Kingdom of Ruins

by Jen L. Grey

  “Yeah, I wasn’t trying to meddle, but she was so unhappy.” Cinder stretched, and her fatigue was so strong it was resonating through their bond.

  “No, you did the right thing.” He climbed into the bed and held his arms out for her. “Come on, let’s get some rest while we can. There’s no telling the next time we’ll be able to.”

  Everything inside him wanted to claim her. But right now, she needed rest more than anything, and he would make sure that’s what she got.

  She crawled over and laid her head on his chest. Her blonde hair flowed across the pillow, and her eyes had already dropped closed. “This feels so good.”

  He couldn’t disagree. Anytime he held her in his arms, it was like a dream come true. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, and before long, both of them were fast asleep.

  Cinder

  Something stirred inside Cinder almost as if it was nudging her awake. She opened her eyes and shook her head.

  “Hey…” Fury mumbled and blinked a few times. “Is something wrong?” His voice was thick with sleep.

  “No; at least I don’t think so.” Cinder stretched and yawned. “But something woke me.”

  “I didn’t hear anything.” Fury raised his head and surveyed the room. “I think it’s safe to go back to sleep.”

  She settled back into his arms and tried to doze off again, but the sensation returned. She was determined to push it away, so she took deep even breaths and concentrated on Fury’s musky scent. But for the first time, that wasn’t enough. “I don’t think I can.”

  “What’s going on?” Fury turned his body toward her and propped his head on his arm so he was looking down at her.

  The feeling was similar to what she felt when she touched the ground. “It’s almost as if I’m hearing Mount Cinder’s heartbeat.”

  “Did you touch the dirt here when you were with Pele?” With his free hand, he reached over and rubbed Cinder’s arm.

  “I did.” She knew where he was going with this, but she couldn’t connect with the earth that quickly. No one else seemed to even catch a beat.

  He bopped her nose and leaned his forehead against hers. “Then we both know what it is. So apparently, we need to rise and get moving.”

  “Ugh… why do you have to be so mature?” Cinder always enjoyed the special moments like this when they were alone. She hated that she wasted the alone time last night without some sexual satisfaction, but they both needed rest.

  There was a loud bang in the opened room followed by a harsh cough. “Cinder? Fury? Are you both up?” Aithne’s voice seemed stronger. “I’m coming in.” Then there was a tapping on the ground.

  She must have let herself in. Cinder chuckled and rose from the bed. She didn’t want the older woman to come in thinking they were doing something. “We were just getting up.”

  “Excellent.” The shuffling stopped, and she cleared her throat. “I’ll just wait out here for you two.”

  I’m guessing she thinks we’re naked. Fury winked at her and raked his eyes over her body. I mean, I’m not opposed to the idea.

  Cinder’s body heated, but unfortunately, now wasn’t the time. Next time we get some alone time, I’ll take you up on that offer.

  Fine, look who’s being the mature one now. He threw his hand out toward her and sat on the edge of the bed. He grabbed her waist and pulled her into him. I love you.

  These were her favorite moments. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have found him. I love you, too.

  “I’m still here waiting.” Aithne hit the cane against the ground a few more times. “In case you might have thought I’d left.”

  Cinder bend down and kissed Fury quickly on the lips. We better go, or we might get in trouble.

  Fine, go on out. He stood and made his way to the bathroom. I’ll be there in a flicker.

  The rest was exactly what she needed. She felt more energized than she had in a while, and she wished she could stay in this flicker for a little longer. But they had things that had to get done, and the longer she put it off, the harder things would get.

  When she entered the room, she found Aithne sitting in one of the wooden chairs. Aithne was staring at the ground, deep in thought.

  Cinder wasn’t sure what to do. She didn’t want to disturb the elderly woman, so she stood in the doorway.

  “Are you going to stand there and watch me all day?” Aithne’s focus remained on the ground even though she was talking to Cinder.

  “I didn’t want to disturb you.” The words ‘I’m sorry’ were about to roll off her lips, but she had been trained never to say those words. Those two simple words admitted wrongdoing, and no Queen should be considered weak. Once, again her father flashed into her mind. She hadn’t thought about her parents much while trapped in the volcano, but now they came to mind every chance they could.

  “No one has worried about that in many life cycles.” Her body sagged in the chair, and it didn’t appear that sleep had made her feel any better.

  “Well, it seems like you take charge and grab the flames from Mount Cinder herself.” Cinder felt sorry for the woman. Aithne was older than she could comprehend.

  “I’m glad people now are considering the volcano as a she.” The old woman grinned and shifted around in the seat.

  “Oh, I always thought it was a she.” Cinder didn’t remember a time when she thought of the powerful volcano as a he.

  “Back many life cycles ago, everyone assumed it would be a he.” The older woman raised her head and sighed. “But like all things, it changed.”

  “Well, I’ll do everything in my power to ensure it stays a female.” Cinder took in the dark circles under Aithne’s eyes, and she hoped she was able to follow through with that promise.

  “You’re the only one who can, I’m afraid.” Aithne leaned back in the chair and placed her chain to the side.

  It appeared to Cinder that Aithne planned on staying a while. “How are you doing?”

  “To be honest, I’m not sure.” Aithne licked her lips and glanced at her long, black dress. “Seeing Abatha was harder than I thought it would be.”

  It was strange to Cinder for the Seer to be called by an actual name. “You seem a lot more balanced than her.” That’s what puzzled Cinder so much. All her life, she heard that most people couldn’t handle living past three hundred, but this woman had lived so much longer than that.

  “In all fairness, I’m the younger sibling.” A dark chuckle escaped Aithne.

  Fury

  When Fury walked into the room, he wasn’t surprised to find Aithne smiling. It was funny that Cinder didn’t realize the impact she had on people. It was something that couldn’t be taught. Cinder was a far stronger leader because she truly cared for each and every person.

  “I thought that was a given.” Cinder winked at her and smiled.

  “You flatter me, child.” She glanced at Fury and pointed at her. “You’re lucky.”

  “That is something I already know.” He walked over to Cinder and kissed her cheek. “Even if she wasn’t my mate, I truly believe I’d still feel this way.”

  “And you would.” Aithne’s forehead wrinkled, and she sighed. “The mate bond just allows us to know it sooner. It was something that evolved in the phoenixes because our fertile window is so small.”

  This woman knew so much. Fury wondered what other little details they could learn from her. “I never knew that before.”

  “For some reason, the knowledge has been lost along the way.” She rubbed a hand down her face. “Maybe if that happened when we were young, Abatha wouldn’t be this way, and I could’ve passed so many cycles ago.”

  It almost sounded to Fury as if she might be volunteering some information. He wanted to ask but wasn’t sure how.

  “That sounds awful.” Cinder slowly made her way closer to Aithne and sat in the chair next to her. “Did she find her mate?”

  “To be fair, I’m not sure.” She stared at a spot on the floor. “Dear volcan
oes, I haven’t told anyone this story. But for some reason, I feel that I should share it with you.”

  She hadn’t told anyone else this story, and Fury wanted to just tell her to share it. All of these secrets and unknown agendas were getting on his last nerve. His parents had also told him to know every player, but ever since he followed the Seer, he was more confused about things then when he was a child.

  “You don’t have to.” Cinder placed her hand on Aithne’s arm. “But we’re here for you if you do want to talk.”

  “My phoenix trusts you both.” Aithne looked away from them again and took a deep breath. “And she hasn’t told me to trust anyone since I lost my sister, so I’m going to listen.”

  Fury could only hope that maybe something was going their way for once.

  “Abatha used to be a looker, believe it or not.” Aithne laughed hard for once, and it was a wistful sound. “And she was a free spirit. However, when the dictator fell, everything changed.”

  “Wait…” Cinder pursed her lips and glanced at Fury. “Are you referring to the one the great king saved us from?”

  “It was more than just him.” Aithne closed her eyes as if she was reliving a memory.

  Unease settled through Fury. They’d learned that it was only the great king. No one else was mentioned. “What do you mean?”

  “Did you really think Pyr single-handedly took down a dictator who ruled all of Amaria?” Aithne rubbed her eyes and shook her head. “See, this is what happens when people decide to retell history. Every kingdom had a hand in taking down the dictator, and that’s when everything changed and the deadlands were created.”

  “But that was a good thing.” The skin between Cinder’s eyebrows pinched, and she narrowed her eyes.

  “Not for my sister. She was in love with the dictator and was desperate to save him. She’s been trying to find a way to bring him back ever since.” Her face seemed to pale, and her old hands became unsteady.

  Fury had almost forgotten to breathe. This simple conversation changed the whole foundation that he was raised on. Not only had history been spun, but now they had a crazy ass Seer running around, trying to save a fallen dictator. For her to attempt it, there might be a way to actually save him. The Seer was determined for Cinder and Fury to strengthen their bond. He wasn’t sure what the connection was, so they were still missing critical pieces of the puzzle.

  Chapter Ten

  Cinder

  Out of every situation imaginable, Cinder never expected for the great king’s story to influence her position. Yes, the kingdom was divided, but that had been a norm for as long as the oldest phoenix could remember…. Well, the oldest one in her kingdom at least.

  “Could she find a way to bring him back?” Fury began to pace around the room and rubbed at the stubble across his chin.

  “That’s the thing with black magic.” Aithne picked at the wood on the chair. “Anything is possible. It’s just knowing what it might take.”

  That black magic that attacked her. Fury, when I almost died, there was something there with me.

  He stilled, and his jaw clenched. What do you mean?

  To be honest, there has been something there for a while, but before you saved me… It still creeped Cinder out when she thought of it. It attacked me almost like it was trying to get inside me.

  And you’re just telling me this now? Fury’s face took on a reddish-orange hue as his phoenix bled through.

  I’m sorry. It’s not like Cinder had been trying to keep it a secret. We’ve been kind of busy since then.

  “Is everything all right?” Aithne glanced between Fury and Cinder.

  “Yeah, sorry.” Cinder forced her attention to Aithne. She hated that Fury was upset, but they were being rude. “So how would she go about it?”

  “Honestly, I’m not sure.” Aithne stood and grabbed her cane. “I purposely stay away from anything that dark. It comes with great consequences.”

  “Do you have any idea where we could look?” Fury’s jaw ticked from all the pressure he was placing on it.

  “Your best bet would probably be to search for answers in one of your kingdoms.” Aithne used her cane as she walked back to the opening. “We don’t have the resources here.”

  “Then, we need to go back and figure things out.” Fury left through the opening, leaving Cinder behind.

  Cinder worried maybe she messed up by not telling him sooner, but it either wasn’t the right time or she hadn’t thought about it. Either way, she didn’t try to hide anything from him, so she shouldn’t feel as bad as she did.

  “Come on, dear.” Aithne gave her a sad smile that seemed to reflect the sorrow in the older lady’s eyes. “He’ll get over it soon enough. They always do.”

  It unnerved her how Aithne could read her so easily. “You’re right, and let’s be honest. We have important things to figure out and getting upset over something I can’t fix won’t help us any.”

  “You are wise beyond your cycles.” Aithne stepped back through the opening and paused. “He’s going to want to go back and do some research. Do you think you’re both ready for that?”

  “Why wouldn’t we be?” Cinder figured that was Fury’s mission.

  “I doubt your families are going to be welcoming to each other. Your split kingdom has been at odds for life cycles,” Aithne sighed and turned her head toward the painting above. “But some of the answers will be waiting to be found in your home.”

  How could Cinder forget that? That was the whole reason she had fought the bond to begin with, but even still, the thought didn’t provide the angst it once had. Somehow, she knew that things would fall into place. “It might not be easy, but Fury and I will figure it out.”

  “There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that you would. I wanted to make sure you were prepared for it to be difficult.”

  Pele and Aidan appeared as they walked out of their house. Cinder was almost shocked at their transformation. Pele was smiling, but her eyes scanned the area just like always. Aidan’s face wasn’t tense or lined with anger. He actually looked calm… or at least, he did until his eyes landed on Aithne.

  “It appears another bond has formed.” Aithne’s words were full of anger. “Must be nice to have your mate alive and well.”

  “Please don’t ruin this.” Aidan’s voice was low; almost a warning.

  This wasn’t expected, and Cinder wasn’t sure what was going on.

  “It’s not fair that you’re giving him a guilt trip.” Pele glowered at Aithne and took a step in front of him. “He didn’t make it happen.”

  One of the things Cinder admired most about Pele was how loyal and protective she was of the ones she loved. But right now, she was not sure of what was going on. Fury, we might have a problem.

  More than the one you just told me about? Fury’s tone wasn’t harsh but still on edge.

  Yes, where are you anyway? Cinder thought he would’ve gone to Pele, but obviously, that wasn’t the case.

  At Joash and Hestia’s. I was worried about her this morning and wanted to discuss going back to South Pyr with Joash. I’m on my way.

  Already, this volcanic cycle was just like yesterday’s; eventful. “Can someone please tell me what’s going on?”

  “No…” Aithne started.

  “You don’t want anyone else to find out?” Aidan arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

  “For doing what I did, you’re ungrateful.” Aithne’s hand shook so bad that the cane was vibrating as well. “I had to sacrifice a lot.”

  “And I lost two people that were my world because of your mate.” Aidan’s normal raspy, low voice was loud and strong. He took a step in Aithne’s direction and pointed at her.

  Joash and Fury ran toward them. Fury stopped next to Cinder, but Joash moved in front of Aithne. He raised both hands and leveled his voice. “Hey, let’s all just calm down.”

  “She started it.” Pele narrowed her eyes at Aithne and pointed in Cinder’s direction. “My Queen deserve
s to know what happened.”

  “It’s history, and I provided justice.” Aithne stood behind Joash, letting him protect her.

  “What the Hades is going on?” Fury wrapped an arm around Cinder and held her close to his side.

  It almost seemed as if he was trying to protect Cinder, but there was nothing here for him to protect her from.

  “Her mate killed Aidan’s parents because they were outsiders.” Pele blurted, causing the others to go quiet.

  “And I had my husband hung for that transgression.” Aithne stepped around Joash and pointed at Aidan. “I killed the man I loved because he hurt you. That’s why we don’t let outsiders in anymore… you and your friends have been the only exception to that rule in years.”

  It took a second before those words fully registered with Cinder. They were horrid. They both had lost so much over prejudices. “That’s horrible for you both.”

  “But she held the person accountable even though it was her husband.” Joash seemed tense and was standing in a defensive stance.

  “Since we’re letting secrets out now,” Fury began, motioning around to everyone, “How did you get out of prison here?”

  “Because I learned the errors of my ways.” Joash didn’t even flinch. It was like he had been prepared for this exact conversation. “I was a self-centered dimmy, and if given the chance, I’ll make it up to you all.”

  Can we trust him? Cinder didn’t get either a truthful or lying vibe from him.

  I don’t know, but Aithne is all about justice. Fury’s arm tightened around her.

  Cinder hadn’t even noticed Hestia when she came out, but she was on the other side of Pele, watching the show. “I think we should all calm down and think things through logically.”

  Hestia was right. Cinder realized everyone was caught up in their own emotions. Now wasn’t the time for them all to be fighting with one another. “Whether we like it or not, we need to work together despite all of our differences.” At the end of the day, she had to make them see that they were all on the same side. “Aidan, I’m sorry that you lost your parents. No child should ever have to go through that.”