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Late that afternoon, Relian and his father entered the central courtyard. The sight that met Relian’s gaze stiffened his shoulders with resolve.
The warriors of Eriannon were amassed inside the palace’s gates to await orders from their commander and the king. Peace never stayed with them for long, and he’d been fighting for too many ages to be enamored with war. This time would be no different. Warhorses pawed impatiently at the ground, scenting their masters’ determination to be off. Kenhel’s captains had already taken care of any chaos by ordering everyone into disciplined groups according to their respective ranks.
As they passed the troops, all bowed their heads slightly in deference. Kenhel and his captains did so once Relian and his father stood before them.
The king spoke first, as was his right. “Everyone is in order and ready to go, are they not?”
“Yes, they are indeed, Sire.” Kenhel had the same steely glint in his eye that most of the warriors in the courtyard carried in theirs. They ached to go and deliver justice, just as Relian did.
“Good.” Talion fell silent until he turned to address the gathered soldiers. “May your journey and fight be swift and sure.” Then he rounded on Kenhel. “I want no deaths from our ranks.” His gaze flickered over Relian and the other captains, who all bowed their heads at the command in his eyes. With that, the king dismissed them.
Relian swung up onto his horse in order to lead his company out of the patina-gold gates of the palace grounds. As a prince of his realm, he actively protected his people, just as his father had before him. That didn’t only encompass meetings and councils—pushing around pen and parchment—but also physically seeing to his people’s defense. He served as a captain in the army when time permitted, especially in matters of great importance. And this was undeniably one. The darkindred had ventured too close to Eriannon. His people wouldn’t allow this trespass to stand.
A prickling prodded at the edges of his mind. He scanned the area, and the glint of red hair in the late afternoon sun caught his eye. Cal and Maggie stood in the opening of one of the Palace’s smaller paths. Ignoring how his heart sped up, Relian gave a curt nod in their direction. They must’ve met up sometime after he and Cal had made their way up through the tunnel and out a secret door in a small, little-used corridor in the palace. Knowing there hadn’t been a moment to spare, he’d told her to stay within the palace grounds and deserted her. It wasn’t the ending he’d planned for their day.
The darkindred would pay at the end of his sword for that.
***
Maggie shot Cal a glance and nodded toward the soldiers assembled in the main courtyard. “They’re going out to hunt whoever was after you and Relian?”
“Most likely, especially since they shot at us,” Cal said. “God, that’s not a sentence I thought I’d ever say. I think I’m still shaking.”
In an effort to draw her mind away from that frightful episode, she looked around the courtyard she and Maggie huddled in the corner of. The chaos that had surrounded the palace had abated somewhat. But only because so many of the elves that’d been equipped with bow and sword had vacated the area in favor of journeying outside the palace’s gates and into the town below. More than half would also probably venture outside the safety of the town’s gates.
Cal eyed the courtyard’s gate with a healthy dose of doubt. Its steadfastness and that of the town’s worried her, as they appeared more decorative than functional. Hopefully, there was more to them than it appeared. Maybe kind of like the people who’d built them—beautiful and graceful but strong and deadly, if what she saw on the training grounds was accurate.
Her mind busy processing those possibilities, Cal almost missed her friend’s words. “Well, whoever they were, they deserve payback for ruining your afternoon.”
“I’m just glad we got back here in one piece and that nothing was truly ruined.” Like Relian’s arm. Though he hadn’t bothered to change tunics—probably because it’d be futile to keep it clean—his wound had been bandaged. Hopefully, he’d come back without further injury. She rubbed her goose-bump-covered arms.
“Yeah, but it cut your date short. Rude.”
Cal cast her gaze heavenward and snorted. “I’m sure rudeness was at the forefront of our pursuers’ minds, and I wasn’t aware our outing was a date.”
Maggie pulled a face. “Oh, come on, girl.”
Cal ignored her scoff. “I think Relian suspected something was up as soon as we left the waterfall. He woke up in a normal mood, but that soon changed as we set off.” She flushed, realizing how her words must sound to uninformed and slightly wicked ears.
“Oooh, woke up, did he? I knew this would be a great story.”
“Nothing happened.” Well, nothing of that magnitude, but she didn’t feel like letting that tidbit out yet. She hadn’t found the time to sift through everything that’d occurred. If she was honest, her mind wanted to gloss over most of it. She had no way to describe what had happened, no yardstick with which to compare it. Like so much else, she’d face it when she had to, not a moment before. For the sake of her sanity, it was one day, one hour, at a time for her. “What are you, my matchmaker? I already have to contend with the king of the land as a staunch supporter of this particular human-elf relationship. All for reasons unknown to me. There has to be more to it than what they’ve admitted.”
“You’ll have to tell me how you both woke up by the waterfall. Or better yet, how you fell asleep. I sense a heavy-duty story there. And I want to hear more about that cool secret tunnel. Also, I seriously doubt His Smugness supports elf-human relationships, just yours.” Maggie’s smirk grew larger, as she apparently thought she had Cal where she wanted her. And did she ever.
“Oh, why don’t you get a life?” Cal muttered.
“I can’t do that because you know I live through yours.”
“Go get your own elf to live through. Stop using mine. After all, you’re always commenting on how gorgeous they are.”
“Ha, you admit he’s yours. As for me getting my own, I think not—not my type.” Maggie pouted. “They’re definitely eye candy, no denying it, but none have captured my attention or I, theirs. But you admit you have your own. Finally claiming Relian—going where no man has dipped in before? Hmm, I wonder if that’s true.”
A few moments passed until Cal could sputter out a reply. She slapped Maggie’s arm. “You seem to be thinking a lot about my supposed boyfriend. Who says no man—or woman—has gone there before? The way he makes out... He’s no virgin.” She shivered at the delicious memory before she snorted. “And I doubt the elves have ever been referred to as eye candy before.”
“Well, I do believe Relian prefers females, but who says he hasn’t tested other waters? Oh, I bet they’re not used to being referred to in that way. There’s a first time for everything, though.” Her eyes gleamed. “Think they might find it offensive?”
Her friend more than likely meant one elf in particular. Cal cocked a brow. “What do you think?”
“Yeah, probably.”
“Ah-huh.” Cal paused and shook her head. “Wait, wait, how did we become so sidetracked?”
Maggie shrugged. “Not sure. All I know is that we know very little, Cal. You went. You were chased. You came back. Now Relian and lots of hunky soldiers are riding off to some kind of battle to face an enemy we don’t know.”
“That about sums it up. We don’t know anything about their possible enemies. I couldn’t even get a good look at them.”
Maggie nodded sagely. “In fact, we know next to nothing about this world. But until we learn the language, we won’t be able to learn anything. Not that they’d probably tell us much, anyway, but polite eavesdropping would be possible.”
“Polite eavesdropping? Is that what they call it here?” Cal sighed. “Guess that’s our cue to go and study, right?”
Maggie laughed, linking her arm with Cal’s. “I think you’re right, my lady. Let’s go!”
***
Later that day, Cal glanced up from her book and took in the setting sun. Silence reigned between her and Maggie, as it did among the palace at large. They’d found a bench in one of the airy gardens outside the primary library and had been there for hours, undisturbed. Everyone forgot about their existence—a rare occurrence. The occasional elf, usually a servant or a sentry, would wander into their sanctuary for a bit. Still, no one paid attention to their presence beyond a brief nod.
She ran a finger along the spine of the book, finding some comfort in the supple leather. How long would the soldiers be away, and would Relian return unharmed? Those questions were all a mystery, as was the nature of where they trooped to and who exactly they were after. Had their pursuers been elvin? If not, what else could they be?
This wasn’t the first time Relian had gone out with the warriors. He was a captain and took part in patrols. Though he sometimes ventured to the borders, he hadn’t gone that far since she’d arrived. She didn’t know what borders these referred to. Now she had no way to ask.
Even with all his duties, he’d made an effort to visit her every day, even if for just fifteen minutes here or there. They spent much of that time walking the gardens or town in silence, as verbal communication beyond the most basic of words wasn’t possible. Oh, how she dreaded those meetings. But her trepidation grew even stronger when they didn’t happen, and she’d feel like a child who’d lost her favorite toy. When he did stop by, she’d perk up until administrative matters called him away again.
If she did stay—and that was a huge if—she’d have to share him with his people. There was no life of leisure for him. Could she deal with being with a male who was needed by everyone? But if she wasn’t allowed to leave for some reason, did she have a choice? Well, yeah, she could live as a spinster for the rest of her years. Maybe adopt a few cats... No, Maggie had to get home.
Noise intruded. The thundering of hooves echoed off the stone that made up the palace paths and buildings. Even the bench they sat on reverberated with it. Cal’s heart tried to pound its way up her throat. Could it be?
Maggie glanced at her in unspoken question. Cal nodded. They rose quietly, leaving their books and parchment behind, and went to explore where the racket was coming from.
Apparently, they weren’t alone in this desire. Elves clogged the myriad hallways and corridors. Any hope for stealth disappeared. Cal clasped her shaking hands before her and took in a deep, settling breath. By the time they reached the main courtyard, a whole horde of onlookers had gathered.
Cal peered past heads and shoulders. Weary riders formed groups on either side of the open gate, allowing the non-mounted soldiers easy entry. That definitely explained the noise.
Stable hands came forward to help, and she craned her neck. Where was Relian? Surely, she’d spot him somewhere among the throng. When utter silence overtook all assembled, she halted her quest, an eerie feeling settling into her stomach like a lead brick.
A dragging, scuffling noise she couldn’t identify ripped into the quiet. She looked back toward the gate. There, two warriors were tugging a struggling creature into the courtyard. Two other elves served as guards, one behind and one in front of the prisoner.
In horror, she clasped a hand over her mouth. Was that what had been chasing them? The male looked like an elf, yet not, because of his distorted features. She couldn’t quite describe the manner of their distortion, other than to say the effect was feral. It was as if an image of something nightmarish had superimposed itself over the pristine framework of an elf’s visage. The creature’s long hair appeared as if someone had taken a blunted knife to it. It was matted with a substance she didn’t want to guess at. Whatever remained of his clothes hung in tattered, filthy shreds about his skeletal form. She wanted to look away, but the unnatural sight enthralled her by the very wrongness it portrayed.
Out of the crowd, Relian, Kenhel, and the king emerged. Kenhel addressed the soldiers guarding the creature. Grim in countenance, the soldier in front replied in a rapid stream of words she couldn’t follow. Gasps and sobbing from somewhere in the crowd ensued.
The king laid a comforting hand on the soldier’s shoulder before turning away. His sonorous voice rang out in the silence, only the weeping remaining as he called out the names of a few people. A family of four came forward, an adult male and female, and two adolescents. With twin looks of devastation on their faces, the adults gestured back to the throng, apparently wanting the teenagers to stay back. The boy and girl wouldn’t be deterred, though. They followed their parents—at least she assumed that was who they were—but stayed behind them.
The creature quieted as the four neared and cocked his head to the side. The older female reached out a tentative hand, tears in her eyes. Whatever lucidness had lurked in the creature’s eyes disappeared. He lunged. Only the restraining hands of the warriors stopped him from reaching his goal. The elvin woman fell back against her husband, sobs racking her body. It was the same weeping Cal had heard earlier.
Talion and Relian herded the family away by taking a gentle hold to arms and shoulders. The creature fell silent again, watching as they walked away.
In a flurry of movement, he lunged again, managing to break free. He mowed into the elf standing in front of him. Just the thought of how much strength was needed to overcome four trained elves caused a sick feeling to coil in Cal’s stomach. The creature headed toward Relian and the family. Impossibly fast, he knocked aside any elf in his way, only focused on reaching his destination.
Warriors raised their bows even as Kenhel, Relian, and the king unsheathed swords. Oh, God. Everything in Cal cringed away from the sight that was surely about to happen. She turned to Maggie, and the same horror was stamped on her face.
Arrows whistled through the air and riddled the body of the creature. His body jerked convulsively before the first sword could fall. He stumbled and fell, eyes wide and mouth open, revealing sharp teeth where there should’ve been smooth, rounded ones.
Bile crept up Cal’s throat. A chill sweat broke out on her forehead. She shared another glance with Maggie. Her friend’s chest heaved as if she might throw up at any time. God, they were from a world where violence of this nature was on TV and in newspapers but never, ever in front of them. She and Maggie grabbed onto each other as though they each were an anchor of stability.
Cal’s gaze landed on the poor family. They stood paralyzed, shock and pain painted on their features. The king’s sharp voice called out words with a few names interspersed. Three healers, in the dark red robes of their profession, rushed forward to take possession of the family.
Everyone else assembled remained still and didn’t move until the king again spoke. Then there was an explosion of activity. Whatever the king had said, while voiced gently, certainly got the elves of his palace moving.
Cal tugged on Maggie’s arm and couldn’t repress her shiver. “I think we should go.”
Maggie nodded, still pale. “That’d be for the best.”
Cal just wanted to get them to her room. Both of them would be shaken-up for some time. Plus, she felt like an interloper—as if what they’d witnessed should’ve only been for the eyes of those native to Eria.
As they turned to go, a light brush to her shoulder caused Cal to jump and whirl around. It was Relian. His eyes roamed over her in concern before turning the same look toward Maggie. Cal’s chest tightened painfully. Even at a time like this, he made the effort to come over and comfort them. That was something she hadn’t expected, but why was she surprised? Relian and the king seemed only to desire their comfort.
Talion stepped up beside Relian and favored them with a kind smile. She swore his eyes lingered on Maggie’s white face. At least he didn’t try to goad Maggie with a look, touch, or word she didn’t understand. But then, it wouldn’t have been the proper time for it. The king always observed such societal conventions, wicked humor or not.
She focused her attention back on Relian. The chainmail shirt he wore wasn’t so pristine anymore. It was dirtied with earth and something that looked suspiciously like blood. Her stomach turned. His hair was held back in a severe braid. At the temple, sweat dampened the black strands, and a few tendrils were working themselves free.
At some point, he’d taken her hand. When had he done that? His palm burned against hers. She glanced down at their entwined fingers. His hand was clean. This seemed strange when his clothes and other parts of his person didn’t look to be so. A sturdy-looking leather glove covered his other hand. What did people call them? Gauntlets. That was it, though it was a silly thing to think about right now.
She lifted her gaze to his face. He still regarded her intently. How could these moments stretch on, yet finish too soon?
Their trance ended when the king addressed a figure behind him Cal hadn’t noticed until now. Arrein stepped around the king even as he moved aside for her. Ah, she was to be their watcher for a while.
Maggie muttered under her breath, “Yay, a watchdog.”
Relian and his father both shot Maggie a look, quirking an eyebrow in an almost identical fashion. This would’ve been amusing at other times, other circumstances. Just how much English did they understand? The thought that certain elves might have a greater grasp of English than they’d imagined was unsettling. There was no way to find out, though. So until they knew the truth of it, they’d have to be careful.
As Relian released her hand, he bent down and whispered, “Holen re, Cal.” Until later, Cal.
She understood the simple farewell and fought to keep a dazed expression off her face at his closeness. He disconcerted her when she least expected it, threading through her personal bubble of space like an unerring needle. And just like a balloon, the air in her lungs would desert her when she most needed their aid in maintaining a calm façade.
Another fact pounded on her consciousness. He’d used her first name, a rare occurrence when others were around. Admittedly, he’d whispered it, so even those close by may not have heard. Still, his behavior was perplexing. The guys she’d dated had never been so intense and enticing, every word and caress a seduction to her senses. She squirmed, unsettled by the way her body responded. And her mind. When it came to him, it followed right along with her traitorous flesh.
After Talion and Relian made their goodbyes to them, she and Maggie found themselves trailing after Arrein. A flash of black hair snagged Cal’s attention. The pit of her stomach dropped.
Eamon headed her way with a glower affixed firmly to his face. But at the last moment, he seemed to think better of it, thank God. Something in her relaxed, and she blew out a ragged breath.
After today’s events, she couldn’t imagine dealing with his unpleasantness. So far, she’d only spoken to him that one time when they were first introduced, but that was more than enough for her. He gave her the heebie-jeebies, and their paths seemed to cross way too often. Without fail, he always glared at her with disdain but didn’t so much as utter a word.
Since he never attempted to speak to her, her fear felt foolish. She certainly couldn’t take her worries to Relian, even if the language barrier hadn’t existed. What could she say? That Eamon was giving her dirty looks and to make him stop? Wah, wah, wah.
Cal tried to shrug the thought of Eamon off, but he joined the hodge-podge whirling around in her mind. The lovely architecture with its soaring star vaults hardly penetrated her consciousness, though it’d often enraptured her before.
Before she was even aware Arrein had stopped walking, they stood outside her door. Smiling genially, the maid pushed it open and ushered her and Maggie in. Once she seated them under her mothering gaze, she lit a small fire in the hearth situated on the wall between their adjoining rooms. Arrein made motions with her hands to indicate she’d bring a light snack. Cal still found it hard to allow anyone to care for her, especially a female who appeared no older than either her or Maggie. Though she’d never inquired about her age, Arrein was probably anything but young.
As soon as the door closed, Cal tilted her head to look at Maggie. “That was what was chasing Relian and me? He and his soldiers must’ve caught that one.”
Maggie whistled, though it didn’t have the spryness it usually had. “I don’t know, but some heavy you-know-what is going on down here. They weren’t after you two to merely say hi.” She shuddered. “That creature-beast-elf thing was freaky.”
“And sad.”
Maggie frowned. “Do you think those people were his family?”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Yeah, me too.” Maggie sighed. “So it—the creature—must’ve been an elf at one time. Then something happened.”
Cal drummed her fingers on the table. “I think that’s hitting on the question of the day. Something definitely happened to bring about that change but what?”
“Whatever it is, it can’t be good.”
Her fingers stilled. “I think that’s a given.”
“But that’s all we have, isn’t it? That it’s not normal, not natural in a decidedly bad way.”
Cal dropped her head back against the cushioned chair and gazed at the ceiling with unseeing eyes. “I hate to admit it, but you’re right. We know nothing, and it’s frustrating.”
“And dangerous, don’t forget dangerous.”
Cal lifted her head. “Dangerous?”
“There’s something beyond those gates.” Maggie gestured toward the town. “Something we don’t know about that’s dangerous. This knowledge, in and of itself, is hazardous. Do you think humans can become like that elf-thing?”
“Good question. I don’t know, but it’s not like they let us roam around the countryside. I think we’re relatively safe.”
“As long as we remain here. You did venture beyond the gates today, though you did have a big, strong elf with you.” Maggie tossed her a small smirk.
“Yes.” The breeze that came through the balcony doors drew Cal’s attention to the setting sun. Its last blaze painted the garden below in hues of gold.
After a while, Maggie’s scrutiny made Cal twitch. Time for the inquisition. Without moving, she said, “What?”
“What happened out there?”
“As I told you, we went to a lovely waterfall. I took in the landscape as Relian led my horse.”
Maggie gave her an arch look. “It’s a good thing Relian did, given your extreme paranoia of all things equine.”
Cal shot Maggie a glare. “It still wasn’t a comfortable ride for me.”
“Why? Because of Relian or the horse?”
“The hor— Okay, because of both.”
Maggie propped her chin up on her hands and leaned over the table. “He still unsettles you, doesn’t he?”
Cal regarded her with annoyance. “Well, wouldn’t he unsettle you? He’s not human, not anything like the guys we’re used to.”
“He takes you out of your comfort zone. I can’t say how I would react, because his attention has and never will be focused on me.”
“No, maybe not him. But another unnamed elf really gets under your skin.”
Maggie glowered. “Yes, like a fungus, an annoying, arrogant, nit-picking one. My case is totally different than yours. We can’t be around each other without tearing the other apart verbally. You and Relian...well, you’re a different matter entirely.”
Cal cursed inwardly. Her friend could always hook and reel her in. Maggie would tell it how she saw it. Did she want that bluntness right now? Guess it didn’t matter. She’d give it to her, anyway. “How so?” Cal leaned forward, worrying her hands.
Maggie threw her a disbelieving look. “You honestly haven’t figured it out yet? Because you’re falling for him and he for you. Can’t you see that you’re crazy about him?”
Cal reared back in her seat as if she’d been hit. “Who said anything about love? I can’t love him.”
“I hate to break this to you, Cal, but you’re already halfway there. And why can’t you love him?” Maggie furrowed her brow as if she couldn’t understand all the possible reasons.
“He’s not human, for one. He’s immortal or close to it, for another. I’m going to die soon in comparison. He’s a prince, for a third—a prince in a land not of our world. We want to return home. Should I keep going? Why on Earth would you think we’re falling for each other?”
“What? You won’t love him, because he’s not human? Isn’t he close enough? Think of it as a different ethnicity. You’ve never had any problem there. For the immortal prince part, you’re on your own. We don’t know much about their ‘immortality,’ and I’m not even going to touch the prince part. As for you both being in love, the looks between you two scream that plain and clear to me. You light up when he’s around and vice versa for him.” Maggie shuddered. “It’s kind of cute but a little disturbing to see you together. You get so focused on each other, I think the sky could fall around your toes, and you wouldn’t notice.”
Maggie paused but hurried on when Cal opened her mouth. “Let’s also not forget you’ve got this whole binding thing going on, too. Not that I’m trying to convince you either way, but you have to consider all the facts, not hide some of them away.”
Cal shook her head, unable to form a coherent word. None of what Maggie said was true. How could other people be aware of their so-called feelings before they were? She did care for him...but love?
She’d been there for less than two weeks. It was way too soon. And just because “he was close enough” didn’t mitigate the problems she’d laid out. Would she want to stay when they had a chance to leave? Hell, would they even be allowed to go once the year was up? Nobody had made exact promises on that. Nothing promised, nothing lost—at least for the elves.