by D. E. Morris
Ashlynn offered her hand to Wessely, holding her breath. She stepped closer to the light and drank in everything she saw. With Wessely's hand positioned in between her own and that of her son's there was no arguing the visible difference. Lochlainn's skin, as well as her own, appeared almost leathery and reptile-like, as though their skin cells were not skin at all, but microscopic scales. The realization of it made her jerk her hand away and instinctively take a step back, but Jaryn was right behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.
“I never realized...” she breathed, face lifted toward Badru.
“I did,” Jaryn admitted.
She turned her head to be able to look over her shoulder at her husband. “Why didn't you say anything?”
“I figured you knew and didn't want to make you self-conscious.” Letting her shoulders go, he grazed a finger over her cheek. “It's a subtle difference anyway. Nothing to worry about. It never made me love you any differently.”
Her attention went back to Badru. “Lochlainn's skin is like mine. That means he's a Gael, too.”
Badru nodded. “As I said, it is unlikely for any offspring of an Elemental to be anything but.”
“Oh my goodness.” Ashlynn covered her mouth, grinning. Then she took her son from Badru and snuggled him close. “My sweet boy.”
“What does that mean for him?” Jaryn asked, running a hand over the peach fuzz atop Lochlainn's head. “Will he experience the same pain Ashlynn does?”
“Perhaps initially, but it will be nowhere near what any Elemental experiences. Oddly enough it is not the change to our form that brings the most pain, but the magic that lies dormant in our human form fusing with our draconic blood.”
Ashlynn turned to her father with excitement once more. “We have to find out about Kenayde. To think that all these years...”
Wessely's head shook. “It would not change anything.”
“No, it would change everything.” Father and daughter shared a nod of complete understanding. Knowing Kenayde was a Gael would not change anything at all as far as the past went, but looking back on certain memories, times when the sisters had argued over Ashlynn's unique abilities would seem so different. Had Kenayde suspected and simply hid her suspicions in hopes of never having to truly find out herself? Or was she just as in the dark as Ashlynn and Wessely had been?
“Assuming she would be an earth dragon,” said Wessely, interrupting Ashlynn's thoughts, “and that her union with Elas is successful, what would become of their children?”
Badru shrugged. “He is a water dragon so they may have water dragon children. Or earth. Or no Gaelic children at all. It may skip a generation or two before showing up again. Nothing is certain.”
Zarra thrust her hand into the light and looked up at Badru, expectant. “Do I have any Gaelic in me? I've always wanted to be a Gael.”
The gathered crowd moved back slightly, allowing the young girl easier access to Badru. He was good-natured as he took her hand and examined it, turning it this way and that, running weathered fingers over her skin. Before long, however, he gave her a kind smile and said, “It would appear not, my lady.”
She pouted, deflating. “Of course not. I have to be the ordinary one. Lilia has wings, Mairead is a Gael-”
Badru looked at Mairead in surprise. “Forgive me. I had not noticed.”
“I am surprised,” she answered with a slight smile, “since I am one of your own kin.”
Her answer made the nomad grin. “A fire dragon. Splendid!”
“I rarely shift simply because there is no need of it.”
Badru shook his head. “We will have to change that.”
“It's getting late,” said Jaryn, stealing all the attention in the room. “I think we should all get a good night of sleep. Who knows what tomorrow may bring us?”
There were murmurs of agreement. Ashlynn kissed her son before handing him to the waiting nanny, then threw her arms around Wessely. “Can you imagine? If Kenayde doesn't know already, she is going to...well, I don't know what she'll do!”
“You will have to come back to Oceana with me to break the news. I anticipate many tears.”
“Ah yes, what Nadie does best.” Ashlynn grinned. “Oh, but I'm so excited, Papa! I can teach her to fly and how to shift and use fyre!”
He nodded, laughing. “Aye, that you will. Provided she does not have a heart attack over the news first.”
Chapter Sixteen
Early in the morning, Ashlynn lay awake staring out the window. Jaryn's breathing was still heavy and deep beside her, something that was usually enough to lull her back to sleep, but she'd been awake for several hours. There had been a noise in the pre-dawn darkness, a creaking where none had been heard before. It was in the corner at the end of the room behind her dressing screen, the sound of a stone being kicked or dropped. She'd sat up abruptly and stared as if she could see something from so far away and with only the light of the thin moon for illumination. Nothing moved, but she swore she could hear a breathy laughter like that of someone mocking her.
It was impossible to know how long she'd stayed sitting up and searching the darkness, but eventually she lay back down. Sleep was elusive after that so she watched the sky lighten out her window and occupied her thoughts with things that needed to be done and taken care of. Nothing came from that corner again, but her gaze would travel to the dressing screen every so often all the same.
The sun was not fully risen when she heard the heavy swing of the door. Ashlynn lifted herself up on her elbow to see one of Jaryn's guards entering with a look of apology on his face. “Forgive me for the early intrusion, Your Majesty.”
Jaryn stirred beside her, his breathing hitching. Sweeping her hair behind her ear, Ashlynn asked, “What is it?”
“Cavalon has arrived and is awaiting an audience.”
“It's official,” muttered Jaryn with eyes still closed. “He's become a Volar. No concept of time.”
“We will be down shortly. Please wake my ladies.” The guard nodded and left, closing the door behind him. With a tired sigh, Ashlynn threw the light covers back and swung her feet around to touch the cold stone floor. “Apparently the riders made it to Braemar.”
“Apparently,” Jaryn grumbled. He opened one eye to watch his wife walking toward her closet. “Let's just meet him in the library. Then we won't have to get dressed, really. Just put a robe on.”
Ashlynn smirked over her shoulder at Jaryn before returning to her task at hand. “We can meet him wherever, but I am getting dressed. There's too much to be done. If Cavalon has come because of the warning we sent to Nuala, he'll want to see the body and I am not about to go traipsing through the castle in nothing but my nightgown and a robe.”
“Spoil sport.” Jaryn sat up and looked at her with a wrinkled brow. “You're far too alert to have just been woken. How long have you been up?”
She shrugged but kept her back to him as she examined the contents of her wardrobe. “Awhile. You know how I am when I have something on my mind. It turns and turns until it is addressed.”
“Tell me you at least sent word to the kitchen.”
“Sorry, my love. But knowing Zarra it will be the very first thing she does before-” There was a soft knock at the door before it was pushed open again by Ashlynn's girls.
“Breakfast will be waiting for us,” Zarra announced sleepily. Ashlynn grinned at Jaryn before being swept up in the process of picking out a dress and jewelry.
By the time everyone was ready to meet Cavalon there was indeed a full table set out for them. Badru was already awake, dressed, and speaking with him when Ashlynn and Jaryn entered the room. “Sorry we took so long,” said Jaryn. “Ashlynn thought it would be better if we didn't scandalize everyone at Altaine and took time to get dressed before leaving our chambers.”
“Thank you for that,” Cavalon replied with humor. “Sorry it's so early but I wanted to come as soon as I could.”
“I see you got our message, then.”
The Badarian nodded grimly as he helped himself to a plate of sausages. “Nuala was upset to hear of Pierre's death but more so over the way he died. She gave me some feathers just in case the elf can't come through.”
“The elf has a name,” Ashlynn reminded.
“Does he? One of my flaws, I guess. I don't retain information I just don't care about.”
“Cavalon and I were speaking before you arrived,” said Badru, changing the subject, “and we have agreed that it is time to return to Ibays and seek out the city of Bás.”
Chewing his breakfast, Cavalon nodded. “We'll bring the kid home, too. I'm sure you're ready to have him out of your hair.”
Ashlynn lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “Jessiah can stay if he wishes, it is no bother to me. Yes, he is a bit foolish, but...”
“Walk with the wise and become wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm,” quoted Cavalon.
Jaryn grinned behind his mug of spiced wine. “How is the view from up there on your high horse?”
The question made Cavalon laugh. “Pretty good, actually.”
“Hurry up and finish,” Ashlynn instructed, trying her best not to laugh as well. “If you two are meaning to leave, I'd rather you do it sooner than later. I've had nothing but knots in my stomach over this poor child since Pierre was brought here. Since desertion is a matter best addressed in person, I'll have Jessiah woken and ready to go so he can settle his affairs with Donnchadh. My ladies have grown rather fond of you, Badru, so they'll wish to say goodbye as well.”
“Love, you've barely touched your food.”
She looked at Jaryn, lips barely concealing a frown. “I told you, my stomach has been in knots. I'll eat later. Let me go attend to what I need to and I'll meet you downstairs.”
As it so happened Ashlynn was quite glad she hadn't eaten before going into the sealed off training room. It was cool enough to keep the body from rotting completely but severe decomposition had already begun to take over. All of them proceeded in with damp cloths over their mouths and noses to try to ward off the smell, but everyone fought to keep their morning meals down when they laid eyes on Pierre's body.
Where the cauterized cuts were, fresh wounds had opened around the charred flesh to reveal putrid new wounds. Flies swarmed around the body and maggots were so plentiful that they had begun to slide to the floor.
“You can't save this for Tasarin,” Cavalon told her, gagging behind his cloth. “Get your armor and weapons out of here and burn the room. I'll help you contain it.”
Jaryn was quick to order the waiting guards to do what Cavalon had suggested. They, too, coughed and swallowed down rising bile as they hastened to empty the room of valuables. Badru, Cavalon, and Jaryn helped as well in hopes of speeding up the process, but Ashlynn had to wait outside in order to keep herself from getting sick. She removed the cloth to breathe in the clear air, more forgiving of the scents of sweat and metal than she had been before. Her stomach churned and she closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the cool stone wall. The sounds of scuffling feet and heavy wooden chests being dragged across the floor helped distract her enough from vomiting.
“Are you all right?” asked Badru, a hand of concern on her back.
She looked up and gave him a thin smile. “I'll be fine.” Once everything and everyone alive was out of the room, Cavalon tossed a lit torch down onto the straw flooring and stepped with the others to watch it burn. The three Elementals had no problem in keeping the blaze contained to the one room and did their best to keep it from the walls, making sure to extinguish the fire once there was nothing left but bones. With the cloth back over his mouth, Cavalon ventured inside to take one of the bones. When he came back out he was covered in ash and sweat, the hand that held the bone covered in scales and with talons for fingers.
They made their way out and upward as a group, doors and windows being opened to let the smoke clear in the hopes of keeping it from the more central parts of the castle, but it was impossible to keep it all away. Everyone they passed saw Cavalon and gasped, rumors already circulating. Ashlynn, however, was quick to respond by telling a gossiping bunch that something had gotten into one of the back training rooms and died, leaving such a mess that they had no choice but to cleanse the room all together, thus the smell and the bone Cavalon had in his grip. Volar and dragon bones were hollow like birds, and though no one was looking close enough to tell, Ashlynn knew she could pass it off as a stray sea fowl or even a desperate Gael or feral hatchling.
“Good heavens!” exclaimed Lilia from across the courtyard. She stood with Zarra and Mairead, all three in conversation with Jessiah out in the morning sunlight. As soon as she saw the group all interest in what was being said was lost; she gathered her skirts in her hands and hurried forward, instinctively checking Ashlynn for injury before turning to Cavalon. “What happened?”
“There was a fire below. We took care of it. Nothing to worry about.”
Lilia and Ashlynn met gazes and the younger woman instantly understood. She looked at the bone Cavalon held and asked quietly, “Is anything out of the ordinary?” before the others caught up. Cavalon didn't answer verbally but gave a slight shake of his head. The bone was undamaged by whatever it was that had killed Pierre and this seemed to relax her. “Let me tell the maids to fix you a bath.”
“I'm fine. I won't be in this shape much longer anyway and I'd rather clean off in the ocean.”
Lips pursed, Lilia shook her head. “At least come over to the fountain and let me help you get the ash out of your eyes.”
All of them walked across the stone courtyard together, no one saying a word to each other or anyone else but all acutely aware of everyone watching them. Lilia sat on the edge of the fountain and pulled a clean kerchief from the inside of her bodice to dip into the cold water. Cavalon quirked a brow as he sat as well, and she returned with a cheeky smirk.
“Are you prepared to leave?” Badru asked Jessiah.
The young man kept his attention on the two at the fountain. “I am.”
“But you'll be returning soon, won't you?” Lilia asked quickly, careful as she cleaned Cavalon's face.
Looking at Ashlynn, Jessiah replied, “If the high king and queen will have me.”
“You are welcomed here at Sinessian court, Jessiah. I look forward to getting to know you better.” Discreet, Ashlynn took the bone from Cavalon and gave it to one of the nearby guards to bring to Jaryn's library, watching how still Cavalon sat at Lilia tended to him. It was then she realized something was different. “Your armlet.” Everyone looked at her and she raised her brows, nodding to his arm. “Your armlet is missing. I have never seen you without it.”
“And now you have.” With his face all cleaned, he sat up straighter and looked up at Ashlynn. For a moment it appeared as if he was going to speak and all the women immediately realized as much. When he seemed to change his mind, however, nearly all of them leaned in a bit closer.
“Well?” asked Zarra. “Where is it? I hope you haven't lost it. It was so beautiful!”
“I didn't lose it.” Again he hesitated and this time when he did he was met with expectant gazes from the men as well as the women. A quiet laugh passed his lips and he motioned for everyone to draw a bit closer. “I swear if this news leaves this circle I will tear your tongues out.” He took a deep breath in, then said in a low voice, “Nuala wears my armlet now. Two days ago she became my wife.”
“What?!”
Zarra's shriek was heard across the entirety of the courtyard causing everyone to stop and stare at her.
“Hush!” Cavalon hissed.
Badru grabbed Cavalon by the hand and yanked him to his feet to envelop him in a bear hug. “Congratulations, brother!”
“Ashlynn and I were wondering when that was going to happen,” added Jaryn, clapping Cavalon on the back.
She nodded, grinning. “I am so happy for you both.” But her joy was dimmed when she saw Zarra turn and run for the castle
in tears. “Oh, Zarra!”
“It is all right,” said Mairead gently. “We will take care of her.” She offered her well wishes to Cavalon before hurrying after Zarra.
Lilia kissed Cavalon's cheek and said, “My cousin is a lucky woman. Congratulations.” Her eyes met Jessiah's and she offered him a small smile. “Safe travels.”
“I'll see you soon.”
As Lilia headed inside, Ashlynn felt a mixture of emotions swirling inside of her. She was so happy for Cavalon and Nuala, and knew they made a good match for one another, but she had questions of what that meant for Braemar and for Cavalon specifically. Knowing he was finally attached to someone, Ashlynn feared for Cavalon's safety all the more knowing what was possibly out there and that both he and Badru were putting themselves in danger by looking for the child. She also felt terrible for Zarra, knowing how her broken heart must be hurting.
Once Badru let Cavalon go, Ashlynn quickly moved forward and wrapped her arms around him. With a warm smile, he held her in a brotherly embrace.
“Please be careful,” she begged. “Something is brewing.”
“I know, and I will. You're not going to get rid of me that easily.” He pulled back and smiled down at her. “You've done an amazing job with Lilia, by the way. She's definitely not the selfish spoiled girl Nuala sent to you.”
“She never was, really. She just needed someone to invest in her and not in things for her.”
“We should leave soon,” Badru injected patiently. With a reluctant smile, Ashlynn nodded and let Cavalon go. All it took was a simple look to the head of Jaryn's guard and the men spread out around the bailey, keeping anyone from walking out into the open space and shooing those who took the stroll casually to the edges of the open area. Though no one knew what was happening at first it became quite obvious when Cavalon jogged away from the others and began his transformation. He knew he was being watched and Ashlynn knew he enjoyed the attention. When his body was fully grown and wings sprung forth from his shoulders they unfurled like banners, a proud exclamation of who he was. Cheers went up from all around and he threw his head back, powerful maw parting as he cried out to the skies above him. Jessiah bid a hasty goodbye to Ashlynn and Jaryn before rushing forward and climbing up Cavalon's leg to sit awkwardly on his back between spinal ridges. Shoulder muscles tensed as Cavalon's wings beat and his massive form lifted with impossible ease.