“I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry. I failed us.”
“Don’t blame yourself. I should’ve crushed King Zaeden before this got out of hand.”
“I wish I would’ve left too, honestly. At least then I wouldn’t have this damned spirit inside me,” Thaimis admitted, sinking back down into the chair.
“Enough. We don’t have time for a big reunion.” I sat on the arm of the chair Thaimis now sat on. “What happened with Terra’s king and queen?”
“We arrived here not long after we left you and were granted an audience with them,” Phyra explained, folding her hands at her waist. “At first they didn’t believe us. I had to show them my power and explain to them it comes from Celestia. We weren’t able to tell them how King Zaeden is getting help from Vesirus—only that he is. Now that you’re here, you can fill in the missing pieces for them.”
“There’s something else I learned when I was with King Zaeden. Besides commanding an army of possessed soldiers, I caught him summoning Vesirus and speaking with him,” I said darkly. “He plans to let Vesirus into our world. In return, he gets to rule all of Sarantoa.”
Both Percifal and Phyra went still. Their eyes bulged as though their air had been cut off.
“You must be jesting!” Phyra exclaimed with a hand to her chest when she was able to speak again.
Percifal shook his head back and forth slowly. “It can’t be true. Vesirus will take the whole world for himself.”
“Vesirus wants to be the god everyone worships,” Thaimis explained. “He probably wants to leave the kingly duties to King Zaeden. I just can’t believe King Zaeden would do this to our people… to his own people. I once thought him a decent man. This whole ordeal with Gwon and the death of his queen has affected him more than he’d have anyone believe. I always knew he was greedy, but this… this is insane.”
Phyra sighed loudly. “Well, we’ll do our best to make sure he doesn’t succeed. It’s all we can do.”
“Indeed.”
“What I don’t understand is, why Terra? Why is he attacking the kingdom of earth first when Solis is closer? Sorry Phyra,” I added when she went rigid.
“Because there’s a portal to Mnyama right outside of these walls,” Thaimis explained.
“How do you know that?” Percifal asked.
“I don’t.” Thaimis’ brows knitted together. “The dark spirit inside of me does.”
None of us had anything to say to that.
“So she is like you?” Thaimis asked me, changing the subject and gesturing toward Phyra.
“Yes, except she has power over fire. We’re predicting the earth elemental is here.” I looked at Phyra. “Have you found them?”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “We asked King Corbin if anyone here has magic, but he said not that he’s aware of.”
“I suppose we’ll just have to watch out for anyone who seems to have power connected to the earth. This elemental may not even know about their power yet.”
Phyra set her jaw. “Let’s hope they do.”
“What about King Corbin? What does he have to say about everything? I see he’s increased his guard around the palace,” Thaimis chimed in, tapping on his knee with his fingers.
“He’s increased his guard, and the rest of his army is on alert. He agreed not to go to Aquila for Noctis. We tried to advise him to take his army and surprise King Zaeden with an attack, but he didn’t want to leave his kingdom unprotected. He argued that they have the upper hand if they stay here,” Percifal informed us.
“I don’t think he’ll have the upper hand no matter what. Not against an army of dark spirits. If he would’ve taken the battle away from the kingdom, innocents may have had a better chance of staying out of the crossfire.” I tugged on a strand of my black hair.
“I agree, but who are we to tell a king what to do? We will help Terra, nonetheless. Hopefully with you and Phyra, the scales will be tipped in our favour,” Percifal stated. I didn’t see any hope in those aqua eyes though… only dread.
“We should eat so we can try to get some rest. Tomorrow is Noctis, and if King Zaeden gets his way, he’ll be attacking tomorrow night,” I told Percifal and Phyra.
Phyra’s fists clenched and unclenched. “What a disgrace to our goddess, that he would start a war on her day.”
“I think that’s the idea,” Percifal pointed out, placing his hand on her back.
Fire flashed in her emerald eyes.
“Noctis will have even more meaning when we beat Vesirus back down to Mnyama,” I assured her.
A sad smile formed on her lips. “I pray you’re right. You must fill me in on how you and Thaimis got away from that horrible king.”
“Of course. After our meal. I’m sure the other kingdoms can hear my stomach.”
That got a laugh out of everyone… a small laugh, but still a laugh nonetheless.
We were allowed to eat our meal in private. As we ate the game hen, potatoes and beets that’d been served to us, I told Phyra and Percifal the rest of the details of my time with King Zaeden and his army. Percifal still wasn’t happy I’d left them, but he forgave me.
Before we retired to our guest chambers for the night, King Corbin had requested an audience with me. I assumed he didn’t quite trust Thaimis, for I was told to go alone.
I curtsied deeply to the king and queen of Terra, who sat on their wood and gold thrones upon the dais in the center of the throne room.
King Corbin sat tall in his seat. His thick neck and square jaw told me he was brawny beneath his brown and grey fur robes. His tawny beard streaked with bits of silver was trimmed close to his chin. A short gold crown with wide points sat on top of a head of wavy hair that matched his beard.
Queen Nicola sat beside her husband on a throne that matched his, except its back was shorter. She wore a sage coloured dress with gold trim. Her cheeks were round and her nose was small. She had a high forehead and warm, golden-brown eyes. She wore a gold circlet designed to look like leaves with an emerald at its center. Long, curly, chestnut hair spilled down her back and over her shoulders.
“Your Majesties. It’s an honour to meet you.” I tilted my chin and rose only my eyes to peer at them.
“Too bad it’s under such dire circumstances.” Queen Nicola said, stroking the white cat curled up in her lap.
“Indeed.”
“Lady Zephyra has told us you have an elemental ability like hers,” King Corbin spoke up. His voice was soft, and I had to strain my ears to hear him.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“We’d like you to show us,” King Corbin said, beckoning to his cup-bearer.
The cup-bearer come forward and poured water from a crystal pitcher into a silver chalice and offered it to me.
I accepted the chalice and turned back to the king and queen.
I bowed my head. “Of course, Your Majesties.” I stared down at the chalice’s contents. I felt the power within me stir and almost instantly, the water swirled up and out of the cup.
Queen Nicola gasped and stopped petting her cat. King Corbin’s expression was a pleased one as he sat forward in his seat.
I let the water fall back into the chalice and handed it back to the cup-bearer.
“Celestia is on our side.” Queen Nicola tapped her husband’s arm while still gaping at me.
“It seems so. You agree to fight on behalf of Terra?” he asked, looking down at me with half-closed lids.
“I agree to fight for all of Sarantoa.”
“Good. Let us know if there’s anything Terra can do for you.”
“If you could supply us with some weapons... King Zaeden plans to attack tomorrow night,” I told them.
Queen Nicola stiffened at my words. “On Noctis? We feared, but hoped it wouldn’t be so. We shall set up arms around the perimeter at dawn.”
“I’ll have some weapons brought to your chambers in the morning.” King Corbin grasped the gold, twisted branch-like arms of his throne.
> I bowed my head again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You are dismissed,” the king replied.
I picked up my skirts and gave them both another curtsey. “Thank you, and good evening, Your Majesties.”
I entered the guest chamber Thaimis and I had been given to use while we were in Terra. Candles illuminated the space decorated with plants and paintings of animals.
“I brought you some Chelela water,” I told Thaimis, holding up the cup of water I’d touched with my power.
He took the cup and downed the water in one swallow. He winced and rubbed his throat as he set it down. “I’ll never get used to that burning sensation,” he choked out.
“Soon you won’t have to.” He stayed silent as I began unlacing the bronze gown I’d been given. “Weapons will be brought to us in the morning.”
Thaimis stood up and stepped forward to assist me with the elegant gown. “That’s good news,” he mused, trailing his fingertips over the smooth skin of my shoulder blade. The gown fell to the floor.
I turned around, our faces almost touching. I lifted my eyes and met his gaze.
“I’m so afraid,” I whispered the words I’d been so determined not to admit… even to myself.
“Shh.” He stroked my cheek. “We will prevail.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
I bit my lower lip, and then I lost all control. It was as though he was my air, and I was his. I tore away the clothes he’d been given, not caring if I ruined them. We knocked a table and some plants over as we kissed our way to the bed, their crashes barely registering in my mind. That night, I lost myself in Thaimis. That night, we ravished each other like we never had before… like it was the end of the world.
Chapter 32
I swung my new sword back and forth a few times from on top of the white mare I’d been lent to get the feel of it. It was heavier than the swords I’d practiced with. I had my power, but I couldn’t rely solely on it in this fight.
A scout had spotted King Zaeden’s army that afternoon. King Corbin ordered his army to meet them outside Terra’s walls. We hid in amongst the trees of the dense forest with King Corbin near the front with his soldiers.
Phyra and I wore leather armour instead of the heavy chainmail the men wore. It only would’ve limited our movements. She and Percifal were on one side of me on mounts of their own. Thaimis stood on my other side. Thaimis and Percifal had been given armour, broadswords and shields. They fit right in with the rest of the army.
I glanced at Thaimis. His face had turned a sickly hue of grey, and drops of sweat beaded on his forehead as he held his antsy horse back.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked him, turning my horse so I was facing him.
“Not really.”
I hesitated before advising, “Perhaps you should wait this out back at the palace.”
“No, I’m not hiding away while the ones I love fight this battle.” His horse chomped at its bit when Thaimis wouldn’t let the reins loose.
I stuck my sword back in its scabbard. “If that spirit inside of you takes over, you’ll be more hindrance than help to us.”
“I’ve got it under control,” he ground out between clenched teeth. A vein in his neck popped out… evidence of his restraint.
I huffed and turned back to watch through the trees. A bad feeling formed in the pit of my stomach like a punch to the gut. I’d have to keep my eye on him. Stubborn ass!
The flapping of wings caught my attention. I craned my head up to see birds clearing from the trees and flying off into the dusk sky.
The sun had just set, and the full, ivory moon had begun its rise, casting eerie shadows throughout the leafy trees.
I heard them before I saw them; the sounds of clanking metal and voices chanting.
My mare huffed loudly and began to paw at the ground. She felt as anxious as I.
A command was made and arrows flew over our heads on their way to their targets.
When I saw the first group of soldiers march through the trees, I wanted to flee the scene and never look back.
King Zaeden’s soldiers’ eyes glowed bright cerulean. Their movements were jerky and unnatural—controlled by an inhuman force. They wore dead expressions as they pushed their horses toward us at a steady pace. Some of the arrows had met their targets, but other than wounding a few horses, they didn’t slow them down.
I spotted King Zaeden. I swore he was staring directly at me. That’s right, I’m here, and I’ve brought help, I told him with my mind. The sight of him released a cold rage inside of me, and I no longer felt like fleeing.
I heard the call for our side to charge. Time seemed to slow down as I followed the command. The Terrain soldiers around me spurred their horses forward to clash with King Zaeden’s army. Some fell from their mounts and began fighting on their feet. Horses galloped away as their riders were thrown from them. Blood sprayed from the bodies of soldiers who weren’t able to block sharp weapons.
The Terrain army came hard at their enemies, but it didn’t matter. The possessed soldiers didn’t feel pain. They kept pushing on until they were dead and mangled. Death didn’t frighten King Zaeden’s army. Of course it doesn’t, I scolded myself. They’re already dead!
I saw Phyra from my peripheral set a soldier on fire. He screamed in agony as the flames tore through his flesh. I felt my lips tug up. That got a reaction from them.
Percifal fended off any soldiers who approached Phyra. Thaimis was supposed to do the same for me, but he stood frozen, having some sort of an inward struggle as the possessed soldiers grew closer to us.
“Hey!” I yelled at him as I stuck a man on foot through the throat with my sword. “Thaimis!”
A spray of water erupted from the ground and hit the two other soldiers who were stalking toward us. The water hit them hard enough to knock them both over. They looked at each other, confusion etched on their faces. If only I could do that to every soldier. I could cure them all of their dark spirits. I decided to try. I threw up more water at another soldier but missed and found myself being knocked from my horse by a woman soldier I hadn’t noticed.
I quickly regained my feet, but her sword sliced just under my left shoulder. I cried out and shot water up, and her horse reared. She fell to the ground, but got up and came straight for me. I tried to hit her with water, but she dodged it so I pulled out my sword. We parried, each hit sapping my energy. I realized I wasn’t going to win this fight with a sword. My skill level was below hers. I shoved the weapon into its scabbard and blasted her with water from the ground. She didn’t see it coming this time and fell and hit her head on a rock.
A sharp pain spread across my back. I let out a hiss between my teeth.
I twisted and saw Thaimis still on his horse, his eyes aglow. Dear Celestia.
Water burst up, and he leapt from his horse and rolled on the ground.
I managed to crawl over to where he lay. The water had missed him, and he sat up with a roar, pulling his sword with him.
My back throbbed from where he’d cut me, and my arm still stung from my first wound.
“Thaimis, please,” I groaned with desperation.
He used his sword to push himself up. He stared down at me with a blank expression.
An unnaturally thick fog had begun to creep through the woods and carried a sickly sweet smell with it that caught in my throat. I coughed and tried to get up, but the pain in my back was making me weak.
Thaimis let out a howl as he came at me.
He was going to kill me.
I felt for the water now puddled on the ground. I held my palm down toward it and pulled it up with my power in a magnetic force. Thaimis came at me with his sword raised, and I forced the water down his throat.
His eyes grew wide and he made a horrible gurgling sound, trying to gasp for air. His sword clashed to the ground, and he clawed at his throat. I released the water as he fell, muddy liquid seeping through his lips.
&nbs
p; I heard another soldier approaching from behind and threw a spray of water at him, knocking him back. I didn’t have time for him.
My ears went deaf to the world around me. I pulled myself back over to Thaimis and peered down at his face. He was still and his eyes were closed.
I slapped his cheek a few times. “Thaimis, wake up.”
Nothing.
“Thaimis!” I shook him.
I placed my hand in front of his nose, but I didn’t feel any air. I covered his chest with my palm. No heart beat beneath his ribs.
A whimper escaped my lips. Damn you! This can’t be happening.
But it was. Thaimis was dead—and I’d killed him.
Ignoring the pain in my back, I pushed myself up. I didn’t notice it had begun to rain until then. More water pooled on the ground. I used that water to cut through the soldiers, knocking down anyone who got in my path.
I killed Thaimis.
I heard King Zaeden shouting orders. I followed the sound of his voice. When I was close enough to see his smug smile from the top of his horse, I marched toward him. He didn’t notice me. He was chanting something in another language. The fog writhed and thickened around him, spreading throughout the forest. If I could reach him, I could drown him… the same way he’d forced me to drown Thaimis.
I zoned in on King Zaeden. We were the only two people left in the world… until hands grabbed me from behind.
I elbowed whoever was trying to take me down, and they let go with a grunt.
The fog was so dense now. I couldn’t make King Zaeden out any longer. Cries of pain filled my ears—that and the whispered accusation, you killed Thaimis.
I needed to get out of the fog. I sloshed my way through the bloody muck. Blood… there was so much blood.
When the fog grew thin enough for me to discern friend from foe, I called to the water pooled on the ground, hitting a possessed soldier from behind who was attacking a woman soldier dressed in Terra’s uniform.
She nodded thanks to me and moved on to the next enemy.
Fight. Keep moving. Don’t stop. Don’t think.
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 46