Legend of the Touched (38 page)

Matthias began to stir then, and his eyes slowly
opened. "Wh-where? Who?" When his eyes settled on his brother, they
went wide. "Jason!"

"Let me go, and I'll reward you with more riches than
you'll ever know what to do with. Power so great, you can conquer
worlds," the demon said, using Jason's body. His voice was still
low and barely human.

"What did you do to him?" Matt asked in horror.

Etz rolled his eyes. "We didn't do anything. He's
been like this for a while, and because of something
you
did
with him. So whatever that was, it's gotta be undone."

"We need to touch him and focus on our element," Taj
said quietly. "All four of us."

Without a moment's hesitation, Darien put a hand on
Jason's arm. Matt sat over his brother's face, holding his head.
The others soon joined.
Focus on my element,
Darien thought.
He concentrated on the rushing rivers of his home, the peaceful
ocean, the grand waterfalls. The rain falling, and dancing with Tai
in it. He thought about the pool and how strong he felt with its
water restoring him.

His thoughts were interrupted when Jason began to
scream as though he were in pain.

"What's wrong?" Matt yelled over the noise. Darien
didn't answer for fear of becoming too distracted. There was a gust
of wind that nearly knocked him over, and Jason moaned loudly. The
crystals on the ceiling of the cave glowed blindingly bright, a
beam of light fell upon Jason and steam began to rise off of him.
Or Darien thought it was steam, but then it started to change into
black smoke and took on a human like shape. With a growl, it
dissipated and then it became dark.

Jason was panting and covered in sweat. The first
thing he did once he was calm was stare at his brother. "You're
here, you came."

"I'm here," Matt said quietly. "What was that?"

And that was when Jason filled him in on the
possession. Darien let them have their tender moment. He was tired,
and the brothers would soon be separated again. Soon Matthias would
have to be taken back to the nation of Oceina where he would pay
for his crimes.

Chapter Ninety-Five

The Inero

Gwen raced through the halls of Sanctuary. As soon as
she'd heard that the men were coming home again, that everything
was well, she went to wait at the door. Staying behind had been
hard for her. Throughout all of this, she'd been by Jason's side to
help him. And then when he needed her the most, she couldn't be
anywhere nearby. Finally, he was free.

When he staggered into the castle, she flung her arms
around him, not wanting to let him go again for a long time. He
stepped back to brace himself and steadied them both by putting a
hand on her hip. She couldn't help it; she had to kiss him long and
hard. His mouth opened slightly as he kissed her back.

"Eh-hem," Chris coughed which earned him a rough
elbow in the gut from Navi.

Gwen could feel her cheeks grow hot, and she curled
her body against Jason's. The hand he put on her hip moved down to
the top of her thigh and he pulled her closer. His hold was weaker
than usual, but she still felt just as safe and cozy in it.

She gazed up into his dark eyes. "I'm sure you're
exhausted after all of that."

"You have no idea," he mumbled. He closed his eyes
momentarily and then made eye contact with Chris. "Thank you, I'm
forever in your debt. Everyone's. Please tell them for me when they
get here?" Chris nodded.

"They didn't come back with you?" Gwen asked, and
followed Jason as he led them back to their room. He did seem
weary. She'd gladly tuck him in so he could rest.

Jason shook his head. "Chris and I were dropped off
by Darien so he could take Matt to..." He swallowed. "He'll be
punished accordingly, I'm sure." He sighed and then shook his head.
"The others went back to their respective homes no doubt. I don't
particularly see why they'd come back here."

"Are you okay?"

"Tired, a little confused, but otherwise unhurt. So
much of the past couple of days is a blur. It's moved so fast. Plus
I'm still trying to get used to all of this new magic inside of me.
Hopefully the others won't abuse the honor of having my power in
them as well." He looked down at his hands. He clenched his fists
together, and she watched them glow red, then blue, then white,
then green, before going back to red again. She hadn't seen him use
his magic much. It was fascinating.

Still, she didn't want to make a big deal about it.
He was tired, and didn't need to deal with her curious questions.
She walked him to their room and helped him into bed. He groaned
softly as he climbed under the covers. Lying next to him, she held
him close. Jason may not have wanted to be hugged so tightly, but
he would have to suffer for a little while if that was the case.
She needed to feel him close to her for only a few moments
longer.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too." He kissed her lips softly. The kiss
deepened, and he trailed his hands over the curves of her body. She
gazed up into his eyes, and saw the same sense of longing that she
felt on the inside of her soul, reflected in them. Finally, they
could be one.

Chapter Ninety-Six

The Inero

Matthias was locked in a cell for what he guessed was
three days. That felt about right. He had no visitors, which was
how he preferred things. There wasn't anyone he was sure he could
see. Kat, he longed to see her again, but he was also ashamed. He'd
lost, failed, and what would she think of him? He'd tried so hard
to prove himself right and worthy and it backfired in his face. The
other Touched had worked together without him, and defeated him.
After what he saw happen to Jason, he also couldn't help but wish
he'd listened to his wife. There were a lot of pieces he was trying
to put together still, but all of the answers would come at the
trial. The Oceina guards would be coming to take him there.

When they arrived to collect him, Jason was there as
well. The boyish smell his brother once had was gone; the last sign
that things were forever changed. The guards moved to restrain
Matt's hands behind his back. Jason stopped them.

"That won't be necessary." He waved for Matt to stand
near him. Reluctantly, Matt joined his brother, staying close but
not touching.

"What are you doing here? Why are
you
leading
me to the chopping block?" Matt asked in a hushed voice.

"It's not the chopping block."

"It might as well be. I'm guilty. They want me dead."
And he should die. If the roles were reversed, Matt wouldn't have
even bothered to hold a trial. The Oceina were much more interested
in justice than revenge. Matt didn't see the point though. Why
delay the inevitable?

Jason glanced at him. "That's why I'm here. Don't be
prideful, be honest with them."

"I appreciate the advice, but I don't need sympathy.
I can accept whatever they think I deserve."

"As your older brother, I'm going to do everything in
my power to help you. Over the years you've done a lot to help me,
and I want to do the same. Despite everything, I still love you.
The only reason I've done anything I have is because I do." Jason's
eyes were wide and pleading. "And there is still so much I want to
tell you, to share with you. About Mom, Dad, our
real
family. I want you to be here. Please trust me and let me try? Let
go of your honor and think about your family. Kat, Danielle, what
about
them
?"

Matt didn't know how to explain to Jason that they
were part of the reason he felt so terrible. The disappointment
they must have had in him was unbearable. But his brother did have
a point. There was a lot he didn't understand.

"Okay," Matt said. "I'll try."

Jason grabbed his arm tightly, and brought him into
an office. They were in Oceina City, inside one of the many tall
skyscrapers that still stood. Matt was a little surprised they'd
use a place like that to hold a trial, even a private one. He
thought for sure he'd be dragged in front of the entire Dragon
Council. The low-key aspect of it made him nervous. Would he really
receive fair judgment here?

Both he and his brother were seated in front of a
desk. The Oceina guard stood behind them, and there were three
other men standing behind Darien. The Great Lord was seated across
from them, leaning forward.

"You know why you're here. I didn't want to make a
big spectacle of everything. It might cause more unnecessary drama
between our nations. Here we have the required amount of witnesses
in accordance to dragon law, and it will also be recorded for
everyone to see. Because your crimes were committed against my
people, naturally I get to decide what to do with you. But I wanted
to hear
your
explanation of things." Darien was surprisingly
casual about it. Matt expected more emotion. Usually the young man
was more passionate.

The room was quiet, and all eyes were on Matt. Jason
gave him an encouraging nod.

"I'm not sure where to start," Matt said honestly.
There was a lot of background to cover, things that could explain
why he did what he did. He decided to stick to the basic facts.
"Ever since I can remember, I've had powerful, aggressive magic. My
father decided that would make me a good asset to his military.
With my knowledge, he was able to make magically enhanced armor and
weapons. He made a deal with the Terran by offering my child in
marriage to theirs."

"So I've heard," Darien said with a nod.

Matt frowned, trying to think of what to say next.
"I'm sure you know what it's like to have expectations put on you.
My brother told me to be honest so...I will be. Everything that
happened, I honestly believed it was the right thing. My father
believed adamantly that your land belongs to my people because the
Great Dragon will be born from Inero blood in
this
city. I
agreed with him."

Darien's jaw tightened for a moment. "Were you there
when my father died?"

"I was the one who did it," Matt said after taking a
deep breath. "And I believed in that too." He'd wanted to do it
even, but he wasn't sure if he should mention that much.

Jason sighed. "Lord Oceina, if I may have a moment to
speak for him?" Darien nodded and Jason continued. "Thank you. This
might be hard to believe, but my brother did not understand what he
was doing. He knew, he had the orders, he thought they were right,
but he didn't actually
know
what was going on. The man who
claimed to be our father lied to everyone any chance he had, and
was good at manipulating and persuading others to do his bidding.
We mimic those who teach us. While I was raised primarily by Lynx's
numerous wives, Matthias was raised by
him.
I truly believe
he's good in his heart. With time, and accurate knowledge, he will
come to see how he was misled. I...I beg for you to give him the
opportunity to do so."

"I have a lot to think about," Darien said after a
minute's pause. "Take him back to his cell until I figure it
out."

Chapter Ninety-Seven

The Oceina

"Do you think he's squirming in there? Afraid?"
Darien asked and spun in his desk chair. He'd known for a while
what he preferred to do with Jason's brother. Killing him was an
option, but it seemed too easy. As much as Darien thought the man
deserved it, he was also tired of bloodshed. There had to be
another way to solve problems, and he was pretty sure he'd thought
of it. But was it going too easy on him?

Jason shook his head. "I doubt it. Matt has always
been brave. He accepts responsibility for his actions. I'm pretty
sure he prepared himself some time ago for being executed." He
paused. "Are you, going to...?"

With a deep sigh, Darien shook his head. "Not
today."

"But...maybe?"

"I want to believe you when you say he was
manipulated, molded to thinking the way he does. I haven't seen the
goodness in him, but I'm sure there is something. You'd know better
than anyone else, and you seem to have good instincts." He paused.
"But if he can't see it..."

"He will over time," Jason pressed.

"And I'm willing to give him some of that." He looked
at the guard standing by the door, waiting for him. "Go get
him."

Jason's eyes gazed downward. "Hopefully the
transition of power will go smoothly. At least the Terran are
willing to help back you up so there's not any more backlash. If a
good man can become the leader of the Inero, we can repair the
broken bonds we once had."

A small smile appeared on Darien's face. "A good man
like you?"

"I don't want to lead a country." Jason shook his
head quickly. "And I know of someone who'd be much better for the
position, who holds true bloodlines and is a more appropriate
age."

"Oh? Who's that?"

"My father," Jason said with a small smile. "There
are others who are good and capable. Lynx ruled through fear and
deceit. Anyone who follows his reign will be much easier to deal
with."

"True." Darien hoped so at least. After everything
that happened that year, he was ready to take a step back. He'd
been hoping to not have to dive into being the leader of his
people. There was a lot he still needed to learn and get familiar
with.

The door opened and the guards were back with
Matthias. They forced the man to sit again. This time he was
restrained, and everyone watched Darien to hear his verdict.

Only a few hours had passed since he'd heard Matt's
story. It was enough time to get Darien calm enough so he didn't
lash out. Sitting right in front of him was the man who was
responsible for his father's murder. That wasn't something he'd be
easily able to forgive.

"After talking with your brother and hearing what you
had to say, I've decided to put you on a sort of probation. You'll
be exiled to the island of Shanrea. For life. You'll be given a
house, a perimeter, and you won't ever step outside of the
boundaries of your home. There you can live with your family, live
a normal quiet life, and hopefully someday understand your actions.
Disobeying these orders will of course lead to my other route of
punishment, execution."