Page 34 of One Last Promise
“You carried Raiden’s sword back?And I see you have two newpets.”
“What?Did you think I would be unable to carry the sword because I’m femaleorbecause I’m nobility?Maybe it’s both?”I questioned, leaning down to pick Loki and Enyo up.I’d be travelling the rest of the way on Xavier’s light leaper, and knew the pups wouldn’t keep up with Soleil.
“Alora, you’ve proven your point.Somehow, you’ve survived on your own.All I want to do is get you back to the palace safely.Your father is awaiting your return.”With no further warning, he scooped me up and placed me onto his beast.Loki and Enyo whelped a little, but I soothed them and held them closer to my chest.Xavier jumped on behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist.The warmth of his body against mine made me recoil.“You’ll have alotof explaining to do when we get home,” he muttered against my ear.“We’ve all been going out of our minds with worry.We’ve been blind to your whereabouts.”
“Uri couldn’t see me at all?”One of the guards collected my bag and Raiden’s light sword off the ground as I spoke.
“He could sense you were alive, but he’s been blocked by darkness for weeks.He was finally able to see you this morning.”That must have been when Darce left.Just how powerful were his dark powers?I had the feeling he’d been holding out on me.“Were you with someone?”I had to get my story straight before I told anyone about my encounter with a Noxlin.I couldn’t tell any of my kind that I had allied with Darce out in the wilderness, but I could tell the truth about him taking the noc beast down and saving me.
“The only questions I’ll answer will be my father’s.”Xaiver sighed deeply behind me.We rode in silence the rest of the way, which gave me more time to gather my thoughts.
****
“Alora!”The moment I stepped foot in the palace, Noor, Nell, and Luz were waiting for me.Noor’s eyes were wet with tears.“Praise Holy Ether!We thought we’d lost you!”She pulled me in for a tight hug.“Whathappened?”
“Take these to my chamber,” I instructed, putting Loki and Enyo into her arms.
“Where did you get them?”she cooed.“They are so tiny!”
“Alora doesn’t have time to talk, Noor.I’m under strict instructions to take her to theking!”Xavier grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me along with him.
“The princess is able towalk!”Nell seethed, but Xavier didn’t respond.The tension radiating off him was thick.He was like a coiled spring, ready to explode at any moment.“Xavier!”
“If you have an issue, take it up with Zohar,” he called behind him, gazing down at me.“You can talk to your friends later.”It seemed I didn’t have a choice.I gave them an apologetic expression over my shoulder before Xavier dragged me around the corner and out of sight.“Your time in the Barren Lands hasn’t cured your stubbornness, I see.”
“Your need tocontroleverything I do hasn’t changed, either,” I snapped, trying to pull out of his hold.It was impossible.Xavier was pure strength.
“It’s not control, Alora.You...”
“I don’t want to hear it, Xavier!”I interrupted.“I’mtired!All I want is to speak to my father and then go to my chamber to rest.”Nodding, he loosened his grip on me a little.
My father was bathing in one of the outdoor pools with Elin.The white marble, encrusted with gold, reflected the suns’ beams directly into the pool, enriching it with their powerful light.
“Daughter!Praise Holy Ether!You are unharmed!”My father made no attempt to get out of the pool.“Come bathe with us.You look in need of nourishment and sunlight.”
“I would rather bathe in my chambers, Father.It has been a very challenging month.”
“Yes, of course.Come sit next to me.”As I knelt down beside the pool, he took my hand in his.“Where have you been?Uri saw that Raiden’s light force died before you were plunged into darkness.Our enemy didn’t get their hands on you, did they?I will go towarif they harmed you.”My father, Elin, and Xavier were motionless, waiting for me to answer.
“Raiden and I were attacked by a noc beast,” I began, hearing the gasps around me.My father’s eyes widened with pure shock.“The beast killed Raiden, but before it could kill me, a Noxlin foot soldier took it down.”
“Xavier!Get the army ready!We march at dawn!”my father commanded, the power of the light stirred in his eyes.“They’ve held my daughter prisoner for over amonth.Alora, tell me, are you stillpure?”No!He had to listen to me!
“Father, there is no need!Allow me to finish my story.I amuntouched.I can assure you, I am stillpure.”The fire raging in his eyes calmed a little, as did Xavier, who was standing near one of the pillars that overlooked Dallethas.“The Noxlinsavedme and then let me go after explaining the way to the sacred mountain.”
“Hesavedyou?”my father gasped.“That cannot be.They are bloodthirsty murderers.If he had known you were the princess, there would have been a different outcome.They would have kept you and taken your virtue!How hideous was the creature?”
“He was beastly and old,” I lied.“He didn’t learn of my true identity.I kept it hidden.I am unharmed, Father.”
“Alora,” Elin finally spoke, breaking the eye contact between my father and me, “are you telling us that you completed the pilgrimagealone?Without any help?”
“Yes, I am.”Squaring my shoulders, I stared her and my father down.I already knew the answer to the request I was about to make, but I was going to challenge them as much as I could.“I am now worthy of myownlight sword!I wish to begin my battle trainingimmediately!”
“Alora!” Xavier bellowed.“Now isn’t the time.You’ve just returned home.”
“Xavier, can you excuse us for a few moments?I wish to speak to my daughter alone.”The general did as my father asked.Elin stayed in the pool, watching me suspiciously.When the grand oak doors closed, my father turned his attention back to me.“I was hoping this pilgrimage would make a leader out of you.”
“Father, I...”
