Birth of Innocence: The Innocence Cycle, Book 4

by J D Abbas

Elena blinked back tears. They’d thought of everything. “I am the most blessed person in the world.” Not only did she have a new husband who adored her, two new sons, and a baby on the way, but she had two fathers, who seemed bent on making up for the sixteen years she spent in the shadows of Umbradhur.

  Elena caught Silvandir grinning at her with pure joy. “Okay, your turn,” she said.

  Silvandir opened the smaller box. In it was a medallion that matched Elena and Celdorn’s. It bore the image of a Guardian standing on a mountain peak, illuminated sword raised toward the sky. The shield that covered his left arm bore the image of a scroll.

  “You are part of our family line now, Silvandir,” Celdorn said, “and you shall bear the crest of my family from this time forth.” He held Silvandir’s gaze. “You are my son,” he added softly and with great tenderness.

  Silvandir lowered his head and swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that immediately welled. With all that had happened with his father recently, Elena could only imagine the impact Celdorn’s words held for him. She put her hand on his arm and squeezed.

  “Thank you, Celdorn,” Silvandir said in a husky voice. “I am deeply honored and grateful. I can think of no greater man to claim as a father.” He stopped and rubbed his jaw. Elena knew he fought to keep his tender heart under control.

  Silvandir focused on the second box. In it were two gifts from Elbrion.

  “Like Elena, you have lost one father and gained two,” Elbrion said softly, his face lit with the warmest smile.

  Silvandir couldn’t seem to pull in a breath. He picked up a circlet that was nearly identical to Elena’s, although sized for a man and not quite so delicate.

  “It was my father’s, though we had the emerald added to match Elena’s.” When Silvandir raised tearful, questioning eyes, Elbrion added, “You are the only son I have. It is now yours, as is my father’s ring.” He gestured toward the other gift, which matched the ring on Elena’s finger that Elbrion had given her during her diagmatz. It was woven of the same silver ivy vines, with a large, fiery-red Drondonel ruby at its center.

  “Excuse me,” Silvandir said and abruptly left the room.

  Elena embraced both her adai and kissed them on the cheek. “You two are so wonderful. I love you dearly, and I will be right back.”

  She found Silvandir sitting on the bed, holding his gifts and sobbing. He looked up as Elena entered.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  “Don’t be.” She knelt, straddling Silvandir’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “This is new for me.”

  “What is?”

  “Losing control.”

  Elena smiled. “I like you like this,” she teased.

  Silvandir’s brow wrinkled. “It is difficult for me.”

  Elena grew serious. “I know.” She stroked his face and waited.

  “My own father never showed emotion or affection. He never praised me. It was always about looking like a man, being strong. I never knew that he had been unfaithful to my mother. I never thought he would do anything so dishonorable as to use a child.” He stopped as his chest heaved.

  “Elena, I am so sorry for what my father did to you. I should have told you that before. I just find it difficult to speak of such things.”

  Elena kissed his tears as hers fell in unison. “Silvandir, don’t be too hard on your father. Men will sometimes do things when they are swept up in the events of the moment, things they wouldn’t do otherwise. I have seen it many times.”

  “How can you be so forgiving, Elena?” Silvandir shook his head. “You amaze me.”

  Elena stopped to consider. “It’s not that I am so kind or so virtuous. It’s just that I know how corrupt I am. I know the evil that lies within me, so who am I to condemn another?”

  “Do you also see the great good that is in you, my love?” He traced her face with his thumbs. “You are such a gift to me. And now I have inherited the gift of your fathers as well. I am truly a blessed man.”

  “Then let’s celebrate.” Elena smiled as she rose from his lap. “No more tears today. Only joy.” She clasped his hands and gave a determined nod. “Agreed?”

  “Agreed,” he replied with a lopsided smile. He rose and drew her close, running his fingers through her hair. “Do you know how much I adore you?”

  “Hmm, maybe you need to show me.” She gave him a seductive grin. “But not now. My adai—our adai—are waiting.”

  When Silvandir and Elena returned to the common room, where Celdorn and Elbrion now sat quietly, both men rose. Celdorn immediately pulled Silvandir in a tight embrace. “Welcome to the family,” he said, his own voice heavy with emotion.

  Elbrion likewise hugged him. “There is great strength in tears,” he said in his wise and gentle way. “Never be ashamed to express them.”

  Silvandir pulled back and nodded. “I have much to learn from both of you. Thank you for your welcome and your love. I wholeheartedly embrace you as my adai,” he said, unable to keep the tears from welling again. He smiled through them and did not bow his head.

  “Well done,” Elena said playfully, putting her arm around Silvandir’s waist and squeezing. Then she sobered and took a deep breath.

  “Okay, let’s go see the boys before we get ready for the feast.”

  Chapter 33

  Celdorn led them to a cottage less than a quarter mile away from theirs. It was a homey place with flowers trimming the foundation and window boxes beneath the curved shutters. Elena liked it immediately.

  “Elbrion and I will wait for you back at our house,” Celdorn said. “I don’t want to overwhelm Terzhel with visitors.”

  Elena laced her fingers with Silvandir’s as they watched her adai walked away.

  “Are you ready for this?” he asked, his brow wrinkled with concern.

  “I think so. It just makes me sick to think that we weren’t there to protect him.” She squeezed Silvandir’s hand. “He almost died.”

  “But he didn’t.” Silvandir cupped her face with his free hand and kissed her.

  “Ewwwwww!” Mishon’s objection interrupted their private moment. The boy stood in the open doorway, a look of disgust on his face. The sound of boots pounded on the wood floor and Charaq appeared, hand on the hilt of his dagger as he shoved the boy back. His stance immediately relaxed when he saw who stood on their porch.

  Elena startled at Charaq’s fierceness and stepped back.

  Silvandir gripped her arm as he reached around her and clasped wrists with Charaq. “Sorry for the unannounced visit.” A strained stare passed between the two, and a flash of pain crossed Charaq’s face.

  Elena squatted down when the boy reappeared. “Good morning, Mishon. We’ve come to see your new home.”

  Mishon glanced up at Charaq, who gave him a nod, before he opened the door wider. Elena saw Terzhel behind him, clinging to his shirt; his suspicious eyes shifted back and forth between her and Silvandir.

  “And good morning to you, Terzhel.” Elena aimed for lightness in her voice, but it shook with emotion.

  Charaq let go of Silvandir and waved toward the common room. “Please come in.”

  The house was comfortably furnished and well lit. Elena wondered if the many lamps were a concession to Terzhel’s fears.

  It was a larger place than Silvandir and her home with two bedrooms visible and an extra bed in a loft that had been built above the common room. Charaq had something cooking over the fire in the kitchen, which he hurried to remove as the rest of them found seats on the couch and chairs. Terzhel stayed behind Mishon until the older boy sat in a wide chair, then Terzhel climbed up beside him and gripped his shirt again.

  “So are you happy with your new home?” Elena asked the boys.

  “We like our room,” Mishon replied, patting Terzhel’s hand. “The beds are great. Big and soft.” He glanced around. “I guess the rest is good too. There was food already here, and a great loft up there.” He pointed. “But Charaq say
s Waadar’s a little young to be going up and down that ladder yet, so we’ll have to wait. Waadar won’t let me go up there without him.”

  Mishon looked out the window and squinted. “It’s kinda quiet here, and Charaq won’t let us explore yet. Looks like there are caves not far away and lots of trees to climb. But not yet.”

  Mishon straightened and put his arm around Terzhel. “I suppose you’re really here to check on Waadar.” Mishon’s face grew somber and then his chin went up. “He had a rough day yesterday, but we’re taking care of him, me and Charaq.” Elena glanced in the kitchen and saw Charaq wince and rub his face.

  “I’m sure you are,” Silvandir said. “You three are a good team.”

  “Terzhel, we would have come right away, but no one told us,” Elena explained.

  The boy turned his face into Mishon’s chest and wrapped his arms around his belly. His body trembled so hard it made Elena’s heart ache.

  “That’s ’cause you were getting married,” Mishon said. “They didn’t wanna ’sturb you.” He sat up straighter. “But we took care of business.” Mishon leaned his chin on the top of Terzhel’s head and patted his back.

  Charaq hovered at the edge of the room, watching the younger boy with concern. Elena wanted to burst into tears at the tender display, but she swallowed them down.

  Silvandir spoke first. “Terzhel, would you look at us please?” Red-rimmed eyes peeked at Silvandir. “Today there is going to be a big celebration and a feast for our wedding. We would love to have you there—as well as Mishon and Charaq, of course. Do you think you can manage that?” Silvandir was on his knees, halving the distance between them. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

  Terzhel held his gaze and gave a shrug.

  “Use your words,” Mishon said with a nudge.

  Terzhel vehemently shook his head, a flash of anger on his face.

  What’s wrong, my son? Why won’t you use your voice?

  His gaze flashed to Elena. They said I talked funny. Called me stupid and ugly. Anger flared in his eyes. Does Terzhel mean “tool”?

  Elena sighed. No, sweetheart, Terzhel means “son of light.”

  They said my name means “tool.”

  Tears welled in Elena’s eyes. She didn’t want to tell him this. No, that is what Waadar means.”

  Terzhel pushed back from Mishon and stared at him with such a look of betrayal, it stole Elena’s breath.

  “What?” Mishon asked. He looked from Terzhel to Elena. “Are you talking with your minds?”

  Terzhel scooted off the chair and ran to Elena. He buried his face in her lap and sobbed—deep, gut-wrenching sobs that shook his whole body.

  “What’d you say to him?” Mishon glared at Elena. “We’re not ’upposed to talk about what happened. Not ’upposed to upset him.”

  Elena stroked Terzhel’s back. “Mishon didn’t know.”

  “I didn’t know what?” Mishon was on his feet now, hands on his hips.

  Fighting back her own tears, Elena explained, “The boys who hurt Terzhel were teasing him about what his name means.”

  “Terzhel?” Mishon asked.

  “No, Waadar.”

  Mishon glanced at Charaq, his face pale. “What’s it mean?”

  Elena looked to Charaq and Silvandir for help. Charaq knelt beside Mishon and whispered in his ear.

  “Why would they call him ‘tool’? That’s not very nice,” Mishon blurted out. Charaq squeezed his eyes shut. Then he put his hand on Mishon’s shoulder and patiently explained. “Perhaps they didn’t name him that to be mean, but the boys who were mocking him did.”

  Terzhel suddenly looked up at Elena, his head tipped to the side. You didn’t name me?

  Elena spoke her answer aloud for the sake of the others in the room. “No, Terzhel. They took you away right after you were born. Someone else named you.”

  Silvandir eased onto the couch. “But I renamed you. Remember what I told you by the mountain? I chose Terzhel so it would have a bit of Elena’s name in it.” Terzhel nodded, and amazingly he allowed Silvandir to wipe his tears with his thumbs. That gentle act nearly undid Elena. “Always you will carry a piece of your ama in your name.”

  Mishon joined them. “They’re right. I didn’t know about your name.” The little boy’s mouthed worked, and his chin quivered. “I kept calling you Waadar because that’s what I always called you, and I didn’t want someone else coming along and changing that and telling me I had to call you somethin’ different. You were my Waadar. Mine.” Mishon huffed, and his lip pulled down. “But it’s a bad name. Terzhel’s much better. So I’m gonna use that from now on.” He gave a determined nod.

  Mishon gripped Terzhel’s shoulders and turned him around. Terzhel wouldn’t meet his gaze, so Mishon bent sideways. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. Brothers aren’t ’upposed to do that. And those stupid boys shouldn’t have made fun of you and made you cry.” He held up a fist. “I’m gonna have to knock the chud out of them if it happens again.”

  “Mishon ...” Although Charaq’s tone was full of warning, his eyes sparkled with mirth. “A Guardian always takes care with his words.”

  Mishon scoffed. “Not the Guardians I know.”

  “Mishon ...”

  “All right. All right. I’m listening. But anyone that messes with my brother is looking for some trouble, and it’s gonna find them.”

  Elena bit her lip to keep from laughing. “Mishon you are a good brother.” She cupped Terzhel’s face. “It’s all right if you don’t want to talk around others, but with us, you need to use your words so you can practice. Okay?”

  Terzhel reluctantly nodded. Mishon nudged him. “Use your words.”

  “Yeth, ma’am.”

  A thought occurred to Elena. “Terzhel, when the boys hurt you, why didn’t you go away, become a rock like you did when we scared you?”

  “Yeah, why didn’t you?” Mishon chimed in, looking between Terzhel and Elena.

  Terzhel shrugged. “I ... couldn’th.” His forehead scrunched up. “Justh like at the camp. They usth a word and I can’th.”

  Cold dread moved through Elena, stealing her breath. She glanced from Silvandir to Charaq with alarm. “They ... the boys said this word?”

  “Justh one. The firsth boy.”

  Elena felt as if she were submerged in an ice bath. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. Was it Rakshad? Is that the word they used?

  Terzhel’s eyes went wide. How do you know that?

  A squeak escaped Elena. Because Anakh and the others used that word with me, to keep me from shifting. She wrapped Terzhel in her arms, wishing she could erase both their histories.

  Elena looked across at Charaq. “We have to find those boys right away.”

  ~

  “A servant of Anakh is hiding among the children.” Elena couldn’t keep the panic from her voice as she paced the floor of her adai’s home. “He knew the word ‘Rakshad.’ He employed it to stop Terzhel from using his power to hide.” A fierce shudder ran through her body. “All of those children are vulnerable.”

  As soon as they left the boys’ new home, she and Silvandir had hurried to her adai’s to tell them what they’d learned from Terzhel.

  Celdorn gripped her arms and stopped her frenetic movement. “My men are interviewing the children. They are on the alert, and they will find who did this.”

  “Unless ... unless they have the ability to disguise themselves like ... like my father and his men. They could be pretending to be your guards.”

  “Take a deep breath, little one.” His hand on her cheek was warm and reassuring. Elena tried to breathe but her chest felt as if someone were standing on it. “They’re all so vulnerable.” The images of Terzhel’s head being bashed into a bench, his body being ravaged by the older boys just made her want to vomit or ... or kill someone. Rip their offending parts from their bodies. Shove them down their filthy, malicious throats.

  “Sheyshon!” Elbrion’s tone was sharp. “You
must clear your head of such thoughts.” When she scowled at him, words of hatred ready to fly, her ada held up his hands. “Do not doubt that we have had similar thoughts and emotions, but we must think constructively right now. Thoughts of vengeance and retribution will not solve the problem.” He moved closer and gripped her clenched fist. “And we have a wedding feast to attend in a short time.”

  Elena blinked, feeling as if she’d just returned from some distant place. “The feast ...” She glanced at Silvandir. “With all that has happened, I forgot. Well, I didn’t forget. I just ... my focus was ... distracted.”

  Silvandir made a sound almost like a growl and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “It’s all right, my love. I am equally distracted. Our son—our tiny little broken son—was nearly killed.” He squeezed her closer. “Or perhaps he did actually die and was brought back, if Mishon’s version is accurate. I don’t know how to tamp down the violence in me. I want to destroy something, someone ...”

  “Which is exactly why neither of you will be involved in the process of finding or interrogating these boys, and also why Elbrion, Charaq, and I will remain with you,” Celdorn said. “None of us can be trusted to do what is necessary and right.”

  “But ada, they need to know this piece of information. We must tell them.”

  Celdorn cupped her face. “And we will, through a messenger. The four of us will stay here and prepare for the wedding celebration. We will leave my men to do their work.”

  Elbrion frowned. “Celdorn, I believe the children were invited to the celebration. Is that not a cause for concern if one of them is serving Anakh?”

  Celdorn focused on the far wall, a scowl of frustration on his face. Then slowly, he nodded. “I will send a messenger with this added information to the academy. I will also tell them to keep all the boys over ten at the facility during the celebration along with their Guardians.”

  He turned his attention back to Elena and Silvandir. “In the meantime, you two will focus on preparing yourselves for the feast. When it is time, Elbrion and I will escort you to the celebration. Charaq and his own contingent will see to the boys.” He gripped Elena’s face and planted a kiss on her forehead.