The Whispering

  “Oh, shut up,” I say, still looking after my betrothed.

  Alorn goes after Lily into the bedroom and I follow close behind. I know it is safe in the suites; it is the safest place in the entire city. Harlu’s attack during the Day of the Seating happened because the doors were opened. He could have disguised himself to get in, but once in, it was easy for him to follow Lily into the garden. I think of the scar located above her left breast and an old anger threatens to come through. I swore then Harlu would pay and I intend to keep that promise.

  When I near the floral archway, Lily is speaking with Tolan and Mellis. They stop when I come through the entrance and wait until I am a part of their circle. I glance over and see Alorn sitting on the bench with his legs stretched out, arms folded and hood over his head. To everyone else, he looks as if he is taking a nap. I know better.

  “Are you ready?” asks Tolan. “I’m feeling a little anxious about seeing Father.”

  I have held my worries for my father at bay, but to hear Tolan now speak of him with concern, allows the sense of urgency to come over me again.

  I nod and Tolan moves to a patch of pando, puts his hands at his side as Phoris used to do before a calling. It is only seconds before the trees waver gently and the ground vibrates softly under our feet. By the time Tolan relaxes his hands and turns to us, the pathway to the Willow is open.

  “How long of a walk to the Willow?” asks Lily.

  “Several hours,” answers Tolan. Then he smiles, saying, “But only one or two if we go ‘elf mode’ as you call it.”

  Before Lily can react to Tolan’s comment, I sweep her up in my arms and speed past him. She hangs on but instead of ducking her head into my shoulder as I thought she would, she looks ahead, watching as the scenery speeds past us.

  “Before you can whisper, you must summon the ability to do so,” I say, interrupting her thoughts.

  She turns to me, startled, and then an appreciative smile appears.

  “And how do I summon my abilities?” she asks.

  “Meditation. And you'll need someone who is willing to open themselves up to you,” I answer.

  She thinks about that for a moment, and then says, “But I didn’t willing open up to you at first, and I don’t think Julia did either.”

  “Julia was easy,” I reply. “Most humans are easy to penetrate. You, however, have your mother’s blood; and the only reason I was able to get through to you was because of your fear of the Demlok.”

  “Well, if that’s the case, why did Tolan say he was unable to because of my human blood?”

  “I said humans are easy to penetrate, but they are difficult to teach how to whisper. There’s a difference,” I explain.

  She furrows her brows. I try again. “Each of us, Tolan, Alorn, Mellis and Ziri, we have willingly opened ourselves to each other, to our parents and those we feel are a part of our circle. We can all initiate communication this way, except for Ziri. Like you, he is only part elf. He has the ability in him to learn, but his Lithi side won’t allow it because it believes he can’t do it. It’s the same with you. You want to, but the part that is human finds it difficult for your brain to wrap around the idea of telepathically speaking with someone else.”

  “So, I have to rewire my brain? My way of thinking?” she asks.

  “More like the way you feel. Remember, we can’t read mines, we can only communicate with each other,’ I remind her.

  “But once I learn, I can whisper to the others, right? I mean, I would be able to because they’ve already opened up to me, is that it?”

  “No, not exactly. You have to learn to reach others, how to ask to be let in. The more you become experienced with how to whisper, the easier it is to connect to others.”

  “Even if I didn’t ask?”

  “Yes. But it takes decades to learn how to do that, and without opening yourself in return.”

  “Okay, how do I start?” she asks, with a serious look.

  I laugh at her expression. “You start like every other lesson you’ve learned. You clear you mind and focus.”

  She sighs, “Will you be open to me, Tharin?”

  “Of course, Lily, I thought that was a given.”

  She responds by laying her head against my shoulder, hugging me tightly. And once again, my crazy world with this beautiful woman is right again.

  The garden we step into is almost identical in layout to the one at the oak tower, which means the suites attached to it once belonged to Senestra. I put Lily down and she moves forward hesitantly, taking in the weeping branches of the giant Willow that once housed her parents.

  “Lily,” I call and she turns to me with unshed tears.

  I walk up to her and wipe away a tear as it slips from her lashes. “I want to share this moment with you, to take you through your birth place, but I have to go to my father.”

  As if coming out of a dream, she nods, wiping at her eyes. “I’m sorry, Tharin, I didn’t mean to hold you back. But I want to be with you when you see him.”

  Something tugs at my chest as I realize Lily may already know my father’s fate. I take her hand and without another word, I lead her inside to find the king.

  I rush Lily through her mother’s suites, knowing she would rather take the time to soak everything in but the sense of urgency pulls me toward the king’s suites. Before Lily can get her bearings we are out in the hall and running down a long corridor. I know the others have already made it to the king’s chambers and are waiting there for us.

  The king’s guards open the double doors immediately at our approach and I let Lily’s hand go when I see Marilyn and Julia. I refuse to acknowledge Julia’s tears, or Glynnis’ sorrowful demeanor, the mournful cries of my aunt and uncles nearby. I also ignore Dalim standing at the tall windows with tears streaming down his face. I rush to the master bedroom to find Tolan, Ziri, Alorn and Mellis surrounding the king lying still in a massive bed.

  My instant reaction is anger that he should be here and not in his own bed at the tower. I clench my fist swearing Kolinest, Harlu, Falsad and everyone involved in my father’s condition will be held accountable.

  Ka is sitting in a chair on the far side of the bed and standing just behind him in the shadows is Walem. Ka has his head leaning against his hands holding tightly to his walking stick. Ziri sits on the bed, his upper body thrown across our father, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably. Tolan is sitting on the bed opposite Ziri, holding our father’s hand, crying silently unlike our younger brother. Mellis sits at the end of the bed, his hand on the king’s foot, always the most sensitive of us all, crying openly. And then there is Alorn, still and stoic, unmoved by the sound of sorrow around him. There is no emotion on his face, only a hard, distant look. But I know he hurts; his is the fiercest sorrow I feel in the entire room.

  I move to the bed and as if sensing my presence, my father opens his eyes searching for me. His hand lifts from Ziri’s head, reaching out and I quickly move in to take it, falling on my knees next to him.

  “Tharin,” he whispers hoarsely. His eyes smile at me as he holds on tightly. “I thought I would not see you before I leave this world.”

  “Shhh, father, Lily is with me. She will heal you,” I choke, holding back the emotions.

  He shakes his head. “No, it is too late. The wound is fatal and if Ka could not heal me, no healer can.”

  “She has the gift of the Healers. You must let her try,” I beg.

  I turn to retrieve Lily only to find her standing just outside the doors. I put my hand out to her, silently pleading for her to come to me, but she doesn’t move. Confused, I am about to get up and bring her to the bed when I am pulled back to meet my father’s eyes, his grip tightening.

  “No, Tharin, she cannot help,” he says faintly. “If you love her, you will not let her live the rest of her life with the guilt that she could not save me.”

  I don’t know what to do. I feel helpless because I know he is right, and yet I run through several possi
bilities in my head for something, anything, that can save him. He brings me back to the moment when he goes into a fit of coughing and spittle of blood appears around his mouth and nose. Walem moves around Ka and gently wipes the blood away. He returns to his spot after the king thankfully waves him away.

  “Father, I have to know about Dorlan,” I whisper for his thoughts only.

  He looks at me with eyes full of sadness and guilt. “He is innocent, Tharin. I sent him to the Sithide and in return his sisters died as the result of that decision. He knew nothing of their deaths and of what happened to Alorn until much later. But when he did, I forbade him to retaliate and made him swear to secrecy his mission I set upon him. Only my brothers and I know the truth.”

  I feel his mind grow weary and I pull back. Whatever his reason, they were his and for the sake of Velesi, I am certain.

  Finally, the king looks around the room and sees us gathered at his bedside.

  “I am a king above kings for I am abundant with the love of five sons who will live and carry my legacy. I go to meet Lea’ith, she has waited long enough; and I will see your sister, E’leiana and brother, Phoris. We will wait the long centuries before you join us.”

  He turns to me, asking, “You will take care of them won’t you, Tharin? I leave them and the fate of our people in your hands and the hands of your queen. Be a good king...both of you,” he adds, clasping Tolan’s hand tightly. “And our people will follow you to the end.”

  He looks at Ka and as if alerted by an invisible nudge, Ka rises. He spreads his arms above the bed and begins to pray in the ancient tongue. I did not have to see my father pass, as I felt his energy leave him through the hand I clasp tightly. The moment his spirit slips to the other side, Ziri rises from our father’s body, drops to the floor and throws himself at me. I grab him in a fierce hug afraid he would slip from me too. I look at Tolan through tears I can’t seem to control and watch him rise to embrace Mellis, who still has his hand on the king’s foot. I wait for Alorn to escape as he usually does in moments like this, but instead, he moves to the bed and sits next to Mellis. He wraps an arm around Mellis and lets his younger cousin cry onto his shoulder, wrapped within Tolan’s embrace.

  None of us notice when Ka finishes and quietly declares, “The king is dead, long live the king.”

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  ~ Lily ~

  I continue to stand at the double doors even after Ka closed them. My heart aches for Tharin and I want to rush in to hold each one of them and share their pain; to comfort them and let them know I am here if they need me. It isn’t until familiar hands grab hold of my shoulders and gently pull me away from the doors. Marilyn. I turn to her and she hugs me tightly.

  “I’ve missed you,” she says, leaning back and tilting her head until I finally look at her. “I guess we have a lot to talk about, don’t we?”

  “I know,” I answer quietly, still thinking of Tharin and the guys locked in the room. Thankfully, Marilyn lets it drop as she hugs me again.

  “Never mind, we’ll have time later. Julia has filled me in somewhat,” she says, and then hesitates. “So,” she continues, “you’re getting married? And to a prince of all people. When did you start dating?”

  I let out a short laugh. “It kind of just happened, Marilyn. But I’ve met my mom and spoke with my brother. I haven’t found my dad yet, but...” I steal a glance at Dalim. “I’m sure he’ll show up soon.”

  Marilyn snakes a loose lock of hair behind my ear, a thing she has done often enough and smiles.

  “Okay, Lily. When you’re ready, we’ll sit and talk all about it.”

  She kisses my forehead before guiding me back to the sofa where Julia stands waiting. I rush to her and we embrace, sharing in our helplessness to be with the elves we love. As we sit, Dalim moves to the opposite sofa and, to my surprise, Marilyn sits beside him. She takes his hand, comforting him. The look on her face as she watches the battle weary guard lost in his grief shows more than condolences. I find it strange as I have never seen Marilyn give any man a second thought. Did something happen between the two of them in Perth?

  Julia wipes at her tears before saying, “Are you okay?”

  I nod, sniffling. “Yeah. You?”

  She also nods, saying, “It’s strange. I’m sad the king is gone, but I really hurt for Tolan. I just want to hold him and make it all go away. I’ve never felt like this before – I don’t like it.” She pauses for a moment before turning to me. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “What happened while you guys were out there? When Tolan arrived I thought he was Tharin. I mean he acted like Tharin and his hair and facial expressions were all Tharin. But when he rushed over and tried to…to kiss me, I almost knocked his head off. And then he says, ‘oh, I forgot’ and next thing I know he’s Tolan.”

  I blink at her and ask, “He didn’t tell you?”

  “No,” she replies, “he didn’t have time. Ka came out and pulled him, Alorn and Mellis into the room. Ziri has been in there since we arrived and hasn’t move from his dad’s side.”

  “They switched places,” I say. “They felt Tolan and I should be separated, you know, him being the Summoner and me being the one who can open the doorway using the key.”

  “Um, what would that have accomplished?” she asks confused. “I mean, you and Tharin would have been caught; and if they discovered he wasn’t Tolan they would have just killed him.”

  “They would have forced us to marry first,” I say, “and then they would have killed him.”

  She pauses again, asking hesitantly, “So, he’s…he’s gone, the king?”

  I quietly nod, unable to say it out loud.

  “So, what’s going to happen now? Everything seems to be happening so fast.”

  “I don’t know, Julia, but I know we’re deep in it.”

  Remembering the caves, I take her hands, forcing her to look me in the eye.

  “Julia, you should know Frank and Chris are here.”

  She slowly pulls away, fear rising within her eyes. “Lily, no…” it is barely a whisper as she shakes her head trying to escape my hold.

  “Listen to me,” I whisper harshly, not wanting to alert Marilyn. “You need to pull yourself together. What if we do run into them? Do you think Tolan is just going to stand by? If you don’t start thinking of how to face them, Tolan could get hurt. Or they will use you to get to me.”

  That seems to penetrate through her fear. “Tolan…hurt…get to you…what are you talking about?”

  “We know Harlu is responsible for Frank and Chris ending up in Perth,” I remind her. “Their only connection to me is you. You need to be ready, Jules.”

  “What are you saying, that you want me to take them out?”

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying...”

  “That’s exactly what you’re saying. It’s okay for you to talk; you got an entire realm protecting you. I can’t take Frank, and you think Chris is not going to get what he wants?”

  Julia’s breathing is coming fast as it always did when she used to think she was in trouble with Frank. Just the thought of getting into the ring with Frank makes her physically sick.

  I rub her hands, trying to calm her down. I glance at Marilyn and Dalim who are staring at us curiously.

  “Look at me,” I snap and she does as I say. “That’s not what I’m saying, but look at you. We’re just talking about them and you’re freaking out. All I’m saying is that you have to be ready, be prepared about what you’re going to do when we run into them. You can’t freeze up or go into panic mode.”

  Breathing hard, she stares at me accusingly. “So you do want me to fight?”

  “No, Julia,” I answer. “I want you to run.”

  “Excuse me,” greets a young elf who looks about fourteen, fifteen. “Your presence is requested, my queen.” He bows awkwardly and moves aside for me to get up.

  I lean over to look pas
t him to a small group gathered near a door to a separate room, all of them staring back at me. I look at Julia but her mind is elsewhere.

  I shake her knee until she looks at me. “I’ll be back.”

  I continue to stare at her until she finally smiles, although nervously, and nods. I’m torn between staying with her and leaving to see who wants me. By the looks of those gathered around the room, it must be someone important.

  “I need a favor,” I ask, startling her.

  “Um, yeah, sure,” she replies, shaking her head back to the moment.

  “Something’s happening. If Tharin comes out before I do, come and get me,” I whisper.

  I watch Julia take a deep, settling breath as I get up and turn to the young elf. He stares at me as if in a trance.

  “Are you okay?” I ask.

  He nods and then quickly turns, not waiting to see if I would follow.

  I make my way to the room and watch as the small crowd moves aside so I can enter. I look at each solemn, but curious, face as I pass and every one of them has a resemblance to the Lunar line. Are they first cousins, distant cousins, aunts, uncles...nieces and nephews? I know of Tharin and Tolan’s sister, and of course, Ziri, but what of Alorn, Mellis and Phoris? Wait, Alorn has a brother, the assassin, that much I know, but does he have more?

  I step into the room and someone closes the door quietly behind me. There are only three people here. One I recognize as Mellis’ father but I can’t recall his name...Colsea, I think. He was their trainer since they were boys, the First Greaneth to the king, I mean the past king. The man standing next to him I have never seen before. He is tall and of slender build, and he is dressed like Alorn and Mellis but doesn’t look like a fighter or a warrior. Instead, he looks like a musician or an artist. He has his hand on the shoulder of a woman sitting in a chair in front of him.

  I recognize the family resemblance immediately. This is Tharin’s aunt, Alorn’s mother, and King Thilthen’s only sister. She is striking, regal and with warm eyes rimmed with swollen redness from a recent cry. Her hair is cut in a bob and, surprisingly, is not blonde like her brothers. Red bangs hang just above her eyebrows with light green eyes feathered with thick lashes. Her face is youthful looking, with clear flawless skin, and her petite size surprises me as everyone else in Tharin’s family seem to be over six feet tall.