by B. C. Morin
“I just wish there was more I could do for Tristan.” He ended with a sigh.
“Kaleb, you have done what you can. You above all have done more than what any of us could ask for!” Alannah sat up, placing her hand on the other side of Kaleb and leaning over him, trying to read his deep blue eyes. “You came after me when I was kidnapped. You were a gentleman to me and my-“ Alannah, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “My, situation.” She felt the blood rise in her cheeks. “You volunteered to go with Evyette to Caelestis, then with Brennus to try and stop Samil, and then you were on your way here to check on me!” She watched him rub his face with his hands, taking in everything she had said. “Kaleb, you are the most un-selfish fae I have ever met.” She dropped her gaze to her fingers, which were fiddling with the satin sheets. “I admire that about you.”
“Yes, a great trait to have if you are willing to give up what you want.” He mumbled.
“What?”
“Nothing. You wish to be more selfless?”
“I am trying.” Alannah said with a giggle.
“How is that working for you?”
“Not so well.”
“Having a hard time accepting Isibeal?”
“I would not if he but loved her. If his heart was in this marriage, if it was truly what he wanted, then I would gladly, or rather, sadly step away. But I know it is not!”
She sat up with her legs crossed in front of her, her hands in her lap, and her hair making a mass of auburn drapery around her face.
Kaleb sat up, brushing Alannah’s hair to her back, and holding her chin between his thumb and index finger. He tilted her head back slowly until she was facing him. “Alannah,” Kaleb released her chin, dropping his hand onto hers in her lap. “Sometimes, you have to step away from something to see if it is truly yours.”
Alannah blinked back the tears that stung her eyes.
“I thought you had to fight for what you want.”
Kaleb laughed.
“Sometimes, fighting for what you want will only drive it further away, if it does not want you in return.” Kaleb slid his hand between both of hers, taking one up to his lips and placing a kiss on her knuckles. “I know seeing someone you care about, even love, in the arms of another can be torturous.” She saw a hurt flash across his eyes. “But sometimes, it is what is best. I have no intention of believing that Brennus agreed to and even asked me to come along because he thought you could use a visit from a friend.”
Alannah furrowed her brow.
“Ah, I see that this was never mentioned to you. Now I am even less inclined to believe it.” Kaleb laughed.
“Then why do you think he wanted you to come?”
“Really, Alannah? You said it yourself. If he was happy, if his heart was in this marriage, you would walk away. Do you honestly believe he would not do the same for you?”
Alannah’s cheeks burned crimson. Could he really have brought Kaleb here in the hopes that I would fall for him and choose to be with him instead? Her mind dizzied with the possibilities, of Brennus trying to let her go. An empty feeling consumed her stomach and before she could stop them, two heavy tears rolled down her face.
“Alannah,” Kaleb cupped her face, brushing away the tears with his thumbs. “I had no intention of hurting you with that conclusion. Perhaps I am wrong about it.”
“I doubt it.” She sniffed. “He is trying to let me go.”
“Or trying to help you to let go. Come.” Kaleb dispersed the pillows and laid on them with his hands outstretched.
“Kaleb.” Alannah shook her head.
“Alannah, I am here as your friend. Much has changed since we last saw each other. I know you feel it, as well. That does not mean that I cannot be here for you in your time of need.”
She smiled, though her chin quivered a bit. She tucked her feet under her and lay alongside Kaleb, with her head resting on his chest. Given any other moment, this would be romantic, but not tonight. Tonight it was a gesture of need. She needed arms around her. She needed a voice to tell her that in the end, all will be well. She needed Brennus, but he would not hold her again.
By the time the sun crept through the draperies, Alannah felt as if she had only slept but a few hours. Hoping there would be news regarding Samil or Evyette, she wiped the sleep from her eyes quickly. She looked up to find Kaleb still sleeping, so she tried quietly to slither out from beneath his arm.
“Leaving me already? You move on quickly, Alannah.” He smiled, trying to focus through his long lashes.
Alannah let out a laugh.
“Yes, well, you know how it is Kaleb, I am very decisive that way. I got what I wanted, so you can go now.”
Kaleb let out a laugh that she knew came from his belly and she couldn’t help but laugh along.
“Well, you are obviously feeling better today.” Kaleb said through laughs as he slid to the edge of the bed.
“I am hoping there will be good news today.” She said between giggles.
“Well, it is quite good to see you smiling again.”
“Thanks to you.” Alannah rounded the bed and pulled Kaleb into an embrace. “It truly is a blessing to have you here.”
Kaleb held her tightly.
“It is my pleasure Alannah.” He released her slightly, looking down into her emerald eyes. “I should go, though, so that you can get dressed.”
* * * * * *
Kaleb shut the door carefully behind him and began toward his room, though he did not get far. At the top of the stairs stood Brennus and Tristan, slightly open mouthed.
Oh, no.
“We were looking for you, Kaleb.” Tristan called out trying to break the awkward silence that hung in the air like a thick fog. His gaze shifting once or twice from Brennus to Kaleb trying to gauge a reaction.
Brenus’s jaw was tight, as he spoke through gritted teeth.
“Yes, we were, though now we know where you were.” He looked over Kaleb’s wrinkled shirt and trousers. “All night it seems.”
Kaleb had slowed his pace when he saw them, but quickened at the last statement.
“Brennus, it is not-“
“I need not hear what you have to say on the matter. We have guests arriving this morning. Make yourself presentable.” Brennus turned and walked quickly down the steps.
“Aargh!” Kaleb shouted before punching his hand into the nearest wall, and coming back with torn skin and blood.
“Dammit, Kaleb!” Tristan ran over, grabbing his hand and chanting a healing spell. Immediately , the bleeding ceased and he dropped his hand. “What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” Kaleb surveyed his hand. “Why were you looking for me?” Kaleb contemplated additional spells, so that the wounds would close well and leave no scar, but he could not have cared less.
“Last night, Brennus and his council had an audience with all the other Kingdoms using a communication spell, to inform them of what has happened and to make their final preparations for war.” Tristan leaned against the polished hand rail, folding his arms across his chest. “This morning he received an owl from your father. He is sending your dragon along with mine. I wondered why he would not just send the Pegasus but I am assuming he decided the dragons would help in our fight. Tritious met with your father and the King of Meira and has agreed to speak to the Elder Dragons in the Valley of Eternal Rest.”
“So the guests are our dragons and a couple of handlers?”
“I suppose.” Tristan shifted somewhat, uncomfortably. “Kaleb, I know it is none of my business, but did you spend all night with Alannah?”
Kaleb motioned with his hand for Tristan to follow him as he made his way to his assigned room.
“I did, but it is not as it seems. She did not want to be alone. We spent most of the night talking until we fell asleep.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
“Clothed!” Kaleb emphasized, walking into his room.
The four poster bed was much more masculine than the one in A
lannah’s room. The posters were twice as large and were not smoothed down to a polish, but were left to look more like the natural trees they came from. Kaleb stood in front of the floor length mirror examining himself. Disheveled hair, wrinkled clothes, Heaven only knew what Brennus thought as he walked out of Alannah’s room. The wardrobe in the room was heavy with clothes, some of which were clearly made with the Anrad warriors in mind as they were loose on him. However, there sat new clothes as well that fit him well.
“So you are telling me that the ever able Prince could not charm his fair lady?” Tristan laughed as he settled into a winged chair by the fireplace.
Kaleb turned, throwing his shirt at Tristan.
“The ever able Prince did not try to charm her. I told you that night in Caelestis when we were up drinking into the wee hours. Something happened when I kissed her the night before she left. When I looked in her eyes, it was almost like a realization. There was too much hesitation.” He sighed. “I knew she would not care for me the way she cared for him, whether she admitted it to herself or not.” Kaleb pulled a clean linen shirt from the wardrobe and slid it over his head. The dark royal blue intensified the colors of his eyes. “She confirmed it last night.”
“Oh.” Tristan’s cheeks flushed.
“It is of no consequence. One cannot control the state of the heart, no matter how hard we try.” Kaleb sat on the bed, pulling on a pair of black leather boots. “My concern now, though, is what Brennus will think, having watched me walk out of her room.” He finished as he stood to leave.
“Yes, I would not think that he would assume you were there trading recent stories or inviting her to tea.” Tristan pushed himself off of the seat.
Kaleb raised an eyebrow at him, cocking his head to one side.
“Thank you for that.”
“What?” Tristan fell into step behind Kaleb as he walked back out the door. “I was just speaking the truth.”
As they walked down to the stairway, they caught Alannah and Anora about to descend. Alannah was dressed in her usual training gear of a short sleeved blouse, corset laced with weapons, trousers, and boots. She turned as soon as Kaleb and Tristan approached, so that they could see the new bow and quiver strapped across her back. “Given to me this morning by one of the shop owners! What do you think?”
Tristan winked at her.
“I think Samil is in for a world of hurt.”
Alannah smiled, looking at the dark circles beneath his eyes.
“You will be doing some serious damage with that.” Kaleb eyed the arrows in the quiver before turning to her.
“I should hope so.” Alannah said as she began down the stairs. “I am sure Master Jadoc will want me to practice during training today.” She stopped mid-step as if she had forgotten or just realized something, causing Anora to almost run into her. “Oh, I am sorry, Anora.” Her smile apologetic.
“I am alright ma’am.”
“You two should go with me to see Master Jadoc.” Alannah’s gaze shifting back and forth between them.
“We would have to wait until later. My father is sending two dragons for us to use on our ride to Gravis. I assume it is also for help, since we have no idea what is on that island.”
“Oh! That is great news, Kaleb. Anora brought me a message from a hawk this morning from my parents. My father has taken a small army and they are to storm the castle in the mountains. He said it was what he wanted to do the first time, but he listened to Evyette when she told him the element of surprise would be better.”
The group started down the stairs again.
“Well, Maligo was certainly surprised alright. Though not by us!” Tristan called over his shoulder, laughing. “Who would have thought, that you would come into your powers while there?” Tristan laughed harder. “Could you imagine the old goat’s face when his entire plan went to hell?” Tristan looked over his shoulder a wicked gleam in his eye. “We shall ruin Samil’s plans just as well.”
“Yes, we will!” Alannah called out.
Kaleb looked at her, “Alannah, I need to-“
Alannah leaned towards Kaleb, grabbing his hand briefly and squeezing it.
“Thank you for last night. I needed to talk to someone.”
“Anytime, Alannah,” Kaleb began again, inclining his head toward her.
“Would the Prince and his friend like some breakfast while you wait for your guests?”Anora asked.
Tristan put his hand on his stomach, “Yes! That would be most appreciated, Anora.”
“I will meet you later at Master Jadoc’s, Anora.”
“Alannah, I should like to speak with you later.” Kaleb called over his shoulder as Tristan put his arm around him yelling something about being so hungry he could eat a large animal.
Anora bowed to Alannah, then left, catching up to Kaleb and Tristan and leading them to the dining room.
Alannah glanced in the direction of the dining room and shuddered, thinking of her last encounter there with Brennus.
“She awakens!”
The deep and familiar voice came from behind her just as she was exiting the castle. Warmth settled in her chest at the sound.
Alannah turned and smiled, but it was not returned.
“Brennus.” She sighed. “Come to walk me to training?”
“Oh, may I?” The sarcasm in his voice was stronger than usual.
Probably all the recent stress, Alannah thought to herself.
They walked outside to chilly, biting wind, eased only by the occasional rays of the sun that made it through the branches and leaves and onto their path.
“I hear we will have dragons on our side at Gravis.” Alannah spoke breaking the awkward silence, as she kicked a small pebble to the side of the path.
“Ah, your Prince told you?” Brennus spoke, never looking at her.
“My Prince?” She watched a leaf drift from side to side until it landed softly in the path.
Brennus shrugged his shoulders.
“Yes, well, he remained by your side after the meeting last night, correct?”
“Well, yes, but that does not make him my prince. He kept me company and told me of the events that occurred in Caelestis.” Alannah’s gaze had transferred from the surrounding beauty of the Kingdom to Brennus.
Brennus chuckled lowly.
“Kept you company.” He repeated.
Alannah turned to face him, grabbing his arm trying to force him to turn.
“Brennus, what is wrong with you today? Has the anxiety of all the recent events gotten to you?” Her voice was sharp now, holding a bit of bitterness.
Brennus stopped, finally turning to her and locking her gaze.
It was then that she saw it. Hurt called out from behind his fixed stare. It was as if he wanted to say so many things and yet nothing at all. But she did not understand the source of this hurt when last night he did not look at her like this.
“Nothing is wrong.” He spoke finally, licking his lips and pressing them together as if the words were sour and hard to swallow. “Nothing at all. Everything is working according to plan, I suppose.” He turned and began walking away.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Alannah called out to him but he did not turn around. She threw up her hands in frustration. “What in the five kingdoms was that about?” she murmured to herself.
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Chapter 17
Evyette paced the length of her cell, going over spells in her mind, which she could use should she be able to escape. She had to be careful not to concentrate too much on the spell so as not to perform it and be usurped of her energy. Though as soon as Samil appeared in front of her cell, she stopped, folding her arms across her chest.
“You do not look well, Samil.” Evyette raised an eyebrow and took in the even fainter spirit of Samil.
A smirk crept across his lips as he reached up, gathering his hair off of his shoulders and pulling it back, before dropping his hands to his sides once again.
> “Do you not fear me, little fae?”
Evyette looked him over.
“No.” She tilted her head back slightly as if to accentuate her point.
Samil let out a chuckle.
“I shall try harder then. Of course, I should be nicer to family.”
Evyette huffed.
“I will even be so kind as to allow you help me today.”
Evyette laughed, splaying one hand across her belly and the other on her chest.
“You actually believe I would do that?”
Samil’s smirk was gone. He raised his eyebrow as he neared the cell bars.
“My dear Evyette.” Samil continued to walk forward showing no signs of slowing. He closed his eyes for a moment, and walked straight through the bars.
Evyette’s breath caught in her throat as she backed up against the wall.
Samil continued until he was but a foot in front of her. His form was flickering and she could tell that he was using his magic. She quickly shielded her mind in defense, but it was not her mind he was trying to touch.