The Binding

  “You and I,” he s ays, “are going to get a long just fine. Com e on.” He leads me to the side of the SUV and starts the introductions.

  “This is Alorn. He ’s my first cousin on my mother’s side.” Mellis is compact and lean, while Alor n has a little more muscle bulk, broader and is taller than his cousin. He does not share Mellis’ sunny disposition. He greets me with a curt nod, looking me over closely, particularly my ears. I’m startled when he reaches out and touches my right ear and scrutinizes it for several seconds before he let s his hand drop. He looks me over a second time, makes a small nod of his head and then turns back to what he was doing without a word.

  I stand staring at his back. Like Mellis and Tharin, he wears a black beanie that covers his ears. In fact, as I look at Mellis and the other elf , they a re all wearing black beanies and t hey all have long sandy hair. They ’re athl etic looking and tall, and they a re all young. I refocus on Mellis when I realize he’s talking to me again.

  “…around women, so pay him no mind. Alorn doesn’t say much to anyone, including me , and I ’m his favorite cousin!” He gives me that contagious smile of his. I can’t help but smile back. He leads me next to the third elf who is bulkier with more muscle mass than Alorn . He must be seven feet tall, but I know that’s wrong. He can’t be more than an inch , maybe two, taller than Tharin. He’s not massive like those body builders you see in the m uscle m agazine s , but he definitely has more mass on him than the others . Maybe that’s why he looks taller than the rest. He’s intimidating looking , too .

  “This big guy here is Phoris, first cousin on my father’s side , ” offers Mellis , as he slaps Phoris on the arm.

  I stare up at Phoris and slowly lift my hand in a small wave as a greeting.

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess.” His voice is soft, belying his bulk, and his eyes are gentle. His politeness and the softness of his voice put me at ease instantly. I smile back at him.

  “Please,” I say, “it’s just Lily. My name is Lily.”

  The big man cocks his head to one side and then his face is like a golden sunrise as he smiles back at me. I find myself smiling even broader at him. He reaches for my ear, this time the left one. For someone his size, his touch is gentle and soft. I barely feel his fingers trace my ear. Then he let s his hand drop and steps back. The look he gives me is apologetic and with a shy smile, he bows his head and return s to what he was doing.

  “As you can see, the big guy’s a teddy bear,” says Mellis, “but I’d have that big teddy bear at my side in any fight. Trust me, I sleep better at night.”

  “Do you get in a lot of fights?” I ask.

  “Oh, on an occasion or two, you know how it goes.”

  I laugh, “No, no I don’t.”

  The garage door open s and as I adjust my eyes to the morning light, I hear Juli a ’s voice. When I’m able to make out the scene before me, I stand stun ned . Tolan is standing in front of another SUV with his fists tightly clenched at his side. Julia is pacing back and forth shouting at Tolan abo ut how people in this world don’t kidnap girls in their sleep , and if it were not for the fact that he and his “buddies” are keeping me from her, she would take each one of them down. Especially Tolan , who she believes is the ring leader.

  I watch as Tolan step s up, cutting off her pacing , stopping her in her tracks.

  “I’m going to tell you this one more time, you she-devil,” he says through clenched teeth “I didn’t kidnap anyone . I was asked to find you and you came of your own free will. You’re the one who’s holding me prisoner with your stupid accusations!” By this time he’s yelling just as loud ly as Julia, ignoring the growing fury on her face.

  “Listen you pointed—ear mental case, if I’m keeping you prisoner, then let me release you from your chains!” With her usual agility, Julia shuffle s her feet closer to him attempting a roundh ouse kick to his head. She’s not quick enough, though. Tolan side steps her easily, at the same time grabbing her ankle and yanking her forward , pulling her off of her standing leg. She hit s the ground face first.

  She turns on her backside looking up at him, coughing dust and glaring , “Why , you son-of-a-bitch!”

  Tolan moves to the front of the SUV. He puts his foot on the bumper just as Julia is up and charging at him. As she throws a punch, Tolan shifts his upper body slightly, catches her wrist and throws her over his knee. He swings his arm back and puts a hard smack to her backside .

  Leaning into me Mellis whispers, “It’s been like this since last night. I don’t think any of us got any sleep. Tharin moved you two in this house, and Alorn, Phoris and I moved to the next. Even the distance couldn’t cut out their screaming.”

  Trying not to laugh , I finall y move toward Tolan . With my hands out waving before me, I stop him from smacking Julia a second time .

  “Tolan, stop!” His hand stops in midair and Julia stops struggling as she tries to twist around to look at me . “Please, Tolan. I think she’s had enough. Besides, do all the guys in your family beat on girls?”

  I meant it as a joke, but the mortified look on Tolan’s face tells me that he took my comment seriously . He looks at his raised hand and then down at Julia. He pulls her up to face him by her shoulders. I watch him as he studies Julia’s face, looking at her as if seeing her for the first time. Knowing Julia, she’s more pissed about the fact that he had the upper hand than about the spanking she just received. Without a word , he pushes Julia to me and walks away.

  “Julia, are you okay ?” I ask looking her over. When I push her hair from her face I notice the bruise above her jaw line, the purple goose egg under her right eye and her split bottom lip. I know that they are n o t from Tolan. Her stepfather had beaten her again disguising it as a workout session in the boxing rin g. It happened on my birthday. It’s the reason why she wouldn’t have been able to do the run that night with me. Frank and her stepbrother are the reason s I wanted her with me.

  Julia didn’t hear or even notice me. Her eyes remain fixed on Tolan.

  *

  Chapter Sixteen ~ Tharin ~

  I take out Kalis’ message sphere that Mellis handed me. Kalis. How is it that I haven’t thought of her since last night? I feel a pang of guilt because I’m not as excited about receivi ng a response to my own message, which I sent yesterday. You’re just tired, that’s all , I tell myself. Yeah, that’s it. Yet, while I call forth the message from the sphere, all I can think of is the feel of Lily’s hand in my own. Small and warm it seem ed to fit nicely as she did in my arms. I must be tired. I shake off my thoughts of Lily and smile as the back of Kalis’ head appears. She must be in the Summer Garden as I can see the red Londias in the back ground. The face that turns to me is fair and beautiful , and like all the other times that I’ve see n her, I catch my breath . Her golden hair surrounds her beauty with soft curls pulled loosely back in her usual braid . Her green eyes widen with pleasure. Her red lips break into a smile and I feel my heart beat a little faster. How can I forget such beauty?

  “Tharin, finally! I was worried when I did n’t hear from you.” Her smooth brow furrows in concern. “Is everything al l right?” she asks.

  I smile at her, “Yes, Kalis, everything is fine. It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you, too, Tharin. You look tired.”

  “It’s been a long night. Lily was hurt by Rinis and we had to stop for a few hours while she rested.”

  “Rinis?” she pauses only for a second before continuing , “So the Black Prince has sent in his dogs. Are you al l right? Are you hurt?”

  I didn’t miss how she ignored the mention of Lily . “Yes, Kalis, I said I was fine. It was Lily who was hurt.”

  “Lily? Oh…the l ittle p rincess. I’m sorry , Tharin . I was only worried ab out you.” She pouts as she cast s her eyes downward . It’s a ploy she’s used before and I would fall for it each and every time. So, why now, is it more annoying than pleasing?

  “No, Kalis,
” I sigh, trying to shake off the feeling of impatience . “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be short. It’s like I said, I’m tired and it’s been a long night. We still have a ways to go before reaching Ephraim .”

  “Where are you now?” she asks looking at me again, instantly forgiving me.

  “We’re in Victorville , California , but we’ll be in Las Vegas by this afternoon. We’ll be leaving shortly.”

  We say nothing for a moment. I watch her face as she slowly gives me one of her special smiles ; one that I would like to believe is just for me.

  “Is she beautiful, Tharin?” she asks quietly, with uncertainty in her eyes .

  “Who?” I reply confused.

  “The l ittle p rincess, i s she beautiful?”

  I smile at her and tell her what I know she wants to hear, “There is no one more beautiful to me than you, Kalis.” What she wants to hear? Why did I think that? Of course there’s no one more beautiful than Kalis , I tell myself. Lily’s face comes unbidden to mind .

  “Tharin?” I focus my attention back at Kalis. I smile at her and I’m right. She is the most beautiful woman I know.

  “Yes, Kalis?”

  “Who’s screaming in the back ground? Is that the l ittle p rincess?”

  I look behind me to see Lily and Mellis watch ing as Tolan and Julia continue their screaming match. I look back at the sphere saying, “I’m sorry , Kalis. Tolan needs my help, and no , it’s not Lily. I have to go. We’ll talk again.”

  Before I release the call, Kalis calls out once more, “Tharin? You use d to call her the l ittle p rincess. You now call her by her name. Has something changed? I know you’re betrothed to her, but you know how I feel about you, how I still feel about you.”

  I look into her clear eyes and for reasons I’m not sure of I say, “I’m bound by the oath I made to my father, and that of his to Queen Senestra.”

  Kalis is quiet and a look of uncertainty once again comes over her . Finally, she says, “Of course, Tharin. You should go, you r brother needs you.”

  I can’t let her go like this, “Kalis, you also know how I feel about you. It was true when we were together and it’s true now.”

  Her smile is instant and before I’m able to, she releases the sphere and her image disappears. I watch my empty hand for a moment before turning to the scene behind me. Tolan has pushed Julia into Lily’s arms and is now making his way over, his face unreadable. I stand quietly waiting for him to reach me.

  I lean back on the SUV, asking, “You okay?”

  Tolan doesn’t say a word. He opens the rear door of the SUV and starts throwing bags into the back. He moves to the side and brings up the bags of weapons and throws them in as well. He grabs the bag with the explosive s and is about to throw them in when I grab the bag from him. I place it carefully and then turn to face him. He’s leaning against the vehicle, head down and breathing hard.

  “I can’t stand being with her, Tharin! It’s like agony beyond explanation. I want to strangle her and toss her to the silver wolves of Velesi. She’s making me nuts!”

  “Julia? You’re talking about Julia?” I ask uncertainly. I need him to tell me he’s talking about Julia, to say it out loud.

  “Of course I’m talking about Julia! Who else would I be talking about? Haven’t you heard us all night at each other’s throat? I swear I want to ...I want to...”

  I smile at my brother’s frustration, “Throw her to the silver wolves. You sure you don’t want to take her into your arms again ?”

  Tolan struggles to get his emotions under control. He straightens, looking at me.

  “I’ve only known her for mere hours, but when I first laid eyes on her sleeping in a room not fit for any girl of her age, I swear something came over me. It was as if I had known her all my life. As if I was meant to be there. I can’t explain it, Tharin. She looked so innocent, so vulnerable. Then I saw the bruises on her face. When I removed the covers from her, there was bruising on her chest, her shoulders and even though her shirt covered her arms, I knew there was bruising there as well. When she jumped out of bed , before she whacked me over the head with her shoe, I saw the bruising on her legs. Yet there she stood, with her shoe, brave, unafraid and beautiful. The sight of her standing there broke my heart, b rother. It took me a minute to convince her that I was there to help and to take her to Lily. Once she heard Lily’s name she attacked me again saying she’d kill me if I hurt her friend.” He shakes his head smiling to himself.

  “And, there” he continue s as his eyes move to the SUV, “…and there I was just now, hitting her to show her who was in charge. She challenges me at every turn! Yet, how different am I from those who gave her those bruises, Tharin? How different am I?” Again he’s quiet before going on.

  “You should have seen her,” he continues, “I’ve never seen anything like it. Is it crazy that I’ve only met her and all I want to do is protect her? Why? Why would I , when evidently she doesn’t deserve it, or want it. She is the most stubborn, ridiculous person I’ve ever met...”

  “…and she’s brave and beautiful.” I finish the sentence for him. But my brother is not listening to me anymore. Instead, he stands facing the direction where Lily and Julia stand holding each other, speaking softly.

  “What am I saying? Now she’s got me talking in circles. If only she would stop fighting me , I could help heal her , ” he say s . He stares frustrated at the girl standing only yards from us. We are quiet for a moment as we watch them move back into the gar age and get into one of the SUVs.

  “You know, Tolan , i t seem s that the only time I didn’t hear her screaming at you was when you kissed her last night. Perhaps instead of spanking her, you should be kissing her more. You know, just to keep her quiet.”

  Tolan turns to face me, “Yeah, about the kiss. Well, that was an accident . I didn’t mean to do it. It’s just that she got me so worked up that instead of knocking her out, I kissed her.”

  I watch him as he grows silent and thoughtful. I know why he’s frustrated and why he’s treating Julia the way he is. His fealty to his duty prevents him from being with Julia . It’s obvious to all but the two of them that they hav e fallen hard for each other . Tolan would have to give up the right to ascend the throne and be removed from the royal line. He would be an outcast , and wors e , exiled. I understand my brother more than he knows , and I feel for both he and Julia. She’s as much in love with Tolan as he is with her, only they don’t know it yet.

  I slap Tolan on the shoulder as I walk past him and I leave him to his own thoughts. It’s almost 9 a.m. and we have to be on our way. We wi ll stop for some breakfast and then start our drive to Las Vegas . If things go well we should be in Vegas by early afternoon. Even with the shield around us , I’ve sensed since early morning that Harlu and the Ange are already tracking us. I have to get Lily someplace safe for the night.

  *

  Chapter Seventeen Lily

  “He’s the ugliest, meane st and the biggest pig I’ve ever met!” vents Julia. She ha s been calling Tolan every name in the book for the past ten minutes, all the while staring out of the SUV toward the area where Tolan is talking with Tharin.

  I watch my oldest and only friend simmer while staring out the window. Although she’s no longer screaming at the top of her lungs, the quiet way that she vents against Tolan is still painful to hear. It takes me a moment to realize that she had stop ped talking. I move her hair from her face trying to get her to look at me. She finally sighs looking down at her hands.

  I ask quietly, “Did he hurt you, Julia?”

  She shakes her head, eyes still downcast.

  “Did he say anything to you that was hurtful?”

  Again, she shakes her head.

  “So, he was nice to you?”

  Julia nods, sniffling softly. I’m stun ned to see a tear run down her cheek.

  “If he didn’t do or say anything that hurt you , then what’s wrong?”

  She turns to me, tears welling up
in her eyes, “He kissed me.”

  It’s barely a whisper and I have to lean in to hear what she said. “He dissed you?”

  “Oh my God, Lily!” she says shaking her hands in frustration . “He kissed me, al l right? He kissed me!”

  I sit back laughing at he r strange reaction, “Okay, okay! So he kissed you. Wait. Tolan kissed you?”

  “Yes,” she says, turning to look at Tolan in the distance . Turning back to me she says, “Lily, I’ve never been kissed, ever, you know that. And the first kiss I get is from a guy who I thought was an angel come to rescue me.”

  “You thought Tolan was an angel?”

  “Yeah. I woke up and there he was looking down at me. He was so beautiful I thought he was a n angel come to finally save me...from...from everything. From Frank, from Chris,” she’s quiet again and another tear falls.

  I pull her hair from her face again and tuck it behind her ear, “What made you realize he wasn’t?”

  “I remember staring up at him and thinking to myself that God had finally answered my prayers. He sent someone to take me away from the constant beatings, the constant worry that Chris was waiting for me in the dark, from missing my mom. Then I thought , ‘Wait…angels have halos on their heads not black beanies ’. He said ‘hi’ and I flew off my bed. I grabbed the first thing I could and hit him over the head with it.”

  She turns to me taking my hands, “Lily, I could have used everything that bastard Frank taught me about fighting, but I didn’t, and I still don’t know why I didn’t. Instead , I threatened him, called him all kinds of name s and have been fighting him ever since. Except for when he, you know, when he kissed me.”

  “How was it? The kiss?” I have to ask ― it’s the first kiss for both of us.

  “When he first kissed me he was angry so it was hard and then it was soft and thrilling, then when I felt his tongue to uch mine...it was just wild and uncontrollable! I thought I was going to pass ou t, and all I knew was that I didn’t want him to stop.”