by Todd, E. L.
“Nor can I.”
They said nothing for a few moments. Zyle continued to stare at Accacia and she looked away from him, gazing at the candles that lined the shelves of the office. He knew something else was bothering her. He waited for her to address it. He learned it was best not to coax information from her. It was better to let her come to him. She always did eventually. She told him everything.
Accacia finally looked at him. “Do you think everyone deserves a second chance?”
Zyle didn’t know where this was going. “It depends on the situation, Accacia. I don’t believe Roxian does, if that’s what you’re asking.” Zyle stared at her but her features didn’t change. She still looked disgruntled. “Why do you ask?”
“Do you think people can really change?” Zyle saw the tears bubble beneath the surface of her eyes but he didn’t reach for her. He wanted to hear her following words. “Do you believe that a person can become someone different?”
“Yes and no.” Zyle crossed his arms over his chest. He still didn’t know what she was referring to, but he knew it wasn’t Roxian. “It depends on the person. Sometimes people can change and sometimes they never will.”
Accacia nodded. A tear spilled from her eye and ran down her cheek. Zyle forced himself to stay away despite his strong urge to comfort his soul mate. He suffered anytime she was in pain.
“Tell me, Accacia.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t want to hear about it.”
Zyle shook his head. “I want to know about everything that upsets you—even if it hurts me, Accacia. Nothing you say will change my feelings for you. You’re my soul mate—I don’t have a choice.”
“It’s about Aleco.”
Zyle nodded. She was right. He didn’t want to know about it. He was married to her but he still hated the idea of her loving Aleco. He knew she did. She had said it the night they consummated their marriage. Zyle couldn’t deny his disappointment nonetheless. He felt jealous that he shared her heart with someone else. He immediately felt guilty at his internal selfishness. He loved Cassandra, always would, and he needed to be more understanding to Accacia’s predicament. The idea of Accacia seeing Aleco again made Zyle’s skin prickle with unease but he needed to bottle his immature paranoia. She loved him—there was no doubt. He wasn’t just her husband, but her best friend and life guardian, and he needed to start behaving as such. “You can tell me, Accacia.”
“There are a lot of things about Aleco I didn’t know when I came here. Our time together was very short. He told me used to be—a bad person. He did things he regretted. I told him it didn’t matter—he wasn’t the same man.”
Zyle kneeled before her feet and took her hand. “You are worried that he never changed? That you loved someone who would hurt others by choice?”
Accacia nodded. “I saw memories in his Soul Catcher—recollections of the crimes he committed.” She wiped her tears away. “They are horrific, Zyle.”
Zyle didn’t know what to say. “What were his crimes?”
Accacia shook her head. “I—I don’t want to say.”
Zyle sighed. “Accacia, I don’t know what advice I can give you on this matter. I didn’t know Aleco in his past and I don’t know the man now. Only you can decide if he is a changed man.” Zyle closed his eyes. He knew he was going to regret his following words. “But I think he has, Accacia.” Accacia met his gaze with a look of surprise. “The man sent you away, a choice that broke him—I’m certain—just so he could keep you safe. And now he is forming an uprising against the king, seeking revenge for what the man did to you and to save the citizens from his reign.” Zyle grabbed her hand and kissed it. “He sounds heroic.”
Accacia nodded. “I hope you’re right.” She knew Aleco had fallen into darkness once and was concerned he would be sent to the brink again when he knew Accacia had moved on with another, found happiness in someone else.
Zyle smiled at her. “I know I am,” he said. “You would never love a man unless you were certain of his goodness.” He pulled her hand to his chest, placing it over his heart. “Trust your instincts.”
Accacia grabbed his face and kissed him. Zyle wiped the tears from her cheek when she pulled away. “I love you, Zyle.”
“I know you do.”
Accacia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them again and stared at her life partner. “I want you to know something, Zyle.” He met her gaze and waited for her to continue. He suspected he knew her following words. “I—I don’t think of him when—”
Zyle kissed her. “I know you don’t. I’ve never thought that—ever.”
Accacia sighed. “I’m glad.” She wrapped her arms around him and held him for a moment. Zyle returned her embrace and stroked the strands of her silky hair and comforted her until she was calm.
“I still have work to do,” he said as he pulled away. “I should probably continue even though I’d rather not.”
Accacia nodded. “I’m sorry for distracting you, Zyle.”
Zyle shook his head. “Never apologize for that, Accacia. I should apologize to you—for allowing my responsibilities to keep me from you.” Accacia smiled at his words. “Nothing is more important than you—nothing. If you ever need me I’m here for you. I couldn’t care less about the office when it comes to you—I hope you know that.”
Accacia kissed him. “I do.”
“You’re welcome to stay with me if you wish, but I understand if you would rather visit someone else.” He stood to his feet and she rose from the chair. “If you stay, I’ll probably end up taking you on the desk every hour until I’m finished.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
Zyle smiled. “You are amazing. Sometimes I can’t believe you’re mine.”
Accacia blushed at his words.
“What will you do?”
Accacia thought for a moment. “I’m going to visit Laura. Perhaps I can help at the academy. They are still packing for the voyage.”
Zyle nodded. “I should be done in a few hours. I’ll wait at home for you until you return—I just hope you don’t keep me waiting.” Zyle stared at her with his heated gaze. Accacia couldn’t believe he still wanted more. “I still expect my payment.”
She smiled at him. “I already rewarded you—or did you forget?”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “That doesn’t count. I had to take one insult after another, powerless to stop them, and I deserved to be paid for my good behavior—you owe me.” When I get home you will please me the way I want—all night.”
Accacia’s cheeks reddened at his perverse demand. “Your will is my bidding.”
Zyle stared at her and she could feel the arousal coursing through him. She stepped away before he could grab her, not wanting to repeat their earlier interaction. Zyle watched her move away from him, understanding she wanted to put distance between them.
“I’ll see you tonight, Your Majesty.”
Zyle smiled as he watched her leave.
Accacia left the Tower and walked through Canu until she reached the Battle Academy. She saw Uruith in the lobby and he smiled at her. “What brings you here, Your Majesty? Needed to get away from that monster?” Accacia knew he referred to Roxian. She smiled at the warrior. “Actually, I’m looking for Laura. Do you know of her whereabouts?”
“Yes,” he said. His voice was deep and smooth, like the echoes at the bottom of a well. His body was thick and large, big as a majestic steed, and Accacia wondered how the man became so humongous. She smiled to herself when she recalled the time she had beaten him in a sparring match. He had grinned at her in his defeat, delighted that his queen could best him. “She has returned to her eave for the afternoon.”
Accacia nodded. “Thank you, Uruith.”
The warrior smiled. Of course, Your Majesty.”
Accacia walked through Canu until she found her aunt’s eave hidden high in the trees of the forest. The location of her home was close to the eave Accac
ia and Zyle shared. She was happy they were near one another.
Accacia walked to the doorway and shouted into the room, wanting to avoid trespassing on Laura’s property without her knowledge. Laura walked from the kitchen and smiled at her niece. “Come in, dear.” She held her hands out to Accacia, and Accacia walked into the embrace. She loved the feel of her aunt’s arms. She felt protected. “I’m making tea. Would you like some?”
“Yes, please.” Accacia walked into the room and sat at the kitchen table. Laura’s house was decorated in colors of green and yellow, highlighting the colors of the forest outside the window. There were wild flowers in vases around the room, and the rug on the floor was pink, matching the colors of the blossoms. Accacia loved the way Laura decorated her home. It felt cozy.
Laura placed the steaming cup on the table and sat across from her. “What do I owe the pleasure, Your Majesty?”
Accacia laughed. “Don’t call me that.”
“I just love to tease you.” Laura drank from her cup. “I’m just so proud of my niece, the Queen of the Asquithians. I know Portisha and Henral would be very happy at the news.”
Accacia’s lips fell at the mention of her deceased parents. “I hope so.”
“How are the plans coming along?” she asked. “Do we leave soon?”
Accacia nodded. “Zyle almost has everything prepared. He has been working non-stop. The most time I spend with him is in his study—other than when he comes home at night.”
“It is unfortunate, but it must be done—Zyle understands his responsibilities.”
“He is a wonderful king.”
“The best,” Laura agreed. “I’m very happy that Zyle is my nephew-in-law, if such a title exists. I have always loved him like family.”
“Would my mother and father be happy with our commitment? My father did ask him to be my Life Guardian—he probably never expected us to be together.”
“There is no doubt in my mind, sweetpea. They would be overjoyed having Zyle as your life partner. They know he would protect you with his life.”
Accacia nodded. “Good,” she said. “I was hoping that was the case.” Accacia thought of the upcoming mission on the Continent. They had to free the souls of their kin—failure wasn’t an option. She was frightened of the journey nonetheless—and not just because she might be killed. “Are you scared, Laura?”
“Of what?” she asked.
“Of our mission on the Continent,” Accacia said.
“Yes, of course I am. Just because I’m a warrior doesn’t make me fearless.” She finished her glass of tea and set it upon the table. “Fear is essential in battle—without it, what fuels you? I know the idea of failure—that I will not save my life partner or protect my kin—will feed my strength until the task is done. Love is what will get us through this.”
Accacia nodded. “I can’t even think of the idea of failure.”
“It isn’t an option.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Are you scared, Accacia?”
“Yes.” Accacia stared at Laura. She thought that was obvious.
“You know what I’m referring to, Accacia. Are you frightened to see Aleco again?”
Accacia looked down at her tea and said nothing. She was more than frightened—she was terrified. But at the same time, she couldn’t wait to see him—to embrace him in her arms—to tell him how sorry she was for leaving to begin with. But she couldn’t confess the depth of her feelings—she didn’t want Zyle to find out from anyone besides herself.
Laura recognized her hesitance. She placed her hand on top of her niece’s. “Your secrets are safe with me, dear. I won’t tell Zyle anything if you wish me not to.”
“What about your loyalty to him?”
“It is as strong as ever. But you’re my family and I’m also loyal to you. I know you would never purposely hurt Zyle, so I don’t feel the need to inform him of your conflicted emotions—I assume that is what they are—conflicted.”
Accacia shook her head. “Yes and no.” She stared at the tea on the table. “I don’t know what I feel, Laura. I’m scared to see Aleco again because I know how hurt he’ll be when I tell him the truth—that I’ve moved on with someone else.”
“But he gave you permission, didn’t he?”
“Yes—but I know it won’t ease the blow. Aleco loves me—he always will.”
“Are you going to leave Zyle, then?”
“Of course not,” she said. “Zyle is my husband—I am destined for him. How can I deny that? I’m meant to be with him for eternity—it’s my fate. And I love him, Laura. Besides, I promised Zyle I wouldn’t leave him—it was the cost for him to agree to this undertaking. I am committed to Zyle in every way—nothing will change that.”
Laura nodded. “So you aren’t worried about what will happen between you and Aleco when you’re there?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean, Accacia.”
Accacia met her gaze. “I would never betray Zyle—I already made that clear.”
Laura sighed. “What you say now doesn’t apply to when you return. When you see Aleco’s face, I’m sure you will feel differently. Decisions will no longer be black and white.”
“I’m not worried about it.”
“Why?”
“Aleco told me to move on—he will respect my marital commitment to Zyle. That was what he wanted to begin with. I never would have pursued the relationship without his consent.”
“I don’t believe that,” Laura said. “I think it would have happened anyway. Like you said, you were destined for Zyle. So how could you stay away from him?”
Accacia didn’t respond.
“Zyle is your soul mate, Accacia. He is also your race so he shares the same life expectancy. He is the best friend of your father and a great friend to your aunt—the relationship was inevitable. If Aleco can’t understand that, he’s an idiot.”
“Please don’t talk about him like that. You don’t know him and I’m certain you would like him if you did. I still love him—that will never change, even with the passage of eternity.”
Laura nodded. She regretted offending her niece, especially when she was in such a vulnerable place. “I apologize, Accacia. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Accacia smiled. “I forgive you, Laura.”
They drank their tea in silence. Accacia thought about the voyage with more dread within her heart. Even though she knew Aleco would understand her relationship with Zyle, it wouldn’t make telling him any easier. She wondered if he had already moved on with someone else; it was a possibility. How could he expect her to move on without allowing himself to do so?
Laura stared at her niece while she drank her tea. She knew Accacia was going to have a difficult time on the Continent because of the situation, and she felt horrible knowing she couldn’t assist her niece. It was something she would have to deal with on her own.
Accacia interrupted the silence. She was tired of brooding over her situation with Aleco. “I spoke with Roxian today.”
Laura almost dropped her cup. “About what?” she asked. “What reason could you possibly have for speaking to her?”
“I offered to vindicate her crimes if she chose to fight with us on the Continent. She is an amazing warrior. I have seen her swing a blade firsthand. She deserves the opportunity to avenge the death of her husband—everyone deserves the chance.”
Laura shook her head. “And what did she say?”
“No,” Accacia said. “At least she said that today. I hope she changes her mind.”
“Thank the gods she said no.” Laura looked at her niece with incredulous eyes. “I can’t believe you even made the offer—she can’t be trusted.”
“Well, I was hoping she had changed.”
Accacia was wise beyond her years, but this choice made her seem insane. “This woman tried to kill you, dear. Do you not remember that?”
“Yes.”’ She sighed. Accacia was tired of hearing th
is from Zyle. Now she had to hear it from her aunt as well. “I knew it would be risky, but I had to believe she could grow—become a better person.”
“Let me save you the time, Your Majesty. That will never happen.”
Accacia stared at her aunt. “I hope you’re wrong.”
Aleutian Keep, Letumian Province
4
“The commander of Paso Robles, Mitan, is here, m’lord.” Aldo stopped directly before the king’s desk, which was covered in unread parchment sheets. The servant didn’t understand what Drake did with all his time. It seemed like all he did was drink.
“Bring him, Xavier.” Drake didn’t look at Aldo. He was staring into the flames of the hearth, looking more forlorn than he had ever been. His dead courtesan still troubled him even after all this time. Aldo knew better than to correct the king. He could call him whatever he wished as long as he got to keep his head.
“Yes, sire.” Aldo left the room and ushered Mitan through the doorway. His head almost touched the top of the entranceway as he entered Drake’s study. The king glanced at the commander and noted his brute size. A larger man he had never seen.
The king turned in his chair and faced Mitan, the supervisor of Paso Robles. “What is your report?” he asked. “Are those disgusting slaves giving you any trouble?”
“Not at all,” he said with a deep voice. “A knife to the throat does wonders.”
“Good,” he said quietly. “And all the goods are coming along?”
“Yes,” Mitan answered. “Your gold is in the back of the carts that accompanied me. I know you won’t be disappointed with the sum.”
“For your sake, I hope not.” Drake drank from his glass of whiskey and returned it to the table. “Weekly reports through messengers will suffice now. There is no reason for you to travel here any longer. However, if something goes amiss, I will demand your presence—and it won’t be to converse.” The threat hung heavy in the air. Mitan was a strong man, stronger than any soldier he had known, but the king frightened him. He was intelligent and powerful, rumored to be a god. “You may go.”
