THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES

IT WAS EARLY afternoon and the sun shone brightly. Spring, the smell of life, held strong in the air. I closed the door to my room. Neil was still in training. I hoped he would return here, rather than his room, once he finished. The breeze caught the curtains as they danced along the wall and I fell into the down bedding.

I woke startled. The room was pitch black. I looked at the clock—the red numbers glared back at me: 11:22 pm. I stayed still, my ears and eyes alert. What had woken me? Once I’d deemed the room safe and myself alone I turned the lamp on. I still missed candlelight. I still missed what I used to call home. Or rather the time that I had called home.

I knew Neil wasn’t here before I scanned the room. I felt silly doing it anyway. I was only gone a few days but the distance I felt from Neil felt like a canyon. My heart ached to touch him. To just be near him. This was not the homecoming I’d expected.

I was still in my clothes from earlier. I got up and undressed myself. I was so immersed in my pity party I paid no attention to the steps coming down the hall or the doorknob turning.

“Well hello there, beautiful,” Neil said, dropping his gear and quickly scooping me up.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and kissed him.

He finally pulled back a little and sat down on the bed. I kept my legs around his waist. I couldn’t let him go.

He pushed a stray strand of hair away from my face. “I’ve never seen you sleep so hard. I came back after dinner and was afraid I’d wake you. I found Brian and he agreed to help me with some additional… Well I’m not going to tell you.” His grin reached his eyes. “I’ve learned a few things. I’ll just have to keep those up my sleeve for the next time we spar.”

He grabbed hold of my butt to lift himself up enough to roll me on my back and kept me pinned securely under him.

He kissed me lightly and leaned his forehead to mine, closing his eyes. “I wish you could stay right here in my arms for always. I’d never have to worry about you. I love you with my entire heart. It’s yours, Morrigan. I cannot imagine living in this world without you in it. I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to seem like I was yelling at you. I… I wasn’t mad at you. I was scared. Terrified at the reality that I could lose you. I know you can fight. You’re my mentor, for crying out loud. I’m not an idiot. I just want you safe and with me.”

We didn’t say another word that night. Nor did we sleep much.

We were slow to wake the next morning and I finally dragged myself from the bed to the shower. My heart swelled. That’s the only way I can describe it. I only realized I was still smiling when my cheeks began to tire. I didn’t care that I was acting like a schoolgirl. I was happy. It had been a very long time since I was happy in this manner.

The door opened and Neil got in the shower. “So what’s the plan, boss? Wanna go for a horseback ride and find that little cabin at the edge of the forest?” He kissed me again. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“As much as I’d rather do that, I’m afraid not.” I kissed him again just because he was near me. “I have some planning to do with Emrys. You’ll continue to work with Brian and your men. You need to learn to work as a unit, so you must train as one.”

“I’d still much rather train with you.” He began washing my back. I’d already washed it. I didn’t care. I let him.

Still caught up in the high I felt this morning I tried to continue. “You are all learning and will continue to learn fighting but you must learn the strength of working together. Did you know the Spartans didn’t care if a soldier lost a helmet or weapon on the battlefield, but if he lost his shield he would be killed upon returning? The helmet and weapons were to protect the soldier. The shield, though useful in battle, was one of their greatest strengths. It was a single piece in building a shield wall. To protect the entire unit. They valued the group over the individual. Pay close attention to Brian. I don’t only mean just what he’s teaching you. Study how he acts, how he commands. You are the King of Erin, Neil. Never forget that.”

Somehow escaping without having sex one more time, I went straight to Emrys’ room. He opened the door, in typical Emrys style, with magic, before I could even knock.

“I swear sometimes you sound like an elephant tromping through the jungle when you walk,” he said, not even looking up from the desk.

“I do not. I’m as light as a hippo,” I said, walking to his side to see what he was studying.

Notes on vampires and werewolves from our recon mission. From the looks of him he’d been up all night, which explained his foul mood.

“You need coffee and breakfast,” I said, trying to snap him out of it.

Once again, without looking away from the papers, he snapped his fingers and a carafe of coffee and a tray of muffins appeared on the desk.

“I’m not amused, asshole.” I had no humor in my voice. He finally looked at my face to see my expression. I was smiling and he rolled his eyes.

I could tell he was not in the mood to be toyed with, so I tried to mirror his energy. “Emrys, put the notes down for a minute and listen to me. I know we need to learn more about the vampires and werewolves. But I also know that you could study them for a hundred years and still not be satisfied you have enough information.”

He held his hands up to stop me. He was tired but his face radiated gentility. “I know, Morrigan. I know I can get carried away. I just…”

I cut him off, knowing my news would lighten his mood. “We’re going to get all of your questions answered. Okay, well not all of them. You no doubt have thousands. But we’re going to figure out what we need to know.”

He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m intrigued. Go on.” He smiled.

“Brian is training Neal along with the Knights. It’s time they begin fighting together. Brian can handle that. We need to start focusing on the vampires and werewolves. We have about six months until Samhain. That time is now dedicated to this mission.”

He stood and circled me as he talked. I could tell he was eager but hesitant. “And your King? You think he will go along with this?”

He stopped in front of me raising an eyebrow, watching me closely. “I spoke to King Conall last night after we debriefed. He agreed to let me do whatever I needed in order to attain the information.”

“He did?” A smile pulled at his lips but he held it back. “Conall hit on you didn’t he?”

“Oh for crying out loud, Emrys.” I unleashed my eyeroll at him.

“HA! I knew it!” he exclaimed. “He hit on you and when that didn’t work he agreed to let you have what you wanted. I swear that man will do anything to get you into bed. Does Neil know—”

Once again I cut him off. I didn’t want him to finish his question. “Don’t bring Neil into this,” I said, too harshly.

“Okay no need to get your blood pressure up.” He was done teasing me. “I won’t bring it up again.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” I shook my head.

“No need for apologies, love. You just made me the happiest man in the realm. When do we start?”

“Today.” I beamed at making him this happy.