The moment his mind formed the thought, his magic reacted, and Dragomis convulsed, his whole body shaking: eyes rolled back, his arms and legs twitching. Akoni's hand was still wrapped around Dragomis's throat, the path through which the magic travelled.
"Akoni!" Ignacio screamed. He took hold of Akoni's arms, trying to get him to release his hold. "You must stop this. Remember who you are. You're better than this."
Ignacio's words reached Akoni as if from far away. They only slowly sank into his brain. As if a veil had lifted, he saw himself holding Dragomis's throat. Shocked, he let go, taking a few steps back. The moment the connection severed, the convulsing stopped and Dragomis collapsed onto the floor, too weakened to stand on his own. Akoni continued to stare for a moment, then he turned and fled the room.
Hurried steps brought Akoni to the temple for exclusive use by his family. He'd be undisturbed within, even without exact orders to his guards. The door closed heavily and left him surrounded by the sounds of nature. The rippling of a stream, birds singing, the rustling of leaves in the wind. A sense of calm overcame Akoni, and he breathed in deeply, relishing the sensation.
The imposing statues of Gaia and Tempesta stood to either side of him. He turned towards Gaia and sank down on his knees, bowing his head to her.
"My lady, I am your servant. But this cannot be what you desire for us. How can I lead the people with this curse plaguing me? I did not want to hurt him, not truly. I'm losing myself. I beg you, help me, guide me."
He remained still, waiting, hoping. In the silence he felt his magic, still burning within him, angry at being denied its claim. But for now, he'd regained control of it and was able to contain it. As he listened to it, he could tell something was different. Like an edge which had been taken off. Did using magic make a difference?
Stretching out his hand, he looked at his palm. In council, he'd thought, and it had happened. Could he repeat it? He closed his eyes and tried to remember what had happened last time.
A tickling sensation on his arm had him opening his eyes. There, sitting on his forearm, sat a blue butterfly, flapping its wings. Without conscious thought, he turned his hand so the back faced upwards. The butterfly moved, walking onto a finger. Akoni stared.
"You were here when I beat my father. I remember." The memory reappeared, his father staggering after being beaten, Jeffrey with his hand on Akoni's shoulder, blue butterflies all around them. "Are you trying to tell me something?" He shook his head. "If you are, I don't understand."
He spent a long time in the temple sanctuary. On returning to his quarters, Akoni found Ignacio sitting waiting for him.
"Ako, are you all right? Where have you been? I was so worried." Ignacio rose and came forward.
"Nace." Akoni smiled and grasped both of his friend's arms. "I'm fine, handsome." He kissed him on the cheek. "More importantly, how is Dragomis?"
"In shock, hurt, annoyed, angry, it goes on. But he'll live. I'd say he'll also be more careful around you in future." He paused and gave Akoni a scrutinising look. "Are you really okay?"
"Yes," Akoni said, still smiling. "I really am okay. I spent the last while in the temple. I think using magic may have released some pent-up pressure. I feel better than I have in days."
"Maybe for the first time I understand what you mean when you say you're losing control. It was so unlike you."
Akoni gave a wry smile and a shrug.
A knock on the door interrupted further conversation. At a command, the door opened, and Akoni's personal servant, Hendrick, entered, muttering, "Your Majesty." He placed a tray with a teapot and cups on the table.
Akoni and Ignacio both sat.
"Thank you, Hendrick. Would you also draw me a foot bath, please."
"Certainly, Your Majesty." He finished serving the tea and disappeared into the adjacent rooms.
"This reminds me. I didn't tell you yet: thank you for your gift, Nace. It was quite generous, and I had wonderful evening with him..." A good night's sleep had put him in a much better frame of mind, though the revelations Tiago had helped him find had been somewhat disconcerting.
"I'm glad. It had been a while. I thought it might help."
Akoni nodded. "Not the way you expected, though. I won't be using their services again either." As he spoke, he proceeded to remove his boots.
"Are you sure?" Deep lines appeared on Ignacio's forehead.
"Quite." Akoni rolled up his trouser legs.
Ignacio nodded. "If that's what you want."
"Thank you, Nace. You're always looking out for me, and I am grateful for all you do for me."
Ignacio smiled in acknowledgement. "Do you need anything else before I go?"
Hendrick reentered the room, carrying a large wide bucket, much the same as Tiago had used. He set it down in front of Akoni, who smiled gratefully and sank his bare feet into the hot, scented water, sighing in pleasure.
"Thank you, Hendrick. That'll be all now."
Hendrick bowed and left the room.
"It's all right, Nace. I've sent for Toby. Today should be a good day for some history."
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
The cool breeze coming in through the open windows caressed Akoni's arms while his feet absorbed the heat from the water. He felt no tingling, no burning, no sign of his magic. He savoured a moment of painlessness. His arms were stretched out along the back of the couch, his head leaned back. He took a deep breath then let it out slowly. When had he last been relaxed like this? Too long if he couldn't recall.
A knock on the door. He bid them to enter. Toby walked in, and Akoni motioned for him to sit.
"Your Majesty, you look...different."
Akoni smiled. "Lack of pain can do that."
"May I ask..." The boy bit his lip.
"I suspect venting my anger in council has something to do with it. The lords aren't best pleased, of course. I'm told Dragomis is suffering from shock but will recover fully. It was unfortunate. I did warn him, though. He went too far, and my magic took over. There was nothing I could do. But for now, it seems to have released some pent-up energy. I may be starting to understand some of my father's behaviour. I don't want to be hurting people to ease my own suffering, yet I see the appeal."
Toby took hurried notes, his quill scratching across the paper in small squirrelling movements. He stopped writing, and his hand went to his chin, fingers tapping rhythmically.
"Ask away, Toby. It's why we're here."
"I..." He flushed a little. "If you're feeling less pain now, after using some of your magic, would that not be a way to make it easier?"
"Likely, yes. If only I knew how to control it, how to make it respond to me."
"You can't then? Not at all?"
"I've seen my father do magic, some I told you about already. Many times I've tried to recreate what I saw, to do anything really. I don't even get a puff of smoke..."
Toby's eyes were wide, his quill flying across the page again. "But surely...there must be a way."
"Maybe you can help me find it. How are you progressing with your research?"
"Not well, Your Majesty." He blew out a breath of air. "There are so many records, and most are old and frail. Some break at the faintest touch. Though they are often so old they are difficult to understand. The code has changed over the years, reworked and re-translated by many previous physicians. Reading the old records becomes near impossible. So I've prioritised more recent ones. I've been trying to systematically read them in reverse chronological order and have reached the records of King Tarquinius."
"That's some two hundred years. Sounds like you're doing well."
"But I've not found anything useful, Your Majesty," he cried in frustration.
"It's all right, Toby. You're doing the best you can."
Toby sighed and hung his head. "Actually, there was one thing I read, which I meant to tell you. I don't know if it's relevant... Tarquinius's physician describes his relationship with his son. He'd been king
for many years by the time he had his first and only child, Vitus. It's only a very brief reference, but it mentions the king seeing his son and feeling his magic reacting. The boy was thirteen. It seemed like it was the first time the king's magic behaved that way. The passage isn't entirely clear, but it seems like his son's magic got activated around the same time. By what means, it doesn't say."
"Hmm, interesting. Same age I was. What if the magic needs time to mature, but when it does, it somehow...connects with that of the father? To what end, though?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. It didn't say any more."
"Never mind, it's a start. There'll be more."
Toby nodded. "Will we continue from last time?"
Akoni shook his head. "It's not a continuation exactly. I was fourteen the first time I fell in love. It was during the Spring Feast. Lords and ladies new to court where being introduced to my father and mother. Lady Kalisha Sentius entered, and everyone stared, me included. She had the most beautiful golden hair, falling in waves almost down to her waist. Her movement was graceful, like the queen herself. Or so I was told. I wasn't watching her. Her brother, Lux, was beside her, and he was the one I was staring at. He had golden hair, too, much shorter, in the style officers wear it." Akoni paused, an indulgent smile playing on his lips.
He remembered every detail. The way Lux had carried himself with grace and confidence. His voice, deep and melodious, a hint of an accent. "I may have been a little obvious. Not that first day, but afterwards. I was probably also somewhat precocious. I wanted him and I would have him. Turns out he liked me, too. We spent many blissful weeks with each other. He was a trained officer, and I learned much from him. Seems I have a thing for soldiers." He chortled in amusement.
"I've never heard of the Sentius family," Toby said, a furrow between his brows.
"No, you wouldn't have. My father did not approve of our intimacy. The entire family was exiled from court, to the east. We sent letters for a time, but the storm season that year was particularly harsh. I couldn't send official messengers, Father would prevent it. Few others dared the journey during the storms. Not even a year passed until Livanorans landed at our shores again. We'd had some years of peace, but they do always return.
"We seemed to be struggling against them more than in previous years. It gave me the excuse I needed. In a public way, I volunteered. Father could not stop me going east, but he didn't need to. He ensured I'd be stationed far away from Lux. We managed a few more letters but... I never saw him again. Between the storms and the Livanorans...there's no one left of the Sentius family." Akoni stared into the distance. It had been a long time since he'd thought of Lux. Time heals all wounds, they say. How long would it take him to heal his latest ones?
"Your Majesty, I'm so sorry."
"For what, Toby? You were not involved. Weren't even at court then." Akoni shook his head and sighed. "It was a long time ago. I learned my lesson. I fucked around but never again did I pay anyone particular attention. And if I did, it was in secret."
"May I ask, the Lady Xandra..."
"She's different, Father approved of her. In fact, he thought she'd make a good wife. She's quite wonderful and has been helping me play a part, keeping my father satisfied and distracted." Akoni paused, a thought surfacing. "I always found this one of the oddest things. Before he became king, Father vowed he'd let me marry whomever I chose. His own marriage was one of convenience. They cared for each other, but it was hardly a love match. I think it was after another argument they had that he gave his promise."
"There was something else in king Tarquinius's records, Your Majesty. It said he could see a change in his son's magic after Vitus fell in love. It was a happy match, and once they married, Vitus's magic seemed to get stronger."
"Considering the magic came from Gaia, it would not be surprising to hear love affected it somehow. My own experiences would confirm that. Tarquinius was a sane king. He'd not have seen it as a threat. Whereas my own father...it makes a lot of sense."
"Your Majesty, if you'll allow me an observation, you don't seem as affected by our conversation today."
"You are observant." Akoni smiled. "It was a long time ago, I've...Lux no longer holds my heart. Between that and the events in council, I am doing all right."
"I'll see if I can find something on using the magic. There must be some references somewhere."
"You're doing a good job, Toby."
"Your Majesty." Toby stood and bowed.
Chapter 8
"Toby. I wasn't expecting you today," Akoni said, startled at the sight of Toby entering his office.
"I apologise if I'm disturbing, Your Majesty. Your advisor said now would be a good time to continue our work. But I can leave and come back later or another day."
"No, you can stay. Ignacio has his reasons, and he's typically right. Have a seat, help yourself to some tea. I'll only be a moment." Akoni turned back to his papers, finishing the letter he'd been working on.
Surreptitiously, he observed Toby. He was youthful yet as much a boy as he was a young man. Advancing his progress as physician, so he could complete his apprenticeship, was likely a foolish thing to have done. But Akoni had never liked Paavo--the old man was too much a traditionalist. Though that on its own may not have meant anything. There was no real reason for his dislike, at least nothing rational. He'd liked Toby at first sight, his manner calming and easy.
Akoni rose, stretched and yawned. How long had he been sitting working through letters and the most tedious reports? Ignacio was right, a break would be good. He joined Toby, sitting on a couch across from him, and poured himself a cup of tea. The servants had become more dedicated and always kept a fresh pot ready. Akoni was grateful for it. The herbal mix eased the pain constantly brewing within him.
"How is your sister, Toby?"
"She couldn't be better, Your Majesty. Since you granted her request to study, she's been ecstatic. I suspect Paavo is tiring of her incessant questions and is a little less grateful than her."
"I'm glad she's getting on well. Paavo will be all right. There are many like him, they will all adapt in the end."
"How are you today, Your Majesty? You look tired, if I may say."
"It's been a long couple of days. Weeks even. I expected my ascension to be different somehow. Less exhausting. But there's so much that needs taking care of. The realm isn't in the best state."
"Your work is making a difference. People are starting to have hope again."
Akoni smiled a little wryly and nodded. Hope. Such a beautiful thing. Where was his hope? "How is your own work going?"
"I may have found something. I don't know if it will be helpful exactly. But I thought I should tell you."
"Go on then."
"I've gone quite far back now in the records. They are becoming challenging to read, but I've noticed something. The early kings did not suffer during their ascension. There are descriptions of father and son ruling together for a time. The son learning from the father, who took more and more of a background role until he became too sick. There are mentions of a sort of...pilgrimage. Some travel the prince undertook, and when he returned, he'd be ready for the throne. It's not entirely clear if the journey is what started the ascension or if it was done as part of it. But all the early kings seem to have done some kind of pilgrimage."
"And does it say where?"
"I'm afraid not. There aren't even any hints. But then I also noticed...mention of these journeys stops. We spoke previously about the prince who didn't survive the ascension. It's after his time that there are no more references to it."
"Could the knowledge have got lost with his death?"
"That's what I was thinking. I went over the records multiple times. It seems Prince Eloi went to lead a campaign against Livanorans soon after his ascension started, and his father fell sick. Storm season came early. The fighting was difficult enough but travel out of the question. It seems to have been a particularly harsh season. His father's conditi
on worsened, and Prince Eloi was still fighting Livanorans. He used magic in battle, and one spell seems to have...well, done something, though the description isn't clear at all. He became sick himself.
"In the end both king and prince passed away, leaving the throne to the grandson, Valerio. He was only a boy and would not have been expected to take the throne for many decades. His mother became regent, though the council seems to have been doing most of the ruling then. I think...and this is conjecture, but Valerio probably didn't learn from either his grandfather or father about the magic, he was too young. He would not have known what to pass on to his own children. He didn't do any ascension journey as far as the records go."
"Why didn't his physicians tell him, though? They would have known from the records they keep."
"I can't answer that, Your Majesty. He was young when his father died, too young for such a journey probably. By the time he officially took the throne...who knows what might have happened. Maybe he didn't see a reason for it because no one knew the importance. Maybe he didn't listen. Maybe they forgot. There are probably a thousand possibilities, and we'll never know."
Akoni sat back, letting a breath out slowly. He wove a hand into his hair and groaned. "What am I going to do?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I wish I had found something more useful."
"You've done good work, Toby." Akoni rose and paced the room. These days, sitting still too often accentuated his magic's presence. It had been a few days since his outburst in council. The peace he'd felt hadn't lasted, and the tension was building again. If a pilgrimage had worked for his ancestors...but where? How could he find out where they went?
Ties of Magic (Curse of the Crown Book 2) Page 6
