Feeling like dead weight.
Chapter 2 - Part 1Law & Order
Previously, Amelia and Nell pulled Balgair upstairs into a master suite at the Black Swan Inn. Once inside, Balgair played his cards and enticed a dance out of his bhanna. Afterward, Heather and Balgair let the two women sleep while they talked for a while. Heather, praying to Ananke, fell asleep in her maighstir’s arms.
“Wake up, my daughter,” Heather heard a voice cutting through her sleep. She opened her eyes to find herself in the same columned room she had been in the last time she visited Ananke.
She smiled in adoration as she sank to her knees before Ananke. “Thank you, our Mistress of chains, for my new family.”
“It is as I promised, mo dèanamh-chàraid. You have what you wanted.” Ananke said as she reached down for Heather.
Accepting the hands, Heather rose to her feet and stood before her goddess. “Thank you, Mistress,” she cried, hugging Ananke tightly.
“What brings you here, little one?” The goddess asked as she gently broke the hug.
“It’s Balgair,” Heather whispered, looking at the floor.
The goddess froze for an instant. “What is wrong with him?” Her silver eyes were unfocused as she searched for Balgair and slipped into his dreams. “Oh, I see.” She turned her attention back to Heather. “How long has he been like this?” There was genuine care in her voice.
“Since we moved into the new place,” Heather explained. “He’s been so worried about Delilah and Aelwyn.” Even though she didn’t voice it, she thought about unfair it was for Balgair to be so worried about the two.
As if hearing her thoughts, Ananke gazed into Heather’s eyes. “What is it you wish, my child?”
“Why must Maighstir Balgair have to bear so much? Why can’t he just be happy?” Heather asked as she took a half-step back. “I don’t think it’s fair to either Amelia or Nell that they should have to think about new bonds.” She drew a shallow breath. “Are there no other men that could bond with Delilah and Aelwyn?” Heather paled when the goddess didn’t answer and took another step backward.
Ananke stared at Heather for a moment before a tight smile appeared. “You are the dèanamh-chàraid. Since you are so concerned, go make a couple of matches.” When Heather looked relieved, the goddess gave a genuine smile. “If you match right, they will have good homes.” The goddess leaned close and whispered. “Pick well and I will bless them both.”
The lady of chains took Heather’s right hand and kissed her fingertips. “Are you still worried about your bond agreement?” When Heather nodded, the goddess smiled, “It’s okay. Now, go back to sleep and have sweet dreams.”
Once her goddess dismissed her, Heather found herself back in her body and snuggled closer to her maighstir.
~ ~
Heather didn’t awaken the next morning until the bed turned cold, and then she awoke with a start and jumped out of bed. She didn’t remember returning to bed. She cursed the fact that she had overslept, as she had wanted to go town with Balgair. She grumpily dug around for a fresh dress, a teal-colored short-skirted dress with a deeply scooped bust. Heather wondered why he hadn’t woken her up as she angrily brushed her hair, growling as she yanked at the snarls.
Her anger dissipated as she left the bedroom and walked down the hall to the kitchen. She was halfway down the hall when she suddenly paused and looked around. “When did we get back to the manor house?” She wondered as she tried to remember what had happened after she had visited Ananke the previous evening. Dismissing it, she resumed her walk to the kitchen, her head down as she grumped. Now that Amelia and Nell had arrived, she felt like dead weight. No matter what she said before, she did enjoy getting things ready for the two. She tried to smile as she walked into the kitchen, but her lips turned down in a semi-frown, only to stop halfway through the door. She had been about to openly grouse about being left behind and a slow blush crept up her face as she looked around and saw Balgair sitting at the table, flanked by Amelia and Nell.
“Well, good morning, sleepy head,” Balgair said with a wave. “If you want to eat, you’d better get over here.” He couldn’t help but tease her. “Amelia and Nell were hungry, and I almost didn’t get any.”
Heather stepped toward the table. Her mouth opened to speak when Amelia laughed. “He’s pulling your leg,” the redhead said with a chuckle.
The blonde glared at Balgair, who met her look with a bemused expression. “You’re mean,” she complained, reaching for a plate filled with bread and cereal.
“Riiiiighht,” he said, eyeing her. “You keep saying that, but don’t act on it.”
Heather raised a brow, “Maybe I was waiting for reinforcements.”
To Balgair’s right, Amelia’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh no, you don’t. Don’t get me involved in your fight,” the redhead stated before taking a bite of toast. “If you can’t fight your battles, you won’t last long with us.” On Balgair’s other side, Nell nodded emphatically.
“Face it, mo tè àlainn. You enjoy the sniping, don’t you?” He searched her face. “It gives you a thrill.”
Heather blinked as the truth of his words filtered through the link. “I…” she paused. “I enjoy the verbal sparring but like the making up better.” She gazed at him before walking over and wrapping her arms around him. “I was going to ask if I could go to work with you today.”
Balgair raised one eyebrow in query. “I didn’t think you’d want to sit at the office,” he said. When she nuzzled his neck, he asked one more question: “Why?”
“Ananke wanted me to talk to some people,” she replied as she nibbled on his left ear.
Balgair couldn't help but wonder if his goddess would use Heather as a sagarte. He blinked as he heard soft laughter in the air. “Very well, mo te alainne. You may go with me.”
“Thank you, Maighstir.” She replied as she sat beside him and grabbed a few things to eat. Soon, she was eating with gusto, enjoying the sausage wrapped in bread, something Amelia had called a ‘pig in a blanket.’ “This is good,” she said around a mouth of food as she held the sausage and biscuit up to the red-haired Ciad-Ghin.
Amelia acknowledged her praise by putting another one on her plate.
When he was finished with his meal, Balgair started to get up. “Is there anything else I can do before I leave for work?” He shoved the plate to Amelia and waited.
“Yes, Maighstir,” Nell said, taking the plate from Amelia. “Do we have permission to get new furniture for the Master bedroom and our rooms?”
“What are you going after?” Balgair inquired, turning to the brunette.
“A bigger bed, for one. We can’t sleep four people on this three-person bed.” The taller bannaichean explained. “There will be times we don’t want to sleep with you, you know…times when we... we...” She seemed slightly embarrassed.
“Ah,” Balgair nodded. I gotcha,” he said as he looked at the two. Very well. You may go buy some furniture.”
“Thank you, Maighstir,” Amelia sweetly whispered. “We’ll try not to break you.”
Balgair laughed in amusement and kissed his two women goodbye. “Come along, you two,” he called out to Heather and Delilah. Let’s get going.”
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