“Also, I wanted to tell you…Well I have a surprise for you. I had something made for you. I will send it up now if that’s alright.”
“Thank you, that was thoughtful Blake.”
“I am just trying to think of others more than myself. It is a hard cycle to break. I think it will make me a better king and…husband,” he added awkwardly.
“What is the surprise?” she asked curiously.
“Just something to make you feel more at home.” He winked and then strode off down the hallway.
“That was close,” he whispered. “I am not sure how to act around you, now that you are engaged to the Prince. Someday you will be my Queen…” he said, bewildered.
“I know. It’s all so new and weird to me too.” She sighed. “I don’t know how we can stay friends,” she said honestly. “I have never seen any queens or princesses spending time with another man who is not her husband or betrothed.”
“Well, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I should leave before someone sees me.” He gave Niv a hug.
“I knew it!” cried a voice.
Ajax jumped back. He glanced around and found the hoosula sitting on the bed. He had been so focused on Niv that he hadn’t noticed.
Niv glared at him.
Sky jumped off the bed. “I knew there was something going on with the brother.” He glanced at Ajax. “I guessed it before we met you.” He walked over towards them with a smug look on his face. “I’m pulling for you, kid,” he winked.
“SKY!” Niv exclaimed.
Ajax walked over next to the blue creature. “There is nothing going on with us. Niv is my dearest friend. Honestly, I won’t deny that she is beautiful, but so is my mother. Niv is my family.”
The hoosula looked at him for a moment. “Fine, if you say so. But I am still not onboard with you marrying Blake.”
“I agree,” Ajax said. “Keep the engagement if you want, but don’t marry him if you aren’t in love with him. You deserve to be happy. And perhaps you will fall in love by then, but if not, you should break it off.”
Niv rolled her eyes. “I have more to think of than just myself. Imagine how the kingdom would look down on me and imagine the shame I would bring my family if I didn’t go through with the wedding. The people would think I thought myself above the Prince. My father works for the King. Do you not think it would affect him and his employment?”
He thought back to how his family had been treated after Axel had disappeared. It was as if their family had failed the entire kingdom. And only a few people knew about that. If all of Rastella had known it would have been unbearable for his parents.
Ajax opened his mouth to speak, but Niv spoke first. “This is not a debate. My life, my choice. Now go before someone sees you.”
“Uh hum,” Sky said, clearing his throat.
“Someone who won’t keep their mouth shut,” Nivara clarified, glaring at Sky.
Ajax sighed, but obediently exited the room. Sky followed him.
They passed by Leif in the hallway. The hoosula’s presence had derailed Ajax’s train of thought and he had failed to be careful leaving her room. The elf didn’t seem to care.
Leif was carrying a white fabric in his arms.
“What is that?” Sky asked.
Leif unfurled the material, and was left holding a white dress. “It’s something human girls wear. Sinda made it before we left. Blake asked her about it. It is called a dress.”
Seeing the white dress in the elf’s hand made Ajax’s mind jump back to the vision.
“You can’t give that to her,” Ajax urged. “That’s what she dies in.”
Leif paused. “It can’t be. The vision was wrong. You said the dragon saw me murder Niv.” His eyes looked earnestly at Ajax. “I would never do that.”
Ajax forced himself to keep walking. He didn’t know what to think. Could the seer be mistaken? Had Sliver ever been wrong?
He assumed the hoosula was coming with him, but when he reached the stairwell, Sky climbed up while Ajax went down.
He shut himself in his room for the remainder of the day and evening. The white dress was all that he could think about. If he destroyed it, would that alter the future? What would the Prince and Niv think if he ran into her room and cut it to pieces?
Air. Maybe if he cleared his head, he could think straight. Ajax made his way to the roof. It was night already. The dragon called Squeak was sleeping soundly in a corner.
He wondered how lonely it must be for Sky’s brother to inhabit that form. Why hadn’t the creature shifted into something else so that he could come inside and join the others? Ajax knew the dragon was not the form the cambriar should stay in. It didn’t feel right. But Squeak had been a big help in transporting everyone around the chasm.
The giant beast snored softly in the corner. Ajax liked Squeak and his brother. They both seemed to have Niv’s best interest at heart. Cambriars seemed to be extremely selfless creatures. He heard a door open behind him and footsteps approaching. For one brief moment, he thought it might be Nivara coming to say that the dress didn’t fit. He peered over his shoulder only to find Prince Blake coming toward him. Quickly, he lowered himself into a bow. Out of the corner of his eye he thought the Prince gave him a peculiar expression, but when he rose, Blake seemed as diplomatic as always.
“Your Highness, good evening.”
Prince Blake nodded.
Ajax ran his hand along the railing, not looking up. “I wanted to talk to you about the gift you gave Nivara.”
“And why does that have anything to do with you?” the Prince asked, raising his voice.
Ajax took a step back, caught off guard by Blake’s reaction.
The Prince sighed loudly. “Wait,” he motioned him forward. “Please, go ahead.”
Hesitant to begin after the Prince’s outburst, he paused for a moment. “Well Sire, I merely wondered if you had heard about the seer’s vision?”
The Prince turned to look out across the chasm. “No,” he shook his head. “What wonderful thing did Sliver see?” he asked sarcastically.
Ajax repeated what the dragon had seen in his vision.
“Well, I concur with Nivara. The elf acts as if he is her personal royal guard,” he explained, slightly annoyed. “He would never do such a thing.”
Ajax ran his hand through his hair. “I just don’t want to take any chances.”
“Well, I don’t think either of them will go for us locking the elf up,” the Prince replied dismissively.
Ajax shook his hand. “No that hadn’t even occurred to me. I only meant perhaps she could wear something else.”
The Prince stepped back, stretching his arms above his head. “No. I won’t have these visions dictate my life. Nivara trusts the elf. He must have made a mistake, the dragon. I am not going to take away the first gift I have given her. If she is worried and doesn’t want to wear it then that is fine.”
The Prince headed toward the door he had exited from but stopped. “You mentioned being neighbors with Nivara.”
Ajax nodded. “That is correct, Your Highness.”
“I was just curious—how often did you see each other growing up? I am sure you were busy even as a boy—”
“Every day, for as often as we could. Normally we both had to be dragged inside at the end of every day,” he answered honestly.
The Prince said nothing, gave no indication on his face to any feelings he was experiencing, and headed back inside the tower.
Ajax returned to his room, disheartened. He threw himself down on the bed. He had tried to change the future and failed. Niv would wear the dress sometime. He picked up one of the pillows and chucked it across the room. Ajax wanted to force them to make the right decision, but they had to make their own choices. Having had his own taken away from him enough, he knew he couldn’t do that to someone else. Knowing he had the power to change things made it that much more difficult to take the higher road.
It took a long while for slee
p to come to him that night.
A knock jogged Ajax from his slumber. He slowly made his way to the door and smiled after he opened it.
“You never came to dinner last night,” the boy said. “We wanted to meet you. Are you Uncle Ajax?”
Ajax got down on his knees. “I am.” He smiled at the boy and girl in front of him. They looked similar to their mother, but he could see some of his brother in them as well.
“I’m Edwin.” The boy stood tall sticking his chest out. He pointed to his sister. “She is Veda.”
The young girl hid her face bashfully into her arm.
“Well,” Ajax smiled. “It’s so good to meet you.” He raised his eyebrow, and eyed the boy. “So who’s faster?”
Edwin laughed. “Me, of course.”
“Let’s see if you can beat me to breakfast,” Ajax laughed, jumping up and running past his niece and nephew.
The little girl squealed in delight, and they both hurried after him.
Ajax paused at the top of the stairwell, unsure of which way to go, since he had remained in his room the majority of the day yesterday.
Edwin ran past. “You’re too slow, Uncle.”
Ajax dashed behind Edwin, letting him stay ahead. They barreled into a room, and Ajax came to a halt, trying to avoid hitting Niv, but didn’t quite stop in time.
Niv huffed. “If you wanted to make me feel at home, a nice, hot cup of chocolate would have sufficed,” she said sternly, but a smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“My apologies,” Ajax said, pulling her up. “I was racing my nephew. But at least I did see you this time so I am making progress.” He laughed.
“I won!” Edwin proclaimed triumphantly.
Veda came in stomping her feet. “It’s not fair. Everyone is faster than me.”
Ajax scooped her up and set her on his shoulders. “Maybe, but no one is taller than you,” he laughed, running around in a circle.
Niv laughed and smiled as Ajax ran until he was dizzy.
Blake walked into the room. “Nivara, I was wondering if you’d like to have breakfast with me.” He looked at Ajax, and then added, “Alone. I found us a chaperone.”
“Sure, just let me change first.”
“I’m going to tell Papa that I was the tallest,” Veda sang, running out of the room.
“And I’m the fastest,” Edwin called as he chased after her.
The room was entirely empty besides the Prince and Ajax. It seemed so small.
“I think I will go see how Sliver is doing,” Ajax announced, and turned to head back to his room.
“Wait,” the Prince called.
He stopped and turned back.
Blake looked distraught. He rubbed the back of his neck. He met eyes with Ajax. “Do you love her?”
“Yes, Niv’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember. But I’m not in love with her, if that’s what you mean.” There was no point in avoiding it. The Prince must have asked for a reason.
“Then why have things felt different between us since I announced my engagement to her?” he asked.
Ajax sighed. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen Niv for the last two years. Training has taken up all my time. But she’s family to me. I know we don’t share the same blood, but we grew up together. I guess now that the engagement has come out, I feel like she is being stolen from me. I can’t be alone with her anymore since she is not technically family, and people would get the wrong idea. I wouldn’t want her reputation tarnished in any way.”
“I see,” the Prince said. “And that’s the only reason.”
“Yes,” he answered, looking at the Prince seriously. “It has just been hard. I knew when I started training to be the portal keeper that I wouldn’t be able to keep seeing her. I didn’t want to lie to Niv. But now that she knows the secret it’s like I’ve lost my best friend all over again. Because if she weren’t engaged to the Crown Prince then nothing would be in our way.”
“Does Niv want to marry me?” the Prince asked.
Ajax shrugged. “That’s not a question for me. I don’t know if she even knows. You barely know each other.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do—get to know her,” Blake said, raking his hand through his hair. “I want us to become friends and hopefully more. We have four years. It just seems like everyone here is against the idea. I feel like everyone sees me as the villain.”
Ajax patted the Prince on the shoulder. “The others are just not used to our world. Really, does it even matter? Niv’s opinion is the only one that should count.”
“You’re right. It’s just I see how at ease she is with the rest of you. If our relationship is going to work, she can’t see me as the Prince. I want her to see herself as my equal.” He sighed. “Thanks for being candid with me, Ajax,” the Prince added and then exited the room.
Ajax assumed the Prince left to have breakfast with Nivara. He walked up to the roof where Squeak was. The dragon was nowhere to be seen. Ajax explored the area. Suddenly the dragon swooped down right above his head.
“I love flying!” Squeak called down. He glided around the tower.
Ajax grinned. The dragon’s enthusiasm was contagious.
Unexpectedly, the dragon plummeted to the roof, landing awkwardly.
“Are you alright, Squeak?” Ajax called as he rushed to the creature’s side.
“They’re everywhere. Thousands of them,” Squeak muttered as he shook in terror.
“Who is?” Ajax prodded.
“Elves. They are coming, riding on langabeasts. We will be overrun in minutes,” the dragon cried. He hurried back to a corner and huddled into a ball.
Ajax sprinted down the stairs, unsure of what to do. “Axel! Sliver! Niko! Help! Everyone!”
He dashed down until he got to Niv’s floor, continuously calling as he searched for anyone.
Neely and Spots burst into the passage first, followed quickly by the Prince, Nivara, and Sky. A few seconds later Niko, Axel, Leif, Sliver, and Sinda entered from the stairs.
Ajax tried to catch his breath. “The...elves,” he panted, “are …upon us. They’re here.”
“What do we do?” Neely asked, looking frantic.
“Hide,” Leif said. “I shall try and discuss things with my father.”
“He will kill you,” Sky interjected.
“He shall kill us all either way,” Leif insisted, patting Sky on the head. “This is our only chance.”
“I can conceal a few of us. Four, possibly five others besides myself,” Sliver offered.
Axel grabbed Sinda. “Find the children and go with Sliver.” He kissed her quickly.
“Take Nivara and Neely too,” Ajax said.
“No! I’m not hiding while the rest of you are slaughtered.”
“You’re the one who dies!” Ajax shouted. “Stop being so obstinate and listen to someone else for once in your life,” he pleaded.
“Please, Niv, go with him,” the Prince urged.
“Fine,” Nivara consented.
The dragon, Niv, Neely, and Sinda set out to find Edwin and Veda.
Leif turned. “Do your best to hide. There is little chance this will work; my father is not kind.”
Chapter XXI
There were a million thoughts running through his brain as Leif took the steps one at a time to the roof. He needed to look tough. Striker despised weakness. He checked to see if his bow and quiver were secure, that his dagger in place, and that his braid was neat and tied back.
Thousands of elves were coming. Leif could hear thuds above him. Some had already landed. They must be riding langabeasts, which his father had forced the majority of cambriars to turn into. A beast extinct for many years, but strong and with the ability to fly.
Striker had hunted the cambriars down until he had possession of all their species. They were simply a tool to him, something to wield that would give the elves an advantage over enemies. He was ruthless, and cared only about power.
The legacy
of death his people were leaving behind disgusted him. They had killed most of the dragons, and had done so in barbaric fashion. The sorcerers were all dead, for all his father knew, and the humans who had once lived here were almost extinct as well. Leif guessed there might be fifteen humans left on their world. Now his father had come to wreak havoc again.
Leif stepped out proudly from the castle. He would not cower before the feet of the almighty Striker as the others of his kind did.
The leader of the elves was easy to spot. It was simple; just look for the monster with the fanciest attire, the strongest langabeast, and you’d find Leif’s father.
Striker jumped down from his mount. Leif couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the animal his father had chosen was. It was a good shoulder taller than the other beasts and solid black, not a fleck of white. His wings were majestic and matched his dark coloring.
There was complete silence as his father strode towards him. “So, this is where you disappeared to. Tell me where they are and bring me the sorcerer and all shall be forgiven.”
“There is no sorcerer,” Leif lied. “The man you imprisoned is nothing but a mere human. He has no power.”
Striker raised his hand back and struck his son hard against the cheek. Leif did not move, even though he could feel the blood trickle down from his lip and the sharp stinging across his face. He would not give his father the satisfaction of the slightest movement.
“You lie.” Striker smiled as if he were happy to know his son could be dishonest. “I know he is here. My spies have sent word that the seer has reappeared. Nogard would only reveal himself if the sorcerer had returned.”
Leif tried to consider his options quickly. His father did not know about Ajax or Axel—he assumed Blake was the sorcerer.
Striker waved to two legions of elves. “Search the tower. Bring me anyone you find.”
“I am the only one here,” the elf lied again, but he knew it was futile. His father would find the others. He would tear the castle apart brick by brick if needed. Hopefully Sliver had successfully concealed the women and children. Striker wouldn’t waste his time with this place once Blake was found. Although he didn’t like to think it, perhaps the best outcome would be for the Prince to be caught and for Striker to leave with him. His father didn’t know about the others. It could buy them time to find a way back to Niv’s world and plan a rescue of the Prince.
The Portal Keeper Page 21
