by Claudy Conn
She answered that voice, Oh come on, lighten up, it’s just a hand. The truth was that she felt something for the prince and would not embarrass him in front of Julian by refusing to take his proffered hand. However, she was torn because Julian had just seen her in the prince’s very fine arms. For some inexplicable reason that troubled her above all else.
Then Max berated her intellect. She could take anybody’s hand, kiss anybody she wanted. She was a free agent. She didn’t belong to anyone, and Breslyn was quite a bit nicer to her than Julian had been. In fact, Breslyn called her ‘Lia’—very romantic. Julian called her ‘Miss Reigate’. What was up with that?
Answer? She knew the answer, and she felt torn again. She knew that it hurt Julian to call her Maxie. Part of her admired him for his deep, respectful love for his lost bride. The other part grieved for herself. There was no sense wanting a man who would always belong to a memory. That kind of summed it up.
Never mind, she told herself as they returned to the library and settled in. Julian was spreading out the worn and dusty leather-bound journal on the huge gothic desk. Maxie touched it, surprised how well preserved it was and wondered if there were magic spells for preserving ancient texts. Of course they were. Maxie reminded herself ruefully—didn’t she now live in a world of magic?
“You know, all of this …” she said with a wave of her hand, “could be my illusion. Maybe I have created an entire world in which to lose myself. Maybe I am having a nervous breakdown. After all, I could have gone off the deep end. I could have created a world of magic to blur an unacceptable reality.” Maxie looked up to find both the prince and Julian frowning as they studied her.
“The only illusion in this room is him!” Julian answered her gruffly.
The prince took her arm and pulled her close. “Do I feel like an illusion?”
“Oh yeah, a good one.” Maxie giggled and noticed the prince sent Julian a victorious glance.
It wasn’t long after that Maxie found herself squeezed between Julian and Breslyn as they perused the ancient text. The prince smiled at her, and it was a caress. Titillating? The word suddenly took on meaning—oh yes, good word.
The prince noticed the rise in Maxie’s body temperature and chuckled, well pleased with himself. “Come then, my Lia. Come closer to me, and have a look, although I do not think you will be able to read this.” He put a possessive arm around her shoulders as he brought her into the fold, and they stood the three of them looking down at the pretty words. He was right; at first glance Maxie thought, Ah, Greek.
Julian seemed to stumble and bumped heavily into them, neatly knocking Maxie off balance. He reached out to steady her and very expertly had her out of the prince’s hold. Julian had Maxie’s elbows as he guided her, and she was suddenly standing on his opposite side, completely away from the prince.
The royal Fae’s smile was not pleasant, and he said on a low, frozen note, “We have one another’s measure, I see.”
Julian did not answer him. Instead he pointed at the strange writing on the old parchment page. “Here … look at this more closely. What do you make of it?”
Breslyn studied it a moment and commented, “Aye, then the phrasing is interesting. Give me a moment—let me read.”
Interested in spite of the fact that she didn’t read ancient Gaelic, Maxie stared at the words. Without warning, the words started to dance. She blinked, and they did a jig and rearranged themselves. She glanced up at both Julian and Breslyn; she was certain this was not happening for them. Was this the after-effect of a long, full day? What was this?
As if in answer the jumbled letters started forming words Maxie could read. They were English words, and Maxie realized it was as though the text was translating itself for her. She was looking at ancient Gaelic, but reading in English!
And then, it became even easier, as a voice in her head began deciphering, softly reading to her in her mind. A picture started forming right before her eyes, and she read out loud.
“The tragedy was that Conall had agreed to return to the Isle of Tir with the queen of Fae. He was to be her consort. The queen adored his young motherless sons and meant to raise them as her own, and so we MacTalbots have always been treasured Druids of the Queen of the Seelie Fae, Aaibhe.”
Max looked up and saw the prince standing there, his legs apart and his arms folded across his massive chest. His face held a grim expression. For some unknown reason these words incited something perilously close to fury, and that made no sense to Maxie.
Julian, however, was touching her shoulder, sliding his hand down to take hold of her arm. She frowned as it occurred to her that lately these two felt way too free to grab her. She pulled out of his hold.
He frowned, but he was too excited to dwell on the rebuff. “Miss Reigate, you have the Power of Tongue.”
“Explain,” Maxie demanded. There was something about the entire experience that made her feel as though she were tripping.
“As you must know, not all Druids have the same abilities.” He glanced at Breslyn, conceding that the prince might know more on the subject, and gave him the opportunity to intercede.
The prince of Dagda had a great deal to think about. This excerpt from the manuscript meant something just out of his grasp. However, he gave his attention to Julian and inclined his head, indicating that he wished for Julian to proceed. Maxie could see he was thinking of something else. He wasn’t concerned with her newfound ability. Something else nagged at his brain.
Julian continued, “The Power of Tongue, which some call the Power of Voice, or the Power of Fai, is the ability to immediately be able to understand, speak, and translate almost any language into one’s native language. It also carries with it the ability, through training, to use the Fai, or if you will, the voice of many Druids, to compel. Indeed, the queen believed certain bloodlines, her particular chosen few in fact, would one day be needed to aid her in her endeavors between the world of Fae and that of Man. The one danger to both Realms, the Fae world and ours, is the growing thinness of the Walls of the Dark Prison that hold the Unseelie monsters. Those walls need to be maintained by certain rituals. Her chosen Druids perform those rituals four times a year on sacred ground. Certain Druid priests … carry in their bloodlines, gifts given to them directly by Seelie Queen of Fae Aaibhe. Tongue is one of those gifts.”
The prince then added thoughtfully, “Apparently my queen has a far-sightedness that far outreaches any I have ever heard of, for this she did when there was no hint of the World as it is now!”
Maxie could see the admiration he had for his queen. She was digesting this as she asked, “So you are saying I have this tongue thing?” Her eyes were wide, still astonished with this new ability. “And … I can actually compel people to do what I want with the Fai of many?”
The prince laughed and touched her face gently. “You have the power to translate other languages into your own. The power of compulsion through the Fai is an art that must be learned.” The prince reached for her hand and bent to kiss it. “Lia, do not fret. I see in your eyes that all of this unsettles you. In the next few days, you will discover a great deal about yourself … it is what you will need.”
“You see that in my eyes, huh? Well, let me tell you that unsettled does not even begin to encompass what I feel,” Maxie snapped.
“Ah Lia, but your pretty eyes tell and show much.” His reply was soft, affectionate. “Looking into your eyes, past their warm green glow, I see the wonder of innocence. Your eyes draw me to them, making me want to dive into their depths and come away with all of you. And, yes, you have the gift of tongue, but it is nothing compared to what is yet to come …”
Uncle Kennet snorted in his sleep, and all three jumped. Maxie giggled. Between Uncle Kennet’s timely snort and the prince’s little speech, her funny bone was caught and tickled. The line he had just used on Max wasn’t insincere, and it really wasn’t as corny as one might think—at least not coming out of him. His accent was seductive, his
voice low, his eyes of silvery lights blazed with passion, and he could have made a more experienced girl swoon. However, Max was caught up in a situation that was over the line—not normal. Nerves took over and demanded release, and for Max, that came in a fit of the giggles. She couldn’t stop.
Julian was grinning appreciatively, but the prince frowned. “I don’t find anything I said funny.”
Max could see he was offended and still couldn’t stop the laughter that had taken over her entire body and rocked her until she collapsed on the sofa.
Julian took pity on the prince and said in an aside to him, “Nervous laughter. Too much … too soon.”
“Ah yes, human women … fascinating.”
Julian rolled his eyes, and Max started laughing all over again.
The prince watched her with mixed emotions. Julian drew his attention away so she could have a moment to quiet and collect herself.
“Look, Breslyn. I don’t have the ability of tongue, or the art of Fai, but my father gave me a great deal of training in the languages, and if you read further, you will see there is quite a bit more here about my ancestor, Conall, and your queen. He was more than a lover … and—”
“So he was. Not a subject we should be discussing.” Breslyn interrupted on a frown.
“No, but I feel there is something right there in those lines that I am missing. Something important that we all need to know.”
The prince read the next line out loud. “Conall saw a lone Fae, concealed in the Féth Fiada. This lone Fae should not have been hiding in Conall’s quarters.”
“That is odd on two counts. If this Fae was invisible, how then did Conall see him?” Julian was perplexed and frowning.
“Also, it is odd because most of us … Fae travel in troops. Why was this lone Fae there in his private quarters?” The prince pulled thoughtfully at his lips.
Maxie’s laughter died down, and she came back into the fold. “Someone was spying on Conall.”
“Aye … it seems that way,” Julian agreed. “You say that the Fae travel in troops, and I know this to be true.” He eyed the prince, one dark brow up. “You, though, are quite a loner … aren’t you, Prince?”
Maxie’s eyes opened wide. Was Julian accusing the prince of something?
“I am a royal prince, and my duties require that I travel alone.” It was only a partial truth.
Julian had not meant anything by the taunt and continued, “There was something the writer of this journal was trying to convey, but what exactly?”
The three looked at one another, and then back at the old journal and began reading silently. It was obvious that the kind of love this Conall, high Druid priest, had experienced with the queen of the Seelie Fae was mutual and of a very deep nature. It appeared to be the kind of love that made one cheer for them, weep for them, pray for them, and in this case, cry for them. However, Maxie wondered what it had to do with her—with Julian and with the DuLaine situation. She didn’t ask that question because the prince went on to translate another portion, in a low, respectful voice.
“The writer of your journal goes on to describe my queen’s commitment to Conall. Evidently she gave him the power of a Sidhe-Fios (the Seer’s Power), which allowed him to see the Fae past their ability to invoke Féth Fiada (invisibility) and human Glamour. She wanted him to know if any Fae were specifically around him. She used the magic of the Rowan Wand to accomplish this.”
“This means that when Conall saw this lone Fae … it was because the queen suspected that some Fae might spy on him? Why?” Julian frowned darkly as he considered his own question.
The prince shook his head. “Apparently my queen had reason to believe one of her own would try and harm her priest.”
“Indeed, what other reason would a lone Fae be watching Conall?” Julian remarked. “And I have to ask why? Would she not be allowed to bring her lover to Tir?”
“She is queen. She may have whatever amusements she needs as long as she maintains the protocol. I cannot see that as a problem in any way,” Breslyn answered with a frown. “The Fae may bring humans to Tir. It is not against Fae law. In fact, it is what I intend to do when this is over.” He looked directly at Max, and there was no doubt as to his meaning.
Maxie looked away and caught Julian’s expression. Stormy, she was sure it was very stormy. It was clear to her that while he didn’t seem to want her, he didn’t think a royal prince of Fae should want her either. The man was a mystery to her. However, she didn’t have the time to think about this because Julian was reading out loud again, and this time, both Breslyn and Julian were staring at her.
~ Thirteen ~
IT HAD BEEN a long evening. Maxie had a great deal to think about, but she was tired and once again feeling overwhelmed. She showered and brushed her teeth, hoping that the routine activity would bring her back to earth.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and released a long, heavy sigh. The evening kept replaying itself in her mind. She started brushing her long, dark hair and thinking about how distraught the prince had been during the translation of the text. Julian had paced about in an obvious frenzy as well.
It seemed to her the prince and Julian had been stuck for a few moments on the fact that she was not a Seer and yet could see the Fae. It had never troubled either of them before, but it had tonight … why?
Breslyn rarely frowned at her, but he had when he said, “You are not a Fios … and yet, you can see past Fae Glamour. That is of course, quite unique.”
“Why?” Maxie had asked.
He went on to recite a mildly interesting tale. “The Irishman Fintan was where the bloodline started eons ago. He was the only male I know of that had the power of a Fios, and he handed this power down to his twelve daughters … who handed it down … and so on. It is specific to their bloodline. It was an age of savagery. We—the Seelie Fae—summoned our trackers, and the seers were hunted down and blinded …” The prince waved this off. “I do not like to think about those times. It is forgotten. So what we have here is the fact that my queen gave this power to her Druid lover. Why? Perhaps merely to keep him from being spied on by prankish Fae, or was there another reason—what did she suspect at the time?”
Maxie had watched the prince and Julian exchange glances. It appeared to her the testosterone challenge was put aside for the moment in sudden comradely fashion.
“What do you make of it, Julian?”
“Actually I was hoping you might think back to the era and figure it out.” Julian’s wonderfully shaped brows were furrowed, and Maxie got lost in his blue eyes.
“Something is right there under the surface, and as to remembering what occurred in that time frame, my answer to you is, imagine a party you might have attended two hundred years ago. Details—can you remember details? No? Try and think back a thousand years or so, and you will understand my dilemma.”
“I don’t know how you can keep track of anything or anyone.” Maxie threw herself on the couch in an I give up motion.
The prince immediately grinned widely. “Ah Lia, when I make you mine, I will be yours, and I will never forget any detail of our time together because it will matter.”
This time Julian snorted, and then he snapped, “You have to go and speak to the queen, Breslyn. Ask her about her high priest lover, Conall … find out what all this means, because it damn well means something … to all of us.”
Evidently, Breslyn did not like being ordered about. His response was hard and cold. His back was up. “You know nothing! No one speaks to the queen about her Druid priest. Until this night, I had long forgotten …”
“Huh?” Maxie’s eyebrows were up. “Well, Prince, I do think it is time to break the rules. If anyone can speak to her about Conall … it is you.”
He smiled at Max. “Flattery, Lia? However, you are right. It is time.”
“Good.” Maxie released a relieved sigh. “Maybe we can figure out this mystery, but to tell you the truth, I still don’t understand what i
t has to do with DuLaine.” At that time Maxie had not yet understood that very soon something more than Lamia DuLaine would be threatening them.
“In the past, my past, these ancient politics had nothing to do with DuLaine. Today, things are different.” Julian looked at the prince. “Are they not?”
The royal prince of Dagda inclined his head. “Yes. Things are different. In addition to the strong interest the queen has in your … situation, Julian, there is something of a troubled Fae political matter pulling at the Council. You see, not all Fae find humans a fascinating lot. A few of my Fae brethren despise humans. A few more wish them ill. Some might even be willing to engage in a pact with the dark Unseelie to do harm to humans.” He shrugged. “But … it is nothing to concern us just yet.”
“Nothing to concern …” Astonished, Maxie walked a circle around him. “Well—this is a brand new ballgame! I mean, we have DuLaine about to pounce on us, and now some unknown, pissed-off Faery stalking about flexing his muscles and wanting to take over the human race?”
The prince took a step towards her. “You will not come to any harm, Lia. I pledge this to you.”
“As do I.” Julian was standing in front of her stiffly, but his blue eyes were full with emotion before he redirected his attention back to the prince. “I suggest, Prince that the time has come for you to return to Tir and speak with your queen about this matter. Whether she wants to or not, she has to discover what it is we are missing in this story. I fear it matters much more than we currently understand.”
Breslyn was a study. Maxie watched him and couldn’t hazard a guess at what he was thinking. All at once, he announced, “Lia—I must go. I am not certain how I may broach this to the queen, but as his lordship has suggested, we must get to the bottom of it.” He bent and dropped an absentminded kiss on her lips and said on a hushed note, “Remember, time moves differently on Tir, but I shall hurry back to you.”
Poof, and he was gone. That magic thing again. Maxie screwed up her mouth and shook her head. Julian watched her for a moment, poured some wine for himself, and smiled, tipping a glass in her direction. Maxie went towards him and took the proffered wine, thinking, Oh yeah … I need a drink!
