I nodded.
His lips pressed against mine, taking in the taste of our kiss. I kissed him harder, tasting blood. He didn’t seem to mind.
Jump up, his words filled my head. He caught my legs in midair, pulling them around his waist and pressing my back against the hard wall.
Are you not worried about the hunters coming in here?
Uh-uh.
Why?
Because the stories that surround this cave frighten them. So they stay as far away as possible.
His kiss deepened, filling me with a rush that bubbled and boiled within me. He pulled away from me before I gave in. “What’s the matter?”
“Waiting for Enid’s call for the clear.”
“Why?”
“The other Ancient’s might renege and come after us.”
“Why would they do something like that? I thought we satisfied their requests.”
“Some of them have been plotting to get rid of me for quite some time. I’m too much of a threat to them. And if I pull off the prophecy, they will be rendered almost powerless over the people they govern, losing what control they’ve gained over the years.”
“I had the impression crossing back into the mortal realm was what everyone wanted? And why would you be considered a threat? You seem pretty compliant to follow the laws about as equally as them.”
“Not everyone wants to cross. Some fear a repeated war with more lives lost. Some believe they are above humans. I’m a threat because I was chosen to be the leader for the other races I govern, whereas the others were appointed by the Ancients they succeeded.”
“How did the other Ancients die? I thought you said that was nearly impossible?”
His face darkened and my own heart wept at his sadness. “I lost my family during the cross over. The wars were horrific. Humans did everything possible to provoke the races just to get rid of us. My mother and my grandmother died. I lost my father long before I could remember.”
“I’m sorry. That’s horrible.”
He hugged me closer. “You are my family now, so all is well.”
“What are we going to do if the Ancients do fall back on their word?”
“Tonight? Anything we can. After crossing over? Convince enough of them to our side and defeat the others.”
“Can you do that?”
“We can, yes. But I hope it won’t come to that.”
“Me too, by the sounds of it. But if it does, how are we going to defeat the other Ancients?”
“By proving you’re my heart song.”
“Didn’t we just do that?” I asked as my heart leapt higher.
“Don’t be fooled. Jiren will make sure the races are convinced we’re using some sort of trickery. You only passed their initial assessment to be allowed into the immortal realm. From there, a test will be devised to stretch the limits of our bond. They’ll try to break it. When they discover what we’ve said is truth, all will be well.”
“I thought the prophecy said you rejoin the realms?”
“I can, with you. But, it’s not enough. I must have the races and the other Ancients behind me, or it will cause a war that would tear apart both worlds.”
“How do you suppose we take down a hand full of Ancients?” I asked as he moved to the center of the cave and sat down.
“They aren’t as powerful as you think.” Come sit with me.
I took a seat in front of him then slid my legs around his waist, closing the space between us. He hugged me tight against him as a howl broke through the night. Enid gave the all clear.
Now, where were we? Marren asked, pressing his lips to mine.
Chapter 11
A Warm Reunion with Cold Tension
We took our time on the way back, enjoying each other’s company. Marren kept silent, except for the occasional whispered thought. I sensed something in him. Something off and heavy on his shoulders. I searched for ways to lighten his mood but always fell short of keeping a smile on his face.
When we got home, he remained cold and distant. Later in the evening, Marren shouted in his native language. His words were harsh as they filtered into my room where I dressed into my robes. The amount of anger within his words frightened me. I strapped on my sword then rushed down the hall to find out who he yelled at.
Marren stood on the stairs in front of about fifteen servants gathered in the foyer. One servant stood in front of the rest, closer to Marren. The same woman who served me since my arrival. She had her head bowed with her hands folded in front of her as she faced the other servants. Everyone stood motionless, too afraid to move.
I slipped behind Marren, taking a seat on the stairs. Enid stood with his hands in front of him at the end of the railing. He turned his attention toward me on my approach for a quick nod then returned his gaze back to the servants.