Dark One Rising(132)

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” she said.

“No, that blasted bird did.” He pretended to be annoyed but she knew him better.

“I like it. It makes me warm inside, like a renewal of spirit.”

“Things are beginning. Are you ready?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve hardly had the time to let all this soak in. I don’t know what to do, or say, or even think. Except that I’m afraid.”

“I know. The fear will subside in time, and those feelings that have you lost will present themselves as well. Then everything will be as it should.”

“Maybe. But I don’t think anything will ever be the same, and that frightens me too.”

“You will learn to embrace the new, just as if it was always the norm. There’s one thing that will never change though.”

“What?”

“The way I feel about you. The way I feel when you enter the room, or the way my heart beats faster when you brush by me or touch my arm. The way I feel when I see you across the room, or the way my breath catches in my throat when I look at how beautiful you are. I love you. Now. Always. That will never change.”

She leaned in and kissed him, his arms tighter, pulling her into him and responding fully to her want. He didn’t know when they would be together again, or what the future held for either of them, but he felt sure that whatever happened, his love would stay strong for her.

She broke the kiss and looked into his pale eyes. She got lost every time she looked into them, and she hoped that memories of him would keep her going through to the end.

“I love you, Dain. I never thought I could love anyone like I do you. I never thought it was possible that I could find someone who cared for me. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”

“You won’t. I’ll be here when you return. Thoughts of you will keep me strong.”

“I feel the same.”

“Are you ready to get up now?” he asked her, not wanting to hear the answer yes. He wanted a few more minutes with her, before he had to let her ride away.

“No. Can’t I have a few more minutes with you? Can’t I feel your strong arms around me, your warm hands on my skin, just one more time? I don’t think I can leave your comforting embrace just yet.”

“I thought you’d never ask, My Lady.” He wrapped his arms tighter, the both of them floating away into a world only they knew.



***



After lunch, Kevaan, Alek, and a cortege of ten knights, including Tarak and young Squire Henri, were ready to go, their horses outfitted and their saddle bags packed. He had taken a huge chance in coming, now he would see if that had been his realms undoing.

The sky had turned dark, the low flying grey clouds threatened rain, and it fit her mood perfectly. She was standing in Dain’s audience room, looking out into the bailey where the nervous horses stamped and whinnied under their loads.

The dark sky and chilly air held a menacing she couldn’t explain, but obviously the horses felt it too. It gripped her all the way down to her toes, and she hoped she wasn’t sensing danger coming their way.

Dain had tried to talk Sol and Tomaz into taking a couple of armed guards with them, but the elf refused, stating that too many in the party would make them stand out more. He felt safer with just the three of them. Sol tried to calm Dain’s anxiety, claiming there would be an Evading charm on them hiding them from anyone who might want to cause them trouble. Dain reluctantly agreed. She knew he was still uncomfortable with the arrangement but would not say so out loud. Instead he fumed in silence.

Kevaan entered the audience room and approached his sister. He didn’t want to leave her and hated even more knowing she was leaving the safety of these walls and the protection of the man she loved. He was not comfortable with the whole scenario, but he trusted her. He knew that if she felt this was right, he would not question it.

He placed his hand on her shoulder, following her gaze which was now on the king saying his good-byes to his friend once again. Dain stood beside Alek, their bodies locked in a friendly embrace. There was a lot of weight riding on Dain’s shoulders, and Alek was reluctant to leave. He promised he would return as soon as his task was finished. This would be the most important trip he had made since rescuing her.

Melenthia turned and looked up into her brother’s face. She smiled at him, trying to hide the pain she felt about their separation. She didn’t know if this would be the last time she ever saw him alive. Fallon had already taken her father. She didn’t want to think about what she’d do if he took Kevaan from her as well.

He touched her cheek and brushed her hair back from her forehead. He smiled down at her, a look of pride on his face. He was proud of her for surviving on her own and for choosing to take the path for her life. He was proud of her for her fortitude to face this destiny she had been given with grace and strength. He’d worry for her every day, but he knew that if she was taken from him, it would be for what she believed in and for the people she loved, him included.