by B. C. Morin
“We were brothers, Evyette. We may not have had the same parents, but we were brothers. Not a day passed that we did not spend time together. What am I to do now?” He looked up at Evyette who had knelt down in front of him and placed her hands on his face.
“I do not know.” She wiped the tears from his cheeks with her thumbs. “But we can figure it out together.”
“I miss him Evy. It is as if a part of me died along with him.”
She was right.
Evyette threw her arms around Kaleb, allowing her tears to fall also. Kaleb held her tight against him, both of them sobbing and mourning the loss of a fae, which they both loved.
As she walked into the meeting room, Alannah first noticed Brennus, sitting at the head of the table, Isibeal to his left, her hair pulled tightly into a long ponytail, dark circles dulling the usual brightness of her eyes. The council members were mostly standing around, talking amongst themselves, and no doubt about Samil.
Brennus stood immediately walking towards them and enveloping Evyette in his arms.
“I am sorry for your loss Evyette. Tristan was an exceptional fae, and he will be missed.”
Evyette released him after a moment.
“Thank you, Brennus.” She immediately shifted her gaze to Kaleb who sat at the other end of the table, opposite Brennus.
Brennus stepped aside allowing Evyette to pass and walk over to Kaleb and taking a seat next to him.
“You disappeared quickly last night.” He leaned in, brushing his fingers along Alannah’s arm.
Alannah looked around, wondering if anyone saw the intimate gesture, as she shook off the oncoming goose bumps.
“I was tired.” She lied.
Brennus raised an eyebrow at her and she knew he did not believe her. She was in no mood to tell him that the real reason. Even though her heart was telling her one thing, her mind was reminding her that she needed to walk away from him. He was due to marry another, and she could not stand by and watch it happen.
“What are you thinking?” His eyes filled with concern.
“Nothing.” She gulped down the emotions caught in her throat, before leaving to sit next to Evyette.
She wasn’t watching him anymore, but she could feel that he was still watching her. Alannah put her hands on the table, releasing a sigh. Kaleb leaned over, grabbing her hands and giving her a reassuring squeeze.
Galehot, who had been sitting to Brennus’s right, started it off, by explaining what Samil was trying to attempt by sacrificing Evyette.
Halwyn stood, looking around the room before beginning.
“Because the dark magic needed the blood of an heir to work, Samil could not regain his flesh form permanently. Do not be mistaken, he has gained some strength from Tristan, but nowhere near the power he would have gained through Evyette. This is both a blessing and a curse. Should we still meet him on the battlefield, he will be harder to kill in his spirit form. However, if he comes out in his flesh form, it will take much of his powers to maintain it.” Halwyn turned, facing the other end of the table, motioning for Driscal, who had been sitting next to Kaleb, to speak.
Driscal stood, he smoothed his hands over his dark brown hair which was combed back and held with a black ribbon, and he fixed his translucent grey eyes on Evyette. Some of the color had come back to his skin and he did not look as tired and worn down by the dark spirits he had been dealing with.
“Evyette, as I delved into the affairs of the dark spirits and their world, I have discovered something that, though you are laden with grief and sorrow, you will find there is one thing to smile about.”
Evyette furrowed her brow at him, and took a quick glance at her sister, hoping she knew what Driscal was talking about.
“Evyette, it appears that the two additional selfless acts of sacrifice to save your life have negated Samil’s promise to the Venator Animus. It is now only his soul that they are after.”
Dara stood, grabbing Driscal’s arm.
“Are you telling us that she is free? That because of the love of her mother, her birth father and her love, she will no longer be hunted?”
“Yes.” Driscal smiled at Dara, putting his hand on hers, as tears rolled down her face.
Alannah put her arm around her sister. For the first time since they could remember, both were crying tears of joy.
* * * * *
Alannah walked down the steps of the castle, watching the workers transform the remaining training grounds for the wedding ceremony. Her stomach twisted into so many knots, her breakfast threatened to make an appearance. She walked slowly down the path to Master Jadoc’s home.
It was quite a surprise to her when Anora walked into the room, advising her that Master Jadoc had requested she be at training today. Luckily she had just enough time to sit with Evyette and have their breakfast and morning tea. They had done this every morning since their return. It was something she had begun to look forward to, as it provided quite an escape from the constant barrage of emotions, which wreaked havoc on her.
As she approached, she stopped at the gate, watching Master Jadoc meditate in the center of his polished wooden floor. She looked him over for scars, but saw that he was now completely healed.
“Are you going to stand there and stare at me, or come in?” Master Jadoc opened just one eye, as he smirked at her.
Alannah laughed and entered, sure to close the gate behind her.
“Did you really believe that I would allow you to have more than a few days off?” Jadoc put his hands on the floor, pushing himself up and uncrossing his legs with such speed that Alannah barely saw the movement. In an instant he was standing across from her, hands outstretched, with small balls of fire hovering above each palm.
The corner of Alannah’s mouth crept up at the welcome distraction. She took a deep breath and when she opened her eyes, the balls of fire were coming right at her. The first two, she put out with air, the second two with water and the last set, she caught, created a bigger fireball, and shot it back at Jadoc. He smiled with amusement. They continued fighting with the fire and other elements, until she used a whirlwind to shoot the fireballs back at him.
“Well, now you are just showing off.” He said, raising his eyebrow at her. “But that is not all I have taught you, my dear.” Jadoc unsheathed the sword at his waist, the impeccable blade reflecting the rays of light that crept through the branches of the trees around them.
Alannah unsheathed hers as well, never taking her eyes off of Jadoc just in case he decided to attack with magic as well. As soon as she took her stance, Jadoc lunged forward, bringing his blade across her chest. She leaned back, avoiding his blade and countered him, for the first time, causing him to step back. Confidence swelled inside of her, while she continued the onslaught. The clang of their blades filled the air around them. She could think of nothing else but the thrill of the adrenaline running through her veins.
In a swift movement, Alannah blocked a thrust from Jadoc, turned, stopped behind him, and rested the tip of her blade on his back. They both stood for a moment, their heavy breathing the only sound mixing with the songs of the surrounding birds.
“I may have taught you too well.” Jadoc joked.
Alannah sheathed her sword and dropped to her knee when Jadoc turned to face her.
“I am only this good because of you, Master. I could never thank you enough.”
Jadoc inclined his head toward her, clearly impressed with the progress she had made, not only physically, but mentally as well.
“You are not the only one that has learned from our sessions together. I thank you, as well.” He sheathed his sword. “Of course, this does not mean we are done. Samil is still planning a war against us, and I intend to have you fully prepared.
Alannah inclined her head at him and waited for him to dismiss her.
“I cannot believe you beat him.” Brennus opened the gate, as she approached.
Alannah felt the blush creep up her neck, and was grateful for
already having flushed cheeks, due to the training session. “Yes, I still cannot believe it myself.” Alannah stepped forward, trying to get past him.
Brennus reached for Alannah’s arm, but she slowly moved out of the way.
“Why are you avoiding me?” Brennus looked at her, hurt by her avoidance of his touch. “You have gone out of your way to not have to speak to me in the past few days, and I want to know why.”
“You know why.” She bit her lip, willing herself to be strong.
“If I did, I would not be standing here asking you.”
“How could you not know, Brennus?” Alannah huffed, motioning in the direction of the wedding grounds, before walking up the path towards the castle.
“Alannah.” Brennus called after her. When he saw that she would not be stopped, he quickly ran to catch up to her. Not saying a word, Brennus stayed close behind.
As they approached her room, Brennus broke the silence.
“Will you speak to me now?”
Alannah hung her head not daring to turn around, as she turned the knob and let the door swing open.
“Yes,” She began before walking in. “I will talk to you now.”
Brennus followed her in, stepping close enough to her that she could smell the scent she always associated with him. It was the scent of the air, the moment before a big storm is about to fall. He leaned his head down and she was thankful that she was still wearing her boots, so that she was closer to his height.
“Alannah,” Brennus began, his lips so close to hers, she had to bite her own to keep from kissing him.
“Brennus.” Alannah stepped back, instantly seeing the disappointment in Brennus’s face. “I cannot.” She choked down the tears, which threatened to emerge. “I can do this no longer. You will be married in three days’ time and I cannot sit by and watch.”
“Alannah, you know I cannot-“
“I know.” She cut him off, not wanting to re-live the same discussion, once again. “But I cannot watch you go through with it. You may as well rip out my heart right here and now because that is what it will do to me.” She gulped again, refusing to cry. Not this time, she repeated to herself.
“What are you saying, Alannah? Please, I don’t-” He stepped forward quickly, grabbing her hands before she could stop him. “I don’t understand.” He finished, bringing her hands up to his lips and kissing them lightly.
“I realized the other day that, although I have to accept it, I do not have to be present for it.” She lifted her gaze from her hands to his eyes, instantly regretting. She saw the sorrow and hurt her words had already begun to cause. “I am leaving for the Kingdom of the Magi in three days, to begin my training in sorcery.”
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Epilogue
Alannah looked around her room for the last time, stopping at the spot where she and Brennus had last spoken. She knew that her leaving would hurt him, but things just could not continue as they were.
“Hi!” Evyette poked her head in the doorway. “Are you absolutely sure that you do not want us to go with you?”
Alannah smiled at her sister. “Yes, I am sure. Stay for your cousin’s wedding. I will be fine. I will use protection spells at night and I promise not to go looking for trouble. I will even fly most of the time so that I can get there quicker.”
“Lan, I am not comfortable with you going by yourself. If Father knew, he would kill you.” Evyette’s brow creased.
“I know, sis. But I really could use the time alone. Please.”Alannah walked up easing her arms around her sister and squeezing tight.
“Fine, but you need to communicate to me as soon as you stop for the night. Perhaps Kaleb and I can leave right after the wedding and meet with you.”
“Yes, mother.” She said sarcastically.
“I really wish you would wait for us, Alannah.” Kaleb stood, leaning against her doorway.
“Not you, too, Kaleb.” She sighed.
Kaleb threw his hands in the air freeing himself from blame.
“You know it would be better if we traveled together.”
Alannah looked down, shuffling her feet. “I know, I just cannot be here when he marries her.” She looked back at Kaleb who was walking toward her. “I just can’t.” she said as she let Kaleb hug her.
“I must say, Alannah, I really thought you would fight this to the end.”
Alannah sighed hard.
“There is no more fight left in me for this. He will not change his mind. I cannot do so, and I cannot even convince Isibeal to admit that he is ruining her life, also.”
Kaleb released her.
“I understand then.”
Alannah walked out the castle, praying that she would not run into Brennus on her way out. She walked outside and pulled her hood over her head, as the cold bit at her face. She tried to ignore the looks and glances of those watching her, while she walked towards the front gate. But, she could feel the eyes, and almost hear them feeling sorry for her.
She decided that with the weather being as cold as it was, she was going to walk for a bit to warm up, before flying. The weight on her shoulders and chest, which she thought would be lifted by leaving, still lingered.
Alannah walked for several miles through the woods before stopping. Thoughts of how it would have been better to travel with Evyette and Kaleb began eating at her. But she did not want to turn back now and risk walking in during the wedding ceremony.
She thought, for a moment longer, then turned and began running through the almost-bare-trees. Her ankles stung from her feet hitting the cold, hard ground. The cold air caused her chest to tighten, but she could not slow down, not until she got to where she needed to be.
Her boots slammed hard against the wood, alerting the fae, before she even knocked, that there was company.
She lifted her hand to knock, but the door swung open.
“What are you doing here?” The fae held the door open not inviting her in.
“I need the truth.” She begged, through her blue lips.
“I suppose there is no harm in telling you now, since there is nothing we can do at this point.” Magnar moved out of the way and motioned for her to enter the small cabin.
“Is it true? Does Isibeal love you? Do you love her?” Alannah asked, not bothering to take a seat.
“We were to be married.” Magnar said, his gaze dropping to the empty bottle of wine on the table. “We had not told anyone except our parents. We were about to announce it, when the King told her father of his decision. Galehot was not about to go against his king, nor would he allow us to do so.”
Alannah saw the pain in his eyes. The truth was written all over them. “Put on your coat.”
“Why?”
“We have a wedding to stop.”
“No.” Magnar turned to open the door, most likely to kick her out.
“Magnar, what do you have to lose? You do not live in the Kingdom, your love is about to marry someone she does not want to be with. I know Brennus. He may think that he is not the best thing for me, but he would not allow himself to come between two others.”
Magnar shook his head, even while he grabbed his coat from the seat.
“This is madness. We are going to try and stop the wedding of the King of Anrad.” He said, as he slid the coat on, looking at Alannah.
Alannah smiled at him, “Madness is the only thing we have left.”
She walked out and waited for Magnar to close the door behind him, before starting into a run.
They slowed down just as they approached the gates.
“I hear music, Alannah. I fear we may be too late.” Magnar whispered, while the guards opened the heavy doors.
“No.” Alannah breathed, as she walked through the entrance, her eyes suddenly falling on Brennus and Isibeal.
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