Free The Banshee's Revenge (The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy) by Victoria Richards Page B

them, went through nine months of mortal hell because you mistakenly believed that the father was worth it, and then hundreds of years later, you end up with some total idiot who thinks he is better than you, Morrigan thought.
    Gwydion lifted his head, a dark gleam in his eyes.
    "Mother," the word sounded stiff and silly coming out of the mouth of such an old man. "I wish to ask you a few questions regarding a woman in your realm."
    "Jacqueline Huston. You want to know about her baby."
    If Gwydion was surprised she already knew his mission, he didn't show it. He nodded his head and respectfully lowered his eyes.
    "It will be powerful," Morrigan said.
    "How powerful?"
    "How like your father, you are," she said, coming closer to the man. "Full of questions and always about the same thing. Power."
    "I take that as a compliment." Gwydion smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "My father was a mighty creature."
    "Creature. What an apt word for him. Merlin became what he was--mighty--after he met me and I kissed him." Morrigan laughed softly at Gwydion's scowl. "He was just a mortal with quick ideas and a handsome face when I first saw him."
    "Why did you…I mean if you didn't like him, why bother with bestowing power on him?"
    "Because she loved him, you fool."
    Morrigan caught her breath at the sight of Arwan standing in the doorway to her throne room. He was still as handsome and virile as ever. Thoughts of the last time they'd been together tumbled through her mind.
    "Arwan, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" she said, keeping her voice steady. "It's been a long time."
    "I imagine your son and I are here for the same purpose." Arwan strode across the room. "Morrigan, I'm sure you are aware that we have a problem in our happy little kingdom. We have folks who are not dying because this Jacqueline Huston is too busy fulfilling her own desires. Normally, I wouldn't get involved, but your son convinced me to the possible dangers that could occur if we take no action. Why is this banshee woman under your protection?"
    "What?" Gwydion gasped and turned to her, rage in his eyes. "You didn't tell me this!"
    "You didn't ask, dear," Morrigan smiled. "And we were discussing the child, not the mother."
    "You're protecting her because the child will be more powerful than you," Gwydion accused.
    Morrigan shrugged and lifted one hand in a dismissive gesture.
    "Perhaps."
    "That's not fair!" Gwydion shouted, reminding her of a spoiled child. "I want that baby dead."
    "Don't be such a brat," Morrigan chided. "You are always so threatened by new things."
    "You understand that as long as Jacqueline wears Morrigan's Kiss, neither I nor anyone else harms her," Arwan said to Gwydion. "I'm afraid I cannot help you after all."
    "Damn!" Gwydion gave his mother a murderous look. "You don't know what you are doing! This is the kind of thing that changes the world… that destroys it even. Is that what you want? It must be since you've allowed Jacqueline to murder the wizards, to take their souls before their time, and leave behind the ones she is meant to reap."
    "Don't tell me my business, son." Morrigan's eyes narrowed. "And as for the wizards, I haven't cared about them since I left your father."
    "So because of some petty female grudge against a man who you once loved, you would allow a creature more powerful than yourself to come into being?" Gwydion shook his head and stamped his staff against the floor, sending small sparks shooting off towards her. "My father was right to cast you aside!"
    Morrigan held up one delicate hand and used magic to pull her son across the room towards her. His feet scraped the edges of the floor as she dragged him along like a rag doll. When he was inches away and struggling to be released from her grasp, she looked him directly in the eye.
    "Do not speak to me in that tone," she hissed. "And as for what I allow to come into being, that is my decision. You should be grateful that I loved your father