Shapeshifters (63 page)

Within the hour, I stood on a dais at the center of the market, near the glittering wyvern statue. I took a deep breath, seeking strength.

My eyes fell to the small group immediately in front of me: my parents; my mother's mother; Salem; Rosalind; Sive; Prentice; Nicias; his parents, Andreios and Kel; and of course, Betia.

Hai was conspicuously absent.

You are about to do something that changes everything.
Her words had begun all this, and now I wondered if she had known that it would lead to this moment. What had she wanted?

Had she spoken as a cobra, protecting Wyvern's Court, or as a falcon?

What I needed to do remained the same either way.

Behind my family and all around the dais was a seething mass of curious avians and serpiente, who had all hushed the instant I had landed and taken human form.

In the sudden silence, I could feel my heart pounding and hear my blood rushing.

“Twenty-one years.” I sighed and then cleared my throat before beginning again. “Twenty-one years ago, in the
sha'Mehay
dancer's nest, the dream that would become Wyvern's Court began.” My voice carried this time, ringing through the market. “The dream was inspired by a symbol, and by the word
alistair:
protector. It spoke of a beautiful world, a peaceful world—one in which serpiente and avians lived side by side long ago. More important, it spoke of another world in which they would do so again.

“I look into this crowd today and see vipers and sparrows, taipans and crows, and all these faces prove how far we have come.” At that moment I saw Marus at the periphery of the crowd. He was staring longingly at his parents, who were standing farther off. “Simultaneously, they prove how much further we still have to go.”

My people were watching me, their faces curious and excited. I knew that what I was about to say would change those expressions.

“I've been a fool.”

Those who had been silent and attentive began to shift and grumble as they sensed that this announcement was not about to go the way they had expected.

“We dreamed of a world in which these two kingdoms would become one. But that's all it was—a
dream,
ruled by the logic of dreams.

“I love the southern hills of Wyvern's Court. I love their dance. I love their laughter, their comfort, their expression. I love their passion.” I continued with just as much sincerity, “And I love the northern hills. I love the rhythm of the skies. I love the debates, the music. I love the
simplicity,
and the beauty of shy romance.

“I love this entire world.

“I love these
two worlds.

“And that is what they are.

“Nearly two months ago, a young man, a dear friend of mine, was severely beaten for daring to cross the market from his world to the northern hills. More recently, another friend lost his home, his family, for trying to do the same.

“Every day in the market reveals the segregation and the prejudice that we have almost come to take for granted. We say, ‘That's their way, not ours,' and we walk away ignorant. Or worse, we say, ‘Well, at least we aren't at war,' when we are
killing
each other with fear and hatred. We ignore the slander because at least it isn't blades. We ignore the pain because, thank the sky, it isn't blood.”

I fought the urge to pace on my dais. People in the crowd were averting their gazes as they recalled their own actions. Only Nicias kept his eyes on me.

Marus's parents noticed him in that moment. But when Marus took a step forward, his mother turned her back on him.

“I am of you, of all of you, avian and serpiente. I have for all my life wondered how, beyond my very
existence
, I can prove to you that we can live together. In my parents' time, the mission was to stop the bloodshed, but in mine, my goal has always been to stop the
hatred.

“And I have never known how.”

I paused to gather my thoughts, drawing air into my lungs, which felt constricted. Betia smiled up at me, her eyes holding absolute trust.

“These two worlds are different, so different that I do not know if they can ever be made one. I cannot say that one set of values is superior. I cannot say that a child should be
raised one way or another. I cannot destroy one culture to assure that there is no strife.

“I should not. And I
will
not.

“So all I can do is give you to yourselves and let you live side by side, each generation trusting a little more.”

I saw confusion in my people. My mother was gripping my father's hand so tightly that her knuckles were white.

“I would be your queen if you would allow me. I would be honored to lead you. But now, I do what I must.”

What do you want from me?
I had demanded of them once. I had prayed to the Fates for guidance, time and again, screaming to them,
How can I give peace when they do not want it?

“My generation has tasted peace, and I have faith that they will safeguard it. And I have faith that someday, when the past is further behind us and fear and hatred have been supplemented by understanding, the time will come when a wyvern can grace your palace.

“But that hour is not now.” It was time to change everything. “We have tried to marry two worlds, but one cannot perform a marriage while both parties hold knives to each other's throats. One cannot sew two pieces of cloth together while both unravel. Let us heal. Let the land know peace.”

I stared at the faces around me, and I announced, “As of this moment, I formally renounce my claim to both thrones, avian and serpiente.”

I tried to avoid looking at my mother, but I could still see her sway, then lean against my father's tense form.

“I name Irene Cobriana's son, Salem, Arami, next to be Diente of the serpiente.”

I held out my hand to the cobra, and he stepped onto the dais, face composed so that his people would not be troubled.
I knew that he would have liked to argue with me, to shout and rail against my decision. He hid his emotions from the rest of his people, comforting them, his first sacrifice of
self
for the throne he had never expected to hold.

It would not be the last. This title I gave him was no gift.

He said softly, for my ears alone, “They need you, Oliza.”

I shook my head, but like him, I could not let our people see me breaking inside. “I've given them what I can. It's up to you now.” Turning to the crowd, I continued, “And Sive Shardae, my mother's sister, shall rise as Tuuli Thea of the avians.”

She nodded as Salem helped her onto the dais. She was as externally composed as we were—as if we had planned this months before, and neither dissented. We needed to be in agreement in front of our people. They both knew that.

“I share blood with both of them,” I concluded. “I am living proof that we can live without hatred. So I give you to yourselves and ask that you remember, and you teach your children, and they teach their children. Learn, trust, just …”

I would have given them everything: all of me, all I had and all I was. Instead, all I could give them was my faith and desperate hope that they would—

“Just
try.
The future, my people … the future is all we have.”

I stepped down from the dais, leaving Salem and Sive to address our—
their
people. My mother and father instantly came to my side.

Both looked as if they wanted to speak, but neither did at first.

“It was the only choice,” I said.

My mother swallowed hard. “Oliza, I know how hard leadership can be, and how impossible the future seems sometimes, but—”

“
Staying
would have been easier; it's leaving them that will break my heart. But it would have been selfish to keep them. I can't give them what they need. Please, trust me.” I drew a breath and added, “And even if you can't … Our people are going to be scared. I know that. They need to see that you believe in them. Sive and Salem are going to need your support. So, please, don't fight me. It's done.”

“But what are you going to do?” my mother asked. There were tears in her eyes.

“I'm going to leave for a while, so Sive and Salem can show Wyvern's Court that it can survive and prosper without me. I'll be with friends.” I thought of the Obsidian guild as I said it. They would take me in. “And I'll be with my mate.”

Betia had pushed through the crowd to reach me as my parents and I spoke, and now she took my hand. My mother closed her eyes a moment, speechless.

Finally my father sighed. “Oliza, this isn't necessary. If you aren't ready, then—”

I winced and said, “If you are referring to my leaving, it
is
necessary. I know that you may never understand it, but please,
trust
me. I am the daughter you raised, and I am doing what I must for the sake of our people.” He started to argue, but I continued, “And if you are referring to Betia, you should be careful. I know you are upset, and shocked, but I love her. I won't have you treat her like she's some kind of excuse.”

My mother broke out of her paralysis. “That isn't what we … who we … Oliza, are you
certain
?”

“More certain than I have ever been about anything.”

She started to speak again but then hugged me instead. She looked at Betia and said to me, “We love you, Oliza. And we trust you. We just—Good luck.”

My father nodded and seemed resigned when he said, “Treat her well, wolf.”

 

Betia and I walked through the market toward the edge of town in silence. I was barely aware of Salem, who spoke behind me to a crowd that was growing more and more restless, or of my people as they moved aside to let me pass. Some of them called my name, but I had to shake my head and keep walking. I saw several of my Wyverns—mine no longer, but performing one last duty—lining up to try to hold back the avians and serpents who were trying to follow me.

Suddenly Marus and Urban stood before me, side by side, as if they had planned this final vision of the world of which we had all once dreamed.

Marus started to speak, stopped and then drew a deep breath as if to compose himself. Urban said, “Oliza, I know we aren't perfect, but … don't give up on us. We can still—”

I touched his face, silencing him before he made me cry. “I have all the faith in the world in you, both of you,
all
of you. If I was needed, I would never leave. If ever I
am
needed, I won't be far. I'm not abandoning you. Just … letting you spread your wings.”

Urban smiled wryly. “But I don't have wings.”

“I do,” Marus offered, voice slightly choked. He gave up on the idea of reserve and hugged me. “We'll make you proud,” he whispered. “Take care of yourself.”

Then it was Urban's turn. He kissed me on the cheek and smiled at Betia. “Take care of her, Betia. She's precious to us.”

There was one last person I needed to speak to. Nicias caught up with us just before the woods' edge.

For a moment, we regarded each other in silence.

“I understand,” he said at last, quietly. “I hate it, but I understand.”

“You may be the only person in Wyvern's Court who really does.”

“People are going to be angry. Hurt.”

“I know. I wish it wasn't so, but …”

“There's no other way,” he finished for me. “I don't know all of what you've seen, but I've seen enough myself to understand. We'll manage; don't worry about us.” He added, “And I'll feel better knowing that you and your mate are taking care of each other.”

Tucked against Betia's side, I said, “Thank you for that, too. My parents were a little shocked.”

“Your parents,” Nicias said, “haven't heard the way you've talked about her. They haven't seen the way you look at her. I think I knew before you did.”

“She
was
a little slow,” Betia said, teasing. I started to defend myself—and then just kissed her instead. She was right.

 

Betia led once we were in the woods. I knew she would find our destination without difficulty. This was, after all, her realm of expertise.

I was not surprised when Velyo intercepted us. With an arrogant smirk, he said, “I listened to your little speech—quite heartwarming. It's nice to see that you can justify walking away from them to be with your fling.”

I went rigid.

This time, Betia came to
my
defense. “He will never understand,” she said. “He doesn't know what it means to sacrifice to protect your people.”

Velyo's eyes were blue flames as he turned on her, clearly
as furious as if she had struck him. “Do not speak to me about leadership. You turned down my offer when I would have made you queen of the Frektane. Is this what it takes to win your hand? A queen abandoning her throne? I should have had the pack hunt you down, before—”

My fist met his jaw, hard enough to send him stumbling backward.

“Don't you
ever
threaten her,” I snarled. “In fact, I think it would be best if you just left us alone.”

He regained his balance, his hand going to his face.

“Abdication means I'm free to make my own choices, for myself,” I pointed out. “It means my word isn't that of my courts. It's simply mine. Tempt me, and I'll dance this dance with you.”

“So you're proposing what—to kill me?” Velyo asked. “You won your place as princess by birth, Wyvern, and you weren't strong enough to hold it. I won my right to rule through blood and my own strength. You have no chance of winning, but you want to try to challenge me for one of my own people?”

Fury rippled through me, and I leaned toward him. With my lips only an inch from his throat, I whispered, “You should know, Velyo, that a cobra's bite while you sleep will kill you before you can wake.”