by Zora Marie
“How did you know you could shoot fire through the portals?”
“I had a theory and it worked.”
Linithion chuckled and her breath tickled Zelia’s ear. “I would have to say that it worked well. Though I think it took you a bit too much energy to close all of them. You need to learn your new limits and save pushing them for training.”
“I know. I’m trying to figure it out.” Zelia tightened her grip on Linithion’s hand, hoping Linithion understood that she really was trying.
“You know that wasn’t just a random attack, right?”
“I figured as much. They use the people they take like living power stones.”
“Plus, I think they’re threatened by you and me, and Orvi. We’ve known their magic for a few generations and they’ve never attacked like they have been.”
“Maybe they’re just getting desperate.”
“That first attack—that had been revenge. I don’t know what father did to distract them, but it pissed them off. This attack though, they tried to take you.”
“I’m sure they weren’t targeting me in particular, one just happened to grab me.”
“Maybe, but please be careful not to drain yourself, in case you have to protect yourself.” There was such worry and fear in Linithion’s tone, that it nearly broke Zelia’s heart.
“I will, but you have to promise to be careful, too. I don’t—I can’t lose you, either.”
“You won’t.” Linithion kissed Zelia’s neck. “Now, close your eyes and get what rest you can.”
“Oh, was that an order?”
“It definitely was.”
10
“Zelia.” Something warm nuzzled her and silky strands of hair tickled her cheek. “You should drink something.”
She blinked sleep from her eyes. Bête Noire’s neck rising elegantly before her was a shadowy presence and Linithion shoved a water bladder into her hand.
“Drink. You’ve been asleep for a while.” Linithion was a warm presence at her back, and Zelia heeded her command. The water was still warm from sitting in the sun but soothed her dry throat.
“How long was—”
“A while.” Amusement hummed in her voice. “All this traveling seems to be catching up with you.”
“Apparently.”
“I think you’ve got it from here. Stay safe out there.” Roald gave Linithion a slight nod and faded into the forest.
Elyluma’s outer border loomed ahead of them. Stars sprinkled light through the trees where Lighnif and Alrindel stood to greet in a small clearing. Everyone with Lighnif and Alrindel gave her and Linithion a slight bow of their heads before dispersing to help the others settle in for the night.
“You’re early. What happened?” Alrindel’s gaze swept over every inch of them, and paused on the blue blood that splattered their armor.
“We were attacked.” Loboran’s hands were a heavy weight on her waist as he helped her down from Bête Noire.
“So, we rode through the night,” Linithion added. “How are things here?”
“We’ve had a few attacks, but no one has been taken yet. We’ve pulled most of our people back past the river and are working on strengthening the wards. Eleanor has the plant swayers working on housing for all of you,” Lighnif said.
“Good. Thank you,” Linithion said.
“Come on, we put some more stew on the fire when our scouts spotted you.” Alrindel slung his arm across her shoulder and Linithion snatched up her hand before he could lead her away. He aimed for a fire with a small pot hanging over it at the heart of the camp. “You two seem rather… inseparable. What happened?”
“Other than Zelia trying to let a Fenari take her?”
“I didn’t let a Fenari do anything and if I do recall, that entire thing was a bit of a mess.”
“We have room for you two as well,” Lighnif said and even without looking, Zelia knew she spoke to Starling and Loboran.
Alrindel sat Zelia and Linithion down by the fire and ladled soup into bowls, one for each of them. “I’ll be back after I make sure everyone is settled in, but that tent is yours. Blankets and bedrolls are already out for all four of you.” Alrindel pointed to the tent set up between two trees behind them.
Lighnif sat down beside Zelia as Alrindel walked off. “You know, he’s been beside himself with worry since he got here.”
“I figured he would be.” Zelia ate a mouthful of the bland soup. “I take it you haven’t told him yet.”
“No. He’s still oblivious. He’s too focused on everything else right now to notice.”
“You should tell him how much you care about him. I know he loves you, too.”
“He even talked about you while we were sailing to Dragon Island,” Linithion added.
“Really?”
“Yep. You two grew up together, maybe he just doesn’t realize that the feelings he has for you are because you’re soulmates.”
“Or he does and fears you don’t love him that way. It does happen,” Loboran said.
“Maybe… Well, how about you all get some rest. We’ll keep watch tonight and you can tell us what happened tomorrow.” Lighnif rocked to her feet. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do.” Starling watched Lighnif walked away, then nudged Loboran. “Should we help them, too?”
“Oh, you two are trouble,” Linithion groaned. “At least wait until after we settle in behind the inner border.”
“We won’t meddle in their relationship,” Loboran said.
“Just ours then?” Zelia teased.
“You needed a push.” Loboran shrugged innocently.
“Right, well, off to bed with you.” Starling pulled them both to their feet, took their empty bowls, and shooed them towards their tent. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Zelia stared up at the tent, at the firelight dancing across the fabric. A shadowy figure passed and the fire crackled. Her mind turned over everything that had happened in the last few months. In the last couple of years, so much had happened and changed that she no longer recognized herself. Perhaps it was for the better. Maybe she wasn’t the broken creature in The Cave anymore, yet she wasn’t quite sure what she was now.
She disentangled herself from Linithion and slipped out of the tent to find Alrindel sitting alone by the fire. He gave her a faint smile as she sat next to him. “So, how are things at home?”
“Hectic. I don’t recall everything being so hectic, even at the end of the last war.”
“Well, we were little back then and they all went to great lengths to shield us from the outside world.”
“Yet they didn’t fight for you, not when you needed it most.”
She stilled. The past was the past and there was no use in dwelling on what Eleanor and the others had and hadn’t done. It wouldn’t change anything. She stared at the fire, at the way the flames twirled and twisted like a dancer free of formal constraints. “You had a lot of time to think on the way back from Dragon Island, didn’t you?”
“Yes. We all talked about a lot of things. Did you know that Kafthry and Saria are actually soulmates?”
“What? No. I knew they liked each other, but…”
“They had Dotchavitch marry them right before we left and the bond snapped into place that night. Kafthry has even begun remembering bits of his past lives. I think our numbers are growing so few that some of us are being reborn as human. It may be time that we stop trying to separate ourselves from them.”
“Have you mentioned this to Eleanor?”
“No. I think this is something you and Linithion need to bring up after all of this.” Alrindel waved his hand at the little camps littering the forest.
“They haven’t told you yet, have they?”
“Told me what?”
“They plan on leaving us after all of this is over. Koin let it slip while we were in Coridale. Said he and Eadon are starting to feel the call of the stars.”
“Well, they are nearly thre
e thousand and Koin has wanted to join Aunt Leena for a long time.”
“Eleanor and Vainoff plan to give up their powers and go with them.” Zelia hadn’t let herself think about it much since she’d found out and she still didn’t know what to do with the knowledge. Didn’t know if there was anything she could do.
Alrindel wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tucked her into his warmth. “Well, you’ll still have me for some time.”
“Perhaps you and Lighnif could take Eleanor and Vainoff’s places?”
“Me and Lighnif? No, I’ve never been much for spells. Even Fenari magic is a bit of a stretch for me. And why Lighnif?”
“Oh, no reason.”
Alrindel peered down at her, a knowing gleam in his eyes. As though he saw right through her lie. “Well, it’s about time we woke everyone and start breaking down camp. Don’t go running off anywhere.” He rocked to his feet and headed for the next camp over, their fire a speck of light in the darkness.
11
Night turned to day and time slipped past her. The rocky cliff that concealed her home loomed ahead of her. The river rushed by as Bête Noire crossed the tree root bridge with long strides. Zelia flicked a hand at the waterfall ahead of them, freezing a section of water to part the roaring veil of water. The guards just inside the tunnel entrance bowed their heads to her and Linithion.
The place they rode into, where she had once played and learned alongside Alrindel, was alien to her. Makeshift forges had been erected in the field in front of her childhood home, their dragons occupied one of the horse pastures, and nearly every tree had some sort of home constructed in, around, or beside it. This place of peace and play had been turned on its head, even from what it had been earlier that winter.
Linithion’s grip on her waist tightened as she, too, marked all the differences. This is where they’d first met, yet it wasn’t that place anymore. No wonder Alrindel had been a bit out of sorts, if this is what he’d come home to.
“Hello, girls,” Eleanor greeted them as Elves who were vaguely familiar to Zelia dispersed to help those coming in behind them.
“Auntie Eleanor,” Linithion said, “a lot’s changed…”
“It has. Come. I’m sure you’re both tired.”
Zelia’s chest tightened as she glanced to Starling and Loboran. She’d grown used to their constant companionship and in the face of the strangeness around her, she needed a bit of normalcy.
She didn’t voice her needs though, not as they waved her off. “We’ll find someplace to stay and come bug you later.”
“I’ve arranged for you two to stay in the house,” Eleanor interjected. “I know of your abilities and would have you both stay close to the girls, if you do not mind.”
“Not at all. Just let us know how we can help.”
Eleanor appraised both males, then smiled softly. “For now, get some rest. Go ahead to the big tree, someone will show you where your room and the shower are.”
“Oh, we don’t smell that bad.”
Starling choked on a laugh. “You’re taking a shower—with me.”
“Hm. I could go for that.”
“Then off with you two because we need one, too. Come on.” Linithion slid from Bête Noire and gestured for Zelia to put her hands on her shoulders.
“Thanks.” Zelia flexed her ankles before dismounting. Eleanor’s gaze burned a hole in her the entire time. Her skin crawled with the appraisal in that gaze, with how Eleanor gauged her ability to be of use in the coming fight.
“I’ll take care of your horses,” Lighnif said, Frita already nuzzling her shoulder.
“Thank you. You behave, Bête Noire.”
“Fine.” Bête Noire huffed his defeat.
As her horse followed Lighnif down the path, Zelia turned towards where their dragons congregated. Eleanor’s shielding of this island made it so she and Raven couldn’t talk while the inner border separated them. Even now, though, Raven had yet to say a word.
“We’re fine. Go settle in and get some rest.”
“How are your ribs?”
“They’re fine. I’m already healed.”
“Good.”
“When did you learn to build mental walls?” Eleanor asked.
“Hm? Oh. I guess I learned how to do it when Rog was taught.” She shrugged. “I’m not as good at holding them though.”
“Strange. Well, come on. Dinner is ready.”
Zelia glanced back at the dragons. She wanted to go see them, but Linithion took her hand and pulled her towards their other home. “We’ll go see them later.”
“Fine.” Zelia stared up at the great tree that had been her childhood home. Even just earlier this winter she and Linithion had let themselves play like children in the first snow of the year, here in this field. So many things had changed since then, both for good and ill.
Linithion must have been thinking much the same as she whispered, “I love you,” the words laced with hidden meaning.
“Love you, too.”
“We’ll return things to normal soon enough.” Linithion stopped at the threshold to this place they would now call home together and pressed a kiss to Zelia’s forehead. “I promise.”
Then they were inside, where a mix of magic and fires kept the place warm. All the rooms they passed that had once been family living areas were now bedrooms and places to tend the wounded.
“Where’s Eadon?” Zelia asked.
“He went to find Donavain to see what he needs and help with those who are still healing.”
“We were attacked on the way a few days ago, so there are several healing from that. We’re not positive how many were taken then, only a handful as best we could tell without stopping.” Linithion’s grip on Zelia’s hand tightened as she spoke, the gesture a reminder of how close they’d come to losing each other.
“I’m sorry about your people and your home, Linithion. It’s not easy.” Eleanor turned into the second-floor dining room her family had always used.
There was a spread of food set out on the table, several of the pots had lids to trap in heat. It was strange not to have Skylar and Nikolas there, even Alrindel was busy helping everyone. Zelia knew Linithion felt the need to go help too, even if they were tired from constantly being on the move. Still, they sat at the table as though the world wasn’t falling apart around them. Even Eleanor looked exhausted, perhaps from working on the wards and worry.
“How are you both holding up?”
“We’re still here,” Zelia said.
“We’re managing, though someone needs to take a day and rest.”
“I’m fine.”
“Zelia. You’ve been bouncing between kingdoms and not giving yourself time to rest. I didn’t say anything before because I knew you wouldn’t leave me, but please.”
“I’m fine, Linithion. I’m tired, but I am alright.”
“I agree with Linithion.” Zelia straightened at the sound of Donequen’s voice behind her. In the mess of everything going on, she’d nearly forgotten her friend would be there. Raven had hinted at Grono’s intent to meet his potential rider, but she hadn’t put the pieces together.
“Thank you, at least someone has some sense.”
Zelia shook her head. She was never going to win with these two. “How’s Grono?” she asked, hoping to change the topic.
“You mean the dragon who dumped Skylar off and practically kidnapped me? He’s fine—and is a bit of a pain.” Donequen grinned nearly ear to ear as he sat beside her. “He’s worse than Steffon and Tregar combined by the way, wants to practice flying maneuvers every day.”
“I take it you two bonded?”
“Yes, and it’s been a game of charades to figure out what he wants without you here.”
“Watching you two has been good for morale.” A hint of a smile played on Eleanor’s lips.
“I’m sure it has been.” Donequen huffed with more than a bit of a blush. “Orvi has also been practicing both flying and… energy manipulation?
I didn’t know dragons could do that.”
“How do you think hydras are able to regrow their heads?” Linithion asked.
“Fair point. I forgot she’s half hydra. Do we know if she’d—”
“No and we’re not finding out.” Zelia glared at Donequen. Has he lost his mind? Wondering if she’d regrow her head.
Donequen raised his hands. “Wasn’t suggesting it. I was just curious if you knew.”
“Good. How about we eat?” Linithion asked and began scooping food onto her and Zelia’s plates. Enough food that she knew she wouldn’t be able to finish it all. Whether she needed the weight or not, she could only eat so much.
12
Raven and Orvi insisted she and Linithion waited to see them in the morning. She was too tired from constantly being on the move to argue, so they’d showered and fallen into bed. Eleanor had moved what clothes Linithion had left into Zelia’s room, so they didn’t bother to track down where the pack was that Frita had carried for the last part of the trip. It would turn up eventually.
There was a light knock on the door, then Eadon asked, “Girls, may I come in?”
They both groaned softly as they disentangled themselves. “Come in,” Zelia said and glanced at the lightening sky out the balcony door.
“Donavain mentioned that he hasn’t had a chance to check on you since before you went to Coridale,” Eadon said as he entered their room. “So, I thought I would check on both of you and let you know that breakfast is almost ready.”
“I’m fine. Loboran has been keeping a very close eye on me.”
“Still, can you blame me for wanting to see for myself?” Eadon sat on the edge of the bed and Zelia sat up to wrap him in a hug.
“No. I’m sure you worried, especially after Eleanor came back hurt.”
“I always worry about both of you, and your brothers.”
“Speaking of Skylar, any word of how things are going there? Or in Coridale?”
“Skylar’s making progress with his people and Koin is on his way back here with Luxly and Jones as we speak.”
