by Zora Marie
“But—”
“Zelia,” Raven cut her off, “don’t let the thrill of the bond dilute your need for rest.”
They swooped back towards the pastures and Zelia wanted to argue that she could ride all night. But no. Raven was right, she needed to be ready in case the Fenari attacked.
“Besides, I believe you made yourself a promise to ask Linithion something earlier.”
“You heard that?”
“Yes. Because you two are soulmates I sense things that go on between you two.” Raven back flapped as she landed. “Enjoy your evening, dear.”
“Enjoy your evening, dear,” Grono mocked. “You really have turned into a mother hen.”
“Oh, hush you. Not everyone has to be a weapons master to their rider.” Raven shot a little stream of fire at Grono, the gesture almost like someone sticking their tongue out.
“Careful now, we wouldn’t want Zelia to get caught in the crossfire.”
“I’d be more concerned about the trees and tents than me.” Zelia flickered into her fire form as she slid off of Raven.
“That’s right, you got the showoff.”
Raven purred a laugh. “I suppose I did, in some ways. Go on.” Raven nudged Zelia towards the house. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night. Try to behave while I’m gone, Grono.” Zelia waved over her shoulder as she weaved between tents on her way to the house.
Dinner was quiet that night. Everyone was tired from what they had done that day. Zelia wasn’t tired. Well, her body was exhausted from practicing with that sword most of the day, but her mind wasn’t. It was like accepting who she was and what she’d done had unburdened her. It made the thought of the tasks ahead not so daunting.
She ran over the things she still needed to do and practice. Her mind swept through the maneuvers she’d practice with her sword that morning. She ate more than she had in ages—enough to truly fill her for once. The urge to run and climb through the trees swept through her, and it didn’t sadden her even though her body wasn’t ready for that.
So, when Linithion asked how she was while they changed, she didn’t feel like she needed to lie anymore. “I’m worried, but good.” She paused to study the tightness in her soulmate’s shoulders and the way her head hung. “I’d be even better if you’d talk to me about what’s been weighing on your mind.”
Linithion let out a long-suffering sigh as she climbed into bed. “Do you really think we can survive this?”
Zelia snuggled under the covers and held Linithion’s hands as she stared into eyes the color of winter pine in the dimness of their room. “I do, because nothing will keep me from the promise we made.” Zelia tapped the worn silver band on Linithion’s index finger. “And I’ve learned what I need to, to win this and right the wrongs the Fenari have made.”
“So, you’ve…” Linithion raised her brows.
“Yes. I’ve finally accepted the past and present. So, let me be here for you now as you have been for me.”
Linithion’s natural glow dimmed as she chewed her bottom lip, her gaze lowered to where their hands intertwined. “I just… feel like I should have done more to protect our people. I could have done more, I wasn’t—I froze. I thought I was more prepared than that, but I froze and it cost us lives.”
“You know, I still freeze sometimes. It’s the part of us that doesn’t want to hurt others balking at the idea that sometimes we have to hurt others to protect ourselves and those we love. That’s the part of us that makes us good. There is no shame in freezing. No shame as long as you can get past it and fight for yourself and those around you.”
Linithion nodded, but disgust and horror still shown in her eyes as she stared at her hands—as though blood still coated them.
How long? How long has she thought this way? Have I been blind? Zelia pressed a kiss to Linithion’s knuckles. “They would have hurt many others if you hadn’t done what had to be done. They attacked your home. Their deaths are not on you.”
“Do you still feel their blood on your hands sometimes?”
“Yes. It never truly washes away. At some point, you have to accept that those who are good have to be worth more in your heart than those who hurt others for their own gain. Sometimes you have to let them hold the responsibility for their own actions, because we cannot carry the weight of all of their deaths. Linithion, I love you all the more because you’re willing to fight for those we love, despite the cost to our souls.”
“I love you, too. Thank you.” Linithion met Zelia’s gaze then and the fog of guilt that had clouded her eyes cleared.
“You’re welcome. Now, we should get some sleep, before Raven starts shooting complaints down the bond.”
A tired smile tugged at Linithion. “How was your flight now that your bond is complete?”
“Freeing and… perfect.” There were no other words with which she could describe it better.
“Good.” Linithion rolled over and snuggled back against Zelia’s chest in a silent request for her to hold her.
Zelia wrapped her arms around her soulmate and hummed, until Linithion drifted off to sleep. When her breaths deepened, Zelia quieted and let herself revel in this moment she had with Linithion. Even with this other power at her fingertips, there was still a chance things could go wrong and she wanted to cherish every moment she got with her soulmate.
21
The moment Zelia stepped out of her bedroom dressed in riding leathers after breakfast, Nikolas ushered her towards the dragons. “What’s got you in such a hurry this morning?”
“Vainoff was debating with Koin over who gets to train you first today, and I don’t feel like arguing with them.”
“Yeah, they’d probably pull the age card on you.”
“Hey! Wait up.” Lucky winced as he jogged to catch up. “Mind if I tag along?”
Nikolas pinned him with a withering glare, but Lucky just grinned.
“Ooo!” Orvi exclaimed. “Can I come too? Lucky can ride me. I want to practice energy manipulation.”
Raven sighed. “It’s up to you, Zelia.”
A hand waved in her face. “You alright?” Nikolas asked.
“Yeah. Sorry, haven’t worked out how to listen to them and you at once. Orvi wants to come, too, so Lucky can ride her if he wants.”
“So?” Lucky looked to Nikolas.
“Fine.” Someone cleared their throat behind them, and Nikolas cringed.
“Running off and leaving poor Jones, I see.” Koin’s honeyed tone dripped with amusement.
“He’s not a fan of flying,” Lucky said.
Zelia turned to face Koin, and noted that he’d only brought a few swords with him this time. “If you see Linithion, would you let her know Orvi’s coming with us to train her powers?”
“Of course. Go on before Vainoff catches wind and Lucky becomes not so lucky.”
They flew down to one of the fields near Riverdain, the closest human settlement and largest open clearing for miles. The fields there weren’t as big as those a little farther south, but it would do. Bits of dead vegetation remained poking through the snow here and there.
“Do you want us to land or?”
“Land so Nikolas can give Lucky instructions.”
“Can do. Come on Orvi.”
The young dragon landed beside Raven with ease and Lucky appeared way too excited for someone who’d just spent an hour riding a dragon they were not bonded with. “You never told me flying was so awesome!” Lucky slid from Orvi’s back and gave her a scratch under the chin.
“Yes, yes, it’s fantastic,” Nikolas grumbled. “Melt the rest of the snow on the fields, but don’t burn the vegetation and leave the moisture if you can.”
Lucky glanced around the field once before fire flared out from around his feet. The flames flickered as the snow turned to water, then vanished.
“Good. Now it’s your turn.” Nikolas turned to her. “Careful how far you push your magic. Be selective, like you were at The
Hold.”
She turned over everything that had happened in those moments. She had been so angry at the Darkans that her power had naturally sought them out as it rushed out of her like a ripple in a pond, a wave that could be stopped with a mere thought. Zelia thought about how fields grew and how she could help these fields grow better this year. Wiping out the roots of last year’s crop would cause the dirt to wash away in an early spring downpour, and counteract the fertilization of her ashes. But killing off just the weeds that would harm this year’s crop… she couldn’t help but smile a little as little puffs of ash spread all across the fields.
“What did you—”
“Weeds. This way the harvests should be better this year and that will make finding food for the Darkan’s easier. Shall we try a bigger field? We could hit the outskirts of the Kingdom of the Mountains, and if we can both use our powers without landing we’ll be back home in time for dinner.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ve never been able to practice outside, so it’s good to stretch a bit.” Lucky flashed her a smile before he climbed back onto Orvi.
“Good to know neither of you is tired yet.”
“Orvi, you good to go?”
“Of course. Ooo! I can make one of those energy shields so you can learn to work around them.”
Raven hummed a note of approval at Orvi. “Yes, she’s able to fly all day now. You two can clear fields until your hearts’ content.”
“That would be helpful and be good for you to practice, Orvi.”
“I have been practicing. Alrindel worked with me when we got to Elyluma. I think he was getting antsy waiting for you and Linithion to get there.”
“I’ll have to thank him for that later,” Zelia thought to the dragons and then translated the gist of what had been said for Nikolas and Lucky.
“Sounds like a plan. Lead the way, dear Raven.” Lucky said.
As they went from field to field, Zelia learned that she could shift her powers to match the frequency of the shields Orvi made. So, her powers would vibrate right through the shield and onto the weeds beyond. Lucky’s flames though were another story—not once did he get through one of Orvi’s shields.
It was late in the afternoon when Raven turned them back north, only letting them slow at fields here and there on their way back. At one point, they stopped at a glade she vaguely recalled wildflowers growing in.
As they reached the outer edge of Elyluma, Zelia wondered just how many fields they had cleared that day. She hadn’t thought to count, but it would have been interesting to know. Especially if they did end up producing more than the others.
Linithion stood waiting for them when they landed. “So, how did it go?” Linithion smiled as though her bond to Orvi told her exactly how things had gone.
“Great.” Zelia slid off before Nikolas could and scratched Orvi with Linithion. “Someone has gotten exceptionally good at making energy shields.” Orvi purred at the praise and her scales tickled as they vibrated against Zelia’s hand. Shields appeared around each of the dragons and Linithion marveled at them.
“That’s amazing, Orvi. When were you going to tell me you’ve been practicing?”
“When you asked.”
The sass in Orvi’s tone made Zelia laugh. “Alrindel had been teaching her, apparently.”
The shields around the dragons disappeared and Orvi yawned. Zelia gagged as she got a face full of fish breath and dragon teeth.
“Hm. My hard working girls must be hungry.” Grono swiped his tail across the remaining snow to reveal a pile of fish.
“Thank you Uncle Grono!” Orvi practically bounced like a foal before nuzzling against Grono’s neck.
“Hm. At least someone knows how to show appreciation.” Grono gave Raven one of those looks, like she could learn a thing or two from Orvi. “Eat up dear, just leave some for Raven.”
Linithion laughed as she took Zelia’s hand in hers. “I’m inclined to agree with Orvi’s enthusiasm for dinner. Come on.”
“So, what did you do today?” Zelia asked as they headed for the house.
“We finished constructing housing for everyone and I would be glad to never sway another thing in my life.”
“That bad? You do realize we could live for a very long time?”
“Hm. Only a little while. So, what exactly did you guys spend all day doing?”
“Clearing fields,” Lucky answered.
“Fields?” Linithion looked Lucky up and down. “Well, I’m glad you’re still walking after riding all day. I take it your ribs are feeling better?”
“Much, thanks to Eadon.”
“And yes, Lucky melted snow and I removed all the weeds. Orvi even made shields for us to learn to work around.”
“Weeds? Oh, you’re trying to make it so this year’s crop is better.”
“Yep. Figure we might as well make our training beneficial for people.”
“And better crops will make it easier to feed the Darkans. And here I thought the five of you were just off playing all day,” Linithion teased.
“Um hm. Love you, too.” Zelia gave Linithion a quick kiss as they came to the house.
Lucky let out an exaggerated sigh. “You two are insufferable.”
“Hm? Jealous much?” Linithion raised a brow at Lucky.
“Maybe.” Lucky made a little pouty face and crossed his arms.
“Oh, you are full of it this evening.”
“And I’m pretty sure Jones would be punching you for that one.”
“What would I be punching him for this time?” Jones asked from down the hall, where he stood with Donequen.
“Oh, you know, the usual.” Lucky grinned and Jones just shook his head.
“We’re going to start without you, if you don’t hurry up.” Both Jones and Donequen turned to head back up the stairs, taking two at a time as Lucky did his best to bound after them.
“Next time, we should climb through the balcony.” Zelia whispered and Linithion laughed.
“Oh, the looks on their faces would be priceless.”
It was then, as they walked up the stairs that Zelia realized just how right Eleanor and the others had been about them needing friends. It was these little interactions that made even war and impending doom feel bearable. Yes. These are people I could spend eternity with.
22
Zelia watched Linithion’s chest rise and fall as she slept. Lately her soulmate only looked peaceful in her sleep, her features relaxed and muscles loose. How different things were from when they’d first met mere months ago. Even now their thin thread of a bond strained with worry. Will I be able to protect her? Is there anyone else I could ask for help?
She closed her eyes and let her mind flick through her past in search of anything or anyone she might have missed. Her thoughts caught on the Battle for The Hold. The griffins had died, but the phoenixes—they’d come back. They’d felt her agony at the thought of losing Alrindel and had come because she was one of them. She didn’t feel that way now, she hadn’t had visions of the coming battle as she’d had that one, but she felt the impending doom nonetheless.
So, she would ask for help, as Flits had instructed when he’d visited her during King Gregory’s celebration for the living and those lost. She pushed away thoughts of Gregory, he’d written his own end, she had merely been a tool in his death.
Flits hadn’t specified much, but she knew in her soul that she wasn’t just to whisper to the wind, but to plea to it. So, she would. She slid away from Linithion as quietly as she could and climbed to the platform high in the tree where she’d seen Eadon and Eleanor receive the letter from Koin all those years ago. So much had changed since then, since King Skalary O’Fell, his son, and Aunt Leena had died. Things were once more at their breaking point and even with this power she held, she knew she couldn’t protect everyone she loved. Even a god couldn’t be everywhere at once.
She climbed out onto a branch and settled where she could see the stars through the bare limbs. She let
all the emotions she’d been keeping in check wash through her. The fear, dread, and worry for what was to come. “I need your help, please. I need help protecting everyone here, everywhere. Please, help me. I can’t do it all alone. I can’t protect everyone, no matter how much I want to. Please, just help in whatever way you can.” She didn’t bother to wipe away the tears that trailed down her cheeks, even as they stung in the near freezing night air. She didn’t say anything more, didn’t feel she needed to, not as a warm breeze caressed her cheek in answer.
She stayed there for a long while, the stars twinkling above her. When the chill finally drove her back inside, Linithion didn’t say anything about her absence as she stopped to warm herself before the hearth in their room. Her soulmate just got up from the bed and wrapped her arms around her waist and whispered, “I love you.”
Zelia reveled in Linithion’s warmth as she leaned into her. “I love you, too. Sorry if I woke you.”
“Don’t be. Do you need to talk?”
“No. I just needed to do something. We should get a bit more sleep while we can.”
“You’re probably right.” Linithion pulled Zelia to their bed and they cuddled until dawn began to lighten the sky outside the balcony door.
As they finished breakfast later that morning, Nikolas and Vainoff began bickering over who would be teaching Zelia and Lucky that day. Jones seemed inclined to disappear under the table and Lucky appraised the balcony as though he might jump. Zelia merely tried not to smile as Koin stood behind the arguing teachers, calculating the best time to pounce.
“They both trained all day with you yesterday, Nikolas, now I need to make up for what they missed yesterday.”
“The guild’s spells won’t win this coming fight and you know it.”
