Big hugs and a lot of love to those of you that have been sending me your wonderful reviews. You guys are the best! I can't believe how long this is and I'm still going strong. I still got to wrap up everything and everyone. I'm thinking that there will probably be a few more chapters to go before this finally comes to an end. This story has even beaten the Hunger series with the number of reviews I've gotten. WOW! I read over my reviews over and over again with a big happy grin on my face. You guys really do keep me going with your comments. Those of you wondering where Sarah is well she'll be dealt with in the following chapter.
To What May Come
Chapter 29
Sword drawn, Edward peered around the corner, purple eyes searching the castle grounds for any sign of Varden's men. The air felt constricting, almost unbearable, the hairs on the back of his neck literally standing on end. That unnatural feeling of unbalance of magic and nature was all too unnerving.
Making sure that Fayla stayed back he stepped out into the open with sword ready as his eyes scanned their surroundings. Strangely, there was nothing to be seen. Edward concluded that Varden must have taken all of his men with him leaving only the two, which Edward had killed, to guard Fayla.
Leaning against the cool stonewall, Fayla tried to steady her breathing and ignore the pain that ripped through her being. That little bit of pure untainted magic that she had been drawing upon to give her strength was seeping away from her like water, almost as if whatever power she regained was being drained by something or someone.
Closing her eyes she cursed her stupidity for not seeing it sooner. Varden had not only invaded her mind but was draining her of her own power adding her strength to his. He must not have felt threatened by being blocked from her thoughts and concentrated more on weakening her and strengthening him. Fayla felt sick inside at the thought that she was in some way helping him, the bastard had killed her husband, had ruined her and so many others lives.
Pushing herself from the wall she forced herself not to dwell on things that were obviously out of her own control. It was not her doing that Varden had become so obsessed with her. She did not make him the monster that he was; only he was to blame, not her.
Looking back to make sure that Fayla was all right, Edward frowned as he saw her. She looked so pale, so weak. Seeing that they would not be encountering any more of Varden's men he quickly came to her side helping her to stand as she looked as if a breeze could knock her over.
Holding her to him he gently moved the large chunks of curly locks that had fallen into her beautiful green eyes, "We can rest if you wish. It looks as though…"
Desperately she took his hand into hers, "No! Please get me out of this place!"
Edward looked to her with worry, "Fayla, what is it you're not telling me? I know that the dark magic is great here but it should not be affecting you so."
She closed her eyes, a deep sigh escaping her lips, "Varden has cast some spell on me and the further away from the dark magic that he's summoned within this place the less it will weaken me."
Taking her arm and wrapping it around his neck to help steady her, Edward helped her to continue. He would have carried her but wanted to be able to use his sword if he needed.
Fayla wished that they could move faster as they finally made it out of the confines of the castle and were now within the forest that surrounded and hid it. Arm wrapped around his neck she pressed her other hand against his chest as she tried to steady herself.
Sharp pain ripped through her being making her crumble, Edward catching her before she could fall, "Fayla!"
By the magic's she felt as if someone was ripping her apart from the inside out. Body tightening into a ball she wailed in agony as some force ripped through her. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks as Edward hovered over her with concern. She wanted it to stop, to end; she could not take anymore!
Numbness suddenly consumed her body, making her thankful and then a feeling of floating, of being free. It was over, the spell was broken and he was no more. From where her knowledge came she did not know, but a feeling of peace and calm overwhelmed her.
Edward's heart was constricting at the site of her being in such agony, her cry of pain pained his soul. His eyes widened as her body suddenly just went limp and he pulled her into his arms fearing the worst. She could not be gone, but she was not breathing and she looked so pail. Hands shakily came to her lips, hovering just above to make sure that he could feel her breathing but nothing.
Light surrounded her, it was so bright almost blinding, but it did not bother her eyes. Fayla had never felt such peace and calm. The sense of coming home was strong within her soul. A caress against her cheek caused her to turn and her eyes were brimming with happy tears, "Gaylon, my love!"
Gaylon lovingly smiled and hugged her to him, his soft gray eyes warm with happiness, but holding a small amount of pain, regret. Kissing her softly on the top of her head he regretfully pulled away, his eyes searching hers, "Fayla, my love, it is not your time."
Confusion creased her brow, "But…"
He silenced her before she could speak, "I love you Fayla, but you must let me go."
Tears silently fell from her eyes coating her cheeks, "I will always love you Gaylon and that will never change."
A gentle smile creased his full lips as a soft warm breeze tossed his long black hair back, "And I you but there is so much more left for you in your life!" His hand came up caressing her cheek as he softly implored, "It pains me to see you shut yourself from love. It pains me to see you so alone."
Her heart felt as if it would shatter, "I could never love anyone as I do you, I can not give that to anyone but you!"
"Oh Fayla, our love can never be replaced but I am no longer within your world, your life. I am not asking you to replace our love, that can never happen, but I want you to be happy."
Shaking her head she did not want to hear these words, all she wanted was to be with him. Words escaped her and she could only look to him with pleading eyes, as she wanted nothing more than to go with him. His lips slowly descended to hers and her eyes closed from the sensation, it had been too long since she had felt those lips.
Arms wrapped around each other as they held each other both pulling away yet yearning to stay that way forever. Gaylon rested his forehead against hers, "Live your life Fayla, love and allow yourself to be loved, have children, and always remember that I am watching over you and will be happy to see you happy."
Eyes fluttering open, the room of light was gone and she found herself in Edward's arms, tears streaking down his face. Hand gently coming up to his face Fayla smiled weakly, though inside she was weeping, "Edward?"
Relief flooded his being and Edward could not help himself as he hugged her to him, "By all that is magic I thought I had lost you! Fayla, I love you so much, do not ever do that to me again!"
She felt stunned by his words; she always knew that he cared for her, but love? Is this what Gaylon was referring to, did he wish for her to be with Edward?
Pulling herself up from lying within his arms, she allowed her hair to fall into her face hiding her confusion. Edward was her best friend, she could not think about him in such away. Closing her eyes, she forced such thoughts to the back of her mind, she did not want to think of such things now. Not so soon after…
'Oh Gaylon! Why could I not go with you?' she cried out within her mind.
Edward helped Fayla to her feet, he worried for her as she was so silent, "Fayla, are you all right?"
Whipping the tears from her wet cheeks she gazed warmly to Edward, could her feelings for him go beyond friendship? At his concerned expression she answered his query softly, "I will be."
Senses quickly growing back to their usual strength she could sense the black magic starting to lose its potency, as its wielder was no more. At least her husband's murderer was dead. Knowing that she could trust Edward with her secret she stepped away from him.
Her inner power glowed from within reaching out around her, wind swept her hair away from her face as she closed her eyes and concentrated. The loose leaves of the forest's floor tossed about her feet the wind growing in intensity.
Edward watched with wide eyes as Fayla stood at the spectacle's center, she was showing such power he had never seen an elf posses. He had to step back slightly as the wind grew in intensity making it hard for him to stand his ground, but stand his ground he did as he watched.
A small shimmer started to grow from her center, pulsing and growing into a light so bright Edward had to look away. The light grew from her body the leaves and wind around her filling with a bright warm sparkling light. Suddenly it burst from her in a spectacle of a brilliant pulse sending pure magic out, flooding the forest.
He felt himself thrown back landing softly on the ground bellow him, he lay there stunned, his body tingling from the pure magic that had shot through his being. Edward could no longer sense that dark magic and was mentally stunned by what had just happened. Fayla had healed the whole forest of Varden's meddling!
Sitting bolt upright he shook the fallen leaves out from his short dark hair and rushed to Fayla's side, "How did you? I never knew you held so much? But you're…"
A weak smiled formed at her friends bewildered shock at witnessing her in her full power but then she frowned, "Speak of this to know one. Gaylon had kept my secret, now I ask that you would do the same."
Purple eyes wide, Edward nodded in understanding, for an elf to hold such power…well, it was unheard of and he could understand her need for secrecy. He only wished that she had trusted him sooner with such knowledge.
She could sense that he was slightly hurt that she did not share this with him sooner and placed her hand on his…why did touching him suddenly feel…different? Pulling her hand away she shook the feeling away, "The less who know of this the better. Only you and I know this about myself and I wish that it remain that way."
Standing he helped her to her feet, "I understand…so any other secrets you mind sharing with me?" he lightly added wanting to lighten the mood.
Fayla shook her head, "Let us return to the Goblin City and its castle."
At the mention of the Goblin City Edward's back stiffened, "Armand! I hope he was able to send word to them before…"
"He's dead Edward, Varden is dead. That is why I was able to gain back my power and fix the damage that he had done to this forest." Should she tell him what she had found out about Gaylon's death?
Closing his eyes, relief flooded his being at the news. He was not the type to wish death to anyone but Varden was the vilest evil Fae to ever grace the Underground. Varden's death was good news indeed, "I…"
Edward's gaze shifted from her lovely form at the sound of hoof beats thudding against the ground. What met his sight brought a smile to his lips.
Armand could see both Edward and Fayla and was glad that he had found them. Hands holding the reins to the other horse, he speedily made his way to the two, relieved to see that they were both well. He wondered though what had just happened, it was the strangest thing. There was so much darkness within the forest but was suddenly gone.
Stopping as he had reached his friends he exclaimed, "Fayla, thank all that is magic that you are all right!" he then looked to Edward and quirked, "Need a ride?"
Shaking his head Edward quickly got onto the horse, pulling Fayla up to sit in front of him, "Armand, you never cease to amaze me with your timing!"
Fayla watched with amusement at the two's exchange and leaned back against Edward's chest feeling suddenly tired, "Let us go home."
Both nodded at Fayla's words and urged their rides onward back to the Goblin City. All Fayla wanted was a long hot bath and to get back to her duties as Sarah's…She had completely forgotten about her charge with all that had gone on! Varden was no more so Sarah had to be safe from him harming her. She just prayed that she was right.