Ayla found herself in a green valley surrounded entirely by mountains. She had never felt more at peace as in that moment. Like nothing bad could happen as long as she was there. A soft breeze fluttered the hem of her white dress as she walked through a sea of flowers, wondering how she had gotten to the valley. Maybe it was another dream. She sat on a bench amongst the flowers and made bracelets until she observed a group of seven knights. On their shoulders, they carried the body of a fallen warrior. They walked slowly, singing songs in Old Nordmarian. Raw pain could be read on their faces. She stood and walked towards them. When she reached them, they didn’t seem to notice her. Most of the time, the people who appeared in her dreams would talk to her. “Excuse me,” she said. The men didn’t look at her as they walked and continued singing the sound of anguish. Even if Ayla couldn’t understand what they were saying, she felt that they were singing about their fallen brother-in-ar
Ayla woke up gasping for air. Her head was pounding so hard she could not think because of the pain. Rhobart, who was holding her in his arms, opened his eyes and looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong? Another nightmare?” “My head hurts.” The pain was excruciating. Tears were coming down her cheeks. Her mother’s amulet was warm against her skin. Rhobart picked her up in his arms and left the room in a hurry. When he stood in front of Milton’s door, he didn’t bother knocking. “Milton, wake up! I need your help,” Rhobart said loudly as he entered. “What time is it?” Milton mumbled. “Forget about the fucking time. Ayla is in great pain. Do something!” Milton got up, put a tunic over his bare chest, and went to grab his herbalist bag. “Put her on the bed,” he instructed Rhobart. Rhobart gently laid Ayla on the bed, and when he took a step back, she grabbed his hand, scared he would leave. Rhobart squatted next to the bed and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. She leaned i
Ayla was sure Godefray was not referring only to the way she acted when she arrived in Nordmar. There was something else. But what? “Not only that, but she claims she dreamed of dragons and Uzriel, and Inoss knows what, and you believe her. Who knows what her real intentions are?” Godefray kept talking. “My only intention is to help with the war,” Ayla let Godefray and the rest know. Godefray ignored her. “She will betray you again. Mark my words!” he told Rhobart. “You know nothing about her, so you either keep your mouth shut or leave!” Rhobart growled. Godefray folded his arms, leaned back against his chair, and looked at the table. She was about to let Godefray know she never would betray Rhobart when Milton asked her, “Your dreams, tell me more about them.” “The dragons talked about a prophecy. It was very confusing. They talked about the four elements of the Void and how to open the temple to get to Uzriel. As I said earlier, without Uzriel, we cannot win the war,” She che
“The Three Sisters,” Eude replied. Rhobart growled. “I am not taking Ayla to that place!” “Why? Afraid she would see people fucking?” Eude asked. “Nah, he is afraid she will see other cocks,” Hudde said. Tizgar smacked the back of their heads. “What did we say this time?” Eude complained. “Are you sure you want to take these two with you to the Fire Monastery?” Tizgar asked Rhobart, ignoring Eude. Rhobart groaned. “I am starting to think I should take other Paladins with me.” “You already said we could come. We want to see female novices,” Hudde complained. Tizgar rolled his eyes, and Ayla giggled. Rhobart shook his head in disapproval. “Sometimes you two don’t act like adults at all.” Tizgar snorted. “You mean they never act like adults? Well, if you are not coming with us, we will leave.” “I want to spend some time alone with Ayla.” Kerra growled. Rhobart sighed. “I haven’t forgotten about you.” The Paladins left, and Rhobart interlaced his fingers with those of Ayla, and
Rhobart and Ayla woke just before dawn to prepare everything they needed for the journey to the Fire Monastery. Once everything was packed, they went to the dining hall. Milton and the Paladins were already seated at the table, talking to Chief Ulfr. “King Rhobart! I was hoping you would remain a few more days,” Chief Ulfr said once Rhobart helped Ayla with her chair and sat next to her. “While I would love nothing more than to stay a few more days, I feel we have abused your hospitality for too long, Chief Ulfr.” Rhobart took out a sealed parchment from his pocket and gave it to Chief Ulfr. “Could you hand this over to the Myrthanians who decided to stay and help with the magic ore? I would have liked to visit them, but from what Droyn told me, they are moving into their new accommodations. I am trying to see if I can have their families brought here in safety.” Chief Ulf put the parchment inside his tunic. “So the rumors about the Orcs are true.” Rhobart nodded. “Myrthana has bee
Minutes later, Rhobart guided Runner to the road to his left. Ayla, Milton, and the twins did the same. Kerra walked next to Spirit. It would take them five days to reach the Fire Clan, where the Fire Monastery was built. Or at least, that’s what Rhobart told her. “About what you said to Godefray...” Ayla began saying. Rhobart frowned. “What did I say?” “That I am your woman. Is that true? I am your woman now?” Ayla asked Rhobart in a serious tone. Rhobart arched an eyebrow. “Are you not?” “I don’t see any bracelet around my left wrist,” she teased him. In Nordmar and in many other kingdoms, it was custom for a man to give a bracelet to the woman he wanted to marry. She puckered her lips for a moment. “I thought you were courting me.” Before Rhobart could reply, Eude joined the conversation. “If this fool doesn’t put a bracelet on your wrist, I will.” “Who are you calling a fool? And didn’t I warn you to stay away from my woman?” Rhobart snarled. “I will put one as well. Fro
“I might not know much about bedding women, but I am aware that I have to be gentle with her. At least for the first time. But each time I see her sprawled on the bed, all I can think about is to ram into her and fuck her until we both forget our names. I want to do things to her that should be forbidden.” If Rhobart and her hadn’t fucked, then what have they been doing in bed? Milton was silent for a few moments before speaking again. “I don’t think you are only afraid of harming her. There is something else.” Rhobart sighed. “I can never lie to you, can I?” “We have been best friends since I was five and you were six. I always know when something is bothering you. So, what is really holding you back from completing that bond?” Rhobart sighed. “I am afraid that if the bond still exists, and I fuck her, she will remember everything and leave me. Again.” Remember what? Leave him again? Milton clicked his tongue. “I told you a lot of times that the alxa-lotx is still there, but
He was talking about their alxa-lotx ceremony. Things he had done or had said now suddenly made sense to her. But why did she break the bond? She needed to be alone for a while so she could think. Even to try to remember the past. But Milton had said a spell had been used to erase her memories of Rhobart. What if there was no way of undoing it? She wanted to know, needed to know what she had been hiding from her father all those years. Ayla tried to wiggle away from Rhobart, but he snaked an arm around her waist, caging her, her back glued to his chest. He buried his face in her hair. She tried to free herself but stopped when he growled in annoyance. If what he told Milton was true, she now knew his deepest fear. She waited patiently for him to fall asleep before she could find a quiet place in the forest to think for a moment or two. When the twins switched guards with Milton, Ayla was still awake, thinking. Rhobart softly snored into her ear. An owl sounded in the forest, catchi