by K.N. Lee
“Lilae,” the Guardians said in unison. “The Storm is in position. A new era is upon us. It is time to destroy The Barriers.”
Lilae’s throat was dry. She swallowed and looked at Delia whose dark blue eyes watched her.
“I don’t know how to do this,” she whispered.
Delia gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Use the power that the Ancients gave to you. I’ve watched you grow from a tiny baby to a strong, beautiful woman. The Ancients chose you because of your courage and heart, Lilae. Make me proud. Make your father proud.”
Breathless, Lilae nodded, her heart thumping.
The Guardians stood from their kneeling positions and motioned together toward the doors.
“Your power will link with the Storm. Only such power can destroy The Barrier,” Delia said, and patted the top of her hand.
Power.
The Ancients had given her a wondrous gift.
Lilae looked down at her bloodstained hands. The Shadow Elf, Dragnor had stolen her divine power, leaving her defenseless for nearly a year. Now, it begged to be free, urging her to destroy everything in her path.
“You can do it. Remember all that I taught you.”
“I remember,” Lilae said.
“Good,” Delia said. “Let that power flow now,”
Lilae smiled at having Delia grant such permission.
Delia stepped away as threads of light encircled Lilae’s body.
This is new.
The sound of sparks along the stone columns caught Lilae’s attention.
Her hair flew back as the storm raged on above. Lightning flickered across the sky, screaming and crashing down onto the stone structure. The wind ripped around them, smacking her in the face. The feel of the Storm’s power nearly overwhelmed her.
Lilae clenched her jaw and stood upright in the vicious wind.
Warmth encircled her like a warm blanket as her hands were set ablaze. She sucked in a breath and focused on creating two large orbs of fire that settled above her palms.
While the Storm’s raging wind and lightning fought the magic of The Barriers, Lilae’s flames sparked within the air causing vibrant colors to cut through the darkness. With great concentration, the orbs grew larger and larger until it seemed that the balls that contained them would explode.
Lilae grinned as the light illuminated her face.
The power had raged inside of her for so long.
Finally, it relished in its release as the flames around her body intensified.
Slamming the orbs together created a bubble that she could step inside. Surrounded by red flames, Lilae leaped into the air. She rode the wind, exhilarated by the smooth feel of the air gliding past her as she ascended. Higher and higher she went, releasing the flames like a flood of fire.
The Barriers began to crumble and crack. Stone and debris fell to the ground. Lilae’s flames and the Storm’s lightning stretched across the entire structure, traveling farther than her eyes could follow.
The ground shook beneath them.
The dark sky grew brighter, and the air grew colder. There was the sound of crackling and sizzling as their power fought with that of The Barriers. The glow of The Barriers dimmed as the stone turned to black dust and faded away.
“Thank you,” The Guardians said. They opened their massive black wings that stretched the span of at least six feet and flew into the darkened sky.
Delia stepped forward, her face pale in the moonlight. “You did it, Lilae. Now, we begin.”
They heard footsteps crunching on the debris of the destroyed structures.
The Storm had arrived.
AS THE STORM STEPPED closer, Lilae clamped her hands over her mouth.
It’s him.
Lilae had met this man before, numerous times, in what she had thought was her secret world, tucked deep into her dreams and imagination.
The Storm was more rugged than his dreamlike perfection. Her heart quickened when their eyes met. They were strikingly blue, unnatural but beautiful. Messy black hair fell onto his face as he beamed at her.
The distance between them closed as he approached Lilae. He bowed before her, took her hand, and kissed it with his soft lips.
“Prince Liam Marx of Oren.”
“I can’t believe it's you,” Lilae whispered. She wanted to throw herself at him, wrap her arms around his neck, and hug him tighter than she’d ever held a man.
“I know,” he said, reaching for her. “Finally, we meet. I’m sorry if I'm too forward. But, you are even more stunning than in our dreams.”
Heat came to Lilae’s cheeks, reddening them. She was still unsure of how to respond to compliments. Two men in her entire life had remarked on her beauty.
Liam was now the third.
His skin glowed as if a light shone from within his body.
A Tryan.
Lilae’s eyes lingered on his hands, not hesitating to place her own within them.
The touch sent delicious warmth along her skin. His grasp was tender as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb and pulled her closer to him.
Every dream and moment of suffering had led to this moment, to the day when she would meet the man that seemed to be the missing link to make her whole.
“Thank you,” Lilae said, her lips trembling as she looked at Liam.
He cupped her face in his hands. “For what?”
Lilae sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. How was it possible that she felt so safe and secure in his hands?
She held onto his hands as he stroked her cheeks. “For being there for me when no one else was. For giving me strength when all I wanted to do was cry and give up. To die.”
She opened her eyes.
Ash fell, covering the black ground like a white blanket.
“You saved me,” Lilae whispered, her eyes welling as she looked into Liam’s.
When he pulled her into a tight embrace, she clutched to his body, not caring that he was technically a stranger from a faraway land. To them, they were more than that. They’d helped each other heal, and persevere, for longer than either even realized.
“You’re bleeding,” Liam said, holding her at arm’s length to get a look at the blood that stained her clothes and skin.
“It’s not my blood.”
Liam looked into her eyes and pursed his lips. Concern filled his eyes, but he breathed in relief. “Good.”
He hugged her tight to his hard chest.
Liam smelled of the sea and the jungle. Lilae didn’t want him to let go.
“Welcome, Prince Liam,” Delia said, breaking them from their intimate moment.
When Lilae pulled away, she noticed a hint of a smile on the Elder’s lips as she watched them.
“I am Elder Delia. It seems you’ve already met Lilae.”
“Lilae,” Liam repeated. He held onto her hand. It was clear that neither of them wanted to let go. “I knew your name had to be beautiful.”
Voices came from the wreckage.
“Nani and Rowe are my dear friends from Oren,” Liam said, motioning to the odd pair. “Rowe is a soldier, and Nani is a healer.”
Lilae rubbed her hands together, her eyes taking in the fairy and a tall Tryan man as they stood beside Liam before a scene of fire and wreckage.
Lilae tensed when Rowe looked at her. His brown hair was short, and a beard had started to grow on his chiseled cheeks and chin. He was as tall as Emperor Kavien and similarly built with large muscles and a broad naked chest that glistened with sweat.
“Hello,” Rowe said.
A faint smile came to Lilae’s lips. There was something kind and gentle about the giant before her. She didn’t fear him, despite the scars that covered his chest.
“Hello.”
“We are an army of five,” Delia began, looking at each of them. “Against a formidable force.”
“They are my most loyal friends. They wouldn’t have stayed behind if I’d told them to. And they are more than capable to aid us in an
y way necessary,” Liam said.
“You’re stuck with us,” Nani said. She smiled at Lilae and flew over to her. Her wings glowed and shimmered in the dark. The bright purple of her hair was a beautiful contrast against her olive skin.
“You’re The Flame?” Nani’s gray eyes looked Lilae over, judging her.
Lilae straightened her shoulders. “I am.”
Nani moved her face close to Lilae’s and scrunched up her little nose. “Pretty…but too tall for a girl.”
“Nani,” Liam said. He looked embarrassed, his eyes darting to Lilae’s as he raked his hand through his hair with a nervous chuckle.
“Don’t mind the fairy, my lady,” Rowe said in a deep voice that was surprisingly soothing. “She’s like a child. She’ll say whatever’s on her mind.”
With rapidly flapping wings, Nani glanced back at Rowe. “I’m not like a child. I’m just honest. I’ve never seen a woman that tall before.”
Lilae didn’t mind Nani’s comment. Seeing a real fairy intrigued her. Lhana, the woman who had helped raise her, could tell amazing stories.
When Lilae was a young girl, sitting around the fire on those frigid nights in the woods with the twins, Jaiza and Risa, and her father, Pirin they would listen eagerly, imagining the beautiful fairies Lhana told them about. Never had she anticipated seeing one in person.
Nani was everything she had envisioned. She had purple pigtails and gray eyes. She wore brown leather pants tucked into her knee-high boots and a ragged cream-colored shirt tucked into her pants. It appeared that she’d been through hardship, but that didn’t affect her beauty.
“What are you staring at?” Nani paused to turn around on Lilae.
Lilae blushed. “Sorry. I can’t help it. You’re just very pretty.”
Nani smiled as she flew closer to Lilae, a broken wing catching Lilae’s attention. She touched Lilae’s hair with a giggle.
“I’ve never seen someone as pretty as you, Lilae. Not a human anyway.”
Lilae tilted her head. “But I’m the first human you’ve ever seen.”
“Exactly,” Nani laughed.
Lilae smiled. She didn’t mind Nani’s jokes. She reminded her of Risa, always speaking her mind.
“What about compared to Tryan women, or fairies?”
Nani shook her head. Her smile lingered. “Maybe prettier than a Tryan, but you can’t compete with a fairy.”
“You are honest.”
Liam looked at the sky. “We stand in the middle of Eura and Nostfar?”
“Yes,” Delia said.
“Not what I expected,” Liam said.
Lilae spoke in a soft voice. “What did you expect?”
Liam smiled at her. “I’m not sure. Eura’s sky looks quite similar to Kyril’s.”
“So,” Rowe said as he looked into the horizon. “We are the first Tryans to walk the human realm in centuries.”
“And I am the first fairy,” Nani added.
“I’m sure you’re more than that,” Delia said, meeting Nani’s gaze.
“What do you mean?” Nani batted her eyelashes, giving Liam a glance.
“I am an Elder. I know who and what you are. I see your aura, and you are not merely a fairy. Not anymore, that is.”
Everyone looked at Nani as Delia motioned for her to come closer. “We are fortunate to have another chosen one amongst us.”
Nani smiled, pride in her eyes. “I am honored to be a part of the team.”
Lilae’s brows rose. She never expected to meet another of the Chosen Class so soon. Meeting The Storm was exciting enough, but she knew what evil and danger awaited them all.
“But Nani is more than even that now. The god of the fairies has long since sacrificed herself for her people. As heir, Nani is now the god of the fairies.”
Nani’s jaw dropped. “They didn’t tell me that!”
Delia’s eyes narrowed. “Who?”
Shrugging, Nani flopped to the ground and crossed her legs. She shook her head. “It sounded as if the wind spoke to me.”
“The Winds,” Lilae and Liam said in unison.
Stunned, they looked at each other.
“The Winds speak to you too?”
Liam nodded. “They do. For as long as I can remember.”
“So,” Nani’s eyes widened with hope. “I can repair my wings?”
Delia motioned for her to come. “Of course. You can do much more than that, dear. Stand.”
Nani rose to her feet.
“Spread your wings.”
Nani spread her beautiful wings. The broken wing was jagged and ripped, like a butterfly that had caught its wing on a thorn. Still, it glittered in the moonlight.
“Call forth your Inquisitor’s power, and this time, you must focus the energy on repairing yourself.”
Black smoke emerged from Nani’s feet, rising up her body until she was shrouded by it. Her hair went from purple to white. Her skin glowed white as she closed her eyes to focus.
A bright light shot through the clearing. Everyone winced as Nani burst into a million sparks that stretched into the air around them. A cold gust of wind swept through, and the sparks sizzled as they returned to Nani’s spot, recomposing her body into a stunning young woman.
Lilae’s heart raced as she beheld Nani in her new form.
“Oh my,” she whispered.
Stunned, everyone stared at Nani. This new Nani. No longer a small fairy with ragged clothing. She was born anew, her short purple hair now long enough to brush the small of her back. Still short, she looked regal, in silver robes that clung to her body.
Liam stepped forward when Nani’s eyes opened.
“What happened?”
Nani twirled in her robes, looking down at herself in awe. “Telryd and Ulsia spoke to me about my new home in the Overworld. Pyrii helped me choose my crown. I saw things.” She looked at Lilae. “So many things.”
“The Storm, The Flame, and The Inquisitor—a god amongst us,” Delia said. “Let’s prepare for war, shall we?”
Lilae never would have guessed that the small fairy was just like her and Liam, descendants of the Ancients, let alone an Ancient herself.
Liam rubbed his chin, still looking at Nani in bewilderment. “Do you think it will come to war?”
“Yes, Liam,” Delia said with a nod. “Emperor Kavien will do whatever Wexcyn orders. You will lead our army.”
“I’m ready,” Liam said.
“So am I,” Lilae said. She looked away from Liam when he glanced back at her. “But, Emperor Kavien is more than what he seems. I saw his true self. He’s more of a slave than I ever was.”
Delia nodded. “I know. I witnessed what you did. You changed his heart in ways we could never imagine.”
Lilae swallowed. Emperor Kavien’s kiss would never be forgotten. Having him hold her in his bed while they slept would haunt her. A yearning filled her entire being.
She missed him.
The man that made her his slave.
A sigh escaped Lilae’s lips.
“But I fear that even if Kavien has a change of heart, Dragnor and all of Wexcyn’s other agents will execute his plan.”
“Yes. He has many traitorous agents,” Liam said.
The sadness in his voice caught Lilae off guard. His jaw clenched for a moment as if his memories put him in a foul mood. She wanted nothing more than to console him and find out the cause of such pain.
The moment passed quickly, and his face relaxed. “Where are we to find an army?”
“We go to a land of warriors,” Delia said, her eyes brightening. “There is a kingdom that no other army has dared test since the creation of The Barriers. They are the only humans that stood up to the other races during the first war.”
“I’ve seen Kavien’s army,” Lilae said, crossing her arms across her chest. “He chooses only those with a particular skill. We need warriors if we are going to try and defeat him. Where is this place?”
“Auroria,” Delia said. “It is time t
o take you back to your birth family.”
Lilae swallowed. “My birth family?”
Delia nodded. “Yes.”
My brother, Ayaden. My real mother.
The idea left her feeling unsettled and her stomach churned.
“Now,” Delia said before turning to Garion, her skeleton guard. He stood there, slack-jawed, swaying as if the wind pushed him gently from side to side.
“Scout our path down the mountain,” Delia told him.
Lilae shivered as she watched him seemingly come to life once again. He straightened his back and stood tall, alert, and fierce. Without hesitation, the skeleton bid its master’s command and left Delia’s side to start the descent down the rocky path of the black mountain.
Seeing him kill all of the palace guards for her successful escape had been appalling. Garion was a dead man, just bones covered in black steel. But he was stronger than anyone she’d ever seen.
While Garion looked fearsome, Lilae knew she was safe around him.
Lilae peered into the dark woods that stretched far into the horizon all around them.
“We must leave this place,” Delia said. “There is no telling who or what heard what the two of you just did. And we shouldn’t wait to find out.”
GARION LED THE WAY DOWN the mountain, his eyes glowing as he searched for any signs of danger. It was a treacherous descent. Thick woods of charred black trees that loomed above them, filling every open space, making it difficult to navigate the stone covered ground.
The foot of the mountain gave way to a thick forest alive with creatures.
Lilae peered into the darkness, wary of basilisks. She put her hand to her stomach. Memories of how she’d come to bear the wound from a basilisk’s sharp claws came to her. The pain would remain with her, but so would the curiosity and intrigue of the first time she’d seen Liam.
Glancing at him, she admitted to herself that she’d suffer that pain again to have met him in her dreams.
Lilae’s bare feet bled from sharp rocks and stones by the time they reached the slightly softer ground below. She stumbled to a nearby boulder with a flat surface and sighed as the pressure was lifted from her wounds.
“We can set up camp here,” Delia said, using her staff to light the area around them. “The mountain will keep us safe from at least one side. Rowe, you can take first watch.”
