Once a King

by Erin Summerill

  I stand beside my aunt Katallia and Da. My hands twist through my gown.

  I worry that my presentation will not be as grand or glorious as the four other kingdoms’, but I decided to make this choice only moments ago. Da encouraged me to seek out what I want. And what that is combines gliders and Aodren.

  When Seeva is done giving directions, the women separate with a final few minutes remaining before the jubilee begins.

  I go to where my wings have been kept dry in Astoria’s carriage. A bittersweet feeling spreads through me as I check the knots a dozen times and test the flexibility and strength of each joint. The bottom straps have been adjusted many times to fit my arms and torso, so when I lie beneath the wings, I will resemble a bird.

  “You were meant to fly.” Orli shoves the hood off her cloak and approaches the carriage.

  “You came.” I stand and smile, happy to see her emerge from the press of people.

  Her eyes roll upward. “If I can rouse enough courage to track down a blood charm, break into the summer castle, and sneak you out, I think I can manage attending the jubilee to support my best friend.”

  “But you didn’t know I was going to perform,” I say.

  “I know. I was prepared to sit in the crowd beside you.” Orli’s hand squeezes mine.

  She would make the effort to battle back her fears for our friendship and the simple act of sitting beside me—the fact nearly chases away all the ache left by Astoria’s betrayal.

  She points to my wings. “When you fly over the field, I will cheer the loudest. But I want you to remember that the truth can be your wings as well. Don’t let your flight stop tonight. It’s time to follow your heart, follow your truth to new adventures and new lands.”

  The call of the trumpets announces the show’s start. Orli hugs me goodbye and rushes to the spectators’ section.

  The first woman steps onto the field. I’m too nervous to watch the performances, but if the thunderous applause that follows each Channeler is any indication, they are all spectacular.

  “And now for the final presentation of the night, Lirra Barrett, Channeler of Malam.”

  I step forward, my heart beating like a hammer against my ribs. Katallia and Seeva are standing at the side of the field. They check my wings and send me off on my own. The organizers roll out a tall platform to the center of the field that was here as part of the showcase events.

  The weight of the audience’s rapt attention follows my climb to the top. Looking down on everyone, I hold my hands out, calling on my influencing power over the wind. But my nerves scatter my energy. I think of what happened to my smaller glider in the preliminary meeting, and my knees knock like two woodpeckers fighting to the death.

  I cannot seem to gather more than a light breeze. If I were to jump off the platform, the weight of the wings wouldn’t catch the air. They’d send me straight to the ground.

  People squirm with impatience. Whispers wind around below me. What’s she wearing? What is she waiting for? A fire of embarrassment licks over my skin, and my eyes burn. Somewhere below, Aodren is watching me choke.

  I press my eyes shut, willing myself to focus like Astoria once taught me, but then her image thwarts my effort. The weight of the wings presses against my back.

  A voice rises from the crowd. “Fly, Lirra.”

  Leaning from Malam’s nobility platform is Aodren, cleaned up from the fight, in all his kingly garb. He wants me to fly. My blood sings in my veins. I rally my energy and extend my palms, reaching for the wind overhead. A surge answers, a warm plume of air shifting over the field.

  I leap off the platform. A collective gasp sucks through the crowd as the wings take me down before finding the rising pressure of air needed to sustain flight. Applause echoes around me like thunder. Pulling the ropes fastened to the wings, I glide around the field, weightless, happy, and free.

  * * *

  He shakes hands with people for what seems like hours. I watch from the opposite end of the field, where Da talks to Aunt Katallia. Eugenia stands beside me with the littleuns scampering around us, their arms outstretched like wings.

  I apologize for not telling Orli what I overheard at the Elementiary, but she brushes away the apology. “It’s understandable,” she says. Astoria made her choices, and I will have to accept that her absence will hurt for a long time.

  When Orli leaves, Da moves into her spot. He stands beside me and follows the line of my attention. “If we are to have no secrets, Lirra, you should tell me more about your king.”

  I watch Aodren. Tomorrow is the final day of the summit, when the meetings wrap up and the retinues pack to return to their kingdoms. I have stood for Malam tonight, but I don’t know exactly what that means. Seeva said that declaring my allegiance to Malam tonight only recognizes it as my homeland. There are no other obligations concerning the neighboring kingdom.

  It breaks me to think that tonight or tomorrow may be the last time I see Aodren. So much so that I utter, “He is their king. I have no claim to him.” The admission makes me unbearably sad, and at the same time, I couldn’t be prouder of his actions.

  “Is he the man who came to our home?” Eugenia asks, stepping up to Da and dipping her shoulder beneath his, so she is safely tucked into his side. Sweet Julisa sleeps in Eugenia’s arms.

  No more secrets. “Aye.”

  Eugenia’s eyes flare, and I can tell she wants to say more, but she doesn’t want to risk waking Julisa. “On Monday, the littleuns and I will add your name to our prayers when we go to the cathedral. It seems you will need prayers for the safekeeping of your heart as much as your father needs them to keep his nose out of trouble and to continue bringing him safely home.”

  My head cocks to the side. Is that what Eugenia does at the cathedral on the cliff each Monday? She prays for safety? I always thought she was making penance. This night is one of endless surprises.

  “You know, I knew his father,” Da says.

  My nose wrinkles as it always does when he brings up the horrors of his past.

  “No, no. Before the dark times. Leon and I were friends.”

  I listen to Da tell of a boy who looked similar to Aodren but was anxious and fearful. As the years passed, his fears bled into his leadership and eventually took over his kingdom. “That man may look like his father, but I can tell you now, he’s nothing like Leon. I think his people are starting to see that as well.”

  His admission is something Aodren would appreciate hearing. Though I watch the king of Malam, a smile wide across his face, and I think he already knows.

  I walk over to the carriage and grab my wings. “Ready?”

  “Time to go already, Lir?” Loren complains.

  “It’s late.”

  He crosses his arms and pouts. “But what of Aodren, the bloody king o’ Malam?”

  Eugenia gasps. “Loren, what did you just say?”

  My laugh echoes over Loren’s excuse. “I think he’ll be all right,” I say about Aodren. Though I cannot say the same about myself.

  * * *

  The next day I wake to the twins poking my back.

  “Whaaa?” I roll to face them.

  “Why do you always grumble in the morning?” Loren’s face is a knuckle’s distance from mine, his eyes wide and scrutinizing.

  “Why do you always have to wake me?” I ask.

  “You said you would let us play with the gliders.”

  That is true. After the nonstop business of the last two weeks, it’s hardly believable that there is nothing left to be done today. It takes time to load up the carriage with the gliders, but once I’m done, we wave goodbye to Da and Eugenia. The boys sit beside me as I roll the carriage out of our family’s secret patch of forest and up to the highest hill.

  From there, our view stretches from the Skyward Forest to the south to the All Kingdoms’ tents to the northwest. The bangs and shouts of people packing up camp come from the city of canvas. Already, many tents have been taken down.


  Aodren may still be at the summer castle. The traveling parties headed east haven’t been swathed in Malam’s royal colors, and none have toted the mark of royalty. He is probably busy preparing to leave.

  My interruption would be just that, an interruption.

  I work on strapping the twins to the glider. I give them a quick lesson on how to steer, one they’ve already had from me a dozen times over. But I can never be too cautious with my brothers. If needed, I’ll guide them on the wind back to me, though I don’t tell them that. Instead, I wish them luck and send them off the steep edge of the hill.

  Their squeals peal out, their happiness and glee masking the sounds of the summit’s end.

  I watch them fly and see what Orli saw when she said my gliders could change Channeler society. My imagination takes in a sky of gliders, or other inventions that could be used by both giftless and Channelers. It’s a beautiful dream, one that I hope to have a part in. Even if I don’t know when, I know change is on the horizon for my kingdom and for Malam. Maybe the future is closer than I think.

  Chapter

  39

  Aodren

  LEIF CANNOT ACCEPT THAT I DEFEATED AN Akarian warrior during the melee and then he lost to her in the sword fight.

  The day after the tournament, when the last meeting comes to an end and Malam has finished signing agreements with Shaerdan, Leif demands a sword fight. He wants to see if he can beat me, now that I’ve beaten an infamous warrior. Leif insists I fight with all the intensity I showed Fehana during the first melee event.

  Swords drawn, I wield everything in my power to give him the fight he wants, the one he’s trained for, the one that was stolen from him.

  Our battle draws the attention of the castle workers as well as the other leaders. And before I know it, a couple of champions ask to join in. Leif and I continue until we are spent, our duel ending in a tie. Given some time to recuperate, Leif then challenges Fehana. In the time I’ve spent with Leif, I haven’t seen him as happy as he is while fighting the warrior.

  The next day, the carriages are packed and ready to go. Our traveling party is scheduled to leave for Malam.

  I’ve shaken hands with each leader, even Gorenza, who managed to address me as King Aodren when he said goodbye. Segrande joins me where I stand beside the carriage.

  “You truly proved yourself,” Segrande says. “I’ll admit, I had my doubts. But your speech the night before last showed your true colors. You’re the rock Malam needs to lean on.”

  Segrande and his rock metaphors. “Thank you.”

  The older dignitary climbs aboard while I wait outside the carriage for Leif. He finally emerges from the stables with Gale trotting behind him.

  “You’re certain you want us to go ahead?” he asks.

  “I am.”

  “If you’ve not caught up by tomorrow, we’ll turn back.”

  “The carriage travels much slower than me. Keep on the path. I’ll reach you before you cross the border.”

  He grinds his teeth, and I can tell he doesn’t like the plan. But I need to do this next thing alone.

  * * *

  The clearing outside Lirra’s home is empty. This time, to avoid drawing notice, I’m wearing the hat she lent me and the tunic. I leave Gale to graze as I gather the nerve to approach the house.

  Before I can reach the front door, it swings open and Lirra’s two brothers come tearing out. The first stumbles to a stop when he sees me. “Oi! It’s the bloody King o’ Malam.”

  “Loren!” A woman’s voice comes from inside. “I told you not to use that language.”

  Loren looks over his shoulder and then winks at me before he and Kiefer scurry out of sight.

  A woman appears in the door, dark brown hair the same deepness as her eyes that flare when they see me.

  I slide the hat off my head. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Barrett. I came hoping to talk to your—”

  “My daughter?” Millner shuffles up the stairs of his cellar, the boys following him. Once he’s on the lawn, it takes him only two seconds to reach my side. For a portly man, he is incredibly nimble.

  “Your High—”

  “Aodren,” I interrupt. “How are you, sir? I wished to see Lirra.”

  Millner’s assessing eyes roam over me. “What’s this? You’ve decided to be a commoner?”

  “I may be the king of Malam, but I’m also just a man, one who is quite taken with your daughter.”

  “Is that so?” Millner’s cheeks ball into fall apples, and his eyes twinkle. “And what do you have to say to her?”

  I clear my throat. “I—I was hoping, that is . . .” I clear my throat. “Seeds, this is harder than I thought.” I wipe my brow. If he’s the gatekeeper, the only option I have is to be honest so he’ll fetch her. “She pledged herself to be Malam’s Channeler the night before last. And I was hoping, well, wondering if she wanted to spend time in Malam to assist in setting up an Elementiary in the royal city.”

  A snort sounds behind me, and Millner chuckles.

  I turn to find Lirra standing in her family’s doorway. The seams of the green dress she wears make trails across her lovely curves.

  “I like your outfit,” she says, stealing the words off my tongue.

  “Not more than I like yours,” I say, and my response is rewarded with a twitch of a smile.

  “Please, Your Highness, don’t let me interrupt. You were saying you want to steal me away to Malam.”

  Her father coughs. “Lirra.”

  At the same time, I jump in and explain, “It was more of an official request. The last thing I want is for your father to think I am a thief come to sneak you away.”

  “But you’ve gotten so good at sneaking.”

  The pressure of her father’s gaze on me makes me want to sink into the ground. I would rather face Hemmet again than this. I step closer to Lirra, eliminating the space between us. “If you would be so kind, my lady, I’ve come to ask you to return to Malam with me.”

  Her smile fades now, and her eyes shift around the clearing.

  It takes only one word from her stepmother to empty the clearing. After bowing and blushing, Lirra’s stepmother waves and drags her husband into the home. Now Lirra and I stand outside alone.

  Her teeth press down into her lip.

  “Will you consider it?” I ask. “I feel like the tides have finally turned. But I need you at my side. We have worked well together, and I would like your help in moving Malam forward.”

  “Is that the only reason you want me to come?”

  I study her face, unsure if she can handle what I truly want from her. Because I’ve learned that honesty is best, I simply say, “No.”

  My fingers wind around hers, seeking contact like gravity exists for only our hands. Lirra stares down at our entwined fingers and then her blue eyes lift to mine. They are the sky I want to spend my days under for the rest of my life. Of course, I don’t tell her this. I can see making the move to Malam will be a frightening enough change for this brilliant girl.

  “The other day, you said you were busy with life,” I say, reminding her.

  Sadness spreads over her face. I cannot allow it to linger for more than a moment.

  “I was hoping that’s a burden we could share in Malam.” I slide my free hand into the thick length of her hair, knowing I will never get enough of the silky strands. Her chin, ever so slightly tips up. I need no more invitation to drop my mouth to her soft lips.

  Just as I lose myself in her sunshine, she moves back and reaches for my hand.

  “Well, we make a great team,” she says. “Look at all we’ve done. And even more has happened in the past week.”

  She’s right. After the grand finale, there were meetings to finalize trade, discussions between leaders for how to proceed with Sanguine, and talks with my men to take the unity and pride we’ve established here back to Malam.

  Change is on the horizon for Malam, but this time, I can see the valley beyond. Not all my people were
here for the All Kingdoms’ Summit, but there were enough to start a change. As Lirra said, it takes one voice.

  Thankfully, I’m returning to Malam with a chorus.

  Epilogue

  Hullo Da,

  I’ll not be returning home anytime soon.

  If you’re reading this, you figured out how to detach the letter from my first delivery glider flight.

  To fulfill an agreement I’ve made with Aodren, you’ll have to manage well enough on your own because I’ve decided to stay in Malam. Though my time here was meant to be brief, nothing more than a visit to see Aunt Katallia and assist with opening the first Elementiary in Brentyn, I cannot ignore that there is more for me to do here. I’ve decided to stay.

  I don’t know when I’ll return.

  I know this news will displease you. You asked me to come home for the MerryLuna festival. But I will not be home in time to celebrate.

  You encouraged me to lead the life I’ve dreamed of, and so I’ll have to see where this goes.

  Give my love to Eugenia, the boys, and Julisa.

  Love, Lirra

  Acknowledgments

  Each time I write a book, I think, this will be a breeze to write. After all, I’ve written a few novels and it stands to reason that I’ve mastered the skill of novel writing. But it doesn’t take long to realize I’m wrong. I get lost in the words and can’t remember how to write a book at all. Without the following people, my champions, critics, and creative coaches, this book might still be stuck on my hard drive, in literary limbo. I owe them my gratitude for helping me remember how to write.

  First and always, my thanks to my family for their patience, encouragement and faith. To my husband, my children, my parents, and my siblings, your support always has a way of lighting the darkness. You’re there when I need you most. I love you all.