Ember (7 page)

We hadn’t traveled far, maybe a mile, when we reached a large grassy knoll. Declan and Allura steadily wandered up the hill in front of me. Kai stopped at my side and nodded, gesturing with his hand to follow them. Once we reached the top, I peered down and the Waking Oak was nestled serenely in a valley. Though the valley was small, the Oak nearly expanded across the entire basin.

The four of us slowly walked down the hill into the gorge. Leaves so rich and lush gleamed under the bright sun. The branches stretched so far I couldn’t believe they didn’t drag across the ground from their weight. Creeping vines cloaked each bough in green moss and tiny white blossoms. I had never seen anything look more alive.

“I bet you’ve never seen anything like
this
before,” Allura interjected. “They just can’t seem to grow them like this in the human world.”

“You’re right about that.” I chuckled. My eyes traveled from the base of the trunk up and over the thick branches. It stole my breath.

“There’s a bough for every kingdom,” Declan explained.

I counted the large limbs that extended out widely. “So, in all, there are seven kingdoms?”

“Seven,” Declan confirmed. “We are the only one in North America. Rymidon is in Ireland. Callastonia is in Russia. Elfland is in Finland and so forth.”

“Why did they spread so far apart?”

“Why not? We can get to any of the other kingdoms in a matter of seconds through the Waking Oak.”

I looked over at him, puzzled. “How exactly were the new kingdoms created? If Faylinn is like this parallel existence to the rest of the world, how did the other kingdoms create that?”

“It was the strangest thing,” Declan began to explain. “When a new kingdom was established, ready to break away, a new branch grew like a new lifeline. That new branch created a portal for another kingdom, almost as if it was meant to be—almost as if we were always supposed to divide.”

My eyes continued to study the Oak. “That’s crazy.”

“No. It’s true,” Allura said with wide eyes.

“No, I just mean that it’s remarkable the way it worked itself out that way. So the tree used to be much smaller?”

Declan nodded. “We used to utilize it for traveling around, but not to other kingdoms, just to other forests around the world.”

I looked back to the Waking Oak and noticed Kai on the far side lying across its roots with his flute in hand as he gazed up into the branches, separating himself from us. He looked so relaxed; I wanted to perch myself beside him and bask in the rays streaming through the branches without a care.

He must have felt my eyes on him because he gradually turned his gaze on me and it was as if a fire ignited in my body and spread into my face. I stifled a gasp and shifted my attention back to Allura and Declan who seemed to be standing rather closely. They weren’t talking. It was as if they didn’t even realize how closely they had drifted to one another.

When Declan caught me staring, he darted a look at Allura and stepped away, almost like he felt guilty. I didn’t mean to make him feel that way. I still wasn’t sure what I felt when I saw them together. They were close. I knew they had to be. And though I felt something for Declan I couldn’t explain, I didn’t know if I could say the thought of them together made me jealous.

“Calliope, are you ready for dinner?” he asked.

My stomach growled in response.

Allura chuckled. “Yes, I think she is.”

“Do you want to come for dinner?” I asked Allura.

“Why not? I could eat. What’s on the menu?”

“Radik,” Declan answered.

“What’s a radik?” My brow furrowed.

Allura took the lead on this one. “They are small animals that like to get into the Harvest Borough and eat all of our produce. They’re kind of a nuisance.”

“A delicious nuisance,” Kai contributed from the roots.

“The meat is very tender,” Declan agreed.

My face obviously held concern because they all laughed at me. “Don’t worry. It’s good. I promise,” Allura tried to reassure.

• • •

As it turned out, I really enjoyed the radik. Though as soon as one of the fae serving us put the full animal on my plate I nearly gagged. It was a little rodent, probably the size of a small rabbit, and they hadn’t removed the head. It was skinned and placed whole in front of me, it’s tail dangling just off the plate.

Declan saw my alarm and took care of the head and tail for me before putting it back on my plate, chuckling during the whole process. Kai rolled his eyes at my queasy stomach and refused to acknowledge me for the entire meal. Even when Allura and Declan were having their own private conversations, he sat there in silence.

Once we finished eating, Declan stood.

“Kai, do you mind guiding Calliope to her room? I’m going to escort Allura home.”

“You don’t know where your room is yet?” Kai lifted an eyebrow at me, a laugh dancing across his eyes.

I shrugged. “So I get a little turned around in a castle I’ve only lived in for a day. Judge me.”

He flashed an amused smirk then turned to Declan. “I suppose I can handle it.”

“I can take care of myself, you know?” Allura spoke up. Declan didn’t conceal his hurt expression quickly enough. But Allura was already backpedaling. “But I guess I could use the company of a big, strong Keeper,” she mocked, squeezing his muscled bicep.

“I was only trying to be polite. We all know Kai wouldn’t have made sure you made it home. But—”

“No, it’s fine. Walk me home.” She was already walking out of the room, hollering a goodbye over her shoulder to me.

“Have a good evening, Calliope,” Declan said politely before following Allura out.

I looked to Kai expectantly.

“After you,” he said, brushing his hand in front of him.

I began walking, but this was my first time in the dining room. I was all turned around. Kai laughed when I stopped and looked back at him for guidance, arms folded across my chest.

“Can’t even figure out the general direction.
Amazing.
” I held back the urge to punch him and followed behind him, as he turned left out of the dining room.

“So you don’t worry too much about what I think, huh?” He peered over his shoulder at me and slowed so I could walk by his side.

I cringed visibly before I thought better of it, so I turned the question back on him to try and cover it up. “Can you honestly say that you worry about what I think all of the time?”

Kai made a right turn down another corridor lined with moss and stone, and then we were at the bottom of another set of stairs I hadn’t been up yet. “So it’s true then?” He didn’t wait for my response. “And I have a funny way of showing emotions? I don’t even know what that means.”

Oh gosh. How much did he hear?
I cleared my throat. “It means you’re so all over the place with your emotions, I never know when you’re actually offended or mad or happy.”

He stopped in front of my bedroom door and turned to me, staying silent for a moment. Deciphering my words, his eyes memorized my face. In the dim hallway, his indigo eyes darkened to a deeper shade of purple, making it hard for me to breathe. “I’ll try harder to work on that.” His voice was low, gentle.

I cleared my throat again to find my voice. “No need to change on my account I was just making an observation, speaking truth. Isn’t that what faeries do?” I made a face. “I recall you labeling me as a mutt, once upon a time. But you were only speaking the truth, right?”

His index finger tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I suppose looking back, mutt was the wrong term to use.”

“So nice of you to acknowledge that now.”

He leaned in and murmured, “Better late than never.”

I took in a small breath, but I didn’t want to step back and reveal to him how much his closeness made me nervous.

The corner of his mouth turned up, and he began walking away. “We’ll check on you later. Have a good night, Your Highness.”

I knocked my head back in annoyance and sighed. “Night, Kai.”

• • •

I felt the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the soil as he ran with me in his arms. “You’re mine now.” His voice slithered into my ear as he breathed on my neck. “The things I could do to change your world.”

I flailed in Favner’s arms. “Let me go,” I demanded. “Stop! Get your hands off of me!”

He snickered and drew me closer to his chest, his hands wandering. “You’re simply too divine to toss away.” His nose ran up my skin and I recoiled.

I tried to scream, but nothing came out. I opened my mouth wider and tried with all my might to let my vocal chords wail, but they were silent. Favner continued to laugh and helplessness set in.
Where was Kai?
This was his cue. He was supposed to come now. Favner ran farther and farther, holding me closely, as he inhaled the scent of my neck and escaped with me deeper into the woodlands.

Suddenly everything shifted and Favner had Kai by the throat. The dagger pressed firmly there. Kai’s eyes were on me. “Why won’t you look at me, Kai?” Favner demanded. “Look me in the eye. I want to look you dead in the eye when I kill you, just like I did your father. I want to see the life leave your eyes.”

Kai looked at me apologetically. “I’m sorry I failed you, Calliope.”

“No, no! Kai! KAI!”

I thrashed, gasping awake.

“Calliope,” a voice urged. “Calliope, stop!” My eyes adjusted to the darkness in my room to see Kai kneeling beside my bed. His hands restrained my wrists above my head. We stared in silence for a moment until he said, “Now, I’ll let you go if you promise to stop flailing your arms and trying to hit me in the face.”

“I … I just …” I blinked and tried to catch my breath. I nodded, and slowly he released me. As I sat up, he sat back on his heels to give me space. “I …” I felt so disoriented.

“You must have been having quite the nightmare.”

I ran my hand down my face. “It felt so real.”

“Are you okay?” he asked softly with real concern.

“I’m fine.” I exhaled and looked around my dark bedroom. It was still the middle of the night. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you I would check on you later. Declan and I have been taking turns for the night shift. I heard you screaming.”

That’s ironic since I couldn’t scream in my nightmare. “Sorry. I’m fine. I just need to get some water, and then I’ll be okay.” I began tossing off my covers.

“Stay here. I’ll get you some.” Kai stood and went into my bathroom. He came back with a wooden cup full of cool water.

I took it gratefully. “Thanks.”

“Do you want to tell me what that was all about?”

“Just Favner,” I muttered.

He nodded with understanding and then let a slow smile form on his lips. “Next time, if you want to grab my attention, just say my name. No need to scream it.”

Thankfully it was pitch black because I know my cheeks flushed red. But it didn’t really matter if he could see it. My face probably said it all.

He chuckled as he walked toward my bedroom door. “Try to get some sleep, Your Highness. Though, you’ll probably have a better night sleep if you’re not dreaming about me. I can be a little distracting.”

I lifted my hand to throw my cup at him, but he ducked out with a crooked smile before I got the chance to use my horrible aim.

Chapter Six

T
here really wasn’t much time wasted before Desmond and Cora’s bonding. After only a few days the big day was planned. It was understandable that they didn’t want to wait any longer, but jeez that was quick. I don’t know exactly how much preparation went into the day, but with only a few days notice I couldn’t imagine that it was going to be very extravagant. Or maybe Cora had been planning it for the last twenty years in her head and knew exactly what needed to be done.

While passing her in the open meadow outside of the castle I had asked her if there was anything I could do to help, and she looked at me like I had two heads. “My Queen, I would never expect anything like that from you. I’m just grateful for your blessing.”

“I really don’t mind lending a hand if you need anything. Where I come from brides are always so stressed. They have a huge bridal party to take the load off of the bride. Not to say you don’t have a lot of help, but I wanted you to know I’m willing.”

Her puzzled face nodded, but she didn’t give me any responsibilities. So I made my exit as to not make a further fool of myself. I wished I had asked Declan more about the details of a bonding then I would have known more about what to expect. I would know more about what was expected of me.

“Do I have to do anything for the bonding?” When I caught sight of Declan off to the side of the meadow, guarding me, I pulled him aside. “I’m not expected to perform the bonding or anything like that, am I?”

He chuckled. “No. Cavan will do that, the one that crowned you. That is his calling. He was named Officiant by your grandfather, and when he passes on you will ask someone else to take his position.”

“So it’s a lifelong calling to officiate. He’s still a part of a colony though, right?”

“Yes, Cavan is a Weaver. A very talented one at that.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. I thought maybe I’d have to be up front with Desmond and Cora.”

“You still will. You reign over all ceremonies. If for whatever reason Cavan steps out of line, you must be there to step in.”

“What?”

“He won’t.” He chuckled. “It’s just a formality. As Queen, you need to be placed in positions of power to reiterate who is in control.”

I took in his words and bit my tongue. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

“I thought you’d fight me a little more on that one.” He eyed me skeptically.

“I’ve decided to pick my battles wisely.”

“Oh no, what do I have to prepare myself for?” He smirked jokingly.

“You won’t even know until it hits you.”

• • •

Evan placed me off to the side at the head of the gathering in an ornately carved wooden chair woven with twigs and blossoms. Thankfully, I wasn’t front and center. It felt inappropriate enough to have me at the front at all. It wasn’t
my
bonding. I wasn’t performing the ceremony. But I would respect this custom. Eventually I would get used to it.