by L J Andrews
“Fine, but no more,” Athika said. “We will bombard the lindworms’ senses if anyone else joins.” Athika smiled and the tension in the room thickened, yet relaxed in the same breath. “Well, it seems we have a plan. I expect we’ll soon be facing the High Priestess. Teagan, I hope you are prepared to find your answers.” Athika said, her small hand squeezing my shoulder lightly.
I smirked, Jade’s palm still warming my own. She seemed lost in thought and had hardly glanced in my direction. Something was troubling her, and in this moment I needed her relaxing power more than anything. I’d wanted answers since I’d learned my parents hadn’t died so many years ago. But now that it was here, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
Chapter 9
I tried not to worry, but not having a clear idea where Jade might have gone had panic rising like bile in my chest. She’d excused herself shortly after the plan with Mitch had been devised. I’d started to follow, but Mitch and Athika wanted my input, so reluctantly I’d let her go on without me.
She hadn’t returned.
Raffi and Dash assured me they felt no danger had befallen the queen. Even Eisha told me Jade often slipped out at night, of course I knew she enjoyed the stillness of evening when the sky looked like black velvet. Tonight, though I didn’t share their ease. Jade may not be in danger, but the urgent need to find her was enough to tell me all was not well.
For two hours I’d been wandering, feeling as though Jade had faded from the earth completely. I lowered to my haunches, running my fingers along the frozen soil. The strangest part of being a mage, would be the undeniable connection with the earth. When I was younger I thought that since I could hear subtle voices in the earth meant I was slightly insane. Now, I valued the gift. Time and time again the whispers of the trees had encouraged me toward a course of action—and so far nature hadn’t led me wrong.
It took a few moments to build the connection since the ground was frosty and cold. The winter created a small barrier against my energy, but when I locked on—I knew where to go.
Jade was leaning against a thick aspen tree. The wind battered the top ledge that overlooked the valley below, yet with the protection of the heavy boughs the chill wasn’t as biting as I might think. Of course, it helped that my blood seemed on a constant boil as of late. Something troubled her, I could see it in the way she hugged her knees against her chest. Jade had just as keen senses to my energy, but tonight it was as though she didn’t know I was there.
The ledge was so quiet, only the whispering breeze made a sound, so when Jade spoke a burning start rushed through my body. “I wondered if you would be able to find me.”
Her voice wasn’t warm, nor was it cold. But there was certainly something wrong, I could hear it in the back of her tone. “Did you not want to be found?” I asked cautiously.
Jade glanced up at me, the moonlight and stars casting white light enough that we could see each other. “I’m not sure, yet.” Not exactly the answer I was hoping for. She seemed surprised at her own admission as well when she turned away and stared once more toward the sky.
I found a place next to her and sighed when I leaned against the trunk. “Jade, what’s wrong?”
“I’ve never felt this before,” she whispered. “Forgive me if I worried you, I didn’t know how to deal with the emotion.” Slowly, I reached for her hand. She kept her arms tucked around her legs, but she did finally thread her bare fingers with mine. Drawing in a deep breath at the spark of energy rumbling inside at her touch I smiled—I was even convinced Jade seemed more relaxed. “And then you touch me, and the other emotion fades away.” She whispered.
“What happened? What’s upsetting you that you would stay out here all night.”
Jade eyed me in the darkness. The translucent green of her eyes glowed brighter it seemed when night came. I knew Jade could see in the folds of darkness better than any creature alive. Though I wouldn’t go as far to say wyverns were nocturnal, they certainly had an affection for the dark. Eisha once said something about night energy being the most difficult to conquer. The lindworms controlled that power—I wondered if that was where the intrigue of the nigh came for elementals.
“I’m not certain I can even explain what I felt,” she admitted. “May I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything,” I said.
Jade swallowed, and through our palms I was washed in a reluctance, perhaps even a flash of anxiety. “Our bond—the part that makes it unique—is it fading for you?”
I played out several questions she might have asked, but that particular question hadn’t ever crossed my mind. My heart thudded in response, like a car spinning out of control. Her anxiety bled through me in similar fashion. I narrowed my gaze, gently easing my fingers beneath her chin so she would look at me. “Are you asking if my feelings for you are changing? Do you believe I don’t…love you?”
Jade glanced at the ground sheepishly. “I told you I didn’t know how to explain what I’ve been feeling. Something felt different, and I’m ashamed to admit I’ve questioned your bond ever since…”
She didn’t finish. Instead she glanced away into the darkness as though meeting my eye would be the last thing she would ever want to do. “Jade, what is it? Ever since what?” I urged.
The way my pulse pounded in my ears, I believed I might start to panic if she didn’t say something soon. How could I have missed her emotions, was I so disconnected I didn’t see her suffering—her questioning? Sometimes I could be self-absorbed—I was man enough to admit it. With all my illegal and rebellious actions it was clear sometimes I thought of myself over others. But I’d thought I’d been more cognizant of Jade above anyone. Obviously, I was wrong.
With a sigh, Jade’s glistening eyes locked on mine with a determined fierceness. “Ever since…Athika came.”
Athika? Understanding struck me like a wooden plank slamming against my face. Jealousy. Jade had never had reason to feel jealous about anything, so of course the emotion would be strange. I glanced at the sky, the back of my throat drying like ash was lodged in my airway. Athika had said it herself, there was a bond between mages—it was possible Jade interpreted the connection as something more.
“Jade,” I breathed out, cupping my hand around her face. “I’m sorry.”
Her lips pressed together and I saw a tiny hint of steam around her eyes. Hot wyvern tears against the cold night were always impressive, but I didn’t want Jade to cry. “So, I was right,” she said through a strained voice. “There is something.”
“No,” I quickly said, my other hand finding the other side of her face. “No, I’m sorry for giving you cause to think that at all. If you thought for even second I felt something for Athika, then I’ve neglected you.” Jade tried to look away, but I wouldn’t let her go just yet. “I mean it. There is a mage bond, true, but it is nothing compared to ours.”
“How do you know it couldn’t grow into something more? You didn’t always love me.” she asked. Jade’s heart was strong, it was almost unnerving seeing her so unsure over something.
“That’s not true. From the first glance at you I was connected. But I know because I can’t breathe at the thought of not having you with me. I can breathe without Athika. Because you are the first person I think of each morning, or when something happens, or when I’m about to fall asleep. Not Athika. Not Sapphire. Not anyone else. Look, I might not have a lot of experience in love, but if what I feel for you isn’t love I don’t know what is. Destined bond or whatever aside, without a bond I would still feel the same. Our connection just intensifies the feeling.”
Jade’s arms slowly found their usual place around my waist and she scooted a little closer toward me. “I feel so ridiculous worrying over such things when there is so much more at stake. I couldn’t name what I was feeling. It’s just, I’ve seen the way Athika tries to be with you—tries to connect with you.”
I scanned my memories, but couldn’t quite pin point any moments where Athika was forward. I
didn’t feel anything toward Athika, so it was likely I would have missed the hints. “I’m sure it’s just because we’re the only two mages and she wants to work together. Please don’t think of her for another second. This falls to me and making sure I show you how much you matter to me.”
“You don’t have to,” Jade said, looking to the stars, deliberately avoiding my eyes. “It was just a stupid mistake. I won’t bring it up again.”
“Jade, you can tell me things. Even if you think it’s stupid. That’s what I should be for you—you know, that person you can talk about with anything.” The words must have meant something because she smiled for the first time that night. Shifting my weight on the frigid earth I inched slightly closer to her ear. “Are you sure you don’t want me to show you how much you mean, because I had some ideas.”
Jade scoffed and leaned against me. “Really? What sort of ideas?”
I chuckled and tugged her face a little closer until my mouth settled on hers. Jade might have been right about our distance. When our lips touched, a dizzying rush overcame me. It had been too long since we’d been alone. Jade dug her fingers through my hair, drawing me closer. I was invigorated the longer her lips guided mine. My arms wrapped tight around her slender waist, pulling her against me until I felt her heartbeat against my own.
Her kiss deepened, and when the moment came that she pulled away my heart was on the verge of bursting. I sighed and slumped back on the ground, smiling widely as I stared at the stars. Jade kissed the side of my face, even daring to dip to my neck before she nestled against my chest and watched the sky.
“Teagan,” she said after a long, comfortable silence. “You know I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I’ll do the same.”
“You should know I sense King Nag is aware of our connection. Bron certainly told him there was something different with us. I believe he’s going to use it against us.”
There was the strength normally associated with Jade. She was certain, and every word resonated inside me that I knew what she said was true. “I agree,” I answered, though reluctantly. “But that doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic.” I sensed what she was trying to say. Rolling onto my side so I towered over her, I gently brushed her hair away in rhythmic strokes. “Jade, we do this together right. Don’t do anything you think will protect me on your own. Promise me, please. Because if anything happened—if somehow that disgusting prince got a hold of you—I would be dead anyway.”
“I want to show you something,” she said softly, rolling up her long sleeve so her forearm as bare.
On her skin was a beautiful design of gold, silver, and hints of green just like my own markings. The swooping ribbons of color formed a tight shield of intricate symbols. Mage symbols. I didn’t know how I knew the language, but I did. The markings on my body were the same language, but Jade’s was unique—it connected to a part of me and I knew it was important.
“Did you have this put on?” I asked, brushing my thumb across her skin.
She smiled and shook her head. “No, it’s been slowly taking shape for some time, but I hardly noticed. This morning, when I was alone, I was worried for you. I glanced down and it was more vibrant than ever. At first I believed it something to do with my accepting my rise as queen, but when I showed Eisha—she said it was the language of the mage. I think…I think it’s a seal—for you.”
I met her eye, my pulse pounding in my ears as I inspected the mark once more. “Has this…has this ever happened?”
Jade’s hand covered mine. “Eisha had never heard of such a thing. Teagan, this is why when I allowed myself to think…well, that you might not feel the same, I felt broken. I knew my feelings were only strengthening, this is proof to me. I don’t know what this means, but I’m certain we are the first mage and wyvern to seal to one another.”
I chuckled lightly, my throat tightening at the idea. Nothing compared to what I felt inside. Gently I pressed a kiss along the seal and glanced at Jade. She offered a watery smile. Kissing me quickly, she rested her open palm on my cheek. Her words said one thing, but I felt something else as she spoke. “I won’t do anything we’ll both regret. I just want you to know I will do anything to keep you safe.”
Jade pulled me back into the mind-numbing kiss once more, part of me believed it was so I couldn’t keep the conversation going any longer. After a few moments I didn’t mind, but even with Jade tight in my arms the snaking, dreaded feeling that something was going to happen itched along the back of my neck.
There was a new sort of fight coming—and I hated that there was nothing I could do to stop it.
The High Priest blades were crossed in sheaths along my back. Dash and Sapphire had found the holster in the weapons store earlier that night. Having the blades so close to my skin released spurts of energy throughout the night. I paced along the porch of Eisha’s mansion. There were twinkling, frosty lights hanging from the roof and each pine tree in the yard was wrapped in blues, white, greens, and reds.
“Through all this you took time to decorate for the holidays?” I queried with a smirk.
Eisha chuckled, the tension bleeding from her face for a second. “It’s a tradition. Jade and I wanted to fit in with the humans in town, so we’ve always decorated. You know I love sparkly things,” she said, nodding toward the house. “So, I thought—if this is our last year here, well I had better make it the grandest yet.”
I chuckled taking in the pleasantries around the house and found I heartily agreed. The lights, the holly, the scent of cinnamon, eased a bit of the mounting pressure of the looming battle.
“Any word on the other two royals?” I asked.
Eisha shook her head, her lips pulling tight and I caught the muscles in her jaw flinching. “The onyx bloodline has several in the family still living. I haven’t heard if any of the wyverns have answered Sapphire’s call. Amber hasn’t responded, nor have we seen any signs of a mage. I’m not worried…yet. Much longer and I fear we may be charged with defending three royals, not five.”
“What do you make of the weapon Ruby mentioned? It had something to do with the stones,” I whispered when I heard footsteps fast approaching. Eisha was filled with knowledge, but I rarely had a moment to speak with her alone.
Eisha took a step closer toward me. “I’ve been hesitant to mention anything,” she said with urgency. “I’ve seen such a blade. It belonged to the High Priestess, Teagan. The High Priest had those,” she pointed to the swords on my back, “the Priestess had the stone blade.”
“So, what does it do?”
“It powers the elemental stones into one vessel. If Nag took hold of such a blade, with all five stones and with Jade’s bloodline in his family. If he used that all, including his ability to harness night energy—he would be unstoppable.”
“So the High Priestess has the sword?”
Eisha looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking her head. “No, I don’t believe she does. I’d nearly forgotten until it was brought up again. She returned the sword after powering the willow. She returned it to our warriors. They were to hide the blade and the stones. I’m certain that is why Bron is attacking royals—he’s gathering the stones for Nag as we know when he took the fire stone.”
“Do you think Nag has the sword then?” I hissed.
Eisha shrugged and lowered her voice even more when the door burst open and Raffi, Dash and Mitch came outside. “It’s possible. But he doesn’t have all the stones yet, we would certainly know. If he has the blade it is only a blade until all five elemental powers are returned to the hilt.”
“Why would the High Priestess have such a weapon?” I continued, more to myself than anyone else.
“It’s a mage blade. It was forged when our people joined together. The ultimate trust between races was handing our powerful relics to the mage to protect. I suppose…and I hate to say it since I blamed the High Priestess in a way for not seeing Bron’s inner thoughts sooner�
��but it must have been a great sacrifice for the High Priestess to return her final bond of protection back to the wyvern race. She left having nothing. Her bond was severed, her people slaughtered, her husband…well, I imagine giving up the sword was difficult.”
I smiled curiously. “Eisha don’t look now, but I think you might be leaning toward the idea the High Priestess is on our side.”
She chuckled, folding her arms over her chest. “Shocking isn’t it. Perhaps having you around is softening my idea of the mage honor. You’re sealed to Jade, Teagan. She’s sealed to you, that makes you one of us. You will always be a part of this family now.”
Raffi’s booming voice shook us out of our private conversation, though I couldn’t help but smile at Eisha’s vow. Part of her family—it meant a great deal coming from Eisha.
“We’re ready to go,” Raffi growled. The warrior seemed thrilled to be heading out on an actual mission.
Mitch was donned in black from the knitted cap on his head to the black boots on his feet. He tugged on a pair of leather gloves and cracked his neck as though preparing to run a marathon. “I’m ready.”
Clearing my throat I drifted to his side. “I don’t like that you’re doing this,” I admitted carefully. “You promise you’ll be careful?”
Mitch shoved my shoulder. “Hey, we all have our superpowers right? Mine just happens to be thieving. You do your magic thing with your impressive green swords, and I’ll be a dirty criminal. Back out of my element.”
Raffi seemed entertained and chuckled. I found myself smiling too at Mitch’s easy confidence. Athika stepped up to Mitch, leaving Ruby at Jade’s side. Ruby looked stronger now, though she seemed like she was worried in similar fashion to me. I understood. I loved Jade, but we also had the mage and wyvern bond. That was hard enough to separate, so I sympathized for Ruby in saying goodbye to Athika.
“We’ll be okay, Ruby,” Athika shouted over her shoulder as though she could sense the same thing from the royal. “Just focus on healing completely, yes? It’s been much too long since we had a good spar.”
