Heirs of War, Crown of Flames

by Mara Valderran

  “You're always apologizing after you get beat up on my behalf,” she joked. She pulled his hand away from his wound. The sword had gone straight through him, just like before, but he appeared to be healing faster. She looked at the wounds on his palms, which were already beginning to close. “Why aren't you going into hibernation like before?”

  He shrugged, puzzled. “I don't know. I feel stronger somehow. Maybe it's about being out in nature once more. My race has strong ties to the earth element.”

  Ariana wasn't paying attention to his explanation. She focused on something very large in the sky behind him. It looked like a cross between a brachiosaurus and a dragon, with a long, slender neck and a small head—small compared to the body and the vast wingspan of the creature. It had to be the size of a jumbo jet. And it was coming straight for them. She violently shoved him to the ground, throwing herself down halfway on top of him and clinging to his shirt to keep him in place.

  “Ow,” he cried out and rubbed his head where it had collided with the ground. “Are you trying to knock me out?” He gripped her arms before she could pull herself off him, and he grew somber. “Wait, are you?”

  She smacked him across the chest. “Of course not!” She lifted her head to look for the creature, only to find it had landed in the clearing nearby. Even though it had to be a hundred yards away, the shadow it cast was still so near to them that Ariana felt it might swallow them. “Alec . . . there's a dragon behind us . . . ”

  He rolled her over so that he was on top of her and then snapped his head up to the creature, only to immediately relax. He dropped his head onto her shoulder, laughing.

  “Why are you laughing?” she asked angrily. “That dragon was about to grab you up, and it still might,” she hissed.

  He lifted himself up and patted her cheek. “You knocked me down for fear of a laghairtean, a harmless creature that, by the way, only eats vegetation, not people.” He stood up and then pulled her to her feet. “She's been helping me scout the area since we came into her territory. Would you like to meet her?”

  Ariana tilted her head with wonder. “You can actually communicate with them, can't you? It's not just about possessing them.”

  He took her hand excitedly. “Come on, I'll introduce you.”

  ***

  Bianca pulled herself from Isauria's mind and awoke to find Liam sitting next to the bed. His large hand rested atop Isauria's head, and his black eyes studied his ward's face with intense heartache.

  “You shouldn't be here, Cyneward,” Bianca said and rose from the bed.

  “Should you?” he countered.

  Bianca bristled. “I am the paion and Isauria is my patient. Sylvanna can't possibly deny me access to her.”

  “Yet,” he said softly and turned back to Isauria. He smoothed her hair back. “She was scared.”

  Bianca softened, seeing the concern Liam had for Isauria. She came around to the other side of the bed and took a seat near him. “Alec was attacked, and Ariana tried to intervene. They got away safely.”

  He looked at her with confusion. “I can still feel Isauria's fear. Now.”

  Bianca noticed that Liam's eyes were full black. “Ariana mistook a laghairtean for something called a dragon, and Isauria made the same mistake. It landed not too far from them, and I believe Isauria is still watching it with a cautious eye.” She snickered to herself, thinking about how Isauria wasn't as easy to convince of the creature's innocent nature as Ariana.

  The corner of Liam’s mouth twitched, lost in his own memories. “Isauria's not overly fond of large lizard creatures, which I'm sure is my fault. I let her watch Jurassic Park when she was far too young. I was just so fascinated by movies; I didn't think about how it might affect her.”

  She leaned forward eagerly, curious as to what Isauria's life was like before. “What's a movie?”

  “It's like a play that's put on through a device with a screen. It's recorded and played back through the device as many times as you like,” he explained, his fascination evident by his enthusiasm. “They use computers to make it all look so real, and the people are better than any stage players I've ever come across with the traveling fairs here.” He paused and grew contemplative. “Odd for a laghairtean to come so close to people.”

  Bianca lowered her gaze, unsure of whether or not she should share her suspicions with him concerning Alec. She felt oddly protective of the boy. It was hard not to after watching everything he had done in order to save Ariana and keep her safe. But if anyone would understand the tough situation Alec was in, it would be Liam and the others.

  She sighed, and decided to be out with it. “Alec was using the laghairtean to scout the area, to ensure they weren't being followed.”

  “Using it how? Riding it?”

  “No, I believe he either communicated with it, or took control of it.”

  “You believe he is Athucrean?”

  “Yes,” Bianca admitted reluctantly. “But there's more. Kellen kept him as a pet, a very powerful pet that had to be constantly weakened for fear he might overtake her and her men. After witnessing him fight, I can see why. He is strong, and very fast, and extremely brutal. Even with his wounds, Alec still had the strength to run away with Ariana after they were attacked, and by the time they came to rest, he was already healing.”

  Liam stood up and paced away, then turned back to her. “Do you mean to tell me that he is a Cyneward? How is that possible?”

  “He told Ariana that he was called for a duty that he didn't want to attend to, and so he ran away. Kellen took him in.”

  “Kellen essentially raised a Cyneward? This is bad.”

  “How? He's bonded to the Duillaine just like any of you. How could she possibly hope to use him against the Duillaine when it is in his blood to protect them?”

  “That's not how it works, Bianca. I feel nothing for the other Duillaine Ainnir, only Isauria.”

  “So?”

  Liam crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Meaning that if he cares for her as much as you seem to think, it has nothing to do with his being called to be a Cyneward. Which could spell out more trouble for him, especially given who she is.”

  Bianca lowered her head, understanding his meaning and feeling overwhelming sympathy for both Ariana and Alec alike. “Which is why I must report it to Banair Sylvanna. She wanted to know all she could about the boy and whether or not he could be trusted. This revelation calls that into question.”

  Liam knelt down in front of her, and she looked into his pleading eyes. “You can't. He'll be condemned to death, and they will carry out the sentence the moment he returns with Ariana.”

  “But what if—?”

  “Do you really believe he is a threat to Ariana? You just said yourself that he was protecting her.”

  Bianca turned away from him. “It doesn't matter what I think.”

  He leaned to the side to meet her gaze again. “Alec's life depends on what you think. He will be put to death simply for being with Kellen, prisoner or not.”

  Bianca stood up abruptly. “And what do you expect me to do, Cyneward? Defy Banair Sylvanna's orders? I can't do that. I am a paion, nothing more. I hold no sway over these matters.”

  He rose slowly and stared down at her. “You are much more than that to Isauria, and that counts for something. Speak to her first, and avoid Sylvanna if you have to. Give me time to speak to my fellow Cynewards and see if we can devise some way to help the boy before it is too late.”

  Bianca paused, and then nodded her agreement. “I can do that. I want to save him too.” She stiffened when Liam wrapped her into a big bear hug, thanking her.

  “Sorry,” he said and pulled away. “I suppose I'm still readjusting to the life of a Cyneward.”

  “I can understand. The girls have changed us all. Some might say for the better,” she added wistfully.

  He considered her for a moment before approving. “I knew I'd like you, Bianca.”

  “You've kept my Izzy safe,
so it's hard not to like you as well.”

  Liam softened. “That's what I call her. My Izzy.”

  Bianca flushed. She hadn't realized she'd referred to Isauria as her own. “I didn't mean . . . ” She shook her head. “Ainnir Isauria, of course. I shouldn't have addressed her so casually.”

  Liam placed his heavy hands on her shoulders. “No need for posturing in front of me. I'm glad Izzy has a friend like you to care for her and be there for her in ways that I cannot anymore.”

  She swallowed hard, still shaken by how easily the words had tumbled from her tongue. If it had been Sylvanna instead of Liam, she would be in terrible trouble. She needed to be more guarded. “I should go discuss Alec with Isauria while we can still maintain some privacy in her mind.”

  He stepped out of her way and she slid back into bed next to Isauria, locking their hands together.

  ***

  Liam walked down the corridors of Anamlar with brisk purpose. He didn't stop to talk to anyone along the way, or even acknowledge the presence of those he passed. That wasn't the way of the Cynewards. They were invisible, though every eye in a room usually knew exactly where they were at any given moment. That was their fear. They were never a topic of conversation. They were merely a deadly and ghostly presence hanging behind the Duillaine in the shadows, always looming but never interfering.

  As he rounded the corner and he took in the unnatural state of his Cynewards. All three men stood stoically outside the door of the training area, their hands uniformly clasped behind their backs as they stared ahead at nothing. He knew this couldn't be their way. Not now. Action needed to be taken, even if it meant defying the Duillaine Banair and taking the matter into their own hands. As he focused on each of his comrades, he knew they would agree. Having known Raemann and Varrick so well over the years, he could see the subtle differences that reflected their personal inner musings.

  Raemann was bored. Out of the three of them, he had enjoyed the freedom Dhara offered more than the rest. He had enveloped himself in the world, even going so far as to owning his own businesses and going on dates with the many women he had easily enchanted over the years. Whenever Rhaya had problems in school or people started asking too many questions concerning their situation, he could generally charm his way out of it. He would flash a brilliant smile or let his eyes sparkle when he talked to them and they would be as good as mud before the dimples even registered. He definitely used his good looks to his advantage and Varrick often called him on it, telling him he looked like a Ken Doll that needed a haircut. Liam could tell by the way Raemann's eyes shone that he was trying to amuse himself with his own thoughts. Liam dared not ask what they were.

  Liam knew that Varrick was agitated by the way his foot lightly tapped the ground, twitching just enough that someone with average vision might guess that they were seeing things. Varrick could hardly be described as chipper at the best of times, but he had been on edge more than usual since Ariana's capture. If anyone thought that would change now that Ariana had escaped, they were wrong. In fact, it seemed to have tightened the strings of tension around him even further. Liam knew there would be no question with Varrick. If Varrick knew where she was now, he would be gone before any of them would even be able to register the news.

  Speaking about these matters—or speaking at all, really—in front of Kenward was a risk. Terrena's Cyneward had slipped easily back into his role as a silent and stoic warrior, so Liam could only hope Kenward would at least keep his mouth shut if he didn't agree. This was the best chance Liam would have to talk to them altogether where prying ears and eyes might not see. The only other time they were in the same room was at meals, which was hardly a good time to have a private discussion.

  “Gentlemen,” he greeted. “We need to talk.”

  “Thank the elements,” Raemann breathed and pushed away from the wall. “The silence was killing me.”

  “Yes, we all know how much you love to talk,” Varrick said dryly. He relaxed his position and turned to Liam. “What's going on?”

  “I'm afraid we have a problem.”

  “Pfft,” Raemann waved him off. “If you're here to tell us that the girls are planning something with Ariana, Varrick and I are way ahead of you.”

  Liam turned to Varrick. “This is news to me.”

  Varrick shrugged. “We never see you.”

  Liam pointed to Raemann. “You just saw me a few days ago.”

  “It didn’t come up,” Raemann said with an unapologetic shrug. “But to fill you in, Zelene and Rhaya have decided that the Duillaine are taking too long to find Ariana, and so they've decided to do it for them. They say that they are going to pass the information to Varrick and allow him to go rescue Ariana, but I’m not convinced. Their next logical step, which I blame completely on Zelene, by the way,” he said as an aside to Varrick, “is to go look for her. But we plan to lock them away and go get Ariana ourselves. See? Now you're informed. No worries. We're all friends here.” He gestured with his thumb to Kenward. “Except for him. I have no idea what his deal is.”

  “Leave Kenward alone,” Liam said disapprovingly.

  “So, are you in?”

  Liam nodded. “Of course.”

  “Good,” Raemann said cheerfully. “What was your bad news?”

  “The boy Ariana is with,” Liam began and looked between his two comrades gravely, “he's a Cyneward.”

  “I thought you said he was a runaway,” Varrick said, suddenly more interested in the conversation.

  “Yes, because no Cyneward ever runs away when they are called,” Raemann chimed in, sarcastically. “I ran away when I was called.”

  “Why is that not surprising.” Varrick chuckled and shook his head.

  “It is an honor,” Liam said tersely.

  “Yes,” Raemann returned, “an honor that takes away every freedom we could have possibly imagined for ourselves. Our lives become nothing more beyond our wards. I love Rhaya and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but when I was first called I wanted nothing to do with it. So I ran. Fortunately, I didn't run straight to Kellen.”

  “A Cyneward in her hands would be a powerful weapon. Especially one she found at such a young age. She could mold him into whoever she wanted him to be,” Varrick said heavily.

  Liam swallowed heavily before continuing. “He seems to have…bonded with Ariana, so I don't think we need to worry about him so much as worry for him and what will happen to him when he returns.”

  Varrick straightened. “Bonded with Ariana how?”

  “How do you think?” Raemann retorted with a telling glance. “He's like any other teenage boy right now. He's awash with hormones, emotionally charged . . . and having been raised away from Cynewards, he is probably incredibly confused by everything he's feeling. We're taught how to deal with our emotions when we're in training, but he doesn't know the first thing about it. It must be very overwhelming for him.”

  Liam knew Varrick didn't like the sound of that, but they could only hope to find them both before anything inappropriate happened between them. “I've asked Bianca to keep this from the Duillaine. I fear they might decide his fate before he even arrives.”

  “Agreed,” Raemann said, his face reflecting his worried thoughts. “Poor boy. We'll have to add him to the list of things to take care of ourselves. Right after saving Ariana,” he said with a wink.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Rhaya decided to pay a visit to Isauria after dinner. She sensed Zelene's sadness and worry over Ariana, and she had to admit that she shared it as well. It didn't feel right to have dinner parties and laugh and plan festivals when Ariana's life was still in danger.

  Her concerns only deepened when she arrived at the leigheas and found Isauria's door guarded by two men. They wore identical uniforms of gold cloth and silver chain mail. She greeted them with a perky wave and made to enter, but they stepped in front of the door, blocking her path.

  “Um, hi guys. I'm Rhaya. I'm one of the Duillaine, and Isauria's cous
in. I'm just popping by for a visit.”

  “No one is allowed entry besides the paion,” one of the men informed her. “By orders of the Duillaine.”

  “But I am one of the Duillaine,” she argued. “What do you mean I can't go in?”

  The men stood their ground silently, neither daring to argue with a Duillaine or disobey the orders of another. She could sense their apprehension and knew she wouldn't get anywhere with them. She mumbled her apologies and retraced her steps back to her room.

  She paced the floor, worrying over their situation. Was she being naive by trusting the Duillaine? Her own mother was one of them, so she hated to think poorly of them. But at the same time, Sylvanna, Meridel, and Solanna alike constantly lied and kept secrets from them. If the Duillaine had a plan to rescue Ariana already in place, they only needed to tell her or Zelene that, and yet they refused to give them anything other than vague reassurances while Sylvanna continued to pry information from Isauria. Something wasn't right, and Rhaya started to think it might not be her lack of knowledge concerning the inner workings of the Duillaine keeping her from understanding.

  She didn’t want to believe that her own mother would be party to this, would keep her away from Isauria. She left her room once more, pausing in the hallway and exchanging a glance with Raemann. He tensed, seeing her worry, but she shook her head discretely at him, noticing a servant coming their way. She put on a brave face and headed to her mother’s room.

  “Rhaya,” her mother greeted brightly and gestured for her to come in. “What can I do for you, dear?”

  Rhaya swallowed hard, knowing she had to ask the question even if she feared she already knew the answer. “I, uh, I went to see Isauria but there were guards at her door. They wouldn’t let me in and I was hoping you could tell them to stand down. So I can go see her.”

  “What for?”

  Rhaya didn’t expect that question. “Because she’s my friend, and she’s my cousin. I didn’t think I needed a reason beyond that.”

  “Of course not, but these are difficult circumstances. Isauria is busy watching over Ariana all day, and that takes quite a toll on her. When she isn’t using her gift, she needs to be resting. Which we can hardly get her to do since Solanna has complained that Isauria continues to essentially shove her away from Ariana when she is trying to take over.”