The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (80 page)

"And yet I am only able to breathe easily when I am with you."

The dance ended, with another beginning right away. The High Queen kept dancing with her lover as if the music had never ended, not wanting to separate from her for a moment.

"You have breathed life into this feeble heart of mine, My Elf."

They danced with no realization that others were now watching the intensity of their togetherness. Even Sam saw that there were no forces in the entire realm that could separate these two, beyond death itself, and wished she could feel as such for another.

They danced around the room again and again, seeing only each other, San'lr'in’ looking at her Elf with such an intensity that it surprised even Sle'nel'.

"I was wrong, my Queen."

"Wrong? In what regard?"

"You do take my breath away."

After many more dances, Sam and Uthrn approached them, “May we have a dance, my Queen?"

San'lr'in’ wasn't pleased at the interruption, but looked to her Elf for the answer, “What say you?"

Sle'nel’ nodded.

Sam took Sle'nel's arm, while Uthrn took her Queen's.

"You are beautiful, Jandra."

"As are you, Sam. How fares your relationship with Uthrn?"

"You are also an excellent dancer."

"I have always enjoyed it, but never knew I enjoyed it this much. There were so few opportunities in Woden. That, and you didn't much like to dance."

Sam laughed, but pulled Sle'nel’ closer to her, “I have never seen such as between the two of you. She makes you happy then?"

"Does Uthrn not make you happy, Sam?"

"I but think it is me, Jandra. I want what I have not, until I have it, then I no longer want it."

"Have you discussed this with Uthrn?"

Sam pulled her even closer, feeling the warmth of the body she could no longer enjoy, “I will. And I do love her well enough, but ... I am afraid, per my usual."

Sle'nel’ laughed, “Perhaps you should just take the risk, Sam. You might find yourself surprised. Uthrn seems to love you well enough. Is this so?"

The High Queen was trying to readjust herself to Uthrn, someone who she had never prior danced with, nor had wanted to, “Are you prepared to ride with My Black Guards next turn?"

"Yes, High Queen.

"And how fares your relationship with My sister?"

"It would seem she yet desires your Elf."

"Have patience. Give her the moments she needs to come to this decision herself. It cannot be forced. She desires not Sle'nel’ further. She is just cautious."

"Really, my Queen? You think as such?"

"I do. Sle'nel’ is her friend. She now just looks to her for advice, and strength."

"I will keep this in mind, my Queen."

After the dance was completed, The High Queen took her lover's hand back into her own, “Dance with Me again, My Desire?"

"It would be my pleasure."

They danced once again together, and once again seeing only each other.

"Have you yet given thought to my question regarding the Elfin Lour'den’ Ceremony?"

"Give Me until Sansthera, My Love. I am not placing this aside. I know well of its importance, to both of us, but I need to consider this well. I have had other issues on My mind. At this moment, though, you and your beauty keep Me from all thoughts, except those concerning your eyes, your beauty, and My own pleasure in your company."

"You are most beautiful this eve, my Queen. This new necklace and your new crown are also quite amazing."

While dancing, Sle'nel’ moved her finger slowly between her Queen's breasts, where they were exposed, “And I am yet mesmerized by these gowns of the Valley, and am most pleased by them. They give much opportunity for exploration."

The High Queen shuddered slightly at the teasing, “No more pleased than I, My Desire."

The music was beautiful, and Sle'nel’ noticed how her Queen seemed to be moved by it, “You respond to the music, my Queen."

The High Queen laughed lightly, staring into Sle'nel's eyes with an increasingly heated intensity, “Place no wager on this, My Elf. It is you that I respond to, most definitely."

"No. I will not enter. I saw the way they looked at each other last eve, and I fear I will only be interrupting them."

"You are a coward."

"I see you not entering."

"But I am only a Healer. You are supposed to be a brave warrior."

"You saw what she did to me. To you, she only says to leave. Me? I get life-lasting scars."

"You are yet a coward."

"Give me two names of those unafraid of her, then."

"The Elf."

"That is only one. Give me another."

The Healer sighed, “You win. I will do this thing, then."

Surprising both The Healer and Ann'wn, Sle'nel’ opened the door, “I can hear you arguing even deep inside the room. The High Queen thinks you are both cowards."

The Healer entered, laughing, “And my High Queen would be correct. Good morn, High One. Your attendants wish to enter so as to prepare you for the journey. May they enter?"

The High Queen smiled from the bed, looking contented, “Have them enter, Healer. How was your eve?"

"Pleasurable. But not such as yours, it would seem."

"It would take My Elf to make it as such."

Sle'nel’ looked annoyed, “The guards place wagers, San'lr'in', on how many of our moments are intimate. And now all are afraid to enter our room because of such, too? Is there to be no privacy in our intimacy? Would they like a secret room to watch by?"

The High Queen rose, going to her lover, “They are just amazed, My Elf, and perhaps slightly jealous. The guards are always amazed that a High Queen could have any intimate moments."

"That, and you used to kick your one-eve lovers out even prior to the moon's full rise."

Sle'nel’ looked surprised, “You did as such?"

The High Queen rolled her eyes, “Not always."

"In truth, not always. Just most of the moments. Often, they would enter, and within a few moments, they would exit quickly, carrying their garments. She would not even allow them the moments to place them back on."

Ann'wn laughed, but then choked it back in when she saw her Queen look at her. The Healer also laughed. Sle'nel’ just looked at her Queen, “Is this truth, San'lr'in'?"

"Not always. Just when they had no ability."

Sle'nel’ looked at The Healer, “Did this occur to you, as well?"

San'lr'in’ went to her Healer, placing her hand on her cheek, “No. This one is a most excellent lover. We had other issues. And you, My Healer, should not be giving away My secrets, or I will tell yours as well, as it is highly known that directly after you take your pleasure, you also do the same, scaring them away with the ingredients to your potions.” All were laughing, and while Sle'nel’ and Ann'wn were doing so, The High Queen quietly said to her Healer, “Why do you come this morn, to Me?"

"I have need to check on you."

"Why? Do I look ill?"

"I am told that you yet have bad dreams, from the transfer of powers."

"So? If not these, then I have others. What makes these so different?"

"These twist the mind, my Queen. We must work to rid these from you before they begin to take over."

"I am almost afraid to ask how this is known."

"And I will not tell you, anyway."

"It is easy enough for Me to find out."

"It would please you not, and it is better left alone."

"We must leave and have few moments. What is it you wish?"

"Enter into your meditations for me. I will begin to heal you within these."

"We have not these moments. We must leave."

"Begin, my Queen. We do more this eve."

They left after all the preparations were complete, and all their farewells spoken. It took quite a few moments, as all the Waifs wanted to say their farewells to Sle'nel', fearing they wouldn't see her for a long while.

They were finally on their way to Sansthera, yet another distraction to their main destination. As to their usual practice, their journey remained free from conversation. The High Queen was well frustrated in their journey now, finding that they traveled overly slow due to the numbers they had traveling with them. The Black Guard and the Private Guard were now with them, as well as the five sorcerers, the scholars, and Young Sele'. Since her elite guards were now accompanying them, San'lr'in’ insisted that Erthrn's guards return to Rns'deln'.

Sansthera was well out of the way of their travels to El'fs'nd'lle, but The High Queen hoped it was worth the journey. She worried whether Sume'n'tinel'ti'non was honest in her plea, but took the risk, knowing that her sister would most likely be unable to win any battle against her. Sansthera was southwest of El'fs'nd'lle, and five turns hard-travel from it. Their present journey would take them three-to-four turns to reach Sansthera, and San'lr'in’ was already tired of what seemed like constant travel.

Since the elite forces now traveled with them, Ann'wn used some of them as scouts, sending them off in all directions on a continual basis. Sle'nel’ was excited to reach El'fs'nd'lle, but was also excited about seeing more of The Realm, finding it beautiful. After the Skr'kinges', the land had changed to high meadowlands, with wild flowers all about them. Another magnificent mountain range stood before them, but well over two-turn's journey away, and many small mountain streams meandered through the large valley they traveled through.

Ann'wn allowed one moment of rest during the turn, but kept them traveling until just at the sun's final setting. With only a few moments remaining of half-light, all the travelers quickly prepared for the eve, eating their eve meal around a very small fire.

Ann'wn and San'lr'in’ spoke of the eve's guarding arrangements. Ann'wn persuaded her Queen to rest for the eve since they had so many guards about them, and especially since their scouts were out actively searching for any enemies.

Throughout the turn, The Healer watched her Queen carefully. In their morn session, The Healer had felt that The High Queen's mind was being taken over by the pain that yet remained from her transfer of powers. The Healer watched, seeing that her Queen's eyes darted about her during the turn as if afraid of attack, an emotion otherwise unknown to San'lr'in', and a behavior The Healer had never prior seen in her Queen.

"We must tend to your meditations, my Queen."

She waved her hand, dismissing her, wanting to be left alone, “Leave Me, Healer. I have no patience for this now. This morn's was sufficient, if not overly difficult."

"Then it is even more important that we do so, or you will relive the transfer moment throughout your eve, and perhaps well into next turn."

"If I yelled it, would it matter to you?"

"I am sorry, my Queen, but it is my duty to keep you well, and you yet have the memory of the pain remaining in your head."

The High Queen looked at her sharply, growing in her anger “How do you know of this?” She studied The Healer for a moment, reaching into her mind, as was her privilege, “The Young One. Of course. That will teach Me to trust anyone."

The High Queen began to turn away from her Healer, when The Healer argued, “No trust is broken when it is strictly for your benefit, High Queen. No harm is meant. She felt it, my Queen, and I sense and see it. It will continue to twist your mind if we remove it not for you. I mean not to interfere, my Queen, but please allow me to tend to your need, or it will begin to consume you. Already you should be feeling feelings you have never prior felt. Fear, perhaps?"

The Healer knew that her Queen would now become angry, but knew she needed to demand it. The High Queen turned to her, enraged and embarrassed, knowing her Healer was correct, “You have no right, Healer. You have—"

"I do, my Queen.” The Healer bowed her head, “With your grace, I have that right, as is my sworn duty to you."

Sle'nel’ watched the interchange from a short distance away, amazed, not knowing what her Queen had been facing. She wondered if she should interfere, but decided to allow The Healer her moment.

San'lr'in’ looked angered beyond rationality. She glared at her Healer, “You dare question Me, Healer?"

"Yes, my Queen. If I must, I will make issue of it. I must so that it goes no further in your mind. Even now, it begins to twist your thinking."

"You would take no such privilege."

"I would, and I do, my Queen. And I am sorry for it. It would go better if we did this together, my Queen, but I will do it, either way."

San'lr'in’ felt herself begin to lose control, enraged to the point of giving great harm, raising her hands so as to use her powers against her Healer. She halted herself, suddenly realizing The Healer was correct. She lowered her hands, then lowered her head, taking a big breath, then sighing, ashamed.

Softly, she said, “It is as you say. I saw it not. I am sorry, Healer."

The Healer went quickly to her Queen, placing her hand upon her head, softly yet firmly, “We must be quick. It moves more quickly than I had thought possible. Focus my Queen, and allow me to guide you. I will do you no harm, my Queen. Trust me. Breathe."

San'lr'in’ let The Healer begin to move her away from The Realm,
My mind resists. It wants Me not to go there with you.

Ignore the voice, my Queen. Hear my thoughts, only. Hear your heart. Focus on your breathing.

No. You will hurt Me.

Regardless of her efforts to cooperate with her Healer, her mind resisted, pushing the emotion of fear more strongly forward into San'lr'in'
.

Breathe deeply, my Queen. This is all.

Just breathe?

Breathe. Only this.

She did for many moments, and began to trust that nothing else would occur.

Let us now move into your second meditation. Focus on your heartbeat. Hear only this.

Only this?

Listen to your heartbeat.

The Healer began to remove the twist to her Queen's mind, the fear that had begun to take over, but San'lr'in's mind reacted,
No. It will hurt.

The Healer sighed, then moved her Queen quickly into a state of unconsciousness. As she did so, she removed her hand from her Queen's head, catching her Queen as she began to fall. Ann'wn and Sle'nel’ were instantly at The High Queen's side. The Healer raised a finger to her lips to keep them quiet.