To Ride A Púca

by Heather McCorkle

  “Neala, ye know everyone here except for Ciara,” Bren said, motioning to the blond girl.

  With her arms crossed, eyes narrowed, and nose thrust up, the girl looked downright hostile. The energy radiating off her like heat from a forest fire, was even worse.

  “Ye’re not from our clan,” Ciara said. Her eyes darted toward Bren and pain flashed across her face.

  Bren’s body tensed and his energy started to crackle. The blond woman’s power spiked and reached out for Neala. It burned as it came, snapping and popping with ill intent. Before it could reach her, Bren’s power surged and wrapped around Neala like a protective cocoon. Ciara’s power slid off it like rain over a window. Neala had no idea what Ciara’s power would have done to her and she didn’t want to find out. From the furious way the woman was staring at Bren, Neala had a pretty good idea of why she had done it.

  “Ciara!” Liam snapped, his voice heavy with threat.

  His power whipped out in an orange and yellow cord that shoved Ciara from behind. Ciara stumbled forward a step and spun to give him a piercing glare. Power built up around her, pouring out of her skin and down into her balled fists. Her hand had barely begun to rise from her side when Liam’s power dumped over her, stifling her own until there was no sign of it. A cry slid from her and she stumbled back.

  “Be nice to our guest, Ciara,” Irial snapped as she took a step toward Ciara. A breeze stirred her blood red hair.

  No, not a breeze, Neala realized. It was Irial’s power, and it was strong enough to rival Liam’s.

  Ciara stepped back. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and regret.

  “Why don’t ye go get us some more mead,” Liam said, making it more of a statement than a question.

  Head bowed, she backed away. From beneath her blond tresses she shot Neala a look of pure hatred. Letting out an annoyed grunt, she turned and stormed off into the forest. Great, another enemy was all she needed.

  “I’m sorry about her. She isn’t one of us yet but she is a friend and she’s Cian’s sister. Please, come, sit,” Irial said as she motioned to a log beside her.

  Another glance at Cian revealed a similar bone structure, eyes, and nose. Neala also found him staring at her, well, at her chest. She did her best to ignore him as she and Bren sat down on the log together. It was small enough that they had to sit pressed against one another. His leg was warm and his thigh felt like it was on fire. He left his arm around her. So much contact with him made her light-headed in a very good way. From the haunted look in his eyes she wasn’t so sure he was enjoying it as much as she was.

  “Thank ye. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” Neala said.

  The brunette girl with the freckles shook her head and waved a hand. “No worries. Ciara is the trouble, not ye. No offense Cian,” she said.

  A sly half-smile pulled up one corner of Cian’s mouth and he scooted closer to Kyla, putting an arm around her. “I won’t take any if ye make it up to me,” he said.

  Kyla rolled her eyes and shrugged his arm off but gave him a sideways glance and a smile. Their antics made hope swell within Neala’s chest. For so long she had watched other groups of people interact this way and longed to be among them. But she wasn’t sure if she should dare hope.

  Irial had said something that made Neala wonder. “What did ye mean about Ciara not being one of ye? Isn’t she of the same clan?”

  Before answering, Irial glanced at Bren who nodded. “She is part of the clan but not part of our Order.”

  There was that word again. Neala had no idea what it meant. “Order?” she asked, knowing she risked sounding daft. It was worse to remain daft than to sound it, she figured.

  “Yer parents really did shelter ye,” Kyla said.

  Neala’s eyes shot to Bren and found his face filled with reassurance. But she wasn’t reassured. He had told his friends about her!

  “It’s all right. Bren told us there might be things ye don’t know. An Order is a group of druids who have bonded and are a sort of family,” Irial explained.

  A bit of Neala’s embarrassment faded as fascination took its place. “Bonded?”

  Leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, Liam nodded. “Druids are meant to live in Orders that support and protect one another. Our power knows when we belong together and a bond is formed. The bond allows us to feel one another through our power and it allows the Rectors of the Order to draw upon its members power if need be.”

  Neala’s mind spun. Such a thing sounded amazing.

  Kyla struck up a conversation about the festival and soon Neala was so caught up in it that she forgot about wanting to fit in and feeling like she didn’t know enough. These people were easy to talk to. Despite his clear focus on all things female, Cian was funny and kind. Kyla laughed easily and made light of everything as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Neala soon noticed something about the two of them. Their energy was different than the others.

  Halfway through a conversation about the crafters at the festival Neala realized their power was similar to that of her parents.

  “Ye’re healer druids aren’t ye?” she asked Kyla in a hushed tone. The words had flown from her lips against her will.

  Everyone fell silent. For a moment the only sound was the birds singing in the distance. Kyla and Cian glanced at Irial and Liam, their eyes questioning. The two nodded in unison as if giving them permission.

  “We are,” Cian answered.

  Neala felt foolish again.

  Comforting power pulsed out from Liam, taking the edge off her shame. “Don’t feel bad. It’s impressive that an untrained druid could figure that out at all,” he said.

  Both his words and tone were kind and encouraging, but Neala couldn’t bring herself to look up from her clutched hands. Bren rubbed her arm, which reminded her that she had not only made herself look bad, but him as well for bringing her. Irial’s hand settled on her arm.

  “Ye should not feel bad. The only shame lies with yer parents for tryin’ to keep ye from what ye are,” she said.

  Neala looked up into the woman’s green eyes and found an acceptance there that rocked her to the center of her power. “Thank ye,” she said.

  “That’s right, ye’re among friends now. We’ll teach ye all ye need to know,” Liam said.

  Tears burned Neala’s eyes and she had to swallow hard before she could answer. “Thank ye so much.”

  Energy crackling with excitement, Irial reached around behind her and brought forth a fiddle. “Let’s have a song to celebrate our new friend shall we?”

  “Tá let’s!” Cian agreed with a clap of his hands.

  The others shouted their agreement and Irial laid the bow to the fiddle. To say she was talented was to say Ireland was wet. The music poured forth not just from Irial’s fiddle, but from her it seemed. The energy and cheer infused Neala until she was swaying in time to the music and tapping her foot along. Kyla began singing and together the ladies talent merged into something amazing. Neala could have listened to them all day but they only did a few songs before Irial set the fiddle aside.

  Liam took Irial’s hand and stood, pulling her up with him. The way they touched so tenderly and never got far out of each other’s reach was sweet. The look they gave one another was so filled with love that Neala felt like she was intruding. They were a sight to behold and not just because they made a lovely couple. There was something about their power that drew Neala like a moth to a flame. Unlike the moth, she wasn’t afraid of getting burned.

  “The sun will be settin’ soon. We should make our way to the bonfire,” Liam said.

  It saddened Neala because she was sure this was where they would part ways. They had been more than kind to her but one usually attended the bonfire with their own clan or those they were courting with. While she hoped she and Bren were doing the latter, she still didn’t expect to attend with him. She wasn’t entirely sure they were courting yet.

  “Ye will come with us I hope,” Irial sai
d to Neala.

  She stared at Irial with wide eyes.

  “Oh yes, ye must!” Kyla exclaimed as she leapt to her feet.

  A faint smile of disbelief was all Neala could manage to give the young woman. She very badly wanted to say yes but, she had to know what Bren wanted first. Just because he had been by her side all day didn’t mean he wanted to be around her all night too. His eyes were filled with a hope that surprised her and put her at ease.

  “Please come with us,” he asked in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

  It was so unbelievable that she was sure she was dreaming. But she decided to go with it anyway. If it was a dream then she had nothing to lose.

  “I’d love to,” she said.

  He gave her a smile that was so gorgeous it took her breath away. A hand grasped hers and pulled her to her feet. It was Irial. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she realized she had forgotten for a moment the others were there. She didn’t even want to imagine how that had looked.

  “I’m stealin’ her for the walk. Tis time for lassies to talk,” Irial said.

  Bren’s hand slid down Neala’s arm and grabbed her hand, leaving a trail of invisible sparks behind. She didn’t want to let go but Irial was leading her away, giving her no choice. Long after their hands pulled apart she felt his power lingering upon her skin like a wonderful scent she didn’t want to lose.

  12

  “Tá! A lassie chat,” Kyla agreed, bouncing over to take Neala’s other hand.

  As they entered the forest Neala glanced back over her shoulder and gave Bren a helpless look and a smile. He smiled back then looked a bit worried as Liam and Cian closed in on him. They slapped him on the back and congratulated him on his lovely lass. Cheeks burning, Neala turned her attention back to the forest before her. Irial and Kyla begged her to tell them the story of how she and Bren met and she happily did so to drown out the men’s conversation behind them. They oohed and aahed and asked for all kinds of details.

  Once they had squeezed every detail out of her, Kyla prompted her to talk about the training she and Bren had been doing. Neala tried to keep her irritation from coming through in her voice but it wasn’t easy. To her delight, Irial promptly declared that they would teach her how to fight like a true Celtic woman.

  The two of them were easy to talk to. Irial was encouraging, while Kyla was energetic enough to carry the whole conversation.

  Kyla leaned close and asked, “So has he kissed ye yet?”

  Neala’s eyes shot open and she fought the impulse to glance over her shoulder to see if Bren had heard. It was a good possibility considering how loud Kyla’s voice was.

  Irial reached over and slapped Kyla on the shoulder. “Hush! Ye’ve embarrassed the poor thing!”

  Kyla’s bubbling laughter eased the tension that had seized Neala’s shoulders. “Sorry, it’s just that the two of ye are so lovely together and I haven’t seen him so happy in a while,” she said, managing to whisper this time.

  When they stepped from the shadowy forest a few moments later, the last of the sun’s rays were painting the valley and its occupants a pale yellow. Fires were already flickering here and there and the sounds of fiddles and lutes drifted on the breeze. Neala felt Bren approach, his power pulling from behind. She wasn’t the only one who felt him either. Both Kyla and Irial turned as if they sensed his approach. Kyla stepped away from Neala’s side so Bren could take her place.

  “I found us a place away from the bonfire, come on,” Liam said.

  Neala worked to hold back a relieved sigh. Not only did she not want to be around so many people at the bonfire, it was no place for a virgin girl. The adults tended to drink far too much and the festivities took a carnal turn as the night went on. Anyone under marrying age was encouraged to stay away. At sixteen Neala was old enough to participate this year but the idea horrified her. She didn’t want her first time with a boy to be a drunken, public display.

  Liam threw an arm around Irial’s shoulders and led the way into the crowd.

  “Shall we, love?” Cian asked as he held his arm out to Kyla.

  Giving him a haughty look, she put her hand on her hip. “I suppose ye shall have to do,” she said. With a shake of her head she hooked her arm through his. From the way Cian smiled it was clear he wasn’t fooled by her act.

  Giving her a shy look, Bren took Neala’s hand and led her after them. He held her back a bit, letting the others get ahead of them slightly.

  “What do ye think of them?” he asked in a tense voice.

  A smile spread across her face. “They’re wonderful,” she said.

  The wrinkles disappeared from Bren’s brow and his shoulders relaxed. That her opinion meant so much to him amazed her. It also made her wonder.

  “Are ye a part of their. . .” she leaned in close to whisper the last word against his ear, “Order?”

  A shiver ran through him and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with her words. She felt it course through his power as a surge made his aura glow brightly.

  “Yes,” he said, sounding a bit breathless.

  The sound of his voice like that sent a flush out from the center of her being. On one hand, the feeling made her wish they were alone, on the other, her inexperience made her glad they weren’t. As handsome as he was, Neala was certain he had kissed a girl before, at the very least. Having never kissed a lad she was fairly certain she would botch it up.

  “There isn’t much personal choice in the matter. Our power chooses for us,” he said, leaning in close to whisper the last part to her.

  His warm breath upon her ear sent the most amazing sensation tingling through her. It made her want to be closer to him. Had that been the effect her whisper had on him? Slowly his words sank in. If her power didn’t choose his Order there may not be much of a future for them. But she knew she was getting ahead of herself with thinking like that. They were just barely starting something. It was hardly time to think of the future yet.

  People were starting to gather around an enormous bonfire that was beginning to crackle and pop. Tiny orange flames worked steadily at the base of the pile of logs and branches. Drinks were being handed freely about and conversation flowed along with the mead. A group of musicians sat back a ways from the fire, tuning their instruments and discussing the best song to start with.

  “Neala, there ye are! Oh and ye’re with friends, how wonderful,” Neala’s da’s voice came out of the crowd.

  She cringed and came to a stop. There was no point in letting go of Bren’s hand. Her da had already seen them. Besides, her ma had said she wanted her to find a husband here. They could hardly be angry with her for being with a lad. A sigh of relief escaped Neala nonetheless when her da emerged from the crowd without her ma. There was a half empty flagon in his hand and by the ruddiness of his cheeks she was guessing it wasn’t his first drink. To his credit he didn’t sway as he approached.

  “Da, I’d like ye to meet Bren,” Neala said, doing her best to sound confident. It came out a bit forced but she was hoping he wouldn’t notice in his state.

  A grin spread over his face as he thrust a hand toward Bren. They clasped forearms and shook vigorously. There was no suspicion or protectiveness in her da’s bright eyes, only joy. It was definitely not his first flagon. That or they really wanted her to find a husband. He complimented Bren on his fine name and Neala cringed in anticipation of him asking Bren’s last name. Thankfully, he didn’t.

  “Bren, this is my da, Ardal O’Carroll,” she said.

  Bren’s friends wandered back to them and Neala introduced them as well. Her da remained amicable the whole time, laughing and smiling as he reached out eagerly to greet them.

  “I trust ye’ll take good care of her tonight and make sure no ill befalls her,” Ardal said to Bren.

  “Course,” Bren was quick to answer.

  Ardal’s face lit up and he nodded to each of them. “Then I’m off to find me lovely woman before the fun starts,” he said. And with that he t
urned and stepped back into the crowd.

  “That went better than I hoped it would,” Neala said.

  A long breath eased from Bren. “Me too. I’ve got to admit, I’m glad he had a few drinks in him.”

  They all laughed as they started back into the crowd. Relief at leaving the bonfire behind made Neala feel light as air. The sky was starting to darken with the approach of dusk, which meant the festivities were about to take a wild turn. The place Liam took them to was not only well away from the main bonfire, but was also tucked away from the festival. Pine trees separated them from everyone else, adding a bit of privacy. Branches and twigs were piled into a cone shape in the middle of a ring of oaks.

  Power tingled up Neala’s legs as she stepped into the tiny clearing. It was invigorating, like a dip in a river on a scorching hot day. Her own power swelled within her, called up by it.

  “What is that feelin’?” she asked.

  Bren squeezed her hand. “This is a place where the earth’s power is strong. How did ye find it Liam?” he asked.

  Such places were the thing of legend, but that’s all she thought them to be. To actually feel one was amazing. It made her wonder how much of druid life she’d been missing out on.

  Liam shrugged. “I’m a Rector, I’m drawn to such things,” he said.

  Neala repressed a sigh. There was so much she didn’t know. How could her parents have ever thought raising her that way was a good idea?

  A figure stepped out of the forest. It was the blond woman, Ciara. She had an armload of sticks and a wineskin. Her eyes narrowed at Neala when she saw that Neala and Bren were holding hands.

  Neala’s power pulsed in response to the glare, flaring up from her core. It snapped along her skin, flowing up her torso and down her limbs. The feeling was new and frightening but it was also invigorating. She felt like a dam holding back a surging river. If she let it go she was fairly certain she could do some damage. A few deep breaths helped her push it back down and regain control over it. Maybe all Bren’s contemplation training wasn’t so bad after all.

  Bren’s hand tightened around hers and he glared fiercely at Ciara. Something had to have happened between the two of them in the past. It was the only reason Neala could see for such hostility. The idea of Bren with any other girl, made her angry, but she did her best to hide it.