by Todd, E. L.
“I won’t let her attack you either. But we need to go about this the right way. I suggest you show remorse for what you did, but justify your actions when you explain it to her. Remember, his children are now bastards.”
“Not really,” Nolan said. “They have you, don’t they?”
“I will never be the father they need,” Aleco said. “I’m a poor substitute.”
“I don’t agree. I knew Devry well. He was a better father at a distance. A more selfish man I have never met. You are better for them than he ever was.”
“It doesn’t change anything, Chief, even if you’re right.” Aleco watched Nolan’s face for a moment. “You need to tell her, Nolan. I will be there the entire time and control the situation in case it gets out of hand.”
“It doesn’t seem like I have a choice.”
“Yes, you do, Nolan. And I know you will make the right one.”
The Nature Priest walked to the rise of the hill and looked at the events before him. Guildsmen and citizens were working together to prepare for the battle and it gladdened his heart. There was a possibility they would be successful. Nolan stood beside him and watched the progression at the base of the hill, silently standing alongside his comrade and oldest friend.
Aleco preferred to be alone but in this instance he didn’t mind the silent companionship of his friend, his former enemy, and stood there in silence. He knew that even though he had lost Accacia, his sole purpose in living, he never would have accomplished this without her. She was the greatest motivation he ever had. He felt his body shake when he thought of her. She would never be his again.
The Chief noticed the subtle change in his physique and clasped him on the back, patting him gently before he returned his arm to his side. The small comfort was enough to ease the spasm of pain and he appreciated the gesture. Aleco remembered the years he spent with the Chief, even their missions together across the Continent. Nolan hardly ever participated in the schemes of the guild, but he and Aleco had completed the more dangerous tasks together because the Chief knew they were the only men qualified for the job. The Chief had been his mentor and family until he betrayed him. Aleco knew Nolan regretted what he had done to him. Rather than raise him up and return him to the man he was, he let him slip deeper into darkness, but Aleco forgave him for it. In his heart, he knew he wouldn’t have been so successful without that training. Nolan had molded him into the warrior he had become, and without that apprenticeship and support, he would have no chance against the king, his despicable brother.
“I hope you forgive me for everything I’ve done to you, Aleco,” Nolan said quietly. “I hope I’m making up for it.”
“Yes,” Aleco whispered. “I think you have.”
Nolan clasped him on the back again and they headed back to Asylinth Cottage on the other side of the forest. “I’m proud of the man you’ve become, Aleco.”
Aleco looked at Nolan. “The feeling is mutual.”
Asylinth House
19
“Thank you for watching them, Penny,” he said as he handed Rhonian to her. She accepted her son with a smile on her face and cradled him in her arms. Sadie and Vance were trying to capture the fireflies that flew through the air, but they were missing every catch. The insects were too quick. “Lydia will return soon. She may need a few hours to herself.”
“She can have all the time she needs,” Penny said. She watched Aleco’s saddened expression and knew he was plagued by more troubles. The lines around his lips became more prominent when he was in thought, concerned with the events that were out of his control. “I hope everything is okay, Aleco. Can I do something to help?”
“I don’t think you can help me in this,” he said as he shook his head. “I suspect Lydia will need a friend afterwards, however.”
“Good luck.”
“Thank you.” Aleco walked away and entered Asylinth House, heading to the study down the hall. Lydia was already sitting in the chair by the fire and Nolan sat on the other side of the room, keeping his distance from her. Aleco felt the tension in the air as soon as he walked into the room even though nothing was being said. The Nature Priest took the seat between them, inhibiting any attempts of physical attacks.
“What is it, Aleco?” she asked as soon as he sat down. “I know something has gone amiss. Now tell me what it is.” Aleco watched her for a moment. The stretched lines around her face were weathered from the sun. He thought he could see grains of sand embedded permanently into her skin from the dusty streets of Morkarh, but he knew it was just his imagination. Lydia was a woman who had lost much in her lifetime. Now she was going to lose even more. “Speak now, Father.”
Aleco looked at Nolan. “The Chief has something to tell you, Lydia.” The Nature Priest nodded to his friend, encouraging him to speak.
Nolan leaned forward. “Devry is a member of my guild, as you probably already know. His line of work is dangerous and he has to risk his life on a daily basis. I am sure that the fear has crossed your mind more than once. I am very sorry to tell you Devry is no longer among the living—he is gone.”
The woman dropped her gaze and looked at the floorboards of the study, thinking about her deceased brother. The tears bubbled under the surface of her eyes but she blinked them back. She had never been an emotional woman but the loss of her brother struck her heart with a force. Now his children had no father and no means of support. She was all they had. “How did it happen?”
The Chief sighed. “He betrayed the guild and broke our laws, treason punishable by death. I sentenced the man to his death then killed him myself. He left this mortal plane quickly. He died instantly.”
Lydia locked her gaze onto his and the Chief saw the fury flash in her eyes. The anger was palpable and emitted from her entire body. The tears came back but she fought them and banished them to the recesses of her eyes, conquering over her emotions. “You killed my brother?” she said. “My children are orphans because of you.”
The Chief met her gaze. “Yes, I know,” he said. “I didn’t know he was a father at the time. And if it’s any constellation, I regret my actions. I wish I hadn’t done it now. I am a different man than I was then. I do not ask for your forgiveness because I don’t expect to ever receive it. I just hope you accept it.”
Lydia brought her hands together and squeezed her palms. “My brother’s imminent death has always crossed my mind every day. He even warned me that he may never return at any point in time. It was the only way he could support us. His death doesn’t come as a surprise, but it is painful nonetheless. Devry told me that children are strictly prohibited in the guild, and the revelation could get him killed. This leads to my next question: will you harm my children? If you do, I will stop at nothing until I kill you. You will not touch them.”
Aleco flinched at the venom in her voice and knew she meant her words. Lydia would stop at nothing until her children were safe. Aleco knew a mother’s love was more powerful than any weapon. “The Chief has no intention of harming Sadie and Vance, and if he did, I would have already killed him, Lydia. You know this.”
She nodded. “That’s good enough for me.”
“Let me apologize again, Lydia,” The Chief said. “I am very sorry.”
“I do not accept your apology, nor will I ever, but I want nothing to do with you. I never want to see you or speak with you. Leave me and my children alone. They are bastards because of you.” She rose from the chair and walked out of the room. Aleco followed behind her until they were outside of the study.
“I’m so sorry, Lydia.”
“How can you trust the man who killed your friend?” she said seriously. “He’s a monster.”
“I know he regrets his actions. And if he’s a monster, so am I,” he said simply. “I am the reason why Devry was killed. He died trying to save me and Accacia. I didn’t know he was going to lose his life because of it. I am equally responsible for his death and I apologize, Lydia. If I could change his fate I would, and I would take his place wit
hout hesitation. It kills me that Sadie and Vance have no father. I hope you believe me.”
Lydia’s anger diminished as she stared at Aleco. The Nature Priest was an honorable man who was devoted to protecting the innocents of the Continent. She believed his words immediately. “I accept your apology, Aleco. I know you never would have let him die if you could have stopped it.”
Aleco sighed. “Thank you, Lydia. I wasn’t expecting such compassion from you. I thought you were going to hate me—forever.”
She hugged him. “How can I hate one of the greatest men I’ve ever known?”
Aleco was touched by her words. He returned her embrace and held her close. “I am honored by your words and relieved by your love—I was worried I had lost it.”
Lydia kissed his cheek. “I don’t think you ever could, Father.” She released her arms around his hips and pulled away. “Now I need to return to my children. They need me.”
“They are outside with Penny. If you need the time to be alone, I understand completely. Penelope and I will look after them.” Lydia nodded at his words. “I want you to know that I will provide and shelter all of you as long as I’m living. I hope I don’t overstep my boundaries, but I care for Vance and Sadie as if they were my own, and I will be a guardian as long as you will allow me to be. In the event of my death, I will provide you with enough money to live out the rest of your lives. Please don’t worry about holding the burden alone. I love them.”
“I appreciate that Aleco, and no, I don’t mind your closeness to the children. You are as much a part of their family as I am. You belong with us.”
The Canu
20
“Tell me your thoughts, Laura. Does this plan sound feasible?” Laura was silent for a moment, pondering the events of the meeting in her mind as she found the right response. She, Zyle, and Accacia were sitting in the dining hall aboard the ship with plates of snacks and fruit covering the surface of the wood, along with the field maps of the Continent Aleco had provided. “I find your input to be more valuable than any other,” Zyle continued.
“Yes, I suppose,” she said finally. “I admit we are at a disadvantage. We don’t know the terrain as well as he, nor do we know the geography. Yes, we have diagrams but that isn’t the same.” Laura looked across the table at Accacia. “How trust worthy is this man? Does he know what he’s doing?”
Accacia met her gaze. “Completely,” she said. “I trust him with my life, Laura. He has come this far. His decisions are the right ones.”
Laura nodded. Accacia’s answer seemed to ease her doubts. “I think we have a chance of success but everything must go according to plan. Any mishaps could be deadly. I suspect we will need the entire aid of the Asquithians in this fight. I suspect we are the better warriors.”
“Whatever you think is best, Laura,” Zyle said from his seat.
“I have a few concerns that I would like to address with the Nature Priest, without the presence of the other ambassadors—one soldier to another.” Zyle nodded at Laura’s words. Accacia felt her palms sweat when she imagined her aunt alone with her former lover. She wondered if Laura would ever speak of anything unrelated to the mission, but then the paranoia evaporated. She knew how professional Laura was. “I will speak to him at the next meeting.”
“I will be present, as well as Accacia.”
“I deny that request,” Laura said firmly. “As much as I hate to admit it, professionalism is obsolete here. Aleco would feel much more comfortable with just me there. The pair of you only bring out the worst in him. I apologize for my rudeness, but it’s true. I will relay everything to you afterwards.”
Zyle smiled at her. “Are you telling me, and your queen, what to do?”
“Yes,” she said. “And deal with it.”
Accacia spoke from her seat. “I agree with Laura. I think it would be best if we were absent.”
“So be it,” the king said. “But don’t reveal anything personal about us, such as some of our abilities or the material of our swords. Keep vital information to yourself.”
“Secrecy is unnecessary,” Accacia said. “Aleco deserves to know everything. We may have something he could use to our advantage. I want to kill Drake. I will hold nothing back.”
Zyle turned back to Laura. “Then follow your own discretion, Laura.”
She nodded. “I suppose that’s all we need to discuss for now,” she said with a sigh. “I’m going to retire to my quarters for a few hours.” Zyle nodded as Laura rose from her seat and left the dining hall. Accacia remained in her seat and looked at her plate of uneaten food before her, having no appetite whatsoever. Her life partner knew something was bothering her so he questioned her about it. Accacia told him everything, not looking at him while she said it.
Zyle sat in silence next to her, processing everything Accacia had told him. She seemed happier than she had the day before but the depression was still evident. He knew she would feel this way until they returned home, away from Aleco. “Thank you for confiding in me, Accacia.”
She nodded. “I just hope I didn’t hurt you.”
“No,” he said. “I’m glad the two of you worked things out—I hope the rest of the mission will be easier to deal with now that he accepts your commitment to me.”
“I’m certain it will be.”
Zyle held her close to him, wrapping his arms protectively around her. He wished he could carry the pain for her the same way he did when he healed the creatures of the forest, but he knew that wasn’t possible. He would have done it if he could. Even though Accacia was in unspeakable pain, Zyle felt elated that Accacia hadn’t returned Aleco’s love. She told him she would never leave Zyle and that made the past few days of misery irrelevant. He knew she wouldn’t betray him and not just because she had promised him, but because she had actually said those words to Aleco. Zyle could breathe easy again. “Would you like to speak to Laura? Perhaps she could ease your pain.”
She looked at him. “No, I would rather not. The only person I need is you, Zyle.”
Zyle sighed. Her words made him melt. They were finally back to the way they were.
“I wanted to ask you something.”
Zyle nodded to her, encouraging her to speak.
“I’m going to the Lorunien Tree to pay my respects to the Nature God. My father is also buried there. Would you like to come?”
“I would be honored, Accacia.”
“Let’s go,” she said with a smile. “I know it’s late but the light of the fireflies will illuminate the forest. We’ll get some light before it disappears.” She took his hand and they left the ship, walking through the darkness with their hands joined. “I wish you could have met him, Zyle. He was a very special man.”
“I wish I had as well.” He squeezed her hand gently. “Any man who looks after my life partner deserves my unrelenting gratitude.” Zyle could hear the hum of the tree the closer they approached it. He had sensed the soul of the tree when he first came to the grounds of the Nature God but he had been too concerned with Accacia’s well-being to care for it. He had sprinted to the Lorunien Tree to see Accacia fighting Aleco with everything she had. He hadn’t cared about the majestic entity at all. But now he could appreciate its power through the earth and the warm embrace of its presence. He could feel the tree course through him and squeeze his heart and body, examining his free soul within his chest. Zyle stopped when he reached the roots of the tree. He dropped Accacia’s hand and stared up into the canopy. “I never thought I would have the honor of visiting the holy tree,” he said in a mesmerized voice. He walked around the stump and touched the bark with his fingers, feeling closer to the afterlife. Accacia watched him with a smile on her face. She had reacted the exact same way when she first saw the Nature God. Accacia suddenly felt the essence of the tree thud in her mind and felt a rush of emotions run through her veins—power, dominance, elemental control—all flushed through her and disappeared. It happened so quickly she didn’t know it even occurred. She fe
lt the earth shake below her feet. It was so slight she was the only one who noticed. Zyle continued to praise the tree as if nothing happened. Accacia didn’t know what to think. The tree had never communicated with her before. She had no idea what it was telling her. Suddenly, an image of the ground directly before the tree flashed in her mind and she almost toppled over at the sensation. She was even more confused. Accacia walked over to the base of the tree and ran her hands through the dirt, finding nothing of significance. It was the crime of the realm to disturb the ground before the Lorunien Tree, so she stopped immediately. This couldn’t be what the tree wanted. She was missing something. Accacia knew she would need Aleco to explain it to her. He was the only one who could decipher the meaning of the tree. The fact that it spoke to her at all was disturbing.
Accacia stepped back from the tree and walked to the mound protruding from the earth. It was indistinguishable from the rest of the ground and new grass had grown over the upheaved earth, making it appear as untouched as before. She knew it was the burial site of Father Giloth because Aleco had told her so. Accacia walked over to the grave and kneeled before it, facing the Lorunien Tree behind it.
Accacia opened her mouth and began to sing, praising the Nature God and asking for a blessing for her deceased father. She knew it was irrelevant because he had passed away a year ago. Father Giloth was already in the afterlife. Zyle stared at Accacia as she sang her abode and joined his voice with hers, strengthening the song before it came to an end. Her life partner sat beside her in respectable silence, letting her grieve for her father in peace.
She breathed in the scent of the forest and watched the pink blossoms float from the tree tops to the top of the burial site. Even in death he was never forgotten. The tree continued to honor him. The sun was sinking below the horizon, and in a few moments they were lost in darkness. The crickets chirped from their homes in the grass and the birds cried overhead, communicating with the other inhabitants of the forest. Accacia stared at the burial site and remembered Father Giloth for the incredible man he was. She knew he would have approved of Zyle, despite the obvious conflict with Aleco, knowing he made her happy.
