Chapter Eighteen (Pt.2)

Far enough from the city but still able to make it out, outlined as it was by massive torches, Leah allowed herself one final look. After Meraud had left her, she’d concentrated all her energy and effort in preparing for her journey. That, and the magic she’d used in her attempt to heal Maeve had left her feeling exhausted, which in turn heightened her vulnerability.

Staring wide-eyed at Orenheart, her beloved home, she wondered how long she would be allowed to remain before Meraud came to collect. As tears distorted her vision, she pulled Free around and, ignoring his whinny of protest, spurred him into a gallop. She had to put as much distance as possible between herself and the city before daybreak. After that, it would only be a matter of time before someone discovered her absence.

She headed southwest, away from the main road, towards the forest. She wasn’t planning on resting this night, knowing she wouldn’t come across any patrols for they’d already been pulled back, as the brigands had demanded.

When Leah finally decided to stop, the reddish-gold orb was slowly rising from behind the mountains to illuminate the land. Dismounting just inside the small gathering of trees, she unsaddled Free. Stroking his red-brown nose, she cupped his paler brown, hairy chin with her other hand. [Did you enjoy that?]

For Leah, nothing could compare with communicating with her horse through the mental link they shared; his uncluttered mind never failed to calm her. He nuzzled her hand, before moving his nose over her hair, her jacket... trying to get into her pockets. She laughed. [Are you hungry? Well, eat then.] She swept her arm around, indicating the grass.

Unfastening her black cloak, she laid it on the ground. Staring through the trees in the direction of the Grimwood, she unfastened her lightly embroidered, forest-green jacket, revealing the plain, sage tunic underneath. She’d decided it would be better to travel anonymously, without her warrior garb. Dark brown trousers tucked into short, brown boots completed her inconspicuous appearance.

Free straightened and whinnied, clearly agitated. Rolling his eyes, he shied away, ears lying flat against his head. Sensing the reason for his sudden unease, Leah hurried to his side, shushing him.

“What do you want?” Stroking Free’s nose, she kept her back to Meraud as he materialised.

[I thought you might like some company.]

“I have company, thank you. My horse is all the company I need.”

[Why are you–?]

“Not like that. Speak to me properly, not in my mind.”

He sighed heavily. “As you wish. You usually make me more welcome than this, why the change in behaviour?” When no reply was forthcoming, he stepped towards her. “Do I repel you now? Has confessing my feelings made me weak and too like a mortal for your liking?”

“Of course not.” Satisfied that Free was calm enough, she turned to face the demon lord. “It’s... what you said before, how you feel about me...” Clasping her hands together, she averted her gaze. “I want to believe you, but...”

“Why would you doubt me?”

Her mouth fell open as she stared at him. “Why would I–The last time I trusted a demon lord, I was lied to.” Fixing him with a steady gaze, she said, “It’s what your kind do.”

Raising his brow, he smiled. “That is true, my kind, as you say, do take pleasure in... misleading your kind.” His smile faded as he made his slow way to stand before her.

Unable to tear her gaze away from his, Leah was aware of her whole body tingling, which almost made her miss the feather-light touch at the back of her mind.

As if struggling not to smile, Meraud leant close to her. “You feel as I do. Yet you are afraid to give in to the feelings you already harbour for me. Why?”

She wanted to step away, to put some distance between them, yet his unblinking gaze seemed to nail her to the spot. Unable to look away, she said, “What if I do? What does it matter?”

“I do not understand.”

“I don’t expect you to.”

He raised his hand, fingers stroking her mouth.

Closing her eyes, still she took hold of his hand to stop him. “Not now, Meraud. I won’t deny it, especially now that you know. Yes, I... ache for you, but I also dread it when we’re together because of what you are. Yet, strangely, you’re the only one I can be myself with. But now that I’ve admitted my feelings for you, now that I’ve given myself completely to you...” She shook her head. “It’s not like it was. I could say I need time, but it seems that is one thing I don’t have.”

“I cannot promise that being with me will be all that your heart desires, I will not mislead you to that extent. All I will say is, I will care for you, but I cannot deny what I am.”

“Well then, there is nothing else left to say, is there?”

He shook his head. “You still wish to be alone?”

Looking down, squeezing her eyes shut to deny her tears, she nodded.

“One kiss then, and I will leave you. For now.”

She sighed, suddenly weary with the constant inner struggle between her demon-touched side, and what she believed to be her true self. What did one kiss matter now that she’d surrendered herself to him?

When his lips touched hers, she returned his kiss as if it was the last one they would ever share. Because for Leah, it was the last kiss she would have as a free woman.

Then he was gone, and she was left staring at the empty space before her. Still tasting him on her lips, she sighed and turned her attention to preparing a meal for herself, infinitely easier with the power she possessed.

Finishing her meal, Leah stopped moving and stared in the direction of Orenheart. Someone was approaching... no, more than one person. Quickly extinguishing the fire, she stood with her arm around Free, shielding them from prying eyes. Until it came to her that she recognised the newcomers. Leah waited for them to come into view before she dispelled the shield. She contemplated remaining hidden in the shelter of the trees and letting them ride on past her.

Conor and Karel slowed their horses down when they spied her as she stepped out into view. Like her, they too were dressed discreetly, with nothing to mark them out as Orenheart warriors.

Crossing her arms as she stared at them, she said, “What are you doing here?”

Dismounting, they fidgeted before Conor finally met her gaze. “Well, we thought... I know you said not to but we thought you could... We want to help, Leah.”

She shook her head. “I told you, it’s best if I do this myself–”

“I know you have the ability,” said Karel, “but surely it’ll still be hard for you to get Evalan out on your own. Once we’re in the brigands’ camp, you can concentrate on getting to him while we keep the brigands busy.”

Opening her mouth to argue, Leah realised the only way she could counter his words was to admit that she was getting help... from a demon lord. And she wasn’t prepared to admit that to anyone.

“Please, Leah, let us help.” Conor stepped towards her. “We’re trained warriors, we know what to do. No one’s forcing us, we want to do this.”

“For Evalan’s sake,” said Karel.

Blinking back tears, she had to look away. The thought that her friends, her mortal allies would be fighting by her side and that she would not be solely dependent on a demon lord, gave her great comfort. Their presence felt like a protective guard, enhancing the time she had left on the mortal realm.

“Having your help means a lot to me... I don’t know how to thank you. But it’s dangerous, I can’t guarantee our survival.”

“We’re not asking you to.” Standing before her, Conor took her hands in his. “This is our job, Leah, what we’re trained to do. Every time we ride out as warriors, there’s always a chance we won’t make it back. That’s a risk we have to be prepared to take. And when the only alternative is to leave Evalan in the hands of the brigands... well, that’s not a choice at all, is it?”

Smiling up at him, she couldn’t stop the tear that escaped the corner of her eye.