You're all very lucky. This is a long chapter... but it's super good! R&R or I won't write more! (At least for a while) ☺
Chapter 5:
Allie lay in bed, grateful that Jonathon had left. His presence was overwhelming and she didn't even know why except that she was very attracted to him. She was so afraid that she would slip and touch his cheek or worse...
She shook off her thoughts. Those were the kinds of things that would get her into serious trouble. And she was already deep enough as it was. One thing was certain. She had a spell on her that dictated exactly what she should and shouldn't do. According to the spell she was supposed to spend time with Jonathon, and she was NOT to be in the presence of anyone with more than a normal amount of Gift, the chief healer, Duke Baird, and the head of the university, Harailt of Aili, included.
She sighed and turned over, willing herself to sleep so she wouldn't be able to think about why she had come here. But it wouldn't come and so her mind returned to the most pressing subject. She finally relented and let her memory return her to that fateful Midsummers Day.
FLASH BACK
She raced around with the other girls her age. She outran them all. That summer was hot and her skin was glistening lightly. The first thing that drew people's eyes was her smile. It had broken many hearts of the young men in the village. The women of the town gossiped that her real mother was the Great Goddess herself. But it was just gossip and the Allie had learned to live with it. She turned as she heard her mother call. Waving goodbye to all her friends she hurried toward her mother. She was so focused on getting back to the inn quickly that she didn't notice the man standing in the courtyard until she ran into him. It landed her in the dirt. He stayed standing.
She gasped. "I'm so sorry, sir! Please, forgive my clumsiness!"
He laughed. She finally got the courage to look up at him. He was holding out a hand. She followed the hand up a sleeve of deep green velvet with matching breeches. He looked to be in his mid twenties with brown hair and nice eyes. Allie's heart just about stopped beating. She was twitterpated. She came back from the world of fantasy when she realized he was talking to her.
"That's quite all right. Are you hurt? I apologize. On occasion I tend to be like a brick wall." He chuckled again and her cheeks flushed. He flashed a white-toothed dazzling smile at her. "Roger of Conté," he kissed her hand. "And what is your name?"
She struggled to find her voice. "Al.. All... Allie."
"Such a lovely name. How old are you, Allie?"
"I'm seventeen." She found her courage. "And how old are you?" Once she'd asked she really did blush. It was rude to ask nobles questions like that.
He didn't answer for a while. "Twenty-five." After she didn't say anything back he took her hand asked, "Do you live here?" he nodded towards the inn. She nodded shyly. "Then would you be so good as to find me a room? I've been traveling for quite a while and am famished and exhausted."
Pleased that she finally had something to do instead of gawping at the rich, handsome man standing before her she nodded and took her hand from his. Once the rich man had been shown to his room, and hot water drawn, Allie went down to the kitchen to help her mother with the meal for that night.
Allie had never been courted before. Her father had always said that she was too good for any of the young "scoundrels" in the village where they lived. After he'd died her mother had kept with the same principle. When Allie asked why her mother stated simply, "Your father had the gift for those sorts of things. Besides, your smile is that of an angel and was meant for better places than this forsaken place." Allie always blushed and looked down when she asked. Regardless of the respect she had for her mother Allie felt cheated. All of her friends had been kissed at least once and her best friend Nira was already married. It was Midsummer Eve the next day and she had no one to share it with. Her friends giggled and teased her about it but there was nothing she could about it.
Jenna walked into the kitchen, tying her apron. Jenna was the hired help for cooking and serving. She was nineteen. "Did you see Duke Roger?" she asked Allie excitedly. "Isn't he the most handsome man you've ever seen? I'd pay a sweet penny to..." she cut off with a glare from Aura, Allie's mother. Aura was very careful about keeping that subject away from Allie so she wouldn't feel even more left out. It was too late, though. No matter how hard she tried to keep them from coming the tears began to drip down her cheeks. Then Jenna tried to console her. "Listen, Allie. I didn't mean anything by it. It doesn't matter that you've never kissed anyone. Not that it's a good thing... I mean..." she cut herself off as Allie shot up the stairs. She ran out the door without looking back. She ran until the tears stopped. She ran until she wasn't upset anymore. She ran until she felt she could face the cruel world again. Looking at the sky she was shocked to find that it was sunset. Instead of taking the front entrance she snuck into the flower garden on the side of the inn. There was a surprise waiting for her there. Roger of Conté was sitting on the bench, admiring a jeweled sword.
She curtsied to him. "Can I do anything for you my Lord?"
"Please. 'Roger' works just as well as any other title. Have a seat. I would like to talk to you," and he patted the bench next to him.
She sat as far away as the bench would allow and stared at the beautiful weapon. He noticed the direction of her gaze and smiled. "Beautiful isn't it? It's a magic sword. I designed it myself."
She gaped. "You designed it? But only powerful sorcerers are supposed to be able to do that. Begging your pardon."
He chuckled. "What if I am a powerful sorcerer?" she gasped. "Not to worry. I'm still studying. I'm not that good yet."
"But if you designed a sword like this..."
He waved her off. "It took work and it's not completely full proof. Here, would you like to hold it?" She nodded shyly and he gently placed it in her hand, leaving his on top longer than was necessary. Allie's heart began beating faster. Once he let go Allie felt a thrill of ecstasy. Whatever Roger had said, this was a powerful sword. She lifted it slowly. She hadn't built the right muscles so it was difficult, but once she got it up she swung it a little like she'd seen soldiers and knights do. It felt wonderful. She smiled. She was so busy admiring the sword that she didn't see the shocked expression in his eyes but he controlled it quickly. Then Roger stepped up behind her. "Would you like me to show you a few tricks," he whispered in her ear. Without looking at him she nodded. His arms snaked around her waist and rested on top of her hands. Allie caught herself before she did something stupid and stepped away from him.
He looked confused as she stammered, "I didn't realize what time it is. I'd better get inside or Mother won't let me out late tomorrow. I'm sorry, si.. Roger. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Without a doubt. Sweet dreams, Allie," his voice became low and gravelly and Allie fled the garden as quickly as she could without looking completely foolish.
In her bed she tried to sort through these strange, new feelings she was having. She liked Duke Roger very much. That was certain. And he acted as though he liked her back at least a little bit, but maybe that was just how noble men were. She was so new at this sort of thing that she couldn't decipher anything. Perhaps the moon and fragrance in the garden had inspired silliness in both of them. But maybe not... she drifted off to sleep with those hopes still in her mind. Her dreams were filled with Duke Roger of Conté that night.
The next morning the inn was very busy as it always was on Midsummers Day. Allie woke up early and was busy until midday. She saw Roger only once and that was across the Common Room. He was having breakfast and waved to her, but Jenna blocked her view and went over to talk with him. Bitterly she returned to her chores, hating Jenna more and more.
Once lunch was over and all the guests had left to go explore the carnival outside in the town square Aura released Jenna and Allie to go have fun for the rest of the night. "Allie," she called her daughter back.
Hesitantly Allie returned to her mother's side. Timidly she looked up at Aura's eyes. They looked concerned. Aura laughed. "I'm not going to punish you, dear. I just want you to be careful. The duke seems a nice enough sort, but you never know with nobles. But he's better than any of the lads in this village. If that's your choice then..."
"Mama!" Allie cried. "I don't... he isn't... I would never!" she was so exasperated. What did her own mother think was going to happen tonight?
Aura only smiled and shooed her out the door. Frowning, Allie sprinted to her small room upstairs where she threw off her apron and gray cotton dress. She never wore any rouge except on very special occasions and if this wasn't one of those she didn't know what was. Carefully she opened the chest at the end of the bed and pulled out her red dress. It was the most beautiful thing she owned. It was straight cut, ending just below the knees, with a square neck and a white bow just above her ribs. Once she slipped into the dress and felt the soft material slide along her skin she walked to her mirror to dress her hair. She pulled out the pins that kept it in it's strict bun and watched as the curls tumbled down her back.
Her father had stated over and over again that young men found women with naturally curly hair more appealing than those with straight hair so he always forced her to keep it up and beat her if she didn't. Shivering at the memories she remembered the pain that had seared across her back and lightly touched the scars that were still there as a reminder. She started to reach for the pins to put her hair back up but then stopped. Roger's handsome face swam into her mind. She let her hair fall again and pulled out her comb. That done, she walked to the corner where her water basin stood and got her hair damp. Going back to her mirror, she pulled back to small bits from her face, leaving a few short pieces to brush her cheek. Pinning them back, she paused. Slowly, she went back to her dresser and pulled open the top drawer. She pulled out some tiny red ribbons, wove them through her hair and then came out the rouge. She brushed the right colors onto her eyelids, some blush to her cheeks and finally for her lips. She closed her eyes and let the hope come out in one word: "Please."
Her eyes shot open. Before her stood a pale, nervous-looking but pretty woman. Allie granted herself that she wasn't as beautiful as any noble woman, but when she giggled the smile lit up her face and she became more sure. At last she went back to the chest and pulled out a pair of red slippers and a red, shear shawl. With these last preparations she was ready to go. She took one last glance in the mirror before laughing, almost hysterically, then yanked open her door and swept out.
No one was in the inn. Her mother and Jenna must have gone out already. With a quick decision she sidestepped into the garden where she and Roger had talked the night. The sky was just beginning to change color as she walked to the small altar in the corner and said a quick, silent prayer to the Gods to guide her that night. Obviously they had heard her because as she locked the gate to the garden she turned and there stood Roger, splendid in teal robes. He was leaning casually against the fence that separated the inn's yard from the road that led to the town square. His eyes widened slightly, but his smile didn't change.
Slowly he stood straight and walked towards her and took her hand. "You look lovely, Alethia," he whispered to her, kissing her hand gently.
She gasped, slightly surprised and tried to pull her hand away but he refused to let it go. "How did you know that was my name?" No one had called her that since her father died and even then, no one had said it in public. The only two people who knew her full name were her mother and father. "Did my mother tell you?"
He chuckled. "No, I just knew. Don't worry about it. Come on, let's go join in the festivities," and he wrapped her arm around his and led her out onto the road.
After a few minutes of silence she commented shyly, "You look very handsome."
He stopped, swept a bow and, taking her completely by surprise, scooped her up into his arms and twirled around several times.
She squealed in delight and their laughter could be heard echoing down the street. Some people stopped and turned to stare at them. Finally, after Allie had ordered him several times to put her down, Roger set her lightly on her feet and said quite openly, "Gods, it feels so good to be myself around you!"
She frowned at him. "Why wouldn't you be yourself?"
"Well, you obviously don't know, but being a noble is all about playing a charade. It's about being someone your not to make friends with everyone who matters. You have to smile when you want to scream. You have to agree when you want to refuse," he kicked at the dirt, then turned back to her, a strange look in his eyes. "But when I met you, you let me say whatever I wanted and made me feel like I belonged here, with you."
Allie felt a thrill rush through her. "Roger, I... I didn't do that. You're the one who made me feel like I belong here. I've never felt this accepted by someone for a... a long time."
"Why?" he cocked his head, confused. "You've lived here your whole life. You should feel like you belong here by now."
In response she looked down at her feet and shook her head. "I don't belong here. Everyone knows that. I'm weird, I'm different. I don't know what's wrong with me!" she cried out, letting all the anguish that she'd felt for so many years out in one short sentence.
Quietly, soothingly, Roger put his arms around her shoulders and turned her towards him. "There's nothing wrong with you. You're just different than anyone else here. You have magic. We mages call it the Gift and you have it in large and strange amounts."
Allie waited for a second before laughing at him. "You're so funny."
He didn't laugh back. "I'm serious. Look." His form shimmered a brilliant orange and grabbed her arms. She gasped. Her whole body was outlined in a vibrant red.
"How did you...?" she started to ask.
"My power allows me to see yours and help you see yours. Yours seems to be more specialized. Have you ever healed anyone?"
She thought very carefully. "Um... I help Mama clean cuts and scrapes all the time but I don't recall... oh!" she remembered that time when Nira had fallen off that cliff and had broken her leg and had bled heavily. She yelled for the others to go get help and consoled Nira. Within seconds Nira had blacked out from loss of blood and pain. Allie had been alone with no way to help her best friend. All she remembered was seeing a flash of red and waking up several minutes later with Nira looking her over worriedly. Nira didn't remember falling but Allie did and didn't know what had happened. Now she did.
"Ah," Roger commented, almost as if he could read her thoughts. "Yes, that was pretty much your need to heal Nira overpowered your will and sucked the power out of you. Try lighting a fire."
Uncomfortable, Allie looked at him. He sighed, "Alethia, I apologize. I'm ruining our night together. But never fear. I have to stay here for several more weeks. I'm trying an experiment that is going to take a lot of energy. I'll be able to give you lessons. Would you like that?" Mutely, Allie nodded. "Wonderful! Now, come on. Let's go see this festival." He took her hand and led her into the town square.
One of the most satisfying parts of the evening was seeing Jenna's shocked and jealous face as she saw the two of them walking together, hand in hand, and conversing like good friends. When the fire was built and set ablaze all the couples joined together to form a line to jump over the fire for luck. Allie stood back, out of the light and watched as the jumping begin. Roger had disappeared during the course of the evening to talk with someone and she hadn't seen him for a while. But it was fine because she'd been able to catch up with Nira and her husband. A couple of her other friends came by to say hi and wish her a happy holiday, but none of the town boys did. They observed her hungrily from a distance, but experience had taught them to stay away.
Suddenly lonely and cold, she pulled her shawl tighter and rubbed her arms for friction. Instantly Roger was at her side. "You're not cold, are you? Why aren't you by the fire? We wouldn't want you catching cold."
"No, no, I'm fine," she protested, but he led her over to a log and she was about to sit down when he pulled her back up and asked, "Would you like to jump over the fire with me?"
She gasped. "ME?"
"Why not?" he asked earnestly. "Surely you haven't missed my attentions. I was hoping that you'd..."
"I... yes. I'll do it."
His smile made her blush and he laughed. "I like it when you blush. It gives you a beautiful color." He took her hand and they stood at the back of the line. When it was their turn to jump over the fire she held her breath, bent her knees, and pushed off. Landing on the other side she paused to see if anything felt any different. It didn't. She turned to look at Roger and gasped. He was shining red, her red. She looked down at her hands and they were shining orange. All the people around them were yelling and gossiping. She pulled her hand from Roger's, stung.
There was an awkward pause. Then the Mayor came into the center of the square and called, "It's time for dancing, ladies and gentlemen! Line up!"
Roger put his hand on the small of her back and led her onto the floor. As the music carried them away she relaxed in his hold and began to enjoy herself before Jim, one of the boys who had tried to court her, came by with his partner and hissed, "You shouldn't have jumped over the fire with her. She and her family will scare you away before you get the chance to give her a peck on the cheek! She's not worth the trouble you'll want to put into her. She's just a worthless b," but he didn't finish his sentence. He dropped his partner's hands and scraped at his mouth, trying to pry his lips apart. They didn't come apart. Scared, Allie turned to Roger who's handsome face was screwed up in anger. Then she realized what he was doing. He was using his Gift to silence Jim.
"Stop, Roger!" she whispered frantically. "I'm not worth it! Please! I'll be in so much trouble!"
Hearing the fright in her voice, Roger looked down at her and softened as he saw the tears running down her cheeks. He glared back at Jim but released him and Jim fell onto the cobblestones. With a careless flick, he tossed a coin at Jim and led Allie away from the all the laughing and gossiping people.
They found a wild flower meadow and he carried her to a log, holding her in his arms as she cried. After a few moments she pulled away and stood. He let her. "I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't mean for that to... I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" and she tried to flee. She hadn't gone four steps when he caught her hand and twirled her into his arms, holding her against his chest. "Do you really think that I wouldn't have defended you? Do you think so little of yourself?"
"I..." she paused. "I'm sorry. I've just never had anyone stand up for me like that. Not my father, not any other man. I... I'm inexperienced," she finished bitterly, quoting words that she'd heard from Jenna.
That brought a laugh from him. "Why should I care if you're 'inexperienced?' I like you the way you are."
"But you shouldn't, Roger! I'm a good-for-nothing innkeeper's daughter. I have no dowry, no lands, nothing! You're a powerful mage and noble and..." she stopped herself. She'd almost said that he should marry someone like him. She'd almost said the word marriage.
He shook his head. "Alethia, you're missing the point. Didn't you just hear me say, 'I don't care?' Because I was serious. I don't care." She pulled her chin head away and looked off into the distance. "Alethia," he whispered, "Please look at me." She couldn't help it. She looked up into his eyes. Her breathing quickened as he leaned in. She leaned away but he put his arm around her back and pulled her forwards. Their lips met and electricity shot through her limbs. She responded by putting her arms around his back.
After a few moments he pulled away. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" he breathed. She shook her head. He kissed her again then said, "Come on, let's get you back home before dawn." Reluctantly she separated from him, but he pulled her back and wrapped his left arm around her. When they reached her door he pressed his lips to hers one last time then let her go. "Sweet dreams, dear one," he murmured and went down the hall to his room. She slept very well that night.
Over the next few weeks of she didn't see Roger a lot in the afternoons, but when she did he didn't look very well. He didn't look ill, but he didn't look his normal self either. When she asked him he just said it was his magical experiments. At night when he was feeling better and when the weather was cooler they'd go into the garden and he would teach her magic or kiss her. She was so happy and wished that this time would never end, but she knew it would.
One morning Roger stormed from his room, rather early, and demanded breakfast. "What's the matter?" Allie asked.
"Nothing." he griped. Allie was astounded. Roger was skulking like a little boy who didn't get his way. After breakfast he went back to his room. Allie continued to wonder what was irking him. When he came out that night she pretended to act miffed, but his humble apology touched her and she forgave him immediately. After magic lessons, just before they went back inside, he knelt before her and she was afraid he was going to propose, but he simply said, "I have to go back to Corus now."
She didn't cry, but took great effort. All she managed was a small, "oh," and that was all.
He continued, "It's sudden, but I must. But I have a favor to ask of you." She nodded. "I have a feeling that something is going to happen to me before I can come back for you so I have to ask this of you. If something happens to me, and if you accept you'll know, will you carry this spell? I can't explain it, but you'll know and understand if something happens. I hope nothing does happen, but I feel that something might."
Immediately she nodded. "Of course, Roger."
She smiled, "Good. Now close your eyes and hold still." He waved his hand over her head and drew some things in the dirt. Then he placed his hands on her head and shouted something in a foreign language. There was a flash of bright light that stung her closed eyes, but no sound. Instantly, Allie doubled over, feeling sick.
Roger sighed. "I had hoped that there would be no side effects. Not to worry, they'll go away soon. Come, I'll take you to bed." He picked her up and took her to her bedroom where he tucked her in. "I'll be gone by the time you wake up, but if I can I'll come back for you. I promise," then he was gone.
END OF FLASHBACK
