by E. L. Todd
“And the significance of this?”
“I think he came to warn me.”
“Of what?”
“He sent me images…of dozens of Shamans flying over the ocean toward a forest. When I asked him if that forest was this forest, he said yes.”
“He said those words?”
“Well, no. He nodded at the question.”
He sat forward, his arms moving to the table. “How do we know this isn’t a trap?”
“I doubt he would have risked his life for us to get away just to trick me later.”
“How are we really certain that’s even what he meant?”
“Because he’s not stupid. You respect all living things, but you’re dismissing him like he’s an imbecile.”
“I don’t think he’s an imbecile. But he is a servant to the Shamans. He’s not like the birds and butterflies in our forest. Surely you must see that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I see no difference.”
“Cora—”
“You’re being unfairly prejudiced. His soul is as pure as yours or mine. He’s been enslaved by the Shamans to be a flying horse. That’s not his fault, and it certainly doesn’t attest to an allegiance to them.”
Callon raised his palm. “For argument’s sake, let’s assume those were his intentions and his information is correct. The Shamans can come to our borders, but they can’t breach them. The magic of the forest prevents them from doing so.”
“Maybe they found a way around it.”
“I doubt it.”
“Just because something has worked in the past doesn’t mean it’ll work in the future. Don’t be arrogant.”
His eyebrows shot to the top of his head. “Arrogant—”
“Arrogance leads to complacency. That’s how mistakes are made. People assume they have everything figured out until they realize that they don’t.”
“Even if you’re right, what does it matter? Our army is always ready for an assault.”
“Queen Delwyn needs to know.”
“Whether the queen is aware of this information or not, her army is ready.”
“She may be privy to information that you aren’t. It’s common sense to report information about a possible attack.”
His hands came together on the table as he regarded her. “And how do we explain where we received this information?”
“Uh…”
“That you regularly use a secret passage you shouldn’t know about so the King of Dragons can feed, and then you conversed with a steed of the enemy, and the reason you have a relationship with him is because he gave you a ride to Rock Island to free the man who slew King Tiberius? How do you think that will go?”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, alright? But she needs this information so she can be prepared.”
“Eden Star is always prepared.”
“So, the Shamans have staged an attack before?”
He stared.
“You assume they can’t breach your lands, so are you prepared if they can?”
“There is no possibility of success.”
“Then why are they coming here?”
“We don’t know that for sure. Your little friend could be misinformed.”
“Or he could be giving us a warning to ensure our survival and we’re blowing it.”
Callon bowed his head before he dragged his hands down his face. “Even if I told Queen Delwyn the truth, she would disregard everything and then exile us from Eden Star for breaking every single law of the land. It would accomplish nothing.”
“Then who can you tell?”
His palms flattened against the surface. “I could relay my suspicions to General Aldon.”
“Will he take you seriously?”
He continued to stare at his hands. “Yes.”
“And he won’t ask questions?”
“No, he won’t question me.”
“Will he tell Queen Delwyn?”
“Not if I ask him not to.”
“How will you explain how you know this?”
He gave a shrug. “I won’t. I don’t need to explain myself. Something is coming—be ready for it. The order is straightforward.”
“Okay,” she said. “Sometimes I wish you were the king because you listen. Queen Delwyn never listens.”
A heavy chuckle escaped his lips.
“What?”
“The only reason I listen, the only reason I betray my own people, is because of the love I have for you. It does not reflect my ideology. It does not reflect my loyalty to Eden Star. It is love that makes me foolish.”
“Well, maybe being foolish is a good thing sometimes.”
His eyes shifted out the window. “That still remains to be foreseen, Sor-lei.”
22
Hatchling
“Did you speak to General Aldon?” Cora walked behind him, doing her best to keep up. Her endurance and physicality were better than they’d ever been, but she still had to push herself hard to meet his pace. For every stride of his, there were two of hers. Sometimes three.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“He accepted my warning.”
“And that’s it? We’re done?”
“When it comes to war, he’s the one in charge. It’s in his hands now.”
“What would you do? If you were still the general?”
“Double the guard on duty. Expand the perimeter. Plant scouts farther into the wildlands.”
“You think he’ll do those things?”
“Yes.”
“He told you this?”
“No.” He halted in his tracks and turned back to regard her. “He still lives in my shadow, and he’ll continue to live in my shadow until his service equals mine. It’s in his best interest to heed my warnings in case it truly comes to pass.” He faced forward again and continued his hike.
“I hope I’m wrong…”
“Don’t worry about the safety of Eden Star. It’s not your job.”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t care—because I do.”
They reached their secret glade they used for training and dropped their packs and unsheathed their swords.
“Have you acted as a vessel to anyone new?” He tested the swing of his sword with his warm-up.
“No one has asked.”
“I’m sure they will soon. Be prepared when they do.”
She held her sword at the ready, knowing he would strike when she least expected it.
“Switch hands.”
“Sorry?”
“You’re going to use your left hand today.”
“Uh, why?”
“What will you do if your right arm is broken in combat?”
She stared at her arm, like she could see the broken bones through the skin.
“That’s why, Cora.”
“Can you fight with your left hand?”
He tossed the blade to the other hand and spun it around just as fluidly.
“Okay…no need to show off.”
“So, what happens if I do break an arm?” They were on their way back to Eden Star, her in the rear while he took the lead.
“It hurts.”
She rolled her eyes. “I meant, do you have a healer? Do you use magic?”
“Both. We have a healer who uses magic.”
“You just have one healer?”
“Yes.”
“So, it’s just one guy healing a bunch of people in battle?”
“It’s a very complicated task and requires thorough training. Not just anyone can be a healer. Magic is used to map out the body and then heal it properly, but if you do it improperly, you could cause more damage instead. Or worse, kill them. It’s a skill of the mind. It requires no touching. A healer uses the body’s natural processes to heal itself.”
“Wow…that’s really cool.”
“But you should avoid breaking your arm because he can fix ailments, but not remove pain.”
“Why not?”
“Pain is
a notification from our mind that something is wrong. If you turn that off, it might turn off other things as well, such as automatic processes like breathing, producing urine, things of that nature.”
“Sounds like you know a bit about it.”
“I know some basics—just in case I need them in battle.”
“You think you could teach me?”
“No. We don’t have time for that.”
They returned to the heart of the forest, the tree houses in the canopies, other elves walking by on their outdoor stroll.
“Would you like to visit the cemetery?”
“No.” He halted on the path, his tree house in the opposite direction. “I need some time before I return. Some meditation. Some grief counseling.”
“I didn’t know they offered that.”
“I’ve never tried it. But now I realize I might need it.” His hand moved to her shoulder, and he gave her a squeeze. “You did well today.”
“I got my ass kicked. What are you talking about?”
He chuckled. “But you tried. You didn’t complain. You just did your best. The Cora I first met would have been a smartass until she got her way.”
She rolled her eyes.
He smiled wider. “See you tomorrow, Sor-lei.”
“Bye, Tor-lei.”
She stood beside Peony at the counter in her tree house.
“Layer the nuts in between the turnips and the cauliflower. It gives it a nice crunch.” Peony added one layer then the next, showing Cora how to make the casserole she was so fond of. “The almond crème keeps everything together, so you drizzle that on top and it provides a nice cohesiveness.”
“Not too hard.”
“Nope.” She put it in the oven and set the timer. “Now we wait.”
“Torture.” Cora took a seat at the dining table.
Peony chuckled and poured more tea into their cups. “How’s your week been?”
She’d waited for an attack that never came. As the forest remained quiet and peaceful, she wondered if the information had been false or misinterpreted. Either way, it was a relief that nothing had come to pass. “I helped Helda speak to her sister at the cemetery.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Helda misses her so much.”
“Yeah.”
“That has to be rough for you, huh?” She sat across from Cora and brought the steaming cup to her lips. “Having to be a part of this emotional journey.”
“It is, but I’m happy to do it.”
“If only there were someone in the cemetery for you, you’d be able to enjoy your abilities as well.”
Cora drank her tea and licked her lips. “I’m going to make this casserole for Callon. I think he’ll really enjoy it.”
“I’m sure he will,” she said. “It’s sweet that he’s taken you under his wing.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy.”
“The entire forest was grief-stricken at Turnion’s passing. He was so much like his father—dedicated to his people.”
“I know.”
“Has Callon spoken to him?”
She nodded. “He has.”
“Good.” Her eyes softened. “I’m sure that has brought him immense peace.”
“I think it’s brought them both peace.”
“Cora, it won’t take long for your abilities to become an open secret. Everyone has lost someone, and everyone will want the opportunity to speak to them—on an ongoing basis.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. Everyone contributes to Eden Star in some way. They’re soldiers, gardeners, scholars, something. This is how I can become a valuable member of society.”
“Master of Spirits.”
“That’s quite the title.”
“I think it’s perfect. And it’s a great way for you to have a meaningful impact.”
“Yeah.”
“But I fear Queen Delwyn will be upset when she learns of your secret—unless she wants to use it herself.”
Doubtful. “It would be selfish for her to take this away from her people. It has brought so much peace.”
“I agree. But I also understand why it would be cause for concern. There’s never been anyone in our society with your unique abilities. She’s already suspicious of you, and that suspicion will probably grow.”
“Yeah…she’s not my biggest fan.”
“You’ll just have to change her mind, then.”
Hawk crossed the threshold. “I can smell that casserole all the way from my post at the border.”
Peony gave a smile. “It’s quite fragrant, isn’t it?” She retrieved another mug from the cabinet and filled it with the freshly brewed tea.
Hawk took the seat beside her empty chair and gave a subtle nod to Cora.
“How are things out there?” Cora asked.
“Unremarkable—as always.” He was stiff in his seat, not using the support of the chair to cushion his back. He still wore his armor with his bow slung across his back. After a long rotation in the forest, the first thing he wanted to do was come to Peony rather than go to his private accommodations.
“You’re an archer?”
“Among other things—but it’s my specialty.”
“I’m pretty good with the bow myself.”
“Is that a challenge? Come to the training grounds, and we’ll see whose aim is true.”
“Training grounds? I didn’t even know we had that.”
“Because it’s for the army. But I might be able to get you in.”
Peony removed the casserole from the oven and set it in the center of the table.
Once she was near, his eyes were on her, glancing at her repeatedly. “How’s your garden, Peony?”
“Coming along nicely.” She served the casserole onto plates. “Thanks to you and Lia.”
Cora watched Hawk stare at Peony, giving her a look Cora had never received herself.
Peony looked at her again. “And of course, Cora as well.”
Now it felt like she didn’t belong, not when their two energies combined to ignite flames of a shooting star. Their bodies never came into contact and their eyes barely did either, but the connection between them was undeniable.
She’ll change her mind—eventually.
I hope so.
The blue dragon soared over the twilight sky and released a stream of fire, burning the soldiers and cannons on the ground. Everyone caught fire, and the blood-curdling screams added to the cacophony of war.
Her eyes smarted from the heat of the flames.
Obsidian swooped around then headed straight her way.
She unsheathed her sword.
Obsidian’s eyes narrowed at her form on the ground, and when his toothy jaws opened wide, a circle of fire was in the back of his throat, deep in his chest cavity.
She pushed her mind forward—though she felt nothing but a solid wall.
The heat came next.
The smell burned her nostrils.
She was on fire, smelling her own flesh burn.
CORA!
She jerked up in bed and opened her eyes.
Run.
Red-hot flames set her tree house ablaze. The vines that once grew through her window had been charred to ash. Half of the roof had caved in, falling on the opposite side away from her bed. Smoke drew into her lungs with every breath and made her eyes water until she could barely breathe. What’s happening? She pushed out of bed and landed on the floor.
The rest of the roof caved in at that moment and fell onto the bed where she’d lain just moments ago.
Crawl.
On her hands and knees, she maneuvered across the ground and headed to the doorway.
Grab your sword.
It was next to the wall, so she grabbed it along with her pack, coughing the entire way.
Most of the vines of the stairway had been burned away, so her escape plan was severed. Did someone set my house on fire?
Survive now. Questions later.
How do I get down?
The t
ree house collapsed further, now a squashed pancake of fire.
Jump on that tree and climb down.
I’m not a monkey!
Do it!
When she looked past her own tragedy, she realized her tree house wasn’t the only one set ablaze.
The fire was everywhere. She pushed her mind outward, getting to the invisible front door. Flare? Rush? Are you there?
No response.
Cora, we need to go.
She tried again. Rush?
They can’t help us, Cora. We’re on our own.
She took a short running jump and hit the trunk with her chest. Her fingers and nails dug into the bark to secure her weight above the ground. She gave a scream, all of her fingers in pain.
She made the long descent to the forest floor and fell to her knees.
The tree that once housed her home was completely consumed. Red-orange flames engulfed the entire thing, turning it into fuel so it could grow bigger and larger. Everything that had once been hers would be turned into a pile of ash on the forest floor.
The foundation of the trunk grew weak—and then it collapsed altogether. It cracked smack in the middle, and the flames soared to the floor, the tree house coming apart during the descent.
Screams pierced the night from all directions. She’d never heard them before but knew exactly what it was—the screams of elves.
Put on your armor.
Callon!
Armor, Cora.
She threw down her pack and donned everything as quickly as possible, securing it in place before her bow was slung over her back and her sword secured at her hip. Her empty pack was left at the base of the tree.
She ran down the path, watching screaming elves flee in the opposite direction she was going. In their chaos, one bumped into her but shoved off and kept going. One elf was lit up with flames and collapsed feet away. The screams stopped as the flesh continued to melt off the bone.
Cora looked away and nearly retched.
Callon can take care of himself, Cora.
We both know I’m the first thing he’s going to run to—and I don’t want him to die searching for me. She sprinted as fast as she could, her lungs finally able to breathe now that smoke from her burned tree house was out of her body.
When she reached his tree house, she stopped.
