44. Chapter Forty Four Arryn
Chapter Forty Four: Arryn
“How much longer is this going to take?” Callum grumbled, pacing back and forth near the logs where we had chosen to rest. Rolling my eyes, I tried my best to ignore him, my patience all maxed out. We'd been here since watching Brannoc and Rhowyn walk off with the Ravens.
“Maybe we should just go. I'm sure we could track where they went. This is taking too long, and we have no way of knowing if they're okay or not,” Lennox chimed in, his anxiety chipping further away at my hold on my composure.
“We know she's fine. We'd feel it in the bond.” Baer tried reassuring them.
“Yeah, but you felt what we felt this morning, right? She's miserable. Something happened to her, and I don't know if I can sit here any longer. What if she needs us?” Lennox continued.
“I'll kill whoever hurt her,” Callum growled again, his eyes flashing from amber to gold, his wolf pushing to break free. The last thing we needed was to have him on a rampage.
“Enough!” I snapped. “We can't interfere. We need access to the water, and we can't jeopardize that chance because we're insecure fools.” I looked at each one of them. “We wait here until she lets us know she needs us. She's not in any danger, so we must trust that she knows what she's doing. That she can handle things as a Queen would.”
“He's right,” Baer chimed in. “If we run in there now, it'll only show that we don't trust her to handle things. It undermines her authority, and she won't like that.”
“Ugh! This sucks!” Lennox lamented, throwing himself backward to lie on the ground. Dramatic as ever. “I hate waiting.”
“You and me both,” Callum grumbled, apparently his wolf calmed at the thought of Rhowyn's ire.
Footsteps sounded out on the forest floor, all of us freezing as we listened. When the sound grew louder, I turned around to search out the source. There. Just barely visible among the trees.
We'd had to be careful about what we discussed, knowing that the Ravens were most likely in their invisible smoke form, listening closely to what we said. We refused to give up any information like amateurs. Now, they advanced in their fae form, which meant that there was another purpose for their approach. The guys all stood, flanking me as a form of support and delineating me as the leader of our group.
I wasn't sure when that had happened, but I wasn't surprised. Like Brannoc, I prided myself on my logic and cool-headed approach. Baer wanted nothing to do with the authority or power, as evidenced by the fact that he had shunned his role as heir to his parents’ lands, choosing instead to adventure. Lennox had spent too much time under the Queen's thumb, never having been allowed the opportunity to explore himself or his own conscience. And Callum. Well, he was a different beast entirely. He had been raised to inherit the lands of Autumn, to rule his people with honor and dignity, but after everything fell, he had been tortured for too long. The normally passionate and fiery nature that could be tamed had turned into something that was now explosive and raging in his fury. Understandably so. I didn't know if I could have reacted with the same dignity for as long as he had, but it had changed him.
Brannoc, on the other hand, was too independent, too stoic and logical. Though, lately, he had seemed to be flailing as he developed feelings for Rhowyn, which only made him spiral when he'd found out he was mated to her. I hadn't been confident with him being alone with her in this quest, but there had been no other option. However, there was no way I would voice my concerns about Brannoc's erratic behavior with the guys. They wouldn't understand that despite his profession and nature, there was no way he'd ever betray me or hurt Rhowyn. He'd rather die first.
Which just left me. I was the only one remaining that was able step up and take on the role, same as every other instance in my life. It was how I'd ended up as the leader of the rebellion, by being the best choice out of the options we had. Granted, I had a natural ability to read people and their motivations, which allowed me the opportunity to inspire them and keep them focused on the mission. It helped me cut off any problems before they could even arise, just by being proactive with a guiding word here and there.
I was fair and honorable, my word was my bond, and I didn't ask anything from anyone that I wasn't willing to do myself. All things that my father had drilled into me, training me to eventually become the Captain of the Queen's Guard, a position he had once held until Titania had been twisted by her power. In a fit of suspicion, she had executed my father as a traitor when he’d petitioned the court for assistance for our village. Clearly a false accusation because anyone who knew the man knew that he lived by the rule of law, believing that the highest form of honor was to serve faithfully.
I took advantage of his name and standing, following in his footsteps, playing to people's expectations of me, rising through the ranks through merit and deed. All the while, I had never stopped plotting a way to bring the Queen down for her bastardization of the role. When she'd taken my father, I had vowed that I would avenge him and would be responsible for her downfall. I had never dreamed that my way forward would be blessed by Avalonia through Rhowyn.
Taking a deep breath, I pulled my focus back to the Ravens that now approached us confidently. The warrior was back, the one who had led Rhowyn and Brannoc away yesterday, flanked by two other stoic-faced Ravens. Each of them with long, dark hair and purple eyes. Brannoc resembled them so closely. The only difference was his lack of blue and white tattoos. His were black instead of the ice blue color they wore, and the fact that he preferred to keep his hair shorter.
These Ravens had an air of wildness about them, of unpredictability, which made me wary. Despite knowing Brannoc well, I had to remind myself that he was nothing like the other Ravens. I couldn't expect them to react as he would.
“Consorts,” the warrior called out to us when he was ten feet away.
Dipping my head, I responded, “Ravens.”
“We come upon our Chieftain's request. Our council has made a determination on the Chosen's petition to our people, and the Chieftain has requested your presence as we share that decision. It is only right that you all be present.”
I could feel the excitement and eagerness from the guys behind me, our bond with Rhowyn allowing me to sense the strongest emotions from them. “We appreciate that. We're ready to follow you now,” I told him, my own need to see Rhowyn again rushing me now that we were so close to being with her.
“Of course. Follow us,” he instructed, his eyes taking in our weapons but not asking us to disarm. Which meant, he didn't fear what we could do with those weapons. We presented no threat to him or his people, a worrying thought when we were walking into an unknown situation.
Hopefully, their desire to bring us into the enclave meant that their decision was in our favor. I refused to dwell on any thoughts that Rhowyn had failed or had insulted them in some way, or that we were being marched to our deaths. It was my job to see all sides of the problem and to prepare for anything. Either way, there was no way we weren't going to follow them. We'd fight our way out, if necessary, but we would never leave Rhowyn to fight on her own. At least, this way, we'd be within reach of her and could ensure she made it out with what she needed.
None of us spoke as we followed the warriors. I could sense other Ravens in the woods around us, watching as we proceeded to their enclave, but I kept my eyes forward. I didn't want to give the impression that I didn't trust them, even if I didn't. They didn't need to know that, though. By believing we trusted them, they'd drop their guard which could mean the difference between life and death in a situation like this.
Finally, after thirty or forty minutes of marching through the dense foliage, the lead warrior held a limb back and allowed us passage. On the other side, a bright clearing that swarmed with Ravens was revealed, all of whom watched us closely and warily. Some from their walkways in the trees and others from the ground, clearly all in the middle of their daily tasks.
The guys circled around me as we stopped to take in the sight before us. A full kingdom was being run here, and I couldn't help the shock that ran through me. The High Fae had assumed that the Ravens were a dying race, but it seemed that they were prospering in this hidden oasis.
“Yes, we have been doing well for ourselves,” the warrior spoke from beside me. I barely held back the flinch of surprise, not having heard his approach. There was a reason they were so feared. They could move silently when they wanted. The footsteps we had heard earlier had been on purpose. They'd wanted us to know they were approaching.
Looking at him, I said, “I'm honestly glad to see that. All of Avalonia's people are important and shouldn't be hunted out of fear. It's just a shame that you have felt the need to hide from the rest of the fae.”
He nodded to me in acknowledgment. “We do what we must to ensure our race continues to thrive. We are still not what we once were, but with Avalonia's protection, we are on our way to becoming great and formidable once again.”
“As it should be,” I said honestly, earning a look of respect and surprise from the warriors.
“Come. It's this way.” He led us through the clearing, dodging the homes and buildings that had been carved from the very trees that surrounded us.
On the far side of the clearing, I began to take in the smell of water, knowing we were now close to the source we had been seeking. A mountain rose from the far side of the trees, a wide cave etched into the side. We approached the dark maw, no light escaping the shadows that engulfed the entire cave. I couldn't see a single thing past the edge of the entrance that met the side of the mountain. It was like someone had dropped a blanket over the front of it, hiding anything within from view.
The warrior walked confidently up to the opening, looking over his shoulder to see if we were following. As much as I wanted to discuss the feeling of wariness that passed over me at the thought of entering the unknown, I didn't want to give them the satisfaction. Again, I wanted them to believe we trusted them unerringly.
Unable to stop the deep inhalation of air as I stepped through the curtain of darkness, I felt the small electrical shocks that coursed across my skin as I passed through a barrier. It felt similar to the magic of the Trial selection, the magic identifying me and judging me in the span of one heartbeat to the next. As I crossed through the barrier, I let out the breath I had been holding, somehow knowing I had been granted access to a place that few had ever been allowed. I turned to watch as the others passed through, the same expression on their faces as I was sure was on mine.
Swiveling, I faced the warrior, prepared to ask what was next, only to find him smiling. “Good. Avalonia has indeed blessed all of you. For a moment, I had doubted you. Perhaps there's more to you all than meets the eye.”
“Just out of curiosity, what would have happened if we weren't found worthy?” Baer asked.
A huge smile graced the Warrior's face then. “You'd have been denied entry by means of death.”
“Oh, is that all? Gee, thanks for the head's up,” Lennox grumbled under his breath.
The warrior laughed then. “Come. Your Chosen waits up ahead.” He led us through a maze of tunnels that twisted and turned until it was difficult to remember the way we had come. I had to focus on remembering each turn in case we needed to make a hasty exit, but even my remarkable memory struggled to keep up.
After several minutes of walking, the cave widened, sunlight streaming in from somewhere miles above our head, revealing a small lake and sandy shore. Upon further inspection, there appeared to be no opening, the light coming from some unseen source, obviously magic.
Taking in the crowd of Ravens that littered the shoreside, we were brought to one side, the others giving us plenty of room as if we had some form of contagious disease. I opened my mouth to speak, but the warrior held up his hand. A woman stepped forward, dark hair and purple eyes shining in the light. Her long hair provided the only covering she wore other than the small cloth that was draped across the front.
“Ravens, we gather here for a momentous occasion. A sight not many of us have ever seen. We have agreed to grant access to Avalonia's pure waters, and now we stand as witness to the retrieval,” the woman spoke, clearly the Chieftain the warrior had spoken of. Facing another entrance to the grotto, she spoke loudly, “Please bring in the Chosen.”
A younger version of the woman nodded and turned, returning quickly with Rhowyn and Brannoc, who followed our girl, his eyes darting around to take in the threats to her. My chest swelled with pride at the sight before me. Rhowyn's hair was slicked back, and she was wearing a sheer dress, most of her body on clear display.
A hiss of inhalation sounded behind me, along with a whispered, “Damn.” My thoughts exactly, Baer.
We watched with bated breath as she walked forward, head held high until she stood before the Chieftain. “Rhowyn,” she said with a nod of her head.
“Chieftain Revna.” Rhowyn bowed slightly before rising to meet her eyes.
“It is my honor to grant you access to the waters before you. The one thing we ask is that you keep the waters pure, which is why we had you bathe until all the impurities had been washed from you. Now, I must ask that you disrobe and enter wholly yourself into the waters. From there, it is on Avalonia to grant you the final request.”
“Thank you for this,” Rhowyn told her. Moving to the shoreline, Rhowyn then lifted a hand to push down first one strap and then the other, letting her dress drop from her body. I clenched my fists at the thought of her revealing herself in front of all those who were present. Anger coursed through me at the thought of her having to do this while she was clearly uncomfortable with nudity.
Holding myself back, I heard a growl. I threw out a hand to stop Callum from storming over to Rhowyn like I so desperately wanted to do. “We can't interfere.”
“Listen to him,” the warrior said, his eyes narrowing in threat. “This must be done.”
Callum turned his back to the sight, but my eyes remained glued to the curves of Rhowyn's body as she stepped into the water, the ground sloping slowly. I watched as the water caressed her ankles, then her calves, her thick thighs until it cupped her ass. As she moved forward, the water covered her until nothing was visible except her shoulders and head.
I watched as she took a deep breath and then sank beneath the surface of the water. Fifteen seconds passed, then thirty, then a full minute and still the surface remained undisturbed. No movement was evident. It was then that I started to get nervous. Two minutes, and then five passed. Each second ratcheted up my anxiety until I nearly trembled with the effort of holding myself back.
“Is this normal?” Lennox demanded from the warrior.
The Chieftain turned to glare at him. “It takes as long as it must. She's in Avalonia's hands now, and there's nothing we can do to alter course.”
Lennox clamped his mouth shut as we continued to wait. Ten minutes now passed, and I was shifting from foot to foot, my body demanding I act, that I throw myself into the water and pull Rhowyn out forcefully, however I must.
Just as Callum pushed his way past me, intent on doing just that, Rhowyn's head burst from the depths of the water, gasping for air. She appeared unharmed, but now the question was, had she succeeded in obtaining the water we needed?