Echoes of Fae: Book One of the Divine

by Monica Doke

  “You disobeyed me,” Ziodin said placidly. “Now you must pay.”

  “Mother is gone, there is nothing more you could do to me,” Jax replied evenly. Ziodin laughed cruelly.

  “I know she is gone,” Ziodin replied, “I am almost proud of you. You killed your mother. So cold and callous… Unfortunately, you are in my way. You carelessly attached yourself to these people. Now, I will destroy them and you with them.”

  “You know I did not kill her. And you will do nothing,” Jax replied with finality. He strode forward and threw his Ether at Ziodin. It slammed hard into the elder Callfah. Ziodin pushed back but nothing more. Ziodin pulled up his arms and whispered a phrase. Jax heard it and cringed. He was careless. Ziodin yanked Jax into the air and tore him around in an invisible vice. His body twisted in unnatural angles. Jax did not make a sound in the air. Ziodin threw stones, branches and animals into the fray. When his son went limp, Ziodin dropped his body from the air and strode away.

  Jax's torn body lay unconscious in a thicket. The thorns intruded into his skin. He awoke shortly and tried to find a way to move. There was not one. Jax groaned and fell back out of consciousness.

  Jax felt Melody's hands on his face. He could smell her scent very close to him and enjoyed it.

  “Jax? Where did you go?” Jax heard Melody ask. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Jax replied looking at Thane and Melody. He had lost himself to his memories.

  “You did not tell me about your seeing her,” Melody said, her eyes reflected his sorrow.

  “She died in my arms,” Jax said. He was surprised that in his grief he felt relief. Melody saw it on his face and embraced him. Melody led Jax to the bed and helped him sit down. He seemed a little less than okay. The Pramacretine went back to her brother.

  “Why would I want to save these people?” Melody whispered at Thane. “They do such horrifying things to each other!” Thane indicated Jax.

  “You must save him,” Thane said. He looked down at his sister. “People like Jax, like you and I, we do deserve to be saved. You always save us from them.” Melody leaned against the wall, suddenly too tired to stand. She stared at Jax, her expression a mix of anger and fear. She wanted to avenge him, but she knew she could only move forward now.

  Not more than an hour later, it began to rain furiously. Melody was sitting in her room while Jax slept on her bed. She could not sleep. She only sat at her desk trying to figure out what to do about Ziodin. She decided she needed to get out. Melody shook Jax gently and he looked up at her.

  “I am going to walk outside,” Melody told him. “I need to think.”

  “Do you want me to go?” Jax rasped. Melody shook her head and smoothed his hair back from his face.

  “Sleep some more,” Melody said. She kissed his forehead. On the way out of the room, the Pramacretine placed some Ether on the door. An alarm would sound if anyone attempted to enter her room. She did not need anyone to find Jax at all, let alone in her personal chambers. Melody walked about in the warm rain and enjoyed the sensation. After a long while, she made her way back to the palace. Isaac waited for her at the door. The tall Frogearn had a handful of towels and robes ready. He noticed her curiosity at his readiness and spoke quietly.

  “I saw you go out and I smelled the rain earlier,” Isaac's voice was husky when he was being quiet. A detail Melody noticed infrequently.

  “Thank you so much, Isaac,” Melody replied gently. Melody slowly began to dry off. Her body felt bogged down with water, anxiety and exhaustion. She looked up at Isaac who was staring intently at her.

  “What?” Melody asked, straightening. Isaac reddened with an odd look on his sallow face.

  “I apologize, lady. You just look so different now. You seem older,” Isaac replied. “I am proud to assist your family – to serve you.” Melody smiled at him. She had never heard him be nice to her. She shook her head and continued to dry herself. Isaac escorted her to the kitchen near the fire.

  “Isaac,” Melody started. He looked over at her. “I am scared.” Isaac limped over to the Pramacretine and sat beside her. He took her hand his big clammy one and smiled a crooked smile. Melody slumped over, her face hidden behind her wet hair.

  “Lady, I know you have been dealt a difficult hand. We all face our own foes in life. You are not like anyone else. When they brought you here, I saw your little face. I knew you were something different then. I knew you would grow up important. I have seen you grow these years, I have seen you in groups and alone and I know that no other could be right for what you must do. You are the Divine, I can see it shining out from you like stars in your skin,” Isaac said. He patted her hand and got up to make her some tea.

  “How do I know who to trust?” Melody asked, her expression shaking with effort.

  “You cannot,” Isaac replied. “You have good instincts, though. You are a good girl and you know when someone might hurt you. I saw you with that boy. You knew he had a secret and you kept it in your mind until he divulged it. He may have kept a secret but he did not betray you. You trusted him as much as you could until he earned more. That is instinct. Follow that.” Melody nodded, understanding his words.

  “Why did you act like you did not like me?” Melody asked Isaac. The Frogaern laughed drily.

  “That is how I am,” Isaac replied. “I do not wish for anyone to find me friendly so they will leave me be. That is how I am able to see and hear what I do.” He laughed again and handed Melody her tea. “Drink it to warm up and then get on to bed.” Melody nodded.

  When Melody closed her door, she saw that Jax was looking out the window.

  “I was worried,” Jax said quietly in her dark room. The sun was beginning to rise. The rain had abated but the outside was wet and somber.

  “I am sorry,” Melody said. “I had some tea.” Jax nodded. She set down the tray she had brought up for Jax. He eyed it appreciatively. Melody handed him the tea. He politely refused sugar or milk.

  Jax looked around the room silently while Melody started a new fire in her fireplace. The Conjurer eyed her paintings and portraits. Melody stared at him, wondering how he was still upright after the last few days he had endured. He felt her eyes on him and turned, there was an unfamiliar look in his green eyes. Melody smiled.

  The young Conjurer noticed her tunic was wet and stuck to her body. He felt his stomach flip and his heart flutter. He looked up quickly into her sapphire eyes, his face on fire. He fought to keep his eyes on her face and nowhere else as he sipped his tea. Melody seemed to understand his discomfort and went to the bathroom to change. She returned only moments later, a blue dress of fine silk slung hastily over her. She asked him politely if he would tie it in the back, where she could not reach it. He frowned and began to object. He felt she was purposely trying to make it very difficult for him to keep his wits about him and grew awkwardly elated. He tied it, being careful of what his fingers brushed.

  Only once did he touch her, not accidentally on the lower back. She held her breath painfully as she felt every inch of her grow warm. She sat back down across from him, smiling. The two sat for a very long time in silence.

  “I can sense your essence,” Melody finally said. “I did not know if I could trust you after all of this, but I can sense it. You are not bad, not even close. I do not care about your history, only who you are in spite of and because of it.”

  “Thank you,” Jax said. He looked Melody in the eye for a long time. His tea sat on the table forgotten. Melody felt overwhelmed with all of the events leading to that moment. She was so tired. The Pramacretine decided to end her fight against her feelings for Jax. She pushed herself quickly to him and kissed his lips. Jax wrapped his arm around her and held her against him. He lost himself in their kiss.

  Jax felt her soft lips on his and the all-to-familiar tingle shot through him like an arrow. It invaded his senses and left him dizzy and wonderfully charged. Melody pulled slowly away, her eyes half closed and sat for a moment. Jax often wondered
if she felt the tingle that he could in no way describe. She looked as if she wanted to speak, so he delighted her with a question.

  “What is it?” He asked curiously, his face still fiery.

  “Do you,” Melody started, her hair began to dry and it curled slightly from the moisture. Jax felt his stomach tighten nervously. “Do you experience a strange tingle when we touch? It is something otherworldly and pressing.” Jax laughed ironically.

  “I thought it was just me,” Jax replied airily as his tension released.

  “Me too,” Melody admitted. Her azure eyes were bright and the fire danced in them making them look very fierce. She moved herself closer to him and played with the strings on his tunic with her head bent and her hair shielding her eyes from view.

  “Can you sing?” She asked quietly. He looked at her quizzically.

  “Not very well,” he said, not understanding the intent behind her question.

  “If I start, will you sing with me?” Melody asked hesitantly, as she was obviously nervous. He stared at her with confusion. She laughed, alleviating their tension.

  “I want to show you something,” Melody said, her own tension easing.

  “Okay,” Jax replied plainly. Melody began to sing and though Jax did not know the language, he began to sing along. The words were pretty and the song seemed to fill the whole room. After a few moments, he felt the tingling and wondered where she was touching him. However, as he looked down and saw that she was not, he realized all of the tingling was not just the emotions between them, but also Ether. He watched as their voices floated tangibly into the air above them and rays of colored light began to form pictures. He saw himself walking hand in hand with Melody. They were older, wiser and unmistakably in love. Jax witnessed a whole scene of Melody’s family and the love between their friends and themselves. His voice faltered and the illusion died away, leaving only a faint blue light behind his eyelids. He did not know why but his mind was ringing with the last line of the song. He felt it run through the back of his mind. With you, I live on forever.

  …

  “Genny, the table is set,” Thane called from the gigantic dining hall. Genewen entered the room cheerfully and hugged Thane to her.

  “It is so good to have you back home, Thane,” the Macretine exclaimed while fretting over his hair. Thane laughed and brushed her away. The morning flew by and the table strewn with marvelous looking foods from all over the country. The room filled with the light of happiness and the aroma of delicious food. Slowly the inhabitants of the palace filed into the room, jabbering joyfully and shoving playfully. Cybil was laughing and talking quietly to Jennifer from her other side as the two had obviously formed a fine companionship. The young Helacorn looked across the table at her brother and smiled.

  “Talk later?” Cybil mouthed at her brother from across the table. He smiled and nodded. After a few moments of genial conversations, the Pacretine of Agoura entered the room. He took his place at the head of the table, Genewen gave him an encouraging smile from his right and Melody sat in a quiet haze to his left. Her face was heavy with sleeplessness. Andover did not seem as happy as the rest of the group. Melody knew why and her face remained relatively low. He looked at his daughter and smiled feebly. She returned his gaze inquisitively.

  “My daughter,” he started seriously. Melody was extraordinarily uncomfortable with Ziodin in their midst but she hid her trepidation behind her exhaustion. “I have been informed of the events of your travels. I must admit, I am disappointed no one will be brought to justice by my hand,” he said confidentially. The rest of the party began to eat upon his absent beckon. Melody stared at him miserably. She was embarrassed.

  “I believe… they were appropriately punished, Father,” Melody replied. Her voice was hoarse. Andover placed his hand under his daughter's chin and lifted her eyes to his. He was dismayed to find her so altered. He knew she had been through much in the previous weeks and wondered what she was keeping from him. The Pacretine trusted his daughter would tell him when she could. Andover took Melody’s hand. He was angry, shaking inside. Nevertheless, his demeanor was well rehearsed and placid. They looked somberly across the table at the small cavalry. The Pramacretine was shocked at the group, which continued to grow larger and larger as time walked on. She stared at each of them for a matter of moments, appreciating them individually. She gazed at Jennifer, the Infeline's red hair was remarkable against her pale skin and her cat ears so unusual. She admired Jennifer's bright smile and thought of the outspoken nature of the girl Melody had noticed when they had met.

  She turned her gaze to Cybil, the newest member of the group. The girl had long, straight black hard and dark skin. She was very beautiful and charismatic. Melody felt the girl would be an asset to their assembly. The Pramacretine hoped Cybil would choose to stay with them.

  Melody shifted her gaze to her eldest brother, Alastaf. He had been rude, disagreeable, and even threatening at times. She thought of Thane's words regarding Alastaf and wondered if she should try to talk to him. She smiled at him when she caught his eye. He looked uncertain for a moment then smiled back. He had a weariness about him that Melody found she could not appreciate.

  Her eyes found their way to the Helacorn sisters, with their strange inverted shade and sharp features. They were rough and arduous, which was uncanny next to the fairness of their appearance. Melody looked at her closer brother and smiled. There was nothing surprising about his presence there. He had always been her best friend. The Pramacretine peered at Jax. Her deep blue eyes filled with passion and his golden green eyes met hers as if by Ether. They stared for a moment, reading each other’s faces. He knew how she felt now and she knew whom he was. The trust she chose to place in him felt like a blanket wrapped around her. Ziodin caught her eye and smiled. Melody shivered.

  “I have an announcement,” Andover addressed the group. He looked around for a moment as he gained their attention. “We have learned there is an epidemic of a strange Ether spreading through the countryside. Our dead are rising and multiplying. We must remain diligent when we are traveling. Know that since we have been informed we shall begin our endeavors to reverse this Ether,” the assembly nodded at his words. Andover inclined his head at the group. Only a short amount of time was required to lighten the mood. Thane did his best to joke around and cause smiles. Jennifer assisted him skillfully.

  “When Melody was wee little lass she sat right here where I am and declared the world unruly and promised to straighten it with love,” Andover told Jennifer. He smiled at his children tenderly. “Thane sat opposite to her and swore his allegiance to her and promised to heal the world while she brought it peace. And my eldest son, of course, wanted to lead.” Alastaf frowned with evident mortification at the statement that did not seem to be a compliment.

  “I wanted to be a soldier,” Alastaf stated shyly. “I have really never been fond of the thought of organizing an entire nation,” the Prypacretine admitted. He watched as his father’s eyes narrowed and they fell into a heartbreaking disquiet. Melody and Thane looked at each other. Melody was surprised. She always thought Alastaf hated her because he felt she threatened his ascension. She had no idea that he did not want to rule. He met her gaze and she could immediately see how his title thrust on him since he was but a babe. Just as Melody was fated to be the Divine, Alastaf had no option in his role as the future Pacretine. Melody suddenly felt akin to him.

  The feast thrown to mark the arrival of their guests and a successful return of the Prapacretine and Pramacretine commenced. Andover continued to tell childhood stories that made the congregation laugh. It would have been a wonderful occasion if Ziodin had been absent. Melody tried hard to avoid the man's eyes but could sense them on her the entire time. Jax was very pale. He kept his gaze glued to the Pramacretine when he was not answering someone. Melody could feel his tension and tried to send him calming Ether. She understood. Jax had to recover from his father’s attack while Callfah pranced around as a good per
son. Melody only hoped that the elder Callfah did not know his cover was transparent.

  The Reunion

  A terrifying scream sounded from the northern corridor of the palace. The feast had ended late and Melody had just gotten to sleep for the first time in days. Jax slept in the floor beside her bed. He was adamant about not leaving her all night. Melody jerked awake and wondered for a few moments whether she had dreamed the scream. She decided not to take the chance and dragged herself out of bed; pulling on her trousers and a loose fitting tunic she was not, certain belonged to her. She looked down at Jax. He did not hear the sound. The Pramacretine tiptoed out of her room in an attempt to let Jax sleep. She placed her Ether again on the door to alert her if someone tried to enter. The young Pramacretine made her way silently down the steps into the main hall of the palace. The floor was very cold and Melody wished she had put on some slippers.

  She looked about some of the lower level rooms where she did not find any open eyes. Melody was uneasy. She stuck her small, angular face into the prison office where guards were supposed to sit. She did not see any guards, which scared her. Melody stifled a gasp when she saw a man standing in the shadow of a flickering candle. Melody took in the scene silently. She knew it was Ziodin the moment she had stuck her nose in, as she felt a fierce rush of evil wash over her. He turned. Melody froze when she realized Ziodin had spotted her, his expression was dark and hard. Melody’s eyes fell to a slumped figure in the floor. Shock overwhelmed her when she saw the guard. A terrible scream bubbled into her throat, but failed to escape. Fear struck Melody's heart, as she knew Ziodin was there to kill her. He strode up to her.

  “Ziodin,” Melody breathed. “What did you do to him?” Melody felt her stomach twist as he tried to pull her in against her will. She fought against his control with her own power. Ziodin growled. Since his Ether could not disable her, he grabbed her by the hair and forced her to the ground.

  “The question is, pretty little Pramacretine of Agoura,” Ziodin sneered. “What will I do to you?” He regarded her for a moment; a demeaning look of foul lust temporarily crossed his face. Then he shook his head bitterly. “I do not know why she wants you untouched, but I shall do what she says. Not that I have any choice in the matter. She is the one who gave me my power, when the war ended,” Ziodin divulged. Melody felt her face grow hot with anger and despair. He dragged Melody across the floor by her hair. Melody cried out but Ziodin shook her.