Dark One Rising(64)

“Using it, you risked getting lost inside that god forsaken place forever.”

“True, but we were not and escaping was my only goal, no matter the cost. Fallon is persistent in his pursuit, Your Majesty, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, whatever that is. We may have lost him for now, but we won’t evade him forever. He will not stop until he finds her. She’ll be safe enough here for the time being, but I fear if darkness is on his side, he’ll find a way to break through. He will kill anyone in his way when he does, even you. You may have put yourself in more danger than you realize by agreeing to this.”

“Although I don’t know Kevaan as you do, his willingness to keep the peace and work together with me is enough. I feel I owe him something. If keeping his sister safe is helping him, I risk myself willingly.”

“You may not feel that way later. There are frightening stories all over, Dain, and I doubt they’re just local lore. There are things I have seen out there, things I have felt that I can’t explain. Although I don’t frighten easily, the things I have heard and seen certainly make me pause. I’m not stupid enough to brush them off as nothing. There’s something else you should know about, but it can wait.”

“I have seen and felt things too, and I’m glad to have you back,” he said, clasping his friend on the shoulder again. “I feel the winds are changing and are coming this way. I’ll need to have you by my side when they do.” He paused a moment, then continued. “There are things I have to tell you as well, but I think in light of all you’ve been through in the last few days, it too can wait.”

A voice from the door spoke, interrupting their bonding. “Why does Fallon think marrying me will gain him more power than he already has? If he wants to start a war, what do I have to do with that?”

Both men stopped short and turned. They looked at her with surprise, almost as if they had forgotten she was in the room. Dain smiled, and Alekzand’r cleared his throat, going over to her and motioning her forward.

“I’m so terribly sorry, My Lady, my manners have much to be desired,” Alek apologized.

“Yes, they do,” she answered, rubbing her wrists almost inconspicuously and glaring at him. He cleared his throat again and turned back to Dain, bowing.

“Your Majesty, may I introduce Princess Melenthia Eryn Breslin, daughter of King Randor Breslin at Lachlan Castle, liege of Aaralyn.

She curtsied, and Dain approached her, taking her hand in his and kissing it, while still looking into her eyes. She surprisingly felt her ears grow warm. He bowed then to her and smiled.

“Welcome to Drydon Keep in Azlyn, Your Highness. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“And you as well, Your Majesty,” she said politely, keeping her tone light. “Your reputation precedes you.”

Dain looked at Alek but he only put his hands up in defense. “Not from me, Your Majesty.”

“Hmmm,” he said, his tone conveying amusement. “That doesn’t bode well for me, for any stories relayed by anyone other than my friends cannot be flattering in the least.”

“Stories tend to be exaggerated, Your Majesty, especially by those who talk only to hear the sound of their own voice.” She didn’t know about the other rumors yet, but the descriptions of his extraordinary good looks were certainly true.

He looked at her for a moment, then laughed. “Well said, Princess. Perhaps you speak from experience.”

“Perhaps.”

He looked down at the sword and stood still, gazing at it. “Is that the legendary Tanith of the prophecy?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“May I?”

She looked to Alek who nodded. She drew it and handed it to him. He examined it in the firelight.

“It’s quite extraordinary.” He handed it back. She put it away. There was silence for a moment or two as he gazed at her some more, then he spoke again. “Now it’s me who has forgotten his manners. I’m having the servants bring up some food and warm tea. Is there anything else I can have brought for you? Fresh clothes perhaps?”

She looked over toward the high-board. “Warm tea would be fine, unless you think you could spare a glass of something stronger. I have one hell of a headache,” she finished.

“I like this girl, Alek. Come, sit by the fire. Warm and rest yourselves.”

Alek tried to be polite, hoping to calm her anger at him. He motioned her to one of the comfortable chairs in front of the fire, then sat down next to her in the other. The king brought over two glasses of ale and handed one to her, then another to Alek, but he shook his head.