The Silvering of Loran (22 page)

As before, Topen eased slowly towards her and grasped her hands when their bodies pressed tightly against each other. But this time, Loran lifted her mouth to Topen’s and kissed him while they became encircled in light. Their bodies glowed and lingered in euphoria in front of the mirror—for what seemed like an eternity to Loran—before merging and passing through the glass.

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n the early dawn, just as the last of the darkness gave way to the blinding rising sun, Topen sat atop Daramose and waited alone on the road in front of the castle. He peered down the well-worn road ahead of him and patted Daramose on the neck, while he indulged in the memory of his first meeting with Loran. Far ahead and over to a point on the wall, he spotted where Loran’s secret entrance to the castle resides. Because of their last bonded silvering, he now knew how important that memory is to her.

When Topen heard the sound of hooves behind him, he looked back to see Loran and her white mare, Hermesis, rushing towards him. They swiftly halted when they reached his side. Hermesis wore the same blanket under her saddle as Daramose—its backside laced with the silvering solution.

“Sorry I’m late.” Loran spoke her apologetic words quickly. “I just had a few extra items to pack.”

Topen leaned over and noticed the bulging saddlebags draped across Hermesis—a raised eyebrow was his only reaction.

“When we are at full gallop, let Hermesis sense Daramose’s rise into the air. As she follows, you only have to picture your destination in your mind to arrive there safely,” instructed Topen.

Loran nodded and tried to calm herself, to visualize Topen’s manor. She had discovered from their last bonded silvering that the entrance to Topen’s manor was just as she had once dreamed. So, when both of their horses bolted down the road, with the slightest of prompting from their riders, Loran could clearly see the manor in her mind

As they raced side by side, ever faster down the road, Daramose jumped high into the air, and Hermesis followed him without hesitation.

The sky was glowing with their ghostly trails when all four disappeared in mid-air, immediately after two quick snapping sounds. They left behind only wisps of smoke, which soon faded into the sky.

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