AllFreeNovel
Share Us
True to her word, Maggie spoke not a word. She just sat there with a slack expression on her face. A few times, Cal wondered if she even listened anymore. But Maggie most likely hung onto every detail and worked hard to process everything. The supposedly impossible becoming possible would bog anyone down.
After Cal drew to a finish, her friend remained silent for a few minutes, mouth agape. Anxiety welled up. What would Maggie say? Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long to find out.
“That story would be unbelievable coming from almost anyone else. But I know you. You don’t lie for kicks. You’re a little strange at times, just like I am, but not crazy. There’s also the proof of this irremovable bracelet. Given that, I’m sure we’re not both subject to the same hallucination.” She paused before finishing with her usual panache. “Wow, so totally awesome in a really disturbing, terrifying way.”
Cal’s heart lightened as if a great load had been lifted. “Well, that wouldn’t be quite my description, but it’ll work.”
After the emotional outpouring that occurred, Cal was glad when she and Maggie decided to stay in and watch a movie. In a silent mutual agreement, they didn’t talk of what they’d discussed earlier in the evening. The rest of the night would be about normality, just the two of them having fun. They started their DVD, threw a bag of popcorn in the microwave, and lazed on the living room’s sofa in something that approximated happiness.
Her troubles weren’t over, far from it, in fact. Still, she was determined to find peace where she could and make the most of this night. She didn’t know when she might get the chance to have another such evening, but the feeling it would come none too soon took root.
During the following week, Cal settled back into a semi-rigid routine while she could. Time ticked down to the day when she wouldn’t have any control. She just felt it and would’ve bet her favorite guitar, her only guitar, on it. But there was some solace in knowing she wasn’t crazy.
She went to classes and field experiences, wrote papers, practiced and rehearsed for her private lessons and her upcoming performances. Work was stuffed somewhere between studying and sleep. While she maintained this hectic clip throughout the next couple of weeks, she kept her intruding thoughts to a minimum. The coming storm would soon sweep away this time of clear skies.
Her dreams of Relian returned and remained constant, but the mist didn’t pay her another visit. And the visions had largely faded away. The dreams were almost calming in their consistency. Their reliable timing and uniform content became a familiar presence in her life. Instead of dreading them like before, she strangely looked forward to those times after a tough, challenging day.
***
Relian’s pacing reached a frantic level. At least he hid away in the privacy of his own chambers where no one could look upon this behavior. The beige rug under his boots muffled any sound that might’ve escaped the room.
He was more than upset. Distraught was the word and over a mortal. These thoughts settled over him like a wave of cold water, and he stumbled. Relian swore his feet had grown a few sizes too large. His body, as well as his mind, no longer functioned under his control.
How could he feel the way he did? He hardly knew the human girl. Anyway, she hadn’t seemed to enjoy the party from a few days ago. She promptly stopped wandering hands from roaming to inappropriate places—his places. After each dance—if that gyrating could be termed that—was over, she’d walked away without a backward glance. Those were not the actions of a woman who sought out attention. Relian would know. He’d been the object of such affections countless times.
He’d never been attracted, physically or mentally, by an eivai to the extent of wanting to bond. At his age, he’d all but given up on finding the one who’d be his complete bondmate.
Even his father had never found his own, but needing an heir, he’d made Relian’s mother his queen. They were never complete bondmates. That was what had kept his father sane, whole, and alive after her death. Many of those in total bonds weren’t so fortunate.
Relian had assumed he’d either follow his father’s lead, choosing an incomplete bond, or none at all. An ironic snort escaped his mouth. His complete bondmate hadn’t existed in Eria for one simple reason: she was human. Why would fate play this trick on him? In his most outlandish thoughts, he’d never imagined such a thing. He could only foresee problems if he brought her here.
A despairing laugh welled up in his chest. Even if, once here, she agreed to break the binding, he didn’t know if he could do it. Every fiber in his being cried out for the bond to be completed, to be whole. It was the nature of the binding. That was why, in all the history of his people, he could count on two hands all the bindings that had been undone, and there would still be fingers left. And the ones that hadn’t been unraveled soon enough... Well, those were true horror stories.
He had to bring her here or face the consequences. Otherwise, he’d never be the same again. Closing his eyes, he sought to block the truth but couldn’t. Regardless of which course he chose, nothing would ever be the same. Still, he had to finish it one way or another.
The tantalizing idea of fresh air and battle swept over him. He threw on appropriate clothes and sought out the person who would give him both.
Relian soon found what he wanted on the training grounds. With a reckless grin, he challenged Kenhel to a round of sword fighting. As they sparred, the other soldiers either looked on or practiced whatever art of war that called to them. In the wide-open space, Relian worked his mind and body in an intricate dance. The human, for once, didn’t take up all his thoughts. He could also drop the stiff formality he often adopted because of his station, age, and race.
As their swords clashed, a thrill of exhilaration flowed through him. By the Green Mountains, how he’d missed this! His and Kenhel’s sword work was renowned to be some of the best in the land. Their archery wasn’t far behind. As young elves, they’d often competed with each other for any honor, be it a run to the kitchens in the effort to get the first sweet cake or taking part in a formal competition. They’d honed their skills on each other and usually had an enjoyable time while at it.
On this early afternoon day, they’d been sparring for well over two hours, with no signs of abatement anytime soon. He was hot and sticky, perspiration trickling down his face and back. Kenhel appeared to be in much the same condition, his pale blond hair slicked against his head.
Sending him a wicked smile, Kenhel feinted to the right before spinning behind him. Relian, quite familiar with Kenhel’s maneuver, wasn’t distracted from his target. By the time he turned, his friend would be ready to deliver blow after blow. But Relian was ready for anything Kenhel could devise.
“Still using that tired, old trick, hmm?” questioned Relian mockingly.
A mock look of outrage painted itself on Kenhel’s face. “I almost knocked the sword from your hand with the strength of my blows, you old elf. I swear if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were getting old and decrepit like a human.”
Relian faltered for a moment but quickly recovered. That last remark hit a little too close for comfort. He pivoted around to miss a swing aimed at his shoulder. “If I’m getting old, then you’re surely following behind. After all, you are only five years younger.”
After Kenhel blocked a blow, he whirled to put some space between them. “Oh yes, we’re both nearing our decline.”
“You’ll certainly be meeting your decline at the end of my sword.”
“I’d like to see that, old man.”
His friend’s words snagged on something in his mind. Cal was by no means old, but she would age... This time, when Relian didn’t recover soon enough, Kenhel caught on. He halted his attack and raised an arched eyebrow, his way of asking if something was wrong. Relian shook his head, not wanting to discuss it right now.
