Soul Relenter (Soul Saga #3) (8 page)

Her lips stretched into a smile and her eyes became brighter. Laura was happy that
Zyle finally found his bearings. He had returned to the calm and collected man he used to be. “You are more than welcome. We all lose our way sometimes. You just need someone to pull your head out of your backside and return it to your shoulders.”

Zyle laughed at her vul
gar comment. “I’m glad I have someone to do that.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Canu

8

Zyle and Accacia were directing the Asquithians to their delegated ships for the voyage. All the sailboats were identical so there were no quarrels about who had the newer or better built ship. Zyle had clumped families and friends together rather than selecting people at random so everyone would feel comfortable. It took almost the entire day for everyone to get on board—and stay on board. Some Asquithians got cold feet and decided to stay behind, wanting to ensure the survival of their race if they failed.

Accacia walked to the To
wer one last time before they set sail. She wanted to speak to Roxian. “We are leaving.” She said as she walked into the room. Roxian didn’t look up at her. Accacia walked farther into the prison alone. She had no guards and Zyle wasn’t present. He would be furious with her when he found out. “This is your last chance. If you want to accompany us, now is the time to speak up.”

Roxian
eyed her. “If I fight, you will grant me my freedom?”

“Yes.”

“Can I trust your word?”

“I have no reason to lie—I’m not like you
, Roxian.” Accacia didn’t sit down. She was in a hurry. “I’m not here to convince you. I just want an answer—yes or no. Now what is it?”

Roxian smiled. “I’m glad you grew a backbone.”

Accacia walked away from her toward the door. It was obvious Roxian wasn’t coming.

Roxian rose to her feet. “Wait—I’ll come.”

Accacia turned around. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.
I can’t stand to be in here a moment longer. I would rather die trying to save my husband than spend an eternity here—alone. What are your conditions?”

“If you give me any reason to kill you—I will.”

“Anything specific?” she asked.

“I’ll let you decide.” Accacia handed Roxian her sword and her eye
s lit up in surprise. Accacia patted the hilt of her blade. “I do not fear you, Roxian. I have no problem killing you.”

Accacia turn
ed her back on Roxian and advanced out the room. The former Queen of the Asquithians followed behind her. “Gather your belongings and meet us down at the harbor. Zyle will appoint your accommodations—and you won’t be sharing our vessel.”

Accacia turned her back again and left the Tower. She walked through Canu Forest one more time and the tears flooded her eyes. She feared she would never see this beautiful place again. Zyle was standing at the harbor with the thirty ships along the bay. They were tall and majestic
, and they had more sails than an ordinary sailboat—she wondered if this increased their speed. She reached Zyle. “We have one more coming.”

Zyle eyed her. “Who?” he asked. He saw Roxian over Accacia’s shoulder and his eyes widened in anger. “You went to see her without
me
? She could have attacked you.”

“And what if she did? You said yourself that even you could
n’t defeat me in battle—why should I fear her?”

Zyle breathed through his fury. “That doesn’t matter
, Accacia. You still shouldn’t risk your life needlessly even if you’re confident in your abilities. Don’t be arrogant, Accacia.”

Accacia didn’t react to his words. She told him she wouldn’t go alone and she had lied to him—not on purpose
, at least. “I wasn’t planning on seeing her—I just did it on my way. I’m sorry that I betrayed my word to you, but there wasn’t time. Please forgive me, Zyle.”

Zyle sighed and kissed her. “Of course I forgive you, Accacia. Pease don’t let it happen again.”

“I won’t.”

Roxian approached
them and stopped a few feet away. Zyle glared at her with hate. He looked down at the parchment in his hand. “Roxian, your ship is the
Escape.
She is the first one on the left. Roxian nodded and walked passed them. She had her pack over her shoulder and her blade along her hip. Zyle called out to her retreating form. “Roxian, if you do anything to Accacia I will kill you myself—I have no tolerance for you.”

Roxian turned around and nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.” She walked closer to the deck.

Zyle turned back to Accacia. “Are you ready?”

Accacia shook her head and the tears descended. “No,” she said. “I’m scared.”

Zyle hugged her. “I’m scared too, Accacia.” Zyle released Accacia when he heard the familiar hum in his ears. Accacia looked up to the sky. She had heard it too.

Koku and Pia landed on their shoulders.
They nibbled their earlobes then clicked their beaks. Accacia wiped her tears away. She knew she was going to miss these two birds more than anything. “I love you so much, Koku.” Accacia kissed him on the head. She turned to Pia and kissed her as well. “I love you as well, my friend.”

Koku flew from Zyle’s shoulder and flipped in the air
then pointed at the ships in the water. Zyle understood his meaning. “I’m sorry, Koku, but this is one adventure I can’t take you on. We’ll be back in a few months—I promise I’ll return to you.” Koku rubbed his head against his cheek and cooed. “Yes, I love you too, my companion.” He felt his own tears fall and they mirrored Accacia’s.

Pia rubbed her head against Accacia’s cheek and cooed. Accacia felt lik
e her heart would explode. “I’ll miss you, too, Pia.” Both birds clicked their beaks and flew from their shoulders, landing in the branches above them. “Goodbye,” Accacia called as she waved. They chirped loudly at her words.

Zyle took her by the hands. “Come on,” he said. “Before we change our mind and never leave.”

Accacia and Zyle boarded their ship,
The Canu
, and the Asquithians untied the ropes and pushed away from the dock. Zyle wrapped his arms around Accacia’s waist and she dropped her head onto his shoulder. Laura came up alongside Accacia, and Accacia wrapped her arm around her mentor’s waist. They stood there together as they sailed away from Suaden, all thirty ships, and headed further away from the island. They stood in silence until Suaden was indistinguishable from the horizon, just a dark spot on the waves. Accacia turned to Zyle. “Thank you for doing this for me,” she whispered.

Zyle kissed her head. “Thank you for telling me to.”

The Canu

9

They had been out to sea for weeks. Zyle expected the voyage to take less than a month. The unique construction of their sailboats allowed their ships to travel twice as fast as the sailboats made on the Continent. Accacia grew more anxious the closer they arrived to shore.

Accacia
and Zyle pretended their earlier fight was forgotten, but it truly wasn’t. She knew how worried he was for her to be around Aleco again. She felt horrible that her last words had troubled him. She wanted to assuage his doubt and strengthen his resolve in her commitment, but since she couldn’t do that verbally, she had to prove it physically.

She made love to him whenever the time would permit, which was essentially all the hours of the day, since there was little to do on the sailboat. Zyle woke up every morning to her riding him vigorously and she would
take him again soon afterwards. Most of the time, they never left their quarters. She was so forward in their sexual relationship that Zyle never got to initiate intercourse. He didn’t mind; he loved her desire for him.

After a session of intense love making, Accacia lied down beside him and kissed his neck and chest. She wrapped her arms around him and cuddled next to him.

Zyle looked at her. “Accacia, you don’t need to prove your commitment to me. I already know I have your affection and undying devotion.” Accacia raised herself up and looked at him. “As much as I enjoy your overwhelming desire for me, it isn’t necessary. You already convinced me a long time ago.”

“You’re not worried about Aleco?”
Accacia couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice. She knew how delicate the subject of Aleco was, and she understood how much her former lover bothered him. Zyle never said it directly, but she had inferred it numerous times. She was happy that he finally believed her. He was no longer jealous.

“Why would I be?”

Accacia smiled. She felt elated at his calm attitude. He was the man she had met a year ago. “You’re right.”

“I’
m your life partner, your soul mate, your king and fellow ruler, and your best friend and lover. I’m also the same race as you, meaning I have the same life-expectancy as you do. Aleco is human and will die a human’s death—you have no future with him. Your destiny is with me. I’m not worried in the least.”

Accacia hugged him. “I’
m so glad you feel that way.”

“I still expect the same treatment,” he said with a smile. “Perhaps I should have waited until we docked before I told
you this.”

“You
r will is my bidding, Your Majesty.”

“Good.”
Zyle rose from the sheets and dressed himself. Accacia watched him with a saddened expression. She didn’t know where he was going. “We have a meeting with the ambassadors in the dining room. They are anxious to know our plans for the Continent.”

“We don’t have a plan.”

Zyle smoothed out the folds of his clothes. “Now you understand why I’m not looking forward to this.” He grabbed her dress from the floor and laid it on the bed. “Come on, Accacia. Let’s not keep them waiting. We don’t have an excuse to be late.”

Accacia sat up and donned her dress. “Well, we could tell them exactly
why
we are late.” She smiled. She fixed her hair in the mirror, smoothing out the tangles and the wild locks. “I have a feeling they might be uncomfortable, however.”

“That would make two of us.” Zyle opened the door to their quarters and nodded to her. “Come.”

The king and queen walked down the hallway and turned down the stairs in the center of the ship. They entered the dining hall and saw the ambassadors seated along the table. Laura smiled when she saw them enter the room. Illanya rose from her seat and greeted her sovereigns. Mikah remained in his seat with a poorly hidden scowl on his face. He still didn’t approve of this trip.

Zyle pulled out Accacia’s seat and
she sat in the chair. He sat next to her and leaned his elbows on the table, staring at the ambassadors across from him. Cups of steaming tea were on the table, along with fruits and a variety of bread. They also had chunks of the Anastille plant, an invasive species that was infused with large amounts of protein. Everyone was commanded to eat it in large portions to support healthy muscles during the voyage.

“Good afternoon,” the k
ing said. “I hope you are well. We are here to discuss our plans for the Continent, which I understand you are all very concerned about. My queen and I are more than happy to converse with you.”

“So what is it?” Mikah
stared at Zyle and didn’t try to hide his displeasure. Zyle understood his anger but was growing tired of the constant nuisance of his attitude. His fury wasn’t going to change the course of their future.

Accacia cleared he
r throat. “There’s something I need to tell you all before we begin.” Mikah changed his stare to her face. He refrained from speaking to the queen at all times because he had nothing positive to say to her. Her husband made it quite clear he would be punished for another transgression. “Roxian is among us. She is sailing on
The
Escape
.”

Laura’s eyes widened. “What? Why is she sailing with us? I alr
eady told you that woman can’t be trusted.”

Accacia reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “I understand your hesitation, but if I am unafraid of her, you should be as well—all of you. Roxian is a fearsome warrior. Her presence will only help us.”

Laura turned her gaze to Zyle. “And you approved of this?” Accacia looked at Zyle, wondering how he would respond.

Zyle sighed. “Of c
ourse,” he said. “I respect my queen’s decision. If she can look past Roxian’s crimes then I can as well. However, I will kill her without hesitation if the situation should arise.”

Laura shook her head. “So be it.” She
met the gaze of her niece, her queen. “I still feel that we will regret this. How do you know she won’t work against us?”

Accacia shook her head. “She doesn’t benefit from opposing us. I think Roxian deserves another chance to redeem her actions. What better way to do that than in battle? I know I feel safer with her in our ranks.”

Mikah shook his head. There were many things he wished to say; none of them were acceptable. “And how do you think the Asquithians will react?”

Accacia met his gaze. “They will
trust the decision I have—”