Alora Read online

  “Ha!” she shouted at Shirtless. “The only reason you’re not ripped to shreds is because Kaevin’s trying not to hurt you. If this were a real battle, you’d already be dead.”

  “Stay out of this, Alora.” Kaevin’s tone was stern, but his self-assurance rose up a peg. His emotional aura was all positive now.

  “Yes, stay of this, Bearer, or you might be hurt, as well,” the arrogant guy said.

  “Are you threatening me?” Alora demanded, shaking her finger at him. “That’s a really big mistake, to threaten me in front of my soulmate. He’s been nice to you, so far. But what you don’t realize is Kaevin’s not only gifted in weapons and agility, but his gifts are enhanced. And they’re enhanced, not once, but twice! No other warrior in all of Tenavae is that gifted. In fact, he’s the most gifted warrior in history.” She wasn’t really sure about that last part, but it sounded reasonable.

  For the first time, Alora noted some uncertainty in the bare-chested guy. Kaevin, on the other hand, exuded confidence, and was fighting like his old self. His blade slid forward, nicking Shirtless’ arm and drawing blood. Infuriated, Shirtless lunged at Kaevin, his sword a blur. Alora saw the tip of his blade extending past Kaevin and cried out. Both men fell to the ground, but somehow, Kaevin was on top, his knee on the man’s bare chest, his blade to his throat. His hand was shaking with adrenaline and rage, and Alora feared he would cut the guy’s jugular. But claps and cheers from behind her distracted him, and he looked up to an audience.

  “Well done, Kaevin,” Thalaena said, coming over to glare down, her hands on her hips. “But both of you well know that sparring with true blades is forbidden. Judaene, come with me... we will speak to Morvaen about this. Kaevin, we will discuss your infraction later, after Laethan has tended your cuts.”

  **********

  Kaevin climbed to his feet, pushing off his knee on Judaene’s chest and eliciting a satisfying grunt from his opponent. He stormed off toward the healing house, ignoring Alora as she called out, trailing behind him. Then he ran, knowing she couldn’t possibly keep up. Just as he reached the healing house, she appeared in front of him, and he slid to stop, barely avoiding a collision.

  Of course, she transported. She’s getting in the habit of using her gifts against me.

  “Kaevin, please talk to me before you go back inside.”

  “I’d rather not.” He focused on her forehead, refusing to be charmed by those beautiful blue-green eyes.

  “I thought you were incredible back there. I’ve never seen you move so fast.”

  “You think I don’t know what you did, Alora?” he ground out the words.

  “Please don’t be angry, Kaevin. All I did was practice weapons and fighting with Jireo. We were always careful, and it was very safe. I only did it so I can be helpful, instead of being a liability in a close fight.”

  “Against my express wishes,” he muttered. “But that’s another matter, altogether. I’m referring to the way you manipulated me with your empathy during that sparring match.”

  “But I didn’t—”

  “You can’t deny it, Alora, because I felt it.” Pinning her in place with a steely gaze, he squeezed his hands into fists to stop them from shaking. “I can’t believe you would do that after Laethan warned you against it. I suppose you thought I couldn’t win without your help.”

  “I didn’t do it... I swear I didn’t.”

  Now she was crying, but he didn’t care. He felt her remorse, but he hardened himself against it. She was probably faking it anyway. “Stop lying to me,” he spat. “It’s as if I don’t know you anymore.”

  “I’m not lying. I’m telling you the truth.”

  “Stop!” Laethan appeared, stepping between them with his head pressed between his hands. “Even I am not strong enough to shut the two of you out of my mind when you’re spinning out emotions like a tornado.”

  “I’m sorry, Laethan. I didn’t mean to lose control.” Alora sniffed, turning her head away.

  “I’m only here because Thalaena ordered me,” Kaevin proclaimed, lifting his tattered tunic to display his wounds. “These cuts have barely nicked the skin. So if you’ll give me the word, I’ll be on my way.”

  Laethan’s firm grip on his arm propelled him inside the healing house. “At least two of these injuries will require my sewing skills, so the two of you are not escaping yet. You’ll simply have to remain calm.”

  “Alora doesn’t need to come,” Kaevin said, hoping to drive her away. He was too angry to deal with her. Angry and humiliated that she had so little faith in him.

  “I’ll just wait out here,” she said in a weak voice, lagging behind.

  “Nonsense. You’re more hurt than he is. I must tend to you as well.” Laethan glanced to the side, where several curious onlookers had stopped to watch the commotion. He muttered, “Inside, beyond prying eyes.”

  Alora stumbled, and Laethan swept her up, cradling her in his arms and kicking the door open with his foot. He gently laid her on the nearest bed. Laethan’s action pricked his conscience, and Kaevin kicked at a nearby bed frame, slamming his shin in the process. He gritted his teeth, refusing to react to the self-inflicted pain.

  Alora moaned. “Please, Kaevin. I’m sorry for everything.”

  “You don’t have to feel his emotions, Alora, even when they are aimed at you,” said Laethan.

  “I’m trying, but I can’t block him. I can block his pain, but not his emotions.”

  “Kaevin, I’m sorry to do this, but you are causing grievous injury to your soulmate. She’s shielding you from her pain, so you have no idea.”

  Kaevin’s anger vanished.

  He felt nothing but an eerie sense of calm. He ought to be mad at Laethan for manipulating his emotions, but he couldn’t drum up a single bit of irritation.

  The sigh Alora released must have indicated relief. Kaevin wondered, in an odd disconnected way, if he ought to feel remorse for the pain he’d caused her.

  “We’ve stopped the damage, for now, so let me attend to these cuts,” Laethan told Kaevin. “This one has reopened your previous wound.”

  Stripping off his tunic, Kaevin sat on the opposite bed, watching Alora, who stared at him with tears in her eyes.

  Laethan worked quickly, his movements seeming rougher than usual. “This will hurt, Kaevin, for it’s all I can do to protect Alora by removing your emotions. I can’t lessen your pain as I normally would.”

  “So, all those times in the past, when I thought I was immune to the pain, you were softening the effect?” he replied, not the least bit anxious in anticipation of the pain to come.

  Laethan grunted, banging his tools on the table.

  “Alora,” Laethan said, “you told me you could block yourself from feeling his pain, so you need to do that now.”

  Alora nodded, turning her head away as Laethan poured some brownish liquid on his cuts, the sharp sting eliciting a hiss from his lips.

  “This one is just a scratch, but the other two are deeper. Here, can you keep pressure on this rag until the bleeding stops? And while I sew these cuts, you can tell me why you became so angry with Alora. You’ve about undone our morning’s work, you know.”

  Kaevin gritted his teeth to keep from flinching, wishing Laethan was using his gift on his pain rather than his emotions. “I’m not... sure I can... talk right now.”

  “I can tell you, Laethan,” said Alora, though she kept her eyes averted. “Kaevin, just correct me if I get anything wrong.”

  Kaevin pressed his lips together, hoping that would suffice for an answer.

  “I’ll start at the beginning. At lunch, Kaevin found out I’ve been practicing with Jireo to learn how to fight and use weapons.”

  “I see,” said Laethan. “And Kaevin wanted to teach you himself?”

  “No. Kaevin didn’t want me to learn at all.”

  “Why not?” Laethan paused in his stitching, obviously expecting Kaevin to answer this one.

  “It’s my responsibil
ity to protect her. She’s not gifted in weapons or agility so she can’t fight against anyone who’s gifted anyway.”

  “I disagree,” said Laethan. “She cannot win against anyone who’s gifted, but she can fight and make your battle easier.”

  “Perhaps the idea has some merit, but she lied to me. She and Jireo both did this without my knowledge and against my wishes.”

  It’s so strange to argue without feeling anything.

  Alora explained, “I convinced Jireo that Kaevin would have a better chance of surviving if I had some training, and his defender bond sort of made him train me. He was kind of trying to save Kaevin’s life, in advance.”

  “Clever effort on your part, Alora,” said Laethan, turning his attention back to his sewing. “I see nothing wrong with you learning to fight.”

  “I’ve also been working out—running and doing pushups and such. I’m tired of being the person everyone else has to bend over backwards to protect. I want to be strong, like everyone else in Laegenshire.”

  “Everyone has a role to play, Alora. You must not expend too much of your energy fighting your own. Kaevin is your soulmate, and perfectly equipped to be your protector.”

  “That’s right, Alora. You should stop fighting your God-given role, and allow me to be your protector,” Kaevin agreed. “Ow! That one really hurt!”

  Laethan raised an eyebrow. “Remember that, the next time you’re doling out your anger and hurting the one you’ve sworn to protect.”

  He added two more harsh reminders before pronouncing his work done, dousing the stitch work with more stinging liquid and wrapping clean bandages around his waist.

  “Alora didn’t mention what she did when I was sparring with Judaene,” said Kaevin.

  “I didn’t do it, Kaevin. At least, I don’t think I did.”

  “What did you do, or not do?” asked Laethan, turning his attention to Alora.

  “Kaevin thinks I manipulated his emotions.”

  “She thought I couldn’t win without her interference.”

  Laethan furrowed his brows even deeper than usual. “I’ve told you that is a misuse of your gifting, Alora.”

  “But I couldn’t help feeling what Kaevin was feeling. I knew he was distracted, because he should have been winning, easily.”

  “That still does not excuse you for manipulating Kaevin’s emotions. Or did you manipulate Judaene’s emotions, instead? Neither one is allowed.”

  “But I don’t think I did it. I just started trash-talking.”

  “Trash-talking?” Laethan squinted.

  “You know... I told Judaene he was lucky Kaevin was going easy on him, being double-enhanced and the best fighter in history... stuff like that. And then Kaevin wasn’t distracted any more, and maybe Judaene was, just a little bit. But that’s no worse than chatter when someone’s swinging at a baseball.”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about,” said Laethan. “But that was definitely not gifted manipulation, so you did nothing wrong.”

  Laethan caught Kaevin’s gaze and held it for an uncomfortable few breaths. “Kaevin, you are a lucky man, yet also an idiot if you don’t recognize what you’ve been given. Your soulmate believes in you and wishes to do everything possible to support you. I’m not aware of any man who wouldn’t wish to be in your position.”

  Laethan must have released Kaevin’s emotional block, because all his feelings flooded back at once. His eyes found Alora’s, and his heart broke for the pain he’d caused her.

  In an instant he was beside her, pulling her up into his arms.

  “I’m sorry, Alora. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  “I’m sorry I hurt you, too.”

  “You truly meant the things you said?”

  “Of course I did. Everything I said was the truth. And I’m sorry I went behind your back to train.”

  Bending his head to kiss her, he was interrupted by Laethan clearing his throat right behind him.

  “I’ll have none of that in my healing house. I happen to know it’s no longer necessary unless Alora accidentally depletes your soulmate bond, which she has not.”

  “But it makes me feel better,” Alora argued.

  Laethan let out a wry laugh. “I’m certain it does, but it is not wise if you are to remain unmarried, a state which I have repeatedly argued against.”

  “Wait... I’m confused. Are you saying you’re in favor of Kaevin and I getting married? Like right now?”

  Alora’s voice had that little nervous quiver it always had when their possible marriage was discussed.

  “From the moment I realized you were truly soulmates, I have contended marriage would be the best option. And perhaps, since I’m no longer hiding my gift, I can persuade the council based on my special knowledge.”

  “What special knowledge?” Kaevin asked.

  “Though it is possible there exists a method of breaking the soulmate bond, the two of you have already shared too much pain and emotion. Separation could be achieved, but I fear your souls would be permanently scarred from it.”

  “You believe we should marry immediately?” Kaevin queried, with a worried glance at Alora, whose face was almost the same white color as her teeth.

  “Not until Alora is prepared,” said Laethan with a frown that said he knew how panicky she was feeling. “But seeking to dissolve the bond is a futile battle against God’s sovereign plan. Who are we to question His wisdom?”

  Kaevin linked his fingers with Alora’s and whispered in her ear. “Not to worry, Alora. Uncle Charles wishes you to be older before we marry.”

  “We must begin your next session, Alora, though Kaevin could be excused if his injuries have weakened him.”

  “Laethan, I’ve been thinking...” Alora crossed her arms. “I believe I’ve got this pain thing figured out. I can get rid of this locked-up pain, a little at a time, by myself. There’s no need to keep doing it with the two of you helping.”

  “No,” Laethan replied, wearing his normal scowl as he pushed her back until she was once again sitting on the bed. “We will do this my way, so I can be in control.”

  Laethan grabbed her hand and Kaevin’s, and his eyes snapped closed. He didn’t see Alora’s jutting jaw, but Kaevin did. He wondered if he should warn Laethan how much Alora hated being told what to do. But he decided it would be easier to appease her when they were alone.

  Kaevin braced himself, waiting for the pain to begin.

  He waited.

  But he felt no pain.

  He looked at Alora, whose face was scrunched up.

  Laethan’s eyes sprang open, and he stared agape at Alora, releasing her hand. “You’re blocking me?”

  With a strained smile, Alora gave a sharp nod.

  “How are you...?” A rare grin appeared on Laethan’s face, as he pushed his fingers through his dark hair. “Well done, Alora. I’ve underestimated you. Again.” Then Laethan did something really unusual—he laughed, a real belly laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” asked Alora, in a decidedly non-humorous tone.

  “You surprised me, Alora, and I’m rarely surprised.”

  “Then you’ll let me do it on my own?”

  “Why, pray tell, do you not wish for my help? Are you so set against relinquishing control, you would double or triple your pain? Also knowing it may take many moons before you are fully recovered?”

  With watery eyes, Alora motioned for Laethan to bend close, and she whispered something in his ear. Laethan’s expression morphed from doubtful to understanding, while Kaevin fought against an unwarranted sense of jealousy, because she had a secret from him she would share with the healer.

  Laethan released a long and labored sigh, shaking his head.

  “Very well, Alora. You make a reasonable argument. And you’ve obviously gained the ability to control the process.”

  “Thank you,” she answered.

  “Kaevin, we should allow Alora some privacy. I suggest you take a rest and obtain nourishment, for she
will have need of you later.”

  Before he realized what was happening, Laethan had ushered him out the door, leaving Alora to suffer alone, with no support whatsoever.

  “Do not proceed at too great a pace, Alora, or you will regret it,” Laethan called before he shut the door.

  Slapping him on the back, Laethan said, “Kaevin, I sincerely hope you are not the sort of man who requires a meek and obedient wife. For if you do, you will have a miserable time of it until she trains you to think otherwise.”

  For the second time in his life, Kaevin heard Laethan chuckle aloud. And the healer was still laughing as he strolled away.

  **************

  Alora’s mind seemed to fade in and out of reality. One minute she was in the healing house. The next, she was strapped to Vindrake’s table. She could handle the pain release up until the moment she relived the torture scene. Then she retreated into herself, squeezing the pain back inside. When she recovered, she began the process all over again.

  Feeling she’d made almost no progress, Alora opened the pain gate in her mind a little wider, straining to maintain her focus. Not unbearable. She pushed it wider still, stifling a groan, but kept herself in the present, avoiding the terror of her torture. The pain flowed out, and she was careful not to project it where Kaevin might feel it.

  Later, when we talk, I’ll convince him the pain was no worse on my own, so he won’t insist on helping.

  As she worried about confronting Kaevin later that evening, her concentration slipped. Agony flooded through her nerves until every fiber in her body was on fire. Panicking, she realized she couldn’t stop it. She opened her mouth to scream for help.

  The searing pain was gone.

  Panting with relief, she blinked her eyes open. There sat Laethan, humming a calming tune as he whittled on a stick of wood.

  “How long...” With a dry cough, she attempted to open her parched throat. “How long have you been here? Were you helping me the whole time?”

  “Not at all,” he said, as he continued to carve the wood. “I returned after two fingers to be available if needed, but I didn’t interfere until the instant you lost control.”

  “Oh.” Her voice sounded as small as she felt. Groping for the mug of water on the wooden bedside table, she sat up.