by B. C. Morin
“That, my dear, sounds wonderful.”
Tristan looked at her. He took in every bit of her beauty. Her honey hair and eyes had regained their shine and brightness. He pulled his arm out of hers and placed his hands on her shoulders caressing them. She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall by her door while pulling him closer.
He brought his face down to meet hers. She could feel his breath on her lips. “I was so afraid that I was going to lose you.” Her hands rested on his hips gently caressing him.
“You never left me.”
“No.”
“I will never leave you either Tristan of Talom. That, I promise you.” He pressed his lips against hers passionately. She had wanted this kiss since she had woken up and took her first look at him. No, before then, since he had kissed her in the forest. He moved his hands to caress her neck and face, while hers were wrapped around him and caressing his back and his sides, amazed that she could feel the muscles below his skin. She felt his heart beating against her chest at the same fast pace that hers had grown to. He pulled back for a moment but kept his lips mere centimeters from hers. She looked at his lips while he smiled.
“I suppose I should let you sleep.” He brushed his lips lightly against hers.
“I suppose.” Evyette smirked. “I will miss you.” She sighed, brushed hers lips against his this time.
He took a step back never taking his gaze from her. “I will be here tomorrow so that we can go to training together.”
“I will wait for you then.”
He leaned over and opened the door for her. “Goodnight. My love”
“Goodnight.” He closed the door behind her and headed to his room.
As he headed back down the hall he passed Alannah. “Alannah, do you know if Kaleb went to bed?”
“I think that he did. Once you two left we all mentioned that we should rest since we have training early in the morning.”
“Thank you. Goodnight then.”
“Goodnight.”
Alannah giggled to herself after noticing how Tristan’s slight smile never left his expression while he was talking to her.
Her heart filled with joy for her sister. Now if only she could be as sure of her own feelings as Evyette is with hers.
~ Chapter 26~
She marveled at the clothes she had on. She had never had to wear training clothes such as these. The leather corset held closed by small buckles along the front was tight around her ribs and waist. From beneath it sprouted just enough of her blouse to cover her bosom and fall over her shoulders. Her pants she noted, were made of a thin but sturdy material that she had never seen before and was tight to her skin. ‘Impervious’ she remembered, was the word they had used to describe it.
These boots will take some getting used to. She thought as she looked at the boots that ended above her knee.
Lilian walked in and fastened Alannah with belts that contained sword holsters and potion holders.
“Is this necessary Lilian? Will we be using all of this today?”
“Probably not ma’am. But they asked me to outfit you as if you were training for battle so perhaps they wanted to make sure you were aware of what you needed since you will be leaving soon.”
“I see Lilian, very good.”
Once Lilian was done she walked out of her room and called out to Evyette and Tristan who were already heading toward the stairs. Evyette she noted was dressed very similarly to her.
They reached the courtyard where Magisters Torin and Morcant stood along with Brennus, Kaleb and Alessa who was also dressed like them.
“As you can see, I have asked for you all to be outfitted properly as these are the garments and tools you will need to be wearing more often. When traveling these clothes will make it easy for you to defend yourself if attacked, or move about more swiftly if need be.”
Magister Morcant stepped forward. “There will not be physical training today. More of spell yielding, blocking and knowing which potions are most important to have with you all the time. For example healing potions. Although we will all learn healing spells, a healing potion taken along with it can certainly accelerate the process.”
Magister Torin stepped forward to join his colleague. “I am aware that Kaleb, Tristan and Brennus are trained in spell casting. However, I do not know of your training,” he inclined his head to Alannah and Evyette, “is it safe to assume that you all know basic spells? Fire, Water, blocking?”
They nodded their heads in agreement.
“Excellent then. How about power orientation.” He looked directly at Alannah. “Now, this has nothing to do with your actual power. It is taking bits of your energy without draining yourself and directing it toward your opponent. You can throw them off guard, or if you do it well enough knock them down forcefully.”
The morning and afternoon passed by quickly. By the time she had returned to her room there was a small bag packed for her.
“Your other clothing will be teleported once you arrive by one of our Magisters.”
“Lilian, I appreciate all you have done for me. I cannot thank you enough.”
Lilian walked over and hugged Alannah. “It was my pleasure ma’am.”
It had slipped her mind that she was to leave the next morning. Her parents had already departed that morning and now it was her turn.
“Lilian, I think I will go for a walk if that is alright. I will bathe in a bit.”
“As you wish ma’am.”
Alannah walked out the castle and began to walk around the village. Soon she found herself in front of Dara’s store. She walked inside not knowing what to expect or even knowing why she was there.
“Dara? Are you here?”
Alannah looked around and noted that nothing had changed since she was last here. Nothing moved, nothing cleaned.
“I am surprised to have you back my dear. Have the villagers not warned you of my eccentricity?”
“They have.” Alannah again tried to look at her face but she always turned away and had most of her hair covering her face while the rest was picked up in a messy bun.
“You don’t listen to others do you?”
“I didn’t before, but I have since learned to heed caution. However, I do not sense danger from you.”
“Perhaps you are too trusting.”
“Perhaps. Or perhaps you are hiding from others. You never answered me the other day.” Alannah stepped closer to the old woman. “How do you know so much about my family.”
“I will not answer you today either. You are right about not seeing me as dangerous. However, do not mistake that as a right to ask questions that I am not required to answer.” She turned and began to walk to the back room again.
“Have you been reading?”
“I have.”
“Good. You will be much help to yourself and to your sister that way.”
Alannah felt like chasing after her but realized that she had worn whatever welcome she may have had.
She walked outside to see Alessa in the same place speaking with the same faerie as the other day.
Before Alannah could approach them , the faerie kissed Alessa’s hand and excused himself.
“Alessa, I know it is not my place to advise or meddle. However Kaleb is an incredible fae. I do not find it proper that you are flirting with other fae.”
Alessa smiled crookedly.
“I would tend to agree. However, I am not in a relationship with Kaleb so therefore I offend no-one.”
“Pardon me? I was under the impression that you both had re-kindled old feelings.”
“No Alannah. He made it clear to me that he has feelings for someone else.”
With that Alessa turned and made her way to a group of faeries that were sitting at the square drinking and fraternizing.
Alannah began to make her way back to the castle.
Now I see why Kaleb said I was assuming. It matters not now. I leave tomorrow and it would be wrong for me to tell him to wait for me.
I shall leave it to fate.
Alannah tried to think of her lessons that day in order to stop thinking of Kaleb and Brennus. Thoughts that always seemed to follow each other. She reached her room and slipped into her tub to take a proper bath with soaps and oils.
“Kaleb. I appreciate you staying with us.”
Kaleb looked over at Tristan who was sitting in a chair opposite him.
“You do not have to say that my friend.” They sat in the great room of the castle. To the right of Kaleb was a large fireplace surrounded in marble and stones. Around the room there were tapestries and draperies of the finest silks and satins. They had reveled in the few moments of peace that they were able to find after their training and washing up. For days it had been about worry and fear and now it finally seemed that things were moving forward.
“You have not spoken much about Alannah my friend.”
Kaleb smiled and looked away. “Well, I did tell you about my last conversation with her.”
“You did. However, you did not tell me what you plan on doing now.”
“Tristan I cannot say that I do not care for her. But she is leaving to train now. I cannot put that weight on her shoulders. She knows how I feel for her. Otherwise why would I have done all that I did?” He looked back to Tristan. “She will have to figure out her own heart now.”
“Fair enough my friend.” Tristan leaned back in his chair. “Tonight is our final dinner all together correct?”
“Yes from what I heard the Queen has planned a feast in the square.”
The square was decorated with all sorts of lights and ribbons. In the center over the fire pit there was a large grill roasting meats and other foods. Many of the faeries had come to bid farewell to Brennus and Alannah and to celebrate the awakening of Evyette.
Brennus stood in a corner talking to King Vadimas, as Tristan and Evyette sat nearby on a stone bench that had been lined with pillows. Queen Calla and Alessa walked around feverishly assuring that all the decorations and foods were in place.
Alannah could hear the music from within the castle. She stepped out of her room in a blue and silver gown with hair flowing freely in large curls down her back. Kaleb stood at the top of the stairs stunned by her beauty.
She stopped in front of him.
“Kaleb you look very handsome.” His black hair looked like ink falling upon his collar of his coat. The white shirt underneath still didn’t cover all of his markings which she found left her yearning to see more of them.
“And you look … majestic.”
She smiled and put her head down slightly. He was about to walk down the stairs when she grabbed his hand.
“I need to speak with you.”
“Alannah”
“Please Kaleb. Just one moment.”
Without a word he turned to face her again. She pulled his hand and opened a nearby door pulling him in behind her. This room was much like the others on this floor. It was finely decorated with a bed in the center, and two chairs in front of the fireplace.
She closed the door behind him and turned to find that he had not moved further into the room but was just in front of her.
She tilted her head slightly to look at his eyes. She remembered the first time she looked at them, thinking she had never seen eyes so blue.
“Kaleb. I need to apologize.”
He let out a sigh and was about to talk when he was interrupted.
“You do not have to say anything. I know that you and Alessa are not together and I should have found that out by asking you and not putting you through all that I have.” She reached out, grabbing each of his hands in hers.
“Kaleb, I know things are very complicated right now and I seem that I just cannot make up my mind. But I do need you to know that I care deeply about you. You were on my mind when I was imprisoned and were on my mind after, despite what it seemed. However, I feel that right now I need to concentrate on the training I will be attending and sorting through my emo-“
Her sentence was cut off by the feel of his lips against hers. He had released her hands and slipped his arms around her pulling her close. She put her hands on his face for a moment and then slowly pulled away.
“I know Alannah. I can see you are conflicted and I know that you have a lot of other things going on. I care about you a great deal as well.” He stepped back and looked into her eyes. “I will wait for an answer.”
She looked away to the fire that filled the room with it’s fierce light and crackling sounds. “I cannot ask that of you.”
“And yet I offer it still. I will wait for an answer. Just know that I cannot wait forever.”
“I understand.” Alannah felt her heart constrict.
He touched her face gently and then walked out the door.
She lingered in the room for a moment thinking about the kiss and what she said.
Concentrate on the training now Alannah. That is what you must do. She took a deep breath, held her chin high and walked out of the room and down the steps.
Alannah walked down the stone steps to the festivities, and could not help but be flattered by the amount of fae that turned to look at her. She was able to relax knowing that Kaleb was not angry with her and that Brennus, although he wasn’t as friendly was back to being himself. Although the impending decision weighed on her, it was easier to bear now.
Evyette sat back in a corner taking in all the revelry. She watched as Tristan and Kaleb sat down with the King and others of the Kingdom for yet another round of feasting.
Evyette marveled at the grace and beauty of the fae as they danced, the satyrs that swooned over the fae and pixies and a few centaurs.
Even some of the Dryads had come out of their trees and joined in the festivities
She looked up at the sky and admired the beautiful light given by the stars and the moon. As she lowered her head she looked around her and saw an older woman standing off to the side of the party by a tree looking at her. She stood and began walking toward the petite faerie. The old faerie kept her head down and walked behind the tree where she could not be seen.
“Ma’am?” Evyette called to the old faerie but received no response.
“You are welcome to join the celebrations… Ma’am?” she said loudly but received no response.
When she rounded the large oak there stood the faerie.
“You are better.”
Evyette was taken aback for a moment by the acknowledgement that this stranger knew who she was. “Oh, you must have seen me when Brennus brought me in. Yes, I am better. You know, you may join us if you wish.” She bent her head lower trying to get a glimpse of the faerie’s face.
“Thank you, but I merely wanted to find you.”
“Me?”
“You are Evyette are you not?”
“I am.”
“You fight the Venator-Animus.”
“How do you know that?” Evyette stepped closer and looked around to be sure that there was no one else listening to their conversation.
“I know a great many things.” The older faerie stood without lifting her head. She wore a cloak with a large hood. It reminded Evyette of the hoods that the Magister’s apprentices wore. It was large but it wouldn’t be enough to cover her eyes if she were to look at someone. Her hair though fell out through the hood and covered much of her face.
“Who are you old woman?”
“I am someone who knows you, but you know me not.” The old woman tilted her head slightly, but still not enough for Evyette to see her face.
“You have many gifts Evyette.”
“I have a couple.” Evyette looked at her marks proudly.
The old woman held up her hand. “No, there is one that you do not know of. One that has had to be bestowed upon you.”
“And how do you know that?”
The old woman laughed in her throat. She grabbed Evyette’s hand and turned it over revealing the scars on her wrist.
“It was an accident when I was younger.” She be
gan to explain until she felt her skin begin to burn where the old woman held her hand and wrist and yanked it away.
“What are you doing?” she looked down at the skin just below her wrist opposite her scars and saw a new mark.
“What is this!” she looked up angry expecting an answer but the woman was gone. Evyette looked at the mark and did not recognize it. She looked all around her and even searched the nearby area and did not find the woman. She ran back to the party where she saw that everyone was having a good time except for a select group which was gathered in a corner, their faces flooded with worry as they searched the immediate area.
She ran to them and saw the relief on their faces when she appeared.
“By God Evy ! You had us all worried sick.!” Alannah’s tone was just as angry as it was concerned.