“If we die here tonight, I want you to know that I love you,” Mestal said.
“Don’t talk like that. Neither of us are dying now.”
Tusdar surveyed the distance already covered. The air was silent. Crondor’s lights glowed far from them and the tiny flickers of the elven torches were deep within the forest.
Maybe that demon finally took priority over fleeing vampires.
The thought made him chuckle, and he hoped that whatever demon was there would tear their limbs from their bodies. His hunger took over and his stomach growled. Turning to the stars, he saw they were now under the lowlands’ storm clouds.
Have we really gone so far?
Tusdar cradled Mestal in his arms and took a few forced steps toward the lowlands. He panted as he expended his last shreds of energy.
Mestal whispered with a soft voice, “I think they’ve given up on us.”
Don’t get complacent, Kassina said. Continue on. Now that you’re close enough; our lord has graced you with a gift. You’ve done well. I doubt that Marithians would dare come this close to my tower.
The clouds rumbled and it began to rain. Tusdar stuck out his tongue and tasted blood. He gently lowered Mestal to the rock bed and wiped the dark tears from his eyes. He couldn’t believe it.
Looks like I made the right choice after all. Vartan and the resistance left me for dead. With the forces of darkness, I have found love, redemption, and they had saved their lives. I must not betray their kindness.
He laid a kiss on his love’s head and laughed.
Mestal’s voice trailed off as she said, “Never have I been so happy to hear her voice in my head.”
They cupped their hands, sipped blood, and regained their senses as their hunger subsided. Tusdar’s vision sharpened and he watched the forest’s edge. His eyes widened as the image of a scantily clad woman, crouched and feasting on a steaming hot heart, appeared before him. As she caught sight of him, her eyes glowed white. Blood streamed down her arms and chin; she scowled and rose to her feet. Tusdar opened his mouth, but the demon fled deep into the forest before he had the chance to speak.
It appears that the demon lives. Wumvarn managed to escape from Greenhaven after all. She should have been punished for defying me, Kassina said.
Should we pursue her? We’re recovering our strength, he thought.
Let her go. I doubt you’ve both got the power to defeat a master demon. I’ll deal with her later, but your courage is refreshing.
They wiped their mouths clean and turned toward the lowlands, bolting at a renewed speed toward the vampire city, Zhendur. Their replenished power coursed through their darkened veins. The clouds erupted in a vicious storm, pelting their skin with hail and intense winds. They covered their faces with their arms and leapt over the many large cracks in the lowlands. They bounded across the decayed ground. Cloud flashes were accompanied by blinding forks of lightning.
Your gift came at a price, Kassina said. This storm is out of control; be careful out there.
The lightning struck the ground in Mestal’s path; she cried out as she changed direction to leap toward him. “I’m blinded!”
He barely caught her tunic as she dangled over the mouth of a wide crack between them.
“It’s my turn to save you from an edge,” Tusdar said, pulling her into his arms. Their clothes flapped in the angry winds, and their hair whipped around their heads.
After all they had been through, there was no way he was going to let anything stop them from reaching safety.
“Hold on to me,” he said, kneeling down and pulling her onto his back. “We’re so close now.”
Another lightning strike lit up Kassina’s tower. The tall, layered structure acted like a lighthouse to guide their way. His legs carried them as fast as they could, and he groaned with each blurred leap. They continued through the lowlands, often changing directions to avoid the many bolts of lightning.
The edge of the sheer fall known as Eagle’s Drop came into view, and Tusdar saw the dark shadows of mountains in the distance. He remembered the first time he came here, when he watched her fall backwards over the edge and disappear into the fog below. Fear did not often accompany a vampire taking a leap. If they fell on trees or sharp rocks, they could be speared through the heart or decapitated; no vampire survives either. He expected to be caught by bats like the first time, but he couldn’t be sure. In their hasty exit to battle, he never took notice of who may have been left behind, if anyone at all.
The heavy rain blurred his view as he searched for a way to line up their entry to Zhendur. The only way to the entrance was falling.
As if she could read his thoughts, Mestal spoke. “Find the break in the ground that looks like a bite’s been taken out of it. I am starting to see again and can help you soon.”
Tusdar ran along the edge and hunted for the markings. After what felt like an eternity, he reached it. “Here.” He placed her down and smiled at her as he held her hand.
“This time, we go together.”
They approached the edge and spread their arms wide. The wind sprayed their hair across their faces. Crouching down, their bodies leapt unnaturally far from the edge. But as they burst through the layer of mist, Tusdar saw that Zhendur’s drawbridge was closed shut.
Chapter 3 - A Rude Awakening
“I’ve waited for this moment my whole life. How did they take it from me? This should have been our time of celebration. I can’t wait to wipe the smiles from their faces, and cut frowns through their dying flesh.”
(Kassina - Queen of the underworld)
Low winds blew across the Marithian landscape as if there were a horizon-wide charge of stallions. Birds chirped to welcome the new day as Vartan watched the light seep through the window, illuminating his light skin. It was days like this, when all seemed peaceful that one could imagine they were not at war. He couldn’t forget the deaths of those who fought against the Forces of Darkness. Many of them perished in his name.
It had been days. He worried that his people would grow restless in his absence. The rest was welcomed, but the visions were not. Dragons’ blood enabled many powers within him that he was thankful for, but the visions were as random as a throw of bone dice, and he wasn’t making much sense of what he was seeing. The closer the end of the war was, the more confusing the visions became. To make matters worse, he still dreamt and had nightmares, just like anyone else.
Karven had taught him as much as he could, but unravelling and interpreting what he saw would take a lifetime he feared he wouldn’t have the luxury of living.
So much for the romanticised notion of seeing the future, he thought.
He put aside dreams of oddities, and turned to look at his wife, Princess Helenia. Her beauty and everything about her astounded him. She was almost surreal. He often wondered if he would wake to find that this was all some dream on a grand scale, and that he could never be with someone so wonderful. But if this was a dream, then it was one he never woke from. He counted his lucky stars that he could be in love at a time of war. He wished with all his heart to grow old with her, but fate seemed to hold all the cards and was an unpredictable player.
When he was a boy, he had wondered what it would be like to live your last day, and now he lived knowing that each one could be his last. His time to rest was over, but why did he feel that day to be an absolute? He couldn’t make sense of it all.
Vartan blew out the candles by their bed, enjoying the dance of the wispy smoke accompanying the smell of charred wick. Such things still gave him a sense of normality. As the smoke dissipated, he turned to watch her staring at him with twinkling aqua eyes on her canvass of ivory-coloured skin.
She pouted. “Come back to bed. We have so little time together.”
He allowed her to pull him back into the sheets, burying his worries as his cool skin met her radiant warmth.
“I’ve too much to do today. It is strange to be back here. It feels like only yesterday that I was e
xiled - even if it was done for my protection. To think...”
Helenia placed a finger over his lips, sliding her silky body on top of his. “Shh... Just for a while, I want you to stop thinking.”
Vartan felt her heat as she slid on top of him. She moved down his stomach and ground herself against his crotch. He squirmed and bit his lip as his body tensed and hardened with excitement. Her warmth grew with her own excitement as she let out a low moan. He felt his control leaving him, and his body tensed under her.
“Not yet,” she said.
“But...”
“Just relax. I want to try something.”
She purred, dragging her lips as she kissed her way down his neck, her hot breath leaving a disappearing trail of vapour down his skin. She placed him between her heaving breasts. He felt her hardening nipples as she slid her soft mounds over him, and she ran her tongue along his stomach. She opened her mouth and took in as much of him as she could, swirling her tongue around him. Her moans sent thrills throughout his entire body as he felt his excitement building.
Vartan groaned as he gripped the bed and gritted his teeth. “Helenia... It’s too much.”
She returned her face to him and smiled before climbing up to spread her legs out wide and straddle him. “I want you inside me.”
She gently placed him between her thighs and slid him inside, lowering herself to deepen the blend of their bodies. Her loving stare accentuated her own longing as she ran her fingernails down his chest. Her hair shone golden in the light as she lifted her arms and ran her elegant fingers through it, exposing her pointy ears. She bit her bottom lip as she increased her rhythm and moved against his body. Her generously shaped breasts were light contrasted to her pink nipples.
Her raspy voice trailed off as she said, “Touch me.”
He reached up to cup her breasts and massaged them gently. She let out a loud moan as she gripped him tighter inside her, her walls pulsating against his penetrating flesh.
It all became too much for him, and he leaned up to hold her tight as he controlled himself no longer. Sliding his tongue into her mouth, he enjoyed the vibration of her moans as he matched them in his climax and ejaculated inside her.
He held her in his twitching embrace and felt the hot breath of her sigh as she laid her head on his shoulder.
He felt her heart pounding against her rib cage. The thumping beat joined lemon birds squawking near the window. Neither of them spoke a word as he reached down to help her continue to her own climax, but their moment was interrupted by a knock on their locked door.
It seems my life is full of interruptions.
“Prince Vartan, the training hall has been prepared as you requested. I have informed all of your required guests of your meeting over dinner. Breakfast is served.”
He heard the rattle of plates as they were placed outside their door.
“Thank you,” Vartan said.
He felt his mind return to the heavy familiarity of concerns. It felt good to forget about the war for a moment, but Marithia awaited him, and time was proving too precious a commodity.
Helenia rose from the bed and placed a clean washrag between her thighs. She eased herself back onto the bed and leaned against the bed head, covering her body with their cream-coloured blanket. Vartan carefully opened the door and retrieved the tray full of steaming-hot food. The smell of freshly baked bread and the sweetness of strawberries reminded him of more peaceful times.
He kissed Helenia on her forehead and sat beside her, lowering the tray onto her lap. “It amazes me that they manage to bring us food like this. You eat first. After all, it’s the least I can do for our... interruption.”
Helenia laughed as she bit into the crust of freshly baked bread. “Oh please. It’s okay. You can make it up to me next time. You know, our elven enchantments aren’t only good for trees, but growing fruit too. We have a history of thriving in war time, so this isn’t a first for us.”
She bit into a juicy strawberry, licking her lips to savour its sweet taste.
He enjoyed the taste of the boiled eggs. They reminded him of breakfast on the farm with his family. Returning to stare out their window, he allowed his mind to travel to his childhood. His memories felt too distant now, as if they were from a past life.
Helenia spoke in a voice that was softer than usual. “Darling. I know that it’s a bad time, but how do you feel about us having a child?”
Vartan stopped chewing and widened his eyes. His travelling thoughts became lost in a maze of confusion. His first reaction was one of happiness, but his smile collapsed with panic. How could they become pregnant and keep the baby safe in these times? He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his wife and unborn child. It was then that he realised that the choice may be a foregone conclusion. As if she read his thoughts in his silence, she answered them.
“Oh, don’t worry. I know how to cast those enchantments on my body. We wouldn’t fall pregnant without planning for it.”
Vartan calmed down.
At least we have time to think about this.
He put down his food and took her free hand into his own. “My love. I wouldn’t worry for a moment about us making a child, as I’d never doubt your abilities. It would bring me, and us, so much joy. But I worry that I can’t always be here to protect you and our baby, and you’d be in greater danger now than ever.”
She sighed and turned away from him. “I understand.”
“Helenia...”
She sniffed and wiped her eyes with her palms. “No, I really do understand. I don’t know how to explain it, but I just really want to be a mother. I know it might sound crazy; I want to have children with you. The gods know that I would gladly wait for safer times, but what if we don’t have the rest of our lives to wait?”
In all the madness and uncertainty of the time ahead, it was actually starting to make sense.
If the war is lost and the Blood Red Moon prophecy is fully realised, then we are all doomed to be killed by Shindar. If I emerge triumphant, than my child will learn of my victory and be proud of their father.
He wondered what harm it would do to give them hope, and when the time comes, to give their people hope. He knew deep down that stability would make their people fight harder for the cause. The more he thought about it, the more his concerns washed away.
But what if only I die, and she remains a childless widow?
Vartan rubbed her arm gently and reached up to her chin. He felt her cooled tears on his fingers as he turned her around to face him. “I love you. In all this madness; if your heart truly wants this now, then why should we wait? Let’s put our fears aside and start trying.”
She asked through quivering lips, “Really? We’re not mad to do this?”
Vartan held her in a snug embrace. “Yes, really. I can’t wait to start our family.”
She beamed, like on their recent wedding day in Veldrenn, the elven city.
“My saviour of Marithia. You had best go to your training. But don’t train too hard. I’ll need your energy tonight. I have counted the moons since I bled, and the time is right,” Helenia said, running her fingertips down his chest.
Seeing her happy like this was like a blossoming flower amid a thirsty desert. He knew in his heart that they had made the right decision.
He smiled and hastily dressed. His mind raced at all the possibilities that their children may bring, then kissed her goodbye. “Can’t wait. See you soon.” He eased the door shut and headed down the corridor. He had wondered how long they had been in their room, as the stronghold bustled with activity. Hand-servants rushed to their masters, and warriors carried supplies for internal repairs. Passing by his father, Leon, they exchanged smiles.
Leon raised an eyebrow at him. “I see that you’ve re-joined the world of the living. Good to see you. Where are you headed?”
“Good morning to you too, Father. I’m off to the training hall.”
His father laughed. “Have fun! Yuski and Anakari have
been practicing since the sun came up. I overheard them gossiping about how late you are running. Seems you’re being outdone.”
He felt his cheeks flush and he descended the stairs with renewed purpose, knocking Queen Andrielle into the wall.
Shit!
His eyes widened as he helped her to her feet.
“Well! I see someone is excited to start their day,” she said, brushing the dirt from her shoulders.
“I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness. I really should be more careful.”
Vartan kept his head low and continued on, cursing at himself for being so careless. He emerged from the royal quarters and rushed to the training hall. He pushed open its oversized doors and watched as a startled Yuski dropped her sword beside the training dummy. “Vartan, you scared me. We’ve been waiting for you all morning.”
He looked to the many barrels around the hall.
So, they managed to do what I asked. I will practice with those later.
“My apologies. You started without me?”
Anakari chuckled, her eyes shimmering with a white glow. “One of us has. Weapons aren’t exactly my area of expertise. But I can be of service.”
She narrowed her eyes as she focused on the training dummy, mumbling a spell under her breath. The symbols on her body shimmered. The dummy jerked into action, launching itself from its chains, and shaking its head before running to a wall full of weapons. Using both arms, it picked up a sword and approached Yuski, taking a swing at her. She backed out of the way and retrieved her sword.
This will be an interesting training session.
Anakari was still enigmatic to Vartan. He was keen to see what she could do. The most powerful of magic is activated with emotion at ones core, not controlled with words.
“Impressive!” Vartan said, “But you should learn to fight with a blade, Anakari. Come join us and pick up a sword.”
Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere Page 3