“I am not scared!” I squeaked, wiping the water droplets from my face.
“Then get in here.” His emerald-scarlet eyes locked on mine, and I felt the gravitational pull between us once again. It was impossible to say no to him.
“Turn around,” I demanded, and he grinned.
“Don’t trust that I won’t look?”
“I said turn around,” I repeated, and this time he obeyed. Chuckling, he turned so his back was facing me.
A surge of adrenaline filled me as I looked down to see his cloak and shirt lying haphazardly on the rocks. I was glad to see no evidence of his trousers.
It was then that I realized I would need to strip down to my undergarments too. I didn’t want to walk back to the cottage soaking wet, nor did I want to let Mid think I was a coward. Usually I was all for reckless endeavors. I lived for pushing the limits. But this seemed different—this was wilder and far more irrational than I was used to.
I quickly removed the shirt from over my head and slipped the baggy trousers off my legs. The cold was urging me toward the water, and before I could talk myself out of it, I slipped into the hot glassy surface.
It was immediately warmer, and I sighed in pleasure as the heat blanketed my skin. My toes barely touched the bottom of the spring, and I had to bounce up and down to keep from going completely under. Mid turned around after hearing my descent into the water, and began swimming toward me.
“I’ll admit, I didn't think you’d actually do it,” he teased, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
“You have a lot to learn about me, Mid.”
“I suppose I do.” He stopped about a foot away from me, his expression suddenly smoldering.
It was silent for a moment as we floated, and the mood suddenly became serious.
“Mid. . .” I started, wanting to ask him something but unsure if I would be able to spit out the words.
“Yes, Ehren?” The way he said my name was undoubtedly criminal. It caused everything inside of me to shiver, my skin to feel tingling, and my cheeks to warm. It wasn’t fair how easily he disarmed me with just the sound of his voice.
“Why did you kiss me?” I blurted, needing to understand what happened back at the festival.
He didn’t say anything at my sudden question, and I tried to decipher the look in his emerald-scarlet eyes, but his expression was unreadable.
“Why?” I asked again, more firmly. But I still didn't get my answer. Instead, he closed the distance between us, grasped my head between his hands, and kissed me.
The world spun like someone pushed it into a faster orbit. He wasn’t kissing me as he had at the festival. This kiss was different. It was full of desperation and hunger, and his hunger just so happened to be for me.
He pulled me against his chest and my fingers tangled into his wet hair. His hands gripped the tender skin of my thigh and with a swift motion lifted me so my legs wound around his waist. Our bodies greeted one another, and I wondered how I’d lived my whole life not knowing such a feeling. My mind went blank with the intoxication of his touch, making it hard to breathe. It was several blissful minutes of his lips on mine before he suddenly pulled away, stopping our rough kiss. I opened my eyes to look at him, too stunned to speak.
“I kissed you because I wanted to,” he said gruffly, our faces mere inches apart.
“So you just do whatever you want then, is that it?” I glared at him, and he raised an eyebrow mischievously.
“Most of the time, yes.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” I stated, wondering if that would make him remember that whatever we had together tonight would be useless tomorrow. As much as I wanted to have him for a brief moment, I didn’t know if I’d be able to handle the memories it would bring when I was gone.
“I know.” He allowed his forehead to fall against mine, and I couldn’t deny the feelings of anticipation. He kissed me again, only this time more slowly and deliberately. When he released me, a teasing smile rose to his lips.
“Race you to the other side?” he challenged.
It was obvious he was avoiding talking about the goodbye that awaited us. And as much as I felt we needed to acknowledge tomorrow's inevitability, I didn’t want to face reality yet either.
“Don’t be surprised when I beat you,” I said, starting for the other side of the rocks.
“I wouldn't be so sure about that,” he growled, chasing after me.
We were in the water for what seemed like hours, playfully splashing and dousing one another. But soon exhaustion took over and sleep began calling my name. We left the warmth of the hot spring, and Mid wrapped me in his cloak. Despite his attempt at keeping me warm, I shivered all the way back to the cottage.
When we returned, I changed out of my wet clothes and brushed through my tangled hair. When finished, I opened the door to find Mid standing on the other side. He was leaning against the door frame, freshly changed, his dark curls almost completely dry.
“Can I come in?” he asked, and I nodded, opening the door wider for him to pass through.
“Of course.”
He took a seat on the edge of the little bed and I proceeded to slip beneath the quilted comforter.
“You should get some sleep. We have a long trip tomorrow,” he advised.
“I’ll see you in the morning then?” I asked, hating the melancholy cloud that was hanging over the room.
“Yeah, I’ll see you in the morning.” He gave me a sad smile then leaned in to press a gentle kiss to my forehead, his lips leaving a tingling imprint on my skin.
He stood from the bed and walked back toward the door. I had to keep myself from calling out to him and begging him to stay. He gave me one last longing glance with his emerald-scarlet eyes and then he left the room, shutting the door behind him.
FOURTEEN
I woke the next day to the morning light filtering through the trees and into the bedroom window. I squinted against the bright light and I sat up to rub the sleep from my eyes. Memories of the night before filled my head and I couldn’t help the smile that grew on my lips.
I stretched and yawned, shaking out my tired bones. I dressed for the day and took my time lacing my hair into a braid over my shoulder. I padded down the hallway and wrapped my arms around myself as the cold from the outdoors successfully made its way into the house. When I entered the living room, there was no fire going. The hearth was bleak and empty. Quickly before I shivered to death, I grabbed a blanket from the basket near the bookshelves and wrapped it around myself. I went into the kitchen searching for Mid. To my disappointment, he wasn’t in the kitchen either.
Expecting to find him outside, I opened the door and began searching the forest. I hoped to see him with Ghost, waiting underneath a tree somewhere, but it seemed no one was around. I walked down the trail to the hot spring only to find that it too was deserted. I circled back to the house, fear beginning to enter my mind.
It was then I heard movement coming from the trees. I twirled around, and found a little brown shed nestled between two large pines. It looked to be a stable. The panic I was beginning to feel was replaced by a new sense of hope. I hurried over and pushed open the latched wooden doors leading into the small makeshift barn, my eyes searching for the one and only person I wanted to see.
My hope burned brighter when I saw a brown cloak, but then quickly my heart sank inside my chest when I realized it was only Liony. She was saddling Ghost in the stall and my hand fell frozen on the door latch.
“Ehren, you’re awake. I’m glad you found me cau–”
“Where’s Mid?” I interrupted, feeling suddenly panicked again. Something wasn’t right.
She turned around and patted the bear's shoulder as she walked over to me. Lifting a satchel from the ground she slung it over her shoulder. She looked at me with her slate-gray eyes and I couldn't deny the saddened look that registered on her face. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a piece of paper. Gently she handed it to me.
�
�He left this for you.”
She led Ghost out of the barn, and I was soon alone with only the flimsy piece of paper in my hands. I opened it and began reading.
Ehren,
I know you are confused as to why I wasn’t there when you woke up this morning. Believe me and trust me when I say, I wanted to be. Ehren, last night was a night I will truly never forget. But it doesn’t change the reality of our situation. I knew if I didn’t leave this morning before you woke up, I’d risk defying everything I’ve ever stood for. I would’ve begged you to do something reckless, like runaway with me and never look back. And that would be selfish. I barely know you, yet I feel like I’m going to miss you more than I can fathom.
Liony will get you back to Aveladon. She knows how to get you there. Farewell, I do hope we meet again.
–Mid
The letter fell from my fingers and floated to the straw floor. I reached up and pressed a hand to my heart, feeling like something had broken inside of me. Tears found their way into my eyes and I blinked them back rapidly. I took in a deep breath and tried to ignore the uncomfortable feelings of heartache and resentment that were pulsing inside my chest. Despite his reasoning, I just couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t say goodbye.
Not wanting to be there any longer, I reached down and picked up the note, then ripped it into several pieces, letting the remains fall back onto the floor in a mangled heap. I left the stable and wiped my cheeks, quickly vanishing any evidence of tears.
Liony was waiting outside for me when I returned. She didn't say a word as she helped me up onto Ghost’s back. After everything was secure, she climbed up alongside me, and took up the reins in her hands.
I looked back at the cottage one last time, memories emitting a painful surge of feelings. I forced myself to take one last longing glance before I faced forward. Liony kicked Ghost in the direction of the sea of trees and we disappeared into the thick pine forest—leaving the memories of Mid and Ethydon behind.
ON THE JOURNEY back to Aveladon I wasn’t really in the mood for conversation, but despite the cold demeanor I tried to display, Liony still made small talk.
“What is it like in your village back home?” she asked.
I tried to conjure something believable to tell her about the fantasy village I said I was from, but my creativity was lacking.
“It's a small quiet village, not very many people in it. I live there with my father and my sister.” It wasn’t too far from the truth. The castle was quiet, and though enormous, had but a few residences.
“And your mother?” she asked, obviously not realizing the depth that lay behind the question.
“She died when I was younger. She got very sick one day and everything the healers tried didn’t work. . .eventually she passed.” It was silent for a moment as Liony took in my answer. I knew what she was probably thinking. It was an unusual ending. Stone-Hearted rarely got sick. But in the case of my mother it had been somehow fatal. It was something I still couldn’t quite grasp to this day why she hadn’t been strong enough. Why her Stone-Hearted framework had failed her.
“I’m sorry.” She seemed genuinely saddened for me, her tone losing all jubilance it usually held.
“I miss her, but we’ve learned to live on without her.”
“What’s your sister like?”
“My sister practically raised me when my mother died. She’s beautiful, extremely smart, and just had her Granting.” The mood was instantly brightened as I began speaking of Jasper.
“That’s wonderful. You two are close then?”
“Yes, very close.” Her inquiry caused me to remember a question I had yet to ask her.
“What’s your Stone-Hearted power, Liony?”
“You probably won’t like it if I tell you,” she said, a sheepish smile growing on her lips.
“Well now I have to know,” I said earnestly.
“If you insist. . .” she consented reluctantly. My brow furrowed. I was curious as to what could possibly be so bad about her power. She quickly went on to explain.
“I can help influence people's feelings. Change their mood and make them feel the emotions I want them to feel. I like to call it gentle persuasion.”
“So that's why no one says no to you.” I began thinking back to the way she made me feel about going to the festival and immediately knew she had to have been working on me.
“I’m sorry if you think I manipulated you. It's only natural for me,” she said, seeming ashamed. But I wasn’t at all offended, more fascinated than anything.
“What about your brother, Shar?” I asked, and she giggled as if I had said something hilarious.
“That’s an interesting one. Shar, he can tell if people are lying to him or not. His judge of character is untelling, and I’m sure there's more to it than he’s expressed to me.”
Goosebumps erupted down my spine when I heard her reply. If Shar could tell that someone was lying, he probably knew I was a fraud from the moment I stepped into the house. No wonder he didn’t like me. I immediately wondered why he hadn’t given me away to Mid.
“Well thank you for sharing that with me,” I said, slightly distracted. It was several minutes of brief silence before Liony spoke again.
“Ehren?”
“Yes?” I replied.
“I could see you were beginning to like Mid. I’m sorry it had to end this way.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to blink back the tears that threatened to resurface. It was ridiculous how hurt I was over someone I’d just met. And not to mention naive and irrational to think anything could have come of it.
“It’s okay, Liony. We barely knew each other. And it wasn't like we could’ve been together anyway.”
Liony would never know just how deeply that statement went. As a princess being with someone outside of the royal society was greatly looked down upon and was almost never permitted.
“Still, I’m sorry,” she added.
“Thank you, Liony,” I whispered.
Liony nodded and began humming a little tune to herself as we traveled. It wasn’t much later that the tree line began to recede, and we came upon a clearing.
“We’re about to our destination,” Liony said. She halted Ghost and jumped from his back easily down to the ground. “Through those trees is Asmede. Is this close enough to your village?”
I followed after her, and sure enough through the breaks in the branches I could see the tips of Asmede’s tall city gates.
“Yes, this is perfect. Thank you for taking me home.”
She nodded and grabbed me into a fierce hug, “I hope to see you again, Ehren. It was wonderful to meet you.” She pulled away and handed me her satchel. “For the road. This should hopefully be enough.”
I gave her a soft, thankful smile. “This is plenty. Goodbye, Liony.”
I began walking toward the city and turned back only to give her one final wave. She smiled atop Ghost, waved back zealously, then disappeared into the dark foliage toward Ethydon.
FIFTEEN
Asmede’s city walls were an enormous sight. They towered high into the sky, their iron architecture black and unyielding. Long lines of civilians bustled with wagons and animals, jostling and pushing one another to get inside the city. Several sentries stood at the gates, checking sacks of produce and items the people were bringing in with them.
I picked up my pace and started toward the guards, knowing I was moments away from finally being home. I pushed through the buzzing crowd. Several people grunted in annoyance as I brushed past them. I ignored their complaints and disapproving glares, my eyes focused on the guards at the gates.
“Guards, guards!” I began to yell, pushing past the last band of red cloaks. I was shoved by several bodies until I fell through the throng of people, crashing to the ground at the guards' feet. Several gasps were heard as the people watched me tumble to the dusty earth.
“What are you doing woman? Stand up!” The sentry fiercely hoisted me f
rom the ground, obviously angry for my disturbance amongst the crowd. I clung to his red cloak and looked up into his angry face and began to beg, tears welling in the corners of my eyes
“Please don’t hurt me. My name is Sabeara Aigoviel. I’m the princess of Aveladon.”
“LITTLE BEAR. . .” The relief in my guardian's voice when he said my name was undeniable. The minute I stepped onto the castle grounds, he enveloped me in his arms. He held me for a long while before he finally set me down and even then he didn’t fully let go.
“I've been so worried about you.” He looked over to the guards that had escorted me back to the castle. He turned to them and thanked them graciously for returning me.
My father and Jasper came running down the front steps, not far behind, and quickly embraced me. A mass flurry of questions was asked by all three of them, my mind unable to comprehend all their worried inquiries.
“Are you okay?”
“What happened?”
“Are you hurt?”
“Where did they find you?”
I held my hand up and everyone fell silent.
“I’m fine. Can I just eat some food and maybe sleep a little before I answer everyone's questions?” I asked, feeling suddenly exhausted.
My father nodded and took my hand to carefully guide me inside.
“Of course,” he said.
I was taken to my room, platters of food were delivered, and many people scurried around me while the healer checked my bruises. With his Stone-Hearted gift the healer turned the angry purple flesh back to its pale form.
Oli hovered a lot, while Jasper helped me change into fresh clothes. It was a scramble of people, and it didn’t die down for several days.
I was constantly attended to. Everyone treated me as if I was a delicate porcelain teacup. No matter how many times I told them I was fine they insisted I rest some more or eat some more. Unable to take the stifling tending too, Oli offered to take me on a walk one afternoon to get some fresh air.
Granted (Granted Series Book 1) Page 11
