Whispers of a Legend, Part One-Shadows of the Past (14 page)

“And Cono?” I asked trying to steady myself
when I stood. I reached for the side of the bed.

“Without question. I find that my misgivings
were unfounded and unquestionably you are stronger, much stronger
with him by your side. Do you realize what you have done?”

“No, I reacted only,” I answered honestly. I
moved toward the balcony. Twiten walked beside me. For a moment, my
breath was taken away when I reached the railing. My room towered
above the ground. Far below me lay the gardens and the wings of the
manor. I breathed in deeply. Figures appeared walking below. I
could not make out whom, but they seemed like ladies in their
finery.

“Your reach of your shield exceed any
expectation, Kela. At one point it was said the whole of the camp
was shielded. The magnitude of the thrust on the ground crumbled
the tunnels beneath the camp. From that moment with your shield
keeping the winds back, the Arachnideans had not a chance.

“I have so many questions. To do so without
training along with Cono and with prior experience with Cono when
you were younger, King Edulf feels that your bond is instinctual.
It does not need to be reinforce but will when together
protect.”

Confused with his words, I turned back to
Twiten. “I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“I believe it will be for King Edulf to tell
you what he has planned. He is happy, my dear, extremely so.”

My heart pounded rapidly. “I can return? I
can be acknowledged once more?”

“Given that keeping you a secret isn’t an
option at this moment, I would find King Edulf hard press not to
recall you, but caution is still advised. It would not be such a
bad time, would it? Within the month, you will be eighteen. I would
suspect the King would have something in the works.”

My heart burst with joy. “And Cono?”

“It is not for me to say, but if it was, I
would not separate the two of you.”

“Where is Cono?” I asked. I held tight to
the railing. The ladies had withdrawn back into the manor while I
watched.

“I expect he will be here within the day,”
Twiten said. “He has sent messages for you. I have told him you
hadn’t awakened, but seemed in good health and was in good hands.
He seems quite taken with you, Kela. It is good. Is it not?”

I turned back to Twiten astonished by his
words. “Truly,” I asked. “I want nothing more.”

“Truly, Kela, I want nothing more than to see
your eyes gleam as they are now.”

Turstan burst into my room shortly after
Twiten left. After making sure I was whole, he gleamed with pride
and had me recite the entire venture. Rumors abounded about my
performance. King Edulf had not confirmed my existence which I
found strange, but in my mind I cared only if I left the Forest and
took my place that my birthright demanded, my Euchoun presence
allowed.

“Alas, I have not been told of your return,
but it would have to be imminent,” Turstan sat alert in his chair.
His eyes gleamed with the light of a brightly burning fire. He
looked straight ahead at me. “The king is a wise man, not prone to
emotions, for sure, but he uses wisdom at most times. He will
recall you when it is deemed best for you and Scarladin. Remember,
my child, it is the life of a Euchoun, of a warrior.”

Kela frowned. “Do you not believe I will be
recalled? Pray what will you have me do? Stay in the Forest
forever?”

“Nay, Kela, but within the Forest…,” his
voice faltered, but his meaning clear. My eyes welled at his
response. Turstan’s, my warrior guardian, the hard-hearted soul,
concern lay not with the welfare of Scarladin. His worry lay with
me. In that I found comfort.

I rose. Leaning downward, I kissed his cheek
and wiped his own eyes which watered. I sat beside him and his arm
rounded me. My head fell upon his large shoulder and I sat there
until he took his leave.

Sareta visited for she resided at Hovoamia
during this time along with Gunilda. I found I reside high above
all else in the tower. No one else knew of my presence at the
manor. Gunilda said Twiten waited for King Edulf to make known
about my appearance.

I recovered rapidly. I wanted nothing more
than to start my new life. I waited impatiently for Cono, but I
said nothing to Sareta. The news of the battle had traveled quickly
leaving Cono’s actions highly exclaimed across Scarladin! In turn
Sareta excitedly took measure in, leaving out my role in the
battle.

For some reason unknown to me when Gunilda
left us alone, she seemed to mistakenly think I would take heart in
the fact she felt Cono had a connection to our cousin, Amicia. Her
words exhaled praise for Amicia’s beloved which annoyed me to no
end.

“Belasquita would not consider a great
warrior as Cono for her attached, only a Prince or a King will do
for her. Amicia cares only that it is Cono. Is that not most
romantic? To have a love so deep.”

“Is it returned? Has Cono spoken those words
to Amicia?” I asked my voice rose higher than I intended.

“Why no! Kela of what do you speak? No lady
can be alone with a suitor or any man before they are attached. It
is not done. Her reputation…,” She looked upon me. Seeing my
expression, she leaned over to me. “You are different, Sister. You
are a warrior yourself. Why look at yourself! When you returned as
you did, you were dressed as a boy, dirty and filthy! If not for me
when I changed you, you would be dressed in that dreadful tunic and
shirt. You have never cared for the etiquette that is required in
court…” she hesitated. “Or do you? Oh, why did I not think of such?
With Belasquita being attached soon it is said to the heir of
Brixtone and you are the eldest granddaughter. It should have been
you, but, Kela…”

I stared intently at my frivolous sister. She
thought I gave two hoots for who Belasquita married! Did she not
understand of what I had just accomplished? More so than any
frivolous talk of illogical matches!

I drew in my breath so not to say the words
on my lips. Sareta was a child. She couldn’t understand the world
around her as I did. Cono loved me. He could be with no other. He
had no need for a Princess for was I not one? No, we were
one...bonded forever.

In the still of the night, I found no peace.
Sareta’s words haunted me. In all I could deal with all around me
if I had only Cono by my side. But in the cold night’s air, I had
not Cono. I was alone in my bed while all below me partied. I had
seen the celebration begin from the balcony.

The Manor exploded with lights and music. I
watched for a time, but my view was blocked. Though I heard well
the celebration. Within me doubts again formed. In all would not
the celebration be the time to announce my return. I could stand by
Cono. Yet, I lay within my bed without even the thought of anyone
telling me of what was being celebrated.

Finally, I crawled out of bed. I paced over
to the railing of the balcony, staring at the manor below. I saw
above me Sordarins in flight. On patrol, no doubt, I thought for
all below to enjoy the victory.

Soft diffused moonlight lit the sky,
shadowed by the wings of brave Sordarins. I stood staring out
before me trying to collect my thoughts. So engrossed in my
thoughts I paid no mind to the figure flying above me, taking time
to circle me. Only when he at last swooped down before me, my heart
leaped. I stepped back as the warrior, my warrior landed. He had
come back to me.

I whirled in a graceful motion around to
face him creating whispers of moving air no stronger than the
breath of a hummingbird. A moment of light touched his face, his
handsome smiling face. All my doubts encompassing me dissipated
upon the smile.

I stood before him in my simple gown with no
jewels to adorn me, my hair long down my back without a fashionable
twist, only myself as I was. His hand reached toward me and I
shivered with his touch. If he spoke words, I heard them not for I
couldn’t breathe when his arms rounded me. He pushed back my hair
from my face, my neck and caressed my face.

“Never have I returned to such a sight.”

He kissed me over and over again. Then his
lips traveled down my neck and a sensation swept through me. His
hands held me tight against him. I forgot all about my surroundings
or where I stood. I had no restraint with Cono. My hand went to his
face. He took my hand and kissed it, holding it to his lips. His
eyes lay on mine.

“What of everyone else? Could not someone
walk in upon us?” I asked drawing upon every word.

“A celebration is ongoing. None will miss me
since I haven’t acknowledged my return and any that know you are
here believe you are sleeping. Would you prefer me to leave and let
you rest?” he whispered, but I knew well he wasn’t leaving my side.
“Most will be entertained tonight. And for us, tomorrow…is
tomorrow.”

I eyed him suspiciously for I didn’t
comprehend his meaning. His eyes sparkled with my confusion.

“We have time tonight that we will not have
in the days to come when we won’t be allowed this freedom. Your
brother, the King, Twiten…”

His words hung in the air. My heart pounded.
His hand slid down my arm. I should have been ashamed of my
appearance in my nightgown or perhaps admonished him soundly that a
lady would never accept such behavior. Yet, I trembled in his
arms.

He gave me no more chance to think. His mouth
came down hard upon my mouth, releasing a yearning within him as my
own exploded. I had no thought to deny Cono anything. He ravished
my mouth and cries emerged from me that I had no control over. His
lips descended down my neck and caressed down my side. I did not
fight his hold on me and he grew bolder. He pushed us to the back
of the room toward the bed.

His hand slid beneath my gown. My eyes
widened when he took the end of it and pulled it upward over my
head. For the first time, I was afraid. Gunilda had told me tales
of fallen women who gave themselves to men. I had paid no attention
to her, but her words echoed in my head while Cono kissed me. I was
ignorant of the world, but alarm fled through me. With my
hesitation, his gaze sought mine and he kissed me gently.

“I will not know you completely tonight,
Kela, but this I know as do you. We are meant to be together. In my
heart I feel it. I want no other but you. You are mine as I am
yours. I will never hurt you, but will protect you forever. Tell me
you don’t want me to stop because you want me as I want you.”

“I want nothing more than to be with you
here at this moment.”

“Trust me,” he whispered while his wings
covered us. He kissed me hard while his hands finished pulling my
gown off of me uncovering my breasts. He lowered his head and for a
time my world shocked at the pleasure he gave to me. Sensations
piled on one another. I was lost in his essence.

His mouth teased me. His hand caressed me to
a point where I begged him for more. He leaned upward and kissed my
mouth again, turning me and pulled me to him. His arms wrapped
around me, holding me tight against him. One hand cupped my breast
while the other covered me in the most intimate of places. Pushing
me back tight against him, he stroked me, prodded me to respond.
Stunned my body exploded with sensations. Suddenly he released me
and touched me no more. My body’s pleasure eased. I opened my eyes.
He pulled me to him and he smiled down on me.

“I went farther than I intended,” he
uttered. His wings fluttered slightly before they collapsed into a
resting position. He moved quietly to the edge of the bed so he
could find comfort on his side as his wings rested off the bed. He
bent down and brought up the covers around us. His arm rounded me
pulling me to his bare chest. I stared at him suddenly embarrassed
at my behavior. I lay naked in his arms. Tears welled in my
eyes.

His hand wiped it back. “Oh, Kela, don’t. I
told you we are meant to be together. But I should have never taken
advantage of you as I did, but…to all the Saints…I could not
contain myself. But your innocence is still intact,” he said
gently. “Barely perhaps.”

“I…” I searched for words to say. I wanted to
say I loved him for my heart swelled within me, but he had not said
the words to me. He leaned down and kissed my lips.

“You will not have to worry about my
intentions after tonight. I intend upon talking with King Edulf. I
have already laid a foundation about my feelings and I don’t think
he will object, but I will wait until then before…before we
consummate our union. I want you happy, Kela. Always.”

I needed nothing else. He held me in his arms
and talked. He talked to me of everything, the battle, his home,
his grandparents, his mother’s family, Scarladin… At some point in
the night, we slept for a time and when I opened my eyes, his were
on mine.

“Kela, Kela,” he uttered my name as if it
was sacred. “I think all is senseless this need to hide you from
all eyes. I see no reason why you can’t be by my side. I don’t care
what anyone thinks having a female for a Euchoun. One that I intend
to mate…”

His words faded. I turned to him. “We will be
together always, Cono?”

“Always,” he said.

Cono had no qualms about his presence in the
morning light. He played my maid dressing me in a manner that no
one would suspect upon my sight he had held me in his arms until
the morning light appeared. He even took to my hair, brushing it
and at times running his fingers through it. I laughed joyfully and
gave no thought to how all appeared for I was happy, truly
happy.

With the greatest reluctance, he flew off
when we heard footsteps at my door. For a brief moment I thought he
was going to stay and make known to all our actions, but then he
smiled down at me, kissed me and took to the air. I stood on the
balcony when Twiten walked in with Gunilda.