Midnight Sky (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 3)

by M. Katherine Clark

  “Aye, very,” Weylyn answered. “They are well matched.”

  “A bet then, Uncle?” Eion asked. “Loser takes a perimeter run from the winner.”

  “Done,” Weylyn grinned. “My son.”

  “My brother,” Eion smiled and they shook hands just as Aedan leveled Tristan in the first strike and the sparing began.

  Chapter

  Two

  Giorsal hid behind a tree and listened as Caylean spoke with Weylyn and disappeared into the woods. Hearing the conversation between her father and Aedan, she hurried into the woods to find her best friend. He could not be alone. They had always been close, growing up together as the only two pups for a long while until Eithne had given Weylyn their first child sixteen years ago. Even though they were nearly the same age, Caylean had aged more as a human than Giorsal had. He was a man and she was still a child in many ways. In her wolf years, she had passed thirty at Samhain but physically she looked no older than a human lass of fifteen.

  Following his scent to the edge of the loch, she found his discarded clothing and scanned the water for him. His light skin shone under the water as he swam powerfully through the current. Always a rather impressive figure, he was tall but not as broad as a wolf. He took after his mother’s druid side.

  His nude body arched and curled under the water propelling him down further into the water. She laughed when she saw his bare bottom peeking out and waited for him to surface. When he disappeared around the bend, she decided to take a quick dip to clean away the grime of sparing. As a wolf, she had little need for modesty within the keep. Wolves phased without clothing, it was just a way of life for them, but out in the open, with their human allies so near, she always took precautions. Quickly removed her oversized tunic that she only wore when sparing and her leggings, she stripped bare and jumped into the water from the boulder. Gasping for air and shivering as the cold water hit her, she surfaced and came face to face with Caylean.

  “What in the name of the gods are you doing, lass?” he demanded his face stormy.

  “Going for a swim,” she answered innocently.

  “Did ya no’ see my clothes?” he challenged.

  “Of course I did,” she answered. “Is something wrong, Caylean? You are nae normally so gruff.”

  “I am nae gruff,” he replied curtly, she giggled at him and he sighed. “I just donnae like it that you are throwing your naked self around as if you are no’ growing into a bonnie lass. There could be dangers lurking. What if a human male had seen you? He could have grabbed you and taken advantage. I would nae have been able to help you.”

  “Nae one was around,” she justified. “I wanted to find you. I overheard Uncle Weylyn and Father talking about you and I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  Caylean froze then, as he began to sink, he remembered to continue treading water. “What were they saying?”

  “Nothing important, just that you were concerned about no’ having phased,” she answered.

  He looked away from her and into the trees. “So you followed me for what purpose?”

  “Merely to talk,” she answered. “We have nae talked recently.”

  He turned back to her and stared. Her golden blonde nearly brown hair complimented her deep brown eyes. Her features were strikingly similar to her mother but her eyes were inherited from her father as only Tristan’s brown eyes had specks of green and gold within the dark irises. Her pale white skin was so milky and smooth Caylean had to stop himself from caressing her shoulders.

  “Is everything all right?” she asked looking at him. Turning away when he realized what his staring must seem like, he spoke again.

  “We should nae be here together, like this, it could be misinterpreted,” Caylean said.

  “Such as?” she asked.

  “The fact that we both are stark naked,” he answered. “And I have reached maturity.”

  “We are but bathing,” she shrugged. He winced. “Please, Caylean, can we no’ talk like we used to?”

  Letting out a long heavy sigh, he nodded. “’Twould do me good to talk to someone,” he agreed. “Stay here.” He swam to the water’s edge and turned. “Close your eyes or turn around, lass.”

  She did not know why she had not done so already. But the thought of seeing him, however inappropriate, filled her with a strange sort of feeling she had never experienced. Thinking it may be something to speak to her mother and aunts about, she turned and heard the water sloshing as he pulled himself out of the water. She had yet to reach maturity but her female relations always spoke to her and answered her questions however embarrassing she thought they were. Her mother had soothed her brow as she cried to her when she developed a bosom and none of the lads had. Her Aunt Eithne and Aunt Isla laughed and teased with her about the stupidity of males and yet the great love they could give.

  Thinking back to her sparing session, she wondered if she had injured herself more than she thought for she was having the strangest feelings when she thought of Caylean. She did not recall a bump to the head but that was the only explanation for the strange feelings. Hearing Caylean whistle, she looked up. He waved to her as he balanced on the boulder, fully clothed looking over the side of the cliff to the water. She nodded to him and ducked under the water to wash as much of herself as she could before she swam to the edge. She found her soiled clothing laid out for her but Caylean was nowhere to be found. Quickly pulling on her tunic and leggings, she tied the strings at the front of the shirt and pulled on her boots.

  “Caylean?” She called.

  “Is it all right to look now?” he answered from somewhere in the woods.

  “Aye,” she laughed. He appeared from behind one of the oak trees. “Thank you.”

  He nodded once. “Would you like to walk?” he asked.

  “To be honest, the sparing session with Uncle Eion today has worn me to the bone,” she answered. “Could we sit?”

  “Of course,” he replied and gestured to the large boulder. He spread his father’s plaid blanket over the rock and sat beside her.

  “What troubles you, Caylean?” Giorsal asked after a long moment.

  He sighed and looked down. Grabbing a piece of overgrown grass, he twisted it in his hands.

  “I merely…” he sighed and threw it away without continuing.

  “Is it because you have nae phased yet?” she asked softly.

  He nodded and looked away.

  “I thought maybe it was because father is only half-wolf and maybe I did nae have enough wolf blood flowing through my veins, but then my sister; Brietta phased and we have the same blood. I… och ’tis ridiculous,” he said.

  “’Tis no’,” Giorsal countered. “You are concerned. I understand.”

  “Do you? You are the daughter of the Alpha,” he answered. “Your first phase was when we were a mere bairn of ten years. How do you understand what I am feeling?”

  Giorsal looked at him but did not take offense to his harsh tone. He was her dearest friend, closer in some ways than even her parents. He had no one to really talk to. Neither of them did and they both needed someone desperately. Giorsal had a choice before her, when she reached her age of consent, which being half human, would be in one year, she could choose to be immortal or stay a wolf. Caylean was to be initiated into Isla’s Grove as soon as they returned from Loeiza’s wedding and he would endure the immortality transition.

  “You are right, I donnae understand what it is like no’ to be able to phase,” she started.

  “No’ knowing your true path?” He demanded.

  “Nay, you see, my path was decided long before I was born,” she went on. “I am the daughter of the alpha but will I ever embrace my destiny? If I were, I could never see my family again… there can be only one alpha… so this training, this life that is before me… what is it all for? I will never want to leave my family or my pack, so I understand a little of how you feel. Both our destinies are confusing.”

  Caylean stopped a moment a
nd looked at her. She was right. He had not considered it. She was Tristan’s first born and as such her destiny was to be alpha when her father passed. But Tristan was immortal and therefore he could never die. So what was her destiny?

  “What will you do?” Caylean asked.

  “What will you?” She countered.

  He shrugged. He could embrace what he knew and did well; Druidry. Perhaps if he latched onto that part of his heritage he would not feel as if he was treading water without going anywhere. He was already a priest, in a fortnight he would be initiated into the High Priesthood and with it came the immortality that his mother and her grove had endured. Unlike his wolf relations he would be able to cast aside his immortality and live a mortal life with the mate of his choosing. But that choice was his to make. No one could choose for him.

  They were silent for a long while just contemplating their future when Giorsal slowly lowered her head to Caylean’s shoulder and closed her eyes. Looking down at her, he chuckled silently when he saw her mouth was open and her cheek pushed up to her eye distorting her face. But even in that awkward state of sleep, he could not deny how beautiful she was. Unlike Giorsal, Caylean had reached his age of consent two moon cycles ago and was actively thinking of a mate. He did not appreciate Giorsal throwing herself around when he could barely understand his physical reaction to seeing her. When he saw her jump off the boulder and into the water it took every ounce of strength within him not to pull her close, kiss her and make her his.

  He was at war with not only himself but his future and his past. Perhaps this journey to the north would settle his mind. His cousin Loeiza was joining in marriage to Gregor, Chief and Alpha of the Sutherlands. He was sympathetic to Druids; maybe he would foster him and let him study with the priests of his clan.

  His future still undecided, gloaming was fast approaching. Gathering Giorsal up in his arms, he gently cradled her against him and carried her slowly toward the keep.

  Chapter

  Three

  “Caylean,” Giorsal called as she poked her head through the door. “Caylean,” she whispered harshly. “Are ye asleep?”

  “No’ any longer. What is it, Giorsal?” she heard him say.

  “Can I come in?” she whispered loudly.

  “Aye,” he chuckled.

  She blinked and let her wolf eyes see in the dark. Finding Caylean sitting up in his bed, she changed her eyes back to brown and climbed up sitting cross legged in front of him.

  “I could nae sleep,” she explained.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Well,” she started. “’Tis my birthday tomorrow.”

  “Aye, you will be twenty years old,” he smiled. She looked a child still.

  “Tha’s old,” she sighed dramatically.

  “Aye a bit,” he chuckled again.

  “So what are you going to give me?” she asked. “’Tis customary for friends and family to give gifts.”

  “Is it?” Caylean teased. She nodded vigorously. “Och, well ’tis also customary for the person to receive it on the actual day of their birth and no’ before.”

  “But the sky is waking up,” she whimpered. “’Tis my day now.”

  “Is it?” he asked looking out the window.

  “Aye, ’tis,” she answered.

  “Well, then,” he sighed. “I suppose I can give you this.” He produced a wrapped parcel from behind him and handed it to her. Giorsal bounced up and down as she waited.

  ***

  Giorsal slowly woke from a dream with a smile on her lips. She did not remember falling asleep but looking around her she was home and in her own room. Someone was pouring water into a wash basin. Looking over, her mother worked around the room silently.

  “Mama,” she called softly. Alexina stopped and looked over a smile on her lips.

  “Well, good morning, child,” she teased even though the sun was setting not rising.

  “How long have I been asleep?” she asked slowly sitting up and flinching. Her muscles ached.

  “But a little while,” she answered coming over and helping her sit up.

  “My body aches,” she groaned.

  “Aye, I have had a stern talk with Weylyn and Eion, they should ken better than to have you spar with the men,” Alexina stated.

  “It was my wish to spar, please donnae take it out on them,” Giorsal said standing.

  “Even still, my love, they must understand that you are nae a man and they should look after you,” Alexina huffed.

  “How did I get here?” Giorsal asked.

  “Caylean carried you,” Alexina revealed. “Gave me a fright,” she caressed her stomach heavily swollen with her fourth child. “He told me you were talking and fell asleep. He carried you to your room and asked to ken when you woke. He’s been by your side too.”

  Giorsal glanced away hiding from her mother’s knowing look. But before either of them could speak, there was a knock at Giorsal’s door.

  “Come in,” she called.

  Her aunts; Isla and Eithne walked in followed by Weylyn who carried a wooden tub. He looked up at her as if assessing she was all right. She smiled and rushed as fast as her sore body would allow her into his arms. He held her tightly.

  “Forgive me,” he whispered. “I should nae have had you spar with Eion. He is much too strong for you.”

  “And yet I bested him,” Giorsal teased. “I am quite well, Weywey.” He grinned when he heard her nickname for him. “Nothing a long hot soak will nae cure.”

  “Well then, get better, my love,” he kissed her forehead and eased out of the room.

  “Will I ever be so lucky as to find a mate like him?” she sighed. Eithne laughed.

  “He is rather special,” the love in her voice was nearly too much for Giorsal. Having grown up seeing how close her aunt and Weylyn were, along with Isla and Aedan and her own parents made her ache for a love like theirs. “But now, sweet love, we must get you feeling better. We leave in the morning.”

  ***

  Caylean looked up when his grandfather came down the stone stairs of the keep. Standing before the grand fireplace, a cup of whiskey in his hand. Caylean looked very much like the Laird of the Keep even at a human age of twenty-one. Weylyn approached him and poured another cup for himself.

  “Is she well?” Caylean asked.

  “Giorsal?” Weylyn drew out.

  “Aye,” Caylean answered.

  “Och aye, just a wee bit sore,” he explained. “She will be well.” They were silent for a long moment. Caylean reminding Weylyn of himself at his age, quiet and introspective. Hoping to be as his father was, Weylyn sat in one of the overlarge chairs and waited.

  “Seanair, may I ask you a question?” Caylean finally asked.

  Covering a smile, Weylyn took a drink before answering.

  “Of course, garmhac,” he answered. “What is on your mind?”

  “Could it be possible that I donnae have enough wolf blood in my veins to be able to phase?” he asked.

  Weylyn thought long and hard before he answered.

  “I believe that given the right stimulus, any level of wolf blood would enable you to phase,” Weylyn answered. “All you need is to find what means the most to you in all the world.”

  “And if I cannae find that?” Caylean asked.

  “I believe you will be able to,” Weylyn said. “It may take some time and come a fortnight, time will be something you will have plenty of.”

  “What if…” he began then broke off and looked at the fire.

  “What if what, garmhac?” Weylyn asked.

  Caylean sighed harshly and downed his whisky. “Nothing,” he said. “Never mind.”

  “Caylean,” he began. “You ken you can tell me anything, aye?”

  “Aye,” Caylean answered. “But sometimes…”

  “You desire to take care of things yourself,” Weylyn stated. “I ken. You remind me much of me at your age. Believe me, garmhac it will be better to speak your mind to one who car
es deeply for you. I love you.”

  “Aye, I ken, seanair, and I love you. But at this moment,” he sighed. Weylyn gave him time to think. Sipping his whisky, he waited. “I am considering speaking to Gregor about fostering me.”

  Weylyn nodded slowly. “And why would you want to foster with the Sutherlands?” Weylyn asked.

  “They are sympathetic to both wolves and druids. They have standing stones on their land. They respect my kind and they have several druids in their clan. Perhaps I could foster with them,” Caylean said.

  “Aye, that would perhaps be a good idea,” Weylyn answered. “Have you spoken to your parents about this?”

  “Nay,” Caylean replied. “I only spoke to Giorsal at gloaming.”

  “You care about Giorsal,” Weylyn approached gently.

  “Aye, of course,” he answered. “We grew up together. It was just the two of us until Sèitheach was born to you and Eithne.”

  “Aye, he is still but a lad,” Weylyn stated. “You and Giorsal are about the same age. Do you care for her greatly?”

  “What are you asking of me, seanair?” he demanded.

  “I think you ken what I am asking,” he said calmly.

  “She is young,” Caylean answered. “Too young.”

  “Aye, at the moment,” Weylyn agreed.

  “And she is the alpha’s daughter,” Caylean said. “As such she is off limits to me. No alpha would want their pup with a wolf who cannae phase.” His voice held such disgust Weylyn flinched.

  “You donnae ken that,” Weylyn replied.

  “Enough, seanair I beg you,” Caylean answered. “I already have far too many thoughts of her as it is. It would do me no good to have false hope.”

  Weylyn did not speak only took another sip from the whisky in his hand. Seeing Caylean’s face when he realized he had said too much was enough to make Weylyn laugh. Instead of speaking more of Giorsal, Weylyn changed the subject.

  “Are you all prepared for the journey?” He asked.

  “Aye,” Caylean answered. “But I do believe I will go to my room before we leave.”