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Gunner and Leif both put their hands to their chests, mouths agape, as if offended he’d even have to ask. But they could be a sour pair, difficult to get used to for some. Although from the company he saw in the pub in Briar Hollow, she couldn’t be too bothered.

“They were kind enough to bring me along and shared their food. Need their mouths washed out with soap but I can’t complain too much.” Her lips pressed tightly together, and she brushed her hand down the front of her cloak. He had a feeling there was something else she wanted to say. A moment later she met Thane’s gaze. “You’re different than I expected—your highness.”

“You can call me Thane. You’re Layala’s only family.” At least Evalyn wasn’t as hard to convince as Layala was. But Leif and Gunner no doubt had a hand in that, and it was clear to all that Thane and Tenebris were on opposing sides.

The clop of Vesstan’s staff as he hobbled disrupted the chatter. He paused at the entrance of the cottage and looked back, “Let’s all sit down for a chat so you can work out a proper plan or all you’ll do is get yourselves killed.”

Chapter6

The portal hummed to life at Thane’s touch. His legs were on the verge of giving out, but he was on a mission and that alone gave him the strength to continue. At the base of the round stone as ancient as the very mountains, bright colorful wildflowers bloomed. Their aroma filled the balmy forest air. Thane looked up searching for the woodpecker who smacked his beak into the trunk of a tree like a hammer.

“So, this stone circle will bring us to The Valley?” Evalyn asked, skeptically.

“It will,” Thane answered. He and Evalyn argued about her coming along. This would be dangerous, and she’d be putting her life at risk. It was better if she stayed with Vesstan until he could bring Layala to her, but the woman was as stubborn as the she-elf he loved.

“Hello, again,” the voices of the portal hissed. “You survived. We are happy.” It was as if the stone was many people and they stood all around them, some closer, some farther away, all unseen. Were they ghosts of past mages tied to this place?

“We need passage into Palenor.” Thane took a deep breath, holding his injury tighter. The portal began to pull at his magic, his energy, and the ache intensified, throbbing with his pulse. Leif and Gunner both watched him warily, as if he was a fragile glass about to fall off a shelf. “Preferably on the outskirts of the Valley of the Sun. I’m not up for a walk through the unnamed forest when it’s almost dark.”

“As you wish.”

The center of the stone circle swirled to life, like rippling blue water.

Gunner cleared his throat. “Uh, you’ve done this before, right?”

“Many times. Follow me.” Thane dropped his hands to his sides, clenched his jaw and stepped through. He appeared on the grassy green lip of the Valley’s edge, overlooking his city. The setting sun stained the sky pink, coral, and a deep red. The golden rooftops sparkled in the dying light; Maker it was marvelous. Any other day he might stand here and admire the beauty of mother nature. Listening to the bustle of the city below where people walked the cobblestone streets, children ran and played, and the gong rang every evening as the sunset; a tribute to those who died in the war against the pale ones. He might bask in the sun’s warmth and study the way the bright orb radiated behind Castle Dredwich at this hour. But this day, Thane’s heart ached as he stared at the many peaks and towers built into the towering rock in the distance. Whipping wind moved the Palenor flag in giant waves like the rolling ocean. It wasn’t long ago he’d laughed and enjoyed himself at the Summer Solstice for the first time since he was a child. Without his father’s ominous presence, he’d been able to be himself. He didn’t have to worry his father might get angry and give orders to cut off someone’s head or scold him for being too friendly with the “common folk.” That was one thing Tenebris was adamant about, “never show the people weakness by relating to them. You must always appear to be above them,” he’d say. To be free of Tenebris, even if for a short while, let him discover who he was inside. He’d danced and laughed like he hadn’t in years and allowed himself to truly fall for Laya. But a dark cloud loomed over the castle. His father ruled there now, and Layala was a prisoner inside those deep-gray stone walls. Caged, like his heart felt with her gone.

Leif appeared at his side and tilted his head. “This way, sire.”

Running low on stamina, Thane took a deep breath. The pain in his gut throbbed like a fire licking at his flesh. It was difficult to focus on anything but that, and his heavy gear impeded him further. But at least he didn’t bear the extra weight of a little gnome. Leif volunteered to carry Tifapine, although she couldn’t weigh more than ten pounds. He closed his eyes for a moment, clenching his teeth together, willing the throbbing to stop. Maker, it was like someone shoved a hot poker inside him and dug it around. A blinding white light filled his vision, and his ears rang with a high-pitched whine. He felt himself wobble and pressed his palm flat across the injury. The pressure eased the searing pain if only in a minuscule amount.

A gentle hand gripped under his elbow, steadying him. “I think you need rest, sire,” Evalyn said. The concern lining her deep-brown eyes warmed his soul; she didn’t completely hate him. He didn’t know if he could stomach someone with blind loathing at this moment.

“I’ll be fine,” he wheezed, and winced at how out of breath he was.

“I don’t presume to tell a High King of the Elves what he is or is not capable of, but if you can’t stand on your own, you certainly can’t infiltrate a castle. Mage Vesstan was correct. You need rest, your highness.”

“Thane,” he amended, drawing in shallow breaths.

She pursed her lips. “Alright then, Thane. I love her too and I want her back, but you need strength to do it.”

“Once we’re at the apothecary, I’ll rest for the night. But we must not miss meeting the person with news of Layala. She might not stay around if we don’t show on time.”

“Can I help you keep your balance at least? I’m afraid you’re too large for me to be of much use for anything else.”

He smiled through the pain, urging forward to push through the ache. “Thank you, Evalyn. Your kindness means more to me than you know.”

* * *

When they enteredthe cobblestone streets teeming with elves, Thane pulled his hood up. He couldn’t risk anyone recognizing him and getting into a fight with city guards. He didn’t want to kill his own people, and walking at this point was a struggle.

They passed bookshops and smithies. A hammer clanked onto a horseshoe followed by sizzling hot metal in cool water when the elf male dropped it in. Leif gestured toward a poster nailed to a wooden pole. Thane paused for a moment.

WANTED: RAVEN WARRIORS

For crimes of Treason, Murder, and Mutiny.

All must be brought to justice for the safety of Palenor.