A Fine Cauldron Of Fish

by Cornelia Amiri

  She mewed as he moaned. Their bodies quivered together. His intense pleasure peaked. She clenched against his cock then he went over the edge in a blaze of heat as he spilled his seed into her.

  “You’re so hot.” He pulled out and plopped down beside her. Exhausted.

  She pulled the red Hilton spread over both of them. The moment she laid her head on the plump pillow, she fell into a deep sleep.

  Andrew’s eyes drank in her beauty. I hope I didn’t put you to sleep. That our lovemaking bored you. Then he remembered it was the most passionate experience he’d ever had. No, that couldn’t be it.

  “Ta Graih aym orrym,” he whispered. What am I going to do? Why does this whole thing bother me so? Isn’t it great in a way? What every guy wants? A willing sex slave. An invisible,out of this world, gorgeous woman to serve my needs and desires. Should I try to find this druid or just go with the flow? This isn’t such a bad thing, is it? Okay, I know. I’ll make a list. Bad news first. I’ll start with cons.

  He exhaled. “Okay, first on the list, I might have to live in an underwater cave,” he said aloud. “Second, no matter where I live, I’d have a red cauldron in the living room. A cauldron filled with blood. How will I explain that to friends and family who drop by?” Rubbing his chin, he continued talking to himself. “Third, if we have kids, they might be lhiannan shee and suck my blood. Fourth, my children might be invisible, lots of problems there. How will the doctor even deliver them? How will they go to school? If I’m the only one who can see them, everything might fall on me. I might have to deliver them. Okay, number four is real bad. Fifth, my father-in-law will be a sea god. What does a sea god do to a son-in-law he doesn’t approve of? Okay, five is not good. Not good at all. Number six, there’s an age difference, I’m 25, and she’s thousands of years old. Okay, I’m going to quit the cons, it’s getting scary.”

  “Okay, pros. Number one, she loves me. Two, she makes me laugh. Number three, great sex. Well that’s it, the pros have it.”

  “No, I can’t keep her as a slave. I have to find Mannan beg mac y Leir and set this right. Even if it kills me, and the sea god may kill me, but there are worse things to die for than love or great sex. I’ll go see that druid tomorrow and get this over with. Hopefully, Mannan won’t kill me and Margaid and I can stay together.”

  On that thought, he shut his eyes and fell asleep.

  Chapter Four

  Andrew awoke to a banging on the door.

  “Wake up, sleepy-head. Mom’s waiting downstairs. You were supposed to meet us. We’re going sightseeing.”

  “Just a minute.” He whispered to Margaid as she slowly opened her eyes, “It’s my little brother.” Andrew caught himself; he almost said ‘you better put some clothes on.’ “Are you sure he can’t see you?”

  “No one can see me but you, silly. I keep telling you that.”

  “Okay, I just want to be sure.”

  “I’ll stay under the covers until he’s gone so you’ll feel better.” She stressed the word feel and gave him one of her adorable, goofy smiles.

  The banging resumed. “Hold your horses, Mathew, I’m coming.”

  He pulled on his blue jeans, or rather some strange guy’s jeans and opened the door.

  In walked a short version of Andrew, in appearance only, not in personality as Andrew would gladly tell anyone who listened. No, Mathew was a major pain, all five feet of him. He swaggered in with his little eleven-year old self.

  “What‘s up? What took you so long to open the door?”

  “I was asleep.”

  He flashed a toothy grin. “You’ve got a girl in here.”

  “What?” Oh no. “You can see her?”

  “No. Don’t be sarcastic. I don’t see anyone. You’ve got her hidden. I can tell you’ve got a woman in here.”

  The little jerk. Andrew exhaled. “There’s a girl in here, wow, thanks for letting me know.”

  “Ha, ha, ha, I’m serious. I know you.”

  Andrew glanced at Margaid sitting upon the bed with the covers pulled up to her shoulders. She was no more than eight feet from Mathew and staring right at him. The kid didn’t have a clue. “Ha, ha ha, yourself.” Andrew pulled out one of his shirts and buttoned it up. “Let me get dressed, so I can meet Mom downstairs.”

  Mathew was stalking out the area around the bed. He made a sudden, dramatic move as if he thought he would find something and bent down to look under the bed.

  He stood up again. A look of extreme disappointment etched his features. “Gosh.”

  “Disappointed?”

  Then a huge grin filled his thin face and he pounced on the floor on Margaid’s side of the bed. He was a breath span from her face.

  “Ah, ha.” Mathew leapt back on his feet, his great catch clutched in his tight little fist. He held Margaid’s chiton.

  Andrew snapped his head toward her.

  She shrugged. “He can’t see or hear me and if my dress was on me, he wouldn’t be able to see it, but since it’s off, he can.”

  Andrew turned back to his little brother and said, “Look, knock it off. I need to get dressed now.”

  Andrew said the last word loudly, trying to tell Margaid to slip her clothes on.

  Before the kid knew what had happened, Andrew snatched the chiton out of his hand and tossed it to Margaid. The moment she slipped it on, Mathew began blinking his eyes staring at the air. Andrew could see she was fully dressed once more. But Mathew didn’t see her at all.

  “What happened? The dress flew up in the air and then it just disappeared.”

  “This is a lot to go through before breakfast.” Andrew tugged his socks on.

  Mathew just stood there with his mouth open. “Tell me about it.”

  Andrew looked at his brother’s baffled face and chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were drunk and seeing things.”

  “I wish.” Mathew lolled his head to the side.

  Andrew burst with laughter as he tied his tennis shoes. “There was no dress little brother. Are you okay?”

  “There was a dress, I had it in my hand. And I know there’s a woman in here.”

  “I wish.” Andrew flashed his brother a wide grin then winked at Margaid.

  “Oh no, don’t tell me, I know. Its puberty isn’t it? My rushing hormones made me imagine a woman’s dress.”

  “I think so.” Andrew was still laughing. The little sneak deserves it. Butting into my business. Trying to find my woman. Pesky little brother.

  “You better hurry then. Mom’s downstairs and she’s got a man with her.”

  “Oh, no.” Andrew rubbed his forehead.

  “Yeah. So with her taste in men, he could be an axe murderer. We better get down there before he chops off her head.”

  Andrew turned to Margaid, and rolled his eyes toward the door so she would know to follow though he remembered she told him as his slave, she had to go everywhere he did. As soon as they ate, he would find that druid and put an end to this, he only hoped it didn’t put an end to him. And Mathew was right, his mother needed help when it came to men. Who would take care of her if something happened to him?

  “Let’s go,” he said to Mathew and Margaid.

  They took the elevator and strolled into the Paragon restaurant. Andrew spotted his mom sitting at a table by the glass wall looking out at the sea. The man sat facing her so his back was to Andrew.

  “Let’s go check this guy out.” Andrew led the way over to his mom’s table.

  She smiled at them.

  “Good morning, Mom.” Andrew bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

  The man shot up from his seat. “You.”

  Andrew's heart stopped for a moment.

  “Those are my pants,” the guy yelled.

  “Oh, do you have a pair of jeans like Andrew's?” his mom asked in a feigned cheerful voice, obviously trying to be nice until someone told her what was going on.

  Just my luck. Andrew gaped at the same guy Margaid had stripped la
st night. “I can explain.” But I really can’t. Since no one in their right mind would believe me. Andrew felt sudden warmth as Margaid wrapped her arm around his shoulder.

  “Why is he so mad?” Margaid looked confused. “I left him his boxers.”

  “I’m so sorry about last night and your clothes. I’ll pay you for them.” Andrew reached into his wallet.

  His mother looked at him, “Andrew,” then she glanced at her friend, “Bob, do you two know each other?”

  “Yes,” Bob said loudly as he stared at Andrew. “She’s right, I know now. I know who you are.”

  Oh no, Andrew thought. The guy was probably going to call the police. After all, he had stolen Bob’s clothes and stripped him naked except for his B is for Big shorts. Margaid did it, but the guy didn’t know that, so now Andrew would end up in a Manx jail.

  Mathew nodded at his mother. “I think they know each other.”

  “I figured it out.” The man waved his finger. “You see, I thought about it all night and now I know who you are.”

  “I really didn’t mean to steal your clothes. I didn’t do it really.”

  “Oh, you didn’t do it yourself. You had one of your fey servants do it. It was probably a lhiannan shee.”

  “What is that?” his mom, Christine, asked.

  “Leh noun she,” Mathew said slowly. “I never heard of it.”

  What? “Actually that's right. How did you know?” Andrew stepped closer to Bob.

  “Oh, I know all about you. How you can transform into anyone. I know who you really are.”

  “I’m Andrew, Christine’s son.”

  “No you’re not. You’re Mannan beg mac y Leir.”

  “Oh no.” Had the whole world gone mad? “You have it all wrong.” Andrew shook his head.

  “Who’s that?” Mathew’s brows arched.

  Andrew turned to his brother, who seemed the sanest person at the table at that moment, which in itself was a bad sign. Boy, am I in trouble. “Mannan beg mac y Leir’s the sea god.”

  “Oh.” Mathew turned his gaze on Bob. “So you’ve met my brother the sea god before?”

  “Yes, last night, he worked his magic on me.”

  “Woo ho,” Mathew said. “Geez, Andrew, I thought you liked girls.”

  “Shut up,” he snapped at Mathew. “You’re not helping at all.”

  Christine leaned back in her chair. “What’s going on here?”

  “Great news, Mom,” Mathew quipped. “You finally found a man who will treat you like a goddess.”

  With a slight flutter of her lashes Christine smiled coyly. “Oh really.” She let out a flirty giggle.

  “You’re the mother of a god which makes you a goddess.” Mathew stood up raised his arms high and with a dramatic flair animatedly bowed to his mom. “Hail the goddess, Christine, mother of the sea god.”

  “Stop that, Mathew,” his mother scolded.

  “Mighty god of the waters.”

  “Cut it out, Mathew.” Andrew turned his head back to Bob. “Look, I’m not the sea god.”

  Mathew bowed toward his older brother. “Praise the sea god.”

  Andrew wheeled around toward his little brother. “Stop. Now.”

  “No, you are.” Bob pointed to Mathew. “He’s right.” Raising his tattooed arms high, he bowed to Andrew as well. “Praise mighty Mannan beg mac y Leir, god of the sea, god of transformation, the trickster god.”

  Andrew balled his hands into fists and knocked them together. “Please stop.” He backed away, ready to leave.

  “What is going on here?” Christine stood up. She grabbed hold of Mathew's arm and physically brought his bowing to a halt.

  Still, Mathew flashed a bold smile. “Your date thinks Andrew is a sea god and he’s worshiping him.”

  Christine glanced at Bob who was still bowing. “Good lord, I can’t believe this. Why can’t I find a normal man? What is wrong with me?”

  “It’s not you, Mom.” Andrew tried to comfort her.

  “I think you need to leave now,” Christine told Bob. She reached into her purse, pulled out a credit card, and handed it to Andrew. “Get yourselves breakfast. I’ll be in my room.” She ran to the elevator crying.

  “Mom.” Mathew hurried after her.

  Andrew turned to Bob. “Here, let’s go to the gift shop right now and I’ll buy you some new clothes.”

  “No need. All I ask of the great Mannan beg mac y Leir is that you bless me with a prosperous year.”

  Whatever. Andrew just wanted Bob gone at this point. “You shall prosper in all ways. Your prayers are answered.”

  “Thank you, Thank you.” Bob backed out of the restaurant, bowing all the way.

  Andrew took Margaid’s hand. “Come on, let’s go find that druid. I can’t take much more of this.”

  He stopped by the front desk, placed the credit card in an envelope, and had the bellhop take it up to his mother. Andrew and Margaid strolled out of the hotel onto the wide Victorian promenade.

  Her long red hair streamed in the wind as they ran ahead of a horse drawn tram and crossed the street to the sidewalk by the bay. He breathed in the strong, invigorating scents of salt and fish.

  Today could be his last day on earth, if this god judged against him. “Is Mannan a good god?” He glanced at the Victorian hotels and well restored buildings they passed by.

  “Well, he takes care of the sea and all its creatures.” Margaid gazed at the sparkling blue water of Douglas Bay as she walked at Andrew’s side, still clutching his hand.

  “So, are you part of the sea?” Andrew turned his head to look at the bay. The water was so still, it almost looked like jade, stretching out forever with the sun glistening upon it.

  “I’m a fey creature of the sea, like the water horses and the selkies.”

  “But they are sea creatures, you’re not.” They passed an Indian restaurant and he walked on, almost reluctantly knowing they would soon reach the store and everything would change for better or worse.

  “No, but I serve Mannan beg mac y Leir. He’s more than a sea god, he’s also the god of transformation, and he’s quite a joker as well.”

  “Margaid, my life will soon be in the hands of the sea god.” Trying to take his mind off all this madness, he took in the details of the grand buildings; straight white columns, the overhanging bay windows, sloping roofs, triangular gables and small turret towers.

  “It’s all my fault. If I wasn’t such a bad lhiannan shee, none of this would have happened.” She brushed tears off her face with the flat of her palms.

  “Margaid, no, it’s not your fault, if you weren’t so bad at being a lhiannan shee, I’d be dead.” Heat shot through him as her soft, delicate hand squeezed his. “No matter what, I’m glad everything worked out the way it did or I never would have met you. Margaid, I have to talk to Mannan, it’s the only chance you have for a normal life.”

  Tears streamed down her face. “Andrew, I love you.”

  “Oh Margaid.” Wrapping his arms around her soft shoulders, which felt like warm satin, he pulled her close. Her admission of love heated his blood. He felt so much more than lust for this woman. Andrew wanted to protect and care for her. “This is it. We’re at the shop.” His breathing was so heavy, his heart throbbed. “I have to get this settled, fix this whole lhiannan shee, Mannan thing. He pulled her tighter to him. “Let’s go and see this god.”

  Chapter Five

  Having crossed the wide promenade, they entered the Celtic Cauldron. The spicy and tangy scents of herbs and incense made his nose tingle. It was worse than the department stores where ladies squirted perfume on Christmas shoppers.

  A man in a long robe stepped out from the counter. He had long silvery hair, which curled on the ends and was tied back in a pony tail. Andrew gazed at the blue tattoos covering his arm, a crane drawn with Celtic tracery, a triskelion, swirls that looked like ocean waves, and one of an eye shaped like a fish with a fish’s tail on the end. That’s the same kind of tattoo the
‘B is for Big’ guy had. But it wasn’t the same man. The shop owner’s hair was gray instead of brown and he was older and taller. He appeared friendlier, his smile was broad and contagious, and his large eyes sparkled. Though elderly, his back was straight and he stood with his hands on his hips, looking notably self-assured.

  "Moghrey Mie." The shop owner gazed straight at Margaid.

  Andrew recognized the Manx greeting. “Good morning to you as well, moghrey mie. You’re smiling at Margaid, can you see her?”

  “No, but I see an aura hanging in the air as if it surrounds a spirit and I feel energy, feminine energy.”

  “That’s Margaid all right, feminine energy.”

  Margaid grinned at Andrew. “This man’s the druid the nurse spoke of.”

  “Is she a spirit?” the druid asked.

  “She’s a lhiannan shee.” Andrew’s gaze met Margaid’s and he winked at her. It won’t be long now. If this works out she’ll soon be free, but still with me. Hopefully.

  The druid’s brows arched in a puzzled expression. “Enslaved to you...you resisted her charms.”

  “Well, you see, I lost my contacts, so I couldn’t see her that well, also I took her by surprise and seduced her before she could seduce me. You might say."

  The elder man’s luminous eyes widened as he gazed at Andrew. “That’s quite a story.”

  “It’s been quite an experience.” Andrew stepped closer to him. “Can you help us?”

  “Help?” The druid stared at Margaid and smiled. “What kind of help do you want?”

  Andrew wondered if somehow the man really could see her. He had the oddest feeling about this. “I want Margaid free from slavery to me, so others can see her and she can decide for herself who she wants to be with, me or someone else. It’s only right. She’s a great person, she deserves freedom. Who doesn’t? But Margaid is like a butterfly, a bird, she has to be free.”