Everwinter (Chronicles of Naelyra Book 1)

by R. J. Lloyd

  “No.” Kane’s response was filled with sadness.

  “No?” A chill ran down my spine.

  He turned to me and ran his hand over my cheek. “You are from two ancient and extremely powerful families. Should your lineages have grown to their full strength, their people would be rulers of your planet. Warring against each other more than they do now. But there was a time when one side, your mother’s side, was not equally measured to the Carter family. The Carters would have ruled as the most powerful.”

  He paused, and I thought he wasn’t going to tell me more. That I would have to press him for what was still lurking behind his eyes, but he went on, “When I was on earth, I had taken one of the portal crystals with me, having removed it from Aejynys to keep it from a situation that I felt needed to be limited. I thought that I could give it to someone who could use the power without knowing what it was.”

  His eyes filled with sadness and regret as he continued, “There was a woman. She and her family were traveling through the area, getting ready to board a boat to go back to their country. She was charismatic and spoke of her family’s woes and how they were just trying to make ends meet but were unable to with how society was treating them. She told me of a story of another family with magic and how they would seek to sabotage them, even more than the regular humans that knew nothing of magic. Her tale of the Bratu family’s misfortunes reminded me of my family before I was turned and my city decimated. But it was not her that convinced me of anything. She knew not of who or what I was. She simply felt that I held power. But it was her daughter that spoke to me as they were leaving. Her voice and soul were gentle, and she wished me a fair journey and good health. Unlike her relatives, she wanted nothing from me. She only wished me well.” He caressed me cheek. “You look just like her, Auri.”

  The mention of both of my family’s names caused a lump to rise in my throat, threatening to cut off my air as I fought back tears. “You knew?”

  Boutrol spoke, his words smooth, not sending bass through my body as it had since we arrived, “You left that crystal with the girl.”

  “Yes.” Kane’s eyes did not leave mine. “I told her it contained powers that could help her family and that I trusted her to use it only for good.”

  “But what about the crystal that was connected to that end of the portal? The one that the power from here connected to?” Boutrol continued his questioning before I could press on mine.

  “Wait. I don’t get how this whole portal thing works. Do you need two beings on each end to activate it? Or what?” I was trying to make sense of it. Honestly, I wanted more to ask about Kane knowing all of this and never having told me. My list of things I wanted to talk about was growing uncomfortably long.

  Kane explained, “No. If Boutrol were to set up a crystal here, he could send its energies to a place. Sometimes it hits right where it is aimed. Sometimes, less often, it hits elsewhere. But either way, the energies find a conductor… a crystal wherever it hits and draws the parallel, opening the portal.” He looks up at the dragon. “I had paid a small company of people to destroy the crystal once I was gone.”

  “Ah. But did they?” Boutrol sounded like he was solving a Sunday afternoon puzzle in his inquiry.

  “I do not know.” Kane swallowed hard, letting his arms drop. “The portal that brought Auriena here could have been connected to it or the crystal I gave her great great grandmother.”

  “Should I have been able to bring that crystal through with me if the portal was using it as the anchor on earth?” I asked.

  “No.” Boutrol tilted his head to look at me. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because that crystal is in my bag in Everwinter. It was one of the few things I retained after my parents were killed. And only because my mother said her great grandmother was a powerful woman but she never used her energy for bad like so many others in our family. I recall a story my mother told me that was told to her about the immortal man who gave it to her. His gift coming only with the request that she do good. She claimed that my great great grandmother Bratu had said it was the one thing that kept her from becoming as dark hearted as the rest of the family. And when my mother took me to run away with my father, she gave it to her for me, saying that my existence brought together two powerful forces, and I was meant for something important.”

  “She was a seer,” Boutrol stated.

  I nodded, still fighting tears. “Yes. That is the biggest gift of the Bratu family.”

  “If it came back with you, then someone might feel its power unless it is drained.” Kane’s jaw set.

  “Not if she has blocked its energies as well, it could be cloaked. Or it her. The crystals are built with that within them. There are ways to contain its signature either from within it or from within someone with her gifts.”

  His eyes narrowed. “I did not feel it. So, it should be safe.”

  “Yes. I would agree.” Boutrol started back for his throne.

  My world was spinning. With everything that happened and everything that I was learning, a wave of pain hit me, I nearly buckled.

  “Auri!” Kane reached out for me, lifting me up and cradled me in his arms.

  “I’m fine. I just want to know more about…”

  “You need the herbs that the Emalne can offer you, unless you want this to kill you,” Boutrol explained casually as he settled back in.

  “I had planned on going there already. She had insisted on finding out more about the portals and coming with me.” Kane shifted to holding me closer as I winced.

  The leather wings that flanked him ruffled. “Then I suggest you make that journey now.” I opened my mouth to insist on getting more questions answered, but Boutrol stopped me. “Kanedraven can tell you all you need to know along the way. And I will keep my word should you ever need it.”

  “Thank you.” I offered a smile as Kane walked away from the dragon, going back where we had left Wulfgar and the horses.

  As we approached, I saw the raider snap up to attention and come our way. He looked worried.

  “Is she hurt? If he hurt her, tell me that he does not live, or we are going back in there.” Wulfgar pulled his axe out of its holster and held it out.

  Kane chuckled. “You have grown protective over her quickly.”

  “You are one to speak,” he retorted.

  With a nod, Kane snorted. “True.”

  “Besides,” Wulfgar added, “She will be my queen, will she not?”

  A smile tugged at the corners of Kane’s mouth. “Are you saying you see me as your king now?”

  Wulfgar scoffed and sheathed his axe. “We should get back before your guardsmen decide you’re past your curfew and come looking for us. I doubt your pet dragon would take kindly to his arrogance being matched so closely.”

  Setting me up on the horse and mounting in behind me, Kane huffed. “If you’re not careful, Boutrol won’t take too kindly to your mouth running within earshot. His kind has very good hearing.”

  “I’m not afraid of a dragon!” Wulfgar looked off toward the mountain before bringing his horse up next to ours as we headed back.

  “No. I am sure you are not.” Kane smirked.

  Both men made quick work of getting me back to the carriage. And to none of our surprise, Dorian was pacing. Clearly agitated.

  “Did you get the answers you sought, My liege?” He tone was short despite his attempt to appear friendly.

  “And then some.” Kane dismounted and carried me past the tense man, ignoring his silent plea to know what went on and placed me inside the carriage on the bed.

  I kissed his cheek. “I am not so much an invalid that I need you to cater to me this much. Besides, making him angrier by ignoring him will not help.”

  He pulled the quilt up over me. “It is of no concern to him. He needs not to know anything more than what’s necessary to guard you.”

  As Kane went to turn away to exit, I gripped his hand. I bit my lip as he turned back. “No leader is truly
effective if they are treated like an outsider. Especially not one that seemed offended by it.”

  “I know.” He hung his head. “It would just be easier if I didn’t have to rely on trusting anyone and could keep everyone away from you so I can keep you safe.”

  “You do not trust him?” I asked.

  He looked up, exhaustion clouding his eyes. “I only trust you.”

  “You may have to trust those you put in power if we’re facing dangers.”

  He pressed his lips to mine. Breaking the kiss, leaving his forehead against mine, he sighed. “I’m trying.”

  “Your men are getting restless out here. They don’t seem to like the idea of staying so close to a dragon any longer.” Wulfgar leaned on the doorframe of the carriage, using his knife to pick at his nail.

  Kane grumbled. “Tell them to get into formation. I will ride in here with Auriena.”

  “I’m fine. You should be with your men.” My own layer of exhaustion blanketed me as the pains eased.

  By his expression, he was about to argue. But I flicked my wrist, shooing him out with a smile.

  Reluctantly, he exited, growling at the shifter as he passed. “Get on your horse.”

  Wulfgar laughed and winked at me. “I am amused by the affect you have on him. You are good for him.”

  “I am a distraction,” I retorted.

  He grinned. “You are his everything now.”

  I waited until the door shut and the carriage pulled forward before I tugged the quilt up over my shoulders as I lay down fully. With a slow, measured breath, I exhaled. “I know.”

  As landscape passed by the windows, I listened to Kane brief Dorian and Wulfgar on the portal situation and my current state of being with child. I smiled as his voice shifted, even if for only a moment, as he sounded proud with the news. That is before he went on to talk about security plans from that point on.

  After that, the swaying of the carriage lulled me to sleep fairly quickly.

  Chapter

  Twelve

  The Emalne

  My eyes fluttered open with the feel of a warm breeze blowing wisps of my hair over my cheeks. I was cradled in a strong set of arms with the quilt from the carriage covering me. For a moment, I wondered if something had gone wrong – if something was wrong with me. But a quick assessment, and I realized I felt fine, just exhausted still.

  I whispered sleepily, “Kane?”

  “You were sleeping soundly. I did not want to wake you.” We crossed over the threshold of what appeared to be an eatery.

  Looking around, I wiped the sleep from my eyes, wondering if I was still dreaming. Pillars were made of thick vines entwined with each other. Chairs and tables were made up of dried branches. A variety of furniture, structural, and décor pieces were decorated in ornate floral blooms. More or less, everything was nature originated in some fashion.

  “The Emalne.” A sense of awe escaped with my observation. “This is beautiful. They are beautiful.”

  The beings themselves were mostly human in shape. Their skin was shades of color that one would expect to see on a human. However, they were all adorned with their own patter of type of natural element. Some had patterns of branches that fanned out over them. Some had patches of bark across various spots of them. Others had what appeared to be an herb or something of the like snaking across their flesh. And still others had flowers adorning their hair or flattened on their skin across their faces and bodies. Vines, branches, flowers, herbs, bark, leaves, even the occasional edible fruit or vegetable could be seen marking someone in some way.

  As strange as it should have been. I found them absolutely captivating.

  “Yes.” Kane set me down, holding me by my waist as I steadied myself. “Yes. These people are the Emalne. And this is a place we can get food and a room to rest that is in the center of their common village, Thillatheas. The one place they can go and mingle since their home villages are for those of their individual tribes.”

  “Wow.” My response was weak, sure. But I was awestruck.

  He chuckled. “Yes. Wow.”

  I smiled as he looked down to me. I could see that while humored, he was enjoying my reaction. “You find me amusing.”

  “I do.” He kissed the top of my head. “I love how things affect you. How you let such a simple thing as the beauty of the Emalne bring you such joy.”

  “And you do not?” I reached up and touched his cheek.

  I could feel the smile drop from his face. His hand came to rest on mine as he shook his head. “It had been a very long time before you came into my life since I had anything that affected me other than war.”

  “That isn’t true.” When he looked puzzled, I smiled. “You saw the beauty in this world, and you chose to save it. I am sure a part of you has been in awe of it.”

  “I adore how much you see beyond the surface of every situation and every being.” He pulled my hand to his lips, kissing my palm.

  A woman’s voice sounded from behind me, “I presume you are the outsiders in need of a room? The boy from the outskirts came rushing in to have me set up your room. Your men are being given rooms in the other building as requested. Your payment is most generous. Please. Follow me.”

  “Yes. Thank you.” Kane pulled our hands down and wrapped my arm around his as we did as instructed.

  He assisted me up the flight of stairs and down the loft walkway that overlooked the central area below to one side but bordered the doors to the rooms on the other. The woman, whose flesh was decorated with wisps of what looked like different shades of field grass, didn’t look back at us until she stopped at a door.

  She pulled out a key, unlocked and opened the door and stepped aside, holding it out to us. “Your things should be all set in there. You’re welcome to come down for food and drink. Should you need anything else, just let the bartender know.”

  Kane took the key and bowed his head. “You are gracious. Thank you for accommodating us.”

  She replied with a quick nod before leaving back the way we came without another word. Waving his hand out, Kane motioned for me to go in before him. He took my hand and pulled me to stop just inside the door, pulling it shut and locking it.

  “One moment.” He held his hand up for me to stay there as he went through the small suite, checking behind floral laden draped, inside closets with woven doors and under the log framed furniture. Once satisfied that we were alone, he returned to my side and pulled the quilt from around my shoulders. “It is safe.”

  “Thank you, my dear protector.” I touched his arm as I walked past him into the elegant room. “How come the guys are all staying elsewhere?”

  He crossed over to the windows and pulled the draped closed. “These rooms are for a certain kind of clientele. Those with a certain kind of budget. The men do not have that kind of money nor that kind of status. However, Wulfgar will be coming in after he sleeps to stand guard outside the door. I will be on watch until then.”

  “Are we in danger here?” I set down the ornate, delicate wooden bowl back on the end table.

  “The Emalne pose no threat to us that I know of. But I did not think Mika would turn on you as she did either. And I have to take into account not only what we learned about your connection to my past but also your fragile condition.”

  My condition. I wanted to wrinkle my nose. I’d never wanted kids, and it hit me that I hadn’t even stopped to think about how I felt about it. However, I knew that I was feeling completely defensive about being seen as weak. “I am not fragile.”

  “Auri…” Kane walked over and wrapped his arms around me. “Do not pretend the pains are not getting to you. I can see you nearly double over even when you try not to show me.”

  He wasn’t wrong. It was getting worse, but I didn’t want him to know. I didn’t want him to worry.

  His lips pressed to mine. “Go. Get changed into something more comfortable. I will go down to the main floor and bring up some food and beverage. You need to rest. Tom
orrow, we will find the herbs and such that you will need.”

  I wanted to argue and say I could just go with him, but as I opened my mouth, his closed over mine, and I found myself complying to his request. “Fine. But please hurry back.”

  “Not fragile, yet you need me to rush back to your side?” He smirked.

  I playfully slapped his arm. “Kane… don’t…”

  He kissed me quickly then was halfway out of the door before I could blink. “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t make me wait.” I scolded him.

  He smiled wide. “I have no intentions of it, little one.”

  The door closed and left me smiling, shaking my head. I wandered into the bedroom and opened my case, selecting an outfit that was more or less like lounge clothes. Soft pants, matching top and a warm cardigan that came down mid thigh. Perfect for curling up, which sounded amazing.

  I took the time to brush out my hair, pulling it back into a braid and then washed my face. While looking in my reflection, my hands smoothed over my top, pulling it against my rounded tummy. I had been so wrapped up in everything that I’d not let myself acknowledge that it was there… that it was growing and developing, a life forming inside me.

  No. I’d never wanted kids. Not with what I’d gone through. But standing there, I wanted this pregnancy. Not because of some prophecy. That made me second guess if I was losing my mind. But the idea of having Kane’s baby or babies made me feel like I had a purpose. I wanted to be a part of his life and his family and to share that with him.

  Thoughts of us together as my stomach grew ran through my mind that segued into us raising a family. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to daydream.

  A wave of pain washed over me, but I breathed through it, bracing myself on the wooden sink basin with one hand, still holding my stomach with the other. “Shhh… We will take care of you.”

  “Yes we will.” Kane’s arms snaked around me, and he lifted me up off the floor, carrying me out of the bathroom as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “And I will take care of you.”