Soul Binder (Soul Saga (Book #2))
Page 39
Illanya looked at her hands. She felt uncomfortable among the other ambassadors and the new monarch, Zyle. She had voted to keep Roxian in power when everyone was against it. She feared they hated her. She said nothing for a moment. Accacia reached over and patted her hand. “Do not fear us. Please speak your mind openly,” she said with a smile. “We want to hear your true opinion.”
Illanya smiled at Accacia. “I think we should rescue the souls of our kin,” she said. “My children are trapped forever. It is my duty to release them.” Illanya’s eyes bubbled with tears and the sight pulled at Accacia’s heart. She reached over and rubbed Illanya’s back then poured her another cup of tea.
“Thank you, Illanya.” She smiled.
Zyle turned to his life partner. “As the Forestry Ambassador, what is your vote?” Zyle hated addressing her in a formal way in public, but he knew it would be inappropriate to treat her differently in the presence of company.
“I vote yes,” she said simply. “I will not let my parents vanish into the void. It will not be their fate.”
Zyle nodded. He already knew what her vote would be, but he had to ask her in the conference anyway. Zyle looked at Laura, who hadn’t touched the tea or snacks that Accacia had supplied. She gazed out the window, lost in thought. “And you, Laura?” he asked. “As the Battle Ambassador, I feel your opinion is of the most value. Should we come to aid of our kin, risk our immortality for those who may have already lost theirs?”
Laura turned her gaze on Zyle. He was her closest friend on this new island, had confided every personal event to him, and she knew he already suspected her answer. She had lost her life partner in the destruction of the island. She wanted to remain behind and die with him, but Zyle wouldn’t allow her. He dragged her to the safety of the boats and saved her soul. She knew how important this was to Accacia, her niece, so she cast her vote. “It is our duty as warriors to save our kin, protect the innocent lives of the Asquithians who are unable to defend themselves.” She turned her gaze to Accacia, admiring the courage and bravery her niece possessed. “We should have done this a long time ago.”
Mikah jumped to his feet. “So we are going to risk our lives for those who are already dead? This is idiotic!”
Accacia stood to her feet. “This is more important than their lives, ambassador. We are talking about their eternal souls—they must be spared. If we do not destroy the Soul Binders now, we will always live in fear of being murdered, whether it was on purpose or accident. They need to be destroyed—now.”
Mikah shook his head. “You were there for twenty years! Why didn’t you do something?”
Zyle stood to his feet. “Sit down, Mikah.” The power in the king’s voice reverberated around the room and sent chills down Accacia’s spine. “Never dishonor my queen in my presence.” Mikah stared at him for a moment then fell to his seat. Zyle tried to be impartial to Accacia, but he couldn’t tolerate this evident disrespect. “I will excuse your words, Mikah. This is your only warning.” Mikah looked away. Accacia blushed crimson at her life partner’s words. Zyle’s power and protection over her gave her shivers. He was so gentle with her that she forgot how formidable and harsh he could be. It was a different side to him.
Zyle sat in his seat and looked at the ambassadors. “It has been decided. We will leave these shores and sail to the Continent. Our primary mission is the destruction of the Soul Binders, and our secondary mission is to assist the people of the Continent.”
All the ambassadors nodded except for Accacia. Accacia stared at her husband. “How do we destroy them?”
“With a Soul Relenter,” he explained. “It is a solid black material that has the ability to cut through any element. It can even destroy our prized weapons that we forge. It is an element made deep inside the earth on the Continent. Let’s hope we can locate enough material for all of us to use.”
Accacia nodded. She hoped Aleco knew where she could find it, but she doubted he had any knowledge of the element. If the Asquithians didn’t know, then surely he wouldn’t either. Her heart palpitated in her chest at the thought of seeing Aleco again. She had missed him so much this past year. She didn’t know want she was going to say to him, what he would say to her, what he would think of her love for Zyle. Accacia didn’t want to think about it.
The Queen of the Asquithians knew she was wrong for leaving the Continent to its fate. She behaved like a coward and wouldn’t repeat that mistake. Not only were her mother and father at risk for entering the void, seizing to exist forever, but so were the rest of her kin. Drake had to be overruled and annihilated. The people of the Continent were just as much her kin as the Asquithians were. Accacia feared the upcoming mission, but she knew it was the right thing to do—now she just had to do it.
About The Author
E. L. Todd graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with a bachelor’s in biological sciences and is receiving her master’s in education. She works as a full-time writer and part-time editor. She lives in California with her friends and family.
The Soul Saga
Book One: Soul Catcher
Available Now
Book Two: Soul Binder
Available Now
Book Three: Soul Relenter
Available 2014
By E. L. Todd
Soul Catcher
(Book One of the Soul Saga)
Soul Binder
(Book Two of the Soul Saga)
Only For You
(Book one of the Forever and Always Series)
Forever and Always
(Book Two of the Forever and Always Series)
Edge of Love
(Book Three of the Forever and Always Series)