by Nikki Landis
“Thank you, I love you,” I told him sniffling.
He walked over and squeezed my hand. In his eyes I saw the truth that I had nearly forgotten in my interactions with Baylor. Kellen loved me, he protected me, both my honor and my physical body, and he truly wanted the best for me. It was worth thinking over. Worth considering, no matter how much my heart was swept up by the dark and handsome intensity of another man.
I would be careful.
I would be observant.
And I would trust in what I knew.
I watched as he finished packing away the tent and other supplies. When he was done we were both ready to leave and fully in control of ourselves. He winked, catching my eye, and I smiled at him with my best smile as his eyes caressed my face with their gentleness. I never tire of that look. Not the adoration, the love, or the patience that lingered in his gaze. I never would.
“Rhiannon, ready to go home and see Gran?”
“Oh, yes. Let’s go!”
I kicked my horse into a fast run and galloped off, Kellen behind me, laughing at my ploy. He was soon at my side and we raced along the grassy plains, the breeze whistling through the emerald green trees, toward the portal, toward Gran, toward home, and everything familiar.
Chapter Twenty Three
“Ready?” Kellen asked.
I nodded my head eagerly. He took my hand and we jumped back through the portal toward home. Once through, he spun me around in a circle and kissed me as he twisted the ring and the gateway disappeared behind us.
I grabbed his hand, running through the forest toward home, anxious to reach it after so long. I was beyond excited to see Gran. As I ran, I began to notice the world all around me.
Everything seemed different, the sudden striking revelation catching me off guard. It was like all of the colors here were muted, and everything there was intensely bright. It was like comparing a full rich color photograph to one in dull sepia.
The contrast was huge. Radical. Startling. It must be the magic of that other place that made it seem that way to me. It even felt different here, slightly less fluid. Everything here felt choppy and rushed. There it had seemed slow and unchanging.
It was exactly the same, and yet completely different at the same time. I was left with a strange feeling of loss. The loss saddened me, and I quickly realized that leaving that other world behind was not going to be easy for me. My trips across would be fantastic and magical. Coming back was going to be nothing short of a letdown.
It’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy my world, but being exposed to such a paradise just couldn’t be compared. The bar was set so high in that amazing place that there was no comparison at all. My heart would forever long to return now that I had crossed over, and I wondered briefly if my Gran also felt that way, if our world constantly called to her to return home.
As we approached home, I thought about Kellen’s conversation with the guard. Should any news come about on either side, we would meet at the portal to discuss it. There was always to be someone on their side in the event of an emergency.
I hoped we wouldn’t have any need for contacting them, since that was sure to mean an attack. Minimal. The truth was that a battle was coming, and I could only hope it was far in the future.
My only desire was that peace would reign and any confrontation would be avoided. There were so many people I knew and loved on both sides now. War would spell disaster.
My world was completely ill equipped to deal with any kind of invasion or confrontation by the enemy. Nobody knew the truth or believed it. Utter chaos and destruction would reign down, causing the murder and enslavement of society.
I could be overreacting, and maybe I was over dramatic, but not by much. Maybe it was the enemy’s true vision. Maybe it was annihilation, on a global scale, of both worlds.
I was very foolish in my naivety. Kellen, of course, knew the truth with certainty; war was coming, sooner rather than later. We could do nothing to stop it, nothing to prevent it, powerless in our lack of knowledge.
We were blind, completely oblivious to the plan of the enemy. I was sure it was already set in motion. My dreams were growing more intense, more frightening. All we could do was wait, wait for something, good or bad. It was only a matter of time.
I pushed all of this aside as we approached the house. I burst through the front door looking for Gran, scanning the living room until I found her. When she saw me her eyes filled with tears as I tackled her with a big hug. She held me close against her, placing a kiss on my cheek, and squeezed me tight. I hugged her for several minutes, so happy that she was all right, and reluctant to let her go. I had missed her terribly. She had always been my anchor, and now I was back home.
“Oh Gran, I missed you so much! How are you?” I asked her excitedly.
“Good dear, happy now that you are safe and home. Hello Kellen.”
“Hi Gran, we missed you. It’s been a long few weeks,” he informed her as he dropped the duffle bag and two backpacks he was carrying.
“You must be tired and hungry. Come into the kitchen and get something to eat. I missed you and your constant chatter. It was quiet here without both of you making noise.”
She winked at me and I knew she was joking with us. I followed her into the kitchen, amazed at the wide spread of food she had prepared on the breakfast bar and the large crock pot full of lasagna on the counter. Gran knew we would be home today. I was surprised again at her accuracy and foresight. Nothing escaped Gran’ notice.
We ate together, mostly talking about the neighbors, church, and other topics of interest to Gran. She didn’t ask many questions about my visit to the Monterro Valley. I wondered if she was upset. Gran was a detail oriented person, like me, she liked to be informed. My analytical mind was a direct result of her DNA. I figured there must be some things she wanted to discuss with only me. Picking up on her signal I decided to make an effort to speak to her alone as soon as I was able.
That night, when Kellen left to do a safety check, I approached Gran in her room, certain she awaited me. I brought the jewelry music box with me. Approaching her door quietly, I knocked.
“Yes? Come on in dear.”
I opened the door, walking into the room.
“Hey Gran, I wanted to talk with you. Are you busy?” I asked hesitantly.
“No Hun, come talk to me,” she patted the bed invitingly.
I sat next to her, laying the box between us. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
“This is mine Gran. My father made it for me after I was born. It’s really beautiful, don’t you think? Take a look inside,” I invited her, not pausing to give her a chance to refuse.
Gran slowly lifted the lid, smiling when the music started. She noticed my name etched inside the lid, her finger tracing the etched letters, and drifting to the jewelry below. I took out the charm bracelet and put it on, admiring the silver sparkle on my wrist. Then I found my mother’s opal ring and slipped it on my right index finger. She looked at it for a moment in silence before I noticed the tears hovering brightly in her eyes.
“I remember when your mother bought this ring. She was very fond of jewelry, especially opals and sapphires. Your Gramps used to enjoy giving her a hard time about it. He always ended up buying whatever she wanted. We loved to spoil her. You know, she was about your age when she got this ring, now that I think about it,” Gran told me softly.
“I didn’t know that. I love all of her jewelry. Some of these pieces belong to you too, don’t they?”
“Yes, I passed them to her. I love cameos. They are yours now. I always intended them for you eventually. It’s right that you have these and the jewelry box. Your father made it for you when he was across the portal, when you were a baby, before they died, didn’t he?”
“Yes, according to what I was told. It was supposed to be delivered in person.”
I was watching her face, concerned. Maybe this was too much for her.
“Yes, I am certain of that. I t
old you that your parents always intended to return home. How are Sully and Glenna?”
I looked at her in surprise. She would know, of course. She must have seen it in her dreams.
“Very good. They were so happy to see me. I got the impression…that they were a little upset that I never saw them or knew about them…” I trailed off. Should I bring this up?
“They were not happy with the decision your Gramps and I made to stay here on this side of the portal and hide you away. It took considerable effort to convince them that it was best. In the end, I stand by my choice, even if it was painful…for us all,” she admitted.
I had no idea what to say. How did I approach more about it without upsetting her further?
I let it go. Gran had enough to deal with.
“I met Grandpa Fergus and Grandma Jean too. Everyone was loving and friendly. It was kind of emotional but I’m glad I got to meet them,” I told her truthfully.
“Yes, the timing is right. I feel better knowing you have family on both sides now. If you needed somewhere to go, you would be protected. You would have family. It’s a great relief to me.” She put the jewelry down that she held. “I miss them all. Your Gramps and I were very close to both families long ago.”
“Yes, they miss you too. They were sad to hear about Gramps. I hated to be the one to tell them but it was necessary I guess. It was a pleasant visit otherwise. Glenna sent some jars of preserves and told me to give you a hug for her. I had a nice time Gran.”
I took her hand and held it, squeezing lightly.
“Glenna is a wonderful cook. Her preserves are legendary. Is she the one who gave you the bracelet? It’s the only piece that’s new.”
“Yes, my mother started it by adding the heart. It was her gift to me for my first birthday. Each year Glenna and Grandma Jean added a charm on my birthday. They finished it this year when I turned eighteen. It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I thought it may have something to do with your mother. She was so happy when she had you, so excited to have a little girl. I’m not surprised she started it for you.”
We sat in silence for a few minutes, looking at the bracelet.
“Gran, are you all right?” I asked, concern for her making me anxious.
The catch in her voice was unmistakable. It made my heart heavy.
“Yes, Rhia sweetie. I have been emotional the last few days. I think it has to do with missing your Gramps but also with you. I know how intense the visit was for you. I felt it through our connection. I’ll be fine. I am only concerned for you dearest,” she told me, patting my hand as if I was the one who needed the comfort and not her. She brushed my cheek affectionately.
“I am fine, truly. I did struggle for a while but I feel good. I am dealing with the emotions and the reality of it all…and…it is working out,” my voice faltered, “I’ll be all right Gran. Don’t worry.”
She pulled me into a lingering hug, and I squeezed her tight, not letting go for longer than I should have. I left the room sometime later, relieved after our discussion. Gran always knew what to say to chase the gloomy clouds away. She was my sunshine. My ray of hope. Her positive attitude and unending love could get me through the toughest of circumstances. I loved her so very much. I don’t know what I would do without her.
Kellen was waiting for me in my room, lounging on the bed, flipping through a muscle car magazine. He looked up when I entered.
“Did you have a nice talk with your Gran?”
“Yes, she is worried about me,” I confessed as I sank onto the mattress. “I tried to put her mind at ease. I showed her the box my dad made me and the jewelry. It was a little emotional for us both. What did you do tonight?” I asked, changing the subject.
He grinned. “I took a long walk, thought about you and hoped to get a chance to use my sword. Nothing happened. It’s quiet out there tonight.”
I rolled my eyes. “Maybe you’ll get a chance to thump some bad guys soon enough.”
He laughed, bringing me close and pulling me onto the bed next to him. He kissed me, feather soft and light, resting his forehead against mine. “I’d rather stay here and hold you close.”
“Done,” I smiled, “sounds good to me.”
We stayed up late, talking and laughing well into the night. I finally fell asleep next to him, our fingers intertwined.
Chapter Twenty Four
One afternoon, soon after we returned, Kellen and I were on the living room couch. I was lying down with my head on a pillow on his lap. We were talking about the tournament, enjoying a quiet moment together. Gran came in and sat down across from us on the loveseat. She cleared her throat and smiled, immediately drawing my attention.
“I never had a chance to talk about your trip with you. It’s been so busy lately. How did things go?”
“Gran, it was wonderful. I met Kellen’s parents and his twin sister Kayleigh. We rode horses around the countryside. It was so beautiful, and the waterfall…” I looked at Kellen and he smiled. “It was the most amazing place I have ever been.”
“It sounds like you had a nice time.” She looked at Kellen. “Was anything decided?”
“Yes, we are increasing our patrols and security on both sides of the portal, reinforcing the wall, making preparations in case of attack, and sending word to the outlying cities. We will be ready,” Kellen replied calmly.
Gran nodded her head. She seemed thoughtful. I got the impression there was something more that she wanted to know.
“You seem very…close since you have returned. It must have been an interesting trip,” she told us slowly.
I raised an eyebrow. What was she getting at?
“Yes,” Kellen told her, “we spent a lot of time together.”
“I would be failing in my duty as your grandmother if I didn’t show my concern for your safety in all areas, Hun. I’m not implying that anything has happened, but I was young and in love once too.”
I bolted upright on the couch. Was Gran giving me a…sex talk?
Oh.
My.
God.
My eyes opened wide at her.
“Rhiannon, I know I can trust you to do what is right. I actually feel a little silly right now but I needed to voice my concern. Kellen, you know that I trust you. I am hoping that you are being…careful in…your relationship.”
My jaw dropped at Gran’s speech. I just stared at her. Kellen shifted in his seat, slightly uncomfortable.
“Things did start to get a little…physical for the both of us so I promised Rhiannon I would cool it down before we came back. I value her innocence, more than I can say. I won’t betray your trust, Gran,” he told her sincerely, his voice reassuring, despite the way he was clenching my hand in nervousness.
Gran nodded at him, smiling and looking relieved. I stared at both of them, completely embarrassed. I could feel the heat burning in my cheeks.
Did this really just happen?
I couldn’t believe we all just sat here and discussed my sex life, or lack thereof, like we were talking about what to have for dinner or something. Neither of them said a word to me, keeping a careful distance by avoiding direct eye contact, but they both looked mutually amused for quite some time. Gran got up to make dinner not too much later and I turned to Kellen.
“That was so mortifying,” I told him blushing again.
He laughed lightly and tilted my chin up to see into my eyes. His face was thoughtful as he lowered his lips to mine. He kissed me gently, sweetly. A mild pressure that lingered, in no hurry, to separate from mine.
“I told you while we were camping that I value you too much to take anything from you Rhiannon. Your Gran needed to hear that too. She is only looking out for you, especially now.”
I knew he was right. I stared into his deep green eyes, getting lost, filling with warmth at the tenderness I saw there, and forgot all about my embarrassment.
“Maybe you should kiss me again so the memory is fresh in my mind,” I told him
, my voice low and husky.
His arms came around me tighter as his lips touched mine, stronger than before, and we ended any further discussion.
Later that night I had a new nightmare…
A dense, foggy cloud was reaching for me across the open meadow. I stood immobile, awaiting it as it approached, unable to move my legs despite the urgency I felt to back away. The edge of the fog had transformed into a hand that was reaching out for me, grasping. It seemed to resemble a claw, with long sharp fingernails.
I had an overwhelming sense of evil as it stretched and clutched at the air, not quite reaching me. I knew it was close, determined, desperate, and coming closer by the second. It would eventually catch me. I finally managed to run along the meadow and through the tall grass until I reached the cliff edge trying to escape it.
The fog closed in, encircling me, rising higher, until I couldn’t see. I slipped off the ledge as I felt myself falling, plunging down, grappling at the air above me, clutching at the nothing that loomed above, a terrified scream erupting from my throat…
My body jolted me awake with a huge shudder. I was covered in sweat and still trembling. It was the first time I had dreamt of my sanctuary in the forest, the cliff edge, or danger like that in a long time. All of the memories, the attacks, the Minotaur, the witch, and the werewolves, and a new sense of evil filled my head. I was terrified.
“Kellen!” I called frantically. “Kellen!”
He ran into the room and to my side, gathering me into his arms and soothing me. Kellen knew my nightmare routine by now. I didn’t have to tell him when I had one. He recognized the way I called him when it happened. Shaking, I thought about the dream and its meaning. I was getting better at interpretation. I understood the warning and implication. I knew what it meant.
Something ugly was inching its way toward me, something evil, that threatened to destroy everything and everyone that I loved. It was frightening in its intensity and the surety that I would have to face it. Soon now. It would not be long. Terrified, I gripped Kellen’s shirt, wrinkling the material in my hands.
