I shook my head and stammered, “N-no, sorry, I thought the stories were all myths.”
“No worries, lass. Ye will soon discover things about the world ye live in the books didn’t cover.” He winked at me and held out his arms for the sword. I handed it to him and then he turned and started for the small building he stepped out of. From there, I discerned his hair was not only covered in black soot but was black. I gaped.
“Marren would like for you to bring it back once you are done. Don’t sharpen it. A’lainn wants to do that.”
The dwarf paused long enough to turn around and say, “It’ll be a while. Ye really dented the girl.”
“Why is the sword considered a girl?” I asked Enid.
He shrugged with his arms crossed over his chest. “Everything has an essence. That one seems to like being handled like a woman…”
Enid began walking along the road back toward Marren’s marble palace.
“Is that so?” I asked sarcastically. “How exactly does a woman like to be held? Because, I have yet to meet one who likes to be smacked against another repeatedly.”
He continued without a word. I followed behind, more slowly, taking as much time as stubbornly possible.
Chapter 4
Forgotten Secrets
I stepped into the corridor, my mind preoccupied with trying to figure out the puzzle my life had become. As I made my way to my room, I fell deeper and deeper into my thoughts. So much so I didn’t notice Enid’s voice calling out to me until he shouted.
“A’lainn?”
I turned around, concerned about the reason for his tone. “Yes?”
He had a worried expression on his face. The sadness in his eyes made them a darker blue. “Would you like anything brought to your room?”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
“Very well.” He nodded then turned on his heels and walked back into the dining hall.
I finished the trek to my room, stopping in front of the door to scrutinize how the vines and flowers moved and grew right in front of me.
“How is this done?” I asked myself, reaching out my hand to touch the door.
“Magic,” Marren whispered in my ear. I pulled my hand back and turned around to an empty hallway.
Shaking my head with a sigh, I pushed through the doors and then shut them behind me. I walked over to the sitting area of the room and took a seat facing the fire. I draped a leg over the arm of the chair and bounced it up and down as I stared at the lapping flames, mulling over my thoughts once more. The doors opened from the corner of my eye and someone step inside. I reluctantly stood and faced Marren.
“Relena,” he greeted, lowering his head slightly toward me.
“Marren,” I said and returned the same gesture.
“Enid tells me you have questions for me?”
I chuckled under my breath. “None you’d give answers to, unfortunately.”
“Try me.” His words hypnotized me.
I considered my recent experience with thinking he was behind me and chalked it up to the enchantment that had come over me since arriving. I stepped to the balcony and stared at the mountains I had come to realize were the Peaks of Domar. Marren joined me, leaning against the top of the stone railing. I glanced in his direction, a little uncomfortable with the way he stared at me so intently, waiting for a response. My cheeks warmed, and I decided to go with one of the most pressing questions first, since he’s so bent on answering them.
“What is your fascination with me?”
“Next question,” he said.
“You didn’t even answer that one,” I replied almost too fast.
“Next question.”
I sighed. “I still don’t understand what is going on at all, or the importance of me, or your interest with any of it. Makes my head spin.”
So does the way the sun glints off your black hair like starlight and the way it makes your skin sparkle.
I couldn’t help but think about how much had changed with me, and uncontrollably so. It had something to do with this place. This enchanted palace.
“That wasn’t a question.”
“No, it wasn’t.” I turned around and sat down with my back against the stone. “Will you explain what is going on?”
“No. Not yet.” He sat down with me and pulled up a knee to his chest, resting his arm on it, allowing his hand to dangle.
“Figures,” I muttered.
“You’re still convinced I’m trying to seduce you.” He smiled.
“I never once accused you of trying to seduce anyone. So, I don’t understand where you got that idea. I simply think you are conceited and you think you can woo any woman with a gaze or a smile. You think you’re charming, and you’re arrogant.”
He chuckled.
I sighed at my body’s reaction to his laughter. Partly out of annoyance and partly out of surrender. When I lifted my head to view the sky, I banged it against the stone railing with a loud thud. “Ow.”