The Mark of Arella(Book One of the Dragonfly Chronicles)

Chapter Nineteen

Lilly woke up with Rhylan spooning her. His arms were wrapped tightly around her as if she would disappear if he let go. She felt his warm skin against hers and his hot breath tickled her ear. She thought she had sated all of her desire for him in the past few hours but feeling his warm body on her like this sparked the burning need in her again. Rhylan stirred and she moved her hips back onto this legs and stomach. He groaned and instantly she could feel his desire ramp up like hers had. He moved himself inside her and they made love once more. They laid on the cave floor panting and sweaty and finally Rhylan said, a bit hoarse. "I think we need to get back. It feels like it is past sunset."   Lilly got up, realizing just how sore she felt from the past few hours and thought it might be a good idea to get dressed. Rhylan thought to her, "I know what you mean" and laughed breathily. They swam back to the grassy area where they said their vows and got dressed. It was indeed dark out so he used some fae lights to illuminate their area. They packed up their belongings and started to walk back down the path. Drexoste and his guards came up around them and escorted them down. They walked hand in hand, happy to be silent and blissful. This was the happiest Lilly had ever been and Rhylan felt the same way. They made their way to the clearing as Drexoste and his guard kept them surrounded. She felt such peace from this area she couldn't imagine danger being a factor, but it was dark out so it made her feel safer. Rhylan turned to Lilly and said, "This was the most amazing day, I am so blissfully happy right now." She hugged him and in her mind she said. "I love you". They kissed tentatively, mindful of the frenzy that had taken over them just minutes ago. Lilly turned to Drexoste and said to his mind. "Thank you for the escort." He nodded and said, "We will be close by the mountain home if you should need us. Rhylan I know you can hear me now and I am here to protect you as well." "Thank you", he said to Drexoste. He looked to Lilly and said, "Let's go."

They arrived at the mountain home at the outside doors. It was not possible to portal inside the house as many wards had been placed to keep intruders and non-invited guests out. Lilly knew it would be cold there and she had already put on her new cloak which was given to her by the pixie Queen. She must have placed it with her belongings while they were in the cave because the gifts were not there when they swam into the pool. Rhylan had been given a beautiful scabbard and sword which he had at his side. They walked into the front room of the house, holding hands and saw Ashley walking down the hallway. She stopped in her tracks and walked back towards them.  She embraced Lilly and gave Rhylan a squeeze of his hand. "Did you enjoy your day off?" She said to Lilly.  Lilly smiled big and said, "Yes, it was the best day of my life. Thank you for helping Rhylan put everything together" Lilly looked at Rhylan and blushed. Ashley noticed a change between them and smiled warmly. "You needed it Lilly, you were exhausted and lonely. I'm so happy you and Rhylan had a great day." They heard voices coming from around the corner and Master Aeron appeared with Colvin. He looked at Lilly and Rhylan with a stern expression on his face and walked over to them. "Well, did you enjoy your day off? We woke up this morning to work with you and you weren't there. You can imagine the worry we felt when we couldn't find you. It took us 30 minutes to find Ashley and another 30 before she admitted you snuck out early to avoid today." Aeron scrutinized them for a moment and then started to really look at them. His eyes got wide and he said, "Did you meet the pixie Queen today?"

Rhylan and Lilly looked at each other wondering how he could have figured that out. Aeron said, "Your cloak and scabbard have her designs all over them. But how did you get her to come out and reveal herself? Where did you go?" Lilly took her hands out of her cloak to ring her fingers together. She didn't want to reveal their special place. It was also Arella and Baelins secret. Rhylan thought to her, "don't worry, we won't reveal this to anyone. It belongs to us." Rhylan spoke up and said, "she came to us at a field with a lake that we discovered. She overheard us talking about the bonding ceremony." Aeron looked at Lilly's hands and then at Rhylan's. He reached out and said, "show me your tattoos."   Lilly and Rhylan complied and showed him their hands. Ashley gasped and put her hands over her mouth, tears swelled in her eyes as she looked at the two of them. Aeron just nodded and said. "Other than myself, she is the only one who could have the power and permission to do the ceremony with you. Your tattoos are beautiful and your rings are most amazing. I'm not sure my work would have been as delicate and graceful. How did this come to be? Joella does not come out from her realm easily." Lilly didn't know how much she should reveal but she thought Aeron would need this information so she said, "It was Arellas wish that she perform the ceremony for us. She had been waiting for us to appear and was anxious to perform it." Angela had just come around the corner and walked up to the group stopping next to Colvin. Lilly could see how close they stood by each other and could swear she saw their hands briefly brush. Lilly decided she needed to ask Angela about that so she smiled at her and Angela blushed. Suspicion confirmed she thought and Rhylan chuckled. Aeron and Colvin tilted their heads to the side. Aeron said, "Did we miss something?" Rhylan said, "The ceremony has changed our bond. We are much more connected now" "Ah,"  Aeron said, "You can speak mind to mind. It is as Arella predicted.  Well, Lilly, we need you strong for tomorrows training. It's best you get some rest tonight." He looked at Rhylan with a stern face and walked away.