The Drifting (48 page)

“Oh…well, no she’s fine.  It’s Julia,” I say.

Sema turns to Julia, asking “What is it, child?  Why would you go when Lily’s wedding is in a few days and the Seating is tomorrow?”  Julia
lowers
her head
,
unable to give her reason.  If Sema knows of Tolan’s wedding, she didn’t let on that she did.  Peering at Julia carefully, Sema nods.  “Are you sure this is what you want to do?” 

Julia nods without looking up and Sema
catches
her by the chin to look her in the eye. 
H
olding back tears, Julia answer
s
in a small voice, “Yes.”

Sema leans over and gives Julia a kiss on the cheek.  When she leans back she giv
es my friend a comforting smile
.  “All right, I will take care of everything.  When
do
you want to go?”

“Now, tonight,” answers Julia quickly.  Sema gives me a look before making her way to the door.  She turns to us, saying, “It will happen very quickly.  Say your good-byes because once I put things into motion
,
there won’t be any time after.”  She walks out the room closing the doors behind her.

Julia and I sit for a moment looking at the door and then at each other.  Instantly
,
we’re hugging one another.  I wipe at Julia’s tears and say, “I’m sorry this happened with Tolan.  I wish I could make it better for you.”

Julia smiles at me and even though we have been friends for a lifetime
,
it seems only yes
terday that a shy little blonde-
hair
ed
girl stood up
to
a bully who was picking on me.  I remember how he pushed her down
,
but she got right back up.  It was then that her long bangs flicked to one side and everyone saw the bruise on her cheek.  He called us names, but he walked away.  We’ve been friends since.  It seems Julia was having the same thoughts.  We sit without saying a word, holding hands tightly.  What was there to say that we haven’t already said in the years we’ve been friends?

I suddenly feel lost and need to somehow stay connected, with something physical, something tangent and something she can keep that will make her think of me.  I turn to her as I unfasten the gold chain
with
the Manui stone.  “Here,” I offer as I put the chain around her neck and fasten it for her.

“Where did you get this?” asks Julia
while
lifting the stone between her fingers
and
gazing at its beauty. 

“Tharin gave it to me.  I want you to have it to remember me by.”

She looks up at me, shaking her head, “I can’t take this, Lil.  Tharin gave it to
you
.”  She reaches behind her to undo the clasp but seems to have a hard time.  “It won’t come off, Lil.”

“Good,” I reply.  I pull her arms down and take her hands, “I want you to have it.  It’s the only piece of jewelry I have.  And I’m sure there will be more, but this one is special…and I want you to take it.”

Julia looks at me and silently we hug again.  “I love you, Lil,” she sniffs.

“I love you, too, Jules.”

The door opens and Sema walks in with two men I recognize as her helpers.  Julia puts the stone under her jersey and looks at me one last time.  She quickly kisses me on the cheek and walks to Sema.

The old woman looks up at my friend, “Things are set.  You’ll be in Pathen in a few hours and you will stay with friends for a day to give Marilyn time to think you’re on your way.  But the truth is you’ll be taken to a portal that will get you to
Perth
,
close to where her sister lives
.  Are you ready?”

Julia rolls her shoulders back and
gives
me one last glance
as
she nods to the old woman.  Within seconds they’re out the door, shutting it behind them.  I didn’t cry when Julia was here only because I didn’t want to make her feel bad about leaving me, although I did make a remark or two.  Already I miss her terribly…my one and truest friend, my sister.

~ * ~

Chapter Thirty-Three

~ Tharin ~

I had hoped Lily would come to me the past two nights, but I was told by Ka that Sema had her on a tight regiment.  I had thought to go to her, but I knew she shared the room with Julia.  Being in the state she would be in, she may wake Julia up, who would demand why I would be sneaking into their rooms while they slept. 

After meeting with my father and Ka,
we remained
at the garden letting our thoughts run free.  At the end, we decided
we wouldn’t make a drawn-
out good-bye with Tolan
and Ziri
.  When the others left,
I
stood
with my twin taking in the
Summer
Garden
.  We
used to play
here
as boys whenever
Tolan
could sneak me away
from my training
.

“I have a gift for you,” I said without looking at him. 

“Huh, what?  Have you held on
to a gift all these years just to give it to me on the day we go our separate ways?”

“No.  This is a condition to my agreeing to ‘behave’ myself when the time comes for Lily to go to
the
doorway.”

Tolan turns to me
and asks
, “Tharin, you’re seriously not letting them take her, are you?”

I nod, “Yes, I am, but I’ll be going with her.  That’s one of the conditions I gave
F
ather.  I will be at her side when the doorway is opened.  And if death is to follow, he will take me with her.”

Tolan shakes his head at me, “I can’t let that happen.”

“There’s nothing you or I can do about it but hope the Mother is with us at that moment and we’ll come out of it alive.  I’ve gone through the Binding with her, Tolan…there is no one else for me.  Besides, you know me…I’ll fight to the end to save her.”

Tolan gives an understanding nod and says, “I will
know it
should you fall.  If it takes my last breath, I will come to you at the end should that be the case.”  I take his forearm as he takes mine, sealing his promise with a shake.

“You may not be so agreeable to breathe your last breath on my account, brother,” I say
,
giving him a crooked smile.

He gives me a puzzled look, “What are you talking about?”

“The second condition I force
F
ather to agree to,” I say cryptically, enjoying the moment of suspense at his expense.

“Well, tell me,” he says anxiously.

“The final condition is that he’s to give you and Julia his blessing to wed.  He will bypass that ridiculously archaic law and allow your wedding to happen.  Congratulations, brother,” I say putting my arm out for him to take once again. 

Tolan’s breathing starts to come fast as he stares at me with wide eyes fill
ed
with disbelief and shock.  I see his chest heaving as the news starts to sink in and I actually start to worry that he might hyperventilate.  Ignoring my arm
,
he throws his arms around me
,
giving a big bear hug
and lifts
me
up
.  He puts me down and then bear hug
s
me again.  He sets me down and grabs for my arm shaking it enthusiastically, laughing with joy.  I laugh along with him
,
waiting for him to get a hold of himse
lf and when he does settle down
he puts both hands on his head, looks at me for a moment and gives me a warm hug.  I am truly happy for him.

“Thank you, brother,” says Tolan overcome with joy. 

I suggest we join the others for dinner and give the good news, but
we should
keep it within our small circle.  Although Tolan agrees eagerly, I can already see his mind working overtime on how he would get to Julia, do whatever it takes to get her to tell him what’s going on, give her the news and then marry her.  I wouldn’t be surprise
d
if he kidnaps her and takes her with him to the Willow Clan tonight.  However, he knows Lily would need her friend on a big day like tomorrow, and besides, Julia would be safer here during the coup when he and Ziri remove Falsad and Harlu from the seat of command.

Ziri.  Okay, one brother down and one to go.  I’ve checked Nameth off the list and have decided that maybe he and Glynnis should give it a shot.  This one time I think Ziri would actually be in agreement with me.  I chuckle to myself.  Should things go wrong during the opening to Eirrell, at least I spent my last days playing
C
upid to my brothers
,
ensuring their happiness.  How did it come to this?

We me
et up at the guard
s
’
dining hall thinking we can be a little looser without worrying about any of the court’s advisors, Ancients or any bureaucrats crashing our little celebration.  Before meeting with the others, I make my way to the war room and sit on the floo
r near the seating area.  I send
out my senses reaching out to Milina.  Within seconds
,
the two golden forms appear before me, Milina coming forth.  “My prince, is everything all right?  I didn’t sense any danger with
the princess
, so why have you called us back?  Has our king changed his mind about us being here?”

I stand, shaking my head, “No, he hasn’t.  In fact, he doesn’t know.  I wanted you here to help celebrate the news of Tolan’s engagement to Julia.”

The golden area where her mouth is spreads to a wide smile.  Glynnis moves forward to stand beside Milina also happy with the news.  “We would be honor
ed
to celebrate this special occasion with you, my prince,” answers Milina.

“Good, but before we join them I think it would be a good idea if you changed.  I don’t want to bring attention to us as the celebration is only among friends,” I suggest.  Within seconds, the gold and crystal peel off them and disappears into the floor leaving them as they looked prior to
returning to the clearing
.

When we finally arrive at the hall, Kalis and two of her men had joined our group.  The instant Ziri sees Glynnis, he’s on his feet to meet her when Nameth enters the room with the other servers and he hesitates.  He watches Nameth go about setting food and drinks down, slowly making her way to him.  I was told a few days back that Ziri and Nameth were found talking and spending some time together, but it seems his feelings for her have changed.  According to Mellis, Ziri now goes out of his way to avoid her and I can only imagine why.  He was a boy when he fell for Nameth and I’m sure in the last few days he’s spent with her he’s seen her true nature.

I watch as Nameth locates him and places her hand on his arm, whispering softly.  Ziri looks over at Glynnis before sitting back down.  I sigh and shake my head…it’s going to be a long night.  I need the sisters back
at
the clearing before
F
ather finds out that I’ve gone against his wishes.  I turn to look down at Glynnis and the disappointment on her face is obvious.  Realizing I’m staring at her, she glances up at me briefly before casting her eyes downward.