34 The Waterfall (2/2)

He let out a long breath before he spoke again, ”Isilla, things are happening that I did not anticipate. I thought it in time that we would just be allowed to, well never mind what I thought. Things are not how I thought they would be.”

Do you mean with me or my abilities, she wrote unsure of his concerns, his words still vague.

His tone changed, becoming more formal, ”I don't know what you are. I've found old books and Mattin is searching for more information but all they say is that the Sorgia is a bride from the Light. They recount stories of pairs that were well matched but none of them say anything about what they did. Certainly nothing about the things that you've done. But there are many records missing from the time before the war.”

We've been at war for hundreds of years, she wrote.

”Exactly and perhaps my kingdom did not want anyone to find out about someone like you. Although I can't imagine why. But there would be records in your homelands, we can ask when things are settled but there is something more important that must be dealt with first. This thing, whatever it is, will kill you.”

She looked down at her hands, her insides tightening around themselves.

His voice, gentle, continued, ”I understand that you must match with someone, here, who can move shadows, as our family can. The words were not all clear, it's hard to translate the old language perfectly but I think I understand. You're gathering the power from dreams and without anywhere to go, they'll tear you apart. The binding will give you a way to channel that energy, out here, on this plane.”

She nodded.

”But you will be tied to that person, forever,” he finished.

I think so, she confirmed.

”Isilla,” he said slowly, choosing his words carefully, ”I am not a horrible person. There are things I cannot do for you, as your husband, but this, I can. My little bird, please, consider me.”

She tilted her head, questioning his words with her silence.

”The treaty will be finalized in two weeks, the negotiations are finally complete after the changes our marriage caused. There will be a ball to mark the occasion. As I promised before, I will tell you who wrote your letters then. I would, in the meantime, like for you to become more comfortable with me.”

She frowned, words escaping her.

”There is one more thing,” he looked down at his hands as he spoke. ”Both Lehan and my father are aware, on some level, of what you are, they will come for you. I don't know when and your condition seems stable now but you did faint. If your life is in direct danger then it will be me, can you agree to that?”

She frowned, deciding. You can't keep secrets from me. You have to tell me what I want to know, except the letter writer, you can hold on to that, per our agreement, she wrote.

”Fine, I'll tell you anything you want to know,” he answered quickly.

Is Julen yours, she asked, testing his oath.

He shook his head, ”I've told you before, I've never lain with a woman. He's my nephew, Lehan's bastard with a maid. She died when he was four and I took him.”

Does he know, she wrote.

Arren smiled softly and shook his head, ”No. And neither does Lehan. Julen's magic is very weak, which is good in this case as it means no one pays him much attention. Thankfully he looks like his mother. He's just a young page I keep as far as the Court is concerned. And now you know that. If Lehan or my father found out, they would kill him. So can you trust me as I have trusted you?”

You didn't answer me, she wrote. Did something change with me?

”No, little bird, the change was with me,” he answered.

She nodded still unsure of what he meant. He's not ready to tell me, she thought, or maybe I'm not ready to hear it.

”It's getting late. You are probably hungry and I do have one more gift for you,” Arren said, standing and reaching for her hand.

She took his hand let him help her to her feet and into his arms. She closed her eyes without his prompt.

I could have demanded he tell me who wrote me, she thought, why didn't I?