“Sounds like you’re the one taking too much power,” said Triena, the words forming through Arkina’s energy. “And are the rest of you just going to stand here and take it?”
The other Queens stirred. Their unrest filtered out into the cavern. “You should step down, Syaine,” said one of the women.
The Queen wearing the gold headband turned to the woman who just spoke. “How dare you use my name in here?” She sent another bolt of energy at the other Queen. It hit her in the belly, causing her to double over, and fall to her knees in pain. “We are all one here.”
“You don’t look like you are all one here.” Triena found it easier to speak with Arkina’s help. It was as if getting used to this arrangement meant finding her own strong voice. “Looks like you just want to be in charge.”
The Queen turned on Triena. “Looks like you aren’t to be trusted after all.” She raised her hand, but Triena was quicker. She stepped out of the way, and the blast of energy shot past her, hitting another Queen behind her. A scream echoed inside the cavern from the injured woman as she cradled her now bloody abdomen.
Triena sent her own bolt of energy at Queen Syaine. The strong force hit the Queen in the heart. She remained standing, her veil blowing from the movement of energy around her.
The Queen laughed. “You think that will stop me?”
It was easier now that Braklen was here in the room and their essences joined. We are one. The balance between masculine and feminine heightened Triena’s abilities.
Queen Syaine held up her hands. “I’ve come this far.”
A spark inside her sleeve caught Triena’s attention. She knew what to do, and this time the energies inside of her didn’t stop her. They moved aside giving her control. Triena let the sleeve drop over her right hand. Her fingers found the bud speaking to her and removed it from the secret pocket.
The bud throbbed impatiently in her hand. She crushed it into small pieces. Then she threw it towards the Queen, on a flare of energy. The flower energy mixed with psychic energy, giving it added potency. It thudded into Syaine’s body, disappearing into her heart. Her body jerked. She screamed. She collapsed on her knees, as her essence began to leave.
Triena shivered as the energy of another Queen began to fill her. I can’t take much more.
Yes, you can, thought Braklen
Relief eased Triena’s mind when he spoke to her through the Energy, as if this was something that he did all the time.
You can use the Energy?
I’m now linked to you. I can see it. Before, the pathway was blocked to me.
Some of Syaine’s energy eased towards Braklen. Triena sighed with relief.
Look out! Braklen’s sudden panic rippled through Triena.
“I will be the one.” A Queen rushed forward, sickle held high. Triena turned, in stunned shock. Too much happened too quickly.
Braklen jumped up to try and protect Triena. The Queen lashed out. Her sickle embedded into his chest with a sickening thud.
“No!” Triena pulled another flower bud from her sleeve, crumbled it in her hand and blasted it towards the attacker.
The Queen fell to the ground. Braklen turned. The sickle protruded out of his chest. Though the Energy, Triena saw his life essence leaving him. “No!” She rushed towards him.
He put out his hand to stop her. Watch out.
Another Queen came towards her. With a quick reflex Triena repeated the process with the bud, trying hard not to use Braklen’s energy. They were entangled together, one person now. A little part of him helped to kill the Queen.
No. Triena sobbed. She tried to untangle herself from Braklen but he stopped her. Let me deal with it. She didn’t want anyone else to leave her today.
No. We have to do this together, thought Braklen.
Better I do it alone, and one of us survives. Triena tried again to pull her essence from his, but it didn’t work. Their energy was firmly joined together.
Don’t you get it? We have to work together. His answer tore at her heart.
Triena took a deep breath and allowed his energy to stay with hers.
The space here in the catacombs allowed Triena to do things she wouldn’t normally be able to do elsewhere. It had been created deliberately to bring in the Energy here, to blur the lines between the physical and astral worlds. And with Braklen’s help Triena used this to her advantage, knocking the Queens down who attacked her. Peacekeepers came in and she dealt with them.
The air was thick with blood, and the essences of those who had been killed. Triena gulped for air, the metallic taste heavy on her tongue, her stomach flipped.
Keep it together, thought Braklen. We’re nearly there.
Triena stepped forward, between the mess of bleeding and broken bodies lying on the ground. The sound of their dying agonies echoed in her ears and her knees wobbled. A sharp pain in her calf caused her to stumble. She looked down. A small knife protruded from her leg.
“You!” Lying on the floor, Syaine managed to pull off her veil. Her sunken dark eyes sent a chill through Triena. “You’re her.”
Triena tried to stand upright, but pain shot through her body.
“I should’ve known.”
Triena felt the sickle cold against her arm. She slid it down from the sleeve. “Yes. You should have.” She slashed the sickle across the Queen’s face, before burying it deep within her chest.
A few Priestesses came towards Triena, crying, yelling, wanting their revenge. She began to absorb Syaine’s essence. The dying woman’s energy refueled her, and boosted her own depleted sources. When one of the girls was nearly upon her, she simply held up her hand. The blast of energy sent the girl flying backwards into the rock wall.
“Enough.” Triena bent down and pulled the gold headband from the Queen. With Braklen’s energy assisting her, they snapped the metal in half. “It’s over.”
The girls stood in silence. A few collapsed to the ground sobbing. Some bowed their heads.
The High Commander entered the room, his particle gun held high. “You will pay . . .”
Triena didn’t let him finish. She used the energy in the room to build a magnet, to pull knives from the flesh of the dead. Then she swung the energy around, sending the sharp edges of the blades straight at the High Commander.
The knives held fast, digging deep into his flesh and the other soldiers that came against them. The men and women fell to the ground. More energy seeped into the room. The smell of blood, and the sight of blood, made it difficult for her.
Braklen lay a meter away from her. Triena felt him fading. No. She stumbled. The pain in her calf crippled her and she fell. I have to get to him.
Another group of Peacekeepers came forward, weapons firing, and she threw more knives at them, just enough to drop two of them. Arkina’s essence fired up and took over as Triena crawled towards Braklen. His eyes were closed.
Stay with me, stay with me. She struggled against Arkina who wanted her to stand and fight. All Triena wanted was to get to Braklen. The closer she came, the stronger the union between them grew.
Triena reached out to him. Guns fired in her direction, missing her. Her fingers trembled as she touched his face. He was cold. Very cold. A tear slid down her cheek. “Braklen.”
I’m fine. His thought was weak and Triena could barely hear him. I’m with you. We can’t stop now.
We can. She didn’t care about winning, or stopping the Queens. They’d stopped attacking her and now all she could think of was helping Braklen. He was far from fine. He was close to death.
He shivered. Show them who you really are.
Triena shook her head. No.
I have someone here with me. He likes his new ears.
Rabbit? Triena tried to reach him, but came up against a wal
l. Why doesn’t he show himself to me?
It’s not time, answered Braklen. Triena. Please.
Triena kissed him. I’m not leaving you.
He says to get up and fight. That we need to do this together.
Triena looked at Braklen. His blue eyes faded, but they still shone with strength.
Don’t waste his death. Not for me. Not for you. He deserves better than that.
Triena kissed Braklen, melding their energy tighter. She stood up. A Peacekeeper was close to her. With Braklen’s help, she sent a bolt of energy to the Peacekeeper, causing him to stumble back and fall.
Triena reached into the pockets with the sleeves. There were three flowers left. Three extra flowers. Not all the Queens had passed over, but they were on their way. The problem now was the Peacekeepers, and the few Priestesses who saw the chances of becoming Queens as opportunities not to be missed. They sent waves of thorny energy over Triena, which snagged at her aura, punching holes that leaked out the essence of her and Arkina’s, Pernally’s, and Priest Junqi’s.
It’s time to end this. She forced herself to stand up, swirling protective energy around her. It deflected the particles and energies being fired at her. It wasn’t going to hold, but it gave her some time.
With the last three dried buds in her hands she crushed them between her palms. She opened her palms and brought them to her lips. The protective layer of energy dispersed as she blew the dried pieces of flower into the air, sending it out, the mixture, the blend. The air in the room, hot from fighting and death energy, warmed the pieces, the potent energy bled into the room.
The three flowers, Black Widow, Angel Snow, and Blood Drop, each with properties of righting the balance, cleansing negativity and purging the past, moved outwards, touching those in the room who were still alive, sending them into their own personal inner journey. Triena saw those who now came towards her fall to their knees as they absorbed the flower energy. Some of them died quickly. Unable to change, others fought and died. A few were found to be suitable and allowed to live.
Triena watched this unfold, as if she were the stigma standing in the center of the flower. The energy went out, protecting her, protecting Braklen. She thought of Braklen, of the rabbit, briefly, before the ground moved. A bright light exploded in the room, igniting the negative energies. She collapsed.
~ ~ ~
Triena looked around her. She stood in a field, rich with grass. Something had called her here, but she didn’t remember what or who.
Triena.
She turned in the direction of the person who called her name. She tried to move but something caught her ankle.
Triena looked down to see a thorned vine wrapped around her ankle. She pulled her etheric form away. The thorns dug deeper into her energy, ripping it apart, causing some of herself to be lost. She was tired. All she wanted to do was to lay down, in the softness of the grass, and sleep forever.
Triena.
The sound of her name being called, soft and sweet, stopped her. She made an axe with the energy, then swung it hard on the thick woody stem of the vine, cutting it off. What remained around her ankle shrivelled to brown, dried, then dusted away on the wind.
Triena.
She hurried towards the sound, running hard through the long grass, towards the caller.
Braklen’s form stood on the hill ahead of her. She remembered his injuries and hurried toward him. He needs my help.
The climb was steep, and no matter what she tried to do, and how she manipulated the scene, she couldn’t go up the hill any other way, except by running. Triena pushed herself, ignoring the pain in her ankle left by the vine.
Close to the top, her heart sank. His form was fading. Braklen, I’m here.
He turned and smiled. She gasped. The wound on his chest bled heavily. His life force seeped out from him. He was giving himself over to the Energy Field.
No! She rushed forward, collecting the energy around her to help heal him. The thought of being too late clung in her mind and urged her into action. She pushed the energy into his wounds and padded it over his chest.
She felt his hands slip around her. Thank you. He reached down, took her hands in his.
Triena looked up into his blue eyes. They shone sharp with life. He was going to be all right.
I told you I was fine.
Yes, but . . . He silenced her with a kiss. A chocolaty, warm energy flowed through her from his lips. Her energy weaved around him, reconnecting and strengthening their bond.
He pulled away gently, then knelt down and took her ankle in his hands. You should be more careful.
Triena was about to answer that he’d no business telling her what to do, but then the ache leached from her leg. The poison from the plant bled out and the tiredness in her faded. She gasped with surprise as he healed her ankle. How did you do that?
I learned it from you. He stood up and took her hands in his and gently led her forward.
I never taught you this. She followed him amazed at his ability.
I’m learning a lot now that our energies have combined.
You’re getting help from someone, aren’t you? Something pushed at her memory, trying to get her to remember.
Triena let it go. Her mind was a whirl of new ideas and potentials. There was a future for them, for others which sent a flutter of excitement through her. Now that they were together and shared energy, her knowledge was passed to him. She didn’t have to train him, which was going to make things easier. This will help for the schools . . .
He kept moving. Shhh . . . He paused, turned to her and placed a finger on her lips. We can talk about that later. He tugged her forward, and guided her down the other side of the hill, towards an outcrop of large, upright stones.
She was with Braklen, but emptiness still caused a cold ache inside of her. Can I see him now?
Braklen shrugged. It’s not up to me.
Who then?
You.
Triena sighed. You sound too much like the rabbit. He’s been helping you, hasn’t he?
Braklen smiled.
I thought so. A flutter in her belly reminded her of the potential she held inside of her. She wondered if now would be a good time to tell him. I’m . . .
I know.
She stopped, pulled him to a standstill. How? she demanded.
I can see it growing in you. He placed his hand on her belly.
Nothing is a secret here, I guess.
And we are joined. He laughed. The sound eased her tension. I knew as soon as we connected.
He looked deep within her. His gaze held her close to him. She felt the pulse of his life. It beat in time with hers, and their child. It helped me to keep alive.
Thank goodness for that. She kissed him.
Come on, you two. Triena pulled herself away with shock. She remembered and looked around for the rabbit. But she couldn’t see him.
This way. Braklen guided her to the stones, which were wide and tall, and formed a half moon shape. They followed the path, hand in hand and walked into the half circle. Two pillars stood in the center. Triena’s pulse increased as she saw two crowns resting on velvet pillows on the top of the pillars.
So, this is why we are here. The Queens had been defeated. She and Braklen were working together.
They stood in front of the pillars. Braklen looked at her. Are you ready?
Yes. And you?
Yes.
She shivered. For a moment, she wondered if this was still the same man that she knew.
I am, just a more improved model.
It’s going to take some getting used to if you are in my head all the time. She looked at him. And I can’t wait to test this new model.
He blushed, which caused her to giggle. I
t felt good to laugh again. It’d been too long.
Let’s do this together.
They picked up the other’s crown. Triena reached up, as Braklen bobbed down, and at the same time they placed the crowns on one another’s head.
A small tremor went through Triena. New energy flooded down from the crown into her essence. She gasped with delight. You look different. She soaked in Braklen’s new form.
So do you.
About time. The rabbit bounced into the circle.
Rabbit! Triena picked him up, holding him tight, his soft ears tickling her chin. I’m so sorry. Her tears fell into his fur.
You can hug me just this once, but I warn you. Don’t do it again.
She laughed. You’re such a serious creature. She rocked him against her. I will miss you.
You won’t have time to miss me.
Why? Don’t tell me you are going to be busy here?
The rabbit wriggled, and Triena slowly let him down to sit in the grass in front of her. Braklen stepped behind her, and slipped his arm around her waist.
I’m the new guardian, thought the rabbit.
The what? Triena’s eyes widened.
The new guardian, thought Braklen.
Why am I the last to know?
You were busy giving one hell of a reading, thought Braklen.
A very impressive one at that too, thought the rabbit.
Heat rose to her cheeks.
There has to be someone here watching over the Energy Field to make sure that it isn’t manipulated again, continued the rabbit.
Good. Triena would’ve preferred to have him by her side, but this made it easier to ensure things changed for the best. I like your new ears, by the way.
The rabbit moved his black ears, real ears, not the metal ones Triena had made for him. Well, I can choose my form here, so I went with real ones. They are lighter, you know.
Flower Queen Page 20
