Chapter eleven #2
“That is enough, Alora!” My father’s voice echoed around the pillars.
“This is exactly why you will not be trained as a warrior. I had hoped this disrespectful behaviour would have faded after your pilgrimage to Nantu. Clearly, you haven’t been blessed by either of the gods.
Have your powers surfaced at all? Surely something has come from this pilgrimage!
” If I told my father that my powers had started to manifest, I would be bonded to Xavier within the next century.
No, I wouldn’t allow that to happen! Shaking my head, I gazed down at the floor.
“It appears you still have much to learn. Go to your chambers and wash. I am sick of the sight of you. Be sure to pray to Holy Ether. Maybe she will give you some grace. Not that you deserve it for disrespecting me!” When he turned away from me, Elin fell into his open arms, kissing him passionately.
“I have no idea what to do with her,” I heard him mutter as I walked to the exit.
“Wait until her powers surface. Once she bonds to Xavier, Alora will be his problem.” Sparks shot out of my fingertips at her audacity.
I quickly looked around as I hid my hands, praying no one had seen.
Luckily there weren’t even guards nearby.
I had to get my powers in check. I couldn’t afford for anyone to find out.
****
NOOR, NELL AND LUZ were playing with Loki and Enyo when I entered my chamber.
“Gods, Noor, why don’t you invite everyone into my chamber?” I joked as Loki and Enyo rushed over to me. I had granted entry to them all just prior to my pilgrimage. “Hey, pups! Did you miss me?” Loki began pawing at my leg, demanding to be picked up.
“You need to explain from the beginning,” Nell demanded, slumping down onto my bed. “Uri couldn’t see you, Alora! What have you gotten yourself involved with?”
“I met a Noxlin.” All three of their eyes went wide. “Have any of you been face to face with one before?”
“Of course not! If we’re on the battlefield, we’re protected by our army because of our power. They would never risk us getting that close to those brutes.” Luz was shaking with rage. “You could have been killed!”
“This Noxlin...” Nell inquired, “was it male or female?”
“Male.” All three of them gasped. “He wasn’t hideous at all. And before you ask, no, he didn’t touch me! I am still pure.”
“Alora, how are you still alive if you had a run in with a male Noxlin!” Noor looked as if all the blood had drained from her face.
“He saved me from a noc beast and then let me go once he’d explained where the sacred mountain was. I made the pilgrimage alone. As I explained to my father, I have no idea why I was surrounded in darkness.”
“He must have been watching you,” Nell suggested, looking thoughtful.
“Uri saw a path that involved a Noxlin, but the outcome was difficult to read.” It was going to be difficult to keep up the pretence with my friends.
“Did you have any suspicions that he might be following you? Did you see any shadows or figures at all?”
“Why is it so hard to believe that he saved me and left!”
“That’s not the Noxlin way. They deceive with every breath they take, and do everything for a reason. You have no idea how cunning they are, Alora. Did he have any idea who you were?”
“Of course not! Do you think I’m a fool like my father does?”
“Your father doesn’t think you’re a fool, Alora.” Noor tried to sympathise. “He was out of his mind with worry while you were gone.” I found that hard to believe after the conversation we’d just had.
“Did you give anything away to this Noxlin? Jewellery, clothing...”
“Why would that be a worry?” Luz frowned.
“He might be able to track her here.” I doubted Darce would want to track me, but he didn’t have anything of mine, anyway. He’d even refused the part of my armour that I had offered him.
“I need you to tell me word for word what happened with this Noxlin male.” I was too tired for that right now.
“Nell, it’s over. I don’t want to relive a single second of it. I had to watch Raiden be ripped apart by a noc beast. All I want now is a bath and my bed.”
“This conversation is far from over,” she responded, frowning at me.
“Give her a break,” Noor chimed in, standing up. “Come on, let’s give the princess some space. Do you need a servant to draw you a bath? Do you want me to get the pups fed? Do you have a name for them?”
“Loki and Enyo,” I smiled, pointing to them individually as I said their name. “And, yes, please. They’ll both need a wash, too. There is no need for a servant to be called. I can draw my own bath, thank you.”
Scooping them up, Noor ushered Nell and Luz out of my chamber. “We’ll let you rest. I’ll bring Loki and Enyo back once they’re ready.” After nodding, I made my way towards my own plunge pool.
The light of the suns warmed my face as I stripped and slid into my bath. The warm water made my body strain in protest. Now that the pure adrenaline was easing, my body ached everywhere.
Submerging my head under the water, I washed all of the dirt from my hair. When I came back up for air, I gazed out into the distance, wondering what Darce was doing right now. Was he still in the Barren Lands or had he gone back home to Eallarim?
Four weeks and I would finally see him again. I only prayed it wouldn’t be our last meeting.
Darce had to train me. My destiny depended on it.