Discovery: Altera Realm Trilogy

by Jennifer Collins

  "Wait," Syney said, standing.

  "Yes?" the queen asked. "Do you have a question? Because I believe there is no other council business."

  "Yes, there is. I motion that I be crowned as seated queen of the Village."

  "I second," both Helen and Leaf said simultaneously. They looked at each other before he nodded to her. "I second the motion," Helen said. "Justice, call the roll."

  Justice looked at her and then to the queen, who was still staring at Syney, her eyes narrowed, as they always did when she was angry or annoyed. "Motion has been seconded," he said, his eyes flicking back and forth between Mellisandrianna and Syney.

  Helen grabbed a piece of paper. She knew Adanna would vote "nay" if she didn't think of something fast. She smiled as she wrote, "Consider your vote carefully, and remember who knows and has kept quiet about last winter with Marcus." She slipped the note to her sister as she voted "yea." There was no way Adanna wanted anyone to know that during a drunken night she had shared an intimate moment with their first cousin.

  Adanna read the note, her cheeks turning pink. "Yea," she voted, her voice as icy as their mother's eyes.

  Helen smiled at her victory as the rest of the votes came in as "yea." She was surprised at the speed at which they all voted and was happy with the results. But there was one more vote left.

  "Queen Mellisandrianna of House Crystallianna, Head of House and Ruler of the Village."

  Mellisandrianna still stared at Syney and Syney back at her. Helen silently willed Syney to keep the eye contact, although she knew how awful that stare really was. No one ever held it for long, and they always looked away first. But this was what Syney had to do. She had to hold it. The tension in the room was now thicker than the air. All eyes were on the two women at either end of the oval table. Finally Mellisandrianna smiled. "Yea, of course."

  "Motion passes with ten yeas and one abstention," Justice said, taking a breath.

  The whole table seemed to have been holding their breaths and were not trying to do it again.

  "All right then. If there is nothing else?" Mellisandrianna said pointedly. "Good," she said, and swept out of the room.

  Everyone else started to file out as well, congratulating Syney as they walked out—all but Adanna, that is, who gave Helen a death stare before stalking out of the room. Helen and Leaf both hung back and looked over at Syney, who hadn't moved a muscle.

  "I think that was the scariest thing I've ever done," Syney said slowly. "I mean, if looks could kill, I would so be dead right now."

  "Probably," Helen said with a laugh. "No one holds her look. I'm proud of you."

  "Thanks," Syney replied. "I think I'm going to go take a nap now. She said one hour, right?"

  Helen's smile fell. "Yes." She looked at Leaf. "Do you think Raine did it?"

  Leaf looked at her. "I don't know."

  "Well, I can't believe it. And I would have stopped this if I could have," Syney said, looking at Leaf.

  "You would have been investigated," he said simply.

  "That was what I thought. Trust me—I didn't want to do it either," Helen said with a sigh. "Raine is like a brother. Cass is going to be devastated."

  "You don't think she knows anything about this, do you?" Syney asked.

  The thought had crossed Helen's mind as well, but she would like to believe that Cass would tell her if she had known. "I don't think so."

  Syney sighed. "Well, I'm going. I guess I'll see you all later."

  Helen watched her go. "You told her to present the motion," she said to Leaf.

  Leaf nodded. "It was the perfect time. I couldn't guarantee any votes besides our own, but after what she had just done with Raine I didn't think anyone was going to reject it."

  Helen smiled at him. "Good thinking."

  "Thank you. I'll see you later."

  "Oh, um, I missed you. No, I mean, I... You didn't come to the pool. I just..." She sighed. "I would have liked the company."

  "Right. Sorry. I got...busy," he said. "Another time, Princess." He started to leave.

  "Wait. I want... You can call me Helen."

  Leaf stared at her for a moment. "As much as I would like to, I don't think that's a good idea."

  "We aren't talking about a name, are we?"

  He shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said, before heading out of the room.

  Helen watched him go. That wasn't the way she had wanted that to go. She frowned and headed out of the room. No matter what she was feeling right now, she needed to find Cass. This was nothing compared to what her sister was going to be going through.

  Cass

  When the public meeting alarm went off, Cass followed the crowds into the throne room. Her mother was sitting on the throne with Grass by her side. It wasn't unusual for a public meeting to be called. Whenever there was something important to announce, they sounded the alarm, and everyone filed into the throne room. Cass assumed it had something to do with the recent attacks—maybe more protocol to follow. The people had all gathered on either side of the room, leaving the center in front of the throne empty.

  Cass squeezed her way through the crowds until she found Helen, who was standing in the front with a clear view of everything. "Good spot," she said.

  Helen's whole face fell when she looked at her. "Cass, I've been looking all over for you."

  "I was hiding, to be honest."

  "So you know?"

  "Know what? Helen, what's wrong?" Cass asked, concerned. She never had seen Helen this upset.

  "Hey," Syney said, sneaking up to Helen's side. "Cass, I am so sorry."

  "Sorry for what? I'm confused." She looked at Helen and then at Syney and even at Hunter, who stood stoically behind them.

  "Cass, it's—" A trumpet blast cut off Helen, calling attention to the meeting.

  Mellisandrianna stood. "The one responsible for raising the Daemons has been caught. The council voted this afternoon for the sentence of death. This is a public sentencing. Bring out the traitor."

  Cass looked over to the door of the throne room. Raine walked in, his hands bound by chains. Two Guards walked behind him. She shook her head. What was going on? Raine was being arrested? For what? There was no way he had been responsible for bringing the Daemons back. "I don't understand," she said, turning to Helen.

  Before Helen could respond, Grass stepped forward and placed several items on a table in front of the throne. Cass gasped. It was the books from the library and all of the supplies Raine had insisted on keeping in his room.

  "They did room searches this morning," Helen whispered. "They found those things in his room."

  "No, this isn't right," Cass said, tears forming in her eyes.

  "These are all things that are needed to perform spells like the one that brought the Daemons back. There are also books from the secured section of the library where the book containing the spell was kept. That book is missing. Do you deny that these things were in your possession?" Mellisandrianna asked, speaking to the whole crowd, not just the man in front of her.

  Raine looked directly at her. "No."

  The crowd whispered loudly. Grass immediately banged the small marble ball that was always next to the throne.

  "The council and I agreed on the sentence of death. However," she said, walking over to him. "I don't believe you did this alone. These are complicated spells that only Magic Users can perform. If you tell me who you were working with, the sentence will be reduced to life imprisonment. Being in the dungeon is better than death—a dishonorable death, at that."

  Raine said nothing, and Cass's heart sank. He was going to protect her even in this. She couldn't let him do this. A dishonorable death for a Lycin was a disgrace. It would turn his family into outcasts. Raine had four younger brothers, all in training. He had mentioned them frequently. It wouldn't be just death for him but banishment for them. She just couldn't stand for that. Cass went to move forward, to claim responsibility for her own actions, but a strong hand pulled her back. She loo
ked up at Hunter, and he shook his head.

  "He wouldn't want that," Hunter whispered.

  Cass cried silently and looked at Raine. This was the first time she ever really understood the position of a Protector. Their job was more than just keeping their charges physically safe.

  "No? Nothing?" Mellisandrianna asked, eyeing him.

  "I worked alone," Raine said firmly.

  "Very well. Take him back to the dungeon. Public execution will be scheduled for tomorrow morning," she said, sweeping back up to her throne.

  As they pulled Raine out of the room, he cast one look to Cass. She wanted to run after him—to yell at him for what he was doing—but she just couldn't.

  "On a happier note, Princess Syney of House Vilori will be crowned seated queen in the near future," Mellisandrianna said with a fake smile.

  Cass sighed. "Not soon enough."

  Helen pulled her into a hug. "It'll be OK. I promise."

  "Nothing is going to be OK," Cass mumbled. She pulled back and looked at Hunter. "Do you think I can see him?"

  Hunter looked down at her with sad eyes. He motioned for Reed and told him to take Syney back to her room. "Let's see what we can do," he said to Cass, as he led her out of the room. They walked down to the stairs that led to the dungeon. "Wait here."

  She nodded, and he went down the stairs.

  "Is he down there?"

  Cass looked up at the Vampire who suddenly had appeared at her side. She nodded, tears still running down her checks.

  He looked down the stairs for a moment before looking at Cass. "It's not your fault."

  "I don't—"

  "Yes, you do. He knew what he was doing." He looked away again. "Every war has its casualties," he said, before heading away.

  Cass stared after him. He was unnerving. She couldn't figure out why Syney spent so much time with him. She looked back at the stairs as she heard someone come up. Hunter walked up, followed by Leaf. They both looked even grimmer than usual.

  "You have five minutes," Leaf said.

  Cass nodded and headed down the stairs. She had been to the dungeon only once and for good reason. It was dark, and it smelled. At the bottom of the stairs, she went left. To the right was the door that led outside to the area where all public executions were held. She passed a few empty cells, all lined with bars. Raine was in the last cell, waiting for her at the bars, when she walked up. She gripped the thick metal and started to cry again. "I'm so sorry," was all she could manage.

  He shook his head and wrapped his hands around hers. "This isn't your fault."

  She scoffed. "Everyone needs to stop saying that. This is my fault. That was my stuff."

  "Shhhh! It was not. It was all mine. Do you understand?" he said firmly.

  Cass didn't say anything.

  "Cass, you have to understand that I'm OK with this because I did this for you. You're the most powerful woman I've ever met."

  "I'm not powerful."

  "I'm not talking about magic, although you're very good at that as well. I'm talking about you as a person. You can get through this. And it's all going to be worth it. I promise."

  She stared at him for a moment. Something wasn't right. "Did you...did you bring the Daemons back?"

  Raine looked at her. "There's more going here than you know. I just need you to keep practicing your magic."

  She pulled her hands away and stepped back. "Oh, goddess. You took the book."

  "Cass, listen to me."

  She shook her head. "I don't get it."

  "You don't have to right now. Just trust your magic, and don't give up."

  She stared at him. "I'll toast you to Valhalla. I don't care what they say."

  He smiled. "Good luck, Cass."

  "Goodbye," she said, and hurried away. When she reached the top of the stairs, she ran past Hunter and Leaf. She went straight to her room and cried. No matter what suspicions she had about him, Raine had been a brother to her ever since she could remember, and that was how she wanted to remember him.

  Leaf

  Everyone under Leaf's command was his brother. Raine was also his friend. The idea that he somehow had resurrected the Daemons seemed impossible to him, which meant Raine was protecting someone. The first person he thought of was Princess Cass. But he couldn't see the queen's own daughter bringing back the biggest enemy her people ever had faced. The whole thing was just wrong. And he had to plan the execution. Luckily he didn't have to do the act himself, although he wouldn't put it past the queen. Once he was done, he couldn't go back to his room. Too many thoughts were running through his mind. He headed straight to the pool and stripped down to nothing, since he didn't have his swimming trunks. He dove in, and only after five laps did his mind finally go blank. After twenty he finally was relaxing. And only after fifty did he stop. Breathing heavily, he put a hand on the wall. He laid his forehead against the cold cement and tried to catch his breath.

  He knew she was there before she sat down and put her feet in the water, but he didn't acknowledge her. Helen was part of the thoughts he couldn't get out of his head. He was pretty sure he had been clear earlier, but either she was just that persistent or really didn't get the hint. He was going to watch a friend die the next day, and he didn't want to be next, no matter how he felt about her. And he did feel about her. She was the most amazing person he ever had met, and the most beautiful, even though he was sure she didn't think so. That's who she was.

  He finally looked at her. "Hello."

  "Hi."

  "Now isn't a very good time for a race," he said.

  "OK," she said but didn't move. "I'm really sorry about Raine."

  "Me too."

  "So, I'm not stupid. I did hear you this afternoon. I just... I guess watching him get sentenced... Well, I realized life is too short not to do what you want to do, whether it's wrong or right." She looked out over the water. "But if you really don't want me to bother you anymore, I won't. I promise."

  Leaf sighed. "You're amazing, Helen."

  She looked at him and gave a small smile. "But..."

  "But I wouldn't let you risk your life for something like this."

  "I want to. Doesn't that count for something?"

  Leaf shook his head.

  Helen nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, and stood up. "I won't bother you again. Sorry."

  Something tugged at Leaf's chest as she walked away. He squeezed his eyes shut. He was going to regret this; he just knew it. "Wait."

  She turned around and looked at him. "What?"

  "We would have to be careful, very careful. Couldn't tell anyone. Would you be OK with that?"

  She stared at him. He could almost see her thinking. Finally she walked back to the pool and sat back down, closer to him this time. "Is it crazy to tell you that I love you already?" she whispered.

  "Maybe...a little." He smiled at her. "But I would probably tell you the same thing."

  She smiled back and slid into the pool.

  Leaf pushed back from her, fully aware of his nakedness. He looked over at his pile of clothes and grimaced. Taking her in the pool wasn't what he had in mind, but he didn't trust himself if she got too close.

  "What?" she asked, following his gaze. Her cheeks immediately turned pink. "Oh, you're naked."

  "Yeah," he said.

  She gave a nervous laugh. "This awkward."

  He nodded.

  Helen looked at him for a moment before putting on that face he had seen the other day as she made plans for the Village. "Screw it," she said, moving to him and wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed him.

  Leaf leaned into her kiss and wrapped his arms around her. Once they came up for air, he kissed her lightly again. "Tomorrow. We could meet in my room."

  She breathed heavily as she nodded. "I'll bring dinner."

  He smiled. "That sounds good."

  She smiled even brighter and kissed him one last time before pushing herself up out of the water. She grabbed a towel and gave him a
little wave before heading out.

  Leaf watched her go. This was the best he had felt in a very long time, but he was also scared as hell. He wasn't sure which feeling was stronger.

  Gabe

  Raine's execution was open to everyone in the Village. It seemed that most of them had turned out for it. Gabe stood set apart from most of the crowd on a platform about six feet off the ground and all the way in the back. A few onlookers stood with him, but most were below, pushing their way to the front to get a better view. They all clamored for a look at the traitor wolf. Gabe was disgusted. If they knew what was really going on, they would all be as well. The queen was standing on the wooden platform at the other end of the courtyard. The only good thing was that Gabe couldn't hear her from this far away. He wasn't sure he could take more of her haughtiness. When she stood back, they led Raine forward and kicked the back of his knees to make him kneel down. When the beheader, the executioner clad in black, pushed Raine's head onto a raised wooden block, Gabe decided he couldn't take anymore. This was bringing back memories he couldn't handle right now.

  He headed back into the palace. He wasn't sure where he wanted to go. This hadn't been part of the plan, and it hurt. He hadn't realized where he was until he stopped at Noelle's door. He looked at it, not sure what he wanted to do. He could just let her in on the plan. He frowned at the thought. There was no way he could let anyone else in, especially since Raine had just been executed. Even so, Noelle was in a very good position to help; she was close to Syney, relatively unknown, and could easily blend in. Plus she fascinated him. The decision to knock, or just barge in—as was his custom—was made for him when Noelle opened the door. She looked surprised to see him and then annoyed.

  "Why are you creeping around my door?" she asked, putting a hand on her hip.

  He stared at her. "Can you talk?"

  Her sass seemed to fall away. "What's wrong?"

  He opened his mouth but stopped himself. This was wrong. He would be putting her in danger, and he didn't want that. He slipped into his patented smile. "Just the fact that I haven't seen you in a while."