Chapter Fourteen
“Even in the remote parts of the temple, I understood that the ripple from tossing a stone into the water can mirror the first taste of a kiss.”
~Diary of Princess Abela
Sleep was elusive within the confines of the wagon. From the parted curtains, Abela counted the stars in this strange world and attempted to trace outlines with her outstretched hand of all the various constellations. When she argued with Aidan one day that he should teach her about the human world and its stars, his denial was swift. It was often a topic of heated conversations.
“Why this interest in the humans?” he argued, piercing her with a stern look.
“Did we not once live among them? You did. Certainly, you can share your knowledge. I don’t know why it’s forbidden,” countered Abela. “If I must, I’ll seek out the Library of the Ancients.”
Aidan halted in front of her. “There are no records of the constellations of the human world in any tome. It is merely the sacred texts of our people.”
“I have heard otherwise.”
“By whom?” he demanded.
“I do not divulge my sources.”
“Name the Fenian Warrior.” His order came out as a growl.
Never would she speak his name. He was gone. Dismissed from her life. But he had manage to share fragments of the human world he had heard from his brother during training.
Abela dared to defy her uncle. “Why is it so wrong?”
His chest heaved in frustration. “So you present me with a question and refuse to answer my own?”
She waited, praying his temper would cool, refusing to show no fear in front of him.
Minutes ticked by in agonizing torture. She would not relent and considered this information a part of her training.
Aidan snapped his fingers beside her. A parchment appeared in his hand. “This is a map of the constellations in the northern European hemisphere during the summer months. If you are intent on learning the stars’ alignment, you’d better study.”
Her fingers trembled as she took the map. “Thank you.”
Turning away from her, he started for the garden outside the chamber and paused. “Abela?”
“Yes, Aidan.”
“If you ever disobey an order again, I will end your training.” He glanced over his shoulder, glaring at her. His eyes had shifted to pure shards of crystals.
All she could do was nod.
“One more lesson for you to learn, Abela. You may not have answered my question, but all the Fenian Warriors are under my command. I shall find the man. It would have served you better to disclose his name.”
Never before had she witnessed the intensity of his anger. Abela vowed on that day to never incur the wrath of her uncle ever again.
When he left the chamber, Abela trembled. All she had wanted was to witness the stars in the world Liam would eventually travel to, along with her brother. Was it too much to ask?
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she deftly opened the map upon the table and spent the entire day committing to memory every detail of the constellations.
Sighing, she shook her head at the long-forgotten memory. “Did you ever find out it was Liam, uncle?”
Abela brought her knees to her chest and inhaled deeply. A cool breeze kissed her cheeks as she watched the last star wink from sight. The new day rose with a pink hue across the treetops. “It’s almost Midsummer’s Eve,” she murmured. “How am I going to move through these days?”
Tossing aside the coverings, Abela stepped forth from the wagon. As she turned toward the east, she lifted her arms in welcome to the new day. “At the stone we sing and gather. Brush a hand over the first breath of dew’s kiss.” She bent and touched the ground in reverence. “We awaken this day.”
Rising slowly, she waited for any message from Mother Danu. Abela sensed it was a futile effort, but attempted the contact. Hugging her arms around her body, she tried to banish the ache of loss. Would the great Goddess ever reach out to her again?
Birdsong was her only greeting. The tiny sparrow flitted about in welcome. After giving her feathered friend a small smile, Abela made her way toward the river. Removing her shoes, she bunched up her gown and stepped into the water. Its icy sting vanquished the weariness from her body and cleansed her mind. A powerful urge to strip her clothes and submerge her body deep within the waters was immediately squashed. Too many prying eyes, she suspected. She quickly splashed her face with one hand and then retreated to the wagon.
“Good morning.” The timbre of Liam’s voice was low and sent her nerves skittering.
He stood leaning against the entrance of the wagon. She brushed past him to grab her cloak and weapons. “Yes, it is.”
“Plans for the day?” he inquired and pulled the cloak from her arms. After draping the garment over her shoulders, he tilted her chin up with his finger. “You did not rest.”
“I counted the stars and the constellations,” she confessed.
“You do realize they are different in the human world.” His eyes brimmed with amusement.
Abela stared at him. Why did the man look positively gorgeous, especially in the early morning hours? “It was part of my training.”
A flicker of surprise flashed briefly on his features. “Only the Fenian Warriors are privy to the knowledge.”
She adjusted her cloak and tucked her blades in their respective places on her body. “Aidan gave me the parchments to study.” Stepping around him, Abela moved down along the river.
“You seem to have been Aidan’s favorite,” he proposed, coming alongside her. “Or did you blackmail him? Do tell.”
She was furious he would think she’d do anything so appalling. Ignoring him completely, Abela went in search of fresh berries.
He darted in front of her, halting her progress. His eyes danced with mischief. “Is it your secret? Did Aidan share other information about the humans?”
She gave him an exasperated snort. “Who are you? And where is the stern Fenian Warrior from yesterday?”
“In front of you,” he responded dryly.
“Humph! You’re behaving strangely this morning.” Pushing him aside, Abela continued on her path.
Again he fell into pace alongside her. “I decided to embrace these next few days. It might be the last we have of our freedom.”
Abela stole a glance at him. “Either your brain is addled from too much sleep or you have been drinking the O’Malley’s wine.” Halting abruptly, she grasped his tunic and searched his face. “That’s it. You’re drunk on the wine. I must find protection for you from the travelers.”
He tugged on her hands. “No. Not one drop this morning. In truth, I did not get any sleep. My thoughts were of my life. Journeys I should not have traveled, and ones filled with contentment.”
“Oh.” Slowly, she released her hold on him. “Did you draw any conclusions?”
Liam bent and picked up a stone. He tossed it casually into the air. “That I have no regrets.”
“Why?” she asked, surprised by his declaration. She thought he might have one or two.
As he tossed the stone across the river, they watched it skip over the water. Ripples fanned out in a wide arc. “Each decision I made led to the next and had an impact on another life—be it human or Fae. I cannot undo the past. My destiny is linked to the destinies of others in this universe.”
“But what about Aidan?” Her question barely a whisper.
Frowning slightly, he answered, “I deem he understood the risks. Besides, I was his daughter’s guardian. He would have trusted no one else to assist him through the Veil. I had to put myself in his respective position. If I had a daughter, I would have moved the stars to protect her.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Liam sighed heavily. “There are times when I think the man foresaw his own death. In addition, he had aged tremendously after the death of his wife, Rose. The moment Aileen came to Scotland he demanded I take extra care in watching over her.”
She studied his features. “You came to this revelation all within a night?”
“I made my peace long ago with what I did for Aidan. His death was an honorable one, though heartbreaking for his daughter.”
Looking away, Abela watched several geese make their way across the river. Your death would have cleaved my soul in half. Closing the door on her emotions, she resumed her trek in search of food.
Once again, Liam took his place by her side, and she fought the temptation to utter a groan. The sun had now risen and warmth flooded the area. A doe ambled through the trees foraging for its early morning meal. Inhaling deeply, she tried to detect any scent of fruit.
“Why don’t you ask?” His tone was one of teasing.
His joyfulness was irritating and amusing at the same time. “I can assure you I can find what I’m searching for.”
“You’re wandering in the wrong direction.”
Determined to ignore him, Abela kept on ambling along the side of the hill. Perhaps if she reached the top, the area would open to reveal fields of fruit. One could only hope. However, this was the human world and not her home.
“I spotted a huge blackberry bush earlier this the morning,” announced Liam, strolling casually away from her.
Blast him! “Are you certain that’s what I’m after?” She paused and sniffed the air again.
Liam plucked a wildflower and held it out to her. “They are your favorites in the morning.”
Startled he had recalled the memory, Abela tried to compose herself. “Your recollection is correct.” She walked slowly toward him and accepted the dainty flower. “Thank you.”
He grasped her hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm. “Let me show you.”
Instead of fighting the offer, she let him lead her to the area. Heat radiated off him. Abela found this side to the warrior fascinating. It reminded her of the man before he’d entered the Brotherhood. She tried to bring down the barriers of protection surrounding her heart and enjoy the moment. Nevertheless, Abela feared what would happen when they returned. It haunted her now.
“You’re thinking too much,” observed Liam, pushing aside pine limbs for them to pass under.
“What do you suggest I do?” she blurted out, furious he kept reading her thoughts.
“You’re a priestess—”
“Was,” she corrected.
He shook his head. “Have you forgotten the teachings from the temple?”
“No!” she affirmed, spotting the blackberry bush sprawled out beyond the cluster of pines. Quickly removing her hand from the warmth of his arm, Abela made her way up the hill.
Smiling, she held her hands over the lush fruit and uttered a prayer of thanks for the bounty. After gathering as many as she could, Abela darted back down toward the water, passing Liam along the way.
She settled herself on the ground, gazing outward while she ate the juicy blackberries.
Liam returned with more in his hands and sat down next to her. “In case you’re hungry for more,” he explained.
Chuckling softly, she fixed her attention on the water and scenery beyond. “Ireland is a beautiful land,” she admitted between bites of the fruit. Holding up one of the berries, she added, “Even the fruit is tasty.”
Dumping the contents from his hands onto her lap, Liam leaned back on his elbows. “Much of Ireland is mirrored in our own world.”
“I wish I could remember the time I spent here,” she mused.
“You were an infant when we descended underground after the great battle.”
Abela glanced at him, enjoying his leisurely posture. Again, he surprised her with how much he retained of their previous conversations. “Didn’t you mention they had to drag you away, since you fought leaving your home here?”
“Ahh…yes. Not a fond memory. I screamed and kicked the ground, refusing to leave. A glorious temper-tantrum for all to witness. Rory was furious at my childish behavior and refused to speak to me for weeks.”
“You were only two and Rory was how old?”
“Four. Nonetheless, we were men of the world then.”
She laughed. “Indeed.”
Contentment filled her as they sat in silence. If only the peacefulness could last. For now, she would take Liam’s cavalier attitude and enjoy their brief time here.
“Abela?”
“Yes,” she muttered, keeping her gaze on the ripples of the river.
“Thank you.”
Casually brushing her hands on the soft grass, she asked, “For what?”
“As much as I do regret allowing you to rescue me, I will be eternally grateful.”
“Yo…you are?” she sputtered, turning to face him.
He sat and brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. “Yes. Always. If anything, this has given us time for closure.”
The word smacked of finality, and she placed her palm over his lips. “Stop. Use another word for closure.” Touching him sparked a wild frenzy in the pit of her stomach, but she was unable to resist. He smiled against her skin and prickling sensations broke out along her arm.
When his tongue darted out and licked her fingers, Abela gasped. She was powerless to resist the temptation. Cupping his face, she pressed her lips against his and then gently covered his mouth. He tasted of the land, and she couldn’t get enough.
It was meant to be a simple kiss, but the heady rush of passion burst inside her. Liam swiftly turned her onto her back and thrust his tongue inside her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing the kiss deeper into her. His hand skimmed along the side of her waist and then up to fondle her breast. She arched against the possession, aching for more.
Loud coughing brought them both out of their lustful trance. Liam broke free, but remained positioned over her. His eyes glittered like crystals.
He lifted his head. “Is there something you seek, Adam?”
“O’Malley wishes to inquire if ye would care to break your fast with him.”
“Tell the man I’m occupied, but will join him later.”
“Will do.”
The man’s laughter could be heard as he left through the trees.
Abela uttered a groan. “How embarrassing.”
“Why?” asked Liam, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. “We are betrothed, remember?”
She stewed on his words and looked away. “Right, only a ruse.”
His grip was firm on her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Truth?”
Abela’s chest heaved. “Always.”
“I have constantly desired you—wanted you. This is no pretense.”
“I know,” she admitted. “ Nevertheless, you and I long for more, and sadly, we cannot go any further.”
Liam leaned his forehead against hers. “Then I will take your sweet kisses with me, even when I draw my last breath.”