Shit.
Gion had the very real feeling that he wouldn’t be welcomed in the family circle. “Ty?”
Her head snapped around. “Gion, that’s the block! The Tablet put the block inside me.” She scrubbed at her cheeks. “I told you there was something stopping my energy. He did something to me. It’s not natural.”
“I know, angel.” Gion crossed the room, kneeling down in front of her. “We’ll fix it.” He promised, plagiarizing Cross. “We’ll fix everything.”
“That’s why our memory sharing was so weird. It was reacting to the… whatever that Parald did and it was trying to show us the truth as best it could.” Ty made frustrated gesture with her hand. “I thought there was a double-Match. I knew my connection to you was Phazing energy, somehow. I just didn’t put it together quick enough. I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing to me. God, Ty! I’m the one who’s sorry. And I can’t stand that you’re crying. I can’t even imagine how traumatized you must feel, but…”
“I’m not crying because I’m traumatized.” She interrupted with an amazed expression. “I’m happy.”
That stopped Gion for a beat. “You’re… happy?”
“Yes.” She gave a laugh. “I’m happy, you dummy. What do you think?” Ty pushed herself off the sofa cushions and landed right in his arms. “I knew you were supposed to be my Match.” She kissed the side of his jaw. “I’m happy to be free of Parald. And I’m happy that you would have wanted me, anyway. You make me so happy.”
Gion felt the back of his eyes burning. “You make me happy, too.” He whispered.
He had Ty. After eleven years, he finally had her. Gion was holding her too tightly, but she didn’t seem to mind. Job was right. He wouldn’t sabotage that. It was more than he’d ever hoped for. Over the top of Ty’s head, Gion met Nia’s gaze.
“I’ve decided to keep you on as King of the Water House.” Nia told him seriously. “Congratulations.”
Gion had never considered that part of being Ty’s Match. “King? I don’t want to be king.”
“Well, you have to be.” Ty pulled back to grin at him. “Otherwise, I’ll have to step down as queen and then Thar will be king. He doesn’t want that.”
“Nope.” Tharsis chimed in. “Not gonna happen. I called it first, Guy.”
Ty nodded. “He really did. Don’t worry you’ll be a fine king. People always respect your leadership abilities… Hey!” Her expression lit up. “I know! Wouldn’t you like to sit for the Water House on the Council? Then, Nia could sit for the Shadow House. Thar and I just dread the idea of Council meetings, but you’d be great at it, Gion!”
Gion realized that he’d been a Match for four minutes and he was already in over his head. “Whatever you want, angel.” He didn’t really care. Whatever she wanted was fine with him. He’d never seen Ty so excited. Not even when he played the Blue Danube for her. She was crying and laughing and hugging him. Gion would dig ditches if she asked.
“If Guy’s gonna go to the Council meetings, Nia, you need to videotape it for me.” Tharsis drawled.
Gion stroked Ty’s red curls. “I love you.” He said quietly, mostly just she would say it back to him. He wanted to hear the words, again.
“I love you, too.” She gave her hair a toss, because she knew that he liked it. Gion could tell from the gleam in her eyes. “Can we still do the Binding ceremony? It’s so important to me that we chose each other, before we knew we were a Match.”
“Yes. We can do that.” He would have died for her.
“I don’t want to stand in front of the Council, again, either. For our Phazing Day, I want it to be just you and me and our family…” She trailed off. Gion could actually see reality coming back into her gaze. “Gion? What if whatever Parald did is permanent? What if the block won’t go away and can’t I Phaze with you? What would happen, then?”
Gion watched her gravely. “Then, I’d leave you for another woman. I’d miss you, though.”
Ty’s mouth parted. For a second, she just gaped at him. Then, she started laughing, again. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she giggled like crazy. “You have a terrible sense of humor. You’re lucky you found me. No one else would have you without a supernatural spell getting involved.”
Nia and Tharsis rolled their eyes in perfect unison.
Gion’s mouth curved. His gaze slipped over to Isaacs. He detested the bastard, but they had worked together for the past century. It was automatic. In the other man’s milky eyes he could see the knowledge of what was about to happen.
“You want me to get Amarna?” Isaacs mouthed as if he could feel Gion’s attention fix on him. Maybe he was used to working with Gion, as well.
“Yes.” Gion said emphatically.
The Air House rebels just got themselves a brand new member. Parald was about to learn that he’d made a big fucking mistake when he targeted Gion’s Match. There had never been a deader Phase in the annals of Elemental history.
“Yes?” Ty repeated blankly. “Yes, what?”
“We need Tessie.” Gion decided, instead of answering. “She knows the Tablets better than anyone. She can tell us how to fix the block. Don’t you think?”
Ty bobbed her head. “Good idea. Tessie can help.”
“I’ll call her.” Job volunteered from the doorway. “Something tells me that she’ll want to be involved.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
She works by charms, by spells, by the figure, and such daubery as this is, beyond our element
William Shakespeare-‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’
“You want to put Plexiglas in the Earth Palace?” Uriel, of the Wood House glanced over at Tessie. “You’ve heard the rumors that this structure inspired the human Renaissance, correct? They copied it, even though it predates…”
“I so don’t care about the history lesson.” Tessie interrupted. “I lived through the Renaissance and it was boring enough the first time. Now, Gion’s replacing the windows in the Water Palace and I want some plastic here, too. It’s a damn good idea. He’s going to put them in the Shadowland, next, I think.”
Uriel frowned. “Cross will not like that.” He’d been Ty’s bodyguard for years, until he was Matched with Sullivan’s cousin, Melanie. He still had a proprietary interest in all Water House goings on.
Nobody wanted one of the only Phase-Matches in the universe risking his life as a body guard, so Uriel had been forced into early retirement by the Council. Being a Wood Phase, he couldn’t stop his soldiering completely, though. Uriel spent his time doing freelance consulting work, complaining that Melanie refused to quit her job as a policewoman, and looking for any trouble that he could “accidently” engage in.
He’d already missed the Battle in the Agora today, so Uriel was eager for some new fight. Gion proved an irresistible target.
“And I do not think Gion is the best Phase to take advice from, Quintessence. I know him. He is my kin, so I have some understanding of the man.”
“You’re related to Gion?” Tessie liked Guy, but she’d been picturing a “born from a jackal” kind of back story for him.
“My grandmother was his cousin.” In the Wood House, that qualified as family. Especially, since there were only a five Wood Phases left. “He is… troubled.”
“He’s doin’ better, now.” Tessie enjoyed gossip more than anything, except soap operas and sleeping with Job. “He’s with Ty.”
“Yes, I know. It is unsafe to have him at the Water House. I do not know why Brokk allows...”
“No, blockhead. He’s with her. Gion loves Ty.”
“Ty?” Uriel held up a hand at chest level. “Little and…”
“Is there another, Ty?”
Uriel actually thought about that as if it might be a trick question. Apparently, Gion’s “family” wouldn’t be forming a line to fill up his side of the Council Hall come the Binding Day. ‘Cause there would be a Binding. Tessie had known Gion for almost thirty years. The guy didn’t know how to
fail.
Tessie gave up on explaining romance to a Wood Phase. “Just measure my windows for the Plexiglas, please.” She should have just done it herself, rather than use it as an opportunity to alleviate some of Uriel’s boredom. Maybe she could get the guy interested in golf or something. That would be a less aggravating way to amuse Mr. Unemployed.
He obligingly pulled out a tape measure and began his work. “Does Job know about this plastic idea?”
“No.”
Uriel nodded. “When he becomes the first Phase in history to succumb to a massive heart attack, remember that this was not my idea.”
Tessie rolled her eyes. First of all, she was right to replace the windows. Secondly, she was the Earth Queen, now, so this was her home, too. And finally, her Match adored her. If there was one thing that Tessie absolutely didn’t worry about, it was Job freaking out on her.
Tessie started to explain that she could’ve blown up the Earth House, just for kicks, and Job would only wince a little. Before she could do more than open her mouth, though, she felt a surge on energy.
Job.
Tessie turned, a bright smile on her face, as her Match appeared in the nursery.
The room had been prepared for Cross, back when he was a boy. Not that Job’s bitch of a sister had ever let the kid come and visit Job. Instead, the cute little space, filled with tin soldier wallpaper and every toy imaginable, had been sitting empty for two hundred years.
It was Tessie’s favorite spot in the house. She was working hard to bring color and life into the subdued, tasteful Earth Palace, but this room was already perfect. It was like a peek into Job’s wishes and dreams.
“Hey, honey.” She went on tiptoe to kiss him. “Back from the trenches?”
“The Water House, actually.” Job looked over at Uriel, his eyebrows rising ever so slightly in surprise. “Uriel.” He glanced down at the tape measure, obviously wondering what the Wood Phase was doing, but too polite to ask. “How are you?”
“It was Tessie’s idea.” Uriel pointed at her. “She asked me to do it. I told her you wouldn’t want plastic windows, but she insisted.”
“I see.” Job murmured, even though he clearly didn’t.
“Plexiglas is a good idea.” Tessie repeated stubbornly. “For security.”
Job caught up pretty fast. “You want to replace our windows with plastic?” Jumping on board with Gion’s plan really didn’t thrill him. Job was used to being the one with all the good ideas. Tessie thought that his pout was adorable. “I maintain excellent security. No one has ever gotten past my barriers.” Job complained and then paused. “Well, except you, Tess.”
She batted her eyelashes. “There’s a next time for everything and I believe in being prepared.”
“Well, why are you preparing this room?” Job looked around the nursery and then back at her. “No one ever comes in here.”
“Well, I’m not pregnant, yet. But, I figure it’s just a matter of time, don’t you think?”
Job blinked.
Tessie grinned. “And I want to make sure our unconceived baby is super protected. This is his room and it needs to be secure. I’m not taking any chances.”
“Oh.” Job’s eyes had gone wide. He glanced down at her bare midriff, peeking out from under her camisole top. “I would love a child.” The words were almost inaudible, but Tessie still heard the wistful yearning in them. Job would never think that he was worthy of a family, but he’d make such a wonderful father.
Tessie leaned forward to hug him, resting her head against his shoulder. “And in the meantime, Nia’s daughter could stay in here when she comes to visit. That’s our niece, after all. Plexiglas is such a simple thing and it could keep her just a tiny bit safer.”
Job turned back to Uriel. “Rip out the windows. All of them. Anything she wants.” He looked down at Tessie. “Of course. Yes. Plastic.” He touched the side of her face and gave her one of his almost smiles. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Tessie kissed him, again.
Uriel rolled his eyes. “Melanie and I will have children, but I do not want them sealed in plastic. You must let the young have freedom. That is why I am not stricter with Sullivan.”
The Wood House treated their thirty-five year old, part-human member like a four year old at Christmas time. Lots of indulgent smiles and not telling him things for his own good. The poor guy had no idea that Elementals even existed, let alone that the Wood House thought that he was now under their overprotective protection.
Tessie liked Sullivan. It was so, so wrong to enjoy the Wood House’s absently condescending attitude towards him.
But, she couldn’t help it.
She bit back a snicker and glanced at her Match. “So, why are you home so early, Joby? I figured you’d be late, what with the fight in the Agora and everything.” She usually nagged Job into a strict nine to five schedule. Left to his own devices, he’d work thirty hours a day. He needed her to regulate his goof-off time.
Tonight they were supposed to be watching Manos: The Hands of Fate, because Job loved bad sci-fi movies. Tessie had been willing to give him a rain check, seeing as how much had happened in the realm that day. But, if he’d blown off working late… so much the better. Maybe her bad influence was finally rubbing off on him.
He flashed her an exasperated look at the nickname. He didn’t like it when she called him “Joby,” except he kind of did. For all his senatorial taste in clothes, Job loved to play. Teasing him always brought a warm glow to his lawn green eyes. “I need your help.”
“Really?” That was a change of pace. Usually, it was Job fishing her out of trouble. “Sure. Anything, honey.”
“Would you come and examine Ty? We think Parald did something to her with the Love Box and you’re the only one who can tell us how to fix it.” No one understood the Tablets better than Tessie.
“Parald hurt Ty?” Uriel dropped the tape measure and shoved his way into the conversation. “Is she alright?”
“Physically, she’s fine. Parald,” Job’s mouth tightened, a sure sign that he was seriously pissed, “he did something to her energy.”
Uriel’s jaw dropped as Job explained that Parald had disrupted Gion and Ty’s Match. “He did that to my cousin!? To the Wood House!”
“Ohhhhh.” Tessie drew out the word, her mind going back to Gion’s uncharacteristic besotted-ness around the redheaded Water Queen. “Well, that explains a lot.”
Of course, Ty was Gion’s.
She was the only person who ever got past Gion’s icy guards. The only thing that he even openly loved. In the three decades that she’d known the arrogant bastard, Tessie had never seen Gion wear his heart on his sleeve the way he did with Ty.
Tessie cared for Gion a lot and it worried her that he was so isolated. She’d often thought that, one day, he’d just… quit, unless someone came and saved him. And now she knew why it had taken such a long time for his rescuer to show up.
Parald had basically kidnapped the girl.
Jesus! He could’ve killed Gion. A Phase deprived of his Match was capable of all sorts of crazy, suicidal shit. Look at Chason. If Parald’s plan had actually worked, Gion could have imploded. Ty Phazing with another man would have driven him insane. And he was already nutty, enough.
Tessie shook her head, annoyed that she’d missed the obvious and that Parald had endangered her oldest friend. “Parald stole Gion’s Match, huh?” She snorted and looked on the bright side. “Well, that asshole’s as good as dead.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
I think he has much improved; the sea air is his native element
Thomas Bailey Aldrich- ‘Majorie Daw’
Ty had stolen Gion’s clipboard and busily made notes about their Binding ceremony.
“The entire Wood House should come, don’t you think?” She asked her pacing groom. “I mean, they’re your family, correct? Unless you count the other Air Phases.”
“I don’t count the Air Phases.” Gion mu
ttered. “Or the Wood House. You’re my family. You and your idiot relatives. In fact, I don’t care who else is invited.” He hesitated. “Maybe Tessie. She can come.”
Ty already had Tessie’s name on their guest list.
While Nia and Cross were dealing with Randa, the rest of them were waiting for Job to get back with the Quintessence. Ty was also using the time to distract Gion from his rage.
She looked over at Isaacs, who continued to brazen through his eye injury. Amarna and Brokk were discussing attack strategies on the other side of the room. Having Gion join the Air House rebels made Amarna’s century. She was cheerfully plotting ways to bring down Parald and Brokk was thrilled to help plan the carnage.
But, Isaacs still stood by the doorway. He kept his back to the wall and hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Would you be Gion’s best man, Isaacs?” Ty offered. She could tell that he desperately wanted Gion’s approval, despite the dark scowls he kept leveling in her Match’s direction. “That’s a human thing, but wouldn’t it be a wonderful new tradition for us to adapt?”
The Water House had never held a Binding Ceremony before. At least, none that she remembered, so Ty felt free to create her own customs. Binding created the equivalent of husband and wife. Bound Phases even called each other by those titles. It made total sense to pilfer the human rituals. With flowers and rings and wedding attendants. It would be fun. They all needed to focus on something fun, rather than more bloodshed.
Isaacs rubbed at his eyes. Every time Ty brought up going to Freya, Isaacs closed down and muttered, “Later.” Ty would give him another hour or so and then she’d call a doctor herself. Isaacs was running on pride and an absolute refusal to show weakness in front of Gion, but enough was enough. Ty had been raised to be a queen. She respected the need for appearances. Now, Isaacs was part of the Water House, though. She had a responsibility to look after him, whether he liked it or not.
Exile in the Water Kingdom (The Elemental Phases Book 3) Page 31
