Ascension (Unbound Prophecy Book 1)

by J. L. Jackola

  The room was filled with shouting as the Council made their feelings known. Each of them eager to stop the madness they were witnessing in their queen.

  “Enough!” The walls around them shook from the power of her voice. They all went silent. No one had ever seen her this way. Her reaction was more that of a Darkbearer than a Lightbearer. It wasn’t lost on them that the Elvin, although mostly peaceful and nurturing, could at times lose themselves in their temper, especially when jealousy was involved. Violissa’s eyes, now darker than they’d ever been, a shade of black green that was too close for comfort to many of them, spoke the truth of what was feeding her powers now. They all backed up a step from her as she continued. “This is not your decision to make. Now go and start the plans.” She paused. “No, on second thought, don’t find me a husband, I’ll find my own.” They all stared at her in confused silence. She clapped her hands and shooed them away. “Go now; there is work to be done. He’ll regret his decision when he feels the same pain I felt. It’s the only way.” With that she shifted leaving them looking around at each other and questioning if this were really happening.

  Violissa sat silently in her library. It was the only quiet place she had in the castle and she needed time to think. There she had remained since her outburst two nights before, thinking about her options and the situation before her that she could not escape. She had calmed a little, but the anger was still feeding her. Her mind, however, had not changed. Sitting in a window seat overlooking the gardens she thought about what she was doing. She felt out of control. The feelings she was experiencing were unfamiliar. She’d never felt jealous or wrathful. These were Dark feelings not those of a Light Queen. “Am I doing the right thing?” she asked herself, her voice cracking as she did, the tears welling up again. She didn’t like being so weak, didn’t like the helplessness she felt when she cried. She did, however, like the way those darker emotions made her feel in control again.

  She’d told the Council she wanted to unite with someone else but it wasn’t true. She only wanted Sinow. Right now, she wanted to hunt him down and throw herself at his feet, beg him not to do this. But she was a queen and rulers did not act in that fashion. She didn’t want her pride wounded any more than it had been. No, she would have to settle with the fact that it wouldn’t be him on the other side of her bed, wouldn’t be him kissing and touching her. She tried to think of someone else in her bed but her stomach turned at the thought of anyone else touching her. She had never had any desire for another man; in fact, the thought had always made her sick. She had thought it a protective response from the Fates so the prophecy would remain intact. Now with the prophecy about to fracture completely she didn’t know what to think. If Sinow had the same response, then she didn’t know how he would overcome that reaction and lie with another woman. She paced the floor as she chided herself for being such a fool. All this time she had thought they were both powerlessly attracted to one another. Maybe she was wrong, maybe he’d never had that feeling. Perhaps it had all been a deception, and she’d been played for a fool. Foolish was how she felt now as she realized she had only ever wanted Sinow for as far back as she could remember. No other man had even tempted her glance. How was she to even fathom lying with another?

  She thought on it for a long time, trying to think of a way around her dilemma. Perhaps she didn’t have to share her bed with someone else after all. If she united with someone who knew she didn’t need or want that intimacy, chose someone who respected her need for chastity, who understood the union was only for show. That was it. That was the answer. She would have her revenge but on her terms. Now she just needed to figure out how to convince the Council that her plan was the right one. She stood and called out in her mind, Daneele, I need to see you. Then she paced the room waiting for his arrival, chewing on her bottom lip as she did so. Never once did it cross her mind to take more time to think things through. There was no awareness of the haste with which she was making decisions. Her emotions were driving her every move.

  Daneele arrived a short time later. He looked at her hopefully, saying, “I hope you’ve changed your mind about all this Violissa. If Sinow unites with another, then we will be patient until he’s gotten over it. The Fates have said the two of you will be together, perchance you have to endure knowing he’s with this other woman for her lifetime as punishment for not following the prophecy as it had been written.”

  “How supportive Daneele, thank you,” she replied sarcastically, “Now sit, please.”

  “Oh, this can’t be good if I have to sit. Violissa…”

  “Just sit and listen.” She sat in the chair across from him holding her hands together to keep them from shaking at what she was about to do. “I have not changed my mind, nor will I. If he intends to unite with another, then so shall I.”

  Daneele started to stand up saying, “I can’t listen to this.” But she stopped him, grabbing his hand to keep him down.

  “I need you to hear what I have to say. I’ve thought this through and…”

  “You’ve not thought this through, Violissa. You’re acting out of emotion and you’re not being rational. I’ve been told this is how females act but I’ve never been witness to it until now. This is insane.”

  “Regardless of what you think, Daneele, it’s going to happen this way. I won’t be made a fool of, oh never mind. Just listen. I need to choose someone but I don’t want any physical contact with that person. It’s the one part I can’t bring myself to go against. I need someone who will understand that and respect my wish. Someone who will not want to take what should have been Sinow’s. Although why, I cannot tell you. Especially since he won’t be doing the same. It makes me sick to imagine it.” She paused and massaged her temples with her fingers.

  “Violissa, what are you rambling on about?”

  “Daneele, you promised me once that you would do anything for me. And at my ascension you vowed to follow me. I need you to trust me now. Will you do that for me?”

  “I don’t believe I have a choice. What is it you’re asking of me Violissa?”

  “You will be the one to unite with me Daneele.”

  He stood quickly and backed away from her. “What? Have you lost your mind? Of all the idiotic ideas!”

  “No, Daneele, please hear me out. Please,” she begged him, “Just listen.”

  “I’ll listen but it doesn’t mean I have to agree.” He walked slowly back over to the chair as she continued. “I can’t unite with just anyone as he’s doing. He may be able to push all thought of me away but I can’t do the same. So, I have to unite with someone who will let me maintain my chastity, will let me continue to be my own person with no pressure. One of you would be ideal because of your oath to remain chaste for the crown. You are my closest friend Daneele. If it had to be any of you, I choose you. Please do this for me.” She looked at him with those eyes which had turned a softer shade of emerald.

  “What you’re suggesting is madness Violissa. A Council cannot unite with you, cannot…” he stopped as the tears came back to her eyes. Sitting back in the chair he gave up the argument. “All any of us has ever wanted was for you to be happy Violissa. Seeing you like this leaves us helpless. When you were small and you hurt yourself, we could heal the wound and that would stop the tears. We don’t know how to heal this wound Violissa.” He put his head down in his hands and asked in a defeated voice, “Will this make the pain go away?”

  “No,” she answered honestly, “but it will help with the other emotions; the shame, the embarrassment.”

  He looked back up at her with his piercing blue eyes. “If the Council approves, then I will agree to it. Understand the seriousness of what you’ve asked Violissa. Once it has been finalized, there is no going back. No changing your mind once it has been announced. No place on the Council for me going forward.” She winced as he said it, knowing all he would be giving up for her.

  “I
understand,” she said softly.

  “Call the Council Violissa before I change my mind.”

  She closed her eyes and called them, even those working away in the villages were called. They’d all been made aware of the situation and usually discussed via enaigne but in emergencies such as this, she needed them all to be present. When she was done, she reached her thoughts out to Sinow once more, trying one last time to reach him. As with all the other times, there was nothing but silence. She swept her mind back quickly past his people, hearing the excited talk of a coming union spoken in their heads. That had been another way she’d checked for the truth after meeting with Tynan over the past few days. What she’d heard had hurt her almost as much as Sinow had.

  The arrival of Council broke her thoughts. They came quickly, knowing the importance of her summons. Some sensed what she was about to suggest simply by the look on Daneele’s face. She saw them shake their heads in concern. Others waited patiently for her to begin, no idea what crazy suggestion would emerge this time.

  She stood and welcomed them, then began, “I have decided that I will not unite with one of our people.” From those who had not figured it out, there was a sigh of relief. “I will instead unite with Daneele.” The gasp was deafening. They all began to shout at once until she raised her hand to silence them.

  “Please hear me out. I do not wish to give up my whole self to a union. I still wish to remain unmarked and clean. There is only one who tempts me to give that up and as he apparently does not feel the same, there will be no one. Only some of you will understand that enough to respect my request. As Daneele has always been closest to me, it only makes sense to choose him. Of course, I ask your blessing on this decision.” They began to talk, but she stopped them. “Know this though; what Sinow has done has hurt me as I’ve never been hurt. It is not easily undone but the satisfaction of seeing his reaction, of seeing him realize he didn’t make a fool of me will help alleviate that pain.”

  They talked among themselves for a long time. Violissa watched quietly, biting her lip and playing with a thread on her dress, Daneele still holding his head in his hands, his elbows propped on his knees. They were suddenly quiet. Cyric stepped forward and spoke. “Is this really what you want Violissa?” He suddenly looked aged and wearied.

  She nodded, unable to speak the lie beneath the action.

  “Do you understand that by the laws of the land your choice, once announced, cannot be undone?”

  She nodded again.

  “Do you understand the consequences of your decision on yourself, Daneele, and the future of our people?”

  “I do,” she said quietly. He looked back at the Council who all nodded to him.

  “Then with a heavy heart we concede. We will not deny you what you ask but let it be noted that we do not agree with it. This is a sad day Violissa, but if this will help dry your tears then we will agree to it. We do, however, ask for proof that what you have found out is truth. It is not that we don’t believe you, but due to the seriousness of this decision, we need to see for ourselves.”

  She nodded and closed her eyes. With her enaigne she reached out to a village close to Sinow’s castle. She locked on to a group of women talking. Concentrating, she brought their voices forth so that all in the room could hear. Under different circumstances they would have been stunned at her ability to share such a thing. But these were not usual days and so no one paid heed as the women’s voices shattered their silence. “…the union. Can you believe the King has chosen a mate?”

  “I heard the other day from Coraine’s husband, he works at the castle you know. He said the Council had discussed it and preparations were being made.”

  “I think it’s wonderful, a royal union. Does anyone know who he’s chosen?”

  “No, they’re keeping real mum about it. All anyone’s heard is it’s not that Light Queen.”

  “Well, at least it’s not her. The thought of it always upset me, would put my husband in a fit at the least mention of it.”

  “I agree, would have been a terrible day. No, I have it straight from the castle that it’s one of our blood. What a thought, the King uniting with their Queen? The bitch would probably have come in and tried to convert us all to the Light. I heard she’s not even born of a woman.”

  “Not natural born? Then what is she?”

  “No one knows. I’ll tell you though; we don’t need those kinds mixing with our King. Bad blood if you ask me. Can you imagine? To think our King would even look her way is ridiculous. He’s way too fine a catch for one of her kind. I’ve heard she runs around singing all day and playing with plants, apparently the only thing she can get any attention from other than her Council. Can’t even get one of her own to marry her, must be ugly as a Fate’s dog, it’s no wonder the King doesn’t want her…”

  She stopped it, not wanting to hear anymore. She looked up at Cyric through the blur of tears in her eyes. Too weary to hide them from him.

  All were clearly moved by the acidic tones of the women and the words they’d heard. No one defiled their Queen’s name. Cyric dropped to one knee and bowed as did the rest of the Council.

  “We follow and obey our Queen,” he bellowed loudly.

  “Aye,” replied the rest, “we follow and obey the Light Queen.”

  Their reply echoed through the walls of the castle. The ground beneath rumbled. The shaking was felt well into Tenebron. Somewhere in the vaults of the Keeper, another page of the prophecy was rewritten.

  Thirty-Nine

  Sinow looked around the meeting grounds. She was late. She’d never been late, was usually there before he arrived. He had waited patiently until the sun was at its highest peak. He had patience, but this was ridiculous. He reached out to Violissa with enaigne, something he had not done since the ascension. He couldn’t find her; she was blocked from him. That was odd. They’d agreed he’d block himself off since they didn’t know how he’d react if she were to use enaigne with him, but she said she’d remain open to him for when he was ready. He ran his hand through his hair. He’d been looking forward to this day for some time. Every day he had worked on his control, thinking more and more about her until he could picture her in his mind without losing that control. Today would have been the ultimate test; he’d planned to go right to her and pull her into his arms with no delay. He had thought about her so much so that he needed her like he’d never needed her before. He felt disappointed that she hadn’t come as well as concerned for her. Something must have kept her away but what that could be he couldn’t think.

  Sinow scratched at his cheek. The wind had picked up and seemed strangely focused on him. He looked around and saw no movement of the grass or tree leaves. The wind truly was only on him. He heard a low hum that seemed to be coming from that breeze but didn’t know what it meant. It just kept picking up his cloak and hair as if wanting him to move. He looked up at the trees above him. They shook and appeared to bow down to him.

  He stepped toward them. “You’re trying to tell me something aren’t you?” The breeze whipped at him again, and the trees shook their branches. “Is it Violissa?” he asked, feeling idiotic that he was talking to nothing. Let’s be thankful there is no one here to see this, he thought. “Something is wrong, isn’t it?” he asked. “I should go?” The trees shook violently as if to give a resounding yes.

  He didn’t need to ask more. He shifted back to Tenebron and reached out to sense Keary, finding him in the dungeon. Shifting there, he found Keary in the middle of punishing some poor fool servant who’d made the mistake of stealing from the castle. He’d also been accused of spreading rumors about Sinow, a crime punishable by death. Sinow would have simply killed him outright, but Keary enjoyed doling out the torture. Sinow had always felt a swifter death was better for both him and his victim, a difference that caused him to stand apart from his predecessors as well as his Council. Only when he was completely overc
ome by his powers did he take the same enjoyment from it. In this case, many hours had been spent discussing the merits of both options. Keary and the Council had finally won out saying that torture was the best example to deter any future actions like this servant’s. It had taken quite an effort to quiet those rumors as they spread like wildfire through the realm. To think his people had believed he’d been preparing to unite with one of them and had turned his back on Violissa. He’d been quite disturbed at the way they’d talked about her and punishments had been handed out throughout the realm. He’d known it would be a challenge to take her as his queen but never really thought about how resentful his people would be to that union. Hatred of the Cirillians and their Lightbearers ran deep.

  The agonizing scream of the servant brought Sinow back to why’d he’d sought out Keary in the first place. “Sinow, what a pleasant surprise.” Keary said, stopping the man’s scream with a flick of his finger. “You don’t come down here often.”

  “No need to, Keary, that’s what I have you for. Look, have you or the others heard from the Lightbearers recently?”

  “No, we’re not in regular communication, Sinow.” He laughed at the thought of that. “Why, what’s the problem?”

  “Violissa didn’t show for the meeting today. I’m worried.” He didn’t say what had sparked his concern for fear of evoking more laughter from his friend. The thought of anyone knowing he’d been talking to trees was humiliating.

  “I wouldn’t be, though that is a bit out of character for any of them. I’m sure everything’s fine. Maybe they just forgot.”

  “I don’t think so, isn’t it a requirement of the treaty? You know what sticklers they are for following that treaty to the word.”

  “True, you want to start a war over a missed meeting?” He didn’t wait for a response. “Sinow, she’s fine. It’s not like she’s sick or wounded, she’s a healer, remember? Not to mention the immortal thing. Although there are illnesses that even the healers prefer to let run their course. Perhaps she is sick.”