Bonded Spirit

by CC Rose

Chapter 15

  I placed the last of my shirts across the rock, in direct line of the sun, now drying all my clothes—thankfully, there were enough rocks for my clothes to sunbathe in. I nodded at my task, now complete and breathed in the crisp water scent. The pool was still inviting and at present, I was sitting on the other side of the water hole, away from the brothers. Wearing a light shirt and the last leather skirt; no leggings. I felt underdressed, exposed, and oddly free. It was nice to wear this, and daring. The sun was starting to burn my skin. I walked around the pool, and out of the sun’s glare. Would Karson approve of me showing up with this little on? How much was too little? If I were in Plumridge, Evelyn would have had a fit, her tusk and click of her tongue would have sent me to my room knowing I wouldn’t be fed for the night, and possibly gone without dessert the entire week. Here in Draeos. It was different.

  “So, what did I walk in on then?” Corbin sounded serious, less like the happy voice from this morning.

  I stopped in my tracks when I realised their voices carried to me. Peeking at the brothers, sitting by a tree, gazing off in the opposite direction.

  “It was nothing. It was just … training.” Karson sounded vague.

  “You know, I know when you’re lying. It wasn’t nothing. She was … well, she was waiting for something.”

  “She’s young. She’ll be fine.”

  “Fine. You might have to talk to her. She was closer to hitting me for interrupting the two of you.”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  “Sure. You tell yourself that.”

  “I will, and you need not worry about me.”

  “Oh, I wasn’t. Look, it’s been seven years since your last one. Maybe you shouldn’t have come back.”

  “You know why I came back.”

  “Hmm … you sure that’s the only reason. Seems you were looking for a wayout.”

  “That’s not it and you know it.”

  “I know that Tora didn’t want to stop you doing what you love.”

  “She didn’t stop me.”

  “Yeah, right. You’re never happy unless here, in the heart of all things. And you’re even twice as happy with a new tutelage. You know that glow is spreading and it’s what—four days in.”

  “And you’re too observant for your own good Corbin. I ask you to drop this.”

  “Oh, I wish I could brother. But I like making you wriggle. Besides, how long you got Rehema for? Year … two?”

  “Should be the two. Not sure. But you need to stop taking advantage of her. She is easily distracted if not given the right focus.”

  “Easily distracted? Please. My charms and our looks. She’s just unaware. Unlike all the others I’ve met.”

  “And she’s not about to take your lies. Keep your distance. She may be a Ryder in training, but I can’t have her chasing after you and getting nowhere.”

  “Ha—like she isn’t all eyes for you. She was only interested if you were a king … not me.”

  “She is full of questions. You should have made the parties in EzRah, like all the other times.”

  “What. No way. Dy’Monian is the new talk. I won’t pass that up. Do you know how many Royals are expecting to meet her in four nights?” Corbin’s voice was higher with excitement.

  “All of them,” said Karson dryly.

  “All of them!” Corbin chimed; making it sound like the entire land was showing up. “Least those who are attending. I can’t over extend the guest list. Though, I am sorry to say that a certain someone of the green-eyed monster club is due to arrive … around Kl’Ors Day.”

  “Damn. I wish he would fall off his Bond.” Anger laced his voice.

  “You still haven’t talked to him.”

  “Course not. What would I say? Thanks for ruining everything. Sasha didn’t deserve you in her life and Elmira isn’t going to be anything but your gloating reminder—”

  “That’s a start. Least then you could say … hey, hate your face, never want to see you—oh, and Elmira isn’t yours.”

  “You don’t know that Corbin.”

  “No? You seen her? Green eyes … just like yours.”

  “And Sasha had green eyes. Doesn’t mean a thing. There is no saying she isn’t his.”

  “Yeah sure. And speaking of eyes. You sure Rehema isn’t—?”

  “She isn’t. She’s from the north. Floating down the Argon as an infant. Plumridge took her in. Could be anyone’s.”

  “Yeah. And Ants build armour. She’s from the north. How far you thinking?”

  “Not sure. If she made it the length of the Argon, then she’s from beyond MaBela Falls. Maybe further.”

  “That far? You know there are few Ryders to live beyond that mountain. Maybe there is more to her than meets the eye. A very attractive eye, mind you.”

  “She was … just lucky.”

  “To be found as an infant floating down stream, hours in the cold waters of crocodile and kraken infested waters. Maybe even half trampled by passing saur’asus. Luck is measured in magic.”

  “As I assumed. Though, I will never know the answer. Her remaining family didn’t speak of the day she was found. I can only assume her bramble of safety was loaded with magic of a Ryder, no witch or wizard would have had that much power, and from what you said; and we both know what Plumridge country is like. And the Argon region too. From what she told me, and from the talk of Walter, only one of heart would be able to see her.”

  “Pity it was a dangorian.”

  “It was better than a Royal; otherwise, she’d be less interested.” Karson sounded tired.

  “Like she isn’t already. She knows nothing about us.”

  “That’s just … Plumridge. They don’t teach them the way of Ryders, unless they want to be one. She is too young for you Corbin.”

  “What. I wasn’t … okay, I was … and, if this is brother talk for don’t even think about it, I get that. She is gorgeous.”

  “And not about to break her heart for you. She needs no distractions. She is still suffering a hard part in her life and accepting her destiny. Telling you any of this, is cause for my reason as a mentor. She needs my trust and my rule. You need to follow it. Especially if you intend to stay with us the remainder of the week.”

  “Hu, four days—that will be it. You need to head to Draeos. Let the girl have a shower. She needs to get her head into meeting these Royals.”

  “I will not have my tutelage filled with rich and silk. She needs to know the reason of this land, the edge of shadows is as high as the Terrill. Why are you insisting on this?”

  “Well, I want you to go. Tora will be there.”

  “And I wish you would not talk about my personal life to my tutelage.”

  “Oh, please. If Rehema thinks you’re unavailable, she might actually not be so eager to get you alone. Anyway. Not like she would have had a shot with you. Right?”

  Karson heaved a deep breath.

  “Right?” Corbin repeated. I risked taking a step, wanting to hear his answer.

  Crunch!

  The twig under my foot snapped and I froze. I realised I had overstayed my listening. I had to get out of here. Fast.

  I sucked in air, centred my thoughts and with the focus of my destination, I flashed away from the brothers. The core of my body made a tingle, a knowing sense of touching on the energy, a patter of excitement.

  My legs wobbled as I sat on the rock beside my drying clothes. I had overheard them discussing me, among other things. Was he going to allow something to happen? He knew I had a crush on him. He knew I liked him.

  I was too young in his eyes, too broken or mixed up or maybe it was because I didn’t know who he was. Who Corbin was? I didn’t know any of the Royals or even parts of the lands, admittedly that was limited. And what was this talk of my family? Had Karson met them already? Had he known about Walter before I told him? Who does that?

  A good hearted man. He is only trying to aid you, and to get the best knowledge he can.

/>   But he spoke as if he knew me. And why is he stating me and Corbin can’t be together.

  You only met him this morning. Is this what you want? To think of romance … you are a Ryder, are you not? Her purr was distracting.

  I know. I know. I should be focusing on training. And you’re right. I’ll have years later to worry about anything like this. I wasn’t interested in learning until now; I’m a Ryder, and I have to make more attempt at being interested and paying attention. My crush on Karson, is a far off fantasy that would, and possibly never could happen.

  That is why it is a crush, as you keep saying … a strange word to say you like him.

  I don’t know La’Kera. I know you’re right. I thought I liked Bronson and look where that got me.

  Yes. Perhaps you need to take your time. If Karson were interested in you, it might have been different. He has another interest … this Tora.

  You noticed that too. I frowned. There was little chance of Karson and I having anything romantic; least up until this morning I told myself that, just before Corbin showed up, something was happening, something was going to happen.

  He would have been kind to you, but he would not have taken your advances as you had hoped.

  You don’t know that. You can’t say he wouldn’t want me. You heard him just now. He wasn’t answering Corbin. He … wanted something to happen.

  And you heard Corbin. Tora, the other Ryder that makes Karson defensive and private. You must understand these are men of many decades. To cross them, to see their lives … they have lived longer than any man should.

  I know that. But …

  This is nothing but a distraction. Maybe you should do as Corbin suggested. Go to this party, his shindigs and take your mind off Karson. You need not think of him, but us. Please see this for what it is. He is your mentor, your trainer. To have him removed would mean another; this could go on for a long time.

  You have a point. I exhaled a shaky breath, slowly calming my nerves. She was right. Karson’s a strange and unavoidable infatuation. I was nothing but a student for him, and by the comments, he didn’t want me to be with Corbin either. I glanced up to the trees. Did I like Corbin like that? Sure, he was funny, cheeky and a complete flirt, but romantically? No. Why was I so intent on having any of them as a romantic partner? Didn’t I learn from one mistake already? Nothing I did or had done since becoming a Ryder was of any benefit. Okay, so focusing on my studies helped me understand my ability to move with energy I didn’t know I had. On the plus side, I had released a lot of sadness about Walter, which helped some of my pain ease. It’s just not fair … I whined.

  Liking it and accepting it is the difference to fairness. We are all in this land, as one.

  As a Bond. I slowly exhaled, feeling the worry leave me. With deep breaths, I gained control, checked my clothes, and finally pulled on a pair of the driest leggings I could find, I didn’t want to send the wrong idea to Corbin, he might just prove annoying.

  “Ah, there you are.” Corbin smiled brightly at my return. “Been gone too long. Did you get lost?”

  “No. Course not. I was drying my clothes and waited for these ones to dry first.”

  “That is … thoughtful of you Rehema. You need not cover up so much in summer.”

  Karson dove a hard jab at Corbin. It was fast and possibly painful. Corbin twisted from it and waited another moment to watch as Karson straightened himself up. Just as Karson turned his eyes away, Corbin leaped. Only Karson was faster, and having years of play fighting with his brother. He stepped to the side, caught his arm, and pinned him to the ground.

  “Your word,” Karson growled.

  If I had not overheard them, I wouldn’t have any idea what this was about, but I did. I couldn’t let them know this. I watched with wide eyes regardless.

  “Yeah, sure.” Corbin nodded, pulled himself up, and ruffed his brother’s head. “Only if you come to my party.”

  “One time. That is it.”

  “Yes!” he called, joyously. I laughed at the amusement it offered. “Ah, sorry, there gorgeous.”

  “Hey. Don’t mind me. Least you managed a hit on him. I can never hit him.”

  “Hmm … I’m still trying to get hits.” Corbin winked cheekily. A side glance at Karson had some of his smile fade. A clear line had been drawn. “So. Onwards and into the wild then.” He slouched his way to his pack, retrieving it and several pieces of fruit from inside. “Here you go Rehema. Have some apples.”

  “Oh, I miss apples. Haven’t seen enough of them here … in the open.” I teased.

  The brothers heaved a breath of relaxation, settling down for a lunch when it was complete Karson turned his eyes on me.

  “Magic lesson Rehema.”

  I nodded with a press of my lips, “Sure. What element.”

  “Air.”

  I started on my magic lesson, only this time, I had Corbin watching me. He held to his pack and pulled out a tattered book. With a shrug, he sat under the shade of a tree, watching mildly. He was doing as Karson asked; keeping his distance. I made my ball of air twist around, spinning it with the will inside of me. Losing focus, my ball tumbled forth and made a blast of wind on all three of us. Karson held a hand up to block the onslaught. I was stunned, wide eyed and shocked it was so strong. While Corbin’s book flipped pages and messed his hair, he didn’t rase a shield.

  “That was some air power you got there gorgeous. Isn’t that right Karson.”

  I smiled at his words. Least he didn’t stop with the gorgeous name; it was a little different, but with Corbin, it was welcoming.

  “It is indeed.” Karson narrowed his eyes. “Summon it again. This time keep to the lore. Don’t make it into an attack.”

  “I wasn’t. That was an attack?”

  “It was a mild form, yes. Keep your thoughts steady, no willing it to be anything but a runic standard.”

  “Sure.”