“Best man?” Isaacs frowned and squinted over at her. “What would I have to do?”
“Stand up with Gion as we say our vows and help him get ready for our ceremony. It’s very important.”
“Isaacs isn’t the ‘best man’ at anything.” Gion scoffed.
Isaacs responded to that with an impolite hand gesture.
“Gion, be nice.” Ty chided. “If you have any genuine input for our Binding Day, then feel free to jump in. But, if you’re just going to be negative, I’ll plan it all myself.”
He flashed her frustrated look.
Ty pretended not to notice. It was becoming very obvious that her first job as a real Match would be to distract Gion from doing something crazy. He was so angry she could feel the vibrations of it in his energy. He was trying to hide it from her, but Gion wanted to hunt Parald down now.
Ty wanted to kill that bastard, too, but she liked to have all the facts before she rushed into anything. She wanted Tessie to tell them how to fix the block and to make sure that getting rid of Parald was all they needed to do to undo the fake Matches. Basically, Ty needed assurances that Parald had no more tricks up his sleeve before she committed to executing that son-of-a-bitch.
Ty wouldn’t risk Gion or their connection.
Not for anything.
“Gion?” She said softly and his attention snapped back over to her.
“Yes?”
“I love you, but you’re making me dizzy. Calm down.”
He stopped his restless prowling and came over to stand in front of her. Icy blue eyes met hers solemnly and she knew exactly what he wanted.
“I love you.” She repeated firmly. It hadn’t taken Ty more than a minute or two to see that Gion would need to constantly hear the words. Odds seemed good that no one had ever told him that before. Damn Air House. “Please calm down.”
Gion nodded. “I’m sorry. I will. I love you, too.” But, he resumed pacing.
Ty sighed and went back to planning her Binding ceremony. “Let’s see… Nia will be my Matron of Honor, obviously. But, I’m not wearing the whole formal robes thing, again. What do human brides wear? Ball gowns, right?” She aimed that question at Thar, since he was someone else in desperate need of a distraction.
At the other end of the couch, Tharsis was pretending to watch that silly modeling show, but his eyes focused on a spot two feet below the screen.
Her family was happy for her. Happy that she was free from Parald. Ty could already tell they were starting to blame themselves for what had happened, though. Tharsis rarely let her see behind his lazy smile, anymore. But, Ty still remembered his festering hatred of Parald and how it had actually frightened her to see it. Tharsis had a brutal streak inside of him that the rest of the Water House lacked.
A… hardness.
Ty had been grateful when she’d woken up from her injuries on the sixth day of the Fall and discovered that the Air Kingdom’s barriers were impenetrable. No one could get through them, which was very, very lucky.
Once he saw that Ty would live, Tharsis was freed from his bedside vigil. His first thought had been to go after Parald. If Thar went into the Air Kingdom, either he or Parald would die. She’d seen that in the glow of his eyes. Risking her cousin --her brother-- was the last thing Ty wanted. Tharsis had never gotten over his failure to kill Parald, though.
“Thar?” Ty said quietly, giving up on subtlety. “Remember the night before my ninety-third birthday?”
His turquoise gaze flicked over to her. “Yeah.”
Even when everyone else had assumed that Ty would be thrilled to find her Match and happy to Phaze with him, Tharsis had despised Parald. Ty had always seen that. He’d told her so, in fact. That was another reason that she always held herself back from Parald. Ty trusted Tharsis with every bit of her heart and soul. More than she trusted herself. Thar didn’t like Parald and it just added to Ty’s own suspicions that something was very wrong with her “Match.”
Tharsis understood people.
“You remember what you said to me?” She prompted when Thar didn’t say anything else.
Tharsis nodded. He’d been the only person who’d looked at the bride the day before the Phazing Ceremony and counseled her to “dump his ass.”
“Thank you for giving me such good advice.” Ty told him seriously. “I should have said that before.”
His mouth tightened and Ty saw her actual cousin for a beat. The real Tharsis who existed behind the “What, Me Worry?” smile.
“I hate that piece of shit, Ty. I hated him right from the beginning. And the thought of you wasting yourself on someone like him…” Tharsis shook his head. “I should have known he’d done something to fake the Match. I could feel that he was wrong for you. Just… feel it. It was my fault.”
“No, it wasn’t your fault. You were completely right about everything.” Ty reached over to touch his hand. “I promise, from now on, if you don’t get a good feeling about someone, that’s it, Thar. End of story for me.”
Gion glanced over at Tharsis, a concerned expression on his face.
“Not you, dear.” Ty assured him. “We all adore you.”
Gion blinked at the endearment.
Isaacs snorted.
“Yeah, don’t worry, Guy. I’m not gonna try to submarine ya.” Tharsis gave Ty’s fingers a squeeze. “You don’t deserve my cousin, either, but at least you’re smart enough to know it.” He focused on the TV, again. “Oh, hot damn! Look at that. Tyra’s goin’ strapless, today.”
And just like that, Tharsis was back behind his mask.
In his own way, Thar was an even bigger perfectionist than Ty. Or he had been… once. Since the end of the world, Thar had fallen off the wagon big time.
When Tharsis failed at something, it weighed on him. And so much had failed during the Fall. So much that could never be replaced or fixed. Perfectionists everywhere were faced with a world that could never be right, again. At a certain point, Tharsis stopped even trying.
He’d never recovered from the Fall.
None of them had, but it had changed Thar so much. Ty looked over at her cousin and realized how different Tharsis was, now. At one time, he’d been a professor. A scholar. Thar was the Elementals foremost authority on human culture and the smartest person Ty ever met. Ty might have edged him out with the raw numbers of their IQ tests, but Thar was so damn clever. His ideas were so unpredictable and brilliant that no one could compete with him when he applied himself.
Students at the university had lined up for his courses. He’d written stacks of books and articles. He’d charmed everyone he’d ever met, because he instinctively understood people. …And he made it all look easy. Before the Fall, he’d been outgoing and popular and passionate about life.
Now, the highlight of his week was arguing at the judges on America’s Next Top Model.
He never even talked about teaching, anymore. Nia had pressed him about it the year before and Tharsis had just laughed at her over the breakfast table.
“Who the hell’s left to teach, Nia? All that’s over. Forget it. Everything’s… over.” Then, he went back to solving the junior word jumble on the side of his Cocoa Puffs cereal box, while Nia and Ty just stared at him sadly.
Ty was letting her cousin down. Letting him slip further and further into that lackadaisical persona that hid all his deeper qualities. She loved Tharsis more than her own life and all she did was take from him, giving him nothing in return. Not even a proper queen. Somehow, she had to help Thar find himself, again.
Ty glanced at Gion and had the feeling that he understood her concern.
His gaze slid back over to Tharsis. Ty’s efforts to distract Gion finally succeed as he rallied himself to help her distract Tharsis. “Why do the humans starve their women?” He asked, gesturing towards the TV. “It’s frightening. Like skeletons in swimwear.”
“That’s a terrible thing to say.” Ty did appreciate the sentiment, though, since she was nowhere near the emaciated stage.
> Tharsis arched a brow. “I’d have thought you’d like these little girls, Guy. Hell, they’re all barely of age for the humans and you go for the younger chicks.”
“‘Younger chick.’ Singular.” Ty corrected, batting her eyelashes at her Match. “There’s no one but me dragging you back from the door of the retirement home, is there, dear?”
Gion paused in his aggravated stalking to kiss her firmly. His lips sealed over hers, one large hand tangling in Ty’s hair as he leaned over her. “There’s no one but you, at all.” He whispered.
That was the first time he’d done anything physical in front of her family. Usually, Ty had to instigate everything that happened to between them when they were in public. Gion never seemed sure if she would accept him when other people were around. Their Match must have increased his confidence. Ty was glad.
She laid a hand against his cheek and smiled at him. She had no idea how she ever could have thought that Gion’s eyes were cold. Every warm, real emotion in the world shone back at her. “Gion, I’m so happy with our Binding. Be happy with me.”
As trite as it sounded, having Gion as her Match was a dream come true. It made Ty so, so happy.
But, freewill always meant more.
Gion loved her. That was the most important thing. If they never Phazed, he’d still love her. He’d chosen Ty. He’d been willing to renounce Randa for her and he’d believed the other woman was his real Match.
Ty cared about their Match. She really did. But, she cared a lot more about the fact that Gion would have wanted her, anyway. A Binding was better than a Phase-Match. It was just about her and Gion and their love. That was what Ty really wanted. Not just a Match, but a husband.
“I don’t want to be miserable. I want to plan our Binding ceremony and I want you to help me.” She pressed her lips against his. “Please calm down and be happy.”
Gion’s expression grew even softer. “I am happy. You have no idea how happy you make me. We can do whatever you want.”
“God, you’re whipped.” Isaacs muttered.
“You’re just jealous that I have a Match and you’ll die alone, asshole.”
Isaacs’ jaw locked.
Ty gave Gion a chiding frown.
He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “What? It’s true, angel. No one can stand him.”
“Yeah, like you’re such a fucking charmer, right?” Isaacs shot back.
“Human brides wear white dresses, Ty.” Tharsis reported, forestalling an argument. “With poufy stuff and flowers.”
That got Gion’s attention. “Another white dress?” He arched a brow at Ty. “Alright, I’m ready to plan our Binding, now. I vote for the white dress. I love white dresses.” He plucked the clipboard out of her hand and actually made a note of it for her. “You should definitely wear that.”
She started giggling.
Gion’s mouth curved.
A surge of power went through the palace and Job and Tessie appeared.
… With Uriel.
“Cousin.” He stomped towards Gion. “I have heard the news. When Parald took your Match, it was an affront to the entire Wood House. Although you tried to kill me, I am here to help you avenge this outrage.”
“I never tried to kill you, Uriel. Notice, how you’re not dead.” Gion retorted, his attention on Tessie. He tossed the clipboard aside. “It’s about time you got here, Quintessence. Parald did something to Ty with those damn boxes. Fix it.”
Ty got to her feet. “Gion, you’re not being calm.”
“Believe me, angel, this is me being extremely calm.”
“This is him being calm.” Tessie and Isaacs chorused at the same time.
Brokk bounded over to Uriel. “I think we should call Abram and rally the others. All the Wood Phases should be ready for this attack on the Air House.”
“All five of you guys, huh?” Isaacs taunted. “Wow. What an army.”
“There are seven Wood Phases, now that we have Melanie and Sullivan.” Uriel corrected. “Seven and a half, with Gion.”
Gion flashed them an annoyed look.
Brokk nodded. “And seven and a half Wood Phases are better than hundreds of fighters from any other House.”
“Except Melanie’s not fighting the Air Phases.” Uriel crossed his arms over his chest. “Neither is Sullivan. My family is still too human. Humans are breakable. I will not risk them.”
Brokk made a “good point” sort of face. “Of course, you are forbidden from warring, too, Uriel. Four and a half of us will bring down the Air House, then. That can be done. We are Wood Phases.”
“I won’t sit out this fight! I was at the Battle of the Fall and I will be at this one, as well.”
“Your side lost the Battle of the Fall.” Isaacs reminded them.
Brokk and Uriel turned to scowl at him. “We didn’t lose!” They roared in unison.
“We’ve never lost a war.” Brokk stabbed at finger at him.
“Job merely cheated us out of our victory!” Uriel agreed. “He sent everyone home, before the Air House had been destroyed.”
Job pinched the bridge of his nose.
“The Air House isn’t the enemy.” Amarna insisted passionately. “Parald is the enemy.”
Tharsis upped the volume on the TV.
“He poisoned my connection with Ty.” Gion loomed over Tessie. “Parald’s going to die today, but first I have to make sure that my Match is okay. Do something.”
“I will. I will.” Tessie crunched across the broken glass from the shattered French doors. “Nice work on your DYI project, here, Guy. Seriously, I think you missed some of the instructions from the helpful Home Depot folks.”
“You’re hilarious, Quintessence. Stop the comedy show and help Ty.”
Tessie stuck her tongue out at him, but her hand patted his shoulder as she passed. “I should have known this girl was your Match. No one else could put up with you.”
Ty frowned slightly at having another woman touch Gion. Tessie was Gion’s friend and Job’s Match. There was nothing seductive about move, but it still made her stiffen.
“Oh geez.” Tessie grinned at her, noting Ty’s face. “You Elementals are so wacky. I’ve been touching Gion for years. But, I’ve got –like-- zero interest in stealing him away from you. I promise. Okay?”
Ty flushed. “Yes. Of course. I know. I’m sorry.”
Gion’s eyebrows soared. He seemed astonished by the idea that Ty might feel possessive towards him. “Ty, I’m not attracted to Tessie.” He stated bluntly. “Not at all. I haven’t even looked at another woman since the day I first saw you.”
“Thanks a lot.” Tessie chuckled.
Ty gazed at her Match. “You haven’t been with anyone else since the night of that concert?” That was the most romantic thing she’d ever heard. “You waited eleven years? For me?”
“Yes.”
“Eleven years?!” Isaacs choked out.
“Yes.” The word was inflexible.
Ty sighed, falling even deeper in love with this man. “Thank you.”
Gion lifted a shoulder in an arrogant shrug.
“I knew Guy even before that and we didn’t fool around, either.” Tessie apparently wanted to cover all her bases. “Completely platonic, from day one.”
“Tess, can we not talk about you and Gion being together in any way?” Job requested in a long suffering voice. “Please? It… bothers me.” He looked around. “And where’s Cross?” If Job had his way, his nephew would have been constantly followed around by satellite surveillance.
Ty was certainly willing to change the subject. “Randa was very upset and we gave her a sedative. She’s been through so much. Cross and Nia took her upstairs to rest in one of the guest rooms.”
After that, Ty hoped to get Nia to agree to let Randa stay in the Shadow Kingdom. Ty wasn’t looking forward to having Randa live in the Water Palace. She couldn’t kick Randa out. The poor woman obviously needed help. And Ty felt very guilty about Randa getting dragged into P
arald’s scheme. But, Randa’s energy still connected to Gion’s and she’d been planning to take him away from Ty.
That was kinda hard to get over.
Ty retreated a bit as Tessie started experimentally poking at her. Ty didn’t like to be touched. It made her uncomfortable. She cared for Tessie, but general unease had her stepping back.
Gion caught Ty against him, her back to his front, and made a soothing sound in her ear. “It’s okay. I got you.”
Ty relaxed against him. “I’m sorry.” She held herself still as the Quintessence resumed her prodding. “Tessie, do you know what you’re doing?”
“Nope.”
That was encouraging.
“So, I’m gonna get a room, too, right?” Isaacs prompted. “Any large, opulent space will do. Don’t worry about the view.”
“Of course, you’ll have your own space…” Ty began.
“We’re giving him a room?” Gion interrupted incredulously.
“No, I’ll sleep in the kitchen cabinets, dickhead. What do you think?”
Gion arched a brow. “I think you’re a liability and we don’t need you in this House, at all. Especially not if it means you get a bedroom in my home.”
Isaacs jaw clenched. “King for five damn minutes and you’re already back to giving orders, huh? This should be fun.” He snorted. “Even Parald gave me my own room.”
“Isaacs is a Water Phase, now?” Uriel stage whispered to Brokk. “Can we trust him in the coming battle?”
“No.” Amarna chimed in. “He’s always been loyal to Parald.”
“That was before I became Helen fucking Keller, honey.” Isaacs sneered. “You think the Air House has a kick ass disability plan waiting for me? No. I’m staying here. In a room. Ty and I have a deal.”
Gion shook his head. “She never promised you a room.”
“It was implied!”
Gion made a scoffing sound.
“He has to have a room, dear.” Ty said gently.
“It wasn’t part of the agreement, Ty. He’s making up new clauses. Next thing you know, we’ll have to give him an allowance and coach his softball games.”
Isaacs called out the big guns in the world of Elemental contract negotiations. “Job, you were there. Tell good King Arthur here that my own room was obviously part of this arrangement.”
Exile in the Water Kingdom (The Elemental Phases Book 3) Page 32