Goblin Moon (8 page)

"She seems to think this is all some fairy tale. That we're all going to be happy and everything will work out. I've tried talking to her, but Cairna just doesn't want to listen."

Sounds of pots being furiously banged against each other reached them. Kathy pushed her hair back and tried to compose herself. “Forgive me for saying so, but she's young and trying to make a good impression. Provoking her isn't going to help."

He raised his eyebrows. “What makes you think I was provoking her? For all you know, we really
do
eat meals over the kitchen sink."

"Maybe
you
do, but it looks to me as though someone raised that girl with perfect manners."

He stared at her for a long moment. “Thank you. I did my best."

Kathy was stunned into silence. “
You
raised her?"

"We're all that's left of our family.” He paused, and then he deliberately changed subjects. “And you needn't sound so shocked. I
can
spell deportment."

She smiled at him and he almost returned it.

"Lunch is ready,” Cairna walked back into the living room, grinned at Kathy and held out a welcoming hand. When Tearach would have followed them into the kitchen, Cairna put her palm in the middle of his chest and stopped him in his tracks. “
Yours
is sitting out on the stoop."

While Kathy and his niece ate a lunch of chicken salad, fresh fruit and lemonade, Tearach sat outside choking down a very dry sandwich. He didn't have a right to feel sorry for himself. Goblin women were known for their terrible tempers and he'd tried Cairna's patience to the limit. Without warning, the humor of the situation sank in and he almost smiled. For the first time in years, he felt some emotion akin to optimism.

Then, the solemnity of the situation hit him like a brick. They were all pretending they could remain friendly when there was no future for him or Kathy; no future for Cairna and her offspring; and no future for the rest of his people. Kathy's presence was a diversion, taking time away from a problem that wasn't being addressed. He tossed his sandwich aside and watched a flock of sparrows descend on it. As he listened to the women talking in the kitchen, his fury over his race's plight returned with intensity. The Sorceress was playing them for fools, and there was nothing anyone could or would do to stop this travesty. Now his beloved niece was involved and it tortured him to raise her hopes.

He stood and walked purposely toward the peaceful woods, silently praying that Herne would present a solution to his people's tragedy. There was no help from any other source as he saw it. Everyone had abandoned him with the monumental task of saving an almost extinct race. It seemed the horror of the matter only registered with him. He'd never felt more utterly alone in his entire life.

"Damn you, Sorceress! Damn your ideas and me for having any part of them!” he muttered and realized his people's welfare would have been better entrusted to his older brother. It was too bad Traed hadn't survived instead of him. If he could have changed places, he gladly would have.

Tearach left Cairna and Kathy alone. He took his time meandering in the woods, then among the beds of flowers in the cottage garden. Later, he watched the sun set. The women didn't appear to miss his presence, and he'd just as soon be alone for a while. Events in his life seemed so out of control.

The women's loud laughter brought him out of his reverie. He had work to do, and Shayla would be waiting for him to bring Kathy back. Going back to the castle and facing the Sorceress wasn't appealing. He sighed, walked back to the front of the cottage and pushed on the heavy oak door. The women were sitting at the kitchen table as he presumed they had been for hours, nattering on like old friends. Cairna's pretty face was animated as she spoke. Kathy's chin rested in the palms of her hands as she intently listened. The afternoon sun glittered through the prism windows and lit her blond hair. It was like seeing a thousand tiny diamonds firing the gilt tresses. In that instant, he knew there were enchanted women of the Order whose beauty couldn't compare with Kathy's. But she was an outsider. Under any other circumstances, she might have been put to death for setting foot inside this sacred realm.

He'd have to tell her what Shayla obviously hadn't. Maybe the Sorceress was waiting for the proper time. Since Kathy would never agree to Shayla's plan, there was no sense in putting it off. Besides, he'd already promised to explain why Shayla wanted them intimately involved. Cairna looked up and smiled at him. He could see she was over her anger at his ridiculous display of bad manners.

"Uncle Tearach, sit down. I'll make some tea,” she invited.

He held up his hand, declining the offer. “No, thank you, sweeting. I have to get Kathy back to the castle.” He saw Cairna's expression change from cheerful exuberance to quiet thoughtfulness.

"I was thinking. Maybe ... maybe the Sorceress would let her stay with us.” When both Kathy and Tearach murmured their mutual misgivings, she quickly continued, “The spare room next to mine is all ready. It has a lovely view, and it's less oppressive than that drafty old castle."

"Cairna, the Sorceress is concerned that ... well...” Tearach looked at Kathy for assistance.

"She knows I'll try to escape. That's why she's holding me under lock and key, where I can be guarded,” Kathy told her.

"But if you promised
not
to attempt such a thing, maybe she'd let you stay with us.” Cairna looked from one to the other, watching for any sign of concession.

"Even if I made such a promise, what makes you think she'd believe me?"

"Uncle Tearach could vouch for you."

Kathy looked at Tearach for an explanation.

"That means that I'd be punished if I let you get away,” he supplied. “And you
did
promise to try that very thing."

Kathy nodded in agreement. “Yes, I did."

"May I walk back with you, then? If Kathy can't stay here, at least I could have a little more time with her."

Tearach nodded his permission. The two of them could talk, and he could continue his contemplation of these strange, depressing events. This entire situation would have been so much easier if Kathy were less approachable. Less open-minded. If she'd only screamed and carried on hysterically at the outset, the Sorceress would have seen how futile all this chicanery was. But the outsider was so damned curious, letting her mind rule her emotions. And that was making everything so much more difficult. Now, Cairna was befriending her. He could only see that friendship ending in sorrow, and his niece was going to get hurt. No good could come of any of this.

The walk back didn't seem to take any time at all. When they were finally inside the castle entrance, the connecting doors to the library opened and Shayla stepped out.

"It's about time you brought her back. Another half hour and I'd have sent Lore and some of the Fairy guards after the both of you,” she angrily declared

"Uncle Tearach just brought her to see the cottage, Sorceress. I'm sure Kathy doesn't like being cooped up."

Shayla snorted. “Take Kathleen upstairs, Tearach. Come with me, Cairna."

Tearach's concern for his niece made him want to stay with her. What did the Sorceress want with Cairna? If something was amiss and Shayla was angered about it,
he
should take the consequences. Not his beloved niece. Something in his expression must have alerted Cairna. She put her hand on his arm, nodded and smiled.

"It'll be all right. Take Kathy upstairs,” Cairna said. Then she bid Kathy good night and followed Shayla into the cavernous library.

When they entered Kathy's room, she immediately turned to Tearach. “Your niece shouldn't be involved in any of this. She's just a young girl, trying to be friendly. I don't know what Shayla wants with her, but you'd better get back down there. Cairna can't be blamed for anything we've done or said."

His first emotion was shock. Kathy was expressing his exact feelings. Under normal circumstances, Shayla would only be offering his niece tea and conversation. But the situation wasn't normal. The Sorceress had been furious with Kathy and him earlier. He tried to believe Shayla wouldn't take her anger out on Cairna, but his concern couldn't be assuaged. Shayla might use any leverage to get him to comply with her wishes. Still, it was contrary to everything Tearach knew about outsiders for Kathy to be concerned for Cairna, a young Goblin girl she'd just met.

"Why do you care?” he asked.

Kathy huffed in irritation. “Look, I know you don't want me here and I'm pretty certain you don't even like me much, but I'd never want to see Cairna or anyone else hurt because the Sorceress has a bone to pick with you and me.” She paused and stared at him. “You must think I'm some kind of monster not to give a damn about Cairna's feelings or about what happens to her. She's just a kid."

"You've only just met her."

"That doesn't mean I can't care about her. Since I've been here, Cairna is the only one who's been sincerely kind. And I don't know your Sorceress very well, but it stands to reason the girl might be used against you. It's obvious you love her and would do anything for her."

"You've learned a great deal in such a short time,” he conceded.

"Any dolt could tell how you feel by watching you when you look at your niece. Now don't waste any more time and get downstairs."

He was turning to go when the bedroom door opened. A smiling Cairna waltzed in and began to gather the few personal things provided for Kathy's comfort.

"What are you doing?” Tearach asked.

"The Sorceress says Kathy can stay with us. And you're not to have a word about it,” she quipped. “I'm getting her things together so she can come back to the cottage tonight."

Kathy and Tearach gawked at one another in surprise.

"Cairna,” Kathy stopped her by stepping in the girl's way. “What are you talking about?"

She shrugged. “I just told the Sorceress that Uncle Tearach would vouch for you and that there would be no problems."

Tearach groaned, sat in a chair and put his head in his hands.

"You wouldn't try to escape and get him into trouble, would you, Kathy?” the girl innocently asked.

"I'm not sure I could get him into any more than he's already in."

Cairna shook her head. “If you try to escape, the woodland guards will only bring you back and Uncle Tearach would be tied and beaten in front of the whole Order. You wouldn't do that to him.” She continued to collect things from a wardrobe.

Kathy walked to where Tearach sat and spoke to his still bent head. “Is that true? Would Shayla do that to you?"

"That's the ancient punishment, or judgment, as we call it, for letting a prisoner escape,” he confirmed.

"Cairna, put my things back. I can't go with you."

Cairna stopped what she was doing and stared at Kathy. “Don't you
want
to come?"

"It isn't a question of whether I want to stay with you or not. I have to get out of here, and I
will
try to escape."

"But you wouldn't try such a thing if you were with us at the cottage. Would you?” the girl pointedly asked.

"No. I wouldn't get your uncle hurt, but..."

"That's all I needed to hear,” a voice from the doorway solemnly pronounced. “I can't have people watching you day and night, Kathleen. They have other responsibilities. You'll go with Tearach and Cairna. If you even attempt to leave these woods, I'll have Tearach so badly beaten he might not live. Is that clear?"

Kathy angrily stalked toward Shayla, but Tearach caught her halfway across the room. “Let it go, Kathy. Just get your things and let's get out of here,” he ordered.

Cairna quickly gathered the rest of Kathy's meager belongings and the three of them walked out of the room.

They made their way back to the cottage in complete silence. Tearach didn't know who was worse, the Sorceress or his niece. One of them was deliberately forcing him and Kathy together, and the other assisted through innocence. Having Kathy so near wasn't the issue. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. The real matter was his frustration at being thwarted again and again. The Sorceress seemed to have her way no matter what he did. Even Kathy unwittingly helped by not looking frightened.

It was late when they reached the cottage. Cairna bounced up the stairs inviting Kathy to follow. He didn't want to be there. Without telling Cairna his intentions, he left the cottage to replace the first man he found on guard duty. He decided to stay on duty every night until the Sorceress saw this new tactic wouldn't work. He'd sleep during the day when Kathy was awake and guard the woods while she slept. They'd see very little of each other. Cairna would be upset with him, Shayla would be incensed, and Kathy ... probably wouldn't give a hang either way. The woman might even attempt her escape, and Shayla would have to pronounce judgment. Except for Cairna's welfare, it made very little difference what happened to him. His niece was old enough to care for herself. The girl would eventually take a mate, and then she wouldn't need him at all. What would he have left? He'd be the leader of a doomed people, Cairna included.

As he saw it, things were going from bad to worse. The Sorceress seemed so intent on this latest plan, and she was unwilling to take any other course of action into consideration. Each day that passed meant less time to discover the reason why their children died. For the thousandth time in eight years, he questioned why his people were being persecuted. So far, he'd done nothing—not one single thing—to give his people a reason to hope. And he didn't have a clue what to do next. Mating with Kathy was not only inappropriate, it was impossible.

He found a Fairy guard to replace and let the man go home to his warm mate. Positioning himself next to a giant oak, he peered into the darkness. By the time all this was over, he'd be very popular with the men who stood nightly guard duty. The darkness was peaceful, and in its presence, he might be able to contemplate the utter chaos Shayla had made of his life.

Three days later, Kathy was standing in the lovely pale green and white guest room she'd been given. Her window overlooked the garden, and flower scent permeated the air. But no matter how enchanting the cottage and the scenery were, she was still a prisoner. Escaping was out of the question since doing so would endanger Tearach. She told herself her abductor's welfare shouldn't matter. Under any other circumstances, the very hounds of hell could have been tied outside and not stopped her from leaving. But Tearach was as unwilling a partner in this ordeal as she, and she didn't have it in her to hurt Cairna. Shayla's maneuvering had firmly entrenched her into Tearach's home, but he had instituted his own bit of strategy and stayed away most of the time. While she noticed his absence, the affect it was having on Cairna was devastating. The girl constantly stared toward the forest and moped. Kathy helped with the garden and housework and tried to stay out of the woods. On several occasions, people stopped by. But as Cairna introduced them, she explained that they were in human form, and they never stayed long enough for Kathy to get to know them. Kathy's innate curiosity about the place, its origins and the people kept her asking hundreds of questions. Cairna answered those she could. Other things, she seemed to want Tearach to explain.