by LJ Andrews
Killian was taken aback at Owen’s firm declaration. He stared at the plush light carpet trying to find the words to say.
“Now, go on,” Owen said before he could respond. “Get some rest, like your grandmother said; you have quite a day tomorrow.”
Killian stepped off the elevator car on his floor and rubbed his hand over his face as exhaustion crept in. His shoulder slammed into another as he walked.
“Oh, sorry. I wasn’t paying attention,” he began before getting a look at who he’d crashed into. “Ivy, what are you doing on the recruit floor?”
Ivy whipped her white hair over her shoulder and smiled widely. “I heard you found what you were looking for, recruit,” she said, brushing her bangs off her forehead.
Killian gave a small smile and nodded. “I think we found what we need.” He stopped and locked his eyes on the red gash across her wrist. His heart beat quickly as he studied the freshness of the large wound. “What happened to your wrist, Ivy?”
“Oh, this? I just got cut. Why do you look so nervous, Killian?” she asked taking a step closer.
“Some Trinity attacked us and…Lucan cut a…woman on the wrist during the attack,” he felt the warning prickles of Infinium creep up his neck.
Ivy smiled, but her normal peaceful countenance had changed to a sinister sneer.
“It’s a good thing I snuck out with Blake before the other freak caved in the room. The Architect will be grateful when I return and tell her your Infinium is dead.”
Ivy removed a long silver dagger from her sleeve and swung it toward Killian. He leaned back avoiding the swipe in time to grab her wrist. Inwardly cursing himself for leaving his spear in Miller’s office, he held tight to Ivy’s arm, trying to keep the point away from his face.
“Ivy, stop,” he shouted, hoping someone would hear the scuffle and help. He was overpowered with a wicked rage as Ivy pummeled her true feelings into the sensitive empath part of Infinium.
“You don’t deserve to have the power you do—no one does.”
Killian wrenched her wrist away and Ivy stumbled. He faced her again and they circled one another like hungry lions fighting over a kill.
“You don’t know what kind of power Maurelle is after. No one should have what she’s trying to control, and she’s going to kill everyone including you.”
“You don’t know anything, Thomas. And you can’t stop us!” she shrieked and lunged at him with the dagger.
He caught her wrist again and fought against her surprising strength until he grabbed the hilt of her dagger. Fire seemed to pulse through his palms as he held tight to the dagger. The blade emitted a subtle orange color which seemed to surprise both Killian and Ivy, until the metal started to drip and bend as it slowly melted in his hands.
Ivy stepped back when her weapon bent until it wasn’t a threat. Killian crossed the floor toward her, tossing the useless dagger to the floor. Ivy glanced to her side and darted away from him, leaping out one of the square windows lining the floor.
Killian rushed to the broken window and watched as Ivy picked herself off the thick grassy lawn and sprinted away from the Praetorium without a backward glance.
***
Mercedes’ steel daggers plunged deep into the round target. Holding out her wrists, she waited for the weapons to dislodge and return to her.
“Very good shot.”
Mercedes turned quickly and faced Gwyniera.
“Oh, uh thanks,” she said as the daggers flew across the field and landed on her magnetic wrist bands.
“Are you nervous for tomorrow?” Gwyniera asked.
Mercedes peered at her strangely. “A little, I guess. Um, is there a meeting or something?”
“Vy do you ask?”
“Well, to be honest we don’t talk that much…alone, I mean.”
Gwyniera hung her head for a brief moment before meeting Mercedes’ eye. “Zat is no fault of yours. I admit I have held onto a prejudice for…for much too long. It has been difficult to be here, Ki you. You remind me so much of your mother, my Leena.”
“I don’t understand why that makes you dislike me?”
“I have never disliked you,” Gwyniera insisted.
“With all due respect, Empress, it’s only been recently that we’ve even spoken and it only consists of planning against the Trinity.”
“My dear, I do not dislike you. Za fact zat you remind me of Leena…hurts me. I have many regrets ven it comes to my daughter. Ven she died vee vere hardly even speaking to each other. I sent you to Terrene for selfish reasons; it pained me every time I looked in your eyes− so deep and thoughtful just like Leena. My greatest regret is following za advice from my advisors to lie to Egan. I hope you vill forgive me vith time, I thought it vould be for za best for you and Ignisia to tell him you had died. But I know zat decision stole a childhood avay from your father so I understand if you cannot forgive me.”
Mercedes sighed and twirled her daggers in her hand, something that had become habit when she was in thought. “You kept me with people from Glaciem though, my aunt and uncle?”
Gwyniera nodded. “Zay vere my personal guards, but I vanted you to be safe so zay agreed to live on Terrene. I vas quite pained ven I heard zay had died, but zay did vat I had sent zem to do, protect you.”
“Empress, maybe it will bring some consolation to you knowing I had a very happy childhood on Terrene. They were wonderful parents to me and now I have the rest of my life to get to know my real family. There is no need for forgiveness.”
Gwyniera swallowed hard, and small smile crept over her lips as she brushed her long white braid over her shoulder. She looked down at her finger and removed a petite silver band with a tear-drop shaped blue sapphire in the center. “This vas your mother’s. I vant you to finally have it as you go to meet your people in Ignisia. I hope you find pride from both realms and perhaps zis is a vay to bring a piece of my Leena vith you. I know she vould be proud of you.”
Mercedes wiped away a stray tear and looked up at Gwyniera with a watery smile as she took the ring. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, slipping the band on the opposite hand from the firestone. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
Gwyniera smiled and took Mercedes’ hand in hers. “I am sure za people in Ignisia vill admire you just as za people of Glaciem do. Please travel vith care. I hope someday I can tell you more about your Glacien heritage.”
“I would love that,” Mercedes said sincerely.
Gwyniera nodded her head and released Mercedes’ hand. Without another word, Gwyniera turned and left the athletic field.
Mercedes stared wistfully at the ring before smiling and looking toward one of the large rock walls. “You can come out now, Killian.”
Killian peeked out from behind the wall and jogged over to her. “How did you know I was there?”
Holding up the firestone in front of his face she laughed. “Looks like as long as I have this I’ll be able to sense you.”
“Hmm, I kind of like the sound of that,” he teased wrapping his arms around her waist. “I wasn’t meaning to eavesdrop though, I was just grabbing a few things and when I saw you and Gwyniera I didn’t know how to get out without interrupting.”
Mercedes rested her forehead against his and looked at the sapphire ring again. “This is something I never expected, but it’s strange, after she gave me this I felt…complete I guess.”
Killian took her hand in his and examined the ring. “So this was your mom’s. It’s beautiful, and Gwyniera’s right—your mom would be proud of you.”
Mercedes pulled back and wiped away the tears that fell over her cheeks.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Killian said, cupping her face in his palms.
She shook her head and took a deep breath. “I finally have a chance to know everything about myself, to have my family. What if…what if we don’t win? What if Maurelle takes it away and…” she trailed off trying to keep her emotions in check.
“Mercedes
,” Killian said, forcing her to look at him. “I understand, you know I do. Which is why I know we’re going to win. We have so much more to fight for, every single one of us has more to lose than Maurelle could ever understand. We aren’t going to give all that up without a fight. I promise you, you’ll get your chance to know about your mom, and about Egan and Gwyniera. I promise.”
“You matter, too. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she whispered.
Killian kissed her lips long and hard. Finally pulling away, he met her eye and smiled playfully. “I know I will always be number one.” Looking down, he paused before telling her about Ivy. “Mercedes, something happened. I found out who let Blake in.”
She looked at him with utmost attention. “You did? Who is it? Where are they?”
“It was Ivy. I think she was following us when we gathered the relics to make sure we had the ruby before letting them in. She’s gone—I couldn’t stop her before she ran.”
Mercedes looked stunned. “Ivy? She’s the calmest, kindest trainer we had. Who can we trust, Killian?”
“It’s a tough blow, but this doesn’t change anything. We have to be a little more vigilant about who we include in the deepest parts of our plan. I’m glad I’m coming with you; hopefully, I can sense what people’s true feelings are while we’re in Ignisia.”
Sighing and sheathing her daggers, she started toward the door. “You’re right. I’m just so tired of losing friends to the Trinity, either by betrayal…or death. We should get going; I doubt I’ll be sleeping at all tonight.”
“Hey, the people will love you in Ignisia,” he told her.
Looking into his eyes, she saw the bright orange ring surrounding his blue color pulse brightly. For a moment, the dire circumstances the realms were in didn’t seem as bleak, and she actually believed they might be able to defeat Maurelle.
Chapter 14
Return to Ignisia
Mornings in the Praetorium always seemed peaceful, with the soft lavender sunlight streaming in through the windows. Killian sat on the cool stone bench along the entryway wall and watched as the unique sun rose above the vast, wild garden surrounding the Praetorium. He peered beyond the colorful foliage to the flat distant horizon and thought back to the day he’d arrived from Terrene.
Although he’d been confused, overwhelmed, and frightened by coming, part of him wished he could go back to that time. Blake was still his most trusted friend, Mercedes still had her aunt and uncle, and Sophia was still alive and teasing Dax relentlessly. The sun continued to rise above the middle limbo that the Ponderi resided in as did his memories, until finally, with the colorful sun high in the morning sky, the happy thoughts drifted from his mind and the present reality lodged in his forethought like a lead weight.
Killian removed the spear from the leather holding between his shoulder blades and pressed the button in the center of the rod. Both sharp ends shot out with the sound of a slicing knife. The metal gleamed in the light, and the pointed tips stood steady and sharp, ready to defend him if the time came.
“Ready to go?”
Killian saw Dax out of the corner of his eye. “Yep, are you?”
Dax paused and seemed to study the garden as he had just done. “I haven’t been home in a long time. My insides are twirling like a whirlwind, I’m so excited. When my father suggested I join the Ponderi to serve and protect the realms, I didn’t realize I would only see my family once in the Ponderi’s year and rarely return to my realm. I can’t wait to see my mother. My father has visited the Ponderi more than she has; he’s Chief Egan’s top general. Did you know that?” Dax said proudly.
“I had no idea. That’s pretty awesome.”
Dax smiled sadly. “I had planned to tell them about Sophia the next time I went to visit. My father came for the service after the attack for a brief moment; part of me thinks he already knew. He put a flower on her box.”
Killian’s heart felt as if it was being torn in half with a burning razorblade as he listened to Dax confess his inner thoughts.
“Sorry, Dax. I know these last few months haven’t been easy for you,” he finally said.
“It should’ve been me, you know…who died. Not her.”
“Dax, don’t say that. No one could’ve known what would happen.”
“No, it’s true. For days we’d been discussing what we would do if the Trinity attacked. Sophia had said she thought it would be best to stay inside the Praetorium, but I wanted to go outside and meet the onslaught head on. That’s why she went outside after the blackout when we were separated; she thought I would be there. If I would’ve just agreed with her…maybe she never would’ve been out there and wouldn’t have been in the way of the explosion.”
“Dax, have you been carrying this guilt around all this time? It wasn’t your fault. It’s the Trinity, Dax…it’s Blake,” he finished darkly.
Dax’s flaming eyes billowed menacingly. “I’m going to destroy him, Killian. That’s why I train so hard. I have to avenge her or I don’t have any purpose.”
Killian didn’t know what to say and stood silent gnawing on his lip until Mercedes and Egan stepped off the hidden elevator carrying leather satchels filled with weapons. He breathed a sigh of relief and rushed to help with the supplies.
“We will be taking the royal track,” Egan said pointing to Mercedes. “Killian, do you think you could open a portal? I would rather you take Dax instead of risking the Ponderi’s track in case it’s compromised and you can’t cross with us through our track.”
“I’ll try,” he answered. “I’ve been getting a little better at opening the barriers.”
“Then safe travels. We shall meet you both at the mansion.”
Mercedes grabbed Killian’s hand and held it tight before waving goodbye to him and Dax.
“For the record, I hate traveling with you,” Dax said.
Killian laughed and followed him out to the garden.
They landed in a pool of bright blue water with a crystal-like sheen. Dax surfaced sputtering and cursing Infinium as he scoured the water for his sword and bow.
“Dax, really, I thought you were tougher than this,” Killian teased, intentionally riling him.
Dax huffed loudly and pushed Killian’s chest hard enough he lost his balance and landed into the pool again. “I don’t know many people who can tolerate being pulled and suffocated in an incredibly small portal—at least it seems like it’s the size of a pin hole. Are you sure you can’t just tell it to be smoother?”
Killian feigned surprise. “I thought you enjoyed the challenge. Forgive me—next time I’ll make sure we have attendants bringing us snacks and drinks on our journey.”
Dax rolled his eyes, but Killian caught his smile before he turned away. “Well there it is—the royal mansion. I haven’t been inside since I was a kid.”
Killian stared at the enormous dusty-red house. When he’d first met Egan, he’d visited him at the royal offices in the city center. But his home was incredible, made from carved black firewood and sandstone. The steps leading into the mansion had intricate carvings in the stone of various fiery symbols he knew were the different Fire Lords from realm worship.
The mansion appeared to have several floors with colorful paintings in many of the square windows. The pool they’d landed in was surrounded by beautiful ruby red bricks and various palms and cacti. The surrounding garden had sandstone benches in between spiky bushes and bright pink and purple flowering trees. He saw the interesting two-headed blue lizards skirting all over the red rocks and nearly stepped on one climbing along the massive steps leading to the door.
“There you are,” a bare-chested man with bright green hair shouted from the top of the staircase. “The chief was beginning to worry.”
The man had two leather straps crossing his chest in an ‘X’ clad with numerous weapons: daggers, gold knives, infinite arrows, and a large ruby hilted sword on his hip.
Dax smiled and picked up his pace until he stood before
him and firmly crossed his chest with his fist. “Sir, it is good to see you again.”
The green-haired man smiled and returned the salute before he pulled Dax tightly against his chest. “Welcome home, Son. You made the journey all right?” he asked, releasing Dax.
Dax glared at Killian. “You could say that, I guess. Killian, this is my father, General Haydon Flint. Sir, this is Killian Thomas.”
General Flint stepped down one stair and crossed his fist over his chest then held out his hand to Killian. Killian took it and gritted his teeth against the general’s firm grip.
“Good to finally meet you, Killian. I didn’t get the pleasure on your last visit, but I hear it wasn’t as pleasant as we hope this one will be.” Flint winked and smiled, revealing the age lines in his face, but Killian could make out the resemblance between father and son.
“I hope it will be a little better, sir. I don’t plan to meet the Draykan any time soon.”
Flint bellowed a deep laugh and slapped him on the back. “Come on, then. Egan’s in here.”
“And Mercedes?” Dax said.
Flint glanced back and raised an eyebrow at his son. “She is with him, but I think you should address her a little more formally, Son.”
“She’s asked us not to,” he explained. “We were all friends before we knew who she was, so she says it’s uncomfortable when we try to treat her like a royal. So, Father, were you surprised when you discovered Egan had a daughter?”
Flint opened the enormous wooden doors and led them down a beautiful marble hallway. The mansion was warm and Killian wiped a trail of sweat off his forehead as they walked. The mansion didn’t have many doors, but large open rooms separated by large red and white stone pillars. He saw a wide room with an empty wooden throne on a platform, and a dining hall with one long log table complete with place settings for at least one hundred people.
“Son, there are some things I never told you in regard to the princess,” Flint responded as he opened the one door in the entire hallway.
