Bruce Blake: Spirit of the King

“You said he’s not at the fortress.”

“He will be.”

Iana snored lightly against her mother’s chest, so Emeline removed her still suckling mouth from her nipple and pulled her dress back into place.

“But how do I know this is true? How do I-“

“What does your heart tell you?”

She stared into the fire, eyes stinging with drying tears. “I shouldn’t have done what I did.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s done.”

“But I feel so bad. I-”

“Emeline.” Elyea’s hand brushed her knee and pulled her attention from the dancing flames. “What has happened has happened. It’s hard to understand, but it needed to be. Will you let it be for naught, or will you help Khirro fulfill his destiny?”

“I’ll go to him,”‘ she said. “I should bring Lehgan.”

“Of course. He’s Khirro’s brother-he has a part to play, too.”

The ghostly woman stood and looked down at Emeline and her baby. The air in the room grew lighter, easier to bear.

“We’ll go.”

The door opened, spilling dim twilight into the room, and the woman disappeared leaving behind a swirl of dust eddying in her place. Emeline looked toward the door, squinting at the silhouette outlined in the fading light. A sense of peace overtook her and she hugged Iana tight against her chest.

“Emeline?” Lehgan said stepping over the threshold and pushing the door closed. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, my love.” She stroked Iana’s head as she spoke, smoothing the baby's ruffled, silky hair. “Sit down. I’ve something to tell you.”