Whisper of War and Storms (Heirs of Elydor #1)

Chapter 28

28

KAEL

By splitting the ground open horizontally across the road, careful not to sever any roots or disturb the ancient trees lining the path, after building a wall on the other side of it, certain no human, Aetherian or Thalassari could pass, Rowan and I waited.

But not for long.

With Mev safely away, I’d intended to question the human further but our opponents had other plans. When the wall shattered with a rumble that could only have been created by a Gyorian, I focused on creating a new one. Again, and again, the rubble piled up.

Now, dirt rumbled beneath my feet, the soil cracking and shifting. Gritting my teeth, I concentrated on the balance required to maintain control—too much force and I risked collapsing the ground beneath all of us. Too little and the pursuers would cross easily.

My breath came in short, sharp bursts, but I refused to allow myself to tire. Whoever was on the other side of the new wall I’d constructed was undoubtedly after Mev. I assumed at first it was Lord Valdric and his men, but although the former Council member was highly skilled, he lacked the precision necessary to wreak havoc on the land but also leave it so unmarred. Despite the fact that we were in Aetheria, and no Gyorian cared about preserving this particular land, it was intricately tied to our own, Elydor’s natural balance necessary as it affected all of us.

“They are tiring,” Rowan called from behind me.

“Stay. Back.” The damned man refused to listen, and though I would not mourn his loss, Mev would. For that reason, I attempted to keep him safe.

Emphasis on “attempt.”

Nothing worked to keep my opponents away. Rock spires. Land tremors. Walls. Who the hell was over there? If I didn’t know better, I might think it was my father. But he was as unlikely to step foot on Aetherian soil as anyone.

Terran.

That it hadn’t occurred to me sooner, I’d blame on the certainty that, if whoever was on the other side of that wall came through, Mev would be in danger. It had been hours, however, and knowing Lyra’s riding capabilities, and Mev’s determination, they were more than halfway to Aethralis.

So I stopped. Stood back, and waited.

“What are you doing?”

Of course, Rowan was right behind me.

“They are safe,” I said, assured of it now. If that was my brother currently dismantling my new wall, I could convince him to turn around.

Rowan’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword, but I stopped him with a glance, shaking my head. “There are few who have the skill and stamina for this.” I waved a hand toward the path where the wall was coming down. “My brother is one of them.”

Rowan’s hand stayed. “Not a comforting thought.”

Of course he knew my brother, or at least his reputation. Rowan of Estmere seemed to know everything about Elydor, and I would discover why.

Later.

As I suspected, the sight that greeted us consisted of all Gyorian warriors. Also not surprising, my brother stood side by side with Lord Valdric. I stepped forward, spotting Adren. I’d not seen my friend at first, but he clearly had not been fighting.

“Why has no one been wielding?” I asked nobody in particular as the group eyed Rowan suspiciously.

“Terran knew ’twas you and refused to allow it,” Adren said, his gaze steady. Questioning. Unlike the others, Adren had moved past the battered path toward me. If a battle re-ignited, I had no doubt he would stand by my side. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Terran. He was too much my father’s lapdog these past years.

“Honorable,” I said to my brother who finally crossed our battleground. I met him halfway, the man that was as much my twin as he was a stranger. Though his hair was shorter and a thin scar ran down Terran’s left cheek, we appeared nearly identical.

“Where is she?” he asked as we embraced.

“You won’t find her.”

Terran’s nose flared, his expression one that would terrify most others. But I’d been on the receiving end of it too many times. I didn’t know a more disciplined, unyielding man, except our father. But unlike our namesake, Terran was also pragmatic and protective of me.

“Why?”

As the others looked on, and listened, I had little choice but to declare myself. There was one reason alone that I’d not brought Mev to our father, which I knew was Terran’s question. And it was not one that my brother would understand. Unlike me, he had never been in love. Terran once admitted he didn’t know if he was capable of it, though I knew better.

“I am in love with her.”

My admission had the precise effect I’d imagined it would. Terran appeared disgusted. Adren, shocked. Rowan, for his part, seemed more amused than anything, which my brother did not take kindly to.

“Who is this human you travel with that smiles at such foolery?”

Answering his question would not endear myself to him or the other men. Admitting I did, indeed, travel with a human was unnecessary. The proof stood, chuckling, beside me.

“Rowan of Estmere,” he said, in a bow that Terran would take as mocking. But I knew otherwise. Rowan was, if nothing else, savvy enough to respect Elydor’s chain of command, even his enemy’s.

By his expression, Terran knew of him already. My brother turned his attention to me.

“Father will care little for your feelings for the human woman,” he began.

I corrected him. “Half human. She is, if you will recall, half Aetherian as well.”

One of Terran’s men cleared his throat, earning a stern look from my brother. By now, Adren stood directly at my side.

“How did she come through?”

Hell if I knew, but I’d not let Terran tell that to our father.

“The more important question is… what do we do now? I will not allow you to pass, brother.”

Terran’s eyes widened. I did not often directly challenge him, or my father, but when I did, there was little question of whether or not I’d follow through. Terran stared at me, thinking. He was as strategic as any and was currently assessing the consequences of every possible action. I’d make it easy on him.

“You can fight me, but she’ll have reached her father before we’re through.” By now, Terran knew precisely where Mev was heading, so there was little reason to be coy about the fact. “Or you can turn around and tell Father she is lost to him.”

“Another possibility, Kael.” He looked at his men. It was true, I was not strong enough to battle my brother and all of the others. But I would put up one hell of a fight.

We locked eyes.

He pleaded with me, but I would not back down. Lest he not fully understand, I gave Terran the only remaining information necessary for him to make a decision.

“I will die for her, brother.”

Adren gasped. Rowan stopped smiling. Terran said nothing. His expression did not change. But I knew him better than anyone, which was why it did not surprise me when he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and expelled it.

Opening his eyes, Terran said, “Father will not be pleased.”

“No. I don’t expect he will be.” It was an understatement, and we both knew it well. I’d already considered the consequences of my stance many times these past days. “Thank you, brother.”

He had no need to respond. Terran was not the sort to explain his reasons or even show any sort of emotion. Instead, he held my gaze. “This will not be the end, Kael.”

Nay, it would not.

With that, he turned and motioned for his men to do the same. “Take care of my brother,” he called, presumably to Rowan and Adren who’d not moved to return with the others. “He will need it.”

Terran would not take kindly to my next words, but given the circumstances, they needed to be said, even if my brother would not reciprocate. “I love you, Terran.”

I’d expected no acknowledgment, but Terran managed to surprise me by raising his arm just before he mounted. I could not worry what the future held, but there was little doubt my life would ever be the same again. For a Gyorian, there was peace in stability. Change brought only chaos. But what choice did I have?

“So… my prince.” Adren crossed his arms, his expression one of resignation. “What now?”