The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  Chapter 11

  The Children and the Gift

  MY SWEET PRINCE. TODAY is a great day of celebration, for I have found your mate. This evening, we are announcing you be tied to the family of Troy. They are a proud line of warriors and among your father’s most trusted advisers. Mia was born just yesterday, and already I’ve fallen in love with her dark hair and light blue eyes. She will make a good mate for you, my son. Now that I have found her, these entries will be addressed to our future Queen.

  Cold dread washed over me as I turned the page. The left side held a short entry, the right side a corresponding sketch.

  My dearest Mia, it has only been a few days, and already I look forward to sharing my heritage with you. Your father is most proud of you, as am I. But there is quite a bit you must learn.

  I took in the detailed drawing of a man holding a small babe swaddled in cloth. His eyes shone with pride and love as he looked down, smiling. The background was informal like Lera had sketched it in someone’s living room. Without a second thought, I placed my palm over the portrait.

  The Queen’s joy surged through me. A baby cooed in the background.

  “Gavin, come meet your mate.” A male’s voice encouraged softly, and the eyes that sketched looked up.

  I startled at the site of Gavin’s father. Lera had spoken of him once, and I’d only seen his portrait. This memory, though, was vivid and sharp. His voice held the same timbre as Gavin’s, and his portrait hadn’t done him justice. He was striking, almost to the point of being beautiful.

  His hands tightened around the toddler on his hip. “Trust me, son, you’re going to enjoy this,” his tone brightened with humor as he bent over the babe. Taking Mia’s hand, he placed it over Gavin’s heart.

  I slammed the book shut, dropping it on the nightstand as if it were on fire. Gavin rushed through the door; his worried eyes met mine.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke. Mother asked that I sit in on a council meeting. I thought I would let you rest.”

  “How did you manage that? To go to the meeting, I mean.” My voice shook as I tried to wash away the image of Gavin’s first touch with Mia. He went to the window, his eyes fixed on the courtyard.

  “I’ve been sitting outside the chamber watching through her mind. The council isn’t strong enough to take the energy.” He hesitated before his eyes found mine. “Nora ... I thought we agreed to read Mother’s journal together.”

  “You weren’t here, and I’m behind.”

  He sat next to me, his hand caressed the side of my face. “I’m sorry. I know that wasn’t easy.”

  “What? Watching you share energy with Mia for the first time ... when she was merely days old?”

  His hand nudged, coaxing me to meet his gaze.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t touch any of the drawings in the book. At least, please don’t do it without me here.”

  A heavy silence fell in the room. Gavin, already dressed in his formal daywear, stood, pulling me with him. “We need to go. The clan is waiting.”

  Frustrated, I headed for the closet, trying to shake Lera’s images and emotions from my mind. It was hard enough trying to steer my thoughts from Gavin’s past. But I also struggled with not dwelling on the royal outfit. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the cream silk dress with a royal purple jacket, it just brought back memories.

  The last time I wore the getup that grown-up version of the sweet baby in Lera’s picture had stabbed me.

  Gavin's eyes pierced mine as I came back out.

  “Sorry...” I mumbled lifting my hair, so he could clasp the latch of my necklace. Lera had given it to me for this very occasion. It seemed every day I met with the Queen, I left with a gift. Now I wasn’t so sure she didn’t give me things out of guilt.

  “Not true. Mother enjoys giving you these things.” Gavin said, kissing my neck before he turned me around. His eyes gentled. “I know you are hurt. You cannot hide from me.” His lips brushed against mine. “If I could change the past, I would. I didn’t choose to be Mia’s source, nor did I choose to share energy with her. I chose you.” He pulled me closer. “Only you.”

  Gavin’s understanding coated the emotions burning through me, and I relaxed into him.

  He kissed my ear. “We will not carry on the tradition of choosing a mate for our child.” His voice deepened, his sincerity washing away any doubt left. “Come, my light.” He laced his fingers with mine, and we walked down the three flights of stairs to our clan waiting below.

  “Where’s Rune?” I asked, determined to get back on normal footing.

  “I’m here, Lass.” Rune’s gravelly voice hollered as he came from the hall. Instead of the tattered tartan that normally draped his shoulder, he now wore a vest made of the same material as the guards’ uniform. “Yer mane’s woven into this contraption.” He looked down, scowling. “The old one’s figurin’ you’d be needin’ a way to gauge power. Smart one, he is.” Rune’s eyes twinkled as the vest glittered with strands of gold.

  “Did Ester make this?” I asked, running my hand over the shoulder seam.

  Elaine nodded. “She was most curious as to the request, but I was under orders not to divulge anything. She suspected that it was horse hair.”

  “You ready?” Gavin said.

  Rena and Tark opened the door, coming to attention. Their open expression gone, replaced with the watchful eyes of the guard. I sighed.

  “Why id’n the happy one talkin’ to ya, Princess?” Rune grumbled.

  Rena glanced at him, and his eyes gleamed with understanding.

  “Ahh, I’ll be takin’ me place with the guard, then.” He slowed his pace and fell into step in between Rena and Elaine.

  The two-story sculptures stood alone in the courtyard, their marble gleaming in the morning sun. I looked over the palatial lawn, longing for a day when I could mill about with the people of Kailmeyra.

  “If this works, your wish may soon come true,” Gavin whispered. We walked past the sculptures to the side where precious stones twinkled in the sun. I ran my fingers across the jeweled mosaics of the low garden wall. The children sat along the path, and I let go of Gavin’s hand and opened the gate. Young eyes twinkled in anticipation obviously thinking that I would speak in the way of their people.

  I cleared my throat, my voice a little higher than normal. “Thank you for coming to meet with me today.”

  The children gasped, confusion written in every expression. Our little class was made up of about thirty, the oldest in the back to the very youngest in the front. I put on my most friendly face.

  “As you know, I’m Princess Nora. I asked to see you because I’m sure you have a few questions. I’ll start by answering the one that seems to have startled you.”

  The farthest row was extremely uncomfortable but managing. The front row already had accepted everything as it was.

  “You see, I cannot hear anyone’s thoughts other than my own.” Their eyes rounded at my apparent disability.

  Long mahogany hair waved around the shoulders of the smallest girl in the group. As soon as I looked at her, she giggled. Her eyes were blue and held depth to them, but they were much lighter than Elias’ and looked more the color of Tark’s aquamarine health. She couldn’t have been more than four or five years old.

  “What’s your name?”

  She sat a little taller as if she were proud that I would ask her a question.

  “See-ah-na” she chimed in a sing-song way.

  “What a pretty name. How old are you Siana?”

  “I just started school, and I’ve only seen one winter. How come you can’t hear me in your mind?”

  The group immediately became uncomfortable, but I smiled.

  “The people of Earth were made differently than the Alfar.”

  Siana shook her head, her eyes filled with questions. “My mom says that the Earth is full of darkness. How could the Prince find you? And if it’s so scary, how did you stay safe?”

  She fol
ded her hands in her lap, her expression became earnest. My smile widened. I adored children—they simply wanted to know. They didn’t care if it was appropriate or not. Even on Earth, the honesty of a child was extraordinarily powerful.

  The tallest boy in the back row, who obviously thought that she was asking the wrong questions, became aggressive. Siana slumped, hurt flashing in her eyes before she glanced over her shoulder. He yelled at her. I could feel it. I looked at him and spoke a little louder.

  “And what is your name?”

  He startled but immediately resumed a position I was sure he had learned in warrior school.

  “Daniel.” His monotone voice barely made it to me.

  “Well, Daniel. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but anyone can ask me anything.”

  He did not acknowledge my presence, his shoulders squared.

  “I know it’s customary in this land for great warriors never to meet the eyes of the royals or speak with them. But in my land, it’s considered rude to look away. I’d like for you to look at me when talking to me, please.”

  His frame tensed as he looked at Elias. I could feel him begging for advice. Elias ignored him. The front giggled as the back struggled. Gavin’s soul stone became warm. Daniel looked down, took a deep breath, and then met my eyes.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” I smiled as his cheeks flamed red.

  Siana cleared her throat; a small line appeared between her eyes.

  I smiled again. “Now what was your question again?”

  “How did the Prince find you when you were in the dark? And how did you stay safe?” she asked. The other children snickered, and Rena out and out laughed.

  “The evil of Earth has grown over the past millennia, and the humans just accept the darkness for the way things are. I hope that someday they’ll understand they don’t have to live that way, that they have a choice, they can fight.”

  Siana started to ask another question, but I put my hand up.

  “The second answer has to do with the Prince’s guard.” Gavin’s caution swirled, and I looked at him and winked.

  “You see, they saved me several times, and I think of them as family. The one that laughed is my best friend.”

  The children looked over at Rena.

  “I’ve met another who has come to mean a lot to me. He’s part of my personal guard. He’s a Urisk, so he looks a little different.” The back row stirred, their necks craned, straining to see. “Rune, please join me.”

  As soon as the children saw his appearance, they shied away. Some recoiled, some became uncomfortable, but Siana smiled and waved.

  “I like your black feathers and your pretty vest,” she said.

  “I like yer shiny mane,” he growled.

  Siana practically preened. “Daddy says my hair looks as pretty as a pony’s tail.”

  Everyone snickered. A girl in the middle timidly raised her hand.

  “Yes, what is your name?” I asked.

  “Ivana.” Her love of knowledge was glaring through her curiosity. “Is it true that the Urisk can jump to the top of a tree in a single bound?”

  Rune’s eyes sparkled, as he crouched to the ground. His feathers stood outright, and he thrust his body upward, his roar echoing off the trees. He hurled through the air landing on the top of the closest monolith. I held my breath as he balanced on the tip of a marble warrior’s blade. He stepped off, and the children cheered as he hit the ground, tucked and rolled, and then jogged back through the gates.

  “I didn’t know you could do that,” I openly stared, astounded.

  “Aye, I’ve been tellin’ ya, I’ll be havin’ many talents, Princess.”

  Siana giggled. “I like his voice ... it matches his skin.” Muffled laughter floated through the children.

  “Do it again!” Someone hollered from the back. Soon the children were requesting that Rune jump to the tallest tree, or to a ledge high above the butterflies’ entrance. Someone asked if people on Earth could do anything like that, and before I knew it, questions started coming in all directions. The children seemed especially fascinated with the idea of cars and electricity, and when they discovered that Earth’s societies were structured around monetary systems and man-made energy, hands shot up at once. It wasn’t until the sun tipped westward that Gavin put a stop to the session. Their collective moan made me smile.

  “We will meet here again tomorrow morning. But, before we go, the Princess and I would like to share a treat with you. Has anyone ever seen the butterflies?” Only a few raised their hands. “Who would like to see them today?”

  Every arm waved enthusiastically through the air. The children focused halfway up the mountain.

  Hundreds of jeweled wings poured out of a small fissure high in the mountain wall, flooding the garden with color. Squeals of laughter carried across the yard as the air became thick with butterflies, dancing and flitting in the gentle breeze. Rena stood statue-still as her favorite orange butterfly landed on her nose. Soon the largest of the creatures floated down, and the children grew silent, awe shone in their faces. The King rested on Gavin’s hand, carrying on a silent conversation with the Prince. Everyone watched—all except Siana. She inched her way forward until she was standing close to me, tugging on my dress. I bent down and picked her up. The scent of sweet dew on an early spring morn caressed my face while she counted the amethyst jewels that circled the diamond necklace.

  The King hovered above Gavin’s hand. The other butterflies took flight, their wings creating a colorful path to the crevice above.

  “Bye pretty butterflies.” Siana chimed as they flitted away.

  As the children lined up to leave the garden, Siana wrapped her arms around my neck. “I’m glad you came to talk to us.”

  “Me too.” I smiled, hugging her back. She shyly waved at Gavin, and I put her down.

  “Bye Rune.” She skipped over, hugging him too. “Your feathers are soft.” Her voice lilted as she petted his head. His body shook trying to contain the energy. Siana giggled again. “And I like your vest. It changes colors.” She followed the others, skipping out of the garden.

  “I think that went well, don’t you?” I asked no one in particular.

  Rena nodded. “It was perfect. And I believe Siana is now your biggest fan.”

  “I don’t know.” I teased. “She seemed quite intrigued by Rune. I think she’d take him home if he’d let her.”

  Rune grunted, but his eyes never left the trees. I followed his gaze seeing nothing but green.

  “Rune? What is it?”

  “Tis nothin’ to be worryin’ about, I can tell ya that. I’m thinkin’ I’ll be scoutin’ the mountainside now.” He took off before I had a chance to ask why.

  “Gavin, what’s going on?”

  “I believe Rune is tracking something interesting.” Gavin smiled reassuringly. “There’s nothing to fear. Everything is under control.” The King fluttered back down, his wings floating in the afternoon breeze. My hands flew up as he landed on my head, but Gavin caught them and brought them to his chest.

  “What in—”

  “The King is about to bestow his gift. Now hold still,” he said. “He asks that you relax and let your mind wander where it will.”

  What did that mean? I closed my eyes, trying not to force my thoughts in any direction, merely letting the current flow like water streaming downhill. Pinpricks tingled at my scalp, just under the butterfly’s feet. The sensation heated and dripped, slowly covering me like warm syrup. A high-pitched ringing filled all six strands of thought. My eyes flew to Gavin, but his face was clouded by a blanket of light blue. My body warmed from the inside out; sweat rolled down the side of my face. My thoughts sped. Childhood memories blended with snippets of nightmare and hopes and dreams, and it became too much, and I lost control. Heat smacked, stinging like a giant rubber band had snapped around my brain. Pain took my breath away.

  The blue receded, and the King flitted back to my hand. His health, which a moment ag
o shone bright and solid, was now hazy and weak. He dipped his dimly lit antennae in a bow and struggled to flutter back to his home.

  “What just happened?”

  Gavin smiled. “The King looked into your mind and has given you a gift he believes will prove most valuable in the future.”

  “Do you know what it is?”

  Gavin shook his head, “I have no idea.”

  Closing my eyes, I tried to feel something different. Nothing. How could I get a gift and not know it?

  “Blast it! Let me go!” An old voice cackled from the forest wall.

  I startled. “Ester?”

  Rune scrambled down the mountainside, one hand tangled in wild white hair, the other hand holding her arm. She jerked and twisted, trying to escape Rune’s grasp.

  “You know this one?” Rune asked.

  Elias, Elaine, Rena, and Tark closed in, and Ester’s shoulders slumped.

  “Who are you, anyway?” Ester asked, managing to jerk her arm free.

  “This is Rune, and he’s part of my personal guard.” I decided to keep any information to a minimum.

  Ester’s emotions flitted between fear, curiosity, and purpose.

  Malachi stormed out of the castle, his walking stick tapping angrily on the stone. “Ester, you go too far.” His diamond eyes glittered with fury in the afternoon sun.

  “I do nothing of the sort.” Her tone became mulish. “I merely took a stroll through the woods when I heard the Princess’ voice.” She raised her head a fraction looking down her nose at Malachi.

  “And how did you manage to scale the wall?” Elias’s voice became deadly soft. He took a step toward her, his eyes never leaving her face. “I’ve assured that every square inch of the perimeter is protected at all times. My men swear that they have not seen you.” Ester fidgeted in silence. Elias’ voice, steely hard, became even softer. “Can you explain, then, how it is that you came through the gates unnoticed, wandered aimlessly through the protected woods of the mountain to just happen upon the Princess while she met with the children of the guard? A meeting I might add that was only scheduled last night?”