He jumped out and grinned at her widely.
“Now I am all wet.”
“Now, you’re not,” Saieke said as she waved her hands and drew all moisture from his clothes and body.
“Well, since you can do that…,” Chedra said and launched herself into the pool.
Saieke laughed and jumped in with Cullen shrieking behind her as he followed.
***
They frolicked for at least an hour, and contentment filled Saieke, Drac’s coldness forgotten. The waterfalls were still as she had frozen them into great ice sculptures for Cullen and had left them so to calm the waters. She had really dazzled him with her displays, especially when she had drawn heated water from several miles out to mix in the pool they were in to make it warmer. Now, they lazed in warm and gentle waters.
There was an ever present worry whenever she thought of returning to her kingdom to never see him again. It blossomed to a keen kind of pain at the idea. I really, really like him. She had to admit that it was more than like. It was something intense and wonderful, though she no longer feared the thought of loving him.
She wished she could extend her stay but she could not let her parents or her people suffer any longer. She had a lot to atone for and only hoped that her disappearance did not cause much pain. She was somewhat reassured she was not missing long enough for banners to be posted.
Her worry over the fate of her Queen’s blades had been a constant companion in the backdrop of everything that was happening. They would never imagine she was here. If they were alive, they would be searching for her, not able to return home without her. Saieke contemplated the journey on the morrow. She would be returning home with a Darkan to present her king with an honor bargain. She would also have to face the Nurian King. Yet the worst thing was that she was going to leave Drac.
If only she could declare him her consort.
It was the purview of a princess to take a consort, but a Darkan consort would have her kingdom resounding in fear and disbelief. Even if negotiations were to open between them, it would be too much too soon, and he was important in his kingdom—a Mecca, an Archduke.
Traditionally consorts lived at the castle and had their every whim catered for. It was hard to see Drac fulfilling the role of a Consort.
“What is it mother?”
Saieke glanced at Chedra and froze at her expression. It was savage. She was standing still in the pool with her head cocked.
“I am unsure,” she whispered.
Chedra inhaled deeply and chakra roiled around her. Saieke flashed out of the water as Chedra shiktred out of the pool. Cullen followed and gripped her hand and looked at her with wide eyes.
“There are others in the cave with us.” Confusion marred her voice as she glanced at Saieke. “They are not Darkans.”
Saieke waved her hand and dried them completely.
“We have to leave now,” Chedra snapped. “Cullen travel to the castle as fast as you can and alert Tehdra and Drac.”
He shiktred away and she realized Chedra had sent him away from possible danger.
“Come, Princess.”
Chedra gripped her hand. Before she could process that Chedra was moving with her, a hard force punched into Saieke. She rolled gracefully and came up in a crouch, wheezing.
Saieke’s heart faltered at the three Mevians that stood in front of her.
“It seems as if you were right, Ignac. We are, indeed, not alone.” The voice was pure and deadly.
Chedra flinched.
Ignac pelted them with a light and melodious laughter—one that could entrap and enthrall.
Saieke took a deep breath to steady her nerves. They would need to flee. She absolutely could not fight three Mevians and live. She did not know the extent of Chedra’s skills, but she was with babe and did not want to risk her.
The great torches danced, flickered and created an ominous atmosphere with the knife edge tension that gripped everyone.
“We have been saved from a tedious search, my friends. We seem to have located the missing Princess of Boreas.”