by M. L. Greye
Aeorin twisted her head slightly towards him, but not quite far enough to catch his gaze. “Do not pretend I have never heard of you. I know what you are, what you have done, and how many women you have mated.”
He tossed that aside with the wave of his hand. “When you live as long as I have, you become accustomed to watching those close to you grow old and die.”
“Precisely,” Aeorin shot back. “If I am to be your queen, then I am to drink you elixir. I am to be your last queen.”
“My last?” He stepped around Oldron’s body to face Aeorin, an eyebrow raised.
Aeorin tipped her chin up challengingly. “Do you fear I would not satisfy, milord?”
Olinia was gaping. Beside her, Tiara was doing the same. “Ohreen doveem naunt,” Olinia breathed, realizing with a start who the man was.
“What?” Will glanced down at her.
“Aeorin is practically giving herself to Talik.”
“Talik?”
“Talik Palrt. He’s the king of the Velvitors,” Tiara answered. “You know who the girl is?”
Olinia grunted. “I thought I did. Her name’s Aeorin Del, daughter of Oldron the Wise.”
“I overheard Yrond say that Talik captured Aeorin before I left Evedon,” Will commented.
“It doesn’t look like she was captured to me,” Tiara muttered.
“One question.” Talik’s voice brought back Olinia’s attention. “You accepted my offer more willingly than anticipated. Why?”
“Do you really need ask? As you insinuated earlier, the women of Relivaynt do not rule as they do in other worlds,” Aeorin replied evenly. “We are bred to be lovely treasures, not decision makers. My father had me betrothed to a man who was fortunately killed. I was to be his pet while he took my father’s place as sovereign.”
Talik looked mildly surprised. “I was not aware of any such union.”
“Not many were. It was to be announced at my father’s birthday ball.” She dipped her head slightly in Talik’s direction. “The one you interrupted.”
“How did this man meet his untimely death?” Talik asked.
“A Nagreth murdered him a month or so ago,” she smirked.
“Enrid Vel.” Will let out a short, bitter laugh. “He was a close friend of Oldron’s. I bet it was him.”
Olinia blinked. “The Silver Heart?”
“Pity I could not have done the deed myself,” Talik remarked lightly. “Would your father have considered me as an appropriate candidate?”
“Of course not. He was an ally to the Eves. To bequeath his throne to a Velvitor through marriage would have been madness in his eyes.”
This was becoming a little much for Olinia. Aeorin and Talik were speaking of Oldron right above his corpse. At the moment, Aeorin seemed to be mad. Her father lay dead at her feet and she was conversing freely with the man essentially responsible.
“Then, I do not lament his death.” Talik held out one hand to Aeorin, his fingers long and bony. “Come, my queen.”
As Aeorin moved around her father’s body, Will raised an eyebrow. “This is weird.”
“And disturbing.” Olinia nodded.
“I do not recall agreeing to be your queen,” Aeorin retorted. “You say I will be more than just a king’s wife, yet you have shown me no proof of such a promise. Nor have you agreed to give me your elixir.”
“Your world has been overthrown, I am not so sure you are in any position to negotiate what I give you,” Talik mused. “I could have you killed should I so choose.”
“And I could kill myself,” she shot back, “but that would not benefit either of us. I will not be pushed aside as my father wished me to be.”
Talik watched her for a moment. “Then, allow me to present you with a wedding gift.”
“What sort of gift?”
“It would involve the complete destruction of the Vrenyx and the Eves.” At the mention of the Eves, Talik eyed her carefully.
Aeorin grunted. “What have the Eves ever done for Relivaynt except leave us to the mercies of our enemies? My loyalties do not lie with the Eves.”
Part of Olinia wanted to point out to Aeorin that she was currently conversing with such an enemy, but her voice wouldn’t be heard as she was Globing. Luckily, Talik brought it up for her.
“Then, where are your loyalties, my dear?” Talik tilted his head to one side. “Not very long ago I was counted as an enemy, was I not?”
“You do not understand. My enemy is only he who deprives me of my right to reign,” she told him. “Had you not offered me power, then you would have remained an enemy.”
Talik smiled out the side of his mouth, scrunching up his scar. “There are some in our realm who would deem you an empty pretty head, but I see now that you are far more intelligent than they give you credit. You will make a splendid Velvitor queen.”
Olinia grunted. Was the lust for power really the only requirement to be a good Velvitor queen? She seriously doubted that Craeles were so simple as that. As for an empty pretty head, Olinia had personally been one of the accusers. Her previous encounters with Aeorin, though brief, had not portrayed her to be the manipulative woman Olinia saw now.
“Indeed I would,” Aeorin replied. “However, your wedding gift is not the gift I desire.”
Talik drummed his fingertips together in front of his chest. “Yes, the elixir.”
“I will not wed you unless I am given my gift first.” Aeorin threatened.
“If the elixir is the only way for me to marry you without you killing yourself, then so be it.” Talik bowed at the waist. As he straightened, he said, “We shall be wed in a week.”
Aeorin blinked. “Why so long?”
“The elixir is not an easy formula to digest,” he told her. “You will need at least four days of recovery.”
“I was not aware of this.”
Talik smiled crookedly. “Does it change your mind?”
“Why would my deepest desire frighten me?” Aeorin stepped closer, leaning against the king, and kissed him firmly.
Pulling a face, Olinia noticed her hand began to itch again. She knew that it would burn soon if she ignored it. Motioning for Tiara and Will to hold onto her, Olinia raised her hand and waved it in front of her. She watched as Oldron’s study evaporated into the Ethon grove she had left earlier.
Archrin stood from his spot beneath a nearby tree and said, “Finally.”
: : : : :
Legann lowered himself onto the cool grass, lying down on his back. High above his head, clouds both fluffy and gray with large gaps between them floated through the sky. Wind tousled his hair as he stared upward. He was in a community park. The sounds of children playing on a nearby playset drifted to him on the breeze. They were enjoying some of the last days of pleasant outdoor weather before the cold of fall took over. Legann couldn’t help but find himself envious of their innocent lives. Had his own life ever held such simplicity? If it had, he couldn’t remember. His childhood seemed like it belonged to another person – a completely different version of himself.
He sighed and shut his eyes, continuing to listen to the children’s laughter. He felt exhausted, but not physically. It was all mental.
Two nights before, his old friends Tiara and Archrin had showed up in an attempt to “rescue” him and his sister. Too bad for them that Will had already arrived to do the same thing. It didn’t seem to bother them though, because they had decided to stay until Zedgry – the brother Legann still had yet to meet – came to Virginia with Trenton. For some reason, Ethon intrigued them enough to visit a little longer.
So at the moment, Olinia and Will were taking Tiara and Archrin shopping in downtown. Legann had been with them too, about fifteen minutes ago – before he’d grown bored and decided to take a break at the park across the street from the shops. As for Sazx, he’d stayed home to watch the news. Legann wondered if the former Nagreth felt like an outcast among them now.
“Mind if I join you?”
Legann didn’t open his eyes as Will sat down beside him on the grass. “Where’d you leave my sister this time?”
Will let out a short laugh. “She’s on the swings with Tiara and Archrin.”
“They’re done shopping?” Legann sat up, leaning back on his hands.
Olinia and the others were over by the children on the park’s one swingset, taking up all three open swings. Several bags filled with the spoils of the afternoon were strewn on the ground near them. Tiara and Olinia were laughing about something. To an outside observer, the girls would look like they were twins.
“Archrin may be an Other Worlder, but he’s still a man,” Will replied. “He’s no shopper.”
Legann snorted. “I know the feeling. Olinia definitely falls under the Ethon stereotype of a female in regards to stores.”
“I noticed.” Will grinned. His eyes were on the group at the swings, but Legann had the suspicion that he was really focused on Olinia.
Will’s obvious love for his sister made Legann grimace. He didn’t know about Olinia and Sazx like Legann did. Someone needs to tell him, Legann thought.
I already did. Olinia’s inner voice inside his head made him jump. He hadn’t expected her to be listening to him.
You did? Legann blinked. What did he say?
She flung him a quick glance from her swing. He kissed me.
“Olinia’s talking to you right now, isn’t she?” Will mused.
Legann turned. “How’d you guess?”
He shrugged. “You both get this certain look on your faces. What is she saying?”
“She said she told you about Sazx.” Legann picked up a handful of grass and began throwing one blade away at a time.
“You knew?”
“Yeah,” he grunted. “I was unfortunate enough to walk in on them.”
Will was quiet for a second. Then, “What do you think she feels for him?”
Legann frowned. “He loves her, but she doesn’t return his feelings.”
“Did she tell you this?” Will asked.
“No,” he shook his head, “but she’s not the only one able to get inside someone’s head. I’ve been in hers. She loves you.”
“She hasn’t told me that since before I left.” Will tipped his head up, gazing at the clouds.
“Give her time.” Legann observed his sister say something to Archrin. “Take her out tonight and see what she does.”
Will chuckled. “You mean like a date?”
He grinned. “She’s never really been on one.”
“I guess that’s a good point.” Will dug into the front pocket of his jeans and yanked out Olinia’s car keys. He tossed them into Legann’s lap. “Would you take Tiara and Archrin home for me?”
“How will you get home?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll call a cab.” Will pushed himself to his feet. “Any suggestions on a good place to eat around here?”
Legann stood up as well. “She loves Indian food.”
He smiled slightly. “Just another reason to love her.”
They made their way to the swings. As they approached, Olinia turned to watch them. From the look in her eyes, Legann knew she’d been listening to his conversation with Will. He glanced at Tiara and Archrin. “I’m going to drive you guys home. You ready to go?”
Archrin’s gaze darted between Will and Olinia before settling on Tiara. “I am.”
“Me too.” Tiara stood, still wearing her grin. “I’ve had a fun day exploring a mythical realm.”
“For being so mythical, Ethon’s always seemed pretty real to me,” Will retorted.
Tiara laughed, retrieving her shopping bags. “All this time I thought you were playing us with that story of coming from Ethon.”
Archrin got to his feet slowly. “If I thought Ethon was a myth, I never would have left Tlaid for it.”
Olinia smiled, but Legann noticed it didn’t reach her eyes. “Don’t worry. A part of Tiara always believed Ethon existed.”
“It’s really not fair that you can hear our thoughts,” Tiara muttered.
She shrugged. “I am what I am.”
“See you later,” Legann said to his sister before heading off after Tiara and Archrin.
Will watched them go as he moved to the swing beside Olinia’s – the one Tiara had left behind – and sat down into it. “You heard me talking to your brother.” It wasn’t really a question. He knew she had.
“How could I not?” She replied dryly. “Legann’s got one of the loudest minds I’ve ever had the pleasure hearing. For a while I thought he was the loudest.”
“Who holds the title now?” Will raised an eyebrow.
“Tiara.” Olinia laughed softly to herself. “She never stops thinking.”
He grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t really stop it.” She stared downward, her shoes digging into the wood chips that covered the ground below the swings and playset.
“Olinia,” Will gripped onto the chains of his swing with his hands, “would you go out with me tonight?”
It took her a moment to look up at him. When she did, her eyes were distant, as if she were looking past him. “Why?”
“Because I know it’s one Ethon experience you haven’t tried yet.” He stood and extended a hand to her. “Come on.”
“Where will we go?” She frowned. “You don’t know the area.”
“You’re right, I don’t.” He didn’t wait for her to take his hand. Instead, he grasped hers and pulled her up onto her feet, putting them inches from each other. She gazed up at him, and he was tempted to kiss her again but thought better of it for now. He smiled and still holding her hand began to walk out of the park toward the line of shops and boutiques.
They walked in silence for a ways on the sidewalk between the storefronts and trees that edged the curb until they reached the end of street. A massive river flowed ahead of them with paved trails alongside it. Will had glimpsed it earlier and was now making his way toward it with Olinia. When she realized his plan, she let out a short laugh. “I see you’ve found the Rappahannock River.”
“Is that its name?”
She nodded as Will slowed his pace, leaving the street for the pathway by the river. “During the Colonial period, the Rappahannock made this town prosperous through trade.”
Will stopped at a bench with a clear view of the river and trees surrounding it. He sat down and Olinia did the same beside him. He noticed she still hadn’t released his hand. “It’s strange to hear you speak of my country’s history.”
“I’ve learned a lot of it,” she replied. “Sometimes it just comes out, sorry.”
“No, I like it.” He paused for a moment. Then, “How do you like Ethon?”
“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever known,” she admitted. “Don’t tell Legann I told you, but he secretly loves a lot of stuff in Ethon.”
“What about you, though?”
“I-” she hesitated by curling her legs underneath her on the bench. “I like it, too. There are things that I know I’ll miss in the Other Worlds.”
It was an honest answer. Will’s gaze drifted back to the river. The trees that bordered its banks were just starting to don their autumn coats of red and orange. The semi-clear sky from earlier had turned fully gray again, resembling his and Trenton’s eyes once more. Against the river and murky sky, the trees stood out, giving a pleasing array of colors. It was a beautiful countryside. Hard to believe that right behind him was civilization.
Just then, Olinia dropped his hand and whirled, facing the street again. He blinked. “What’s wrong?”
“I thought I heard Porter.”
“Here?” Will turned around in his seat as well.
“I swear he keeps stalking me.” She was frowning.
“Are you sure it was him?”
“No,” she said slowly, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.”
“Want me to go see if the coast is clear?”
“How?” She le
t out a short laugh. “It’s not like you know what he looks like.”
Will furrowed his eyebrows. “What should we do, then?”
She tilted her head so that she could see his face. “I want to go to dinner with you. Are you hungry?”
He smiled. “Starved.”
10
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Ethon was a world full of surprises, most of which Tiara was utterly confused by. Tiara couldn’t quite believe that Ethon had managed to replace its lack of gifts with what Olinia called science. If only the Saerds in the Other Worlds had thought to do the same. Their lives would have improved immensely. Tiara was seriously considering smuggling some Ethon devices back into her realm when she returned – whenever that may be.
Releasing a sigh, Tiara gazed up at her room’s ceiling in the semi-darkness. Everyone else in the house was asleep, or should be by now. In her bedroom’s only bed, Olinia breathed evenly. Well, really it was Olinia’s room, but for the time, they were sharing it. Living in a home similar in size to the one she was raised in was invigorating to Tiara. Castle life just wasn’t the same. A house was far cozier, even though it meant less personal space.
She and Olinia were not the only ones splitting a room at the moment. Archrin and Will were bunking together, and with Olinia’s other brother’s upcoming arrival, Legann would soon have a roommate. Sazx was the only one alone, but he still had to share the upstairs bathing room with the other males. Tiara and Olinia had one conveniently attached to their room, which they had deemed as their own. Since their time in Ethon would be short, instead of buying additional beds, Tiara and Archrin were sleeping on air mattresses – another Ethon contraption.
Although it was a bit tight quarters, Tiara didn’t really mind. She was enjoying the company. About an hour or so ago, Olinia had returned from her night out with Will. Tiara had been changing for bed when Olinia walked in on her, taking her by surprise. She’d entered the room without announcing herself first. Tiara had loved being caught off guard by her friend. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been without protocol. It was nice to be around people who had shared in her past adventures and weren’t constantly adhering to the rules of social hierarchy.