“Truly?” The look he gave me was incredulous.
I slipped the loosely tied rope off my wrists and went to hobble our horse with it. “Yes.”
“That’s—remarkable. How long have you known?”
“Since I was a child.”
Both his brows shot up. “And you never thought to tell me?” There was annoyance in his voice, but in his eyes… I saw pride shining in that sea-blue gaze.
I finished tying the rope around the horse’s leg and stood up, rubbing my palms together. “Only Percifal and my mother knew.” I decided not to tell him about Sreda, may her soul rest with Celestia. “It wasn’t something I felt comfortable telling others.”
He pursed his lips in a playful pout. “I thought we were closer than that. You should’ve trusted me.”
I rolled my eyes, tossing my hair over my shoulder. “I would have told you eventually… if you hadn’t sent me away to marry another man.”
“I wasn’t the one who sent you to Cansbroke. That was your mother.” He gave one of his stupid lop-sided grins I’d missed so much.
Laughing, I smacked his arm. “She was trying to do what was best for me.”
“So was I.” He sighed. “We should try to get some rest. We’ll need to be off once the sun goes down,” Thaimis said, all humour gone.
“Indeed,” I agreed. “Just one moment.” I cupped my hands together and placed them to the ground.
A moment later, cool water seeped up from the ground and into my hands. I took a large sip, making a slurping sound with my mouth and then offered the water to Thaimis.
He raised a brow before taking his own sip of the water.
He let out a gasp upon swallowing and doubled over.
“Ah, that burns!” He held his arm over his stomach.
I placed my hand on his back, a line creasing between my brows. “Are you alright?”
He took a few slow, deep breaths before straightening. “Phew! Yeah. The spirit does not like your magic water.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Well, it can leave anytime it likes.”
“I wish it would.” He looked away, dismissing the thought.
I was disappointed in myself for not having any idea how to help him. I was sure Sreda would have been able to exercise dark spirits, but she hadn’t shared those skills with me, and now she was dead. King Zaeden had some of Vesirus’ dark power in him. Perhaps if we killed him, the spirits would leave the soldiers he’d put them in. That was our best bet. A dead King Zaeden would end all our problems, and I really hoped I’d be the one to snuff him out of existence.
We managed to find a place in the shade to sleep. I curled up beside Thaimis and let the sound of his breathing lull me to slumber.
We woke when the first stars had just begun to wink into existence.
I groaned, reaching forward to scratch my leg. A few bugs had decided to feast on our blood while we were unconscious; another joy of sleeping outdoors.
It felt like a gaping hole had eaten its way through my stomach.
I whined, “I’m famished.”
Thaimis helped me up off the ground. “You’ll have to wait ’til almost dawn. I can try to hunt for something to eat before we settle down again.”
I sighed in response.
It was easy to get going because we didn’t have any supplies to pack… unfortunately. All we had to do was bridle and un-hobble our horse and we were off.
Thaimis had us stop throughout the night so he could study the stars. I was thankful soldiers had to learn how to read the map of the night sky. Without him, I’d be utterly lost.
To my disappointment, the only food Thaimis had been able to get us was squirrel. I chomped repeatedly on the chewy meat I’d roasted over a poor excuse of a fire. I swallowed the meat and commented, “It doesn’t taste bad.” I didn’t bother telling him it didn’t taste that good either.
Thaimis smiled. “Taste isn’t important when it comes to living or dying, but I agree. It could be worse, and this isn’t the first time I’ve tasted squirrel.”
I made a sad face at him. “Poor squirrels!”
“It’s either them or us.”
The sun had just began to peek over the hilltop when I fell asleep with my head propped up on Thaimis’ shoulder.
The land changed each night we rode. Bushes turned into tall trees with large drooping green leaves and the dry dirt turned moist and mossy. We came across types of plants and flowers I’d never seen before. Insects and animals sang throughout the night, making me shiver. I’d only heard stories of the kingdom of earth, but I knew we were nearing Terra.
It was said that the first earth elemental had caused the landscape around its kingdom to grow lush and thick with plant life. It made a perfect habitat for all sorts of creatures. I hoped we didn’t run into any of those creatures on our journey.
The sun was blocked out by giant trees most of the time, which made it easier for us to sleep. The air had a damp, earthy smell. I breathed it in deeply… reveling in its freshness. I watched each night as the moon grew rounder. Noctis De Celestia would soon be upon us. We had to make haste if we wanted to get to Terra in time. The route we took through the bushes had cost us time. Thaimis worried King Zaeden would beat us to the kingdom of earth. He assured me the king wouldn’t attack Terra until the night of Noctis. His plan was to remain hidden until the sacred night. Vesirus wanted this war to begin on the night we celebrated his sister, apparently.
One night, I woke to Thaimis violently twitching. I rolled over and reached for him… still half asleep.
“Thaimis, you woke me. Thaimis?” I squinted, trying to make out his face in the dark.
He stopped twitching, and slowly, got to his feet. When he looked at me, I saw the faint glow in his eyes. His usually beautiful features were twisted and shadowed. “What have you done?” he asked as he worked his jaw.
I squeaked and leaped out of the way as he tried to grab ahold of me.
He came at me again, and I knocked his hand away. “Thaimis, I know you’re in there! You can fight this!”
He closed his eyes and then leaned his head back and cracked his neck. “Shut up!”
I’d angered the spirit. I had to resolve this quickly. He’d surely kill me with the spirit in control.
He bent to grab me around the waist, but I hit him in the stomach with my knee. Ha! Percifal’s training had paid off.
It didn’t take Thaimis long to recover. This time, he lunged at me. I dove out of the way and scrambled toward a big, red, spikey plant growing at the base of a tree.
Thaimis stalked toward me. The moonlight cast his dark shadow over me like a blanket of darkness.
I grabbed one of the plant’s spikes and put it to my lips and sucked. A burst of water entered my mouth. I let go of the plant, holding the water inside of my cheeks, and turned just as Thaimis was about to scoop me up. I spit the water into his eyes.
“Arrrggghh!” he yelled, putting his fists over his eyes and twisting away.
He breathed heavily, crouched on the ground with his back facing me.
“Thaimis?” I asked nervously.
I stood up and went to him when he didn’t answer. I placed a shaky hand on his back. “Thaimis, are you alright?”
“Argh! You and this spirit will be the death of me,” he said standing up, still rubbing his eyes.
“I’m sorry, but—”
“No, don’t apologize.” He put his hands on my shoulders to steady me—or maybe to steady himself. “I almost hurt you… I would have killed you if you didn’t stop me.”
“It wasn’t you,” I stated firmly.
He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. If it comes down to it, you have to kill me.”
“I can’t—”
“Promise me!”
I crossed my arms and gave him a hard stare. I couldn’t do what he was asking. It was too much. “No.”
He groaned and raked a hand through his dark hair. “If it’s me or you, it has to be me
.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “Fine! But it won’t come down to it. I’ll kill King Zaeden and you’ll be free.” I had to believe that.
“I hope you’re right.” He hung his head down.
I’d never seen him look so defeated. It pained me to see him like this. He’d always been so sure of himself… so arrogant. This damned spirit was making him weak. I swore to Celestia I’d make it pay.
Both of our moods were somber after the promise I’d made. We pushed ourselves to our limits in order to get to Terra before Noctis.
“Should we find food before we continue on?” Thaimis asked one night when we’d stopped to let our horse, which I’d named Gem because she was so precious, rest and drink from a small creek.
“What do you think?” I snapped.
He clamped his mouth shut. I knew my response was unnecessary, but I was so tired, and so frustrated.
I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m hungry and tired and sore, but I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“It’s alright. I feel the same way. Stay with Gem. I’ll see if I can find us something.”
He didn’t wait for me to answer.
“One day all of this will be over,” I said to Gem, stroking her neck. “And you can have all the grass in the world.”
She tossed her head in reply, and I chuckled. “You’re tired too, hey?”
“Talking to horses now, are we?” Thaimis smirked, holding a round, dark purple fruit in each hand.
“She likes it.” I took the fruit from him and inspected it.
It seemed edible. If I died because it was poisonous, at least I’d die quicker than from starvation.
I bit into the fruit and moaned with pleasure when its sweet juices entered my mouth and ran down my lips.
Thaimis snickered. “I’ve never seen someone eat so seductively.”
“Just taste it,” I said through a mouthful of the delicious fruit.
He did, and he moaned.
“Told you.”
“I’m glad food put you in a better mood.”
I smacked him playfully across the chest.
He caught my arm, all humour left his face. His eyes gleamed with a different type of hunger.
I blinked slowly as he ran his fingers through my hair. “You know I love you, don’t you?” he asked softly.
“I love you too.” And I realized I had for a long time.
He leaned in, devouring my mouth like he had just done with the fruit. I responded by reaching under his chainmail to lift it up over his head. He’d ditched the surcoat with the V on it as soon as we’d left King Zaeden and his army.
He helped me get off his chainmail and gambeson and went to work on my own garments until we were skin upon skin. It felt good to get lost in each other again… to let the rest of the world slip away. Tension had built up between us ever since I’d found him, and I swear the whole forest heard us when we released it.
I hadn’t wanted to lie with him while the dark spirit still lingered inside of him, but I knew if I didn’t then, there was a chance I never would again. Celestia only knew what the future held.
Thaimis grinned like a scoundrel as he donned his chainmail afterwards. “That was unexpected.”
I lifted one shoulder. “We needed it.”
“Hopefully Terra doesn’t pay the price for our love-making.”
“We’ll ride extra hard tonight.”
Thaimis was about to comment on that, but I cut him off. “Don’t even think about answering that.”
But then he added, “We already did.”
Chapter 31
Fog clung to the spaces between the trees, which had grown thicker the closer we travelled to the kingdom. There was no shortage of extraordinary plant life either. I marveled at the huge, bright blossoms we passed. The humid air had a sweet aroma thanks to those blooming flowers that had opened their faces to the lush forest.
I nearly fell off Gem when I spotted a stone wall in a clearing in the trees in the dying light of day. Vines and moss covered the wall, hiding its grey colour and making it appear emerald green. Nightingales sang from branches high above. The outskirts of the kingdom felt peaceful. That was a good sign.
The moon had begun its ascent from behind the walled palace with pointed spires. It was almost a full circle of white light. We’d made it just in time. Noctis De Celestia would be the next eve.
The gate in the center of the wall was lined with guards dressed in Terra’s uniforms; a green surcoat with two gold leafs embroidered on the chest.
“Halt!” A guard with long, light brown hair tied back at the nape stepped forward, unsheathing his long sword.
The other guards followed suit and surrounded us.
“Dismount.” The guard who I took to be in charge ordered.
“Do as he says” I told Thaimis so I could get off the horse after him. “It will be okay.”
“I hope you’re right.”
With my feet on the ground, I held my hands up to show I was unarmed. “We mean no harm, sir. We’re here to see King Corbin.” Surely I’d be granted an audience with Terra’s king.
I glanced over to see Thaimis giving his sword to another guard. He didn’t look happy about it.
“You’ll see King Corbin alright. He’ll be the one to decide your fate.”
“Fine,” I said. “But tell him I’m Percifal Lacrima’s sister. I know the danger Terra’s in. We’re here to aid the kingdom.” It was a test—to see if my brother had made it.
He hesitated before answering. “If that’s true, you’ll be released. Until then you’re charged with intrusion.”
At least they were taking measures to protect the kingdom. Percifal and Phyra had made it. I believed it to my core. I was happy to let the guards escort me. I wasn’t so sure Thaimis was though. His eyes flashed as two guards flanked him. Thankfully he kept his mouth shut. I didn’t need him giving them a reason to punish us.
One of the guards led Gem away. I asked him to give her extra oats and fresh water. Goddess knew she deserved it.
I stared up at the vines climbing the palace walls and twisting around its bared pentagon-shaped windows as we climbed the steps leading to the main entrance. Another guard stood at the gold gilded filigree doors to the impressive grey palace. He made a face at our state when we neared. My light blue dress was now tattered at the hem and stained an off shade of brown. We probably reeked too. We’d been able to dunk ourselves in a creek a handful of times along the way, but it had been ages since either of us had had a proper bath. I didn’t care what he or anyone else thought of our state. It’d been a long and trying journey.
We were taken down to the dungeons to be held until their king decided what to do with us. I was grateful to have Thaimis with me as we were shoved inside a dark cell. Other prisoners rattled the bars of their own cells at the sight of us. I wouldn’t let myself think about them or anything else that might be crawling around down there. I sidled up to Thaimis and he put his arm around me.
“Tell your king who I am,” I shouted as the gate to our cell was slammed shut and locked.
“I will tell him who you claim to be.” And then I heard his boots scrape away. I understood he was just doing his job, but he didn’t have to be such a prick about it.
“Well that was a warm welcome,” Thaimis said sarcastically.
“We should’ve expected they’d be taking extra precautions. No matter. If my brother and Phyra are here, King Corbin will know who I am.”
“You have a lot of faith.”
I couldn’t see him so I squeezed his shoulder. “I have a lot of faith in my brother,” I corrected.
I didn’t know how long we were left down there, but it didn’t feel like long before I heard footsteps again.
The light from a torch bobbed like a lone firefly as the footsteps grew closer.
“Chelela?” I knew that voice. It was Percifal. I could just make out his face by the glow glimmering from the torch.
“
Percifal, thank goddess you’re here!” I hesitated, but then said, “I have Thaimis with me.”
“They are who they say,” Percifal said to the guard who came up behind him as they reached our cell. Keys jingled and the cell door swung open. I rushed to my brother and threw my arms around him. “I’m sorry.”
He coughed. “Pah! Not here. You need a bath. Get cleaned up. We will meet in the drawing room.”
I grimaced. “That bad?”
“Yes.” He eyed Thaimis, but didn’t say anything to him.
After we’d washed up, we waited in a small drawing room for Percifal and Phyra to join us. The room was cozy. Its floor was covered in a thick, dark green carpet and the walls were made of a stone much like the outer walls of the palace. A small hearth was set inside the far wall. Tan material with gold designs covered the chairs and loungers scattered around the room and cream coloured curtains hung from the wide window.
“Thank Celestia, you made it!” Phyra rushed up to me and wrapped me in a friendly embrace.
Percifal was close behind her.
Thaimis got up and stood before him with open hands. “Percifal, I’m so sorry.”
Percifal shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re here. She saved you?” He tilted his head toward me. “My sister—who apparently loves you.”
“I—I… sort of,” Thaimis stuttered. He opened and closed his mouth but the words he was about to say were lost.
I pushed between them and faced Percifal. “Water touched by my power weakens the dark spirit King Zaeden placed inside him. He’s in control right now… it wears off though.”
“So that’s what King Zaeden’s used Vesirus’ power for.” Phyra came around and grabbed onto my arm. “But your water fixes them? Is that what you’re telling us?” She held onto this piece of good news like a last thread of hope.
“Only temporarily,” I clarified.
“But you’re yourself right now?” Percifal asked Thaimis over my shoulder.
Thaimis nodded, and Percifal pushed me out of the way so he could give his friend a hug with a slap on the back. “I’ve missed you, you fool,” Percifal said with a laugh.
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 45
