Secrets Bound By Sand

by T. A. White

  She slanted a glance at James. “Just to be clear, this matter is settled. If somehow you managed to call for help and that help was currently working their way through the desert, I would suggest you send another message calling them off. I doubt the Black Order could survive another smear on their reputation if armed forces violated the Silva’s sovereignty during mediation proceedings.”

  James’s eyes were flinty as they held Tate’s before allowing a small nod of understanding.

  She had to give it to him. He was good. If Blade hadn’t warned her of the Order’s advance, she never would have guessed from his behavior.

  The Order would have been able to claim a misunderstanding over the status of James and Ward’s position as hostages. Had they shed blood, the entire mediation would have been declared void and the situation would have escalated.

  With her veiled warning, the Order now couldn’t claim ignorance.

  “Now, back to the Silva’s original complaint,” Tate said, addressing Vale and the other two. “What will you offer to make up for the bad deeds of your associates? While you did not put into play the events that cost dozens of children their lives, you still share in the culpability.”

  "The guardians wish to establish a temple here and share some of the knowledge we’ve gathered of our Saviors and their history," Vale said. "We recognize we have separated ourselves from the world for too long. This distance has let ignorance and hatred flourish. It is our intent to make sure it doesn't happen again. In addition, we will allow Silva scholars entry to our temple in Aurelia to look over important relics of the Saviors."

  Tate blinked. That was a generous offer. More than she’d expected.

  "We accept," Tala said.

  "What does the Black Order offer?" Tate asked.

  James frowned.

  "You may say you were imprisoned, but ultimately you were not harmed. The same can't be said of the children your Order murdered. What do you offer?" she asked again.

  "We offer our sincerest apologies and the territories of Jeera and Neeta. Control of these territories have been the subject of much dispute between us and your predecessor."

  "Accepted," Tala said.

  Tate released a breath. Almost done.

  "And you?" Tate asked Evan.

  "We offer this." Evan held out an egg-shaped object. It was painted a brilliant blue and teal green, gold designs marching around its sides. Tala's breath caught as James's eyes widened. Tate knew she should care what the egg was, but she didn't. She just wanted this over. "We were not directly responsible, but we fostered those who were. Nothing can repay that debt. This is a mere token of our sorrow."

  Tala eyes were wet as she touched the stone with reverence. "We accept."

  “What is it?” Tate asked, cocking her head. It was pretty but didn’t seem deserving of the awe on Tala and the other Silva’s faces around them.

  “After their last battle with the Creators, Jaxon and the other Saviors are said to have cast off their armor and stored them in containers similar to this one. The Kairi possess one and the Emperor another. Our people have never been graced with one until now. If this is truly what I think it is, it is a gift beyond measure,” Tala said.

  Tate waited a beat, staring at the egg in Tala’s hand.

  “I’d be interested to know how the Avertine came to have such a thing as that in their possession,” James said.

  “We have our methods,” Evan said noncommittally.

  “And what do you ask in recompense?” Tate asked Evan.

  “Nothing,” Evan said. “The forgiveness of the Silva is enough.”

  "And with that, these negotiations are over," Tate said. "I leave in the morning. Any who wish to join me are welcome."

  She strode away before anyone could stop her. Exhaustion pulled at her. All she wanted was to get home to Aurelia and her sunlit bedroom. This was the last time she played mediator because of something Ilith did.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Tate fiddled with the cube in her hand, turning it over and over again as she leaned against the ship's railing and stared out at the horizon. The ocean was a soothing lullaby as the ship cut through the small waves.

  The sun was starting to descend. It was her favorite time on the sea, when day transitioned to night, putting on a spectacular show for anyone watching.

  She looked down at the cube, debating the merits of dropping it into the ocean. The only one who would know was her—and perhaps Ryu. No one else knew she'd taken it from the pocket realm.

  Right now, she felt like she was standing on the edge of a chasm, her toes suspended over the edge. Behind her was safety—she could continue as she had been, ignorant of the harsh forces that shaped her or the inevitable betrayals that followed. Ahead of her— possible heartbreak and the cold knowledge the people she'd fought for, been willing to die for, had taken her trust and broken it into a thousand little pieces.

  Worse, was not knowing if she'd done something so terrible to deserve being sentenced to sleep for thousands of years.

  Knowing could change everything. She had a sinking feeling it could poison the small bit of peace and happiness she'd managed to carve out around her.

  Change was the most powerful force in the world. It was inevitable. Everyone and everything faced that transformative force. It was unavoidable.

  Burying her head in the sand wouldn't stop what was coming. Nor would it change what had already happened.

  Facing it and dealing with the repercussions was the only way forward.

  Despite that, it didn't make this task any more appealing.

  Thankfully, Jost's crew and her friends had given her a wide berth, respectful of her need for privacy.

  Her decision made, she turned the cube over, noting the geometric patterns dotted throughout. To anyone else's eye, it would seem like a child's toy or a particularly ornate paperweight. She ran her fingers over a couple of the raised ridges and smiled. Another puzzle. She really hadn't expected any less of Jax.

  Had she been the Tate of before this trip, she would have had to rely on instinct and dumb luck to open it. Now, with memories of before whispering through her mind, she knew exactly where to place her fingers.

  It warmed in her hands as power flared inside.

  A beam of light escaped it and suddenly Jax was sitting in front of her.

  "Allegra," he breathed, his face tight with emotion. "If you're watching this, you've finally awakened as I knew you would. I am likely long dead. I don't know how many of your memories survived. There are theories that prolonged exposure to stasis will degrade the part of the mind responsible for storing memory. I've left clues and pieces of myself throughout our old bases in the hopes of guiding you here. The fact you found the gate and this cube means your memories are returning."

  Jax looked tired, and older than she remembered. He spoke in Ancient, using a language she hadn’t used since waking in this strange time.

  "I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, given our ending. There's no way to tell how much you will retain from before. I hope you’re left with some of the good, and the pain of the bad is softened.”

  He was quiet as he stared into the distance for several seconds, appearing deep in thought. “We learned how to be the stuff of legend because of this place, capable of things only possible in myths and stories. The rift gave us access to raw power, but our bodies couldn’t process it. A few modifications to ourselves and our weapons meant we could manipulate it as easily as if it was magic. Of course, this was against all of our codes of law, but we were desperate and thought the end justified the means. We were shown how to do this by another group we found here. They call them the Creators now, but we first knew them as the Ijiri.”

  Tate stiffened as the name brought a harsh feeling of hatred with it. She knew that name, could remember the rage and sense of betrayal it generated.

  “They were good. Had us fooled from the beginning. You saw through them first. They’d taken survi
vors from the Aurelia, and others who’d landed here in the decades before we did and started modifying them in unexpected and horrifying ways. Us too, if I’m honest. They created armies with the intention of going back to our home and conquering it."

  He snorted, staring at something Tate could see. "You were adamant that couldn't happen. So, we fought. We sacrificed. And we won. Sort of."

  Images played through Tate’s mind of some of their battles.

  “You destroyed Haven, it’s true, and we forced you into sleep as a result. It wasn’t until much later that I realized you didn’t destroy Haven for the reason we thought. By then, it was too late. Each of us held a key to bring you out of the sleep. However, in your absence, we became divided, unable to agree on anything. The others made a bargain with me, create a cure and we would raise you. Your madness scared them. Your power terrified them.”

  He looked down as he rubbed his hands together.

  “My avatar would have told you I found one.” He looked up, his eyes spearing Tate’s as if he could see her. “It would have meant excising Ilith.”

  Shock and horror filled Tate at the thought of her dragon being ripped from her while she was lost in sleep.

  “The people of this planet have taken to calling us their Saviors, which is ironic when we voted to destroy them. You were the only one who saw their potential. You thought all of their creations should be released. I've lived among them now for many years. They’re like us, just like you said they were. They love and laugh. They feel sorrow and pain. Despite everything done to them, they are human.”

  He shifted, regret moving across his face. “I could have figured out a way to return Ilith to her plane of existence. I chose not to. I couldn’t raise you on my own, but I could make certain modifications to your cellular structure. You’re my greatest work, Allegra—the Apportens Mortis they tried and failed to perfect. Instead I was the one to finish it.

  “The sleep will heal your mind and allow it to adapt to the strain of Ilith’s presence naturally. It will also allow the rest of my tinkering to slowly incorporate without any ill effects to either of you.”

  Tate didn’t move as he confessed the magnitude of all he’d done.

  “In approximately two thousand, three hundred and fifty years, the containment on the sleepers we did not release from their prison will begin to fail. You will rise with them. Some of them will be the mad creations the Ijiri intended. They will wreak havoc where they can and leave bodies behind them. Others, freed from the Ijiri’s influence will have a chance to be something better.”

  That was already happening.

  “Be careful, Allegra. We were not as thorough in destroying our enemy as we thought. Our enemy was smart. Definitely smarter than us in many ways. They lured some of us to their side when they saw which way the tide was turning. They plotted and planned, ceding the world to us before exiting it through the veil. They wait just on the other side for a new age where they will be unchallenged. Their followers blended with ours. They’re nearly impossible to root out.”

  He breathed deeply as if fortifying himself. “I need you to finish the war we started.”

  He flashed her a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’ll likely hate me for what I've stolen from you, but I didn't see another way. I spent years wishing I could talk to you, get your blessing for this. I'm sorry I took this decision out of your hands, but knowing the person you were, I think this was what you would have chosen even with all the sacrifices involved. I tell myself that anyways."

  He clasped his hands and looked down. "Five escaped our net. It took me years, but I hunted down two of their resting places and destroyed their way back. The others simply bide their time in the veil between worlds until they can return. I leave it to you to decide their fate." He gave her a pained smile. "It's not fair or right. You sacrificed enough, but it is what it is, as you would say."

  His lips twisted. "I would have liked that future we promised ourselves. I found someone here. I never thought I would after you. She’s more than I deserve, and I hope you find that where you are too."

  He cleared his throat. "One last thing. I've left my notes for the cure in this memory box in the event you ever need it. I will let you decide how to use it."

  "Live well, Tatum Allegra Winters. May the stars guide your path. I'll see you when you finally reach this side. I look forward to you telling me how it all ends."

  The light faded, taking the outline of Jax with it.

  Tate didn't know how long she stood staring out at the sea, letting the setting sun and the rolling waves paste a bandage over her emotions. There were so many feelings rising that she didn't know where to start in untangling them. So, she didn't, packing them away to work through at some much later date.

  Ryu approached from behind, his arms wrapping around her and pulling her into his chest. His chin dropped down on top of her head as his dragon leaped to the railing in front of her. The dragon cocked his head up at her, his eyes wide and curious.

  "What's your name?" Tate asked him.

  Rath.

  Not a name she would have expected. She had to wonder if that was his original name or one he'd adopted after centuries of living inside Ryu.

  Ilith peered out, her dragon curious and just a little jealous. It was the first stirring Tate had had since leaving the pocket realm. Her dragon had been stubbornly avoiding her and the questions she had.

  "I thought when I had all the answers, I would feel whole again, that knowing the answers would erase the loneliness I’ve felt," Tate said, continuing to face the waves. "Instead, I just feel more lost than ever."

  His arms tightened around her. "The first time I saw you, you had gotten into a fight with a couple of guttersnipes and came stalking up the dock with murder in your eyes. I'd never seen anything more beautiful."

  Tate remembered the incident. She'd been furious because a couple of the crew had shoved her into those guttersnipes and then watched when they retaliated. She'd taught them the perils of underestimating someone just because they looked delicate. She'd been far angrier with the crew, who were supposed to be watching her back, than she had been at her two attackers.

  She hadn't known it then, but Ilith had been a furious buzz beneath her skin, thirsting for the crew’s pain. It had scared her and been the genesis for her eventually getting the idea to leave the ship.

  She'd glanced up to find this beautiful man staring at her from beside Jost, his eyes hawklike and piercing. It had unsettled her but also made her yearn for someone to watch her back with the same focus and precision Ryu used to watch Jost's.

  "You were a fierce thing, and I thought you were going to go to battle right then and there. I was awestruck and wanted that fury by my side, keeping me warm," he said.

  His arms loosened around her and he shifted so he was looking in her eyes. "I focused my entire attention to making the empire of my cousin the strongest it could be, as a replacement for the family I lost. My loyalty once given is never taken back. Jaxon was a fool to force you to sleep. Doubly so for not following you down into sleep. There is nothing in this world, not even the greater good, that could convince me to leave your side."

  Tate's lips parted, but the words she wanted to say couldn't escape the stranglehold of her emotions.

  She blinked and let her head fall onto his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

  "Jax says war is coming. They didn't destroy all of the Creators," she finally said. "They will come after me first."

  Tate's entrance onto the scene of Aurelia hadn't exactly been quiet. They'd know how to read between what was and wasn't said. The assassination attempts from Nathan were proof of that.

  He was quiet for several minutes. Long enough for her to start to step back. His arms tightened.

  "Whatever comes, we will face it together. Nothing will tear me from your side."

  "Or us," Dewdrop said, stepping forward, Night as well.

  "You don't know how bad this
might get," Tate pointed out.

  He snorted. "Please, the Ahnteela raised me on stories of the before times. Night's actually lived it, and unlike you, his memories aren't as faulty. We'll survive. We're family."

  Yes, they were. Not from blood and bone. Their connection ran deeper. It was one of choice.

  Tate glanced at Night. “Is this the part where you threaten to rip off my arm again?”

  Night swished his tail. If necessary, but I don’t think it will be. I have a feeling you’ll be reasonable about this.

  Tate sighed. He had a point. There were some things it simply wasn’t worth fighting over.

  "I'm sorry Mia didn't come with us," Tate said.

  Night and Tate had invited her on the journey, hoping she’d testify during the application for sentience. She’d refused, electing to remain behind in favor of helping Tala stabilize her power.

  Night lifted one lip before letting out a disgusted sound and prowling away. Dewdrop followed reluctantly behind with a sheepish smile. "That name is a bit forbidden right now."

  Tate understood.

  Alone again, except for Ryu and his dragon, she tilted her head back. "I think this mediation went well."

  He snorted in amusement. "If you consider being kidnapped twice and the Harridan dying, then yes."

  "It worked out. Tala will make an excellent leader," Tate said. She still had to survive the challenge period, but from what Tate had seen she was more than capable.

  "How shall we spend the rest of the voyage," Ryu asked.

  "I have a few ideas."

  *

  Tate glanced around the ship's brig, a dark and damp place she wouldn't want to spend any more time in than necessary. She waved at Danny where he stood guard before making her way to the small cell at the end.

  Water sloshed on the wood floor. A ship often had water in its hold, a consequence of rain or choppy seas. Jost's men were diligent at mopping it up, but the brig was always the last place to receive their attention.

  She stopped in front of the cell, taking in its occupant where he lay on a hammock. He'd strung it from bar to bar and relaxed in its dry perch.