The Drifting (54 page)

I sit back down on the ledge and watch as she moves to the side of Cessa.  The black cat peek an eye at the queen and then shuts it again, the purring continues uninterrupted.  The queen looks about
the clearing
, then with a slender finger points at the ground before her.  The ground moves gently and I watch as a throne made from the earth grow
s
before my eyes, covered with the same dark green grass.  The scent of jasmine fills the small opening and the purple flowers spring to life on the throne
’
s back and arms.  A small grass footstool appears and Tharin’s mom steps up and settles
comfortably
in her seat.  She gives me a warm smile, eyes twinkling.  She shrugs a delicate shoulder and waves her hand saying
,
“Perks of being the queen of Velesi.”

I laugh, instantly liking her.  She joins me and her laughter puts me completely at ease.  “Now, tell me, Lily, how are you feeling?”

I give her a shrug, “You know, nervous, a bit like a fish out of water…but other than that, I’m good.  Um, where are we?”

“You are in Malainisi.  This is Cessa’s home.”

I look around again, “It seems so lonely here.”

“She is the last of her kind.  She has everything she needs here accept company.  That is why I chose to linger here with her.  She and I have been friends since I was first able to walk.”

“How did this happen?  I mean, how is it she’s the last of her kind?  There doesn’t seem to be anything here that would be a threat to her,” I ask and then add, “
r
ight?”

“She had three sisters.  All destine
d
to be paired to queens of Velesi.  All three have died saving
her
mistress, leaving Cessa alone.  She survived only because she was mine and I made her a promise that no harm would come to her.”  She reaches out and strokes Cessa’s tail.  “She now belongs to you.”

I glance at
her shoulder
,
spying dark markings hidden under her sleeve.  My eyes roam to her wrist where a shallow, empty dent is.  From that small hole on the back of her wrist more black markings can be seen, only to disappear under her gown’s trim.  Marking
s
like those on my own wrist.

She smiles at me, assessing thoughtfully as she looks me over.  “You are perfect for Tharin.  I knew it the moment I saw you.  I was there you know.  The day you and your brother were born.”

She has my full attention and I ask, “You were there when Lucas was born?”

She shakes her head, “No dear, when you and your twin were born, you came ten minutes before him.  Of course, your father didn’t know because the minute he held you, he took you to see my husband.  He wanted Thilthen to claim your birthday a holiday…he was a kind man, your father.”

I sit stunned and the air seems to stifle me.  “What did you say?”

“I’m sorry?”

I shake my head at her, stuttering “You…you said I…I had a twin.”

“Ah, I have forgotten.  You didn’t know.  Harlu, he’s your real brother, your twin.  And before you ask, yes, Tharin knew.  But in his defense, he only found out recently.  Since then, he’s been trying to find a way to tell you without you being hurt by it.”

My world just went sideways.  I feel a cool hand on my cheek and find that I’m staring at the dark sky above me.  I blink and turn to look into the green eyes of the queen looking down at me with concern.  She looks so much like her sons.  “Are you all right?” she asks as she helps me sit up.  How embarrassing.  I fainted before my future mother-in-law…my future
dead
mother-in-law.  If I don’t end up in an institution after this
,
I will seriously be surprise
d
.

I shake the dizziness from my head and then look at her, now sitting next to me.  She pushes my hair back.  “Harlu is my twin?” I ask in disbelief.

She nods with sympathy on her face, “I am sorry that you were left in the dark about that.  If it’s any consolation,
Harlu
just recently found out himself…three days ago, to be exact.”

“I don’t understand.  How is this possible
,
and why didn’t anyone know about him?”

Lea’ith sits back, folding her hands on her lap and takes a breath, “Your mother and I are sisters by trade and love.  We were both healers, she much more powerful than me, or anyone else I knew.  She was a very close friend and I loved her dearly
–
I still do.  The day you were born we knew then that you would be the next to receive the gift of the healers.  And we also knew you were the child of prophecy
who
would return our people to Eirrell.  However, when Harlu was born we knew he would be the instrument used to destroy Velesi and every living creature within her realm.  We also knew the moment he took his first breath that your death would come by his hand.”

It’s like
I hear
what she’s saying, but the only thing I seem to be stuck on is the fact that Harlu is my brother.  “He’s my twin?  What happened to him
?
I mean, where has he been all this time?  And why is he the bad guy?”

“Your mother couldn’t bring herself to kill him as I suggested at the time of his birth.  So I took him from her and gave him to distant relatives.  They raised him until the day he killed them.  Oh, it was never proven, but I knew.  To answer your question, he wasn’t born evil.  Evil chose him the second
after
he took his first breath.  I knew it the moment it happened.  And I live
d
with that burden until my own death.”

I don’t know what to say or think.  Harlu is my brother, my twin…he’s my twin.  I can’t wrap my mind around it no matter how many times I say it.

“Come, Lily,” she says as she watches me.  “You had to have noticed the striking resemblance between the two of you.  I mean, yes, there are other
dark-
haired elves in Velesi, but none with clear amber eyes like honey and with your complexion.  And honestly, how many
jet-black-
hair
ed
elves have you seen here?  Just one other.”

I shake my head at her
,
still stunned, “But your nephews look alike.  I mean, Alorn a
nd Mellis could pass
for twins.  With the exception of their size, they look identical.”

She nods, “Yes, that’s true.  But you and
Harlu are more than just blood-
related.  He
is
your twin brother.”

“No, it can’t be.  He’s responsible for
Lucas’
death.  And
I will
avenge
him
.”

“You…or Tharin?” she tilts her head at me.  “You did say to him that you wanted to be there when
he
kills
Harlu
, didn’t you?”

I stare at her momentarily speechless, then “At first.  But as my training with Ziri became more and more intense, all I can think of is to free Lucas’ body from that demon and then avenge him against Harlu myself.”

“I see,” she says thoughtfully.  “Well, then I wish you luck, Lily.”  She looks away distantly, “The time has come for the new queen of Velesi to take her place.  At least you will be in a few days.”  She takes my hand and says, “Be good to my son.  He truly does love you.”

I look down at our hands, not wanting to tell her that her son is a cheating, lying jerk.  Instead
,
I nod quietly before standing to leave.

“One other thing, Lily,” she says stopping me, “say hello to your father for me.  Give him my love.  He was such a good husband to your mother and a good friend to my husband.” 

“My father?”

“Yes, John is at the
Oak
Tower
.  When he’s ready to come to you he will; and when he does, give him my regards.”

I don’t know how to respond.  My father is at the tower?  I’ve been in hiding there for three days now
–
maybe he doesn’t know I’m there.  Or maybe he does and isn’t ready to come to me yet.  I made the mistake of pushing my mother away until it was too late.  I won’t make the same mistake with him.  I take a step toward her hesitantly.  “Will you see my mother?”

She nods, “Yes, I will.  In fact, she wanted me to wish you well.”

“Will she never come back to me?”

“She will, trust me.  Just give her some time.”

“One more question,” I ask and she nods, giving me her consent.  “It was you who sent Lucas to me
,
wasn’t it?  Or you had something to do with it?”

She gives me a warm smile, “Yes.  I thought it was necessary for the two of you to say your good-byes.  I came across his soul looking for my E’leiana in Demus.  I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye to my daughter.  Her death was a violent one, and because of it, her soul is lost to me somewhere in Demus.  She hides because she’s afraid, but I will find her.”

“I’m sorry…and thank you.”  She nods and I turn to leave.  I find myself in the pando woods again with Cessa at my side, guiding me back.  I stop and take a knee, snuggling her.  “I didn’t realize how alone you were.  In that way, I suppose we’re alike.  Both alone
–
you here in your realm and me in a realm I don’t know if I will ever be at home
in
.”

I rub her ears and she moves her large head closer, not getting enough of my hand.  “I will make you a promise, my Cessa.  You will never be alone as long as you’re with me, I swear it.  I know now how to come to you.”  I snuggle her one last time before letting her guide me back.

I knew instantly when I
stepped into the garden
that I wasn’t alone. 

Something silver is thrown at us, hitting Cessa on the head.  It explodes into white powder, causing Cessa to stumble a few steps before going down. 
I reach
for the ceremonial blade at my waist that Sema hung there earlier and I immediately call up an energy shield.  The blade comes out easily from its sheath and without a second thought I call for Milina and Glynnis.  Within seconds they appear at my side in
their
golden form
s
, their blades in hands and ready.  We stand in a circle
,
our backs to each other. 

Harlu walks out from the shadows, clapping slowly with a cocky smile on his face.  He gives me a cursory look, sensual and repulsive.  I feel as if
I’m
covered with a thin layer of slime
after his leering once-
over of me from head to toe and back up again.  Glynnis is by my side with her hands up, ready for my command with Milina at my other. 

“Peace, sister.  I mean you no harm,” he offers as a greeting, still looking at me in the same creepy way that Chris used to watch Julia.  I keep from shuddering and stand my ground.

“What do you want?” I demand.

“Ah, very brave, Lily.  Not the frightened little girl that my…acquaintance
…
made you out to be.  However, he was right about one thing.  You are stunning; but then again, you are my twin.”

I stay quiet, hating his arrogance and waiting for him to get to the point.