The Darkness of Light

by Tammy Farrell

  Corbin hated to think what would have happened had they not reached Moorthrop in time. If the soldiers captured her, or the outlaws dragged her back, she could have suffered far worse than just burning at the stake. And if he’d never gone to Moorthrop at all, he might never have known her.

  Corbin shook his head at himself. What was he thinking? Did he have some kind of affection for her beyond what he had for the others? No. She was just new to him. A welcome distraction. He wanted to see her happy and that was all.

  A hard slap on his back jerked him from his thoughts. “Eh, Corbin,” Malcolm said, tying the belt of his trousers. “What are you sitting out here for? There’s a new girl here, fresh.” He pointed towards a very young looking woman walking out from the back. Her hair was long and dark, and her cheeks were flushed. She couldn’t have been more than eighteen.

  Corbin eyed Malcolm as he plunked himself down in the chair across the table. Malcolm snapped his fingers at the busty barmaid. “Wench, some ale,” he said, pointing to the table. She scowled at him and brought him a cup.

  Malcolm drank it down and slammed it on the table, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “You should give her a ride, eh brother?” Malcolm smirked and looked back to the girl.

  Corbin shook his head. “Not today,” he said, not meeting Malcolm’s eager gaze.

  “Oh, come now,” Malcolm chimed. “Don’t be sour that I got to her first. There are plenty of rides in her yet.”

  “No, thank you,” Corbin said in a low, irritated tone.

  Malcolm stopped for a moment and stared at Corbin with an arched brow of suspicion. “Maybe if you did, you’d quit being so glum.”

  “I’m not glum,” Corbin said. “I just don’t feel like bedding a whore today.” He could feel his muscles tense.

  Malcolm tilted his head, an amused expression on his face. “D’you think I don’t see what you’re up to, brother?

  “And what’s that?”

  Malcolm leaned forward. “It’s Mara, isn’t it? You’re sweet on her.” There was a note of cynicism in his voice.

  “That is not it,” Corbin responded.

  Malcolm pursed his lips into a doubtful smirk, and his eyes narrowed. “I think it is. You better watch yourself, brother. That’s not your prize to claim, and if you think Rowan would stand by and watch you defile his sweet princess, I think you’re sorely mistaken.”

  Corbin clenched his jaw and slammed his fist down on the table. “Enough!” he seethed. Malcolm jumped back in his chair, but held his mocking smile. “Very well,” he said downing the rest of the ale. “I’m just trying to give you some advice, is all.”

  Corbin stood. “Let’s get back to Valenia,” he said, walking out the door.

  They didn’t speak another word as they rode, but Corbin could feel Malcolm’s eyes burning into his back as they made their way home. Corbin pulled his hood over his head. Things were changing between him and Malcolm. He knew it and Malcolm knew it. And Corbin didn’t know how much longer he could bite his tongue before he finally put Malcolm in his place.

  Corbin stayed clear of Malcolm for the rest of the day. By the time night fell, and Valenia was quiet, Corbin found himself feeling restless, a churning of energy running through his chest. He sat up in his bed and moved towards the window. It was a clear night; the waxing moon hung large and bright over the darkened waters below. Perhaps a long run would ease some of the tension inside him. He stepped into a pair of trousers, tied the lambskin belt, and pulled a light linen shirt over his head.

  The corridor of chambers was quiet as he walked barefoot through the entrance halls and out the secret passage that led outside. He walked to the right and down the sloping hill towards the sand when he noticed a figure settled on the edge of the cliff overlooking the water. He sharpened his vision and saw that it was Mara.

  She was wearing an ivory muslin dress, and her black hair hung loose over her shoulder. Her head was turned out to the sea. Corbin wondered if she was still shaken by the vision she’d had days before.

  Corbin stood there, deliberating whether or not to disturb her when she turned her head towards him. He could see the flash of light in her eyes as she motioned for him to come closer. Corbin was in no hurry as he walked towards her, savoring one of the rare moments in which he could stare at her unobserved. When he jumped up to the cliff and sat down beside her, she turned to him with a seraphic smile. “What are you doing out here?” she asked.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep.”

  Mara sighed listlessly. “I never sleep.”

  There was a moment of silence between them as they looked onto the water. Then she asked, “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  “Yes,” he responded, though he was no longer looking at the ocean.

  A warm, gentle breeze picked up so that the floral scent of her hair drifted towards him. “Why don’t you sleep?” he asked, trying to distract himself from the thoughts creeping into his mind.

  She shrugged her slender shoulders. “I can’t stop the dreams. So I come here. I like the quiet at night. Everything feels different at night, you know?”

  “How?” Corbin asked.

  “Safe,” she said. “Like the moon puts the world to rest and erases everything so a new day can begin.” She turned her glistening eyes and looked deep into his. “Though lately it seems that I’m always waiting for another new day.” She turned her head back to the sea.

  The depth of her unhappiness disheartened Corbin. “Have you told Rowan of your dreams?”

  She nodded. “I have. He says I need to pay attention to them, to listen for the whisper, as he put it. But most nights I can’t bear them. They feel too real.”

  Corbin thought for a long moment, trying to choose his words carefully, and then he said, “These things that have happened…your mother, the family in the forest, they’re not your fault. I felt the same way when the life I knew was taken from me. At first I blamed my father for dying, then I blamed myself, and then, for a time I think I even blamed Rowan. But I was wrong to blame any of them. I had no control over any of it. And in the years since, I’ve come to realize how fortunate I am to know the truth.”

  Mara wrinkled her brow. “Fortunate?”

  Corbin took a deep breath and nodded. “We are fortunate, Mara. It’s true that we know death and uncertainty, but that is life. Being mortal would only make those things even more prevalent. And not only that, we know our gods, we know our strengths. We aren’t controlled by a church or a god that can never give us peace.”

  “But how is that fortunate? Life seemed simpler before I knew these things,” she said, watching him attentively.

  “No matter how hard mortals work, or how much they pray, their God is never going to protect them. They will call to him in their time of need and yet, they will never see him. They are putting their fate in the hands of an unknown being, instead of taking their destiny into their own hands. They will pray to him during invasions instead of preparing themselves to fight, in times of hunger they will beg to the church, instead of cultivating the untouched lands of this realm. And in times of darkness, they will seek comfort in a church that’s sole purpose is to keep them in the dark.”

  Corbin looked at her with all sincerity. “Don’t you see? We are free from that forever. While our numbers are small, at least we understand our gods, we possess their power, and we know what we are. And while we may be guided by them, our destiny is ultimately our own.”

  Mara looked at him strangely for a moment. He could sense the unspoken words return to her lips. Then her shoulders fell. “You are only partially right, Corbin. Our fate is not always our own. It’s because of the gods that my mother is dead.”

  Corbin tilted his head. “Why?”

  She seemed surprised by the question. “Has Rowan not told you?” she asked.

  “Told me what?”

  Mara hesitated and then said, “He thinks my mother was the Keeper.”

  Corbin’s
eyes widened. “Of the coire?” he uttered in a whisper. “That’s why he is so alarmed by the Dia we sensed?”

  Mara nodded.

  “Does he think it’s after the coire?”

  Mara shook her head. “I don’t know. But I can tell you for certain, I am not the Keeper.”

  Corbin found himself staring at her, watching her lashes as they rose and fell when she blinked, and mapping in his mind the shape of her lips. He wanted to reach out, to touch her and feel the caress of her power again. But he stopped himself and continued, “If your mother was the Keeper, don’t you think she wanted to be? Otherwise, what was to stop her from destroying it, or giving it to Rowan? She chose that fate, Mara. She accepted it.”

  Mara breathed deeply. Corbin could see a slight change in her demeanor, the heaviness of her mood lightening. “Maybe you’re right,” she finally said.

  They looked at each other, their eyes seeming to speak without words. And as if reading his mind, she reached out and touched his hand, sending shivers of energy through his body. She smiled and closed her eyes. Corbin could feel the sensation calm, becoming a fluid current between them. When Mara opened her eyes, the pale inner green was aglow. Never before had he wanted to kiss a woman so much. He wanted to brush his thumb across her bottom lip and feel the smoothness of her skin on his fingertips. She looked beautiful as the moon draped her in its light, like a raven-haired goddess.

  He almost couldn’t withstand the pull of her Light any longer. He lifted his hand to her cheek and she pressed into it with a soft smile. And very gently, he pulled her towards him, leaning in until their lips met. There was a surge of energy that shook him, enveloping him in a warmth that touched every part of his body. He kissed her harder, passionately as she fell into his embrace with a sigh, and parted her lips to his. The vibration moved through them both like a river until Corbin was completely lost in the moment, swimming in it. He wove his fingers through her hair and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Every part of him wanted to stay in this moment, to hold her near him longer, but he knew if he didn’t let go now, he might never be able to. He slowed his kiss and loosened his grip, forcing himself to pull back. Her eyes were wide, sparkling, and there was a flush of red in her cheeks.

  “My apologies,” he said, unsure what to make of the dazed expression on her face.

  It took a moment for her to respond, and then she said, “Don’t be sorry. I’m not.”

  “Can’t we just take Findias?” Mara asked, looking up at Gorias, the gray gelding. “I’ve told you, I don’t know how to ride a horse.” She raised a finger like she had an idea. “Or why don’t we just walk?”

  Corbin laughed. “You have spent all of your time learning to use your Light and yet you won’t learn to ride a horse?” He knew the giant horse was intimidating. He wished they had a pony for her to learn on.

  “I can understand my Light,” she said defiantly. “But I can’t understand a horse.” She crossed her arms in a vain attempt to appear willful, but Corbin could see her smirk.

  “Come here,” he said, pulling her towards the horse’s muzzle. “If you won’t learn to ride properly, then use your powers. It’s almost the same way you would glamour a human. Try,” he said.

  She arched a dark eyebrow at him. “And how do you suppose I do that?” she asked.

  Corbin sighed with a smile and scratched his forehead. “Just give it a try, please?”

  Mara hesitated a moment and then moved closer to Gorias. Corbin could see her try to focus, directing her energy at the horse. For a moment, Gorias seemed to calm, becoming almost drowsy, but in an instant he whinnied and stomped his hoof. Mara screamed and jumped back. “D’you see?” she cried. “The horse doesn’t like me. It has a look in its eye.”

  Corbin almost roared with laughter, even though he could see it was vexing her. “It’s a HE, and he is not looking at you the way you think he is. I think you’re the one who’s frightening him.” Corbin stepped closer to Gorias. “You do it like this.” Corbin pulled the energy from deep within him just as Mara placed a hand on his back, allowing her to feel the Light he was using. The horse breathed a heavy sigh and bent its front legs to lower itself to the ground. Corbin stepped away and took a victorious bow.

  Mara looked like she was trying to suppress a smile. “Well, I’m not surprised that you would understand the thoughts of a beast.” The corner of her lip curled and she leapt almost weightlessly onto the saddle. She laughed when the horse lifted her up.

  Corbin frowned when he looked at her. “I should be teaching you to ride like a lady, you know.”

  Mara turned her nose up at the suggestion. “I will learn to ride as you do, or I won’t learn at all. I didn’t realize Dia were bound by mortal proprieties.” Her eyes sparkled with a smile.

  “We’re not,” Corbin said, wanting to pull her down into his arms and kiss her. But this was the first time they had been alone together since the night on the cliff. He didn’t pause because he feared she would reject him. In truth, he could see that she felt the same, but he had to be cautious. She was new to this life, and he did not want to burden the seemingly endless procession of years ahead of her with the chains of what might be a passing love. He also didn’t want to put her in any peril should Rowan disagree with it. She was young and inexperienced, he had to remember that.

  Corbin walked over to Findias and pulled himself onto the saddle with ease. “Now,” he said, “adjust your position so that you are centered on the horse’s back.”

  She adjusted herself and sat up straight.

  “Hold onto the saddle, and nudge the horse’s side gently with your foot,” he instructed. Mara seemed to falter for a moment, looking nervous, but she soon focused her energy, and then without wavering she kicked Gorias with her foot and tore off. Her laughter echoed through the trees.

  Corbin felt a sense of dread wash over him, realizing how difficult it was for a new rider to navigate the denser areas of the forest. He pushed his horse forward until he caught up to her, and was surprised to see she was handling it quite well. He nudged the horse again until he came up beside her. She was smiling, all traces of fear gone from her eyes. Corbin used his energy to push the horse into a brisk run until he had passed Mara. He could hear her call out to him while he waited for her in the small clearing. When she reached it, her hair was whipped back from her face and her cheeks were rosy. Corbin dismounted Findias and walked over to lift her off, but she shooed him away and placed her hand on the horse’s crest. A soft jade light, like that of her eyes, emanated from her palm and slowly Gorias began to bend his legs. Mara swung herself to the side and jumped down.

  “I see you have miraculously overcome your fear,” Corbin teased.

  Mara shrugged. “What can I say? I suppose I have a way with animals.”

  Corbin fought the urge to kiss her again, and grabbed the bow and quiver of arrows. He walked several paces as Mara followed, brushing dust from her cloak. He held up the bow for her to see. “Have you ever used one of these before?” he asked.

  Mara shook her head, sending swirls of hair dancing over her shoulders. Corbin grinned and looked back at the bow. It was much smaller in size than the one he normally used to hunt. He’d made it to accommodate her size and strength, though he hadn’t taken into account the aid of her Light. “Here, take it.” He tried to hand it to her, but she just blinked at him.

  “Very well,” he said. “I will show you first.” He pulled an arrow from the quiver and licked the fletching. A seductive smile played across Mara’s lips. His eyes froze on her for a moment, but then he looked away, trying to concentrate. With the bow pointing down, he set one end of the arrow in the rest, and placed the other end against the bowstring. “Once you set your eyes on a target, and in this case, it won’t be a moving one, you focus on it, lift, aim, and shoot.” In the distance, Corbin saw an evergreen with a bare section on its trunk. He lifted the bow, pulled back the bowstring with two fingers and released it. Usi
ng his power, he guided the arrow in a straight line until it landed directly in the center of the chosen spot.

  Mara looked intrigued. “I will try now.” She stepped forward to take the bow, and he handed her another arrow. “Use your mind to guide it,” he whispered in her ear.

  She held the bow awkwardly. Corbin moved in closer and wrapped his arms around her to position her properly. The vibration between them began, but he tried his best to ignore it. Then, placing his hands gently on top of hers, he pulled them back so that the bowstring was taut. He stepped away.

  She glanced at him with an iron determination and looked back to the target. He could see her eyes fixated on it until not even the motion of breath moved her. She pulled harder on the string and let go. The arrow glided through the air just as a slight wind picked up, but that didn’t seem to deter it and it landed right beside Corbin’s.

  “Well done,” Corbin said.

  Mara’s eyes stayed forward. She didn’t become excited as he would have expected. Instead, she just stood there staring at the arrow.

  Corbin walked towards her. “Are you all right?” he asked, feeling concerned.

  It took her a moment to blink, but then she finally looked at him with a dazzling light in her eyes, like green fire. “Yes, I am all right,” she breathed.

  How calm she seemed, and how beautiful, Corbin thought as a tunnel of wind encircled them. Corbin watched her closely. She remained serene and unafraid. The wind became stronger, but it was warm and only seemed to surround the two of them. It was then he realized that Mara was the one creating it. She was controlling it with her energy. She dropped the bow and walked towards him, throwing her arms around his neck and putting her lips to his. He couldn’t refuse her. His mind told him to stop, but his body wouldn’t listen. He pulled her into him and for a moment, he thought he felt the ground shake from the vibration between them, so close and so feral in their attraction. She tasted like sweet berries, and the smooth sensation of her tongue made him mad with lust.