by Joanne Ellis
Nermo may have decided he’d interpreted their relationship incorrectly but what if, by changing part of the future, they’d changed everything after. Nermo had said they were together after she killed Keelor but because that hadn’t happened, perhaps that is why the rest hadn’t, why Nermo’s feelings had changed.
With only a slight hesitation she reached forward again. First her hand then her arm went through to her elbow. She gritted her teeth against the pain as it seared her skin. She touched Keelor’s hand to find it cold. Grasping tight to his wrist, she pulled to find he came with her. She reached in with both hands and eased backwards, bringing him through with her arms. He landed at her feet, out of the bubble but still in a sleep trance. Sera waited a moment while her arms heeled before kneeling beside his head. She placed her healing hands upon his face and waited with bated breath.
His eyes fluttered and then opened to gaze around in bewilderment before they met hers. The relief at seeing his pale blue eyes washed over her. Her stared at her for a moment with his expression stoic before his brow furrowed. He sat up swiftly and took in his surroundings.
Sera placed a hand back to his face. “Keelor,” she whispered. “Thank goodness you’re back.”
He seized her by the wrist, removed her hand from his face then released her before standing up.
“Who are you?” He asked her.
“What?” she asked her voice shaking.
“I said, Who. Are. You?” Sera’s heart plummeted to the floor.
39
Lost Love
“It’s me, Keelor. Sera,” she said standing to meet him.
“Sera? You are the human princess, Seraphina?”
“Yes,” she answered hopeful, maybe it was the effects of the trance.
“Who sent for you? Keela and I were supposed to retrieve you.”
“You did.”
“Nermina?”
“Is back with us.”
“Us? You live here now?”
“You don’t remember anything?”
“No. We convened and the elders decided to send Keela and I. We were preparing to leave and then ... nothing.”
“Oh.”
“It is dark, why are you out here in the middle of the night?”
“I wanted to be near you.”
His face became stern then the detached expression - the one he wore those first days - returned. Sera’s heart ached, he didn’t remember her. Would he ever recall loving her? Could he fall in love with her again? She doubted it would be possible, not starting off this way.
He continued to look at her in his cool, reserved manner and sadness washed over her and of course transcended to her hands. As the pulses shot out from her, he was thrown backwards to the ground. Leaping to his feet he came at her.
“What did you just do to me?” His voice remained as cold as his eyes.
“I’m sorry, sometimes it happens by accident.”
“What does?”
“My powers.”
“You can do more than heal?” He cocked his head to the side. At least confusion replaced the coldness.
“Yes, a lot more. There is so much you have forgotten.”
“You touched me before, you were familiar with me. Why?”
“I don’t think you’ll like the answer.”
“Tell me,” he stepped forward, stony faced again.
“I think maybe we should talk in the morning. I’m tired and emotional, that could be a problem.”
“Very well, I will walk you. Where are you lodging?”
“With you.”
“Now you are being absurd. Why would you be staying with me?”
“Another question I don’t think you want the answer to.”
“Where is your protector?”
“I thought I asked a lot of questions.”
“I will take you to one of the vacant huts in the village.”
“I know my own way, thanks.” Her heart broken completely.
She stormed out of the garden and back to Keelor’s hut. Sera grabbed as many clothes as she could carry and returned to her original hut. She threw her dresses to the floor, herself on the bed and let her tears flow freely.
Left reeling, Keelor remained in the garden, confused by his loss of memory and stunned by the beautiful human princess. Little did he know it wasn’t the first time. Her dark trusting river music eyes genuinely appeared hurt, broken by his lack of recollection. It wasn’t possible to have feelings for her, mixed folk were forbidden. He would never break the law, not again.
Added to this was her incredible power and totally by accident. What was she capable of when she tried? She’d left him feeling something ... strong, awestruck? Suddenly irritated with his blank mind, he strode off to locate Kalar and obtain some answers however realising the hour, knew it would have to wait for the dawn.
As he walked back through the garden and into the village, even in the dim light of the moon, he could see remnants of destruction. Many huts were burned or destroyed and most of the tables and benches in the court yard were in various stages of wreckage. What happened here? Why couldn’t he remember?
In his hut a lingering aroma tickled his senses in a pleasant, familiar way, the human? There were several dresses still hanging in his wardrobe and he fingered each of them and imagined her wearing each one. The deep blue in particular would go well with her eyes. What am I doing? What was the undecipherable feeling deep in his stomach, the ache in his chest? Ridiculous, whimsical thoughts about a human princess with indigo eyes could not be indulged. Though why she left him feeling breathless still puzzled him.
Deciding to rest and seek Keela out in the morning to find out exactly what happened within the lands, instead of the half answers from the girl, he turned from his scrutiny of her dresses and ignored the scent which seemed to be following him. Seraphina.
Once in his hammock thoughts and images he couldn’t reach within the recesses of his mind frustrated him. The same intoxicating scent assailed him from the pillows and puzzled him further. Was she really staying here with him? How was this even possible? Too many unanswered questions which would have to wait till daybreak.
40
Indecision
“I find this all very hard to believe, Keela,” Keelor told her after she relayed the story from the beginning.
“It is the truth, Keelor. You are a different man than before.”
“There is much to consider.”
“What do you feel in your heart?”
“Fascination.”
“And.” How does she know there is more?
“I feel as though something is missing. Her scent in my room ... I was ... it was ...” He stopped and stood abruptly. “Listen to me, rambling like a fool. If this is what she does to me then I want nothing of it. I do not care if the law has changed or if her eyes calmed my soul, I cannot believe in feelings I do not remember.”
“Spend some time with her, see what you discover. Mecaldorf is no longer a threat; all you have now is time. You have been a protector for so long you have forgotten who you are. Now that you do not remember, it is time to find yourself again.”
“Now you are married, I require a new role.”
“Talk to her, forget about duty and what you will do now.”
“I will think on it first.”
“Of course you will.” She shook her head.
“Thank you, Keela.”
As he headed towards the garden to seek solace with the river he spotted Nermo walking with determination a stride in his direction. What now?
“Have you see Seraphina this morning?”
“No, should I have?”
“Do not even begin to rile me elf. You could at least be grateful.”
“I am. How did you know I was freed?”
“Annaphina told me moments ago when I called on her trying to locate Sera.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I am looking for Sera. I thought that was clear.” He fl
ashed a mocking smile. “The elders have called us to the circle. I checked your hut and obviously she did not stay there, but of course I did not know this until I saw Annaphina. I went to her previous lodging and she is not there. I am on my way to the garden now.”
“The human is not my concern pixie.” A cold fury flashed into Nermo’s eyes which surprised Keelor. “Are you in love with her?” He asked amused.
“No, she is my friend besides she loves you for some reason unbeknownst to me. Another girl left broken by you. Forget it, you are not worth the energy.” Nermo stalked off towards the garden.
Keelor shrugged off Nermo’s comments but it didn’t shift the fist of tension which grasped his throat, leaving him hollow and more confused.
As he broke through the trees into the garden’s field the chatting stopped and they all glanced at him in amazement. He supposed it was expected as he’d been in a bubble the last time they’d seen him. Kalar stepped forward and he was thankful for the diversion.
“Annaphina has updated us regarding Seraphina releasing you and although we are concerned for your memory loss we are relieved to see you safe.”
“Thank you, Elder Kalar. Keela has updated me on events and although I am overwhelmed with the knowledge, I am relieved all is well.”
“We can begin when Seraphina arrives.”
“She is not here?” Nermo asked in an anxious tone.
All heads turned to Anna. “She came to see me before dawn this morning to tell me about Keelor.” She shot him a frost filled look before continuing. “Sera told me she was going back to her hut. Has anyone seen her this morning?”
“Wait,” Sam spoke up suddenly. “Someone is coming.” He listened for a moment. “It’s a vampire.”
Standing before them the moment the words left his lips was Sebastian. “My apologies for startling you, however I knew Anna would require this news immediately.”
“What is it?” Anna asked.
“I was feeding this morning on the outskirts of the lands, near where the banished folk reside. It was fortunate because I usually travel to the human world to satisfy my thirst but wanted to stay close by, so I feed on the animals in the forest.” He smiled at Anna before continuing. “Anyway I digress, I overheard two vampires speaking about Seraphina. Elizabeth who ran with Mecaldorf also had a relationship with Cornelius, suffice to say, she is unhappy about the events of yesterday. I am unsure as to how Seraphina came to be outside the lands however she was picked up by two vampires returning from the human world. I believe Elizabeth and the remainder of the group are holding her.”
“Oh no,” Anna whispered as blood drained from her face.
“We must go,” Nermo and Sam said almost simultaneously.
Keelor’s heart lodged itself in his throat and his blood went cold. He couldn’t understand the reaction to the news but couldn’t ignore it nevertheless.
“I will go alone,” he said, still unsure why he felt compelled to.
“Why?” Nermo asked turning in astonishment to him.
“I would be able to go in and out undetected. Too many of us will draw too much attention.”
“I meant, why would you? You appeared indifferent moments ago when I asked after her. I do not understand why you would care enough to go.”
“I do not know. I want to help her, need to. I cannot explain it and would not to you, even if I could, pixie.”
“Enough of your squabbling,” Kalar said. “I believe Keelor has a point. Enough blood has been shed. If he is able to retrieve her without causing further harm then I believe this to be sensible.”
“Forgive me, Elder Kalar,” Nermo began. “But I believe it should be someone who cares about Seraphina’s welfare who should be going.”
“This has little to do with emotions, Nermo. Perhaps his reserve and indifference will be an advantage. Keelor takes his duty seriously.”
Although Keelor would never admit it to anyone, especially the pixie, but he suddenly felt very concerned regarding the safety of the human princess. The thought of losing the girl with the indigo eyes filled him with despondency. He still could not believe the events for which Keela informed him had occurred, yet he couldn’t deny the lingering feeling that something was missing but it wasn’t just his memories, it was something else.
There must have been something for him to break the law, to risk everything. Then he remembered Hallow and realised he obviously let whimsy and a pretty face sway him again or perhaps it was the human’s abilities, maybe she altered his emotions with her calming power. Maybe it was a spell after all and he decided this would account for his out of character behaviour.
Once he found the princess and returned her to the lands, his life could go back to the way it was before he’d been conned. His curiosity nevertheless was piqued and he wanted to discover whether this was actually the case. When Keela told him about Seraphina’s incredible powers he’d been amazed by the revelation, and curious to see the remarkable princess in action. He decided this was why he wanted her to return - aside of course from keeping the circle member’s safe - to see her in action. These other feelings were simply related to this.
“Thank you for entrusting me with this important mission,” Keelor told Kalar.
Nermo sniggered and mumbled something about trusting him to see it that way but Keelor ignored him.
A gate was brought forth and Keelor discovered he was to leave immediately. He stepped through the gate to find himself in the forest surrounding the exiled lands. With stealth he crouched at the edge of the forest to evaluate the area and formulate a plan.
41
Bound and Bitten
Sera dragged open heavy lidded eyes and searched the room, trying to ascertain where she was. She appeared to be in a small thatched hut, similar but much smaller than the ones found in the elfin village. It was devoid of furniture and she seemed to be alone. As she went to lift a hand to her face she discovered them bound together and noticed her feet were the same. In a sitting position and tied to something behind her, Sera suddenly recollected how she’d come to be here.
In the early hours, just before dawn, she left the lands with the intention of going home. Sera now saw the foolishness in her irrational decision. After satiating the tears over the indifference of the man she loved, Sera sought out Anna and recounted the story of freeing Keelor from his incarceration. She wished now she’d listen to Anna who offered her words of hope. His memory may come back and that she vaguely remembered a spell in the book for such situations. The circle would be meeting in the morning and they would discuss options then. Her ornery nature refused to listen to what ifs and Anna’s ambiguous memory of a spell which may not exist. Her heart much too broken for minimal hope. Leaving Anna’s and allowing herself one last look at the garden, she conjured a gate and stepped through.
A little off with her direction, Sera found herself in an alley. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she tried to determine her surroundings when she saw a figure bending over something or someone as though in a passionate embrace. When one of the parties slumped to the ground, Sera’s heart dropped with it. Vampire. It was a female and she turned towards Sera, blood still wet on her lips. In an instant she was face to face with Sera.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” she asked licking the last drops of her meal from her lips. She sniffed the air and Sera realised she was detecting her scent. “Human princess? Oh, this is too good to be true.”
Sera remembered her anxiety rising and before she could propel it outwards she heard the vampire’s words, “I don’t think so, princess,” before everything went black.
Now she was here. Why hadn’t the vampire killed her? Why was she here? As though hearing her thoughts the same vampire appeared eye to eye with her once more.
“About time you woke up, human. I thought princesses were more powerful than that.” Sera went to raise her hands, ready to incapacitate her. “Don’t bother, princess, we have bound your powers.”
&nb
sp; “Who are you? What do you want?”
The vampire smiled at her haughtily, her eyes full of hunger, her fangs exposed. “Besides your blood? Which, by the way, smells way too enticing.” She brought her face close to Sera, to sniff at her neck. The vampire pulled Sera’s head to the side, to expose her neck further. “Cornelius wants your powers.”
“I thought he was dead.”
“Great trick, wasn’t it? He is a very powerful warlock, takes much more than that.” She continued to speak softly right next to Sera’s ear.
“Take them, then. I really couldn’t care anymore.” There was soft laughter against her ear before immense pain tore through her neck and down her shoulder.
At first it was excruciating before calm, almost like intoxication, swam through her veins. Then it abruptly stopped as quickly as it started. Her neck felt hot and wet when the vampire released her. Sera waited for the wound to heal as the poison pumped though her body with every beat of her heart. Then she realised, no power, no healing. Did she really want to heal though, with the vampire poison inside her? Was it now slowly killing her?
“My name is Elizabeth, human, remember that when the poison takes your last breath.”
Sera lifted heavy eyes to Elizabeth’s red ones, full of bloodlust. As Sera dropped them again, she noticed her blood still fresh on Elizabeth’s lips and convulsed. Would her only options now be death or becoming a savage? Either way, Keelor was lost to her forever, memories returning or not. His contempt for vampires would overpower his love. Elizabeth laughed, apparently amused by the emotions evident in Sera’s expression.
“Rest, human, I will be back to taste you again.” Then in the same instant flash she was gone.
