by Todd, E. L.
Quiet chuckles sounded at his ear. Accacia sat up and looked in the kitchen. The pot was still spilling boiling water onto the floor. She left Aleco and grabbed a towel from the cabinet then moved the pot from the fire, placing it on the cold stone floor. “Well, at least the potatoes are done.”
“Good, because I’m starving.”
“I thought you lost your appetite?” she said with a smile.
Aleco grinned at her. “I guess I found it again.”
“Everything is almost ready,” she said as she walked to the dining table and placed three plates and three sets of silverware on the surface. Aleco counted the number.
“Why are there more than two placemats?” he asked suspiciously. Accacia never told him they were expecting company. She probably refrained from telling him because she knew how possessive he was of her. Aleco felt entitled to her exclusive attention.
“I want Father Giloth to join us.”
Aleco rose to his feet and walked over to her, still completely naked. He didn’t see the point of wearing clothes around her. He just took them off anyway. “Why?” he snarled. “I don’t want him here, Accacia.” Aleco dropped his hands to his sides, but he still looked formidable and threatening. His blue eyes shined with a bright intensity, reflecting the depth of his anger. Accacia didn’t fear his hostility. She knew she had no reason to.
Accacia ignored his words and peeled the carrots on the counter, wanting to place them in the stew she was making. Aleco stood next to her and stared at her but she avoided his look. His frame towered over hers, and she could feel the tension emitting from his body. He was furious that the old man was coming to visit them. She didn’t understand why Aleco was so rude to his uncle. She didn’t look up at him. “What is your beef with him?”
Aleco grabbed the peeler from her hand and put it down, waiting for her to direct her gaze onto him. She sighed then turned toward him, staring at the muscles in his chest and the strength of his shoulders. He grabbed her lower back and pulled her toward him, exerting his dominance over her, and declared his ultimate control over her. “He is a coward, Accacia.” His eyes widened in anger as he looked at her. Even though he was furious while he held onto her, she felt safe in his embrace. She trickled her fingertips down his arm and his ferocity dimmed slightly. “I will never forgive him for what he did to you—ever.”
“It wasn’t his fault, Aleco. If I don’t hold him accountable, then you shouldn’t either.”
“His actions were unacceptable,” he snapped. “He stood by and did nothing while that maniac dragged you away. You have suffered so much, Accacia. Perhaps you can forgive him but I never will. He doesn’t deserve it.”
Accacia saw the despair in his eyes when he spoke. She knew how troubled and angry he was. He said it often. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his lips to hers. The stiffness in his body relaxed when he felt her embrace. It was hard for him to be angry when she made him so happy. “Let it go.”
“I never will,” he said as he shook his head. “And I don’t want him coming here. He doesn’t deserve your forgiveness of your attention, Accacia. You are mine.”
“Then I will go to him.” She sighed.
Aleco stared at her. “No,” he said. “You are staying here—with me. I am worthy of your affection—he isn’t. If that monster came here looking for you, I would kill him before he could even glance at you. That coward would stand by and do nothing.”
Accacia smiled at him. He was so protective of her. And even though she was proficient in her fighting capabilities, he still looked after her like a small cub. There was no doubt that he would die for her. “I feel so safe with you, Aleco,” she said as she hugged him. He returned her embrace and rested his chin on her head. “It isn’t his responsibility to keep me safe—it is yours now. So please let it go.”
“No.”
Accacia sighed. She didn’t see the point in arguing with him. He wasn’t going to change his mind.
“He isn’t coming—that’s final,” he said as he released her. He locked his gaze onto hers, proving the sincerity in his words. “I don’t want him here.”
“Okay.” She sighed.
The muscles in his arms relaxed and released their tension. Accacia was amazed by the physical response of his body in situations when he felt threatened. It didn’t matter if it was a vocal argument or a physical one. His muscled frame was always prepared.
“I want you to know something.”
He stared at her, waiting for her to elaborate.
She looked at him before she spoke. “I wouldn’t change my past even if I could. It led me to you, Aleco.”
The brightness in his eyes dimmed at her words. They softened at the meaning in her voice, and he knew she meant what she said. That even though she had been raped and tortured, it had all been worth it because she found him. Aleco was overwhelmed with emotion. He grabbed her face and kissed her, too overwhelmed to find the right words to say.
Aleco floated out of the memory and returned to the sanctuary. He felt his heart hammer in his chest as the image faded from his mind. It stung his heart as it dissipated. The memory was special, the most important possession he ever had. Aleco understood why Accacia had stored the memory within her Soul Catcher even if she hadn’t said it. It was the moment she knew she loved him.
Battle Academy
37
Accacia crawled into bed that night and opened the capsule around her neck. She held the Soul Catcher in her hand and appraised the surface, admiring the white lines that streaked through the material of the blue stone. She sighed to herself. This was the last time she would look into his Soul Catcher. She wanted to be with him one more night.
Accacia accessed the memories of their past. She relived their time spent in Asylinth Cottage, making love, cooking dinner, and talking late into the night. She watched herself stroke the side of Aleco’s face and grip his back when he made love to her. Accacia could feel the tears fall down her cheeks.
She relived the flashback of their adventure within the hideaway, when she first felt the taste of his lips on her tongue and the feel of his hands on her body. She remembered when she had broken his heart soon after that, rejecting his love for her.
She didn’t want to leave him, but she couldn’t do this anymore. It was just too painful. And if she intended to move on with Zyle, she couldn’t continue to return to Aleco’s Soul Catcher. It was disrespectful and wrong to treat Zyle that way. If she was never going to see Aleco again, perhaps she should move on. As much as she hated, she knew it had to happen. She would give anything to be with him again, but it was impossible. They weren’t meant to be together. She was destined for someone else.
She said goodbye one more time before she left the image of Aleco forever. She walked across the hallway when she noticed the image she had seen before. It was the one that was stagnant and depicted the landscape of Orgoom Forest. She decided to enter the memory.
She found herself in Asylinth Cottage. A fired roared in the hearth of the bedroom and she saw herself sleeping in the massive bed alone, Aleco absent from her embrace. She wondered why this moment was worth remembering. Aleco sat at the foot of the bed and looked into the flames, his mind lost somewhere else. There was a red line around his eyes. She knew he had been crying. He was shirtless before the flames, only wearing his undershorts despite the winter chill. She sat before him and watched his countenance.
“If you are watching this, Accacia, then you are no longer with me.”
She flinched at his words. He had recorded a message for her. He was speaking to her for the last time. These are the last words she would ever hear from him.
“You are across the sea with your people, safe and comfortable, away from the travesty that is destroying the Continent. I am happy you aren’t here.” He wrapped his hands around his knees and blinked his eyes, holding back the tears she knew were coming. She couldn’t believe this was the same Aleco who murdered innocents and stood aside whi
le helpless victims were raped—she couldn’t believe it was the same person. “There is something I need to say and I would rather say it you after you leave, so here it goes. You the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, truer words I have never spoken, and when you go to the island, I know every man will think the same thing. Yes, the idea drives me insane with jealousy, but it’s true. It will happen. And I want to you know that—that I want you to find someone else and be happy, Accacia. Please don’t mourn for me, die alone as an old woman, childless and full of sorrow, carrying a torch for your old lover. That is the last thing I want.” He ran his hand through his hair and she wished she could do the same thing. Feel those strands of blond hair one more time. Aleco looked directly at her with those startling blue eyes, and she felt the tears fall from her cheeks. “I know you, Accacia. You will carry your burdens and your pains indefinitely until someone talks some sense into you—I want you to let them.” Aleco sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. “You don’t deserve any kind of pain, Accacia. Please be happy. Forget about me if you have to, but please just be happy with someone. A man that will treat you the way you deserved to be treated, who will protect you with his life—that will die for you, Accacia. Please do this for me.”
Accacia sobbed at his words. She knew how hard it was for him to say this and she knew he meant it—he wanted her to be happy.
“I love you, Accacia.”
“I love you too, Aleco,” she whispered to him.
“And forever I will.”
Accacia dropped the Soul Catcher onto the bed and broke down into soul-heaving sobs, clutching herself with her arms and shaking uncontrollably. She couldn’t breathe or force the air into her lungs. She was so hysterical with pain.
Her bedroom door opened, but she didn’t notice. Laura walked to her and enveloped her in her arms, cradling her head into her shoulder. She started to sing to her. It was the same melody that Koku sang with her on their trips around Suaden, and the song calmed her breathing and slowed her beating heart. After an hour, Accacia finally stopped crying, but Laura continued to stroke her hair and sing to her until she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Laura brought a breakfast tray to Accacia and set it at the foot of her bed. The sound of her footsteps stirred Accacia from sleep and she sat up, pulling her hair from her face. She could feel her swollen cheeks and pruned skin from the tears she shed the night before. The Soul Catcher was on her nightstand. She grabbed the gem and stored it in the necklace around her neck.
“Do you want to discuss it?”
She reminded Accacia of Zyle. She shook her head. “No.”
Laura laid out the breakfast tray on the bedspread and they ate in silence. Accacia wasn’t hungry. She just ate to be polite.
“Your training has come to an end, Accacia,” she said. “I have nothing left to teach you.”
Accacia nodded. “Thank you for everything, Lady Laura. I am ready to go home.”
Laura smiled. “You aren’t quite finished yet. You must defeat me in the Master Challenge. After you do that, you will pledge your promise and will be established as a true warrior.”
Accacia almost spilled her tea. “Defeat you?”
Laura laughed. “I have no doubt in your capabilities, Accacia. Like I said before, training you has been an honor. Your original instructor would be proud. If anything, you are more skilled than we are.”
Accacia smiled. “We’ll see about that.”
Laura chuckled. “I look forward to it. The match is tomorrow morning. You are free to do whatever you want to prepare for the event, other than leave the grounds.”
Accacia nodded. “I think I will rest.”
“That is probably best.” She smiled. “You are competing against one of the greatest warriors of our race, after all.”
“I know. I just hope I survive the event.”
“You might.” She laughed.
After Laura left her bedroom, Accacia lied in bed for hours and did nothing. She thought about the message in Aleco’s Soul Catcher constantly, wondering what she should do. Zyle was the man destined for her, not Aleco. She had strong feelings for Zyle and she couldn’t hide that anymore, but her love for Aleco was stronger. But Aleco was right; he wasn’t here anymore. Why should she be miserable? She certainly wouldn’t want him to be. And his message seemed genuine, that he really wanted what was best for her. He made it clear that he wanted her to move on and be happy. So should she?
The next morning Accacia was escorted to the top of the pavilion by a group of warriors. They stopped before the blood red door and turned to her. “Good luck, Accacia.”
She nodded, too nervous to speak.
They opened the door for her and she walked onto the dais, wearing her shorts and green shirt, prohibited from wearing armor. The clouds were absent on this day in paradise, and she felt the sunlight trickle through the canopy and onto her skin, warming her heart and giving her courage. She saw a large congregation of Canu birds in the trees above her, and they whistled the song she heard Koku sing on numerous occasions. The sound gave her strength.
She looked over at the benches on either side of the platform and saw the stands filled with people. Zyle sat in the front row with Pia and Koku on his shoulders. He smiled at her and the look went straight to her heart. His presence brought her comfort. She saw him mouth the words, “Kick her ass, Accacia.”
Accacia couldn’t help it. She laughed at his words. His smile widened at her reaction. Aleco’s words played in her mind again, and she absentmindedly touched the capsule around her neck. She took off the necklace and placed it into her pocket.
Laura stood across the way with her sword at her side. She was adorned in the same outfit, and her long brown hair billowed in the slight breeze. The image of her mentor was breathtaking. She was a strong warrior but a gentle friend, the exact type of woman Accacia aspired to be. She loved her. But she couldn’t think about that right now. She had to fight her.
Accacia stepped forward and outstretched her hand. “Good luck to you, Master.”
“And to you as well, Accacia,” she said as she took her hand.
They both stepped back from each other. The warrior overseeing the challenge yelled, “Begin!”
Laura immediately sprinted forward and raised her sword to strike, but Accacia turned out of the way and avoided the hit. Laura recovered from the momentum and aimed her sword for her arm, but Accacia moved out of the way with grace. Laura continued to attack Accacia, and Accacia continued to dance out of the way, waiting for her opponent to tire out. Finally, Accacia began her offense and hit Laura on the side of the ribs, bruising the skin, but Laura did not falter at the blow and she cut Accacia along the arm. Accacia ignored the pain and performed the same series of movements her father did in Zyle’s memory, confusing Laura with the speed of her blade. Accacia parried the sword out of Laura’s hand and it clattered to the ground. Accacia kicked it out the way from Laura’s reach. Laura didn’t stop her attack even though she bore no weapon. She pursued Accacia, trying to grab her after she swung her blade outwards. She eventually knocked her blade to the ground.
Both women fought with their bare hands and Accacia knew the match was hers. She had learned so many techniques from Aleco that she knew there was no possibility that she would lose. Accacia waited for Laura to throw the first punch, and when she did, she grabbed her arm, kicked her in the knee, then rolled her to the ground. She pressed her foot against her throat, and Laura could not rise.
“Point reached!” The supervising warrior said. Laura smiled up at Accacia and she returned the grin.
“We get it, Accacia. You won,” she said with a laugh. “Can you get off my neck now?”
Accacia removed her boot and helped her mentor to a stance. Laura hugged her. “I’m so proud of you,” she said. Accacia returned her embrace with equal force. Laura kissed her on the cheek. “You are my equal, Accacia.”
“Thank you for everything, Lady Laura.”
“You
may call me Laura.”
Accacia smiled. “Okay, Laura.”
She looked over Accacia’s shoulder. “Here comes Zyle.”
Accacia turned around and saw Zyle making his way through the crowds of people, who were rejoicing at the event. They had another warrior to protect their people. Zyle smiled as he looked at Accacia. Koku and Pia were sitting on his shoulder. The color of his eyes shined a brighter shade of blue in the sunlight and his smile widened as he came closer to her. Now that Aleco had given her his permission to move on, she knew she could reveal her true affection for Zyle. Accacia couldn’t wait any longer. She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips. His body momentarily stiffened at her affection, but then his hands were roaming over her body, holding her close to him as he returned her embrace with as much enthusiasm. She pulled away from him. “I love you, Zyle.”
Zyle smiled at her. “I know you do.”
He grabbed her face and kissed her again.
Canu
38
“I missed you too, Pia,” she said as Pia nibbled her ear playfully. Koku flew to Accacia’s other shoulder and bit her earlobe as well. Accacia laughed as the ticklish sensation coursed through her body. “I missed you as well, Koku.”
Zyle watched the exchange with a smile on his face. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this happy. It was too long ago. “Did you miss me?” he asked.
Accacia looked at him. “More than you will ever know.”
Zyle saw the saddened expression in her eyes, but decided to ask about it later when they were alone. Zyle was growing impatient with the birds. They were hoarding all of her attention and he was growing jealous at the interaction. “Don’t you guys have somewhere to be?” Zyle asked playfully.