He opened his blurry eyes to see both Guyas and Taurus, the newbie mages, standing in front of him, practically bouncing on their toes, with silly grins on their faces. Syrus said his revised incantation once under his breath, strengthening his sight.
He quirked an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You've got a visitor, sir," Guyas said.
"Waiting in your apartment, sir," Taurus added.
Syrus stood and brushed past them, glancing once over his shoulder at Ithiel, who also had a silly grin on his face. The shiver continued as Syrus climbed the stairs to his room.
She had her back to him, looking out the window. Syrus closed his eyelids and said his incantation a few more times under his breath, so she couldn't hear. He kept his eyes shut as she turned to face him.
The pain and anger stood in the room between them like another person. Her heart spoke remorse and apology to his, but no words were uttered. The bond trembled and pulled at them. Syrus didn't move when she took a tentative step toward him. His face remained closed with anger.
Forest watched him warily as she took another step closer. A muscle in his jaw tightened. It seemed as though she hadn't looked at him in years, and she realized clearly that she had never seen a more beautiful man. Angry or not, she wanted to touch him, to press her lips to his skin, to lay her head on his strong chest and be wrapped in his arms.
Absorbing her release of pheromones, the anger in Syrus' face shifted to a bemused curiosity. The corner of his mouth turned up, and he opened his eyes. She gasped at the one-two punch to her head and heart at the eye contact. He reached out and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her roughly against him.
Relief and pleasure flooded through her at his touch.
For a long time, they just stood there, silently holding on to each other. When she pressed a kiss on his collarbone, he pulled back and looked in her eyes again. "I'm angry still," he said.
"Forgive me."
He sighed. "I will, just not today."
Forest looked down at the floor, dejected. She lifted her hair off one shoulder and pressed back against him. Tilting her head, offering him her neck.
He stiffened. "No." He pushed away from her. "I'm too angry. I'd hurt you."
Syrus threw his hands up at her sad, wide-eyed expression. "Well I'm not made of stone," he said exasperated.
"I just came here to tell you that I love you, and I'm sorry. I stopped here on my way to Kyhael."
"Kyhael?"
"Yes. I'm going to see my father and accept my birthright. Unless you don't approve. I intend to become Hailemarris."
It had been too long since Forest had seen Syrus' childlike smile and it shone on her now like the sunlight. He caught her hand in his and kissed it. "That's good. I'm happy you've decided. I think it's the right choice for you."
"And what about you?"
"I'm figuring it out. Things are more clear for me here, on the mountain."
"They are?"
He smirked. "Everything except you. Troublesome little addiction that you are."
"I'm sorry."
"Sure you are," he said sarcastically.
To her great relief, Syrus reached for her again and kissed her mouth without holding back. She melted and strained against him, pushing his cloak off his shoulders. Her hands running down his arms and over the planes of his back teased out shivers on his skin.
Desperately tormented, he grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. He lifted her off her feet, holding her against him, heart to heart. Trailing kisses from her mouth to her jaw and down her neck where his lips touched her slave mark, dousing his fire as effectively as a bucket of cold water. He sighed and placed her back on her feet. "We're not whole yet," he said sadly. "How much longer are you going to make me wait?"
"As soon as I am Hailemarris, I'll go back to the Onyx Castle and kill Leith."
He kissed her once more, abruptly. "I love you, Forest."
"I love you, Syrus." She retrieved her shirt off the floor and put it back on. "Not much longer, love. Not much longer."
"All right. I'll be here."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Forgiveness." She lifted his hand and placed it over her heart. "Listen to it while we're apart."
"I do, always." He placed her hand over his heart. "You need to get better at listening to mine."
"You're right. I'll do better."
The ogre, Len, was more than happy to open a portal for her to the gate of Kyhael. Forest was both optimistic and heavyhearted when she left Syrus. Looking forward at her future career and their future together, she moved ahead, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
Devonte yawned and rolled his shoulders before checking Leith's progress again. The surgery to remove the black thorns had been rough, and he was healing slowly. The incisions were in danger of infection and would create ugly scars regardless of what Devonte did.
Vladien came into the dark room and looked down at his son, thrashing in his fevered sleep. "What do you think, Devonte?"
"He'll live. You were right to send for me."
Vladien's head boiled. He wouldn't stand for this. He wouldn't sit quietly while his race decided they were no longer superior. And he wouldn't let anyone, regardless of their rank or title, pass judgment on his son.
Sudden grief for Lorcan seized in his throat, and he excused himself from the room. Holding up in this non-descript house in the low-class end of Paradigm was necessary while Leith was wanted. The bodies of the previous owners still lay in their beds.
"Vladien," Devonte called, "he's waking."
Vladien rushed back into the other room and knelt down next to his son. Beads of sweat covered Leith's skin, and his eyes fluttered. He moaned and murmured.
Leith sprang into a sitting position, grabbing his father by the arm, his bloodshot eyes wild and unfocused. "Forest! Where is she?"
Vladien pushed Leith back. His muscles convulsed a few times before he slipped back into unconsciousness. Vladien stood and straightened his shirtfront, sneering down at his son. "Idiot, boy," he spat and then looked at Devonte. "We need to talk."
The hunched wizard followed Vladien into the next room. Vladien paced the length of the floor a few times before turning his icy eyes on Devonte. "That Halfling is the cause of all of this! She killed Lorcan."
"Sir, Forest was at the ball when Lorcan was killed."
"She killed him, do you hear me?"
Devonte shrugged, unperturbed. "Calm yourself, or I'll leave."
"You'll do as I say!"
"I don't answer to you. I came because I sympathize with your plight. Don't push me."
"I want her dead. She's trouble. You can take her out."
Devonte scratched his nose as though bored. "I don't give a damn about her one way or the other. And I've had enough of your drama. If she's such a bother to Leith, let him take care of it. He'll be back on his feet in a few days."
Vladien offered no thanks or acknowledgment of any kind to Devonte when he left, except to slam the door behind him.
Devonte contemplated reporting their location once he returned to Fortress out of annoyance at how he'd been treated, but on second thought, he really didn't want to draw attention to himself at the moment. His thoughts shifted to a good meal and a nap.
****
The portal from the Obsidian Mountain dropped Forest directly in front of Kyhael's main gate. The gate stood wide open, deceptively welcoming. Forest gulped and took a step back, her heart beating painfully fast. Never had she dared to venture this close to the elf city before. The light radiating from the Belliss stone was warm, golden, and alabaster, its luminescence coming from within and not a reflection of the pale sun.
The urge to run slammed through her feet. Her thoughts were a mess. She tried to create a cover story and a lie about her business and identity, as she knew she would be questioned as soon as she entered. Then she took a deep breath and shook her head, laughing to herself. She didn't need a cover story or a fake name. She didn't come here to hide, but be recognized. The sensation was completely new.
Forest wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and did a quick appearance check. She was still in her wonder woman mode. Remembering what Rahaxeris said about choosing an appearance that people could recognize her with, she shifted back into the look that closely resembled her true form, tucking her hair behind her ears, so everyone could see she was an elf.
She lifted her chin, walked through the gate, and was immediately stopped by two armed guards. Both of them smiled vaguely in an attempt to seem cordial while emanating the sense they would take her down in the blink of an eye, if need be. They resembled each other so closely they could have been twins. Forest admired the official white-handled swords that hung from their belts.
"A few questions, please, citizen."
"Citizen?" Forest asked.
"All elves have citizenship in Kyhael. Is this your first time to the city?"
"Yes. It is."
The guards glanced at each other for a second. "Are you here on business or pleasure?"
"Umm. Some of both, actually."
Their eyes grew more intense. "You are not a full-blood elf," the one on her right said sternly.
The ingrained urge to look down pulled at her. Forest fought it, keeping her chin up. "That's right. I'm half shifter."
The guards glanced at each other again, some significant communication passing between them silently. "State your name, please, citizen."
"I am the Lady Forest. Zeren's adopted daughter and I'm here to see the
Rune-dy
."
Within three minutes, Forest was surrounded by Kyhael officials, all wanting to escort her to the
Rune-dy
. They fussed and tripped over themselves offering her warm welcomes and any comfort she might desire. People on the street stopped, stared, and moved aside for her and the entourage around her.
Their words faded into a buzzing in the background as Forest beheld the full beauty of the elf city for the first time in her life. The streets, walls, and buildings all seemed to flow from the Belliss stone rather than have been cut from it. Nothing was stacked, or rough-edged. The entire city was seamless, a shining example of balance and harmony.
****
Rahaxeris looked up from the report he was reading. Forest was close by; he could feel her. Surprised she would just show up and pleased she possessed the courage to do so, Rahaxeris got up to see which of his fellow priests were at work and inform them of her arrival.
After looking through every room, he found he was alone except for Baal, who was doing paperwork in the science library.
"Baal," Rahaxeris addressed the assistant.
Baal jumped to his feet. "Yes, sir."
"Forest is coming in, in a few minutes, and I'd like to speak to her privately."
Baal folded his notes and tucked them under his arm. "Yes, sir…I didn't know she was coming today."
Rahaxeris smiled. "Neither did I, otherwise I'd have informed everyone."
Baal hesitated at the door. "May I meet her, sir? Just briefly?"
Rahaxeris raised one eyebrow. "Scientific curiosity?"
"Yes, sir."
"
Very
briefly."
The
Rune-dy's
upper office was located in the dead center of Kyhael. Forest found she didn't have to speak for herself as the officials all started barking orders at the office staff. She looked around at the efficient simplicity, feeling a chill run up her spine as she reminded herself of the atrocities that were committed behind the walls.
"I shall escort the Lady from here. Thank you for bringing her in, but please leave now."
Forest surveyed the elf ushering the officials out before he turned to smile at her. "I am the prefect Camber." He took her hand in a welcoming gesture. "You honor us with your presence."
Forest made a non-committal noise in her throat. She pegged Camber immediately as the perfect lackey. Useful, but she didn't like him at all.
"If there is anything, anything at all that I can get for you, please don't hesitate to ask."
His smile fell a fraction when she made no request of him or gave him thanks like a treat to an anxious, performing dog.
"Please follow me."
As Forest followed Camber down the narrow tunnels, she fought the urge to turn and run back to the surface. Her mind conjured all manner of horrors that might lie below. Once her imagination kicked in, cold dread swirled in her stomach. The
Rune-dy
might still strap her to a table and dissect her for answers. Everything Rahaxeris said might have been a ruse, in an attempt to lure her here.
Syrus' logical words came back into her mind. If Rahaxeris wanted her, she wouldn't have been able to hide from him. He didn't need to deceive to get her.
She came to a halt behind Camber in front of a curved wall, a circle of light shone through the center, no bigger than Camber's palm. He placed his hand over it, and the light expanded until it was taller and wider than the two of them. He stepped back. "After you."
"I don't think so," she said sternly.
He smiled and gave her a little bow. "As you wish." He walked through the light.
Forest's pulse hammered, and she blew out her breath.
Okay, here goes.
She stepped into the light and passed right through the wall.
Rahaxeris waited on the other side. She met his red-eyed gaze evenly.
Father
. Her mind rolled with the word, again finding it odd, but not rejecting it.
He turned a smile on Camber. "Thank you, Camber. You may leave."
"Yes, Sir."
Rahaxeris looked at her silently until the light closed behind Camber.
"So, Forest. What brings you here?"
She reached into her pocket, pulled the green stone necklace out, and held it up.
A stony expression hardened on his face. "Did you come all this way just to give it back?"
"No. You're mistaken. I came here to accept it and claim my birthright."
Pleasure flashed through his eyes, and he quickly worked to neutralize it. "Well, I am…pleased."
Forest chuckled then sobered. "I'm not doing it to please you. I'm taking the job so I can do good. So I can speak for those who have no voice, as I myself was once silent…And though some will judge me to be a monster once they learn whose child I am, I find that I long to have a surname."
At Rahaxeris' quick smile, she rushed to clarify. "Accepting my title puts me on more even ground with Syrus. I want to be considered his equal. It's vital to my future happiness."
Her statement didn't dampen his smile. "I'm happy my name will contribute to your future happiness, Forest…I know that my knowledge about you, irks you, but I think you'll find it agreeable when I tell you that the position of Hailemarris is not absolute or forever."
"Huh?"
"I know you like to earn what you have. You shall be instated as Hailemarris, but after five years, as the new republic finds its feet, you will only be able to keep your position by a majority vote of the people."
Forest's mouth fell open. "Really?"
"Really."
"Thank you." It was the first genuine smile she'd given him, and his heart absorbed it. She slipped the necklace over her head, the power sliding over her skin, filling her pores like smoke. "So, what do we do now?"
"I'll send word to Zefyre, telling her of your decision, and to be expecting my official letter to the high council. Then one to Zeren. Trust me, word will spread quickly. Do you need to notify anyone?"
"No. I told Syrus before I came here. Will I be an employee of Fortress again?"
Rahaxeris chuckled. "Hardly. More like the boss. I've already had your office constructed in Fortress castle, but if you'd prefer to be in another location, it can be arranged easily."
Forest considered. "I suppose it will be best that I am there, given the nature of the job, and the central location…I'm sure the members of the high council will dislike the change."
"You have the ability to terminate the job of anyone who works for Fortress, including the members of the high council…in fact, I think you'll find your plate full, very quickly, with charges brought against a few you know."
"What?"
"Zefyre and Lush must come under your judgment, soon. Frost and Gagnee face lesser charges. And then there's Devonte…The lawless actions of the wizards will no longer be met with acceptance. They will obey the laws or face banishment back to their homeland."