Maddie finally opened her eyes to Rayn’s smile. “It’s a perfectly beautiful place, isn’t it?”
“That it is, love, and it my most fervent wish that someday I shall show it to you.”
“Well, until then, I have a glorious picture in my mind to carry with me.”
The next day, Maddie had gone off to see Julian for another examination. He wanted to ensure that she had healed properly before she returned to Earth. Rayn was waiting for her return when Rykerian came to see him.
Rykerian had been thinking about his situation with Maddie and made the decision to tell Rayn about his feelings toward Maddie. He had vacillated over it, not knowing how his brother would react, but in the end, he felt it was only fair that Rayn know.
Rykerian began pouring his soul out to Rayn. “Rayn, you need to know about something that has been bothering me. I didn’t know if I should tell you or not, but I have decided that it is important for you to hear this from me and no one else.”
With his eyes cast downward, he haltingly began telling Rayn of his dilemma. “You see, it seems as though I find myself, shall I say, besotted with your female.” Rykerian paused, briefly glanced at Rayn and continued, “I know it is wrong, and I have tried to disengage myself from my feelings. However, I find it impossible for me to do. The Deity above knows I have tried to stay away and keep myself busy with work, but it hasn’t eased my feelings. I don’t know what to do any more,” he confessed. He lifted his eyes, expecting to see condemnation and hatred, but he only found compassion.
Rayn listened to everything he had to say and asked, “When did this become known to you?”
“When first I met her, when you brought her into the billiard room to introduce her to us. I tried to ignore it, to run away from it, to confront it in the hopes it would just disappear, but it seems I have just fallen for the wrong female. I tell you this because I want you to know I would never dishonor you or her, nor would I act upon these feelings. It is just that I need to make myself scarce around her, and I didn’t want you to think less of me because of that. Are you angry? You must think I’m a terrible excuse for a brother,” Rykerian said, his voice laced with anguish.
“Rykerian, how could I ever be angry with you for something that I feel the same way over?” Rayn placed his hand on his shoulder. “I know you will always do the honorable thing where Maddie is concerned. I am just sad for you that you are experiencing this. I wish you had bonded with someone that could return your feelings. Always know that you can come to me for anything, Rykerian. I trust you. You are my brother, and we share the same blood. I wish there was something more I could do for you.”
“You’ve done enough just by listening to me. I promise to continue to watch over her in your absence, although I feel as if we’ve done a rotten job of it so far.”
“We will find why Voldruk caused all of this, and it will make us better in the long run. In the meantime, protect Maddie, the family, and the Compound and keep me informed.”
“I just hope we can keep Maddie from burning down the house. She has this uncanny knack, Rayn, for attracting trouble.”
“So I hear,” Rayn said laughing. “At least there is never a dull moment around her. I hear Zanna has all but banned her from the kitchen.”
“And the laundry room. We are all afraid she will eventually wreck our cars or motorcycles. We keep steering her away from the garages. I must tell you though, it requires our constant vigil.”
They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Rykerian, thank you for telling me. Does Maddie know?”
“Yes, but not because I wanted her to know. She stumbled upon Therron and I when we were teleconversing. I was so upset about him finding out that I projected so violently and I accidentally entered her mind. It was quite odd that she picked it up, though. I think if we worked with her we could develop her ability.”
“I agree, but thanks though for filling me in on all of this.”
“Well, let me get out of here before Maddie gets back. I don’t want her to know I was here.”
Rayn nodded his agreement, and Rykerian left.
Three days later, Maddie said a difficult good-bye to Rayn. She told herself over and over that she would be strong, but when the moment was upon them, her strength failed her. She couldn’t seem to find a way to stem the flow of tears.
Rayn held onto her and promised it wouldn’t be long before they were together and asked her to be strong. He whispered in her ear to think of him often. He started to sing “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and that finally broke Maddie’s sadness. It brought back the memory of the first time she had ever sang for Rayn. She had a dreadful singing voice and couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, and he had been truly mortified by the sounds emanating from her.
“I’m sorry I’m a bit late, Rykerian, but I had to listen to your brother entertain me for a minute. Lord, help me!”
They walked down a corridor until they reached a set of double doors. “I thought you’d want to take a turn around the grounds here before we leave.” Though Maddie thought that was strange, she didn’t say anything.
“I owe you and Therron my life, you know. I would not be standing here right now if you two hadn’t gotten to me when you did.” She stood up on her toes and gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome for the thanks, and I will always have your best interests at heart.”
“So, where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.” They walked away and went through some beautifully landscaped areas until they reached another set of buildings. Rykerian led the way through a set of double doors, when Maddie realized where they were. They had entered the Academy of Sciences.
“This is where we were educated before we were enrolled in the Academy of the Guardians. Come,” he said, so she continued to follow him.
He took her down several corridors until they came to a huge glass showcase that displayed things such as trophies, award plaques, and the like. He came to a stop in front of one, and above it, on the wall, it read “Primary Awards.”
“These are awards that are given to outstanding students in the primary levels.”
Maddie looked in the glass case, and one award after the other had been given to Rayn Yarrister. “Oh, my! They’re all for Rayn!”
“Keep looking and read the captions on each one.”
“Highest Honors in the Sciences; Highest Honors in Mathematics and Engineering; Highest Honors in the Arts.
“Oh. My. Gosh! How many are there?”
“I’ve lost count,” he chuckled. “Just keep looking though.” He leaned against the wall and just watched her as she inspected the showcases.
The awards went on and on. There was one that was entitled, “The Millennium Award.”
Underneath it, there was an explanation that read, “Due to the outstanding achievements of one student, the academicians have researched all archives and have discovered until this day, there has never been a student on Vesturon to achieve the levels of superior excellence that one Alexyon Rayn Devvan Rowan Yarrister VII has attained. Therefore, a new award has been established, and it is called The Millennium Award. It will go to the student that attains the level of high performance that Rayn Yarrister attained in his years as a student here.”
“Alexyon Rayn Devvan Rowan Yarrister the VII? Do you mean like the seventh, as in your father is the sixth and so on?”
“Well, yes, but that is not what I had intended for you to focus on.”
“I know that Rykerian. But the seventh? Gah, that sounds so regal. It puts it all into perspective for me.”
“Well, maybe I should not have shown you this.”
“Too late, Rykerian. Spill it and now. Tell me exactly what that means.”
“Simply put, Rayn is seventh in the line of succession in the House of Yarrister. My father is Alexyon Rayn Devvan Rowan Yarrister the sixth.”
“So it
is
royalty!”
“Um, Maddie, I am a bit uncomfortable discussing this. Did Rayn not tell you of this?”
“He alluded to it and said it was
like
royalty, but I guess he must have been afraid it would scare me off.”
“So, has it?”
“What?”
“Scared you off?”
“No, overwhelmed me maybe. Is your father a king?”
“Not exactly, but we are called ‘lord’ and ‘liege.’ He is technically referred to as a Great Leader. It is a dynasty of sorts, but Vesturon is ruled by more than that, as you know. My father is the most powerful individual, followed by Rayn, but the Council can overrule him at any time. Even more importantly, none of us is ever above the law, as you are also aware.”
“Sorry I took you down this tangent. I just didn’t know any of this. Getting back to Rayn. Sharra told me that he was really brilliant, but I never knew.”
“I know you didn’t. That is why I wanted to show you this. Rayn is extremely humble and modest when it comes to his accomplishments. He never would have told you any this but he is a phenomenon here, Maddie. I also wanted you to know that I told him about my feelings toward you.”
“Why? Why would you do that when...?” she began.
Rykerian interrupted her. “I had to tell him, Maddie, because he’s my brother and I love him. I didn’t want him to find out from someone else. Damnation, Maddie, I act like an adolescent around you. I can barely speak sometimes. Someone is bound to notice that.”
Maddie was shocked about two things right now: Rayn was beyond genius and Rykerian’s revelation to Rayn.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I simply wanted you to know Rayn. Maddie, he is extremely special. He is no ordinary male. He may seem demanding and overbearing and controlling to you at times, but you will always come first with him. He means a great deal to all of us. We would do anything for him, you know. So, when the time comes, we will be back in full support to help you two in your cause.”
“I am speechless and honored.” She reached up to kiss his cheek again.
“You are trying to torture me, right? You have to stop doing that. I don’t want to sound harsh, but, Maddie, it’s painful to me when you are so close and I can feel you.”
“I’m sorry. I wish so badly you could find someone that loves you deeply. You deserve the best.”
“Maddie, I’ve already found the best, except she’s been taken by someone else. Unfortunately, it’s someone I love as much as I love her.”
Maddie had no response for him. She knew right now was not the time to try to talk to him about his feelings for her. So instead, she said, “Are you ready?”
He entered all the necessary information in his
shadar
, and in seconds, they were in front of the house in Haywood County.
Sharra happened to be on the front porch when they materialized in front of the house. She was so excited Maddie was back that she flew down the porch and threw herself at Maddie. She unfortunately underestimated her own strength and overestimated Maddie’s, and they both found themselves flying through the air. They landed with a big whoosh in a pile of arms and legs.
“What in the world?” Maddie started, but she immediately started to giggle. Within seconds, laughter was bubbling out of the two of them, so Rykerian rolled his eyes and sauntered off.
“Are you trying to kill me or hug me?” Maddie asked.
“Oh! I am sorry! I did not mean to knock you down. I was sure you were much stronger than that, and I did not think I had such vitality in me! I am so glad to see you!”
“Oh, and why would I think that?”
“Because I just knocked you down!”
“That question wasn’t meant to be answered Sharra.”
“Then, why did you ask it of me?”
“Oh, Lord! I have missed you too!” Maddie responded, taking the easy way out. She hadn’t realized just how much she had missed Sharra.
“Maddie, I am so sorry that I was not able to help you that night!”
“Don’t, Sharra. Ever. It was
not
your fault. I was grateful for your help in talking with Rayn, and if it hadn’t been for the faulty veil, the whole thing never would have happened. So think no more about it, okay?” At Sharra’s nod, she continued, “So tell me what I’ve missed. What’s been happening around here?”
Sharra filled Maddie in on everything that she had missed, including the sabotage and conspiracy. She questioned Sharra on how far along Xarrid had gotten in his investigation, and she was assured that it was being handled in a most expeditious manner. She was told that Therron and their father were also working diligently in uncovering all the facts. While that eased Maddie’s mind somewhat, it still left her with an uneasiness that she couldn’t shake.
A few days after her return, Maddie was in the gym finishing up an intense work out, when Sharra dashed in and exclaimed, “We are all meeting in the den to discuss our plans.”
Sharra explained that a date before the Council had been set for Rayn. It was to take place in one week. “We’ve discussed how to handle everything, but we need to meet to make our final preparations.”
“What kinds of discussions have you had?” Maddie wasn’t aware of they had been making plans. She was a bit flustered by all of this, as she felt like she had been kept in the dark.
“Well, we’ve been making plans for some time now, and we didn’t want to involve you until we were convinced that our course of action would be the best one. Sorry for keeping you out of the circle...”
“Out of the loop. It’s out of the loop, Sharra, not circle,” Maddie dryly corrected her.
“Okay, yes Maddie, out of the loop. Anyway, I am sorry about that. We thought it would be best because, well, let’s just talk about all that at our meeting, okay?” she asked.
It was very difficult for Maddie to remain angry with Sharra, or with any of them for that matter. They all had such a genuinely sincere way about them. She ran up to Sharra and threw her arms around her exclaimed, “You all are the
very
best family any girl could ever have.”