Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  “The laws in our books are outdated. The Consumer Party has for a long time told you, the people of Terran, what to think. However, I’m not here to do that today. I’m not here to rule over you. To tell you, as the Duke has done, how you should live your life. Instead, today I’m here to offer you what any government should: the support to live your life to the fullest.”

  Applause rang out from every corner of the audience. Those gathered around the perimeter blanched with excitement; guards, staff, small children trying to gain a look.

  “I’m sorry to inform you that the Duke has been leading you into unhealthy practices. I’m not sorry to tell you that he’s been punished by the rogue dryads for this offense. You see, we’ve overconsumed for too long. We’ve taken. We’ve impersonated Earthlings. We’ve done everything but to give back to Oriceran, the planet we are from. The rogue dryads have sworn to forgive all injustices in the past. That means that you can travel outside our borders without fear of being harmed. However, you can never again deplete the forest the way we’ve done until now. Our practices must be sustainable. And what we produce should be wholesome, feeding our hearts, bodies, and minds. This is our second chance, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that we, the people of Terran, will make the most of it.”

  Applause drowned out the emperor’s next words. He smiled, enjoying the relieved smiles that had sprung to the faces in the crowd. These people had known they were stuck modeling a planet they’d never been to. And the toll of taking from Oriceran had silently weighed on their hearts, even if the Consumer Party told them otherwise, because humans and creatures of all types innately know what’s best at their core.

  “Thank you, thank you,” Emperor Frederick said, trying to quiet the applause. Many of the faces were streaked with tears, a sight never before seen at a ceremony in Terran. “This second chance, this new evolution, it isn’t because of anything I’ve done. It’s because of the one thing we thought was a mistake. We’ve closed ourselves off for so long. Our borders have been warded, and our hearts were full of prejudice. But do you know who saved us, even when we did unspeakable things to them?” Frederick turned and laid his blue eyes on his sister, a tender smile on his face. He laced his fingers into Azure’s hand and held it up into the air.

  “This is Queen Azure of Virgo, daughter of Emeri and Richard, and my sister. She is the reason I stand before you today, able and willing to offer you my entire life in service. She’s the reason we have a second chance to make Terran what it always could have been. She’s the reason we’re free to be humans on the beautiful planet of Oriceran rather than Earthlings who will destroy this planet. Please join me in celebration, for we have much to be grateful for.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Azure had changed back into her hiking gear for the trek across the Dark Forest. It had been strange to hurry away after the ceremony, when so many positive emotions had been created and stirred. Still, she knew that they had many more to save.

  Pulling a gold coin from her pocket, Azure dropped it to the forest floor as she stepped into the Dark Forest, paying her toll for passing.

  “How is this not littering?” Monet asked, dropping his own coin.

  “It’s science; you wouldn’t understand,” Ever said, closing his eyes and sending out a beam of light from his fingertips.

  “Is that your form of payment?” Monet asked, his voice disapproving.

  “The forest asks travelers to offer something of themselves as a toll. It doesn’t have to be monetary,” Ever explained.

  “Oh, don’t I know. The first time, this blasted forest took a bag of Cheetos.” Monet threw a kick into a patch of vines, which wrapped around his foot and laced their way up his leg. “Ack!” he screamed, falling on his backside.

  Azure laughed as she pointed her wand at Monet, who was flailing back and forth, fighting with the vines. “Be still, would you?” A beam of magic sprang from her wand and shot through the air, zapping the vines and making them retreat.

  “Queen Azure, have you considered how you’ll heal the people of Virgo of the virus?” Gillian asked as they hiked.

  The question had been constantly running through Azure’s mind. She knew that, as Queen, the responsibility for a solution fell on her, but it didn’t mean that it didn’t feel like an unjust weight. How was one witch supposed to find the cure for so many? But that was why she was Queen, wasn’t it?

  “The staff is supposed to have sufficient power, under the right circumstances,” Azure said, holding it in her hand.

  “And those circumstances are?” Gillian asked, his voice oozing with doubt.

  “They aren’t even close to right. The staff is completely depleted. I don’t know, it could take another hundred years for it to have enough magic to cure Virgo,” Azure declared, full of defeat.

  “Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t still try,” Gillian stated.

  “If any of you have a solution, I’m completely open to ideas,” Azure said. A shadow danced through the trees as they hiked, cascading through the sunrays that penetrated the branches. Azure paused and studied the darkened trees.

  “What is it?” Ever asked, at her shoulder.

  “I just have this feeling that we’re being followed,” Azure said, staring at the wavering lights and dark shadows.

  “Of course we are,” Ever stated, as if that had been a silly observation. He tugged on Azure’s arm, anxious to keep making progress through the forest.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Azure asked, glaring over her shoulder at the figures who lurked but couldn’t be seen.

  “The rogue dryads, along with many other tribes of dryads, preside over the Dark Forest. It is their territory, and all that walk within it answer to them. That was why the humans were in such trouble—they didn’t comply with their laws. However, you’ve served the rogue dryads, and are therefore under their protection.” Ever spoke quietly and Monet leaned in closer to hear him.

  “Oh, so those’re the dryads?” Azure asked, pointing over her shoulder at another shadow that fled as soon as she turned to look at it.

  “Yes, but they’ve always been there. You’ve just never been able to see them in this form. Now you know them as they are, and can therefore see them when they try to hide,” Ever explained.

  “Did you learn that from the Book of Branches—which you stole?” Monet accused.

  Ever’s eyes twitched to the side. “Yeah, maybe.”

  “So, because I’ve seen the rogue dryads and know them on a personal level, for all of time I’ll see them ducking through the forest?” Azure asked.

  “As they’ve always been,” Ever said with a poetic smile.

  “I kind of like that,” Azure said, raising her shoulders and nuzzling into her blue robes.

  “And yes, I think they are guarding us from any traps or creatures that would normally cause us problems in the Dark Forest. I mean, it’s rare for anyone to make it this far without being attacked by something,” Ever stated.

  “Speak for yourself, Light Elf,” Gillian huffed.

  Ever grinned broadly. “I meant, ‘anyone besides the noble gnomes.’”

  The shuffling sounds in the shadows grew louder. Ahead, sunlight shone through the dark of the forest. Ever sped up, his eyes widening. Azure broke into a run beside him, her heart suddenly full of adrenalin. The shadows transformed until they had eyes and brown skin, and their vine-like hair flowed as they swept across the forest floor.

  “The statue garden?” Azure asked Ever.

  “Yes, that’s it up ahead.” There was a strange excitement that she’d never heard in his voice.

  “Payne Springs said that awakening the statues could take some time,” Azure reminded him, nearly out of breath from running. The others hadn’t exerted themselves to run, and were now a good stretch behind them.

  Ever halted suddenly, clamping his hand around Azure’s wrist and pulling her to a stop next to him. There was an urgent excitement in his eyes as he ran them
over her face. “Whether my father is unfrozen in the next few minutes or the next few hours, it’s all because of you.”

  “No, Ever, that’s not true. I—”

  Ever held up his hand, silencing her. “You could have refused my help when I popped out of the trees the time you found Charmsgood’s body. Or you could have refused me entry into Virgo. And you didn’t have to invite me to be a cabinet member, but you did. You’ve trusted me and given me more responsibility than I deserve. But more than that, after I betrayed you and stole the Book of Branches, you helped me by negotiating this deal with the rogue dryads. You could have just asked them to invade Terran with you, but you went the extra mile.” Ever’s gaze fell to the ground, awe written in his eyes as if he finally understood something of great importance. “You could have given up on me. Turned your back on me. Everyone would have understood; you had good reason to. And yet you continue to save your people, as well as those not even connected to you. You continued to try and save me after I wronged you.”

  Azure realized that Ever’s hand was still clenched around her wrist. She slipped her hand around and grabbed both of his. “Ever, we are all connected. I can only save my people by saving others on Oriceran. Saving your father and the rest in the statue garden was just as important as freeing the folks in Terran or curing the sick in Virgo. When we only look out for ourselves, we lose sight of why we are all here. It is not to live peacefully alone, but rather to live lovingly together.”

  A tender smile transformed Ever’s face, making him more handsome than ever before. There was something about vulnerability that created attraction. “Queen Azure, you stole my heart long ago, but now I do believe you own it.” He bowed low to her.

  Blushing, Azure reached out and encouraged him to get up. “Would you stop that before you give yourself a backache? Go and find your father, already.”

  He rose and nodded minutely at her. “I just wanted… Well, this was my strange way of saying thank you.”

  Azure didn’t say a word, only watched as Ever disappeared through a cluster of trees. The statue garden’s clearing stood on the other side, where much rustling could be heard.

  “That didn’t look awkward at all,” Monet said, draping his arm on Azure’s shoulder, making her sag from his weight.

  She shrugged him off. “He was just having a moment of gratitude. I realize that you have no idea what that would be like.”

  “Grat-i-what?” Monet said with a mock look of confusion. “And I’m sure in true Azure fashion you brushed it off, because you’re horrid at taking compliments or the like.”

  “That’s why I keep you around. You keep me—” Azure stopped short, her mouth falling open as several figures broke through the tree cover ahead. A wizard in long silver robes, wearing a pointy hat on top of vibrant red hair, led the group of wanderers. Species of all types staggered toward them, all of them wearing confused expressions.

  “Reynolds, you were a statue?” Azure asked the wizard.

  He scratched his red goatee, a bemused expression on his face. “Yes, I think so.”

  Reynolds had been one of Azure’s tutors growing up, until he went missing. The House searched for him, but after their efforts turned up no leads they had closed the case. Witches and wizards were known for growing restless and traveling far away on expeditions, only to turn up several years later with a slew of strange stories and an apology for disappearing.

  “What crime did you commit?” Monet asked, his voice conspiratorial.

  Gillian had caught up with them and was staring at the various figures who stumbled through the forest, all looking like they’d just awoken from a long nap.

  “That’s not important,” Azure said, waving Monet off. “Remember, the rogue dryads are wiping the slate clean, and so are we. Besides, we know that some innocent people were punished unfairly.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” Monet held out his hand. “You owe me money. Remember that bet we had about whether Azure or I would dislodge our soul stones first? I beat her by a long shot.”

  Reynolds shook his head. “I believe I said you’d never dislodge yours because you were an immature twat.”

  “Well, it just goes to show how much you knew, criminal.” Monet held up his wrist, where his teardrop amethyst was set into a leather band.

  “How long have I been gone?” Reynolds asked Azure, his eyes dropping and pausing on her blue soul stone necklace.

  “Only a few years. Virgo will be happy to have you back,” she said with a smile.

  “Thank you, Princess Azure. I hope your studies weren’t neglected in my absence?” Reynolds straightened his hat, looking rather dignified as he regained his confidence.

  “You mean, ‘Queen Azure,’” Gillian corrected.

  “Oh, my apologies.” Reynolds bowed deeply to Azure, making her blush at once. “Much must have transpired while I was gone.”

  “I’m sure the queen mother would love the honor of filling you in on all the details,” Azure said, remembering how fond the two were of each other. Her gran hadn’t acted sad when Reynolds had disappeared, probably because she hadn’t acted sad at any time in her life. She’d simply said that the old wizard must have gotten blown away with the wind, as he was prone to do.

  “Yes, it appears I have much to catch up on,” Reynolds said, his focus fading again to a daze as he toddled off in the direction of Virgo.

  Azure slid around a lost-looking centaur who was shaking his head and staring around the forest. “Excuse me,” she said, ducking through bushes into the statue garden. Many gave her strange looks as she entered the space they were desperately trying to exit.

  The grassy knoll was full of white statues as well as individuals who stood frozen but full of color. Rogue dryads muttered incantations as they circled statues, their eyes darting back and forth with concentration.

  Payne Springs drifted over to Azure. “This is taking much effort from my sisters. It took us centuries to imprison these offenders.”

  “Centuries? Don’t you think that such long sentences should be reconsidered going forward?” Azure scanned the crowd, trying to find Ever.

  “I think that in light of our recent experiences, we should re-evaluate many things,” Payne Springs told her.

  Azure and the queen of the rogue dryads stood in silence for a moment, watching the statues come to life. On the far side of the garden, Azure spotted a figure with jet-black hair. “Excuse me a moment,” she said, and hurried through the crowd.

  A rogue dryad stood beside Ever. In front of them a man was hunched over, his head cradled in his hands.

  “All crimes have been forgiven and your sentence ended. However, any further offense will be punished,” a rogue dryad said, her voice quivering like shaking leaves in the wind.

  Kiran lifted his head, his blue eyes reminiscent of his son’s. He looked just like his son, with his black hair and pointy sideburns. However, he bore fine lines around his eyes, and his mouth showed his age. His ears were angled a bit more than his son’s, and his eyes had a weight Ever was practiced at hiding. Kiran stood, shaking his head, and searched Ever’s face.

  “Son, are you all right?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. How are you, Father?” Ever’s voice was a hoarse whisper.

  “My memories are strange, like a series of dreams,” Kiran said, threading his hand through his hair, his gaze on the ground.

  “They will come back to you. When they do, just know that I never stopped trying to free you,” Ever said, his voice coming out in a rush.

  Kiran’s eyes shot to his son. “I’m sorry, son. I’m a bit bewildered, but please don’t think for a minute that I blame you. I retained that part of my memories.”

  “You did?” Ever asked.

  “Yes,” Kiran said, his voice cracking. “And I’d do the same thing again. I’d take your punishment a hundred times over, because that’s what a father does. Watching you suffer would have been torture for me.”

  “As it was for me,” E
ver said.

  “That wasn’t my intention.” Kiran stepped forward. “But the rogue dryads have forgiven and released me.”

  “They have forgiven me,” Ever corrected.

  A ghost of a smile etched Kiran’s mouth. “Oh, you’re just as stubborn as I remember.”

  “Actually, I’m even more stubborn now,” Ever admitted.

  “I believe it,” Kiran said, his laugh reeking of his relief. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around his son.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Kiran stepped through the portal on his way to Earth, throwing a cautious look over his shoulder as he waved to his son.

  “I can’t believe you just sent him away,” Monet said, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed casually.

  Azure rolled her eyes at the wizard. “He sent him home to see Layla.”

  “I bet your dad was afraid you’d burn down the forest again when you opened that portal to Earth,” Monet joked.

  Azure stopped Payne Springs as she passed, her vine hair flowing behind her. “Would it be possible for you to turn this one into a statue?” she asked, pointing at Monet.

  The rogue dryad slid her eyes to Monet and shook her head. “Not right now, but something tells me it won’t be long before he commits a crime.”

  Monet scoffed. “I object! You pansies just don’t know how to take a joke.”

  “Will name-calling get him a sentence as a statue?” Azure asked Payne Springs. The two women appraised Monet, both of them grimacing at him, but laughter seeped from their expressions.

  “Unfortunately we only punish those who harm the forest,” she said.

  “Which means I can be as offensive as I please.” Monet stuck his tongue out at Azure. “So there, Queen Dumbface. Now why don’t you tell Bark Lady to go hug a tree? We need to save Virgo.”

  Azure offered the rogue dryad a smile. “Thank you, Payne Springs. I owe you a great debt for helping us stop the Duke and free these people.”

  “I think,” Payne Springs began, peering at the garden, which was now devoid of any statues, “we both benefited from your plan. The Land of Terran has a chance to change their ways under their new leadership, and the Dark Forest has been healed. Releasing the offenders was a part of the deal, but now it gives me much to think about. I was hoping that you could help advise us on how we should sentence and punish the criminals of the forest going forward.”