Vision of Light [The Renegades 1] (35 page)

When night came, they spent it passionately in each other's arms. Despite what the law and society ascribed, Aislan felt nothing wrong in her relationship with Lucien. It was difficult for her to care whether the Church approved or disapproved, and she had no affinity for the Circle. She only cared about being with Lucien. He did not talk about this, being a touchy subject, but he no longer resisted her. They had passed the point of no return. They loved each other, and they consummated their love freely, no matter what the future held.

Traver visited to administer the metamorphic potion on Lucien. On Aislan's part, Traver confirmed his initial assessment. She was a Stealth, but aside from this, Traver could not analyze anything else about her. She appeared mortal to all sorcerers. Perhaps that was why she had been safe all these years.

They now had to wait for Lucien's third dosage. Once he acquired anonymity, they both would be free to leave Calvan in a few days.

There remained a few major issues unresolved. Aislan did not know how she could convince Lucien to take her with him wherever he intended to go after leaving Calvacade. Aislan could not bear to be apart from him. Frightened by her visions of Lucien missing in her future and of Narisse waiting in the wing for her, she saw only risks if they separated.

After another day of training in the water, Lucien carried her to a soft, grassy area and placed her on top of the cloak, where he took off her wet shift and then wrapped her in a towel to keep her warm.

"I know how much you love being in Danier.” He smoothed her hair from her face. “I'll take you to see the Contender Tournament, my darling. ‘Tis the most wonderful event of the entire year. You will love it."

"That should be very exciting.” Aislan hugged him. They lay down and held each other. During the past few days, Lucien had been quite taciturn. He told her he loved her many times, but he held back from total commitment. Perhaps she demanded too much. She should settle for only what he could give her.

"Aislan, why do you look so sad now? Tell me what bothers you."

Aislan shook her head. She could not demand anything from him. Lucien loved her enough to let her grow. Even as she felt the strength of his arms around her, his hold did not suffocate her. He stood ready to let her go for as long as needed to keep her safe, to ensure their future. How could she give him anything less? With that realization, Aislan finally understood.

"If you have to leave without me, I'll stay here.” Ardently, she pressed several kisses against his lips. “I'll wait for you to come back for me, but please, darling, please try to come back quickly."

"Aislan.” The relief on his face made her want to weep because of her lack of consideration all this time. “I'll come back for you. As soon as ‘tis possible to do so, we will wed, darling,” he said, but she heard uncertainty in his voice.

"We do not have to.” Because he had acknowledged his true intentions, Aislan did not want to press him anymore. She had to give him time. She had to give him a little space to move.

"I want you for my wife, but we need to wait, my love, until I come back. A fortnight. No more than that.” He smoothed her hair, his silvery eyes warm with his affection and love for her. “Also, marriage has respectability associated to it and may deflect censure. Darling, I'll always try to do right with you. I'll make sure we come out of this alive, to the best of my ability, anyhow. Hopefully, I'll be hard to kill, and we can be with each other for many years ahead."

"I hope so.” Aislan lifted her face for more kisses. “I expect you to be with me the rest of my life."

Jaden Calvacade stopped and watched Lucien and Aislan beside the stream, wrapped in each other's arms, in the throes of passion. Leaning more towards being an exhibitionist and not a voyeur, nevertheless, Jaden watched the two as they thrashed about, their passionate moans uninhibited and loud.

His gaze rested on the blonde-haired woman, her beautiful face enraptured as she writhed and bucked while her lover rode her receptive body. She was a lovely sight, made to Jaden's order, but unfortunately, his cousin would not be sharing this one. No, Lucien had fallen head over heels in love with the marked-for-death Aislan.

Of course, personally, Jaden would not hurt Aislan. She was a woman, and it went against his beliefs to cause harm to one, but Jaden's loyalty ran deep. His king and his country always came first.

Once again, Jaden wondered what gave
Sorsverein
Penderby the confidence to declare to the king that, despite his infatuation, Lucien would take Aislan's life in the end.

Glancing at the couple one more time, Jaden walked away.

COMING SOON

The Renegades

PART 2

26. Another Dawn

27. Return to Templeton Castle

28. The Contender Tournament

29. The Lion Boy

30. The Crown Prince

31. Aislan and the Duchess

32. Victania

33. Aislan and Narisse

34. The Sacred Scroll

35. A Promise to Keep

36. Penderby's Revenge

37. The Trap

38. Aislan's Revenge

39. The King's Court

40. The Dungeon

41. The Execution

42. A Mother's Love

43. The Lords of the Realms

44. Lucien's Father

45. The Pursuit

46. The Fulfillment

47. The Renegades

48. Jaden's Love

49. Vying for Aislan

50. The Journey

Epilogue: Lucien and Aislan