by Morgan Wylie
Kaeleigh held out her wrist with the complete marking now free for everyone to see.
“Oh wow, Kaeleigh, when did that happen?” Chel asked.
“Just before last night, when Daegan...” A blush flushed her cheeks. Chel’s expression said she understood just what she and Daegan had been doing last night.
“Yes, it seems that was what we were waiting for,” Arileas said unabashedly.
“What is that?” Finn asked hesitantly.
“For the Sol-lumieth to come together in unity,” he said matter-of-factly.
“What?!” Finn growled at the same time Hal said, “It’s about time,” and Metrí said, “When did you have time for that?” There was a lot of commotion. Daegan simply smiled while Kaeleigh was mortified.
“No, wait! Oh my gosh, you guys, we just kissed. There was no ‘unifying’!” Her air quotes didn’t help the laughter that was swirling throughout the room, and Kaeleigh thought she had never been so embarrassed.
Daegan came up to stand with her in the center of the training ring and held her hand tightly. “She is mine and I am hers. We fight together, we serve together, we love together.” Kaeleigh knew he meant well, but seeing Chel trying to contain her laughter with Metrí huddled next to her only made her all the more uncomfortable.
“All right, you guys,” Kaeleigh followed up, growing tired of the joke. “Let’s just be clear for future reference, any ‘unifying’ that does or does not happen is nobody’s business.” Everyone nodded with contained laughter and smirks of joy. She finally let out a laugh as she took Daegan’s hand and walked over to Arileas. She held out her wrist for him to see more clearly. “Do you know what this particular marking means?”
He examined it then looked at her. “No.”
Kaeleigh’s frustration burned across her face. “You don’t have any kind of guess or gut feeling?”
“You did not ask me that,” Arileas said with a twinkle in his eyes. He laughed. “I do believe it is a marking that is special to you alone. You are the only one with your Twined bloodlines—if I may use that term. You see, you have blood of your father’s line, the Elves.” He pointed to a piece of her marking that resembled a bit of the Elf marking. “You have the blood of your mother’s line containing Ferrishyn and Faerie as well.” He pointed to a different piece of her marking. “And you have the blood of your great-grandfather, who is of the Ehsmia race of Faeries,” he finished, tracing yet another part of her marking. “The only blood of Alandria you do not have is Shifter and Dryad, but they accept you nonetheless.”
Kaeleigh thought on it for a minute as a smile grew on her face. She stared at her marking. “So it is not saying that I am different. This mark shows that I belong.” Her eyes beamed and she held her wrist as if cherishing it. “I love that.”
Arileas smiled in return. “So do we.”
“Group hug!” Chel called before smothering her best friend, bringing Metrí with her. There was laughter and joy and freedom in simply being together. It strengthened them and brought them together.
“Clean up, then meet me in the Great Hall. I have someone I would like you all to meet.” Arileas turned and walked out, Ella trailing behind him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
On their way back to the Great Hall, Ella stood waiting just outside the doors.
“Grandfather decided to make this meeting a more intimate meeting. Kaeleigh, you and yours please head into Grandfather’s private chamber through this tunnel.” She directed them with a hand off to the side from where she stood. It did not stand out as a tunnel that was widely used. In fact, it was dark and hard to see unless it was directed to you or you already knew of its existence. Kaeleigh nodded, but Chel cocked an eyebrow, questioning Ella.
“There’s something I can’t put my finger on about her, Kae,” Chel whispered.
Kaeleigh thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. “I like her. I’m not sure what you are picking up on, but I’m not discounting it either. Feel it out, see if you can decipher it.”
“Maybe it’s just ’cause she’s gorgeous and confident,” Chel complained.
“So are you, what are you talking about? Don’t tell me you are feeling insecure all of a sudden.” Kaeleigh knew that would push her friend.
“Of course not, I was just saying,” Chel grumbled as they continued to walk into the entrance to the tunnel with the warriors following behind them.
Chel stopped abruptly at the opening to the dark carved out hole in the wall of a mountain. “This seems like a tunnel from a horror movie,” she said, eyeing the entrance. “We ladies should definitely not be going first to our doom inside the dark creepy tunnel.” She sighed with feigned helplessness like a true southern belle as she fanned her face with her hand.
Hal chuckled quietly from behind her and Finn rolled his eyes at Chel’s sarcasm and let out a sigh of exasperation.
“Step aside, dear lady. I and my warrior brethren will take the lead and slay the beasts of the dark,” Hal spoke valiantly, and he puffed out his chest as he moved to the front.
Chel batted her lashes and swooned. “I knew chivalry wasn’t dead.”
There were several muted laughs as they walked into the tunnel, which ended up being not as dark as it looked to be from the outside. It turned out to be the back entrance into Arileas’ study.
They gathered together in the Elder’s modest study with the others. There was Kaeleigh and her entourage of five companions. Ella and Arileas stood waiting, along with Líyl and Gyon and a couple other Ehsmian warriors. Showing up last were the scholars as they slowly entered the room, filling it to capacity. It was a cozy fit, but the room seemed to expand on its own to make the additional space. The warriors were all gentlemen and allowed for the women of the group to sit in the seats that were available while they stood at the edges of the room. Arileas stood by the door that they had just entered through.
“I have some very special people that I want you to meet. By agreeing to be here, you are under the strictest vow to not reveal who you have met—although most would not believe you. I fear it has been too long.” Arileas scanned the room, reading the eyes of all and confirming their agreement. After each had given their assent, he took a deep breath and went to a covered entrance that was not there moments before right next to the one they had entered through. He opened the curtain.
“We are all gathered. You may enter if you wish.”
There was a heavy silence in the room as they all looked intently at the opening, with great expectation. Stepping through the curtained entrance was not one but three elderly beings. One woman was obviously Faerie, with her silky smooth skin and pointed ears and chin, and bits of leaves randomly placed through her short dark hair. The other woman had a more ancient, ethereal look to her. She stood tall and had piercing green eyes and pale skin, with dark purplish hair that fell in long rings. Her eyes were much more aged looking than the other woman’s, but still her appearance and body had only aged maybe comparable to a seventy-year-old mortal. Her skin was porcelain and smooth, her features sharp, but there was kindness held within her eyes. The other was a man. And the way he held and escorted the second woman, they appeared to be a couple. He was strong still, as one in command, with wisdom in his eyes. His hair was held at his shoulders, stick straight and chestnut brown. His eyes were warm grayish brown and they too seemed kind with the wisdom beyond all ages.
Kaeleigh looked with surprise as Daegan walked slowly past her with eyes fixated on the first woman who had just entered the room. He walked right up before her and reached for her small fragile feminine hand and held it gently within his larger, stronger one. His eyes were soft and full of love as he searched her face.
“Grandmother?” he asked with the hope of a small boy lost long ago.
“Yes. Yes.” She smiled with joy. “My Daegan. How strong you have grown.” Her eyes shone at him with pride. “You are a warrior just like your father before you. You are more handsome than I could have imagined.
I am so proud of you.” Her voice quivered with emotion as she paused and looked at her grandson, slowly sliding her hand down his cheek. “I see your parents in you. They would be so proud.” A sparkle of love glimmered in her eyes.
A single tear escaped Daegan’s eye and slid down his cheek. “You are alive!”
“I am so sorry. There was no way for me to come find you. Forgive me, please.” Her look was hesitant, afraid he might turn away from her.
Daegan reached for her and hugged her as tightly as he could without fear of breaking her. Then releasing her, Daegan spoke eagerly. “It was as it should be. She would have killed you if she knew you were alive. Have you been hiding here all this time?”
His grandmother nodded. Daegan turned to Arileas and bowed before him. “Arileas,” Daegan stated with intense emotion, “you have my eternal gratitude.”
Arileas nodded his acknowledgment and then turned and addressed everyone else softly.
“It is my pleasure to introduce you to Et lyn Waeth Tokníyth, wife of Ryethni, Prince of Elnye and Daegan’s grandmother.” Arileas bowed to her along with everyone in the room.
“Rise, all of you. You need not bow to me, it is I who bow to Arileas for his shelter and protection all this time,” Et lyn said humbly as she inclined her head.
Standing just behind her was the couple that had followed her in and they were staring at Kaeleigh. Arileas stepped forward and gestured toward them. “Also, with us—” But before he finished, the scholars had quietly fallen to their knees once again. Kaeleigh and Chel turned to look at them inquisitively then back to the Elder.
“This is Wyéln and Kaeylnísa iliatheyll... the believed ‘fallen’ king and queen of Ehsmia and the hidden people,” Arileas announced, again with a bow.
Instantly everyone else in the room fell once more to their knees, even to their faces to get as low as they could. Something tickled the side of Kaeleigh’s arm. Irritated, she slid her eyes to her friend without moving her head; she really didn’t want to get in trouble for being disrespectful in such a serious situation. What? She mouthed to Chel.
“Doesn’t that name sound familiar?” she whispered back as quietly as she could, knowing Kaeleigh could hear her especially being so close.
“Yes, it should sound very familiar, Kaeleighnna iliatheyll Sayaelíth, great-great granddaughter of the Ehsmia,” Arileas voiced out above their heads. Kaeleigh snapped her head up, looking at the Elder, then she moved her gaze at the king and queen that stood before her... looking intently at her.
“Ohhh!” was all Kaeleigh could get out of her befuddled mind. She had been told that she was a descendant of them, of course, but she never thought that they would be alive... that she would get to meet them! “Forgive me, I think I am in shock.” Chel nudged her to get up off the floor.
“Rise, child,” the man... the king... spoke as he beckoned her toward them.
Kaeleigh walked slowly and unsure of herself toward the only living grandparents she had left—that she knew of—and was insecure of how they would accept her. The honor and power they projected into the room was amazing and intimidating to Kaeleigh as she moved quickly to them. She curtsied in front of them.
“It is an honor to meet you,” Kaeleigh said with her eyes lowered to the ground.
The woman reached out with her long, frail fingers and raised Kaeleigh’s chin. “Kaeleighnna, the honor is ours.” They nodded their approval and love as they took in the beauty of their granddaughter.
Kaeleigh was beyond words. She didn’t know what to do. She looked at Arileas for support and he simply nodded with a smile and took a step back into the shadow. The king reached out for her hand and Kaeleigh placed her small feminine hand inside his much larger one. She instantly felt a familial connection, warm and loving.
“I don’t even know what to say. I have been searching for family... for you, all my life. And now I have found you.” Kaeleigh smiled, a single golden tear rolling down her cheek. Her grandfather reached out and wiped the tear from her face. He gave her a small smile.
“Golden tears... just like me.” He proudly showed his finger to the queen. She gave him a knowing smile.
“Just like you?” Kaeleigh’s eyes lit up. He nodded at her and squeezed her hand.
“We have been in hiding for a long time, but we see your mother and her ancestors—including our son—in you. We are so grateful to have this chance to meet you and hopefully be a bigger part of your life,” her grandmother said as she lovingly ran her hands down Kaeleigh’s hair.
“I cannot express how excited I am to have more family in my life now, when I have had none for so long.” Kaeleigh paused and grabbed Chel as she walked close by, looping her arm through Chel’s, inviting her join their conversation. “This is my best friend, Chel. Her parents helped take care of me in the mortal realm.”
Chel smiled and bowed. “It is an honor to meet you, Majesty. Ehsmia is beautiful. It really is an amazing place. We have felt right at home here.”
“Thank you for your loyalty and love to our Kaeleighnna.” The queen inclined her head to Chel with a sparkle in her eye.
After a few minutes of visiting and introducing the rest of those in the room to her new family, Kaeleigh took a deep breath, sad to interrupt the love for the true nature of them coming out of hiding.
“You have been in hiding. It seems quite a few of the Elders and royalty in Alandria went into hiding. The Orchids asked for you to be brought out of hiding at this time for a reason.” Kaeleigh fidgeted with her necklace that she always wore—the orchid locket inscribed with her name that she had with her since she was a small child.
“Yes, but as everyone believes us to have died long ago, we have remained in hiding to help protect our people and assist when Arileas needed our council. He is the true leader of this people and has kept them safe for all this time,” the queen, Kaeylnísa said.
“Kaeleigh, did the Orchids contact you recently?” Daegan asked, confused.
She reached out to grab his arm as he was standing close by. “Time slipped by and I did not tell you yet. She came to me.” Kaeleigh glanced up at his grandmother who was also listening intently. “Your mother, Cley, she spoke with me and told me to tell Arileas that it was time to meet those in hiding. I did not really understand what she meant until now.” Kaeleigh looked sad for a moment as she saw the lost little boy in Daegan’s eyes. “She also told me to take care of you.” At the glimmer of hope in his eyes, she sounded stronger, with greater resolve than she had a moment before. “I told her to tell my mother and the others that we were coming for them—to free them.” Kaeleigh stared deeply into Daegan’s eyes, infusing her purpose into his own. A fire burned in his chest as he acknowledged it.
From near the back of the room, Kaeleigh heard Chel whisper, mostly to Hal, “Have you noticed the longer she is around your brother, the more she starts talking like him? You know, without any contractions.” There was a low chuckle, but Kaeleigh tuned it out. For some reason it made her smile inside.
Kaeleigh looked to the leaders, who stared at her with anticipation and pride. Arileas stepped forward. “If I may, it sounds like you may have your next part to this journey laid before you.”
Kaeleigh took a deep breath. A flitter of panic seared through her body, but she realized it was nothing compared to the resolve she felt inside. Her power was strong and gave her confidence unlike any she had known before. There was a rightness to what Arileas had said. She knew it deep down in her soul that this was what she needed to do. She had promised the Orchids she was coming and she would. She just needed to be sure she was ready for whatever they would encounter in Exhile. The only problem was, she had no idea what that might be.
“So, I am assuming that you are not able to freely leave Ehsmia, or possibly even your protective hiding place. What will you do now?” Kaeleigh asked the newly found royalty.
“No, we will not risk all that has been planned until the appointed time,” Et lyn, Daegan’s grandmo
ther, said softly.
“Now it is time to plan.” Her great-great grandfather stepped up and put his hands on either side of Kaeleigh’s shoulders. “We will prepare you for all you need to know and instruct how we can. You will be our connection.” He winked at her. He was much more formal than Hunter had been, but he was still warm and kind. She hoped the future would provide more time with them. She saw quite clearly that Daegan wished the same as he looked at his grandmother. Kaeleigh could feel his love pouring out of him in waves toward his grandmother. He had not let go of her arm since they had reunited.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Exhile
The Land of the Unforgiven Dead
Holding the necklace Maleina had given her into the light of the fire blazing at the top of the mountain, She seethed with fury. After several failed attempts to track Daegan by his entrapped soul, she knew that Maleina had just declared war against her. The blue wisp of his soul that had life when she first received it had lost any energy it had. On top of that, somehow Maleina had blocked all communication with her. She could not figure out how she had done it. Maleina would either have had to grown more powerful or had assistance from someone with the capacity for stronger magic.
I have the Orchids. They hate her as much as me. Who would do this? How did they do this? Who would rise up against me?!
She threw her head back and shook the cave walls with a scream of fury like none other before it... like a trapped fire-breathing dragon. “Maleina will die by my hand. She will not keep me here. She will not stop me.” She laughed from a depth beyond the body she inhabited.
With conspiring and shifting eyes, she stood looking out from a high mountain vista surrounded with jagged and sharp edges at all of Exhile before her. Scattered around her were the sacrifices of various animals that survived in the desolate lands of her entrapment. This was a major setback. It was not part of her plan, but something went wrong when the spell that gave her this body was executed. She blamed the body that she inhabited. It was a useful tool, especially being a witch of elements—that combined with her own essence of darkness made her the strongest she had been in any realm and in any lifetime previous. She had been around a very long time even if the body hadn’t. She would find a way out. She was so close, she had come close to creating a safe portal she could physically traverse. However, the enslaved soul she sent first through the portal, as a test, was incinerated after just stepping into it.
