Aelethia's Hope. Leandra Martin

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СКАЧАТЬ as you looking different. You only look different to yourself. You are still the exotic beauty you were when you left. You have only become stronger."

      "Yes, well, I was no demure lady before, but now I know I have become something different."

      "There is only improvement. He’ll see the difference, but I know that he’ll see something even better than what he had when you left. It’ll be okay, Melenthia; you’ll see."

      She sighed. "I hope you're right, Sol. I can’t live without him in my life. I need him."

      "And he needs you."

      Tomaz had said nothing the entire conversation, only looked ahead and kept watch on the road. They had had no incidences since leaving Vallis, but Tomaz knew that Fallon knew they were out in the open again and unprotected by the spell which kept her safe in the ancient city. He had seen the rider in town when they got into Mercer. He would be inconspicuous to most, but Tomaz knew a spy when he saw one. The man was cautious but not covert, curious but not too open. He saw him asking questions and knew what he was up to. He caught the man looking in their direction once, and that's all it took. He would have reported to Fallon by now that the princess was on the move. He was not trying to avoid talking to his traveling companions but had to keep wary for anything amiss. The princess’ life depended on it. He knew Fallon had already taken his seat on Aaralyn's throne but knew that his real campaign would not start until he had Melenthia in his possession. He could not protect Melenthia from his mind probing. She would have to be strong on her own against that. She would also have to stay strong enough to keep Fallon at bay, then go into war with her kingdom. Tomaz would fight beside her, as would Sol, but his teaching her what she needed was finished. He had faith that she was capable and knew what she needed for when the time came. She would have to survive until she was face to face with Fallon, and that part was something Tomaz or Sol could not interfere in.

      Sol looked over to Tomaz deep in thought beside them and smiled. "You seem awfully quiet over there, my friend. Are you still with us?"

      "Yes. I am keeping alert for trouble and am trying to keep my mind clear."

      "Ever vigilant, valiant warrior?"

      Tomaz smiled at the friendly jest. "Something like that."

      "Is there something you know that we should be concerned with?"

      He answered Sol but was looking at Melenthia when he spoke. "There was a man in town asking questions and trying to be covert about it. Fallon still has spies about, and I would bet my life that he was asking questions about her. I have a feeling Fallon knows she is out of the safety of Vallis' walls now and I am keeping vigilant of trouble. It would be easy for him to try to get to us out here."

      She frowned. "Maybe we should not stop tonight then. Maybe we should keep going until we reach the safety of the keep’s walls."

      "We are still too far from the castle to keep going without rest. We still have a way to go. Wearing the horses and ourselves down will not keep you any safer. We just have to keep watch in shifts and do not let our guard down for a moment."

      "I will take the first one tonight."

      "No, you will meditate and practice your exercises. You must remain focused at all times. He will attempt to get to you. Even the walls of the keep will not keep you safe from him. Remember the invasion of your mind before we left for Vallis?” She shivered at the memory. “He will try again. That you can be sure.”

      “How will I fight him off?”

      “You have the training now to keep your mind free of doubt and fear. Without those weaknesses, you can fight him off.”

      She inhaled deeply and let out a breath. They continued on for a few more hours before the sun started to make its way toward the horizon. The pre-autumn air was cool, but refreshing, and Melenthia was glad for the freshness of it. The nights were getting cold, however, and a fire was required. She was quite adept at starting one now, and she enjoyed showing off as Sol had done on their trip to Vallis all those months ago. The fire helped keep away some of the creatures that hunted at night, but the hunters formed from Fallon’s hands would not be skittish of the dancing flames. They had been formed from it, therefore would be drawn to it instead of running from it. She hoped they stayed hidden tonight.

      The fire was going, and the food was cooking. Since being in Vallis and not eating meat, Melenthia had grown accustomed to eating only what nature could provide. Fruits, berries, nuts and greens. She didn’t dislike meat, even after abstaining from it for so long, but she felt that she didn’t need it. The other foods satisfied her, and she could get her fill on them. She could also feel the connection with the animals of the land now, like the elves could do, and she felt one with them, a kindred spirit. She ate her fill now and moved away from the flames to meditate. Sol said he would take the first shift, leaving Tomaz to watch over them in the middle of the night until morning. He hardly needed the sleep she noticed.

      After she meditated and did some practice spells and focusing exercises, she crawled into her bedroll and curled up. It took her some time to let her mind calm down in order to drift off. There was so much in there. For so long she had thought of nothing else but her training and the path that was laid out before her. What she had to do and what would come, but in the last few days, as they had had hours in the saddle on open quiet roads, she had started to let Dain slip back into her thoughts. She put a hand to her chest now, feeling the necklace from him under her tunic and smiled. Oh, how she missed him terribly and was anxious to get home to him. She hoped that what Sol said was true, and her newfound bloodline and body would not change his feelings for her. She had felt his presence with her in Vallis, felt his heart beating with hers, but it had been long, and she hoped that absence did make the heart fonder and not forgetful.

      There would be a long road ahead of all of them. The time for war would come, and everyone in the kingdom would be forced to fight if they wanted to live free. Fallon’s grip had already tightened on half of the kingdom, and she suspected now that he knew she was in the open, his grip would get stronger. He would not let her get away a second time. She had to make sure she was calm and ready for him when he decided to strike. She breathed deep and blew out the fear in her heart. She closed her eyes and drifted off.

      ***

      Fallon was standing in the middle of the room, the sconces of flames creating dancing spirits on the dark walls. The room was cold and smelled of mildew, and the cauldron of fire in the center of the room made shadows on his face. His eyes were open but glazed over, and he was humming under his breath. His hands were over his head, and he was circling the pot. He finally stopped circling and lowered his hands, kneeling down, looking into the flames in a trancelike state. His lips cracked into an evil smile as he spoke.

      “Melenthia, how good it is to see you well.”

      The voice that came to him was in his head, and the smile grew larger when he heard its echo.

      “I’m well, Fallon, and nothing you can do will change that.”

      “I can feel your strength, Melenthia. You’re no longer a frightened girl, helpless against my mind-probe.”

      “No, I’m not. I’m not afraid of you any longer.”

      “Oh, you will be my dear. For now, just know that I sit on the throne, the rightful place for me in this kingdom, and you will be my wife, quietly supporting me by my side.”

      “You’re delusional, Fallon, if you think I’ll ever join you. You will lose.”

      Fallon СКАЧАТЬ