by Mary Morgan
Stunned, Conn stared at them for a few moments. “I am…honored.”
“As ye should be for saving our lives. And when the other babies arrive, they shall be honored with the names of Rory and Liam.”
“More?” squeaked Ivy.
Meggie laughed and took her arm. “According to our other son, Jamie, we will be blessed with two more sons. Let us move into the Great Hall. I have some food, wine, and beer set out.”
“Where is Jamie?” inquired Conn, stepping into the hall.
“Down by the loch. He should be here shortly,” answered Adam, placing Alexander in a cradle by the hearth.
Ivy’s eyes grew wide. “He’s only a child.”
“One that is growing daily,” countered Meggie, gesturing for Ivy to take a seat next to her.
Conn frowned. “What are you not saying?” His question was aimed at Adam.
Adam raked a hand through his hair. “Our son has grown since your last visit. There is a restlessness about him. As if he is waiting for someone or something to happen. We now train with real blades.”
“I sensed the growing power the moment we arrived. It is within Jamie.”
Adam handed Conn a beer. “He shares only his wisdom, but naught about himself.”
“We vanquished the evil,” uttered Conn, taking a sip of the beer.
“Mayhap my son is growing into his own power. He will lead a new order of Dragon Knights one day.”
“True, but I will bring this to the attention of the Fae council.”
“Prince Conn!” shouted Jamie from the entrance.
“Wow,” muttered Ivy. “How old is he again?”
“Four winters,” stated Meggie quietly.
Conn stood, watching as the lad strode into the room. “Yet, he possesses the body of an eight year old, and the mind of an ancient.”
Standing slowly, Ivy moved toward Conn. Her face paled, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “He has witnessed the birth of the stars and their destruction. It will take another to lead him away from the darkness. One, whose light will be a beacon in the abyss,” she uttered softly, wiping a hand across her brow.
“Mo ghrá?”
“I’m all right,” she reassured him.
“We shall talk about your vision later,” he whispered against her ear and placed her in his chair.
Reaching for the lad, he embraced him firmly. “Soon you shall be taller than me, Jamie.”
“Time will only tell,” he said.
For the next several hours, Conn and Ivy recanted their story of how they met and news of the Fae realm. Archie soon joined them, and he proclaimed a special toast in honor of the new marriage and bloodline. Food, drink, and laughter surrounded the hall, until Alexander woke wailing and Meggie carried him off.
When Conn caught Ivy stifling a yawn, he deemed it wise that they should leave. Goodbyes were made, along with a few tears from the new bond the two women had developed. Conn assured Meggie that they would return, and she stated she would hold him to his word.
Conn led Ivy out into the bailey. Yet, before he had a chance to summon the power to leave, Jamie ran toward them.
He stood before them both, but his gaze met Conn’s. “A destiny welcomed. A future yet to be opened. A destiny foretold. A future yet to be written. Guard her with your life, Warrior Prince.”
A tremor of unease slipped within him. “I will always protect Ivy,” Conn stated firmly.
Jamie’s eyes burned with that of the fire dragon within him. “Nae. Your daughter. Sorcha.”
Not once during their visit did Conn or Ivy mention she was pregnant, and Jamie’s words sliced like a knife to his heart. Why would he concern himself with his future daughter? What path did he see?
To his shock, Ivy stepped from his embrace and placed a hand on the lad’s shoulder. “She will be safeguarded.”
Jamie broke into a full smile. “Be well, Princess.”
Conn reached for her hand and gave a curt nod to the lad. “Until the next time, Dragon Knight.”
Epilogue
Conn stared at the ripples cascading over his luscious wife’s body as she swam naked through the water and under the waterfall. He had spent an hour cherishing every inch of her body, until her screams echoed throughout his garden. It was her first request upon returning from Castle Aonach, and he happily complied with his wife’s wishes. He wanted to banish the uneasiness he sensed on his visit, and the words Jamie MacFhearguis imparted.
“Sorcha?” he growled, smacking the stone with his hand.
Startled by his outburst, Ivy sputtered in the water. “What’s wrong?”
Rubbing a hand vigorously over his face, he dove in after her. Rising up before her, he wrapped his arms around her warm body. “Nothing.”
She pinched his arm. “You’re lying.”
“Really?” he responded dryly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Your eyes are always a dead giveaway. They shift to pure silver. Remember, I’ve witnessed one or two of your lies.”
He laughed, bringing her closer to his body. “My apologies, but I have no wish to disturb our pleasurable time here with my concerns.”
Shaking her head, Ivy’s lips thinned. “Sorry, but we’re in this together. Husband and wife. Prince and Princess.” Brushing a lock of wet hair away from his brow, her tone became softer. “I understand Jamie’s words bothered you. I’m not entirely happy about them, nor do I understand them fully. Even my vision was unclear. Was it his future? Our daughter’s? Will they meet? I cannot say. However, we cannot fight the path. A connection was forged. Did you not speak of the threads on the loom of fate? We are not to tamper with them.”
Conn groaned. “This is our daughter we are discussing.” He placed a gentle hand over her abdomen. “I have no wish for her to suffer any trials.”
Her fingers trailed over his silver armbands. “I don’t either, but I can’t live her life—only my own. Does this bother you that they might be fated to meet?”
Smirking, he glanced away. “We don’t have to ever return to Castle Aonach. The problem is solved.”
Ivy grasped his chin and forced him to meet her gaze. “Seriously? Our daughter has yet to come into this world, and you’re behaving like an overbearing father. You can’t alter destiny. Besides, I like the MacFhearguis clan—all of them. I can’t believe how upset you are over the boy’s words.”
“His words are ancient. He is destined to become the strongest Dragon Knight that has walked the earth. In keeping with the old tradition, he consults the Great Dragon. I pray she will help to guide him, along with his father.”
“Then let it go,” she urged softly.
How he longed for advice from Aidan Kerrigan, especially on parenting. A future yet to be written, stated the lad. Not if he can see another for his daughter. “The veil weaves in many layers, leaving more than one path to follow. I will consult the Fae council in the morning.”
She shrugged. “Only time will tell. For now…” Ivy rubbed against him. “Let us be happy.”
He brushed a gentle kiss along her brow. “I’ve never been happier, wife.”
“Good.” She smacked at him playfully. “Now stop frowning.”
Bemused, he said, “Only an afterthought.”
Ivy laughed and hugged him. “You are the most interesting man I’ve ever encountered. Perhaps it’s your Fae blood,” she teased, leaning back and trailing her fingers down his arm.
He quirked a brow. “And the only one you shall ever have. Fae or human.”
Licking the beads of water off his chest, she said, “I can barely handle you.”
“Are you complaining?” he asked, rocking them gently within the water.
A rosy blush stained her cheeks. “Never.”
Brushing his hands over her hips, Conn pulled her against his growing length. “My love for you is endless, mo ghrá.”
“See how our destinies were forged.” Ivy placed her hand over his heart. “Two bodies, two hearts, one love of a
lifetime.”
Conn’s heart was bursting with love for her. His lips brushed against hers as he spoke, “Did I not promise you I would show you the stars?”
Ivy wrapped her legs around him, buoyed by the water and his strength. “Yes, you did, my Celt.”
He roared with laughter. And with a wave of his hand, Conn brought the starlight down around them, enclosing them in shimmering mist that blazed with the light of a trillion stars.
When Ivy gasped in delight, he smothered her sighs with a soul-searing kiss.
****
Outside the shimmering mists, a darkness continues to grow. A force so vile that only one warrior can stop the evil when it is unleashed. And only one woman can bring the light that will shine on this man’s soul.
Glossary of the Fae Realm
CATHEDRAL OF TREES: A place of worship and where royal ceremonies are held.
COURTS OF THE FAE: Special chambers where the Fae Order discuss and advise on the laws of the realm.
FAE APOTHECARY: A place where one can purchase or create medicinal herbal remedies. Or consult a healer.
FAE COUNCIL: A group of nine Fae members who proceed and advise over the laws, especially those governed by the Fenian Warriors.
HALL OF REMEMBRANCE: A place where the Fae can visit to reflect on their life’s journey through mirrored images.
LIBRARY OF THE ANCIENTS: All the knowledge that the Fae brought with them to Ireland.
PLEASURE GARDENS: A vast, luscious, sensual garden where the Fae may find others for sexual pleasures.
ROOM OF REFLECTION: The Fae prison.
A Note from the Author
I have always been fascinated with Celtic mythology, so it only made sense that I would develop and expand the world of the Fenian Fae Warriors. Theirs was a world rich in legends, colors, and senses. I’ve based my own fictional account on the legend of the Tuatha de Danann—one of the invasions of Ireland. They were known as the Shining Ones or the Fae.
The Tuatha de Danann were defeated in two battles by the Milesians, whom historians and scholars alike agree were probably the first Gaels in Ireland. It was agreed that the new invaders (Milesians) and the Tuatha de Danann would each rule half of Ireland. Therefore, it was that Amergin of the Milesians chose that half of Ireland which lay above ground, leaving the Tuatha de Danann to retreat below. They were led underground by Manannán mac Lir, God of the Sea, who shielded them with an enchanted mist from mortal eyes. As time passed, they became known as the Sidhe (Shee), or Ireland’s faery folk.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Conn and Ivy’s story. Conn first made an appearance in Dragon Knight’s Sword, Book 1 in the Order of the Dragon Knights. When he strode forth within a crowd to the heroine, Brigid O’Neill, I knew he would be destined to become a main character throughout the series, including having his own story.
Next in the Legends of the Fenian Warriors is Rory MacGregor’s story—Oath of a Warrior. His is a tale of a hardened warrior who seeks the pleasures of many a lass, but seals his heart from any and all love.
A word about the author…
Award-winning Scottish paranormal romance author Mary Morgan resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books, where Mary worked, that she found her true calling—writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
Visit Mary’s website where you’ll find links to all of her books, blog, and pictures of her travels.
http://www.marymorganauthor.com
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Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Dragon Knight's Ring
by Mary Morgan
http://a.co/gkeYm0J
Crusader, Adam MacFhearguis is on one last quest to the standing stones in Scotland where he seeks to bury the past. However, a silent prayer sends him to an unknown future and to his beloved Meggie. When he uncovers a shocking revelation, Adam questions everything about the woman he thought he knew and loved. He may have traveled the veil of ages, but time is now his enemy.
Margaret MacKay lives a life in the future without the memories of her past—her death. When Adam arrives at her door confessing he knows her, she is confused and wary. With each passing day, she yearns to learn more from this stranger. Yet, when a truth is revealed, can she trust the man to unlock the chains from her mind and heart?
Will love free the bonds to unite the two lovers who were doomed centuries ago? Or will evil finally claim victory over the Dragon Knights?
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As the Reps plan to sabotage NOAA, Tanner and Solace must learn to trust one another. But as they're trying to save the world, Solace and Tanner might just lose their hearts—and that takes the most courage of all.
