THE CHOOSING Read online

  He loomed over her sitting form, bending down so that his face was level with her own. His pale blue eyes peered deeply into her defiant sapphire ones. “I do not recall asking for your opinion, Teela. Lie down.”

  Without warning, the rage left her and a weary exhaustion filled its void. She was too tired to fight the force of his presence. Every good warrior knows the value of a tactical retreat, she reasoned to herself. She reluctantly rolled over and presented her back to him.

  “My name is Feenix,” she said against the soft mattress. When he didn’t answer, she smiled at the tiny victory of having the last word.

  That’s how wars are won, she reminded herself, one small victory at a time.

  “Untie your gown.” His deep voice above and behind her startled her.

  “Why?” She picked her head up and looked at him. He was standing beside the bed, holding the jar with his fingers dipped inside, waiting to slather the medicine on her back. The unpleasant odor she had noticed when she awoke was stronger.

  Feenix could read no emotion on his face. “Why would a prince do this for a prisoner? Are you slumming, highness?” she gave him his title dripping in sarcasm. “Why dirty your royal hands on me?”

  “Untie your gown,” he commanded again. “I can not reach your back unless you loosen it for me to pull down.”

  “How did you manage when I was unconscious?” If she thought to embarrass him, she was mistaken.

  “I simply did it myself, when Lala was not here to help. Unless you want me to remove the gown, you will bare your wounds for me now.”

  “Why not,” she asked after a moment of silence. “The sooner we get this over, the sooner I can get out of here.”

  She raised herself up onto her elbows, the muscles in her shoulders and back burning in protest. She could feel the skin of her back pull and tighten as her stiff fingers and arms worked the ties in the front of the gown. It felt like it took hours to loosen the little strips of material, but the silent half-elf seemed content to wait patiently for her.

  “There,” she said with a sigh, as she collapsed onto the bed again in exhaustion. How could such a simple task rob her of all her strength? The fever must have been a fierce one.

  Cool air hit her skin as he gently pulled the gown down and away from her back. She waited, muscles tense, for him to say something or wipe the cold paste into her flesh. When the contact came, it was nothing like she had anticipated.

  “Your back will be scarred, of course.”

  She snorted mentally. What was one more scar, more or less?

  After the initial shock of his voice and touch—a shock that sent a rush of hot tingles all the way to her toes—his hands were light and tender.

  “Where did you get the other scars?”

  She almost smiled at the studied nonchalance of his tone. She would have bet her favorite sword that he never wanted to ask such a personal question.

  “Here and there,” she answered vaguely. “A warrior picks up a few scars along the way. Better scars than death.”

  His silence was full of disbelief.

  His firm fingers must have been filled with magic, she thought, although the stench from the salve was strong enough to bring tears to her eyes. She was sure it was the medicine, for Feenix of Port Marcus never cried.

  She felt her muscles relax into the warm rhythm of his strokes as he smoothed the paste into her closed wounds. Her body’s response to his touch was unreasonable. She was relaxing like a babe at its mother’s breast.

  “This looks as though it should have killed you.”

  She sucked in her breath as his fingers traced an old sword cut from the small of her back up and around the side of her breast. She could feel her skin pebble with arousal. She must be mad and still out of her head with fever.

  “I took the full swing of a bastard sword, but I was lucky.”

  “Lucky? How so?” His fingers continued to smooth old scars, as if the stinking goo he was lathering on would have any effect after all these years. She bit her lips to try to keep her sexual instincts at bay. It wasn’t as if the half-elf was trying to seduce her, by the god’s ears!

  “I ducked under the goblin’s arm, and before he could finish me off, my companion skewered him like a fish.”

  “Still,” L’Garn’s palm moved over her shoulders, easing sore muscles and the sting of open cuts. “With a cut like that, most people would be dead.”

  Feenix couldn’t remember when she had been so relaxed, so at ease in the presence of a stranger. An enemy, in fact! Mmmm, the elf-man’s hands felt good.

  “He was a priest. Cast a Healing Spell...saved my life, damn him...”

  “Your wounds are healing well, Teela. Tomorrow you will rise from the bed for a period of time.”

  She was too tired and content to argue with him over that foolish name. Tomorrow, after a good night’s rest, she would put him straight. For now, she would take advantage of the soft bed and wonderful feelings the prince’s hands evoked. Why should fingers on her back make her hot all over?

  Too long without a lover, she supposed just before sleep claimed her.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “The rebuilding of Shalridoor is going well, do you not agree, brother?”

  Rendolin Hiloris looked at his older brother, Thelorin, and nodded his agreement. They were standing upon a high cliff overlooking the sea. It was a perfect place to view the reconstruction and activity of the ancient home of the Sea Elves.

  Shalridoor had been nearly destroyed more than three hundred and fifty years ago, when the fiercely aggressive Night Elves waged a long and bloody war against their peaceful cousins, the Sea Elves.

  In order for the People of the Sea to survive, a small band of warriors, led by the heroic Leondrilik, had staged a hopeless attack on the Night Elves in their home of Cragimore. Under cover of that battle, the remaining Sea Elves, mostly females, children and older males, had quietly left Shalridoor and escaped to the secret and magical island of Sasheena. For years, it was believed throughout Tylana that the entire race of Sea Elves had been destroyed, and none had survived the Silvan War.

  They had lived in peace, rebuilding their strength, until the god, Mac Lir, had decided it was time for his children of the sea to return to Shalridoor and confront their mortal enemy once again. In order for that to happen, Mac Lir’s High Priest, Rendolin, had to Bind himself for all eternity to a human woman from Earth.

  Korrene had been that human, with her spark of the silvan blood which was all but extinct on her home world of Earth. Together they had joined their souls and lives for the good of the Sea Elves. They would be the beginning of a new race of elfin kind, a race better equipped to survive in a world where all silvan kind seemed to be hunted and threatened.

  Even by their own cousins.

  When Thelorin had learned about the god’s plan to have Rendolin Bind to a human, he was completely against the idea. He believed that humans were inferior to silvan, and to encourage the mingling of the two races would only pollute the silvan bloodlines. So adamant was he against the plan, Thelorin had led a faction of the Sea Elves against his own brother in the hope that the Binding would be stopped.

  Fortunately for all the Sea Elves, Mac Lir’s plan had gone forth, even after an attempt on Rendolin’s life, and the Binding had been successful. Korrene and Rendolin were connected for all time by a bond that was more than physical or mental. It was a link that transcended time, space and spirit.

  “Rendolin, my love. Dreaming about our time together is not getting Shalridoor rebuilt.”

  Korrene’s spirit touched his mind with a loving caress.

  “What are you doing, Korrene? Your spirit sounds so joyful.”

  “You know me well, Ren. I’m singing to the land around Shalridoor. The new seeds are awakening. I never thought I’d be happy in a garden! And here I am, singing, of all things, to seeds!”

  He felt her joy and laughter through the Binding link. He would be forever grateful to Ma
c Lir for sending his soul mate to him.

  “Is Mother with you?”

  “But of course! I’m too new at this spell casting business to be trusted on my own. Elawae’s afraid I’m going to goof and nurture a patch of Blades of Grass into the size of a football field instead of a postage stamp!”

  Sometimes, his Mate’s words confused him.

  “What is a football and postage stamp?”

  She chuckled in his mind; an odd sensation, not unlike warm honey running down his spine, causing every nerve to vibrate with awareness of her.

  “Never mind, my love. Your mother says I must stop flirting with you and get back to work. I’ll see you later.”

  He sent a kiss through the ether to her and resumed his concentration on the work before him, and his brother.

  Rendolin was pleased with Thelorin’s willingness to complete their demanding task of making Shalridoor habitable again, even though he would eventually return to the island of Sasheena to live with those Sea Elves who did not wish to return to Tylana’s mainland.

  He remembered how Thelorin had opposed the Binding, as well as the idea of returning to their ancestral home, when Thelorin had first learned that Rendolin must Bind with the human female, Korrene. All the Sea Elves had come a long way from only a few short weeks ago.

  “You are right, Thelorin. It is a joy to see the ruins come to life. Mother was saying only yesterday how well Korrene has taken to her silvan talent. Mac Lir is pleased that she has the nurturing magic within, and is able to coax the earth to renew itself.”

  Thelorin put his arm around Ren’s shoulders and gave him a brotherly shake.

  “Your human has surprised us all, I think, Rendolin. I will be the first to say I was wrong. As Glenowaeli, she is truly the mother of the new silvan race.” He gave the younger elf a gentle push. “You are not finding it too difficult, I trust, as her bonded mate? Living up to everyone’s expectations?”

  Rendolin blushed, but did not back down from his brother’s teasing gray eyes.

  “It can be a difficult task, I admit, but with Mac Lir’s help, I believe I am equal to the challenge.”

  The brothers laughed comfortably, enjoying the relaxed relationship. In the past months, it had not always been so, but the sons of the House of Hiloris had worked through some mighty concerns and challenges and were now more sure and trusting of each other as brothers, as well as leaders of their people.

  “Have you had any success in your search for the other human, Feenix?” Thelorin’s question caused a cloud to settle on Rendolin’s mind and soul.

  “No. I feel she is alive, but in great distress.” He led the way down from the cliff. “I can touch her mind with the spell, but she can not hear me.”

  “Or perhaps she only appears to not hear you.” The suspicion in Thelorin’s words made his brother uneasy.

  “What are you implying, brother?”

  “It seems strange that she would simply vanish as she did,” Thelorin replied. “Why was she not at the beach when we brought her gear? The timing of her disappearance is most inconvenient.”

  “Any number of things could have happened to her, as you well know.” Rendolin stopped and turned to face his brother. “The currents of the sea could have taken her far off course. While in her dolphin form, she could have been attacked and hurt by some sort of sea animal. Why must you be so suspicious?”

  “Because she is human, and humans can not be trusted.”

  “I do not wish to debate this issue with you again, Thelorin.”

  “Then tell me, little brother, why she can not be found, despite the fact that your god has assured you she is alive some where? My worry is that she is alive and well, and selling us out to our enemies.”

  “Feenix proved her loyalty when she took an arrow meant for me,” the High Priest said. “I do not believe her capable of treachery, Thelorin. It is your own misguided distrust of everything human that speaks.”

  “Perhaps, Ren, but I will rest easier when you have found her and she is back with us. We need her to lead the army, although I could do it.”

  “We have been over this ground. You are needed here, directing the assault, while Captain Feenix leads the men. But worry no more. I am planning to use a Communion spell to transmit a Healing towards her in the event that she is injured and cannot respond to me. I do not know if it will work, but I believe Mac Lir approves of the idea.”

  “It is dangerous to attempt to cast two spells together,” Thelorin warned with a worried glance.

  “I am no longer a novice, brother,” Rendolin said with a smile. “I will be careful. Korrene will be there to monitor me, and I will insure I make every proper preparation before attempting it.”

  There were times when Thelorin’s concern for his little brother bordered on the obsessive, the High Priest thought. However, his brother’s concern for him was preferable to his former active thwarting of Rendolin’s plans. This was another thing he would be eternally grateful to Mac Lir for; the love of his brother had not been destroyed during the civil unrest and trying time on Sasheena.

  “When will you make the next attempt to contact Feenix?”

  “This evening, after our meal. I need to be relaxed and with a full belly, as you know,” he said with a grin. “Maintaining a spell at great distance takes nourishment, even with a god’s help.”

  “I believe I will come and lend my support.”

  Rendolin gave his elder brother a thoughtful look. Thelorin did not feel comfortable when Mac Lir’s magic was being done. For him to offer to be there during a potentially dangerous spell casting went a long way to show his love for his brother.

  “Thelorin, you need not be there. I know Mac Lir makes you uneasy, but by the god’s beard, I know not why.”

  “I want to be there, Rendolin,” the elder said, ignoring the last part of Rendolin’s comment, “if for no other reason than to be proved wrong about the human.”

  Rendolin made a mental note to question Thelorin further about his aversion to the god and all things of priestly power. The conversation would have to wait, however. For now, they needed to focus all their concentration on Shalridoor and the dangers of the Night Elves.

  The two elves had walked down from the cliff and entered the great hall of Shalridoor. Or rather, what remained of the great hall. The natural arches of living stone had been broken and burned, killing the sentient soul of the living rock. This area, as well as others in Shalridoor, would have to be rebuilt and nurtured with newly quarried stone. Spells would be cast to ensure the transplanted rock would survive the move, and eventually grow and evolve into more than just a House, as on Sasheena. Shalridoor would be reborn. It would live to shelter and protect the Children of the Sea once again.

  Crews of elves lovingly cleaned and repaired the walls, removing scorches and scars while casting Healing spells on the construction. Some areas, like the great hall, would have to be completely reconstructed, removing the diseased stone as a doctor removes infection from a wound. Rendolin was grateful that his magic did not include knowledge of the living land, for he was sure he would not be able to stand the agony of Shalridoor’s groans and pain.

  Korrene’s awakening magic had its source in earth magic, and she had cried herself to sleep the first night of their return. It was beyond her own ability to block from her senses the pain of the land. Finally, Rendolin had set up a camp a few miles away from the ruin, simply to allow his beloved an easing of the pain she and others were trying desperately to heal.

  “I can feel it through the soles of my feet, all the way up my spine and into my brain,” she sobbed in his arms. “It’s like the very earth itself is crying in agony, Rendolin. What can I do to stop it?”

  He had no words of comfort for her, other than they would do all in their power to bind the wounds and heal Shalridoor. Then he reminded her that the work would not be complete until the Night Elves were destroyed, as they had tried to destroy the Sea Elves and Shalridoor.

&n
bsp; “If you can not locate Captain Feenix,” Thelorin’s words brought Rendolin back to the present, “how far back will that put our plans to attack Cragimore?”

  “The loss of Feenix is devastating. She has the experience and skills of leading armies, brother. However, I can tell you that Mac Lir does not seem overly concerned about it. I have the feeling that the god had expected this crisis.”

  “I wish that god of yours would give you a straight answer, Rendolin. Do you think it would be too much to ask him directly where the human is?”

  Thelorin’s frustration with the slow process of the god’s will made his words harsh.

  Rendolin grinned, but he too wished the god would be more forthcoming.

  “We can not rush a god, my brother.”

  Thelorin sighed deeply then cast a worried look over the crews working in the great hall.

  “I need to get back to work. I will see you after dinner when you prepare to cast the Communion spell again. Perhaps you will have better luck tonight.”

  Rendolin watched him move lightly through the piles of rubble. He made a mental note to have the debris removed tomorrow. For now he would return to the chamber deep inside Shalridoor that housed the worship area. He would begin his preparations for the casting this evening.

  While the huge chamber was deep inside Shalridoor, it was an airy place where one wall stood open to the sea. A panoramic view of the Tylana shoreline, with the sapphire blue sea stretching to the horizon, was balm to his soul. He watched as gulls and other sea birds swooped and dived, playing in the gentle swells. A soft breeze lifted his shoulder-length golden hair, and his nose identified at least four distinct scents of new vegetation growing along the now reclaimed beach area. Korrene and his mother were doing their job of landscape rejuvenation well.

  A deep feeling of peace and welcome enveloped his mind and spirit. Shalridoor was not completely dead. Parts were still flickering with life, as here in the worship area. He could feel the House’s presence and its desire to offer comfort and peace to his tired soul.