The Whispering

by L. Filloon

  I kiss the top of her head. “Thank you for that, Lily.”

  “It just seems weird that she’s with them,” she says distantly.

  “I don’t have a clue why, either. The last time I saw her was at the garden after the Seating. I haven’t thought of her since, not until she appeared standing next to Harlu.”

  “It doesn’t make sense,” she persists. “She was so in love with you and according to everyone, the tower has been her only home.”

  She looks up at me again. “By the way, you’ve never taken me to the garden.”

  “All right, I’ll take you to the garden,” I reply, amused.

  She shakes her head. “No. That’s your garden with her. I want our own garden, and I’m not talking about the clearing, I’m talking about a place that’s ours at the tower.”

  “We already have a place, Lily. You just have to decide if you want it to be my suite or the queen’s suite.”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about. I want our own garden.”

  I lift my arm behind my head and close my eyes again. “Then it’s settled; the queen’s suite it is. My mother’s garden will belong to you, to us. That’ll be our garden, Lily, our little haven away from everyone at the tower.”

  Having settled that, I attempt to get some much needed sleep when I realize Lily has gone quiet. I sigh.

  “What is it, Lily?”

  “I’m confused about the whole bit with you and Kalis in bed together.”

  That night will never go away.

  “Lily, I told you, I had nothing to do with it. I was used by Kolinest whether Kalis had something to do with it or not…I can only assume she did.”

  She moves away from me, rising to sit crossed legged beside me. She stares down at my stomach but not really seeing it. Her brow wrinkles in thought as she tries to put them into words.

  “That’s not what I’m saying, Tharin.” She turns to me, asking, “How did they know that I would be coming to see you that night? I didn’t even know I was going to see you until that night.”

  She is right. If the setup was to put a wedge between Lily and me, they were taking a big chance on Lily showing up at that particular moment.

  “And then there was Harlu,” she says thoughtfully.

  “Harlu? What about him?”

  “He was at my door that night,” she answers. “When I was on my way to see you, I saw him try to get into the suites, but he burned his hand when he touched the door. After that he just took off.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask a bit annoyed.

  She turns to me with a patient look. “Um, because you had a naked woman in your bed and it was the last thing on my mind…?”

  “Oh,” is my only response. I pull myself up against the headboard; sleep now the farthest thing from my mind. “All I can remember was there were two of them. The person pretending to be Kalis and another – his voice familiar, but not Harlu’s. It wasn’t until after he died that I realized it was Cili.”

  “Maybe…maybe it was just a distraction to keep you from coming to me,” she says. “They drugged you so you wouldn’t be able to drift because you need to focus to do that. Then having Kalis in your bed was probably meant to delay any effort to come to my suites physically. Which means…”

  “Which means Harlu would have had enough time to do what he needed to do with you. Like mark you to keep you tied to him,” or worse, I think to myself. I feel my anger start to rise.

  Lily pulls her jersey to one side, taking a look at the scar on her left breast. A ragged crescent moon with a round puncture wound near the top of it; a third scar, cut through the bottom of the moon is also visible. Sema’s own ward against the spell that would have exposed all of Lily’s thoughts to Harlu.

  “That’s why he came for me in the garden, to finish what he had set out to do the night before,” she finishes quietly. She lies back down and I take her in my arms. I can feel her shaking as she remembers the attack in the garden the morning of the Seating.

  “He scares me, Tharin. I’ve never felt so terrified by anyone before.”

  I tighten my hold on her. “I will never let him touch you again. I promise.”

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Thirteen

  ~ Lily ~

  After another hour with Tharin I returned to the room I share with Julia. Alorn had connected with Tharin letting him know the doorway would be open soon, and I reluctantly left him to get ready for our trip home. Home. It seems weird how easy Velesi has become so familiar and connected that I would effortlessly call it home. No, I correct myself. By Tharin’s side is my home...he is home. The thought feels right, but somehow I feel I should be a bit more excited about marrying the prince of my dreams. I am definitely happy, but not very excited and that bothers me more than I want to admit.

  I sigh as I remember Sema. A pain catches at my chest when I think of her and realize how much I miss the old woman and her wisdom. She once told me to stand back and look at the big picture when I have doubts or worries. Once I place the frame around a particular challenge, I was to share it with my husband-to-be and together we would figure it out. But, I’m not sure this feeling has anything to do with Tharin and me as much as it has to do with just me.

  “Hey,” says Julia as she floats into the room, a soft grin on her face.

  “Hey yourself,” I say back, laughing at her silly look of happiness. “I take it you and Tolan are okay now?”

  She nods, moving to where her dry clothes sit folded on the bed. “Yeah, and I have to tell you, Lil – it feels good to be ‘okay’ with him again.”

  I nod, remembering my own time with Tharin only minutes ago. I remove my borrowed clothes and grab my old jeans. As I button them up I notice how they hang loosely around my waist. I guess with all the training I have lost a few pounds. When I slip on my t-shirt I notice again how loosely it fits and I can’t help thinking that my wedding dress might need to be taken in by the time all this is over.

  “What’s wrong?” asks Julia. I turn to her and see she is fully dressed and sitting on the bed staring at me thoughtfully.

  I shake my head. “Nothing. Why?”

  “I don’t know. You seem kind of distant. Everything okay with you and Tharin?” she asks, watching me closely.

  “Yeah. We talked about what really happened that night. We talked about Kalis and wondered why she’s with the Ange. I mean, we talked and we’re good now.”

  “So…what’s wrong?” she persists.

  I sigh, shaking my head. “I honestly don’t know. I mean, we kissed and made up, we talked about a lot of things, I feel safe and happy, he’s happy. I just don’t know.”

  “Are you sick?” she asks trying another route.

  “No, of course not,” I answer as I sit beside her. I notice she already has her boots on. How does she dress so fast?

  “Lily, stop stalling and tell me what’s wrong,” she demands irritated.

  After I slip on my boots I turn to her. “Have you given up on your dreams, Julia? You wanted to go to college, graduate and become a marine biologist. You wanted to move to the islands, any islands, as long as you did what you wanted and you were as far away from Frank and Chris as possible.”

  Julia is quiet for a moment before answering. “I still have dreams, Lil. It’s just that my dreams have changed; and they now include dreams of living a life with Tolan. Who says I can’t be a marine biologist in Velesi? You’ve seen the map in the war room, there’s a body of water somewhere in that realm. And how much farther can I be from Frank and Chris than Velesi?”

  I smile, accepting her new view on life. “I guess you’re right. I’m happy for you.”

  “And what about you? Don’t you want to be with Tharin? Even though you haven’t said it to me, I know you’re in love with the guy, so what’s the problem?”

  I shrug my shoulders, not really sure myself what the problem is. “Nothing, there’s no problem. I guess I’m just really tired. The damage the cord did
to Tharin took a lot out of me during the healing.”

  “Uh-huh,” she replies, not fooled by my response at all.

  We turn when we hear a knock at the door.

  “Everyone decent?” calls Mellis. Julia walks to the door to let him in, but Mellis opens it before she has a chance. He looks her over and a frown takes over his smile.

  “Oh, you are decent,” he grumbles.

  “Whatever,” says Julia, pulling the door wide open. “Is the doorway ready?”

  “Yup,” he answers. He looks at me, smiling.

  I perk up, asking anxiously, “Did you do it?”

  He nods. “That was a nice thing you did, cousin.”

  I shrug, and then rush to hug him. “Thank you, Mellis.”

  He hugs me back. “By the way, your king demands your presence, mi-lady.”

  “Oh, he does, does he?” I reply slipping out of his embrace and reaching for the door.

  “You okay?” asks Mellis.

  “Yeah, why?” I answer.

  “Just asking,” he shrugs, looking down at me suspiciously.

  “What?”

  He narrows his eyes at me. “What secrets are you keeping, cousin?”

  “I have no secrets,” I answer, and then jokingly say, “I’ve been stripped of any semblance of privacy since becoming queen.”

  I try to walk past him, but he catches me by the elbow. “What is it, Lily? You know I’m here for you if you need to talk,” he offers seriously, a rarity for Mellis.

  I don’t know how I look to cause both Mellis and Julia to be so concerned, but I think I should try harder at wearing a happy face.

  I smile at him. “I know you are. And, seriously, I’m okay. I’m just a little tired. Besides, do you really think Julia would just leave me if I wasn’t?”

  He looks at my face closely before releasing my elbow, giving me a short nod.

  “Okay, cousin.” His usual smile returns as he places an arm around my shoulders, leading me out of the room and back to the others.

  “My brother will wait for you on the other side. He will close the doorway once every one has passed through. His fear is whoever or whatever is shutting the doorways down may sense another opening and seek it out,” explains Mirnuk.

  I stand next to Tharin, who holds my hand securely in his. I sense someone staring at me and find Alorn’s eyes locked on my face. He is standing next to Ziri and once again I find it odd not to have him at my side. He watches me closely and I smile a bit, assuring him I’m fine. He nods once, but continues to keep his eyes on me. I must look worse than I thought.

  “Mirnook’s bridge is located near Hapsprings, several miles from the Oak Clan borders,” continues Mirnuk. “You will have some traveling to do before reaching the safety of the tower’s gates.”

  “I know the way from Hapsprings, even if I’ve never run into your brother’s bridge,” says Alorn. “Ziri and I traveled in his territory many times when we were younger.”

  Ziri nods, confirming Alorn’s statement.

  “How long?” asks Tharin.

  “At a good pace, we can make it in under a day. We’ll be there by dusk tomorrow,” answers Alorn.

  “Can’t we just do your elf speed thingy?” asks Julia.

  Tolan looks down at her shaking his head no. “If I remember what I’ve read about Hapsprings, the jungle there is too dense to move at a high speed. To do so will give our location away and it’s very dangerous. Once we’re clear, even then we’ll have to be discreet. Without knowing what’s really happening at home, we can’t take the chance of being caught.”

  Julia nods, smiling at him. “Okay, I get it.”

  “Are you ready,” asks Mirnuk.

  Tharin nods and the troll moves to the doorway, lifting his hand.

  “Wait,” I say, stopping him.

  He turns to me with a curious look. “My queen?”

  I let go of Tharin’s hand and step up to Mirnuk. “I want you to know I’m not just your queen, but your friend.”

  The troll seems off balance and even more so when I step up and hug him. I let him go and move back, reaching for his face. Mirnuk leans down as I place my hands on his bearded cheeks, stand on my toes and kiss him lightly on his forehead.

  “Thank you,” I say, smiling at him.

  I return to Tharin’s side and it is a few seconds before I realize Mirnuk hasn’t moved. I turn to see what the holdup is only to find him with a huge smile on his face. Mirnuk finally turns back to the doorway and starts his calling. I notice Tolan listening carefully, trying to remember the ancient words of the First troll. Unfortunately for him, the doorway opens and there is no time for him to hear the rest of Mirnuk’s words.

  Tharin goes before me, holding onto my hand and I follow him through. I take one last look at the First Kupnaliia as he lifts his hand in a farewell gesture. I nod and then disappear into the doorway with Tharin.

  We find ourselves in a room with a floor plan identical to Mirnuk’s. There is thick mold-like grass covering the walls and floors. Algae and some kind of fungus draped from the ceiling seems to fill the room accompanied by an odor of old, soggy and rotted debris. I cover my nose against the stench. With the exception of Tharin and Alorn, the rest of us are startled when a large figure moves from the shadows.

  Mirnook.

  The troll brothers must only be a year apart because they are almost identical with the exception of the eldest having shocking blonde hair. Everything else, including the style of clothing are the same.

  Mirnook’s attention is on my face and he takes a step toward me. Immediately Alorn, Ziri and Mellis are standing before me and facing the troll, causing him to stop in his tracks. Despite their threatening stance, the troll ignores them and continues to keep his focus on me.

  “Mirnook,” calls Tharin. “I am Prince Tharin. The one you are looking at is my betrothed, queen of the Willow Clan and future queen of Velesi.”

  “I know who you are, my prince,” replies the troll respectfully, bowing slightly to him. He turns to me and says, “I did not mean to frighten you, my queen. It is just that I have heard so much of you these past weeks and I am...curious.”

  Tharin glances down at me and nods. I turn to the troll and say, “Thank you, Mirnook of the Kupnaliia. You honor us with your presence and we owe you a debt for your kindness.”

  Tharin gently squeezes my hand in approval. Remembering what Alorn told me about trusting Tharin as our leader, I remain quiet after my greeting and wait to see what the troll’s next move will be.

  Mirnook drops to one knee as his brother had done, head bowed in a gesture of respect and acceptance. A moment later he rises directing his focus now on Tharin, saying, “We must go. I do not know how they are doing it, but shutting the doorways down takes someone with tremendous will. I would not doubt they would sense it when an opening from another realm occurs. We need to go.”

  The urgency of his words sends a shiver of fear up my spine. I look anxiously at Tharin and he squeezes my hand again.

  “Stay close,” he says.

  I look at Julia and she nods as Tolan pulls her after him. Huh. I know I am supposed to follow our leader, but if Tharin believes I will hide behind him during an attack, he has another thing coming. And I know it will be the same for Julia.

  As we step out into the jungle, I feel the first drop of rain on my skin. I let go of Tharin’s hand and walk out into the open, letting it soak me through. How I have missed its coolness; its cleansing of the past week spent in Perth refreshes and renews me. I breathe in deeply, feeling clean and reconnected with the energy of this realm. Although it is the same energy in all the realms, it runs freely here and that makes a huge difference to those who are sensitive to it.

  I think once more of Marilyn and trust Tharin to keep his word. As if reading my mind, I feel his arms wrap around me from behind and he snuggles against my ear, kissing me softly.

  “I can watch you all day,” he whispers. I feel the familiar thrill run thr
ough me along with the brisk coolness of the rain and I shiver against him.

  Without another word, Tharin takes my hand, a knowing smile on his face. After a quick kiss, he pulls me after him, guiding me to where Mellis and Julia wait. Alorn and Ziri are already gone, scouting ahead while Tolan is talking quietly with Mirnook.

  “Tolan, are you ready?” calls Tharin, interrupting his brother’s deep conversation with the ancient First.

  Tolan and Mirnook grab arms in farewell. The troll catches my eye and gives me a slight bow before disappearing into the jungle. It happens so quickly it’s as if he was never there.

  I turn to Julia to ask if she saw the troll disappear but see a frown on her face. I move to her side under a giant leafy overhang as Tharin steps toward Mellis and Tolan.

  Julia looks at me as I approach. “I’m worried, Lil.”

  “About what?”

  She is quiet for moment looking at the others. She then takes my hand and pulls me to the side. “Actually, I’ve been worried since I saw them. Frank and Chris...at the hospital. I was a coward taking off like that, leaving them there with Marilyn’s sister. And how chicken am I not bringing it up until now – now that I’m safe in another realm, where they can’t touch me?”

  “It’s okay,” I comfort her. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. Tharin sent Dalim to watch over Marilyn, and her sister is safe at the hospital. And, as much as you think Frank can’t be taken down, I think Dalim might be the one to do it.”

  Julia bites at her lower lip. “Still, I...”

  “Jules,” I interrupt, “I understand why you ran, but I think it was just a reaction to seeing them for the first time since we left. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about them ever again. You’ve made your decision to stay, remember?”

  An array of emotions flits across her face in mere seconds as she bites her lower lip. Finally, she nods, then reaches out and pulls my hood over my head. She smiles but I know my friend. She will let the fact that she ran bother her for a while before finally letting it go.