by Zora Marie
“Eat and then you can go back out and sit with her.” Nikolas looked up and Zelia knew it was because Linithion had returned.
“What’s that?” Linithion asked as she set a platter of food on the table.
“Something to help with the power she drained, so she’s not half out of it for the next month.”
“From Fregnar?” Linithion asked, with more than a bit of skepticism.
“I’ve eaten it, it’s safe. For us at least, I’m not sure about Elves.”
Zelia picked it up and ate a mouthful of the seeds before Linithion could argue. Linithion just sat then and picked at the food on the platter. It wasn’t until the third mouthful that the shaking in Zelia’s hands began to ease. She still felt hollow and distant, but better.
“Good. I’m going back to help Skylar and the others.” Nikolas ruffled her hair on his way by.
Once he was gone, Linithion slid her chair and the platter of food closer to Zelia. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Zelia forced herself to blink and look at Linithion. There was such worry in her soulmate’s gaze that she realized she was doing the exact thing Linithion had done when Erolith had died, minus snapping at each other. “You can—we can go check on your people if we need to.”
Linithion shook her head. “I’m not their queen now, Eleanor will take care of them.”
Zelia nodded slightly and asked, “Do you want to rule? Did Eleanor ask you yet?”
Linithion stared out the balcony window to the chaos that reigned in the field below. “She asked, but I haven’t answered. I think we would be better able to help if we didn’t bind ourselves to a throne. I don’t think guild members should have been allowed to take a throne in the first place.” Linithion met Zelia’s gaze. “Besides, I think we would be happier away from it.”
“I’m inclined to agree. Let Alrindel and Lighnif have the throne.”
“If Alrindel ever stops being oblivious.” Linithion kissed Zelia’s cheek. “Eat more than just that thing Nikolas gave you and we’ll go lie down for a bit.”
Zelia sighed and picked a piece of cheese from the platter. She forced herself to eat it, even though it tasted like ash on her tongue as her thoughts turned to Raven. “Do you think Raven will be okay?”
“Eadon will do everything he can for her. He knows how much she means to you, that’s why he’s tending to her himself.”
Zelia knew a gash that big was too big for Eadon to properly heal and the chance of infection was huge. A tear ran down her cheek. Losing Koin she could survive, but losing Raven… Linithion brushed to tear from her cheek and spun around to sit in her lap.
“Hey, we will get through this together.” Linithion pressed a kiss to Zelia’s temple as she hugged her.
Zelia wrapped her arms around Linithion’s waist and closed her eyes. At least she still had her soulmate. She could survive as long as she had her, as long as they had this. Or at least she hoped she could if she lost Raven. She’d made a promise to Linithion and she wanted to keep it. But Raven—their bond was finally complete and now she might never feel her kind and loving dragon on the other end of it again.
32
A light knock on the door woke her, and worry laced Eadon’s words, “May I come in?”
Zelia worked to remove her dry tongue from the roof of her mouth as Linithion answered for them, “Yes.” Linithion gave her a light squeeze before rolling away from her. Without Linithion against her, that hollowness began to creep back into her chest.
“How’s Raven?” Zelia asked, forcing herself to sit up. She wasn’t sure how long they had slept, but it hadn’t been long enough.
“She’s stable for now. I wanted to check on both of you.”
So much grief and exhaustion weighed Eadon’s features and movements that Zelia wanted to say she was fine, that he didn’t need to worry about her, but it would have been an outright lie. She had just finally completed her bond to Raven and now it was a tenuous tether between them. And then there were Koin and Vainoff.
Eadon hugged her and she returned it, as she knew he needed it, too. Koin is really gone. And Vainoff, all he’d wanted was my forgiveness and I didn’t give it to him. It’s too late now.
“I’ll go make some tea for all of us.”
Zelia watched Linithion go, her cloak draped loosely around her shoulders as she disappeared into the hall. Eadon’s magic tingled across her back and Zelia couldn’t help but smile a little as Eadon checked her for any injuries. Even in his grief and despair, he would always be a healer first.
“I’m glad you’re alright.” Eadon hugged her a little tighter as his power receded.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“How’s—” Zelia swallowed. “How is Alrindel holding up and Skylar and his people? Tregar?” She felt guilty for not checking on any of them, but even now she was exhausted. She leaned back against the mound of pillows on the bed so she could study Eadon’s reactions.
“They’re...” Eadon tilted his head, “they’ll live. Fregnar has been keeping his word, more beings show up by the tree root bridge every hour or so.”
“Beings? So, he’s also sending us some of those races I’ve never seen before?”
Eadon nodded. “He sent Nikolas a message asking if we would be willing to take them. Since he doesn’t know where they belong, and those he has some idea of where they go…”
“They have nowhere to go back to, do they?”
Linithion returned with a small tray holding three cups, but she paused in the doorway as Eadon said, “Yes. He’s only sending those with enough of a mind left to be saved. They all have a long way to go and we don’t have a common language with many of them. Eleanor is already working on sorting out temporary living situations for them.”
“Good.”
Linithion set the tray on the little table beside the bed and handed each of them a cup.
“Thank you, Linithion.” Eadon looked Linithion up and down. “It has been one thing after another for you two, hasn’t it?”
Linithion nodded and let the veil of unwavering strength she wore drop as she sank onto the bed beside Zelia. She knew Linithion was tired in a way that was even deeper than her own exhaustion. Her soulmate had barely let herself grieve the loss of her father and now Elves sang somewhere in the distance, songs of loss and remembrance. They would lose more in the coming days, not just those who were injured, but those who had lost their soulmates. Koin had been an exception, he’d held on for her and Alrindel. Many would choose to fade in hopes of being reborn with their soulmate sooner rather than later.
There was a slight ruckus in the hallway and the boys froze as all three of them turned to the open doorway. Jones was blushing guiltily, Lucky was grinning, and Donequen just looked exasperated with the two as he shook his head. Grass and mud speckled Lucky’s face, but they were whole.
“Why do you all look guilty?” Eadon’s tone brought back memories of him catching her out riding his horse in the pasture or climbing trees when she should have been at lessons.
“Just coming to check on Linithion and Zelia.”
“They got run off for falling asleep while trying to help.” Donequen crossed his arms as Lucky mocked offense.
“I only closed my eyes for a second.”
“You fell over, face first.”
“And now I’m wide awake.”
“Speak for yourself,” Jones grumbled, then glanced at each of them. “How’s Raven?”
“In rough shape, but what you did may have saved her life,” Linithion said.
Zelia looked between the two. What did he do?
Linithion explained, “When Raven jumped down from where she clung to the building, Jones and Donequen did their best to soften her landing with magic.”
“Oh…” Zelia looked at the two of them then, her friends. “Thank you. And thank you, too, Lucky.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.” Lucky grinned at her and she shook her head
.
“Go get some rest.”
“Good night.” Jones grabbed Lucky by the front of his shirt and dragged him down the hall before he could protest.
Donequen lingered though, so Zelia waved him in. “What’s wrong?”
Donequen grimaced as he sighed, not from pain she realized, but from not wanting to tell her.
“Grono’s worried too, isn’t he?” Linithion asked.
“Yes, and when I asked, he shooed me away and muted our connection. I still feel it, but not as strong.”
“At least you two are still getting an emotion from them. All I’m getting is her pain and…” Zelia shook her head. She chewed the inside of her lip as she tried not to let herself cry again.
“You all are truly connected to them?” Eadon’s tone was so solemn that Zelia knew he questioned whether or not Raven would live.
“It feels the way Father always described his connection to Mother. Only, we also feel their physical pain, unless we’re too far away,” Linithion said.
Eadon nodded absently. “I should get back to helping everyone. Send for me if you feel anything from Raven.” He kissed the top of her head and then Linithion’s before leaving.
“I’m sorry about Raven, Zelia.” Donequen let out a long sigh. “She’s tough, though, so maybe she’ll pull through.”
“I hope so.” Her words were a broken-hearted plea, much like the plea she made to the phoenixes for help. “Would one of you make sure someone lets the phoenixes back into this realm in a day or two, and check again in a week or so? I…” Her jaw quivered. She wasn’t sure she’d remember to do it, if Raven didn’t make it.
“I’ll make sure it happens,” Donequen promised.
“Thank you. You should go get some rest, too,” Linithion said.
Donequen nodded. “I’ll let you know if Grono notices any changes.”
He shut the door to the hallway on his way, leaving Zelia and Linithion alone once more.
“Drink the tea.” Linithion nudged her.
Zelia made herself smirk at Linithion before taking a sip. It was a spicy mint tea that had just a hint of a hickory like taste. “This is turnera diffusa, isn’t it?”
“Um hm. We can go visit Raven if you want, once you finish the tea.”
“Is that a bribe I hear?”
“Yep.” Linithion kissed her cheek. “Drink.”
“So demanding.” Zelia took another long sip and sent a thought towards Grono. “How is Raven doing?”
“Much the same. Eadon got the bleeding to stop, at least.” There was a pause, as though he debated what more to say. “If you two insist on coming out here, I will allow you to sit under my wing.”
“Which one of them are you talking to? Or is it Rog?”
“Grono. I wanted to make sure he wouldn’t run us off if we went.”
“Have you heard from Rog?”
“No…” She felt for her connection to Rog and tugged lightly.
“Yes?” It was a sleepy question, as though he was also exhausted.
“Sorry if I woke you, just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve been struggling to stay out of your head all evening. I wanted to give you space. But I’m here if you need me.”
“How much have you heard, Rog,” Linithion asked.
“Enough to know why you feel like you got trampled by a horse, and I may have peeked at your memory to see what happened to Raven.” Rog sounded more than a little ashamed of snooping through her memories, but she didn’t blame him.
“He snooped in my memories, so…” Zelia shrugged.
“He knows what you saw at least. Would you, Rog, check with Lumid to see if he recognizes any of the people Fregnar sent here, if he recognizes where home might be for them?”
“I’ll check as soon as it’s a decent enough hour for me not to get locked in my room for leaving the palace.”
“She’s really still that ticked off at you?”
“Well, I did nearly cost her all of her children, so yeah. I’m thinking Mother is going to be this way for a while.”
“He said he’ll check when he can.”
“Thank you, Rog.” Linithion blew a kiss towards Zelia, knowing Rogath would see it.
“Yep. Nope. I’m gone. I love you both, but nope. This is why I try to stay out of your head these days.”
Zelia laughed a little as she thought back to him, “Love you, too. Good night.”
“Don’t forget to get some more rest yourself, you feel like the walking dead.”
“I’m sure Linithion won’t let me forget.”
Zelia could almost see his smirk as his presence faded.
“Did he run away?”
“More like got grossed out and sulked away.”
“Hm. One would think he was younger than we are.” Linithion kissed Zelia and took the empty teacup from her.
33
The walk out to the dragons was mercifully warm for an early spring night, if it could even be called early spring with snow still dotting the ground in some places. It was cold, but certainly not as freezing as it had been every night of their journey there. Raven’s scales were cold to the touch, even with Grono and Orvi doing their best to keep her warm.
Zelia reached for the flame that lived inside her, to help, but Grono growled at her. “Don’t you even think about it. You’re nowhere near rested enough to be touching your powers again.”
“But—”
“No. She’ll bite my head off when she wakes up and finds out I let you drain yourself again tonight.”
“He’s right, Zelia. Let us care for Raven and you.” Orvi’s tone was tender and caring, the opposite to Grono’s growling tone.
“Are they ganging up on you?” Linithion asked as she put her hand over Zelia’s.
“Yes.”
“You know, I’m inclined to agree with them. I couldn’t stand to see you pass out like you did…” A hint of guilt and grief crossed Linithion’s features and Zelia knew she spoke of how she’d passed out after Erolith died.
“That wasn’t your fault and I haven’t used those fatigue spells like that since then. I didn’t even touch those spells this time.”
“Zelia. You drained yourself. If Fregnar hadn’t come I’d be mourning you, too. I felt you slip away through that scrap of a bond we have, and it wasn’t strong enough for me to pull you out of that place you fell into because it’s not complete. Even Raven couldn’t pull you out. That’s why she jumped from the building instead of waiting for Grono and the others to help her down.” Tears welled in Linithion’s eyes and shone in the starlight as she took a shaky breath. “Please just give yourself time to recover, for my and Raven’s sakes if not your own. Please. I— I can’t lose you, too.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Zelia hugged Linithion because words weren’t enough to convey how sorry she was. She wasn’t just sorry for making her and Raven fear losing her, but for not realizing what her actions had done to Linithion and Raven.
Raven had likely made her injury so much worse because of her. Guilt ran rampant through her as she hugged Linithion. She had sent Raven back injured and hadn’t even thought of why she’d jumped down when she had. Raven had been there for her and yet she hadn’t been there in return. She had chosen to comfort Alrindel when that could have waited, when she should have been here by Raven’s side.
Linithion squeezed her a little tighter. “Just breathe. I didn’t mean to upset you, I just needed you to understand.”
“But I should have come with her, stayed with her.”
“She doesn’t blame you, not for wanting to be there with your family.” Orvi nuzzled them closer to the bulk of Raven’s body so she could shield them from the wind while still trying to help Grono keep Raven warm.
“But she’s my family, too.” Zelia sank down between Raven and Orvi, well away from the ugly gash down Raven’s side. She should have known Raven was so hurt, she had felt it, but it hadn’t felt so bad.
And now Raven was cold and quiet on the other end of their bond.
Linithion pulled her close, until Zelia’s head rested on her shoulder. “Freaking out over what could happen, what has been done, isn’t going to help either of you.” Linithion pressed a kiss to the top of her head and let out a long slow breath. “I love you. We all love you and Eadon is doing everything in his power to save Raven. Please, please don’t let yourself lose hope.”
Zelia snuggled against Linithion, where she could feel both her and Raven’s chest rise and fall with each breath. “I love you, too.” Love. Zelia sent love down her bond to Raven. She sent every bit of love she could muster down their bond until that’s all she felt for just a moment.
Raven was still quiet at the other end, but Zelia could have sworn Grono had hissed a slight breath of relief and Raven’s scales had warmed just a bit. Perhaps love was what Raven needed to feel in order to fight to stay. Or maybe it was just Zelia’s imagination, her hope, but she dozed off to the steady rise and fall of Raven’s chest and the gentle stroking of Linithion’s fingers through her hair.
34
“We thought we might find you two out here.” Loboran and Starling sat down on either side of them as Zelia pried an eye open to the blinding light of morning.
“You two get any sleep?” Linithion asked, her cheek still resting against the top of her head.
“I practically had to lock Loboran in our room, but yes.”
“Hm. Sounds familiar.”
Zelia heaved a sigh and sat up, only for Loboran to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “How are you feeling?”
“Hollow…”
Loboran pressed a hand to Raven’s side. “She’s still stable. You two should come inside with us and eat breakfast.”
“But—”
“Zelia. She’d want you to take care of yourself, too. You were even more drained than me last night and you still used your powers to help with Raven when you shouldn’t have.” Loboran stood and pulled her to her feet, and Starling did the same for Linithion. Ever their watchers, friends, and soul bound, their presence eased some of the ache in her chest.
