| |
As the water made a slow path down Cal’s cheek, Relian traced after it. The softness of her skin enraptured him. He’d wanted nothing more than to feel it again, to see if his mind accurately recalled the experience. He’d not been mistaken. Her skin was exactly as he’d remembered, as soft as it looked.
He trailed his finger closer to her lips. Her hesitancy in coming too close should stop his quest. She was still fighting the binding, fighting them.
Unbidden, he followed the upper curve of her lip. Her breath hitched, becoming increasingly choppy as he continued his discovery of her cupid’s bow. The lashes of her eyes quaked like the wings of a butterfly against her cheeks. She gave a slight shudder, but it wasn’t one of revulsion. He swayed her unwillingly, just as she did him. No matter how she desired to be away from his touch, she also craved it in equal measure. This he knew all too well, for he experienced the same chaotic emotions her face so plainly reflected. Pleading him to stop. Pleading him to continue.
His exploration meandered down to the lush curve of her lower lip. Would the feel of her mouth against his set him aflame like before, the very taste of her fanning his desires to new heights? He lowered his lips to hers and captured the sweetest kiss he’d ever had in all the long years of his life. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, though passion simmered underneath the surface, waiting to break free. No, this was the intimate touch of lips between two souls who wanted to finalize their connection.
As much as he might want to deny it, his fate rested with this human. Visions suddenly swirled before his eyes, their countless possibilities converging in a maelstrom of mere seconds. At this moment, infinite future paths flashed in front of him, paths he and Cal may follow alone or together, in harmony or out of it. The ramifications blinded him to all but the feel of her lips against his. These images weren’t complete in their scope, only meant to guide. The most trivial things could change them.
Cal’s eyes shot open in panic, her mouth going slack against his before she ripped herself away. Relian cursed softly. The images that had played out for him must’ve also materialized to her through their developing link. He couldn’t fool himself otherwise. Her terror said it all.
But there was no way to tell her what had happened. Her back heaved, and his heart constricted. By way of their deepening connection, echoes of intense emotion felt by one relayed itself to the other. She probably wasn’t aware of this, though. It’d been so subtle at first, he doubted he would’ve noticed it, if not for the fact he knew what to look for. She did not have the luxury of such an upbringing. No doubt his wildly fluctuating emotions had contributed to her state, and she, already overwhelmed by the numerous images appearing in her mind, had lost all calm.
He needed to regain a sense of peace before he could help her. His strong objectivity and control usually tempered his emotions into something malleable. But not today. Bond or no bond, she had his life in an uproar.
He didn’t want her here, by the Mystics. Yet he’d chosen to bring her to the falls. What had he hoped to gain? A kiss, a caress, her love... He stiffened his spine and yanked his mind from that path. It’d serve neither of them well. He had to win her over, yes, but falling in love with her could be deadly. He needed all his focus, and she already compromised enough of it as it was. Though he still hated that their relationship was built on his lies, he had to remain steadfast in his course.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, he willed a sensation of calm over himself so the thread-like link could carry it to her. Her respiration slowed, and her shoulders stilled.
Suddenly, she lurched around and threw herself against him. Astonishment flooded him. His arms moved automatically to gather her close. The press of her body against his stirred desire in his lower regions, but he crushed it. She didn’t seek comfort of that kind.
Cal wouldn’t look him in the eye, in fact, wouldn’t even glance up. He tilted her chin up from where it rested against his chest. Droplets streaked her cheeks. How he wished it had merely been water from the river, as before. No matter how she upset his life, he never desired to see her cry.
He swiped the tears away with his fingers. Language and culture stood between them, though he had no doubt that she’d be able to adjust after some time. Humans, though weak in many ways, had always been known to adapt faster to most circumstances than his kind. It was especially hard for Cal, though, as she had no common ground or language on which to start. Aside from her friend Maggie, a land of elves encapsulated her. She’d surprised him with her strength so far, but it seemed even she had her limits.
He was the only familiar being—albeit a still slightly strange and foreign one—from this world in which she found herself. No wonder she turned to him now. Indeed, who could understand the situation better than he?
When her crying quieted, she made a few adorable hiccuping noises. Without completely releasing her, he moved them a safe distance away from the water. The only telling signs of the tableau that’d played out near the pool were the prints left in the mud and grass by their feet. Though the elves of Eria had devised an enchantment in order to leave nary a trace of their presence behind, he—like most of his people – didn’t bother to do so unless circumstances called for covertness.
Once farther upon the bank, he pressed her down to sit on the velvety grass. She gazed at him, her eyes appearing luminous if not a little red-rimmed from the tears she’d shed. The look didn’t detract from her uniqueness, her human beauty. It just presented a different side of her.
He held up one finger to indicate he needed to step away for a moment. Relian retrieved a water flask from one of the saddlebags and handed it to her with a small flourish. She shot him a wobbly smile. After she finished drinking, he removed the decanter from her hands and took a sip, never taking his eyes from her. Shadows bruised the delicate area under her eyes, and her heavily lidded-stare would narrow only to jerk wide open again.
Instead of returning the flask to the saddlebag, he lowered to the ground behind her. She glanced at him but didn’t stiffen at his nearness. Heartened, he scooted nearer and placed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her back to rest against his chest.
Only rigid for a brief moment, she wearily melted against him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. They sat thus for many quiet minutes. A new level of comfort in their relationship had been reached, but how long would it last? And did it spring up from her tiredness or their sharing of a soul-baring experience? Regardless, they’d breached one impasse for now, and he’d use it to his advantage.
But he didn’t desire to push her any further, so he was determined to savor the feel of her in his arms. He wanted to enjoy this moment, away from all pressures. Since he’d rarely been in such close proximity to her for any length of time since her arrival, he’d only managed fleeting touches. Truthfully, they’d never been away from all prying eyes before. She’d be mortified if she knew how little was private once she was outside her chambers. Given this, he hadn’t sought to make any overtures in a semi-public setting where anyone could chance upon them, be it gardener, servant, or sentry.
As he reclined back on the soft grass, he pulled her back with him. She curled into his side with her arm over his chest, her head still on his shoulder. Liquid heat swamped him, escaping the tight control he usually exerted. Closing his eyes, he drew in gasping, ragged breaths. Finally, the more persistent parts of his body settled down.
His hand, though, had an energy of its own. His fingers soon ran through that fascinating auburn hair. When he gently pulled upon the wavy tresses, they sprang back in the most delightful way, holding their shape in spite of their silky texture. He’d had the forethought to ask Arrein to arrange Cal’s hair in a fashion that wouldn’t hamper her eyesight while still letting it roam free over her shoulders. Now he reaped the benefits.
As his hand slowed and his eyes grew heavy, a sense of peace drifted over him that’d long been missing from his life. He didn’t ponder when and how it had gone missing, only that he’d discovered a portion of it again.
***
A few hours later, Cal watched as Relian pulled their horses to a stop and sprang off his mount, giving the sparely tree-dotted area a sweeping glance. Crouching low, he stared intently at the ground. He apparently spied something he didn’t like, for his shoulders stiffened. She craned her neck to take a closer look, but as she did so, he stood up abruptly and pocketed something in the pouch on his belt.
Should she be concerned? If she had to hazard a guess, yes, she should be. He’d been acting harried and vigilant even before stopping to examine the area. A shiver of trepidation zinged down her spine. Was there an emergency back in town? If there was, how would he know about it and why was he examining the ground here? She quickly discounted that theory.
Whatever the problem was, it rested out here. However, she had no way to question him, even if he would’ve been inclined to answer. Stupid male.
Cal liked to think of herself as a down-to-earth kind of girl, especially if the situation called for it. To her, this one did. If he was trying to keep her safe, who was she to protest? As much as she’d like to demand some answers, it was neither the time nor the place to engage in a game of charades.
Before she realized what was happening, he stood before her. Her gaze sought his out, and he gave a tight smile. His hands folded over hers and twined her fingers through the horse’s mane. She swallowed thickly. The return ride was definitely not looking good. Relian brushed his hand against her cheek as if in reassurance, causing all thoughts to fly from her head, before he vaulted onto his horse.
Her mind chided her to stay positive once coherent thought had returned. At least she didn’t have to worry about flashing too much skin at some poor unsuspecting elf if they broke into a mad gallop. The loose pantaloons-type construction of her skirt kept her modestly covered.
Relian’s black horse broke into an immediate canter, jarring her into the present moment. Her horse followed closely. They rode at breakneck speed, or so it seemed to her. Her fingers wound even more tightly in the mane. As the strands bit uncomfortably into her skin, she winced. They were going to leave marks. Luckily, the horse had a smooth gait, and she hadn’t slipped in the saddle so far.
What a depressing turn of events from their idyllic ending near the waterfall. Though such contentment couldn’t last, she hadn’t expected this. What she had counted on was mental and emotional confusion. Well, she had that aplenty. Right now, confounded was the only way to describe her. Relian must’ve believed that this pace was the best option open to them. If she actually knew how to ride, she might’ve been a little more comfortable with his choices. She sent up a fervent prayer that he knew what he was doing and that they made it back to the gates of Eriannon soon—and in one piece.
When Relian glanced behind them and cursed, she chanced a quick look herself. Suddenly, their fast speed wasn’t the issue. Oh no, now it was the herd of horsemen she could barely make out in the distance. Fear clenched her heart. Shit. While the riders looked vaguely elf-shaped, she knew by Relian’s reaction they weren’t friendly.
He spurred their horses to go faster. Her mare, as if recognizing the danger, shot forward with a lurch.
A surprised, yet relieved cry ripped from Cal’s lips. The horse’s gait now jarred every bone in her body. She clenched her teeth as her muscles protested. If only their horses could sprout wings to aid their escape. But better shaken up than dead, right? The distant thunder of hooves told her that their pursuers were catching up. Panic swirled like a dark cloud in her head. Eriannon wasn’t even in sight, so outrunning the other riders might be hard, if not impossible.
An arrow whizzed by her ear, and she shrieked. A few more soared their way, but none hit her.
Relian shouted something to her about “horse” and “leaning over.” Even though terror nearly paralyzed her mind, she quickly worked out what he’d said.
And found no problem with it. She was already slouched forward over her new best friend—at least as much as she could be without losing her balance.
Relian veered to the right toward a small wood, and Cal almost tumbled from the horse. Scrabbling to gain some equilibrium, she yanked herself back to the center of the saddle. Crap, what was Relian doing? Maybe he hoped to lose the others in the forest?
Once trees surrounded them, Relian had to slow due to the uneven, hilly terrain and the closeness of the trees. At least he seemed to know where he was going. He muttered something. After a few moments, Cal jumped as the branches behind and to the sides of them knitted together, caging them in. The...the trees were protecting them at Relian’s command? It certainly looked like that.
Forward was the only way they could go now. As they did so at a quick clip, the trees kept shielding them in a wave of creaking limbs and rustling leaves. A sense of wonder welled under her fright and bubbled up. She’d known there was magic in Eria that the elves could access. She’d even seen a few feats of it, but nothing like this—nothing so elemental.
Relian led them down a steep ravine, one side dwarfed by a small cliff face. After hopping from his mount, he lifted her down from hers. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the looming stone. Laying his free hand on a thick tree trunk that rested in front of the rock face, he murmured in Elvish again. Then he repeated the same procedure on the gray stone. Neither spell seemed to do anything. What was he doing? Their pursuers were sure to find them, even with the cover the branches provided.
As if to back up her thoughts, cursing voices carried on the wind. Relian stiffened but didn’t move. Just as Cal was about to pull on his arm, the tree suddenly bent to the side. A faint orange-colored outline of a door glowed against the gray stone.
Cal blinked to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. Relian placed his hand against the makeshift door and pressed. With a groaning sound, the rock moved, revealing a shadowy corridor lit by floating blue lights.
“Come,” Relian said, pushing her toward the door.
Cal hesitated, her feet digging into the ground.
He sighed impatiently and pointed to the entrance. “Safe.” Then he gestured toward the canopy of trees where the angry voices came ever closer. “Not safe. Now go.”
Closing her eyes, Cal plunged into the opening. No lightning struck her down. She opened her eyes. No bogeyman charged toward her, either. Relian said something to the horses, and they neighed, shaking their heads. Then he stepped in beside her and shut the door with a handle she now only noticed. “The horses?” she asked. Though fear still clawed at her, she didn’t want the horses to be hurt.
“They go back to palace. Will be fine.”
She nodded, easily following his short, simple sentences after a few seconds of thought. Relian reached for her, and a flash of something red on his arm caught her attention. Squinting, she saw there was a gash in his sleeve, with a matching slice to his skin that still had blood welling from it.
She gasped and lightly touched the area below the wound. The damp fabric was tacky from the blood. Not used to touching such things, she had to stifle a shudder. “You’re hurt.”
He shrugged, not seeming fazed at all. “Mere flesh wound from arrow. Nothing at all. Will take care of later.”
That was a mere flesh wound? She’d be rigid with pain if she sported that slice. But he was a warrior for a reason and had probably dealt with much worse. Which was a thought she didn’t want to dwell on, because when she did, an invisible fist squeezed her heart.
Taking up her hand again, he guided her deeper into the tunnel. The warmth of his skin was something familiar in this strange place. She grabbed onto that notion as she gazed around with curious, wary eyes.
The smooth floor beneath their feet looked and felt like obsidian. Thank God it was dry, or she’d be unwillingly skating onto her face. The gray rock of the walls and ceiling appeared to be of the same kind as that of the stone entrance.
Fortunately, there weren’t any signs of insects or even a hint of webs. She almost smiled at the idea of some servant coming down here to keep the passageway clean and free of pests. More than likely, a spell or charm did the work.
Relian walked briskly, and she had to practically jog to keep up, especially on the inclines. Though she’d always considered herself reasonably fit, her legs and feet ached. She bit back any protest, though. A little run couldn’t get in the way of them reaching safety. Relian would need to notify the king and Kenhel about the people following them.
She just hoped they reached the end of the tunnel soon. Only then would she feel safe. Though she trusted Relian to protect her, he’d be one against many. Those were odds she couldn’t countenance him facing. Her heart couldn’t take it.