by April Wood
Then she brought out a wand. She spoke some words and two rings appeared on it. Then she laid it down on the altar.
“Place your right hands over this wand and your rings, his hand over hers.
Above you are the stars below you are the stones as time does pass remember like a star should your love be constant, like a stone should your love be firm. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, but be understanding have patience each with the other. For storms will come, but they will go quickly be free in the giving of affection and warmth. Make love often, and be sensuous with one another.
Have no fear and let not the ways or words of the unenlightened give you unease
For the Goddess and the God are with you, Now and Always.”
She looked at both of us. My heart was racing now. I knew we were close to the end of the ceremony. Carolyn picked up the wand and slid the rings down. Tomlin placed a silver band on me and then I placed one on him. Then Carolyn picked up the ribbon and tied it delicately around our joined hands.
“Do you, Riona, wish to become one with this man?”
I was supposed to answer but words were failing me. “It is my wish,” I choked out, finally.
“Do you, Tomlin, wish to become one with this woman?”
“It is my wish.”
“The God and Goddesses of old do here bless this union. I promise that you are man and wife.” She untied the ribbon and Tomlin kissed me. It wasn’t the kind Aidan laid on Carolyn at their wedding. It was more soft and gentle. His lips fit mine perfectly. In that one moment I felt all he wanted for our future and how long he had truly looked for me.
Chapter Four
Then we weren’t in her back yard anymore. It happened just that fast. One moment I was kissing my husband the next I was standing in a kitchen I was unfamiliar with. The only thing I felt was a gentle breeze. It was as if the wind had kicked up from the north. It was warm and salty. Then it was suddenly gone. It came and went in a matter of seconds.
“Welcome home, love.” Tomlin brushed my hair out of my eyes, but kept me tight to him with the other hand. It was then I realized we were in his cabin. His love for me was overwhelming. The change in him was like night and day to me. He ignored me from the time he came here eight years ago. Now that I thought about it, he really hadn’t aged any.
“How did this happen?”
“I can move through place and time with only a thought.” He kissed my forehead and kept kissing every part of my face.
“Is this something you will teach me?” I asked. It was hard to think. His hands were roaming all over me and his lips were touching parts of my body that had never been touched. The emotions stirring in me were filling my head with ideas I’d never contemplated before. My body was responding to his touch acutely.
“I can answer all your questions,” he said, then picked me up in his arms. “But first we are going to consummate our union.”
My face blazed red. I couldn’t say anything as he carried me to the bed. He kicked the door open to tiny room just steps away from the kitchen. He laid me on the bed. Then he closed the door and latched it. I guess we would not be interrupted.
As dawn rose the next morning I stretched out my body. There were parts of me I hadn’t been aware of awakening. It was entirely uncomfortable, but no one had explained any of this to me. At first I felt like an ignorant child, but as the night wound on I found myself discovering talents I didn’t know I had. When I reached my arms over to his pillow I found it empty. I sat up and wrapped the sheet around me. There was a stain of blood on it. It wasn’t huge, but I knew what it was from. My sister had the same thing happen when she consummated her marriage. I had to take this to the sink and wash it immediately.
I stood there in the kitchen completely naked washing. The stain was coming out. I hadn’t thought it through. It would have to be hung up and I had no clothes. Tomlin had ripped them off of me last night. I went back to the room and picked up the blanket that had been on the bed. It had been thrown to the floor pretty early in the process. I wrapped it around my body and took the sheets outside. Just beyond the back door I found a line. I clipped the sheet up and went back to the house. When I stepped back into the kitchen, a nasty surprise met me.
“Just what are you doing in this house? And naked none the less?” father said.
“This is my home. What are you doing here?” I asked sternly. I tried hard to send my panic to Tomlin. Where ever he was I needed him home, now. My father had his cane and Aidan. No doubt they had beaten the information out of Carolyn.
“I did not agree to a marriage of any kind.”
“I’m old enough to decide for myself. Now get out of my home,” I said, pointing my finger. They were going to fight but a breeze blew from me to them. It sent them out the door and slammed the door shut. I turned my hand and the bolt latched on it. I had no idea I was capable of it. I collapsed toward the floor. Just then Tomlin rushed through the back door and caught me. My head fell into his shoulder as tears swamped me.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you. I just didn’t think they would find out so soon,” he said, while rubbing my back.
“I didn’t know they would beat Carolyn to find out,” I sniffled.
“It’s not your fault. She will be fine. There are no human weapons that can harm us. She will be sore, but only for a day or two.”
“Where did you go?”
“I was going to get some milk but I heard your cry. I came back as quickly as I could. I didn’t want to materialize in the room in case they were still here. Though I guess that point is moot now,” he laughed.
“What does that mean?”
“You showed them who you really are when you blew them out of the house and locked the door.”
“I did that?”
“Of course.”
“I think maybe you should start teaching me,” I laughed.
“Fine. I don’t think we are safe here anymore. Carolyn and I will take you deep into the mountains to teach you. We should be safe there. Though I am not sure how far Aidan will travel to get her back.”
“You think he would follow?”
“Yes.”
“Then we must travel there the same way we came here?” I asked. He still held me in his arms, but then he picked me up. I was cradled there blanket and all.
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath,” he said. I did as instructed then felt a breeze and a heavy pressure on my chest.
“Now you can open.”
We were in a new kitchen this time. It was more spacious and unlike anything I had seen before. The counters were stone and so was the sink. It was really beautiful. The room was large with a huge fireplace right in the middle. There was a table and chairs in the middle of the room. Looking around I could see there was a hallway and a sitting room. Tomlin let me put my feet down on the floor and I walked to the door. There was a porch that wrapped the entire building. There were chairs and a swinging seat. I could see we were in the woods deep in the mountain. I could hear a waterfall in the distance. I got excited and leapt off the porch. I ran toward the sound dropping my blanket as I went. When I found the water I dove right in. It was cold but so refreshing. Tomlin was right behind me.
We swam and did other things for an hour before we heard Carolyn arrive. Then we decided play time was over. I had to admit I loved being with my husband. It was more fun than mother let on. She made it seem like it was a chore or an obligation. I felt neither.
We held hands and walked back to the cabin naked. It felt so freeing. Here we were in the woods walking together in our birthday suits. Carolyn was sitting on the porch relaxing in a long white gown. She looked beautiful. To her credit she never looked lower than either one of our eyes. We walked passed her and in to the cabin. Tomlin pulled me down the hall and opened the first door on the right. There was a lovely bed made up in furs and two doors against the wall. He opened the one on the left and directed me to open the
one on the right. I found several gowns like Carolyn’s in my size hanging. There were no undergarments. I smiled and pulled a blue one on.
“It’s more freeing,” he answered. I hadn’t asked a question out loud but I was thinking it.
“I like it. I don’t feel so bound up,” I said, swinging the skirt around.
“I think it is time for your first lesson,” Tomlin said, grabbing my hand. He pulled me out to the front lawn. We sat on the grass facing each other.
“Are you strong enough?” he asked Carolyn.
“Not yet. Give me a day or two. I will watch from here.”
“Okay. Take my hands,” he commanded. I reached out and locked our fingers together.
“Now what?” I asked.
“Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Slow it down and concentrate on the in and out of it. When you feel something let me know,” he replied.
I focused on my breathing. The way my body took air in and expelled it was amazing. When I truly paid attention it was miraculous. Then I felt a surge of energy entering my body from the ground. It was warm and tingled.
“I feel it.”
“Describe it to me?” he asked.
“It’s warm and it is spreading through my body.”
“Good. Mother earth is sharing herself with you.”
“It feels fantastic.”
“Absorb some more and then we will move,” he said.
“Okay.” I took in a few more breaths then opened my eyes.
“Now we are going to move.” He took my hand and led me to a circle. He spoke a few words and the pit erupted with a fire. “Now we will repeat the process.”
Once again I felt warmth and tingling all through my body. It filled me with passion and ardor. I wanted my husband strongly then. He told me to hold on to the feeling and he would quench it later. Then we moved back to the pool we swam in. The process here felt cool and invigorating, but powerful. Lastly we stood and simply breathed. The air in my lungs was potent and made my skin feel alive.
“Now you have absorbed power from all the elements. I think that is good for today. Tomorrow we will test your skill,” Tomlin said, kissing my lips.
“Riona.”
“Yes?” I said.
“I didn’t say anything,” Tomlin replied.
“The woman is calling to me again.”
“Then answer her.”
“I am here,” I replied.
“You have one month before I arrive. Riona, be ready.”
“I will.”
“What did she instruct?” Carolyn asked. She had run from the porch when she realized what was going on.
“She said I had a month and to be ready.”
“Then we should really work hard for the next thirty days. Hopefully tomorrow I will be at full strength,” Carolyn said.
“For now we are going to retire,” Tomlin said, taking my hand.
“I think I will go for a swim for about an hour?” she questioned.
“That sounds about right,” he said with a smile.
“Is this some kind of sibling conversation?” I asked blissfully unaware.
“She doesn’t want to be in the house while you and I make love,” Tomlin answered matter of fact.
“Oh.” I felt stupid for even asking. This entire love making thing was new to me. I’m sure eventually I will get the hang of it. Tomlin took my hand and led me into the cabin. He opened the door and closed it quickly. The rest of our night went by loudly at first and then quiet. We shared our bodies with intensity until neither of us had any energy left.
“Wake up, my love.” Tomlin was leaning over me gently stroking my hair. I stretched out my naked body willing it to come to life.
“It’s early,” I yawned.
“We need to start training.”
“Okay.” I sat up and made my way to the closet. I put on a purple gown and headed to the outhouse. I used it and went to the river. I splashed my face and ran a comb through my hair. When I was satisfied with myself I went back to the house. Carolyn had breakfast all laid out on the table. It smelled lovely, though I don’t know how she had time to fix it all. I sat beside Tomlin and ate until I was full.
“This was lovely, Carolyn.” It dawned on me then there were no cooking utensils and no fire going. I gave her a quizzical look.
“You will learn to conjure anything you wish. It’s simple once you get the hang of it.”
I closed my eyes and thought of a hot cup of coffee. I focused all my energy on it. When I opened them there was a steaming pile of hot coffee headed toward my lap. Tomlin and Carolyn sat there and laughed. I scooted back quickly. Then the coffee was gone.
“Well that didn’t go as planned,” I said.
“I guess not, but it was a good try.” Carolyn could barely contain her laughter.
“I can’t believe you even did that much with no training. You must be powerful indeed.” Tomlin was smiling with pride. He took my hand and led me out back. He had set up all kinds of targets. Though I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to do with them. We had no weapons to speak of.
“You don’t need a weapon. You focus on the target and destroy it. It’s simple. Let me show you.” He pulled out a wand and aimed at the target. It blew up loud enough to startle me.
“Wow.”
“It’s a simple thing. You can use more than a wand, but we find the sight of the wand scares most enemies off. Carolyn carries a bow as well.”
“Could I?”
“Possibly.”
“So what do I do?”
“Now you must call your own wand,” he said.
“How do I do that?” I asked.
“Put out your hand and think of the thing you want. Be sure you are focused on the wand itself.”
“Okay.” I closed my eyes and focused on the idea of a wand. The only reference I had was the one in Tomlin’s hand and the one on our wedding day. I tried to focus on it. Then I felt something materialize in my hand. I gripped it and opened my eyes.
“Oh my God!”
“What is it?” Carolyn cried, running around the corner.
“Look.”
“Is that what I think it is?” Carolyn asked. She stopped dead in her tracks refusing to get any closer. Even Tomlin had backed up a bit. I wondered what I had conjured.
“It is.”
“Stop leaving me in the dark.” I hadn’t looked down because of Tomlin’s reaction.
“Look down,” Tomlin said.
I looked down. In my hand was a wand made of pearl not wood. Its handle was intricately carved with wings and angels. The staff was tipped in an emerald. It was impressive to say the least. “Andess.” I spoke the word softly and reverently.
“What did you just say?” Tomlin asked.
“Andess.” Both of their breaths hitched simultaneously. Carolyn’s hand went to her chest. She was nearly bowing to it.
“How do you know the wands name?” Carolyn asked.
“I don’t know. It just came to me.”
“Then the stories are true,” Tomlin stated.
“What stories?”
“You are the only child of a high priestess from Ireland. The rumors of you still being a live are true. She is who you can hear,” Carolyn explained.
My butt hit the ground before she finished speaking. This was just too much for me. I thought Agnes and Edward were my parents. Now Carolyn was telling me I was the child of some high priestess. I wasn’t sure how my life could get any more complicated. I had gone from the daughter of abusive immigrants to the daughter of a high priestess in seconds. Then you add I was no longer a maiden. I was a man’s wife. The last few days had presented so many changes my head was spinning. I had to fight not to faint again.
“Don’t worry it will all make sense soon. I promise,” Tomlin said, sitting down beside me. He took my free hand and held it in his. The warmth calmed me a little. There was just so much I didn’t know.
“You keep saying that but I feel even more
lost than I did before,” I complained.
“It will get better love. Maybe we should just rest for the day.”
“Good idea.”
Chapter Five
“I think we should tell her what she is,” Carolyn said.
We were sitting at the table enjoying another fantastic conjured breakfast. I slept well last night, but not as good as I could have. There were too many thoughts in my head and unanswered questions. It took me more than two tries to send Andess back. My hand didn’t want to let it go. The power it radiated made me feel strong even though I was weak.
“I think you should too. As a matter of fact I don’t want to continue training until you tell me who I am.” I was definite for the first time in my life. This darkness would not go on any longer. I didn’t care how heavy it was.
“Well since you put it that way. Maybe your husband should tell you,” Carolyn said.
“Okay. Where do I start?” he asked.
“Well generally the beginning is the right place,” I replied. He sat back in his chair and thought for a moment. I decided to conjure myself a cup of coffee. This time it worked. I sipped on it slowly.
“So Carolyn and I were born to a priestess in Ireland. She was one of the most powerful women. Her name was Amel. She was nearly sixty when she gave birth to us. Those blessed with the gift live very, very long lives. Amel is still alive and practicing in Ireland. They keep hidden as to not raise suspicion, but they are still there.”
“So that would make her over a hundred years old?”
“Yes, but there are older ones,” Carolyn replied.
“How much older?” I asked.
“Two hundred is the oldest I know.”
“Wow.”
“May I finish the story now?” Tomlin asked.
“Yes, sorry.” I smiled at him and he winked at me.
“Our mother kept us with the coven and trained us daily. We used the stone circles and thin places to tap into the elements. Once we mastered our skills we were sent here to find you. Carolyn had been promised to your brother before your parents left. She was a tradeoff. Our mother wouldn’t tell the high priestess where your parents were going if they promised their eldest son would marry her. Carolyn protested on several grounds. One was how much older than him she was. When the day finally came she saw you at the wedding. She knew who you were just by looking. Then she informed me. I already had my eye on you for other reasons.”
