by Todd, E. L.
The other ambassadors froze in their seats. No one had ever been dismissed from office before. Zyle’s eyes were wide with spitting fire and his voice was deep and powerful. He was more than angry—he was furious. Mikah remained glued to his seat, still processing his dismissal from the room. Accacia felt the heat emit from Zyle’s body, the inferno of uncontrolled rage seeping through his pores. She feared the fire would burn her.
Zyle rose from his chair and pointed to the doorway. “GET OUT, MIKAH!”
Mikah got to his feet slowly and met the gaze of the king. His own anger was burning in his eyes.
Accacia pulled Zyle back into his chair. She rose from her seat and marched to the head of the table. The queen pointed at Mikah’s chair. “Sit,” she commanded him. Avey fell into the chair. “I understand we’re all stressed, frightened, and scared—we would be stupid if we weren’t. We aren’t just fighting for our lives, but our immortality, and the lost souls of our kin. This mission is too important to be given nothing less than our complete devotion.” She stared at the ambassadors before her. Zyle met her gaze and listened to her intently. “We have already made the decision to sail to the Continent and destroy the Soul Binders—the time has passed for arguing. I’m not going to listen to it anymore. Now we need to focus on our success—not debate my ability as a ruler along with my partner, Zyle. If my decisions are despised so greatly, I will gladly step down from office. But that isn’t important right now. Let’s get through this—together.” Accacia straightened her shoulders and looked at her advisors. She hoped her words had caught their attention. “Can we agree on this?”
Mikah stood from his chair. Zyle stared at him with a look of anger. If Mikah said anything hurtful to Accacia he would toss him overboard. “I apologize, Your Majesty. I beg for your forgiveness.” Zyle sighed in relief.
Accacia smiled at him. “It is forgotten.” She marched back to her chair and sat down. “Let’s start over, shall we?”
The Canu
10
The waves pounded against the hull of the ship and woke Accacia from her slumber. She felt Zyle’s arm around her waist and the heat emitting from his body. She didn’t open her eyes. She wasn’t ready to wake up. Accacia rolled closer to Zyle and felt his breath fall upon her face. She was about to fall asleep when she heard the shouts of distant voices. Accacia couldn’t discern their words.
Zyle sighed as he opened his eyes. He heard the voices as well. “Good morning.” He rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling. “I feel like I just went to sleep.”
Accacia sat up and listened to the sound. They continued to shout from the deck and she felt worried by the loud voices overhead. She ignored Zyle’s words. “What’s happening?”
Zyle rose from the bed and dressed himself in the uniform of the king. He wore a long sleeve jacket that was a dark blue and a sash that reached from one shoulder to the opposite hip. He placed his armor over the attire and belted his sword to his hip. Accacia didn’t understand why he was wearing his formal clothes. “We are almost to the Continent—they must see it up ahead.”
Accacia felt her heart drop in her chest. She couldn’t believe they had already arrived. It hadn’t even been a month since they set sail. She feared sailing into the harbor of Orgoom Forest. As soon as she stepped on the deck of the wharf, Father Giloth would know she had returned. Aleco would know as well. She sat frozen stiff on the bed and her eyes expanded in fear.
“I suggest you wear formal attire as well.” He looked at himself in the mirror and fixed his hair. He looked sharp for just waking up. “Don’t forget your sword, Accacia—I want you to carry it at all times.”
Accacia nodded. She got up and dressed herself in a long green dress and pinned matching earrings to her earlobes. Her hair was pulled up and sat in a bundle on her head. She looked at her reflection in the mirror but didn’t see anything. All she could feel was the pounding of her heart. She felt it beat against her ribcage and she hoped it wouldn’t burst. What a horrible mess it would make. Zyle watched her for a moment, recognizing the alarm on her face. He knew her thoughts. Accacia looked away from the mirror and belted both swords to her waist; the one of the guild and the one bequeathed to her as a warrior. Zyle opened the door for her and she walked through.
They walked down the hallway and Zyle grabbed her hand. “It will be alright, Accacia.” She nodded but said nothing. She was only moving because Zyle was pulling her forward. If he wasn’t there to guide her she would be lost. They ascended the stairs and reached the deck. The ambassadors leaned over the rail and looked out across the ocean. Accacia saw the distinguishable landmass before her and she could see the Lorunien Tree reach past the tops of the trees, stretching towards the sun in the sky. Orgoom Forest was directly before her. She was certain her heart had stopped. Accacia gasped at the sight and Zyle held her waist for support. The sight was unbelievable. The Asquithians had finally arrived to the Continent—they were here.
The boat slid into the docks of the harbor, their massive sails propelling them forward in the cove of Orgoom Forest. The hull of the ship glided through the waves until it reached the wharf and the Asquithian sailors climbed from the boat and tied the ship to the dock, securing its position in the water. The other sailboats followed behind, docking at the various points along the long wharf. Accacia couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She avoided thinking about this moment the entire journey, throwing herself into Zyle’s arms or practicing her blade with Laura on the deck of the ship, but now she couldn’t avoid it anymore. The moment was here—it had come.
Zyle kissed her head. “Don’t be frightened—I’m here.”
Accacia met his gaze. “Let me speak to him first. Please don’t interfere, Zyle.”
Zyle knew she was referring to Aleco. “I will do whatever you ask of me, Accacia.” He pulled the loose strand of dark hair from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. “Take all the time you need. I know how hard this is for you—for him especially. I apologize for being so irrational before. That unacceptable behavior is over.”
Accacia hugged him. “Thank you,” she said into his ear. “I don’t deserve you. How can you be so accommodating?”
“It is very simple, Accacia. I’m your husband—he isn’t. I can only imagine how much pain he will experience at the news.” Zyle held her closer. “I pity him.”
Accacia nodded and pulled away. The sailors had pulled down a ramp, allowing for the passengers to depart the ship. They had been boarded up for the past few weeks. They all wanted to feel the earth below their feet. She walked away from Zyle and descended the wooden plank, reaching the long harbor at the end of the descent. When her feet touched the wharf she stopped. She recalled the last time she had stepped on the very same wooden pier. It was the day she had left her home, never to return. She took her first step forward and felt her lungs suck in the air of the forest. Accacia smelled the summer blossoms of the air and a hint of lilac, blending with the aroma of the bark of the trees. The slight breeze flew through her hair and she sighed at the touch. The forest was welcoming her home. She looked over her shoulder and saw Zyle standing on the ship, staring at her. She looked away and stepped forward, closer to the grounds of the forest. She knew the forest recognized her presence. She could feel the tension in the air and the vibrations of the forest tingle around her. The Lorunien Tree recognized her presence the moment she stepped from the boat. Accacia took a deep breath and waited—they would be here shortly.
“I think it’s our best option.” The Chief looked at Aleco, but the eyes of the Nature Priest were glued to the field diagram of Paso Robles on the wooden desk. Aleco felt the heat of the flames lick his back and the sweat trickle from his limbs. He tore the hooded jacket from his shoulders and placed it on the coat rack.
“I suppose it is as good as any.” He drank from his whiskey, emptying the contents before he set it down. The Chief watched Aleco study the map once more. He didn’t understand why Aleco was taking
so long to agree. It was their only choice of infiltration. “Yes, this will be the plan.”
The Chief nodded. “I was hoping you would say that since it’s the only one we got.”
“Everything has to unfold perfectly, Nolan.” He refilled his glass and closed the decanter. “We can’t afford to come unprepared.”
“I already sent the guildsmen to gather carts from the neighboring cities.” Aleco raised an eyebrow to him, surprised he had made the decision without his approval. The Chief ignored his look. “I knew you would agree, Aleco. I just saved you the time.”
“Well, that was fortunate.” Aleco leaned back in his chair behind the desk. He still didn’t feel like the office belonged to him. Father Giloth’s presence still filled the room. Aleco could hear his annoying voice in his ear, berating him for drinking all the rum. “I’m glad you avoided any repercussions with your assumption.”
“You would do nothing, Aleco. You’ve already made it quite clear that you need me.”
“Let’s keep it that way.”
The Chief sighed and stared into the flames. “It seems everything is in order. Now we are ready for the final phase of the plan.”
“I’m not.” Aleco laughed. “I’ll never be prepared for the chaos we are about to cause. I suspect I won’t live through it either.”
“Then consider yourself lucky. If we fail, there won’t be a reason to continue on anyway—we will probably be slaves.”
“I can’t think about that, Nolan.” Aleco sipped his glass of amber liquid and stared into the flames. He lost his voice and spoke no further—there was nothing left to say. The guild had prepared the attack on Paso Robles. If the plan succeeded, they would return to Orgoom Forest before the king even knew what happened to his realm. The Chief wondered where Aleco hid the Soul Binders that he swore he would protect with his life. He knew their mission was to free the souls of the dead Asquithians—the dead ancestors of Accacia’s race—but he couldn’t help but wonder. Just one stone would ensure his immortal life.
Aleco rubbed his thumb along the rim of his glass, feeling the coolness under his finger. He felt so stressed about the upcoming siege on Paso Robles that he had lost his appetite, too nauseated by the thought of his failure. Accacia’s soul was resting in his hands and so were the souls of her parents. He couldn’t fail her by losing the battle—it wasn’t an option. If Aleco lived through the event he could return to her arms and be happy like he was before. Aleco had never felt that elated in his life—not before her departure or after.
The Lorunien Tree broke into his mind like a worm digging into the soil. It conveyed such a flash of emotions that Aleco couldn’t comprehend the message of the tree. The feelings rushing through him were too sporadic to discover. He stood to his feet and dipped his head, trying to focus on the message. The Chief stared at him, concerned for the sudden movement. The Nature God grew frustrated with Aleco’s inability to understand, so the tree transferred one image into his brain. He gripped his chest as the picture flooded his mind. Aleco dropped the glass to the floor and it shattered into a hundred pieces. Aleco reached for the secret doorway in his study and sprinted toward the harbor.
Accacia stood at the grounds of the forest with her hands at her side, looking up into the branches of the trees. The squirrels were climbing up the bark, carrying a variety of nuts in their mouths until they reached the top of the tree. Orgoom Forest was buzzing with life at the heat of the season. Accacia felt the warmth on her skin and it reminded her of Suaden, her home on the island. Summer was Accacia’s favorite season on the Continent but it was nothing like the heated weather on the island—warm, humid, moist. The air was dry and harsh on her lungs when she breathed in the scent of Orgoom Forest. Accacia stood alone on the deck for several minutes, waiting for Father Giloth and the Naturalists to approach her. She hoped Aleco wouldn’t come, but at the same time, she prayed that he would.
Accacia looked up when she heard the sound of an approaching horse. The hooves beat against the earth with the footfalls of a sprinting steed. She knew they had arrived. She took a deep breath as she waited for them to break the line of trees. The sight she saw caused her heart to stop.
Aleco broke through the rise of the hill and stopped his steed. He jumped from the horse, landing on his feet, and then walked toward the harbor. He stopped when he saw Accacia standing at the edge of the shore. His crystal blue eyes stared at her for a moment, trying to determine if she was truly real, that she was really here. He saw the green dress billow in the wind and he thought she looked more beautiful than he had ever seen. Accacia felt her heart quicken at his approach. He walked toward her without blinking. She knew how much she missed him this past year, but the pain of his absence washed over her when she looked at him. He was free of the heavy cloak he always wore and his face was exposed to the elements. His white shirt revealed the contours of his body and he appeared exactly as she remembered him, handsome and strong. Accacia remained glued to the spot. She couldn’t move. Aleco closed the gap between them until he stood directly before her.
Aleco stared at her. He reached out and touched her face, feeling the smoothness of her cheek and the strands of silky hair he adored. His hand trailed down her neck and stopped at her shoulder. He grabbed her waist with his other hand and felt the shape of her body. His eyes reddened as he looked at her. They began to bubble with tears. “You’re really here.”
Accacia felt the tears fall from her eyes. She nodded, too overcome with emotion to respond in any other way. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her, burying her face into his shoulder. Her falling tears soaked the fabric of his shirt. “Yes.”
Aleco squeezed her to his chest and felt his own tears fall. He had endured so much pain in her absence and he finally felt whole again. She was everything to him and he was finally with her. He kissed her forehead and continued to hold her against him. “I missed you—so much. I—I can’t even describe it. I thought I was never going to see you again.” His hands ran over her body and he recognized the shape of her muscles, although they were slightly more toned, and felt the smoothness of her skin. “You have no idea how agonizing this has been. I never should have let you go. I—I won’t do it again—ever. I can breathe again.” He kissed her cheeks and then he brushed away the tears with his lips. “I still can’t believe you’re here—with me. Gods, I hope I’m not dreaming. I’ll take my own life if I wake to the pathetic reality I was living before—a miserable life without you.”
Accacia breathed through her tears. “I—missed you. I’m so happy to see you again.” She ran her hands down his chest and felt his body, relishing the physical touch of his physique. She had dreamt of it often and she was amazed that she could really feel him—touch him. The strong smell of liquor tickled her nose and she smiled at the familiar scent. Her heart ached when she remembered all the times she watched him drink his life away before the fire. The happiness left her body and was replaced by despair. Their moment would end soon.
Aleco grabbed her face and kissed her. Accacia felt her body shake at his touch. She had missed his embrace during his absence, and she enjoyed the feel of his lips on hers for a moment. She couldn’t stop the transaction and she didn’t want to. She thought about kissing him often when they were apart—along with other fantasies. Accacia let her lips linger on his for a moment before she pulled away. She knew Zyle was watching from the ship. Aleco stared at her for a moment, confused by her rejection. Accacia hugged him. “I need to tell you something, Aleco.” She hid her face in his shoulder, hating herself for what she was about to do. She was going to break his heart—again. Accacia didn’t know if he would recover from the rejection a second time.
An Asquithian sailor approached her from behind and cleared his throat. “Would you like us to relocate your belongings, Your Majesty?”
Aleco pulled her hands from around his neck and held them within his own. He smiled at Accacia. “Why am I not surprised? I told you
they would adore you, Accacia.”
Accacia turned to the man. “No thank you, Boven. I will take care of it.” He nodded and walked away.
“Tell him to bring it to Asylinth Cottage,” he said with a smile. His hands ran down her waist and stopped at her hips. She could feel his hands expand over her body, so petite was her frame in comparison to his large palms. Accacia felt her heart break at his words. “I insist that you stay in the guest cottage—with me, of course.”
“I love you, Aleco.” The words slipped from her mouth. “I love you. I love you. I always have and forever I will.” Accacia ran her hands up his arms and cupped his face. “I love you, Aleco.” She wanted to tell him how she felt before she shattered his world. Accacia wanted him to know that she loved him—still.
Aleco’s eye softened at her words. “I love hearing you say that—I thought I would never hear it again.” He kissed her lips and pulled away. “And I love you, Accacia.” His thumb trailed down her cheek, feeling the delicate skin underneath. The color of her complexion had darkened and he suspected the island was in a warm climate. “I never stopped.”
Accacia grazed his cheek with her fingers. “I need to tell you something.”
He grabbed her hands and kissed each one. She felt her tears fall at his embrace. “Tell me after we go to Asylinth Cottage.” He stared into her eyes and recognized the emerald color in an inferno of emotions. “I need to be with you—I can’t wait any longer. A year was long enough. I need to reunite with you—join my body and soul with yours. I have felt so empty and lost without you.” Aleco pulled her away but she didn’t move.
“Aleco, listen to me,” she said through her tears. She hated herself more than ever. Accacia knew how much the revelation would hurt him. It made her not want to tell him. She wanted to die instead of destroying his world.
