“I have seen my share of the golden rays,” she agreed. Arriving at their quarters, they followed the others inside before she asked, “Is no one going with us to see the rest of the city?”
“I’ve seen enough of dwarfland, thanks,” Rey grumbled, glancing at their host. “No offense.”
“None taken. I know my uncle and grandmother are quite the pair,” Hayt agreed, gazing down at the girl who held a firm grip on his elbow. “I will return your maid to you, then.”
“See that you do, and at a reasonable hour,” the Mate replied sharply, giving him a stern frown.
Exiting the cramped quarters, the dwarf released his grip on his own hands and curled her fingers between his. “Is he always so protective of you? I assure you, you are quite safe here.”
“Always,” the girl giggled. “Piers was in charge of the group when they came into the glen, and we have followed him ever since we left.”
“What of Amicia, though. She seems to have quite a bit of say in your affairs,” he observed.
Shrugging, her smile diminished, Zae tried to explain without revealing more than she should. “Ami is a very gifted young woman, especially for a mortal of the rim. Many have recognized this in her along our travels, and so we have all come to respect her wishes.” Biting her lip, she paused, then added, “I owe Amicia and the others a great deal. A debt I fear I will never repay.”
Blinking up at her host, Zaendra breathed deeply as he considered her words. It was true, for the most part, but there was something hidden within Amicia; something most in their kingdom would recognize. If Hayt had seen it, he would know she had not been honest with him, but would he be bold enough to call her on it?
“I see,” he nodded, wafting his freed right hand at the path ahead. “This way leads to many of the private rooms our people hold. Most families live in a single, such as the one your group now shares.”
“Yes, we can see one through the fireplace on the other side.”
“Ah, yes, we share those as well when need be. We are underground, so the temperature here is easy to control but not quite warm enough for most of us to feel comfortable,” he observed, taking in her bare shoulders. “Are you not cold?” Grinning at the sight of her beautifully delicate skin, she definitely wore far less than a typical dwarf maid.
“I am well. I do not mind it so much,” she agreed, happy he had not pushed her about Amicia and curious if that meant the dwarf had not recognized the girl after all.
“Hmm. I have heard much of the nymphs but had yet to meet one. You are lovely creatures, as promised,” he flattered, his heart skipping a beat at the thought of giving her exposed flesh a brush to test its texture.
“And what exactly have you heard?” she asked, radiating confidence as she toyed with him. During the last few hours, she had realized her power over him, and it only bolstered her resolve to get to know him better if she could.
“I know that you live in a land of hills and meadows near the southern coast. That you are a simple and yet magical people and that it is rare that you should leave your homeland,” he supplied with a raised brow. “Why did you choose to follow Piers and his group of misfits?”
“Misfits?” she clipped, not liking the sound of the term. “There is nothing unfit about my friends,” she defended tartly.
“I mean no disrespect,” he soothed, placing his hand over his chest as an oath. “I simply mean they are an odd collection. Surely you can agree to that.”
“Yes, I supposed that we are,” she admitted more calmly as they continued their casual strides. “But I have always known I would leave the glen.” Regret panged her heart for an instant, and she added, “Not that there was anything wrong with living among my kind. I simply knew I would not spend all of my days there.”
“Ah, some magical premonition?”
“You could say that,” she giggled, swinging their hands as they made a turn. Entering a long stretch of open cavern, the roof lifted far above them. “Wow, this place is amazing!” Overhead, the high ceiling revealed numerous levels, with a balcony overlooking the floor below on each one. “Is this your great hall?” she asked, thinking of the trolls and their giant common room beneath the mountain to the north.
“Yes,” he agreed absently, not really listening at the moment. Her breathless observation stirring his blood, he paused to face her while she took it all in. “But not so beautiful as the company,” he whispered.
Her dark eyes shifting to meet his, her heart beat wildly inside her chest. He’s going to kiss me, she surmised, not sure how she felt about such a prospect. Lifting her face, he moved closer, and panic stole her nerve. Turning away at the last moment, she prevented his lips from touching hers. “Are dwarf boys always so forward?” she asked, her voice thicker than it had been.
“I’m sorry,” he stammered, stepping back to put a few inches between them. “I just thought…” His voice trailed away as shame stained his cheeks.
No longer holding his hand, she continued their stroll, her fingers toying with the fine material of her dress. Calming herself, she confessed, “I am an earth nymph. I love the land, the soil, and the rock. Your home is splendid. I am very glad I have made the visit and thank you for the tour.”
“You would like it to live here,” he dared.
Shaking her head, she grinned, “You are again bold in your desires.”
“Should I not be? No prize is ever won without the effort.”
“Tell me of you, then, if you wish to win my heart,” she challenged, cutting her eyes over to glare at him. “For your halls alone shall not convince me.”
“I am the king’s nephew. His sister is my grandmother.”
“This I already knew. Where are your parents and the rest of your kin?”
Exhaling loudly, he shook his head. “Zae, we have not lived a charmed life in these caves. At least I haven’t. Illness and accidents have stolen all but a few of us. If I live when Baeweth finally passes, I will sit upon our throne,” he divulged bluntly. Holding his tongue, he waited for her reply, half afraid that the news would scare her away and the other half terrified it would be the thing that drove her to him.
To his relief, she appeared to have no real opinion on such a faraway prospect. Instead, she declared, “Your king is not so aged and appears to have his health. You may have a long wait if you are counting the days until you wear his crown,” offering neither a smile, nor a frown.
Laughing at her observation, he shook his head side to side. “I do not wish to wear it at all, if I could avoid it. I love my life as an engineer. Our projects and plans are more than enough for me, and I wish very much there was another who would succeed him.”
“Then you understand why I have left the glen,” she agreed, taking his hand once more as she drew near him.
“You wanted something more than what life there had to offer,” he speculated.
“Yes. I love my people, but there is far too much of Eriden to be seen to waste my years frolicking in the meadows of Esterbrook.”
His heart stopping, he realized she would be in danger if and when his uncle turned them over to Putwyn. “I wish I could help you,” he said quietly, alluding to the dark days ahead.
“It’s ok,” she allowed, seeing that they had made a large circle and were again approaching her temporary quarters. “I will share the time I have here with you if you are of a mind. I enjoy your company, Hayt of Rhong,” she confessed quietly.
“And I yours, Zaendra of the glen,” he replied, coming to a stop outside her door. “I wish the kingdom were larger, that we might stretch our walk until the dawn.” Staring down into her large pools of ebony light, he breathed deeply, not daring to attempt another kiss, yet unwilling to say goodbye.
Seeing his reservations, she smiled broadly and announced, “You may kiss me now, if you wish.”
“Oh, I wish!” he coughed, gathering her in his arms and pressing his mouth against hers. Her warm skin smooth beneath his palms, he groaned, the t
aste of her divine.
Fire shot through them, and her hand snaked up his arm as she slid her palm to the back of his neck. Caressing his nape beneath his blond locks, her fingers trembled. Half-heartedly ending the kiss, he laid his forehead against hers, his eyes still closed as he licked his lips.
“Zae,” he whispered.
“Hayt.”
“I would love to spend my days with you.”
“Then I will see you on the morrow,” she agreed, pulling herself free and leaving him in the hall as she entered their quarters.
Turning on his heel, he strutted away, almost at a run. His heart pounding in his chest, he felt light-headed as the rocks of the path crunched beneath his stride. He leapt into the air a few times, kicking his feet with joy as he skipped along the path, then regained his composure and marched firmly to the family quarters.
“She kissed me!” he sang in a low voice to himself, exhilarated at the prospect of courting her. King Baeweth would never allow it, he felt certain, but she would only share his days for a short time, and he would take every moment he could get.
Confident that no harm would come from their folly, he reached his small home and dodged inside. Only then did he unleash his full delight, leaping into the air and pumping his fist above his head a few times. “She kissed me!”
Entering their quarters as Hayt walked away, Zaendra searched the dimly lit room. To her surprise, not everyone had gone to bed without her, and Piers Massheby sat in one of the chairs, glaring at the fire. “Glad to see the dwarf kept his word,” he grunted. “Was he a gentleman?”
Detecting his stiffness, she grinned, “What if he wasn’t? Do you intend to defend my honor?”
Cutting his eyes up at her, he growled, “If need be. King’s nephew or not, he has no right to touch one of us out of turn.”
“Oh, Mate, you are such a dear friend,” she sighed, hunting for a spot where she might squeeze in on one of the beds. “I’m going to get some sleep, and I advise the same for you.”
However, before she could make it onto the mattress, a guard appeared at the door and bellowed, “By the king’s order, I am here to see you to new quarters. Please, gather your things and follow me.”
“New quarters,” Piers snapped, standing to his full height. Peering past him, he could see the guard had not come alone. “Prepared to make it stick, I see.”
“Yes,” the dwarf nodded. “You may take all of your belongings save your weapons,” he repeated as the others stirred. “We will hold those for you until it is time for you to depart our kingdom.”
“What’s going on?” Amicia asked, sitting up on the top bunk.
“We’re being moved,” Piers replied calmly, offering a hand to help her down. Then giving Rey a firm shake, he added, “Gather our things quietly. The family next door slumbers, and we do not wish to disturb them.”
“That’s considerate under the circumstances,” the girl grumbled, unhappy at the turn of events.
“Aye, but what can we do,” he soothed, waking his wife and the others in turn.
Retrieving her brush and mirror from the hearth, Ami placed them in her bag. Turning in a slow circle, she ensured there was nothing else that had been pulled out for use. “Don’t forget our blankets,” she reminded when the beds were empty.
“Aye,” Bally agreed, rolling his into a ball, “but why can’t we take our swords?” he pushed.
“Silly question,” the Mate growled. “Leave them on the table,” he added, eying the girl and hoping her dagger remained hidden within her bag.
Meeting his gaze, Amicia placed her bow and arrows across the grain of the wood. Seeing their leader give her a firm nod, she grinned, understanding his intent perfectly even without the telepathy. The small blade would not be much, but it might come in useful if they dared an escape.
When they had packed and stood in a line, the guard led them through the halls to a smaller chamber with a single long bunk along the right-hand wall.
Near fifteen feet in length, the bed stuck out across all but a narrow band for the walk way, and a bucket in the back left corner would suffice for their toilet.
Seeing that there was no place for their things, Amicia sighed, “Now can we complain?”
“What good would it do?” Reynard countered, claiming a section of the bunk and using his pack as a pillow.
A large metal door clanged shut behind them, and Amicia turned, placing her hands on the bars. “Is this how you treat all your guests?”
“We don’t get many,” the dwarf laughed. “Be glad you weren’t dismembered and fed to the wolves or dragons,” he replied.
“Not yet,” she snapped, “but we might as well have been.” Dropping her grip, she took the last place on the bunk, following Rey’s suggestion and putting her bag under her head before she drifted off to sleep.
Next to her, Zaendra’s heart still burned. The tall dwarf had stirred the magic within her, and she lay awake recalling every moment of their walk. Reliving the kiss time and again, it saddened her that they had been locked away, as it meant she had probably seen the last of Hayt of Rhong. So much for love’s bliss, she sighed into the darkness as she finally slipped into her dreams.
All’s Fair
“Uncle!” Hayt announced his presence as he stomped through the door of the king’s private chamber, his face flushed in outrage.
“Yes, my boy,” Baeweth replied, adjusting his robe and standing straighter as he turned to greet him.
“I have come to you about our prisoners,” the younger man stated angrily, his lips set in a firm grimace.
“Ah, I was afraid you would be displeased, but my decision is final. They shall remain in the cell until the dragon comes to retrieve them.” Seeing the disappointment on his heir’s features, he added, “What should I do? Tell Putwyn our Supreme Dragon may not claim them?”
“No, uncle,” Hayt groaned, nodding slowly at his reasoning. “I understand you cannot go back on your word. But must we give them all of the group? I mean –”
“I know what you mean,” the king snapped, studying his relation with a hard glare. “You have formed an attachment with the nymph. Oh, Hayt, I would be so disappointed if you were to marry outside of your own kind.”
“Why? Shouldn’t I be the one to decide? Besides, if you send her to the dragons, her sentence will be death. I could not bear to see that happen to her, Uncle, I swear it.” Tears in his eyes, the boy blinked rapidly to remove them.
“You feel that strongly about her?” the old man faltered, recalling how he had loved his only wife. His eyes glazed for a moment, he reminisced aloud, “I do miss my sweet Dorfa even as the years have grown long since her untimely passing.”
“Yes, most assuredly. I love her as no other. But of course, there is the matter of the Mate, as they call him. I’m sure I would need his agreement, since she is in his company. I would like your permission to ask for her hand,” Hayt sniffed, seeing a glimmer of hope as he wiped his nose on his sleeve.
“You may ask, then, but you will abide by his word,” his uncle stipulated while shaking a finger in his face. “If he does not grant you permission to marry her, you may not remove her from the prison.”
Gaining the goal, Hayt pushed for more. “I intend to ask for her servant as well,” the young man declared.
“Her servant?”
“Yes, Oldrilin the siren. She is in the service of the nymph by some arrangement between them. I will bring her as well if you can agree,” he lied, thinking quickly how he could save as many as he could.
Pursing his lips, the king studied him. “I used to know you,” he sighed, shaking his head.
“Do you not trust your own kin?” Hayt asked in disbelief.
“In the days we now live, trust is a hard thing to come by. All’s fair in love and war, as they say,” Baeweth chuckled, still thinking of his own past. “Fine. Ask for the girl, and you may bring the siren as well. They are noble creatures, after all, even if they are a bit simple.�
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“By simple, you mean stupid,” his heir clarified, his mood still hovering on foul.
“Call it what you will,” the king replied while wafting his hand at the door, “but you better go before I change my mind.”
“Thank you, uncle,” Hayt replied with a bow. Turning to leave, he grinned to himself, happy he had gotten his way. Now, to convince Zae of my love, or of reason if that does not work.
Marching through the tunnels into the depths where the cells had been dug, he rung his hands anxiously as he rehearsed what he would say. He had hardly slept at all last night, as his head and heart traded turns playing havoc with his emotions.
He had awoken with the clear idea that he would somehow convince the girl to be his bride, no matter what it took to do so, and thereby sparing her departure with the others. He had been sorely disappointed when he arrived at the group’s chamber to discover they had been moved to an actual cell. Thank God Baeweth has seen reason, he prayed as he made the last turn.
“I must speak with the prisoners,” Hayt informed the guard standing outside their iron door.
“You may do so,” the shorter dwarf replied with a bow, indicating their chamber with his palm.
“Open it so I may enter.”
Hesitating, the guard stammered, “That would not be wise. Speak to them through the bars.”
“I assure you, I have the king’s permission,” the blond insisted, noting that Ami stood at the gate with the others behind her, observing as he fought for his right to converse with them.
“What news have you?” Amicia called, unable to stand the suspense.
“Open it!” Hayt shouted, towering over the guard.
“Yes, sir,” the smaller dwarf managed, holding up a large ring of keys. Searching through them, his hands shook slightly as he inspected each one in turn. Locating the correctly shaped strip of metal, he unlocked the door, and the group stepped back to allow their visitor to enter.
Looking around at the circle of faces, Hayt realized their conversation would not be private. Swallowing, he took a second step forward and lowered his voice. “I must speak with you,” Hayt addressed the Mate.
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