Chapter 34
How could it be? Griffith now saw auras?
She’d never spoken with anyone possessing this gift. Kallen was shocked by his words.
“We came together, Kallen. As close as two people can be. I can’t explain how it happened, but it did. I see them.” He studied her again. “What do the colors mean? Silver, close to you, and yellow streaming from it?”
She felt herself blushing. “’Tis hard to interpret my own aura, for I have never seen it.”
“Then at least tell me what the colors have meant in regard to others. Surely, you’ve seen them before?”
Kallen rose from the bed and stepped to the lone window. She stared out at the forest.
“Silver is rarely seen,” she began. “I have seen it around Savina. It has grown in hue over the years. Two priests that once visited the convent shone with it, as well. The best I can guess is that it stands for a goodness and grace, a selflessness that few possess.”
Griffith came and stood behind her. He wrapped his arms about her waist. “I can see that is you,” he said softly, his lips caressing her ear. “And the yellow?”
She smiled. “That is easy. It reflects my happiness.”
He pulled her even closer and brushed his lips along her nape. “Then mayhap I should work to bring out more yellow about you.”
A tingle of pleasure ran through Kallen, and she shivered. He turned her in his arms and pressed a kiss upon her mouth. She opened to him, longing to taste him again. Griffith’s tongue ran lightly along the inside edge of her mouth, teasing her.
Boldly, Kallen allowed her own tongue to dance with his. He groaned softly and tightened his grasp on her, his hands slipping to caress her bottom. The kiss grew more heated before Griffith broke away.
“You tempt me, sweetheart, but we must be on our way.” He held her at arms’ length. “Oh, how you do shimmer with color. I wonder if will last, this sight of mine.”
“We must keep this to ourselves, Griffith. There are few that understand something of this nature.”
“Of course.” He kissed her soundly. “I’m just glad ‘tis something I can share with you.”
He released her and doused the fire. He wrapped Deva’s cloak tightly about her then took her hand and led her out to the stables. Griffith saddled the horses and reached to help her mount.
His hands tightened about her waist. “Are you truly happy?”
Kallen whispered, “More than ever in my life.”
He kissed her and placed her in the saddle. “I love you, Kallen Sommersby.” He turned and glanced at the horses. “Do animals have no aura?”
She laughed. “From words of love to animals’ auras? No, I have never seen any animal project an aura.”
She saw Griffith was now bathed in a golden yellow. Her own aura must reflect the same, and she smiled at the thought.
He returned her smile and took her hand. “Ride with me,” he said. “I don’t think I can go the remaining hours to Sommerset without touching you.” She nodded, and Griffith removed her from the mare.
He tied Carrie to Satan and then set Kallen upon Satan’s back. Griffith climbed up and secured her to him.
“This is the way to ride,” he murmured in her ear.
Kallen snuggled against him. She understood at once that Satan was happy because his master was happy. She informed the stallion that she, too, was pleased with the situation.
Griffith set a steady pace, and they arrived at Sommersby about an hour past dusk. Kallen wished they could have approached the estate during the day, for it was too dark to see her new home clearly at this hour.
Still, friendly greetings abounded as they rode through the gates and into the bailey. She noticed at once how happy the people of Sommerset seemed at their young lord’s return. It caused her to glow with pride.
“Come,” Griffith urged her. “Let us go to the solar. I’m sure Mother is with Father. She often spends time with him after the evening meal, telling him about her day.”
They passed the steward, who rushed to catch up with them.
“My Lord Griffith?” he called.
“Yes? Is something wrong?”
The plump man nodded. “’Tis your father, my lord. He has taken a turn for the worse. Lady Braea does not expect him to live through the night. I sent word to you at Mangeron just this morning.”
Griffith frowned. “We must have missed the messenger along the road.” He turned to Kallen and clutched her hand tightly. "Come, love. Let us hurry.”
Kallen shook her head. “No, Griffith. I am but a stranger here. You need time alone with your father. I understand.”
He took both her hands in his. “Understand that I need you now, my sweet. Please come with me.”
They ascended the stairs together. She grew nervous, knowing she would meet Griffith’s mother at any moment.
She had wanted to make such a good impression upon his parents.
Now she arrived with her hair mussed by the wind and the stains of travel upon her, stepping into a trying situation, one that she felt inadequate to help with.
They quietly entered the solar. The darkened room was large, with high ceilings and massive furniture. The only light burned from a large fireplace. A woman sat next to the bed, a band of turquoise burning brightly about her. She turned, and Kallen’s eyes met hers.
Brows arched, the woman assessed her in the blink of an eye. Kallen could tell she’d been a great beauty in her own time, and she still was impressive. Her face was unlined, and her cheekbones high. Her jaw was strong. Kallen determined that she would not suffer fools gladly.
Lady Braea watched as Griffith crossed the room and kissed her, and her face lit up in a radiant smile.
“’Tis good to see you, my son.” Her eyes flicked back to Kallen again. “And who is this visitor you bring?”
He held out his hand and she took it.
“’Tis Kallen de Mangeron, Mother. My bride.” He gazed with love at her and squeezed her hand in reassurance. “A long story for sure, and one we’ll share with you shortly.”
The noblewoman’s lips twitched in amusement. “You always were full of surprises, Griffith.” She embraced Kallen. “I welcome you to Sommerset, child. I am Braea.”
Griffith’s mother glanced to the bed, and Kallen’s eyes followed. A man lay there, emaciated and pale, his breathing shallow. He had a look of Griffith about him, but what concerned Kallen most was his aura.
Braea turned back to Kallen. “You seem exhausted, dear. ‘Tis a long ride from Mangeron.”
“You don’t know the half of it, Mother,” Griffith interjected. “Could you see to Kallen’s comfort? A hot bath and some food and wine would be appreciated.”
Her husband smiled at her. “I’ll be along shortly, love. I want to spend a few minutes with Father.”
Braea took Kallen’s arm and escorted her into the dimly lit corridor. “I’ll see to the hot water and food for you both. Why don’t you stay here, Kallen? Griffith needs your strength.”
Kallen frowned at her new mother-in-law. “Griffith asked to be alone, my lady. I would honor his wishes in such a time of sorrow.”
Braea laughed softly. “I am strong. My daughter Deva is, too. Griffith couldn’t possibly be attracted to any other kind of woman. He needs your strength now. Return to him.” With a gentle squeeze of Kallen’s hand, Braea left her.
Kallen paused at the door before entering. She had admired Deva from the moment they’d met and now added Braea to that list. She entered the room again and crossed to where Griffith knelt beside the bed, his hands wrapped around his father’s.
He looked up and smiled. “I see Mother is already ordering you about.”
Kallen placed a hand on his shoulder. “She probably could see how much I wanted to be with you.”
He placed a hand atop hers. “She is a remarkable woman. You’ll grow to love her. Her aura was turquoise, was it not? I could see it clearly.”
“Yes. She must be a very practical woman, very organized, and yet compassionate.”
Griffith nodded. “That describes her well.” He turned his attention back to the bed. “And Father? What do you see about him?”
She stared at the bed. It so reminded her of Bevia when her mother lingered between life and death.
“I see a murkiness about him, muted tones of green. They are shot through with red and orange flecks.” Kallen bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Griffith. This signals his end is near.”
“I see the same thing.” He sighed. “He’s been ill for some time. A horse kicked him in the head, and he’s lain abed for several years, never able to communicate with us. But this is different.”
“Yes.”
He hesitated a moment. “What will death bring, Kallen?”
“As he dies, his aura will start to weaken. It will fade from view until almost the very end. Then just before death, it will expand. Bevia’s was a beautiful pale blue shot with silver sparks. It hovered over her for only a moment, and then it dissolved until nothing surrounded her.”
Her eyes returned to the bed. The aura encircling Griffith’s father already became faint.
Then his eyes opened. He blinked several times, focusing on those gathered around him.
“Griffith?” he said weakly.
“Yes, Father, I am here.”
The dying nobleman frowned slightly. “Who is this?” he rasped.
“This is my bride, Kallen de Mangeron. Both Deva and I have married from the same family.”
“Give me your hand, child.”
Kallen slipped her hands around the old man’s. His eyes closed. A contented look appeared on his face.
“Care for him,” he said, his voice but a whisper. “Love him. ‘Tis a good man he is.”
“Yes, my lord,” she replied. “I already love him beyond measure.”
“Tell Braea... she was... my... life.” His eyes closed. The aura about him faded until there was no color present, then a brilliant gold shone, quickly melting away.