Margaret Bonham - Lachlei

Rhyn’athel had stayed with the Lochvaur , helping them repair the terrible damage done. Rhyn was constantly beside them, whether training Chi’lan or guiding the building and repair of the fortifications.

Rhyn’athel had stayed with Lachlei. He had adopted Fialan’s son as his own and had already taught Haellsil to speak at two years old.

Lachlei heard a noise and turned. She saw Rhyn’athel standing beside her.

“He’s very much like his father,” she remarked smiling.

“Lachlan?” Rhyn’athel grinned. “I’m not surprised.”

“He has a fiery temper and the most piecing silver eyes,” she said. “A born troublemaker and a warrior, if there is such a thing.”

The warrior god chuckled. “That, I don’t doubt.” He kissed her. “What of Elsonre?”

“He’s a thinker—I think a tactician,” Lachlei replied. “Analytical. They almost complement each other. I might think you’d have planned them this way.”

“Planned?” Rhyn’athel said, with an expression of feigned innocence. “Beloved, would I have planned such an occurrence?”

“Ni’yah is a bad influence, and you are a bad liar,” she replied. She gazed at Lachlan. “He’s finally asleep—do you want to hold him?”

Rhyn’athel took his young son in his hands and cradled him gently. “They are so like me,” he admitted. His eyes held a glimmer of sadness. He walked over to the crib and gently laid the baby next to his brother.

Lachlei leaned against him. “What is wrong, Rhyn?” she asked. She met his gaze. “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

Rhyn’athel shook his head. “I cannot lie to you,” he confessed. “I can’t stay in this world for much longer—I must return to Athelren .”

“It’s that damn Truce, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” he admitted. “I can’t stay here.”

“What happened in the Fyr , Rhyn?” she asked. “You never told me the entire story.”

Rhyn’athel shrugged. “There isn’t much to tell, beloved. In order to control the Fyr , I had to become part of it. A definite risk, yet one I was willing to take. Within the fire, I met the dragon, Haegl, once again.”

“Haegl—the black dragon you rescued?” she said in wonder. “What happened?”

“The dragons are creatures of the Fyr , but their lives are tied to it. I agreed to give him what he most desired for what I desired.”

“Control over the Fyr —for what?” she mused.

“Their freedom from the Fyr .” He smiled. “It seemed a fair trade. But even with the dragons’ help controlling the Fyr , I hadn’t enough power to break through to Elren . Your freeing Ni’yah and Lochvaur allowed me a way back.”

“It was Lochvaur. Despite all the torture, he still defied Areyn Sehduk. Why does Areyn despise Lochvaur so? Areyn’s hatred for him seems to even surpass his hatred for you.”

“Areyn hates me as much, but can’t do much to me. But there is a Wyrd prophecy that Areyn fears that may someday come true…” “That is?”

“That one of my sons may destroy him.”

“But you said Athel’cen can’t be destroyed,” Lachlei reminded him.

Rhyn’athel shrugged. “Not any way that I know of.” He paused. “When I returned, I pinned Areyn against the World Tree. He agreed to abide by the Truce for the time being.”

“That’s all?”

“I won my dead,” Rhyn’athel said. “Those who serve Ni’yah and me are no longer Areyn’s.”

Lachlei shook her head. “In all that fighting—in all those battles—what did you win?” she asked.

Rhyn’athel pulled her close. “You.” He glanced at his sons. “And them. And, of course, Ni’yah’s and my warriors.”

“But you could not gain Elren ?”

“Areyn would give me Tarentor before giving me Elren , beloved,” Rhyn’athel replied. “Even if I forced him to swear by the blood that flowed in his veins, his word means naught. He would still continue to undermine me.” He sighed. “Lachlei, Elren is but one of my worlds. I have three others that must be looked after—and Ni’yah can’t shoulder all my work.”

Lachlei’s throat tightened. “Rhyn, will you return?”

Rhyn’athel closed his eyes and held her. “No,” he whispered. “I can’t…” He held her as she wept.

“I wanted you to see Lachlan and Elsonre grow up. I wanted you to stay with me forever…”

“Do you think I would abandon you?” Rhyn’athel chided, gently lifting her chin to meet his gaze. “Don’t you think I will see my sons grow? Lachlei, I will always be with you, you know that, even if I can’t be here in Elren with you.”

“I know,” she said, drying her eyes.

Rhyn’athel smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. “Ah, Lachlei, it won’t be long when we are together in Athelren .”

“By a god’s reckoning or a mortal’s?”

“By my own reckoning,” Rhyn’athel replied. “I cannot bear to be parted from you long.” He sighed. “I have already spoken to Cahal—he will be Lachlan and Elsonre’s foster father. And then, of course, there is Ni’yah…”

Lachlei laughed, despite her tears. “Are you trying to corrupt your sons?”

Rhyn’athel chuckled. “Ni’yah isn’t my first choice as a role model, but he is my brother and an Athel’cen . He can teach my sons what they need to know.” He took her hands and kissed them, placing a ring on her finger. It was a simple band of intertwining patterns. Beloved , he said in mindspeak. You will not be far from me .

Lachlei stared at him as he opened his mind to her. You wish to mind-link? she said in awe. Is that even possible with a mortal?

I will make it possible, beloved. Will you accept it?

Yes. Lachlei closed her eyes as she felt the mind-link form between them. Rhyn’athel’s presence within her mind was almost overwhelming. Like staring into the sun after being in the dark , she thought. His fierceness, power, and love flowed through her. Slowly, the force of his presence dimmed. When she opened her eyes, she knew he was gone.

Gone, and yet, not. Lachlei could still feel the warrior god’s presence and emotions as he left her. Loneliness. Regret for leaving her. Love .

Lachlei twisted the band on her finger, and it glowed softly in the waning light. Rhyn was with her even now. The mind-link was his gift to her; his promise that he would never leave her. This time, nothing would break the mind-link. Not even death.

She walked to the window and stared into the twilight sky. The stars were slowly winking into the velvet night. The link between them caressed her gently.

Rhyn was right. It would not be long.

• Cahal—chief guard and Chi’lan warrior.

• Elrys—Council Member.

• Fialan—King of the Lochvaur , killed by Areyn Sehduk.

• Haellsil—Infant son of Lachlei and Fialan.

• Kellachan—cousin to Lachlei and Fialan.

• Kerri—Younger Chi’lan .

• Kian— Chi’lan warrior who brings the bodies of Fialan and his men back.

• Kieran— Chi’lan warrior who sits on the Council.

• Lachlei—queen of the Lochvaur , Chi’lan .

• Laewynd—Leader of the high council member.

• Lochynvaur—Father of Lachlei.

• Moira—Council Member.

• Talar—Council Member.

• Tamar— Chi’lan warrior.

• Tarchon—Council Member.

• Tragar— Chi’lan in charge of guarding Haellsil.