The Heart of the Ancients

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  Cries and screeches of the Dokkalfar guard could barely be heard over the fire’s roar, but Mia sat, rocking back and forth, singing an eerie melody that sounded like a lullaby. She flipped the wood over. Taking out her knife, she dipped the blade in the surrounding black blaze and then dug into the wood until the carving was complete.

  White ash floated around her like flecks of despair, a stark contrast to the obsidian flames devouring the land.

  “What have you done?” One of the guards made his way to her, shouting above the roar of the fire. “We were supposed to find the stone, not destroy the land!”

  Mia finally looked up. The cottage was nothing but a pile of fine, white soot. A million strands of gossamer light protected the willows around the waterfall, but the forest beyond lit the sky in an orange glow.

  Mia stood, clutching the wood that held her mark. Lies and excuses ran through her mind. It wasn’t her fault she had lost her temper. Gavin should have never brought that human to this place. Gray fingers lovingly caressed the blackened vines of the board. Her desire to keep the carving warred with the knowledge that Jakkar would have her drawn and quartered if he knew.

  The guard gasped as he spotted what Mia held. She grabbed him and threw him to the ground, beheading him with one swipe of her small blade. The rest of her guard made their way across the field, and Mia fell to her knees. She kissed the carving before burying it beneath a pile of ash.

  She’d have to think of something quickly. No Dokkalfar had ever been able to produce obsidian flames. They only existed in the abyss. Jakkar must never suspect her power.

  Or the fact that a part of her still loved Gavin.

  Chapter 8

  Ester’s Secret

  The memory faded, and Gavin pulled our fingers from the marred wood. He turned my hand over, his thumb rubbing off the soot with determined strokes.

  “My lady,” Rena whispered in horror. From the expressions of the others, I knew Gavin had shared some of the memory with them, although certainly not all. “How could something that vile still thinks she loves?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Gavin kept one hand on my midriff, his body still warming mine. His emotions ebbed, then flowed, then ebbed again as he struggled to maintain control.

  We’d always thought that once we sealed the abyss, the black flames would no longer exist. But from Mia’s memory, it appeared that might not be the case. Could she produce those flames if the abyss was sealed? And if she did find her way back here, could she use her power to weaken the mountain until it no longer was able to defend itself? If she managed that, she’d be able to find the Sfera caves, or worse, the original flame of creation.

  Gavin’s eyes found mine. “I agree. The sooner we get rid of Mia, the faster we can find a way to heal the land of the Centaur’s grave. But right now, my question is why go to the Northern Forest in the first place?”

  Elias rubbed his chin. “We never understood that either, but I think I know someone who may. Mia’s guard mentioned someone with eyes of gold.”

  “Ester,” Gavin growled. “If she betrayed us, I’ll kill her with my bare hands.”

  He crossed the energy and spoke to Weylin. Judging by Weylin’s expression, I could only hope that Ester made it to the Archive Room alive. Weylin stormed out of the chamber as Gavin came back through.

  “Her guard has been notified, but I wanted Weylin to personally escort the hag back here.”

  We exited the mountain and waited in the Archive Room. A few moments later, Weylin came down the hallway, dragging Ester by her upper arm, followed closely by her guard.

  “I demand to know the meaning of this!” she sputtered, her face pointed toward Gavin’s. “First you force your warriors on me, and now you pull me from my home.”

  “Be glad I don’t kill you on the spot.”

  Ester gasped. “What have I done to merit such dissent? I saved your Princess, did I not?”

  “Tell me,” Gavin’s voice became menacing. “Why were the Dokkalfar looking for a Sfera in the Northern Forest?”

  Ester blanched, wringing her hands. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Maybe a little time in the Badlands will help you remember.” Gavin’s tone turned deadly.

  Ester’s brows rose, stretching the skin over her eyeless sockets. “No, Prince. Please. I cannot go there again.”

  “You have ten seconds to explain, or I will personally chuck you into the abyss and watch you burn.”

  My stomach roiled as his emotions twisted through me.

  “How do you know I revealed anything?” Ester countered.

  Elias stepped in. “The animals overheard Dokkalfar guards saying the one with eyes of gold sent them there.”

  Ester scowled, her jaw clenching. “I have no authority over the black demons. And why would you take the word of a few creatures over mine?”

  Gavin stepped forward, gripping the front of Ester’s tunic. “If you don’t wish to find yourself stranded and alone in a bubbling pot of tar, I suggest you tell me the truth ... now.”

  “You must believe me, Prince. I didn’t betray you or your mate.”

  Gavin let her go and stepped back. “Go on.”

  “The clan of Jayril originally hid the stones I found because they believed they could strengthen the darkness and snuff out the original energy of creation.”

  Elias loomed over her. “And why didn’t you tell us this before?”

  Ester rubbed her forehead, her stance grew weary. “Jakkar questioned me when I first was captured. It didn’t take him long to make the connection that my eyes were the same color that Jayril had described the stones to be. He tortured me until I begged for death, but instead he healed me over and over. I couldn’t take it anymore, and so I told him that I found the Sfera in the northern woods by the original Ancient’s cabin. Jayril had told Jakkar the stone was buried in the oldest forest, although why Mia went along with it is beyond me. She knows as well as anyone that the Original Forest is to the west, not the north. Jakkar wanted the stone by the solstice moon, believing that night would weaken the mountain and they could force their way in. It has been foretold in Dokkalfar legends that the one who smothers the flame of creation will become the deity of this realm.”

  “And you didn’t find that little tidbit of information worth sharing?” Rena’s hands flew up. “You stupid fool!”

  “You and I both know the original flame of life is a myth!” Ester shot back. “There is no such thing. I thought I was helping by leading them as far north as possible. I chose the cabin because I knew no one was there, and it is protected by the spiders. Don’t you dare call me a fool!” Ester’s small chest rose and fell in rapid strokes.

  “Princess.” She faced me. “What is this about? I’ve done nothing wrong. So much happened between the time I was taken and when you rescued me that I didn’t think it significant. And Jakkar didn’t get the Sfera. Why have I been dragged from my home like a criminal?”

  “Is there anything that you haven’t mentioned?” I asked. “Anything at all?”

  Ester held her breath. “Nothing that concerns the Badlands.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Gavin snarled, taking a step forward.

  I scooted between them and placed my hand on Ester’s. “Is there anything you’ve seen that we should know?”

  Ester’s hand trailed up my arm until it rested on my cheek. “There is one thing.”

  She muttered something about not wanting to say it in front of the others.

  “Spit it out,” Gavin bit.

  Ester sighed. “Fine. I have seen something, but I won’t tell you what. You only need know that I’ve made some underclothing I wish for the Princess to wear when she’s on earth.”

  “Absolutely not.” Gavin pulled me away from Ester’s touch.

  White brows lowered over empty sockets. “You can have whomever you want to test it. I’ve combined the rest of the Sfera thread with the gift of the spiders
and the softest butterfly silk. It is extra protection, should the Princess find she is in need.”

  Weylin shook his head. “The Princess has me; make no mistake she’ll be well protected.”

  Ester scoffed. “Your arrogance is staggering.” She pressed her bony finger to Weylin’s chest. “And there will come a day when the Princess will protect your heart, so tend her well. Mark my words; she’ll need the clothing.”

  “I’ll take the garments,” Elaine said, settling the matter. “If Elias and I deem them worthy, we’ll take them with us, but Nora will not wear them unless she chooses to do so.”

  “Fine.” Tension eased from Ester’s shoulders. “As long as they journey with you, I will have peace. Will there be anything else, young Prince?”

  “There is one other matter.” The guard moved forward, closing ranks, flanking her on all sides. “Until I’m satisfied your intentions are pure, you are exiled to your suite. Your guard will see that you are well fed and tended to, but you will not leave your quarters, and no one will be permitted to visit until we return.”

  “What? You cannot do that! Isolation is a form of cruelty!” Ester screamed.

  One of her guards came forward, taking her by the arm. She kept protesting as they carted her away.

  “Well, that answers one part of the riddle.” Elias pulled Elaine to his side.

  I turned to Elias. “The other part would be why Mia wanted to go that far north, to begin with. Ester’s right. She knew that wasn’t the Original Forest; the stone wouldn’t be there. Yet she convinced Jakkar and took a troop all the way across the land. Why? If she wasn’t looking for the stone, what was she looking for?”

  “I have no idea,” Gavin said. He turned to Elias. “Take the day to rest. You’ve had a long journey.”

  Elias shook his head. “I can’t. We’re meeting the guard in the morning. We might make an early day of it, though.”

  Soon, it was decided that Gavin and Elias would meet at first light with the guard, Elaine planned on seeing Ester again to get the mysterious clothes. Textiles were one of Elaine’s many gifts, and she planned to thoroughly inspect the underclothing Ester had made.

  Elaine, Elias, Tark, and Rena bid everyone a good night and made their way out of the chamber.

  Gavin and I started to follow, but I looked back. Weylin faced the mountain, his palms caressing the solid barrier.

  “Weylin?”

  Turquoise eyes, so striking against his copper skin, found mine. “Yes, Princess?”

  “Ask Jacob if Siana can meet me here first thing in the morning.”

  Curiosity caused him to frown, but he nodded as his eyes blanked. “How long do you plan to be in the mountain?”

  “Only a few hours, and then you and I have some work to do.”

  “Very well.” He dipped his head and left us at the edge of the corridor.

  Gavin and I traveled to our suite in silence. I slipped off my shoes and left them by the door.

  I had to admit that I underestimated Mia. I’d always thought she was shallow, both intellectually and emotionally, but tonight I realized that her fragile spirit had been shaped by doubt and insecurity. Even though Mia’s childhood held every luxury Kailmeyra could offer, she was never satisfied. Until tonight, I thought that was because of selfishness. Now, I understood that her dependency on Gavin was rooted in a desperate attempt to measure up. What must it have been like ... growing up feeling inadequate in every way?

  Gavin wove his fingers through mine.

  “You’re right,” he admitted, starting toward the stairs. “Mia is more complex than meets the eye. I’ve known the depth of her emotions, but they’re out of balance.”

  “How do you mean?” I opened the door to the bedroom.

  “Malachi once said that emotions were like pendulums. They swing within us; the extremes proportionate to each other. Joy is counterbalanced by grief, hate by love, and so on. Mia never understood this concept because she never acknowledged the positive. Even as a child she only recognized anger or hurt. The only time she felt happiness was when she was with me.”

  I stood in front of him, placing my hand over his heart. “When you shared energy, you mean.”

  Gavin stared past my shoulder. Caution, protection, and a healthy dose of wariness churned through me. He held still as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

  “Did you know that I used to stay late with Michael and Weylin to practice? The others in our class assumed it was because I wanted to remain undefeated, but the truth is I didn’t want to go home. Mia was there, and she was so needy. I can’t help but think that had I been more compassionate and caring she might not have turned into the monster she is today.”

  “We’ve been through this before.”

  He sighed and kissed my forehead. “I no longer regret the past. What I do regret is that it bothers you that she knows that part of me.”

  I started to protest, but Gavin’s finger touched my lips. “I see your thoughts as clearly as you do. There’s no way to hide from me. We both know the truth, and it pains me that you hurt because of something I did before we knew each other.”

  “When you first brought me to Kailmeyra I was jealous that Mia knew you that way. It wasn’t until after we married that I understood she never knew you at all. Happiness to her was being your mate, the Princess of Kailmeyra, the future Queen. Tonight, seeing her memories, even in the depths of her longing, not once did she mourn the loss of being with you. All she wanted was what you could offer her. Did she ever see your faults, yet love you anyway?”

  “What faults?” Gavin smiled as his lips made their way to my neck. He nibbled the one spot that always made me squirm and then grinned when I didn’t disappoint.

  “Mia loved your status, your lineage, and the fact that she would be known throughout history as Queen Mia of Frey.” My fingers wound through his silky hair. “I’d love you if you were an artist, or a chef, or a hairdresser, or a zookeeper.” I paused between words to trace kisses down the front of his neck, ending in that soft triangle at his throat.

  Gavin snorted at the memories playing through my mind. I’d always encouraged him to branch out and explore other occupations.

  “I love you too.” He brought me close as his passion heated within.

  Chapter 9

  Weylin’s Wall

  Thousands of Dokkalfar knelt in black sand. Gray ash floated from petrified cedar trees. The abyss shone like polished onyx, its surface oddly peaceful. Mia’s shallow ice blue eyes victoriously gleamed as she stood beneath the mountain’s ledge.

  She took the hand of a tall, lean figure dressed in a robe; the front of the deep hood covered his face.

  Shouting, Mia addressed the masses.

  “As Jayril has foretold, we have harnessed a power that rules both darkness and light.”

  The Dokkalfar cheered, but Mia faced the figure dressed in black. Her hand slipped under his robe, resting on his heart.

  “It is time to take your rightful place, my love,” she whispered.

  She turned back to the crowd. “And now a new era begins. One where darkness rules all creation. My clan. Bow to your new leader!”

  “All hail the Emperor!” The Dokkalfar cried over and over.

  The figure reached up and pulled off his hood. His face, nothing but skin stretched over bone, looked out with black eyes rimmed in lifeless pools of green.

  “Gavin!” I cried as I shot straight up in bed. My chest ached; his emotions weren’t with me. “I need you, I need you, I need you,” I whispered over and over again.

  “Shhhhhh.” He pulled me on top of him, his hands dipping beneath my shirt. His emotions ebbed through ... love, comfort, abiding trust. “I need you too,” he whispered and kissed the side of my head.

  “What was that about?” I cleared the sleep from my throat while trying to keep hold of the dream.

  Gavin’s hands found their favorite place between my shoulder blades. “It’s the middle of the night, love. Try a
nd go back to sleep.”

  I placed my head over his heart, listening to its steady pulse. Mia. The dream was about Mia. She was back ... in ...

  Light fingertips traced patterns on my back, and my thoughts fell away.

  “WE LEAVE IN TWO DAYS.”

  Gavin’s words rang across the hall. The discovery that Mia could produce black flames had brought a sense of urgency to hunt her down. I suspected the latest dream I couldn’t remember had something to do with it too. Over the past month, Siana and I explored the mountain, working tirelessly to assure she had all the information she needed. Any of the southern caves that could contain energy were brimming full. Siana was to save that energy and use it only if she had no choice. I’d given the Queen a small booklet with basic instructions should the child forget. Not trusting the words wouldn’t be read by others, I taught Siana the directions through verses and songs used on Earth. Anyone who stole the notes would think they were utter nonsense.

  Gavin and Elias met every afternoon, pouring over scrolls they’d found in Malachi’s private chambers. Sometimes they’d be in the mountain for days at a time, working on a mysterious project.

  Weylin and I hadn’t discussed the day he showed me his home. We’d come to a tacit agreement, but the experience had left us closer than I ever imagined. I now thought of him with the same affection as I did Tark and Elias, and, even though he would never admit it, I knew he felt the same.

  Mia’s memory caused a whirlwind of change regarding the defense of the castle. Because we’d discovered she could produce fire so intense everything it touched turned to ash, Tark had taken a crew and created massive water towers around the castle’s rampart. Elaine caused it to rain, and then Tark directed the water to the vast cisterns. If Mia made it back to this realm, they would have a chance to extinguish the flames before it ravaged the keep.