Worthy of Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 4)

by Stephany Wallace

  "Thank you, Art," Beatha said, with an appreciative smile and rubbed her small belly. There wasn't a bump yet, but I guess the motherly instinct was already there.

  * * *

  "What they truly need is a new hut for their growing family," Art said, as we walked to his hut.

  I had noticed that something was bothering him after we left Oran’s house, but I was hoping Art would share it with me before I had to ask.

  “If I could just make it happen for them. Give my people a new home, a new chance at life… I have to make it happen somehow.”

  I frowned, not fully understanding. “What do you mean?”

  We stopped right outside his door, but his eyes were focused on something else. I followed his gaze to see Eisha's hut. The door was closing.

  "Go inside. I'll be right back."

  He turned on his heel before I could even respond, and walked towards Eisha's hut. Sighing, I went inside.

  My eyes widened as I spotted Strawberries on his kitchen counter. There were two baskets full of them. I rushed to them grabbing a handful, a napkin, and sat on the bed taking a bite. Mmm, they were ripe, juicy and so delicious. God, it seemed like forever since I had enjoyed one. I had been here almost three months, and it felt like a lifetime already. Before I could pop the last delicious treat into my mouth, the door flew open and Art stormed inside. I jumped, startled as the door slammed behind him. He walked passed me only stopping when he reached the end of the hut.

  His lips moved as I rushed to him, but I couldn't understand what he was saying. The last part caught my ears. I had heard that spell many times before.

  “… bring my Claidheamhan to me.”

  He opened his arms, and his swords suddenly appeared in his grasp. His wrists began to twirl swinging the swords around him like the blades of a propeller. The sight worried me even more. It had only been five minutes since we got here and he had gone to see Eisha. What the hell happened?

  “Art? Are you ok?”

  I unconsciously moved closer to him. Big mistake. He swirled around at the sound of my voice. I gasped and jumped back, but I wasn't quick enough, the tip of his sword grazed the skin of my arm, slicing it.

  “Lia!” He shouted, throwing his swords to the floor and holding me in his arms.

  “It’s ok. I’m ok.”

  I reassured him looking at my arm. There was red line on it. It was only a scratch, but I didn't miss the fact that it could have been much worse. What the hell had I been thinking, walking up to him when he was fidgeting with his swords? He was clearly upset. It was the only time he would use his swords that way. They calmed him down.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  His hands grabbed my arm, inspecting the non-existent wound. Dramatic as my body was, a few drops of blood seeped from the scratch and Art's face paled. He pulled me to the washbasin and washed my skin profusely, trying to see how deeply he had hurt me. Except he hadn't. Besides, it was my fault. His hands trembled as he dried my skin with a hand towel. I felt terrible for scaring him like this.

  “I’m ok. I promise.”

  He nodded, realizing my statement was correct. The few drops of blood he had seen was all my body spilled. It was a deep scratch but nothing more. He still pulled me into his arms and held me close, carrying me to the bed. I placed my cheek on his chest and began to caress him, trying to help him calm down. His hands still trembled on my back. I opened my mouth to speak, but he silenced me as though knowing what I was going to say.

  “I could have hurt you. Really hurt you, Lia. I’m supposed to protect you, not cause you pain.”

  I shook my head. "But you didn't. It was my fault anyway. I knew you were upset; I had no business walking up to you while your swords were flying around you like that." His gaze was pained as it finally settled in my eyes. I could see the ache behind them, and I wanted to know what had caused it. For a split second, a feeling engulfed me, and I wished that I could do what the swords did for him. I wanted to support him, help him feel secure, give him relief, and one day I would. I'd be there for him as he did for me.

  "You don't need them anymore, you know?" I said, before I could stop myself. Art frowned. "Your swords. You have me now. I can help you calm down. Let go of the hurt. I’m here for you.”

  He sighed relieved as though my simple words had helped him, and his arms tightened around me. I held his neck, pulling myself up and kissed his cheek, his temple, his forehead and continued to the other side of his face, just like he had done to me once. My last kiss was on his jaw and when I pulled back his eyes were filled with love. He kissed my nose just like he had that time, and then his lips settled on mine. It wasn't a quick peck like the ones we usually shared, although it was still as innocent. Yet, the ‘almost kiss' made my stupid heart flip inside my chest. I hated my heart sometimes. He pulled back and looked at me again.

  “I’m sorry.”

  "Stop." He smiled, nodding. "What happened?"

  "She won't open the door." The simple statement was filled with so much pain I could fill it inside me. "We have been there for each other all our lives. We grew up together, and I have been with Eisha through everything. Always. I know she's hurting. I know what she's going through after Phelan's death and the battle, yet she won't let me in. I can't help her, and I have no idea what I have done for her to push me away like this. Why won't she let me be there for her?"

  I caressed his chest trying to help him calm down. His pain was tearing through me, and I understood why he felt this way. It had only been a few months, yet I felt as though I knew him like the back of my hand. Art's nature was to protect and help those he loved, and Eisha was his best friend. Knowing she was in that much pain, and not being able to do anything to help her, or at least be there for her was tearing him apart. How could she not see that? He closed his eyes defeated and rested his head on the pillow. My hand continued to caress him until I felt him completely relax under me. When I lifted my gaze to him, I realized he was asleep. I smiled and kissed his lips softly. Laying my head back on his chest, I allowed myself to be dragged by sleep too.

  ART

  * * *

  “So where are we going?”

  I looked at Lia through the mirror amused, while I brushed my hair. I had fallen asleep with her in my arms after I had almost hurt her with my swords. Just thinking about it turned my stomach. If anything had happened to her because of me…

  "Stop." I looked at her confused. "I know what you are thinking about. It's all over your face, so stop. I'm fine."

  I gave her a small smile and turned around. "We are going to a place where you can watch the Warriors train."

  Lia made a face. "I've already seen the Warriors train many times, Chewie. I'm not going to lie, it's a very gratifying experience to watch them fight shirtless, but it's nothing new." I narrowed my eyes at her, and she grinned. "It's the truth, Chewie. I thoroughly enjoy my half naked Warriors, but I don't need to see them every day. Unless they are fully naked of course, that I need to see.”

  I grunted, walking towards the bed. "You've already seen me naked. It's not happening with anyone else. Count yourself lucky."

  "Oh, I do. Trust me," Lia answered batting her eyelashes. "But, I can't really give you a rating unless I have other sexy naked Warriors to compare you to."

  “Over my dead body.” I pulled her up by her waist and took her to the table setting her on it.

  Lia sighed. "Fine. Then I need to see you naked again just to make sure I remember correctly." I laughed. Loudly. She shrugged nonchalantly. "It was worth a try."

  I lifted my eyebrow at her questionably, bringing the bowl of strawberries to the table. Leaning in, I gave Lia a peck on the lips and looked into her eyes. "I think you remember perfectly what I look like naked. You had a pretty good view of every inch of me that night. I'd bet you dream about it too," I whispered, and popped a strawberry into my mouth.

  Lia’s mouth dropped, and my eyes fell on her cheeks as a deep-red hue inst
antly covered them. I kissed them, feeling the warm skin under my lips. Perfect. It wasn't an easy feat, which made it even better when I made Lia blush.

  “Chewie!” She admonished me once she regained her bearings.

  “Too honest?”

  She looked at me, but surprisingly enough she had no comeback. I chuckled and gave her a strawberry. "I bought these for you. Eat."

  Lia took it and popped it in her mouth, her embarrassment instantly forgotten. "Mmm, these are my favorite." Grabbing a handful, she jumped down from the table.

  “I know. You told me.” I said, grabbing her by the waist and placing her back on it again. “That is why I bought them for you.”

  “Chewie!”

  “What? Stop acting like a jumping bean, and just stay here with me.”

  Lia sighed, and popped another one in her mouth. “You are such a dictator.”

  "I'm needy. There is a difference." I answered amused. "I want you here with me, so just stay here."

  "You are not a needy man. Trust me. I've known needy guys." Lia shuddered, and I chuckled.

  “What am I then?”

  “A dictator.”

  My lips curved with a smirk. “I want my woman close to me at all times, is that so bad?”

  “Your woman?”

  I frowned. “You know what I mean.”

  “No, I don’t.” She crossed her arms. “Indulge me.”

  I grunted. "You know what? Just go. I changed my mind."

  Lia laughed as I carried her off the table and set her on the floor. I placed a kiss on her cheek enjoying our banter.

  "You can complain all you want, but I think you secretly enjoy me manhandling you." She wiggled her eyebrows and grinned. I chuckled. "Do you think Bri will like some? I bought plenty," I gestured towards the strawberries and Lia nodded.

  Reaching for the cabinet, I took a Ziploc bag out and filled it up. “Did you happen to bring a sweater with your clothes?” I asked, walking towards her.

  “A sweater?” Lia’s baffled expression was a poem.

  “Yeah. You’ll need one.”

  “Are we staying in the rainforest?”

  “Yep,” I answered smugly. I couldn’t wait to see her face when we got to the sanctuary.

  * * *

  I carried Lia on my back as we walked through the jungle. Somehow I kept forgetting that she wasn't used to walking or hiking this much, so she always ended up on my back. She had changed into a pair of jeans, a long sleeve shirt that wasn't too thick but it would do the job and sneakers. Her sweater hung around my waist.

  “Almost there,” I announced as we began to climb the mountain.

  “Can’t we just use a portal?” She asked, tightening her arms around my shoulders.

  "We could, but it's fun to climb."

  “Are we going all the way to the top? I don’t want you to get tired, Chewie. You still need to carry me down.”

  I chuckled. “I’m a Warrior remember? I have more than enough stamina to climb the mountain and take you back home.”

  “Are you sure?” I frowned and looked over my shoulder to find her biting her lip.

  “Are you scared?”

  “Well… what if you miss a step and drop me?”

  I grabbed the waistband of her jeans and pulled her around me until she was in front of me. Her legs tightened around my waist. "Do you really think I'm going to drop you?" I asked, securing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

  “No...” She looked up at the mountain. “Not purposefully, but it could happen.”

  I repressed a chuckle. “You hurt my feelings.”

  She made a face and kissed my cheek. “Sorry.”

  “It’s ok. If you feel better using a portal, then that’s what we will do. I would never drop you, but I don’t want you to be scared.” I placed her down and handed her the sweater. “Put it on.”

  “Is it cold at the top of the mountain?”

  I smiled. “You’ll see soon enough.”

  LIA

  * * *

  We walked through the portal, and my eyes widened. There was white mist all around us, yet it concentrated into what looked like a wall about twenty feet in front of us. I looked everywhere and frowned. I couldn't see anything, but this place seemed kind of small to be the top of the mountain. I also realized that Art had lied to me. We were at the very top, and it was a freaking sauna. What the hell did I need the sweater for?

  “Ready?” He asked, holding my hand in his tightly, pulling me towards the mist.

  "Wait, are we crossing that?" I asked as the fog moved and swirled at our feet, climbing up our legs. It was a horror movie waiting to happen.

  He chuckled. "Are you still scared?" He whispered in my ear making me shudder. "Damn it, Chewie!"

  He laughed and stopped walking. The mist was almost at our chests. “This place was warded by my brother. Nothing will happen to you here.”

  I looked at the mist that almost engulfed us now and squeezed Art’s hand. “Are you sure? Because this place looks like Freddy Krueger is going to come out at any second.” Art chuckled again.

  “I am sure, and if that isn’t enough, I’m here. I will never let anything happen to you.” He looked around us. “There is nothing to fear here. This mist is magical. Cyn put it here. It is protecting something very special, and now is protecting you too.”

  “Really?” I asked baffled. “This is magical?”

  He nodded. “Do you trust me?”

  I looked into his eyes and nodded. "With every single part of me."

  He grinned, pleased by my answer and gave me a peck on the lips. "Then let's go."

  Art's hand pulled me forwards, and I couldn't help but shut my eyes as the mist completely covered our heads.

  “Open your eyes, Bòidheach.”

  I did and instantly gasped. The first thing I noticed was the vast land in front of us. It was like the size of thirty football fields up here. My gaze couldn't even reach the end of this place. The terrain was leveled, but I could tell it was natural and not man made. The second thing I noticed was the cold that traveled over my skin. It was easily thirty degrees in here, which felt like minus two when you had spent just shy of three months in the humid and hot tropical rainforest. Thank God I had a packed a sweater as an afterthought. The third thing I saw, was the mist. It was in here too, except, this wasn't magical but caused by the low temperature. It was not as abundant as Cyn's, and it lay low over the ground.

  “Lia!”

  Bri's voice brought me back to the present and my head whipped to the right quickly realizing everyone was here. Art kissed my hand, and we hurried towards the others.

  "Hey, linda," I said, letting go of Art and hugging Bri.

  “I’m so happy you are here, I wasn’t sure you were coming.”

  I was so glad to see her too. We had finally begun spending time together again now that she was doing a bit better, but we had only spent a few moments together here and there, usually at breakfast. I kissed Cyn on the cheek, and he smiled, dimples flashing. He was so much like Art that way. I grinned and sat next to Bri on the fallen tree trunk. She was wearing jeans and tennis shoes with a sweater too.

  "I didn't know I was coming until this morning," I answered honestly. "And even then, I had no idea where ‘here' was. Have you been here before?"

  She shook her head. “First time. Please don’t tell me that Art wanted to climb the damn mountain too?”

  “Dude!” We laughed.

  “Don’t they know we are city girls? I mean what the hell?”

  “And what is up with that crazy mist?”

  “Don’t even get me started. I thought the freaking Loch Ness Monster was going to pop out any moment.”

  Cyn laughed with me. Bri shuddered. Art rolled his eyes. “It’s magic mist, people.”

  I hugged Bri again. I liked seeing her like this. Relaxed. Carefree. It was almost as if nothing bad had happened, and we were back at the deli having lunch, and being our regular crazy sel
ves. I missed those days. Warm fingers caressed my cheek, and I looked up to find Art smiling at me tenderly, like he had sensed the change in me. I returned his smile. A loud whistle broke the moment, and we all turned in its direction to see Eghan, Seima, Ronan and the other Warriors walking towards us to say hello.

  * * *

  Fifteen minutes, over twenty Warrior greetings, and a pair of numbed lips later, I turned to Cyn who was talking to Jarvis, my gentle giant. “Hey, do you know where Cathair is? I haven’t seen him yet.”

  Jarvis grinned, looking over my shoulder and into the mist several feet behind me. “Aye, he is coming in a wee bit.” I chuckled. I loved the way Jarvis spoke. It was so different. “If ye want to see him, better birl aboot, hen.”

  A short and continuous thundering noise suddenly reached me. It was thick yet superficial, like the sound of a beat over the patches of slate and grass that covered the terrain. I turned towards it when everyone else did. Bri stood next to me, with Cyn and Art. Their lips stretched into a smile as they gazed at us expectantly. Bri and I exchanged a look, but she seemed as confused as I was. The sound became clearer the closer it got. I had heard that sound before. I knew it. It was like a herd was coming.

  “Hooves, they are hooves on the ground.”

  Bri finally said, identifying the sound. The figure of a large horse broke the mist. We gasped holding hands, when Cathair entered the clearing on top of one of the most beautiful animals I had ever seen. My eyes flew to his left then to his right as one by one a string of horses crossed the mist behind him. There were easily thirty horses with him, maybe more.

  “Horses! They have horses!” Bri and I squealed in unison and began to jump up and down in a frenzy. Cyn and Art laughed, enjoying our reaction.

  My gaze returned to the horses that strut gracefully towards us. "Gypsy Horses!" I said, quickly identifying the breed.