Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series)

by Isabelle Stewart

  “Indeed I do.” he said

  Lara turned to him. “That explains a lot.”

  “Yes a lot.” Aodhan said as he reached up and ran his hand through his hair.

  Clara walked up to him. “Is this true?”

  “Yes.” Duke tried to look innocent.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” Clara said giving him the same look that Lara gave Kedryn when he was in trouble.

  “Would you have believed me? It does not happen often enough anyway.”

  “We will talk of it later. There is a wedding to finish after all.” Clara said looking around at everyone with a wide grin.

  Lara looked around at the set up. “Just strictly immediate family. Where are your parents and your sister?”

  Cassie brushed a wrinkle out of her dress. “Paris is still in London. She had her baby early and Jarron, mom and dad and his parents are there with her. I wanted to wait but mother insisted we go ahead. Especially since everything was paid for and there will be another ceremony when they arrive.”

  “That’s too bad. I would have loved to of seen your parents and Paris.” Lara said.

  “Now that you are back you can come to the reception.”

  Glen put his arm around her waist. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. My sister is dead after all.”

  Letting out a long sigh Cassie looked to Lara and Kedryn. “I suppose that would cause complications.”

  Shane made his way to Lara and gave her a hug. “I want to know everything.”

  Lara let out a laugh. “You will get your story. Is the reception tonight?”

  “This weekend.” Glen said. He frowned at the look on Lara’s face. “What?”

  “We can’t stay.” Lara said and the group grew silent.

  “I believe we have a wedding to complete.” Duke said.

  The wedding party took their positions in the gazebo and the rest sat in the front row of seats. Duke looked from Glen and then to Cassie. He reached out and placed their hands together.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Glen dipped Cassie and kissed her as they all cheered.

  “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Glen and Cassie O’Broin.” Duke said and followed Glen and Cassie down the steps.

  The happy couple led them into the house where a table was set up for dinner and there was a small cake prepared on the counter. Kedryn went straight for the ribs.

  “Grandpas famous ribs. I’ve missed these.” Kedryn said as he loaded his plate.

  “Save some for us.” Lara said and nudged her way in giving Kiara and Orla a plate each of ribs. She led them into the dining room. Lara looked at Cassie amused because her mother was draping a large cloth over her so she wouldn’t get any food on her dress.

  “I would like to know everything that has happened since we left.” Lara said as she took a bite.

  Shane took a sip of his soda and glanced up to her. “I personally would like to know first how you all just appeared in a flash of light.”

  “Translocation.” Kedryn said and looked at the disbelief on Shane’s face.

  “I think it’s time for a sabbatical. I’m going back with you.” Shane said.

  Lara started to shake her head no and he stopped her. “No sis. I’ve needed a vacation for a while. I’ve got writers block.”

  “I kept a journal. You can stay here and start with that.” Lara said as she buttered a roll.

  Shane narrowed his eyes. “You know I like to get a feel for something while I’m writing.”

  “This is not a dig. There is a battle to be fought. I don’t want anyone else involved. If I could convince Kedryn to stay I would.”

  “Not a chance.” Kedryn said as he took Kiara’s hand and gave an

  apologetic look to his grandma. “Not that I don’t want to stay but I am needed there and how would you explain I’m alive.”

  Letting out a long sigh Duke interrupted. “You wanted to know what happened here. You may not like it but some is good.”

  “Yes please.” Lara said and looked down as Aodhan took her hand and gave it a squeezed. Duke took another bite and set down his fork. “Everything in your last will and testament went where it was supposed to go. To the Smithsonian and other museums. What wasn’t destroyed in your house anyway. What you gave to us we have.”

  “What on earth would be the bad?” Lara asked.

  He looked to Kedryn. “There was a huge fiasco with what you had willed to Kedryn and where it would go. To the Smithsonian, charities or us. Alec got involved and he didn’t even know what was willed to Kedryn. He just wanted it. The others bowed out and after a while we finally gave up. It was not worth the stress.”

  “That greedy sonof . . .”

  “Kedryn!” Lara said.

  “Well it’s true.” Kedryn said and felt Kiara give him a jab in the ribs.

  “Let your grandpa finish.” Kiara said.

  “Alec claimed that since Kedryn is his son he should inherit what was given to him in the will.” Duke said.

  Aodhan turned to Lara. “Seriously could I please find him and give him a swift kick in the arse.”

  “I would like to see that.” Shane said.

  Duke let out a laugh. “Alec fought hard for the house with everything in it. You should have seen his face when he found out that fifty percent of your life insurance went to the Smithsonian and charities.”

  Lara sighed and placed her head in her hands. “So he has the house and everything in it. And my jeep? I willed that to Kedryn too.”

  The table grew silent and Cassie let out a small giggle. Clara and Duke looked at Shane and Glen who were trying to look innocent.

  “Lets just say he would have a hard time finding certain parts of the jeep to put it back together.” Glen said and looked to Shane. They both burst out laughing.

  “They knew you wouldn’t want him to have the jeep since Wash . . .” Clara said as she looked to Aodhan “Well anyway.”

  Kedryn looked to his mom and decided to break the silence around the table. “Bet he didn’t find the secret room. Think we should go there and get what’s in it? He does not deserve it.”

  “Secret room?” Aodhan asked

  “It has a few items mom and I collected on digs among other things.”

  Shane scooted his chair out and stood. “Where is this hidden

  door? Glen and I can get them for you.” he looked to Clara. “They still gone? Courtney left you the keys to look after the house right?”

  The clatter of a fork dropping sounded and they all looked to Lara. “What? Courtney?”

  Her mother gave her an annoyed look. “Alec married Courtney. He is now the head archaeologist for the Smithsonian, among others. He was your replacement.”

  “He is the best and always had a thing for my assistants. I did not think Courtney would be that stupid. To each their own and she was pretty ambitious.” Lara gave Clara an annoyed look and rubbed her face.

  “I say we do it. We could get in and out and he wouldn’t even know. Maybe even leave the door open for them to find. Freak the jerk out for a while.” Kedryn said and grinned to his mother.

  “And risk you two being seen, no way.” Glen said.

  “You and I will go.” Shane said giving Glen a nudge. “It will be fun.”

  Lara gave them her best puffed out lip. They laughed and shook their heads no. Glen looked to Cassie.

  “Do you mind?”

  “Of course not.” Cassie said and shook her finger at him. “You can not leave until after we have our first dance.”

  “Of course, my love.” Glen said and kissed her hand.

  Looking around the table Lara smiled. She never thought she would be back with her family.

  “If everyone is finished.” Duke said as his eyes landed on Eion.

  Cassie didn’t waste any time. She stood and removed the cloth from around her and pulled Glen out the door. Everyone followed them out to the gazebo. Lara walked up the steps and
looked around. It was big enough to where all of them would be able to fit comfortably. Small enough not to overpower the back yard and was made of gray and green stones of different sizes. Taking a closer look at the pillars she saw that

  each had a Celtic symbol engraved on them. One of them was a raven with outstretched wings. She looked at her father who was watching her.

  “Badb’s symbol. Did you know?” Lara asked.

  “I had a hunch. Nothing definite, just a feeling.” Duke said and turned as the music started to play.

  Walking up to Kedryn she looked at the cd player at the back of the gazebo. “I’ve missed this music.”

  Glen led Cassie around the dance floor to Nickelback’s “Far Away” and Kedryn looked at Kiara who was walking over to him with a puzzled look on her face.

  “Where are the musicians?” Kiara asked.

  He grabbed Kiara’s hand and looked over at his mother who was giving him a look. Kedryn grinned at her and place his arm around Kiara’s waist and winked at her. Lara let out a sigh and before she could say anything Aodhan he squeezed her side.

  When the music was over Cassie grabbed Lara “One more song and we will let the boys go and have their fun.”

  She pulled Lara to the middle of the gazebo and motioned for the others to join. The next song started and “Hanging by the Moment” by Lifehouse started to play. Lara ran over, grabbed Aodhan and started to dance with him. She looked over to Kedryn who led Kiara out. Clara had took Eion’s hand while Duke held out his hand to Orla. She looked around for Shane and saw him standing by the radio. Lara headed over to him and nearly had to drag him to where her mom and sister were dancing.

  Everyone was dancing and even Kedryn got Aodhan and his uncles jumping to the song at one point. The song ended and Duke suggested that they all go back inside. Smiling and laughing they all walked into the kitchen where Glen and Shane disappeared. When they came back they were wearing what looked to be black grease smeared black all over their face. Clara gave them a look.

  “What? How often do we get to have some fun?” Glen said giving her a devious look.

  She walked over to some hooks where they hung keys and pulled a set off. Clara handed Shane the keys. “The code is still the same. They are not expected to arrive until tomorrow night.”

  Shane took the keys and jingled them in front of Lara. “And what fun in it is there when we actually have the keys? Where is this door anyway?”

  “Behind the bookcase by the stairs. That is if he hasn’t moved anything around.”

  “Or has found it yet.” Kedryn said.

  “He had everything cleaned up but left it as it was. Not really quite sure why. Courtney has tried to convince him to move or re-decorate but he refuses. It’s a bit strange, as if he realizes now what is gone.” Clara said and then an irritated look crossed her face. “No. That is not true it’s because he always wanted what you had.”

  “Now he does. In a matter of speaking. Everything in there should fit in two backpacks. You really don’t have to.” Lara said.

  “Don’t spoil the fun. How do we open it? Take out a book?” Glen asked and laughed.

  “What is this Scooby Doo?” Lara laughed. “It’s simple. Press down and let go of the top right, left then center. The door should pop open. It blends in well with the wood but you two should figure it out. Or I should come with.”

  “No.” Glen, Shane and Clara said all at the same time then “Jinx you owe me a soda.” they all tried to say first.

  “I miss you all.” Lara said pulling all three of them into a hug. “If I can’t go with take Eion with you. He should keep you both out a trouble and can fill you in on where we have been.”

  Shane looked to Eion and his cloak. “Let’s get you something else to wear. Did I overhear that you are a Druid? We need to talk.”

  “Of course.” Eion said and walked out with Shane.

  Glen gave Cassie a kiss. “I will be back shortly. Promise.”

  Cassie gave him a smile and walked up to Lara. “We have a ton to talk about.” she glanced at Aodhan.

  “Time for some girl talk.” Teagan said and took Lara’s arm leading her into the living room.

  “Time for some man talk?” Kedryn glanced at his grandpa.

  “Let’s go to the den.” Duke said motioning to Aodhan.

  Duke led them into a large room with ancient framed maps and tapestries covering the walls. Two old world style dark brown wooden bookshelves framed an intricately carved desk with clawed feet. A simple brass lamp was placed in one corner of the desk with a high back burgundy leather chair set behind it. Across the room lay a brown bearskin rug in front of a large stone fireplace. Placed around the rug

  were three burgundy leather chairs with a dark stained side table next to each of them. The bigger of the chairs sat facing the fireplace with the smaller set on each side.

  Aodhan walked up to the fireplace and ran his hand over the dark wooden mantle. He looked up at a large painting set above it. The painting was of a simple white thatch cottage with a broken stone fence. It sat on a hill that sloped down into the ocean. What caught Aodhan’s eye was the figure standing near the edge of the water. The figure of a woman from behind with her long black hair and deep blue dress flowing in the breeze.

  “It is a beautiful painting. Who is the woman?” Aodhan asked.

  Duke walked up and gave the painting an appreciative look. “The cottage belonged to my grandmother and the woman is Clara. Lara painted it the last time all of us were in Ireland.”

  Duke turned and walked over to the chair facing the fireplace and sat down. Aodhan and Kedryn sat in the others.

  Glancing around the room Aodhan decided to get it out of the way and ask the big question. He looked to Kedryn and to Duke and took in a deep breath.

  “Sir there is something that I would like to ask you.” he heard Kedryn clear his throat and looked his way. Kedryn just grinned at him and turned to his grandpa.

  “What would you like to ask me?” Duke said and looked Aodhan in the eye.

  Nervously shifting in his seat he looked Duke back in the eye. “I would like to ask your permission to marry your daughter sir.”

  Duke’s face was unreadable which made Aodhan even more nervous. Duke looked to Kedryn. “What do you think of this?”

  “I have already given my permission.”

  “Then you shall have mine.” Duke said and stood holding his hand out to Aodhan.

  Aodhan stood and took his forearm and was dragged into a huge bear hug. Duke smacked Aodhan on the back. “Welcome to the family. Please sit back down we have much to discuss. I saw you coming.” Duke picked up a stone off of the end table and starting run it through his fingers.

  “Kiara said you are a seer?” Kedryn asked.

  “Over the years I’ve had one or two flashes. I saw Aodhan coming for Lara. Then one of you and your mother dressed in armor looking over a battlefield.”

  “I wondered why you gave out her location without hesitation.” Aodhan said and leaned back in his chair.

  “While you were gone I had a quick flash of Kedryn’s part in the battle. A group of people in a large tent and then nothing. Until today. That is between myself and the Druid.” he leaned forward in his seat. “Tell me everything.”

  In the living room Lara flopped down in the middle of a plush cream sofa. She picked up a stone that was set on the coffee table and started to run it through her fingers.

  “It’s so good to be home even if just for a short time.” she folded her legs under her and Kiara took a seat beside her.

  Clara gave her a look. “I do wish your father would not have taught you that. Please put the distraction down.”

  “Yes mother.” Lara said and set the worry stone back down on the table.

  Teagan took a seat next to Lara and turned giving her a devious grin. “Tell me sis. Is he taken? What is with the scar?”

  Lara brought her hand up to the scar and gave her a look. “It’s noth
ing.”

  Sitting in the love seat next to Orla her mother crossed her arms in front of her. “It looks to be more than nothing. You have much to tell us. First I would like to know about this Aodhan and the ring on your finger.”

  Lara gave her a huge grin. “Mom, Teagan. I have some good news.”

  Teagan let out a squeal and took Lara’s hand. “It is beautiful. How is it that I didn’t notice?”

  Cassie leaned over from the chair she was sitting in and took Lara’s hand. “It’s about time.”

  Lara gave her the best glare she could. “As I was saying. I am getting married.”

  Teagan started to bombard her with questions. “How did you meet? How did he propose? When is the wedding? Will he ask dad? Does Kedryn like him?”

  Lara held up her hand. “One thing at a time.”

  Starting at the beginning Lara told them about the night Aodhan

  came through her door. She described the people she had met, what the other realm was like and the battle where she got her scar.

  “Wash has a twin?” Teagan said

  “Yes.” Lara said and looked to her mother.

  “You had to make a choice didn’t you.” Clara said as she shifted in her chair.

  Lara stood and walked over to the window. “I made the right choice.” she looked to Orla who gave her a knowing grin.

  Clara looked to Orla who was quietly sitting taking in the conversation. “I feel that we have been neglecting our guests. Is there anything you or Kiara need?”

  Orla waived a hand at her. “I understand completely and I am perfectly content.”

  Kiara shifted in her chair. “As am I. I am very happy to witness what a loving family Kedryn has.” she blushed at the mention of him and the curious stares Clara and Teagan gave her. She gave Lara a help me look. “How about you finish your tale?”

  Lara grinned at her. “Of course. You will love the maze part.”

  Continuing on she told them about heading to Quenith. When she got to the part about the maze tears of laughter and joy were running down all their faces. They heard a door shut and footsteps. Glen, Shane and Eion walked into the room. They saw the faces of the women and stopped.