Call of the Waters (Elemental Realms Book 2)

by H. L. Burke

  “Remember what I said about moments?” He rested his forehead against hers. “What if this is ours? What if we miss it?”

  “Then it wasn’t meant to be.” She forced her voice steady. “My parents were once separated for five years, and they found their way back to each other. If love is meant to be, it will be. If you … if you walk away and don’t come back, I’ll never forget you, but I’ll accept it.”

  “You really know how to gut a man, don’t you?” His hold about her tightened. “Your family doesn’t need you.”

  “And you do?” She laughed.

  “No. I want you, though. I really, really want you.”

  “Maybe … but at least for now, I need them.”

  His lips pressed against hers. She relished his warmth, his breath, the teasing pull of his aspect.

  He withdrew. “Well, I wouldn’t be much of a gentleman if I didn’t at least walk you home.”

  “You mean back to camp?” She tilted her head.

  “No, home-home.” He winked.

  “That’s a long walk.”

  “You’re worth the effort.” His eyes twinkled, and for a moment her resolve weakened.

  Then she kissed his cheek. “I would like that.”

  ***

  Pet sat up in bed. Crickets chirped in the distance, merging with the gentle whistle of Soot’s snores.

  Voices. Burbling voices.

  Had it been a dream?

  She slid out of bed. Willa had opened the windows to let in the cool air, and a square of moonlight lit the room. The cold prickled her arms.

  Something is different.

  Focusing on the chill against her skin, she strode into the yard. Her skin looked silvery in the moonlight. Something pulled at her chest, a curiosity, an urge to stretch her powers.

  I want to open a portal. I can’t remember the last time I wanted to this much. Maybe I should wait until morning … or at least wake them up.

  The wind rustled through the trees, and in the quiet it sounded like the rush of water.

  No, it won’t work, and they’ll be disappointed. I’ll be disappointed.

  She took a step back towards the house, then stopped.

  Well, if it doesn’t work, it won’t hurt anything.

  She closed her eyes and drew a circle with her mind. It spiraled inward. She swayed on her feet and sighed contentedly. A cool light trickled under her eyelids, and she opened them with a gasp.

  Before her swirled a perfect pool of blue light, nearly as wide across as Pet was tall. Her jaw dropped.

  Oh no, it has to be a fire portal. I must’ve made a fire portal by mistake.

  The sound of water babbled through it, and the portal bulged in the center. A transparent creature, glowing blue, broke through the portal’s surface as if bursting a bubble and stared at Pet with limpid eyes.

  “Willa!” Pet shrieked.

  Soot came bounding out of the house, followed a moment later by a groggy-looking Willa and a frazzled Freda. The two women gaped.

  The creature, not much larger than Pet herself, turned in a full circle. It laughed and clapped its hands. Water misted about it.

  “You freed us! This must be the Convergence, and you must be humans! I’ve heard of you creatures, but I never hoped to see one! This is fantastic!” The Elemental had a fluty voice, childlike almost. It made Pet want to dance with it. “I must tell the others!”

  The creature leapt into the air, then splashed through the portal as if it had been a pool.

  Pet imagined the portal closing, and it blinked out.

  “Pet …” Willa whispered. “How ... ?”

  “Something’s different.” Pet smiled. “I can’t wait to show Quill.”

  ***

  Brode stood back as Trea and Quill busied about the campfire together. They’d lingered longer than Karvir had wanted to, and the sun was high.

  “We won’t be able to get far today,” Eanan pointed out.

  “Willa is probably tearing her hair out. Do you really want to keep her waiting any longer than we have to?” Karvir leveled a glowing-eyed stare at Eanan, who shrugged and shouldered his pack.

  Trea started to kick out the fire, but Quill stopped her.

  “Let me.” Quill waved her hand over the coals, and water welled up from the earth, dousing the embers.

  Trea rolled her eyes. “Show off.”

  Soon everyone was ready to go. Eanan, Gabrin, Quill, and Trea started down the path. Karvir took a step to follow, but Brode reached out and grabbed his arm. “May I …” His voice caught in his throat, and he had to clear it. “May I speak with you, sir?”

  Karvir turned to face him, his red eyes flickering.

  Sweat broke out on the back of Brode’s neck. “I have something I need to ask you …”

  “You have my blessing.”

  Brode blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “This is about Trea, right? I’m not blind. I saw your hand on her back, far too low. I almost said something, but I figured this was coming and decided to wait it out.” Karvir crossed his arms.

  Brode’s face warmed, then he smiled. “I thought this would be a lot harder.”

  Karvir gripped Brode’s shoulder. “I know you. I trust you, and Trea likes you, a lot—loves, I suppose. The whole family knew this day was coming, though for a while I thought it was Quill you were interested in. I’m glad you made the right call. Jealousy can tear a family apart.” He dropped his gaze and sighed.

  The other members of their group were already disappearing into the trees. Brode caught one last look at Trea, her dark hair bouncing against her slender neck, and memories overwhelmed him: the smell of her skin, how soft her lips felt against his, the warmth and weight of her in his arms ... that was all going to be his, forever.

  “You’ll need to talk to Willa about this,” Karvir said.

  “I’m pretty sure Willa already knows.” Brode laughed.

  “Of course. She’s probably already planned your wedding and named your babies.”

  Babies … A cold wave swept through Brode’s bliss. Could he really do this? Was he really ready? He swallowed. “I’m … I’m worried I won’t be … how do you know if you can handle being a father?”

  “You can’t. It kind of sneaks up on you before you have too much time to think about it, though. I’m not going to lie. It’s hard. You start out a kid, you find a girl, and at first it’s fun, then next thing you know, you’ve got a baby, and that changes everything. I don’t think you can ever be ready. Still, you two won’t be alone, and I know you’ll do your best.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “You better.” Karvir’s gaze narrowed. “Up until this point, Brode, you’ve been a kid. A good kid, a great kid, even, but still a kid. However, you get into bed with my daughter, and you better be a man. You better be there for her when she needs you and for any kids you have.”

  “I will, sir.” Brode nodded. “Only death will stop me, I swear.”

  “Good. Now let’s catch up with the others before Eanan takes off on some new hornet chase.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Willa! Willa! They’re back!”

  At Pet’s call, Willa dropped the wooden platter she was washing into the rinse bucket and ran outside.

  Brode and Trea stood in the yard.

  “Hey, kid!” Brode grinned at his little sister.

  Soot and Pet bounded to them, nearly knocking the pair over. Brode hoisted his sister onto his hip, and Trea bent down and embraced the old dog. Freda ran from the garden as Gabrin emerged from the woods.

  Willa stared into the trees, torn between relief at seeing Trea again and worry for all the faces she had yet to see.

  A faint scent of smoke tickled her nose, and her muscles relaxed. Karvir floated through the trees, and at his side, thank the Creator, walked Quill.

  Willa barely felt her feet crossing the earth. Her arms wrapped around her daughter. “Oh baby, you’re safe.” She glanced up. “Trea, get over here!
You need to be a part of this hug.”

  Emotions rose off her family like a chorus of birdsong.

  “I’m so sorry, Mom.” Quill’s voice cracked. “I didn’t mean to worry you, but I had to find the Evermirror. Can you forgive me?”

  “I already have.” Willa raised her apron and dabbed first at Quill’s tears, then her own. She ruffled Trea’s hair. “Besides, I bet this one already gave you an earful for running off without her.”

  Trea laughed. “Not as much as Ishould have.”

  “She was surprisingly merciful.” Quill smiled.

  Willa gazed at her younger daughter’s eyes. There was something different about her aspect, a confident calm she hadn’t sensed in her in a long while. “Something happened.” Willa tilted her head then caught sight of Brode smiling at them. She glanced from Brode to Trea. “Oh … well, about time.”

  Brode flushed, smiling sheepishly.

  “About time what?” Pet’s brow furrowed.

  “I’ll tell you in a bit.” Brode set her on the ground. “I don’t want to steal Quill’s big welcome home.”

  “Quill wasn’t the only one I missed, you fool boy. Come get in the hug!” Willa beckoned to him. She looked over Quill’s shoulder. Karvir’s eyes flickered. “And you?”

  “I want you all to myself when I take my turn.” He chuckled.

  She untangled herself from the three young folk and opened her arms. Karvir embraced her, almost in a full fade.

  She savored his familiar aspect. “You brought them home.”

  “Of course.” He kissed her forehead. “You’ll never know how good you feel.”

  “I have an idea.” Closing her eyes, she focused on the pleasure rolling off him, and every muscle in her body melted.

  “Good to have you back, kid.” Freda stepped closer to Quill. “You owe me a week’s worth of doing your chores … and Brode’s chores … and Karvir’s chores …”

  “So Willa and Pet did absolutely no work while we were gone?” Karvir laughed.

  “And my father?” Willa asked.

  Gabrin pointed towards the woods. “He’s back a bit. I think he's trying to muster up the courage to face you.”

  Willa exhaled. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Eanan, but with her family safe, she couldn’t be angry. “I’ll speak with him. Brode, we can slaughter one of the young goats for tonight. I think this merits a feast.”

  She pushed into the trees. “Father?”

  He stepped from the shadows, his eyes downcast. “Quill chose to come with me,” he mumbled.

  She nodded. “You didn’t have to run off in the middle of the night, though. We were so worried, Dad. I … I’m glad she’s all right, and you as well. I really thought Karvir might kill you when he caught up with you.”

  “We had a chance to work out our differences. I don’t think we’ll ever be fond of each other, but at least we have an understanding now … and that girl of yours, Willa.” He looked up, and his eyes sparkled, the wrinkles around them deepening. “She’s a fantastic young woman, kind, brave, and fantastic. You did an incredible job raising her.”

  “Not alone.” Willa smiled.

  “Yes, well, as much as I hate to admit it, I see where that husband of yours left his mark as well. I’m … sorry if I caused you any pain.”

  She sucked in her bottom lip. It wasn’t much of an apology, but it was a start. “I forgive you. Now, come. We’re going to celebrate tonight. I want to hear all about your journey, and that will take a world-class storyteller.”

  Eanan grinned. “Oh, I have tales you won’t believe.”

  She moved to embrace him, but drew back. Bitterness still ate at the edges of her happiness. “Let’s go join the others.”

  That evening after the meal, the family sat around the firepit, swapping tales. Only Gabrin hung back a bit, perhaps uncomfortable, perhaps respectfully giving them space for their reunion.

  Trea sat at Brode’s side, fidgeting at first, but settling in as the evening progressed. She draped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  Freda looked up from turning the spit. “When are you two going to make it official?”

  Brode reddened and rubbed his hand up and down Trea’s side. “Soonish. I kind of want to build our own cabin first.”

  Pet’s bottom lip stuck out.

  “You can come with us, if you want, Pet,” Trea said.

  “Yeah, I’m assuming we’re bringing Soot along, so we’ll have two pets.” Brode laughed, and Pet stuck her tongue at him.

  “I can help you with that,” Karvir said. “Assuming you don’t need a big place and we all lend a hand, we can easily have it up in a couple of weeks … though I’ll miss having Trea around the cabin.”

  “It’s not like I’ll be far.” Trea chuckled. “We’ll see each other every day.”

  “It’ll be different, but different isn’t necessarily bad.” Willa spread out a cloth on their outdoor table. “Pet, would you get the bread out of the oven for me?”

  Pet scurried off. Willa slipped over to where Karvir leaned against the cabin’s doorframe and sat cross-legged at his feet. His fingers caressed the top of her head.

  “Will we have a wedding?” Quill sat up, her eyes sparkling. “I’ve never been to a real wedding.”

  Brode shrugged. “I suppose there should be, but I don’t know exactly what a wedding consists of.”

  Trea’s brow furrowed. “What about your father and stepmother? Did they have a ceremony?”

  “My dad traded our mule for Valia. If that’s what you have in mind, Karvir and I can make arrangements.” Brode chuckled.

  Trea shoved him.

  “What about you and Dad?” Quill asked.

  Willa dropped her eyes. “We really didn’t … do anything elaborate. It was a difficult time, during the war.”

  Eanan stood. “I’ve been to a few weddings. Sea Folk traditions are, of course, slightly different from Wood or Valley Folk traditions, but the ceremonies are similar. Here. I’ll show you.” He crossed the yard to where Willa and Karvir rested.

  Eanan took Willa’s hand and pulled her to her feet next to Karvir. The couple exchanged a glance.

  “The family of the bride arranges for the community to come and witness the binding.” Eanan turned back to the gathered family. “There’s usually a feast, and once everyone has eaten and given their gifts and well wishes, the groom stands before the party and …” He guided Willa’s hand to Karvir’s. “The father of the bride leads her to the groom. He brings them together, signifying his approval, that in the presence of those gathered, he finds the man worthy of his greatest treasure.”

  Willa stared at her father. He gave her a sad smile and clasped his hands around hers and Karvir’s. Karvir flickered in and out of a fade.

  “What the Creator binds must not be broken. Do you cleave to her?” Eanan raised his eyebrows.

  Karvir leaned closer to Willa. “I do.”

  Eanan focused on his daughter. “And you to him?”

  “Unwaveringly.” Her voice squeaked.

  “Be bound.” Eanan stepped back. “Usually at this point there would be applause, rousing cheers, and at my wedding, inappropriate shouts from a drunk uncle eager for me to consummate things.”

  Willa’s head felt fuzzy. Karvir’s forehead pressed into hers, and their fingers entwined. He lingered mid-fade. Their essences mingled, the warmth of his core like the sun on her skin.

  Someone clapped. A moment later, all present cheered and applauded. Karvir pulled her into the privacy of their cabin.

  “This is silly,” she stammered as they stood, cloaked in darkness. “That crazy old man giving his approval doesn’t make us any more married.”

  “No, it doesn’t.” He rubbed his lips into the side of her face.

  “It’s ridiculous.” Her throat constricted. “It’s foolish to get sentimental about it.”

  “No, that’s where you’re wrong.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Willa, he took something
from you twenty years ago, and he just gave it back. Let yourself be sentimental. That was for you.”

  They melted into each other, serenaded by the sound of their family laughing outside.

  ***

  Quill emerged from the cabin into the weak morning light. Gabrin had his gear laid out on their banquet table. She placed a cloth-wrapped packet beside his belongings.

  “Flatbread, dried fruit, and cured venison. Not a feast, but it will keep you from starving.”

  He shot her a smile. “Thanks.”

  “It’s mostly from my mother. She also wanted me to extend an invitation.” She touched his arm. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”

  He started to slip his things into his pack. “Yes, she mentioned that last night. Does she know about us?”

  “She suspects. I think everyone does, but Mom lets me reveal things in my own time. You hung back last night. Is my family really that bad?”

  “No, they seem great.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t want to get comfortable.” His mouth quirked down. “Leaving you is enough of a test of my resolve.”

  “Eanan’s staying.” She pointed out.

  “Eanan misses Sarra. He told me on our way back he plans to try and bring her to Forra.” He placed the food packet into his satchel and did up the straps. “He thinks knowing your mother is here will make her reconsider.”

  Quill mulled over the possibility of meeting her grandmother. That would be a lot of empathics for one household. “So where are you going? Searching for the air gate?”

  “I need more information before looking for that.” He donned his pack and shifted his shoulders until it fell right. “I only have a vague idea that it’s in the south, and none of the Water Elementals could give me more direction. Seems the various Elementals gave each other a wide berth, even in the peaceful days. No, I have a different goal in mind. One of the men we crossed from the islands with claimed he was a royal guard in the early days of the invasion. He told me that the last king of Forra, when he knew the valley would fall, built an underground structure and stashed away his greatest treasures: gold, artwork, but most of all books. Can you imagine, Quill? A cavern full of books? More books than you could read in a lifetime? The stories? The secrets?” His eyes sparkled. Excitement vibrated from his aspect through her skin.