Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two) (19 page)

Daegan stared up at the sky for a brief moment then gazed at Kaeleigh and her broken countenance, contemplating how much he should say. “I’m not entirely sure of all he was, but he’s more than a mentor to me. He is my friend.” He looked sadly at Hal then gave Kaeleigh a look, willing her to understand. She simply chewed her bottom lip and acknowledged him, giving him reason to believe she understood he didn’t want to say more here for some reason.

“We turn back, all of us,” he stated.

Kaeleigh sighed, deeply relieved she wouldn’t have to beg him. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Daegan nodded subtly. “We’ll need to make it look official,” he added, looking to Hal and at Shoston, who was still quietly sitting on his horse waiting for orders. “If someone stops us on the way, we are being escorted by you.” He pointed to Hal and Shoston. “We heard there was danger not far off and you wanted to check it out since it was not too far out of our way. Understood?” he asked, surveying the nods of everyone before them. Taking stock of their two horses and six people, Daegan began making seating arrangements. “Chel and Finn ride with Shoston. Kaeleigh, you and I will ride with Hal.”

After he handed out orders, fully expecting everyone to follow, he jumped on Hal’s horse, taking the reins and reaching his hand down to assist Kaeleigh, but she stood there with a question in her expression. “Don’t you think if it is to be believed that we are being ‘escorted’ you probably should let Hal take the reins?” Daegan grunted, but got off the horse and gestured for Hal to take his place. Hal gave a short laugh and nodded his appreciation toward Kaeleigh. Daegan frowned, but offered to help Kaeleigh up after Hal. Grabbing her hand, Hal pulled her up while Daegan grabbed her waist and pushed her up onto the enormous horse, sending shooting tingles where his hands had rested even though brief.

“Can these horses support all our weight?” Kaeleigh asked. Despite its size she worried for the beast beneath her.

Hal nodded but Chel answered from her place behind Shoston on the other horse, which was a shiny chocolate brown with a jet-black mane. “They say they are strong and it is an insult to question their strength, Kaeleigh.”

Surprised, Kaeleigh reached down and patted her horse, which was a striking white on white, and apologizing and offering her appreciation to the animal, which gave a snort and a stamp of its front leg in recognition. Kaeleigh watched as Finn begrudgingly got up behind Chel and glanced Kaeleigh’s way with an expression she was not sure what to make of other than that he was not happy about this situation.
What am I going to do about him?
She missed her old friend and was afraid it also was her fault he was in this situation that he clearly didn’t want to be in. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed that Daegan had hopped up behind her until he bumped her back with his elbow as he was adjusting his sword. She gasped.

“Oh, Kaeleigh, please excuse me.” Daegan’s words were gentlemanly and sincere, but his eyes reflected great pain and chaos.

Kaeleigh wasn’t sure what to make of that and simply nodded.
Is he uncomfortable being close to me? No, that’s silly. He must just be as shaken at the thought of Hunter as I am.
She was unsettled as it was and found his strong currents of emotion especially unnerving. She steeled herself not to think about it too much as she could get pulled into the unrecoverable undertow. Kaeleigh had to focus on what they were about to possibly encounter and that dumped reality like a ton of bricks falling upon her head.

“Everyone ready?” Hal shouted as he began to turn his horse back in the direction that the others had come from. Shoston had made acquaintance with Chel and Finn and nodded at Hal, turning his own horse to follow. Hal gave Chel a sweeping bow and winked at her as they passed. She rolled her eyes but giggled nonetheless. Finn gave a “hmph” and told Chel to hold on to Shoston so she wouldn’t fall off. She glared at him but then quickly gripped the back of Shoston’s duster jacket as he took off, giving Finn a satisfactory “I told you so” laugh.

Once everyone was settled and secure with the motion of the horses they took off at a trot. Hal turned back to Kaeleigh. “You better hold onto me tight, we’re going to go faster.”

Kaeleigh already had her hands resting on Hal’s back to balance her so she lightly gripped the back of the leather vest he had on over a flouncy shirt with long sleeves that reminded her of a pirate blouse. It was an odd outfit and it reminded her of something Chel might find interesting. He also wore a thick strap of leather diagonally across his back which held a scabbard comfortably housing his sword.

“You’re going to need to hold tighter than that. I don’t bite... much,” he said with a maniacal sarcastic laugh. Her hands floundered about trying to figure the best place to hold on, and Hal laughed even louder. “Getting frisky on me, are ya?” Flustered Kaeleigh put her hands on her thighs, taking a deep breath.

She felt Daegan’s breath on her neck before she heard his words. He was leaning in close to her so she could hear him even though they both knew she had no problem hearing even when he whispered. “Hold on here,” he said as he placed his hands up high on her shoulders. A peaceful calm radiated through her at his touch while chills simultaneously ran down her neck and arms. “Or here for the best grip.” She tensed as Daegan placed his hands on her waist, sending flutters of electricity through her stomach. She breathed deeply, trying not to show him how she was affected. Kaeleigh placed her hands on Hal’s shoulders, gripping tightly as she didn’t want to send a confused message to Hal like the one she was getting from Daegan. She nodded, afraid to speak, concentrating too hard to temper her emotions and the betraying reactions her body was giving.

After some time, Daegan sensed Kaeleigh’s discomfort fading and he allowed himself an inner smile, which quickly was stolen by the distress and intense sadness that suddenly emanated from Kaeleigh. Putting one of his hands on her arm, he leaned closer. “Kaeleigh?”

She lowered her head and with a shaky and angry voice said, “I can’t lose him too! I just found him.”

From behind, he lowered his head so his forehead rested on her shoulder and he took a deep breath, squeezing her arm. “I know.” She reached back with her opposite hand to rest upon his hand on her arm and she squeezed back, knowing this caused him grief as well, perhaps even more—he had known Hunter much longer and deeper than she did. He raised his head, looking at their hands, then raised his eyes to see her head turned back looking into his eyes as well. For the briefest moment, there was a visible connection between them that seemed to lock them in a place where time and space did not exist. Then they were snapped back to the present as Shoston rode up next to Hal’s horse, a stern expression on his face.

Both Daegan and Hal reacted. “What is it?”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“We’re being tracked. I can sense the others approaching us but from the side,” Shoston said warily.

“The others?” Chel inquired.

“He means the other riders that were among us earlier,” Hal answered. “I do not know who among them is loyal to me if any.” He spoke directly to Daegan, looking for his input.

“Stick to the plan,” Daegan said, looking from Hal to Shoston. “You saw smoke as you were escorting us back and felt it was your duty to inquire if assistance was needed.” He paused then added, “If there is question to your response, play it down and accept their return in assisting you to take us in.”

Hal questioned with his eyes, but it was Kaeleigh who interrupted. “What? We have to know if Hunter is all right!” She spoke with an edge of panic.

“This is as it must be,” Daegan said with finality. “Hunter charged me with your safety. If we put up a fight now, then it will cause more problems with Maleina. We must not be associated with Hunter. That could prove detrimental.”

Kaeleigh locked eyes with his. “Detrimental to whom? Us? or you?” She dared him to answer. She knew he cared for Hunter, perhaps even loved him as a father, and she was probably hurting him but she couldn’t believe he would leave Hunter without aid unless... unless he already believed him to be gone.

To her surprise, he answered her, “Both.” He ran both hands down his face and sighed. “Kaeleigh, Hunter knew they were coming when we left him, I’m sure of it now. If there is hope, know that he can take care of himself and has many resources at his disposal. If there is not, then there was nothing we could do for him anyway and it will cause more trouble for us in the long run.” He saw the shock and hurt in her eyes, but there was nothing more to be done at this point. His decision was made.
This is what Hunter would have wanted.

Kaeleigh was furious. She was sure heat was rippling off of her in waves, but she also knew... he was right.
Swearword swearword swearword!!
Still, that didn’t mean she needed to like it or to agree with him. The parties on the other horse watched her—Shoston with possible awe at her combativeness with Daegan (maybe people didn’t usually contradict him), and Chel and Finn with sympathy at her potential loss
again,
which actually she hated. Kaeleigh faced forward and braced herself for what was coming. Hal continued riding, waiting for the others to come within range. Daegan whispered, “I’m sorry,” so faintly she wondered if it was to her or to Hunter. With a quick look at the ground, she was astounded to watch a green stem growing up out of the ground with a tiny bud opening to reveal an orchid bloom accompanied by a soft whisper in the wind: “
Your path is with the riders.
”

Mere moments later, Kaeleigh felt Hal stiffen and square his shoulders in front of her. Daegan’s tension radiated from him into her back. His hands were once again at her waist pulling her close to him as he leaned in to her ear. “Don’t do anything to warrant them placing you under arrest.” He moved one of his hands and patted her thigh where her sword was.
He must know what that does to me!. Why is he touching me? He’s trying to throw me off so I don’t get my emotions riled up. Fine, I get it!
He moved his other hand to rest on her other hip. She took deep, steadying breaths.
He’s just holding on, right? That’s where he showed me how to hold on to the person in front of me before. Breathe.

“Aren’t we already under arrest?” Kaeleigh retorted sarcastically but in a hushed tone.

“Not officially,” he spoke under his breath. “Trust me, you don’t want to find out what it’s like to be officially brought in under arrest. I know we haven’t had much practice with your sword, but if I give you a signal you use your sword however you can... You have enough rage in you to unleash on them if necessary and that
I
would be afraid to be on the receiving end of,” he said with a quiet smile.

“Very funny. Make light of the girl with the out-of-control emotional energy.” She said that a little louder now and everyone looked at her in shock. She shrugged. “I thought we should remain calm and normal...ish.” With a sarcastic smile, Kaeleigh looked at Daegan and batted her eyes, emphasizing she understood what he wanted from her.

“Ha!” Daegan let out a short laugh, then whispered in her ear, “Good girl.”

Kaeleigh wasn’t sure if she wanted to snuggle back into him for what his praise did to rile up the butterflies in her stomach or punch him for the way he knew how to push her buttons.

Everyone chatted and carried on trivial conversations. Even Finn, to Kaeleigh’s surprise, which told her how nervous he was for this encounter. He was trying not to stand out, she realized. She wished she knew more about him and his past while hoping that he was not recognized by the guards as they approached. Halister and Shoston didn’t join in, acting every bit like the removed escorts they were supposed to be. However, Hal had to interject every now and then because everyone knew his manner and his friendship with Daegan.

The other riders came into view with confusion on their faces as they saw Halister and Shoston leading their party in the wrong direction. The new “leader” held out a hand hailing Hal and shouted, “Master Halister! We thought you would be almost back home by now. Are you lost?” The leader laughed, obviously not respecting Hal. Kaeleigh felt Hal bristle underneath her grip, but he shook it off quickly.

“You would think, wouldn’t you, Roland?” Hal said lightly then quickly continued, “We were heading that way and then we saw smoke off in the distance. I felt it was my duty to the Paladin to inspect it and offer assistance to any in trouble. Did you see anything while on your short mission?” Hal spoke casually but baited the man.

The other rider gave a brief glare lined with confusion before recovering. “Of course you would offer assistance to any who needed aid, as your mother would expect no less to the crown.” He looked over everyone on the horses in front of him. “As it is, we passed near there and saw the smoke as well. Of course we felt the same duty and saw nothing more than a small house fire with no one needing aid,” he said with a shrug, “so we moved on.”

Kaeleigh tensed under Daegan’s hand still resting on her outer hip.
What if he’s... No! I can’t think that, not now. He has to be all right.
Daegan gave her hip a quick squeeze to get it together.
I’m getting it together! Maybe stop touching me and I could get it together better!
Kaeleigh thought strongly, so strongly that he removed his hand inconspicuously, or at least he thought he was inconspicuous.

“Very well,” Hal said. “Perhaps now that your other obligations are finished, you can assist us in escorting these back home.” He nodded to the group traveling with him and Shoston.

“Indeed, we rushed back as swiftly as we could in order to do so,” Roland said as he inclined his head toward Halister in a mock bow which made Hal bristle even further, but he refused to be baited by Roland and put his new friends in further danger. Hal nodded tightly and began riding again, expecting them all to fall in line as they would have done at any other time.

Except this time
was
different. He could feel something brewing that he had never felt before. Halister didn’t really have an affinity toward any extra gifts that he knew of, but he could feel this was wrong. Something his mother was a part of was very wrong. He just didn’t know what to do about it yet. He was pretty sure he would lose his family for what was about to happen, but he hoped to have Daegan on his side when that time came.