“Giorsal,” he sighed. “I cannae promise that.”
“You can,” she answered. “But I will nae have your answer now.”
Large white flakes landed on her cheeks causing him to look up and see the snow falling quickly and the wind catching the trees. The storm was going to be a fierce one and they needed to find shelter. It was too far to go back to the keep, the snow would blind them. Taking her hand in his, he kissed it and squeezed.
“I promise, Giorsal, for as long as I am able, I will be here with you.” She smiled and nodded. “But for now, we must find shelter,” he said.
“There is a cave near here,” she replied. “Mama and Papa go there sometimes when they need to be alone. They have told only Weylyn and me. Come.” Holding his hand, she made her way against the wind.
Chapter
Eighteen
“Where is she?” Tristan bellowed.
“We have nae found her yet, Alpha,” Blane stated. “I have sent men out to the gates to ask if she was seen.”
“Find her!” Tristan shouted an Alpha order that had everyone in the room trembling.
“Tristan,” Alexina said softly. His eyes turned to hers and yellow fire burned in their depths. “You must nae order them. They will find our daughter. But donnae order them.”
His body shook as her words sank in his mind. Finally, he nodded.
“I release you from my order, but please, I ask you to find my daughter, and Caylean,” he said. “The snow is falling thickly. The longer they are out there the less likely we are to find them.”
“Eithne,” Weylyn called softly to his wife when the core group was alone. “Can you see where they are?”
She shook her head and wiped a tear.
“What do you mean you cannae see where they are?” Tristan shouted. “You have foresight.”
“Since I mated with Weylyn my gift has waned,” she confided. “I cannae see them.”
“That is bollocks,” Tristan yelled.
“Tristan,” Weylyn shouted. “You have my love and loyalty. I love Giorsal too and Caylean is my blood kin, I worry for them just as you do, but I will nae allow you to curse and shout at my mate.”
“You donnae challenge me,” Tristan said. “She is my daughter.”
“And he is my son,” Aedan stepped forward. “I ken you are worried, Tristan. I ken that you, even if you will nae admit it, are scared. But ken this, my friend, we will find them.”
***
The snow blew through the trees blinding Caylean and Giorsal. Wrapped in his grandfather’s cloak, Caylean shook with cold. Giorsal walked beside him seemingly unaffected by the temperature.
“Are you chilled, lass?” Caylean called over the howling wind.
“Nay,” she answered. “Though the air does bite shrewdly.”
“Aye, it does,” he answered wrapping his cloak more around him. “I fear I donnae burn at your temperature.”
“Are you cold?” she asked surprised.
“Aye, freezing to be honest,” he shook and blew into his hands.
“’Tis nae far now,” she told him wrapping her arms around him. Groaning as he felt her body heat seep into him, he allowed her to hold him for a moment. The pins and needles in his fingers hurt but at least he would not lose them. “Come now, let us get to shelter. You need a fire.”
“Aye, that would be wonderful,” he replied his teeth not chattering as much.
“No’ too far,” she took his hand in hers and they walked briskly through the woods.
Caylean could barely put one foot in front of the other when Giorsal finally told him they had reached the cave. Cold burned deep within him and ice hung as icicles on his hair and his fingers had turned blue. Breathing hurt and when she framed his face to force him to focus he felt the crunch of the ice on his face.
“Caylean focus, I cannae carry you,” she said. “I need ye to walk to the cave, you see it?” He looked over her shoulder and nodded. “Come now.”
Forcing his body to obey him, he followed Giorsal into the cave. It was dark and he hoped nothing menacing was within but at the moment, he merely wanted to lie down and sleep. Darkness over took him for a moment but when he next opened his eyes, Giorsal had laid her cloak over him and a small fire burned at the entrance of the cave. Attempting to get up, he groaned as his body protested the movement. Giorsal turned and rushed to him.
“Be at ease,” she said. “You must rest.”
“I will be well, I must get warm,” he said.
“What can I do?” she asked.
“You have done all you can do,” he replied. “I thank you for the fire and the extra layer.”
Walking over to the flames, Caylean stretched out his hands to the warmth.
“Why do you nae burn at wolf heat?” she asked.
“Perhaps because I am nae a wolf?” he offered.
“But you are,” she replied. “I saw you.”
“Aye but I am nae like any of the rest of you,” he answered. “Perhaps I am different in that regard as well.”
She nodded slowly and went to look out at the snow.
“The gods must be angry,” she whispered. “I have nae seen such a storm.”
“Aye, ’tis a fierce one,” Caylean replied. All of the sudden a gust of wind blew through the cave blowing out the fire and knocking Giorsal down. Rushing to her, Caylean held her to him as another gust blew. “We must cover the entrance.”
“Aye, my cloak should work,” she said.
“Nay ‘tis nae long enough, but ours combined would work,” he answered.
“But then you will be without covering and we cannae light a fire without proper exposure,” she said. “You will freeze.”
“I will be well,” he replied. “We must work quickly.”
***
Tristan paced in his solar like a caged animal. His daughter was out in the storm but it was too dangerous to go after her. He prayed she found Caylean, perhaps he would look after her and be sure she was safe. A knock at his door drew his attention, his senior men at arms entered the room and closed the door behind them.
“What news?” Tristan demanded.
“Nae one has seen them, Alpha,” Blane answered. “We have men out as far as the edge of the woods but none has seen Giorsal or Caylean.”
“The snow is falling so thickly and the wind is blowing so harshly that they could nae see the next tree,” Eion said.
“Do you think I donnae ken that?” Tristan shouted.
“Tristan,” Weylyn stepped forward. “Giorsal is an intelligent lass, she will find shelter and if Caylean is with her, he will protect her.”
“And if he is nae?” Tristan demanded.
“Are you concerned about his safety or what he is capable of?” Aedan demanded.
“Donnae question me, Aedan,” Tristan said.
“I am very tired of you saying that,” Aedan replied.
“Aedan,” Weylyn breathed.
“Nay, you have my support as always, Tristan, you are my Alpha,” Aedan started. “But one thing I learned from my time as Sheiling’s War Chief is that a leader is a leader when he listens to the counsel of others. Caylean is my son, my first born. I need to ken when you find him what are your intentions? Are you needing to find him because you are concerned about him or because you donnae want him loose on your lands?”
Tristan was silent for a long time. Before he answered he turned to Blane and Eion.
“Keep the search for them both,” he said. “Tell me immediately if they are found.”
“Aye, Alpha,” Blane and Eion said together, bowed slightly and left the room. Tristan turned back to the window and took a deep breath.
“It pains me to ken you think that of me, Aedan.” Tristan began. “Caylean is dear to me. Perhaps not as dear as to you since he is your son, but he is my kin. Weylyn and I are related and therefore you and I and Caylean. Of course I am worried about what he is, but that is only because we donnae ken what he is. He has never felt li
ke he belongs with us, even though we have never made him feel like that, he believes he is different than the rest of us. As he is different, he is loved. The alpha in me wants to use him as one of my most valued counselors. The father in me wants to help guide him, and honestly to keep my daughter away from him since I saw the look in both of their faces, but she is a grown woman now and I want her happiness.
“I care for Caylean, I care deeply for him I ken I have nae said anything but if there were anyone that I would want Giorsal with, it would be him. So when I demand to ken where they are it is just that, where they both are. I hope that you believe me when I say that I care about him. Aye I want to be able to learn more about what he is, but that is nae important at the moment. What is important is that they are found safe.”
“Then let us go and search for them,” Weylyn said. “We could find them. Their scents would be gone but we ken this area we will be able to find them.”
“We will go immediately then,” Tristan said but before they could say anything more, another knock came from someone outside. “Come in?”
Eithne opened the door and locked eyes with her husband.
“Eithne, my love, are you well?” Weylyn went immediately to her.
“Aye, Weylyn I am fine,” she replied. “I was lying down; our child is draining some of my energy so I was resting. I had a dream.”
“A dream? Or a vision?” Weylyn clarified.
“Aye, both I believe,” she said.
“Tell us what it is, Eithne,” Tristan said gently.
“You are planning on going after them are you no’?” she asked.
“Aye,” Tristan answered.
Eithne looked down and did not speak.
“Tell us, my love, what is it?” he asked.
She looked up at her husband.
“This is the hardest thing I will say to you, Tristan, but you must understand,” she began. “I would never ask this of you. Ever. It is difficult to say the least.”
“What are you asking of me, Eithne?” Tristan asked.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned against her husband to gain strength from him.
“You cannae go after them yet,” she replied. “They have things they have to do first. They must be alone together. You may no’ like it, but they must.”
“Why?” Tristan growled.
“The answer is nae clear, but I ken they must be together,” she answered. “It is nae just for them but for the entire pack. Please. Go in the morning. Give them tonight.”
“Much can happen in one night,” Aedan said the one thing on all their minds.
“Aye,” Tristan ground.
“Then that must happen,” she answered. “I ken you are nae happy about this, Tristan, but they must be together.”
“Why?” he demanded.
“I cannae see why,” Eithne replied. “But if you have ever trusted me, please let them be until the morning.”
Tristan looked from one to the other, his shoulders fell and he closed his eyes.
“They are safe?” he asked.
“They are,” she answered.
“Very well then,” he said. “We go in the morning.”
Chapter
Nineteen
Giorsal rolled over, opened her eyes and looked at Caylean laying on his side. Something woke her but she could not figure out what it was until she saw him shivering. His teeth were chattering and his breathing was short and panting. Sleeping about two feet from him, she slid over and touched his shoulder. He turned sharply to her, his eyes dark with cold.
“You are freezing,” she said softly.
He could not answer but nodded quickly, wrapping his arms around himself tighter. Licking her lips for a moment, she eased him on his back. When he groaned, tears gathered in her eyes.
“I am-m a-all right-t-t,” he replied.
“Nay you are no’,” she said sliding over closer to him. “Now let me warm you. The heat from my body will warm you.” Forcing his arms open, she slid between them and wrapped hers around his body. Immediately he groaned again and held her tighter.
“Th-th-thank y-y-ou,” he stuttered.
“Try and rest,” she said. “You will be warm soon.”
Several minutes passed and soon Giorsal was asleep. Caylean had stopped shivering and was beginning to feel warm, but not just from her body heat. His body was reacting to her proximity and he knew he should move her away from him but he could not bring himself to disturb her.
Without thinking, he stroked his fingers up and down her back and arm. Softly humming a song he had learned over in Erin, he stared at the roof of the cave. The wind still beat harshly against their makeshift door. He realized with a start that he could have crafted something heavier from their cloaks had he been in full capacity of his spells. He could have easily decorated the cave with a wave of his hand.
They could have been sleeping in luxury, a mattress from the eighteenth century, a fire from the dark ages, wine from the finest Italian vineyard and if he had been highly creative, he could have summoned a minstrel from the sixteenth century to play them love songs of the time. But he had not. He had not thought of his powers. He had grown to believe they would help him in any situation, but what good were they if he could not focus enough to use them when they mattered the most?
He felt Giorsal move in his arms and looked down. Her face turned up to his and she looked at him questioningly.
“Why did you stop humming?” she asked.
“You are awake?” he asked.
“Aye,” she nodded. “I found I wanted to stay awake to feel you.”
Taking a deep breath, he decided to answer her question and ignore how her last statement made him feel.
“I did nae wish to wake you,” he said. “I was thinking. I suppose my thoughts carried my mind away and I did nae realize I stopped humming.”
“It was a beautiful song,” she replied. “What is it called?”
“The Lass I Loved,” he answered.
“Is it a sad song?” she asked.
“Aye, very sad,” he replied.
She moved her body up his and stared down at him, their faces so close to each other’s. She hovered over him.
“How does it go?” she asked.
“Are ye sure you want to hear it?” he asked.
“Aye,” she answered.
Taking a deep breath, he began to sing the song, slow and soft. The tune was melancholy and the words were gentle.
“Oh, lass that I loved so wild and deep,
I chose a life but the cost is steep.
For I will never again behold your face,
Together we rode, far away from here,
Drank of the misty water of the mermaid’s tears.
One choice before,
One step behind,
Oh lass, my lass, why did I ever want more?
Lo across the fields of shamrocks so green
Your pretty face, I swear to have seen.
But that cannot be, for you are nae more,
The mermaid’s tears, one soul to store,
The choice was mine,
I desired a life across the brine.
When I returned to claim you mine,
Your life was o’er and so was mine.
Oh, Lass that I loved so wild and deep,
I held life far too cheap.
Your life and love was all I should keep.
Now you lie at the bottom of the loch,
And here I sit.
Age has withered me fine bones
And silver streaks me brown roans.
I think of ye, so soft and white,
And swear I see you swimming in the gloaming light.
The same beauty as before,
Your mermaid tail a thing of lore.
Oh, lass that I loved,
You sing me to my death.”
When Caylean finished the song, tears streamed down Giorsal’s cheeks. Gently wiping them away with his thumb, he pulled her face down
closer to his and let his lips glide across hers. After some time, they both pulled back catching their breath. Giorsal’s eyes were glassy from tears and his kiss.
“That was a beautiful song, Caylean,” she whispered. “It touched my heart.”
“Aye, ’tis a song of tragedy and how one man’s choice changed everyone around him,” Caylean replied.
“Nay,” Giorsal breathed. “’Tis a story about how his lass loved him so much she gave everything.”
“Including her life,” he spat.
“For him? Aye, she would give everything,” she said. “She loves him.”
“But he is scared that love will nae be enough to tame the beast within,” Caylean replied.
“That beast within is nae more a threat than her own,” she answered. “And with love, all things are possible.”
Caylean closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. “No’ all things,” he said.
“I believe ’tis,” she answered. “When you love someone, you should nae let anything stand in your way. That lad and lass discovered that in your song. It is a warning to all I believe.”
“Giorsal,” he sighed. “That was a song, life is different.”
“Nay, ’tis no’,” she replied. Framing his face with her hands, she stared deeply into his eyes. “Caylean, son of Aedan, Druid of Alba, and High Priest of Loch Alsh and Erin, I love you more than words can express.”
“Giorsal,” he breathed a warning to her.
“I have nae come here with the intention of becoming your mate, but I pledge to you my unending love, loyalty and fidelity. I swear to you and you alone, my body, my virtue and combine my soul with yours.”
“Giorsal, donnae,” he breathed.
“I want to be yours for the rest of time and I promise that if you love me the same, I will be a good wife to you and mother of any children we may have.”
“Giorsal, please,” he begged. “Donnae do this.”
“I will love, honor, and cherish you until my last breath. I swear to all of this by the moon’s light and seal it with a kiss,” her lips were on his in a soft but pledging kiss.
Midnight Sky (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 3) Page 19
