Achrann Castle is based on Menlo Castle prior to the fire in 1910. Chapter is rated M for mature sexual content.

Chapter 26: Achrann Castle

"Lilly, ya canna go after them right now!" Patrick snapped through the closed bedroom door. Lilly was dressing in a blue long sleeved buttoned shirt, sleeves rolled up, brown pants, and black riding boots. Lilly armed herself with her bow, her repeater, and her revolvers. "Ya gotta rest. Do ya even know what just happened tah ya?!"

"Yes!" Lilly shouted. Wait, did she? "No! I mean...I...uuuugh," Lilly sighed, putting a hand to her forehead. She had no damn clue what just happened with the tree. "I canna worry about that just now! I need to get me father's watch back and kill that rat bastard and his stupid cousin!"

"That's not how we do things here, Lillian! Ya can't just go killin' people willy nilly!"

Lilly opened the door angrily as Arthur laughed. "I don't know if ya knew this, but they murdered me first! This ain't just some 'willy nilly' killin', Patrick!"

Patrick put up his hands. "Yes, I knew. Arthur told me a lot of things on the trip here from America."

Lilly glared at Arthur. "So glad ya made a new friend but when it comes tah things I prefer tah keep private, could ya not have a big arsed mouth?"

Arthur laughed and scratched an eyebrow. "Darlin', may I remind you that your death affected everyone in the gang? Do you even know how devastated everyone was?" Arthur walked up to her and shook his head. "Did you even bother to ask anyone?"

"Well...I...no, but need I remind ya that I had a memory problem at the time?" Lilly snarled. Arthur gave her a stern look and she sighed in defeat. "I suppose that's no excuse, though. I guess it didn't occur to me that I meant that much to everyone. When someone dies, we don't...mourn them that much."

Arthur put his hands on her shoulders. "We mourned you, Lilly. We all went to your funeral, except Jack. He was particularly upset that you 'had to go away' and 'not come back'."

Lilly lowered her head. "I'm sorry."

Arthur hugged her. "It ain't your fault. I wasn't tryin' to make it seem that way. You were goin' through a lot at the time."

Lilly nuzzled his neck. "When we get back, I'll talk to everyone. But first things first." Lilly pulled back and kissed Arthur's chin. "What are we doin' about Mr. Pierce and Brutus?"

"I have an idea," Patrick said in a chipper tone. "Let's hold a ball."

Arthur and Lilly looked at him incredulously. "A ball?!" they both said.

"Yes. A ball. Catch Mr. Pierce and Brutus off guard and then you can confront him in front of everybody. He and Brutus will be arrested for their crimes. We can only mention the flogging, though."

"Not if I had an antidote to the poison," Lilly said with a smirk. "No one needs to know that I died, although I'm sure Brutus and Mr. Pierce won't believe that I didn't. The stuff they used was real nasty."

Patrick rubbed the back of his neck. "That is true, but I'm not worried about them knowin' you died and came back to life. I'm worried about what'll happen to you if that rumor got around. I'd rather you not be known as a witch or a..." Patrick paused. "Something else."

Both the men shifted uncomfortably and Lilly grabbed the candle from Patrick. "Is there somethin' I need to know?"

"No," both the men said together.

"Hmm." Lilly knew something was amiss but she decided not to press it. "Alright, Patrick. Do as you see fit to prepare for this party. I gotta say I do miss the castle."

Patrick smiled. "Right. We'll get started in the morning but you need rest."

Patrick made the arrangements of holding a gala at Achrann Castle. According to Patrick, when Mr. Pierce asked why, Patrick only said he felt like having one. While that was being organized, Lilly spent a lot of time hunting with Arthur and the wolves. On one particular hunt, however, Lilly discovered she was even stronger with her bow and arrows. One kill she made to a red deer stag and the arrow hit so hard, the animal collided into a tree.

"How did you do that?!" Arthur asked, his tone full of shock and awe.

"I have no idea," Lilly replied in confusion. She got off Liath and went to the buck. She examined it and shook her head. "What is happenin' tah me, Arthur? Why am I gettin'...different?" she asked, looking at her husband in shame.

Arthur frowned. "There ain't nothin' wrong with ya. You've always had abilities, Lilly. Why is it shockin' that you're gettin' stronger? Or gettin' more abilities?"

Lilly started skinning the stag. "I don't know. You remember that scarred bear we were supposed to take down together?"

"Yes?"

"Knocked him out cold before slicing his throat."

"That's how you killed him?!

"Yes. With my bare hands. But it seems my abilities, or some of them, go away or lose strength after a while. Same thing happened after the carriage accident. When I went hunting for us. I brought back a peccary, you remember?"

"Yeah."

Lilly cut the antlers off. "I snapped its neck and carried him back on my shoulders."

"...What?"

"I did, but I used the sled anyway because I didn't want to scare you boys."

"You...you..." Arthur began before he started laughing. "God, Lilly, you are truly somethin' else!"

"That's what...that's what scares me." Lilly grabbed the deer and hoisted it over her shoulder.

"Lillian," Arthur said while sitting on Rose. "Don't be afraid of who you are."

Lilly placed the giant deer on Liath. "It's not who, it's what. Sometimes I think I'm not even human, Arthur."

He got off his horse and touched her shoulder. "I don't care what you are."

Lilly frowned at him softly. "Arthur...in Saint Denis, people thought I was a real freak. In New York, I was sold to a man because I was...am a freak. You don't know what that feels like."

Her husband picked Lilly up by her butt and she clung to him, staring down into his eyes. "You're a lot of things but you're not a freak. You're just an extremely talented individual. You're a survivor. I couldn't be more grateful to know you, Lilly, and I know a hell of a lot of people feel the same way. But...I get to know you in ways others won't ever know." Arthur kissed her softly. "Like in the biblical sense. And right now, I'd like to go back to Darach ar an gCnoc and have biblical relations."

Lilly laughed, holding Arthur's face and kissing him softly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Well, you need your own kill first. I wouldn't want my Earl of Moycullen to look emasculated if he didn't bring back food and his Countess did."

Arthur laughed and set her down. "Alright, you shit. How about you go and bring your kill back and I'll catch up when I've got my own?"

Lilly nodded and kissed him deeply. "Don't be long, mo chuisle. I'll have a bath drawn for us both and I'd hate to fuck you in it while it's cold."

Arthur chuckled deeply and put soft kisses on her jawline. "You are so sultry. I fuckin' love that about you." Lilly giggled and smacked his bottom. "Ouch!" Arthur said with a laugh. "So frisky, too! On second thought..." Arthur tripped her and she went down with a cackle. He hovered over her and smiled. "I think I'll have you now!" And they began snogging and necking.

The day came for the ball and Arthur was waiting downstairs in the foyer. A decorative room with oak stairs with a landing, a statue of a wolf swirling around a post at the bottom railing's end. There was a red blush couch with metal framing at the side of the stairs. On the floor was a red and black oriental rug. The floor was made from oak planks. The walls were white and eggshell colored. Arthur paced back and forth in his black tux, clean shaven and his hair slicked back with pomade. His hair was cut short again after keeping it long for a while. He looke at the Joseph and Sean in similar tuxedos. "What's takin' them so long?" Arthur asked.

Joseph, a man in his early fifties, laughed. "Women always take forever getting ready for things like this."

"Not my Lilly."

"Arthur," Sean giggled. "Lilly's never really worn dresses before or gone to galas, neither. Trust me, this is the good amount of time. Karen sometimes takes this long just dressin' in casuals."

Arthur stopped pacing. "You're right. I guess I'm just nervous."

"You boys ready?" Karen called down.

"Yes!" All three men called out.

"Okay!" Karen was the first to descend down the stairs in a ruffled an a-line green satin dress, daisies and dandelion designs sewn into the edge of her skirt and over the top of the dress. The sleeves were puffy and short, she had on white gloves reaching past her elbows, and her hair was in its normal bun with blonde ringlets adorning the sides of her face. Her usual makeup was on. She wore a green necklace and green earrings. More than likely they were emeralds. She came down the stairs and smiled at the men. "How do I look?"

"Stunnin' as always, Mrs. MacGuire," Sean said. He took her arm and sighed. "How are Mrs. Black and Mrs. Morgan getting along?"

"I'm here!" Mrs. Black came down next in a high top bun on her head. She was in a black and white silk dress with sequins and it hugged her hips. It also had fluffy sleeves and her gloves were black. Makeup of red rouge, black eye shadow, and dark red lips were on her face as she came down the stairs.

"Ah, Maura, you are a treat as usual," Joseph said, kissing his wife's cheek.

"Thank you, darling," Maura said with a laugh. "Now we wait for our hostess."

"...I'm ready, I th-think," Lilly said nervously from atop the stairs. "Could you guys just shut your eyes and-"

"As ucht Dé, get down here woman so we can look at ya!" Arthur snapped amusingly.

"Shut up, bithiúnach!" she laughed.

When Lilly approached the landing, Arthur stopped breathing. Lilly wore a silk and velvet crimson gown with other various shades of red. Ruffles swirled like ribbons around the skirt from top to bottom. The decorative designs of black lace flowers and leaves swirled under the section of ruffles, as well as up on the waist and top part of the deeper red chemise. Lilly had bows that looked almost like roses at the middle of her chest, and one on her right shoulder. The short sleeves were slightly ruffled, and the chemise was almost off the shoulder. She was wearing what he assumed was a gold chain necklace with a ruby stone. She had red lipstick, red blush, and light pink eye shadow. Her earlobes had ruby earrings. And her auburn hair...holy shit. Arthur recognized it as the Psyche knot. Her hair was coiled around like a big piece of rope with little loops and curls in the middle of the knot. When Lilly got to the bottom of the stairs, she put on a red silk shawl over her shoulders. Lilly cleared her throat, obviously blushing.

"H-How do I look?"

Arthur crossed the threshold and kissed her deeply. "Like the goddess that you are."

Lilly laughed and lightly slapped him. "Shut up. Can we go now before I lose my nerve?"

"Yes," Arthur said. He watched Lilly walk and saw her from behind. She had corset lacing in the back, the same black decorations on the top of her chemise, a bunch of ruffled fabric in the back, a long red train, and...was she wearing a bustle? Arthur bit his knuckles. "You're wearin' a bustle?"

Lilly stopped and looked at him. "Yes. Is that a problem?"

"Hell no." He walked to her, hooked her arm in his, and kissed her neck. "Nuair a éiríonn an ghrian, beidh tú tuirseach agus tinn." [When the sun rises, you will be tired and sore.]

Lilly blushed more. "Bithiúnach." [Reprobate.]

By the time the three carriages from Darach ar an gCnoc arrived in view of Achrann Castle, the sun was just about to set. Lilly looked upon sixteenth century building and smiled. It had a lot more vines on it than she remembered but she loved it all the more. Lilly stared at her wolf pups, who had also been invited to the party, before looking at Arthur. "I'm nervous. What if I lose my shite and kill 'em both in front of everyone?"

Arthur laughed and pulled out her pipe. "Only half a puff, mo stór. I think that should be enough to calm you down." Lilly chuckled and took it. Arthur lit it for her and Lilly took in a small breath before Arthur took it away. He put it out and the woman exhaled slowly, feeling less anxious already as her forehead felt tight for but a moment. "Better?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you." Arthur put the pipe away and Lilly nuzzled his neck. "Did I tell you how handsome you look?"

"Yes. Several times tonight," he said, kissing her lips. "But I think you're more handsome."

Lilly smacked him softly and he laughed. "God damn little shite," she snickered.

The carriage stopped at the waterside front of the castle and Lilly was helped out by their footman. She smiled up at the place, happy nostalgia seeping into her mind. Oh, all the times she used to play here. Arthur and the pups got out behind her and Arthur hooked her arm, patting her forearm affectionately. "You alright, darlin'?"

"Yes. Just rememberin' things," she replied gladly. "So many good memories here."

Lilly walked with Arthur behind the Blacks and the MacGuires toward the castle and up the steps, the wolves in little black bow ties following behind. The wooden doors opened and Lilly saw a red carpet lined with champagne colored ribbon. The walls were bricks but Patrick must have done some remodeling to the place recently because the bricks only went halfway up. The upper walls and ceiling were the color of white plaster and there were pictures of old Irish gods and goddesses everywhere on the walls. Macha, Andraste, Branwen, Camalus, Llyr, and many others. Most were new except for one picture: The Morrigan. It was a young woman with an arm outstretched and a crow in her hand in a red silk dress. With bare feet and free flowing hair, she stood on what Lilly surmised was the river banks of Tír na nÓg.

"That picture there, does she look familiar to you?" Lilly asked.

"Is that supposed to be The Morrigan? Kinda looks like her," Arthur commented. "She looked a little different when I met her."

Lilly looked at him in confusion. "You met her? When?"

Arthur scrunched up his face. "I coulda sworn I told you. She was at your grave with the pups."

"Oh. Hmm. Maybe? Musta slipped my mind." They turned a corner and they were just outside the ballroom. "Oh, Sir Liam had this being done when I was a kid. So nice to see it in its completion."

"Huh. Sure is big. That man lives here by himself?" Arthur laughed.

"I would assume so. He's the oldest and I don't know if Sir Liam and Lady Fiona had any children after I left, but who knows?"

Lilly took a peek and gasped. The white walls were decorated with gold sculptures of more gods and goddesses from ancient Ireland and even characters from the tales of the Tuatha de Danann. The floor was made of oak now and the windows reached floors and arched mid height between the floor and ceiling, which had a painting of the Otherworld. The room was already filled with guests and there were servant men with platters of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

"Wow," Arthur laughed. "And to think you gave all this up for me."

Lilly smirked. "I could just divorce you and marry him," she joked.

"Don't you start that, woman," he growled playfully.

Lilly giggled at him, standing behind the Blacks and stopping. "We have to be announced before we go in," Lilly said.

"Why?"

"Tradition."

"Oh. As what?"

"The Earl and Countess of Moycullen," Lilly said casually, looking at Arthur smugly for his reaction.

He went pale. "Oh."

"Just stay calm. You'll be fine, my love."

"Mr. and Mrs. Sean and Karen MacGuire!" the debutante yelled into the ballroom. Karen and Sean went walking. As Lilly and Arthur waited their turn, she waved at Patrick in the ballroom and he waved back. "Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Maura Black!" the debutante announced again. The Blacks went walking.

Lilly looked around for Brutus and Mr. Pierce but didn't see them. "Why aren't they here?" Lilly asked rhetorically.

"The Earl and Countess of Moycullen, and their...ahem, wolves, Brian and James."

Arthur froze for a moment but Lilly helped him along. People gasped and murmured at either Lilly's reemergence after seventeen years, Brian and James, or the fact the Countess of Moycullen was married. Lilly listened to their whispers. Her hearing as of late was extraordinary and Lilly was surprised to hear that she and Arthur had been the subject of quite a lot of gossip.

"I thought she died all those years ago."

"Look at the size of those wolves."

"Who is that man she married?"

"I heard he's American."

"What kind of woman has wolves for pets? I can't believe Sir Patrick would allow animals like that at a ball."

Lilly and Arthur approached Patrick at the other end of the ballroom. Lilly curtsied as Arthur bowed. Lilly was glad she gave him a crash course in how to conduct himself as a nobleman, but she could tell Arthur was still nervous.

Patrick engaged them in conversation while kissing Lilly on the cheek. "Ya look beautiful, me dear." Patrick shook Arthur's hand. "Handsome fella ya got, Lilly."

"Where is Mr. Pierce?" Lilly said with a faint smile.

"Brutus and Mr. Pierce should be along shortly. I figured they should come after yer announcement so they canna leave."

"Good idea." Lilly chuckled and Arthur and her went off to enjoy the party. Arthur grabbed some champagne and drank while Lilly went to meet Maura and Karen. Arthur went to go talk to Sean and Joseph.

"Well, this is quite the party," Karen said. "I hope I don't embarrass myself."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll be the one doin' that," Lilly said, grabbing champagne from a waiter. The other girls did as well and they began drinking. Lilly looked down at her boys and giggled. "Ya boys look sharp in those bow ties. Ya can go mingle, if ya like." The wolves went to Arthur and Lilly laughed softly.

"Lilly?" Maura asked. "I just heard a rumor about you."

"Hmm, already?" Lilly asked.

"Yes. I don't want to pry, but I thought you should know. Um...your shawl isn't covering up your back all the way, so...um..."

Lilly sighed. "Well, fiddlesticks." Karen snorted into her champagne glass. "I take it they are talkin' about my scars?"

"Well, yes," Maura said with a frown.

"I see. I'd hoped to cover them up to save people from faintin'."

Maura frowned more. "I apologize, Lilly."

"Oh, they're just scars."

"May I ask...how you...?"

"Oh...I was flogged."

Maura blinked. "Flogged?! Why would someone do such a thing?"

Lilly peeked over Maura and saw Brutus and Mr. Pierce greeting Patrick. The ballroom doors shut and Lilly smiled. "No idea, but I do believe I am about to find out." Arthur motioned to her and she nodded.

"Find out?"

Lilly pointed in Mr. Pierce and Brutus' direction. "Those two men were responsible for it. Patrick set this all up to have them arrested. In public. Honestly, though, I would have preferred killin' them but I'm not allowed to do that."

Karen laughed, as did Maura. "I should think so! If someone did that to me, you can bet I'd want to kill them too."

Lilly excused herself with a wicked smile. "Let the games begin," she said, making her way over to Arthur. The pups followed her and Patricke motioned for them to come.

"Hmm, Mr. Pierce? Brutus?" Patrick asked. "Did you happen to find the whereabouts of Lilly's watch?"

"I'm afraid not, sir," Mr. Pierce sighed. "I've tried reaching out to all my sources, but I haven't come up with a thing. Nor the identity of the ones responsible for her demise."

"What demise?" Lilly uttered behind him. "I'm still alive, ya silly man!"

Brutus and Mr. Pierce turned and yelped in shock. "What the bloody hell are you-" Brutus started but Mr. Pierce stopped him. The wolves snarled at them both, their hackles raised and their fangs bared.

"Mrs. Morgan. I...I thought you were deceased," Mr. Pierce stuttered.

"Well, ya didna do a very good job of it, did ya?"

"Ha! Are you accusing me of trying to have you killed?"

"Ya know damn well I am, ya murderous, lyin' bastard!" she shouted.

All music and chatter ceased as the guests looked at the shouting woman. Pierce laughed nervously and looked at Patrick. "Sir Patrick, you can't possibly believe I had anything to do with this!"

"Oh, I think I do," Patrick sighed casually. A few lawmen came and circled around Brutus and Mr. Pierce. People began to chatter again.

"I have no idea what you mean, sir!" Pierce pleaded.

"Mr. Pierce oversaw me torture and his cousin, Brutus, was the one who carried out me torture," Lilly said to the lawmen. "They poisoned me too, but luckily we had an antidote fer that."

Mr. Pierce shot his chin up. "You have no proof, Countess!" Lilly sighed, turned around, and removed her shawl to expose her back. The dress started just under her shoulder blades so a good portion of her scars showed.

"Ya see these marks, gentlemen? These were done tah me under Mr. Piece's supervision." Some officers and a few guests gasped at the sight. One woman even fainted. Lilly rolled her eyes and put the shawl back on, turning around to face Pierce. "Me family watch. Where is it?"

"No idea what you mean."

Lilly held out her palm and chuckled. "Don't make me shout, Mr. Pierce. It's become, hahaha, louder and more unpleasant."

"I have no idea what-"

"GIVE ME BACK ME DAMN POCKET WATCH OR I'LL RIP YER ARMS OFF AND BEAT YA WITH 'EM!" Lilly's voice boomed.

People backed up in horror and Mr. Pierce immediately dug into his coat, grabbing the watch and flinging it to her. "You witch! You used witchcraft on me!"

Lilly laughed. "That wasna witchcraft, ya dolt! That was an Irish temper!"

Arthur wheezed out a laugh. "You should see how mad she can really get. This was just a small part of it."

"Alright, let's go!" The officers cuffed Mr. Pierce and Brutus who struggled as they were dragged through the room.

"You're making a big mistake, Sir Patrick! Do you not know what she is?!" Lilly looked down at her watch and smiled, fingering the family crest on the front.

"I am well aware of what she is, Mr. Pierce!" Patrick yelled. "She is a countess! And a wonderful one, at that!" The ballroom doors opened and the two murderers shouted and tried to break themselves free as they were taken out. Patrick put his hand on Lilly's shoulder. "Ya alright, lass?"

"Yes."

Patrick waved his hand about and the music resumed. Lilly hugged Patrick. "Thank you, Patrick."

Patrick kissed her cheek. "Yer welcome, love. Now go and enjoy the party. I'm sure people have questions about ya now."

"Oh, they did before."

Arthur shook Patrick's hand. "Thanks, Patrick. We owe you."

"Ah," Patrick waved his hand. "Don't mention it, man. It's all fine and under the bridge."

Lilly clicked her tongue and went walking back to Karen and Maura with the wolves. However, the glances she got were ones of disgust and fear. Lilly immediately felt self-conscious about herself, turned, and went heading for the door. She shouldn't have shouted.

Okay folks. How are you liking the story so far? Please review, fav, follow, and thanks for reading! Love ya!