“I think he made a mistake there. Your souls are different. I can feel it. You’re a lot more…gentle than she was,” he said. “I know you think we are angry at you for Aramis putting the mark on you, but we are more confused as to how it happened. Could you tell me?”
“We were in Budapest and I went to find Aramis. He was meditating in the gardens and he made flowers and grass bloom. I was in a bad way and I think he thought it would cheer me up. My magic has always acted oddly around him. It’s like it has to touch him and it comes out of me and wraps around him. It happened that day in the garden. It wove around his chest and then I felt his power mingle with mine and come back inside of me.” Anya tried hard to think of the words to describe it. It still brought shivers to her spine.
“It felt like it was stroking me on the inside, filling up all the dark spots with light. Then something happened, like an explosion. Yvan and the other magically inclined felt it. I’m sure Vasilli would have as well. Silvian and Aramis argued later on in front of me. Silvian claimed that Aramis had changed me and then he realised he had put the elvianth on me.”
“Does your magic react like that to anyone else? How does it feel around Søren?” Anya felt her neck begin to burn a little.
“It wants to touch him but it’s different. It acts like it is infatuated with Aramis and it’s a little afraid of Søren. I don’t know why. He said something about it’s because he has a darker magic like mine where Aramis’s is a light magic.”
“That explains it in its most basic of forms. Your magic isn’t all dark like Søren’s. It has both,” Ruthann offered his hand to her. “May I touch you?”
“I blew a man half way across a room once before so I’m sorry if that happens,” she said uncertainly.
“It won’t,” he assured her. Anya placed her hand in his. No electric shock. Ruthann ran his thumb along the top of her hand. Instantly, her magic flared and Anya felt the intense amount of power Ruthann had. It was deep and very, very old.
“This interview would be over very quickly if you allowed me into your mind,” he said gently. His eyes had her locked to her seat. “I will be very discreet but I also need your permission.” Anya’s heart was hammering in her chest as she nodded. Ruthann shut his eyes and Anya felt a wave of power envelop her. Tears trickled down her cheeks as it moved through the pores of her skin and down into her innermost being. It was only moments before Ruthann’s eyes opened and he smiled. It was warm and soft.
“Anyanka,” he whispered, “you are nothing like your ancestor.”
“That’s what I keep trying to tell everyone,” she answered. He kissed her hand and let it go.
“Thank you for letting me do that. I only looked at a few things to do with your magic. I didn’t touch on your personal life,” he reassured her.
“I would have known if you had tried. Thank you for your discretion.” Anya drank some more of the rauđr drykkr and felt the tremble inside of her finally relax.
“There is so much that we could teach you. There are things about our culture that we can show you now that you’re an Álfr friend.”
“Aramis hasn’t really told me about what it is. I know it’s a brand of some kind but what does it mean?” Once again, Ruthann looked surprised.
“Aramis should have told you everything he could about it. Basically, you’re a touch Álfr now. Aramis has given you some of his…essence, if you will. You’ll be able to feel magic in other beings and nature around you. You will not know sickness and your physical attributes will alter. Your hair and skin will be healthier, your eyes brighter, your reflexes faster. You will have access to our culture and have the opportunity to learn from our knowledge. You will have sanctuary with us whenever you need it.”
“Vasilli will always find me,” she interrupted. “I would hate to bring him to your door.” Ruthann laughed loudly.
“We are beyond the Illumination and Darkness. Vasilli’s power is a dark fly compared to what some of us here can wield. If he tried to search for you here, he would go round in circles for all eternity and never, ever find us. This is the only place you could ever be truly safe from harm, even with your immortality.” Anya choked on the piece of bread that she had been eating.
“Excuse me, my what?”
“Aramis didn’t tell you that either?” Ruthann frowned. “What is going through that boy’s head? It’s a part of the mark. You took a piece of his immortality. Why do you think we were so concerned? Immortals are few and far between and the last thing this world needs is another corrupt immortal. We needed to know the shape of your soul.”
“So if you didn’t like what you found, you would have killed me?”
“If the threat was that extreme then perhaps we would have considered it. We would have tried to avoid that of course.”
“I did pass, didn’t I?” she said nervously.
“Yes, you did. There is no evil intent within you. There will be a council and an initiation of sorts tonight.”
“I think I would like that in writing to show Aramis. He thinks I’m some wayward child that needs to be kept on a short leash.”
“Let me tell you something about Aramis. He will always protect that which he loves. It is a great blessing to have, but he has misplaced his love many times and he carries the pain of that. He would do anything not to lose you. That is why he is so over protective.”
“He doesn’t ever talk about Yanka.”
“He wouldn’t, one day I think he will. You deserve it. I don’t know why he hasn’t already. Perhaps he doesn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable because you’re so much like her.”
“It wouldn’t make much of a difference. He loved her and I’m nothing like her. If anything, he is keeping his eye on me out of some weird obligation to her.” It hurt to say it but that was how she felt most of the time.
“Anya, you have a lot to learn about Aramis’ heart. It’s not out of obligation to Yanka and the twisted relationship they had. If he didn’t truly like you, he would keep very far away from you because you look so much like her. What they had wasn’t healthy. It almost killed him.”
Anya suddenly and desperately wanted to tell Ruthann about what they were going to do in the next few weeks. The way Aramis was acting made no sense. If he was hurting so badly, from what Yanka had done to him, why risk it all to get her back?
Anya spent the rest of the day walking and talking with Ruthann. He answered all of her questions and she did the same. He took her on a slow tour of the extensive gardens, introducing her to the different Álfr that they came across. They were polite and not withdrawn like she had expected.
As the day progressed, she began to feel a lightness of spirit for the first time in the longest of times. She told Ruthann of her adventures of the past year. She spoke of Yvan and the firebird and how she missed being near them. Very soon she was describing them all, even Mychal who she didn’t know much about.
Ruthann listened thoughtfully and explained different things about her magic, about how it would now change and about the things that they could teach her. He even showed her how to cast a magical field around herself to prevent an attack. He taught her the responses that she would have to say in the ceremony that night. The promises she would have to make.
Anya hadn’t seen Aramis all day and she wondered if he really was that angry with her. Ruthann escorted her back to her rooms as the sun was setting and she thanked him for such a nice day. He kissed her hand and said that someone would come to collect her for the evening. She was smiling to herself when she walked into her room and found Aramis sitting on a day bed.
“I have been waiting for you to turn up,” he said calmly.
“I was with Ruthann all day. I have to get ready for the council ceremony tonight so if you want an argument it will have to wait until after,” she said as she dropped her shoes by the door.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Anya. How did your interview go?”
“I had a very pleasant day wi
th him. I think that one day I would be inclined to come back here.”
“It would be good for you. This place can help to heal you,” he said softly. “You carry too much and your burden is lighter here.”
“That is a very accurate way to describe it,” she said as she sat down on the arm of his chair.
“I didn’t know how they were going to react. I’m glad Ruthann wasn’t angry with you. I would hate for you to be more frightened of us.” He took her hand and she let him.
“Will you be at dinner tonight?” she asked. His fingers were very warm as they wrapped around hers.
“Yes, I will be there to make sure things do not get out of hand. I see they have already delivered you a dress to wear.” He nodded over the where her bed was and Anya spotted the deep red fabric.
“In that case, you better go so I can try to make myself beautiful.” She got to her feet and reclaimed her hand.
“You already are beautiful, Anyanka. I will come by later to get you.”
The dress that she had been given came to her ankles and was made of a silky fabric she didn’t know the name of. Fine gold and silver ribbons wrapped around the top of the sleeves and the low sweeping neckline was embroidered in delicate patterns. She pinned half of her hair up and left the rest flowing down her back. She was carefully applying her lip-gloss when there was a knock at the door.
“I didn’t expect you…at all,” she said as she opened the door. Søren was on the other side with a sarcastic smile on his face.
“Well, good evening to you too.”
“I thought Aramis was meant to be escorting me tonight.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but Aramis is busy elsewhere,” he said smoothly. He looked her up and down causing her to blush the same colour as the dress. “You look appropriate.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled as she shut the door behind her. “I can’t compete with the Álfr, but I thought I would try to look good for a human at least.”
“I almost forgot,” he said as he reached into his pocket, “I was asked to give you this to wear.” He held up an intricate necklace of finely woven silver with a deep red jewel hanging from it.
“It’s beautiful but I don’t think I should,” Anya said. “I would hate to lose it.”
“They made it for you, Elenya.” Søren gestured for her to turn around. “It’s yours to lose if you wish.” She turned and lifted her hair. Søren draped it around her neck, his long fingers brushing the warm skin on her shoulders. They moved down her back.
“What is this scar from?” he asked and Anya quickly dropped her hair.
“A horse bit me,” she said. He brushed his fingers through her hair as moved his hand from her back.
“You must have annoyed it,” he said and offered her his arm. She hesitated before finally taking it.
“I didn’t actually. I rescued him from an abusive owner and he was half-mad. His name was Konstantin. Vasilli killed him.”
“Why?”
“Because he is evil, I suppose. He locked the barn and burnt them all alive.” Anya still dreamt of that night and had her regrets that she couldn’t save them. If Yvan hadn’t stopped her, she would have been dead as well.
“That was an evil thing to do,” Søren said coldly. “Vasilli is someone I would truly enjoy killing.”
“I tried and failed. I hope you have better luck if you get the chance.”
“Killing him would not bother you?” Søren asked as they continued to walk.
“Not in the slightest,” she answered honestly. “I would kill him for what he has done to Yvan alone.”
“You protect those you love,” he nodded in approval. “That is good. You’ll watch out for my stupid, reckless brother.”
“Aramis can take care of himself.”
“Not where you’re concerned. Like Yanka, he is blinded by you. Not in the same way, but still you have blinded him, Elenya.”
“Why do you keep calling me that?” she asked trying to change the subject.
“I like it better than Anya and a lot better than Anyanka,” Søren said. “It’s the closest name we have to yours.”
“I like it,” she smiled up at him. He smiled back, a proper smile, and Anya saw deep down, he might not be as big of a jerk as he made out. His smile faded as something caught his eye.
“Now we are in trouble,” he whispered and Anya saw Aramis striding towards them.
“Good evening, Anya. I thought I was meant to be escorting you this evening,” he said coolly.
“Søren said that he was sent in your place,” Anya looked up at the dark Álfr, who looked deceptively innocent.
“I was charged with delivering her necklace,” he said smoothly. “I thought it would save you the effort if I took her to the council and gave you more time to brush your hair.”
“Honestly, you two have to cut this stupid rivalry out,” Anya groaned. “I refuse to be a pawn in your ridiculous games.”
“I agree with Anya, brother. It’s time you relax a little. She is an official Álfr friend now so I could do nothing to harm her.” Aramis looked like he was physically holding himself back from attacking Søren. He held himself together and exhaled slowly.
“It’s good that we are leaving tomorrow,” Aramis said through his teeth. “Then we will have nothing to fight over.”
“Aren’t we meant to be going to dinner?” Anya asked as she moved between them, “Come on, I’m starving.” Aramis relented and took her other arm. Dinner was being held in a large tented pavilion. Long low tables spanned the length of it with large pillows to sit on.
“Good evening, Elenya,” Ruthann greeted. “I see you have found two helpers to escort you.”
“Aren’t I lucky?” she said, only a touch sarcastic. They seated Anya in between Søren and Aramis. Conversation rose and fell around them before instruments were brought out and played. Anya was introduced to so many Álfr that she quickly lost track of their names.
All were eager to renew their acquaintance with Aramis. He soon lightened up and spoke rapidly in their intricate language.
“It is a beautiful tongue,” Anya commented to Søren as he refilled her goblet with wine. “I will have to learn it.”
“I would be honoured if you chose me to teach you all about the Álfr tongue,” he said seriously. Anya burst out laughing. It surprised her how open and carefree it sounded. Very soon, she began to think how lovely it would be to stay forever. The world and all of its problems be damned. It was nearing midnight when she realised they were rising from the tables and heading out into the black night.
“What’s going on?” Anya asked a woman with hair like copper. She laughed and took Anya’s hand. She looked around desperately for Søren or Aramis, but couldn’t spot either of them. They were running now, the copper woman holding her hand tightly as they made their way through the forest. There were things moving beside them, Anya could only see the flicker of a tail or the flash of colour. Anya looked at the woman beside her and watched the green fabric of her dress melt and change into autumn leaves.
“What’s happening?” Anya asked, a flicker of fear running through her. The woman said something high and bright and kept moving.
There were lights burning in the distance, a flickering of flames sparking through the trees. The woman at her side dropped her hand and disappeared towards it. There were drums beating and the sound of voices. Anya could taste her pulse in her mouth as the trees cleared and she entered a large open glade. She had drunk too much summer wine and she stumbled as she walked into the sudden light.
Torches were lit in the surrounding trees and a large fire burned hot in the centre of the circle of trees. As her eyes adjusted, Anya could see all the faces of the Álfr and other creatures watching her. She spotted Aramis standing grimly next to Søren. Both had been stripped to the waist. Their hair was out and wild, with leaves, feathers and ribbon woven into their braids. Their identical tattoos twisted around their torsos and disappeared under their trousers
. Both wore a sword strapped to their back. Anya stared at them all in confusion until she realised what had happened. The Álfr, the fae, the creatures that lived in the forest around them were stripped of all the glamours that made them look human.
In the shadows, Anya saw a faun talking to the copper haired woman. The male Álfr had all stripped down and the women had grown more beautiful and feral clad in furs and leaves. A silence rolled around them as a man stepped into the ring. He was seven foot tall with dark oak coloured hair that clustered and curled around stag antlers before falling down his back to his hips. He wore nothing except a kilt of black fur around his hips. He moved to a large tree that started to arch itself over, its branches writhing and twisting until they formed a throne of foliage. The stag man sat down and the drumming stopped.
Anya crumpled the corner of her dress in fear, as he turned his liquid black eyes onto her.
“Who is this trembling girl child you bring before me?” he boomed. Ruthann stepped forward and knelt down on one knee.
“Lord of the Forest, this girl has been granted the elvianth and has come for your blessing.”
“Let the girl child come forward.”
Anya moved cautiously into the ring of light and knelt beside Ruthann. He had told her nothing of this in their day together.
“Look at me, girl child.” Anya slowly raised her head to look him in the face. There was a smell emanating from him; like pine and rain, sweat and the musky scent of animal and sex. He looked Anya over slowly, his expression changeless as he studied her as if she was an insect.
“You have the Spring in your eyes, but you are surrounded by Winter. This girl child is trapped between the changes. A child of Winter with the promise of Spring, if one knew how to ignite it.” Something in his eyes and demeanour changed and Anya felt hot power ooze from him like liquid. It moved up from the ground, wrapping around her calves, over her thighs and hips. A small sound escaped from her as heat flooded her stomach and chest, the tendrils of power searching and stroking.
Ashes of the Firebird (The Firebird Fairytales Book 2) Page 35