The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (59 page)

"No, my Queen.
We
must fight against her. But we will win, so even as we perform this ceremony, you will be stuck with me for many more cycles."

The High Queen began to undo Sle'nel's shirt laces, “If I must be stuck, as you say, in this realm, then let Me be as so in your arms.” She placed her hand on Sle'nel's breast, loving the soft fullness of it. She bent down and kissed it.

Sle'nel’ blushed, gasping at the intense feeling, surprised at her lover's need of her, whispering, “San'lr'in'. Meera and Ann'wn stand guard this moment."

"Then they may either leave, turn away, or watch. I care not."

Both Meera and Ann'wn smiled at their Queen's comment, choosing to move slightly away from their guarding positions, to allow the Elf and The High Queen their privacy.

The eve's meal was subdued, as the rumor regarding the Wizard of the Raven's had spread throughout El'fs'nd'lle. San'lr'in’ knew that such would occur, but felt frustrated in the moment, not wishing to listen to the others’ worries over such. Having been trained to move to action, she resisted idle worry.

High Queen. Are you aware of the Elfin Lour'den’ Ceremony's requirements?

Having been deeply placed in her thoughts as to what she might now do against the Wizard, San'lr'in’ ate little of the eve's meal. She shook her head to help clear it from her thoughts, then turned to her lover, “I apologize, My Desire. What was your question?"

Sle'nel’ stared at her for a moment, then said, “I asked no question, San'lr'in'."

The voice spoke to both, “I apologize, High Queen. My daughter. I was asking The High Queen if she knew of the requirements of the Elfin Lour'den’ Ceremony?"

"No. I know these not."

"Then may I be permitted to be your guide in this regard, as is required?"

"Guide?"

Sle'nel’ nodded, “A guide is required. I have asked my Mother if she would do this for us; for you."

"Who is to be your guide?"

"Srn'threln', the Elfin High Counselor. She has agreed to such."

As if signaled, Srn'threln’ came to The High Queen and Sle'nel'. She knelt and bowed her head, “High Queen."

San'lr'in’ turned toward Srn'threln', surprised in the moment, “Rise, Elfin High Counselor. Tell Me your need."

She rose and nodded her head once to San'lr'in', “I must begin the Lour'den’ Ceremony, Highness. It is the moment."

"Now?"

"You must both become prepared. We must begin the cleansing."

San'lr'in’ turned to her lover, “The cleansing, Lover? What have you kept from Me?"

Sle'nel’ laughed, “All will be complete by midturn meal next turn, my Love.” But after a moment, she became serious, “If you wish this not to occur, my Queen, then we can ju—"

San'lr'in’ placed a finger to Sle'nel's lips, silencing her words, “Fear this not. I have vowed as such, and I am most honored in this regard."

"It will not be free from pain, as you are not Elfin, my Love."

"I know this well, and I would endure any pain for you, My Desire.” She turned to Srn'threln', “As is your will, Elfin High Counselor, I will comply."

Srn'threln’ nodded, silenced all those at the eve's meal, then began, “The High Queen of The Realm and the Elfin Queen of El'fs'nd'lle have asked for the Elfin Lour'den’ Ceremony so that they may be joined as one in their union. We, as the newly-returned Elves, are most excited and well pleased in this request, as this is our most sacred of bonding moments. Our High Queen and our Elfin Queen have honored us through this request. The Elfin Queen has requested me as her guide, and our High Queen has agreed to Is'en'nel’ has her guide. The ceremony begins with the Cleansing Ceremony this eve, and will end at next turn's midturn meal, to which you are all invited to share in the joy of this Elfin union."

She turned to San'lr'in’ and Sle'nel', “High Queen. Elfin Queen. From this moment until the morn, you will be separated so as to proceed with the Cleansing Ceremony. Elfin Queen, if you would come with me?"

San'lr'in’ was fully surprised, “Separated?"

Is'en'nel’ laughed softly, “Come, my Queen. It is the moment for you to leave for the Cleansing Ceremony. It is for one eve only."

Sle'nel’ rose, turning to San'lr'in', “Are you certain, San'lr'in'?"

San'lr'in’ pulled Sle'nel’ to her, embracing her, “I would cross rivers of fire to be with you, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ held her tightly, feeling guilty for making her lover go through this ceremony, “I wish not for you to cross rivers of fire, San'lr'in'. I just wish for us to be together through the eternity."

San'lr'in’ held Sle'nel’ more tightly to her, “Shhhh, My Elf. From the moment I first saw you, I also wished for us to be together for the eternity. And now the moment has arrived. I will think of you through the eve. And I will see you again in the morn."

"I love you, San'lr'in'."

"As do I you, My Desire. Most truly this."

Ann'wn and Meera came up to her Queen, Ann'wn speaking to the voice, only, “High Wizard Sorcerer. There is a slight issue."

She heard the voice reply, “What is this, Force Leader?"

"The High Queen must not be left unguarded. It is my sworn duty, as well as The Realm's requirement."

There was silence for a moment, during which San'lr'in’ looked at Meera, thinking her an overly strong warrior woman, and glad that she was united into The Realm's service. Finally, they heard the response, “As is your need, Force Leader, but provide only two or three, and only your most special of guards, as this is a secret ceremony."

Ann'wn asked her Queen, “Would you permit the Warrior Woman and I to this duty, my Queen?"

San'lr'in’ nodded, “As you wish, Force Leader."

Is'en'nel’ prompted The High Queen, “We must begin, my Daughter's lover. We will journey to the Lake of Mirrors, where the moon is now beginning its dance upon the waters, in your honor."

"I know not this lake."

"Follow the path past the Reflection Pool. It will lead you to the Lake."

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Sam was completing her first turn's journey to Woden while Sle'nel’ and The High Queen were preparing for the Lour'den’ Ceremony.

"Highest? With your leave, this would be a good place to spend the eve."

The turn's journey had been slower than Sam had hoped, but held her patience to her knowing that having this many on the journey would ensure a slow ride. As they rode away from El'fs'nd'lle toward the Valley, Sam spent the turn in her own thoughts, thinking on Woden and its place in The Realm. Upon many occasions, she had looked about for U'Aine, but never saw her, guessing that she rode apart from the large group.

As they unpacked for the eve, Sam began to make her shelter, “Highest. May I assist you in this?"

She looked to the voice, hiding her smile, “Master. You have but no need to help me. You must take care of your own shelter."

"I am assigned to you, Highest. Please consider me as your guard for the eve. You can rest secure in the knowledge that I will allow nothing to interfere in your eve's sleep."

Sam smiled lightly, “I will take comfort in this, Master, but this is not the place of a Master to do as such. You are not a guard."

"It is my privilege, Highest. I am most pleased in this duty."

Sam thought to herself,
As am I
, but asked, “Would you but give me the pleasure of your company for our eve's meal?"

U'Aine nodded, unpacking Brechea, Sam's horse, “I can think of nothing more desirable, Highest."

During the eve meal, Sam and U'Aine spoke mostly of U'Aine's hidden moments away from The Realm, “Did you not have a partner in all these cycles?"

"I could not, as it would have been overly dangerous for them.” She smiled, “But I had my share of lovers, all very knowledgeable, and I am grateful for their company."

"What was your purpose in remaining overly apart from The Realm?"

"To collect information for The High Queen, and to listen for any plots or schemes against her or The Realm."

"Were there any?"

U'Aine nodded slowly, “Oh, most certain, Highest. The High Queen is ever in danger, upon every turn. But Ann'wn guards her well and knows of this danger. I sent Ann'wn messages as nearly often as I sent messages to The High Queen."

"So you were like one of the Black Guards?"

"Not quite this, Highest. The Black Guard acts on orders from The High Queen. I followed my own path that was most unknown to The High Queen. The High Queen or Ann'wn were never informed from where the messages came. The High Queen and I have not spoken for many cycles."

"You are most loyal to her."

"A most amazing leader, in truth. I have never prior met one such as her. Her dedication to The Realm is unequaled by any of her forces."

"She can win a contest with you?"

U'Aine laughed, “Most certain, Highest. She is exceptional as a Master, as well as a High Queen. But, Highest, I have heard from many that you are exceptional as a Highest, and I have also heard how well you fought bravely and well against the Buron King."

Sam looked at U'Aine, examining her striking face, taking enjoyment in the moment, “You flatter, overly, but I am no Master and I am most certain no High Queen."

U'Aine looked into Sam's intense blue eyes, thinking them the most stunningly beautiful eyes she had ever prior seen, “Please forgive me, Highest, but you have not been in The Realm as have I. You know not the lack of quality leaders across our Realm. But because of you and The High Queen, The Realm changes, Highest."

They were sitting close to each other, on separate logs. Sam saw U'Aine examine her every feature, and laughed at such, “You stare at me like you have not seen another in many moons."

U'Aine was indeed staring at Sam, feeling a deep urgent longing, but giving no verbal sign of such, “My apologies, Highest, but I have not seen such beauty as yours in as long. But my pleasure simply lies in your company."

Sam rebuilt the fire, using her new powers. U'Aine watched, surprised, “You are a sorcerer, Highest?"

"No. Only in this regard. I am learning my powers across these moments. It is why the sorcerers come to Woden with me."

"Has Uthrn been assigned to a task, Highest?"

"Uthrn? No."

U'Aine nodded, grateful in the answer, “How is it, Highest, that you have no lover?"

Sam sighed and shook her head, “This is a long tale, U'Aine, but allow me to make it brief. I have had many lovers, but two companions. One was killed in battle. And I did not well by the other. But she is happy in her new union, and this is all that matters. I am skilled in many things, but not in love. Woden often finds this both amusing as well as frustrating, as the laws of Woden require that I must take a companion."

"Ah. I was unaware that Uthrn had taken another."

"Uthrn?” She then laughed, “No, Master. It wasn't Uthrn that I lost. Uthrn, well, was Uthrn. The relationship was ... difficult. I asked for its ending."

"This makes much sense as I couldn't see Uthrn as finding one better than you."

"Once again you flatter overly, but Woden speaks to me often in this regard, and calls me as fickle. That, and Uthrn wouldn't have fit well into Woden."

"Fickle, Highest? I believe this not of you."

"I indeed am as such, Master."

U'Aine shook her head, placing her hand on Sam's arm, “No, Highest. I see this not within you. You just haven't found the woman that is most correct for you. In the moments, Highest, this will occur, as you are most exceptional."

Sam looked down at U'Aine's hand. She shook slightly as the chills ran across her body, surprised at her own feelings. U'Aine felt her heart begin to race, as surprised as Sam in her own feelings. She began to move her hand away, disappointed that Sam hadn't displayed pleasure in the moment. As she did, Sam touched her hand briefly, then held it for a moment.

As Sam let go U'Aine's hand, she said, “I am sorry for my hesitation, U'Aine, but I wish to ensure that I make no further mistakes in this regard."

U'Aine smiled softly, “There is no need for regret, Highest. We have many turns to find our way to each other, or no. But know this, Highest—while I will not rush you, I will move forward toward you, as I find you most desirable."

Sam rose, “Thank you for this truth. I welcome the moments to come to know you more fully, as I find you most intriguing.” Although she didn't wish another relationship at the moment, she found herself wanting to touch this woman.

U'Aine also stood, and for a long moment they stood staring at each other. U'Aine desperately wanted to be with Sam for the eve, but asked, “May I kiss you, Highest? I vow one kiss only."

Sam was frozen in the moment, not wishing another lover as quickly as this, but wanting to be near this woman, wanting to hear her voice through the eve, “One kiss? And then what will you but do with your feelings, U'Aine?"

U'Aine touched her hand to Sam's face, “I will lay at the foot of your tent and have wonderful dreams of what may come to be between us."

Unknowingly, Sam smiled her most engaging smile, shaking her head as she did so, “You are not merely a flatterer, U'Aine, you are also a romantic."

U'Aine cocked her head, looking enticing, “One kiss, Highest?"

"I will grant you one kiss. But only this."

U'Aine held out her arms, gently bringing Sam to her, then held her closely. After a few moments, she raised Sam's head up toward her own, while moving her mouth to Sam's. U'Aine began the kiss gently, moving it slowly to a more urgent and needing kiss, pulling Sam more intently into her. As U'Aine heard Sam moan her pleasure, U'Aine pushed the kiss to the depths of intensity and desire.

When they finally moved away from the kiss, Sam felt dizzy with desire, “It is fortunate for me that you vowed one kiss only. Two kisses wouldn't find us standing here much longer."

U'Aine felt as if the kiss were the most wonderful feeling she ever had prior. As she gasped in her more urgent need, she remained firm in her vow, sorry for having provided it. She lifted Sam's hand to her lips and placed a soft kiss upon it, “Thank you, Highest. I will sleep with dreams of joy. Perhaps upon the next moment, I will request two."