Pagan Fire, page 20
Dylan held the cone gently in both hands. A glow emanated from its center. It levitated above his palms and began to twirl, taking on the appearance of a full-grown tree, in miniature. He closed his eyes and merged with the memory it held inside. It was from near the top of its mother. It had seen Morrigu taking Maere away! And it knew the direction the goddess flew. The direction he must now travel to bring his beloved home.
* * * *
“Maere? Can you hear me?”
Maere stirred, opening her eyes slightly. The bright morning sun cut through the trees and found her. She quickly shielded her eyes. A woman grown and still the light teased her. “Yes?” Her throat dry and sore, the words came as barely a whisper.
A sigh escaped the person kneeling over her. A cool gentle hand caressed her forehead and smoothed a tangle of hair from her cheek. “It’s Seelie, my friend. Seelie.” She tipped Maere’s head forward and spilled a little water into her mouth from a clay cup.
Maere coughed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She rolled to her side, groaning, and tried to force her body into a sitting position, but even the slightest movement brought pain. By the gods, her shoulders were on fire where that devil bird had sunk its knife-like talons into her. By the gods? Dylan was having an influence. Panic returned and she focused on Seelie’s face. “Where is Dylan?”
“It’s Dylan you’re worried about and not yourself? If you could see what I see you’d change your mind, quick.” Her tone was light, but her eyes were wide with concern. “You’re hurt Maere. You need to think of yourself right now.”
Was it a trick of the goddess or was Seelie, in truth, here at her side? It made no sense that Morrigu would bring her to her friend. She had to see for herself. Moving slowly, Maere pushed past the pain and rose up on her elbows. She steadied herself and looked over the woman kneeling before her. Her heart jumped. “Oh, Seelie. ‘Tis you. I feared you were long dead.” Tears fell freely down Maere’s cheeks, leaving streaks in the dirt that dusted them.
“I am a slave, but still alive, as you can see,” Seelie said, hugging Maere to her until the tears slowed. “You’re in Eugis’s camp. Morrigu brought you here last night,” she whispered, turning her head sharply at a sound in the forest. “I can’t stay but a moment. I know not what your uncle might do if we’re found together.”
Seelie gently released Maere. She dipped the edge of her wrap in what remained of the water and washed Maere’s face. “There, now. Much better.” Footsteps sounded nearby. Seelie jumped to her feet, head down, her shawl pulled tight around her face. “I must go. I’ll come see you when I can.”
“No, Seelie, wait. I don’t understand.” Maere extended her hand to stop her but she was already out of reach, heading toward one of the crude structures bordering the encampment. Her strength drained, Maere eased herself back down. Eugis’s camp? Sweet Mother, she prayed. Have mercy on my soul.
“You are good to me, my goddess,” Eugis said. He stood away from his niece, off to the side of the small cluster of tents and fires, and observed her as she talked to her friend.
“True.” Morrigu said. She touched his chin, forcibly drawing his attention back to her. “I believe it is time you showed your gratitude.”
Eugis glanced from Morrigu to Maere, his need growing. His eyes found Morrigu’s and he knew the need wasn’t for her. It was for the power Maere would bring him.
“You hesitate.” Morrigu dropped her hand. “Would you consider denying me my rightful due?” Her face held no emotion, but her words carried a deep and dark undercurrent.
He lowered his mouth near hers. “Nay, goddess. I would worship you for now and always.” His breath caressed her lips. “I thought to complete the task at hand and meet you as you deserve, as your equal.”
Morrigu laughed. “My equal? Do you believe you could ever be my equal?” She grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him hard, punishing him with the intensity of it. Releasing Eugis, she flicked her black hair over her shoulder, revealing a full bare breast. “You will fulfill me now.” She ran a sharp nail along the back of his hand, drawing blood.
Eugis shuddered, his body gone cold. “My mistake.” He opened his arms wide and the goddess stepped into his embrace. He covered her mouth roughly with his own. Let Morrigu say what she would, he knew the legends. His magic would grow a thousandfold when he mated with Maere. He shoved Morrigu to the ground and she laughed out loud. He smiled as he lowered himself, his eyes on the body of the young woman who would make him all-powerful.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“I see your friend has found you.” Eugis nodded his head in Seelie’s direction.
Maere’s eyes flew open. She sucked in her breath. Here was the uncle before her, the one who killed her mother and father, killed Dylan’s father. The uncle who had taken everything from her and wanted even more. She swallowed a wave of nausea and stared hard at him.
He squatted down but still towered over his niece by a head. “No words of welcome for your father’s brother?” He leaned in more closely, as if inspecting her. “Or did the nuns cut out that unruly tongue of yours?”
Maere backed away from him, pain shooting through her shoulders. She didn’t get far before she found herself up against a boulder and could move no more.
Eugis touched her cheek. “Do you even remember me, I wonder?” He let his hand fall to her injured shoulder. “You were so young when last we saw one another.”
Maere shoved his hand away. “Aye, I remember.” She met his eyes. “Everything.”
“Well, then.” He dropped back on his haunches and smoothed his tunic. “Know this: I loved my brother, but I had no choice. He forced my hand.”
He blamed her father? “I see no truth in what you say,” she spat, her anger growing. “My mother and father were not at fault. You are the murderer.”
“So you would think.” Eugis put out a hand, in supplication. “If Manfred had taken my counsel, none of what happened would have been necessary. He chose to ignore my words. The deed is on his head, not mine. He betrothed you to mac Connall’s boy when I knew ‘twould be best if I were to be your husband. Best if the powers stayed within our family.”
Eugis stood and Maere’s eyes traveled up the full length of him. They stopped at his heart, then his eyes. She realized he truly believed his tale. He believed he had no responsibility for those deaths.
“As your only living kin,” he continued, “it falls to me to make certain you are taken care of.”
“I don’t claim you as kin,” Maere choked out. “All I had, you took away.” Disgust ran over her like a cold chill. “You have toyed with me, haunted my nightmares. We are no relation. I am nothing like you.”
“But don’t you see? You could be.” Eugis squatted down again, his face close to hers. “I can help you, niece, to realize the full extent of what lies within you.” He nodded. “Yes, I can see you’re interested. Come to me willingly and I’ll raise you up beside me. We’ll rule the Dumnonii.” He laughed and leaned in closer, gripping her upper arms, his breath hot on her face. “Maybe we’ll rule the gods and goddesses as well.”
Maere looked away. “I am sickened by you.”
Eugis released her arms and sat back. “Willing or not, it doesn’t matter. Either way I’ll have you first, before Dylan or anyone else.” She brought her eyes back to his face. “That interests you, doesn’t it? Yes, he’s on his way, but he’ll be too late.”
Dread filled Maere. “What gives you the right to play with our lives?”
“I give him the right.” Morrigu stepped into view. She looked the younger woman up and down. “This is what you would have?” she asked Eugis.
“True, you are more beautiful than she, dear goddess.” He stood and ran his hand up and down Morrigu’s arm in a slow caress. “But that’s not what draws me to her. You know that.”
Maere’s eyes narrowed. She felt the heat building in her belly, and took a deep breath, fueling it. “Let me leave, Eugis, before anyone is hurt.”
Eugis laughed. “She threatens us?”
Morrigu took a step forward, her head tilted, silver eyes staring. “Her power builds. I can sense it.” She turned to Eugis. “She has not learned how to control it, nor will she until she shares herself. Her rage at you has triggered a reaction.” She laughed out loud. “You have your hands full with this one.”
“She’s but a girl and no match for me,” Eugis replied.
Morrigu shivered. Black feathers appeared along her spine. She turned her head, loosening her neck muscles, and her hair turned to inky down. “Believe what you will.” She stretched her arms and cascades of feathers dropped from their length until she was enveloped by them, her human attributes only evident in her face, hands, and feet. “I find myself bored with this. She distracts you when I deserve your full attention.”
“Not so,” Eugis protested. Would she actually leave him on his own when they were so close to their goal? “Do you not still seek revenge against Fox’s son?”
“I tire of the game.” Morrigu raised her arms to the sky and took flight. “I seek another. A younger man who will worship me properly.”
“Dylan,” Maere whispered.
“Mmmm. So it would seem to you.” The goddess looked down at Eugis as she circled overhead. “This much I will share with you, Eugis, before I take leave. Make sure this one’s drugged but good before you take her virginity. Or poisoned and dying, whichever way you like it.” She smiled at Maere then looked back at Eugis. “For I tell you true, if her mind is not incapacitated in some way, she’ll kill you before you have a chance to enter her.” With a loud flapping of wings, Morrigu shot up toward the sun and vanished.
Maere tilted her chin, ignoring the bright sunlight as she considered the goddess’ words. She looked at her uncle. “Let me go now and I will leave you be.”
Loud laughter burst forth from the older man.
“You find me amusing?”
“Aye, girl. Again, you would threaten me. Perhaps you don’t recall that I’m a Dyrrwed High Priest with magic of my own?”
“I recall that you used your position to threaten and intimidate others to do your bidding against my family and Dylan’s. That is the only magic you possess, the ability to control those less learned.” Maere looked away, her eyes watering. “Or those who would trust you.”
Eugis crouched near Maere and ran a finger along her cheek. When he reached her jaw, he cupped her chin with his palm and pulled her forward. “You forget something else I have.”
Maere struggled against his grip, but he held tight.
“What is her name? Seelie?” He watched intently. “Does it not matter to you what happens to her?”
Sweet Jesus. Panic ran up Maere’s spine. “What are you saying?”
“You’re not stupid. You understand well enough my intent.” He stood and pushed his graying hair out of his eyes. “Now then, I will take my leave. There’s much to prepare before our ceremony.” He bowed mockingly toward Maere, “‘Til tonight, my lady.” He turned and walked away.
As she watched Eugis leave, Maere forced thoughts of Seelie and Dylan from her mind, concentrating instead on the heat of her power. She worked to form it into something tangible she could use against her uncle. But no matter how hard she tried to command it, nothing happened.
Frustrated, Maere lay on her side and pulled a thin blanket tightly about her. If she was to be blessed with a gift, why couldn’t it have been something she could use whenever she wanted, rather than available only when least expected? Perhaps it was best this way—for if she could do as she pleased to whomever she liked, she’d most likely end up like Morrigu. Or her uncle.
Chapter Thirty-Four
From the crest of a small hill, Dylan watched Eugis’s men as they moved to and fro. A small group had stopped to talk, gesturing toward the west end of the camp. Dylan squinted against the glare of the setting sun in an attempt to see what they were pointing at, but he could only make out shadows against the bright rays. He sat back for a moment, catching his breath. He’d traveled fast and furiously over the land, stopping only to check his path against the memory of the trees around him. Morrigu, in her raven form, had flown many miles quickly but it took him a full day of hard riding to finally reach Maere. And Eugis. He clenched his jaw. He’d send the man into bloody oblivion before it was all said and done.
Dylan moved slowly to his right, toward what appeared to be a clearing just beyond the stand of trees bordering the camp. By the time he’d reached the area, the sun was low on the horizon, a faint red glow tingeing the clouds above. But there was enough light for him to see where the men had pointed, and why they had been in a hurry.
The clearing held a large flat gray stone surrounded by stanchions of white rock. Wreaths of mistletoe hung from the stone pillars and a garland of oak branches was strung about the center stone. Seeing no one about, Dylan ventured into the clearing and ran his hand over the flat stone. A carved spiral spun out from the middle and touched stylized carvings that created a border around the edge. The center spiral was stained. Dylan leaned closer and even in the near-darkness recognized it for what it was: Blood.
A sacrificial altar. This is where Eugis would bring Maere. No, he corrected himself, where Eugis would try to bring Maere. Dylan would not allow for the possibility Eugis might still win after all these years.
A muffled sound from behind interrupted his thoughts. He turned quickly, but not in time to raise his arm against the blow coming down on him. The last thing Dylan saw was Eugis, smiling in the background, as he crumpled to the ground.
* * * *
Alone in the dark, Maere huddled against the stone post she was strapped to, the warmth of the sun still radiating from it. Quietly, she watched the play of the center fire as it danced and cast its colors against the night; the reaching and shifting of the flames was mesmerizing. Where she had only looked at fire in fear before, she now saw its beauty and awesome power. In truth, she believed part of the flame lived within her, left from when she’d walked through it to save Jorvik’s father. If only that power would come forth, she could defeat Eugis. But what of Seelie? Knowing her uncle, he’d already given orders that if Maere harmed him, or tried to escape, her friend was to be killed on the spot.
She shifted, restless in mind and body, her thoughts a silent prayer sent on the wind to her betrothed. Dylan, stay away from this place. I can’t be responsible for your destruction too. We’ve seen too much death together. Please, if you can sense my words, stay away.
A tent flap on the other side of the fire flipped open and a short, sturdy man emerged. Maere couldn’t make out his features as he walked toward her, but his hands alternately balled into fists then relaxed at his sides.
He stopped in front of her. Maere looked up. “It’s time,” he said.
Maere glanced down at the ground for a moment, then at the full moon where it danced low in the sky. She took a deep breath. “Nimue.” The name of the moon goddess came out barely a whisper on her exhale. “If you are the last sight I see, I am grateful, for you are beautiful.”
The man shifted from one foot to the other. “Now.”
“Aye,” Maere replied. She rose to her feet. She held her bound hands out toward the soldier. “Cut my bindings.”
He took a step back. “I will not! You won’t work your magic against me!”
Maere sighed. “I seek only to face Eugis with some pride in place.”
“Your pride be damned. If you’re so powerful, release them yourself,” he said. “I’ll not be turned into some dark phouka who roams the night, stealing souls by one such as you.”
“Is that what you think I can do?” Maere cocked her head and looked the man in the eye. Yes, there was fear there. There was a time when no one feared her. The people of her village only loved her and welcomed her into their homes. This was Eugis’s doing, of that she was certain. “Believe what you will, then.”
The man grunted. He walked in a wide arc around her to cut loose the tether holding her to the stone. He grabbed the length of rope attached to Maere’s wrists and gave it a good jerk. She stumbled forward and fell to her knees. He laughed as he pulled her upright. “Maybe the stories about you aren’t true after all.” He took a step closer, his confidence growing. “Seelie tells me you saved her life. Is it true?”
Maere smelled sour mead on his breath. “Where is she? Is she safe?”
“For now.” The man grinned. “She’ll be kept alive until Eugis is through with you anyway, just so he can be sure you won’t try anything.”
“I gave him my word.” Maere bristled. “I said I’d not harm anyone as long as Seelie remained safe.”
His eyes glinted as they swept over Maere’s face and form. He gave her lead a rough pull. She stumbled again but kept her footing. “Think I’ll be asking your uncle for you when he’s had his fill.”
Anger swept through her. Men and their talk of taking her! The man gave the tether another jerk but she didn’t budge. He looked afraid again.
Power flowed from the soles of her feet into the ground, rooting her to the spot. She would survive this, she promised herself. Eugis would not steal her power. She would not allow it. The legends said a sharing took place, not that she completely lost her power. She straightened her spine. Yes, she would come through this, Eugis be damned. She stepped forward. “Lead me to this place. Now.” The man nodded and began walking, keeping his distance.
Sixty yards through the camp and into the forest, they entered the clearing. Maere stopped at the edge and looked around her. Candles placed all around cast tall, flickering shadows against the trees. Mistletoe wreaths decorated the stacked stone pillars, a grim reminder of the fate of her and Dylan’s kin at Eugis’s hand. The flat altar in the center had been draped with white linen cloth, so finely woven she could see a large spiral carved into the stone surface beneath it.
