by Jen L. Grey
“What do you expect, Logan? You can’t sneak out with me like this when you get back to training, and I would already be right near the woods. I can head back in the mornings before anyone notices I’m gone. I honestly think this might be our best solution. I get nervous every night when we sneak out because the guards could easily see us.”
Logan is clearly unhappy. He rubs his hands down his face and lets out a breath. He looks up at Claire and takes a step toward her. “You are sure your parents will be okay with this? I don’t want them to know she has training. She will sneak out for that.”
He is relenting, and I can’t help but feel a little victorious.
Claire puts her hand on her hip. “Yes, my parents will be thrilled. After all, my brothers have moved out to start their own families, and they are almost like empty nesters. They will be thrilled to have her over a few nights a week.”
“Fine,” Logan concedes. “We will try this. But if it doesn’t work out, I will be going with you when you train. Even if I’m exhausted the next day.”
I smile at my brother. This is hard for him. He is overprotective of me out of love. I reach up and kiss his cheek.
His eyes soften.
I feel like I’m being studied and notice Claire watching us. I didn’t pick up on her attentiveness before because she is so funny and happy go lucky. However, she sees more than she lets on.
Glancing at her, I give a timid smile. “We need to be heading back, but if you are serious, I have training every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Can I start staying over on Monday? I will make sure to earn my keep.”
At that, Claire’s face lights up. “I knew I liked you, and it won’t be a problem at all. Just try to be here around dinnertime, okay? Oh, and instead of going straight through the village, there is a path that goes around. Come that way, and we can put your horse in the barn with the others, so no one notices the horse overnight.”
“Okay, will do. Thanks for everything, and I will see you soon.”
With a quick hug, Logan and I make our way back toward the palace.
Chapter Twelve
We arrive at the palace later than we intended, and neither of us wants to make dinner. So, we decide to eat in the dining hall, needing something quick, so we can nap before heading back to the house.
We walk in right when dinner is being served and find we have caught King Percy’s eye. This can’t be good. We hurry and take a seat as far away from the others as possible.
Risking a quick glance in Nick’s direction, I notice he keeps looking back and forth between his father and me.
Trying to keep my emotions in check, Logan and I don’t talk, Instead, we focus on eating. When we finish our meal, I relax, thinking we’ve gone unnoticed until there are footsteps heading in our direction.
The king leans over me. “Is this seat taken?”
I try not to flinch. I can’t pull my eyes up from my plate but know he is expecting a response. I shake my head, not able to use my words.
He plops down into the seat next to me.
His cologne reminds me of oranges and gets stuck in my nose, causing bad memories to surface in my mind.
He sets his elbows on the table with his hands clasped. “Well, well, well, Logan, I thought you were injured. You sure don’t look all that hurt to me. I wonder how come?”
“I guess fast healing must run in the genes, sir, with my sister being the Savior and all.”
He shifts his attention to me. “So, I see that Prince Nicholas is paying quite a bit of attention to you tonight, Ariah. Is there a particular reason for that?”
I stare down at my plate, my heart pounding. I wipe my hands on my pants.
The king grins.
I take a deep breath. “Well, I’m sure he’s upset with what happened at training between Princess Elizabeth and me.”
King Percy sighs.
I do my best not to tremble.
He sneers and stands up. “Perhaps. Let’s hope it’s just that.” He glances at me one last time before walking away.
I let go of the breath I’m holding and look up at Logan.
His eyes are full of concern. “Let’s get out of here, Ari, before he finds another reason to come back.”
I stand, not needing any more encouragement, and head to the door.
Nick watches me leave.
But I am powerless to do anything else without giving the king a reason to refocus on us.
* * *
My brother wakes me, telling me it’s time to get going.
I jump up and walk into the kitchen to grab us some jerky and water.
Logan waits for me at the door, tapping his foot.
I’m not sure if it’s impatience or nerves.
He wordlessly takes the bag I’ve packed and motions for me to head out the door.
Hey, I’m not going to argue if he wants to carry the heavy bag.
We sneak out of the palace and make it to the clearing. Just like the other night, it is a beautiful, clear sky that helps light the path we are taking. Trying to wake up, I eat some of the jerky as we reach the village border. We make our way through the streets, ensuring we stay away from anyone that could be out this time of night.
I’m on edge, so I walk faster than normal. We pass Claire’s house and make it to the Pearson house in record time. Unease prickles through me and doesn’t go away until we step onto the house’s grounds.
Lydia is already there and standing out front, waiting on us. I realize that my powers aren’t going crazy this time, and Lydia smiles. “You are a quick learner, Ariah. I can see that you have already gotten good at not letting the power overcome you. That takes most strong power wielders a long time to master.”
I fidget under her scrutiny. I look down and bite my lip.
She laughs and moves closer to us. “Since you are so strong, I don’t want you tapping into the elements again until you are more comfortable with how your power feels and you can confidently control it. The first thing I want us to focus on is lighting a single candle.” She walks over to her bag.
Lighting candles? I haven’t heard of anyone able to do this, but maybe it is just something that isn’t openly discussed. Going through training, you learn things that aren’t common knowledge to most.
She walks over to me, candle in hand, and sets it down a couple of feet from me. She then stacks stones around it, to hold it in place.
“Now, I want you to concentrate on the wick of the candle, and think of a burst of energy sparking from within.”
This seems a little silly.
She gives me a reassuring smile and touches my hand. “You can do this. Just try.”
Trying not to appear ridiculous, I close my eyes and attempt to focus. I am not sure what to do. For some reason, her advice isn’t working. Every time I open my eyes, the candle is not lit.
Lydia lifts an eyebrow and shakes her head. I’m sure I’m disappointing her. Ugh… okay.
Her advice isn’t working. Let me try something else, because my power is thrumming. I visualize a burst of light hitting the wick.
Logan gasps from behind me which causes my eyes fly open.
The candle is burning, but instead of the flame being yellow or blue, it is pure white. The smoke rolling off the candle is dense and black from the heat. The wick is popping and the candle is melting quickly.
I glance at Lydia for some guidance.
Her mouth is gaping open, but she schools her expression.
“Very good, Ariah.” She walks over and places a second candle between the rocks. “Now, let’s try this again, but with two candles.”
Once again, I visualize the candles and a burst of light hitting them simultaneously. The candles are lit, and I grin at the small progress I’m making.
I repeat this exercise until I have twenty candles lit all at one time. Heck, yeah! I’m finally good at something.
However, Lydia can’t keep the look of surprise off her face.
I fidget, and my happiness evaporates
.
Logan reaches out and gives me a reassuring hug.
Lydia’s right eyebrow rises.
A brother hugging his sister isn’t all that strange. I hope she isn’t noticing we have something going on beyond typical sibling support. I wonder if I should explain our bond to her.
She walks over to the candles and put them all out. “I’m sorry if I’m making you feel uncomfortable. I’m just surprised at your progress, but you are doing exceptionally well. Next time, I will bring you something more challenging.”
I nod and am proud that I’m doing something right. Suddenly, fatigue slams into me and I stumble.
Logan reaches out to catch my sagging body.
Lydia picks up the candles. “I think that’s it for the night. This is the first time you’ve used your power as intended, and it will take some time to adjust to it. Remember the herbs tonight.”
“Yes, you’re right. I’m exhausted. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to train with me. I look forward to seeing you again in a couple of nights.”
Logan still has his arm around me, and turns me in the direction of the palace. “Good night, Mrs. Holcomb, and thank you so much for your kindness to my sister.”
Lydia nods and heads toward her home. Or, at least, that’s where I assume she’s going.
After a few minutes, my eyes close involuntarily.
Logan puts his arm around my waist, helping me walk.
I’m so tired that I stumble on the path the entire way back. I’m so glad Logan came to help me.
When we reach the horses, Logan picks me up and places me on the horse.
Chapter Thirteen
I wake the next morning feeling better than ever. My power is already buzzing in my body.
In my mind, I can hear coffee calling my name, so I make my way into the kitchen, seeking a large cup to use.
Logan walks into the kitchen, looking worse for the wear. “How in the world are you so chipper this morning? I had to help your sorry butt home, and I get woken up to you banging things around and humming in the kitchen?”
This is the exact reason why I need to be staying at Claire’s. “Aww, come on. You’re a guard now and need all that exercise,” I place a kiss on his cheek.
I sit at the table and dig into my breakfast of pancakes and eggs. I’m famished this morning and can’t stop stuffing my face. I’m so glad I’m energized, since I have work to do in the stables, and I get to see Nick tonight.
Logan joins me at the table with his own food, and we eat in silence. There is no need for conversation. We know what the other is feeling without words.
After I finish, I head into my room to get dressed for the day and hurry out the door. In my haste, I get to the stables before anyone else, so I get to work feeding the animals.
I find myself enjoying my little routine. A little while later, as I’m brushing one of the horses, someone enters the barn. I walk over to find out what is going on.
When I get to the other side, Dave is looking around, holding some sunflowers in his hands. What in Knova is he doing? “Hey, are you looking for someone?”
He stumbles as he turns around and gives me a bright smile. “Yes, you.” He holds out the flowers to me. “I saw these flowers outside and they reminded me of you. I thought you should have them.”
I reach out and take them. “Did you know that they are considered a weed?”
He takes a step back. “Are you serious?”
Why did I say that? “Yes.” I wave the hand with the flowers.
“Well then.” He looks down and rubs the back of his neck. “I hope you like your weeds.”
I can’t contain my laughter. I’ve been doing that a lot today, but for once, my power is buzzing around in a happy nature instead of being intense and overwhelming.
He gazes at me, and I fall silent.
“Don’t stop.” He grins. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.”
I look down quickly and blush, not sure what to say or do. I clear my throat. “Well, it’s lunchtime. Want to join Logan and me for a quick bite to eat?”
He grins and waves his hand toward the door. “After you, my lady.”
We walk through the doors to my quarters, and I call out, “Logan, you have company.”
Logan comes out of his room with a puzzled expression, then sees Dave.
Dave stops in his tracks. “You’re already healed?”
The last time he saw him, Logan was in rough shape.
“Yeah, the healer said it must be because of Emerson. I have good genes and heal more in line with the womenfolk.” Logan shrugs his shoulders.
“Well, that’s super nice and convenient.” Dave walks further into the room. “I’m completely jealous.”
“All right, I’m going to cook us up some sandwiches.” I walk toward the kitchen, trying to remove the tension in the room.
“Ari, how many times do I have to explain to you that putting meat on a sandwich is not considered cooking,” Logan calls after me.
Dave chuckles and shakes his head.
I bring out some plates, bread, meat, and condiments, and we all sit around at the table to eat.
Dave makes his sandwich. “You ready to come back to training, Logan? I honestly didn’t think you’d be back so soon, but look at you.”
“Yes, I’m getting bored at this point, but don’t want to get out and people see me walking around before I’m released. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and little bit of research on weapons.”
“On Monday, when you get back, we are going to learn how to get around barriers and deflect power with our shields.” Dave takes a bite of his food.
I try to listen to their conversation, I do, but I get bored. As I sit there, tuning them out, a sensation comes over me. I haven’t checked on the key in days. Is it even still there?
I rush to my room, to my hiding spot inside my closet. I pull out the key and hold it in my fist. Thank goodness, it’s still here. I can’t chance losing it, so I grab one of my plain necklaces, place the key on the chain, and put it on.
It isn’t a large key, so it looks like it is made for the necklace. Once it is on, I think back to my mother’s story.
My mother’s family is from Noslon. The Noslons are known for their magical herbs and medicine. The story starts with the key, which is said to have a strong powerful spell placed in it that was enhanced with the herbs. It was passed down through several generations, along with the knowledge that it unlocks something very important and that the intended key holder will know when and how to use it.
When Knova was a peaceful and conglomerate country, a woman from my mother’s side fell in love with a man from Agrolon. After their romance began, the Agrolon King grew greedy and tried to dominate the kingdom. When this happened, the kingdoms began feeling tension and distrust toward each other, and the lands dried up. The Agrolon man asked the woman for her hand in marriage so they could be together if the kingdoms split apart.
Her family begged for her not to go, because they felt the kingdoms would soon split and they would lose touch. However, the girl was in love and left to start her life in the South. Soon after she moved here, she lost the key, and no one has seen it since.
We grew up hearing this story every night at bedtime. I think she feels a deep connection with it somehow. I’m the one to find it and can’t wait to show her when she returns.
Content now that I have the key on me, I walk into the den and it appears as if Logan is enjoying his time with Dave. Maybe, in a way, becoming a guard is a good thing. Logan is focused on me and my safety, but he needs to take time for himself and have some separation. He needs to have other people in his life than just me.
“Hey, guys, I’m going to head back out.” I open the front door. “Logan, I’ll be back for dinner.”
I’m itching to go to the gardens. I’m done with the stables for the day so now is the perfect time. It’s been a while since
I’ve visited during the day, and I eagerly rush there. My power buzzing, I lean back against a tree, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face.
“Hey…” someone says very quietly.
I open my eyes and find Emerson standing there, watching me.
She taps her foot nervously, waiting for my response, but I remain silent.
We have a very strange relationship, since I grew up staying under the radar while she received royal training. Even still, I don’t dislike or envy her. She has a big role to fill.
The silence gets to me. “Hey. What are you doing here?” I’m not trying to be rude, but I’m curious.
“I needed to get away for a little while, and this,” she looks around the garden, “is one of my favorite places in the whole palace.”
I smile. Despite everything, we have a few things in common.
She holds out the blanket in her hand.
“Want to sit with me for a while?” She pauses, looking at the ground. “I understand if you don’t want to. I just thought it might be nice.”
“Sure, I’d like that.”
Emerson walks over to a spot hidden from view and sits down on the blanket, making sure there is room for me.
I take a seat beside her. This afternoon is turning out a lot different than planned.
She puts her hands behind her and leans back. “How’s Logan doing?”
“He’s doing well. His stitches were removed yesterday, and he’s almost healed. It’s speculated that it’s due to your genes, since he is a sibling to the prophesied one.”
“I’m glad I could help I was worried about him. From what I’ve heard, he was in really bad shape. The king had to pull the guards off of him and get on to them for misconduct.”
It takes everything in me to stay silent, but at the end of the day, I don’t know Emerson. As far as I can tell, she is loyal to the king, and why wouldn’t she be? She is treated just like a princess. “Yes, it was really bad.”
I lay down on the blanket and enjoy the sun and beautiful day. My power is buzzing, increasing in pressure. Lydia comes to mind, and I push it at a slow pace from my body. I do this until the buzzing goes back to the comfortable thrum I’m used to. This is beginning to come more natural to me now.