Midlife at midnight, p.25
Midlife at Midnight, page 25
part #4 of Not Too Late Series
Is tú scéal gach aoi,
Is tusa tuairisc gach talún.
Ní thitfidh aon olc ort, ar chnoc ná ar bhruach,
I bpáirc nó i ngleann, ar sliabh nó i ngleann.
Ní thuas, ná thíos, ná ar muir,
Ná ar an gcladach, sna spéartha thuas,
Ná sa doimhneacht.
Is tú eithne mo chroí,
Is tú aghaidh mo ghrian,
Is tú cláirseach mo cheoil,
Is tú coróin mo chuideachta.
Tugaim an chéad ghearradh de mo chuid feola duit, an chéad sip de mo chuid fíona,
ón lá seo amach ní bheidh ann ach d’ainm a chaoin mé san oíche
agus isteach i do shúile go mbím ag gáire gach maidin;
Beidh mé mar sciath do do chúl mar atá tú domsa,
ní labhróidh focal gránna fúinn riamh,óir tá ár bpósadh naofa eadrainn agus ní éistfidh aon strainséir le mo ghearán.
Os cionn agus ina dhiaidh seo, beidh meas agus onóir agam duit tríd an saol seo agus isteach sa chéad cheann eile.
Go dtuga an gaoth mhín fianaise ar an dóiteán seo, agus a theachtaireacht a iompar chuig na tailte go léir. Go maire an ghrian a gcroí, agus go gcuireann a tine dóite a mian dá chéile. Go ndéanfadh an t-uisce soláthar dóibh óna deolchaire, agus a n-anamacha a chur ar a suaimhneas lena gcuid fuaimeanna. Go dtabharfaidh an talamh a neart ar iasacht agus go nochtfaidh sé a rúndiamhair.
We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Tuatha de Danann, hear us now,
Confirming this our Sacred Vow.
You are the star of each night,
You are the brightness of every morning,
You are the story of each guest,
You are the report of every land.
No evil shall befall you, on hill nor bank,
In field or valley, on mountain or in glen.
Neither above, nor below, neither in sea,
Nor on shore, in skies above,
Nor in the depths.
You are the kernel of my heart,
You are the face of my sun,
You are the harp of my music,
You are the crown of my company.
I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine,
from this day it shall be only your name I cry out in the night
and into your eyes that I smile each morning;
I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine,
never shall a grievous word be spoken about us,
for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance.
Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life
and into the next.
The final words were spoken by the priest, “May the gentle breeze bear witness to this rite, and carry its message to all the lands. May the sun warm the hearts of these two lovers, and its ever-burning fire fuel their constant desire for each other. May the water provide for them from its bounty, and comfort their souls with its song. May the land lend its strength and reveal its mysteries.”
Okay. I admit it. I might have teared up just a little. Divorce may’ve taken the girlish shine away from my illusions about romance, but I was still a sucker for the idea of forever love.
The reception was a wild, raucous affair completely worthy of Irish, and the night ended with the very last word in finales.
Evie had insisted that the only wedding present she wanted was to ride the Wild Hunt and, after almost losing her, it seemed that Diarmuid could deny her nothing. A broad swath of Sheep Meadow was cleared so that the bride might be surprised by the perfectly smooth landing of the D’Anu’s ride; a baroque, black and silver chariot pulled by a brace of magnificent black mares. Evie squealed her delight like a thirteen-year-old, jumped on Diarmuid, and squeezed him around the neck while he laughed, pleased to his marrow that she was pleased. As it should be.
She was grinning ear to ear as she climbed aboard the chariot. At the last minute she looked for me i n the crowd, found me, and blew me a kiss.
For my Evangeline, whose passionate study had been rooted in the symbolism of folklore, it was the perfect ending to the perfect night. She’d arrived at her wedding, escorted by one of the finest examples of human magic, my Alfa Romeo, then left the queen of Irish fae in the chariot leading the Wild Hunt. The transition was complete.
No one heard her mother’s sigh. Because the ecstatic roar of the crowd was deafening.
Bog rosemary
EPILOGUE
After just a few hours’ sleep, I was restless and couldn’t stay in bed, even though I’d danced into the wee hours like a teenager. I’d made myself a coffee, added French vanilla creamer, and sat in my car to drink it alone, as had become my habit on mornings when I was first to rise. I loved occasions when I didn’t have to pretend to prefer tea over coffee.
“Romeo, you looked marvelous riding Evie to the altar last night. Did you enjoy that?” Silence. “What did you think of Faerie?” Silence. “Alright, my beautiful car. You don’t ever have to do that again.”
“Thank you, madam.”
I sat in silent communion with Romeo and replayed the events of the night before. It was a rollercoaster ride that took a dicey turn, but ended well.
Van Morrison had never sounded better. I made my way to the band at one point and requested “Jackie Wilson Said”.
Fae eyes sparkling with amusement, he smiled and said, “I’d love to, darlin’, but nobody else here would know who Jackie Wilson was. How about ‘Into The Mystic’?”
I’d laughed and nodded, realizing that the lyrics had hinted that he was fae masquerading as human.
I relived dancing with Keir to an especially rousing and extended version of “Star of the County Down”. At the end, I practically fell into the nearest chair laughing, breathless, heart beating fast. I turned to Keir and grinned, chest still heaving, thinking, “I must be Irish.”
Then he said, “Now, what about us?”
The Conclusion of the Smash Hit Series NOT TOO LATE !
The conclusion of Rita Hayworth's transition from underappreciated insurance adjuster and underappreciated wife to the most powerful figure in the magic world. The job came with perks. Guaranteed health, a dream home, wonderful neighbors, magical dogs, and a sexy soul mate who's also a legendary relative of the fae.
Victoria Danan n ®
NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Victoria’s Website
Victoria’s Facebook Page
I know you get hounded for reviews for everything from sunscreen to refrigerators. I feel your pain. But reviews are enormously helpful to me personally. Please take a second and rate this book.
ALSO BY VICTORIA DANANN:
Click any active title to go directly to the Amazon page. And “ FOLLOW ME ” while you’re there.
PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FANTASY (It’s not too late for magic, adventure, and romance.)
Not Too Late 1. Midlife Magic
Not Too Late 2. Midlife Mayhem
Not Too Late 3. Midlife Mojo
Not Too Late 4. Midlife at Midnight
Not Too Late 5. Midlife at Midsummer
New Serie s Worlds From Here 1. The Trade Winds Inn
WITCHES and WARLOCKS
Witches of Wimberley Bundle 1-3
New Series Warlocks 1. Coven
LOVE PARANORMAL ROMANCE?
THE KNIGHTS OF BLACK SWAN Five Time Winner Best Paranormal Romance Series.
Knights of Black Swan 1. My Familiar Stranger
Knights of Black Swan 2. The Witch’s Dream
Knights of Black Swan 3. A Summoner’s Tale
Knights of Black Swan 4. Moonlight
Knights of Black Swan 5. Gathering Storm
Knights of Black Swan 6. A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Knights of Black Swan 7. Solomon’s Sieve
Knights of Black Swan 8. Vampire Hunter
Knights of Black Swan 9 . Journey Man
Knights of Black Swan 10. Falcon
Knights of Black Swan 11 . Jax
Knights of Black Swan 12. Trespass
Knights of Black Swan 13. Irish War Cry
Knights of Black Swan 14. Deliverance
Knights of Black Swan 15. Black Dog
Knights of Black Swan 16. The Music Demon
*Order of the Black Swan Novels
Black Swan Novel, Prince of Demons
THE HYBRIDS
Exiled 1 . CARNAL
Exiled 2. CRAVE
Exiled 3. CHARMING
THE WEREWOLVES
New Scotia Pack 1, Shield Wolf:
New Scotia Pack 2. Wolf Lover:
New Scotia Pack 3. Fire Wolf:
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 1. Two Princes
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 2. The Biker’s Brother
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 3. Nomad
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 4. Devil’s Marker
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 5. Roadhouse
Cajun Devils, Book 1. Batiste
Victoria Danann, Midlife at Midnight
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Is tusa tuairisc gach talún.
Ní thitfidh aon olc ort, ar chnoc ná ar bhruach,
I bpáirc nó i ngleann, ar sliabh nó i ngleann.
Ní thuas, ná thíos, ná ar muir,
Ná ar an gcladach, sna spéartha thuas,
Ná sa doimhneacht.
Is tú eithne mo chroí,
Is tú aghaidh mo ghrian,
Is tú cláirseach mo cheoil,
Is tú coróin mo chuideachta.
Tugaim an chéad ghearradh de mo chuid feola duit, an chéad sip de mo chuid fíona,
ón lá seo amach ní bheidh ann ach d’ainm a chaoin mé san oíche
agus isteach i do shúile go mbím ag gáire gach maidin;
Beidh mé mar sciath do do chúl mar atá tú domsa,
ní labhróidh focal gránna fúinn riamh,óir tá ár bpósadh naofa eadrainn agus ní éistfidh aon strainséir le mo ghearán.
Os cionn agus ina dhiaidh seo, beidh meas agus onóir agam duit tríd an saol seo agus isteach sa chéad cheann eile.
Go dtuga an gaoth mhín fianaise ar an dóiteán seo, agus a theachtaireacht a iompar chuig na tailte go léir. Go maire an ghrian a gcroí, agus go gcuireann a tine dóite a mian dá chéile. Go ndéanfadh an t-uisce soláthar dóibh óna deolchaire, agus a n-anamacha a chur ar a suaimhneas lena gcuid fuaimeanna. Go dtabharfaidh an talamh a neart ar iasacht agus go nochtfaidh sé a rúndiamhair.
We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Tuatha de Danann, hear us now,
Confirming this our Sacred Vow.
You are the star of each night,
You are the brightness of every morning,
You are the story of each guest,
You are the report of every land.
No evil shall befall you, on hill nor bank,
In field or valley, on mountain or in glen.
Neither above, nor below, neither in sea,
Nor on shore, in skies above,
Nor in the depths.
You are the kernel of my heart,
You are the face of my sun,
You are the harp of my music,
You are the crown of my company.
I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine,
from this day it shall be only your name I cry out in the night
and into your eyes that I smile each morning;
I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine,
never shall a grievous word be spoken about us,
for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance.
Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life
and into the next.
The final words were spoken by the priest, “May the gentle breeze bear witness to this rite, and carry its message to all the lands. May the sun warm the hearts of these two lovers, and its ever-burning fire fuel their constant desire for each other. May the water provide for them from its bounty, and comfort their souls with its song. May the land lend its strength and reveal its mysteries.”
Okay. I admit it. I might have teared up just a little. Divorce may’ve taken the girlish shine away from my illusions about romance, but I was still a sucker for the idea of forever love.
The reception was a wild, raucous affair completely worthy of Irish, and the night ended with the very last word in finales.
Evie had insisted that the only wedding present she wanted was to ride the Wild Hunt and, after almost losing her, it seemed that Diarmuid could deny her nothing. A broad swath of Sheep Meadow was cleared so that the bride might be surprised by the perfectly smooth landing of the D’Anu’s ride; a baroque, black and silver chariot pulled by a brace of magnificent black mares. Evie squealed her delight like a thirteen-year-old, jumped on Diarmuid, and squeezed him around the neck while he laughed, pleased to his marrow that she was pleased. As it should be.
She was grinning ear to ear as she climbed aboard the chariot. At the last minute she looked for me i n the crowd, found me, and blew me a kiss.
For my Evangeline, whose passionate study had been rooted in the symbolism of folklore, it was the perfect ending to the perfect night. She’d arrived at her wedding, escorted by one of the finest examples of human magic, my Alfa Romeo, then left the queen of Irish fae in the chariot leading the Wild Hunt. The transition was complete.
No one heard her mother’s sigh. Because the ecstatic roar of the crowd was deafening.
Bog rosemary
EPILOGUE
After just a few hours’ sleep, I was restless and couldn’t stay in bed, even though I’d danced into the wee hours like a teenager. I’d made myself a coffee, added French vanilla creamer, and sat in my car to drink it alone, as had become my habit on mornings when I was first to rise. I loved occasions when I didn’t have to pretend to prefer tea over coffee.
“Romeo, you looked marvelous riding Evie to the altar last night. Did you enjoy that?” Silence. “What did you think of Faerie?” Silence. “Alright, my beautiful car. You don’t ever have to do that again.”
“Thank you, madam.”
I sat in silent communion with Romeo and replayed the events of the night before. It was a rollercoaster ride that took a dicey turn, but ended well.
Van Morrison had never sounded better. I made my way to the band at one point and requested “Jackie Wilson Said”.
Fae eyes sparkling with amusement, he smiled and said, “I’d love to, darlin’, but nobody else here would know who Jackie Wilson was. How about ‘Into The Mystic’?”
I’d laughed and nodded, realizing that the lyrics had hinted that he was fae masquerading as human.
I relived dancing with Keir to an especially rousing and extended version of “Star of the County Down”. At the end, I practically fell into the nearest chair laughing, breathless, heart beating fast. I turned to Keir and grinned, chest still heaving, thinking, “I must be Irish.”
Then he said, “Now, what about us?”
The Conclusion of the Smash Hit Series NOT TOO LATE !
The conclusion of Rita Hayworth's transition from underappreciated insurance adjuster and underappreciated wife to the most powerful figure in the magic world. The job came with perks. Guaranteed health, a dream home, wonderful neighbors, magical dogs, and a sexy soul mate who's also a legendary relative of the fae.
Victoria Danan n ®
NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Victoria’s Website
Victoria’s Facebook Page
I know you get hounded for reviews for everything from sunscreen to refrigerators. I feel your pain. But reviews are enormously helpful to me personally. Please take a second and rate this book.
ALSO BY VICTORIA DANANN:
Click any active title to go directly to the Amazon page. And “ FOLLOW ME ” while you’re there.
PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FANTASY (It’s not too late for magic, adventure, and romance.)
Not Too Late 1. Midlife Magic
Not Too Late 2. Midlife Mayhem
Not Too Late 3. Midlife Mojo
Not Too Late 4. Midlife at Midnight
Not Too Late 5. Midlife at Midsummer
New Serie s Worlds From Here 1. The Trade Winds Inn
WITCHES and WARLOCKS
Witches of Wimberley Bundle 1-3
New Series Warlocks 1. Coven
LOVE PARANORMAL ROMANCE?
THE KNIGHTS OF BLACK SWAN Five Time Winner Best Paranormal Romance Series.
Knights of Black Swan 1. My Familiar Stranger
Knights of Black Swan 2. The Witch’s Dream
Knights of Black Swan 3. A Summoner’s Tale
Knights of Black Swan 4. Moonlight
Knights of Black Swan 5. Gathering Storm
Knights of Black Swan 6. A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Knights of Black Swan 7. Solomon’s Sieve
Knights of Black Swan 8. Vampire Hunter
Knights of Black Swan 9 . Journey Man
Knights of Black Swan 10. Falcon
Knights of Black Swan 11 . Jax
Knights of Black Swan 12. Trespass
Knights of Black Swan 13. Irish War Cry
Knights of Black Swan 14. Deliverance
Knights of Black Swan 15. Black Dog
Knights of Black Swan 16. The Music Demon
*Order of the Black Swan Novels
Black Swan Novel, Prince of Demons
THE HYBRIDS
Exiled 1 . CARNAL
Exiled 2. CRAVE
Exiled 3. CHARMING
THE WEREWOLVES
New Scotia Pack 1, Shield Wolf:
New Scotia Pack 2. Wolf Lover:
New Scotia Pack 3. Fire Wolf:
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 1. Two Princes
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 2. The Biker’s Brother
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 3. Nomad
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 4. Devil’s Marker
SSMC Austin, TX, Book 5. Roadhouse
Cajun Devils, Book 1. Batiste
Victoria Danann, Midlife at Midnight
