by Lynette Noni
“It’s okay,” the prince encouraged her. “Kyia and Zain know everything. You can trust them. Nothing you say will leave this room.”
That was good to know, since Alex couldn’t help but like both warriors.
“The last time we met I told you how Darrius Marselle thinks Aven has been Claiming gifted humans,” she began. “Well, apparently Darrius asked my Stealth and Subterfuge teacher to keep an eye out for anything unusual. Hunter discovered that a man named Sir Oswald Graham was planning a dinner party and he sent in a spy to…”
Alex told the Meyarins every little detail about her evening at Sir Oswald’s mansion, and when she was finished, she slumped back on her couch and rubbed her tired eyes.
“How did you feel when you fought Aven?” Roka asked.
“Terrified,” Alex admitted.
“No,” the prince said, his eyes crinkling with humour. “I meant, how did you feel physically?”
She considered for a moment and answered, “At first I thought I was doing pretty well. I tried to let go and sense my surroundings like you asked me to do when we fought blindfolded, and I eventually managed it, at least for a while. Then Aven told me he was toying with me. I thought he was just being arrogant, you know? But when he came at me again, I wasn’t able to put up any kind of fight. He was too strong and too fast for me to keep up.”
“Was he curious about how you were able to defend so well against him to start with?” Roka asked.
“He was surprised, that much was obvious,” Alex said. “But I didn’t tell him anything.”
“Good,” Roka said. “We want to avoid Aven learning that his blood empowers you for as long as we can.”
“What about the other people he’s Claimed?” Alex asked. “Wouldn’t they be able to tap into his Meyarin blood?”
“In a sense, yes,” the prince said. “But since those humans are entirely under his control, they would only be able to access his Meyarin abilities if he ordered them to do something that required the use of those abilities. You, however, have the choice as to when and how you access the skills inherent to our race. You can use his power without his command, and that makes you… special.”
“Yay, me,” Alex muttered, and the three Meyarins laughed at her less than enthusiastic response.
“Is there anything else I need to know?” Roka asked.
Alex shook her head. “I think I’ve told you everything…” She trailed off as a thought came to her. “Actually, there is something else, but I’m not sure if you’ll know anything about it. And it’s kind of… strange.”
“I’m listening,” Roka offered.
She fidgeted slightly and blurted out, “I’m being stalked by a magical blade.”
Three sets of eyes blinked at her.
In a dubious voice, Roka repeated, “A… magical blade?”
Alex was aware of how ridiculous she sounded, but she explained anyway. “There’s some kind of weapon that keeps appearing out of nowhere whenever I need it. It’s the one Aven used to Claim me, and it’s also the one that ended up almost killing me that same day, but I, uh, never told you that part. When it appeared during my fight with Aven tonight, he reacted weirdly and called it A’enara. Does that mean anything to you?”
The Meyarins stiffened.
“A’enara?” Kyia’s body was coiled with tension. “Are you sure that’s what he called it?”
They seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for her answer. “Positive.”
“Roka, selith raen de A’enara le nada, Aven,” Kyia said to the prince, her tone sounding anxious. “Torgas fruen halsa de rilona.”
“Kantaris de Tia Auras frey selia,” Roka responded, and he rose from his seat and began pacing the room.
“Does someone want to clue me in?” Alex said. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t speak Meyarin.”
“Sorry, Alex,” Roka said, sitting down again but clearly on edge. “Can you describe the weapon?”
“Uh, sure,” she said, not sure why that was relevant. Surely ‘magical blade’ was enough of a description. “Size-wise, it changes when you run your finger down the edge of it. I’ve seen it transform from a dagger into a sword, and it’s come to me in both forms. As for the design, it’s pretty simple. The pommel is made of some kind of metal—maybe Myrox, but I’m not sure. When it’s a dagger, both edges of the blade curve in intervals, like dipping waves, and when it’s a sword, the waves stretch out until it’s almost straight-edged, but not quite. The only thing that always remains the same is its ice-blue colour. It’s… well, if I didn’t have such horrible memories associated with it, I’d admit it’s rather beautiful.”
During her description, the Meyarins continued to exchange wary glances.
“And it appears out of nowhere when you have need of a weapon?” Zain clarified.
“So far, yeah,” Alex said. “The first time I was caught in one of Hunter’s traps with my classmates and we needed to cut our way out.” She turned to Roka, “The second time was when I fought blindfolded against you here in Meya. And the third time happened with Aven just a few hours ago.”
“Can you call it now?” Roka asked.
Alex looked at him in puzzlement. “Um, how?”
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “Can you feel it?”
She tried to keep the ‘Are you crazy?’ expression off her face when she answered. “Nope. Can’t feel a thing.”
“Did Aven try to reclaim the weapon?” Kyia asked.
Alex strained her memory. “He said, ‘Come, A’enara’, as if he expected something to happen, but it didn’t do anything. That made him a little… angry.”
“How interesting,” Roka said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
“Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?” Alex asked.
They looked at each other before Roka answered, “I’m sorry, Alex, but I don’t think we should talk about this until we have more information.”
“Surprise, surprise,” she mumbled. More secrets.
“It’s for your own protection,” Roka assured her. “If you’re truly capable of wielding A’enara, then the threat you pose to our city—and the threat Aven will consider you to be to him directly—has just increased tenfold. We can’t let anyone else find out about this until we know if our presumptions are correct.”
Alex glanced between them, frowning slightly. “I don’t understand.”
Zain barked out a laugh, diverting her attention to him. “That’s because you’re about to drop dead on your feet.”
She shot him an unimpressed look. “Someone did drag me out of bed in the middle of the night.”
“And I’m sure that same someone is more than willing to escort you back right now,” Roka said with an indulgent smile. “Unless there’s anything else you want to discuss?”
“Nope,” Alex said. “The only questions I have seem to be ones you can’t answer.”
“Alex—”
“Don’t worry, Roka,” she gently but firmly interrupted. “I get it. Really. And I appreciate you looking out for me, even if I don’t understand why.”
He nodded in acknowledgement and stood, offering her his hand.
“One last thing,” Roka said as he led her to the door. “As you’re aware, Aven’s plans to infiltrate Meya rely on you getting him here through the Library. I was only able to convince the council to let you to remain at Akarnae by assuring them that you wouldn’t open a doorway through to Raelia again.”
Alex couldn’t hide her disappointment. “Are you saying I can’t come back?”
Roka curled his arm around her shoulders. “Of course you can. But until we have a better idea of Aven’s plans, you’ll have to journey here using the Valispath.”
“But I can’t access the Valispath. Human, remember?”
The prince grinned. “No, but Zain can.”
Alex looked from his brilliant smile to Kyia’s sparkling emerald eyes and Zain’s highly amused expression before she repeated, for
the billionth time that night, “I don’t understand.”
Roka chuckled at her confusion and said, “I visited your headmaster earlier in the week. Together we negotiated for Zain to take on the role of teaching assistant in your Combat class. He’ll be accompanying you back to the academy for the time being and acting as a go-between for communication.”
Alex couldn’t hide her dismay. “Please tell me you haven’t assigned me a bodyguard? Not cool, Roka.”
The three Meyarins laughed at her obvious displeasure.
“I have better things to do than babysit a mortal,” Zain said. “You’ll barely see me.”
“Zain’s teaching position will allow him some anonymity while he carries out a different mission objective,” Roka explained. “His true task is to unveil Aven’s plans—or at least attempt as much— and hopefully without gaining my brother’s notice.”
“Oh,” Alex said. “I guess that’s okay.”
“I’m glad you approve,” Zain said, his eyes still laughing at her.
“Sorry if this seems blunt,” Alex said, taking in the massive guard’s appearance, “but how do you plan on keeping your anonymity when you look like you do? You’re kind of like the Incredible Hulk, without the whole pigment issue.” Seeing his baffled look, she clarified, “You’re not built for blending in, if you know what I mean. And like all Meyarins, you’re kind of, um… physically distracting.”
“Aw, does the little human have a crush on me?” Zain teased. “I’m flattered, Alex. Truly.”
Alex scrunched her nose at him. “You’re probably older than the dinosaurs. I’m not too picky when it comes to age, but I’m confident it’d never work out between us.”
Roka laughed openly, and Kyia giggled behind her hand.
“All right, little human,” Zain said, clearly amused even if he didn’t want to admit it, “it’s time to get you back to bed.”
With no other warning, he reached down and threw his arms around her waist, hoisting her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Let me down, you brute!”
“Say goodnight, little human,” he told her.
“‘Goodnight, little human’,” she parroted.
Roka and Kyia tried—and failed—to hold back more laughter.
“Oh, wait,” Alex said as the guard carried her to the doorway. “What about your cape, Roka?”
“Zain can bring it back to me later,” the prince said. “It’ll keep you warm on your journey to the academy.”
Alex watched as Kyia sidled up to Roka’s side, wrapping her arms around him as he bent to kiss her forehead lovingly. They waved goodbye to Alex, who tried to return the gesture while Zain manhandled her out of the room. Only when the door was closed behind them did the guard set her down, holding her steady until she regained her footing. He then continued bracing her when the Valispath took off underneath them. This time, though, Zain reached out a hand and pressed it against the transparent barrier. Immediately the bitter chill of the wind disappeared.
“Better?” Zain asked, seeing that she was steadier on her feet with the added protection. Not to mention, warmer.
“Much,” she agreed, nodding with enthusiasm. “Why didn’t you do that last time?”
“Our race is much more durable than yours,” he said. “Many millennia have passed since we’ve interacted with humans. I’d forgotten just how vulnerable you can be.”
“That makes sense,” Alex conceded.
She watched the scenery as they were transported back through the palace and out into the city. Once again she was transfixed by the view, which was even more stunning now that she wasn’t being buffeted by the wind.
All too soon they zipped past Meya and ventured above the Golden Cliffs before the Valispath began to speed up again. When they were part way through the Silverwood, Alex turned to look up at Zain.
“So, Roka and Kyia, huh?” she asked. The tender moment she’d witnessed alluded to something much greater than friendship, of that she was certain.
“She is to be his wife,” Zain told her. “And one day, our queen.”
Alex smiled at the memory of Roka’s words about his ‘betrothed’ from their first meeting. “They’re a beautiful couple.”
“They are,” the guard agreed. “I couldn’t ask for two better friends.”
“Will you miss them while you’re stuck at Akarnae?”
“I’ll still see them most days,” Zain said, indicating to the Valispath. “It’s not hard for me to get around.”
Handy little rollercoaster, Alex thought as the scenery blurred by at lightning speed.
Soon enough the Valispath began to slow down and Alex could see the lights of the academy glinting in the distance, along with the moon reflecting off Lake Fee beneath their feet. The ride came to an abrupt end when the Eternal Path moved them straight through the wall of her dorm building and into her room.
“This is where I leave you, little human,” Zain said quietly, not wanting to disturb her sleeping roommate.
“Are you going back to Meya?” she asked, and at his nod she took off Roka’s cape and handed it over. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“You will,” he agreed. “It’s best if you act like you don’t know me, at least not around your classmates. You should also warn your friends to do the same.”
“Is that for your anonymity?”
He sent her another crooked smile. “No, Alex. It’s so the other humans don’t wonder why you’re associated with a Meyarin. But I doubt they’ll figure out my ancestry considering how much time has passed since one of my kind has been recognised by your race. It’s far more likely they’ll merely consider me to be intimidatingly large… and attractive, as you’ve already pointed out.”
“I did not call you attractive,” Alex argued hotly. “I said you’re distracting. That could’ve meant anything.”
“Goodnight, little human,” Zain said with a laugh, ignoring her words. “Get some sleep.”
The Valispath took off again, taking the Meyarin guard along with it.
Alex shook her head at the spot where Zain had been standing, then stumbled tiredly over to her bed.
As she was drifting off to sleep—again—she realised that not only Karter, but now Zain as well, would be teaching her Combat class the next day. She firmly pushed the thought from her mind, determined to enjoy her last remaining hours of sleep without worrying about what the class might bring.
? 1D;
Twenty-One
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
Alex groaned at the sound of the way too chirpy voice next to her ear.
“Go ’way,” she mumbled, burrowing deeper into her blankets.
“Come on, Alex,” the voice said. “You’ll be late for PE if you don’t get up.”
“Don’t care,” she mumbled again.
Her blankets were yanked away and a rush of cool morning air hit her. She sat up with a yelp, reaching blindly for her lost source of warmth.
A quiet snort turned Alex’s attention to her roommate who began heartlessly laughing at her predicament.
“Not. Nice. Dix,” Alex grumbled, running her fingers through her dishevelled hair.
“But it worked, didn’t it?”
Alex didn’t waste energy glaring at her friend. Instead, she stood up and grabbed some clean clothes from her wardrobe and headed into the bathroom.
Hot running water was a luxury after two days in the wilderness and Alex used the time in the shower to ease her strained muscles and enjoy a few moments of peace before her day began. When she was dressed, she left the bathroom to find D.C. waiting for her.
“Feeling better?”
“Yeah,” Alex said. “Sorry for being such a grump. I didn’t get much sleep.”
“Are you kidding me?” D.C. said with another laugh. “You slept for almost ten hours straight! You should feel on top of the world right now.”
“Actually,” Alex said, thinking quickly about what she was and wasn
’t allowed to share, “my sleep was interrupted in the middle of the night because Roka wanted to speak with me.”
D.C. gaped at her. “The Meyarin prince was here?”
“No, Zain was,” Alex said. “He came to escort me to Meya. It was so cool, Dix. The Valispath took us the entire way. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
D.C. was staring at Alex in shock, but then her expression shuttered and she turned her hurt-filled eyes away. “Why didn’t you wake me? I would’ve come with you.”
“I’m sorry,” Alex said, putting every ounce of sincerity into her apology. “You were dead-asleep and when I went to wake you, Zain told me not to disturb you. I didn’t like it, but I also didn’t want to argue with him.”
D.C. tilted her head thoughtfully, her unhappy expression dissolving into a calculating one. “Prince Roka wanted to speak with you privately, didn’t he?”
Alex wasn’t sure how to answer, so she nodded, almost shamefully.
“I saw how he looked at the rest of us the other day,” D.C. explained. “He doesn’t trust us.”
“No, Dix, that’s not—”
“It’s okay, Alex,” D.C. interrupted her. “It’s not like I don’t understand. While he doesn’t trust us, it’s clear he does trust you. I’m not going to ask what he wanted you for, because you’re my best friend and I don’t want to put you in that position. Keep his secrets, but just know that I’m here if you want to talk, okay?”
Alex threw herself across the room to embrace her friend.
“Thanks, Dix,” she said, hugging her tightly. “You’re the best.”
“It’s not like I haven’t asked you to keep my share of secrets.” D.C. smiled as she pulled away. “It looks as though you’re the go-to girl for royal confidences.”
“Woohoo,” Alex said dryly.
D.C. shook her head in amusement before saying they had less than half an hour left for breakfast.
“Do you mind if we swing by the Med Ward on our way?” asked Alex as she picked up Fletcher’s lab coat. “I need to return this to Fletcher.”
When they were outside and heading towards the Gen-Sec building, D.C. said, “Jordan told us about your weekend trip. I can’t believe Hunter made you do all that!”
