Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two) (11 page)

Letting out a sigh of relief, Kaeleigh dropped the rocks she was clutching. “You could have just told me you were there instead of lurking, Daegan!” Irritated, she added, “How long have you been there?” She was surprised she hadn’t heard him approach, or
felt
him for that matter. She had been able to feel his presence when he had been around before; she must have really been out of sorts when her panic attack had come on the way that it had.

Daegan stalked closer to where she was now standing with her hands on her hips. “Long enough to watch your very covert move to try and see who was behind you.” Again he laughed.

Even though it was at her expense she couldn’t help but smile at the sound of his laugh. It touched something deep inside her and she wanted to hear it again. Kaeleigh wanted to be annoyed, but lost the willfulness behind her remark. “What, that wasn’t stealthy enough for the warrior’s approval?” Then a sudden thought dawned on her and her irritation flared back up. She could tell that he noticed too as his relaxed expression was suddenly on guard again. “You’ve been following me, haven’t you?” Kaeleigh started pacing by the stream in short back and forth steps as she started in on a rant. “You don’t even need to answer that! I can’t even have a few minutes to myself to have a minor breakdown? I wasn’t stupid! I didn’t go that far, which you of course know.” She continued for another minute, going on about being a “big girl” and about “taking care of myself and have for many years,” clearly irate about the need for privacy to Daegan’s complete confusion.

“Kaeleigh.” Daegan’s commanding voice broke through her ranting and she immediately felt embarrassed and immature. He was still just standing and focused on her with an intense gaze a good twenty feet away by the tree that he had just come out from behind. His arms were crossed accentuating his very strong build and tight muscles. Not even giving her a second to blink, he was right in front of her, almost touching her but not close enough. His eyes pierced her with fury along with something else akin to being insulted. “I gave an oath that I would protect you!” he spat out a little more gruffly than he had intended to.

“So? If I run away from you, that’s on me... NOT on you. My choice!” Kaeleigh spewed back at him as she took a step closer.

With even more anger Daegan fired back, “Then you do not trust me to be able to fulfill my vow to you. You dishonor me by taking it so lightly. You do not understand a warrior’s vow.” He took a step backward and, giving her a mocking bow of his head, he turned to stand guard back by the tree from whence he came.

Kaeleigh’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “Daegan. Wait. I didn’t mean...” She jogged to catch up to him and grabbed his upper arm. When her delicate fingers gripped his very firm muscular bicep, there was a brief shock similar to what she had experienced before at his touch but this was almost painful. Quickly, she pulled her hand back to her chest, eyes wide with a shock. He spun back toward her, apparently also surprised as his eyes widened a fraction from the glare he had meant to bestow upon her and moved instead to the place where she had touched him... to the marking on his arm distinguishing him as one of the elite guards, then back to her with a hint of confusion and now concern.

“Daegan, I’m sorry,” she said genuinely. “I didn’t mean to dishonor you. I appreciate your service to me and my friends thus far, and I...” Kaeleigh swallowed her pride and her fear of being out of control of her own well-being. “I’m choosing to trust you, Daegan. I don’t give that easily, you need to know—whether you deserve it as my sworn protector or not.” Finishing her words, she looked back up into his eyes where she stared far longer than what was appropriate, but she couldn’t tear hers away.

He knew he was asking something of her that he hadn’t ever truly given to anyone before. Daegan knew it wasn’t fair, but he challenged her and she accepted. She was brave. He took another step closer. They were mere inches apart. She looked up at him with determination mixed with vulnerability at her choice. Daegan could see all the gold flecks of her eyes and how they sparked when her emotions were charged as they were now. Her chest rose and fell more frequently the closer they stood. He could lean in... but he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Daegan took a step back for both of them, breaking the spell that was drawing them close. He didn’t want to compromise his job to protect her or hers to save them all.

Suddenly awkward, Kaeleigh dropped her eyes and turned back toward the water’s edge, sitting, turning her back to him and tucking her knees to her chest. Taking a deep breath, almost imperceptibly she asked, “What am I supposed to do? I don’t know what the prophecy... what this place expects of me, not to mention that I am
one
girl and have no idea how I can help. I can barely cook myself dinner.”

Something pinched in his chest at her openness. Daegan took a few hesitant steps toward her, unsure if his approach would be welcome after their more than awkward almost kiss. He berated himself at the foolishness of letting his body react to her and then at his emotions for wanting to. Her dark long hair moved slightly in the slight breeze, the color reminding him of cinnamon. The memories of his dreams and the feel of the energy that had moved between them at their contact suddenly struck him.

At his intake of breath, she turned her head slowly toward him, but not looking all the way, afraid of the rejection she’d see in his eyes as her own filled with tears of helplessness. Even though she knew she didn’t mean anything to him other than a protection project, she couldn’t help but be drawn to him. She realized she
wanted
to kiss him... even if it would be a mistake. Deflated and embarrassed, she had more to think about than a what-might-have-been-kiss... like the future of an ENTIRE realm and people. Her shoulders sagged as she put her head between her knees, forcing herself to breathe and get control of her emotions and her nerves before energy exploded out from her, broadcasting her location to whoever didn’t want her here.

Daegan walked up right behind her, not wanting to invade the space that she was obviously needing to deal with what seemed like a panic attack. He stood close attempting to soothe her anxiety with the calming energy he was gifted with, although it usually worked better with physical contact, but he didn’t want to risk that at the moment. Neither of them spoke, but as he watched her breathing slow and her posture relax he assumed it was working. A space in his chest softened as he wondered what it would be like to go through so many changes and revelations—with more to come—in such a short period of time.

Suddenly, she leaned back against his legs, just sitting there absorbing the moment of peace he had tried to offer her as if it was normal—something she did all the time without even thinking about it. His fist clenched as he caught himself reaching out to touch a piece of her hair that was attempting to fly away. His throat cleared and she sat up slightly just as he retreated several steps. She kept her head forward, looking at the trees bending their will to the whims of the wind as it circled about each of them.

Hoping to disturb the awkward silence, he spoke, but it was deep and gruff. “It would be to your benefit to learn to fight... to use your sword, I mean, and whatever new gifts you have ascertained since your un-warding.” His gaze joined hers watching nature move and sway in its most natural element. It was beautiful; he couldn’t help but watch her as well. “I’m sure Hunter will be most helpful to you in that area, as well as Finn, he is a skilled fighter.”

Kaeleigh was shocked to hear him praise Finn. She turned to see the uncertainty and battle in his eyes as he backed away from her.
What war is he waging in that head of his?
The awkward moments from before was suddenly washed away by the realization that he felt unsure around her. She couldn’t imagine that the mighty warrior knew how to handle uncertainty. She chuckled internally, suddenly feeling lighter and more confident at the same time. Kaeleigh stood up and turned toward him. She nodded in agreement. “Would you help me too, Daegan?” She was sincere and thought that was the only reason he didn’t turn from her. He was oddly subdued and agreeable as he gave her a sharp nod.

“I will do what I am able.”

He turned from her then and headed back to Hunter’s. He paused momentarily, turning his head slightly, silently inviting her to accompany him back. She did.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Before they made it back inside the cottage, Hunter was waiting for them out front.

“My dear granddaughter, I realize that you just got some air, but would you humor an old man and take a short walk with me?”

“Old? You barely look over fifty!” Suddenly she looked back at him—really looked at him. “How old are you?”

“Quite old indeed,” he replied with a wink and a twinkle in his eye that made Kaeleigh smile.

Daegan looked uncomfortable letting Kaeleigh go but not because he didn’t think Hunter would keep her safe. Hunter looked back at him, giving him a nod. Without a word, Daegan went inside but not before he turned back to see Kaeleigh and Hunter walk to the edge of the grove heading into the trees, stopping where they were still within sight. He knew Hunter could erect a dome of silence so they didn’t need to go far for privacy, which made him a little more comfortable.

⚔⚔⚔

Peering out into the forest, the home he had grown to love for the last many years, Hunter sighed, turning to Kaeleighnna, and smiled. He still couldn’t believe that she was here in Alandria, here with him again. He was filled with joy at seeing her again, but also sadness at the reminder of what both of them had lost. She was beautiful like her mother, but also strong and stubborn like her father. She would be unlike any there had been before and she had no idea.

“I hope you don’t mind. I just wanted a moment or two to speak with you alone.”

“Not at all.” Kaeleigh smiled.

“I can’t imagine all that you are trying to process. My wish for you would have been for a different path, but that was not my decision.” He paused before continuing, “I feel time is short, and we need to discuss what comes next, but there is something I wanted to ask you about what your mother told you. I could sense that there was more you were reluctant to share for some reason.” Hunter muttered something then waved his hand out in front of him. “I have erected a dome of silence so that what we speak of may remain private from sensitive ears.” Hunter knew of Daegan’s enhanced hearing.

Kaeleigh watched with awe then sighed. “Yes. I’m not sure why but I felt I should keep it to myself at the time, but I don’t feel that now with you—she told me who she was, my mother, that is.”

“Trust your heart, Kaeleighnna. We may not always know the ‘why’ but there is always a reason.” He waited for her to continue.

She looked into his eyes and nodded. “Hunter, can you explain a little more about
who
I am? I mean, I understand that you are an Elf and so was my father, but my mother was a Faerie. And from what it sounded like, she was special?” Kaeleigh said with a bit of a blush.

Hunter chuckled. “Yes, she was
special
as you put it.”

“She was... but I mean she was royal, right?”

Watching Kaeleigh closely, he nodded slowly. “Eva was the daughter of the reigning king of Feraánmar, the territory of the Faeries and the Ferrishyn.”

Frowning, she thought for a moment. “So maybe it was Daegan that I wasn’t supposed to speak about it with? Do you know why?”

“Not exactly, but there is darkness infiltrating Alandria and I believe that some things need to be kept close to the heart during this time. I haven’t been able to gain much insight or information to prove any of my suspicions.” Hunter frowned with concern etched deep within the slight signs of aging on his face.

“I have seen a dark thread ensnared among a blue thread surrounding Daegan,” Kaeleigh told Hunter. “I don’t know why I see these threads of energy at all, do you know what it means?”

“Blue, you say?... Interesting. With black? That is a great concern regarding young Daegan.” Hunter looked sad, and then suddenly his features morphed into ones of anger. “It has to be something
they
have done! This is not the way,” he said, apparently to himself, then turned suddenly to Kaeleigh. “Kaeleighnna, you must be extremely careful and watchful around him. I know he would never do anything to hurt you, he is a warrior with great honor, but he is tied to some not so honorable.”

Kaeleigh suddenly felt very unsure. She hated that she had to question someone she had just chosen to trust. Needing to change the subject she blurted out, “Oh sh-shizzle!”
Yeah, that didn’t quite give the same satisfaction as a swear word would have. Good thing Chel wasn’t here to hear that one!
Kaeleigh laughed mentally. She turned to face Hunter’s absurdly quizzical expression at her odd outburst. “If my mom was the daughter, the princess, of the king of this Feraánmar place, does that make me...” She looked to him expectantly.

“A princess?” Hunter asked with a grandfatherly twinkle that knew too much.

Kaeleigh nodded with a gulp. She felt faint.

“Yes, Kaeleighnna, you are a princess.” He folded his hands in front of him, simply waiting to see her reaction.

“I need to sit down,” Kaeleigh said as she looked around frantically for a moment before she spotted a log not far from where they were and went to sit with her head between her legs for the second time this day.

Hunter, suddenly serious as he approached her, lifted her chin with his fingers, looking directly into her eyes and deep into her un-warded being. “Kaeleighnna iliathe´yll Sayaelílth of Lithnaí and of the Orchaedia...”

Kaeleigh’s attention was ensnared by his words and his intent. Magical energy began sparking wildly off Hunter snagged by the wind as it began to pick up motion around him, never leaving him as his eyes, now lit with magic, never left hers—synergizing his words creating life and reviving power as he named her... defined her, giving her meaning and purpose. It meant something significant. This moment would mark her and forever change who she had believed herself to be.