The First Spell Weaver of Airendell: Book Two of the Airendell Chronicles (56 page)

Luca heard all of the conversation that passed between his son and his wife.  He hears Kylor humming and occasionally can make out a word or two.  Finally the humming has stopped and Morna is sleeping peacefully, deeper than he has ever heard her sleep.  Luca lets himself into the bathroom and finds his grown son with his mother on his lap.  He is cradling her like a child and rocking gently.  Kylor puts his fingers up to his lips, and whispers, “Help me put her in bed.” 

Luca gently takes his wife out of his son’s arms and carries her into their bedchamber.  He indicates Odin’s chamber and mouths, “Open it.”  He gently lies his beloved inside and tries to settle her comfortably. 

“Love you Luca.” Morna mumbles in a voice so thick with sleep Luca can barely make it out. 

He smiles at her.  “I will always love and adore you, Morna.  Count on it,” he vows. 

“I know, me too.” she says simply.

Luca looks at his oldest son and motions for him to follow him out of the bedchamber.  They go into the study and Luca erects a buffer spell.  He invites his son to sit down.  Luca offers him a drink.  “I would like a scotch if you have anything like that around here.”  Luca chuckles and goes to the bar recessed in the counter and pours his son three fingers of very fine Glenlivet scotch.

Kylor takes it and sniffs it.  Then drinks half of it.  “Very nice!  Why do you have this, Father?  I am sure you don’t even drink water do you?”

“No, but that is the brand your mother prefers.  Valliant has kept this house ready for her to occupy since she was small child.  Surt tells me that he has made many changes to it over the years.  When she took up drinking scotch during the Gigi years, he started insisting that her home was stocked with it.”  Luca says with a laugh.  “It appears that you have inherited your mother’s tastes.  Now tell me, what did you do to her?  She has never slept that soundly before, ever!”

“I was afraid I might not have succeeded when she spoke to you.  She shouldn’t be able to do that,” Kylor says thoughtfully.

“She spoke to me when she was in a coma.  She is always aware of my presence, when I am near.”  Luca informs his son.

“You two have a very, very deep connection.  It’s truly amazing.  I noticed today that you almost operate as one being at times.  Is that because of the telepathy?” Kylor asks curiously.

“No, that’s just how we are.  We only just recently learned how to use telepathy.  We seem to simply be in sync with each other.  We forget we can talk to each other that way, to be honest.  But I must know what you did to her Kylor,” Luca insists firmly.

“It is a technique of Grandmother’s.  She works with women and children who have been ravaged by war.  Most of the women have been raped, and many of the children.  That kind of violation leaves the victim filled with shame and despair.  Mother was full of shame and despair tonight.  I removed it.  If she remembers her relationship with Lou, she won’t feel that shame and despair.  I am hopeful she won’t recall it at all.”  Kylor sighs and runs his hands through his hair in a gesture much like his father’s. 

“I am sorry, I should have asked permission first, but I doubt she would have granted it.  I had to spend a lot of time walking around in her mind, her memories, and her emotions in order to fix the problem.  I tried to avoid the memories of your relationship over the years, but they are everywhere in there.  She literally lives for you Father.  She loves us, her children, she loves us deeply, purely and without reserve.  But she lives for you!  Her love for you is so bright, so powerful, I literally felt warmed by it,” Kylor says in awe.

Luca looks at his son and says, “Never let her know that you did that.  She is very, very private.  She has always kept her deepest thoughts and feelings to herself.  But I am sure you learned that in there.  She never deliberately keeps secrets from me.  Well, one time.  The very secret that is causing her all of this shame.  Will she really not remember it?”

“Probably not, Father.  But I can’t be certain until we see her reaction to Lou.  She couldn’t help reacting how she did tonight.  If I successfully healed those memories, she won’t remember them at all.  If she does remember, I am very hopeful that I at least healed the shame and despair they cause her.  As I said, I can’t be certain because I have never, ever been inside a mind like hers before.  It was so complicated, so detailed, so rich, so full!  I can’t imagine how she keeps track of all she knows.  Actually, she doesn’t realize all that she knows.  She reads and speaks seventeen current languages, and five dead languages, and two magical languages did you know that?”

“No, not exactly.  I knew she had a talent for languages.  We have never understood the source of that knowledge for many of them.  Like the language that prophesy is written in, I can’t imagine how she knows it.  I spent hundreds of hours studying to learn it over the years that I searched for her.  It is a very complicated language.  I learn most languages very quickly, but that one was tough.  And to find that Kyle knows it… It must be some kind of genetic quirk…”  Luca trails off in thought.

“And her sense of humor is incredible.  She can find something funny about almost everything under the sun.  She keeps it to herself because she thinks she must be mature and serious because she is responsible for the protection of so many, but the sense of humor is definitely there.”  Kylor says with a chuckle.

“I know.  As Gigi, LiNora, Mary and as Audrey she would keep me in stitches.  Especially as LiNora.”  Luca smiles at the memory.

“And she has human foibles, just like the rest of us.  She is jealous of your love for her in her past incarnations.  She knows it’s absurd, but she also knows, without a doubt, that you love her more now than you ever have.”  Kylor says quietly.  “Her mind is a very strange and wonderful place that I was glad I was able to visit, yet at the same time, I wish that I had not.  I know how horribly Hilda and Roxie suffered.  You know about Hilda, but poor Roxie was… never mind.” Kylor rubs his face and runs his hands through his hair.

Luca smiles and says, “Son, I have that exact same mannerism when I am troubled or overwhelmed.”  But Luca sobers instantly.  “Please tell me.  I need to understand all that she has suffered.  In a weird way, I feel I must share the burden with her.”

“Roxie’s father molested her from the time she was two until she died.  Her mother knew about it, and didn’t stop it.  She would beat Roxie, and burn her with the iron for it.  They were both monsters.”  Kylor says quietly.  “I tinkered with those memories too.  She doesn’t deserve that.” Kylor is silent for a moment and says, “She was hiding something about that time.  I don’t know what it was… there’s a part of her that operates separately from her conscious state.  I can’t understand it.  She wouldn‘t let me get near it.”

“Father I also know about Rinda.  Rinda is a dear friend, but that is all.  You know that right?” Kylor asks softly.  When Luca nods, Kylor continues; “She would have done it… what she offered to do the other day.  She would have done it.”

“I know son.  I hate it that she would do that on my behalf.  That is not who she really is.”  Luca says quietly, and then chuckles.  “Look who I am telling that to.  You probably know her as well as I do, or better even.”

“No not really.  There were many parts of her mind I could not enter.  I suspect that those parts are largely devoted to you, and her mind is powerful enough to keep me out.  It was an amazing experience.  I have never experienced anything like it before and I have been in thousands of minds.  Her mind is a true labyrinth, not disorganized, but organized in a very, very complicated fashion.  I suspect I only got a glimpse of what goes on in there.  But she freely reveals her true self to you in all things.  She trusts and loves you completely.”  Kylor admits.

“Astonishing!  How do you do it Kylor?  Not the actual mechanism or technique that you use, that is one skill I just don’t want.  How can you stand to enter those damaged minds and heal them?  I have been a practicing psychiatrist and counselor, I wouldn’t want to actually enter those minds and see what is really going on inside of them.  Just as I would not want to actually be able experience another’s pain like many around me can do,” Luca says with a shudder.

“I suspect that is because you are too sympathetic.  Emphathics cannot be overly sympathetic.  It is a quandary.”  Kylor says. “I do it because it is what Grandmother and I could do to help people.  It was all we could do to counter some of the damage Mars and his insatiable need for conflict wrecks on the world.”  Kylor sighs and then says, “Speaking of Grandmother, Mother already has a plan in mind as to how to increase Grandmother’s power as a goddess…”

Luca laughs, “I bet I can guess.  She wants to transfer the aura and life force Almeda gifted her with?”

“Incredible!  How could you possibly have known that?  I know she didn’t mention it to you.  She has no memory of that.  She only has memories of trying to figure out how to achieve it.  She wants to repay Bellona for saving me, but mostly she can’t stand it when someone’s rightful power is taken away from them,” Kylor says in awe of his mother.

“When she told me about what Mars did to Bellona, she had that look on her face she gets when she feels compelled to right some wrong.  I have been trying to think of what options she might consider.  Almeda’s aura and life force came to mind,” Luca says mildly.

“You two are well suited for each other.  Okay, so Father are you satisfied that I did nothing harmful to Mother? Kylor asks.

“I didn’t really think you would hurt her.  I am just very, very protective of her.  Which is pretty funny because she is one of the fiercest warriors that ever lived.  But you know she is vulnerable too.  She is my mate, my life.  I truly live for her too!”  Luca vows.

“I know that Father, that is why I think we need to shift the focus of this conversation to Valgullveig and Mars.  We must sway Mars from supporting Valgullveig.  He loves meddling and causing misery.  But he respects true strength, valiant and powerful warriors.” 

“Mother is all of those things, but she is woman.  Therefore she will have to work hard to earn his respect.  But I believe she can, I believe he can be swayed by Mother.  You won’t be able to because he will believe the only reason you are powerful is because you are his grandson.  When he learns I am your son, he will believe the same of me.  Mother will most likely have to face him in combat.  Can she do that and carry the baby safely?  Will your spell keep my brother safe?” Kylor asks.

Suddenly Luca cocks his head and says, “Why are they here?” And then he looks at Kylor, “We are about to have a visit from her doctors.”  Kylor follows Luca to the door of the suite.  Luca opens the door to admit three men.  Two of them Kylor remembers from today.  They are Spell Weavers, one is Morna’s right hand man.  “Elias, Micah, and Mordir, hello.  What brings you here tonight?  Morna is sleeping soundly in Odin’s chamber.”

Elias steps forward, gulps audibly, before saying; “Lucian, sir, please exercise some of your famous control.  I am about to ask for something that may offend you greatly, but we are only asking for this to protect Morna.  We are seeking samples for DNA testing…”

“What the hell?” Yells Luca.

“No, no Father.  It is a wise move.  I don’t blame them.  Let’s protect Mother.  Collect your sample Elias.”  Kylor says agreeably.  “Do you want blood or saliva?”

“Both,” says Mordir.  “And I will draw blood from three different sites.  It is easy to fake one sample, but not three.  No offense sir.  When the tests come back showing you are indeed Morna’s son, I will come to you on my knees to beg forgiveness, if you require it.  But for now, I will protect the Lady Morna.  I have sworn to Odin to do so.”  The group of men go to the sitting room and Mordir takes the samples.  Micah takes them immediately.  Mordir looks at Luca and says, “Micah and Reagan will have the results in about thirty minutes.”

Mordir looks at Luca and further informs him of their precautions.  “We have also taken samples from Lady Bellona.  She happily complied.”

“I would have appreciated the courtesy of advance notice before you accost my mother and demand samples from her.”  Luca says stiffly.

Elias looks at Luca and says, “I am sorry Luca.  You know how much Micah and I love you two.  We have to protect Morna and the Guild.  So very much is at stake.”

“Boy, I know what is at stake.  But do you honestly think anyone could fool Morna into thinking they were her child if they were not?”  Luca demands angrily.

“Luca, that’s enough Darling!”  Morna says softly from the doorway.  “Elias is just doing his duty as my governor, and following his instincts to protect me, as is Micah.  Mordir has sworn an oath to Odin, his king, to protect me.  Do not be angry at them.”  Morna walks over to her mate and strokes his cheek softly.  He visibly softens under her touch.  He nods, and takes her hand into his and kisses it tenderly.

“I am sorry we woke you,” Offers Mordir.  “You should be resting ma’am.”

“Two hours in that chamber feels like 10 hours in bed.  Besides, I am feeling thirsty.” Morna admits.  “I will go take care of that, and let you gentlemen continue to rattle your sabers.”

Luca laughs, “I am surprised you didn’t accuse me of engaging them in a pissing contest.  She has done that before.”  Luca tells his son.  “Your mother does indeed have quite the sense of humor.  Morna, sit down and rest, wait with your son.  I will go get your blood.  I am quite finished with my saber rattling.”  Luca winks at his mate, and leaves before she can respond.

Mordir walks over to where Morna is standing, “May I examine you, Lady Morna?”

Morna chuckles, “Sure why not?  I expect I will be poked and prodded aplenty before this child is born.”

“Madam, this exam will involve neither poking nor prodding.” Mordir assures her.

“Mordir, Mother is aware of that.  She was being glib.  She doesn’t like the attention and she is trying to make light of it.  She means no offense.” Kylor says.

Morna chuckles and walks over to her son, and whispers into his ear, “Son, just because you went exploring in my mind doesn’t mean you completely know me.  I was aware you were there.  I let you fix whatever you fixed.  I don’t remember it.  But I didn’t allow you access into half of what goes on in there.”

Luca laughs happily as he approaches the kitchen.  He is not really surprised by what he just heard his mate whisper to their son.  In fact with her uncanny ability to be aware of everything when unconscious, he half expected that she was aware of what Kylor was doing.

Kylor chuckles too.  “I should have known that.  Can you forgive me Mother?”

“Of course I do Kylor.  You were trying to help.  Actually, apparently you did help.”  Morna says feeling mildly confused.  “But I confess to feeling slightly unsettled that I know you healed a memory, but I don’t know which one or ones.”