“But what do you know about this. . .Otherworld?” she asked, her voice rising. “How long will we stay there?”
“As long as we need.” But how long would that be? He didn’t know! What if they returned from the Otherworld, only to find that the princess was still in danger? Wanting to ease her mind, he related what he’d read in “Tales from the Otherworld.” He hoped that other place would prove to be as agreeable and pleasant as the library book had described it, that they would find abundant fruit and other foods, but most of all, that they would be free from danger.
He brought his mind back to the here and now. “My lady, best that we eat a bite before we leave.”
Lightly, she touched her stomach. “Don’t think I could eat anything.”
“Please, you will need sustenance before we start out. It will take over an hour before we reach the entrance to our destination. Once there, we will find plenty to eat.”
She sat upright. “How do you know this?”
He shrugged. “I told you about the library book, remember?” He’d always heard that fruits, nuts, and all manner of food grew there in abundance. “Enough talk for now.” He stood and headed for the kitchen. There, he set a kettle over the fire to boil water for tea. He set out a loaf of oat bread and gathered cheese and ham from the cold box.
A short while later, after they had finished a simple meal, he put the dishes in a tin tub of soapy water, then they returned to the sitting room. He approached her, sensing her fear, wishing he could ease her trepidation. “My lady, I’m going downstairs to talk to the guard, ensure that no strangers lurk on the streets. Be back shortly.”
“Very well.” She watched him leave, too well aware that once more, she remained at the mercy of someone who had the power to determine her destiny. Yet she saw no alternate course. Since the assassins knew where she resided, they would return time and again until they had accomplished their goal. Someday, she vowed, she would be her own mistress, would determine her own fate and not depend on anyone else. May that day come soon.
Her thoughts segued to the journey they were about to undertake. What if time passed differently in the Otherworld? What if they returned and found that years had gone by, that Elsa had passed on, gone herself to that strange land?
Distant memories surfaced, tales her nurse had told her in childhood. Yes, there was a difference in time, but not a great one. Or so her nurse had said. But who was to know for certain? What was it like in the Otherworld? she wondered. What if–
The door opened, and she jerked, brought back to reality. Rowan entered, his face revealing the solemnity of their planned journey. She looked around, wondering if they should take anything.
It seemed he could read her mind. “No need to take anything,” he said, touching the sword at his side. “Only this weapon, should it prove necessary. I’m quite skilled with the sword.”
Her heart pounded. “Prove necessary? Are we trading one danger for another?”
“Let’s hope not, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. I’ve ever heard that all is pleasant in the Otherworld, a place of wonder and beauty. May it be so.”
Chapter Twelve
“By now, all of you surely understand why I called this meeting.” Prince Arnou’s gaze covered each of his retainers. “The good news is , we all know that Princess Allegra lives. You have all received her letters?” Silent nods gave him his answer. “Who brought these letters from Avador must remain a mystery for now. The important thing is, we know the princess is alive. But for how long? I haven’t heard any news from the men I sent to Avador. Don’t know if they reached her by now or if they’ve been able to persuade her to return to our country. So much we don’t know! Like working in the dark.” He sighed, letting silent moments pass.
“Sir,” one of his men spoke. “All of us here could raise an army. We could each contribute enough men to overthrow the war faction–“
”I’ve thought of that, Mallory. And when the time is right, that’s what I intend to do. But to attempt an overthrow now, I fear such a course wouldn’t be accepted by the people. It would lack legitimacy,” he said, smiling to himself. Ah, yes, legitimacy. “I want to wait for the princess’s return and seek her hand in marriage. Then we will overthrow the warmongers and bring peace to the land.”
Another advisor spoke. “But surely, sir, the people would prefer your rule to the uncertainty that exists today. Besides that, already the war faction is making menacing moves toward the gold mines that lie between our country and Elegia. I’ve heard they are preparing to send miners into that area. And you know Elegia will never permit mining there. I feel certain the people would prefer you to more war between our countries.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I don’t want to take a chance on overthrowing the war faction–if indeed, that is possible now–only to find that the people won’t accept my rule.” He shook his head. “No, let us hope that Princess Allegra will return to us soon. I will propose marriage to her, and I see no reason why she wouldn’t accept my offer. Then we can rule together. Later. . .” He sighed again. “Later, if something happens to the princess–if the assassins succeed–then I’ll attempt an overthrow of the cabal. For now, I’m willing to bide my time. But not for long. Let’s hope that Princess Allegra will soon return to us, safe and unharmed.”
* * *
“Time to leave, my lady.”
“Yes.” Aware she’d gain nothing by further protest, Allegra rose from her chair and assumed a look of calm acceptance, even though every fiber of her being rebelled against this journey they were about to undertake. Doubts and fears consumed her, but she refused to show any weakness. While Rowan snuffed out the candles, she smiled, attempting to convince herself that this trip would be a new experience, one she’d remember for the rest of her life.
He returned the smile and reached for her hand. “Let us leave, then.”
They walked out of the apartment, and Rowan locked the door behind them. She steeled herself for the ride down in the moving room; she must adjust to the use of magic in this foreign land. But oh, it wasn’t easy.
Outside, a balmy night greeted them, clouds hiding the moon and stars. Rowan helped her mount her horse astride, and within a short time, they left the city. She shuddered, a hundred questions plaguing her, but she concealed her trepidation. She recognized that Rowan was making this sacrifice for her, that this journey wasn’t something he was forced to accomplish, but rather, that he was doing everything possible to protect her. His sacrifice meant so much to her; someday she must tell him so.
They cantered for a short while, then galloped as they entered the countryside with its fresh aroma of soil and springtime crops. The air was still, the only sound that of barking dogs as they rode past isolated farms. Despite the reason for this journey, she gloried in Rowan’s nearness. Their speed rendered casual talk impossible, but she had so many things she wanted to say to him, words she’d kept in her heart for so long. She wondered if they would ever have a chance to enjoy their time together, a time when she was free of danger. To be just a man and a woman who cared for each other. Cared for each other. Did he care for her, or was he only performing his duty? Besides, whenever she wed, she must marry into royalty. When this trouble was past–if ever no peril threatened her–she would leave Rowan. She had her life to live and he had his. Yet he meant so much to her, a song in her heart, always a lift to her spirits. A wave of sorrow overcame her, the sure knowledge that they would eventually go their separate ways. Someday, too, she would decide her own destiny and not depend on anyone else. All these thoughts went quickly through her mind, for she remained alert to any danger that might befall them.
Determined to discard her despondency, she breathed in deeply of the scent of strawberries that lingered in the air. A strong wind erupted and swept across the land, whipping the branches of trees, blowing dust in their faces.
Leaving farmland behind, they entered a vast plain, with only an occasional tree. “No crops can grow here,”
Rowan said, “land’s too rocky.”
Soon, another sound chilled her. Hoof beats! She turned and looked behind her. Two horsemen, closing the distance between them. Oh, no, no! “Rowan, they’re following us again!”
He turned, his face betraying his shock. They whipped their horses, their speed increasing. Still, the assassins remained on their tail. These men had been following them somewhere back, she assumed, and had narrowed the distance between them. The wind had muffled the sound of their hoof beats. If she and Rowan had stayed at his apartment, would she have been safe? She didn’t know!
“We’ll get you this time, Princess Allegra!” The assassins were gaining on them!
Her heart pounded; her skin ice cold. She clenched her teeth so tight, her jaw ached; her fingers felt frozen to the reins. The horse straining, she felt his muscles bunching beneath her thighs.
An arrow whizzed past, so close she felt the draft of air. Cold fear sent chills racing across her body. She had to escape, had to! She would not let them end her life. She had so much to live for, so much to do! Faster, faster, they must go faster.
The wind died down almost as soon as it had started, and a thick fog rolled in.
She saw Rowan looking right and left. “Soon, my lady! Soon, we will be there.” She looked behind her, the assassins now only vague shadows. Would she and Rowan make it? Ah, they must!
“What are we looking for?” she asked, her breath coming in gasps.
“Thick stones that form an arch.”
She heard the hoofbeats of the horsemen behind her, yet they remained invisible. She breathed a long sigh of relief, and yet were they safe now?
The fog lifted slightly. Up ahead, two thick stones stood upright, a thick slab atop them. “There! There we are!”
Forced to slow their horses, she feared the assassins would soon be upon them. Rowan slid off his horse and grabbed her, setting her on the ground. An arrow hit the dirt beside her. Terror chilled her body, the ground tilting around her.
Rowan slapped the horses to send them back, then reached for her hand.
They stepped into a chasm and went down, down, down.
Then, nothingness.
Chapter Thirteen
After a brief period of oblivion– a time of darkness in which all sight and sound disappeared–Rowan landed with Allegra on a velvety green carpet, each blade of grass alive and vibrant. Within seconds, glorious images emerged–trees, flowers, an expansive blue lake, the water gleaming like crystal. Aromas, too, teased his nose, beautiful fragrances, exotic yet familiar scents that reminded him of the lush abundance of Avador, but magnified a hundred, a thousand, times.
He turned toward Allegra and grinned, wondering if she felt the same awe and fascination as he did. Catching her smile in response, he held her close, scarcely believing that they were here, now, in the Otherworld!
“We made it!” he said, laughing at his redundancy. Of course they’d made it. And this was the Otherworld!
She shook her head. “Doesn’t seem possible. And yet we are here! Rowan, you did it! You saved me from the assassins! How can I ever thank you?”
“Um, I’ll think of something.” Ah, if she only knew! His gaze moved from her to this strange land, and he pointed toward the far distance. “Look at those hills!”
“Forested hills, reminding me of Fomoria in the summer, the same yet different.” She cocked her head to the side. “Do you know what I mean?”
“Yes, I’ve been thinking that, too.” He took a deep breath, overwhelmed with all they’d seen, just in this short amount of time.
“I wonder how far those hills go, where they end.”
He smiled her way. “Perhaps we’ll have a chance to explore later. We have all the time in the world, in the Otherworld,” he corrected.
Unforgettable scenes encompassed them, gorgeous flowers of many hues, their colors unlike anything he’d ever seen.
She pointed upward. “Listen to that bird! What lovely music!”
As one, they looked up to see a green bird with yellow wings perched on a high branch, singing its heart out.
Off in the distance, beyond the lake, a flock of purple birds flapped their wings, flying high against a brilliant blue sky that shimmered with undulating streaks of pink and green. A gentle breeze carried still another pleasant aroma. To his left, Rowan spied a tree heavy with deep red fruit that resembled huge plums, its scent blending that of peaches, apples, and cherries.
He grasped her hand. “See, didn’t I tell you we’d have plenty to eat here? And I’ll wager we’ll find nuts and other good edibles.”
Stunned by all this enchantment, still nothing enthralled him like Allegra. All he wanted to see, all he wanted to think about was this woman who had come into his life, this dear person he loved more than life. Tempted to take her in his arms and kiss her, caress her, he clenched his hands at his side. Seconds later, temptation overcame forbearance, and he drew her into his embrace. “It’s lovely here, isn’t it?” He eased her closer. “I could stay here forever.”
“I, also, as long as I could spend the time with you.” She pressed closer to him, testing his resistance even further. Ah, how long would he last without making love to her as he’d wanted for so long, much too long?
He tangled his fingers in her silky tresses. “And you’re lovely, so lovely.”
“I’m glad it’s you I’m with now,” she whispered in his ear. “No one else, only you.”
“I–“ But words failed him, and he kissed her as he’d dreamed of since he’d first met her. He felt as if he had loved her forever. This woman whom he loved more than anything was with him, here, now! His kiss deepened, a pledging of their love for each other, if only it could be so. Did she love him as much as he loved her? Did she long to lie in his arms, to let him make love to her, their passion carrying them beyond kisses and caresses?
With every bit of willpower, he released her, suddenly bereft, like a ship adrift on the ocean. She was a princess; it would pay him to remember that.
She looked up at him and smiled, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead, feathering kisses on his cheek. Clasping her hand, he kissed her fingertips, one by one.
“Ah, dearest.” Sighing, he released her hand and looked around, wondering if they were the only people inhabiting this strange but lovely place. But how could that be? Everyone knew that death garnered entry into the Otherworld, except for the truly wicked, who were consigned to eternal damnation in the Underworld. Possibly those who had passed on resided in another part of the Otherworld. If so, this land must stretch on and on, beyond time and space.
His glance took in the vast lake, its water still and sparkling like crystal. And–“Look! There’s a man sitting by the lake. Perhaps he can tell us where everyone else has gone.”
“Yes! I’ve been wondering the same. Where is everyone?”
“Let’s go see.” Tucking her small hand in his calloused one, he led her to the lake, past luscious trees and bushes, the air filled with all manner of aromas, sweet and fragrant. Colorful flowers bordered the lake, their hues vivid.
In no time, they arrived at the lake, the water the bluest he’d ever seen. The man looked up at them and nodded, an expression of nonchalance on his face, as if he had expected them. Clad in a pure white robe, he sat with his knees drawn up to his chest. His gray hair fell past his shoulders, his face lined with countless wrinkles.
“Sir,” Rowan began.
“Kalevi’s the name, young man. I’d just about given up hope of meeting others here.”
Rowan jerked in surprise. “You mean we’re the only people here? I don’t understand.”
He pushed himself to his feet, his gaze taking in both of them. “Oh, there are other people here,” he said, waving his hand airily toward the far distance. “But that part of the Otherworld is reserved for those who have truly passed on. But that designation doesn’t apply to you two, does it?” He bestowed a knowing smile on both of them, as if he was privy to all th
eir thoughts and secrets.
“But how–how–?” Rowan grasped for words.
“How do I know this? I know everything,” Kalevi said. “I’ve been here for ages, a guardian to all the newcomers. Now take you two, for example. You came here to escape danger, did you not? No, don’t look so surprised. As I said, I know everything.”
“But how do you know this?” Allegra asked, exchanging a puzzled glance with Rowan.
A look of assurance captured the old man’s face. “You might call me an oracle, besides being a guardian. Not much escapes me.” He nodded toward the far distance. “Those who have died reside far, far away. There, they meet their loved ones who have passed on before them. And there, too, they find much to entertain them–books, music, games, anything that pleases them.” A worried frown transformed his face. “Now, I must warn you of danger.”
“Danger?” Rowan and Allegra cried in unison.
“Yes.” He pointed toward the distant hills. “You see those hollow hills?”
Rowan looked off in the distance. “Hollow hills?”
“Caves, my lad. Dragons live there–“
”Dragons?” Allegra gasped. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Hardly ever,” he said. “Anyway, they usually fly off, away from here. But just once in a while, one of them will fly down this way. Now, you mustn’t worry about dragons. Something tells me your time here will be very short. So it’s highly unlikely that you will see anything that could trouble you.”
“I hope you’re right,” Allegra sniffed, looking Rowan’s way. “I doubt if your sword will do us any good against dragons or other monsters.”
Kalevi laughed. “No need for a sword here, where all is peaceful and quiet.” He shook his head. “Please, now, let’s discuss happier things. This is no time for sadness or fear.” He clapped his hand on his forehead. “Ah, I didn’t get your names. How remiss of me!”
Rowan and Allegra introduced themselves, but a quandary still puzzled him. “How do you know we’re not dead?”
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