UNFAMILIAR LAUGHTER rang across the courtyard.
“Nora, come look!” A petite woman with shallow ice-blue eyes smiled, motioning me over. Her raven hair shone in the sunlight, swinging down her back as she ran toward the children playing in the courtyard. The sculpture that we’d been working on wasn’t there. In its place stood the pavilion in which Gavin and I had taken our vows. Burgundy silk draped the top, matching the flowers that had been planted at the base.
“Liam, Lilly, hop off there,” Gavin commanded across the yard.
“Yes, father,” they chimed in unison, jumping from the side and skipping toward the butterfly garden. The woman laughed again.
“I know I should be getting ready, but I can’t believe the ceremony’s tomorrow night!” She took my hand and placed it on her arm. Wyn and a now much older Siana made their way out of the castle, and I smiled and waved.
Wyn’s eyes danced with mischief. “Mia, really. Weylin will be here in a minute. You both are supposed to be in seclusion. Queen Nora, can’t you do something about this?”
Gavin shook me awake. His clenched jaw jerked beneath its sallow complexion.
“Nora, it’s time. We have to go.”
“What? ... Are you all right?” I reached for him, pulling him close. The front streams focused on him as the back held on to the dream that was slipping away. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m dreaming of Mia.”
“You can’t help what you dream, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about something you cannot control.”
He got up from the bed and went to the closet. Murky dark memories came crashing over me. The Queen ... Ester ... I looked out the windows. Darkness still covered the land.
“How long did I sleep?”
We had planned well into the night until Gavin finally insisted that we take a break.
“Only a short while.”
He came back in the room and handed me a pair of winter pants and a long-sleeved tunic. “The land around the fissure remains cold. Malachi has given me directions so that we will not have to leave the mountain until necessary.”
I stopped with my shirt midair, my mind still distracted. “I think that dream was a vision of what could have been if Mia had taken a different path, but I don’t know if I—”
“The others are waiting,” he busied himself.
“Wait. Gavin, talk to me.” I finished putting on the shirt. His eyes never left the sleeping courtyard.
“I think you’re right,” he finally admitted. “But it isn’t Mia’s decision that altered the future—it was mine. Had I been honest when we were children, she would have had time to embrace her new future. She would have had time to develop a relationship with Weylin.” Gavin’s eyes grew poignant. “He still holds hope that we will find his mate, and I don’t have the heart to tell him I don’t think he ever will.” He turned back from the window, his regret churning through me.
I slipped on my shoes and stood in front of him. “It wasn’t until I started reading Lera’s journal that I understood what you’ve gone through.”
He started to say something, but I put my hand to his lips.
“Your mother made Mia dependent on you at a very early age. She moved her into your suite, for heaven’s sake. And then Mia’s father died, and you were there for her. Would you have told her then? I don’t think so. The despair would have been too great. And then your father died, and, whether you admit it or not, you needed her. Queen Lera barely waited until your soul stone found its way to your ankle before she publicly gave her blessing to the match. Would you have said something then? Mia would have been devastated and humiliated. I don’t mean to be critical of Lera, but, Gavin, you must see that she made it impossible for you to find a way to be true to your feelings. She just expected you to live the life she had planned.” I wrapped my arms around him. “And I’ve not lost hope for Weylin, although it’ll be hard to find a woman strong enough to keep him in line.”
Gavin half smiled. “He did ask if you had a sister.”
His emotions still churned, and I searched the dream again.
“That’s not all that’s bothering you, is it?”
Gavin released me and turned to the window. “You’ve dreamed of them before, you know. The twins—Liam and Lilly.”
Warmth spread through me as I grinned. “It doesn’t surprise me. I’ve always wanted twins.”
Gavin emotions jolted, but he didn’t say anything.
“Look. Let’s not worry about the future. You told me that the young here are only born in the spring, which comes every seven years. We’ll rescue the Queen, get rid of the Dokkalfar, and then we’ll have a great big family, twins and all.” My smile widened at the thought.
Gavin’s emotions churned, making me a little nauseous. “That’s a great plan if we were both Alfar. However, you are human, which makes your gestational period different than that of the elves.”
“How so?” I went to him, wrapping my arm around his waist. “Don’t Alfar women conceive and then nine months later have a child?”
Gavin shook his head. “Hardly. Most females carry their young for several years. The energy surrounding the unborn dictates how long it is before they are born.”
His feelings threaded with a bit of panic and protection, and he pulled me forward. We made our way out of the suite, walking for several minutes in silence. His emotions didn’t ease, and I finally understood.
“You think it’s different, because I’m human.”
He eyes became wary. “That is one concern, yes. But the fact that I’ve seen the memory of your mother’s final moments makes me almost want to never touch you again.”
I startled at the comment. “I hadn’t thought about that. I’m different than my mother. Besides, I have you, and you are the best healer in the land.”
His emotions jolted, and I tried to lighten the mood.
“Remember, you fixed Mia’s stab wounds. Childbirth will be a piece of cake.”
He scowled. “Yes, you almost dying in my arms taught me quite a bit. Like the fact that I’m helpless if you lose too much blood.”
I stopped in my tracks, tugging his hand. He sighed and faced me.
“Stop this,” I said, placing my hand over his heart. “We’ll talk about this later. Right now, let’s focus on getting your mother back.”
He closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, my love. It’s too much—the events of yesterday, and then your dreams. Sometimes the uncertainty of our future overwhelms me. You are right. Let’s focus on today.”
His emotions calmed down, and headed into the mountain.
Rena waved as we made our way past the stalagmite field. As soon as we drew near, Elias and Elaine took point, Rena, Tark, and Rune followed behind.
Tark carried a bag of provisions to get us through the long days ahead, and we wound our way through unfamiliar passages.
“You’ve never been this far south before, have you?” Rena asked from behind.
I shook my head.
“I have, Lass,” Rune stated, his uneven gate echoed a quick clip as he caught up with me. “I’ve been runnin’ through these tunnels for many a year.”
“How far do we have left to travel?”
“A day if we’re not tarryin’.”
Panic shot through me, but Gavin squeezed my hand.
“Mother is fine. She’s giving directions to the guard. As the cloak is protecting her mind, she remains in contact with Micah, and I have spoken with her several times.”
“But Ester could be dead by then.”
“I’m thinkin’ not.” Rune’s eyes flickered to a dusty blue.
“Why?”
“They’ll be wantin’ to keep her as bait.”
From the others’ reactions, it became apparent they’d already discussed the issue.
“So, we’re walking into a trap.” I stated.
Rune studied my expression. “I’m believin’ so, Lass.”
Rena linked her arm through mine. “It wouldn�
��t be the first time, would it, my lady? They tricked us once before. And even with it just being the two of us, we still survived and lost none of our clan. They have no idea what they are up against now that we know the secret of the keepers and you and Gavin are mates. I call dibs on Jakkar.”
Gavin grinned, and Rena laughed at my blank expression. I couldn’t help but smile. Rena always had a way of easing tense situations.
“Is there a reason you came this far south?” I asked Rune.
“Aye. The old one said I’d be needin’ to prepare a place for you to be restin’.” He bared his gray teeth in a hard grin.
“Do you know what Malachi has seen?”
Rune’s feathers ruffled. “Tis unwise t’ be placin’ yer faith in uncontrolled thoughts, Lass. I’ll not be assistin’ in yer mentor’s foolishness.” He turned and marched away.
I regretted asking.
We ascended a steep incline, winding our way further through the mountain. Even though the air chilled, sweat dripped off my chin and my calves ached. The walls here needed more energy to light, and the ground often became so rocky we’d have to traverse around rugged ravines. Finally, the cavern’s floor leveled, and the sun’s rays angled through an opening at the end of a large cavern.
Gavin stopped, pulling me behind him. “Rune, this place is vulnerable to attack. Why didn’t you choose a more secure location?”
“Sire, this’d be secure,” he insisted.
“What about that big hole over there?” Rena’s sarcasm softened with her smile as she pointed to the broken outer wall.
“It’s sealed.” He stated as if it were obvious. Gavin stepped forward, reaching back for my hand. The colors of the meadow were enhanced as if we were looking through polarized sunglasses shaded in blue.
“How does the mountain do that?” I asked. I’d wondered how the mountain hid certain things like the entrance at Malachi’s or that horrid cave.
“The energy dwellin’ in the mountain’s the original energy of creation. It’s made t’ protect the spirit of all.”
I looked confused. Rune grunted.
“Ya know, Lass, the heart of Kailmeyra. Some’ll be sayin’ it’s just legend, but me clan’s believin’ it’d be hidden.”
My face fell, and Rune’s eyes narrowed as he tilted his head.
“Nora, could you help me a moment?” Gavin called from an alcove just beyond the cavern. I hurried to him.
Elias had a small fire going by the time Rena unpacked dinner, and I walked to the edge of the cave. The last vestiges of orange colored the land as twilight turned to dusk. Rolling hills of green sprawled as far as the eye could see, and pictures of Edna’s mountain played in my mind. Gavin’s chest warmed my back as his hands rested on my hips. We watched the last light of day melt into night. Millions of stars twinkled as darkness blanketed the heavens. I took a deep breath; a breeze brushed my face.
“What a beautiful view,” Rena commented from behind.
“I’d be choosin’ it fer a reason.” Rune’s gravelly voice echoed in the cavern. “From here, we’d be seein’ the badlands.”
My heart sank as I looked to the left. To the left, ash covered trees and desolation stood as a stark reminder of what we were up against.
“How close will the mountain’s pass get us?” Elias asked Rune, as he came and stood beside me.
“The pass’ll come within a hair’s breadth, tis so close. We’re needin’ to be careful.” He looked at me, his eyes earnest, “but don’t be worryin’ none, Lass. The energy’ll be hidin’ the entrance.”
“Wouldn’t they be able to notice?” I asked.
Rena motioned that dinner was ready. Rune tugged at my hand, pulling me closer to the fire.
“Aye. The energy drain’ll have ‘em droppin’ like flies. We’ll know they’ve figured it out if they’re guardin’ the mountain. If none of them demons are near, I’d bet me last feather they’ll not be knowin’ ‘bout a hidden entrance.”
Rena passed out plates of bread, fruit, and nuts. The others fell silent, speaking to each other with their minds. I didn’t care. I needed time to think.
Between discovering the Dokkalfar were here, Lera getting taken, and then waking to dreaming of what could have been, I was emotionally spent. I stared at the ribbons of crackling flames watching them snap, lost in thought. Eventually, my mind rolled to the one person that seemed to hold answers—answers that we didn’t even know we needed.
“Has anyone contacted Ester?” I asked.
Rune’s eyes never left the flame. “She’d still be survivin’.”
“I suggest we retire.” Elias stood and held his hand out for Elaine.
“Well, my lady, look on the bright side.” Rena smiled, helping me to my feet. “At least this time we’ll have our sources.” She grinned, hugging me close.
“And we’ve grown so much.” I held on to her a little too long.
Gavin’s anxiety lurched, and all streams concentrated on the wild child in the back who merrily sang of the Dokkalfar’s destruction.
“Night, Reen.”
“Good night, my lady.” Rena and Tark made their way across the cavern, veering left.
Rune’s flute lilted, and I yawned.
“Rune, really you don’t ha—”
“Princess, I’m playin’ fer your source.” His feathers ruffled as he tried to contain his frustration.
Gavin stood at the edge of the opening, his eyes still fixed on the land. I nestled my head between his shoulder blades, my hands wrapping around him. His voice became husky.
“I should have listened to Malachi; you should have trained as soon as we got back. We’re not ready for this.” His remorse ached through me.
I linked my fingers together, placing them over his heart. “You can’t lose faith now.”
He turned in my arms, facing me, his expression torn.
“And don’t worry about me. I’ve got five strong streams of thought and one wild child.” I smiled, trying to make the moment lighter.
“Let’s hope that’s enough.” Gavin ran the back of his fingers across my cheek. He took a deep breath and then led me to a small alcove where a makeshift bed had been stored. Rune’s music crescendoed, and my eyes grew heavy at the now familiar tune. It seemed to be Rune’s favorite. Gavin’s arms came around me, and I found my favorite spot on his shoulder.
“That is the melody of my childhood. It’s an Alfar lullaby,” he whispered. Just then, Rune wove in Edna’s sunshine song, creating a mixture of the two. Energy bolted through the room, and I fell into serene dreams of Gavin, unicorns, and peace.
We got up before dawn and started toward the mountain’s pass. Gavin had been quiet, his feelings vacillated between warrior and worry, and he never let go of my hand. The rock beneath our feet grew smooth, and the acrid smell of bitter root hung in the air. Adrenaline kicked in, and all six streams became focused on our mission.
We stopped by an underground river.
“We’re here,” Rune growled. “This’ll be the last place you’ll be findin’ clean water.”
Rena filled several containers and put them back in the pack. Muted light punched the walls of the cave. The far end of the large shaft led to the mountain’s exit. The cavern’s opening held same blue sheen as the cave and Malachi’s entrance, and I knew we’d arrived.
Gavin stood just a few feet from the barrier. I went to his side. My stomach churned.
Just a short distance away, black tar bubbled and hissed in the middle of a razed field. Smoke rose in small pockets around its edge. Petrified trees, forever entombed in ash, circled the dead meadow, reaching as far as the eye could see.
Rocks and fossilized wood lay in piles around the base of the mountain; the sun fought to shine through the thick haze surrounding the abyss.
There were no signs of life.
Elias looked at Rena and Tark before his eyes found mine. Chips of iced sapphires pierced through me, and I had the feeling he never wanted to communicate tel
epathically with me until now. He glanced at Gavin before speaking.
“The Queen is on the north side of the abyss. It seems they’re taking her to the place where Ester is being held. Elaine and I will head out first. Tark, you and Rena join the guard, and we’ll surround the Queen. If all hell breaks loose, the Prince will join us.” He stared at Gavin before his eyes found mine.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “What if Rune’s right and you’re walking into a trap?”
“We’ll not be havin’ much choice about it, now will we, Lass?”
Elias grinned a hard grin. “My Lady, I’ve fought these creatures many times. Trap or no, Elaine and I will be fine. The Queen is our priority, but I believe it’s possible to rescue Ester as well, if they are close to one another.” He paused for a moment. “Princess, I understand your position, but I must ask one last time ... please, stay in the mountain.”
“I will not leave my source.”
Elias started to say something else, but Elaine put her hand on his shoulder, her fingers pressing in.
“As you wish.” His voice became sullen as he bowed. Without another word, he and Elaine slipped out of the mountain.
They snaked through the dead underbrush, searching for any movement. We watched as they reached the forest beyond, disappearing into the ashen trees.
Leaning against the wall of the cavern, I tried to ignore the energy drain this place caused. Gavin pulled me away from the entrance, and we sat by the stream. All thoughts focused on the positive, picturing Elias and Elaine getting to the Queen safely. My thoughts whirred with memories, but I found it odd that the wild child was strangely quiet.
I watched the mountain stream eddy around the last group of rounded stones. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the sound of water streaming over rock.
“Nora?” Gavin moved closer.
“Hmmm?”
He knelt beside me, running his thumb over my bottom lip, his finger caressing my chin, gently nudging until I opened my eyes and found his.
I tried to smile, but I couldn’t.
“You all right?”
“I just didn’t expect it to be so ... desolate.” My voice seemed small.
Gavin sat next to me, his arm finding my waist as he pulled me onto his lap. My mind wandered back to a painting in the cave of knowledge. It was a large landscape that depicted the centaur’s forest as it once had been—lush, beautiful, and full of life. How could this be the same place? What happened here?
The Secret of the Keepers Page 21