29.

Keres stared up at her Father with a heart raging with uncertainty and her eyes that failed so hard to speak the grief in her soul. She still couldn’t believe what was about to happen or what had already happened because from the way he said everything, it was as if they had already spoken to King Bhaltair about this. “Father,” she began and she realized she didn’t even know what to say. “You can’t do this to me, right? How can I get married to King Bhaltair of all people? Can we please find a way to make peace with him but not this?” Her voice shook as she spoke because a part of her told her that her plea would go unheard to her Father, they had already finalized everything and King Bhaltair wasn’t someone to joke with and change words for.

He shook his head and stood up to meet her eyes, “I know, Keres. I know what you must be feeling now, there would be pain, fear and the feeling of being lost. I’m here for you whenever you need help about something, Keres. But we have to do this to save our clan, you have to know that he’s not the type that takes things easy. Clearing the entire Kestramore is nothing but a mere joke to him.” He said sadly and Keres realized she had never seen her Father as worried as he looked today. She had to do something about it, she had to get married to King Bhaltair to save her clan.

And now that she thought about it, no one was as powerful as him, and having him as a husband would give her the ability to avenge on Aranya without any difficulties. That calmed her down even though she could feel the raging waves of pain trying to overcome her entire being. She sighed and took a hold of her Father’s outstretched hands, “I will, Father. I will get married to King Bhaltair to save our clan from his wrath.”

Her Father tightened his hold on her hand and smiled, “Thank you for being a brave princess, my darling.” She nodded her head and after he had told her that it will only take a few days for her to get married to King Bhaltair, she walked to her Mother’s chamber. And when she entered, she saw her slowly sipping tea as she was obviously deep in her thoughts. She managed to paint a smile on her lips as she moved further into the room.

“Mother,” she said silently and sat down beside her with a faint smile. “How are you feeling?” She knew what she was ruminative about, it was the marriage she heard about and everyone would be afraid on her behalf. But she believe she would be fine, nothing would go wrong so long as she was being careful. And after all, this marriage would be useful to her as well, she would get to avenge on Jaromir’s death without any difficulty.

•

Lorcán slowly found his way back to the room he had kept her in, it was late at night that he wondered if she had woken up or not. It was high time she woke up at least. He had roamed through the city of Elfnour, and even though everything felt the same as it used to be, nothing felt the same at the same time. It was cold and he felt the emptiness of the whole city trying to weigh him down. He realized that he was hungry and Aranya too would be when she woke up but the only thing he could find were fruits. He ate some and brought back some for her.

He entered the room and found her seated on the middle of the bed with her hands wrapped around her whole body as she shivered in cold. He rushed inside and wrapped his hands around her, “How are you feeling, Aranya?” She looked up at him and then back at the room that looked alien to her. She knew they were no more in Zinambra because if they were, she wouldn’t have seen Lorcán here with her. And the ambience felt light and lively unlike that of Zinambra.

“Where are we?” She asked with so much aplomb because even breathing felt so hard for her and talking was the hardest. But she wanted to know if they were safe. Whether Betla could track them down here or not.

Instead of him to answer her, he stood up and walked to the closet before he got a bigger blanket. He draped it over her body and made sure she was feeling less cold then now. He stared into her eyes with a soft smile on his lips, he was glad that she had finally woken up but he couldn’t help being afraid that Betla would harm her again, because they both knew that she wouldn’t let it go easily. “We’re in Elfnour, Aranya. My hometown, we’re safe, for now at least.”

She turned around again, even though it was dark outside, the lights in the room were comforting. She nodded her head and closed her eyes, resting her head on her brought up knees. Lorcán fixed his eyes on her before he spoke further, “I could only find fruits for us, Aranya.” He came back bearing the basket he had put in the fresh fruits and she managed to open her eyes.

“How long have I been sleeping?” She asked, because the way she felt in her body, she knew this certainly wasn’t good. Betla was doing something back in Zinambra, she could feel everything within her body.

“Five days, you’ve been asleep for five days. But I fed you with my blood throughout, did that help?” He asked, staring into her eyes looking so clueless and helpless that Aranya felt as her heart filled with his love. How did she get so lucky to have someone like him in her life? After all she had done for him, the brother she had killed for him, he still loved her this much. Was this the person Betla wanted her to lose? If she lost Lorcán she was certain she can never find someone like him, ever again.

She flashed him a dry smile while nodding her head at him, “It did, a lot. I’m certain it’s what keeps my life hanging on the air.” He smiled at her and she could see the worry lines on his forehead vanishing. “Give me a hug.” She opened her arms widely with tears pooling the brink of her eyes while Lorcán pulled her to him and she rested her head on his chest. “I’m glad you’re fine, Lorcán.”

“Shh…” he said lovingly and kept on fondling her head while she lain on his chest silently.