Phoenix of Hope: Complete Series — Books 1-4

by Zora Marie

  Linithion gave her a shameless smile and pulled Zelia to snuggle up against her. Even though She smiled, worry still shone in her eyes as she trailed a finger down Zelia’s side.

  “I told you I was fine.”

  “I know…”

  “You don’t have to explain. Let’s just get some rest.”

  “Alright.” Linithion didn’t close her eyes though, she just stared. It was as though she feared Zelia would disappear if she closed them for just a moment. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.” Zelia wrapped her arm across Linithion’s torso and held her tight. They fell asleep like that, holding each other as though the world depended on it.

  Zelia woke to a blast of freezing air hitting the back of her neck. Then the door shut once more and someone was humming a note of amusement behind her. Linithion’s chest tensed as she lifted her head for a moment, then she dropped back onto the pillows.

  “Can you not knock like a civilized person, Loboran?” Linithion asked.

  “Oh, I’ve been knocking for the past ten minutes. It seems the two of you were more tired than you thought.”

  Linithion let out a soft groan and Zelia was tempted to echo the sentiment. “I take it you need me?” Linithion asked.

  “No, we’ve got it handled. We just thought you should both eat since we finally put dinner together.”

  “Dinner? Don’t you mean breakfast?” Zelia asked.

  “Nope. It’ll be getting dark soon.” The bed shifted behind Zelia. “How are you holding up?”

  Zelia disentangled her legs from Linithion’s and turned to look up at Loboran. “Apparently neither of us know how to sleep on a regular basis, but…” Zelia glanced at Linithion to find that Linithion was staring at her. “I think we’re holding it together.”

  “I would have let you sleep longer, but I thought you should eat before releasing the souls. Then we’ll all rest tonight and leave early tomorrow.”

  “I thought we agreed to leave this evening?” Linithion said.

  “We decided it would be best to move the injured when it's light out. Your friend Gaeru mentioned that Donequen expects Skylar to be there soon. We need to work out who is going to take him.”

  “I’ll talk with the dragons and work that out, but I thought Gaeru would have left by now.”

  “He said he would leave when we do.”

  “I should probably take him there and check on the Darkans. I promised Draksen I would.”

  “You can’t be everywhere at once,” Loboran warned. “Let Gaeru handle things there, we need you here.”

  “But—”

  “I need you here.” Linithion kissed Zelia’s temple.

  “Fine.”

  “Good. It’s colder today than it has been, so dress warmly and then come get yourselves some dinner.”

  “Thank you, Loboran,” Linithion said.

  Zelia was reminded of why she preferred the Elves over humans as they entered the dining hall. No one bowed or groveled before them here, they just gave them a courteous nod and continued with their meal. The tables had been pulled away from the walls, but were still haphazardly placed, as though everyone was too tired to care. Loboran waved them over to where he sat with bowls of soup waiting for them.

  The moment they sat, Alrindel slid into the seat across from Zelia. She could tell he had something to say as he looked them both over, but he ate a spoonful of his soup instead of speaking. When she didn’t follow suit, Loboran nudged her with his elbow. She opened her mouth to demand they come out with it, but Alrindel glared at her in a silent warning that he wasn’t going to say a word until she ate.

  The soup was bland compared to what they usually ate, but it was warm and the chunks of potato and carrots were filling. She was nearly done with her bowl when Alrindel said, “We want you two to go ahead to Elyluma with the dragons.”

  “No. I will travel with my people,” Linithion said.

  “Hear us out,” Starling said.

  “Don’t you start it, too,” Linithion said.

  “We want you two to go ahead of us and help Eleanor strengthen the wards there. Plus, Zelia needs to train and there are no clearings big enough for all of the dragons to camp with us.”

  “If you get attacked on the way, you’ll need us,” Linithion said. “We can send the dragons ahead, but we will travel with you.”

  “Zelia should at least go, she needs to train,” Alrindel said.

  “I can train in the evenings when we stop for the night.”

  “You need to rest, too.”

  “I’m not leaving all of you. Besides, I’ve…” Zelia wasn’t really sure she wanted to admit that she was still struggling, that the past still haunted her. She was doing better, far better than she had been, but when she’d left Linithion it had gotten worse. And then she’d killed Gregory.

  “You don’t have to explain,” Alrindel said and Zelia could tell by the softness in his tone that he knew something haunted her. “You can’t blame us for wanting to keep you both safe.”

  “Father wouldn’t have left all of you and I won’t either,” Linithion said and took Zelia’s hand in a quiet reminder that she wouldn’t leave her either.

  “Well, it was worth a shot. You done?” Alrindel gestured to their bowls and when they nodded, he picked them both up. “You should go work things out with the dragons.”

  “Fine.”

  “Oh, don’t sound so thrilled,” Raven purred in Zelia’s mind. “You might drag Skylar along as I think we’ve worked out a plan.”

  “Do you know where Skylar is lurking about?” Zelia asked.

  “No, but I can go find him if you like.”

  “Please. Apparently, the dragons have already come up with a plan.”

  “Well that could be trouble,” Linithion joked as she pushed back from the table and pulled Zelia with her. “I’ll go with you.”

  The dragons were sitting in a circle, talking. Elm and Evergreen’s wings flared as they glanced at one another. Then they took off, heading for the river.

  “Where are they off to?” Zelia asked.

  “They’re going fishing,” Orvi said.

  “We realize that you still need someone to take Skylar across the mountains and I’ve convinced Grono to take him,” Raven said as she curled around Zelia and Linithion to shield them from the wind. “He’s just as fast as I am and that way, I don’t have to leave you and Orvi.”

  Zelia held Linithion’s hand a little tighter as she told her what Raven had said.

  “What’s wrong?” Orvi glanced between Linithion and Zelia.

  “The forest paths are too tight for you to travel with us,” Linithion said. “We would like you to go to Elyluma ahead of us.”

  “And leave you behind?” Orvi asked.

  Linithion must have sensed Orvi’s question as she went to the young dragon and hugged her. Raven nuzzled closer to Zelia and she leaned back against her warm side.

  “Why don’t you come with us?” Raven asked.

  “Linithion won’t leave her people, not while they’re so vulnerable.”

  “And you feel compelled to go with her.”

  “I do, but… I don’t want to leave you either.”

  “Don’t worry about us. I’ll make sure Orvi is taken care of and the others can take turns flying over to check on you.”

  “No. I don’t want any of you traveling alone, not right now.”

  “Then we’ll travel in pairs. Grono and I can pair up once he swaps Skylar for Donequen.”

  “Does he know of your…” Zelia trailed off as she wasn’t sure if she possessed the same ability as the dragons to direct her thoughts to specific dragons.

  “You do, and Grono knows I think Donequen may turn out to be his rider.”

  “She’s been matchmaking for years. I’ve learned how to tell when she’s come up with a new dragon rider match up.”

  “Oh, hush.” Raven batted at Grono with her tail and he playfully nipped at it.

&
nbsp; “Are they…” Linithion asked.

  “No, Grono was her mate’s brother.”

  “And we’ve known each other for ages.”

  “Of course, Grono has always been a bit of a flirt.”

  Zelia shook her head as she went to Linithion. She wished she could share every bit of these conversations with Linithion, but it just wasn’t within her abilities. Rog could have opened a path between their minds, but he was too far away.

  “Just don’t spend all your time conversing with the dragons or I might get jealous.” Linithion kissed her and Zelia could have sworn Orvi huffed something to the effect of ‘get a room’. “So, what’s the plan?”

  “Yeah, what is this I hear about the dragons making plans on their own?” Skylar asked.

  “Oh, they just want to spirit you away to your throne and swap you out for Donequen.”

  “Trying to get rid of me now, are you?” Skylar gave Raven a playful sidelong stare.

  “Maybe… Donequen is much less trouble than you,” Linithion teased.

  “Really? We’ll see about that.” Skylar pulled a couple of snowballs from where he’d kept them hidden in the folds of his cloak and threw one at each of them.

  Before the snowballs had even hit them, Grono swept his tail through the snow, flinging a small wave of snow at Skylar. Zelia and Linithion laughed as Skylar gaped. Little piles of snow sat on top of his head and shoulders, and there was a great mound pressed against the back of his legs.

  “So, so not fair.”

  “I tried to warn you,” Alrindel teased as he came to join them.

  Skylar shoved the pile on his shoulder off onto Alrindel. “Wouldn’t want you to feel left out.”

  “Never.” Alrindel’s smile faded as he turned to her and Linithion. “Things are almost ready for this evening. Do either of you need anything?”

  “I think we’re ready.”

  Zelia shrugged at the glance Linithion gave her and she dusted the snow from her cloak. “As ready as we’ll ever be.”

  5

  First starlight came too quickly for either of their tastes. Every breath brought them closer to leaving Linithion’s childhood home for what would likely be the last time. Brought them closer to sending their dragons off on their own. Linithion was quiet as they walked out into the rows of bodies shrouded in white, until they were far enough away no one would hear their whispers. No one but the bodies of the fallen. Everyone else merely lined the edges in silent anticipation. Too few stood in silent vigil, too few compared to the rows upon rows of bodies around them. Many seemed to have killed themselves rather than be taken. At least that way their souls could be reborn, unlike Erolith.

  “I’d like to think Father still watches over us, even if we never got to release his soul,” Linithion whispered.

  “I’m sorry we didn’t get to give him that last honor.”

  “It’s not your fault. It was his decision.”

  “Still…” Zelia quietly looked over the bodies veiled in white. She hadn’t looked at the lists of the deceased to see if she recognized anyone among the fallen. She’d seen everyone she knew well among the living and decided that was enough. She just hoped that this first task as a betrothed couple wasn’t an omen for what was to come. She hoped this wouldn’t become a common occurrence. She couldn’t bear to lose anyone else she cared about.

  “You ready?” Linithion asked as they reached the center.

  Zelia gave Linithion’s hand a light squeeze and moved the staff between them. “Put your hands over mine on the staff. We’ll honor our people together.”

  Linithion’s hands were warm and steadying as they covered Zelia’s. The runes on the staff glowed white rather than gold, reflecting Zelia’s wish to make these flames the color of starlight. Linithion’s eyes met Zelia’s in silent question.

  “In honor of what has been lost and what we have to gain.”

  The flames rippled out from Zelia, skittering along the snow. She willed the white veils to burn last and only as those little blue and white orbs, those souls, lifted from the bodies. Zelia watched the spectacle through the light reflected in Linithion’s eyes. The silent, unshed tears that lined her eyes shimmered silver as souls lifted all around them.

  “I love you,” Zelia whispered.

  The runes on her staff faded, but they did not move from their place in the middle of the field, not as Linithion’s gaze lifted with the rising lights. It was a long while before those shimmering souls faded into nothing but starlight in Linithion’s eyes and her gaze shifted back to Zelia’s.

  “I love you, too.”

  Zelia wrapped her arm around Linithion’s waist as they walked back. Several of the Elves along the edges of the field were quietly singing one of many Elven songs of remembrance, but their families, their closest kin, were silent. Those who hadn’t lost immediate family, or who tended the injured, quietly slipped back into the city’s ruins.

  Usually the royal family would stay with those who had lost loved ones, but with what lay in the days ahead, they needed rest. So, she and Linithion faded into the cluster of their friends and left the others to mourn in peace.

  Alrindel led them to their room and when they reached the door, he pulled them both into a hug. “You’re both loved so much. You know that, right?”

  “Yes, Alrindel. We love you, too,” Linithion said.

  “You know, I still can’t believe you two got betrothed while I wasn’t here. I’m fairly certain I did not give either of you my blessing.”

  “Oh, did my big brother get his feelings hurt?”

  “I did.” Alrindel made a little sniffling noise, then winked at them. “Go get some rest before morning. And note that I said rest.”

  Alrindel opened the door for them and Linithion stuck her tongue out as they slipped inside.

  “Hm, well that’s not very queenly-like.” Alrindel’s laugh was soft as he shut the door and left. Zelia knew he was joking around to ease her and Linithion’s worries, to ease the veil of grief that hung over them. It was nice to have him back so close once again, even if he was to leave with the dragons in the morning.

  “I should have packed my clothes already,” Linithion said as they slipped back into their night clothes.

  “Put what we’ll need for the journey in a pack and I’ll take care of the rest in the morning.”

  “No, it’s my stuff.”

  “Linithion. You’ve been busy trying to take care of everyone else, let me do what I can for you.”

  “Fine, but only the essentials.”

  “What about your figurines?” Zelia finally took a moment to admire the tiny glass sculptures up close. They were a mix of wolves, owls, griffins, dragons, and a phoenix. Most of them were clear, but a few were made with colored glass and all of them sparkled in the starlight shining through the window. It was so strange to think that this room was untouched while the city outside was in shambles.

  “They’ll just break on the way. Come on.” Linithion tugged Zelia towards the bed. “I’ll make you one when all of this is over.”

  Zelia stirred to find the bed empty. The spot where Linithion usually lay was still warm.

  “Sorry if I woke you,” Linithion whispered.

  Zelia rolled over. Linithion was dressed. She quietly folded and packed her clothes, each movement meticulous. Linithion paused to admire one of the glass sculptures on top of her armoire before pulling another tunic from inside. This one was different from the others; it was of a grandfather oak tree and took up almost the entire top of the armoire.

  “When did you start making the sculptures?”

  “When I was little. That one,” Linithion pointed to the one above the armoire, “was made by my mother. Sometimes I feel her presence while working with glass… The ones in here are just my favorites. I’ve given a lot of them away over the years.”

  Zelia recalled another place she’d seen a bunch of little glass sculptures and couldn’t help but smile as she rolled from the bed.
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  “What?” Linithion asked.

  “Loboran and Starling have a lot of your little sculptures in their house.” Zelia traced the outstretched wing of a red and yellow phoenix with her index finger. The rendering reminded Zelia of the phoenix, Flits, who had visited her after the battle for The Hold.

  “So?”

  “Nothing, just thinking.” Zelia traced a line of frost across the wood shelf and was relieved that her fingers didn’t crack. She may not be able to make anything like Linithion could as a gift, but she could keep these sculptures safe. It would be worth the effort to keep this little bit of home for Linithion. To keep a bit of good for if they both survived.

  There was a soft knock on the door. “Breakfast will be ready shortly.”

  “Be there in a few,” Linithion said and tossed Zelia a set of clothes.

  Zelia glanced around at the glass sculptures and debated telling Linithion to go ahead to breakfast without her, but if she wanted to make sure this was a surprise she’d have to pack them at the last minute possible. So, she dressed quickly, and silently debated who to enlist to help her.

  6

  Zelia picked at her breakfast of bread, eggs, and a random assortment of other foods that wouldn’t travel well. Loboran gave her plate a pointed look across the table, and she forced herself to take a bite. She’d never been a hearty eater but worry and stress killed what little appetite she usually had. “So, how much trouble am I in with Bête Noire?” Zelia asked Starling. She hadn’t gone to see her horse since she’d set sail for Dragon Island what seemed like forever ago.

  “Enough that you should probably go talk to him before we leave, unless you’d like him to walk you into every low hanging tree limb he can find.”

  “That bad? Want to come sweeten him up with some sugar cubes for me?” Zelia hoped that Starling understood that she didn’t just want his help with her horse, though she did feel bad for not going to see him sooner. Actually, she felt downright horrible about it. He was loyal to her, yet she’d hardly even thought of him.