Quest of a Warrior (Legends of the Fenian Warriors, Book 1)(9)
Closing his eyes, he let her love fill him as she embraced him. Conn’s hardened warrior armor cracked open, and the Fae prince emerged. Holding her close, he inhaled her scent—one of honeysuckle. Emotions that had stayed in, controlled and locked away, were now set free with her simple touch. “I have missed you,” he whispered.
She drew back. Casting her gaze over his features, she smiled. “I thought never to see you again.”
He placed his forehead on hers. “Forgive me.”
“Shh…no need. You have requested to see us, and I feared you would not have a chance to speak with your father and me.”
Conn kissed her cheek and moved away from his parents. “The life of a warrior can leave one feeling numb. Perhaps that is why I stayed away. I did not want you to see me as an unfeeling Fae.” He rubbed his eyes vigorously and then glanced at the shadowed mirror. “Although, there are those that would argue I let out sentiments toward the humans.”
His parents each came to his side, and he felt their strength seep into his bones. “Remember, Conn, you chose this path of a Fenian Warrior. Your deeds have saved thousands,” stated his father.
Glancing at the king, Conn nodded. “Thank you for believing in me. For keeping this secret. Although, I deem more was wrought by not bringing me forward to the council at the time of my error. We could have solved this at the time of my indiscretion.”
The king gestured to the mirror. “The loom of fate had already unraveled. To attempt a repair of the damage could have altered another life. I fully expected a time would come when all would be revealed.”
“Let us remove ourselves from this scene of your life,” suggested his mother.
As they made their way further back within the centuries, the queen waved her hand in an arc and light shimmered on the path in front of them. “Before you are escorted back to the Fae council your sister wishes to speak with you.”
“Why did you let—”
His mother placed a finger on his lips. “It is Abela’s journey and not yours to question. Did she not fully support you when you left to become a warrior?”
Swallowing, Conn nodded slowly. His sister never uttered one negative comment when he had made his announcement to the family about joining the Brotherhood.
“But I did cry,” added a soft feminine voice—one filled with song.
Conn turned at the sound of his sister speaking. She was a vision to behold. Where his hair was blond with silver streaks, his twin’s was as black as ebony, cascading around her in soft waves. Her eyes blazed with the many colors of different gems, instead of the lavender of their people. This was not the sister he’d left a hundred years ago. She had grown from Fae royalty to become part of the Mother Danu. He stood mesmerized.
Holding a silver staff in one hand, she smiled at him. “Come forward, Fenian Warrior.”
Making a slight bow, he proceeded to walk to her.
The room opened up to reveal a crystal cavern of many colors. Two oak trees stood as sentries, their branches swaying gently. The air was warm and inviting, luring Conn forward. Her power enveloped him, and he found it difficult to breathe. There was so much beauty to absorb. Lights shimmered before his eyes, and he felt the need to be free from his body.
She raised an outstretched hand. “Relax, Brother.”
“Too much…” Conn wiped a hand across his brow. “The power is tremendous.” Taking her hand, he embraced his sister in a hug.
“You are in the womb of the Mother,” she uttered softly.
“Abela,” he whispered and placed a kiss on her cheek.
She stood back and gazed into his eyes. “Walk with me.”
They wandered along a path filled with wildflowers, and the cavern opened up to reveal a world filled with birds, animals, and trees. Several hummingbirds flitted near his sister, and she smiled at them. With each step, his body began to ease from the strain of the past few months. Glancing in all directions, he was in awe of the majestic beauty surrounding them.
“And here I thought the Fae realm was remarkable,” he commented.
“You’ve been away far too long,” chided Abela.
Conn glanced sideways at her. “So I’ve been told.”
She chuckled and for a brief moment Conn saw glimpses of the sister he had left a century ago.
Neither spoke as they continued to amble along the soft path. The rich scent of earth filled him.
Abela led him to a bench overlooking a waterfall. As they took their seats, he leaned back, studying his sister. He only had one burning question. Why?
Sighing deeply, she kept her gaze outward. “You forget, Conn. I can read your mind. Why did I choose this life? Is that your burning question?”
“Yes. You loved your life in the Fae realm. Each day was filled with joy—a new party to plan, a garden to organize, flowers to bundle. But this—” He flung his hands upward. “It might be serene and the most stunning place on this planet, but I never thought my sister would seal herself off from her own family and people.”
The air cooled around them. “Remember, you have not set one foot in this realm for over a hundred Fae years. I am no longer the young woman you remember.” She turned fully toward him. “The day you left was one etched on my spirit. I cried for days, since I knew that during your training our link—our bond would be severed.” Abela turned her head away. “Afterward, I needed to find a purpose to my life, too. My heart guided me to the temple of the Mother Danu one day, and I’ve never regretted my decision to become one of her priestesses. On no account did I ever question your calling, so I ask that you respect mine, as well.”