Echoes of Fae: Book One of the Divine (8 page)

              A look of fear crossed his face before he answered, “These each have stories. They are not pleasant stories, Melody, they are not stories to be told on a day as nice as this one with a woman as lovely as you.” The Conjurer discreetly closed his shirt and smiled. Melody laughed.

              “That is very clever, Conjurer, to flatter a nosy woman. I will not pry,” she assured him earnestly. Jax smiled appreciatively. The Pramacretine stood and stretched before declaring, “Let us walk, Callfah.”

              “As you command, Pramacretine,” the Conjurer answered, standing. He picked up the basket easily and offered his arm. They made their way around the gardens speaking of plants and weather. They spoke of politics and laughed at stories of Thane when he was younger. After they nearly emptied the basket of all but oranges, Melody and Jax came around a corner to a wisteria, which had long grown over. It made complete circle. Melody laughed and ran inside it. Jax followed hesitantly. He really did not like small spaces.

              Melody laughed and grabbed Jax by the hands. He flinched at her touch. Melody chose to ignore this as she spoke, “This is the secret circle.”

              “I can see why,” Jax said with a crooked smile. Melody leaned against the trunk and dropped Jax’s hands. As a timid animal might, testing the safety of another species, the Conjurer moved closer to Melody and smiled.

              Melody closed her eyes and leaned her head back. With her eyes closed she said, “This is where you tell secrets to someone. The wisteria never tells a soul.”

              “Do you have secrets?” Jax asked as laughter filled his eyes.

              “Do I seem like I do not?” Melody asked with a laugh.

              “Maybe,” Jax admitted. Her falsely stricken look caused him to laugh, “I only mean to say that you seem very open.”

              “I can be, but I do have secrets,” she said as a blush washed over her features.

              “If you tell me a secret, I would tell you a secret,” Jax said. He moved around the trunk exploring the space. Melody watched him move. He moved as one would if they spent time hiding from someone - silently.

              “Your whole life is secret to me,” Melody replied, “you know much more about me than I know about you.”

              Jax stopped in front of her and gave her a measured look before he replied, “This is true and fair, what would you have me do?”

              “You must tell me a secret you have told no one, not just a secret you have not told me,” the Pramacretine answered.

              “Very well, but you first,” he said. Melody sighed heavily. She sat in thought for a few moments before she decided what to say. Absentmindedly Melody twirled a loose curl in her fingers.

              Finally, with a very deep blush and a small chuckle, Melody spoke, “When my father brought me home to this palace, I could only sleep in his bed.”

              “How old were you?” Jax asked.

              “Maybe a year,” the Pramacretine answered.

              “Oh, that is not so strange!” Jax exclaimed. Melody shrugged.

              “It is a secret I do not tell people,” she supplied. Jax nodded and circled her a few more times. He stopped on the other side of the trunk, behind her. 

              Melody could feel the waft of his breath in her hair as he spoke, “My secret is much more impressive, I think.” His tone had changed to be more measured and low. Melody felt heat filled her face and travel through her body. Jax moved around the trunk and sat beside her. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. His kiss was soft and careful at first, but when she did not move away, it became more fervent. He put his hand against her cheek and held her face to his. When they parted, his bright green eyes, though filled with pleasure, also betrayed his confusion.

              “What is wrong?” she asked, embarrassed. He shook himself and smiled.

              “Nothing at all could be wrong,” Jax, his face flushed and close, replied, “I guess there was still some secret in that even from me.” Melody smiled brightly. She glowed with the pleasure of her first kiss.

              “You were right,” Melody finally said with a smile.

              Jax smiled in return as he asked, “About what?”

              “Your secret was more impressive,” Melody declared; her azure eyes glowed in the sunlight.

…

              “I must be on my way, my lady,” Jax said as they walked around to Willow's stable.

              “From the palace or from this outing only?” Melody asked. Disappointment took root in the pit of her stomach.

              “From the palace, for a time,” Jax answered, “I have some things to take care of and then I would like to return - if I would be welcome.”

              “Of course you are welcome, Jaxon. You know my father is fond of you,” Melody replied.

              “Is that the only reason?” Jax asked of her, grinning at the Pramacretine.

              Melody turned away as she felt her face grow hot. She replied from behind her hair, “I think you know I like you,” she looked up at him after a moment, a huge smile played over her mouth, “I am only concerned that my constant falling on you would be a determent against your return.”

              “Nonsense, which is just an incentive. Someone has to catch you,” Jax replied, his response charmed the Pramacretine. She smiled, but with the knowledge of his departure, it was short lived. Seeing her disappointment, Jax stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. She felt his lips gently graze behind her ear and she felt the familiar heat of her emotions boil over.

              “Be safe, if you must go. I will look forward to your return,” Melody replied into his ear. Hesitantly, Jax released her and smiled. He handed her the far lighter basket.

              “I will see you soon. Take care of your Dragon and maybe it will want to meet you,” the Conjurer said as he walked away.

              Melody watched him as he walked all the way to the palace and into the doors. She watched after him, frazzled and lightheaded. She had her first kiss that day, with a handsome, mysterious young man to whom she felt drawn. Her heart hurt allowing him to leave.

              Melody made her way to Willow’s stable. He had his own large building that had no door to contain him. She did not want him to feel trapped. She placed an Ethereal barrier on it to protect him when he entered. She walked into the stable and saw her beautiful winged horse waited for her. She smiled up at him. The Pegasus stood about twice the size of a normal horse.              

              The Pramacretine walked up to the horse and pulled out some oranges. She handed him one and dumped the rest onto the floor. Willow brayed appreciatively as he ate the fruit. The Pegasus loved citrus, and oranges were easily his favorite. Melody used his distraction to brush him and check his hooves and wings. After a long while of quiet companionship with her winged horse, Melody decided she should get back to the palace. Willow was stoic in their goodbye, but he nuzzled her before she left.

              The evening air was crisp and smelled of freshly bloomed flowers. She smiled as she walked through the garden, thinking of Jax. A small voice broke through her reverie and she looked around, confused. A young boy ran up the path, which led from the forest beyond.

              “I have a message for the Pramacretine of Agoura!” He shouted, then stopped, leaned over and panted for a long while. He ran a far way, it seemed. Melody waited a moment.

              “What message have you, boy?” Melody asked, smiling.

              “It’s for the Pramacretine of Agoura, Miss,” he said, still catching his breath. Melody knelt down beside his bent form.

              “I happen to be who you are looking for,” she said, smiling. The boy looked at her sideways.

              “You don’t look like a Pramacretine,” he said skeptically.

              “You know, I hear that more often than I should, I think,” she said, laughing. The boy looked at her again and after a long pause, he smiled. The boy knelt down and dumped his pack onto the ground. He rummaged through the pile until he found what he wanted. He pulled out a neatly sealed scroll and handed it to her. Melody eyed the seal and found that she was not familiar with it.

              “Thank you, young man,” she said gently. “Have you come far? It is far from here to anywhere, you know. And a journey for a tiny Gnome such as yourself, I would think you would need a nice night’s sleep and some food before you weather it once more.” The boy nodded delightedly as Melody asked, “What is your name, lad?”

              “My name is Jerr, Pramacretine,” he said proudly.

              “How far have you come, then?” Melody asked again, leading him into the palace.

              “About five days far, Pramacretine,” Jerr said, looking up at the inside of the palace. Isaac approached the pair.

              “A new face, then? Wherever did you find this one?” Isaac wondered. Melody smiled at Isaac as she ignored his condescending tone.

              “He is a messenger, Isaac. Would you please have the staff come and wash him, feed him and give him a room,” the Pramacretine asked as she knelt down to the boy. “You do not mind that, do you?” The boy shook his head excitedly. Melody nodded at Isaac, who took the boy’s shoulder and led him away. Melody tucked the scroll into the belt on her dress as she stood. She went to her room, released her long hair from its braid and washed her face and arms with her lavender soap. Melody left her chambers enjoying the cacophony of her emotions. She went into the library and sat in the giant armchair in the center of the room. The Pramacretine opened her most recent reading adventure and lost herself for the rest of the afternoon. The scroll she received sat beside her forgotten.

…

              Thane entered the library at sunset, their father in tow. He smiled at Melody. She sat up and placed the book on the small table beside her.

              “Thane, Father,” she said, inclining her head to them. The two men responded in kind and sat across from her on the sofa. Andover looked at Thane, then Melody. He was clearly waiting for something.

              “Melly, I spoke with Father about the situation you presented to me this morning. We feel it is necessary to discuss this together,” Thane said.

              “In private,” Andover finished with a wave of his hand. Melody felt the Ether spread around her to keep their sounds closed in the room. He smiled, expressing his approval.

              “Thane informed me this afternoon that you found our Conjurer guest in a restricted area. I would hesitate to assume any automatic wrongdoing in this encounter, however, for you to distrust his conduct, I must confess to being suspicious myself,” Andover explained.

              Thane interjected helpfully, “Because you trust everyone, Mel and we can see you are partial to him.”

              “Anyway,” Andover resumed, giving Thane a sharp look, “Thane decided to share with me since we prefer to be cautious when it comes to you, Melody. Nevertheless, I should share with you both what I already suspected of our young Conjurer friend.

              “His sudden appearance here after so many years made me curious. When his mother was younger, she spent most of her time within our walls. As it turns out, Jaxon’s mother, a close friend to my former wife, has been gone for a long time. I could not find out what had actually happened to her, but I know she was beloved here and with deep sympathy for a situation to which I could relate, I sent a courier to deliver some gifts for Jaxon and his father.”

              “That is very nice, Father,” Melody said, smiling.

              Andover nodded but did not return her smile as Thane said, “The courier returned wounded.”

              Andover glanced at his son as he continued, “yes, our courier returned with a deep cut across his face. He informed us that the elder Callfah was angry that we had not sent him currency. He was dissatisfied with our offering.”

              “Oh, my,” Melody gasped, fear crept into her heart, “Will he be recovered, the courier?”

              “Yes, my dear, he will be fine. He may have a scar but he did not seem to mind,” Andover informed his daughter.

              Thane chuckled as he added, “He said it would make him look like a warrior. You know the ladies, they love this.” Melody laughed at this explanation. She did not enjoy the comedy for long, since the trepidation had grown.

              “What is wrong with this elder Callfah? Why would a dignitary be so blatantly aggressive against his own government, and particularly against his wife's dear friends?” Melody asked.

              “This is what I know,” Andover said, “Ziodin Callfah had never been very close to our family, and his wife had been before she met him. When he began to court her, she was a free spirit, beautiful and strong. Serry loved her as if she was her own sister. When she married Callfah, the man and wife both disappeared from here until the one time Aliyah showed up with a very little Jaxon in tow. This occured a while after Serendipity passed. Aliyah spoke only with Genewen and after they spoke, she left. She never returned. Genewen had been close friends with Aliyah as well. I do not know what they spoke of, only that she had been worried about her friend with her husband. I believe you were only a few years beyond Jaxon at that time, Melody, though you were younger considering our aging. You may have seen him.” Andover paused as he tried to move past his own distraction.