Shadow Magic (35 page)

With a howling screech, Hearne's spell attacked them.  Unwavering in her song, the amulet deflected the onslaught, enabling Egann and Deirdre to send it back - equally fierce, equally strong, upon Hearne and his Maccus followers.

The Priest became a sacrifice as Hearne ignited.  His followers, those that cleaved to the red and angry god, gathered around the furious blaze, leaderless and uncertain now, yet seeming to accept the unexpected sacrifice with stoic readiness.

The amulet, heavy and burning against Egann's chest, fell silent.

Finding the language from somewhere in his and Deirdre's shared consciousness, Egann heard himself speak the words to yet another ancient spell, one that he had never before known, yet now understood, one that should have been spoken eons ago.  Finally, the ancient wrong would be righted.

And the morning light continued to blaze down on them, purifying and bright.

Through this all, Deirdre stood tall, her hand still cradled in his, her face turned up in wonder, her lips curved in a bemused and welcoming smile as she accepted the amber kiss of the morning sun.

She did not burn, nor melt, nor suffer.  Rather he saw in her an attitude of rejoicing, even as she turned to look at him and her eyes changed color once more, this time the warm tawny gold of the burgeoning day.  Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks, even as she laughed out loud.

Seeing her unharmed, a few of the other Shadow Dancers took tentative steps from the shadows, towards her, toward the light. 

With his hand still in hers, Deirdre moved forward in the bright light of day.

And began to dance.

Epilogue

"Shall I call Fiallan?"  Egann anxiously clutched Deirdre's hand as she let out a low moan.

"The babe is ready to be born," she gasped, arching her back and setting her jaw.

Though he knew the pain had to be fierce, Egann could not help but admire his brave wife who refused to let him see how she suffered. 

"Because I know you'll suffer too," she muttered.  The sharing of thoughts had become so common between them that neither thought much of it.  Even in Rune, the land of enchantment, such bonding between mates was rare and thus, greatly prized.

"Did I hear my name?"  Grinning broadly, Fiallan appeared outside the doorway. 

"The child is about to enter the world."

"Come talk to me." 

Egann shook his head.  "I cannot leave Deirdre's side.  She needs me."

At his words both his wife and the wise man exchanged wry smiles. 

"If you don't ease your grip on my hand, I fear my fingers will be broken."

Realizing that she spoke true, Egann released her hand.  "I did not mean to hurt you." He dragged his hand over his face, "I did not realize that—"

"Go with Fiallan," Deirdre told him softly.  "The babe will not arrive within the next few minutes.  Send the midwife to me, and give me a few moments alone."

Understanding then that she needed to vent some of her pain and did not wish him to bear witness, Egann rose.  Once in the long stone hall, he and the wise man walked to the end and halted.

"The Maccus assemble with our people to celebrate the birth."

Egann raised a brow.  "I thank Monk for that.  He was one of the first of the Maccus to seek a way to make amends."

              "Yet he has done so, and Rune has welcomed him."

             
"All of them," Egann reflected. "Once Hearne was destroyed, they all seemed to deeply regret their actions under his leadership.  The mortal world has both lost and gained, now that the Shadow Dancers hide in the darkness no more."

             
Fiallan laughed.  "Some of them have even married Maccus and come here to live.  Unbelievable as it may seem, the great chasm between our people has finally closed."

             
"And the Hall of Records is at last opened to you."

             
"Aye."  Fiallan looked please.  "It is."

             
Narrowing his eyes, Egann regarded the man who had been mentor and teacher, prophet and seer and, most of all, old father/friend.  "Was this in your plan, Wise One?  All of this?" He waved his arm in a broad gesture meant to encompass both Earth and Rune.

             
Fiallan only smiled his mysterious smile and said nothing.

             
"Even Weylyn has found happiness."  Egann reflected, thinking of the golden-coated great cat sheltering the smaller spotted one.  "Deirdre's small Cinnie has grown into a sleek mate for him."

             
"Rune has welcomed all of her lost children." 

             
A lost child
.  So too had he been, once.  He thought of Deirdre's generous spirit and welcoming embrace, and smiled. 

             
Six hours later their own child, a daughter with hair as black as her mother's, yet streaked through with bright ribbons of gold, was born.  Her eyes were the color of day.