Their Bonds of Love

The day went by slowly, but also much too fast. It was filled with rushed anticipation starting the moment they arrived at Lord Cecil’s manor. There was worried some of Lord Fellen’s forces would meet them, but Lord Cecil’s manor and grounds were fortified by a strange collection of Lord’s guards, magic users, and common village folk, and it made Eleri want to walk the perimeter just to see them all. There was no time for it as she rushed inside on Conri’s arm.

They were greeted by the Cecil family and taken to a large parlor filled with influential lords and ladies, including Lord Rees and Lord Caydran. Eleri greeted them all with Conri as Caerwyn stood slightly behind them. Eleri turned from Conri for a moment to speak with Lady Cecil and Lady Rees.

“It is good to see you looking so well, Eleri,” said Lady Rees. “When we heard what was happening, we feared you would be ill.”

“It has not been easy,” said Eleri quietly. “Does everyone know?”

“Of course not,” said Lady Cecil. “There is no reason for anyone else to know as after tonight, it will not matter.”

Eleri nodded as she tried to smile. She did not want the prophecy to affect her. It was nothing but words on a piece of paper, but she kept hearing them over and over again in her father’s voice. She might be living the last few hours in the land. She believed she would die for those she loved and even Elathia if it came to it, but she wanted to stay with Conri. They had both lost too much already.

Ever since her mother’s death, Eleri had not felt complete. There was always something missing. She was grateful to have her father, Aunt Efa, and Grace, who tried to fill some of the void, but it never seemed enough. The table at Cadwin Manor, always so talkative and joyful when her mother was alive, seemed somber and quiet with just her and her father sitting at it. Evenings in which Eleri would practice simple spells by the fire with her mother were gone without warning.

When she was young, she would sometimes sneak out of her room to go to the library and read, or she would run to the kitchen to see if a servant was up to give her a small treat. On her little nighttime adventures, she would often see her parents curled up together on a sofa or holding one another as they looked out into the night by one of the windows. They seemed so natural together as if they were always meant to be a bonded pair.

Without her mother, her father seemed somewhat less to Eleri. He wasn’t as jovial as he once was. She remembered him humming and even singing when she was very young. She hadn’t heard him utter one note of music since her mother died. She wondered since that day if she would ever feel like she was a part of a complete family again. She wondered if the hollow ache within her would be permanent.

Now that she had Conri, a new sense of completion had come over her. She still missed her mother and ached for her father, but she saw a future of love and family with Conri. They would create their own happy memories. There would be children and nights where she would curl up with him on a sofa or look out into the night sky.

She thought even her father would revive with the arrival of grandchildren and seeing her so well settled. Perhaps he might even sing one day again. She was so close to having all she ever wanted. All she had to do was get through what stood in front of her. She just had to resist the darkness inside her and see Lord Fellen out of the land forever.

“Oh, what is that girl doing in here,” said Lady Cecil in an angry whisper, causing Eleri to come out of her thoughts.

Eleri turned to see Lady Riona speaking with Conri as she poured some tea into two cups.

“Riona, my dear,” said Lady Cecil with slight reproach in her voice. “I told you to stay in your rooms for the day. There is nothing for you here.”

“I don’t see why not,” answered Riona. “I have been trained by the greatest shifter warrior that has lived in two hundred years. I should fight alongside our king and his court since my dear sister is not available.”

“You are barely nineteen,” said Lady Cecil. “You have been trained, but you have no experience in a real fight. You will stay here with me and wait for the city and palace to be safe.”

Riona rolled her eyes. “I’m not a child, mother.”

“You are certainly acting like one,” said Lady Cecil, clearly frustrated with her daughter. “Now go to your rooms and stay there. Spend some time in useful meditation, and perhaps one day you will act like the young lady you wish to be.”

She huffed before looking at Conri. “I do desire to fight for you, your majesty, but I must obey my mother. I will pray to the goddess for your safety.”

“Thank you, Lady Riona,” said Conri.

“Here, you and your queen might as well enjoy this tea since I must leave this instant,” she picked up the cups and handed one to Conri and one to Eleri before glaring at her mother. Lady Cecil raised one eyebrow, and the young lady moved swiftly out of the room.

“My apologies, your majesty. She is a little strong-willed,” said Lady Cecil.

“No need for apologies, my lady. She is just young and ready to make a difference in this land. We have all been there.” He took a sip of his tea and smiled.

“He is right, Lady Cecil.” Eleri tried her tea to find it a little too sweet. She drank a bit more not to appear rude. “I have my moments of immaturity even now.”

“She will not interrupt you again,” said Lady Cecil before she left the room, presumably to speak with her daughter.

“I’ve thought I would like to have a daughter or two,” said Conri. “But perhaps one would be enough.”

Eleri smiled. “Boys have their challenges as well, Conri, or have you forgotten how you were at nineteen?” She took another drink of her tea before setting it down.

He laughed. “I suppose you are right.”

She smiled at him, amazed that he could lighten her mood even in a time like this. Without thinking, she leaned up and kissed him quickly on his lips. She heard a few conversations falter around her, but she didn’t care. There was no reason to hold back her feelings for Conri. She didn’t know what the evening would bring or even the days after it, but she could be sure of the love she had for him.

He looked at her with a soft expression until Lord Cecil called for everyone’s attention. They spent the rest of the day hearing of the current situation in the palace and around it. The city entrances were all closed, with many guards surrounding each part. The palace and Argenta House were rumored to be even more fortified. The longer the day went on, the more Eleri’s mark ached. She pressed on it, trying to ignore its pulsing as dark thoughts threatened to enter her mind.

“So, how will we get through?” asked Conri.

“With the force that is assembling now,” said Lord Cecil. “Every lord here has brought guards with him. Some who are not here have sent forces.”

“Then there are the common folk who have come,” said a voice from the corner.

Eleri looked over to see Selven stand up. He walked closer to them as Caerwyn moved forward. “Have you been hiding over there just to make some big gesture, Selven?” asked Caerwyn with a smile.

“You know me very well, Bright One,” said Selven before he turned to Conri. “Many have come to fight for their rightful king, and even more wait inside the city. Once they see what is happening, they will begin to fight the guards stationed everywhere. It will be chaos quickly.”

“I’m afraid that will cause a large loss of life,” said Conri.

“Everyone who is ready to fight knows it might be their last day, but I don’t think you understand the numbers that are prepared at this moment to take on the palace forces. Many of the poorer citizens have been waiting for weeks to strike as a large group. You have given them an excuse. It’s hard to convince poor overlooked people they should care about who is king. It’s easy to get them to fight against those who have caused them pain and misery.” Selven took a long drink out of the cup he held.

“Thank you for all your work, Selven. These people who fight for me might not care who is king, but when I sit on the throne, I will do all I can to make life better for them,” said Conri.

“So the city will be in chaos, and that will be a good time for us to get into the palace, your majesty. We can take a large group of guards to break in, and then a smaller group can infiltrate and look for Lord Fellen,” said Lord Cadwin.

A servant rushed into the room, finding Lord Cecil quickly. He whispered something to the lord, who answered. “Bring him in here, now.”

Eleri turned with everyone else to see Lord Nevis walk into the room with a servant. Caerwyn moved closer to both her and Conri as he watched his father. She could hear the low growl that sounded deep in his throat. She glanced behind her to see Emilia had moved to his side and taken his hand.

Eleri looked down as she felt Conri’s hand brush hers. She pressed the back of hers against his, and he looked at her. “It is alright, Conri. We have to hear what he has to say. He cannot hurt us, not in this room.”

“You must have news for us for you to come here, Lord Nevis,” said Lord Cadwin as he advanced on the man who nodded. “You better say it quickly and leave then. I have no patience today, especially for you.” Eleri’s father was always so kind and gentle with her that she almost forgot that he was a fierce shifter who could be so intimidating he was frightening.

Lord Nevis cowered under Lord Cadwin’s words and gaze. “I have just come to say that Lord Fellen and Bren Farrow have come to some sort of agreement. I don’t know what it is, but they have decided to join forces to keep the palace and Argenta House.”

There were low murmurs throughout the room. “This could make it harder to get into the palace,” said Lord Cadwin.

Lord Nevis leaned on his cane and looked at the room until his eyes settled on Eleri. “It will not be hard for you to gain entrance to the palace as long as Lady Eler is with the party. Lord Fellen is desperate to see her. He believes he can convince her to stay with him somehow.”

Conri grabbed her hand as her father moved closer to Lord Nevis. “He thinks it will be that easy?”

“He is convinced. I think if she walked up to the palace gates even with the prince and Bright One in tow, he would let them in.”

“King,” said Eleri. “You mean if I walked in with our king and Bright one, Lord Nevis. You should address King Conri correctly.”

“This will not change our plans,” said Conri. “We will fight our way into the city and find a way to enter the palace as we want. We will not walk into some trap and most definitely not be using Lady Eleri as bait.”

Eleri put her hand to her neck as she felt her mark throb. Conri turned to her, and she focused on him as she stared into his eyes. She could feel the darkness in her stronger than ever before. It felt as if it were moving through her trying to take over her completely. She concentrated on Conri’s steady, deep blue eyes

He leaned forward, “You are mine, Eleri, and I belong to you. There is no one else.”

Taking her hand off her neck, she nodded. She pushed the darkness back, feeling the peace of having Conri near.

“We could keep Lady Eleri here,” suggested Lord Cecil. “We could get our king into the palace with a small group and find Lord Fellen.

“No,” said Eleri as the thought of being away from Conri caused the darkness to creep back over her. “I cannot be separated from him. I must go into the palace.” She said quietly to Conri. “I think I have to be there to break this bond. I’m scared of what will happen if we are separated.”

“Lady Eleri will go with us,” said Conri loudly. “She is of my court and should fight for her land by my side.”

“She should go,” said Efa. “She fights not only as a Cadwin but as a Moss as well. The magic users will want to know she fought for them.”

“Should we wait a night or two?” asked Lord Rees. “If they expect us tonight, would it be better not to go?”

“They don’t know when to expect us, so tonight is as good as any,” said Lord Cadwin. “It may be better because it sounds like Bren Farrow and Lord Fellen have just agreed to work together. Everything will probably not be in place as they wish.” He paced for a moment. “We will strike tonight, so everyone needs to go get their guards ready. We will leave in two hours.”

Lord Cadwin walked over to Conri and Eleri. “We need to decide who will be going in the palace with you, my king.”

“Eleri and Caerwyn, of course, will be going, Lady Farrow as well. If you would like to join us, I would welcome it.”

“I hope you will allow Aron as well, father. He will want to come if you and I are in the group,” said Eleri.

“You should bring Selven, too, your majesty. He is a good fighter and tricky. He could divert some guards if needed,” said Caerwyn.

“You know I will come,” said Efa as she moved closer to them. “Eleri can’t be the only magic user in your group. She will need to keep her strength.”

“I think that is enough,” said Lord Cadwin. “We will go into the city behind the first wave and before the second. I think our best chance to get onto the palace grounds is Argenta House. There is no caretaker yet, so it will not be patrolled as well as it should be.”

“We can use the side gate and go in by the servants’ entrance,” said Conri. “That is where we escaped last time.”

“Any ideas of where Lord Fellen will be?” asked Caerwyn.

“There is a parlor he likes to frequent, but I don’t think he will want us to meet him there,” said Eleri. “He likes to show power. I think he will be in the throne room of the palace, as though he is king.”

“I suppose it’s a good place to start,” said Lord Cadwin. “If we don’t find him there, we can split up and look.”

The next two hours was a flurry of everyone preparing. Eleri attached a couple of daggers to her belt and took a moment to breathe. She felt her magic rolling inside of her. It felt as if the darkness was more prevalent than ever, always lurking in the corners. She closed her eyes as she stood by a window, telling herself over and over all that she was and what she was not.

She jumped as someone took her hand. “Come we me for a moment, Eleri,” Conri softly said close to her ear.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. He led her to a very small room that held a few broken chairs, some trinkets, and two candles on a small shelf. Eleri lit the candles with a touch. After shutting the door, he took her hands and held her close.

“I wanted just a few moments to be with you alone,” he said as he held her. “This was the only place Lady Cecil could think of that would be devoid of people.”

She put her arms around him as she leaned against him. “I don’t care where it is. I am just happy to get a moment with you.”

He placed one of his hands beneath her chin and raised her face so he could look down at her. “You will not leave my side at any time after we leave this house. If you find it is too overwhelming once we get in the palace, let me know, and I will find a way to get you out of there. We can regroup and go back in after, or I can leave the others to do what must be done.”

“I will not be overwhelmed. I must do this, Conri. I have to help you save our people. I have to see him destroyed for myself, or I am not sure I will believe it,” said Eleri.

“I will not let him hurt you. I won’t let any of them even touch you. Don’t forget who you are, my love. Soon this will all be over, and you will officially be my wife and queen.”

She nodded. “I belong to you, Conri. I know it is true. No matter what is happening inside of me, trying to take me over. I know the truth.”

He leaned down and kissed her. It was gentle at first, but she tightened her hold on him, and their kiss deepened. He broke apart from her for one second before pushing her up against the wall. He kissed her again as his hands roamed over her body. She pulled him against her, wishing there was time for him to take her. She wanted to feel like she did when he loved her, wholly possessed by him, yet knowing she overtook him as well.

He whispered his love for her over and over between kisses. He bent down to kiss her mark as she stroked his, and for a few moments, the darkness disappeared. They eventually broke apart and emerged from their hiding place. Walking out the front of the mansion, Eleri saw so many guards, magic users, and ordinaries, she wasn’t sure where they began.

From there, everything moved quicker than Eleri thought possible. A few ordinaries who knew the city well were dispatched to sneak in and give the signals. When enough time had taken place, the first large wave of fighters left. Eleri gathered with the others bound for the palace and followed behind the large group. As they neared the city, she heard the sounds of fighting. She could hear the clanging of swords and the growling of wolves. Mixed in were the sounds of pain and people dying.

When they got to the north entrance of the city, the gate was torn down. There were dead bodies scattered in the snow, which had been stained red. Eleri tried not to look as she saw men, women, and wolves lying motionless all around. She had to step over a few, and she kept a firm hold of Conri as they moved.

They turned towards Argenta House once they were in the city. It was eerily quiet as they moved by the large houses of Niamahan, where the wealthiest lived. She could see some had boarded up their doors and windows. They heard the sounds of fighting nearby but only caught glimpses of it as they moved between houses and a few shops.

As they came upon Argenta House, they saw guards looking confused. Some appeared to want to join the nearby fighting. Others seemed adamant in taking their post.

“It’s time,” said Lord Cadwin as he looked around. “We will have to fight.”

Caerwyn nodded as he and Emilia dashed behind a nearby building. Eleri’s father and Aron went two separate ways. First came a large russet and grey-colored wolf with a slightly smaller brown one that Eleri knew was her father and Aron. Not long after, Bright One appeared with Emilia’s small brown wolf walking beside him.

They moved ahead of Conri and Eleri as Efa and Selven walked behind them. Running towards the side gate, the few guards there became aware of their presence. They looked fearful and confused, and it was too late when they finally pulled out their swords. Caerwyn jumped on two guards, pushing them both over as Emilia tore at another one’s leg with her teeth. Her father and Aron took out four more quickly, and they found themselves at the gate. Efa threw out her hands, and the gate burst open. They ran through it and towards the servants’ entrance of the palace.

Caerwyn and her father took out some more guards, throwing them aside. As they came to the servant’s courtyard door, Eleri raised her hand, and it was blown open by a harsh wind. She raised her other hand and threw a guard against the wall. They continued through the door and slowed down as they entered the courtyard.

It was empty, and they continued to the door. Eleri tried it to find it unlocked. She opened it to enter a dingy, dark hallway. She held up her hand and whispered a few words until a small flame sat in her palm. She used it to lead the way forward as Conri kept a hold of her other hand. They came to an end, and Conri stepped in front of her to open the door. He looked before stepping out into the palace.

There was no one. The torches were lit on the halls, but the area was empty. Eleri looked around and put her hand to her neck as it started throbbing. She heard a voice in her head that was no louder than a whisper. “Come to me.”

“Eleri,” said Conri. “Do not give in to it.”

She took deep breaths, pushing back the shadow that threatened to take over who she was. “I’m fine. Where is the throne room.”

Her father’s wolf stepped in front of them, turning down the right hallway. She knew they would find Lord Fellen in the throne room. The voice in her head was leading her, telling her right where he would be. At one point, she moved ahead of her father’s wolf, following the voice.

They came to a hallway even wider than the rest. Sill, they saw no one. At the end were two large double doors, painted silver with golden moons upon them. The voice was sp loud in her head that she almost didn’t hear Conri as she reached for the door.

“Eleri, wait,” said Conri as he took her hand. “We don’t know what we could be facing.”

“Does it matter?” she asked. “He is in there. I know he is.”

“We need to do this correctly,” said Conri. “Come here.” He took her hand and pulled her back as the wolves moved in front.

Selven stood with them and put his hand on one of the door handles. Efa positioned herself in front of Eleri and Conri. Selven looked at Conri, who nodded at him. He opened the heavy door, and Eleri tried to peek in.

“Will you shift?” she asked Conri quietly.

He shook his head. “I wish to speak with Lord Fellen and keep you by my side.”

Guards did not meet them at the door, so they all moved slowly into the long room. As Eleri entered, she saw that halfway up the space, guards lined the walls two deep. The floor was the same miscolored stone that ran through the palace, while the walls were gray stone with some with silvery veins running through them. At the front of the room was a raised dais that ran almost the width. There was a large throne on the dais that was carved out of stone. On it sat Lord Fellen with Ciara behind him. Bren stood on one side, looking at them all with a smug smile.

“I was wondering when you would y come,” said Lord Fellen happily. “I am glad I did not have to wait long. I have longed for your company again, Eleri.”

Eleri’s hand went to her neck as her mark throbbed worse than ever. Her wolf growled inside of her, not wanting to feel pulled towards Lord Fellen. The battle inside of her caused her to stumble forward.

“Do not be afraid, my dear,” said Lord Fellen. “You can feel the connection we have, can’t you? It is very strong. All I want is what I claimed first. Come with me, Eleri, and all those you care about can go back where they came from without being harmed.”

Conri took Eleri’s hand and pulled her close as he looked up at Lord Fellen. “You will stop this now. You have no claim over her, as you marked her forcibly. I don’t know how you caused it to reform, but it will not work.”

“But it is working,” said Ciara as they stopped in front of the dais. She moved closer to the edge and looked at Conri. “Oh, you poor thing. You let her mark you. I can sense the connection, but it will not help. What Lord Fellen and I came up with can overpower whatever hold you think you have on her.”

Eleri glanced at the guards as they slowly moved closer towards her group. “You wish for Lord Fellen to be bonded with me, Ciara? I wouldn’t think you would wish him to claim me at all.”

“I do as my future king likes. He desires to have you in some way, so I will get him what he wants.”

“You would watch while he kept me by his side and came to you less and less,” said Eleri. “You must know if I become truly bound to him, he will be bound to me as well. He will not want you anymore, only me.”

“You think a lot of yourself,” spat Ciara.

“I just know how marks work being a shifter. It’s hard to understand if you aren’t one. If I truly become his, he will not want you anymore. You will be nothing to him. I doubt you are anything to him now but a distraction,” said Eleri.

Ciara looked at Lord Fellen, who was smiling at Eleri. “Is that what you wish, my lady? Do you want to be mine? If I swear my loyalty to you alone and promise not to take another, will you give in to what you know is inevitable? We could end this without bloodshed.”

Eleri closed her eyes for a moment and gripped Conri’s hand. She thought over and over who she was. She was a Cadwin, a great red wolf who was fierce and loyal to the Gildans, serving the land. She was a Moss, magical and wild. She opened her eyes and looked at Conri.

She was a woman who loved Conri, a Gildan king of the great golden gray wolves. He loved her in return. Her magic welled up within her, and she could imagine it circling her wolf before reaching out towards Conri. She kept her eyes on Conri as something within him reached out to meet her magic. It connected her with him in a way she knew was secure.

Nothing could break what they had together as they were bonded by magic, blood, and most of all, love. She leaned in close to Conri and breathed the words, “Trust me.” She quickly glanced over at Efa, who nodded very slightly and moved to stand by Conri.

Letting go of his hand, Eleri walked forward. “Perhaps I need to see if this bond you think you have with me is real, Lord Fellen. I have felt some of it, but I don’t know if it is strong enough. If I have to give up who I am to you to save those I love, then I need to see if it truly is inevitable that I become yours.”

Lord Fellen stood up. “What do you suggest, my lady?”

She gazed up at him. The darkness threatened her, but she easily pushed it aside, knowing she was surrounded by those she loved and feeling her secure connection with Conri. She smiled at Lord Fellen and raised her hand. “A touch, Lord Fellen. Maxen, take my hand and let me feel our bond.”

“You remembered my name, Eleri,” said Lord Fellen with wide eyes as he came forward.

“How could I not? I hear your voice say it in my head constantly. Now, come, Maxen, take my hand.” Her father and Caerwyn gathered by her sides. She gave them each a look, and they backed off slightly.

Lord Fellen came to the edge of the Dais and bent down as he held his hand out. She hesitated for a moment, feeling her power build. She slowly reached up to him. He took it, and she held on to him tightly as she closed her eyes, telling her magic what to do. She felt it run up her arm as she opened her eyes to see the fear on Lord Fellen’s face. Her power poured into him as he started to shake.

She heard Ciara hiss as she threw up her hands. She sent something towards Eleri, but Efa moved forward, placing up a shield around Eleri. Ciara’s spell rebounded, making her roll out of the way. Eleri continued to fight to keep a hold of Lord Fellen, willing her power to destroy him. It was hard because even though she could fight the bond, it was hard to do away with him completely.

Ciara and Bren called for the guards, and she realized she had done all she could. She pulled Lord Fellen off the Dais, and he collapsed on the stone floor next to her as she let him go. Some of the guards shifted, and others took out their swords before they converged on Eleri and her group. She threw out her hands, sending a wave of energy that caused several guards on each side to be thrown against the wall.

Conri ran up to stand by her side as she saw Bren lean forward and shift on the Dais. Around them, chaos erupted. Wolves tore at men and each other. Efa and Eleri sent spells in every direction. Conri kept by Eleri’s side, keeping guards away from her as she worked. Even Selven proved a good fighter, pulling out his sword and taking out guards as he moved in a circle.

A large blackish gray wolf jumped towards Conri and Eleri. They were forced to part and jump in different ways. As Eleri stood, she saw Lord Fellen sit up and look at Ciara. “Prince Conri, Ciara, do it now. What we discussed.”

Eleri looked over at Conri as he stood. He moved out of the way as a wolf ran towards him, and Caerwyn took it out. Eleri saw Ciara raise her hand, and Eleri could feel the power in the spell she was building. She worked to sense it, and when she realized what it was, she could not believe it.

“No,” cried Eleri as she ran in front of Conri with her hands up. She put up a block that met the spell just as Ciara threw it. The spell was too powerful to rebound, and Eleri held it with her shield, trying to absorb it. It started to work when she heard a fierce growl close to her. She turned just to see Bren’s wolf leaping at her. His front paw hit her face, and she lost her shield. Ciara’s spell crashed into her before she was thrown to the floor by the power of it and Bren’s weight.

She gasped as she felt something die inside of her. A sharp cry of a wolf echoed in her ears as she lost all contact with the wolf she had known almost all her life. She lay on the floor feeling as if one side of her face was on fire. Struggling to stay conscious, she heard Conri say her name in anguish.

She managed to just sit up, feeling blood running down her face and neck. Using her hands to drag herself, she made it to the very edge of the dais and sat back against it as she looked up to see Bren stalking her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, prepared to leave the land. The pain she expected to feel never came as she lost all sense of awareness.