” she whispered, flustered. She placed her fingertips gently in her grandfather’s hand, and they stepped into the dance floor and stood waiting in line, facing up the hall. The music began; it was a refined and stately dance. She smoothly followed her grandfather’s lead, circling and meeting, moving between the couples, turning and honoring him with a curtsey. He took her hand and they turned in a circle together to exchange places with the couple next to them. He bowed and commented on how graceful she was as they continued the elegant dance.
Across the room Killian felt his heart flutter erratically in his chest as though he were a nervous, infatuated boy. He could scarcely pull his gaze from Alainn as she glided across the dance floor in the dress he had chosen for her. He felt entranced. He felt bewitched. He thought he might faint like a woman if he did not soon take a breath.
She had not come to him when he’d entered the room, but she had not turned away either. Alainn had been in a rare temper this afternoon when she’d vanished in a vaporous mist. Her powers were seemingly endless and so many new capabilities were beginning to develop within her. It was not that he couldn’t accept her abilities, but he feared for her. He had finally accepted that she was his destiny; he would not lose her again.
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