Chapter 3 Tarine

Kaeidh said goodbye to everyone and went into her room, needed to think, try to understand at least a part of everything that was happening, the arrival of an elf, a betrothed? A coincidence, mere chance? Just as he thought he was ready to receive his âme sœur.

His race felt nothing like love, emotions a partner should feel so they wouldn't get confused and bond with the wrong people. The unions were complete, body and soul and the call was subtle and as they lived they increased until the connection, which would be achieved together. Kaeidh had had the âme sœur before, but his mate was sick and died without even knowing how he felt. So he never had a chance to see the feeling grow, but now, he had felt an interest in the Forgotten and was very worried because he didn't know if she would be interested in him in the same way, they weren't of the same species, he thought. He didn't know if that would be a problem, given that he'd never heard of anything like it, at least not in his realm. He didn't know how she would react and maybe he would spend the rest of his life bitter and alone, grieving for someone who didn't know what he felt or why.

He needed to speak to the Ethereal elders. He descended into the deepest part of its gardens, to a castle portal set in the middle of the forest that ran out from the edges of a courtyard to the side of the royal castle. Stopping in front of the portal he called the ethereal elders by their names:

"Anthurium, Balery, Sucintoh and Rossin, please ask them to speak.

In a kingdom based on extreme education, respect and cordiality, not even a king, born a king, could abdicate these qualities.

-Satharth, great king Kaeidh, we realize that his âme sœur has begun. Congratulations and best wishes, you greatly deserve it, after what happened before, don't you?

-Satharth, elders.-said Kaeidh, saying in their language: may the mother live, be with us – Did you know that I receive the Forgotten in my kingdom?

– We saw it in our eternal mirror, sir. Was she his mate âme sœur?

-Yes, that's why I decided to come here, talk to you, I need to know if there is a possibility of meeting between our souls? If there's a chance, that even though she's of another race she can be my âme sœur. – He looked at Them with hope and fear.

They turned to face each other in a circle, touching their hands, palm to palm, eyes to eyes and a luminous Zebeline diamond sparked between their bodies, shimmering like liquid, bringing images of some future feeling, of reciprocity between the king and the Forgotten. They were fascinated for a few moments with what they saw, heard and felt and turned each to their left, breaking the contact of their hands. His eyes, lost with the same sparkle as the diamond that was now gone, as if they were a part of them, returned to normal, fading into gold as they looked at him and smiled.

- We have the grace to say that the Forgotten will feel, but you will have to be careful, until she loses suspicion. Her task is to always be close to her, supporting her and helping her carry out her mission.

Kaeidh was elated and at the same time fearful, she had many doubts if he could get her to trust him. He didn't know if she would trust him in that sense, with no memories of anything, no clues to where she came from or what she would do, yet to have to experience in the midst of it all an âme sœur. Entrusting his life and intimacy to someone he's never seen and barely knows, since he didn't even know if he had a royal family, would be very complicated and even he would be afraid.

Kaeidh thanked the elders and said goodbye. Climbing again, thoughtfully through the garden, he walked and heard Zoltark in the distance and finally when he flew over the garden and landed in front of him.

-King Kaeidh, I come back with not very pleasant news, Sesame's Village was attacked, its Cadmy bridge was disconnected on the other side by the tentri, they simply opened an underground crater and knocked it down on the side of the forest. Cadmy is fine, she just freaked out, but we're seeing more and more of the Tentri's boldness. You can tell how desperate they are to further damage the villages. Do we think because of the Forgotten? Perhaps the girl did irritate or worry King Borag.

-I need all the details of what needs to be done by Zolt village, send all guard and help for healing and needed supplies.

As for the Forgotten, we're still looking for information, we don't know much since practically all the places that held them were destroyed at the behest of Borag a long time ago, and in the midst of that I still found out that she is my âme sœur companion.

Zoltark looked at him in surprise and said:

-And she was informed of this?

After what happened to your âme sœur, how are you feeling?

- I didn't inform her and I won't until we are firmly connected, I went now in search of the Ethereal elders and they confirmed that despite her being of a different race, she also feels the same but that I will have to be patient and help her in her mission . I have Zolt hopes.

Zoltark looked at him kindly, thinking he deserved to be happy, was the most dignified person he had met since he was just a baby and his father a royal advisor. They traveled together helping many and that was how Kaeidh met Siara, her âme sœur and she was sick from having suffered an attack by the Tentri and in less than a week she perished without even knowing Kaeidh, who suffered horribly from her loss. The village barriers were rebuilt and the people were protected again, but the losses were irreparable. Many family members were injured by the Tentri and the wounds never healed, sapping the victim's life force, forcing his body to try to heal, leading the wounded to death from exhaustion. This was also how Leigh's âme sœur perished, leaving her and him son of both alone. This family had been born in royalty but they had earned their titles with their love and respect for others.

Zoltark said goodbye to Kaeidh, going to provide help to the village.

Kaeidh thanked Zolt and hurried up the tree-lined, flowery hill directly to her office, entering, calling the queen of the Pirim people through a mirror of clear water.

– Hello Kaeidh, I heard what happened on Cadmy Bridge, there were many injured, how much do you need healing supplies? - said the little queen Aland

– Hi Alanda, I don't know how much we need, but there were no bites or scratches. The bridge was knocked down and Cadmy was injured, I'll pass by on the way to the village to fetch it, please send me as much as it heals at least half the village, if we need more I'll send Zolt to fetch it. Thanks

She gathered her things and leaving, she came face to face with Leigh and the Forgotten One. Both came to know what happened after the news they heard around the house.

– Kae, what happened on Cadmy Bridge? - Leigh spoke, hurrying beside her, following her long strides quickly, along with the Forgotten One.

-Can we help with something? I would like to come along if I can, of course - she said looking at him sideways as she walked fast.

- I have no news of the degree of destruction or injuries, but I've already spoken with Queen Alana and I'll go now to pick up healing supplies and take with me to the village, you'll be very welcome if you want Forgotten. Just follow me please. – turning to Leigh – Leigh, stay ready because if I need to take more supplies. I warn you. Let's go? – She told the Forgotten.

She nodded and hurried even closer to her side.

They went out into the courtyard in front of the castle and there was already a carriage full of food. He thanked the man by calling him Siles and quickly climbed above the carriage, reached for her and she took him and climbed.

-Please hold onto the bar in front of you, you may be scared by the speed.

She blinked and held on and the next thing they were flying fast in a carriage pulled by nothing. She squeaked in surprise and Kaeidh smiled slightly, very pleased by the sound and the way her lips formed an O.

Kaeidh looked at her and noticed that she was a little apprehensive and decided to glide at the slowest speed she could. He held out his right hand and she took it tightly and looked at him and said.

– I thought Zoltark was fast in flight but this is surprising. – she smiled at him and Kaeidh literally glowed with happiness at being able to enjoy the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

She looked at him even more surprised and spoke, her almond eyes opening wide:

– My lord, you shine!

He looked at her hands and was appalled that he had so externalized what he felt for her.

Unable to explain and not wanting to frighten her with her âme sœur symptom he said.

-Yes, I shine when I experience pure emotions. Like happiness.

I am happy to have met you and you are here accompanying me and willing to help those in need. And I am Kaeidh to you no sir.

She smiled at him shyly and said:

-Thank you for letting me help in some way, Kaeidh, even though I don't know much what to do and I'm the one who thank you and everyone for making the effort to help me, a simple unknown memory. – He looked into Kaeidh's eyes tenderly – I would like to understand the things I'm destined for and know how to do this. At the same time I think I should dedicate myself to you all for being so good to me and I'm still scared that I won't be able to help like you think I can. I'm afraid of making things worse instead of better.

- So I'll be here to help you, at any time. I have already decided to go with you wherever you go, on this journey, I will be your companion if you want me. - Kaeidh said thinking that the companionship would indeed be real, at least on his part.

The Forgotten looked at him and felt something for him, a feeling of wanting. She breathed in her scent and looked him in the eye. "I would like it very much Kaeidh," she told him. And he sighed, exhaling through his parted lips, his breath touching her face, making her want to lose herself in it, in that fresh scent that made her mouth water. He blinked and thought what was happening to her, looked away at the landscape, disguising the feelings, which didn't make any sense at the moment.

Kaeidh realized that they felt the same, he was caught by her gaze, her scent, and she too had felt something and was hiding it.

Right now they needed to focus on helping Cadmy. At this moment, Zoltark flew beside the carriage and spoke:

"Right on time, Kae"-he bowed his head in greeting, looked at her, lowering again-"and Forgotten, come this way, we're concentrated in the central studies wing with a few wounded. I've sent a squad to the bridge so we can reinforce the magic.

Kaeidh caught her and the carriage lurched to the left, descending so into a courtyard, above a building with marked landing sites for both magical chariots and flying beings. They landed lightly in the courtyard and soon came to help unload the carriage with the supplies. Jumping to the ground, Kaeidh grabbed the Forgotten's hands, and they both began carrying heavy sacks of food and fruit together to the ground floor of the complex crowded with beings. Some were wounded, others very seriously, including the one that gave the bridge its name and the village, Cadmy, who was badly injured. They went towards her and saw how serious her condition was. Kaeidh opened a vial with a reddish powder and quickly with a clean cloth, was passing the powder and cloth over the wounds that soon began to heal the torn tissues. Forming a pliable shell like Cadmy's own golden skin. She sighed and opened her eyes. – King Kaeidh, welcome, forgive me for not being able to predict the attack.

– There's nothing to worry about, they're all fine and recovering. Just rest and when you're better, we'll all be happy. This is the most important thing, you know how much we love you and how strong you are.

If the wounded had minor injuries, they were taken to their homes, if these were close to the complex. And soon night fell and everyone was serving or arriving with cooked food and wonderfully fragrant broths. I looked around looking for Kaeidh and saw him tired, with some stains on his pale robes, looking at me worriedly, came towards me.

– Thanks for your help, let's rest, clean up and eat and tomorrow we'll return to the compound and visit the other wounded. We're done for today. Doctors will stay overnight with them. Come on." He took my hand and I felt again something in the touch like electricity coursing through my body. I followed and left the complex onto a street full of trees and scented with flowers. The place was very well taken care of, and made you want to walk even if you were tired.

There were fountains and fruit trees which some would pass by and take one to eat. Kaeidh reached up and picked up two pink berries and gave her one, bit her gaze and waved for me to do the same. I bit into it and it was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. It was sweet but not so much that it made the palate sick. I closed my eyes and tasted the fruit, when I opened them Kaeidh was looking at me delighted and I felt emotional and ashamed.

– Sorry for not noticing before you were hungry, or your other "tarine" needs.

-No, not even I noticed, I was focused on work, besides you were too. And what is tarine?

- He blinked and looked away - sorry, it's an old word for someone we care about. Something like honey.

-Am I tarine? - I spoke a little bold -

-Yes, it's becoming too tarine... Not just for me, of course, for everyone.

– But for you too? Just like everyone?

- I don't think so, not like everyone. I think more. – She said looking at me as she walked. He smiled.