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

by Isabelle Stewart

  Lara took a napkin and wiped the rest off. “What should our first dance be to?”

  “I will leave that up to you my love.”

  She sighed. “So many songs. So little time.”

  Kedryn leaned forward putting his elbows on the table. “Evanescence, Good Enough. I seem to remember when you said yes you told Aodhan that you couldn’t and wouldn’t say no to him.”

  She put her head on Aodhan’s shoulder. “That I did.”

  “I will be right back.“ Kedryn stood and quickly walked out of the room. He returned with a cd in his hand. “Found it.”

  Aodhan stood and pulled the chair out for Lara. “Thank you.” she said as he looked around. He stood holding out his free hand and bowed to Lara. “May I have this dance, my heart?”

  “I would love to, my heart.”

  They walked to the gazebo followed close by everyone else. Kedryn started the music and grinned as he watched his mother and new father dance.

  Aodhan held her close and they swayed to the music. He whispered in her ear. “I love you. Thank you for making me the happiest I have ever been.”

  She kissed him and looked him in the eyes. “I love you.”

  When the song was over Lara squeezed Aodhan tight. “I would love to drag you into the guest house and attack you right now.”

  Aodhan let out a laugh. “I would love to. Sadly, for us, I believe your family would like to spend as much time with you as they can and we have tonight.”

  The song ended and Lara walked up to Kedryn. “How about one more dance? What other cd’s are in there?”

  Kedryn walked over and pushed a button and examined the disks. “How about Calling you?”

  “Blue October. Perfect” Lara said.

  Kedryn hit play and walked up to his grandma and held out his

  hand. “May I?”

  “Of course.” Clara said

  Lara walked up to her father. “May I have this dance.”

  “With pleasure.” Duke said.

  When the song ended Lara walked up to Aodhan who was dancing with his mother. She gave Orla a huge hug.

  “Welcome to the family dear.” Orla said.

  “It is an honor to be a part of it.” Lara said.

  Turning to Aodhan she jumped up and he caught her in his arms. He swayed a bit. “A little warning would have been good.”

  Grinning up at him she gave him a kiss on the chin. “Let’s change. I want to show you Superman and why I love the green crystal Kedryn gave me.” Aodhan set her down and Lara turned to her mother. “We are going to change and after I want to show our guests a bit of our world.”

  “That would be an excellent idea. I have many questions. Other things were more important though.” Kiara said.

  “Kedryn, mom, dad. Can you give them a tour of the house while Aodhan and I change?”

  “Of course.” Duke said and motioned to them all. “This way. I would like to introduce you to something called electricity.”

  Lara kissed Aodhan again and they untwined their hands. Aodhan wrapped the silken ribbon around Lara’s wrist and she walked over to the guest house to change. She looked to her frame pack and then to the dresser.

  “I wonder.” she said and started opening drawers. They were full of her clothes that she had left there just in case. She grinned to herself and pulled out her worn jeans, dark green hoodie and Harley Davidson shoes that were so worn she could just slip them on. She spritzed on some perfume and headed back over to the house.

  As Lara walked in through the kitchen door she heard shouting coming from the living room. Lara ran in just in time to see Aodhan punch a man knocking him down to the floor. She looked down at the man on the floor and Alec looked up at her in shock. It took a minute for him to catch his breath as he wiped away the blood from his lip and stood. He glared at Aodhan and turned his focus on Lara.

  “What in God’s name is going on here? What did you take from my house?”

  Lara crossed her arms and glared at him. “What, no hello? Happy to see your son is alive?”

  “Why would I care? I have what I want. You both are dead to me and he is no son of mine.” Alec said and took a running step back as Eion and Duke both had to restrain Aodhan.

  Orla and Kiara looked on the scene dismayed as Clara held up her hand to Shane and Glen who were about to take a step in Alec’s direction. She quickly walked into the kitchen and grabbed the house keys off of the counter. Walking up to Alec she handed him the keys.

  “Take these. I suggest you switch the code on your house. Get out of mine!”

  Alec yanked the keys from Clara’s hand and gave Lara a seething look. “What did you take?”

  “Nothing that was not mine to begin with. Get out Alec and forget this. You are not welcome or wanted here.” Lara said and walked up to Aodhan taking his arm.

  Alec turned on his heels and stormed out. They heard the screeching of tires and he was gone.

  Kedryn walked up to his mom and put a hand on her shoulder. He noticed she was shaking. “It’s ok. He’s gone.”

  Lara was so mad she looked to Kedryn and then down at her shaking hands. “That man” she took in a shuddering breath and looked to her mother. “That was not what I expected to walk into. What did he say?”

  “Nothing worth repeating.” Aodhan said and looked to Kedryn.

  Lara glanced at Teagan and she gave her an I’ll tell you later look. Clara walked up to Orla. “This has been an eventful day so far.”

  Orla raised her eyebrow at Aodhan. “I did not raise him to beat a man for speaking his mind.”

  “It was worth it.” Aodhan said as he ran his hand through his hair.

  Duke gave him a wide grin. “I would say there are exceptions to some rules.”

  “I suppose you are right. I know that Blaine would have done the same.” Orla sighed at the thought of her late husband and Aodhan stepped up and gave her a hug.

  “Of that I have no doubt.” Aodhan said as he let his mother go.

  Lara walked up to him. “Nice jab by the way. You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to see someone put him in his place.”

  Aodhan rubbed his chin giving her a devious grin. “I’m surprised you had not done it sooner. Considering the punch you welcomed me with.”

  Kedryn walked up to Aodhan and held out his arm. Aodhan clasped it. “Well done. Father.”

  That nearly brought Lara to tears and she turned to her mother and Teagan. “Let’s do something to get our minds off of what just happened.”

  “How about some home made pizza!” Kedryn said.

  “What is pizza?” Kiara asked.

  “I think that would be the perfect distraction. Come ladies.” Clara walked to Orla and Kiara and took their arms leading them to the kitchen. “I will show you how to make a most excellent pizza.”

  Teagan stopped Lara. “I brought a couple of things from home.”

  Lara followed Teagan up to the second floor. The room was still decorated like it was in high school. Bright pinks and browns with cheetah print. A large plush brown chair with a fluffy white bunny sitting in it was in the corner. In front of the window there was an antique whitewood desk and chair.

  “I see you still have the bunny.” Lara said picking it up and looked at the hot pink lap top on the desk. “And upgraded. Get sick of the monster?”

  “I think after fifteen years it was time to retire it.” Teagan said and pulled out a tall travel bag. It had two separate compartments and a large zipper on back.

  Lara knew exactly what was inside it. All of her paints in the section on top, archaeology tools on the bottom and sketch pads and more behind. She walked up to Teagan and gave her a huge hug. “I’ve missed you all so much.”

  Teagan squeezed her back. “We have missed you too. I have two more things for you.” she walked over to her dresser and pulled out a bag. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of boots and handed them to Lara.

  “My spare boots.” she rumm
aged in the bag. “More black orchid

  and mineral make up.” she pulled out some deodorant and laughed. “You are the best sister ever! Remind me to look into the bags Shane and Glen brought back from my, I mean, Alec’s house before we leave.”

  Teagan laughed. “That man of yours sure can land a punch. Alec deserved a better beating than that for what he said.”

  “What did he say?” Lara asked as she sat on the bed crossing her arms.

  “It’s what he did and didn’t say.” Teagan said and rolled her eyes. “Alec stormed in the house and didn’t even bother to knock. He headed straight up to mother and accused her of breaking into his house. Stealing something out of a room.”

  “With everyone standing there? He never had any sense.” Lara said and brushed a stray hair behind her ear.

  “Dad pulled him away and that is when Alec noticed Kedryn was there. He looked right at Kedryn and said What the hell are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be dead? He turned and pulled mothers arm to confront her again. Aodhan beat father, Shane, Glen and Kedryn to the punch. Literally. I believe you saw the rest.”

  Lara realized she was squeezing the bunny close. She had always tried not to let whatever Alec said get to her. This did. She set the bunny down. “Enough of Alec. I want to hear about you. Anyone special?”

  “Yes. We should get back to the others.” Teagan said and turned to walk out.

  Lara threw the bunny at Teagan hitting her in the shoulder. “Oh no. You are not going to walk out of here without telling me. Which doctor or attorney is it this time?”

  Teagan picked up the bunny and walked back into the room. She sat down on the bed next to Lara hugging the bunny close. “Don’t laugh.”

  “Why would I?” Lara asked.

  Teagan set the bunny down. “It’s Connor.”

  Lara nearly fell of the bed as she quickly turned to look at her sister. Then a huge smile spread on her face. “So the mighty doctor has fallen for the archaeologist. He is quite handsome and was the best assistant I had. Didn’t you say you would never?” Lara stopped when she saw the look on Teagan’s face. “Where is he?”

  “On a dig in Africa.” Teagan let out a sigh. “I miss him.”

  “Digs don’t last forever and I completely approve.” Lara said.

  Teagan stood and looked down at her sister. “Are you sure you have to go back?”

  “Yes.” Lara said giving her a sad look. “We will visit. I promise.”

  “What if.” Teagan paused and looked down.

  Lara scooted off the bed. “If we don’t survive the final battle? Nonsense sis.”

  Teagan crossed her arms and gave her a look. “I’m serious.”

  “I promise we all will come back. Alive.” she held out her hand pinkie up. “Pinkie swear.”

  “We are not children anymore.” Teagan said putting the bunny down on the bed next to her.

  “You will pinkie swear over a spa day and not this?” Lara said waving her hand in front of Teagan.

  Teagan gave her a look. “This is more serious than a spa day.”

  Lara let out a sigh. “I know.”

  Teagan hooked her pinkie with Lara’s. “Lets get back to the others. I can smell the cooked sausage. Mother must be going all out.”

  They walked down the stairs and stopped at the living room. Duke was showing Eion and Aodhan the wonders of TV. Kedryn held up the Superman movie when he saw Lara standing in the doorway.

  “Look what I found. I thought it would be fun to show them the first one with Christopher Reeve. Then they will know what I’m talking about with the green crystal and all.”

  “Wait until the pizza is done and we will all watch it.” Lara said.

  “Sounds like a plan. I miss our movie nights.” Kedryn said.

  She turned and then stopped. “Dad? Can you show them the special on Egypt. The discovery.”

  “Sure. Aodhan has been asking about the Egyptians. By the time it’s done the pizza will be ready.” Duke said.

  Lara smiled at him and caught the worry stone he tossed to her. She walked out and into the kitchen where her mother was showing Orla and Kiara how to make home made breadsticks. There was a bottle of white table wine and glasses set out on the counter.

  “This is wonderful wine.” Orla said.

  Lara walked over and picked up the bottle and set it down. “Guinevere’s Lace. My favorite.”

  “Who makes it?” Kiara asked.

  “A little vineyard in the country.” Lara said and looked at the label. “Kings Crossing. The local vineyards around here are wonderful.” Lara picked up a glass and took a sip. “Need any help?”

  “No. I would like to give Orla and Kiara some hands on experience. We are almost done.”

  Leaning against the counter Lara silently studied her mother. A sadness started to well up inside of her and to keep from breaking down she blurted out the first thing should could think of. “Teagan told me about Connor.”

  “Lara!” Teagan said and looked to her mother.

  Clara stopped in the middle of draining the meat and turned to Teagan. “Connor?”

  “Oh.” Lara said giving her sister an apologetic look. “Sorry.”

  “I have been seeing Connor for a few months now. I just. Well I

  just didn’t know if you all would approve. He has been working with Alec after all and I know you all see me with a doctor or something like that.” Teagan said as she bit her bottom lip looked at her mother.

  “No dear, whatever makes you happy and Connor has a good head on his shoulders. He will not to be influenced by that pompous arse.” Clara said making all the women laugh.

  When the pizza was ready they placed all of the food and drinks on the center island. Duke and the boys set out tv trays in the living room and Kedryn put in the dvd.

  At the end Kiara looked at Kedryn. “He is amazing. Does he not truly exist?”

  “No. It’s just made up. Kind of like a play but much much more advanced.”

  “I see. I think. You will have to explain more later. There is so much of this realm I do not quite understand.” she looked to Lara and remembered their conversation and scooted away from him.

  Kedryn gave Kiara a puzzled look and looked to his mom giving her a knowing look. “We have our whole lives for me to explain it to you.”

  Lara let out a sigh and narrowed her eyes at Kedryn. He pretended not to see her annoyance.

  “I think it is time for bed.” Duke said.

  Aodhan stood “I second that.” he scooped Lara up in his arms

  and turned to everyone. “Good night.” he said and carried Lara out of the house and to the guest house.

  He opened the door and kicked it shut behind them and set Lara on her feet. She pulled him to her and rested her head on his shoulder. Aodhan put his hand under her chin and brought her face up to his. As he kissed Lara he slowly backed her up into the bedroom.

  He whispered against her lips. “Finally.”

  Chapter 41

  The next morning Lara woke to the smell of coffee, eggs and bacon. She sat up and watched as Aodhan walked in with a tray full of food.

  “You spoil me.” she said.

  He sat the tray down on the bed in front of her. “We should make a tradition of this. As soon as we are done here Eion wants us all to meet in the living room. We will have to leave soon.”

  Setting down her cup of coffee she gave him a sad look. “We will come back.”

  He put his hand on hers. “Of course we will. Eat.”

  Lara sat the cup down and pushed the tray away. She tugged on Aodhan’s shirt and he leaned to her. She kissed him and whispered in his ear. “How much time do we have?”

  Aodhan sat on the bed and pulled the tray to them. “Not enough.”

  She picked up a sausage link and grinned at him. “Spoil sport.”

  When they finished Aodhan and Lara walked hand in hand to the house. Her family was gathered in the living room and she walked over to t
he bags. Aodhan sat on the couch next to Kedryn as Lara removed the items onto the coffee table and looked around.

  “Where are Orla and Kiara?”

  “Eion took them on a walk to explore a bit before you leave. Orla suggested we needed family time and they headed to the botanical gardens. It’s not too far of a walk.”

  Lara took out her worry stone. “Orla will love that but I hope they don’t get lost.”

  “I gave Eion my cell.” Shane said.

  Kedryn laughed. “Are you sure he finally figured it out.”

  “Cell? That would be the tiny black thing?” Aodhan raised an eyebrow.

  Duke laughed. “Yes.”

  Shane rubbed his cheek. “I hope he remembers. No magic spell can make it call here.” he eyed the bag and table. “So what did we pick up for you sis?”

  Lara picked up a black box off of the coffee table and handed it to Teagan. “With that said I believe it’s time for gifts.”

  Teagan opened it to find an emerald teardrop necklace with matching earrings. She looked to Lara. “Your favorite set. Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Lara said and handed the other two boxes to her mother and Cassie.

  “Oh my.” was all that Cassie managed to say as she placed a large pink diamond ring on her middle finger.

  “Thank you dear.” Clara said with tears in her eyes. Duke helped her place a bracelet made of flawless diamonds on her wrist. She stood and walked over to and gave Lara a hug. When they pulled away both had tears running down their cheeks.

  “Let’s get this over with before I completely break down.” Lara said and wiped her cheeks.

  Aodhan handed her his kerchief and she gave him a smile. Lara picked up a large leather binder and handed it to her father.

  “These are all of the maps from my digs. They would make an interesting addition to all of the ones in your den.”

  “I will cherish them.” Duke said and he reached over giving her hand a squeeze.

  She looked to Shane and Glen. “The statues and busts you can keep or donate to the museum.” and handed Glen a key. “This goes to a safety deposit box at my bank. All of your names are on it and I think you will like what is inside.”

  Glen gave her a curious look. “What is in it?”