The Whispering

  My heart skips a beat at the thought of Harlu capturing Lily. He won’t touch her because they need the Virgin Queen to open the door, but he will find other ways to torture her. Just that thought intensifies my speed, not caring of the danger that comes at moving so fast. I have to find her before he does.

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ~ Lily ~

  I don’t know how long I have been running, or how much longer before I reach Lea’ith’s garden. It didn’t seem to take this long when Tharin brought me through the first time. I have to rest, my legs feel like lead and I feel like I could sleep for a week. I am completely drained – so much energy used.

  I have been stumbling for a while now. I finally stopped running a while back and have been half jogging, half walking. But now, if I didn’t know how much effort it would take to get back up, I would drop to my hands and knees and crawl the rest of the way. A few times I tried to whisper to him, but couldn’t get through. Either he has blocked me out, or I still need more practice on the whole whispering thing.

  I have to stop, catch my breath and rest for a minute. I look about me, trying to keep my eyes opened and focused. I get off the path and walk to the closest tree and put my hands on it, hoping I have enough energy as I make the calling. Within seconds I am in the tree’s thela lying on the smooth floor, its sweet fragrance dulling my senses. I breathe in deeply and limply raise my hand. The gold shield melts into the tree’s trunk to keep my location safe.

  I close my eyes thinking of Tharin. He seems so close and it is as if I can hear him calling me from a distance. Just a dream. Sleep. Dream. Tharin. Sleep.

  A charley-horse bolts me out of the comfort of sleep. I grab at my calf, take a deep breath and try to remember what Sema told me to do when I get these. I concentrate on my foot and through the pain, pull it toward me. Keeping the tension, I continue to pull it back as the cramped muscle eases up and is gone within seconds. I rotate my foot to loosen it up some more as I look around.

  Not that I can see anything; it is completely dark and a small pang of panic hits me. I quickly feel for my coat pockets and reach in one to find four panswas. I take one out and it immediately lights up in response to my emotional state. I calm down and breathe slowly and now that I can see the panswa responses by dimming. I am in a thela, okay. I let my memory of running non-stop and how I got here come to mind. No wonder my legs are sore and cramped. And worse, my stomach starts to growl. Great, no water and no food. I swear it seemed so much shorter of a trip when Tharin carried me.

  I clear my mind and think of the path and moments later I am standing in the middle of it. Crap, how long was I asleep? It is still raining, and there is still light, but I can tell it’s late in the day. I look around me and for a moment I am disorientated as to which way I came from and which way I was going. I scan the trees along the path and see the remnants of my golden shield. Using that to get my bearings I take off toward the Oak Tower, hoping Tharin is still there or maybe I will run into him on his way back. With renewed energy I speed forward praying he gives me a chance to say what I should have said a long time ago.

  I’m surprised when I reach the garden almost immediately. I was less than twenty minutes from my destination before I ran out of gas and had to rest. I slow my pace as I near the edge of the pando trees and drop to one knee, catching my breath and scanning the area slowly. There are deep shadows everywhere despite it still being mid-day and no matter how hard I try to listen, it is completely quiet and there is no light coming from the queen’s suites. Even though Tharin insists Harlu would not get through the suite doors, I hesitate to enter the garden. It looks secure enough, but to be on the safe side, I call Cessa to me. The black stealth moves along the shadows and I feel her hesitate before entering the garden. I feel ninety percent of the tension ease out of me knowing the big cat is with me.

  Disappointed in not finding Tharin here, I follow Cessa to the bench and take a seat. I pull my coat tighter, keeping my hood low. Cessa is at my side and places her head on my lap. I undo my coat and lean over her, trying to keep the rain from her already soaked face. I had once promised her she would never be alone in Malainisi as long as I’m with her. And now, it is a good chance I may not be able to keep that promise.

  I gently wipe water from her face. “I want you to listen to me – I don’t want you here when we attempt to open the doorway. I want you in Malainisi where you’ll be safe, do you understand?”

  The big cat blinks at me and snuggles against my lap. She seems exhausted just being out of her realm for even this short amount of time. I lean down and let my hand run along her massive body, stopping to place it on her large chest. I close my eyes and let my senses fill with the pulsating rhythm of her heartbeat.

  I hold my emotions as I whisper, “I know your secret.”

  Cessa lifts her nose to gently bump my cheek, and I give her a light kiss back. Her heartbeat becomes louder as if to acknowledge my knowing. I close my eyes and connect with her and through her eyes I see her world, vast and beautiful. I see her on her ledge looking out toward the open plains of Malainisi. Her eyes seek and find trees so ancient they no longer exist in Velesi, Eirrell or Pathen and, I am certain, in any other realm. I don’t know how, but I know they were planted as seedlings when the black cat and her sisters were just cubs. There are fruit trees and bushes with nourishing berries and nuts surrounding the open landscape where I can imagine her running wild and free. I see movement out on the lush plains and I smile knowing she isn’t alone. She looks down at the earth mound Queen Lea’ith called for me and then at the earth throne the queen called forth. It is still here, empty and overgrown with a thick blanket of dark grass, large ivy like vines and the sweet smelling scent of jasmine.

  Making a decision, I stand. “Come on,” I call as I lead her to the trees. Before sending her back I turn and throw my arms around her, my emotions taking over.

  “I love you so much. If I can’t save Velesi, at least I can save you.”

  I release her, but she hesitates, giving me an uncertain look. “Go,” I say sternly, trying not to let the catch in my throat undermine my command. And, with that, Cessa lopes into the dark woods and disappears into the shadows.

  I pull my hood back to let the rain drench me, to cool my heartbreak at the possibility of never seeing her again. I let the rain wash my tears away as I turn to head back to the Willow. It is obvious Tharin has already left.

  “Lily.”

  I stop in my tracks looking at the shadowed figure before me and know him without even seeing his face. Not wanting to waste anymore time being apart from him, I rush at him and he takes the brunt of the impact, lifting me easily.

  The kiss is immediate, passionate and unchecked. I let him take me, until there is nothing else but him. I want to be…

  Something is wrong, something doesn’t feel right. I try to pull away, but he holds on tight, too tight. I turn my head away and he immediately goes for my neck, biting viciously and brutally. I struggle harder and with everything I have I hit him on the side of his face. His head snaps backward, but he brings it around, his hood now thrown back, exposing his face. It is Tharin’s face, but it isn’t Tharin.

  Clear green eyes that once stared back at me with love, promise and warmth are now dark, maliciousness and with a glint of evil. His lips turn into a cruel sneer and the hate coming from him almost chokes the breath out of me.

  “Hello, sister,” greets Harlu, his voice low and husky.

  No, this isn’t happening.

  “Oh, how sweet you taste. And, mmmm, such promise of so much more.”

  Oh, God, I am going to be sick.

  “I like this body, so much power, so strong and so royally clean. I understand why you reacted the way you did when you first saw me, or I should say us.”

  Tharin. He has Tharin’s body. I am hyperventilating, but somehow manage to ask, “How...?”

  “You really should learn more about your in-laws, Lily.
Kolinest is wicked with the hat tricks,” he replies quietly.

  I shake my head, unable to utter another word.

  “I think I will keep this body a little longer. Your king struggles against the binding wards put on him by Kolinest. The anger and pain, the need to kill and hate is so deliciously carved into his soul. Oh, eventually he will free himself; in fact, I can feel him tearing through the bindings as we speak. Unfortunately for him, and you, is that all I need to do is continue to beat him down until he is nothing more than a ghost of his former self, lingering inside like a pathetic worm.”

  Lucas comes to mind and I remember his tortured soul at the things Falsad made him do while possessed. The thought of Tharin being trapped and abused, going through the same as Lucas snaps something inside me. A rage so deep burns as the dragon spirit boils to the surface. The energy pushes through me and the force of my shield slams Harlu into the stone bench several feet back. I move to stand before him and I lift my hand ready to yank him out of Tharin.

  Harlu quickly puts a hand out. “Wait! Wait…or I swear I will kill him before you’re able to pull me out.”

  I hesitate, lowering my hand, giving him a dubious look.

  “Oh, yes, sister. I know about Falsad and how you yanked him out of Lucas, killing the demon; very impressive. But I have your king and until he breaks the final ward, he is helpless. Even now I feel him weakening and I promise you I will kill him.”

  I don’t know what to do. He has Tharin and I am helpless to make a move, scared to death Harlu will go through with his threat. The moment of panic passes as I realize what I need to do to save him.

  “Release him,” I say quietly. “Release him and I’ll come with you willing. I won’t fight you and I won’t try to escape. Let him go and I’m yours.”

  He gets up slowly, that knowing sneer back on his face.

  “You have no idea how powerful you are, do you, Lily? Not even with Kolinest did I feel such energy. Only one other have I felt is stronger than yours, and I’m wearing his skin.” He moves slowly to his left and I keep my eyes on him, wary of his next move.

  It hits me what he wants. “You can’t have us both. I will kill you both before I let that happen.”

  “Would you, Lily? Would you really kill the king?” he says, laughing at me.

  “I would rather he dies at my hand than to be tortured and die slowly by yours,” I answer, meaning every word.

  “All right, so say I let him go? What’s to hold you to your word, my love? What guarantee will there be that you won’t try and kill me as you did Falsad? Oh, don’t give me that look of righteousness – I know you enjoyed it.” He smirks when I don’t react. “I believe you have a little of me in you, sis. Ah, we will rule this realm like no other king or queen before us.”

  I shake my head. “No. Kolinest won’t let it happen.”

  He leers at me, ignoring my statement and letting his eyes run over me again, stopping at my neck.

  “How I love the way flawless skin looks when it’s been broken and bruised, especially skin as lovely as yours, my Lily. “ He nods as if coming to a decision. “All right, little sister, I’ll take your offer, you for him. But to guarantee that you’ll behave…” He pulls out what looks like a pill the color of blood and before I can stop him, he swallows it.

  “What did you do?” I yell at him, no longer caring if he knows I’m scared.

  “It’s insurance you’ll keep your word about not escaping. It’s a death pill, created especially for someone like him. He stays alive as long as I don’t release its contents. It’s a little something I created one night when I couldn’t sleep thinking of you.”

  He moves back to the bench and sits. “Now, once I release him, he’ll be weak…but just in case…” He snaps his fingers and three figures move out from the shadows. Morlo and Dorlan come forward holding up a limp Harlu between them. As Tharin slumps, Harlu comes awake between the assassin and the orc.

  He gives the signal and Morlo steps aside and in a flash and in quick succession, three large daggers hit Tharin in the back. I scream as I rush to him, trying to hold him up as he slides off the bench to his knees. I grab his shoulders, helping him to the ground.

  Eyes, his eyes, stare back at me.

  “Lily…” he whispers before passing out.

  I have to work quickly – please Mom, if you’re here, please help me.

  I place my fingers on his lips as I close my eyes. I focus on reaching in to push the daggers out of him, healing the most vital of the wounds as best as I can, knowing Tolan will do the rest. And, then I go for the death pill. I search frantically until I spot it in his stomach. I force the healing to encase the pill in gold and crystal energy, continuing to build it until I can no longer see its blood red casing. With a final thrust of my will, the crystal energy crushes the poison as the gold neutralizes any poison that may have escaped. But there is more, something that Kolinest has done to Tharin that I don’t have time to seek and heal, so I do the only thing I can think of.

  I summon the dragon’s energy, the core of its healing powers and I lean down and pass it on to Tharin in a kiss. At first it resists, refusing to leave me, but I am stronger now than when I first received the gift. I have to be. For him.

  The final essence of the Healer’s gift slips away and leaves me weak and dizzy.

  Tharin moans, but doesn’t open his eyes. A strong hand grabs me by the arm, pulling me up hard. Unfamiliar lips crush mine with such force I know they have to be bleeding, if not bruised.

  Harlu pulls back, whispering harshly, “I know what you did, my love. You are now powerless against me as you were the last time we were here together.” He looks down at Tharin. “He will be out for a while, but if he wants you back, he’ll bring me his brother and the key.”

  He pushes me and I stumble forward about to fall into Morlo. But before the orc can react, Dorlan pushes him away, catching me at the last minute.

  “Don’t touch her,” he says in a deadly quiet voice.

  “Why Dorlan,” says Harlu, “I didn’t know you had an eye for my sister.”

  Still holding onto me, the assassin turns to Harlu, “I don’t, but I won’t have a filthy orc touching the queen.”

  “Why you stinking…” Morlo doesn’t finish when he finds a silver dagger at his throat.

  “Ha,” chuckles Harlu derisively. “That’s fresh from a traitor with the Sithide.”

  Dorlan doesn’t respond but takes me by the arm, leading me to the balcony. We wait as Harlu stops to look through the double doors to Lea’ith’s suite.

  “You’ll have to show me how to open the doors, sis. I’m dying to try the bed, with you in it of course.”

  I don’t know why, but I find myself moving closer to Dorlan. I feel his eyes on me and when I look up, he frowns at me. With the exception of his blue eyes and black hair, he looks so much like Alorn. I back away a little, remembering who has me. I take one final glance toward the garden as Dorlan picks me up. Before leaping from the balcony I reach out to Tharin, hoping he is conscience enough to be opened to me.

  “I love you,” I whisper.

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  ~ Tharin ~

  I come to slowly in an unfamiliar thela. Although my eyes remain shut, I don’t sense any danger in the room, only him. The makeshift bed I’m lying on is no more than a thin sleeping bag full of leaves. Despite it being close to the floor, the leaf mattress is warm and comfortable.

  A stabbing pain spears the back of my skull, forcing me to lie still, but a need to move provokes me to try and adjust to what is happening to my body. My back is stiff and sore and there is a stitch when I move my shoulders to loosen up. I attempt to move my head and flashes of gold light explode forcing me to squeeze my eyes tight even though I haven’t opened them. I feel nauseated and the overwhelming need to throw up causes my stomach to cramp up.

  “Here,” he offers, placing a bucket in front of me.

  I push it away
as I gulp in air, trying to steady my head and forcing my stomach to calm down. To my surprise, the flashes fades and my focus returns, the severe headache that appeared when I came to is gone and my stomach relaxes as the nausea disappears. I feel as if Tolan just healed me but when I open my eyes the only one I see is Alorn.

  “Tharin,” he asks quietly as he kneels beside me, “where is Lily?”

  I look at him perplexed. “Lily? I left her in the queen’s suite.”

  He takes hold of my arm and helps me sit up before moving away, allowing me some room. I moan as the stitch at my back feels like I’ve been stabbed not once, but several times. I can feel the healing that was started, but not completed. I close my eyes and focus on the area and I can actually see three wounds in my mind. My self healing should take care of it in a couple of days but once I see Lily or Tolan, they can have them healed in several hours. At least that is my thinking, until from somewhere within a golden energy rushes to the wounds and begins the healing. What the hell?

  Is this Ka’s core I have somehow awakened?

  I force myself to ignore the daunting presence in the room that is Alorn. I focus just on what is going on inside, starting on the healing energy at the knife wounds in my back. The energy is unfamiliar, but there is a trace, a hint of her, of Lily. And with that the memories of the past several hours invade my psyche, slamming me back on to floor.