Cael lead the group northeast through fields and forests, and after a very long day of travel they made it to Oraunt just after dusk. He went into the city alone, while Falcon and Julia waited, out of sight, on the outskirts.
The ranger made his way to the Arcane Library to find the old mage. A short while later, he reported back. “Ikoris is at his home. I have directions.”
“To his cave?” Julia asked, disappointed.
Cael shook his head. “No, he currently resides here in Oraunt.”
She sighed in relief. “Oh, good.”
“Come. I know this city well; I will get you to his house unseen.”
After leaving the horses—Storm, Sky, and Star—tied in the forest, Cael led them down long, dark alleys, weaving this way and that. The gray stone houses here were very close together, most were two-story with clay tiled roofs. Oraunt was the capitol city—the largest in Kelstone. The buildings were taller, and the paved streets were wider and busier, even at night.
Ikoris’ home was a large, two-story house with a long porch and a well-tended front garden. Falcon pulled back the iron knocker on the door and rapped three times. A minute passed before the door opened, and suddenly, there she was.
She was the most beautiful woman Cael had ever seen, more beautiful than he could have imagined―and it wasn’t just because she was obviously half-nymph. She had an inner beauty that shone though her meadow-green eyes that was even softer than her silky, copper hair; even sweeter than her full, pink lips; and even more radiant than her flawless skin. She was absolutely perfect.
Their eyes met and held. She was a Woodlander―she knew his feelings just as he knew hers, and she felt it too: rahnam. Vaeryl and Olivia had been right after all―it was immediate and undeniable. He would have felt sad for their being together such a short time, but just then he was too filled with love and joy to feel any other emotions.
Falcon and Julia stood gaping at her, but she gave them no attention yet; she and Cael were too lost in each other’s eyes for anything else to exist. She smiled tenderly at him, revealing dimples, and, if it were possible, she became more exquisite. He smiled back. His heart felt as though it was trying to pull free from his chest, desperate to join hers. But they stood, unmoving.
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” she told him softly, her voice sweet and clear.
“Wonderful is an understatement,” he returned.
She nodded. “My name’s Lotus.”
“Cael’Kashlan.”
They gazed deeply into each other’s eyes for a moment longer, but then had to focus on other things for a while. She gave him one last smile before turning to the others.
“Falcon, Julia,” she said, beaming at them now. “I’m so happy to see you again. And you too, Jade,” she told the cat. She hugged them both and then petted Jade. She noticed the locket that Julia was wearing and smiled at Falcon. “Good.”
Both of them were still in such shock at seeing her that it seemed neither could speak. Lotus took Julia’s hand and led her into the house. “Come, I’ll explain everything.”
They all entered the expensively furnished home, and followed Lotus into the dining room, just to the left side of a wide walnut staircase. Once they were seated around a long, white-clothed table, she spoke again. “You’re wondering how I got out of the cave.”
Falcon and Julia both nodded. “We thought… you were dead,” Julia said quietly, tears now beginning to slip down her cheeks.
Lotus reached across the corner of the table to hold her hand. “I’m sorry for that,” she said sincerely. “I knew you went to see the elves, but I know how they can be”―she glanced momentarily at Cael, who nodded his agreement―“so I decided not to find you, but to be of use another way.”
“But how did you know we were alive?” Julia asked.
“I asked around until I found an animal who had seen you leave.”
“How did you escape those rocks?” Falcon wanted to know. “I saw them fall on you, and then… when I woke up… there was so much blood.”
“Yes. I was very badly injured, and I have the scars to prove it. Luckily my face wasn’t damaged at all.” She noticed Julia’s reaction to that and laughed. “It’s not vanity. I have to be beautiful. I’m a bard,” she explained. “My job is beauty, in looks as well as in music.”
“What’s his excuse?” Julia joked, pointing at Cael.
Lotus looked at him and smiled appreciatively.
“To be annoying and get all the attention,” Falcon answered, rolling his eyes. He winked at Julia, letting her know he was joking.
“If it annoys you, then I shall try harder,” Cael teased back, though his gaze never left Lotus.
They got lost in each other’s eyes again, until she finally blinked and returned her attention to the other two, continuing her story. “So, when the cave began to rumble, I looked up and saw that the trap was between me and Falcon. I knew that you were too far away to get hurt by it,” she said to Julia. “So I pushed Falcon out of the way and used a hold person spell to make sure he wouldn’t try something stupid.” She shot him a knowing smile. “Just before the rocks hit me, I called out to any near by animals to help me. It was a bear who came to my assistance. He dug me out and carried me back to the nymphs. Luckily, we happened to be in their territory.”
“But why didn’t the rocks crush and kill you immediately?” Falcon asked.
“Shield spell,” she replied.
“Quick thinking,” Falcon complimented.
“Thanks. I was able to hold the shield for some time. When I couldn’t any longer, the rocks were only a few inches from my body, so they crushed me, but they didn’t fall on me like they would have without the spell. Still, it was enough to do a lot of damage… but the blood probably came from the bear. As he got me out, his claw accidentally dug into my stomach. He was using a great deal of strength to move the rocks, which caused a deep wound instead.” She pulled her top up a little ways to show them the scars.
Julia grimaced. “Ow.”
She nodded, letting her shirt go. “Yes. I’m glad I was unconscious for most of it.”
“How come we never saw you?” Falcon asked.
Lotus shrugged. “I wasn’t awake, so I’m not sure. Perhaps the bear got me out before you woke up. All he knew was to take me to the nymphs, so he wouldn’t have paid any attention to you. And by the time I was recovered enough to search the cave, you and Julia were both long gone.”
“So then you came here?”
“Well, not immediately, but yes,” she said. “I remembered everything you’d told me about your quest, so I knew you would eventually come here. In the meantime, I figured I could help Ikoris with his research.”
“Where is Ikoris, anyway?” Julia asked.
“He’s sleeping. He tends to go to bed pretty early,” she explained. “We’ll talk to him in the morning, after I remind him who I am again.” She laughed, and Falcon and Julia joined in. “Well,” she said after a moment, "you’re tired. I can show you to a guest room.”
Julia nodded and stood up. She smiled at Lotus. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Me too,” she said. “I’m so happy to have my friend back with me.” She touched her face. “My sister,” she added with a look of shared understanding. “I missed you.” She hugged her tightly.
“I always wanted a sister,” Julia said as she pulled back. “If I had one, I would want her to be like you.”
Lotus smiled with misty eyes. She took Julia’s hand and kissed her cheek before leading her and Falcon upstairs.
When she came back, Cael was standing, waiting for her. She paused on the bottom step, looking at him as one might gaze at a painting, taking in the full sight; he did the same with her. They stayed like that for long moments, both reveling in the intoxicating feelings they shared.
Then she moved to him with all the grace of the nymphs, stopping just a foot away. She had to tilt her head back to look up at him, since he was almost a foot taller.
Slowly, he touched her cheek with his fingertips, and she smiled blissfully. He marveled at the amazing creature before him as he traced the gentle contours of her face and caressed her soft hair.
After a moment, he lowered his head and let his nose glide across her jaw and cheek, smelling her wonderful, subtly lavender scent. Her arms slid around his waist, holding him, and her hands moved over his back.
He trailed tiny, soft kisses like gentle raindrops over her face, ending with her lips. He held her close and kissed her tenderly at first; then her lips parted beneath his and his tongue moved forth to taste her sweet mouth, kissing her deeply, passionately, as they lost themselves in each other.
And in that moment, their hearts vowed silently the words that never needed to be spoken aloud, because words could never do justice to the raw, honest emotions behind them: I am yours, forever.
