|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 34: In Life and Death - Part II

Wham! Something solid knocked me to the ground and was on top of me in a moment, blade held against my throat. My own sword skittered across the floor away from me, sputtering into darkness. I suddenly saw the pale torches burning around the room, now that my own bright flames had been dimmed.

"Who are you?" they growled. Their voice was deep, someone I didn't know. Fear blossomed inside me like a thorny rose. It had been a trap... he wasn't here.

"Where's Cedric?" I breathed, looking up into his face. His eyes widened in surprise. Even in the dimness I could see it wasn't him. This man had white eyes and even whiter hair.

"Get off her!" a voice cried and the man pushed himself off me, stepping back. I saw a bow strapped over his chest. I turned from him to the figure that barrelled towards me.

"Cedric?" I whispered as he stood over me.

"Irene...? He whispered, looking at my face in the dim light given off by the torches, "Irene?" his voice broke as he pulled me to my feet and swept me into a hug that crushed every bone in my body. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him to me just as tightly. For a moment everything was forgotten except for him – I didn't care for the war above our heads, for the pale man who watched us like a sentinel. All I cared about was that I had found Cedric before Soldin... that he was right here, with me.

"I'm never going to let you go." he whispered in my ear, "Never... I can't... I can't say good-bye again. I promise you, I will never go away... I can't..."

"Shhh..." I soothed, looking up at him, "It's okay." I kissed him gently, before leaning my forehead against his chest. It was him, really him. He smelt like I remembered, of sweet spices and pinecones... of crushed leaves and... fire? That was new.

"I can't believe it's really you." Cedric cried, cupping my face I his hand, "I thought I would never see you again."

"I'm here, I'm here." I smiled, almost crying. I was just so happy to see him again. Just so, so happy. Behind me the white-haired man shifted slightly uncomfortable.

"Sire, we should leave." He said, "There is something wrong..."

"Who is he?" I asked. "Why were you down here?"

"Merrick." Cedric said softly, "He took me away from the fighting – and I hoped to lead Soldin away from my other men... but yes, let's go." We all turned to move out the door. Suddenly Cedric gasped in a sharp breath of air and shoved me harshly to the side. What had happened? I fell to the ground, my palms grazed by the rough stone floor.

"How touching it is to see you two together," a voice laughed. I watched as Soldin emerged out of the darkness, a cross-bow held in his hand. It wasn't loaded... so why was my heart thudding in fear, "Shame to break it up." Cedric let our breath is a rush, grasping his side as he fell to the ground. The shaft of an arrow appeared from his bent armour. Merrick cried out in fury, already reaching for his bow.

"Are you alright, my king?" he cried, loading an arrow.

"I'm fine," Cedric said, his voice shaking, "Just... peachy." He groaned again and fell over.

"I was aiming for you, mind you," Soldin said with a smile, looking at me, "But... well, as you can see, he got in the way." I fell down to my knees beside Cedric. He was clutching at the arrow, his breaths coming in quick and short. I felt tears brim over my eyes and I blinked, trying to hold them back. I wondered if it had punctured something vital... why it was so hard for him to breathe. Merrick launched himself at Soldin, the arrow spiralling through the air like a sharpened icicle. Soldin battered it away easily and met the pale man with sword raised. His own was swung up just in time to parry it away and sparks flew from the metal, lighting up the snarls on both of their faces.