The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (30 page)

The High Queen smiled at this, “Then My sister has met her match. Mil'der'in takes a new lover upon every eve."

"Has she never loved just one?"

"She has, but was betrayed. The woman only pretended to desire her so as to learn more of Me."

"So, Sam may get her heart broken once again."

"Worry not about her, My Love. If Mil'der'in plays with her heart, My sister will find that Uthrn has much interest in her."

Sle'nel’ smiled slightly, amused at the notion, “How do you know this?"

"I saw her interest toward your prior lover. The journey will be an amusing one, if nothing else. I imagine that Mil'der'in will take one of the Warriors of the Sword as a lover next eve, as she has a preference for very aggressive and passionate lovers. And the Warriors of the Sword are legendary as lovers in this regard. Mil'der'in rarely misses this opportunity, if presented."

"I don't think I wish to know more. I may find out that you were once taken by one of them."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed, “I think it is the desire of every young girl in the Valley to be, as you say, taken to the bed of one of the Warriors of the Sword. But no, I have never lain with any of them. Long prior, I caused many battles between them as they battled over who could take Me to their bed. Sadly, I was called away and couldn't lay with the winner."

Sle'nel’ laughed at the thought of it, “I don't think Sam is yet quite ready for either Mil'der'in or Uthrn. As you said, this should be an amusing journey."

"And they are legendary for their loudness in the bed, as well."

She looked shocked, “You jest!"

The High Queen raised her hand to her chest as if offended, “Truly, I do not. And I have heard them, as you will also. They boast that they have a lover both every eve and every morn."

"Their village sounds amusing. Poor Sam."

"How are your wounds, My Desire?"

"Improving steadily, but sore. And yours?"

"Well enough to hold you to Me this eve, My Desire."

They had been walking arm-in-arm, and now Sle'nel’ also moved her other hand to her Queen's arm, holding it tightly to her, “Then we can ask for no more than this."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ woke in the morn to the feeling of Sle'nel's touch. Sle'nel’ felt her Queen stir, “Shhhh, my Queen. Move not, as you will feel your wounds instead. Just feel me touch you."

On the prior eve, The High Queen had commanded that no one enter until called. Their journey would be long, and she had wanted one morn of privacy between her and Sle'nel’ to lie quietly together without interruption. She had woken to the feeling of her lover touching her. In spite of her wounds and pain, the feeling made The High Queen shudder.

"My Des—"

Sle'nel’ whispered, “Shhhh.... make no sounds or moves. Feel my touch, only. Softly, my Love."

While their physical movements were curtailed by their injuries, their need of each other was without question. They moved to each other's rhythms, and after many moments of giving their pleasures, their bodies tensed in their releases, then relaxed into a depth they hadn't felt for what seemed a long while.

"Come, My Elf. Lay on top of Me."

Sle'nel’ gently did as San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ desired. For many moments they laid together, feeling each other's warmth. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ placed her arm around Sle'nel', and Sle'nel’ covered them up slightly to keep in their warmth. They kissed each other, then finally lay quiet together, falling back to sleep.

They woke to the sound of The Healer's voice, “My Queen. Are you ready to rise?"

Sle'nel’ looked at The Healer, then her Queen, “Perhaps we could bolt the door?"

The High Queen laughed as Sle'nel’ gently moved off her. They were prepared for their journey, with Sle'nel’ donning her High Sorcerer garments. The attendants braided the front right side of her hair as they had seen done upon her return from the Sorcerer Women, and they had cleaned and altered her garments slightly to ensure a better fit. She knew that Ann'wn would carry her staff for her.

The High Queen was dressed in riding garments that had been made to help her remain warm through the colder lands. She was dressed as a High Queen visiting other sections of The Realm, yet, as Sle'nel’ looked upon her, she saw that The High Queen looked different. The garments were of the same thick and dense material Sle'nel’ had seen when they first met, and designed in the traditional way of the Valley with much of the breasts showing, so it wasn't the garments that looked different. After a moment of studying her, Sle'nel’ finally saw the difference. It was the jewelry and the neck decoration that were stunningly different. The High Queen was wearing one of her crowns and a ring upon her left hand that held the red stones of the Valley. She also wore a long dangling earring of the same red stone, hanging from her left ear, and the attendants had painted a sign upon the right side of The High Queen's neck—a picture of a large fire with an elaborate sword running through it. The High Queen looked fully imposing and commanding.

"My Queen, you look as you did upon our first meeting. I have not seen you as such since that moment."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was concerned, “Do you not like it, My Desire?"

"I very much like it, my Queen. I was unaware then of your role, and have not seen these designs since. You are magnificent in appearance. Your stance is truly exceptional, but these decorations are unusual for you."

"Ah. The adornments then."

"And the sign upon your neck. And you wear your larger crown. And what is this earring that you wear? Why do you wear only one? Did you wear as such at our first meeting?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ smiled, “I didn't wear this earring, and in truth, My Desire, it has great meaning. I have another for you if you would like to wear it. But first you must understand its meaning. I was going to tell you of it in just a moment, but you raised the topic first. It means that I am fully within a union, and that it would be inappropriate to approach Me about such. I wear it not in the Valley as all know of our union. But the Warriors of the Sword are different and would fight much over Me, as well as you, to have us in their beds. With this earring, they will not approach the issue."

The High Queen walked over to Sle'nel’ opening her hand and showing her the identical earring, “It is a matched set. This one is for you, if you would accept it and its meaning. The small red stones within it will also help to strengthen your powers somewhat. But please know that you are not forced to do so. It is your decision alone. You would wear it upon your right ear if you should decide to do so."

"You don't mind wearing it?"

The High Queen placed her hands upon Sle'nel's shoulders, looking directly into her eyes, “I have told you prior, My Desire, and meant it prior that I willingly shout our union from the mountaintops. I will never hide our union. All know of it, as I have commanded it so. The Realm has been delivered the message of our union. The entire Realm, My Desire. This earring just serves as a reminder for those who need it. But you should also know that I only wear such adornments when necessary, so will not wear this earring when we are in the Valley. But it doesn't mean I love you any less."

Sle'nel’ nodded, finally understanding, “Sam gave me a bracelet and a ring when we became companions. It is not exactly the same meaning as this, but is the only reason I asked about it. She gave me a ring to demonstrate her eternal devotion to me. But it didn't last long, did it?"

She hugged Sle'nel’ closely to her, then looked into her eyes once again, “Whenever you so desire, My Love, you may ask Me to wear this earring."

"Thank you, my Queen. But you need not do so on my account. I know of your feelings, and am grateful for them. I need no symbol to know that which you demonstrate at all the moments. But I will happily wear this earring, Highness, with great pride in doing so."

The High Queen smiled and placed it on Sle'nel's right ear, “It doesn't quite match with the High Sorcerer's garments, but it is stunning upon you. And your braids on this side of your hair make it all the more intriguing. The Warriors of the Sword will be well disappointed, My Desire."

"You have visited their village prior then?"

"Upon several occasions. When I became High Queen, they fought fiercely for the privilege of The High Queen to remain among them, vowing countless benefits, as well as most likely the strongest of forces throughout The Realm."

"The High Queen is not required to live in the Valley?"

"The High Queen may live wherever she desires. Many High Queens have selected the village that has offered them the most. It is considered the highest of privileges to house The High Queen, and it also brings more benefits to the town. But the high culture comes along with it, and I couldn't see the Warriors of the Sword's town as receiving any high culture. Uthrn speaks of surprises that await Me now, so perhaps they yet wish Me there."

"What were you offered or given to remain as High Queen in the Valley?"

"I think mostly I was just used to it by then. I had already been the Queen of the Valley for a short while, so when the Counselors refused to select another as such, deciding to keep Me as both, they hoped that this move would entice Me to remain here. It is why they refuse to select another queen for their Valley. They are afraid I will select another site as High Queen."

"Would you?"

She hesitated, then said, “Perhaps. There are some other desirable locations."

"What did they offer you to remain here?"

"The gardens. The dwelling in the forest where we remained. A few other such things. And even now, anything I desire. They told Me then that if I remained, all My desires would be met with the greatest of haste, and they have lived up to their vow. But I was rather used to the conveniences already, so remained for this reason. And in truth, by remaining here I already knew, more or less, whom I could trust. Moving to another town would have made Me to start from the beginning in selecting all the counselors, forces and advisors. It would have been a difficult move, given the difficult moments then occurring in The Realm."

They were finally prepared. The High Queen offered her arm to Sle'nel'. Sle'nel’ looked at The High Queen, then lowered her arm, placing her own arms around The High Queen's neck, kissing her.

"I love you, my Queen. You give me peace."

The High Queen looked at Sle'nel', “And you make Me a more gentle Queen. In our short span together, you have already taught Me to have more patience."

Sle'nel’ shook her head, smiling, “I think you just now find your peace, as well."

They walked out to where the other travelers awaited. Both had on their cloaks, prepared for their journey. Sle'nel’ noticed that Sam was next to Mil'der'in, displaying a happy and contented expression, yet doting on her. Sle'nel’ knew the expression well, knowing it meant that Sam had engaged in much physical activity through the eve. The High Queen noticed that Mil'der'in was already showing signs of selecting her Warrior of the Sword mate for the upcoming eve, and trying to ignore Sam. She laughed quietly to herself, knowing that Sam had no notion of this.

As The High Queen and Sle'nel’ came up to their horses, Meera greeted them, kneeling and bowing her head to her Queen, “High Queen. Sle'nel'. Thank you for this invitation. I have already learned much from these women and am glad that I am allowed to visit their village, with you."

The High Queen placed her hand upon Meera's head,
My Warrior Woman, you please Me well. Guard Me well this journey, and remain focused upon your Highest. I am most pleased that you are now of The High Queen.

"I am yours to command, my Queen."

"Rise, Warrior Woman of Woden."

Ann'wn had been helping to pack one of the horses, but came running back when she saw The High Queen arrive. She also knelt and bowed her head, as did Uthrn.

"Rise, Force Leader. Rise, Uthrn of Rns'deln'."

Uthrn rose and bowed her head once again, “Most Honored High Queen. Please view me as your personal guard through this journey. It is my Queen's command of me."

"To your command then, Uthrn. But speak to Ann'wn of My expectations regarding this.” San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ didn't wish to have Uthrn at her heals all the turns during the journey, and Ann'wn well knew of this.

"Yes, my Queen."

Sle'nel’ gave her greetings to Caitha and was glad to see that she was traveling with them. She knew that Caitha would love the stories and songs she would be able to learn from these Warriors of the Sword. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ gave a quick look upon the band of travelers and saw many more than she desired. Along with Meera, Caitha, her sister, Mil'der'in, her Healer, Sle'nel’ and Ann'wn were eight of her own guards, three counselors, three attendants for The High Queen and Sle'nel’ and nine Warriors of the Sword. To herself she thought,
At least with such a group as large as this, our journey will be leisurely.

Uthrn was at The High Queen's horse, ready to help her mount. She offered her hand to The High Queen, and bowed her head, “High Queen. Please know that a few of our warriors ride ahead of us. They will have our camp and meal prepared for us as we arrive."

"This is good to know. Thank you, Force Leader of the Warriors of the Sword."

Ann'wn helped Sle'nel’ mount onto her own horse, and the travelers began their journey. Ann'wn declined leading them, deferring to Uthrn. Meera and a few of the Warriors of the Sword brought up the rear, while Caitha traveled near Sle'nel’ and The High Queen. Both Sle'nel’ and The High Queen were fully surrounded by guards, and San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ knew that such would well test her patience throughout the turn.

As Uthrn went to the front to guide the group, she turned to Sam, “Highest. Would you care to ride alongside me this turn to help guard from the front?"

Sam had wanted to remain nearer to Mil'der'in, but was intrigued by Uthrn. She also saw that Mil'der'in was showing more interest in one of the Warriors of the Sword than to her, so shrugged and nodded. While she was somewhat displeased regarding Mil'der'in, she was very pleased about the possibilities with Uthrn. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ observed the interactions and laughed quietly to herself.