Episode 187 Dread
Dread
Cerian follows as Tharios crosses the vestibule to knock on their parents’ door, and Arisanna looks horrified.
“Forgive me for interrupting,” Tharios calls through the door. “It’s Tharios. We need to talk.”
Father takes a full minute to emerge, looking very quickly put together. “What is it?”
“I’m sorry,” Tharios says. “I know I prescribed more flesh contact, but this couldn’t wait.”
Whistling wind. How does Tharios manage conversations like this without being awkward? It seems Cerian got all the visions and enough awkwardness for both of them. At least Cerian’s better about such things than Arisanna is. She looks ready to melt into the floor.
“It’s fine,” Father says. “Is everyone all right? Viala? Elowyn and Rominy?”
“Viala is fine. She’s still sleeping.”
“And Elowyn?”
Tharios glances Cerian’s way, and Cerian finds his voice. “She’s fine, as far as I know. It isn’t about her this time.”
“I think they’re still in the arena,” Tharios says. “Should we—”
“No. Leave them be.” Father turns serious eyes toward Cerian. He must have guessed Cerian had another vision. “Let me check on your mother. Then we’ll talk.”
Soon, they gather in Mother and Father’s chamber as all eyes turn to Cerian.
“I had another vision,” he says.
Father nods. “I suspected as much.”
Hopefully, they won’t think he’s overreacting.
“Wait,” Mother says. “Let me get Mera. She knows more about Pera’s visions than anyone.”
Perhaps Grandmera will be able to help them interpret it.
Mother leaves and soon returns with Grandmera, who looks somber. If anyone will take this seriously, she will.
“Go ahead, my elfling,” Father says.
Cerian takes a deep breath before diving in. “It was a short vision. A simple one. I saw the barracks. Tharios was there, walking away from one of the small guest houses they use for important visitors.”
Father frowns at that but says nothing.
“Viala was there, too, but she looked like she was waiting outside for you, Tharios. And Rafelis was walking beside you, and...and...”
“It’s all right, my littlest love,” Mother says. “Take a deep breath and keep going.”
He does as she says, glancing at Arisanna, who squeezes his hand.
Then he turns back to the others. “Deridyn was there.”
“Deridyn?” Father says. “Is Deridyn even here?”
“I haven’t seen or heard from him in ages,” Mother says. “Uncle Quilian might know. Or Rafelis.”
“Rafelis told me yesterday that they’re expecting him any day now to meet Nestial,” Tharios says quietly.
Whistling wind. Cerian’s stomach roils. It must happen today. Whatever it is.
“I’ll send word to Rafelis as soon as we’re done here,” Father says. “But I’m guessing they have a guest this morning.”
“What else did you see?” Mother asks.
“That’s just it,” Cerian says. “There was nothing else. Just the four of them at the barracks. But I felt...I felt—”
“Dread,” Grandmera says matter-of-factly. “Restoval’s visions were often similar. Short snippets of sight accompanied by overwhelming feelings. Sometimes good. Sometimes not.”
“You looked somber,” Cerian says to Tharios. “As if something upsetting had occurred.”
“But why would I visit a guest house at the barracks today?” Tharios asks. “Not that I don’t believe you. I do. Every word. But I’m uncertain how to interpret this.”
Father sighs. “Valethan is being held in a guest house. His injury made a holding cell inappropriate, which Cerian had no way of knowing. I believe we need to take this seriously. Thank you for coming to us.”
“But why would I talk to Valethan?” Tharios asks. “I don’t wish to speak to him. I’d rather strangle him.”
Father turns to the window. “Because he’s been adamant about speaking to you and no one else. I went to the barracks late last night, hoping he might parley with his king instead of his prince, but he merely stared at the ceiling and said he’d only speak to you.”
“Why did no one tell me?” Tharios asks.
“Your father and I refused to interrupt your night,” Mother says. “It’s up to you whether you wish to speak to him today. You don’t need to do this.”
“If Cerian saw Tharios doing this, he will do this,” Grandmera says. “Every vision Restoval ever had came true.”
For a moment, Cerian wishes he’d kept all of this to himself.
That would help no one, though.
“Why take Deridyn?” Tharios asks.
Father and Mother exchange yet another glance, and this time, Mother sighs. “Healer Cadowyn told us Valethan has an elfling. A daughter. That’s why he only works at the healing center in the mornings. The mother of his child was an Outerlander.”
“Was?” Tharios asks.
“That’s all Healer Cadowyn could tell me,” Father says. “Valethan never disclosed the details of his lover’s death.”
“Lover?” Tharios says. “He trysted with an Outerlander without the cover of a binding? Are you sure I should take Deridyn? You know how Outerlanders feel about such things.”
Everyone looks at Cerian again, and he shrugs. “Deridyn was there. That’s all I know.”
“I suppose I should contact Rafelis and inform the barracks you’ll be paying them a visit,” Father says.
“Are you sure about this?” Mother asks Tharios, and regret fills Cerian again for his part in making Tharios do something he doesn’t wish to do.
Tharios glances down at his hands before looking up again.
“If Valethan Fressenia has a half-Outerlander daughter to whom he’s devoted, then there’s more going on here than I can explain.
I believe we owe it to him and to Lostariel to uncover the truth, regardless of my personal feelings about the man. ”
“There is wisdom in this, young one,” Grandmera says.
“But I want Viala protected by someone I trust implicitly every minute we’re there,” Tharios says, and before anyone can respond, Cerian straightens.
“I’ll go. There was one more person in the vision,” he says quietly. “The one watching it all unfold.”
Surprise crosses Tharios’s face, but he nods. “Thank you, Cer.”
“Can I be that far from Arisanna?” Cerian looks from Father to Mother. “Because I don’t want her there.”
“Cerian,” Arisanna says, but he doesn’t waver.
“Perhaps I should go,” Mother offers, but Father shakes his head.
“Valethan won’t talk if he senses either of us nearby.”
“The barracks aren’t far,” Grandmera says. “If the magic hasn’t changed since you and Nestraya bound your hearts, I believe they will be fine for a short time, as were the two of you at this point in your heartbinding, if you recall.”
“Will you be able to focus?” Arisanna asks him.
“Yes.”
As long as Arisanna is safe, he’ll do whatever it takes to help Tharios be strong today.
He won’t let Tharios down.
“Mmm,” Elowyn murmurs as she curls closer to Rominy. The skylights in the ceiling above let in the morning light, and she smiles as she trails her fingers over his bare chest. “I like waking up like this.”
“Which part?” he asks in an adorably scratchy voice.
“Every part.”
“I’m certainly not complaining.” He holds her close and presses his lips to the top of her head. “I suppose we shouldn’t hog the arena all day.”
She sighs. He’s right. Several of Pera’s elite warriors like to use the arena first thing in the morning.
“We should go,” she says quietly against him. “Which is a shame because my fire magic feels less volatile than usual around you. I wish we could stay here all morning and try again.”
Rominy pulls back enough to look into her eyes. “Are you saying it worked?”
“What you did to me last night?” She crawls on top of him. “I think it did.”
“This is going in the wrong direction,” he says, but he doesn’t complain when she finds his lips with her own.
Her fire is there, but it’s more manageable than it usually is when he kisses her. Whether that would last is hard to say. If only they could find out.
They really should free up the arena, though.
Not that any of Pera’s elite warriors would hold it against her if she and Rominy stayed. But they’re probably all on edge and eager to work out their own restless magic.
It would be unkind to prevent them from doing so just because she wants to experience Rominy’s touch again in the real world.
They have the heartlanding, and they’ll reach Celesta soon enough.
With a groan, she pulls away. “We really should go.”
He runs his hands over his face and nods. “Give me a minute to cool down.”
“Forgive me. I—”
“Nope. No apologizing. Why don’t you get dressed? I’ll join you in a minute.”
She crawls off him and finds her clothes before combing her fingers through her hair, and soon they’re both dressed again as she gathers the damp blanket and he collects the picnic basket.
Rominy pauses at the door.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“It just occurred to me that my guards have been out there all night,” he whispers.
“I assume so, yes. They follow you everywhere.”
Surely he’s used to it by now.
“They’re not na?ve.”
She almost laughs. “Rominy. I’m sure they know exactly what we came in here to do. Besides, isn’t this part of your duty to your kingdom? To—what’s the human phrase? Bed your wife?”
Rominy swings his gaze toward her. “It sounds so much less romantic when you say it like that. But point taken. I suppose Jonas is probably back by now, anyway.”
“He usually is in the mornings. Come on. It will be fine.”
Rominy sighs before nodding, and Elowyn unlocks the door and pulls it open.
It isn’t Jonas. That’s odd. He’s usually nearby when they wake.
Neither of Rominy’s guards does more than glance their way, though a hint of amusement fills the eyes of the one on the left. He quickly schools his features.
Before Rominy can say anything, one of Pera’s elite warriors jogs past with a serious expression.
“What’s wrong?” Elowyn asks, and he slows down to answer.
“Your father wants me to find Rafelis and see if Second Deridyn arrived recently. Something about a vision, but he didn’t elaborate.” Yedelis nods toward Rominy. “My prince.” Then he turns and continues on his way.
A vision?
“Where’s Jonas?” Rominy asks his guards.
“He and Third Taliel haven’t returned, Your Highness.”
Rominy frowns. “They what?”
“They probably stayed the night,” Elowyn murmurs. “Taliel lives there.”
Someone having a vision is more concerning than where Taliel and Jonas slept last night.
“Taliel lives with her brother?” Rominy asks. “I somehow missed that.”
Elowyn nods. “I’m sure they’re fine.”
“Do all elves have visions?”
“It’s rare. My grandpera had them.”
“Cerian does, too.”
Elowyn stares at Rominy. “What?”
“That’s how he knew you were sick. He saved your life, El. He was in Feressa when my telegram arrived because he knew something was wrong, but he didn’t know what, and he was trying to reach you. Tharios never would have made it in time if Cerian hadn’t been there to deliver the message.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me that?”
Rominy shrugs. “We were all busy trying to save your life.”
Cerian ventured into Nunia to check on her? Her eyes prickle, and she blinks a few times.
Rominy’s expression softens. “Let’s find out what’s going on and check on Cerian, all right? I’m sure Jonas will show up eventually.”
Elowyn slips her hand into Rominy’s and offers him a grateful smile. “Thank you, my love. For everything.”
He presses a kiss to her temple. “Lead the way. Unless you want me to risk getting us lost.”
She smiles at that and tugs him in the right direction.
Hopefully, Cerian is all right. And hopefully, his vision wasn’t something bad.