Chapter 12 #2
“You’re perfect,” he said softly and added, “Something that will probably make Angus angrier.” He managed a slightly pained smile.
“It’s one thing to lose an alliance with a lass who is .
. . Ah, I must just be truthful. A lass who is old, awkward or, um, a homelier sort.
It is another thing altogether to lose out on an alliance that offered a woman of tremendous youth and beauty. ”
“Thank you,” Deidre said, frowning. “I think!”
He laughed. “I meant it as a compliment, beloved. Anyway, let’s head on down and see what we might discover.”
She smiled and nodded, and while she almost jumped when he took her arm, she managed not to do so.
The dream awakened in her at his touch! She felt a blush rising to her cheeks, but thankfully he couldn’t know that she’d dreamed about him, about being with him, the size and length of him, the heat of his flesh . . .
She gave herself a very fierce mental shake. They were joining the ard-rí for an evening meal, for God’s sake.
And listening, seeing what they could discover. Because once again, there were four leaders of the isle who would be with them. No, five, because Cillian was here along with Eion of Connaught, Berach of Linns, James of Munster and Angus of Ui Neill.
When they arrived at the entry to the great banqueting hall, she noted that Declan was taking their warnings seriously now. After all, he had almost been killed in his own home.
Two of his men, armed and watchful, were at the entry. She was certain that others were on hand, too, and not just the men who had been invited to share in the evening’s repast.
“We might be among the last to arrive,” Kylin murmured.
Declan was at the head table. Cillian’s man, Daniel, was at his side, to his left. And continuing on the left, Angus was seated, and then James of Munster.
The two seats to the right of the ard-rí remained open—for her and Kylin, Deidre knew. The third chair was taken by Eion of Connaught and the fourth by Berach of Linns.
They walked past tables filled with various men of high rank in the ard-rí’s court and their wives, waving and speaking with those they’d met on various occasions, until they reached their seats. The others stood, all waiting for Deidre to take her place, next to Declan.
“Thus, they have arrived! The young lovers from the house of my dear friend, the great Rí Eamon O’Connor. Congratulations are in order! Slainte!”
Those who had been seated in the hall stood, lifting their goblets and repeating the toast, “Slainte!”
Deidre waved as did Kylin, both issuing their thanks.
“And now, please, sit down and enjoy the great hospitality of our ard-rí, Declan!” Deidre called.
Laughter and happy chatter followed as they took their seats.
Declan always offered entertainment during such a meal. And he had said that he meant it to celebrate Deidre and Kylin’s betrothal. She winced when they were called up to stand by the minstrel as he sang a love ballad.
And then an uproar of voices were heard, commanding, “Kiss, kiss, kiss!”
And there was little to do. Kylin was a fine actor. He managed to look down into her eyes adoringly before gently cupping her chin and then touching her lips with a gentle kiss that deepened as the roar in the banquet hall continued to climb.
It was like the dream . . . the feel of him, scent of him, strength of him, the things that seemed to happen to the whole of her, the fire within as that kiss went on and on . . .
And broke at last.
She hoped that she was a good actress, too. Or maybe she wasn’t acting. She met his eyes, wondering what was in her own. And then he caught her hand and they returned to their seats, still hearing the approving roar of the crowd within the room.
Except as they returned to the table and the revelers settled down, she heard James of Munster saying to Angus, “You must admit, they’re suited. I’m an old man in need of an heir and, Angus, you’re young, but time does go by quickly!”
“As if a man’s age matters!” Angus snapped.
Whatever was said after was lost because Declan greeted her back on her side of the table with a hug that brought forth another round of cheers.
Nice, of course, but . . .
Not everyone out there was happy, and she knew it.
As the night went on, she managed to get a few minutes to speak with James of Munster, who seemed fine with everything.
He was determined to let her know that Munster had men on the way to the ard-rí and that he believed they were right—there had never been a time when they needed to be more vigilant.
“Oh, and I am being sincere, lass. We all offered your father to take you as a bride. Even me. But that wouldn’t have been right.
You two are perfect, he’s just a few years older, and your father’s land .
. . well, it needs strength where he holds his walled castle, and where Sigurd watches over the extension of the village.
And for once, perhaps, a marriage can be enjoyed by both.
The man seems to respect your abilities on the field as well, something many a man might not. ”
“I’m aware of that, and thank you so much, Rí James!” she told him. She saw that Kylin was speaking with Angus and Angus seemed no more belligerent than usual. Earlier, he’d talked more with Eion and Cillian and the ard-Rí while she had chatted with Berach of Linns.
Someone called out to James; he excused himself and went over to speak with his man.
Berach approached her again, lifting his goblet to her.
“Again, slainte! I just hope you don’t regret your decision. And I do understand the decision was yours,” Berach told her.
“To marry Kylin?” she asked him.
“You might have ruled vast lands,” he said.
“Ah, well, first, I’d have not been the ruler. And second, well, I don’t need vast lands. We both wish only to protect what is ours,” Deidre explained.
“Well, I do hope you feel that way in the future,” Berach said with a shrug.
“I think I will,” she said. “And—” she pretended to suppress a yawn “—I’m afraid that I must get some sleep. You’ll excuse me?”
“Of course.”
Even at Declan’s castle—or, perhaps especially at Declan’s castle—she wasn’t going anywhere alone. As if they’d had a mental conversation, she saw that Kylin was looking at her, nodding.
Time to head up. He’d see her to her room. And he would stay at the door until he heard the bolt slide.
They bid good-night to others as they locked arms to leave the great hall, pausing, of course, to thank Declan for making it such an extraordinary night for them.
“Worthy of much!” he assured them.
“Sire,” Kylin said quietly, “there is something I wish to tell you about.”
“In private, I imagine,” Declan said.
“We need to speak with Cillian, too,” Deidre reminded them.
“First morning’s light,” Declan said. “When the cock crows, in my private chamber. I will be there alone. Not completely alone, for Daniel, Cillian’s trusted man, is now with me.
Cillian has insisted because we know that he has absolute loyalty to Cillian and now to me.
But he’s also one step removed so he might notice something that those close to me might not.
And thanks to the two of you, he has now been the eyes in the back of my head in all that I do.
Even in my own home. Especially in my own home,” he added, shaking his head.
“Aye, sire, as it must be. Crack of dawn,” Declan assured him.
Not wanting to be obvious, Deidre left the two of them to hurry over to Cillian on the pretense of wishing him a good night.
He excused himself, turning away from the men with whom he’d been speaking.
“There’s something, Cillian,” Deidre said swiftly. “People being killed, disappearing—”
“Around the foothills of Derue,” Cillian said. “News has spread, or is spreading, I’m sure. Banshees, demons, whatever, attacking and kidnapping or killing men.”
“Aye, sire. Eion is truly concerned, and Kylin and I will travel with him.”
“We’ll leave together, of course. We came together, we will leave together.”
“But it may be best—”
“You wish to move silently, keeping your party small.”
“Aye.”
Cillian smiled. “But I will know where you are. And if you do not reach my home within four or five hours of our parting, I will bring a contingent of my best warriors. Trusted men will ride with us—I’d not make the very tail end of this strange journey of ours alone.”
She smiled. “Aye, sire. The end of your journey? But first—”
“You wish to speak with the banshees? There’s a rumor about as well that you and Kylin have been touched by magic.” He smiled. “But then again, love is magic!”
She smiled sweetly.
“I will ride with you—” Cillian tried again.
“Sire,” Deidre interrupted, wincing as she did so and a bit confused since he had spoken about “the end of his journey,” “Kylin seems to think that we’ll be better with two parties of two, slipping through, watching one another’s backs.”
He nodded, lowering his head, a secret smile teasing his lips. “Young bucks and gifted young warrioress. I do understand.”
“It is your right, of course—”
“Nay, lass. It is my right, but it is the two of you who are the leaders in knowledge. In determining that we know what is happening, we will be prepared to defend ourselves. Kylin is truly a brilliant tactician when it comes to subterfuge and positions in a battle. But you said two sets of two, I believe. Who is your fourth?”
“Eion’s man, Magnus. Do you know him, sire?” Deidre asked.
Cillian nodded. “That I do. A good choice. Eion was a young man when we lost his dear father. Magnus has been his confidant through the beginning years, rough years. A good choice, indeed.”
“We wanted your thoughts on the matter, sire. I’m grateful that you are in agreement.”
“We ride the first part of the journey with a few of my men. As I said, in these treacherous times, I will not continue on my way without a guard. Declan cannot afford to lose me now. Also, you’ll need one of my men to stay with the horses.
Two of my men—then the ard-rí can be informed of what is discovered when you ride to me. ”
“Oh! Of course, I understand. We are set, then. Good night—”
“Lass.”
“Aye?”
“There is magic in you. But take care, I beg of you. I doubt not your abilities, and still, you must take the gravest care. You and Kylin will be needed as time moves swiftly, and a more brutal hour is nearly upon us.”
“Aye, and oh! We will relay all this in council with the ard-rí at the crack of dawn, sire.”
“Crack of dawn it is,” Cillian agreed.
She gave him a hug, something natural with a man her father’s age she had known throughout her life.
By then, she saw that Kylin was waiting and she hurried to him.
“We’re set?” he asked.
“We are,” she assured him.
“Aye, then, a good night’s sleep.”
As she had expected, he kept his hold on her up the stairs and to her door. Others were heading out to their own rooms within the castle.
Again, she noted guards now where none had been before.
Guards who did not seem to move themselves, but who watched all who moved about the great hall.
“At least Declan is now aware of his own danger,” Kylin murmured. “If Declan were to be lost . . . well, such a man to hold not just the title of ard-rí, but the admiration and affection of an isle of people is rare and something incredible for our lifetimes.”
“There have been wars before, there will be wars again.”
“But he has held éire mainly in peace, as one,” Kylin said quietly.
“You really admire him greatly, don’t you?”
“I do. And I fear that without him, the isle could fragment. Without a beloved ruler, there might seem to many that there is little to fight for.”
“Kylin, we can’t stay here and protect Declan and be ready to help our fathers and my brother. Or to travel to the hills and find Eion’s killer banshees. Perhaps we are touched by magic, but we are human beings, only in one place at one time.”
He nodded. “Together,” he said softly. “Have I ever mentioned that I am ever grateful to have you as my partner in this strange magic?”
She laughed softly. “Nay, but may I return the sentiment.”
“Of course, you may.”
They had reached her door. They were both smiling.
Then he stepped back.
“Get in, please. And I will be here when the cock crows.”
She stepped into her room, nodded to him and closed the door.
And he waited, listening for the sound of the bolt.
To her surprise, when she awoke at dawn she realized she had slept and the dream had come again.
This time, he was in her doorway, impossibly tall, leanly muscled with broad shoulders, his face, so sculpted and masculine, and his eyes . . .
A question in them. And, of course, she answered with her eyes in return.
And he came to her.
Warmth in every touch, brush, caress and kiss.
His lips covered her flesh, bringing her the incredible rush of sensation she had dreamed before, in these dreams that were so very real that they seemed to touch her in truth, ignite sweet, blazing fires within her, make her feel warmth and security and sensation that was explosive, and . . .
Love.
She felt loved. Held. Cherished.
So very, very real that . . . it had been a shock when the first hint of light touched the sky and she heard the cock’s crow.
Then what was in truth reality struck her. It was time to start another dangerous day.