Into the Wind Read Online Free PDF

sound issued from them.
    Please, let me die!
    The scene changed and the searing heat in his chest faded, only to be replaced by a different pain as he kneeled over Owyn’s lifeless body, the rune stone clasped tightly in his fist. This pain was far worse because he knew it would not fade with time. Owyn, his love, his life, his reason for living. They’d only been handfasted a few years before, and now he was dead, and nothing could bring him back.
    Treande had no choice but to plunge the dagger into Owyn’s chest. Owyn was dying, and there was nothing he could do to save him. The rune stone became a physical part of its wielder’s body, joining with it. The only way to unjoin the stone was to remove it from the wielder while the wielder was still alive, killing the wielder in the process. If Treande let Owyn die, the stone would cease to exist forever. Still, the knowledge that he’d hastened Owyn’s death would haunt him the rest of his days. He’d paid a steep price for the safety of his people: the loss of the only man he would ever love.
    Treande’s tears mingled with rain. He knew he must leave. His people needed him to lead them to safety. With Owyn gone, there was no one else. He’d never wanted to be a leader; he’d only wanted to worship the goddess at Owyn’s side.
    Owyn! You promised we’d spend our lives together. You weren’t supposed to leave me. What will I do without you?
    His only answer was the screams of his people as the humans chased them toward the water.
    “Go!” Owyn’s voice said in his grief-bewildered mind. “You must lead them to safety. You must live so that they can live.”
    He bent over Owyn’s lifeless body and pressed his lips against Owyn’s. Already they felt cold to the touch.
    “Forgive me,” he whispered. He would leave Owyn here. There would be no burial. Owyn’s ashes would not rise to the goddess on the wind.
    Once again, the scene faded. He now sat by a dying fire in a small dwelling near the water, the sound of the surf against the rocks a reassuring melody that eased his restless mind. His body ached and he felt as though he’d never be warm again. Even the transformations did little now to renew his ancient body. Death was close, but ever elusive.
    How many times had he prayed for the goddess to release him to rejoin his beloved Owyn in death? How much longer will you test me?
    The fire crackled and an especially powerful wave broke nearby. He could almost hear Owyn’s sighs in the sounds, feel his longing. Owyn’s calls to him became stronger each day, and each day he imagined Owyn saying, “Just a bit more time, and we’ll be together again.”
    For years now Treande hadn’t cried, although the grief in his heart had only grown deeper with time. For the first time since Owyn’s death, he felt tears burn his eyes and fall over his cheeks. It’s too much. I can’t go on!
    “Owyn!” he cried. “Owyn!”
     
     
    “O WYN !” T ARENsat up, momentarily unsure where he was. He reached up to clasp the black stone that hung around his neck only to realize it wasn’t there. Tears rolled over his cheeks as he shivered.
    “I’m here.” Ian’s voice brought Taren back to himself. He encircled Taren’s waist with strong arms and gathered him into a loving embrace. “Another dream?”
    Taren nodded.
    “What about?”
    Taren wasn’t sure he wanted to. “I…,” he began.
    “You can tell me.” Ian pressed his cheek against Taren’s shoulder and kissed the skin there.
    Taren nodded.
    “I wish you’d speak to me about it.” Ian kissed his cheek and sighed.
    “There isn’t much to tell.”
    “Please.” Ian brushed a lock of hair from Taren’s eyes and met his gaze. “Tell me. Did you dream of the rune stone again?”
    “Aye.” Taren took a long breath to steady himself. “I was wearing the stone. You—Owyn was long dead.” Once again he’d been alone in the dream. The emptiness he’d felt at Owyn’s absence had been all consuming.