Chapter Sixteen
“Once upon a Midsummer, I ran barefoot through the soft meadow carpeted with fragrant wildflowers and swam with the dolphins in the waterfalls near the creation of life.”
~Diary of Princess Abela
Departing the wagon before the first rays of sunlight kissed the land, Abela ran barefoot through the trees. When she reached the clearing, she opened her arms in greeting. The chill of the morning seeped through the soles of her feet, but her heart basked in the warmth of the approaching dawn.
“Midsummer’s Eve,” she uttered softly. “Your daughter welcomes the turning of the season.”
Regardless of where she stood, Abela could still feel the pulse of the land. The human world wasn’t as opulent as the Fae realm, but it had an exquisite beauty of its own. Trees swayed in the breeze around her, moving in a peaceful rhythm. She hugged her arms around her body and watched the new day beginning.
A stag emerged from the trees, majestic and proud. She bowed her head in welcome. The noble animal wandered to her side.
“Greetings, my friend. Will you stay and hail the new day with me?” Abela gently touched his forehead with her fingers.
His whisper of acknowledgement brushed across her mind. Letting out a sigh, Abela turned from the animal and waited in silence as the sky turned a rosy hue. A few clouds gathered in the distance, but it did not distract from the shimmering beams of light. She closed her eyes and reached out with her Fae senses, drawing the energy into her body, and then released it back into the land.
Abela remained rooted to the ground for some time. When she opened her eyes, her new-found friend had silently slipped back into the trees.
This was what she had missed. Her daily ritual of welcoming the new dawn. She’d forgotten how centering the action was on her mind and body. Quickly checking her shields, Abela knelt on one knee. Placing her palm on the ground, she murmured a silent prayer of thanks and protection over the land.
A four-leaf clover caught her attention, and she passed her hand over the delicate leaf. “For luck and long life,” she uttered softly. “It is enough that you have presented yourself, and I will leave you for another to snatch into their care.”
She stood and continued to enjoy the quiet solitude. Once again, sleep had been elusive. She yearned to rest under the stars and not be confined to a wagon. However, when she suggested the idea to Liam, he quickly cut her off and demanded she return to the wagon's safety. Abela fought the harsh words she threatened to spew at him. Yet, she never closed the covering and enjoyed a partial view from her shelter.
Glancing at her gown, she drew in a long breath and released it slowly. Passing a hand over the front of her, Abela concentrated. The energy shifted, but she was unable to magically transform the garment into another gown.
“Nothing?” asked the low voice behind her.
“Only a slight tremor of power.” She kept her gaze on the glowing ball of light ascending into the morning sky.
“Would you like me to fashion one for you?” The timber of his voice sent a delicious thrill down her back.
What was wrong with her? Her nerves skittered with him being so close. “I thought you liked this gown?”
Liam stepped to her side. Though the morning was brisk, the heat of his body surrounded her. Abela wanted to lean against the man.
His hand skimmed across her arm. “What would you like to wear on Midsummer’s Eve?”
Abela visibly shuddered. “Pale yellow and silver for the coming light,” she replied softly.
He kissed her cheek. “Done.”
She gasped and fingered the material. Glancing at Liam, his smile was as intimate as their kisses. “Thank you.”
“All my pleasure.” He swept his gaze outward. “It never changes, does it?”
“What do you mean?”
“The beauty of a new day. As a Fenian Warrior, we began each morning and evening, honoring the light and dark. The ancient words flowed within me, no matter where or what I was doing.”
Abela studied his features—from the chiseled jaw to his eyes, which mirrored the shimmering stars and oceans of their home. His dark auburn hair glinted in the early morning light. Her hand twitched, aching to touch the strands.
He returned his attention to her. “Your emotions are showing, Abela. You might want to seal them.”
She blinked in confusion and took a step back. Did he invade her thoughts again?
“Midsummer’s Eve is a potent time. A time of feasting, sowing seeds, and making love,” declared Liam.
Her face heated. “I was not thinking of lovemaking,” she argued, though she was sure her thoughts would have eventually led her to desiring his lips. “Merely observing your features. A strong chin, mesmerizing eyes, and dark auburn hair that captures the radiance of sunlight.”
He broke into a leisurely smile. “But nothing about my mouth?”
“Egotistical Fae,” she teased and started forward.
Liam reached for her hand, pulling her against his chest. He lifted her chin with his finger. “The lure of the land is potent this day and the next.”
Abela was conflicted, but his earlier statement entered her mind. “Seal the emotions, Liam.”
Slowly, he released his hold. “Touché.”
“Have you been to the camp?” she inquired, grateful he had moved away. His nearness brought out desires Abela was finding hard to control.
“Yes. I have deposited a basket of food in your wagon. The travelers have already started their feast. It’s one I deem will last for days.”
“As it should,” she acknowledged. Noticing a patch of wildflowers, Abela crossed the open area toward them.
“What are your plans for today?”
Sweet Goddess. One moment he looks like he wants to devour me, and the next, he’s telling me to seal my emotions. Can the man not make up his mind? “Midsummer magic has muddled your thoughts, Liam MacGregor,” she muttered.
“I heard that!” he shouted.
She shrugged dismissively and decided to head back toward the river. The water lapped at the stones and boulders near the bank, its soothing sound calmed the burning desire to fling off her clothing and dance playfully on the lush grass.
A splash brought her attention to the center of the river. She gawked at Liam making long strokes in the water. Was he insane? He had stripped to his trews, and Abela could see every muscle in his torso ripple with each movement.
“Not fair,” she protested.
He halted his progress and glided across the water toward her. “Then join me.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” He splashed playfully at her.
“Are you addled?” she asked, avoiding his intense stare. “Go away, Liam.” I can’t be near you now.
Abela continued along the bank, sealing off her thoughts about the enticing man.
“I dare you to step into the water,” he challenged.
She froze. Never one to back away from a dare, Abela bit her lower lip. She couldn’t look at him. “What do you want?”
Silence was her answer. Darting a glance over her shoulder, she saw the answer reflected in the depths of his eyes.
“To spend the day with you. Talking, swimming, learning about your life in the temple,” he responded. “If you’d rather be alone, I will understand.”
Uncertainty filled her, and she bunched her hands at her sides. Droplets of water trailed down his chest as he stood in the water, and she became mesmerized by the sight. She should run away and hide herself in the wagon. Gathering her thoughts, she replied, “I will spend part of this day with you, but I am not swimming in the river.”
His eyes danced with mischief. “Why not?”
“Nothing to wear.”
“I can always fashion something for you.” His hands glided back and forth in the water.
“I will be content with dipping my feet in the river, but no more. When the first star blinks in the evening sky, I shall leave you.” Abela climbed onto a nearby boulder and dangled her feet into the water.
Liam dove back under and then emerged floating on his back. He made lazy strokes in the water. The sun rose higher in the sky, warming her skin. She could spend the remainder of the day in this blissful silence. Yet, she had questions, too.
“Were you happy, Liam?”
“What do you mean?”
“Being a Fenian Warrior? With your life? Did you find contentment working for the Brotherhood?”
He remained quiet as he steadily made his way toward her. When he neared the riverbank, he stood and raked a hand through his wet hair. He took a seat next to her on a fallen log and kept his gaze outward. “I enjoyed working with the Brotherhood. It was challenging, interesting, and I made a few human friends along the centuries. Was I content?” He shrugged. “Part of me.”
Abela frowned. “What was missing?”
Liam leaned forward, bracing his hands on his thighs. “You.”
Abela’s lungs constricted, and her heart ached. Their time had slipped away, all because she refused to see him that night so long ago. She yearned to reach out and touch him. “Why are you sharing this now?”
He swept his gaze toward her. “Because I owe you honesty. Once we return, our paths will separate. You and I need closure, Abela.”
Again she hated that word. There would never be a happy ending for them, but she would always be in love with Liam MacGregor. She had spent decades in isolation, trying to seal the wound left open by his departure. Yet the moment she had known of his return and imprisonment, her heart beat wildly. “Thank you for sharing,” she whispered.
“And you? Was the temple a rewarding place of knowledge and admiration?”
Smiling fully, she nodded. “Indeed. The beauty is exquisite. Beyond what you can imagine. It took many years to adjust to the opulent foliage, dazzling lights, and the air. It’s intoxicating.”
“I pray they will allow you to return.”
She shook her head slowly. “No. Even if it is possible, I do not want to go back.”
He looked stunned and straightened. “Why ever not?”
Abela sighed, clasping her hands in her lap. “Like you, I was never fully happy. In truth, I deemed I sought out the temple more as a haven. I required a time of peace and reflection. Away from the burdens inside my heart.”
Liam stood and came to her side. “Did I cause this pain?”
“It was my fault. Not yours,” she reassured.
Turning his back on her, he fisted his hands on his hips. “Because of Conn’s words,” he uttered tersely. “Damn him.”
Standing, Abela touched his arm. “Don’t blame him. I could have asked you. More to the point, he has suffered from a few poor decisions.”
He looked at her incredulously. “The great Conn MacRoich? I doubt we’re talking about the same Fae prince.”
She pinched him and began walking along the path away from the river and toward the wildflowers. Her emotions were wound so tight around Liam. “Again, you don’t know everything.”
He caught up with her in two strides. Taking her hand, Liam tucked it in the crook of his warm arm. “You are correct. But without the current knowledge of the man, I can only deduce my own conclusions. Trust me, when I do see him there will be words.”
She tried to pull her hand free. “So stubborn.”
“One of the many qualities you admire.”
Abela fought the smile forming on her mouth. “Egotistical.”
“Yes, as you’ve stated many times.”
“Your assumptions will get you into trouble, Liam MacGregor.”
He halted their progress. “Tell me, Abela, was I wrong about us? Could you have seen a future? If you can’t answer, then I have made a grave error in assuming we might have found happiness together.”
Shielding her eyes from the sunlight, she watched as a pair of geese flew overhead. How could she answer him? So much time had passed, yet, she knew in her heart how she still felt for him. “Someone once told me that to look back on past deeds in hopes of seeing another future can result in a skewed present.” She dropped her hand. “Can we not move forward?”
“A wise person, indeed, but not the answer I was seeking.” Liam strolled along in front of her.
Following slowly behind him, she was determined to enjoy every second they had together. “Can you guess who told me those words?”
He darted a glance at her over his shoulder. “Aidan?”
“No. My mother.” She ran up alongside him. “She had come upon me weeping by the fountain in front of the chambers of the Brotherhood.”
“Why were you there? Conn?”
“My mother assumed my tears were over the loss of my brother, since we never spoke before he departed.” Abela sighed and knelt on the patch of flowers. “I could not speak your name. Only within my heart. I was too late in reaching you.”
Liam halted. When he bent down beside her, his smile was one of sadness. “What am I to do with you, Abela?”
Her heart already knew the answer, but she had allowed fear to guide her the moment she set eyes on him again. Their past was already written. There were no promises of tomorrow. This moment in time was all they had left—a tiny thread here in the human world. There would be no others to dissuade her on paths of the heart and life decisions.
Abela grew weary of fighting her own battle of restraint. For the first time in her life, she would take what she wanted, craved, and desired.
She closed the door on her rambling thoughts that forbade her to do the unimaginable.
Liam MacGregor was the only Fae she had ever loved. There would be no other.
Abela took his warm, strong hand into hers and smiled. “Spend the day with me and…” She paused, fearing he would flee once she spoke the words out loud.
“And?” he echoed.
“The night, as well.”