Protect your son! He needs you to—Rhuul!
*
“Lea? Lea, wake up!” Rhuul cradled her still body in his arms, shaking her as he called out to her. One moment she was touching his scars; the next, she was swaying on her feet, her eyes closed. Now she was unconscious, and for all intents and purposes, talking in her sleep.
“No. Don’t!”
“Don’t what? What’s happening?” Is she entering someone else’s dream? I am not crossing this land to help another stranger. He shook his head and continued trying to rouse her. “Open your eyes, Lea.”
“You’re his grandfather. You can’t do this!”
At those words, all of his muscles stiffened. A tremor started in the tips of his wings, moving through the bones and resonating in his chest. “Lea, you need to wake up now.” He had no idea how it happened, but there could only be one explanation. The changes in her occurred when she tried to heal his scars, and now she was pleading with his grandfather.
He’d never shared that memory with anyone, but he wasn’t angry about her seeing it. His entire focus was on bringing her out of it, wanting to protect her from the experience. “Come on.” He shook her a bit harder, his heart thumping like an angry fist.
“Please help him. Please! How can you just sit there? Why would you allow this to…?” She was silent and eerily still. When he looked at her chest, it was unmoving, her entire body limp.
“Lea!” He cradled her closer still, feeling himself teeter somewhere on the edge of hysteria.
“Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” She convulsed in his grasp, screaming nonstop.
“Gods! Why can’t I wake her? Tell me what to do, Lea.” He’d pushed the majority of the events of his childhood into a deep corner of his mind. It was the only way to stop the nightmares. It was what he needed to do to be strong. Seeing Lea feel his pain, the look of anguish on her face, the sound of her pleas on his behalf, it pulled at those concealed memories, teasing them back to the surface. This time, the fear wasn’t for himself. “How do I stop this?”
Lea continued to scream. Her cries were pure agony, sending stabs of pain through his heart. He held her closer, whispering to her. “Let it go, Lea. You have to come back.”
She didn’t respond. Her voice began to crack. Steam poured from her eyes in continuous plumes.
“Please wake up.” He’d never known a fear so powerful, and it wasn’t for himself.
When her screams ceased, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. He watched her face, her eyelids fluttering. He was more than happy to see her pain free; he was in awe. She screamed for help on my behalf. She begged my grandfather not to hurt me. No one had ever stood up for him for any reason. Not only had Lea pleaded for his safety, her words were filled with emotion. He lifted his wings and sank to the floor with her in his arms. She remained so still, he placed his palm on her chest, searching for the beat of her heart inside. It felt so small, but it was strong, insistent.
Even as he marveled at the strength of his feelings for her, the voice of doubt managed to sneak into his thoughts. Now that she’d seen one of his most painful memories, what would she think of him? Would she treat him differently? The very idea of it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Rhuul!” Her eyes popped open, the flames within swirling with turbulence.
“I’m here, Lea. Are you—”
“He had no right.” Her voice was different, filled with malice. She levitated out of his grasp. The flames of her hair crept down the sides of her face, making their way over her chest and arms.
“Lea, what are you doing?”
She didn’t answer. She lifted a flaming hand to her chest and pulled out a ball of fire. It elongated, revealing the earth stone. A second stone appeared, then a third.
“You’re making a—” A flash of light blinded him in an instant. When his vision cleared, Lea floated above him, her arms outstretched. He stood, securing his pants in the process. They weren’t in the cave anymore. One glance told him all he needed to know, and the sound of the next voice confirmed it.
“What are you doing here, Paralta?”
Lea’s flames quaked as she pointed at Iethro, his grandfather, ruler of Karn. “You don’t get to speak again, monster!” A column of fire rushed out of her hand, surrounding the Eidon ruler. “You will die for what you’ve done!”
Chapter 8
Never in her life had Avalea felt such fury, nor such intense animosity. There was only one thought on her mind: the complete and utter destruction of Rhuul’s grandfather. “You are pure evil, and you will pay!” She turned to the Eidon, who entered the room from a side door. “You will explain why you failed him as a father before you share the same fate.”
“Guards! Kill her!” The voice came from an Eidon in ornate armor. He was of no concern. She’d chosen her targets.
“You will not touch her!” Rhuul brought out his swords and stood beside her.
“Your swords … Your head … What has happened to you?” It was Rhuul’s father who spoke, but he ignored him.
At the mention of his swords, she glanced at the blades, finding them coated in flames. When the guards advanced, she created a fiery enclosure, keeping Rhuul and his family encased. There was no way to penetrate the prison of fire, and that suited her just fine. “Do you feel helpless, Iethro? Are you afraid to be at the mercy of someone else’s whim?”
“Stop this at once, y-you—”
“Don’t you dare call her an abomination.” Rhuul turned to face the inferno that roiled around the ruler.
“You are the abomination! You ordered his wings cut off. You mutilated your grandson. He was just a child!” She could feel tears straining to break free, but she held them back, pushed the sadness aside to fully embrace her rage. “You deserve to suffer and die.”
She directed the flames, making them close in around Iethro.
“No! Stop!” the ruler of Karn cried out in desperation.
“Didn’t he scream for you to stop? Didn’t he plead with you? You will receive the same mercy you showed him.” She had no reservations. This man would die today by her hands.
“Lea, stop.” It was Rhuul’s voice, but she couldn’t believe the words.
“You’d have me spare him? After what he did to you?” She turned to look at him, a jolt of surprise seeping into her ire. “I can destroy him right now and put a stop to his hatred.”
“And you’d regret it for the rest of your life.” He transferred the sword in his right hand to his left and took hold of her wrist. “This isn’t you, Lea. You told me killing wasn’t the only way. When you lost control with the sekti, it tore you up inside. How will you feel if you go through with this?”
“He hurt you. Family is supposed to protect you and he betrayed that. They both did. Didn’t you tell me sometimes we have to do what we have to do?”
“To defend ourselves, remember? Make no mistake, I despise him, but I don’t want his blood on your hands. I know you’re angry, but you can’t let it consume you. Think, Lea. This isn’t what you really want.”
He was right. As much as it pained her to leave Iethro breathing, Rhuul’s words were true. She was more than willing to take a life in the heat of the moment, but what about the aftermath? The charred bodies of the sekti still stalked her conscience, accusing her, shaming her.
“You’re not a killer, remember?” He cupped her face and ran his thumb against her cheek before he returned his sword to his hand. “But I am.”
Lea pulled her flames back and watched as Rhuul lunged toward his grandfather. He made it halfway before his swords disappeared, reappearing in his father’s hands.
“Finally! Kill them, Veen!” Iethro adjusted his robes and stood tall and defiant. He remained in that position for several moments before his head fell forward and then down onto the stone floor, followed by his limp body.
Avalea sucked in a quick breath, uncertain of the scene playing out before her. She turned her gaze to Veen, the man who s
tood by in silence both in Rhuul’s memory and even now. “Why?” The fact that Iethro was dead was of no consequence, but Veen’s actions sparked even more anger and one burning question. “Why did you forsake your son?”
Veen dismissed the swords, sending them back to Rhuul’s hands. “I stand ready for your judgment, my son.”
“Answer her, Father.”
Veen stood unmoving, his eyes on Rhuul.
The longer he stood in silence, the more she needed to know. “His mother, did you love her?” She hadn’t known Rhuul long, but she knew him well enough to know his pride wouldn’t allow him to say what was on his mind. I will be your voice in this, kan’na.
“I did love Heren. She was my wife.” Veen’s expression was tortured, the black horns on his brow drawn together.
“Then why did you let all this happen? How could you stand by and do nothing while everything you’re supposed to love was destroyed?” The rope that bound them together had disappeared, so she made her way to Rhuul’s side. When she lowered herself to the ground, she reached out and he banished his sword to take her hand, as if he too missed the connection.
“I had to make a choice. When I found out Heren was pregnant, I gave up my role as prince, forsook all claims to the throne, and left Karn. My greatest wish was to find a realm where we could stay as a family without judgment, no hateful names. We moved around a lot, never staying anywhere too long. But it wasn’t enough. An Eidon traveling with a Celestan is easy to spot. By the time we were found, Rhuul had been born. I fought those sent to retrieve us, but my father is far from unwise. He didn’t send a few guards after me. He sent an army.”
Veen walked over to his father’s body and stared at its remains. “I killed as many as I could. The fighting went on for so long, I couldn’t take another swing. They wore me down until I had nothing left. They brought us here, killed Heren right in front of me as I held you in my arms.” He didn’t look at Rhuul. He stood with clenched fists, his hands shaking. “My father ordered the guards to kill you. I couldn’t let that happen. I convinced him to let you live until you were old enough to fend for yourself. In exchange, I would treat you as an outsider, and I would take up my formal role as prince and heir to his rule.”
“You are a coward! You should have fought him directly.” The flames on Rhuul’s head climbed higher, whipping as if caught in a windstorm.
“I did what I had to, to keep you safe.”
“Safe? You stood by and let him torture me for years!”
“Do you think it was easy for me? You are my only child, the only connection I have to the woman I loved with all my heart. I never wanted those things for you.”
Avalea felt her stomach sink at the thought of what else had happened to Rhuul as he grew up. Veen’s words sounded honest, but she couldn’t accept what he had to say. “You could have done something.”
“I did. I tended to his wounds, taught him to fight, and I gave him the means to protect himself.” Veen turned to face them, his expression full of remorse.
“You lie! You never did any of those things!” Rhuul’s wings rose high, as if he was about to take off.
“Didn’t I? If no Eidon treated you with any regard, who bandaged you? Who fed you? Clothed you? Who taught you to read, write, and speak? The languages?” He shook his head. “Where does the gold come from that you conjure? Where do you think you got those swords? They were mine. I came to your room many nights, speaking the incantations to train you, to teach you how to conjure. I gave you everything I thought you’d need to keep you alive. I knew you’d hate me, but I accepted that. I don’t expect you to comprehend my reasoning.”
“You gave him everything but your love.” Avalea held Rhuul’s hand a bit tighter, understanding him more and more. This is why nothing matters. This is why he has no qualms about taking a life. He’s only known hate.
“I couldn’t show him love in the way you expect, but my son still breathes. I succeeded in that.” Veen walked toward them, his arms at his sides. “I expect you to kill me. Your life was difficult with me, but I need you to know it wasn’t what I wanted. Heren would hate me for what I’ve done, and she’d be right. I tried to make the best choices with the options available to me.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly through his lips. “Take my life and take your place on the throne.”
*
“My place?” Rhuul wasn’t sure if he wanted to shake the Eidon before him or run him through with his weapons. “I have no place. The two of you taught me that.”
“You are my son, my heir. With me gone, you ascend to the throne. Don’t you see? I knew you’d return here. I’ve planned for this day all your life. This is your home. You decide its fate.”
“This has never been my home!” The revelations had been too much. Everything he understood was a part of some game, some sick plan meant to prepare him for something he didn’t want. “Every Eidon in this realm would rather see me dead than breathing the same air as they do. Why would I want to stay here?”
“Your power will be absolute. The people must do what you say. I couldn’t give you a life, but I can give you my legacy. Take it, Rhuul. Open Karn to alliances. Stop the hatred between us and the Celestan.”
“Are you out of your mind?” All the muscles in his body tensed. His heart pumped hard, threatening to burst under the pressure of his disdain. “I will not stay here. I will not claim this realm. There’s nothing for me here.” He turned to Lea. She didn’t speak; she nodded, the simple gesture showing her full support.
“Why? You wouldn’t have to roam the way I did. You’d have everything you need.” Veen’s eyes widened, his voice an octave higher.
“I will find my own way on my terms. If you want Karn to change, then you will be the one to implement it. I have no desire to lead a race of ignorance.” Lea wrapped him in an embrace and kissed him lightly. Her lips spread into a wide smile, her eyes sparkling. “Don’t give me that look. Damned Omala life lovers. If I’m not going to be here, I can’t leave the throne empty. It’s simple logic.” He squeezed her waist and took a deep breath. “Can you take us back?”
“I, uh … I don’t actually remember how I got us here.” She looked down, avoiding his eyes.
“You don’t remember? What the hell, Lea?”
“I wasn’t exactly myself, Rhuul.” She narrowed her eyes at him, exchanging her smile for a scowl.
It was so easy to get a rise out of her, and she’d never know how gorgeous she looked when she was frustrated. “There was fire involved. Lots of fire. You can start with that, right?”
She looked like she wanted to burn him alive. A moment later, she released a chuckle. “Do you have to be such a jerk?”
Veen stepped closer, and held his hands out to him. “If you won’t stay, at least let me give you something before you go.” A picture appeared in his palm, a snapshot of him, a Celestan female, and a winged baby.
“Rhuul…” Lea seemed overcome with emotion, and held her hand over her mouth.
“We did love you, my son. Never forget that.” He waited, holding the small frame in silence.
“Keep it. I don’t know these people.” He’d never seen his mother before, but somehow the image of the smiling Celestan female seemed familiar. His mind wandered for a few moments, lost in what-if? Would she have shunned me? Would she have done the same as my father? Am I anything like her? This is meaningless! He was curious about her; he wouldn’t deny that, but he wouldn’t dwell on it. “I think I’ll make my own memories.” He wrapped an arm around Lea’s waist and held her close to his side.
“You’re just as proud as any Eidon, and just as willful as any Celestan.” Veen smiled and the photo disappeared. “Lea. Is that your name?”
“You will call her Avalea.” Rhuul felt a surge of new anger hearing someone use his name for her.
“Very well. Avalea, can you lower the flames? I need to make an announcement.” When the fire surrounding them disappeared, he held his hand up to the encr
oaching guards. “Hold!” They stopped, but the anger on their purple faces was clear. “Iethro is dead. As his heir, I will take his place as ruler of Karn. From this day forward, Rhuul Iscarion, my son, will be welcome in this realm. You will treat him as he is due, prince of Karn and heir to the throne. Failure to do so will be punishable by death.”
The guards dropped to their knees and bowed their heads. “As you command.”
“You will always be welcome here, Rhuul. I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to get to know you.”
“Perhaps, but for now, I’d prefer to keep my distance. I suggest you do the same.” Rhuul eyed his father with suspicion, wondering if his words were true or part of another plot.
“Allow me to walk you to the way gate.” Veen moved to his side, but remained a short distance away from him.
“Wait!” Lea closed her eyes and held out her hand. In the span of a few moments, the crystal from Iethro’s crown appeared in her palm.
“Why do you want that?” Rhuul raised both eyebrows and stared at the stone.
“This is what we came for. The elders knew it all along. It’s the Ylari crystal.”
“The crystal was here the whole time? Why in all the realms of hell did we have to go on that damned journey?”
“Rhuul, I’ll … I’ll explain it later.” Lea gripped the crystal tight and held it close to her chest.
“Fine, let’s get out of here.” He walked next to his father, but paused next to Braka. “Do you have something to say to me?”
“No.” The guard captain spoke through clenched teeth, his breaths heavy.
“No? Only no?” Rhuul spread his lips into a smile, extending the moment.
“No … Your Highness.”
“Good. Dispose of that body. I want you to do it personally. Bring my aunt Shiel to help you.” He didn’t wait for Braka’s acknowledgment. He continued on, following Veen through the familiar halls of the palace.
“Where did you meet her?” Veen looked over at Lea with a large grin.
Rhuul's Flame (Realms of Possibilities, book 1) Page 10