The Gazing Globe (23 page)

"So, you do love her." Lore smiled.

"Of course I do." Blain stopped as the realization hit him hard. He was in love withAfton. It was obvious to Lore. How could he not have known it? Somewhere in the middle of all the magic, sorcery and mysticism, he'd fallen in love. She'd been his friend, confidante and instructor. No one in his life had ever made him feel so complete, so at ease. She was the one he wanted to hold in the night and wake up with in the morning. Her sweetness and warmth had been a balm when he thought he was losing his sanity. She'd always been there for him, never asking anything except his understanding. Her heart was loving and tender.

He smiled. When he'd lost control and almost attacked her, she had wanted more than just friendship then. She'd wanted him as badly as he'd wanted her. If there was anything to this challenging business, he'd have to keep her very close until Lughnasadh or August Eve. If memory served him correctly, that was the next Celtic celebration, and it was still a few weeks away. Until then, he'd find a way to meet with her and win her love. It would be the sweetest task he would ever undertake. He would handfast with her, and to hell with anyone who tried to stop him.

"You're grinning like a dragon eating a fresh knight sandwich. What ails you?" Lore asked, breaking the silence.

"Nothing. But the reference to a dragon sandwich is making me hungry. Let's find some food."

***

"Remember, Pluck, please don't do anything to embarrass me tonight,"Aftonwarned her elfin friend as they walked toward the main clearing. His short legs moved efficiently enough to keep up with her longer stride, and he was typically dressed like an elf with his brown suit, pointed cap and ears. The bearded Pluck was about her own age, but he often acted a great deal younger, as those of his kind did. The little man was up to juvenile antics constantly, and she worried about what he might do tonight in front of Blain.

"What could I possibly do to embarrass you? Are you saying that being seen with me is somehow beneath your dignity?" the little man asked, his anger rising.

"Of course not. It's just that you always say something about me that's...well...embarrassing,"Afton explained.

"Like what?"

"Like the time you told the story about how I lost my knickers in the river while bathing, and I had to run home holding ferns to cover myself."

"You were only a little girl when that happened. Everyone thought that story was sweet," he insisted.

"Well tonight is special. Promise me you won't tell any of the stories about the times I've screwed up.

Promise!"Aftonstopped walking and faced Pluck.

"What's so special about tonight?" He paused and tilted his head while he gazed at her. "Afton O'Malley, you have your cap set for this Blain fellow, haven't you?"

Aftonducked her head. Pluck had known her all her life. They'd been infants playing in the woods together. Why she should feel so uncomfortable about the elf knowing she wanted Blain was a mystery.

Perhaps she was afraid Pluck would say something that would make Blain think less of her. All she knew was that she didn't want Blain to hear about anything demeaning in her past. Today, she'd been in the woods practicing her elemental powers and had accomplished some unusually powerful feats. Perhaps knowing she loved and wanted Blain was all the motivation she needed to concentrate properly. The past wasn't something she could change, and she was certain her powers were growing. The future was what mattered. Blain gave her the will to practice her powers and concentrate harder than she'd ever done in her life.

"Afton, I'm sorry if the stories I told about you hurt your feelings." Pluck paused then continued, "You know that no one would play with me when we were young because I was always the smallest elf and sometimes picked on because of it. You couldn't control the elements the way you were supposed to, but you were always there for me. We were misfits." He shrugged. "You're the last person in the world I'd ever want to hurt. I always saw you laugh when I told those silly stories, so I thought you didn't mind.

You do know I was only joking, don't you?"

Aftonheard the contrition in her friend's voice and smiled. "I do know, Pluck. I guess I smiled at those stories you told so no one would learn their laughing hurt me. And I know you didn't mean to cause me pain. It's just that Blain is ... he's ..."

"I know. He's special to you. Don't worry,Afton. I won't say anything to embarrass you. I promise."

"Thank you."

Aftonbegan to walk toward the large clearing again. Pluck half-jogged along with her as his shorter legs sought to keep pace with her stride.Aftonslowed down by degrees so Pluck wouldn't notice and accuse her of patronizing him. The top of his head only came up to her waist, so it was difficult changing pace without his noticing.

Earlier, she'd washed away her special botanic essence and bathed in sparkling spring water.Afton didn't want Blain lured to her through the use of some "herbal concoction," as Shayla had put it.

As they neared the clearing, reveling voices could be heard. Blain would be among them.Aftonhad heard he'd chosen the battle axe as his primary weapon. Only the strongest warriors chose such a blade, but she knew Blain could handle it. He had muscle to spare, and it was a source of joy that he had wanted that particular weapon.

"Look," Pluck cried as he ran forward, "Hugh has returned from the States. He's come back sooner than planned."

Aftonfollowed Pluck to the older Druid and hugged him. Hugh smiled, looking in high spirits. She could tell he was glad to be home, and she knew his happiness had as much to do with being close to Shayla as having Blain present.

"Have you heard how incredibly well Blain has been accepted?"Aftonasked as she looped her arm through Hugh's.

"Aye, I've heard and am as proud as if he were my own son. I've been told he wields a battle axe. He's a good lad, and he'll make a strong warrior," Hugh bragged.

"Then you haven't seen him yet?"

"No. In this crowd, I'll have to wait my turn. It seems everyone is standing in line to meet my nephew.

Arthur and Syndra would have been so proud of him."

"Hugh!"

The older Druid turned to see the subject of his conversation standing behind him. In an instant, Hugh moved forward and unashamedly hugged his nephew.Aftoncould see tears of pure pride in the older man's eyes. And it was no wonder. Blain was in fairy form and looking magnificent. His inspiring wings glowed like jewels and fanned out behind him for the whole Order to see and admire.

"I'm glad you're here. Did your trip from the States go well? Is everything okay at the farm?" Blain quizzed.

"Aye, lad. Shayla sent more than enough manpower to take care of everything. All's well. And things here are going splendidly from what I've heard. I told you everything would be all right, didn't I?"

"You tried to. I just wasn't ready to listen."

"Uh-um!" Pluck cleared his throat, obviously wanting an introduction.

Aftonstepped forward. "Blain, this is Pluck. He's my best friend."

Blain took a moment to shake hands and exchange a few words of greeting with the elf. Pluck's smile, Irish accent and his leprechaun-like appearance were winning, and he liked the small man immediately.

But Blain's attention was soon riveted onAfton. She was lovely in a light green Druid gown. All the leprechauns, elves, fairies and their magic couldn't pull his gaze away from her.

"How was your day,Afton?" he murmured, moving closer to her.

"Fine, thank you. And yours seemed quite eventful from all the rumors. Quite a wonderful impression you've made."

Blain gazed intoAfton's blue eyes and wanted to run to the woods with her. Later, he would. Though the hot desire should have abated, he still wanted her with every fiber in his body.

"Come, lad. The feasting is about to begin, but the guest of honor hasn't arrived. I think Lore wants you at the head table," Hugh told him as he saw Lore wave from across the clearing.

Aftonwatched Blain take his place beside Shayla. She wanted to get closer, but the seats nearest him were all taken. The crowd was growing fast. She chose a place near her brothers and parents, and Shayla formally introduced Blain to everyone as a matter of protocol. By now, everyone in the Order either knew him or knew of him. The feasting and revelry began and went on for a time, but Blain never looked in her direction. Some of the fairy folk began to sing and dance in the center of the clearing, and Aftonnoticed Bonny and Morynn vying for Blain's attention. When Shayla vacated her seat to dance with Hugh, the two women practically fought to see who would have it.

Afton's heart began to sink. She wasn't as beautiful or as worldly as the two women. Rumor had it Bonny had spurned several advances from young warrior men who might have offered to handfast with her. But it was said she had enough men after her as to afford her a considerable choice.

Afton watched in distaste as Morynn leaned forward, displaying her breasts while pouring Blain some wine. Rather than watch the spectacle, she decided to leave, but someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Afton, the main fire is getting low. Be a love and give it a little jump start, will you?" Shayla asked.

Aftonlooked at the fire at the far end of the clearing and saw it had indeed burned to embers. A few months ago, she would have bolted and hidden in the woods at such a request. It would have been a public humiliation for herself and her family to attempt such a feat and fail. But tonight was different. She welcomed the chance to vindicate herself in front of the Order, and she knew she could claim her place as warrior class. She smiled at Shayla and, to her family's surprise, got up to do as she was asked instead of balking.

She walked to the end of the clearing and stood before the circular fire. It was almost twenty feet across and would need to burn the rest of the night. To let it go out during any celebration was considered disrespectful to the Order and a slight against those who were being honored. It was customary that the fire only be allowed to die at dawn. At one time in history, it guarded the clearing against invaders. Now it burned for Blain's celebration. She decided to rekindle it for him. She closed her eyes and held out her hands.

"She isn't going to actually try to light the main fire is she? NotAftonO'Malley?" someone called out then laughed.

Afton's anger grew. She was tired of being the butt of jokes. Everyone thought she didn't possess that kind of power, but she'd practiced very hard all day and wasn't going to fail. Not this time or ever again.

She concentrated on the words of enchantment. "Arise fire and light the way. Guard this place and all who stay. Before your glow our foes will flee, to those belonging, blessed be."

Blain watched asAftonstood by the fire and chanted. He wasn't close enough to hear the words she spoke, but he could certainly hear the comments coming from some of the crowd.

Bonny leaned over his shoulder. "PoorAfton. She's about to make a fool o' herself. I feel sorry for her.

She can't even light a match, much less a fire the size o' that one," she remarked in her thick Scottish brogue. "Tis a nice man she needs. But she's tryin' to impress you, Blain, and you're warrior class.Afton should be takin' up with someone like herself. Too bad she didn't inherit her family's powers, the poor wee thing."

From several tables away, a man slammed a tankard down upon a table and shouted for others to keep quiet. When Blain turned his head to see who was causing the commotion, it was Gawain. He was trying to quiet the crowd so thatAftoncould concentrate. Apparently, many of the people around her brother shared Bonny's opinion of Afton's abilities and felt she shouldn't try something as ambitious as relighting the huge fire.

Blain shrugged Bonny's hand off his shoulder and stood up. Intending to showAftonsupport, he tried to make his way toward the table where Gawain and his family sat. Suddenly, the entire sky lit up. The fire before Afton not only burned, it's flames shot more than thirty feet into the air and glowed iridescent blue before falling back to a more controlled height and turning bright orange. The entire time,Aftonstood before the fire, summoning it to do her bidding. Controlling it as if it were a living entity. When the flames were where she wanted them, she lowered her hands and turned to face the crowd. Every single man, woman and child present, includingAfton's family, had gone completely silent. Blain looked around and saw people back away, staring at her. What had she done? If this was an example of not having powers, Blain didn't want to know what someone like Shayla or Hugh could do with the flames.

"I knew she had it in her," Shayla murmured, suddenly appearing beside him.

Blain turned to look at the Sorceress. "What's happening?"

She shrugged. "Aftonis just coming into her powers a little late. But then, so did I."

Blain glanced around. People began to whisper. Many smiled and began to applaud.Aftonstood demurely in front of the fire. Before anyone had a chance to speak with her, she lowered her head and walked into the woods.

"Music. We need music to dance by, and good wine to drink," Shayla demanded.

Slowly, the revelry began again. Blain glanced atAfton's family. Her mother was sitting at a nearby table with her head in her hands. It appeared she was smiling and crying all at once. Her husband was grinning like an Amazonian python. Her brothers laughed and toasted while men approached the entire family.

Blain guessed that they might be suitors. In the very short time he'd been in their midst, power seemed to mean a great deal to these people, andAftonhad just proved she had it. Glancing around, he saw Morynn and Bonny pointing at the fire, apparently discussing what they'd witnessed.

"Now shut up, the lot of you! Don't ever say anything insulting about my sister again, or you'll answer to me," Gawain shouted. "Bring me some damned ale!"

"Shayla, where didAftongo?" Blain asked, when he found the Sorceress in the crowd.

"She might need to rest. It took a lot of energy to do what she did. There aren't ten in the entire Order who could have done it. She's finally a warrior." She beamed at the pronouncement.