I swallowed my bite. “What Festival?”
Sonya exchanged a quick glance with her husband. “Every seven years,” she answered, “Valdon hosts the Festival of Lights. It is a commemoration for a war fought centuries ago. The Festival is the one time the magical creatures join us. Like Cicero already said, these days they don’t bother with human affairs, but on that day, many of them celebrate with us.”
“Which war are you talking about? One of Earth’s wars?”
“Spirits, no,” Cicero answered. “Earth would have crumbled beneath such raw power. When Gaia took her powers from Earth, she brought another with her, a malevolent one.”
“Wait a minute. If she left Earth to create her version of a perfect world, why do that?”
“She didn’t have a choice. This evil is also a magical being, and when Gaia took all that was magical, it all came: the good, the terrible, and everything in between. In order to keep her world safe, she banished him to a spirit realm so he was unable to physically harm a living soul.”
“He?”
“Mortis.”
A stiff breeze blew by and the light of our low fire flickered.
Cicero took a deep breath and continued. “He’s not a physical being, but his powers can reach through the barrier into this world. Creatures like the barghest belong to him. Some people try and tap in to his power, but serving the dark always ends in death because the dark is never satisfied. It always tries to gather more souls, which is what happened during the battle over whose victory we now celebrate.”
Here Cicero paused, but I didn’t question him. I was too curious to hear more.
“Many years ago, Mortis found one such soul to possess—one who would do his work for him on the surface. Mortis abhors his prison and has tried escaping ever since Gaia sent him there. This man was given Mortis’ power and strength to control armies in an attempt to destroy Gaia and break down the barrier.
“But Gaia also found a man to trust, someone called Galahad. She entrusted a great shield to him, one that harnessed the power of the elementals.”
“Elementals?”
“Yes, just as you would think. Air, water, fire, earth. All can take physical shape in this world. They are the most ancient and strongest of the powers and once that shield was created, man was able to channel their power. Hence, Galahad was given the power of Gaia.”
“Well, that almost seems like an unfair advantage.”
“Galahad didn’t win the war.”
“But with that much power, how—“
“I was getting to that.” He smiled. “Always impatient. When Galahad took up the shield and channeled its power, it defiled him. Sometimes great power brings out the worst in us and, unfortunately, it isn’t until people are given it that we see the true shades of their character.
“What ended the war was the death of Mortis’ chosen agent. Gaia was lucky Mortis’ agent was weak. He was killed while the world was deciding how to hide from Galahad. At that point Gaia destroyed the shield by tearing it into pieces. The very action killed Galahad. Stories say his screams of agony were heard in all the lands, even on Earth.”
That sounded…painful. “So the destruction of the shield freed Gaia of evil?”
“The shield wasn’t destroyed.”
“But you said—“
“It was torn to pieces. Seven to be exact. There is an order in this world called the Keepers of Light; their members are called Dalorens. The Dalorens have access to magic no others can use, and it is the Dalorens that used magic to protect the seven pieces. Gaia couldn’t destroy the shield without destroying her world, since they represented a physical embodiment of her powers and the elementals. The Dalorens placed magic on the pieces, each piece holding power that belonged to the whole and can only be activated by a rightful lord. Once all the lords unite, they could select one to rule sovereign amidst them. It was a way to share the power without one man having too much.”
So. Much. Information. I sat for a moment rubbing my temples, thinking through everything Cicero had said. A war, magic, elements, pieces of some shield being protected by some strange group of magicians until some rightful lord came along. And I had thought Earth was a crazy place. “There are seven lords?”
“Six,” Sonya answered this time.
Arg. “No, you specifically said—”
“The seventh has been a mystery for over a century. Pendel’s territory.”
The image of the tattered banner in the shadows at Rex Cross flitted through my mind. “Pendel has no lord then?”
“Pendel’s governed by someone acting in lieu of the rightful lord. Rumor has it only the Dalorens know the location of that missing bloodline.”
“Oh, so this shield isn’t currently active?”
“Correct,” Cicero answered.
“Then how does Gaia have a king without all seven lords present?”
“How indeed,” Alex mumbled.
I realized I hadn’t heard the sound of Alex’s scraping for a while. When I looked back at him, his eyes were hard.
“Alexander.” Cicero warned.
Alex shoved his dagger into its sheath and joined the horses.
“The people—” Sonya’s eyes followed her son “—needed a ruler. Too many years passed without one and society started crumbling. So they elected King Darius. He was the strongest, most able of the lords. It was a simple decision.”
“Simple?” Alex said with his back to us while scratching Parsec’s nose. “He all but forced the position.”
Cicero’s intake of air was sharp but Alex didn’t show any signs of acknowledgement.
“Why didn’t someone just ask these Dalorens who the seventh heir was so they could choose a rightful leader?” I asked.
“The Dalorens are dangerous.” Cicero answered. “Their access to knowledge has granted them access to rare powers. They also happen to pride themselves in exclusivity and none that have gone seeking them out have ever returned.”
“Not to mention—” Alex turned around and looked pointedly at his father “—someone has convinced the world we don’t need that knowledge.”
“What Alex fails to acknowledge is King Darius protects the people from evil. It is his power that protects our physical and metaphysical boundaries. You can’t have a world without order, and King Darius is a fair and just ruler.”
“If it helps him to be.” Alex’s eyes narrowed.
Cicero glared at his son. What was Alex’s problem?
“Not everyone is pleased with King Darius these days,” Sonya interjected. “There’s been severe drought in Lord Tosca’s territory. The people there are farmers and provide most of our food.”
Lord Tosca, Lord Tosca…where had I heard that name? I glanced back at Alex and met his gaze briefly before he looked away. Wait. Lord Tosca was the guy Cicero wanted Alex to work for. The one that lived farthest away. My stomach turned. Alex glanced back at me with curiosity in his eyes and I looked away.
“The people need someone to blame, like people usually do,” Sonya continued. “And leaders are the easiest targets.”
“That’s because leaders are usually the ones with enough influence to do anything,” Alex said.
“That doesn’t make it his fault, Alex.”
“And what of all the rumors about gargon raids?” Alex stepped forward. “For all his protection and power, the king has done nothing to investigate.”
“Alexander, mind your tongue,” Cicero’s tone was low.
“Gargons?” I asked.
Alex stopped pacing and held my gaze. “Dragons.”
My jaw dropped. “Dragons? They’re real?”
“It isn’t possible,” Cicero said through clenched teeth. “If gargons had been unleashed, we would’ve seen them by now.”
Dragons.
They existed. No way. This I had to see.
“Brilliant.” Alex glared at his father. “So we’ll just wait for an attack like you waited for the barghests.”
“Not another word, Alexander.” Cicero’s gaze did not falter as he stared down his son.
The fire crackled as Alex’s fury radiated from him. I’d never seen him argue with his father like this. Actually, never—not in all my years of knowing him—had I seen him this angry. And if I knew anything about Alex, his anger was never unwarranted.
I wanted to talk to him without Cicero and Sonya around to get a more holistic picture of this almighty king. But at this rate, Alex was going to earn himself nothing short of dismemberment. I thought I’d better step in and change the subject.
“So when is this grand Festival?” I asked.
The blanket of tension slowly lifted. Cicero looked at me, the creases in his face already fading along with Alex’s rage. Good, it was working.
“Actually, it’s happening this very year, on November sixth.”
I froze. “But that’s…” My birthday.
Sonya smiled. “Yes, we know.”
Cicero continued. “It technically starts on your birthday, but the games don’t begin until the seventh and then continue for seven days. People travel from all over Gaia to celebrate. It’s the one time we all get along.” He grinned. “Even your father isn’t as argumentative.”
My heart sank. “I guess my dad’s been?” It was a stupid question to ask—I already knew the answer. But it was just one more thing I’d been left out of, something else they’d done while I was twiddling my thumbs alone in Middle of Nowhere, California.
Sonya smiled at me in an attempt to be encouraging. “You’ll be going this year.”
Great, well, that fixed everything.
“Convenient timing if you ask me,” Cicero added. “The best way for you to meet the people in this world—including the Great Lords.”
Even better.
I didn’t want to meet any all-powerful lord of anything. What I wanted was to find my dad so that I could move on with my life.
“Oh, yes, the Festival is exciting,” Cicero continued. “The décor, the competitions, the dancing.” Cicero flicked his hand in the air, and then looked at his son with a mischievous grin. He must have forgotten his anger. “Alex is looking forward to the dancing aspect, I think.”
That got my attention. I turned around and caught Alex’s gaze. “You…know how to dance?” I grinned.
Alex flashed me a warning look as he sat beside me and watched the fire. He was so close I could smell the forest on his clothing.
Alex dancing? I wondered if he was any good, which made me picture Alex in a tux twirling in circles to the sound of violins. The mental picture made me snort out loud.
He turned to look at me, the challenge returning to his eyes. “Don’t even think about it.”
I grinned. “Already did.”
“Oh?” A grin twitched at his lips. “And how did I look?”
“Humiliating.”
He smiled and I suddenly couldn’t breathe.
Snap out of it!
His brow had risen while I’d been stuck staring at him like an idiot. I looked away before I made a bigger fool of myself, but I could feel his eyes on me still.
“Dear.” Sonya grinned at her husband. “You used to step on my feet all the time.”
Cicero chuckled. “True, and Vera did tell me the other day that Alex’s improvements are remarkable, well, for him. She’s been able to keep her toenails during practice, not that she cares for them.”
Every other word faded as my ears zeroed in on one: Vera.
“Vera,” Sonya laughed. “Did you write her back? Before we left?” She was looking at Alex expectantly.
And Alex poked at the fire with one of his daggers. “Didn’t have time.”
Was he embarrassed?
“What’s the punishment for that, then?” Cicero grinned. “Twenty lashes? You must be the only man in Gaia that isn’t afraid to make her mad.”
“Alex is also the only man in Gaia that can make her mad.” Sonya grinned.
I suddenly felt sick.
Chapter 19
Competition is Ugly
I peeked back at Alex to find him studying me. His face was unreadable and my heart started beating faster, so I looked back at the ground. A pit began forming inside of me, attempting to punch itself through my stomach lining. What was wrong with me? I didn’t even know her and I didn’t like her. Who was she? What did she look like? Were they good friends? It hadn’t occurred to me that Alex might be…dating. The thought never even crossed my mind, and now it was there, forcing every other thought out of it.
“I’m done. Does anyone want the rest of this?”
“You’ve barely touched it. Come on.” Cicero waved at me. “Eat a little more.”
“No, really, I’m full. I’ll toss it in the fire if no one wants it.”
Cicero eyed me with skepticism. With his brow raised, he reached out and took the meat from my hands.
I didn’t speak much the rest of the evening. I doubted Cicero and Sonya thought much of it, distracted with their memories of past festivals. Alex stayed seated beside me, but he didn’t say anything. Sometimes, he would chuckle or comment at something his parents said. Other times, I’d feel his curiosity, but I never turned to look at him. I was too afraid he would see right through me—see how I was feeling. And I knew how I was feeling was ridiculous.
Alex could do whatever he wanted, talk to whomever he wanted, even date whomever he wanted.
But why wouldn’t he say anything to me about it?
Why do you think you have a right to know?
Round and round went my thoughts. Until someone mentioned Stefan.
“Hey, has Stefan mentioned anything about Dad?” I asked. I wasn’t sure, but everyone looked a little uncomfortable.
“No,” Sonya answered.
No. That was it. Just no.
One full day, a barghest attack, Alex gets poisoned, and nothing. I didn’t believe her. Not one bit. “What do you mean, no? Shouldn’t he be on his way by now?”
“We’re still waiting for him at Amadis as planned,” Cicero answered, his words guarded. Too guarded. “And with our small detour, he may even beat us.”
They were hiding something and after the little Vera incident, I was so not in the mood for this. “How can you be sure if he hasn’t said anything? Maybe you missed something. Can I see the journal?” I held out my hand.
Cicero and Sonya exchanged a glance; Alex was quiet beside me.
“Maybe later,” Sonya said.
I dropped my hand. “What happened?”
“Nothing has happened,” Sonya answered a little too quickly.
“How do you know? You haven’t heard from him, so you don’t know that.”
“If—” her eyes bore into mine “—Stefan thought Alaric was in the smallest threat of danger, he would send guards. I promise you that. Please be patient. It’s only a few more days until your father can explain.”
As much as I didn’t want to hear it, it was the same thing I’d known all along. I was supposed to bide my time until Dad could explain the rest. These were the consequences I’d accepted without thinking through my decision. This was my punishment.
As I sat, wallowing in my self-pity, Cicero declared it was time for bed and Sonya kissed my forehead goodnight. She was worried for me; I could feel and see it on her face. But I thought her worry was ridiculous. She could fix it, she could tell me what was going on. She chose not to, so I didn’t feel sorry for her.
“May I speak with you a moment?” Cicero’s eyes fixed on his son.
A wave of apprehension and frustration passed over me as Alex stood and joined his dad. The two of them walked past our ring of light and into the forest. They didn’t go far. I could still hear their voices, but most of their words were too soft to distinguish.
Alex’s frustration surged so strong that even from this distance it was hard to separate his frustration from mine.
“—I’m concerned,” I heard Cicero say.
“You think I do
n’t know that?” Alex spat. “Not once have you stopped reminding me.”
“Remember your place,” Cicero answered, and I heard nothing more.
When they returned, Cicero was distracted with thought, and Alex’s sharp features had sharpened further. As Cicero walked passed me, he gave me a weak smile, then joined his wife in their bed of blankets. Alex, however, sat beside me at the fire, but sat a little farther away this time. He kept his face from me, his gaze intent on the flames.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
At first, I thought he hadn’t heard, but then he glanced sideways at me. “Fine.” His expression was distant, just like it was years ago before he vanished from my life, and it hurt.
“Don’t lie to me, Alex.”
He held my gaze. There was pain in his, a deep-rooted pain that I didn’t understand, and he looked back at the fire. “I’ll be fine.”
I glanced at Cicero, whose breathing was already even beneath his blankets.
“What was that about?” I asked. “Not this afternoon, I hope?”
He glanced towards his dad, a low sigh escaping his lips. “Partially. But, it’s nothing you need to worry about. I can handle it.”
He was building a wall again. “I didn’t ask if you could handle it.” I forced my voice to stay low. “We’re friends. I’d like to understand, unless you changed your mind.”
“Daria.” He met my gaze. “I’m not…” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. When they opened, there was something sad in them. “He was just reminding me to…adjust my attitude. He thinks I need to be a better influence.” One corner of his lips turned upward.
“As if that ever mattered.”
“You don’t have to remind me.” He tossed another log on the fire. Sparks flew as flames licked around the fresh offering.
“Sorry about earlier.” I said. “I didn’t realize Cicero would get so mad.”
“It’s just as much my fault. I forgot to warn you. But I don’t think it would matter. If my parents had had the choice they would’ve given me away long ago and adopted you.”
I smiled. “My dad’s the same way with me—always taking your side.”
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