Shadows in the Stone

by Diane Lynn McGyver

  Chapter 41

  To Be Where You Are

  Joris hugged his brother and slapped him on the back. “I’ll watch her.” He poked his finger into Bronwyn’s chest. “For you.” He grinned. “Anyway, I can’t imagine another man patient enough to put up with her stubbornness.”

  Bronwyn chuckled. He’d miss his older brother, but knowing Joris and other family members would look out for Alaura reassured him as he prepared the supplies for his journey. “Has dad listened to mum?”

  The sibling looked at him sideways. “Does he have a choice?”

  They both laughed. Bronwyn had arrived home less than forty-eight hours beforehand and already he had witnessed his dad grumble at the pampering Maisie bestowed upon her mate.

  “I better get going.” Joris released him, but didn’t move away. “Take care, Bronwyn. We’ll all be looking for your safe return as well as Isla’s.” He backed away, took one last look then left the room.

  The dwarf glanced around his old bedroom. In his absence, Farlan and Selina had occupied his quarters. He didn’t mind. The recently united couple needed a place and, as Farlan said, if Bronwyn and Isla had returned, they’d have regained ownership of the residence. The union hadn’t surprised him. His friend had thought of no other but Selina for more than two years.

  Farlan had delivered Bronwyn’s and Isla’s possessions to his parents. His mum had packed them here. He had rummaged through the trunk and sacks, taking what he needed for The Trail. Everything else stayed put.

  He fingered the page; the last Isla had left for him and Alaura. As if by magic, the wind had carried it to his hand whilst they consoled each other after Lindrum escaped with Isla. He read again the note she’d scribbled across the top: For you, too…And you. No one, but he and Isla, understood the meaning of those simple words. They’d carry him through until he found her.

  Bronwyn picked up a small brown sack Alaura had given him. She told him it contained magic. Good magic. Her magic. Anything carried in it stayed dry and undamaged by fire. He folded the page and slipped it inside. When he heard footsteps outside the door, he looked up to see his best friend.

  Alaura wore dark blue pants, fitted snug at the waist and a white shirt which revealed her subtle curves. Her hair, pulled from her face with a simple buckle, hung down her back. Bronwyn caught his breath. If a more beautiful woman lived in Ath-o’Lea, he had never met her.

  She smiled and leant against the dresser. “Your mum said for me to come in.”

  “I expected you.” He hadn’t seen her since the night before but had thought of her all day.

  “Did you speak with Sanderson?”

  “I did this afternoon.”

  “How did he take your resignation?”

  “He didn’t.” He glanced up from placing the small sack amongst his travelling gear. Alaura looked disappointed. “He gave me a leave of absence from my duties.”

  “So you still serve the Laws of the Land, honour them as if still a sergeant.”

  Bronwyn was puzzled. Alaura seemed to hold her breath waiting for his answer. “Of course. While I’m not wearing a uniform, it doesn’t mean I ignore my duties.”

  Alaura looked away.

  “Why do you think otherwise? You know the value I place on upholding the laws.”

  She folded her hands in front of her. “I should expect nothing else. You’re the most honourable man I know.”

  “Then why are you disappointed?”

  “I’m not.” She forced a smile. “My things are prepared. I’ll be ready to leave in the morning.”

  Bronwyn froze. The moment he dreaded had arrived. He took a calming breath and placed a pair of socks in his rucksack. “Where are you going? To visit a friend?”

  She glanced at him sideways. “I’m going with you.”

  “It’s safer in Maskil.”

  “We’ll be safe together.”

  “The Trail is no place for a woman. You’ll only slow me down.”

  She frowned. “That’s nonsense and you know it.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I give the orders, and you’re not coming with me.”

  “You can’t order me around. I’m not one of your men. I’m free to do what I want, and I’m going with you. I’m going to help find Isla!”

  Bronwyn leant towards her. “You’re not!”

  “I am!”

  “I can’t be looking out for you while I’m watching my own back. A woman belongs in town, not traipsing across Ath-o’Lea battling crazy wizards and hunting down killers.”

  “Where would you be if this woman had stayed at home instead of chasing you through the forest? Dead! That’s where!” Alaura swallowed hard. He felt her pain. He remembered the night she found him chained to the tree and left for dead. “You’re a strong man, but you can’t do this alone.”

  “I’m going to have to because I won’t allow you to come.” He looked into her eyes. The light from the lantern danced within them. He found it challenging enough to leave her let alone argue with her to stay.

  “You said it yourself we are great travelling companions.”

  “Alaura, I almost lost you. Don’t believe I’ll ever forget that day by the brook. I’m not taking the chance again.”

  “Am I to stay here and hope each day you’ll walk through those gates? Wondering as the weeks and months pass, if I have lost you? It’s not fair.” Alaura shook away the welling tears and placed her hand upon his shoulder. “I need to be with you.”

  Bronwyn swallowed hard. It didn’t sound fair for her, but he wouldn’t change his mind. He’d give anything to take her in his arms and sleep the night away. While on The Trail it had been easy, but since arriving home, they had slept apart. If he didn’t alter his strategy, she’d talk him in to letting her go. “Not fair?” he countered. “Who’s really being not fair? I’ve shared everything with you and you’ve pushed me away.”

  Her expression changed, and she no longer appeared confident.

  “Alaura, why are we best friends but not lovers outside of dreams?” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “Why won’t you let me kiss you, hold you and let the fire racing through my blood ignite the passion I know lives in yours?”

  When she looked away, he knew she searched for an answer to satisfy him.

  “What do you want from me?” He cursed himself for hurting her, but deep down, he needed to know the answers. “I’ve given you everything! Allowed you into places no other has visited! Still you don’t allow me access to you and the places reserved for your lover.” Tears pooled in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. “All I ever wanted was to be where you are, for you to see in me the special person who makes life worth living. I believe I am that person, but you won’t admit it. I trust you have never lied to me, but I’m certain you’ve withheld truths, truths that may set you free from your past.”

  She folded her arms and brought one hand up to cover her mouth. He watched the tears well. One fell and she quickly wiped it away. There she stood, once again, struggling with her emotions, deciding on the right words to put him off. He wished this once she’d share her thoughts, the ones on the tip of her tongue, the ones she cloaked in her mind when he searched for them with the Transfer Spell.

  “I only wanted to be friends.” Her voice sounded raspy. “I told myself we were only friends for Isla’s sake. But sensations more powerful—”

  “Friends?” Bronwyn’s sarcasm sliced the air. She always gave the same answer. Damn her! She knew how much it hurt him. “That’s what we are: friends. So, as one friend to another, I wish you’d leave. I have things to do and you, friend, are in the way.”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “What is it I think? Do you care to share my thoughts because be damned if you won’t share yours with me!” When she didn’t answer right away, he continued. “What’s wrong? Thinking of a spell to shut me up? Maybe you should go back to magic school.”

  “You don’t know everything, Bronwyn. You don’t kno
w the whole story.”

  “Of course! I’m a dwarf void of magic. How could I know the whole story? I’m nothing like you. You know everything, and if you don’t, you make up a tale which fits your—”

  “Shut up!” screamed Alaura. “You’re a stubborn, overbearing, tenacious man!”

  “Is that supposed to flatter me?”

  “You’re by far the most exasperating man in Ath-o’Lea. If you only knew how much—” She stopped herself cold.

  “Was that a bit of truth about to slip out? If I only knew what? Come on, Alaura, what is it you wish me to know?” Bronwyn watched her bite her lip and struggle to find the words. He stepped closer. As he held her chin to face him, he stared into her eyes, willing her to reveal more. Why could they be best friends, but not lovers? Why could no one think of them as mates? Why had she left Petra? Who was Finley?

  He wrapped his arm around her. Drawing her near, he reached for her left hand. Sensing he wanted to bridge the Transfer Spell, she grabbed at the material of his shirt and held tightly. Her unwillingness to connect and share her thoughts frustrated him. “Alaura, tell me your secrets.”

  “Bronwyn, I…,” she looked away. “I can’t.”

  “I didn’t think so.” He pushed her from his arms. “Get out.”

  “You’re making a big mistake. You need me with you. I want…I want to be with you.”

  “It’s you who’s mistaken.” He stood straight with his hands on his hips. “I don’t need you.”

  “Please…”

  Alaura dragged out the emotional please as if begging him to change his mind. Bronwyn had never known her to beg for anything. He shook his head and watched her struggle with what to do next. The need to tell him became so great he thought she might erupt, spilling her secrets before him. Then the pressure subsided, and the saddest expression darkened her face. He thought she might cry, but she didn’t. Instead, she stood there, staring at him as if he had told her he’d never return for her. When he second-guessed his actions and wanted to pull her back into his arms, she turned and left the room.

  An ache swelled in his chest. Already his arms longed to hold her. It would have been easier if he departed with heart-felt goodbyes. Now, his last memory of her would be this stupid argument. He threw a sack of nuts against the wall, and it exploded into the air.

  Bronwyn wanted to leave now, put Maskil and Alaura behind him, but the town gates would be locked in less than an hour. Maybe if he rushed through his packing. No, that was irrational. He needed a good night’s sleep before his journey began. It would be foolish to act upon the raw emotions she provoked. If only she had been reasonable and shared her secrets.

  Movement at the door caught his attention. Alaura had returned. Unable to suppress a smile, he spun to greet her. Instead of finding his best friend, he found his mum staring at him. He froze. She probably wanted him to race after Alaura and apologise for whatever he had said, but Maisie didn’t take her usual lecture stance. She simply leant against the door frame with a sombre look.

  “You’ll always be my baby, but you’re more man now than your brothers. There’s nothing I can do to ease this hurt.” She turned and walked away.