The First Spell Weaver of Airendell: Book Two of the Airendell Chronicles (18 page)

“Mother, you looked uncomfortable when I mentioned Rinda’s love for you.  Why?  Everyone knows what you two meant to each other as girls and young women.  It’s just something everyone knows and accepts, in our circle from Airendell I mean.  I guess Daddy is the only reason you two are not still together.”  Aideen says thoughtfully.

“When your daddy came into my life, my feelings for Rinda changed to friendship.  A very deep, loving friendship, but just a friendship all the same.  You don’t resent that?”  Morna asks skeptically.

“No.  I have always accepted that.  It was Daddy’s single minded devotion to you that has always made me so angry.  I don’t know why.  Am I just a jealous little brat?”  Aideen asks miserably.

“I don’t think so.  Your Daddy is a very special man.  He is loving, fair minded, generous, caring, fierce in defending those he loves, and there is the powerful physical allure he has for human women because he is a vampire.  I am sure it has been very confusing for you.  Especially since we have both been in and out of your life since you were a small child.  I am sorry honey, it is horrible what you have been put through because of me.”  Morna chokes.

“Mama, not because of you.  You didn’t curse yourself.  Agnar has made me see that if you had not been cursed, we would have had an idyllic life as a family in Airendell.  You would have happily been a devoted wife to Daddy and loving mother to me.   Did you know that he can give someone visions of what might have been?  He won’t often do it, because it can be very painful to see what one’s life could have been like, if only…”  Now Aideen is crying.  Morna takes her into her arms and holds her child as she mourns for the life that she could have had with both of her parents. 

The two women remain like that for a long time, grieving for their shared loss when Morna finally says, “Aideen, we can’t get back what might have been, but we can still have a happy life together.  I will not allow my mother, Valgullveig or Kyera to hurt anyone that I love ever again.  I promise you, as soon as I am able, I will find and neutralize Kyera.  Then we can deal with Valgullveig.”

“Mama, I am a good warrior.  Agnar and Thor have trained me well.  Can I join you in hunting down Kyera?”  Aideen beseeches her mother sincerely.

“Perhaps… Yes, I think that might be a good idea.  I will monitor your training and help you prepare, but yes, I think that is only fitting that we take her down together.  She has taken so much from both of us.  We were planning to go back home, but maybe we should stay here so I can make sure you are ready.  We should have a good four or five weeks before I can go after her, to get you ready.  Maybe longer, I don‘t know.”  Morna says warming up to the idea.  Then Morna pauses and looks at her daughter thoughtfully and asks, “Can you take orders from me?  I am the First Warrior of Airendell, Ireland, Wales and the New World, and the First Protector of the Talismans of Airendell and the Gateways of Ari and Almeda, there is no doubt, I would have to be in command.”

“As a sworn and bound warrior, I would follow you, and obey you without question or hesitation.  I would undergo the fealty rites and ceremonies to assure it Mother.”  Aideen promises.

Morna hugs her daughter again and kisses her forehead.  “Yes, we will indeed be a formidable combination.”

Morna hugs Aideen again and then smiles, “Your Daddy is coming.”

“How do you know that Mama?”  Aideen asks skeptically.

“Because I can hear him, smell him and sense him.  My ‘evolution’ that we didn’t explain to you before, came about because your Father accidentally exposed me to his venom.  I did not become a vampire, I don’t thirst for blood, but I seem to have many of the attributes of a vampire.  We are even more connected than ever.  When he is nearby, I can get a sense of everything he says or does.  The same for him.  He is also aware of you at all times when you are near.  So if you ever want true privacy, put up a buffer spell.  My awareness is growing to include you too.  But I am befuddled today, because it feels like my other children are here too.”  Morna sighs sadly.  “Just wishful thinking.”  .

Aideen hugs Morna and says, “Mama you really miss them don’t you?”

“Desperately darling girl.  I don’t love them anymore than I do you, but I have been with each of them since birth.  And they were so tragically and cruelly stolen from me.  I can’t explain the emptiness I feel until I can see them again.”  Morna admits. 

Morna suddenly jumps up and says, “Someone is with Luca… can it be?”  And she jumps up and runs to the door without another word and runs out into the hall.  Aideen is amazed that her mother moves just as fast as her father.  But doesn’t have time to dwell on it as she follows her mother out into the hallway.

The scene that greets Aideen in the hallway is amazing.  Her father was indeed coming to join them, but he comes bearing guests.  Three children; the oldest is a boy of about 15.  He’s as tall as Morna with reddish-brown wavy hair and Morna’s brilliant green eyes.  He’s very handsome and strong looking, for a gawky teen.  Morna is hugging him and swaying side to side.  “Oh my babies!”  She strokes his face, “Kyle, is it really you, son?  Do I really have my babies back?”

The second child is about 12, he’s a boy in a wheelchair.  He has light, reddish brown hair and Morna’s emerald green eyes.  He is very small and frail, but alert and intelligent looking.  Morna moves to embrace this frail angel and checks him over, “Aiden! Sweet, sweet Aiden!  Baby, you look so good!  You seem so well, my little man!”

The final child is a tiny girl.  She looks just like Morna did at age seven except for the brilliant green eyes.  Morna’s eyes were blue when she was a child. Morna is still kneeling and the little girl crawls in Morna’s lap, “Mama!”  Morna hugs her and holds her closely as she continues to try to hold the boys at the same time.  “My Babies!”

Morna is laughing and crying and trying to hold all of her children at once.  She races back and grabs Aideen’s hand and brings her into the fray.  “My babies! Kyle, Aiden, Nora - this is your big sister, Aideen! My babies!  All of my babies here together!  God is indeed merciful!”  She asks each child if they are well and happy.  If they have been eating and sleeping. When Morna has finally hugged and kissed each child thoroughly she notices two men with her husband.  One she recognizes, of course, it is her father, Valliant.  The other is obviously an elvish envoy, who seems rather familiar.  Morna turns to look at her father, “Did you do this Father?  Bring my babies to me?” 

“I only went to retrieve them.  It was Luca’s idea.  He raised nine kinds of hell with Heimdall and Albreich, and the Elvish council until they all consented.  He made them see that First Warrior of Airendell could surely protect her own children in the middle of Asgard!”  Valliant declares proudly as he slaps his son in law on the back with obvious affection.  “We were planning a grand reveal at the banquet, but Luca said you could sense them being here that we should let you be reunited with them in private.”

Morna draws her mate into her arms.  “Man of Light, you continue to amaze me!  Thank you Darling, thank you!”

Morna looks at the Elvish envoy, bows her head and says, “May they remain with me, Sir?”

The envoy bows his head in return, and says, “Lady Morna, you don’t have to bow your head to me, you out rank me, but you know that don’t you?”  Morna only smiles at this.  “I am Collingwood.  I have been honored to act as caretaker to your children while they have been at Alfheim.  They are permitted to stay with you.  The Council is finally convinced that you are now able to protect them.  However, we would all be calmer about it if you would remain here in Asgard with them until the baby arrives and you can dispose of Kyera.  At least, we assume you will do that after the birth of your latest child.”

Aideen gasps, “Baby?”  So do Kyle, Aiden and Nora.

“Oh dear!  Forgive me madam.  I should have given you time to tell the children yourself.  I am too forward.  I am very fond of your children and consider myself a part of their family.  Forgive me.”  When Morna sees Kyle and Nora move to reassure Collingwood she smiles because they obviously feel the same way about him.  Even Aiden is looking at him fondly.

Morna looks at each of her children and smiles radiantly, “I am having another child!  A child with my mate, my husband; Luca.  You are getting a new brother!”

Morna turns her attention to the Elf; “Nothing to forgive Collingwood.  It is obvious my children adore you too.  Well, let us find a place big enough to accommodate us all and spend a little time getting to know each other, shall we?”  Morna looks at Valliant, “Any suggestions Father?”

“I think your hall would suffice nicely,” Valliant says a little smugly.

Morna starts in confusion, “My hall?”

“Yes, I built it for you when you were born.  But you never seemed interested in dwelling here in Asgard, so I never told you about it.  It has fifteen bedchambers and the Master’s chambers, and a small but adequate hall, so it will certainly accommodate all of you and your growing family.” Valliant chuckles warmly at his daughter.  “Brynhold has requested permission to run it for you while you are here.  He is a very competent man, I am sure it is more than ready for you all right now.”

Morna looks at Collingwood, “You are welcome to join us there if you don’t have to go back to Alfheim immediately.”

“Thank you Madam, I would enjoy that very much.” Collingwood says warmly.

Morna looks at Aideen, “You too, darling girl.  Please join us?”

“Of course, Mama I would love to join you.  Can Agnar come with me?”  Aideen asks quietly.

“I assumed you two were a package deal these days,” Morna chuckles.

Morna turns to her father, “Father, can you escort everyone over there and get them settled in?  I need to see Samantha and Breena.  Luca and I will find you soon.”

“But you don’t know where the house is…” Valliant begins, but breaks off in laughter when Morna taps her nose.  “I forget that you can track our scent in a hurricane.”

“Well, that might be an exaggeration, but yes, we can find you.” Morna assures them.  She turns to hug and kiss each child in turn and assures them she will join them very soon, and then everyone’s questions can hopefully be answered.  “I want to go get your Aunt Breena and soon to be Uncle Damian, and your Aunt Rinda too.  And I need to talk to Samantha.  I love you, babies, be with you as soon as possible.” 

Morna takes Luca’s hand into her own and leads him down the corridor.  After they were out of sight of the group she ducks into a quiet corner with him and starts kissing him.  “Luca, I love you so very, very much!  Thank you for reuniting me with my children.”  Her delight in him quickly turns into a conflagration of passion.  “Damn!” she murmurs, “I should have kept my hands to myself.  Now I can’t think of anything but loving you.  Why can‘t I control myself?” Morna ducks her face as embarrassment colors her cheeks.

Luca chuckles and puts up a binding spell.  “Darling between the pregnancy hormones and your vampire senses, I think you control yourself amazingly well.  And you are welcome, I am overjoyed at your happiness.”  He says softly as he captures her lips again and raises her up against the wall.  He unties the halter top of her cocktail dress and moans happily as he bends his head to nuzzle and suck on her breasts.  Morna moans loudly and winds her fingers into his hair, holding him near her breasts. When he is finally able to tear himself away from her full breasts, he grins and says, “I assumed you wouldn’t want to take the time to go back to the bedchamber.”

“No darling, I need you now!” She pants as she caresses his beloved face.  He quickly frees his erection from his slacks as she moves the fabric of her skirt out of their way.  They both moan in intense pleasure as he lowers her onto his erection.  She wraps her arms and legs around him and hangs onto him even tighter as he drives fiercely in and out of her as he holds her against the wall, kissing demandingly as he does. 

It doesn’t take long until he feels the tension mounting in her body, signaling that her climax is nearing.  He looks into her eyes, and rasps, “You are a true wonder Morna!”  He captures her mouth in a passionate kiss before she can reply and drives them both over the edge into their mutual orgasm, and continues to drive into her as they ride out the waves of intense pleasure together. 

When Morna’s body finally starts to relax she starts kissing him again and then says, “Darling, you better put me down or I will make you do that again.  It was wonderful!”  Luca laughs and lowers her to her feet, and brushes her hair from her face.  Morna kisses him lightly and says very quietly, “Thank you darling!”

Luca laughs again, and says, “You are probably the only woman in existence who thanks her mate after she gifts him with the best ride in the world.”

“Whatever,” Morna scoffs, and says, “Let’s go find my sister.  Has Breena seen the babies?”

“No, she and Damian had not come to the hall yet when the children arrived.  I knew that you sensed them here, so I brought them to you.  That and I wanted to be with you and Aideen before you made anymore plans.  You really think you can trust Aideen enough to fight beside you against Kyera?”  Luca asks somewhat skeptically.

“Yes I do, and like she said, if she undergoes the training and the ceremonies she will be bound to obey my commands during battle.” Morna reminds him as they walk to the main hall.

“But will she be safe?” Luca asks.

“Luca if she trained with Thor and Agnar, she’s tough, or they wouldn’t have bothered with her.  Believe me I know those two.  And besides, it was a warrior that came after me on the plain, not just an angry daughter.  Her magic is very strong.  She should not have been able to catch up to me.  She will be ready to hold her own, I am sure of it.  But I plan to supervise her training myself just to make sure.”