The Echolone Mine by Elaina J Davidson Page B

them
all.”
    “I agree,”
Lowen murmured.
    “Not
Cassiopin,” Elianas stated.
    Saska glanced
at Torrullin.
    “You heard
him.”
    She understood
about the guilt between a husband and wife. “Fine. Then I suggest
you enter the chamber separately, each time with me.”
    “Why?”
    “The
banishment Lily and I put in place works as a whole. If all of you
go in, I will be forced to use it as a whole.”
    Elianas
growled.
    “I am able to
scatter it and I need your distinct Hearts of Darkness to do so.
Lowen could call to the more innocent ones and they may be sent on
their way easily. They are not going to fight it. Elianas, I think
yours will raise only Cassiopin. Go in with me, come out with
her.”
    He drew breath
… and then did not say anything.
    “Torrullin,
you will probably get those who created the Throne, and Nemisin.
They will fight banishment.”
    “I
figured.”
    Saska
swallowed and cleared her throat. “I am not strong enough to do
this tonight.”
    Lowen appeared
relieved and Elianas looked like a man who had a stay of
execution.
    Torrullin
grimaced and said, “I do not want to do it at all.” He reached over
and took her hand. “Thank you for what you did today and will do
tomorrow.”
    She squeezed,
smiled, and pulled her hand free. “I am going to my bed now, if you
will excuse me.” She stood and then paused to look at each of them.
“Do not trust this; it could go wrong.” She concentrated on
Torrullin. “I suggest you have your own form of banishment ready.”
She left as wearily as she came.
    The stillness
returned the moment she went, and was as strange as before.
     
     
    Torrullin saw
the form in the doorway and said, “I cannot sleep either.”
    Elianas
entered and moved about the dark room. “What am I to do? I cannot
be husband to her.”
    “Tell her
that. Release her and hope she does the same for you.” Torrullin
shifted on the bed, putting an arm under his head.
    “And if she
doesn’t?”
    “I do not
know. I have not yet fathomed a woman’s mind.”
    Elianas sat on
the edge of the bed. “You take this calmly.”
    “I am a good
actor.”
    “You are not
calm?”
    “I am fucking
furious.”
    Amusement
came. “There is the Torrullin I know.”
    “It is not
Cassiopin who angers me, understand that. It is that contrary fuck
Nemisin.”
    “Cut from the
same cloth, you two.”
    Another shift
on the bed. “Whatever.”
    Silence for a
time.
    “Elianas, spit
it out.”
    “I am afraid
Cassy will need a second chance to make our marriage work. It would
not be what I want, but dare I do to her what was done before? I am
afraid she would end up where she is now, bound for the
netherworld.”
    “Then you have
a problem.”
    “We should not
make the same mistakes, Torrullin. We have opportunities in this
time to be better than we were.”
    “I hear
you.”
    “Gods, you are
not helping,” Elianas growled.
    “What do you
want me to say?”
    “Tell me what
you think.”
    Torrullin sat
up, a gloomy form in the darkened room.
    “What do I
think? I think you should not put yourself through this. Banish her
and live with the guilt; it will be less than what comes next.
However, I will not deny her escape from the netherworld. I think
you should tell her upfront how you see your future and not allow
her to dictate it. I think you could avoid making the same mistakes
if you tell her you cannot be a husband. She may be hurt, but the
truth could also set her free to make different choices. If you do
decide to renew your marriage, you must stay away from me. That is
what I think.”
    “I cannot stay
away from you.”
    “Then you have
a problem.”
    “You can,
naturally, stay away from me,” Elianas said.
    “If I have
to.”
    “Can I stay
here tonight?”
    A long silence
ensued and then, “No.”
    “What if this
is the last time?”
    “Do not let it
become that,” Torrullin said.
    Elianas loosed
a sigh and rose from the bed. “I shall try. Get some sleep.” He
left