by L. Filloon
“What do you want me to do with the bodies, Tharin?” he asks, once again in his human form.
I look at the five he took out and I see the still body of Janlu lying where he fell in battle with Mellis. There is no sign of Morlo. Once again the orc has escaped my young cousin’s blades.
I shake my head, feeling the weariness seeping in. “We can’t leave them here,” I finally answer.
Mirnuk nods. “I will take them with me and send them back to Velesi. My brother will see to it they are returned to the Mother in the Velesi realm.”
“You have a doorway back to Velesi?” asks Ziri, staring up at the troll.
“Yes, young Lithi, I do.”
Ziri stares at Mirnuk as if ready to ask more questions, but nods instead, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Lily moves to my side, “Tharin...”
I turn from her, addressing Mirnuk. “Will you allow us to use your doorway? It will save us time. As soon as the others return, we can leave.”
“Of course. I will prepare the bodies to be moved.” He leans down and takes a handful of the black earth. “It will take time, but the earth will return to its natural state. A century, maybe more before the evil will be completely flushed from this place. It will rain here, shielded from the humans until new life returns to this blackened grove.”
He gets up and walks away. Lily looks after him before turning to me. When I still refuse to look at her, she sighs heavily and then reaches out. With one hand she touches where the arrow nicked my face, and she places the other at the back of my arm where Kalis got me. I feel her energy heal the wounds and know she gave more than what is needed. The blackness that has been threatening to overtake me subsides, but the pain from the cord is still substantial. Without another word, she gets up and follows after the troll. After a moment, Julia punches me in the arm and a sharp pain courses through me. She looks at me in disgust before rising and going after her friend.
I would rub at my arm, but I am too weak and in too much pain to bother.
“She saved my life, Tharin,” says Ziri from his precarious position.
“She also shot you in the ass,” I answer.
“Hey, the bow and arrow was Alorn’s area. He was supposed to teach her how to use it,” he replies defensively.
I keep my eyes on Lily as she takes directions from Mirnuk. “It doesn’t matter. The bow is Herticine.”
“Senestra’s bow? But how did she get it?”
“I suppose her mother gave it to her,” I reply, my eyes still on Lily.
“Huh,” he muses. “I’m not even going to ask how that’s possible, but the first thing I’m going to do after Tolan heals me is take it away from her.”
“You can’t. Like any gift it can’t be taken, it would be useless if you do.”
“That’s a good thing, Tharin. She’s horrible with weapons.”
Mellis is now with Mirnuk, Julia and Lily. I am not surprised when Tolan appears at my side and lifts my jersey, taking a look at my burnt stomach.
“I can ease the pain, but I don’t think I can heal the wound completely,” he says as he places his hands over me.
Instantly the pain subsides, but not fully. I look down at the burned area. My skin is blackened with blistering sores now cooling at Tolan’s healing.
He pulls back looking at me carefully before looking at Lily. Shaking his head he says, “I think she might be able to do it.”
I may not have any choice.
“Fine,” I finally agree. I then notice Alorn who must have appeared when Tolan showed up. He sits on the tree near Ziri, silent and distant. I feel his rage from here and know that Dorlan got away.
Mirnuk returns while Julia and Mellis remain with Lily. She looks at me, holding my gaze before turning back to the others. Damn it. How can I remain mad when the mere sight of her brings up basic emotions I find harder and harder to control? I think back when she moved into Ka’sith’s barrier and out of my reach. My insides felt hot and the fear that overcame me caused me to forget the strength of my will. I glance at Ziri as he tries to speak with Alorn and I finally admit my gratitude toward her for bringing Ziri back.
“The bodies are being sent back to my bridge,” says Mirnuk. “I’ve wrapped them with what I can use from this grove and sent the creatures below us to carry them back. It took a little coaxing, but they came at my calling with Lily’s help.”
With Lily’s help. I continue to watch her, realizing her powers are growing. She seems able to easily manipulate them to her will. Perhaps I didn’t have anything to worry about to begin with.
“Tharin?” nudges Mirnuk, waiting for a response.
“Thank you; and thank you for your help in finding Ziri. I owe you a debt I won’t forget.”
Tolan reaches over me, offering his arm to the giant man who takes it proudly. Mirnuk stands and returns to where the cord lies. He picks it up but to my surprise it doesn’t burn him.
He catches my eye. “When I pulled it off you I broke its connection with Harlu. She belongs to me now and I will see to it no one gets a hold of her again.” He wraps the cord around his waist before walking away to see to the bodies.
Tolan moves to Ziri to check his wound. “What happened?”
Ziri looks pointedly at Alorn. “Someone failed as a teacher, and this is the result.”
“Whose dumb idea was it to give her a weapon in the first place?” asks Alorn with a raised brow.
“Her mother,” I answer quietly, still keeping my eyes on Lily.
There is no doubt we will have to talk. I am no longer angry, but I am disappointed; well, maybe not so much disappointed as I am hurt. I look at my stomach, still burning. This kind of pain, this physical hurt I understand and can take. But it is her pain, her hurt that affects me deeply and I am at a loss on how to deal with it.
Tolan finishes healing Ziri and moves back to my side. “Can you walk?”
“Yes, just help me up.”
“Tharin, you’ve got to be in real pain. Perhaps you should let Lily heal you before we move,” says Tolan again.
I shake my head stubbornly. I have to think and it is almost impossible for me to do so when she is near.
“Suit yourself,” says Tolan as he hauls me to me feet, none too gently. I grit my teeth.
With an innocent look, he asks, “What? Did you change your mind?”
~ * ~
Chapter Eleven
~ Lily ~
Julia nudges me while we walk behind Tolan and Mellis. We are following Mirnuk back to his bridge, and hopefully, back to Velesi. I notice the troll gradually relax the further away from Ka’sith’s grove we get. I take a quick glance behind me and only see the existing wooded area of King’s Park. I sigh as I think of Ka’sith and wish her and Lotin safe passage to Eirrell, a place I am destined to save, but never to enter.
It takes me a second to realize green eyes are on me. Tharin stares back at me, his features unreadable and hard, and I still feel his anger from earlier. What was I supposed to do? Leave Ziri to an ancient witch? Frustrated with his mood, I turn my back on him as Julia nudges me again.
“Why does this feel like we’re heading to the principal’s office again?” she whispers. On cue, Mellis turns to us with a knowing look and then wiggles his ear.
Julia and I look at each other before she rolls her eyes upward. “Fine,” she sighs. “We’ll talk later in detention.”
I lower my head trying to cover my laugh. As funny as that was, I know any levity at this time would not be appreciated by the twin princes. I nod in agreement about talking later, but something in Julia's expression tells me she isn’t done.
“I can’t believe I’m getting the cold shoulder after saving his life,” she says to me, but directs her comment at Tolan.
He stops, turning to her. “I believe you have it wrong...again. Not only did I save you, but I healed you as well.”
Julia stops before him as the rest of us continue walking. We all know what is going
to happen, not that we aren’t happy they are on speaking terms again. It is all the yelling that is bound to follow before they find some understanding, some reason, some excuse to kiss and make up. I know my friend wants it to happen as much as Tolan does. I turn to watch, smiling at how they are both in each other’s faces but both refusing to give in.
“Excuse me,” she starts, "but if I didn’t take her down when I did your cousins would be carrying your body while your brother lugged your head around.”
“Listen, I was waiting for her to come closer, I had her where I wanted her to be before you came charging in with no strategy and no plan of attack – as usual. Which almost got you killed,” counters Tolan, obviously trying to stay his temper. “I thought you would have learned something during your time training at the tower.”
“Tolan,” says Julia, trying not to yell, “I totally had her under control. You’re the one who came in without thought or reason behind your attack.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, really.”
“Then how do you explain her cutting your stomach, huh? How do you explain that?” Tolan throws out his hand, emphasizing his point. “Julia, you make me crazy. Crazy with worry, crazy with love…so crazy I just want to...”
Julia doesn’t let him finish. She throws herself at him, arms around his neck and kissing him hard. I have never known her to be so forward, a real testament of her feelings for Tolan. She is much like Tharin in that aspect; they both feel that talking is overrated. It only takes Tolan a second before his arms are wrapped around her waist, lifting her up in a hard embrace.
He pulls back and breathes, “I’ve missed you.”
“I’m sorry,” she replies, breathing hard. “I should’ve just come to you and asked, but I was...” This time it’s Tolan who doesn’t let her finish as he cuts her off with another passionate kiss.
Giddiness comes over me as I watch them, a happiness bubbles to see them together again. And, once again I feel green eyes on me. Tharin continues to stare down at me, his face remaining hard. Crap. How can someone look so damn good while being so damn mad? I turn forward and quicken my pace to catch up with Mellis.
“Can you do the...you know…” I ask Mellis, tapping at my temple.
“What? Tap dance my fingers along the side of my face?” he asks.
I scowl at him. “Never mind.” Mellis chuckles as we continue to follow Mirnuk.
“It is a simple thing to do, my queen,” comes the troll’s quiet thought.
Startled, I almost trip and grab onto Mellis to keep my balance. He catches my arm, steadying me. “Thanks,” I say, glancing back quickly to see Tharin furrowing his brows at me. God, he really is pissed. He didn’t even try to catch me.
“How are you able to do it?” I ask Mirnuk.
“All of Mother’s First are able to.”
“Are you able to read minds, too?”
“No,” he chuckles, the tremble of his voice causing me to smile. “Not I or my brothers, but there are a few who are able to.”
“What are you smiling about?” ask Mellis, looking at me suspiciously.
“A girl can smile if she wants to, where she wants to and when she wants to,” I answer tartly. He narrows his eyes and I can see that inquisitive mind of his working.
“Like who, Mirnuk?” I ask the troll, trying to ignore Mellis. “Like the serpent, Jarhan?”
“Who’s in that head of yours?” Mellis turns to look at Tharin over his shoulder, and then quickly turns back. “Okay, it’s not him. Alorn is scouting ahead, Tolan is preoccupied and Ziri doesn’t have the ability, so…” he looks down at me grinning.
“Yes, my queen, like Jarhan. But she is no sea serpent – she is a dragon, the first of her kind.”
“Oh, my God, seriously? I just thought she was a serpent because she lives in the water, and...” I pause as a strange sensation comes over me. “What is that? I feel strange,” I tell Mirnuk.
He chuckles again. “It is the young prince Mellis, my queen. He knows he is not able to join our conversation without being invited, yet, he is attempting to do just that.” I am taken back by his calling Mellis “young prince.” I hear the humor in his thoughts when he says, “It is easy to forget that he is the nephew of King Thilthen and cousin to the future king of the realm. But, yes, he is by all accounts a prince.”
“Geez, it’s like someone is hitting me like a gong.”
I give Mellis another scowling look and hiss, “Stop it.”
Mellis’ grin grows broader and the sensation of being hit vibrates through me. “He's such a pest. Mirnuk, could you please allow him in?”
“Ah…much better,” says Mellis as he continues to grin that goofy grin of his.
“You liar, you said you didn’t know how to do this,” I accuse.
“No, no, no…you just assumed I didn’t. I never said that I didn’t.” I feel the smugness in his thoughts.
I frown at him then stare ahead at Mirnuk’s back.
“Anyway, as you were saying, Mirnuk – so, Jarhan is really a dragon, the first of her kind?” I think about that for moment. “That means all dragons after her were her babies, her children? You’re saying she is the mother of all dragons? But there aren’t any dragons.”
“And the depth of her sorrow and pain is unfathomable at such a great loss,” he answers sadly. “But to answer your question, yes, she is able to read the minds of others.”
“I knew she was a dragon,” pipes in Mellis. “At least it’s what we all assumed when we were young. We used to sneak out to Gastah Point and wait for her to appear. She never did, but she would swim just below the surface and we would watch in awe at the massiveness of her golden bulk.”
I glance up at Mellis to see him stare off in the distance, lost in childhood memories.
I return my focus back to Mirnuk. “She gave me the gift of the Healers,” I say quietly.
Mirnuk doesn’t turn around, but I notice his pace stumbles briefly.
“Hmm, so that is what I felt when I first grabbed you back at the park.” He becomes quiet and after a long pause he says, “Be careful, my queen. You carry a power that may be too great for such a small vessel.”
I understand what he is saying. Sometimes, I feel the energy of Jarhan trying to take control every time there is danger. I am getting used to it and seem to have it somewhat under control, but it is a struggle.
“Mirnuk, with the gift, shouldn’t I be able to initiate communication like you’re doing now?” I ask, getting back on track.
“You should have been able to communicate this way the minute Prince Tharin used the Binding on you. In my day we called this method of communication ‘whispering’.” He pauses in thought and then continues, “I believe there is something within you that is preventing you to do so.”
“Maybe it’s your human side,” offers Mellis with a shrug. “And, by the way, we still call it the ‘whispering’.”
I turn to Mellis. “Really? I didn’t know that. Tharin and Alorn never called it that.”
Mellis raises a brow. “Why would they? It’s second nature to all of us. I mean I wouldn’t come up to you and say ‘what I’m doing is called talking’.”
Man, I just want to kick him so hard on the shin. “Well, when he first did it he could’ve told me.”
“Yes,” he replies patiently. “Which was when? When we were in the desert trying to stay hidden from the Ange? I think he was a bit preoccupied at the time.”
Okay, that’s it. I pull on his sleeve to stop him and when he does I give him a swift kick to the shin.
“Ah!” he cries out loud, grabbing at his shin, rubbing at it as he hops on one foot. “What was that for?”
“Yes, Lily, what was that for?” asks Tharin, his arm still around Ziri’s shoulder for support.
Mellis and I turn to see them staring at us.
“I...I thought I saw some kind of spider crawling up his leg and I just reacted,” I lie, avoiding Tharin’s stare.
Immediately regretting my actions, I put out my hands to Mellis. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to kick you so hard.”
Mellis stops hopping and instantly his smiles returns. “No worries, cousin. Your humble apology has healed me.” I have a good mind to kick him again. Instead, I sigh patiently and continue following Mirnuk.
Mellis falls in pace alongside me. “Besides,” he continues as if nothing’s happened, “only a few of us know how to whisper these days. Of course, our family line, but only direct heirs of Kalinest and Sem...and his wife have the ability.”
I note the flicker of pain when he almost mentioned Sema’s name. He only knew her for a short time, but he had grown to like the old woman. Also, the thought of her brings memories of Phoris and Milina.
I reach out my hand and Mellis takes it, squeezing it gently. Behind me, I hear Tharin take in a slow breath. I ignore him and smile at Mellis. “Well with that logic then I don’t have the ability to ‘whisper’.”
“That’s not true,” interrupts Mirnuk. “I know that the queen of the Willow Clan had the ability and so did Tileanith and her lover, the Unnamed Sidhe.”
I turn to Mellis. “Do you really think it’s because I’m half human that I can’t whisper?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know, but it’s a theory. You should ask Tharin to help you with it.”
Tharin. Mellis and I glance over our shoulders to look at my future husband. Tharin gives us a suspicious, perturbed look and we quickly turn around before he asks any questions.
“Yeah...I’ll be sure to do that sometime soon,” I say sarcastically.
Mellis chuckles and grins as Mirnuk keeps quiet for the rest of our trek back to his bridge.
We stop at the tree line surrounding the park, the island playground now in complete darkness. Alorn doesn’t think the Ange would attack again with so many of their men gone, but it doesn’t mean Harlu doesn’t have an army hidden somewhere nearby. Going elf mode, we make it to the bridge in a matter of seconds, and soon after, go through Mirnuk’s doorway. We end up in his living room, soaking wet.