Heirs of War (19 page)

Isauria shrugged. “I’m not sure. I mean, I know it isn’t present-day her. I met her before everything went crazy. I know she’s older now. But this is when she was a child. I just know, that’s Zelene.
Her hair was lighter when she was younger. And she was happier,” she added with a sad note in her voice, knowing who Zelene had grown to be and all that she had endured. “That's Varrick. He's about to tell her that her parents died. I think he knows everything is about to change for her, but he wants her to have one more day of happiness, you know?”

“Do you understand that what you are seeing is real?”

She nodded. "That's why I'm here. Where I was before..." She felt the tears building and let her words drift off. "She was getting hurt. Over and over again." She turned the force of her blue-grey eyes on Bianca as she pulled in a shaky breath. "She was only a little girl, not much older than she is now,” she gestured to her vision, “and he just kept beating her. He wouldn't stop, even after she was unconscious. I couldn't help her." She turned back to the little girl and wiped her tears away. The younger version of Zelene squealed with delight as Varrick chased her around. "But here, in this moment, she's happy. And she's safe."

"She's safe now," Bianca assured her.

Isauria nodded again. “But she isn’t happy.”

“You shouldn’t be able to see this,” Bianca mused aloud. “That’s not how your gift is supposed to work. You should see the present, not the past or the future.”

Isauria rubbed her lips together, her eyes wide as she shrugged. “But I see it.”

“You mentioned Ariana…
have you seen her?”

Isauria wasn’t sure she liked the tone Bianca used when asking the question, almost as if she was scared of the answer. “Yes. I see her now,” she said
and pointed to the distance. “If I touch her, we’ll go there.” She had figured that part of her gift out already, almost like there was a touch screen of movie clips flipping through her mind. Whichever one she touched would play, and she could scan through them at will.

Bianca turned in her swing to completely face Isauria. “Listen to me, Isauria, because this is very important. We need to go to Ariana. She was taken. By Kellen.”

Isauria felt her face pale, her knees shaking as she stood up and paced away, feeling Bianca follow her. “What do you mean?”

“Kellen has Ariana. Your sister. Until now, we’ve feared the worst. The only proof we’ve had that she still lives is Varrick, and with the distance between a Cyneward and his ward weakening the bond…”

Isauria’s mind was racing with the possibilities. She knew firsthand the horrors Kellen could inflict upon someone. Isauria didn’t doubt for a minute that the men who had attacked them at the coffee shop had been sent by Kellen. Why she had decided to keep Ariana alive, she didn’t know. But she wasn’t about to wait around to find out like she had been forced to do with Nandalia. No, now she had a real chance to save Ariana and put a stop to Kellen once and for all.

“I have to find her,” Isauria said definitively
and she marched over to the shade of Ariana forming in front of her.

Bianca was directly on her heels. “Yes, I agree. Tell me what you see and then I can guide you back.”

Isauria stopped in her tracks. “I’m not going back. Not until Ariana is safe.”

Bianca’s eyes widened and she tilted her head as if she had misheard her. “I’m sorry? You have to.”

Isauria grabbed Bianca’s hand as her other clamped down on Ariana’s shoulder. “No, I don’t.” She closed her eyes, concentrating.

When she opened her eyes, they were in the middle of a massive bedroom. There was a teenage girl standing on one side of the room and a guy about her age standing on the other. The girl she now recognized to be Ariana h
eld a candlestick in one hand threateningly and the boy was kneeling in front of the closed doors, his hands resting on the knobs though his head was turned to look at the girl over his shoulder. His chiseled face was twisted into a mask of annoyance curtained by hair that was the perfect mix of wave and curls. Isauria cried out as the boy was on Ariana in an instant, traveling through Isauria to do so. She whipped around, watching while he pinned Ariana against the wall.

“No,” she cried out as she took a step forward. Bianca’s hand on her arm stopped her. “He’s supposed to be helping her. I heard him say he would.”

“There’s nothing you can do,” Bianca urged her away from the exchange. “Which is why you must let me guide you back. Isauria, you don’t understand the gravity of the situation. Ariana’s life is not the only one in jeopardy.”

The truth of the matter hit Isauria at once. She nodded slowly. “If I don’t come back, I might die.”

“Yes,” Bianca answered with regret. “I am sorry. Your gift takes its toll. For all the power you use, power is also taken from you, draining you slowly until there is nothing left to keep you going.”

“Can’t you help me?” Isauria asked m
eekly.

The paion pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “I am doing my best, Isauria. But my gifts are limited as well. Please, let me guide you back.”

Isauria eyed the hand Bianca offered speculatively, unable to hear anything but her own mother’s final plea to her.

Keep them safe, Isauria. Protect them.

“I can’t,” she finally said as her own tears spilled. “But it’s what she wanted me to do, I know it.”

“Who?”

“My Mother. She asked me to keep them safe, to protect them. This must be what she meant,” she said as she turned back to Ariana. “He’s going to help her escape. He just said he has a plan.”

“Good. I will inform Solanna of this. She shares the same gift as you, so she will be able to watch over Ariana and look for any signs of this escape plan while you master your gift,” the paion pressed. “I am certain Nandalia would not wish you to forfeit your life for something Solanna can safely do.”

Isauria lifted her heavy gaze to the paion. “She would if the others can’t be trusted.”

“Don’t be ridiculous
.”

“Hear me out,” Isauria pleaded. “They always talked about having a spy in Anscombe after Solanna’s baby was kidnapped.”

“Exactly,” Bianca protested as she threw her hands in the air. “Solanna’s own child was taken from her in this war. Do you honestly think she would have anything to do with the Cahirans after that?”

Isauria hesitated at this. “I don’t know. All I know is I’ve seen some terrible things…and they’ve done nothing about any of it, Bianca. My mother asked me—
me
—to protect them. So that’s what I have to do.”

Bianca ducked her head, forcing her patient to look her in the eyes. "If you remain in this state, you will die."

“Not if you help me,” Isauria replied, her own fears reflected in her eyes. She didn’t want to die. But she couldn’t live with herself knowing she had merely watched as Kellen tore from her the sister she hadn’t yet had a chance to know. “Please, Bianca. Don’t make me watch my little sister die, too.”

"Does your own life mean so little to you?" Bianca whispered.

Isauria took two steps forward, hesitating as she stood in front of the healer. "I have to do this. I've spent so long just watching and unable to do anything. I watched as my own mother was murdered. I didn't...I
couldn’t
do anything," she paused to wipe away her tears. "If there's even a chance I can help Ariana, I have to take it. Kellen's got big plans for her and I might be the only person alive who knows what that really means. I've seen it. And I have to stop her."

Bianca’s eyes seemed to be searching Isauria’s for something, though Isauria wasn’t sure what answers she had found when she finally responded.

"I will do everything I can for your physical body, but I don't know how much time you have. I will come back as often as I can. Hopefully, you will find something useful soon and we can save you. Before it’s too late.”

“I have faith in you. We’ll get through this together,” Isauria smiled and took Bianca’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”

Bianca returned the gesture and released Isauria’s hand as she backed away. “Don’t thank me yet, Duillaine. Not until my job is done and you are safe.”

“With Ariana,” Isauria added with a nod as she watched Bianca close her eyes and fade away from view.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Drifting. No,
floating
. That’s how Isauria felt now as she flew through the darkness in her mind. She was drifting, letting this gift of hers take her anywhere. She felt strangely rooted and free at the same time. All this time, since her visions had first began, she’d felt so out of place, as if any minute someone was going to come and tell her she was crazy and cart her off to the only place she belonged: a mental institution.

But now? Now she had a purpose. There was a reason for the insanity. The days of watching helplessly were over. She had power now, and she was determined to use it.

"Are you listening, Cyneward?" Someone asked sharply from her right.

Isauria turned to the sound of the voice, seeing the faint outline of someone who looked familiar. She landed lightly on her feet and walking closer to the woman. She could see red hair and pale skin. The woman’s face was buried her hand, and as Isauria drew closer, her heart dropped in her chest as she realized why she looked so familiar.

“Nandalia…”

She reached a hand out
to touch her mother’s head. The woman jerked back at the contact, and Isauria realized she wasn’t Nandalia when the woman’s face, along with the rest of the room, came into focus.

“
Solanna? Are you alright?” the woman with the sharp tone asked.

Isauria let out a disappointed sigh, remembering from he
r dreams that Nandalia’s youngest sister was the spitting image of her. She recognized the three women now. The harsh and demanding one was Sylvanna, the eldest of the Duillaine. Meridel, Nandalia’s other younger sister, was sitting beside Solanna. Meridel’s hair was lighter, with less red. Isauria only recognized one of the four men standing across from them. Liam, the man she had believed to be her father, was dressed in uniform and holding his head between his shoulders as though he wasn’t allowed to look the Duillaine in the eyes.

The Duillaine had never featured heavily in her dreams before. She’d mainly dreamt of Terrena, and of Nandalia. She understood why Nandalia starred so frequently in her dreams now. It was the only chance she’d ever have to know what her mother was like.

Solanna was glancing over her shoulder as if she could sense Isauria there. Isauria waved a hand as a test, but Solanna didn’t seem to see her.

“Yes,” Solanna said as she turned around and shifted her attention back to the others. “I’m sorry. You were asking Varrick a question.”

Sylvanna glared at the warrior in question. “Yes, and I am still waiting his response.”

"Forgive me, my lady. Could you repeat the question?" His words were perfectly polite, but Isauria felt like his tone might indicate his impatience.

From the look on Sylvanna’s face, she agreed. “I should not have to. If you are this distracted here in Anscombe, how are we to expect you to have behaved in Dhara? Perhaps if you had been more focused on your duties, Ainnir Zelene would not have come to any harm, and Ainnir Ariana would not be missing."

Isauria’s eyes widened at the accusation. Varrick’s head snapped up, the look in his eyes dangerous as his lip curled into a snarl. This was about to get really bad, really fast.

“I think, Sylvanna,” Solanna interjected, “you are perhaps being a bit too harsh on the Cyneward. I think Varrick is in a more agitated state
because
Ariana is missing, and now we have separated him from Zelene. He is blood bound to them both."

“
Of course,” Meridel agreed sadly. “I can sympathize with how difficult it must be for the four of you to be separated from the girls. My two daughters are so close and yet still so far from my grasp.”

Sylvanna let out an annoyed breath. “You will be reunited with your daughters once we have discerned who is to blame for the attacks, Meridel. The girls were nearly killed
, and Ariana has been captured. We have already lost one of our own to the incompetence of the Cynewards, possibly a betrayal—”

The blonde Cyneward cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Banair Sylvanna, but Alistair was killed
before
Nandalia was.”

“That is impossible,” she retorted with a dismissive wave of the hand. “Cynewards cannot die unless their ward has perished or the Duillaine execute them, as you are aware.”

Liam’s quiet voice drifted through the room as he spoke. “We believed this to be true, as well, Banair, but Isauria saw it. When Nandalia was killed, her Cyneward was already dead at her feet.”

Meridel was clearly just as distraught as Solanna as they spoke about their sister’s murder, which both broke and warmed Isauria’s heart. Meridel wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded. “That is the only way it makes sense, Sylvanna. Alistair was completely devoted to Nandalia.”

“And yet the Cahirans were still able to get to her. And the girls,” Sylvanna added with a huff. “I fear we will not get the answers we seek here." She stood up, and the others followed. "We will confer again with the Cynewards and the treiors. I believe this is how we will draw a clear picture of the events leading to the attacks and thus discover who betrayed the girls to the Cahirans. You may return to your charges, Cynewards. Solanna, Meridel. We will meet with the Council now."

Isauria didn’t like the sound of that at all. This was starting to sound more and more like a witch hunt, and she was pretty sure she knew whose heads would end up on stakes if Sylvanna had her way.

***

“Hello,” Terrena greeted the young man in bed. “Your name is Kyle, correct?”

He pulled himself upright in his bed, his thick eyebrows casting a shadow over his narrowed eyes. “Hello, random British chic who happens to know my name. Please, won’t you come in.”

Terrena knew he was being sarcastic, but she came in anyway. She took a seat next to his bed, smoothing her skirt nervously. “My name is Terrena. I’m one of the Duillaine Ainnir, like your friend Zelene. Zelene is actually my cousin.”

“What did you say you are?”

“The Duillaine Ainnir. Has she not explained any of this to you?”

His face darkened. “That would mean she came by at all. I haven’t seen your precious princess since I woke up.”

“Oh.” Terrena fiddled with her fingers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…I’m sure she must be busy. We’re not really supposed to leave our rooms.”

“You managed a visit. And you don’t even know me.”

“I thought I might be able to help.”

His attitude eased a bit. “With what? Filling me in? Or making me better?”

“Both, I suppose. I mean, if you would like.”

“How can you do that? Order the healer to get her ass over here and actually do her job?”

Terrena bristled at this. “The paion has her hands full. Isauria’s gift has overtaken her, and her life han
gs in the balance. I’m sorry to say, but her life is much more important than ensuring you are healed in a timely manner.”

“Wait—who is Isauria?”

Terrena inwardly chastised herself for her temper. This young boy had been through so much. He had been yanked from his world and nearly killed protecting Zelene, only to be abandoned by her when he needed her most. “I’m sorry. Of course you have no idea what is going on. Isauria is Zelene’s sister. She’s a Duillaine Ainnir, like myself and Zelene. We are next in line to rule over the worlds. Which is why Isauria’s care is so important.”

“Right,” he said with a nod. “Is she gonna be okay? Can’t you just fix her with magic or something?”

Terrena lifted her hands in question. “I’m not sure. Bianca is trying, but…there are no guarantees. Magic does not ensure anything. It’s give and take.”

“Looks like I have a lot to learn about this hocus-pocus stuff.”

She gave him a sympathetic smile, knowing how overwhelming all this must be. “Why don’t I explain it all to you while I try to heal you?”

H
is sad eyes were full of appreciation. “That’d be nice. I could use the company.”

***

People were staring. Some were even outright gawking. Zelene tried to keep her head down and blend in, but had soon realized she was failing miserably. And it wasn’t the bowing that tipped her off.

Well, maybe the bowing had something to do with it. Varrick had told her to stay in her room until he came for her, but hours had passed and she had grown bored. There was only so much to see from the bay window
of her gigantic room. Granted, it did overlook the market square, but the view wasn’t as entertaining from five floors up.

Unfortunately, she was having trouble making her way back to that view. She had been wandering for over an hour, paying very little attention to where she was going. She made eye contact with a boy who looked to be in servant attire and a cloth wrapped around his head, but the boy let out a yelp and ran in the opposite direction before she could ask him for help.

“Seriously?” she asked to no one at all, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

“You can’t blame the chap, really,” a familiar voice said from behind her.

Zelene turned to find Cedwen’s dimpled smile and matched it with her own. “Do I look that scary?”

He looked her up and down
, the scar over his left eyebrow now looking as though it was winking at her while he took in her appearance. The donnfay had insisted on helping her dress since her arrival, and the outfit they picked out for her that morning was even more elaborate than the ones from the previous days. The fabric was a deep red color with orange flecks across the puffed out sleeves falling off her shoulders and across the bustle accenting her hips.

“Oh, my heart is racing, but I don’t think it’s from fear.” He seemed to relish the blush spreading across her cheeks for a moment before answering her question. “Servants are not accustomed to being spoken to.”

“You didn’t seem to mind when I first spoke to you,” she challenged.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “That’s because I’m not actually a servant.” When he pulled back, he gave her a wink. “I only dress like one so I can explore more comfortably.”

“What do you mean?”

He offered her his arm, which she reluctantly took, and guided her down the corridor as he explained. “Well, as I am sure you have noticed by now, those of noble blood are treated differently than servants. Especially the Tainted.”

“The what?”

“The Tainted. I keep forgetting that, according to rumor, you were not raised in our world.” Cedwen shook his head. “There is much for you to learn.”

Zelene didn’t like the patronizing tone Cedwen used. “So teach me. I’m a fast learner.”

“I’m not sure it is my place.”

She stopped and turned around to face him, hands on her hips. “Look, it’s not like anyone else has volunteered to fill me in on shit around here. I can barely get anything out of Varrick when he’s around and the Duillaine have yet to show their faces to us. I think I deserve some answers after everything I went through to get here.”

He stepped forward in earnest. “I agree. The way the Duillaine are treating you is appalling. But I fear I would not know w
here to start.”

“Start with the Tainted. What are they? Are they sick?”

“No, they are just…weak. Strength here is measured by your connection to the elements. Your family rules the worlds because they are the strongest. The Tainted, on the other hand, have no connection to the elements at all. It is believed by most that there is something wrong with them, some reason why they are not blessed with the gifts of the elements. The headwrap they wear is an indicator of their affliction, so as to make them as unappealing as possible and warn others not to get too close.”

Zelene could hardly believe what she was hearing as she followed him up the flight of stairs they had stopped by. “So they treat them like duds? Like they’re contagious
or something? That’s ridiculous. So they can’t use magic. So what? Neither can I, but they insist on sticking me in fancy dresses and telling me I’m special.”

Cedwen was quick to dismiss her claims as they entered the top floor corridor. “Your gifts and abilities have not manifested yet. It is not surprising, seeing as how you lived in a world practically devoid of magic for so long.”

“Yeah, well my world wasn’t completely devoid of equality and justice, which is more than I can say for this place so far.”

“This world is a lot more flawed than you realize, Zelene.”

She let out a humorless laugh. “And I bet my family is to blame, aren’t they? I mean, they rule this place.”

“That is most certainly not my place to say. I’ve told you too much already.” He gestured to the door across from them. “I believe that is your room.”

She cocked her head to the side and eyed him. “How did you know I was lost?”

He gave her that same dimpled grin as he responded, “Definitely not by the confused look you were wearing when I saw you.”

“Thanks. I mean, for talking to me. It’s nice to have a friend here.”

“Well, friend, I hope to see you again soon.” He turned to leave, but hesitated and turned back around. “Remember, if you want to explore unseen, you have to wear the clothes of the invisible. But you didn’t hear that from me.”