THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES

I AWOKE WITH a start like I had been slapped. I opened my eyes quickly, looking around on full alert. I scanned the room. Nothing moved. Nothing had changed. A few dozen decaying Godless bodies littered the ground. It was the smell. They were putrid alive and rancid in death.

I shook my head, trying to clear it. I looked down and Emrys and Cian’s heads still lay on my lap. I checked their pulses. Both were strong.

I let out a breath that felt as though I’d been holding it a lifetime. Relief poured over me. They were resting and out of the reach of death.

I gently ran my fingers through Emrys’ silken hair. His face was peaceful and I hoped he was having dreams of happier times while he healed.

I stared down at Cian. How many times had we fought, trying to kill one another? How strange it was to have him here now. I could slit his throat and be done with him forever. I didn’t need him anymore. Though I knew he was holding something back, I also knew he was not my enemy. Not at the moment, at least. I’d seen him as a devoted husband, loving father, caring son and brother. I hoped that he would not betray me and force me to kill him.

As if he could hear my thoughts he stirred and his eyes opened. “Are you planning on slitting my throat in my sleep or are you going to lean down and gently kiss me?”

“I’m leaning towards the throat slitting if those are my only options,” I said as I pushed his head off my lap and let it hit hard on the stone.

He rolled to his side and rubbed his head as he sat up. “Too soon for jokes? Woman, I was just on the brink of death.” He gave me an exaggerated look of distress and said, “And all of this after I saved you from certain death.”

“I believe I returned the favor,” I replied.

He rubbed at his throat. “Right now I’m wishing we had not reversed the use of the Cup of Plenty. I’m dying of thirst. How long was I out? And for the love of the Creator what is that smell?”

I nodded towards the pile of bodies. “This damn place. With no setting or rising sun I’m not sure how long we were out. I poured what power I had left into Emrys and passed out not long after that. I have no idea how long it was for, but judging by the decay of the bodies it’s been a while. But then again, I don’t know how this realm works. I’ve not been awake long.”

“So we wait for Emrys to wake up and then head back?” Cian said, standing, stretching his body out.

I gently sat Emrys’ head down so that I could stand. My joints had stiffened as well. “That’s the plan.”

Cian lifted one side of his mouth into a smile. “Oh, so now you’re keen on having a plan.”

He could be irritating and arrogant but I had to admit I enjoyed his wit at times. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, I suppose once in a while I’m good with a plan. But only on special occasions.”

Cian laughed this time. “Why Red, I had no idea you actually had a sense of humor.”

“Daur finds me rather hilarious, actually,” I said, beginning my training moves to further work out my muscles.

Cian fell into the same rhythm and joined me. “Daur probably finds farts funny.”

My smile betrayed me. Cian stopped to look at me as he said, “See!

I’m right!”

I continued going through the movements. “Yes, yes you’re right. Still doesn’t mean I’m not funny.”

I felt a storm of emotion wash over me and said, “Wait until we get back. Now that I have the blood of the Godless on my sword, I’ll be damnright hilarious when I take Artaius’ head.”

Cian grunted an affirmation but said nothing.

Hours passed and Emrys still hadn’t awakened. Cian helped me carry him to the entrance of the palace, away from the stench of the dead Godless.

He sat on the steps, letting his legs dangle. I sat down next to him. Far enough away so that he didn’t get any ideas.

We stared out into the vastness. The sun hung unmoving in the sky. The lack of sound made my skin crawl. No breeze to rustle through the leaves. No animals scurrying around on the ground. Not even an insect to climb a blade of grass.

“Is this what will happen to our world if we go to war with the Gods?” he said, not bothering to look at me.

I scooted closer and put my hand on his shoulder. “Cian, we’ve fought for as long as I can remember. The Tuatha and the Fomoire. If we continue fighting this is exactly what will become of our world. We need to defeat Artaius and keep the Gods in our realm. We may need to kill some of them, but not all of them. There are many that are benevolent and couldn’t care less about us or the humans, but as long as we can keep the realm functioning we have a chance. I’d love nothing more than to take the heads from each and every one of them.”

I removed my hand from his shoulder and rested it in my lap, still watching the horizon that seemed never to end.

Cian stood and extended a hand to help me up. I let him.

He said sternly, “Morrigan, we will not let this happen in our realm. I swear to you on my life, and all the lives lost to my people, we will work together to prevent this.”

His voice dropped an octave and sounded guttural as he vowed, “But Artaius will die. He will pay for taking my wife, my child… my family.”

“I pledge my sword and all my skill to help make that happen,” I replied.

We both turned at the sound of footsteps.

Emrys was standing, reaching his massive arms far above his head.

“How long was I out?”

I pointed to the sun. “Well when you passed out the sun was there. And when I awoke it was there. Oh and let’s see now it’s there. So my guess is, not even the gods know.”

Emrys walked up to me and kissed me on the forehead. “You are rather hangry so apparently it’s been a while.”

“I’m hungry but not hangry,” I said, bumping my hip into him.

He turned to speak to Cian as if I weren’t there. “She gets very hangry when you don’t keep her belly topped off. Always carry a protein bar or something with you because if she doesn’t eat she’s completely unbearable.”

They laughed at my expense. I let them as I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, Emrys is awake. We have quite a walk ahead of us. Any idea how we’re going to get through the big rock back to our realm?” I asked.

Emrys of course had an answer. “Easy,” he said handing us each a stone. “The necklaces that the Godless wore had traveling stones on them. I took them while you were busy fighting.”

“This is why I make you come with me,” I said, giving him a big kiss and wrapping my arms around him.

Emrys had the cup in his hand. “Let’s get this back home.”