Forged in Fire (The Forged Chronicles Book 3) (15 page)

I
was never
the kind of person who believed in instincts. I generally followed logic, although of late I’d been acting way more impulsively. Still, I had trouble trusting that feeling in my stomach that told me James wouldn’t be where I left him.

No one else had trouble believing me though.

“Then we go where you think he is.” Elron made it sound like the only option. “You are getting that feeling for a reason.”

“Or not. I mean sometimes I bring an umbrella because I think it’s going to rain, and it doesn’t even drizzle.” I glanced around the sitting room of the Elf castle. It also had those crazy cool chandeliers. I did plan to ask for one if we managed to survive.

Talen looked at me like I had two heads. “What does rain have to do with knowing where your kindred is?”

“It means I have been wrong about plenty of things before.” And I was sure I would be wrong about plenty more.

“Not things involving your kindred.” Talen crossed his arms.

“What if I am wrong, and I slow us all down?” I’d slowed us down plenty already, and my body knew it. James’ argument about charging may have been true, but even that had a limit on it. I needed him, and I needed him soon.

“What if you are right?” Adaline spoke softly. “And by ignoring your instinct you slow us down?”

“When you put it that way…” I wasn’t sure what the right answer was anymore.

Adaline smiled. “There is no reason to doubt yourself. I will repeat myself again. You need to have confidence in yourself.”

“But the only reason he’d have gone to Icentris would have been to find Talen—or me. When he realizes we aren’t there he’d leave. So where does that leave us?”

“Either he would go to Belgard or back to the tower.” Elron expressed exactly what I thought.

“Maybe we split up.” Talen suggested. “Malton, can you spare some men?”

“I can spare as many as we need, but he is only going to want to deal with Ainsley. If anyone else confronts him we may have trouble.” Malton nodded toward me.

“But we can still set up watches. At least we will have a better chance of finding out where he is.” Talen stepped toward me. He was acting protective which was something he hadn’t done before getting to North Loriet.

“But Ainsley goes to Icentris.” Adaline touched my arm gently. “That is where we will find him.”

“You trust my instinct that much?” I didn’t move to remove her hand. There was something comforting about her touch.

“Absolutely. As you should.”

“Ok. Well, then we should do this.” I nodded.

“But we should still split up. I stay with Ainsley, of course.” Talen stepped closer to me.

“Of course?” Elron raised an eyebrow. “And you are the one who accused me of moving in on Ainsley.”

“Uh, I’d love to say I’ll go alone, but I can’t.” I pulled my arm from Adaline and held my hands up in front of me. “But could we refrain from fighting over something so ridiculous, please?”

“What is ridiculous about it?” Elron asked. “I wish to protect you.”

“Ok. Got that, but the whole worrying about the other one trying to get with me thing is dumb. I’m with James, end of story.”

“End of story?” Talen pushed back his seat. “Glad it is so black and white with you.”

“I die if I’m not. Where is the confusion?”

“But that is not the only reason you are with him.” Talen watched me.

“Nope. No it isn’t.” I shook my head.

“We all stay together.” I made the executive decision even if no one was directly giving me the authority.

Adaline nodded. “I see no reason to deviate from that. However Talen does make a viable point about wanting to make sure we do not miss him. We will send our people as watchmen and watchwomen.”

“And women?” I asked with surprise. “Do you have women who do it too?”

“Yes.” Adaline nodded. “Women are equals here.”

Talen rolled his eyes. The mannerism seemed funny coming from him. “Equals? Is that why women have no choice in who they unite with?”

Adaline shook her head. “We leave the ultimate decision on unions in the hands of our elders. What does that have to do with equality?”

“Everything.” I was stunned to hear Adaline talk that way. “I mean if a woman can’t choose her partner, what good is the rest of her choices?”

“Yet you seem fine with your lot in life.” Adaline raised her chin.

“What are you implying?”

“Did you choose to be James’ kindred?” Her voice was harsher than I’d heard her sound.

“I chose to be with him.”

“But were you influenced by external forces in making that decision?” She crossed her legs.

“Stop.” I shook my head. “You keep saying I need confidence, making me doubt my free choice doesn’t help.”

“I am not trying to undermine your confidence. I am trying to make sure you view your experiences critically. Blindly accepting the superiority of one way of life over another is dangerous.”

“We are going to have to agree to disagree for now.” I remembered saying the same thing to Charlotte. That felt like months before instead of days.

Adaline nodded. “That is wise. Shall we ready for our journey to Icentris?”

“Are you going to come?” I wasn’t sure if she was arguing on behalf of Elron accompanying me or if either she or Malton were going to come.

“Of course.”

“But you’re the queen.” Then I looked at Malton. “And king.”

“And that means we will abandon you in your time of need?”

“No… I was just surprised you could leave your kingdom and everything.”

“There are others here that can make sure things run smoothly in our stead.” Malton’s expression remained serious.

“Okay…” I looked between them. “If you’re sure.” I wasn’t entirely certain I wanted them to come. Sure Adaline had been nice and helpful, but something about the way she snapped when Talen mentioned women may not be equal frightened me. I worried for the first time that her kindness could be an act. But I had no choice. Talen worried about how Charlotte would receive me in Belgard, and I trusted him. He might not have been my biggest fan, but he was James’ friend. That had to count for something.

“We are positive.” Adaline smiled. “Let us see to finding you something fresh to wear.”

“My clothes are fine.” They were more than fine. Dirty or not, they were my clothes.

“But you will stand out. And they are filthy.”

“I don’t smell, do I?” I resisted the urge to smell myself. Malton wouldn’t have considered that particularly regal.

Adaline shook her head. “I assure you our clothing will be up to your standards.”

“I am sure the clothes here are great.” I pointed to her. “You look amazing, but I like my jeans. They are comfortable.”

“But they stand out. I must insist you change.” Malton did not look at me as he spoke. He stared out a window.

“Do not make a fight where it is unnecessary.” Talen spoke under his breath.

“Are you really going to talk?” I crossed my arms.

“We need to find James. Put on the fresh clothes.”

“What about you?” I pointed to him. “You’re naked.”

Talen grinned. “I am so pleased you noticed, but I will be traveling in my wolf form.”

“Why?” I preferred when he was a man. I liked being able to communicate with him, and considering I knew him better than any of the other people I was with that felt especially important.

“Because I can offer unique skills that way.”

“Like attack skills?” I jumped on the first idea I had.

“Yes.” He seemed proud of himself. “Go get changed. We have no time to waste.”

“Glad that finding out I may be royal hasn’t changed the way you treat me.”

“You are not the only royal one.”

“Meaning the Elves?” I spread out my hands to encompass all three Elves in the room.

“Meaning we all are.” He walked out of the room, leaving me with a view of his completely naked backside.

“Interesting friends you keep.” Elron stood from his chair.

“Yeah well, I take what I can get.”

“Let us find you some new clothes, and Elron and Malton can see to our horses.” Adaline moved to standing as well.

“Do I have to ride my own?” I asked.

“Have to?” She shook her head. “No.”

“Ok, good. I was worried my equality talk backed me into a corner on that one. I know most women can do it well, but horses aren’t my thing.”

“Heights are not either.” Elron laughed. “But you managed that just fine.”

“Ok, I am ready to get changed.” I followed Adaline out of the room, ready to find James.

I
hurried toward the howls
, completely unconcerned with whether I would meet friend or foe. Although the fire experience had brought confusion, it had also brought a renewed sense of strength. I could handle anything and everything that came my way.

The howling was deliberate. The closer I got to it the easier it was to tell. It was one wolf, not many. My thoughts immediately went to Talen. Had he found Ainsley? Was she ok?

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a whirl of white. I stopped my horse and waited as a white wolf approached. I did not know Arcos well enough to tell the difference between most of them, but I knew Talen’s wolf form.

“Hello, friend.” I waited for him to shift.

He howled and turned his head in the direction he had just run from.

“You want me to follow you?” It was strange communicating with him as a wolf. It reminded me of speaking with a dog or horse, yet I knew Talen could understand every word I said.

He took off in the direction he had come, and I urged my horse to run after him.

I reached the crest of the hill and my heart started pounding. Talen was sitting in front of three horses. Perched on top of one horse, and in front of an Elven man was my Ainsley.

Seeing Ainsley had my heart beating erratically. Seeing her so close to an Elf after experiencing the vision had me raging. I closed the distance between us and stopped my horse next to them. “Ainsley.” I could barely breath. My heart and body ached for her.

“James.” Her eyes met mine. “You really were here.”

“Here, as in Icentris?” I reached out for her hand. I needed to pull her onto my horse and run far away from these people. What was she even doing with them?

The Elf beside her pushed her hand back.

“Do not touch my kindred!” I could not contain my anger at another man touching her. My need for her was growing by the second.

“It’s ok, James. He’s here to help.” The sound of my name on Ainsley’s lips tormented me. She was still so far away.

“Before you touch her, we need to know you have not lost yourself completely.” The Elf met my eyes. “If you love the girl, you understand our concern.”

Who was he to question me? I felt rage flooding me. And confusion. The vision. Was this Elf trying to take her? Did they know who her father was? “She is mine.”

“James, please. You sent me to get help.” Her eyes bore into mine. “They want to help.”

“I told you to get to Belgard.” Belgard was not home to Elves. It took all of my resistance not to grab her from the horse. The only reason I refrained was because of the expression on her face.

“I needed help. I found it. We need to do some things before we get to Charlotte.” Her words came out slow and deliberate as if she were choosing them carefully.

“Listen to her. She is speaking the truth.” The male Elf addressed me again. “If you let your anger get the best of you, you will only push her away.”

“Who the hell are you?” I struggled to stay in control. I could destroy these Elves and run off with Ainsley. Nothing could stop me. My body pulsed with anger.

“He’s a friend. And all they want to do is make sure it’s still you.” She held out her hand to me. “Please, just go along with it.”

I accepted her hand and a heat spread through me. This was my Ainsley. She was with me. No one could take her.

“Do what you must, but I will not wait long.” I ached to hold her in my arms.

“That is the right decision.” A beautiful female dark haired Elf jumped off the second horse. She walked toward me. “I am Adaline.”

“Adaline?” I recognized the name of the Elf royalty. “As in the queen?”

“Yes. We are here to help. You do not want to accept the darkness.” Her voice was firm yet light. She looked right into my eyes as if I were a person. Not an abomination. I was surprised by the treatment, but I knew it could also be part of an elaborate plan.

“I want Ainsley.” It was the only thing I knew for sure anymore. Holding her hand helped make things clearer, it helped me cope with the pain of fighting off the darkness, but I needed more. I needed all of her. And I needed to get away from the Elves.

“And as far as I know she wishes the same thing.” Adaline held out a hand to my free one. “No one wants to take her from you. She is your kindred. That bond is sacred.”

“Then why is she riding so close to one of your men?” I could not shake the image and the talk of an alliance. Was that agreement viewed as sacred too?

“My son is riding with her because Ainsley is inexperienced riding a horse.” Adaline watched Ainsley closely.

“Your son?” My suspicion grew.

“Yes. Elron is our son. He had a vision and rescued Ainsley.”

“They know everything, James.” Ainsley squeezed my hand “Everything.”

“We do.” Adaline pressed her lips together in a firm line. “We have seen the mark.”

The mark. The brand of my family name on her skin. The mark that at once thrilled yet terrified me because the significance marked her for a dangerous life.

“How do you suggest to help us? What can you do?” I kept a firm hold of Ainsley’s hand.

“We can do plenty if it is something you want.”

“Nothing comes without a price. What payment are you looking for?” If they said Ainsley, we would leave within seconds.

“We are looking to avoid the destruction of innocents.” Elron stretched his arms out. “And I now have a personal vested interest in this. I have a friend at risk.”

“A friend is all she will ever be,” I seethed.

“The jealousy is not truly yours.” Adaline met my eyes. “You need to separate your true thoughts and feelings from the Cipher.”

“That is impossible. I have become the Cipher.” And the jealous feelings were my own. But why had they helped her find me? That was the one part I did not understand.

Ainsley shook her head. “No. You are James. You are not the Cipher. You can fight this.”

“I do not know what they filled your head with, but no one can truly understand the situation I am in.”

“The situation we are in.” Ainsley pursed her lips. “I am tied to you.”

“You think I have forgotten?” My words were bitter on my tongue. “I will never forget nor forgive myself.”

“The fact your conscience still plagues you only proves our point.” Elron looked off in the distance before returning his gaze to me. “If the darkness had consumed you, you would have no concern for any consequences.”

Adaline held out her hand to me. “Ainsley wants you to survive what is to come. She wants to survive what is to come, and that cannot happen without your cooperation.”

“Ainsley will survive. I would never let anything happen to her.” With her so near to me I could believe those words once again.

“Yet you were desperate enough to send her running through the woods
alone
.” Elron gave me a disapproving look. “That cannot be forgotten.”

“Yet you found her somehow.” My suspicions grew. “How did that happen?”

“He found me in the woods right after I left.” Ainsley looked down at the ground. “I was lost, and he offered to take me to Belgard.”

“And you trusted him?” I tried to keep judgement from my voice, but I thought Ainsley knew better. I told her to go to the Arcos.

“He didn’t exactly give me a choice.” Her face fell. “But in truth I probably never would have gotten out of those woods myself. A sense of direction isn’t one of my best traits.”

“But you could have come back. Surely you could have found your way back.” I hated watching her look defeated. She was so strong, and she had no reason to doubt her abilities.

“You made it sound important to find Belgard. And I knew I didn’t have time to waste.” Ainsley chewed on her bottom lip.

While I was distracted Adaline wrapped her hand around my free one.

“His heart is still pure.” Adaline gestured to me. “It is astonishing.”

Ainsley reached for me, and I pulled her onto my horse facing me. I held her against me, taking in the feel of her in my arms. It brought everything into focus. No matter what, she needed to survive. She needed protection. “I have you, Ainsley. Everything will be okay. We can do this on our own.”

She picked up her head from where it rested on my chest. “What has changed? You sent me away to get help. This is our help.”

“The poison will kill her if you do not allow us to intervene.” Adaline frowned. “I would remove the poison myself, but my magic is not enough. She is only alive because of her royal blood. Your father knew of her identity. He knew she could survive it.”

“The poison will not kill her as long as she stays with me.” I rubbed her back. “I was a fool to send her away. We will handle this. Thank you for returning her safely.”

“The poison will kill her.” Adaline repeated. “You must allow us to help.”

“Forget the poison.” Tears streamed down Ainsley’s face. “I will not lose you. I need you. You worry about my survival, but what about yours? And no I’m not just saying that because I’d die if you did. I need you, James, and that need transcends the stupid poison.”

“I will do everything to keep us together.” That was all that mattered. The vision had been a warning.

“Your heart might still be pure, but the rest of you is dark.” Adaline waved her hand in front of me. “Together we have a chance to stop the darkness.”

“Stop the darkness?” I took in deep breath. “You mean destroy me. That would also mean destroying Ainsley.”

“There is still a chance we can break that connection. My mother might not believe it, but I do.” Elron eyed Adaline.

“Break the connection?” My chest clenched. “Is that what you want to do?”

“To give her a chance at survival. If you love her as you claim to, you would agree.”

The air shimmered and Talen shifted into his wolf form. “James, may I speak with you privately?”

Elron frowned. “What do you need to discuss that cannot be said in front of the rest of us?”

“If you want James to listen, let me have a few moments.” Talen, standing there completely naked, tried to reason with the Elves.

Adaline nodded. “Give them some time.”

I pulled Ainsley tighter against me before responding to Talen. “Follow me.” I rode off a small distance, relieved when the Elves did not follow. I stopped the horse, and helped Ainsley down, all the while keeping her close. I refused to let go of her again.

I pulled off my shirt and tossed it at Talen so he would cover himself. Ainsley ran her hand over my bare chest, and it sent a thrill through me.

Talen pulled my attention back. “I know you do not trust the Elves, but they are our only hope. We cannot take Ainsley to Belgard.”

“Why not?” I ran my hand through Ainsley’s hair. It felt so good to have her back at my side.

“Because Charlotte is hell-bent on doing things alone, and this is beyond her abilities. Besides the Elves have abilities that we do not have.”

“Like what?” I challenged.

“Why not let them explain?” Talen gestured to where the three Elves stood and watched us.

“He wants my Ainsley.” I did not need to speak the name. Talen would know.

“He does.” Talen nodded. “But he knows he cannot have her.”

Ainsley grunted. “Ugh, don’t go there. I’m tired of this. I’m with you, James. Everyone knows that.”

I kissed her forehead. “I do know that, but Elron does not.”

“He does.” Ainsley ran her fingers up and down my arm. “Please, drop it.” Even while she argued with me she kept her hands on my body. She craved me as much as I craved her.

I caught Talen’s eye over her head. He nodded. He knew I was right.

“Ainsley is all that I have. I will not lose her. I will not let them take her from me.”

“No one is taking me anywhere.” Ainsley wrapped her arms around my waist. “I love you. Stop doubting I am here to stay.”

“I do not doubt you.” I ran my hands down her back. “I doubt them.”

“We should return to the Elves. I swear to you I will not let them take her from you.” Talen met my gaze. “It is not the easy choice, but it is the best one we have.”

“Do you believe they can help?” I needed to put far more trust in Talen than I wanted to.

“Yes.”

I nodded and led Ainsley back over to the others.

The older male of the Elves jumped off his horse when we approached. “I am Malton.” He held out his hand.

“The king.” The whole family had come out for the occasion. He bore a striking resemblance to the Elf from the memory, and I assumed they must have come from the same family.

Malton nodded.“Yes. I am the king, and my presence should put you at ease.”

“Why would it put me at ease?” It did the opposite.

“Because you understand we are all behind this. We will work with you rather than Belgard. That is not a decision we take lightly.”

“Why?” I did not accept they would side with an outsider so easily. Especially not one who was the Cipher. “Why are you working with me and not Charlotte? She is the Essence. The chosen leader.”

Malton’s expression remained unchanged. “And we will go to her, but not until we are ready.”

“How are we going to get ready?” If they mentioned breaking the connection between Ainsley and I again, we were out of there.

“There is someone who may be able to help. He has already sent visions to Ainsley.”

“Voices. Not visions,” Ainsley corrected.

“Visions without a picture.” Elron appeared to be hiding a smile. “Now that you were proven right about James being here, your confidence should be higher. You had visions.”

I did not like the way he watched her. It was too personal.

Ainsley shrugged. “Yeah… well. It doesn’t matter.”

“It does,” Elron argued. “A vision is something special. Something only a few can have.”

“Ainsley has many talents.” Many talents Elron would never know because his time around her was limited.

Ainsley reddened.

“I assume the visions you are referring to involve Monty.” I watched Ainsley to see her reaction. She seemed to know so much already. I hoped she was not angry that I held the truth from her even if I had only recently learned it myself.

Elron nodded. “I believe it is time Ainsley called on her father.”