Chapter Twenty-One

Making The Wrong Choice
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Ayden stopped us at a fork on the wide road, moving onto the grassy plain where we could sit comfortably. The sun was shining clearly and I could feel my skin getting darker by the minute. A trait of my father's, I thought.

"We'll wait here for the others to catch up," Ayden explained and, taking my hand, led me to the base of a shady tree. We sat and he tucked me under his arm.

"Tell me what you are thinking," he ordered softly.

I contemplated what to say. My mind was overwrought with confusion. I knew who my real mother and father were. I knew my heritage. And yet I still knew nothing. I had a brother, a half-brother, who shared the same father as me. There was a mage who could kill me in my sleep. And an elf who had claimed us as married and wouldn't let me go. I needed time to think but I had to be alone. Ayden distracted me too much. But I knew he would never let me go off unaccompanied.

"Nothing," I answered finally, avoiding looking into his all-seeing eyes.

He snorted but didn't ask anymore. We sat in silence and I thought about getting some time away. I wished Ayden would sleep now so that I could. I ran my hand along his forearm in what I thought was a soothing caress. Maybe he would be lulled into sleep. I knew he slept little at nights and the ride here hadn't been relaxing. I turned my head toward him and saw that his eyes were closed, his head resting back on the tree's trunk. But he was far from asleep; I could feel his fingers stroking my waist lightly. I hummed lightly, a soft tune that my mother. I felt energy flowing through my arm, a soft, warm stream of power. Then Ayden's breathing deepened and his arm dropped from my waist.
Had I used magic? I stared at Ayden's limp form in shock. Maybe my mother's Elven gift was within me. Only slightly, but it was still there. I had to take advantage of this moment.

I slipped out from under Ayden's arm, making sure he was still unconscious, and snuck over to his horse. The black gelding nuzzled my shoulder as I untied her reins from the branch. I looped them over her head and clambered onto her high back. I looked down to where Ayden was sleeping and felt a wash of guilt as I saw his innocent sleeping face. He would be hurt when he woke to find me gone but I needed this time by myself to clear my head.

"I'm sorry. But I will look for you," I whispered before touching my foot to the gelding's flank. She trotted forward. I took the right road, a voice whispering in my head that this was the right way to go. I hoped that the voice was the lady in my vision.

** **

It was dark when I fully realised my stupidity. The reason we had been waiting was so that the others could catch up. The others who carried our food, spare clothing, sleeping mats and tents. There was no moon in the sky and the stars barely gave me any light to determine where I was going. I pulled off to the side of the road, digging into the pack on the gelding's back to get out some water. I drank lightly, not knowing when I would have the chance to refill the water-skin.

"You have a fair way to go."

I nearly jumped out of my skin. To my side I saw a flash of silver eyes. Suddenly a light flared. I saw a short female holding a bright crystal. She placed it on the ground and looked at me with a wry smile. I knew straight away that this was another pixie. But why was she out of the Otherworld?

"To Ennis, I presume?" she said, her voice sounding as sweet as a harp's song.

I hesitated then nodded. "I don't need any help getting there, thank you." Actually I need a lot of help but I've been told not to trust pixies, I added to myself.

She clucked her tongue in amusement. "You already have a Guide; Vin. Not that he'd be able to help you out here. But as you are his none of us others may assist you."

I frowned. I had thought my business with Vin was over now that I had repaid his debt with that wander in the woods.

"Well... okay. Did you want anything then?" I asked rather rudely.

She leaned forward, her eyes suddenly angry. "Don't ask me what I want, Ellyaz! Never ask anyone such a thing. It can have undesirable consequences."

I widened my eyes and took a step back. "I - I'm sorry," I stuttered. She immediately calmed and returned to looking like a sweet little pixie.

"I'm simply here to make sure that you are well. Vin has high hopes for you, though I don't know what he sees in you. You aren't that bright. But he promised me something good in return."

Before I could come up with a retort, the light flashed off, leaving me in darkness. I knew instantly that she was gone, even though I hadn't heard a thing.

I pulled the saddle and blanket off of the horses back and laid them over the soft grass. I would use the saddle as a pillow for the night and hoped that it wouldn't get too cold.



I woke up feeling contentedly warm. The sun was just rising. I shifted underneath the cloak. Hold on! I don't remember having a cloak!

"Elves are notoriously fast."

I shot up quickly and gawked at Ayden who was sitting against a tree, his eyes grimly on mine.

He gave me a mocking smile. "Good morning, love."