Dark Lightning (28 page)

‘I love you, Jynx. That is no illusion.’

She said with some alarm, ‘I do hope not. There is something I must tell you?’

‘What is it?’

‘Although we managed to get in, I have no idea how to get out. The passage I used has sealed itself.’

Tighe sighed and drew her into her arms. He wouldn’t complain if he had to spend eternity with her in this tomb. ‘Once we came through that door there was no going back. We’ll find a way forward when I’m a bit stronger. Is it day or night?’

‘I know not. We’ve been here for a long time ... though time seems to have no relevance. When you’re ready we’ll find a way together.’

‘I’m not ready yet.’ He kissed her mouth and felt hers tremble.

 She lowered her voice to a reverential whisper. ‘Is he really your ancestor?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I just have.’

‘Well, why didn’t you tell me you that you weren’t really a wolf?’

He grinned. ‘You wouldn’t have believed me, though it would have saved me from having to wear ribbons and garlands to match your clothes. ‘I did get some insight into your thoughts. Falcon would have blushed had he known how hard he made your blood beat. Why didn’t you take him when you had the opportunity?’

‘He’d changed, and I didn’t want to spend my life stuck in a palace and juggling with the politics that go with it. Besides, by that time I’d met you, and you were
irresistible.
’

 His laughter rang out. ‘So were you. We would still have become lovers. Then I would have killed Falcon, or he would have killed me and our destinies would have changed direction.’

She pressed her hands against her rapidly heating cheeks and tried not to giggle. ‘I should have left you for the eels to eat.’

‘Would you send me on alone Jynx my love; and when we’re only at the beginning of our journey together? You know we’ll be pursued, don’t you?’

‘I must admit I’ve not given it much thought, since I had other things on my mind.’ She gazed into his silver eyes and laughed. ‘You were a magnificent peregrine.’

His grin curled into her heart. ‘I was fond of that bird ... and before you ask, no, I will not change into one for your amusement or pleasure.’

‘I like you better as you are, but I will miss having Wulf at my side. Do you think Falcon will make a good ruler for Karshal and Arles?’

‘He’ll try, and to be fair, because of his early training he will try to be a wise one. But he hasn’t been brought up to rule and others will influence him. They will make their own destiny without you, and it will be as if you and Remy never lived.’

‘But we will be pursued. Why? Why do I have your protection? Who are you Tighe?’

‘I’m part of the air that flows around you and the deepest ocean that cleanses the shore and the soul. I’m part of the earth that gives us sustenance, the sun that warms you, part of your heart and of your smile ...’

She placed a finger over his mouth. ‘I know all that, and know I adore you. Who are you ... apart from being a descendant of the Grand Alchemist?’

‘A knight of the true brotherhood.’

‘And who am I?’

‘You’re a descendant of the Spirit of Light. The soul that pursues you comes from the pit of darkness and would extinguish that light. Remy guarded you from the moment you entered Greer’s womb, until it was time for you both to leave.’

 Fear made her tremble. ‘

‘I’ll protect you. That is my quest.’

She placed her mouth against the pulse beating under his jaw and he brought his face round to hers, murmuring. ‘I could eat you, my Jynx.’

‘Pray, do not. I can offer you a bowl of nutrient broth instead.’

He made a face.

‘Swallow it without fuss. Then, my brave knight of the true brotherhood we will sleep, for in your present condition you couldn’t protect me from a rapier wasp. When you wake your life energy will be restored and ...?’ Her expression teased, ‘who knows what you might be capable of?’

* * * *

Tighe woke before Jynx did and gazed down at her. She was pale from being inside the cave. Her skin was translucent and she was unashamedly naked under the thin sheet covering them. Her hair was a luminous frame for the delicate, ethereal beauty of her face.

He ran his fingertips over the perfection of her uptilted breast and the nubs came awake, like buds to the first touch of spring.

His body came awake too, suddenly and urgently – as rampant and lustful as a man who’d been denied for a lifetime.

He took her mouth to his in a gentle, loving possession, and sucked her bottom lip into a small, delicious pout. 

Her eyelids flickered, and then opened. She gazed into his eyes and made a murmuring sound deep in her throat, like the purr of a sleepy and contented cat. Then she stretched and the sheet slipped from her body. She moved into his arms, her skin cool and satiny against his.

His mouth dried and he tried, without success, to keep the lust from his smile. ‘That feels very much like encouragement to me.’

It was.

* * * *

Tighe left her resting and explored the cavern.

He found the body of the Grand Alchemist in a sealed crystal chamber. He was bearded, and gowned in a purple robe decorated with a jewelled collar. He held a book open in his hands.

Tighe knelt before him. ‘Esteemed ancestor, I ask for your blessing and request your guidance.’

As if a sudden draught had moved them, the pages of the book ruffled, then settled on a different page.

‘He who harnesses the power of the Dark Lightning will find the light.’

‘Dark Lightning,’ he whispered, and remembered the sword. Jynx had picked it up, and the strength of it when combined with the power of Jynx had kept him from faltering entirely.’

There was a rustling noise in the cavern as he made his way back to where he’d left Jynx.

She was wearing a midnight blue tunic and breeches. Neatly folded on the mattress was a pile of folded garments. ‘I thought you’d prefer that to the robe.’

 He grinned at her flushed face and kissed her mouth. ‘You’re beautiful. Have you still got the sword.’

She pointed upwards and he saw the sword hovering about them. ‘It has guarded us all night. I can ask the wishing dish to bring it down.’

‘You have no need too.’ He held up his hand, murmuring, ‘Dark Lightning.’ As light as a feather, the sword floated down to fit snugly into his hand.

He laid it on the mattress and changed into dark leather breeches, jerkin and boots and a cloak, approving her choice. There was a pack apiece, containing a change of clothing and some dried food and water bottles.

She set about tidying up. Pointed fingers disposed of any signs of their presence. Smoke and sparks rose, along with a cloud of dust.

At the back of the cavern someone coughed, and grumbled, ‘You should teach your woman how to do the housework properly? Hasn’t anyone told you to crook your fingers girl, it bends the beam and slows down the direct force.’

Tighe laughed. ‘She’s young, and will learn. Ready Jynx?’

She nodded, and he could see the excitement glittering in her eyes.

She gazed at the body of the alchemist with awe, and tiptoed past it, clinging on to his hand.

They came up against a blank wall. Placing the tip of the sword against it, he said, ‘Make a safe passage.’

The crack was deafening, the resulting cloud of sparks enormous.

 Jynx laughed, then whispered in her ear, ‘Hah ... and he said I made dust.’

The rock melted before her eyes. He held out the hand that grasped the sword and opened it. The weapon drifted off towards its rightful resting place in the cavern behind them. The gap in the rock behind them closed.

Jynx gasped. They were standing on a ledge high on a mountain. Beneath them, and as far as the eye could see, was a landscape of glittering lakes and greenery. A group of some half dozen animals grazed.

‘Landflights with wings,’ she whispered. ‘I saw one in a museum at Arles. Its wings were outspread and it was a magnificent creature. Where are we, Tighe? Is this a chimera?’

‘It’s real. We’re on the other side of the fiery mountains.’

‘I thought there was no way through.’

‘There are several, and the land area is vast and fertile.’ He whistled. A moment later a landflight spread its wings and circled the valley. It headed straight for them and hovered, making soft trilling sounds.

Sliding astride its back, Tighe held out a hand to her. ‘Come, my lady, you’ll enjoy this better than the flight of the peregrine.’

She sat before him, circled by his arms.

Jynx was certain the animal was Uffo, because when she tickled him under his wing he made the little trilling sound that sounded like laughter.

She grinned at him with sheer delight. ‘Where are you taking us, Uffo?’

It might have been her imagination, but the animal turned his head and looked at Tighe, who gave a chuckle. ‘Surprise her.’

As they soared high into the air, Jynx knew she could only wait and see.

Copyright © 2013 by Janet Woods

Originally published by Belgrave House

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.