Chapter 35: A Glimpse

“There has been no sight of them?” Ishild asked her son, who paced before her. He shook his head.
“Nothing. After he revealed his dragon form, they seemed to have disappeared into thin air,” he replied angrily. Elric…and Saffron had been within his grasp. He had underestimated his brother’s affections for the mender. Well, his brother had continually underestimated him, and he nearly had his cocky, older sibling.
“They cannot have gone far. Give me but a moment,” she said. The blue in her irises began to bleed into the white; soon her entire eye was consumed by a white, shifting cloud. Kingsley hated it when his mother used her Vision. It had always made him eerily aware of her omnipotence. She stared, sightless, at him.
“They are at Avolire,” she said, her voice distant. “They have just arrived. I cannot see into the estate. It is guarded.” A tangible chill shivered through the room as her eyes returned to normal. “I believe they will eventually return here. We must be ready.”
Kingsley looked towards his mother, suddenly nervous. “Do we have to kill both of them?” he ventured. Her eyes narrowed.
“Of course we do. She has protected his secret, thereby showing her loyalty. Why?” she questioned, her icy voice suspicious.
Kingsley shifted uncomfortably. “I just think she could be an asset. She is strong and smart. She would make a fine queen,” he replied without meeting her eyes. She scoffed.
“I see. My answer stands. We will not save the girl because you have some notion in your head about her character. We go forward as planned.”
####
Elric scowled across the table at Wulfstan who spread his hands apologetically. “That is what I know. I could not find out much. They know where my loyalty lies,” he replied.
“Hmmm,” Elric grunted. “And my father?” Wulfstan shook his head.
“He refuses to speak of you,” Wulfstan said gently, watching the blow hit his friend. Elric’s face hardened.
“Very well. Well, I see no need to return then,” he replied gruffly.
“He has summoned you. You cannot refuse him,” Wulfstan stated. Elric glared at him.
“So he can disown me in front of my brothers and the entire kingdom? I would not give them the satisfaction,” he spat and slammed his fist down onto the table in front of him.
“Perhaps it is not as you think,” Saffron added, speaking for the first time since the discussion began. Elric turned surprised eyes to her. She shrugged one shoulder.
“He might just want to speak with you,” she said simply. He snorted, but she placed her cool hand on his arm. “Think it over. He is still your father, despite the bad blood between you.”
Elric conceded with a nod. “Fine. Let us give it a few days and then we will return to Runswick,” he replied unhappily.
####
That evening, as they lay in bed, Elric pulled her hand towards him, still slick from their lovemaking. “There is one thing that we can take care of at the castle at least.”
“What is that?” she asked, settling next to him. He caressed the fingers of her left hand, stopping on her fourth finger.
“We can be married. The dress has already been made. I’m sure we can have a small ceremony. My father would probably be pleased to remove me from his mind.” Saffron’s heart leaped as Elric spoke.
“If I still want to marry you, that is,” she replied with a sly smile. Elric pulled away, mock hurt on his face.
“I believe that what we just did a few moments ago says differently,” he retorted and enjoyed the flush that climbed her cheeks.
“Fine. I concede,” she smiled and let him pull her close again, his mouth capturing hers.
####
The days passed too quickly for Saffron’s liking as the impending trip back to the castle loomed over them. This time, however, she was more prepared for what was lurking behind those majestic walls. Elric’s stony silence during the entire trek had her on edge. She hated seeing him this tense. She couldn’t imagine the thoughts that were tumbling around in his head.
She just hoped that the bells that sounded loudly in her mind were just her nerves and not an actual warning as they crested the hill and the castle gleamed in the late afternoon sunlight. “Are you alright?” she asked him gently, taking his hand.
He nodded stiffly, staring at his former home as if instead of a prince, he was a prisoner walking towards the gallows.