Star Crossed

By Christine Young

Ireland in 1817, when tensions are high between Protestants and Chatolics and faey people guide the fate of villagers. A lovely Catholic lass stumbles upon the weakly ritual fisticuffing between Irish lads. She falls into the lap of a handsome young Protestant. Family ties, grudges, and two conniving faeries threaten their budding love. But the faeries outsmart themselves when they hijack a time machine that has mysteriously appeared in their forest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
• Release date: Jan 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781936403738

Book preview

Star Crossed

Christine Young

Published by Rogue Phoenix Press

Copyright © 2012

ISBN: 978-1-936403-73-8

Electronic rights reserved by Rogue Phoenix Press, all other rights reserved by the author. The reproduction or other use of any part of this publication without the prior written consent of the rights holder is an infringement of the copyright law. This is a work of fiction. People and locations, even those with real names, have been fictionalized for the purposes of this story.

Chapter One

Ireland 1816

The ring of knuckles hitting flesh thundered through the brilliant spring morning. Casey O'Connell lifted her skirts and raced up the little knoll behind the old white church. She knew her big bro was fighting. They always fought after church on Sunday. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out why.

No! Stop it, I say. Patrick O'Connell, you-- Breathing hard Casey barreled through the ring of brawling men.

Of course, Casey, anything you say, her brother and his friends laughed as he stepped aside.

Get him, Casey! Land a punch for your big brother and St. Patrick, one of the young men called out.

The O'Connell's are getting their women folk to fight their battles now?

I'll have your head for that, Shaunasey, another joined in.

Watch your mouth and where you're a starin' or you'll have a black eye so swollen you won't be able to see.

Woo--eee! The brawl escalated then seemed to settle around Casey and her off-balance charge through her brother's foes.

Surrounding her she heard raucous cheers, cat calls, and whistles as well as her name. Her arms flailing, she ignored them all and tried desperately to keep her balance.

Hmph! She hit hard--a solid rock of muscle--heard the slightest grunt from the object in front of her. Air rushed from her lungs and stars seemed to circle inside her head.

Oh… she wailed as the object she hit cradled her with his arms on their way to the dampness of the ground below. Dizziness overwhelmed her. She let her head rest on a muscled chest. She heard a slow even heartbeat then a low rumble of laugher.

~ * ~

Moya sat on the softest of flower petals, watching the scene unfold. Oran sat on another petal, cocking his head sideways in scrutiny, his manly features grimacing with disgust. For a quick moment, Moya let her gaze rest on the young men behind the couple, wishing she dared play a trick on them to shoo them away.

Do you think these two will ever get it right? Moya asked smiling at her best friend and older brother. A wee spell to send the others on their way wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I'm not holding my breath, Oran said, brushing a piece of lint from his clothes and looking to the sky as if seeking divine intervention.

She is lying on top of her true love. What more could she wish for? Moya sighed, clasping her hands together and enjoying the pure romance as well as the knowledge it was her doing that had brought Casey to the knoll this fine day.

A little shower of pixie dust? Or maybe a pinch would be enough? Oran asked a twinkle in his eyes. I'm thinking they may be needin' more enchantment. They are hell bent on getting this all wrong.

We have to give them more time. Humans are so--soo--sooo-- Moya let her eyes close, searching for the right word to describe humans. My god, but they were impossible, always ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Inept? Oran asked. Would that be the word you are lookin' for little sis?

Foolish with their hearts, Moya told him, trying to give the couple in front of them the benefit of the doubt. Her heart beat hard beneath her breast, her pulse racing in anticipation of Casey finally finding happiness.

Stupid, Oran shot back with a snort.

This is the first time they've actually spoken to each other, Moya said, looking wistfully at the two soon-to-be, young lovers. We knew this wouldn't be easy.

After all the times we cast spells to put them together, they should be married with children, not rolling around in the grass, Oran said, a note of disgust in his voice. He sighed heavily, casting his gaze again heavenward.

Moya smiled, her dainty hands rested beside her on the lavender flower, her silvery wings moving lazily behind her, Like it or not, humans rolling around in the grass often times begets children, she told Oran while she laughed at her words and the ancient wisdom.

You be knowin' what I mean. Don't be twisting my words. Oran hovered over the flower, ready to take flight, his wings beating rapidly, his annoyance obvious.

Moya knew she needed to assuage his feelings and apologize. But she didn't think she had anything to apologize for. Sit down, Oran. We need to stay put in case they need us. More than likely they will.

Hmmph. Oran sat back on the flower, crossing his arms in front of him, an elfish glare on his handsome features. When has a human ever admitted to needin' one of the fae folk?

Don't be so fickle, Oran. We both know it's not in their nature to be askin' for advice.

~ * ~

Casey pushed on the green grass, trying to unwind herself from the man beneath her, but fell again. All right, Casey lass, you're in a heap of trouble right now with no way out. You are seeing the earth whirl and tumble around and you're on top of a brute of a man--a Protestant.

All right, lads, we'll meet here next Sunday, same place, same time, her brother's voice filtered through the air as if it floated in the fog that surrounded Casey.

Once again she pushed on the damp grass and didn't seem to make headway, her arms feeling as if they'd changed to soggy twine. Don't you abandon me, Patrick O'Connell. You know I have the Devil's own luck. If you leave me here, I'll never forgive you.

What about Casey? one of her brother's friend asked. She looks a little worse for the encounter.

Do you think we should leave her here--with Kelly?

He's a right stand-up guy. Of course you can leave her here. We'll see her home, a Shaunasey said.

Well, Kelly is a fine bloke. He won't hurt her. In fact with my feisty lil' sister involved, I fear for him--not her, Patrick said laughing. She'll do as she pleases. She always does. How can I control her when father cannot? She does not need a second father. He shrugged his shoulder and looked behind him at his little sister as he strolled down the hill.

She's hurt, another friend called after Patrick. What kind of brother are you?

One who is tired of looking after an accident prone little lass. She has to take responsibility for herself sometime, does she not?

She is that, one commented. You rescue her night and day.

~ * ~

You should have blessed her with a wee bit o'Irish coordination, Oran said dryly as he flew to a hovering position near the girl.

And you should remember what our blessed mother told us, 'if you cannot say anythin' nice, don't say anything at all'. Moya rose above the flower petal, her wings buzzing with her anger toward her brother.

I didn't say anything that wasn't the truth. Oran whistled out of tune for a moment. We could kidnap them.

And that is your solution to everything? Moya pointed one finger at him and shook it. Why, Oran, I believe you may fancy the lass for yourself. I will not have it. Go play your tricks on someone else's charge. She is mine to see to safety and long life. And don't be forgettin' the lad is yours to watch over.

You best stem your anger, Moya. You're wings have turned golden, Oran said with a hearty chuckle.

~ * ~

Let Kelly handle her, Casey's brother said with a light chuckle. He lost and so he must deal with the object of that loss and assume the consequences. It's only fair.

Hey! Kelly said, Don't leave me here with your sister. It will be hell to pay. She's a little girl. What will your father say?

The others laughed. Just don't take too long to decide what to do with her. Little girl or not, father will come after you with his pistol.

I just turned eighteen years old--little girl--how dare he…

Bloody hell, Patrick. What are you thinking? Kelly cried out.

I'm thinking the Catholics won this fight. What are you thinking? Patrick turned his back on the pair and whistled a jaunty tune as he strolled down the hill.

Revenge will be sweet. Next Sunday… Kelly shook his fist at the departing back of Casey's brother.

From what seemed like a great distance Casey heard the moan emanating from inside her battered and bruised body. She squished her eyes together, wishing her head didn't pound so fiercely, and the ground spin so wildly. Who are you? she whispered next to the man's chest while a soft spring breeze whispered against her heated face.

Who am I? the man chuckled. Lass, you are the one who landed atop me. I should be inquiring into who you are? Only I know. His hands rested around her waist and squeezed as if he were testing--perhaps exploring--entirely inappropriate. Yet for some strange reason, Casey didn't mind the supposed to be unwanted attention. "And