by J. L. Madore
"What do you know about those in Castian's service?"
Iadon pointed to the colored sketches on the pages in front of me. "Castian's primary delegates were always the identical twin spirits Lashrael and Felara. Held in some lights by Elves to be demi-powers in their own right, Castian's beloved representatives were perceived as Protectors of the Realm of the Fair. At the time of their violent deaths, Castian vowed that their stations would remain vacant until he found the perfect successors. Once chosen, they would be dispatched to defend the innocent whenever our corporal selves or souls were being threatened."
Lexi shifted to get a better view. "What does this—"
I held up my hand. "Iadon, keep going. You're on a roll."
"Very well. The two had distinctive personalities. The male of the coupling, Lashrael, was said to be the Sentinel of Souls, given to emotional extremes. He was said to speak with unwavering conviction and enormous fluctuations of joy and sorrow. His depth of love and compassion was immeasurable and equaled only by his speed and skill in battle."
I sucked back a huge gulp of coffee and winced when I burned my tongue.
Iadon continued. "Felara, in contrast, was the very image of rational detachment, treating all situations with logic, strength and calm reason. She spoke in an immensely reassuring voice and gave direction where there was chaos. She was known as the Queen of the Flesh. This great healer had been said to breathe life into those who, by all rights, had stopped walking amongst the living—" Iadon's words choked off mid-sentence and his mouth dropped open.
Galan's expression turned to sheer, dark horror. "Sentinel of Souls?" he gasped, looking at the depiction of Castian with his previous emissaries. "You think Castian—God of gods—has designated me as the next Sentinel of Souls?" I didn't need a physical connection to pick up the storm brewing inside him. It rose closer to the surface every second.
"I do. That's the real meaning of the symbols on our tattoos, Castian's crescent moon and the symbols for body and soul. I'm the guardian of the body and you—"
"Oh, come Jade!" He twisted away from the group, stalking across the floor and back. "You cannot possibly . . . how could I?" He stood staring at me. Through me.
I fought the urge to touch him, he was in no mood. "Think about it Galan. He called you his guardian and said he entrusted the souls of Lia, Nyssa and Ella to you. He told me that every queen needed her guardian. I'm right about this. You know I am."
Galan's gaze dropped to the floor and pinched shut. "How am I to know anything anymore? Gods Jade, how much can you expect me to endure? Since I met you, I have been reacting to whatever tempest overtakes me, trying to ride the hurricane which is now my life."
"What are you saying?" I crossed my arms over my chest. "Do you regret meeting me?"
"Of course not, I cherish you. Can you truly say I should be Sentinel of Souls? Your father has lost—"
"He said, 'Your entire world will tilt and tumble around you, but the only way for you to survive it was to—"
"Was to trust in you," he choked, waving his hands in front of his chest. "I cannot do this, Jade. It is too much."
"Even if it means not getting Lia back?" I frowned at him, shaking my head. "Galan, I think it is part of your destiny to reclaim her soul so she can wake up."
I rubbed my temples trying to push away the deep, bass pounding taking root in my skull. Why was I constantly getting clocked in the head with a cosmic beat stick? Just once I'd like simple, happy and healthy. "Okay, get ready for the shock of your lives, people." I raised my arms, tipping my head back to call to the heavens. "Father, come to me, please, I need you."
Whoosh. Castian appeared. "Twice in one day. I am blessed, A'maelamin."
Everyone in the room froze stiff. No one moved. No one breathed.
"Surprise." I shrugged and faced Castian—my Father. Wow, that was going to take some getting used to. "Galan and I have figured out the whole Sentinel and Queen thing. That's how we're going to get Lia back isn't it?"
"Well done, Mir. You were quick to piece things together. You get that from your father." He winked and looked over to where Galan was leaning against the window frame. "Galan? What can I do to ease your anxiety about you and Jade representing my charges."
"I cannot think of a thing, my Lord."
Castian tsked. "I thought we agreed that you were to call me by name."
"He's having a bit of a crisis of faith," I said.
Castian glided to his side. "Bear with me, Galan. I think I can make you understand." My father led him to the centre of the room and snapped his fingers.
An ethereal woman appeared in a golden mist of light. Waif-like, elegant she was dressed in a filmy lavender gown and her mahogany hair drifted to her hips in waves. Her skin glowed with a faint iridescence, her eyes and lips a deep midnight blue. Wide-eyed, she scanned our group. When her gaze settled on Castian, she gathered the skirt of her dress and strode to him.
"Uncle?" she said, bowing her head. "How can I be of service?"
Castian lifted her from her bow and shifted her hair behind her shoulder. "Zophia, I summoned you from Behind the Veil to explain to Galan and Jade what we discussed a few weeks ago. Do you remember?"
She nodded. After a moment of hesitation Zophia reached her hands out to Galan, a piece of fabric the size of a folded table cloth appeared in his arms.
"What is this, my lo—Castian?" Galan asked.
"Zophia is one of the four Fae Fates." Castian said. "She is the keeper of the lives in progress and tends to the tapestries. As the youngest of the four, Zophia dedicates her time to ensure your lives are well cared for. She . . . well, I'll let her explain." Castian gestured for Zophia to take the conversation.
Zophia swallowed and seemed to gather herself before she spoke. "As destinies are woven, a tapestry is strung on the looms of the Fates. The colored threads in the fabric of the design represent family, friends, events and decisions all woven together to create a rich textile. Your life with my cousin, Jade, has knit into something as beautiful and warm as it is strong and durable." She smiled warmly at both of us then helped him lay the cloth flat on the table while we gathered around.
Zophia ran her delicate fingers along the colored threads as she spoke. "This is a replica of your current tapestry, Galan. Notice this upper portion, these rich Earth tones, the browns and gold and greens? These represent you . . . your strength and purity of spirit and honor. The silver strands mark the divine gift of silver hair he gave to his baby niece a lifetime ago. Those strands represent you and your sister. Your Naneth is the gold. Thamior the blue. Look at this beautiful strand. Who do you think this one represents?"
Galan ran a finger along a shimmering champagne colored thread. "It is a soft, lovely color. Elegant. This must be Nyssa."
Zophia nodded. "Now, this section is beautiful in its own right is it not?"
Galan nodded. "It is."
"Good, now look here. Look how the Earth tones come to life with the introduction of deep red, copper and emerald strands. This is where your life begins to twine together with Jade. It is opulent don't you agree?"
"It is."
"Where am I?" Lexi asked, pushing to the front. "What color am I?"
Zophia pointed to a violet thread woven closely with the emerald. "This is you, Alexannia Grace. See how long and interwoven your threads become? And this is where Aust becomes part of the weave as well."
"But if we're already part of each other's lives what does the rest of the tapestry represent?" Lexi asked, fingering the loose threads at the bottom four inches of the edge. "Why are these loose?"
"The tapestry is still being formed. New people, future battles, loss of loved ones, births; all these things will affect the final composition of the fabric. Nothing is set."
"Tell me," Galan said, pointing to a sapphire blue and a sage green that were tightly woven with his colors and with mine, "what are these colors?"
Zophia's eyes sparkled in the light as she looked to Castian. He nodded and
her smile grew wide. "Those are your children Galan, twins, yours and Jade's."
I gasped, transfixed with the colors mapped out before us.
"I peeked in my sister's watching pool for the future and they will be talented and vibrant and adored by all." Zophia clasped her hands together, her smile beaming like sunlight.
"They will need a safe place to grow up, Galan," Castian said. "You are the one meant to guard innocent souls. Your struggles in life have taught you acceptance and compassion. Your children need you to accept your station. Lia needs it and I believe you need it."
I ran my finger over the sapphire and sage strands. "Twins?"
Castian nodded. "Take some time. I'll speak to Alyssa about an introduction. If you accept your roles, Galan will have to form a working relationship with her. Only the Sentinel has the right to reclaim a soul once it has been displaced."
Castian strode to Iadon's side and held out his hands. "May I?"
Iadon hesitated for a second before laying his sleeping baby in Castian's arms.
"You have nothing to fear, Iadon. It is not so long since I held Jade that I forget a father's need to keep his child from harm. You are Jade and Galan's family. In turn you are mine."
Iadon sunk to his knee, bowing his head. "You honor us, Lord."
He smiled. "With your permission, Iadon and Nyssa, I would like to be the one to implant Ella's soul name." They nodded their consent. Castian pulled back her tiny sleeve, dipped his head and kissed Ella on her bare shoulder blade. When he finished, he by-passed Iadon and handed Galan the baby. "You were born to protect the innocent, but I will await your decision."
He held his hand out to Zophia, who practically floated to his side. "It was lovely to meet you." She held up her hand as Galan picked up the tapestry and offered it to her. "No, please, it is my gift to you. Congratulations on your Recognition. I wish you great love and happiness."
"Gratitude."
In the next moment, they disappeared in a showering golden mist.
It took a minute, but after it was clear Castian and my cousin, the Fae Fate, were gone, the dam broke. Gasps, questions and colorful expletives flew through the air like a hail storm.
Lexi strode straight through the heart of the chaos and pulled me in for a hug. "So, big day in the world of you, huh? Castian is your daddy?"
"Mhmm," I mumbled. "Galan and I found out this morning."
"How could Castian be your father?" Tham threw his arms in the air.
I looked over at Lexi, waiting . . . waiting. . .
"Well," she said, "when a man and a woman are attracted to one another—" She squealed and slapped Tham's fingers away as he poked her. Then, when the assault was over she came back to give me a worried smile. "You losing your mind, girlfriend?"
"Yep. I've been thinking of running for mayor of crazy-town. And the day's not over."
"The way you were babbling when you rushed in here, I would vote for you."
"Thanks."
Nyssa brought over a tray of sandwiches and veggies from the buffet table. "You have yet to eat anything substantial since yesterday. If there is more to come, you need sustenance."
"Thanks, Nyssa." I took the tray but couldn't imagine eating anything. Galan clutched the tapestry to his chest. "If you guys don't mind, I really need some alone-time with Galan to sort some of this out." It was a silent walk as we numbly made our way back to our suite.
"Twins?" I croaked as I closed the door. "Twins?"
Galan looked at me with his mouth open for a long while before he found his words. "The thought of you carrying my young is so far beyond—"
"I need to look at it again."
Galan laid the tapestry flat on the surface of our table and I ran my fingers along the sapphire and sage threads. His grin grew broader and brighter the longer we stared at it. "Blossom, do you truly believe I am the right male for this honor? Do you think, in the service of your father, I can help make the Realm of the Fair safe for young ones and innocents?"
"I don't think it, Highborne . . . I know it. Call it woman's intuition, faith or my remarkable intelligence. Call it whatever you like, but believe me, you are the Sentinel of Souls."
Galan slid around the table and swept me up into his arms. "Then we must bathe and ready ourselves for we have a precious soul to rescue."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
"As Bruin would say, here goes everything." I took a deep breath and focused on the two of us standing in the throne chamber of the Fae palace. It was strange to Flash without someone else taking me and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it. Somehow, though, I just knew how.
My father was perched where he'd been this morning only this time he was plucking away at an electric guitar. We listened while he played a bluesy tune I didn't recognize. Not my usual kind of music, but he was really good.
"Mir, Dwinn, you arrived on your own power. Well done." He set the instrument on the throne and met us in the centre of the room. Gliding barefoot across the marble floor his sky-blue robe billowed out behind him. "Have you come to guide Lia's soul back to her corporeal self?"
Galan nodded. "Have you spoken to Alyssa?"
"I have and she welcomes you to Mara. May I escort you?"
Galan's face lit up. "I would appreciate it, very much."
"This is your first official act as my Sentinel, Galan. Are you ready?" When Castian raised his hand, his robe was replaced with a white button down and a full-length blue leather duster. His chestnut brown hair pulled itself back into a neat ponytail and his bare feet were covered with kick-ass leather boots with silver buckles.
Galan's grin was absolutely wicked as he glanced at Castian's boots.
Instantly, Galan was wearing a matching pair. "You have good taste." Castian's glance moved to rest on me. "But we already knew that."
Crossing the manicured lawns Behind the Veil was like walking on an Aubusson Rug, soft and silent under our feet. When we descended to the lower lawn, the deer we'd watched this morning raised their heads and assembled. In a matter of moments, we were surrounded. Long velvet muzzles nudged and prodded our pockets as ears and tails flicked.
"What do they want?" I giggled as a fawn licked my arm with a long, strong tongue.
"They're hungry," Castian said. "Do you mind if we take a moment?"
Galan shifted his feet, but how do you say no to the God of gods? "Of course."
A small satchel of beige and purple berries materialized in each of our hands. The air, thick with the aroma of spring blossoms, encircled us as we doled treats to my father's pets.
"I can't believe how breathtaking it is here," I said.
Castian smiled, leaving our furry friends behind as he ushered us through a maze of rose gardens. "This land is the backdrop for Utopia for almost every Pantheon and every religion: Heaven, Eden, Arcadia, Zion. . . It doesn't matter what you call it, it is home. I'd like you to spend time here, Jade, maybe meet your siblings at some point."
Siblings?
Castian ushered us through the opening in the hedges at the far end of the garden. "This is the passage between life and afterlife, the road to what you call Mara or the After."
Tall elm trees, in measured intervals, lined both sides of the quaint country trail as far as my eyes could see. They reached to the sky and arched over the road, creating a living colonnade of foliage. Castian smiled to himself when we came to a crossroads and changed our path.
There was a sandy, nondescript path leading to our right and a pristine clearing beyond that. The clearing was surrounded by a maze of manicured boxwoods, arbors and reflection benches. Topiaries, trimmed and nurtured, brought the species of Fae to life: Weres, Centaurs, Dragons, Griffons, Nixies, Sirens and more. Some trees swirled up like soft-serve ice-cream cones and others were manicured to resemble Tootsie-Pops.
Songbirds chirped and hopped amongst weighted boughs of fruit trees. Delicate blossoms sweetened the air as the breeze stirred. Sunlight glinted off a circular fountain in the centr
e of the clearing. In its centre, carved marble wildlife stood drinking and frolicking in the water with Shalana, goddess of the woodlands. The ivory stone was honed to a satiny sheen; cool to the touch even in the mild afternoon sun.
Captured in stone, a doe and her fawn timidly lapped the surface of the fountain. With ears perked and eyes wide they watched a grizzly flip an arcing salmon toward two cubs waiting in the shallows.
Above us, a huge red-tailed hawk circled the fountain, her russet feathers black against the sunlight. The way it moved, I would swear it was watching us, its intelligent, dark eyes fixed on our group. I moved to point it out to Castian and Galan, but they were focused elsewhere.
I followed Galan's gaze to a young girl with silver locks sitting on the fountain ledge. With her back to us and her feet dipped into the water, she splashed her feet gently on the surface. He took a small step forward and hesitated. "Little one?"
Lia spun, a glorious grin lighting her elegant features. "Galan, you have come." She lifted the folds of her skirt, stepped out of the fountain and closed the distance, her wet feet slapping against the stone walk. When she reached us, she threw herself into the air and he caught her as if he'd done it his entire life. "Alyssa said you would come. She said I was to be patient, though goddess knows I am not one for waiting idly."
"Certainly not." Galan kissed the top of her head and pulled back. "Lia, are you well?"
His shoulders eased as she nodded, then he seemed to remember I was standing next to him. "I have someone I wish you to meet. This is Jade. My mate. We Recognized last evening."
"What?" Lia squealed and jumped into his arms again. "I have a sister? And she is so beautiful. Blessings to you both. Oh, let me look at you. Such striking eyes, the color of gemstones. And your hair. It is like elderberry wine."
"Yes." Galan pulled her back from me and mussed her hair. "You might say greetings before you point and take inventory."
"Oh, apologies, Jade. Merry meet. I am very pleased to welcome you into our lives."
"Thank you," I giggled. Galan said she was sunshine and charisma and he wasn't wrong.
