by J E Mueller
I could see from the corner of my eye concern rising in Aylum’s face as he caught my momentary lapse. Soleia put a hand on his shoulder. She understood. We both knew I wasn’t going to completely overdo it.
“Just one more strike,” I said, moving before Eastyn could react. He turned just as I caught him across the cheek.
Eastyn cried in pain, dropping his blade. “This isn’t fair!”
I wanted to do more damage, hatred filled every fiber, ever cell with rage - but I was exhausted. Dueling wasn’t about killing him anyway, just about proving I could beat him. Blood was drawn, and despite his allegations, using my teleporting was more than legitimate.
I tossed down my blade and walked away from Eastyn. “Nothing you did to me was fair.” There were only a dozen or so steps between the dueling space and the group. I hugged Aylum for a moment before motioning to him to trade places.
“Guards, you’re dismissed,” Delmar directed. They looked unsure but followed their prince’s orders.
“I demand to see my father. Now,” Eastyn practically screamed the last word as he clutched his face.
“Kareia clearly wins the duel.” Delmar smiled, his lips twisting into a rather devious smirk. “You may now fight as you please.”
Eastyn threw down the sword and called fire to his hands. “Fine. Let’s get this over with. This nobody is no match for my magic.”
Aylum chuckled as he moved so he would have plenty of space around him. “You have failed to realize who you are facing off against. I am not surprised and take no offense, but you have greatly wronged my âme sœur and will pay for that in the way that we true natives of Dustarn see fit.”
His body glowed bright with magic for a moment, getting steadily bigger and bigger before it seemed it would take up the entire room. I remembered him writing to me some time ago saying dragons could take a smaller size, about the size of four horses instead of three stories, but I had never seen him in this form. Aylum’s scales were gorgeous - black as night outlining along glimmering emerald scales.
Eastyn paled as he tried to mutter something unintelligible. Aylum wasn’t waiting for a reaction though. He struck out with a large claw, hitting him against the wall hard before sending a wave of fire at him, then finally crushing him. The sound of snapping bones and smell of burnt flesh was horrifying, but I knew without a doubt it was over.
Eastyn was dead.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Teleporting around was too draining, so I opted for a nap before doing anything else. The only other plans were to speak with my father, and if I was being honest, I really wanted nothing to do with my family at the moment.
I did not believe he had any hand in what had happened, but he could have prevented much of this long ago by simply listening to me and calling the whole Promised thing off.
“I’d say don’t be so hard on him, but the entire system is something I strongly disapprove of,” Soleia muttered as we walked down the hall later that afternoon.
“Everywhere handles these things differently. You’re lucky your family's roots are elsewhere.” I shook my head at her. “Speaking of, how is your family? Shouldn’t they be worrying about you around now?”
“Oh no.” Soleia shook her head. “I wrote them and explained there was a delay and then while you were recovering I got into the actual details with them. They know exactly where I am and that I am well.”
“Good.” I gave her an approving nod as we heard voices ahead. “It would appear that their meeting hasn’t wrapped up yet.”
“Do council meetings ever wrap up on time?” Soleia chuckled as we paused back far enough to not interrupt but close enough to get the gist of what was going on.
“No, and I often wonder if they do so on purpose to avoid other life duties.” I smirked.
Soleia snickered. “I wouldn’t doubt it half the time.”
We stood quietly for a moment as laughter echoed into the hall before the sounds of chairs moving could be heard.
“I think I like this situation less,” I confessed to Soleia. “Earlier, I knew what was to come with fighting Eastyn. No matter how I felt, that man was done for. Now? Now I’m so uncertain of what to expect and I’d rather be anywhere else.”
Soleia nodded thoughtfully. “I believe it’ll go well. As stressed and tense as everyone has been, it’ll be nice to resolve what can be.”
What can be indeed. “I suspect several things will change, but I don’t know if I want to be part of the rest of the drama. I suppose there is no way to just sweep the rest under the rug.”
“I’d gladly turn your mother to ash and then sweep her aside.” Soleia smirked wickedly. “I hope you understand my loathing for her.”
“It is well placed.” I shook my head, glad that there was still talking and that the council was still otherwise engaged. “She’s not my mother.”
“What?” Soleia gasped loudly, unable to contain her surprise.
“She confessed it before drugging me. Truly the least important fact at that time, but now, what do I do with that information.” I shook my head.
Soleia nodded slowly. “I am afraid I don’t know what to say to that one. Do you think she meant it?”
“I do. There was no reason to bring it up, none I can think of. I was such a disappointment to her that she was grateful I wasn’t hers… but whose am I then?” I leaned against the wall and stared at the ceiling. “I knew that woman was a terrible mother, but what sort of person steals a child?”
Soleia hugged me. “I don’t have the words for this, but I will be here to set right what needs to be.” She offered me a smile. “And, if anything gives you more trouble, I will crush and skewer, with or without your blessing.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I thank you for that. Letting you stab things would have saved me a world of problems. I won’t ever forget that.”
“I didn’t think you would.” Soleia hugged me again.
“Let’s just forget that nonsense for now. Certainly you’d like to get back to your family soon. What will you do with them for your remaining holiday?” I asked, trying to dismiss the whole subject.
Soleia sighed. “I’m unsure. I know they plan to leave for Dustarn within the next day, and it would be easy enough to meet them there. I would like to spend at least the last month of break there, but first let’s see where things here go.”
“I assume the worst of any of it would just be returning home with my father, which is not so bad.” I shrugged.
“Agreed, but I no longer trust these guesses, so I’d rather wait to make a decision,” Soleia stated plainly.
“What are we guessing at now?” Delmar asked in his full princely appearance.
“What more twists and turns might arrive.” I shook my head at him. “I haven’t even processed my friend and classmate for the last decade isn’t who I thought he was.”
Delmar chuckled tiredly. “I do hope that can be forgiven. I wanted people to know, but it was far better to keep the secret. One I’m sure you can both keep?”
Soleia raised an eyebrow at him. “We might finally be even on secrets.”
“I somehow doubt that.” Delmar laughed lightly. “Nonetheless, I’m glad more than Aylum knows now.”
“Speaking of, where is he?” I asked, seeing a few of the council members walking the other way.
“Finishing up a conversation.” Delmar shrugged. “It’s unimportant, but once any of these people start chatting they never seem to stop. At any rate, you look like you’re recovering well. How are you feeling?”
“Resting was perfect,” I replied, happy it was true. “My magic feels nearly normal. It has been far too long.”
“I bet. I can’t believe someone even concocted such a drug.” Delmar looked briefly concerned before shaking it off. “At least you are well again, and that’s the important thing. We have someone looking into the creation of the drug.”
“Kariea!” I heard my father say, walking briskly over to us before hu
gging me tightly. “I heard you had recovered but wasn’t expecting you up just yet.”
“I’m just about normal now.” I gave a small laugh at the timing of it all.
Father pulled back to look at me and nodded approvingly. “I can’t even tell something’s transpired. Come, we have much to discuss.” He glanced around and only now seemed to notice that Soleia and Delmar were here. “Pardon my interruption-”
Delmar raised his hand. “It is quite all right. Please, by all means.” He motioned for us to leave.
Father gave a slight bow before waving for me to follow. After walking for a moment he opened a door to a small office. Ignoring the desk, he moved to sit in one of the chairs just opposite of it.
“Come, sit, I fear there is much to discuss.”
I nodded sitting next to him. “I hate to agree with you on this. There is too much and none I wish to talk about.”
“Then let’s get the less pleasant things out of the way first, shall we?” he suggested with a tired smile. I nodded and he continued, “It would appear your mother must stand trial.”
“She’s not my mother.” I shook my head.
“I know you may not feel right about her, and I do not blame you for disowning her-”
“No, Father, she’s really not my mother. She said as much before she drugged me and sent me off. I was just a tool to get her where she wanted. I don’t even think I’m yours, but she didn't explain. I blacked out before I could ask.”
Father sat there for a moment, stunned silent. He tried to say something a few times before he could finally talk. “Whatever the truth may be, you will always be my daughter.”
I reached over and squeezed his hand. “Agreed, Father. So, whatever must be done with that woman, please make sure it is hefty.”
“It will be so. I dare say if I never see her again I would die happy and content.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I dare say I will have to agree.”
Father smiled and we sat in silence for a moment before he continued, “Well, I am unsure what you may know so I’ll just get on with the rest. The Lari of Bouldercove is dead and his son was condemned this morning. The sentence has already been carried out.”
I was amused that he had no idea that I had a hand in how Eastyn died. I did say Aylum could have that part after all. I kept my composure, not feeling right cheering for the downfall of another. “Justice is rightfully served then.”
“I would say it is.” Father nodded. “I have no way of making amends right now, or even knowing how to best go about it. I have decided though that it would be best if you had a better hand in your own life's decisions. You’re hardly a child incapable of thinking on these things. You should be included in the decisions and not merely forced into things. Starting with school. What do you want to learn?”
My eyes lit up. I wasn’t expecting that one. “Everything I can.”
Father chuckled. “Hopefully that’ll be enough to scare off some suitors. I don’t even want to begin discussing that last, and of that there are several.”
He shook his head and glanced at the ceiling for a moment. “Three have already put a foot forward since they heard of the Lari’s demise, but it doesn’t matter. In the long run as long as you are interested and not eloping with someone who cannot take care of themselves I will be happy to let you choose.”
The limits amused me. “I think we both know I could never stand someone who couldn’t manage to take care of themself father, you have nothing to worry about there.”
He chuckled. “I thought you would agree with my reasoning.”
“I do wholeheartedly.” Sensible reasoning! Finally. Why did it take so long to reach such a point? It mattered not. My fate wasn’t trapped under a jar out of reach anymore.
“I am unsure how to say there is one potentially favorable match for you that I would want you to strongly consider. Even more so as this is probably not what you immediately want to hear.”
I frowned. He wasn’t wrong. I’d really rather not discuss such things, even more so seeing how he had just been preaching freedom. Still, maybe a suggestion would be left merely as that. “Well, let’s hear it then.”
“No need to frown. He is friends with our prince after all, and even has the prince's direct approval. He actually introduced us as the meeting today was wrapping up.” Father smiled, looking rather pleased with himself. “This fellow is a fine man from Dustarn and was key in helping with your escape.”
I chuckled. “Are you by chance speaking of Aylum?”
“Yes, indeed.” Father nodded. “He said he knew you through school, but I wanted to be sure. He asked me, and I said it would be up to you to discuss when you are ready.”
“But you strongly want me to consider him. What is his title exactly?”
“He asked me not to say. Even boldly stated he knew personality would be enough. With his recommendation and position in life, he is worth noting for sure. Now if he can win you over too, perfect. If not, well, personality was not enough, now was it?” Father chuckled.
I couldn’t help but laugh a little. So far, his personality had been more than enough. “I will keep that in mind father. He has been a very good friend at school and we do get along well.”
“Wonderful.” Father nodded approvingly. “I feel I’ve kept you long enough. Despite saying you’re doing well, you likely should be resting. I know you like to push the limits of your magic and they have been too well tested as of late.”
“I am fine. There is no need to push or test them here, but I will continue to take today easy.”
Father stood up and patted my shoulder. “That’s my girl. I’ll be resuming my meeting here in a short while and then we have one in the morning. After that, what do you say we head home?”
I nodded. “It would be nice to enjoy my vacation. A little peace and quiet would do us some good.” And easier too without that woman around. It felt wrong to even think of calling her Mother.
“It’s decided. Go on then. I won’t keep you any longer.”
I got up and hugged him tightly before heading off to see where everyone had gone to.
I opened the door to find Soleia and Delmar waiting in the hall. “Well, aren’t you two a bit nosey today.” I chuckled as I shut the door behind me.
“It’s what I do.” Soleia smiled widely.
Delmar chuckled. “I have to admit, it’s weird being excluded from things at home.”
“We’re missing part of our group.” I glanced down the hall curiously.
“So we are.” Soleia gave a shrug as she looped her arm through mine and gently pulled me down the hall. “He went to talk with family via a Magneth calling orb. I am waiting to borrow it to talk with mine. Delmar seems well enough amused with accompanying me.”
“I have to admit, the more interesting part of the drama does happen with you.” Delmar laughed as he followed alongside us.
“Hopefully we are done with drama and nonsense for a while. I would just like to relax and my father seems to be of the same mind on that one. He wants to return home tomorrow.” It seemed strange to be going back after all that happened.
“Then I’ll have to show you around tonight.” Delmar motioned along the hall. “Though I’ll admit, it’s only grand in some places. Too many meeting rooms and offices.”
“I made him wait until you were well.” Soleia smiled at me. “Why give half a dozen different tours in such a short span?”
“Now that sounds exactly my pace.” I smiled. “Relaxing and uneventful. Lead on.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The tour started out well enough, until we got to a room with antique and rare magical tools. I got distracted looking them carefully over and asking questions I hardly noticed the time flying by.
“We should tour the garden now if we’re to do it at all.” Soleia tugged at my sleeve. “It’ll be dark soon.”
“Okay, fine,” I relented, turning to see Aylum and Delmar smirking in the doorway.<
br />
“I’m not surprised to see you’ve stalled here,” Aylum teased.
“To be fair, I should have saved this wing for the end.” Delmar laughed. “I suppose I’ll have you all visit again, now that that secret is out.”
“Soon no one is going to have a secret left.” Soleia laughed lightly.
“What secrets could even be left?” Delmar shook his head. “Kareia are you hiding something now?”
“I wouldn’t say I am hiding anything, I just haven’t had a moment or two’s peace to even mention any new information.” I shrugged.
“What happened?” Aylum and Delmar echoed each other worriedly.
I waved off their concern. “Nothing terrible.” I side-eyed Soleia. “Maybe even a good thing, though confusing all around.”
“It was an odd and surprising bit of information. I’m still unsure what I think of the matter,” Soleia agreed.
Aylum gave a tired sigh. “Please tell us.”
“Before all of this came to be, I was arguing with my mother. Just before she drugged me, she confessed she was not my mother, that I was only here for her gain,” I admitted, watching their expressions carefully.
They both looked surprised.
“Are you certain?” Delmar shook his head. “I’m sure you are, but that is quite a thing to admit. She must have been confident that you wouldn’t ever be able to reliably relate that information to anyone.”
“Indeed, she never would have said such a thing if she expected it to come back and haunt her,” I agreed.
“Does your father know then?” Aylum asked softly.
“He does now.” I nodded. “I don’t think he wanted to ever know, but I thought it would help with dealing with the rest of the situation. I dare say that her punishment will be as severe as it needs to be now.” I sighed, trying to shake the thoughts from my head. “He’s still my father, if only in heart, and that is all that matters to either of us at this moment.”