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Secrets of Sealgaire, Chapter 7, Part C....
Niall had risen before Heather. As much as he wanted to wake up next to her, he knew she needed more time before they became intimate. Rather than test the reserve of either one, he thought it was best to keep the opportunities to a minimum. He would happily do nothing but hold her for the rest of her life if that was all she was ready for, and he made sure to tell her this last night so she didn’t awaken thinking he was expecting them to consummate their love once he returned to his own form.
He thought of her as he walked the perimeter, back in her warm bed, hopefully dreaming happy dreams. She gave him assurances last night that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, and that come morning, she wanted them to be together. But he knew firsthand of the cruelty Bruno could inflict. He was certain she was going to need some time to work through what happened to her, and Niall would give her all the time she needed.
He stopped to talk with the sentries who had been on duty all night and found all was well. For now, their location was secret and safe. He returned to the house to see if Heather had risen.
“I thought when I woke up this morning, and he was back to being a man, that we’d finally make love. When I turned over, he was gone! Do you think that maybe he doesn’t want me after what Bruno did to me?” Heather whispered frantically into the phone. She stood in her bedroom, clutching the business card that Dr. Julie Drake had left with her.
“Heather, you can’t think like that.” The doctor assured her. “You have serious physical, as well as psychological injuries from your time with Bruno. Your heart may be ready, but your body is not. You need time, and Niall knows that. He loves you enough to give you that time. Have you talked to Niall about this?”
“We talked a little last night, and he was very flirty.” Heather remembered his detailed description of what Niall the “man” could do for her and felt the same heat tingle through her. She shook it off and continued, “I told him that I’d be waiting for him to change back this morning, but when I woke up, he wasn’t here. He had all night to think about this. What if he decided that this isn’t something he wants?” Heather was driving herself crazy with doubts.
Just then, she heard a soft knock on her door, followed by Niall’s voice asking if she were awake yet. “Just a minute.” She said to the door, and to the doctor, she said a quick goodbye.
Before she disconnected, Dr. Julie broke in. “If you can, I’d like to see the both of you today. I can come to you, it’s no problem. Talk to Niall and call me back, but Heather;” she paused, making sure her wording wasn’t too stern, “Niall loves you. I saw that myself when I helped my husband treat him. Don’t let Bruno come between you, either by making tension that doesn’t exist, or by making you do something you’re not ready for.”
After wiping her eyes, Heather opened the door and stepped aside for Niall to come in.
Seeing how visibly upset she was, Niall pulled her to him without a word. His werewolf hearing had, even through the door, let him hear the end of the conversation she just had.
Kissing the top of her head, he held her at arm’s length and asked, “What is this now? I left a happy lass dreaming sweet dreams about a very handsome king. Where are these tears coming from?”
Heather found she couldn’t look up at him. “I thought…when I woke up and you were gone, I thought…”
“Whatever you thought, you were completely wrong.” Niall cut in. “Heather O’Roarke, if you doubt for one second that I don’t love and want you with all my heart, well then I’m doing a poor job, indeed.” Niall thought back to all the sexy things he whispered to her the night before. ‘I just wanted her to feel desirable; to know how much I want her. Did I make things worse instead of better?’
He put his hand beneath her chin and raised her gaze to meet his. “Sweet lass, I intend to do every one of those things I whispered to you last night, and many others as well, but not until the time is right. Be clear on this, love. Once you’re ready, there is nothing in this world or any other that will keep me away from you. You will take to keeping a broom in the bedroom, so that you can beat me away when you finally tire of me.”
That got a giggle out of Heather, just as he hoped it would. “Now we have plans today, my beautiful lass, and as much as I enjoy the jammies, you’re going to need to get dressed. I’ll go secure us some breakfast before it’s all gone. In case you haven’t heard, there’s wolves about.”
Niall winked at her and left the room, closing the door behind him. He went immediately to seek out Giselle and didn’t have to go far, since she was hovering near Heather’s door, waiting for her.
“My Dear Miss Goodie,” he began. “I was wondering if you might help me make a surprise for Queen Heather.”
Giselle crossed her arms and turned her nose up at Niall. “I was told we aren’t to call her that, because someone hasn’t done anything to give her that name.”
“Well now, lass. You’re quite right. Maybe you can help me do something to correct my mistake. But you have to keep it a secret from the queen. I bow humbly before you, asking forgiveness and help.” And Niall gave her his best courtly bow.
Giselle was thrilled to be privy to this event, and couldn’t wait to do everything that the king had asked her to. She ran off with a smile that matched Niall’s own.
Next, Niall asked Faith, who was cooking up a blue streak in the kitchen if she could pack a basket. Once he was given the basket and a blanket, he was met by Heather.
She took in the contents of his arms, and looking up with a smile asked, “A picnic? Really Niall? Is it safe?” As she added the last thought, her smile dimmed. She was sure it couldn’t really be allowed.
“Well, we could have a picnic right here on the floor if you’d feel safer. I was actually thinking of something a little more…outside.” Niall looked to Heather. Beside her trip to the Goodies, she had been locked away in that room for over a year, and he was eager to help her get back into the sun.
“Outside!” Heather said loudly.
Niall had them out the back door and the blanket spread out before she could change her mind.
As he watched Heather on the blanket, leaning back with her eyes closed and head tilted back to feel the sun on her face, he thought she’d never appeared more beautiful.
When Heather looked suggestively at the hot springs, Niall shook his head. “Not today, lass. It’s too cold out and I’ll not have you getting sick on me. There’ll be time enough for that later, I promise.” They stayed there for over an hour, talking, laughing, and enjoying the day before they had to step back into real life. Polina arrived, saying Cyd would be joining them shortly. Niall was glad to see the change their little outing had brought to Heather’s face, and disposition.
When they got back into the house, Giselle was waiting for Heather with a cup of hot tea and a shawl.
“I’ll take that tea, but I don’t think I’ll need the shawl. Thank you, Giselle.” Heather said to the girl blocking her way.
“There’s still a chill in the air; it’s not summer yet.” Giselle answered. “What kind of person would I be to let you catch cold?”
Rather than push the point, Heather took the shawl, letting Niall wrap it around her.
“I haven’t seen you much this morning, were you doing something fun?” Heather asked the girl as they walked to the living room.
“Just because you don’t see me doesn’t mean I’m not tending you.” Giselle answered with a very mysterious smile, which she directed at Niall. Niall winked at Giselle, who scurried away.
“What was that about?” Heather asked.
“Beats me.” Niall answered innocently.
They found Polina waiting in the living room. Heather greeted her new friend warmly, as Niall left them to check on some things.
“Look at you!” exclaimed Polina. “You’re positively glowing!”
“Niall made me a picnic. We’ve been outside this morning.” Heather answered with a smile.
“Well, either being outside, or being with Niall seems to agree with you!” Polina laughed.
“All of the above!” Heather answered, laughing herself. “Speaking of glowing, there’s something different about you, too. Anything you’d like to share? I understand you spent the morning at your teacher’s place.” Heather looked expectedly at Polina, who only shrugged.
“All pack business. He’ll be here soon, so you’ll get to meet him.” Polina said. “He’s really very nice, and he’s super smart - just wait until you see some of the things he can do! And he’s so brave to help us like this.” Polina realized she was rambling when Heather folded her arms and cocked her head at Polina, smiling like the devil. “OK. Stop with the look. There’s no time for love in my life right now. I have to keep my mind on business.”
Taking her arm, Heather shook her head and guided her to the couch. “My Dear Polina. There’s always time for love. Love is the reason we do everything we do! It’s why we get up in the morning! And if you don’t have love, you get up hoping this is the day you’ll find it. And it can be gone in an instant, so when you find it, you better not waste a second of it. Now, before he gets here, tell me everything!”
In the Goodie’s study, Niall was on the phone. “How soon can you get it here?...No good. It has to be tomorrow….Well yes, that was the plan, and it still is, but I need to do it this way…Listen, I’m the king, and I say….well of course I’m pulling that card!...I need to go. You know what to do.”
Finished with his phone call, he watched out the window as the Goodie brothers set to work in the side yard on his special project, Giselle supervising. With a smile, he made the next call.
“Dr. Drake, this is Niall Sealgaire. I have something I’d like to run by you.”
Before long, a knock on the door signaled the arrival of Cyd Roseland. Polina answered the door, as the pack members that weren’t currently on guard duty had been assembled in the living room. Once everyone was settled, there was an awkward silence, as no one knew where to begin.
“Polina, who’s your guest?” Niall asked.
“Oh! Oh, I’m so sorry!” Polina realized she’d been lost in her own thoughts and completely forgot they were standing in front of an impatient wolf pack. “Everyone, this is Cyd Roseland, the Infallibly Good Warlock. Cyd, may I present the Bella Donna Pack.”
As a group, the pack said, “Hello, Cyd!” causing everyone to laugh.
Niall and Normund looked at Polina strangely, wondering why she was suddenly so silent. Niall glanced over at Heather to see if she thought this was strange as well, and found Heather grinning at Polina. With a chuckle, Niall came to the center of the room and introduced himself.
“Niall Sealgaire. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with us today.” He said, putting his hand out.
Cyd recognized the name and panicked, not sure if he should shake hands, then bow, bow while shaking hands, or bow first. Niall laughed again, and taking Cyd’s forearm with one hand, brought it to his own outstretched hand to complete the handshake. Cyd settled on bowing his head as they shook.
It seemed Polina was suddenly out of commission, so Niall took over hosting duties. He was able to describe Bruno’s bookcase to Cyd, having been the only one present who ever really had a good look at it, and Cyd thought it might be something he could help with. Until the evening, Cyd helped the pack learn to recognize magical items, or things that had been enchanted. He went over some ways they could protect themselves, and promised to research the bookcase once he was back at his place.
When the lessons were finished for the day, Cyd packed up the few things he’d thought to bring with him, preparing to leave. Niall and Normund came to thank him, and ask if he’d like to stay for dinner. Cyd wanted nothing more in the world, and with a glance at Polina, who nodded, he accepted. ‘Please let them go furry while I’m here!’ he thought to himself.
Finally, they were alone while everyone broke into groups to discuss or practice what Cyd had taught them. Cyd touched Polina’s shoulder and said, “I noticed you barely said a word back there. I thought maybe you were just shy in front of the group, but you won’t even look at me. Have you changed your mind about me helping with this?”
Polina swallowed, looked back down at her hands, and finally answered. “I don’t really know how to explain it. I’ve spent all our time at school trying to keep you out of this.” She blanched at her choice of words, and tried again. “Tried to keep you safe from this. As much as I wished for your help, I never once considered dragging you into this mess and putting you in danger. Then, all of the sudden, here I am, spouting off about you to my pack, begging them to let me ask you.”
Now she was able to look him in the eye. “It’s not just your job at stake here. It’s your life, Cyd! If we can’t beat them and get that ring, they’ll kill you! And…and…”
Cyd reached out and put his hands on Polina’s shoulders, leaning in close to her. “Listen to me. Maybe you’ve noticed all the magical white sparkles that usually cling to me? I’m an Infallibly Good Warlock. That means I’ve taken an oath. I’ve sworn to uphold the side of Good. This is my job, Polina. This is what I do.” He pulled back so he could see her face, and continued.
“I may be a complete clod when I try to talk to you, but when it comes to magic, Polina, I’m the best this side has.” Cyd gave her a smirk, and watched her face change as all of this sunk in. “I hope I’ve removed all doubt for you, because I’m going to need my right hand witch to get through this.”
Polina looked at Cyd like she was seeing him for the first time. She thought back to all the times she watched him at school. So smooth, calm, and assured. So skilled. It was his confidence and goodness, his willingness to share his knowledge, that made her respect him so much in the first place. When he was teaching, he was a different man than the man she knew outside of school. She found herself captivated equally by both. Polina started to laugh.
“Not quite the reaction I was hoping for, here.” Cyd said, hurt that she thought he was incompetent.
“No, it’s the sparkles! I thought it was only me who saw you that way!” Polina couldn’t contain herself, and bent over with laughter.
At that, Cyd had to join her. Through his laughter, he said, “You know, the school pays me extra to wear the sparkles. It’s supposed to be prestigious to them to have an Infallibly Good Warlock on staff! How upset they’d be to find out they wasted their money!”
Before they knew it, it was time for dinner. Heather made sure to include their guest in every conversation, playing the perfect hostess. Niall took the opportunity to tell Cyd the story of Balin’s pendant. When he was finished, Polina gave Cyd Balin’s pendant and asked if he could check it over. He agreed at once, thrilled to have something so ancient and magical to study.
Everyone strived to make Cyd feel welcome, except for Raule, who wasn’t happy about this man knowing their secrets. After dinner, Polina walked Cyd to his car.
“I’m so sorry I acted so badly earlier. I really left you hanging in there. Thank goodness King Niall was good enough to step in. I promise I’ll do better tomorrow - that is, if you still want to come back tomorrow.” Polina apologized for the third time that night.
“Of course I’ll come back! And you have nothing to apologize for!” Cyd told her for the third time that night.
They were standing very close to each other, and silence fell between them.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Cyd said softly, stepping near, moving in for a kiss. Polina began to close her eyes.
Just then, they were doused in twin spotlights, and they pulled back in alarm.
The headlights of a car doused them in a blinding glare. Dr. Julie Drake pulled in behind Cyd’s car.
Cyd and Polina shook hands, said their good-byes, and promised to meet again tomorrow morning. Cyd banged his knee on his bumper as he turned to leave. He didn’t flinch, kept walking, and promptly whacked his elbow on his rearview mirror.
After he closed his car door, Polina saw him bang his forehead three times into his steering wheel, chanting something she couldn’t hear. She thought it might be ‘idiot… idiot… idiot’, but without werewolf hearing, she couldn’t be sure. She fought the urge to giggle when he looked up and found her still watching. Instead, she smiled and waved.
He pulled out, moving his car for Dr. Drake, who took his spot in the driveway.
Niall and Heather walked the doctor into the Goodie’s study, where they’d have some privacy.
“I just wanted to check back and make sure everything was alright with you, Heather.” Dr. Julie told her.
“Yes, much better.” Heather replied. “I’m so sorry I called in such a panic this morning. I’d like Niall to stay for this, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. This concerns him, too, and you won’t have to guess how he feels if he’s here to tell you.
And the three of them talked about the need to wait, and how they’d know when the time was right. Heather talked about her fear of Niall thinking she was “damaged goods”, and Niall talked about how he felt like a failure for not saving her from Bruno’s attacks. They were both surprised to find the other felt the way they did, and assured each other that nothing was further from the truth. The doctor advised them that, while they were in the unique position of having to be brave for others, they never had to be brave when they were alone together. By the end of the session, much healing was done. It was after 10 pm that night when Dr. Julie left them.
Niall had delayed transforming so he could spend some time with Heather as a man before she fell asleep. Being the King, he had a much easier time of this than the others, and was pleased to rediscover this skill along with others that had been lost to him during his time with Bruno.
The happy couple decided to watch some TV to unwind from the emotional stress of the session, and were just getting ready to turn in for the night, when a noise was heard at the Goodie’s front door.
Immediately, everyone who hadn’t already transformed did so, and assumed a fighting stance. Being as late as it was, no one else was expected, and if someone made it through the sentries, this might be the attack they were waiting for. Danger doesn’t always plow straight at you. Sometimes it comes quietly, in disguise.
Stay tuned for the action-filled chapter 8, coming soon!