The flight had not taken long. Cono had flown Kela up to the command perch above the arena.

Watchmen stood out on the stoop with spears in hand. The guardsmen backed up a step, allowing Cono free access.

Cono released Kela. Her hair hung wet and heavy. Her gown was covered in the sludge of the creature when it exploded. She could imagine how wild and ragged she looked and smelled. There was a distinct rotten odor.

Her warrior had escaped the onslaught of muck. Her shield had protected him.

“Help those down below,” Cono ordered, dismissing the watchers with a wave of his hand.

None made any protest.

After the watchmen’s departure, an unexpected gust of wind swirled around Kela. She grasped hold of Cono’s arm.

The next moment, she was as she had come into Yucca. Her gown sparkled in the sunlight, white and flowing. Her raven hair was clean and arranged as the lady in the Shimmering Pool, braided away from her face and hung loose down her back.

Sareta, Kela thought thankfully, as she stared at Cono.

His wings flexed as his bold eyes met hers.

Glistening in sweat, he walked toward her. The paint of his face had smeared. His hair, loose and disheveled, had fallen to his shoulders. Yet, she had never seen him look so handsome.

Shadows of flying Sordarins softened the sharp planes of her warrior’s face. He took her hand and led her into the covered guard perch.

She gave no resistance as she followed. Under her breath, she whispered, “You were to come to me this day. I waited…then I came…and saw this celebration…”

Her words hung in the air.

Swinging her around into an embrace, Cono ignored her ramblings. He caressed her face, tenderly, passionately.

Kela caught her breath.

He kissed her, fiercely.

Power flowed between the two. She leaned into him, accepting him, wanting what she wasn’t sure of, but she knew only she needed more.

Her heart swelled, opening her soul to him.

“Kela,” he rasped. “I love you, woman. You are my everything.”

In some dim recess of her mind, she suspected it was all a dream. In hypnotized fascination, she tightened her arms around his neck.

Flows of warmth filled her, gasping as his lips burned a path down her cheek to the sensitive part of her neck. Baring her throat for him, she got lost in a sensation that dealt not with reason, but want.

“Cono,” Kela breathed as he pressed her closer. His hand roamed freely over her body. His hand cupped her breast through the silken gown, sending her into a spasm of pleasure, robbing her of all reason…for a long moment.

A brief wave of reason returned. Outside, the city was in chaos with the Arachnidan attack. The masses needed to be calmed.

She broke away. “We can’t.”

“Perhaps not now,” he agreed, taking her back into his arms. “But know there will be no more separation. Not after this display. We are one.”

Exhilarated! Words Kela had long waited to hear.

“I have no say?” she teased.

Kissing her again, he laughed. “Tell me, my Euchoun. Tell me you love me.”

Her arrogant, handsome warrior!

“I love you,” she managed before the sound of her brother called to her, disturbing her reunion with Cono.

Kela, Grandfather is coming.

Falco’s tone lay with frustration and annoyance, which confused her.

“The king is about to descend upon us.” Her voice conveyed her worry.

“This is not a bad thing, Kela,” Cono assured her. “King Edulf has given his permission for us to be together and for you to stay.”

“He has? Then why have you not come for me?”

“There was court unrest,” Cono explained. “I was ordered to refrain from bringing you back, but it was only until the turmoil settled. The wedding would have done so. I was told I could use Twiten’s portal this night…to be able to keep my promise to you.”

“You remembered.”

His hand went under her chin, lifting it to look directly into her eyes. “You have never been far from my mind…my heart.” His tone sobered. “There is much to be made up to you, Kela. Hold to me.”

“I asked for nothing but you.”

“You have me, always. We are bonded, Kela.”

There were many things Kela had little knowledge of, but this bond, this union, she comprehended well. She would not be complete without him by her side, nor he without her.

Above her, the fluttering of wings announced the king’s arrival. She recoiled back into her warrior’s arms, secure in the knowledge they were one.

* * * *

The small entourage entered. Falco and Silas made their way in first. Both dressed in Mortalita tradition, yet, the muck and sludge that covered each made it impossible to tell.

Kela stiffened on King Edulf’s appearance. This was the man who had kept her apart from her family, but no more. He had need of her. Not even he could deny what the whole of Yucca had witnessed this day.

Cono bowed his head, a reminder of proper protocol. Kela curtsied, but, she was certain, her hesitation had not gone unnoticed.

Rising back up, Kela found King Edulf’s eyes upon her. He frowned.

The years of the king’s treatment burned inside her. The unfairness of all that had been denied to her swelled.

“Silas, ensure that the room is secure. I want no one outside to hear what will transpire.” King Edulf gestured toward the door.

Silas’s jaw clenched and muscles twinged, but he bowed and retreated out of the room.

Then, King Edulf’s attention turned to Kela.

Her brave thoughts were forgotten. She was once more the child cowering in his bedchamber. Her legs buckled beneath her. Cono’s arms caught her.

“She weakens only slightly now when her power is expelled, Your Majesty,” Cono offered.

King Edulf nodded, but his focus remained on Kela.

She had not seen him for well over four years. Four years since he banished her to the Forbidden Forest to train without distractions, to become the Euchoun Scarladin needed.

Finally, King Edulf asked, “Where did you get the gown?”

Of all the words Kela expected him to utter, those were not among them. She looked back, confused, at Cono and back at the king.

“It is my eighteenth nameday today, Your Majesty. It was a gift.”

“I see your manners have not improved. I asked who gave it to you, not for what reason.”

Her chest heaved. Cono reached for her hand, but she jerked it back. Her emotions played against her. She stepped forward.

“Since I have been banished, Your Majesty, my contacts have been few, as you yourself have seen to, but I have no control over the spirits in the Forbidden Forest. The Wood Spirit, in his kindness, gave it to me to meet my destiny.”

“It was not a Wood Spirit,” he stated as fact.

“I have not told you a lie. How else would I get anything, Your Majesty?” Kela implored, her fears forgotten, replaced with a growing anger. “I have nothing compared to my siblings. You question a gift and question not how I came. The Wood Spirit sent me through today. He told me it was time. If I questioned, I would question why it was not you who sent for me.”

“It is not your place to question me.”

“What is my place?”

She ignored her brother’s pleas to contain herself and refused to look at Cono, who she was certain would have silenced her. She rebuffed their intent.

They hadn’t lived as I, with purpose perhaps, but I had been promised this day to return.

Kela met King Edulf’s stare.

The king said firmly, “You are a Euchoun, bound to protect.”

Without fear of reprisal, she interrupted. “In which I have and will always. But I ask you, Your Majesty, how can I do so from the Forbidden Forest? Has it not become obvious I am needed?”

“It is well you were here today,” he acknowledged. Flexing his wings, he walked around Kela, making no effort to conceal his assessing of her being. “With the display, I can well see Twiten and Cono have done well in your training. Your skills have greatly improved.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Cono offered. “We are prepared, as you can see. It is well she has returned. I will see to her needs this day…”

“Plans have changed, Cono,” King Edulf said. “In all, I was premature to agree to everything you asked. I have need of you this evening. The Celebration Ball has to go on as planned and your presence is required. I will see to Kela. Falco will be calling for Sareta.” He turned back to Kela. “It isn’t time, Kela. You are to return back to the Forbidden Forest.”

“No!” she cried, stepping backward to Cono. “I refuse. I’m not going back…ever. I have done all you required. I have trained endlessly. It is all I have done. I’m eighteen today…”

Reality returned, blaring before her. The difference, though: she was not a child anymore.

Cono stepped forward, bowing low, but his words were plain to hear. “Your Majesty, I must object. You gave me your word. All is set. She is already here. People have seen her power. They know, or will soon comprehend, a Euchoun is present. I have all arranged to keep her out of harm’s way. We agreed…”

“It is regrettable, but a complex matter has reared its ugly head once more that needs to be dealt with. Until then, I see no alternative except her return to the forest.” He paused a moment. “It is my decision.”

Panic surged. Whatever the king’s reason...she didn’t care. She wasn’t going back. No, no, no…please, no. “I can take care of myself, Your Majesty. Do not be concerned. I will not let anyone know I am your granddaughter…”

“It is not my concern, Kela. You’re not.”

Her eyes widened on his words. Confusion rang in her voice. “What is your meaning? Of course, I am your granddaughter.”

King Edulf clarified his meaning. “My granddaughter, Kela Calledwdele, died years ago. Misfortunate, but tragedies are expected in life. You are a Euchoun. It is time you come to terms with all that it pertains. Sacrifice is the life of a Euchoun.”

Not his granddaughter! Sacrifice! How much more of a sacrifice was she to make? Looking around, Kela saw Cono and Falco both had known.

Rising hysteria surfaced within her.

“Then who am I?”