Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) (38 page)

“I can’t help but feel guilt all the same.”

“I know, child.” Lady Clarayne moved her hand away. “I am guilty as well, I confess. We knew an attack from Arlina was possible, and we did not act. I moved too late, and that is just as terrible as looking the other way.”

“You knew this would happen?”

“We sensed something would come our way,” Lady Clarayne explained. “Shadow especially. He did his best to persuade us not to give you up to Arlina just to spare Ellewynth and other elven lives.”

“Goddesses.”

It explained all the meetings Shadow held with the Elders and why he was so furious. It also explained the promise he made me make, to be ready to flee with him at a moment’s notice, no questions asked.

“I’m afraid I agreed with the idea of handing you over.”

“It was for the greater good,” I said, after a moment of silence. “If I were in your shoes, I’d have done the same. Once I learned the truth of Arlina and my bloodline tracing back to the throne of Blackwen City, I was ready to leave and face her in the Dark Fortress.” The thought petrified me more after encountering her in Ellewynth, but it was something that needed to be done. “As you can imagine, Shadow didn’t like the idea.”

“That’s because he still considers himself your guardian,” Lady Clarayne said. “He wouldn’t dare give up anyone he cared for without a fight.”

“I know.” I watched the open forest. “It’s what makes him such a great friend.”

Lady Clarayne chuckled to herself.

“My lady?” I asked, confused.

“Forgive me.”

“I’m not sure if there was something I missed.”

“It matters not, dear one.” Lady Clarayne looked to the open forest as well, and I felt some courage to ask whether or not she was related to Shadow. She seemed to have sensed that need, because she kept watch of me. “Ask, child.”

“Shadow…you and he are blood relatives, aren’t you?” I asked.

“What makes you say that?” she asked, amused.

“You two seem so similar, even in appearance,” I answered. “I mean, I meant no disrespect by prying. It’s a silly question, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s no disrespect at all, Artemis.” Lady Clarayne assured me. “He and I are tied by blood. Shadow is my nephew.”

“I knew it!” I said, jumping up. “No one believed me, but I knew!”

“You are a clever young lady.” Lady Clarayne smiled. “Since Shadow’s birth, it was a mutual decision among the family to keep our ties discreet. We knew from the day he came into this world that he was special. We knew he would surpass the others of his generation…the aura he exuded then was so great. Azrael’s mystical appearance confirmed what we felt.” Lady Clarayne smiled at the memory. “We didn’t want the others assuming there was favoritism because his aunt is a respected Elder of the realm.”

“It must have been hard though…fighting alongside him in the wars of the past.”

“Indeed, but I felt honored as well. He is a skilled warrior, as you well know.” Lady Clarayne rubbed her bandaged shoulder and winced a bit. “I’m fine, don’t fuss. I should be used to such things in my age.”

“My lady…please promise me something once you return to Ellewynth.”

“What would that be?”

“Shadow would be declared a deserter once he is found missing after the fire,” I said. “Please do something to prevent that. That is his home, his only home. He deserves to have a place there still, no matter what’s transpired.”

“I of all people know this, Artemis.” Lady Clarayne sighed. “Shadow was prepared for the consequences. He spoke to me about them.” I gaped, and she patted my back. “He knows I will always be there to support him, even when the others won’t once the proclamation is made. I cannot stop what the other Elders will do.
You
can promise me something though.”

“What’s that?”

Lady Clarayne stood up and smiled. “Should he lose faith at any time during your journey, just remind him to follow his heart. It’s what he’s done so far, and it would be a shame should he stop doing so.”

I stood up as well, and slowly nodded. “I can do that.”

“Remember to follow yours as well,” she said as she took my chin in her hands. “The truth of the heart is far stronger than that of the mind.
Also…home doesn’t necessarily mean where you stretch your roots…oftentimes, it means who is by your side.”

Before I could reply, she walked back inside. I held a hand over my heart and felt it pound fiercely against my palm.

Jack traced his way to the paths where he would usually encounter Callypso. Occasionally, he would lay a hand along the bark of the trees in the effort to sense her within the veils. But Jack only picked up the refugee elves that Talisa hid before the attack of his home city; he hoped Lily was among them.

I see now that what you feel for Lilith is infatuation. The way you speak about this lady friend of yours…Jack, you
glow.

Jack grumbled when he heard Artemis’ comment in his mind. She might have been right, she might have been wrong. He knew what he felt for Lily…but he also knew what he felt for Callypso. Jack cursed the string.

Why did it have to be for a woman he couldn’t have? Did elementals even love?

Of course they love
, Jack thought,
but it can’t be in the sense that the rest of us do
.

Jack swore as he felt a headache come along. It was impossible, it would always be impossible, and there’s nothing that would change that. The most he could do was enjoy the company she provided.

“Jack? What are you doing out here?” Jack jumped when he heard her voice. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me!” Jack answered. “I’m all right.”

When he saw her, his heart dropped. Her light blue eyes were puffed and her face was red—she had been crying. “Willow be damned, are you all right?”

Callypso shook her head as she rubbed her bare arms. Jack took off his cloak and went to drape it around her shoulders, but she refused it.

“It doesn’t matter whether I have a cloak on or not,” Callypso explained. “I can still feel the deaths in the wind…through the earth…such senseless murder.”

“Then I do not have to tell you about Ellewynth,” Jack said, saddened.

“No, you do not.” Callypso shut her eyes, and a few tears slid down her cheeks. “All elementals can feel the death of Ellewynth. It’s so overwhelming. We can still feel the flames engulf each branch…each twig…each leaf…down through the trunk to the roots of the city. The most any of us has been able to do is to contain the fire within the city boundaries. Once Arlina’s horde disappears, we must all return to replant…to rebuild.”

“Was it a mistake for me to seek you out?” Jack asked.

“It wasn’t a mistake. I know why you’ve done so.” Callypso wiped the tears from her cheeks, despite more of them falling. “It’s time.”

“Yes…” Jack wished he could hold her in his arms and comfort her. “I felt Talisa would want you there as soon as Shadow returns.”

“I’m sure she would,” Callypso sighed. “It’ll only get worse from now on…you realize this, don’t you?”

“We can stop it,” Jack insisted. “We can stop Arlina and prevent more unnecessary death.”

Callypso sighed as she patted his shoulder. “There will always be death in this world, Jack…just as there will always be villainy. It’s a part of life. There is nothing else we can do but be there to help rebuild what has been and will be destroyed.”

I hadn’t moved from the steps since Lady Clarayne had returned to Talisa’s cottage. I couldn’t even say how long ago that was. I just knew that I couldn’t leave, not while Shadow and Netira were still out there. I also worried for Jack, even though I knew he could very well handle himself. Jack’s newfound self-sufficiency was a strange notion to grasp.

As for rest, it was something I would not get this night…or what was left of this night.

I heard a neigh in the distance and felt myself shake; I hoped it was from Azrael. Quick galloping sounds echoed closer to the cottage, and I realized it
was
Azrael. Standing from the steps, I watched the mare slow her pace to a trot; she carried both Shadow and Netira on her back.

Kiare be praised, they were safe.

I couldn’t speak a word as they dismounted. Azrael gingerly walked to Talisa’s herb garden and rested her injured leg on the earth. I’m sure Jack was going to tend to her again, even though there was no sign of blood on her. Netira only nodded to me; I noticed her eyes were puffed and her face had been streaked with tears. She ran off before I could ask what happened.

“She needs time to be alone,” Shadow explained, noting my confusion. “Much has happened this night, for everyone.” He saw the bandages on my arm and head, and he immediately pulled me into a tight hug. “I am so sorry, Artemis. I should have went with you. I am glad Talisa stopped Arlina from getting you.”

I could feel the dried blood on his tunic and knew he was hurt, and I could smell the wound in his arm.

I didn’t care. He was here, and he was safe.

“You did what you had to do,” I said. “I’m all right, and Jack helped Azrael. I’m just relieved you’re back.”

“I told you I would return, my dear,” he said softly.

“I know. I knew you would but…”

“I know. You’re a worrywart,” Shadow chuckled. He gently touched the side of my head. “Concussion?”

“It’s been taken care of,” I explained while trying not to make a face. That tea was appalling, but it did help. My head felt normal again. “Disgusting tea and all.”

“Ah. I know of it.”

I wanted to laugh at the grimace he made, but the smell of ash on him stopped me. Ellewynth was gone. Our home…burned.

“Shadow…Ellewynth is…” I glanced at him, and I could see the mixture of pain and anger in his eyes.

“Ellewynth is destroyed. I know. She will be rebuilt. It wasn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last.”

“You won’t be able to return.”

“I am fine with that, Artemis,” Shadow answered. “I more or less sealed my fate once I…well, I struck Lord Destrius.”

“You did what?”

“I struck an Elder.” Shadow’s grin widened. “I will
always
enjoy that moment.”

“You’re terrible.” I laughed.

“I’m allowed such moments.” Shadow winced when I moved the piece of his sleeve that stuck to his wound. “I’m fine, my dear.”

“It needs to be cleaned, Shadow.” I frowned. “This is a deep wound.”

“I know that.” Shadow returned the expression. “I can feel that much, after all.”

“Inside. Now.” I pointed toward the cottage. “I trust Netira will stay close by, and we don’t have to wake Talisa right now. You can use the time to relax.”

Shadow froze. “Talisa is here?”

“Of course.” My brow furrowed. “She came some time ago.”

“Did she…did she bring anyone with her?”

“She brought Lady Clarayne with her. They were both injured and exhausted,” I explained. “Your aunt had a nasty shoulder wound, but she’ll recover with time.”

Shadow pulled me into another hug. I knew he was crying because I could feel the tears fall into my hair. “Oh, thank the goddesses.”

“Shadow, you thought she was dead?” I asked, rubbing his back.

“I’ll explain later.” Shadow finally registered all I said beforehand. “You called Lady Clarayne my aunt.”

I smirked. “Because she
is
your aunt. You do realize I had my suspicions, right?”

“Of course you did,” Shadow sarcastically replied. “It isn’t common knowledge, Artemis.”

“It’s not as if I’ll tell anyone.” I pushed him to walk toward the cottage. “Stop trying to prolong the inevitable, Shadow. I have to patch you up.”

“Avilyne’s hell, when did you become so controlling?” Shadow laughed.

“I’m not controlling!” I yelled.

Shadow opened the door but refused to enter. “After you, my dear.”

I groaned. “Why do I always have to go first?”

“Because I was trained better than that, Artemis.” He smirked as he walked ahead. “Since both Talisa and my aunt are asleep in the more comfortable rooms, where do you intend to patch me up?”

“Go to Talisa’s library. It’s quiet enough there so we won’t disturb their rest.”

“As you wish.”

I crept into my old room where the bandages, cordials, and salves were left behind, and I did my best not to wake Lady Clarayne. I took a quick peek at her shoulder, and as I held a hand close to the bandages, I felt minor heat. It was less than before, which meant Lady Clarayne was speaking the truth about how fast her shoulder was mending. It was a blessing indeed.