On Fallen Wings (3 page)

Outside, my breath curled in the chilling air. It was colder than the night before. Moon Season was coming fast. Father slammed the door closed behind us while we scurried across the yard to begin our journey to Stone Meadow.

Aisling was quiet. Long white trails of smoke escaped from the chimneys of candlelit homes and clouded the low forest. No one else occupied the road. While we walked through the village, my stomach tightened and my breath started to escape in short wisps. I was nervous for the ceremony, and memories of the prior night’s dangers lingered in my mind. Leila’s passionate description to Father earlier in the day had been unsettling.

As I looked around, I noticed Leila glancing cautiously around us. Like me, she must have been apprehensive.

“Father?” she asked. “Has the bandit frightened everyone?”

He grumbled—the way he always did when worried. “No, he hasn’t.” He pulled her close, smothering her hair in his tunic. “Let’s leave him to the shadows and enjoy the evening. This is Rhiannon’s day.”

Mention of the bandit quelled our conversation for a while. Even Ethan seemed afraid; he jumped and turned at every snap and whisper in the forest around us. As we neared the end of the trail, the sun left its last traces of daylight and disappeared below the surrounding trees, allowing highlights of a large fire to bounce with the mumblings of an unseen crowd ahead. Normally surefooted, I tripped several times, possibly from my nervousness.

Father held my arm and looked down at me. “Are you okay?” he whispered. “I can help you.”

I smiled. Father had rougher manners than anyone I knew, but these kind words reminded me of his endearment. He would never let anything hurt me.

“I’m tense,” I admitted, twisting his gift between my fingers. “Were you nervous on your Day of Promise?”

Father glanced around before whispering into my ear. “Don’t tell your mother,” he said. “I lost my breakfast—twice.”

I chuckled. Then I gasped when we entered Stone Meadow. A crowd of villagers, more than I had expected, huddled close to the standing stones. In the center, a tall fire flickered against the darkness. While we walked toward the flames, a hush filled the crowd. A hundred faces turned to look.

Mother grabbed the hood of my shawl and lifted it over my head. “They are here to celebrate you,” she said, widening her eyes. “Enjoy the moment.”

When we reached them, familiar faces smiled and friends stepped aside, allowing me to pass between them. Three faerie friends—Abigail, Sadie, and Fawn—stood in the crowd, dressed like me, wearing their ceremonial white gown and golden shawl. Nia stood next to her father, closest to the stones. I wanted to run to her, however, tradition demanded elegance for the ceremony. When I was near enough, though, I reached toward my best friend and embraced her tight.

“Good fortune, Rhia,” she whispered.

I smiled. Over Nia’s shoulder, I spotted Sean.

He stood tall and proper, dressed in a dark tunic with his arms extended towards me. Thin, honest arms of a farmer that had held me close more than a hundred times. He had eyes that stole the night and a smile that had always welcomed my kisses. “You’re beautiful at sunset,” he said intimately, as if we were the only two people there. The flames behind him silhouetted his neatly brushed hair.

There were bolder young men in Aisling, rich with words and promises of an easy life—there was only one Sean Bauer. He stood in front of me, warming my heart.

I let go of my father’s arm and rushed to Sean, gripping him tight in a warm embrace. He spun me for a moment and then released me, keeping tight hold of my hands.

“Are you ready?” he asked, staring at me and smiling.

Before I could answer, Colin, our neighbor and Chief Elder, waved his arms and commanded everyone to approach the stones. While he gave instructions about the ceremony, I caught a glimpse of his wife, Madeline. She stood calm and elegant, and close to the stones where she belonged. The braids in her blonde hair were perfect and tight, as always, and her faerie gown looked perfect. When Sean left me to take his place near the Season Stone, I walked toward her.

“You look beautiful,” said Madeline. Her voice was soft and carried like a song. “Sean is a lucky man.”

I grinned back. Madeline was a good friend.

“Thank you,” I answered. I pulled her close and squeezed. “This is a wonderful moment.”

While Madeline held the embrace, I felt her warmth pass through me. She had a gift for warming others with kindness. I had always wanted to be like her.

“Turn around,” she whispered. “There is your future.”

Sean’s father and his brother led a procession of relatives in a circle, while Sean stood near the Season Stone next to Colin. When the crowd’s chatter settled to a low whisper, Colin raised his arms.

Village bards—wearing brilliant violet tunics—marched from the trees toward the pillared circle, playing fiddles and flutes in intricate counterpoint. A few carried drums that pulsated low and deep across the grass. Mother placed her hand on my shoulder while Leila and Nia settled next to me.

The music grew, and while the drums beat louder, Sean fed the fire with dead branches covered in brown leaves. The flames erupted into a roar. The fiddles strung short bursts of lively hymns from around the stone circle. My heart surged with emotion, carried deep inside my body by the pulse of the moment. At Colin’s direction, Sean walked through the hole in the Season Stone and stopped to face me.

Silence overtook the meadow. The giant flames melted toward the ground while a breeze sifted through the hushed crowd. My heart still pounded the rhythm of the drums as Colin motioned for me to approach. I held my breath and glanced at Nia. She smiled back.

I stepped forward.

Colin’s smile was soothing. I sighed when he took my hands and placed them onto Sean’s open palms. Colin spoke, but I didn’t hear his words. I focused on the beautiful eyes in front of me. My fingers trembled.

Sean clasped them and mouthed the words, “I love you.”

I turned and saw my family. Father looked stoic and firm, Mother wiped her face with the sleeve of her dress, Leila’s tears flowed down her cheeks, and Ethan shifted from one foot to another. I waited for Mother to nod before turning back to face Sean and Colin.

“I’m ready,” I whispered.

Once again, Colin raised his arms and called to the crowd to join closer. “This circle—” he said. His voice reminded me of a high arcing goose call. “—containing friends and family, is the binding force for the pairing of these two in marriage.” He looked at Sean and me. “If you both accept the terms.” Colin stepped closer to Sean. “Sean, what gift do you require?”

I held my breath while waiting for him to speak.

Sean answered loudly and with sudden authority. “Armor,” he said to the crowd. He stared at me. “I require armor, so that I may always protect you from harm.”

Applause erupted, mingled with a few yells from my relatives. I sighed with relief—his demand wasn’t impossible. That was something I could get. Silence filled the meadow again. I felt the eyes of the village watching me, waiting for my answer.

“I accept,” I said, smiling. I gripped Sean’s hand and turned toward the meadow. “I accept Sean’s requirement for marriage.”

Once again, clapping and a few cheers.

Colin turned to me and repeated his question. “Rhiannon, what gift you do require?”

I barely heard the question. Seventeen years of memories flooded my consciousness. This was my moment; the one every young village daughter dreamed of since youth. My next words would summarize a life of wishes and define my future. I had planned this gift long before courting Sean, and longer before my acceptance into the Fae. It was a quest, a daring chase for my future husband, to prove his love and provide me with the one thing that life in Aisling couldn’t.

“A white horse,” I whispered, without another thought. I repeated my words louder to the eager faces watching us. “I require a white horse.” I smiled at Sean. “The purity of love and life defined.”

Shallow gasps filled the air and whispered murmurs carried in the soft breeze. Their reaction was expected. Despite my years of horse raising and trading, I had never seen a white horse; no one had, although many stories of their existence had found their way to us. They were fascinating, and their mystery had become my price. I stared at Sean’s dark eyes and searched for his answer.

“With honor, I accept Rhiannon’s terms for marriage.”

A surge of cheers erupted around us. I exhaled, relieved that Sean had accepted. While drumbeats pounded out the sealing of our engagement, I grabbed my fiancé in a tight hug and emptied my love into his chest. My Day of Promise was complete.

The Man with the Wonderful Voice

The house shuddered as two large knocks banged the front door.

“He’s here!” With a gigantic smile, Leila rushed from her perch on the long table bench, and before I could protest, disappeared down the hall.

Ethan laughed. “You’re blushing! Look, Mother, Rhiannon’s face is berry red.”

“It’s impolite to tease,” scolded Mother.

I ignored my brother and listened attentively toward the front door. Leila’s muffled voice carried back to our large dining room, where the rest of us sat waiting.

“What are you saying?” I yelled, leaning toward the hall. “Mother, find out what she’s telling Sean.” I glanced at Father, but he was no support; he gnawed quietly on a large slice of cedar pork. “Mother! She’s still speaking to him.”

“Let your sister talk.” Mother stood from her chair and wiped her face clean with her apron. “She’s probably telling Sean what a fine woman you are.”

“Or telling him that I snore!”

“He’ll find out soon enough,” said Father. Those were his first words of the morning. He took a drink from his goblet and pounded it onto the table.

“You’re beautiful in the morning.” Sean stood at the end of the hall, smiling at me. “Hello.” He turned to the rest of my family and nodded. “Good morning, Ethan.” Sean walked to the end of the table and offered his hand to my father. “Good morning, Neal.”

While shaking Sean’s hand, Father pulled him close and squeezed. Sean patted Father firmly on the back, sending an echo into the rafters.

“It’s my turn, dear.” Mother held her arms wide.

Sean escaped my father and grabbed my mother’s waist. Then he lifted her off her feet.

Ethan jumped onto his seat and cheered. “Look, now Mother’s face is red.”

“Sean!” My mother protested. “You may put me down now.”

“I’m hugging for two,” he answered, smiling. “If my mother were alive, she would thank you for raising a beautiful family.” He set her down and then grabbed my goblet and raised it. “To the Phillips family.”

Leila rushed to claim hers as everyone lifted a metal cup. With nothing to offer, I smiled and held Sean’s empty hand.

“To our family,” we announced.

“And to Sean,” added Mother.

Sean took a drink from my goblet and placed it on the table. He slid onto the bench next to me. I reached around his back and pulled him closer.

“I love you,” I whispered.

Sean made a soft growl. I loved that sound. Then he grabbed a plate and filled it with fruit.

“What are your plans, today?” asked Mother, reclaiming her chair, nearest to the kitchen.

Sean had a mouthful of dawnberries, so I spoke for him. “We’ll take a walk,” I said, “after Sean helps with the chores.” I grinned at him while he cleared his throat and started eating a biscuit.

“Will you go to your secret
place
?” asked Leila. She twisted her question to tease.

Sean choked on his bite of bread.

“Leila!” Mother saved me. “Where they go to play is their own business.”

Sean coughed again and his face changed to violet. I wondered what color mine was.

“Where’s the secret place?” asked Ethan. He sat straight on his bench.

“It’s nowhere you need to know.” I glared at my sister.

“You two are closer than I thought,” said Sean. His face changed from violet to a warm red. He turned to Leila. “How did you know about our secret place?”

She smiled. “Rhiannon talks in her sleep.”

The table erupted in laughter. Blood boiled into my face. I made pleading glances at my parents for help, but found none. Even Mother covered her mouth to hide her amusement. I shifted to leave the embarrassing attack; however, Sean’s warm touch on my hand encouraged me to endure the moment.

“Have you heard about the bandit?” asked Ethan, suddenly serious.

I smiled at my brother, appreciating the change of subject, despite the somber mood that covered the room like a swift cloud.

Leila cut in before Sean could answer. “He was here, just two nights ago, in the village.”

Sean took a small bite of biscuit and turned to Father. “For certain? I hadn’t heard. Neal, is that true?”

My father leaned back in his chair. “Yeah,” he said, moaning with the chair. “He’s back. And blood will find him if some of the Elders have their say.”