by Nesa Miller
“A penny, milady.” A familiar face blocked her view.
She sniffled. “What do you want?”
“I saw you run out of the palace and thought you may need someone to talk to.” Linq waited for a sign that it was all right to join her.
She flung her arm in a melodramatic move. “What the hell. Have a sit.”
“I take it things didn’t go well with Dar.”
She placed her hand in the river, watching diamonds of sunlight swirl around her fingertips. “I don't know what to do, Linq. He won’t listen to me. He stares with those golden eyes, accusing me of things I didn’t do, calling me horrible names.”
“Alatariel will find a way.”
Etain closed her eyes. “It’s not her problem. I should be the one to find a way, but I'm as lost as Dar. The man no longer trusts me because of a nasty trick his brother played.” She looked at the elf. “Even in death, the bastard interferes.”
“What do you plan to do?”
She turned her head to the water. “Maybe I should leave.”
“I think you should go.” The two jumped at the intrusion. Alatariel stood over them, a serious look in her eye. Etain sat up as Linq moved to stand. “No need to get up.” He held out his hand. “Thank you, kind sir.”
“Pardon my frankness, Rie, but what the hell are you talking about? I can't leave Dar, especially in his condition. No matter what was said, I won’t go.”
Alaratiel folded her hands in her lap. “Dar is a confused man right now. He doesn't have the ability to discern between truth and lies at this point. I didn’t know before, but I now understand how much you mean to him and what he means to you. It is breathtaking, to say the least. But…” She raised a hand to emphasize what she had to add, “because of that, I believe your presence hinders his healing process.”
Etain gave her an indignant glare. “No. I cannot accept that.” She jumped to her feet, pacing the river’s edge. “He knows I would not betray him. He knows I would never...”
“Etain,” the queen said, watching her pace. “He isn’t rational in his current state. I think by removing your influence, he will be able to clear his mind.”
Her heart skipped a beat. The world seemed to float before her eyes, black spots appearing. Linq jumped up, catching her just in time, lowering her to the ground. “There now, milady. Take a deep breath.”
Alatariel scooped water from the stream, patting the girl’s face. “It’s only temporary, Etain. A few days. Give Dar the time he needs to sort through the delusions and come to terms with his brother’s treachery.”
“I d-don’t know if I…if I can. I think my leaving could make things worse.”
“Nothing has to be decided right now.” Alatariel adjusted her skirts and folded her hands in her lap again. “However, if I am to help Dar, I must know everything that has happened. Can you be completely honest with me?”
She returned the queen’s steady gaze. “I guess it started with Freeblood.” Etain told the story of the young man and the eighteen-wheelers, the blood transfusion, and subsequent antics between him and Faux. Mexico added Midir to the mix. She mentioned the summons to Dar’s castle, his conquest of the assassin hired by Midir to kill her family, and her trip to Texas. It continued through her time at Midir’s castle, Dar’s attempted rescue, and Midir’s death. “Y’all know about the Council. That’s when he saw the first nightmarish vision.” She sighed, pushing at her hair. “I don’t know what he saw, but if Linq hadn’t been there, I’d probably not be here.”
He raised his knuckles, still bruised from the encounter. “My persuasive talents came in handy that afternoon.”
“Then it happened again at the cottage, the day after our wedding.” Etain picked at the grass, throwing bits into the water. “He saw Midir, and here we are.”
Alatariel thought on her words. “Your time at Midir’s… Did something happen between you two? Did he-”
“No! Hell, no!” Etain cut off the question. “He tried, but I said no.”
“Hmph. When did ‘no’ ever stop Midir?” Linq asked.
She shrugged. “I think he surprised himself. At any rate, he left me alone.”
Alatariel patted her on the knee. “Midir was a self-gratifying man who didn’t wait for his pleasures. He took whatever he wanted whenever he pleased. Why would he delay in taking what he thought was owed to him?”
Linq had a possible answer. “Perhaps because Midir was a part of Dar it made him vulnerable.” He turned to Etain. “They had a strong connection. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to believe Midir felt as passionately about you as Dar.”
“I think his passion was more about sticking it to Dar rather than caring about me.” Etain shook her head. “He was ready to sacrifice me on too many occasions to believe otherwise.”
Linq shrugged. “It’s true their conflict went deeper than mere sibling rivalry. Midir would have killed Dar a long time ago if the priests hadn’t made it impossible.”
“Oh, Linq.” Alatariel sighed. “After Dar lost his family, I doubt he would have cared.”
Linq stretched his legs out in front of him, leaning back on his elbows. “You know, Midir became the author of his own demise the day he threw that sword, the one that nearly took your life, Etain. Because of you, Dar began to care again.”
Etain perked up at this tidbit of information. “How do you know about that? Dar didn’t even know until recently.”
Alatariel gave her a motherly smile. “It has been left to the elves to preserve the history of those races no longer with us.”
She could feel her anger returning. “He was tortured for years over that stunt. It would’ve saved him a lot of grief if someone had told him.”
“Our interference could have proven fatal for Dar at that time. He wasn’t ready to face his brother.” Alatariel watched Etain struggle with the reality of her words. “It was the deciding factor that brought you into his life. You know of Midir’s involvement in your parents’ deaths?”
“Aye. He killed my brother, too. But, like I told you, Dar killed Zagan, Midir’s hired assassin, for me and my family.”
“It was a sad day. Midir got to your family before we could intervene. When we finally discovered the time and place, your parents were dead, you were gone, and his hellion had absconded with your brother.”
Etain stiffened. “What? No. My brother died that day ”
“By the time our people arrived, there wasn’t much of anything left. The assassin’s jarvelin had cleaned the site quite well. However, they were able to find some traces of blood,” Alatariel countered. “All of which belonged to your mother and father.”
Etain jumped to her feet, glaring at the elves. “He told me to run. The last time I saw him, he was behind me.” She turned away, running her hands through her hair. “I don’t know when I lost him. Something was chasing me, but it wasn’t my brother.” She shook her head. “No, if Robert were alive, he’d have looked for me.”
“Etain, our people saw them take your brother,” Alatariel said patiently. “And with you becoming Alamir, how would he have known where to look?”
“Well, then, I would’ve looked for him, had I’d known he was alive. I wouldn’t have spent the last five years scared and alone.”
“At the time, we had no idea to where your brother had been taken,” the queen said.
Torn between anger at the secrecy of the elves and excitement that her brother may be alive, Etain’s voice deepened. “Midir’s castle would’ve been a good start. I don’t understand how a human could survive in his realm, but I have to find him.”
Linq came to his feet. “If he is alive, you’ll need help.” He turned to the queen. “Is there something you can do?”
“It will be dark soon,” Alatariel said. “We should return to the palace. I’ll make a few inquiries, but it could take a few days before we have an answer. Should our wizards find anything, I will send a messenger.”
At the palace, Etain parted company
with Linq and Alatariel. Going upstairs, lost in thought, she walked past Dar’s room, nodding to the sentry outside his doors. Alatariel was thoughtful enough to give her the room next to his. As nice as it was to have him close, it occurred to her that it was far more torturous to be so close and not be with him.
How am I going to walk out of here without you?
Relaxed in a hot bath, Etain mulled over what had happened since her arrival in the elven city. Discovery of the Black Blades, the wizards, the castle, even the people themselves… It all felt so surreal. Okay, she knew elves existed. There was Elfin, whom she had met through Inferno, and Linq, a more recent acquaintance, but she’d not considered from where they came or that there were more like them. Friends, families…
Holy hell. She ran her fingers through her damp hair. They must have families. Could Linq have a special lady?
She tried to imagine the savage elf locked in a lover’s embrace. Maybe that was what had kept him busy while she’d been with Dar and the queen.
Charmed by the idea, she lifted the bathing sponge over her head and squeezed out the water, enjoying the feel of it trickling through her hair and down her face. Portals, elves, and Krymerians. How did a little girl from Texas end up in a place like this?
She shrugged. “Ow.” Her left shoulder was tight, as though… “What the hell?” The sponge made a soft splash when it hit the water as Etain pulled her hair back, trying to see the mark out of the corner of her eye. She gently touched the area. It felt rough and hot. The memory of Alatariel’s nails digging into her arms flashed in her mind. She checked the right and the left, but there were no wounds, not even a scratch.
Water splashed onto the floor when she pushed to her feet, turning to the mirror on the wall. Her throat showed no signs of Dar’s stranglehold. There were no bruises on her jaw. She carefully stepped out of the bath for a closer look at the shoulder. There they were, red and hot. Two small puncture wounds right where Midir had bitten her.
“Holy hell.”
There wasn’t a lot she could do about them, so decided to get some well-deserved sleep, hoping they would be gone by morning. Extinguishing the lights, the towel dropped at the side of the bed and she slipped between soft sheets. Downy covers cushioned her from the rough reality in the next room as she sank deeper into sleep.
Outside her window stood a dark figure, not far away, vigilant in its scrutiny. She recognized the shape as Dar. No sooner had the thought passed than his gaze pierced through her like a golden fire. His hypnotic stare drew her to the glass. At the window, she closed her eyes, reclaiming herself from the intensity of his glare. However, a scream from the other side of the glass made her open her eyes. She staggered back, startled to see Dar at the window, bashing his fists against its frame, a sickened expression on his face.
“Help me.”
“Dar,” she gasped and sat straight up. Gathering the comforter around her, she shuffled to the bedroom door and peeked into the hallway. Seeing no one, she slipped out and padded to Dar's room. Much to her surprise, the sentry was gone. She tried the handle and experienced a mix of relief and concern by its easy turn. Her heart pounded. Where were the wizards and the guards?
The sleeping lord was clearly visible. The containment spell emitted a faint blue light that washed over him and the bed, turning his blond hair silver. His hand fell off the edge of the mattress, as though beckoning her closer. The spell forgotten, she tiptoed across the stone floor and reached out for his hand. She had to bite her lip to stifle a scream and stuck her fingers into her mouth, trying to suck away the pain.
Why are you alone? The comforter dropped, puddling at her feet.
A blue shimmer transported her from outside of the transparent wall to the inside. Happy to be close to him again, she lifted his hand, examining the elegant fingers. She kissed his knuckles, taking her time, then turned his palm up and kissed its soft center. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she placed his hand against her cheek and closed her eyes. “I miss you,” she whispered. Gently setting his hand at his side, she climbed onto the bed and straddled his hips. The heat of him between her thighs brought an ache, blossoming into her belly, fluttering with the beat of her heart.
“I’ll be leaving soon, my love.” Her gaze etched every curve of his face into her memory. “I’m not exactly sure when. Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day, but Alatariel says I must…for your sake.” She brushed her lips over his, her words mere wisps. His shirt grazed the sensitive tips of her breasts, making her shiver. “I love you, my sweet savage.” She rubbed her cheek against the prickly stubble along his jaw. “You are my life. My heart.” Her hair fell around his face, encasing them both in a silvery tent. “I won’t be gone long. I promise.” Tears formed in her eyes as she pressed her lips to his. “And you must promise to be my Dar again.”
The naked nymph sat back and untied the bindings that held him down, throwing them to the floor. Next, she unbuttoned his shirt, admiring his lean, muscled torso. Loving hands caressed his smooth body. “You are so beautiful, so strong.” She placed kisses across each shoulder, pressing her naked body against his, then lay her head on his chest. The steady beat of his heart drummed against her ear. “My body yearns for your touch.” Her fingertips ran lightly along his arm. “You will come back to me. I know you love me as I love you. You will come back to me.”
Early the next morning, Linq made his way to Etain's room, thinking of how a tour of Nunnehi would be good for the High Lady, and take her mind off her ailing husband, if only for a while. After several knocks, he tentatively opened the door. “Etain? Are you awake?” He stepped in and gave his eyes a few seconds to adjust to the darkness. The sheets were tousled, but the bed was empty.
Troubled, he left the room and eyed the sentry at Dar's door, asking if anyone had passed. Linq noticed a faint flush come to the young man’s cheeks, but the soldier confirmed he had not seen anyone all night.
“I think it’s best I check on the High Lord.”
The sentry opened his mouth but hesitated. Without another word, he opened the door.
Once inside, Linq’s attention immediately went to the bed. White skin, glowing silver in the light, made him blink. Closing the door, he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as he approached. Relieved to see Etain rather than a draugur come to steal Dar’s soul, Linq called her name as loudly as he dared. After several tries, heavy eyes opened, her silver brows knitted. She pushed up on her elbows.
“Linq?” she mumbled, her hair falling over her face. “What are you doing in our bedroom?”
His hand covered a grin on his face. “Etain, this is not your bedroom. We’re in Nunnehi and should be leaving. The sooner the better.”
When she sat up, running her hands through her hair, he turned his head away.
“What? Oh!” Realizing her predicament, she covered herself as best she could. “I-I couldn't sleep.”
“I understand, milady, but I doubt the wizards will. They’re rather rigid when it comes to crossing boundaries, wife or no wife.” He picked up the comforter from the floor. “Here. Shimmer into this and let's get back to your room.”
“Get well, my love. I’ll see you soon.” She left Dar with a kiss, slid off the bed, and shimmered into the confines of the blanket. “Put your arms around me,” she whispered.
Once in her bedroom, Linq held the comforter until she had a proper hold of it. “Thank you, Linq.” She gave him a nervous smile as he stepped back. “I don't know if I could’ve explained that one to their satisfaction.”
He shrugged, wanting to keep the mood light. “A bit of intrigue before breakfast is good for the appetite.”
Etain headed to the bathroom, picking up her clothes as she went. “I'll only be a minute. What did you have in mind?”
“A tour of the palace, then perhaps a ride in the country,” he said, his mind still reflecting on the earlier scene. He hoped a happy ending was in Dar and Etain’s near future.
Back in the bedroom, she do
nned her boots and strapped on Nim'Na'Sharr. “Can we grab a quick bite before we leave? I wasn't up for a meal last night, but I'm famished this morning.”
As they passed Dar's room, Linq gave a nod to the sentry, who responded with a wide-eyed stare. Etain looked over her shoulder and commented under her breath, “He looks as though he’s seen a ghost.”
Linq smiled and kept walking.
“You up for breakfast?” Freeblood asked, glancing at the clock.
Faux flopped back on the bed. “I'd like breakfast, but...”
“You stay put. I’ll bring it to you.” Freeblood pulled on a pair of jeans and padded downstairs. After a brief stint in the kitchen, he returned with two full trays. “I hope you like waffles.”
“Everybody likes waf…”
Without warning, she pushed out of the bed, nearly toppling Freeblood over. He stumbled back, performing an impressive juggling act with the trays, and managed to set them on the floor without spilling the juice or milk. Just as he got to the bathroom, the door slammed in his face.
He crossed his arms, leaning against the jamb. “Critics usually taste the food before giving their opinion.”
After a few awkward moments, she came out, washcloth in her hand. “It’s not so much the food itself. All of a sudden, I just felt, well…” She wiped her mouth with the cloth, hiding a sheepish grin. “I’m better now. Shall we dare a taste of those waffles?”
Freeblood scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. “You tread a dangerous path, milady,” he said in his best imitation of Dar. With her settled, he placed the tray on her lap and slipped in beside her. Both frowned, realizing the food had gone cold. “Guess it’s another trip downstairs.”
“Hold on, buckaroo. Watch this.” Her hands lit in a warm glow, which spread over each dish. Freeblood felt the warmth from where he sat. Within seconds, the food was heated and ready to eat.
He sliced into a waffle and hummed his approval. “Mmmmm. Heavenly. Nice work.”
“I’m not just a pretty face,” she joked, slicing into her food. “You weren’t gone very long. Did you make these from scratch?”