They were connected in a way that she couldn’t explain. When they were apart, she longed to be together. She trusted him with her happiness and well-being. His needs and interests were as important to her as her own.
Then there was the physical realm. Her heart skipped a beat when she recalled the moments when they had been alone. One touch from him generated warmth and a deeper desire.
She looked at the king and smiled.
“I love him for the person that he is,” she said, grasping her necklace.
The king nodded, then stopped short as he spotted the glittering stones. “May I see?”
“Of course.”
He moved closer to examine the jewel. “I was sorry to hear about your father. When did he die?”
“Before my trip here. We were chased. Attacked. Both my parents were killed.”
“That must have been very difficult.”
“It was. Father asked me to continue his work. There is a list of private contacts in his journal. You’re one of them.”
“Was my name mentioned?”
“The book is written in code. There was an oblique reference, but I’ve deciphered the clues. The contact I was destined to meet at the temple was the Fifth Prince, isn’t that right? Father’s journal said that person would lead me to the Dragon. I believe that’s you, Your Majesty.”
He nodded and paced in front of the dais. “I gave that necklace to your father.”
“You did?”
“He and I met when we were young men. He swept onto our shores, after a violent storm pushed the merchant fleet into unknown waters. We became friends during his stay. Then one day, there was an uprising. The crown was threatened. We were outnumbered, as we were in this last battle.”
“What did you do?”
“We combined our magic. The evil forces that tried to destroy the kingdom were stronger than my powers alone. Your father helped me create a diversion, a storm so severe it pushed back the enemy. We had time to regroup. Without his help, we might have had a different outcome. I gave him something that was precious to me because he had protected what I valued most—my people and my birthright as king.” He glanced at Aisling.
She was fascinated by his story. “Why am I here now?”
“I asked your father for help because the kingdom was in danger. I needed to call in someone I trusted. He sent you, and I’m grateful.” He thought back to his friendship with Lord Bailey, and the vow they made many years ago. At that time, he didn’t realize what a sacrifice he’d have to make.
“I was happy to help, and I’m glad that my talents were useful. Do you have special abilities as well?”
“A few. One is the gift of seeing the good in people. It’s helped me in my role as king. Sometimes, though, it’s difficult to see the dark side. I must work with others to understand our true enemies.”
“So you’re part of the same network?”
“Yes, our mission is to promote good in the world.”
“Do you know the other members?”
“Your father safeguarded our identities. With his pendant, I know he’s passed that responsibility to you.”
“He has, and I’ll do my best to continue his mission.”
The king paused and looked off into the distance. “By rights, the Crown Prince should be inheriting my special abilities. But I’ve overlooked the dark deeds of those closest to me and have lost most of my magic to them.”
“How can someone lose their power to another?”
He sighed. “By being complacent, and ignoring evil. It can start with a few small events. If unchecked, it spreads, like a raging fire.”
“Can you recover your magic?”
“Your work with the Fifth Prince has provided critical support. Some of my strength is returning, but dark forces still remain.”
“Do you know who they are?”
“Some of them.” He turned away from her and paced in front of the throne.
“What else can I do?”
“Continue your efforts here until we resolve the current crisis.”
“I want to help you regain what you’ve lost.”
“I appreciate that. Does my son know about your skills?”
“He’s witnessed a few of them, but I’ve not disclosed all of my capabilities.”
“Before you marry, you may want to tell him. You have a demanding mission ahead of you. His life will be impacted. If you trust him, tell him when the time is right.”
“I will, Your Majesty.”
The king looked down at her and smiled. “Your father was a great friend to me. You are very like him. I trust we will continue the tradition.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I look forward to it.”
Aisling backed up and exited from the room, her mind reeling. She had known the king and her father were friends, from reading the notes in her Book of Magic, but the extent of the bond they shared was a surprise. Given their history together, she might be able to marry Drayaen after all.
When the king summoned the Fifth Prince for the second time, Drayaen dreaded the outcome. He had talked with Zo about his feelings for Aisling. It had been an unwelcome surprise to learn of Zo’s proposal. “Is my brother in love with her? So much so that he would agree to leave the East Kingdom?” he muttered.
The palace guard insisted his father wanted to see him now. He pushed back his long black hair in frustration. The order gave him no time to think about another approach, he realized, and if the king wouldn’t grant his permission, Drayaen would have to tell him that he was leaving anyway. He didn’t want that kind of confrontation. It meant he would separate on dreadful terms. They might never see each other again.
The guards flung open the doors and announced his arrival. Drayaen bowed and walked to the front of the dais. The king descended the stairs.
“Father.”
“I’ve met with your brother. It seems the commander persuaded him they were not well suited.”
The prince held his breath.
“I spoke with her earlier today. I’ve decided to grant you permission to marry.”
A tremendous weight lifted from Drayaen’s shoulders. “Thank you, Father,” he said in a voice laden with emotion.
The king paced in front of the stairs. “There’s something you should know.” He gazed at his son. “Aisling’s father and I were friends. He did me a great service many years ago.”
“Her father was here?”
“Yes, the fleet was swept onto our shores. It was fortuitous. Although he is gone, I want to honor his memory and our association. I’ve told your future wife that my friendship is extended to her. You both have my support.”
Drayaen breathed a sigh of relief. At best, he had anticipated his father would be neutral about their relationship. An endorsement was unexpected. He could feel his heartbeat drumming in his chest.
“Father, we appreciate your generosity. In turn, we will support your interests whenever possible.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. Now, we’ll need to make arrangements for your celebration. I’ll appoint a minister to oversee activities. He will approach Aisling. I also want to give you something that belonged to your mother. I believe the timing is appropriate.” From the pocket of his gold silk robe, he withdrew a small, ornate case. “This was one of her favorite jewels. I thought perhaps you might like to give it to your future princess.”
“I’m honored to have something that belonged to Mother, and will treasure it.”
On his way back from the Throne Room, Drayaen’s adrenaline was pumping through his system. In less than twenty-four hours, his life had changed. Now, he knew his mission and where he was headed. He and Aisling would be together.
A few more days, he thought, and a new life awaits us.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
PROMISE IN THE GARDEN
That night, Aisling wandered down to the river that flowed past the guest quarters. She recalled the night of the formal banquet, when she and Drayaen had wal
ked this same path. So much had happened since then.
The last rays of sun cast long shadows over the trees. She breathed the crisp air and buried her hands in her pockets. Over the past few hours, her conversation with the king replayed in her mind. It had been one of the most important meetings of her life. Her thoughts turned to Drayaen. That edgy, fluttering feeling deep inside of her was becoming stronger. She listened to the sounds of running water and realized how much she missed her fleet.
“It’s my way of life now, and anything else feels surreal. If we marry, I hope he can love it as much as I do.”
As she paced, she saw the Prince in the distance, sprinting toward her.
She held her breath.
He picked her up and spun her around. She laughed and clutched his shoulders for support.
He set her down, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her closer.
Her heart raced.
His warm lips glided over hers in a kiss that escalated into one of total possession. She threw her arms around his neck and felt the heat rushing through her body. Time seemed to slow, as if nothing else mattered. After what seemed like hours, he leaned down and smiled.
“I have something for you.”
“What is it?” she asked, as she beamed at him.
“You’ll see,” he said, laughing.
Drayaen clutched her hand as they ran up the hill. There was a spot above the flowing river where tall, willowy trees provided a canopy of seclusion and layers of moss and rich soil served as natural cushions.
From their perch, they could see the trail along the water and surrounding gardens, decorated with pergolas and gazebos. Behind them was a stone wall. They had a clear view of their surroundings, but no one could see them. Drayaen pulled her beside him.
“When I was younger,” he said, “I came here to be alone.”
“It’s beautiful, peaceful.”
“It has happy memories for me.”
“I’m glad.”
“When we leave here, I want us to remember our special place.”
He reached for her hand and withdrew something from his pocket.
“This is for my future princess.”
Aisling looked down to see a sparkling emerald flanked by diamonds. She gasped in surprise as he slid the jewel onto her finger.
“Oh, it’s beautiful.”
“It’s the same color as your eyes.”
“I’ve never before seen a shade this green.”
“It’s been in my family for a long time. Now, you are my family.”
He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. Aisling couldn’t stop smiling. She glanced up at his face and saw his sparkling eyes. He looked happy. Her heart warmed. He caught her staring and his smile widened.
“Aisling, I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said, reaching up to pull him closer.
As he moved his lips across her eyes and cheeks, they melded together, and his caresses became more insistent. Locked in his arms, Aisling felt a new kind of power, as if the two of them were an unstoppable force. She felt her heart skip a beat.
I’m so happy, she thought. I just want to stay this way forever.
The next day was a blur as Aisling began to make arrangements for their wedding. She met with the court minister appointed to oversee the event. They decided on an outdoor service followed by a formal banquet. Teams were chosen to manage the guest list, food, entertainment, clothing, and wedding protocols.
Since Aisling was a visitor to their land, she and Drayaen opted for a modified ceremony that blended their respective traditions. It was also a practical choice. A traditional royal wedding took months to prepare. The minister had a fraction of that time to create an exceptional event.
During the next few days, Aisling and Drayaen talked about everything, from his role on the ship to new businesses and their future life together.They decided, given his talents, that he would oversee security for the fleet. As the celebration drew closer, most of their plans had been solidified.
She struggled to tell him about her special abilities. The moment never seemed right, but as the day drew nearer, Aisling realized she could put it off no longer.
One morning, as they walked along the paths in the king’s private garden, she took a deep breath.
“There’s something about me that you should know.”
“Tell me.”
“Remember when I created a fire in the warehouse, the night we were attacked?”
“It’s hard to forget.”
“Or the cyclonic winds during a few of our battles?”
“It saved our lives.”
“Yes, well, that wasn’t a coincidence of nature.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have some unusual talents.”
“How long have you had them?”
“Since the death of my father.”
He turned to face her. “You know, I guessed as much. Your help in creating the hailstorm convinced me you had special powers. I’ve suspected something like this all along, but it just seemed so improbable.”
“I’m not sure yet about the full range of my capabilities. For example, I had a premonition before I was pushed off the cliff.”
A dark cloud settled over his demeanor. “What do you mean?”
“I sensed the evil before I saw the person. They were capable of malicious fury.” She glanced up at him.
“Who else knows about your power?”
“A few individuals who share similar traits, and my uncle, although he doesn’t know the full range.”
“I see. Where are these other individuals?”
“There’s a secret network, around the world. That’s what I meant when I talked about my obligations. I made a commitment to use these powers in a positive way. We may be asked to help at any time.”
“Is that why you came here?”
“It is. There are still a few things I can’t explain, but if we’re to marry, I want you to know.”
“Not if. When.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means I love you for who you are, not for what you can do.”
“So it doesn’t bother you?”
“I worry for your safety if this were discovered. I’ll do my utmost to protect you.” He stroked her cheek with a finger.
She smiled. “Let’s look after each other.”
“You’re right. I’ll have to get used to the idea. My biggest worry right now is to keep you free from danger, until we leave the kingdom.”
Aisling appreciated how extraordinary her disclosures sounded. She also realized that she was comfortable with Drayaen. I can say anything, she thought, and know that he’s listening. In the future, they might disagree, but she felt confident they would always find a way to work things out.
Sometime later, Aisling sat at her desk in the guest quarters, writing letters to Maológ, Ryen, and her legal expert, when there was a knock at the door. She was surprised to see a guard standing on the veranda.
“You’re wanted at the palace, commander.”
After my recent abduction, I’m not going anywhere unless I recognize the messenger, she thought. “Who wishes to see me?” she asked, her voice strained.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not at liberty to say.”
“In that case, I’m unable to leave, unless of course, it’s the king or the princes. Anyone else must meet me here.” I won’t take a risk, she thought. Not now.
The guard frowned. “I’ll convey your message.” As he descended the stairs, she stepped outside and glanced at the terrain. All was quiet.
She spotted Colonel Lex walking along the riverbank toward the palace, so she grabbed her letters and left the building.
“Hello!” She called out, waving.
“Commander, how are you feeling?”
“Better, thank you.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Thank you for all your help during my stay here. You and your men did a wo
nderful job navigating some dangerous territory. I’m most grateful.”
“We were happy to be of service.”
He glanced down as she rubbed her hands together for warmth. “You’re still recovering. You should be inside.”
“I’ll go back soon. I’ve written some notes to my crew. Do you have any men traveling to the temple? I’m hoping to deliver messages to them.”
“That’s no problem. We have a group leaving in a few hours. I’ll send these along.”
“That is most kind.”
It had been a few days since she had heard from Maológ, and she was anxious for updates. The crew would be getting the fleet ready for their upcoming journey. She glanced down the pathway toward the palace. “Colonel, do you know that guard?”
“Which one?”
“He’s on the walkway, rounding the corner.”
“He looks familiar but I can’t tell from here. Why?”
“He summoned me to the palace but wouldn’t disclose who made the request.”
“Perhaps the king?”
“No, I’m familiar with his guards, and those who work for the princes. I’ve never seen that man.”
“That’s odd. I’m not sure what it’s about.”
“It’s of no consequence. You’re right, I should head back. Thank you for sending my messages to the fleet.”
“Should I have the warrior monk wait for the replies?”
“Yes, that would be most helpful. Thank you, Colonel.”
“Goodbye, Commander.”
She walked down the winding trail, wondering about the summons from the palace. It must be related to the wedding, she concluded. She dashed up the stairs and entered her quarters, her mind now preoccupied with details of the upcoming celebration.
Later that day, Aisling accompanied the minister and his assistant to view potential locations for the ceremony. She was thrilled to discover a place in the Secret Garden that reminded her of home. The group agreed that the site would be perfect. As she walked along the winding river path, she thought about all the details that needed to be handled. Somehow, it would all get done, she reassured herself.
She glanced up to see a palanquin in front of her quarters. Now who could that be? A number of liveried servants surrounded the curricle. As she approached, one of the court ladies leaned over and spoke to the occupant in the carriage. The door was released. Aisling’s eyes widened as she came face to face with Queen Vila.
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