The Complete Chosen Trilogy (The Chosen #0)

by N. M. Santoski

  Pyrrhus nodded slowly, still thinking. “This means a lot to you, doesn't it?”

  “More than you could ever know.”

  “You know, if he doesn't want to be found, it could take years.”

  “That's a risk I'm willing to take. I'm only asking for your help until... let's say the new year. Then you can do as you wish. I'll go on alone if I have to.”

  The look on her face convinced him that she'd do it with or without him. At worst, it sounded like a diverting way to spend his autumn. He stuck his hand out solemnly. “I'll help you.”

  She crushed his hand in her exuberance, and then yanked him forward into a hug. “Thank you!”

  He let his arms go around her for a moment before letting go.

  “Come on—we've got a lot to do if we're going to find this lunatic in the next year.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The wedding of the year, the numen were calling it, and for once they weren’t exaggerating. Lady Keopelani and Marama Aeron were giddy with anticipation for the joining of their houses, and the numen were happy to have something to celebrate—Nolan’s disappearance and the accusations against him had made for a sobering start to their month. Lady Younger Aqua’s wedding to the eldest son of the Aerons was something almost everyone could enjoy. It offended no one, since the wedding had been planned from the cradle.

  The unhappiest person in the building was the bride, though no one would know it from looking at her. She was constantly busy with dress fittings, flower arrangements, and a trip to Beachhead for a purification ritual all Aqua brides went through. Alan had little to do, but he kept his distance from Leiani, still trying to reconcile his feelings for her. He’d thought they were on good terms—he’d spent the year counting down to their wedding, but she’d spent the year in an entirely different way.

  When all of the numen gathered in the Atrium again at the end of their stay, it had been utterly transformed from the day of the Rite of Passage. The stadium seating still existed, but in the center of the room was a large silver fountain, around which a small dais had been built. The path to the dais was paved in small, white marble stones, and the seats lining the pathway were for close friends and family only. Everyone was dressed in their finest clothing, and all that was missing was the bride.

  Alan stood on the dais by the fountain next to Lord Artifex, forcing himself not to fidget. He knew Leiani would come… she knew her duty to her people. It didn’t stop him from worrying about it, though.

  The room broke out in whispers and some scattered applause as Leiani appeared in the doorway from Sensei’s classroom on her mother’s arm. Keopelani was dressed in a light purple silk dress, her train trailing behind her as she stepped up to the beginning of the marble walkway. Leiani, however…

  She was wearing the most lightweight of white fabric, placed in layer upon layer until its sheerness disappeared. The fabric moved against her legs as she walked, weighed down by a row of pearls stitched along the bottom hem that perfectly matched the swirl patterned pearl clip holding her hair back under her veil.

  Alan smiled and stepped down onto the pathway to meet them halfway as the crowd sighed in approval. When he reached them, he fell to one knee.

  “Lady Keopelani,” he declared in a voice loud enough to be heard in the back rows of the Atrium, “I present myself as your daughter’s intended.”

  Keopelani smiled down on her son—for all intents and purposes, he always had been her son—and reached down to raise him to his feet. “Alan Aeron, I have waited all your lives for this day.” She embraced him, Leiani still standing to the side without saying a word. Keopelani took Leiani’s hand and placed it in Alan’s. She then stepped to the side and let them process up the aisle without further comment.

  Lord Artifex stepped in front of the fountain and stopped them at the foot. “Alan Aeron,” he said solemnly, “Do you understand that you are marrying a K’Oliu of Beachhead, and that your children will not be Aerons, but K’Oliu?”

  “I do.”

  “You understand that the Aeron name will not continue through you?”

  “There are others who can take on this duty,” he said, unwilling to mention his brother by name.

  “Very well. You may approach the fountain.”

  Alan helped Leiani climb onto the dais in her cumbersome dress, and each knelt on either side of the basin. Trafford and Leiani’s cousin Melody stood along the outside, waiting to help in any way necessary.

  “We come here today to join these two…”

  Gia tried to fight a yawn and failed. Aqua weddings tended to be long-winded and boring, and this one was turning out to be no exception.

  A sharp jab to her side brought her attention back. “Stop yawning!” her brother hissed, a smile plastered on his face. “You’re being rude.”

  She fought the urge to stick her tongue out at him… what was it about Arias that made her feel like a five-year-old?... and turned her attention back to the ceremony. They were exchanging the cups of water now, and Leiani had finally conjured up a smile that looked somewhat convincing. The verbal exchange at this point in the ceremony was meant to be private, but that didn’t stop the crowd from trying to listen in.

  “Almost through it,” Alan muttered. “Keep smiling.”

  Leiani ducked her head as if she were blushing with embarrassment, though she was really only hiding her scowl. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  “You’re my wife now,” he said as Lord Artifex motioned for them to rise.

  “Never an Aeron,” she shot back, keeping the besotted look she’d perfected to fool the crowd into thinking they were exchanging loving words.

  “Can’t you at least try to be happy?” he pleaded, losing the edge in his tone. “You’ve changed so much, I barely recognize you from the girl you were. We were happy, weren’t we?”

  As she took his hand to process down the aisle and lead the crowd up the center staircase to the dining hall for the reception, she sighed. “I didn’t know any better, Alan. I thought it couldn’t be better than what we had. I was wrong.”

  “You’re stuck with me now. Don’t you think we should try to make it work?”

  Leiani looked away. “Don’t ask me that. Not today.”

  “Then when?”

  “Give me time.”

  Alan growled in frustration and picked up the pace, almost hauling her up the stairs.

  “Slow down!”

  “I want to get this over with. Once we’re at the reception, you don’t even have to look at me—and frankly, I don’t want to look at you, either.”

  “Fine.”

  As Gia dutifully followed her brother and sister-in-law up the staircase, she felt a faint brush of fingertips against her arm. She paused in her steps just long enough for Pyrrhus’s long legs to match her stride.

  “Shall we talk to them tonight, dearest?” he said just loud enough for Arias to hear him.

  “Shh! Pyrrhus!”

  “Is that a yes, then?” Pyrrhus teased, looping her arm through his.

  She could see the side of Arias’s face as he desperately tried to eavesdrop. “Whatever you’d like,” she said with a sigh.

  They fell silent as they entered the dining hall, utterly transformed from its usual cafeteria-like state. The room was beautiful, and perfectly offset by the sun setting in the large picture window. Led by the bride and groom, the crowd filled the space, and they all applauded as Leiani and Alan took their seats.

  “Father!” Pyrrhus called out as the numen scattered, headed for their separate tables. A man greatly resembling Pyrrhus was standing next to the mother of the bride, his arm casually draped over her shoulders. He turned at his son’s greeting and smiled. It was only because Gia was watching for it that she noticed the smile never reached his eyes.

  “Pyrrhus. And Lady Younger Zephyra, a pleasure.” He bent his head over her hand as Pyrrhus greeted Keopelani in the same manner. “What brings you both to me tonight?”

 
“A matter I’d prefer to speak to you about in private, I think, Father.”

  Keopelani’s interest was piqued, to say the least. Was Azar’s son considering an alliance with Arias’s sister? Not an unworthy match—very appropriate, in fact. Her mind began to spin through the various implications as Azar excused himself and led the young couple away.

  They had barely cleared the crowded room before Azar spun to face them. “What is this about?”

  “Father, when two people are in love—“ Pyrrhus began with a smirk.

  “No need to play the sarcastic bard with me, Pyro. Tell me the truth.”

  Gia shot a panicked look at Pyrrhus. Their entire plan hinged on their families believing them.

  “I always tell the truth, Father. Surely you know enough about your favorite son to know that much.”

  “You are my only son,” he snapped. “Out with it. I can tell when you’ve been scheming, and I am not often on the good end of those schemes.”

  “I need your permission to take Giada on holiday with me this fall.”

  Azar stopped, momentarily stunned. “That? That’s what you’re wasting my time with?”

  “I need your permission, therefore I am asking for it.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “I thought we’d tour the East Coast until the New Year.”

  “Has her brother given his approval?”

  “He’s our next stop.”

  Azar looked over at Gia. “You are voluntarily offering to spend months in my son’s company?”

  “I already have—I’m just intending to extend it a bit. I enjoy his company.”

  “Unbelievable,” he muttered, eying his son with a slightly perturbed expression. “I always thought you were gay.”

  Pyrrhus turned as red as his hair as his father waved a dismissive hand. “Not that it matters—as long as you give the Ignis one heir, you can do as you like in the bedroom. I do admit, I thought young ladies today were dubious about matches like that. Used to be that all marriages were arranged, and if you ended up with one who didn’t like women, you counted your blessings and--”

  “Pyrrhus and I just want to get to know each other better outside of school,” Gia interjected, mortified. “It may not lead to anything.”

  “Then why not do it at Conleth? Or at—what do you Zephyra call your court again?”

  “Beaumont,” Pyrrhus interrupted through gritted teeth, knowing that his father knew damn well what the name of Arias’s court was. “And because I can’t even think about going back to live with you at this point, and she feels the same way about her brother,” Pyrrhus said bluntly. Gia shot a nervous look at the crowd, making sure Arias wasn’t within earshot.

  Azar laughed. “My son—no sugar coating from you. I must admit, having the year without your acerbic wit was peaceful.”

  “I’m sure Lady Keopelani was grateful.”

  The two Ignis men glared at each other for a moment. Finally, Azar broke away. “Do as you like, it makes no difference to me. Just warn me a little in advance if we have to plan a wedding.”

  Pyrrhus nodded and grabbed Gia’s hand, pulling her away without another word. She flexed her hand in his a bit, trying to get him to loosen up enough that her bones weren’t grinding together.

  “Pyrrhus,” she tried.

  “That impossible bastard—“

  “Pyrrhus, please…”

  “—thinks he can just—“

  “Pyrrhus!”

  “—thanks for the lesson on the history of arranged marriage, Dad, very appropriate—“

  “PYRRHUS!” she finally bellowed, drawing the attention of half the room.

  He paused. “Yes?”

  “Let’s just go and get my brother over with, now that he’s staring,” she hissed, mortified.

  He led her over to Arias and Shui, exchanging pleasantries.

  “Brother,” Gia began formally, “I would like your permission to go on my post-Rite of Passage tour with Pyrrhus.”

  “Are you engaged?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sleeping with him?” he asked in the same emotionless tone he’d used the first time. Shui looked as though she wanted to defend Gia, but one look from her husband made her close her mouth with an audible click.

  Gia clenched her jaw, more upset over Shui than her brother’s attempted insults. “No. There is no dishonor, brother. We would like a chance to get to know each other better… perhaps an engagement will come of it.”

  “I was hoping for the Warrington boy for you—though after your disgraceful showing at the Council meeting, I doubt he’d ever want you as his daughter-in-law now.”

  Pyrrhus swallowed his revulsion and smiled at Arias. “Lord Zephyrus, you would still have your lovely sister Clara, even if Giada came off of the marriage market.”

  “Where is Clara?” Gia demanded suddenly.

  “She is in our rooms. She was allowed at the ceremony, but she is too young to join the party.”

  Gia cast a dubious eye at the various young children running around, but did not contradict him. “Clara is almost eighteen—she may be able to make the match you desire. Manas Warrington has never liked me, I’m afraid.”

  “He would do his duty to his father, just as you would do your duty to me.”

  “Better to attempt it with a more pliant sister,” Pyrrhus finally said, his temper at the breaking point. “Giada is a bit too… autonomous.”

  Arias, far from being offended, nodded. “Something I had hoped to break her of—are you the person to do that, Lord Younger Ignis?”

  “I wouldn’t know unless I attempt it. This trip would be an appropriate time to do so.”

  “Very well. We will miss you at Beaumont, sister,” Arias said, lying through his teeth.

  “I will miss you, as well.”

  “Gia, come,” Pyrrhus said in a conscious imitation of his father. “Let’s greet the other guests.” He swept her away, the hand at her elbow firm. When he was sure they wouldn’t be overheard, he grinned and let her go.

  “I almost believed you at the end.”

  “I was talking about Shui,” she protested.

  “That makes much more sense—Claire, dear!” he said with a flourish, kissing her hand. “Well healed from your Rite of Passage, I trust?”

  “I turned my ankle—tripped over one of my own damn vines,” she admitted, lifting her skirt to show the bandages still encasing one ankle. “Since I’m wearing heels tonight, Lady Medica suggested I keep it wrapped. Other than that, I’m good as new.”

  “Good!” He kissed Gia’s cheek as he saw Angus and Noel approaching. “I’m going to say hello to some of the guys—call me if you need me.”

  Angus watched him leave with a sour look on his face, and Noel frowned at him in warning.

  “Are you with Pyrrhus now?” he asked.

  “It’s not really any of your business,” she said coolly.

  “We’re still your friends, Gia,” Noel said, a pleading look on her face. “I know we had some problems over the teach year…”

  “Those?” She shrugged them away. “That’s all over now—friends can have differing opinions, can’t they?”

  “Absolutely,” Noel said with a smile, embracing Gia. “So, are you?”

  “Am I what?”

  “With Pyrrhus!”

  “Not yet… we’re thinking about taking a trip together, see where things go.”

  The bride and groom’s first dance interrupted further discussion of Gia’s relationship status, and there was little time for serious talk after that. For that, she was grateful. Lying was hard work—no wonder Pyrrhus refused to do it.

  Pyrrhus finally returned to her side as Alan and Leiani were preparing to say their farewells. They would leave Caer Anglia with the rest of the numen the next morning, bound for their West Coast honeymoon.

  “Do you think they’ll find him?” he muttered to her under his breath as they applauded the couple.

  “No,” she
said. “At least, I hope not.”

  “Why not?”

  “Look at them—they’re miserable. I pity them both, Pyrrhus—and I hope they take this time in San Francisco to work things out between them. His appearance would just make trouble for them right now.”

  “For someone who hates Leiani, you’re putting on a pretty good show of caring about her.”

  “Shut up.”

  “As Your Majesty commands.”

  “You know I hate that nickname, Pyro.”

  “Okay, pax! No more nicknames, then. Deal?”

  They shook hands discreetly as Alan and Leiani disappeared in a burst of congratulations and applause.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Announcements,” Lord Artifex said, facing the entire numen contingent as they waited to be dismissed for the year. “Our legal business first. Found guilty by the Council of tampering with the Rite of Passage, Elliot Chancery will repeat his teach year. As for Samuel Tomen—though he is accused of attempted murder, his victim is not yet able to face him. His case is postponed until the victim can be present. He will be released to his family on his own recognizance.”

  He paused for a moment to let the murmuring cease and avoided the surprised stares of the other members of the Council. “Due to the events of the past month, some changes must be made in our plans for the next teach year. Proctor Jenkins has asked for a year off, which the Council has granted him willingly.”

  A smattering of applause and groans met this pronouncement as Jenkins waved a hand half-heartedly.

  “Who are they going to get to Proctor this year?” Gia said under her breath to Pyrrhus, who merely shrugged, his eyes glued to the Council.

  “Yes, yes, he will be missed, but we are lucky enough to have someone on the staff already who is more than capable of stepping up into his place.”

  She clutched Pyrrhus’s arm tightly enough to make him wince. “No! He can’t mean—“