Black Crown

by Kelly St Clare

  I tuned into my duo powers. The last three days, I’d done my best to keep the Phaetyn veil and Drae shield up as much as possible while awake. By the time I went to bed, I’d crash, but I was better at maintaining both simultaneously.

  I expanded the moss-green veil to cover the tree and tried to converse with it again. “Nope.”

  Was Lani wrong about how this worked? Was she okay? Had something happened to the Phaetyn? We needed them, especially if Zakai’s numbers regarding Druman were correct. Good ole Pops had fathered a lot of mules, and we couldn’t take them Druman-to-human. Not without the Phaetyn’s help.

  “Maybe we should wait another day,” I said uneasily.

  Tyrrik’s smile disappeared, and he shook his head. “We can’t afford to put off our trip to Azule any longer. We have to get there before the army arrives to smooth the way, and every day we wait is another day for Draedyn to plan. We need to get those boats in the water and bring the human warriors back. Time is everything if we want to be on the offense in this war.”

  I sat down and scooted close to the trunk, the pine needles poking and scratching my legs and knees. I placed my hands on the trunk and then rested my head on the rough bark. “Tell me, tell me, tree of pine, tell me, tell me how to find . . . Lani?”

  Tyrrik snorted.

  “Not my best rhyme,” I grumbled. Desperation obviously didn’t make me brilliant. I closed my eyes, burning with fatigue, and felt my Drae shield slip as my energy sought Tyrrik’s. As soon as the shield around my mind fell, I caught an image of the Phaetyn army marching. “Whoa!”

  I straightened and grinned at Tyrrik. “Phaetyn powers and Drae powers don’t mix.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I’m fairly certain every Drae and Phaetyn know that, my love.”

  Shifting my butt on the gray stone, I glared up at him. “No, I mean they don’t mix, and I’m mixing them. Stay close by. I’m going to have to let my Drae shield down to talk to the trees.” I bit my lip as nerves twisted my stomach. I didn’t like the thought of dropping my Drae barrier, but Tyrrik was here.

  I relaxed the tendrils of my Drae power from where they’d been wrapped around my mind, letting them crawl and wind with Tyrrik’s onyx energy. With a deep breath, I placed my hands back onto the rigid bark of the tall evergreen.

  Hundreds of Phaetyn were marching through the Gemond mountains with Queen Lani, their expressions concentrated and serious as if they each understood the task they’d chosen to undertake.

  The tightness in my chest unfurled and I sighed, my shoulders relaxing. I had no idea if the Phaetyn had passed this way or were yet to come, but the healers from Zivost were, in fact, coming to join us.

  I withdrew my hands, and my skin brushed the pine needles closer to the surface. A new vision filled my mind’s eye.

  This tree, this copse of trees swayed in the wind. The Phaetyn passed by, and there near the edge of the trees, stalks of tiny pale bluish-purple flowers sprouted through the rocks.

  I blinked, and my vision cleared. I glanced over the cliff edge at the flowers and then met Tyrrik’s gaze with a grin of triumph.

  “How long ago?”

  “Not long.” I pointed at the cluster of blooms swaying in the breeze. “Those flowers were fresh in the tree’s vision, just like they are today. I don’t know how long these bloom for, but they looked the same.”

  “Leave your Drae shield down while we fly and only your Phaetyn veil up. Maybe then you’ll see her gold power.”

  “Stay close,” I said, knowing he would understand my nervousness. There was no way I wanted to lead my father to the Phaetyn.

  21

  The mountains blurred beneath us, but just like the trees had said, eventually on the horizon ahead, I saw shimmering gold.

  There it is. I sent Tyrrik an image so he could see the Phaetyn power himself. I was counting on my ancestral power to get us both through Lani’s barrier while in our Drae form.

  We descended and landed just inside Lani’s golden ancestral veil without a hitch. Five Phaetyn froze, their mouths gaping as they stared at the two Drae in their midst.

  Could be worse, I decided, considering we were their natural enemy.

  One of them crumpled to the ground, and I frowned. Maybe that Phaetyn was prone to fainting attacks?

  Tyrrik and I shifted back to our other forms, and three of the remaining group of Phaetyn screamed and ran. I sighed. The Phaetyn were definitely terrified of us after Draedyn’s attack and my role in handing Kamini over.

  One stood rooted in place, blinking, trembling, his fists clenched to his sides.

  “That’s your fault,” I said to Tyrrik. They probably think you’re the emperor. I waved at the single Phaetyn and said, “Hey there, friend. Is Lani around?”

  His shoulders relaxed, and he closed his eyes. “You”—his voice trembled as he spoke, but he held my gaze—“sh-shouldn’t b-be allowed t-t-to d-d-do that.”

  Tyrrik slid his arm around my waist, and his irritation flashed through me before he spoke. “I always believed the Phaetyn would have incredible distinction for color. The idea that they can confuse black and emerald green makes me question their intelligence.”

  I snickered to let the Phaetyn know Tyrrik was joking, or rather he should’ve been joking. We both knew the Phaetyn were necessary even if there was no love lost between our races. Plus, as long as they could tell the difference between an injured person and not, I was happy.

  “If you can’t help, friend, that’s al’right,” I said to the guy.

  Why do you keep saying friend, my love?

  Shh, it’s working.

  We both turned toward the sweating and shaking Phaetyn.

  See? Looking away from the terrified man, I squeezed Tyrrik’s waist and, tilting my head toward the crowd, said, “Let’s go and find Lani.”

  We didn’t have to in the end. Lani marched through her people, silver robes billowing behind her.

  “What took you so long?” she asked when she stood directly in front of me. “I expected you days ago.”

  I stepped away from Tyrrik to draw the Phaetyn queen in for a tight hug. “I was getting worried too.”

  Pulling back to look her in the eyes, I noticed a tightness around her lavender orbs. “There have been some developments. Let’s fly far enough away so we can talk.”

  “I can’t,” she said with a tilt of her head at her people, her hand immediately going to her head to keep her silver crown in place. “I’m just now starting to feel confident in the trust I’m striving to build with my people. If I leave now, it will derail all my efforts.”

  She grimaced, and I felt a twinge of pity for her. A big twinge, actually, because her people could be really vicious. Healers . . . and brutal murderers. Oxymorons, the lot of them.

  As if reading my mind, the queen said, “I need their trust, and so do you.”

  Ouch.

  That trust isn’t going to last if they find out Draedyn is invading your mind, Tyrrik said.

  He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know. I shook my head, trying to convey to her how weighty said development was. “It’s my secret.”

  A breeze lifted her hair and ruffled everyone’s aketons and robes. The air caressed my skin, and Lani offered me a sad smile.

  “Ryn, what happened back in the forest with your father wasn’t your fault, but I know you understand the consequences of being forced to hand my sister over, unfair or not. If you want to earn their trust after what they saw, you’re going to have to be vulnerable enough to earn it. They’re uncomfortable, and you’ll have to show them they can trust you if you want to change their perception.”

  I simultaneously saw her point and didn’t. Deep down I resented the assumption that because of my power, I was expected to do more than everyone around me. Yet again, I was being asked to give another piece of myself away. Even knowing she had a valid point, I didn’t like it. And yet, I’d already given away so much. Why stop now? I heaved a sigh. “F
ine. Do you want to erect a platform so I can announce it to all of them? Then I only have to do this once.”

  Lani crossed her arms over her chest and snapped, “Grow up. You’ve been a victim. Don’t let it define you.”

  “Hold up,” I retorted. “Did you even think about what you’re asking me to do, Lani? Would you like a whole race of people to know the ins and outs of your power?” I challenged. “Would you be willing to detail all of your strengths and weaknesses not only to King Calvetyn but all of Verald?”

  We glared at one another, and she finally broke the stare-down. Waving at someone in her entourage, she said, “Makau, help Osofi.” She pointed at the Phaetyn who had fainted and then at me and Tyrrik. “Let’s confer with my counsel then.”

  Lani led us toward a blue canvas pavilion, much like the one King Zakai had used for his council meetings. Maybe there was a handbook for new rulers or something in their genetics that drove them to have these canvas structures created with their ascension to the throne, or maybe they were passed down from ruler to ruler. Stupid canvas tent of doom. I showed my massive maturity level by not saying anything . . . out loud.

  I hate them too. I had to shift in one once, and the tent lines got tangled in my talons.

  The visual cheered me up as he’d intended no doubt. Thanks for that, I said, snuggling closer. You’re the bestest.

  Mmm-hmm. I know. His jaw hardened as we drew closer to the pavilion.

  Kamoi’s guard, now wearing aketons the color of the mountain stone, stood around the tent, spears in hand. Most kept their attention fixed outward, but my gaze collided with a couple of the men, and their eyes narrowed. One guard tightened his grip on his weapon in a way that didn’t seem to scream welcome.

  “They’re not going to try and attack, right?” I asked. Not that anything they did could harm me, but I wasn’t going to be forgiving if I had to burn gold Phaetyn blood out of Tyrrik again. Ever. Or if they upset Lani’s trust plans. I rolled my eyes at the thought, realizing I was upsetting her trust plans.

  “My guards are loyal, and they are well aware of who the enemy is, Ryn,” Lani said. “You have nothing to fear.”

  Right. Their distrust rolled off them in waves. Not that I could blame them after recent events, but still. Stay on your toes.

  Already on them, he replied, stepping forward to hold the tent flap open for me. I can count on a single talon the number of people I trust.

  After what had happened with Dyter, I was kind of feeling the same. I knew the old coot would do anything for me, but Tyrrik would cease to breathe without me. That took the trust thing to a whole new level.

  The light was muted inside the canvas structure, but the temperature was warmer. Ten Phaetyn sat cross-legged on folded blankets, obviously awaiting our arrival. Three more cushioned seats made of pale silvery-blue fabric were unoccupied.

  I settled on my cushion, and Lani took the one beside me.

  Tyrrik stared at the remaining cushion and rumbled. “I’ll stand behind my mate.”

  I felt his flash of irritation and glanced behind at him. His eyes had flooded black, but he was making an active effort to not partially shift and intimidate them. I understood his vigilance and distrust. Some of these Phaetyn might’ve been in collusion with the ones who’d been poisoning him while they sliced him to ribbons.

  I studied each silver-haired member of her cabinet. Most of their faces were unfamiliar, and unsurprisingly, most frowned at my attention before looking away. I recognized the nice older man I’d met that could do water magic as well as the antagonistic Ertha. How had she gotten in here? I turned my attention to the older man, racking my brain for his name, and asked, “Fabir, wasn’t it?”

  His smile lit his eyes, and he nodded. “Beautiful child, it is nice to see you again.”

  Someone grumbled, probably Ertha although it could’ve been any of them. I seriously didn’t like her; something about the way she’d called me an abomination just didn’t sit right.

  Probably because it was an insult, my love.

  I snorted silently at Tyrrik but kept my gaze on the serene Fabir. “You too. I’m glad you’re on the council. I’m sure your wisdom will shed a lot of great perspective.”

  What I wanted to say, but couldn’t without for-sure offending the lot of them, was: they’d better get their heads out of their butts if they wanted to win this war and be part of this realm. But I bit my tongue. Maturity at its finest.

  “You all remember Ryn and Tyrrik. The Gemond army is—” She looked at me expectantly with a wave of her hand.

  I blinked, and before I could formulate my response, Tyrrik spoke. “Just over the next ridge. One day if you march quickly, two if you dawdle.”

  Lani pursed her lips, probably at Tyrrik’s lack of diplomacy. Clearly by his tone, he’d expected them to have caught up to the Gemondian army by now.

  Lani continued to stare at me and then asked, “And what of these new developments?”

  “A small convoy from each kingdom will leave in the morning for Azule. We hope to ascertain the mood of the people and find out if their ruler will join our side in the war. We need boats to bring the men back from the emperor’s war, and Azule has boats.”

  “And?” Lani asked, raising her eyebrows.

  You don't have to tell her.

  The Phaetyn may decide to upset Lani’s rule, but it wouldn’t come from me. Anyway . . . If any of the Phaetyn find out, and we didn’t tell them, we’ll lose their trust. Possibly forever.

  Not sure that matters to me.

  It does; you just don’t want to admit it. We need them. You know we do. “Draedyn invaded my mind again, a few nights ago.”

  Several Phaetyn gasped, and I raised my voice and rushed through the rest of my explanation. “Tyrrik blasted him out within seconds. He hasn’t gotten through since, but we wanted you to know. Full transparency in the alliance and all.”

  “How do you know you’re keeping him out? How do you know if he’s even tried again?” Lani shot back. I knew she was just showing the others here that she was responsible, and so I didn’t take offense.

  I shrugged. “I’ve given you the only assurance I can. We know Tyrrik can blast Draedyn out if he gets in. Tyrrik can sense when he’s in my mind too. What you decide to do now is up to you.” I held Lani’s gaze and said, “You wanted me to be vulnerable, so I was. Draedyn is getting into my mind, and I hate it as much as you do, more because it’s happening to me.”

  I shifted on my cushion and forced myself to look at each of the other eleven Phaetyn in the circle. “I’ll not have you accuse me of deliberately hiding something from you. I know I’ve caused problems, but any harm was unintentional. None of us are perfect. At least, I’ve never pretended to be. I’ve also done a heck of a lot to help your race in recent weeks,” I said, pointing at Lani. “Don’t forget that.”

  Fabir nodded. “Well said, young one.”

  I really liked that guy. Tyrrik growled, but I ignored him. He wasn’t really jealous, and we both knew it. Fabir was, like, ancient.

  Probably hundreds and hundreds of years old, Tyrrik thought to me. Always one to help me stay the course of monogamy.

  “How long before you leave?” Lani asked. “We will confer on who to send with you.”

  The sun would set in less than two hours, and it would take us close to that long to get back. Assuming we pushed hard.

  “We’ll fly out in five minutes,” I said, standing. Several of the council grumbled, but there was nothing I could do about it. “Sorry, Lani, even that is cutting sunset close.”

  I took Tyrrik’s hand, and we edged out of the tent. “Let’s go make some nectar while we wait.”

  A young Phaetyn fetched us two full canteens, and we drank our fill after doing our Drae-mojo for each other.

  Lani soon emerged from the discussion tent, her people filing out behind her.

  She smiled when she saw Tyrrik talking to the young Phaetyn who had fetched the canteens.

&n
bsp; “You’ll take him,” she said aside to me. “Tiago is my best guard.”

  I raised my eyebrows, not sure that I believed a sixteen- or-seventeen-year-old would be the best. I was an anomaly, wise beyond my years.

  “He’s eighty-five,” she said flatly, somehow guessing my thought process. “And he has a great mind.”

  Turning toward Tiago, I studied the Phaetyn. “I’m sure it’s a nice perk that he’s easy on the eyes. You know he’s like, thirty years older than you, right?”

  She snorted. “You’re one to talk with a Drae mate watching over you who always wears tight-fitting black and growls when old men pay you compliments.”

  True. “Al’right. Let me know if you need a sex talk,” I said, doing my best to keep a straight face. “If he’s your best guard, you want to keep that relationship healthy.”

  She snorted and shoved me lightly. “If I speak to every other person in this realm and I’m still confused, I might consider asking you.”

  “You’d reconsider if you knew how good I was at playing cards. I’ve got maypole dancing skills.”

  She fought against a grin and lost.

  “But seriously, please look after yourself, Lani,” I said to her as Tyrrik wrapped up his conversation.

  Lani rested a hand on my forearm. “You know I will. And you can rest easy knowing I’ll keep the Gemondians safe in your stead. You worry about Azule. I’ll handle protecting the army until we meet again.”

  22

  Our scouting party was enroute, and good things were coming. I wasn’t sure if the feelings were mine or Tyrrik’s or both, but the prospect of uniting the three kingdoms and Phaetyn against Draedyn was a monumental step in the end of his rule. I was certain that if—no, when—Azule joined us, we would have enough strength to end his tyranny.

  Have you been to Azule before? The sparkling water appeared turquoise today, and I wanted to soar closer to the liquid gem. Or maybe I was getting some serious treasure withdrawals after Gemond.

  No. Irdelron didn’t allow much vacation time. His flippant tone and words indicated he was kidding, but memories surfaced through our bond as Tyrrik struggled to block the horrific visions of torture and cruelty from me. His next words were somber. He ruled with fear.