The Path Now Turned

by Colleen Connally

  Shadows of flying Sordarins softened the sharp planes of her warrior’s face. He took her hand and led her into the covered guard perch.

  She gave no resistance as she followed. Under her breath, she whispered, “You were to come to me this day. I waited…then I came…and saw this celebration…”

  Her words hung in the air.

  Swinging her around into an embrace, Cono ignored her ramblings. He caressed her face, tenderly, passionately.

  Kela caught her breath.

  He kissed her, fiercely.

  Power flowed between the two. She leaned into him, accepting him, wanting what she wasn’t sure of, but she knew only she needed more.

  Her heart swelled, opening her soul to him.

  “Kela,” he rasped. “I love you, woman. You are my everything.”

  In some dim recess of her mind, she suspected it was all a dream. In hypnotized fascination, she tightened her arms around his neck.

  Flows of warmth filled her, gasping as his lips burned a path down her cheek to the sensitive part of her neck. Baring her throat for him, she got lost in a sensation that dealt not with reason, but want.

  “Cono,” Kela breathed as he pressed her closer. His hand roamed freely over her body. His hand cupped her breast through the silken gown, sending her into a spasm of pleasure, robbing her of all reason…for a long moment.

  A brief wave of reason returned. Outside, the city was in chaos with the Arachnidan attack. The masses needed to be calmed.

  She broke away. “We can’t.”

  “Perhaps not now,” he agreed, taking her back into his arms. “But know there will be no more separation. Not after this display. We are one.”

  Exhilarated! Words Kela had long waited to hear.

  “I have no say?” she teased.

  Kissing her again, he laughed. “Tell me, my Euchoun. Tell me you love me.”

  Her arrogant, handsome warrior!

  “I love you,” she managed before the sound of her brother called to her, disturbing her reunion with Cono.

  Kela, Grandfather is coming.

  Falco’s tone lay with frustration and annoyance, which confused her.

  “The king is about to descend upon us.” Her voice conveyed her worry.

  “This is not a bad thing, Kela,” Cono assured her. “King Edulf has given his permission for us to be together and for you to stay.”

  “He has? Then why have you not come for me?”

  “There was court unrest,” Cono explained. “I was ordered to refrain from bringing you back, but it was only until the turmoil settled. The wedding would have done so. I was told I could use Twiten’s portal this night…to be able to keep my promise to you.”

  “You remembered.”

  His hand went under her chin, lifting it to look directly into her eyes. “You have never been far from my mind…my heart.” His tone sobered. “There is much to be made up to you, Kela. Hold to me.”

  “I asked for nothing but you.”

  “You have me, always. We are bonded, Kela.”

  There were many things Kela had little knowledge of, but this bond, this union, she comprehended well. She would not be complete without him by her side, nor he without her.

  Above her, the fluttering of wings announced the king’s arrival. She recoiled back into her warrior’s arms, secure in the knowledge they were one.

  * * * *

  The small entourage entered. Falco and Silas made their way in first. Both dressed in Mortalita tradition, yet, the muck and sludge that covered each made it impossible to tell.

  Kela stiffened on King Edulf’s appearance. This was the man who had kept her apart from her family, but no more. He had need of her. Not even he could deny what the whole of Yucca had witnessed this day.

  Cono bowed his head, a reminder of proper protocol. Kela curtsied, but, she was certain, her hesitation had not gone unnoticed.

  Rising back up, Kela found King Edulf’s eyes upon her. He frowned.

  The years of the king’s treatment burned inside her. The unfairness of all that had been denied to her swelled.

  “Silas, ensure that the room is secure. I want no one outside to hear what will transpire.” King Edulf gestured toward the door.

  Silas’s jaw clenched and muscles twinged, but he bowed and retreated out of the room.

  Then, King Edulf’s attention turned to Kela.

  Her brave thoughts were forgotten. She was once more the child cowering in his bedchamber. Her legs buckled beneath her. Cono’s arms caught her.

  “She weakens only slightly now when her power is expelled, Your Majesty,” Cono offered.

  King Edulf nodded, but his focus remained on Kela.

  She had not seen him for well over four years. Four years since he banished her to the Forbidden Forest to train without distractions, to become the Euchoun Scarladin needed.

  Finally, King Edulf asked, “Where did you get the gown?”

  Of all the words Kela expected him to utter, those were not among them. She looked back, confused, at Cono and back at the king.

  “It is my eighteenth nameday today, Your Majesty. It was a gift.”

  “I see your manners have not improved. I asked who gave it to you, not for what reason.”

  Her chest heaved. Cono reached for her hand, but she jerked it back. Her emotions played against her. She stepped forward.

  “Since I have been banished, Your Majesty, my contacts have been few, as you yourself have seen to, but I have no control over the spirits in the Forbidden Forest. The Wood Spirit, in his kindness, gave it to me to meet my destiny.”

  “It was not a Wood Spirit,” he stated as fact.

  “I have not told you a lie. How else would I get anything, Your Majesty?” Kela implored, her fears forgotten, replaced with a growing anger. “I have nothing compared to my siblings. You question a gift and question not how I came. The Wood Spirit sent me through today. He told me it was time. If I questioned, I would question why it was not you who sent for me.”

  “It is not your place to question me.”

  “What is my place?”

  She ignored her brother’s pleas to contain herself and refused to look at Cono, who she was certain would have silenced her. She rebuffed their intent.

  They hadn’t lived as I, with purpose perhaps, but I had been promised this day to return.

  Kela met King Edulf’s stare.

  The king said firmly, “You are a Euchoun, bound to protect.”

  Without fear of reprisal, she interrupted. “In which I have and will always. But I ask you, Your Majesty, how can I do so from the Forbidden Forest? Has it not become obvious I am needed?”

  “It is well you were here today,” he acknowledged. Flexing his wings, he walked around Kela, making no effort to conceal his assessing of her being. “With the display, I can well see Twiten and Cono have done well in your training. Your skills have greatly improved.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Cono offered. “We are prepared, as you can see. It is well she has returned. I will see to her needs this day…”

  “Plans have changed, Cono,” King Edulf said. “In all, I was premature to agree to everything you asked. I have need of you this evening. The Celebration Ball has to go on as planned and your presence is required. I will see to Kela. Falco will be calling for Sareta.” He turned back to Kela. “It isn’t time, Kela. You are to return back to the Forbidden Forest.”

  “No!” she cried, stepping backward to Cono. “I refuse. I’m not going back…ever. I have done all you required. I have trained endlessly. It is all I have done. I’m eighteen today…”

  Reality returned, blaring before her. The difference, though: she was not a child anymore.

  Cono stepped forward, bowing low, but his words were plain to hear. “Your Majesty, I must object. You gave me your word. All is set. She is already here. People have seen her power. They know, or will soon comprehend, a Euchoun is present. I have all arranged to keep her out of harm’s way. W
e agreed…”

  “It is regrettable, but a complex matter has reared its ugly head once more that needs to be dealt with. Until then, I see no alternative except her return to the forest.” He paused a moment. “It is my decision.”

  Panic surged. Whatever the king’s reason...she didn’t care. She wasn’t going back. No, no, no…please, no. “I can take care of myself, Your Majesty. Do not be concerned. I will not let anyone know I am your granddaughter…”

  “It is not my concern, Kela. You’re not.”

  Her eyes widened on his words. Confusion rang in her voice. “What is your meaning? Of course, I am your granddaughter.”

  King Edulf clarified his meaning. “My granddaughter, Kela Calledwdele, died years ago. Misfortunate, but tragedies are expected in life. You are a Euchoun. It is time you come to terms with all that it pertains. Sacrifice is the life of a Euchoun.”

  Not his granddaughter! Sacrifice! How much more of a sacrifice was she to make? Looking around, Kela saw Cono and Falco both had known.

  Rising hysteria surfaced within her.

  “Then who am I?”

  Defiance

  Kela recoiled into the far corner. Cono attempted to reach for her, but she fended him off.

  No, Cono had lied to me; not exactly, but hadn’t told me the truth, the blaring truth. I’m not a princess. I’m not who I thought I was. I was no better than a fleogan, trained to perform and placed back into his stall.

  Cono turned back to King Edulf. Heated words were exchanged.

  The scene escalated quickly.

  King Edulf called for Silas. “Take her out, back to Torini.”

  From the corner of her eye, Kela saw Cono react violently. He slung Falco out of his way toward her.

  Stop him, Kela. For his sake. Give us time. All will be worked out.

  Falco’s words resounded within her. Not that the words were believed, but instincts emerged to protect her own.

  Walking back to Cono, she placed her hand on his forearm. “I will go.”

  King Edulf straightened himself.

  If the king truly thought he could contain me… But she would do nothing here, not in front of Cono.

  “Silas,” King Edulf commanded. “Take the Euchoun. This matter will be settled within Torini in the morning.”

  As if her breath had been sucked out of her, Kela glanced over at Falco.

  You are willing for me to walk the streets, humiliated with guards. I have waited for years to return. To what? To this? Have I not saved all this day?

  You don’t understand. It has to be. Do as Grandfather wants and I will personally see to your well-being.

  Within her, Kela cried, How can you give me what I want? My heritage taken from me...stripped of my birthright.

  Kela lifted her head high, but looked at no one.

  Silas tried to grab her elbow.

  “If you value your arm, I would suggest you keep your hands to yourself,” Kela threatened under her breath. Her threat was not given lightly.

  “Silas, see to her welfare. Do no harm. Respect our guest,” King Edulf directed from behind her.

  Giving no thought to his words, Kela walked straight out and down the stairs. Her mind raced. Her dreams had been shattered in a matter of moments.

  She wished desperately she had some contingency plan, but she had none, only a strong desire not to return to the Forbidden Forest.

  When she exited, Silas met her with a sentry. Her anger surged once more. She ignored her cousin and walked by him without a glance.

  * * * *

  “Halt, my lady.”

  Kela made no effort to turn around.

  Silas grabbed her arm.

  Swirling around, she raised her hand.

  “Don’t,” Silas contended, gesturing with his hand to the guards. In unison, their wings spread wide, connecting together to form a shield. “Come, we will talk along the way. None will gaze upon you.”

  She smirked. “There is nothing more to say.”

  “There is much to say,” Silas countered. “You were magnificent. You are amazing.”

  “And yet, here I am.”

  “I have told you before, my lady, that you need only obey the king’s rules.” He smiled and extended his arm.

  “His rules keep changing. His word is not kept.” She reluctantly accepted Silas’s arm. “Tell me, Silas, what do you believe I should do?”

  “It would be best if you accepted the situation as it is.”

  “For whom? Not for me.”

  “King Edulf feels that a true Euchoun’s life is one of sacrifice to ensure the realm’s safety,” Silas explained. “But it would not be without its reward.”

  “I’m not the child I was,” Kela insisted. “Do you think mere words will pacify me?”

  “We each have our roles to play. Do you think mine has been easy? I, too, am in the shadow of my grandfather and your brother, but I have not wavered in my loyalty or duty.”

  Kela looked away. In front of her, she saw only the shield of wings; beneath, the stone street; above her, the sky. Yet, the crowd’s cries echoed around her.

  Long live King Edulf! Long live Prince Falco! Bless the Great One for Cono the Mighty! Bless the Great One for our Euchoun!

  “Hear them, my lady,” Silas said. “They cheer for you. Yucca faced great danger today. You saved them.”

  “They don’t know who I am.”

  “Is that what you want? For everyone to know it is you?”

  Silas had hit a nerve. She drew in a deep breath. “I want only to be beside my warrior and protect the realm. I want my family. Why is that too much to ask?”

  “There is much you don’t understand,” Silas continued. “Your brother married my sister this day to calm a growing rift in our family. Do you believe he is in love with Belasquita?”

  “It is not the same,” Kela protested.

  “No, because you don’t know what you ask.”

  “I’m tired of being told I don’t know,” she said. “I do know that today I was called to come here because this is my destiny.”

  “That will be addressed.” Silas nodded. “The king has many questions. He may appear rigid, but his one intent is the betterment of Scarladin. He has no desire to make you unhappy, rather but to keep you safe.”

  “That I do not believe. He seemed to take great pleasure with sending me back to the Forbidden Forest.”

  “It will be different this time. I have heard Grandfather talk of moving you into Blackton castle and bringing servants for you. Twiten would show you the portal and how to use the Seeing Eye so that you could come and go at will.”

  Her heart sank. She had no desire to go back to the forest, no matter what her circumstance. “I want to be here.”

  “Kela, can you not understand the importance you hold to Scarladin? You defeated an Antimellsis, the most deadly Arachnidan beast. Not even your sister’s magic could do so. It was you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The Arachnidan beast was the deadly Antimellsis conjured by dark magic. Grandfather called upon Sareta to destroy it. She could not…she couldn’t even transport it away.”

  “But she transported the royal family.”

  “There was a moment that was in doubt,” Silas conceded. “But yes, she did so. She has not trained as you.”

  “Her magic does not have to be taught, but used with ease,” Kela pressed. “She used it to transport us at will when she was a young girl, long before she came here. If she could not, there has to be a reason.”

  “Dark magic.” Silas nodded in agreement. “It seems they came prepared for Sareta, but not you. See now the importance of keeping you away from prying eyes. We need not worry more than what is upon us. Bless the Great One for sending you this day.”

  In his arrogant manner, Silas had dismissed Kela. The king must have decreed her appearance a sign from above.

  Kela had no desire to be a sign or an illusion. She wanted to be real to the people. “Let me go
and stand beside Cono. An attack has been thwarted, but a dangerous situation still threatens. Would that not discourage another such attack? Announce to all that a Euchoun protected them.”

  “Not yet!” Silas stated. “I urge patience…”

  Silas’s words faded in the wind. A shout erupted from the masses.

  Looking upward into the sky, it was not hard to see the reason. All eyes turned toward the sky. The King’s Wings soared low over the crowd. King Edulf led the unit, followed closely by Falco. But Kela’s eyes fixed upon Cono.

  Circling in formation, the warriors screeched in unison. The configuration began to separate, sweeping downward. King Edulf began the dive. The exhibition was an obvious statement the Sordarins still ruled the skies.

  A magnificent display.

  The roar heightened on each warrior’s landing. Landings Kela could not see.

  She halted and glanced at Silas, whose eyes were fixed on her.

  “We cannot watch,” he said. “I, too, would enjoy the moment.”

  “Yet, you are here with me.” Kela scowled. “Being denied what is rightfully yours, to be acknowledged for your bravery. I saw you defend your people beside Falco and Cono.”

  “Perchance, you will now understand the importance King Edulf holds to your safety.”

  Lowering her gaze, Kela prepared to move forward. She halted when cheers arose once again, resounding louder and more boisterous than any.

  Cheers for Cono…and Amicia.

  Amicia and Cono? What madness is this?

  Pivoting on her heels, she started back to the arena.

  Silas grabbed her arm. “Don’t.”

  “Get out of my way,” she uttered. She was going to see the ceremony on the arena.

  Quickly, Silas gestured for the guards to clear her way. The guardsmen did as commanded, moving carts and foot traffic aside.

  Kela walked staunchly, looking neither to her right or left until she came to the partition. She had a clear view of the celebration.

  One would have thought the Arachnidan attack part of the festivities.

  Cono knelt before King Edulf.

  Kela’s heart stilled, watching the king anoint Cono before everyone.