She stares at me, opening her mouth to say something before closing it again. She ponders something and it’s then I see what King Clennom does. The spirit behind her eyes as she organizes her thoughts. She would make a great ambassador, and one day I plan to give her the title. She nods and starts to walk, leaning in close as she passes me, her voice lowering to a whisper.
“You have to decide, Thylas. Either give her a night of pure bliss or leave her alone. She can't keep doing this. It's killing her with curiosity, along with trying to maintain her duty to Ereon. Figure it out. Enjoy the moment for what it will be and make sure you both know it can never be anything else, or leave her alone. If you decide not to pursue her, let her get close to Ereon. She won't admit it, but I can see her wanting to grow closer to him. He will be her husband, so make up your mind on what you are willing to do.”
twenty-nine
EREON
The sky is grey, the sun barely starting to crest along the horizon. Standing and looking up at the sky, it's not a good sign. Thekhindwill be out if the weather stays like this. Maybe I should delay the journey and see if the weather improves, but I want to get back to Anara. I need to see what he's done to her, if I can save her … again. I chuckle a bit to myself, she's strong all on her own, she doesn't need me, and nothing will break her.
Carnaxa emerges from her tent, her guard appearing tense as he stands outside. The Captain nods her way before turning and begins to break the tent down. I respect his loyalty to her, I really do, but the marks he left on her neck were unnecessary and stupid. If I was anyone else in Shaston, they would have both been dead. If someone saw the marks now, they still could be, but I've already started a rumor that Carnaxa and I shared a night in Midaeliea to cover for them.
Carnaxa's doe eyes look at me and she smiles, pulling her hair around her shoulder. Deciding I should go say hello, I take a few steps toward her and rub my hand through the hair on my chin. It's grown longer since we left Antalis and soon I'll need a shave.
“Good morning, Princess.”
A horrific sound stretches across the wind. My head snaps toward the mountains, and my arm immediately wraps around Carnaxa, pulling her into me. She doesn't need to hear this, not when we are going to be walking through there so soon. Placing my hand on the back of her head, I slide it over her ear and push her head into my chest. My heartbeat picks up pace while goosebumps pebble her flesh. I hope I'm muffling the sound, and the goosebumps are perhaps from being so close to me and not the howl of thekhind.She doesn't move an inch and keeps her eyes pinched shut. Her smell of coconut and vanilla takes over my senses, momentarily making me forget how we found ourselves in this embrace.
Finally, thekhindstops, and I release Carnaxa, sliding my hands to her waist and peer down at her. “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head, tears lining her eyes, and a few strands of her uniquely blue hair fall into her face. Her voice is barely above a whisper as she shakes in my hands, “What was that?”
My fingers twitch to touch her hair – “Thekhind.” – and without reason, I find myself doing exactly what I wanted. She takes a sharp breath and I let my fingers trail down the side ofher neck – the same place that he made his mark, continuing down to her hip, wanting to pull her even closer. “Hopefully going to their caves inside the mountains. I remember the first time I heard them, it can be frightening.”
Realizing I'm still holding her, I let her go and take a step back. The first time I heard themonsters, I was barely sixteen and on the way to my first summit. I almost pissed myself. However, hearing one is easier than seeing akhindfor the first time.
“Hopefully?” She bites her lower lip and I have to suppress a moan at the thought of what it would be like to taste her mouth. Shaking my head, I try to collect my thoughts. What is happening to me? I came here with a plan, a mission, and now … I don't know anymore. It's not like the feelings I had for Anara are gone, no … I miss her so much and I would still gladly die for her. But Carnaxa ...
“Yes ... hopefully. It seems as though the rain won’t let up for some time. Don't worry, we will probably stay another night here until it passes. I don't like postponing our travels, but we will do what we must to keep you safe.” I glance behind her, Thylas is gazing in our direction, his eyes darting to the dark path between the mountains. The call worried him as well, he steps subtly back and forth as if debating whether or not to check on Carnaxa or let her be. “It appears your captain wants to speak with you.”
Her soft, small voice gives my heart a jump, “Thank you, Ereon. For this, and ...” – her hands dart to the fading bruise – “for not bringing this up.” She turns and starts walking back the way she came, her dress swaying in the soft breeze as she does. My heart lurches toward her so hard I have to put my hand on my chest. Trying to catch my breath, I recollect myself.What the fuck was that?
I have to focus on today's problems before worrying about more. Figuring out how to get Carnaxa, and the rest of the men through the pass, is my priority and I don't think it is safeenough to travel through today. Something my father will not be happy with.
The sun is starting to peek through the clouds and I can hear the thunderous steps of the beast on the trail ahead. While the rain has let up for the foreseeable future, we've made the decision to stay the night, having already lost most of the day.
I sent a message to my father by hawk when we left Antalis, letting him know we were leaving. He'll be expecting us soon and the more I'm late the more she will suffer.
Walking along the edge of the camp, I see Thylas speaking withBêlRhenor. Both Thylas andBêlRhenor have their hands behind their backs and their faces show a comfortability and cameradie as they talk among themselves, something I am almost envious of. Rhenor's eyes glance over to his wife.BêlitSiphonie rests on a pallet on the ground outside of their tent, her forearm covering her eyes as she seemingly takes a nap. I've heard those two are a product of an arranged marriage, something unusual in Antalis, or so I'm told, and their relationship seems to be a fairly positive one. Maybe there is some hope in all of this after all. No ... not for me, never could I have that happy ending. Carnaxa is much too good for me. And I fear the ceremony alone will break her. Speaking of my betrothed… where is she? This is not the time to be disappearing, and yet, once again, the blue-haired beauty seems to be missing.
Thylas' eyes keep drifting to a spot behind him, on his left side. Ahh ... there she is. I would bet my last gold piece that's where she is. Alone, but not alone. Clever girl. I want to see how she is doing after this morning, and the fear that she held inside. She thought I would be the one to tell of her dalliances withthe guard. I won't. I'm not without my secrets, I keep up my appearances for my own reasons, but I don't think I could ever expose something that would hurt her. I let my men know I had already had her, so if the marks were seen no one would think anything. It's the only kindness I can give her, at least before she realizes the kind of man I truly am.
I walk under large trees that create a canopy above me, the leaves on the branches cast shadows along the deep greens of the grass where florals are crushed beneath my feet. Carnaxa lies below a tree, her light-blue hair spread around her. Her feet are bent at the knees, her skirt's split showing off the entirety of her left, tanned leg. The dress is a beautiful yellow and compliments her in so many ways, and on closer inspection, I notice it is a dress from Antalis, not one of the heavier ones she wore in Midaeliea or even this morning. Surely, she didn't think this dress was appropriate to arrive in Shaston in, or maybe, she's already heard we are waiting. Her top has blue crystals, the same color as her hair, around the edge catching what little sunlight shines through. A brilliant rainbow seems to encircle her, much like the one that was once in our sky.
Walking softly toward her, she doesn't budge and I notice she's sleeping. I hear the slow rhythm of her breath as I get closer. I hesitate and consider walking back to camp and just leave her be, but I also want to talk to her again. I like how she smiles and laughs, I like the look in her eyes when she struggles with her desire to argue with me or give in. I want to see more of that … fire, I know she's holding inside.
She stirs suddenly, lunging forward, her hand clutches her chest as she sits up straight. “Ereon. I'm so sorry ... you startled me.”
“Oh, no Princess, the fault is mine.” I sit down beside her and face her. “I wanted to check on you when I noticed you weren't with the rest of camp, I thought you had run off again. When Isaw you resting, I was fixing to head back that way.” Looking up at the sky, I let her know, “We've decided to stay the night, if you haven't heard.”
She rubs her eyes, slightly smearing the charcoal on her lids, then proceeds to run her hands through her hair. “It's quite alright if you would like to stay. I was just wanting to clear my head and found myself out here. Thylas knows where I am. He gave me strict instructions on how far I could stray from his sight. But, I realized I have never truly felt what it is like to sleep under a tree this large and thought I should try it before we leave.”
I can't help but smirk, both at her trying, and failing, to place distance between her guard and herself, but also because I know the feeling.
Folding my arms across my knees, I bend down chuckling softly, “I had to do the same thing on my first trip to a kingdom summit. I had never seen anything so beautiful as these trees. Coming from a land of sand, our trees are different and not at all like this. I made sure I slept under one as well.” I smile at her. “Princess … you look amazing.” The words spill from my mouth as they used to when I was a teenager, before I realized my lot in this life.
A blush creeps across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose as she looks away from me for a brief moment. She breathes deeply, turning her face to me once again. “Thank you.” She presses her hands along the folds of her dress, stretching out the wrinkles. “I realized I probably won't be able to wear many of my dresses from Antalis in the near future, and wanted to wear my favorites while I could.” She puts her hand over her mouth and speaks quickly, “I'm sorry. That probably came out wrong. I'll be honored to wear the styles of Shaston, of course.”
I want to roll my eyes at her determination to portray herself as an innocent princess. Willing to do what she must for herkingdom, but I know one day her act will fail her. That act will crumble. Because I've been there. Regardless I reach out, running my hand along the edge of her skirt. “Oh, trust me, Princess, I will miss seeing you in these dresses as well. The styles and traditions of Shaston will absolutely be a change for you but maybe we'll be able to find a way for some exceptions.”
