He loathed the father, but loved his son…
Aigle heard his thoughts and wished he could turn back time and change it all, but time, the past, was against him.
‘I’ll make him leave. After the party, when he has told us what he knows. I’ll make sure he departs straight after,’ his son said with feeling.
Felix nodded, picking up a broom he started to sweep the floor.
‘I wonder what he has got to say though, what plan he has come up with now! Aigle…,’ and he turned round to face him, his chin leaning on the end of the broom. ‘If you could read his mind, you would be able to find out his intentions. Please, I fear…if he can’t have your Mum, he will try the next best thing; Valera.’
Aigle’s eyes grew wider.
‘Would you be able to find out for me?’ Felix pleaded.
‘Of course!’
Then Aigle remembered the conversation he and Shazar had had about keeping the species stay pure through incest.
Valera isn’t fully comyenti, he wouldn’t be interested in her. Aigle thought, biting his inner cheek. Not now she and Twello are in love. However Mum wasn’t a full comyenti either and she was married. Valera is even more human. Would he…? No.
‘Twello is besotted with her, Shazar wouldn’t,’ he said out loud, not wanting to tell his father what Shazar had shared with him. ‘But… you’re right,’ Valera might be in danger,
‘I will read his mind to find out more.’ Aigle said as he ran a hand through his hair and stared at Felix. ‘I’ve not asked Mum, but do you think we have to tell Shazar about the shapeshifters?’
Felix shook his head. ‘It’s in the past and the sooner he leaves the better.’
‘But he has a right to know. These lizard people knew how to Mindmerge like us! The one in the dwarf’s body tried to when Sula was unconscious! I have racked my mind to come up with an explanation for it, but I can’t. Perhaps Shazar might know…’
‘I know that lizard man was trying to merge with your mum to gain all her powers, that much is clear. But he also tried to kill her with my hammer. He must have guessed she was comyenti by somehow having spotted her and spying on her all that time. The Shield kept them out. And you were just as much in danger. But who and what and they were remains a mystery to us, even to Sula.’
‘They weren’t human, Dad. Not even from this world. We can’t deny that they might know more about our heritage, even if they were clearly evil. Besides, there could be more of them out there and Shazar needs to know.’
‘He needs to know what?’ Sula stepped in the barn, followed closely by the twins who ran straight to their father. He picked them both up, one in each arm, laughing and spinning them round. They were laughing hysterically. He only stopped because he was getting dizzy. They laughed at that and all fell to the floor.
‘Again?’ Almaz asked joyfully and Felix got up and spun them round again before throwing them in a pile of fresh hay, which flew everywhere. Jolaz pushed his father onto the hay to start a play fight. Aigle smiled at that, remembering and missing his own childhood days, when his father like that; carefree.
In the end both twins were on top of Felix.
‘We won!’
‘Oh, is it ‘we’ now?’ And Felix started tickling them and they both went weak and giggled.
‘Ha, I found your weak spot! Surrender!’
Sula laughed heartily and ruffled the twin’s hair when they got up and tried to pull Sula in the hay with them as well. She chuckled and picked at some hay stuck in the twins’ hair.
‘What does Shazar need to know, Aigle?’ Sula remembered asking.
Aigle looked at his father for help.
Felix got up and kissed her. ‘Nothing, dear.’
‘Don’t take me for a fool!’ She narrowed her eyes teasingly, and involuntarily they started to change colour and specks of yellow and orange appeared, when she tapped her husband on the chest; leaving her hand on his heart. It started to beat faster under her touch. He was glowing with sweat and she felt her own heart and butterflies fluttering in her stomach. After all these years there was still an undeniable passion between them.
Felix succumbed. ‘Alright, we were talking about the lizard people,’ he whispered, as he didn’t want for the twins to hear it. They had been having nightmares about them ever since the attack.
‘Oh,’ she said subdued and nodded. ‘Yes, I will have to tell him. He needs to know.’ She glanced at the cleared stable. ‘Well, I’ve brought some tablecloths, and it would be great if you could sweep up the hay, kids. Your father needs to get washed and dressed.’
‘I thought it was an informal private party!’ Felix objected.
‘You still need to wash after your hard work of today!’ She made a face glancing at his armpits, sniffing theatrically, pushing him in the direction to the door.
He smiled at her and nodded defeated. They had both been a little uptight and tired these last few days since Shazar’s arrival. Every night Felix had made love to her passionately as if he wanted to make sure to strengthen their bond by doing this. At first Sula suspected it was about possession and she refused him but soon, when reading his mind, she understood it was his deep love for her that he needed to materialise with the deepest union he knew of.
‘I have been thinking,’ he said still holding her, glancing at Aigle who was helping the twins now, out of earshot. ‘perhaps we should get away together.’
She stared at him in question. ‘Get away?’
‘Yeah, you know, just you and me. It’s been such a long time since it was just the two of us.’
‘Oh, you mean like a vacation?’
He nodded and cocked his head. ‘More like an early anniversary. We could go where ever you want and spend time together for as long as you like. Valera could take care of the youngest and Mum and Dad could help out.’
In the coming winter they would have known one another twenty five years; a special anniversary they wanted to celebrate properly. Felix had been thinking about what to do for her for months and came up with the perfect plan: he was going to make a huge ice sculpture for her by the river and the bridge where they had first met. Then, he would invite Grobo the giant as guest of honour, to carry a picnic basket in the shape of a barn, filled with good food and wine. Of course Grobo would join them, he had to be there because he had made this all possible in the first place. Without him, she might have left after just one day.
Felix had sent word in the summer for Grobo, who was supposed to live in the far east these days in a cave, but Felix had heard nothing back so far. He told Sula of his concerns and she had gone and visited him there, in the mountains and vast plains, far removed from people. He lived off hares, pine cones and even reindeer. She was horrified to learn that he killed, but he explained he had to; there was not much choice for a giant with a big appetite, which was true enough. He killed a couple of hares and one reindeer once every moon and made it last. There were plenty of hares and a large flock of reindeer as most of their natural predators such as wolves, were long gone. They were driven away and killed by hunters, so the number of animals had expanded, and the nomads were long gone for fear of the giants. Grobo lived side by side with foxes and birds of prey and had restored the natural balance as best as he could. The flocks were healthy, so Sula had to accept the situation, though she would rather have seen the wolves back. Still, Grobo was part of the cycle of life and life was good for the giant, even if he was the last one. His family members had disappeared from the face of Bhan.
Felix glanced at Sula who had told him about Grobo’s welfare but managed to keep it a secret from Sula that Grobo was almost certainly coming, but Felix needed to know for sure. He reminded himself to ask Aigle to go and deliver the invitation for him.
Sula looked up from Jolaz, who was playing with one of the cats, and looked deeply into her husband’s eyes. She was visibly touched by his suggestion.
‘That is so sweet of you to offer!’
‘You need
it, I need it. It will do us both good.’
‘Yes, you’re right. But winter is coming and-’
‘Ah, I have thought about that. We could go to the coral islands in the far south. You could fly us to where it is spring at this time of year and quite pleasant!’
‘Oh, I see, I have to fly us.’ And she made a funny face, but Felix took it seriously and responded, ‘Well, I am sorry I can’t fly you, like Shazar doubtlessly can.’
‘Oh, honey. I was just joking. Of course I will fly us, but are we ready to leave the farm?’
‘Mostly, we could leave in a fortnight. We could dive and swim with the dolphins and you can show me all those amazing fish.’
She sighed picturing it, melting at the thought.
‘But what about Aigle?’
‘What about me?’ he overheard and smiled at his parents.
‘After the work is done on the farm I’m going north to hibernate.’
‘What???’ both Sula and Felix exclaimed.
‘Yeah, you know; to see if I can do it. To meditate and go without food and drink for months. Shazar said-’
‘Now wait a minute!’ both Felix and Sula protested in unison and they glanced sideways at each other. They were so in sync with one another, if this was because of the Heartmerge or years of being together, Sula didn’t know for sure. That they were a formidable team was certain.
Aigle felt small all of the sudden.
‘It was just a thought!’
‘Good, as long as it remains a thought! I’m not going anywhere if you’re going to get yourself killed!’ Sula exclaimed.
‘Mum, you need that holiday!’
‘Then promise me!’
‘That’s not fair!’
‘The Comyenti Oath or I’m staying and so will you.’
By the looks of her she meant it.
His shoulders sank under that look. He was surprised she still had so much power over him, but it was in a good, protecting way and he wasn’t angered by it, indeed it warmed his heart. He nodded and crossed both hands in front of his chest.
‘I promise, I swear I won’t go in hibernation...this year.’
Sula opened her mouth at that.
The air was heavy all of a sudden and they could hear their own heartbeats.
Mum, you can’t make me promise to never do it. Had I not added “this year”, I might never have been able to hibernate, without risking losing my traits. You can’t be that mean!
Sula relaxed at that, nodded and let go of her breath.
‘Alright, some relaxing would do me good, and spending time with just my husband, with no children around would be bliss.’
‘Good, I’m looking forward to it too.’ Felix smiled and then looked at his son and sent him a quick message by thought when Sula looked away, Thanks, son. I do however have a favour to ask of you. You will have to travel north after all. I need you to find Grobo during our absence and deliver a letter to him from me. He will be our guest of honour on our wedding anniversary coming winter.
Aigle smiled a broad smile and nodded.
‘I’m not invited?’ he asked out loud and Sula stared at her son questioningly. Felix laughed stupidly, ‘Well-’
‘Just joking, Dad.’ And he grabbed his father’s shoulder, squeezing it, nodding at his request to let him know he had heard his request.
‘You two go and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.’
‘We’ll be back before the day of our anniversary, right?’ Sula asked Felix, having picked up the thought of their day, nothing else.
‘For sure, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here for our big day! I’ve arranged a surprise for you and don’t go digging in my mind for it! I forbid it!’
He laughed and she nodded, feeling warmed all over by it. But she couldn’t shake off the thought: Did he plan this holiday to get me away from his rival? Is that why he’s offering me this break?
She touched his face ever so gently, but left his mind untouched and kissed him softly on his welcoming mouth.
Chapter 25 The Party
The evening sky was painted yellow with brown, dramatic clouds and a flock of geese could be heard overhead. Sula looked up with longing in her heart as she was walking through the meadows. There was a slight breeze bringing the smell of decaying leaves and wood-burning fires with it. It brought back memories of travelling days, sleeping on the moss and leaves, building small fires for comfort, although her mother had always warned her against doing this. Sula had been stubborn, and at times had risked herself, but it had all been worth it.
Most villagers would be indoors now, by the fire, as the days grew shorter and nights longer.
A small group of people had gathered on the field outside the farmhouse. Felix was already there with the youngest children. Seeing all those she loved gathered, grounded her again, and chased away the memories of travel. Felix was playing a lute and Almaz and Jolaz played a small drum and a whistle. It was a shame Fay wasn’t here as she could play the flute so well. Sula had given her the magical flute on her fifteenth birthday when she had first shown interest in it. It was the flute that Sula had been given by Marin, the little girl she had rescued from the grasp of a sea-witch; the flute having been her prison. It still resonated with magic, but not everyone could play it as well as her daughter. Sula hoped it would give Fay strength, protection and enjoyment on her journeys.
Presently Valera joined her mother. They were both carrying the baskets of food effortlessly. Behind them came Shazar and Twello with their share of blackberries and mushrooms from the woods. Valera started to pour drinks for the two newcomers; a lovely apple cider from last year, whilst Sula was unpacking the food baskets.
‘Mum, will you sing tonight?’ Almaz asked cheerfully.
Suddenly as she felt all eyes on her, she went shy and smiled, shrugging her shoulders. She placed the food on a low table and started to spread things out.
‘Please?’ Almaz asked again.
‘You will only fall asleep, dear.’ Sula smiled at her daughter as she arranged the cushions. She sat down next to Felix who still played, and Almaz followed her so she opened her arms, smiling whilst cuddling her.
Twello was seated on the other side next to Jolaz. The young boy was helping him by handing him the logs with keen eyes. Twello nodded at Sula.
‘We haven’t been properly introduced yet,’ he started and offered her his hand. ‘I am Twello.’
Sula shook his hand and smiled briefly. ‘Nice to meet you, Twello,’ and after a short pause she added, ‘I am sorry about your mother.’
He looked down, knotting his brows, remembering two mothers; both lost now, swallowing hard. Once more he was an orphan, especially now that things between him and his father were yet unresolved…He tried not to think about it anymore now that he had found Valera. She would be his new family.
‘Thank you.’
‘It’s never easy losing the people you love, especially a mother. I hope you will find comfort among us.’
He gazed at her, contemplating her, seeing Valera in her features, still looking so young that she could easily be mistaken for an older sister.
Such a sweet lady, ‘I’m sure I will, my thanks.’
Sula now glimpsed at Valera who had been talking to Shazar, who was still standing a few feet away, sipping his cider without interest. Valera was now playing with Jolaz, some hands game. They both laughed. She looked very pretty tonight in a forest green dress which matched her eyes, she was glowing.
‘Yes, I’ve heard you met my daughter.’
‘Perhaps now is not the right time but,’ and he shuffled closer to her, nervously. ‘I’m serious about her. I…I’d like to ask for her hand with your permission. I realise it’s soon and we haven’t known each other long, but it feels right. We love each other.’
A little shocked she stared at him, completely still now. Of course she had read it on her daughter’s mind, seeing her happy and she knew she was in love, but marriage? That they were
already thinking about that was so very human. Humans married so very quickly and young and often for the wrong reasons, habitually foolishly. It shocked her to hear her daughter might follow and make the same mistake. Although Sula had answered yes to Felix when he asked her, it had been years after they’d first met, and she only agreed to it because she was absolutely sure at the time.
She glimpsed over at Shazar, who now sat a little away from Twello and Sula, talking softly to Jolaz.
‘Like you said, it is rather soon. Just enjoy your evening Twello.’ Her tone of voice was a little cold, but she had no room for being any friendlier just now. She turned to Felix who played one of her favourite songs and she fell in, starting to sing, the best way to forget about things. Almaz smiled gratefully at her mother and moved in front of her to listen properly, kneeling by her.
Valera stared questioningly at Twello over the fire, she sensed the little odd stir between him and her mother. He shrugged his shoulders and stood up to sit at the other side of the family circle, next to his beloved.
Aigle joined the party a little later with some more firewood and he and Felix sang another song whilst the children fell in. By then every one was cheerful from the wine and the music. The youngest only had apple juice and played the drum. Shazar felt a little out of place, but enjoyed the good vibes and listening to the songs.
When it was getting darker and the fire was blazing properly and didn’t need attendance, they all sat down around it to eat their fill of pies, cheeses, and blackberry cakes and all the other delicious snacks. Even Shazar ate his share of fruit and cakes, which was very unlike him. Twello fed the fire once in a while and kept it going. Little embers sprang up high, looking like little orange stars, whilst Aigle and Shazar talked quietly with Twello and Valera. The children took care of the music and Sula silently watched everyone, in a serene way, like a goddess observing the scene before her.
My family…what will our future hold? Will we be able to keep this harmony, safe from human nature and ourselves, unstained by lizard people? The only one missing is Fay, I hope she’ll make it for my birthday in a few days time. We’ll have to stay until then. I cannot leave without seeing her! She might have travelled for days to get here!
The Comyenti Series Book Bundle, Volume 1 and 2 (Epic Romantic Supernatural Fantasy) Page 50