27
“I want to understand more about the portals and the Guardians,” Rachel said to Stella as they sipped tea.
“There is much I do not know,” Stella replied. “But I will share what I know provided that you are responsible with the knowledge. Never share more than what is absolutely required. I only share with you because… because you are someone very special – the Guardians have already told me this. They trust you with the knowledge – just as surely as Melodia trusts you.”
Stella began sharing about the rules that the Guardians had shared with her many decades previously. How a developing relationship would keep the portal closed to give that relationship the best possible chance of becoming permanent. “Well, if the person coming in is worthy, anyway. But then, usually only the best kinds of people come through to begin with. You are not chosen randomly not like one of your lotteries,” Stella explained. “One of the most important rules is that no one can go through as a prisoner. Although you can still go back to visit, if you wanted to leave forever, the Guardians would not allow you – not right now.”
Rachel felt confused. “Why?”
“Because you and Breyind have consummated your love. If you conceive, you cannot take the child out of the land without permission – unlikely to be granted because of Breyind being a prince and Adrick not yet betrothed. Again, they will allow you through for visits, but don’t try to fool the Guardians – they know your heart, often better than yourself.”
Rachel flushed. “How did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That I’d … you know … been with Breyind…?”
“Oh. That would be the ‘Gift,’” Stella said with a wink. “I know you have it, so I will train you sometime – preferably before you need to give the training to your children. Your society is so prudish these days! I guess that’s what Victoria did for you guys… I met her once, you know… nice woman, but so sad after Albert died. Grief will do funny things to you.”
Stella sighed, knowing she’d have to spell it out. “I could feel your hormones on overdrive when you left with him. Hormones by themselves aren’t usually enough – but hormones plus being with the right man at the right time – they’re often irresistible – especially for ones with the ‘Gift.’ It sometimes has its price.”
Rachel sat thinking about Katja. “Is it possible for the Guardians to deny passage when someone simply loves someone here, but won’t admit it?”
“I do not know. I do not doubt their ability to do what’s best for the person, so perhaps.”
“Surely, then… the Guardians would also know whether someone carried a child – before their month was up.”
“I’m sure they do. There may be other reasons to say a month – which is 45 days here, roughly – because our red moon takes a slightly longer journey around Terrenden,” Stella informed. “Perhaps the 45 days is actually to give the relationship a fighting chance… to get beyond stubbornness – like that which Katja has displayed.”
“I don’t know why she’s being so stubborn!” Rachel expressed. “She never wanted that dead-end life before, so why she wants it now, I can’t understand.”
“Maybe she just wants to make sure it is her own decision,” Stella said. “That fiery temperament of hers. Aurelia is similar you know – Adrick’s sister, I’m sure you’ve met her by now.”
“Yes, nice girl, but I wondered at her temperament,” Rachel replied. “She didn’t take the news of my engagement too well.”
“The change was too fast for her, I expect – same problem as with Katja. Yet, if anyone can handle her, it’s Adrick,” Stella said.
The door opened and Adrick and Katja came in, Katja’s face flushed with excitement. “I love riding so fast!” she cried as she came in.
“As I said,” Stella said to Rachel.
“You’ve been talking about me?” she demanded playfully.
“Only about how much you love to go fast!” Rachel covered quickly, remembering how much Katja watched fast motorcycles pass them on the motorways in England.
Stella got to work making the girl a supper and preparing an herbal bath. “Go on, back to your Breyind,” she encouraged Rachel.
“Ride with me?” Adrick invited. “I will see you tomorrow, Katja.”
Rachel went out and Melodia allowed her on her back. Even Adrick shook his head in disbelief. They rode towards the castle together as dusk fell.
“I don’t understand how you handle Melodia like that,” Adrick said next to her.
“I dreamt about her while I was still in England. That’s all I can tell you,” Rachel said.
“Maybe Stella can tell us more,” Adrick replied.
“How is it going with Katja?” Rachel asked.
“Good, but not so good,” Adrick sighed. “It’s like she’s fighting herself!”
“Yes, I think you’re right,” Rachel replied. “She’s always been a bit of a handful… well, at least as long as I’ve known her, anyway.”
“She can’t be worse than Aurelia!” Adrick replied.
“I had wondered – sometimes that red hair gives temperament to match!”
“But I’ll take her – temperament and all. You know that already… Stella said you have the ‘Gift,’” he replied.
“I still don’t know what that means here...”
“To be honest, neither do I. I just know that it explains lots of weird things – like you and Melodia,” Adrick wondered aloud.
“If there’s anything I can still do to help sway Katja, I will do it. But I think you have more power with her now. For what it’s worth, I can tell that she does love you. As you said, her battles are all within her now. There may even be a degree of fear. Her family rejected her, you know.”
“So she said. I still find that hard to understand – but I know it happens. I wish I could make it illegal to reject your own child, but you can’t force love.”
“I guess you need to show her that your love with be there forever – no matter what happens,” Rachel said to Adrick as they reached the stables.
“Please open the gate for the field,” she asked the stablehand that greeted her.
“Yes, m’lady,” the boy said following the instruction.
Once through the gate, Rachel slid off the horse and hugged her in appreciation. “I will see you again soon!”
The horse nickered and loped away before finding a spot to graze.
The boy held the gate for her and closed it behind her.
“Thank you, lad,” she said.
“As you wish, m’lady. I’m still amazed how you can handle that horse!”
“Good night,” she greeted with a nod.
Rachel walked with Adrick to Breyind’s door.
She opened it and went in. Breyind greeted her with a passionate kiss. “Do we have time before supper?” he asked taking her in his arms.
“Maybe,” she whispered, pretending to deliberate.
He ran his hands across her body.
“Mmmm, anything you want, my prince!” she replied.
“I love how you say that!” he breathed guiding her to their bed.
Supplemental Materials
Prologue, map, character list
The Legend of the Sacred Trio
Links to Buy the ebooks
(Note: If anyone knows how to make this table look better in markdown, please comment!)
| Please catch up! | Links to buy |
|---|---|
 |  |
| Birth of the Neví – 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. | Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who through the mysterious “Curator” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva, a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death; Marc’la, a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie, an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna, an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; and Kami, a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara. |
| Coming | Soon! |
| Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. The Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? | Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance - The Neví continue to make a nuisance of themselves, infiltrating the Terrenden Freedom Party who have been winning most elections around the world. Dr. Jarly is still on the run and the Curator still dominates a larger part of the Terrenden stage than most would like to know. What’s more, famous actor, Derick Aiden has decided to release his Neví expose film, causing them to issue a Death Edict on him, forcing him into hiding. In this collection, we meet more interesting women (and revisit some we’ve already got to know.) Kauri, a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; Tirry, an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara, a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; Dzani, who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala, the daughter and heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara, one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
Don’t forget!
I’m still offering 1 Steem Basic Income share for any minnow who asks me a question which prompts an “Ask the Author” post! I’m thinking about putting these into a Dbooks ebook all its own, actually.
Image Credits:
Brighid's Blood cover art based on:
- Mountain background shot (on the border of Slovakia and Poland) – PublicDomainPictures.
All three images were under the creative commons licensing, (no attribution required.)
- Shaze picture developed from PXhere
Shaze divider based on:
- Sword image from Wikipedia Commons
All maps/editing by myself on GIMP and Photoscape, both free programs.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Although the penalty of knowing me in real life is that you will influence the creation of my characters; any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2018 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
Lori Svensen – A'mara Books & Viking Visual
