by B. C. Morin
Evyette was trying to push herself off of the ground and drag herself to Tristan.
“It is up to you, now.” Tristan spoke so lowly, Kaleb could barely hear him over the roar of the falls. “You are the only one who can love her as I have.”
“No! You will heal, and you will marry her and have fae babies that will torture you as you torture me.” He shook Tristan’s heavy body. “You cannot leave me, brother!”
“You are the one for her. Please, Kaleb. Promise me.” Tristan’s words were choked, while his eyes searched Kaleb’s face for the reassurance he needed.
Tears flowed from Kaleb’s cheeks onto Tristan’s face.
“I promise.”
Evyette pulled herself over to Tristan, her legs still not fully recovered from the spell. She collapsed onto his chest, grabbing his now limp hand and holding it against her face.
“Tristan.” She whispered.
Once they had realized that Samil was gone, they quickly made their way out of the caves, though this time with some dragon created doorways. Kaleb had called on Lothaire and Dalinda, and when they could not get to him, Lothaire took it upon himself to remove some of the trees on the mountainside that led to the waterfall, giving them a rooftop opening.
Though Lothaire was disappointed, Kaleb and Evyette mounted Dalinda, flying as quickly as they could to Talom before Tristan’s’ body returned to the earth. Kaleb manipulated the winds, to the annoyance of Dalinda who let out a sorrowful roar at the loss of her friend and rider.
* * * * *
Evyette stared at the ivy that was once her only love, wondering how she could possibly leave him here.
“You want to bring him with you, do you not?” Kaleb’s voice, burdened with pain, pulled her from her thoughts.
Evyette turned, burying her face into Kaleb’s chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
“He died because of me, Kaleb. It is my fault.” Her uncontrollable sobs weakened her knees, and she was grateful for Kaleb’s strength.
“He died for you, Evyette. There is a difference.” He looked down into her bloodshot honey eyes. “If given the choice, he would do it again. I know he would.” He brushed away a tendril of hair that was stuck to her tear stained face.
She looked up into his deep blue eyes and though his face portrayed strength, she knew it was an act for her. Part of him had died today, as well, and inside he was as broken as she was.
Evyette glanced up quickly catching site of Tristan’s mother’s eyes and knowing instantly where he had gotten them from.
“Will you be staying here for a while?” Her sweet voice was melodic, though sad.
“I am afraid we will only be here for the night. We are expected back in Anrad tomorrow.” Kaleb glanced at Dalinda who rested her snout in the quickly growing bright green ivy. “Samil is still alive and we do not know to what extent.”
Evyette pushed herself off of Kaleb, facing Tristan’s mother.
“Apologies, ma’am, I-“ the words caught in her throat, choking her, and causing the tears to drop from her eyes.
“I can think of no nobler cause than love, my dear.” Her petite hand was warm against Evyette’s face and she wondered how many times that same hand comforted Tristan in times of upset.
Evyette could think of nothing else to offer except an embrace and broken smile. She held her for so long she began to wonder who was comforting who. As she released Tristan’s mother into Kaleb’s arms, she watched as Kaleb stroked her back, and called her mother. It was then that she realized that Kaleb and Tristan truly were as close as she and Alannah. The thought of losing her sister knotted her stomach, making her nauseous.
They sat for a while with Tristan’s parents and the King and Queen of Talom exchanging stories of Tristan and Kaleb. Stories that brought forth tears and on occasion, laughter. There were times when the grief of their loss would consume them all to the point of painful silence. .
“We can stay at the castle tonight, and leave in the morning.” Kaleb leaned in to Evyette who had spent most of the night in the shadow of Kaleb’s comfort.
Evyette nodded her head and yawned, exhaustion finally taking its toll.
“Thank you, Kaleb.”
Kaleb raised an eyebrow at her in question.
“For letting me come with you to bring back Tristan, and be a part of this.” She signaled with her hand to the others around her.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 26
Lothaire landed at the entrance of Anrad, returning Brennus, Alannah, Magnar and Jadoc before pushing off into the night, with his black scales glimmering in the moonlight. Upon entering the Kingdom, Alannah’s eyes fell immediately on some of the warrior fae that had returned from the shores. By the looks of their armor and physical condition, they had certainly encountered the Dorchae and Drow.
Among the warriors were the council and Isibeal. Alannah watched as Isibeal’s eyes lit upon their arrival. Although, she could not help but notice that it was not when she saw Brennus that her eyes smiled, but when she saw Magnar.
Wretched woman! How dare she act as if she were in agreement with the marriage when she clearly has feelings for another fae. Alannah sighed at herself, quickly realizing the irony in that thought.
“Is it done?” Isibeal asked as she approached them, careful now not to gaze at Magnar for too long. “Is Samil dead?”
Brennus dropped his gaze to the ground, knowing that others had heard her question and were awaiting his response.
“No. But neither did he succeed in the sacrifice of his heir.” He looked up, grey eyes sweeping over his people. “He is not as strong as he would like to be, so that will give us an advantage.”
The warrior fae began to murmur among themselves, and Alannah looked proudly at Brennus, as he continued forward and began surveying the warriors.
Nora made her way through the crowd of warriors, tears streaming down her face, when her eyes found her husband. She burst into a full sprint, throwing herself onto him. For the first time, Alannah saw a smile on Jadoc’s face, larger than the one she had seen on the day he introduced her to Nora. A smile which revealed, that as long as he is back with her, all is well in the world to him.
Alannah felt tears sting her eyes at the thought of not feeling that again with Brennus.
As the council was informed of the day’s events, and Isibeal tended to Magnar, Alannah took advantage of all the distraction, making her way to the castle. Anora had run out of the castle immediately, wrapping her arms around her. Alannah smiled. There was someone here who was truly glad to see that she was still alive. She put her hand on Alannah’s back, talking about warm baths and dinner.
Alannah had not even thought about food the entire day but now that Anora had mentioned it, the thought appealed to her.
Once she had bathed and dressed for the evening, Alannah declined Anora’s offer to bring the food to the bedroom, but instead, offering to go downstairs to eat. As she walked out to the main staircase she saw Isibeal walking up, heading to her room, not doubt.
“We need to speak.” Alannah’s voice was firm and caught Isibeal off guard. She only looked at her once, before turning in the direction of the room.
More out of curiosity than obedience, it seemed, Isibeal followed.
“What is it we need to speak about, Alannah?” Isibeal asked, closing the door behind her. Isibeal walked over to the bench in front of her bed and sat down. Her serious demeanor fading, slowly replaced by what seemed like exhaustion. Whether emotional or physical, she could not tell, though she suspected it was emotional.
“Magnar.” She said, watching Isibeal trying to suppress a smile.
“Magnar, Brennus, and I have been friends since we were wee fae. We are all very close.”
“I suspect that you and Magnar are closer than you would like to admit.”
Isibeal rubbed her face with her hands.
“You suspect wrong. My commitment is to Brennus.”
Alan
nah folded her arms across her chest.
“Perhaps. But your heart is not his.”
Isibeal stood, visibly bothered by Alannah’s last statement.
“My heart is not your concern.”
“No. But Brennus’s is. If you have feelings for someone else, and you tell Brennus, he might-“
Isibeal stood, facing Alannah.
“Nothing will change his mind. If you could not, how do you expect anyone else to? Do you think the whole Kingdom does not know how you two feel about each other? That it is only his commitment to his father that keeps him bound to this impending marriage?” Isibeal’s eyes watered. Alannah wondered if it was from anger or disappointment toward the truthful words she had spoken.
“Isibeal, if he knew that he was coming between you and-“ Alannah began again.
Isibeal held up her hands, stopping her from going any further.
“This conversation is done. There is no me and anyone else.” She walked to the door of her room and held it open. “Now if you do not mind, I am exhausted and would like some rest.
Alannah spent the night listening to Isibeal’s voice over and over in her head. Nothing will change his mind. She went downstairs, and despite the strange looks she received from the other servants, asked Anora to sit with her and have something to eat. When she was done, she went back to her room, snuggled with the tiny dragon, and pushed Isibeal’s words from her head. In place, she truly began to mourn her friend. Visions of Kaleb holding Tristan’s limp body and Evyette draped across him continued to appear in her mind. She clutched at her chest, her sorrow for them filling her heart.
“Are you still in bed, sister?” The familiar voice pulled her from her sleep. “The sun is in mid-sky.” Evyette walked over, sitting down next to her sister, who rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Alannah examined her sister’s normally bright face. Today it was marred by dark circles and exhaustion. Without so much as a word, she reached over, taking Evyette in her arms. It was that moment, being in her sister’s arms, which caused a release of the tears that Evyette had been trying to hold.
“They are gone.” She sobbed onto her sister’s shoulder. “I finally discover who my father is, and find the one fae who loved me above his own life, and he has taken them both from me!” Her last words, spat out with a venom Alannah had not heard from her soft spoken sister.
“You have others that love you.” Alannah pulled back, wiping Evyette’s cheeks. “There will be another who will love you as Tristan did. I promise you.” She offered a small smile. “And you have been blessed with another father who loves you and misses you.”
“Speaking of Father, he and Mother came to Talom late last night and stayed with me until Kaleb and I left this morning. They send their love.”
Alannah smiled as her heart swelled. She hadn’t realized just how much she missed her parents until Evyette mentioned she had been with them.
Evyette dropped her hands to her lap, fidgeting with her nails.
“He was sorry, you know. Maligo was.” She looked up, meeting Alannah’s green eyes. “He wanted to make it right. He never said it, but I saw it in his actions. As soon as he found out that I was his daughter. He tried protecting me from Samil, and that was why Samil killed him.”
“Then I can think of no nobler apology than to give his life for the daughter he just discovered he had.” Alannah placed her hands on her sister’s.
“I suppose you are right.” Evyette gave a crooked smile.
“How are you dealing with your loss of Tristan.” Alannah asked, though she was hesitant.
“I could say that if it were not for Kaleb, I would be a mess right now. He has been my shoulder and my rock. I blamed myself for Tristan’s death yesterday and Kaleb continued to tell me that it was not my fault, but a choice Tristan made. It was hard to accept it, but I think I finally have. I miss him though, Alannah.” Tears streamed down her face, and she lunged herself into her sister’s arms. “I miss his voice, his jokes, and his touch most of all. I craved him so badly, I begged Kaleb to hold me until I fell asleep last night, just so that I wasn’t alone.”
“Kaleb cares for you, Evy.” Alannah stroked her sister’s hair.
“I know. I was not aware to what extent until I heard Tristan’s final words to him. I know though, that Kaleb will not do, or offer more, than only what I ask.”
“Why do you say that?” Alannah’s brow furrowed.
“I heard him speaking to his father this morning.” Evyette wiped her face, sitting up again. “He told his father that despite Tristan’s request to take care of me, he could not push himself to be closer than he has been thus far. In some small manner, it would feel as if he will be taking advantage or even pleasure, in Tristan’s death.”
“Oh, Evy.” Alannah reached over tucking a strand of hair behind her sister’s ear.
“Lan, I do not know what to do.” Evyette looked down at Kontar who had crawled into her lap when she was crying on her sister.
“Do what your heart tells you to do. Mourn your love. But do not allow yourself to believe that his death is your end. Every end, must lead to a new beginning, must it not?”
Evyette sighed heavily. “I suppose you are right, though it is difficult to see it that way. What of you? Distract my mind, and tell me what has transpired here with you.”
Alannah took a deep breath. “There is so much that has happened, sister. I am not even sure where to begin.”
For the next hour Alannah told Evyette all about her training, Isibeal, her run-in with the goblins, and her heated words, and night with Brennus.
“And you truly believe that Isibeal is in love with Magnar?” Evyette asked, mulling over all the information she had been given.
“Yes. You should see the way she looks at him. But she will not go against her King, or even her former King. I know, Evy, I know that if Brennus knew, knew that this would also tear apart someone else’s life, he would reconsider.” Alannah sighed in resignation. “But Isibeal will not admit to it, and I am sure that Magnar will not either.”
“How are you so sure?” Evyette asked raising her eyebrows.
“I am not, but regardless, there are other matters at hand which must be taken care of. Brennus wanted us to meet with the council, so we could try and figure out what Samil is capable of now that he failed.”
“Well, then I shall leave you to get dressed.” Evyette stood and walked towards the door.
Alannah looked at the vacancy and emptiness in her sister’s eyes, and wondered if she was truly dealing with her loss, or putting on a brave face .
She walked down the staircase and headed toward the kitchen, running her hands along the cold stone walls, before stopping in her tracks. The sound of a sword clashing rang through the corridor followed by several grunts and thuds. Evyette ran in the direction of the noises, her hand on the hilt of her sword preparing herself to find someone in trouble. She approached the door from which the noise was coming from and swallowed hard.
Slowly, she turned the handle, and pushed the door open, her sword at the ready. She found though, that there was but one person in the room. Kaleb. He stood staring at her, his chest heaving from exertion.
Around the room Evyette saw training sacs, a wooden figure for sword practice, and several other weapons for training. “Kaleb?”
Without saying a word to her, Kaleb turned again to one of the sacks hanging from the ceiling filled with sand and began punching it. Beating it, was more like it.
“Kaleb, what are you doing?” Evyette had to almost scream to get her voice to be heard over the sounds of his strikes.
“Training.” He said, running both his hands through his wet hair, and returning to his punches.
Evyette closed the door behind her, and walked closer to Kaleb. She couldn’t be sure, but his eyes seemed bloodshot as if he had been crying. Sweat glistened off of his chest and back, all his muscles reacting to this intense training.
“Really, Kaleb? Now?
Would you rather sit and talk?”
“Hmpf. Not really, Evyette. I do not have anything to say.”
“Judging by the beating you are giving this sac, which by the way is now leaking sand, I would venture to assume you have a lot to say.” Evyette folded her arms across her chest. “Especially since last night and this morning you have barely said a word to me or anyone else.”
“That is not true. I asked Brennus if he had a room to train in, and so now I am here.”
Evyette rolled her eyes at him.
Kaleb looked down at the sand that fell from the sack, and turned to walk over to the wooden figure. He unsheathed his sword and was about to thrust, when a petite hand wrapped itself around his wrist.
“Stop it.”
“What are you doing, Evy?”
“Stopping you from keeping all your emotions to yourself.” She released his hand, pushing it down. “Talk to me.”
“I do not have anything to say.” Kaleb ran his hand through his hair, finally fixing his eyes on her.
“That is a lie. You have plenty to say. And you owe it to me to tell me!”
“I owe it to you?”
“Yes!” She yelled this time. “You cannot give me your shoulder to cry on, take care of me, listen to me, wipe my tears for another and still love me and not allow me to do the same for you!” Evyette blinked allowing tears to fall, just as she shoved him lightly.
“Evyette, I-“
“I want to be there for you as well, Kaleb. I cannot do that if you are always pretending that you can solve or deal with everything on your own.”
Kaleb turned his back to her, balling his fists and hammering them against the wall as he leaned on his forearms.
Evyette walked over, putting her hand on his back, but he did not move away. She looked down at the dust covered floor in front of him and noticed the drops that fell onto it.
“Kaleb, please.” She stepped closer, but Kaleb dropped to his knees.