The Light of My Hearts
Mind Speak

Helia and Gillam were passing through the village of Blue Meadow looking for slaying jobs. After speaking to the mayor of the town it was apparent that all was quiet, and their services were not needed. However, the trip wasn’t for naught as Blue Meadow was a well-known herbalist mecca where one could find a vast variety of different remedies, teas, and spices.

Helia wasn’t sure if Sig had ever visited Blue Meadow as it was further south and west, but she had a feeling he’d love it. The air was sharp with every kind of scent as merchants called out advertising their wares to passersby. Gillam’s masked face was turning in methodical passes as they took in the market.

Though it had been over a week since they had a slaying job, their funds were still stable. So Helia decided to replenish her first aid kit and perhaps add some new items if they sparked her interest.

“Are you looking to buy something?” Gillam inquired.

After peeking in her medicine bag, she nodded, “Need some more bandage, some stitching twine, burn balm, more wolfsbane, and I hope I can find someone who deals in giant spider venom. Need to trade for some anti-venom. Here.” She handed him a few coins, “You go find some bandages and stitching twine. I’ll get the rest. We’ll meet up by that smith shop. Ok?”

The tall, disguised fae nodded, took the money, and began his search. Helia went in the opposite direction shopped for a bit, acquiring the burn balm and wolfsbane easily. The anti-venom was proving elusive. That is, until she came to a covered red cart where a rough-looking, one-armed man sat inside stroking a grizzled tom cat. When he spotted them he greeted them heartily.

“Good day, milady! Name’s Mortimer! What can I and General Mutton get ya today?” the merchant rasped in a gravely, smoker’s voice.

Helia gave an amused look to the man and his tabby, but went to business, “You deal with giant spider venom?”

The old merchant seemed surprised but then raised his stump, “That I do. Lost me arm to those nasty buggers ages ago. I’m one of the few who still work with it to make anti-venom.” He looked her over a moment, “You a slayer?”

“Yep.” Helia procured a wooden box from her pouch, opened it, and pulled out a couple leathery looking bags filled with a bluish liquid, “Got some queen venom here. Would you trade it for a few vials of anti-venom?”

Mortimer’s bushy gray eyebrows raised, “Queen venom, eh?” he picked up the leathery sacs which were the spider’s venom glands and scrutinized them.

Then he took out what looked like a chunk of dried meat and a metal rod. He gently poked the venom sac and collected a drop of liquid on the metal stick. While he was distracted, the tom cat, General Mutton, tried to snag the piece of meat with a sneaky claw. The old man made a noise of displeasure whilst trying not to spill the drop of venom.

“Ach! You flea-bitten filcher! Wait yer turn! You know I’ve only got one hand!” he growled.

Typical of a cat, General Mutton didn’t listen and tried to pilfer the meat again.

Mortimer shooed him away, “Git! Ya greedy bugger! Next time I’m using you to test this.”

With a quick touch, he put the drop of venom on the piece of dried meat. It smoked faintly and in seconds melted down into a smelly pile on the wood plank. Giant spider venom only melted flesh and organs, liquefying them for the spiders’ dining pleasure. It didn’t affect any other material like other acids.

Mortimer nodded at the reaction.

“Whew! That’s the stuff all right.” He sighed, “Problem is I only got one vial of anti-venom left.”

Helia nodded, “I’ll take whatever you have in stock and some of those healing poultices there for half a sac of venom.”

Mortimer nodded, knowing the half a sac would make at least five good vials of anti-venom. It was a fair trade given the time it took to make one vial of anti-venom and queen venom was the most effective.

At that moment Helia caught sight of a strange looking plant laying in the bed of the wagon near some other recognizable herbs. It was purplish in color, almost black, and had thin serrated leaves with blue and white berries attached.

“What kind of herb is that?” she inquired.

Mortimer looked in his wagon and then said proudly, “Giantsbane.”

Helia raised a questioning brow, “Really? Never seen that plant before.”

Mortimer smiled, “Got it from a hermit cousin of mine who lives deep in the mountains to the west. Says it only grows in the high country but in small bushes. Very rare.”

“So... it’s like wolfsbane...but for giants?” she wondered.

“Yup.”

Her blonde brow arched with skepticism, “And...how do you know it works?”

Mortimer chortled, “My cousin claims it does. Says giants are allergic to it and they keep away from it like the plague. Me myself, I’ve never seen a giant to test it.”

“Hm. Interesting. How about some of that for the rest of the sac of venom?” she offered.

The merchant pondered, “Ah...I dunno. This plant is very rare. It’s worth more than that.”

“But it’s unproven. All I have is a second-hand anecdote from your hermit cousin claiming what it is.” Helia argued. “As a slayer it’s my life on the line if it doesn’t work the way your cousin claims.”

Mortimer again deliberated and gestured to the plant, “For the remaining venom you get one frond. That’s my offer.”

Helia knew it would be hard to keep the half sac of venom unspilled and fresh for much longer, so she agreed, “Toss in a small sack of salt and you’ve got a deal.”

The old merchant looked at his cat. The tabby blinked his yellow eyes.

“Alright. Deal.”

Mortimer placed the vial of anti-venom, the salt, the poultices, and the frond of giantsbane in a cloth sack for her and took the one venom sac. Helia kept the other for later.

“Pleasure doing business with you.”

“Likewise.” Helia tucked her trade into her pack and left the wagon.

Shopping done, she met up with Gillam a few minutes later.

“Did you get the bandages and stitching twine?”

He held out the bag of items and the remaining coins and she added them to the supply. But then he handed her a small object inside a fancy twisted piece of parchment.

Helia eyed it, “What?”

“It’s for you.” He explained.

“What is it?”

“Just try it.”

Helia untwisted the parchment and a small ball of brown and white was revealed. She blinked.

“It’s food?”

“Yes. Try it.”

With two fingers she plucked up the morsal and cautiously ate it. Her tongue was immediately bathed in sweet, milky richness and then hit with the distinct crisp flavor of fruit when she chewed.

“What is this? Where did you get it?” she asked.

He pointed behind him, “A little human boy and his grandmother were selling them. He called them berry chocolates. I thought you might like them.”

She swallowed, “Um...well... thanks. That was delicious.”

Honestly, she really didn’t know what to say other than thanks. No one had ever bought her sweets before. (Plenty of drinks but not sweets.)

He procured a larger bag with more of the wrapped treats, “Good. I got more.”

Helia gave him a look, “I hope you didn’t spend too much.”

His shoulders bounced with a shrug.

The woman made a chiding face but her hand dove into the bag for a second treat, “I’ll have another one of those.”

Behind his masked façade, Gillam smiled. He wasn’t sure if Helia would like the treats, but his free sample convinced him to make the purchase. It seemed to him she enjoyed them very much. The redhead didn’t smile that often, but Gillam relished those rare moments when her ice blue eyes would melt and her smile came out like the sun from behind clouds. It made him want to see her smile more...especially if he could make it happen.

“Well, I suppose we’re done here. Let’s trek back east and hit Bordtal before we go visit your sister.”

....

The next day far away...

It was a hot summer day, sweltering in fact. Kendrick and Twillow had decided to trek out to the lake Kendrick used to bathe to cool off. Situated at the base of some more mountains further into the forest, it was fresh and quite brisk; perfect on a hot day. When they arrived, Twillow landed on the shore while Kendrick took off his shirt, tossed it on some trees and then kicked off his boots. He was undoing his breeches when he turned and gave Twillow a sly smile.

“No peeking now.”

Twillow bat her wings with a cheeky laugh, “I can look if I want.”

He smiled with a deep laugh, “Oh, but I’m so shy, you know?”

The fae laughed aloud at the absurd statement, knowing any shyness he had exhibited towards her before when it came to undressing was long since gone. Apparently, all he needed was positive affirmation for his confidence to resurface, and Twillow was all too happy to give it to him.

“You wouldn’t be lying to me, would you?”

He casually removed his pants, “What makes you think that?”

Twillow got a bit brighter in the face and her wings stuttered. He noticed her bashful tic and took his time entering the water. The pretty fae laughed at his ostensive “show” until he was submerged up to his waist. He dropped down, creating a big wave that rolled out toward the shore. Twillow fluttered back as it rolled over her feet.

“Brr! That’s freezing!”

Kendrick submerged briefly and then erupted from the water. He made a noise of contentment and wiped the water from his face and hair, feeling the refreshing cool melt away the blaze of the summer sun. To Twillow he looked like a perfect granite statue given life.

He looked over at her smiling, “Aren’t you going to cool off too?”

Twillow squirmed, “It’s too cold!”

“Feels nice to me.”

“Says the guy who walks around with no sleeves in the dead of winter.” Twillow remarked, buzzing her wings.

“It’ll feel nice once you get it over with.” He offered.

Twillow hopped over to a shady rock instead, “No thanks. I’ll just relax in the shade here.”

Kendrick chuckled and moved a bit closer to the shore. Quite suddenly he flicked his fingers at the surface and sprayed Twillow. She shrieked as the cold water hit her.

“Hey!”

He flicked another volley at her playfully.

She flared her wings and squared up to him, “You’re asking for it, Kendrick.”

“Am I?” he grinned mischievously, flicking water again.

Twillow raised her hands in a scooping motion and the water in front of her rose up with her motions. Swinging her arms, she flung the blob of water at Kendrick, hitting him in the face. He blinked then smirked. With purposeful steps he came toward her. Twillow started laughing. Repeatedly she used her magic to chuck balls of water at him, but he kept coming undeterred. It didn’t take her but a couple seconds to realize her method wasn’t working, so she decided to switch tactics.

She scooped up some water, made a fast cross motion with her hands, and blew air between her lips. In an instant the water froze, separating into hail balls. With fast throwing motions of her hands, she flung the ice pebbles at him.

Kendrick lifted his arms defensively and stopped, “Hey! Ow! That’s playing dirty!”

“You asked for it!” Twillow shouted, still flinging the hail at him. “Now say you’re sorry!”

He laughed as he was mercilessly pelted, “Ok! Ok! You win! You win! I’m sorry!”

Finally, Twillow relented and buzzed her wings triumphantly.

Kendrick brushed ice pellets out of his hair, “You’re really not going to swim with me?”

“I’ll just sit over here in the shade. You enjoy the freezing water.” She replied, finding a nice big rock to lay out on.

Kendrick seemed a bit disappointed but fell back down into the water, sloshing about to cool off. It wasn’t five minutes when Twillow’s shade got noticeably darker, and she was spattered with raining cold water. She opened her eyes to the sight of Kendrick’s face and chiseled chest making a ceiling above her. Water dripped from him, sprinkling her as both of his arms lay around her rock. He seemed to have a worried look on his face.

Twillow sat up, “What’s the matter?”

“You-you’re not mad at me, right?” he asked.

She laughed with sympathy for his concern, “No! No, silly. Why would I be mad?”

His broad shoulders shrugged, “You didn’t want to swim with me...thought I made you mad.”

Twillow stood, reached up, and touched his bearded chin, “The water is just too cold for me, Sweethearts. That’s all.”

He sighed with a satisfied smile, beaching himself a bit more to lay on his side next to her. His lower half was still in the water. For a few moments he stared at her and then gently stroked her body with a single finger.

They were quiet for a bit until Kendrick asked, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

He looked away a moment as if regretting what he was about to say then asked, “When you first agreed to live with me...was there ever a time you wanted to leave?”

The fae blinked then sat up, “No. Why would you ask that?”

He sighed, giving a wry smile, “It’s just...that thought bothered me for a long time.” He admitted as he absently flipped over a nearby rock with his finger, “Anytime I woke up in the morning or went out for a walk, I always wondered if you would still be there. I guess I thought you’d leave eventually once that life debt was paid.”

Twillow squint her eyes with a sad expression. She honestly had no idea Kendrick thought about such a thing. She scooted closer to him and touched his hand.

“No! No, Kendrick. I admit I was intimidated of you for quite a while, but I never thought about leaving...life debt or no.” she insisted firmly.

A deep sigh of his ruffled her hair as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

“You make me so happy.” He stated quietly.

Twillow smiled with a glow, “You make me happy too.”

He sighed with an expression of relief as he settled back on his side again, “By the way, how do you know a life debt has been paid?”

She gestured to his hand and he held it up. Twillow held her own hand a little away from his and then squinted her eyes. She wasn’t sensing the bonding mark she had made.

“It’s...it’s been paid.” She sounded surprised and looked confused, “Oh. Maybe when those slayers tried to shoot you...?”

“No.” Kendrick shook his head.

Twillow bat her wings, “Yes it was. It has to be.”

The fingers of his raised hand curled into his palm and his index finger delicately swooped under her chin, “You saved my life the day you told me you loved me.”

Twillow felt tears spring into her eyes as she embraced and leaned into his finger, “N-no it’s not.”

He smiled and picked her up. He held her close for a while, just admiring her until Twillow touched his chest.

“There’s something I want to try with you.” She stated.

Kendrick raised an interested eyebrow as he naughtily lifted the edge of her dress, “You have my attention.”

She laughed with a roll of her eyes, “Not that.”

He made a pouting face, “Aw...”

Twillow stood up and fluttered into the air, “Here. Sit up and cup your hands in front of your face.”

Compliantly, Kendrick did so and then Twillow stood in his palms.

“Ok. What now?” Kendrick inquired, not sure what she was doing yet.

“Well, I’ve been curious about this. When my race forms a mating bond, they can sometimes speak to one another through thought alone. But the bond must be very deep and strong to do it.” She explained.

Kendrick thought a moment, “But...I’m not a fae.”

“No. But no one really knows about giants. So, I was just curious if we could do that?”

He shrugged, “What do I have to do?”

“Turn your temple toward me.” Twillow requested.

When he did so she reached out and touched him near his right temple, “Ok. Now close your eyes and relax your body and your mind.”

Kendrick closed his eyes and took a deep relaxing breath through his nose and let it go.

“Good. Now just think about me.”

She didn’t quite see the smile that lifted his lips as he did so. Twillow too closed her eyes and thought of Kendrick. They were both quiet; only the sounds of water and birds intruded. Twillow, who was more magic inclined, focused and was able to reach the blur of images and colors that were memories. They swirled slowly like ghostly butterflies in the void.

Fae had natural inclination to psychic or empathic capabilities, but it was definitely a skill that had to be practiced. Some fae were better at it than others and Twillow had only a bit of experience. Mostly, she could sense other magics and project her memories out in the form of Memory Eyes. But telepathic communication was something she hadn’t accomplished. Then again, she had never formed any sort of mating bond with anyone, not even Valluen.

She concentrated deeply, almost allowing all sound to fall away. It was so quiet. Then faintly she could hear the pulsing drum of Kendrick’s hearts as if they were miles away.

“Twillow...” his normally loud voice also seemed far away.

“Kendrick?” she answered, making the colors in her mind flicker.

“Twillow...” he sounded lost.

“Kendrick? Can you hear me?”

He sounded even further, “Twillow...”

Twillow could feel her mind seem to sink down into a deep, warm, pit of colorful honey. She tried to call out to Kendrick again but suddenly she felt herself lose all energy until her eyes opened to the light of reality once again. Kendrick was cupping her earnestly in his hands, looking very concerned.

“Twillow? Are you ok? Are you hurt?” he asked, gently using his fingers to prop her up into a sitting position.

She seemed confused at first but then she realized she was drained magically. Not quite magic deprivation but teetering toward it.

The fae patted his palm reassuringly, “I’m ok, Kendrick. I just used a lot of magic trying to do that.”

“You-you just fell over. I thought I hurt you.” He sounded upset.

“No. No of course you didn’t.” she stroked his skin, “I heard you say my name.”

Kendrick blinked, “You did?”

She nodded, “Did you hear me?”

His amber eyes lowered, “No. I didn’t hear anything at all.”

“Oh.” Twillow shrugged, “Well, it was worth a try.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t hear you.” He seemed ashamed, “I- I guess I just don’t have that kind of ability.”

She shook her short-haired head, “You have nothing to be sorry for, Sweethearts. It was a long shot anyway.” She sighed with fatigue, “I’ve never tried that before. Took a lot out of me.”

Kendrick could tell she was very tired, “Here. Let’s get you home near your crystal. That should get your magic back up.”

He rose from the lake, rivulets of water cascading off of him and began heading back home.

“Um...Kendrick? What about your clothes?”

His head shook, “I need to get you home first. I’ll come back later for them.”

“Ok...but I’m fine. Really.” She insisted.

He wasn’t deterred and kept up the brisk pace until he smirked, “I thought you’d appreciate being carried home by a handsome, naked man?”

Though she felt tired, Twillow shook with laughter.

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on G𝘰𝘰gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.