Bound by the Mist (Mists of Eria) (35 page)

She frowned, apparently not liking the perceived slur against humanity’s perceived fragility. “Just how far back was this? There’s not actual evidence you guys ever existed on Earth.”

Talion nodded. “I’m not surprised. I believe your world went through many dark ages, and much knowledge would’ve been lost.”

Maggie tossed a challenging look his way. “But that doesn’t explain why those who dig up and study what’s been buried for centuries wouldn’t find any evidence of your occupation.”

A contemplative mien stole over his face. “Mayhap we didn’t leave much behind for them to find and what we did more than likely returned to nature. That’s always been where we excelled: nature magic. It’s infused into almost everything we build and craft. Without us there to sustain it, many items would disintegrate rapidly. And what didn’t would obtain a decidedly human slant to it.”

Another advisor, Cian, sighed. “While this is very interesting, it doesn’t solve the issue at hand.” He turned his stern visage to Cal and Maggie. “Do you have the proper technology to carry out research of a medical kind?”

Instead of being cowed, Cal shared a look with Maggie before they giggled. Did they—their country—ever have the technology. It was like asking a duck if it liked water. “Yes,” the answer came in unison from them both.

Cal tapped her finger to her bottom lip. “Maggie, don’t you have a relative who’s a medical researcher?”

The possibilities highlighted by that question shone on Maggie’s face. “Hmm, yes. He and his colleagues study all manner of medically intriguing things, well, intriguing to them.” She grabbed Avrin’s hand in excitement, eliciting a grin from him. He didn’t seem to mind in the least. Very interesting. Could her friend be falling for the handsome elf and he for her?

For some reason, Cal watched Talion’s response. He gazed at his friend with a raised brow but only addressed the issue at hand. “If we can’t determine a solution ourselves, it seems the humans’ Earth will be a prime place to visit for such knowledge.”

He returned his gaze to Avrin. “You know many of the healers, as you trained as one yourself. Will you see to the master healers, making them ready and informing them of the discreetness of this endeavor? They’re to pour over their books and scrolls and dust off any pertinent equipment. For now, they can use samples taken from forest animals and livestock to hone whatever skills they’ll need. Please do this in all haste.” He gave a pointed stare at Avrin and Maggie’s clasped hands. “That is, if you can tear yourself away.”

Avrin sent Maggie a smile. “My fair one, by order of the king, I must remove myself from your presence. Until later.” He elegantly vacated his chair and leaned over Maggie’s hand to place a soft kiss on it.

Kenhel, apparently not to be outdone, swept from his chair before Maggie’s hand even returned to its spot upon the armrest. He grasped her hand and brought it up to his lips, letting them linger on her skin.

Talion watched it all unfold with an impassive face, his only sign of annoyance an eye roll. Could it be he thought the two males acted like fools over his adversary?

Cal shrugged off the thought and slid her hand into Relian’s. As his fingers enfolded hers, all the stresses of the day temporarily floated away. Things were looking up with a tentative plan in the formulation—one that might allow her to visit Earth.

***

Cal stuck her head furtively around the corner of the hallway. No, no one there. Privacy was a commodity in short supply. Over the past few days, everyone surrounding her seemed in perpetual movement. It was like a bad merry-go-round ride from which she couldn’t get off, her being the pole around which everyone spun.

Her head swam. Eriannon’s populace expended so much effort, food, time and other materials to pull off the bonding ceremony. Relian assured her all this was normal and expected. His father could do no less if he wanted to show full support for the upcoming union.

She disliked those political maneuverings but would have to get used to them. After all, she would face them for a long time to come. Blanching, she rubbed at the goose bumps that popped up on her skin. Her mind tried to shy away from looking too closely at a fact that still unsettled her, one she couldn’t truly comprehend and didn’t necessarily even want. She never dreamed of gaining immortality, and when it came coupled with a position of power and standing, the very notion of it all too often made her chest tight and painful.

She couldn’t even confide many of her concerns to Relian, for she rarely saw him. When she did, it was in the company of innumerable others. While she didn’t like the big crowds she found herself subjected to, there was one fortunate thing she learned from this gathering of society: which persons were friendly and open-minded and those who only played at it. The latter were easy to spot. Their amicable demeanor couldn’t hide the derision and superiority that leaked out toward her like poison. Again, like so many times before, she couldn’t say anybody was out rightly rude to her. But she definitely discovered whom she wanted behind her in a dark alley and whom she didn’t.

Cal shook her head. She needed to find her friend. Where was that girl? She wandered down less frequented corridors, figuring Maggie was probably doing the same, as she hadn’t been in her room. Not that this was surprising, for their rooms weren’t the private sanctuaries they once were. Seamstresses, handmaidens, ladies-in-waiting, plus various other figures filed in and out with alarming regularity.

She trod through a few more hallways and then groaned, not wanting to return to that chamber of chaos, but Maggie could be anywhere. Should she go back to her room to see if she’d returned? If she hadn’t, she could always ask a servant.

Just as she turned to start back, the sound of raised voices caught her attention. She paused. Could it be? One voice in particular sounded like Maggie’s. The other was lower in register but had a familiar ring to it.

Her feet moved toward the direction of the noise, even though her mind hadn’t consciously decided on movement. The female’s voice became louder. She frowned, pulling nervously on a lock of hair. Did she even want to see what was going on? She had enough concerns as it was.

However, her feet still propelled her down an adjoining corridor she vaguely remembered as leading outside. A dry smile came to her lips. Most hallways in the palace led outside at periodic intervals, so no surprise there.

As she rounded a corner, she froze and stared. Then blinked. And blinked again.

She’d indeed found Maggie. She just never expected to find her pinned up against the wall, hemmed in by arms that formed bands on either side of Maggie’s head. Cal retreated around the corner, peeking around it cautiously. Neither of the two people before her seemed aware of her presence, so she leaned in as closely as she dared.

The elf lowered his head nearer to Maggie’s. “Little girl, always so full of fire and not knowing when to be quiet.”

Maggie glared up at him. “Yeah, and I suppose you believe you’re the one who can shut me up.”

“I do?” he questioned, his voice soft. If it were possible, he lowered his head even more, and Cal almost gasped. His profile resembled Relian’s so much. The raised eyebrow was the same, the nose. But of course they would be.

Maggie sniffed derisively and tried to knock his hands away, but he didn’t yield.

“Are you so eager to escape my company, young one?”

“Well, aren’t you an Einstein.” Maggie’s voice spit out venom.

He merely gave her a bland look. “I’m afraid I don’t know this Einstein of which you speak. Is it a person, place, or thing?”

Maggie smirked. “My, my, know your definition of a noun, do you? Quite impressive.”

A mysterious smile curved his lips as he withdrew his arms and gazed down at Maggie. “I know a lot more than you could ever imagine.”

Maggie made a shrieking, strangled sound before she stormed off right toward where Cal hid. Cal withdrew her head from around the corner and pressed up against the wall, Maggie passing right by her. Her friend was indeed angry if she didn’t even notice her. Now she saw why Maggie was often in such a high-strung mood after a run-in with the elf. It was like watching a cat batting at a mouse, with Maggie as the prey.

Once Maggie was out of sight, she glanced around the corner to see if the king headed her way. She exhaled in relief. He still stood near the wall, his profile visible. A faraway look played across his thoughtful countenance, belying his previous nonchalance before he turned and walked off in the opposite direction.

Just what was that all about? Maggie and Talion sniping at each other was nothing new. She shrugged. Well, Relian did say his father enjoyed matching wits with Maggie.

Chapter 33

Cal stood with Relian, high up on a balcony overlooking the palace grounds and the town below. As she looked out over the landscape, the fact that winter hadn’t yet set in hit her with all the delicacy of a brick. Back in her world, her reality, the season would already be in full throttle.

“Why is it still so temperate? I thought time passed roughly the same way here as it does on Earth.” Cal’s voice rose from within the nest of Relian’s arms. Though their bonding ceremony happened tomorrow, both were in accord they snatch some time together before the event. It felt good to be in his arms again, and she didn’t realize how she missed these moments until now.

Amusement colored his voice. “If you remember, my people—soon to be our people—have some measure of control over nature. You were so surprised at the enchantments we placed on our windows, allowing fresh air and light in but keeping out all that is undesirable. We influence the weather in much the same way. We would never stop the seasons, for to do so would be folly, but we can blunt them where we will.”

“Wow, that’s one neat trick. So winter is not as brutal here as back where I come from?”

A smile spread over his face before he dropped a kiss on her nose. “While it is no magician’s trick, I guess it might seem so to you. Winter will visit, but the worst will only last for a week or so, at least in populated areas. The remainder of the season will probably be more temperate than what you’re used to and much shorter also.”

“Populated areas?”

“We no longer have the power to encompass larger areas, even if we desired to do so.” A softer and more introspective tone crept into Relian’s voice. His seriousness settled over her like a mantle.

She fidgeted with one of his braids. “Just one of the effects of the waning magic?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.” To Cal, everything gleamed less bright in the setting sun and only served to depress the atmosphere more. It was a heavy matter she didn’t want to have to dwell on right now. The upcoming ceremony was enough.

“Let’s talk on more pleasant matters, my dear.” He turned her around and framed her face between his hands. “I’m delighted our bonding will soon take place and that we’ll be together in mind, body, and soul.” Relian glanced away, disquiet overtaking his face.

Concern trickled through Cal. “What is it?” Through their tenuous bond, strong discomfort—one that had grown stronger over the past few days – flowed to her. She sensed it before, but when questioned, Relian evaded giving a real explanation.

He gazed over her head into the distance. “The uncompleted link is next to driving me mad.”

“What?” She couldn’t keep the astonishment out of her voice. He was in pain because of her and their unfinished bond and hadn’t told her about it?

“I didn’t want to influence you with the knowledge it has steadily grown stronger since your arrival here. We’ve rushed you into so many decisions no one should have to make. I couldn’t add this to the growing list of mitigating factors.” He shook his head in disgust. “I don’t know why I just told you when it will all be resolved soon.”

“Oh, Relian.” Cal breathed out a sigh and lightly slapped him on his chest. “I want to know these things. I’m not heartless. I desire to look after and care for your well-being.”

He pressed his lips to her forehead before bringing her hand up to his mouth. “That’s precisely why I didn’t inform you earlier.” He glanced down through the sweep of his lashes. “So you are not too angry with me?”

She battened down on an errant giggle trying to work its way loose. He sounded so like a child asking his parent if he were in much trouble. “I would like to say I am, but I don’t want to be angry with you tonight of all nights. I also understand your reasoning.” She poked him in the chest, so he didn’t get any ideas. “But it doesn’t mean I like it. Don’t make it a habit.” She fixed him with a steely glare. “Like you have been.”

“Yes, my lady.” The subservient tone of his voice caused her to laugh, and soon his laughter joined hers as he pulled her down into his lap.

***

So many people. That thought kept reverberating in Cal’s head. She wanted to slam the door shut, but there was no door to slam. Only the flaps of the tent’s entrance she poked her head from were available. She felt naked, exposed with only that flimsy covering. She wanted stone walls between her and the crowd.

The king was holding the ceremony on the same grounds where the celebration occurred—the same celebration they crashed by their arrival. Cal cringed and hoped for better luck this time.

Bowers of flowers, silk, and tulle were scattered about the clearing. Lamps hung from branches, whose leaves were only starting to turn color. Overall, it was a beautiful effect. Too bad she couldn’t enjoy it fully. She gripped the flaps between white fingers. She couldn’t go out there. She just couldn’t.

Maggie, Arrein, Vana, and the assorted handmaidens handpicked to serve for this occasion long stopped their attempts to comfort her. Ever blunt, her dear friend told her nothing would end her jitters except finalizing the bond through ceremony and consummation. Maggie grinned wickedly while saying this last part and caused all the attendants to giggle. She’d wanted to curl up in her elaborate dress but didn’t. She dared not do anything to wrinkle her dress or destroy her appearance.