{"id":1257,"date":"2012-06-08T00:00:44","date_gmt":"2012-06-08T04:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1257"},"modified":"2012-06-07T19:13:23","modified_gmt":"2012-06-07T23:13:23","slug":"autumn-chapter-13-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1257","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 13 – 03"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It would snow for the first time that night, but none of them quite suspected that it was coming despite the bite that crept into the air as they celebrated the marriage.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt and Rory found a solid, dry spot amidst the marshy turf of the arboretum to build a bonfire as the afternoon light began to fade; Jacqueline and Greg lit tiki torches, bathing the space in flickering light.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom reveled in the feel of Marin pressed against his side, his arm locked around her waist.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She didn\u2019t seem to mind at all, apparently unable to keep her smile from fading.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMy face is going to hurt so much in the morning,\u201d she whispered to him as they drifted across the turf toward the fire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYours and mine both,\u201d he whispered back, kissing her ear.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She laughed, rotating to face him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her arms settled around him and for the first time in forever, he didn\u2019t feel a twinge of pain in his ribs.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe a lot of things are finally starting to heal. Maybe things will be easier for a little while.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He rested his forehead against hers.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAll\u2019s clear on the western front?\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Her smile grew slightly and she nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAll\u2019s quiet.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She cupped his face between her palms, fingers chilly against his flesh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He turned his face and kissed her palm lightly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt elbowed him gently in the spine as he walked past.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCareful,\u201d he murmured to them.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201dSomeone else sees you two like that and you\u2019ll get told to start kissing again.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom grinned, twisting slightly to look at him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTired of watching already?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe only person who\u2019s been watching you suck face as long as I have is J.T.,\u201d Matt said dryly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd I don\u2019t think he cares right now.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin leaned into Thom\u2019s chest, her arms snaking around his waist.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou didn\u2019t answer his question.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Her brother exhaled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAll right, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He smiled at Marin, reaching out to squeeze her arm.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m just glad that you\u2019re happy.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI <\/span>am<\/span><\/em> happy,\u201d she said with a bright smile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom squeezed her and grinned stupidly himself.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt shook his head, choking back a chuckle as he walked away.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The smell of wedding soup and bread filled the air; Tala was hard at work near the bonfire keeping an eye on both.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It wasn\u2019t much of a wedding feast, but somehow the simple fare seemed like it fit\u2014the circumstances, the ceremony, everything.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThank you for letting me do this for the two of you,\u201d Phelan said from behind them.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom let go of Marin, twisting slightly to look at him. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>He\u2019d doffed his mask, but it had left little red lines across his cheekbones and around his eyes, reminders of where its edges had lain.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know why you ever thought we wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Marin said softly, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom smiled wryly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe because you were as nervous about all of this as I was.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe should be thanking you, Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You gave us the push we needed, and now it\u2019s a done deal.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He nodded slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAye, well.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I was just thinking that you were stronger together than you were apart, and something like this\u2026that would drive that fact home.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not just to you, but to everyone.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>All of you are stronger as a whole than you are as single pieces.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His fingers tightened around Marin\u2019s and he touched Thom\u2019s shoulder, squeezing it firmly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Beannachta\u00ed a bheith ar t\u00fa anois, am\u00e1rach, agus go deo<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The hairs on the back of Thom\u2019s neck began to stir as Marin leaned in to kiss Phelan on the cheek, murmuring, \u201cThank you, Phelan.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYes,\u201d a voice like gravel said from behind them, boots crunching heavily on the arboretum\u2019s path.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBlessings be upon you because you will need them in these months to come.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan jerked both of them back, trying to shove them behind him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He only succeeded in throwing himself off-balance and stumbling sideways.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin caught him before he could hit the ground as Thom spun too quickly, almost unbalancing himself as he put too much weight on his weakened ankle.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cold washed over him, every hair on his body standing on end.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The figure who\u2019d spoken was tall\u2014more than six feet, for certain\u2014with black hair cut to chin length, framing a face that could have been carved from marble by some Roman sculptor.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Gold eyes glittered beneath dark brows and his razor-sharp smile was cruel in a way that it made his skin crawl.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom swallowed bile that suddenly started to rise in his throat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The eyes.\u00a0 <\/span>Splash some red in there, and I know them.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Shadow Man.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCariocecus,\u201d Phelan growled, straightening slowly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou violate the sanctity of these grounds.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI remain outside your circle, Wanderer,\u201d the figure said, sounding vaguely amused.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd are not all welcome who mean to do no harm <\/span>this day<\/span><\/em>?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A crowd had begun to gather around them, voices falling silent.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>J.T. and Rory appeared, stepping up to flank Phelan and Marin as Thom took a slow step forward.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat do you want, Shadow Man?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The richness of the figure\u2019s laughter shocked him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It rolled out in velvet waves, deep and booming, but was at the same time more Darth Vader than Mufasa.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cVery good, Seer,\u201d the figure rumbled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cVery good.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not many can see me as easily in this guise as who I am in my war guise.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Shivers shot down Thom\u2019s spine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I could barely see you then.\u00a0 <\/span>Everyone can see you now.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d he repeated, willing his voice not to shake.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin\u2019s fingers slid into his as she stepped up to his side.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom squeezed her hand as they faced the Shadow Man together\u2014for the first time, though not the last.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI have come to present two of the last Seers in the world with a gift,\u201d the Shadow Man said, his voice like a silk-swathed stiletto.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA boon, really, but in this world we know now, I suppose they are much the same thing.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin asked, her voice as firm as Thom\u2019s had been.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s my wife.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>The thought warmed him even as goosebumps stirred again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What sort of game was the Shadow Man playing?<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTime, dear lady.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I give you <\/span>time<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The Shadow Man smiled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou will not see me again until the Feast of Midwinter\u2019s Eve.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He sketched a bow, throwing his black, crimson-lined cloak wide.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBlessings and congratulations on your union, my lord, my lady.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Until we meet again.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Then, ignoring the silence that reigned for a few long moments behind him, the Shadow Man, Cariocecus, turned and walked away.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It would snow for the first time that night, but none of them quite suspected that it was coming despite the bite that crept into the air as they celebrated the marriage.\u00a0 Matt and Rory found a solid, dry … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,35,51,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-13","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-kh","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1257"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1258,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1257\/revisions\/1258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}