by L. H. Nicole
His eyes found hers, boring down on her like he knew exactly what she was doing. They stood there for what felt like ages, some small part of Aliana’s heart healing in the process. His hand cautiously wrapped around hers. When she didn’t pull away, he tugged her outside and around to the back of the house.
She saw two long piles of stone overgrown with delicate little wildflowers.
“We buried them here. My mother would have never wanted to be far from her plants.”
Her tears returned, thinking of her own adoptive parents’ graves and that of her birth mother. She hadn’t been to see her mama and papa since the funeral. Now that she knew their truth, she vowed to go see them again. And she would see her birth mom’s again too, just as soon as she got home.
She gripped his hand tighter. “I know this won’t make it any better, but I know what you’re feeling.”
He looked at her with surprise.
“I only recently found out that my parents had adopted me. My real mother died giving birth to me.” She looked back to the graves. “Just before I discovered the truth, my parents were killed.” She saw the boat explosion again behind her closed eyes. “They were murdered too.”
Her hate for Morgana resurfaced, and it warred with the friendship she had started to form with the Morgana of this time. How could she have changed so drastically?
His fingers threaded with hers. “How?”
“They were on a boat when it was intentionally set on fire.” She remembered that fire trying to stretch toward her, to claim her too. She now knew that Morgana had tried to kill her as well. In a way she had succeeded. The girl she had been before their deaths was long dead. She wasn’t as carefree or open as she had once been. Trust was now a luxury for her.
“We are two of a kind it would seem.”
She dashed away the tears that had returned, and the few that escaped. “I’m sorry, Galahad. I should never have followed you and intruded on your time with your family.”
He tugged her closer, a gentle arm wrapping around her waist. “I find that I am glad you came. I think your presence has made this a little easier for me. I don’t feel as burdened as I did earlier.”
Funny how she felt the same. Going against her better judgment, she wrapped her arms around him, ignoring the press of his weapons against her sides as she hugged him tightly. His arms tightened around her, one of his hands burying itself in her own wind-tangled hair as she laid her cheek against his heart.
She could hear its thundering beat and felt her own rush to meet it. After a moment she pulled back, but he wouldn’t let her escape. His blazing blue eyes claimed hers and held them like a thief would a treasure.
His head dipped lower, pausing as their lips hovered inches apart. His hot breath tangled with hers. She remembered their first kiss, when he had stolen a heated, branding kiss to free her from the trap of the Sidhe’s magic.
Her eyes closed as a tear squeezed out. His lips barely brushed hers when she pulled out of his arms. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
She wrapped her cloak around her like an extra shield against the new kind of pull that she felt for him. Their sparkling bond may be nonexistent here, but she was discovering a whole new kind of attraction to him. Something that went beyond the more physical attraction she had felt, ever since first awakening the white knight.
“What’s wrong?”
How could she explain this to him? “We’re just caught up in our losses.” She shook her head, looking anywhere but at him. “My heart has already been broken too many times. I won’t survive if it happens again.”
His fingers gripped her chin and gently pulled her eyes to his. His thumb swiped away the stray tear track. “And what if I don’t break your heart, but help heal it?”
She shook her head and stepped back again. It was too late for that.
“We should get back.” She looked at the graves again. “If you’re ready to go.”
He sighed, but nodded. She had expected him to look solemn and upset again, but as she watched him say one last silent good bye to his parents she saw a new determination on his face.
Arthur, Lancelot, Merlin and Leyon were immediately on them as soon as they returned to the camp.
“Where have you been?” Arthur demanded. His angry eyes softened, however, when he seemed to notice her downturned mood.
“Are you both all right?”
Aliana opened her mouth to answer, when a screaming roar pierced the twilight-colored sky.
Aliana’s eyes went toward the sound as the guys turned and drew their weapons.
Diving straight at them was a giant beast with matted, devil red fur, wings bigger than a Pegasus’s and a barbed tail that swung through the air. It was the fiercest monster she had ever seen.
And its fathomless, glowing night eyes seemed fixed on Aliana.
“Take cover!” Arthur ordered her over the chaos that had exploded at the Manticore’s roar. He drew Excalibur, holding it high in the air. “Knights, to me!”
“Get to the trees!” Galahad drew his own sword and grabbed his shield, the same shield she had seen at the Sidhe’s keep. Round with crescents on both sides with a single sword identifying it as his.
Aliana stumbled back, wide eyes meeting Merlin’s over the top of his own shield with a bronze sun. The Druid nodded once, telling her silently to do what she could.
The Manticore dove, heading right toward them.
“Go, Aliana!” Arthur roared, hefting his shield.
She took several steps back, her eyes focused on the beast. The Manticore screeched again and rushed for them. Soldiers and knights formed a battle line as she spun on her heel and dashed toward the shelter of the trees.
She ducked behind the biggest oak, watching the Manticore’s claws batter at the warrior’s shields. Arthur and the knights held fast. Owaine, Lancelot, Percival and Gawain threw their spears, but they bounced off the creature’s impervious hide. It made another pass, its barbed tail and claws tearing through several of the soldiers’ armor and scattering the battle line.
Aliana’s throat constricted, her energy and fear jumping in her stomach. “Now would be a good time to get your scaly butt in the air, Dagg!”
Her guardian sprang from her wrist, his presence hidden by the wide tree trunks, as he landed in her outstretched hands. “You must open your mind to me if you are to see through my eyes.”
Her eyes widened. He wasn’t asking her to do what she thought he was, was he? “You mean all my shields have to come down?” She didn’t know if she could make herself do it. There were so many things she didn’t want Dagg or anyone else seeing or feeling from her mind.
His eyes glowed bright purple. “Now is not the time to be worrying about what you wish to hide!”
She took a breath and forced her mind to calm. She could do this, if it meant destroying this creature and helping Arthur and his men. One by one she let the layers pull back, like a rose in bloom.
“That’s good enough.” Dagg surprised her. She had only pulled back about half of the shield she’d constructed. His purple-silver magic rolled into her like a gentle fog. It sang through her muscles, rising higher until her vision turned to gray clouds. Her panic resurfaced.
“Stay calm!” She blinked furiously. A burst of purple took over, her vision returning seconds later. It was like she was seeing the world through a rich, high-definition photo filter. Everyone and everything was crisp and clear. Faint shades of shimmering colors came from the knights and soldiers, almost like she was seeing the strength of their souls.
“Oh my stars!”
“Unfortunately, now is not the time to admire how I see things.” Dagg’s serious tone brought her back to the situation.
“Now it’s my turn.” Before Dagg could react, she pulled back the veil that hid the true strength of her powers and shoved a small bubble of her pink magic into him, just enough to make him stronger without sacrificing any real power of her own. He vanished from her hands, even her new
Dragon sight unable to see any trace of her guardian.
“You shouldn’t have done that!” Dagg was furious, likely worried she was going to leave herself vulnerable.
“Too late!”
The Manticore dove again, its hooked talons catching two more soldiers, ripping through their flesh, blood spurting and staining the ground where the dead warriors landed.
Merlin’s powers clotted the area, streaks of orange lightning zinging down from the sky, crashing into the Manticore. It roared, soaring back into the sky as more bolts came toward it.
“Get in the air. Now!” Aliana felt Dagg shoot off from her hands. He climbed high into the air, all the while keeping focused on the monster. The beast’s red fur oozed a brown kind of aura that made Aliana’s stomach clench. The power and menace surrounding the creature was almost unbelievable. The Manticore’s wings flared, it arched in a flip, avoiding the balls of magic fire and spears coming toward it.
Dagg rose higher until he was above the Manticore. They both scanned the length of the creature’s body, from its barbed tail to the human-lion-like face. Its brownish aura was like sludge. Her heart raced, sweat trickled down her neck and forehead as the knights continued to battle the creature with weapons and magic. Nothing seemed to stop it, and Merlin’s power, as great as it was, only managed to slow it down for a few seconds.
Dagg kept pace with the creature, all the while dodging the deflected spears, arrows and volleyed swords. Dagg’s eyes caught sight of the carnage littering the ground. The green grass was bathed in the blood of the fallen soldiers. Her knights were battling side by side with the other two dozen men who were left. They couldn’t last much longer!
Worse, the Manticore was staying out of reach of Arthur and Excalibur.
“Its weak spot has to be here somewhere!” She blocked out everything else, focusing on the creature alone. It banked to the side, the current shift causing Dagg to curve as the Manticore almost smacked into him. A pale flash caught her attention. “There! Between its wings!”
Dagg went in closer, their eyes landing on the small strip of flesh between the wing joints. The area, no bigger than a rolled scroll, was a pale patch of furless skin.
“Merlin, we found it! Tell Arthur he needs to strike it between the wings, just below the beast’s neck!”
“We need to find a way to get this thing on the ground for him to have that chance.”
The Druid was right. So far the Manticore had only come within striking distance a handful of times. And each time it did, more men died. What if one of her knights was its next victim?
Icy fear clogged her blood, but she fought past it. “I can help you bring it down!”
Merlin and the knights all dove to the side and the Manticore’s tail and claws rained down on them again. “You’ll expose yourself.”
He was right, but he also didn’t seem too worried about that.
“Maybe, but I can’t let anyone else die. I can work my magic from here.”
12
At times it’s hard to remember who I really am. My past life as Sir Owaine, as proud as I am of it, sometimes feels like a noose around my neck, what with all these bloody strange memories returning and blurring the lines. I envy Dawn and the other girls for not having this burden; this is all a first experience for them. These new memories of Aliana are coming faster and faster. I know they are taking their toll on all of us, but I worry for Galahad the most. He is becoming even more withdrawn and guarded. We need good news of Aliana soon, for all our sakes.
~Owen
ALIANA BROKE HER CONNECTION with Dagg. Her vision returned to normal between blinks as her shields folded back into place.
“Dagg, get back here before you become visible!”
Aliana looked out at the knights. They were shooting useless arrows as Merlin called down more cracks of power. The knights were slowly being pushed back toward the trees at the creature’s relentless attacks.
A movement on her left caught her attention. Raven was inching out of the cover of the forest, his dark eyes fixed on the creature’s every move. The Manticore’s glowing white eyes landed on the boy. Its roar-screech was ear piercing as it dove straight for him, several yards behind the guys.
“Raven!” Aliana reacted, rushing toward the stunned boy who just stood there like he was waiting to be attacked. Aliana ran faster than she could ever remember pushing herself, pulse pounding in her ears as she and the Manticore drew closer.
She slammed into the servant, both of them hitting the ground in a tangle of limbs and fallen twigs and leaves. The guys hollered as the Manticore suddenly pulled back. The knights were on it immediately. Aliana’s magic pulled and wavered, sending shudders through her body. Gusts of wind rushed through the trees, hitting the creature between the wings and forcing him lower to the ground.
Aliana looked down at the boy in her arms. He was still and pale, his eyes closed, his dark hair matted with dirt and leaves. “Raven?” She laid him on his back, her fingers going to his neck in search of a pulse when he didn’t stir. It was an excruciating half a second before she felt his steady heartbeat. He was just knocked out.
She sagged for a moment then scrambled to her feet. Dagg’s small silver form shimmered back into visibility as he came straight at her. She opened her arms, the Dragon flying right into them and she hugged him fiercely. “Did you create that wind tunnel?”
“Yes!” He immediately shrank back to his bracelet form. “That was too close. I was barely able to hold the concealment spell I cast with your magic once we separated.”
A loud crack drew her attention back to the raging battle before she could answer. Merlin pounded the creature with blast after blast of fire and orange lightning. It screeched and tried to rise back to the safety of the sky. Galahad and Gawain grabbed long rolls of ropes and chains from one of the wagons and started to throw them around the thrashing body. The others joined in as well, but the Manticore broke the chains and slashed through the ropes.
They dodged the tail that swept toward them. The monster reared up on its back legs, its wings flapping. They couldn’t let it get back in the air! Aliana knelt on one knee and dug her fingers into the ground. The earth element’s magic jumped at her command, bending and shaping itself to her will. Whip-like vines shot out of the ground, lashing around the swinging tail and thrashing claws.
It roar-screeched again, but Aliana leashed it tighter with more vines. New sprouts circled the Manticore’s wings. Her pink magic sparked and bubbled up as she added more power to the vines. The Manticore struggled to break free, but Aliana held fast. Its wings were pulled out, exposing the only weak spot on the monster.
It struggled harder and Aliana felt her magic starting to falter, more sweat beading on her face. Another magic fought back, a crackling darkness that seemed to come from the creature.
The knights all yelled to each other, throwing more chains and ropes as leashes. Arthur charged toward the restrained creature, Excalibur gripped tight. Merlin turned from the Manticore, his hands flung out as two long spears of orange magic formed in the air beside the creature. As if on cue, Arthur jumped, landing on one of the magic bolts, then jumped to the next. He leapt up, his momentum sending him sailing through the air as he twisted Excalibur around and landed on the Manticore’s back. He drove Excalibur down into the soft, vulnerable flesh between the wings.
The Manticore bucked harder, its glowing night eyes dimming as it roared and screeched like a banshee. Golden light burst from its body like fireworks. Between one breath and the next, it disintegrated into brownish black ash.
Arthur dropped to the ground, landing on his feet, Excalibur’s tip sinking into the ground.
Relief flooded Aliana as she released the elemental magic and rehid her own behind the veil before anyone noticed her still glowing ruby finger glove.
“Lady Aliana?” Raven’s groggy, soft voice called to her.
She helped the boy sit up. “Raven, are you okay?”
He he
ld his hand to his head wincing. “You saved me.”
She frowned at him, her brows pulling together. “What were you thinking walking out onto the field like that?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but snapped it shut as Merlin, Gawain, Galahad, and Arthur rushed to them.
“Are you both all right?” Gawain asked, stooping down next to Raven.
Aliana nodded, still trying to calm her pulsating heart, heaving lungs and shaking hands. She looked up at Arthur. “You did it.”
He smiled and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her to her feet. She wobbled, her legs weak from the use of magic and fading adrenaline. Arthur and Galahad both grabbed her arms, steadying her.
“Are you sure?”
Aliana smiled. “Right as rain.”
Gawain got Raven to his feet as Lancelot came over to them. “We need to check for survivors.”
Arthur let her go. All the knights went back onto the bloodied field to see if any more soldiers had survived besides the eight that were still standing. Aliana turned away from the gruesome sight and focused on Raven.
She gently turned his face to inspect any damage. Mostly he seemed to be fine, just covered in dirt, leaves and sweat. “Are you hurt? I’m afraid I may have tackled you pretty hard.”
He shook his head. She hugged him, realizing then just how tall he really was, taller than her by a few inches actually. There was something so familiar about his dark eyes, but she couldn’t decide what.
The young man’s hands gingerly touched her shoulder. Aliana winced. “M’lady, you are bleeding.”
Aliana released him and turned her head, looking down at her right shoulder. Smears of blood stained the torn fabric of her vest. Aliana sucked in a painful breath through her teeth as she moved her arm.
Raven’s eyes clouded with worry. “You need Merlin to heal you.”
She didn’t need Merlin to heal her, but this boy didn’t know that. “I’m fine, really.” She gingerly touched the wound. It stung but the bleeding seemed to have already stopped. “I’ve had much worse before.”