“Dagda,” Gregor sighed in relief. “By the gods, man you had me on edge.” Laughing, he went to his friend.
The man pulled his hood back and everyone caught a glimpse of the man before them. Taller than Gregor, he stood a head above all in the great hall. Dark black hair with strains of silver was braided back and rested between his shoulders. His eyes drew attention. One eye was milky white with a purple scar covering from the top of his hair line down to his jaw. The other eye was brown with a unique pattern tattooed over it. His jaw was covered in a short but thick beard that was just as black as the hair on his head. His features were young and yet the silver in his hair questioned his age. Dagda took Gregor’s arm in a warrior’s shake and pulled him into an embrace.
“I had to come and see you, Gregor,” Dagda said thumping him on the back. “It is not every day you marry your soulmate.”
His distinctive accent perked everyone’s ears. He was not from Alba but there was a Celtic timbre to his voice.
“I thank you, my friend,” Gregor pulled back and reached for Loeiza. “Allow me to present to you, my lady wife and my soulmate, Loeiza. Loeiza, this is my dearest friend Dagda. He lives across the way in Erin. I did nae think he would join us.”
“A pleasure to meet you, my lady,” Dagda stated bowing. “Will you permit a blessing?”
Loeiza turned to Gregor who pulled her into his side, kissed her hair and nodded. Dagda pulled off his cloak and handed it to one of his companions. Reaching forward to take her hand, he took Gregor’s in his other hand and joined them together.
“All the happiness and joy this life and the next. Long life to you, my lady and the greatest of happiness. May you have as many children as you desire and both you and the child be healthy for each delivery,” he took out a piece of cloth and wrapped it around both their hands joining them together. Speaking a soft spell, the cloth glowed a circular pattern and then vanished.
“Our thanks, Dagda,” Gregor said.
“My thanks, sir,” Loeiza replied.
Dagda bowed once more but then his eyes turned to Caylean standing stoically beside Gregor. His eye narrowed, he spoke to Gregor but did not take his eye off Caylean.
“Tell me, Gregor,” he began. “When did you add a hybrid to your ranks?”
Gregor looked over at Caylean whose eyes went to Weylyn confused.
“Caylean is the son of Loeiza’s brother’s War Chief,” Gregor answered. “I was actually going to speak with you regarding him. He is—” Dagda silenced him with a swipe of his hand.
“I know well what he is, Gregor and why you desired to speak with me,” Dagda stated. Gregor bowed slightly.
“I forgot you have the ability to read my mind,” Gregor said.
“’Tis faster sometimes, as I recall you do enjoy talking,” the corner of Dagda’s mouth ticked up as Gregor laughed. “I would like very much to meet this lad’s family.”
“Come with me and I shall introduce you,” Gregor offered. Taking Loeiza’s hand, he wrapped it around his arm and nodded to Caylean to follow. The room was quiet as they approached the dais; Dagda’s two followers still at his sides. “Let us have some music for our most honored guests and my dear friend.”
As they reached the chief’s table, Aedan and Isla stood. Music played loudly enough that their conversation was drowned out to any prying ears.
“May I introduce the Loch Alsh Wolf Pack,” Gregor said. “This is their Alpha, my wife’s brother; Tristan. And these are Caylean’s parents, Aedan and Isla.”
“Alpha,” Dagda nodded to Tristan. “Sister,” he bowed to Isla. She immediately curtsied.
“You do us great honor, Highest Priest,” Isla said.
“Nay, sister,” he replied. “I merely came to see my dearest friend mated. I did not expect to meet Marrock’s kin let alone a hybrid and a high priestess in his midst.”
“You kenned my father?” Tristan asked.
“Only in a way a wolf kens another,” Dagda stated. “My father and I watched him closely.”
“Who is your father?” Tristan asked.
Dagda merely smiled slyly. “May I sit with you?”
Isla nodded looking over at her husband.
“I will find da’,” Aedan said. Isla nodded and Dagda sat beside her as he watched Aedan walk down the dais to Weylyn standing by the fire.
“You married a half-breed,” Dagda stated.
“I married a war chief,” Isla defended. “We dinnae ken his true parenting until Weylyn came into our lives.”
“Weylyn is his father?” Dagda asked seeing the two engage in conversation.
“Aye,” Isla answered.
“I must confess I am curious about you and your son, Priestess,” Dagda said. “Perhaps we could speak later?”
“I would ask that my husband and his Alpha be present.”
“You do not trust me?”
“I only met you a moment ago and even though your reputation precedes you, you did speak of Marrock as if you were friends.”
Dagda’s eye flashed yellow, the other remained milky. “I am no friend of Marrock the butcher.”
“Then as I can sense your truth, I agree. I ken my son is eager to speak with you.”
“Aye, I can hear that,” he revealed with a side glance at Caylean. “Your thoughts are loud, lad. And I can say if your parents are willing, I would be happy to have you join me.”
Caylean’s eyes grew large. “Caylean is to be inducted into the High Priestship of my grove upon our return,” Isla explained.
“Perhaps I could journey with you,” Dagda said. “I have a feeling we will have need of each other.”
“I will need to speak with the Alpha as we are a blended group.”
“I respect and honor that,” Dagda replied. “Never have I felt an immediate connection with any grove. I know we will have dealings in the near future.”
“I feel it too, but understand that my loyalty to my family is more important to me than my loyalty to someone I hardly ken,” Isla stated.
“I would expect no less, priestess,” he answered. “I do believe that is what drew me. Your son has the same loyalty.”
“A trait I carry with honor,” Caylean spoke.
“And a good trait it is to have,” Dagda replied. “I sense you do not have a mentor within your grove. Would you be willing to travel with me and learn from me?”
“I would be most honored,” Caylean exclaimed.
“You have not phased yet,” Dagda stated. Caylean’s smile faltered. “’Tis all right. That is something we may be able to help you accept. But for now, I see a young woman who is looking your way… your mate?”
“Nay,” Caylean said too quickly. “She is my alpha’s daughter.”
“Hmm,” Dagda hummed. “She is strong. Her mind will not let me in.”
“Donnae read her mind!” Caylean commanded. Dagda raised a brow.
“You command me, lad?” Dagda asked calmly.
“Forgive me,” Caylean looked down. “I just…”
“You do not wish to know her thoughts,” Dagda replied. Caylean shook his head. “Why?”
“I… I believe it to be an intrusion,” he answered.
“And yet you do not mind me reading yours,” Dagda stated his question.
“That is different,” he replied.
“How so?”
“I have given permission,” Caylean revealed.
“And she has not,” Dagda answered nodding his head slowly. “You care for her.”
“She is my friend,” Caylean said.
“There is more you are unwilling to share at the moment,” Dagda replied. “But one thing I can tell you merely by looking at her, she would like to dance with you again.”
“I have already danced with her twice,” Caylean answered.
“True, but there is a man near her who is well into his cups and she wishes to be rid of his attention,” Dagda watched her. Caylean’s eyes whipped to hers and the man beside her. When the drun
kard’s hand stroked her shoulder, Caylean stood with murder in his eyes. “Calm,” Dagda ordered and instantly Caylean felt himself calm. “Go to her but do nothing that will disrupt the cèilidh.”
“And if he becomes violent?” Caylean demanded.
“Then you will use the power you hold to keep him silent and nothing more,” Dagda expressed. Caylean did not know what he was saying but for some reason he felt his training had already begun.
Chapter
Seven
Two years later
Giorsal walked along the bank of the Loch that bordered her father’s lands and the human clan MacRae. Two years had passed since her best friend had left with Dagda to Erin. Occasionally, Aedan and Isla would receive word of him through the standing stones that stood on the hill opposite her, but Giorsal had not heard his voice nor seen his face for twenty-four moon cycles. Taking to walking their favorite paths nearly every day, she spoke to him as if he was standing next to her. Sharing her deepest secrets and her greatest joys, she tried to keep him alive in her heart.
More than one person in the pack had mentioned her despondent manner. But all she could care about was that her best friend was gone. Feeling a tear slide down her cheek, she sighed in frustration and wiped it off. She had decided not to shed any tears after that first night. They had returned from Loeiza’s wedding with Dagda and Caylean had announced he was going back to Erin with the dark druid.
Sighing harshly, Giorsal sat in a huff on a boulder near the shore. She did not understand why he left her. He had transitioned into his immortality the day they returned keeping him looking the same age for the rest of time. Unlike her parents and Weylyn and Aedan, Caylean – being a druid – would be able to forsake his immortality if he found his mate was not immortal. Giorsal had reached womanhood just the previous moon cycle and was also seeking for a mate but no male she had met or was in her pack would interest her. They were not him. Not understanding her feelings for someone she had always considered a brother, she spoke often to her mother and aunts.
As much as Isla, Eithne, and Alexina told her it was all normal and that he must be feeling the same, she was more interested in why he had left her if that were in fact true mates.
“Lass?” a stranger’s voice startled her. She jumped from the boulder and turned to see a young man standing behind her. He raised his hand in a gesture of caution. The other hand was lowering a bow. “I mean you nae harm. Are ye alone?”
“Nay,” she replied out of instinct even if she was alone.
“You need have nae fear of me,” he said. “I saw you here and I wanted to make sure you were all right. Are you hurt? I saw you crying.”
“I was nae crying,” she barked.
“Aye, forgive me,” the young man turned away from her and picked up his bow. “I have heard strange talk of predators near here. I wanted to make sure you were all right. But I will nae bother you any longer. Good day.”
“Wait,” she called. He stopped and looked back at her. “Forgive me. I was mourning a friend.”
“Och, I am sorry, lass,” he stepped to her. “Did they die.”
“Nay, he is gone,” she answered. “Left, but of his own free will,” turning back to the loch she felt another tear fall.
“He is a fool,” the man’s voice was directly behind her. “For you are a beautiful lass. And if he could nae see how you feel about him, then he is a fool.”
“He is,” she answered. “But he is my dearest friend.” Changing the subject, she turned to him. He had moved closer but kept his distance. His bow and quiver were resting against a tree trunk near the woods. “What is your name?” she asked.
“Galbraith,” he answered.
“Galbraith,” she said again. “I am Giorsal.”
“’Tis an honor to meet you, lass,” he bowed low. “Should I stay with you until your family arrives?”
“I live in the keep just through the woods,” she explained.
“You are a wolf then?”
“Aye, I was trying to have a moment alone.”
“Ah, you have brothers and sisters?” he asked.
“Many but my pack can be much to handle,” she explained.
“Why is that?” he asked.
“My father is the Alpha,” she answered.
“What is he doing allowing you to be on your own, lass?” Galbraith demanded.
“He does nae ken,” she looked down. “I…”
“Needed to be alone,” he offered. “There is nae shame in it.”
“Aye,” she answered.
“Will you permit me to walk you home?”
“Nay,” she replied. “I donnae think my father would understand. He is… protective.”
“I see,” he answered.
“I should be leaving,” she looked over his shoulder in the direction of her home.
“Of course,” he stepped to the side. “I am pleased to have met you, Giorsal.”
She smiled slightly at him. “I thank you for your conversation and understanding,” she said. “It has been a while since I have had that and it distracted me.”
“’Twas my pleasure,” he answered.
She curtsied to him and began to walk around him. Before she went too far, she turned.
“I will be here tomorrow at the same time as well,” she said. “Perhaps…”
“I just might be around,” he began. “I would nae want anything to happen to you.”
“’Til tomorrow then,” she said and rushed towards the keep.
Chapter
Eight
“My dearest, should we no’ train today?” Weylyn called as Giorsal rushed down the keep steps with the intent of heading into the woods.
Giorsal stopped short and turned to him. “I desire a walk in the woods, Uncle Weylyn,” she said. “Perhaps later?”
“You have been walking in the woods for a couple weeks now, all at the same time,” Weylyn observed. “Are you well?”
“Och aye,” she answered. “I just love seeing the reflection of the sun on the water of the loch.”
“The sun has been hidden for the past week,” Weylyn said seeing her face immediately tinge red as she looked down. “Perhaps I could join you on your walk.”
“Nay!” she cried. “I mean… nay thank ye. I desire to be alone.”
Weylyn nodded slowly and Giorsal rushed off before he could change his mind. Aedan walked up to his father, his eyes on the place Giorsal entered the woods.
“She is secretive of late,” Aedan said.
“Aye,” Weylyn replied. “I believe she has met someone and she is no’ saying anything.”
“That would coincide with what Isla was telling me the other day,” Aedan said. “She was asking what love felt like.”
Before Weylyn could answer, Tristan walked up beside them.
“You follow her?” Weylyn asked his alpha.
“As every day,” Tristan answered. “I donnae like the lad she has been seeing.”
“So ’tis a lad?” Aedan asked.
“Aye, a human from the village,” Tristan said.
“Let me follow her today, Tristan,” Weylyn offered. “She may catch your scent since you have followed her for the past two weeks.”
Tristan eyed his friend but soon nodded before Giorsal was too far out of sight.
“Take care,” Tristan said. “I donnae wish for her to ken we are following her.”
“Aye,” Weylyn answered. “But if the lad gets too close you ken I will stop him.”
“Aye that is why I will allow it,” Tristan winked. Weylyn laughed and headed after Giorsal.
***
“Galbraith?” Giorsal called. “Are you here?”
“Aye, lass,” she heard from behind a tree. The man she had been sneaking out to meet for over two weeks walked around the base of the tree and into her line of sight. Nearing twenty-four in human years, the Celt was broadly built, dusty brown hair that curled on his head and lay shaggy to his ears, his light blue eyes riva
led the sky on a sunny day and his face was covered in a short beard. “I was afraid you would nae come.”
“My family kept me,” she raced into his arms and held him tightly as they had yet to kiss. Walking together along the loch they spoke in low tones.
“Do they suspect?” he asked.
“Perhaps,” she answered. “I am nae sure. My Uncle Weylyn is a very perceptive man.”
“I would like to meet him,” he said. “Tell me more about your family.”
“Like your clan, my pack is my family,” she explained. “We are descendants of Marrock, the great tyrant.”
“Marrock,” Galbraith paused and turned her to face him.
“Aye,” she answered. “He is my grandfather.”
“Was, surely, lass,” he said. “I heard he was dead.”
“I donnae remember it but Mama said I was there as a child,” she replied. “He kept my father prisoner. Papa gave himself up to keep my mother safe. She was carrying me at the time and my Uncle Weylyn protected us.”
“You have traveled far then,” he said. She nodded and he went on. “I have always wanted to travel.”
“You should,” she slipped her hand through his arm. He shook his head and covered her hand with his.
“My father will nae let me,” he said. “I am the eldest and am to take over for him when he passes.”
“But that is nae soon, you told me your father is a strong man, surely, he would let you travel,” Giorsal replied.
“I am nearly twenty-four,” he admitted. “I would nae be able to leave for very long. And my father would find some excuse to keep me home.”
“That is unfair to you,” she said.
“Aye, but my father kens what is best for the clan,” he replied. “We are a newly formed one, lass. I could nae leave without the threat of raiders or invaders. I am head of the guard.”
“Could you no’ just tell him nay?” she asked. They paused by the loch and sat on a boulder. Galbraith sat in a huff.
“I wish I could,” he said. “There is so much I desire to see. I have nae been much past the lands of my forbears.”
Midnight Sky (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 3) Page 14
