Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles) (31 page)

With each second
,
it
gained speed and strength. When it reached transcendence, it exploded. Unstoppable waves of life’s energy rolled over the planet, cleansing it. The innocent were untouched. Not so for others. All of Mandesa’s creations—creatures from the Wasteland, assassins, trackers, her Mining Territory monstrosities,
her
blue mist and its abominations—became ash piles that wind carried away.

The Earth itself was cleansed and reborn. If we took care this time, we might have a paradise like my mythical Resort Territory. I prayed we did, that we’d learned and grown up. But I doubted it. Time would tell.

As the last of the Triune power blasted from us, my legs weakened. I sank to the ground with Raeth and Ryder at my sides. Every muscle ached. Spasms rippled through me. “We did it.” I murmured, while I hung onto Ryder, amazed we were still alive.

Mod
s, Tinker, and Dirt fell to their knees and touched their foreheads to the pavement. “I will serve the Triune forever,” they vowed simultaneously.

The townspeople
crept from their hiding places and joined us gazing to the horizon. A previously nonexistent canopy of trees arched over the city. Small sprouts of grass poked through cracks in the sidewalks. “The earth has been restored,” I said.

“I didn’t kno
w we could do that,” Ryder muttered.

Raeth beamed
. “I did.”

Penton lifted her onto his lap and she curled into him like a kitten. Stroking her back, he
pressed his lips to her forehead. “I never doubted you’d succeed.”

“You
always believed in us, even when we didn’t,” I said, my mouth drier than the, hopefully former, Wasteland.

“I’m sorry about Bendar,”
Penton said as he nuzzled Raeth with his filthy, bleeding face.

My eyes burned
at the loss of this wonderful, loving man.

Penton cleared his throa
t. “I knew. When we were at UE, he told me that he’d always known he’d die saving you. Your mother had told him he’d fail her then sacrifice himself to be redeemed. He’d misunderstood. He thought Father was the danger. When Mandesa murdered Lanena, he realized the truth and spent the rest of his life atoning.”

Ryder rested his chin on my head. “
He’ll be forever remembered in tales as the man who guided and protected you from all harm.”

I blinked back tears and forced a watery smile.

Hearing the sound of scraping, we turned toward it. Dirty, bloodstained and exhausted, the people of Acadia stumbled into the streets. Others woke from a misty induced slumber, moaning and rubbing shoulders and necks. In the distance was the low-pitched whine of landing ships.

Beside me,
Ryder stood on shaking legs, drew me up, and wrapped his one arm around my waist. I leaned into him as the flood of adrenaline suddenly tanked and shivers racked me.

Hearing the city
’s clock chime, I searched for its iconic tower in the center of the square. But the skyline had changed. Lowering my gaze, I found it laying on its side amid the rubble. As I stared at the clock face, it hit me. From the moment I entered the square to when the Triune restored the world, less than forty-five minutes had elapsed. I started to crumple. Only Ryder’s firm grip kept me upright.

Raeth bolted from Penton’s arms. “Fallon!” She hurtled over debris and leapt into the arms of her dirty, bruised and lacerated uncle.

“Thank God, he survived,” I breathed, but my composure was cracking, One moment I was smiling, the next unquenchable tears of relief, joy, and overwhelming grief flowed down my cheeks.

Ryder hid my face against his shirt, muffling my sobs. “Let it out, sweetheart. Let it all out.”

It took a while, but I finally pulled myself together. Emotional and physical exhaustion had flattened me. I felt dull and limp, only Ryder’s warmth assured me I was still alive. Leaning into him, I scanned the destruction surrounding us. The war may be over, but there was still so much to do.

Spotting Mags, I laughed as she prodded
Mandesa’s once terrifying, now cowering, soldiers. “Mags. Stop.”

“Why? They’s the enemy.”

“Let them be. They lived through the Triune cleansing where others didn’t.” I chuckled as she grimaced and muttered something about me taking away all her fun. I returned to searching for friends and family. Everywhere I looked, a familiar face emerged.

Ryder tugged me closer and
, with his head, gestured toward Fallon. My heart soared at the site of my father.

Instead of accepting Father’s Neumarian warrior greeting, Fallon jerked him into a bear hug.
As they pulled apart, Father turned to the silent, massing crowd. “You are free. Be you human, Kantian, or Neumarian, every man, woman, and child now walks free throughout the world. We no longer fear persecution or enslavement, thanks to the love and dedication of the Triune.”

With his words,
the blank stares on hundreds of faces cleared. In the front of the crowd, an elder gentleman fell to his knees, his arms out, his forehead touching the street. I thought the woman next to him was leaning down to help him. Instead, she, too, prostrated herself in front of us. Like a wave crashing over a beach, the crowd paid homage to us.

Fear rippled through me. We weren’t gods. And if they worshiped us, the cycle of hate and persecution would begin anew, for there were always non-believers.
“Stand!”

As one they obeyed. Back erect and with a façade of calm, I met their expectant gazes. “The gods bless this planet with the Triune, but w
e are not to be worshiped. We have been given a second chance. To ensure the last two decades are never repeated, you will elect leaders from all races and gender. There must be a balanced voice for our people. Rise and be heard. Never again allow fear to cower and enslave you.”

Still the crowd remained face down on the street.

Raeth’s fingers touched my shoulder. “You don’t understand. They’ve been under oppression for so long, they’ll need time.”

I couldn’t help but smile
in spite of my frustration and worry. “Your speech, it’s perfect.”

Nodding, her lips curv
ed into a small, knowing smile. “Of course. The moment we linked began the release of the roiling power trapped inside me.”

“I don’t understand. We
’ve linked before. And all three possess powers. Why didn’t Ryder and I struggle?”

Her head tilted to the side as if considering how to answer. “I was the catalyst, the holder of the flame. This is what I hid from
Mandesa.”

Penton nudged me in the arm and tilted his head to the crowd still face down on the street. “This conversation will have to wait until later, and in private.”

“You’re right.” Turning back to the people, I realized they needed direction every bit as much as the troops I’d commanded. They’d learn in time what it meant to be free, but not today. “Rise. We have doctors, nurses, and healers available. For those who are mobile, we’ve established a treatment area on the council grounds. Take the seriously injured to the medical center. Should you find any of Mandesa’s guards alive, they must swear allegiance to the Triune. If they refuse, do
not
beat or kill them. Bring them unharmed to General Bellator. He will be in the council chamber.”

Ryder
massaged his shoulder and upper bicep, the empty, torn sleeve flapping with each squeeze. While my heart ached for him, I was confident he’d never again withdraw into a shell. Whether he’d accept an implant like Raeth’s leg, that was another matter. Eyes scanning, I hunted for the bleached blond child. “Have you seen our collared little girl?”

Ryder
pointed to where Father, Fallon, and Dred stood. “There she is.”

She slipped away from them and stumbled to us. Instead of
bleached hair, I saw a vision of her a few years older, gleefully playing with other children as the wind whipped her long silver-blond hair.

Reaching us, she clutched
my pant leg. Bloodied tendrils stuck to her porcelain skin. Bright, tear-filled green eyes stared up at me. “Help me. Please.”

Memories of
my own tortured and terrified childhood, without any way to defend myself, assaulted me. I hadn’t been as young as her. Had she gone through what I had?

Kneeling, I brought myself down to
her eyelevel, hoping it helped alleviate some of her panic and fear. Holding her hands, I studied her. She radiated innocence. “What do you want?”

Tears leaking, she pointed to a family
across the square. The parents ran hands over their children, checking for injuries, then kissed and hugged them. “That.”

Lord above, I wanted to give it to her. Every child deserved to be loved. But for her, that was only possible if
Mandesa’s poison hadn’t corrupted her. Keeping her hand in mine, I rose and called my father over.

“What can I do for you, my lovely daughter?”

“Can you read her, and if necessary fix Mandesa’s damage?”

He squatted, hi
s arms on his thighs, his hand dangling between his legs. “What’s you’re name?”

“Minnie.”

“Do you like it?”

She shook her head. “No.”

I sat in front of her and drew strength from Ryder stroking my hair. “Would you like—”

“Do you like Grace?” Father asked.

“Oh, yes, please.”

He tweaked the tip of her nose. “I’m not going to hurt you, Grace. But I need to touch your mind.”

“Why?”

“To fix any hurts you have.” At her nod, he cupped her face, his long fingers meeting at the back of her skull.

I knew what she felt, a light tickling, a breeze whispering over her mind. It wasn’t until he lifted his head and I saw a delight, I realized I’d held my breath. Exhaling, I said, “Well?”

Since this concerns and impacts all of you and I don’t want to repeat myself, I’ve bridged all four of you into the conversation
.

All of us snickered and chuckled at his
gruff tone.

With a snort, he began.
She’s fine. Except for a nursemaid and training under another Neumarian, Grace was isolated. She’s desperate for love and acceptance. She’s young and needs a family. I’ve always believed that when Lanena’s family adopted Mandesa, it was too late. She’d already been rejected and endured unrelenting brutality
.
While Grace is her clone, that doesn’t mean she’s Mandesa. She’s young enough and hasn’t experienced the horrors her maker did. Given half a chance, Grace will blossom into a loving, gentle child
.

I knew the moment tension left
Ryder. His fingers stopped digging into my scalp. As Father withdrew, I looked up at my husband. He’d always had a soft spot for little ones. Still, I asked, “What do you think?”

“What’s one more?” Grinning, he pulled Grace to him.
“Don’t worry, child. Semara and I will be your family.”

I watched as they both sized each
other up, seeing an instant bond of acceptance and love. I also knew, Grace, with one flutter of her lashes, had the big, bad Ryder wrapped around her finger. And if Ryder’s track record with Raeth and Penton was a guide, God help us when she discovered boys.

Epilogue

Relaxing in a lounge chair, I stretched. We’d found our Resort Territory within days of leaving Acadia five years ago. Nestled in the Smokey Mountains, we’d chosen to build beside a rippling lake. Right now, the breeze off the water cooled my heated skin and lifted strands of my hair, sending them every which way. Not willing to face a rat’s nest, I slicked it back and secured in with a band.

At the tap on my arm and sniffle, I thought
, here we go again. “What happened?” I asked my sulking son.

“Ann
ie and Grace won’t play with me.”

“Play with Katie.”

“Don’t wanna. She’s a baby.”

At that
, I rolled my eyes. “She’s three and you’re four.”

Fist clinched at his side, face screwed up in a fierce frown, he stomped his foot. “She’s a baby.”

Laughing, Mags scooped my niece Katie into her arms and cuddled her. “If my hair wasn’t already grey, this hoard of little ones would make it so. Especially your little munchkin. Bendar’s too much like his daddy.”

“
That’s the truth,” Raeth said with a wink from the chair beside me.

Stretched
out on another lounger, Ryder looked at our son through sleepy, half-opened eyes. “Be nice to your cousin, Bendar. She’s younger and smaller than you.”

“I know, Daddy
.” My son’s big brown eyes lowered to the ground, but not before we saw the shame. “I didn’t mean to pull Katie’s hair.”

Ryder rose and squatted in from of our son. “If you didn’t mean to, why did you?”

Sniffing, Bendar wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “She wants to play dolls. I said no, an’ she called me a frog.”

My dad hooted. I loved that he’d learned to relax. And right now, he was
lazily swinging in his favorite place, his hammock, with Lanena, his two-month-old granddaughter, lying curled up on his chest sound asleep. My daughter was weird. She’d sleep through thunder and temper tantrums, but let us whisper, and she was wide awake and wanting to join the fun.

Dad shot his grandson a look filled with commiseration.
“Trust me, Bendar. There’re worse things to be called. It’s important to be gentle with young ones. Don’t forget, you’re a big brother now,” he added, patting the diapered bottom sticking up in the air.

Exhaling, I glanced at Katie. One down, another to go.

Raeth dried Katie’s tears. “Tell Bendar you’re sorry for calling him names.”

“
S-sorry,” she muttered.

Ryder nudged
Bendar forward. “You, too.”

“
Me sorry, too.”

“Okay, you both go play. Annie and
Grace are waiting by the river. No going in too deep,” I warned.

“Yes ma’am
,” Bendar shouted racing toward the lake with a screaming Katie fast on his heels.

My gaze swept the area, settling on Ryder.
“Will we be ready for tomorrow’s guests?” It was the same question I’d asked him numerous times over the last few days, but my husband was being difficult.

When h
e didn’t answer, Raeth did as she rubbed her belly. “I guess so. If I can fit through the door.”

Penton wrapped his arms around her. “You
aren’t fat, you’re pregnant.”

“I know.” She lifted her soft cotton dress
and stared in disgust at her perfectly cloned leg. “I miss my old leg, though.”

“Why
?” Ryder asked, shock plain in that one word.

“Because
my cloned one gets fat with the rest of me. With Katie, I could stare at the other one and pretend I wasn’t as massive as a sermechtapede.”

“They’re extinct, Raeth,” I said at the same time that
Penton tried to wrap his arms around her and failed. “You need cheering up. I know just the thing.”

Raeth clapped her hand to her cheek.
“Oh, goody. You’re going to create a Penton special and make me thin.”

“No.” He tapped the end of her nose with his fingertip. “I have news. Dred
’s coming to visit the Resort. He says he needs some R and R.”

“Not likely. The
Council’s probably sent him to do their dirty work and drag us back to Acadia for their next meeting.” I glanced at Raeth. “At least you have an excuse for not going.”

“So do you. La
nena’s a newborn and her mommy’s feeding her.”

“Nah, I tried that with Bendar. They told me to just bring him along.”

Ryder slipped his arm around my waist. “Sweetie, give in. You know you’ll go just as you did when Bendar was a newborn. As you preached to anyone who would listen—along with those who didn’t—everyone must do their part, be it speaking out, voting, or serving as a council member. Remember, my lady Councilwoman?”

“
Yes. But why can’t we use the hologram table? Why do we need to meet in person?” I said, sounding like my pouting son.

“It’s our duty,” a soft, gravelly voice said.

“Thanks, Dad.” Turning, I took in the sunset. Strips of orange, red, pink, and lavender painted the sky. “I love it here and never want to leave it.”

Ryder kissed my cheek and whispered
, “I know, but it isn’t a fantasy. We’ll be back.”

I wanted to protest, but he was right. It
had been a long, hard five years. I’d thought the war with Mandesa was difficult, but it had nothing on hammering out a worldwide constitution and choosing candidates for a council. The people’s trust in their elected council—be it regional or world—had been slow in coming.

“I guess we can head to Acadia in a few days. It’ll be nice to visit
our friends. Let’s throw two parties, one for the council and one for our friends.”

Ryder nodded. “Good idea. Think Rolanda
will come this time?”

“If she doesn’t, we’ll go to her.” When we found
Rolanda five years ago, she was more dead than alive. Mandesa’s ghouls—they claimed to be doctors—had used scalpels to cut Rolanda’s face into a patchwork quilt. The last time we’d been to Acadia, Rolanda refused to see us. “Mona called last week. She said Rolanda’s now going out in public and attending council meetings. But she wears a long, black veil and gloves so nothing shows.”

“That’s improvement. Think she’ll ever have them smoothed
?”

“No. She uses the scars to remind her
self to speak out early.” Thinking about what the brave woman must have gone through filled me with grief. Wanting to change the subject, I walked over to Raeth. “Are you going?” At her shrug, I grimaced. “You aren’t due for six weeks.”

“I could come early.”

I knew she was teasing, but if I had to suffer so did my best friend and sister. “I went with Bendar three weeks out.”

“I know.
I should be fine, but I’m coming home in four weeks. Uncle Fallon said he’d be here a week before the baby’s due. He’s been buried in council business and governing the Mining Territory. Poor man needs help, or a wife.”

Ryder nodded his agreement.
“Do you really want to take all the children with us to Acadia?”

I watched the little ones splashing in the water and spotted Annie
and Grace leaning against a tree. At ten and eight respectively, they were lovely young girls. “Dad, I know you dulled all memory of Grace’s actions during the war, but do you think she’ll be safe there?”

He glanced at the two girls giggling and sharing secrets like any sisters. “Yes. She
understands what happened and that she wasn’t responsible. Besides, what did she really do? True, she cost Ryder an arm, but it got replaced by a cloned one.”

I gnawed my lower lip. “What if someone recognizes her?”

Ryder snorted. “Semara, you’re borrowing trouble. Grace looks nothing like that bleached-blond child anymore. If you want to worry about something, worry about who’s going to run the orphanage while we’re away.”

“Hello, paint me old and call me worthless. I think I can manage with the help from the staff
,” Mags said in a huff.

I chuckled. “Y
ou’re right. The children will be in good hands with you at the helm. Just promise you won’t teach them how to make firebombs this time. I don’t want to have to rebuild a wing.”

Lip curled,
Mags sauntered to the shoreline, paused, and shot me a smirk over her shoulder. “I agree with the kids. You’re an old fuddy-duddy. For once, do something wild, something ya’ll never forget.”

Laughing, I snuggled into Ryder’s arms and whispered, “Ljubim te.”

“Define Ljubim te.” Ryder tilted my head back and cupped my cheeks. “Remember my rescuing you from Mandesa’s doctors?”

I nodded.

“There you were, bleeding, your chest open. Yet the instant I touched you, I wanted you. Then I healed you and I knew I’d never let you go. Before you, I’d forgotten anything besides pain and death existed for me. But in that moment, I discovered hope.”

The End