Braklen’s form stood on the hill ahead of her. She remembered his injuries and hurried toward him. He needs my help.
The climb was steep, and no matter what she tried to do, and how she manipulated the scene, she couldn’t go up the hill any other way, except by running. Triena pushed herself, ignoring the pain in her ankle left by the vine.
Close to the top, her heart sank. His form was fading. Braklen, I’m here.
He turned and smiled. She gasped. The wound on his chest bled heavily. His life force seeped out from him. He was giving himself over to the Energy Field.
No! She rushed forward, collecting the energy around her to help heal him. The thought of being too late clung in her mind and urged her into action. She pushed the energy into his wounds and padded it over his chest.
She felt his hands slip around her. Thank you. He reached down, took her hands in his.
Triena looked up into his blue eyes. They shone sharp with life. He was going to be all right.
I told you I was fine.
Yes, but … He silenced her with a kiss. A chocolaty, warm energy flowed through her from his lips. Her energy weaved around him, reconnecting and strengthening their bond.
He pulled away gently, then knelt down and took her ankle in his hands. You should be more careful.
Triena was about to answer that he’d no business telling her what to do, but then the ache leached from her leg. The poison from the plant bled out and the tiredness in her faded. She gasped with surprise as he healed her ankle. How did you do that?
I learned it from you. He stood up and took her hands in his and gently led her forward.
I never taught you this. She followed him amazed at his ability.
I’m learning a lot now that our energies have combined.
You’re getting help from someone, aren’t you? Something pushed at her memory, trying to get her to remember.
Triena let it go. Her mind was a whirl of new ideas and potentials. There was a future for them, for others which sent a flutter of excitement through her. Now that they were together and shared energy, her knowledge was passed to him. She didn’t have to train him, which was going to make things easier. This will help for the schools …
He kept moving. Shhh … He paused, turned to her and placed a finger on her lips. We can talk about that later. He tugged her forward, and guided her down the other side of the hill, towards an outcrop of large, upright stones.
She was with Braklen, but emptiness still caused a cold ache inside of her. Can I see him now?
Braklen shrugged. It’s not up to me.
Who then?
You.
Triena sighed. You sound too much like the rabbit. He’s been helping you, hasn’t he?
Braklen smiled.
I thought so. A flutter in her belly reminded her of the potential she held inside of her. She wondered if now would be a good time to tell him. I’m …
I know.
She stopped, pulled him to a standstill. How? she demanded.
I can see it growing in you. He placed his hand on her belly.
Nothing is a secret here, I guess.
And we are joined. He laughed. The sound eased her tension. I knew as soon as we connected.
He looked deep within her. His gaze held her close to him. She felt the pulse of his life. It beat in time with hers, and their child. It helped me to keep alive.
Thank goodness for that. She kissed him.
Come on, you two. Triena pulled herself away with shock. She remembered and looked around for the rabbit. But she couldn’t see him.
This way. Braklen guided her to the stones, which were wide and tall, and formed a half moon shape. They followed the path, hand in hand and walked into the half circle. Two pillars stood in the center. Triena’s pulse increased as she saw two crowns resting on velvet pillows on the top of the pillars.
So, this is why we are here. The Queens had been defeated. She and Braklen were working together.
They stood in front of the pillars. Braklen looked at her. Are you ready?
Yes. And you?
Yes.
She shivered. For a moment, she wondered if this was still the same man that she knew.
I am, just a more improved model.
It’s going to take some getting used to if you are in my head all the time. She looked at him. And I can’t wait to test this new model.
He blushed, which caused her to giggle. It felt good to laugh again. It’d been too long.
Let’s do this together.
They picked up the other’s crown. Triena reached up, as Braklen bobbed down, and at the same time they placed the crowns on one another’s head.
A small tremor went through Triena. New energy flooded down from the crown into her essence. She gasped with delight. You look different. She soaked in Braklen’s new form.
So do you.
About time. The rabbit bounced into the circle.
Rabbit! Triena picked him up, holding him tight, his soft ears tickling her chin. I’m so sorry. Her tears fell into his fur.
You can hug me just this once, but I warn you. Don’t do it again.
She laughed. You’re such a serious creature. She rocked him against her. I will miss you.
You won’t have time to miss me.
Why? Don’t tell me you are going to be busy here?
The rabbit wriggled, and Triena slowly let him down to sit in the grass in front of her. Braklen stepped behind her, and slipped his arm around her waist.
I’m the new guardian, thought the rabbit.
The what? Triena’s eyes widened.
The new guardian, thought Braklen.
Why am I the last to know?
You were busy giving one hell of a reading, thought Braklen.
A very impressive one at that too, thought the rabbit.
Heat rose to her cheeks.
There has to be someone here watching over the Energy Field to make sure that it isn’t manipulated again, continued the rabbit.
Good. Triena would’ve preferred to have him by her side, but this made it easier to ensure things changed for the best. I like your new ears, by the way.
The rabbit moved his black ears, real ears, not the metal ones Triena had made for him. Well, I can choose my form here, so I went with real ones. They are lighter, you know.
Yeah, right, thought Triena.
You’d better be going back. You’ve got work to do. The rabbit twitched his ears. You can reach me here if you need me, but you two know what to do. You won’t need to contact me for a while.
I will if I want to say hello. The empty ache inside of her wasn’t as intense, but she wished he’d join them on the physical plane.
You’ll be too busy and so will I.
Braklen ran his hand over Triena’s back, distracting her. Let’s go back. We’ve been here too long.
Fine then. But I will come and say hello.
I’m sure you will. Now, go. I want some peace and quiet.
Energy shimmered around them and turned black as they returned to their bodies. Triena felt like a feather, floating gently back to herself. When they awoke, they were healed, and the crowns remained on their heads.
Chapter 20
Braklen shifted his weight expecting to feel pain. He remembered the knife in his chest. His hand moved to touch the wound. The blade wasn’t there. He sat up abruptly. He looked down at his chest at a fresh scar. Well, I wasn’t imagining it then.
He touched the area gingerly. A dull ache thudded in his body, but it wasn’t nearly as painful as he thought it’d be.
Triena stirred by him. A crown rested on her head. She’s beautiful. His heart pounded quickly as he looked at her, soaking in her essence. Our essences. Something was very different.
He couldn’t believe he used the Energy so easily. Now that they were joined, it came naturally to him. He couldn’t get to her inner thoughts, a relief which meant she hopefully couldn’t get into his, but he knew
that she was all right, sore, exhausted, and filled with grief, but she was breathing.
Braklen remembered Triena had been stabbed during the fight. He reached down and pulled up her blood-stained robe exposing her ankle. The knife wasn’t there. It was like what had happened to his injury, except Triena’s wound was still healing.
New skin hadn’t completely grown over her leg. He saw Energy shimmering around her ankle, slowly mending her muscles. Must be why she’s still out. He moved and cradled her head in his lap. She remained unconscious, or sleeping, whatever it was that she was doing. Probably reading the Energy or making some prediction.
Braklen touched his own crown. It unexpectedly felt like warm metal.
He looked around the room. It was unsettling quiet. The mangled bodies laying on top of each other caused memories of the battlefield to rise in his mind. So much waste. Braklen pushed the memories away. He didn’t need them to add to the grief of what he could see in real life right now.
A few coughs echoed in the cavernous space. He was glad not everyone had died. Whatever that Triena had done had sorted them out. He stroked her arm. A powerful flower reading.
Braklen looked down at her. I don’t know how she managed to do it. Her face looked peaceful and relaxed as she rested. Her chest moved up and down with her slow breathing. He brushed his hand gently down the side of her face, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
The answer whispered to him through the Energy. I did it with your help.
I didn’t do anything, he answered. Hey, I’m communicating through the Energy. He was impressed with himself. The lessons had left him feeling less than adequate and thinking this was a skill he didn’t have and would never have. But now he seemed to have a natural ability. I can get used to this.
Good, replied Triena.
Her exhaustion mixed with his. She still needed to rest.
Braklen kissed her on her forehead.
We’re together. There was an uncanniness about the situation which caused his stomach to flutter in a mix of emotions. Excitement. Love. Desire. Hope. Nerves. Achievement. We’ve done it.
~
Triena gazed up at Braklen. She didn’t want to move. Her body was numb with weariness. Her ankle ached, and her mind throbbed. But, lying on his lap, she felt protected, cradled in his strength. She saw the wound on his chest. It’d healed. How did that happen?
Braklen shrugged his shoulders. Same as what happened to your ankle.
Triena abruptly sat up and checked her ankle. Fully healed, new pink flesh shone over the hole caused by the knife.
I’m sure the rabbit had something to do with it.
Her heart squeezed and emptiness bled out at the reminder that he was no longer here in the physical world with her. It was going to take a while to adjust to, along with everything else. Probably. Healing the two of them was something the rabbit would do.
Triena stood up and looked around the catacombs. Those who weren’t able to survive the internal journey the flower energy had sent them on, those who weren’t open to a different world, those who couldn’t handle a balance where everyone had the chance to use the Energy, had died. Their ghostly essences rippled in the air as they dispersed. The auras lingered, seeping into the rocks, down the tunnels, finally scattering into the depths of the earth since they were unable to get into the Energy Field.
“Let’s go.” Braklen pushed her gently from behind but she didn’t move. “They chose not to be part of change.”
Triena didn’t move. It was the sight beyond the carnage that caused her to freeze. Not everyone was dead. Those still alive knelt in their direction, their heads bowed.
A shiver extended down Triena’s back. I’m not ready for this. Hot tears welled behind her eyes.
Yes, you are. Braklen’s thought was strong. You are more than ready. He rested his arm around her waist and drew her close to him. We can make this change. We will make this happen.
Triena nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She tried not to look at the blood as she stepped forward. Her stomach twisted and turned. She wished it didn’t have to be this way.
Once past the dead, she paused. “Stand.” Her voice clear, it reverberated around the space. “We’ve got work to start.”
A mixture of young girls, one or two Priestess, and a handful of Peacekeepers slowly rose to their feet. Some were injured. All of them looked exhausted by the ordeal.
“You.” Triena pointed to the oldest Priestess. “I want you to take the rabbit’s body, and prepare it for burial. He will be buried where he was killed.” She turned to one of the Peacekeepers. “I want you to help her.” He nodded.
They didn’t move. Triena clapped her hands together. “Now.” They jumped and rushed off to do what she’d instructed them.
Triena’s belly flipped. I’m a leader now. I have to be strict. I have to secure our position.
We have to be firm. There’s still the Priests to deal with, and there’s going to be retaliation. We have to be diligent. Braklen squeezed her hand, then stepped forward. “You three men, clear these bodies away, burn them outside.” They saluted him and went about the dirty business.
“The rest of you, start cleaning this room. There’s to be no sign of what went on here,” continued Braklen, looking at the girls in their brown robes. Eyes widening in ashen faces, they looked like they would burst into tears, but they didn’t. Triena sensed an inner strength inside of them. That’s why they’re still breathing.
“Except you.” Triena pointed to the youngest girl. “I want you to show us to a room where we can clean up.”
She curtsied. “Yes my Queen.”
“Be back here before sunset. We have a burial to witness,” said Triena.
Even though the rabbit managed to keep his essence together and he now resided in the Energy Field, Triena felt a strong need to bury his physical form. His grave will be a symbol for what passed here. A mark of change.
He’d like that, added Braklen.
He sure would. Triena eyes remained dry. She didn’t have the energy for tears, or the time. I have to get the message out.
There’s plenty of time for that. Take a moment for yourself. The next few days are going to be difficult and you need to be ready.
They followed the girl up to the first level. The castle looked gloomier than before. Triena struggled to keep her eyes open. Her knees wobbled and she held onto Braklen for support as she walked.
You should rest.
So should you. Her mind churned through the things that needed to be done. There weren’t many people left here to do them.
They continued following the girl along another flight of stairs, to a private wing of the castle. Triena wasn’t sure if she’d be able to allow herself to relax, not right now. Not until he is buried.
The girl opened a large wooden door that led into a room decorated with wall hangings, rugs, and a large soft bed. She curtsied as they entered. “It’s the best here. Will this do?”
“For now,” answered Triena. The room stank of Syaine’s energy and she didn’t want to be here. “Bring us clean clothes, food, and hot water.”
“Do you need any help?” asked Braklen. “There’s a lot to do and I can help.”
“You need to rest, too,” said Triena.
The girl shook her head. “I know what to do.” She went over to a door on the other side of the room and opened it. “There’s hot water here. All you need to do is pull this lever and fill the bath.”
“Good,” said Triena. “And bring some Juinee berry tea.”
The girl nodded then left, closing the large door behind her.
“How am I to select the twelve when everyone is dead?” asked Triena.
“Maybe they are already chosen, and they’re here already, or journeying to join us.”
“But they’ll need to be trained.” Triena’s mind was full of things that needed to be done, so many that couldn’t wait.
“There’s plen
ty of time. Just don’t rush.” Braklen pulled her to face him. Triena rested her palms on his toned chest. Her fingers traced the fresh scar on his chest.
“I’ll be fine. It only aches a little now.”
She nodded.
“It’s important we spend some time together.” He pulled her closer.
“And allow our energy to blend, and be retuned, so that we will be fully united as we face the future.” Her fingers danced down his belly. A new energy flowed inside of her pushing away the exhaustion. It’d been a while since they were together.
He leaned down and kissed her. His fiery heat awoke her body. “Fancy a bath together?” he asked between kisses.
“Thought you’d never ask.”
~
Triena stood in the catacombs. The fresh white robe felt uneasy on her skin. The area had been cleaned, but she still smelled the metallic scent of blood. Lavender candles burned around them, somewhat masking the smell, but Triena’s delicate nose wasn’t fooled.
Braklen stood next to her, his energy vibrating in tune with hers. Their most recent lovemaking had strengthened their bond, forged their energy together, making them both stronger.
A small grave had been dug where the rabbit died. His body was wrapped in fine cloth. It’s time. Triena paused.
He’s not far away, reminded Braklen.
I know. But that wasn’t the point. Taking a deep breath, Triena stepped forward. “He gave his life for change.”
Her voice echoed softly. She couldn’t feel Arkina’s energy anymore, or Pernally’s or Priest Junqi’s. Their task completed, they’d gone. They’d left her. Their essences retuned in the Energy Field where they belonged. “He was more than a rabbit. He protected me, us, so that the Energy would be available for all.”
She raised her hands. The words came easily. “His grave will mark the change, a remembrance of how suppressed our lives will be if we ever think to manipulate the Energy again. Animals don’t need to be used this way. From this day forward, it is a punishable offense to use animals, or animal parts in any form of Energy reading.”
She knelt down. Her hand dug into the pile of earth by his grave. She sprinkled the handful of dirt over the rabbit’s body. “The skill is within us. It’s what he showed through his death, uniting those from both sides who are willing to go forward into the future with a new ideal, a new way of living with the Energy.”
Flower Queen (Flower Readings Book 3) Page 20
