Dark One Rising(114)
He turned back to her. She was sitting on the bed. Her golden red hair was touching her shoulders, the unruly curls that she had a hard time taming fell around her face. Her supple lips were pouting, and her eyes didn’t seem their usual brilliant green.
She had changed clothes, wearing now a light yellow silk dress, the corset pulled tight as always. The sleeves were over the shoulder, and the skirts were pooled around her like golden petals of a daffodil. She was so lovely, even with her red face and her eyes glistening with tears. He wanted so much to take her in his arms and hold her, to tell her it would all be alright. But promises broken would hurt more. He had no idea what they were dealing with, and so he couldn’t assure her things would be fine even if he wanted to. He wanted to kiss her lips, feel her body against him, but he held back. Now was not the time. Her trust in him had been shaken. Only time would make it solid again. He should’ve told her that day in the meadow when she kissed him that he loved her, but he was afraid she’d see it as a ploy to get more from her.
He wanted to do these things, but instead he went to her, squatting down on the floor in front of her, looking up into her face and brushing back a stray curl that fell in her eyes. He took her hand and kissed it.
“I’m sorry I got angry. I was rash, and I ask for your forgiveness. I was frantic when no one knew where you had gone. When I saw you safe, I was relieved, but then my anger took over, especially over your bruised face. I couldn’t control the panic I felt in my heart when I thought you could’ve been taken.”
She put her hand up in defense. “My distress is not from you. I should apologize to you for making you worry so. I understand that you gave your word to my brother, but both of you need to understand how I feel. I have given up everything, my home, my family, and my freedom, and I don’t even know why.”
“I do understand, and I’m sorry. I wish I could give you assurances that things will get easier, but I can’t. Now that Fallon knows you’re here, things are going to get complicated.”
He placed his lips on her hand and held them there, feeling her soft skin against them. He kissed her knuckle once and closed his eyes, breathing deep to keep his heart from beating out of his chest. “Just know that I’m here for you, and will be, to the end.”
He stood up and leaned over to kiss her cheek, the skin sticky from the tears. He pulled away and licked his lips, tasting salt. He let go of her hand and headed toward the door. He opened it, but before he closed it again he said, “If it matters, I was angry that you left without protection because I don’t want anything to happen to you. I would be lost without you. I’d die for you.”
He went into the hallway and shut the door behind him, leaving her alone, surprised by his declaration.
***
Melenthia said she wasn’t hungry and wanted to lay down for awhile, so after dinner the four men were gathered around the table in Dain’s conference room, discussing the news that had just reached his realm hours before. The elf told the story.
“Five-hundred years ago, at the time of the Great War, the kingdom was divided into four provinces after the kings of the land could not find peace between them. The sorcerers were destroyed under an edict stating that the magic they wielded was the reason for the evil that had gripped the land. The kings decided they could not be trusted and exiled them to the far reaches of the kingdom, never allowing them to mingle with the common people. The sorcerers eventually died off or were hunted down and killed by Bounty Hunters. There were only a handful of them left, like Sol, but they too were told they must keep themselves hidden from common society. After the division, the elves retreated into the Dark Forest and have remained in Vallis, keeping to themselves, never offering allegiance to man. The dwarves retreated into the Danstroms, building farms and tunneling through the mountains, mining the natural resources found there. They too have never given their alliance to man. One hundred years ago, the Mirror of Souls revealed to the Elvin Elders that an evil was brewing again. Another sorcerer had risen up, and there would come another war. The Elvin Elders beseeched their ancestors in the mirror for hope. A child would be born into the world that would bring peace and order to the chaos of evil that would plague the kingdom again. When the Chosen One was born, it would be the elves duty to present a gift at the time of birth. A gift that was a mark of power and strength for the future. The Elvin smiths forged a mighty sword, made from Elvin steel and magic, and they named this sword Tanith. For one hundred years they waited for word that the Chosen One had come, that the Tanith Prophecy had been born. Twenty-one years ago, word came. The gift was delivered, and from that day forward, they have watched over her and have given her brother the insight, without his knowledge, to teach and guide her. She has become powerful, and, with further training, she will be the one to destroy the darkness that Fallon has brought forth. She cannot do this alone, however, she needs everyone. All of the kingdom must come together as one, if we are to defeat Fallon and the Dark One. The elves have given their allegiance, but so must the dwarves and the Isamarians.”