Page 100 of Light and Shadow
Harper
Aaran practically dragged me away from the ballroom, but it was his happiness that persuaded me more than his request. He leads me through the garden and past a gate at the far northern corner. “Where are we going?”
“I told you there are many springs that feed the lake. I want to show you my favorite place to think and get away from things in the house.” He holds my hand and walks fast, as if the spring might disappear.
We traveled for so long, I’m a little worried about where he’s dragging me. At least the rain has stopped, and the sun is trying to break through. “Is it far?”
He scoops me into his arms. “No.”
Gripping his neck, I’m struck by all the joy welling inside him. “What did you and your mother talk about?”
“You, of course.” It’s a winding path to the caves. He’s careful to duck under a low-hanging branch. “It’s wonderful to have you in my home.”
“You never mentioned you grew up in a castle. You also never told me you will be king one day. Though, I suppose, I easilyfigured that out on my own.” I rest my cheek on his shoulder and listen to the thumping of his heart.
“It didn’t matter when we met, and then it mattered too much to risk you pulling away.” His eyes flash with fear, and then his smile is back in place, and he lifts me a bit higher and runs down the path.
Unable to relax until he slows, I hang on for my life. “Why are we running?”
“I am running. You are a passenger.” He slows and presses his lips to the top of my head. Putting me on my feet, he points to a bush as if I should be seeing something.
“What?”
Reaching out, he pushes aside the greenery, and sunlight streams through the canopy of trees and reflects like diamonds on a bubbling pool. “This is my favorite place in Tús Nua.”
Yellow flowers bloom along the ground like a carpet. I immediately remove my shoes and feel the soft tickle of their petals on my feet. “This is beautiful.”
“I’ve never shared this place with anyone.” He sits on the grass and flowered carpet and lies back, staring up at the leaves.
Lying beside him, I thread my fingers through his. “I love it. Thank you.” His thoughts stray, and I catch a hint of worry. “I wonder where you brothers are.”
“They’ll find a way, just as we did.”
“I hope their way is easier than ours was.”
“If that were the case, they would have arrived already. My brothers are resourceful. They will get here.”
“Of course they will,” I say with more confidence than I feel. “Can we go into this spring?”
“Yes.” He pulls me to my feet, and we sit at the edge of the water.
I trail my fingers along the surface, and the water is warm. Venora’s sour magic hits me like the snap of a whip. I pull my hand back and grab Aaran’s arm. “She’s here.”
“Who?” He looks around but lets me pull him away from the water.
The bubbling stills and reveals Venora’s beautiful, terrible face, now with a thin red scar on her left cheek. The water distorts her, but her glamor is in place. Though it cannot hide the scar I gave her. Her black hair flies in all directions, as if taken by the pool. Her hazel eyes glow with evil. “I see you, little human. Where are you though? You thought you could get away from me? I am all-powerful. Nothing you can do will stop me. Take my slaves, and I’ll capture twice their number and make them suffer for your crimes. Now, where are you?” She squints as if trying to recognize some landmark.
I want to scream for her to go away and leave this place, but I hold my tongue. I might say something that gives her information. Right now, all she knows is that I’m near this pool of water.
“If you step in, I will make your end easy. There will be no more worry or suffering. I might even spare the Riordan’s firstborn. Is he there with you? Aaran, push the human into the water, and I will spare your life. I will leave your brothers alive as well. One little worthless human for three strong elven men. It’s more than fair.” She laughs, but it’s the most grating sound.
Instinct has me linking my hand with Aaran’s. I pray Venora will never sully this place again.
Aaran’s strong pure magic flows through me.
We step closer.
“That’s right. I feel you now, human. Just step in and let me take away all the pain and torture these elves have put you through.” Another cackle.
