Dark One Rising (25 page)

“Enter.”

The servant came into the room. The king turned in his direction, and he bowed.

“Alekzand’r Morgan and the princess have just crossed the gate through the city, Your Majesty. They should be here in about an hour.”

“Thank you, Tobias. Please have some hot tea and warm food brought up here. I’m sure they will require some sustenance after their hard ride. And make sure the rooms for the princess are in order.”

He bowed to his king again. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He departed. The king was left alone again in his lethargy. To his dismay they were a week and a half early, and he was ill-prepared. He was also on his way to inebriation, again. That was not the way to make a good first impression, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He rose and went to the window.

The sun was just starting to set, the sky now a pale orange and red, with a bluish swirl of clouds hovering just above the horizon. The cool evening breeze touched his face, and he could smell the light mingled scents of salty sea air and freshly cut grass from the gardens below. He felt lucky. On the other side of the kingdom, there were dark things taking place. The spring, that should have been visiting both lands, had somehow stalled over there, winter hanging on like time had frozen too. The trees were still bare, the air still raw with the blistery winter gales blowing through, gripping people like the hands of death. The darkness and the unnatural cessation of spring had not yet reached his land. But it was coming, he felt it.

He tried to swallow his growing fear and concentrate on the vast land that stretched out before him. He loved his land and the people that lived in it, but the weight of all of it rested on his shoulders, and sometimes he wanted nothing more than to stay hidden from it. That’s why he lost himself in drink and passion, to lift all the pressure from him, if even for a little while. But Alek was right, when the hangover wore off and the warmth of a woman was no longer enough, everything he tried to hide from was still there, knocking on his door, needing his attention.

A real knock on the door tore him away from his thoughts. Had an hour passed already? He sighed. His musings would have to wait. He turned from the window and called out. A servant opened the door and bowed.

“Alekzand’r Kenyon Morgan, Your Majesty, and Princess Melenthia Eryn Breslin of Aaralyn.”

Alekzand’r passed the servant and approached his king and best friend. Melenthia went in as well, but waited just inside the door, the servant closing it behind her. She was wearing her woolen riding pants and tunic, and still wore the lined woolen surcoat two sizes too big which hung loosely on her petite frame. She glanced over at the king with the infamous reputation and studied him. She had heard plenty of stories of him, about his good looks and charming demeanor. He had a way with women, could melt them with nothing but his smile they said. She needed to see for herself.

Alekzand’r strode forward and clasped the king on the shoulder, then the king threw his arms around his friend in a bear hug, laughing heartily.

Now that he faced her, she could see him better in the fading light of the day. She could understand why women flocked to him. He was six foot, and he had a thick head of blond hair which was longish, a piece falling on his forehead. His shoulders were very broad, and the muscles on his chest and upper arms caused the silken material of his shirt to be pulled tight. He stood tall and sure, and his smile electrified the whole room; she could feel its radiance from where she stood. His skin was tan, from riding the countryside she assumed, and he was relatively healthy looking, despite the small bags under his eyes. When he turned his head, she could see his pale blue eyes glint in the dancing light of the fire, so light they were almost translucent. He wore an informal white shirt, buttoned halfway down exposing part of his broad chest, with puffy sleeves gathered tightly at the wrists, and he had no crown.

“Leave it to you to be overly punctual, Alek,” he bellowed. “I’m really in no mood for visitors or sober enough to entertain them. I wasn’t expecting company tonight.”

He said it with a lightness in his tone, almost as a joke, no real irritation present. She could tell, however, that he was a bit unsteady on his feet.

“I wanted to get here as quickly as possible. Fallon’s men were close on our trail.”

“Did you have any trouble?”

“We had a bit just outside of Zhen near the border, but we were able to shake them off.”

“Do you think they were able to follow you here? Do they know where you’ve gone?”

“No, I was extremely careful.”

“How did you lose them?”

“You’re not going to like the answer, I’m afraid, Your Majesty.”

“I rarely approve of the risks you take with your life, but in light of the events, and the reasoning behind them, I will not berate you this time.”

“His men are relentless, as is he, and they kept on us like dogs on the fox. I was forced to take more desperate measures. I had to take the trail through the Sorcerers Wood. The opening was there just as Sol’s map said it would be, and it closed behind us before Fallon’s men could reach it. We barely escaped, Your Majesty, but our trail was cold by the time they had caught up.”

The king frowned. “I was hoping that wasn’t what you were going to tell me. I hoped you could’ve avoided using that foul method. The thought of it gives me chills.”

“Yes, I would normally agree with you. Nevertheless, I will have to thank Sol for the use of it when I see him again. Without it, we would’ve been caught.”

“Using it, you risked getting lost inside that god forsaken place forever.”

“True, but we were not and escaping was my only goal, no matter the cost. Fallon is persistent in his pursuit, Your Majesty, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, whatever that is. We may have lost him for now, but we won’t evade him forever. He will not stop until he finds her. She’ll be safe enough here for the time being, but I fear if darkness is on his side, he’ll find a way to break through. He will kill anyone in his way when he does, even you. You may have put yourself in more danger than you realize by agreeing to this.”

“Although I don’t know Kevaan as you do, his willingness to keep the peace and work together with me is enough. I feel I owe him something. If keeping his sister safe is helping him, I risk myself willingly.”

“You may not feel that way later. There are frightening stories all over, Dain, and I doubt they’re just local lore. There are things I have seen out there, things I have felt that I can’t explain. Although I don’t frighten easily, the things I have heard and seen certainly make me pause. I’m not stupid enough to brush them off as nothing. There’s something else you should know about, but it can wait.”

“I have seen and felt things too, and I’m glad to have you back,” he said, clasping his friend on the shoulder again. “I feel the winds are changing and are coming this way. I’ll need to have you by my side when they do.” He paused a moment, then continued. “There are things I have to tell you as well, but I think in light of all you’ve been through in the last few days, it too can wait.”

A voice from the door spoke, interrupting their bonding. “Why does Fallon think marrying me will gain him more power than he already has? If he wants to start a war, what do I have to do with that?”

Both men stopped short and turned. They looked at her with surprise, almost as if they had forgotten she was in the room. Dain smiled, and Alekzand’r cleared his throat, going over to her and motioning her forward.

“I’m so terribly sorry, My Lady, my manners have much to be desired,” Alek apologized.

“Yes, they do,” she answered, rubbing her wrists almost inconspicuously and glaring at him. He cleared his throat again and turned back to Dain, bowing.

“Your Majesty, may I introduce Princess Melenthia Eryn Breslin, daughter of King Randor Breslin at Lachlan Castle, liege of Aaralyn.

She curtsied, and Dain approached her, taking her hand in his and kissing it, while still looking into her eyes. She surprisingly felt her ears grow warm. He bowed then to her and smiled.

“Welcome to Drydon Keep in Azlyn, Your Highness. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“And you as well, Your Majesty,” she said politely, keeping her tone light. “Your reputation precedes you.”

Dain looked at Alek but he only put his hands up in defense. “Not from me, Your Majesty.”

“Hmmm,” he said, his tone conveying amusement. “That doesn’t bode well for me, for any stories relayed by anyone other than my friends cannot be flattering in the least.”

“Stories tend to be exaggerated, Your Majesty, especially by those who talk only to hear the sound of their own voice.” She didn’t know about the other rumors yet, but the descriptions of his extraordinary good looks were certainly true.

He looked at her for a moment, then laughed. “Well said, Princess. Perhaps you speak from experience.”

“Perhaps.”

He looked down at the sword and stood still, gazing at it. “Is that the legendary Tanith of the prophecy?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“May I?”

She looked to Alek who nodded. She drew it and handed it to him. He examined it in the firelight.

“It’s quite extraordinary.” He handed it back. She put it away. There was silence for a moment or two as he gazed at her some more, then he spoke again. “Now it’s me who has forgotten his manners. I’m having the servants bring up some food and warm tea. Is there anything else I can have brought for you? Fresh clothes perhaps?”

She looked over toward the high-board. “Warm tea would be fine, unless you think you could spare a glass of something stronger. I have one hell of a headache,” she finished.

“I like this girl, Alek. Come, sit by the fire. Warm and rest yourselves.”

Alek tried to be polite, hoping to calm her anger at him. He motioned her to one of the comfortable chairs in front of the fire, then sat down next to her in the other. The king brought over two glasses of ale and handed one to her, then another to Alek, but he shook his head.

“I’m weary enough this night. I’m afraid that would cause more trouble for my addled brain than I’d like.”

The king shrugged and sat down across from them. He looked at his friend with concern. “You do look especially weary tonight, Alek. Why don’t you turn in. God knows you’ve earned it. No more do I require of you this night.”

“I need to get word to Kevaan that she’s fine.”

“No need. I’ll send Navak with dispatch to Kevaan that his sister has arrived safely. Tired but in one piece.” He looked at her, almost as if he were waiting for her to say something, but she remained quiet.

“Are you sure, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Your job is finished for now. Go, rest.”

Alekzand’r rose, looked at her and bowed. “How about you, Your Highness? Anything further you require of me this night?”

She rubbed her wrists noticeably. “You’ve done enough, Alekzand’r.”

He glared at her now, annoyed with her for constantly reminding him of his error in judgment. He would like to say she deserved it, but he knew she didn’t. No matter what she said about being able to take care of herself, she had been scared, and he let her fear, and in saying so, her behavior because of it, get the better of him. He lost his temper, but she really didn’t deserve to be tied up. He would let her cool off, then apologize profusely, again. She changed her tone then. “Get some rest. I’m safe.”

“For now,” Alekzand’r said looking in the king’s direction and giving him a nonverbal warning. She was already unsettled, and it wouldn’t help to have the king attempt to woo her. If that happened, she would never trust him. She needed to be able to trust both of them. The king nodded subtly, acknowledging his friends warning.

She didn’t notice the exchange and added, “So unless I have something to fear from this rogue, I’m fine.” She glanced at the king and smiled. Alek winced to himself.

“See, Alek, she’s fine. I’ll make sure she’s tended to.”

Alek was not sure it was a good idea to leave them alone, but then recalled her feistiness at his campsite. He decided she probably could take care of herself. He sighed. “Very well then. I’ll call it a day.” He bowed to the king, then to her. He left the room and closed the door behind him. The room was quiet except for the sounds of the fire crackling in the massive stone hearth.

She let the warmth of the fire and the ale soothe her; she closed her eyes for a few minutes, allowing herself to be carried away into relaxation. She was still very sore and her head still throbbed, but the ale was starting to calm her anxiousness and soothe her achiness. After a few minutes she could feel him looking at her. She opened her eyes and looked toward him. “What?”

“I was just pondering the question you asked earlier. I too am wondering why the duke is so infatuated with you that he would stop at nothing to have you. ”

She shrugged.

He continued. “I mean, aside from the obvious reasons. One, you
are
a princess. And two, your beauty
is
intoxicating.” He stopped for a moment and peered over at her inconspicuously.

Her eyes immediately turned dark. “You’re wasting your flattery, Your Majesty. Just like him, I’m in no way interested in what you have to offer.” She stood to leave.