You're gonna be in trouble.
Chapter 8 - Part 2(Voyage of the Dawn Breaker)
Previously, Flur enjoyed her night with Rhyslin, and Ria woke up in his bed with no idea how she got there. After talking to Rhyslin, she offered her bond to him. The next morning, when Rana found out, she was shocked and dismayed. Deciding to settle things once and for all, Rhyslin sent Flur to get Kiesha.
“Good Morrow, Mac Draoidheacd,” the dryad greeted him as she situated herself. “Flur told me that you have something you want to say.”
“I do,” Rhyslin nodded. “Flur and I consummated our bond last night.”
The dryad squealed in joy and practically pounced on Flur. “I'm so happy for you.” Then she turned to Rhyslin, “You're gonna be in trouble,” She taunted.
He sighed, “I know, and there is more.” He held up his hand when Ria started to ask a question. “Rana, your mother has offered me her bond, and I will accept it.” He looked into Rana's eyes, “When you are old enough to offer your bond, should you wish to do so, I will accept it.” When the young spell-blade nodded, he leaned back and focused on Keisha.
“Yes?” The dryad blinked, suddenly concerned with having his undivided attention.
“You will become the grove mistress's apprentice, and when she goes to a' mathair, you will become the new grove mistress.”
“Yes, Mac Draoidheachd,” Keisha whispered as she looked down at the floor.
“If I may, why will you be in trouble?” Ria inquired as she quirked a brow. “Is there something we should know?”
“About that,” Rhyslin said with a resigned sigh. “A young woman back at my hold will be very angry with me.” When Ria leaned forward and gestured for him to continue, Flur tried to offer him her unconditional love through the bond. “Her name is Rowena, and she has offered her bond for the last five years.” He took a slow breath. “For the last five years, I have turned her down.” He looked from woman to woman. “I will no longer be able to turn her down.” Flur, Ria, and Keisha nodded in understanding.
“I don't understand. Why won't you …. oh!” Rana said as she looked from Rhyslin to her mother and Flur.
“Oh, indeed,” Rhyslin agreed, gesturing to Ria. “If you wish to withdraw your bond, I'll understand.”
Ria pretended to think it over, then crossed her wrists and lifted them to Rhyslin. “I want to be your Ria. I want to be one of your bhannan.”
Rhyslin nodded, “Flur and I spent time discussing what you discussed last night. Flur will be my keeper of the hearts. Ria, you will be my keeper of the coin, and Keisha will, in time, be my grove mistress.”
When each nodded, he pointed to Keisha, Flur, and Rana. “Would you three go to the galley and bring back enough food for us to break our fasts?”
“Yes, Maighstir,” each replied, Flur whispering, “Let's go through my cabin. I want to change before we go.”
When they were alone in the room, Rhyslin turned and gazed at Ria. Why does she want to be bound? He wondered as she looked up and returned his look. Am I even ready for this? He shook his head. He only knew that he would have to think carefully about each new addition to his unlikely little cearcall de bhoireannaich ceangailte[1] would affect the whole. Flur is an open book, as is Keisha, but Ria. He couldn't figure out why she wanted to be bound.
Ria blushed as she came under such intense scrutiny. I'm too old to blush like a maighdean. Her blush faded as she returned his gaze, and she asked, “Is something wrong, Maighstir?” Suddenly, self-conscious, she broke his gaze and wished she had something to occupy her hands. Allanagh would laugh if she saw me.
The only sound in the cabin came from Rhyslin's fingers as they tapped on the top of the table. Finally, he asked, “Why did you abdicate your throne, and why do you want to join my household?”
Ria froze, not ready to answer that question. It would be best if you told him, you fool. He accepted Flur, so maybe he'll do the same for me. “I never wanted to be one of the queens. Like most women, I wanted to find a strong man who cared for me. I wanted to be a housekeeper and a mother.” She admitted with quiet reserve.
“When Mayana and Allanagh introduced me to Garion, I finally found what I desired. I had a man who united our people, a man who loved all three of us, and I had a family.” She stifled her sadness and looked up to see Rhyslin watching her.
“Mayana never mentioned that her mate was Righ[2]-Garion.” He commented. “His death was a great loss for us all.”
“You knew Garion?” She had never known.
Rhyslin nodded, “I knew him for about ten years.” He got a distant look in his eyes. “Did you know that we stood and held Bealach na h-iolaire[3]?” When she sobbed, he opened his arms in invitation. When Ria accepted, he held her until she regained control over herself/
“When he died, we three went our separate ways, each returning from whence we had come.” She lifted a hand and placed it on Rhyslin's chest, closing her eyes and simply existing in sync with his heartbeat. “The last time we were all together was when Flur was born.”
Ria curled into Rhyslin. “I wanted to disappear, alone with my grief, but my people wouldn't let me. Rather than fight them, I served as their queen.” She closed her eyes, reliving her grief. When she had her fill of listening to Rhyslin's heartbeat, she raised her head and rested it on his shoulder. “I lived with my grief until Rana was born.”
“What happened to her father?” Rhyslin asked as he comforted her the best he could.
Ria considered her answer, “He left when I offered him the crown. It seemed that he wanted to be a consort without having to bear the responsibilities that being one required. He certainly didn't want to be the Righ.”
Knowing it wasn't the time to say anything, Rhyslin softly caressed Ria's back as he waited for her to continue. When she spoke again, it was to whisper, “I don't want to be the queen anymore. I want to be your Ria. I know you'll give me purpose again, expect perfection, and treat me like I want to be treated.”
She knows me too well, even though we've just met. he thought. “Were you bonded to Garion?” When she nodded, he inquired, “Do you remember the bonding ritual?” Ria nodded and waited for him to continue. “Perform the binding ritual, my Ria.”
[1] Circle of bound women
[2] King
[3] Eagle Pass
I apologize for the lack of a picture to put with this scene. None of the art programs could render me the very concise image that I wanted to use. Maybe someday I’ll learn to sketch and draw.
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