“Seima is in love with Cathair.”
His eyes widened, and he pulled back, shocked. "How do you know that?"
My pulse picked up speed. Was he kidding? “How do I know that?? You mean you knew?”
Art sighed as his hand stroke my arm. “A chuisle, you don’t understand. It’s a very complicated situation.”
“Actually, is not complicated at all. She’s loved him for only God knows how long. Cathair doesn’t know, and she won’t tell him because she is sterile, and she thinks he won’t want her. There, I uncomplicated it for you. How long have you known?”
"She told you?" he asked in response. I nodded. Art's troubled eyes looked straight into mine. "For over a thousand years."
"What??" I screeched. W. T. F. I could feel the ire rising in me. It would happen any second now. I was going to blow a gasket, and then I'd be in the next episode of “Snapped” for killing the man I loved. "You have known for over a thousand years, and did nothing to get them together? What the hell is wrong with you Art?!"
His jaw tightened, and he gave me a look that said I didn't know what I was saying. "I've tried over a million times to convince Seima to talk to him, but she won't listen to me, and I can't force her."
Seriously? Did men know nothing about love? "Of course she won't do it. She's scared out of her mind, Art. Seima loves him with all her heart. She's loved him all these years, and the thought that her biggest fear might come true, is as bad as if it really happened. She won't tell him."
“Then what do you expect me to do?”
“What you should have done hundreds of years ago, Art. The only thing you can. You take the choice away from her and tell him yourself.”
“What? Are you insane?!”
I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow at him. If he called me that again… "You want to lose your tongue while you are at it?"
His lips curved for a split second then he sighed. "I'm sorry. I know your intentions are noble, but you can't intervene in other people's lives this way. What if she's right and he wants nothing to do with her? That would destroy her, and I will not allow that." The love he felt for his friend spilled from each word, I understood then.
He was trying to protect her.
I could respect that. Even being a badass Warrior, Seima was the sweetest person I had ever met. Everyone in the village adored her. "Then she'll finally know the truth. She'll stop wondering what would happen if she ever dared to tell him, and begin healing once and for all."
The muscles of his jaw tensed, but this time it was for a different reason. I stepped closer to him and placed my hands on his chest, caressing it gently. When my eyes met his again, I found them filled with emotion.
“I don’t want her to hurt that way…”
"I know. I don't either, but what if she's wrong? What if Cathair can see beyond the one thing she lacks and into her heart? What if he could love her, but has never been given a chance because she's kept herself closed off to him… what then? They spend another thousand years alone and hurting, because no one had the guts to do this for them? Does Seima not deserve to be happy? Doesn't Cathair?"
Art remained silent, but I could see the storm raging in his eyes. Sighing, I gave up. He was too close to both of them. He was too protective of her, and I understood why. The reality was, I was never going to convince him. Stepping back, I turned around.
“Where are you going?” he asked in a low voice.
"Home," I answered without turning around. The next second, Art stood in front of me. One hand held my waist, pulling me close to him, while the other cradled my cheek.
“I’m sorry, A chuisle. I need you to understand that this is something you can't fix. You can't intervene in the way of destiny. If they are meant to be together, life will find a way."
I lifted my chin as he pressed his forehead to mine. His eyes closed and his face relaxed as though he was relishing the contact. I loved when he did that. "Fine. I don't like it, but I understand."
His lips closed over mine, and I lost my train of thought. My arms wrapped around his neck as he picked me up off the floor, and swept his tongue gently over mine. Art's kisses were the secret of life. They took me away to a place where nothing bad could ever happen. They made me fly. When my feet touched the ground again, we were back in our hut. He placed me next to the bed and kissed my lips one last time.
“Goodnight, A rún mo chroí. I can't wait to sleep beside you again." His words brushed my lips a second before he crossed the portal back to Cyn's hut and disappeared.
I sighed looking around me, and headed for the door. Destiny my ass, it was time to take the choice from Art as well.
* * *
My hands slightly trembled as I made my way through the dark village towards Cathair's hut. Magical torches illuminated my way in the otherwise moonless night. I hadn't seen him or spoken to him in months, and I was both excited and heartbroken about it. He was my friend, and I had made so many mistakes with him. I hoped he could forgive me but most of all; I hoped he could consider what I was about to tell him.
After one knock the door opened, hazel eyes stared back at me. My eyes watered as I looked at him. "I'm sorry."
He shook his head. “It is all right, a chara. I blame nothing on you. I knew what I was doing, the mistakes I was making with you and Art, but I was too desperate to stop. We cannot remedy what has been done with laments. It serves no purpose. It is best to look forward than to revisit the past." I nodded and his arms reached for me, pulling me to him, but before I could rest my cheek on his chest, he stopped and pulled his shirt off. "I remembered."
A tear escaped me as I smiled and he chuckled, hugging me close. "I've missed you," I said honestly. The warmth of his skin enveloped me whole.
“Me too.” Cathair whispered, kissing the top of my head. “Come inside.” He closed the door and guided me to the table.
“I’m sorry to come here so late.”
"Do not fret. I was not asleep. I do not get much rest these days." He shrugged and walked towards the kitchen as my chest constricted. "Does Art know you are here?"
“No.” He chuckled, grabbing a ceramic carafe and filling a glass. “Is it true you and Art fought tonight?”
Cathair sighed. "It is not the first time since I have known him, and it shall not be the last. That is not on you. Art and I will eventually find our way. You should not worry about trivial things. Do you want something to drink?"
I silently nodded, not satisfied with his answer. I followed his movements until he sat in front of me and placed a glass of ale in my hands. "How are Ciaran & Deanna; have you been able to breed them yet?"
Cathair grinned but shook his head. “Not yet. Deanna continues to give all the signs she is interested, but does not allow him to mount her. I do not understand.”
A thought crossed my mind. "Have you bred Ciaran with any other mare before Deanna?"
"Yes, with Carys, Seima's mare. She and Ciaran had two foals. The twins Ronan and Eghan now ride. Why?"
The irony wasn't lost on me. Love triangle, anyone? "I know why she seems interested but won't let Ciaran mount her." Cathair leaned in curious. "Deanna is jealous. As far as she's concerned Ciaran is now hers, but Carys is still too close for comfort. I don't know much about horses, but I know about females, and being with a guy while his ex is still around is a big no-no." Cathair laughed. "I'm serious. You should try separating them both from Carys for a few days. Let Deanna feel secure around him, and you'll see. She'll claim her stallion."
Cathair nodded intrigued. “I shall take your advice, but I imagine you did not come here, well after midnight, to talk about horse mating rituals.”
I swallowed. I figured that was enough small talk for the night. “Okay. Umm, I guess there isn’t an easy way to say this, so I’m just going to spring it on you. Brace yourself.”
He grinned, clearly enjoying my choice of words. His eyes twinkled.
“Seima is in love with you.” His gri
n slowly died as shock replaced the amusement. “She has loved you for over a millennium.”
Cathair's hands fisted, and he slowly stood to his full height—looming over me. I could see the veins on his arms straining, as he fought to remain calm while processing the information, and I prayed I was doing the right thing. "No. That is not possible. She has never said anything, she…"
"She was scared you wouldn't want her," I said, interrupting him. His brow deeply creased. "She knows how much you want to have a family, and she is sterile. That means she can't have kids. The Mòr Sagart confirmed it when she was young.”
Something in him broke. I saw it in his eyes the second my words reached him, and my heart tore for him. Cathair fell on the chair once again. He remained silent as he looked at me dismayed and hurt.
“Please do the right thing, please do the right thing.” I chanted internally, while a million emotions played over his face, his eyes seemed tortured.
His fists began to tremble on the table while his breathing accelerated. The next second he was panting, and I was afraid he was going to have some sort of attack. I'd never seen him like this. I reached for him, but before I could say something, he stood. The action so violent, his chair flew backwards and hit the floor with a loud thud, instantly breaking.
Without a single word, Cathair turned around and rushed out the door.
"Yes!" I squealed, hoping that meant what I thought it meant, and stood. My gaze fell on the shattered chair. "Damn, these Celtic Warriors are no joke…" I carefully stepped over the pieces and walked out the door.
CATHAIR
* * *
I willed my feet to carry me as fast as they would go.
I could not think. I could barely breathe. The decision was made, and in this moment, I just needed get to Seima.
All sounds mixed with the thunderous beating of my heart, and my feet hitting the ground.
“Seima is in love with you... She has loved you for over a millennium.”
The words resounded in my mind as I crossed the village, regretting to have built my hut at the skirts of it for the first time in two thousand years. When I finally reached her hut, I swung the door open unable to stop for a clear thought.
Seima stood next to her mirror. The cream nightdress she wore for bed barely covered her body while she brushed her long, wet, golden tresses. The sight took my breath away.
Seima gasped, turning around to face me, and my wild eyes gazed into hers. In three strides, I erased the distance between us and pulled her into my arms. The door slammed closed behind us as I claimed her lips, desperately needing to taste her. She gloriously responded to me. Her hands gripped my neck as I pulled her up, guiding her legs around my waist, and pressed her against the wall with my body until there was no space left between us.
“You know not how long I have wanted you. How many times I have imagined us like this.”
My lips brushed against hers as the words left me. It was merely a second, yet a second was too long a stretch to survive without her. My lips closed around hers as the desperation increased within me. Seima's chest rose and fell harshly while I kissed her. Our breaths mixed while I devoured her delicate flesh. My hands moved over her body, pulling the nightdress off of her. It felt to the ground silently, leaving her bare front of me.
My hooded gaze roamed her naked skin, ache spreading over my every inch.
"Bòidheach"—Beautiful.
"Stop, Cathair. We must not do this." Her words cut through me, the pain exuding from her was all-consuming, and it seeped into me.
"Yes, we must." Resolution dripped from my words as I gazed into her dazzling blue eyes. Tears danced in them. "I want you as I have yet to desire anything else. Still, I remained distant all these years because you deceived me. You convinced me I was nothing to you. But I have allowed you to turn your back to me for far too long. I am now certain that you love me, Seima Ulia. Do not continue to deny me of the love you harbor. Do not weave more lies. It only hurts us both."
The tears spilled from her shimmering lashes as she looked into my eyes. "I cannot do this to you. You will not forgive me. You shall not want me once you learn that I…"
"You cannot bear my children," my statement cut off her words. A gasp escaped her as she looked at me, horrified. My hands cradled her cheeks gently, and I leaned closer until only an inch separated us. "Is your heart mine?"
Helplessness replaced the horror in her gaze. "It always has been." A sob left her lips when the truth was finally set free.
"Then you have chosen for me. I do not need any children if I can spend eternity with you. You are everything I need."
With my next breath, my lips were on hers, swallowing her sobs, and wanting nothing more than to extinguish that pain from inside her. My trousers fell, as my lips moved over her neck and my arms brought her even closer to me. When her body pressed against mine, her breasts touching my chest, my need arose. I cradled her to me, and walked to the bed, laying my body on hers. Our forms intertwined as our tongues danced together, unraveling the love that had once been restrained.
The instant I slid inside her, pleasure, relief and need exploded in me all at once, overpowering everything else. My body slithered over hers, my hips rocking ever so slowly into her as the sensations overwhelmed us both. Seima clung to me fiercely, the enchanting moans which escaped her, forced me to open my eyes. I was rewarded with a sight I would never forget. She looked ethereal. Her back arched under me, her head fell back, lips slightly parted while pleasure rolled through her body with each thrust. Same way it did in mine. Her face was the epitome of ecstasy and love, as though she had surrendered to me. Her heart was mine, her body… she was mine.
“Solas mo bheatha”—Light of my life. I whispered over her lips, taking them in mine once again.
Our bodies writhed together as I made love to her. To Seima, the woman I had always desired. The one I thought would never relinquish her heart to anyone… least of all to me.
"I love you," I whispered anew, among desperate breaths, and kissed her, never wanting to cease.
On this day Seima had given her heart to me, and I swore to the Mother Goddess, as our witness, that it was all I would ever need from her. Love. For after so many years apart, we finally became one.
Chapter 5. Clan of the Rose
BRINA
* * *
“I gotta say, I love that the Warrior training grounds have been transformed for the ultimate celebration of love. A wedding.”
Lia's statement brought a smile to my lips. "It's poetic, isn't it? Transmuting war into love?" She nodded.
Art closed the portal he had opened for me to see the final arrangements and began to walk towards me. It was the day of my wedding, and everything was ready. We were in Art's hut, waiting. My bridesmaids were dressed, and so was I. Fifteen more minutes and I would walk down the aisle so the ceremony could begin. Tendrils of nerve extended through me, mixing with the overwhelming joy I felt in this moment. It was taking everything in me not to cry, and ruin the makeup masterpiece that Lia had spent an hour creating.
"It looks like your own little piece of heaven," Lia added, walking towards the dresser.
“One worthy of a Goddess.” Art added. “Now it’s time for my gift.”
My curious gaze followed him as he pulled a white box from behind the tapestry on his wall; briefly reminding me of the secret room he still hadn't revealed to me. "You know you owe me an explanation about that." I pointed towards the hidden door as he walked back, chuckling. "I know, I know, you'll explain later," I said, interrupting him the moment he opened his mouth.
Art grinned, standing in front of me. “The shoes are the pinnacle of an outfit—At least that’s what Lia said. She liked these for you, so I went back for them.”
My eyes widened as he opened the box and a pair of white satin pumps lay inside. They weren’t your regular wedding pumps though. A filigree of silver leaves crawled up the heel as though it were real vines. The delicate
leaves continued to appear along the sides of the shoe, uniquely placed, while they made their way down until it reached the front. The details gently converged at the front in the most beautiful way.
The satin underneath had a soft, almost iridescent quality to it that reminded me of the glow that exuded from the Fairies’ skin. Except, there was no magic here. This was pure artistry. The shoes seemed taken out of the pages of a Fairy-tale, they were ethereal and romantic, and they would look great with my dress.
I didn't even blink. I missed my fashion indulgences. I reached for the metallic flats I had put on before, and pulled them off my feet. Art kneeled holding the shoe as though he was Prince Charming and I was Cinderella. The girls melted beside us. I chuckled lifting my skirt enough to slip my feet into the shoes and admire them.
"These are so gorgeous, Art." They were also incredibly comfortable stiletto heels. I frowned. The three words never mixed, so maybe they were magical after all. "Thank you so much, older brother. I love them." I threw my arms around Art, hugging him tightly.
Pulling away he winked at me just like Cyn did, dimples flashing and all, yet his eyes were filled with emotion. Art leaned in, his lips gently pressed against my forehead while he cradled my cheeks. “Thank you for giving me my brother back.” He whispered on my skin. “The one I grew up with, and who could see life with joy in his heart, regardless of what we had endured. I had truly missed him.”
His words slipped right through to my heart.
“Damn it, Art!” I whined as the tears finally spilled from my eyes. “I almost made it out of here without ruining my make up.” He chuckled, a tear escaping him too.
“Oh hell no! Did you just make her cry?!" Lia roared rushing towards me, makeup bag in hand.
Absolute Magic Page 9
