01. Still looking by Pashen

pashen

Pashen stretched long and hard, it felt so good after her confinement. People take movement for granted, she never would again. Sitting on the rocky edge outside their bedroom, Pashen’s indigo eyes flashed with a strange golden light as she focused her eyes on the water swirling around her legs.

Speaking her husband’s name quietly, his image soon formed on the surface of the rippling pool. He was within Rainbow Woods, she could see Tradarien’s massive trunk behind him as he tightened his sword belt. Indigo eyes darkened to a deep violet as she watched his fluid movements, she hoped this child within her would be the daughter he so desired.

A rueful smile curved her lips when she struggled to her feet, only for him would she go through the awkwardness of pregnancy completely without aid of magic. Looking back down at her swollen abdomen she shook her head, violet eyes swam with green stars of light. She did find the pregnant form naturally beautiful …… on someone else.

She dallied long enough it was time to join the world of the living again. “I will join you soon, beloved husband.” She murmured, her quiet voice didn’t reach the other side of the small pool and though the woods were a hundred or more miles away, Thayne answered her, “Aye, I will be here.”

Another strange golden flash of her eyes accompanied her disappearance from Spirit’s Sanctuary. Appearing before Litharien, not far from Thayne’s Tradarien she rapped on the bark. A moment later a door shimmered into view and Pashen disappeared inside. The meeting with Darestique was not a pleasant experience but informative, she exited the arien via the door and walked the short distance to Tradarien.

She paused to watch Thayne moving gracefully with his swords, man and weapons one in a lethal dance. The look of concentration etched into his haggard features reminded Pashen that the scars would take time to heal, crimson stained her eyes but before the glow could attract his attention she disappeared to reappear on the first branch of Tradarien. Forcing the experience and her son’s words from her mind by focusing on the rolled up documents given to her by Dare, Pashen dived into the numerous reports.

As the shadows lengthened, she finished catching up on the news of Haven, the progress of the Dark Alliance’s army, news of her children and various other tidbits of information while Thayne continued to practice. Pashen knew he was doing more than preparing, he was distracting his mind, picturing a select couple meeting the doom of his swords.

Lavender clashed with black on a backdrop of glowing crimson in her stormy eyes. Dragging her gaze from the sweat glistening on his broad shoulders, Pashen looked to the last pieces of parchment. It was the information she’d requested from the Mages Guild, information she hoped would shed some light on one that was trying to direct young Luche’s life. Eyes finally settled into a steely gray as she scanned the introductory letter quickly.

Pashen paled beneath the golden sun-kissed tan she sported. Not believing what she just read she reread it. The contents didn’t change, this would-be protector could prove to be her biggest enemy here. He must not know what she is, what blood coursed through her veins.. or he did and it was yet another game of cat and mouse. Somehow she didn’t think so, she’d only encountered him that one time. It was the boy..
What was it about Luche that had not just one but two ancient evils fighting for possession of him?

Thinking of her own strange childhood she drew parallels while carefully rolling up the pieces of parchment. A golden flash of her gray eyes sent the scrolls away to rest on her desk within the stone walls of her mountain retreat. A grunt from Thayne pulled her to the present, gray eyes darkened with concern. He’d stumbled, he was near exhaustion but still he continued on. She’d tell him later, he didn’t need anything else on his mind at the moment. Things will get back to normal after the baby comes, she told herself. She ignored the mocking laughter of her son that filled her head and her own tiny voice that spoke of the chaos that was her life, did she really think it was going to change because of one birth?