As they rode towards the castle Tallia and Laevon were both hoping they were not too late. Their horses soon tired though and they had to stop to rest once more.
“We cannot keep pushing them like this, Laevon,” Tallia called out. She seemed rather concerned for her black steed. “Verzstani horses are sturdy, but we have ridden them quite hard for hours.”
Laevon looked concerned as well and nodded in agreement, but he had not stopped thinking of Laeleth. He knew she was in some sort of trouble. Some dark shadow had crawled over his heart the closer they came again to the city.
They walked their horses as Laevon did not want to stop entirely. Both of them were quite tired from all the chaos of the night before, but their renewed determination fueled their will.
Tallia’s face was grim and she remained silent. She continued to ponder Nerisis’ plans and only felt a sense of dread. She should have questioned her ‘mother’ much sooner than this! How had she been so blind to all these years of deceit and manipulation?
These torturous thoughts threatened to steal all good sense and rationality. But Tallia knew her hatred about what had happened would be her strength.
Laevon could see how much Tallia was struggling, as shown by her tight-lipped expression.
He tried to lift the oppressive mood by speaking first.“Tallia, I do not care what you are; it is who you are that I see. The past is over; the future is never for certain … all we have is today – this present moment.”
Tallia was amazed by his insightful and inspiring words. Laevon's self-assurance encouraged her.
“Thank you for your faith in me, Laevon,” Tallia replied as she met his earnest gaze. “I know our chance against Nerisis is greater together,” she remarked in a more confident tone. Her brief smile affirmed her faith, and Laevon was glad to see her lightened disposition.
As they rode, he attempted to consider what action they might take when they arrived.
“Tallia, please tell me everything you know of the castle and city before we arrive. I am not sure how we might approach Nerisis or discover what she has done,” he stated in a dark tone.
Her face once more took a serious turn as she thought aloud. “I think Nerisis has a purpose with your sister. If she sought her in the Seer’s Eye - that cannot be a mere coincidence. I think that is why she wanted you to get close to me – to get close to her.”
Laevon’s blood ran cold at such a statement and he questioned this. "Why do you think she would have any interest in her? For all we know Laeleth no longer has any supernatural gift.”
For a moment he recalled the cursed dragon opal, but he did not think that the queen yet had any awareness of it. Unless Gabriel had been right about that as well – could Nerisis sense its presence?
But Tallia did not allude to that in her response. “Has your sister been ill lately, or has anything changed with her health?”
Laevon looked at the princess in a puzzled way. “Well, yes … she has not been all that well,” he admitted.
Tallia seemed somewhat hesitant now in her assumption as she remarked in a soft voice, “I think … well, your sister might be … pregnant.”
Laevon stopped abruptly and looked somewhat shocked as he glanced at Tallia.
“What? Just a moment …” he held up his hand as though the idea was unlikely. “Why would you consider something like that?”
Tallia looked more earnest now that she had spoken. “Think about it, Laevon. Could it not be so? Nerisis no longer wants me; I was her disappointment. She needs a child - a child of enchanted blood - something that both Laeleth and Gabriel have!” Tallia’s face had become more earnest as she related this.
“Nerisis said I have no power in me, despite my demon mother. But after everything you have told me if they had a child just think of what that could mean!” Her manner had become rather animated as she was sure she had discovered the reason.
