by Todd, E. L.
“LET HIM DIE, FATHER!” Aleco tried to break his restraints and dash to his brother, kicking him in the head but he couldn’t move. “DON’T HELP HIM! LET HIM DIE!”
“Don’t speak, Aleco,” he said as he carried Drake in his arms. “I will deal with you later.” His father left the room with Drake in his arms. Drake felt his body lose consciousness as he left the bedchamber, but he knew his father was carrying him to safety. He hoped Aleco would be punished for what he had done to him even though he had initiated the attack. Drake felt his body swell with rage when he remembered how his brother savagely beat him. He was as much of a monster as he was.
The Canu
31
Accacia stared up at the ceiling for hours, looking at the beams in the structure that supported the deck of the ship above. She wasn’t thinking about the architecture of the ship, however. Her mind was stuck on the thoughts of tomorrow. Accacia couldn’t believe the day had arrived. She had worked so hard to get the Asquithians to sail to these shores and she had accomplished the task. Then they had defeated the city of Paso Robles, freeing the slaves from the realm to add to their rank of fighters. Now all she had to do was kill the king—it sounded so simple. Accacia knew how untrue that was.
Zyle slept beside her and she could feel his light breaths fall on her neck. His arm was wrapped around her waist and he was turned to her, holding her like she would slip away. Accacia held his hand within her own, appreciating the feel of his embrace. She didn’t know if he would survive the attack. She didn’t know if she would survive it herself.
The thought of seeing Drake again made her heart falter in her chest. Mitan was a far more formidable opponent than the king was but she didn’t fear him as much as Drake. The man had taken everything away from her—everything. The anger coursed through her body and she relished the idea of finally killing him but her bliss was replaced by fear—what if she failed? What if the battle was lost? She wouldn’t spare her deceased kin and she wouldn’t protect the living ones. Drake would kill Aleco with his bare hands, and Accacia would be forced under him once again. Accacia stopped the thoughts circulating in her mind—failure wasn’t an option.
Accacia passed the hours thinking of the upcoming battle in Letumian Province—she could think of nothing else. She knew the morning had arrived when Zyle stirred next to her. He kissed her neck without opening his eyes and pulled her closer to him. “I love you,” he whispered.
She felt her heart squeeze at his words. Accacia knew why he said them; these final hours may be the last chance he had to confess his love for her. She turned to him. “I love you.” Zyle opened his eyes and stared at her for a moment, saying nothing. He outlined the curve of her face with his fingertips and memorized the features of her comely countenance. Accacia felt sad at the sight. It reminded her of Aleco. He had done the same thing before she left to Suaden. Zyle’s eyes sagged in despair as he looked at her. Accacia knew he was troubled. “What is it?”
Zyle pressed his forehead against hers. Aleco would be arriving at the ship soon to cage her into their quarters, locking the door behind him with guards to supervise her captivity. Even though Zyle wasn’t the one chaining her up, he still knew how upset Accacia would be with him. He felt like he was betraying her. He doubted she would ever give him her forgiveness. Zyle sighed before he spoke. “Do you remember what I said about forgiving each other, Accacia? Since we are going to be together for almost an eternity, we need to let the sins of the other go?”
Accacia nodded. She had no idea what Zyle meant by his words. She couldn’t imagine him every betraying her in any way; it was impossible. “What are you trying to tell me?”
Zyle kissed her hand. “Please tell me that I will always have your forgiveness—no matter what.”
Accacia was afraid. She had never seen Zyle so frightened. “What did you do?”
“I haven’t done it yet. But please understand that I know my actions will hurt you, but I am going to do it anyway—for you.” Accacia was feeling more confused by the moment. She had no idea what he was talking about. She saw the desperation in his eyes and her heart ached for him. She knew this was hurting him. “Tell me,” he repeated.
“What are you going to do to me?”
Zyle stared at her. “I’ll tell you on the way. But please tell me that you’ll forgive me, Accacia. I need to know that you will.”
Accacia cupped his face and looked at her life partner. She had hurt him so many times and he always forgave her immediately. She should do the same. “Of course I will, Zyle.”
Zyle released the air from his lungs. He had been holding his breath until she responded, needing that certainty before he left for battle. He knew how angry she would be but at least he knew she would still love him if he returned. “Thank you,” he said as he kissed her. He rolled on top of her and kissed her with all the love he could impart from his soul. Zyle pulled her hips to him and made love to her like it was the last time. He was afraid it was. They whispered their love to each other as they held each other, combining their souls into one through their lovemaking. The act left Zyle in tears and Accacia was also overcome with emotion.
He kissed her before he pulled away, forcing himself to dress and prepare for the voyage. Accacia rolled from the bed and began to assemble her belongings even though she wouldn’t need them. Zyle knew it was time. When her back was turned he placed all of his gear in the hallway and saw Aleco standing there, waiting for Zyle to give him the signal. Zyle walked back into the bedroom and shut the door.
He grabbed both of her hands and kissed each one. Zyle dropped her palms then pulled her close to him, feeling her small body against his own. He ran his hands through her hair and kissed her everywhere, saying goodbye to her silently. He pulled away and her heart tugged at the sight of his tears. “I love you more than anything, Accacia. You have healed the rift in my heart and soul, giving me a reason to live again. You’ve given me a life worth living.” He cupped her face and looked into her emerald eyes, memorizing the look she gave him. It was unconditional love. “You’re everything to me.” He kissed her again.
“I love you, Zyle,” she said when he pulled away. “We’re going to survive this—we won’t fail.”
Zyle stared at her. “I know,” he said through his tears. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
Zyle nodded and forced the tears back. It was time for him to leave. He said everything he wanted her to hear. If he died, he would perish knowing she was safe and that she understood he loved her—eternally. Zyle turned away and walked toward the door without saying goodbye.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
Zyle opened the door and walked out without responding, and Accacia felt her body shake in fear. She didn’t understand what was happening. Aleco walked into the room and stared at her for a moment. The look in his eyes was frightening. He looked determined to accomplish something. If he had a sword in his hand, she would have screamed. “You aren’t coming with us, Accacia. I decided to tell you that before I locked the door behind me.”
Accacia felt her hands shake. He couldn’t be serious. This was her fight—she was meant to be there. She had to go. “You aren’t leaving me here.”
Aleco stared at her. “Yes, I am. You will not leave this room until we return. I am sorry to have to do this but I knew you wouldn’t remain behind if I asked you to. Your people will return you to your lands in the event that we fail.”
Accacia had never been so angry. She felt her body swell in rage, crashing on the brink of ferocity. She wasn’t going to stay behind. The whole reason why she came here was to fight in the battle herself. “ZYLE!” Accacia screamed over Aleco’s shoulder, begging him to come back for her. She continued to yell but he never returned. She finally understood his previous words. He wanted this as much as Aleco did. The betrayal stabbed her like a thrust of cold steel. Accacia pushed Aleco as hard as she could but he didn’t move, taking the hit but not reacting. She tried to
run past him but he held her back, inhibiting any escape she made. She reached for her sword but Aleco knocked it away, kicking the weapon under the bed. “LET ME GO! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS!”
Aleco stared at her and his gaze remained fixed. The Nature Priest showed no emotion at her words. He had anticipated everything she would do in retaliation. “That’s up to you. I don’t care either way.” Accacia knew he meant it. She had never seen him speak so calmly. He had no emotion within him. He looked dead. She saw the despair floating in the blue irises of his eyes like driftwood floating out to sea from a nearby shipwreck, alone and destitute. Aleco was an empty vessel, harboring nothing but pain and depression. She hadn’t realized how much pain he was in until this moment. Aleco turned away. “Goodbye, Accacia.”
“Please don’t do this to me,” she begged. She grabbed his hand but he pulled it away. “Please don’t.” She reached for him but he moved away. He opened the door and closed it behind him, locking it from the outside. Accacia pounded on the door with her fists and screamed in anguish, pleading for someone to unbolt the lock. “OPEN THIS DOOR!” She threw her body against the wooden doorway but it was reinforced with something on the other side. She couldn’t break through the barrier no matter what she tried. “NOW!” She kicked the door with her thick boot but it barely trembled under her movement. Accacia began to cry as reality set into her bones; she was never going to get out of here. She was imprisoned all over again. She would never be free of the men in her life. Her decisions and choices would never be respected or accepted. Accacia understood why Zyle had been so frightened. He didn’t think she would ever forgive him for this. And he was right for feeling that way. Accacia had already said she would, but she may have to take back those words. She expected this from Aleco but not from her life partner, the person she trusted above everyone else. Aleco had been honest about his intents since the day she met him, and she could anticipate his moves, but Zyle had completely caught her off guard. She knew Aleco would try to leave her behind but she expected Zyle to protect her and honor her choice, supporting her every decision as his fellow sovereign and life partner. He had used his trust against her to trap her within the walls of their quarters, forcing her to remain behind. Accacia could forgive him for anything, but this was the one exception. Nothing in her life was more important than what was about to happen, and that had been stripped away from her. She had the right to fight for the lives of her parents and her kin. She deserved the opportunity to stab Drake through the heart; it had to be her. The betrayal was too much to bear.
Accacia continued to throw herself against the door, determined to break free of her confinement. Her body gave out and exhaustion crept into her limbs. She fell to the floor and gave into the soul-heaving sobs of the loss of her freedom.
Zyle leaned against the door and listened to the anguish of his life partner, horrified by what he had done to her. The sound of her tears brought him into a depression. He was the one responsible for her pain. Zyle knew she would forgive him and that was the only thing keeping him on the outside of the door. Aleco looked at him. “It’s time,” he said. Zyle nodded. He placed his palm against the door and closed his eyes, feeling her emotions through the doorway. She had never been so angry. “Goodbye,” he whispered.
Aleco walked in front of him down the hallway. He turned over his shoulder and looked at Zyle. “You’re doing the right thing.”
Zyle said nothing; he didn’t feel like he was.
Orgoom Forest
32
Laura saw Zyle and Aleco approach the border of the forest where the rest of them waited. She looked for Accacia but didn’t see her alongside the two men. She knew Accacia would keep her word to stay away from Aleco, but she didn’t know how seriously she took her words. Accacia wasn’t even with Zyle. Aleco’s face was set in a permanent frown and his blue eyes had faded to a permanent gray. Laura hadn’t seen them turn back since the day she found him with a dagger to his heart. Zyle looked just as forlorn, like a man full of regret. Laura approached them and looked at Zyle. “Where’s Accacia?”
Zyle kept walking. “She isn’t coming.”
Laura grabbed Zyle by the arm. “What did you just say? The Queen of the Asquithians has decided to remain behind?” Laura pulled Zyle to a halt and stared at him with her fierce gaze. “Where is she?”
Zyle shook his head. “She didn’t choose to remain behind. I—I asked her to.” Zyle knew he couldn’t tell Laura the truth. She would beat him with a stick if he did. “She still hasn’t healed properly and I don’t think she is fit for this fight. I made the decision as her husband—not her king.”
“Isn’t fit for this fight?” she asked incredulously. “Accacia is one of our strongest warriors—if not the strongest. She defeated the Commander of Paso Robles on her own—and at one-fourth his size. You can’t be serious, Zyle.”
Zyle bore his blue eyes on her and tried to make her understand with his gaze alone. “The decision has been made, Laura. This is between me and Accacia. Nothing you say will change my mind—I suggest you drop it.”
Laura shook her head. A look of disgust was plastered on her face. “I can’t believe how selfish you are, Zyle. A worse king we have never had.” Zyle flinched at her harsh words. “She trained harder than any apprentice I ever had for this day alone. I can’t believe you are the one to take it away from her. She deserves to be here just like any one of us. And I am sorry that you deem the love of your wife over everyone else’s love of their spouses. Everyone has someone they love risking their lives—what makes you special?”
Zyle walked away, understanding his anger was going to spill forth like a disturbed volcano. He didn’t want his last words to Laura to be so cruel, especially if one of them didn’t survive. Laura grabbed him and pulled him back. “Do not walk away from me. I don’t care if you are my king. That is irrelevant.”
Zyle ground his teeth together. It was all he could do to control himself. “Then yes, I am a selfish man and an asshole for a king—so be it. As long as Accacia lives, then I don’t care. I put my wife before everyone else—I won’t deny it.”
“No,” she said as she shook her head. “You put her behind everyone else—including yourself. You had no right to take this away from her, but you are too selfish to understand that.”
Aleco listened to their argument and he sympathized with the man he hated. Laura wasn’t going to stop until Zyle changed his mind. He walked over and immersed himself between them. “I would have done the same thing if I were Zyle. The duty of any husband is to care for his family first—he made the right choice.”
Laura turned her gaze toward Aleco. He didn’t flinch under her hateful stare. “And that is the reason why she picked Zyle.” Aleco felt his body explode at her words but he didn’t react on the surface. Laura turned back to the King of the Asquithians. “You better hope her decision doesn’t change when you return.” Laura walked away and mounted her horse, ready to ride to Letumian.
Zyle advanced to her and met her gaze. “She won’t—and she never will.” Zyle turned away and walked toward his horse. The Asquithians didn’t approve of riding steeds, expecting them carry their weight across the plains, but they made an exception for the battle. Roxian walked from the trees and approached him. Anger flooded his body when he looked at her, remembering everything she had done to Accacia, but it suddenly vanished when he recalled the battle of Paso Robles. She saved Accacia’s life.
“So it’s true,” she said. “Her Highness is really staying behind?”
Zyle looked at her. “Why did you do it?” Zyle acted like he hadn’t heard a word she said. He was stunned when Roxian threw her blade across the clearing and impaled the man about to strike Accacia. He hadn’t had the opportunity to reflect on the event since it happened. He was too concerned about Accacia to think about anything else. “You could have let her die and no one would have held you accountable.”
Roxian pulled the blonde locks from eyes and tucked the s
trands behind her ear. Zyle wasn’t immune to her marvelous beauty but he wasn’t interested by it either. “Why do you assume that I want her dead?”
“Don’t play games with me.”
She stared at him for a moment. “I’m not playing games, Zyle,” she said seriously. “I have no intention of hurting her.”
“Then why are you sleeping with Aleco?”
“I was,” she answered. “But I am no longer. No, I didn’t approach Aleco to hurt Accacia. My feelings for him are genuine.”
“He doesn’t seem to care for you.”
“Nor do I care for him.” Zyle stared at her in confusion, not understanding her meaning. Everything she was saying was contradicting. She caught his look of bewilderment. “I guess I have to explain it to you. Aleco is a very attractive man and is very experienced—even for a human. I enjoy being with him. There is nothing else to the story.”
“But you can have anyone you wish. Why did you choose him?”
Roxian stared at him for a moment, gazing into his beautiful blue eyes that she adored. “Not anyone.”
Zyle looked away from her gaze, uncomfortable by her underlying meaning. “There is nothing between us, Roxian. And there never will be.”
“As long as Accacia exists,” she said
Understanding dawned on Zyle. He knew exactly what Roxian was doing and he felt idiotic that he hadn’t figured it out sooner. “That was why you picked Aleco. You hoped Accacia would become so jealous she would leave me for him—unable to stand him being with someone else—particularly you.”
Roxian smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “That’s quite a theory,” she said. “Or perhaps I am just lonely and want the comfort of a man. Maybe I wanted someone that hasn’t been alive for several hundred years.”
