Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
ALINA
The first direct rays of sunlight brushed against the stone floor and softly touched the wall tapestry, making the cherry tree depicted on it nearly shine with the brightest tint of pink and gentle green.
I moved my gaze to May, who quietly stood by the enlarged wall mirror.
Her face remained pale, but strangely focused.
While staying with me, and showing loyalty to her lord, she was putting herself in danger.
Did she expect that her night would end in the room that belonged to one of the clan leader’s mistresses?
Did she know that she would be a part of a wedding ceremony between an illegitimate heiress of the red crown and a new clan leader so severely injured, that he didn’t even know he was getting married?
I switched my gaze to Sage, who straightened his silk robe as if trying to make himself look the part he was undertaking.
Was there any other way? What would Tynan say when he learned what I did?
I pressed my lips tightly together, unwilling to be indecisive at this very moment. Some situations were simply inevitable. I had to make a call based on what I knew, and if I was wrong, I would have to face the outcome when the danger was over.
“I’m ready,” I said.
Sage looked at me, his light eyes were filled with some new emotions.
I could feel the change in him. He looked me straight in the eye, there was none of his usual sarcasm or lightness to his tone.
I could only suppose that he, too, understood the severity of our situation.
He started his speech. He talked long about the sacred connection that could never be broken, about hearts that longed to be together in this world and all the others.
His voice rose, gathering strength and conviction, so much so that chills ran down my spine.
At last he turned to face me and Tynan, who was still unconscious.
I stood by Tynan’s side. From time to time, my eyes landed on his face. The lines in the corners of his eyes softened, his lips parted. He was getting better every hour as he rested and I was going to protect his sleep the same way he always protected mine.
Nothing about this ceremony was like anything I had ever envisioned. I had always dreamed of flowers and a skillfully crafted white dress. As it turned out, I never really wanted all of that. All I wanted was to be with the man I loved, and all the rest was nothing but useless embellishments.
Sage turned to May, and without exchanging a word, she handed him a thin strip of lace.
The fabric was nearly see through, on its surface I could see the outlines of the spring flowers just like the ones that grew by Grace’s cottage.
Stupefied, I allowed Sage to join my hand with Tynan’s and secure the ribbon over.
“By the powers given me by the spirits of the first dragons. I pronounce a holy union between Alina Walliwan, daughter of the first dragon and Tynan Darragh, the son of the clan of black and its leader. With all the powers given me by the gods and the spirit of the first dragon mother, I pronounce you one holy being. We all came from fire and in fire we return.” He lowered his head, blowing on our hands and flames sparked, burning my skin.
I gasped, not daring to move, enduring the sharp sting of pain.
The fabric ignited and its strands curled upward.
The scent of burning silk filled my lungs and moments later I could not breathe.
Then as fast as a flash of light, the fire died down.
That was it. It was done. I just did something that could never be undone.
I bound us by a sacred, unbreakable rite.
I thought I was going to feel the weight of this new oath, but my heart was as light as a feather, as if I just got rid of all the burdens I carried.
Suddenly, even the air I breathed seemed more nourishing, liberating.
Slowly, I leaned over Tynan, softly pressing my lips against his. Strands of my hair brushed his cheek.
For long hours I remained seated in the chair watching over Tynan.
The sun was slowly setting and the long shadows crawled over the floor reaching the chair I was in.
Just like the darkest thoughts that filled my head.
When a light knock sounded at the door, I rose from my chair and stepped softly on the floor.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“Milady, it’s May.” Her muffled voice came from the other side.
I unlocked the door and let the maid in. She was holding a tray with dinner. The smell of food immediately exploded in the room and only then I realized that I had not eaten all day.
“What’s happening outside?” I asked.
“Sage announced the marriage and the kitchen was ordered to feed all the newcomers and pour our best wine.” May responded.
“Wine? Is that necessary?”
“I’m not sure, but they are, at least, occupied for now.”
I nodded.
How much more time did we have? To have this many warriors confined in one place without a leader in sight was dangerous.
“Alina.” The voice came from the bed and I forgot about everything.
He truly was my light, the only person I could not live without. And to be with him I would give everything, more than everything, I would give him my immortal soul if he ever wanted it.
I approached the bed, reading every line on his face, so deeply affected that I could hardly conceal the depth of my feelings.
“You’re awake! How do you feel?” I asked, longing to hold him in my arms.
“Good.”
“Would you like some water?”
I took his hand into mine and his thumb immediately brushed against my fingers. A light smile played on his perfect lips. He would never understand how my heart ached for him, every moment he was not with me.
“Yes.”
I picked up a glass and filled it to the brim, noticing that my hands were shaking.
“May, could you tell Sage that Lord Darragh is awake?” I asked, watching Tynan’s eyes taking in the new surroundings.
Then she was gone. For a moment, I listened to the sounds of footsteps and voices coming from the lower levels. Then I locked the door behind her and returned to the bed.
“Come here,” Tynan’s voice broke the silence.
“I didn't know you were awake.” I climbed into bed and carefully lied beside him.
Only now, I could finally relax. I did not have to pretend that I was strong. He was back. And the softest, deepest feeling of peace coated my body, and soothed my anxiety.
He watched me with his half closed eyes.
“How do you feel?” I asked.
“Fine.”
“There’s no more temple water. I’m afraid we have to use human medicine.”
Tynan moved his arm and his mouth pressed into a thin line.
“Does it hurt?” I asked.
“It’s not bad.”
“You have to rest. Every time I have an injury, sleep helps a lot,” I said, placing my head on the pillow.
“I’m not used to spending so much time in bed.” Tynan closed his eyes.
I turned to the side table and picked up a pitcher with a willow bark tincture and poured it into a cup.
“Here. Take this. I swear it’s not poisoned,” I added in a lighter tone.
His lips twitched, but he could barely sit up, so I placed the cup to his lips.
As he swallowed the medicine, I thought about touching his hair, and pressing my lips against his skin. But, I remained where I was, not wanting to hurt him.
“Alina, the next couple of days may get difficult,” he finally said.
“What do you mean?”
“Power has changed hands. Things are not settled, and I’m too injured to take control. I need at least another two days to heal enough.”
“What are you saying?”
“Don’t try to take any sides. Protect yourself.” He paused.
His dark umber eyes met mine and I saw a multitude of emotions. Worry, stubbornness, and somewhere deep down, traces of deep underlined fear.
“I need to know that you’re safe, no matter what’s to come,” he finally said.
“Don’t worry about me. Concentrate on getting better,” I said.
Now that he was awake, everything I had done seemed rushed, and not very well thought out. Did I just force him into marriage without knowing if he would even agree to it? My courage left me. I could not tell him what had happened while he was unconscious.
“What’s wrong?” Tynan asked.
“Nothing.”
“Are you sure?” His eyebrows furrowed.
“Yes.”
“Why are we in this room?” He glanced around.
“It was more quiet, and I thought we would have more privacy. We have some warriors from other clans staying here.”
Tynan’s face paled, he attempted to get up, but immediately dropped down to the pillow.
“What are you doing? The healer said that you have to rest.”
“I have to—”
“No!” I pushed him back on the bed. “There’s nothing for you to do. The cooks made dinner for everyone and Sage is distributing wine.” To hide my tension, I got out of bed. “All of them are having their best time. There’s no need for you to get up. Take some rest, regain your strength.”
“Is that true?”
“Of course,” I lied, pulling the blanket over his chest.
Tynan nodded and his head relaxed on the pillow, even the small effort of talking seemed to drain his energy. After forcing him to eat some meat broth and bread, I watched him as he lay back looking exhausted.
I bit my lip. How much longer could I keep deceiving him? Another light knock broke the silence, and I carefully stepped on the plush carpet.
“May?”
“It’s me, milady,” the soft voice answered from the corridor.
“Is something wrong?”
“Sage wants to see you.”
“At this hour?”
“He said it was urgent.”
I glanced back toward the bed. Tynan was asleep. I picked up my shawl and opened the door.
As we walked through the halls, I could hear more voices. Shouts, and loud bursts of laughter. The absence of authority had to end soon, or the people of Darragh could fall victims to so many male warriors confined in one place.
“Is everything peaceful between the clans?” I asked May.
“For the most part. But there is some frustration that milord has not met with the clan elders.”
I pressed my lips together. They knew very well why he was unable to. They wanted to provoke another conflict and challenge Tynan, but I was not going to let that happen.
At last, we approached Hanoch’s study and I walked into the dimly lit room filled with books and maps spread out on the massive wooden table.
Just like the day before, Sage was neatly groomed and dressed in what I assumed was a head seer’s robe.
He looked much more polished than I had ever seen him before.
“Milady.” He bowed.
“Sage,” I returned his greeting.
“How is the health of our lord?”
“He’s getting better.”
“But not good enough to meet me in person?”
I made my facial expression blank, unwilling to say anything else.
“Everything has gone in our favor, for the most part. But, all the food and wine in the land won’t hold back their questions and inquiries about the new leader. The predators can smell blood. Despite all the talks, and very convincing arguments on my part, the clan elders want to see Tynan.”
“Alright. Tell them that we will hold a formal meeting by the end of the week.”
“I’m afraid that’s not going to be soon enough,” Sage responded.
“When?” I licked my lips.
“Tomorrow morning,” he responded and his eyes searched my face.
He knew what was on my mind. He could not be blind to the difficulty of the situation we were in. Tynan was not well enough to partake in a public meeting, moreover to fight anyone.
“Is there a way to delay it?” I asked, keeping my chin high.
“Your plan worked brilliantly. You managed to get us a whole day and night, but there’s no way we can avoid them any longer. Among the warriors, there are some who would challenge him because they saw how injured he was. Also, the fact that we don’t have any healing water is very well known.”
“What should we do then?” I asked.
“It may be a good idea to smuggle him out until he can completely recover. I have a reliable candidate who could fly him outside the clan borders tonight.” Sage touched his well combed beard.
“He would never agree.”
“There’s not much else we can do. Unless you are confident he can meet the clan.”
I looked at the polished wooden floor, thinking. Thinking, and not finding any better way of solving this. Nothing seemed like a good alternative. Tynan would never agree to flee his clan, even if that meant that he would be placing himself in danger.
“I need to think about it.”
“We don’t have much time, milady.” He bowed.
“I understand.”