by JF Jenkins
With a small nod, Ashley took Kat's hands in her own, causing her to look up into the woman's blue eyes.
"I'm glad you understand, but I knew you of all people would."
At Ashley's touch, Kat's hands burned slightly, similar to when she touched the water for too long. Although she didn't know what kind of spell it was, she recognized Ashley's attempt at water magic.
What little trust Kat had acquired for the woman was gone.
Chapter Thirty-One
The Inero
For a long time, Jason sat engrossed in the Holy Book. Gwen hated to interrupt him. The answers he was looking for were important. What worried her was the way he had said that it had the answer to his problem. She only knew about one problem, and that was the voice he claimed was inside of him. The possession theory was not one she wanted him to keep entertaining, yet he kept going back to it. He knew something he wasn't telling her.
"Here," she said quietly and brought over the night's dinner. Leftovers, but her motivation to cook wasn't strong.
He looked up at her from where he sat on the beach with a big smile. "Thank you."
She sat next to him, pulling out her own book so they could read together in the sand. If she was only needed to be there in body for him, she would be. Forcing her attention onto him wasn't going to help him relax, she knew that. The most she could do was not let on how worried she actually was, and be supportive of him.
"Weren't you reading another book earlier?" He jotted down a note onto a post-it and stuck into the Holy Book. She didn't dare try to read over his shoulder. He wouldn't like that. There would be another time for her to find out what he was up to.
Gwen nodded as she took a bite, not looking at him. "I finished the other one. Why do you think I got so many? I'm a fast reader."
"I didn't think you were that fast."
"It depends on the book. The other one was a light, fluffy sort of story filled with lots of happily ever after. This one will probably take longer because it's dark and deep." She stopped reading so she could watch him. It was more polite. He did the same, shutting his book. "Finding anything interesting?"
"A lot of things, actually. I'd never paid much attention to this prophecy stuff. But then again, I never understood how this sort of thing worked. However, it is helping me prepare for whatever it is my father is doing. I'm going to have to meet up with Oceina Lord again," Jason said with a sigh.
"How?"
"I'm not sure. That's going to be harder to figure out. Since the borders are closed, getting through won't be easy. I guess I could leave him a message to come to the Council Island, but then I have to find a way over there too without getting caught. Taking a boat will get people asking questions, and I can't fly."
She rubbed his arm gently. "There's time right?"
"Not much, but if I try at this faith thing, then somehow a way will present itself right?" He gazed into her eyes and she saw the fear he felt in his. His eyes were wide and glittered under the sunlight. There was hope in them too though, and that made her smile. She nodded. Slowly, he put his arm around her, pulling her in closer to him. "Part of the only reason I'm giving it a try is because of you."
"Giving what a try?"
"Faith. You've shown me it works, so I'm doing my best to keep relying on it even if it's hard. I'm out of options, you know?"
"I think you've always had it." She brushed his hair around his face then kissed his lips.
"It's better because of you."
"I haven't done anything except encourage you to keep with your better side."
He kissed her forehead, closing his eyes for a moment. "Well, I'm grateful for it. And I love you. No matter what, remember that."
"No matter what," she echoed, unsure of if she liked that statement.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The Oceina
Tai walked through the hallways of the school, taking her good, sweet time with the pass. She was in study hall, on her way to the vending machines to find herself a soda. Her daily caffeine intake had already been reached, but the extra sugar buzz would do wonders for her. When she got to where the row of machines was, she noticed Alex there, buying some snacks. She slowed her pace, trying to time her arrival for right as he was leaving. A promise was a promise, and even though she was pretty sure Alex was harmless, she would respect her husband's wishes and create a bit more distance between them. Alex needed to bond more with Darien anyway, not with her.
He glanced up at her and gave her a smile. "Hey! Procrastinating from class too?"
She laughed, opening up her purse so she could find her change. "Sort of."
"Only sort of?" He leaned against the snack machine and watched her. His eyes were awfully intent. The same strange cinnamon smell started to burn in her nostrils again. It was getting a lot more potent lately.
"Yes, only sort of." She was about to put her coins into the machine, but Alex slipped a few in before she had the chance. "Sorry, didn't know you were using—."
"What do you want?"
"Excuse me?" She blinked, confused.
"What do you want to drink?" He leaned in towards her and raised both of his eyebrows.
Her cheeks flushed with heat. "The grape one."
He pressed the button and a can dropped down. Alex then leaned down to hand it to her.
"Thanks," she said softly. "You didn't have to."
"I know, but I wanted to. We haven't gotten to hang out much lately. Feel kind of bad about that. Anyway, I was wondering if you had a date to the dance coming up? Thought maybe we could go?"
She swallowed, regretting accepting his buying her the drink. "You know I have someone."
"And I heard this someone didn't ask you to go."
"It's complicated." Way too complicated. And she wished she could explain everything to him. Even if she could share the dragon's secret, he probably wouldn't believe her anyway. She almost hadn't.
The smell of sour grapes filled her nose now, and he rubbed at the back of his head coolly. "Can't blame me for trying right? Don't take this the wrong way, or get mad, but I feel like it needs to be said. If only for my own sanity. If you're unhappy Tai, just walk away, okay?"
Her arms folded in front of her. "What makes you think I'm not happy?"
"The way you are increasingly more tense. Maybe it has nothing to do with him, and maybe it's not my business –"
"It's not."
"But if you don't want to be with him, you don't have to. I'm not sure what all has happened between you guys. I know you're close. Really close. But my point is you don't have to stick around if it's not working."
Tai's jaw tightened and she clutched the can of soda hard. "I'm aware, thank you. I don't know why you're assuming I'm not happy with him. Things are tense, but I'll repeat what you said: not your business. Just because we don't prance around on a fluffy cloud doesn't mean we aren't happy together."
Alex smiled at her weakly. "Again, can't blame me for trying. I needed to be positive. I'll back off now. Promise. As cool as I think you are, I don't want to be that guy, and I can't believe I'm admitting this but I am starting to like Darien. I don't get you guys' relationship though. If you need some help figuring out how to get around the stress, I mean, I can try? That's what friends do right? We can still be that? Even though I've made an idiot of myself?"
"Yes, we can be friends. As for helping, there isn't much to be done. It's mostly personal things, but thank you." She meant it. Hopefully he did too when he said he would back off.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The Inero
"I have someone on standby to bring me home if you happen to go into labor while I'm gone," Matt said as he continued to pack up his bag. He didn't think he'd need too much stuff. The fall council meeting wouldn't be lasting for longer than a day or two at the most, but one could never be too sure. He packed for three days. That seemed safe to him.
Kat watched him from the bed. "Do you think I will?"
"I doubt
it, but delivering the egg early does happen sometimes. You're far enough along where it wouldn't be a big deal. Besides, we're only estimating your due date. It's hard to tell when we conceived to begin with." He gave her a wink.
"But just in case, you have an arrangement made?"
"Yes, just in case. Lenora has sworn she'll keep watch over you. Ashley as well."
"You spoke with them?" Kat's eyebrows perked up.
He glanced over at her and shrugged, not understanding why she was acting so surprised. "We talk sometimes. When I have to wait for my father to come to his room, Lenora is usually there. Ashley was visiting her."
"Oh," Kat said, and her brow furrowed slightly. "Do the Oceina have the ability to manipulate others with their magic? Like, coerce people into thinking or agreeing with them?"
"I don't think so? Why do you ask?" He stopped packing and faced her.
She let out a soft sigh. "I thought maybe Ashley was doing that one time we spoke. I felt her magic on me. It burned, and she was speaking to me kind of oddly."
"I think you're imagining things." Matt laughed quietly. She didn't look amused and only frowned further, rubbing her arms. He walked over to her and put his arms around her, pulling her into his lap. "If she was using a spell on you, it was probably one to help you relax. She knows what kind of stress you're under. She knows about this baby possibly being a girl and what that pressure is like, as well as trying to fit in with the other women in general. Being married to someone with my kind of power, it's not something to take lightly. Your favor might soon become more sought after than Lenora's, or whoever my father marries next."
"Why would she care?"
"Because she might just be trying to make a friend. I don't know for sure, but I've heard they have a spell like that. Something about the water, people find soothing. I don't know why, but I wouldn't understand because I'm not human. Nor was I ever. Don't read so much into things."
"Forget I asked then," she mumbled.
He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Don't be like that."
"Be careful around her? I'm not sure what to think still."
"I know," he said. And he did know all too well. Anyone who would betray their own people was not someone who could easily be trusted.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The Inero
If Jason did any more reading, he was pretty sure his head was going to explode. It was hard to figure out when it was a safe time to do it. The entity known as Leo had been out of Jason's consciousness since he made the promise to one day release the demon. From what Jason could tell, Leo was absent all together. Sometimes he felt as though he wasn't alone in his head. It was during these times where he didn't read and didn't think about anything related to his research. He needed to test a theory, and that was to see if the demon slept or left him. Did it have complete dominion over Jason's body? Or did Leo come and go as he pleased?
You haven't been actively pursuing your bride lately, Leo said one night, once more returning to converse with his host.
I'm still trying to regain my bearings, Jason said, which was true anyway. He lost a lot of his courage. It would take time for him to get his guts back.
Maybe I should take over completely, so we can get this out of the way. If you wish, I mean. I would have no problems with mating with her. She's beautiful. I'm surprised you can keep your hands off of her.
Jason sighed, glad he was alone in the house. You won't touch her. She's mine, and mine alone. She also deserves a lot better than to be nothing more than a mindless conquest.
I respect you for now, but know that I can take over should I want to. My power grows every day. Sometime soon I will grow weary of waiting for you to finally become a man and make you grow up.
I don't like you threatening me, or her. Don't give me a reason to go back on our plans.
If you do, it's of little importance to me. Not giving you the power you desire is no skin off of my back, boy. I only offered it to you to be kind. You don't know what you're messing with here.
Jason couldn't help but smirk. I have a better idea than you think.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The Oceina
One more council meeting until next summer, which was good because Darien didn't know how many more of these he could take going to. The Great Dragon Council was a yearly tradition, a necessity for all of the dragon nations to get together and keep each other connected with the happenings of their home. This would be his third meeting to attend this year, though, and each one was more exhausting than the last.
The first time he'd been there he'd gone to sit by his father's side and observe the meetings, as was tradition for when a son finally came to adulthood. He sat through the opening meeting, listened to the Great Dragon Lord of the Inero make his plea for assistance to the entire council. A plea Darien didn't feel was sincere and he was happy to have seen right through it. Otherwise things would be a lot more complicated with the war situation. The second meeting he attended was when he had been sworn in as the Great Dragon Lord of the Oceina. He still thought it was a mistake, but he'd agreed to it because Orion had believed it to be a divine appointment. None of his brothers wanted the position, and if they did, they would be worse in the position than Darien. He wanted to please his father and do what was right.
This third, and hopefully final, meeting of the year would be a follow up to the first meeting. He didn't quite understand what else needed to be said. Darien had gone over the notes of the previous meeting with his uncle Arthur, and nothing huge had happened. Not beyond the Inero's plague claim. He'd already given his answer on that situation, telling them he didn't feel capable of delivering aide to a country while still trying to figure out the ropes of his own. There was so much he still didn't quite understand. The country of Oceina was large with a lot of different cultures mixed inside. The more he learned about it, the more he realized that what happened in the city only represented a minority.
What could be the reason behind this meeting? He swallowed, not sure he was ready to know. Something in his gut told him it would be the answer to why the borders between his nation and the Inero were closed. The formal declaration of war was coming. It had to be, and he was still not prepared. At least if the Inero came out and made their move publicly instead of moving when no one was looking, he could hopefully get some support from his uncles. If all else failed, he would feel more comfortable with forcing them to comply with his demands. He hoped it didn't come to that. They had to listen if there was solid evidence. He didn't want to be a dictator like the Inero.
Leaving Tai, again, was also hard. More so this time since they were having so many problems.
He stared into her beautiful blue eyes. "I'll –"
"Be back soon, you promise," she said with a soft nod. "I remember."
"So long as you do." He laughed. "I'll be sure to contact you in some way as soon as we land. This time it really should only last for the weekend. No surprise lessons in the library."
"Okay, good. I love you and I'll see you first thing when you get back." She kissed his lips and then backed away.
Brian had just finished transforming on the roof, and it was time to go. Darien stared at his brother's massive dragon shape. His snake-like body was long, at least eighty feet. His scales were various shades of sharp blue, and when the sun reflected off of them they shimmered with iridescence.
"I could have taken us." Darien felt bad about pulling his eldest brother away from the family for the task of simply being a chauffeur. It didn't seem right. Darien had all of this magic even if he wasn't great in size. It's not like he would have gotten tired.
Lance patted his back before going to board the dragon. "But then you'd be tired. It's at least a six-hour flight. You're going to need every bit of energy you have for the meetings. Jet lag isn't fun."
"I'd be okay." Darien doubted he'd notice it much. But he let the issue go after that. While he could have pulled rank, he didn't want to do that to his
brothers unless it was absolutely necessary. A traveling arrangement didn't fit into that category in his eyes. Without another word, he boarded his brother's back as well. He gave one last look at Tai and blew her a kiss.
Brian lifted them off of the ground, and soon they were following a current leading them to the Dragon Council Island, a place equidistant from all of the tribes' capital cities. Lance leaned back once they were stable in the air and watched the clouds pass by.
"You know this is it," Lance said.
Darien glanced over at his brother before returning his gaze straight ahead. "I do. They're going to make their formal first move. I got another message from Dad."
"I'm sure you did." Lance rolled his eyes and Darien glared at him.
"I'm serious. I know you're not exactly a firm believer in all things spiritual and the afterlife, but was I wrong last time?" He raised an eyebrow.
Lance bit his lip, wincing slightly. "No, you weren't wrong. It's just hard because he's dead. And I'll be honest. I'm a little jealous he only talks to you."
Darien let out a heavy sigh. "I don't have control over that. For whatever reason, he was chosen by God to be my guide from the other side. Jealousy and rivalry are kind of stupid reasons to ignore it don't you think?"
"Yes, you're right. My bad. So what did he say?"
"He said: Four is one, one is four. The Touched shall bring the change. No clue what it means, but while we're there I want to get as many of the books about the Touched as possible from the library and start a big research project." He let out a soft groan. "More homework. Fun right?"
"You can drop out of school you know."
"No, I can't. I'm not leaving Tai alone there." He paused. "There's another man lusting after her."
"So? Guys lust after women. I catch a lot of them at Katelyn's office doing it all the time. It means you have good taste in women. She's yours."