“Astasha! Helia! It’s so good to see you both again!” Narelle turned to Talib, who looked shocked and relieved all at the same time. “I told you, three travelers, returning safely. You must trust the runes or they won’t trust you.” Calder was desperately trying to hide a smirk. “Yes, I can see you were terribly worried about us.” “I knew you were fine. The whole bloody camp was hooting and hollering about your safe return.” Countered the Captain. “It’s so good to see you both,” Interjected Astasha before the banter could continue between the two friends. “I’m surprised we got to see you so quickly.” Said Talib. “I would have thought it was a different tent you’d be off to first.” He winked and Cal shot him a look that was unmistakably a warning to shut his mouth. They were all saved from further awkwardness, however, by the entrance of another friendly face. “Your Highness! I heard you had returned. I have good news.” “Zephyr!” Tasha was shocked to see the old mage ente
While the voices of soldiers and the clang of metal echoed outside the tent, inside was silent as Astasha processed what it was she was hearing. He couldn’t possibly be serious. Calder couldn’t give up the throne, not now, not ever. It was what he was destined for. If there was anything she was certain of, it was that he would be the greatest ruler Trenue had ever seen. How could he even fathom stepping down? “Tasha…” He tried to pull her closer to him but she stepped away. “No.” It was all she could get herself to say. “It was the only way—“ “There are always other options, Calder.” She could feel the tornado of emotions between the two of them growing but she didn’t know if she could control it. He studied her in silence for a moment before sighing deeply. “When it comes to you, there aren’t. You are my only option, the only one I want, the only thing I need, and if having you, knowing you are safe, being with you, being able to love you without all this shit costs me t
It was another quiet walk through the camp, with the occasional soldier stopping them to ask a question, or a squire with a message for the Prince. Calder led them past the War Tent, and off to a secluded area at the eastern base of the hill, where a large, lone shelter was in place, with two guards at its entrance. “This is ours.” He said as they approached. The young men bowed as he stopped before them. “Would one of you go and fetch Captain Talib please. He’ll relieve you of your post when he arrives.” “Yes, Your Highness.” The older of the two responded before striding off into the growing dusk. Cal held open the curtain for Astasha and motioned for her to enter. She glanced at the other soldier, her mind suddenly filled with uncertainty about being seen entering the Prince’s private lodgings. “I told you, everyone here knows. There’s no point in hiding our relationship,” he said. She took a breath before walking inside. “Just because they know, doesn’t mean everyon
It wasn’t long after Astasha had settled on the bed and meticulously checked every piece of meat and cheese for poison, that she heard voices outside the tent. The conversation between Talib and Calder was short and tepid, very unlike the two. The enemy would have quick work in dividing and conquering them if they did most of it themselves. The thought made Tasha sigh with resignation as she realized this stubborn and haughty approach would do nothing to help her win this fight, with Cal or the Dark Mage. It wasn’t that she was angry with her Prince for making the decision he made. It was that he felt he had to make it at all. She was heartbroken for him, for them. Her anger was designated for all those who had brought him to that conclusion, who had led them to the position they now found themselves in; the High Council, those who had made the laws that governed their love and those who refused to see outside them, her grandmother, and father, the demon, and most of all, the dar
The most passionate depiction of lovemaking that can be remembered in the history of all time, paled in comparison to the union of Astasha and Calder upon their engagement. It was neither frantic, nor slow, gentle, nor aggressive. It was the perfect balance of all things, just as their souls were the perfect balance of each other. Astasha’s senses were alive, as if they were entities of their own. The smell of Calder’s skin, like a blanket of aroma, warm and comforting… the sound of his breath in her ear as he whispered her name, like a symphony of music from the Gods. The taste of his lips as their tongues danced together, the sweetest of temptations, and the feel of his body against hers, like silk over the most sensitive of flesh. And as she opened her eyes to look at him, his face, the most alluring thing she had ever witnessed. The way he moved within her was almost torture, each thrust of his hips, a shock of sensations coursing through her body. His eyes followed his hand a
The War Tent felt much smaller with everyone present who was required to be there for strategic meetings. Astasha had spent the better part of the morning being shown around the camp and introduced to many of the leaders and key positions in preparation for it. For the most part, they had all been at least respectful, if not surprisingly kind. Some had even given her gifts of furs or herbs or food. But not all were so welcoming. Now, standing in the confined space of the tent, her senses were on high alert, honed in on those she had already read as potential threats. Thankfully, there were fewer than she had expected, and alone, she didn’t fear them. But with their army of men behind them… she chose not to think about the chaos that could ensue should they choose to end their agreement with the Prince. If Calder was at all nervous, he hid it well, even from her. He stood like a true leader at the front of the congregation, head high, his crest on full display on his tunic. His eyes
Despite all that was required to be done, the remainder of the day seemed quite calm compared to the meeting in the War Tent. Astasha’s fellow mages all seemed eager to learn more about her plan to trap the demons, and with the protection of her own Captain, Calder felt comfortable enough allowing her to go with them on her own, so long as Olander never left her side. They sat outside in a circle as Astasha explained what it was she had done all that time ago in the clearing to free Calder and ensnare the demon within herself. Once she had finished, the group sat in silence for a moment pondering all they had heard. It wasn’t until the question was raised that Astasha realized she had inadvertently left out a key component of her story. “How did you not drain yourself using your own blood? The energy that spell would have required… it should have killed you!” The man who spoke was an older Water Sorcerer, one of the few Narelle had warned could keep a conversation going far past
Astasha had wanted to stay and begin work on transcribing her memories of the Wind Walking ritual, but her engagement to the Prince meant that her attention now had to be split between her tasks as a sorceress, and that of Calder’s betrothed. And so, she changed into a warm gown with one of the furs gifted to her over her shoulders, and the two headed out toward Kashor’s camp, their Captains at their side. “So, Talib,” she said as they walked. “I believe you owe me a story.” Calder looked at her curiously, his friend awkwardly clearing his throat. “Oh, uh, well, there’s not much to tell honestly. We’d been traveling together on our way here, gettin’ to know each other along the way. One night, we came across some trouble. I uh, might have been caught off guard a bit—“ “A bit?” Laughed Calder. “You were caught with your trousers down, literally!” Astasha tried desperately not to laugh. “Hey, even the Captain of the Prince’s Guard has to attend to personal business from time to t