Wicked Rage of the Moon: Book Three of the Airendell Chronicles (38 page)

Lou is staring off into space and then shakes his head.  “Uh nothing, just tired.  Let’s get back to Morna’s place, and then I want to get back to Heimdall’s to sleep.  I want to be rested when Mom comes out of it.”

Kyle is very confused by the flood of emotions he feels from his cousin, but the overriding emotion is guilt and he wonders about it.  He looks at Annie and it’s clear that she understands what is wrong with her brother.  But she has shut her emotions off from him and that makes Kyle really curious.  They walk the rest of the way home in silence.  When they get almost to Kyle’s home Lou turns to Annie and says, “I am going to teleport to Heimdall’s.  See ya later kid.” And he is gone before Kyle can respond.

Kyle looks at Annie searchingly, she still has her emotions shut off from him.  Kyle was very confused by Lou’s reaction to his snarky comment about immortal’s and their sexual habits, but on the walk home the pieces fell into place. 

Annie looks at Kyle and sighs, “I guess you have some questions you need answers to?”  Kyle nods and Annie says, “Yeah, I was afraid of that.  You are one smart, perceptive kid.  I have been kind of surprised you didn’t figure it out before now.  Let’s go out back to the garden.”

Kyle nods wordlessly and follows Annie like someone deep in a trance.  He sits heavily on a marble bench and looks at Annie with a confused look on his face.  Annie strokes his face gently, “Kyle, what do you think you know?”

“Oh God!  I think Mom and Lou were lovers when they knew each other in El Paso.  But I am sure neither one of them knew they were related.  Oh God!  I can tell by your face I am right.  Poor Mom!  Poor Lou!”  Annie pats his hand and nods.  “How come Lou reacted like that?”

“Breena and Rinda tried to remove the memories.  We thought they were successful.  It’s been a real nightmare for both of them, but mostly for Lou.  He loved Morna.  He knew she was a magical being and knew that our Mom was after her.  But he didn‘t know she had a mate or that she is our Aunt.  And of course, your mother knew nothing of her different lifetimes as Deidra.  It took Lou almost thirty years to realize he had been in love with our mother’s sister.  I guess your innocent comment brought it all back.  I am going to have to go get Kylor and have him help Lou deal with this.”  Annie says softly.

“Kylor?  He knows?”  Annie nods and Kyle asks, “How can Kylor help?”

“Kylor can heal memories.  They still remember the events, but he heals the negative emotions tied to the memories.  I think he did that for Morna, but she still avoids Lou.”

“I have noticed Mom avoids him and had wondered why.” Kyle says.  “How does Kylor heal those memories?”

“He can enter someone’s mind and walk through their memories and heal them.  It’s a rare talent, but your brother is very, very good at it.  He taught your Dad how to do it and that’s how he figured out how the antibodies heal damage in a body.  Your Dad is amazing, he used that technique to enter the antibody and go through the body.  It’s going to revolutionize medicine for our kind.” Annie says with a smile.

“How did Dad take the news about Mom and Lou?”

“He doesn’t blame your Mom if that is what you are worried about.  He wouldn’t judge her, and could forgive her anything.  He really loves her no matter what.”  Annie assures Kyle.

“I know that, but it had to hurt him, a lot.” Kyle says quietly.

“I am sure that it did.  It ripped your mom to pieces, I know that for sure.  Kylor helped, but it’s still hard for her.  I am sorry that you found this out.  Morna would hate to know that you figured it out.  She has never hurt your Dad or you kids on purpose, but the changes she has gone through over the years and the men she had relationships with during her different mortal incarnations have left their mark on all of your lives.”  Annie says softly.

“Mom is very loving, loyal and constant.  I know she wouldn’t do anything like this knowingly.  I feel sorry for her.  She carries a lot of guilt, I have known that ever since we have been reunited, I just didn’t understand exactly why.  I guess I do now.  Hey, while we are talking about things Mom wouldn’t want me to know, I have to ask something.  I hope you will tell me the truth, but I understand if you don’t.”  Kyle rubs his hands across his face and exhales slowly, “Mom and Rinda…?”

“Long, long time ago.”  Annie looks at her young cousin and realizes that he needs more of an explanation than that.  “Kyle, when they were girls, honorable women didn’t have relations with the first man they were attracted to like girls often do now.  But among our kind, we usually live a long time before we find someone, that right someone.  So it was common for girls to become lovers.  I know it sounds silly, but it was considered preferable to losing one’s virginity before they met their mate.  As I understand it from Rinda, your Mom broke off her relationship with Rinda right after she met Lucian.  Rinda held onto those feelings for a long time, but your Mom only loves Lucian.” Annie says softly.

“Wow! It’s really weird to think of my Mom in that kind of relationship.  I can’t see her being attracted to a woman.”  Kyle says thoughtfully.

“I don’t think she was attracted to Rinda as a woman, but as her best friend, and a sort of soul mate.  But nothing like her connection to your Dad.”  Annie evaluates how Kyle is taking this information and decides he is adapting just fine.

Kyle smiles and says, “But you are very attracted to Rinda, as a woman?”

Annie smiles back at him and says, “Yeah kid, I am definitely very attracted to Rinda as a woman.  Truth be told, I am head over heels in love with her.”

“Yeah, I knew that.  Rinda is really attracted to you too.  I think she is reaching a point in her life where she wants to make a connection like Mom has with Dad.  I hope you two can find that, together.” Kyle says with a big grin.  “Thanks for being honest with me.  This explains a lot.  I am going inside.  I need sleep too.  I really want to go check on Mom.  I believe you said you need to go get Kylor to help Lou?  Don’t you think he might be sleeping?”

“No way!  He’s probably a manic mess by now.  I am glad you are taking this so well, but I really need to go help my brother.  I don’t want him to freak out and disappear on me.  I am afraid he remembers how much he loved Deidra.”  Annie leans in and kisses Kyle’s cheek and says, “But do me a favor kid, don’t ever tell your Mom that I told you any of this.  She would kick my ass all across the nine realms.”

Kyle laughs and says, “No worries Annie!  I don’t want her to know that I know about Lou or Rinda any more than she wants me to know.  I’ll never tell a soul.”

“Good!  But you can talk to me anytime you need to, about anything.  Okay?” Annie says gently.  “I mean anything.”

“I know Annie.  I feel really close to you.”  Kyle hugs his cousin quickly and says, “See ya later gator.”  Annie chuckles as she watches her young cousin go inside, and murmurs, “After a while crocodile.” Annie teleports back to the Healer’s Hall to fetch Kylor to help her brother.

CHAPTER ELEVEN - NEOPHASIC HEALING AND A FAMILY UNITED

“Love, Mordir just came to tell me that Robert is well enough to go home and Aideen is doing well also.”  Morna says as she kisses her mate again.  She runs her hands along his abdomen and smiles when he opens his eyes and leers playfully at her.

“Morna, thank you for bringing me here while we healed.  The pain seems completely separated from me here.” Luca says quietly.

“I know, Love.  But we have to go back soon.  The kids are handling it well, but they need to see us up and around soon.” Morna says as she trails her hot breath down his abdomen and then sighs as she runs her cheek along the length of his shaft.  “Damn, part of me could stay here forever, just loving you.”  Morna sighs happily and circles the head of his manhood with her tongue and begins to draw him into her mouth when he gasps and draws her back upwards so that she is face to face with him.

“My turn,” He growls as he flips her over and begins to trail kisses down her neck and onto her chest.  When he gets to her belly, he sighs sadly, “I miss him.  I can still feel him through the spell, and I know he’s fine.  But I miss rubbing my hands over your big belly, feeling him kick me.  I guess this is a preview for after he is born.”  Luca continues to kiss his way down her body and nips the gentle mound at the apex of her thighs.  “Would you mind if I told you that I wanted to go back after we make love again?”

“Not at all.  I want to go back too.  But you have started something here which you really need to finish.” Morna purrs as she entwines her fingers tightly in his hair.

“With pleasure my love.” He growls as he pushes her legs apart and buries his tongue in her wet, hot center.  Morna moans as he circles her clitoris with his tongue and nibbles none too gently.  She pulls his head even closer to her center of heated desire.

“Oh baby, I am not going to last long this time.  I am so sensitized, so aroused, soooo, I don’t know, words fail me.” Morna moans.

Luca pulls back and looks into her eyes, “Do you need to wait?  Is that why you were so set on seeing to my pleasure alone this time?”

Morna giggles happily.  “No Love, how many times do I have to tell you?  I just like to do it!”  She slowly disentangles her fingers from his hair and cups his face.  “I love you, do you know that?”

“I have come to suspect that might be the case,” Luca smirks as he moves up her body, planting kisses and hot licks as he goes.  He smiles happily when Morna moans as he buries himself deeply into her body.  They quickly find that perfect rhythm that is so common to well matched lovers.  Before long they achieve their mutual orgasms.  They lie there holding each other for a long time.  Relishing the peace and contentment they find in each other’s arms.

Morna rouses when she feels a small hand on her arm.  “Ma, Ma?” The voice calls. 

Morna turns to Luca and says, “Our babies need us.”

Luca kisses her and says, “I know.  I heard Kevin too.  He sounds frightened.

Morna opens her eyes, she looks around and realizes that she is awake in the Healer’s Hall.  She looks over at her mate and he is stirring too.  She opens her mouth to speak to Kevin, but her throat is dry and she can barely speak.  Kyle helps her sit up and Kevin gives her a drink of water.  “Boys, is everything alright?”

“How are you Mom?”  Kevin asks before he quickly glances over to check on Luca.

“We are much better.  What’s wrong?” Morna asks.

“Aunt Val is suicidal.  She keeps coming out of stasis, trying to run away.  Rinda and Breena are holding her in a binding spell, but she’s powerful Mom.  If you are well enough we need you to come talk to her.” Kevin says calmly.

Morna and Luca sit up at the same time.  Kyle rushes to Luca.  “Dad, you okay?”

“Yes Son, I just need some blood and maybe a drink of water.”  Luca rasps out hoarsely.

Mordir comes in and smiles, “Good!  I was hoping you two were ready to come out of it today.  Your bodies are mostly healed...”

Valla hands Morna a cup of water and cup of blood, and then turns does the same with Luca.  Luca takes a deep drink and says, “How are the children?”

“Aideen is still in stasis.  Robert has gone home.  We were waiting to take Aideen out of stasis until the two of you woke up.”

Morna chuckles and says, “Well Love, I’ll take Val and you can take Aideen.”

Mordir smiles and says, “I think you better take a moment to get your strength back.  “Besides, you both should take care of Val first, she is most urgent.  Aideen will remain peaceful until we bring her out of stasis.  Val on the other hand is like her sister and will not stay in stasis.”

Luca chuckles and says wryly, “Big surprise there.”  He suddenly sobers and adds; “Actually I am surprised that Aideen is staying in stasis.  She’s stubborn too, and probably just as strong as her mother.”

“True, but Agnar and Aiden have stayed with her.  She is calm.” Kyle says proudly.  “Aiden is amazing with her.”

Morna drains her blood and stands up and holds her hand out to her mate.  He stands and takes her hand.  Mordir smiles and leads the way.  When they enter Val’s room they are shocked to find her struggling against a binding spell.  Rinda is singing a relaxation spell that seems to have no effect whatsoever on Valgullveig, however, as soon as she sees Morna she calms down and whispers, “You really are alive?  Nyx didn’t kill you both?”

Morna walks over and strokes Val’s face, “I fine Val.  Didn’t they tell you that?”  The beautiful blond witch can only nod wordlessly.

“She’s hardheaded Morna!” Valliant complains.  “I’ve been telling her you are fine for two days.”

Luca comes forward and does a healers read on his sister in law and says, “Val you are not well enough yet to be fighting against a binding spell like this.  You should still be in stasis recovering.”

Val starts sobbing and says, “You are really alive!  I thought Nyx killed you and they were lying to me about it to get me to heal.”

Breena smiles and says, “We wouldn’t do that.  Deception always comes back to bite you on the ass.”

Morna looks at Rinda and Breena and says, “You can drop the binding spell.”  Val sits up slowly and reaches out for Morna.  The two sisters hold each other in silence for several minutes.  When Val pulls back she reaches for Luca, he embraces her too.  “Luca, thank you so much!  Both of you, all of you!  I deserved to die, but you didn’t let me.”

“Of course you didn’t deserve to die Valgullveig,” Luca says staunchly.  “No one ever deserved what they had done to you.”  Morna is moved to tears by the sincerity and compassion in her mate’s face and voice.

“Stay here with us, Val.  We are family, let us behave that way and look out for each other, as you and I did in the Neophasic dimension before Nyx recaptured you.  Stay.  Stay with me,” Morna says softly.

Val is silent and Morna fears she will reject the offer out of guilt.  In that moment she truly fears for her sister’s wellbeing.

“Aunt Val, stay.”  Everyone in the room turns at the quiet request from Kylor.  He had entered the room without anyone being aware of his presence.  “Stay Valgullveig, let us all stand together in triumph over Nyx.  Don’t let her have victory over you.  Not in this.  Not ever again.”

“Why?” Val croaks.  “Why Kylor, do you of all people want me to stick around?  I stole your childhood from you.  It’s because of me that you grew up without your parents.”

Kylor nods.  “That might be one way of looking at it.  But the truth is, I would not have grown up at all if it were not for you.  You sent Bellona to secret me out of the glen.  You faked my death so that Nyx wouldn’t look for me.”  Kylor shakes his head.  “No, my dear Grandmother whisked me out of the glen that night, but you saved my life.  Just as you saved the lives of so many over the centuries.  Centuries of being tortured and controlled by a being so powerful that she can actually make puppets of strong Immortals such as yourself.  Any harm you caused you did not do willingly.”

“But…”

“No buts,” Morna says sternly.  “We all want you to stay.  We
need
to keep you safe here with us, sister.  We need to build our family into such a strong united front that no one can ever take advantage of any of us ever again the way Nyx took advantage of you.  This isn’t over.  You realize that right?”

Val laughs bitterly.  “Little sister, I probably realize that this isn’t over far better than anyone.  Nyx will not give up.  She’s off licking her wounds now.  I can still feel a tenuous connection to her.  I can feel how badly she was wounded.  It will take her a very long while to recover her strength so that she can after me… after you and your children.  But don’t doubt for a second that she will be back.  She will come after us all.  She’s a ravenous beast who feasts on fear, mayhem and chaos.”

Kylor nods and sits on the bed beside Valgullveig and takes her hand into his own.  “We know, Aunt.  We know there will be a final battle on Assylian plain.  We have several experts trying to decipher the numerous prophesies on the confrontation.  But one thing is already clear, united we win.  If we don’t stand together against Nyx and her dominions… well, millions will die.”

Val looks panicked for a moment, but she quickly schools her face and whispers; “What if she seizes control of me again?”

Luca shakes his head no.  “I don’t believe that will happen.  I have spent a great deal of time poring over those ancient documents that foretell the Great Confrontation and I am convinced that you, Valgullveig of Vanaheim, are one the necessary components to defeat the Primordial and her dark army.  I honestly believe that we are doomed to failure if you slink off into oblivion.”

Silence reigns in the room for several long minutes.  Finally Val nods.  “I am not sure I believe that I am key to destroying Nyx.  I have already proven repeatedly that I am no match for her.” When Morna opens her mouth to object, Val smiles and raises her hand for silence.  “However, I do believe you when you say I may play a role in defeating her.  Maybe… just maybe if I stick around, with my family,” Val gives everyone in the room a tremulous smile.  “Maybe then I can contribute in some meaningful way and perhaps find some small measure of redemption.”

Morna lets out an immense sigh of relief.  “Thank heavens that is resolved!”  She looks over at Luca and says; “Are you ready to meet your newest son?”

Luca smiles back and nods.

“What?” Val and Kylor demand in unison.

Morna stands up and fluid gushes from between her legs.  “Your little brother has apparently decided to show his big sisters that don’t really know everything.  He’s ready to be born… NOW!”