“And dangerous,” Venus added. She turned to Zaren, Palamina, Hamel, and Seth. “Make sure each Kelvieri gets one.”
They picked up swords and, as each Kelvieri came forward, they handed them out.
Zaren noticed Michael pull something from his shirt. It was the color of onyx. “That’s the Illeyse,” Venus said as Michael untied the leather strap.
“What’s it for?” Zaren sensed it was important… something about the way Michael and Venus moved it and held it.
Venus opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. “I’m not sure,” she finally said.
Venus studied the vessel, the Illeyse, uncertain about what needed to occur next. She held it between her fingers, feeling it pulsate.
It was tough to focus through images she was receiving of the destruction happening above, the Leviathans ripping through homes, tearing up ground, and killing Kelarians who hadn’t gone into the tunnels for safety. There were also images of Dervinias running through the jungle. He was obviously healed and going somewhere. He seemed to be struggling to decide whether he should confront his father or see his daughter. Venus also noticed Palmo sneaking away and contacting King Antyon, giving him details about where he was. She’d hoped his choices would be different because now the young prince would need to be punished. Venus had a sudden urge to protect Amberlee from the pain she would experience when the truth came out, but she resisted. Amberlee needed her trials, the pain. As the wounds healed she would become stronger, and that strength would be used to rebuild and reestablish Alayeah.
Taking away her pain would take away the woman she was meant to be.
Venus continued to search her mind and, like a bright light cutting through the storm, she located the steps necessary to use the Illeyse. Venus blinked several times and noticed Zaren, Michael, Seth, and Hamel staring at her with worry.
“It’s okay,” she said, hoping her words would calm their fears. “I know what to do.” She stood in front of the Kelvieri group. It was important she address them.
They were understandably nervous. She wanted to ease their burden. They’d been through so much and there was still more to go through. Some would even die. Giving them some ease from their trials would give them the strength they needed to go on.
What they needed was inspiration, a clear vision of what it was they were fighting for. They needed to know what victory would mean and why fighting, even dying, was worth it.
Venus jumped onto the table Zaren and Palamina had been standing on. “I commend you on your desire to be here. Your strength and determination are admirable. You’re going to need it to defeat what we must face, because the monsters destroying your homes, your crops, and your livelihoods aren’t weak and spineless, but they are like you. They believe in their cause. They hold convictions about what is right for the future of this world.
“I stand before you as witness that their leader, King Antyon, has deceived them with pretty lies. What they are fighting for, without realizing it… it’s the total rule of King Antyon. And I’ve seen his design for this world. It isn’t one of peace or happiness. He intends to enslave. He doesn’t want citizens, but pawns, and once he’s accomplished his desires here he intends to move to Earth, a planet not unlike ours.
“We cannot let him take away our freedoms. We cannot let him dictate where and how we live.” She raised her Daemon sword high into the air. “We cannot let him choose our lives for us.” Zaren, Seth, and Palamina climbed onto the table next to her. They raised their swords in the air with hers. “Are you with me?”
“Yes!” the crowd cheered back.
“Are you with me?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” They shouted in unison.
“Fabu,” she responded. “Here’s what must be done.”
Queen Amberlee had spent the better part of two days speaking with her people. They’d gone from hatred and anger to love and devotion. Talking to them helped her see the needs of the people, their wants and desires. It had also given her a greater understanding of family.
All this time she’d believed they weren’t necessary but, as she’d watched families interact, she realized how much she wanted one. It made her love Venus, forgive her, and have a strong desire to get to know her better. It also made her crave a family of her own. She’d secretly watched Palmo, the way he interacted with her people and their children. The traits she saw in him didn’t fill her with happiness. He was arrogant, easily offended, and downright belligerent with any he thought were below him, and that was everyone but her.
She even noticed that the way he spoke to her was with sarcasm and conceit. He belittled her, put his needs above hers, and seemed to care only for himself. Even more than that was the way he constantly snuck around. Palmo would leave for hours sometimes and, when she asked him where he went, he would shrug and tell her it was none of her concern.
It was beyond frustrating. His actions filled her with mistrust. Her love for him, she was sad to admit, had diminished considerably.
Amberlee sat at a table with three children. She was playing with one child’s long white hair while the others colored pictures.
Palmo sat down and leaned in. “Why are you touching them? They’re dirty.”
Amberlee sat straighter. “Because I want to,” she replied.
Palmo took in a deep breath then, in a louder voice, said, “It’s a waste of time to be down here. What proof do you have that the war is still going? Everyone who’s gone to the surface hasn’t returned. It’s probably because they’re living their lives again.” He stood and walked over to a group of kels. “We should get out of these stinking tunnels.”
Amberlee’s anger peaked. She didn’t want to admit that those who’d gone to the surface hadn’t returned because they were probably dead.
“Don’t you want to return to your homes?” Palmo asked, walking to another group.
“Go find your mothers,” she whispered to the girls at the table.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” each said with a curtsy and bounded away.
Amberlee stood. She noticed several of those Palmo had talked to were agreeing, and it was understandable. The tunnels weren’t filled with the comforts of home. It was boring down here, crowded and definitely smelly.
She wanted out of the tunnels as well, but leaving now would seal their fates, of that she was sure. If the war had ended, Amberlee knew without a doubt Venus would’ve at least sent someone down to tell them.
“The war hasn’t ended,” she said coolly, raising her chin when he glared.
“How do you know?” he asked. “It’s like we’ve been buried alive. I can’t stand being down here another second. Those above have forgotten us.” With each word his voice got stronger and louder.
Many stood and were following him around, yelling encouraging words.
Amberlee walked over to Palmo. “You need to stop this. You’re making the people anxious. If the war was over, Venus would’ve said something. She wouldn’t forget about us.”
Palmo snorted. “So you’re taking her side, even after all she’s done to oppress and keep you from who you were meant to be.” He shook his head. “It wasn’t that many days ago you said she was still awful. In fact you said she was worse than ever. Now that you’re a queen you think she’s going to care more about you? About any of us down here?” He came closer, getting in her face. “She doesn’t like you. She isn’t even one of us. Why would she give a damn what happens to us?”
Amberlee pressed her fists into her sides. “Have you already forgotten what she did for you in Helker?”
Palmo turned away. “Venus didn’t care about you when she was next in line to rule your country. Now that she’s a god do you honestly believe she cares more?” His voice boomed around the room.
“Palmo, please. Arguing like this won’t keep the people safe.” Amberlee searched the faces and realized they were responding to Palmo—not because they agreed, but because they were sick of being down here. And they were afraid that m
aybe he was right.
He gave her a disgusted look. “You’re nothing but a stupid child in a pretty dress and someone else’s crown. Don’t ever think you can tell me what to do.”
His words ripped at her insides, tore her to shreds. Sure, she’d let go of some of the love she held for him. He wasn’t what she thought he was. Still, his words hurt. They cut into her like a dull knife.
Amberlee turned away from him and faced the people. “Please, everyone. Calm down. We will get out of here as soon as it’s safe.”
The crowd jeered and mocked her. All the work she thought she’d done to get the people to trust her had been tossed away at Palmo’s words. It was frustrating and terrifying. She didn’t know what to do.
“Let’s go,” Palmo shouted, moving toward the door.
A large crowd formed behind him and followed. Palmo pulled open the heavy door. There was no lock on the inside. The Formytians guarding the door looked at him in surprise, but he pushed them aside and stepped through. The people followed.
Amberlee watched in horror as many hundreds followed. “Don’t go,” she said, but the shouting and cheers of the excited followers overpowered her voice.
She ran over to the mother of the girl whose hair she’d just been playing with. “Please stay. Don’t listen to him.”
The mother’s eyes softened. “The young prince is right and I miss my house, my garden, and my Trycarciuss.” She patted Amberlee on the arm. “It’s nothing against you, we just need to go.”
Tears of frustration filled her eyes. Fear for her people gave courage to her heart. She pushed through the crowd. It was imperative she speak with Palmo. She’d force him to stop acting crazy and then she’d convince those who followed him to return to the safety of the room.
As she pushed through the crowd she tried to hold her breath. The smell of sweaty bodies gone too long without cleaning tablets overwhelmed her senses. There were plenty to use, but she guessed their discouragement had been too great and some hadn’t bothered.
Somewhere along the way she lost her crown, but she needed to stop this insanity.
When she finally reached Palmo, her dress had been torn and her hair and makeup felt out of sorts, but she didn’t care.
“Palmo!” she shouted, grabbing him by the arm.
He glanced at her surprised. “That took guts, Amberlee, but there’s nothing you can do to stop what has to happen. My father’s plan is for the best.” He lowered his voice. “These people will see the rightness of it or they’ll pay the price,” he hissed.
She wanted to sob, she was so frustrated. “No,” she said. “I won’t let you.” She turned and faced those following him. “Please stop. You don’t know what you’re doing…”
They pushed her aside like she was an old rag doll. She smacked into the rock and dirt tunnel. She coughed and couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Blood oozed from her tearing skin, but she couldn’t move until the throng of people lessened.
Amberlee turned and took a deep breath. The child whose hair she’d been playing with tried to come over to her, but her mother grabbed her arm and pulled her along.
The girl burst into tears. “Let me go. Let me go!” she shouted, trying to twist away.
Amberlee smiled. “It’s okay.” She raised her hand and watched as they climbed the stairs. When she could no longer see them she fell to her knees. She’d failed. All of those people would die and it was because she wasn’t strong enough. She didn’t know what else to do except go back to those who’d chosen to stay and remain with them.
Using the wall, she stood and limped back the way she’d come. Her knees felt wobbly. Her eyes blurred because of her tears.
“Amberlee?”
She heard her name, but it didn’t register someone was calling her.
“Amberlee, wait.”
She realized someone was actually calling her and stopped. Taking a deep breath she tried to pull herself together, but when she turned she gasped. It was Palmo’s mother, Listina. She’d only seen his mother once; it was last year at Venus’s sixteenth birthday party. She’d looked weak and sickly then, but that wasn’t the case now. Her deep black hair and sea foam green eyes were vibrant and alive. Two Formytians flanked her, their features stoic.
“Your Majesty,” Amberlee bowed. “What… brings you down here?” She wiped at her forehead and noticed blood on her hand.
“Palmo,” she said simply.
A giant knot twisted in her belly.
Listina took Amberlee’s hand. “I’ve come to see if I can help.”
“Oh?” Amberlee asked, nervous about trusting her.
“I know what you must think of me, but it was important that King Antyon, my warped husband, believe I no longer wanted to live.” She brushed at some dirt of Amberlee’s cheek. “But the time has come to stand up to that man. He needs to go down and…” she sighed heavily. “And if Palmo needs to go down with him, so be it.”
Amberlee opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. She struggled to believe what she was seeing was the truth, that it wasn’t somehow a trick. “I-what can we do?”
Listina squeezed her hand. “I know where my husband is, right this minute. Even as we speak my factions are preparing to take him and his followers down. When we’re through, there won’t be an Order of Eternal Fire.
Amberlee pulled her hand away, confused. “Why come to me? Why not just handle it?” It seemed odd. Amberlee had nothing to offer except her support.
The Queen sighed. “I’d hoped to talk some sense into Palmo.” For the slightest moment she became sad. “I love my son, Amberlee, and I know you feel the same. I thought you’d want to be part of taking down King Antyon.”
As Listina spoke, the knot inside loosened and anger filled her veins. She was done being afraid, done relying on others, and done with Palmo. She stood up straight. “I would be honored, Your Majesty.” She bowed and, as she rose, the Queen brought her into a hug.
“I’ve always thought you were amazing. Now there’s no doubt. Let’s go.” Listina turned and started up the stairs, her Formytian guards following behind. Amberlee wanted to follow, but it didn’t feel right leaving the people who were still down here. Who would give them support?
“I-Your Majesty, I can’t leave. I’m the reason these people stayed down here in the first place. I respect what you’re doing, but I can’t abandon the now.” She would stand up for herself and her people. They came first.
The queen bowed. “I understand.” She hugged Amberlee again. “You’re going to be an amazing queen.”
Amberlee squeezed her back. “Thank you.” For some reason Listina’s words meant a lot to her.
The physicians discovered that the humans had used a combination of Leviathan poison and Cairna spider venom. The properties obviously weren’t from Earth, which meant someone had given the toxin to the A.L.T. leaders. He’d been set up, and he had a pretty good idea who’d done it: King Antyon. His own father.
That Kelvieri had done enough and it was time to take him down.
But first he wanted to see his daughter. He’d decided to name her Harmony since it was the name Chev had chosen. Plus, it fit. Chev and Harmony had given him more harmony than he’d ever believed possible in his life.
The physician came into the room and saw him staring. “Did you want to pick her up, Dervinias?”
He did, but he was afraid he’d hurt her.
“It’s okay. You can’t hurt her.” She picked up the child and handed her to him.
He took her in his arms and stared into a pair of bright green eyes.
“Have you thought of a name?” the physician asked, bringing over a nursing tablet. She carefully stuck the finger holding the tablet between the baby’s lips and watched as she sucked a moment.
“I’m going to call her Harmony,” he said, unable to take his eyes off Harmony’s perfect little face.
They physician smiled. “That’s a lovely name.” She tucked the blanket more closely aroun
d her. “Did you intend to take her home?”
Dervinias froze. He hadn’t lived on Kelari so many years he’d forgotten what it was like. His home was Earth. With Chev. Wasn’t it?
“Have you run any tests on her?” He glanced worriedly at the physician. “Is she going to be okay here?”
The physician shrugged. “As far as we can tell she’s perfectly suited for Kelari and would probably be fine on Earth as well. Her blood indicated she has genomes that are both Kelarian and human.” She smoothed her hand over Harmony’s head. “And not just a regular Kelarian either; her DNA possesses the same makeup as a Kelvieri.”
That surprised him. It’d been what he’d always wanted, what his years of scientific research had been about. His greatest goal lay innocently in his arms, and all he wanted now was her happiness. “That’s good,” he said when he noticed the physician was staring at him.
“We think so.” She nodded. “This child is unprecedented. While she appears to be growing as a normal kelni child would, only time will tell if she’ll continue that way or if problems will develop later on.”
Dervinias understood. She was an experiment—at least, that she started out as. Not anymore though.
“Will you be able to keep her here until the war is over?” Dervinias knew this was the safest place for her. The location was remote, hidden under a waterfall in the Alayeahian Mountains not far from the castle. If the Leviathans or his father found them, it would be the last thing he’d ever do.
“Of course, Dervinias.”
He glanced into his child’s sweet face. She’d fallen asleep. He wanted to linger, but the time had come to make amends for all the harm he’d caused. “I love you, Harmony. I will come back for you, and someday you’ll get the chance to meet your mother. Someday we’ll become a family again.”
The physician smiled and took Harmony from him. He watched her walk over to the bassinet and place Harmony inside. The body sensors scanned her and displayed their results on a monitor next to the bed.
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