by D. E. Morris
“The price of marrying royalty.”
Giggling quietly, she asked, “Tell me, Badru, how many wives do you have?”
A grin lit his face, teeth white against his dark skin. “I have lost count. It does not matter, in my eyes. There is enough love to go around. Speaking of love, how is Jaryn?”
“He is well...or...was well. He took part in the first melee today and received a gash on his arm and a slight concussion for his efforts.”
Her answer made Badru laugh. “That sounds like your husband. He is a rare breed, I think, among those that occupy the thrones of the high kingdoms.”
“He is a rare breed, period,” Ashlynn countered with amusement. “Laughter is certainly never lacking in the castle when he is there.”
“Things have settled then?” Badru glanced at her in question. “The first two years of your marriage were quite tumultuous.”
She nodded, a slight grimace coming to her face. “We did fight often then, but we are much better now. Of course we still argue as any married couple does, but I think we have finally figured out who we are within our marriage and what is required of us. For so long I expected Jaryn to simply know my every thought and anticipate it. He made assumptions of me and of the way our marriage would be which were unfair as well. Now that we have gotten all of that our of our heads, I think we are more in sync and more in love than we were on the day we were married.”
“That does my heart well to hear, Ashlynn, truly. I worried that things...or people...might come between you. I am glad that is not the case.”
They paused to watch Lochlainn investigate a stall with leather and fabric masks that someone had made. She waited until she was sure her son was out of earshot before addressing what it was that Badru left unsaid. “If you speak of Killian, it is not a thing to worry about, nor was it ever. I take my vows seriously and could never look at another man, let alone love him, the way I do my husband. He and Jaryn have even become quite close, almost like brothers. There are times I wonder that he does not confide in Killian more than me, and even that I say half in jest. He has become part of our family.”
Once more, Badru grinned. “That seems to be the way with those who find themselves in your company.” She shrugged one shoulder, smiling in answer. When they began to walk again, he asked if there had been any change to her abilities. Up until a year ago he had seen her rather frequently, and every time he asked the same questions of her. Was there any stirring of her former Elemental gifts in her? Could she summon fyre or even just a spark of it? Had her shifted form regained any of its familiarity from before her powers had been taken from her? The answer was always the same: No. For a long time, the questions hurt and she reached a point where seeing Badru filled her with dread. She wanted to be able to tell him something different because she longed for the days she was intimately aware of her abilities. After a while, she resigned herself to the fact that the questions always came because he was holding out hope, and that it would be her duty to continuously disappoint him.
“Badru, it has been five years since we all met together at Altaine...five years since we first discussed what could be done to save the Elemental of Earth. I was reluctant then, but now...” She trailed off with a sad, quiet sigh, and looked at the back of Lochlainn's head. “He will be six years old soon. I am afraid if we put off the transfer much longer, the Element will be lost for good.”
The older man looked down, his expression grim. “You wish to go through with the blood purge in the hope that whatever trace of your Element still left within you will finally release its hold on you and go to your son.” She nodded heavily, silently, causing Badru to furrow his brow. “Have you told the others?”
Knowing he meant the other Elementals, she shook her head. “I only told Cavalon two days ago. He tried to talk me out of it, as I feel you are building up a speech of your own, but Jaryn and I have discussed it at great length.” She wrapped her hand around Badru's arm and gave it a squeeze. “I love that the two of you are steadfast in your hope that one day, the power will return to me. It means more to me than you know, that you are not so quick to let me go that easily.” She looked down sadly. “As much as I wish your faith alone would restore me to what I once was, I think we need to face the truth of the situation and do what must be done.”
Badru's lips were pressed together in a thin line. “And Tasarin...have you spoken with him on the matter yet?”
“No. He does not yet even know that I am without my Elemental powers. I asked Luella not to tell him just as I asked Cavalon not to tell Nuala.” She frowned, a familiar knot of guilt twisting in her stomach. “I know it was terrible of me to ask of them, to keep such a secret from their spouses, especially when I am close to them as well.” With a shake of her head, she added, “I thought it was the right decision and still do. The less people that knew, the greater the chance we all had to keep the secret safe.”
Gentle, Badru pat the hand that was around his arm. “I would have made the same decision, if it makes you feel any better.”
Her smile for him was small. “It does...thank you.” She knew deep down that absolution would never come in this situation. Nuala would no doubt be hurt that Ashlynn hadn't shared this new chapter in her life. The two women were good friends, and out of all of the females who had become part of her extended family since Tadhg's death, she held Nuala closest. They spent more time together than she did with Luella, and Misuzu disappeared again after that fateful meeting of the Elementals at Altaine. Lochlainn and Lucien were best friends and loved each other as brothers. If the roles were reversed, Ashlynn knew she would be hurt to learn Nuala had kept something so important from her. She only hoped the winged woman would be able to forgive her for making Cavalon keep her secret.
Tasarin would certainly be injured. He had been with her family as an adviser, a confidante, and a friend since her grandfather sat on the throne. It was he who saved her and Kenayde from death by bringing them to Oceana for Wessely and Emiline to raise, and he who had remained her voice of reason through the years.
“I will tell them all soon,” she resolved. They had passed the market square and were approaching one of the residential blocks. “I had a mind to do it sooner, but Tasarin has been so concerned with getting Caedia ready for this and keeping everyone safe, which is right for him to do. Have you seen the others?”
“You are the first to even know that I am here.”
“Well, Luella is very pregnant. In fact, she could go at any day, so Tasarin has that on his mind as well. The last thing I wanted to do was to add to his already full plate.”
Badru nodded slowly. “Justification is a wonderful thing, is it not?”
“Attacks on Gaels and dragons have been steadily increasing as the elves become more widespread. Their hurt is deep and pain like that tends to be infectious.”
“Indeed it does. Even in my country there has been much more talk of flying creatures than normal.”
Ashlynn looked at him in sharp concern. “Are you or your family in any danger?”
“It is more curiosity that drives the chatter than fear. We are fine.”
“For now,” she muttered in frustration.
“Mama, I see Cavalon and Lucien.” Lochlainn pointed down a street to the right where the two were working on untangling a kite. “May I?”
“We will be right along,” she promised.
As the little boy ran off to join the others, Badru removed Ashlynn's hand from his arm and turned to face her. “Before we join everyone else and let the levity of the week sweep us away, let me say something.”
“Of course.”
“Your husband supports your decision?”
She gave a small nod. “He is terrified of what must happen to ensure the transfer, but we have discussed it extensively and he knows it must be done. He does not like it, but he supports my decision.”
This seemed to be all Badru needed to hear. He took a slow breath in and released it as though it was an
expelling of his reservations. “If he can support you, so can I. Whatever you need, whatever Lochlainn needs, whenever you need it, I will be there.”
His support meant a great deal to her, and she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. “Thank you, Badru.”
“You will always be one of us, Ashlynn. Always.” As they parted from one another, he took her face in his hands like a father with his child. “If anyone could teach this old man something new, it is that blood does not equate family. You showed me that.”
“Please don't make me cry.”
He laughed and kissed her forehead. “No tears. Come, let us go help them with that kite. Then, I think I would like a tall mug of Caedian ale.”
It was not hard to put the worries of the impending future out of her mind when the children were around. For a long block of time, she, Badru, and Cavalon stayed with Lochlainn and Lucien, running through the streets with kites. Eventually they managed to add Tiyal to their mixture as well. Ashlynn bought her own kite and led the small procession through the village, more and more children joining them to run behind and watch. After a time, Ashlynn seemed to lose interest and gave her kite over to Cavalon, excusing herself. She was absent until it was close to when the second melee and the last event of the day would begin. The various children were collected by their parents and their caretakers, and Ashlynn and the others left to watch the match.
Drawing up to the melee arena, Ashlynn pointed to the grandstand to show Badru where they would be watching. Jaryn was already there, settled into his chair and in conversation with Vala. Her other ladies were in attendance as well, no doubt waiting for her, but Badru seemed keenly interested in the girl. “Who is the young woman conversing with your charming husband?”
“Her name is Vala. She is from a wealthy family in Cieria.”
Cavalon chuckled. “I hear she lacks the ability to think before she speaks.”
“Like someone else I know,” Ashlynn teased before growing serious again. “You heard about this morning, did you?”
Rather than questioning what the other two were talking about, Badru kept his attention on the grandstand. “She seems rather enamored with Jaryn.” As he spoke, they all saw the way she touched Jaryn's arm where the sleeve of his tunic had been pushed up and wrapped tightly in a bandage. There was nothing but innocent concern on her face, and Ashlynn waved a hand in dismissal.
“She is a child infatuated with her king. She certainly hasn't been the first will likely not be the last.”
Seeing the group approaching, Jaryn waved from his seat. “Come on,” he called playfully. “The battle will be over by the time you lot get settled.”
In fact, the melee was over much quicker than the one that morning. Before it began, everyone drew banners from a basket. Their assigned colors put them into one of four groups before the combat began. In organizing the people this way, it forced them to mix with those of other nations and not stick with their own. Killian fought under the red banner with no one else from the folds of the extended Altaine family; Cailin fought with the green team, along with Ories; Connor, Wessely, and Elas were on the blue team. As the colors converged on one another, Cailin found the Ibayish sheriff and her former superior, Fintan, on the yellow team, and seemed to take great pleasure in trying to best him.
Badru watched it all with a crinkled nose and squinted eyes. “This is...fun...to you?” The question wasn't directed at anyone in particular, and his attention never left the arena below.
“Oh, aye,” Jaryn laughed, holding his injured arm. “There's nothing like a mock battle to get your blood pumping and to keep your skills sharp.”
The older man frowned to himself. “When you have seen as many real-life battles as I have, play fighting holds much less appeal.”
From behind Badru, Cavalon quietly agreed with an, “Amen, brother.”
Chapter Three
As the sun dipped low behind the surrounding mountains and the last of the day's injuries were being taken care of, there was a palpable shift in the atmosphere. The thrill of competition created a heated energy during the day. Now that it was time to put the daily contests aside for a while, there was a levity and a joviality that settled on the village. The smoky aroma of meat being turned on spits over enormous fires drifted in the cooling air. Laughter and conversation replaced the cheering and taunting of crowds. Men and women who had gone up against each other just that day shared a meal together, as well as several pitchers of beer, wine, and ale.
All around the village, groups gathered to play music or to simply listen, to dance and feast. Ashlynn, Jaryn, and the rest of their core group decided to sit outside like everyone else, watching the stars wink into existence overhead. They circled a smaller fire pit, some sitting on cushions, some sitting on nothing but the ground beneath them. Luella was the only one afforded a chair. She promised she would have been down there with the rest of them if the very fact of getting up from such a crouched position wouldn't put her into labor. None would begrudge her the comfort if it meant staving off her having the baby until after the week had ended.
The children, having finished eating much more quickly than the adults, played nearby with some of the other children they'd befriended during the week. They danced to the sound of a lively fiddle being played nearby, all of them silly and laughing as they did so, even Lochlainn.
“Look at our boy,” Jaryn beamed, his arm tight around Ashlynn. “I see that grin far too little.”
“Who is that pretty little elvish girl that keeps trying to get his attention?” asked Kenayde. She nodded to a child with long dark hair and slanted eyes.
“That is Darowynn, the youngest daughter of the Haarkin family in Braemar,” Nuala supplied. “Her father is in the confidence of a lesser king in the northeast corner of the country and very wealthy.” Her eyes turned to Ashlynn in surprise. “I was not aware that you had decided upon the match.”
Ashlynn shrugged delicately, watching the children with a small level of detachment. “Relations are strained with the elves and the Gaels. It was an opportunity I could hardly pass up if it would solidify a strong union among our people. When I heard you matched Lucien with Elette, Jaryn and I decided it was time to finally commit for Lochlainn.”
“Jaryn and I,” Jaryn snorted. “What she means is that she told me the name, introduced me to the family, I said they were lovely people, and it was a done deal in her eyes.”
“That was how it was for Tiyal and Hazel,” Luella admitted. She glanced at the shy little girl on the outskirts of the dancing children. Her skin was a pale brown and her black hair was long and full of curls. “Tasarin was the one who picked the Alybaenian girl over the many residing in Montania. He believes it will prove a strong political benefit in the future. I trust his judgment, so I simply agreed.” Her forehead wrinkled and she fixed both Ashlynn and Nuala with a forced scowl. “I will admit, I am disappointed that you could not have waited at least a few more weeks to see if I have a girl or not. Then again, with two eligible princes, there could be a bit of a rivalry there if we are not careful.”
“There still very well could be,” laughed Nuala. “Look! Lucien is playing with Darowynn now and poor Lochlainn looks left out.”
Slow and quiet, Ashlynn kissed Jaryn's cheek before rising and moving out into the darkness beyond the group. From the place where they had all chosen to sup together, they were practically at the top of a small hill. It allowed her to look out over the village to some small extent, giving her a view of several other groups that had come together as hers had. For so long there had been disquiet among the nations, fear of impending war from Tadhg and abandonment from their own people. It was as though every kingdom, whether high or lesser, had drawn into themselves. Though things had settled considerably since the death of Tadhg, since Mirasean had been destroyed, it had begun to feel like they were all retreating back to the old ways of seclusion and isolation. Being here, everyone all mixing together and sharing meals around fires
, was more encouraging than she'd imagined it could be. Seeing all of the smiling faces around their own fires had given her such a rush of joy the night before. Tonight, she barely saw them at all through the tears that made her vision swim.
A hand touched her arm and she turned to look up into the concerned face of her husband. “Are you all right?” She looked down and sniffled, giving a small shake of her head. Words formed on her tongue, but she feared if she tried to speak, she would lose control of her emotions. Her lack of a verbal response made Jaryn wind his arms around her and hold her close against him. “What is it?” he whispered, a hand cradling the back of her head against his shoulder. “You haven't been yourself since this afternoon. Is it Badru? Is he pestering you with question again? Because I asked him to stop.”
“It isn't Badru,” she said as loud as she dared, her voice muffled in Jaryn's tunic. “It's me.” She took a shuddering breath in before pulling away from Jaryn so she could dry her eyes. “It's me,” she repeated. “My courses started.”
The confusion on Jaryn's face gave way to slow understanding, and once more, he pulled her to him. “Oh, my love...it's all right.” He kissed her cheek and let go of a slow breath. “It's all right. It will happen.”
“I was so sure this time. After trying so for long, I thought this time...Jaryn, I'm so sorry.”
“Hey.” He gripped her by the shoulders and pushed her away just enough to be able to look into her face, his brows together in a stern line. “You have nothing to apologize for. It isn't as though you can choose when to get pregnant and when not to. I think if that were the case, we'd have a houseful.”
She shook her head and looked down. “I know how badly you want another child.”
“Just as badly as you. Ashlynn, it will happen. You have to stop putting so much pressure on yourself. That can't be helpful, either.” He glanced at the group behind them. “You know that there is someone else who understands your pain.” As though sensing eyes on her, Kenayde turned around and searched the darkness, pausing only when she saw the couple looking at her. She said something to Elas before rising and going out to join them. Blue eyes examined her sister's face, and a wordless understanding passed between them.