The Morrigan’s laughter started out as a quiet chuckle, but soon rose to match the thunder overhead. “Oh, dear girl! He’ll not survive this fight! Do you have any concept of the amount of magic I poured into my Cúmorrig?”
She leaned over me and willed me to meet her eyes. Reluctantly, I did. The irises were no longer deep red, but swirling with living flames. Her glamour at work. My stomach turned. I didn’t want to know what amount of magic she poured into her diabolical creations. Nor did I want to know how many lives had been sacrificed to gain that power.
Minutes seemed to pass, hours maybe, and I sat there, helpless with nothing but the Morrigan’s horrible commentary to shred apart my nerves. Eventually, Cade managed to kill a third monster, then a fourth and fifth. When two more died, I started to hope. Three left, only three more. I ignored the signs that Cade was tiring; convinced myself the bloodstains didn’t belong to him. The storm raged on above us and the faelah surrounding the small valley kept up their disturbing chatter.
Another Cúmorrig down, then another. Only one left. My heart swelled with hope. Cade would defeat it, like he defeated all the others. But he appeared so weary, as if all of his magic had burned away, leaving nothing but a shell.
I watched, my lungs struggling to draw breath as the two of them circled one another. Cade struck at the monster, but the Cúmorrig deflected his swing. This last attack had taken too much energy from Cade. He staggered back, his head bowed as he caught his breath, and the remaining Cúmorrig reached back with its massive arm and plunged its long claws into Cade’s abdomen.
“NO!” I screeched, running forward, tripping over the clumps of moss, grass and stones dotting the wide field as I tore through the magical barrier that had held me back all this time.
Crying, I pushed myself up, ignoring the sting in my left wrist, and gazed past my tears and the pelting rain to catch a glimpse of Cade again. Only fifty feet or so away, I spotted him. He was slumped over, the tips of the monster’s claws protruding from his back. The ríastrad was leaving him. His battle fury was coming to an end and he was beginning to change back into the form I knew so well. With agonizing effort, he reached up, grabbed a hold of the monster’s grizzled hair, and violently twisted its head, breaking its neck and killing it. Reaching down, Cade grasped the faelah’s arm and slowly pulled the claws out of his stomach.
Another sob broke free, and I reached out my hand, though I was too far away. Cade dropped the arm and the creature crumpled to the ground. He stood for a few moments, turning as if he were intoxicated, until he found me. His eye had returned to its normal size and he was no longer as large as he’d been.
He gazed at me and I barely detected the last dregs of his battle fury blazing in his eyes. He smiled then, and for the first time ever, I noticed the beginning of tears in his eyes. He looked horrible. He was deathly pale and splattered with blood, despite the rain. I followed his left shoulder, down to where his hand covered the wound in his side. I should not have done that. Blood spilled freely from the holes left by the Cúmorrig’s claws and it didn’t seem likely to stop.
“No, Cade. We’ll find someone to fix it.” My voice hitched on another sob as I pathetically tried to comfort him.
He opened his mouth to say something to me, but a hacking cough took the place of words. He doubled over, a thin stream of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. With one last gasp he collapsed to the ground.
“No!” I screamed again, crawling across the rain-soaked field, ignoring my injured wrist.
I blocked out the unmoving bodies of the mutilated Cúmorrig that lay scattered about. I only stopped after reaching Cade, and when I did, I nearly fell in anguish. He lay on his back, his hand still clutching his side, his eyes staring lifeless up into the storm clouds above.
I refused to accept what I was seeing. I sat down, rolled his head into my lap, and began stroking his face. His hair was a mess and I smoothed it away from his forehead. He must have been tired after such a fight, so I closed his eyes for him, tears streaming down my cheeks as my heart shattered.
“No Cade, no,” I murmured between sobs. “No, you aren’t gone, you’ll get better. You just need to rest.”
But I knew. I’d known the moment the last monster impaled him. He’d been too overwhelmed by such a large number of foes, there had been just too many. I squeezed my eyes shut and let the despair flood over me.
“Why didn’t you let me help you?” I whispered when my throat stopped aching long enough to allow words.
I scooped him up and let his head rest against my shoulder as I rocked him like a mother rocking her infant to sleep, and all around me the storm raged on. The faelah that had been surrounding us all this time, watching and barely reining in their desire to join the fray, started their complaints again.
“Such a pity,” I heard above me. But the voice held no pity at all.
“Such a waste of useful talent. Really, so foolish. I should have refused his blood oath, but oh, the boy has always been headstrong.”
I was too distraught to respond, to even think of how I should respond. I simply sat on the wet ground, holding Cade close and denying that he was gone.
“Well, I am a very busy goddess and I’ll ask you to please move out of the way. I’m owed quite a large amount of magic, and when someone is so freshly sacrificed as Caedehn is now, their power is even more potent.”
I didn’t move. My mind had started to buzz, and a strange, warm tingling began to bloom in my chest once again. Another reminder of my useless, pathetic, worthless magic. Why must it be so weak! Why did my glamour refuse to work for me! Why didn’t it help me save Cade?!
“Move strayling! Once I take the power owed to me, I’ll break through the barrier created by his oath and take yours as well! Drop that corpse and obey me, or I’ll make your death far more hellish than his!”
Something burst in me then, something next to my heart, and for a few seconds I thought one of my major arteries had ruptured, spilling blood into the gaping hole in my chest. I didn’t collapse, though, nor did I begin to convulse. In fact, I felt light and full of energy. I took a deep breath and rose to my feet. Funny, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was floating. I stepped away from Cade, but not so far away that the Morrigan could get to him without pushing past me.
And that’s when I realized the overwhelming awareness flooding my senses reminded me of my magic, only this time it was ten times more powerful than before. A rush of warm and cool sensations coursed through me like waves crashing against the shore, and a delicious realization pierced my mind: my glamour was finally fully awake and ready to do my bidding. My fear of the Morrigan had vanished, and for the moment I cast my grief aside.
“Cade might have sworn a blood oath with you, but I didn’t!”
And then I let my raw power free, willing the swirling essence to take full control and forcing it to the tips of my fingers, exactly as Cade had taught me. This time, my glamour didn’t stop there. The new experience was the most exhilarating thing in the world, like a pure rush of adrenalin but far more intoxicating. The magic left my fingertips in a bright flash and sprung forth from my hair. I imagined I looked like some terrifying angel of vengeance, standing in my ruined Beltaine party dress with Cade’s lifeless body at my feet, my arms spread wide, my head thrown back with my hair flaring out all around like a dark halo.
The earth trembled beneath my feet and the wind and rain stopped. I dared to open my eyes. The clouds above had parted, creating a column of sunlight shining down upon me. I lowered my head and gazed at the carnage scattered over the field and gaped. All of the faelah, every last one of them from the huge, bear-like creatures down to the ones that were no bigger than mice, lay strewn across the valley floor, charred black.
I shot my glance up at the Morrigan and saw on her face something I never thought to witness in my life: fear. She had paled and her ever-present confidence seemed to vanish. Despite my torn heart, I grinned with malicious vengea
nce because I sensed my own power surging once again. I lifted my arms, admiring the beautiful blue lightning crackling between my fingers, and summoned all the magic I had left. With a cry of anguish and loathing, I threw my arms forward, channeling all of my power directly at the Morrigan. I doubted I’d be able to kill her, but I was pretty sure I could do a good deal of damage.
The goddess’ eyes went wide with shock, but before I got the chance to so much as singe her perfect hair, she clapped her palms together above her head, spoke an ancient word of power, and transformed into a huge raven. My blue lightning missed her by inches, and as she squawked and let the winds of the fading storm carry her away, I collapsed onto the ground next to Cade.
My body was drained, both mentally and physically. And magically if I was being completely honest. I now understood what Cade had been talking about with regards to magic. Too bad he wasn’t here to enjoy it with me.
The thunder rolled in the distance and the rain had long since diminished. The sun was well above the eastern horizon, but still a good distance from its midday location. The soggy ground pressed against my cheek and when I curled my fingers into a fist, I found Cade’s damp shirt gathering between them. I lifted my head and winced from the pain pounding away at my skull. I blinked the remaining tears from my eyes and glanced around. If I hadn’t just lived through hell, I would have appreciated the beauty surrounding me. The clouds above were still dark, but below them the golden rays of the morning sun lit the raindrops, making the small valley resemble a field of glittering gems. That same sunlight splayed upon my face, warming my skin for the first time in over a day. I closed my eyes and tried to find some consolation in the welcome radiance, but since my hands still clasped Cade’s shirt, I couldn’t bring myself to feel any relief.
You’re alive, Meghan. You were sure the Morrigan would kill you, but you survived! I sighed. Oh, but Cade didn’t, did he? What will you do now that he is gone?
It was too much. A painful cry tore free of my throat and I clasped his ruined shirt even tighter, burying my face into his chest. I had never experienced despair like this and I was certain I would never recover. I don’t know how long I lay across Cade’s cold form, but at some point in time a shadow passed over me and something tugged at my sleeve.
“Go away,” I rasped.
I knew it must be one of the Morrigan’s minions, one that had somehow survived my wrath. But I didn’t care. In fact, I secretly hoped the creature would attack and kill me, then the pain would be over.
The faelah nudged me again. I blindly swiped out an arm and screamed, “Go away!”
My fingers brushed something warm and the sound of hooves and a surprised whicker jolted me away from my misery. I glanced up and saw a black horse standing a few feet away, eyeing at me as if I were crazy. Well, he did have a point.
“Speirling,” I managed softly, biting my lip to keep it from trembling. “Oh Speirling, he’s gone!”
The horse only whickered again, tossing his head and dragging his hoof against the ground. Despite my sorrow, I was glad the faelah hadn’t harmed him. He moved closer when he realized I wasn’t going to lash out at him again. I didn’t shoo him away this time, either. I could really use his comforting at the moment.
Speirling nudged me once more, so I placed a hand against his nose to let him know I appreciated his presence. I stroked his cheek, but he pulled away and turned towards the east. I stared at him, a bit hurt by his actions. He didn’t seem distressed by the fact that Cade lay in the mud, broken and destroyed by the faelah. No, he seemed alert, impatient even, as if he was eager for us to leave and head back to the castle.
Eventually he came back over to me and lowered his head. I fought my desire to simply lay there and wallow in my misery. Instead, I reluctantly reached for his bridle, using it to pull myself upright. Luckily, the stallion stayed beside me or else I would have collapsed back onto the ground.
I turned back to gaze at Cade’s prone form and a deep pain rose up and threatened to choke me. No, you’re not dead Cade. This is only a terrible dream and I’m going to wake up at any moment . . .
A wave of dizziness caused me to fall against Speirling’s flank. He turned and nudged me with his nose, as if trying to keep me on my feet. And then he swung his head to the east again, released an irritated whinny, and started walking away.
“No Speirling, no! We can’t leave Cade.”
He stopped, but refused to turn his head from where he stared. I clenched my teeth and tightened my hands on his bridle, focusing on the knot work pattern etched in the leather as I willed the nausea and impending panic to pass. The design seemed vaguely familiar, like several small horseshoes interlacing and repeating. In my haze of hysteria and despair, I thought they looked a little like the seal on the invitation the Dagda had sent me. Little omegas laced together.
I snorted. What a stupid thought to have at such a time. Then my brain froze and I sucked in a sharp breath. No, not omegas. And that hadn’t been an omega on the Dagda’s seal either. I had been holding the image upside down. It had been the crude representation of a cauldron.
I stood up straighter, a sudden rush of realization passing through me and giving me new strength. The Cauldron . . .
“This is the Cauldron I used in the battle against the Fomorians so long ago,” the Dagda said as he patted it affectionately. “So many lives restored because of its priceless power.”
The memory faded away and I was left standing, dumbstruck, in the middle of a meadow littered with the gruesome aftermath of a great battle.
“Speirling!” I hissed.
Suddenly, my legs were no longer numb and my heart was beating once again.
“Speirling! The Dagda’s Cauldron!”
Tears formed in my eyes, but this time they weren’t the result of sorrow. “There’s still a chance to save him!”
I wanted to jump up and cheer, but I was still very weak from my outpouring of magic. A whistling sound above me drew my attention to the sky. I glanced up and spotted Meridian, a white blot against the dark grey.
“Meridian! Quickly! We have to get Cade onto Speirling’s back. Where’s Fergus?” I sniffed and wiped at my face with the edge of the sodden cloak.
Asleep, Meridian pressed against my mind as she came to rest on my shoulder.
“How can he be sleeping at a time like this?”
Then I remembered something Cade had once told me. Spirit guides lived as long as their masters did.
“Oh no, where is he?”
Forest.
I glanced behind me into the thick trees scattered all over the hillside.
“He could be anywhere,” I said to myself.
I didn’t have time to go searching for him. I wanted Cade alive as soon as possible, in case there was some grace period between death and regeneration when using the Cauldron.
“We have to leave him for now Meridian, but as soon as Cade is better, he’ll find us.” I hoped.
I turned to the black horse standing beside me. “Speirling, you are a smart boy, and I need your help if you want to save your master.”
He gazed at me with dark brown eyes, his way of showing compliance.
“Now, I need you to get as low as you can . . .”
I tugged on his bridle to let him know what I wanted, and he lowered himself to his knees.
“Good!”
Using what little strength I had, I pulled Cade’s lifeless body up and over his horse’s back. He was heavy, so by the time I had him where I thought he might not fall off, I needed to sit for several minutes to gain my breath.
Before I persuaded Speirling to rise, I climbed up behind Cade, holding on to him so he wouldn’t crash to the ground.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered into his ear as we set off, “I’m sure this won’t make you feel any better when you are conscious again, but it’s the best I can do.”
With one last glance behind me, I urged the huge black horse up onto all fours. I wrapped my arm around
Cade’s middle, letting his head roll back on my shoulder as I dug my heels into Speirling. With a snort of alarm, he took off across the rocky valley floor and made his way east, towards the dolmarehn that would take us to the Dagda’s Cauldron.
-Nineteen-
Miracle
All I could think about as we tore over the rain-soaked earth was that we must move faster. Speirling was already running as swiftly as possible, his snorting breath and heaving chest signs that he was close to his limit. I was surprised that I managed to keep Cade, and myself, on Speirling’s back, but I imagined my magic had a lot to do with it. I sensed the power flowing from my skin, warming me and making the ride seem less jarring.
Speirling slowed before entering the dolmarehn that would take us to the Dagda, and Meridian’s needle-sharp claws dug into me as we braced ourselves for the transport to the other side. Once there, Speirling picked up his pace again and I groaned when the first icy drops of rain pelted my hot face.
“Meridian, see if you can fly ahead and warn the Dagda of what has happened.”
Yes. Swift, she answered.
And with that, she was gone from my shoulder and lost in the chaos of the storm. I wondered why the rain still fell on this side of the dolmarehn since the clouds had been moving west, but when Speirling stumbled, the idea of rain and storms was quickly driven from my mind.
“It’s okay, you didn’t fall,” I managed, patting him with affection.
His breathing was labored and his steps faulty, but he had to reach the Dagda’s house. When he stumbled again an hour later I eased him back a little. A slower pace would cost us time, but there would be no hope for Cade if Speirling collapsed while we were still several miles from our destination.
I gritted my teeth against worry as the stallion’s gait slowed. I had tried to distract my mind as we moved ever eastward, but every chance it got, my brain kept dredging up the horrible image of Cade in the final minutes of his fight with the Cúmorrig. I envisioned him standing there, the last vestiges of his battle fury, his ríastrad, leaving his body wrought with tremors. The monster, taking advantage of a slight moment of distraction, plunging its dagger-like claws into Cade’s abdomen. The look in Cade’s eyes as he gazed at me one last time before collapsing . . .
Dolmarehn - Book Two of the Otherworld Trilogy Page 22
