Layala tossed and turned and couldn’t get comfortable despite how soft the bed was. She stared at the ceiling for a countless amount of time. She punched the pillow trying to make it a little flatter. Pulled the blanket higher, then shoved it back down, then up again. One leg out then it got too cold, so she tucked it back in. Groaning, she rolled over and screamed into the soft bed.
Tif sat on the pillow beside her. “You know, screaming to get out one’s frustration has been proven to help with anxiety and aggression.”
“Has it now?”
“It’s true. I used to do it when the birds tried to scoop me up in their talons. They scattered as their aggression went away.”
Slowly shaking her head, Layala didn’t have the heart to tell her the screaming scared them away. It didn’t even make sense that someone else’s screaming would help another. “Well, I do feel a little better.”
But she couldn’t stop thinking about her conversation with Thane and the impossibility of breaking their bond. She wished Aunt Evalyn was there for advice. Evalyn became a mother to her, one of the only people Layala trusted with her whole heart. And now she was alone with no one.
It was strange Layala wanted to go to Thane’s room. It must be the mate bond, she thought, making me think stupid things. The rune on her wrist tingled again as if willing her to go. He was right on the other side of the wall. A part of her wanted to apologize for throwing the fork at dinner, and for lashing out in general… Wasn’t he trapped as much as she was? What if he wanted to be free of her but he truly thought it was impossible?
Planting herself firmly in her bed, she rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head, determined to fall asleep. Eventually, she did.
In the morning, dressed in the clothes she came in: her black pants, boots, long-sleeved blue top and black corset around her waist, she paced her room waiting for Thane. She opened the windows and looked out over the castle lands. Guards walked the paths below, chatting and laughing. The river that ran in front of the grounds appeared higher today, the waterfall cascading down the rocks to the far right, louder and more intense.
Reina and Pearl had already stopped in to dress her for breakfast, but she refused to change into a gown. So instead, Reina brought her bread with butter and some cheese. She ate quickly so she wouldn’t be hungry on the way to see the Mage. Nervous-excited flutters filled her stomach. She had never seen a woodland elf or been anywhere near their lands. Would they look different? Act differently? The high elves of Palenor thought of themselves as superior but she never knew why.
“You seem on edge,” Tif said sitting on the end of the bed. “Might I make you some calming tea? It’s made from the calming tree leaves.”
The sound of Layala’s feet lightly patting with her steps, resounded in the room. “No, thank you. I am a little on edge though. I’m going to Calladira.”
“Oh, how I wish I could go. It’s a dream of mine to explore the wild terrain of the woodland elves. I hear they like to run in the nude under the moonlight.” She sighed. “I’d like to do that too.”
“Maybe another time,” Layala said with a chuckle. She didn’t want to have the responsibility of taking care of her out on the road or worry about her wanting to stay so she could run in the nude.
“Will it be dangerous?”
“I don’t know.”
“I have trained with swords some. Not jumbo size obviously but I can still be deadly. I can cut off an elf ear quite easily. I did it once.”
Shocked at the admission, Layala paused her pacing to look at the gnome. “Why would you do that?”
“The jumbo kept stomping on my parents’ home, caving in our entrance. So, I followed him and cut off his ear and said if he ever came close to our house again, I’d cut off something he’d miss much more.”
Laughing, Layala continued around the room, checking the fireplace every so often for movement. “You surprise me, Tif. In a good way.”
“I hope so.” She folded her arms and kicked her tiny legs rhythmically over the edge of the bed. “If you want me to cut off something from you-know-who, I could do it.”
Shaking her head, Layala held up a palm. “No, leave you-know-who alone, please. I need him.” A few moments later Layala said, “Have you ever seen any—sacrifices of young maidens here?” That was another rumor she needed to put to rest, the most horrid of them all.
“What?” Tif’s eyes widened.
“I heard rumors.”
“Oh,” Tif tapped a finger against her lips. “Can’t say I have. And I’m sure on my many ventures I would have noticed something so terrible. Even King Tenebris wouldn’t do that, in the castle at least. He liked to keep up appearances. I can’t imagine King Thane would ever do anything like that. He has a sort of kindness in his eyes his father most certainly did not. When I saw King Tenebris it was like his soul was—gone. I almost wet myself just looking at him.”
Layala nodded. “I can’t wait any longer. I’ll see you when I get back.” She jerked her door open. Piper leaned against the far wall standing next to another guard. The male wore short sleeves and a gray leather chest plate with the three weapon high elf sigil on it. He held a large wooden staff in his right hand. Piper wore something similar to Layala which made her wonder if she wasn’t an actual guard. That or she didn’t have to wear a uniform because she was friends with Thane.
“Morning, Lady Layala,” the male elf said, grinning.
Piper nodded. “Do you need something?”
Layala waved a hand at them. “No, thanks.” She strutted over to Thane’s door and knocked.
“Lady, you can’t bother the High King,” the male guard said, taking a step closer to her.
Layala shrugged. “Well, I just did.”
“She doesn’t follow rules well,” Piper mumbled.
When Thane didn’t answer the door after a minute or so, Layala knocked again. She turned to the guards. “Is he in there?”
“He’s not come out,” the male said. “He’s probably sleeping. He was out late.”
Layala turned the handle and both of them screeched, “No, you can’t.” She pushed the door open and walked inside. With a quick wave at the guards and a devious smile, she shut them out. Dallying all day left an opening for Thane to change his mind about taking her to see the mage.
Her gaze fell to his freshly made bed. Flashes of her kissing him and the struggle that followed quickened her breath. She swiveled to the right where there looked to be a bathing room and her heart lurched a little. What if he was taking a bath? She thought of how they said he bathed in blood. That seemed so ridiculous to have believed now. He may be a killer, but she couldn’t see anything in his nature that made him so sadistic and savage. She listened for a splash or any noise, staring hard through the doorway.
“Do you have any knives I need to worry about?”
Layala jumped and whirled around. He stepped through the tall curtains moving in the breeze. He must have a balcony off his bedroom. She scanned his bare chest, all his glorious muscles and perfect skin. He looked as good if not better in the daylight than he had in the evening shadows. With a sheepish smile, she lifted her hands to show her palms. “No, knives. I came to see if you are ready to leave.”
He had a mug in hand and took a sip of the steaming liquid. “I’ll be ready soon. Would you like some bramble tea?”
Brambleberry leaves were said to aid in breaking into the minds of others with their magical properties. It was extremely rare and coveted and he was offering it so casually. “Whose mind do you wish to know?”
He smiled but didn’t reply.
“Mine?”
He let out a low, bedroom chuckle and took another sip, and a shiver slithered down her spine. “As if it were a mystery what you think of me or what you want?” He set the mug on his dresser top. “Brambleberry doesn’t do that. The berries themselves are sweet and awaken the mind to be alert. The leaves help read others’ minds which I don’t often drink. Most people’s heads aren’t worth looking into.”
She wondered if his head might be worth browsing, then she could know if his intentions with her were true or ill. “No, but thank you for offering. I’m plenty alert today.”
“Wow… she says ‘thank you’.”
Layala couldn’t help her smile. “I have some manners.”
“When it comes to me, they seem to be lacking. You threatened to cut off my balls the very first time we met after all.”
“And at the time I didn’t even know it was you.” She paused. “Why did you come into the Smoky Dragon that night?”
He pulled a drawer open and rifled through the clothes inside. “I thought perhaps we could get to know each other a little and I’d tell you who I was, and you’d willingly come with me. Maybe even be happy to. But I was obviously mistaken.”
“And your backup plan was showing up in a hideous mask and dragging me out of my trashed cottage?” Such a stark contrast from the first attempt.
“It’s customary for the High Elf King of status to wear a mask for ceremonial purposes as I told you. And I needed to remain hidden.” He tapped near his eye. “This emerald color runs in my family’s blood, my father’s. I was surprised your aunt didn’t know who I was right away given that she knew him.”
“She’d been drinking ale,” Layala murmured. “Why would you think I’d be willing?”
He stared at her with those emerald eyes he spoke of, face unreadable. “I thought… never mind. I thought wrong, so it doesn’t matter.”
Layala pressed her lips together. She wanted to know. “You thought what?”
He pulled a black long-sleeved shirt out of the drawer. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to finish dressing alone. I’ll come to get you when I’m ready.”
Dismissed. She didn’t blame him after the way she treated him.
Layala turned without a word and left the room. Piper and the other guard looked anxious when she stepped out, but they said nothing as she went to her own bedroom. It felt like an eternity before the knock sounded at her door. She jumped up from a padded chair, and hurriedly opened it. Thane stood on the other side dressed in black and blue, somewhere between a warrior with the swords on his back, the forearm guards, and a wealthy elf lord with the silver embroidery down his chest and around the collar.
His hair was pulled back accentuating his striking features. “Shall we?”
They silently made their way down the stairs. Across the massive entry and out the heavy front doors, passing several guards who watched her with curiosity and awe. It made her uncomfortable the way they stared. She followed Thane along a stone path out to a huge white barn and matching stables. There must have been room for fifty horses in there. Out to pasture were around twenty-five of the regal animals of various colors.
“How far is it? Shouldn’t we have packed more?” she asked as they stood waiting for the stable master to come forth. She didn’t bring extra clothes or food or anything but what she had on her. She assumed that it would all be brought for her but yet again it looked like Thane preferred to go without a host of guards.
“There is a portal not far from here. It will bring us into Calladira. Mage Vesstan’s residence is close by.”
“Will you give me a sword at least since we won’t be bringing guards?” She glanced behind her to make sure they were indeed alone. “Why aren’t we bringing guards? I find it odd that a king would travel alone, especially when he fears his mage companion will be stolen.”
“Guards draw attention. If we go out like this, we likely won’t be recognized by anyone. We’re simply a pair of elves, not the High King and his mate.”
“I thought your eyes were recognizable.”
“They are but only by those who bother to know the trait. You didn’t.” He tilted his head toward her. “As far as weapons, you have magic if the need arises, use it.”
“I—” she cleared her throat, “I can’t. Not without consequences.” Honestly it had been so long since she used it; she didn’t even know what would happen.
That piqued his interest; his eyebrows lifted. “And what sort of consequences are they? Hopefully not like Mage Vesstan’s.”
“What happens to him?”
Thane lifted a hand in greeting to the elf making his way toward us. “You’ll see.”
Layala fidgeted with her hands. He needed to know the danger in case she had to use them. “My power draws the pale ones to me when I use it. It’s as if they can sense it. And before you accuse me of anything, no I didn’t use it while we were on the road. I had nothing to do with them following us.”
She could tell he was trying not to look shocked, but it wasn’t working. When he trained his expression flat, he said, “And you know this because…”
She told him of the encounters she had with them each time she used her magic as a child.
“So, you haven’t used your magic in more than fifteen years…” His mouth hung open momentarily. “Is it rune magic you use—spells? Or do you have an inherent ability?”
“The only rune I know is this one.” She tapped her wrist. “My magic is much more raw. Wild… dark,” she whispered the last word.
He pursed his lips but said nothing further on it and Layala was relieved. What if Piper was right about some elves wanting to kill her due to the nature of her magic?
The elf approaching bowed before Thane. “Good day, sire. Will you be going for a ride?” He looked at Layala and bent at the waist. “You must be Layala Lightbringer. Word spreads quickly in the castle.”
She blushed at the attention that name brought. “I am.”
“Please ready Phantom for me.” Thane turned to Layala. “And for the lady, I think Midnight will do.”
The male elf smiled, putting a fist on his hip. “Ahh, Midnight is a monstrosity and rare beauty.” He raised his eyebrows at Layala. “Sibling to Phantom.”
A monstrosity? Phantom was one of the tallest horses she’d ever seen. Was Midnight as well? She wasn’t all that experienced with horses and the description made her a little nervous. “Phantom is a lovely horse. I’m sure his brother is as well.”
“I’ve always preferred to ride Midnight myself. He has a calmer countenance. Phantom likes to run, and charge into battle, although both were bred for such a cause. War horses. Afraid of nothing but a bit on the wild side.” He nodded. “Right, I’ll be back swiftly, sire.” He bowed again and hurried off.
“So, you’re actually allowing me to ride my own horse today. How generous.” Having not done much riding in her life she was glad to hear the horse was calm. She’d always loved them but neither she nor Aunt Evalyn ever owned one.
He gave her a half smile. “I’m not going to keep you prisoner here. You know the consequences now if you should leave.”
The heavy weight, the feeling of impending doom, was stronger today.
The horse master came back swiftly as he’d promised, leading the two tall black horses, one on each side. Midnight he was indeed, muscled shimmering onyx fur with a white star on his forehead. That’s where the two horses differed. Phantom was entirely black, not a stitch of white.
Midnight wandered straight up to her and shoved his nose in her hand. Layala giggled and stroked between his eyes. “You are a monstrosity.”
“He likes you,” the horse master said.
Midnight bobbed his head up and down as if to agree. “Hello, Midnight,” she said quietly. Running her hand along the soft fur of his neck she stopped and reached for the horn of the saddle. He was too tall and she couldn’t quite grab hold of it. She struggled to get her foot to reach the stirrup, missing it by a few inches. She supposed if she got a running start, she could make it up but that was embarrassing.
“Shall I grab a step?” the horse master asked.
Thane appeared behind Layala and tapped her leg. “No, I’ll help her. We won’t be able to bring a step with us, so she’ll need me anyway.”
Trying to keep a blush from overtaking her entire face, she took a deep breath and put her boot in Thane’s waiting hands. He lifted her as if it was effortless, and she threw her leg over, settling in. Thane got up with ease and then tilted his head. “Follow me.” He waved at the horse master again. “Thank you. We’ll likely be back this evening. Hopefully before dinner.”
Layala nudged the horse’s sides and he trotted ahead, prancing up beside Phantom. She couldn’t help but smile. It had been so long since she rode alone and had the control and joy of her own horse. She patted his side and held the reins with the other hand. “I didn’t know there was a portal between Calladira and Palenor. I thought you didn’t get along well with them.”
“It’s very old and few know of it. As far as our relations with Calladira, I hope to improve them. I have a meeting set with their ruler Lord Brunard next month. Hopefully we can find some peace if not an alliance. I bought a lot of their wine recently to try to break the ice, so to speak.”
“Why don’t you get along?” Having lived in Svenarum all her life she didn’t know details of feuds. Aunt Evalyn said it was because the High Elves of Palenor called themselves “high elves” and the woodland elves didn’t like that Palenor thought of themselves as above.
“Mmm,” Thane rubbed his smooth chin. “That is a tough question. But much of it is over land and because they have left us alone in the fight against the pale ones. We are the sole kingdom who must take the losses, train soldiers to be elite, and provide for a large army. We’ve been on our own in keeping the creatures in the Void, which protects everyone in Adalon, not just Palenor. My father cut off all trade with Calladira a hundred years ago because of their refusal to help and the tensions have only grown since. They tried to work deals out but never could.”
“Why won’t they fight?”
Thane shrugged. “Why don’t the humans in Svenarum or Vessache? I know Palenor has a reputation for brutality, but we don’t have a choice. The Void touches our southern border which makes it our direct problem. The pale ones can’t go through the desert or mountains into Vessache but our land is wide open. We’ve been forced to become a brutal warrior kingdom. Everyone else has been spared because of our strength. They would only have to fight if we were overrun, and the pale ones invaded their lands.”
It suddenly made much more sense why Tenebris wanted her as a weapon. The elves of Palenor died every day to defend this land.
They entered the bridge over the river. It had been cleared of the elves who gathered there the previous day. Layala risked a glance down. The height and distance to the water below made her eyes hurt. The waterfall was far enough away she could see the top easily but still close enough that light sprinkles of mist hit her face. The bridge looked to be the only access to the castle grounds. The rockface the castle was built into appeared impossible to scale down, with the sheer smoothness hundreds of feet high. Once they crossed the river, Thane turned right, away from the city.
“Does Calladira know we are coming?” Layala asked.
“It’s too short of notice to arrange it. My meeting next month was the soonest they’d allow me, and I’ve been king for several weeks now.”
“But don’t we need permission to enter their territory? I thought they kept their borders as tight as you do.”
Thane lifted a shoulder. “Only if they know we’re there.”
“And they won’t?”
“As I said, the portal is concealed. It won’t be guarded. We should be able to slip into Calladira easily.”
Midnight was content to follow behind his twin as they rode on a narrow dirt path. Trees and boulders littered on both sides of the trail. Many with rune engravings carved in the bark and stone. One moss covered rock the size of a molehill was painted purple and had a yellow flower growing on the top. At its base was a tunnel. A pixie fluttered out from underneath with an arm full of mini rolls. The pink glitter trailing behind her brought a smile to Layala’s lips. Pixies didn’t reside in Svenarum although she saw a handful in her life. The only reason she included them on the list of banned races at the Smoky Dragon was because if a pixie came, they were always with an elf companion.
The pixie whizzed by, mumbling about being late. The many weeping willows swayed in the breeze, interspersed with great towering trees with white trunks and small green leaves. As if curious, squirrels and other small furry critters seemed to be following them, leaping from tree to tree. Up the hill of the valley they rode, and down the other side until the city below disappeared, neither of them speaking. Layala didn’t know what to say, and it seemed Thane was content. He peeked over his shoulder occasionally; part of her wished he would say something, though she didn’t know what. After so long the silence between them felt strained, as if either spoke it would be some sort of win for the other. As if staying quiet was the game.
At first it was easy to watch the surroundings and listen to the nature around her, but after he tried so hard to get her to talk to him last night, disappointment crept in. She hated herself for it. Why should she want to talk to him? Why should she care? She hardened her jaw and looked everywhere but at the elf in front of her.
Then Midnight nipped at Thane’s horse as if he were bored too. Phantom turned his head with teeth bared. Midnight bit again and in return his brother kicked, nothing too violent but a warning. “Woah, no biting,” Layala said as Midnight danced backward then without provocation, he trotted up beside the other two, despite Layala tugging back on the reins. “Is this normal behavior?”
Thane smiled and shrugged. “A little healthy competition never hurt.”
A few more steps and the black horse’s trot turned into a canter, and he took off, apparently wanting to lead. “I thought the horse master said you were the calmer of the two,” she moaned as they tore down the somewhat uneven path. Her hair fell loose from the bun Reina and Pearl had done and it whipped wildly. She looked back and Thane was racing up behind her, grinning.
“So, it’s a race you want?”
“It’s not me doing the wanting!” Layala shouted, pushing her weight up in the stirrups and holding on tight. Phantom’s head reached near his brother’s shoulder, breaths coming heavy.
Thankfully the path widened to allow for both of them side by side. She felt like she was flying, and a laugh escaped her; this time they weren’t running for their lives. It was exhilarating. The beating of the hooves like drums, the whirl of the wind an instrument of its own. The trees became a green blur as horse and rider tore across the land. She glanced at Thane, gaining the lead. “Come on, Midnight,” she whispered. But she tensed, catching sight of the fallen log up ahead in the path. “Wait, slow down,” she said, tugging back lightly on the reins. The horse kept going at nearly full speed. He wanted to win too. She squealed as he leapt over it and crashed hard into the saddle when they landed.
Thane was right beside her. “You’re going to have to pull back hard if he’s not responding. Show him you’re in charge. We need to get off the path at that dead tree ahead.”
Layala cocked an eyebrow. “How about we see who gets to the dead tree first.”
He answered with a grin.
She kicked Midnight’s sides and he went even faster. The loneliness she felt the night before faded, filled by the rush of the wild speed, the thrill of competition. It looked like she was ahead by a nose when they ripped by the white-washed rotting tree.
Layala tugged back, leaning into it and Midnight slowed to a walk then a stop. His heaving breaths moved beneath her. After a moment, he dropped his head to nibble on some grass.
“I suppose I should have warned you that Phantom and Midnight tend to test each other,” Thane said, brushing his fingers through the wild stray hair springing up around his face. “I think you beat us, and not to brag, but Phantom always wins.”
Midnight whinnied as if he didn’t like being told his brother always won. She patted the horse’s smooth neck, grinning at him. “Did you hear that boy? You won.” When she lifted her head, Thane was staring at her. She peered back but after a few beats, she shifted uncomfortably. “I know I’m wonderfully beautiful and you can’t help but gaze; however, you should do something useful instead and lead the way,” she drawled.
“I was admiring your smile. You haven’t smiled much since I met you.”
Layala thought of snapping a rude remark: why would she smile, given that he’d stolen her away? But the resentment she held for him even a day ago wasn’t there. She knew now why he took her. Perhaps they could be allies in breaking their bond. Two elves with the same goal. “Maybe I needed a reason to.”
“I think I’ll take that as a challenge: find ways to make Layala smile.” He tugged his reins to the left and started off into the knee-high yellowing grass. “Come on. It’s this way.”
