The Echolone Mine by Elaina J Davidson

and
gently took Cassy’s arm to lead her away. “What is your name,
dear?”
    “Cassy,” she
murmured. “Are you a friend?”
    “I am a
friend,” Quilla replied.
    Cassy pointed
over her shoulder without looking back. “One of them is my husband
and the other is my enemy.”
    Quilla looked
over his shoulder, his eyes filled with those questions he ignored
and more after that statement, and then gave his attention to the
woman. Questions could wait.
    “We shall sort
all that out. Let us take a walk, shall we? It is so beautiful
here, so peaceful. Do you hear the music?”
    “Yes …” and
the two disappeared into the chambers within chambers able to heal
and soothe.
     
     
    Quilla found
them outside the eastern arch, both men silent.
    The Eastern
Ocean swirled below, crashing against the land bridge.
    “She is
sleeping in vapour. It will be a few days before results
manifest.”
    “Thank you,”
Elianas murmured.
    Torrullin
nodded.
    Quilla pursed
his lips and asked, “How is it you have Nemisin’s daughter in this
time?”
    “Long story,”
Torrullin said.
    “I have no
immediate duty here or in the Dome. I have time,” Quilla said. He
went inside. “Come, my chambers are more comfortable.”
     
     
    “Hell of a
story,” Quilla muttered. “Amazing how the journey ties in with so
much now, when we thought it ended the past. I would say it opened
certain doors and only after we close them will the past remain
put.”
    “We closed a
fair few,” Torrullin murmured.
    Quilla studied
the two of them. “It was the right decision to allow Nemisin to go.
Do not take on guilt, and Sabian did not belong here, you know
that.”
    “I know, yes,”
Torrullin said.
    “Bringing
Cassy out, however, could prove an expensive mistake.” Quilla
lifted his hand when Elianas frowned. “I do understand, my friend,
I do, but … well, let us be positive.”
    Elianas leaned
back into Quilla’s stack of pillows and closed his eyes.
    “What is next,
Torrullin?” the birdman asked.
    “Track the
net. Close doors.”
    “Do you think
there are more surprises out there?”
    “Not in a
thousand eras did I expect what happened, Quilla. God only knows
what lies around the next corner.”
    Quilla nodded.
“Expect the unexpected. Why don’t you two go visit with Tianoman? I
shall call if anything changes.”
    Elianas opened
one eye. “I would rather stay here.”
    Quilla looked
from him to Torrullin. “You know where the guest quarters are. Go.
I need to think.”
    The two men
stood and walked out. Quilla watched them go and read in them a
sense of hopelessness.
    He had never
felt it so strong in Torrullin before.
     
     
    Elianas
wandered the huge white chamber.
    Pillows dotted
the perimeter.
    “You slept
with Lowen, didn’t you? After I left.”
    Torrullin,
prone on a set of pillows, said, “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    “I would have
found you, had I not.”
    Elianas came
to stand over him, one foot at each hip. “You do not have to fight
so hard, Torrullin. We are not lovers of men; we simply love each
other.” He lowered until he sat on Torrullin’s thighs. “We are
strong enough to resist something wrong for us.” He placed a hand
on Torrullin’s stomach, pressed there. “Of course, pushing the
limit is exciting and addictive.” He took his hand away. “And
stirring.”
    “I found you
in Ymir with a man,” Torrullin murmured.
    “Because he
was fair like you, but I have never fucked a man. I too prefer
women. In fact, I would love to sleep with Lowen.” He laughed when
Torrullin growled. “I am not about to take up what is yours. My
point is, it is the bond we share that takes us close to crossing a
line we never thought existed. Hearts, minds and souls are
entwined, and our bodies seek to complete the connection.”
    “I am not
thinking about closing connections when you sit there like
that.”
    Elianas
smiled. “I know.” He leaned forward until his mouth was an inch
from Torrullin’s. “I know.” Then he