Exigency (Protectors of the Elemental Magic Book 2)

by Cate, Marnie

  Whispering in my ear, Cole said, “Let's continue this soon. We should sneak away first chance.”

  Snowystra interrupted his proposal. In a singsong voice, she said, “There will be time for that later, love birds. We do not want to keep our guests waiting.”

  Kissing Snowystra on the cheek, Cole apologized, “Very sorry for our disrespect. Forgive me.”

  Touching his face with her hand, she said, “Always.”

  We had appeared in the middle of the forest. The snow-covered area had been cleared of trees and was filled with hundreds of circle tables, each decorated with silver tree centerpieces dripping with icicles. The sky above was dark except for the silver stars twinkling and the full moon shining down. A long table was positioned on risers that looked down on the others.

  Taking Cole's hand, Snowystra led us up the stairs and motioned for us to sit. She took the seat to the left of him. Several guards followed and stood at attention behind us. A waiter brought a tray of bubbling green liquid, handing one to Cole and the other to Snowystra. Another waiter followed and poured my glass from a bottle. Handing it to me, he bowed and stepped back.

  Snowystra raised her glass and addressed the crowd. “With these powerful magic holders, we will restore the darkness to its proper place and we will reign in the mortal world.”

  The crowd cheered and raised their glasses. Eyeing me, Snowystra took a long drink from her glass. Cole and I raised our glasses to her in respect. As the liquid slid down my throat, I felt like I was being burned alive. Noticing that Cole did not look uncomfortable, I fought back my urge to spit the vile liquid out. Locking my eyes with Snowystra, I finished the glass.

  After watching me for several long seconds, she turned her attention away from me and focused on Cole. As she talked to him about her plans for him over the next few weeks, I looked around and found Christina behind me.

  “Bring me a tavi veri now,” I whispered. Gulping it down, it gave me little relief from the fiery pain running through me. I was feeling a slow rage build inside me.

  “Marina, you look uncomfortable,” Snowystra called to me. “Was the polta tumma too strong for you, dear?”

  “Not at all, I was just going to ask for more,” I said. Pointing to the waiter that had poured my glass. “Fill a glass for each of us with that polta tumma.”

  Hesitantly, he poured the emerald champagne into the three glasses.

  Raising my glass to Snowystra, I said, “To the Goddess.”

  As Cole started to take a drink, she said, “Wait, you will be too tipsy if you drink without eating. Take this away and serve the food.”

  I tilted my glass back and drank it down. Not letting her see that I felt like I swallowed a glass of flaming shards. I forced a smile.

  Christina handed me a glass of the tavi veri and I discreetly drank it as Snowystra barked orders at the waiters. The icy liquid soothed the pain inside me. I found that the tavi did not physically affect me as it had in the beginning but I craved it…I needed it.

  “Bring me more tavi for my meal and do not let anyone but you touch my food,” I said to Christina.

  Waiters filled the room carrying trays of food. The guests ate and drank, enjoying the music playing from the orchestra. When Christina placed my plate in front of me, I wrinkled my nose at the green meat and purple vegetables.

  “What is this?” I asked, not wanting another surprise.

  “Marina,” Cole said, leaning in and kissing me. “We are so lucky. Trichank is delicious.”

  Stealing a bite of the purple cubes on my plate, he popped it into his mouth. I watched as he savored it. Cautiously, I took a bite and found that he was right. It had a buttery taste but the other flavors in it were truly unique, yet tasty.

  “What is this called?” I asked, offering my fork to him.

  “This is kanakala with rosemary. Try it. You will love it,” he said, accepting the bite. Taking the fork from me, he cut a piece from my plate and fed it to me.

  As I chewed the tender meat, it was like a flavor explosion in my mouth. It tasted like wild meat one moment followed by an almost fishy taste then ending with a garlic steak flavor. I didn't know if it was the drink or the food but I felt a coldness build in me. The anger that I had bottled inside me began to grow. I felt powerful and I wanted to show everyone here exactly what my magic could do. The urge to call all of my magic and destroy everything in my sight was so strong.

  Snowystra gently stroked Cole's face and then whispered something to him. I felt the need to claim him. She was not going to have him. He was mine.

  “You were right. That is good,” I said, leaning in and kissing him. “But, you taste better.”

  Seeing the exchange, Snowystra glared at me and tugged on Cole's arm. She whispered something in his ear and he nodded.

  “You are correct,” Cole said. “We do need to greet our guests.”

  Whispering in my ear, he said, “You are full of surprises, Marina. We will continue this conversation later but now we need to play the happy queen and king.”

  “That will not be hard at all,” I said. “I am very happy.”

  The next words I made sure to say loud enough for Snowystra. “I am thrilled that you are finally all mine.”

  Laughing he stood up and held his hand out to me. Accepting it, I slipped my arm into his and let him lead me through the crowd.

  Chapter 47

  Cole stopped at each table and spoke to each person as if they were long lost friends. He asked questions telling me he really knew them and cared about them. The feeling of respect that they had for him was obvious. Table to table, we made small talk. When we reached one of the last tables, I found myself face to face with Blanche Drygen.

  Cole greeted Blanche warmly. “It is so nice that you were able to make the time to be here tonight. Marina and I are delighted to have you here.”

  “We were glad to join you on your special day,” she said. “I am hoping you will make time soon to talk about delivering my grandson to me as you promised.”

  “What is she talking about Cole?” I said. “The boy cannot be left in the care of an elderly woman and a deranged madman. He has the magic of my mother pulsing through him. He will eventually need to come live with us here.”

  Turning to Blanche, I said in my most condescending voice, “I am sure you understand. We just have too few with strong magic to risk him learning bad habits from non-magic users.”

  “Yes, min Vizier. You are probably correct.” Hiding the anger that I was sure she felt, she nodded. “My, what a lovely bride you are. I am not sure that your grandmother would approve of a dress as elegant as this, but what can you expect from a follower of Danu. You really have come a long way from the poor little farm girl to queen of the Vetur.”

  Narrowing my eyes at her, I leaned in close and said, “We may follow the same Goddess but you are by no means my equal. You would be wise to watch your tongue in my presence. Be warned even if I don't want that sniveling brat, you will never have him.”

  Throwing my head back laughing as if Blanche had said something funny, I said, “Cole, isn't Blanche just charming. She really should come stay with us. We could give her a tour of the Sephorian Desert. I heard it is nice this time of year.”

  She paled at the suggestion. Thankfully, the orchestra stopped playing and we could end our conversation.

  Dunn stood before the crowd. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the Shah and the Vizier in their first dance as bride and groom. May their marriage be long and fruitful with the blessing of the Goddess.”

  Snowystra stopped me and ran her fingers over my sides. With her touch, my wedding dress began to change. When she was finished, I was no longer wearing the long ball gown but a tight fitted mermaid dress. As she trailed her fingers over the lower part of my dress, layers of a chiffon material began to flower from my waist. Smiling when he saw the finished product, Cole led me to the dance floor.

  The surface underneath us was made of solid ice. Snow b
egan to fall on us and Cole held me closer as he twirled me around. When the music stopped, he held me tight.

  “You have made me so happy. The Vetur will thrive under our reign. But, tonight is about us. I know I have told you this many times but I have loved you my entire life. And I will never stop loving you,” he whispered.

  The music changed to a peppy song. Laughing, Cole picked me up and spun me around. His laughter was contagious and soon the crowd joined in. We danced the night away in a sea of our people stopping only to drink glasses of tavi and chat with our guests. The evening was magical. As the moon faded out of view and the dark sky lightened, everyone one began to leave. Soon, we were left alone with the staff and Snowystra.

  “Did you still want to honeymoon where we discussed, Cole?” Snowystra asked. “You can change your mind and pick anywhere in the world.”

  “No, it will be perfect,” Cole said. Noticing my discomfort at the secrecy, he squeezed my hand and said. “Trust me. You will love it.”

  As you wish, Snowystra said, waving her hand and creating a purple cloud that surrounded us. The puff of air picked us up spinning us in the air. Holding Cole's hand tightly, I stared in amazement as we were carried through the sky above the winter forest. Cole let go of my hand and began to float around me as if he was swimming in the sky. Laughing, I grabbed onto him pulling him close to me. Kissing me more passionately than I had ever remembered, I felt a coldness fill my body. The ice from our connection was intoxicating.

  As we slowly drifted downwards, I could see a log cabin in the snowy woods. The purple haze set us down at the threshold of the door. Picking me up, Cole carried me through the quaint cabin, not setting me down until we entered a bedroom.

  Surprise filled me as I realized that the room was not dark or luxurious. It was the room we would have built together. The mahogany bed had a simple soft blue comforter and fluffy white pillows. The room was lit with flickering candles and the bed was covered in daisy petals.

  Tracing his fingers over my shoulder, he said, “Does this room please you? Is this how you dreamed our wedding night would be?”

  “It is wonderful, Cole,” I said.

  Laying me down on the bed, he began to stroke my hair. Removing his shirt, I could see that he had red marks and bruises all over his upper body. It looked as if he had been beaten and burned with her frost magic.

  “What happened to you?” I asked, as I gently touched one of the bruises.

  “Nothing for you to worry about. The price of being the Shah,” he said kissing me on the neck. “I will keep you safe always, Marina. You are forever mine.”

  The fear I had carried with me today melted away and I knew that my decision had been the correct one.

  Tonight would not be about anything but the love we shared and I let myself forget my worries. “And you are forever mine,” I said.

  Chapter 48

  The time spent in the cabin was perfect. Cole and I were free of the burden of Snowystra and worries about our future. Selfishly, I blocked out everything but Cole. It was easy to focus on only each other with no one around. Anything we wanted and needed appeared but the staff that catered to our needs remained unseen. When thoughts of my family drifted to mind, I pushed them away. Here Cole felt like the boy I had always loved. He was kind, considerate and attentive. We were able to rekindle the feeling of youth and freedom. Long walks in the forest around us gave us time to talk about our future together.

  During one of the snowy walks, Cole sat down on a fallen log and said, “Come sit. We need to talk.”

  “What's wrong?” I asked nervously.

  “I received word this morning that we need to return,” he said. “The Vetur need our leadership. We cannot hide away here forever.”

  “I'm not ready to return,” I said, kissing him. “We need more time together alone.”

  “No, Marina,” he said, moving away from me. Standing up, he began to pace. “We do not have the luxury of hiding in the forest while we are needed.”

  “You mean, she needs you,” I said. “I knew she would never let me have you to myself. She will always be there fighting for your attention.”

  Kneeling before me, he took my hands into his. “It is not like that Marina,” he said. “She is only thinking of our people. Without us to guide them, they will be lost.”

  Seeing that sincerity even through his frosted eyes, I sighed. “Fine, what is so urgent?”

  “We have lost three Vetur,” he said, “I think that Danu has taken them.”

  “Are they willingly leaving? Do you know for sure she is taking them?” I asked.

  “I don't know for sure, that is why we need to go back to them,” he said. “We will leave tonight.”

  “I will support you but the rest of the day is mine,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. “No distractions. No thoughts of responsibility. Just you and me.”

  “I can live with that request,” he said. “Where first? Swimming in the frozen lake again?”

  “I am sure we can come up with something,” I said, kissing him.

  “I am sure we can,” he agreed.

  Our last hours alone were haunted with the reality that was facing me. Soon, Cole said it was time to leave and a carriage arrived to collect us.

  * * *

  As we rode in the carriage across the snowy terrain, I stared out the window. When we reached the outer walls of the castle grounds, I could see small cottages with Vetur milling. They were dressed in simple black clothing that seemed in good condition. They watched as we passed and several waved.

  As we crossed through the entrance to the castle, Vetur had lined up, watching for our arrival. These Vetur were dressed in ripped and torn clothes. They looked hungry and dirty. Guards stood behind poking any of them that slipped out of line. I recognized several of them from the tunnels. As we rode by, I could see the sadness in their eyes.

  “Cole, I want to visit the tunnels,” I said.

  “Why would you want to go there?” he said. “It is no place for someone like you.”

  “If I am going to make a difference, I need to know how our people live,” I insisted. “How can I pretend to lead those that I do not know?”

  “Let's meet the Vetur that live in the castle and those that have cottages on the grounds,” he said. “The pit is for leftovers.”

  “As the Vizier, I insist that you fulfill my request.”

  Sighing, his voice lowered, “As you wish, I will take you to the pits.”

  “When?” I said, not willing to let him change his mind. “I would like to go today.”

  “You will not be welcome there,” he said. “You saw how they reacted to you the first time.”

  “I will deal with that issue if it arises. I need to know our people,” I said. “Now big smiles, love. We need to look like the happy newlyweds.”

  Sliding me across the seat of the carriage into his arms, he said, “No pretending needed, Marina. I have never been happier.”

  Chapter 49

  The staff lined up to greet us. As we stepped out of the carriage, Dunn greeted us.

  “Mi Shah, min Vizier, welcome home,” he said. “We have been anxiously awaiting your arrival.”

  “I have been informed of the situation,” Cole said, “Your duties have been reassigned. I want you to personally ensure the safety of my queen. Until further notice, you continue to oversee the guards but your priority will be as the Vizier's personal guard.”

  “Yes, mi Shah,” Dunn said. “I had anticipated this action and would like to suggest that you promote Tynan to head of the guards in the interim. He has been loyal to the Goddess and he is quick to act.”

  “Very well, Tynan will report to you. Thank you for your loyalty.” Cole patted him on the shoulder. Taking my hand, he said, “Marina, I have business to take care of. I would like you to make sure that the household is up to your satisfaction.”

  Glaring at him, I said, “I am sure that I would be more of an asset to you in other
ways than playing the happy homemaker. Assign a staff member to run the household.”

  Kissing my hand, he said, “Be a good girl and don't argue with me right now. You are correct. You are a valuable asset to me but the issues at hand are no concern of yours. If you would like, appoint someone to run the household.”

  “Do not forget your promise to me,” I said. “I want to tour—”

  Cutting me off, he kissed me on the mouth. When he pulled away, he said, “I always keep my promises. Dunn, assist the queen. Be sure she has anything she wants immediately.”

  Fuming with anger at Cole, I turned to Dunn. “Haven't you come far in the palace? Now you are the bodyguard of the Vizier. Aren't you excited by your great responsibility?” My tone was colder than I intended. There was something about being here that brought out the worst in me.

  “I would like you to choose the head of the household. I don't want to deal with any of this now,” I said, as I walked away from him towards my bedroom.

  “I would suggest, Malise” he called to me.

  “You can't be serious,” I said, stopping and turning to scold him. “She tried to attack me.”

  “I make this suggestion with full knowledge of her past indiscretions. I assure you that she will only have your best interest in mind now,” Dunn said. “If she does not meet your expectations, we will replace her immediately. I will accept full responsibility.”

  Walking in silence, I made a decision to become very familiar with the building. In the not so distant future, I would be leaving here and taking Cole with me. It would not be an easy task but it would be necessary. When we entered the suite, I noticed that the dresser I had burned had been replaced but everything else was unchanged.

  “Did you want to continue our conversation about the head housekeeper or would you permit me to assign Malise?” Dunn asked.

  “Whatever you think, Dunn,” I snapped. “I am not going to be a little housewife worrying about silly things like meal plans.”