I Am Adopted

I Am Adopted
Moments earlier at the stone cottage

Quinn drug herself from the shower after her tenth round of scrubbing. She could still feel Alroy on her skin and his stench lingered in her nose. She wondered if she would ever be able to wash him away. Her skin however was too raw to continue scrubbing. She decided to let her skin heal before she tried again. 

She wrapped herself in a large towel and caught a glimpse of her profile in the bathroom mirror. With hesitation, she turned and scrutinized the image staring back at her. Honestly, she thought she would have more bruising and cuts. She must have scrubbed them away. She ran her fingers lightly over her arm. Why were there no burn marks from the fire? Was the fire real or a hallucination? She was not sure.

Quinn exited the bathroom. She dug the heaviest flannel nightgown from the armoire and carefully pulled it over her head. She tried to dress quickly, afraid Alroy would appear in the few seconds she was unable to see. He did not and she sighed with relief as she finished smoothing down the gown.

The overstuffed chair beside the window, often comfy and inviting, terrified her now. All Quinn could see when she stared at the piece of furniture was Alroy’s oversize frame draped casually in the chair. She could still feel his lecherous eyes slithering over her body. She could hear him lick his lips before he spoke. Quinn trembled and settled into a corner of the room opposite the chair. She clutched her knees to her chest and began rocking back and forth.

After several minutes of rocking, she paused when she noticed a small red bird fly through the bedroom door and perch on a bedpost. The tiny animal looked at her with curiosity. It sang as if it were speaking to her. Without realization, Quinn found herself leaning forward, straining to hear what the bird had to say.

When the feathered beast completed its diatribe, Quinn smiled softly and closed her eyes. When her eyes closed, the sound of a woman’s laughter drifted through the room. In shock, Quinn quickly opened her eyes. She blinked repeatedly, incapable of comprehending the sight before her.

A radiant young woman with fiery flowing hair, alabaster skin, and deep emerald green eyes stood at the foot of the bed. Her mesmerizing gaze fixated on Quinn. Instead of terrifying her, Quinn found comfort in the woman’s warm eyes. 

The woman laughed again. It was a sweet melodious laugh similar to the bird’s song. Quinn wondered if the bird belonged to the woman. Before she could ask, the woman spoke.

“I am the bird, silly.” Her voice was airy.

“Huh?” Quinn stumbled out the word then wished she could take it back. Huh seemed so pedestrian for the situation.

“I am the bird you saw before.” The woman continued. “My name is Brigid.” She took in Quinn’s perplexed look. “And you Quinn are my daughter.”

Quinn sputtered and then laughed. “That’s a joke, right?” She did not realize ethereal beings had such strange senses of humor.

“No joke, my child.” Brigid moved closer to Quinn.

Quinn drew herself farther into the corner, then stuttered. “No, I-I-I am the daughter of Marcus and Adelaide Duffy.”

Brigid reached her hand forward, attempting to stroke Quinn’s hair. Quinn shook her head. Brigid withdrew and instead crouched down in front of Quinn.

“Yes, the Duffys were your parents, but I am, as they say, your biological mother.” Brigid kept her voice soft and light, as if speaking to a small child.

“My parents never told me I was adopted.” Quinn shook her head furiously. “This can’t be true.”

“I know this may be difficult to comprehend right now,” A touch of sadness crossed Brigid’s eyes. “But when you were born, I gave you to the Duffys. They were wonderful people. Kind and intelligent.” 

Quinn stopped shaking her head when she heard the kind words regarding her parents. She loved her mom and dad immensely and missed them everyday. She set her eyes on Brigid and asked, “Why did you give me up?”

“I am a goddess. And yes, the Celtic gods, similar to the Greek and Roman gods, have their own indiscretions. You were mine.” Brigid saw the look of self-consciousness in Quinn’s eyes and quickly added. “I loved your father. He was not a plaything as many perceive mortals to be to the gods. I love you and have watched over you from afar since I gave you away.”

Brigid gently touched Quinn’s shoulder. Her delicate fingers send a warming sensation through Quinn’s body and she is suddenly at ease. “My dear child, I never wanted things to turn out this way. I was hoping the Duffys would be able to hide you forever, which was pretty presumptuous of me. When they died, I sent Ciaran to look after you. I needed him to find you before certain other beings could.”

Quinn tired her head slightly, pondering the words coming out of Brigid’s mouth. “Why did Ciaran need to find me?”

“You are his mate, my darling girl. You two are meant to be together. Your children will be great rulers in the mortal realm.” Brigid smiled at the thought of grandchildren. “But if Alroy or Isolde found you first, I feared their wicked hearts would deprive you of your mate and taint the future.”

The mention of Alroy’s name sent a chill through Quinn. She shivered and bowed her head. “He cannot get you now. He is far away, my child.” Brigid smiled at Quinn. “You did a wonderful job of scaring the bejesus out of him, anyway. I doubt he will consider attacking you again anytime soon.”

“How did I do that?” Quinn asked softly, a bit afraid to know the answer but still curious.

“You are capable of that and a lot more, my beautiful girl.” Brigid smoothed Quinn’s hair. “Let me tell you of your powers.”