Free The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) by Brian D. Anderson Page B

chill woke Gewey the next morning.
Kaylia and Linis had already risen and were nearby helping the
others prepare the morning meal. Bellisia, Chiron and Theopolou,
had gathered a few yards away, and had donned white robes, Gewey
presumed for the funeral rites.
    Aaliyah's face still burned in his memory,
but he could not recall anything beyond the point when she first
appeared. He scanned the area for her and her friends, but they
were nowhere to be seen.
    Just next to him, lying atop his sword and
scabbard, he noticed his pack. Someone must have retrieved his
belongings from Theopolou's tent. He rummaged through his things
until he found the clothes Theopolou had given him, then went to
look for some place private to change. He thought perhaps to seek
out some water for washing, but didn't want to miss the ceremony.
Gewey walked toward the burned remains of the camp. Beyond the
pavilion, he could see dozens of funeral pyres that had been
erected in the night. He dreaded the sad ceremony that was to come.
Finding a hidden spot just beyond the pavilion, between two tents,
Gewey changed into his elf clothing.
    “ You have an interesting mind.” It was
Aaliyah.
    Gewey flushed. “How long were you watching
me?”
    Aaliyah smiled. “Long enough.” She took a
step forward.
    Though Gewey may have not noticed her beauty
before, he certainly did now. She had changed into a white, silk
dress, though much the same fashion as the one she wore before. It
flowed with her movements, wrapping itself playfully around her
obvious curves as she moved. Her hair was tied in a loose braid,
intertwined with thin white strands of shimmering cloth.
    “ I thought this may be a bit more
appropriate,” she said. She held her shapely arms wide and spun
around. “What would you say?”
    He felt his face grow hot with embarrassment.
“I...”
    “ Perhaps not.” With a wry smile, she
took another step forward. “I brought nothing else, other than a
set of cotton trousers and tunic. The rest of my attire is on my
ship.”
    “ How did you...” he stammered. “I
mean...last night.”
    “ Oh, that was nothing,” she replied,
stepping closer. “I only wanted to see your mind for myself. A
selfish thing, I admit. But I could not resist the chance to
connect with Shivis Mol.”
    “ Kaylia. She—,”
    “ Kaylia knows nothing of it,” said
Aaliyah. “It was simple to occupy her thoughts. I...encouraged her
to dream of you. It was easy. She loves you deeply.”
    The mention of Kaylia's love for him,
steadied his nerve. “And I love her.”
    “ Well, of course, you do.” She sounded
understanding in the way of a mother to a child. “But then you are
quite young. And your bond with her makes your feelings infinitely
stronger.” Slowly her face saddened. Gewey suddenly wanted to
approach her. To comfort her. But he resisted. “I was bonded once.
Long ago.”
    Gewey's heart ached to see her pain. “What
happened?”
    She sighed deeply. “He died.”
    “ Then how do you still live?” he asked.
“I thought that once bonded, your lives are as one.”
    This shook her out of her melancholy and she
laughed softly. “Perhaps for the elves in this world that is true.
They have forgotten how to use their power. The bond between mates
is strong, but not unbreakable. One need not lose themselves should
the other die.” She glanced behind her. She could see the pavilion.
“A pity. The bond makes you stronger. We could have saved more if
they all had a mate's strength to share. But I suppose it is to be
expected that they do not bond, if the risk is death.” She tilted
her head and smiled. “Perhaps that is yet another thing we can
teach them.”
    Gewey saw Kaylia approaching in the distance.
“I should go.” He didn't wait for a response. He edged his way pass
her. She did not move to ease his passing, forcing their shoulders
to touch.
    As he neared Kaylia, he could clearly see
that she was not pleased.
    “ What did she want?”