Seeking

by D. R. Grady

  Eliza must have caught the same movement because her eyes narrowed. “Are you feeling your legs?”

  Fergus started in an Aasguard sort of way, but he set down his fork. “Is that what this is?” He rubbed a palm down his thigh.

  “What are you feeling?”

  “It is not pain, but I am reminded I have legs. A prickling sensation.” Dawning hope lit his face. “Does this mean I shall be able to walk?”

  Eliza rose to hurry around the table. She used her staff at first, then replaced it with her hands, and knowledgeably worked up and down his legs, asking questions as she progressed.

  He answered each one in the affirmative.

  “Yes, I believe you are regaining feeling in your legs.” Eliza held up a hand. “However, if you overdo this, you will hinder and perhaps irreparably harm your chances of walking.”

  Although this clearly was not what he wished to hear, Fergus took her statement with all the calm and patience of Aasguard. At least it appeared clear to her by the downturn of his lips and set of his jaw.

  Mozark waited until Eliza returned to her seat before he focused on Fergus once again. “You say that a vaspiris attacked you in the sea?”

  “It did. There were too many ships about so Lachland and I approached by sea rather than the air. I could not identify the creature but I did recognize that it came through a portal.”

  “And when exactly was this?” Mozark had set his own fork down. He showed no interest in resuming the meal.

  “Right as Atlas fell. The vaspiris attacked at the same time. Because Atlas was close Punzel took me there after I lost control of my legs. She was injured when the island fell.”

  “So this happened a little over a century ago?”

  Fergus shrugged. “We have had no real means of telling the passing of days much less the years. The others might know this.”

  Kellen inserted the date that Atlas fell and all of them performed the calculations. Yes, a little over a century ago Fergus had been trapped in the sunken city.

  “A portal opened in the sea. It allowed in a terrible creature that should never be given access to our realm.” Mozark paused. “Much like desampus, you might say.”

  This simple statement caused everyone to also pause. Ari paled. Felicity nearly choked a the sip of water.

  “What are you saying?” Kellen placed a hand on his wife’s thigh.

  “The portal the vaspiris used to enter our realm opened randomly. And fortunately, it sucked the other vaspiris back into the realm in which they were relegated to long ago. The one who escaped through did extreme damage to Fergus who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that portal opened randomly. We have rectified those occurrences. Even deep in the oceans, the portals are sealed.” Mozark spoke with authority.

  “You are stating the portal the desampus used also opened randomly? That Kellen and I did not open it?” Ari gained control of herself in a matter of seconds. As one would expect of a seasoned warrior.

  This furthered what Ari had told her upon Rykert’s arrival. That it did seem it would be fine for her and Rykert to join their lives.

  “You and Kellen had nothing to do with it opening. I spent time at that portal and I personally locked it. No actions or choices by anyone in this realm caused said portal to open.” Mozark’s steady, firm gaze reiterated his claim. “It is encouraged that those who wish to do so, join their lives together.”

  Felicity marveled at what this meant. So much so she couldn’t grasp any one euphoric thought. She looked blindly to Rykert. Whose hand gripped hers with fierce but gentle strength in a show of solidarity she needed.

  “Can you verify that with another mage?” Intensity blasted from Kellen.

  “Have you met Ulric?”

  A few of them sucked in a breath. Ulric was one of the oldest mages known. His white hair and white beard made him very much look the part. His wisdom and level-headedness were revered throughout all the lands.

  “Of course.” Rykert answered because no one else did.

  “Ulric seconded what I determined. He believes that Aasguards and mages, if they desire, have as much a right to mate as any human or animal. When I mentioned what the desampus queen told Ari about her opening the portal he strongly disagreed.”

  A little color touched Ari’s cheeks again. “I am relieved.”

  “His belief is that the timing was right and they had been attempting to open that portal for millennia. The conditions were right, so it opened. However, he also pointed out that desampus are not known for their intellect or rationale.”

  Mozark’s tone turned dry and a ripple of relieved laughter circled their table.

  “I am relieved we had nothing to do with that portal opening. This means any Aasguards who wish to marry can do so without fear of the consequences.” Ari looked to her and to Lucy.

  For the first time in over a year, Felicity felt that marriage was a real possibility for her and Rykert.

  Her emotions remained mixed on that fact.

  ‡‡

  Rykert tuned out the remainder of the conversation about the portals opening. All he heard was that Kellen and Ari’s marriage had not caused the desampus realm portal to open. That was all he needed to know. Other than Felicity’s own misgivings… and that reined him in.

  She had her reasons for slowing their marriage and he had agreed to wait until she was ready. And they had made progress. They were becoming closer which was the point of getting to know one another.

  A lull in the conversation broke into his thoughts before the healer Eliza leaned toward Ari. “Myrtle and I are making plans for our wing of the school.”

  Ari and Kellen’s eyebrows both rose. “You are getting an entire wing?” Ari teased but a note of concern crept in.

  “Well, we are thinking an entire building.” Eliza pointed in the direction of the lake. “Not so far from here is a deep inlet of the lake. It would be a perfect spot to build our part of the school.”

  Kellen sat up straighter in his chair. “We decided against building this school there.” He looked to Ari.

  “Yes. We strongly considered that exact location but ultimately chose this site.”

  Eliza’s nod looked knowing. “This way Myrtle and any other water dwellers can live comfortably in the lake while those of us who prefer the land can remain within the confines of the school.”

  “Will you have classrooms for Myrtle and the like to be able to teach?” His brain churned with possibilities.

  “We believe that is a must. The lake and sea serpents know so much about aquatic plants. Much more than we do, while we retain knowledge of the land based greenery. It will do all of us plenty of good to share.” Eliza bubbled over with excitement.

  Rykert met Mozark’s eyes. “This time is also the Age of the Mage.”

  “Age of the Mage sounds terrible.” Mozark mock-groused.

  Laughter rounded the table. “That is why Rykert said it, of course.” Felicity sent him a knowing look.

  He basked in her adoration. At least he told himself her flirting was adoration. This woman. She suited him perfectly.

  Much as Lucy and Fergus appeared to match. Finding his friend after all these years had been an unexpected gift.

  Their time truly had come.

  Rykert glanced at Fergus. Who noticed. “What?”

  “If you had not been infected by that vaspiris, you would have passed on to the next life.” He paused. “And missed out on Lucy.”

  A fierce expression crossed Fergus’s face. “That is true.” His hand gripped the female warrior’s with strength and something more. Rykert recognized the something more but he could not yet name it.

  “We will not say that monster did you any favors, but you have something better to live for.”

  Lucy missed their conversation as she entered into an animated version with Felicity. These two feminine warriors had a lot in common.

  “I do. And I have. I cannot imagine my life without Lucy
or Punzel now.” He grimaced. “All those lonely years with only my dragon. Then two amazing females barreled into my life.”

  “Dragons are wonderful but they need to spend time with treasure.”

  “Yes. Punzel does not. She is most at home in deep water but she is also fine on land.”

  Conversation finished, Lucy and Felicity now must have overheard. “That is how Issac is. He prefers the open water, but he always comes to visit me.”

  “I would like to meet him.” Felicity finished her last bite.

  “You and Rykert should come to my house. Issac is as personable, or nearly so, as Felix.”

  “Is he sunshine yellow?” Rykert inquired tongue-in-cheek.

  Delighted laughter from Lucy. “No. His scales are black with an iridescent green sheen to them.”

  “Punzel’s are also black with a green cast to them. At least if I am still able to see colors.”

  “I wonder if their matching color means they are related?” Felicity spoke what had to be on all their minds.

  “No, it means they are compatible.” Mozark must have been monitoring their conversation. “A good sign, actually.”

  “Meaning they can mate if they wish?” Lucy inquired.

  “Correct. They could probably still mate if they did not match but the fact that they match is a promising sign.”

  “Issac is quite handsome. I think Punzel will fall for him immediately. And of course, she is lovely.” Lucy tapped her lips.

  “Punzel is lovely. She is at least as old as me. I wonder if that will cause Issac to look the other way.”

  Mozark’s lips twisted into a smile. “That iridescent green cast to their scales indicates they have reached a certain level of maturity.”

  “Oh.” Lucy’s eyes widened. “Meaning Issac is older as well?”

  “Yes. He is probably as old as Fergus and Punzel.” Mozark’s information base was impressive. Rykert expected the man had endured plenty of lonely years as well so he must have likely filled the void with much learning. A worthy enterprise as they all benefited from his knowledge now.

  “Green scaled sea serpents are typically the most loyal and are among the largest of the sea serpents. Only the rare blues are larger.” Eliza patted her mouth with her napkin.

  “I am excited for Issac and Punzel to meet.”

  “He will be there when you return home?” Fergus asked.

  “Oh yes. He always knows when I have returned. Issac knows things.” She darted a look at Mozark.

  The mage nodded. “I should be very interested in meeting Issac. He sounds an intriguing fellow.”

  “He is.” Lucy’s face animated in a way that many Aasguard warriors lost through the years. But on her, one of the most aged warriors, it proved refreshing. She had discovered new opportunities and had embraced them with both hands.

  Making friends with a scary sea serpent, hunting treasures, finding Fergus the First and essentially mating with him made for a multitude of new changes. These two had not plighted their troth yet but he imagined it would only be a matter of time before they did.

  He glanced at Felicity and found her steady gaze on him.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  During the celebrations, Felicity took a moment to check in with herself. Mostly because a cloud of internal gloom disallowed her to fully enjoy this moment she never imagined would come. She should be happy and excited for this progress for her people.

  And she was.

  So this lack must not be due to the school opening and all it meant for them. Felicity delved into the trepidation simmering within herself. Long ago she had learned to take this path when unsettled and it was familiar after all these years of traveling it.

  Ari and Kellen’s marriage had not opened that portal. Yet she discerned her niggling sense of concern or whatever limited her excitement in these wonderful moments must stem from this news.

  That could only mean…

  With reluctance and mild protests she sank into herself. Here lay her greatest awareness and Felicity never lied to herself.

  What she eventually encountered was an emotion long forgotten, but not unfamiliar. She had enough experience with this one that she recognized panic when she slammed into it.

  Panic.

  Now she needed to deduce what had caused this disconcerting reaction. The cause made himself known. He stood right beside her, nearly in her personal space, enjoying the festivities and all the people who had come from far and wide to join this momentous occasion.

  The opening of an Aasguard school had offered so many new options for Aasguards and mages alike. And now healers from all over their world flocked to the school after learning that there would be an entire facility built for them.

  This marked only the beginning of this school. Felicity guessed it would span far more ground and offer far more learning. Not only for their people but for other under represented peoples who would benefit from a place such as this. Who could improve the lives of many by simply collaborating and sharing knowledge.

  But the news that two Aasguards marrying did not open portals into horrific realms had caused this terrible sensation within her. They had no reason to hold off joining their lives.

  And her lungs threatened to close off, her heart hurt, and sweat coated her body. These symptoms indicated panic ensued and she had not experienced this emotion in so long she wished she had never encountered it again. Yet the emotion crept forward to terrorize her again.

  Felicity tamped the visceral parts and explored why this particular emotion attacked her. The root of the problem did not lie with Rykert. He was content within himself and with her place in his life. These woes stemmed solely from her. The warrior way was to figure out why she felt this way and take the necessary actions to correct the problem. She could do this. She would do this.

  Examining her reaction from every point she observed and weighed the ramifications.

  Yes and there lay the root. Fear.

  She feared not being enough for Rykert. Feared failing him in some way.

  A long sigh at her silliness later and she met his concerned gaze.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Now I am.” She shook her head and rolled her eyes. At herself. Now that she had located the cause of her frantic emotions, her long years of living offered a reward. She had no difficulty in realizing how ridiculous emotions could be and how much simpler life was without them. Now that they had come to call and apparently stay, she would need to examine them and discard what was not worth keeping.

  Panic being the first she discarded.

  Fear quickly followed.

  “I felt the flare of whatever it was.” Rykert tugged her out of the crowd to a secluded area of the vast training field.

  “Emotions are not helpful.” She curled her arms around his neck to draw him close for a kiss. The man tasted of all her favorite flavors.

  His warm hands cupped her hips as he drew her closer still. “I am certain they have their place but I am glad you are perfectly capable of dealing with them.”

  “Our long years have advantages.”

  “That is true.” He stared into her eyes and the last vestiges of the panic and fear faded into nothingness as she gazed at her future. “You are feeling better now?”

  Ah, he had caught snippets of her panic. In true Aasguard form, he gave her space to deal with the issue, but stood by her side to offer aid if needed. A surge of love swelled.

  “I love you.” This emitted with dawning wonder.

  Rykert’s face blanked before a bubbling grin burst across his face and he snatched her off her feet to twirl her around in a dizzying circle.

  “I love you, too.” He set her on her feet again to trace a finger down her cheek. His expression raw and unfiltered as he spoke those beautiful words.

  Hope and love streamed through her, much nicer emotions than the pesky ones that had no part in their lives.

  “I am grateful. I feared we might not reach this point.” He
r internal self had made herself known and she was working on herself now inside as well as outside.

  She had noted that Rykert and many of their colleagues did the same now.

  “I knew we would.” A fleeting note of angst quicksilvered through his tone. “I hoped we would but also through experience knew we are capable of combating anything that arises.”

  “Including desampus?”

  “Desampus, vaspiris, and anything else nasty that comes. If we fight the upcoming battles together we are so much better off.”

  “We are.” She slid a finger across his lower lip. Really, the man had the most luscious lips she had ever tasted. The sunlight danced in his red-gold curls and she was entranced. No other man would ever do.

  “You are not afraid of joining our lives now?”

  “I am not. I do not feel the need to rush into marriage, but I am ready to do so when the time is right.”

  “That is exactly how I feel.”

  “We know it will happen.” Rykert had reached this point before her, but now Felicity had arrived at this conclusion and it did not set off any fight or flight reactions within her.

  A victory for both of them. She could see her life spread out before them with wonder and eagerness.

  “We know we will be together but we are not entirely certain what we are going to do when we leave here.”

  Okay, so there was that…

  ‡‡

  Relief and a cauldron of other emotions spiraled through Rykert at Felicity’s long awaited admission of love. He had hoped for it for a few days now. But he’d learned long ago to bide his time. Aasguards could outwait anyone. And they perfected this trait over their long lives.

  Never in the past had he been impatient, until Felicity. He would admit to alarm that she had not been aware of her growing feelings the way he was. He opened himself to the idea before her.

  Yet he also understood she needed time. Time was something he could give her.

  Holding her like this, with her warmth and sweet scent surrounding him, he admitted to appreciating that she had not made him wait longer. Their future looked far brighter with them spending it together.