38: It Is Time

Chapter 38 of "A River Trembles", Book Two of The Môrdreigiau Chronicles

Previous Chapter | All Chapters | All Môrdreigiau Chronicles / Next Chapter

The story began in A Grail for Eidothea. You really need to catch up to make sense of A River Trembles. Go on, save this post and go have a binge read. You deserve it.

Eidothea was crowned queen of the Chosen Court and the dreigiau môr. There was a celebratory party. Eidothea confessed her feelings to Llyr regarding Jasper. Ondine declared her family. (That made me tear up when I read it. Ahem.)

I woke and headed to the Esteemed’s private dining room, now my dining room. Llyr stood staring out the window, leaving his breakfast untouched.

:Llyr?:

He turned, his face grave. :Did you dream last night?:

I nodded. :The way you ask that tells me you knew already. You dreamt of Jasper?:

He frowned. :I dreamt of a man, dressed in brown. He stood on a cliff looking out to sea. He waits for you, Eidothea.:

:We are not engaged,: I reminded him, but we both knew that did not make a difference.

:You still love him and if the dream is anything to go by, he loves you.:

I shifted, uncomfortable. I did not want to distract him with maybes and impossibilities regarding my heart at this hour. :Is it time to confirm his place in the court?: Recalling what Maeve had said about listening to the Prophet, I added, :If we need to go now, we leave. But if it is not urgent, I need a few days to prepare the Council for our absence. Is there urgency?:

He shook his head. :But that might be my reluctance to face the man.:

:We leave in a few days then,: I decided, nodding in understanding.

The Council protested, not understanding the importance of finding another member of the Court, and understanding my desire to visit my father even less.

:He’s human,: one sneered.

:As I am still,: I pointed out. :We do not denigrate humans in my Council. It is possible we will have to work together to avoid the coming calamity.:

:Or go to war with them,: the councillor persisted.

:They outnumber us, so let us hope it does not come to that. War will certainly make Llyr’s nightmare vision real.:

That night Llyr and I had the same dream again. Ondine confirmed she also dreamt it. The man’s auburn hair made his identity obvious, even from behind. It was Jasper.

After five days of meetings, we left the caer. We journeyed as a Chosen Court. Cychwr refused to be left behind and brought along a handful of palace guards for additional security.

My first thought on changing into my larger draig môr self was that the golden torc, which signified my status, would choke me. With relief, the torc adjusted to my new size.

Llyr saw my claws scrabble against the torc and smiled. :Magic,: he said. :It grows and shrinks with us.:

I eyed Llyr. Like mine, his bronze torc did not seem to pinch his flesh at all. His scars, so many more than before, shone pink amongst his red and gold scales. He moved with effortlessness. I watched the power in his flexing muscles. Any draig môr would be eager to dragon dance with him. Why not me? Why not surrender, put Jasper behind me and start afresh? He was a good choice and it would seal our partnership…

:By the Lady!: Llyr flipped onto his back, hovering below me. :If you keep feeling those sorts of emotions, we will never make it to shore.: His golden eyes burned into mine. Through our bond, I sensed his temptation to linger.

I swallowed, my tail sharply twitching. I had not wanted to distract him. What had I said about not giving in to him? :You should be less handsome then.:

He laughed, bubbles ascending. He drifted up from underneath, brushing against me. :Yes,: he murmured. :I should.: Our scales slid together for one long breathless moment.

My heart wasn’t in it. He knew that, must have felt it through our bond. I suspect Llyr would not give up either, not while he had hope.

:Oh for the Lady’s sake!: Ondine swatted water at us with her tail.

I forced a grin. :Catch me if you can!: I sent a weak current of water at her and bolted. She gave chase, with the rest following close behind.

We came ashore. The autumn sun prickled my bare skin. The four of us hastened to the cave before anyone spotted us. I looked ahead, tempting as it would be to peek at Llyr. I found our clothes neatly folded, with sprigs of dried herbs. I realised Father had expected my return and had prepared for it.

I found him in his study. He hugged me before pulling away to look at me. He stilled. “Your eye.”

I lowered my gaze. “Yes, well, I have had a bit of an adventure.” I had forgotten Maeve’s gift. Or rather, had hoped it would be invisible on land.

“You are well?” His fingertip rested at the corner of my eye. He stepped back, surveying my figure for other damage.

“It is a side effect from some magic. I can see through it.” I took his hands in mine. “I am well.”

Father lowered his spectacles. “You brought new friends this time.”

Llyr sketched a bow. “My name is Llyr ap Peredur.” He glanced at me. :Should I say more?: I motioned for him to continue. “I am the prophet of the Chosen Court, and Eidothea’s oldest friend.”

Father’s eyebrows rose. “How?”

“We played on the beach as children,” I told him. “Father, Llyr saved me after … after Jasper stabbed me.” I made the rest of the introductions, Ondine and Cychwr each bowing. We’d left the guards in the ocean. “Actually in one way or another they each have saved my life.” I sank into a chair.

Ondine blushed.

Father examined them. Ondine wore my nightgown and robe. Llyr wore a white shirt that came to mid thigh along with a brown coat, while Cychwr claimed breeches and a waistcoat. “They are dreigiau môr. How many are there?”

“A whole city full,” I told him. “Do you think you could see about finding some more clothes for Llyr and Cychwr?”

Ondine pouted her disappointment, her fingertips trailing along Cychwr’s forearm. His hand clamped over hers. He shook his head but his intimate gaze…

Father cleared his throat. “Absolutely. Luncheon will be served in about an hour. Will you stay?”

I nodded.

He soon returned with an armful of clothes, handing them to Llyr. His shirt hem rose alarmingly.

“You may change here. The ladies and I will be in the front parlour.” Father handed me a wide black ribbon. “For your eye.”

Ondine’s gaze lingered on Cychwr. “Shouldn’t I stay and help?”

Llyr looked at me beseechingly. “Don’t leave me alone with them.”

“Ondine, help me tie this on.” I collected Ondine. We crossed the hall and into the front parlour. “Where’s Jasper?” I asked, while Ondine arranged my hair and ribbon so it covered my eye and would stay in place.

“Out walking.” Father glanced out the window. “If he saw you come in, he’ll be back soon. Shall I ring for tea?”

“Tea sounds absolutely heavenly.” I sat on the sofa and bade Ondine to join me. Father rang for our maid and made himself comfortable in his armchair.

Jenni dashed in. “Cook said there were guests and—” She caught sight of me. “You’re back! To stay?”

I shook my head. “I would love some tea, Jenni. The others should be here shortly. Bring six cups?”

Her eyes widened. “Six?” She quitted the room.

I turned my attention to Father. “Before Jasper gets here, I learned something about his brother, but it may not be true.”

“Oh?” Father fiddled with his spectacles, pushing them up his nose. “We have not seen much of Mr. Ladon or Lord Tregallas. I assume they have gone to London for the Season.”

“If you do hear anything, be sure to tell me the next time I visit.”

He smiled. “I am glad to hear you will visit again.”

I struggled to broach the subject. “About Lord Tregallas and Mother. Before you were married, did … something happen between them?”

Father frowned, removing his glasses and wiping them with a handkerchief. “They had their altercations. I extricated her from a pretty violent one once. How is this connected to Mr. Ladon Tregallas?”

I shook my head. “Did … did Lord Tregallas go away for a time afterward?”

“Not immediately. I say, daughter, what is this all about?”

“Lord Tregallas made some nasty accusations. I wondered if there was any truth to them.”

“What accusation precisely?” The question came from the doorway. Jasper stood there, leaning heavily on his crutches.

I bit my lip, summoning up the courage to say, “He told me Mr. Ladon Tregallas is my half-brother.”

“Not possible!” blurted my father, half-rising from his chair. “Such ridiculous nonsense! I would know if that was the case!”

Jasper’s brooding mien told me the allegation held some water.

“Lord Tregallas is an unpleasant man.” I smiled at my father, hoping my words would calm him. “Jasper, come and sit down.” He hobbled to a chair, using the arms to gingerly lower himself down. Sweat beaded his brow.

:You’re in love with that?: Ondine’s appalled thought distracted me from how ill Jasper still looked.

:He was handsome once.: I sent her an irritated look. :Could you heal him?:

Jenni’s throat cleared, drowning out Ondine’s answer. “Cook has managed to stretch dinner for two into six. It will not be much.” She carried a large tray with a full tea service and busied herself setting them out on the low table in front of the sofa.

Llyr and Cychwr came in behind her, ignoring her small squeaks of alarm. I weathered her winks of approval with a small smile. She hurried out. The two men stood by the door.

Llyr stared at Jasper, his entire body tense and vibrating. His anger and hatred surged through the bond. Ondine made a dismayed noise. Cychwr crossed to her, resting his hand on her shoulder and she leaned into his touch.

:Shielding spell for Ondine,: I urged Llyr. :You are upsetting her.:

His lips curled into a silent snarl but the onslaught of his emotions eased.

I made the introductions again to Jasper. “Cychwr is the only one that doesn’t have a Chosen mark,” he noted. “Unless it’s on his back.”

“He is invaluable to the Court,” I told him. “He needs no mark.”

Jasper nodded politely, examining Llyr. “I thought once you would come to kill me. It looks like today is that day.”

Llyr stepped forward, muscles coiled.

“Llyr!” I leapt up and interposed my body between them. “No. You know why we are here. You agreed this had to be done.”

:Eidothea,: Llyr ground out. :You side with him?:

:For the Chosen Court’s sake. Besides, you are unevenly matched. It would look like a beating.:

:An accurate description.: Llyr backed off, leaning against the wall furthest from Jasper and I.

I resumed my seat. “Shall I serve tea?” I smiled but my hands shook as I doled out tea, milk and sugar. To cover it, I briefed Father and Jasper on all that had happened since I last saw them. After hearing of the attacks, of being thrown in the dungeon and nearly killed twice, my hands were not the only ones in the room that shook.

Father wiped tears from his eyes, replacing his spectacles.

“God, Eidothea.” Jasper gripped the arms of the chair, ready to launch himself at some unseen threat. “You are well? The eyepatch?”

I could not quite manage the smile. “It is a gift from Maeve. I will show you later when I need to show her your mark.”

Jasper shook his head, his forehead furrowed. “What do you mean? Will she be arriving?”

Jenni came to announce dinner waited for us.

We followed Father through to the dining room, leaving Jasper to make his own way. A huge soup tureen stood on the side table along with loaves of crusty bread and steamed vegetables. We helped ourselves and sat. Father and Jasper sat across from Llyr and I. Ondine and Cychwr found places next to each other at the table.

“We had a dream,” I continued, “Llyr , Ondine and I. Our Court is not yet complete. This vision Llyr has had—that we have had—may mean we require those from both earth and sea for our Court. At least, that is my theory.”

Father stood and went to the sideboard, retrieving a cut glass decanter filled with burgundy liquid. He held it up. “Drink?”

I declined, as did the other dreigiau môr. I wanted to stay in control of the situation. If my heart was revealed…

Jasper accepted a glass, gulped it down, and held it out for another. He caught my look. “It dulls the pain,” he muttered. “And gives me courage for I know you mean me.”

I glanced down at my plate. “There might be … others. Let us eat first.”

The other dreigiau môr pushed the food around their plates. I did not understand why. I had missed these flavours so much. With reluctance, I laid down my spoon. “Jasper, I need to touch your Mark again.”

“In front of everyone?” Jasper protested, but nodded.

I rose and walked around the dining table. Glancing at Llyr, I thought to him. :Do not shut me out if he is one of us. This is hard for me too.:

:I know,: he murmured, rising. :I promise I won’t.:

My fingers hovered above the hook tattooed into his skin. I shot a questioning glance to Llyr.

He nodded. :I am with you.: His support surged through or bond, Ondine joining in. She nodded encouragingly.

My fingertips traced Jasper’s crooked birth mark.

Thoughts about today’s instalment? Comments? Share below or join the Chat!

Did you know you can subscribe for free and have these instalments delivered to your inbox? Thank you if you already subscribe! I appreciate you being here! Subscribe to The Môrdreigiau Chronicles:

Previous Chapter | All Chapters | All Môrdreigiau Chronicles / Next Chapter