Crest (Ondine Quartet Book 3) (39 page)

"Over what?"

"Implementing educational programs preparing selkie children and current gardinels for a life outside war." She turned to me. "He wants our people ready because he believes you will end it soon."

"Let me guess. Ancelin doesn't believe it."

She gave a thoughtful nod. "Neither do most of the other delegates."

A great deal of Tristan and Rhian's political platform rested on me. The sooner I proved capable of ending this war, the easier it would be to make progress.

"Redavi object because they feel new programs will distract current gardinels. Ancelin is furious because he thinks Tristan's trying to change our kingdom based on the whims of ondines and demillirs."

"And the Advisory Council?"

She sighed. "We are divided. Some are unhappy with Tristan's long absences. They believe he doesn't has the right to ask for such large changes."

I frowned. "But he's their prince, their representative in Haverleau."

"It's more than that. Tristan is the symbol of our people, Kendra. A dedicated, selfless warrior who reigns and protects with equal strength. We accept that our fathers, sons, and brothers become gardinels for a greater cause. That losing the war is a far worse reality than fighting it."

Sian turned to the ocean. A light breeze pushed a strand of hair against her cheek.

For the first time, her gaze grew troubled. "But our prince returns asking some very difficult questions. What is our kingdom without war? Who protects the protectors?"

The only answer came in a wind that blew across the rugged landscape with a mournful sigh.

***

Howling torrents of snow whipped around me. Flakes frosted the sky to an azure crystal and a cloak of glossy white buried the world.

He stood beside a spiral of ice, a glacial horn rising from the earth like an immovable mountain. Sunlight caught on the jagged rocks, emitting brilliant sparks of iridescent fire.

I rested my head on his shoulder and breathed in the scent that always floated somewhere inside me, just out of reach.

Cold bit into my skin, flurries catching on my lips and lashes.

He was more real. Everything was more real.

"You have to find it."

"I know." Shivering, I looked up at him. "I wish you were here to help me."

"There are many beside you."

"Many I also have to protect."

He smiled. "If I were there, you'd probably have to protect me, too."

"Not you and her," I said softly.

Bleak isolation chilled skin and bone. I wondered if I'd ever feel warm again.

"Don't you know?" Comforting arms wrapped around me. "We were the ones who couldn't protect you."

White glimmered around us, reflecting a vibrating splash of rainbow.

DOUBT RADIATED OFF IAN IN waves. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

The Áimoni rose before us, pillars tall and straight, buffed hardwood floors gleaming in the waning light.

It was our first elite session here since the beam incident. Originally set for the evening, the class had been rescheduled to late afternoon.

"It's not a big deal," I reassured him. "You can either hang out and watch the class or walk around the area. You guys need to breathe fresh air."

I'd been in the library with Aubrey and Ian when the note informing me of the new time arrived. It seemed a perfect opportunity to take a quick break.

Aubrey linked her arm through his. "Kendra's right. We come all the way here and we're spending most of our time indoors."

The elites warmed up on the wooden platform. Aubrey and Ian spoke with Alex and Cam and I approached the figure stretching along the far wall.

Ethan had lost a few pounds. Pale complexion accentuated his hair's redness and the smattering of freckles across his nose.

"You all right, Fournier?"

A faint ring of shadows circled his eyes, but he gave a small smile. "I'm always ready to kick your ass, Irisavie."

"Glad to hear it."

The others joined us. Ewan and the usual gardinels conversed in the east corner.

"Where's Garreth?"

"Out investigating Aquidae," Blaise told me.

Since he'd pulled the gardinels off duty, he'd taken what happened with Jesse and Matt hard.

A combination of sympathy and relief rolled through me. Garreth would make sure Julian stayed safe.

"What's with the shifting times anyway?" Ethan asked.

"Maybe it has to do with the conference." Alex smoothed a loose strand of hair back into his ponytail. "Heard the delegates from Merbais complaining about poor selkie hospitality."

Cam stared at his bag, hands fidgeting with the straps.

"Hey. You okay?"

"Yeah," he said evasively. "What do you think we're doing today?"

Lousy subject change. I'd have to ask him later about the dark cloud of guilt hanging over him.

Above us, the wooden beams were in place along with a large hoop and something that looked like a trapeze bar.

Blaise narrowed his eyes at the equipment. "Whatever we're doing, Irisavie goes last. The rest of us want a chance to get up there."

Everyone laughed. I flipped him off.

Ewan walked over, light brown hair slightly messy. "Come on, guys. Let's get started."

Aubrey nudged my arm. "Look."

Five figures emerged from the south tree line.

"What do they want?" Cam muttered.

Dax, Renard, and three selkie trainees strode in as if they owned the place.

Dax gestured. "Overkill isn't it, Ewan?"

Adrian and another gardinel monitored the pulley system. Two other gardinels protected either side of the pavilion.

"Just taking a few precautions," Ewan said mildly.

"You don't see the irony of needing security for chevalier training?" His mouth tightened, tone imperious. "I mean, it's not like you're searching for a murderer."

Blaise glowered. "Maybe we are."

One of the trainees leaned in with a snotty expression. "So where's the body?"

I smiled. "You volunteering to be one?"

He shot me a nasty look. Cam snickered.

Dax crossed his arms. "If Kendra's really the
sondaleur
, I'm sure she can take care of herself."

I actually agreed with him on that point. But I'd also learned long ago that arguing with Ewan about it was a complete waste of time.

Ewan shook his head. "Sorry, Dax, we're going to have to talk about this later. Our class has the Áimoni for the next few hours. Maybe there was a mix-up in communication —"

"No mix-up," Snotty Face said. "King Belicoux asked us to observe all elite training classes."

Ewan's mouth parted in shock. "What?"

The gardinel manning the west side silently slipped into the woods.

"I'm here to make sure false accusations cannot be made against our kingdom," Dax said smugly.

Of all the stupid, pompous...

It took every ounce of control to contain the urge to break something.

Cam's arm muscles clenched and his eyes flashed. "You calling us liars?"

The look Dax shot Ian made my skin prickle. Aubrey's expression darkened and her hand clenched.

"Choosing to ally with people known for being liars doesn't help your case."

Even laid-back Alex tensed at that remark.

"Besides, if someone really is out to get Kendra, the more selkies you have the better. You need someone strong and fast to protect her."

I couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer. "Being strong and fast is only one part of the equation."

After our little race at the waterfall, Dax should've grasped that by now.

"We learn from each other," I pointed out. "You guys show us different ways of pushing our bodies and how to rethink our connection with our surroundings."

Renard tilted his head. "And what do you teach us?"

"How to use more than physical strength," Ewan said quietly. "How logic and reason can support our instincts and natural abilities."

"It's an uneven playing field," Dax insisted. "I wouldn't want a chevalier teacher. So why do they have gardinel instructors?"

"Royal selkie is right."

A dark head entered the pavilion. Julian approached with an ice cold expression.

Relief flickered through me at the sight of his uninjured figure. He must've just returned.

"All of you." He nodded toward us. "Head back to the palace. You're no longer training with the gardinels."

Stunned silence reigned. No one moved.

"What are you talking about, LeVeq?" Exhaustion settled on Ewan's face. "Gabe was happy with what we're doing —"

"And I'm not Gabe. As some people have pointed out."

He was doing this to spite us.

No. To spite me.

"Elites have always trained with us," Adrian stepped forward and joined Ewan. "It's tradition."

Julian raised his brow. "But elites have never trained in your kingdom. That's not how this works. Clearly, it's putting their lives in danger."

Oh, no. "This isn't about —"

"As Head Chevalier, I'm in charge of all training programs." Julian's gaze remained on Ewan. "I'm pulling them out."

Hands curled. "Don't do this."

He ignored me. "The
sondaleur's
safety is a particular concern."

Bullshit. Julian breathed risk and lived off adrenaline. This was about his ego proving something to the selkies.

Amber sparks lit up Ewan's eyes. "As her gardinel, how can I entrust her safety to someone who let two humans die and an elite be seriously injured?"

Aubrey and Ian backed away. Ethan tensed, eyes darting back and forth between Ewan and Julian.

"You're putting what happened to them on me? I'm not the one who left three humans completely vulnerable in the middle of nowhere."

"How can you say that?" Dax paled at the accusation. "The Fredriksens are like family."

"Funny way to treat them," Julian said callously. "One killed and torn apart, the other dead of a broken spine, and the last left alive but permanently screwed up."

He was pushing too hard again. Selkies' faces darkened, their anger focusing directly on him.

Don't take the bait.

"You're the one who needs to do some explaining, LeVeq." Ewan's voice gained a harsh edge. Tension ratcheted up a few more levels. "Maybe you cut the beam rope because you wanted an excuse to take them out."

Julian stiffened. "You think I pulled that stunt?"

"Did you?"

This was ridiculous. "Ewan, you can't possibly —"

"I think you're protesting too much, Vellucar." Dark blue eyes glinted. "You know it was one of your selkies. Someone unhappy with the
sondaleur
and our presence here."

"A gardinel wouldn't do this."

"A chevalier wouldn't do this."

"How do you know?" Ewan leaned forward. "Do you know the men under your command? Because you seem to have problems deciding whether you want to stay or go."

"Quit being assholes." I yanked their arms. They didn't budge.

The remaining two gardinels joined our group, taking positions behind Ewan and Adrian.

Resentment brewed in Dax's eyes. "You're a guest in our kingdom and you accuse us of sabotage?"

The rest of the elites shifted next to Julian.

"Didn't you just suggest the same thing about us?" Cam snapped. "What's the matter? Can't handle the same heat?"

Threat of imminent violence thickened the air. Patience had sorely been tested over the past few days. Combined with the stress of the conference and the Aquidae attack, everyone needed an outlet.

Muscles tensed and I balanced on the balls of my feet. Julian and Ewan were worked up, but I hoped they had enough control not to start a brawl.

More concerning were Dax and his friends. I had to get the elites out of here.

"This is not getting us anywhere." Ian's voice was quiet and firm.

"Shut up, nix," a trainee said in an ugly tone. "This doesn't concern you."

I slowly extended my arm and nudged Aubrey behind me. Eyes tracked the others.

"Don't speak to him that way," Blaise growled.

Snotty Face stepped forward. "Why? What are you going to do about it?"

Too late.

Cam lunged.

I shoved Aubrey and Ian aside and dove into the chaos. Something slammed into my back and I smacked my forehead against Cam's jaw.

Grabbing a fistful of Cam's shirt, I drove my shoulder into his chest, pushing him away from the tangled mess of flying punches and kicks.

Someone snarled behind me. A hard kick landed on my ribs and pain jolted up my body.

Ewan's arm shot out, locking around my upper chest.

"No!" I shouted.

He swore but let go and focused on breaking up the bedlam behind me.

I rammed my elbow into Cam's solar plexus and his breath came out in a sharp whoosh.

"Knock it off!"

My voice didn't penetrate. Arm swung, trying to get around me. I gritted my teeth and shoved hard.

"What is going on?" The absolute fury in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

Everyone froze.

Hands were locked against Cam's chest. Something jammed against my spine.

Ewan recovered first. "Prince Belicoux."

We scrambled to stand at attention and I winced. Hot pain slashed my ribs.

A nasty discoloration spread around Blaise's right eye. Cam couldn't straighten completely. Alex's wrist had rapidly swelled and he sported a split lip.

Selkie trainees also looked worse for wear. But their self-healing magic was kicking in. The bruise across Renard's cheek was already fading.

Tristan circled, steps measured and unhurried. Displeasure blazed across his features. Without uttering a single word, he made us feel small.

"Explain."

"Chevalier LeVeq wants to pull the elites out." One of the gardinels spoke in a rough voice. "It's a break in tradition."

Tristan's eyes bored into the selkies. They dropped their heads and focused on the ground.

"I have no intention of interfering with Head Chevalier LeVeq. How he chooses to discipline and train his elites is his own affair."