Goblin Moon (20 page)

They'd been so deeply entrenched in their discussion he hadn't registered the approach of the very woman whose fate was being discussed. “Yes,
Mabb
, go home. My life, my baby's and Tearach's are our business. Our future isn't something to be manipulated by some jealous woman bent on having her own way. If you cared about Tearach,
really cared
, you would want him to be happy."

"And you think
you
have what it takes to make him so?” Mabb snorted, derisively looking Kathy up and down.

Kathy looked straight at Tearach. “That's between the two of us. But one thing I know. He cares about people too much to ever find happiness doing what you suggest. Tearach has too much dignity."

Tearach was deeply moved that she thought such a thing about him. Especially after his humiliation in front of the entire Order.

Mabb turned to him. “When you're ready, you know where to find me.” She stalked off into the night.

Almost visible strands of envy, pain and jealousy followed Mabb as she left. Tearach walked to Kathy and looped his arm about her shoulders, giving them a reassuring squeeze. He was aware that many of the Order had overheard the exchange, and it galled him that something so private would be the newest gossip. But then, so would Kathy's compliment. “I'm sorry about this. In other times, Mabb would have never behaved in such a way. The past eight years have been a living hell for all of us."

Kathy smiled. “You have nothing to apologize for. I shouldn't have said what I did. She's one of your people, and I can't hold it against her or anyone else that outsiders aren't viewed with particular favor. It isn't right that all of you have to hide like this."

"As I said earlier, there are others who might feel the same way as Mabb. It might not be a good idea to be alone among them as yet.” He glanced toward the part of the forest in which Mabb had retreated. “Make sure me, Cairna, or Rome is with you at all times."

She raised her eyebrows. “It took you and Lore to kidnap me. Do you think I'm incapable of defending myself, or that it might be necessary? What about the Sorceress’ command that I be left alone?"

"It's best not to put yourself in harm's way. And you don't want anything to happen to the baby, do you?"

Her hands went protectively to her abdomen. “You think someone would want to hurt it?"

"It's just a precaution."

"And what difference would it make to you if, as you say, the child's going to die anyway?” she accused.

"While it lives, I'll keep it safe!"

She moved very close to him. “Then you'll be protecting it for a very long time, because it's going to outlive
us.
I know you don't believe that. So, I'll just have to believe enough for the both of us. But there's one thing I want."

"And that is?"

"To see the look on your face when you realize you're going to be the father of a healthy baby. I know you want to give up, to be some kind of martyr. I'm afraid it's going to be quite a shock when you finally get it through your hard head that everything will be all right."

"Kathy, I'd give my very blood to be shocked in such a way. But until that moment comes, I'll keep you and the baby safe."

"I know, I know.” She sighed in resignation. “Your honor demands it."

She turned away and walked toward a group of newly arrived Druids. They were standing around the stump of a large oak, drinking. Owen was among them. She was soon smiling, laughing, and joking with them. She seemed so at ease with everyone. When the Druid doctor placed his arm around her shoulders, it took everything in Tearach not to walk over and knock the Druid on his ass. He disliked having Owen touch her. Probably some protective instinct from bygone days. Owen was, after all, a doctor. No doubt Owen would want to examine her in the months ahead. But he'd insist on one stipulation. Kathy wasn't to be examined by anyone without him being present. With that thought in mind, he quickly moved to her side.

"Good evening, Tearach,” Owen greeted and handed him a measure of ale.

"Delaney,” Tearach acknowledged, purposely using the man's last name. He took the goblet of ale and tossed it down his throat in one gulp. It seemed to him that the Druid watched Kathy too closely and his eyes roamed over her body too often.

"I was just asking Kathy how things were going,” Owen told him.

"I'm as well as any pregnant woman can be,” Kathy responded with a grin. “Can I book an exam with you? I've neglected doing so far too long as it is, though Shayla keeps assuring me everything will be fine,” she said with a bit too much sarcasm.

"Of course.” He smiled engagingly and offered her some fresh fruit cider. “I'll be here Tuesday. Come by any time."

Tearach helped himself to some more ale. “We'll be there."

"Good,” Owen said with a nod. Then he turned his attention back to Kathy. “You're beginning to show nicely. That's a good sign things are progressing well.” Owen moved forward and lifted his hand. He was just about to place it on Kathy's abdomen when Tearach stopped him.

He gripped Kathy's shoulders and pulled her just out of the man's reach. “If you don't mind, I don't think that's particularly appropriate,” he muttered, ignoring Kathy's look of annoyance.

"Tearach,” she gasped and pulled away from him. “He's a doctor, for God's sake."

"Really, old man,” Owen said with a smile. “I wasn't about to do anything I don't do with any other pregnant woman. I was just going to see if I could feel the baby's position."

Tearach ground his teeth together. “Not
here
. And not
now
. And I don't care what you do with other women, just be careful with Kathy,” he warned.

Kathy turned and was about to deliver an angry retort when Owen raised his hand and stopped her.

"It's all right, Kathy. It's been so long since a Goblin baby was expected here that I'd completely forgotten that their fathers are exceedingly cautious. It's in their blood. No harm done. Help yourself to some more cider, and I'll see you Tuesday.” Owen nodded at her and walked toward some of the other Druids.

Kathy rounded on Tearach. “What was that all about? You sound just like that Goblin woman."

The inference that he was like Mabb was embarrassing, but he couldn't help himself. “I don't want you ever seeing him without me being present. Is that clear?"

Kathy tilted her head back and glared into his dark eyes. “You don't tell me what to do."

He moved very close to her. “When it comes to this baby, I do."

"I'm not you're property, and this baby is just as much mine as it is yours. If I need an exam to make sure this pregnancy progresses successfully, I'll do it at my convenience."

"I told you I'd be there,” he angrily responded.

She sighed in frustration. “There may be times when you can't. Something might come up. And I guess you never stopped to consider that I might not want you there. Those kinds of exams can be very personal."

He ran a hand through his hair. “I can't think of too many personal things we haven't already shared. I'd have thought you'd want me there. You shouldn't be alone when undergoing something that's, as you say, very personal."

She slowly shook her head. “Not if you think this baby won't survive or if you're going to start a fight with the only doctor within hundreds of miles. Cairna can go with me."

"My patience will go a damn bit farther if you'll just relent on this. Besides, Goblin men are taught how to treat their women at times like these. We know what has to be done, and that includes any gynecological exams. Cairna couldn't do anything to actually help you."

"Fine.” Kathy put up her hands in resignation and took a deep, calming breath. “If you really want to help, change your attitude. I don't want to go through the next few months with a man who's waiting for death and fighting everyone around him. I can't handle that and everything else I'll be going through."

Tearach watched her stalk toward a group of nearby Elves. By the time she got to their circle of fire, her beautiful smile was back. It seemed she had more patience for total strangers than him. But he really couldn't blame her. She didn't understand what was going to happen. She hadn't seen what he had. All the hope and determination in the world wasn't going to change the situation. She wasn't any different than the other women who believed their child would survive. As the Goblin Leader, he'd been called to watch as, one by one, their dead babies were placed in their arms. If his attitude was bad, it was the result of years of sorrow. That lovely smile would leave her face and never return. Her outlook would become as bitter as his. What would happen to her then? The Sorceress wouldn't let her go back to her own world, knowing what she did. He'd be with his dead daughter. What would become of Kathy? For her sake and that of his unborn child's, Tearach vowed to try and keep his misery to himself. In the near future, there would be more than enough sorrow to go around.

Long days followed Tearach's vow. He watched the child growing within Kathy, who had blossomed. If she'd been lovely before, she became as brilliant and radiant as any flower in the garden. She and Cairna busied themselves with preparations for the baby. They decorated the nursery he'd constructed, but he always found some excuse not to enter it and look at their work.

To his surprise, Timmon came by often. Each time, the little boy wanted to know if the baby was there yet. Kathy laughed, snuggled him close and told him he must wait a little longer. Other children stopped by as well, and she sat with them, told them stories, and played games until she became very popular with the toddlers. He watched with his heart in his throat. Sweet dreams could so easily turn into nightmares. There was nothing on Earth more heartbreaking than a mother whose child dies. He'd seen so many of them. Those memories haunted his every waking moment. There were times when he believed he'd go insane before the baby came.

Still, he held Kathy close at night. There was no question about the sleeping arrangements. He had to be with her, including those times when Owen stopped by. His examinations pronounced her and the baby continuously healthy. But instead of placating Tearach, it only added to his concern. Kathy seemed to grow more settled and happy.

One day, after the doctor left, Kathy came to him and asked, “Could you take me to the Dolmen? I want to see it."

"Do you feel up to a long walk?"

She nodded. “I think some exercise would do me good. I haven't had all that much lately."

Cairna packed them a lunch and they set off. Several times he attempted to make her rest, but she insisted on going on. By midday, they entered the clearing that circled the structure.

Kathy stared in amazement. “It's much larger than I thought it would be. And the flowers here are lovely."

"It's meant to calm the mother and the baby,” he explained. “We try to keep it aesthetically pleasing. And the size of the structure shelters the new family if the Druids can't control the elements."

"They have that kind of power?"

"To some extent. Shayla's the most powerful when it comes to such things, but even she can't control it all."

Kathy sat on a rock and arranged her blue Druid robe around her. She closed her eyes, and a great sense of peace and joy came over her. It was as if the place held many happy memories and evoked those same feelings. “It's so quiet here."

"Yes,” he murmured. “All of us were born here. My parents, grandparents ... all the way back for hundreds of generations."

"I want my baby born here, too,” she said and smiled.

"You're really not afraid, are you?” He took a seat beside her.

"No. Well ... that's not exactly true. I guess I'm as afraid of the pain as much as any woman would be. But since women have been doing this for centuries, I'll get through it."

"You'll feel less pain here than anywhere else. And there are chores I'll do to help."

"Such as?"

"Brew special teas for you to drink. I can even take a certain amount of the pain into myself by holding you. It's not much, but it will help."

"Can I ask something of you?"

He took one of her hands in his. “Of course."

"Promise me that no matter what you believe the outcome will be, you will never let anyone take the baby away from me."

He was stunned. “Why would you think anyone here would do such a thing?"

"I heard what Mabb said. I'm not Goblin. There may be those who think a baby with Goblin blood should be raised away from an outsider. Maybe even Shayla."

Tearach dropped to his knees. “Kathy, I won't let anyone take the baby away from you
or
me. Not so long as it lives."

"You
swear?"

He quickly pulled a knife from his boot and sliced it across his palm.

Kathy gasped as she saw him draw blood.

"On my blood oath, Kathy. As long as the baby lives, I'll never let anyone take it away from either of us."

Kathy covered his slashed palm with her own. “Thank you,” she whispered.

He pulled her to him and held her for a very long time. He silently cursed Mabb for her tactlessness. “A baby belongs with its parents. With people who'll love it always. For whatever time it has, it's ours. Yours and mine."

The rest of the day was better than any Tearach could remember. Kathy asked him about his family and spoke of hers. They were about to leave when she gasped and placed her hands over her rounded stomach.

"The baby can really kick!” She grabbed his hands and placed them where hers had been.

Tearach gazed into the blue depths of her eyes, straight into her soul, when he felt the tiny life move. “She's so strong,” he whispered.

Kathy nodded and smiled. She placed her hands on his cheeks. “Just you wait and see. She's stronger than you know. And Cairna tells me she heard that Goblin babies are supposed to develop certain motor skills much faster than human children. Of course, since ours has both ancestries, the baby's powers might be different. But it doesn't matter to me if she has none at all."

He closed his eyes and leaned against her shoulder. No matter what happened, Kathy had to survive this. She must
. She
was the strong one. His physical force paled in comparison to the strength in her heart. She deserved more than what she was being given. So much more.