AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The first time I passed into the veil, I was alone. But I could hear my goats, so I knew the way back.”
She leaned her elbow on the counter. She wasn’t looking at Stone, but staring way into the past. “The mist was an incredible experience and had an effect on me. Some of my powers came alive and soon I was manipulating the mist. I could create all kinds of pathways through it.
“Eventually, I started taking my goats with me and even justified my adventures because the goats loved the grass in the mist.
“I would take their bells off so that no one would know I was in the veil.
“After weeks of exploring, I eventually made it all the way through to the other side, to Quinlan’s realm, Grochaire. And that’s when a golden wind arrived and I met my Aunt Margetta for the first time.
“She was so beautiful to my young eyes. I can recall her words to me. ‘Well aren’t you pretty. Are you Evelyn’s daughter? Rosamunde?’
“I remember how proud I was to proclaim myself as the daughter of the queen. ‘Do you know who I am?’ she asked. I couldn’t believe this beautiful, angelic woman was talking to me. ‘I’m your Auntie Margetta.’ I can remember very clearly how she looked past me and said, ‘And what a clever girl you are because I can see that you’ve created a little tunnel through the mist’.
“I was feeling very excited about the encounter and couldn’t wait to return so I could tell my mother that I’d just met my aunt. But the next moment, Mama arrived in a cloud of teal-colored wind.
“I remember only two things, my mother shouting at me to get back through the mist, then a violent explosion that had me running as fast as my legs could carry me.”
Her throat was tight again. “My mother died battling her sister, while saving my life and keeping Margetta out of Ferrenden Peace.
“Afterwards, the Sidhe Council was brought in to figure out what to do. When it was discovered I could sustain the mist and keep Margetta from reaching the elf-lord power, even as a child, I was given the job.” She realized a couple of tears had rolled down her cheeks.
She remembered how badly it had hurt, that first night when the elf-lord power came to her. She’d only been nine, but her fae instincts had told her what needed to be done, even if it took her years before she understood the whole picture.
“Even as a child you had to endure the elf-lord power?”
She nodded.
“Sweet Goddess.” He took his napkin and drew close to dry her tears. It was such a tender gesture that she stared at him in wonder. “Stone, you have this big, masterful voice and you’re as tall as sin. But I think you must be the kindest man I’ve ever known.”
“Thank you. That’s nice to hear. But I’m sorry you had to go through such a terrible thing, especially so young. Though I can relate to feeling responsible for the death of a parent. I shouldn’t have become a Guardsman when I did, even though my adoptive parents insisted I join up.”
She saw the glint of pain in his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I haven’t talked about this for decades. But when I was young and living in Charborne, I’d taken to fighting wraith-pairs, any that came near our farming community. That was a good decade before the then current ruling Mastyr of Tannisford invited me into his Vampire Guard. There were many times I was the sole reason a lot of villagers didn’t get slaughtered. I knew that joining the Guard would put Charborne in some jeopardy, but the mastyr made sure squads went out often to patrol the village and surrounding farms.
“This was three-hundred-years ago, long before electricity and the resulting resources we have these days. So, basically, I knew I was taking a chance, but no one could have predicted the kind of attack that occurred.”
Rosamunde knew what happened only too well. She’d seen the devastation in one of Margetta’s heinous visions. Later, she’d read the reports in the newspapers.
He slid off his stool and took her bowl and plate, stacking them with his own. “The major assault on Charborne, that took the lives of my parents, and so many others, happened six months to the day after I’d become a Guardsman. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over the tragedy. There was so many lives lost that night. If only I’d been there—” He let the words hang.
“I know. I totally get it. If only I hadn’t gone into the mist.”
He moved to the sink, taking the dishes with him, then met her gaze. “I thought you’d understand.”
&n
bsp; When he started rinsing the dishes, she asked. “Do you want some help?”
At that, he smiled. “Do you do dishes, Your Majesty?”
She put both her hands on her cheeks. “Not once in my life, not even as Aralynn. I only kept beer in the fridge. If I got hungry, I’d head back to the castle. But I’d like to help.”
His lips curved. “Come here, then.”
She slid off her stool and picked up the breadboard. There was only one small piece left. She hardly thought it was worth saving, but she had an idea what to do with it.
She set the board next to the dirty dishes. Stone was leaning his hip against the concrete surface. She held up the piece of bread for him. “Want this last bit?”
