The Remembered (Elements II)

Chapter 13

Finally, she did it. The restriction on Dvalin’s powers had been lessened, and he hadn’t had to enter the house. Her father had been able to do the amendment, and he hadn’t had to enter the flower house. She was exhausted.

As she made her way back to the house, she staggered a little, and Caoilha caught her before she hit the ground.

“You take too much upon yourself, Mistress Nahara,” the elemental scolded, although gently. “You need to rest.”

Nahara shook her head, gathering her remaining strength. “I can’t do that, Caoilha,” she replied. “Father needs me.”

“He needs you, yes,” the elemental retorted. “But not in this state! Think about yourself. Please!”

Again, Nahara shook her head, and stood on her own feet. “I can’t right now,” she said softly, meeting the soft hazel gaze. “Father needs me.”

The elemental sighed, shaking her head. “You always were stubborn,” she said, almost ruefully. “Just like your mother.”

Nahara blinked at her. “Really?”

Caoilha nodded. “Yes. She was very stubborn. We miss her.”

That made Nahara frown, as she turned her feet towards the storehouses. “ ‘We’?” she repeated. “What do you mean?”

“She was well liked by the elementals,” Caoilha explained. “We all liked her. She is missed.”

“Oh.” Nahara nodded, and then a thought occurred to her. “She…she wasn’t…a full elemental, was she?” She looked at her companion, unsure what she would do at the answer she would get.

Caoilha smiled a little. “No,” she answered. “I think her grandmother was an elemental. Her powers were weak, and she was only considered a mage by the humans – there was no indication that she was anything other than that.”

“Oh,” Nahara said again. “So I have elemental blood, then?”

“Yes,” Caoilha said simply. “You do.”

“Does Father know?”

“I expect so.  Now, Mistress Nahara, what were you planning to do here?”

Blinking, Nahara pushed the information she’d just learned away, and looked about her. “Winter’s coming,” she said. “I need to make sure everything’s in order.”

Caoilha nodded, and stayed silent, following her around, and helping her as she went about her daily tasks.

That evening, she returned to the flower house, wanting to know how Dvalin had gone that day. Unnoticed by him for once, she was able to watch as he encouraged a young seedling to grow stronger. His tattoos glowed ever so slightly, and she was amazed at the look on his face – he was happiest when he was with his plants. Seeing that, she thought she understood why he had let the plants grow around and over his space. It was home to him. Biting her lip nervously, she stepped forward, and caught his attention. Instantly, his expression and stance changed, and she unconsciously hunched her shoulders at the hate she could feel rolling off him. She wanted so much to help him, but she didn’t know how. She could feel herself falling for the dark, surly, bad tempered man despite herself, and despite the feelings he had towards humans.

“How are you faring?” she asked, only just keeping the stiffness out of her voice. For some reason, he made her feeling ridiculously uncomfortable, and she didn’t know why. He sneered at her.

“None of your business,” he snarled, turning his back on her. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at him, and set her jaw. She would not be put off by his behaviour.