Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Time for Decisions
Where No Choice Comes Easy
Kaelan saw the change in Bria immediately. One moment she stood embracing Elara. The next, all color drained from her face. Her eyes widened, though whatever she looked at, it was not the room around her.
Fear struck him. Not the wild fear of battle and not the fear of an unseen enemy. It was the fear of seeing the woman he loved in distress and not knowing why.
He reached her before anyone else. “Bria.”
His arm went firmly around her waist.
She gasped.
The sound alone told him he was right. She had seen something.
Concern filled Elara’s face. “Is she not well?”
Wynn was already rising from her chair.
Kaelan eased her against him. “Nay.”
Neither looked convinced and, truthfully, neither was he.
Bria’s heart hammered against his chest. He could feel it.
“What happened?” Wynn asked.
Kaelan felt Bria’s fingers clutch at his shirt. A silent plea he easily understood. She needed time and privacy, and he intended to give her both.
“The journey here has been difficult,” he said. “She has had little rest since entering Driochmor.”
It was not entirely a lie.
Bria rested her forehead briefly against his chest.
Kaelan lowered his head slightly. “Can you walk?”
She nodded.
Relief struck him hard enough to nearly weaken his knees. He hid it well. Years of battle had taught him that.
“A bit of rest should do you good,” he said, anxious to get her to the cottage.
Bria looked up at him and nodded.
Kaelan wasted no time.
Whatever she had seen, whatever had shaken her so badly, he intended to learn the truth of it. And he intended to do so far from curious eyes and ears.
Kaelan kept his arm firmly around Bria as he guided her from the building and the entire walk back to the cottage. Several times he looked down at her. Each time his concern deepened.
The moment they stepped inside the cottage, Kaelan secured the door as Bria drifted near the hearth.
Crossing the room, he gathered her into his arms, and she rested her head against his chest.
Neither spoke.
Kaelan waited and only when he felt some of the tension leave her body, did he press a kiss to the top of her head.
“Wife.” His voice was gentle. Far gentler than most people ever heard from him.
Bria’s arms slipped around his waist.
He held her tighter. “What happened?”
For a moment he thought she might not answer. Then he felt her draw a slow breath.
“I saw her.”
Kaelan instinctively knew who she meant. “The woman from the mist.”
“Aye, it was her.”
He leaned back enough to look down at her. “What did you see, wife?”
“I saw Elara lying on the ground.”
Kaelan said nothing, letting her continue.
“Dar was there.” Her voice softened. “His pain was overwhelming.” She rested her cheek briefly against his chest. “The woman appeared then.”
Kaelan felt her fingers tighten against him.
“She went to Elara and placed her hand over her heart.”
Bria fell silent, struggling to understand what she saw.
“What happened then?” Kaelan asked, encouraging her to tell him more.
Bria lifted her head to look at him. “Power.”
The word sounded woefully inadequate.
“It surrounded her. Flowed through her.” She shook her head. “Nay, that is not right either.”
Kaelan remained silent, giving her time to sort it out.
Her voice dropped to little more than a whisper. “It was as though the woman commanded life itself.”
The words lingered between them.
Bria stared down at her hands. “I felt it, Kaelan.”
His arm tightened around her.
She looked up at him. “I felt her power.” The memory sent a shiver through her. “Death had already claimed Elara, but the woman did not accept it.”
Kaelan listened, trying to comprehend the impossible.
“Her power did not fight death.” She took a breath. “She simply overruled it.”
The enormity of the statement hung between them.
“Now I understand why kings and rulers search for her,” Bria said, “Why spies cross borders. Why tales persist. But now… I think the stories did not tell enough.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“That would be my great-grandmother,” Bria said.
Kaelan’s brow rose. “You are certain?”
Bria nodded. “She had to have sensed I saw something.”
A faint smile touched Kaelan’s lips. “You are becoming more like her quickly.”
Before Bria could respond, another knock sounded.
Kaelan crossed the room and opened the door.
Wynn stood there, concern in her eyes. Without waiting for an invitation, she stepped inside.
Her attention went straight to Bria. “Are you well?”
“I am,” Bria assured her with a faint smile.
Wynn studied her as though deciding whether to believe her. Then her gaze dropped and her expression changed instantly.
“What is that?” Wynn pointed.
Bria looked down at her chest. The leather cord had shifted and part of the pendant peeked from beneath her blouse. Instinctively, Bria’s hand went to it.
The reaction did not escape Wynn.
“Show me.”
The request came quietly, yet it carried the weight of command.
Bria glanced at her husband, and he dipped his head slightly. She understood his nod. He was letting her know he would stand by whatever she decided.
The exchange was not lost to Wynn.
There was no question that she could trust her great-grandmother. So, slowly, Bria drew the pendant free.
The moment Wynn saw it, all color drained from her face and the question came sharp and immediate. “Where did you get that?”
“You know what it is?”
Her gaze remained fixed on the pendant. “Where?”
Bria intended to get answers first. “Tell me what you know about it.”
Wynn remained silent for several moments. When she finally spoke, her voice was little more than a whisper. “It belonged to the Morvane Clan.”
Bria nor Kaelan exchanged a quick glance. Neither recognized the name.
Wynn slowly took a seat on a bench at the table as though old memories had suddenly become heavy.
“The Morvane, a clan in Driochmor,” Wynn explained, her gaze never leaving the pendant. “They possess powerful magic.” A troubled look crossed her face. “And they believe there should be no limits placed upon it.”
Silence settled over the cottage.
“The council forbade certain practices,” Wynn continued. “The Morvane ignored those warnings.”
“What sort of practices?” Kaelan asked.
Wynn finally looked up. “The kind that eventually lead good people down dark paths.”
Bria felt a chill sweep over her and her fingers tightened around the pendant.
Wynn noticed. “Where did you get it?”
Bria detailed how she and Kaelan came by the pendant.
Wynn’s eyes softened as she asked, “And what are you not telling me, granddaughter?”
“Only what I fear if you knew could cause you more problems,” Bria said, not wanting to put that burden on her great-grandmother.
Kaelan admired his wife for being wise enough to realize that and not hesitating to protect her great-grandmother.
“I am not sure if I should think you foolish or courageous, but I trust you and leave it at that. Just be careful, for the Morvane are known to keep what is theirs and with a piece missing from that pendant someone is bound to claim it.” Wynn looked to Kaelan.
“You will need the beast to protect her against the Morvane.”
“You know?” Kaelan asked, not surprised she did.
“Aye, I know the Northland. I visited there when I was young. There is much beauty there and isolation as well. I would love for you to take Bria there, but I sense she has no intention of leaving Scotara just yet.” She smiled, her voice taking on a commanding tone.
“I trust you will take her there when necessary.”
“Aye, I intend to,” Kaelan said without hesitation.
“Then I can sleep peacefully,” Wynn said content.
“Do I get a say in this?” Bria asked, looking from one to the other.
“Nay,” Kaelan and Wynn said in unison.
“Bria!”
The screech had them all cringing.
Wynn shook her head. “I have never met such an—”
“Annoying and pain in the butt fairy,” Kaelan finished as he went to the door.
Fiora flew right in as soon as the door opened a crack.
She flitted anxiously around the three of them. “You all need to come to the council building. The Hunter is there demanding an answer.”
Kaelan helped Wynn to her feet and Bria took her arm to walk out with her.
“Worry not, Bria, all will go well.”
It did not since moments later Wynn shocked them all, announcing she would go with the Hunters to the king.
Lord Oaken spoke up. “You most certainly will not.”
The other council members agreed, saying much the same.
It was Elara who voiced a different opinion.
“It might do good for Wynn to go and speak with King Dravic.”
The council members were quick to disagree.
“Nay.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Never.”
“Wynn stays here.”
“King Dravic could have imprisoned me or executed me, but he didn’t,” Elara said.
“Because you offered him something of value… your skills and entrance to Driochmor,” her grandfather said.
“Aye,” Elara said with a nod. “And think of what Wynn could offer the king and in turn have him realize he could benefit from the Wise and perhaps even more of those in Driochmor.”
Dar stepped beside her. “Once the king learns Tharne is recruiting in Driochmor, making promises to those who will fight for Drogath, he might realize it would be wise to make more friends than enemies here.”
“It is worth a try,” Wynn said. “Besides, I need no one’s permission to go. The Hunter waits outside impatiently. Summon him and let us be done with this.”
Bria stepped forward before Kaelan could hold her back. He knew what she was about to do, knew as soon as Wynn delivered the news that she would go to the king. And he did not like it one bit.
“I will go with you,” Bria announced.
“Nay,” Wynn said, shaking her head. “That is not necessary.”
“Necessary or not, I am going with you,” Bria said, leaving no room for her to be persuaded otherwise.
“Your husband might disagree,” Wynn said, looking to Kaelan and expecting him to do just that.
Kaelan stepped forward next to his wife. “While I would prefer her not to go with you, Wynn, I am a wise enough husband to know I cannot stop her, but I will see that she is kept safe.”
“Does anyone else wish to go with them?” Lord Oaken asked, looking around the room as if daring someone to speak up.
“I’ll go!”
Kaelan groaned. “Not the fairy.”