The Harbinger (A Fight for Light Novel Book 2) (6 page)

“I’m sorry, these things take time,” he told me quietly, “It’s probably going to be late before we are finished.”

I nodded to him and leaned my head against his shoulder. My eyelids were starting to sag.

“Go ahead and sleep. I’ll take you home when we are finished.”

I didn’t say anything. I was already dreaming. The planning continued, lasting long into the night.

The next morning I awoke alone in my room. I got up immediately and realized I had a nightgown on instead of the navy blue dress. I looked around impatiently tapping my foot. I couldn’t go down like this. And I didn’t want to wait. I walked around the room for a few minutes, looking at the furniture and walls. This was
his
room. I had forgotten.

Hearing the sound of voices laughing outside, I walked over and opened the window. Kellen was outside with his family. Their laughter and teasing floated up to me. I wanted very much to be with them. Kellen noticed the open window and looked up at me.

“Good morning, Rhiannon,” he called.

His smile was brilliant in the morning light. I waved back at him.

“Good morning,” I called to everyone.

Kayleigh looked up at me too. “Kellen wants us to go on a picnic with you today. What do you think?”

“Oh, yes. That would be so much fun. Would you come help me Kayleigh?”

She didn’t answer. She just ran into the house and up the stairs in about five seconds flat. I grinned at her. I felt so close to her already. She gave me a hug and set about helping me dress for the day.

Today we both wore green dresses. Hers was a light spring green that contrasted sharply with her dark her. I thought she looked wonderful. My dress was a dark green satin with the same cream and gold lace as the dress I had worn the first day here. Our hair had baby’s breath and very tiny little wildflowers in it. Mine was twisted into a crown, pinned on top. Ringlets of dark curls cascaded down my back.

We linked arms and walked downstairs ready for our picnic. Tristan and Kellen met us at the door, each of them taking our hands and leading us to a group of horses. My eyes widened in pleasure and surprise when I saw them. I had taken horseback riding lessons growing up. I always wanted my own horse. These were beautiful.

Kellen led us over to a pair of chestnut brown stallions with long flowing manes that blew in the gentle breeze. I let go of his hand and walked up to them, running my hand along the muzzle and neck of the first one. He whinnied softly. I whispered to him quietly and told him how beautiful he was. He tossed his head up and shook his mane. I turned and looked at Kellen with a wide smile on my face and noticed his eyes were watching me tenderly.

“You look so beautiful right now. I want to remember this moment forever.”

He walked over and nuzzled my face into his hands, kissing me softly.

“Do you ride?” He asked me after a few minutes.

“Yes, I took lessons as a girl. I always wanted to have a horse but we couldn’t afford it. I had to give up the lessons eventually.”

“I told you so. She’s a nature girl, just like me,” Kayleigh told him smugly.

I had forgotten that we were not alone. I looked over at her. She was already on her horse.  Tristan was as well. Had they been waiting and watching us? I blushed and Kellen helped me up into the saddle. It was a side-sitting style. I thanked Gran silently that she had insisted I learn to ride both ways. Kellen handed me the reigns and I took them, holding them tight. He jumped up on his horse and I spurred mine on to follow his lead.

We rode on the same path I had been on before, passed the glorious waterfall that splashed next to us, and passed the meadow full of wildflowers. We continued for a while in silence and I took in the stunning countryside. It was picturesque. Like a painting in someone’s house.

I felt like I had stepped back in time, during the Renaissance or some distant emerald isle. The vibrant shades of green, blue, and brown mixed with wildflowers painted the landscape exquisitely like a Renoir masterpiece. I was wishing for my camera desperately at that moment, just to capture a second of the beauty surrounding me. It was a charming place, this Karmelo.

Eventually we came to a scenic spot with flat level ground around us. It overlooked another waterfall. Rocks and cliffs spread out around us. There were many trees nearby, rows of elms and spruce and oak, all mixed together in perfect harmony. We chose a spot that was shaded by a huge elm. The sun was raising high into the sky and it was getting warm. Midday. A steady breeze blew across the leaves and tall wavy grass.

We stopped the horses and Kellen grabbed hold of my waist, helping me down from the mare. He held me there, suspended against his chest for a moment, gazing into my eyes before finally letting go. Taking my hand, he led me over to the big elm tree. Tristan helped him tie the horses off so they could graze and spread out the picnic. Kayleigh and I watched them together, each of us lost in thought.

It was the most amazing afternoon of my life. We lounged on a big blanket and ate food packed by Mairwen and their cook. Talking and laughing together, we told stories about each other and growing up. I told Kayleigh about how Kellen and I met, and watched his eyes become soft with the memory. She told me about her betrothal and Tristan’s courtship. Kellen had a funny look on his face but never said a word. I wondered what he was thinking.

Kellen lie down after a while next to me and settled his head in my lap. I played with his hair absently, smiling at his contented expression. He looked up at me, so lovingly, so adoring, I held my breath for a moment. The look on his face said everything. In that moment I knew he truly loved me. It’s not that I doubted it, but his expression was so full of love right then that my heart swelled with the knowledge. I put my hand against his cheek.

“I love you,” I told him softly.

He sat up and pulled me into his arms, kissing me fiercely. “I love you too Rhiannon.”

His fingers brushed my cheek. I loved it when he did that. It made me tingle all over.

“I want you to know.” He cleared his throat, a little nervous. “When I am able, I plan on courting you, formally.”

I nodded.

He shook his head. “You need to understand.” His voice caught. “It means a formal engagement…of our marriage.”

I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I understand perfectly Kellen.”

“All right then.” He cleared his throat again.

“That is what you want, right?” I asked, gazing into his eyes.

“Oh yes,” he pulled me closer, “more than anything.”

He pressed his lips to mine softly, a promise, a pact, and understanding of our mutual agreement. We would become engaged as soon as we were able. My heart was overjoyed. I loved Kellen, with everything inside me, more than I would have ever thought possible. It was almost scary.

He sprawled out on the blanket again, tugging my arm so I could join him. We lay there looking up at the sky with our fingers entwined in each other’s hand. Silently we watched the birds flying overhead and listened to the sound of rushing water nearby. The clouds shifted slowly, like someone up in heaven was pulling them apart as if they were cotton balls, and tossing them into the electric blue above.

After several minutes I realized we were alone.

“Where did Kayleigh and Tristan go?” I asked him.

He laughed softly. “Did you only just now notice? They left when I kissed you. They get so little time to themselves. I’m sure they’ll be back when they are ready.”

I rolled over to look at him and propped myself up on his chest.

“These last few days have been wonderful. The best of my life. Thank you,” I told him wistfully.

“I’m thankful that I could bring you here. My family loves you. I wish we never had to leave.”

He drew me close to his chest and kissed me again until my head was spinning and my breathing was shallow. I lay my head down on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. I wished we could stay forever too. Somewhere, in the back of my mind, a nagging voice told me to cherish these simple moments we had together and store them up in my heart. Keep them close, because the future was uncertain.

“Um, don’t laugh, ok? But, why does everybody have really…unique…kind of weird names?”

He laughed anyway. “Rhiannon, our heritage is Celtic and Gaelic. These are very traditional names. They don’t feel that way to us here.”

I thought that through. It made sense. A cultural thing. History. I wanted to know more.

“Kellen, why do your parents still look so young? It seems that they don’t age like my grandparents. Why is that?”

“I have often observed this myself. I can only tell you that our world is very different. The magic that exists here, it affects us differently. People age much slower here. It is also in the genetics. With your grandparents, I think it is living in your world that has aged them more quickly. They spent twenty years without returning across the portal. There are many toxins on your side and the air quality is much poorer. Have you noticed?” He asked curiously.

Agony flitted across my chest briefly. A confirmation that my Gramps was dead because of me. I shut it down fast enough that Kellen did not see it but it lingered and hovered over my heart for long minutes.

“Yes, I think I told you before. The air is so fresh and clean here. Everything is so pure and unblemished. Now I understand what you mean. Thank you for explaining it to me.”

“Sure sweetheart, anything else you are curious about?” I saw his lips twitch. He must be amused at my questions again.

“What does the chosen one mean?”

“Ah, I thought you would ask soon. You have a destiny. You are basically a princess. You know that right?”

I raised an eyebrow. “So that is all the milady stuff?”

“Yes,” he laughed, “get used to it. The formality here is important. It’s strictly adhered to.”

Well, all right then. I traced lazy circles on his chest, happy and content.

“Will you tell me more about your childhood?” I asked him, wanting to hear his voice, no matter what he said.

“You know I grew up here. My best friends are Tristan and Seasnan. I went to school on your side as a boy. Mother insisted I have the best education. I joined the guard once I was old enough, about your age. It’s been my life ever since.”

His voice had been calm until he said Seasnan’s name. It had strained a little and then relaxed. I noticed. It made me curious.

“What is it?” I asked him. “Is something wrong about Seasnan?”

He didn’t answer for a minute. “I don’t like the way he looks at you. Yesterday, when he was out walking with you and I came up, I saw him watching you. I know him well.”

Kellen didn’t say anymore. He scowled slightly. I stared at him and recognized the green eyed monster. Kellen was jealous. I giggled.

“You’re jealous!” I told him laughing.

His scowl darkened. He folded his arms across his chest. I laughed harder, rolling over and clutching my sides.

“Rhiannon, this is not funny,” he told me, frowning.

“Oh yes it is,” I told him between giggles. It was
very
funny.

“Darling, please. Seasnan would make a move on you in a second if I was gone.”

“Oh Kellen, you are so funny...” I couldn’t finish since I was still laughing.

He took my arms and pinned them to the ground, laying half on top of me. His expression was serious.

“Yes, I’m jealous. I’m jealous of his walk with you yesterday and his obvious attraction to you. I’m jealous every time he looks at you because you are
mine
Rhiannon.” He gripped me tighter. “I’ll be jealous until I can slip that ring on your finger and prove that you are mine alone.”

I stared at him in surprise.

“Kellen, there’s no need to be jealous. I only love
you
. He asked me if he had a chance and I told him no. So, don’t worry. I am yours,” I told him breathlessly.

Kellen’s face went livid. He let go of my arms and jumped up. He started stomping over to the horses. I jumped up after him, putting my arms around his waist. His whole body was stiff with his rage. The intensity of his reaction surprised me. I had thought we were only joking around.

“Kellen!” I yelled. “Kellen, please stop. Where are you going?”

He spun and looked at me and suddenly stopped. His expression was furious. He cupped my face in his hands and looked deep into my eyes.

“Rhiannon, I love you. I will not let another man-”

I silenced him with my lips. He slowly wound his arms around me, holding tightly. I felt the tension and anger leave his body. He didn’t stop kissing me. I had to pull back to breathe.

“Kellen,” I said seriously when I could take a breath again. “I don’t ever want anyone but you.”

“I know Rhiannon, but he had no right to approach you like that.”

“I know. It didn’t matter. I don’t care what he wants. Please calm down.”

“It’s just like before…with Renee. At least you didn’t succumb to his flirtation quite so easily.” His voice was still tight. “He never learns. I’m weary of his games.”

I gently took his hand and walked over to the waterfall.

“Let’s enjoy the rest of our perfect afternoon together. He doesn’t get to take these moments away.”

He circled his arms around my waist and leaned his head down on my shoulder. The rushing and plunging water sent up high sprays of cool mist that splattered the ground and filtered droplets on our bodies. It felt wonderful in the heat. We spent the rest of the afternoon in front of the waterfall, my thoughts drifting to his reaction, and his thoughts almost certainly distracted by his jealousy. Neither of us voiced it.