The Drifting

by L. Filloon

  “I have a gift for you,” I said without looking at him.

  “Huh, what? Have you held on to a gift all these years just to give it to me on the day we go our separate ways?”

  “No. This is a condition to my agreeing to ‘behave’ myself when the time comes for Lily to go to the doorway.”

  Tolan turns to me and asks, “Tharin, you’re seriously not letting them take her, are you?”

  I nod, “Yes, I am, but I’ll be going with her. That’s one of the conditions I gave Father. I will be at her side when the doorway is opened. And if death is to follow, he will take me with her.”

  Tolan shakes his head at me, “I can’t let that happen.”

  “There’s nothing you or I can do about it but hope the Mother is with us at that moment and we’ll come out of it alive. I’ve gone through the Binding with her, Tolan…there is no one else for me. Besides, you know me…I’ll fight to the end to save her.”

  Tolan gives an understanding nod and says, “I will know it should you fall. If it takes my last breath, I will come to you at the end should that be the case.” I take his forearm as he takes mine, sealing his promise with a shake.

  “You may not be so agreeable to breathe your last breath on my account, brother,” I say, giving him a crooked smile.

  He gives me a puzzled look, “What are you talking about?”

  “The second condition I force Father to agree to,” I say cryptically, enjoying the moment of suspense at his expense.

  “Well, tell me,” he says anxiously.

  “The final condition is that he’s to give you and Julia his blessing to wed. He will bypass that ridiculously archaic law and allow your wedding to happen. Congratulations, brother,” I say putting my arm out for him to take once again.

  Tolan’s breathing starts to come fast as he stares at me with wide eyes filled with disbelief and shock. I see his chest heaving as the news starts to sink in and I actually start to worry that he might hyperventilate. Ignoring my arm, he throws his arms around me, giving a big bear hug and lifts me up. He puts me down and then bear hugs me again. He sets me down and grabs for my arm shaking it enthusiastically, laughing with joy. I laugh along with him, waiting for him to get a hold of himself and when he does settle down he puts both hands on his head, looks at me for a moment and gives me a warm hug. I am truly happy for him.

  “Thank you, brother,” says Tolan overcome with joy.

  I suggest we join the others for dinner and give the good news, but we should keep it within our small circle. Although Tolan agrees eagerly, I can already see his mind working overtime on how he would get to Julia, do whatever it takes to get her to tell him what’s going on, give her the news and then marry her. I wouldn’t be surprised if he kidnaps her and takes her with him to the Willow Clan tonight. However, he knows Lily would need her friend on a big day like tomorrow, and besides, Julia would be safer here during the coup when he and Ziri remove Falsad and Harlu from the seat of command.

  Ziri. Okay, one brother down and one to go. I’ve checked Nameth off the list and have decided that maybe he and Glynnis should give it a shot. This one time I think Ziri would actually be in agreement with me. I chuckle to myself. Should things go wrong during the opening to Eirrell, at least I spent my last days playing Cupid to my brothers, ensuring their happiness. How did it come to this?

  We meet up at the guards’ dining hall thinking we can be a little looser without worrying about any of the court’s advisors, Ancients or any bureaucrats crashing our little celebration. Before meeting with the others, I make my way to the war room and sit on the floor near the seating area. I send out my senses reaching out to Milina. Within seconds, the two golden forms appear before me, Milina coming forth. “My prince, is everything all right? I didn’t sense any danger with the princess, so why have you called us back? Has our king changed his mind about us being here?”

  I stand, shaking my head, “No, he hasn’t. In fact, he doesn’t know. I wanted you here to help celebrate the news of Tolan’s engagement to Julia.”

  The golden area where her mouth is spreads to a wide smile. Glynnis moves forward to stand beside Milina also happy with the news. “We would be honored to celebrate this special occasion with you, my prince,” answers Milina.

  “Good, but before we join them I think it would be a good idea if you changed. I don’t want to bring attention to us as the celebration is only among friends,” I suggest. Within seconds, the gold and crystal peel off them and disappears into the floor leaving them as they looked prior to returning to the clearing.

  When we finally arrive at the hall, Kalis and two of her men had joined our group. The instant Ziri sees Glynnis, he’s on his feet to meet her when Nameth enters the room with the other servers and he hesitates. He watches Nameth go about setting food and drinks down, slowly making her way to him. I was told a few days back that Ziri and Nameth were found talking and spending some time together, but it seems his feelings for her have changed. According to Mellis, Ziri now goes out of his way to avoid her and I can only imagine why. He was a boy when he fell for Nameth and I’m sure in the last few days he’s spent with her he’s seen her true nature.

  I watch as Nameth locates him and places her hand on his arm, whispering softly. Ziri looks over at Glynnis before sitting back down. I sigh and shake my head…it’s going to be a long night. I need the sisters back at the clearing before Father finds out that I’ve gone against his wishes. I turn to look down at Glynnis and the disappointment on her face is obvious. Realizing I’m staring at her, she glances up at me briefly before casting her eyes downward.

  Kalis spots my entrance and gives me a smile in greeting, eyes twinkling. It’s obvious they have been enjoying the wines from the Laurel Clan who produces the best lomis berry wine in the realm. Their brand is the most sought out and most expensive of wine due to the flavor and potency of the special type of lomis berries used. I glance over at Milina and Glynnis as they move to the table, Mellis eagerly giving up his seat for Milina. Glynnis sits as far as she’s able from Ziri, who continues to watch her every move.

  “I was wondering when you’d get here,” says Kalis as she slips her hands around my waist. She clumsily tiptoes up to kiss me and I turn my head so that her kiss lands on my cheek. I try to pull away but she holds on tight, moving to my side as we walk toward the table. I pull away from her once we reach the others. I take her by the arm and sit her down in her seat and I walk away. I move to the head of the table, pulling out a chair up next to Alorn who seems to be the only one not drinking.

  I look over at Kalis’ men, Dalim and Cili who’s become a favorite of Kalis’. Dalim has been Kalis’ right-hand man from the beginning and have been at her side no matter the situation. An older man, a human, I find to be a warrior in his own right, honest and loyal to the king.

  I watch Kalis rise again. She grabs one of the wine bottles and makes her way over to me, her eyes locked with my own.

  “Careful, cousin,” says Alorn. “She seems a bit tipsy.”

  I sigh, “Yeah, I get that. Never seen her like this.”

  “Well, it could have been her encounter with Lily,” says Alorn casually. I give him an arched look and he shrugs at me. “She and Julia headed up to their suites early and they bumped into Kalis on the way there. I happened to be close by and prevented any of Kalis’ questions to be answered…particularly the one when she asked for Lily’s name.”

  I glance back at Kalis. Even though she’s never met Lily, she knows Lily’s physical description and Kalis is no fool. I have to know if she suspects Lily’s alive. It’s only one more night and I have no reason not to trust her, but our last encounter gave me concern. In her state of mind and her feelings about me, I can’t be sure what she will do. She’s only a little tipsy…perhaps I can sober her up and come clean with her. She’s been more than a friend and it’s the least I can do to save whatever friendship we have left.

  “I need to take care of this,” I tell Alorn. He
gives me a nod and pours water from a pitcher set next to him and hands me the pitcher. I get up to meet Kalis and take the pitcher from Alorn. I take Kalis by the hand and as we pass Alorn, he grabs the wine bottle from her and places it back on the table. She yanks her hand from me to reach for the wine bottle, bumping into the table and spilling Alorn’s water. He keeps the wine bottle at arm’s length as I grab at her hand again, pulling her after me.

  “I have been waiting for you all night,” says Kalis as she leans into me, laughing.

  “Yes, we need to talk, but not unless you’re sober,” I reply.

  She tries to pull her arm from me, frowning, “Don’t you want me, Tharin?”

  As we round the corner, I yank her around to face me, “Stop it, Kalis. Why are you doing this? You don’t get drunk with your men, and you certainly don’t do it in front of me or my brothers.”

  She pushes my hands off her and steps away, turning her back toward me. I reach for her, but she moves farther away to only turn back on me angry and sober. “When were you going to tell me, Tharin? How long were you going to use me?” She turns away again, shaking her head. So, she knows. I breathe deeply and walk up behind her, taking her gently by the shoulder. After a moment, I move forward grabbing her by the hand, “Come on.”

  We make our way outside and through the courtyard. As we cross to the main tower and around the passageway leading to the Summer Garden, I spot Sema, Julia and two men making their way toward the south end of the tower. If I wasn’t on my own mission with Kalis, I would have followed them to see what they’re up to. The south end of the tower only leads to a small harbor area where fishermen’s boats are located. I dismiss them for the moment and continue to the garden where Kalis and I have spent many happy moments.

  I let her hand go and move to the bench that Tolan and I shared earlier, but Kalis moves closer to the stone railing to look out at the garden. Miniature panswas light up, dancing about like fireflies in the early evening. I sit on the bench, placing the pitcher of water next to me. The water is mixed with clear simi berries, a counter to the intoxicating lomis wine. When I saw it sitting next to Alorn, I knew then that he had planned to partake in the celebration. But Alorn doesn’t like to lose control at any time. When he’s had enough, he drinks the simi water to clear his head and cleanse his system from any effects of the wine.

  “Do you love her?” asks Kalis without turning around.

  “Yes. Yes, I do,” I answer truthfully.

  She turns to me, sadness in her eyes and asks quietly, “And you couldn’t trust me enough to include me in what’s going on? I get it, Tharin. The announcement of her death was a cover to protect her, to get her here for the Seating. But, you made a fool of me. I thought I was more than just the captain to your father’s guards. And even if there’s nothing left between us, I at least thought I was a trusted friend.”

  I get up and move to stand beside her, facing the garden as she remains with her back leaning against the railing. “I’m sorry. My intentions were to come back here and do it the proper way, to tell you in person and ask for your understanding, your forgiveness. But as the trip went on, events happened that changed our course, changed our plans. Things just escalated and one thing led to another. And, here we are.”

  She’s quiet for a moment, then turns to face the garden. “You should have been honest with me from the beginning. I would have liked to have met her formally and move past this, past you. I won’t lie and tell you I’ll be okay, because I won’t be, not for a long time. But I will tell you that we will be okay…” she hesitates before finishing, “as friends.”

  I put my arm around her shoulder and pull her close. She hugs me back and I kiss her forehead. Even now I can feel her pain and I wish I could make it go away, but I don’t know how. So instead I hold her close for as long as she needs me to. It doesn’t take long before she moves away, smiling up at me.

  “I think we should drink to your upcoming wedding.” She walks over to the bench and takes the water pitcher, bringing it back to me. “To you and your new bride,” she says as she offers me the simi water.

  I smile at her, happy and grateful for her forgiveness. I take the pitcher and take a long swallow of the cool drink. I hand it back to her as I look into her eyes and see the slow change come over them. They’re no longer smiling, instead they slowly turn cold and the smile on her lips disappears as she steps back. Not taking a drink from the pitcher, Kalis dumps the contents out before placing it on the railing.

  It takes only a second before I feel the effects of the simi water, but not what I expected it to do, considering I didn’t drink any lomis wine. It takes another second to realize there was more than simi berries in the water. The numbness starts with my fingers and runs up my arms. They fall heavily at my sides as the numbness crawls over my shoulders and down my back. My legs feel heavy and lead-filled and I feel them move forward, trying to reach for Kalis, but she steps back from me. My throat begins to constrict and breathing becomes difficult as my lips go numb. I try to speak, but I only hear mumbling coming out of my mouth despite the ringing in my ears. I look at Kalis, shaking my head slowly at her. She gives me a sneer and her eyes grow dark. She reaches out and slaps me hard across the face. I try to reach out to grab her, but my arms remain at my side, heavy and useless.

  I shake my head again, trying desperately to clear it. My legs go from under me and she catches me, throwing my arm over her shoulders and taking most of my weight. Although my body seems to have no control, my mind is aware of what’s going on…somewhat. Every now and then I try to shake my head, trying to keep my eyes open. The edges of my vision become fuzzy and putting one foot in front of the other becomes more and more difficult. I recognize where we’re heading using secret passages only my brothers, cousins and I know of, and I briefly wonder at how Kalis would know of them. Somewhere along the way we’re met with someone else, but I can’t make out his face. His voice is distant and somehow familiar, but I can’t place it at the moment. I try to struggle, but my body isn’t cooperating. The most I can do is throw my head back.

  When I come around again, I know we’re in my room as they throw me on my bed. The voice belonging to the man says, “He’s heavy. You won’t be able to do anything with him, kitten. The potion has taken the action out of him.”

  “Shut up and help me get his clothes off.”

  I try to protest when they jostle me to remove my clothes, but again, my body is unresponsive. I try to focus my eyes where the voices are coming from, but all I see are their fuzzy silhouettes, blurred and unrecognizable…even Kalis. Kalis. Lily was right…she really didn’t take the news well.

  I hear her say to her companion, “It will be a while.” I hear her move closer to him and he gives a quiet laugh. She offers, “So, how about a drink?”

  Then all goes black.

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  ~ Lily ~

  I must have fallen asleep. I sit up, rubbing at my eyes and looking about the dark room. I reach to wake Julia up only to find the bed empty and our last moment together rush back at me. I lay back down, hugging my pillow and missing my friend, feeling a sense of loss. I lay still for a moment, sinking deeper under the soft cover that must’ve fluttered down from its perch to cover me while I slept. I let the feel of the pillows and blanket comfort me as I slowly close my eyes, letting sleep take me once again.

  My eyes fly open and I turn to lie on my back. I promised myself I would see Tharin tonight. It’s strange that even though I’ve been tired, I thought he would at least come to visit me. I lift my head up to look around the dark room once again. Huh, I guess he’s waiting for me to go to him, which is most likely the case.

  I close my eyes again and calm my breathing, concentrating on the flow of my breath…in…out…in…out. I feel my body relaxing and sinking into the bed anchoring itself to it. I sit up and turn to stare at myself lying still. Why is it when I go into the drift state it’s always when I loo
k like crap? I’m still in the clothes I had on when I went to dinner earlier. I didn’t even remove my dirty boots. My hair is tangled and in a mess thanks to Tharin insisting I wear it down. I should get back in my body and freshen up…screw it. He’ll have to deal with it.

  Out of habit, I pull my hood low over my face as I make my way to the living area, ignoring how the rooms feel so empty. Once outside, I can’t ignore how the hallway seems quieter than usual and a sense of wariness comes over me. It’s usually quiet on this floor, but it seems eerily quiet tonight. I know the king’s suites are next to his wife’s and they both take up this entire corridor. I stick to the shadows and step lightly, not taking any chances in being discovered. What if his father just happens to come by? I’m pretty sure Tharin said his father was someone who could sense those in the drift state.

  I step quickly to the corner melting into the shadows when someone approaches from the direction I came. I wait for him to pass, only to be surprised when he stops at my suite doors. He’s wearing a hooded cloak, his face hidden and something inside me freezes. Something evil emits from him and I try to sink deeper into the shadows, quickly averting my eyes to a spot just past him. He stops, looks my way and waits. After what seems like an eternity, he faces my doors again and reaches for it. A green glow appears at his touch, burning his outstretched hand. He pulls back instantly, cursing under his breath. He pauses to look my way again before turning and fleeing down the hall from where he came.

  I wait a few minutes listening to the loud beating of my heart. After getting my breath under control, I move from the corner and move into the next hallway. I want to get to Tharin as soon as possible and tell him of the hooded man at my door. In the next corridor, there are only two sets of suites. The princes, Tharin and Tolan – but I don’t know which is which. Taking a chance that the first set of doors belongs to Tharin, I move toward them quickly and enter.