Just when Thane didn’t think he could find Layala any more attractive, she went and proved him wrong. She proved she could fight. Her magic was impressive but her talent with a sword against one of his best fighters was even more so. A skill like that took years of practice, dedication and fortitude. He pulled her by her hand through the horde of his warriors. They patted her on the back, smiled, fist pumped, cheered her on as they passed by. She’d earned their respect and been accepted by them, which wasn’t easy for any elf to do.
When they came upon his five-pole tent, gray in color and thick enough material to stop the wind or insects from getting in, he pulled the entrance flap aside and gestured for her to step in. She hesitated. “I planned on sleeping in a tent with Piper.”
Why did she always think the worst of him? Did she honestly think he would try to take advantage of her? Maybe he shouldn’t have claimed her like that in front of everyone, technically she wasn’t his. The mate spell wasn’t even complete, and she hadn’t chosen him. Maybe he pushed her away by doing that. And she was finally starting to lighten up after their last argument. “I expected you would. Can we talk for a while first?”
She lifted her chin, straightened her shoulders, and stepped inside. After she glanced around at the makeshift bed of sheepskin furs, a single wooden chair, and a heavy black trunk full of his belongings, she said, “I thought there’d be more.”
“I like to travel light on the road.”
She toyed with the dagger at her belt for a moment then claimed the only chair. Thane sat on the furs and began to unbuckle the sword sheath latched on his chest. “So, since you lost the fight, you owe me an answer.”
Her mouth dropped. “You know I won that fight. Losing on a technicality is horseshit.”
He licked his lips and set his sword on the bed beside him. He slipped his weapon belt off, placing it in the dirt and then laid back into the soft blankets, wrapping his hands behind his head. “You impressed me by the way. I expected you to have skills, but nothing like that.”
“Thank you.”
“So as a consolation, how about a question for a question then?”
Her eyes held him steadily. “I suppose that’s fair. I won’t be making the mistake of feeling sorry for your soldiers when I beat them again. Ask away.”
“What happened two years ago when it felt like your heart shattered?” He’d been dying to know this for years. It haunted him knowing how much pain she was in, and he couldn’t be there. He had his suspicions, but he wanted to hear it from her.
She tore her gaze away and stared at her hands on her lap. “Ask me something else. Anything else.”
He frowned. “Why don’t you ask me a question then?”
She sat a little taller. “How did your father really die?”
He knew that was coming. After taking in a deep breath, he said, “I killed him.” Her eyebrows significantly raised but he continued, “I knocked him unconscious, tied him to a horse and sent him into the Void. The last time I saw him, he was being dragged down by pale ones.” He expected her to be surprised but there was something else there, something he couldn’t quite understand. “Are you disappointed?”
“No, I’m glad he’s dead. I’m just surprised you’d do that. Not just because he’s your father but elven law states you should be executed for your crime, not take his place as king.”
Assassinating kings simply wasn’t done by the elves. It hadn’t ever been done to his knowledge. His grandfather who ruled before, died in the last war with the Black Mage, and before that, his great grandfather stepped down after reining a thousand years. Prior to that, wars shifted and changed leaders but never was there an inside killing. Never had an heir killed to take his father’s place.
“Which is why I didn’t want to tell you before. The people, as well as my mother and sister, would demand my execution.”
“I won’t tell anyone, and not only because our lives are linked.”
“I pray that you don’t. And I hope you take my honesty as an offering that you can trust me.”
The flickering candle on the small table at his bedside danced in the quiet. Layala stared at the flames for a moment, as if trying to figure out a puzzle she didn’t have all the pieces to. Voices of soldiers walking by drew their gazes to the tent’s entrance. If any of his Ravens happened to overhear what had been said, Thane didn’t think they’d tell anyone. They cared about him more than his father, but it was still dangerous information. When the voices were gone, she spoke again, “So why did you?”
He tsked his tongue. “If you want me to answer another question you have to answer one.”
Her chest heaved as she took in a deep breath. “Someone I loved died that day.”
“Someone?” Thane questioned. She stayed silent. Thane stared at his deep brown boots getting drawn into his memory. “My best friend Osric died two months ago. We’d been in battle, and he was bitten by a pale one.” Thane drew in a steadying breath. It still hurt to speak of him, and it would hurt even more so to say aloud what had happened that day. “There was nothing the healers could do to stop the change. And when he turned… I didn’t have the strength to end it before he could turn. So, when he woke with skin white as snow and hair that once was warm turned alabaster, and lips as black as coal, I hoped that he would be able to see reason. That some part of him was still there. And part of him was. He knew me.” Thane stopped talking as his throat tightened and tears burned his eyes.
“You don’t have to tell me any more,” Layala whispered.
Thane’s heart thundered at the flashbacks, at the images of Osric laughing as he pulled a sword and tried to skewer Thane and then tried to bite him. Swallowing down the lump in his throat, Thane went on, “Anyways, it wasn’t him anymore. I—I killed him, and something in me snapped. I knew I’d have to kill my father, I’d known it for years but I was a coward. I couldn’t do it. I kept thinking he would change. I kept reasoning that he wasn’t as bad as he was, even when he was set on bringing back the Black Mage and using you to do it. After I killed Osric, something in me died. Maybe it was my compassion, I don’t know, but I went after my father the next day. And then a few weeks later, I showed up in Briar Hollow because with my father gone, you would be safe. Palenor would be safe. At least that’s what I rationalized.”
“I can’t imagine how much it must have hurt you,” Layala said. Even if Tenebris was an evil tyrant, he was Thane’s father. “In both cases you were right. You shouldn’t feel any guilt.” She looked away briefly. “But I wish you would have let me kill him. I wanted to.”
Truth was the guilt ate away at him, a little more each day. Every time his mother or sister talked about Tenebris. When the people held a huge memorial service for him. He knew what his father was, hated him even, but it still left an invisible wound because he loved his father too. Despite everything, he loved him. But putting down Osric was the hardest thing he’d ever done. It nearly ripped the heart right out of his chest. “Well, it’s done now.”
“His name was Novak,” Layala said without any prompt. “We had known each other since we were children. He was a few years older than me, so we didn’t get along until I was about fifteen. I think before that he always saw me as an annoying little child. For years we were friends, and we trained at the yard together, and we walked the woods behind my house, picked berries, and hunted for plants for Aunt Evalyn. Then his younger brother Ren kissed me one night after a night of drinking. It was very unexpected I assure you, and Novak punched him for it. I never knew that either of them had feelings for me. But I loved Novak and he loved me and when he died—he almost took me to the grave with him.”
Thane was quiet for a moment, trying to find the right words. “A part of him will always be with you. I am sorry you lost him,” Thane said, and he truly was. He could feel the ghost of that pain even now through the magic between them. “How did he die?”
Layala shot to her feet and hurried for the tent flap. “I’m done talking about it.”
Damn it. Thane shoved himself up off the furs and darted in front of her, blocking the path. “I won’t ask again.”
Layala pushed him aside and stomped into the night. Thane sighed and watched to make sure she made it into her own tent adjacent to his, and when she closed the flap behind her, he sagged a little. How was he supposed to know that the way the man died would be worse for her to talk about than him actually dying? It must have been traumatic, but it couldn’t have been worse than when he had to cut Osric’s head off. Or worse than when he had to carry Osric’s broken, changed body, and slam the shovel into the ground over and over while he sobbed so he could bury his best friend in a shallow grave. Or worse than when he told Osric’s parents what happened. Obviously, he shared a different kind of relationship than Layala did with Novak, but he loved Osric like a brother.
When he went back to his bed, he removed his boots and shirt, and curled up under the blanket. After he couldn’t fall asleep for a while, he opened his trunk and pulled out his folded leather that contained medicinal flora. He took out a dried, azure, slumber berry and popped it into his mouth. Hopefully it could calm his mind. Eventually, he fell asleep.
The next morning, he awoke and dressed. Hesitating outside Layala’s tent, he paced for a moment. She said she wanted to train with him but after the way she left the night before he didn’t want to ask and get something thrown at his head.
Ah blast it. He shoved through the flap. Layala still slept, as did Piper. One of Layala’s long legs poked out of the blanket and her tangled hair half covered her face. He nudged her foot with his boot. “Wake up dearest. We’re training before we head out.”
Layala slowly sat up and pushed her black hair out of her eyes. Half of her blue button-down shirt hung off her shoulder. She yawned and tugged her shirt up. “It’s still dark out.”
“We leave soon after sunrise which means if we’re going to train, we have to do it before.”
Piper rolled over and covered her head. Tugging the blanket off her, Layala revealed her bare legs. She wore nothing but that shirt and thin silky emerald-green underwear. His eyes were drawn to the length of her thighs and the curve of her hips. “I’ll be waiting outside.”
“You sure you don’t want to stay and watch me dress?” she teased, picking her trousers up from a neatly-folded pile beside her.
“Is that an invitation? Perhaps you can take some more off instead.”
Piper threw a pillow at Thane. “Ew, save your bedroom talk for when I’m not around.”
He tossed the pillow back and laughed on his way out of the tent. When Layala emerged a few minutes later, her hair was tied back in a braid, her weapons were strapped on her hips and back and she looked as grumpy as ever. “Do I at least get a cup of energy tea and something to eat first?”
“And here I thought you’d be glad I woke you to train. I can let you sleep next time instead.” Thane tossed her an apple. “The cooks should have tea brewing.”
“I am glad you woke me.” She yawned. “But I didn’t sleep well. There was a rock jabbing my back the entire night and Tif decided she wanted to snore on the pillow next to me. I wanted to smother her with it.”
“So vicious,” he said playfully.
“I’ll show you ‘vicious’ in a minute.”
They stopped at the cook’s tent, the only other elves awake at this time, drank down some energizing tea and ate a couple biscuits. He didn’t like to be too full when training, but he needed something to fight off the ache in his belly. He led Layala to a clearing far enough from camp that they wouldn’t be bothered but close enough they could see everything. The stars were still shining brightly but to the east light peaked over the hillside, giving them enough to see each other clearly.
Briefly glancing at some of the tents in camp now being pulled down, Thane said, “I don’t know what you do but I start with a run, push-ups, pull-ups on a tree branch if I can find one, practice sword moves and then spar with a partner.”
“How about today we follow your training and tomorrow, I’ll show you mine?”
“That’s fair.” Thane started off at a steady pace, jogging toward the massive gray-faced mountainside, soon they’d be close enough they wouldn’t be able to see the top. The grass grew vibrantly green, and the atmosphere smelled of wind and rivers and pine trees; the needled trees bunched in pockets around here. Thane followed a thin goat or perhaps a centaur trail. The soft dirt below his feet was pleasant to run on unlike rocky, ankle-breaking paths.
“How old were you when you started training?” Layala asked.
Was she actually trying to make conversation with him? He wondered what caused her change in attitude the last few days. Ever since the festival she’d been amiable, even to him. His mind pulled up the memory of the day his father sent him into the training yard with a sword that was much too big. He remembered that although it didn’t feel heavy, it was long, and the blade dragged on the ground as he carried it. His mother patted him on the head and gave him a little push when he hesitated to meet with his master trainer, Jorgon. The trainer had a scar down the side of his face; tall and thin he looked like a giant to the small child. “I’ll be watching the entire time, my love,” his mother said smiling. Thane peeked over at Layala. “I was six.” Shortly after Jorgon got a proper sword for a boy, the training started.
“That seems a little young, doesn’t it?”
Thane lifted a shoulder. “They didn’t expect much of me at the time and they weren’t hard on me until I was older. It was more technique and mindset training. Learning to get up and follow a routine, I suppose. And you?”
“I started at twelve. Which means you have about nine years on me.” She gave him a shove that sent him stumbling off the path. “But I bet I’m still better.” She propelled ahead into a sprint.
Thane shook his head, smiling, and dashed after her. She was fast. He’d give her that. He was at his body’s full running capacity, his arms and legs pumping hard, before he caught her. They weaved between boulders and trees as they raced across the grassy landscape. He had a feeling he’d be chasing after her for a long time, maybe always.
“It’s nice to run with someone who can keep up!” she hollered. “No one in Briar Hollow could.”
“You’re in Palenor now. Everyone can.” Thane jumped up and swung from a tree branch, catapulting over a small stream, and landed clear of the water on the other side. Layala leapt over, her boots splashing at the edge. She grinned at him and reached back, the rub of metal on metal chinged as she pulled her sword. Waving it slowly in front of her, she tapped her boot lightly. “Let’s see what you’ve got, High King.”
Maker above, she looked good with a weapon. He thought he might prefer her like this over fancy dresses, but she was beautiful either way. When he took out not one sword but two, and weaved them in front of himself to show off, she started laughing.
“You wield two swords,” she mused. “I didn’t know that. I thought you simply had a backup.”
“As if I’d ever lose either one,” he said with a wink.
“No matter, I can contend with a cheater.”
“Cheater?” They clashed swords; the clang of metal ricocheted off the sheer weathered rock to their left. “It’s a skill like any other. It doesn’t make me a cheater.” She knocked one sword aside and then blocked his other. Ping, clank, grind, their blades slid off each other. She jabbed straight at his belly, he darted around and ran up the trunk of a tree and backflipped over her head, landing lightly.
“He’s got moves,” Layala purred.
“I have other moves I’d be more than happy to show you sometime.”
She narrowed her eyes in a predatory gaze and swung right at his very important male appendage. He sucked in a breath and blocked the strike with both swords. “Woah now, that was a little too close.”
“You practically asked for that.”
They carried on for a while, both easily blocking every attack, although he wasn’t trying to get through and he could see that she wasn’t either. Soon he found himself laughing and he couldn’t even say why other than he was simply having fun. It was enjoyable to train with someone who wasn’t trying to prove themselves to their king or worse, trying not to hurt him so they blunted their skill. She was at ease and that put him there too.
After they were both breathing heavily and sweating, he backed up and dropped his arms to his sides. “Shall we call it for the day?” He hadn’t even realized it was fully light out and they were meant to leave soon after sunrise. “They’re probably waiting for us back at camp.”
Layala sheathed her sword. “That was fun. I’m excited to do it again.”
“As am I.”
“Shall we run back to camp? I think we got pretty far. At least a mile.” She climbed on top of a large, rounded boulder and peered with her hand shading her eyes. “Yep, the camp is taken down, except maybe your tent. Although it looks like they’re sparring in small groups, so not entirely bored.”
Thane strutted casually ahead. “It’s a good thing I am High King, and we go when I say we go.” He jogged on, expecting a remark from her about his arrogance but it never came. When he didn’t hear her footsteps behind him after too long, he turned. She wasn’t on the rock which now looked small because he’d gotten so far away. She wasn’t anywhere. He turned in a full circle. “Layala?” Was she playing a game? “If you’re hiding, it’s not funny. We need to go.” Nothing answered but the wind. The steady thud of his heart quickened. He ran back to where he left her to find a wide area of flattened grass where she may have jumped down, but would she have fallen and then rolled around?
There were several trees around she could have climbed and a few scattered boulders a ways off but the stone dropping in his gut told him she wasn’t hiding. His walk turned into a jog when he looked up into the canopies of the nearest trees to find them empty. On the side of the Ranaheim mountains there was a dark crevice that looked like a jagged scar on the gray rock. He stilled himself and closed his eyes, reaching out for that gentle line that connected him to her. His mate rune itched like a healing scab. Close, she was close. In his mind’s eye a lavender cloud directed him toward the mountain, toward the crevice. His eyes shot open when her panic hit him with full force. “Layala!”
