The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series

by Andrea Lamoureux

  My blood rushed through my veins and heated me to the core as he moved closer.

  I tilted my head up. His eyes reminded me of the way the golden sunlight hit the silver icicles on the trees around the palace. They held only warmth as he looked at me. I ran my fingers through his silky, pale hair. I’d never met anyone more beautiful.

  His big, smooth hand cupped my jaw. “When you leave this tower, head north until you reach the sea.” He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “Don’t let anyone mistake you for anyone but who you truly are… Queen Auralina.”

  And then he disappeared, slipping from my grasp.

  I blinked back my tears, his touch still lingering on my cheek.

  I picked up a candle and used it to light the others around the chamber so I could see my guests’ faces when they arrived.

  I tried to read, but the anticipation was too much. Giving up, I set the book down and moved to the window. The moon had risen and lit up the snow outside. I sent a silent prayer to Celestia for Aslaug. I asked that Star see reason and bring the elementals to me on her own accord. I knew she would, but my father on the other hand… he’d be in her ear, advising against it. I prayed my sister had grown a will of her own.

  I waited as the night stretched on, never moving from my tiny window. Soon, I would be out there in the world again. I couldn’t wait to feel the cool air touch my face, the fresh snow crunch beneath my feet. I was ready.

  Vesirus thought he could take our world from us just as my father had taken my crown from me. I’d show them both they were wrong. My shoulders squared, and my back straightened as Celestia’s strength and my mother’s love both filled me. I’d make them proud, and then I’d join them.

  At last, a key turned in the lock on my door.

  I could sense the three sparks as they entered my chamber. One was dimmer than the other two… barely a flicker, but still there.

  The door closed softly behind them, and I said to their reflections in the glass, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  “You knew we were coming?” a soft feminine voice asked.

  I turned around and faced them. A man and two women stood with my sister. I paid Star no attention… ignored how elegant she looked in her silver gown with our mother’s crown upon her head. She’d grown into a young woman, as I had too while locked inside the tower.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “How?” the same voice asked. It belonged to the woman with fire-red hair and brilliant emerald eyes. Her spark was the one that had worried me, dimmer than the others. It should’ve burned as brightly as the rest.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “You know us, then? Who we are?” the woman with hair as dark as the night sky questioned.

  I scanned their faces and saw wariness in each of them. Hope lit their eyes though. I couldn’t imagine the horrors they’d faced while I was locked safely away. “No, I only know that you are elementals like me.”

  The red-haired woman stepped forward. “I am Zephyra Caldura of Solis.” She gestured toward the woman with black hair, almost the colour of cobalt. “This is Chelela Lacrima of Aquila, and beside her…” She moved on to the tall, brooding man with tawny hair and golden-brown eyes. His skin was darker than the others’… kissed by the sun. “This is—”

  “Sepheus Lequerc of Terra,” he finished for her. “I can speak for myself.”

  Zephyra blinked at him and then shrugged.

  Star eyed our mother’s diamond necklace encircling my neck. She probably wondered how I’d obtained such a fine piece of jewelry. I doubted she remembered our mother wearing it. I thought she’d ask about it, but instead, she said in an authoritative tone, “Enough of this. How did you know to expect us? Did Aslaug inform you?”

  I was going to ignore her, but at the sound of my handmaid’s name, I froze. “No. There’s no time to explain, but she’s innocent.” I turned my focus back on Zephyra, dismissing my sister again. I didn’t want to acknowledge her. She let my father steal my crown and place it on her head instead, and then she refused to fix it when she had the power to. “Your power burns low.”

  Zephyra gasped. “You can see our powers?”

  “My own spark can sense those within you. Yours is dimmer than the others.”

  Her eyes widened. “But you do sense it is there?”

  I closed my eyes and checked again. I met her questioning stare. “I do.”

  A laugh bubbled up out of her. “Oh! Thank Celestia! I worried it might be gone.”

  “What happened?” I asked.

  Her expression darkened at the memory. “We were attacked by some sort of shadow demon. It took me, swept me up into the sky. I thought I was going to die. The pain was unbearable. I threw everything I had at it. Fire exploded in the space between the demon and me. That’s all I remember. I awoke to find Percifal at my side, and the ground around me scorched. I couldn’t feel my power, the spark as you call it, anymore.”

  “Percifal?” My brows pulled together.

  “The man I love,” she explained.

  “She hasn’t been able to manage the smallest flame since then,” Chelela added, causing the corners of Zephyra’s lips to curl downward.

  “So, Zephyra is the fire elemental. You must be water,” I said to the dark-haired woman. “And Sepheus is earth?”

  “Yes,” the two women answered at the same time.

  Sepheus simply nodded. He had remained a quiet, looming presence. If I didn’t know he had come with the others, I would’ve assumed him a threat. Something about the man made me uneasy. The others seemed to trust him though; so I would too.

  “And please,” the fire elemental said. “Call me Phyra.”

  My mouth quirked up. “Before we continue, we must figure out what’s wrong with your power.” We couldn’t defeat Vesirus if our powers weren’t all at their full capacities.

  “How do you intend to do that?” Star demanded, trying to remain in control of the conversation as queen. She couldn’t fool me.

  “Please don’t be frightened when you see my friend,” I said to them.

  “Whatever do you mean?” Star questioned further.

  Sepheus’s hand hovered over the hilt of his sword.

  Noting his movement, I stated, “No need for weapons. Ramiel’s not… well, you’ll see.” I tilted my face to the ceiling… because I assumed he waited in a realm somewhere above the sky for no apparent reason. “Ramiel!” I called.

  The others shifted on their feet, looking around the chamber nervously.

  “Ramiel!” I tried again.

  Nothing.

  “For goddess sakes, Aura,” Star huffed.

  “Ramiel! Oh, he’s making me look like a fool,” I said to no one in particular.

  I heard the fluttering of wings, the sound that made my heart leap, from behind me. I spun around as everyone else gawked over my shoulder.

  My guardian pinned me with his gaze, his arms crossed. “I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to show myself to any more mortals.”

  “I’m sorry, but we have a problem.” I joined him and faced the others again. Star looked like she’d just lost her crown. And the rest… they were surprised, but not as shocked as her. They’d already seen creatures not of this world. Still, I didn’t think they’d ever laid their eyes upon a guardian before.

  “What problem?” Ramiel shifted, his feathery wings appeared to take up half the chamber.

  “The fire elemental can’t use her powers.” I pointed to Phyra.

  “Her guardian would have informed me if she’d lost her power, but let me see.” My guardian moved toward her and held out his hands for her to take.

  “I have a guardian?” she asked with eyes as round as full moons. When he didn’t answer, she placed her palms over his, hesitantly.

  His eyes moved beneath closed lids as he searched for her power. The chamber went silent as we waited.

  He opened his eyes and dropped his hands back to his sides. “Your power’s still alive. You mus
t have used too much too fast. It’ll return with rest.”

  “Are you sure?” Phyra asked with bewilderment.

  “Yes.”

  “We don’t have time,” I countered.

  “You will have to make time, because, without her power, Vesirus will surely win.” The muscle in his jaw that twitched when he wouldn’t back down told me this was one of those moments.

  I sighed. “Fine.”

  Ramiel gave me a smile so small anyone else would’ve missed it. He unstrapped one of the twin swords from his back and handed it to me. “Here. Take this with you—for protection.”

  I blinked once before I accepted the sheathed weapon. “But it’s Celestian steel.” The steal our very goddess had created.

  Now, his lips truly pulled up. “I always meant for you to have it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I will come to you when I’m needed,” he promised.

  I had nearly forgotten the others watched us until he disappeared, and I was left alone with them.

  “Is that how you knew about everything?” My sister’s voice shook.

  “What is he?” Chelela asked in wonder.

  Sepheus simply stared at the space where Ramiel had disappeared from.

  “I’ll answer all of your questions later,” I said to them. “I think Phyra should get some rest. If that’s all right with Star.” I set my sight on the wintery queen.

  “No, it’s not,” she replied lowly.

  “What do you mean, ‘no’?” I marched closer to her, as I would have done when we were younger. It was like no time at all had passed.

  But this time Star held her ground. “You cannot stay here. It is why I’ve written you this letter of pardon.” She held out a sealed envelope for me. “You will go to our Aunt Klara’s manor and rest there.”

  “Why not pardon me in front of the whole kingdom? Surely that would be easier,” I challenged.

  “I cannot risk my kingdom rising up against me in this time of hardship. If Vesirus really is coming, I need to prepare my army for war. I will call for you when I’m ready.”

  “You’re afraid of them, aren’t you?” I accused.

  We stared at each other for a long moment, but Star faltered. “I will not risk civil war, but I will tell them about you and the other elementals after I convince them the Dark Lord is their true enemy and not you.”

  “You would waste precious time? Time we don’t have?”

  She licked her lips and then deflected my accusation. “There will be no army to defend this kingdom if my people turn on each other.”

  I smiled coldly at her, frost coating my fingertips. “Fine, then get us out of here.” We had a scepter to retrieve anyways. I didn’t bother telling my sister that important detail. I didn’t want her to try convincing me, or the others, not to go. I trusted Ramiel. He was giving us our best chance.

  “Fine. Follow me.” She pulled the door open and descended the stairs.

  Phyra chewed on her lip as she motioned the rest of us to follow.

  I couldn’t believe it. Freedom, at last. My heart pounded in my chest as I gave the chamber that had held me for four springs one last glance and stepped through the door.

  I don’t know what I expected to see when we passed through the door at the bottom of the stairs, but it wasn’t the man with hair as dark as Chelela’s pressing one of our guards up against a wall with a dagger to his throat.

  Chapter 20

  “Apologies, Your Majesty,” the man with onyx hair said to my sister. “The other guard got away. He bolted as soon as you disappeared through the door to the tower.” Starella must have asked this man to stay with the guards as she brought the others to my chamber inside the tower.

  “Unhand him,” a voice boomed from down the corridor.

  My father stomped out of the shadows, dressed in grey and purple, an ominous shadow himself.

  “Percifal, please,” Phyra said to the man with a dagger. So, this was the fire elemental’s lover.

  He lowered the blade, and the guard wrenched free from his grasp.

  “Go, find back up,” my father ordered the stunned guard. “Take these traitors to the dungeon.”

  “No.” My power stirred. I directed my focus at my father’s chest, pulling the air straight from his lungs and holding it.

  He grabbed at his throat, trying to take a breath.

  “Stop it!” my sister shrieked, very unqueenly.

  I pretended not to hear her as I stared my father down. He had no power over me anymore. I could end his life.

  His face darkened with the lack of air.

  “Please,” Star begged, as the others watched while the life began seeping from my father. “Please! I need him. He won’t arrest you or the others. You have my promise.”

  A cruel smile tugged at my mouth. “So be it.” I released the air I’d stolen. “You two deserve each other.” My sister had just shown weakness. She couldn’t stand on her own, as I’d suspected. Pathetic.

  My father gasped and bent forward. “You!” he rasped. “You almost killed me.”

  The guard Percifal had threatened returned with five of his comrades.

  “Stand down,” Star ordered.

  Their gazes drifted to my father, who managed to choke out, “Listen to your queen.”

  I almost laughed. “Your subjects remain loyal to our father, even though you are queen.”

  “I would have words with you. All of you… now,” she gritted out, fuming.

  We followed her to an empty room. The guards remained outside the closed door.

  My father rubbed his neck, his face had returned to its normal colour. “Would someone explain to me exactly what the Mnyama is going on?”

  A fire lit up behind Phyra’s eyes as she said, “Auralina is the air elemental we’ve been seeking. Queen Starella knows she needs to protect her kingdom against Vesirus, so she brought us to her. You can no longer deny the Dark Lord is coming, as much as you wish it weren’t true.” Her boldness surprised me. Polite she may be, but she had the will to stand against royals. I supposed being raised in the Solis court had helped.

  My father’s eyes flicked to Star. “Is this true? Do you believe the proclamations of these strangers?”

  “Not only do I believe it, I’ve seen with my own eyes that there are forces we do not understand at work.” She’d regained her composure but still nervously fiddled with the twisted hair draped over her shoulder.

  I knew she meant Ramiel. Thank goddess he’d shown himself.

  “King Zaeden brought an army of possessed soldiers to attack Terra,” Sepheus finally spoke up. “I saw him open a gate to Mnyama. I do not know if King Corbin even lives.” I didn’t miss the pain written on his features. He obviously loved his king.

  “We’ve faced demons,” Phyra added. “And they are coming for you.”

  Chel stepped close enough to my father that they were face to face. “You’re stupid if you let your daughter’s kingdom fall because you refuse to acknowledge the warnings that we’ve given you. You may deserve to die, but the people of this kingdom do not. And I certainly hope you have another way for them to escape than that deadly bridge we crossed to get here.”

  “Chel,” Phyra warned.

  My sister cut in. “We have a tunnel that connects from beneath the palace to under the bridge. If my subjects’ lives are in danger, I will send them through there.”

  The man with similar features—Percifal—caught her eye. “With all due respect, You Majesty, it won’t matter where your people go. They will be hunted down by demons.”

  The queen sighed. “I believe them, Father. We must do whatever we can to protect this kingdom.”

  “All right, all right.” My father raised his hands. “We will send scouts out to watch for King Zaeden,” he said more to my sister than to the rest of us.

  Star nodded at him and turned back to me. “I still need you to go to Aunt Klara’s. I will send word once I’ve informed the kingdom of your par
don and the threat of Vesirus.”

  “No need,” I replied. We likely wouldn’t be there when she sent for us, so I simply said, “We have another task to complete before we return here.” Phyra frowned at me in confusion. “I’ll explain on the way.” I strode to the door. “Let us leave.”

  The guards had waited in the corridor outside. They formed a line as we exited.

  “Henrik,” Star said to one of them. “Take my sister and our four guests to my Aunt Klara’s manor. Ensure they arrive safely.”

  The guard, with only a wisp of golden hair left on his balding head, bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “I have but one request,” I said to Star before exiting the room.

  She inclined her head, waiting for me to continue.

  “This man,” I tilted my head toward Percifal, “is not an elemental. Please allow him sanctuary here until we return.”

  He was about to say something when Phyra moved beside him and clasped his arm and answered for him. “I would not be here if not for Percifal. He may not be an elemental, but he has saved my life more than once. He is a skilled fighter.

  I met her emerald stare and held it. “I don’t care. Where we’re going… he cannot come.” I wouldn’t have an extra life to worry about.

  Phyra looked to the two other elementals. Sepheus waited patiently with his arms crossed beside Chel, whose eyes flashed with resolve. “He’s your brother,” she appealed to the water elemental. “Help me convince her we need him.” No wonder the two appeared so similar.

  Chel tossed her cobalt hair over her shoulder. “I agree with Aura.”

  Percifal widened his eyes at her. “I think I should get a say in this. It is my life we’re talking about here.”

  “I’d rather you be safe,” she confessed to her brother. “I don’t know where we’re going yet, but perhaps magic will be needed.”

  “Any of you could die too,” he replied, looking at each of the others in turn. “I thought we were in this together.”

  They all looked to me. It seemed I’d already fallen into my role as leader. “Only the elementals are needed for this task. You could compromise everything if you come. Stay here, and help Ventosa prepare for war. You have first-hand experience. I’m sure my sister will heed your advice.” My gaze fell back on Star.