“Do you think my man was caught?”
“I would gather so, and probably killed.”
Dain kicked the table leg. “Damn it. I should have sent armed escort with him.”
“That wouldn’t have helped, Dain, and you know it. Going by himself was the safest way for him to travel without being noticed.”
“A lot of good it did him.”
“It’s not your fault. Obviously Fallon’s men knew what to look for and already had reports that she was here. The message only confirmed what they probably already knew.”
“You’re probably right, but I can’t keep making decisions if I don’t have confirmation on his plans and movements. I don’t like making guesses.”
Alek tried to belay Dain’s anger and put focus on his own annoyance regarding Melenthia. “Kevaan will be weary enough. I don’t need him to be angry as well.”
Dain sighed now, getting back to the previous topic. “There will be no cause for it, Alek. I promise you from the depths of my soul that I did nothing that I, or she, will regret. I’m in love with her, and she knows it.” He said it with no hint of sarcasm or jest.
Alekzand’r stared at his friend, seeing him in a completely different way. “You’re in love? With Melenthia?”
“Which part is more difficult for you to grasp? The fact that I’m capable of actually being in love? Or the fact that it’s Melenthia that I’m in love with?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I don’t find it hard to believe that anyone could be in love with Melenthia. She’s a fiery, beautiful, endearing woman. I just never thought I’d ever hear you say it, at least not and mean it.”
“I’m finding it unsettling myself, but I woke up this morning a different man. I didn’t just have the revelation last night, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve had these feelings for awhile now. I just only now decided that I couldn’t deny them anymore to her, or myself. I’m ready to be the king my father, and you, have wanted me to be, and I will be an even better one with her at my side.”
Alek was stunned, and his face showed it. Dain looked up from his glass of wine and smiled at his friend and counselor. “Please, Alek, give me something. Tell me you’re at least happy for me.”
Alek pulled out of his silence. “I am, my dear friend, I am. I’m happy that you have finally found the one person to snap you out of the catatonic state you were in.” He reached over and grasped Dain’s shoulder.
“That’s more like it.” He sighed again, a small crease evident on his forehead. “Now we’d better inform Melenthia that she will finally see her brother, and we better prepare her for perhaps distressing news.”
“I’ll tell the stable staff to prepare a stall and tell the guard to have Kevaan escorted straight to us.”
“Yes, and I would have Emerick inform Sol and the elf to join us as well when he arrives.”
He stood and nodded to his king, heading toward the door.
“Alek.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I’m prepared to stand behind Melenthia in this fight. She won’t go into this alone. I’m prepared to die if I have to. Can you understand that?”
“Yes, Sire, because I’m prepared as well. This is a fight for all of us. Melenthia is only the light to lead us. I promised Kevaan that I would keep her safe, or die trying, and I will not go back on my word. As always, you have my loyalty, and so does she.”
Dain nodded. There were no more words needed. Alek left him alone in the hall as he took the time to soak in everything that he knew and prepare himself for things that he didn’t. He ate a quick bite and went upstairs to rouse his love.
CHAPTER 28
Melenthia awoke to a sunbeam hitting her face from the open curtains. She blinked a couple of times in the bright light, then stretched and sat up in bed. The blankets slid down to her waist and she stretched again, yawning.
She thought she would feel tired this morning, weary, but instead she felt refreshed and ready to face the day. She almost wondered if everything that had happened the night before had only been in her dreams. She felt it hard to grasp the reality that not only had she fallen in love, and he was in love with her, but that it was the king who stole her heart. She blinked again a couple of times. It had been real, right?
She suddenly felt as if she were not alone and looked toward the chair near the fireplace, just to the right of the bed. Dain was sitting there watching her, a small smile on his face, his pale blue eyes translucent in the bright morning sunlight. She had not been dreaming. She really had given herself over to a man, and he loved her. She smiled back and did nothing to cover herself up.
“What? Are you still trying to figure out what to do with me?” she finally asked when he said nothing and made no moves towards her.
He laughed heartily. “No. I think we’re way past that now, don’t you?”
She smiled. “Then what?”
“I was just watching you. You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to disturb you just yet.”
“Would you like me to go back to sleep?”
He laughed again, “No, that’s not necessary.” He stood from the chair and came over to her, sitting beside her on the bed. He reached over and brushed back her hair, the red curls awry after a night of passion and deep sleep. She cradled his hand in the crook of her neck.
“I was going to wake you in a few more minutes if you didn’t wake up yourself. I know I kept you up most of the night and you must be tired, but you should probably get up now. There are things to attend to.”
“Do you want to come back to bed?” she asked him, her lids closing halfway in a sensuous way.
His loins came awake again, but he tamped them down and took a deep breath to calm his once again racing heart. “As much as that is an extremely temping offer, you really do need to get up. There will be time again later.”
“I didn’t sleep as long as I should have, but I actually don’t feel as tired as I thought I would. I feel somewhat renewed.”
He smiled at her. “Me too. You have given me a surge of new energy and hopefulness. I feel like a new man.”
He leaned over and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her naked form, caressing her. The passion ignited again, but he knew he must get her up and ready for Kevaan’s arrival. There would be plenty more nights of passion he could look forward to. He pulled back and touched her cheek. “We’re going to have a guest arriving today. I think you should probably get up and get some breakfast.”
She wrinkled up her nose. “More guests? The last two were disappointing to say the least.”
“Yes, I know. But I assure you, this one will be much more pleasant.”
“Who is it?” she asked trying to get him to reveal the secret. She leaned into him and rubbed her form against him. “Please tell me.”
He laughed. “Uh, uh. It’s a surprise. Come on, get up.” He reached over and flung the covers off of her completely. He took a moment to take in all of her, stamping it into his mind.
She humphed but crawled out of bed and walked passed him toward the bath. He watched her pass, the heat growing intense. It was new to him. There were lots of women that caused him to heat up with passion, but none so strongly. There was something about her, something that made it more difficult for him to control his inner fire. She was extraordinarily beautiful, with her golden red curls and emerald green eyes and the curves that any man could not resist, but his heart beat differently for her. He could no longer see anyone else in his arms, and giving his life to her in battle and otherwise, just felt right. He had spent his entire life as a player, strumming the heart strings of the women he pursued for nothing but sport. He was stunned at his sudden turnaround and the fact that his resolve was solid. There would never again be another; he knew that now completely.
She batted her eyes at him, and he laughed out loud. “Get moving, woman,” he said as she slinked into his wash room. “And wear something nice.”
“Okay, okay, stop nagging,” she
answered playfully from the other side of the door.
He smiled again, then left her alone to wash and dress.
***
About an hour later, before Melenthia appeared in the hall, a page led Kevaan into the room. He bowed to his king. “His Highness, Kevaan Reese Breslin, Prince of Aaralyn.”
Kevaan entered the room, and Dain and Alek stood. The page bowed again and left the room. Alek went to his friend first and shook his hand, then placed it on his shoulder and squeezed.
“It’s good to see you, Kevaan.”
“And you as well my friend. However, I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Aye.” Alek turned to Dain and introduced his friend and liege. “Kevaan, this is King Dainard Llewelyn Grayson, High Ruler of Azlyn.”
“Please, no formalities. Things are going to get very complicated in our kingdom soon, and I need friends and allies. Call me Dain as my friends do.
Kevaan stuck out his hand for Dain to shake. “Then it’s Kevaan to you, Dain. You and I will be friends from this point on for what you have done in protecting my sister. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you agreed to keep her safe under your roof for so long. I will always be in your debt. I hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all, Your Highness. It was my pleasure, I assure you.”
Alekzand’r shot him a look of warning. Dain just smiled back at him.“Please, come sit. Tell us what’s happening.”
They adjourned to the table. Dain motioned to a servant to bring some wine and small refreshments. The servant hurried away and the three of them sat and got comfortable.
“I’m afraid that I come with bad news from the north. Fallon’s army grows larger and is making its way across the border. My spies have counted over a thousand.”
“A thousand? I didn’t think he could convince so many so fast.”
“The control he has on the fees that come in from the river passage are filling his coffers fast. And what he doesn’t obtain from wealth he obtains with fear. Giants don’t require much, and he has beings in his ranks that aren’t human and don’t require anything in the way of material wealth. Normally money would not be enough for the nobles to change loyalty, but fear and money together does. He’s buying his way across the north.”
“I, too, have news for you, but I’m afraid it’s too late in coming. I sent you a dispatch three weeks ago, but obviously you didn’t receive it, or you may not have come here. He has bribed the Port Authority in Seabrook into allowing ships of his choosing into the harbor, no questions asked. I believe he’s planning on running to Boones Ferry in order to get closer to you without coming across land. Coming in by boat will keep him hidden longer. From there he can move easily into the Triple Cities and then into Kingswell.”
“I see. It seems coming here may have been in error, but no matter. It was important that I do. In speaking of Fallon, his power is growing stronger, and we’ll be forced to go to war soon. I’m afraid my army is too small for forces such as that.”
“We have enlisted the help of the dwarves, and the elves are prepared to join as well. We will need to enlist the help from the nomads in Isamar if we want an army big enough to at least compare. It won’t be easy to convince them, but I fear we have no choice now. We must send representatives to them to speak on our behalf.” He shook his head. “I thought we would have more time than this.”
“I as well.” Kevaan was quiet for a moment and looked at them both, crease forming across his forehead. “There is something else. The reason I have come.”
“What is it?”
“My father is dead.”
Both Alekzand’r and Dain stared at him in shock.
“What? How? When?”
“Three weeks ago, in his sleep. The physician says it was from natural causes, old age, but I believe that to be false. The pressure he was getting from the wraith was starting to take its toll on him, mind and body. There were nights I found him wandering around muttering incoherently to himself, eyes glazed over, skin pale as a ghost. Fallon has been out in the field, striking fear into everyone with his power and his army from hell. He left his counselor there with my father, to keep control on him. It was obviously more than he could take. I’m King of Aaralyn now. I can’t stay away long, especially after the news you have just relayed. My Captain of the Guard is holding down the castle. I only came here myself to break the news to my sister. She should not hear it from anyone else.”
“Please accept my sincerest apologies, Your Majesty. Anything I can do you just ask. We are in this together, and it seems our timetable has been moved up. Fallon’s next move, I assume, will be to try and usurp you from your throne. It will require armies from both sides and the enlistment of the people in the west as well if we plan on standing against him,” Dain said, concern darkening his face now.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Where is Melenthia? I need to see her.”
“She should be down in a few minutes. She’ll be most happy to see you.”
“Until we speak. Once again I have to burden her with painful news.”
“She also has things to tell you. I will set up a conference with our other guests as soon as the two of you have had a chance to talk. I’m afraid what we have to say is not any less grave.”
He nodded his head in acknowledgement, then turned when he heard a voice from behind him. “Kevaan!”
Melenthia came running into the room, lavender dress sweeping the floor as she moved, the corset showing off her ample curves. The satin of her skirts caught the muted light from the candles and made the material shimmer, and small dainty pearls lined the sleeves. Her hair was pulled up away from her face, but a few stubborn curls got away, framing it. She was smiling as she ran into her brothers arms when he stood to greet her. She squealed from delight as he caught her, lifting her off the floor, squeezing her tight. He was suddenly choked up with emotion from seeing her. His shoulders shook a little, and, when he put her down, Dain could see dampness on his cheek. He felt as if he was intruding on something personal and felt sad for them. Kevaan held her back a bit to look her over and smiled at her.
“My God, Melenthia, you look stunning. What’s happened while I was away? I didn’t know you could look so ravishing.”
She smiled and laughed, her voice light and full of happiness. “Don’t tease. Had I known it was you, I would’ve presented myself as you’re accustomed.”
“No, no, this is much better.” He glanced at Dain for a moment, eyes slightly teasing. “What did you have to do to get her to succumb to ladylike graces, Sire? I have tried for years and couldn’t manage it. You must tell me your secret.”
She glanced over at Dain, peeking at him from under long red lashes. “Perhaps he’s just more persuasive than you,” she said.
Alek caught the glance between the two and cleared his throat. Dain looked away. It was not his place to give anything away. It was Melenthia’s privilege to tell her brother what he needed to hear.
Kevaan, not getting the exchange, just laughed. “Indeed.”
“Why are you here, Kevaan?”
“I bring news from home,” he said, his voice suddenly serious.
“What news?”
He looked down at her, a frown making lines at the corners of his mouth. “Perhaps we should go somewhere more private.”
He looked over his shoulder at Dain; the king nodded. “You may use my audience chamber if you wish. It’s comfortable, and no one will disturb you.”
“Thank you.”
Melenthia looked at Dain again, this time her mouth turned down. They were hiding something from her. “What are you both hiding from me?”
She said it to Dain, and he shook his head. “It’s for your brother to talk to you about, not I. When you’re ready, join myself and Alek in the conference room with the others. We will have much to discuss.”
He tried to smile at her, to reassure her that it would all be alright, but he failed.
H
er concern turned darker. “What’s going on? Has something happened to father?”
“Come, Melenthia, let’s speak alone.” Kevaan took her hand in his; Dain leading them out of the hall and into his audience chamber. He nodded to her when she glanced his way, but closed the door behind them.
When they were alone, she looked up at her brother, noticing the dark circles under his eyes for the first time. “You look terrible, Kevaan. Please, what has happened? Is it father?”
“Yes.” He grabbed her hand and took her to sit beside him on a velvet chaise. He swallowed and began slowly. “Fallon is growing more powerful, Melenthia. After your escape, he became angrier and more determined to have you. He has begun a campaign to rule all of the land, taking out anyone who stands against him. For fear of death, most have joined him, but he wants a throne and will do anything to have it. And he doesn’t want a throne to rule one realm; he wants one to rule them all. He has already begun making his way through Aaralyn, and I fear that Dain will feel the threat in his realm soon enough. Being king, I can only do so much. I need Dain’s help and any others who wish to pledge their alligence.”
She didn’t answer him for a long moment, the words “being king” finally sinking in. She paled and looked up at her brother, fear and pain in her eyes. “Father? Is he.. dead?”
He swallowed again, not able to commit himself to saying the words to her out loud.
“Kevaan, tell me, what has happened?”
He began slowly. “The wraith, Fallon’s counselor, he… he stayed behind to keep control on father. I tried my best to keep his attention away from the being, but the wraith was too strong. He killed father, Melenthia. Father is dead.”
She started shaking her head, not wanting to believe him, but knowing just the same that what he said was true. She began to cry, her hands shaking, her voice rattled. “No… father. It can’t be true.”
“I’m sorry, Melenthia, that once again I have to bear you with such grave news, but it’s true. Father is dead, I’m now the only ruler Aaralyn has.”
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