THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES

THE SAMHAIN CELEBRATION lasted until sunrise. Once the sun came up we made our way back to our rooms. King Conall had taken it upon himself to have my stuff moved to a different room. I appreciated the gesture. No need to have old memories try to pull at me if it could be avoided.

I awoke in the strange room, taking a moment to remember where I was. The shades were drawn to keep the daylight out, but by midafternoon the light was winning, and I pulled myself from the featherbed.

Glad that I had slept so soundly and had a wonderful evening with friends and family I put my leathers on. I stared in the mirror as I braided my hair and wound it tight on top of my head. I put my two medium swords and longsword into their sheaths on my back. Two short knives went into each boot.

The residence was eerily quiet. I ate and made my way to the library. I was shocked to see Neil there and my skin pricked as the adrenalin shot through me.

He looked up at me and began, “Listen, Morrigan I just want to say how sorry I am. I…”

I cut him off. “No apologies, Neil, they’re pointless. Apologies are only to make the asshole feel better. Not the one that was wronged. If it’s forgiveness you seek, ask the Creator. You won’t get it from me.”

“Wow.” He shook his head. “I understand you’re upset. I never meant to—”

Again I cut him off. With no emotion in my eyes or voice I said, “Neil, what’s done is done. There is no need to speak about this any further. The fate of the realm rests on us succeeding in this impossible task. Let’s just focus on that.”

Thankfully Emrys walked in, followed by Conall. I was relieved to not be alone with Neil, but the tension rose as the King stopped an inch from Neil and looked down at him. The King looked more like a lethal warrior than a leader at the moment. He was menacing.

His voice was slow and though it was even, the edge in it was apparent. “You are an insignificant worm. If you were not necessary to this quest, I would drive my sword into you a thousand times. When this is done, you need to make sure you stay clear of me, or I will.”

Neil looked defiantly up at the King, not backing down. “And Riley and our unborn child? While I’m gone will you harm them?”

The air thickened with tension. I saw Conall’s jaw tense though his expression hadn’t changed. It took all my control to keep my face from reacting. The food I had just eaten churned. Outwardly I remained stoic. I looked at Emrys. He fidgeted with his fingernail the way he always did when he wanted to appear calm.

The King smiled. This was definitely his ‘Relax, I’m not going to kill you right now but when I can I will and I will do it painfully’ smile. His voice dropped barely above a whisper. This was a warning and Neil knew it. “I wouldn’t touch the woman and child. But this changes nothing between you and I.”

Emrys broke the tension before Neil could reply, surely escalating the situation. “Okay, everyone here has a big cock, wonderful. Mine is the biggest. The Blood Moon opens at nine Eastern time. No need to get there right away. Why don’t we all just enjoy the rest of the day? We’ll meet in the stables at eight. Be dressed in battle gear.”

Neil headed out the door. The King, Emrys and I stayed behind. Emrys said, “Well damn, Morrigan. You not only got cheated on, he got the girl knocked up. You could go on Springer.”

I laughed at the reference. “You know I have to laugh to keep from crying. This is ridiculously messed up.”

The King’s mood had lightened as well. “I did not see that coming.”

We poured a drink and laughed. The jovial mood reminded me of simpler times, when I was just a warrior with no personal life that complicated things.

“I’m going to spend the rest of the day with the children. Conall, I’ll come see you before we head to the Great Oak,” I said as I walked out.