THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES

WE DIDN’T GET to begin our sword training but neither of us had any regrets. We spent the rest of the day and night in the cabin and I was glad I brought more food than we actually needed. It was long overdue for both of us. Emrys was going to be disappointed and King Conall would be livid. By the Creator, I deserved to be happy, even if it was just for a little while. Neil is human and will age while I will not. But hell, we could all be dead in a year’s time. I thought I had a happily ever after before and it turned out I was wrong. I will take the little pieces of happiness that I can get when they come along. That’s what I’ve learned after living this long.

The next day, as promised, we began with a run. The energy between us was magnetic and we laughed and talked the entire ten miles. Just like when we began hand-to-hand training, I started with simple defensive blocks with the long sword. Neil was a very quick study and so we began sword strategy and attacks.

We fell into a perfect rhythm. I would slash and he would block, followed by him striking at me while I deflected. His footwork was impeccable. He held the sword I forged for him with strength and grace. Not stiff and rigid like most men did when starting out.

“Very impressive.” I still made sure to build his confidence. This man was a king and was beginning to believe it. I now needed him to be absolute in knowing that he could defeat a God.

“Well I’ve been fortunate enough to have a very good teacher.” He winked and even though I saw it coming I let him sweep my legs, landing me on my back. He grinned triumphantly.

We began most days like this one. A long run followed with training in the stable in the morning. After lunch we began training with the others where he quickly earned their respect and adoration. I spent a few hours with Emrys and King Conall discussing the day then a bit of time with the King’s children, catching up. When I returned to my room Neil would be there and we would make love and watch television. I had loads to catch up on and he enjoyed showing his world to me.

The days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Winter had turned into spring and with it the hope that only new life brings. A day came when I woke early, before Neil. Our legs were intertwined and his arm was over me. The cool breeze coming through the window and the sweet smell of morning dew and flowers pulled me out of bed. I got dressed and headed out for a walk by myself.

I realized this was the first time I’d been alone in quite some time. I was either with friends or Neil at all times. I was blissfully happy, but the realization I’d allowed myself to get wrapped up and lost in someone did annoy me. Though I loved to be with others I cherished my time alone and I had forgotten that.

The sun was beginning to crest the hill when from behind a tree stepped Emrys.

“Looking lovely as ever this morning.” He nodded at me.

“Did you wake me and lure me here?” I eyed him suspiciously.

“Can’t I just have accidentally run into you on such a glorious day?” He evaded my eyes.

I knew at that moment he had. “Jerk.” Though I couldn’t help but laugh.

He grabbed my hand and we continued on our morning stroll.

“So is this an intervention? Are you worried about me?” I braced myself for his response. I loved Emrys and knew he always had my best interest at heart, which is why I hated when he told me something I didn’t want to hear.

His hearty laugh caused his massive chest to bounce up and down.

“No, no, no, nothing like that, love. I just wanted some time with you.” I knew Emrys better than that, and I knew he had an agenda.

“How much about you have you shared with him?”

And there it was. Didn’t have to wait long. Had anyone else approached me I would have struck them down, but my dearest friend I managed to answer without trying to take his head. “We have enough to do and talk about other than my past, Druid history or anything about the Tuatha. I tell you the truth. Now report it back to King Conall and let’s be done with this nonsense.”

“Of course, Morrigan. I meant no offense.” He smiled, melting me.

I leaned my head against him, soaking his essence up as much as possible. The grass had greened and the fruit trees were all in bloom. Birds sang in a symphony that energized the soul.

“I’ve not spoken to the King yet, but I will when we meet this evening. I wanted to talk with you first so that you can ponder this and possibly add some insight.” I tuned out the song of the birds and perked up, completely focused.

He continued, “I’ve traveled each night through the Great Oak to most of the large cities around the world. I spent most of my time before you arrived searching for how to awaken the Tuatha and didn’t pay much attention to anything else.”

He paused and my mind reeled at where this was going. “I’ve made a couple of observations. How is it that there has been no Tuatha for over a thousand years and yet I’ve not found many demons? Make no mistake, I’ve found plenty but not nearly as many as one would think. What I have found, however, is a ton of vampires and werewolves.”

The lack of demons was disturbing. It made no sense and I felt we were lacking a lot of information. I’d been so engrossed in training Neil, and let’s face it, my love life, that I’d let the big picture slip away. While that nagged at me, I was surprised most about the vampires and werewolves. I’d been watching the movies pop culture was so enamored with and was surprised to find they were real, though I kept my face blank and said nothing.

Emrys, seeing I was not responding elaborated. “Vampires and werewolves have been engineered, Morrigan. They are a cross of several kinds of demons and somehow, someone, or something, has managed to fuse them with humans. Best I can figure it began about five hundred years after we went to sleep.”

I finally interjected, “Wouldn’t, statistically speaking, this have spread to all the humans in this amount of time?”

He nodded and I could tell he had already considered this. “I thought the same thing. I’ve caught and questioned a few in the last couple of months.”

“So that’s what you do all day,” I interrupted.

He laughed but otherwise ignored that. “They’re highly organized and are not capable of creating new vampires or werewolves on their own. They answer to a king. None I have met know who the king is. They are pretty compartmentalized.”

The thought of battling creatures I’d never met filled me with adrenaline. “I think we need to start doing a little recon, then.”