Realization hit me like a ton of bricks. These were Lera’s letters to the future Queen of Kailmeyra ... to Mia.
“I don’t mind, really. But if it makes you uncomfortable we can ask Elaine to rewrite them, leaving out anything you feel might be too personal.”
She shook her head. “No. It would weaken the intent. And it’s not too personal. I merely wish to spare your feelings. It never occurred to me Gavin would find another.” She hesitated before placing it in my hands. “No one else may read it.”
My fingers itched to leaf through the pages, but I resisted.
“If it is agreeable,” Lera linked her arm through mine, “I would like to meet with you three times a week, so we may go through the items here.”
“I’d like that too.”
The scent of warm bread made my mouth water as we headed down the stairs. Servants finished placing lunch on the small table, bowed, and then discreetly left. Lera chatted about the importance of maintaining a schedule while we ate. Before I knew it, the morning had shifted to early afternoon. Gavin entered the suite, coming to stand behind my chair. He rested his hand on my shoulder as he and Lera slipped into a comfortable silence born of years of routine.
He took my elbow as I stood. “I hate to pull you away, but Malachi has asked to see you.”
Lera walked us to the door, her feet shuffling along the carpet as if it took great effort just to move. Gavin’s eyes flashed with concern, and Lera patted his arm and smiled.
Mischief wiggled through me at something she said.
Gavin, what is it?
He turned to me to explain. “The archive room was a favorite of mine as a child.”
Lera lovingly patted his cheek. “Your father was afraid you might break something, but I loved watching you play. Your collection of creatures is still the first thing on the shelf.” Her eyes danced as she smiled at me. “He sculpted miniatures and then played with them for hours, creating great battles between the guard and the animals.” She looked at Gavin. “Do you remember?”
He nodded, his eyes grew gentle. We started toward the door, but Lera put her hand on my arm.
“Don’t forget your journal.” She started back to the table, but Gavin jogged ahead, picked up the book, brought it back, and handed it to her.
“Thanks,” I took it from her hugging her one last time.
She tensed and pulled away. “I will see you tonight, at dinner.”
Gavin took her hand in his, his eye searching hers as the silence grew. “I’ll let the others know. And get some rest.”
Lera smiled and softly closed her door.
We stopped at our suite, and I placed Lera’s gift on the nightstand next to my side of the bed.
“I wish I could start reading right now.”
Gavin sighed. “You once hoped I would rule with compassion. Your thoughts were my mother ruled with an iron fist.”
I smiled, remembering, but Gavin frowned.
“Her methods are often non-traditional. It has been her sheer force of will that’s seen Kailmeyra through these past centuries.”
I looked back down at the book, not really understanding his point.
Gavin’s caution churned. “I trust mother, and so I know there must be a reason. I have no idea what’s written in those pages, but Mia has done enough damage, and I’ll not have the past cause you pain.”
“Mia can’t hurt me anymore. But if you’d like, we can read it together.”
The cool wash of relief ran through me as Gavin took my hand in his. “I’d like that very much.”
Chapter 9
The Energy Field
A STILL SILENCE SETTLED in the room as we sat around the large table, reading. Elias and Elaine were a few chairs down, books and scrolls stacked around them.
I opened the nearest book, struggling with each word. Gavin, ever patient, leaned over his scroll, his eye straining to concentrate. I never thought about just how difficult it must be to try to read while listening to my mind struggle with the ancient language. Twice he stopped to help me with a word. After that, I sat back, mindlessly thumbing through the book and looking for pictures.
“Where’s Rune?” I whispered.
Gavin didn’t look up. “He’s exploring the mountain.”
I looked across the table. Malachi had moved a good portion of the mountain’s library into this chamber, so the clan could study. I still didn’t understand why the mountain wasn’t letting anyone else in. What was so difficult about accepting energy?
“Rena,” I whispered.
She looked up from her book. “Yes, my lady.”
I pointed to the blue energy curtaining off the inner sanctum of the mountain. The way the energy flowed reminded me of the waterfall. “When you look there, what do you see?”
She looked at the back of the chamber. “Malachi asked that same question the first night we dined here. I’ll tell you what I told him. I see rock.”
“So, you literally can’t see the entrance to the mountain?”
She raised an eyebrow. “It would appear not.”
“I don’t understand. What does excess energy feel like to you?”
Rena rolled her eyes, closing her book. “I can’t explain it right. It’s like standing on the edge of a cliff without any way of saving yourself. Your heart races, everything is screaming it’ll be all right, but fear of death keeps you from jumping.”
Malachi shuffled through the blue curtain of energy, taking a satchel from his shoulder. He leaned his walking stick by the door before opening the linen bag. Rena groaned at the reams of parchment he placed in the center of the table.
“All those are for Nora, right?” Tark grinned.
Malachi shook his head. “The Princess’ education lies within the mountain.” He brought out another set of scrolls from the bag. “Corina,” he laid them in front of her, “I believe you will find these most interesting.”
She kept her head down, grumbling.
“Malachi, can I ask you a question?” I said, my mind still on the clan’s struggle.
“What is it you wish to discuss?”
“My essence is bound in my thoughts, Gavin’s in his feelings. I can’t physically feel anyone else, and only Gavin can hear my mind.”
Malachi nodded.
“But we’re the only two in the land like this—everyone else's essence is tied to their intent, right?”
He nodded again.
My voice grew determined. “When the others finally accept the energy and can give it back, will I be able to feel the same thing their mate does?”
Gavin’s features became hard as he struggled with everyone mentally screaming at him. I sighed and looked at Malachi who just let the discussions take place. He finally raised his hand, and everyone quieted down, all eyes pointed to him.
“The Alfar have grown weak,” he stated; the room tensed. “It has gradually worsened through the ages to the point that only hint of true power lies in love.” Malachi hesitated before continuing. “To share everything you are, to become one with the person to whom you have committed your life, this is what causes you to join in spirit. And it is why your mate’s essence is so strong during the act of physical love.” Everyone stirred at the personal conversation. “Your spirit protects your essence, shielding it from others so they will not experience what is meant only for your mate. Anyone of you could open your energy and pour it out to the land. Your heart will still protect. This is why we encourage our little ones to share energy with those that have been chosen for them. They learn at a young age true essence is only meant for one.”
My heart jolted as the air grew heavy. I looked down, not wanting to meet anyone’s gaze.
Reality rushed forward with horrible clarity. Mia had been chosen for Gavin. She was Gavin’s source since birth. She knew him as I did. Tears filled my eyes as I tried to squelch the images of Mia experiencing the most intimate part of Gavin’s heart. Gavin’s regret ached, and he reached for my hand beneath the tab
le, his gentle touch comforting. I took a deep breath as Malachi cleared his throat.
“My apologies ... I did not mean ... your circumstance is different.” He stumbled, trying to find the right words. “The daughter of Troy never knew ...” He stopped, realizing this was not a conversation we needed to have as a family. Malachi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Search your instinct, Light. You know the truth.”
Everyone at the table became engrossed in the material in front of them, and Malachi motioned Gavin and me forward, clearly impatient. My throat ached, but I refused to give in to tears. Since the wedding, I had avoided thinking about Gavin’s life before I knew him. It seemed lately though that Mia’s name kept cropping up everywhere I turned.
I didn’t like it. We stepped through the blue sheet of energy.
“Give us a moment,” Gavin muttered to Malachi. He nodded and walked away.
“Are you all right?”
I shrugged, not trusting my voice.
“I don’t think you are.” Gavin pulled me into a fierce hug. “I never loved Mia. She never experienced any part of me the way you have. You must believe that.” Despite my best effort, tears slipped down my cheeks. Gavin cradled my face in his hands and kissed away the wet trails. He put his arms around me until my mind settled.
I couldn’t dwell on something neither one of us could change. And standing here crying wasn’t helping anything.
I looked through the blue. Rena, Tark, and Elaine studied the new scrolls in front of them, but Elias looked right at me.
“How long has he seen inside the mountain?”
“As soon as we arrived. Rune’s comments pushed him to accept.”
“What about the others?”
“Elaine is strengthening because of Elias. Tark is on the cusp, but Rena still struggles.”
Malachi came from across the way. “Come now. We can discuss the clan later. Let us concentrate on the matter at hand.” He started across the cavern, clearly wanting us to follow. “Today is the day we learn how to disburse energy to the land. It is our responsibility to assure the needs of every living creature are met.”
I took in a shaky breath and focused on the change in subject. “Has power always been the responsibility of the ancients? What would have happened if Gavin never found me?”
“The options are few. Either I would have gone on to be with my clan leaving the mountain to naturally distribute energy to Kailmeyra, or, if the energy could no longer be sustained, creation would cease to exist.”
I blanched. Malachi patted my arm. “Theoretically, it is one possibility, but I do not think that would have happened. Even when we make the most egregious of errors, it seems everything works toward good ... if we keep our faith.”
The light ahead marked the way to the energy field. But it seemed different somehow. We passed the stalactites cordoning off the space, and I stopped in my tracks. The last time I was here only blue mist filled the cave, but now the entire chamber was overflowing with bright, white light, reminding me of fog and sunshine all at once.
Energy hummed, swirling around us as if to say hello. It wasn’t a solid, a liquid, or a gas, so how did Malachi expect me to distribute it anywhere? It wasn’t like I could fill a watering can with it and pour it on the flowers. Gavin snickered.
“You are thinking too literally.” Malachi’s eyes danced. “As with anything in our world, the energy will answer your intent.”
I started into the light, but Malachi placed his hand on my shoulder.
“I warn you. Remember, we’ve been gathering power for months. It has to be released slowly, and we must always keep a reserve. If no power exists in the field, the mountain becomes susceptible.
“What does that mean?”
“The mountain’s entrances will no longer be protected, and if no energy can be sustained, the portals will reopen.”
Now nervous, I swallowed past a lump in my throat. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
Malachi shook his head. “The Prince and I will stay here. I wish for you to experience this alone. The feeling can be unsettling.”
I stepped into the light. My hair stood on end, whipping around me. The energy was so intense I could no longer see Gavin or Malachi. Every fiber that touched my body seemed to scratch and itch, the cotton hanging on my shoulders, the canvas twill protecting my feet. It was as if my nerves stood exposed, and I became vulnerable, defenseless. Sweat trickled down my back. My heart thrummed, speeding as fast as a humming bird’s wings. The light grew heavy, smothering. For the first time, the energy wasn’t dipping and swirling around me like a friend. It was pressing in, demanding I do something—suffocating me in responsibility.
“Now what do I do?” My voice broke as I yelled to Malachi, fighting the urge to run, strip, and scream all at the same time.
“Think about where you would like to put the energy, but be cautious, too much may do harm.”
I sighed. No kidding.
“The portal needs protectin’, Prince. Immediately.” Rune’s voice ran through my mind. Mia made it through the portal once. What would keep her from coming back?
I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the stifling heat making the clothes cling to my body. The energy around me condensed, pressing in until it almost took on a solid quality ... like a wide band wrapping around me, binding me. Panicked, I struggled as it gripped me from head to toe. All six thoughts focused on protecting, and the ribbon sprung free, rushing away, undulating through the darkness like a creature from the depths of the sea.
What if the other portals were in danger? Had someone checked on those? The energy compressed, tightening around me again, and my thoughts had the ribbon shooting towards a different tunnel. I watched it race into the darkness, and the weight of making such decisions fell heavy on my heart. Distributing power to one place might cause another to suffer.
The light in the energy field thinned, and I could just make out Gavin’s tall frame.
“Where is the energy needed the most, Malachi?” I shouted.
“Where would you choose to give to the land, Princess?” he asked back.
Tall oak trees with trunks as big as football fields ... pristine waters and unpolluted air ... the last pure land on Earth. Malachi told me long ago that the oak’s roots seeped into this realm. I smiled, remembering a promise I’d made, and I intended to keep it. Concentrating on the Mighty oak guarding the last open portal, I braced myself, waiting for the energy to bind me. The ribbon gripped, taking my breath away, and as it released itself, the tail lashed, smacking my shoulder like a whip. I winced in pain. The energy lessened, and both Gavin and Malachi could now be seen, the power’s hum nothing more than a faint, dull drone.
“Gavin, where should the energy go?” I asked, trying to gauge how much was left in the chamber.
“To the people of Kailmeyra,” he replied without hesitation.
I never thought of that.
Images of kinsmen filtered through, and my heart swelled with admiration. They had been so loyal to Lera; they’d maintained faith and self-control even through war and death. And they’d struggled for far too long. I held my breath and slammed my eyes closed. Thousands of strands of light darted toward me, wrapping me in energy.
“Princess, wait!” Malachi shouted.
I struggled, trying to breathe, but the strands wouldn’t let go. Every muscle screamed in protest. Sparks flew across my vision from a lack of oxygen, and I fought to stay on my feet. The energy’s hum became a dull roar, and I stumbled, demanding release. Light exploded in every direction. Thousands of blue threads flashed into the tunnels, streaming into the darkness. Sharp tingles prickled throughout my body. My senses heightened.
Silence. There was nothing but silence.
I stood in an empty cavern. Sleek gray walls, burnished by years of containing power, stood stark as if they’d been stripped of their purpose.
“What have you done?” Malachi’s weak voice echoed as he looked on in fear. “S
ince the beginning of time, this chamber has contained energy.” My heart sank. Only a layer of light blue swirling around my ankles remained.
“I didn’t know it would release it all.” My heart made its way to my throat. “I didn’t know ...”
Malachi tried to mask his anguish, but he couldn’t, and he turned away to face the stalactites. Cold chills ran down my spine as fresh air from the tunnels circulated through.
What had I done? Why didn’t I think it through? Looking at the energy wafting around my feet, I shuddered. Malachi stated it had taken months to gather this much power, but there had always been a reserve. How long would it take to build back up? And how much did the mountain need to protect itself?
Gavin’s eyes blanked. From the resolve sitting on my chest, I knew he was alerting the troops. They would have to guard the mountain until it could defend itself again. But we didn’t know how many entrances there were, and I was pretty sure the Alfar didn’t have enough warriors anyway.
Tears stung the back of my throat. I looked down, fiddling with the amulet that was a permanent fixture on my wrist. Silver gleamed in the faint blue light. Only a small rim of green remained. My eyes flew to Gavin.
We hadn’t dispersed all the energy. My amulet was full.
But how to release it? Somehow funneling the energy in the amulet seemed a lot easier than trying to get it out. My mind raced with possibilities. In this world, nothing was as easy as opening a latch or fixing something with a hammer. Everything relied on emotions. The energy was directed with intent.
I had no clue what I was doing, but I knew I had to try.
Concentrating on the first time I discovered how to channel, I searched for something that might help. Every memory held a common thread. They all contained someone giving me something ... Edna’s affirmation ... Gavin’s encouragement. The energy arced to the amulet by appreciating what I had received. What if I needed to give?
I looked at Gavin’s stone. The silver took on a new quality, now swirling and dancing within the depths of the green. Concentrating on sacrificing energy so the mountain could defend itself, I held out my arms. Power lashed through me, encasing my heart in fire. The pain of it took my breath away, but the wild child screamed to keep my focus. My pulse accelerated, pounding in my ears. Desire welled within. Not just a desire to just keep the mountain safe; it was stronger than that. It was an intense fervor, a need to rid the land of anything that would lessen its purity. The floor trembled beneath my feet, vibrating like sound waves. Gavin’s amulet heated, quivering, answering its call. Emerald light erupted, pouring out of the amulet, releasing its content into the cave. The hum of energy sounded sweetly in my ears as the room blazed white. This energy was brighter, purer, and I knew it would have to be given in smaller doses.
The Secret of the Keepers Page 8
