‘No, the jungle would have done that if you hadn’t had a guide. I was there to plead with you to not hurt them, but I didn’t have to.’
‘So you faced our army alone,’ said Alex.
Korzak nodded. ‘I had no choice . . . I was trying to protect my own kind and you at the same time.’
‘How were you protecting us?’ said James.
‘I was not lying to you about getting lost, and of the creatures in there. The jungle has a way of separating you, and many goblins have been eaten by plants.’
James grinned. ‘I’ve never fought a plant before.’
‘The problem is, you’re usually inside one before you realise you’re in trouble.’
Alex scratched his chin. ‘Why are you at the Order if you’re worried about your people?’
‘I’m not worried anymore. After I met you I realised you would be friends and not enemies, and knew we were not alone anymore. It meant I could go and have fun.’
Torgon stood. ‘Well, it’s time for us to go home, and Korzak, you will always be welcome on our world.’
The elves left as did the gnomes and Korzak. Alex wasn’t tired, but decided to go to bed.
James walked up the stairs with him. ‘I take it Carrie’s not upset with you anymore.’
‘It would appear not, said Alex. ‘I knew she had been in my bed when I woke up, which is so confusing.’
‘Well I have a theory.’
Alex leant on the railing. ‘I’m listening.’
‘Carrie is single, and maybe doesn’t like being alone at night, so she chose you.’
‘I can understand that, but why me?’
‘Because she knows you’re safe to be with, as we all know about you and Paige. You thought Carrie went away because she thought you wanted more, well maybe you were right.’
‘You have more I take it.’
‘I know Paige had a word with her, and I’m guessing Carrie realises her mistake now, and you just want to be friends.’
‘So, now she thinks I don’t care about her, and it’s safe for me to keep her company.’
‘No, she believes you love her like you loved Paige, and she cares for you too, probably the same way. It was Carrie who insisted on watching over you.’
‘Well, if she loves me the way Paige does then I can see why she’s confused, and maybe she left because of her feelings and not mine.’ Alex shook his head. ‘I believe many of our new friends thought of us as a couple and Carrie didn’t like it. I can understand she probably wanted them to realise that we’re only friends.’
‘Now you screwed my theory up.’
‘I love all the women here as friends, and that’s easy for me to do, but I wonder how many men Carrie has loved as a friend?’
‘Well, I hope she loves me as a friend.’
‘I’ve no doubt she does, but I’ve got more personal with her than anyone else.’
‘I’ve no idea anymore, but then I’m tired.’
Alex walked into his room and turned the light on and saw Carrie in his bed, He turned the light off and changed in the dark. He climbed in next to her as she turned, put her arm over him and rested her head on his chest. Alex put his arm around her.
Carrie held his hand. ‘I’m sorry.’
Alex was more than happy about that. ‘What for?’
‘For being a bitch to you.’
‘You never have to be sorry to me.’
‘Then I hope you don’t mind me being here, as I didn’t want to be alone tonight.’
‘I’ll never mind you being here,’ said Alex, but Carrie had fallen asleep.
~~~~
The only ones left in the hall were six white witches and a wizard. The wolves were asleep.
Adair glanced at his sisters. ‘Would anyone like to tell me about this blockage my nephew had?’
‘It was a fear enchantment,’ said Luella. ‘It had been there for a while and was growing.’
Daralis put a hand to her mouth to cover a yawn. ‘It was also blocking his dreams.’
Luella nodded. ‘Eventually it would have sent him insane.’
‘Would that be enough for him to kill himself?’ Aileen asked.
Luella nodded again. ‘Yes, of course.’
Aileen smiled. ‘My vision has changed, and Alex looks happy.’
‘Thank you,’ said Luella, as she leant with elbows on her knees and wept.
Aileen put an arm around her. ‘Mother, I didn’t mean to make you cry.’
‘You made me happy, more than you can imagine.’
‘I never meant to make you sad in the first place.’
‘Your visions are important,’ said Daralis. ‘I know it was hard for you to tell us about that one, but you had to. It’s never your fault what you see.’
‘I know but why do they have to be so horrible.’
Morven turned to her sister. ‘So we can change them, as we have done before.’
‘House, where is Carrie?’ Luella asked.
In bed, said House.
‘Is she in her own bed?’
No, she is with Alex.
‘See, Aileen,’ said Luella, ‘we don’t need to get involved.’
‘But they only hold each other.’
‘Stop looking,’ said Morven.
‘I’ve not looked thank you very much, I just feel the emotions and I know.’
Adair stood. ‘Well, now this is all sorted I’m going to bed.’
‘Are we boring you, dear brother?’ said Daralis.
‘No, but as I was swinging my staff around for twelve hours, I’m a little tired.’
Morven smiled. ‘I could mix you up something for it, a nice little tonic would sort you out.’
Adair raised an eyebrow. ‘I’ll be fine, as I’ve seen what you put in your cauldron.’
‘That’s a horrible thing to say, and maybe I do use a big pot to cook in but I do feed many.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Adair, and smiled at her. ‘I should’ve said . . . it’s what you don’t put in your pot when you’re feeding so many vegetarians.’
‘I could always put something special in for you,’ said Morven, smiling back.
Aileen shook her head and sighed. ‘Get a room.’
CHAPTER FOUR
Together at Last
Alex didn’t sleep but did enjoy holding Carrie. When the sun came up he saw the heart crystal and smiled. He picked it up and stared at it before climbing out of bed carefully so he didn’t disturb her. The only reason he did get up was because of the children, as they would want something to eat. He dressed and looked up. ‘How are our weary warriors?’
They are fine, said House, but will be stiff and a little sore when they wake up.
‘Let me know when their injuries have healed enough so I can help them,’ said Alex, and went downstairs where the children were with Blaze.
‘I’m going to cook breakfast, do you want anything?’ she asked.
Alex picked up Talitha, who held her arms out to him. ‘Why would you want to do that?
‘Because the children are hungry, and as everyone else was up half the night, I decided to do it.’
‘You were up half the night, too,’ said Alex.
‘I’ll be fine.’
Alex glanced up. ‘House, is there anywhere we can go for breakfast?’
There are a few taverns in the Ice Mountains, and one in four trees that are open on the Elf World, but the canteen is open at the Order.
Alex smiled. ‘Well, dear lady, and children, would you like to join me at the castle?’
‘That’s a much better idea.’
‘Can we play there for a bit, too?’ Thomas asked.
Alex nodded. ‘I can’t see why not as most here will be asleep for hours yet.’
They arrived and were met by Ron who was on his way to the canteen, where Leif, Sarah, Rilien and Friday were already having breakfast. After many greetings, they all sat down.
Leif pushed his blonde hair away from his eyes. ‘Is
this a social call?’
‘Yeah,’ said Alex, ‘I thought it would be nice for the children.’
Blaze raised an eyebrow. ‘Not to mention that no one is up at the mansion to make breakfast.’
Alex gave a coy smile. ‘It’s true and Blaze was going to cook, but I thought this would be a much nicer idea.’
‘Most fortunate for us,’ said Ron, as a young man approached their table, and they ordered breakfast.
‘Why fortunate?’
‘I’m sure you want to tell us all about last night.’
‘I would love to, but I was asleep through most of it. I can tell you what I do know and of what the others told me,’ said Alex, and told them. He only got halfway as Blaze nudged him, and he saw the shocked looks on the children’s faces.
Adhara’s eyes grew big. ‘Where are our friends?’
‘I’m sorry I forgot you didn’t know, but they are fine and asleep at home,’ said Alex, as his breakfast was passed to them, and he finished telling them what happened.
‘They fought nonstop for twelve hours?’ said Rilien. ‘I bet Lord Thalion can’t wait to tell the dwarves all about it.’
‘I can imagine, and we’ll have King Laxan wanting us to open it again so he can have a go.’
Leif picked up a drink. ‘They were looking for the portal when it happened?’
‘Yes,’ said Blaze, ‘some of them were worried in case more than one of those vampires came out of it.’
‘That would be worrying,’ said Sarah.
Alex picked up his drink. ‘It doesn’t matter how many . . . I’ll take care of them.’
Blaze gave him a stern look. ‘After the last one?’
‘You can stop worrying . . . I have a much simpler method.’
Ron dabbed his mouth with a napkin. ‘I’d be more worried about what else is in there.’
Alex nodded. ‘I doubt we’d find anything pleasant.’
‘Are you staying long?’ Sarah asked.
‘Yeah, the children want to play here for a while.’
‘Will it be OK for me and Friday to take them?’
Alex turned to the children who had finished eating and sat smiling. ‘I think they would like that.’
‘And what would you two like to do?’ Leif asked.
Blaze pushed her plate away. ‘I would like to see the battlements as I’ve only seen it through the crystal ball.’
‘This way, my lady,’ said Leif, and led them to the lift. ‘Korzak’s been a bit of a surprise.’
‘Yeah,’ said Alex, ‘he was a great help last night.’
Leif waited for them to step inside the lift and pressed the top button. ‘He’s been a great help here, and in smoothing over relations with the other goblins.’
‘Have you been over there often?’ Alex asked.
The lift stopped and Leif stepped out as the doors opened. ‘A few times, we built an observatory when they showed us where the portal was, so we could hide it.’
Blaze walked to the edge of the battlements. ‘Is that what I can see near the bottom of the mountain?’
‘Yes, we have units over there which makes the goblins happy as the ogres and trolls don’t like our weapons.’
They stayed until midday and had lunch. The children ran into the canteen wearing black vests over their clothes.
Adhara had a big smile. ‘They have a new game here.’
Tia sat opposite. ‘We’ve been laser fighting.’
‘And we won too,’ said Alhena.
Sarah carried Talitha over to their table. ‘I hope you don’t mind that we had the vests made for them.’
Alex shook his head. ‘Of course not, they look great and are very happy, so thank you.’
‘It was our pleasure.’
‘What’s this laser fighting game all about?’
‘It’s meant as a cheaper target practice, but everyone loves playing it and there are rules and point scoring.’
Blaze raised a brow at the pregnant woman. ‘You’ve not been playing it have you?’
‘No, father banned me, but they have another game where I get to shoot at moving targets.’
‘Sounds fun,’ said Alex, ‘I’ll have to come back and play it.’
‘They would love to test their skills against you and the others from the mansion, and any of the others who want to try their luck.’
~~~~
The party room was full with everyone having a late breakfast, and those from the patrol were trying to eat the Monster. It wasn’t their appetites which made it a struggle, but they found it difficult to lift anything.
‘I didn’t think Alex needed watching anymore,’ said Michelle.
Carrie sat back rubbing her eyes. ‘He didn’t, I just wanted someone to hold me, and I didn’t want to be alone.’
‘I can relate to that,’ said Paige.
Michelle glanced along the table at them. ‘Was it that bad?’
Carrie nodded. ‘The climate was horrible, and I was so bloody thirsty.’
‘They just kept coming at us,’ said Paige. ‘No sooner we defeated one lot, others attacked.’
‘I really thought it was the end for us,’ said Carrie, ‘I don’t think I could have lifted my sword again.’
‘Then the cavalry arrived,’ said Claire.
Carrie smiled. ‘Admit it, you was pleased to see Alex?’
‘Ha-ha, I nearly wet myself when I saw his spear.’
Michelle grinned. ‘I thought Paige and Cas were the only ones who have seen it.’
Claire shook her head. ‘You disgust me at times, woman.’
Carrie thought it best not to dwell on what ifs. ‘I have not.’
‘Where is he anyway?’ James asked.
‘He had already gone when I woke up, and I haven’t seen the children either.’
Alex took them and Blaze to the castle, said House.
James looked up. ‘Don’t you mean you took them?’
Well yes, but I meant it was his idea.
‘What for?’ said Carrie.
So they could have breakfast as no one was cooking here.
Claire laughed. ‘No way, the cheeky sod.’
‘I wouldn’t have the nerve,’ said Michelle.
‘Is there much difference to us doing it on the Elf World?’ Paige asked as the children ran in to check on their friends.
‘Wow, you look smart,’ said James.
Sarin showed off her vest. ‘Sarah and Friday made them for us so we could go laser fighting.’
‘That sounds fun,’ said Asima.
Shaula beamed. ‘Yes, they gave us guns, and we won too.’
Carrie pulled her on to her lap. ‘I thought you didn’t like shooting people.’
‘You’re not really . . . it’s just like shining a torch at them.’
~~~~
Alex checked on the wolves who were up and about, but in no mood to go anywhere fast. ‘Are you OK, my friends?’
We ache all over, said Rho, and have a horrible taste we can’t get rid of.
Luella walked over to them. ‘I’ll make you a drink, which will also get rid of anything you might have picked up.’
Alex saw Skye at the top of the stairs, holding the bannister very gingerly, and ran up to help her. ‘I’m happy to see you up and about, but it looks like you should have stayed in bed a little longer,’ he said, and helped her down.
‘I would have, but I’m starving,’ said Sky.
‘You’re allowed to eat in bed, and I would’ve brought it up for you.’
‘And miss out on all the gossip,’ said Skye, as they entered the party room, and Alex was almost pushed away as the others ran over to help her into a seat.
‘I thought you were staying in bed longer,’ said Summer, as she put down a breakfast in front of her.
‘I’ll be going back soon as I’ve eaten,’ said Skye.
Let me know when, and I will take you up, said House.
Claire stared at Alex. ‘I hope you’re not here to eat, o
ld man, we know where you’ve had your breakfast.’
‘And lunch, too,’ said Alex, as he sat next to Carrie. ‘I’m only here to see who’s coming for a run tonight.’
‘If I had the energy you’d be wearing my breakfast,’ said Claire, who struggled to hold her cutlery.
‘Let me help you,’ said Alex, as he took her fork with half a sausage on. Claire wanted to eat it but just broke down laughing.
They are ready, said House.
Alex’s eyes started to glow and the golden aura covered him which soon dispersed around the mansion. Those from the patrol shivered.
Paige shook her head. ‘You could have warned us.’
‘Check your amulets off Joseph,’ said Alex, most of them did, and they were now full again.
‘I don’t have one,’ said James, ‘but I feel a lot better.’
Carrie smiled. ‘Thank you.’
‘I feel a lot better too,’ said Claire, ‘but I still ache.’
Alex gave a wry smile. ‘I can’t do anything about that, unless you want a full body massage.’
Claire rubbed her eyes. ‘Thank you for your kind offer, but I must decline it.’
‘Do we have to rely on you for our energy?’ Paige asked.
‘No,’ said Alex, ‘yours would be back up to normal in a day or two. You may have noticed I have the sense to sleep when it happens to me, I always wake up with too much and you deserve it.’
‘You could have done it earlier,’ said Claire. ‘I’m not being ungrateful, but it took me ages to get out the bath.’
‘I couldn’t do anything until house finished healing all your wounds.’
‘What about the others who came with us?’ James asked.
They are fine, said House. They have their own healing properties, and the Elf World helps, too.
‘Then this lot and the wolves can go over there,’ said Alex, ‘and they can spend the rest of the day sunbathing.’
‘What about me?’ said Summer.
‘I’m going to try this laser thing out at the castle later, and you’re coming with me.’
James frowned. ‘That’s just too sneaky.’
Alex nodded. ‘Yeah, I know.’
‘You not gonna invite me?’ said Carrie.
The Final Destiny: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Three - Fantasy Page 6