Phoenix of Hope: Complete Series — Books 1-4

by Zora Marie

  Snow crunched beside the path, and Zelia stopped.

  “What is it?” Alrindel peered around Bête Noire as the path was wide enough for only one horse and left little room to pass.

  Linithion nudged her, but Zelia didn’t answer. Her gaze was fixed on the snow-covered brush beside the path where cold eyes gleamed. When the creature’s gaze shifted to her, it gave a snarl.

  “Wolves. Don’t hurt them!” Zelia shoved Linithion back and a bolt of snarling gray fur smashed into her. A yelp came from the path ahead. From behind, she could hear frightened whinnies and curses as other wolves launched themselves at her companions, pinning them to the ground and in the bushes.

  “Stop!” Zelia squeezed the word out in the language of the animals with the last of her breath.

  “Call your pack fellows off, Shika. We are friends. And get off the girl,” Nikolas snarled, speaking in animal tongue.

  “You heard dear Nikolas,” Shika called out to the others, though she remained planted on Zelia herself.

  “Want to tell me why she knows this language? She’s not a wolfblood.”

  “It’s none of your business.”

  “It’s my business when they’re in our woods, we’re at war, you know,” Shika replied.

  “Not with them, we all fight for the same team. Don’t believe me? Let the pack leader decide.”

  Shika shifted her weight on Zelia’s abdomen and Zelia was thankful she had healed, though her heart and lungs still burned from the jarring impact.

  “Fine,” Shika snarled and slunk to the side.

  Zelia gasped when the weight lifted from her.

  “You alright?” Alrindel bent over her, snow clung to his hair and cloak.

  “I’ll be fine, you?”

  Nikolas gave a low grumble. “You’re lying, I can smell the blood on your breath.”

  She glanced his direction, but a black wolf stood in his place, his tan tunic still draped over his form. She choked back a cough and took a ragged breath.

  “The shrapnel in my chest shifted when she plowed into me, but I’ll be fine.” She fought to keep the catch from between her words as she pushed the burning pain away.

  “You sure? You don’t seem too surprised to see me like this,” Nikolas asked, referring to his wolf form.

  “What are you two talking about?” Alrindel asked.

  “I’m sorry, I sometimes forget that you guys can’t hear them. Their pack leader has to judge us to decide if we may go on.” She held her ribs as she sat up. “Are you okay, Linithion?”

  Linithion nodded, but her face was pale.

  “Come on, if we hurry, we can get there before dark.” Nikolas clinched his belt back around his waist, already back in his human form.

  “You’ll have to blindfold them,” Shika countered, and the flick of her tail told her companions what she thought.

  “Skylar has already been there, and I’ll vouch for the others, it’ll take much longer if they are blindfolded.”

  “Fine, but it’ll be on your head.”

  The longer they followed the paths, the more wolves surrounded them. Then the trees opened to a glade packed with tepees. When the last rays of light clung to the air, a tall white-haired man met them. “Skylar it’s been a long time. Hello Nikolas. Who are your friends?”

  “These are my kin,” Skylar interjected, and the man looked them over. “You know Eadon and Eleanor took me in, they are their kin.”

  “What about this one?” The man pointed a calloused finger at Zelia.

  Alrindel laid a protective hand on her shoulder. “We may not be related by blood, but our bonds are even stronger than that of your pack. She has been my sister since she was an infant and is more Elf than some of my own blood.”

  The man stared at her long and hard, and she held his gaze. She held one hand wrapped across her chest and she struggled to keep just how hurt she was from her features.

  “Come, leave the horses,” he told them.

  Bête Noire nuzzled her cheek. “You’re leaving me?”

  “No, we’ll be back. Keep the others calm for me,” she whispered and stroked his fuzzy winter coat.

  A hard hand snatched her arm and spun her around. The slight whine of a sword drawn from its sheath rang across the snow.

  “How do you know our speech?” the pack leader snarled.

  She gasped and bent forward, fighting against the pain and movement that made her world spin. Silently she cursed him and the pain that blurred her vision.

  Alrindel grabbed her, keeping her from falling in the snow, as Skylar pulled the man back.

  “I’m sorry, but please don’t touch her,” Skylar said.

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “She’s been hurt, can we take this inside?” Alrindel’s tone told her he’d figured out how hurt she was. There was a slight tickling sensation between the pulses of pain. He was feeling out her injuries. He wasn’t the best healer, but like all Elves he had some inclination for it.

  He pushed what healing energy he could into her chest. It took the edge off the pain, enough for her to draw a deep breath and straighten herself. “I’ll be alright,” she assured him, knowing that was all his healing could do for her. A slight ease in her pain and the removal of blood from her lungs. That was all any of them had ever been able to do for her.

  The wolves watched them until they entered the main hut in the center of the town of makeshift homes.

  “Come, would you sit by me?” the man asked when she hung back by the door. She reluctantly sank down beside his spot at the fire’s edge, but sat closer to Skylar. “So, tell me, how do you know the language of the animals?”

  She stared into the flames, watching the smoke curl up and out the top of the tepee. She heard him draw a scenting breath and wondered what he would think he smelled.

  “What are you? I know you can speak, so speak.”

  Clearing her throat, she turned her gaze from the flames. “We’re here to get your leave to continue on our way. If we should find any Darkans, I shall kill them.”

  “You?” he snorted.

  Skylar took her hand and warmth spread from his to hers. “Zelia, he will hear of it whether or not we tell him. We may be in The Wild, but news still travels here. I give you my word, you can trust him.”

  “You’re right, I can’t hide after what I did.” She reached her hand out to the fire, and the flames leapt to her fingers. “So much pain fire brings, yet we cling to it for in the darkness it brings light.” The flames flared, lighting the inside of the tent, and her fingertips cracked. “You wish to know how I could kill, let me show you.”

  She willed the fire to twist and turn until a great wall took shape. A winged creature flew low over a mass of troops, and a small figure dropped into their ranks. The fire flared as she hit the ground, and the troops all around her vanished.

  “What are you?” He stared at the scene in the fire.

  “I am a lot of things and yet none of them.”

  Something caught in her throat and she dropped her control of the fire as she turned towards Skylar, a coughing fit wracking her body choking off her breath. Alrindel leapt the small fire, and he’d just touched her back as she spit a chunk of jagged shrapnel into her hand with a glob of blood.

  “Is that?” Skylar asked.

  She shrugged, still catching her breath.

  “I thought Yalif said it was bound to you,” Alrindel said.

  “Apparently not all of it.”

  “Yalif? As in the god of healing?” the pack leader asked.

  There was a long silence and Linithion broke it, “Sir, I believe both parties have neglected to give proper introductions.”

  “No, we did not neglect to. It is not wise to give out some names and titles before so many in these lands. While they are loyal to each other, we are outsiders,” Skylar replied.

  “Are we not now in worthy company? Has Zelia not shown our purpose brings no harm to any here?”

  “Now
you’re talking like one of the high Elves,” the man said.

  “Because she is one, a high Elf that is, though she seldom speaks that way. You know, I don’t believe I ever got your name,” Zelia kept her voice soft as she turned to look at him.

  She rubbed the piece of shrapnel between her fingers as she did. It wasn’t metal like some of it was, but a jagged piece of rock.

  “You may call me Banon, but Nikolas here should have given it to you already.”

  “He may have, but I have been distracted the last few days.”

  “And yet I hear that you were the first to make our scouts,” Banon said.

  “I may have a lot on my mind, but part of me can’t turn away from the threats that lie all around us. Like now, I know you have two guards at the door and three just outside the loose wall behind you. That is why I showed you instead of telling you, they can hear us but cannot see us.”

  “How did you know that?”

  “Front guards are standard. The back-wall ripples with the wind while the others do not, besides this,” she made a flame jump to her hand, “is not all I can do.”

  “Doesn’t it hurt to hold it like that?”

  “Yes, but I’ve come to accept certain kinds of pain. Though I’ve been feeling it more since being freed. You can’t let people in and keep the pain out.” She closed her hand to smother the flame, the blood on her hand burned to ash. “So, I’m sure you’ve already caught my name when they said it, but I’m Zelia. This is Alrindel, and that is Princess Linithion, niece to Queen Eleanor.”

  “What are an Elf princess, an elvish bowman, a bounty hunter, Nikolas, and a lady such as yourself doing riding through The Wild?”

  “We go to the aid of people someplace away south who cannot wait for us to go around the southernmost peaks of the Faithful Mountains.”

  “This wouldn’t have anything to do with that dragon, would it?”

  “And if it did?”

  “I’d think you were crazy. Then again,” he glanced at the fire, “maybe not.”

  “So, will you allow us to continue on our way?”

  “I’ll do you one better. I’ll feed ya and house ya for the night and then send you on your way.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “My pleasure, it’s not often I have Elven guests. Well, I’ll have someone bring in some food and track down five beds for you.”

  “Make that four,” Linithion said. He paused as he rocked to his feet and stared at her questioningly. “Zelia and I will stay together.”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  The moment Banon left, Zelia glared at Linithion. She didn’t want to be alone with her, but she also didn’t want to raise more questions.

  Skylar glanced between the two of them with a furrowed brow as Banon left. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, just have a lot on my mind.” Zelia dropped the piece of rock in the fire and leaned against him. She had almost fallen asleep listening to the others talk when a woman came in bearing food.

  “Sorry, we don’t have much in the way of fruits and vegetables, but there are some potatoes in the soup and the meat is fresh.”

  “This is perfect, thank you.” Zelia gave the woman a smile and took a mouthful. It was bland and mainly water.

  Once the woman had gone, Linithion stared at her bowl. “How can you eat this?”

  “Hey, be polite, they’re giving us some of their food and it’s the beginning of winter,” Alrindel said.

  After she had eaten about half of her soup, Zelia asked, “Do you think Banon would mind if I went for a walk?”

  “If he doesn’t, I do,” Nikolas was the first to answer. “You do realize we are in the middle of the largest wolfblood clan there has ever been?”

  “Nikolas is right, he’s the only one of us who’s not an outsider. Some of them may recognize me, but that doesn’t mean anything.” Skylar rubbed his neck.

  “Still do that neck rub thing I see,” Banon said and took his spot by the fire. “So, what’s on your mind?”

  Skylar just glanced at Zelia, leaving Banon to draw his own conclusions.

  “Well, they have arranged your beds, the guards outside the door will show you to them when you’re ready. Zelia, would you take a walk with me?”

  Why? Did you overhear us? His expression was soft, and it eased her thoughts. “Of course.” Alrindel seemed uneasy when she stood, so she let her hand rest on his shoulder when she passed. “I’ll be fine.”

  They wandered between rows upon rows of tents, wolves and men glared at her as they passed. She did her best to avoid the charged gazes of the men, though she knew she should meet them.

  “Do you know why I asked you to walk with me?”

  “You’re trying to get a read on me, but you can’t.”

  “What are you hiding? Why are you more on edge around men than wolves?” He stopped at the edge of the woods.

  “I’ve met many wolves, and none have given me a reason to distrust them. And yes, I know that all the wolves here are also men, but your senses can override reason.”

  “Alright, though you didn’t answer my other question. Then again, I think you did so on purpose.”

  “I have already told you more than most would.”

  He held her gaze for a moment, as if debating if he wanted to press her for an answer. “Well, we’d better get you back before Alrindel gets worried. How did you two meet, anyway?” He turned and started back through the mass of tents, this time taking a different path.

  “He told you, he’s been my brother since I was an infant. I grew and learned with him in my early childhood.”

  “Grew and learned with him?” There was a catch in his stride. “You can’t be more than sixteen winters. He’s been in the guard longer than I’ve been alive.”

  “Looks can deceive, I thought you would know that by now. And to answer your next question, I’m a little older than Linithion, if that tells you anything.” She glimpsed Alrindel entering a small tent. “Well, thank you for the walk.” She gave him a slight bow of her head and slipped into Alrindel’s tent behind him, finding that Skylar was there.

  “How did it go?” Alrindel asked.

  “Fine.” She yawned. “He’s more perceptive than he lets on.”

  “He’s a leader, he has to be.”

  “Can I stay with you?” Zelia asked, dreading the prospect of being alone with Linithion. They had been riding together, but that was different from being in a tent by themselves.

  “You two need to work this out, before we get to the Drakeon Empire,” Skylar interjected. “Besides, she can’t stay by herself. She’s two tents east.”

  “Work what out?”

  “We see how she looks at you.”

  “And I know you feel the same deep down,” Alrindel said. “Now go.”

  Zelia growled in frustration as she left. As she walked to Linithion’s tent, she contemplated turning back, convincing Skylar to swap with her. Something inside her told her they were right though, that she had to fix things between them, but she couldn’t let herself get that close.

  With a deep breath, she ducked into the tent to find Linithion sat cross legged in the middle of the sleeping mat, a deer skin across her lap. Zelia turned her back to Linithion as she dropped her cloak and weapons, then sat on the edge of the mat to shuck her boots off.

  “Zelia. I’m sorry I didn’t ask first, but I had to talk to you alone before we get home. I should not have pushed myself on you, but to watch you slip away like that without getting to know you… I couldn’t.”

  “Couldn’t?” Zelia twitched as she fought to keep her voice down. “You’ve seen my fears. You know everyone I touch gets hurt, dies. I can’t do this. They’ll use you against me if we get too close. Besides, we can’t be soulmates, mine isn’t like yours.”

  “You know that’s not true. I know you feel it, our connection. That’s why it scares you so much.”

  “You don’t get it! I’ve seen your death, and it’s my h
and that does it.”

  “What?” Linithion asked, taken aback.

  “I don’t know when or why, or even where, but it’ll happen. I tried fighting it, but I couldn’t. You’re not safe with me, no one is. Not while Xander and all of them are alive.”

  “That’s why you woke up screaming the other night?”

  Zelia nodded as she sank back, clutching wads of hair in her hands as she hid her face.

  “Then let me help you change it. Auntie Eleanor and Father have been changing fates since they were children.”

  “You don’t get it,” Zelia said, her voice cracking as she held back tears. “Every time I try to change what happens, someone else dies. What if I just make everything worse?”

  Linithion pulled Zelia into a hug, and for once she couldn’t bring herself to push the Princess away. “You won’t, because we will do this together. Now, we still have a long way to go so we should get some sleep.”

  Zelia shook her head. “You shouldn’t be near me.”

  “Too bad, you’re stuck with me,” Linithion said and brought the blanket around Zelia as she pulled her back onto the mat. “We will beat this together.”

  Linithion’s fingers coaxed the tangles from Zelia’s hair as she hummed a tune from an elven song about soulmates lost in inner turmoil. Soon the fight drained from Zelia, and she relaxed into Linithion’s soft embrace. For the first time in centuries, Zelia felt at peace, as though they could stay like that for the rest of time.

  10

  “Rogath!” He glanced back and saw Terik barreling after him. “You’re going to pay for that!”

  “Rogath?” Zelia questioned, feeling his presence return to her for the first time in close to a year. “What’s going on?” Zelia asked, but Rogath ignored her.

  Rogath skidded to a stop. A dripping wet girl with golden hair stood in his path. “Great.” He sighed. “Hello Haziel, let me help you with that.” He waved his hand, and the water fell away from her in a cloud of mist.

  “Terik too, Rogath.”

  Rogath squirmed under her stare. “Alright.” He tossed his hands up just in time for Terik to plaster him to the ground.