The Drifting

by L. Filloon

I stare at all three of them, my anger now mixed with frustration. I lean forward, speaking carefully, “Alorn, you saw me walk out with Kalis. We walked to the Summer Garden to talk, I drank the simi water you gave me, and she took it from me afterward and poured it out. I realized I had been drugged, but by then it was too late. I was dragged up here by her and someone else. The next thing I know I’m lying naked in bed with Kalis. A second later, there’s Lily, standing there with a look of…damn it. I’m telling you, it was Kalis.”

  Alorn sits back, leaning against the chair, Phoris shakes his head, staring at the floor and Mellis gives a low whistle falling back into the sofa, sinking into the cushions. He then sits back up quickly. “You explained to Lily that you were set up, right?”

  “Of course I did,” I say, going back to putting on my boots. “Or I tried to. She wouldn’t listen…she used her newfound abilities on me and threw me up against the door. And she called me a ‘ho’.” I shake my head, pulling on the second boot. I stop, looking up at them and ask, “What the hell is a ‘ho’?”

  We look at each other, at a lost to the meaning of the word when Phoris shrugs and answers, “A garden tool? She called you a garden tool?”

  “Maybe she’s saying you’re a tool,” offers Mellis. Alorn looks at me, nodding in agreement.

  “No,” says Phoris shaking his head. “Under the circumstances, it might mean something cruder. I’ll ask her when she’s had time to calm down.” He turns to me and asks, “You mentioned her new abilities?”

  I shake my head before answering. “Yes. And I promise you – Sema has done a hell of a job with her lessons with Lily.” I tie off the last boot and lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees and cradling my head in my hands. I can feel the headache coming on and I rub at my temples. I look at Alorn, “Are you sure Kalis was with you all night.”

  Alorn nods, thinking out loud, “I wonder if it was Eathos who was really with you. Because ten minutes after you walked out with her, Kalis returned not as tipsy as she was when she left with you. I figured you had given her some of the simi water. And once she sat down, she never left.”

  “She did seem surprised to see everyone when she sat down,” remarks Mellis.

  “Or it really was Kalis with you, and it was Eathos who’s been with us all night,” adds Phoris.

  “Eathos…has to be him either way,” says Alorn, rubbing at his chin. “We’ve been unable to sense his true identity since we’ve been back. It only makes sense that it would be him. Kalis, or the fake Kalis, was in the same room with the both of us, Tharin. And neither of us sensed she wasn’t the real deal. As far as we were concerned it was Kalis.”

  I run my hands through my hair. I was ready to tear Kalis apart until she told me who Eathos was. And if she’s innocent…I can’t even finish the thought. Phoris could also be right. Maybe it really was her and she’s working with Eathos.

  “We have bigger problems,” says Phoris. We all turn to him, “Based on what you’re telling us, Tharin, it’s only reasonable to say Eathos knows Lily is alive. Somehow he found out that she still lives.”

  I stand quickly and say to Mellis, “Where’s Milina and Glynnis?”

  Mellis stands as well, “Milina is with Lily. Not too long before you called us, we were becoming very comfortable with each other when she suddenly said Lily needed her. I was about to go with her, but she said Lily was more distraught than in physical danger.”

  I nod, “Good. And Glynnis?”

  Alorn, now standing, says, “She left. When Tolan and Ziri made to leave earlier, Ziri pulled Glynnis after them. I haven’t seen her since.”

  “I’ll talk to Milina. We camp out in Lily’s suites,” I instruct as I head for the door.

  When we round the corner where my parents’ suites are located, Milina is waiting outside for us. She puts her finger to her lips and whispers, “She’s in bed, but not quite asleep despite being exhausted. I gave her something to help her sleep. She’s in and out.” She gives me a steady look, “I’m afraid you have upset her, my prince. If it weren’t for the fact that you are my liege, I would have had no choice but to slit your throat. And even though she seriously thought about it, I told her I couldn’t.”

  I give her an arched look, saying, “Thanks, I appreciate that. Is Glynnis here?”

  “Yes, she returned a moment ago. She’s inside the bedroom with her.”

  “Tell her to move into your room, you included. I’ll be in the room with Lily.” I turn to Alorn, Mellis and Phoris. “You three take the living room.”

  I turn back to Milina, “It looks like Lily’s presence has been discovered. We can’t take any chances until the Seating tomorrow morning. Stay alert.” She nods at me and moves to the side to let me in. As I walk in, Glynnis walks out of the master bedroom and I notice the solemn look on her face.

  I walk past her and quietly open the bedroom door. I can hear Lily breathing softly, and I make my way to her bed. I sit close to her, not making a sound or causing the bed to move and I gently move her hair aside. Damn you, Eathos, I curse, letting out a hard breath. Lily moves and turns to her side, her eyes flickering open, staring into the darkness. I can see her lips moving, but I can’t make out what she’s saying. I watch her closely before I realize she’s citing the oath for the Seating tomorrow. Her eyes blink once before they shut completely, her lips stop moving and her breathing is regular once again.

  I don’t know how long I sat watching her sleep, but after some thought I rose and moved to the other side of the bed. I sat back down and quietly move to lie next to her. I stayed on top of the covers, fully clothed with boots still on. As much as I’d like to have been under the covers with her, I had to be ready should there be an attack. I won’t be caught with my pants down again.

  Throughout the night Lily would wake and do the oath thing with her eyes open. I’d wait until she fell back to sleep before shutting my own eyes, wrapping my arm around her and holding her close. Sometime before morning’s light I made my way out to the living room area. Mellis is asleep on the sofa, Phoris asleep on the armchair, with a second chair pulled up for his feet. Alorn is in his usual spot, at the window, awake and alert. Quietly, Milina comes out from the spare room.

  As she makes her way to my side, she glances down at a sleeping Mellis and stops. She cocks her head to one side and gives him a soft smile. She reaches down and moves a wayward hair from his face. As she’s about to remove her hand, Mellis snatches her at the wrists and pulls her over the sofa back to land on top of him. They both hit the floor with Milina on the bottom.

  “Let me go,” she whispers dangerously.

  “Not until you admit I’m the most fascinating elf you’ve ever met and you want to ravish me in every way possible,” replies Mellis with a cocky grin. He leans down with puckered lips to give her a kiss when Milina brings her knee up…hard. Alorn and I instantly wince, along with Phoris who came awake when the two fell to the floor. Mellis rolls off her, clutching at himself in obvious pain. Milina is up on her feet, staring down at Mellis with a cocky grin of her own. She straightens herself out, lifts her chin at him and continues to make her way to me. Mellis attempts to grab at her ankle, but she easily sidesteps him.

  Alorn leans over to me, whispering, “I like her.” I glance at him, nodding in agreement.

  “My prince,” greets Milina. “The old woman will be here soon, I don’t know if you want to be around when she arrives. We will stay close to the princess.”

  I forgot about Sema. In a few hours, this room will be bustling with people all trying to get Lily ready for the coronation. “One of you will have to stay with Lily at all times. Knowing the old woman, she won’t let you or Glynnis attend with what you’re wearing. Be sure that she doesn’t chase you off altogether. As soon as Alorn and Mellis are dressed, they’ll be close by.” I look over at Mellis now sitting on the sofa with a cold pitcher of water on his lap. When Milina turns to him, he blows her a kiss. She turns back, eyes skyward and releases a sigh.
“Phoris will need to be with his father,” I continue. “They are a big part of the ceremony, but he’ll also be close and watching.”

  Glynnis walks out of their room and makes her way to the sideboard where fruit, pastries and drinks are set up. She looks at the spread before her without touching anything. After a moment, she walks over to a side chair along the far wall and sits quietly. I notice her eyes are puffy and red. I look at Milina, “Will she be all right? I need her to be ready. If she’s not up to it, I’d rather not have her here.”

  Milina turns to look at her sister and then turns back, giving me a reassuring look. “She will be all right, my prince. Last night your brother told her that he is promised to someone else. She isn’t handling his rejection very well.”

  Ziri is promised to someone else? Ah, it seems that Nameth has gotten to him after all. I shake my head, putting my brother and his social life out of it. I have to concentrate on my next move. I turn to Alorn, “I’ve already warned the king and Ka. They will take extra precautions, which means Sema will also be on alert.” I say under my breath, “I wish Tolan found something on those two.”

  Alorn looks at me and for my ears only, he says, “Did he look under her real name?”

  I turn to him quickly, “Sema’s real name?”

  “Yes. You remember, when we were on the path fighting the clones and their beasts, Ka called out to her to stand by his side. Together they used their will to bring down the lightning.”

  I stare at Alorn. He’s right, I remember Ka yelling out for her before she appeared. That’s when I noticed Cessa and knew Lily was close by. “Can you remember what it was?”

  He thinks for a moment and then says, “All I can remember is the Semalie part. Give me some time, it will come to me.”

  I nod and give a last order to Milina, “One more thing. Keep an eye on the old woman as well. Don’t leave her alone with Lily during the ceremony. Where Lily goes, you go.”

  Something is off. I didn’t notice it last night because of all that had happened. I turn to Milina, “Where is Julia?”

  Milina gives me a blank look. I turn to Alorn and he shrugs, “Maybe she and Tolan made up and she left with him.”

  That doesn’t sound like Julia to leave Lily alone before the Seating. As for Tolan, he told me he would return after the coup to speak with Julia. Something’s not right. I turn back to Alorn, “Find her.”

  To Milina I instruct, “See what you can find out from Lily.”

  She gives me a bow and moves aside. Alorn follows close behind as I make my way to the door. Phoris gets up and follows. I glance back at Mellis who removes the pitcher and pats his lap for Milina to have a seat. She reaches for the same pitcher and before she can do any more damage to him, he’s up and moving quickly to catch up with us.

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  ~ Lily ~

  This has got to be the worst day of my life.

  The minute Sema woke me this morning it was a nonstop parade of maids, servants, tailors, seamstresses, courtiers, planners, chefs and whatever the people in the yellow uniforms are called…all coming into the suite incognito and by way of secret passages. I’ve been poked, prodded, stripped, scrubbed, pulled, pushed and yanked every which way. And that was just to my face and hair. In addition to that, and before the dress went on, they put me in a gold brocade that I thought was the actual dress. According to Sema, it’s kind of an elfin bulletproof vest, except instead of protection against bullets, it’ll protect me against black magic…well, any kind of magic really. Only problem? It’s like a tight tube-like sheath that limits my movement.

  When they brought the actual ceremonial gown in, I was speechless. The Willow Clan royal gown is as green as the kavi leaves, deep, rich, earthy and a shade that can never be captured in my realm. It’s formfitting to the waist and then falls gently. It’s the most beautiful piece of clothing I’ve ever seen.

  As Sema buttons up the back, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I’m shocked to see someone else staring back at me. My hair, shining in soft waves is pulled back and up in the front to cascade down my back. This is the longest I’ve ever seen my neck and I crane from one side to the other in stunned admiration. The gown falls off my shoulders, with sleeves to just above my elbows with soft gossamer hanging from its trim. Gold embroidery laces the neckline and shoulder. At my left shoulder a tattoo matching Tharin’s, only more seductive, more feminine, peeks out at the top of the gown’s shoulder trim. My first tattoo ever and I love it. My eyes stop at the black onyx at my wrist and I’m tempted to call Cessa to me, to be a part of this day.

  The thought of giving the oath eats at me again and I start to taste the bile at the back of my throat. I place a hand at my stomach and take a deep breath, looking around for an escape, for just a quiet moment to myself. I take a quick glance at the mirror spotting Milina and Glynnis talking quietly nearby. I glance back at my own reflection when Milina looks my way. I know she and Glynnis are excited about their new clothes. Their tops are a soft dark chocolate color with matching pants, both tailored to their slender physiques. Although the shade is the same, it seems to shift to complement their individual complexion. I also couldn’t help but envy their pants and the freedom of movement it allows them.

  They continue to talk and laugh quietly, not paying attention to me. This would be my best chance to get some air. Besides, if I get in trouble, they’ll come to me instantly, and there’s also Cessa.

  I settle back into my seat and think back to Gastah Point. When Julia needed me, I was able to speed to her side and help her. I think back to how I made that happen. My abilities as an elf are still new to me, especially the physical ones. The urgency to get to Julia spurred me to her and it only happened because my focus was all on her. I turn slightly in my chair to see out to the garden just outside the room. Lucky for me, the paned doors are wide open, allowing air in. The garden is something that Tharin’s mother created. I’ve found myself many times wanting to go out and take a look. Now will be that time.

  I keep my focus at the end of the garden and I quiet my breathing. Move, Lily, just move and get there without being seen. The red londia near the bend of the garden seems miles away, but I remain focused on it. I can hear the voices of everyone in the room as everything around me becomes clearer, more detailed and I startle to a stop next to the red londias a split second later. I quickly step to the side behind the wall and out of sight. I smiled to myself, pleased at my success, and overjoyed to have escaped the madness going on inside the suites.

  The garden landing goes around the tower and I make my way to a small oasis – a bench in the middle of a forest of pando trees, with white slender trunks and soft gold leaves. There are so many spread in a semicircle standing tightly together that I can’t see past their borders. A blanket of grass covers the floor of the garden and at the edge along the woods panswas rise slowly to dance in midair at my approach.

  I move past the blooming archway of flowers I’ve never seen before and take in the fragrance of jasmine. I look about me, but don’t see any of the fragrant vines, only soft purple flowers that give off the same scent. So peaceful, so tranquil and the peace within this place pulls me forward as if transporting me into another world. I stop and look behind me. Instead of the blooming archway, only endless forests of giant pando trees surround me. Then I notice it…there’s no sound. No birds chirping, no wind blowing, no small creatures…just silence. I look up to see the star-filled night and a low moon barely hanging above the giant trees.

  A sense that I’m not alone puts me on my guard and I follow the tug at my gut. I notice that no matter how far or how long I walk, the scene doesn’t change. I don’t believe I’m here by chance. I no longer believe in coincidences in the realm of Velesi, everything has a purpose here. The feeling of someone else being here comes again and I look down to find Cessa walking alongside me. She nuzzles my hand before loping ahead of me. I laugh as I run after her, loving the feel o
f movement, no matter how restrictive the dress and the golden brocade are.

  Cessa takes me to an opening, surrounded by the trees and blocked off by a rock face that seems to go up forever. At the bottom is an opening, a cave surrounded by bleached white boulders covered with grass and moss. Near the cave opening is a stone ledge, covered with a thick layer of the dark green grass. I watch as Cessa leaps onto it and settles down, her tail and one of her large paws hanging off it. This is home, her home.

  Another lower ledge sits before her and she moves with her head and front paw at it, indicating for me to take a seat. I make my way over and sit, looking about me and once again, the silence is prominent. “Cessa, it’s beautiful here,” I say, tilting my head at the black cat. She lays her head down, yawning at me and seeming content to have me there with her. She closes her eyes and within seconds her loud purring starts.

  “Yes, Lily, she is alone here,” answers the soft voice from behind me, reading my thoughts. I am instantly up and turning to see a woman whose beauty is indefinable. I recognize her instantly, the lady in the portrait in Tharin’s room – the portrait of his mother. She’s wearing the same golden gown as she did in the painting. As beautiful as she looked in a frame, the portrait didn’t do her justice, not by a long shot.

  “I am Lea’ith and I know who you are, Lily. You look beautiful, my dear,” she says eyeing me up and down approvingly.

  I look down at my dress and my hand automatically reaches up to touch my hair. I smile back at her, humbled, answering, “Thank you.” I give a clumsy curtsy, not sure what else to do.

  “Oh, please, Lily…let’s not get formal. After all, in a few days we’ll be family. Now, sit down.”

  I sit back down on the ledge and watch as she moves to the side of Cessa. The black cat peek an eye at the queen and then shuts it again, the purring continues uninterrupted. The queen looks about the clearing, then with a slender finger points at the ground before her. The ground moves gently and I watch as a throne made from the earth grows before my eyes, covered with the same dark green grass. The scent of jasmine fills the small opening and the purple flowers spring to life on the throne’s back and arms. A small grass footstool appears and Tharin’s mom steps up and settles comfortably in her seat. She gives me a warm smile, eyes twinkling. She shrugs a delicate shoulder and waves her hand saying, “Perks of being the queen of Velesi.”