She glanced toward the sky and closed her eyes. Lowly under her breath she chanted a spell all the while looking directly in the direction of the man who had held Mary.
When she looked skyward again, she noticed at least a dozen colorful orbs flew toward the man. It was obvious no other person besides she and Danhoul were able to see the lighted circles. The man put out his hands before his face and cried out.
“What the hell are they?”
“What are you talkin’ about, MacDonald?” Killian questioned in sincerity for he truly was unaware of the magical beings.
“The wee lights that are circling round my head!”
The Scottish chieftain called out in a distasteful tone. “What the hell are ye referring to, William, for yer sounding daft, man?”
“Well, all the wee colored circles; do ye not see them, Duncan? Doesna anyone see them?”
When no one answered the man and he must have noticed the others of his clan and the Irish shook their head and glanced at him with varying impatient and sympathetic gazes, he cried out again.
“Bloody hell, they’ve turned into wee little lasses! Lord save me, they’re flying straight at me!”
The man darted off, running amok through the clearing and batting wildly at his head as though he was being attacked by an unseen enemy.
“Sure he must have been in the sun too long for that will make a man see many a strange occurrence!” Alainn offered.
“It’s drawing near to November in Scotland. Do ye truly ken the sun is strong enough to make a man see things? And you needn’t give your damnable opinion, woman! It was no asked of you! Women are to be seen and not heard! The women of my clan know their place!” Duncan MacDonald barked.
“Then ’tis fortunate I’m not in your clan!” Alainn retorted.
Killian evidently noticed the fury in the Scottish chieftain’s eyes at her remark and decided to intervene before another unpleasant altercation arose.
“Alainn, you must show the man some respect; he is a chieftain!”
Alainn glowered at Killian, but held her tongue.
“My wife has been ailin’ lately and a long day’s ride has clearly made her forget her place. She seems unusually given to ill-temper this day.”
“Well perhaps ye might have to put her in line! If Irishmen control their wives as aptly as you’ve suggested, I would dare to say you’re falling short of the mark. A sound beating usually does the trick; it works quite well enough when my wife is foolish enough to dare to question my authority or any man’s word!”
Alainn’s head rose higher and higher with indignation. She fought the urge to lash out at the man and simply kick him or deal with him by way of her magic, but was further humiliated when Killian slung her over his shoulder and hauled her away like a sack of grain, even knowing it was done for show and with the intent of distracting the Scottish highlanders.
“Aye, I’ll keep that in mind, MacDonald!” he called over his shoulder.
William MacDonald was still racing about the clearing when Alainn finally called to the fairies to leave him. He dropped to his knees in an exhausted and dismayed state.
The other Irishmen followed Killian and when it was clear a battle had been avoided, the MacDonald chieftain called after them.
“You’d best do what it is you’ve come to do, be quick about it and head back to your homeland straightaway so you’ll not be made to deal with any other Scottish clans, for you’re a long way from home and clearly outnumbered!”
Killian turned and looked straight into the other man’s eyes and fearlessly responded to the ominous warning. “I’ll take that into consideration as well, MacDonald.”
*
Killian had sent his clansmen back to where they were camped for the night with orders to keep watch should the Scottish highlanders change their mind and come seeking a skirmish. Now they stood discussing Mary.
“Where the hell have you taken her, Lady Alainn?” Conner demanded to know.
“Nowhere you would be familiar with!” Alainn stubbornly responded.
“I’m losing my patience, Lady Alainn! Ye must tell me what you’ve done with Mary.” Conner said as he stood towering over Alainn in an entirely uncommon threatening tone.
“What exactly would you do to my wife if she doesn’t tell you, Conner? I’ll thank you not to take that tone with her ever again!” Killian warned, becoming defensive of his wife and the demanding voice the other man was using in addressing her.
“Where have you taken, Mary, Alainn!” Killian added when he noticed how distraught Conner appeared at the moment.
“She is safely hidden, well concealed within a fairy glade!”
“A fairy glade? In Scotland?” Conner blurted with eyes ever-widening?
“In Scotland?” Killian queried and both men seemed in disbelief.
“Aye, there are fairy glades throughout the entire world; I am certain, but most especially where the Celts and their druid advisors settled. In truth, the fairies have been here since before the formation of the land itself, but they seem to congregate in the mystical lands where the ancient Celts once lived.”
“I must see her!” Conner stated, seemingly ignoring Alainn’s revelation.
“Well, apparently she believes she must see you as well. That is why she has fled Ireland and her husband so that she can be with you even though she is due to birth her child in mere weeks!” Killian suggested.
“Well, there’s little wonder she wanted to leave if that bastard of a husband laid his hands on her in anger. I can understand she’d want to leave him, though I would no have encouraged her to leave and make this difficult journey in her condition? Do ye ken what caused the bickering in the first place?”
“Well, I didn’t actually have much time to talk to Mary, Conner, but apparently he has taken up with Ciara again and she actually threatened Mary in some manner. Mary was fearful for herself and her unborn child and believed she must get to us.”
“Ciara has returned and threatened Mary as well?” Killian exclaimed in a displeased voice, and both he and Danhoul wore equally unsettled expressions at hearing those tidings.
“You must take me to her now! I demand it!” Conner’s only concern at the moment was Mary and it was clear Riley and even Ciara were the furthest thought in his mind.
“Well, I don’t think taking you to a fairy glade would be advisable, Conner.”
“I must speak with her!”
“But if I take you to the fairy glade you can bear no weapons within, and I doubt that is an arrangement you would agree to! When was the last time you were without a weapon, Conner MacLain, for I have reason to know you sleep with your sword beside you and your dirk beneath your pillow.”
“As do all Highlanders!” Conner said in a defensive tone.
“How is it you know he sleeps with his weapons?” Killian quizzed.
“Killian O’ Brien, I believe that is the least of our quandaries, but sure you remember I healed the man when he nearly lost his arm only months ago and it was required I stay within the chamber for several nights to ensure he remained well.”
“If you must know, Lady Alainn, I spent five years without a sword or a dirk in my hand, and I’ll not be wanting to be without one any time soon, but for Mary, I will agree to your terms!”
“Well, they aren’t my terms, but the fairies, and I’ll take you there now, if you like! Are you comin’ with us, Killian?” she called over her shoulder.
Danhoul had been watching and listening to the conversation taking place and even though the deed would require Alainn’s magic yet again, his smoky blue eyes lit up at the mention of a fairy glade. Something about the mystical location obviously spoke to Danhoul’s soul as with anyone who possessed magic.
“You are welcome as well, Danhoul.”
“Perhaps we should take the whole clan with us, and make a lovely wee celebration out of it then?” Killian sarcastically remarked as he crossed his arms.
“Am I to take
it that you’ll not be wantin’ to make the journey through the stones then, Killian?”
“Through the stones?” Conner asked as his face began to turn ashen, “Ye canna mean we must enter a circle of the standin’ stones to get to this fairy glade ye speak of?”
“Aye, well, sometimes I am able to create a portal, but it requires potent magic… a level of magic specifically unadvised at the moment. Although it is not always through the stones we must venture to enable us to get to a fairy glade, some form of magical portal or a mystical location is necessary. Dolmens, stone circles, fairy forts may all serve as portals for they each contain an otherworldly portal that must merely be opened. It requires minimal magic simply to open a portal already present.”
Everyone looked at her as though she must be exaggerating the simplicity of opening an invisible mystical portal, but she did not take heed. Instead, she explained further.
“There is a stone circle nearby so sure ’tis how we must journey to the glade, for the stones hold much mystical magic as they retain the powers of the ancient ones.”
“Aye, well, that may be all good and well for you with your many magical abilities, Lady Alainn, but it is said a human canna stand within the stones for they may be separated from their soul.” Conner warned as he glanced around him obviously unnerved by the topic.
Alainn glanced at the formidable looking man, his immense size and threatening form and sighed slowly realizing how deeply the legends and superstitions were rooted in the people of Caledonia.
“I will see to it you and your soul are not soon parted!” Alainn fought to control the urge, but she could not prevent the corners of her mouth from turning up though she did make an admirable attempt.
“Are ye mocking me, then, Lady Alainn?” Conner questioned indignantly.
“No, Conner, I assure you, I do not mock you. There are, indeed, locations in this world where you would be wise to hold tight to your soul, but the stones are not one of these places. True it ’tis the stones are sacred and mystical. They hold many secrets and much supernatural power, but unless they have been darkened by an evil magic they maintain a pure quality.”
“What of the standing stone circle back near our castle, Alainn? They are far from sacred. Do you believe Ciara, the dark coven of witches and the demon cursed it with their darkness so they might use it for their evil rituals and perhaps a portal as well?” Killian fought to understand.
“Aye, ’tis what I suspect, Killian. A mystical location can be used for benevolent or dark magic, for they are often powerful portals to different realms, but we shall be safe enough. I shall protect us with my magic. As will Danhoul.”
Alainn glanced at Killian as she noticed Conner seemed less harrowed. “Will you come with us, Killian, or do you assume your place is back with your clan?”
Killian looked over at Alainn and his green eyes softened. “My clan can hold their own if encountered by highlanders especially this lot filled with altogether too much drink. My place is with you, Lainna, always with you!”
She smiled warmly as their eyes locked and he took her hand in his own.
Danhoul drew nearer to the others, as well and when they entered the circle of standing stones, Alainn whispered in a soft tone. “Through the stones and to the glade, a mystical journey seldom made, to the realm where magic reigns, to fetch the lass, we go again!”
As the air around them seem to become thick and the ground beneath them shook, Alainn held tight to Killian’s hand and tried to ignore the powerful sensation within her own belly. For though they stood on sacred ground, what grew within her own body was far from sacred, and it made her blood run cold.
Chapter Nine
“But, Mary, why ever would you take such drastic and dangerous measures as to set off from Ireland and make it halfway across the country, and then journey across the sea to Scotland, and all on your own, lass. No matter what that contemptable husband and his menacing harlot might have done. It was unwise, Mary, especially given your advancing condition. You should have gone to Niall O’Rorke. He’s a fair man, and he knows his grandson can be an arse, of that I’m certain.”
“Aye, I did consider doing just that, Conner. But he is Riley’s grandfather and I did not want to put him in the position of siding with me over Riley, for I have no doubt he would have protected me. But Ciara is wicked, I ken it well enough. I could not have lived with myself if harm had befallen that kindly elderly man at the hands of that adulterous witch and her sorcery! And I knew if I was going to get to you, it must be done now before I truly am incapable of journeying anywhere but to a birthing bed.”
Alainn attempted to give Conner and Mary their privacy and not to eavesdrop on the conversation taking place, but with little success. She, too, needed to know the entire truth as to why the woman had made the journey. It was surely to see Conner MacLain, but clearly also in avoiding Riley’s unruly temperament and his association with Ciara. She also needed to know if she could detect Ciara’s intentions and sense if Ciara would truly have harmed Mary. Killian wore a serious expression as he glanced in the direction of the couple.
“Riley is sure to be followin’ her if he suspects it is to Scotland she has fled! Even if he has resumed his damnable entanglement with Ciara, he will not simply permit Mary to leave when she carries his son.”
“Aye, I know it well enough,” Alainn agreed.
“Do you think it was simply because she learned Riley was with Ciara, or is it that Mary wanted to follow Conner because she loves him and wants a life with him?”
“If she found out about Ciara, and Ciara threatened her, I don’t blame Mary for feeling she must flee. It is hoped she simply left without warning, that in her fearfulness and displeased temper she didn’t inform Riley of her intent to follow us,” Alainn offered. “Even if he suspects nothing of Mary’s feelings for Conner, Riley is certain to assume she would return home to Scotland.”
“I am hopeful he will conclude she has gone to take leave with her parents. If Riley suspects she has followed us and he has the slightest notion of her feelings for Conner, I would assume she is in certain danger for Riley is a jealous possessive type and Mary does carry his son, no matter their marriage is in dismal shape. I would surmise he will attempt to follow her. If he goes to her parents’ land first, then it would buy us some time.”
Although Killian was obviously concerned regarding Mary and Riley, it was clear Ciara was much on his mind as well. He stared at Alainn as he spoke on the objectionable woman.
“Do you suppose Ciara is back from wherever she’s been hidin’ out these past months because she knows you are not there to prevent her dark magic? I did not think she would be foolish enough to show her face again after attemptin’ to harm you, even if she is now in allegiance with a dark coven of witches, she knows I would never show her leniency or allow her to remain anywhere near you!”
“She was not with the coven on the night of Samhain when you and Danhoul and Shylie encountered her?”
“No, she was not amongst the evil lot that night.”
“But she was rescued by them in England. Whether she is no longer affiliated with them or was wise or deceptive enough to stay clear of us, I cannot say. I do know we cannot underestimate her. I suspect she is unusually cunning and that her return now is not simply coincidence. Admittedly, I am often unable to discern Ciara’s true nature even by way of my own magic, for even her aura changes rapidly. At times it is simply clouded, but other times it is black as pitch. The uncertainty leaves me ill at ease. Surely there is a reason Ciara has returned to continue her affair with Riley, besides her carnal lusting!” Alainn said with distaste.
“I have informed Riley of her unscrupulous qualities. I did not think even Riley would stoop so low as to take up with a dark witch again.”
“But it is likely she has never revealed that side of her to him. She has surely bewitched him or promised him she might use her magic to benefit him in some regard. He is unquestionably ruled by t
he desires of the flesh so he would be an easy target, and he has always been most jealous of you and all your accomplishments, Killian. If he does know of her supernatural abilities, perhaps he wishes for Ciara, by way of her dark magic, to assist him in becoming as important and well thought of as you. I believe we both knew within our hearts we had truly not seen the last of Ciara.” Alainn gently touched Killian’s arm in comfort.
The woman they spoke of had caused much discord for Killian and Alainn. She was believed to have united several others in her plot to hurt Alainn when she’d carried Cian. Ciara had also once been set on having Killian for her own. Alainn believed through the woman’s dark magic and her alliance with a malevolent demon, Ciara had surely caused the death of her own husband, William McCree as well, yet even Alainn remained untypically unclear as to Ciara’s character, for at times she appeared entirely evil, others simply bothersome and unlikeable.
Though the woman had fled the area of Castle O’Donnel to escape Killian’s wrath and surely an extended stay in the dungeon, they had always feared she would one day return. And though Riley seemed to possess few scruples when it came to physical desire and he had been known to have bedded Ciara previously, both Alainn and Killian hoped he would not be lured into her bed again, especially since his wife, Mary was now with child.
Alainn was aware many of the fairies had surrounded her with growing interest since she’d entered the glade, but she was also duly distressed to learn they were hesitant to draw nearer to her. Always since she was a small child she had been capable of communicating with fairies. They had ever been drawn to her and thought of her as one of their own. But, today, she noticed there was a distinct hesitancy in approaching her and there was a hint of suspicion and fear in their eyes. She felt the movement within her belly and she noticed the fairies immediately further distanced themselves from her. They were clearly aware of the evil the child within her possessed. They buzzed about and then separated into their specific species. Alainn noted them all as they appeared, small orbed fairies, diminutive delicate fairies, larger woodland fairies, aquatic fairies, brownies, pixies, sprites, peat fairies, nymphs, and wee folk. Soon the gnomes and even the elusive dryads and will o’wisps had gathered together and were discussing Alainn and further eyeing her.
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