The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

“More like afternoon.”

  “What time is it?”

  “I have no idea, but the sun is now heading west.” He settled me back in my spot.

  “How far is this place?”

  “We’re almost there.” His voice deepened.

  “Wherever we are going, it must be close to something that holds power,” I said, looking up at the canopy overhead. The sun peeked through layers of leaves that seemed to touch the sky.

  Gavin grinned. “Why would you think that?”

  “It’s the health of the trees. They aren’t like the ones around the castle. They shimmer.”

  “I’d love to see the world through your eyes.”

  Ever since the portal changed me, unlocking hidden traits and talents, I could see health around all living things. Delicate silhouettes lined every leaf, every flower, but as we made our way through the forest, the vibrant colors were tinged with silver.

  “Uh, what is that?” I asked.

  The canopy overhead shivered as something skittered high above us.

  “Those are the Simian. They help take care of this part of the land.”

  White with flashes of black and silver darted through the trees.

  “That is a male.” Gavin pointed to a larger one. “And there is a female.”

  A smaller version gamboled from limb to limb, growing near.

  “How do you know?”

  “The females have colored breasts, the males do not.”

  I squinted through the sunlight, noting the swatch of vibrant pink that rested above the Simian’s heart.

  “They are as old as the unicorns, and they build their homes in the treetops. Their feet never touch the ground.”

  The female made her way down until she stood on the lowest branch, just above our heads. She was similar to a spider monkey, and her pure white body could easily fit in Gavin’s hand. Her black tail twitched to and fro; its silver tip looked as if it had been dipped in mercury. Her ears were rounded and alert, moving independently of each other, naturally searching for strange sounds. Wide, sea-green eyes flitted from my face to Gavin’s and back again.

  Gavin smiled. “She has been sent by her tribe to welcome us to the northern forest.”

  The Simian leaned forward, she bared her teeth in a smile before darting to the next branch. Screeches of welcome echoed through the canopy, getting softer as the Simian swung from limb to limb, scurrying away.

  Silence settled around us, the gentle clop of horse hooves created a calm cadence. Gavin took my hand in his, and I ran my thumb over the gold encircling his ring finger. I had sketched its design a long time ago, and seeing it finally rest on his hand brought a smile to my face.

  “Do you like it?”

  His fingers wove through mine. “It’s perfect. As are you.” He leaned over and kissed me.

  The constant rush of water over rock shushed, growing steadily stronger as diagonal bands of light filtered through the thinning woods. The forest gave way to the glade. Giant willows surrounded the southern edge before ending at the mountain’s base. Water poured off a rock ledge jutting from a precipice high above the trees, pooling into a large basin below.

  My mouth felt like cotton, my shield flew up as I spotted the small white cottage among the willows delicate branches. We were here. Alone. No outside responsibilities or distractions. Feeling shy, I avoided his eyes as the carriage rolled to a stop.

  Gavin’s eyebrow rose when he no longer could hear my thoughts, but he didn’t comment on it. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

  The carriage swayed as he got out and went to the back, unloading boxes of supplies. He made his way through the front door.

  My heart fluttered as I ran my thumb across the warm emerald stone that rested on my wrist. Gavin’s soul stone. It was born of his mother’s womb, set in gold that held ancient power, and placed on his ankle when he was just thirteen. The energy surrounding it kept its clasp hidden until it felt the power of love. Only then would it release, permanently fusing around the wrist of his mate.

  It symbolized more than love, more than commitment ... it symbolized the joining of souls.

  After all this time, I couldn’t believe his amulet was finally on my wrist. Before this night was through, he would claim me as his own, and I would be his forever.

  My stomach dropped at that thought. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the plush cushion.

  Human. I was human. Even though the waters of the portal had changed my eyes and strengthened me, I still had human intelligence, human emotions, and understanding. How could I possibly satisfy Gavin in any way? The Alfar were smarter, faster, stronger, and they felt more intensely. Love gave them strength. What if after all we’d been through, after all we’d waited for, Gavin found me ... lacking? What if he was disappointed? What if I wasn’t the source he needed me to be?

  “Nora?”

  I jumped; my eyes snapped open.

  “Why are you shielding your thoughts from me?”

  “Sorry.” I smiled as the sky blue filtering my mind faded to dust.

  Gavin’s eyes became gentle, understanding. “I crave intimacy with you, in every way. Please ...” He paused, seeming to search for the right words “There’s no need to be uneasy, love. Not with me.” He took my hand and draped Edna’s quilt over his arm. I grabbed Ester’s gift as he helped me out of the carriage. He went to the horses and put his hand on their muzzles, thanking them for their service. My heart sped as they cantered away.

  “I want to hear your mind. I’ve longed to have you all to myself.” Gavin pulled me to him, kissing my forehead. “And now I finally do. Welcome to one of the oldest dwellings in the kingdom.”

  One hand found the small of my back, the other dipped to the bend of my knees. With one fluid motion, he took me in his arms.

  I toyed with Gavin’s top button, trying to quell the butterflies in my stomach. He took a deep breath and crossed the threshold.

  “This is the living room and kitchen.”

  The space was perfect for two. Oversized furniture and a few small tables were all that inhabited the front area. One solid bookshelf covered the back wall. A small kitchen led to a breakfast nook; bay windows stood around the table. My face heated as Gavin continued through the cabin, making his way to a small hallway in the back.

  “And here’s the bedroom,” he murmured, walking through an archway.

  The room ran the width of the house. Large windows adorned the entire side wall, framing the picturesque scene of the rushing waters and soft willow branches. I blushed as I looked at the bed. Gavin waited until I met his gaze. His eyes, liquid with understanding, held mine. He set my feet on the floor; I locked my knees trying to ignore the way he turned my bones to mush.

  “I love you,” I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

  He smiled, lacing his hand with mine, bringing up the wrist that held his soul stone. His look intensified as he kissed the sensitive flesh beneath.

  “I’ll never tire of seeing you wear my amulet.” His voice grew husky. Heat ran up my arm. Desire warmed the pit of my stomach, my senses heightened, and insecurity warred with an overwhelming urge to throw myself at him.

  Gavin closed his eyes, a smile whispered across his face as he took in my thoughts. “You must be starving. How about dinner under the stars?”

  “Sounds good.” My voice came out a little higher than usual.

  “The closet is just beyond the bathroom. Elaine assures me you have everything you need.” He tucked the hair behind my ear; his warm lips touched the side of my cheek.

  I trapped my lower lip between my teeth, trying to contain the energy surge.

  “I’ll leave you to freshen up,” he whispered, his breath curled around my ear in delicious heat. He pulled back, grinning and then walked away.

  The hot water washed away the dust and sweat from the long trip, and steam from the shower eased my jumbled nerves. I threw on a simple green sleeveless shift dress and headed down the hall. T
he earthy aroma of sautéed mushrooms wafted through the air; my stomach growled in appreciation. “Smells great. What’s for dinner?”

  Gavin’s contentment coursed through me as soon as he heard my voice. “Edna’s veggie stew.”

  We sat at the small table and watched dusk melt into night. The stars were even more beautiful here than on Edna’s mountain.

  Conversation flowed throughout the meal as Gavin told all about his day of seclusion. It was an Alfar tradition that the mated pair not see one another the day before the ceremony. Apparently, for the guard that meant a day of training the new recruits.

  I laughed. “And to think, I spent most of the day sleeping. I’m glad to see you made it to the wedding in one piece.”

  Gavin leaned back, pushing his plate to the center of the table. “We didn’t spar with the Elite Guard, only the new recruits. Elias made sure I remained in working order.”

  His eyes flashed with a playful, knowing glint, and a blush ran to my hairline.

  Gavin cleared the dishes as I stood from the table. My legs felt as if they were weighted with lead.

  “Why don’t we rest a bit?” Gavin’s voice gentled. “I’ll read to you, or would you like to sketch?”

  I shook my head. “Let’s go outside.”

  “I know how much you love to explore, but that’ll have to wait until you’re stronger.” He took a throw blanket from the back of the couch and placed it on my shoulders. “But there is something I’d like you to see. It’s not that far.”

  “All right.” I smiled.

  As soon as he opened the door, the cool rush of misty air brushed across my face. Gavin’s strong hand enveloped mine as we walked to the edge of the pool. The waterfall started high on a bluff, cascading as a sheet of liquid glass into the pristine pond below. The voices of a thousand creatures combined with the constant rush of water, creating a melody all its own.

  “What makes this waterfall special is that it comes from the heart of Kailmeyra and is heated by the power of the mountain.” Gavin kept his eyes on me.

  “Can we swim in it?” I asked, bending down and swirling the tips of my fingers in its warm embrace. Sudden images of moonlight glinting off his sculpted bare chest, water cascading over us, him pulling me close and kissing my shoulder, him touching—

  My shield flew up. Gavin’s emotions spiked, his desire ebbed through me.

  “We can swim if you would like, my lady,” he murmured, helping me back to my feet. I closed my eyes, forcing my shield back down and trying to empty my mind. The energy coursing through me arced to him and grew. A familiar blue-white light dancing in the air distracted me. I looked up and smiled.

  Millions of gossamer strands flickered from silver to sky blue, revealing large, intricate webs. Small black spiders floated in the light, their bodies more apparent with the webs’ glow.

  “This is the spiders’ respite.” Gavin softly said. “After all they’ve done to keep you safe, it only seemed right that we strengthen here.”

  “It’s perfect.” I smiled, reaching up and gliding a fingertip across one of the strands. I still found it hard to believe such thin fibers were stronger than steel and could render even the Dokkalfar defenseless.

  Gavin’s arms came around me as his chin rested on the top of my head. I leaned into him, my legs protesting from the energy needed just to stand. Sighing, I tried not to get frustrated that I was still physically exhausted.

  Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and quieted my mind, allowing Gavin to support my weight. Feather soft kisses trailed up my neck, lingering for a moment on the delicate skin that pulsed with every heartbeat. We stood there appreciating the graceful sway of the luminous branches. The circle of energy that poured from me to him and back again thrummed with contentment and peace.

  It was the way of the Alfar, this sharing of energy. Mates learned to depend on each other, love giving them strength and long life. They were one another’s source, viewing marriage as a true partnership, a communion of souls. It was the way we were all meant to be, but humanity chose greed and lust over selflessness and love, and through the ages man’s ability to recognize the power of emotions dwindled to nothing more than physical feelings. The Alfar, on the other hand, learned to harness and grow from goodness and faithfulness. They used the power of hope and joy to stay strong in body and spirit. The energy ran so deeply in them that when they joined physically, they shared their gifts and talents with each other. It was the highest form of communication, the most intimate of acts, and it changed them forever.

  Gavin was the only Alfar in over two millennia that had chosen a human for a mate. No one knew if my humanity would allow me to connect with him that deeply, or how he would be changed.

  I took his hand and brought it to my lips, kissing the palm that had healed my heart.

  “It is time,” I whispered. Emptying my mind of all thought, I laced my fingers through his and led him back to the cabin.

  Gavin didn’t miss the way my feet shuffled, slowing our pace. He picked me up, carrying me the rest of the way.

  “I’m not tired ... really,” I placed my hand on his chest as he closed the door.

  He started to say something but set me on the couch instead. When I protested, he smiled.

  “Please, rest a bit. I need to freshen up anyway.” His hand cradled my face, his thumb tracing my jaw to the tip of my chin. His eyes, always aware, always understanding, held mine. “I’ll be right back.”

  The shower started, and I willed my wayward mind to keep from imagining him in it. Needing a distraction, I strolled around the room, running my hand across the mantle. The arts were essential in Kailmeyra as the artist’s intent was embedded in the work. The intricate detail of the marble fireplace could have only been created by the ancients.

  Blue orbs of light shone around the cream-colored walls, and I found my way to the bookshelf. Art supplies covered the entire bottom half, but the top shelf held books in the ancient language. I knew I wouldn’t be reading those anytime soon. Maybe Gavin could read them to me.

  “If you wish,” he hollered out of the back room, startling me. I followed his voice, my heart accelerating with every step. Keeping my mind blank, I looked at the décor. Thin willow branches gracefully danced beyond the windows, the waterfall silently rushing to the pond below. I turned back to the room, a blush hit my face, and I glanced away from the bed, focusing on bare walls. The rustic quality of the cabin seemed a little empty without any of Rena’s masterpieces lying around.

  “We’ll be sure to bring some back with us next time we visit,” Gavin’s voice startled me once again.

  My legs ache. I squashed that thought and sat on the edge of the bed, trying to keep my mind clear. Across the room stood two dressers, both made of dark wood and simple in design. One was long and no higher than my waist; the other was as tall as Gavin. My shield flew up as Elaine’s cryptic message came back to me.

  “... Everything you need has already been stored for you in your place of strengthening. Look to the top drawer of the tallest dresser...”

  I made my way across the room and reached up, opening the top drawer. The cool feel of silk brushed my palm, and I grabbed the soft material and pulled. My cheeks flushed as I stared at the bright pink fabric.

  “Nora? Is everything all right?” Gavin’s alarm rang through the silence. His unease swirled around me. My answer stuck in my throat as I held the fine satiny straps, allowing the filmy, full-length negligee to float to the floor.

  “Yes,” I finally managed to sputter. Quickly stripping to nothing, I kicked the panties and shift dress under the bed. My hands shook as I slipped the pure silk material overhead. I almost didn’t recognize my own reflection from the mirror across the way. The simple V neck design was in the same style of the first formal dress I wore to meet the Queen, but both the back and front dipped even lower. Cool silk hugged the curve of my hips. I shivered at the air swirling down my spine.

  “Nora?” The water tur
ned off—Gavin’s distress increased as he searched for my thoughts. “Are you all right?”

  My breath grew shallow; nerves kept me from answering. His unease ached through me as he bolted out of the bathroom. Water dripped from his hair, streaming down the creases between well-defined muscles to the towel around his waist.

  I’d briefly seen him once before in nothing but a towel. I’d spent hours drawing it when we were apart. My memory didn’t do him justice.

  He froze. His eyes raked over me.

  The energy arced, pulling him to me. With his every step the connection grew, but there was a difference. My heart jolted as my eyes snapped to his. This was stronger than a feeling, it ran deeper than his scent ... I could feel his essence. I never knew what that meant until this moment, but the current cycled so deeply it was as if I could sense his soul.

  Recognition blazed in his expression. His scent of earthy peppermint and sunshine bid me closer. The heat from his body curled around me, warming my bare skin.

  “Nervous?” His voice became husky.

  I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. “Yes.”

  Gavin’s eyes held mine as he listened to my insecurities, my doubts, my desire to be everything he wanted ... everything he needed.

  “You already are. Surely you know that by now. Please don’t doubt. You were meant for me, and I was meant for you.” He smiled, his lips touching my forehead. Gavin slid his palm up my arm. Goosebumps followed his hand as it traced my collarbone and stopped at the center of my chest. He gently turned me, his breath warming the side of my face. He raked my hair to one side, his lips playing through the tendrils at the back of my neck. I held my breath as he kissed the top of my spine, nibbling and tasting his way to the middle of my back. Ever attuned to my thoughts, he worked his way up, stopping to press the edge of his teeth at the tender curve of my neck.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “Your mind, your body. I love your scent, the way you feel.” Long fingers slipped up my arms and came to rest on my shoulders. “You couldn’t disappoint me if you tried.”

  His sincerity combined with the heat from his touch, and I turned to face him. His soft lips found mine. The warmth of his caress sparked a slow burn, heating the pit of my stomach, and I took a deep breath. He put a few inches between us, his eyes searching. Caution surrounded me, mixed with a little fear.