In times long past, in memory and deed.
Chapter 7 - Part 1 (Voyage of the Dawn Breaker)
“How much do you remember about our history and the way we used to live?” Ilyriatri inquired as she watched her daughter.
Vuuroena reached into her memory, trying to remember what her tutors had taught her about Ciad-Ghin history. “We were the first of the clann nan diathan[1] to be born. We are a long-lived people, with the oldest Ciad-Ghin living for almost a thousand years. Because we live for so long, we have very few children.” She paused as something nagged in her mind. “There are always more females born than males. Didn't the strongest men have more than one woman as a lover or mate?”
Ilyriatri nodded, “They did and, in some cases, still do it to this day. Many of our women leave our homeland and search for strong mates.” She brushed her fingers through Vuuroena's hair. “Mayana, Allanagh, and I were a part of such a cearcall gaoil[2].”
“What about him?” Vuuroena asked as she pointed in the direction of Rhyslin's great cabin.
Ilyriatri licked her lips as she stared at the door that led to the great cabin. “That man is the most powerful person I've ever met.” She paused, relaxing noticeably as Rhyslin's prana washed through the room. Hearing a noise on the other side of the door, she deduced who it could be,
“Come in, Flur,” she called out just loud enough to be heard.
There was a gasp, and the door opened to reveal the golden-haired bean-cheangail leaning against the door frame. Flur took a few deep breaths to calm her shaking body.
She stepped inside and shut the door behind her, resting against the cold wooden planks for a few minutes more before crossing the room on shaky knees. The blush on her face was evident, as was her arousal.
“What did you feel?” Ilyriatri asked as she watched Flur fidget.
“It felt as if he wrapped himself around me like a warm blanket,” Flur replied as she sat on the edge of the bed and lay back. “I felt safe and loved,” she continued, fanning her face with a hand. “The feeling was so powerful that it almost put me in mo chearcall torachais[3],” she admitted, placing her other hand over her lower abdomen. She looked at Ilyriatri. “What about you?”
Ilyriatri sighed, “The same, only more.” She paused momentarily and stared at the door. “I have this desire to kneel at his feet and beg him to cleachd mi gus nach fhaic mi dìreach[4]..”
“Mother!” Vuuroena exclaimed, hiding her face in her hands. She peeked out from between her fingers to see Flur nod. “Do both of you feel that way?” She sounded like a woman who didn't know what she was missing but knew she was missing something.
“Of course, my daughter,” She gazed into Vuuroena's eyes as she continued, “All Ciad-Ghin women of childbearing age would feel the same. We are driven to find a strong, powerful man to have children.” She took a slow, deep breath. “You'll probably feel the same drive when you come of age. I wouldn't be surprised if Mayana and Allanagh did the same.”
“I could see Mayana doing so, but not Mathair. She already has a strong man.” Flur said, and when Ilyriatri arched a brow, she chuckled, “Did you think that Sloan was just her Maor-Chorp[5]?”
Ilyriatri blinked, “How long …?”
“Has he been guarding her body closely and intimately?” Flur winked, “They've been together for almost ten years. She loves him completely, with no reservations.”
“Good for her,” Ilyriatri commented. She stared at the door as if coming to a decision. After a lengthy internal debate, she nodded and looked at her drowsing daughter. She smiled as she brushed her fingers across Vuuroena's forehead.
“Aisling milis, mo nighean[6],” she whispered as she covered the young woman with a blanket. “Are you coming, Flur?” she inquired as she slid out of the bed.
“Of course,” the golden-haired bean-cheangail replied as she joined Ilyriatri. “I think she's enamored of the draoidh.”
Ilyriatri said, “She's too young for such thoughts.” Thankfully, I won't have to worry about it for another fourteen years. She thought to herself as Flur followed her. “Do you have a problem with me offering to bond with him?” Not that it will make a difference if you do, she amended with a twinge of guilt. It's been so long since I've been around a man with such a powerful prana. I hope that I can fight my instincts. She bit her lower lip as she felt her body making itself ready for lovemaking.
Flur shook her head. “Not at all. It's not as if I could stop him from doing as he wished,” she said as she reached up and touched her neck. He owns me; I don't own him. She could have sworn she felt the potential for something wondrous if she dared to grab it. Flur was so worried about herself that she bumped into Ilyriatri when the former stepped into the great cabin and suddenly heard someone sobbing.
[1] Children of the gods
[2] Circle of love
[3] My fertility cycle
[4] Use me until I can’t see straight
[5] bodyguard
[6] Sweet dreams, my daughter
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