by Lexy Wolfe
“Not as she is acting,” Storm assured, caressing her hair. The baby quieted though her expression remained grumpy. “She wants touch more than food.” Meeting Star’s golden eyes without reservation, she said quietly, “Thank you for helping me. With no tribe to learn from as I grew up, I was…afraid. I do not wish to harm my children because I am ignorant.”
“I am honored to be able to aid you, Githalin Storm.”
“Please,” she interrupted. “You are lifemate to my lifemate’s brother. That makes us family. Family does not need titles.” She closed her eyes for a moment, resting her head against her backrest. “We are not Forenten even if our lifemates are. Leave formality where it belongs.”
Star lowered her gaze. “Thank you, Gi-, I mean, Storm.” She visibly flinched when she felt Storm’s gaze on her. “Aelia. Forgive me. My father—”
“He is fortunate. If I were able to do more than I can right now, I would send him across the blade with my bare hands.” She forced herself to calm when Aiden and Keaira began to fuss. With effort, she stated in conversational tones, “I do not know how many more than Skyfire he has tormented. But for my th’yala alone, I want him to suffer so he feels pain for three lifetimes from now.”
The darker-skinned woman looked at the other in shock at the vehemence. “I did not realize you cared so much for my brother.”
Storm grimaced as she forced herself to sit up, putting Aiden on the padded place by her side and picking up Keaira. Once the girl had latched on with newborn demand, she settled again. “If you mean when I helped Skyfire getting his tribal bond back so he could train as Swordanzen? I cared less about him than the rage I felt that a father would so mistreat his son; an Alanis, his tlisan.”
“It is different now,” Star said, hushed.
“Yes. Now, he is my th’yala. My friend, my confidant. The only one who has remained alive.”
The crack in Storm’s voice moved the Su’alin to put a consoling hand on the other’s arm. “Those you have lost are not gone forever. They will return someday.”
“They may as well be,” Storm stated with keen bitterness. “Once I have known them, I can never seek them out again.”
Star was at a loss, the statement confusing her until Citali whispered in her mind to explain Storm’s point of view. “But…that is only a divine servant edict. You are not—”
“I do not know what I am anymore,” she replied. Both babies shifted with discomfort, on the verge of crying in response to their mother’s upset. “Am I Totani who had been human? A human who had been Totani? In either case, I do not know what that makes of my bond to Thandar. Perhaps it fractured because we are incompatible now. Because of what I had been and the divine laws will force me to lose him and Father and the Totani forever unless I give up my mortal family.”
“You will not lose anyone,” Star stated with such fervent belief, Storm calmed and looked at her with such desperate hope, the Su’alin leaned over to hug her tight. “I refuse to believe the gods would be so cruel.” She held the other’s gaze. “I will not allow them to be.”
“You won’t…? But…” She managed a smile when Star hushed her with a light finger on her lips. “You are very much your brother’s sister.”
Cheeks darkened as she settled back and resumed her seat. “You honor me, Aelia. Radisen has always been dear to me.” She murmured in a nearly inaudible whisper, “I am glad he has family again.”
With Keaira done, Storm gathered Aiden with some effort, holding both babies together on her chest, resting her head again with closed eyes. “You could join him if you wish.”
The color drained out of Star’s face at the implication. “What? Become na’Zhekali? But I couldn’t! A Su’alin must be na’Ci—” She stopped speaking when Storm opened one eye to stare at her in silence. “I am allowing my father to rule my thoughts. Even Citali tells me he never demanded such a thing from the Path of the Spirit.”
“You are.” She closed her eye. “I understand why. He is your sire. It is instinct to want to hold a parent as infallible and all knowing. And it is very difficult to think otherwise.” A sad smile touched her lips, sensing Star’s odd stare. “Not even gods are perfect. But they like hearing it about their faults less than our mortal elders.”
“Oh.” Star chewed on her lip for a time before she finally replied to the offer. “I can’t. Not because of Father, but…I do not feel as though I belong as part of the first tribe.”
Storm opened both eyes in her surprise. “You still consider the na’Zhekali the first tribe? Even with so many of us being outlanders?”
“I think, perhaps, it is more so now than before because of that fact. It had always been about balance. How much more balance can there be than to have those from all four lands as part of their numbers?”
“Hm.” Storm chuckled. “I had not considered it like that. Thank you for that insight.” Star squared her shoulders with unconscious pride at the other woman’s praise. “The na’Citali is large compared to many tribes. It is not uncommon for larger ones to split.”
Before the other could demure at the idea, she continued. “For Nolyn’s sake, you may wish to think about it. He and Ash had forged a unique bayuli-volsha between them, separate from a tribal bond. My lifemate has us if anything happens to Nolyn. But yours has only you. If you do not want to take my word for it, ask Jaison how hard it is to be the only one to bear torment of a tlisan. Or Mureln and Taylin how Izkynder suffered when he and Jaison were the only ones I had.”
“But you are still alive,” Star pointed out, a hint of desperation in her voice. “How could they suffer a death?”
“I had a reliving of the massacre while in Fortress.” Her smile was sad. “It was because my new family did not wish me to be so alone, or the first na’Zhekali to be forgotten, that they wished to be part of my tribe.” Storm yawned, shifting a bit to settle herself and her babies for sleep. “Think about it. It is not a choice to make rashly. But I do not wish to see Nolyn suffer.”
Marcus sat in the shadows of a large rock, watching the Swordanzen he had become friends with train together with intent fascination. He wondered in confused curiosity when they stopped abruptly with no obvious explanation, Seeker looking skyward for several moments before departing. The other three put their weapons away and disappeared into the volcanic landscape. He sighed, drawing his knees up and resting his chin on his crossed arms.
“What’s the matter, lad?” Bella asked. The woman winced in sympathy when the apprentice mage jumped and hit his head on the rock overhang that shaded him from the sun. “Forgive me, I did not realize you did not hear me. I will make more noise next time.”
Rubbing the lump, eyes squinting, Marcus looked up at her. “You do not need to apologize, Dusvet Guardian.” He blinked when he noticed Jaison on the woman’s other side, holding her hand, and turned bright red. “Dusvet Guardians,” he corrected. “I can leave if you want to be alone.”
The pair appeared confused a moment before they glanced at their joined hands at the same time. Jaison only smiled while Bella laughed outright, causing him to turn a deeper crimson. “Mistress’ sake, what have the na’Zhekali been telling you about me?”
“Nothing?” Marcus assured hastily, eyes wide. “I haven’t really talked to any of them except Izkynder sometimes since we left First Home. Master Nolyn told me not to.” He did not notice the concerned expressions of the couple as he got up, attention on brushing off his backside.
“Why would he do that?” Jaison wondered.
“What I tell my apprentice to do is not your business.” The edge in Nolyn’s voice carried in the air as he appeared, putting a hand on the young man’s shoulder and steering him away. “I would appreciate if you would mind your own business, Dusvet Guardians. Come, Marcus.” The boy averted his eyes after a sad, apologetic look to Bella.
The Vodani woman frowned, releasing Jaison to catch the apprentice by the other arm. “Now just one minute. I thought he was only incredibly shy an
d introverted.” Her eyes flashed in the setting sunlight. “We have been traveling together for months and you’ve been isolating this poor boy the whole time?”
Nolyn scowled at her, trying to pull him away unobtrusively but Bella’s grip on Marcus’ shoulder was firm. “I have been doing no such thing.”
“You could have fooled me,” she countered. “Jaison and I just happened upon him and caught him watching the Swordanzen disappearing wherever they go with such a forlorn expression, I wondered if he’d gotten word his pet squirrel back home died.”
“I never had a pet squirrel,” Marcus interjected in an attempt to diffuse the rising tension. “Father said it would get into the acorn stores.”
“Apprentice.” He flinched at the sternness in Nolyn’s voice.
“Sorry, Master.”
“‘Sorry, Master’? Why must he apologize?” Bella fumed, perversely irritated. “The poor boy is trying to defend your actions by covering for your neglect with explanations—”
“How dare you accuse me of neglecting my apprentice?” Nolyn demanded, his countenance flush with rising emotion.
Jaison stepped between the two, keeping her from getting in Nolyn’s face. “I will accuse you of that or worse until you prove otherwise. Your apprentice or not, he has been a traveling companion these past months and—”
“That is enough!” The quarreling pair shut their mouths and clenched their teeth, taking a step away from each another as Ash joined them. Azure eyes flashed with irritation between his brother and his fellow Dusvet Guardians. “Jaison, please escort Bella and Marcus back to camp to insure no one ‘accidentally’ wanders off.” He fixed a hard look on Nolyn. The other turned on his heel at the wordless order to walk the opposite direction from the trio. Ash easily kept pace with him. Both remained silent.
Once the two were well away from the area their companions kept to, Ash grabbed his brother by the arm to stop him. His frown reflected his irritation. “So are you going to tell me what is eating at you or keep sulking around throwing glares and casting insulting innuendo at various members of the na’Zhekali?”
At first taken by surprise at the uncharacteristic hostility, Nolyn pulled himself out of Ash’s grip. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Please give me a little credit.” The Illaini crossed his arms, not bothering to hide any outward emotional display from his spirit brother. “We’ve known each other nearly our whole lives. Whenever you get mad at me, you block your emotions from me and take it out on everyone around us. They have done nothing—”
“How would you know?” Nolyn snapped, flashing a scowl at the other before turning away. “You are so preoccupied with your own business, you never notice anyone else unless they disrupt you.”
Ash did not speak immediately, bewildered for a moment. “What in the world are you going on about?” When he neither answered nor paused, he grabbed him and jerked him back to face him. “I have always focused on duty before everything. You have known this about me for ages!”
“And that makes you better than everyone else around you, doesn’t it?” he twisted his arm out of Ash’s grip, then shoved hard, face flushed. “Not only a highborn, but the reincarnation of his family’s founder himself! I guess being closer to foreigners than your own people like him makes it acceptable to abandon Forenta and our great mother, leaving it to your inferiors to take responsibility for—”
“Do not speak to me in that manner, Lirai!” Ash bared his teeth, fists clenched. “I am Illaini Magus! I dedicated my life to serve the Knowing One.”
“You left Forenta! You bear the marks of another god on your face.” Nolyn shouted, his posture mirroring his spirit brother’s as the two faced each other. “And now you play at being some savage—” He staggered back and fell with a grunt, putting a hand over the welt Ash’s fist left. He stared up at the looming mage, hot winds swirling around them.
“If you think I am playing, just remember this,” Ash snarled, fists shaking with the effort to restrain the urge to strike Nolyn again. “I will be the one shaping the game. Get in the way. Do anything to hurt Aelia. Anything at all, and you will lose.” He spun on his heel and stalked away. “Stay out of my sight.”
Suddenly filled with remorse, he began to reach out to Ash, then stopped. With gritted teeth, he grabbed a stone and flung it aimlessly with impotent anger before heading in the opposite direction.
FROM A LEDGE above, two pairs of eyes watched the conflict between brothers. The firebrand looked up at the dragon. “I am amazed, my lord. I thought Aelia’s lifemate had the fire because of the influence of their shared souls. That one has no such past.”
Desantiva turned his attention away from Ash to Senigu. “I would be disappointed if he did not. Those living things who have not even the smallest flame in their hearts are either sad or terrifying things.”
The firebrand ducked its head. “Of course, my lord. Forgive me my narrow-mindedness.”
The draconic god rumbled in amusement. “It has been considerable time since We have had interaction with those from beyond My territories. Your assumptions are understandable. And forgiven.” The Totani, in bird form, glided from the dragon to the rock ground. “I have considered long enough. I will give Ash Avarian the answer he waits for. It should counter the upset he attempts to shield from My daughter.”
Senigu looked after Nolyn. “May I continue to watch that one?”
“From a distance. Ever since the banishment of the Trisari, northborn do not have the closeness to the divine as My children do with you and are easily unnerved.”
The bird ruffled its feathers. “I do not seek to torment him. I am only curious. He is the second that has won a Desanti heart. The first without an ancient lifemate bond in place already.”
“And that is why you must act with care.” The dragon waved toward the spot Ash and Nolyn had fought. “You can sense the turmoil even when they do not interact with you and your siblings.”
“Of course, my lord. My thanks.” Both took wing, heading in opposite directions.
Terrence. Come meet me at the lookout plateau.
The young mage looked up from the book he studied, disoriented for a moment at Dzee’s whisper in the back of his mind. He glanced around, noticing no one else present was awake. He placed a ribbon in the page to mark his place and wrapped the precious object in its protective hide.
A sound of discomfort made him pause. He returned to kneel at Storm’s side. She opened her eyes when he laid his hand on her brow and smiled tiredly. “I am fine.”
Her reassurance did little to make him feel better. “Are you? Taylin is worried that you aren’t getting your strength back faster.” Her smile faltered, and she turned her face away. “I promise you, Storm. We’ll find Thandar and everything will be the way it should be. Have faith.”
She reached up to clasp his hand, giving it a maternal kiss. “Our bond has been disrupted for so long, Terrence. So long. And I am so very tired.” She gave him a wan smile. “Sometimes, all the faith in the world can’t change the inevitable.”
His frown deepened. “Don’t talk like that! Nothing is inevitable, Storm. Nothing.” She remained silent, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes. “Promise me you will keep fighting.”
“Terrence—”
He squeezed her hand harder, shaking it. “Promise me, Storm!”
The corner of her mouth turned up. “I promise to try.”
He sighed. “That’s the best you’re going to give me, isn’t it?”
“You know I will not lie to you about something like this. Trying is all I have left.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “But I don’t have anything left to fight with.” She pressed the back of his hand against her brow. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Be strong, Storm.” He leaned down, kissing her temple until she fell asleep again. “Trust me.” A small smile touched her lips as he placed her hand by her side. He glanced over to see two pairs of eyes watching him. Gri
macing, he looked away from the twins, pushed himself up to his feet and hurried out.
Mureln sat by the cavern entrance, strumming his mandolin while Izkynder played tag with Petal, Nim, and the two chitan. He glanced up when his son bolted over and wrapped himself around Terrence’s leg, forcing the young man to wave his arms at the tiny flyers chasing him. “Enough, all of you,” the Vodani stated with incredible patience. “Go on, play over there, okay?” Izkynder pouted, then took off running.
“Thanks, Mureln.” Terrence glanced about the ‘courtyard.’ “I’m surprised there aren’t more Totani over here. I know the children fascinate them.”
“I think Lord Desantiva told them to keep their distance so Storm isn’t agitated.” He smiled faintly. “Not that I mind. They are as curious and rambunctious as Vodani children when sweets come out of the oven.” His smile faded. “Are you all right?”
Terrence glanced back in the cave. “I’m worried about her. I know it’s my turn to keep watch over her and the twins, but Dzee wanted to speak privately. Would you cover for me?”
“Of course. I think that lot should be ready for a nap by now anyway.” He clapped his hand to the other’s shoulder. “Don’t fret, lad. She’ll be fine. Ash isn’t about to let anything happen to Storm.”
“I know.” As he turned to make his way to the plateau, he murmured to himself, “I worry whether Storm will let anything happen to Storm.”
STANDING ATOP A plateau, Terrence watched the stars appear as the sun sank below the horizon. He glanced over and nodded in greeting. “Hello, Star.”
“Master Terrence,” she greeted with a polite bow.
He gave a quiet laugh, scratching behind his ear self-consciously. “I can tell by your use of titles you have lived among Forenten for a while. Please, just call me Terrence. Or Sumyr.”
She smiled. “I can tell you have lived with Desanti by your dislike of titles.” She followed his gaze to the sky. “Forgive me for interrupting you, but Citali asked me to meet him here.”
