The Heart of the Ancients

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  Why? What horror could Rune possibly have seen that would make him react this way? And Gavin’s response was as concerning. Had one of the nightmares I couldn’t remember been the same vision as Rune’s?

  Gavin shifted in his saddle, his shoulders squared.

  I know you’re listening, and I know you know. Don’t think we won’t talk about it later.

  He ignored me.

  Birds chirped, dipping in and out of the tree line as we traveled throughout the day.

  Weylin cantered closer. “Are you wearing Ester’s underwear? Gavin told me she hadn’t planted any hidden messages in them.”

  I blushed. “It’s a camisole and leggings. And no. I decided to wait until we made it through the portal.”

  “Well, I still find it a little creepy the old goat made you undies.”

  My jaw dropped, and I looked at him.

  Rena’s laughter peeled across the meadow. “Nice use of the lingo.”

  Weylin smirked. “I’ve been practicing.”

  “I can tell.” I smiled, and Rena laughed again.

  By late afternoon, a familiar oak loomed in the distance. My horse whinnied as we dismounted near the lake’s edge.

  The Elite Guard had arrived hours before, and silver uniforms gleamed in the warm sunshine as they came across the field. The calm water looked like glass, reflecting the vibrant wildflowers fringing the lake’s edge.

  “I’ll check the portal.” Tark trudged through the muddy bank until he stood knee-deep in water. Light flickered in the depths, growing steadily until the lake shimmered to liquid gold. He took a deep breath and slipped beneath the surface.

  Unease rippled through me. The last time I went through the portal I was unconscious. I didn’t remember the experience at all. How did I manage to survive?

  Gavin took my hand. “Trust your instinct. The portal knows your energy, and I’ll be with you.” His kissed my forehead before turning to give the guard last minute instructions.

  Rena’s eyes blanked. “Tark says everything seems fine. He is concerned at the lack of life around the portal but other than that he cannot find anything amiss.”

  Elias nodded. “Then we proceed. Micah will lead the first wave. If there is no threat, he’ll send word. We wait for the signal before heading through. Nora, you and Gavin will be last.”

  Rena took my hand. “I must join Tark. I’ll see you on the other side.” She turned away, not giving me a chance to reply, and sunk into the depths of the lake.

  The air cooled; clouds rolled in.

  Elias and Elaine waded hip-deep before submerging. The golden waters stilled.

  Gavin’s long fingers tightened around my hand as we waded into the lake. Silt billowed over my boots, casting the liquid around my calves in a golden brown.

  “Don’t let go,” he said, leading me away from the bank. “When we reach the center of the lake, the energy will encase us. It’ll pull us through the portal and won’t let go until we reach the surface on the other side.”

  My hands trembled as I laced them behind his neck. He brushed the hair from my forehead; his thumb feathered across my cheekbone before his palm settled on the side of my face. Warm lips pressed against mine in a gentle kiss.

  “We’ve had the land around the Mighty Oak secured for well over a month. There’s no need to be anxious.”

  That wasn’t the problem. Getting through the portal was what I worried about.

  “Relax. We’ll be on the other side in no time.” Gavin’s arms tightened around me as warmth crawled up my legs, and then he pulled me under. Blue energy surrounded us like a bubble, and I smiled. The water hummed with familiarity—it knew me. The energy pulled us downward toward a hole at the bottom of the lake.

  I tightened my grip around Gavin’s torso. Light illuminated the silt and mud of the underwater terrain. Plants dipped and swayed with the current, their foliage thinning as we sank to the bottom.

  An opening loomed beneath, revealing a shadowy passageway. The water noticeably cooled as we entered the tunnel. I looked up. The hole that was there a moment ago now squeezed to a close, reminding me a camera’s shutter.

  Everything turned black.

  Golden light flickered at the end of the tunnel, growing brighter as we neared the other side. Passing through, Gavin found his footing at the bottom of the lake. He pushed off as the energy started to shrink, tightening the bubble around us. Knowing our air supply was lessening out, I held my breath. Gavin frowned, pulling me closer. My lungs began to burn, and I released some energy from Gavin’s soul stone hoping that we would pick up speed.

  A deep rumble came from beneath, the golden waters darkened to crimson.

  The energy surrounding us dissolved; the water thickened and became dense as molasses.

  Gavin’s legs found a rhythm as he kicked toward the surface. My head tingled from the lack of oxygen as sparks danced in my sight. Frigid water bit my skin, and Gavin’s grip tightened as he struggled through the thick liquid.

  His heart raced beneath my palm. Warmth jetted through me as I called for his soul stone’s energy. Light streamed around us, fighting to expand, but the dark waters wouldn’t allow it.

  Gavin surged forward.

  Searing pain stabbed my chest, and my lungs felt as if they were going to explode. Gavin’s anger pushed through me. King Frey’s soul stone lay hidden beneath my shirt, and I called to the energy encapsulated there. Heat lashed, and my neck jerked as the currents circled and eddied, trying to pull the stone from my chest. Gavin’s muscular thighs kicked harder. My energy waning, I finally exhaled. Suspended in nothing but a bloody, red light and surrounded in darkness, I released the remaining power from Gavin’s stone.

  Nothing.

  It was as if the water’s energy compressed as it fought against us. Gavin’s emotions roared through me, darkening with anger and hatred. And then they faded completely, leaving behind a painful, hollow ache through my chest. The darkness around us churned as if it were confused.

  Crimson darkened to black, but the water thinned, releasing its hold and propelling us upward. Gavin’s arms and legs moved at a furious pace. My hands slipped from Gavin’s neck as the world closed in around me.

  Suddenly, cool air swirled around my face. Sounds ... men shouting ... Rena screaming ...

  Gavin’s familiar touch found my waist. His emotions pummeled through me—love, anxiety, fear—all demanding that I wake up. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn’t.

  Something ripped. Goosebumps rippled across my chest as a hand rubbed over my heart. Tilting my chin and opening my mouth, Gavin forced air into my lungs.

  “Nora?” His hand circled my chest once more. “You need to wake up, love.” He blew air into my lungs again. The heat of his palm coursed through my heart, spiraling outward until I coughed and then took a deep breath on my own.

  Masculine relief rushed through me as Gavin came into focus.

  “Lie still,” he muttered. His palms lit as he started at my collarbones and worked his way down, pausing on my lower abdomen. Gavin’s surprise shot through me, and he closed his eyes, muttering in the Ancient Language. His fingers trembled as they splayed across my torso.

  “Is something wrong?” I coughed.

  Gavin shook his head and pulled my torn shirt back over my chest. “Just making sure you weren’t hurt. I was afraid I kicked you when we were making our way to the bank.”

  His eyes didn’t meet mine.

  “I should have stayed with you.” Weylin’s voice, aggressive and deep, came from a few feet away. “What happened?”

  Gavin sat back on his heels. “Everything was all right until we passed through the portal.”

  “I don’t understand,” I croaked.

  “Neither do I.” Gavin frowned.

  Weylin looked at the lake. “We had no problems passing through. Why would the portal view you as an enemy?”

  The breeze blew across my chest, and I pulled the torn tunic together. Weylin cleared his t
hroat and averted his eyes.

  “The energy vanished. We had no help.” Gavin scowled.

  “But that’s impossible,” Tark said. “How did you make it through?”

  “I only know that as soon as Nora released her energy, the water darkened and turned thick. It refused to let us surface.”

  “I’ve been strengthening this portal for months,” I choked. “It knows me.”

  “Energy can be manipulated,” Weylin said. “Mia has been on this side for a while. She now has all of Jayril’s tricks as well as the secrets of our world. The water didn’t turn this color until you passed through the portal.”

  Surprised, I looked at the lake. If Mia had somehow altered this portal, then how was the Elite Guard going to get back to Kailmeyra?

  Elias faced the leader of the Last Pure Land’s guard. “Could it be possible that Mia had access to the water?”

  The guard swallowed. “I can assure you that there have been no Dokkalfar near the portal since we’ve been here.”

  “She’s latched it,” Rena said; everyone stilled.

  “What?” I looked around. Gavin’s eyes hardened.

  “It’s old Dokkalfar lore,” Elaine said. “It was one of Jayril’s favorite traps, which can only be made in the abyss’ black flames. We didn’t think it a possibility as the evil flames only exist on Earth in the place once called Babel.”

  “How does it work?” I stood, ignoring the ache in my chest.

  “It involves sacrificing one of their own along with a living being from the land. When they die in the flames, they turn to onyx. Latch stones can only serve the one who created it.”

  Tark came and stood beside Elaine. “I’ll find it before morning.”

  “Be careful,” I whispered as he and Rena stepped into the cherry black waters.

  “We should go,” Gavin muttered, taking my arm. Weylin kept pace, guarding the left while Gavin stayed on the right. Silver uniforms darted through the large oaks making sure no Dokkalfar were near. I shivered as a chilly wind brushed across my wet body, and we picked up the pace. Colossal Oak trees reached the heavens, and we made our way toward the one with a door nestled between its massive roots.

  I wrapped my arms around my torso. “The energy sent to the portals was that of love and devotion—the strongest energy possible. How could Mia have manipulated love?”

  “She wouldn’t have been able to in Kailmeyra,” Gavin murmured. “But Earth is a different story.”

  “How could humans manipulate love?” Weylin asked.

  Gavin glanced at Weylin. “As you know, the Alfar view love as the ultimate gift. Our amulets will only answer to its call, and it is through love that we share souls. In our world, it’s impossible to deceive another in this regard.”

  Gavin stopped as we neared the Mighty Oak. “However, on earth, things are different.” His tone darkened. “Humans are not affected by emotional intent. This realm values comfort, riches, and convenience. Add to that the fact that humans can mate with anyone, and the situation becomes complicated. Here, one can claim they love another while feeling nothing but resentment for that individual.”

  Weylin stood in the doorway, confusion shown in his eyes.

  Gavin shook his head. “It’s inconceivable, isn’t it? That such intimacy can be shared with someone other than a life mate. But here it is a common occurrence to take more than one female. In a lot of ways, humans are like Dokkalfar.”

  Startled, my brow rose. “That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?”

  Gavin’s jaw clenched, his emotions churned, darkening, and I grew concerned. He’d been struggling with negativity since the water turned crimson.

  “How is that possible? Do they not share traits with the females they join with?” Weylin finally asked.

  “If you asked someone from here that question, they’d probably think you’re crazy,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “But no, humans don’t share souls as the Alfar do.”

  Gavin opened the door and ushered us in.

  I smiled at the familiarity. The Mighty Oak was precisely the same. Stairs wound around the perimeter of the space, a table, big enough to seat twenty or so, stood toward the back of the room. Soft couches and chairs were arranged in front of the large fireplace.

  “Has anyone spoken to Rune?” Gavin asked.

  Weylin glanced at me before looking at him. “No. The guard assigned to this post reported that Rune came through the portal, stayed a few days, left, but then came back.”

  Gavin frowned. “That’s odd. Rune was supposed to go to the mountain house and wait for us there. Where is he now?”

  Weylin shook his head. “No one knows. He was gone the next morning. The guard said Rune left you a note, and that the last Nora would know how to find it.”

  Gavin took my arm. “We’ll worry about that later. Nora’s freezing, and honestly I need some alone time with my source.”

  Weylin stepped back. “I’ll see to it that you are not disturbed.”

  “Thanks.” Gavin took my hand and headed for the stairs.

  We followed the spiral staircase to the top of the tree. Gavin opened the door, led me through the sitting chamber and into to the bedroom. The tree hummed as if it recognized me. I smiled and released what little energy I had left.

  A light sparked above the bed as a small, flat package dropped on the comforter.

  Gavin held up his hand. “Stay put. I’ll get it.” He reached for the envelope and flipped it over.

  “I believe this is from Rune.” He handed me the square made of stiff cloth. I ran my fingers over the small black feather embedded across the seal.

  Gavin placed his finger on the feather, watching it turn to a dusty blue. “I imagine it won’t open for anyone but you.”

  I grinned. “Rune’s a genius to have the tree protect it this way.” I unfolded papers and lay them flat on the bed. The handwriting was barely discernible, and the fact that it was written in the Ancient Language made it that much harder to read.

  Gavin rested his chin on my shoulder as we silently read the letter together.

  “Princess, you must prepare. The land is not as you remember. Appalachia has fallen into darkness. Our original plan cannot come to pass. Enclosed is a new map. There is much to discuss, but the Urisk are protecting your path. Tell your mate no one should communicate in the way of the Alfar. Demons track their minds. The Urisk can safeguard in ways the Alfar cannot, so take this feather and place it above your human heart. Keep it close always. I’ll explain more when I see you.

  Rune.”

  Gavin’s emotions ran through me, and I glanced up. “What?”

  He looked out the window. “We’ve been speaking with our minds since we arrived. Mia knows we’re here and that you made it through the portal.”

  “That means time is definitely not on our side.”

  Gavin grabbed the map. “Elias needs to see this. I’ll be right back.”

  He left the room and returned a few minutes later. As soon as the door clicked closed, Gavin’s arm snaked around me. His emotions pulsed so strong they ached. His lips nuzzled at the base of my neck. His arms tightened as he rocked me back and forth.

  I whispered soothing words in the Ancient Language, my fingertips tracing soft patterns on his back.

  “Are you all right?” I finally muttered.

  He sighed. “We haven’t been back here more than an hour, and already you’ve been attacked. You almost died in my arms.”

  “But I didn’t.”

  Gavin pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. He gathered my tunic, bunching it in his hands before pulling it over my head. Urgent, yet gentle, his fingers grazed downward, resting on the flat plane between my hips.

  Passion calmed the emotional ache within me, and Gavin kissed my lips before his fingers dipped beneath the waistline of my pants. He fell to his knees, tugging the material over my hips as he went. Emerald eyes warmed, making them seem like liquid under glass. Gold specks swirle
d in the green, reminding me of snowflakes drifting on a winter’s breeze. I placed my hands on the sides of his face, loving the feel of him. Warm palms skimmed up my legs, his fingertips dipping beneath my knees. His gaze swept down my body. He leaned in and rested his head on my torso.

  “I need you,” he whispered, his nose grazing a light path around my belly button before kissing the soft flesh beneath. He nudged me back until I sat on the bed, and then he pulled my wet clothing from around my feet.

  Gavin stood, took a step back and shucked his shirt, throwing it to the floor. His pants were next. Soft lips found mine, and his kisses turned hungry. He nudged me back until we lay in the center of the bed.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. He took a deep breath and sighed. “I want to forget about everything that’s happening outside this room. Quiet your mind, love. Stay with me. Here, now, in this moment.” The desperate ache in his voice caused it to crack, and he kissed the bone guarding my heart.

  His breath warmed my chin, and I closed my eyes and tried to squelch the thought that something was wrong. Gavin’s emotions coursed through me with intense desperation that I’d never felt before.

  “Please,” he muttered, his lips kissing a soft trail up my neck.

  I closed my eyes and concentrated on the sound of his husky voice, whispering how he loved me and needed me.

  Gavin rested his forehead on mine and sighed. “Thank you.” He shifted his body, his fingers tightening their grip.

  I whimpered as he nipped and licked, finding the most sensitive spots. I relished the weight of him, his scent, the salty tang of his skin, the husky sounds he made, loving the way he overwhelmed me. The amulet heated, and energy surged as Gavin and I became one.

  Chapter 11

  An Unexpected Journey

  “You look as you did the first time I met you.” Gavin smiled, tugging at my jean’s belt loop, pulling me in for a quick kiss.

  I hadn’t worn jeans in years, and the sturdy ankle boots would take a little getting used to.