28..

Then he remembered, Elfnour, his land. It had been deserted for thousands of years, an island filled with serenity and peace that he knew would surely be good for Aranya’s recuperation. He closed his eyes and disappeared with her body firmly held in his arms. He appeared in the island, for the first time since he and Dûsan escaped the soldiers that raided his town. He closed his eyes and perceived the air of the island and a gloom smile graced his lips.

“I've missed home,” he said with a faint of sadness. Turning to his side he sensed the great absence of Dûsan and quickly flicked his tears back. This wasn’t the time to grieve, it was time to take care of the woman both him and his brother loved. He walked into the silent island with no sound but that of the birds and the insects.

He went to the palace, the place he had grown up and loved with all his life. And seeing how lifeless it looked, even though still beautiful, it broke Lorcán to bits and pieces. He took her to the king’s chamber. He knew that was once occupied by his father, but today, he would assume himself to be the King of Elfnour. He laid her on the huge mahogany bed and stared at how pale she looked, as though she wasn’t that lively woman he had fallen in love with.

The feeling of nostalgia surged through him, he had never, even for once in his life thought that he would be back into this kingdom. He thought when they ran out of Elfnour with Dûsan that would be the last time they would visit the kingdom, but today, because of Aranya, he was back. And he had never felt the pain of loosing everyone in his family and entire clan but today. It was deadly.

He sat down on the bed and held Aranya’s cold hands, with one swift movement of his fingers, he heated up the hearth and draped down the curtains as he turned the candles on the walls of the room. She had to be warm, he wished he knew another way of making her feel better, another way he could save her life. He couldn't believe she could risk her life for him.

When he stared at her sleeping face longer than usual, Lorcán decided it was time to look for all the places he had once been in love with. He stood up after he planted a soft kiss on her forehead and smiled, “Sleep well, Aranya.” He didn’t know whether or not she was out of danger or whether or not if Betla could track them down to Elfnour, but one thing was sure. He knew if Bloods of Power worked, he would surely be able to save her with his blood.

•

Keres stood in the ceremony as she stared up at the king of Gantrick. She wondered what had turned him this way, why? He was the one that told her to come to him whenever she needed soldiers, didn't he? Why would he say no to her now, just when she thought she could count on him? “I don’t understand what you’re saying, your highness.” She wouldn’t have bothered to add the royal title to his name if they were the only ones in the hall.

“I can’t give out my soldiers now, Keres. We’re going to face another battle in a few days to come and I expect my soldiers to train well before the time. I’m sure you must know how hard it is to keep this empire with King Bhaltair constantly wanting to raid our clan at any chance he gets.”

He didn’t have to talk to her about Bhaltair, did he? She was tired of hearing his name in Kestramore and that was why she always left the palace and went to some islands to stay for a few days. “I thought you have already reconciled with him?” Just like Kestramore did, even though one was never sure what he would do next. He was such a powerful king that no one dared say anything against him.

“We did, but he wants something else now.” The dragon king sighed, “Look, this isn’t yours to know. I appreciate you wanting to avenge for Jaromir’s death, as much as that pains me, we’re in a greater dilemma now. We can get back to that when this kingdom isn’t on risk anymore.”

She was about to argue with him further when Katharina ran into the hall as she bowed down to show her respect and she whispered into her ear. “Your highness, His Majesty wants to see you in his chamber, right now.” She abruptly turned to face Katharina, the way she sounded and the look in her eyes was enough evidence that she was serious.

Keres bowed her head to show her respect to the king of Gantrick, “I’ll take my leave now, your highness.” He waved his hand dismissively at them and they rushed out of the hall together with Katharina. They stood beside their birds, “What do you mean, Katharina? Something happens in the palace?”

Katharina immediately shook her head, “Nothing that I know of, but I know he wants to see you as urgently as he could, your highness. We shouldn’t waste our time here.” As Keres hopped onto the back of the huge bird, she wondered what most have happened for her father had never asked to see her personally especially when he knew she wasn’t in Kestramore anymore unless something happened, something bad that he couldn't wait for her to be back.

She thought of Desdemona and she knew she must have been waiting for her to get to Zinambra. Whatever it was that happened, Keres wasn’t ready to let go of her revenge, she has to take revenge for the man she has loved as much as she loved Jaromir. They arrived in Kestramore and when they passed by the soldier’s den, she saw that it was full of activities and they were training tirelessly. Some of them were sharpening their swords while some were taking care of the horses. What was going to happen in Kestramore?

She walked directly to the King’s chamber and didn’t wait for the guard to inform him of her arrival before she walked into his room. She met him seated on a chair as he deeply thought. She cleared her throat to let her presence known, “I’m back, Your majesty.”

The King opened his eyes and at once; she saw fear in them, she saw anger and the look one had when he or she had nothing to do or say. “Anything wrong, Father?” Formalities aside, she loved her father.

He smiled lopsidedly and shook his head at her, “Sit down, Keres, I'll explain everything to you.” She did, but her heart was already shaking. Her sick mother, was she alright?

“Is my Mother alright, Father?” She might appear as tough to the outer world, but she had a very soft spot for her family, especially her parents.

He smiled and shook his head again at her, “She’s alright, Keres. I called you here for something else.” He sighed, he knew it was hard, but this was the only way out for his entire clan and to keep Kestramore as peaceful as it had always been. “We’re going to get you married to King Bhaltair in exchange for peace to reign in Kestramore.”

She didn't know when she abruptly stood up, “What do you mean, Father? I'm going to marry King Bhaltair?”

He nodded his head, “If not, we’re going to lose everything and everyone. So, we offered you to him and he has agreed. You’re going to be wedded in a few days.” What in the world was happening to her? First, she has lost her beloved to some other woman and he later died in her hands, and now this?!