Unknown Magic Read online

  She met all of Seamus’s family, a few she already knew, but many she didn’t. The one person Megan really enjoyed talking to was Seamus’s older sister, Bridget. Tall and slender like her mother, she had her father’s sandy hair and green eyes. Bridget was more than willing to tell all sorts of embarrassing stories about Seamus from when he was growing up. Funny, Megan had pegged Seamus to be more straight-laced, but after Bridget’s stories, she found him to be much more mischievous and fun loving. Megan hoped that once they eliminated the threat from Golden Enterprises he would be able to relax and have fun again.

  Her father seemed overjoyed to be talking to the people he had not seen in so many years. It looked as though they were welcoming him with open arms. It gave Megan a lighthearted feeling to see her father so cheerful.

  A hush fell over the crowd. When Megan looked up, she saw a stately woman and two men standing in purple cloaks, with the royal crest on them and an entourage of soldiers flanking them.

  The elder of the two men, whom she assumed was the king himself, looked as though he was in his seventies, yet he stood tall and majestic, a good six-foot three. His hair was long, full, and white. His face, withered with age was decorated with many laugh lines, yet she could see some sadness in his eyes, eyes that were the deepest blue she had ever seen.

  The younger man she assumed was his son, the prince. He looked very much like his father, but had blond hair and a more muscular build. His cobalt blue eyes seemed to take in every detail as he gazed out through the crowd.

  Next to him stood the queen, Megan guessed. She stood almost a foot shorter than the two men; her hair was blond with streaks of gray. Her eyes, a violet blue, were riveting, but it was her face that caught Megan’s attention. The woman was filled with despair. Megan could read it as though it were written in words on the woman’s face.

  Megan leaned into Seamus and whispered, “Why are the King, Queen, and Prince here?

  “They always attend all Royal Deasghnáth, my father and your grandfather are high lords. The King must sanction all unions, though he could have done so by proxy being this is such a dangerous time. I am surprised he would put his family at such risk, especially the prince, since he has yet to come into power.”

  “How old is he? He looks about twenty.”

  “Actually he will be turning thirty in a few months. The King is quite protective of him since the murder of Conall twenty-six years ago.”

  “That was his oldest son, the one that mated against The Fates and had a miserable time of it.”

  “Aye, he was the king’s only other child. Dono, Paddy, Colin, and I used to be very close with Conall years back. Even your father used to be friends with him. He drifted away once he mated to Mallaidh. She did not want him around any of us. She was very jealous and controlling. Then four years after their mating, Conall was murdered. Since then, the King and Queen never let Devlyn out of their sight, due to the fact they never found Conall’s killers.

  Megan looked up again to see both Roarke and her grandfather approach the king. They bowed and spoke to the king in hushed voices. She could tell they were speaking Gaelic, as she understood the language now. The king nodded and then he spoke to the crowd.

  “I know you are all worried that we are here, but I have stationed guards around the perimeter so we shall not be disturbed. This is a great celebration and I would not miss it. Roarke O’Kelly’s first born son, to Liam O’Shea’s first grandchild. Seamus was a good friend to my son Conall along with Donovan and Patrick, Colin and James.” The King acknowledged each man as he said their name. “It would have taken an act of the Goddess herself for me to miss this. It is an honor to be able to preside over such a joyous occasion.”

  A chorus of cheers rang out.

  Seamus grabbed Megan’s hand and led her up to meet the royal family. She was apprehensive, having never been in the company of anyone so important and was not sure how to act. She was petrified she might make some horrific mistake and embarrass Seamus and their families.

  Megan felt as though she was going to pass out from sheer fright. Much to her surprise the King reached down and drew her into a hug. “A chailín mo chroí, {my darling girl} I know you have not been around your people due to the tragedies that occurred when you were just a wee thing. ‘Tis a shame you missed out on so much, but your father is a good man and he was trying to keep you safe.”

  This man seemed to pulse with power. His energy wrapped around her like a glove. She almost felt as if she was a young child, held by a grandparent’s loving arms. Lost in the feeling, she almost did not hear what the King was saying.

  “From now on you will be able to be in both worlds and enjoy using your new-found powers. I have heard you have quite an abundance of power already. I am looking forward to you visiting me once you come into power.”

  Shocked, Megan stuttered, “Thank you…uh…sir, I also look forward to that.” It surprised her that he would even ask such a thing, but more so, that she actually was looking forward to spending some time with him.

  “Wonderful.” The King froze for a moment, staring at her. He shook his head and continued. “Well now, call me Ruairi as this is your night and I am just a guest, even if I have to do my royal duty.”

  Megan’s eyes grew large, making the King bark with laughter. He looked at Seamus. “I can see you have not told her that I do not like this entire formal pretense.”

  “Aye, you never have. I was not expecting you to attend, since this situation has become so volatile. I would not want your family in danger. Are you quite certain that it is safe for you to be here, especially for Prince Devlyn?”

  “You know me better than that, Seamus. I would never put Devlyn in a situation that could be hazardous. Quinlon informed me of the situation and I have taken all precautions. We are well guarded and I will also be leaving a group of my soldiers once we depart, to make sure you are not disturbed during the completion of the Deasghnáth.”

  Ruairi then turned and introduced Megan to the Queen and Prince. Much to Megan’s delight, they were also very informal in their attitudes, which put her in a more relaxed state.

  Then the King spoke again, “Now let me do my kingly duty so that we may carry on with this wonderful celebration.”

  Ruairi held up his hand and again there was silence. Megan and Seamus turned to each other and placed their left hands together.

  Then Ruairi, placing a hand on each of their heads and said, “Is mor an onoir dom a bheith I gceannas AR an ocaid athasach seo.” {“It is my most honored duty to preside over this most joyous occasion.”} “I therefore give my consent that this couple, Seamus O’Kelly son of Roarke O’Kelly and Fiona O’Kelly nee MacKenna to Megan Tully daughter of James Tully and Bernadette Tully nee O’Shea, granddaughter of Liam O’Shea and Nuala O’Shea nee Flanagan. May the Goddess Danú look down upon this union with fondness and bless this couple with abundance in all ways. May you both live a long and happy life.”

  The next thing Megan knew a ring, with Celtic Knots, adorned her ring finger. Seamus possessed a matching one on his. Then the King kissed each of them on their cheeks, and whispered, “Many blessings to you both.”

  Once the King was finished, he bellowed out, “Let the celebration begin.”

  Tables appeared covered in elegant linen, crystal goblets, china, and gold cutlery. Megan could hardly believe the amount of food served. Of course, after living with much of this group she should be used to it. The royal family sat at the head table along with her, Seamus, Roark, Fiona, Jim, Liam, and Nuala. Conversation was abundant, so much so, Megan could not keep up.

  Once they finished eating, the tables disappeared and the dancing started. Megan was swept from one person to another. Her first dance was with Seamus. Then she danced with the King, the Prince, her father, her grandfather, then Roarke, followed by her uncles, and then she just lost track. By the time Seamus came back to her, she was ready to fall over with exhaustion.

  It was then that Seamus anno
unced they were leaving and thanked everyone for participating in the festivals. He proceeded to pick her up and carry her toward the cave.

  Megan said, “Seamus, I think I can walk.”

  “Megan, a ghrá, you must allow me to carry you as it is part of the ceremony.”

  With that, cheers and cackles went up. Megan buried her head in Seamus’s chest. “This is so embarrassing,” she whispered. “Everyone knows exactly what we are going to be doing. I’m not sure I can go through with this, knowing everyone out there will be listening.”

  “Love, do not worry so. Aye, everyone knows, but no one will be able to hear or see us. Even in a non-Tuatha marriage, everyone knows what the bride and groom will be doing.”

  “Yeah, but it’s just so…I don’t know, out there, with this ceremony.”

  Seamus could not help but laugh. He finished carrying her into their room and set her on her feet.

  Megan looked around the room in astonishment at the transformation. There were candles everywhere, a huge draped canopy bed and soft music playing from God knew where. There were beautiful tapestries hanging on every wall. Instead of looking like a cave, it looked more like a castle. Champagne and glasses sat on a table along with fruit and other treats. “Seamus, this is beautiful. Who did this?” Megan stammered.

  “I thought you would enjoy having our first night together as mates in this type of setting rather than just a plain cave the way it was earlier.”

  “It is magnificent. Thank you.” She reached up and kissed him. Seamus pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss. Megan melted into him, bringing her arms up around his neck. They were both breathing heavily when Seamus broke the kiss.

  “I am not sure I can wait and do this the way I had planned. I wanted to take my time and cherish this moment, but Goddess you set me on fire.” With that, he brought his head back down and proceeded to claim her lips once again, all the time moving her closer to the bed. He picked her up and gently laid her on it, following her down and not once breaking the kiss. His hand came up between them finding her breast and caressed it. He made her clothes disappear.

  He kissed his way down her neck and chest until his mouth closed over her pebbled nipple. From there he proceeded to the other breast, giving it equal time while his hand made its way down her body. When he pushed two fingers into her and used his thumb on her clit, she came apart. He continued his assault by following his hand once again with his mouth. When she climaxed for the second time, he lifted his head and gazed up her body.

  “Goddess, you are magnificent.”

  Megan was having trouble catching her breath when Seamus finally gave her a moment. As he gazed up at her, she realized he was still fully dressed. “I think you have way too many clothes on, while I lay here, with only the glow of my aftershocks to clothe me.”

  “Ah, but such a beautiful glow it is.”

  For the first time, Megan saw the mischievous glint in his eyes that his sister had mentioned earlier that night. She watched him as he once again plunged two fingers into her and his head went down and he suckled her clit. She came again with a scream. As her body shook with the aftershocks, she watched as his clothes disappeared and he climbed his way up her. Kissing her stomach then each breast, he worked his way up to claim her mouth. He eased his way into her body and stretched her to accommodate him. Once he was there, he retreated and plunged in once more, pushing himself up so that they only touched where their bodies joined.

  He then used his knees to spread her legs out farther as he retreated again, and then plunged in once more, and said, “Look at me.”

  Megan looked up into his eyes, which had turned to forest green with yellowish flecks. He looked back at her with such heat she felt scorched.

  “Repeat the words after me, a ghrá.

  She nodded and as he said it, he thrust into her. “Tugaim duit mo ghrá, mar a thugann tu domsa do ghrá.”

  As she repeated it, he pulled back out, “I give you my love, as you give me yours.”

  Again, he thrust into her and said, “Tugaim duit mo chorp, mar a thugann tu domsa do chorp.”

  As he pulled back, again she repeated, “I give you my body, as you give me yours.”

  Thrusting into her once more, he said, “Tugaim duit mo chroí, mar a thugann tu domsa do chroí.”

  Megan repeated his words. “I give you my heart, as you give me yours.”

  His breathing became uneven as he increased his speed. “Tugaim duit mo anam, mar a thugann tu domsa do anam.”

  She repeated his words, rising to meet his every thrust. “I give you my soul, as you give me yours.”

  “Tugaim duit mo bheatha, mar a thugann tu domsa do bheatha.”

  “I give you my life, as you give me yours.”

  As he said each phrase, he increased his speed more, so that he pistoned into her two or three times with each phrase. “Tugaim duit mo chumhacht, mar a thugann tu domsa do chumhacht.”

  “I give you my power, as you give me yours,” she repeated back to him.

  “Ceanglaím tu liomsa, mar a cheanglaím mé fhéin leatsa.”

  “I bind you to me, as I bind myself to you.”

  Almost breathless as he said, “Gach aon rud ata agamsa, is leatsa é, anois agus go síoraí.”

  By the time she said the last phrase, she was panting so hard she could barely get it out. “All that is mine is yours for now through eternity.”

  She screamed as her climax blasted into a thousand pieces and took her from the cave to the sky. She clung to Seamus as her anchor, and they fell back to earth.

  When Megan finally came to herself, still breathing heavily, she could actually see energy zinging around the room. The room itself looked like a tornado had gone through it. The bottle of champagne and glasses were in pieces. The tapestries were off the walls and one of the chairs was trashed. “My God, what happened?”

  Seamus was still staring around the room himself in astonishment when he heard his father in his head.

  “Colin, what in Goddess’s name was that?”

  “I have no clue, but I am going into check on Seamus and Megan.”

  Upon hearing that, Seamus tried to answer his brother, “You come in here little brother and you are a dead man.”

  “Seamus?”

  “Aye, and stay where you are, we will be out in a few minutes.”

  Seamus then turned to Megan and tried to speak to her telepathically. “Megan love, can you hear me?”

  Megan gasped and stared at him.

  “Ah.”

  She was still staring at him with eyes that looked like dinner plates.

  “Megan?”

  Stuttering, she asked, “Did...did you just talk to me in my head?”

  “Aye, that I did.”

  “But, but how?”

  “Now that is a question I cannot answer. I think it might be best if we went back outside for a few moments and talked to the others. It seems that they felt the power we sent off as well.”

  Megan was still scanning the room and clinging to Seamus as if she were afraid to let him go. “I don’t want to. Look at the mess we created in here. I hope to God we didn’t do the same outside.”

  “I am not entirely sure what just happened, but I can guarantee they felt something outside as well and somehow we have gained our telepathic ability back.”

  “So this doesn’t happen at every ritual.”

  Seamus laughed, “No, a ghrá, I can safely say in all the years I have attended different Deasghnátha never have I seen nor heard of such a thing happening before.”

  Seamus eased Megan away from him and climbed out of the bed. As he stood, he proceeded to produce clothes and tidied up the room at the same time. “Come on, a ghrá, we better get out there before they all come barging in here.”

  Seamus did not have to say anything else as Megan jumped out of the bed. Much to Seamus’s astonishment as she did, she produced her own clothes.

  “Well now, it seems you have acquired a fe
w new talents.”

  She gave him a quizzical look, then realizing what he was talking about. She grinned, “I guess I did, didn’t I?”

  He looked at her with pride in his eyes. “You never cease to amaze me, a ghrá.”

  They turned and walked out into the night. Everyone was waiting for them, looking a bit shell-shocked. Colin was the first to speak. “Goddess in heaven what happened in there? The energy level on this mountain went up so high it almost knocked us all flat.”

  Seamus answered Colin’s question. “It seems our coming together has created quite a phenomenon. I am not sure what happened myself, but I would have to say the energy we created ramped up and spread out. Better yet, I have now regained the ability to speak telepathically once again and so has Megan.”

  As he said that, he turned to Megan and said, “Try to speak with Colin telepathically.”

  She did but when Colin answered her Patrick’s mouth dropped open. “What the…”

  Sean’s gasp pulled Seamus’s attention to him. The effect rippled through the rest of Megan’s family and then his own. What had happened? Seamus knew it was normal for a mate to be able to speak telepathically with the other’s immediate family, but now everyone in his family was able to communicate with each person in Megan’s family.

  What shocked Seamus the most was that the King could hear them all as well.

  Ruairi asked, “How is this possible?”

  Seamus spoke up. “Ruairi, none of us have a clue to what just happened. Somehow, during our union, our powers seemed to ramp up to an unfathomable proportion and spill out. It not only completely cured Megan’s and my inability to speak telepathically, but also the rest of us who had been affected by the drugs. Top that with we can now all speak to each other, which as you know, is impossible. Why it occurred is another matter entirely. One I have no explanation for.”