She took the pouch from me and spread the contents on the carpet. “A piece of the handkerchief I gave you and a carved green stone ball from Orkney. What are these for?”
“From Orkney? No, it’s a stone from Fayne Manor. I wrapped it in a piece of cloth I found in my pouch.”
“The stones are particular to Orkney. You can find them no other place.” My jaw dropped in disbelief. I read the question written on her face.
“It’s a talisman asking the Great Mother for her support.” My voice went hoarse and my chin quivered. “I wanted to be a real part of the family.”
“The Great Mother is wise. She gave you Orkney.” She kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “We will grow together and perhaps I will tell you I am all for you, m’lord, and for no other.”
I drew her onto my lap and stroked her face—her soft, beautiful face that did not judge me badly, nor admonish me, but wanted me. “I think I would like that.” I held her close and kissed her deeply.
When we parted, her lips were flushed and bruised from kissing. “Come,” she said. “It must be close to midnight and time for Leticia to cast her wish.” We went to join the others.
Leticia stood on the terrace with just the family around her. I held Cay by my side. Never had Leticia appeared so ethereal. Her gown and hair sparkled in the moonlight. She picked up a variety of crystals and with her eyes closed she rubbed them in her hand and said her silent obligations.
The wind stilled. Leticia raised her arms—her palms open, showing the crystals to the moon.
“I call upon the elements’ might and niches,
Fire and water, earth and air,
To help me ignite these four wishes,
For those who find them their love to share.
With fire’s warmth to light their hearts,
Send kindness, patience, courage, honor their way,
May these virtues cement each new commitment they start,
The strength of the earth’s minerals are here to stay.
May these crystals pink tourmaline, amethyst, amber, and tiger’s eye blue,
Go far and wide finding passion, peace, and open heart,
And pledge with words of power true,
That willingly they do their part.”
The wind stirred. Each crystal in succession gave off their light—pink, purple, amber, and blue. “So mote it be,” she whispered.
The wind circled her outstretched hand and one by one the colors leaped into the sky, leaving a trail like a comet until her hand was empty.
“Come, everyone, it’s time to dine and celebrate our new year and new beginnings. Our guests are waiting.” Fendrel herded the family into the Great Hall.
“Bran, stay with me a minute.” Leticia held me back.
“I’ll be inside,” Cay said and went along with the others.
“I have a fifth stone. It’s for you.” I began to protest but she put her finger to my lips. “Shush. Consider this my present to you and Cay. Besides, I want to do this for you. Come, stand by me.”
We stood at the terrace wall. In her palm she held the precious green lapis lazuli. She raised it to the sky and once again sent out her plea.
“As above, so below,
As within, so without.
This wish into the future I assess,
Give brother Bran true happiness.”
As before, the wind circled her hand and a trail of sparkling green light wove its way into the wind. “So mote it be,” we both whispered on the wind.
I stared at the beauty of the vanishing light then turned to my sister. “Thank you.” I led her into the Great Hall.
I handed her to Radulf and sat between Rebeka and Cay. My world had been upside down for so long. I chuckled at the thought that I had been striving for the wrong thing. All along the Great Mother knew better and gave me what I craved—my birthright. Cay had been what my world was missing. What I needed to right it. Fayne Manor would always be my home and not the wilderness of Orkney, but it would be bearable with Cay.
Anything would be bearable with Cay.
THE END
Want to read more about Max and Ellyn’s daughter, Rebeka, and Fendrel and Dimia’s son, Arik? Look no further than Knight of Runes, Book I ~ A Druid Knight Novel available now! www.RuthACasie.com/books.html
Knight of Runes
When Lord Arik, a druid knight, finds Rebeka Tyler wandering his lands without protection, he swears to keep her safe. But Rebeka can take care of herself. When Arik sees her clash with a group of attackers using a strange fighting style, he's intrigued.
Rebeka is no ordinary seventeenth-century woman—she's travelled back from the year 2011, and she desperately wants to return to her own time. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to find out what's killing Arik's land. But as she works to decode the ancient runes that are the key to solving this mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.
As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik's household schemes to keep them apart, and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.
Excerpt
England
May, 1605
I should not have stayed away so long.
Unable to shake the ominous feeling of being watched, Lord Arik kept the small group moving quickly. On high alert, his eyes continually swept the underbrush bordering the rain-slicked forest trail. He and his three riders escorted the wagon with the old tinker and the woman quickly through the forest. At length, he slowed the pace, the horses winded as they neared the Stone River.
“The forest is flooded,” he said. “I suspect the Stone will be as well. Willem, ride ahead and let me know what we face at the crossing.”
Willem did his lord’s bidding and quickly returned with his report. “The
