Cian’s breath stuck in his throat as he admired Ashlynn’s raw beauty. The fierce head of copper hair combined with flawless pale skin. His brain appreciated it almost as much as his heart recognized her beauty within. How something strange and unknown, deep inside his gut, called for her. Yearned to be with her. Before they reached the door, Cian slipped a hand into Ashlynn’s and pulled her back to him.
“What are you –“
“Shhh,” he held her face in his hand and smiled. “I just need to kiss you one last time. While we’re alone. Is…is that alright?”
She seemed as though she were about to argue the fact but melted into Cian’s touch and gave a gentle nod. He pulled her in, placing his trembling lips to her warm mouth. Soaking in every bit of her that he could before breaking away. He should have been grateful for the short time they’d spent together. It showed Cian that he could have happiness, that he was capable of it. But it wouldn’t be at her expense. No, he would bring Ashlynn to see Faith and then say his goodbyes as she disappeared to the past.
Even if it killed him to do so.
Chapter Nine
Ashlynn followed Cian out the front of his family’s massive home and turned to steal one last peek at the beautiful structure in the mask of the night sky. Moonlight reflected off the many windows like shards of silver and a cool breeze whipped through the surrounding trees. Nestled at the top of a quiet hill, Cian’s home was a peaceful sanctuary that watched over the bustling city below. I’m going to miss it, she thought.
She’d miss a lot of things about the future. Showers and ice cream, movies and a memory foam mattress.
Cian...
Just the thought of leaving Cian behind made her stomach spasm painfully. Ashlynn rubbed the skin over her belly, trying without success to rub away the ache. It wasn’t a physical hurt, though she often felt it as such. It was an emotional attachment, a spiritual and mental connection, maybe even a magical one. It was that last one that gave her doubt and filled her with conflict.
Ashlynn sighed as she turned away from the house and walked behind Cian to his car. The truth was, she was plagued with conflicting thoughts. Inside her a battle was raging, between what she thought she wanted and what she truly desired. It has been evident from Gwen’s journal, as well as the other texts they’d read over the last couple of days, that her family had gone on in her absence. They’d prevailed, and the clans had joined in union. War had been evaded and her people had been happy, even though the Kavanaugh name had dissipated over the years with no heir to carry it on. That wasn’t her fault though, she reasoned. No boy child had been born to carry the name.
What would be the point of her going back? There was nothing to correct. No one to save and no people in need of a leader. But, Ashlynn wondered…would it matter anymore if there were people to lead? Her feelings for Cian grew by the second, with every minute she spent in his presence. If she were honest, she wanted nothing more than to remain in his time, by his side. The unexplainable pull Ashlynn felt yanking her toward Cian was stronger than anything she’d ever felt in her short life.
Which is why she couldn’t trust it.
She slid silently into the car, buckling her seatbelt as if she’d done it a million times, while her mind stayed, suck on the problem. She was no fool. She knew there was something…not wrong, but not quite right about the way she felt for Cian and the feelings reciprocated back to her. She didn’t want to let on as much to him, but that was her whole reason for wanting to see Faith. If there were some supernatural force influencing her heart, then the Seer would know. That’s where the source of the magick that sent her into the future had come from, after all. Ashlynn’s mind raced with questions and worry that the Seer would confirm her fear, that the bond between her and Cian was magical and fleeting, and that she’d be left with no choice but to return to her family and leave him behind.
Cian reached over and squeezed her hand. “Everything alright?”
“Yes, of course,” she replied with a smile that felt a little too forced. “I’m just admiring your village.”
Cian laughed. “Well, it’s not really a village. More of a city.” With a sigh he took a corner and then glanced over at Ashlynn with a half-smile that broke her heart all over again. “Can I show you something?”
“Shouldn’t we –“
“It’ll only take a few minutes,” he assured.
She was anxious to see Faith but gave a small nod and waited as Cian made a wide turn that brought them to the mouth of a dirt road. The car jostled as it slowly traveled along, a thickness of trees lining each side. After a couple of minutes, the road opened up to a circular area filled with other cars. Cian pulled up next to one of them and shut off the beast. Ashlynn watched with piqued curiosity as he exited the car and came around to her door to open it.
She took his hand and pulled herself out of the vehicle. “Where are we?”
Cian grinned and led her over to a metal gate that closed off the entry to another dirt road. A big sign stuck in the ground that read Keep Out. Private Property.
“This is a little project of mine,” he told her as he hoisted the arm of the gate. “My grandfather left this land to me to build my own home on someday. But I had other ideas for it.”
Hand in hand, they strolled down the rocky path. The sound of laughter, music, and life pulsed through the trees the closer they got and soon mixed with the delectable smell of food being cooked over an open fire. The sensation tickled something in her brain, a recollection of home, of a life more familiar to her. They emerged into a clearing, wide open to the skies and filled with a circle of carriage houses. Horseless and stationary, but Ashlynn recognized the familiar shapes as the type of homes the Travelers of her time had lived and journeyed in. Ashlynn stood staring in awe at the community of people, of all ages, gathering around open fires and playing music. A large table off to the side was covered in a buffet of foods; roasted corn, potatoes, trays of meat, and other delicious dishes. A few people noted the arrival of Cian and lit up with happiness at the sight, waving him over.
“What is all this?” Ashlynn whispered as they strolled over to the crowd.
Cian glanced over at her proudly. “These are Travelers. Real ones. Those who long for the old ways.”
Ashlynn looked around once more, still stunned by it all. “They live here?”
“No, not really,” Cian replied. “They live in town and abide by the rules set forth by the elders. But we all come here to gather and get back in touch with our roots. An escape, I guess you could call it.”
“Cian!” a man called from the table of food. He slipped a black apron over his head and came over to them. Cian grinned and shook his hand. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a wedding coming up soon?”
Cian cleared his throat. “Now, you know I have as much say over the wedding as I do the marriage, Troy.”
Troy chuckled. “Fair enough.” He turned his gaze to Ashlynn. “And who’s this?”
Cian looked to her proudly. “This is Ashlynn, a good…she’s…someone very special to me. I wanted to show her the Sanctuary before she heads back home up... North.”
Troy’s eyes widened. “Up North? You’re far from home then. Well, in that case, you must stay for the feast.”
“Feast?” Ashlynn replied curiously.
Troy motioned for them to follow and walked back to the table as Cian led her over with his hand at the small of her back. Up close, Ashlynn could see the different foods and smell the wonderful aroma of fire roasted treats. She smiled wide and looked up at Cian who flashed her a grin.
“Hungry?” he asked, arching an eyebrow and shifting. He seemed nervous, Ashlynn thought absently, as if he expected her to say no. As if he thought her anxious to leave him and return to her own time.
“Famished, actually,” Ashlynn told him sincerely, wanting nothing more than another hour, another minute with him before she was told the truth. Besides, she’d never turn down a good meal. Faith
could wait.
They each loaded up a paper plate and took a seat around the centerfire, surrounded by candlelit covered wagons and alongside dozens of other Travelers enjoying the festivities. Men and women, mothers and fathers, children running around underfoot. A few stood around with musical instruments and played upbeat melodies as others danced. Some came to say hello and introduce themselves, others wanted to speak with Cian about the next gathering.
They all looked to him with admiration, even though he seemed oblivious to it. This was a gathering of Travelers, relishing their natural ways and Cian had made it all happen in a world that had forgotten how. It was magical, as was the food Ashlynn so contently devoured.
When her stomach felt full, Ashlynn glanced around at the candlelit caravans that surrounded the vast gathering of Travelers. One in particular caught her eye. Made of darkened wood like the rest, it had charms and other trinkets hanging from the eves and a hand painted sign that hung on the open door.
Fortune Teller.
Cian followed her gaze and she could see his grin from the corner of her eye.
“Go,” he whispered in her ear, sending goose bumps racing down her body.
“No, I can’t,” she replied. “We should get going.” Cian’s face dropped in disappointment and it pained Ashlynn’s heart to see it so. She sighed nervously. “Perhaps a few more minutes won’t hurt.”
Cian smiled and helped her stand from the log bench, setting their plates to one side. He walked her over to the fortune teller’s caravan, his fingers securely linked with hers. The heavy scents of oils and incense wafted out from the open door, greeting her with the familiar scents of sandalwood and lavender mixed with something almost spicy.
“I’ll wait here,” Cian told her as he stopped at the bottom of the rickety stairs.
Ashlynn took the three small wooden stairs, entered the tiny space filled with scented smoke trails and admired the gorgeous interior. Loose fabrics in jewel tones with golden fringes draped from corner to corner. A small table with two chairs nestled under the tiny window and boasted a large glass ball.
“Welcome,” spoke a gentle voice. Ashlynn’s eye caught the movement of a person stepping out from behind a hanging fabric divider. “Care to have your fortune told?”
Ashlynn’s cheeks flushed red. “I, um, I’m not sure.”
The woman, older but beautiful with her dark curls tucked back in a sparkly kerchief, smiled and motioned to the table. “Have a seat, love.”
Ashlynn listened to the fortune teller and slid into the small chair, unsure about the reading she was about to get. She trusted magick, always had, but she’d heard many things about fortune tellers, how they spun the truth and interpreted in their own way. The last thing she needed right now was more confusion.
The glass ball shimmered and shifted, as if sensing her presence. Unable to help herself, Ashlynn watched in awe as the once translucent sphere filled with swirling colors of green and gold, the same colors of her own magic, and Cian’s.
“The universe knows you are here,” the gypsy woman told her as her tattooed hands formed over the ball. “Is there anything you’d like to know?”
Ashlynn grimaced. The answer to that question was complicated, she wanted to know too much. She wanted to know what to do. What part of herself to listen to. Follow her heart and see what future she could build with Cian? Or go back home and fight for her rightful place on her father’s throne?
Ashlynn chewed her lip in thought. “I’d like for some sort of guidance.” She reached out hesitantly, hoping she was asking the right question. “Am I meant to rule my people?”
The fortune teller’s dark eyes flashed with merriment, making Ashlynn instantly suspicious. She was about to pull her hand back when the woman snaked out her fingers and wrapped them around Ashlynn’s wrist. Her gaze shifted, looking deep into the crystal ball. When she spoke, her voice was deep and strangely monotone.
“It is your destiny to rule your people, yes, but it is up to you to decide the time in which that will happen. Rule now or rule before but rule his heart first and let that guide your path.” The fortune teller sat back and stared at her for a moment, then simply stood up and walked out of the small room.
Ashlynn sat stunned and one hundred percent certain she shouldn’t have just gotten that reading. Rule now or before… what did that mean? The other part, though, made her heart thud in hope. Hope she couldn’t afford right now. Rule his heart first and let that guide your path. If that meant that she was supposed to love him, that her feelings were real…
But what if it meant the opposite? The fortune teller had said “rule his heart.” That didn’t sound like love or free choice, it sounded like compulsion. Ashlynn covered her mouth with her hand and swallowed down the urge to vomit.
She stood up so quickly her head spun. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she stumbled out of the caravan and into Cian’s arms.
“Are you alright?” he asked once he’d caught his breath.
His heat seeped into her, pressing against the bone-deep cold that had descended on her. She shuddered and managed to put some words together. “I’m alright. It’s nothing. I…” she searched for an explanation, “saw a rat. That’s all.”
He frowned for a moment as if he were going to question her, then his forehead smoothed, and he laughed. “They don’t carry the plague anymore.” He set her on the ground and reached for her hand. “Come on.”
Ashlynn let him pull her forward, but her mind stayed in the caravan, stuck on the fortune teller’s words. As they approached the fire, the musicians switched to a new song. The moment Cian heard it, he lit up.
“This is one of my favorites,” he said, tugging her into his chest. “Dance with me?” he asked.
Before she could respond, he gently yanked her by the hand and twirled about. His hand firmly at her back. Ashlynn allowed her body to press against the warmth of his and soaked up the infectious laugh that rumbled from it. Seeing Cian truly happy warmed Ashlynn’s heart which thumped hard inside her chest as Cian brought them to a quick halt, their faces just inches from one another. The firelight glistened in his eyes and she fought to catch her breath. For a moment, she thought Cian was about to lean and kiss her waiting lips but, instead, he sighed and smiled sadly.
“I should get you to Faith.” He removed his hand from Ashlynn’s back and glanced at the timepiece on his wrist. “It’s getting late.”
Ashlynn nervously cleared her throat and took a step back. “Yes, of course.”
They said their goodbyes to the band of Travelers and headed back down the path to the car. Cian’s sudden silence felt haunting and Ashlynn found herself wishing yet again that she could read minds. But, then again, what if she didn’t like what she found? Usually Cian expressed his feelings for her so freely, but now it was as though a wall had been thrown up between them. She struggled to catch his mood as they wordlessly got in the car and drove down the bumpy road. He remained quiet and refused to meet her eyes.
“Cian?” she asked. He mumbled yes in response and pretended to focus on backing up. “Are you upset with me? Did I do something back there to offend you in some way?”
The car screeched to a halt and he finally looked into her eyes. “No,” he replied, “No, never. You’re…perfect. I just –“ He inhaled deeply. “I just wanted to steal as much time with you as I could before you leave.”
Her heart squeezed tightly in her chest, but she didn’t respond even though every inch of her was silently screaming. She didn’t want to leave. She wanted to remain here in the future with him. But the logical part of Ashlynn’s mind forbade it. She wouldn’t make those declarations to Cian, wouldn’t make it harder on him if she did decide to go. Because, if the Seer told her it was all a force of magic, that their happiness was no more than an effect of the spell she had so carelessly cast…then how could she possibly go on letting him love her, knowing it was all a lie.
The drive to the Seer’s was short, silent, and
painful. The air between them was thick with nerves and their unspoken frustration. Ashlynn filled her lungs when they came to a stop just outside a quaint little farmhouse nestled at the bottom of the stubby mountain range that semi-circled the city. Together, they walked up the front steps and knocked on the door.
“The glorious first-born son of clan Boswells is paying me a visit at this hour?” spoke a raspy voice from the shadowed end of the front porch. A spiral of smoke billowed up in the midnight air as the person leaned forward, revealing a thin and narrow face of a woman. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Ashlynn stifled a gasp as the woman stood and strolled toward them, tapping a small pipe upside down on the wooden porch. The moonlight highlighted her lithe frame and revealed beautiful black markings on almost every inch of her exposed skin, even her forehead. With dark green hair tied back messily at the nape of her neck, she was a sight unlike anything Ashlynn had ever seen, and she was nothing short of mesmerized.
“I’ve brought you someone who seeks answers to questions,” Cian told Faith. “She’s far from home and –“
“Oh, I’m well aware of who the princess is,” Faith chimed in.
Ashlynn’s eyes widened. “You are?”
Faith cackled a raspy smoker’s laugh and stopped at her side. Collections of metal jewelry jingled at her wrists. When her dark eyes met Ashlynn’s, a wave of familiarity flashed through them.
“It may have been hundreds of years ago, but I recall the day as if it were yesterday,” the Seer replied.
Ashlynn tried to wrap her mind around the possibility. “Fedelm?”
The woman grinned and fetched some tobacco from a small bag in her pocket. “I am both Fedelm and Faith. I am all the Seers before me. And I’ll live on in those after my time.”
“Show her the stone.” Cian nudged Ashlynn in the arm and then turned to Faith. “She has some questions about the ritual that brought her here.”
Reigning Magicks Page 8
