The Darkness of Shadoewynne: Book 3 of the Shadoewynne series

by Penelope Kein

  “Evalia! Prepare yourself!” Eir’s powerful voice rang out. Shit! Shadow Alarr took advantage of my momentary inattention to attack. David lunged, stopping Alarr with his blade. Eir shouted as David strained to keep the blade from being pushed into me. “Now!”

  David withdrew as my hands shot forward, grabbing Shadow Alarr by the ears. I let my magic flow into my hands and soon Shadow Alarr was emanating a blue glow that seemed to come from within. His skeletal structure was faintly visible through his skin.

  He threw back his head and screamed. I braced myself against the force of that scream. It felt like it was slicing through my eardrums as it went on and on, like he didn’t have to breathe. Just healing energy wasn’t doing anything. I would have to go on the offensive here. I forced my power into a cage around him. Then, I started making that cage smaller until I had it down to a large black marble. Still, he screamed. How was he screaming without a mouth?

  David fell to the floor, knocking the marble out of my hand. As David’s face bounced off the floor, the screaming cut off. David was the one screaming!

  Eir’s face was stern as she picked up the marble that had bumped her foot. The darkness in the marble swirled within it as she held it up to the light. “Leave. We can only finish the healing of David from the real world.”

  I nodded as I closed my eyes and stepped out of David’s mind. My injuries and aches disappeared when I opened my eyes. Hmm. I thought injuries acquired while in the mind-scape translated to my real body. I was sure Sibhre had said something along those lines.

  Eir interrupted my musing, pushing past me to get to David, who slumped face first on the ground behind me. I sunk to my knees next to him and my hands were shaking as I gently turned him over. Dirt caked around his mouth and nose but I could see it moving gently with his breaths.

  I pulled my power into my hands, but Eir put a hand on my arm. “No, child. Use your whole body. He needs as much healing as you can do, as quickly as possible. He won’t die, but his mind may not be the same.”

  I was vaguely aware of Travis and Kait standing behind me, silently offering support. Their love and confidence in me was pulsing through the bond, stronger than ever. I closed my eyes and filled myself with power. When I opened them, I was glowing strongly. All of my power was being sucked into David. The light spiraled towards him, into a point on his forehead. Slowly, he took on my glow, until I couldn’t tell where my hands ended and his arms began. His eyes opened, the blue glow refracting through his grey eyes in a mesmerizing pattern. A hand lifted to my face and a finger ran over my cheek. His eyes closed and he slumped in my arms.

  “NO!” The cry ripped from my mouth. I stared at his face as I fought back tears. There was no movement, no sign of life. No breath stirred the dirt. I shook as I waited for a sign. One little sign is all I need.

  My breathing hitched in my throat as it slowly sunk in that it had been far too long since he had taken a breath.

  I broke. “David! David!” I began shaking his lifeless body. Kait reached for him, but I smacked his hand away. “NO! Don’t touch him!”

  Eir knelt in front of me and ran a finger down his face. I didn’t have the urge to push her away. Now I was just empty. Life without David would be a colorless, drab thing. My mind’s eye conjured up memories of us together. How he just wouldn’t take the hint to leave me alone when we met. His dancing grey eyes as he joked around. The feeling of his lips on mine. My eyes slid closed as tears streamed down my face. I sobbed, bent over his lifeless body.

  An undeterminable amount of time later, Travis put his arms around me from behind while Kait pulled David’s lifeless body from my arms. I wailed and flailed my arms at Kait, attempting to prevent him from taking David. He was gentle, yet firm, but I could see in his eyes how much he was hurting. Once Kait had picked up David, I spun, burying my face in Travis’s shirt as I bawled. He stroked my back and I could swear I felt him sob. Murmured voices were just a backdrop to my overwhelming pain.

  Travis scooped me up in arms, taking me outside to where someone had set up the tent. He brushed aside the door and laid me on the cot grown from the ground. It brought back memories, and I sobbed harder. Travis laid down beside me and, after pulling me close, laid a blanket over us both. He rested his chin on my head.

  I don’t know how long we laid there like that but I had run out of tears by the time Kait joined us. Without David. Everything would be without David from now on. I could feel a wail building inside of me but I couldn’t let it out. Kait’s face told me he was on the edge of breaking down as well. He climbed on the cot next to me and settled in.

  My voice was a small, broken thing. “Eir said he wouldn’t die. Why did he die? It’s all my fault!” I whispered the last but Kait heard it. His fingers tightened on mine as he shook his head.

  “It wasn’t your fault. He was fading before you started healing him. I don’t know what happened. I couldn’t read his mind when you were in there. We can talk to Eir about it in the morning.” Kait’s voice wasn’t much better than mine, and it broke several times while he spoke. I shrunk back into Travis’s arms as I pulled Kait closer until we were just a tangle of arms and legs.

  ”What are we going to do?” This was a soft wail.

  Kait just shook his head and Travis’s breathing hitched. We held each other until the morning; none of us slept a wink.

  Chapter 12

  The dawn was beautiful but I couldn’t enjoy it. The bright pinks and purples in the sky seemed drab and grey. I had a pounding headache, most likely from dehydration from crying all night. I glared at the sky with painfully puffy, gritty eyes and I moved that glare to Eir when she exited the cabin. I pointed a finger at her.

  “You! You said he wouldn’t die!” My voice broke as I screamed at her.

  She nodded, unruffled by my accusation or by her companion's death. “That is correct. That is what I said.” She tilted her head at me and continued, “And I stand by what I said.”

  I literally saw red. “You stand by what you said?” Something must be broken in my head because instead of a shriek, like it should have been, the question came out in a quiet, calm, reasonable tone. Which is not how I was feeling.

  “Yes.”

  I couldn’t believe her. “He fucking died last night! How in the flying, fucking HELL do you still stand by what you mother-fucking said?” Kait had taken a step forward at the first cuss word out of my mouth with his hand held out like he would try stop me, but he hesitated, then put his hand down and glared at Eir as well.

  For her part, she was unflappable. Her expression didn’t change and she didn’t react to my screamed epithets at all. Her head merely tilted to the other side as she regarded me. “I don’t understand.”

  My mouth dropped open. Kait took over in my place, his face red. “David died in her arms last night. You watched him. How do you not understand?” His fists were clenching, and unclenching by his side, like he wanted to strangle her.

  “He didn’t die last night. He was in a state of suspended animation while the healing worked on his mind.”

  Kait pulled his fist back, but I jumped in and put my hand on it before he could swing. Gently, I pulled his hand down to his side. Then I glared at Eir. “That’s not funny. I know you’re not used to Earth and our customs, but you don’t joke like that. David was precious to me and I don’t appreciate you playing with my emotions.” The last sentence came out garbled between the sobs wracking my body and my hands covering my face.

  “Sugar, why are you crying?” Now I’m imagining things. I heard David’s voice, with an almost teasing sound to it, like he was trying not to laugh. “Dude! Kait, Travis, you two look like you have been crying as well. What happened?” Now he sounded upset.

  I heard some slapping sounds, like someone was pounding on another’s back, like guys do when they hug. I took a deep breath and moved my hands. David was smirking at me, with Kait gripping his shoulder and surreptitiously wiping his eyes. I blinked to see if he was
a mirage. My hands shook as I reached for him, and when they caught his shirt, I pulled him to me. His cut grass scent surrounded me as I stared into his grey eyes.

  “Are you okay, Sugar?” My fingers were exploring his face, so I could understand the puzzled look he gave me. None of us had said a thing to him yet. I tangled my fingers in his hair as I pulled him in for a kiss. It started gentle, but quickly morphed to a passionate, all-consuming kiss. My heart was soaring. He still looked puzzled when I pulled away. “Not that I’m complaining but you are all acting weird. What’s going on?”

  “I thought you died.” I whispered.

  His eyes widened. “What?”

  “We thought you died.” This time Kait answered. “Evalia tried to heal you, then you went limp. You weren’t breathing; no heartbeat either. My magic said you were dead. For the last 12 hours or so, we thought you were dead.” He turned to Eir. “Explain.” His stern tone made me finally look away from David.

  Eir blanched a little when she finally cut her eyes to Kait. “Let us go in the cabin where we can be warm and comfortable and I will explain.” She turned and led the way, just assuming we would follow. I glanced at the guys and shrugged with one shoulder. Kait just shook his head and gestured at the door.

  Travis went first, then David and me, because I would not let go of him anytime soon, with Kait in the rear. Kait slammed the door behind us, which was a feat, since it didn’t close all the way. A small part of my mind wondered how he managed it as the rest of my mind was still cussing Eir.

  She sat on the couch and gestured in front of her. There were no other chairs, so we sat on the floor, David to my right side, still holding my hand, and Travis to the left. Kait stood behind us with his arms crossed. She cleared her throat. “I am sorry. If I had realized you thought he had died, I would have quickly explained.” Kait opened his mouth, but she held up a hand to stop him. “I am not the best with human emotions. I apologize. The fight with Alarr’s magic badly damaged his mind. Evalia’s wounds healed because she was not fully in David’s mind, but he did not have that luxury. Every wound he took was one to his physical mind and psyche. When Evalia healed him, it put him in a deep trance as the magic worked on his mind. He awoke this morning, with little to no memories of the last few days.”

  David rubbed his head, ruffling his dirty blonde hair. “The last thing I remember was the operation to get the Svikari.”

  She nodded. “So, I stand by what I said. David is as good as new.”

  I laughed, sounding, even to myself, like I had lost my mind. It was a little too loud, a little too high, and definitely had a crazy edge to it. I’m sure it was relief, but still, the sound even made me uneasy. The guys were all eyeing me warily, and I could feel concern through the bond. With quite a bit of effort, I finally stopped laughing. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.” I cleared my throat. “Are you sure he’s all healed?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Now. I believe we are done here.” She looked over at Kait. “I will contact you when I know what I will need from you to fulfill your debt.” Her eyes moved to me. “Evalia, I have trained you as much as I can. Healing David proved that. Remember to follow your instincts and you will be fine. I will be in touch with you as well.” She bowed to us, her clothes changing to the original dress she had worn when we first met as she did. She rose into the air, her toes pointing to the ground that was inches below them, as she raised her arms. She disappeared in a flash of light.

  I rubbed my face before saying, “I don’t know what I expected, but that wasn’t it.” Kait walked around to stand in front of us as he raised an eyebrow at me. “I mean, that was a pretty abrupt exit. And why does she get to say when we are done with her? For all we know, David may relapse. I thought she would stay for a bit after we healed David to make sure everything went well. And the training was sorely lacking for the payment she requested.” Kait’s eyes were wild as he eyed the room and gestured at me to shut up. I glared at him. “Why are you waving at me like that? I would say the same thing if she was here. I promised her I would do anything she asked in exchange for training. I got two sessions. That seems a bit paltry, if you ask me.” I sighed as I deliberately released my anger at Eir. The important thing was that David was safe. When I glanced over at him, he was staring intently at my face with a wistful smile. “Are you truly okay?”

  He nodded but didn’t answer out loud. His fixation on me was getting a little unnerving. As gently as I could, I asked, “What are you doing? Do I have something on my face? Why are you staring like that?”

  His voice was soft as he answered. “I remember nothing past the fight but I feel like it's a miracle you are back with me, like some part of me was sure I would never see you again. It feels like this is all a dream and I will wake up in a dark, lonely place where you will never find me.”

  My heart broke. “Even though it was only a couple days, I’m sorry it took us so long to find you. Come on, let’s head home.” I stood up. Travis and David did as well. “Kait, do we need to stock up? How long will it take us to get home?”

  Kait was staring into space and jumped a little when I addressed him. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Princess, but we need to get home now. We need to jump by gateway. Two of them and we will be home. I know you don’t like them, but I have a bad feeling, and I need to be home to check with my lieutenants.”

  His words caused a spike of fear. This should be the end. We should have our happily ever after now! I mean, I knew life would never be that easy but I at least wanted a week of rest. Is that too much to ask?

  The whirlwind of color erupted in front of me. I sighed and grabbed my braid with my free hand. Travis stepped through, then David reluctantly let go of my hand to step through. I was glaring at it when Kait growled at me to move it. I held my breath and stepped into it.

  For once, I stepped out onto the other side normally. No nausea, disorientation or anything! David was ready to catch me and looked a little put out when I didn’t fall into his arms. I giggled, then gave him a kiss to make up for it. His arms tightened around me as his tongue parted my lips.

  “We don’t have time for that.” Kait’s voice was still almost a growl. Whatever was bothering him must have been serious. Another gateway opened, and we stepped through again, this time exiting into the kitchen of Kait’s house. Janelle had a mixing bowl in her hand, with batter dripping off the spoon onto the floor as she stared at us with an open mouth. The room spun slightly, but nowhere near as bad as the previous times I had used gateways.

  “Hi, Mom!” Like a little kid, David ran to his mom to give her a long hug and a peck on the cheek.

  “Uh, hi. I didn’t expect you all today.” She seemed to recover from her shock and began mixing again.

  “Hi, Janelle.” Kait, Travis and I all greeted her at the same time. Kait continued talking, though. “Are any of my lieutenants here?”

  “One arrived about ten minutes ago. I put him in the parlor to write up his report. All the other reports are in there. There have been quite a few soldiers through here since you left.”

  His shoulders slumped and I could feel his apprehension ratchet up a notch through the bond. We watched him silently as he drew himself up before marching down the hall to the parlor. My stomach twisted. Somehow, I knew we would not get a break.

  I exchanged worried looks with David and Travis. With no words, we all followed Kait down the hall. It must have been the fastest report in the history of warfare, though, because by the time we made it to the parlor the scout was already stepping through a gateway on his way to his next assignment. Kait was running a hand down his face and he didn’t turn to us when we entered.

  The amount of uneasiness pouring through the bond from him almost froze me in my tracks. “What’s wrong, Kait?”

  After a second of hesitation, he turned to us. “Natural magic in Shadoewynne has suddenly dropped. Magical beasts are dying everywhere. Yesterday, a dragon fell out of the sky dead onto a small village. Thre
e people died.” His voice was quiet and held an edge I had never heard from him before. He sighed, then continued. “You will get your wish, Princess, but it won’t be a vacation. We need to go to Fliree, where there’s a dragon nesting ground. It won’t be pretty, though. I’m sorry.”

  “Okay. When do we need to leave? Do we have time for me to take a shower?” He nodded as he turned away, already lost in thought.

  I ran down the hall, took the quickest shower I could, and was back in the parlor in less than fifteen minutes. David walked back in behind me, sporting wet hair and clean clothes. Travis entered just a minute after that, also with wet hair. Looks like everyone except Kait showered.

  Kait hadn’t moved since we left and was still staring at the floor sightlessly. I walked up to him and rubbed his shoulders gently.

  “Kait? We are ready. Do you want to take a shower before we go?” He didn’t answer, but his arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me in, resting his chin on my shoulder. I could tell how much he needed this, so I just rubbed circles on his back until he kissed me lightly before speaking.

  “I’ll go take a shower. Please get the reports and your computer together so you can work on them while we travel. I have a feeling this will not be the only hot spot that needs our attention.”

  “Okay. I’ll have it ready to travel by the time you’re done.” He nodded as he walked out the door. I turned to Travis. “Hey, can you see if you can find more clothes? We don’t have time to clean the ones we took and David didn’t have any.”

  He nodded, pecked me on the cheek and left the room to search for travel clothes. David was standing in the middle of the room with a lost expression.

  “What’s the matter?” I called over my shoulder as I tidied the uneven pile of papers the scouts had left behind.

  “I don’t know. I guess I expected to have time to get back to normal.”