by Todd, E. L.
Accacia felt her heart drop at his betrayal. She didn’t know that she was required to be under his supervision so he could spy on her. She wondered if he told Roxian everything she had ever said to him. She felt like she would vomit. She had trusted him, but that trust had been misplaced.
Roxian turned her gaze on Accacia. Accacia took a step back. “Is it true, Accacia? Do you have the guts to be truthful with us? Have the integrity to stop lying to us?”
Accacia fought the tears back and forced herself to stand straight. She looked to the crowd. “Yes, I left a man that I loved behind—it’s true. He knew I was coming here. But I can say with complete honesty that he has no knowledge of the whereabouts of the island, nor would he ever search for me. No one is coming for me—no one is coming for you.”
Zyle walked up the stairs of the stage and stopped halfway. “She speaks the truth. With my abilities that are bequeathed to me through the power of my blade, I can sense people’s intents and feelings—Accacia means us no harm. Everything she has said is the truth. Roxian is the liar—not Accacia.”
The crowd turned their gaze toward Roxian. Zyle was a powerful figure in their society. He had been the Lead Master at the Battle Academy, was the Chief Forester of the Island, had the innate ability to sense people’s intentions, and he was also the life partner of Accacia—they knew he would never love a member of the enemy. His accusations were taken seriously by his peers.
Zyle reached the stage and looked out at the crowd. “Accacia is not only my life partner—she is my soul mate, an event unheard of in most of our lifetimes. If her soul is tainted with malicious intent—then so is mine.” Zyle turned towards Roxian and pointed his blade at her. “It is Roxian we should fear, not Accacia. I will not follow her authority a moment longer. By the power invested in me as an ambassador to the representation of Asquithian race, I invoke my right to appoint a new election.”
Roxian glared at him. “Don’t be absurd.”
Zyle ignored her. “Let’s put it to a vote. Those in favor of holding a new election for a new monarch speak now.”
Laura stepped forward. “As the Ambassador for the Physical Arts, I vote in favor of Zyle’s proposal. Roxian left the remaining survivors of our kin on the island, sentencing them to death so we could continue forward. A true leader does not desert their people, but protects them. And now she is spreading lies about the returned daughter of our society. Accacia means us no harm—if she did, I would have killed her myself.”
Zyle nodded to her then looked into the crowd, searching for the other two ambassadors. Illana, the Housing Ambassador, who oversaw the construction of the eaves into the city, assuring no trees were harmed in its creation, stood up. “As the Housing Ambassador, I vote in denial of Zyle’s proposal. Roxian has done the best she can under the extreme circumstances of the past few decades. If she feels that Accacia is a threat to us, then I believe her. Roxian will stop at nothing to protect us. There has been no evidence to vindicate Accacia from her malcontent, even if she is Zyle’s soul mate, and I do not welcome this outcast to our society until there is proof of her innocence.” Zyle nodded and watched her return to her seat. He shook his head before he looked away, clearly displeased by her words. Zyle looked for the remaining ambassador and hoped his vote would be in favor of their cause. If not, the vote would be a tie and Roxian would keep her royalty. Mikah stood up from his seat. “As the Ambassador of Education and Intellectual Strategies, I vote in favor of Zyle’s proposal. I have never supported Roxian’s right to rule to begin with—she needs to step down. ” Zyle smiled in victory as he turned toward Roxian. Her lips were pressed together in a scowl. She tried to appear collected, but he knew she was nervous by the expansion of her eyes. She was furious. What she feared was coming to pass because of her own doing. If she had left Accacia alone, none of this would have befallen her. Zyle felt no pity for the queen.
Roxian stepped to the end of the stage. “This is ludicrous. No election will be cast and I will retain my right as the head of the office. I am the one who led you to safety. Not only did I save your lives—but your souls.” She turned to the warriors who stood along the stage. They wore their gleaming armor and sharp blades in their belts. “Take her away, warriors,” she commanded. “Lock this traitor in the Tower.”
Zyle walked over to Accacia and stood in of front her, positioning himself in the way of an attack. He held his sword out. “I will kill anyone who attempts to take her.”
Laura stood next to Zyle. “As will I,” she said. She unsheathed her yellow blade and pointed it at the warriors. The warriors did not move. They looked to each other, unsure what to do. Even though they outnumbered Zyle and Laura, they still doubted their odds of success. Also, they adored Accacia and enjoyed her attendance at the academy. They couldn’t force themselves to follow Roxian’s orders. Roxian had been impeached by the rights of the law, so she had no authority in this event. She stared at them with a look of anger.
Roxian took a step towards them. “What did I say? GET HER! NOW!”
“Stop this now,” Zyle said. “It’s over, Roxian.”
Roxian stared at him. She walked toward them and withdrew her blade from her scabbard. Zyle knew Roxian was a fearsome warrior, one of the best he had ever known, but he did not fear her. He would protect Accacia with his life. She was everything to him.
Roxian stabbed her blade into Zyle’s abdomen, but he parried the blow and turned toward the end of the stage. Roxian took advantage of the opportunity and pushed him over the edge. Laura cut her blade into Roxian’s arm, and Roxian grabbed the blade with her bare hand and tossed it to the crowd. She cut her own palm in the process, but she was too angry to care. Roxian punched Laura in the face and tripped her feet from under her. Her head collided with the wood of the stage and she fell unconscious. Accacia backed away from Roxian, but did not withdraw her blade for fear of giving the people a reason to condemn her as a traitor. She stepped backwards as Roxian stepped forward. She aimed the sword for Accacia’s neck.
Zyle was running towards the stairs. “FIGHT HER, ACCACIA!”
Accacia continued to back away with her hands held up in surrender. “Don’t do this Roxian,” she said. “Your subjects will never forgive you.”
“Shut your mouth, girl.”
Roxian raised her blade to strike.
Zyle sprinted up the stairs toward Accacia. He didn’t have his blade but he didn’t care. He had to do something. “NO!” he yelled as Roxian aimed her sword.
Suddenly, the glade erupted in the loud song of the Canu birds, and they flew from their trees and swirled around Accacia, forming a protective barrier around her and preventing Roxian from striking her. If she did, she would kill a Canu bird, an unforgivable crime punishable by death.
The Asquithians stared at the sight in amazement. They had never seen such an act by the Canu birds. Companions would give their lives for their Asquithians partners, but they had never seen them all protect one individual at once.
Accacia stared at the changing colors of her moving fortress and tears glistened in her eyes at the selfless act of the Canu birds. She would gladly give her life to protect them and they felt the same way. She had never felt so honored, not even when Pia asked to be her companion. Accacia could see through the gaps in the wings of the birds and saw Roxian’s face. The once beautiful countenance was ugly with fury. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was stretched thin, making her look old and bitter.
Roxian stared at the swirl of colored feathers in anger. She raised her sword to strike the birds flying around Accacia, but Zyle charged her and toppled her to the floor of the stage. The other warriors came to his aid and held her down while they restrained her with vine rope. She kicked at them as they tied her hands. “LET ME GO!” She kicked one man in the shin and the other in the kneecap. “I AM YOUR QUEEN! RELEASE ME NOW!”
Zyle nodded to the warriors. “Take her to the Tower,” he said. “Make sure she is comfortable.” He saw Laura lying uncons
cious on the floor. Her breathing was steady and her heart was still beating. Zyle knew she would survive without any permanent damage.
The birds flew away from Accacia, taking their protective cover with them. Only Koku and Pia remained behind, and they clicked their beaks at her, making sure she was okay.
Zyle rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Are you alright?” he asked. He saw the tears in her eyes and his hatred for Roxian increased for frightening his soul mate. “You’re safe now.”
“Thank you for stopping her, Zyle,” she said through her tears. “I never would have lived with myself if any of the Canu birds were hurt at my expense.”
He smiled at her. Accacia was never concerned with herself. She only cared about the Canu birds. “It was a risk they took, Accacia,” he said. “They were willing to give their lives to protect you. A sight none of us have ever seen.”
Accacia wiped her tears away. “I know. I am very honored by the gesture.” Accacia blinked her eyes and stopped the tears altogether. “I am very touched by their actions.”
Koku and Pia clicked their beaks at her. They rubbed their heads against her cheek and cooed. Zyle stared at the two birds. “Thank you so much,” he said to them. “I owe you my life.”
The birds hopped onto his shoulder and nibbled on his earlobes.
Accacia turned her gaze toward her aunt, who was helped to a stand by the warriors. She rushed over to her and grabbed her hand. “Are you okay, Laura?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she said with a smile. ‘I’m glad to see you are okay as well. What happened?”
Zyle explained the story to her and she looked at Accacia with a new pair of eyes. She smiled at her niece. “I think I know what candidate I am going to appoint as the new monarch.”
Accacia’s eyes widened. “What? Me? No—no!”
Laura and Zyle laughed.
“Let’s just finish this ceremony first,” Accacia said. “It has been quite a day.”
After the crowd had settled down, they finished the ceremony. Accacia pledged her allegiance to the Asquithian race and vowed to protect any innocent with her life.
Zyle stood alongside them and addressed the crowd. “The actions of our companions, the Canu birds of the forest, have spoken on Accacia’s behalf. She is not a threat to us—this has been settled.” The members of the crowd nodded. The Canu birds were wise beyond reason. If they were willing to die for Accacia, then the Asquithians felt the same.
Laura presented her with her own blade, a renowned weapon created in the hidden rooms of the Battle Academy that created blades that never dulled or rusted through the passage of time. The sword glowed green, just as her father’s did, and the significance was not lost on Accacia. She knew it wasn’t coincidental. Accacia belted it to her waist, on the opposite side of her guild sword, and thanked Laura for the exceptional blade.
“May it serve you well, Lady Accacia.”
Accacia smiled at her new title. “I am certain it will.”
The ceremony was about to end when Zyle addressed the audience. “Let us hold elections for the new monarch of the Asquithian race since we are all congregated before the Tower. Does anyone object?”
There was no refusal from the crowd. If anything, they were excited to select a new monarch. Roxian’s heinous actions made them desire a replacement immediately. She hadn’t respected the laws of her office by stepping down at the majority vote. Then, she tried to murder two of her kin, sentencing them to the Soul Binders, and she committed a heinous act worse than any other. She tried to kill a Canu bird, the companions of the Asquithians.
According to Asquithian society, any one could elect a ruler to the throne. After the candidates were selected, the people voted for the most suitable leader by a show of hands.
Zyle spoke again. “Name the first candidate.”
A man to the far left stood from his seat. Zyle recognized him. He had been the first man to express his interest in Accacia. Zyle suspected he knew who he was going to vote for. “I elect Accacia,” he yelled. There was a wave of nods from the audience. The protection of the Canu birds was responsible for their admiration, Zyle knew.
Zyle smiled at his words. He turned to Accacia and saw her face turned a shade of red. She was shaking her head. “I have no interest in taking the throne,” she said. “I apologize, but I am not interested.”
Zyle walked over to her and grabbed her hand. “Don’t be scared, Accacia. You would be a magnificent leader. Give yourself a chance.”
“No,” she said firmly. “I have no desire to be a leader. I am not going to change my mind.”
Laura wrapped her arm around her niece. “You’re a worthy choice, dear. Please consider it.”
“No,” she repeated. “I haven’t lived among you long enough to understand your customs. I cannot rule a society I haven’t acclimated to.”
Zyle squeezed her hand. “You would learn.”
She met his gaze. “Zyle, I said no.”
Zyle released his hold. “Very well,” he said. He turned back to the gathering before the stage. “Lady Accacia has rejected the offer. Any others?” he asked.
A few Asquithians nominated Laura, and she smiled at their recommendation. Accacia squeezed her aunt’s hand. She knew she would be a wonderful leader. Zyle was appointed next and he accepted the offer. Mikah was appointed by a group of people, and he accepted the nomination. They had three candidates for office.
“By a show of hands, who should be our monarch? The first candidate is Laura.”
Hands shot into the air, but it was less than half the population of the Asquithians.
“The second candidate is me, Zyle.”
A large number of hands shot into the air, over half of the population. Accacia already knew Zyle had won the election. Her life partner was going to be the next monarch.
“The third candidate is Mikah.”
“Only a few hands shot in to the air. Since Zyle was the obvious winner, most of the Asquithians didn’t see the point.
Zyle smiled at his subjects. “Thank you,” he said. “I humbly accept your offer to be the next monarch of the Asquithian people. I appreciate your support and together we will continue to live in peace and harmony for the many years to come.”
Orgoom Forest
40
Penelope remained in the guestroom for the following weeks, healing from the trauma of childbirth. Natalia helped her nurse her son, Rhonian, and ensured they were both in good health. Lydia and the two children were given Aleco’s old bedchamber, and they were grateful not only for the accommodations, but their newfound freedom. Lydia thanked him every day.
It would have been simpler to offer Asylinth Cottage to them, but he couldn’t depart with the sanctuary, the house he made all of his memories with Accacia in, feeling that it would destroy her essence in the cottage. But the justification was unfounded. He never went into the cottage anyway.
Aleco sat at in the study and read the message Art had sent in reply. The man was overjoyed by the news of the birth of his son, and he approved of Penelope’s decision for the name of their baby. He said there was no better choice. Artremian thanked Aleco again for everything he had done for his family. He offered his life to him, saying he could use him however he wished.
Artremian had done as he asked. He investigated the shipment of the Soul Binders, but was unable to discover where they were being shipped to. Shane never answered his questions, and none of the servants seemed to have the information he needed. He apologized to Aleco, saying he would keep trying. Aleco doubted he would get what they needed.
The Nature Priest tossed the message into the fireplace, letting it burn into hot ash. He never wanted any evidence to be traced back to Artremian if Aleco failed in his mission. He needed a second line of defense if he was killed. The Soul Binders had to be destroyed. Failure wasn’t an option. Aleco was the guardian of Accacia’s soul and he wouldn’t stop until her place in the afterlife was secure.
Aleco opened the capsule around his neck and placed the Soul Catcher on the desk, watching it for a moment. He had already witnessed every memory within the stone, but there were a few he revisited often just to feel her again. To see her once more.
He wondered if Accacia still loved him after all this time. She left his arms almost a year ago, and even though so much time had passed, the pain of her departure was still raw on his soul. He hoped she did still love him, but doubt flooded his mind. There were memories in his Soul Catcher that would disgust her, even though he had already confessed the worst travesty of his crimes. But Aleco had warned her beforehand on a cold winter night in Asylinth Cottage. You wouldn’t have made love to me if you knew half the things I’ve done. Aleco didn’t understand how she could still feel the same way. He held onto the words she said to him after his confession. That he wasn’t the same man who committed those crimes, so it didn’t matter. He hoped she felt the same way—she had to. In his heart he knew she did. Otherwise, he would have erased those memories from the Soul Catcher, hiding them from her knowledge and pretending they never happened. Aleco wondered if Accacia had accessed the projected memory he had left for her, the one that encouraged her to move on. He hadn’t meant a word he said, other than when he told her he wanted her to be happy. He couldn’t imagine Accacia making love to someone else. Accacia still belonged to him. She was his. He knew she carried a vigil in her heart, saving herself for him alone, but he knew she couldn’t live in solitude forever. The expectation was unrealistic. Aleco knew after the passage of so many years, she would eventually force herself to love someone else. She would have children and become a mother. Aleco knew she wouldn’t move on from him for a very long time, so if he accomplished his greatest dreams within the year, she would be his again. It wouldn’t be too late. The idea of them being together again was the only thing keeping him going, the only thought giving him hope.