“When Falsad discovered Lily was still in San Diego he assumed Thilthen had lost Lily. Thinking she was alone and unprotected, he aimed to retrieve her personally for Eathos. It wasn’t until he laid eyes on her that he wanted her for his own. I don’t know how he would have convinced Eathos to let him keep her, but he was confident enough to make his move that night. When Tharin showed up at the last minute, jealousy and lust got the better of him. He decided he would rather have her dead than let Tharin take her. Good for him that Tharin was there. When Eathos discovered what had happened, he pulled Falsad out of Lucas’ body and left him to the Demlok for a short period of time. Eathos needs Lily alive, and as far as I know, he’s the only one besides Sema and me who knows of the prophecy. Needless to say, after his time with the Demlok, Falsad is even more twisted than before. His mind is warped and we need to keep Lily away from him at all costs.”
It only takes a second for Tolan to take it all in before moving on. “So, Tharin marrying Lily and the talks about an impending war have nothing to do with his attack that night?”
“No. It was greed and then pure lust on Falsad’s end. However, the tie between the clans would put a crimp in Eathos’ plans. His plan is to divide and conquer. All of it…the skirmish along the clan borders, the civil unrest among the lower regions and talks of war is all part of his plan…a distraction of his true motives, destroying Velesi. And to do that he needs the key, he needs the Manui Stone and he needs Lily. Falsad almost ruined it for Eathos because he wanted her for himself.”
My vision from the Binding of Lucas lecherously kissing her neck comes to mind. I know now that it wasn’t Lucas I was seeing, but Falsad. “I’ll kill him,” I say under my breath.
“Okay, it is talk like that that will get her killed. You are the future king of the Oak Clan and to the Velesi realm, start acting like it.”
I stare at the old man before me, not sure what to say. Finally, I raised my elbows onto the table, my hands to my head. I realize I can now move, but the desire to attack the Ancient is no longer in me. I feel chastise and I’m unsure what to do next. Finally, “Can we trust him, Tolan?”
“Yes. We can trust him, but I would ask to be able to contact Lily,” replies Tolan.
“Can he do that?”
“I believe so. Look around us, brother. We’re in the kavi tree. It would take more than a few minutes for Phoris to do the summoning to such as the kavi. We appeared in mere seconds. Even Father would have had a hard time quieting Julia’s snoring without healing her completely. That in itself is a feat. Yes, I do believe he can.”
“It’s true, Prince Tharin,” says Ka unexpectedly. “I can allow you and Lily to communicate, even with such distance between you.” Tolan and I stare at the old man. No one can interrupt our communication unless they are invited in. Somehow, Ka is able to bypass our private conversation as easily as he bypassed our shield earlier.
“But first, you must give me your word that you will return to the Oak Tower. Once you’ve relay the news to everyone that Lily is dead, you...”
“Lily’s dead?” It was barely above a whisper, but the shock in Julia’s voice took the air out of the room. Tolan is up instantly and moves toward her bed. She’s sitting up on one arm, a hand at her chest. I can see her breathing coming quick and short, her eyes telling of her shock and disbelief. She moves away from Tolan as far as the wall behind her will allow, shaking her head at him.
“Julia, it’s not what you think,” comforts Tolan.
It’s at this moment that I know what I have to do. Standing, I stop my brother in his tracks by saying, “Yes, Julia, she is. I am sorry.”
Tolan turns to me questioningly, momentarily confused. “We have to make her believe it’s true, Tolan. Eathos must see real grief from Lily’s only friend. Julia will understand once this is over and we explain why we have done this.” I watch my brother’s face harden and see the look of betrayal knowing what he would be putting Julia through. He gives me a curt nod and turns back to Julia.
By now Julia is sitting up against the wall, she looks about her for a way to escape. I give Ka a hard look, pissed that he has forced me to put Julia through the worst kind of pain I can think of – the pain of losing a loved one.
Before Tolan reaches her, Julia lets out an anguished cry that spears through me. As Tolan pulls her to him, she struggles against him, the branch bed swaying with her movements. She doesn’t say a word, doesn’t cry, but continues to fight Tolan. I turn away and leave Tolan to comfort her, not able to watch any longer.
My back toward Ka, I say only for him, “I hope your plan follows through, or you won’t have just me to deal with. You will have my father to contend to, and not to mention,” I turn to glance over at Tolan now rocking a listless Julia, “a very pissed-off friend to the queen of Velesi.”
I catch Ka’s eye. He briefly glances over at the bed area and with a heavy sigh says, “Fair enough. But you must convince Ethos of her death, or all is lost. He has powerful allies in the UnderRealm. He will call upon all of them to get to the princess if he believes she’s alive and unprotected. And, Tharin, it will be Kabba he will send after her.”
I nod and state, “I will let Lily know of our plans.”
“No. The less she knows the better. Sema and Ziri will give her what she needs to know.” He puts his hand up, quieting me before I can remark about leaving her with Ziri.
“Put your petty jealousy aside, Tharin. You have gone through the Binding with Lily, and even if you didn’t, trust her. And trust me. Ziri will not lay a hand on her unless she provokes him.”
I plop down on the seat. Great, Lily was raised in Pathen, the realm of man, she won’t tolerate any bullying. And trust him? I hardly know him, but it doesn’t seem I have much of a choice. I sigh at the thought. Reluctantly, I agree she might be better off with his wife and Ziri…for now.
“I want to speak with her,” I demand.
Ka gives me a raised brow and I feel my back stiffen once again. Biting my tongue, I relax into my seat and with some effort and great reluctance, I ask with sarcastic humbleness, “Please, oh great Ancient One, let me speak with my betrothed.”
~ * ~
Chapter Five
~ Lily ~
I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting in the dark. For as long as I’ve been sitting here, no more taps came at the door. I guess Sema is leaving it up to me on when I’m ready to come out and talk with her. She said we had much to discuss. There’s more here than I can figure out, I just don’t know where to start. She also said they took me to save my life. If I am in danger than wouldn’t I be safer with Tharin at the Oak Tower?
I think of Julia, and the memory of her screaming for me almost brings me to tears. I choke it back, however, and stare at the door missing my friend desperately. At least she’s with Tolan and I’m comforted in knowing that he would never let anything happen to her. I just hope my not being there doesn’t break her. I remember the many talks Marilyn and I had about Julia when her mom disappeared. Julia withdrew from everyone…everyone but me. I think of my friend, pray she’s okay and that Tolan is doing everything to assure her that he and Tharin will find me.
I snap out of my depressing thoughts. I have to try and make it back to Julia, and then continue my search for Lucas. I look around me – I won’t find any answers sitting here. I’m off the bed and at the door within seconds. Taking a deep breath I open it.
“Ah, Lily, you’ve finally decided to join us. I hope you’re hungry. I’ve made your favorite, chicken pasta with zucchini and mushrooms, just the way you like it.” The old woman is in the process of dishing me a plate. I’ve given up on how the elves always seem to know when I would show up.
She indicates the table set for three, and I move toward it as the aroma of sautéed chicken seasoned in marjoram fills the room. The delicious scent causes my mouth to water at the same time my stomach growls loudly. I catch at my stomach trying to keep the grumbling down, but the smell of food p
ulls me toward the table without any resistance. The silverware and glasses have been set, and I watch as Sema tops the white porcelain plate with food. The table is covered with a lace cloth and the chairs are painted white. The table is beautifully set, including the large bouquet of spring flowers in a crystal decanter set in the center. I think about that. Is it spring here in Velesi? When Tharin came for me it was the beginning of summer in San Diego.
The connecting living room is small but comfortable. Bookcases lined the walls; a large comfortable sofa with a blanket laid upon its back sits in front of a coffee table. With the exception of a lit fireplace, I almost feel like I’m home with Marilyn.
“How did you know it’s my favorite?” I ask, staring back at the plate coming my way.
“I know everything there is to know about you,” she repeats as she places the plate before me. “Go ahead, Lily, start eating. I know you’re starving. Ziri will be here in a moment.”
I look around to see that she’s right. It’s just the two of us and I find myself letting out a sigh of relief. As hungry as I am, I find it hard to pick up my fork. “Why?” I ask.
“Why, what?” replies Sema. She gives me a curious look as she sits down with her own plate. She indicates at my plate with a nod, “Eat.”
I pick up my fork, but keep it on my plate as I ask, “Why do you know everything about me?’
She takes a bite and I do the same. That’s all it takes. Before I know it, I’m shoveling chicken and pasta into my mouth, followed by mushrooms and zucchini. I take a breadstick when Sema offers me a basket full of them. “Well, you are the future queen and it’s the business of all Velesians to know about their new queen.”
I stop with the shoveling and stare at her with my mouth full. When I finally swallow, I ask, “What do you mean everyone knows?”
Sema smiles at me answering, “You’ll get use to it. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory. Now, eat.”
Suddenly, I’m no longer hungry. I take another bite before putting my fork down. Sema looks up at me again, head tilted to one side, “It’s no use worrying about it, Lily. You will be queen, and you will have all of Velesi’s eyes on you, including the clans’…especially the clans.”
Sema reaches for her glass of water as I continue to stare at her. She seems nervous and a slight throb starts at the back of my skull. I look about me again sensing for the first time that something just doesn’t feel right – painted chairs? “Where am I?” I ask, looking back at the old woman.
“You’re safe,” is her only answer.
I’m safe. I think back when we were in Vegas. Tharin told me that the trees are our protectors and our shelter. “This isn’t real, is it?” I ask looking about me and waving my hand at the room in general.
Sema places her fork down and dabs at her mouth with a napkin. “No, it’s not. I thought you would feel more comfortable in an environment that you’re familiar with.”
“Then you really don’t know much about me,” I counter. “I don’t like lies, even one as nice as this.”
Sema nods and the room around me slowly begin to melt away. It starts with the kitchen table, the plates, glasses and the bouquet of flowers, the entire kitchen. In the living room, the bookcases, sofa, coffee table and fireplace all disappear before my eyes. I turn around to look at the door to the room and find a solid wall of wood with no entry to the area where I slept. I now find myself sitting in an open room, the walls of the tree that we’re in are light and a sweet fragrance emits from it. The table we’re sitting at is part of the tree’s floor and the seats are wood stumps, also a part of the wood floor. The cooking area is a series of blocks of wood with one of them glowing like a burning ember.
I turn back to look down at my plate which is now just a simple wooden dish. At least the food is real. The chicken pasta is still hot and the aroma continues to fill my senses. Without another word, I start eating again with Sema watching me closely.
“So, we are no longer trying to impress the princess. It’s about time.” Ziri walks through a door that appears from nowhere. Still unable to look at him, I keep my head down and continue to eat.
“Yes. It seems that Lily is as honest as her mother was,” replies Sema, also picking up her fork and starts to eat again.
My fork stops midway to my mouth. I look up at Sema, who is now ignoring me. “Grab yourself some chicken pasta, Ziri, and join us.”
I sit back in my chair and watch as Ziri looks suspiciously into the pot. He sniffs at it for a moment, and then shrugs his shoulders, heaping a large portion of the food onto a plate. After making his way to the table, he sits without a word and begins to eat. The first spoonful was more of a taste for him. Satisfied, he eats quickly as if starved for days.
Finally coming up for air, he asks Sema, “What are these curly white things?”
“It’s called rotini, a type of pasta,” answers Sema.
“Where do they come from? What kind of tree is it from?” he continues to question while eating, this time at a slower pace.
“Why don’t you tell him, Lily?” offers Sema.
I take a breath, then looking at Ziri who is waiting expectantly, I say nodding, “Yeah, they’re called pasta trees and they grow everywhere in California. Their bark is made of a type of shell call lasagna, and their branches are call manicotti. They call the vines of these trees spaghetti and the blooms are small ruote and farfalle that grow in abundance. These rotinis are the twisted seedlings found within the blooms once they’ve dried and withered.”
I pick up my fork again and smile sweetly at Ziri, who is now sitting back in his chair watching me carefully. His only response is, “Huh, interesting.” I glance up at Sema who gives me a wink, but keeps quiet.
After a moment, he asks, “Why haven’t I heard of such a tree?”
“They’re man-made,” I answer quickly.
“Huh,” he replies again. After a second of thought, he goes back to eating.
Ha! That will show him to mess with me. My small joy of revenge lasts only for a moment when Sema asks, “What of Cessa, Lily? Why don’t you call her?”
I look up first at Sema and then at Ziri who continues eating, his attention on his food. “It’s all right, Lily. Ziri won’t hurt her. They have known each other since Cessa belonged to Tharin’s mother.”
I give Ziri a hard look until he looks up at me, mouth full with a mocking grin. He continues to chew while he waits for me to call Cessa. I lean toward him, stabbing the air with my fork, “You said you’d kill her if I did.”
Ziri swallows, “Yeah, and I believe there are such things as man-made trees.”
“Jackass.” I glare at him.
“Lunontha,” he shoots back, still chewing his food.
“Ziri! She is not only your future queen, but also your brother’s betrothed. You will not disrespect her,” reprimands Sema sternly. Ziri glances at her and shrugs his shoulder.
“What did you just call me?” I ask, holding my fork threateningly. Suddenly, I remember how scared I was at the thought of him actually killing Cessa and the panicked fear I felt when he threatened Tharin’s life. I picture Cessa in my mind, and while I focus my anger at the big elf I call out, “Cessa!”
“Lily, no!” Sema’s angry cry startles me and I’m taken aback by her anger.
I find out too late why. Cessa appears at the opposite end of the table from Ziri. Her hackles are up, fangs bared and her eyes are slit with angry intent. She leaps over the table with such ferocity that I’m momentarily frozen in fear. Ziri reacts instantly and rolls from his seat to one side. Cessa comes to a sliding halt, and as she adjusts out of her turn, Ziri is already up and moving. He ends up beside an angry Sema, grabs hold of her shoulders while still in her chair and spins her around to face the pissed off cat. As Cessa leaps to clear the top of Sema’s head to take down Ziri, Sema gives a wave of her hand stopping the big cat in midair. The angry cat roars in her animated state, seething with rage as she bares her fangs at Ziri. S
he then looks down at Sema, growling a low guttural sound from the back of her throat.
“Peace, beast of Malainisi. We are all on the same side. She doesn’t realize the strength of her connection with you. And we both know that’s the fault of your master. He should have not given you to her without fully disclosing everything. Now, peace, and please don’t eat Ziri. I still need him. When all is done, you can have him then.”
“What?” pipes Ziri from behind the old woman.
Cessa looks my way showing her fangs and growling as if angry with me instead of my kidnapper. I swallow hard, but even that doesn’t stop my heart from beating wildly. I have forgotten that the beautiful beast I’ve come to love is a predator by nature.
“Yes, I know,” remarks Sema to Cessa as she gently puts Cessa down. The old woman turns to face me, her face angry. “You will never call Cessa when angry with an innocent!”
Taking a deep breath, Sema finds control and sits back in her seat. I’m still standing as I watch Cessa find the shadows near the cooking area and disappear. I can feel her here, just hiding within the shadows and still seething with anger. What have I done?
Confused by what just happened, I move away from the table and try to head for the sleeping area when I find Ziri in my path. I try to step around him, but he blocks my way until I’m staring at his chest. I get what Sema said, but I’ve made Cessa angry with me. Without the others here, I had believed that I at least had her. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
“I’m sorry.” His voice is deep, but the sincerity of his apology forces me to look up at him. With an effort, I hold my emotions at bay, remaining quiet and just stare at him.
“I shouldn’t have pushed you so far. And I’m sorry for this.” He lifts my wrist and turns it to show the small wound from the prick earlier. “And for her,” he indicates toward the shadows. “I know what it’s like to be taken away from everything you know and have no control of what’s going on around you. I’d like to start over. My name is Ziri.” He lifts his large hand, palm facing up. I look at it curiously, then he says, “Isn’t this how you greet each other in your realm?”