Pagan Fire (26 page)

“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.

A whimper pulled her attention to her left. There, bound tightly to a tree, was Seelie. Their eyes met. Maere willed strength and courage into her friend.

“I’m so sorry,” Seelie mouthed. Maere understood. She nodded slightly, a faint smile on her lips.

“Welcome, Maere,” Eugis said as he entered the clearing, his white robes flowing about his thin body. “Come.” He gestured toward himself. “Come to me.”

Maere hung back, her resolve fading. Her breathing grew fast and shallow.

Eugis’s face was a dark shadow beneath the hood of his ceremonial cloak. “Bring him forward!” Two men stepped into the firelight, dragging an unconscious Dylan between them.

“Have you killed him?” Maere jerked at her bonds, held tight by Eugis’s man, until her wrists were bloody. “Let me go!” she cried out.

“Tie him up. There. At the foot of the altar,” Eugis said. “That should give him the best view.” He looked over at Maere. Her hair was wild and blood from her wrists stained the front of her tunic. She was a frightful sight. Didn’t matter. His plan was falling into place, even without Morrigu’s help, blast her goddess hide. Maere would soon be dead and he’d have her powers added to his own. They said at the abbey that she could raise the dead. Too bad she wouldn’t be able to help herself that way.

Maere felt Eugis’s eyes on her. She dragged her gaze away from Dylan to him.

“What say you, niece? Shall we get started?”

Chapter Thirty-Five

“Do I have a choice?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Then dispense with your false manners, uncle, for I have had my fill of you and your game.”

Eugis smiled. “Ah, not yet, you haven’t. But soon.”

She looked up sharply. His eyes took on an unnatural glow—from the fire or his own evil, Maere couldn’t be certain. Eugis motioned to the man who held her tether. He nodded and yanked Maere forward, half-pulling, half -dragging her to the altar.

Eugis approached from the opposite side, his face still shadowed by his hood. He reached out one hand to Maere while with the other he drew an
athame
from the embroidered sash that bound his Dyrrwed robes.

“Give me your hand,” he said, the small knife raised.

Suddenly, Eugis’s followers emerged from the outer darkness and gathered into a circle outside the stone stanchions. Maere looked about warily. Some wore branches imitating the horns of the forest god. Some had oak leaves woven in their beards. All held the sacred mistletoe in their hands. Each also held a tall torch fashioned from a tree branch, the end wrapped with rags and dipped in oil. In silence, they touched their torches to the ceremonial bonfire, before taking their places. The smell of burning grease gagged her.