by Toni Cox
They walked on in silence for a while and Maia started to believe that Silas had dropped the subject.
“Did he hurt you?” Silas then asked quietly.
Maia stopped dead in her tracks. The people around her carried on walking and after a while it was just the two of them standing on a field half a day’s march from home. The buzz of the insects was overly loud to her ears. Midnight looked on from a distance.
“No,” she said softly.
How did he know? By now, she wasn’t even sure herself that it had been real. If it wasn’t for Midnight’s behaviour, she could easily believe it had only been a dream.
Silas touched her arm. “Maia, look at me.”
She looked up, fearing reproach, but found only concern in his eyes.
“I can only speculate on why such things occur, but the fact that a Life Prime and a Death Prime have come together has saved our people yet again. Whatever happened, I am sure it was all part of the magic that the two of you wrought to defeat the Vampyre army. Remember, I am always here if you feel the need to talk about it.”
The stone was dug deep into the fissure between his toes and he was growing angry. He was not used to spending this much time on the ground. If Bright-Shining-Silver-Star would just consent to flying with him, then he could have her home before the sun touched the mountains. He had asked her time and time again, but she insisted of walking with her injured. He understood her worry for her people, even if they were all insignificant to him, but he knew it was not the reason she did not want to fly with him. He worried about her. She was in such deep turmoil, he was afraid she would not be able to find her own way out of it.
He growled and a puff of smoke rose from his nostrils, making the nearest horse whinny in fear.
Dark-Silver-Moon was the reason she was feeling like this and he had a good mind to tear him to pieces should he ever catch him. However, Dark-Silver-Moon had eluded him twice already. He was cunning and dangerous. He would have to keep a close watch on Bright-Shining-Silver-Star, so Dark-Silver-Moon could not take advantage of her again.
Another puff of smoke curled from his nostrils at the thought. Even Red-Angry-Flesh would be preferable. Although, he had to admit, the Human’s colours had faded somewhat since he had arrived. His red that had looked like blood when he had first seen him had gentled to the soft red of a sunset in the time that he had been here. Maybe Red-Dusky-Sunset was a name more appropriate for him now. He had never felt anything but disdain for the man that had such strong feelings for his Bright-Shining-Silver-Star, but in light of these new developments, he might be preferable to the alternative.
He would think on it some more. If Bright-Shining-Silver-Star was to mate, then she should do so with the right male. Suddenly, the affairs of the Shining-People were of more concern to him than they had ever been before.
They reached home without further incident. The warriors from the other clans returned to their cities and life in Shadow Hall took on some semblance of normalcy once more.
Shadow Hall had lost many. Three hundred and twenty-three, of which one, Lenoro, was Guard, and many were of the Warrior Houses. Once the people that had been sent to Tarron Heights returned, they held a great ceremony, mourning their dead. In total, including the people from the other cities, there had been over three thousand dead. It was a dark time for Maia.
Watch rotation was arranged between the cities of Grildor, and Greystone was now under guard night and day. Scouts, Trackers and Hunters were out in the mountains and forests every day, searching for the escaped Vampyres and their beasts. They still kept double Night Watch and no one was really at peace. The threat remained and everyone was on edge.
For Maia, every day was torture. Was Silas right? Had what happened between her and Blaid just been a result of the magic they created? It did not feel like that to her. She pined for him every day. She felt her life was somehow emptier without him. Knowing that being with him was not only against their laws, but would also alienate her from her people, made her infinitely sad. One did not associate with Death.
She kept herself busy throughout the days that followed the War of Greystone and cried herself to sleep every night. She spent much time with Aaron and his children, but could find no solace in their company either.
By the time the first frosts came over the land, she resigned herself to the fact that she meant nothing to Blaid and that what had happened was only the result of their magic.
She had taken to sleeping in Silas’ cave, craving the solitude it provided. Silas would often sit with her in the evenings, but then left before the moons were high, so she could be alone. It was how she wanted it.
Maia now climbed into her furs, for it was cold in the cave, and dimmed the shutter on the lantern. She was tired, always so tired. She would toss and turn all night. Nightmare after nightmare would wake her and she would sit up, screaming. She was so tired. She put her head on her pillow and closed her eyes.
!!! Midnight’s thought came crushing down on her. Adrenaline rushed through her veins and she was instantly alert.
She sat up and in the half-light of the shuttered lantern, she found herself looking into Blaid’s deep blue eyes.
Things had changed. Aaron could not quite put his finger on it, but something was fundamentally different. It wasn’t just that the whole city was on edge with those Vampyres still at large. It wasn’t even the fact that most people were still in mourning and the general atmosphere within the community was subdued.
No. The change had more to do with him, and he now also believed, with Luke and Jasmin. He felt different. More part of the whole. He felt a kinship with the people that had not been there before. He felt their loss and their suffering as his own; he shared their concerns and worries.
Most of all, he felt it within his body. There were changes. Subtle at first, but he noticed them more and more. His eyesight became keener, of that he was sure. He had built muscle and, in a certain light, it looked like he had a ribbed stomach. His skin was smoother and the wrinkles on his face were barely visible. He even sometimes fancied that his ears now had a slight tip to them.
Since the war, his confidence had soared. He felt bold and brave and would now often do things that would have been out of his comfort zone before. He had fired Jasmin’s crossbow on more than one occasion. He had picked up a sword and hewn at a straw dummy until it was lying destroyed on the floor. He had cooked and, with Jasmin’s help, served some tasty dishes.
He also finally understood why he often had difficulties expressing himself, even though the thoughts were clear in his head - he spoke a different language here. Elvish, he presumed. Therefore, when he wanted to talk about an item that did not exist on Elveron, for example, a car, then he would have to use the English term. Sometimes, it was hard to remember, but Luke and Jasmin made a game out of it and they now had a repertoire of about fifty words.
The best part of all of this was how he felt about Maia. The war had changed her as well. She was quiet and restrained. Often deep in thought and unapproachable. She had changed her attire from the soft suede pants and loose cotton tops she used to wear, to black leather pants and a black leather jacket, over a fitted cloth shirt. She now always wore her weapons. It made her look strong and in control, and incredibly sexy, but he knew she felt vulnerable and scared. It enhanced his feelings for to such a degree, he could almost not contain it.
However, he bided his time. He knew it was not yet. Slowly, with much care, he spent more and more time with her. He came to realise that something had happened out there by the Gate, which had shaken her to the core. He worked every day to gain her trust and, he was sure, one day, she would know that it was him that had stood by her through this difficult time. Then, and only then, he would make his move. He was hers and, one day, she would be his.
Copyright © 2017 Toni Cox
Copyright © 2017 Toni Cox – Maps
Copyright © 2017 Soné Botha for the poem “The songs of the stars”
Artwork (Midnight) by Soné Botha
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the written permission of the author constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are all used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locales or persons living or dead, are coincidental.
The Elemental Trilogy
Elemental Rising - 2016
Elemental Betrayal - 2017
Forbidden Elemental - 2018
Writing Elemental Betrayal was both easier and more difficult than writing Elemental Rising.
It was more difficult, because I expected so much more from it, than I did with the first book. Elemental Rising is, and will always be, my first-born. It set me on my path. With Elemental Betrayal, I wanted to achieve more and I hope that I have done that.
What made writing Elemental Betrayal easier (and a whole lot more fun), was the support I received. Over the past year, I have met so many wonderful people, that it is almost impossible to mention them all. However, there are some people that deserve a special mention, not only for the support and advice that they have given, but also for their friendship.
As always, I would like to thank my husband, Darren Cox, for standing by me and supporting me on my venture. Thank you for putting up with my long hours, midnight writing sessions and having to take notes in the middle of the night.
Debbie Hall, Inge Kuhn and Riki Botha, thank you for your time and dedication in proofreading my book. Your input and constructive criticism has been invaluable.
Soné Botha, thank you for everything you have done. You have made this journey an adventure. Your imagination has no limits. Thank you for the poem, featured in this book Elemental Betrayal, as well as some of the drawings on my Shadow Hall map and the many, many names you have helped me with!
Then a special thank you goes out to Andrew Christie, whose advice is always given freely; Deborah Du Plooy, for being the wonderful person she is and the work she does for local, emerging authors.
I would also like to thank The Blithering Bibliomaniacs, Sian-Bronwyn Claven and Robyn Victoria Castles, for your review of Elemental Rising, as well as your friendship.
Ashleigh Giannoccaro… there are no words to convey my gratitude for your help. You have been an inspiration, a teacher, a friend and so much more.
It has been a wonderful journey and I am looking forward to the next adventure.
This book is for my son, Joshua. I am so proud of you.
He pondered the icy wind he had been battling for days as he stomped through the snow, his black cloak swirling around him. The spell to warm the air surrounding him tired him and he knew he would not be able to sustain it much longer.
He left home about a Moon ago, on horseback, but had to abandon the mare at the edge of the Icelands, and commenced his journey on foot, always maintaining the magic to keep him warm. Now, close to his destination, he was running low on food and energy.
His eyes snapped open in fright as he stumbled over yet another snowdrift and his black hood slipped off his head. He needed to be more careful now; he was so close.
In the evening, he set up his tent; there was no shelter to be found on the vast, white expanse and the icy wind fought with him as he unfolded the leather flaps of his tent. For a moment, it seemed it would snatch it out of his hands. Finally, he managed to drive the last peg into the frozen ground he climbed through the opening, savouring the stillness within. His ears prickled as they started to warm up.
Shrugging off his thick cloak, he settled into the tent, put down his sleeping bag and then set up his little cooking pot. He filled it with snow from outside and, once it was hot, added dried, powdered meat and vegetables to make a broth. It took much of his energy to sustain the flame to heat the soup - there was no wood out here, or anything else to burn - but he had to nourish his body, or else the magic would fail him completely.
He felt more rested in the morning and when he climbed out of his tent he was pleasantly surprised to find that the wind had dropped somewhat. The sky was grey and overcast, but it was marginally warmer than yesterday. Once he had packed his gear, he shouldered his pack and set out once more, eating travel bread as he walked. He kept a wary eye out for the signs he knew he would find.
By noon, the clouds dispersed, leaving a bright, blue sky and the sun’s rays reflected harshly off the ice, blinding him. He squinted into the sky, cursing the bright light, and drew his black hood deeper over his eyes.
Suddenly a chill travelled down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold and he heard a most terrible sound. He cringed as the harsh screeching vibrated through his body. Quickly he dropped his pack to the icy ground and scanned the vast, white wilderness around him.
He readied himself as best he could; he knew his energy was low, but he had skill. He would have to draw on every bit of knowledge he possessed to survive this encounter; but the rewards would be more than he could ever have hoped for.
His body flinched as yet another screech ripped through the still air, then, as if out of thin air, the great bulk of the Ice Dragon rose from behind a snow dune, his body almost as white as the snow. His scales, which looked like crystal shards, sparkled blindingly in the sunlight. He was an awesome, fear-inspiring sight.
The dragon screamed again, exposing his red maw and a profusion of dagger-like teeth, and eyed the lone figure on the ice before him with disgust. Overcome by a feral rage, the dragon folded his wings and dived for the creature that had dared to invade his territory.
Maia stared out the open window of her room. It was cold, but the day was bright; the sun hanging in a cloudless sky. The trees were still bare, but the hint of spring was unmistakably in the air. The Spring Feast celebrations were only a few days away. Maia sighed; she did not feel like celebrating.
The winter Moons had been tough for her. Not only were they bitterly cold, but also terribly lonely. The last time she saw Blaid was during Frost Moon, the fifteenth Moon of their calendar year, about a Moon after the War of Greystone.
Blaid; with his dark hair and intense, violet eyes; was all she thought about during the harsh Moons of winter. He had not returned after that one time and she was now convinced that whatever it had been between them was only because of the magic they wrought together during the war. Silas knew what had happened, he was there for her afterwards, but had not been pleased, and she had not told him of the second time.
What happened between her and Blaid was not only frowned upon in their culture, but also forbidden by their laws. Intimacy before marriage was strictly forbidden. And then there was the fact that they were Primes; Elves with the most powerful Elemental magic. Opposite Prime Elementals - she was Life and he was Death - were not supposed to be together. Ever. The fact that they had been intimate with each other was an unspeakable act of defiance.
She sighed again; she had no motivation to get up and dressed; there was nothing in particular she cared to do. Two birds flew by, already initiating their spring mating ritual, and Maia watched them enviously for a while. Eventually she rose from her bed and put on clothes. She briefly looked at herself in the mirror, but the sad woman dressed all in black leather was a stranger to her. Her long, dark hair hung limply over her shoulders and her emerald green eyes had lost their sparkle.
Maia made her way into the common room of their large, royal tree house, but found it empty. She had always loved her home. As the house of their Lord Regent, it was one of the most well designed houses in the city, yet it was cosy and comfortable. Now, in her loneliness and everyone having already gone to their daily tasks, she could not wait to get out of it.
She walked briskly past the kitchen; she did not feel like eating; and headed straight for the door. Habit made
her grab her bow and quiver, which always hung from a hook in the hall. Maybe she would go for a ride with Fire; she had not paid the red stallion much attention during the winter Moons and felt a little guilty. She thought of Midnight and felt his presence at the edge of her mind. He was distant and she knew the dragon was upset with her; she would find no solace with him.
As she descended the Regal Steps, she made up her mind to spend the day on the Grazing Grounds among the horse herds; there she would not have to deal with anyone constantly trying to cheer her up or make her feel guilty. She knew she had been rebuffing the efforts of her family to engage her in the day-to-day activities of the city, but it held no interest for her.
Maia turned away from the Gathering Grounds and walked along The Axis before ascending the various steps and bridges to get to the path that led across the ridge to the stables. On this side of the city, the terrain was steeper and she looked ahead at the winding staircases, most of them covered with ivy and other creepers. It was a pretty sight.
“Good morning, Maia.”
She flinched at the voice behind her and scolded herself for not paying attention to her surroundings. She had effectively shut down her Elemental senses, shying away from the happy glow of the Life Forces, the Eläm, around her. Even so, she should at least have heard him coming.
“I was just on my way to the cave. Would you like to join me today?” Silas asked, arching his bushy, grey eyebrows enquiringly.
“Good morning, Silas.” She tilted her head respectfully towards the old Elf who had been her mentor all her life. “I was hoping to spend time with Fire today; I have been neglecting him lately.”