“All I could see of that future was that Ronan appeared relieved—and then a mite confused. But rest easy, Rachel. Those golden walls will not imprison him. My vision told me that the Goddess Clíodhna forbade it. Ye ken how much she loves him.” Emrys sagged down onto his cot, struggling to keep his eyes shielded from the thing within the leather pouch.
“I hate this. You know how volatile she can be.The sea goddess is like a spoiled child when she doesn’t get her way.” Rachel sank into a nearby chair, the long night taking its toll on her energy as well.
“Aye, but Brid favors yerself and yer children. Clíodhna willna challenge the Mother Goddess, and as I said, ye ken how much she loves Ronan.” Emrys curled onto his side and rested his staff across his body for protection.
Rachel shook her head. “It is her love for Ronan that worries me.”
Ronan enteredhis mother’s private solar and found her staring out the window that overlooked the sea. The waves crashed against the base of the cliff that made the MacKay fortress even more impenetrable. They called out to him—teasing him to forget his worries and return to where he belonged. The untamable, ever-changing waters would always possess him.Mother still struggled with his destiny to be forever entwined with the sea, and she had never been easy with the Sea Goddess Clíodhna possessing such a fascination with him.
She turned from the window; her usual composure replaced by a worried scowl.
Father stepped forward, a fierce protectiveness in the set of his jaw. He kept one hand on the haft of his sword and the other on the small of Mother’s back. He was ready to defend her even though he had never possessed or fully understood the powers she and their children commanded.
Faolan, the firstborn of their powerful trio, shifted in place, eyeing the room with a leeriness and readiness to spring into action. His blonde hair was already shot with strands of silver, reflecting his cautious and protective nature towards his family and the clan he would someday lead.
Latharn, the youngest, his hair as reddish blonde as the sly fox for which he was named, appeared to be the only one at ease with the meeting.Known for his craftiness and quick wit, he had yet to encounter a situation he was unable to manage—which lent to a bit of arrogance on his part. Ronan feared that someday, his little brother would meet his match and regret being so overly self-assured.
And then there was baby sister, Aveline.Ronan noted her nervous fidgeting and the uncertainty in her pale green eyes. She kept darting furtive glances around the room as if expecting—what? He stifled a groan and refrained from shaking his head. That lass was up to something. He could smell it. He only hoped it was nothing they would all end up paying for.
“Ronan.” His mother moved toward him with the leather pouch held aloft. “After talking with Emrys and scouring every written source I could find, I think we can help this captured soul.” Her dark brows drew together, and she appeared almost tearful. “But we must go with care for if this goes wrong?—”
“I understand.” He pulled in a deep breath and held out his hand. “Give me the locket, Mother. I need to be the one to do this.” He would endanger none of the others. Not when thisthinghad plagued him for weeks before finally coming to rest at his door.
She removed the necklace from the pouch and placed it in his hand.“I am glad you feel that way because it appearsyou are the one who must release whatever is imprisoned. Emrys has seen it, and I also scried the mists for what we are about to do. You hold the fate of the soul within this golden prison.”
He stared down at the locket, mesmerized by the gentle pulsing flicker of light the large, iridescent moonstone emitted. The heartsong beat steady and strong, stirring a protectiveness in his chest, a caring for the tortured soul that had somehow found itself caught in the sea goddess’s unholy game.
“How do I break the curse?” he whispered without taking his gaze from the necklace.
“We must surround you with an elemental circle. It will protect you—and us—from being pulled into the sea goddess’s prison to replace the soul already there.”Mother motioned to his brothers and sister to join hands and gather around him. When his father stepped forward, she shook her head. “No, Caelan, my love. I am sorry.To include you in this circle would endanger you, and I refuse to risk it.” Love shone in her eyes as she tipped a nod toward the window. “Stand over there. Please, my love. You should be safe there.”
“What of yer safety?”Father growled with nostrils flared like an angry bull. “I will not have ye endangered, wife. That soul can stay imprisoned if it means risking yerself or one of our children.”
“We cannot leave that soul trapped, and I promise we will be as safe as possible.”Once again, she nodded for him to move over to the window.
Baring his teeth like a cornered animal and emitting a low growl, Father strode over to the window.He drew his sword and held it ready to strike.
Mother turned to Faolan and nodded to her right. “Take the northern point, my son. You will draw down the element of earth.”
With his mouth set in a grim line of resolution, Faolan nodded once and moved to where she directed.
“Latharn, take the southern point of our circle.You will be best to draw down the element of fire.”With her hands folded in front of her, she resettled her footing as Ronan’s youngest brother positioned himself as instructed.
“Aveline, take the east.Call forth the element of air.”Mother moved to the side of the circle opposite Ronan’s sister and opened her arms. “I will take west—the element of water.”
As everyone joined hands, the locket became alarmingly warm. Ronan turned it over in his hand, noting how the moonstone glowed brighter and the gold casing swelled and retracted with every beat of the heart trapped within. “And me, Mother?”
“Your place is in the center. Right where you stand at this moment. You will invokethe most important element of all.You will be spirit.”She lifted her hands and linked them with Faolan and Latharn. Aveline did the same.
“Hold the locket to your heart,” she told Ronan. “We will each speak in turn, and when the energy has risen, the words will come to you to release the soul. Speak from your heart and soul. Everything you need to help the imprisoned one lies within you.”She turned and gave his father a stern shake of her head as he inched closer to the circle. “Please, Caelan. No.”
“I dinna like this,” he growled.
“It must be this way,” she pleaded.
“Father—please.” Ronan hated he had brought such dangerous unrest to his family, but it was too late to turn back now. “We will protect Mother. I swear it.”
His father locked eyes with him. “And who will protect ye, son? And yer brothers? And yer wee sister?”
