by Alex Temples
We entered the trees. They were vastly different than the pine forest we’d traversed to get to the shore. The trees here were willowy, with snaking vines and abundant flowers sprinkling their bows. Water trickled in a creek nearby as we wound our way along the stony trail.
A hound bayed in the distance as we came to the edge of a large cerulean lake. It’s waters shimmered, reflecting a stunning image of the misty, gray castle that sat on the other side. A lone blue canoe floated on the lake, empty.
We rode up the steep trail to the castle, pulling to a stop as we neared the gatehouse. Two white robed guards came out. Seeing Tristan, they doffed their hats and bowed.
Tristan nodded in acknowledgement and rode through the arched gateway, winking at me over his shoulder. The men looked up at me curiously, but said nothing, bowing as I trotted past.
“Welcome to Avalon, Brin.” Tristan pulled up on the reins and halted his horse in front of the entry to the castle. Hopping off, he was kind enough to come over and help me dismount. I smiled at his chivalry, a long-lost art in the wilds of New York City.
“Thank you, Tristan. This place is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Is this where you grew up?”
He eyed me carefully and smiled.
“Yes. This is where Aiden and I were raised, because it is the kingdom Aelwen hails from. She’s not our natural mother. She adopted us when we were very young.
He started off towards the castle, gesturing for me to come along.
“Follow me.”
I pondered this revelation, wondering who their parents were as I trailed after him. The castle wasn’t at all what I expected. Floors fashioned of white marble glimmered in the sunlight. The ceilings were rose colored, soaring upwards in in a graceful arc. They were painted with beautiful frescos of doves and naked men and women dancing, eating, and making love in a series of lush garden scenes.
Enthralled by these scenes, I wasn’t looking where I was going and ran into Tristan’s back, causing us both to topple to the floor.
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” I asked, struggling to pick myself up off Tristan’s chest.
He was trembling. I looked down with worry.
“What’s wrong?”
Tristan lay sprawled out on the marble floor, his blonde hair fanning out in a halo around his head as he laughed, eyes twinkling. He gave me a quick onceover before rolling into a sitting position, causing me to fall fell naturally into his lap.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, cheeks flushing.
Tristan laughed again, helping me to my feet before standing.
“Nothing at all. You’re just…a bit less graceful than I imagined.”
I flushed deeper, looking down at my feet. I was about to tell him off, when I saw the painting on the wall behind him.
My jaw dropped. It was a woman in her early thirties with lush brown hair. Sparkling brown eyes stared out at me from an oval face. She had a wide mouth and full lips. Her nose was a delicate slope and her high cheekbones set off her sparkling eyes. Save her hair color, the woman looked very much like me.
“Ah, yes…that.” Tristan turned to the painting, looking between me and the brown-haired woman. “You are her spitting image.”
“Who is she?”
“That is Princess Rosaina, daughter of Aelwen of Avalon and Perudur of Atlantis.”
It took me a moment to understand what he was telling me. This was Aelwen’s daughter. The woman who looked like me. I didn’t know if I could find the words to ask what I’d already worked out in my head, but I needed to hear it from another’s lips. So, I just stared back at Tristan, willing him to to tell me what I needed to hear.
Tristan watched the emotions play over my face, seeing the question in my eyes. He nodded. “She’s your mother, Brin.”
“My mother? This is my mother?”
“Yes.”
I took in the news, nodding slowly in acceptance. “Aiden told me she’s alive. Do you know where she is?”
Tristan’s expression darkened. He shook his head. “Unfortunately, we don’t know. She was taken by Gethin’s men, along with the other keepers.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. Anger boiled up inside me. I wanted very much to unleash it on someone. After decades of thinking my mother was dead, I’d found out she was alive, only to discover she’d been kidnapped and I might never get to see her.
“Why would my father lie to me all these years, Tristan?” I asked, watching him carefully. After living decades of lies, I was hungry for the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
“I cannot speak for your father, Brin.”
“I’m not asking you to speak for him. I just need you to tell me the facts. What happened that Rosaina chose to abandon us?”
“She didn’t want to abandon you, Brin, but it was the only way to protect you. I don’t know the whole story. My mother is the only one who would be able to tell you what happened.”
Tristan took my hands in his. “All I know is that something terrible happened that night and your mother did what she did to protect you.”
He hesitated.
“What? What are you not telling me?” I asked, anger creeping into my voice.
Tristan looked around for guidance, but we were alone in the cavernous hall.
“Whatever happened that night, the night your mother became a keeper, it was the same night Aiden and I lost our parents.”
I sucked in a breath, feeling selfish as I realized I wasn’t the only one suffering.
“I’m sorry.” I apologized, squeezing his hands. “Who were your parents?” I asked, curious.
Tristan shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Come on. I want to show you the orchards.”
With that, Tristan set off down the hallway, his boots echoing off the marble floors. I followed reluctantly, glancing back once more at the painting of my mother.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“That was amazing, Tristan.”
I sighed in pleasure as the door swung open before us. We stepped into the foyer of the Crystal Palace and I slipped my shawl off, handing it to the servant who answered the door.
“It was. I haven’t had that much fun in a long time.” Tristan breathed, grinning at me. He put a hand on my shoulder and was about to say something when we were interrupted.
“What was amazing?” Aiden’s voice sounded from behind us as he made his way down the stairs, a note of jealousy in his voice.
“Aiden! You’re awake.”
I ran across the foyer and threw myself into his arms. His familiar scent of spice and pine infiltrated my nostrils and I felt a warm stirring in my belly. Remembering that Tristan was right behind me, I released Aiden sooner than I would have liked and stepped back.
“You look much better, brother.” Tristan said, nodding at Aiden.
Aiden looked back at him and the two brothers exchanged some silent message I couldn’t discern. “I’m feeling much better, but not quite as well as the two of you, apparently.” He raised an eyebrow.
“Oh yes, we had the most amazing day. Tristan took me to Avalon. We walked around the orchards and had a picnic. Then we rode back. Tristan let me ride Demon.”
Aiden shot Tristan a sharp glance. “You let her ride Demon?”
Tristan nodded. “She’s a very good rider.”
Aiden acknowledged this and once again I saw a flicker of jealously.
My lips quirked in amusement, but I figured it would be best to distract him. I made a comforting sound and ran a hand up and down his bicep.
“Aiden, you should be resting. You were just shot after all.”
He met my eyes for the first time, looking worn out. He appeared about to reply when Neil appeared.
“Aiden, Brin, thank goodness you are both okay.” Neil said, appearing genuinely concerned as he looked us up and down in search of injuries.
“Thank you for your concern.” Aiden’s voice had taken on a note of authority as he moved to join N
eil. “I want to hear what happened when you left and what the progress is getting the samples to the lab in New York.”
“Of course.” Neil said. “But first, I have an update for Brin.”
I recognized his demeanor as that of someone delivering bad news.
“An update? What? What happened? Is it Oren?” I felt suddenly ill, placing a hand on Aiden’s shoulder for support.
Neil hesitated, glancing at the group.
“Your brother is fine. He remains stable. I just left the hospital. Samantha and Sergio are with him.” He hesitated, glancing toward Aiden.
Aiden nodded almost imperceptibly and Neil continued. “It’s your father.” He said, his face was serious.
Aiden’s hand moved to my lower back, resting them firmly in a supportive gesture. Tristan came up behind me, offering his silent support as well.
“What happened?” I barely go the words out, cold dread twisting in my gut.
Neil looked as if he’d rather be anywhere else. “I’m so very sorry, Brin. He fell sick very quickly. There was nothing anyone could do.”
“Nothing anyone could do…” I repeated the words, staring blankly up at him in question.
Neil swallowed. “He passed away a few hours ago.”
At his words, I felt the ground rush up to meet me and then everything went black.
Chapter Forty
Aelwen
Aelwen sat back in her chair after hearing the news from Eirian.
Nia put a hand on her arm. Neil had just returned with news of her son-in-law’s death. John had never stood a chance. She’d been waiting eagerly for Brin and Tristan to return from their trip to Avalon when Neil and Eirian had arrived.
She’d dispatched Eirian to keep an eye on Neil as he transferred the mistletoe samples to the lab in New York. She’d never entirely trusted Neil, though he was brother to her late husband, King Peredur.
Aelwen knew Neil secretly resented her relationship with Eirian. The two men had always had an adversarial relationship.
Unfortunately, they had brought back the terrible news of John’s death. Aelwen knew her chance to talk to Brin and introduce herself had passed.
She rose from her chair and walked to the bar in the corner, where she began to mix a pear martini. Her advisors sat silently at the table, recognizing her need for space.
She’d always liked John. She thought back to the day so long ago when Rosaina had come to her, confessing she’d fallen in love with a mortal. Of course, Aelwen had already known. She made a habit of keeping a close eye on her own.
Rosaina had spent her obligatory four-year residency on earth, learning about mortals, studying their ways, their sciences. She’d met John at the University they both attended and had been instantly taken with him.
Aelwen had made the decision to let Rosaina break tradition and marry John, on the condition that her daughter move to earth and give up her future position in the Crystal Court. It was a decision she had agonized over, and yet didn’t regret for a moment.
Aelwen herself had fallen in love with someone when she was Rosaina’s age. Back then she didn’t have the option to be with him. Her parents had forced her to marry Peredur, fulfilling her obligation to unite the houses of Avalon and Atlantis.
Wind and water were a natural match; her mother had argued. They had to remain united to remain strong enough to defend against Gethin’s forces, who were increasingly winning over the royals of Agharti and Cibola, the houses of earth and fire.
Aelwen stirred the drink several times and then held it to her nose, letting the sweetness of the Avalonian pears flood her nostrils. It reminded her of home, of simpler times.
She drank the sweet liquor and swiftly began mixing another. What was she supposed to do? The elixir was not yet made, the ritual not yet performed. She knew the death count was climbing higher. Thousands of mortals had died already, and thousands more would die if Aiden and Brin didn’t find the tablets.
She dreaded what she knew was coming. Brin wasn’t the only one who was going to be affected by the long held secrets that were beginning to reveal themselves.
Aiden would soon realize she hadn’t told him the full truth, if he hadn’t already. She loved him as her own. She’d taken him in when he was but an infant. He and Tristan were caught in the middle of an untenable situation they have never deserved to have to endure.
A vision of the two of them as boys flashed before her eyes, and she smiled at the memory.
Aiden had always been the volatile one, Tristan the level-headed one. Soon, they would both know the truth. When that day came, she feared losing them.
She suspected Tristan had worked out the truth years ago, but they’d never discussed it. They knew she wasn’t their natural mother, but she’d never told them the truth about their parentage.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Meurig came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.
“Aelwen, my queen. You must join us at the table. We need to work out a plan in case…” His aged voice cracked at the end and Aelwen knew he wanted to discuss what would happen if they couldn’t get the tablets back in time.
She took a deep breath and steeled herself, straightening her spine and turning to face Meurig, nodding at Nia and Eirian, who sat patiently awaiting instructions. “Yes, you’re right. We need to build contingencies.”
“First, we must discover where Gethin’s forces are hidden.” Aelwen directed.
Nia was already spreading a map of the Netherealms across the table. Alewen cocked her head and looked at Nia in question.
It was Eirian who answered. “We thought they were on earth somewhere, but we really can’t be sure. It seems that our scouts would have discovered the magic trails if they were. Our working theory is that they have built a base in the Netherealms and are masking their presence with dark magic.
Aelwen felt sick. If Eirian was right and they were in the Netherealms, there was little chance they would be able to find the base in time. It was a wasteland, long ago abandoned by the light court. The land spanned thousands of miles of untouched forest and would take weeks to search.
“Do you really think they could be there, Eirian?” Aelwen asked carefully.
Eirian took a breath. “I think it is a possibility. One that we’ve only turned to because of the lack of magic trails on earth.”
Nia nodded. “We’ve been monitoring the atmosphere for the last seven days and there hasn’t been activity since the kidnapping at Stonehenge.
Aelwen and the others sat back considering alternative explanations.
They were interrupted by the double doors swinging open and Aiden and Tristan bursting in.
The fire in Aiden’s eyes spoke volumes. He’d discovered the true reason he was able to raise the tablets.
Aelwen waited calmly for the questions to begin.
It was Tristan who spoke first. “Brin’s father is dead.” He said, his eyes burning with anger.
Relief flooded through her. Perhaps not then… She nodded sadly.
“I know.” Her eyes rested on Aiden and she didn’t see any other realization there. He didn’t know. He was angry about Brin’s loss. She swallowed back her relief, maintaining a neutral expression.
“What are we going to do?” Aiden demanded, crossing the room to make himself a drink. Aelwen smiled at this, recognizing that even though she wasn’t his natural mother, they shared a lot in common.
Tristan moved to the table, examining the maps. He and Eirian began to talk softly.
Let them look at the maps, Aelwen thought. Tristan was their war chief. He had a mind for strategy and even in this moment, she saw his natural calm. He was collected under pressure, where Aiden was explosive.
She crossed the room to talk to Aiden as Nia, Meurig and Eirian talked strategy with Tristan.
“Aiden, I’m very happy to see that you are awake and well. We were all very worried about you after what happened at the lake.”
At the reminder of the lak
e, Aiden’s shoulders stiffened and Aelwen bided her time, knowing he would work it out eventually. The tinkling of glass filled the air as he vigorously stirred his drink.
“Thank you for healing me.” He said, his voice level. She could almost hear the wheels turning in his head.
“What happened at the lake, Aiden?” She prompted, eager for all to be out in the open.
He turned to her then, holding his glass up in a toast. She clinked her glass to his and they both took a sip.
Aiden frowned. “We found the tablets in a cave.” He began.
Aelwen nodded, waiting patiently.
“How did you find them?” She asked, a note of encouragement in her voice.
Aiden frowned again, as if he were struggling to remember.
“There were runes in the cave – ancient Edenese.” He continued. “I don’t know how I was able to read them…” His voice drifted off and she could see that he was far away, replaying in his mind what happened in the cave.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Brin was able to read them too.”
“She’s a keeper. All keepers can read ancient Edenese. It is written in their DNA.” Aelwen replied, studying her son’s face carefully.
Aiden looked up at her. “All keepers, of course.” He mumbled. “She read the runes, but the incantation didn’t work for her.” He tilted his head in confusion, looking to her for answers.
Aelwen said nothing, standing quietly. She took another sip of her drink and sat the empty glass on the bar so she could set about making another.
“The incantation didn’t work for her, but when I read the runes, it did work. The tablets were raised from the depths of Lake Guatavita. They floated to us.”
Her back was to him, but she could hear the beginning of realization dawning on him.
“The incantation didn’t work for her, because you must not only be a keeper to read them, but a descendant of the first keepers.” Aelwen said as she finished stirring her drink.
She set the silver spoon on the counter and brought the drink to her lips.
“A descendant.” Aiden repeated the words, unsure of what she was telling him, and then Aelwen felt the flood of understanding that washed over him.
