Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) (13 page)

M
aleena moved quietly around her bedchamber while Emmaleen slept snug in the little cradle, soft white blankets wrapped around her small form. Maleena smiled as warmth filled her at the thought of her daughter. Nydara’s silver nose rested in the doorway to the dragon’s lair, and her soft crooning filled the bedchamber.

With a sigh, Maleena glanced around the room. There wasn’t much point in putting it off, Kellinar and Taela would leave for New Sharren soon now that Paki’s eggs were laid. In a couple of days, the silver would fire the eggs and all that would be left to do was wait for them to find riders. Though she knew Taela and Kellinar would return to Galdrilene more often, Maleena needed to speak with them now.

Memories of the scenes she’d seen in the lake moved through her mind. The weave Anevay had left uncompleted really was their only chance, and there was only one way to get it. Taela didn’t have the gift her bondsister had. She couldn’t make sense of Anevay’s notes.

It would be best to speak with Taela alone first. Her Spirit sister could be trusted to keep things quiet.
“Taela?”

The other woman’s mental response was immediate.
“Yes?”

“I need to speak with you alone. Can you come to my chambers? I don’t want to wake Emmaleen right now.”
The babe had just fallen asleep, it would give her an hour or so before the little one woke again.

“I will be right there,”
came Taela’s reply.

A few minutes later, the other Silver Rider slipped quietly through the door. “What’s wrong?” Her eyes glanced at the baby’s cradle, worry clear on her face.

“Emmaleen is fine,” Maleena assured her as she walked over to sit in one of the two chairs by the wall.

Taela crossed the chamber and sat in the other. “Then what
is
wrong? Don’t tell me it’s nothing. I can sense it.”

Maleena smiled softly. “I had no intention of denying it.” Her gaze wandered to the cradle again, and an ache settled in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to Taela. “Everything is wrong right now. I spent time at Spirit Lake. I went through every possible outcome of this war. Only one has any hope of success.”

“Which one?” Taela searched her face.

Maleena held out her hands. “It will be best if I show you.”

Her Silver sister’s tilted blue eyes stared at her hands for a moment, and Maleena sensed Taela’s reluctance. She didn’t attempt to soothe her. “This will be very hard to see and experience, even though it’s from my perspective.” Maleena hesitated then said, “You will have to promise me one thing.”

Taela eyed her warily. “Promise what?”

“You cannot speak of what you see to anyone, not even Kellinar.” Maleena shifted to get more comfortable.

“Why would you ask me to promise such a thing?”

Maleena sighed. “If you tell Kellinar, he will tell Mckale. Neither of them will agree to it, and Kellinar must agree. It is the only chance we have. Promise me.” She started to draw her hands back.

Taela quickly took them, pressing their palms together. “I promise.”

Maleena let out a long breath and sank into the visions from the lake. It wasn’t any easier the second time. The visions unfolded, playing in their minds as if they were both experiencing them happening. The vivid colors and emotions they saw and felt only added to the horror of each sequence.

Taela gasped and started to pull her hands away, but Maleena gripped them tighter. Her Silver sister needed to see it all, needed to understand the reasons behind her decision. Needed to know the horror that faced them all if they shied away. When the visions came to the final conclusion she finally released Taela’s hands.

Taela wrapped her arms around her middle and bent forward, tears streaking down her face. “You can’t, Maleena,” Taela whispered, finally looking up at her.

Maleena let out a shaky breath and shook her head. She’d already come to terms with it, Nydara had too. Now she just needed Taela to see the path to follow, impossible though the choice was. “I can. Nydara and I have already discussed it.” She took another deep breath and continued, “There is only one way to get the rest of the weave, the one that will end this under favorable conditions.”

“Favorable conditions?” Taela wiped her eyes and glared at her. “You call those
favorable
? Maleena, you will die!”

She nodded. “I’m well aware of this, Taela. As you saw, if I don’t do this,
everyone
will die, including me. No matter what happens, my death is assured. It comes down to what I wish to do with it. I have no intention of going to Maiadar knowing I will soon be followed by everyone, including Emmaleen.”

Taela stared at her in silence before she said, “How do you plan on getting the rest of the weave from a dead woman?”

“I can’t get it. I don’t have the right connection to Maiadar for this. Kellinar has it and so do you. You two will have to get it.”

Her friend shook her head. “I have no connection. I’ve never been in the lake.”

“Your bond with Anevay is your connection. Your magic will get you into the lake.” Maleena looked Taela in the eye. “You will have to go beyond the edge of Maiadar and travel into the depths of it to find her spirit. It’s the only way, Taela. The only hope we have. You saw that for yourself.”

Taela looked away, her eyes resting on the cradle. “You ask me to sign your death warrant.”

“My death warrant is already signed. I ask you to retrieve what is needed, so that my death will not be in vain and my life won’t have been wasted.”

“What about Emmaleen?” Taela asked softly.

Maleena looked at the babe. “She will be safe. She will have Mckale and you and Kellinar and the riders who are left once it’s ended. Marda will be here for her too. It’s the best I can hope for.”

“I gather you haven’t spoken of this to Mckale,” Taela said dryly. Deep sorrow rolled off her friend.

Maleena shook her head. “No. As I said earlier, if I told him, he would tell Kellinar. Neither of them would agree to the trip into Maiadar for the weave. And in order to find Anevay, it’s going to take both of you. In the end, in their effort to find some other way, the fate of the Guardians and everyone in Galdrilene, along with the rest of the world, would be sealed.” A soft chuckle slipped past her lips. “Men often blind themselves to the reality of a situation when it comes to those they love.” She turned her eyes back to Taela. “This is something you and I alone are going to have to face with the full knowledge of what is to come.”

Taela’s eyes held hers for a long moment. Then her shoulders sagged, and she leaned back in the chair. “I don’t see that I have much choice.”

Emmaleen’s soft cries captured their attention. Maleena stood and crossed the chamber. Her hands were gentle as she lifted the small bundle. Taela walked over and held out her arms. “May I?”

With a smile, Maleena eased the babe into her friend’s arms. She watched while Taela swayed gently from side to side and spoke quietly, her fingers running through the thick black hair on Emmaleen’s head.

Tears stung her eyes, and Maleena blinked them back. “You will help take care of her when the time comes?”

Taela looked up, her own eyes moist. “I promise.”

Maleena nodded and took the babe back. “You should speak with Kellinar about this. Unless you think it would be better if we both spoke to him.”

“No, I can handle Kellinar. He won’t know what we’re really doing and that getting the rest of the weave won’t save us all.” Taela rubbed her arms then crossed them over her chest. “He will go willingly to find her. I would even look forward to seeing Anevay again if I didn’t know what the outcome would be.”

“Don’t let your chance to see her again be marred by this. Like I said, my own trip to Maiadar is a certainty, there is nothing that can change it. You travel to Anevay to save the life of my daughter and my bondmate. As well as the life of Kellinar and the lives of the other riders.” Maleena smiled. “Good things will come of this.”

Taela nodded. “I’m going to fly with Paki for a little while. I have to get myself into the right frame of mind before I approach Kellinar. He will know something is wrong otherwise.”

“Fly safe, my friend,” Maleena said quietly. She understood what Taela needed. It had taken her a few days to fully come to terms with it herself.

Taela gave her a brief hug, careful of the babe in Maleena’s arms and then she was gone, striding through the door at a quick pace.

“I have already spoken with Paki and relayed everything you saw at the lake to her. She is not happy with what must be done, but she does see the need for it,”
Nydara sent.
“She will help Taela come to terms with it.”

Maleena glanced sharply at the dragon.
“You made sure to keep it between you two and let nothing overflow to Tellnox or Shryden?”

Nydara snorted, her hot breath wafting into the chamber.
“I’m more than capable of focused communication.”

“I know.”
Maleena sighed and sat back down with Emmaleen’s warm weight snuggled in her arms.
“I’m sorry. So much rides on this.”

Nydara’s mental tone softened.
“Your concern is understandable. Rest assured, Paki and I are well aware of the consequences if this information gets out.”

Emmaleen whimpered again, and Maleena sensed the little one’s hunger. She wished she knew how much time was left. Was the future the lake showed months or years away? Only time would tell.

Later that evening, though Maleena and Mckale remained in the warmth of their lair with their new babe, most of the riders gathered on the inner terrace in the cold, crisp air as the sun sank toward the bay. The fire glowed in the firepit, dancing as it devoured the logs and sending occasional sparks drifting up.

Liora stood near the lake while Pachua splashed in the water. Vaddoc and Kirynn sat nearby shooting friendly insults at each other that ranged from benign to downright vulgar.

Serena and Nolan, relaxed on another bench, were deep in a conversation about healing. Marcaius sat with one arm around Nira while he took turns with Belynn sending tiny balls of flame into the fire. Brock, Toren, Jocelynn, and Varnen sat on the far side of the fire talking among themselves.