“I want to watch my children swing on branches, I want to sit in the shade. I want to listen to the leaves rustle in the breeze. I don’t want to live in this palace. Everything here reminds me that Alder is gone. I want a quiet little villa, perhaps on a hilltop, where Deutzia and Trillian can dig deep in the earth and I can leave my front door unlocked. I want to go months without a single knock at my entryway. And when someone does come by, I want them to be the sort that will stay for a week, and whom I will want to stay for a month. After all we have been through, I don’t think that is too much to ask.”
Privet wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close. “And I will make sure you get it.”
Athel leaned her head on his broad chest and closed her eyes.
“You know, Privet, I never thanked you for saving my life back on Ronesia.”
He thought about it. “No, you never did.”
“I will someday.”
“You don’t have to.”
She opened her eyes sadly. “No, I do.”
She looked up at him. “But not today. I’ll thank you when I can mean it again. Right now, if I said it, it would taste a lie.”
Privet gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. “And I’ll stay be your side as long as that takes.”
Looking at him, Athel began to cry.
“Was I…was I wrong, Privet?”
He shook his head firmly. “Don’t. Don’t do this to yourself.”
“Shouldn’t I have at least tried to bring Alder back?”
“No, you weren’t wrong. The tower couldn’t have brought him back. She was just trying to hurt you.”
“But do we know that? I mean, do we? He could be here with me right now. RIGHT NOW! But I didn’t even try to save him.”
Privet wrapped his arms around her and held her close as she cried.
“Please don’t do this to yourself. This is what she wanted.”
“I can’t help it. I…I’m the one who killed him. I took his life, and I can never forget what that felt like. I can never forget what I did to him. He loved me with all his heart, and look what I did to him…with my own hands…”
Privet took her shoulders and squared her to him. “Hey, look. This is not your fault, okay?”
“But I feel like it is, and I always will.”
“It’s not.”
Athel lowered her head, tears dripping down her face. “I can’t stop thinking about him. I just miss him so much…”
“I do, too.”
“She was right. I’ll never heal from this…ever. I’ll live for hundreds of years, and all of that time will be spent in sorrow. It’s a fate worse than death.”
Privet held her even tighter.
“I wish I had never been born,” she whispered.
* * *
“Can I get some more shovels over here, please?” Akar called out.
Orlaya Oleander looked at him oddly, then realized he had given her an order. “Oh, right! I’ll go get some.”
“Thank you.”
As she scrambled off, Akar looked down at his tablet and made a couple of marks. “We need to clear this canal. If we unstop the fountain first, the water will be choked with debris.”
“We’re on it,” Iris Bursage called out.
Akar waved his hand and the barbed vines filling the canal died away. Iris led a team down inside with wheelbarrows at the ready. Nearby, men and women worked together, helping the trees replant themselves around the royal courtyard.
Iris dug in alongside the men, shoveling and loading. They needed to get the aqueducts repaired before the rains came, and Akar’s experience working on the Ascension Tower proved to be extremely handy among a people unaccustomed to working under a deadline.
When the wheelbarrows were full, Iris stood up to wipe her face and caught Akar staring at her.
“Something wrong?”
Akar looked away. “Could I, uh, talk to you for a moment?”
“Yeah, sure.”
As she scrambled up out of the canal, some of the young women looked at each other and giggled knowingly.
When she got near, Iris found herself slowing. She had forgotten how tall he was when he stood straight. His hard tanned skin, his arms, thick like rawhide. But nothing so powerful as his eyes. The fire in them burned brighter than they ever had before. Before she realized what she was doing, she caught herself staring at him.
Akar took off his hat. “So, Milia and Veritus want us to pair off when we’re ready.”
Iris shook her head, trying to catch up with what he was saying. Even from here, he smelled amazing.
“Yeah, I guess so. Do you have anyone in mind?”
She closed her eyes, regretting saying such a stupid thing.
“Just one.”
She felt her heart skip a beat. “I…ah…I see. May I ask who she is?”
Akar turned away and looked out at all the people working. The men, the women, and the trees, all working together. It was a stunning sight to see.
“If we are to make a new forest, those of us who lived in the old one will have the hardest time adjusting,” he mused.
Iris looked at his crooked broken nose, and felt a stab of guilt. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”
Akar turned back. His piercing eyes nearly made her gasp. “And if I must be paired with someone, there’s really no one else but you I would accept.”
She realized she was holding her breath. “But, why? After the things I did…”
Akar smiled. It was the first time she could ever recall seeing him do so. He had a beautiful smile. “Because you stood up for us when it mattered most.”
Iris felt her heart pounding in her chest.
Akar tucked his tablet under his thick arm. “Look, I can’t promise that I’ll ever be able to forget everything that happened.”
Iris noticed the scars on his flesh and looked down in shame.
He extended his hand to her. “But I promise to try.”
Iris looked up, her eyes becoming soft. “I’d like that.”
Without even realizing she was doing it, she reached out and took his hand. It felt so rough and strong; her skin tingled at his touch.
Gently, he reached up and touched the deep bruise on her chin he had given her, still visible.
“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely.
She reached out and touched the lash marks on his shoulder she had given him. “Me, too.”
They heard hushed giggles from nearby. They turned to see Orlaya and some of the other girls watching them and whispering.
“Get back to work!” Akar barked.
The girls jumped and grabbed their tools. The men laughed heartily.
Iris looked down. Akar was still holding her hand. Her face flushed a deep red as she squeezed his hand back.
* * *
Setsuna and Dwale hiked up the hill to the remains of the broken mountain manor. The entire front of the structure was torn away, and what remained inside had been shredded by climate, looters, and soiled by nesting animals.
“Oh, it’s a complete disaster,” she sighed.
“This is going to take a while,” Dwale appraised. He rubbed his face, trying to get used to wearing his prosthetic eyes again.
“Yeah, let me know when you’re done.”
Dwale handed her a broom and a dustpan. “I’ll start on the entryway, you take the kitchen.”
“Ugh, fine.” She looked at the tools listlessly. “I feel like a slave.”
“It’s not so bad, once you get used to it.”
While Dwale measured out the timbers they’d need, Setsuna rummaged through the kitchen. Inside the oven, she found the charred remains of the tart she had made for Privet the last time they were all together.
“Not even the animals would touch
it,” she said sadly.
“Okay, I’ll need five beams,” Dwale called out cheerfully as he rummaged through his toolbox.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Setsuna closed the oven and walked outside to a toppled tree. Carefully, she created five square-shaped gates, and slid them through the length of the tree. The husk that remained fell apart, and nearby, five perfectly straight beams slid out of the exit portals.
“That’s amazing; you’d have made a fine lumberjack,” Dwale praised.
She raised a well-manicured finger towards him. “I should warn you, constantly complimenting me with that cute little face of yours is going to make me like you even more than I already do.”
Dwale gave her an adorable grin as he picked up the beams, several nails held in his mouth. It made her heart skip a beat to see it.
“We should go visit brother when we’re done,” Dwale suggested as he set the first beam. “See how they’re doing.”
Setsuna plopped down on what remained of the couch, releasing a plume of dust. “Do we have to?”
Dwale took out a nail and hammered the wood into place. “Come on, he’ll be your brother, too. You’ll have to visit him once in a while.”
Setsuna raised a green eyebrow. “Wait…do you mean?”
Dwale realized what he had just inferred and blushed bright red, the nails falling out of his mouth. “Oh, I didn’t mean…I mean I’d like to, but… Oh gosh, you’re the one who’s supposed to propose, not me! I can’t…oh…”
Setsuna cupped her hands together. “Oh, you are just beyond adorable!”
She vanished, then reappeared next to him, standing on one toe. She threw her arms around him and gave him a passionate kiss.
“I accept.”
* * *
Athel slowly returned to consciousness. She felt warm, she felt safe, and that scared her.
Her head snapped up and she checked on Ash, who slept silently in his crib next to her. It was then that Athel realized her head had been lying in someone’s lap.
“Shhhh, it’s all right,” came a calm soothing voice. Athel recognized it immediately.
“Mother.”
“Yes, I am here.”
Hazel Forsythia gently ran her fingers through Athel’s hair, like she had done when she was a little girl. It was so soothing, Athel couldn’t help but lay her head back down.
“When did you wake up?”
“This morning. I was going to wait till you woke up, but I couldn’t wait any longer to see you. I’m sorry, I know how tired you are.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, the healers looked me over. Once Milia was revived, my body began to recover as well.”
Athel cracked an eye open. “What time is it?”
“It’s past midday.”
Athel tried to rise, but her mother placed a hand on her temple and bade her to stay.
“I was up all night with the baby,” Athel whispered, licking her dry lips. “He isn’t sleeping well.”
“Neither are you. Where are the Maar’i ota’a ann’I?”
“I’m giving them a break. I want to be there for my son from now on. He needs me.”
“That is wise. You are a good mother.”
Athel lay still as Hazel ran her fingers through her hair, humming softly in her motherly tones. For the briefest of moments, Athel felt young again, until she remembered that Alder was gone. Then the pain came back, and the moment was lost.
“I’m sorry mother,” Athel whispered.
“Whatever for?”
Athel breathed painfully.
“I didn’t understand what you were going through. I didn’t comprehend your burden. I resented you, I hated you. I…I was a terrible, disrespectful daughter.”
Athel closed her eyes as her mother leaned forward and gave her a pure, loving kiss on her forehead. “No one should have to. Only those who are called upon to carry that weight can truly understand, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, least of all my own child.”
Athel began to cry. “I tried to be like you, but I failed. I couldn’t save everyone. I couldn’t lead like you did. I…I failed to…”
“Shhhh, it’s all right, daughter. You are forgiven.”
Hearing it surprised Athel so much, she couldn’t respond.
Hazel leaned forward and embraced her warmly. “I shouldn’t have to say that, though.”
She looked out into the distance. “When my strength failed and I collapsed, in my heart I was sure that my beloved forest was doomed to destruction. I thought I would never see it again, or awake and find it gone forever. And now, I arise up to find it saved. Not only saved, but renewed.”
She leaned forward and kissed Athel gently on the cheek. “And I have you to thank for it. You’ve done so much for everyone. You saved the forest, the peoples of Aetria, even the gods. You fought bravely, you worked tirelessly, you have brought so much honor to our family, and mended the wrongs of the past. You brought our men and women together like they never were before. You stood up for what was right, even when no one stood beside you. You should not compare yourself to me, for you are a greater Queen than I ever was. You have been the greatest queen our forest has ever known.”
Athel buried her face in her mother and continued to cry. “I was scared. I was so scared the whole time.”
“I know you were. It’s all right to be scared.”
Athel sobbed quietly into her chest.
“You have made me so proud, my beautiful, brave little girl.”
* * *
Mina grabbed a mirror out of the dresser drawer and looked at herself.
“Jabint’s teeth! Look at me, I look horrible!”
Captain Evere set down Ash for his nap and came in to see. Huge chunks of Mina’s fur were missing, leaving fresh pink, bald skin underneath.
“It’s not…that bad?”
“Don’t patronize me! I look terrible. Oh, I’m practically bald.”
“I’ll get you a fur coat.”
“This isn’t funny!”
“It’s a little funny.”
Mina fretted and tugged at some of the white fur on her tail. It pulled clean away in a large tuft.
“Ugh! What is wrong with me?”
“What do you mean? You always shed.”
“This isn’t shedding, this is molting.”
“So what?”
“So, Mesdans don’t molt except when we’re…”
She turned around. “No, it can’t be.”
“Well, you have been moody lately.”
“I’m always moody.”
“And you’ve been eating a lot of cabbage.”
“I always eat cabbage!”
“You’ve been bloated and your tail is sore.”
“How do you know so much about me?”
`“Blast it, woman, I’m your husband, if I don’t notice, who will?”
Mina looked in the mirror and touched her belly. Was it a little swollen? She couldn’t quite tell. “But, this is impossible. I can’t be pregnant. Tomani and Mesdans can’t…”
She turned around and found him grinning at her from ear to ear.
The mirror fell from her hand. “What did you do, Allister?”
“I asked Valpurgeiss for a little favor before he left.”
Mina began shaking with excitement. “You mean…we’re…gonna have a baby?”
“We’re gonna have a baby.”
Mina squealed with delight and leapt on him, knocking him to the floor with kisses and hugs.
“Careful woman, you don’t want to strain yourself.”
“Oh, stop, I’m fine.”
She kissed him passionately.
“Yes, you are.”
Mina was so happy, she couldn’t stop herself from cryin
g. “So, you could have asked for anything, any treasure, any title, any miracle, and you asked for that?”
He smiled. “There are only a few sacred things in this world, and none of them are more important than you are.”
Mina howled with joy, and kissed her husband anew, wrapping her tail around him.
* * *
“Corner the market or pass?” Ryin asked confidently, gnawing on the cigar in his mouth.
Ellie coolly took a puff on her cigar whilst looking over her cards. She looked over at Ryin, studying his expression, then over at Hanner.
Ryin caught himself staring at her. She really was quite beautiful.
“You ain’t gonna read me, little squat.” Hanner warned.
Ellie grinned impishly. “I buy all your silos of grain,” she announced, “with a double yield for summer.”
She threw down her cards and Hanner’s jaw fell down.
Ryin laughed. “Can you cover the investment, big guy?”
Hanner sat there, stunned.
“Well, can you?”
Hanner threw his cards down. “This game is dung!”
Ryin leaned back and laughed.
“Yep, yep, yep,” Ellie boasted, pulling the huge pot over to her. “Games are always stupid when you lose.”
Hanner folded his arms angrily. “Ruttin’ luck.”
Strenner clapped his hands and picked up a card, burping fire to set it alight.
Ryin gathered up the cards to reshuffle. “Oh, man, I’ve never seen anyone take the big guy to town at jatlat like that before.”
Ellie leaned back and took a confident puff on her cigar. “You just have to remember, you don’t play the market, you play the person.”
“You just got lectured by a kid, Hanner.”
“Who are you calling a kid? I’m two years older than you are now.”
“Are you really?”
“Yeah, I turn twenty-five next week.”
Ryin shook his head. “That’s so weird.”
The waitress came over and set down a fresh round of drinks. “Hi, I’m Samantha. I’m taking over for Dave, his shift just ended.”
Ellie picked up a chip and tossed it to Samantha. “Thanks Sam, I’m Melissa, can you bring us some fried pickles and a pitcher of limeade?”
Isle of Wysteria: Throne of Chains Page 45
