Emily's House (The Akasha Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Ruaidrí’s statement. She bowed to the king in thanks. “I thank you, your Highness, for honoring my sacred vows. I am sure the Goddess is pleased with your offering to her, and your diplomacy has saved you from offense to the one God of the Christians as well.
    “But what should we do now, my king? The people expect the High King and Goddess to participate in the old rites and consecrate their marriage.”
    “We wait an appropriate amount of time. I will emerge from this bedchamber and look the part of the boastful stag. All will think that we have consummated our ‘vows,’” he replied. “You may remove your mask with me, High Priestess, if you’d like.”
    “No, my King, I must stay hidden, even with you.”
    “You are right, of course, of course. These are dangerous times, aren’t they?”
    “Yes, your Highness. Cathaír told you of my visions, yes?”
    “Cathaír told me. Please forgive me, your Highness, but I cannot believe what you have seen. Your vision must surely be clouded or perhaps it was merely a warning from the Goddess. My men are the most loyal this fair land has ever seen. The people are more united now than in many harvests. I am not concerned of a plot against me, gentle woman.”
    “This makes me even more concerned my King. I know that your men are loyal and our land united, for now. But this invasion that is coming to Tara is different from those that came before. The leader of this army – he is dark, my King. His quest is power and he will say anything – do anything – to achieve his ends. He is. . . without conscience my King. That makes him most dangerous.”
    “I am grateful for your fealty, High Priestess. And I will take your words to consideration. But this night, let us enjoy the feast and the fires of Samhein. Tonight let us enjoy the beauty of our fair land and her people. I take my leave of you, your Highness. May the Goddess shine her light on you all of your days,” he said as he bowed low and backed out of the drapes and into the night.
    Saorla, finally alone, removed her mask. The mask had made her hot and rivulets of sweat dripped from her temples. She knew that she should stay there, hidden from all, her identity secret, playing the part of Goddess. But the music was so enticing, the odor of roasted meat and smoke from the fires so delicious. She was practically salivating, her stomach growling with hunger. The low, thundering drums awakened in her desires that were animal – primeval. The night felt momentous and full of magical power. It was a Samhein with a full moon, surely an omen of good fortune. The Goddess couldn’t intend for her to sit alone and masked in a shrouded room rather than rejoicing the life force of the Goddess herself with the others.
    She tore off the white cloak and white tunic. Underneath she had on a natural linen tunic like the peasants wore. The long sleeves covered the torc. No one knew what she looked like. She could pass for a peasant.
    She would! She would go out and join the party and dance and feast and drink mead with the rest of them.
    Saorla snuck out the back way and into the dark. There was no one around to see her. Everyone else had ventured down the hill to join the feasts and merriment in the valley below. Besides, most of the revelers had a few mugs of mead in their bellies and were no longer paying attention to the ‘wedding bed’.
    Saorla stepped gingerly down the steep hill. It was difficult walking as she had only the light of the full moon to light the way. Saorla blended into the crowd easily, and as soon as she could, she grabbed a mug of mead and a leg of rabbit. She ate the meat quickly and savored its musky flavor. Saorla then drank down the mug of mead in one long draught. She had never had mead and was surprised by the slight tingling sensation it left in her lips. Her head began to feel swoony. Saorla decided that it was not an altogether unpleasant feeling.
    She wandered away from the feasting tables