She closed her eyes, cutting off the sight of the broken man though she still saw him in her mind. Maleena built her power and sent it seeking deep within Sehlas’ mind. Many thought the mind and the brain were the same thing. They weren’t. A brain was a highly sophisticated organ of the body, a physical aspect. It was a vessel that held conscious thoughts, assimilated information, and kept muscles and the other organs working together.
The mind, on the other hand, was a vessel for unconscious thoughts. It was the vessel of the soul, an ethereal thing, insubstantial yet everything. The mind was where Maleena needed to go, deep into the recesses where the last attachment for Sehlas’ soul still held.
The vast emptiness inside was unnerving. There should have been a myriad of emotions, thoughts, dreams and the building blocks of his personality. Everything that was Sehlas should be here instead this vacant darkness. She continued searching and found what was left of him tucked into a corner of his mind. A huddled piece of translucent silver clung tenuously to its holdout. The break was slowly tearing away the last of his grip.
Maleena bypassed the last of the spirit and followed the thread of trailing silver. The pull from the break made it easy to flow along the stretched and worn spirit. She reached the break, the gap feeling enormous as she passed through. Maleena floated in a void for a long time, following the spirit as it waved slowly as if blown by a soft, otherworldly breeze she couldn’t feel.
Then she came up against a transparent wall in the dark. Sehlas’ spirit thread passed through it. On the other side there was the shifting, formless cloud that was him. Around her, Maleena sensed a thousand whispers brushing through her mind. Inquisitive, they circled her, gently probing her magic. Something silent yet familiar moved among the voices. It was joined by more sensations, some familiar and some not, although still somehow they were known to her. A single whisper arose from the gathering, echoing quietly through her mind as if from many mouths as once. “Welcome, child. Collect what you came for and leave quickly. This is not for you yet. Your thread has much weaving left to do. The connection is strong, but the blood shield can only protect you for so long.”
The barrier keeping her from Sehlas disappeared. She moved forward, surrounded him, and pushed him back along his thread. The closer she got to the break, the harder it became to move. The break was only supposed to go one way. Time stretched as she fought to bring Sehlas back. It was like trying to drag a water-soaked log up a quick moving stream.
Maleena poured her strength into it, refusing to give up, refusing to leave him. She could see the break now. Like a river being pushed through a narrow gorge, the outflowing energy rushed at her, threatening to pull her under its current. Maleena pushed back, everything in her focused on moving forward.
Then they were through and back inside Sehlas’ mind. Somewhere, in another place, she sensed her body wave its hand. More voices flowed around her. These weren’t spirit voices though. Taela was telling Serena to close the break. Maleena didn’t have time to worry or think about it. The break fought her. It wanted to send the spirit on. She placed herself between Sehlas’ soul and the gap, and held there with every ounce of strength she had.
Bit by bit, the pressure from the break lessened until finally it was gone. Someone shook Maleena’s shoulders. “The break is healed. Maleena, you can come back.”
As Maleena flowed back from Sehlas, she paused. Her soul was mostly out of her body that lay on its back upon the bed, only a fraction left to run basic functions and very basic movements. So why did she still see a whole and complete soul in her body? She moved back slowly, examining the strangeness. It seemed very familiar, but it wasn’t exactly hers. Suddenly, she understood.
Maleena jumped back into her body and opened her eyes. She looked up at the ceiling in wonder as tears welled in her eyes and laughter bubbled up. How in the name of the Fates had she missed that?
Nydara’s surprised sending rushed into her mind. “Oh, Maleena! I should have guessed, but it’s so different from what I experienced.”
“Please, keep this between us for now. I want to be able to tell Mckale myself,” she sent back.
“Of course.” Happiness and warmth flowed from her dragon.
“Maleena? You’re crying. What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Maleena turned her head to see saw Serena’s concerned face. Exhaustion from the task of bringing Sehlas back made her body feel like lead. With some effort, she pushed herself up and tucked her feet under her. It was amazing how heavy her body felt after the weightlessness of her spirit form.
She opened her mouth to say something, but the joy was so overwhelming all she could do was laugh and cry at the same time. Finally, she gained control of her emotions and looked at her friends, glancing once at Sehlas. He looked completely confused.
“Paki says Nydara claims Maleena is perfectly fine.” Taela stood twisting her hands, the look on her face saying she didn’t believe it.
Serena leaned down to look her in the eye. “Talk to me right now. What is wrong?”
Maleena took a deep shuddering breath and smiled at them. “Nothing is wrong. In fact, it’s great. I’m pregnant, Serena.”
Taela’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh Fates, that is wonderful!”
Serena’s face grew serious. “How do you know for sure?”
“On my way back to my body I saw the baby’s soul inside it. It was…so beautiful, so sweet and pure.”
Serena laid a hand on her arm and Maleena felt the warmth of a weave spread through her body. “There is nothing to heal, Serena. I know what I saw.”
“Hush a moment,” her friend said quietly, concentration on her face.
After a moment the warmth faded and Serena stood up. “You are almost four months along. How did you miss it for so long? Maleena, you’re going to have a baby!”
“Four months?” She looked down at her perfectly flat stomach. “But there isn’t anything showing.”
Serena smiled. “It’s your first baby, honey. As tiny as you are, it will likely be another month or so before the pregnancy starts to show itself.”
Sehlas cleared his throat. “I am truly happy for whoever you are, but can someone please explain to me what is going on?”
They turned to him. His eyes roamed around the room and Maleena sensed him trying to understand where he was. He looked at Taela for a long moment before rubbing his forehead with the fingertips of one hand. “Something happened in the garden of your father’s palace. I was supposed to marry you and then my head hurt.”
Serena sat on the edge of the bed, her hands folded in her lap. “Do you remember anything else?”
Sehlas’ eyes searched the room again as if the answers lay somewhere on the walls. “I remember my brother came to see me but I could not really get any words out. And Bahar said Taela had disappeared into thin air after he heard her scream in her room. It is all very fuzzy. And then nothing. Just darkness. What happened? Was I injured in some way?” He glanced at Taela again. “Is the wedding still on? How long has it been?”
Taela shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no, the wedding isn’t still on.”
Serena leaned forward and placed a hand on his knee. “You were in a coma. It’s been a year and a half since your head hurt in the garden. A lot has happened since then.”
“A year and a half?” A bewildered expression filled his face. Maleena’s heart went out to him. He seemed so lost. “Where am I? What happened? Please tell me.” He picked aimlessly at the robe he wore is if trying to figure out where it came from.
Taela sat on the stool next to him and bowed her head. “I’m so sorry. I did this to you.” Maleena felt the deep sorrow and guilt in her friend.
Sehlas’ eyes widened. “You? I don’t remember you in the garden. Why would you do something like that?”
“I didn’t mean to,” she whispered.
“Sehlas,” Serena interrupted. “You are still in Bahar’s palace. There is a lot of information you need to
know. Bahar has been anxious for your recovery and wants to speak with you as soon as possible.” She stood and smoothed her skirt. “Why don’t I have the servants bring some soap and water so you can clean up? I will also have them find some of your clothes.”
He nodded, his eyes still on Taela. Serena plucked Taela’s dress to get her attention and beckoned to Maleena. “We will give you some privacy.”
Maleena stood, although a nap in the bed sounded better, and looked at Sehlas. “I know you are confused, but it will be alright.”
He gazed at her a furrow appearing between his brows. “Do I know you? Your eyes, your face, they seem so familiar. Almost like I dreamed of them. They were a shining, silver light in a dark place.”
She smiled. “No, you don’t know me. But I’m glad I managed to bring light to the dark place of your dreams.” She walked passed him and followed Taela into the hall where Serena spoke briskly with a servant.
Maleena walked over to Nydara who examined the sculpted trees and bushes in curiosity. “I need to get back to Calladar. If the Council of Nine is still meeting, I should be there.”
Taela nodded. “Father will be happy. Though I’m not looking forward to explaining it all to Sehlas. The poor man lost everything.”
Serena sighed. “He’ll just have to deal with it and move on. She looked at the dragons. “Any more news on Loki yet?”
Taela shook her head and frowned. “Paki say not yet I’m afraid.”
“You should get back. I’m happy for you, my friend,” Serena said.
Taela wrapped Maleena in a tight hug. “ I’m so happy for you and Mckale. Kellinar and Anevay will be too.”
Maleena hugged her back, thankful that sharing thoughts with and hugging her fellow Spirit sister brought no discomfort. “Just wait to spread the news. I don’t want any of the dragons to leak it to Tellnox and have him tell Mckale. I want to tell him myself.” She glanced at Miya and Paki. “I know you two won’t. Females know when to keep quiet. But if Shryden, Mernoth, or Namir hear about it they won’t be able to help themselves.”
Serena laughed. “We will keep it under wraps as long as we can.”
Taela stepped back and gave her a wry smile. “Don’t take too long. You know how hard it is to keep things from a bondmate.”
Maleena nodded as she walked to Nydara. “That I do.”
In a few short moments she was in the saddle with the safety straps secure. “Take care, my friends. I look forward to the day we are all together again in Galdrilene. I miss everyone.”
“We miss you too,” Taela said as she and Serena backed away to allow Nydara room to maneuver her wings.
With a tremendous jump, the silver launched into the air, climbing higher with powerful strokes of her wings. The light of the setting sun rippled along the silver’s scales as the Slide spun open. The tug pulled them in and in seconds they were over the darkened landscape of Calladar, where the sun had already set.
Nydara reached for her, “Tellnox says the meeting with the Council just ended and went better than we had hoped. There was some opposition from a couple of members that insisted no Dragon Riders could be trusted; however, in the end the Council voted six to two to stand with Galdrilene and the Guardians. It was up to Arandrall as the Head of the Nine to uphold the vote, which he did of course. The Council has met Tellnox already and they have planned a…” Nydara hesitated and Maleena felt her trying to understand the word. “They have planned a ‘ball’ to introduce you to the rest of the hierarchy in Calladar. What planning goes into a ball? Isn’t it just a round thing that humans like to kick and throw around? How will a ball help introduce you? Will you throw it to people?”
Maleena laughed softly, amused at the things not included in the dragons ancestral memories. “There is more than one type of ball, my love.” She had to admit the image of a bunch of people in fancy dress standing in a field and throwing balls at each other was rather amusing. “This type of ball is a formal dance. Mckale taught me the steps to these dances in the past. Do you remember?” She sensed the dragon’s confirmation. “People gather together in a great room. They dance, drink, eat a certain amount of food, and gossip. I have never been to one myself, but I have been told of them. Galdrilene has celebrations and dancing, but it isn’t really formal like this will be. In Galdrilene, everyone can dance with everyone. From what I understand of formal balls, only those invited are allowed to participate and servants remain servants, which is silly if you ask me. So in essence it’s the same thing.”
“So this ball is a good thing?”
Maleena imagined a crowd of people all in one room. “I guess it depends on your perspective.”
Nydara changed the subject. “Tellnox says Mckale can sense how tired you are. They suggest I take you back to the lair of Mckale’s family. He will be there after a while.”
“That is fine. It’s dark so not many will see you.”
Nydara snorted a thick curl of smoke that the wind whipped away. “Enough will. Mckale’s family is either going to be very popular or very hated with the neighboring families come the morning.”
“They will be whether you land there or not. After your dramatic landing atop Arandrall’s fortress and the Council meeting, everyone will know of you and where Mckale and I are staying by mid-morning.”
“Should Tellnox and I stay closer to you tonight?”
Maleena’s hand trailed protectively over her still flat stomach, a twinge of anxiety in her gut. “No, I want you to sleep safe. Mckale and I can defend ourselves from anything long enough for you and Tellnox to Slide to us if we have need.”
Nydara landed behind the barn. Mola’s piercing barks filled the night as the dog rushed toward them. As Maleena got down from the saddle, Nydara lowered her head and eyed the canine.
Mola stopped a few yards from the dragon, a low whine in her throat. Maleena sensed the dog’s desire to protect warring with self-preservation in the face of such a large and dangerous adversary.
Maleena sent the dog soothing emotions as she unbuckled the catcher strap and looped it up on the saddle. “It’s okay, Mola, Nydara is no threat to you or your family.” The dog wagged her tail slowly, her eyes still locked on the dragon.
“I will leave now. The dog is still upset by my presence,” Nydara sent.
Maleena backed away to give the dragon room. “Sleep well, love.”
As the dragon lifted off Barden came around the side of the barn with a lantern. “Mola, what are you—” He stopped, his mouth agape as the massive silver rose into the sky, the wind from her wings whipping around.
Maleena patted Mola on the head and walked over to Barden. “She’s beautiful isn’t she?”
He nodded. “That she is.” Barden’s eyes flashed to hers, sudden worry rolling off him. “Where is Mckale?”
“He is leaving the meeting now. It went well although we should wait for him to explain the details. I had to leave before the meeting began, so I missed it.”
“Why did you have to leave?” He immediately waved his hand. “Never mind. It’s none of my business. Have you eaten this evening?”
She didn’t realize how hungry she was until he mentioned it. Her stomach clenched and her mouth watered at the thought of the ham they had eaten that morning. “I would love something to eat. Do you have any more of that ham?”
He laughed. “I’m afraid we won’t have any more until morning. We do however have roasted chicken and potatoes with early spinach if you like.”
It sounded wonderful. “Yes, I would like that. Just as long as it isn’t eggs.”
Mckale rode slowly around the house to the barn. After untying Arella’s reins from the ring on his saddle, he lowered himself to the ground. He removed the tack from the horses and placed it inside the barn before brushing them both down and turning them out into the pasture. He did it all without thinking much about it, his mind preoccupied by Maleena and the conversation he’d had with Tellnox.
The green had informed him t
hat something had happened while she was in Haraban but Tellnox didn’t know what. He had felt a flash of surprise from Nydara and then the silver had walled him off. Nydara cryptically refused to say another word and said when it was the green’s business he would know.
Mckale turned and walked across the grass to the house. Hopefully Maleena would tell him what was going on. He sensed the wall in the bond between them. She’d walled him off too. What were she and Nydara up to?
Barden and Kaden sat in the front room. Both looked up as he came through the kitchen. “You’re back finally,” his father said. “I thought you would return hours ago.”
Mckale rubbed his neck. “Arandrall wanted to speak further with me.”
Kaden scooted over on the cushioned, high-backed bench. “Sit and tell the details of how it went. Maleena said she had to leave and missed it. The guard yard was chaos today after word spread of a dragon landing on Lord Arandrall’s fortress.”
Mckale glanced at the stairs then looked back at his father and brother. They would have to wait for a little bit. “I will tell you about it shortly. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Maleena for a moment.”
Without waiting for them to answer he crossed the room and started up the stairs. He sensed that she was still awake although little else. Damn the Fates for making it so she could wall him off. He pushed open the door to their room. She was sitting on the bed wearing a shift with her long, thick chestnut hair falling over her shoulders. She looked up from some papers on the bed and smiled at him, her face radiant.
Mckale’s chest loosened. Obviously whatever happened wasn’t too bad. Why wall it away then? He closed the door and leaned against it, his arms crossed. What was she hiding? “Care to explain why you have me walled away and why Nydara has done the same to Tellnox?” Her violet eyes only sparkled in the lantern light. He glanced away before she made him forget what he wanted to say. “What happened in Haraban today?”
Tears of War Page 20