The First Spell Weaver of Airendell: Book Two of the Airendell Chronicles (51 page)

Morna sends a detachment of warriors to make sure the vampires leave Airendell and Ireland all together and then she turns to her mate and friends.  When they are sure the vampires are out of hearing range, Morna sits down and wipes her forehead.  “Morna what spell do you need to teach me?” asks George.

“Nothing brother.  There isn’t another spell.  I just wanted that little bitch to think we were all immune to her power.  But the iron-lion does dampen its effects somewhat.  I have already taught you how to weave that spell,” Morna says honestly.  “I just don’t want her coming around any of us again.”

“How are you immune to that power?  Let me tell you, I have never felt agony like that in my life.”  George admits.

“I am not immune George.  Her power worked on me,” Morna admits and shudders.

Kyle, Aiden and Breena all look deathly sick as they hover around Morna.  “It’s true George.  Mom was in absolute crippling agony.  I have no idea how she remained standing, much less functioning and weaving spells.”  Kyle informs George.

“Morna, how?”  Asks Luca as he takes her into his arms. 

“I used what you taught me, Darling.”  Morna gives Luca a small smile.  “Now if you will excuse me, I must return to the council of Elders.  I left them without their permission.”

Morna strides confidently back into the buffer spell at the front of the hall.  Damian looks at Luca and says, “What the hell did you teach her?”

“I suggested that she imagine putting pain in a compartment of her brain and shut the door.  I can do that with emotions and such, but I can’t believe she can do it with that much pain.”  Luca says in awe.  “I sure as hell couldn’t do it, not like that.  That little witch used that power on me once.  I can promise you, it cripples you with pain.  There is no escape, no defense.  And yet my mate acted as though she was completely unaffected.”

“Luca, she wasn’t unaffected,” Breena and Agnar both assure Luca.

Luca looks at his sons and asks, “Are you two okay?”

Aiden weakly sits and shakes his head no.  “Dad, I felt that pain so clearly it was like she was attacking me.  I am still weak from it.  Mom is really one of a kind isn’t she?”

Luca nods and says, “Yes, but we shouldn’t discuss it here.”

“It’s okay Luca, I put up a buffer spell.  No one in this hall is sure what has been transpiring.”  Rinda says quietly.  “Morna ordered me to do it as she ran by me when she came out of the Council’s buffer spell.”

Luca chuckles, “Just like her not to want to tip her hand in front of all of these beings from other magical realms.  Well, we can talk about this later.  Rinda please drop the spell.  We are being rude to our guests.”  Rinda chuckles and complies. 

The group walks back up to the front of the hall just in time for the Council to drop the buffer spell and indicate all should rise.  Morna notices Aiden’s ashen face and asks him telepathically if he is okay. 

“I will be fine soon Mom.  Are you okay?  You got that directly,” Aiden asks his mother telepathically.

“Honey, I am fine.  We are almost finished here and can go to the cottage where you can rest.  I don‘t know about you, but I am starving.” Morna tells her son with a big smile and then turns her full attention back to the Council of Elders.  Shamus and the entire Council stands as one.  Shamus clears his throat and says, “The Lady Morna Glynn Michaels is indeed a fully ascended magical being.  We found her to be pure enough and powerful enough to lead our Guild.  She has already been confirmed by popular vote of our Guild members.  So without further ado, Family and Friends, Envoys, and otherwise interested parties; we are proud to present our newest First Weaver, Morna of Airendell.” 

Thunderous applause and shouts of approval fill the massive hall.  Shamus holds up his hands to indicate that there is more.  “We are arranging a banquet to be held in her honor in her glen.  Also, Morna has requested the right to select a governor to act as her second in charge.  We granted that request and she has selected Elias O’Toole, son of Brian and Bronwyn O’Toole.  Elias is a First Order Weaver, and one of the best healers our guild has ever produced.  He is also a Warrior of the First Order of Airendell.  He will ably serve as Morna’s right hand man.” More thunderous applause and shouts of approval fill the hall. 

Everyone in the hall laughs when real thunder and lightning rip through the skies above Airendell.  Morna chuckles and pats the face of her ‘brother’ Thor.  Thor laughs as he slaps Taranis, the Celtic god of thunder on the back and says, “This news deserved some real fireworks!”  Morna hugs Taranis and says, “Good to see you, brother.”

Taranis nods and says, “My charges send you their love.”

Morna stops at that and looks at him.  She knows that deep down she knows what that means, but it evades her at the moment.  She smiles and nods and turns to look after her younger children.  She calls Damian, Rinda and Elias to her side.  “Take some warriors and get my children and my sister to my cottage.  They need rest before this banquet.”  Morna looks around for Nora and finds her sleeping peacefully in her Grandpa’s arms.  “Oh well, it looks like Nora is already resting.  Morna looks at the empathic members of her family and says, “I am sorry you had to endure that today.  You guys really need to learn how to use those off switches more often.”  Morna chides gently.  “I love you guys, but there are few things here that Mom and Dad have to take care of.  Run along and go rest.  We will be there soon.”

Morna turns and shakes the hands of a few dignitaries and accepts their congratulations absentmindedly, but she is watching the Roman envoys intently.  Carlisle quickly fills Morna in on the situation in Oklahoma.  “Fine Carlisle, I know they are in good hands.” 

Finally when Morna fears the Elvish envoy will talk well into the night, she excuses herself and Luca.  “Excuse us sir, but we haven’t had a chance to speak to the Roman envoys yet.”

“Oh of course, family obligations must be met.  I will see you later at the banquet in your honor.  Again, congratulations.  I applaud the wisdom of your Elders.  The entire Elvish Council has supported you for centuries…” The envoy continues seeming as though he will talk all night.

CHAPTER 13 - THE ROMAN ENVOYS

“Yes, yes…thank you,” says Morna as she walks away toward the Roman envoys.  There are only two left now.  Luca follows uncertainly.  He feels confused about meeting who he can only assume is his mother.  And he is doubly confused by Morna’s reaction to her.  When Luca joins his mate he feels an abrupt buffer spell go up around the four of them.  “Lady Bellona, I presume?”  When the goddess of war nods, Morna continues, “Forgive me.  You are free to exit the spell anytime you wish, but please introduce me to this young man with you.”  The man in question is several inches taller than Luca, and very powerfully built.  He has a strong, handsome face, rich auburn hair and brilliant, emerald green eyes.

Bellona chuckles and looks at the young man.  “See?  I told you that she would know.”  The tall man looks amazed and smiles at Bellona before they both turn their attention back to Morna.  “Morna this is Lord Verona.”  Morna looks devastated when she hears the name.  Bellona smiles again and continues, “But the name you gave him was Kylor Michaels.” 

Morna’s face is glowing as tears roll down her cheeks.  She reaches up and strokes the man’s face lovingly.  He tentatively reaches out to touch her face, “My baby!” Morna whispers.  “My Kylor.  I knew it was you when I entered this hall.  I have been dying to approach you.”  The tall man takes Morna into his arms and holds her tightly.  Both are crying tears of joy.

Luca is rendered speechless and stares at his mate and the man who is presumably his firstborn son.  Finally he gathers his wits and addresses Bellona icily.  “Madam, please explain.”

She tries to reach out to touch Luca but he holds up his hand to stop her.  “I am sorry Lucian.  I do indeed have a great deal to explain.  Forgive me for being afraid of my Father.  That fear has been what kept me from being a real mother to you.”

“Fine.  Why is Kylor with you?  Why did you make us believe our son had died in infancy?” Lucian demands in a tightly controlled voice.

“Valgullveig was killing Kylor, I faked his death and took him away with me.  I had to keep him in hiding until he was fully grown.  Mars has presumed him to be my lover for several hundred years, and therefore beneath his notice.  However, recently Kylor challenged Mars to battle, in order to get the right for me to come to my son.  Kylor defeated Mars on the field of combat, despite the fact that Mars’ minions cheated horribly.  Mars grudgingly respects Kylor now and has freed us both to live wherever we wish.” Bellona says softly.

“My grandfather forbade my mother from being a mother to me?  I already knew that he forced you to put me in the orphanage.  And I know about the betrothal that I screwed up for him when I married Morna.  I also know that you have been checking on me periodically over the centuries.  But please explain to me, why you never approached me?”  Luca asks stonily.

“Because it was better for you to think me an uncaring bitch than to know I was powerless against Mars.  He is a dangerous, evil being.  I didn’t want you trying to confront him on my behalf.  I was terrified when Kylor did it.  I thought I would lose him forever.  I have given up much to try to protect you, Morna and Kylor.  Unfortunately, I really didn’t do a very good job of it.”  Bellona admits sadly.

“Lord Lucian?”  Luca turns to the man that is apparently his son, the man extends his hand to shake.  Luca takes it woodenly, and looks into the face of the man.  He has Morna’s eyes, and looks rather a lot like Valliant and himself, just a bit.  Suddenly he knows his mate is right, this is their son.  He pulls the man into his arms and hugs him fiercely.  “Are you really my son?  Is fate really kind enough to let me have you back?”  Luca asks incredulously.

Morna puts her arm around her mate and says, “Snap out of it, my love.  He is our Kylor.  I knew it immediately.  I could sense his presence when I entered this hall, just like I can the other children.  When I saw the woman from Nora’s picture I started looking for her faceless companion from the drawing.  I found him, and when I looked closely at his face, I knew in my heart who he was,” Morna says through her tears.

Morna hugs Bellona.  “Thank you, thank you my lady.  I don’t like it that I had to assume my child was dead for centuries.  But it is better to think he is dead than for him to truly be dead.  I would have done much the same in your position, I am sure.”  Morna assures the goddess of war.

Luca snorts at that, “Like hell, Morna.  You would have told Mars to butt out from the very beginning.”

“If I had been his child I would have been stripped of nearly all of my power at birth too.  Can’t you feel it Luca?  Bellona is Immortal, but she has very limited power.  I had heard rumors years ago that Mars stripped all of his female offspring of their powers.”  Luca looks doubtful.  “Lucian Bellona Michaels, stop being a judgmental ass.  Your mother risked everything for you over and over again.  She saved our son!  Our Kylor lives because of her!” 

Luca finally softens and says, “Forgive me madam, I have been carrying hard feelings around for centuries and it seems that I am having difficulty letting go now.”

Bellona sobs and wraps her arms around her son.  Luca’s resolve to remain unaffected dissolves and he wraps his arms around her sobbing form.  He leads her to a seat and kneels before her.  “Can I get you anything Madam, a drink of water perhaps?”

Bellona takes his icy hard hands into her own.  “Please call me Bellona.  I don’t deserve the title mother, but please at least use my name.”

Luca hesitates and until Morna mutters something so quietly that Kylor and Bellona cannot hear it.  Luca nods and says, “But you are my mother.  I will call you mother, with your permission, of course.”

Bellona reaches out and caresses his pale, stone hard face with loving fingers.  She kisses his lips tenderly.  “My baby boy.  By all that is truly holy, you have become a truly good man.”

Luca’s heart totally melts and he kisses her too.  “Not so much Mother.  I have been, as my mate pointed out, a judgmental ass.”

Kylor and Morna laugh at that admission but Luca and Bellona seem to be lost in rediscovering each other.  After several moments Luca stands and looks at his son.  “You look like a fine young man.  You must be a powerful warrior if you were able to defeat Mars.  But what kind of man are you?”

“I hope a good one, Father.  That is what Grandmother has raised me to be.”  Kylor says quietly.  “It is been her daily prayer for you too, Sir.”

Luca nods and says in a cracking voice, “You have some siblings you will want to be meeting.”

“Yes, I desperately want to meet them.” Kylor says happily.

“No!  Not until we are safely in Asgard or some other protected place.  Word of who he really is cannot get back to Mars.  He will be in a rage.  He will take it out on your entire family Luca, your entire Guild,” says Bellona fearfully.

Luca looks at Kylor for confirmation; “She is probably right Father.  He is very controlling and spiteful when he thinks he has been defied.”

Morna shrugs and says, “Let’s go to the cottage.  We can introduce him to everyone else as Lord Verona.  Just don’t let Breena or Rinda get a good look at him until we are inside the cottage.  I will get Rinda, Breena, and Collingwood to put up spells to protect anyone from seeing inside.  The combination of their type of spells should serve to keep even Mars out.”