The Veils of Valoria

by Kirsty F McKay

  Finn’s stomach tightened. “Did they succeed?”

  “The Selensia is intact, but Elios is exhausted, your mother is attending to him. Nothing remains of Eloria. Drey killed them all, before Gregor’s men could get to them.”

  “You need to stop him.” Finn could sense her pain.

  “He’s coming for me.”

  “And taking countless lives in the process,” Finn said.

  “What would you have me do?” she snapped. “If I leave now Elios will be alone, and the Selensia will fall. Everyone will die.”

  “Surely there’s a way to stop this?”

  “The girl. She is our only hope at fulfilling the prophecy and putting an end to this.”

  Finn ran a hand through his hair. “But we can’t sacrifice innocent people while waiting for the prophecy to fulfil.”

  Mercadia sighed. “Gregor is sending as many men as he can to the other villages, and escorting them to the sanctuary of the Castle. Elios and I must work to strengthen the Selensia.”

  “Rowan is with me now. Tell me what you need us to do? Will you be sending the coordinates for the portal?”

  “Not just yet, she is to be guided by another. Rowan will need to fulfil the requirements of the prophecy before you both can return to our world. You need to await their orders and do what they request.”

  “Who?”

  “I cannot tell you. I need to be very careful what I say.”

  “Then how do we get in touch with this other person?”

  “The girl already has.”

  Finn frowned. “She hasn’t said anything to me.”

  “She may not be aware yet. This isn’t something you or I can control. We are in the hands of the prophecy.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I must go, Elios is calling me. I will be in contact with you soon.”

  Mercadia released her connection, leaving Finn in a torrent of pain, anger and confusion.

  The bathroom lock released and he glanced in Rowan’s direction. She paused in the doorway. “What is it?”

  Finn shook his head and swallowed the huge lump in his throat.

  Rowan hurried towards him and knelt, her eyes searching his face. “What’s happened? You’re shaking.”

  “My world, people are dying, and there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop it,” he replied gruffly.

  Rowan drew him into her arms and held him tightly for a few moments. “Talk to me,” she whispered.

  Finn released himself from her embrace and lifted her chin to give a brief kiss. “You’re tired. I don’t want to burden you with all this now.”

  “If it’s hurting you, then you must. I can’t sleep knowing that you’re in pain. Talking about it will help and they say a problem shared is a problem halved. I am a good listener.”

  She moved to the opposite bed and waited for him to begin.

  Finn chuckled. “Do you mind if I undress first?”

  “I thought we were going to talk?”

  “We are, although I wouldn’t mind doing it in comfort.”

  Rowan raised her hands to obscure her vision. “Go on then.”

  “You can look, I wouldn’t be at all upset.”

  “I’m not doing it for you. I am doing it for me,” she teased.

  Finn slipped his clothes off and jumped underneath the duvet. “I’m done. You’re safe now.” He wiggled his brows up and down. “Aren’t you going to ask me to do the same?”

  “These are my pyjamas. There is no need to avert your eyes.” Rowan climbed beneath the covers and turned towards him, her head propped in her hand.

  Finn smiled. “You’re amazing.”

  “No, I’m not,” she protested.

  “Yes, you are,” he argued. “Being here with you, and knowing how much you care, it eases the pain.”

  “Tell me, I want to help.”

  “There’s so much I need to say to you but I don’t even know where to begin with it all.”

  “Why don’t you start with what upset you tonight?”

  Finn nodded and explained his connection to Mercadia and the Council of Elders, the risk they had taken sending the storm through the portal to protect him. The Master’s attempts made on the Selensia and the breach that allowed his assassins into Valoria and… he paused.

  “What is it?” Rowan asked, sitting up.

  “Your face… I’ve said too much, haven’t I?”

  “No. I’m sorry, it’s just that it is an awful lot for me to understand.”

  “How can I make it easier for you?”

  “Tell me what the Selensia is. You’ve mentioned it a couple of times.”

  “The Selensia is a veil of energy that runs along the border of Valoria and prevents the Master from crossing into the realm.”

  “So, a force field of sorts that no one can pass through?”

  “That’s right.”

  “And the Council of Elders created it?”

  “Yes, but when Mercadia used her power to send the storm into your world, the other two Elders couldn’t protect it. The Master’s assassins were able to pass through it. Jarrow died defending it.”

  “He’s a Council Elder like Mercadia?”

  “Was. He is no more, thanks to me. Now the Master’s assassins have slaughtered the entire village of Eloria. They’re free to travel around the realm and…” Finn’s voice trailed off and he shook his head sadly.

  “I’m so sorry. I can’t even begin to imagine how you are feeling,” Rowan said softly.

  Finn flopped down onto his back and stared at the ceiling. “I feel helpless and guilty.”

  “Has Mercadia said that she blames you?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “And she hasn’t because she knows you’re a good man. She chose you for your strength and your kindness. There is no way she would have protected you if she didn’t feel that you were worthy.”

  “She protected me, because of you. Mercadia knew you wouldn’t come without me.”

  Rowan slumped against her pillow. “Back to this prophecy again. I don’t understand why I’m so important to the people in your world, or how they think I can save it?”

  “I wish I could explain, but I don’t fully understand everything myself.”

  “You said before we were to await instructions, who from? Mercadia?”

  “No. Mercadia spoke of another. She said that they will approach you.”

  “Did she say when?”

  Finn sighed. “No, but then I didn’t ask.”

  “Helpful,” Rowan muttered.

  “How about we wait and see what tomorrow brings?” he suggested.

  “Fine,” she huffed and reached to the bedside lamp. It gave a soft click, the room plunging into darkness.

  An awkward silence fell between them, the minutes passing by.

  Finn had almost drifted into sleep, until murmuring from outside their room nudged him awake. His eyes glanced towards the door and he waited, relaxing when the couple’s voices eventually faded.

  Rowan shuffled restlessly underneath the covers and released a loud sigh.

  Finn waited to see if she would speak first, biting back his amusement when instead she took all of her frustrations out on the pillow. After several beatings later, the cushion having seemed to relent to her demands, Rowan lay down her head and released another sigh. Finn sensed her desire for him to acknowledge that they were both still awake, but there were no words that he could offer. None that would bring any reassurance as to who it was that Mercadia spoke of, and what message they would deliver.

  When his silence continued, Rowan turned away from him, her breathing finally settling into a slow and steady rhythm.

  Finn understood that it had been a lot for her to take in, finding out about his world, the creatures that stalked her, and being asked to leave her family and all that she knew behind. Rowan had remained calm throughout, and had accepted his explanations that this was the way it must be. Had their positions been reversed, Fin
n wasn’t sure he would have taken the news quite so well.

  He smiled and compared all that he had discovered about her with the attributes of the Rowan tree itself. Finn could see their likeness, Rowan demonstrating all of the same qualities, her courage, resilience, and wisdom evident. He had witnessed her protective instinct, in the way that she had challenged him, and had sought to secure her family’s safety before her own.

  Finn knew for certain that Rowan was indeed the one the prophecy referred to, and who would help him and the Council of Elders to save their world.

  Yawning, Finn closed his eyes, pushing his thoughts aside and allowing his exhaustion to take over. Tomorrow was a new day, and one that would hopefully bring the answers they were seeking.

  Chapter Nine

  Pitlochry, Scotland

  Charles knew by Rowan’s reaction that she had not truly accepted the reality of the conversation from the previous night. Her head tilted to one side and brow furrowed as the images swirled and gathered, once more manifesting the small cottage. Ignoring the figure who waved insistently from the doorway, Rowan turned her back and instead searched the dreamscape.

  The guilt weighed heavily on Charles’s heart as she called for him to come. Nicolai’s orders, however, were clear.

  When he failed to respond, she shuffled her feet and heaved a sigh, her gaze returning to the cottage. Charles sensed her disappointment, and his cheeks burned with shame. The knowledge that Nicolai would not have asked this lightly brought him little comfort.

  Silently he willed her forward and hoped that Rowan would instinctively hear his words of encouragement, the connection they shared, giving her the courage to step into the unknown and trust her intuition.

  The figure waved again and shouted, “I haven’t got all day, dear.”

  To his relief, Rowan pulled herself tall and strode purposefully towards the cottage. “I’m sorry. I didn’t believe I would see you again,” she answered.

  Heart swollen with pride, Charles followed at a safe distance, keeping his energy masked within the dreamscape’s rays and avoiding alerting either woman to his presence.

  Rowan entered the cottage, stepping immediately into the kitchen. Charles noted the change of appearance and the introduction of two floral armchairs resting by the open fireplace. Logs blazed and crackled noisily in the hearth. The sound instantly transported him back through time.

  The memories flooded uncontrollably, despite his best efforts to push them back, reminding him of Rowan’s previous incarnation as his beloved wife, Anna. Heart aching, Charles recalled the many nights they had shared in front of an open fire, eating popcorn and laughing the hours away, until the embers glowed and he took her in his arms and made love to her. The days spent riding through the valley she had once called home. Horses tethered, they lay together on the soft blanket in Anna’s glade of enchantment and shared their hopes and dreams for the child that was growing in her womb.

  Rowan took a seat in one of the armchairs and momentarily closed her eyes. Her chest lifted as she inhaled the scent of the wood burning. A smile touched her lips, and she released a soft sigh. Charles desperately wished he could see into the memory that had stirred and share the experience. He knew that it was frowned upon by the Lightkeepers, yet his soul yearned for a single moment spent with his Anna.

  A sudden movement broke Rowan’s reverie. The little dog rose from its basket and gently curled itself around her feet.

  The older woman seated herself opposite. “A part of you still believed this to be a dream.”

  Rowan nodded slowly. Charles sensed her struggle to decipher between reality and fiction, her turmoil transmuted and becoming his own. Although he wanted to reach out and reassure her, he was duty-bound to ignore the overarching need to protect his ward. Nicolai’s directive was not to interfere, but to observe the exchange anticipated and report back the findings.

  Distracting herself, Rowan reached down to pet the little dog. A few minutes passed before she finally acknowledged the older woman’s words. “You’re right, I had thought last night was a dream, Bessie.”

  “It was, dear.”

  “Then this too is a dream?” Rowan asked.

  Charles didn’t mistake the disappointment in her tone and wondered at the connection forming between the two women.

  “Yes, and no.”

  Rowan’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

  Bessie leaned forward. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but Biscuit and I will do all we can to help you.”

  On cue, Biscuit rolled onto his back and exposed his stomach. Laughing, Rowan reached to give him a playful rub. Charles noted with fascination, the energy cord that had anchored itself between girl and dog. His interest peaked as something gleamed from within the animal’s essence, and he fought the overwhelming urge to move closer. Bessie gave a slight cough, and Biscuit spun back onto his feet, preventing Charles from examining the energy cord further. Had she known? Could she sense him watching?

  Charles studied the older woman carefully, but she made no other signs that she was aware of his presence. His attention shifted back to Rowan.

  “He likes you, dear.” Bessie’s eyes crinkled in the corner.

  “He’s cute,” Rowan replied.

  The little dog instantly sprang to his feet. Bessie gave another cough. “I’m not quite sure he likes the word, ‘cute’, dear.”

  Rowan’s eyes glanced to Biscuit, who sat on his haunches and stared. “Sorry, Biscuit, I didn’t mean to offend you.” She extended her hand without hesitation.

  The little dog gave it a lick before returning to his basket. Charles caught the glint of green in the animal’s eye before Biscuit curled back into a ball and buried his head beneath fur.

  Rowan turned her gaze to Bessie. “Am I forgiven?”

  The older woman chuckled. “Yes, dear.”

  Charles sensed Rowan’s genuine relief and reflected on the bond that had developed so quickly. Biscuit continued to snooze, oblivious to the other presence in the room.

  “Why don’t you tell me about him?”

  Charles immediately snapped his attention to the conversation. Bessie visibly relaxed in her chair, and reached for one of the two teacups that appeared on the stone hearth. She gestured to Rowan to take the other before sipping at the steaming liquid.

  “You mean Finn?” Rowan asked, reaching for the drink.

  Charles, equally surprised by the question, considered the extent of the older woman’s abilities. How indeed had she known? Had she sensed the boy’s arrival too?

  Bessie smiled and nodded. Charles could not be sure whether her reply was in response to Rowan’s or his unspoken question.

  “I thought I had dreamt him too, yet how is it possible? For me to be in love with a man who really shouldn’t exist, and yet he does… I just don’t understand.”

  “The heart always knows the truth, dear.”

  Rowan considered for a moment. “If that’s true, then I believe I have the answer to my earlier question.”

  “Which is?”

  “You and Biscuit are real.”

  Pulling a tissue from her pocket, Bessie quickly dabbed at her eyes. “I am so pleased that Biscuit and I have both found a way into your heart. I hope you know that we do echo your feelings. We’ve waited a long time for you.”

  Of that, Charles could be confident. There was no hint of a lie in the woman’s words.

  Rowan frowned. “I know you’re real, but I still don’t understand how any of this is possible.”

  Bessie remained quiet.

  Rowan glanced towards the little dog and shrugged. “Perhaps I need to accept that somehow it is.”

  Charles smiled. Rowan’s intuition was now guiding her.

  Bessie returned the small cup to the hearth. “Good, then I would say that we are making progress. Now tell me about him, what’s he like?”

  “Finn, you mean? Well, he’s different from other men I have known. He’s strong, funny, charmi
ng and yet intense at the same time. The way he looks at me, how he makes me feel, I almost stop breathing.”

  Bessie gave a loud sigh. “Yes, I too have known that feeling. Amazing, isn’t it, to know that one person can have such an effect.”

  Charles sensed the undercurrent of loss and regret in her words. He knew Rowan had picked up on this too.

  “What happened?” she probed gently.

  A dark shadow crossed the older woman’s face, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Perhaps another time,” she responded. Tears formed in her eyes, and she turned her head from Rowan’s gaze.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stir up such painful memories for you.”

  The older woman took a few moments to compose herself. “You didn’t, dear. Not many people find a love like that in their lifetime, and so I count myself fortunate that I did, regardless of how it ended.”

  Charles sensed Rowan itched to know more. In truth, he was curious too, yet he knew she wouldn’t push Bessie and risk causing further pain. Pride in his ward swelled when Rowan deliberately changed the subject. “Finn said that others were looking for me?”

  “I’m afraid he’s right. Listen to him, you must remain safe.”

  “Why is it so important?”

  Bessie shook her head. “I cannot answer that.”

  “But you know, don’t you?”

  “I won’t lie to you, dear. But my hands are tied, as are yours.”

  “Why are they? What is stopping you from saying what you really mean?”

  “My dear, I do not govern fate, or the order of what is and what must be. I cannot give you all the answers. To grow and to learn you must discover them for yourself.”

  “What is it you expect me to do?”

  The older woman picked up a small silver bell from the floor and rang it gently. Had it been there all along or had she suddenly manifested it, and to what purpose? Charles didn’t have long to wait. He stared open-mouthed at the brown hare that bounded into the kitchen, a small piece of yellow parchment tied to its green necktie. Rowan’s mouth fell agape too while Bessie quickly released the paper.