“Oh, it’s nothing. Please stand,” I blurted out a minute later, realizing they were still waiting for me to speak.
Kyr took the box and stood in front of me as the beautiful fairy guards returned to their places. “This is the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis, one of our most precious possessions in the realm of the Fae.”
He pulled a velvet bag from the box and emptied it in his gloved hands. My eyes widened. It was a large white crystal sphere, except you could see light shining inside it. It was almost iridescent.
“OMG that is a sphere of Angel Aura Quartz!” Lia squealed, and reached for it, but Kyr pulled the stone out of her reach.
“Actually,” Nyx said, stepping closer. “This is Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis. Angel Quartz it’s an attempt of the human world to replicate it. You see, in the 1800’s…”
“That’s good enough, Nyx. Thank you,” Kyr said, interrupting him. Nyx frowned and fixed his glasses, stepping back. “I apologize, miss, but no one is to touch this crystal except the High Priestess. It must bond only to her essence.”
Lia nodded. “Of course. I completely understand.”
“High Priestess, this crystal has the capacity to enhance your abilities tenfold. It is from the purest form of magic our realm has, and it radiates peace, light and positive energy. It will act as a conduit between the magic that exists in your essence and the physical world. It shall strengthen and deepen your connection with the High Priest, and it will intensify the range of communication between the two of you.” He leaned forward in a half bow and extended his hands towards me. “Please, accept it as a token of our appreciation of you, and a validation of our vow.”
I looked at the crystal as the energy inside swirled giving a slight rainbow hue, and reached for it. The second my hands touched it, it glowed, and I felt a rush of energy transfer from the sphere and into me. It became hot, almost too hot to hold and I let it go as I felt the overwhelming heat run over my arms. The crystal fell to the ground and broke. I gasped covering my mouth, horrified that I had destroyed it.
“Oh, no! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to let it go, it felt like it was burning my skin and I reacted. I…” I was blabbering. I knew there was nothing I could say to apologize, but I was mortified.
Nyx stepped forward picking up the sphere, while Ash reached for the piece that had fell from it. “No need to apologize, High Priestess. It was the crystal's desire to break and become two parts instead of one. I am truly sorry. We should have warned you of the bonding process.” He added, looking at Kyr admonishingly. “When you touched the sphere, an exchange of energy occurred.” I nodded. I had felt it. “The moment it bonded with you, its magic sensed that you needed one more point of connection from it, in order to utilize it to its fullest potential.”
He placed the sphere back in my hands, and it felt cool now. When I turned it, I could see a hole in it. My eyes widened when I saw the rainbow colored rays, caused by the light inside it. My gaze shifted to Ash’s hands, and I saw a cluster of crystals that had come from the stone. The striking rainbow hues glowed just as they did inside the sphere.
“The primary point of connection with external magic in our bodies is the third eye chakra, which connects directly to our psychic.” Ash Added. “And in my eyes, every beautiful woman needs a crown.”
He grinned, and lifted his gloved hand to his lips. “Celrae ossawen nay.”
Suddenly, thin white-oak vines materialized in his palm, they shimmered and began to move, slithering along it and intertwining around the cluster. When they stopped, a delicate crown lay in his palm. The rainbow crystal was in the center of it.
“May I?” He asked, holding it with both hands and lifting it. I nodded, but instead of placing it on top of my head, he slid the ends into my hair on each side of my face, resting it on my forehead.
“Wow,” Lia whispered. “You have to see this, Linda.” She pulled a small mirror from the pocket of her dress and handed it to me.
“Sweet mother of all things magical. I have a fairy crown!” I squealed, and everyone laughed. The brothers grinned, happy that I was excited about their gift. “It's a freaking crown!” I said, and heard the laughs again. My eyes focused on the crystal cluster on my forehead. It was gorgeous but most of all I could feel the energy flowing from it. It felt empowering.
“It would be my honor to assist you in placing and bonding the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis into your Staff, High Priestess. Will you please summon it?” Kyr asked, and my eyes widened.
Crapola! I had not had a chance to tell Cyn about it yet, never mind the fact that Asrhia had been the one to help me uncover it, to begin with, and he had no idea she existed. I needed it to remain that way.
“Staff?” Cyn asked, and I looked at him desperately trying to figure out what to tell him.
“Yes. I was going to tell you about it, but then it was our day together, and I just wanted a normal day with you, and then we were kind of doing other things the whole day, and then we got engaged, and then we’ve been celebrating since this morning, and…” I took a deep breath. I was rambling like Lia.
“Real it in, Linda. Real it in.” She mumbled, beside me.
Cyn looked at me confused. I was a terrible human being for lying to him. I sighed. “I found a spell in Grandpa’s journal. One he had left just for me.” I turned to Kyr and handed him back the sphere, then lifted my right hand perpendicularly. The magic rushed through me as I spoke the words.
“Sleagh an t-Solais.”
The slithering white-oak vines appeared from the ground just like they had the first time. The magic sparkled on them while they moved and came together, growing upwards as they curved and interlaced creating the long body. Once it reached my hand, the vines curled outwards creating a curve over my fingers, kind of a handle in a way that secured it to my hand, and continued upwards. The vines opened creating a space then came together, intertwining one last time and stopped. Now I understood what the opening was for. Gasps and murmurs surrounded me, while everyone looked at the Staff in my hand. Cyn's eyes found mine, and they were filled with wonder. He smiled and kissed my lips.
“It is magnificent, my Goddess. Mo meantóir provided everything you might need for your journey.”
I looked at Kyr, giving him the staff. He shook his head.
“It is not necessary, High Priestess. No one but you should hold it.”
“You can call me Bri,” I said, finally coming out the shock of meeting these guys.
He grinned. “As you wish, Bri. Please hold the staff horizontally.” I did as he asked, and he placed the sphere directly above the opening.
“Bearoth nirda tayon istataesata eldasirev naycirueth, arthunird neleth vaerun palarta raetar”— Bond to its essence, and never part.
Unlike our magic, his hands didn't glow. Instead, the magical energy literally flowed from his hands like white light ribbons moving the crystal and making it float into place within the staff. Its glow increased until it became almost blinding, and it engulfed the whole staff, then it receded. Yet, the rainbow rays that seemed to bounce inside the sphere never stopped. I stood the staff on its end once again, and looked at it. It was breathtaking.
“Thank you, so much.”
“No need to thank us, High Priestess.”
“Bri,” I reminded Kyr.
“Bri, it was written in the prophecy that we would be summoned to help you. It is our pleasure to be part of your destiny.”
“Who summoned you?” Cyn asked, as intrigued as I was.
“I’m afraid I shall not say, Cynwrig. It is not my place.”
Cyn nodded.
“Our purpose has been served,” Ash said, bowing and walked towards his horse, mounting it. Kyr turned but stopped next to Art and whispered something in his ear. Art's gaze immediately went to Cyn, and some sort of silent communication passed between them. Art looked concerned.
“Before we go,” Nyx added, bringing my attention back to him. “Our vow to you stands. You have our a
lliance and our support for anything you may need.” He pulled a silver key from his pocket and placed it in my palm. It was large and with delicately ornate filigree on the top. “Should you ever need us, hold the key to your lips and whisper ‘Princes, I summon you.’ Then announce what you need, and the enchantment will deliver your message to us. We shall be here before you blink.” He smiled, touching his fingertip to my nose then his. I grinned. I liked him. He bowed to Cyn and me, and then fixed his glasses getting on the black horse. They turned and crossed the portal with the guards behind them. The girls' faces were covered once again, but I knew they were smiling.
They waved us goodbye right before the portal closed, disappearing into The Winter Court.
CHAPTER 11. DARKNESS
CYNWRIG
* * *
My arms wrapped around Briana's waist as I stood behind her. She looked in the mirror removing the fairy crown the princes had given her. I was not entirely sure she understood the significance of what had occurred today. Kyr and his brothers were one of the most powerful beings in the realms. Fae only contributed or intervened in the human world when it was something of utmost consequence. The fact that they had come here for her, for my Goddess, only reiterated the importance of her destiny and her part in the prophecy. Sometimes it was difficult for me to understand which part I would play in its development. I was convinced they were wrong. The prophecy was about Briana, not me.
She smiled at me through the reflection, and I just gazed upon her. I was speechless. I turned her around to face me while the light of the moon illuminated her face and felt the love rush through me like the magic normally would. The back of my fingers caressed her cheek while I admired her. Today had been perfect. A highlight of the transformation she had gone through during her time among my people. The High Priestess inside her was flourishing right before my eyes. Outstanding. My hand caressed the length of her arm until it reached her hand. My thumb brushed the ring that confirmed the promise we had made to each other and I brought it to my lips, kissing it. She raised herself on her toes to meet me, and I smiled, capturing her lips in mine. The kiss was soft, reverent and full of need. Our bodies pressed together, and my hands roamed her back. I unzipped her dress, letting it fall to the floor.
I laid her on our bed and made love to her. Not one word escaped our lips while our essences mixed and thrived off one another. Our connection stirred as I was inside her, and all I wanted was to remain. Be part of her forever.
* * *
I held her close, while she hid her face in the curve of my neck. I smiled while my fingers retraced her body.
“There is something I have wanted to talk to you about for a while, my Goddess.” She attempted to get up, but my arms tightened around her. “It is nothing to be concerned about. Please remain in my arms.”
“Ok.” She whispered against my neck, and relaxed again. Her warm breath tickled my skin making me shudder. She smiled and kissed my neck.
I closed my eyes enjoying this moment. “It is a ceremony that our people have held for as long as I can remember,” I said in a low voice, still caressing her. “Essentially, it is an initiation into our spiritual life. It is performed for the members of the Blessed Family before they begin their teachings of the Order and they become students of light. Once they reach a certain age they are brought into a cave we call Tha Naomh bolg de aiseirigh—The Sacred womb of rebirth.”
She attempted to get up once more, and this time I allowed her. She lifted her head, shifting her body onto mine and gazed upon me. I could see the intrigue in her eyes. I kissed her briefly and continued.
“It is a man-made mound that has been designed to receive only the purest of lights from the sun as it first rises on the horizon. The ceremony begins at night. The person to be initiated into the Order walks into the cave, and it is submerged in darkness. It represents the state of their essence outside the Order. They spend the night in meditation, reflecting upon their beliefs and the life they had led until that day, and open themselves to the possibility of a better path. A destiny of peace and selflessness. As the moon transitions in the sky, and the sun replaces the darkness with hope, the cave is bathed in light until it has filled every angle within it, and the person's essence has been cleansed. The cave represents the womb of our Mother Goddess, from which we emerge reborn to a new life of spirituality and love.” Her eyes twinkled with emotion as understanding filled her mind. “I was wondering if you would want to perform that ceremony. I think you are ready, my Goddess.”
Her lips curved into a brilliant smile, which rivaled the light of the sun itself. “Yes.” She kissed me, and I held her fiercely into my arms, knowing this was the most important step she would ever take and the most special moment for us to share.
* * *
“Cyn, Brother. We need you!” Art's alarmed voice broke the silence as he barged into the hut. I instantly covered Briana with the sheets. “Whoa,” he said, finally looking at us and realizing what he had interrupted. “Cover yourselves will you? Lia is right. It's more fun to enter places this way.” He chuckled then frowned taking a deep breath. “I'm sorry, Sis. Brother, we need you.” He stepped out of the hut, and I looked at Briana.
“I’m sorry, my Goddess. I shall be back. You should rest.” I kissed her lips and stood, swiftly getting dressed. There was only one thing that would make my brother interrupt us in the middle of the night. Felix.
When I stepped outside, I found Art, Cathair, and Eghan. They converged around Ronan. His head was bleeding profusely, and he seemed disoriented. I rushed to him and placed my hand on the wound.
“Leig eil pian tighinn ris, Ar ais sláinte— Let no pain come to him, restore health.”
“What is the meaning of this?” I asked my brother as I watched Ronan’s wound stop bleeding and begin to reclose.
“Before the Princes left, Kyr told me they had felt a disruption in the energy on the other side of the river. He said we needed to check on our prisoner. When we went to Felix's cave, we found his room destroyed. He had thrown things around, and he was attempting to hurt himself. He said he’d rather die than be imprisoned by us.” The concern in my brother's eyes was greater than his words. “Ronan tried to stop him, but Felix did this.”
“How did he hurt him? What about the enchantment?”
“Felix didn't touch him. He threw a rock at Ronan when he was a mere step away and caught him off guard.”
“Daingead!” I looked at Ronan, and the wound had finally disappeared. “Take him home and watch over him. He must not lose consciousness for the next three hours. Make sure he stays awake.” Cathair and Eghan nodded and carried him towards his hut. My gaze settled on Art. “What do you presume triggered this behavior?”
He shook his head as though he doubted his conclusion. “I think he might have begun to question his beliefs.” He sighed. “I don't know brother, but the way he was behaving seemed as though he was fighting himself, not us.”
“Do you think we made a mistake placing him there? Perhaps we should make a new location for him, and take him out of the cave. He might feel trapped in there, which will not aid his recovery. We should have someone stay with him and keep him company. It is important that he has someone to talk to. Watch over him, and his mental sanity.” I took a moment to settle my thoughts, pushing my fingers through my hair, I sighed. “I should go see him.”
“Eisha stayed with Felix. He is not alone.”
“How long?” Briana's question startled us. We turned to see her walking towards us. Dread filled me. I did not want her to go through this. “How long have you kept it from me? How long has he been awake?”
Art took a few steps back giving me space to talk to her. I stepped closer to her. “My Goddess, I was going to tell you, but his condition is not…”
“How long?!” She demanded, and I could feel the anxiety taking hold of her essence. This could hurt everything she had worked for.
“Three weeks.”
She looked a
t Art. “Does Lia know?”
He nodded. “She had an emotional breakdown when she found out. She asked us not to tell you.”
Briana's eyes teared up, and I was certain she regretted not being there for Lia.
“I should have known.” She whispered, and closed her eyes taking a deep breath. “Take me to him. I want to see him.”
“Briana, please…”
“I’m not asking for permission, Cyn. Take me to him.”
BRIANA
* * *
The blue light of the magical torches flickered on the rock walls as I walked towards the cave.
My eyes searched for its entrance as my heart slammed against my chest. Every single emotion I was capable of, churned and stirred causing a chaos inside me before I even saw Felix's face. Cyn stopped at an archway and turned to look at me. His gaze was filled with worry and uncertainty.
“I'm ok,” I said, trying to reassure him that I could handle this. Although I wasn't entirely sure if I could.
The first thing I saw when I entered the cave was Eisha. She was struggling with him, taking something out of his hand. Cyn rushed forward to help her. I frowned as I moved forward, and gasped when he finally came into view. The man that sat on the bed was not the same Felix I knew. Too attractive for his own good, strong and virile, with a polished and carefully crafted appearance and confident to the point of arrogance. No, this was a broken man. He slouched against the wall like he had given up on himself. It felt as though his gods had become demons, torturing his mind. His body was gaunt and deep black circles had settled under his eyes. His lips were dry to the point of tearing. I could see the dried blood on them. His cheekbones were prominent, and his arms seemed to hang from the sockets as though he wasn't strong enough to hold them. The clothes he wore hung way too loose on his frame.
Renewed Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 2) Page 18
