St. Patrick's Day Entry # 1

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"Welcome to Ireland" by The Furyan Rose

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“WELCOME TO IRELAND!!” the travel brochure seemed to cheer. 

“This is it. I finally did it.” Cara whispered to herself.  

These seven little words were supposed to be encouraging, but her knotted stomach wasn’t in agreement.  Her mind was racing ahead of her senses at ludicrous speed and the sheer overload could cause her to implode on the spot.  Cara had saved for this adventure forever….or at least it had felt that way.  She needed this getaway; life at home could be summed up as stalemate, at best.  She worked a dead end job, had little social life, and had recently marked another failed relationship on the scoreboard of destiny.  She was supposed to be celebrating this escapade with her best friend, Amy, but fate had clued her in on a tough reality.  Amy had recently met” someone special”.  Kyle Timmons, Cara’s last bad decision, was now Amy’s white knight…or was that a cheating bastard wrapped in tin foil? 

The airport bustled along with travelers’ and staff members.  Cara finally found the conveyer for the luggage claim, grabbed her bags and headed towards the main doors.   As she stepped outside, the shock hit her.  She was alone, unsupervised, and on foreign soil.  She may as well have had TOURIST stamped on her forehead for the whole world to see.   Shaking the doubts that lingered on the edges of her mind, she hailed a cab and waited patiently, on the curbside.

An older model yellow cab pulled up and Cara’s mind flashed back to one of her favorite memories. The cab looked like the ones she had seen in the old movies that she and grandpa used to watch, when she visited as a young child.  The driver’s door opened and sweet looking elderly gentleman arose from within.  He shuffled gently to the trunk, opened the hatch and helped her place her luggage inside.  Cara climbed in the backseat and watched the driver settle comfortably back in his designated spot.  He met Cara’s gaze in the rearview mirror and requested her destination.  She frantically searched her coat pockets until she found the poor haphazardly folded pamphlet.  She leaned forward and handed off her treasure, giving him a weak and apologetic smile.

“Aahh, quite a lovely place you’ve chosen there, lass.” He seemed to sing with a deep and whimsical accent. “Well, it’s a good ways down the road, let us be on our way then, shall we?”

Cara’s retreat lay out amongst the vast countryside, on a rustic single lane dirt road.  Her heart fluttered as the country charm wrapped her in inviting arms.  All her worries and cares had been left at the airport security check point; this was what she had yearned for.  A place where the sky seemed never-ending and the hills rolled as if she drifted upon green seas.  She occasionally glanced in the rearview and observed her chauffeur.  He seemed as lost in thought as she was; she noticed a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and a content smirk on his face.  She quickly shook her head thinking she had been imagining things; she really needed to work on her trust issues. 

The stone bed-and-breakfast stood alone behind a small rock wall, it was surrounded by several out buildings and a garden, which displayed its heavy bounty on the east hill.   The very soul of Ireland seemed be a radiating pulse projecting from this cottage and it scattered into the infinite beyond.  An overwhelming feeling tugged at Cara, she released a small sigh she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.  She could have sworn thousands of energetic wisps surged across her skin; it was almost as though the essence of her being was rooting to this very place.

“They say there is still magic here.  It was hidden away when the zealots come and told us our pagan ways were blasphemous.  But that is the old lore” Cara’s head turned to see where the invading voice resided, it was the cabbie, he watched her intently as he spoke out loud. “My old gram’s raised us wee ones on those stories, rest her heart.”

“Do you believe there still is?” Cara questioned, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer.  The little girl that still slumbered in her begged to know, however, the adult in her wanted to shun away such nonsense. 

“Aye, I do.   There have been too many oddities around here for there not to be.”  The old man responded as he hooked his thumbs nonchalantly around his suspenders.  He slowly rocked back and forth for a few moments, as if entranced.  Cara assumed the he was quietly reflecting on his comment when he blurted out, “Well then, guess I’ll be on my merry way.  I won’t be earning any coin hanging here in the drive.”

“Wait! I still need to get my bags from the back!”  Cara lurched forward scrambling to the trunk.  At this moment, her entire life was packed in those suitcases and no way was she letting them out of her sight.  Upon her dramatic outburst, she tripped over her own feet and took a graceful swan dive into the dirt behind the car.  Winded and embarrassed, she contemplated crawling under the vehicle and asking a higher power to turn her invisible.  However, back in her stark reality, she knew she would have to own up to her two dimensional depth perception.  As she began to gingerly lift herself off the ground, two well weathered hands appeared offering assistance.  Her face reddened deeper the further to her feet she stood, the dust and grass clippings clung to her clothes like badges of shame.  The debris seemed to flutter and wave in the wind, like one would imagine, the village idiot proudly strutting in front of a war council with a broken stick, proclaiming to be a warrior.

“Are you alright, lass?”  His face reflected true concern for her well being, however, his eyes danced in amusement.  It wasn’t until that instance that Cara noticed the color of his eyes; they were the most exotic and unexplainable shade of green she’d ever seen.  Then, there was a soft ripple that swept across his face, unveiling another face beneath.  A younger version of him, a flawless mask trapped under the heavily creased one he wore now, perhaps?  Her brows furrowed trying to pinpoint exactly what her eyes were witnessing but her mind didn’t comprehend.

“Were you in fear I was going to make off with them?”  He retorted with raised eyebrows.  “Why would I have need of such small knickers?”  He laughed heartily at his own joke.  Cara wasn’t as amused by his very pointed statement and she felt the heat rise once more to her cheeks.  She silently weighed what had offended her tender sensibilities more. Was it that he had brought her underwear into a conversation or that her theatrics were award winning just not, per se, for the performance as much as it was her do-it-yourself stunt work?

Before she could say anything to sweep her uncomfortable silence under a proverbial rug, he planted her suitcases at her feet.  She watched him as he closed the trunk lid, padded the car lovingly, and continued around to the front seat, whistling to himself.  Her attention suddenly snapped to the personalized logo that spread across the back end, right above the chrome bumper.  “MY POT OF GOLD” it disclaimed with such self assurance.  How abstract it was, boldly written on the car, but oddly unique.  I guess if it were my earned income I would give the same white glove treatment, she told herself.

The loud commotion she’d caused in the driveway had brought the keepers of the inn on the front stone stoop.  Cara hoped that they hadn’t observed the entire situation.  They were a nice middle aged looking couple, you could tell that this plot of land was their life, and the love showed in everything, from the potted plants to the well kept out buildings.

“Hello dear, I’m Miriam and this is my husband Thomas. I see you made the trip safely. Dinner will be set on the table at 6:30 sharp. Hope you’re not one of those vegetarians because we’re having corned beef with cabbage.” Miriam glanced at her husband and continued, “Thomas, why don’t you show this young lady to her room so she can get settled in?”

 “This way misses.” Thomas chimed as he gathered Cara’s bags.  He escorted her up the staircase, turned left down the hall and stopped at the last door on the right.  “This is it, your room for the week. The door across the way is the washroom. There are fresh linens, towels and soaps. If there is anything else be sure to give Miriam or me a shout.” He glided over and organized the satchels across the full size bed.

“Thank you very much for your help”, she managed to get out before the door closed as he exited.  The room itself came across with a homey feel; there were delicate figurines, solid wood furnishings and tastefully colored décor.  The hard wood floor creaked subtlety as she moved around unpacking her necessities, when something outside the window moved and caught her attention. Cara continued to stare at the little shed for a handful of minutes but nothing else moved.  Shaking her head, she gathered a change of clothes, looked down the empty hall and dashed across to the bathroom.

 A hot shower helped to ease the tension that had set in her shoulders. As she stood beneath the cascade of water, her mind flickered back to everything that had occurred so far.  There had been the shadow outside the window, the driver’s unforgettable eyes, and the face that lingered beneath the other for barely a second.  So many indescribable incidents but somehow Cara was more curious than frightened. “Maybe it’s the magic”, she pondered, “or maybe I’m just bat shit crazy.”  The self allegation caused her to burst out in a fit of laughter.  Cara turned off the water, dried herself, and prepared to become presentable for dinner.

The kitchen’s hearty aroma met her at the top of the stairs.  It smelled heavenly; so much that her mouth began to salivate and her stomach gave a deafening growl.  How long had it been since she’d last ate?  Cara saw Miriam’s face peak around the corner and smile motherly at her.  “Oh there you are dear.  I was getting ready to call for you.  Take a seat at the head of the table.  What would you like to drink with your meal?”

“A glass of wine if you have any open would be perfect.” Cara replied in a hopeful tone.

“Oh yes, I believe we can accommodate that request.”  Miriam poured until the glass would hold no more, and then repeated the process until all the wine flutes matched.  Cara immensely enjoyed the drink and meal alike and definitely ate more than her fill. When she was finished, she politely excused herself, stacked her used dishes and made her way to the kitchen. “Never mind those; I’ll take care of them. Go enjoy yourself; this is after all your holiday.” Miriam fussed at her, though smiling.

“I think I’m going to walk around outside a bit and see if it will help settle this dinner. Tomorrow I’ll start my adventuring.” Cara stepped out in time to see the sun slowly setting in various hues of orange, pink and purple.  She stood in that spot until it disappeared behind the horizon and twilight lay across the valley.  A slight chill ran down her spine, causing the tiny hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end, when a sudden noise broke the peaceful silence. She jerked her head towards the sound only to realize she was staring at the same shed she’d spotted from her window.  A small blur whipped quickly around its corner, she ran after it but nothing showed for her trouble.  Cara scalded herself for obviously creating fictitious things for the second time today; perhaps it was time for her to call it a day. After all the wine she’d drunk and the fatigue her body was feeling from the plane trip, it was blatantly evident that her mind was amusing itself at her expense.

Cara awoke to a brightly lit morning with birds singing joyously in the trees.  She gave herself a well deserved stretch, hopped out of bed and dress comfortably for her first planned outing.  After Miriam’s wonderful breakfast spread of muffins and pastries, she returned to her room briefly enough to grab her sunglasses and a carrying tote.  It held her sun block, camera, water bottles, and snacks she’d swiped from the muffin basket. Her plan was simple enough, she was going to pick a direction and walk as far as her feet would carry her and take a bazillion pictures, or at least what her SD card would hold.

Her day sped by faster than she’d expected, but it had been wondrous and exciting.  She picked several delicate flowers and leaves to press in a book later, like her grandma had taught her. It had been their ritual on every family vacation as far back as she could remember. She was almost back to the inn when the sky opened with a torrential downpour.  Cara ran with as much speed as she could muster, using the house as a finish line goal. Thoroughly soaked, she made a split second decision to go to the back door instead of the front. However, Cara hadn’t taken into account how slick the grass would be, so she slipped and fell, landing promptly on her ass, in front of the shed.

“Are you kidding me?!” she spat out loud. It seemed like the universe must have overheard her, because like magic, the rain stopped, the clouds parted and the sun glowed down on her.  Instead of getting up, she surrendered to defeat and completely sank to the ground.  Staring skyward a rainbow formed in a perfect graceful arch, it seemed so regal hanging in the air for all to see.  However, Cara stared confused at the rainbow; its end disappeared where she was sprawled out, right at the shed. A reflection glinted off her right hand side, blinding her briefly, in her peripheral vision. She reached out and picked up a small metallic disc, half sunk into the soil. Sitting upright, she wiped away the mud and grit for a better look, only to see worn inscriptions scrawled across its surface. “What in the world is this?” she said to herself as she stood up, “maybe Miriam or Thomas will know.”

“Where are you going with my coin, lass? I don’t know whether to put you over my knee for stealing or make you barter for It.” a voice said very pointedly in her direction.  Cara whirled on her heel to see a very attractive man staring down at her.  He was easily 6’2”, slim but muscularly built, with dark hair and green eyes. “Wait! I know those eyes! They’re the “indescribable eyes” and his face, it’s “the face” that appeared under the cabbie’s.” Cara’s mind screamed.  However, Cara’s body stood frozen as she began fitting the puzzle pieces together. “What? How? Who are you?” she finally stammered out.

“You haven’t figured me out yet? The rainbow and the gold were not enough? They should have given it away or we’re you expecting me to pop out of a box of Lucky Charms? Sorry lass, I have no tailored green suit and I’m not a singing or frolicking ginger midget.” He commented in a matter-of-fact tone.

“You’re telling me you’re a leprechaun?” Cara enunciated each word slowly to ensure her mind soaked in each syllable.  She knew “crazy” wasn’t going to cover it if she ran to seek help.  Her luck, they’d offer her the red pill with a glass of water, then she’d wake up in a fashionable hug-yourself-jacket with stylish buckles.

“Aye, I am.” He whispered to her gently, like he was afraid she might shoot off into the fields like a frightened doe.

“I thought in all the stories you guys were short. But you come in full-size bodies?” she questioned.

“We can personify ourselves however we want, so back then, we chose small bodies. Do you think people would have tried so hard to catch us if we’d been the size of giants? We’ve always lived amongst you humans, with less magic to believe in, it wasn’t so hard to blend in.” He retorted.

“Then why are you here? I didn’t catch you or even try to for that matter! Hell, you’re supposed to be a fairytale creature. You were my taxi driver weren’t you! Why are you following me, are you some kind of pervert?!” Cara couldn’t control her emotions; the confusion, anger, and disbelief were skimming the rim of a volatile break.

A deep chuckle escaped him, “Oh I’ve waited for you for a long time, many years in fact.  Have you ever wondered why we meet the people we do in our lives? Tell me lass, do you remember hearing all the old stories about fates and destiny? That each of us has ours written, but it’s the choices we make to get there that’s unique? Well, my dear, you are my fate, and I am yours. Our destiny’s been waiting for this moment; can’t you feel the pull in the air? For crying out loud, how do you think you were able to see me in my truest form?” with that he took a few steps closer to her.

 Cara saw him moving in and instinctively stepped back, this guy was obviously a lunatic and the more space that was between them the better.  Why did it seem like all the crazies were attracted to her? There seemed to be a plethora of rationally deprived men piled in a grab bag just for her.  It was a complete shame too because he was the best piece of eye candy she’d been around in awhile. “Look, I think you got the wrong girl, I’m just here on vacation. I’ve had enough drama in my life to write a book and I’d prefer not to add to it. I’ve got to go.”

“Hold on there. You still have something of mine.” He reached out and caught Cara’s arm with a surprisingly light grip. His touched alarmed her but not in the gut-wrenching fear kind of way, she’d thought it would. Instead her body reacted so unlike itself. Her stomach had butterflies, her knees started going weak, and her heart beat quickened. She felt like a junior high student that had just caught the gaze of her major crush, like only first love could do. Her hastened escape had failed miserably and she was not certain another opportunity would arise.

Having hold of her made the world seem right and settled as it should have ages ago.  How was he going to have this timid and passionate being understand he spoke the truth? The fates of old had made her to be his other half, his better half. He had been alone all this time, their ways were dying, and here stood his beacon of hope and she thought him mad. Being close to her, he leaned in and breathed deeply, her scent was earthy with just a hint of floral, orchid and jasmine. Without realizing how caught up in her pheromones he was, he had instinctively cradled her body to his. His voice was thick as he leaned down to speak in Cara’s ear. “Trust me Cara; I speak only the truth where you’re concerned. We were destined.”

Cara closed her eyes as he whispered heavily in her ear, savoring the closeness and the sound of his voice. Her damp shirt tightened across her chest and she felt the instant her flesh popped out into tiny bumps. She bit her lip and refused to look up at him. She knew beyond a doubt, if she made that fatal mistake, her libido would take over her thinking, and she would hop aboard the crazy train with him and express no remorse. She took a second to wall up her raging hormones and then proceeded to set him back on track with a one way ticket out of her life. “Like I said before, you’ve got the wrong girl. Now I really need to go. Good night.”

She attempted to push off his warm body and move out from out his grasp, but he clung to her. She felt him scoop her chin in his hand and tilt back her face.  Despite her best efforts, her eyes opened in time to fall into his sensual gaze, and like a moth to a flame, she wouldn’t break her course until the flame snuffed her out. He pressed his lips against hers; they were tender, soft, and beyond amazing.

Her eyes hid behind their lids again, she felt a dreamlike state take over, and flickers of memories played like a timeless reel. Most of them were of her life, mostly her childhood when she was with her grandparents, and some were of places and people she’d never seen. As the snap shots continued to rewind, she saw him, these were his memories as well as her own. How is this possible? Is all this nonsense really true? Is he what he claims to be? Are we a story written on an unfolding book?

 The word “yes” echoed in the maze of her subconscious. She broke off the kiss and unclenched her left hand.  The gold medallion radiated a soft glow that illuminated their close proximity. “What is happening?” Cara asked confused. 

“The fates know we’re here. This is a sign that the magic can be saved for a while longer. The flashes of your grandparents were for a reason. Don’t you understand? They were like us. You’ve got the blood of our people coursing through your veins; your grandma is the one that passed the gift of true sight to you.” He searched her face for acknowledgement. He was so close to having her understand all of this mess, he knew it.

“So I was just supposed to walk into your arms and confess my undying love while we hold hands whistling into the sunset? It was really going to just be that open and shut?” accused Cara. 

“No, I wouldn’t have expected so.” He laughed. “It’s not a bad idea though; would you like to give it at try?”

Her death glare said it all. How could he think she was some easy floozy? “Don’t hold your breath.” She verbally slashed at him.

“Well, there is only one way to settle this conflict, I’m afraid. Cara Hannigan, consider yourself courted.” His Cheshire grin could have lit the whole sky.

“Courted? I don’t even live here, how could you possible court me? I’m staying my week and I am going home.” She commented exasperated. She was an independent woman and that was not about to change. They had shared a single kiss; it was unlike any other she’d experienced, but a kiss nonetheless. That was not enough to forever lay claim to her.

“Call it what you want, it’s going to happen. I told you I would either put you over my knee or you could barter me out of that coin, I was serious. Since you strike me more of a bartering kind of gal, anyways, so I’ll let you earn that one.” His reply sounded so business like, as if they were striking a permanent contract.

“I am not playing this game with you, so you can take your deal and shove up your four leaf clover picking ass.” Cara responded with an acid laced tone.

“Unbridled passion, I like it. But what you do not understand is this will be inevitable. The magic will trade off a piece of my gold for a piece of your heart.  For every thought and dream you have of me, it will connect us closer, and I’ll know the exact second it happens. Our souls have been synced and no time or land or sea will change that. Are you going to draw this out by pieces or become my lady fair right now and never look back?” His eyes searched hers intently. He was certain she’d drag it out, but he was fine with that, part of him actually preferred it that way. He had seen everything in the kiss he’d stolen from her and he was going to put it to good use.

“I don’t think you understand me, I’m not playing with you.” She silently handed him back his coin and walked inside.

She went up to her room in a huff after she stopped by to tell Miriam she wasn’t very hungry and would be skipping dinner. Her clothes were almost dry but the mud from her fall stripped her exposed skin. In the shower she recapped the run in with…. Then it dawned on her, that during their entire conversation, she hadn’t caught his name. He knew hers and she hadn’t offered it. What are you thinking? He probably got it off her luggage tags; see no magic to it, a simple cut and dry answer.  Oh no, Cara began to freak out, he said every thought and every dream…talk about blowing it! How much of her soul, heart, or body had she lost already? Would she know before it was too late? Frantic about giving into further curiosity, she decided that taking the sleeping meds she packed and sleeping soundly through the night was the best alternative.

Ian watched over her while she slept wishing he could see her azure shaded eyes. She was stunning to behold, like an innocent angelic sprite getting ready to be born from a flowering tree. Her fawn colored hair rested braided across her shoulder, right above the seam of her satiny top. His admiration poured over her pale supple skin and her fine dainty features silhouetted against the sliver of invading moonlight. They would be happy together, all would be as it was meant, and he could already feel the bond taking. Cara began muttering in her sleep, he only caught a few words but he knew she was dreaming of him. It brought a huge grin to his face that he simply couldn’t help or control. Well, the least he can do was return the favor, and with that, he began to invade her subconscious dreams. He wouldn’t touch her unless she specifically requested him to, but with the bond they had formed earlier, he could escort a path through her thoughts.

Cara’s skin sprouted gooseflesh from the cool breeze that ran across her skin. It was just enough to encourage her to open her sleepy eyes. Her breasts tightened in their familiar way, she felt her nipples extend and press tightly against her top. She tried to snuggle further down in the covers and reposition the blankets she laid beneath. All it accomplished was causing more friction at the tip end of her hardened buds. She shifted her body to relieve the sensory overload, but it was all for naught. Even in the coolness of the room, she felt a hot breath on her neck; it trailed slowly to her ear and then traveled back down. The lower part of her abdomen had started to tighten ever so slightly, as her hips began to flex gently in an upward motion. 

She wanted to raise her hand up to roam her body, to track down the stirrings she needed to give into, but she couldn’t lift her arms. The hot breathe flowed down to her chest and it stopped to tease each breast. Cara couldn’t see anything in the darkness but she felt a mouth glide over her flesh, suckling her, and teeth nibbling at her tenderly. The unseen mouth kissed its way down her stomach and set a course down her left leg, stopping at the knee. Cara had let out a small whimper when it passed by her hip, it seemed to understand and take pity on her. Without missing a beat, it retraced its steps going back up, edging closer to her moist center. 

A soft moan escaped her lips, her mind was reeling from the sensations, and her body was screaming for more. The invader seemed to know every inch of her flesh; every sensitive point was affectionately teased and worshipped devoutly. Cara had no sense of time as it ticked by; her carnal cravings had been unleashed and begged to be sated. Whatever had possession of her seemed to anticipate her every desire, from every quickened buck of her hips, to every relentless wave of exquisite pleasure that coursed through her being. The unseen then engorged itself on her soaked womanhood, treating her like the earth’s last delicacy, with eager licks and timely carcasses. It attacked her swollen bud with utter delight and did not relent until Cara’s climax exploded like a dam bursting. 

Cara was still disoriented from the shattering release. She had never experienced one so strong or gratifying before, by her own exploration or from any lover.  It had felt remarkable, like flight would feel to a bird gliding on the wind, it was a complete encompassed form of pure nirvana.  As she basked in the warmth of the afterglow, she tried to mentally unwind, but her thoughts drifted to him. In the still dark room, a golden blush began to break away the gloom, pulsing contently from the nightstand. Cara immediately recognized the object, deducing the earlier phenomenon, she sat up rigidly. 

The epitaph upon its surface read clearly now, “Cara is Ian. Croi is anam, cinniuint cuir le cheile” loosely translated to “Cara and Ian. Heart and soul, fates combine.”Cara shook her head thinking, “Holy shit! This can’t be happening!” 

“Cara, love, it has already.” Ian held out his hands and showed her the emanating rose-colored vapor that swirled in his palms. He cocked his head to the side, looking straight at her with a slow grin spreading over his face. “See here, it’s the first token of our barter. Now, the question is are you going to give me all of your heart or are you going to drag this out and make me earn every sweet morsel? Because that lass, is a challenge I’m more than willing to except.”

TO BE CONTINUED…….