Chapter 13—Silent Celtic Promise
Myrnin
I considered our current predicament as Claire slept, a thousand thoughts running rampant through my head. How did we get HERE? Why did she follow me, knowing the risks and particularly after our very unpleasant 'goodbye'? How are we going to get home? Shaking my head to clear it, I focused. I had to think...to plan.
As much as I tried to concentrate on other things, my mind kept drifting back to Claire. I felt a certain amount of peace just watching her dream. I shook my head slowly as I contemplated the risk she took. She knew she could have ended up at any point in time and space. There was no guarantee for success, and a high possibility she would have ended up dead as a result.
Then why can't she see she must has feelings for me? Feelings, that went deeper than just the hormonal type. Although I was quite found of those feelings. I smiled as I remembered how close 'we' had come the night before. Indeed, she had shocked the hell out of me as the 'memories' began to flood my mind. I was so startled that I couldn't understand what was happening at first. And then it was ridiculously difficult to focus on getting back to her, while in the middle of such heightened emotions.
I could still feel her soft skin and the way she wanted me. Clearly she wanted me. But did I want that? She won't admit to feeling more than just concern and I frowned as I thought about her sleeping with that boy the night before. I had been truthful before when I told her I wasn't the sharing kind.
Claire started to move, stretching as she struggled to wake up. She turned her head to me and smiled softy and sweetly, her face lighting up when she saw me.
Why the hell does she do that and then run away from me back to that boy?!
"So, what is on the schedule for today?" Claire asked.
"We need to collect some supplies, money and clothes." I looked down at her outfit and she blushed. "I definitely can't let you walk around in that. You would likely get arrested...or eaten."
Claire's blush deepened as she looked indignant. "Well, I didn't plan for this to happen."
"No, you most certainly did not plan at all," I replied wryly.
She threw an irritated scowl at me, looked around, and then returned her gaze to my face. "So, what did you mean last night. You had this place built? Who are you – or were you I mean?" she demanded.
"I was a prince..." I smirked and waited to enjoy the look that came over her face. She didn't disappoint.
"A prince and a castle, of course..." she muttered. "Wait, so that was your bedroom last night? You own that castle?" Her eyes widened and a touch of pink revealed itself on her cheeks as she remembered.
"Yes, but it wasn't the traditional definition of a prince as you might know it. I was not bestowed based on my human birthright but rather by my immortal bloodline. I was an apprentice to an ancient vampire, Gwion. The oldest one that I am aware of, older than Bishop even. When he turned me, I was given certain 'favor' for belonging to such an esteemed bloodline. And I choose – well conquered – Conwy for my domain."
"Your domain?" Claire tilted her head inquisitively. I could tell from her look that she wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or be impressed.
"I was fascinated with the idea of it – money and power. I viciously defeated many vampires to stake claim to it. But ruling never stimulated me. I found it quite tedious, which ended up being my downfall – or salvation – depending on which way one would judge. I much preferred the pleasurable distractions I found in alchemy...philosophy...women..." I let the last word hang in the air, gauging her response.
Claire narrowed her eyes, and then asked, "Why Conwy?"
"It was where my mother was from..." I felt a familiar sadness at her memory.
"Your mother..." Claire had a look of surprise as though she had never considered me human before. And then realizing the topic pained me, she reached for my hand, her eyes providing reassurance.
"It was a long time ago..." I sighed in resignation. "She had given me away to Gwion – and I never saw her alive again. After I became immortal, I returned to Conwy, intent on seeking answers from her, but I was just moments too late. When I arrived, I found my entire family – mother, brother and sisters – slaughtered by a rival vampire, intent on taking the territory from me. He took their lives as an act of dominance and authority over me. I think I shall always regret that I was the means for their deaths."
Claire squeezed my hand, her eyes glistening with compassion, as she shared my pain with me, and then nodded for me to continue.
"I held my mother in my arms for the last time. Thinking it a strange twist of fate – for had she been able to see me, there would have been no recognition as she looked into my eyes. Maybe it was better that way." I couldn't help leaning forward, letting my head rest in my hands. It had been more years than I could count, since I recalled that day with such clarity.
Claire immediately put her arms around me, as if she could protect me from my inner demons.
Silly girl, she has no idea.
I lifted my head and found comfort in Claire's eyes, and then continued, "When I was done burying them, I hunted the vampire that had taken their lives. It didn't take me long before I found him," I stopped, realizing the next part of the story would sicken Claire.
"What happened?" she whispered.
Part of me wanted to lie, but a stronger part of me was defiant. I was a vampire. It was who I was, who I still am. I held her gaze and spoke, "I tortured him for hours – and then days – before allowing him to die."
Claire blinked and gave pause, her mind in contemplation, as the realization of my words registered.
I expected her to run...or scream...or hate me for the monster that I am, but she did none of those things. Instead, she placed a hand to my cheek and whispered, "I'm sorry that you had to go through that." From her gaze, I couldn't tell if she meant the loss of my family or torturing the other vampire. Maybe she meant both.
Breaking the tension, I decided it best to move on and continue the original tale, "Alas, I allowed lesser vampires to maintain smaller territories within mine, giving them certain liberties and authority to maintain order. And certainly, I faced many rivals, none of which could defeat me, until a fateful day – four weeks from now."
Claire inhaled sharply, her eyes going wide and whispered the obvious question, "What happens four weeks from now?"
"It burns....All of it...Burns to the ground." I stated, my voice devoid of emotion.
"How?" Claire breathed.
"Anwyn," I answered simply.
Claire's eyes flashed with alarm. And something else, was that hurt? She jumped up, almost startling me. "I told you...I told you she would hurt you!" she hissed, righteous indignation spilling out as she obviously recalled our last argument. "So why in the hell did you agree to travel with her? And why would you come here of all places?!"
"She forgot! And you choose him!" I exploded, anger and pain wrapping together into a tight little knot in my chest. Claire recoiled, but I couldn't stop myself, "Tell me why you are here! Why?! Tell me why I am going to risk my life getting you home, so that you can run right back into his arms and his bed! You think you still love him. I can read it in your eyes. So, is this a game, an adventure to you?!"
"No," she spoke barely above a whisper. "I...I don't know how I feel." Her voice ended in silence, tears spilling over her cheeks, as she looked down, biting her lip. "I'm sorry. I am not trying...to hurt you. I have a history with him. He has stood by my side and fought for me. He loves me. I can't hurt him."
"And what of your future? Will his loyalty make you happy?" I sneered.
"I...I don't know..." Fresh tears fell from her eyes.
"Claire, I'm not gonna stick around for that. I will get you home, but I won't stay and watch."
I couldn't take this right now. I couldn't allow myself to get distracted if we were going to make it out of here alive. I turned and walked away, but not before seeing the despair that crossed her face as I left. I almost went back, almost rushed to her and begged her to forgive me for hurting her feelings, but I couldn't, not this time. She was bound and damned determined to believe she loved him, and yet she had risked everything, including her relationship with him, to find me. I shook my head and went to gather the supplies.
I began rummaging through the clothing first and pulled out a few things that would be acceptable, frowning when I couldn't find anything with the flare of my usual style. All of this just looked so...normal. I sighed. Oh well, it's better not to stand out right now anyway. I pulled out a few dresses that I thought might fit Claire and laid them to the side for her to look through – a little dusty, but she would look lovely in them...
Argh, focus!
I forced myself to move on.
Next I scavenged for money. Well there was certainly plenty of that. I went back to the main chamber and selected higher value coins, attempting to conserve space. We would have enough to carry as it was. I saw Claire walk in from the corner of my eye, a tentative expression on her face. I smiled at her, letting her know I wasn't angry anymore. Her eyes lit up with relief, as she walked to my side and gently touched more wealth than she had ever seen.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"Which one?" I inquired.
"All of them," she replied. She held a ruby necklace in her hands, gently stroking the stones and letting her fingers take in the sensation of the thick intricately woven gold chain.
"Keep it. It would look lovely on you," I told her simply.
Claire turned to look at me, surprise filling her features. "I couldn't...it's too much."
I smirked at her. We were standing in piles of jewelry, gold bars and coins and she thought that was too much. She recognized the wry look on my face and said, "Okay, I will find something, but something smaller, let me look."
I wandered from room to room, trying to remember where we put the luggage the last time we were here. I reminded myself that it had been over six hundred years. Anyone could have forgotten that, I thought a little defensively. I finally found what I was searching for and went back to find Claire.
Before I could speak, my attention was riveted to the ring she was wearing. I tried to keep my voice calm and nonchalant as I asked her, "Did you find something up to your standards?"
Claire's face lit up and she held her hand out to me, "It fits perfectly."
Memories flooded my mind most severely, as I stared at the intricately woven Celtic ring, the silver dull over time – my mother's ring.
"Yes it does," I replied, still too choked up to risk saying anything else.
Claire took the ring off, showing me the inside. "Look there is an inscription, but I can't read the language. What does it say?"
I answered her without looking at the writing, "It says Fy Mywyd i, Fy Cariad which means My Life, My Love." And then I took the ring she held suspended in the air, and gently slid it back on her finger, ignoring the burn. "It looks lovely on you," I murmured softly.
Claire looked at me intently, reading something in my eyes, but not recognizing what it was.
I attempted to break the tension by teasing her, "With all of the diamonds, pearls and precious stones, you selected this one?"
She lifted her chin defiantly and said, "I like this one. It spoke to me – well not in the literal sense, of course – " she added quickly, a slight pink touching her cheeks, "There is just something about the way the delicateness and beauty swirl together in the woven pattern."
Again, I found myself lost for words so I changed the subject, "One last thing – what will you wear?"
"Oh" Claire's eyes widened at the prospect of having to wear what she had on or worse, men's clothing.
"Don't worry, love...there are women's clothes here as well."
Her eyebrow raised in question.
I smiled mischievously, "All very necessary of course, for the concubines. I never traveled alone." By this point, I could tell that she didn't know what to believe and the look on her face was priceless. I couldn't help but laugh. She hit me in the arm as turned toward the door, but I saw the small grin she tried to hide.
As she walked out of sight, I began to gather everything in the luggage, when I heard her gasp. Alarmed, I ran to her and found her holding one of the dresses. "They're beautiful," she breathed.
I relaxed, "Yes they will look lovely on you. Why don't you try one on?" I waggled my eyebrows and didn't move.
She threw a shoe in my direction and ordered, "Out."
I sighed and left so she could change.