Healing Eden (34 page)

Reese coughed to cover the sob that pushed up his throat and levered himself off his knees to a crouch. He lifted his brother’s dead weight off the asphalt. His shoulders and biceps shook, still weak from his flash out the night before, but he cradled Maxis close. “I think we already did.”

Padding from Galena’s bathroom, Reese swiped a thick cotton towel down his chest. Steam billowed out behind him and his skin still stung from the scorching shower. The castle was the last place he wanted to be, but with all the madness going on he’d capitulated to Eryx’s “request” he and Galena stay close. As if anyone would go against the malran’s wishes.

He paused at the open window. Galena’s suite sat on the corner of the third story in the royal wing and gave a perfect noonday view of the ocean beyond. Twelve hours since he’d watched his brother die and no real sleep to speak of, but at least he was alive.

The image of Maxis’ body stretched across an ebony marble slab at the warrior compound flashed cold and eerie in his head. They’d left him in the jeans, white T-shirt and boots he’d worn to Evad, a rusty crimson stain covering most of his torso. Reese laughed to himself. Maxis would have thrown a fit if he’d known he’d die in human attire. Maybe Eryx would look the other way and let Reese give his brother a funeral pyre, one at the homestead where he’d said good-bye to his mother.

The door latch clunked behind him and the wind drafted through the open window as the door opened.

“A naked fireann fresh from the shower.” Galena nudged the door closed with her hip, hands full with a tray of pastries and coffee. “No complaints from me.” She picked up a steaming coffee mug and sauntered to him. “I come bearing food.”

“And news?” He wrapped the towel around his waist, took the mug, and pulled Galena close.

“Lots and lots of news. I ran into Lexi and Orla in the kitchen.” She tilted her head back for eye contact. “Eryx has all kinds of problems on his hands. For starters, humans are spouting stories to the press, some of them accurate, some of them closer to a sci-fi flick. Second, the ellan are in a panic over the exposure to humans. And finally, Serena’s under arrest and telling anyone who’ll listen her actions were to protect you and the Myren race from the rebellion.”

She stepped away and headed for her own coffee. “She swears everything was an act, a desperate endeavor to shield the malran she’s always loved, despite him choosing another woman over her.” She blew across the surface and took a cautious sip. “Lexi’s so pissed, Eryx had to order Ramsay to keep Serena under guard at the compound for her own safety.”

No question who’d win that contest. He’d lay everything he owned on his new malress.

Galena stared at him across the mug’s rim and took another drink. “She says Eryx wants you in the throne room in thirty minutes.”

A jolt shot up his spine. “She say why?”

She sat her coffee down and strolled back to him, head tilted at a playful angle. The attempt at casualness didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You haven’t done anything wrong. He probably just has questions for you. Whatever it is, we’ll face together.” She rubbed his sternum. “Then we’ll go home, spend some time alone and get you healed up.”

Every part of him zeroed in on her touch. “Then let’s get it over with. I’ve got a fresh deed and a new mate who needs attention.”

Reese dressed and focused on the promise of time alone with Galena. He could deal with Maxis and the fallout of the events in Evad later.

They neared the closed throne room doors and his worries crashed through all his peaceful thoughts. “Kind of a formal place for questioning.”

Galena squeezed his hand. “Probably busy with ellan. The old ones love anything with pomp and circumstance.”

He opened the doors. No ellan waited inside, but a host of others stood waiting. Ramsay and Ludan were up front along with some folks he’d seen around the castle. A young girl Galena had called Jillian hung next to Brenna, and Lexi’s friend from Evad, Ian Smith, kept a space beside her. He knew Ludan’s father, Graylin, from his training days, and Orla he remembered from running with Ramsay.

At the center were Eryx and Lexi, seated on their thrones and decked out in full regalia. Reese stepped forward and focused on Galena’s hand in his. How quickly she’d become his anchor.
“They’re wearing crowns. Doesn’t look like anything straightforward or simple to me.”

“Not everything has to be negative,”
she answered.
“Just go with it.”

At the foot of the dais, he drew to a halt. He started to kneel, but Galena tightened her grip and shook her head in a barely perceptible move.

“This isn’t how I wanted to do this, but things are about to get hectic.” Eryx shot a quick grin at Lexi. “I thought we’d better take care of an important detail before we all move into damage control.”

“You mean Serena?” Reese nearly kicked himself at the thoughtless question as soon as he saw Lexi’s glower.

Eryx hung his head, more to hide what Reese suspected was an even bigger grin from Lexi. When he lifted it, the only levity was in his eyes. “Serena’s one. Human relations are another.”

“That woman’s a snake.” Lexi gripped her armrests. “I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her.”

“A wise statement from your malress, Eryx.”

Every head spun toward the unexpected voice at the back of the room.

Clio stood, dressed the same as she’d appeared the first time Reese had seen her. “Serena’s path is yet unclear, but her actions weren’t her own. Not entirely.”

Eryx spoke from behind Reese. “And you are?”

“My name is Clio.” She smiled at Reese, a tiny one that hinted of secrets still untold, then focused on Eryx. “I believe Reese has shared with you the existence of my race and our purpose.”

“I thought you couldn’t show yourself to anyone else.” The statement slipped out before Reese could censor it, his second snafu in under five minutes. At this rate he’d end up banned from family functions.

“I said I was only allowed to show myself to you, not that I wasn’t capable. Given the weight of the action I’m about to take, The Great One has granted an exception.” She floated to Reese’s left, no footsteps, or swinging arms, just the subtle fan of her hair where air brushed it. “Before I take my final step, I wanted to support my warrior’s claims and implore you to carry on with the wisdom he shared in your battles.”

“Wait a minute.” Ramsay stepped forward. “How could Serena’s actions not have been her own? I saw her drive the dagger home.”

“Reese told you of the dark rogues?” Clio said. “Those who strive to let the dark passions rule?”

Hesitant nods issued all around.

“One of them crossed an unforgivable line. Falon was Maxis’ guide through much of his life. It was he who guided Serena’s thoughts. In the final moments, he overpowered her will and forced the blade into Maxis chest. Crossing that line makes his existence forfeit. It also negates the weight of the deeds he’s managed to incite to date, thereby greatly restoring the balance between light and good, not to mention putting a nice dent in the dark rouges’ plans.”

Clio surveyed those gathered. “The balance of dark to light is now well in hand, the larger crisis averted.” She zeroed in on Eryx and the air cracked with tension. “Have a care though. Your exposure to humans promises many new and challenging obstacles, and it is only a matter of time before the prophecy begins to unfold. Falon may no longer be able to guide Serena’s mind, but we don’t yet know her guide going forward and how they might use the Rebellion in their schemes.”

“Final step.” An uneasy sensation slithered down his the back of Reese' neck. “You said, ‘before I take my final step.’ What does that mean?”

Clio tilted her head, pensive. “All aspects of light and dark must be kept in balance. If a dark spiritu is lost, so must a light spiritu go with him. I volunteered, so I’ve come to say good-bye and to witness the acknowledgement of your faith and good deeds, the detail the malran has called you for today.”

Eryx smirked from his perch. “So the spiritu can see into the future?”

“We see it as it is at any given moment, but free will can and does shift. We also talk amongst ourselves. Remember, you and your mate are not without your own spiritu.” She lifted one eyebrow, an imperial gesture that put Eryx’s to shame. “How else do you think we managed to guide you to your mate?”

Eryx’s smirk stretched ear-to-ear. “Fair enough.” He stood and picked up an onyx box from the small table situated at this right.

Lexi rose and followed Eryx down the dais steps.

Ramsay and Ludan strode to either side of them and stood at attention.

“Reese Theron, come forward.” Eryx’s formal intonation rumbled through the long hall and the bystanders near the windows straightened.

Prying his hand from Galena’s grip, he stepped forward.

“Kneel.”

Reese went to one knee and his stomach clenched. His heart pounded and a slow cramp built behind his sternum.

“Do you pledge yourself to uphold the tenets of our race?” Eryx said. “To protect our citizens and stand as guard between those with and without power, maintaining the balance as The Great One commands it?”

The warrior’s oath. A swearing in. He peeked from his bowed head at Ramsay for some kind of confirmation.

Ramsay stared dead ahead, but his mouth twitched.
“Eryx’s patience is pretty shot. Might want to step it up with the answer.”

Shit, it was the oath. And Ramsay sounded, well, like Ramsay again.

Reese swallowed as best he could and forced his lips to move. “I give my vow.”

“Will you follow and fight as your malran and strategos direct without hesitation? Placing none but your family before them?”

Family. He had that now, and so much more. “I give my vow.”

Eryx handed the black box to Lexi and raised the lid, lifting a warrior’s torc from within.

An odd tingling spread across his collarbone and down his arms, and his shoulders snapped back. Not just a new recruit torc, but the white gold of an elite. The Shantos winged horse sat etched in onyx at its center, and platinum bars lined either side.

He caught Eryx’s smug expression and quickly bowed his head. Stupid. He knew better than to break protocol.

“You’re family now,” Eryx said in a way that implied he didn’t mind the break in decorum. “The platinum seemed fitting.” He shifted behind Reese and lowered the torc over his head. The metal settled around his neck. “Just so you know, this is a formality. Ramsay said he’d made his decision before you left. He didn’t want his acceptance to look like a trade in exchange for your efforts, so he chose to wait.”

Eryx stepped out from behind him.

Reese chanced another glance at Ramsay. The only change was a subtle lift of his chin, an extra inch to the already proud slant.

“Stand.” Eryx offered his hand, palm up. A warrior’s greeting.

Reese took it and when Eryx clenched his forearm, a part of Reese’s soul locked in place.

Eryx nodded. “Welcome to the fold, briyo. You’ve earned it.”

Galena came up on his right and clasped his upper arm, a smug expression aimed at her brother. “I’m glad you finally came around to my way of thinking.”

Ramsay stepped in, palm outstretched. No witty remarks, no formal congratulations, just an unspoken olive branch and awkward quiet. Ludan followed next, formal yet disconnected, as though he’d suffered through one too many of these formalities.

“You’ve done well, Reese.” Clio drifted toward him in her ghostly way. The midday sun sparkled off the crystals adorning her brow and the bottom of her soft-white dress fluttered on a nonexistent breeze. “While not without its challenges, serving as your guide has been a pleasure. One I would volunteer for again should time be replayed.”

But she was leaving, not just him, but this life through no fault of her own. “You shouldn’t have to give up your existence because of something someone else did.”

Clio smiled and the whole room lightened, the same as when the sun came out from behind a thick cloud on a summer day. She cupped the side of his face and traced his cheekbone with her thumb. “Who says I don’t relish this step into the afterlife?”

Deep, abiding love spread through him, an all-encompassing warmth like what he’d felt from his mother as a child only more so. An emotional equivalent of a down blanket and a fresh summer rain.

“I’ve walked this planet for three of your generations, long enough I no longer count the years. To join my maker is to find peace and rest.” She lowered her hand and faced Ramsay. “Though, there are those of you who still have journeys ahead.”

A heavy silence sparked through the room.

Ramsay’s posture might have been relaxed, but Reese knew his strategos. Inside he was poised and alert. It was how Ramsay operated, how he soaked in every detail of his environment without the slightest tell as to the sharp analysis spinning in his head.

“Remember, Ramsay,” Clio said. “Not all battles are fought with weapons. The heart is a valiant weapon for those brave enough to wield it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Eryx said.

Clio kept her gaze on Ramsay. “When the time is right, he’ll understand.”

With a last glance at Galena and Reese, Clio’s form began to fade. “Enjoy your life rewards, Reese. Smile, embrace your mate, and listen for the voice of inspiration.”

Her words hung in the air as she disappeared, and Galena’s hands tightened on his arm.

Ramsay, Eryx, and Lexi all stared at the empty space where Clio had been. Even Ludan seemed pushed from his usual bored demeanor, his brow furrowed.

“I think now might be a good time for the two of you to leave.”
Eryx’s chagrined voice echoed in Reese’s mind, an indicator he’d shared the directive with more than Reese.

The blush spreading across Galena’s cheeks confirmed it.

“If you’re lucky,”
Eryx said,
“you’ll get a few days of undisturbed quiet before I call you in for duty.”

A low, ironic chuckle sounded from those gathered at the side of the hall.

Reese and those around him turned as one.