True to his role as a Guardian, Therron was one hundred percent focused on what was taking place before his eyes. Athyna had to wonder what would happen if the Elders decided that Rayn be stripped of his rank. More importantly to her, what would Therron do? Since Therron was second in birth rank, he would be the one to take Rayn’s place. How would he handle that?
Athyna desperately wanted to reach into Therron’s mind to determine his thoughts, but she didn’t dare. First of all, it was such a complete invasion of privacy, but secondly, he would know it the moment she did. She would die before she let herself do that.
Testimony was given by several different people, including Rayn, when suddenly, an energy mass was dropped by the beautiful female. Apparently, there was much more to this whole story than just what Rayn had done, and Athyna was beginning to enjoy herself immensely. She had a very strong feeling that Rayn would be coming out of this ahead and that the council of elders would be eating crow, as they say.
Athyna had to wonder though how much involvement her father had in this. Was it his obsession with the Yarristers that drove him, or did he really think Rayn had made an unforgivable transgression? Athyna hoped it was the latter; she didn’t know if she could deal with the former.
Chapter 9
Maddie couldn’t drag her eyes off of Rayn. She did her best to keep her eyes looking straight ahead, but every now and then she would steal glances at him. He was smiling and openly staring at her. Unable to help herself, she found herself smiling and staring back in return.
She was sitting between Therron and Rykerian, and they were both watching the visual exchanges taking place between them. Simultaneously, they both nudged her with their elbows, trying to get her to stay focused on the trial that was about to begin. Maddie, not able to help herself, let a bubble of laughter escape. Suddenly, all eyes were on her.
Uh-oh, not cool at all. I need to focus here. Focus, Maddie. Focus.
She did her best, but unfortunately, she ended up getting a bad case of the giggles. She brought her hand to her mouth to mute the sound, but not before everyone heard her. Rowan and Annalise threw murderous glances her way, but Rayn just kept on smiling at her.
Therron and Rykerian both clamped a hand on each of her thighs to get her attention, but then, the strangest thing happened. All at once, she started hearing the voices of Therron, Rykerian, and Rayn. It was as if her telepathic gateway had opened and her mind was a highway of thoughts speeding in and out.
Therron and Rykerian were upset with her because she wasn’t staying focused on the task at hand, and Rayn was absolutely mesmerized by her. He kept telling her how lovely she was, how amazed he was by her, and how thrilled he was just to feast his eyes on her.
Maddie: Oh my gosh, Rayn! I am hearing everything you’re thinking. I am amazed by you as well, and you look… well, I am just so glad to see you too.
Rayn: I cannot believe you can hear me! I wonder how this happened.
Maddie: I have been able to hear things since we arrived, but I think we need to focus on what’s going on here.
Therron: May I remind you two that if this doesn’t go well, we are all in a mess? Now, please pay attention!
Maddie and Rayn: Yes, sir!
They yanked their eyes away from each other with great effort and focused their attention on the Chief Elder on the bench. He was reading the charges against Rayn, which basically amounted to the infraction of bringing Maddie to Vesturon to be healed. The council had declined charging Therron and Rykerian for their infraction because it was a matter of life and death for Maddie. Under those circumstances, they agreed there was no other option.
Rayn, on the other hand was not so fortunate. He looked exhausted and frustrated as the charges were being read.
Maddie: Hold on a little longer, Rayn. I have a good feeling about all of this, and wait till you see what we have up our sleeves.”
She could barely contain her excitement.
He was being charged with a blatant disregard for one of the most sacred of covenants. For that, the council would decide if he would be stripped of his rank and also the rightful place as heir to the Leadership of Vesturon.
There were many present that would testify on his behalf, but the law was the law. Under no circumstances, other than a life or death situation, was a human ever to be taken to Vesturon.
Athyna sat alone, her eyes focused on her father. For the life of her, she simply couldn’t understand this vendetta her father seemed to have against Rayn. Their families had been friends, very close friends, for decades. Athyna saw this as a blatant betrayal of that friendship. Not only that, but her father knew Rayn for what he was: an honest, upstanding citizen of the highest caliber. Athyna surmised that there was more to this than what was on the surface, and she aimed to discover exactly what it was.
The elder finally finished reading all the charges, and he then asked how Rayn pled. His attorney claimed he was not guilty. Then both attorneys made their opening statements, and things proceeded much as everyone thought they would.
After the charge was read, the testimonies began for Rayn. At first, they were very tedious: basic formalities attesting to his character. Then, Rayn’s siblings were called to take the stand. They all presented themselves calmly but with the strength one would expect from the Yarristers. Every one of them stated that Rayn had no other option as he had bonded with the human, which shook the courtroom tremendously. There were murmurs everywhere, and a call for silence was issued.
Rayn took the stand and took the Oath of Truth. They asked him many questions about what happened and why he brought Maddie to Vesturon—over and over again. The questions were phrased differently every time, as if they were trying to catch him in a lie. He repeated himself dutifully and never showed his frustration or anger at the whole proceeding. His father was brought forth and was also questioned about Rayn’s actions.
It was apparent that Rowan was in great turmoil over what his son was experiencing, but his lack of support was also shocking. Maddie thought about the position he was in. He honestly didn’t have a choice she thought. For the first time, she felt her heart go out to him and Annalise.
The presiding elder then stood and claimed that it would be impossible for Rayn to have bonded with the human as that had never occurred throughout recorded history, with the exception of the Nunne’hi.
What happened next shook the room to its foundation.
Chapter 10
Rayn’s representative called the human, Madeline Mariah Pearce, to take the stand. A dead silence fell over the room, and Rayn exhibited a look of utter shock.
The human glided to the front of the room. Athyna thought she had never seen a female look so poised and ethereally beautiful. The human was stunning in her attire. Her hair was a color that Athyna had never seen on anyone before. It literally glistened, as if it was the shiniest copper. Braided in the Vesturion fashion, it hung down to the small of her back. She was slender and of average height, but her regal bearing made her look much taller. She was attired in the beautiful garment of one to be mated to the first-born, and she wore the armbands of such. Her neck was encircled with a beautiful golden torc that held a magnificent topaz symbolic of her bonding to Rayn. The first thought that came to Athyna’s mind was that this female was absolutely perfect for Rayn.
Athyna glanced at Rayn, and she was thoroughly taken aback by the look of adoration on his face. She had never seen a male look at his mate in such a manner. Athyna wanted to shout at the Elders. Could they not see this? One would have to be blind not to notice. She would definitely have words with her father over this.
If the calling of the human were not shocking enough, what happened after that would not be forgotten for many, many years.
The esquire asked for the human to state her name and where she was from. Her voice was melodious when she answered. It shook ever so slightly, but her demeanor didn’t show her anxiety. The esquire then asked what her purpose in the chambers was.
“I am here on the behalf of Alexyon Rayn Revvan Rowan Yarrister VII to show the elders that he, in fact, violated no law or covenant in bringing me to Vesturon. I have proof to show the council that I... in fact... am of Vesturion blood.”
With that statement, the chambers broke into a cacophony of voices. Rayn, followed by his parents bolted out of their seats, stunned by her statement. Athyna had to commend the human. She stayed seated and remained calm until the noise died down.
The elder in charge banged on his gavel repeatedly, striving to regain order in the room. After several minutes passed, and everything calmed down, the chief elder asked the human to approach the bench of the elders.
Several minutes of whispering between the human, the esquire, and the elders ensued. Finally, Athyna’s father grudgingly announced that the human had some evidence that in fact showed her to be part Vesturion.
Once again, the room broke out in mayhem. Finally, order was restored, and the human was allowed to give her testimony.
She began by speaking of a dream…
The testimony concluded with Maddie showing the council and all those in the chambers the mark of Vesturon that she bore on her back.
Once again, the room became chaotic. A tall grey haired man that was a part of the council stood up, as did a beautiful older woman in the courtroom. Maddie took one look at them, and immediately, she recognized them as her grandparents.
Her grandfather’s eyes were identical in color to her own. Her grandmother looked like a slightly older version of the woman in her dreams. She smiled at each of them, and she could instantly hear their thoughts.
Maddie wanted to rush into their arms, as she was thrilled to have a connection to them. The Chief Elder interrupted her thoughts when he asked for a short recess for the council to confer, and he announced that the trial would reconvene in one hour.
Maddie flew off her seat with every intention of landing into Rayn’s arms. In her excitement, she had forgotten she was standing on a platform, and when she went to run to him, she lost her balance. In trying to correct her movements, she only succeeded in gaining momentum, and she barreled directly into the back of the bailiff, catching him off guard. Not having anything to grab onto to prevent his fall, he looked on in horror as he felt himself being propelled precisely into Rowan’s back, who was unaware of the imminent collision. The inevitable domino effect occurred at that point with Rowan tumbling into Therron. In a matter of seconds, the front of the chambers had turned into a pile of arms and legs, with Maddie on top, entangled in everyone’s clothing.
Rykerian stood off to the side shaking his head, wondering how to extract everyone with a semblance of dignity. Unfortunately, it all looked so comical that he found himself shaking with laughter. He was not alone, as everyone that had witnessed the escapade was sharing the moment with him.
Rayn bent down and lifted Maddie in his arms and carried her out of the mêlée. It actually turned out to be an opportune time for them to steal a few moments together.
“I have been worried to death all day that I would do something like this. I am such a klutz!” Maddie exclaimed.
“I must admit that it was quite a show!” Rayn couldn’t stop chuckling.
“I guess I should be used to this by now; it seems to happen all the time. But, Rayn, I am so glad to finally be here!”
“Maddie, you are the most beautiful of females. I could barely keep myself from you. I cannot believe this! It is nearly impossible for me to take in,” Rayn breathed in her ear. “Vesturion, huh?”
“I know. I’ve been dying to tell you, but there was no way for me to. That’s why we bonded as we did. It explains so much we didn’t understand before. I only wish my mother had told me all of this… or even my father. I guess his untimely death prevented it, but it could have saved you from being imprisoned.”
“That is irrelevant now that we are together.”
“Do you think the council will release you?”
“I cannot see that they would have any other choice.”
Their conversation continued with both of them trying to fill each other in on what had been happening. The hour flew by, and soon, the Chief Elder was making the announcement that all charges against Rayn had been dropped in lieu of the revelation of Maddie’s Vesturion lineage.
After the announcement, Maddie grabbed Rayn’s hand and dragged him to her grandparents, Taruk and Lysandra Ballistarius. She threw herself at them, nearly knocking them over, but it was apparent they did not mind it in the least. They were both ecstatic to have their granddaughter, who they had never dreamed of meeting in person, here in the flesh with them.
Neither Maddie nor her grandparents could get the words out of their mouths fast enough. Questions were popping everywhere, making Rayn’s head spin. He finally stepped in and suggested that they meet later that day in a place more suitable for conversation. They all agreed they would gather at the Ballistarius home for refreshments and conversation later that afternoon. In the meantime, Rayn wanted some time alone with Maddie.
He wanted to show her his home, his city, his favorite places... so Rayn decided to take Maddie on a walking tour of his town.
Chapter 11
Maddie felt she had fallen asleep and awakened in fairyland. She could not begin to describe Vesturon. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. Rayn was amazed by her newfound ability to detect the additional hues that were so common on Vesturon.
She retold her dream to him in great detail, which was astonishing to Rayn, but at the same time, it made complete and total sense. It certainly explained why they had connected, and now, it all made sense because of her Vesturion bloodlines.
He gave her a quick tour, and Maddie understood why they were all so in love with this place.
Maddie surprised Rayn when she asked to take him somewhere. This puzzled him, since he knew she was fairly unfamiliar with Vesturon. She grabbed his hand and pulled him along until they came to the Academy. They entered the building, and she took him to the wall of trophies that acclaimed his accomplishments.
“Why did you never share any of this with me?” she whispered to him.
“How did you know of this?” he asked her in return.
“Rykerian brought me here before we returned to Earth. Rayn, this is incredible. You are incredible. I wasn’t shocked at your accomplishments. I was shocked that you never shared this with me. Why?”
“It is not important to me,” he answered curtly.
Maddie puzzled over this. His furrowed brow told her that he was bothered by the fact that she knew about it.
“Rayn, I don’t understand. This is phenomenal. It’s something you should be proud of.”
He was silent for a moment before he responded. “All my life I have been held to a standard of excellence. It was never an option but a requirement. I was reminded of it incessantly, not by my family but by everyone else around me. From the time I was a small child, it was pounded into me that I had to be the best there was. Second or third would never suffice, because I was First Born. This applied to every single thing I did, whether it was academics, athletics or a silly hobby. Mind you, much of it came relatively easy for me, but at the same time, the only thing I ever wanted was to be average, to be treated like everyone else. I didn’t want the accolades. I didn’t even want the recognition. I was pushed and prodded until I was half crazy. When I left the Academy, I vowed never to come back here. I guess you can see my memories of it are not very fond ones,” he confessed.
Rayn finally stopped pacing and looked at Maddie. “I am sorry if I have burst a bubble for you, but it is the way I feel.”
Maddie felt saddened by his explanation.
“It was never my bubble to burst, and I didn’t intend for this to upset you Rayn. When Rykerian brought me here, he did it so that I could have a deeper understanding of you. I guess he thought it would be my only chance to see this, and Rayn, he did it with such pride. I was astounded by your achievements becau
se you never let on about this. I understand why you feel this way, but you must know that not anyone could do what you’ve done here. You are truly a phenomenon, and if you don’t care about it, that’s fine. I’ll just be proud of it for you!”
While she spoke, she had sidled up next to him and placed her hand on his arm. She stood up on her toes and embraced him.
“Rayn, I couldn’t be more proud of anyone than I am of you. You are extraordinary. I am sorry though that your years here were so intense.” She looked into his amazing emerald eyes and saw a depth of emotion she hadn’t seen before.
“Maddie—”
She placed her fingers on his lips and said, “Sshh... you don’t have to say anything. I understand.”
His arms went around her as he pulled her into his embrace.
They stood together briefly, and he said, “Come.”
Rayn escorted her down a beautiful street until it came to a glorious structure, resembling an opulent French chateau.
“Welcome to your new home, Maddie. This is the house where I grew up… and where you will live as well.”
“Um… Rayn, this isn’t a house. It’s a palace!”
She stopped dead in her tracks, staring at the imposing structure.
“I mean, really! It’s a palace… a ginormous palace! You never mentioned anything about living in a palace!”
Maddie’s mouth had become dry as a bone, making swallowing difficult. Plus, the added problem of a lump the size of a grapefruit didn’t help either.
“I’ve never been anywhere… I mean… I thought your home in the mountains was really special… but this… this looks like the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Holy cow! It’s so fancy! And big! This is not what I was expecting.” Her agitation became apparent, as she started fidgeting and rambling.
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