Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Radiant

When Thorn had first seen the little elf standing at the perimeter of his nest, his eyes fixated on the leather necklace she wore. It was the same one that Murtagh used to wear. He instantly knew who she was; the memories Murtagh had shared had left him yearning to see the little elf and Thorn had no idea why. And here she was, curled up on his leg, fast asleep.

"Murtagh, come," Thorn asked Murtagh, knowing that he would want to see her. Unlike what the little elf thought.

"What?"

"Little Elf," Thorn said no more and returned his attention to the little elf once more. She looked so innocent curled up on his leg. He wanted to protect this little elf. She was the first person beside Murtagh that purposely spent time around him. She didn't fear him.

"What did you mean by little elf?" Murtagh said as he walked into Thorn's nest. Thorn blinked at him slowly before gently moving his wing to reveal the sleeping elf. Murtagh's eyes went wide, and he stopped short, his face going white.

Thorn let a puff of smoke out of his nostrils. Murtagh crept closer, unsure if his eyes were showing a mirage or the truth. Reaching forward, he lightly brushed the strands of onyx hair away to real a slim face. Underneath his fingers, Mal's head twitched slightly, as if sensing his touch.

"He really did find her..." Murtagh muttered before looking up at his dragon. "What is she doing here in your nest?"

"She was walking around and ended up in here," Thorn replied. Murtagh could understand why she migrated here.

"She spent a lot of time with Saphira." Murtagh murmured to himself as Thorn gently laid his head back down on the pine-straw covered nest. "She probably came here instinctually."

"He wants something from her," Thorn said as another puff of smoke emitted from his nostrils. "Why else would he bother tracking her down."

"He wants the other egg to hatch," Murtagh said realization hit him. "It's in her blood."

"Possibly." Thorn rumbled sleepily as Murtagh rubbed his head.

"Do you know why she is here instead of in her room, sleeping on a bed?"

"She said she couldn't sleep."

"Can't or won't?"

"I asked the same. She said both. You should take her back to her room, so she is sleeping on something softer, and be careful."

"Be careful?"

"She has already thrown a candelabra at one of the guards in her room."

"She did what?"

"She had a bad dream and woke up screaming, the guard outside her door came in to check on her, and she threw a candelabra at his head." Murtagh sighed.

"That sounds like the Mal I know. I'll take her back then, while she's still asleep. Last time I woke her up, she drew a dagger on me." Murtagh grumbled as he thought about the night that Mal was too tired to walk back to her room, so she slept in his cell. She had wanted to sleep on the floor, but Murtagh had forced her to take the bed. Mal had not been happy with him.

Thorn let out a snort before moving slightly so Murtagh could pick up the sleeping Mal. Sliding his arms underneath her back, Murtagh pulled Mal against his chest before easing her off Thorn's leg.

Head resting against his arm, Murtagh exited the nest and headed for the castle. Glancing down at the sleeping half-elf, his heart dropped. His old necklace that had been left behind by the twins was wrapped around her neck. That could only mean she had gone looking for him and had come across the bloody clothes that had been left behind.

How many months went by with her thinking he was dead?

Entering the castle, Murtagh made his way to Mal's room, still being extra careful not to wake her up. When he rounded the corner to her door, the guards started to inch away from him — giving Mal weary and nervous looks. Murtagh couldn't help but smirk. She does leave a lasting impression.

He entered her room and headed for her bed. The sheets were already pulled back, probably from when Mal got out of the bed. He set Mal gently down onto the soft mattress and took the white slippers she was wearing off before pulled the covers up. Her white nightgown made her black hair look even darker, and her skin practically translucent.

Pulling the covers back over the sleeping Mal, he hesitated in leaving her to sleep. Not a day had gone by since his capture that he didn't think of her. Reaching up, he brushed his knuckles along her jaw once more.

Whatever her father had planned for her, he knew it wasn't going to be good. And Murtagh didn't know if he could even help her.