“You do well to hide it, Nam. Mother and Father would be irate if they were to know. A prince fraternizing with a servant? They could end up in severe trouble, not to mention what could happen to you.” He took hold of my arm. “You cannot let it continue.”
I stood up, our contact disconnecting at once. “Cathar, you speak of this needlessly. I am fully aware of the traditions and laws of our people. I am no stranger to them.”
“Yes, I understand, but you must know.” He tried to reposition into sitting up. “If I was able to recognize the spell you are clearly under, then do you not believe Mother is no different? I would not doubt she suspects even more than I do.”
I felt miffed at his accusing me to being under some sort of spell. As if I were incapable of carrying out what had to be done. “Thank you for your concern, but I am handling things quite nicely. You need not worry for me.”
My mind was ablaze as I departed from him with a heavy heart. Oh, what was I to do? For deep down, even I myself doubted that I was capable of ending our relationship so soon after beginning.
“Naminé,” my mother called from her location in front of the cooking fire that my father lit. “Come here, darling. I am in need of your assistance.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Here, child. Stir this, won’t you?” She handed me a stick stripped of bark. It was whittled smooth to be used for cooking. I took it from her and did as she asked.
Thoughts swirled around my mind in almost a violent fashion, for I could not dwell on only one for more than a few seconds before it flipped to another. Thoughts of Rydan, thoughts of my family, thoughts of what I could possibly say to him that would make him understand where I was coming from. The fact that we were raised in such contrasting cultures and traditions only added to my predicament. I feared there could never be the right words to explain why we could not be together. He would never understand. It was something that only those who were bred to that line of thinking could truly relate to.
“Naminé?” my mother reprimanded.
“Hmm?” I was dazed and felt somewhere else, completely far away from this spot that I stood in.
“Why have you stopped stirring? It will burn, child! Come off your fantasies now and pay attention.” She kissed my head to counteract her scolding, for when in her cooking mindset, she was not to be trifled with.
“Yes, Mother.” I obeyed immediately and did well to clear my mind of unsettling things. But there was one thing for certain. I must have a talk with Rydan once he returned to my presence.
Not long later, the light of the day had faded, and we were bathed in darkness. And darkness was the place where wickedness thrived.
I strolled carefully along the edges of camp, keeping my eyes and ears open at all times, trained on any slight noise. Several of the Tavas’Elda were up in the trees, traveling from one to the other with litheness. I could not hear them, but I knew they were up there. They were on lookout constantly and in sync with one another as they leapt and danced, much like animals, but far more graceful. And fast.
My mother sidled up to me and laid her arm around my shoulders lovingly. She said, “Now that we have time, tell me. What is there between you and Prince Rydan?”
My heart fell to my stomach like a rock. “Whatever do you mean, Mother? I assure you, there is nothing—”
“Naminé!” she scolded immediately, disrupting my sentence. “Do not lie to me, child. For I see all. I am your mother.”
My gut wrenched and my chest felt heavy. “Mother, I…”
“Oh, Naminé, you are in quite the dangerous territory, my love. How did this ever happen? How did you become mixed up in such matters?” She pulled me closer into her, waiting for my answer. But words escaped me. I feared disappointing her, for that was the worst thing that I could do.
“I do not know.” I looked up at the blackened sky and licked my lips before speaking again. “I was tasked with contacting our savior King Remycah. I only wished to be helpful and end the vicious war that affected our people and our family. For I loathed seeing Cathar involved in such troublesome things. Mother, you must understand. I did not mean for this to happen…it just did. I cannot explain it.”
“Try. Please, try.”
“From the first moment I connected to him through a dream I had woven, something inside of me was…different. As in I had been lit on fire from only his mere gaze!” I turned to her, the emotions bubbling out of me. “Oh, Mother, without even speaking a word to each other, we slowly grew closer, until one day, I realized…I realized that I might love him.”
“This is of great concern.” She lowered her voice, “If Remycah sets out to do what they speak of and dethrone King Ohtar, that would reinstate Rydan as our royal prince, and there would be no question of his position. His mother would never allow such a union. You know this, my child. I fear you will be broken in the end.”
“I understand. I do. But I cannot help whom my heart chooses to give itself to. I did not ask for this, Mother. I did not wish for it, either. As I said…it just happened unexpectedly and without my control. I do not wish to disappoint you or Father. I will do my best to end our acquaintance before it is discovered by anyone. You needn’t be concerned.” I kissed her cheek and then closed my eyes as I calmed my crashing heart.
Dear Rydan, please forgive me for what I must do.
Jarringly, a shrill scream sent my heart pumping in over exuberance. I reached out to Calen for insight on what it could be as the soldiers reacted to it immediately. They swarmed the tight spaces and formed battle positions, readying themselves for an attack.
Calen dipped from the trees and landed on my shoulder.
Oh, dear stars.
Skultors.
The sounds of a dozen swords all being unsheathed at the same moment meant they were drawing closer. A continuous shrieking could be heard in the distance and grew louder and louder. My mother and I grabbed for each other in comfort, and my father wrapped his arms around us protectively. Cathar, who had barely been able to walk, stood in front of us as if he could do anything. I grasped his arm and pulled him closer to us. “Do not even think of it, brother. You are injured and frail. Let the army take care of them.”
“You know me too well, sister.” I could hear the smile in his voice, though I could not see his face. His back remained to us, and my mother tried fitting him in with us under my father’s arms.
The dirt-covered gangly beasts surrounded us suddenly. They jumped like fish catching bugs that flew above the water—their movements unpredictable and random. I had no qualms fighting these vile creatures if I were given a proper weapon. But I had yet to receive one, and I was most concerned with my mother and father who were not skilled in combat. Not that I had much skill either, but I could at least defend myself. Cathar was a trained soldier and could deal out greater damage, providing he had the opportunity. With the injury, he was forced to stay at our side and wait it out.
My focus was caught by a skultor who had ventured much too close to a soldier. The Tavas stood paralyzed—utterly mesmerized by the enormous eye that had its sight fixated on him. The mouth, clad in row after row of teeth sharper than an arrow’s point, opened into a terrifying wideness that had my stomach convulsing. To my horror, wispy black swirls extended from the skultor, aimed right for the soldier’s heart.
“Help him!” I shouted as I picked up a rock and threw it with all my strength at the head of the nasty creature. It hit its mark, but it did little to slow him down or even serve as a distraction.
Cathar took a step in its direction, and I knew it was to provide aid to the soldier. But what could he do with a wound such as his? My mother roughly yanked him back to our circle of protection.
Suddenly, another Tavas sprung from a tree and landed on the one closest to the skultor having its way with his comrade, and with one swift motion plunged his blade into the creature’s eye. It let out a high-pitched shriek before disintegrating into a pile of putrid sludge.
> More of those screeching sounds were made from every direction as one by one, each skultor perished by the hands of an elda. My family and I rejoiced once they were all dead, and we were quick to offer help to those who were in need of aid. A few had been burned or cut by the skultors’ long nails and were in excruciating pain. I shivered from the thought and hated seeing the aftermath of their attack.
We gathered as many healing flowers and plants that we could find and began cooking a remedy to apply on their wounds. With Nariella no longer capable of her healing gift, I prayed Remycah would have his abilities returned to him soon, for they certainly would come in handy for us out here in the wild. I could not wait for him to heal my brother most of all and have him be in his full strength again. I was much too uncomfortable with him so vulnerable while out in the dangerous parts of Aselaira.
My heart and soul literally yearned to be in the presence of Rydan once more, to be wrapped up in his comforting embrace after that horrendous ordeal. To know that he was safe and sound out there in equally dangerous territory. So much so, that I felt miserable inside without him.
And that was unacceptable.
Chapter Eighteen
~Nari~
After we returned to camp, one of my guards explained what had happened with the skultors and directed us to a new location where everyone was settled.
I saw my grandfather waiting up ahead as we drew near. He stood tall and regal—his short white hair never changing. I still couldn’t get over how young he looked, especially knowing he was super old. I didn’t think it could be something anyone would get used to after growing up in the Earthly realm with humans who’d look old when just in their seventies. Sometimes even younger than that. And Döron was ancient but still looked to be in his forties…it was freaky. He could totally pass as my dad instead of my grandfather if we were to go walking down the streets of Kennebunkport. No one would ever be able to guess the truth.
Immediately, I dismounted Lissë upon reaching his location. I hugged him like I hadn’t seen him in months; thankful he survived the skultors. Each passing day I spent in Luïnil made me realize how precious life was and how fragile it could be. There was no telling what the future would hold, or if some horrible tragedy struck at any moment and took him away from me before I could hug him again. It could even be my life taken. Either way, after hearing what they had gone through while we were gone, I had made my mind up that I was going to hug my loved ones as often as I could and show my affection to them while I had the opportunities.
That was another life lesson this realm had taught me—value the time you have while you have it. You never know when it’ll be gone.
If only someone had told me that prior to taking Mycah to my beautiful Weeping Willow that one day. I would have savored our moments together more. Unfortunately, a person only ever realized these things when it was too late.
“It’s lovely to have you returned to our presence, my dear. It is quite unsettling for our queen to be out and about, possibly fighting unexpected battles with the boys,” Döron said, his chin sitting atop my head.
“Yeah, it’s good to be back. I appreciate you guys letting me do as I please and not forcing me to follow your expectations of how a queen should behave. You have no idea how much that means to me. I’m not ready to hang up my sword just yet,” I replied. Well, even if I was ready, it wasn’t even an option I could think about taking. There was so much work left to do. So much we still had to fight for. I wouldn’t be done until Ohtar was no longer a threat and Mycah took back his place as king. Only then would I be satisfied.
“Oh, child, that is not for us to decide or permit. We are the ones at your mercy. It is your command we are kept under, not the other way around. It would be wise for you to remember that. Hmm?” He let go of me and looked into my eyes, waiting for my confirmation.
I gave it to him by nodding my head and smiled. “Thanks.”
“And did you accomplish what you had set out to do?” he finally asked.
“Oh, yes! We did. Of course, being that this is Luïnil and all, we kept our guard up and were always on the lookout for trouble, but no worries. We managed to take care of what we needed to do without much blood being spilt, unlike you guys.” I grinned at him.
He chuckled in response. “Wonderful. Now, tell me, how are you feeling as of late? Your darkened eyes are still troublesome. I admit I am frightened you may one day grow worse unexpectedly. There is no way of knowing what next will happen to you.”
“I honestly feel fine. I still can’t heal or anything, but you expected that part, at least, so it didn’t come as a huge shock to me. I doubt Lissë could restore someone’s life, either. I think…we’re no longer Healers.” My heart broke at the thought all over again.
“Only time will tell, my dear. But it certainly does appear to be that way.” He handed me a water canteen and I took it gratefully. The pure liquid slid down my throat and set off endorphins in my brain like magic. I was instantly happy and felt almost high. It was just that good.
I looked around at everyone present and noticed Mycah healing Cathar and all of the wounded soldiers. Rydan and Naminé chatted by her family’s side, while Ender joined in their discussion as well. A few guards sat around a fire, cooking some sort of food that I couldn’t discern from here.
“Is it safe to loiter here so casually like this?” I wondered out loud. Everyone seemed so calm and relaxed, and even though I wanted to join them, I needed reassurance first.
Döron pointed up into the trees. “There are always those tasked with lookout duties. Our keen eyes will give us ample warning should any danger present itself again. The night is yet young, dear. Do not be troubled by that which you cannot change or help in this moment. Your worries will still be upon you in the morning. For now, you may be at your leisure.”
I had to assume there were again wood elves hiding in the trees on guard for danger, because I couldn’t possibly see them. Which was the point. Right?
But I could feel them. I was able to sense their Tavas blood like a scalding iron set to my veins. It only made me worry that the prejudice between our two kingdoms could never be undone. If it was embedded into our very beings to hate each other, what chance did the people have against overcoming it?
I didn’t want to feel this way about the wood elves, and yet I did. As if I were forced to. But if I had never known what it was like not to feel this way, then I would be as oblivious to it all just like the rest of them. And that right there was the problem. Both the wood elves and the night elves knew no other way to live. Which was a terrifying thought.
I shook my head as I sighed out loud. I had to get away from my depressing reality, and so I took my grandfather’s advice and started to make my way over to Rydan.
But then I was stopped in my tracks by the most beautiful creature in the entire world—and others that may be in existence. “Come with me,” Mycah requested.
“Mycah, are you crazy? No!” I took a step back. “Do you want to get me killed? Because seriously, I think Ender will kill me if he found out I left this site and followed you into the darkness.”
And I totally meant that last line in more ways than just a literal one.
“Do not forget he answers to me.” And with that, he took my hand like it was no big deal and hauled me into a place of seclusion. Hauled was probably a strong word, since I easily conceded to the slightest of tugging…but that was beside the point.
“Mycah, where are we going?” I asked anxiously. I didn’t exactly like where this was headed. Being alone with this seductive being was way too dangerous. More dangerous than those Drake Hunters had been, for sure. The bad part was I had no witnesses! No chaperones to keep me from temptation. Oh, dear god. I was so done for.
“The first time I saw you—”
“You mean when I was a baby in a memory you accidentally saw?” I interrupted him for some reason. I was nervous, and blabbing was an unfortunate side-effect that I had been curs
ed with.
“No,” he chuckled toward the ground. And I about died. It was so familiar and beautiful and sexy and just so…Mycah. His black hair that was in never-ending disarray caught the light of the moon just so. And of course, as usual, I wanted to touch it.
“No?” I answered unconsciously.
“The first time I saw you in person,” he clarified, licking his lips. I kept quiet then. “I suddenly believed in miracles.”
“Miracles?” I didn’t quite understand. And it definitely wasn’t what I expected him to say.
“Mhm, yes. Miracles. It mattered not that I had witnessed my father’s murder and escaped death by the skin of my teeth, nor the fact that I was blessed with numerous gifts that put into subjection every atom in existence, bending them to my every whim.” He touched the trunk of a nearby tree while his eyes briefly dropped to the ground before finding their way back to mine. Like magic, a current of sparkling light ignited from the roots that were dug deep into the soil all the way out to the tips of the leaves.
I swallowed…hard.
“Oh? It…it didn’t?” I stumbled.
“No, it didn’t. Not even magic instilled in me the belief of miracles. I was in control of my own future, whether events turned tragic or not. I did not survive as long as I did because of supposed miracles or because of destiny.” He plucked two tiny stems from a plant nearby. Slowly, they grew and shimmied until at the end a beautiful violet flower blossomed on one, and a magnificent blue on the other. They began intertwining and weaving together, forming a small circle with the two flowers joining together and spreading flat across the top.
It was a ring.
Mycah enclosed it between the palms of his hands and then slowly revealed the finished product to me. It was an intricate, silver band—no longer green like I had expected—with the purple and blue petals still encased on the top of the made-from-scratch jewelry.
The Sweet Series Box Set: Books 1-4 Page 110