Their Bonds of Love
Chapter 23

Feeling a bit frustrated, Conri threw off his cloak to a servant a little harder than he meant. He apologized as he hurriedly walked towards the parlor. Looking around the space, he saw many lords and ladies sitting about drinking tea and talking. Lady Havens was by the fire, and she smiled at him, causing him to walk towards her.

“You look as if you are searching for someone, my king,” she said as she worked a stitch into the fabric in her hands.

He sat down next to her. “You don’t have to refer to me so formally, my lady. I would rather you didn’t.”

“Perhaps if we weren’t in a room surrounding by so many of your people, I wouldn’t, but I will show you the respect due to you in such a situation.” She glanced up before continuing. “I am sure I can guess who you are looking for.”

“Have you seen her? I’ve been looking for half the afternoon. I have barely seen her at all since breakfast. I am afraid she is hiding from me for some reason.”

“I am sure that is not it. We had a nice chat before lunch, and she was practically glowing as she spoke of you. You are very fortunate to have found such a woman to love you.”

“I know it, but what good does it do if I can not spend time with her? I saw her little until yesterday evening as well. I feel like she is cutting down our time together more and more, and I do not like it.”

“I remember what those first few days of young love were like. Of course, dear Lord Havens and I were not connected as one such as you, but I have heard of marks in my own family. I know how intense they can be.”

Conri decided not to tell her Eleri had not marked him because he didn’t want anyone overhearing, and he wasn’t sure it was true. She did not mark him in the usual shifter tradition, but the bond she created between them magically was very real. He felt united with her before that night, but his need to be near her was a whole other level after it. It felt as if his wolf was pacing inside of him without her near.

“Have you seen her since lunch?”

“I have not,” said Lady Haven as she smiled at someone over Conri’s shoulder.

“My king, you have finally joined us for a while,” said Lady Riona with a slight laugh.

Conri resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I have much to do these days. None of us are here for a social visit though it is hard to tell at the moment.”

Lady Riona gracefully sat down in a chair near him. “We do what we must to pass the time as we wait. Only a select few are allowed to hear what is going on after all. If only I were the oldest daughter, then I could be on your court.”

“Such is life,” said Conri.

“Who knows,” she said as she leaned towards him. “I might end up on your court after all or in some position in your circle.”

Conri glanced at Lady Havens, who looked at Lady Riona with a shrewdness he was not used to seeing on the sweet woman’s face. “King Conri, I must say that Lady Eleri is looking lovelier every day since her rescue from the palace. Such a brave woman to give herself up to save all of us. I doubt there is another like her in this land.”

“No indeed, my lady. I believe I could travel all of Elathia and beyond and not replace one such as her.”

“Her mother was not a shifter, was she?” asked Riona.

“Her mother came from the most respected magical family in Elathia,” said Lady Havens. “I met her a few times and witnessed some of her talents. She was beyond anything you can imagine. I believe it is said her daughter is much like her.”

“She is,” said Conri. “I have witnessed her gifts many times. She always leaves me in awe.”

“And she is the only child of Lord Cadwin. She is a red wolf born with both gift and power. That sounds familiar for some reason,” said Lady Havens making Conri smile.

“Do you hold to that prophecy, my lady? I know many do, but I can’t help but see it as some silly superstition.”

“It is tradition and has given hope to many during this dark time. Even if it is superstition, I don’t believe it is silly. Still, what Lady Eleri is and what she has with our king has nothing to do with any words on paper. I am just glad one I care about so much has found a woman he loves completely.”

“Thank you, my lady,” said Conri as he saw Caerwyn enter the room, looking at him. “I must go speak with the Bright one. Have a pleasant afternoon.”

He walked up to Caerwyn. “Have you seen Eleri?”

“She is in her father’s study and sent me to replace you. We have received a message you will want to hear.”

Conri nodded to Caerwyn and walked with him out of the room. “Caerwyn, have you talked much to Eleri lately.”

“A bit. She and Emilia are starting to become close, and I have accompanied them on walks a couple of times,” said Caerwyn.

“Has she said anything about me or why she would avoid me?”

Caerwyn stopped as his eyebrows knitted together. “I don’t believe so. Do you believe she has been avoiding you?”

“Perhaps,” said Conri. “She disappears after meals while I am stopped by someone to speak, and I don’t see her for hours though I look for her.”

Caerwyn coughed and shifted on his feet. “Is she avoiding you at night?”

“No, she lets me in her room with no questions, but…”

Caerwyn looked at him, waiting for him to go on. Conri didn’t wish to talk about his intimate time with Eleri to anyone, but especially Caerwyn.

“I am sure she is just tired. There is much going on, and she hasn’t had a chance to recover from her time in the palace. I am sure you have nothing to worry about, my king,” said Caerwyn.

They started walking again. “It just feels wrong to be away from her, and I thought she would feel the same.”

“Oh, if you’ve been marked, perhaps you just think Eleri is avoiding you because you crave all her attention,” suggested Caerwyn.

“She won’t mark me,” said Conri quietly. “I asked her to, and she said she won’t do it until after we take back the Silver Palace.”

They stopped by the study door as Caerwyn stared at Conri. “I’m sure she has a good reason.”

“She doesn’t wish my attention to be divided, but I don’t see the point of waiting. I already see her over everything else. I doubt her mark would affect me that much. I can’t imagine wanting her more than I do right now.”

Caerwyn knocked. “It sounds as if you need to speak with Eleri.”

The door opened, and Lord Cadwin ushered them into the study. Close to the fire, Lord Rees stood while Eleri sat in a chair not too far away. She sat up a little straighter as her eyes landed on Conri. She gave him a tired smile, and Conri was surprised to see her looking so worn. How had he not noticed how exhausted she had become.

“My love, are you alright?” he asked as he sat in a chair by her.

“I am just a bit tired. I have not slept well the past few nights,” she said with a yawn before putting her hand on her neck.

“I have not noticed you not sleeping,” said Conri. “You are always exhausted when we go to bed and sleep almost immediately.”

“I have had a few nightmares and strange dreams lately. It is nothing to worry about,” She took his hand and squeezed it. “Father, you have had a letter?”

“I received a message just after lunch from Lord Nevis,” said Lord Cadwin. He walked over from his desk with Lord Cecil. Lord Cecil sat down close to Lord Rees while Lord Cadwin stood.

“And what does it say?” asked Caerwyn.

“He writes that Lord Fellen was not named king at the Winter Moon Festival, and he did not make an appearance at all. Those he depended on for support will not give it to him without Eleri in light of what Lloyd Farrow wrote about the prophecy.”

Eleri chuckled softly before coughing. “His lie has come back to haunt him.”

Lord Cadwin nodded. “He is determined to have you back by his side, Eleri, and say he has a plan, but Lord Nevis has not been able to determine what it is. He only says he is very determined.”

“I don’t see how he could get to Eleri. She is safe here in the wards of the manor, and Lord Fellen can not step foot back on these lands due to his magical bond with Eleri,” said Caerwyn.

“Perhaps, Lord Fellen is losing his mind?” offered Lord Rees. “As he loses support, it must drive him a little crazy.”

“What of Bren Farrow?” asked Conri. “Does the letter mention him?”

“Bren Farrow has retreated to Argenta House and spends most of his time there. Numerous Lords have been seen coming and going, and Lord Nevis is working on a way to get into the house,” said Lord Cadwin.

“Has a new caretaker been chosen?” asked Eleri quietly as she rested her head in her hands.

“It doesn’t say,” said Lord Cadwin. “We are expected to receive another letter within a week.”

“So things are not stable in the palace,” said Lord Rees. “We need to attack soon before they can get things back in order.”

“Or we could wait a bit longer and see if Bren Farrow will strike Lord Fellen first,” mused Lord Cecil. “If they fight with each other, it will weaken them.”

“But we don’t know how long that will be,” said Lord Cadwin. “I would hate to wait too long, letting Elathia continue to spiral out of control. There are troubling reports in the land of sickness and people dying of exposure. I believe a revolt may be coming.”

“We can use that to our advantage,” said Lord Rees. “We need to let the people know who is causing them to suffer and offer them the opportunity to fight with us.”

“What do you think, Eleri?” asked Caerwyn. “You are the First Advisor.”

She was quiet, and Conri turned to look at her. Her head was in her hands, and her eyes closed.”

“Eleri?” asked Conri as he leaned over and put his hand on her arm.

She turned and opened her eyes to look at Conri. “I… I’m not sure.” She looked down at his hand on her. “I can’t be here, not with you.” She stood up and tried to flee the room, but Conri rose and grabbed her.

She looked at him as if in great pain before fainting in his arms.

“Eleri!” exclaimed Lord Cadwin. “Caerwyn, go replace Efa this instant. Tell her to come to Eleri’s room. Conri, pick her up and follow me. I can show you a back way to her chambers.”

Conri picked her up, keeping his eyes on her as his hand went to her stomach. He sighed in relief as he could feel her breath. “My lords, say nothing about this. If anyone asks, say Lady Eleri is tired from her activities and will stay in bed tonight.”

“Of course, your majesty,” said Cecil as Lord Rees nodded. “Please keep us updated.”

Conri carried Eleri out of the study, following Lord Cadwin. She moaned in his arms as they made their way up some back stairs usually used by servants. When they finally got to her room, Lord Cadwin opened her door, and Conri hurriedly took her to the bed, where he gently laid her down.

“Eleri,” he said softly as he took her hand.

He felt her grip it though her eyes stayed closed. “I’m sorry, Conri. I shouldn’t have let you do it. It was wrong.”

“What was wrong?” asked Conri.

She only shook her head as the door opened, and Efa and Caerwyn walked in.

“What happened?” asked Efa rushing to Eleri’s side next to Conri.

“I don’t know. She says she has not been sleeping well, and I feel like she has been avoiding me. I’ve noticed she has often rubbed her mark as though in pain. She fainted in the study and has been rambling about things I can’t understand.”

Efa placed her hands over Eleri and closed her eyes as all in the room fell silent. “There is something at work in her, something someone had to give her. It has activated an old bond that was dead.

Eleri turned her head, and Conri gasped. Her mark looked freshly made. The bruise on it was dark. “How, and what is it doing to her?”

“I’m not sure how. It feels like some kind of poison, but not one I have ever heard of. It is mixed with some old magic that was forbidden long ago as it controls someone. She is feeling the pull of Lord Fellen. It is as if he just marked her.”

Eleri opened her eyes and looked at Conri. “I’m sorry. I am. I don’t want this.”

“If I mark her again, will it change anything?” asked Conri.

“No,” said Efa. “She still bears your mark and has a bond with you, but it is at war with Lord Fellen’s claim. I can purge what I can and give her some relief, but there is only one way to take away his mark.”

“What is it?” asked Caerwyn.

“Lord Fellen would have to give up his claim, or he must die. His claim over her will die with him,” said Efa. “It will have to be soon, I think. I can slow the process, and there are other things you can do such as keep her close to you, Conri, but over time, she will be consumed by it.”

“Then we cannot delay our taking of the palace for long,” said Lord Cadwin. “Lord Fellen will never give up his claim over her. If we are going to kill him, it will have to be in the palace, which means we will have to take the whole city.”

“Get help and write every lord you can,” said Conri as he held Eleri’s hand. “Tell them to meet us somewhere you pick close to Niamhan in half a moon cycle. We will attack then.”