by E. A. James
Aine summoned every measure of her strength, channeling into clearing the storm. Her head was throbbing and tears leaked from her eyes as intense pain racked her body. A strange feeling welled inside of Aine and she gasped in agony as she felt the power leaving her fingertips.
The cloud vanished in the sky, and soon the sun was shining down once again. Aine felt a hot flood of adrenaline rushing through her body.
“I did it,” Aine said in wonder, flexing her arms. She felt exhausted, wrung out – like she’d just gone without sleep for a week straight – but she was also proud. I’m not useless, Aine thought as she stared down at the glowing green relic still clutched in her hand. And this means I have a chance at saving Queen Zornaya!
Just as Aine was about to grab the spellbook and go in search of Huen, she heard the sound of thundering hooves. She grinned. Huen found me, she thought happily. I didn’t even have to look!
But as soon as three horses rode into the clearing and surrounded Aine, she knew something was dreadfully wrong. She gasped as three men dismounted. They were wearing long black robes and hoods that obscured their faces.
“We know what you are doing, child,” one of them growled. A shiver ran down Aine’s spine when she recognized the language as Glasulian. “And you will be coming home with us.”
“This is my home,” Aine said defiantly. “I’m not going anywhere with you!”
The men dismounted and advanced on Aine, growling.
“You have the relic,” one of them grunted. “The relic must be restored.”
Aine was terrified, but she stood firm and crossed her arms over her chest.
“No,” Aine said. “I will not return the talisman to you – it belongs to me!”
The men laughed in unison. They approached Aine with their hands out. Aine shuddered – their hands were bulky and muscular, and she knew that she didn’t stand a chance of winning a fight with them. As quickly as she could, Aine reached for the spellbook and tucked it in her cloak. She darted out from the men and ran into the forest.
“After her!”
“Catch that damnable child!”
Panic flared in Aine as she stumbled and ran through the woods. The cover of leaves, which had seemed so soothing before, only seemed ominous now. Aine gasped as she tripped over a fallen tree, flying through the air and landing painfully hard on the ground. The spellbook and the talisman flew from her hands and she cried out as she watched the talisman bounce along the grass.
The sound of thundering hooves wasn’t far behind. Aine scrambled to her feet and grabbed the talisman and spellbook, setting off in the other direction. A charging horse leaped out of the trees and landed on the ground right in front of Aine. She gasped as the horse reared on its hind legs, whinnying loudly as it pawed the air with its front hooves.
The man dismounted and growled as he came closer to Aine.
“There is no use resisting, child,” the man growled. “Come with me, and perhaps you will survive after all.”
Aine screamed in fear as the man’s strong hands grabbed her. He picked her up into the air. Aine kicked and thrashed and screamed, but she was no use for the massive warrior clutching her in his meaty paws.
“Huen!” Aine screeched. “Huen, help me!”
“Shut your mouth,” the man snarled. He threw Aine over the back of his horse and mounted the saddle, savagely kicking his heels into the animal’s sides. Aine gasped again as the horse took off at a fast gallop.
This is it, she thought. Bitterness and defeat welled up inside of Aine and tears came to her eyes. She felt weak and stupid. I was a fool to think I could help, she thought. Aerdan was right after all.
The man kept one hand firmly gripping Aine by the neck as he rode and she twisted painfully as his fingers dug into her sensitive skin. For a few moments, she tried to buck and throw him off. But the man gripped her harder than ever.
“Whoa!” the man yelled, pulling back on the reins with one hand. The horse whinnied and slowed to a stop as clouds of dust formed in the air.
“Stop right there!” A familiar voice yelled. “Let her go!”
“Huen?” Aine gasped, wriggling and twisting around and trying to see if it was really him. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw him ride into the clearing on Vlad, flanked by Aerdan and another man she didn’t recognize.
“This is our prize,” the man kidnapping Aine said sourly. “Leave, or die.”
Huen dismounted Vlad and pulled out a sword. Aine gasped. He’s going to get hurt again, she realized as he advanced on her attacker.
“Huen, no!” Aine yelled.
Huen didn’t listen. Aerdan and the other man dismounted their horses and approached, each with their own sword in their hands.
The man gripping Aine’s neck pulled her close. “Don’t even think about running off,” he growled. Then he dismounted.
Aine sat upon the stallion’s back and watched nervously as Huen, Aerdan, and the other royal attacked her kidnapped. She gasped as she watched Huen swing his sword expertly through the air. The blade collided with the man’s neck and blood spurted from the gaping wound. The man crumpled to his knees just as the two other hooded riders rode into the clearing.
Aine’s heart was pounding nervously as she watched the two hooded men dismount and approach Huen, Aerdan, and their companion. For a moment, she could barely watch as Aerdan attacked one of the men, swinging his sword through the air and taking an arm off. The man cried out in agony as he dropped to his knees, blood gushing from the wound.
Huen and Aerdan made short work of the hooded men. Soon, all three lay on the ground, bleeding and lifeless. Blood was soaking into the grass and the air was filled with the scent of sweat and iron.
Aine shivered. Huen ran over to her and pulled her into his arms.
“Aine, I’m so sorry, I never should have left you,” he said, wiping his sweaty brow with the back of his hand. Aine threw her arms around her neck.
Aerdan stepped closer and cleared his throat. Aine knew she should jump away from Huen, but she couldn’t help it. To her intense embarrassment, tears came to her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Aine sniffed, wiping her eyes.
“Do not be,” Huen said firmly. “That was quite overwhelming, I imagine.”
Aine nodded silently. “Yes,” she whispered softly. “I was terrified.”
“Aine, as soon as I returned to the castle, I learned that men from Glasule were hunting you,” Huen said. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, clearly relieved. “I am just glad we found you when we did.”
Aine nodded. “Thank you,” she said softly.
The man Aine didn’t recognize stepped forward and bowed slowly.
“Aine, I am Baelan, a royal cousin,” the man said. “I have heard much about you from Huen.”
Aine turned to Huen and raised an eyebrow. “All good, I hope,” she said, keeping her eyes locked on Huen’s handsome face.
Baelan nodded. “Yes, lady, all good.”
Aine flushed.
“Tether their horses,” Aerdan said, tossing a pile of rope of Baelan. He looked at Aine. “Aine, I need to speak with you.”
CHAPTER NINE
Huen
“Huen?” Aine looked into Huen’s eyes, searching deeply. Huen could tell she was exhausted and frightened.
“It’s not bad,” Huen said quietly. “Aine, come with us for a moment.” Huen gestured for Aine to follow himself and Aerdan into the woods.
“Aine, I want to apologize to you,” Aerdan said, bowing his head and sighing. “I am so sorry that I treated you with such disrespect. As soon as Huen came to me and told me what you were planning, I knew that I had completely underestimated you, and I wanted to say how very sorry I am.”
Aine nodded. “Do not worry,” she said. She bit her lip. “I understand.”
“Please, accept my apology,” Aerdan said. “And know that I was coming from a place of fear – I am so worried about my mother, and I do not wish to think about what w
ould happen in the event of her death.”
“I understand,” Aine repeated. Huen reached for her hand and tangled his fingers with hers, squeezing hard.
“I am glad you and Huen have met each other,” Aerdan said. “And I humbly beg for your help in restoring my mother, our Queen, back to a state of normalcy.”
Aine nodded. She swallowed and licked her lips. “I am not sure the spell will go entirely as I wish,” she said, paling. “I have not had much time to practice.”
Huen squeezed her hand.
“I am confident in you,” Aerdan said. “And I would be most grateful if you could perform the ceremony as soon as possible – I fear her time is short.”
Aine nodded.
“Tonight,” Huen said. He put his arm around Aine’s shoulders and pulled her close.
“Yes,” Aine said. She yawned. “I am so sorry, I’m quite tired right now.” She yawned again, covering her mouth with both hands.
“Rest,” Aerdan said kindly. “Come with Huen, Baelan, and I. We will take you to the castle and make sure a chamber is prepared for you.”
“Thank you,” Aine said. Aerdan called to Baelan, and Baelan appeared with the three Glasulian horses in tow. Now that he could get a better look at them, Huen was almost frightened. They were huge – almost twice the size of Zhekan horses – and they looked vicious, pawing the ground and snorting.
“We will take these to the castle,” Aerdan said, looking over the horses.
Baelan nodded. “Aye,” he said.
“Come with me,” Huen said. He led Aine to Vlad and helped her climb onto his broad back. Then Huen mounted Vlad. Aine wrapped her arms around his waist and clung tightly. Huen was glad Aine couldn’t see the wide grin stretching across his face.
Huen knew there was not much to be happy about – the Queen was in a perilous state, and Aine was an inexperienced healer. He wished that Aerdan would have given Aine more time, but he understood that the nature of the Queen’s illness was a serious one. She’s incredible, Huen thought as Aine squeezed him tightly. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting Vlad choose their path. The warmth from Aine’s body was deliciously sensual, and Huen debated steering Vlad deep into the woods and taking Aine right there and then. But he knew she was tired – and Huen didn’t relish the thought of stumbling across more Glasulian warriors.
“You were so strong,” Aine whispered in his ear. She laughed.
“Why are you surprised?” Huen asked, turning his head and glancing at Aine from the corner of his eye. “You didn’t know I had the ability to actually win a fight?”
Aine didn’t reply, but she shifted nervously on Vlad’s back, drawing even closer to Huen’s backside.
Huen chuckled. “I know,” he said. “Maybe I wasn’t particularly skilled at fighting before because I wasn’t fighting for anyone.”
Aine fell silent. Then she yawned and rested her head against Huen’s back. He smiled with contentment as Vlad cantered towards the castle.
When they reached the castle, Aerdan sent Baelan to the stables with the Glasulian stallions in tow. Then Aerdan led Huen and Aine inside. Huen was glad his friend had apologized, but he still felt a touch of guilt. I behaved the same way when I first learned of Aine’s past, he thought shamefully, kicking at a clod of dirt on the ground.
Aerdan directed Aine to a small room on the ground floor. Huen was hoping Aerdan would decide to go check on the Queen or visit with Angelica.
“Huen, come with me,” Aerdan said.
Huen threw a longing glance towards Aine.
“Let her rest,” Aerdan said, raising an eyebrow. “Come with me.”
Reluctantly, Huen watched Aine disappear inside the chamber. Then he turned to Aerdan and followed his friend down a long corridor and into the kitchens.
“Times are dangerous,” Aerdan said darkly as he reached into the larder and pulled out two apples, tossing one to Huen and taking a large bite from the other.
“Yes, but Aine can help Queen Zornaya,” Huen said.
“We hope,” Aerdan said. He sighed and slumped down into a hewn wooden chair meant for the kitchen servants. “Huen, I have a bad feeling about all of this.”
“What, about Aine?”
“No, about Glasule,” Aerdan said. His features twisted into a scowl. “They are going to provoke war against us, no matter what,” he said. “I just hope my mother is restored to consciousness beforehand, so we have a chance of planning our defense.”
Huen frowned.
“Perhaps Aine can assist,” Huen said. “Perhaps she could act as a sort of ambassador.”
“Seriously?” Aerdan stared at Huen. “Huen, you’ve got to get your head out of the clouds! This girl isn’t the answer to our problems,” he said.
Huen narrowed his eyes. “You must be joking,” he said. “Why? What is your problem with her?”
Aerdan sighed. “I do not have any issue with her,” he said. “And believe me, I am grateful that she is going to help my mother. But Huen! She’s a peasant – she’s not educated, and she’s not a competent sorceress. What use could she be in a war with Glasule?”
“For one thing, she’s a native and she understands the language,” Huen said. “True, she was raised in a poor home. But she’s brave and highly intelligent with an aptitude for the healing arts. I think you underestimate her, Aerdan.”
Aerdan stared at Huen for a long time before getting to his feet and chucking the apple core across the room into a bin of waste.
“Huen, get your head clear,” Aerdan snapped. “This girl is going to be your downfall!” Before Huen could reply, Aerdan spun on his heel and stalked out of the kitchen.
CHAPTER TEN
Aine
Aine looked around the room, marveling at the luxurious surroundings. The walls were covered with silken paper and the marble floor was cold and soothing on her bare feet. She slowly walked around, touching everything with curious fingers. When she saw the bed – a large, fluffy mattress covered with pillows, furs, and silken blankets, she yawned and pulled her dirty shift over her head. Then she crawled between the sheets and curled up on the pillows.
Aine slept for hours. She dreamt of standing in the woods, in silk robes, chanting and singing. She conjured a tunnel of wind from the sky and bolts of energy that shot from her hands, like one of the ancient gods.
When Aine woke, she was confused for a moment. Where am I, Aine wondered, looking around in confusion. Darkness had fallen, and the scent of the fresh sea air filled her nose. Aine yawned and stretched, reclining back against the pillows. Even though she had slept almost the whole day, she was still exhausted. Still, she remembered her duty to Aerdan, and climbed out of bed, standing naked for a moment and staring out the window to the sea, far below.
A loud knock on the door startled Aine. She jumped and cried out, then pulled her rough dress over her head. After the silken comfort of the bed, she felt more uncomfortable than ever before. Raking a hand through her fair curls, she walked to the door and pulled it open.
Huen was standing there, looking sweaty and tired.
Aine stepped back to let Huen inside.
“What have you been doing?” Aine asked, reaching out and putting the back of her hand to his forehead. His skin was burning up. “You are so warm!” Aine exclaimed.
“Vlad and I went for a long ride, to the border of Glasule,” Huen said. He sat down in a wooden chair and pulled off his leather boots, grunting with obvious pleasure as his sweaty feet touched the cool floor.
“Oh?” Aine sat on the edge of the bed. “I was asleep for hours,” she said, yawning softly. “I feel so tired.”
“Aerdan wishes for you to perform the ceremony soon,” Huen said. “But I wanted to see you first.” He stood up and walked over to the bed, sitting next to Aine.
A shiver of excitement ran down Aine’s back. Suddenly, she felt wide awake.
“What did you find on your ride?” She asked softly.
Huen shook his head. “Nothin
g,” he said darkly. “Aerdan is convinced that these are the end times,” he said, reaching for Aine’s hand and twisting his fingers with hers. “He is certain that Zheka and Glasule will be at war.”
“But…Zheka never goes to war,” Aine said fearfully. She shivered.
“Yes, but we have many strong men willing to die for their Queen,” Huen said. He reached up and brushed a curly strand of blonde hair away from Aine’s forehead. “And I understand how they feel.”