I winced, hoping he hadn’t woken our parents. “It was that bad, hey?” I picked up the cup and set it on a table.
“Thooose people rrr monstrous. We were lucky to leave alive.”
“Did you tell King Zaeden that?”
He threw up his arms. “I tried! He said if I refuuuse—he’ll take m’position away.” He folded his arms.
I nodded once, slowly. “Of course he did.”
He sat up, putting his chin in his hands, he stared at his knees.
I pressed my lips together. “Perhaps I should come. I could be of help.”
“N—no! Don’t even think about it!” He sat back and took a deep breath before continuing. “You wouldn’t be safe once we got to the island. I’d only be distracted with watching you if you were there. You’d put me in more danger.” Either the water was helping or he was trying very hard not to slur… perhaps both.
The desperation in his voice struck a chord in me. “Fine,” I relented. “But you’d better be taking your second in command and more soldiers with you this time.” I didn’t want to be the cause of trouble. If he really thought it too dangerous for me to join him, I’d abide his wish for me to stay home.
“Obviously.”
“Good. Now come. Let’s get you to bed.” I stood and offered him a hand.
“Can’t I just sleep here?” he groaned, scrunching his face.
“I think not. You won’t even make it to Gwon. Mother will kill you for soiling her lounger.”
That threat got him moving, even if it was at a slow pace.
After I’d gotten him into his bed and pulled his boots off, I lay awake in my own bed, tossing and turning beneath my cool satin sheets.
I hated that my brother had to return to Gwon, and I couldn’t decide if I was glad Thaimis would be there to protect Percifal, or if I’d prefer him to stay with me. He would’ve been a good distraction. It was going to be torment being trapped here while I didn’t know what was happening on the island. All I knew was, it was something I must endure. I hoped Celestia would watch over the soldiers on their journey. They were only following their king’s orders. It wasn’t their choice to thieve from the people of Gwon.
I paced back and forth on the rooftop where I’d told Thaimis to meet me. The sun had already descended behind the shoreline, making the water glow with the purple light reflecting from the darkening sky. Perhaps he didn’t know where our spot was—but he must. Where else would I have meant? Just as I was beginning to feel like a fool and decided to return home, his face appeared as he pulled himself up over the ledge and onto the roof.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” I told him.
“Why on earth would you think that?”
“Oh, I don’t know, because the sun has already set.” I gestured towards where the sun had indeed disappeared.
“I’m sorry, Chel. I came as soon as I could. Your brother had us doing drills all day to prepare us for Gwon.” His face was serious as he placed his hands on my arms.
“Okay. So what was with the strumpet the other night?” I stepped back so I was out of his reach.
His face fell. “I told you, a ploy to make you jealous.”
A weight I hadn’t realized was there lifted. “A stupid idea, that was. Don’t do it again, or whatever this is between us will be over.”
He took a step toward me again, this time with hunger in his eyes. “Understood.” His lips touched the delicate skin on my neck, and I let out a deep, strangled sound. It was like he put a spell on me every time he came close. My head became muddled. I couldn’t think straight and my body… well it was the biggest traitor of all. My body seemed to act of its own accord.
In that moment, I forgot all about Gwon and my worries. In that moment, I begged him to take me—and he did.
Afterwards, I sat leaning against his chest, sorrow washing over me now that my mind wasn’t distracted. “I wish you didn’t have to go to Gwon.”
“You know I must. I have to protect Percifal and help lead the other men,” he said.
“I know, but I’m worried.” I closed my eyes and breathed in his sweet, musky scent.
“You know you can’t come, right?” He looked down at me with suspicion. It was quite unlike me to be compliant.
“Don’t remind me,” I sighed. “Yes, I’ve talked to Percifal about it. I know my presence would only be a distraction. I want you all to be as safe as possible and return home.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Promise?” I managed a tiny smile.
“Promise.”
Chapter 8
I thought I was going to go mad with worry while I waited for our army to return from Gwon. I tried to keep myself busy like the last time, but I always found my mind wandering back to the horrors of what could be happening on the island. It wasn’t fair. I had this goddess given power in me, and yet I wasn’t able to help my own brother from the danger King Zaeden had put him in. I felt useless, and it had me simmering with anger like a boiling cauldron. I tried to stay away from my parents for fear of snapping at them. They didn’t deserve my anger. They were worried enough as it was. I wished I could’ve drowned King Zaeden for putting us all through this. Such thoughts were treasonous, but I didn’t care. He should have been there to steal his own gold if he wanted it so damned bad. My father and brother looked highly upon our king. I no longer shared their opinion of him.
Tired of idly waiting, I couldn’t take it anymore. I went to Sreda and begged her to tell me why I could do nothing to help the soldiers when I had been chosen for this supposed great power by Celestia. She only shook her head and told me this wasn’t a matter for our goddess. I stormed out of her cave, feeling even more frustrated.
In the days before the army returned, it poured miserably. I’d wondered if my dark mood was the cause of the wet weather. I prayed the weather at sea was better than it was in Aquila if the men were sailing.
Finally, as I was picking fresh vegetables in the palace gardens, I heard the bell that told me the moment I had been waiting for had arrived.
Mud splattered over my boots and the bottom of my grey dress, making squishy sounds as I ran toward the palace gates to greet the army.
The soldiers appeared worn. Grime stuck to their skin. Their faces were left unshaven. Most rode through the gate with smiles upon their lips… a good sign. Spotting Percifal and Thaimis together, I hollered and waved at them. Percifal grinned and waved back. We didn’t get the chance to do more for the king and queen rode up on their own horses to greet the army. Everyone parted to make room for them.
“We are happy to see you have returned again.” King Zaeden held his horse back. “I trust you were successful?”
“We were,” Percifal answered, pride evident on his face.
“Good. Take the gold to the treasury and get yourselves well cleaned and rested. Tomorrow night, we celebrate.”
The soldiers cheered in approval.
Queen Thea smiled at the crowd from on top of her black mare, but she kept her silence. She looked like a glowing star in her silvery dress and cream cloak. A few reached out their empty hands to her. She graciously placed silver coins in a few palms.
I did my best to pretend Thaimis wasn’t there. I wanted to go to him, but I didn’t want Percifal to predict our new fondness for each other. So, instead, I watched him from the corner of my eye. He seemed to be as good at pretending as I. He acted as though he didn’t even see me. I wondered what he and his comrade were laughing about.
The king and queen departed, and the crowd dispersed.
“Percifal, we’re glad to have you home,” our father stated, pulling me from my thoughts.
“You have no idea how glad I am to be home,” he replied.
I gave him a long hug, not caring if I dirtied my dress.
“See to your horse. I’ll make sure a warm bath and tea is waiting for you.” Mother looked up at him and stroked his mount’s neck. She’d always had a gentle touch
with animals.
“That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mother.” Percifal let me go.
I followed our parents back to our apartment. My reunion with Thaimis would have to wait until we were away from prying eyes. I sighed inwardly. At least he was home safe.
A few nights later, we all met in the great hall for the feast the king and queen had planned to give thanks to the soldiers for their success in obtaining the gold. It was a grand affair with music, ale and dancing. After a delicious meal of a large selection of vegetables, meats and desserts, the musicians took up a fast-paced tune that had nearly everyone up and twirling around the hall.
Percifal was the star of the night. He danced with two ladies, one on each arm. They giggled and batted their long eye lashes each time he set his eyes on them.
I found Thaimis refilling his cup with ale and approached him. We still hadn’t spoken since his return. “Not dancing tonight?” I asked.
He turned with ale in hand and narrowed his eyes at me. “Why do you ask?”
I frowned. “I thought you might want to.” He was acting strange.
He paused for a moment before shrugging. “Sure, why not?” He took a sip of ale and set the cup back down.
We took up step with the other dancers. “Percifal told me of the exotic beauties in Gwon.” I recalled the conversation I’d had with my brother earlier.
“And?” he asked with a bland expression.
“And he told me you were quite boring and wouldn’t even speak to the ladies there.” I searched his eyes. Why was he acting like nothing had happened between us?
“Would you even care if I did?” He looked pointedly at me.
I almost missed a step, shocked by his words. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t even greet me upon my return. Are you that afraid of what people will think of you? Do you think so lowly of me?”
“I—I—”
“That’s what I thought.” He let go of me and walked off the dancefloor.
For Goddess sakes. I tried to follow him, but my mother intercepted me.
“Your father and I are staying at the palace tonight,” she informed me. “Have a guard escort you back to the apartment when you’re ready to leave.”
“Why?”
A crease appeared between her dark brows. “Because, your brother and his men were successful, but Gwon could still retaliate.”
“Okay,” I replied, then I shrugged her hand off my shoulder to go in search of Thaimis. I really wasn’t worried about Gwon at the moment, and I didn’t care to ask why she and my father were staying at the palace… actually, I didn’t want to know why.
The mood in the hall was cheerful. Even the king and queen laughed as they danced around the room with their subjects. I scanned everyone’s faces, but none of them were Thaimis.’ He must have left the great hall.
I learned I was right when I peered out into the corridor and spotted his back walking away. I ran to catch up to him. I surmised I’d hurt his feelings. I needed to make amends. Perhaps I had been selfish in wanting to keep whatever was going on between us a secret. He cared more for me than I’d guessed… I cared more for him than I’d guessed.
“Thaimis,” I called, hearing desperation in my voice.
He didn’t stop. In fact, he took longer strides to get away from me. If that’s how he wanted to play this, I would just have to force him to listen to me.
I grabbed my skirts and raced to get in front of him, and then I stopped and turned around. He almost bumped right into me.
“What, Chel?” He still sounded upset. He looked dashing in his black doublet with blue trimmings. His hair had been neatly cut and his face shaven for the celebration.
I put my hands on my hips. A guard who stood at his post cleared his throat. I rolled my eyes. “Can we please talk somewhere else? Come with me to my apartment.”
I thought he was going to refuse, but then he resigned. “Alright, lead the way.”
I was sure Mother would be satisfied I had taken him as my escort. He was one of our best soldiers.
I closed the door to my bedchamber, lit one of the lamps on my table and beckoned for him to sit on my bed. I sat beside him and made a point of looking into his eyes. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I didn’t think you’d cared to keep what’s between us a secret.”
“I don’t really. It’s just that—well I’m used to the ladies being proud to be seen with me,” he admitted.
I screwed up my face at his answer.
“It’s not only that. When we were in Gwon, the other soldiers laughed at me for refusing to have fun with the ladies there. It was hard for me. And then I come back and the only person’s safety you seem to care about is your brother’s.” He looked away. He didn’t like showing me his vulnerable side.
I grabbed ahold of his hand. “I was as relieved to see you as I was Percifal.” My voice cracked with emotion. “And I really don’t care if others know about us. I was just thinking of yours and Percifal’s friendship. If he knew about us, he may get all brotherly and become protective of me. I wouldn’t want to cause a rift between you two. Do you understand?”
He huffed out a breath. “I guess I never thought of that. You’re quite right.” He gave me one of his lopsided grins. “Percifal would have good reason to be protective.”
I laughed and punched him in the arm. “Am I forgiven?”
“Perhaps,” he teased.
I raised a brow and flicked my hair over my shoulder.
He caught my face in his hands and kissed me. All the tension I’d felt since he had left, melted away. I held onto him tightly. “I missed you immensely.”
“And I forgive you.”
We got fully reacquainted and eventually fell asleep in each other’s arms.
I awoke to the long, drawn out ring of a bell. The sound made my heart sink with dread. That bell could only mean one thing… someone of importance was dead.
It was still dark outside my window. I rubbed my eyes to clear my sight and saw Thaimis tying up his boots.
“Something terrible must have happened. I need to go back to the palace to find out what it is,” he said.
“Dear Celestia! Do you think it’s Gwon?” I asked, getting up off my bed.
“Possibly. Stay here. If you hear anyone, hide.”
I bit my lip and nodded. I caught his hand as he was about to step out of my bedchamber. “Be careful.”
He kissed me lightly on the cheek left.
Not long after, I heard people inside the apartment. Keeping Thaimis’ advice in mind, I slowly crept to the front room, staying low to avoid being seen.
My heart slowed a little when I saw it was only Percifal and our mother. He helped her along, his face was almost the colour of snow. Mother stumbled and fell to the floor. She wailed with anguish while burying her face in her hands. Something was terribly wrong.
“Mother! What happened?” I questioned Percifal, bending down to rub our mother’s back.
“There you are.” His shoulders drooped with relief.
“Well?” I asked again, nearing frantic worry.
“Father is dead.”
A strange garbled sound escaped my throat as I choked on whatever words I was about to say.
“Queen Thea too,” he added.
“But… Gwon?” was all I could manage to get out as our mother’s body shook even harder with her sobs.
“Yes. Khadji invaded the palace. He and his men are more skilled than we thought. It’s—it’s completely my fault.” His voice cracked.
“Don’t be absurd.”
“I should have been able to protect them. Father was the honourable one. He died saving King Zaeden’s life.”
I shook my head at him. “It’s not your fault. Come now. Help me get her to her bed.”
As soon as we had my mother in her bedchamber, I went downstairs into the kitchen and grabbed a decanter of Liquid Lightning. We called it that because of the shock it delivered upon ingestion.
I took the opaque green bottle filled with the aqua liquid up to my mother and offered it to her.
She took a swig and cringed. She lay back down on her side and closed her eyes. It wasn’t long before she fell asleep with me stroking her hair.
I grabbed the bottle of Liquid Lightning and took it down to the parlour. Percifal was already there. I drank down some of the strong spirits. Gooseflesh rose on my arms and the back of my neck. I passed the bottle to Percifal.
He winced after taking his own sip from the bottle. When he was able to speak again, his voice was far away. “I never thought they really even had the means to retaliate, never mind so soon.”
“So now what?” I was surprised by the strength in my own voice. I was still in shock over what had happened. It didn’t feel real. It was like some dream—some nightmare I couldn’t wake from.
“We’ll have to help prepare Father’s death ceremony.”
“And then?” I eyed him, knowing there would be repercussions for this. Someone would have to pay the price, and I had the feeling Percifal was going to be part of it.
He looked up at the ceiling. “And then we wait for King Zaeden’s orders.”
“This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for our greedy king.” I glared, burning fury growing in me at the very mention of his name.
“How can you blame King Zaeden? He’s only trying to do what’s best for this kingdom. Besides, he’s like family to us. You should be blaming Gwon.”
His blind devotion irked me. I shot to my feet and clenched my fists, standing above my brother. “He only has his own interests in mind. You are stupid if you believe otherwise. You may think of him as family, but I will not!”
His brow creased, and he opened his palms. “Chel—”
“No,” I cut him off. “I’m going to try and get some sleep. You should try and do so too. Tomorrow, we must begin preparing for the death ceremony.” I didn’t give him time to answer. I marched back to my bedchamber, leaving the Liquid Lightning with Percifal.
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 29