Alora: The Wander-Jewel (Alora Series Book 1) (21 page)

“What’s dating?”

Wesley felt his face getting progressively redder. “Do you like some other guy?” Why did he even ask? She probably wasn’t interested anyway.

“Oh!” Arista’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, uhmm. No. Well, I’m too young to marry. So, I don’t like anyone.”

“Jeez! I wasn’t talking about getting married! Don’t you have some kind of in-between thing, where you just kind of spend time with a guy?”

“Well, not really. We don’t believe in getting married until we’re a lot older, so they don’t want us to spend a lot of time with boys while we’re young.” She leaned in to whisper, as if there were someone nearby who might be eavesdropping. “But you and I have been spending time together, and no one has objected so far. Of course, my parents are going to be really mad when I get home anyway.”

“Well, I was kind of hoping for more than that. But I have to go home soon, so I guess it doesn’t really matter.”

“You have to leave?”

“Yeah. My parents don’t even know I’m here. I just thought it would be a one-time thing, coming here to help Kaevin. But... well... if I thought I could see you again, I might try to come back.”

“I hope you come back. We could see each other.”

“We could?” His chest constricted with hope.

“And I can show you how to make your own bow.”

“Oh … uhmm … I guess that would be cool.”

“Cool?”

“Sure. I mean, I like archery and all. But really, you might not want to be seen with me. You probably don’t like my short hair and blue eyes.”

“I like your eyes; they don’t look evil blue, like Water Clan. They’re a pretty sky color. And I like your short hair, too. It makes you look mysterious.”

No girl had ever called him mysterious before. Maybe she might like him after all. “Really? So you wouldn’t mind if I came back to visit?”

“It would be great if you came back to Laegenshire. You could stay at our house, and it would be just like I had another brother. Except you don’t order me around like Jireo.” Her face lit up with a dazzling smile.

“Great.” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “I always wanted a sister.”

*****

“I’m glad you finally decided to bring me here,” said Raelene. “We’ve been holding hands for quite some time, just in case I was transported. But you need to know you should avoid transporting people to you from afar at this stage of your training. Remember, I told you mistakes are common before you have experience. You could have sent me somewhere dangerous by accident with an errant thought. Nonetheless, I’m glad you’ve brought me to you.”

Alora’s stomach churned with acid as she tried to avoid her uncle’s gaze.

“I think I may be in shock,” said Charles. “I can’t believe that just happened.” His eyes narrowed. “Alora. Kaevin. I think you have a bit of explaining to do.”

“I take full responsibility. I should have insisted I come here alone.” Kaevin stepped in front of her.

“No.” She pushed him aside. “If I hadn’t come, you might not have saved Arista from that kidnapper. She said he was getting ready to kick her in the head when I transported her.” She turned back to her grandmother. “We felt it was the right thing to do at the time, and I admit we should have asked permission. But please, can we can talk about it later? Right now, I need your direction so I can help with the fight against my father’s men.”

“Raelene!” Graely called as he bounded toward them. “I’m so glad you’ve come, and just in time. We expect the attack to begin at any time, although we cannot be certain. And who might this be? Another blue-eyed man who isn’t Water Clan, I assume?”

“Graely, this is Charles, Alora’s uncle. And what’s this I hear about an imminent attack?”

While Graely explained to Raelene the events of the previous days and the expected attack by Vindrake’s men, Alora pulled Kaevin to the side.

“Kaevin, my head hurts already. I think it takes more out of me to move someone from Montana. It must be a really long way off. Can we do the kissing thing?”

“I agree. Mine is already aching a little. But what about your uncle and grandmother?”

“Quick, while they’re talking to Graely, or we won’t have time before the attack.”

Kaevin leaned down to press his mouth against hers. In addition to feeling her headache ease, she felt a warm tingle in her stomach. When he started to draw away, she pulled him back for a little more. He grinned around their joined lips.

“So, you like this?” he teased, before returning her kiss with a bit more fervor.

“It’s awful.” She breathed the words into his mouth. “But I’ll tolerate it for the sake of my head.” She thought he was the most handsome boy she’d ever seen. She couldn’t believe he liked kissing her as much as she liked kissing him.

“Ahem.” Graely cleared his throat, having evidently finished his explanation. Raelene looked unhappy, but her expression was pleasant compared to her uncle’s.

“
Alora
, I thought you said you two weren’t dating. We have a clear rule—you’re not to date a boy more than one year older. We’ve already established Kaevin is seventeen.”

“Father, can’t you tell them?” asked Kaevin. “They won’t believe us.”

Graely put a hand on Charles’ shoulder. “I don’t like it any more than you do, but we have some pretty strong evidence they really are soulmates.”

Raelene shook her head, but Graely interrupted. “I know, Raelene. I didn’t believe it was possible, either. But talk to Nordamen. He’s convinced by what he observed.”

“They’re too young,” said Charles. “She’s only fifteen. Can’t this soulmate thing be reversed somehow?”

“That’s my preference, as well,” Graely agreed. “But for now, until we’ve dealt with Vindrake, we have no other options.”

“I thought they just had to hold hands,” Charles muttered, his brows pushing into a scowl.

“When Alora uses her gift, it draws strength from both of them. Kissing appears to replenish the stores more quickly than holding hands.”

“If it’s truly a soulmate bond, that could be true.” Raelene agreed, but Alora felt her disapproving glare.

“Please, can we argue about this later?” asked Alora. “I need to get some advice from Grandmother about how to aid in the battle.”

“Kaevin and I need to take our places, as well. Charles, we will have a discussion when this is over, if all goes well.” Graely’s eyes flashed across the canyon wall where the warriors were settling in preparation for the anticipated attack.

“Alora, I’ve been waiting for you up in the cleft. Are you coming?” At the sound of Beth’s voice, Alora saw her Uncle turn. No time to warn her.

“Uhmm, I’m coming, Beth. But …”

Beth tugged on Graely’s elbow. “Let me check your shoulder before you go. I’ve got your morning dose of antibiotics. Do you need some more pain medicine?”

“I’d appreciate some more of your magick circles,” said Graely. “They do seem to help a bit with the ache. I am fortunate the knife lodged in my left shoulder. I can’t use a bow, but I can still handle a sword and throw a knife.”

“Beth,” said Charles, “I see you’re busy playing nurse here, while your mother is worried out of her mind.”

“Oh!” Two bright red patches bloomed on Beth’s cheeks as her eyes fell on Charles and Raelene. “Hi, Mr. Whitford. I didn’t know you were here. I didn’t realize Mom even knew I was gone.”

“We knew you’d lied to us when Alora transported Willow, and we spoke with your mother,” Raelene clarified. “How do you intend to explain this to her?”

“I don’t know. She’s probably going to kill me, but I can’t worry about it right now.” She dug in her bag and handed several pills to Graely. He swallowed them without a drink and grabbed Kaevin, pulling him away from Alora and guiding him to their designated place on the canyon wall.

“I suppose Wesley is here as well?” Charles asked Alora with obvious irritation.

“Yes, sir. He’s way up there. He brought two compound bows with him. But please, Uncle Charles, can we discuss my punishment later? After the battle?”

“I don’t see why you can’t go back to Montana where it’s safe. And take Beth and Wesley with you.” Charles’ face was red, and he spoke between gritted teeth.

“But it’s my responsibility,” she said firmly. “My father’s men already kidnapped Jireo’s sister because they thought she was me. He won’t stop until he’s defeated. I can’t leave them here to die when I have the ability to help.”

Raelene put a hand on both their arms. “I suggest we all go to the high cleft immediately. We would not wish to be standing out in the open, arguing, when the Water Clan warriors arrive.”

Alora gave Raelene a grateful glance as they all followed Beth, climbing up to the protective overhang. Upon reaching safety, Charles looked ready to begin his argument with Alora again, but Raelene cornered her first. “Alora, I need to ask you some questions.”

“Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Fire away.”

Raelene looked confused at her response, but smiled and led her to sit beside her on a rock. “Describe what you’ve done. What transports have you accomplished?”

“Well, I brought all four of us here.”

“How did you accomplish those transports? Did Kaevin transport with you each time?”

“No, I brought all four of us at once, and I had to let Kaevin lead us to Jireo because I didn’t know what he looked like.”

“You transported all four of you? And you transported to someone you’d never met? To a place you’d never been? You didn’t go to Laegenshire?”

“No. We went straight to Jireo. And then Kaevin imagined Arista in his mind while I held his hand, and we fetched her back to camp, away from the kidnappers.”

Raelene frowned. “Just Arista? Not the man who was holding her?”

“She was running away from him at the time. In fact, I think he’d just caught up with her.” She was suddenly embarrassed. “But I didn’t hear the report at first, because I accidentally transported Kaevin and me back to the dance hall in Montana. And when I brought us back, we both kind of passed out.”

Raelene’s eyebrows furrowed. “I see. And how did you recover?”

“Beth put our hands together, and then when we woke up... well, Kaevin woke up first, and Beth told him to try... uhmm...” Alora’s face felt hot. “She told him to kiss me.”

“I see.” Raelene’s face was unreadable. “And what other transports have you done?”

“Well, I kind of brought Willow here by accident. And that one gave Kaevin and me both a headache. But at the time, we didn’t realize that’s what was happening. And then I went to Laegenshire and back four times and brought back more fighters, three at a time. But the last time, I brought back four, and that’s when we both passed out again.”

“You brought back four men at one time?”

“No, actually, it was three men and one woman.”

Raelene was quiet for a moment. “It must be true. No bearer could do what you’ve done, even with your powerful wander-jewel. The only way you could do these things is if you were soulmated. That’s the only thing that could enhance your gift to such an extent.” She stood up and began to pace. “Only you’re too young.”

“But it’s true!” Alora declared. “I know you think we’re too young—”

“No, I believe you. I believe you and Kaevin are soulmates, now. I simply don’t understand why it happened when you’re so young. It’s not good. It’s too difficult to maintain. You could both die so easily.”

“Oh, I don’t think we’re going to die or anything. We’ve just gotten headaches and passed out. There hasn’t been any lasting damage.”

“Alora!” Raelene’s tone was sharp. “Please don’t take this lightly. Do you know what would have happened if someone hadn’t been around to move you back together when you passed out? Do you realize what would’ve happened if you’d passed out in Laegenshire instead of after you’d returned to the camp?”

She felt the blood drain from her face. It really hadn’t seemed that dangerous at the time.

“That’s the problem with your age. When you’re young you feel invincible. You don’t realize the reality of death. Kaevin, perhaps, has seen enough death and danger to take it seriously, despite his youth.”

“Okay, okay! I get it. It’s serious. It’s dangerous. I’ll be careful. But I still need your help.”

“I’m not convinced of Graely’s wisdom in letting the two of you separate during a battle.”

“Well, I figure I can always bring Kaevin to me if I start to feel weak or dizzy or get a headache.”

“You’ve never moved anyone away from you. It’s much more difficult, but it could be useful. Moving objects would be extremely helpful, but I know we haven’t the time to master that.”

“Let’s work on the first one,” she agreed. “Then I could fetch Kaevin if I need him, and send him back.”

“You can practice with me,” said Raelene. She stepped a few feet away. “First, move me toward you, and then try to move me back.”

She quickly moved Raelene to her. But when she tried to move her back, nothing happened.

“Be patient and relax,” said Raelene. “Picture it happening. Pretend you are where you want me to be, and bring me to yourself.”