Gathering Storm

by Jess Parry

  The one image that had always stayed with him had been the overly brightness of his mother’s blue eyes before she had run out the door that fateful night. It was the same brightness he saw shining in Siobhan’s eyes.

  14 CHAPTER Fourteen

  They drove in silence for another hour. Sarah would sneak glances at Shawn, but fear encircled her to tightly to let her utter a word. She had watched his hands gripping the steering wheel, she had seen him glance into the rearview, he had been staring at Siobhan as she laughed. She had watched his eyes widen as jealousy slowly crept into her bones.

  Once again someone she had started to like had fallen under the wyles of her best friend. She had slouched into the comfort of the seat and stared out the window. She had felt the tears build, but blinked bitterly to keep them from falling.

  Lost in her anger and fear, she flinched when she felt a warm hand encircle her cold hand. The grip tightened slightly causing her to glance over at Shawn. His blue eyes met hers for a moment then he looked back to the open road ahead of them. She watched the corner of his mouth curl into a smirk as he ran his thumb caressingly into her palm. The touch send shivers up her arm traveling straight to her heart. He raised their joined hands to his lips and lightly brushed his lips against her skin.

  A soft moan escaped Sarah’s lips as she felt her inside tightening. Shawn looked at her and held her gaze, the look he gave stole Sarah’s breathe. His gaze penetrated the coldness that encircled her; she felt the heat of desire rise inside her. She wanted to look away for just a moment to collect her thoughts, but his eyes held hers. Unable to look away or blink she felt the images begin to flash into her mind. The coolness of sheets against her back, she felt the weight of another body on top of her bare skin. The warm touches along her belly, eyes half open she watched a sea of wild flaming red hair trailing kisses down her bare skin. She watched as the Shawn’s blue eyes held hers as she smiled wickedly. She felt heat seep into corner of her being as he breathed against her skin, felt the surge of lust as another kiss landed. She was burning up, but where she watched Shawn softly caress his lips coolness would follow. Another flash popped up, that brought a blush to her cheeks. A wave of lust punched into her and she shivered as flowed around her.

  Laughter bolted from her lips as Shawn let go of her hand. He winked at her before he drew his gaze back to the road.

  “We’re almost there; another thirty minutes and we’ll be at my grandmother’s place”

  “Nice, I need to stretch my legs man, this car rides great, but the backseat isn’t for tall people” Jason called out as he sat up “It also doesn’t help you have the seat so far back buddy”

  “bloody hell boy-o I’m just as tall as you what would you suggest I do?” Shawn replied

  “Boys quit bickering” Sarah turned to look in the back “I swear Siobhan, we have got to travel alone next time”

  Laughing, Siobhan shook her head and continued to gaze out the window.

  “God, it’s beautiful here”

  “It’s green Siobhan, everything is just green” Sarah replied

  “Well it rains just about every damn day here, so naturally it’s going to be crazy ass green” Jason snickered

  “Really, you went there?” Shawn replied tersely

  “Oh crap everyone just shut the hell up” Sarah clapped her hands together smartly “I’m so not in the damn mood to listen to the testosterone”

  Shawn chuckled as he reached for Sarah’s hand again.

  “Oh hell no, you don’t get to touch me again if you are going to do what you did earlier” Sarah whispered hotly

  “What was it that I did earlier?” Shawn replied

  “You know damn well what you did. I felt like I was going to explode from the heat you directed my way.”

  A low moan escaped Shawn’s lips.

  “I don’t know what you mean…” Shawn replied husky

  “Oh please, you do too!” Sarah pulled their intertwined hands to her lips and lightly brushed her lips over Shawn’s hand.

  Smiling wickedly as she watched his breath hitch, his eyes close for a moment and another moan fell from his lips.

  “Has anyone told you are truly a wicked one” his voice was low and husky with need as he squeezed her hand.

  “Always”

  “Hey!” Siobhan called

  Turning Sarah looked out her window to see a band of horses racing across the field. A sea of colors blending together as dirt went flying wildly off their hooves as the pounded in unison across the hilly land. Their manes flying madly out from the speed they traveled. A single black stallion lead the group as he raced several paces ahead of the pack, his graceful legs seemed to float just above the ground as he charged ahead. He was followed by a pure white stallion pulling ever so slightly from the pack.

  Shawn slowed the car to keep pace with the group. They watched as the horses charged a few more yards before the black stallion stopped abruptly. He stood a few feet ahead of the rest, turning he gazed at the car, his eyes catching Siobhan’s and holding it.

  A brief feeling of recognition flashed into Siobhan’s mind. She could feel the sureness of the knowledge she knew this horse. She had ridden on the back of the stallion; she hadn’t been alone when she had ridden. She had been sitting astride him, but could feel the presence of someone else with her. She could feel the pressure of another body against her back. Strong thighs pressing against her, arms wrapped around her, the warmth of another body brushing against her. She heard the low chuckle of laughter brush past her ear before it was carried off into the wind racing around them. Happiness engulfed her.

  The moment was gone as Siobhan blinked rapidly feeling tears stinging her eyes. She watched as the stallion broke the spell as he turned ahead then lurched up into the air. His great front hooves pawed the air a couple of times before he landed gracefully on the ground. He pranced in place before he shook his head and raced away from the car. The herd started to follow and Siobhan lowered the window to listen to the pounding hooves disappearing in the field.

  “Wow!” Siobhan whispered

  “Ah, the wild horses of the county have come to say welcome” Shawn replied as he chuckled softly

  “They are all wild?” Siobhan asked

  “Yes, the black one was once a tame horse, but his owner passed suddenly leaving the beast to fend for himself. He broke free of the stable and ran into the night. Several towns people tried to round him up, but he was an elusive bastard. A few years later we noticed several peoples horses started disappearing in the night, only to resurface days later in the herd of wilds.”

  “Why didn’t you guys just herd them into a barn?” Sarah asked

  “It doesn’t quite work that way love” Shawn replied between chuckles “We tried to gather them, every spring for years; the town’s farmers will ride out looking for them. They chase the herd for most of the day trying to veer them into one of the landowner’s fencing. One year the black one was nowhere to be seen and we almost got the herd onto McKliney’s property, but out of nowhere the black came blazing out of the woods surrounding McKliney’s. The Black bucked wildly as he raced towards us, our horse went wild as he raced towards us. We ended up turning face as he pulled his horses away from us.”

  “Seriously?” Sarah asked her voice rang slightly in awe

  “Who did Black belong to?” Siobhan asked quietly

  “That’s the thing, we aren’t entirely sure, the story I grew up with was he was the stallion to the great prince of Shadows. His kingdom was nestled in the wilds of our woods. He was the son of the hoarfrost queen, now she was a piece of work.” Shawn’s lilting voice floated back to Siobhan

  “Wait.. Prince, son of the hoarfrost queen? What the hell are you talking about Shawn?” Sarah laughed as she looked at Shawn.

  “Fairies”

  “Fairies… Oh that’s just bullshit” Jason snickered

  “Not everything if so clear cut boy-o magick surrounds us constantly pulling at the str
ings that evolve our dreams, hopes, dreams. Some have more luck than others; some loves are truly beyond our beings, encompassing our souls to our lost halves completing them.” Shawn squeezed Sarah’s hand lightly as he finished the sentence.

  “Yeah I read in the tourist magazines that how most of Ireland makes its money. Selling the stories of fairies, leprechaun’s and shit like that.” Jason snorted “Please, like I’m going to believe that shit”

  “Well considering your girlfriend currently has a ring around her delicate finger that zaps you and protects her from the likes of you. I might suggest you open your bloody eyes and look around at the magick that is surrounding you at the moment” Shawn replied smoothly

  Grunting Jason sat up and rammed his knee into the back of Shawn’s seat. Shawn looked into the rearview mirror to see Jason glaring at him. He let the laughter escaped his lips as he braked hard and watched Jason’s head jerk forward before he gunned the pedal causing Jason’s to snap forward.

  “Stop it!” Siobhan yelled

  “You are a bastard” Jason roared

  “You have no idea how right you are on that one” Shawn replied calmly as he turned the car onto a tight pathway.

  The sounds of crunching gravel echoed through the car as they continued down the winding path. Trees lined the way and Siobhan watched the sunlight peeking into between the trees flowing branches. A breeze lazily swayed the trees, calling invitingly to Siobhan. She had the sudden over powering urge to tell Shawn to stop the car so she could wander along the path. The need to be outside, to feel the cool ground under her bare feet was almost unbearable.

  “We’re here, my gran’s house is straight ahead” Shawn’s voice broke Siobhan’s revelry

  She turned to look through the windshield and inhaled sharply at the house that began to emerge before her.

  The house sat before an immerse group of woods, it wasn’t a very large house, or maybe sitting before the vastness of woods, the house shrank. It’s thatched roof hung over the second story shading the flower boxes that hung outside the windows. Cozy white curtains closed out the world outside, but still enabled the inhabitants to see out. Bright blue shutters were opened against the creamy white paint of the house. The first floor windows were open and the same cozy curtains were blowing lazily outside the window into the afternoon breeze. Beautiful red blooms were spilling out of the lower flower boxes. They leaned out slightly with their petals facing into the sun, Siobhan watched as several butterflies danced among them blooms. Resting on top of one, their wings fluttering slightly before taking off to land on another petal to rest.

  As Shawn pulled up to the side of the house, cutting the engine, he turned to Sarah as unclipped his seatbelt.

  “Home” was the only word he uttered before opening the door and climbing out. Jason opened the back door stepped out and stretched his arms to the sky. Grunting slightly as he felt his back popping, he sighed contentedly as he shook his shaggy hair out of his eyes. He walked over to the trunk of the car, whistled at Shawn who was staring off into the woods.

  “Dude, pop the damn trunk”

  Shawn looked down at the keys and found the trunk button, pushing it he heard the click of the trunk release.

  “Come on, Siobhan, the sooner we talk to Shawn’s grandmother, the sooner we get that damn ring off and get back to our vacation” Sarah smiled at Siobhan encouraging

  “Sarah, can I tell you something?” Siobhan asked quietly

  “Sure”

  “I feel like I’ve been here before. This place isn’t new to me. It’s like I know it, but I don’t. It’s all jumbled together, but it’s like there are pieces of a puzzle of a picture inside my head. I keep trying to fit them together, but just when I think I have it, they bow and form another curve that unhooks them.”

  “Honey, that’s normal, hell this past week has just been damn crazy. It’s no wonder you are all jumbled in the head, Christ I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.” Sarah reached over the seat and grabbed her friends hand. “I love you so much Siobhan, you are the sister I always wished I could have had. This crazy ass ring is just stirring up shit, that’s all.”

  “I hope you are right Sarah.”

  “I am no come on and get your precious ass out of the goddamn car, my ass is asleep and my legs are beyond asleep, even the damn pins and needles would be a blessing right now”

  Laughing Siobhan opened her door and followed Sarah around to the back of the car. Shawn was unloading their luggage from the back, as Jason started lift some of the bags.

  “Well what or who do we have here?” came a lilting voice startling everyone

  “Holy Hell! You scared the bejeezus out of me lady!” Sarah screeched

  “Aye, then pay more attention” the older woman responded tartly

  “Gran!” Shawn exclaimed before wrapping the older woman into a bear hug “Ah I’ve missed you”

  The older woman chuckled “I’ve missed you to lad”

  Siobhan watched the embrace between Shawn and his grandmother and felt a sharp pain in her heart with envy. Her grandmother’s wicked laughter and laughing blue eyes flashed into her mind. She missed her grandparents terribly and felt a sudden urge to call them. Reaching in her purse, she searched for her mobile; she remembered her dad said it was programmed for international use.

  “Aye child, I wouldn’t be calling your grandparents just yet” Shawn’s grandmother replied to Siobhan

  “What…how did you know I was going to do that?” Siobhan asked eyes wide in shock

  “Tis an image I had, followed by the one that would change the path you need to be on child” the older woman promptly turned and started up the drive to the front door. “Well, come on I’m sure you all hungry, tired and we’ll need everyone bright eyed for our talk later”

  Sarah walked over to Shawn grabbing his hand before whispering “Wow, your gran is kinda creepy, not in a bad way though”

  “You’ll get used to it” Shawn whispered back before dropping a slight kiss onto Sarah’s cheek. “Come then, we shouldn’t keep her waiting”

  Siobhan walked over to Jason and grabbed the rest of the luggage following behind everyone as they quickly made their way into the house. The smell of fresh baked bread wrapped around Siobhan reminding her of her grandparents’ house. Closing her eyes she briefly let the aroma settle her nerves, thinking this house is warm and welcoming, not perfectly in place as her home. Opening her eyes she looked around the entry way, the steps leading up to the second floor were a made out a dark wood, but little circular woven rugs were on each step to keep someone from slipping. Turning her head she saw the living room bathed in the afternoon sun as plants hung from the ceiling, sat in plant stands or rested comfortably on the mantle over the fireplace. Pictures were scattered throughout with different stages of Shawn’s life. He was always smiling broadly in them which calmed Siobhan even more; she knew this house was full of love.

  Shawn dropped his bags near the stairwell before sauntering into the living room and plopping into the deep cushions of the light blue couch, Siobhan watched as he pulled Sarah onto the couch next to him. He leaned in and nestled into Sarah’s neck sighing contentedly. Siobhan tentatively walked into the room as Jason sat in one of the two single chairs facing the couch.

  “Well this is cozy” Sarah sighed contently

  “This is my safe haven” Shawn muttered as he yawned

  “Ah, sweeties are you tired?” Sarah asked as she sat up and looked at Shawn

  “A little, but my bed can wait a bit more”

  “Where is your room anyway?” Sarah asked as intertwined her hand with Shawn’s

  “Tis upstairs, second door on the left if you must know” Shawn’s grandmother answered

  “Oh” Sarah exclaimed

  “Gran” Shawn mumbled

  “Don’t Gran me boy-o” Shawn’s grandmother said with a stern look “We have a lot to talk about tonight, everyone into the kitchen, let’s get some food in you befo
re we begin.” Turning she headed in the kitchen. Grunting Shawn rose off the couch pulling Sarah with him.

  “Let’s get on with it, she’s in a bit of a mood” Shawn muttered

  “I heard that” Shawn’s grandmother called from the kitchen

  “Wow, she can hear really well at her age” Sarah muttered softly

  “You have no bloody idea” Shawn chuckled softly before quickly kissing Sarah “We’ll chat more in a bit”

  Jason stood up walking over to Siobhan he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him.

  “You are awfully quiet” he whispered into her ear

  “Just taking it all in” Siobhan whispered back

  “It’s going to be ok, you know that right?”

  “It won’t be alright until we get through dinner and talk! Hurry up I don’t have all night!” Shawn’s grandmother called firmly

  They quickly walked into the kitchen to find a table full of food waiting for them. Siobhan’s eyes widened as she took in the food before her.

  “A feast!” Jason exclaimed “Man I’m starving!”

  “Yes, well, two young men are bound to be hungry aren’t they?” Shawn’s grandmother replied as she slowly grinned

  “thanks Gran” Shawn said appreciatively

  “Thank you Shawn’s grandmother” Jason replied laughingly

  “Tsk, call me Claire” Shawn’s grandmother replied chuckling

  “Thank you Claire, my name is Jason, my girlfriend Siobhan” Jason pointed at Siobhan as she sat in the open chair next to him.

  “Ah yes, the one that brought my Shawn home” Claire responded

  “I’m sorry” Siobhan whispered

  “Don’t be sorry girl, you are an old one” Claire responded

  “Old one?” Siobhan asked quietly confusion crossing her face