"Where did you learn those words?" she whispered.

"I don't know," he replied. "They just came out. What do they mean?"

"It's a declaration. Literally translated, it means my spirit flies to yours."

Gewey was taken aback. "I wasn't trying to declare anything," he said quickly. "I just wanted to stop you from killing Dina."

"What you said to me is rare and sacred," she said, continuing as though she didn't hear him. "It's something that few elves have spoken since the Great War."

"What do you mean by a declaration? Please, tell me what's going on."

Kaylia turned to Gewey and opened her eyes. "Do you love me?" she asked.

"I..." Gewey didn't know what to say.

"If not, then you should never have spoken those words."

"I don't understand," said Gewey. "I really don't."

"Then understand this," she said. "The language you spoke is only known to the elves. It is the language of our ancestors, and even among my people, only a few know it entirely. What you said can only be spoken to someone that you love and for only one reason."

"What reason?" he asked nervously.

"It means that you wish to be joined with me."

"Joined?" Gewey exclaimed. "You mean..."

"Yes," she said. "That is exactly what I mean."

"You can't think I was asking you that, do you?"

"What then?" she snapped. "Why did you say it?"

"I don't know," he replied hastily. "I didn't know what it meant. It just came out."

"But it came from somewhere," she insisted. "And it cannot be ignored."

"I take it back, then. Just pretend I didn't say it."

Anger flashed across Kaylia's face. "Because you are not an elf, I will pretend you did not make that offer. Once you say the words of joining, they cannot be unsaid."

"What do we do now?" he asked.

"I either accept you as my mate, or refuse."

Gewey laughed with relief. "That's easy, then; just refuse."

"If I do, then I must leave you, never to be in your sight again. I am not prepared to do that just yet."

"You mean we either get married or you have to leave? That's ridiculous."

"I'm sorry you think so," Kaylia lamented. "But to my people it is very serious. However, I have one year to consider it. If at the end of that time I decide you are not a worthy mate, then I shall refuse."

"And in the meantime what happens?" he asked, afraid to hear the answer.

"In the meantime, nothing. But be warned; elves are protective of their suitors. Careful you don't let your eyes stray too far."

Gewey immediately thought of Dina. "What do you intend to do about Celandine?" he asked anxiously.

Kaylia thought for a long moment. "It appears I can do nothing," she said finally. "Your words have bound me. If you wish her unharmed, I will accept it."

"Thank you," Gewey said, relieved.

Kaylia smiled. "Send her to me. She and I should talk. Don't worry, I won't harm her."

Gewey nodded and returned to the wagon.

"What happened?" asked Lee. "Did you find her?"

"She wants to speak to Dina alone," Gewey said.

Dina looked worried.

"She swears she won't attack you again," he a.s.sured her.

Reluctantly, Dina went to join Kaylia.

"What happened?" Lee asked. "What did she say to you?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Gewey replied. "Not yet, at least."

An hour later, Kaylia and Dina came walking back to the wagon.

"Kaylia has agreed to teach me about my elven heritage," Dina said as they climbed in.

Kaylia nodded in affirmation.

"And that's it?" Millet pressed. "No more attempts to kill her?"

"That depends," Kaylia said.

"On what?" Lee asked.

Kaylia did not respond; she simply smiled a knowing smile as the wagon continued down the road.

Chapter 17.

Gewey spent the day trying to avoid conversation with the others. Kaylia was sitting next to Dina, whispering in her ear. When Lee asked what they were talking about, Kaylia told him to mind his own business. Gewey was not looking forward to the midday lesson. He knew Lee would press him about what had happened with Kaylia. The fact was, he wasn't quite sure himself. When the time came, Gewey followed Lee to a quiet spot off the road.

"Sit," Lee instructed.

Gewey sat down on the gra.s.s and crossed his legs.

"Close your eyes and listen to the sound of the earth," Lee continued. "Not the way you hear the forest. Stretch out with your thoughts and feel its rhythm, its heartbeat. Let it flow into you and give you strength."

Gewey did as he was told. At first, he felt nothing. Then, like a sound heard from a great distance, it was there, pulsing steadily. The more he listened, the nearer it came, until it beat in his mind like a great drum. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as the beat grew louder.

"You must let it in," Lee urged him. "Let it pa.s.s into you."

But Gewey couldn't. The beat pounded against him until he thought it would tear him to ribbons. He let out a scream and collapsed.

When he came to, Lee was standing over him with a concerned look on his face. He put a water skin to Gewey's mouth and poured. Gewey tried to drink, but he began to cough uncontrollably as the water stung his swollen throat.

"Easy, Gewey," Lee soothed him. "You'll be fine."

"What happened?" asked Gewey, carefully trying to sit up. Lee put his hand on Gewey's back and steadied him. "You're much more powerful than I thought. I had you do too much too soon. From now on, we take it slow."

"No," Gewey insisted. "We try again. Taking it slow won't defeat the Dark Knight."

"Neither will getting yourself killed," Lee countered. "The amount of power you unleashed could have destroyed you. Look around."

Gewey surveyed the area and saw that large sections of the ground had been completely torn apart.

"You see," Lee said. "You must learn to control this power-otherwise, there's no telling how much damage you could do to yourself and those around you."

Gewey nodded slowly. "I see what you mean."

"That's enough for today," said Lee, lifting Gewey to his feet.

"Now, if you wouldn't mind, what in blazes happened between you and that elf?"

"Lee, I really don't think-"

"Listen to me, and listen to me well," said Lee, cutting him off. "If it doesn't affect what we have to do, then fine, keep it to yourself. But you need to remember that I have more than just you to worry about. If there's anything that could possibly jeopardize any of us, I need to know about it."

Gewey sat back down on the gra.s.s and thought for a moment.

"I'm not sure if it will affect us. At least not all of us. And maybe not for a while."

Lee sat next him. "You can trust me Gewey. Whatever it is, I'll understand."

Gewey looked at Lee, then told him what had happened with Kaylia. When Gewey finished, Lee sat there with his mouth open for a minute, not knowing what to say.

"Now do you see why I didn't want to talk about it?" Gewey asked, troubled.

"I do indeed," Lee finally managed to say. "Do you intend to marry her?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not even of age, and besides, she's an elf."

"Yes," said Lee. "And you're a G.o.d. And it doesn't appear that she cares if you're of age or not. As I understand it, she is barely of age herself, as elves measure years." He shook his head. "I told you to be careful."

"How was I supposed to know?" Gewey cried. "The words just came out. I didn't know what they meant."

"That was interesting," Lee said pensively. "There must be some reason for this."

"That's what she said, too." Gewey noted.

"I really don't know what to tell you," Lee said, laughing. "You certainly do get yourself in some tight spots. I suggest you try not to let your eyes wander to Dina too often. Heaven knows what kind of trouble that could cause."

Gewey wanted to deny it, but he knew his attraction to Dina often caused his eyes to wander. "I'll try," he said.

"Two beautiful women," Lee remarked. "I suppose there are worse things to happen to a young man. Then again...perhaps not."

Lee hopped to his feet and pulled Gewey up. "Maybe your mother was Ayliazarah, G.o.ddess of Love," he quipped, slapping Gewey on the back.

Gewey was not amused.

They headed back to the wagon and continued on their way. Kaylia had her hood pulled back, and Gewey looked at her. There was no doubt that she was beautiful, but he had never imagined that a romantic relationship could be possible with an elf. Of course, he wasn't really a human. His head began to swim, so he decided to try to take a nap.

'At least if I'm asleep I'll escape for a bit,' he thought. He woke just as they were about to stop and make camp. Millet and Maybell were arguing about where the best spot would be. Lee, Kaylia, and Dina were all looking at him, trying not to laugh.

"What?" Gewey asked, trying to shake off the cobwebs in his head.

"The things you say," said Dina. "Enough to make a lady blush."

"What do mean?" Gewey asked. "What did I say?"

"More interesting," said Kaylia, "is who you were talking to in your dreams?"

"I don't know," he said, fl.u.s.tered. "I was b.l.o.o.d.y dreaming. Can't I dream in peace?"

"Don't let them tease you," laughed Lee. "They're just having a bit of fun."

Gewey rubbed his eyes. "Enough, then," he said irritably. "I'm not in the mood." He was nervous about the lesson with Kaylia. He wasn't sure how to talk to her anymore. He didn't know a thing about elves, and the thought of saying the wrong thing unnerved him. When the time came, however, Kaylia acted as if nothing had happened.

"Lee told me you will not be learning the sword for a while," she said. "So we need to step up your knife training. It's not as brutish, but every bit as deadly."

"Do elves ever use a sword?" Gewey asked.

"Sometimes," she answered. "But it's not something we prefer.

The sword can be necessary in a full-on battle, but in the type of fighting we're likely to encounter, I think you'll find it very advantageous to have skill with a knife."