by Auryn Hadley
"Zep?" Blaec begged, running to his side. "Sal?" he pleaded when she didn't stir.
Jase held up his hand. "We used all we had. It's ok. He did na let go."
"Amma," Rhyx said weakly. "Raast saved dava, and amma Sal and dava Jase didn't let him die. Raast needs to sleep, though, ok?"
"Ok," Roo said looking at Hwa, confused.
Rhyx nodded. "Raast is going to be a great Kaisae one day, just like amma Sal."
"No shit," Rayna whispered. "No fucking shit. She just raised the dead."
"We could na let them take him," Jase sighed. "We could na," and then he too collapsed, his head landing across Zep's chest.
Chapter 60
The Anglians and Viraenovans had met at the door to the courtroom. Audgan had been in the grips of his first maast, but a nuvani soldier recognized it and gently pulled him to his feet, promising the Anglians she would take care of him. Zep's wound was not truly healed, but it no longer bled. Shift had done what he could to help, but Risk refused to cause him pain, saying only that he didn't know what Zep could take. They'd carefully carried him to the Myrosican infirmary and left him with human doctors keeping a close eye on him.
Raast had roused quickly, complaining about her head, but Shift fixed that easily. Rhyx bragged to anyone who would listen about how her sister had saved her father, surprising everyone when she lowered her gaze to Raast in submission.
Sal and Jase had taken longer, and Blaec had been unwilling to let them lie on the cold marble. Blaec grabbed Jase while Arctic picked up Sal, and they carried them to their room. Blaec refused to leave their side until they stirred. When the pair woke, both of them were weak and still exhausted, but they remembered it all.
Myrosica had been apologetic, and Tseri raged about their lack of defenses. She ordered her troops to begin moving, even without the treaty signed, and Rragri did the same. The Judiciary tried to make amends, doubling the guard on the building - and the city walls - but Tseri said only the treaty would appease her. It was written, and as soon as Sal was able, signed.
That night, Blaec slept on the couch. Sal and Jase curled together on the bed, aware that he had heard the quiet sounds of their bodies moving together. Sal smiled as she pressed her cheek against Jase's chest, and as soon as her eyes closed it seemed she fell into the deep sleep of true exhaustion, safe, knowing that Blaec had her back.
The room was dark when the sheer loneliness of the dream woke her. Sal lurched up in bed, and gasped, "No!"
Jase grabbed her shoulders, and Blaec shoved through the door to their sleeping chamber. His sword was in his hand.
"Sal?" He asked, looking between her and Jase.
"It's just a dream," Jase told her.
Sal looked up at Blaec, confused. The feeling of intense loneliness persisted. "Blaec?"
"What?"
She shook her head, trying to pull herself the rest of the way out of her deep sleep.
"Kitten," Jase whispered kissing her bare back. "Ya are ok, it's just a dream. I will na leave ya."
"She doesn't dream," Blaec said softly.
Those words made her remember. "Blaec, it's your dream." She looked at Jase, then back at Blaec. "You're awake, but it's your dream," she said, scrambling from the bed.
"Zep," Jase suddenly realized.
He slipped from the covers and grabbed his pants from the floor. Pushing his legs into the clothes between steps, his destination was the door. Sal knew he was heading for the infirmary. The feeling was only getting stronger, and that's where they needed to be. Rushing past him, she didn't stop until she was in the main room, grabbing Blaec's shirt from the floor. Fear gripped both of them. Sal shoved her arms into the shirt and pulled the door open before she had it over her head. Side by side, the iliri raced through the dark halls of the Basilica, their bare feet slapping on the floor. Blaec trailed after them.
The loneliness became fear, and the fear was turning to panic when Sal flung herself into the infirmary. Pale lights lit the large room and soldiers stirred at the sound of their passing. A group of men struggled with someone in a bed against the far wall. Sal knew. She could feel it. She knew Zep thought he was alone. She grabbed the man holding him down and pulled him out of her way, Jase grabbing another. Together, they reached for Zep.
"I'm here," Sal said. "We're here."
Zep gasped and opened his eyes, meeting hers, then looked at Jase beside her. "I died," he mumbled.
"No," Jase said. "She did na let ya die. We're with ya, brother."
The doctors looked at them confused. Sal wore only Blaec's black shirt, and Jase only pants, their hair disheveled. They clung to Zep as if their life depended on it. Only seconds before, Zep had been moaning and calling out in his sleep. One man reached for Sal.
"Don't touch her," Blaec warned him. "They're fine now, but if you touch her, one of them will kill you."
The humans backed up as a group, their eyes wide.
"I need to check his vitals," a doctor said, glancing at Blaec. "He may be fevered. He was unresponsive until a few moments ago."
Blaec chuckled, his eyes watching the three of them clinging to each other in silence, unaware of anything around them. "I'm sure he was. He's fine, now. He's iliri."
Another doctor shot him a strange look, and Blaec shook his head. "Yes, his skin is dark, but it happens. He is still iliri. He's fine now, but he can't be away from them."
"Why not?"
Blaec ignored him and moved to Sal's side. There was only one way for him to know. Sal and Jase's reactions had been too perfect, too coordinated. It was as if they'd known, and that meant one thing. He lightly touched her shoulder, and Sal looked up, her eyes showing the surprise and wonder she felt.
"He's cessivi?" Blaec whispered.
"I don't know how," she said. "With Jase, too."
"Ayati," Blaec sighed. "You three ok here?"
"Yeh," Jase said. "He's still too weak ta move, but he felt our dreamless sleep. He did na know what it was."
"You don't fucking dream either?" Zep asked weakly. "Do I have to do all the good shit for you?"
Blaec laughed. "Yeah. That's why they need you. Congratulations, big guy. I think you just got your wish."
Zep shook his head. "What the fuck happened, man?"
"You tell us," Blaec said. "I'm glad you hung on, though. So fucking glad you trusted her."
"I don't want to do that again," Zep whispered, squeezing his eyes shut.
Both Sal and Jase grabbed him. Sal pressed herself to his chest, and Jase clung to his friend's hand. "No, brother," Jase swore. "Na fer many years."
Jase sank slowly to the floor, resting his back against the bed, but his hand held Zep's forearm firmly. Blaec pulled back the corner of the blankets, and Sal looked up at him.
"He needs to touch you, love. Stay here. I'll watch your back."
"Thank you, Blaec. She rested her head against Zep's chest, and he put his arm around her automatically. "I'm sorry," Sal breathed.
"For what?"
She looked at Zep's placid face. "This."
Blaec chuckled. "We're good, Sal. We're all good." He leaned down and kissed her head, then squatted beside the bed. Keeping his voice low, he told her, "This is how things are meant to be. I'm not as brave as them, sweetness, but you deserve this. We're good. I got your back."
"I love you, Blaec."
"Fuck," Zep whispered. "She does, too. Sal, you need to drop the link, babe."
Jase just laughed. "Get used to it, Zep."
"Wha?" he asked, still confused.
"Go ta sleep, big brother. I'll explain ta ya later."
"Yeah, man. I fucking need a bigger bed," Zep said as he slowly faded back to sleep.
Blaec sent the doctors away, then watched Jase close his eyes and his head tilt to the side as he lost himself to sleep. When he looked at Sal, she too was out, a gentle smile on her lips. Blaec sighed and walked across the room, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the collection of pots against the wall. He took
a sip. It was strong, just like he needed.
Moving into an adjoining room, he propped his feet up, sipping at the hot beverage. His eyes stayed on the door, and he was not surprised at all when a woman walked in. From the antiseptic smell of her, she worked here. From the sweetness beneath it, she was completely human, and probably very confused.
"Want to explain that? We don't typically recommend the patients co-mingle during recovery," she said.
"Kaisor Blaec Doll, Anglia. You're patient in there is my brother. The woman on his chest is a queen of Anglia. There's nothing a human would consider normal about this."
She raised an eyebrow. "Anglian? So, should I assume you're all iliri?"
Blaec nodded.
"And the royal family, right? That doesn't mean it's any easier to heal you from a wound like he took."
Blaec blew on his cup. "No, but we just needed eyes on him for the night. Your Justices assured us it would be no problem. He doesn't need your medicine."
She sighed. "Myrosica has some of the finest medical technology on the continent, sir." She paused, her brow wrinkling slightly. "Is that the proper term of address?"
Blaec chuckled. "Yeah. It'll do."
"I'm not trying to offend you, sir," she started, but Blaec cut her off.
"I'm the General of Anglia's army, so sir is appropriate. I'm second only to that little girl curled up in there, militarily."
"I see, and that's her husband and brother?"
Blaec just grinned. "No. You would not even begin to understand it. Let's go back to how he doesn't need your medicine, ok?"
She sank into the chair beside him and kicked her feet up next to his. "I don't do formal crap really well, so forgive me. I've been treating the wounded from at least three countries all evening, and my feet are killing me. I'm not trying to be a bitch, I just want to make sure he's ok. The more I know about him, the easier it is to treat him."
"Then I suggest you grab a coffee because the answers to your questions aren't simple, they aren't easy, and they aren't quick."
She nodded, and stood, walking to the pots outside to pour herself a large cup. When she returned, she slipped off her shoes and placed her feet beside his again. "You can't be too concerned about propriety if you don't even have a shirt."
"I can't leave," Blaec said.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Someone has to watch their back. I'll get a shirt when one of my men wakes." He held up his hand when she started to speak. "Where did you want to start? The Kaisae and her titles, or the patient?"
"The patient."
"His name is Zep. Valcor Zepyr. He is the third husband, basically, to the Iliran ruler of Anglia. He died a few hours ago, and Sal, the Kaisae or Queen, stopped it."
She stared at him in disbelief. "So, he didn't die? He nearly died? Or are you saying that something else happened?"
"How do you define death, doctor?"
"Cessation of respiration and heart rate," she said.
Blaec nodded. "Yeah, then he died. Sal just wouldn't let go of his soul, and we had a healer start him back up. She's just a kid, though - the healer - so she couldn't finish the job." He chuckled. "Just trust me on that? I'll give you a demonstration in the morning when one of them is awake. For now, just accept that I'm not insane."
"So, he died, she saved him, and then he had that panic attack?"
"Yeah. Oh, maast, this is going to get confusing," Blaec muttered. "It's called cessivi. They share a soul now."
"Who shares a soul?"
Blaec flicked a finger toward the group on the cot. "All three of them. Ever seen the symbol of Anglia? The three circles interconnected?"
"Yeah?"
"It's like that. They share a core between them, they share a segment with each other, and then they each have a part for themselves. They always know what the other knows. They feel what the other feels."
"I see. And all iliri do this?"
"No," Blaec said softly. "Only the bravest. It's a commitment stronger than marriage."
"And how do they do this, um, cessivi?"
Blaec shrugged and sipped at his coffee again. "They love as only iliri can. I didn't get that part, so I'll never know." He sighed and looked up, blinking.
"I'm doctor Malani Stremic, Kaisor. You want to talk about it?" she asked, handing him a clean handkerchief.
He took the cloth and crumpled it in his fist. For a long moment, he just looked at the ceiling then wiped the tears from his eyes.
"It's confidential," she promised. "I can't repeat anything you tell me unless you allow me to. You look like you need to talk about it."
"You wouldn't believe me," he said softly, "and if you did, you wouldn't understand. Humans never do."
"Try me."
"I love her. I love her so much, but I can't love her like that. I'll never get to love her like they do."
"How?"
Blaec wiped at his eyes again. "Selflessly. They love because it exists, not because of what they get. She loves with all her being. They love her more than life itself."
"How is that different?"
"They love her enough to live every second with her, completely." He took a deep breath, staring glassy-eyed at the three of them. "I love her enough not to."
"And what makes her so special that you all love her so much?" she asked, nudging his coffee at him.
Blaec took a good swallow, the beverage finally cool enough that it didn't burn his tongue. "She's the Kaisae."
"Her title?"
Blaec shook his head and took another drink. "It goes the other way around. She has the title because of what she is. Imagine a person who walked naked through a war zone, was beaten, raped, wounded, and mutilated, but made it to their destination just to sacrifice themselves so someone else could live. Imagine the type of person who would suffer all of that, and you have her. That's what makes a Kaisae."
Malani looked through the door at the tiny girl. "She looks like she's just a kid."
Blaec chuckled. "Only when she's asleep. Humans designed her to be our weakness, and she is. They just couldn't figure out that sometimes a weakness can become our greatest strength." He took another sip. "Malani, that kid in there just made the strongest alliance of nations this continent has ever seen because she had no idea it was impossible."
Chapter 61
Sal woke the next morning to Shift leaning over her. He smiled when he saw her eyes watching him.
"I need to finish healing him, demon."
"Yeah." Her voice was groggy. "I need to get dressed. Shift?"
"What?"
"He'll be confused when he wakes. Be gentle with him, ok?"
"Ok. Go get dressed. I'll wake him up and heal him. LT wants the whole floor healed today, so we're starting early."
"Thanks," Sal said, climbing from the bed.
Shift chuckled when he saw her bare legs, the swirls running across them. "Nice impression Kaisae. You know you need to add this to the story, right?"
"Oh, you have no idea. Tilso's ok, right?"
"He's fine. He'll have a scar, but he just took the sword across his chest. Risk said it's sexy."
"Ok. Give him some lessons, would you?"
Shift smiled and turned Sal to the door. When he slapped her butt, she glared. "Clothes, Kaisae. Humans can't handle those legs of yours."
Sal laughed but headed out of the door for her rooms. She knew Jase waited there for her, and she was pretty sure he was alone. This early in the morning, the halls were still empty, so no one saw her wandering through the Capitol half dressed. When she reached her rooms, she slipped in the door and found Jase sitting in the middle of the main room cleaning the blood from their weapons. Her blades were laid out next to his, Zep's ruined armor at his side.
"We need ta patch this before we leave town, kitten," he said without looking up.
"Yeah. Get a recommendation? I'm not willing to risk him again."
Jase shook his head. "Me either. Ya know I feel it too, right?" He
meant the connection with Zep.
"Yeah. Jase, I can't fit next to you in all that. Come here," Sal said moving to the couch. "Shift's healing him."
Jase threw himself on the couch and grabbed Sal's hips, pulling her to him. She lay across his chest, wrapped protectively in his arms. "Ya ok with this?" he asked.
She snuggled against his neck. "I don't know why I wouldn't be. He's not you, Jase, but you're not him, either. I just didn't expect it."
He gently pushed the pale strands of hair away from her face. "Can I tell ya somethan?"
"Yeah?" Sal said, looking back at him.
"I like it. I'm glad. I knew ya could do it, I just did na know which one ya'd choose. I've allus known ya'd pick a Taunor."
"Keep going," she told him.
Jase sighed. "LT gives ya somethan the rest of us can na. It works on its own. Zep gives ya somethan that works with what I have. Do na start thinking like that," he said, feeling Sal's mind imagining them naked. She giggled, and he kissed between her ears. "I mean, Zep makes ya laugh. I make ya kill. LT makes ya lead. Ya can lead without laughing or killing, but ya'll go insane if ya do the others alone." He paused, one hand still petting the back of her head. "I think we're staying here tonight, yeh?"
Sal nodded. "We're going to be here for two more days."
"Spend the night with him? Just him?"
"Ok."
"Tomorrow, go ta LT and leave us alone."
Sal giggled, and Jase tickled her ribs. "Ya little pervert. He just needs ta get used ta cessivi easy."
"What about you?" Sal asked him.
"I can wait, kitten. It's two days. This is gonna hit Zep hard. He thought he was in love with ya before? He has no idea what this is. The link between he and I?"
"Is that in those stories too?"
Jase shook his head. "No, kitten, yer making yer own rules now. That is why I said he and I need time ta ourselves. We hafta figure a few things out without ya here ta distract us."
