Soul Binder (Soul Saga (Book #2))

by Todd, E. L.

  “I’m sorry for your loss, Accacia.” He turned her face towards his. She reluctantly met his gaze. “It will get easier, less painful. I promise.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Cassandra and I were together for one hundred years, fifty of them were spent as life partners. These past twenty years have been difficult without her. Eventually it gets easier though. I can tell you from personal experience.”

  “That’s a long time.”

  “A blink of an eye, really.”

  “Did you have a life partner before her?”

  Zyle shook his head. “It is very uncommon for an Asquithian to have more than one life partner. Since we are practically immortal, we pick the most suitable mate for eternity. It is unlikely that you will meet someone who has had more than one. The only exception is if someone encounters their soul mate—I have only heard of that once in my lifetime.”

  “Their soul mate?” she asked

  “It is the equivalent of a single soul, identical in every way but with a few differences. Soul mates will recognize each other, but how that comes to be is difficult to explain. The gods of the universe make coupled souls that span the length of time, and the likelihood of finding your is virtually impossible—it is almost a myth.”

  “I have never heard of such a thing.”

  “Soul mates are not necessarily romantic relationships. Sometimes you’ll find two women or two men who are soul mates, and they will be best friends throughout their lives, but most of the time it is male-female and involves a physical relationship.”

  “Was Cassandra your soul mate?”

  Zyle was mute.

  Accacia silently cursed herself. “I apologize for asking such a personal question. Please forgive me.”

  “No,” he said. “She wasn’t.”

  Accacia was surprised that he answered her.

  “Was Aleco yours?”

  “I don’t know. I hadn’t heard of the concept when we were together.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “You would recognize his soul—you would just know.”

  Accacia thought for a moment. “No, he wasn’t my soul mate.”

  Zyle nodded.

  They sat in silence. Accacia waited for Zyle to stand up or say he was ready to continue forward, but he said nothing. Accacia saw the light disappear from the sky, and she knew night was descending on the island. They would sleep here for the evening.

  Zyle shifted his weight against the tree. “Accacia, since we are out here, I need to tell you something. I think it would be best to tell you here, away from Canu.”

  Accacia swallowed the lump in her throat. She had no idea what he was going to say.

  “I know who you are, Accacia,” he said. “You’re the Accacia. Roxian recognized you as well. You are the daughter of Portisha and Henral, the greatest ambassadors we have ever had. I’m very sorry for your loss, Accacia. I am also sorry that you suffered on the Continent alone—the only member of your race.”

  Accacia blinked back the tears from her eyes. She had never known the names of her parents. Father Giloth said he never knew. She wondered if she should tell Zyle of her identity, but she didn’t know if he would believe her. She was glad he figured it out. “Portisha and Henral?” she asked.

  Zyle looked at her. “You didn’t know their names?”

  “No.”

  Zyle closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Did you know them?”

  “Yes,” he said. “Your father named me your Life Guardian.”

  She looked at him. “What?”

  “It is my responsibility to protect you in the event of their deaths—I apologize for taking so long.”

  “That was why you didn’t kill me.” She observed.

  “Yes,” he said. “That was one of the reasons.”

  “So you knew them well?”

  “Yes. Your father was my closest friend for many years—he was a great man.”

  The tears fell from her eyes. She finally knew more about her family—their names at least. She never thought this day would come. “What were they like?”

  Zyle looked at her. “Would you like to see him?”

  Accacia wiped her tears away. “How?” she asked.

  Zyle dug in his pant pocket and withdrew a yellow Soul Catcher—the color was beautiful. It shined even in the absence of sunlight. “I have some memories of your father, but none of your mother, I’m afraid. You are welcome to view it—when you are ready, of course.”

  Accacia took the stone in her hand and felt the smooth surface with her fingertips. “May I?”

  Zyle nodded.

  Accacia entered the Soul Catcher as she had with Aleco’s and looked at the scattered images on the wall. One picture sat in the center, as if it was organizing itself according to Zyle’s desire.

  She pressed her hand against the wall and fell forward.

  Accacia stood on a stone platform elevated from the forest floor. The top branches of the trees formed a shadow over the dais. The area reached a hundred feet across with two red doors on either side. They were enclosed in the rock from the building below. Stone benches lined both sides of the stage, where viewers could watch the progression on the scaffold.

  Accacia recognized Zyle. He stood on one side of the stone stage, his red blade hanging at his side. It shined in the sunlight filtering through the trees. The sword looked like it was filled with blood. He swung the blade around his wrist in a flash, tossed it into the air then caught it with his other hand by the hilt. He wore metallic armor that looked like crystal. It reflected pictures like a glass mirror. The past Zyle looked identical to the present one, but she had no idea how much time had passed. This could be only twenty years ago. Subtle facial hair covered his chin, which was absent now, and he stood tall with his shoulders straight. He looked like a fearsome warrior. Even by the high standards of Asquithians, Zyle was exceptionally beautiful and graceful.

  A man stood across from him. “Stop stalling, Zyle.”

  Accacia turned toward the voice and she almost fainted. It was her father. She knew it was him. There was no doubt. The color and shape of his eyes were identical to hers. She could see the flash of humor in his irises, accommodating his teasing comment. He projected his feelings through his eyes just like Accacia.

  He wore no armor, but was adorned only in a dark green shirt and black pants, the typical attire of the men in Canu. Accacia could see the bulging muscles tighten his shirt around his body. His arms were as big as Accacia’s head. Accacia cried at the sight. He was absolutely beautiful. Henral had dark brown hair that curled at the ends, and his face was covered in a thick goatee.

  Her father pointed his sword at Zyle. “Do your worst, Zyle,” he said as he stepped back and adopted a defensive stance. “Make it count.”

  Zyle smiled. “Yes, Master.”

  Her father stared at Zyle, waiting for him to make the first move. Zyle circled him slowly, spinning his blade in his palm. His face appeared stoic as if he wasn’t about to fight his mentor. Suddenly, he took his shot.

  Henral parried the blow with his blade and pushed Zyle back. Zyle fell back from the force but was on his feet again in a second. He swung his sword at her father’s ankles, who hopped over the spinning blade with little effort.

  “Come on, Zyle,” Henral said. “Don’t leave your best move to the end. You won’t last that long.”

  Zyle resumed his attack, spinning his blade faster than Accacia could see, and her father met every strike of his blade with his own. She heard the clang of the metal as the swords ignited in sparks, showering the stone below their feet with glowing embers. Accacia took a step back. Henral pushed Zyle back then jabbed his blade against him in a whirl of images. Accacia couldn’t keep her sight locked on her father’s sword. She was surprised Zyle held his ground against the assault.

  Accacia saw a woman enter through the red door and take a seat in the benches off to the side. She stared at them with a smile on her face, a
nd Accacia recognized those lips. Accacia’s hand touched her own mouth. Those were her lips. The woman had long brown hair that curled at the ends. She was slender and long, although her stature was short, and her skin looked tan and beautiful. Accacia knew the woman was her mother. Zyle said he had no memories of her so she must not speak in this scene. Accacia felt the hot tears roll down her face. Her mother was beautiful.

  Accacia turned her gaze back to the men, who were dripping in sweat with the exertion of the battle. She saw their muscles shake as they held their swords against one another. Their battle continued for another twenty minutes. It seemed that neither one had the upper hand—they were equal.

  Henral lowered his blade. “Enough,” he said.

  Zyle dropped his blade as well. He wiped the sweat from his brow. “Thank the gods.” He breathed.

  Henral laughed. The sound made Accacia’s skin prickle. “You are my equal, Zyle. I have nothing further to teach you.”

  “It’s my turn to teach you a few things.”

  Henral gripped him on the shoulder and laughed again. “Perhaps,” he said. Zyle returned his embrace and stepped back. Her father sheathed his green sword within his belt. “I have something to ask of you, Zyle.” Henral locked his eyes on him. “I hope you will agree to it.”

  Zyle returned his look. “We’ve been friends for hundreds of years. You know there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” He sheathed his sword. “What is it?”

  Henral face broke into a wide grin. He looked over at his life partner sitting off to the side then returned his look to Zyle. His happiness was almost infectious. “Portisha is with child,” he said.

  Zyle smiled in return. He embraced his friend on the stone dais, clapping him on the back. “I am very happy for you both. I know you have waited long for this.” Zyle pulled away.

  “Will you?” Henral asked.

  “I would be honored, Henral.”

  Accacia dropped the stone to the ground. She was heaving with sobs, some from joy and others from a great depression. Zyle watched her cry through the whole ordeal. He expected nothing less. She rose from her place next to the tree and walked away. Zyle remained glued to the spot and watched her leave. If she wanted him to comfort her, she wouldn’t have left his side. He let her be. He knew she wanted to be alone, wanted to run away from reality, but also knew she had nowhere to go. Knowing that made the truth even more unbearable. She would never see them again, not even in the next life.

  Canu

  23

  Accacia opened her eyes and looked directly into Koku’s face. He was asleep on her chest, rising and falling with her lungs as she breathed. His quiet snores came out as a coo.

  Zyle was lying directly next to her. His eyes were open and he was looking upwards to the sky, watching the sun hide behind the leaves of the trees. His face looked relaxed and serene as if he was meditating. “Good morning,” he said without looking at her.

  She hadn’t moved at all. She only opened her eyes. Accacia wondered how he knew she was awake. “Good morning,” she replied. She turned her gaze to Koku, who continued to sleep on her chest, undisturbed by the sounds of their voices. “Koku must have been up late last night. He is still asleep.”

  “He was watching over you,” he said. “He knew how upset you were.” Zyle sat up and drank from his waterskin. He stared at the quiet pool of water before him, his mind elsewhere. “I’ll say it again, Accacia. I’m always here for you if you ever need me.”

  She brushed his arm with her hand. “I know.” She lightly caressed his hand with her own. “Thank you for showing me the image, Zyle. Even though it made me upset, I was very happy to see them. They were both amazing.” She withdrew her hand and stroked the top of Koku’s head. The volume of his snores increased.

  “Yes, they were.” Zyle looked over at Koku and listened to his loud coos. “I hate to wake him, but we must. We need to head back.”

  “But there is still so much to learn,” she objected.

  Zyle smiled, but it was the saddest grin she had ever seen. “We have plenty of time Accacia—time is all we have.”

  Accacia sat up and cradled Koku to her chest. He opened his eyes at the movement and let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry to wake you, Koku, but we need to move forward.” Koku stretched his wings then hopped to her shoulder. He nibbled her ear playfully. “Yes,” she answered him. “I’m feeling much better.”

  They climbed down the mountain and headed across the grasslands back to Canu. They traveled in silence for the most of time, and Accacia sang along with Koku’s whistles. It was becoming a favorite pastime of hers. She wondered if she would get her own companion, a Canu bird who deemed her worthy as a partner.

  “Can I ask you something, Accacia?” Zyle strolled along next to her, but didn’t look at her when he spoke.

  “Yes.”

  “Just to clarify, the duke who invited us to his lands under a truce of peace is the man who imprisoned you as a slave and now he has been crowned King of the Continent?”

  “Yes, that is true.”

  “Why did he kill your parents but spare you? You must have been a child at the time.”

  Accacia sighed. “Yes, I was, but he didn’t capture me until I was an adult. He spotted me in a field and forced me to be his courtesan. He didn’t realize I was Asquithian—he just thought I was an exceptional beauty.”

  “He forced you against your will?”

  Accacia didn’t know why she continued to answer his questions. Somehow he brought the truth from her lips. “Yes, for a long time.”

  She could see the anger course through his limbs. He tightened his fists into balls and bit his lip. “How did you escape?”

  “Aleco rescued me.”

  Zyle nodded. “I hate to think of him as a ruler of such a large land. Rape is strictly prohibited here. A reported incident hasn’t happened in over one hundred years. It is unacceptable.”

  “I’m very glad to hear it.”

  “At least now you never have to see that monster again,” he said. “I’m glad he never killed you in his anger.”

  Accacia shook her head. “I’m not. I wish he had killed me,” she said simply. “Living with him was unbearable. I even tried to take my own life.”

  Zyle stopped in his tracks and faced her. She was frightened by the anger in his eyes. She had never seen him so angry, even when she encouraged him to return to the Continent.

  “Listen to me.” He bore his gaze into hers. “That is never an option. No matter how bad things may seem, you can never make that decision. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, Zyle. I understand you.” She tried to calm him by lowering her voice. “But I have no reason to feel that way—there is nothing here that threatens me.”

  Zyle took a deep breath before he spoke. “Accacia, when you live as long as we do, you are going to want it to end.” He ignored the confused look on her face. “After you see your partner die, your child perish before you, and feel your mind unwind due to your elderly age, you will beg death to take you—and you may even want to speed its arrival. But that is not an option.”

  “I have no intention of killing myself, Zyle.”

  “Good,” he said. “It isn’t worth losing your soul.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The Soul Binders will suck your soul, hoard it inside its stone forever until it is spent and dissipated. I do not want that fate for you, Accacia.”

  “I don’t understand.” She shook her head. She didn’t know what he was talking about. How could she lose her immortal soul? She knew it belonged to the Nature God when she died—it already did.

  “Soul Binders were an accidental creation we made. They were originally made to be Soul Catchers, harmless relics, but they inadvertently turned into something sinister. They house an infinite number of Asquithian souls, capturing them within the rock. They will remain there forever until they are used. And when they are utilized, the soul evaporates, vanishes, and never moves to th
e afterlife—ever.”

  Accacia could feel her body shaking. “So when I die that will be my fate?”

  “No,” Zyle corrected her. “Not if you perish from normal means. Only if you are murdered—even by your own hands—you will be sucked into the gem. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

  “Yes,” she said. “Suicide is never an option.”

  “No, no matter how much you want it to be.”

  “You would have taken your own life if they didn’t exist.” It wasn’t a question, but a simple statement. She was confident she was right.

  Zyle didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. He walked away from her and continued toward Canu.

  They returned to Zyle’s eave then bathed and dressed themselves. Accacia was sitting on the couch, reading a book of poetry with Koku perched on her shoulder, when Zyle left his bedroom and walked to the entrance. “I will return in a few minutes. Don’t go anywhere.” He pointed at Koku. “Keep an eye on her, Koku.

  Koku nodded his head.

  He left the eave and descended down the stairs. She continued to read until he returned.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked when he walked through the entrance.

  “A little,” she replied.

  “Good,” he said. “There is a café in the market I want to take you to.”

  Accacia smiled. “That sounds wonderful.”

  “We are meeting a friend of mine there,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not,” she said as she put the book of poetry down on the table. She was sad to close the novel. The poetry was beautiful. Accacia followed him out the door.

  As they walked through the marketplace, she felt the male attention fall on her. She didn’t know if it was because she was new to their society, or if there was another reason why she felt their heated stares. They entered the restaurant and found a table outside under the trees. Zyle pulled her seat out for her and she sat down.

  She thought it was odd that the Asquithians lived in a society that supported equal rights for women, allowing them to participate in battles and politics, but yet the men were so gentle to their women. Zyle carried her pack for her when they met, offered her his bed, and pulled out her chair for her like she was fragile. It was so contradictory that it was odd.