by Fawn Atondo
“I’ll use my other gifts then to get the better of them if I can’t make it through to the Gate undetected,” Falyn decided.
“Wise choice, My Lady, but you’ll also need the gifts of those in your closest circle,” he informed her.
“I’ll have Alex with me, and I planned on bringing Lark too, if he’ll come with me,” Falyn assured him.
“Good, but you’ll also need the Binder’s talents,” he told her with an arch smile.
Falyn did not say anything to this. She quickly looked away as she did not wish him to see that the idea of bringing Luria along too did not sit well.
“Rest easy, Princess. Luria is no threat to you,” the Elder chuckled.
“I never thought she was,” Falyn snorted.
“Your eyes speak louder than your voice on the matter of your heart,” he said, with a knowing look.
Falyn looked over to where Alex was standing. His face dark and his eyes closed, he seemed to be in a bad mood. She guessed this was her doing.
“He is a good soul, that one, even if he was born out of death. He knows right from wrong. Don’t make the mistake of writing him off; he knows what he’s saying.” The Elder’s tone carried a warning.
Falyn looked back at the old man.
“What are you trying to tell me?”
“Ah. Those from your world always want a clear answer, but in time my words will become clear. Just wait.” And that was all he was going to say.
He stood then, leaning on his stick, and soon two young women came to escort him into a large tent at the back of the clearing.
Falyn was angry with herself. She had let the subject of Alex dominate her conversation with the Elder and she had not asked all the questions she needed to.
“Great,” Falyn mumbled.
Perhaps she had gotten some sort of answer but it was not what she wanted. What she wanted was a clear map out of this place.
“Lark!” Falyn shouted.
“Here,” he cooed from right behind her.
“How do you do that?” she asked.
“Just one of my gifts.” He laughed.
“I need to know if you will come with me to my world.”
Falyn held her breath waiting for the answer.
“Yes,” he said, without even pausing to think it over.
“Thank you!” Falyn smiled with relief. “I need all the help I can get. And now, can you please seek out that pretty little redhead and send her to me.”
Lark nodded and, with a wicked grin, went to search out the Binder.
While she waited, she turned her attention to Alex again.
“Alex,” Falyn called to him, walking over.
He opened his eyes then closed them again. It was as though she was not worth looking at any more.
“Can we talk please?” she asked him.
“Sure,” he shrugged.
“I need to know if you will follow me… Not just follow me home, but into… into battle if necessary?” She wavered at the last part, her pride not wanting her to say the words.
Now Alex did open his dark blue eyes. As he looked into hers, it was as though he was seeking some hidden truth.
“I vowed to follow you for you are The One,” Alex said with thick emotion.
“Ok,” Falyn said in a low voice.
But somehow it felt as though his words held a double meaning.
“Listen, if you don’t want to stand with me then you don’t have to! Don’t let some stupid vow about following The One keep you here!” She was almost shouting now.
“Don’t you dare try and make that into me not wishing or wanting to be with you! I want you. It’s why I’m here. But as for the relationship between you and me, there’s still plenty of things keeping us apart. You might feel that your being our One changes this, but you don’t know the Lycan Court. They won’t overlook eons of laws, even for you!” Alex warned her.
Falyn was not sure how to answer that. Somehow she had assumed being a Druid of Light, the rightful ruler of the Lycan, they would allow her to be with Alex. That they would allow her to change their laws. Something in his tone told her he knew what he was saying, which is exactly what the Elder had told her. She may be The One, but as a leader she was meant to bring peace. Toting Alex around as her lover would not assure this.
“I don’t want to accept their laws, but I guess you’re right and now is not the time to press the issue.” Falyn was amazed how calm her voice was.
“Ah Falyn, it’s much more than simply their laws: it’s the Immortal Code. Whether you like it or not, you are an Immortal, and, Lycan ruler or not, you can’t pass over the laws. They are absolute.” This time there was a hint of regret in his voice.
She had never felt as helpless as she did at this moment. How could they have no hope of being together, even after learning who she was – that she was the last druid of light, she should be able to decide who she loved! Yet her new Druid gift told her what Alex said was true. She was not free to be his, nor he hers.
“You’re okay with this? With us not being able to be together?” she asked, fearing the answer and the damage it could cause in her heart.
Deep pain crossed over his handsome face as he looked at her.
“I find no peace in this, Falyn, none at all. I did not set the rules. But I’m also not fool enough to wish for something I can’t have.”
His voice was soft and he gently touched her face. Falyn leaned into his hand, her heart full of sadness. However, she found some comfort in the fact he didn’t like their situation any more than she did.
“We need to worry about getting the hell out of here, not the fact of what we can never be,” Alex reminded her sternly.
Falyn only nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She heard the Binder coming up behind her.
“Luria, will you join me? Help me find the way back to the Mortal world?” Falyn asked.
The girl looked from her to Alex before bowing her head.
“I will, Princess,” Luria mumbled
“Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to leave this world, only to get us to the Gate. Can you do this?” Falyn asked her.
“It will be my great honor.” Luria looked up, a genuine smile on her face.
Falyn was humbled at her show of devotion. Those hostile feelings she’d had towards her on their first meeting diminished.
“Thank you,” Falyn said, and meant it.
“So now that we are all friends, let’s get some sleep. Morning will soon be here,” Lark piped up. “Shall I make my bed up next to yours, Princess?”
“Lark,” Falyn frowned.
Alex didn’t say a word but the cold stare he gave Lark was clear enough for both of them.
“Easy now, I never said I was going to share it,” Lark said with a tense smile.
“Both of you can sleep any place you like… except next to me!” Falyn snapped, before making her own exit.
She asked Luria to sleep next to her. She had no desire for either male to be near her. They could share a bed roll as far as she was concerned!
In the dying glow of the fire, Falyn lay there, looking at the flames and wishing she was just a normal human. And Alex… Well, Alex could be human or vampire as long as she was not a werewolf or a Druid of Light, bound by laws that kept her out of his arms, his bed, but – most of all – his heart.
Falyn was still not sure how much of his heart she had, if any. He was being very abrupt with her and never gave too much away when they spoke, but she could feel some consolation in the fact he wanted to share something with her, even if it was not his heart. He did want her.
Damn! She had come in a full circle all the way back to stressing over Alex and the fact she could not have him openly, and likely not at all – not if it risked both their lives. She was still not sure how all this magic worked, but she had to do her best to make sure the Court did not learn of her claim on him.
Falyn reache
d for the mark on her shoulder, but she felt only skin. It seemed the mark had been covered with magic so as not to be seen. This would keep both of them safe awhile longer.
Her head was throbbing with pain, as if it could not hold all this new knowledge she now had. And just before falling asleep, a feeling of dread crept into her soul. Before she could process its meaning, it was gone, and she was sound asleep.
Chapter Fourteen: Into Darkness
Alex had lain awake the whole night, his eyes on the large otherworldly moon, wondering what it had really done to Falyn. But the issues of her “awakening” would have to wait, because, right in front of him, another had taken place.
The Wiccans – every single one of them – had vanished! In one heartbeat (admittedly, slightly longer for a vampire but still a very short space of time) they were alone in the clearing. Alex searched for any signs of where they’d gone but not a bent blade of grass or single foot print was left behind.
Around dawn, Lark came to join him on the large tree stumps by the dying fire. He did not say anything but sat across from him, drinking from his gold flask.
Rich boy clearly, and a prince. How wonderful, thought Alex. Not that he was going to sink to fighting over Falyn with this fancy Nymph. No, he owned her. He grimaced at his own thought. It was crude, but he felt this way in Lark’s presence.
“Are you a good fighter?” Lark asked, out of the blue.
“Planning to challenge me, Nymph?” Alex demanded.
“Elf… Not Nymph, Vampire, and no, I would not dream of such an act. I only wonder because I have a feeling we are going to be walking into a trap,” Lark said lightly, as though he was talking about the weather and not their possible impending doom.
“Is that among your gifts?” Alex snapped.
“No, but I have got a keen sense of things to come,” Lark said, with a smile.
“Then don’t worry. I can handle myself,” Alex assured him.
“You’re not worried about Falyn?”
“Worried?” Alex echoed.
“Yes, she seems to be acting a little off, don’t you think?”
“How would you know, Elf? You have spent, what… a week with her?” Alex was getting upset now.
“Like I say, I have a keen sense of things. Maybe I don’t know her well, but how well can you say you do?”
“Well enough,” Alex spat.
“Then you sense it too?” Lark raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, but it could be to do with her change. You saw that too, right?”
“Could be, but I think we should be on watch,” Lark said with a shrug.
Alex just grunted. He was done with this heart to heart talk. He knew full well something wasn’t right, and having Lark bring it to light only proved it. However, they had little choice but to follow the Binder to the Gate. If a trap was waiting, then all they could do was be careful, and if something was wrong with Falyn, he could only pray it was nothing more than the effects of the moon.
Lark remained sitting, watching the dying light of the fire. As Alex stole looks at him, he fought with his dislike of the guy to ask him if he knew the lay of the land from here to the Gate.
“Just ask me,” Lark shrugged.
“That’s an annoying habit you have,” Alex mumbled. He sighed. “All right then. How well do you know the terrain we’ll be going through?”
“Sorry, my friend, but I don’t know anything about it other than what I’ve read in books. This is the farthest south I have traveled.” Lark spoke with his normal carefree tone.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.” Alex’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“No, you shouldn’t be. Being the crown prince and all, I was never allowed to go roaming freely about the land. Fear of death and all that nasty stuff,” Lark shot back.
Alex just caught his smile in time. Seemed this fancy prince had some fight in him after all!
“Point well made, Elf.”
The sun was filtering through the green trees. Looking over at the two bedrolls, Alex could see both women were still sound asleep. He didn’t want to wake them but if they didn’t stir soon, he would have to. The sooner they got out of this spot, the better. His unease had not faded away with the passing of the Witches. And, with the Elf’s keen senses, Alex was surer than ever that something awful was awaiting them.
Lark had slipped away a few moments into the trees; likely he needed to relieve himself. Alex needed relief too: not in the same sense as the Elf, but relief all the same. So he headed downhill, away from the camp. He passed Lark as he made his way down through the brush. Soon he found a spot that seemed well enough hidden to do the deed.
He was starting to feel the effects of not feeding. The first thing to go was the power of thinking clearly and he could not risk losing this. He stood listening for some small animal to pass by. As he watched the branches above him stirred in the wind, he became aware something was looking at him. Before he got too worked up about it, he surveyed the area around him for any animals that might be taking a peep at him.
He couldn’t see a single creature, and nor did he smell one. Then he saw it – a lone, glowing figure. The light dancing within it made the figure shimmer like sunlight on water. Once it got close, the figure faded into a tall bare-chested man with white hair and blue feathers. A Wiccan, Alex knew, but something felt different about this one.
“Be warned. Not all is as it seems in this world. Everything is turned around.”
“You are a Witch?” Alex asked.
“Yes, but those illusions you saw last night were not my kind. Those were only shells of my people. Do not be fooled: evil is lurking in the green and it seeks the one you call Falyn,” the mysterious man said.
Before Alex could ask what he meant, the figure had danced away into the beams of the sunshine and he felt as cold as he had before – but this time he knew why. He had always trusted his instinct but here, in this world, his instinct was keener. He could sense evil when it was near, and now he could only hope his instinct led him away from the trap someone in this world was laying for them.
When Alex got back to camp, the girls had awoken and Lark was readying his horse. Three more mounts had appeared from somewhere.
Alex would not say what he’d seen. He wasn’t sure who to trust besides the elf, and how disheartening that was for him. He did not fully trust the Binder, nor Falyn, not after her moonlight bath. He wasn’t sure if she was truly herself.
Lark gave him a quizzical look but Alex only shook his head, a silent plea to not ask what was on his mind – at least, not right now.
“How did you sleep, Falyn?” Alex asked her.
Falyn gave him a smile, one that was bright, but it was not truly friendly. Apparently someone was still mad about hearing the truth.
“Wonderful. How about you?” Falyn asked.
“Fine,” Alex snapped.
He would let the bad blood of last night stay put; it would give him a good reason not to be talking to her and would buy him time to figure out the riddle.
Falyn looked away. In fact, she seemed to look at anything but Alex, and while this bugged him he had to let it go. Falyn called for Luria to come with her to the creek to wash before they headed out. So those two are now the best of friends? Alex thought with an inner shiver.
“What’s on your mind?” Lark asked after the women were out of sight.
“You’re right – something is wrong. Those were not Wiccans we saw last night… Not real ones,” Alex told Lark.
“Um, I thought something was strange about their auras… so colorless,” Lark mumbled to himself. Then he smiled at Alex. “And the Binder girl; did your ghost say anything about her?” Lark asked, a hint of laughter in his voice.
“No, it did not… It only warned me the Wiccans last night were shells: its words, not mine. And that Falyn was being tracked by evil.” Alex snapped.
Clearly someone had been watching him th
e entire time!
“So, Luria is trustworthy?” Lark asked.
“Maybe, but I’m not convinced,” was all Alex could say.
The women came back at this point so neither Lark nor Alex could say anymore on the matter. They rode out together, following the Binder she was the only one who knew the way.
By day’s end they had made their way out of the Green Forest and into what Luria called the Wetlands. This consisted of large meadows and plains which almost passed for a swamp. Maybe it’s a bit drier, but not much, Alex thought as the horses slushed their way through it.
The moon was up now and they were still making their way through the Wetlands. Nobody wanted to stop and sleep here, so no one complained about riding into the night.
After a few more hours, Falyn was clearly getting sleepy. She was slumping in her saddle.
“How much longer before we clear the Wetlands?” Alex called to Luria.
“Another four hours or so,” she called back.
Four hours? Alex knew that was too long for Falyn. She was about to fall from her horse. So, with a long sigh, he moved his horse next to hers and lifted her from her saddle. She let out a yelp of surprise but did not protest when he tucked her into his arms in front of him.
“Thanks,” was all she whispered before closing her eyes.
Lark took over leading her horse, and, without another word, they kept following Luria through the Wetlands.
It was nearly dawn when they made it to dry ground. Alex did not have time to feel relieved about it because the huge cliffs before him left him feeling less than joyful.
“We can rest here before heading up the cliffs,” Luria suggested, getting off her own horse now.
“How long is the ride over these?” Lark asked, surveying the cliffs.
“Another full day.” Luria gave them a look that said she was sorry.
“Great!” Falyn sighed. She was now awake. “You can let me down, Alex.” She was already trying to slip off his lap.
“Sure thing,” Alex told her, easing her to the ground.
