by L J Andrews
“Well, isn’t your bond with Reya and the young princess.” I asked, accepting the goblet.
“Yes, and Malik. But Bron and I both protect the jade bloodline,” she grumbled, sounding a little bit like Reya. Gaia plopped into a chair by her mantle. I took a drink, furrowing my brow when she lifted her palm for a few heartbeats. In a matter of seconds, brilliant flames burst to life, spreading beautiful heat through the room. It was incredible and fascinating.
“I’ve always loved the way the mage use their powers,” I breathed softly. “Tell me, how does it work exactly?”
Gaia smiled, motioning for me to sit next to her in the adjacent chair. “Energy is in everything. Our abilities hone that energy and invite it to do things for us. Some might call it magic, but it’s more than that. It’s a deep connection with the elements and learning to communicate with the earth for the benefit of others.”
The smile tugged faintly on my lips. I enjoyed everything about the smooth energy that spread from the High Priestess. Carefully, I reached for the flames. It was different then the fire in my lungs, but had a comforting spark when the orange and blue ribbons licked my skin. “Simply fascinating.”
“You’re easily entertained,” she teased, taking another long drink. Gaia relaxed in her chair, her eyes studying me over the rim of her goblet. Suddenly, my hands seemed rather clammy holding my own drink.
My smile remained, but I tried to brush away my oddities as though Gaia might think less of me for them. “My mother once told me that too. Except I don’t think I was entertained by the things she thought mattered most. More like I found pleasure watching the insects in the gardens, or the power of the wind beneath my wings and how it kept me in flight. Nothing about strength, or battle, or the things warriors should know. In fact, I think my parents were thrilled when it came time to send their odd offspring to warrior training.”
“You knew your parents?” she asked, her eyes brightening. “I don’t mean to be rude, it’s just most warriors didn’t know their families well.”
“I didn’t either,” I admitted. “I have a few memories. Nothing playful, or warm like the prince and princess are with Jade.”
Gaia chuckled. “Well, I’m pleased to admit they are unique, I rather enjoy how they treat their daughter.”
“Me as well,” I offered. Gaia glanced at me with intention, drawing a cautious chuckle from my throat. “Does that surprise you?”
“Perhaps a little,” she admitted, smiling. The High Priestess had a captivating smile. “I guess, I had a different view of you as a royal warrior.”
“Well, I’m filled with all sorts of odd surprises.”
Gaia laughed, and it sent a warmth through my chest. “I don’t view that as a bad thing, Thane. You should know that I know you excel at the tasks that make you a warrior. I’ve seen you in action. You probably don’t remember, but we fought against the lindworms side by side for a time. I was amazed how skilled you are in battle.”
“I remember,” I whispered softly.
Gaia’s eyes gleamed like fresh honey when she seemed to pause only to read my expression. “Well, then, you can see why I find it as no surprise Malik chose you to defend his family. And I disagree with your mother—respectfully—I think your interests in many things would only make you stronger.”
“Thank you,” I said. It felt strangely nice hearing her compliment me when she didn’t need to. “That’s how I’ve justified all my curiosities my entire life.”
Gaia had a bright smile, and when she grinned back at me I could almost see the power bursting in her blood erupting from her eyes.
“How are you Gaia?” I dared ask, when a wave of apprehension washed over my shoulders. She was relaxed in her seat, but inside from what I sensed, she was combustible knot of worry.
“I’m well,” she said simply, a subtle cock in her head. “How are you?”
I chuckled, shaking my head when she cleanly averted my meaning. “I wasn’t asking about me, High Priestess,” I whispered after a slight pause. “You are distracted in your thoughts.”
“I’m not distracted,” she retorted.
“I would disagree,” I said, lifting my brow. “You try to keep it from others, and you’re very good at hiding your emotions. But,” I said with a sly smile that felt strange on my face. “When you have an obnoxiously curious wyvern with empathetic abilities at your side, it is not easy to hide for long.”
To my relief, Gaia smiled, and rested deeper in her chair. My tongue went dry when I watched her slowly ease some pins from her wavy auburn hair. She looked so young. I wasn’t certain how old she was, though I knew our ages were comparable. It’s not that I looked old in my face, I technically only reached full maturity forty years ago. Mages and wyverns had similar lifespans, but I couldn’t find the gumption to ask her age. She most likely wouldn’t appreciate that much curiosity.
Her smile now took on an impish look when she spoke. “You surprise me again, Thane. I’ve never met a warrior in tune with such emotions.” I shrugged, an arrogant smirk on my face that brought her to laugh. With a sigh, Gaia leaned over the arm of her chair so her face wasn’t more than a few inches from me. “I’m afraid my response will be anticlimactic for your curiosity. I don’t know what troubles me. I can’t place what has me blanketed in this…dread.”
I took another drink and stared into the fire. Hoping to ease some of her burden, I did my best to lighten my tone. “Well, it won’t do to have the High Priestess moping about. Have you spoken with your husband? He seems more at ease at the changes that will go on.”
“Thane,” she gasped, her mouth gaping. “You’re amazing. You’re right, I should speak with that man—I’ve never spoken to him before, but what a wonderful idea.”
Annoying heat flushed my face again when I scoffed, turning away. “Alright, alright, it probably wasn’t my best bit of advice.” My gaze deepened and my smile faded slightly when I glanced at her again. “I hope all is well, Gaia. It isn’t right for you to be so shadowed and tormented.”
She met my eye, and that is where we stayed for several breaths.
“Why would my wife be tormented?”
Bron’s deep voice broke us from the melancholy pause. Standing quickly, I was surprised how swiftly the time had drifted. I offered a respectful nod toward Bron and stepped away from the flames. “Welcome back, High Priest. The High Priestess stated something troubled her, though she could not place her discomfort.”
Bron nodded. “Ah, yes. It is a mystery to us all, Thane. I appreciate you keeping watch for me tonight. Malik has been searching for you.”
“It was my pleasure,” I said, wondering why suddenly Malik would have need of me after he’d sent me away. “I will leave you both in peace.”
“Oh, Thane,” Bron said, his voice lowering a bit. “There were a few issues in one of the barrier walls near the orchard, perhaps take the east entrance and avoid the west gate on your way to the tower. Just in case.”
My heart skipped a beat, and the blood in my veins boiled to an uncomfortable temperature when I glanced at the man. Issues with the wall? I would need to find Gregor immediately. “I will take a look. I assume the king was made aware.”
“Of course,” Bron said, his charming smile passing his lips.
With a curt nod, I didn’t find the time to glance once more at the High Priestess. The sudden urgently bled through my body with a terrible force. I had the prickly rush of energy again, and somehow I knew something was terribly wrong.
Chapter 7
Gaia
Bron studied me. He said nothing, just peered those silver eyes toward my soul. I could feel the bleeding warmth of his searching energy penetrate my heart and mind. Well, he wasn’t getting anything that easily.
“Is there something you’d like to ask me, or does finding your own way into my thoughts suit you better? I imagined as husband and wife there must come a time where we no longer speak to each other and simply force the other to reveal private
thoughts,” I snapped. My voice had a strange bitterness I hadn’t intended. Adjusting my shoulders back straighter, I cleared my throat and pushed such tones away. The peace that had been here during Thane’s unnecessary guard duty was gone. I wished it was back with my own husband, but the pumping pulse in my ears drowned out any peace.
“Forgive me, Gaia,” Bron said with a bite in his own tone. “I thought you had just told me your worries were eased. Now, according to the warrior they are not. I thought I’d search myself, since it seems we have past the time of being open with each other.”
“How can you speak of openness?” I muttered, feeling frustrated at the man for the first time since marrying him. “You’ve been angry with King Lux since your argument, though you pretend all is well. I can still see you hide things. I’m fine, Bron. I just…I don’t know why I feel as though something…bad is going to happen.”
Bron sighed and took Thane’s seat at my side. “I am still frustrated. Out of all my abilities, you’re right Gaia, I don’t have the ability to release anger easily. I say I’m fine, because it helps me let go. It’s getting better and I believe the more I try to forget my disagreements with the king then eventually I will let it all go.” He smiled coyly at me. “I marvel at your ability to sense emotions. I hope my assurance that good things are on the horizon will aid in your discomfort.”
I smiled, breathing a bit of relief that slowly ebbed the disagreement between us into nothing. Keeping my fierce gaze locked on my husband, I leaned over the arm of my chair to kiss him. The spark was there when our lips touched, and for a moment I was relieved. “I will take your assurance. Just as you, Bron, I will try and keep the dark thoughts away. Dark thoughts do little good.”
He nodded. “Good, you have nothing to worry about. I will be fine, you will be stunning as ever.” He kissed my forehead, tracing the ribbons of color on my skin. “Should we go to bed? I fear the morning and daily business will come too soon.”
I smiled, embracing his strong arm as we moved toward our bed chamber. I would feel at ease soon enough—though the tight thread of anxiety in my chest only brought a new brush of fear. Taking a deep breath I urged the thoughts to the back of my mind.
Nothing is wrong.
I hardly believed my own voice.
Inside our bedroom, Bron poured a drink made of herbs for us. The wyvern loved it and in turn we’d both found a liking to the taste. Grinning, I removed the gilded robe from around my shoulders, and placed my blade next to a sitting chair near our bed. Bron’s silver eyes glanced at me with desire, but in the same breath were still distant in his own thoughts as he handed me the cup.
“You know I view you as the king of our people,” I whispered, hoping to break through whatever barriers remained around his heart.
Bron nodded, taking a long drink and stripping his dark robe until he was only wearing his tunic and tight, black pants. Untucking the tunic, he sat on the edge of our bed, running a hand through his dark hair. “Yes, Gaia,” he said, kissing the top of my hand. It was icy, and distant. I hated whatever was happening between me and my husband. “I wish others saw it the same.”
I took several long drinks of the tea, before creeping along our mattress and threading my arms around his strong shoulders. My mouth found his face, his jaw, until he smiled softly. “What does it matter, my love? We don’t need to leave the bluffs if you don’t want. We counsel together Bron, let us lead our people. We both have fears.”
Bron shifted, so his faced me. Gently he brushed a lock of hair from my face. My shoulders trembled slightly, and I felt as though the silk pillows were screaming for me to rest my head. “Gaia, I would not ask that of you, the bond for you is too great.” The words went through my mind, and I wanted to ask him why it was only my bond he spoke of—he had the same bond. “Don’t worry, Gaia. Soon, it won’t be so painful to walk away.”
“I don’t understand,” I mumbled. My eyes having a harder time staying open.
Bron smiled, trapping my face in his hands. He kissed me. I’d always loved my husband’s kisses, but this one was rough—desperate even—like he was trying to overpower me. My body was overrun with fatigue. I tried to kiss Bron in return, to slow his fury to the easy, calm way we’d loved each other through the decades. But it only added to his desperation.
Finally breaking free I gasped, meeting his steely gaze. “Bron, what’s…what’s wrong?” My words sounded slurred even in my mind.
“Just sleep, Gaia,” he whispered, easing my shoulders back against the pillows. “No harm will come to you, we’ll stand together. You’re my love, Gaia.”
“Bron…”
He made little sense, but something kept my heart thumping painfully in my chest the longer he spoke. I couldn’t even fathom lifting my head. My eyes fluttered closed. Like a heavy weight blackness forced my mind into oblivion, taking me from conscious thought into a tormented, deep sleep. Taking me away from any further questions, any further conversation with my husband. The man I’d always honored, trusted, and revered. Yet, as I fell deeper into rest, my mind and brain united on a single thought. I wasn’t sure I felt the same way anymore.
Chapter 8
Thane
My blood boiled through my veins, hotter than usual. The way it always did when I knew something wasn’t right. Everything about the castle was calm, still. I almost hated that worse than the bustling chaos that lived in the halls during the day with all the royal lines tucked behind the walls.
Nearing the banquet hall I heard pleasant voices, some families, friends, mages, remained awake, laughing, eating. In peace. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, then why did it feel so desperate that I needed to find Malik? I kept my gaze along the walls. I didn’t see any place broken, or ruined. That didn’t mean it hadn’t happened. Bron seemed sure, even if something had shifted in his energy when he’d returned to his wife. Something seemed different with the High Priest.
It wasn’t my place to stay with the High Priestess, but as I rushed through the hallways toward Malik’s tower, I admitted silently there was a pull to return to her, a thread of my heart that was desperately worried over leaving her alone.
Taking the winding steps two at a time I trudged up the spiraling tower. The door was closed, everything behind Reya and Malik’s chamber seemed quiet and calm. Pounding on the door, every muscle in my body stiffened the longer I waited. Slowly, the door creaked open and Malik’s tired eyes peeked through. He stood bare chested, the seal of his mate imprinted along his chest in a broad sphere. The warrior markings inked along his shoulders and spine, but now Reya had taken her place over his heart.
“Thane?” His eyes widened. “What is it?”
Clearing my throat, I felt a little sheepish—frustrated even—Malik seemed to have little need for me. “Did you not ask for me?” My words sounded more desperate than I’d intended.
Malik’s brow furrowed, and my hand instinctively clutched tight to my blade on my hip. Malik responded much like me, his fists balling as he stepped into the hall. “I didn’t send for you,” he insisted darkly. There was movement in his room, and I heard Reya’s soft voice call for him. Malik eased into the hallway outside the chamber, tugging the door behind him, and meeting my gaze. “Something feels…”
“Wrong,” I finished.
Malik nodded. “Get to Gregor. I will meet you at the front gate.”
“Malik,” I snapped quickly. “You command me as your warrior, but you are a royal now, the future king—”
“And I will always be a royal who fights to defend what is ours,” he snapped. “Don’t lecture me now about whether I can still wield a blade. Now, find Gregor. I will meet you both at the gate and we will investigate what has happened.”
I nodded, pounding my chest in the warrior salute before Malik returned the gesture and slipped back inside his room. Reya wasn’t going to like the idea of him leading the ranks against a threat—well, I couldn’t be certain there even was a threat. Only that something felt d
angerous, like a gas thick in the air.
Gregor’s chamber was tucked adjacent to the king. Eisha peeled back the door, not to my surprise. It would be almost unusual at this point to find the lead warrior sleeping before the midnight hour.
“He came back for a moment,” Eisha added, when I prepared to leave. “Thane, he took every weapon. What’s going on?”
There really was no sense lying to Eisha. She wasn’t a delicate flower that would break under duress. She advised the princess, was mated to Gregor, she wasn’t blind that something seemed out of sorts tonight. “I don’t know, Eisha. I believe something is brimming that is a threat to our people. I intend to stop it before it ever happens.”
Her lips pulled tight, but she nodded quickly. “I should go to Reya.”
I nodded. “That’s probably wise. We won’t let anything happen, Eisha.”
“I have full confidence in you and Gregor, Thane.” Her voice shook me through my core. Everyone inside these walls had placed similar confidence that their warriors would keep them safe. It was a burden I welcomed. I would die for mage or wyvern should I be asked. That I knew for certain.
Unsheathing my blade, I turned and rushed down the hallway toward the front gates. That thickness, the wave of apprehension spreading over the castle, tightened in my body until I rounded the corner and found Gregor, standing stalwart in the rising moonlight. Three blades were strapped across his back, two daggers sheathed to each of his thighs, and a knife on one bicep.
Weapons didn’t keep when we shifted forms, I’d never had a rider, but when it felt that war was brimming like it did in this moment, sometimes I wished I would have invited a rider to hold my blades should I ever shift. There really was only one person I realized I would trust to ride alongside, and that was Gaia. She could fight, yet had powers I didn’t have. But the High Priestess would never ride along my back. It wasn’t appropriate, and I knew Bron probably wouldn’t appreciate me asking his wife to be a rider.