Rhuul's Flame (Realms of Possibilities, book 1)

by Nulli Para Ora

  “I can’t leave. I need to talk to Rhuul.”

  “Another carriage is en route for the prince. It is imperative that you leave now. We cannot delay.”

  “I’m going to need more of an explanation than that if you want me to leave this realm.” She put her hands on her hips and shifted most of her weight to her left foot.

  “I was told you might resist. Perhaps this will hasten our departure.” He reached into the carriage and lifted a large shield.

  When he displayed the front of it, Avalea felt a rush of shock through her body. “Swear to me there’s another carriage for Rhuul.” She got inside and sat down, her stomach churning. “Get me there as fast as you can.”

  “You have my word.”

  Ghena stared down at the shield and shook his head. “Rhuul’s not going to like this.”

  It took a few hours to arrive in Karn. When they passed through the way gate, Veen was there waiting.

  “Avalea, thank you for coming.”

  “What’s going on here, Veen? Can you explain this?”

  The Eidon ruler let out a long sigh. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed his guards and attendants. “He hasn’t told you, has he?”

  “Told me what?”

  He beckoned her to follow as he walked down a long hall. “I reached out to the Celestan in the hope of forming a peace between our people. I entered their realm. What I saw was disturbing.”

  “How so?” She watched a frown take over his features, and the muscles of his jaw flexed.

  “I met Heren in another realm. My father told us tales of the violence of the Celestan. He said they were animals, nothing more. But she was nothing like that. She was articulate, calm, sophisticated even. The complete opposite of what I found when I reached their home. The Celestan there were almost feral…”

  Even his tone dropped under the weight of his words. “No wonder she told me she’d never go back to her realm.” He appeared to be speaking to himself in that moment, as if he traveled back in memory. “I sought an audience with their leader. I told him of my wish to bring our people together the way I had with Heren.”

  Veen paused and turned to face her. “He accused me of lying. He said no Celestan would have a union with an Eidon, and then he declared war. Invading parties have been pouring into our way gates ever since. I don’t want to hurt them, but I cannot let them destroy us. This is why I need my son. He is living proof that an Eidon loved a Celestan.”

  “I’m sorry, Veen, but I’m not sure what Rhuul’s going to do. There are a lot of bad feelings there. He doesn’t even speak to me about Karn.”

  His lips opened and closed, as if he was searching for what to say. “I never wanted this for him. You have to believe me.”

  “That’s beside the point now. What about that shield?”

  Veen took hold of her arm and continued down the hall. “I was hoping you’d be able to tell me.”

  * * * *

  Rhuul dodged Braka’s slice to his arm and countered with a swing at his throat. Talloc watched the fighting, still in his Omala form.

  “Rhuul, another courier is here for you,” Renna called out from the back of her house, a look of confusion on her face. “Avalea spoke to the first one. Not sure why they sent a second.”

  “Second?” He lifted his hand to Braka, stopping their match. He wasted no time getting to the village entrance, Talloc and Braka in tow. “Why did you speak to Lea?”

  “Your Highness, your father has sent me to retrieve you. Your dranaiya has already been collected and—”

  Rhuul couldn’t control his response. He swung his fist, connecting with the courier’s jaw. Hot acid crept up his throat as his body quaked with rage. “You took Lea to Karn?”

  “Your Highness…” Braka helped the Eidon to his feet. “I did not take her, but your father did send for her. I am to take you to the palace.”

  Rhuul threw his hands up. He wanted to gut the bastard for his part in whatever his father had planned, but he didn’t have time for that. He got into the carriage and clenched his teeth when Braka sat across from him. “Why is he fucking with me, Braka? Tell me what you know.”

  “All I can say is it’s serious, and he believes you are the key to victory.”

  Talloc jumped in and sat next to Rhuul. “I’ll get off at Kref. I have some things to take care of.”

  They traveled in silence to the town. Talloc climbed out and locked eyes with him. His expression was solemn, a first for the Bruna. “Sounds like you’re about to get into something serious. Since I owe you a favor, let me know if you need anything.”

  “You don’t owe me a favor.”

  Talloc shook his head. “You broke up that Corri hideout, destroyed their way gate, and helped me to have more fun than I have in ages. Seems to me like I owe you at least a few.”

  “I fail to see how that benefits you.” Rhuul was about to signal the courier to leave when Talloc laughed.

  “Ah, I guess you’ve never met me on official business. Allow me to reintroduce myself then. I am Talloc, Bruna, lover, cultural connoisseur, and magister of Kref.”

  “You’re the magister?” Disbelief was too mild a word for the bombshell he just dropped. “Who the hell would allow you to be in charge of anything?”

  “Rhuul, Rhuul, Rhuul. I’m going to miss that sense of humor of yours.” Talloc took two steps back and waved. “Whenever you need me, call me. I’ll be there.”

  Rhuul nodded and leaned his elbows on his knees. “Let’s go.” The carriage moved off, heading toward the way gate.

  “It was fun, Braka!” Talloc took the form of the Eidon female and waved.

  Braka looked like he was on the verge of changing color. His scimitar appeared in his hands, and he stood.

  “Sit down. We don’t have time for your lover’s quarrel.” On any other occasion, he’d revel in the sight of Braka’s embarrassment. But not today. Thoughts of Lea and his father filled his head, and as they passed through the way gate, he summoned his swords. “Where are you, Father?”

  “I’m here.” Veen emerged from an alcove with several Eidon dressed in battle armor. He dismissed them, and approached.

  Braka dropped to his knee and bowed his head. “Your Highness.”

  “You may stand, Braka.”

  “Where the hell is Lea?” He wanted to grab his father by the throat and squeeze it until his eyes bulged out. What right did he have to take his dranaiya? There was no justification he could possibly think of.

  “She’s in the library.” Veen’s eyes widened. “You don’t think I’d hurt her?”

  “I think you’re capable of many things.” Rhuul stepped closer, standing toe-to-toe with his father. “If you ever do anything like this again, I will kill you.” He turned his back to him, ready to march into the library.

  “I need your help, my son.”

  “Not happening.” Rhuul walked down the hall, hearing the swish of his father’s robes as he followed.

  “You can help me stop the needless slaughter of your mother’s people.”

  “Is that what you sent in those other letters? Your first message to me was to come to Karn.”

  “Yes. I tried to explain things, but I learned you wouldn’t read what I sent.” He sounded disappointed.

  Rhuul didn’t give a damn about his disappointment. “I don’t care about your problems. I never knew my mother, nor her people. You can all kill each other for all I care. I’m here to get Lea, that’s it.” He looked over his shoulder, watching Braka and Veen. “And don’t send any more guards, especially not Braka.”

  “Braka is the finest guard in Karn. You are my son. You deserve the best.”

  “He’s the biggest ass in the twelve realms. Not killing him is now my greatest challenge.” He turned a corner and sidestepped two approaching soldiers.

  “Your Highness.”

  He ignored them and continued on.

  “I hope you’ll change your mind about the tension with the Celestan. Avalea is
very interested in avoiding the bloodshed.”

  Rhuul stopped in his tracks. His wings rose high, and his blood burned in his veins. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

  “Rhuul, I am only trying to avoid war.” Veen stepped in front of him and stood tall.

  “Don’t you use her for your benefit.” Rhuul gripped his swords tight, wanting more than anything to slash his father’s chest. But that would put him on the throne, a rule he did not want. “Was this how you planned to get your way? I ignore you, so you go after her?”

  Veen nodded at one of the guards and took a shield from his hands. “This is why I sent for her.”

  Rhuul felt a chill move down his spine, as if a drop of water snaked down the back of his neck, leaving a frozen path in its wake. The shield was broad and ordinary in construction. It was the emblem it bore that nearly stopped his heart. It was the face of a woman in bronze-colored metal. Where her hair should be, there were flames. “Where did you get this?”

  “The Celestan carry them along with their weapons. I thought Avalea might know something about this, so I explained the situation to her. She wants to help, so she’s researching anything she can find to tell her what this might mean.”

  Two guards ran down the hall and dropped to their knees. “Highnesses.”

  “Speak.” Veen turned to them and raised the horns of his brow.

  “Your Highness, the Omala woman—She intervened when we were questioning a captive at the way gate. She healed his injuries, and he took her hostage and passed through to the Celestan realm. We couldn’t catch them once he took flight.”

  “Take me to the way gate!” Rhuul turned to his father and spoke through his teeth. He loathed the sight of him, hated how he couldn’t take action against him, resented the position he was placed in, and above all else, despised him from putting Lea in danger. “You wanted me in this war, you’ve got me. But know this: when this is over, you and I are going to have words.”

  Chapter 12

  “You think I’m a goddess? As in, an actual all-powerful entity?” Avalea stared wide-eyed, unable to choose her next words. Not one hour ago, she was in another realm, reading a book when she heard the cries of a man in pain.

  She’d moved in the direction of the sound, down wide hallways, and around a few corners before she came upon a two Eidon guards beating a poor soul within an inch of his life. The scene took place in front of a way gate.

  He was Celestan, unmistakable with his large, mottled feather wings. His voice was strained, matching the expression on his face. Deep ridges were carved into his forehead, his teeth clenched. “No, you don’t understand. I’m not like the others. I came to warn you. Please listen.”

  His cries fell on deaf ears. The tall Eidon guards punched and kicked him without mercy, the muscles of their arms flexing beneath their deep purple, scaly skin. “All of your kind are filth. How dare you enter our realm!”

  “Stop!” Instinct carried her closer, forcing her hands out in front of her body. The Celestan’s cries tugged at her heart, making it ache with each beat. “I said stop!”

  “This is not your concern.” The Eidon didn’t even look at her as he grasped the downed Celestan by his wing bone, intent on breaking it.

  “No!” Her fire surged forth, sending twin columns of flames from her palms. She aimed at the guards and watched them jump away from their victim. “If you touch his wings again, I’ll roast you alive!” The muscles of her body tensed as anger coursed through her.

  She was mad enough to spit venom as memories of Rhuul’s childhood came back to her, filling her head with the pain he felt when his grandfather ordered his wings cut off. “Hold still, let me heal you.” She stopped her flames and placed her hands between his wings. Her magic stirred within her, allowing her to reach into the energy of life itself to heal his injuries. It took longer than it should have. The floors of the palace were made of thick stone, slowing her progress. She knew in an instant when he was well.

  He stood tall and spread his wings wide. “Thank you, I am—” He looked at her with surprise. His mouth dropped open, and then he bent at the waist and started to kneel, but stopped midway, as if he wasn’t sure what to do.

  “What’s wrong? Are you all right?” She placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping to comfort him.

  “Please forgive my actions.” He stood upright in a flash, wrapped his arms around her, and jumped through the portal.

  If this had happened anywhere else, she’d have singed his wings, but not today. Maybe he’s in shock. Maybe he’s afraid. I don’t want to startle him. As soon as they emerged on the other side of the way gate, the Celestan took flight, ignoring her request to be put down. He carried her high in the air, beneath wispy lavender clouds set against a pale yellow sky. Beneath them, Celestan and Eidon fought in multiple skirmishes. What’s going on here?

  He delivered her to what appeared to be a small village. When they landed, he placed her gently on her feet and dropped to his knee. That was when things got weirdandanother Celestan stepped in front of her, calling her Araphene. If that wasn’t enough, he explained, Araphene was the goddess of fire and earth.

  There were many times Avalea wondered about her dual heritage. As the child of a fire elemental and an Omala, she was different from everyone in her village, save for her siblings. She never felt cast out, but she knew she wasn’t normal.

  All around the small Celestan camp were large shields, bearing the bronze face of a woman with hair of flames. A woman like her. She couldn’t help reaching up to the side of her own head to touch her fiery strands.

  “Araphene, goddess of fire and earth. You will deliver us from our suffering.” The Celestan in front of her spoke in a deep, commanding voice. He was tall with long, black hair and cream-colored feathers. His muscled bare arms and broad chest were covered in tattoos depicting birds and tribal patterns.

  “I’m not a goddess, and my name isn’t Araphene.It’s Avalea.” Now that she cleared that up, she could move on. “What suffering? Are you sick?” She looked at the gathering crowd, searching them for evidence of any illness. They looked fine, all of them staring at her flaming hair.

  “Irashar, she healed me. Perhaps we can pray for her help with the others?” Her Celestan captor kept his head bowed. His long, tawny hair tumbled forward, masking any hint of his expression.

  “Irashar? Is that your name?” She looked at the Celestan in front of her and kept her body loose. She’d heard rumors of this race, of their violence and impulsive nature. He appeared calm, but she wouldn’t allow herself to be caught off guard.

  “Irashar is my title. I am the leader of the Celestan. By right, I should lead all of my people, but that is not the case.” He pulled back the cloth door to a large red tent and beckoned her to enter.

  Avalea felt her stomach tighten as small flutters passed through her belly. I don’t know anything about these people. There’s no way in hell I’m going to be alone in a room with one. “Why aren’t you leading your people? Why are you attacking the Eidon?”

  “My followers aren’t attacking them.” He sighed. It was the kind of sound that made you weary just hearing it, making her wonder what he was about to reveal. “The vast majority of my people are being led by someone else. He is called Kallek, and he is another in a long line of false leaders who are controlled by the Lon Fahr.”

  “Lon Fahr? I’ve never heard of that.” She wrinkled her brow and thought back over all the lore she’d learned growing up.

  “Lon Fahr isn’t a thing. It’s a race of beings who feed on the negative energy produced by anger and violence. They’ve controlled my people for centuries, using us to sate their needs. They influence us to fight and even kill. The story of their arrival has been passed down through the generations by those of us who escaped.” There was a look of sadness in the Irashar’s eyes. His jaw was tight, and he spoke as if the words burned his mouth.

  “My ancestors have led our people for millennia. We prospered in peace, built ci
ties, loved learning. When the way gates were created, we were interested in exploring the other realms and gaining new knowledge. It wasn’t meant to be.” He paused and clenched his fists at his side. “With the opening of the way gates, the Lon Fahr entered our realm, wreaking havoc with their control. They moved through our lands like a flash flood, using their influence to set us against each other. Not long after their arrival, the Eidon visited our realm. The Lon Fahr influenced them as well, convincing them we were enemies, making them hate us so they could feast on both races.”

  “They’re the reason for the rift between your races? But how do they control others? Why haven’t you stopped them?” If the Irashar was telling the truth, and she believed he was, there had to be an explanation for why things had been this way for so long. While logic dictated she get more information, her heart pumped superheated blood through her veins. These Lon Fahr are the reason Rhuul was ostracized. He was tortured and exiled because of them.

  “We’re not sure how they do it. It could be some kind of aura or mind control. All we know is, if they get close enough to you, they can take over. The effect persists for some time after you leave them, and they can compel you to return.”

  “Hmm.” She thought about Veen’s explanation of the Celestan demands when she was back in the palace. She hoped the Irashar could shed some light on what he observed. “The ruler of Karn said he spoke to a Celestan leader to create a peace between your races. He told him of his son and my life mate, Rhuul. He’s half Eidon and half Celestan.”

  The Irashar shook his head. “The ruler of Karn didn’t speak to me. He dealt with Kallek.” The Celestan paced in front of the large tent with his wings held high. “When the Eidon became our enemy, they did something to the way gates, creating some kind of barrier we couldn’t pass through. Over the years, some of us have been able to escape when the barriers weakened. The Eidon always reinforced them, until recently. My scouts heard others talk of plans to invade Karn. I sent a few of my own people to Karn in the hope of providing an explanation.”

  He sucked in a breath and stared at her with wary eyes. “Your life mate is proof that our races can coexist. I could use that to my advantage, open the eyes of my people once they are free of the Lon Fahr’s control. If the Lon Fahr are aware of his existence, they will have him killed. He represents a potential end to the violence.”