Seth stifled a laugh. “Get her into it more like,” he whispered to his wife.
While they had been talking, more of Nisse’s platoon had arrived and he started issuing orders. A few of them would act as escorts for the wagon and its passengers while the rest remained guarding the edge of the forest. Nisse himself volunteered to show them the way to the city and he sent his fastest runner on ahead to warn Brin exactly who had come for a visit.
They travelled for a while, but before the sun was at its highest, they were forced to request a break. They had been on the go since before sundown the day before and were badly in need of some sleep. Nisse obliged them and, after watering their horses, they all settled down for some badly needed sleep.
Sam, however, was unable to drift off. Eventually she gave up and joined Nisse. He was sitting looking into the forest, lost in thought.
“Unable to sleep?” he asked in a soft voice so as not to disturb those who were slumbering. Sam nodded. “I am not surprised. I know what it is like to love someone you cannot have.”
Sam stared at him in surprise. “Who?’ she asked, but he refused to answer. They both sat silently staring into the trees for a while before Sam spoke once more. “What is she like?”
“Who?”
“His wife.”
Nisse sighed and looked at Sam, who was staring at her feet. “Do not do this to yourself.”
“I need to know,” she said, raising her head to meet his gaze. “I have to meet her soon and I would rather know what to expect so I can prepare myself.”
“Very well,” Nisse reluctantly replied. “She is tall, slim, very pretty and easy to get along with. She will make an excellent Queen and a good wife.”
“Does he love her?”
Nisse paused before answering. “Yes,” he finally said. “But not in the way you mean. He sees her more like a sister than a lover and they are good friends.”
“He wouldn’t sleep with her if that was the case,” Sam bitterly responded.
“Do not jump to conclusions,” Nisse said in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. “Rumour has it that Brin got Brianna pregnant on their wedding night and has not touched her since.”
“Really?” Sam asked, her voice full of hope. Then she realised the implications of what she had just been told. “I hope that is not the case. They will both lead very sad and lonely lives if those rumours are true.”
“I need you to do me a favour,” Nisse said in a serious tone. “Keep some distance between you and Dean when Brin is around. I am not sure how he will react when he sees you together.”
Sam nodded, unable to speak as she fought to stop herself crying.
“You should try again to get some sleep,” Nisse advised. “I want to head off in a few hours.” Sam did as instructed, but it was still a long time before sleep took her and she was tired and irritable when Dean gently shook her awake a short time later.
They travelled until it became too dark to safely continue and set up camp. “How much longer will it be before we reach the city?” Dean asked. He was the only person present who had not visited the elves before and was eager to see for himself the city that the others insisted was too remarkable to describe.
“We should get there before nightfall tomorrow,” Nisse said, “as long as the horses maintain their current pace.” The paths between the trees were wide enough to easily accommodate a horse so they had opted to ride, with Nisse running along beside them. The ground was uneven, preventing the horses from reaching any great speed, but they were able to trot without risk of injury.
There was no need to post a guard, so everyone slept well that night, even Sam. Despite the feelings of dread that kept running through her whenever she thought about meeting Brin’s new family, she quickly drifted off and did not awaken until the sun was beginning to rise.
They ate a hasty breakfast and were just preparing to remount their steeds when Nisse called for them to stop; he had heard someone approaching. “I will see who it is,” he told them before walking down the path they were following and disappearing from sight as he rounded a bend. “What are you doing here your Highness?” they heard him call out in surprise.
Sam tensed. Listening hard, she heard the voice she had longed to hear for such a long time. “I left as soon as I got your message. Your young recruit must have run the entire way. He was fit to drop by the time he arrived.”
All eyes were on the path down which they could hear the two elves approaching. Except for Dean’s; he was staring at Sam, waiting to see her reaction to seeing Brin once more.
It was as bad as he had feared. The moment the elf came into view her entire face lit up. In that instant he realised that he had been kidding himself; he had not won her back and however long he waited, he never would. He knew that no matter what he did, she would never look at him that way. Her heart belonged to Brin and always would. She would stay with him, love him, maybe even be his wife eventually, but he knew deep down she would continue to yearn for Brin until her dying day.
Bracing himself, he turned his attention towards the approaching elves. Brin’s complete and utter love for Sam was written all over his face. The pain Dean was feeling was so intense he felt like crying out and the urge to grab Sam and run away with her consumed him, but he somehow managed to hold it all inside.
There was no denying it, Brin was remarkably handsome, despite the green skin and pointed ears. Dean could understand Sam’s initial attraction, but knew there had to be more to him than just a pretty face for him to have captured her heart so completely.
When Sam was finally able to drag her gaze away from Brin, she glanced towards Dean. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, instinctively knowing what she was putting him through but feeling unable to do anything about it. He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He understood that it was not her fault and did not want her to feel guilty.
Ignoring everyone else, Brin walked up to Sam, halting just in front of her. Dean released her hand and moved away as Brin reached out towards her, stopping his hand just before it caressed her face as though he suddenly remembered that he no longer had the right to touch her. Unnoticed, a tear ran down her cheek.
“You should not have come,” he said in a broken voice.
“I know, but I could not stay away.”
For a moment, Brin was unable to take his eyes off her, then he forced himself to turn away and greet the others. Ria and Ellen hugged him, telling him how good it was to see him again, while the men shook his hand and slapped him affectionately on the back. He made small talk with them for a few minutes, delaying the moment when he would have to acknowledge Dean’s presence.
When he finally braced himself and looked at Dean, he was surprised by what he saw. They had met at Brodin’s coronation, so it was not his physical appearance that shocked him, but his expression. Instead of the hostility he had been expecting, he saw resignation. He held his hand out to Dean and saw him hesitate before shaking it.
“Welcome to my homeland. If we make haste we will reach the city before nightfall.” Without waiting for a response, he turned away and started to walk down the path, closely followed by Nisse. The humans mounted their horses and followed.
It was an uncomfortable journey for Sam. Though they never spoke, she found herself unable to take her eyes off Brin. He kept in front of her, refusing to turn around as he led the party through the forest, but whenever they took a break he watched her closely. Without needing to be asked, Dean kept his distance. He could understand how the elf must be feeling and knew it would be cruel to flaunt his relationship with Sam.
The sun was just beginning to set when they reached the outskirts of the city. “Look up,” Sam whispered to Dean. He did so and almost fell from his horse in surprise. He had been expecting wooden huts standing on the ground, interspersed between the trees, but what he saw seemed to defy gravity. Supported on the larger branches were dwellings with wooden bridges running between them. It was an entire city above ground.
“And this is only the outskirts. Wait till we reach the city proper,” Sam told him.
As they got deeper into the forest, the elven houses became multi-layered, reaching upwards towards the sky. Leaves and vines had been entwined around the wooden structures, making them look like they were covered in flowers when the trees were in full bloom.
“Okay, I admit it. You were right,” Dean said, unable to take his eyes off the sights above him. “Words could never do this place justice.” Sam noticed the smug look on Brin’s face but, deciding it was justified, declined to comment.
A small reception committee was waiting for them when they entered a large clearing that acted as the city’s main square. Sam recognised the King and Queen, but not the lady who was standing next to them. Her suspicions as to her identity were confirmed when Brin approached her and formally kissed her cheek. Taking her hand, he led her over to his guests.
“May I have the pleasure of introducing Brianna, my wife.”
Sam looked at the beautiful female standing in front of her and her eyes filled with tears. Blinking them away before anyone could notice, she bowed to the elf who would be Queen one day.
“There is no need for all this formality,” she said in one of the sweetest voices Sam had ever heard. She startled Sam by hugging her, as though they were old friends, and whispering in her ear as she did so. “I may be his wife but it is still you he loves.” The comment was said as a statement of fact, without any trace of sadness or hostility. Before Sam could react,
Brianna had moved on and was shaking hands with Tor.
“Come with me,” Brin said to Sam while his wife was busy with the rest of the visitors. He glanced over at Dean. “You too.”
He led them away from the palace towards an area which was less densely populated. Knowing where he was going, but desperately hoping she was wrong, Sam reluctantly followed him. Walking beside her, but not too close, Dean saw Brin’s hand keep reaching towards Sam, only to be pulled away again when he realised what he was doing.
As she had feared, Brin stopped in front of his family home. “This is my house,” Brin said to Dean, not seeing the distressed look on Sam’s face. “Rooms have been prepared for the others in the palace, but I thought you would prefer to stay here.” Sam looked up at the house nestled in a tree and her resolve crumbled.
“I’m sorry,” she stammered, tears flowing down her face. “I can’t.” Then she turned and fled, putting as much distance between herself and the house that held such strong memories of her time with Brin, especially their last night together, as she could.
“Damn,” Brin said. “I should have known she would react like that.” He forced himself to look at Dean. “You had better go after her. I think I have hurt her enough for one night. Please tell her I am sorry.”
“No,” Dean contradicted him. “I don’t think she will want to see either of us right now.” He inhaled deeply and slowly let it out. “How do you feel about giving me a tour of your city while we wait for her to compose herself?”
Brin did as requested and by the time they returned to the palace Sam was sipping fruit juice in one of the reception rooms, talking with Brin’s aunt, the Queen.
“I should apologise to her,” Brin said and started to approach, but his attention was diverted by movement behind him. He turned to see Hawk fly through the open door, a bundle held protectively in his arms. Ignoring everyone, he flew straight to Sam and gently placed the small person on the floor beside her.
“Someone wanted her mummy,” he said and Brin tensed, realising who it was that had just been brought into the room. Unable to move, he watched Sam kneel down and hug the little girl, whispering something in her ear. The child nodded her head and Sam hugged her once more and thanked Hawk for bringing her. As she did so, her eyes fell on Brin.
“Come with me,” she said to her daughter, standing up and taking the child’s hand in hers. As the two of them walked towards him, Brin found it hard to breathe. He could not take his eyes off his daughter and was so enthralled he hardly heard Sam say, “This is your father.”
He knelt down, so his face was almost level with hers, and held out his hand. Ignoring it, the young girl stepped forward and threw her arms around his neck. As he hugged her close to him, he looked up at Sam and mouthed ‘thank you’ as a single tear rolled down his cheek. It was the first time Sam had ever seen him cry.
He tried to stand up, but Kat refused to release her hold on him, so he gently moved her to his side and picked her up, resting her on his hip bone as he straightened his legs. “How would you like to see your brothers?” he asked quietly.
Kat pulled her head back from where she had buried it in his neck and looked at him solemnly before slowly nodding her head. “May I?” he asked Sam.
“Of course,” she said and the little family left the room together, oblivious to everyone watching them.
Dean made to follow, but Patrick stopped him. “I would not advise it,” he said in a serious tone.
Brin led Sam to his suite in the palace, young Kat still cradled in his arms. They entered a large sitting room with a number of doors leading from it. Brin strode over to one and opened it gently. He looked at Kat, making sure he had her attention before placing his fingers to his lips, silently requesting that she remain quiet. A gentle glow came from within the room, providing just enough light to see by. When the young girl had nodded, confirming she would make no noise, Brin carried her in. Sam hesitated, uncertain whether to follow or not, until Brin looked at her, signalling with a move of his head that she was welcome.
The nursery was a relatively plain room, containing only two sets of drawers, a sofa and two small beds, inside which were two baby elves, peacefully sleeping. Kat wiggled until Brin put her down, then she took very dainty steps towards the two beds, stopping just before she reached them, and peered down intently at the two slumbering forms. She made no attempt to touch them and after a few minutes returned to where Sam and Brin were standing watching her and pointed at the sofa.
“Me sleep,” she said. It sounded more like a demand than a request. Sam looked at Brin, who shrugged.
“I do not see why not. I will get her a blanket.” He left the room, returning a few minutes later to find Kat curled up on the sofa, already fast asleep. He gently placed the blanket over her and tipped-toed out of the room, closely followed by Sam.
“Will she be alright in there?” she asked. “She has never seen a baby before.”
“I am sure she will be fine,” Brin assured her. “Well, these are my rooms,” he said, waving his hand around to take in the entire suite.
“Do not take this the wrong way,” Sam said before he could continue, “but I really do not want to see them.”
She practically ran out of the door and into the corridor. Brin watched her turn to her right and head back towards the main part of the palace, part of him wishing she had not come while the rest of him longed to find a way to make her stay.
Chapter 5
For reasons he could not explain, Nosmas was nervous as he approached Rumman’s estate. Quartilla’s father was a friendly, jovial man and had made the wizard more than welcome when he had safely returned his daughter to him, so why was he now so worried about meeting him once more?
Upon hearing his approach, a stableboy greeted him, recognising him from his previous visit, and promised to take care of his horse. Dismounting, he walked up to the front door and tentatively knocked. The butler opened the door and, after ushering him in, informed him that both the master and young Quartilla were at home. He was shown into a reception room and left alone while they were sought.
Quartilla was the first to arrive and ran into his outstretched arms. He hugged her tight, neither of them making any attempt to release the other until Rumman arrived, at which point Nosmas hastily settled the young lady back on her feet. Nosmas was a tall and muscular man, his long grey hair and yell
ow eyes reminiscent of the wolf he used to be, and he completely contrasted the small, thin frame of the woman he had been holding.
Rumman was oblivious to the way the couple suddenly moved apart as he entered the room and approached Nosmas, his hand outstretched. “Good to see you again Nosmas,” he said warmly, taking the large man’s hand in his and shaking it. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
Nosmas studied the man before replying. Taking in his blonde curly hair, rotund figure, crooked nose and lopsided mouth, he wondered, not for the first time, how this man could possibly have fathered Quartilla. Unlike her sisters, she looked nothing like her father, taking after her mother’s side of the family to such an extent that there would have been no mistaking the relationship, had her mother lived for them to be seen together.
“Nothing good I am afraid,” Nosmas replied, trying to smile and failing to do so. “I am here to take your daughter away again.”
Nosmas glanced at Quartilla as he spoke, an unexpected happiness enveloping within him when he saw her face light up with excitement.
“Whatever for?” Rumman asked, stunned by Nosmas’s declaration.
“It is a long story,” Nosmas said, “and I have travelled a long way. I must look, and smell, dreadful. Do you mind if I bathe first?”
“Be my guest,” Rumman told him. “Quartilla will arrange a room to be made ready for you. Do you remember where the bathing room is?”
Nosmas confirmed that he did and returned a short while later, washed and dressed in clean, though crumpled, clothes. Rumman and Quartilla were still in the reception room waiting for him, the former drinking a glass of wine and the latter chilled fruit juice. Having only just turned fifteen, her father would still not let her drink alcohol, but she did not complain.
Once Rumman had handed him a glass of wine, Nosmas told them everything, from the suspicion that someone was killing everyone involved in the quest, to arriving at the village his mother was staying in too late to save her.
“So the reason I am here,” he said in conclusion, “is to take Quartilla with me in order to keep her safe until we have found out who wants us all dead and have eliminated the threat.”
The Assassin Page 5