32. Galene
Chapter thirty-two
Galene
I drift out of the darkness and gradually shift into consciousness. I blink against the harsh light. I take several long moments to find my bearings and realize where I am, or what has happened. A pounding in my head dulls my thoughts, and when I try to move, my breath leaves me sharply and pain flares all over.
I’m on my bed, in my family's tent. How did I get here? Someone stirs, and I notice a man sitting on a stool beside me. Rourk is there, with his left arm in a sling. Scratches and bruises cover most of his face and arms, and his flesh is charred and blackened around his left shoulder, showing beneath his shirt.
“There you are.” Rourk’s voice is deeply familiar and comforting. “Steady. Go slow.”
I clear my throat, finding my voice hoarse. “What… happened?”
Rourk gives me a crooked smile that tells me everything is going to be okay, though there is pain in his eyes.
“You’re going to be okay. We won. The threat is gone. ”
My senses come back to me, as does a rising panic. “Leila. Jonah, Milo.”
“They’re safe. They’re out right now, but they’re going to be happy to see you awake. The healers told me you should wake up soon. I wanted to be here.”
I look around, as best I can without drawing fresh pain through my ribs. A bandage is firmly wrapped around my torso, beneath a floral-decorated blouse. My dress is also fresh and new. Rourk must see the questions on my face.
“You’ve been out for two days,” he says. “We got back early this morning. We lost… ten people. And many more are recovering from injuries. But the world is no longer in danger. We did it.”
“I thought I was dying,” I wince as I struggle to sit up. “Why am I not dead?”
Rourk helps me gently to sit up against the stack of pillows. “Because you’re too stubborn to die. And the Oathland healers got to you just in time. A minute later, and it might’ve been too late. It appears that healing magic is back in the world. But you need to take it easy. It will be some time before you’re back to full strength.”
That would explain why my strength has already begun to return. The weariness is gradually drifting from my mind. I gingerly feel the bandage on my stomach. Healed by magic. I’m not sure how to feel about that, but I’m relieved to be alive.
“The Oathlands turned out to be more powerful than we knew,” Rourk says. “A combination of griffins and magic helped them reach The Kingdom in time. Clio, the Fae Queen, led the rescue with my brother Arthur. They would be happy to meet you.”
“They are here?” I ask.
“They’re with the villagers outside. Do you want to try to stand? See how you feel?”
“I do. But, Rourk,” I say, touching his arm. “A moment. I… We said some things before I passed out. I want you to know I meant everything I said. I…”
His smile warms my heart. “I love you, too,” he says, and leans down to kiss me.
The taste of him fills me with renewed strength as I hold his head and pull him closer. We both laugh in relief. I’ve never felt so relaxed and happy before. Nothing on this level of joy.
Rourk gives me a firm look and says he has something he needs to tell me.
“Your father. Aldus.” He gives me a serious look. “I’m sorry to tell you. He was killed.” He swallows and tenses. “By my hand.”
Dark terror grips me. A chill washes over me, numbing everything.
“What happened?” My voice feels miles away.
“I had to weaken Thanek’s bloodline. Enough to defeat him,” he says. “And I… I had to do it, Galene. I had to kill your father. And he was trying to help Thanek return to power.”
Tears well in my eyes, but I don’t let them fall.
“I needed your sacrifice to be worth it,” Rourk continues, his voice hoarse. “I couldn’t lose you for nothing. And I know that you will never be able to look at me the same again. My bloodline has been nothing but poison to yours. And I—”
“That’s not true,” I whisper harshly, cutting him off. “You did not choose my father’s actions.”
“I chose mine.”
“And your decision was the right one.”
“He was still your father,” Rourk says. “I know he loved you, with all his heart. Even if he was misguided.”
I nod, feeling another chill. “I don’t hate you. Just so you know.”
A dark look passes over him, making me wonder what he isn’t saying.
“Leila knows he died,” Rourk says. “I have not given her any of the details, though. I wasn’t sure what you wanted to tell her.”
“I’ll talk to her later. Thank you.”
I live in a world without parents. I feel numb and lost, but the compassionate look from Rourk gives me a dull sense of hope.
Rourk helps me to stand with his one good arm. It takes me a while to support myself under my own weight, my body feeling fragile. I manage to walk, careful not to go too fast and bring on a bout of dizziness.
“So this is what it feels like, huh?” Rourk says as he helps me through the tent. “Just like old times.”
I grin at him, trying my best to look unimpressed. “Just like old times. It was more fun being the uninjured one, though.”
“I would make you some berrybush tea,” he grins. “But you’ll likely just throw it at me.”
“Hey, I threw it at the wall, not at you. ”
As we make our way through the tent to the bright daylight streaming in through the gaps of the entrance flaps, Rourk tells me how Clio and Arthur have stayed in the Shanti village as honored guests while the rest of the Oathlands soldiers returned home.
I stop him before we exit the tent and turn to face him, pressing myself against him. He wraps his arms around me. We take a moment to just stare into each other’s eyes, observing our faces and having an unspoken conversation. We smile at each other, and then kiss.
I want to stay in his arms and be with him forever. There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more. I wince when a wave of pain hits me. Rourk looks at me with concern. “You need to take it easy, my love.” He kisses me on the forehead lovingly. “We need to get you back to bed.”
I pull away, but grab his hand. “Just a few minutes. I want to see a few people first.”
The warmth of familiarity and comfort overwhelms me when we step out into the village. It almost looks like the world hasn’t almost come to an end. But there is a heavy tension in the air that speaks of grieving and loss, mixing with the joy of victory.
I smile and give a small wave at the familiar faces who stop to look at me. It’s good to be back.
Rourk’s brother Arthur is a very large, muscular man with a short salt-and-pepper beard and intense eyes. He has the look of a king about him in his regal uniform and long cape. I see that haunting good looks run in the family.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Arthur tells me, gently shaking my hand. “And a relief to see you up and about. ”
His searching eyes remind me of Rourk, as do his heavy brows. “It is a pleasure to meet the King of the Oathlands,” I say. “Thank you for saving us.”
Arthur gives a wry grin. “Well, I am not actually a King. It is complicated. But close enough.”
“Well, whoever you are,” I smile back, “It is good to meet you.”
Arthur chuckles. “I like her,” he says to Rourk. He has that playful, mischievous gleam in his dark and brooding eyes, like Rourk.
Someone calls my name. Leila and the boys are rushing up to me. My heart swells at the sight of them. They swoop me up in their arms and we bounce with joy, holding each other. I fight through the electrifying pain shooting through me so I can keep holding them and enjoy the moment.
“Go easy,” Leila scolds the boys for squeezing me too tight. She presses a hand on my hand and thanks Arthur and Rourk for bringing me back.
A look of pained torture constricts Leila’s features, though she attempts a small smile. I know the look. Mourning for our father. I wonder what exactly she’s been told. Can I ever tell her the truth about our father?
I crouch and ruffle Milo’s hair, pulling Jonah closer. “Oh, it’s so good to see you all.”
“We were so worried about you,” Johan whispers in my ear, before kissing my cheek.
I notice Rourk stepping closer to his brother and overhear their discussion .
“I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me,” Rourk says. “But I was sure it was Tabetha. She is still missing, right?”
“You saw correctly,” Arthur says. “Tabetha was indeed in The Kingdom. Clio told me all about it. We were thinking of a way to go and get her without starting another war. But we found her before we left the city this morning, and she has been returned home. She was with a good family. She was cared for and treated well.”
Rourk shakes his head in bewilderment. “That’s a relief. How did she end up in The Kingdom?”
Arthur places a hand on Rourk’s good shoulder. “A story for another time.”
I notice the withdrawn, heavy expressions of the villagers around me. A tense sadness is in the air. We mourn our dead while we celebrate the survival of our world. I’m still acclimatizing to everything and want to ask who we’ve lost, but I don’t think my fragile mind can take that information right now. I still have to accept that my father is no longer with us.
Magdalena and Colm walk over to us, accompanied by a red-haired woman I have not seen before. This newcomer has a petite frame, but she carries herself with a commanding, regal presence, her oval face pale and smooth. Her silver and white corseted gown speaks of royal palaces and grand balls, making her stand out among the rest of us.
The graceful woman steps up to Arthur with a smile. “We have been invited to a celebration festival tonight in the village. ”
“We will mourn our dead and bless the land, as is our custom,” Magdalena says.
“A celebration is in order,” Arthur agrees. “The resilience and spirit of the Shanti People is admirable.”
Something flashes in my mind. A glimpse of Rourk’s thoughts. I hadn’t realized I had become so connected to him, or that my ability has developed to this level of ease. What I sense, however, stuns me.
Rourk knows that Magdalena and Colm are the true elders who lead us. Along with Yovin, Abby, and… my father. The elders we know are merely the faces of the true people who have been governing and advising us. I feel like the ground has shifted and I need to collect myself.
Rourk has no intention of revealing what he knows. He sees it as not his business.
My mind races with jumbled thoughts. Our elders have been puppets to the true leaders hiding among us. My father kept so much from me I don’t think I ever really knew the man he was. I wonder if my magic has become clearer and stronger after the battle, and if that had a hand in my recovery, accounting for how I’ve been healing so fast. Have I also become more connected to Rourk? There is a great deal I need to explore once my head stops spinning.
“We hope you can join us,” Colm says to Arthur and Clio. “It would be our honor to host you.”
“I’m afraid we must be going,” Arthur says. “We have a very challenging time ahead and lots to take care of.”
“We are in talks with The Kingdom,” Clio’s voice is smooth. “We may have a chance for a peace treaty. The first of its kind. ”
Rourk straightens beside me. “Peace between The Oathlands and The Kingdom? Is such a thing possible?” The tension in his voice tells me he doesn’t fully support the idea.
“The Kingdom is open to discussion,” Arthur says. “The last few days have changed everything. The Oathlands and The Shanti People coming to their aid. This could be the dawn of a new era of peace.”
Rourk raises his brows, bewildered. “The world keeps changing.”
“It is time for us to return home,” Arthur says, turning towards the griffins that are grazing in the field, waiting for them. Curious children watch and play with them.
It suddenly dawns on me that Rourk will be leaving. My throat catches and my chest tightens. Rourk keeps his arm around me.
“It would be a shame to leave before the celebrations,” Rourk tells them.
Arthur grins at him. “You have also changed, brother.”
“The world is a new place,” Rourk says. “We should all get used to change.”
Clio is watching us closely with a small smile. “We could stay for some of that stew that smells delicious.” She nods to the cauldron over the central campfire, where sister wives are preparing a meal.
I wonder if she suggested staying for the stew because she sensed Rourk’s apprehension about leaving.
Magdalena and Colm are happy to host them for a short while before they return home. Jonah asks if Clio could show them a magic trick, which makes them laugh .
A wave of nausea hits me when pain flares in my stomach. Rourk supports me with his good arm.
“I’ll join you in a bit,” he says to the others. “Galene should rest now.”
“I can take her,” Leila says.
Rourk gives her a small, reassuring nod. “I’ve got her.”
Leila straightens, her eyebrows rising. She gives us a look that says, Oh you do, do you?
Rourk nods to Arthur and Clio. “It really is good to see you both.”
Clio gives Rourk a knowing smile. There seems to be a lot of unspoken words between her and Rourk.
“We are glad we could help,” Clio says. “Now we know of the Shanti People here, we would be happy to build a trade route and share resources, to help each other.”
“Actually,” Rourk says. “The Shanti People pride themselves on their independence and prefer to stay out of the affairs of the rest of the world. It’s their way.”
“Well,” Madgalena says. “My mother is an elder, and she was telling us how they have been looking to make some changes. I believe they would be very happy to open channels between us and The Oathlands.”
“Please, let us discuss this more over some stew,” Colm says. “I will bring the elders. They will be happy to meet you.”
Rourk looks stunned. “I guess the world really is changing,” he mutters.
He helps me back to my family tent, where we can be alone.