Felling Kingdoms (Book 5)

by Jenna Van Vleet

  Shaun held it up and narrowed his rotating pattern around it. He frowned, not yet willing to touch it. “What does it do?”

  “I don’t know. It won’t work for me, but since you are of Maxine’s bloodline, I thought it would work for you.”

  Shaun carefully touched it again and gave a shudder. “T’ere’s so much energy inside. It’s seethin’ wit’ it.”

  “Can you use it?”

  Shaun bit his lip and fueled a pattern with no result. He tried laying it through the medallion which made him jump in shock. “T’at one worked. I’ve heard of t’ese, but I don’t remember t’ story.”

  “Each Arch Mage had one, and they were created to store the energy of murdered Mages. It can be used in battle when their own energy ran out.”

  Shaun held it away from him. “Murdered Mages? I can’t use it, t’en.”

  “I know you have noble intentions, but I will ask much of you in the battle to come. I need you as strong as possible. Please keep it on you at all times. Try not to let anyone know you have it.”

  “As my Head Mage commands.” Shaun looped it around his neck reluctantly and tucked it under his shirt. “It tingles. What do I tell Mikelle?”

  “It is a piece of your heritage, no more.”

  He nodded. “T’is is a precious t’ing I take it.”

  “It is. I could bargain a great deal with it.”

  “I won’t waste it.”

  With a respectful bow of his head, Shaun left Gabriel to his notes. Morning waned into afternoon with few interruptions, but for Mikelle bringing lunch and Robyn stopping in for a kiss. Cordis tapped his familiar tune on the door, looking ever the Councilman. He was in a long green coat trimmed in black leather.

  “I was hoping to return to Kilkiny today and talk with Aisling’s parents.”

  “What about?”

  “I think they should know.”

  Gabriel glanced up. “About?”

  “You.”

  Gabriel leaned back and huffed. “I’ve wondered the same thing, truthfully.”

  “As far as they know, the Lamay line died with her.”

  Gabriel nodded, slowly standing and going to the hinge. He wanted to stay out of Anatoly as much as possible, to let them grieve and recuperate without his aid, but a friendly visit would still elevate the morale there.

  He pulled Cordis through, and they worked their way downstairs to the Lamay’s quarters. It was nearly as lavish as the Queen’s. Gabriel knocked, and a moment later a page admitted them to a tidy sitting room. The ageing Mages Karric and Ambryn sat reading.

  “Head Mage,” Karric said with a stern smile. “What an unexpected surprise.”

  “Oh, Head Mage, do have a seat,” Ambryn said as she set her book aside. “Page, bring tea. Cordis, you have been gone far too long.”

  Gabriel shot his father a grin as they sat down. “Forgive me for not returning sooner to pay you my deepest for your loss. We have been quite riled up in Jaden.”

  “No harm done,” Karric nodded sadly. “We all mourn in our own way.”

  “She is the reason I came. I wanted to discuss a few things with you.” Gabriel looked to his father, suddenly feeling like a child as he confronted a powerful force that did not like him. “Are you aware…that Aisling had an heir?”

  Ambryn huffed. “Do not be ludicrous, not my daughter.”

  Karric looked between his wife and Gabriel for a moment. “I suspected.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Ambryn gasped.

  “She wanted Urima Manor, dear.” Both of them fixed their gaze on Cordis who simply smiled. “I suspected it was for nefarious purposes.”

  “My daughter?” Ambryn breathed. “I did not raise her that way.”

  “No, but she was an adult and leader of two kingdoms,” Gabriel cut in.

  “I forgave her of her sins long ago, Head Mage. I was proud enough of her successes to overlook her failings,” Karric replied.

  Ambryn fixed a tight gaze on Cordis. “Who is the bastard then?”

  Cordis looked at his son.

  The room fell deathly quiet.

  “Bleeding stars,” Karric whispered.

  “Karric,” she snapped. “Watch your tongue.”

  Karric smiled. “My goodness, a Head Mage in my family, my—my goodness,” he stood and opened his arms. “Come to me, my boy.”

  Gabriel stood and embraced the shorter man. Karric slapped his back a few sturdy times, and a swell of acceptance rushed through him.

  “I see it now, the eyes,” Karric smiled and held him at arm’s length.

  “It seems fitting an heir should present itself so timely.”

  Gabriel looked down at the sour woman. “I do not want your lands or title of Lord. I just want to be part of a family, and I think you need it too.”

  She frowned. “I did always want a grandchild,” she said with a sad expression. “A little one, though, not a mountain.”

  “That is a compliment,” Karric whispered. “Lord Head Mage Gabriel.”

  Gabriel grimaced. “I do not need another title.”

  “It is yours in Aisling’s passing, as is Urima Manor, and eventually our other manors.”

  “See Cordis,” Ambryn cut in, “the Lenis line will be strong once more,” Ambryn cut in.

  “It will be strong because I have a wonderful son, not because of your estates.”

  The woman smirked and gave a nod of approval.

  “I wondered why you walked behind Aisling’s coffin,” Karric mused. “Does everyone know your lineage?”

  “Anyone who cares to know. It was revealed a few months passed and is no longer a secret.”

  “A Class Ten in my line,” Ambryn shook her head. “I am too old for this excitement. You are to marry the Queen, yes? That will stunt your bloodline.”

  Gabriel thinned his lips. “I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you,” he said quietly.

  “Lord Head Mage Gabriel, King of Arconia, Class Ten.” Karric beamed a yellowed grin and rocked back on his heels gleefully.

  Gabriel paid him a thankful expression. “Now, if you will forgive me, we must return to Castle Jaden.”

  “Do not stay away too long, my boy—er—Head Mage,” Karric said with a bow.

  They bade farewell and slipped out before his grandparents could convince them to stay for supper. Cordis breathed a sigh of relief. “That went better than I thought.”

  “I expected worse.”

  “Have…you ever worked out how you were born so powerful? A Class Ten born to two Class Fives is curious.”

  “I did, but I cannot explain it yet.” Gabriel thought back to the stalwart Arding, the Element of Fire, and the graceful Sofiya, the Element of Water. They had guided him carefully through his journey over the past year. He still waited to meet Spirit, Earth and Air.

  Cordis shrugged, used to Gabriel’s secrets.

  Robyn looked up as they entered the study, Coal in her lap.

  “Evening, Roby.”

  “Hello Cordis, how is my kingdom?”

  “Standing, blessedly.”

  “When can I return?”

  Gabriel tossed his hair out of his eyes. “Soon. I need to see how a few things play out first. Ryker will not be happy I killed his Arch Mage.”

  Chapter 27

  “How did he get free?” Ryker bellowed to his gathered Arch Mages. They stood before him uncomfortably. “He just appeared, ac Pike was no more! Tell me how he broke out of Glittering.”

  He turned his maddening gaze to Maxine, but she did not seem intimidated. “I believe Pike was still working out the details on Glittering.”

  “It was always weaker t’an t’ others,” Dorian offered.

  Maxine nodded. “Who says he did not break out of it?”

  Ryker shook his head and clicked his cheek.

  “Pike complained it was weak when he first made it,” Maxine reminded.

  “I want him dead. Dead. Ac I want it done yesterday.”

  “Bargain,�
�� Evony tittered.

  They looked at her. Ryker knew that despite her instability, she often had good ideas.

  “Bargain peace for his life.”

  Dorian snapped his fingers. “Tell him you will trade his life for t’ safety of Jaden.”

  “He will not agree,” Maxine interjected defensively, but Ryker was deep in his thoughts.

  “A trade par peace. I could agree ne to kill a single one of his Mages if he will surrender the Seat ac his life.”

  “You cannot vow t’at.” Dorian stated.

  Ryker patted Dorian’s shoulder and smiled.

  “He still will not agree.” Maxine said.

  “He will if you offer the Mages you have stolen as part of the bargain,” Nolen said from a corner of the room. He stepped closer. “The Mage has a tender spot for women, so throw them into the mix. You will not need them once you take over Castle Jaden anyway.”

  Ryker waggled a finger at him. “That’s thinking.”

  “He could stand against you if he truly tried,” Maxine inserted.

  “He cannot,” Dorian snapped. “He lacks experience.”

  “You are but two years older than he is.” Maxine hissed.

  “T’at’s two years more experience t’an he.” Dorian folded his arms haughtily.

  “When do we go?” Evony whispered, pressing her fingertips together in excitement.

  “Very soon, dear, I promise.”

  Robyn patted the spot beside her on the couch, and Gabriel sauntered into the sitting room. His arms wrapped around the back of his head as he stretched with a sigh.

  “What are you doing in here?” he asked.

  “Hiding.”

  “From whom? You know I can feel you move from my desk.”

  “I was hoping you would come find me.”

  He flopped into the couch, bouncing her goblet of wine. She reflexively balanced. “I have found you. Are you in distress and need saving?”

  “Oh, certainly. I am being held against my will by a man I cannot resist.”

  “How devastating,” he smiled. “I hear he hungers after young flesh.”

  “Gabriel!” she exclaimed and laughed. “Hold your tongue.”

  “I fear I have been too occupied today and have given you none of my time. I am yours for the rest of the evening if you will still have me.”

  She swirled her goblet instinctively, always creating Water energy around him. “You have been very closed-mouthed about your time with Nolen recently. I think you have not reached the end of your story.”

  He tapped the back of the couch. His posture was open to her with his arms wide, one leg bent on the cushions, a sign he was comfortable in her presence. She hoped he had finally forgiven her for abandoning him. “There is one thing…” he trailed off. “I…I’ve killed a lot of people.”

  “I know,” she said and put her hand on his bent leg. He stared at it for a while with a distracted expression she had seen Virgil take on when she touched him.

  “I once heard Aisling say there was too much blood in the dungeons when she finally entered, that it could not have come out of one person. She was right. There was a girl in the dungeons with me.”

  Robyn felt her lips part. This was news to her.

  “Nolen dragged her in early on to watch, thinking I would break if I knew someone could see how weak I had become. But it only made me stronger. After a while she began to fear for me, to support and encourage me. It angered Nolen, so he started to hurt her, saying if I broke or at least surrendered myself to him he would let her go.”

  He paused and looked away, biting his lip. She could not tell if his eyes glossed over or if he simply needed a moment to pull himself from the memory. He blinked rapidly, coming back to reality.

  “I couldn’t break. I couldn’t simply give over what I fought so hard to keep, and I couldn’t stop him, so I watched as he tortured this poor girl. I have tried to justify my actions a thousand times, but I did it for selfish reasons. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and I could not save her.”

  He extended his right hand and drew a line down the center. “After hours—days perhaps—I do not know, Nolen cut me and strapped a knife to my hand. He tied her down and bodily forced me to drive the knife into her.” He shut his eyes. “I will never get her screams out of my head. I tried to angle the knife to strike her vital organs, but Nolen kept readjusting it so it lasted for an hour. The longest hour of my life.

  “By the end, she died for nothing. He dragged her out, and I never heard what happened.” He stared at the couch between his thighs.

  Robyn touched him again with a sad gaze. Nothing she could say would ease his heart.

  “There is just one more thing,” he said slowly and she felt her insides tighten, waiting for the blow. But he stood. “Follow me.”

  She rose to her feet, following him to his bedchamber. He shucked off his coat and pulled his shirt over his head. He stooped to unbuckle his boots and unlaced the front of his trousers.

  She watched with rapt attention, keeping her quivering lips from grinning. He stripped, leaving her red in the face and wide eyed. She ran her gaze up and down him, having never seen so much at one time. The short pair of tight pants underneath his clothes did little to quell her racing imagination. He was much thinner after the stint in Glittering, but his muscles were far more pronounced and hard.

  “If you want to see what was done to me, there is no better way than to show you.”

  “Show me?” she gasped.

  He seized Void and spun his hands. “Every white mark you will see is a wound healed by Spirit.” He paused and fixed his white eyes on her. “Brace yourself.”

  She clasped her hands together and steeled her back as he clenched his fist. His body became white.

  Her mouth fell agape. Her eyes ran over him in shock. It seemed all of him was streaked in white, dissipating as it ran down his legs. She stepped closer to get a better look, seeing tiny white lines over his face running back into his hair, splitting his lips, chin, and nose. His neck was surrounded by a ring of white. His collar streaked with lines and jagged marks, and his shoulders cut with deep scars.

  She traced his chest, standing before him, and recognized the star-shaped wound that killed him. Some were perfectly round, others straight lines that a knife would leave if driven in. They traced down his stomach and hips. Some vanished under his pants and remerged down his thighs in broken lines.

  His fists bore defensive marks, and his wrists were encircled with deep white crescents. His left side bore a solid scar through-and-through, while his forearms and upper arms had wrapped coils of white mixed with lines of all different sizes. Robyn did not know whether to weep or embrace him as she traced the lines that wrapped around his thighs, the white marks on his knees, and the jagged marks down his calves.

  She circled him, but he raised a hand to stall. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded, steeling her emotions. “I want to know.”

  He lowered his hand, and she resumed her slow march. His entire back was a mass of white lines, crisscrossing and overlapping in a morbid collection of nets. The only place that was almost spared was the corded muscle in his lower back. It protected his spine, but even that was marred. The lines streaked over his shoulders and arms, around his sides and down his hips. She knew without asking that these were caused by whips.

  “How?” she breathed. “How did you endure it?”

  He looked back. “I had you to keep me strong.”

  Tears came to her eyes, and she covered her mouth.

  “Do you want to see more?”

  “More?” she gasped. “What more is there to see?” Her eyes went to the only remaining garment.

  “No, not there,” he smiled gently. “Deeper.”

  “To…your bones?” He nodded. “Very well.”

  He flicked his hand and suddenly his skin faded, giving way to the muscle beneath. She had skinned enough animals to know what lay beneath, but it w
as an entirely different thing to see through Gabriel. His muscles quickly gave way to his bone structure surrounded by his hazy body. She marveled at a moving skeleton.

  His white bones were sporadically marred with even brighter white, and she stepped closer to inspect the healed damage. There were lines all over his face, his collarbones, down both forearms, and the left wrist cut from him. His ribs were littered with lines, but his spine and pelvis were left unaffected. Down his legs were several healed breaks, and his knees bore the brunt of numerous falls. Even his fingers and toes had mended breaks.

  She looked up to his face to see the tracing white lines, but he released Void. His coloring came back in a blink.

  She opened her mouth to express her sadness, but fell into his chest soundlessly. He tucked her in tightly and said nothing as she composed herself.

  “You know everything now. You are bearing it well.”

  “There is nothing left?”

  “Nothing of consequence.”

  “I do not think I can take any more.”

  He smiled understandingly and reached for his trousers.

  “No, I can take more of this,” she said evenly.

  “One of us can’t,” he smiled and laced them tightly.

  Coal sauntered in and sat beside Gabriel. He gave Robyn a possessive look, and began to clean himself.

  “Thank you for showing me,” she said sincerely. “I feel like I can finally understand you.”

  “Oh, yes, because men are complicated.” He grabbed his shirt.

  “You can just leave that on the floor,” she whispered.

  He snickered and pulled it on anyway. “Did you plan to stay here, or are you going to bed early?”

  “Oh, after a day of saying farewell to Aisling, I do not think I could stay up. I have shed too many tears. Tomorrow though.”

  He nodded and buckled his boots.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “I want to go for a walk to clear my thoughts, and I’ve never seen the coast.”

  “If you go just south of Port Nassa, it is relatively quiet. But be careful. There are four Arch Mages who want your head.”

  “I will,” he smiled and leaned down to kiss her.

  His hair and eyes became white, and with a wink he vanished.