The Prophecy (Kingdom of Uisneach Book 1)

by Heidi Hanley

  “Good,” he said, helping her to stand. He didn’t let go until she was steady.

  Attending to her guests, submitting to a final gown fitting and checking the staff arrangements kept Briana busy enough throughout the day, but the toll of her time in Evalon, the knowledge she held in secret, and the awareness that her time with Silas was extremely short, forced her to retire to her room. She needed solitude to think.

  Back in the great hall, Briana smiled and contributed to the conversation, danced, and did her best to present a queenly persona, but inside she felt ragged. Every time she looked at Silas she wanted to cry. Looking at Brath brought up a plethora of conflicting emotions. Then Silas rose to sing:

  “I dive into the watery depths, rise up with a pearl,

  Set it on your finger, the promise of a dream.

  With every foamy wave that breaks upon the rocky coast,

  I hold you close and love you, in our enchanted sea.

  Come, my love, and swim with me

  In our beautiful, magical sea.

  Heart to heart, we dive and dart,

  Through the waves of our enchanted sea.”

  Silas looked at her as he sang. She’d swear the Uilleann pipes were sobbing. It was her undoing.

  “I think I’ll go up to bed,” she said to Brath, rising suddenly. She answered his questioning look by pasting on a smile and patting his arm. “A bride needs her beauty sleep.”

  “I’ll walk you to your room.”

  Outside her door, he stopped. “Something is bothering you. If going to Evalon does this to you, I don’t want you to ever go again.”

  “I’m okay, Brath. I just have a lot on my mind. I suppose I’m a little nervous about the wedding.”

  He gave her a steady look and didn’t try to kiss her. “Well, good night, then. If you need anything…”

  “Good night, Brath. I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep well.”

  *

  Wrapped in a heavy, wet mist, Briana held the sword in front of her, ready to defend, or if need be, attack. Who are you? She rose from her hiding place behind the tree. What do you want with me? The auburn-haired man held out a crown. His eyes were kind, and she felt a pull toward him. She dropped her weapon on the ground. She wanted to take the gift, but a flash of blonde hair caught her eye. She turned to find the archer, his eyes filled with longing and pain. In his hands was an arrow wrapped in a garland of ivy and feathers. I’m sorry, she told him. I’m so sorry. He turned and walked into the grayness, out of her vision. The man with the crown waited. She held out her hand, and he placed the crown in it. She felt the weight of it as it settled on her head. The fog dissipated. A magnificent monarch butterfly fluttered out of a sun beam between them.

  *

  Briana woke knowing what she needed to do. Drying her eyes and throwing on a dressing gown, she went to Brath’s room.

  The king sat at his table, still dressed, with papers, maps and a small painting spread out in front of him. “Briana?”

  “I need to talk to you, and when I’m done, you may not want to marry me.”

  He looked startled, but poured her a cup of wine and sat back to listen.

  “I need to tell you about Silas and me.” She dropped into the chair.

  He never flinched and never made a sound the entire time she told her story, his only reaction a wrinkle across his forehead and a deepening of the green of his eyes. With the weight of the secret lifted, she looked at him, calm and determined to accept his response.

  “I know about the feelings you and Silas have for each other.”

  Her jaw dropped. “How?”

  “It’s hard to miss. The energy between you is almost palpable. I tried to ignore it, but realized I couldn’t marry you, not knowing. So I asked Sigel. He advised that I let you tell me in your own time and way. And so you have.”

  “How did he know I would tell you? We all agreed it was better not to say anything.”

  “You’re nothing if not honest, Briana. I’m not sure you could marry me holding on to this secret.” He took a sip of wine. “I assume what happened today in Evalon has something to do with Silas.”

  “He’s leaving. He doesn’t even know it yet, and you can’t tell him, but he will be the one to go through the tree, to where I came from, and find the runes. Supposedly, they’re on what we call the ‘Hill of Uisneach’ in Ireland.”

  “I see. And you don’t want him to go?”

  “Of course not. The journey is dangerous and he’ll be overwhelmed by my world. Nothing here can prepare him for that.”

  “Just as nothing there could prepare you for coming here.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t understand. Uisneach is a simple kind of dangerous. The world I came from is rife with complication and confusion. The technology alone will throw him into chaos. I can try to prepare him, but it will be shocking and overwhelming.

  “I don’t exactly know how this tree travel thing works and where he will end up. It would be best if he went to Camden, so my mother could help him acclimate. But he could end up anywhere, alone and lost.”

  “All we can do is give him as much information as possible to make him successful. After all, he’s not the only one making a sacrifice for the sake of Uisneach.”

  She sat back, unsure of his meaning. An awkward silence separated them until Briana asked, “If you knew about Silas and me, why did you agree to the marriage?”

  “Initially, for the same reason you did. I believed we were destined to wed and save Uisneach. I would sacrifice anything to save this kingdom from Shamwa and restore magic. Marrying you didn’t seem too high a price to pay. I thought you made your choice for the same reason.”

  She nodded. “But things have changed for me.”

  “As they have for me,” he replied, reaching out a hand to take hers. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with you.”

  Oh, no, not the L word. I’m not ready for that.

  “And because I love you, I am prepared to let you go.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “I offer you the chance to go with Silas and help him find the runes.”

  Setting down the goblet that shook in her hand, she stared at him, speechless.

  “You did your part in releasing the curse. You could go back to your mother, help Silas find the runes, and then send them back. The two of you could stay there and enjoy a life together.”

  Back to Mom. Hot showers. Fast food. Her friends. A life with Silas. Blood pounded in her ears as the things she missed ran like a banner through her mind. Then she looked at the man sitting across from her, waiting for her answer. No Brath. No Uisneach. No Sigel or Cailleach or Jonathan. No Nua or Dara. No Evalon. No saving a kingdom and leaving a legacy of magic.

  “My home is here now,” she said. “And I have every intention of marrying you tomorrow.” Glancing at the candle, she smiled uncertainly. “Today, I mean. If you’ll still have me?”

  “I will do everything in my power to see that you never regret this choice, Briana. I promise you.”

  “Well,” she said. “I’m grateful you didn’t decide to hang us.”

  “Hanged! Why on earth would I do that?”

  “Sigel said you could, and that if there was a hint of anything between me and Silas, you would.”

  Brath laughed out loud. “True, the king is allowed to execute traitors, but I find the practice barbaric. I certainly wouldn’t do it to someone I cared about. I didn’t even hang Artanin. Yet,” he amended, grinning.

  “Seriously, Brath. Now that you know everything, do you have any reservations about marrying me? I don’t want to start our marriage with you worried about Silas.”

  He studied her. “Whatever your feelings are for the bard, I believe you also care for me. I’m arrogant enough to think I can win your affection and love, given time. I hope that together, we’ll restore Uisneach and build a family to carry on what we begin today.”

  He picked up the picture in front
of him. “I was just looking at this painting of my parents when you came in, wondering what they would think of this marriage.”

  She looked at the couple, smiling and holding toddler Brath between them. “They seem so happy.”

  “They were, and they would want the same for me. They would love you, Briana, and approve our marriage without reservation, even knowing everything.”

  “Thank you, Brath.”

  “For what?”

  “For letting me tell you on my own and for being wise enough to not let pride get in the way of what is possible between us.”

  He stood and took her in his arms. “Thank you for being honest. I’m not sure how I would have felt if you hadn’t been.”

  His embrace was reassuring. She believed they would be fine, but hoped Silas would find some solace, as well. Perhaps her thoughts were reflected in her eyes.

  “Maybe it’s a good thing that Silas is leaving. He’s always been like a little brother to me, and though I don’t want to see him leave his home, I cannot imagine what it would be like to stand by and watch you build a relationship and a family with another man.”

  “You need to know he always supported you and urged me to be open to what might happen between us. He’s been loyal to you from Day One.”

  “I have no doubt about that.”

  She lay her head on his chest. “You’re a remarkable king and man.”

  “I am, aren’t I?”

  They both laughed.

  “Keep that in mind as your heart decides what it feels about me.”

  “I will.”

  He eased her away from his body, placing a light kiss on her lips. “My lady, you have only a few hours left to rest before you are dragged out of your bed and to the altar to become my wife. I suggest you try to sleep for a bit.”

  “There will be no dragging, Brath. I am ready and willing to become the Queen of Uisneach and your wife.”

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Briana – Queen of Uisneach

  A hush fell over the room when the women stood back to behold the bride. The girl who stepped through the tree in Wellsland in a pair of jeans and a ratty tee shirt was now a queen, sublime in her magnificent wedding gown. She’d been bathed in herbs and massaged until her skin gleamed.

  Briana and Cailleach stood in front of a full-length mirror. Cailleach, gloriously earthy in a forest-green velvet robe stitched with green and gold leaves, with sleeves that fit snugly at the upper arm and flowed down to drape over her fingers, stared at the woman beside her. “Beautiful,” she pronounced, “and a fitting queen to our king.”

  Elegantly simple, Briana’s dress was spun from white silk. Filmy veils attached to satin shoulder caps draped down her arms. The silver embroidered bodice and dropped waist flowed into a full skirt, which pooled around her slippered feet. A gauzy train trailed behind, covering the laces that ran down her spine. A loosely knotted belt hung low on her stomach, reminding her of a more feminine version of a sword belt. Several small braids on the sides of her head joined in a single braid down her back. Color was applied to her eyes, cheeks and lips and scented oil dabbed behind her ears.

  “I wish my mother could see me.”

  “She can,” Cailleach said. “Mirrors, like water, are excellent conductors of intuition and magic. Stare with me into the glass, imagining your mother on the other side.”

  They spent several minutes at the exercise. When it felt right to break the spell, Briana stepped back. “I’ll have to trust that she picks up something intuitively.”

  A knock at the door announced that it was time. Gael admitted Lord Marshall Sigel, who, in a long black and gold tunic over black pants, his boots shined and sword at his side, was head-to-toe the king’s man. Cailleach shooed everyone out of the room, instructing them to finish their own preparations quickly and go to the courtyard. She hugged Briana warmly before leaving herself.

  “Sweet Maker, Sigel, you are handsome,” Briana said.

  “Should I be offended that you sound shocked?”

  “I just meant…”

  He laughed. “I know. You, my dear, are stunning. Brath is going to trip all over himself.”

  “He’s more graceful than that,” she said. “Have you seen Silas this morning?”

  Sigel nodded. “He’s fine, Briana. Ready to do his part. How about you? Ready to do your duty?”

  “I think we both know I no longer do this strictly out of duty.”

  “I can see you care for Brath, and I’m glad. For what it’s worth, I do believe he’ll make you happy.”

  “A relative term. But, yes, I think we’ll be okay. But there is still a part of me that feels sad I won’t be walking down the aisle to Silas. Is it possible, Sigel, to love two men?”

  “Love is nothing if not complicated, and one of the few things we have no control over. But my advice is to focus on one man today. If you do love Brath, then give him your best today.”

  She nodded. “I will, but please, Sigel, do something to help Silas. I don’t want him to suffer any more than he must to get through this wedding.”

  “I’ll do what I can.”

  “Oh, and by the way, I did talk to Brath last night about him.”

  “I know you did, and I’m glad. Keeping secrets is no way to start a marriage.”

  The sound of pipes and drums cued them. Walking into the hall, they passed an open window, and the music grew louder. A monarch butterfly flew in, landing on Briana’s shoulder.

  Sigel cleared his throat. “Briana, you have become like a daughter to me, and I wish only your happiness. This is the last time I will ask it. Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this?”

  She put a finger to the butterfly’s wings and looked beyond the delicate creature to the gathering outside. Seeing Brath standing beside Cailleach, waiting for her, hope and possibility shining from his eyes, she nodded. “I am.”

  He hugged her, trying not to muss her gown. “Good. Let’s go make you a queen.”

  The world around her vanished as Sigel escorted her out of the castle and into the courtyard, with Dara a respectful distance behind them. The butterfly fluttered around her. Briana felt embraced by the surrounding stone of Ard Darach. Uilleann pipes and large drums beat out a dirge-like wedding march that sounded less sad and more like the fulfillment of a prophecy, stirring something deep inside her. As if in a trance, she viewed her friends gathered around the arbor in front of the keep. Beautiful wildflowers, mistletoe and the unmistakable reminder of wedded love, ivy, were woven through the arbor. Cailleach stood framed in the center, focused on the woman coming toward her. Brath stood beside her, waiting to take her from Sigel, his expression intense and a little nervous.

  Probably praying I won’t bolt at the last minute. She smiled, trying to reassure him, and saw his shoulders relax.

  Jonathan stood a few feet away from Brath, leaving a space for Briana.

  Her eyes were captured by a movement above Cailleach. Silas, wrapped in the ancient kilt of Uisneach, tall and proud, fully bard and heroically ready for his part, stood on the keep’s walkway beside the parapet. Yearning throbbed in her soul. His eyes shone with love and admiration. Her smile faded, and she clutched Sigel’s hand tighter.

  “Look to Brath,” he whispered.

  Reluctantly, she turned from her soulmate to her destiny.

  Brath was resplendent in black trousers and a russet coat almost exactly the color of his hair, under which a buff-colored linen shirt with black laces peeked out. Black boots cuffed with brown leather completed his outfit. His sword hung at his side.

  The butterfly continued to dance around her, almost pushing her forward. Briana passed by Lady Isabella and Sir Thomas, who smiled wistfully. Epona dabbed at her eyes, her mouth in a grim line. Seraphina offered a placid and encouraging smile. Shock struck her momentarily as she noticed Artanin in the crowd, heavily guarded, but present. She glanced with a smile to Brath, who dipped his head in silent acknowledgment. Briana and Sigel
stopped in front of Cailleach. Dara sat down beside his mistress, seeming to take the proceedings seriously and with unusual decorum.

  Sigel placed Briana’s hand into the king’s and moved to stand at his other side.

  Cailleach began by reciting a short history of Uisneach and the House of Taranian, followed by a reading of selected parts of the prophecy. “Today, we celebrate the ending of a curse and the fulfillment of a prophecy in this marriage between King Brath of the House of Taranian and Lady Briana of Uisneach and Evalon.”

  “King Brath, please remove your weapon and lay it in front of your lady, a token of your intention to be at peace with her at all times.” He did so, laying it crossways between them. She asked Briana to do the same. Briana turned to Jonathan, who offered Nua to her. Briana laid her sword diagonally across Brath’s.

  “May this house be filled with peace and kindness, mercy and love. May there never be an occasion to raise voice or weapon to one another as long as you live.”

  Sigel stepped forward with the king’s golden crown. The jewels flashed in the sun as the crown was set atop the king’s head.

  “King Brath of the House of Taranian,” Cailleach said, looking from him to Briana. “Is this the woman you choose to be your wife and the queen of Uisneach?”

  “She is.”

  She handed him a second, smaller coronal. Turning to face Briana, he held it out to her, saying, “Lady Briana, I choose you to be my queen and partner in the governing and care of Uisneach. I trust you with the responsibility this bears. Together we will restore Uisneach and defend it from all evil. From today and forever more, you shall be known as Queen Briana of the House of Taranian, in the kingdom of Uisneach.”

  She knelt before him, accepting the crown he settled on her head, dipping slightly at its literal and symbolic weight.

  Cailleach reached into a pocket and produced two wide golden bands carved with the Taranian badge of weasel, crown and holly. She held them up to the sky. “Maker, bless these rings as a symbol of the commitment of this man and this woman to fulfill your purpose for them as a married couple and leaders of this kingdom. Bless them with love and children and under their wise guidance, may harmony spread across the lands of Uisneach.”