Soul Relenter (Soul Saga #3)

by Todd, E. L.

  Zyle shook his head. “I doubt it.”

  Roxian placed her hands on her hips. Her trousers were tight fitting and her armor fit the curves of her body perfectly, ensuring her fluid motion in battle. “What does it matter, Zyle? Both theories could be wrong.”

  “I suppose so but I have a feeling I’m right. You’re a backstabbing bitch, after all.” he said. Zyle couldn’t hide the anger in his body. He wasn’t upset that Roxian had intentionally tried to hurt Accacia. Zyle was furious that Roxian had tried to lure Accacia away, choosing Aleco over him so she could try to win Zyle over. Zyle was relieved that Accacia was committed to him. “Your plan failed miserably. Obviously, Accacia was very upset by your relationship with Aleco, but not enough that she would ever leave me. There’s nothing you could do to change it. She is devoted to me forever.”

  Roxian didn’t respond to his harsh comment. It was as if she hadn’t heard it or didn’t care. “We still have time. I see the way she looks at him, Zyle. She doesn’t look at you like that. And I see the way she runs from you. She doesn’t run from Aleco.”

  He knew he should walk away but he couldn’t force himself to move. Against his judgment he looked at her. “You’re wrong.”

  “I guess we’ll find out.”

  “Unlikely.”

  “You know her better than I do,” she said. “I just know her through Aleco—who seems to know her better than you do.”

  “And what has he said to you?”

  Roxian shook her head. “A lover’s secrets are always confidential.”

  Zyle shook the concern from his body, forcing himself to return to a state of calm. He didn’t understand what he was worried about. Aleco could want Accacia all he wanted but it wouldn’t change anything. His recent distance from her made Zyle question his affection for her altogether. But Zyle felt the fear return to his body. Accacia said she would always forgive him and he forced himself to believe it. She would; he knew he would. “We need to get moving,” he said as he mounted his horse. “We have a long day of riding ahead of us.”

  Roxian curtsied to him. “Yes, Your Majesty.” She walked over to her own steed and mounted the black charger and pulled on the reigns, leading him away from the trees and into the plains outside the forest.

  Zyle clicked to his steed and approached the border of the realm but he stopped before he crossed the threshold. He knew Accacia deserved to be here but he couldn’t bring himself to release her. Zyle couldn’t handle any further injuries compromising her. He failed to protect her once and he wouldn’t do it again. He forced his horse through the line of trees and left the shadows of the woodlands.

  He saw the men covered in their guild armor and newly furnished guild swords and they stood together in their lines. Most of the Asquithians had mounted the steeds offered by the various provinces of the land. Catapults lined the very last row of the army. Zyle felt his skin prickle at the mass of soldiers before him. There were at least ten-thousand men gathered on the plain and they were all covered in weapons of destruction. For the first time, Zyle felt hope surge through his body. Perhaps they had a chance after all.

  Zyle turned his steed toward the front of the mass and brought his horse alongside Aleco. The King of the Asquithians and the Chief Nature Priest shared a glance then Zyle nodded to him. Aleco was standing alongside the Chief of the guild and Zyle could see the blue sword along his hip, sparkling in the light of the sun. Laura was on his other side but she didn’t look at him, still angry about leaving Accacia behind. Zyle could only imagine how upset she would be if she knew the truth. Zyle had forced her against her will. Roxian sat on her charger and looked straight ahead, excited to venture forth.

  Aleco turned to the men behind him. Zyle had given him the authority in this battle since Aleco knew the land better and understood the evil they were up against. Zyle had to admit he was also the better leader. “We ride for Aleutian Keep. I’m not going to downplay this for you. This battle will be gruesome and horrific, but we will prevail if he do not give up—never stop. I will gladly give my life to secure the release of my fellow men—I know you all feel the same way.” The men raised their swords at Aleco’s words, taking his courage to heart. “I am honored to serve with you.” Aleco turned away and pushed his horse forward, driving him over the plains outside of the forest. Aleco heard the thousands of loud hooves beat against the Earth in a loud cacophony, scratching his ear drums, but the sound only pushed him harder. The sooner this was over—the sooner he would be free.

  Aleco halted his horse behind the barrier of trees that separated them from Letumian Province, which stood a few leagues past the brush of the wood. They had ridden all through the day from morning to dusk, and Aleco knew the men needed their rest before they attacked the city.

  Tents were laid out in the plains behind the trees, providing comfort and shelter from the elements of the night. Aleco instructed the soldiers to prepare the medic tent along with the supply tent, which contained extra swords and weapons for the attack. If anyone lost their gear, they could grab a replacement.

  The Nature Priest walked through the grounds and spoke with his men, both guild members and the citizens of the Continent. He saw the fear in their eyes along with the thirst for revenge. Some of the slaves that volunteered to fight had been imprisoned all their life. They needed retribution. Aleco passed out food and water to anyone who was short on their supplies, and he suggested that everyone sleep while they can. Aleco planned to attack as soon as the sun rose into the sky and crested the horizon.

  Zyle visited the Asquithians in his ranks. They formed their own groups in their private tents, hiding their faces from view within the hood of their cloaks. He told them it was unnecessary at this point. If they wanted to reveal their faces, they were allowed to. Zyle walked off and sat by the cluster of trees, wishing to be away from any company. He was more than nervous about the following morning—he was terrified. Zyle wasn’t afraid of being wounded or even dying. He was worried he would fail his life partner. The guilt flooded his body for leaving Accacia behind, but he had made the decision with good intentions. He wanted her to be safe. She had almost died in the recent battle and he couldn’t risk it again. Zyle knew what he did was wrong on many levels but he didn’t regret the decision. Now he would be able to concentrate on the battle before him. He wouldn’t be concerned for Accacia’s well-being. Zyle felt the summer breeze run through the strands of his brown hair and calm his soul. The sensation brought back the memories on Suaden. He had spent the best year of his life with his soul mate and he recalled their last day together on the island. Zyle wished Accacia was with him on his potentially last evening alive. He missed her. Now he understood how Aleco felt. He always wanted her beside him but he could never have her. Zyle felt true pity for the man who would sacrifice his life just to make her smile.

  Aleco approached him from the line of tents and stood before him. His heavy cloak still covered his face and body, hiding his features from view. Zyle wondered when he was going to shed the disguise. “Why are you still hiding?”

  Aleco spun his blade around his wrist then reinserted it into his belt. “I don’t want my brother to know until the very last moment. The revelation will shock him and give us a chance to catch him off guard—if we are lucky.”

  Zyle nodded. He knew Aleco understood the king better than he did, and he trusted his instinct. Zyle waited for Aleco to walk away but he stood before him, looking into the trees and into the darkness. He waited for him to speak. Finally, Aleco shifted his weight and kneeled down before Zyle. “There can be no tension between us in this battle—we need to trust each other until this is over. We can return to hating one another after the fight, but until then, you are my brother.” Aleco clasped him on the shoulder, a rare touch. “Do you understand me?”

  The King of the Asquithians hated Aleco but he had to admit he also respected the man and his leadership. If Accacia hadn’t loved him, then Zyle would probably like the guy—even consider him to
be a friend. But the fact remained. He loved Accacia as much as Zyle did. Zyle decided to stop the hatred for the man and let go of their differences. The two men had the same goal and were fueled by the same motivation. They needed to work together. “Yes,” he said. “I agree.”

  “Is there anything you want to say to me—yell at me—to relieve your mind before we march on Aleutian Palace?” Aleco wanted nothing to keep them apart, nothing to hold them back from their mutual aid. He needed to trust Zyle and receive his in return.

  Zyle thought for a moment. “When this over—and if we succeed—will you stop Accacia from leaving? You will try to win her back?”

  “No,” he said. “I have no interest in doing that. You’re the right choice, Zyle. I hate to admit it but you are—you are better for her than I ever was. You have the same life span, the same racial similarities—you are the unified sovereigns of an entire civilization—Accacia would be stupid to choose me.”

  Zyle said nothing for a moment. “So you will let her go peacefully?”

  “I already have.”

  Zyle felt the tension leave his body. The war between them was finally over. He didn’t have to worry about Aleco trying to steal her away from him. It didn’t seem like he even cared for her anymore. “You deserve the right to know this, Aleco—I don’t know if Accacia ever told you. She made it clear to me she wanted nothing to do with me—romantically. Even after we were life partners, she wouldn’t touch me. It was only after she saw that memory you left her did she accept my love for her. She even told me nothing would ever happen between us without your consent. She was devoted to you—as much as I am to her now.”

  Aleco nodded. “Leaving her that projection was the worst mistake I ever made.”

  “And the greatest thing that ever happened to me,” he said with a smile.

  Aleco chuckled to himself, despite the agony in his heart. “How long did she wait for me?”

  “One year,” he said. “Were you with anyone else in her absence?”

  “Never,” he said.

  Zyle nodded. “I’m angry you touched my wife that night when we came to the Continent. I don’t know what happened between you two, but I’ve loathed you with a passion ever since.”

  “She never told you?”

  “I told her I didn’t want to know—which I still don’t.”

  Aleco said nothing, honoring his request. “I already apologized, Zyle. What more do you want from me?”

  “Nothing,” he said. “I just wanted to explain the cause of my hate.”

  “You hate me because she still loves me. That never would have happened if she didn’t.”

  Zyle trusted Accacia and knew if anything else had happened between them she would have told him, but he felt the need to ask anyway. “Did anything else ever happen between you?”

  “I’ve kept my word to you,” Aleco said.

  “That didn’t answer my question.”

  Aleco sighed. “That night you couldn’t find Accacia—something did happen. She told me she loved me and wished she had never left—we would still be together if she hadn’t made the wrong choice.” Zyle felt the sting of the pain. He had never asked her such a question. He always assumed she was happy with the fate of her life. “She grabbed my face and kissed my tears away, telling me how much she loved me. I told her I loved her in return. I asked her to leave you for me but she refused.” Zyle knew Aleco had asked her this because Accacia had confided in him and the information relieved his stress. But she had kept the earlier statement from his knowledge—knowing how much it would hurt him.

  Zyle asked the next question on his mind. “Are you going to kill me in the battle? If you eliminate me, then Accacia will be unencumbered.”

  “I love Accacia—I would never hurt her in such a way. I am insulted you would even ask such a thing. I know you wouldn’t move against me for the same reason—it would kill her. I only want Accacia if she chooses me by her own will—I wouldn’t want her pick me because I was the only man left standing. Not exactly my greatest fantasy.”

  “Is there anything you want to know from me?” Zyle asked.

  Aleco was silent for a moment. “No,” he said finally. “You respect Accacia and treat her in a way I never could. It’s made me hate you—but I wouldn’t want that to change. You won her in a fair fight, Zyle—she is yours to keep.”

  “I know.”

  Aleco reached his hand out and Zyle took it, shaking it with a firm grip. The feud between them was over and their anger was replaced by respect and camaraderie. They both had parts to play in the war tomorrow and they had to rely on each other as trusted partners. Zyle’s hatred for Aleco disappeared and his prejudice for the man evaporated—Aleco felt the same way. Aleco turned away. “Get some sleep, Zyle. Tomorrow is only hours away.”

  Letumian Province

  33

  “I think the idea is suicide, Aleco.” Zyle clicked his armor into his place, securing it under the folds of his cloak. He placed his bow over his back and belted his sword to his hip, along with the other daggers and knives he would be taking. “There is no possibility for survival.”

  “Let me worry about that.” Aleco drank from his waterskin once more before tossing it onto the grass. He wouldn’t need it anymore. “I am more than confident in my abilities, Zyle. Don’t waste your energy being concerned for me. The retrieval of the stones is more important—my life doesn’t matter.”

  Nolan stood alongside him and crossed his arms over his chest. “This plan could backfire. Drake could kill you instantly and his attention will no longer be distracted. He could catch the others unaware.”

  “I won’t let that happen.”

  “I’ll be the first to admit that your fighting skills dominate all of ours but don’t underestimate him, Aleco.” Nolan stepped further in the circle. “He is more powerful than you give him credit for.”

  Aleco shook his head. “I’m not worried about it.”

  Laura stepped closer to Aleco and gave him her signature gaze of intimidation. “Your death doesn’t benefit us, Aleco.” She was saying more with her eyes than her mouth, not wanting to reveal his desire to end his own life. “You must survive the battle until it’s over. Do not give in to him.”

  Aleco grabbed her shoulder. “I will kill him as many times as I can until he depletes the Soul Binders on his body, but in the end, he will probably kill me. I just hope that I can do enough damage until someone ends it completely.” Aleco lowered his hood and stared at her, trying to assuage the nausea she felt at his words. “This is more important than all of us. Concentrate on your task. Get the stones and leave—nothing else matters.”

  “Aleco—”

  Aleco dropped his hand and held it up to her. “The plan has been decided. We have no other options. We must follow it—it is our only chance for success. I will do everything in my power to kill him—do not doubt my anger and thirst for revenge—I have plenty of it. But I will not have unrealistic expectations. I am practically fighting a god—a being who can’t die.”

  Roxian spoke from the circle, startling them with her voice. She usually remained silent in their meetings. “Use the Soul Binders yourself—make it an even match.”

  “I think we could make an exception in this case,” Laura added. “We may lose some of our kin but at least we will spare most of them.”

  “That is not an option,” he hissed at both women. “I would rather die than result to that. Just the suggestion alone is enough to make me sick. I am here because I need to save the Asquithian souls—Accacia’s kin—not use them and send them to the void. Your queen would have my head for that.”

  “Well, she isn’t here, is she?” Roxian crossed her arms and looked at Aleco.

  “No, she isn’t,” Zyle added. “And she doesn’t have to know.”

  Aleco stared at Zyle, surprised by his words. The King of the Asquithians was giving him permission to feed on the souls of his subjects. Aleco couldn’t hide his disgust—it was an abomin
ation. Any other man would take advantage of the opportunity, relishing the idea of his immortality and securing the end of the war, but Aleco would never betray Accacia’s wishes. “Just because we don’t see Her Highness doesn’t mean she isn’t here—I will never betray her—ever. Drop it now—this will not come to pass.”

  Zyle looked away from Aleco, and Laura stepped back, startled by the venom in his voice. She knew better than to argue with him. His decision had been made. Aleco raised his hood over his face and covered his visage in shadow, trying to hide the anger he felt. Aleco couldn’t gamble the possibility of sending her parents’ souls to the void. The probability of utilizing their souls was unlikely, but Aleco couldn’t risk it. If he decided to do it, then he would be just as evil as his brother. Aleco refused to bring himself down that low. “Is there anything left to say? Any final words before we attack the city?”

  The Asquithians and Nolan stood in silence around the circle, saying nothing to one another. They looked into each other’s eyes, trying to read the expressions on their comrade’s faces. They knew this could be the last time they would see each other—ever. Laura cleared her throat. “I will see you all when the war is finished.” She looked at Aleco. “You in particular, Aleco.” Aleco smiled at her from the depths of his hood. She was threatening him to live.

  Nolan was the first to step away from the circle. “Let’s finish this,” he said as he approached his horse. “This war needs to end quickly—I have other things to do.”

  Aleco laughed as he walked away from the Chief. “Always so pragmatic,” he said as he climbed onto his horse. The others departed and mounted their steeds, rallying the men to their feet and to form their lines and columns for battle. Aleco led his horse to Nolan and looked at his mentor, the man who had given him the tools to be a warrior. “It isn’t too late,” he said. “You can still turn back.”

  The Chief smiled. “I’m afraid I can’t, Aleco. I will never turn my back on a Brother.”