Wicked Rage of the Moon: Book Three of the Airendell Chronicles (7 page)

His eyes finally settle on the massive sapphire resting atop her swollen belly and wonders where it came from.  And then he remembers tales of Valliant’s grandmother, whom the demigod had adored.  She was a beautiful giantess named Rind.  Odin loved her dearly, and the legend goes that he wooed her with beautiful jewels, poetry and feats of daring before she finally consented to mate with him.  The massive gemstone must have been hers.  Luca almost chuckles because he knows Morna would not have ever considered wearing such a showy jewel, except to please someone she loved.  Fortunately, she is stately and regal enough in her bearing to pull it off.  She looks magnificent.

The ceremony is brief and many gathered chuckle when Morna and Luca end their vows with “I still do.” just as they had done recently at their home in Asgard.  George Welborn looks stately and oh so handsome as he presides over the ceremony.  When it is over, he proudly turns the couple towards their well-wishers, and says, “I am proud to present my brother and sister… Lucian and Morna Michaels of Airendell and Asgard.” 

A loud cheer fills the glen and George raises his hand to get them to be silent.  “I almost forgot to give my brother leave to kiss his bride.”  The crowd cheers again when Luca takes her into his arms and kisses her with all the passion he can muster.  When he finally releases her, she is unsteady on her feet from her excitement and his magnificent scent.  George and Luca steadies her, and George looks toward the crowd and says; “What do you know?  Even after over seven hundred years he can still make her weak in the knees.” 

Morna laughs happily and mouths, “Always!”

Luca addresses the well-wishers, “My bride and I would be honored if everyone here would join us for a meal and a night of dancing.”  Another loud cheer fills the glen, and Luca leads Morna down the green carpet towards their well-wishers as they rain birdseed down on their heads.

First the huge party is served a delicious dinner of prime rib and lobster tail with succulent grilled vegetables and an assortment of fresh baked breads and pastries for dessert.  Morna is exceedingly grateful when Ingrid appears at her side with a travel mug full of blood.  “Thank you, my sister.  My craving was growing rapidly.”

“I know Morna.  I am always focused on you, even in a crowd this size.”  Ingrid assures her.

“Well, I am not sure that I deserve you, Ingrid.  And right now I must tell you that I am in good hands.”  She looks fondly at her mate and her children.  “It would make me very happy if you would find that handsome young man of yours and enjoy yourself with him.”  Ingrid leans down and hugs her.  Morna says, “Thank you Ingrid, for everything.”

“You’re welcome.  Have fun Morna, I know that I will.”  Having said that Ingrid disappears into the crowd. 

Morna spends dinner with her husband, her children, her sister, Damian, her father, his father and her mother in law and Mars at a large rectangular table that overlooks the rest of the glen.  She feels so very blessed to have them all together for this vow renewal ceremony and the ensuing party.  The band has been playing quietly in the background when Aiden and Damian excuse themselves from the table.  Morna looks at Luca and asks, “What are they up to?”

“Just wait,” Luca says with a huge smile.  Morna watches Aiden sit at the grand piano and Damian goes to the microphone.  “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Damian Summers, and that is Aiden Montfort Michaels on the piano, we would like to perform a special request of the groom for their first dance of the night.” 

As Aiden begins to play the familiar notes of ‘Unforgettable’ Morna is rendered speechless by her son’s skill on the piano.  “When did he learn to do that?” she whispers to her mate. 

“Yesterday and today, of course.” Nora giggles.  “Dance with Mama, Daddy!”

“Well my love, let’s not disappoint our daughter.” He holds out his hand to her and leads her out onto the dance floor.  He holds her close much like he did that night in Chicago.  They are so lost in each other that they don’t realize when the song ends until Nora tugs on their arms and brings them back to reality. 

Morna blushes and turns to Aiden and Damian; “Come here you two.”  Damian scoops up Aiden, leaps effortlessly off of the elevated bandstand and sets him down before his mother and smiles broadly.  Morna takes Aiden into her arms and hugs him close, then she reaches out with one arm and says, “Come here Damian.  You two performed beautifully.  Thank you so very much.” 

She holds them both for a long time until Aiden snickers and says, “Like you really even heard it! “  Morna bends and kisses her son on the forehead and lovingly gazes into his face, “Mom! Everyone is watching!”  Morna chuckles and turns both young men loose. 

The band starts playing another slow song when Morna feels a tap on her shoulder, it is Kylor, “Mother, May I have this dance?”  Morna smiles happily and dances with her son. They chat happily about the ceremony and how talented Aiden and Damian are.  Meanwhile, Luca dances with Nora.  Over the next hour and twenty minutes they dance with everyone from the wedding party.  Luca dances with his mother and Gullveig.  Morna dances with her Father, Grandfather, Odin, Thor and George.  

Morna is heading back to her table to sit down when a short young man with blonde hair and blue eyes and happy smile comes to speak with Morna.  “Do you remember me?” the young man asks.

Morna looks at him thoughtfully for a second and then says, “Edgar? Edgar Jennings?”  When he nods and tears start falling silently down his face.  Morna leads him to sit beside her.  “Edgar what is wrong?  Are you not happy here?”

“Morna I have never been happier in all my life.  I am working as a clerk for Shamus the Elder.  I am computerizing Guild records.”  Morna can’t help it, she has to chuckle at that.  “I have my own little home, a job I love and friends, lots of friends.  I really can’t thank you enough.” Edgar says with feeling.

“I am glad!  I am sorry for what happened to you.  How you were used like that to try to ruin my life.  But you are safe here.  And that witch, she can’t hurt you, or anyone else ever again.” Morna assures him.

“I know, I heard.  I am glad she is dead.  Morna she was wicked, truly evil.  I saw what she did to you after she spelled me and my rig to crash into your family’s minivan.  She really, really hated you.” Edgar says sadly.

“Well, it’s all behind us now and I am so relieved that you are doing well.” Morna says with a smile.  “I hope to get to know you better when things calm down.

Morna and Edgar chat for a couple of more minutes and then the young man says, “I will see you around.” 

Morna watches Edgar go with a smile on her face but frowns when she sees her mate’s grandfather approaching. She’s wondering what he is up to. 

Mars claims a dance. The dance is almost over when Mars says, “Morna I have a gift for you.  But I am afraid that you will be angry with me for not bringing it to you sooner.”

Morna sighs, “We specifically asked that no one bring gifts.  Luca and I have all that we might ever need.  We just wanted to share this night with our family and friends.”

“I know, but this is different.  I am returning something that was stolen from you before Kylor was born.  It has been in my possession for a few months now.  I really should have returned it sooner, but I was afraid to do so.” Mars admits.

“You afraid?  Hells bells, Mars!  I seriously doubt that.  What are you up to?”  Morna demands fiercely.  Her distrust for the Roman god of war is evident in her words and demeanor.

“I have a surprise for you that will be delivered to the Airensaur plain in about five minutes.  Please have your protectors follow you there so that I might present you with my surprise.”  Mars says stiffly, obviously feeling offended.

Luca who has heard all of this conversation is suddenly by his mate’s side.  “Mars, what the hell are you up to?”

“Lucian, I came alone for this ceremony.  I am not up to any skullduggery.  Give me a chance.  Bring along whoever you want to protect your mate.  I promise, I wish her no harm.  I simply want to return something to her.”  Mars assures Luca.

Suddenly Morna’s face lights up.  “I know what the surprise is.  Luca, let’s go to the Airensaur plain!  It’s Eurig!”  Morna takes off running and Luca looks at Mars incredulously. 

“You have Eurig?  Where the hell has he been for all these centuries?”  Luca demands stonily.

“The Dark One had him, actually he was in Valgullveig‘s keeping.  I stole him from her.  She protected him.” Mars says honestly. 

Luca and Damian take off running after Morna.  Several Airendell warriors and the Norsemen follow close behind.  When they finally catch up to Morna she is nuzzling the head of the ugliest creature Damian has ever laid eyes on.  It looks like a giant emerald green lizard with a huge snout full of sharp teeth, enormous red eyes, five horns, giant leathery wings, and a long whip like tail.  The tail is wagging madly and the creature is screeching and mewling at the same time.  “What the hell is that?” Damian asks in utter mystification.

“It’s Morna’s Airensaur, Eurig.  It’s a type of dragon.  He went missing right before Kylor was born.  We never knew what happened to him.”  Luca informs Damian.

“Well, I will be damned.  I did not know that dragons were real,” Damian says incredulously as he rubs the back of his neck. 

Thor laughs happily and slaps Damian on the back before he tells him, “Most species of dragons went extinct centuries ago.  Eurig was hatched on this very plain nearly three thousand years ago.  He took to Morna when she was nine years old.  They were practically inseparable during her childhood.  After she became the First Warrior and Protector of Airendell she used to ride him on her patrols.  Airensaurs can travel between dimensions and carry a rider with them.  They are amazing creatures.  I heard that Morna was heartbroken when he came up missing.  Dragons are also very unpredictable creatures and Morna finally accepted that he must have set off for some adventure without her.  I can’t imagine where he has been all this time.”

By now Mars has joined the group.  “Valgullveig captured him at the Dark One’s bidding and has held him prisoner for all these centuries.  She had no choice but to him captive because she knew that the Airensaur would protect Kylor from her attack on him.  I discovered that she had him recently and I stole him from her in order to return him to Morna.  I don’t know why Morna likes the beastie so much, I couldn’t get the little bastard to talk to me.”  Mars says grumpily.  Mars looks around and says, “Where is that grandson of mine?”

“He went to get the children, and the Guild Elders,” Valliant says happily.  “Mars, you old bastard, you really did a good thing here.  Eurig has been the symbol of the Airendell Spell Weavers since the Guild was formed in 96 BC.

Suddenly all look toward the First Spell Weaver and her dragon, Morna is on his back and he is reared up on his hind legs.  Damian sputters and almost chokes when the dragon booms, “Hang on tight, little girl!”  And then he springs up and flaps his mighty wings and rises majestically in the air.  They circle the plain a couple of times, but when Morna sees Luca returning with the children she says; “Eurig, let’s land.  Luca is back with all of my babies.  You must meet them!” 

Eurig chuckles and says, “As you wish, Madam First Weaver.  You should not ride me without a saddle and wearing a dress anyway.  My scales will shred your skin.”  He lands gently before the gathering crowd and Luca helps Morna off of his back.  Eurig turns his giant head to look at Luca.  “Lucian, you look well.  Being a vampire wears well on you and my little girl!  But she is no longer a little girl.  I would not have known her except that she smells exactly the same.  Well, she smells a bit like a vampire, but she still smells like Morna.  Plus I would know those emerald eyes anywhere.  Now please introduce me to these fine children of yours.”

“Eurig, you old lizard.  It is great to see you!  This is Kylor, the babe Morna carried when last we saw you.” Luca says happily.

Eurig ducks his head at Kylor, “Son, I am sorry, I let you down when I let that witch get the drop on me.  It was my duty to protect you and I wasn’t around to do it,” Eurig booms sadly.

Kylor smiles, “Never fear old friend.”  Kylor instinctively knows that Eurig had bonded to him when he was still in his mother’s womb.  “I was in good hands.  My grandmother Bellona whisked me away.  I have been safely in hiding until mother regained all of her powers.  I had no idea that any of your kind still existed.  I am honored to meet you.  May I introduce my siblings?”

“Please do!” Booms Eurig good naturedly.  Nora is the last to be introduced of the children and she stands back until Luca takes her hand and walks her up to meet the dragon.  “Why did I not see him Daddy?” Nora asks in confusion.  “Am I losing my gift?”

The dragon chuffs sensing the child’s fear.  “No, no little Nora.  I assume you are a seer?”  When Nora nods, Eurig continues, “Seers cannot see dragons.  No seer in all the ages has ever been able to see a dragon’s future or anyone else that is in close proximity to a dragon.”

Nora starts crying at this news and hugs her Daddy tightly.  “Daddy? How can I help keep you and Mama safe if I can’t see your future with Eurig around?”

Maria comes up and pats the little girl on the back, “Nora, my people have an incantation that allows seers to see what happens to the non-dragons that they care about, even when they are in the presence of a dragon.  You won’t be able to see Eurig… he will only be a vague, undefined presence.  Never fear sweetheart, you will be able to help your parents.”  Nora hugs Maria and thanks her happily.