The Golden Symbol (Kilenya Series Book 6)

by Andrea Pearson

  He grabbed Sweet Pea as the Makalo passed. “Have you seen Aloren?”

  The Makalo shrugged. “A few minutes ago, she was with Kevin by the shed we took apart. You might start there.”

  Jacob knew which shed Sweet Pea was talking about—they’d used its door to Key the Lorkon away a couple of months ago. But why was Aloren with Kevin? His heart did a somersault. Were they getting back together?

  He couldn’t stand it—he had to go find them. His hands started sweating as he circled the house. He bit his lips, trying not to let his thoughts go out of control. She wouldn’t get back with Kevin. She couldn’t.

  The shed came into view.

  There they were—standing by each other. Not right next to each other, but Jacob still wished they were farther apart. He almost laughed at himself and his silliness—at least they weren’t holding hands or looking at each other like lovesick doves.

  “Jacob!” Aloren said. Without a glance at Kevin, she dashed across the yard and threw her arms around him.

  Whoa. He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as he hugged her back. She really did like him!

  Kevin half waved, then walked out of sight around the side of the house.

  “What were you and Kevin—”

  “Just making sure things are good between us. Oh, and he wants to ask Tani out. Wanted to see if you’d be okay with that . . . I told him I thought it would be . . .?” She looked up at him, the question in her eyes. “It is okay, right? You wouldn’t be disappointed or jealous?”

  Jacob looked into her eyes. “Tell him he’s totally fine—my heart belongs somewhere else.”

  “Oh?” Aloren’s gaze flicked down, then back to his. “Where?”

  Jacob couldn’t help smiling at that. She was flirting with him! “I think you already know.”

  She swatted his shoulder. “I want to hear you say it.”

  He ducked his head, wanting to do what she asked, but saying those words was so hard! And he didn’t know why. Curse his shyness! “Aloren, I’ve liked you since . . . well, almost since the first time I talked to you.”

  “Almost?” She scoffed.

  “Yeah. I mean, you did treat me pretty rotten for a while there.”

  “Whatever!” She smacked him again. “You treated me badly!”

  She laughed and Jacob joined her—he couldn’t believe how good it felt to laugh. And especially with the girl he’d liked for nearly a year.

  Finally.

  Chapter Twenty-three: Renforth’s Palace

  Renforth’s throne room didn’t seem nearly so big now that most of Jacob’s friends from Eklaron were in it.

  Jacob stood by his father and mother, with Keitus in chains kneeling in front of them. Renforth still hadn’t acknowledged their presence, but Jacob didn’t mind the wait. The former Lorkon was about to be permanently taken off his hands.

  Last night and all of today had been long—Jacob and every other able-bodied person had combed the forest, looking for survivors. Those who fought for Keitus had been offered the chance to join Dmitri. If they did, great. If they didn’t, Jacob had Keyed them to August Fortress, where the Argots would keep them contained.

  Dad said that in a couple of months, they’d check again to see if anyone wanted to switch loyalties after being stuck there. With Jacob’s talents, they’d know whether the people were sincere or not.

  Of the humans, every adult Jacob knew, apart from Mom, Aldo, and the Fat Lady, had been injured, though none as seriously as Gallus. He was still sleeping off the potion the Fat Lady had injected into his Lorkon wounds. As soon as he was healthy again, he’d be heading up a group to go to Tadrys to get the sick people there.

  Jacob wished he could be there, in Tadrys, to see the expression on that nurse’s face—Lish—when Gallus and Onaly kept their promise. Based on her personality, she would definitely remember and would be waiting, stern and strict. He hoped not too many had died in the meantime.

  Even Dad was covered in bandages. But his arm was tight around Mom’s shoulders and his other hand held Amberly’s.

  Jacob sighed. Mom and Amberly were safe.

  Mom told them all about Keitus’s frightening visit to the manor—she and Amberly had been at a window, Mom trying to keep Amberly from getting bored by pointing out the different kinds of trees, when the Lorkon had approached.

  They ran into Queen Ara Liese’s old room and hid under the bed for several hours while waiting for the manor to empty. Keitus had stationed a guard to watch over the Lorkon potion, but sometime during his watch, the man left—presumably when the horn was blown and his fellow soldiers needed help. Mom and Amberly had again been free to roam the house. They chose to stay hidden under that bed as much as possible, though, which is why Jacob hadn’t seen them.

  He leaned against Mom’s shoulder, still feeling the emotions of nearly losing her and then finding her again. He couldn’t believe how close he’d come to not having a mother. He didn’t want to—wouldn’t—allow himself to imagine life without her.

  Jacob exhaled slowly. He felt Aloren’s hand on his back and smiled, wanting to turn around and hug her. Dad and Mom wouldn’t approve, though. Not here, in Renforth’s palace. The Shiengol might have been stuffing his face, but Jacob knew he was probably watching his visitors closely.

  After Renforth finished eating a huge slice of what looked like some sort of pastry or pie, he finally called for Keitus to step forward.

  Dad and Jacob lifted Keitus by the arms—the old man was so skinny, Jacob barely felt like he was holding anything—and set him in front of Renforth.

  Azuriah stepped beside them. “Renforth, I present to you Keitus, formerly Ramantus, king of Troosinal.”

  Without even looking at Keitus, Renforth turned to a woman. “Bring the girl.”

  It seemed Onaly was waiting just outside the throne room. She dashed through one of the many openings and ran straight to Hayla, her mother. They held each other, crying, oblivious to the many eyes on them.

  Renforth leaned forward in his throne, peering at Keitus. “This? This is the mighty Lorkon king?” He laughed loud and deep, the sound echoing along the massive granite and marble walls.

  His laughter finally died off and he continued staring at Keitus. Keitus glared back, but didn’t say anything. The colors that swirled in the air around them showed that Keitus was angry and determined, while Renforth was merely amused and bored.

  And apparently, Renforth didn’t care how determined Keitus was because he sat back in his chair, wiped his face with a napkin, then threw the napkin at Keitus’s feet.

  “He’s not worth my time. Not even a fraction of my time!” Renforth chuckled. Then, with a flourish, he stood from his throne, pushing his robes aside. “You’re welcome to leave now,” he said to his visitors. “I have other matters to attend to.”

  “What about Keitus?” Dad asked.

  Renforth shrugged. “The deal is that he stays and I do with him as I see fit, correct?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Good.”

  Renforth nodded to a man in the corner, then left.

  Jacob and Dad met eyes. What was that all about?

  But then the man nocked an arrow to his bow and raised it, pointing at Keitus. He released the string.

  Jacob shut his eyes. He’d seen enough death over the past few days and didn’t need more memories. But he knew the arrow hit its mark when the room erupted into cheers.

  Keitus—Ramantus—would never again have the opportunity to lie, steal, or murder his way to positions of power.

  The Lorkon king was finally dead.

  Chapter Twenty-four: An Important Event

  Jacob smoothed the dark blue suit Mom had insisted he wear, inspecting himself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror in his new room in the castle. The suit was one of Dad’s royal suits and the silk fabric was covered with gold decorations. He couldn’t wait until Aloren saw it.

  In half an hour, Dad would be crowned king. Jacob’s hea
rt fluttered, just thinking about it. So weird. And awesome.

  Speaking of awesome, it had been really cool to see the changes in Maivoryl City.

  Surprisingly enough, Eachan and Myler had started those changes. That had been a shock to everyone. When Jacob and his family arrived, the city was already being populated with normal people.

  Apparently, Eachan had gone to Troosinal to recruit for his—and their—new king. He’d returned with over two hundred men, women, and children. And he had really gone all out with his goal to prepare the city.

  Huge, ornate gold-and-green flags hung all along the streets. Eachan made sure they were replicas of the ones that had been there before. Flowers had been planted. Grass cut. Windows replaced. Broken doors mended.

  Mom cried when she, Dad, and Jacob walked the streets, following Eachan as he showed them everything he and Myler had done. Jacob knew she greatly missed her parents and that the city reminded her of them, but he also knew her tears were tears of joy.

  All Eachan asked for in return was to work for the king—the true king of Gevkan. Dad accepted him at once by making him head butler. The grin on Eachan’s face was enough to show he hadn’t expected that much forgiveness.

  Myler just wanted to be left alone so he could start a new life.

  Jacob picked up his shoes and sat on the bench at the foot of his bed, still thinking over the events of the past couple of weeks. Someone knocked on his door, jolting him from his thoughts, and he jogged across the huge room to open it up, untied shoelaces flapping. It was Matt.

  “So, Your Highness,” Matt said, strolling into the room. “Are you going to wear a crown from now on?”

  Jacob rolled his eyes. “Only when Mom and Dad make me.”

  “What about when school starts?” Matt snorted. “I could totally see you bringing one there, you know.”

  Jacob punched his older brother in the shoulder. “Whatever. I already get plenty of attention. I don’t need a crown to get me more.” He snickered. “But if you ever need it, I’d be happy to let you borrow it.”

  Matt flopped onto Jacob’s four-poster bed. “Whatever.”

  Someone else knocked on the door, and without waiting for an answer, they walked in. It was Sweet Pea and Akeno.

  Matt laughed when he saw Akeno. “You’re wearing your top hat again? Why?”

  Akeno sniffed, pretending to be offended. “A coronation is the perfect event for a top hat. And I think you’re jealous that you can’t pull it off yourself.”

  “Ha. No, I’m not.”

  Akeno didn’t respond. He approached Jacob and handed him a pin. “From my mom—she says to put it on your sleeve below your right shoulder.”

  Sweet Pea snickered. “I think she wants you to look more important or something. Because being the son of the king obviously isn’t important enough.”

  Akeno shook his head. “No, it’s a token of our gratitude. For everything you’ve done to help the Makalos.”

  Jacob added the pin to the collection already on his suit. “Tell her thanks.”

  Akeno grinned. “I will.” The colors for happiness and peace surrounded him, and Jacob released a deep breath in relief—he’d been worried about his friend. Akeno had been so upset about the huge number of people he’d had to kill. He couldn’t even enter the forest near Mendon without getting emotional. But Jacob had witnessed a change in his friend over the last few days as he looked forward to going with his parents to get the new Makalos. The sadness left, replaced with excitement and joy.

  Jacob put his hand on Akeno’s shoulder. “I owe you thanks. For everything. You’re the greatest hero I know—and I’m serious.”

  Akeno blushed and looked at his feet. But the colors in the air around him showed he was pleased with the compliment.

  Sweet Pea stood in front of the mirror. “This thing is broken—it makes me look shorter than I am.”

  Matt leaned up on the bed. “You’re just gonna have to get over it. You’ll never be as tall as me.”

  Sweet Pea glared at Matt through the mirror. “At least I can grow a full beard.”

  “Ouch. That was low.” Matt rubbed his cheeks, frowning. Then he laughed, joined by Sweet Pea, and flopped back on the bed again. He pulled a ball from his pocket and tried to throw it through the hole in the stone ceiling.

  Jacob grinned. He’d insisted on having this room—he’d made that hole a year ago while trying to get away from the Lorkon. It led to a closet where he and Akeno had been trapped until Jacob found a way out.

  Now he had to keep the closet locked. Matt had already once dumped water through the hole in the middle of the night while Jacob was sleeping. What a fun way to wake up.

  “We’d better get going,” Akeno said.

  Sweet Pea turned from flexing his arms in the mirror. “Yeah—Ebony said something about us getting murdered if we were late.”

  “And you have to take her seriously,” Jacob said. “She wouldn’t joke about that.”

  The Makalos chuckled and left the room, closing the door behind them.

  Matt started bouncing the ball off the ceiling. “That was a pretty intense argument between Dad and Azuriah, wasn’t it?”

  Jacob sat back on his bench and finished tying his shoes. “I can’t believe you’re still talking about that. It happened two weeks ago.”

  “But it was cool!”

  “What I saw of it, yeah. I didn’t hear the whole thing, and honestly, I still have no clue what they argued about.” Jacob had spent most of his time ignoring Matt after the water-through-the-ceiling incident.

  Matt jumped up on the bed, his eyes glinting with excitement. “First, Azuriah is burning all of the infected forests. That got Dad mad until Akeno told him the trees couldn’t be healed. So Azuriah won that fight. And he won the next one, too, which can’t be good for Dad’s ego.”

  “What was the next fight?”

  Matt’s eyes gleamed. “The stone waterfall is going to be—”

  “Turned into an arch?”

  “Yeah! How’d you know?”

  “Azuriah told me a while ago.”

  Matt pocketed the ball and sat next to Jacob on the bench. A sly grin crossed his face and he elbowed Jacob. “How are you and Aloren doing?”

  Jacob felt his cheeks redden. “Fine. We don’t really do a lot together—trying not to break any family rules. But she’s positive she’ll still like me when I turn sixteen next year.”

  Matt chuckled. “By the way she looks at you, she’ll like you after a hundred years.”

  Jacob ignored his brother’s comment and pulled out his watch, checking the time. “Crap. The coronation starts in five minutes. We gotta go.”

  They jumped up and dashed through the door, veering right, heading toward the throne room. Jacob barely noticed the gleaming walls as he and Matt raced past them. Keitus’s anti-Shiengol potion was gone now, and so were all the stuffy old curtains. The inside of the castle had been scrubbed top to bottom, and light shone in through hundreds of windows that had been covered for years.

  “There you are!” the Fat Lady said, huffing her way toward them. “Your mother sent me to find you. You’re supposed to be in place right now.”

  She turned and led them down a couple of staircases and halls and into what used to be a very dingy room—the same one where Jacob had found the Key of Kilenya. Now that all the curtains were gone, he’d been surprised to see how majestic it was. Lined with pillars and stained-glass windows, it was the best-looking place in the castle.

  Jacob and Matt took their seats on the front row. Jacob waved at Mom, who shook her head at him, smiling. She wasn’t too upset about them arriving late, thank goodness. She and Dad held hands, sitting on chairs that faced the audience.

  Moments later, Aldo stepped in front of everyone, and the chatter and whispering died down. His voice echoed through the large room as he directed the ceremony, which ended up being pretty much what Jacob expected—long and boring.

  After Mom and Dad had
been crowned, the audience jumped to its feet, applauding, cheering, several people even crying.

  Jacob’s heart swelled as he looked around him at his friends and loved ones. Aloren took one of his hands and Amberly the other. Akeno saw him watching and waved. Kenji was clapping. Ebony was crying, and so was the Fat Lady. Matt and Sweet Pea were snickering about something, and Jacob was pretty sure neither had paid attention. Gallus had his arms around his wife, who was sobbing into his shoulder.

  Jacob knew the tears being shed weren’t tears of sadness. In fact, he was nearly blinded by the colors that flowed around him.

  Joy. Peace. Happiness.

  Epilogue

  Jacob tossed the ball through the net right as the buzzer sounded. He spun, watching the numbers on the board go from 82 – 82 to 82 – 84. Cheers erupted around him. His teammates flooded the gym floor, running to his side. Jacob couldn’t hear anything anyone said, but he high-fived everyone, laughing, being jostled around as the group pounded into each other, trying to get closer to their star.

  The final game of his high school basketball career should have been difficult, especially since there were officials from colleges in attendance, wanting to watch him play. But it ended up being the best game ever, and definitely the most rewarding.

  After what he’d gone through to get rid of Keitus, anything would be easy.

  A moment later, a hand entered his own and he looked over to see Aloren smiling at him. He pulled her away from everyone, picked her up, and spun around, then planted a kiss squarely on her lips.

  He didn’t release her, even when she started squirming. She pushed back, laughing, and he set her down. The moment her feet hit the floor, she gently pushed him, nearly knocking him into Kevin and Tani. Jacob avoided looking at his best friend—even though they hung out all the time at the house in Mendon, it was still weird that she and Kevin had hooked up. So weird.

  Someone tapped Jacob on the shoulder and he turned. Two men, one in a suit, the other in jeans and a polo shirt, wanted to talk to him.