Secrets of Sealgaire, Chapter 11 part A
Welcome to Chapter 11 of the Secrets of Sealgaire. Since I don't know when to stop, there will be twelve chapters instead of eleven, because I didn't want a five part chapter! Lol!
There was much commotion at the Goodie house that afternoon. The boys were coming home, plus, there was to be a farewell dinner for the clan that was returning to Ireland the next day. But there was one more occasion that needed to be marked; Giselle’s birthday. She was becoming a teen, which meant she would be an official Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen. They wanted to show Giselle that they didn’t forget her milestone amidst all the chaos they’d just gone through.
Niall and Heather promised to pick up a cake from a local bakery despite Faith’s protests that she was perfectly able to bake her own daughter’s cake.
“You’ve run yourself ragged between this house and the hospital! You just take care of the boys, and we’ll take care of the rest. We have to run some errands anyway.” Heather argued. The best she could get from Faith was a compromise. She’d allow a store-bought cake, but she was making dinner, no ifs, ands, or buts!
As Niall and Heather sat in the living room planning their errands and discussing Giselle’s gift, they noticed two conspicuous absences from all the hustle and bustle around them.
“Have you seen Balin since we got back?” Heather asked as they stood to leave.
“Not since he was mauling Shioban out front.” Niall replied, earning a shove from Heather.
“Do you think they finally gave into their feelings and are doing something about it?”
Naill wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her forehead.
“No, lass. It’s sweet to think so, but I know Balin too well for that. Being destined to watch a wife and family grow old and die while he looks the same as ever is not something he would ever go through, or put them through. It’s why he chases the skirts, you know. No commitment.”
“We have to be able to do something. He’s given up so much for us. If I’ve got any kind of magical ability to help him, I want to do that, but I know nothing of how to use it.”
“Since it was Gypsy magic that made him, I was planning to talk to the Gypsies back home, but maybe we don’t have to wait that long.” Niall took out his cell phone and called Cyd.
After Cyd made some calls, he was able to put Niall in touch with a Gypsy Queen who was willing to speak with them. Niall and Heather wasted no time, and went to meet the woman right away.
Upon entering the room, the Gypsy took a step back, eyeing Heather suspiciously. Then, in a blink, she seemed to make up her mind that Heather was alright. She nodded to herself and continued to her seat.
“Is everything alright?” Heather asked nervously. She didn’t miss the Gypsy’s reaction and quick recovery.
“Fine, Deary. I was surprised to find such strong magic in one such as yourself, but I know you’ll only do good things. Now, this problem you have…”
Cyd had given them the basics over the phone, but Niall filled in the details of the story of Balin’s immortality. When he was finished, they Gypsy nodded.
“It’s as I thought. There is no cure for immortality. The Gods, in their mercy, has provided two ways to end the life of an immortal. Sometimes, living so long causes the person to lose their minds and become a danger to themselves or others. One way is to behead them. The other, suicide. The immortal can die by normal means of death, if they do so by their own hand.
Heather and Niall looked at each other with horror in their eyes.
“But we don’t want him to die; we want him to have love.” Heather protested.
Niall added, "What you've told us is important, and we will pass that along, but we were hoping there was something we could do that would bring him some happiness; some companionship."
“I was told as much. If he is unwilling to watch her age and die, there is but one way. She must become immortal as well.”
The Gypsy produced a pendant from a carved wooden box that she already had out on the table, anticipating their choice. She showed it to Niall, before wrapping it up in brown paper and tying it with twine. “It will only work if her heart is pure, and if they are meant to be together for the ages. Hold onto it for awhile. If you feel this woman is the right one, then you can present it to her, with the choice. It will work the same as his. Once she takes it and puts it on, she won’t have to continue to wear it. The contract will be sealed the first time she willingly places it around her neck.”
With their thanks, Niall and Heather headed next for the local shopping mall.
“What should we do with the pendant?” Heather asked as they drove.
“I’m hoping that time will answer that for us.” Niall answered.
Heather and Niall strolled the mall, hand in hand, stopping to examine the wares in the store window displays.
“This is nice.” Heather commented with a contented sigh. “It feels…regular.”
“Regular? So you’re bored with me already, lass?”
“No! Not at all! It’s just that I spent so long living in the crazy world Bruno built for me, doing something as normal as holding hands at the mall is something I thought I might never get to do. Sounds weird, huh?”
“Not at all. But I think I give you better than just ‘normal.’ I think I can do much, much better.” Niall nodded towards the window they’d stopped in front of. It was decorated with some very lacy lingerie, and various accessories that went with it.
“I see. So My Royal Highness thinks he’s found a new hobby, has he? I’m just finding out all sorts of things about you. Well, let’s make this interesting. Let’s buy each other two things; one that we get to ask one question about and one that has to be a complete surprise. Are you in?” Heather asked with a mischievous grin.
“Oh, I’m in, alright.” Niall answered with a grin of his own. “I bet I know more about you than you know about me.”
“A bet it is! And what is the wager, may I ask?” Heather was thoroughly enjoying the game.
“One wish. The loser, you, has to grant the winner, which will be me, one wish.” Niall held himself with complete confidence.
“One wish it is. And when will you grant me my wish?” Heather tossed back.
“You will grant me my wish back at the castle. So we have a deal, then?”
“A deal. I’m going to enjoy this. A lot.” Heather giggled as they shook on it.
And the two of them entered the store, splitting off into different directions.
“Heather?” Niall asked from the next aisle over.
“Yes?” she answered.
“I’m using my one question. What’s your favorite color, Love?”
“On me, or on you?”
“I withdraw my question to use at a later time.” Niall called back. He looked at the red lace undergarments he had in his hands and wondered, ‘Should I be buying something for myself to wear? Is that what she’s doing?’ He wandered over to the men’s section and was not happy about the offerings there. ‘Oh please tell me she’s not buying me any of these!’ He wandered back to another aisle, no longer confident at all.
“Niall?”
“Yes?” he called back.
“I’m using my one question now. Which do you prefer, cherry or chocolate?”
A lopsided grin spread across Niall’s face as he imagined what she might be buying. He fought the urge to climb over the top of the aisle, grab her and whatever delightful thing she’d chosen, and break speed records back to the Goodie house.
“Niall? Chocolate or cherry?”
“Sorry, Love. Cherry. Definitely cherry.”
Heather was startled by how near his voice was. “Hey! No peeking!” she shouted as she looked around, trying to spot him. Not finding him, she bolted a few aisles over, and found herself face to face with a display that gave her the second item - no thought required. She snatched it up, and bolted to the cash register to pay for her items with the credit card Niall had given her. Once her purchases were bagged, she called to him, “Niall? I’m finished. I’ll be waiting outside the door.”
Heather stood outside the shop, her back to the window so Niall couldn’t accuse her of peeking. She laughed to herself at how long it was taking him. She knew the instant she saw the item now tucked safely away in her bag that it was simply perfect for him, and the flavored lotion was a no-brainer. She pictured him opening his gifts and got a delicious shiver down her spine. She hoped this would be the quickest dinner in history, because she couldn’t wait until tonight.
Niall was completely thrown. ‘How could she possibly be finished so fast? Maybe she does know me better than I know her. No. Not possible. I can do this. Think, Niall.’
Niall thought back on what he knew about her. ‘The beach. She loves the beach.’ Quickly, he scanned the store and found absolutely nothing she could wear to the beach. ‘Well, not a public beach, but we do have a private one at the castle.’
Realizing he was really reaching there, he tried another approach.
He looked back down at the lacy things in his hands. ‘She loves the red sweater that Faith gave her. I’m going with red.’ His confidence returned once he’d made a decision, and he began to roam the store for his second item. He liked the sound of the flavored item, and he wondered if he should pick one up, too. ‘Intriguing, but I don’t want to seem like I had to copy from her because I couldn’t come up with something on my own.’
His wandering brought him in front of a display that made a light bulb go off in his head.
Knowing he found the perfect thing, he paid for his purchases and tried to push the thought of Heather wearing them both from his mind before it became a problem. Whistling an Irish jig, he confidently strolled out of the store, offered Heather his arm, and smiled a smile that curled her toes.
“You can just wipe that smug grin off your face, Niall Sealgaire. You can’t have possibly beat me.” Heather said, matching his grin with one of her own.
“We’ll see tonight, won’t we now? You might keep in mind that I didn’t need to use my question.” was his answer.
Niall decided that, even though he’d promised her “better than regular”, that maybe a bit of “regular” was important for Heather, too. They continued through the mall, grinning like fools, randomly giggling, and holding hands like high school sweethearts. Neither even tried to sneak a peek at the other’s bag, each feeling that they were assured victory.
Enjoying one of the few times they’d been alone, they had lunch at the food court, talking about everything under the sun. Heather had endless questions about Niall’s family in Ireland, and he answered them all. Once they were done, they picked out a lovely set of pearl earrings and matching necklace for Giselle. They tossed a coin into the mall fountain, making a wish for Balin and Shioban. They even took some fun pictures in the arcade’s photo booth.
After they’d explored the mall front to back, they headed for a bakery before arriving back at the Goodies.
They raced to their bedroom, each stashing their bags from the mall out of sight until they’d be opened up that night.
As they got ready for dinner, the King and Queen had a very hard time keeping their hands off each other, so they stopped trying. As they found themselves in a tangle of clothing, half on and half off, Heather finally broke away, laughing and fixing her clothes.
“Knock it off, Romeo. We have to put in an appearance. We have a royal responsibility.” She reminded him.
“What good is being King if I can’t be late to dinner when I choose? Besides, I know you’re dying to see what’s in my bag. I already know what my wish will be; why wait?” Niall coaxed.
“Because we have a houseful of people out there waiting for us! Most with werewolf hearing, I might remind you. Besides, waiting will make it that much more exciting when I win the bet tonight.”
“Tonight, you won’t be that lucky.” Niall chuckled, putting on a shirt.
Tonight, I’ll show you lucky.” Heather responded, earning her a sexy growl from Niall.
When they were finally dressed, Niall gripped her shoulders and held her away from him so he could drink her in.
“A vision. What did I ever do to deserve you?” Niall asked, pulling her in for a kiss.
“Maybe you haven’t done it yet. Maybe you will - tonight.” Heather replied when her lips were free. She put them back to work immediately, kissing her way down his neck.
“If you keep this up, we’ll never get out the door.” Niall whispered. “Mercy, woman!”
“I just wanted to give you something to think about during dinner.” Heather smiled.
“Oh, I’ll be thinking, lass. I’ll be thinking.” Niall replied. “But fair is fair. Here’s something for you to think on as well.” His lips found places that made her shiver.
When he was finished with her, Heather wasn’t sure she could think at all, but she never once asked for mercy.
They emerged from the bedroom, fixing their hair and clothes, while the werewolves gathered in the living room busied themselves and tried not to laugh.
By the time the dinner was ready to begin, Balin and Shioban were still nowhere to be found. Faith was willing to wait, but Niall urged her to go ahead. The group enjoyed a marvelous dinner. Everyone ate until they were ready to burst, and then the Goodies brought out the cake for Giselle.
Giselle seemed to age right before their eyes, growing from the girl they knew to a beautiful young lady. Her grace reminded them all of why the evil in the world must always be banished.
The Goodies had her gift waiting back at the castle; a hand-carved wooden hope chest that her father and brothers had all worked on, with a velvet lining and top cushion made by her mother. Faith had pictures e-mailed from the castle when it started to look like they might not make it home in time for the birthday.
Heather and Niall gave their gift next. Giselle was thrilled to see such a grown-up earrings and necklace, and couldn’t believe they were really hers. She couldn’t wait to put them on, and Heather helped her do so.
“How do I look?” she asked, modeling them for the crowd.
“You look like a beautiful young woman, and I think we’ll have to start roaming the castle with weapons drawn to keep the boys away!” Heather laughed, and hugged her close. Niall kissed Giselle on the cheek and said, “Who needs weapons?”
Continued in Ch.11 part B...