***
“Tristan!” Mabh called. “Tristan!” She walked through the streets of the village. Passing a mother and daughter who bowed to her, she smiled. “Have either of you seen Tristan?”
Heledd shook her head. “Nay, my lady,” she answered.
“If you do, could you tell him to come home?” Mabh asked.
“Of course, my lady,” Heledd’s mother replied.
“Have you by chance tried the training arena? I ken Faolán has been training him nearly every day,” Heledd offered.
“I was just heading that way,” Mabh smiled.
“I would be happy to join you in searching for him,” Heledd said.
“I thank you,” Mabh answered. They began to walk together when Mabh spoke again. “How is Faolán?”
The young female beside her blushed and looked down. “He is well, my lady,” she said.
“And is there a specific time you two are planning on becoming one?” Mabh asked smiling at the youthful romance, she had watched bud for years.
“Faolán reached maturity several months ago, I donnae for another two years. He has promised to wait for me,” Heledd explained.
“That is good,” Mabh said. “Two years is nae long at all.”
“That is what Mother and Aunt Kyna have said,” she replied.
“Ah, of course, I had forgotten that your mother and Weylyn’s mother are sisters,” she said.
“Indeed,” Heledd answered. “’Tis but a small distinction but one I carry with pride.”
“As you should,” Mabh replied.
They reached the arena to see Faolán training some of the younger lads. He turned and an instant smile crossed his features when he saw Heledd then his eyes turned to his Queen. He told the lads to stop sparring for a moment and they all bowed to their Queen.
“I am sorry for interrupting your training session, Faolán, but have you seen Tristan?” She called.
“Nay, my lady,” he answered. “No’ since the alpha left.”
Weylyn was walking up as they spoke. “Is there something wrong?” he asked.
“I cannae find Tristan,” she explained. “I saw him running towards the keep but he is no’ inside.”
“I will have some of the guards look for him,” Weylyn offered. “And I will look at the school and see if Father has seen him.”
“Thank you,” Mabh said. “I donnae wish to take them from their duties but I do worry. Marrock told me why he went out and I fear for him.”
“Of course,” Weylyn answered. “We will find him.”
***
Marrock tracked the human footmarks and the scent of wolf’s bane that the human trappers carried. He was close. The outlying sentries had reported strange men making camp just on the outskirts of his land. The humans they were friendly with had warned them that they were asking around in at the local tavern if there were any wolves in the area. They were seeking a bounty. Marrock intended to find them and give them exactly that.
Chapter
Nine
It had been three hours since Marrock had left and still there was no sign of Tristan. Surely, Marrock would have told someone had he intended to take his son with him if he had. Mabh phased and tried to communicate with her husband, but he had blocked everyone out so as not to be a distraction.
Weylyn came to the keep to tell her that they had yet to find Tristan. She decided then that he must have left the village. Walking to the gate, she ordered the guards to let her pass.
“My lady, I am sorry, but the alpha told us no’ to open the gates to anyone save him,” one guard said.
“Did he command you?” She asked. They shifted uncomfortably.
“Nay, my lady,” he answered.
“Then you are under nae bond to obey him. Let me pass,” she stated. Eventually they agreed and turned to open the gate for her.
“At least let one of us accompany you, my lady. ‘Tis no’ safe,” another guard said.
“Nay,” she replied stepping through the gate. “Stay and protect the pack, that is your duty.”
***
Mabh searched for Tristan. It was easy to catch his scent and track him when she was outside the keep. Night would be falling soon and she wanted him inside and safe as quickly as possible.
Suddenly, she heard something behind her. Half-phasing, she turned and felt a shooting pain through her ankle. It knocked her to the ground as five men dressed in furs emerged from the woods. One had a crossbow slung over his shoulder and held a rope that was fixed to the arrow that protruded from Mabh’s ankle.
“Well, well, well,” the oldest of the men said. His accent and language was odd to her. He was not from Alba. His fiery red hair and helmet told her he was one of the few remaining Saxons. “What have we here?”
“Looks like one of them,” another man said.
“Aye, it does,” the eldest replied. “A very pretty one at that. Can you speak?”
“When something is worth saying,” Mabh replied.
“Ooh, a feisty female,” the eldest said again. “I like my females to have some fire. It makes breaking them that much more satisfying.”
“You have nae idea what will happen to you if you touch me,” she said.
“Your husband lurking around here somewhere?” Another chuckled.
“’Tis no’ him you have to be afraid of,” she said. “’Tis me.”
She leapt at them, claws bared ready to sink into their necks.
***
Marrock did not like the smell he came across. Blood, human and wolf combined. Following the trail, he stopped dead in his tracks when another scent – a very well-known scent – hit him. His heart constricted and he took off running.
In a dense part of the woods, he found his worst nightmare. His mate lay unconscious, bloody, and dying while around her three of the five human trappers he was tracking lay dead.
He rushed to Mabh and cradled her to his chest.
“Mabh, my love, ‘tis me. Can you open your eyes?” he begged. He took a quick inventory of her wounds. Nothing seemed too terribly bad, but then he saw the arrow in her ankle and a slash to her shoulder, the blackness had already reached just above her bodice.
Wolf’s bane.
The trappers had coated their weapons in wolf’s bane. The deadliest poison to the wolf and one without antidote. When the blackness in her veins reached her heart, she would be dead. He held her close trying to calm his ragged breathing.
Gods above, nay!
“Marrock?” he heard her say softly.
“I am here, love,” he said. “I am right here.”
“Where is Tristan?” she panted.
His body went cold. They had not only killed his mate but taken his son as well?
“I donnae ken, love,” he said trying to sound calm.
“I could nae find him,” she explained. “He was nae in the village. I caught his scent here and was tracking him when the trappers…” her body reared up in pain.
Marrock shook. He told his son to stay inside but because Tristan had not listened to him, Mabh lay dying.
“Nay, Love, donnae blame him,” she said. “Please, promise me.” He could not answer her, only hold her close. “I am glad you are here,” she slipped further into his chest. “I did nae want to die alone.”
“You are no’ going to die, Mabh,” Marrock said. “Do you hear me? You are no’ going to die!”
“Your orders donnae work on me, Marrock, remember?” she said softly.
He only had moments left with her. He wiped her tears away with his thumb.
“I tried to protect myself but they were too strong,” she said. “I did nae feel the wolf’s bane until later.”
“What did they do to you?” he asked. “Did they…”
“Nay,” she answered putting his mind at ease. “I would nae let them.”
He clutched her close as her body spasmed with more pain.
“Take my strength, love,” he said feeling tears stream down
his own cheeks. “Take my strength. Fight this. I will get you home.”
“Nay, please,” she said. “I donnae want to move. Our life started here in these woods. ‘Tis only fitting mine ends here as well.”
“Nay, I will nae let it,” he said. “I am nothing without you. Donnae leave me, please.”
“Oh, my love,” she sighed reaching up and stroking his face. “I donnae want to. But it is my time.”
“Nay,” he choked out. “Please.”
“Swear to me, you will still be a good father to Tristan. ‘Tis no’ his fault,” she begged.
He closed his eyes against the pain and hatred forming in his heart.
“I promise,” he lied.
“Tell him I love him,” she said.
Her voice was becoming more and more faint. He tried to hold her closer to him forbidding death to take her.
“I will,” he replied.
“Kiss me, Marrock,” she begged. “Once more.”
He lowered his lips to hers and smoothed over them in a gentle, pleading kiss.
“Donnae go,” he whispered. “I cannae give you up.”
She stroked his face and smiled slightly. “Good,” she whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you,” he said. His tears were falling as his heart was slowly ripping in two.
“I am scared, Marrock,” she said. For the female not scared of anything, to admit that she was afraid was too much for him. He cried out and clutched her to him as his tears fell unchecked.
“Donnae be,” his reply was choppy. “I am here. I will look after you.”
She gazed into his eyes and her hand went to his heart.
“Donnae let this heart grow bitter,” she begged.
“You are my heart,” he put a hand over hers on his chest. “Without you, I am nothing.”
“And you are my heart, Marrock,” she said. “Be the Alpha I ken you are. Without me, you must hold on to my memory.” She clutched his hand and he saw the blackness had reached her heart.
“Stay,” was the only word he could get out.
“My dearest love, forgive me, but I cannae do as you wish,” she said. “Please, say it.”
He shook his head adamantly not wanting to give it voice.
“Please,” she breathed. He cried out and let his tears roll even faster down his cheeks.
“Be at peace, my love. You have done your family proud,” he gave the last honor of the pack spoken to every wolf who was dying.
He held her close to him and watched as the life behind her brown eyes diminished. He felt her body go weak as she gave up her spirit.
Marrock held his mate for a moment refusing to believe she was anything but asleep. When she did not wake, his body began to shake. He could not control it. He could not stop. He clutched her to him willing her to return to him. He could not speak. He only shook, with anger or grief he did not know which. All he knew was that his son had disobeyed him and it cost his beloved mate her life.
Never again.
He was nothing without Mabh and nothing he would be. A shell of the wolf he once was or could have been. He looked down at his mate once more, even in death, she was beautiful and he loved her so. He shook until his body changed. He half phased and let out a cry. Not even a howl, it was a cry to the gods for their cruelty. He held her tightly and wept. He wept hard; his body hurt more than it did after a battle. He wanted to die. He wanted to join her. He had no reason to live. Not even for that fool of a son of his whose stupidity cost him the one thing he loved the most.
The pain was too much for him to bear. He felt like he was being cleaved in two. He did not think he could survive the pain. With another shout of despair, he collapsed over her.
Chapter
Ten
“Anything?” Kinnon ran up to his son. Weylyn shook his head. “Where are they?” Kinnon demanded. “What in the name of the gods were the guards thinking? They should never have let her go and if they did they should have escorted her.”
“They have been disciplined,” Weylyn replied.
“I should hope so,” Kinnon said. “And Tristan?”
“Fell asleep on the river bank. Found his way back no’ long ago, that is when we kenned something was wrong,” Weylyn explained.
“Gods above, I pray nothing has happened,” Kinnon said.
“Weylyn!” One of the guards yelled and pointed frantically. Weylyn bounded up the steps of the guard shack. He searched the woods and his stomach fell when he saw what the guard had seen.
“Open the gate!” He shouted. The gate groaned but opened slowly. Weylyn rushed down the stairs. “Call the healer!” He cried.
“Oh gods, what has happened?” Kinnon demanded. His son just looked at him and Kinnon swallowed audibly.
Everyone and everything went silent. The hush spread like wild fire on dried heather.
Marrock’s movements were slow and his legs stiff. He carried Mabh’s body in his arms. His face was expressionless, but tear tracks glistened down his cheeks. In that moment, everyone’s heart was in their throat.
They lined the path to the keep. Marrock kept his eyes focused ahead. Everyone could smell the wolf’s bane in Mabh’s body.
No one spoke as Marrock slowly walked past them. Eventually, he reached the keep steps and placed Mabh on the top of the stairs. He turned back to the pack after a moment and Weylyn searched for a word that best described Marrock’s face.
Empty.
“The Queen… is… dead,” his voice was hollow and devoid of emotion. “Prepare the pyre.”
“Marrock,” Kinnon stepped forward.
Marrock’s eyes found him and Kinnon was stunned into silence. His nephew’s eyes were hollow, dead.
“Prepare the pyre,” he repeated as an Alpha order. He turned away from his uncle and started to head inside the keep.
“Papa!” Tristan’s voice rang out with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
The void in Marrock’s chest grew. Tristan pushed his way through the pack and ran up the steps. He clutched his father’s waist and cried. Marrock did not move. He did not hold his son. His arms avoided any contact with him.
“Papa, I am sorry!” Tristan said.
Marrock said nothing to him only searched the pack for his cousin. “Weylyn,” Marrock’s voice was emotionless. “Take him.”
Weylyn hesitated but stepped forward. He unwrapped Tristan’s arms from Marrock’s waist and pulled him close.
“Marrock,” Weylyn started.
“Enough,” his voice was low as he commanded him. Marrock looked once more at his mate’s body, and turned to the females around him ready to prepare Mabh for the funeral pyre. “Use Moon Flower…” his voice was soft. “It was her favorite.”
They bowed. He stepped around her and went into the keep. The moment his back was to the pack and he was through the doors, he collapsed on the stone floor.
Chapter
Eleven
Heledd’s heart broke as she watched their Alpha collapse inside the keep. His cousin and uncle rushed to him and yelled a command for the doors to be closed so no one would see him weak. The emptiness in Marrock’s eyes as he spoke of his mate’s death was a void Heledd never wanted to feel.
Leaning further into her betrothed, she felt his arms surround her and the whisper of his kiss on her ear.
“I would never let that happen to you,” he breathed.
“I ken,” she replied. “But I am sure the Alpha said the same thing to his Queen, Faolán. Donnae say that he wanted this to happen. Look at him, he is broken.”
“I did nae mean that, Heledd,” he said with a sigh. “I only meant that I would do anything to save you.”
She smiled sweetly at him. “I ken you would,” she kissed him quickly. “But so would he. He loved our Queen more than I have ever seen anyone love a female.”
“No’ as much as I love you,” Faolán said nuzzling her neck. “Let me prove it to you, Heledd. Let me love you. Come to me outside of the village
this night. Be mine.”
“You ken I cannae even if I would. I have two more years before I am able to mate with you, Faolán. And besides, after the death of our Queen, I am surprised that all you can think of is your own pleasure the same night our Alpha grieves the loss of his mate. Nay, Faolán, if you desire someone in your arms this eve, then you ken the female to ask. Tiana will give you the pleasure you seek for a price.”
“That is no’ what I meant,” he raised his hands in supplicating. “You ken what it is I meant. I desire you that is nae a secret. I only thought…”
“I think, right now, we should be mourning our Queen and sharing in our Alpha’s grief,” she said.
“Aye, you are right,” Faolán answered. “I suppose I was being selfish and needed to prove you are mine and that I had nae lost you. I feel his grief and I donnae think I would be able to handle that.”
“You are a strong wolf, Faolán,” she said. “You could handle anything.”
“No’ losing you,” he replied leaning forward and kissing her once more. “Take me home now, Faolán. I donnae want to be tempted to go against our traditions.”
He smiled slightly and offered her his arm. Slowly they made their way to their cottages and waited for their Queen to be prepared for the pyre.
***
The wood piled high on a platform opening to a flat surface where the body lay, was an intimidating scene. The funeral pyre had been built and it was gloaming the day after Mabh had died. No one had seen Marrock that day and no one heard weeping from his room. It was as if he had died as well. The day had been somber with a heavy drizzle and thunder cutting in to the sound of hammering and construction of the queen’s pyre. No one spoke as they passed each other and the grief was heavy among the village. They mourned their Queen. Her presence was a light to everyone and now that light had gone out.
Lonely Moon (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 2) Page 13
