Chapter 6

"There to the west!Those sails—are they Ronan's?"Aveline stood on tiptoe and pointed over the protective stone walls surrounding the guard's walkway that ran the perimeter of Castle MacKay.

Shielding his eyes from the sun's glare, her father, Laird Caelan MacKay squinted in that direction."Aye, that be yer brother.I can just make out his colors."He dropped his hand away from his eyes and patted her shoulder as the ship cut through the waters, growing ever larger and more magnificent the closer it drew to MacKay Bay.

"Lucky for the lad we spotted him.Yer mother was about to pull him through the Mirrors if he didna show himself soon."Caelan chuckled. "Ye shouldha heard her ranting about thoughtless males and their inconsiderate ways."

"Aye, Mama has warned me many times about the thoughtlessness of males." Aveline grinned at her father. "She always speaks well of ye, though, Papa."

He snorted. "Dinna be telling lies to yer papa, my fine wee lass. Ye are not too old to be sent to yer rooms without yer supper."

She ignored her father's ability to see through her flattery and turned the conversation back to her brother. "Ronan has been gone too long this time.'Tis bad enough he leaves us at all.But when he stays away this long, he is hiding something.I just know it and so does Mama.We must help him. Take care of this thing troubling his heart before it is too late."A worried edginess filled her as she tried to stretch higher to get a better view over the walls. She loved all her brothers, but Ronan had always been her favorite.She was tired of missing her seafaring brother and fretting about his safety. Just because he held dominion over the seas and everything in them didn't mean he couldn't be harmed. Her brother was still very much a mortal and could die. A deep breath and the knowledge that things would be different now made her feel better. If all worked out as she planned, there would be no need to worry about him sailing away ever again. As the ship skimmed into the bay and dropped anchor, she gave it a curt nod. Ye will never carry Ronan into danger ever again.

She noticed her father's troubled gaze tickling across her like a butterfly flitting in her face. When he smoothed her wind-tossed hair out of her eyes, she knew he was about to question her. She had once overheard Mama telling Papa that even though she was the youngest and also a girl, she would still be the most powerful in the mystical ways.Mama had stressed the need to guide her down the right path and teach her to use her gifts wisely. Papa's reply had been filled with leeriness.

But she did use her gifts wisely. Or at least, she tried. She wished Mama and Papa would see things her way sometimes. A heavy sigh huffed free of her. They would understand this time. She had done things exactly right and left nothing to chance. Might as well have it out. She turned to her father. "What, Papa?"

"What have ye seen, Avie? Or more precisely, what have ye done?" He eyed her with the sort of stern glare that had always made her squirm—but not this time.

She swept aside the tendrils of her reddish blonde hair tugged loose by the persistent breeze."I have seen nothing, and why would ye think I have done anything?" She hated hiding that she'd worked with the Mirrors of Time alone, but they had left her no choice. She twitched a shrug, hoping to reassure her father. "I worry about Ronan.He was gone longer this time." She shrugged again. "Maybe I miss him more than usual because I am older, and he has always understood me better than my other brothers."

Caelan narrowed his eyes at her, clearly unconvinced that she was as innocent as she wished him to believe. "I would bet a keg of ale that ye are up to something, ye wee minx. Save us all a bit of trouble and confess yer sins afore ye commit them, aye?"

"Papa!" She used the same injured tone that always worked on her brothers, but Papa was not so easily swayed. "I am simply glad that my favorite brother is home."

"Did I not hear ye tell Faolan he was yer favorite this past Sunday? And was Latharn not sworn to be yer favorite just yesterday?"

"My favorite is whoever has angered me the least at the moment," she said while attempting a lofty yet somehow worldly innocence. When telling a lie, it was always best to build it upon a kernel of truth.

Caelan scrubbed his face with one hand as if admitting defeat. "Fetch yer mother.We shall go down to the docks together to greet yer brother."

"Aye, Papa." Aveline couldn't resist a smile as she spun about and hurried away.

"Amergin's beard, lass! Slow yerself." Old Emrys, the druid of the clans, hugged the wall of the stairs as she bounced past him.

"Ronan's home!" she sang out as if that excused anything she might do, including knocking the ancient wise man down the steps.

"What mischief is that one into now?"Emrys asked as he leaned against his twisted staff and hobbled over to Caelan.

Caelan shook his head. "I dinna ken, but she bears watching. Ye ken as well as I what Rachel said about her powers. Have ye noticed anything missing from yer library?"

"Nothing. All I know for certain is that I am too old to keep up with a lass more gifted in the ways than any of the druids I have ever known." He stroked his long gray beard with his knobby, arthritic fingers. "I survived training the lads. Faolan, Ronan, and Latharn were nothing compared to that one. She is wilier, more powerful, and also more headstrong than any of her brothers."

"Rachel noticed Avie seemed more intent on learning to control the Mirrors than concentrating on her other studies. Have ye spoken to Faolan or Latharn about her?"

Emrys snorted as he leaned upon his staff."Ye ken as well as I that those two are useless when it comes to finding out what that wee rascal is up to. She has all her brothers eating out of her hand and not a one of them would be the first to betray her."

Caelan glanced behind them and saw Rachel and Aveline approaching."I shall speak to the lads. Convince them that as Avie gets more powerful, concealing her mischief might not be the wisest course to take."

"Ronan, this wine is superb."Rachel narrowed her eyes at her son, studying him over the rim of her glass. She didn't like the gaunt angles of his face. Even though he was still her hulking, broad-shouldered son, he had turned into a leaner, tougher version of himself during this last, lengthy voyage at sea.He had lost the softness of a carefree youth and become a hardened, muscular man who silently commanded respect and more than likely a little leeriness and outright fear.

The shadowy stubble of a day's growth of beard darkened his angular face, lending an even more dangerous look to his handsome features. His thick, dark hair had grown well past his shoulders. He wore it pulled back from his face in braids threaded with leather ties and a gold coin or two.

"He has become a pirate," she said under her breath. Perhaps that was what troubled him. She peered closer, reaching out with her senses. No. It was not piracy that disturbed his inner peace. What was it then? His deep green eyes were fraught with the shadows of—something. She couldn't pin it down and didn't like it one bit. Aveline was right. Something serious troubled Ronan.

She took another sip and offered him a belated smile. "Where did you find this lovely wine?"

"Dela Ruga," he said, returning her smile with one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I thought you might enjoy it." He shifted uneasily in his seat and glanced around the table as though in search of allies.

Rachel glanced at his plate, noting his food was barely touched. His brothers had not only cleaned their plates but refilled them more than once.

"Father and I looked over the rest of the cargo. Ye did well, little brother." Faolan gave Ronan's shoulder an affectionate shake.

"Did ye see the silks I brought ye, Avie?" Ronan leaned forward and looked down the table at his little sister.

"I did, brother, and I thank ye. But all ye truly needed to bring me was yerself. Ye were gone overlong this time. I feared ye lost to us forever." She shook a finger at him. "I ken well enough yer love for the sea, but ye are still mortal. Dinna worry us like that anymore, ye ken?"

"Now, Avie," Ronan said in a placating tone that Rachel recognized as one that would anger his little sister rather than calm her, "ye know the sea goddess watches over me and keeps me safe."

"Ye were gone longer than usual this time, son," Caelan said. "Ye need to remember ye have family here on Scotland's shores. We watch for yer return and worry about ye during the seasons beset with storms." He shoved his untouched plate away, took hold of Rachel's hand, and held it tightly, making her heart ache for the worry she felt coursing through her husband.

Dagun cleared his throat and thumped the haft of his knife on the long dinner table in the center of the family's private hall. "We had such a prosperous year, it didna seem as if we had been out to sea that very long. Time passes ye by with great haste when the Fates smile upon ye."

"Aye." Ronan nodded, set his goblet on the table, then frowned down at the crimson wine. "Forgive me for causing all of ye worry. Time escapes me when I am at sea because that is where I truly feel at home."

"This is yer home. Not that ship or the sea!" Aveline fisted her hands on either side of her plate and pinned him with a narrow-eyed glare.

"Aveline." Rachel reached over and rested a hand atop her daughter's. "Be thankful when your brother is among us and be watchful when he is at sea." She rose from her seat, shoving the heavy mahogany chair back with the sheer strength of her concern for her son. "Ronan, I would see you in my solar. Now." She waited for him to rise and follow.

"Mother…" He stared down at his plate, then blew out a heavy groan. "I?—"

"Now, Ronan." She stepped off the dais, then looked back and arched a brow at him, waiting for him to find the good sense to follow and not defy her.

"I shall pray for ye," Dagun said quietly as Ronan slowly rose from his seat.

"He'll need it," Latharn said. "She's been storming about the castle for weeks because of his wandering."

Thunder rumbled in the distance. "You had all best pray for yourselves as well," Rachel told them. "Since I have yet to lose my hearing, and do not find your comments the least bit amusing."

"May the goddess be with you, son," Caelan said with a grim nod as lightning flashed and thunder crashed louder.

Rachel didn't attempt to calm herself to control her stirring of the elements and avoid the storm. Her son would do well to remember her powers.

"Just bury me at sea," Ronan muttered as he rose from his chair and obediently fell in step behind her.

Ronan rolledhis shoulders as he followed his mother down the torch lit hallway to her private solar. This was not only ridiculous but damned embarrassing. He was ashamed to dread a meeting with his mother as much as he did this one. But as a woman descended from a long line of witches, as a woman from the faraway future, Mother wielded unspeakable powers and was not afraid to use them on anyone she deemed deserving of a wee reminder to treat her with respect. He was powerful too but couldn't hold a candle to her—especially when her ire was stirred, and apparently, he had stirred it well.

She stood at the window, framed by the roiling black clouds laced with dancing tendrils of lightning beyond the ledge. Not bothering to turn from her study of the cauldron of thunderheads, she said, "What is wrong, Ronan? Tell me, so I can help you."

He widened his stance and clasped his hands behind his back. This reminded him of the time he had been sentenced to hang for piracy and had yet to figure out his escape. The grim sense of doom was the same. "I dinna ken what ye speak of, Mother.I merely stayed out longer than usual this time."

Lightning splintered the sky and deafening thunder immediately followed. The air crackled with the stinging bite of the storm's energy.

"Don't you dare try to dance around the truth with me.It didn't work when you were a child, and it won't work now."She turned from the window, her amethyst eyes flashing. "You know very well I'm not referring to the time you were at sea.If anyone knows you belong there, it is me. I won't say I like it, but I understand it."

As soon as he opened his mouth, she cut him off with the sharp glare that he and his brothers had always known better than to test."Think long and hard before you attempt a poorly crafted lie. I know you've been blocking the Mirrors to prevent Aveline from seeing you.She and I both know you're troubled over—something. I even spoke with the Goddess Clíodhna." Her disgusted snort flared her delicate nostrils. "That was a waste of time. Now, tell me what is going on with you before I send you outside to cut a switch for me to use on yer backside."

"We are not back in yer Kentucky, Mother. I am far too old for such a useless scolding." Ronan powered his own show of lightning, farther to the west of his mother's and rising up from the sea.

A powerful crash of lightning hit so close; the air stank of sulfur.The castle walls trembled with the force of the blast as thunder exploded, then rolled across the keep as though determined to level it. "You would do well to think twice before battling with me.Where do you think you got yer powers?" His mother's voice had taken on a lethal tone, clearly warning she would tolerate no level of disrespect.

Ronan bowed his head. "Forgive me.Ye ken I would never disrespect ye—not ever. But I am a man grown and canna be sheltered by ye forever." The tightness in his chest ached even harder. It was almost as if the strange pain needed him to bare his soul to her as much as she yearned to hear it. But he could not. He was far too old to run to his mother as he had done as a child whenever he was hurt or frightened.

Her head tilting slightly to one side, she released a heavy sigh as she studied him. "Your father says I worry too much. But as long as you live and breathe, you will always be my little boy." She moved closer and gently lifted his face, forcing him to look her in the eyes."Let me help you.Tell me what it is that's clouding those beautiful green eyes." She touched his chest and frowned. "You are hurting, Ronan. I feel it."

He covered her hand with his and slowly shook his head."I dinna ken what it is," he whispered. "I fear someone has cursed me with some unknown thing that is meant to rip my heart in two.How can ye help with that?"

"Tell me what you feel. Exactly.Maybe if I read your eyes while I listen, I'll be able to hear what it is and discover what's eluding you."She locked gazes with him, willing him to open his heart and soul and allow her to peer within.

The aching throbbed harder, begging him to accept her help. Of course, if he couldn't trust his mother, who could he trust? He swallowed hard and shook his head again. "I hear an eerie call.A tremendous sorrow. There is a great loneliness out there beseeching me to find it—and help it.But I dinna ken where it is, who it is, or how to help relieve their suffering." A restlessness churned deep in his gut as he unburdened his soul. "Someone needs me, Mother, but I canna find them."

Her brows knotting into a worried frown, she eased back a step."Do you still feel it here? When you're ashore?"

He gave over to a heavy sigh and nodded. "Aye. 'Tis even stronger since we reached Scotland.The closer we drew to home, the stronger the feeling became."

She slowly paced around the room, thoughtfully tapping her chin. "You should be safe from the MacKay curse. As firstborn, Faolan should be the only one to suffer with that."Her scowl tightened, became more puzzled. "Do you know of anyone who might have cursed you?"

"Nay. I've not angered anyone powerful enough to inflict such a misery upon me." He fidgeted in place, ashamed that he'd been unable to solve this problem without her help. "Now, ye ken why I stayed out so long this time, and why I blocked the Mirrors of Time to prevent Avie from visiting with me overmuch while I was at sea. I dinna ken if whatever this is might be a danger to the clan." He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles popped. "I canna stay here long, Mother. I'll not risk bringing harm upon those I cherish more than life itself."

"That is not the answer to this, and you know it." She jabbed the air, pointing at him with a sternness that he remembered well. "You should have come to me immediately. We are more powerful together."

He scrubbed a hand across the stubble of his jaw. "Then tell me the answer.Who am I supposed to help—and how?"

Tapping her chin once again, she returned to her pacing. "I don't know. But I will!Give me a little time."

The cloakedfigure stood in the cave's mouth, waiting with a flickering torch held high. The steady pounding of the waves echoed and rumbled up through the maze of caverns lining the rocky shore, sending their song back across the sea.

In her favorite form of a powerful wave, the Goddess Clíodhna rose to meet the figure, the white foam on the water's crest rising high in the moonlit night. As the water receded, she stepped onto the stone ledge in the shapely form of a mortal woman. Her white hair glistened in the full moon's light as it poured around her shoulders and swirled down around her feet.

"Ye ken I demand payment for my favors, do ye not?" she said to the hooded figure in front of her.

"I gave ye my oath, and it remains as I stated it before. In return for yer aid, ye will never be forgotten throughout eternity."

The goddess frowned, still unsure if this alliance was a wise one. She narrowed her eyes as she handed over a small sack cinched tightly with a leather cord. "Powerful words for a mere mortal. What do ye know of eternity?"

"I know more of it than ye might think."

With a slight nod, Clíodhna turned and faced her beloved sea. "If yer oath be broken, ye will be the one to replace that soul, ye ken? Manannán grows fond of that heartbeat tickling against his chest."

The hooded figure turned to go, pausing only long enough to say, "I promise, and I never break my oaths."