Everwinter (Chronicles of Naelyra Book 1)

by R. J. Lloyd

  There was a sadness in her reaction that seeped into me. “Have you been too shy to tell each other?”

  “No.” Her reply came out quickly.

  “Then why are you not together?” I reached forward and took her hands in mine.

  She squeezed my fingers. “We have not been blessed.”

  A single tear fell down her cheek. I looked for a tissue or something to give to her, my heart broke as the floor of her sadness rushed into me. “Not blessed?”

  She pulled her hands away and leaned back. “In my culture, the Emalne people do have a marriage ceremony for those in love. But those in love are not permitted to be bound by it until they are blessed by the god of nature, Ianoth.” She made a gesture with her hand, waving it over a cluster of the markings on her arm and then made a pulling motion before lifting her fingers just below her lips and blowing gently across them.

  “Was that a prayer?” I asked.

  “Sort of,” she replied. “It is my villages way of telling Ianoth we worship them. Our markings whither and fade when we die. The action represents that we would give our essence to them if they so wanted.”

  “It was beautiful.” I replayed the movements in my mind, wanting to remember the simplicity of her faith. “But how does Ianoth bless someone? How do you know?”

  For a fleeting moment, the corners of Indrell’s mouth curved up before disappearing back into the heartache that was written in her features. “When two Emalne are in love, they pray on their own to Ianoth. If they approve of the union, both Emalne receive an identical mark on the center of their wrists. A unique mark that combines the essence of the two, symbolizing their union. Then, the village does the ceremony, and they are bound.”

  “And you have not received your marks,” I state as I watch her rub the area on the back of her flawless wrist.

  “I have not prayed.”

  I shot up. “What? Why? Does he know?”

  “Aeden is the most incredible men I have ever met. We met on the road between my village and Thillatheas while I was returning home from a healing job. He was on the road on his guard duty and asked to walk with me to keep me safe.” A small bit of a smile returned to her lips. “He is handsome, polite, smart, intelligent… and funny.”

  “Love at first sight?” I rested my chin in one hand and sighed.

  She giggled. “I suppose it was. And over the next few months, he requested that assignment so he could walk me back and forth to Thillatheas to be sure I was safe. Then, after many weeks and many trips, he reached out and took my hand. I could see the village… my village, not far ahead. But he stopped me and put his free hand on my cheek. He told me of his growing love for me and asked if I returned his feelings.”

  “And you told him, right?” I was riveted by her story like some love sick teenager.

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “No?” I nearly shouted.

  “Shhh!” She looked out the window to be sure none of the men were concerned with my outburst. “No. My mother had been out gathering herbs from the woods. When she spotted us, she assumed that something had happened to me, and she rushed over. The moment she realized that I was well and not injured, she yanked me toward the village, abruptly ushering me away from Aeden without a word. I tried to halt our retreat by telling her that I loved him. And he heard me. But her anger grew. She yanked me harder, and I motioned for him to not follow. I could not bear it if either of them were hurt if it were to become a physical struggle over me.”

  “But what happened? Surely you didn’t just not speak to him again.” I was nearly in tears for them both.

  “Many weeks later, I was allowed to return to Thillatheas. Thaid had a special order, and my village council insisted that I go despite my mother’s opposition. Aeden was not on the road. But he was there. He told me that he had prayed for our blessing. That he prayed every night. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I hadn’t.”

  “So, why haven’t you just prayed for a blessing?” A part of me wanted to shake her and tell her to just go get married if she loved him and that’s what they wanted. But I knew the power of faith and tradition. “Why not at least try? Would it have angered your family so much? Is he undesirable in some way?”

  “No. He’s desirable in many ways.” She blushed. “I mean…”

  I giggled along with her. “Oh, I know what you mean. And I don’t blame you.” My thoughts turned to Kane and knew that my reaction to him was similar to her reaction to Aeden.

  She continued, “Many Emalne women want Aeden… have tried for him. But we are not of the same village. I am an herbalist. He is a woodland. His markings are of the barks of trees. And while what they stand for and protect is honorable as all of our villages are, a blessing is almost never bestowed between two Emalne of different villages.”

  I reached over and touches her knee, trying to comfort her. “But you can try.”

  Her voice was weak. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  This time, more than one tear fell. “Because, if I do pray and no blessing comes, then I know.”

  What part of my heart that hadn’t broken for them shattered into pieces in that moment. “You’re afraid?”

  “Yes.” She wiped her tears. “If I pray and nothing comes, I have to tell him goodbye.”

  “But doesn’t he already think that you have and that you can’t?” I asked.

  “He does. But he holds on to hope. He believes that it still could come. But if I pray and nothing comes, I won’t allow him to have that hope. I will have to push him away so he can find happiness.” She looked out the window the other side of the carriage.

  I leaned back, letting her words sink in. “This is your way of holding on to him.”

  “Yes.” The pain of her situation pulled at her features, making her look exhausted.

  I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to make her feel better, but I also wanted to make her just get it over with so they could both find their happiness. And I wanted that happiness to be within each other with the blessing of whatever god they relied on.

  I opened my mouth three or four times, but I had no words as I watched the strong, independent woman before me sit, staring out the window, looking completely and utterly fragile. I had no words of sincere comfort.

  As if reading my mind, she looked back down at her clasped hands in her lap. “It is alright. I will one day. Just not today.”

  Failing as I tried to smile, I understood.

  Indrell pulled out a capped mug and motioned for me to go back to the bed. “Are you feeling any pain?”

  “You mean other than my heart hurting for you?” I asked as I climbed back onto the plush bed.

  She scoffed. “Yes. Are you feeling pains anywhere around your abdomen?”

  I pulled the blanket over my legs. “Only a little.”

  She came by the bed and looked me over, helping me bring the quilt and blankets up over me. “You need to rest. The herbs I applied in Thillatheas should last the rest of the day. But if you start feeling uncomfortable, let me know. I have some for the pains as well. The main mixture is also to help keep your body strong. And while you sleep, I’ll prepare another that’ll help keep you all nourished.”

  The pillow was soft as I laid my head on it. The warmth and comfort cradled me, causing me to instantly feel the exhaustion wash over me that I’d refused to let in. “Thank you, Indrell.”

  “This is my job,” she replied.

  “I meant for sharing your story,” I corrected her.

  She smiled softly. “Thank you for listening. You are the only one who knows.”

  I wanted to return the show of trust and tell her about my situation. But she hadn’t asked. And I knew Kane would be furious and even more afraid for me if others knew. So, I simply nodded and closed my eyes as she went back to her bench seat and started working on the herbal mixtures.

  ~~~

  The sound of cobblestone beneath the carriage wheels alerted me th
at we had left the long, dirt paths of the woods. Half asleep, I had been dreaming of some of the luxuries I missed from back home. Electricity, my phone, the internet, modern medicine. I missed my dogs, my car, my bookstores.

  I would have said that I missed living without the fear of being attacked, but that would have not been true. It wasn’t that I was enjoying it. But I’d lived most of my life with that fear because of my mother’s family.

  A portal and many hours into the journey, we pulled to a stop. I could hear a man speaking with Kane as they made arrangements for our caravan to stay for the night. Dorian had instruced him with his title which apparently caused the man’s voice to shake for a moment.

  He made haste, calling over a woman who promptly joined in, taking orders to prepare rooms for us all and to fetch the stable keeper to board our horses. I peered out the window and saw her smile up at Kane as she bowed and rushed off.

  “They will always do that.” Indrell sounded almost bored from her seat in the sitting area of the luxurious carriage.

  Bringing my legs of the side of the bed, I slid into the velvet coverd chair near the door, peering out again. “Drool over him?”

  “Yes.” She laughed. “People love station and power… on top of them being handsome. Aeden has station, which gives him power. I endure the flirting and blushing over him from others all the time when I see him. Kane is handsome, and he exudes power. His station only makes it more enticing.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “His servants have been accustomed to servicing his every whim. I’ve seen glimpses into their longing already.” Part of me wanted to rage on about how much it bothered me, but I wasn’t terribly fond that I felt like the jealous new girlfriend. I was less keen on looking like one, too.

  She leaned forward and patted my knee. “Aeden ignores them. He says that he will not indulge when he is focused on staying true to prove we deserve our blessing.” Her hand still on my knee, she moved to try to get my full attention, which she achieved. “Kanedraven has the same fortitude I feel. His focus is on you and the love he has for you. You have less to worry in his actions than you do in some of those that seek his attentions turning on you.”

  Her words sent chills down my spine. “Turning on me?”

  “Yes.” She moved the collar of her top, revealing a long scar that trailed from the side of her neck to the top of her chest. “Some do not handle their jealousy well.”

  My mouth fell open. “She…”

  But before I could ask anything, the door jerked open, causing us both to jump. “Ladies?” Kane stood, peering in at us, turning to look me over. “Are you feeling well? The Inn is not far, and we intend to walk so they can take the horses and carriage to fix them up.”

  “Walk?” I sat forward.

  “I can carry you if needed.” Kane held his hand out.

  Indrell giggled, and I shooshed her. Taking his hand, I smiled. “No. I’m fine to walk. It would be nice after being curled up for so long. But is it safe?”

  He guided me out, moving us aside to let Aeden move into his place, reaching for Indrell’s hand. I looked back to see her smile softly, taking his hand and exiting, pulling away from him quickly.

  As Lochlin and another soldier gathered our things, I walked with Kane as he replied, “It is very safe here. This is a trading depot that I had set up many, many years ago. It is one of several around the planet to help aid in open trade between the races. There is a low population, and unlike the villages and cities that belong to each race, the depots know that it was I who created and continue to run them. They may not know my face, but they know their station.”

  I looked around and watched as people of varying sized, colors, shapes all looked our way. Whenever we looked at someone that was looking back, they would bow and scurry off. “They fear you?”

  “Most people fear a king.” Kane’s reply was full of sadness. “It is partly why I do not like others to know what I look like. I prefer when they can just go about their business.”

  The next person to look our way, I waved and smiled. They bowed, but when they looked back up and saw that I was still smiling and waved again, they returned the gesture.

  She looked young, but her size might have been a factor. Her bright eyes of amber was complimented by her deep crimson skin tone and rich, black hair. She was strikingly beautiful. And as she lowered her hand, I nodded my head to her which caused her to tug on the sleeve of the man next to her of her same race. But her eyes never left Kane and I.

  He instantly bowed, pulling on her to follow suit. When he came back up, he looked around as if looking for a means to escape as I let go of Kane’s hand and started for the two beings that I knew must have been Voirechoes from how Kane had described them.

  “Auriena,” Kane called out sternly.

  But I kept walking toward the two Voirechoes that seemed frozen in place, more people around us stopped and watched as I closed the distance between us.

  Reaching them, I held my hand out to the woman. When she took it, I shook her hand and smiled. “Hello. I am…”

  “Auriena Raulson. Soon to be King Kanedraven Rathmore’s bride and mother to his child.” She gasped, looking shocked.

  “Oberlea! Do not interrupt her!” The man next to her scolded her. He stood, pulling his shoulders back, placing his hands on her shoulders and pulling her back a step. “My apologies for my sister. She does not always show restraint.”

  “It is alright.” I held my hand out to him as well. “And you are?”

  He looked at my extended gesture for a moment before taking it. “Dohlmas.”

  “Auri?” Kane came up behind us, resting his hands on my shoulders. “Is everything alright?”

  “Yes.” I beamed up at him. “Kane. This is Oberlea and Dohlmas.”

  Kane tilted his head as both Voirechoes bowed low at the waist to him. Oberlea spoke first, “King Kanedraven Rathmore…” Her words came out breathy.

  “Oberlea!” Dohlmas shouted.

  Kane chuckled. “It is alright.” He turned to the sister. “Your reaction is a pleasant one compared to the fearful looks I typically get.”

  She giggled and gripped her brother’s jacket. “See? I told you he was good!”

  Dohlmas’s eyes shot open wide. “I never said…”

  Kane put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “You would have shared the opinion of many if you did, which is my fault since I have lived in secrecy.”

  The wide eyes of Dohlmas didn’t shrink. But instead of fear, they shifted with a sense of awe.

  I slipped my hand up over his that was still on my shoulder, pulling it down and entwining my fingers between his. “You are Voirechoes, are you not?”

  “Yes.” Oberlea looked confused by my question.

  Kane squeezed my hand. “You will have to excuse her. She has never spoken to many other races. Especially not Voirechoes.”

  “That’s fine. I’ve never spoken to royalty before,” Oberlea admitted with a laugh.

  “Oh, I’m not…” I started.

  But Kane stepped in, moving up next to me and wrapping his free arm around my shoulders. “Yet. She is not yet.”

  I looked up at him and blushed. Turning my gaze back to the siblings, I smiled. “Do you live here?”

  “Yes.” Dohlmas replied before his sister could. “Our family died of an illness many years ago. We were on our own. To make ends meet, we came here and took over keeping the library up, taking on customers that are looking for information.”

  “You sell knowledge?” The concept blew my mind since on Earth, everyone had the internet.

  “We do,” Dohlmas confirmed.

  “There’s usually information keepers and dealers in depot towns and large cities,” Oberlea added.

  I thought back to the bookstore in Everwinter. “Kane? Is that what Alret does?”

  He smiled. “It is one of the services he provides. But his service of such is limited. The Voirechoes are far better suited for the employment because of
their intellect.”

  “Thank you, my liege.” Both siblings bowed.

  I pulled in closer to Kane’s side and whispered, “I have so much to learn!”

  He chuckled and bobbed his head yes. “That you do.”

  “We can help!” Oberlea interjected.

  Dohlmas looked shocked. “What she means is…”

  “You can?” I bypassed her brother’s attempt to save her mis-step again.

  “It is what we do… teach.” Oberlea was practically fidgeting with excitement.

  “Kane?” I turned to him.

  He looked amused as he pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. Without responding directly to me, he asked, “Do you have your own horses? Are you contracted to stay here?”

  “We do, and we are not.” Oberlea sounded like a kid being handed a puppy.

  “Where is the best place in the depot to get a meal?” Kane was still watching me.

  “Paragon Inn’s dining area,” Dohlmas replied. “It is downstairs where you will be staying.”

  “Convenient.” Kane chuckled. “We have to get her some rest. Dinner this evening. My man, Wulfgar, will be there if we are late. But if you do not have plans, I invite you to eat with us and discuss what you could do to help Auriena learn about Naelyra from its residents rather than just reading.”

  “Absolutely!” Oberlea clapped, practically bouncing.

  Dohlmas gripped her arm to try to calm her as he bowed his head. “Yes, my liege. It would be an honor.”

  “See you then.” Kane tugged on my arm to follow as he retreated the way we came.

  I looked back. The brother stared after us, stunned. Oberlea, on the other hand, was full on bouncing and waving. I waved back, smiling.

  Once back with our entourage, Wulfgar eyed the brother and sister across the courtyard. “Fans of yours?”

  “They’re going to have dinner with us and possibly help me with some of Naelyrian knowledge I have been sheltered from,” I explained excitedly.

  Indrell pursed her lips as if pondering the situation. “Interesting. Our little group seems to be growing in numbers.”

  Kane chuckled. “Yes. It is. She certainly seems to be attracting quite an array of people that support her.”