Hooves thundered in the distance, but the scouts and the sentries didn’t sound the alarm. Gavin came from the hill to stand beside me; his eyes held a spark of anticipation.
The silhouette of two riders stretched down the lane. One rode with an easy gait as if he had been born in a saddle; the other, notably smaller, looked a bit haggard.
“Elaine!” I ran toward her.
“I see your training hasn’t curbed your enthusiasm, my lady.” She dismounted and pulled me into a hug.
I laughed. “Not yet.”
Reaching for Elias, I grinned. He stiffened as I hugged him. Even after all we’d been through, he still was uncomfortable with open displays of affection. He patted the top of my shoulder before quickly pulling away.
Gavin stepped forward. “You made good time. I didn’t expect you back until tomorrow.”
He shook Elias’ hand and then hugged Elaine.
“It’s good to have you home.” Micah grinned as a small gathering lined up, waiting to pay their respects.
“Inform the Elite Guard that we will meet first light tomorrow,” Elias said to Micah. “Tonight, there are things I must discuss with my clan.”
The guard accompanied us to the front foyer before disbursing. Only Weylin continued on as we made our way through the castle. Rena chattered to Elaine about everything from statue restorations to Queen Lera’s insistence that the kinsmen start using their voice instead of speaking with their minds.
“She’s ordered everyone in Kailmeyra to have daily conversations in the Ancient Language ... out loud.” Rena snickered. “The other day I was atop the scaffolding, and I couldn’t help overhearing a flaxseed farmer trying to barter with one of the millers.”
“What happened?” Elaine’s jade eyes glittered with humor.
“Both of them hadn’t read or spoken the Ancient Language since childhood, and so they spoke in children’s verse.”
“Even though the Queen’s council has advised against it, everyone’s now taking remedial classes,” Tark said.
I laughed, but Elaine’s expression sobered.
“Her council doesn’t approve?” Elias asked Gavin.
“They’re clinging to the old ways.”
“Well.” Elaine smiled. “Even if the council doesn’t recognize the need to strengthen the kinsmen, I’m relieved to see the Queen does. Our culture can no longer rely on the power of a few. It must be everyone’s responsibility to protect our way of life.”
I’d met Lera’s council only a few times. After Gavin and I were married, the council had been afraid that our union wasn’t a good thing, because no one was strong enough to be around us. They quieted down when we started the strengthening programs. But after the war of the Badlands, it seemed that they fought Lera at every turn.
Rena rolled her eyes. “Personally, I think the council worries more about appearances than tackling tough issues.”
Elias raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. The group continued on until they reached the Archive room.
Blue orbs flickered around the walls; scrolls sat atop empty tables. The others made their way to the back of the room and through the blue energy, but I waited for Weylin.
He stopped a few feet from the entrance, glowering, determination rolling off him in waves.
I put my hand on Weylin’s arm. “We’ll work on you seeing past the energy barrier again tomorrow.”
His scowl deepened. “I don’t understand why I cannot see. I’m as strong a warrior as the Prince. I can find ways to get past your barriers, and you are the Keeper of Ancient Power. Why, then, am I not strong enough to find my way around this?” His intelligent eyes searched the walls, looking for some weakness that could be exploited.
“It doesn’t work that way.” I patted his hand. “Acceptance is the key, not brute force or strength. The mountain reveals itself because of faith.”
Weylin’s eyes never left the barrier, his hands pushed on the rock as if he hoped he could knock it down.
Rena waited a few feet beyond the energy curtain, motioning me to come on.
“Listen.” I turned to Weylin. “There’s no reason for you to wait. I’m with Gavin. I’ll be fine, and I know you must be tired. Why don’t you call it a day?”
Weylin didn’t say anything. His expression became sullen as he watched me walk through what seemed to be solid rock.
“Has there been no progress?” Elias asked, watching Weylin pace back and forth like a lion in a cage.
Gavin shook his head.
“Weylin’s getting discouraged, and neither Jacob nor Micah can see anything other than a slate wall. Jacob even brought Siana here to explain how it is that she can see past the mountain. She tried to enlighten him by going back and forth between the chambers, but Jacob panicked when she disappeared in front of his very eyes. He asked that I forbid Siana from coming here, but I refused. She’s the only hope if we don’t make it back.” His words resounded through the hall.
The color drained from my face. I’d been so focused on preparing for the trip that I hadn’t thought about what would happen if we didn’t make it back. It was a chilling realization that a child would then be responsible for Kailmeyra’s future.
For the first time since the battle of the Badlands, I questioned our decision. Maybe it would be best if someone stayed behind.
Gavin’s eyes narrowed as he heard my thought. “No.”
“We should at least consider the idea. With the real threat of the Dokkalfar invading the land, it seems reckless that all the Keepers leave Kailmeyra.”
Rena shook her head. “We all go.”
I sighed, trying not to get frustrated. “I know we agreed, but—”
Tark stepped forward. “Nora, it will take all of our experience, skill, and energy to fight the Dokkalfar and find Mia. Besides, who would we leave behind? Rena and I can control the land and water, which is something no other Keeper can do. And Elias and Elaine have the most experience.” His eyes grew wary as he glanced at Gavin. “I have a feeling the Prince will be the only one that can draw Mia out of hiding, and he cannot go without his source.”
“It might seem reckless, but the others are right. We all must go.” Elias stated as if the matter was closed.
We took our seats at the end of the large marble table.
“Then Siana will need to know the location of the original Chamber of Knowledge. She’ll need that information when she gets older,” I said. “And I’ll give her the basics about distributing energy.”
Elaine shook her head. “It’s too dangerous. She’s only a child. She can’t handle that kind of responsibility.”
“Do we have a choice?” Gavin asked.
His question was greeted with silence.
“I won’t tell her everything, but if there’s a problem, she’ll at least know how to find her way through the mountain and how to direct energy.”
“What about the Sfera?” Tark asked. “We could give the Queen one of the stones, and if there is an emergency, she could take care of it instead of sending a child to do the work of a Keeper.”
“I’ve already thought of that,” Gavin replied. “The royal bedchamber has an archive room. The history of the monarchy is there, but it also houses a secret passageway. My grandfather could travel into the mountain, and he built it as an escape route when the Dokkalfar began to grow stronger. I placed a Sfera where the route is hidden. Queen Lera has vowed to open it only if there is no other choice. If the castle is compromised, she is to push the stone back into the mountain.
“As for Siana, I agree that Nora should teach her as well. Her age is no excuse for ignorance. The child should know what her options are if there is a crisis.” Gavin leaned back in his chair, effectively cutting off any more discussion. He motioned for Elias to take the floor. “Now, what has caused you and Elaine to return a day earlier than planned?”
Elias stood. “When we first arrived at the Northern Forest, I was astounded at the devastation. That forest was prote
cted by some of the strongest creatures, and yet thousands of acres are now charred to the ground. It would have taken several hundred Dokkalfar to create that level of destruction. But I couldn’t figure out how an entire battalion of demons could traipse across our land without our knowledge.”
Gavin nodded in agreement, and Elias continued.
“Fearing they had found another way into Kailmeyra, Elaine and I spent the first week speaking with the creatures that had been there that night. They claim there was no army, only a handful of Dokkalfar were there. But how could that be?
“It wasn’t until after we cleared a path leading to the cabin that I grew leery. The spiders’ respite still managed to survive, but the cabin and surrounding woods were nothing but fine, white ash. Elaine and I were sure the cabin must have been where the fire started. And the only reason they would have ventured that far north and gone to someplace so isolated was if they were searching for something.”
Gavin’s emotions darkened before they faded. His hands balled into fists, but he remained calm. “What were your findings?”
“We searched for clues and found something unusual.” Elias opened the satchel he brought with them. He loosened the buckle; the heavy scent of burnt wood filtered through the air as he slid a bundle from the dusty pack.
Dirty linen shrouded a round object the size of one of Edna’s old cake pans. I reached out to help Elaine uncover the piece, but Gavin grabbed my wrist.
“Don’t touch it,” he warned.
I looked up. “What is it?”
Elaine wiped off the piece with the cloth, and I leaned in to get a closer look.
A large black medallion that looked like carved onyx stood stark against the marble table. I squinted, leaning closer. Swirls of fine striated lines softly curved through the piece, making it seem like ...
“Is that petrified wood?” I asked.
“Where did you find this?” Gavin’s voice turned dark, deadly.
Elias’ eyes never left Gavin’s. “We cordoned off the cabin in sections mapping out the structure’s general layout. This was found where the bedroom once stood.”
I brightened the light in the cavern for a better look. Intricate, curved vines wound around carvings of woodland creatures. My heart jolted, and Gavin gripped my shoulders and firmly sat me back in my chair.
“The headboard was carved with landscape scenes.” I leaned back, stunned.
Rena scooted closer and put her hand in mine. “Perhaps this part of the furniture was protected in some way, and the fire caused the wood to petrify instead of burn.”
“I don’t think so,” Elaine said. “Out of everything, this is all that remains of the cabin.” She carefully lifted the medallion and flipped it over. “And it has been marked.”
Anger bolted through me. Sharp slashes gouged the wood in a crude design. I knew this symbol well. I’d seen once in a cave. It was the same emblem that marred a stone in the original forest—the stone that marked the place where the stolen Sfera were hidden. It was a symbol I had seen in my nightmares, but I hadn’t remembered until now.
Except ...
I stood so fast the chair toppled to the floor. The center of this marking held an intricate M Similar to the one that marked Gavin’s chest.
“Why would she go there? What did she hope to find?” I whispered, horrified. It didn’t make sense. Why would Mia go to the place where Gavin and I had joined souls?
Gavin tucked me to his side, his hand firmly around my waist. I started to pull away, but his grip tightened. He shook his head.
“You will not touch it.” His words, soft but adamant, bit the air.
I calmed my mind. “We have to see what happened. We must know why Mia was there.”
The room visibly tensed.
Gavin’s scowl deepened. “No. Mia knew we would find this. You’re the only one in the land that can see memories embedded in art. How do we know she hasn’t purposefully left something there that can hurt you?”
“That’s impossible,” I said. “The only people who were aware of that gift are standing in this room.”
“Ester knew.” Rena stood. “She knew the future when she sent you the box with the King Frey’s soul stone hidden in it. She could have told Mia when they held her prisoner.”
“That is possible. But I don’t believe Mia and Ester ever crossed paths.” Gavin’s hand stayed firmly around my waist. “The point is, Mia is ruthless and will stop at nothing to destroy us all. Nora’s not touching that wood.”
Rena put her fists on her hips. “Look, I want to protect Nora as much as you do, but this might be the key to finding a way to defeat the Dokkalfar once and for all. I don’t think we have much choice.”
Gavin started to say something but stopped when I placed my hand over his heart. The others stood and backed away, trying to give us a bit of privacy.
“What is it you’re afraid I’ll see,” I whispered.
His eyes darkened as he struggled to find the right words. “That’s just it. I don’t know what’s there. And I don’t want you to be exposed to Mia’s vile mind. You have no idea what she is capable of.”
Memories of Gavin’s struggle with darker emotions ran through. “I think I have some idea what Mia can do.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “But I don’t want you experiencing it.”
I leaned up and kissed his chin. “We have to try.”
The others made their way back to their chairs, and I turned toward the black wood in the center of the table. Gavin stood behind me, his shoulders curved around mine as if physically he wanted to draw me into him. Large palms slid down my arms, one resting on top of my hand. Protection welled deep from within.
I held my breath as together we reached over, our fingers brushing across the scarred wood.
Thin willow branches dipped and swayed in the gentle breeze. A lone cabin stood among their fronds. Amethyst moonlight spilled over a waterfall rushing from the left, sheeting like liquid glass into a pool below.
“Start with the forest,” Mia’s rage rang through her memory. Shiny obsidian beings bowed and then disappeared through the tree line. She glanced at the two behind her. “And no one goes into the cabin but me.”
Almond eyes rounded in surprise at the order, but they obediently stayed silent as she walked toward a small structure with a thatched roof.
Gray fingers wrapped around the burnished knob; a creak rent the silence as Mia opened the door. Boots stood by the entrance, a blanket draped carelessly over the back of a chair; unwashed dishes lay in the sink. The disheveled intimacy of the cabin inflamed her resentment, and Mia growled as she made her way back to the bedroom.
Gavin started to pull my hand away, but I shook my head and pressed my palm into the center of the medallion. His protection surged as Mia’s memory traveled down the small hallway to the bedroom beyond.
She stood at the threshold. Moonlight streamed through the windows, spilling across an unmade bed.
“Empress.” A figure, black as pitch, appeared from behind. Mia charged him with a vengeance. She wrapped her fingers around his neck, squeezing until the shiny skin above her thumb beat with a frantic pulse.
“I told you,” Mia hissed, “not to come in here.”
He snarled, his yellow, jagged teeth gleaming in the limited light. His eyes narrowed to slits, and yet he did not try to break free. Struggling for breath, he whispered, “The pyres are ready to be lit.”
“Well then light them!” Mia shrieked, shoving him back as she released him.
He fell to his knees, gulping in air. “Did you find it? The one with eyes of gold—”
“I have not yet looked,” she spat. “And if you value your life, you will not disturb me again.”
The guard rose to his feet, stumbling toward the door.
Mia’s gaze fell once more to the bed, hatred building with every passing moment. She made her way to the closet, making short work of the few clothes and stacked boxes lining the
shelves. Desperation reached a fevered pitch as she went back into the bedroom. She jerked the dresser drawers by their pulls and dumped the contents onto the floor.
Sinking to her knees, she sifted through the mess. Gray fingers wrapped around a large shirt made of soft cotton. She brought the fabric to her face, breathing in the faint scent that lingered there.
Slipping the shirt around her small body, Mia stood and walked across the room, hiking the material up as she sat on the edge of the bed. Visions of Gavin’s touch, his smile, their childhood, lingered in her mind.
Hatred boiled as she pulled the covers away, tossing them heedlessly onto the floor. A leather corner peeked from between the headboard and the mattress.
Triumphant, Mia rubbed her hands in anticipation. “What do we have here?”
Her fingertips lightly grazed the royal seal embossed across the spine. She pulled the book from its hiding place and flipped to the first page. Malachi’s handwriting flourished in deep black script—sentiments written in the Ancient Language spoke of congratulations along with a charge to fill the pages with honest reflection.
Mia flipped to the first sketch and froze.
Graceful lines lovingly caressed the page. Soft charcoal created a heart-shaped face surrounded by long hair which flowed over rounded breasts. A small waist curved beneath the ribs then flared to sensuous hips and fit thighs.
Animalistic rage roared through the room as Mia ripped the picture from its spine. The next sketch featured a small palm, each line, and crease drawn with loving detail. She ripped that piece of paper, revealing another sketch, and another, and another. The love that graced each page was so intense, the intent alone caused the webbing in the willow trees to flicker.
Mia’s scream echoed off the walls. “You stupid human! I will destroy you!” She ripped the book in two. Black flames rose around the bed as she grabbed the headboard, holding the center as the rest of the wood caught fire. Her hands circled the middle, negative energy somehow protecting it. Smoke engulfed the bedroom.
The Heart of the Ancients Page 8
