The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance

Margo Maguire Oracle

The Isle of Coruain — 938 AD

Ana Mac Lochlainn came awake suddenly, her heart pounding, her mouth dry. She felt confused by the sights and sounds of destruction that were so real, so horrifying.

She opened her eyes and had trouble discerning her surroundings. At length, her vision cleared, and she saw that she was still in the Oracle’s cave, sitting comfortably on the Seer’s divan where she’d lain no more than a quarter-hour before.

«What is it, lass?» asked the màistreàs, the prime Oracle, the Seer to whom Ana would soon make her Oracle’s vows. She had felt ready to make the commitment — to hold her virginity sacred, and keep a vigilant watch over her people, the magical Druzai — for weeks, but the màistreàs had said it was not yet time.

«The vision.» said Ana. «It was more vivid than any I’ve ever had.»

The old Oracle nodded. «I’ve had inklings of it, myself. What did you see?»

«The people,» she looked up at the old woman, «Our Druids, a king.» She shook her head in confusion. She was drawn to this king, to this human whose rugged features were more compelling than that of any Druzai she’d ever met. «They are under attack.»

The old Oracle frowned. «By what? Could you see?»

Ana swallowed. «Not enough.» But what she had seen was horrifying. Dark, malicious creatures — little demon ollphéists — near Lough Gur, creating discord and aggression among the clans of southern Ireland. The màistreàs would never believe it, for the Druzai chieftain had banished those destructive beings from the Tuath lands ages ago. And yet there had clearly been ollphéists in Ana’s vision.

And they were being directed by some stronger power.

«I must go.» She started for the entrance of the Oracle’s cave, but the màistreàs reached for her arm, restraining her.

«’Tis too dangerous, my lady. There is much that a Druzai princess can do from the safety of our shores. Besides, you know very well ’tis forbidden for Druzai to intrude upon the Tuath.»

«No. The vision. I am part of it.» She touched a hand to her head. She did not know what would be required of her, but she’d never felt so strongly about any of her visions. The King — Rohrke Ó Scannláin — compelled her in a way that was entirely unfamiliar. Her heart clenched in her chest at the thought of his peril. «I must go.»

The Oracle frowned fiercely. «’Tis against Druzai law. We removed ourselves from Tuath centuries ago, when»—

«Aye. I know our history. Druzai magic makes it far too tempting for one of us to try to enslave the Tuath, in spite of all the protections we’ve taught the Druids.»

«They are merely wise men, my lady.»

True, yet some were more than merely wise. Druzai had mingled with Tuath, giving some humans magical abilities.

Ana had to go to Ireland, to Ballygur near the sacred Lough Gur. She had to do what she could to find and destroy the creature that guided the vicious ollphéists.

And yet she knew that her cousins, the Druzai high chieftain and his brother, would object to her intervening in earthly affairs — which made it imperative that she act quickly and quietly before Merrick and Brogan learned what she was up to. They would forbid her to leave their enchanted isle, perhaps thinking they could manage the disastrous happenings in Ireland themselves.

But Ana had seen the visions. She knew it was her destiny to go.

«But your vows, my lady,» said the Oracle.

Ana pulled on her cloak and started for the entrance of the Oracle’s cave. «My commitment will have to wait, Màistreàs. There is trouble in the earthly lands.»

Lough Gur, Ireland — 322 AD

Rohrke Ó Scannláin paced through the tall grass near Lough Gur where the standing stones would draw everyone in the kingdom on the morrow for the summer solstice festivities. It would be the perfect opportunity for Teague Ó Fionn’s men to execute their attack.

The situation was grave. Rohrke did not know if he could risk offending Áine, the sun goddess, by suspending her midsummer celebration. There was more than a fair chance that the Scannláin crops would fail, and the cattle would be barren in the coming season. And yet he could not allow the festival to go forward, not with Teague threatening their borders.

Rohrke needed a powerful ally. And he would have one as soon as he wed the daughter of King Maitias Mac Murchada.

He should never have hesitated with the marriage. Sláine Mac Murchada was a comely lass in possession of a generous dowry, and Rohrke should have wed her the day Maitias made his offer.

And yet naught burned between them when their eyes met. No shock of awareness sizzled through Rohrke when he looked upon Sláine’s lithe form. She would never be the woman of his heart. Not that such a thing was crucial in a royal marriage. But he’d hoped to wed a woman he could look upon as something other than a sister.

Rohrke’s Druid, Sedric, had advised him to marry Sláine anyway. Her father’s alliance was far too important to cast aside such an offer.

Rohrke scratched the back of his neck. His clan had ruled this fine corner of Ireland for centuries, and there was no better land to be found in all the country. ’Twas no wonder Teague wanted it. But he would never have it.

Teague Ó Fionn’s aggression was entirely unforeseen. Only a year ago, Rohrke had allied with him against the King of Uisnech, together defeating him soundly. Rohrke did not know what had happened to ruin their friendship. This antagonism of Teague’s felt very strange. He could think of no reason for it.

Rohrke felt the air cooling, and saw that Áine had nearly made her journey across the sky, and would soon lie down to sleep in the west. In the meantime, a mist formed over the grass and tall shadows fell on the land, turning Rohrke towards home — the village of Ballygur.

The wind arose suddenly, and he felt the chill of night skittering down the back of his neck. A moment later, a wizened old woman touched his sleeve, causing him to jump.

«What are you about, crone?» he barked.

«Lost my way,» she croaked.

Rohrke jabbed his fingers through his hair. His agitation did no one any good. He needed to get back to the village and begin preparations for war. «Where are you going?» he asked the old woman.

«To Clynabroga.»

She lost her footing, and when he took her arm to steady her, he felt an odd sensation rush through his hand and up his arm. He released her abruptly. No doubt ’twas merely due to his nerves over Teague. «Ach, woman. Clynabroga is a fair day’s walk.» He looked at her bent body. «Two, maybe three days for the likes o’ you.»

«Which direction?» she asked, as though he would allow an old woman to begin such a long walk at that hour. Alone.

«You’ll come with me.» He turned to glance north-east, in the direction of Clynabroga. «I’ll find someone to take you there on the morrow.»

But when he looked back to her, she was gone. He searched in every direction, but she’d disappeared in the mist. Rohrke muttered a small curse and took to the trail back to Ballygur. There was naught he could do about the woman now, but he hoped no one would find her corpse on the morrow. Not only would it bother his conscience for the rest of his life, it would be the worst omen possible. He needed only favourable portents as he embarked on war with Teague Ó Fionn.

«Ah! There you are,» said Geileis Riaghan, approaching him on the footpath. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty who’d appeared with her servant, Peadar, in Ballygur a few weeks before. Rohrke wondered about her, but every time he started to ask questions about who she was and from whence she’d come, he lost track of his thoughts. But not this time. He was determined to keep his wits about him as they talked.

She took his arm and walked beside him. He felt potent and mighty when she stood alongside him, and he knew anything was possible. «Did you see an old woman walking this way?»

«Old woman?» Geileis laughed. «Who would be out at this time of night? Surely Áine does not walk these hills at twilight.»

Rohrke masked his surprise. The thought of Áine had not come to him, but in times of old, the goddess had been known to show herself as an old woman at Lough Gur or Cnoc Áine. He hoped the crone was not the deity he would have to bed in order to become Munster’s legitimate high king.

«Teague’s men are gathering beyond the lake,» said Geileis, and Rohrke forgot about the old lady.

«How do you know?»

«Peadar saw them when he went out to hunt.»

Then war was truly imminent. His men must commence sharpening their spears and arrows right away, and he needed to order everyone to stay inside Ballygur’s walls. Áine would just have to understand the unusual circumstances this year.

He considered the terrain near the lake as they walked, and thought about battle plans. He wondered what Teague’s strategy would be. How many men on horseback would he muster? How many swords and spears? His anger grew with every step, and he hoped for nothing more than to spit Teague on his own spear. He was so preoccupied with his fury that he barely heard Geileis’ low chatter beside him.

When they reached the walls of Ballygur, it was almost full dark, and Rohrke could smell the hearth fires that burned in every house. Sedric drew him away from Geileis, and the anger that had burned inside him during the walk home seemed to recede gradually, as did his hazy thoughts.

Something was very odd, but Rohrke could not quite place what it was. He narrowed his eyes as Geileis’ henchman came, took her arm and strode away with her, glancing back at him with a vacant grin. He knew little of the woman and her servant — but when they were together, he never had the wherewithal to question her.

She was beautiful, with hair and eyes as black as the bottom of a well. Her lashes were as dark as soot, and her skin shimmered like alabaster. But she did not stir him, which was just as well, for Sláine Mac Murchada was meant to be his wife.

«My lord, we must talk,» said the Druid.

«Not now, Sedric,» Rohrke walked towards his stone fortress. «There is much to be done.»

«Aye, but we must try to understand what has happened and what Teague hopes to accomplish.»

«He wants our lands. Our cattle.»

«How do you know what he wants?» Sedric demanded, his frustration bleeding through his words. «Neither side has attempted to talk. We’ve always been on reasonably friendly terms with Teague. What’s happened to change that?»

Rohrke blew out a deep breath. He wasn’t sure. Except that his blood boiled every time he thought of Teague’s grin. He wanted to bash the man’s teeth in.

«Something evil works among us, my king,» the Druid continued. «Something dark and terrible.»

«Do not speak to me of elusive evils, Sedric,» Rohrke said.

«What we face is real. ’Tis solid and well armed. We must prepare ourselves — see to our weapons and our horses.»

«Aye.» Sedric dipped his head in a slight bow.

«I don’t know what’s happened to destroy our relations with Teague. I will wed Sláine Mac Murchada tonight, and then we’ll have the forces we need to defeat him.»

«But, my lord,» Sedric said gravely, «you must first bed the goddess.»

Rohrke clenched his teeth. There were many myths and legends surrounding the Scannláin kings, and he knew some of them to be true. But there was far too much at stake now to be thinking about goddesses and solstice celebrations.

«Then I will wait. If my bedding Áine is meant to be, then it will occur upon the morrow, when the goddess comes to Cnoc Áine to partake of our celebrations.»

He only hoped Teague would not attack before then. Rohrke kept moving towards his stone fortress as Sedric talked. «My lord, would you consider sending an emissary to Ó Fionn? There might be a way to end these hostilities peacefully.»

«Why would you think»— Rohrke stopped short at the sight of a young woman approaching from the east end of the village. She looked vaguely familiar, and yet he knew he’d never seen her before. A ripple of pure male awareness surged through him when he looked upon her, but something far deeper touched him when his gaze met hers. «Who is that?»

«I don’t know, my lord,» said Sedric. «She is not of our clan.»

«First Geileis. And now.» He was able to see her clearly in the fading light, perhaps because she was so fair, and clad in a shimmering robe of white. The gown hugged her curves and, when she pushed back her hood, he saw that her hair was as smooth and light as flax, and her eyes the green of a Druid’s flame.

A sharp pang of arousal shot through him, and when she’d finally come to stand before him, Rohrke had to restrain himself from stepping closer, from touching her, from tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her to his private chamber in the keep.

He caught her elusive scent, a fragrance that was entirely unfamiliar — perhaps ’twas even bewitching, for he’d never felt such an intense attraction for any other woman. He wanted her under him, felt desperate to be inside her.

Everything within him shuddered with need that went far beyond his body’s desires. He was not sure he understood it, and he knew he needed to maintain supreme control. Too much was going on in Ballygur — from his imminent marriage, to Teague’s threats, and Geileis’ presence — for him to lose his head in a whirlwind of lust. For that was all it could be. She was the most comely lass he’d ever encountered, and he wanted her.

But he could control himself.

«My lord.» Her voice was low and seductive. She tipped her head in respect, but not obeisance. Somehow, he’d known she would not bow to him. «I am Ana Mac Lochlainn, a traveller in need of shelter.»

Ana paid extreme attention to her footing this time, for the solid, powerful presence of Rohrke Ó Scannláin had a surprisingly potent effect upon her. It was puzzling, for she knew any number of mighty Druzai sorcerers, and yet this Tuath man seemed to be the only one who possessed the power to cause her to trip over her own two feet.

She’d encountered him at Cnoc Áine, of course, while in the guise of the old woman. And even then, she’d needed to absent herself quickly, for the heat of his body and the strength of his touch had made her yearn for something other — something more? — than the Oracle’s cave and the vows she would soon take.

Perhaps it was just because she’d never been away from Coruain, her island home. Her clan of warrior-sorcerers had left Ireland many millennia ago, so Ana had never encountered a Tuath human before. She couldn’t have known they possessed a kind of energy that would skitter up her spine and make her yearn.

No. Any diversion could not be. Ana had been born to the most powerful Druzai clan, and had trained to become a formidable seer on Coruain. She’d been groomed from infancy to take her place as the next Oracle, and was deeply immersed in the process of preparing her body and mind for the grave responsibilities that faced her.

«You are a stranger to Ballygur,» Rohrke said, and his voice seemed to rumble through her. She wondered if he had Druzai blood, for there was surely some kind of magic in him.

«Aye,» she replied. «From. the north.»

He frowned, scrutinizing her carefully. «You come from King Lochlainn Mac Cailein’s realm?»

Ana nodded in spite of the lie, startled when he repeated the name Lochlainn. The Druzai high chieftains had certainly left their mark here in Ireland.

«Why have you come?»

She’d anticipated this question, but was unsure how to answer it. Clearly, she could not tell Rohrke she was a Druzai seer who’d foreseen troubles between the Irish clans with vile ollphéists in their midst. She could put a spell upon him, making him accept her as a mere traveller to Ballygur. But such tactics were unscrupulous, and Ana abhorred trickery.

However, a few small lies in the interest of preventing the carnage she’d seen would not be amiss. It was Midsummer’s Eve. Surely there were many visitors to Cnoc Áine. «I’ve come to pay respects to the sun goddess.» Her voice sounded strange to her own ears, soft and vulnerable.

«Aye, the solstice,» said the Druid, but Ana had not been able to turn her attention from King Rohrke. He maintained her gaze with dark, piercing eyes that held no trust, no belief in her sincerity. He stood close, and she could almost feel his breath upon her face. His intensity shook her.

Somehow, she managed to answer the Druid with a non-committal shrug. She did not need Rohrke’s approval or his assistance. She alone would discover how the monsters were coming to his realm and deal with them. And she would do it quickly, she hoped. She had no interest in staying away from Coruain and her training longer than absolutely necessary. «I’ve long held Áine sacred, and wanted to come to Lough Gur.»

«You’ve chosen an inopportune year for your visit,» said Rohrke, and Ana heard the tension in his voice. «There is trouble on our borders. Did you not see an army amassing beyond the lake?»

«I did not come from that direction.»

She saw no ollphéists in the village. Nor did Rohrke or the Druid seem as unnerved or as hostile as they should have been, had the little demons before influencing them. Ana did not think Rohrke’s clan could be immune. And yet she knew the demons were present somewhere nearby. There was no mistaking what she’d seen in her vision.

«We are about to go to battle, lass. Perhaps ’twould be best if you returned to. wherever it is you’ve come from.»

Before Ana could respond, Rohrke made a gruff sound and strode away towards the stone stronghold.

Ana remained standing beside the Druid, though she found herself drawn to watch the powerful man who walked away so purposefully. He was as tall as her cousins, with broad shoulders, narrow hips and the most powerful legs she’d ever seen.

But Ana was not one to ogle men, not even the handsome Druzai warriors of Coruain. She would soon make her vow of perpetual chastity, and then even the vaguest thoughts of pairing with any man would be moot.

A pesky sìthean — a small black, leathery creature that had been banished from Tuath many centuries ago — darted into Rohrke’s path. Ana nearly shot it away from him with a burst of magic, but Rohrke sidestepped it as though he’d seen it. Or at least, sensed it.

The man could not be any more puzzling to her. As harsh and unfriendly as he seemed, she could not help but remember his kindness to the old woman she’d pretended to be at Cnoc Áine. Her heart warmed with the awareness that Rohrke would not have allowed her to walk all the way to Clynabroga alone.

She forced herself to turn to the Druid. Perhaps he had the information she sought. «What is the trouble at your border?»

«A neighbouring king,» he replied. «Teague Ó Fionn has made threats of war.»

«For what reason?»

The Druid shook his head. «’Tis unknown. Our clans were friends not too long ago, but all that has changed. And if King Rohrke does not soon wed Sláine Mac Murchada, we will not have the allies we need to defeat Teague.»

’Twas just as she’d seen. The silent menace of the ollphéists was pushing the two clans towards battle, and each king would engage more and more allies until the whole of Ireland was locked in a bloody, devastating war. Men, women and children would be killed. Crops and livestock would die and finally the entire isle would be engulfed in famine.

Ana had to find out who controlled the monsters and how they were coming to Ireland from the dim netherworld where they had been banished so long ago. Someone, or something, had freed them, clearly intending to use them to maximize the carnage here.

She did not feel any hint of the malicious creatures now, nor was there any obvious portal for their entrance to the Tuath world. But Rohrke’s presence seemed to have clouded her vision. She took a deep breath and centred her concentration.

The Druid looked at her strangely, and Ana feared he sensed she was not of his world. «Please, my lady, go with him, see if you can talk to him.»

Ana complied. If there was anyone who could change the course of the impending war, it was Rohrke Ó Scannláin.

The attraction Rohrke felt for the beautiful stranger was entirely compelling. And completely unwelcome. He needed all his wits when he faced Maitias Mac Murchada and his daughter, Sláine, for he needed to negotiate the best possible terms for their alliance.

And the marriage.

Rohrke did not wish to see Sláine now. If circumstances were different, he would never consider marrying the lass, not when he’d felt such a sudden and intense desire for Ana Mac Lochlainn. He’d never reacted so strongly to a woman before, his body sensing her presence without even seeing her, touching her.

He’d left her as quickly as possible, before his body could betray him and cause irreparable damage to his alliance with Mac Murchada. He needed a few moments alone to prepare himself to meet the old King and settle the marriage pact.

A prickle of awareness crept up his spine, a feeling that nearly stopped him from his purpose. ’Twas Ana right behind him — he could feel her without even seeing or hearing her.

Rohrke stopped at the door to his great hall, then turned to face her.

She stood a few paces away, her bearing as regal as a queen’s. Her skin seemed to shimmer in the firelight, and Rohrke took a step towards her. He could not keep himself from touching her.

Ana held her ground, but he saw her throat move as she swallowed tightly. She was no more anxious to be swept up in this untimely attraction than he was, but it was a force they seemed unable to control. «My lord, I must speak to you.»

«Aye,» he said, but in truth, he was in no mood for talk. He reached for her, touching her arm. When she placed her hand on his, he felt her tremble. «Come with me.»

Rohrke led her to an isolated passageway inside, and settled her back against a cold stone wall. He touched her cheek then cupped her jaw with his hand. «You have not said who you are.»

«But I have,» she whispered, and he saw his own longing mirrored in her eyes. «I am Ana»—

He dipped his head and brushed her lips with his mouth. She clasped both his arms tightly and he felt her entire body shudder. By the goddess, he wanted her.

«Aye. Ana Mac Lochlainn.» He withdrew slightly. «Why have you come now, lass, when disaster looms about us in every direction?»

She pushed away from him and clasped her hands together. «I know something of your difficulties. I. I believe I can help.»

«How?» he asked. She might be small and feminine, but he sensed a deep strength within her. Perhaps she could help him avert war.

«I can say naught of my abilities, my lord. You will have to trust me.»

«Trust you?» Oddly enough, he did.

«Aye.»

«What do you need from me?»

«I need to look round Ballygur. And it would help if your people spoke freely to me, put their trust in me.»

Rohrke scrubbed a hand across his face. «There has been a great deal of mistrust and antagonism among my people in recent days. ’Tis as though we’ve all been sleeping in beds of stinging nettles.»

«’Tis because there are forces that»—

«Now you sound like Sedric. I’ve only one enemy, and his name is Teague Ó Fionn.»

The tingling frustration Ana had felt a moment before increased a hundredfold. Her body felt strange — hot and far more aware than ever before. And it wasn’t entirely due to the presence of ollphéists near Ballygur. Rohrke unnerved her. «No. You cannot possibly understand all that threatens you.»

She needed to get out and about among the people, and see if she could sense the demons were surely roaming among them. And she needed to put some distance between herself and King Rohrke. It would not do to fall under a sensual enchantment with him.

Ana reminded herself that she had the ability to resist him. To resist any man. She might be young, but she had become a powerful sorceress, tested by one of the most dangerous sorcerers the Druzai had ever encountered. And she was prepared to become her clan’s Oracle, interpreting signs and divining events that would come to pass.

«Are you Druid?» Rohrke asked.

Ana inclined her head slightly. «Of a sort.»

«You are a seer.»

She nodded, unable to lie. «Aye.»

«Where do we need to go? I’ll come with you,» he said.

«No!» Ana gasped, in spite of her desire to remain composed. She was having difficulty keeping her gaze from those chiselled lips that had barely touched hers. She hadn’t known how soft and warm a man’s mouth could be. Or the amazing sensations a mere kiss could cause.

Rohrke came very close, but did not touch her. «I will be coming with you, Lady Ana. These are my people, and I’ll have no strange Druid walking among them.»

«Suit yourself, my lord.»

«As I am wont to do.»

It was warm, so Ana removed her cloak and handed it to Rohrke. He tossed it over a railing and came alongside her. «Where will you go first?»

She was unsure. «I came because I saw. I’m not sure where to start. There is an evil presence that I hope I’ll be able to sense as I walk through Ballygur. If I can determine how they’re coming in.»

She hoped the ollphéists’ entry point would be obvious once she stood close to it. The portal would likely be on the perimeter of the village, or in the very heart of it.

«We’ll start here,» she said, leading Rohrke from the great hall out to the standing stones that circled the central point of the village. Torches burned at the top of each stone, and a circular, cobbled pavement rounded the very centre in an elaborate pattern that reminded her of the beautiful stone mosaics at home.

It looked like the perfect place for a portal, but when Ana reached it, closing her eyes and touching the stones, there was no sense of any malignant beings. In fact, her sensations in the circle felt surprisingly familiar. She opened her eyes to see Rohrke gazing at her intently.

Ana swallowed and stepped away. His presence was distracting. And now the villagers had taken notice of her, and were starting to follow her movements. They did not look happy or content, and she could feel the ollphéists’ influence among them.

The underlying hostility was disturbing, though it wasn’t overpowering. Still, Ana could not let any of them distract her from her task. Ignoring their dark whispers, she walked the perimeter of the village opening her senses and her sight for anything that was out of the ordinary.

Her concentration was fierce, and she nearly stumbled once, but Rohrke caught her before she fell. She suppressed her immediate reaction to his touch and resumed her search for the portal. She examined every crevice and cranny in Ballygur’s walls, as well as the wells and every other uneven lump in the ground. And still, she found naught.

«I need a quiet place to. to think,» she said, noticing for the first time that the entire village had gathered and were following her, whispering quietly among themselves.

Rohrke took her arm and started back towards the keep, but Ana stopped abruptly. «What are they saying? They think I’m»—

«Áine? Yes. They believe you’re the sun goddess.»

Ana clenched her teeth and proceeded to the keep. She would have to disabuse them of such an outrageous misconception. «’Tis not true, you know. I am merely Ana Mac Lochlainn, and I»—

«Merely?» Rohrke said, his voice low. He took her arm again. «I would hardly use such a dismissive word when speaking of you, Lady Ana.»

His words excited her in a strange way. It was a compliment unlike any she’d ever received before. Her cousins called her a brilliant sorceress. Her teachers said she was a gifted seer. Compliments had always been about her talents. Never about her.

Ana looked at him surreptitiously, and a purely feminine thrill went through her at the sight of the strong line of his jaw and his straight, narrow nose. His long, thick lashes caused a river of intense heat to shoot through her bones. Her palms started to sweat.

«I. I should be alone for this.»

«Not a chance,» he said. «But I won’t intrude on your peace.»

Ana sincerely doubted that was possible, but she went along with him to the keep, glancing behind her as the villagers dispersed. Rohrke led her into the stone fortress, up a staircase and onto the second level. They went into a spacious bedchamber with windows overlooking the standing stones in the centre of the village. ’Twas a warm night, so the hearth was cold, but small torches burned in sconces on each wall. Ana felt comfortable, in spite of the large bed that dominated the room, with a pure white linen sheet covering it.

Rohrke gestured towards it. «You are likely tired after your travels and all your searching. Please make use of my bed.»

«Where will you be?» she asked.

He sat down in a large, stuffed chair. «Here. ’Tis quite comfortable, I assure you.»

«I was not particularly concerned with your comfort, my lord, but my own privacy.»

By the goddess, she was beautiful — lush and golden. Rohrke could almost believe she was Áine, come down to see what was amiss in the world.

If only it were true. He would have no qualms about bedding Ana Mac Lochlainn. He did not know where Sláine and her father were, but they would surely not be pleased at the attention he was paying to Ana. Not when they expected him to make Sláine his wife.

He shook off his cheerless thoughts of them and watched Ana remove her shoes and lie down.

Her feet were small and delicate, reaching nowhere near the end of the bed. Rohrke could easily imagine sliding one of his own feet between hers as he pressed her into the soft mattress. He’d barely touched her lips with his, and he wanted more. Wanted to know her taste and the feel of her naked skin sliding against his.

She closed her eyes and expelled a long breath. She seemed completely relaxed, with her hands extended at her sides, her palms up. Her gown was soft and the colour of butter, or perhaps sunshine. And it lay perfectly arranged about her. There was nothing about her dress or her bearing that should arouse him, and yet.

He rubbed a hand across his face and closed his eyes. It was not wise to allow himself to think such suggestive thoughts about Lady Ana, a stranger whose purpose he did not really understand. Perhaps he should give further thought to what she and Sedric had said. That there was evil about.

He did not know what it could be. Or how it could such infuse him — and Teague — with such animosity towards each other. Nor could he understand what its purpose would be.

He stood and looked down at Ana, who lay perfectly still, hardly breathing. There seemed to be no colour in her lips or her cheeks, but her knew naught was wrong with her. Soothsayers had their own ways, ones he was not privy to.

Rohrke went to the window and looked down at the standing stones in the circle. Geileis was there, standing just outside its centre. waiting, it seemed. He scratched his head. Hadn’t he seen her do this before? His memory was cloudy, as was his recollection of the time they’d spent together that afternoon. Or any other time. It was not like him to be so vague.

He derived no satisfaction from Geileis’ company and, in fact, wondered why he did not know where she and her servant had come from. He could not quite remember how she’d arrived, either. on foot or horseback?

Ana was in her seer’s trance. Rohrke was reluctant to leave her, but he was not a man to hover. He left her to her deep contemplations, and departed the room in search of Geileis. He hurried down to the village circle, determined to ask the woman some questions and gain some answers this time.

But when he arrived at the centre of the village, Geileis was not there. Rohrke glanced around and caught sight of some movement near the gate. Staying in the shadows, he hurried in the same direction, certain it must be the dark-haired woman and her servant.

He could not imagine where they were going so late at night, unless their purpose was illicit. They carried no torches, and managed to slip past the guards that had been posted at the gate.

With that troubling sign, Rohrke realized that Sedric and Ana had been correct. Something evil was present at Ballygur, and now he knew what it was — Geileis. She’d used some kind of magic on him, duped him and dulled his senses when he was near her.

He would not allow it to happen again.

Without making a sound, he came to the guards and motioned them to remain silent and to follow him. They took up their spears and fell in behind him as he followed Geileis, who was headed towards Lough Gur.

The sensation of Rohrke’s kisses was nearly overpowering. Ana knew his seduction was only a vision, but she could actually feel the rasp of his whiskers on her cheek, then her neck. Her breasts tightened at his touch, and her legs trembled with anticipation.

The sensations were unlike anything Ana had ever experienced inside a vision or out. She wondered if this was what had compelled her to come to Ireland.

The acute awareness of Rohrke went on, his tender embrace, his gentle caress. Ana felt more alive in his arms than she’d ever felt before, and when they became one, she knew sòlas, the deep connection that was felt only by souls meant to be together. The revelation was deeply disturbing, and yet Ana could not dispute its veracity. Her visions were never wrong. They could be altered, however.

The vision changed sharply, and Ana suddenly saw Rohrke, beaten and bound in some dark, nasty place. Her heart lurched at the sight of his injured body, and she knew he’d been hurt by the evil ollphéists with their long claws and sharp teeth. When she finally saw them, they were coming out of water — a lake — rising out of it to meet a beautiful woman with black hair and white skin who changed during the vision to her true form. She became a hag with grey skin, colourless eyes, and hair that dripped ice about her face.

Cailleach!

Ana sat up suddenly, her visions completely gone. She’d recognized Cailleach, the goddess of death, at once.

The evil goddess’ presence troubled Ana. Centuries ago, the Druzai had made it impossible for Cailleach to plague the human lands with her horrors. Yet somehow, she’d discovered a way to circumvent the powerful Druzai spells that kept her away. She was here. And she’d captured Rohrke, who was powerless to protect himself against her.

There was no time to waste. Ana would not allow the powerful goddess to harm the man who. who possessed her heart. The vision had shown her what was meant to be — she and Rohrke were destined mates. And she had no wish to alter that. Ana could not become the virgin Oracle, not after seeing the bond that she and Rohrke shared. She’d felt it as well, with all her heart and soul.

She recognized the lake in her vision. It was near Cnoc Áine, where she’d first met Rohrke as the old woman. Ana knew now that she’d fallen in love with him then. And yet she had not foreseen it.

She hurried down the steps and out of the keep, then ran to the gate, where she was surprised to see no sentries standing guard. It was an ominous sign, but in the absence of any threat at the walls, Ana left the village. The moon was nearly full, so she had no difficulty running across the barren plains that surrounded the walls. She hoped no enemy lurked in the forest beyond. But she felt no threat. Not here.

Cailleach would be at the lake, bringing monsters through to Tuath. And Rohrke would be somewhere near, tied and imprisoned. Ana had to find him quickly, before the goddess made her escape, taking him with her.

Ana did not use any sorcery to speed her trek to the lake, in case Cailleach could sense it. Many other creatures were able to see Druzai magic, and Ana knew she had to be cautious. The element of surprise must work in her favour when she confronted the goddess and her minions.

Desperate in her hurry to find Rohrke, Ana forced herself to slow her pace as she reached the trees close to Lough Gur. There were strange, furtive sounds in the distance, sounds that were not of this world. They were the gruff snuffles of the ollphéists, and Ana realized she was closing in on them.

She stopped to get her bearings, and to listen. Mostly for Rohrke’s voice. She hoped she’d arrived before Cailleach could hurt him.

There was a slight rustle of leaves and a quiet splashing of water. Underneath those natural sounds, Ana heard furtive voices, and she sensed that another group of ollphéists was entering Tuath from their shadowy netherworld. They were not visible to a human’s eye, but they could move about and make vile insinuations in people’s ears. They were brutal, disgusting beings that thrived on discord.

And yet Rohrke seemed immune to their abhorrent suggestions. His people were vaguely hostile, but not as hateful as they should have been, had the monsters held sway over them. Something about the Ó Scannláin clan was different. Ana did not understand why they were not susceptible.

There was no time to puzzle over it now. She closed her eyes and focused her attention on finding Cailleach and making herself ready for battle. The goddess had a great deal of power, and Ana knew she could not act precipitously. She had to make sure Rohrke was unharmed, and that Cailleach could not take him back to her harsh world of black winds and sharp cold. She could take naught for granted.

Ana moved from one hiding place to another in the hope of locating Rohrke while keeping out of Cailleach’s sight. The goddess was cold and heartless, her only purpose to cause death and destruction. She thrived on plague and pestilence, and existed only to acquire victims to take with her to her terrible abode. Hence her plot to use ollphéists to destroy Ireland.

Standing at the water’s edge, a number of the small creatures surrounded Cailleach, slavering before her. The goddess seemed to be giving silent instructions, and then they quickly began to scatter.

Ana had to allow them to go, but only for now. As soon as she found Rohrke, she would be able to protect him and use her Druzai magic to keep him safe while she sent Cailleach back to her Druzai prison.

The lapping of the water masked her movements and, when she’d gone far enough to be out of Cailleach’s sight, she heard a low hum in the hillock that arose from the water’s edge.

The sound grew louder as she climbed, and she soon found the gate guards from Ballygur, unconscious and tied together next to a deep hole in the ground. Dropping to her knees to climb down inside it, she discovered Rohrke fighting against a powerful vortex that was trying to draw him inside. His face was bruised, and he was bound by a thick brown vine that seemed to twist and grow around his limbs as he fought it.

«Let me help you!» Ana cried quietly.

The attack had come so suddenly and so viciously that Rohrke had not been able to defend himself. Hoards of partly hidden assailants had pummelled him, bringing him to his knees as they bound him with some charmed twine that twisted and lashed him every time he moved. They shoved him into a small, ominous space that seemed to be a gateway to some swirling black hole that was trying to suck him in. He struggled against it, but his bindings tightened and restricted his every move.

Desperate to escape the hole, he managed to push his feet against the walls to keep from being pulled in, but he could not hold on forever. One foot slipped, and he was sure it would only be another moment before he was pulled down. And then suddenly the ropes loosened and he could move.

He shoved away from the hole and, as he turned to pull himself out of the cramped space, he saw Ana Mac Lochlainn, reaching for him. He could barely see her, but he did not need his vision to know who it was. He’d felt her before she’d even touched him. It had never occurred to Rohrke that Ana would follow him to the lake. But he was very glad to see her.

«Come! We must get you away from here!» she said with a quiet urgency in her voice.

«’Tis Geileis,» he rasped. «I’ve got to stop her!»

«Geileis? No. You do not know who you’re dealing with.»

He got out of the small space and felt Ana’s hands upon his face. «Aye, I do. She is the one causing the trouble between our clans.»

«True, but Geileis is only her human name.»

His face no longer felt swollen and painful. Somehow, Ana healed his injuries with the touch of her hands. She had more skill than any Druid he knew.

«Where else are you hurt?»

He grabbed her hand. «You are a healer too, Ana Mac Lochlainn?»

«Among other things. Quickly, Rohrke. There is no time for explanations. Let me heal you so that you can get safely away.»

«And leave you here? No.»

«Please. I»—

He drew her into his arms and kissed her, not a gentle brushing of mouths, but a full possession of lips, tongues and teeth. It was what he’d wanted to do from the moment he’d seen her, approaching him as he stood with Sedric.

He felt as though they were part of the same whole, and wanted to show her. possess her.

She broke the kiss, and he heard a breathless catch in her voice. «Aye, Rohrke. I feel it, too. But we must take action now, against the evil that walks among the clans. ’Tis Cailleach and her minions.»

«The goddess of death?» Rohrke said, aghast. «What does she want with us?»

«What she always wants. Suffering and illness. War and death. My forebears locked her away aeons ago, but.»

«Who are your forebears, Ana? Are you Druzai?»

She took in a sharp breath of surprise. «You know of the Druzai?»

«The Ó Scannláin Druids have kept Druzai teachings alive for centuries. They have not allowed us to forget who you are.» He turned towards the lake. «If ’tis Cailleach then we must act quickly.»

«’Tis too dangerous,» she said. «Stay here and I’ll»—

«Ana, I am High King of all of the south. Druzai or no, I have no intention of allowing you to face Cailleach alone. Tell me how I can help you.»

She took his hand and led him away from the vortex that had nearly swallowed him. Her hand was small, but it fitted perfectly in his, and when they’d gone only a few feet under the cover of the trees, she released him. «I am wary of involving you any further, Rohrke. My confrontation with Cailleach and her ollphéists will be dangerous. It could turn into a battle.»

«Ollphéists?»

«Aye. Creatures of the dark. Unseen demons that prey upon humans minds.»

«And set us against one another?»

«Aye. They are vicious beings, and willing servants of the dark deities.»

«How will you approach Cailleach?»

«Now that I know you are safe, I can use magic to send her back to her prison cairn.»

«You have that much power?»

He saw her nod in the dim light.

«But Cailleach is powerful too,» she said. «Your help might give me an advantage. If you will walk towards her from here, I will circle around and attack from the east. Wait until you hear my word before you speak to her. I will need only a moment’s distraction.»

He grinned and pulled her to him. «I will do that and more for you, Ana Mac Lochlainn.»

A moment later, she was gone. Rohrke remained standing where she had left him, and slid his hands across his ribs and down his thighs where he’d been beaten. There was no pain now, not even the slightest soreness. Ana had healed him completely.

He had not been entirely truthful with Ana. He’d known about the Druzai because the Ó Scannláin clan was descended from the sorcerer race. Its full history had been lost in the ages since, but every member of his clan knew the legends. It was why he saw and sensed things that were not perceptible to others.

«Rohrke.» She whispered his name in his ear, as though she were standing right beside him. «Now.»

He left the cover of the woods and ran along the edge of the lake. When Cailleach came into view, he shouted her name. She turned to face him and, almost instantly, there was a silent blast of blue lightning that hit the cold, cruel goddess, and knocked her off her feet. Before she was able to move and retaliate, Ana’s lightning changed to become softer and more diffuse, and cocooned Cailleach inside a tight shell. No part of the Geileis-Cailleach creature was left in sight.

But then something began to strike Rohrke from all sides, and he decided it must be the ollphéists that Ana spoke of. The demons were without a leader now, and they were striking out at him — their perceived enemy.

He felt the same surge of strength that had always protected him in battle, and he used it to shield himself from their blows. And when Ana arrived, another gush of blue light destroyed his attackers.

With apparent ease, Ana used her magic to lift Cailleach’s cocoon from the ground. Again, she used the impossible bands of blue lightning to gather and imprison the hoards of monsters that Cailleach had brought forth. Rohrke guessed she was herding them away from the lake. He watched as she lifted both her arms and, in one quick movement of her hands, sent them all away, to some invisible realm far away.

Ana turned to him then. «They can do no more harm.»

Rohrke was Druzai. Untrained and undeveloped, but Druzai. The knowledge of it warmed Ana’s heart.

She might have sensed it earlier, but it had been so far beyond any expectation, she’d ignored the tingling recognition of his connection to her race.

«Will Teague relent now?» he asked, so tall and handsome, her heart clenched in her chest. Was this the way a virgin Druzai Oracle should react to a man — any man?

She nodded, her awareness of him so intense, she could barely find her voice. «The aggression of his clan will disperse within hours. He will feel naught but puzzlement at his actions of late.»

He touched her face and she closed her eyes, swimming in sensation. She remembered his every caress from her vision, and wanted to experience it in reality. She hoped to feel his hands and mouth on her. She wanted to touch him and feel his shudder of pleasure. She wished to meld with her mate and experience sòlas as other Druzai couples did.

And Ana knew she could not be the virgin Oracle.

He kissed her then, and she relaxed as he slid his arms around her, pulling her against his body. Ana reached up to his shoulders and then slipped her fingers into the hair at his nape. She had not realized how incomplete she’d felt before. Or why she’d delayed taking her vows so many times.

«There is much to do in Ballygur,» she said when he broke their kiss.

«Aye. I have a wedding to cancel. I’ll have no bride but you, Ana Mac Lochlainn. I love you, lass.»

Ana felt her heart swell in her chest. She’d never planned to wed, and yet her Druzai mate had found her in a way that she’d never expected. A very poor, but happy, Oracle she was, indeed.