Chapter 23
T
he twins followed them back to the ship, where Kaen the Crazy and Xol walked up the bridge to the Neptune.
It wasn’t that they necessarily didn’t trust the twins yet, but they were afraid to leave them alone, even for a moment, to go and instruct the crew to deboard.
Jayce suggested that one of them accompany the other, and here they were.
Xol was ill-pleased but ultimately conceded, considering Azahara and her state.
It was appreciated, and while she did feel considerably better for the moment, she didn’t want to be away from them, just in case.
Akua stood behind Jayce and her as they waited at the edge of the dock for the rest of the crew to join them.
She could feel his gaze on her and wondered if this was a good moment to talk without his crazed sister bombarding him.
After resolving her decision, she turned to face him, finding his strong gaze unwavering.
Jayce stayed staring out at the Neptune, but he linked his pinky with hers, reassuring her that he was there and listening.
“Akua,” she didn’t need to say his name, but she felt in the moment it was appropriate to at least address him. His eyebrows relaxed, and so did his shoulders. “What is a Keeper?” Not only did Akua visibly shift, but Jayce tensed beside her.
“Your people still have that much text about Rah.” It didn’t feel like a question, more like a surprised statement that he didn’t want clarification on. Either way, she shook her head. One of his arms crossed his body as he leaned to one side. “How do you know about that then?”
“Your Dragon,” Azahara wasn’t sure why, but both of them reacting the way they did made her not want the answer anymore. It wasn’t a title that she had ever heard before, and if she was honest, it didn’t sound like one that she wanted. “They called me their Keeper.”
She was watching for Jayce’s response, but he seemed to be less caught off guard or more prepared this time. Akua, on the other hand, had his mouth wide open and was staring harder than he had been before.
“You did hear him, it wasn’t a trick.”
She narrowed her eyes, “How else would I have known their name?”
“You could be a telepath, or a witch—” why is it that I have to be a witch? This feels sexist, in so many ways. “But that is quite the confirmation.”
“Great,” she didn’t want to sound irritated, but it just slipped.
“So, what is a Keeper? Do I collect Dragons like the kids collect marbles? Or is it more like a farmer? The Keeper of Sheep.” At least she got a soft chuckle out of Jayce, who put his arm against hers, and locking their fingers together.
“Good one.”
“Thanks.”
Akua was less impressed but didn’t fight the upward tug on the corner of his lips. “Not exactly. Someone else is better equipped to answer that. If they don’t,” he must have seen her about to contest, so he hurried along, “I will answer your question. On Ilkiz, you have my word.”
How hard could it be to just explain what that title was? She sighed in frustration, but nodded, she didn’t want to argue.
“Also,” Akua captured her attention before she was going to turn back around with Jayce, “about earlier.”
Her lips part slightly, ready to tell him not to mention it. They were in the heat of battle, and she knew that his intentions were nothing more than to subdue her.
“I am truly sorry,” it felt like ice consumed over her, “Water holds many properties, one of which is sight. I saw through your eyes.” Her heart was pounding, and a wave of embarrassment flooded her. “You are safe. Now that you are here, he cannot enter these lands. Her spirits—”
He raised his hand, and water pooled in his palm, and once again, Vemi, but a smaller version, appeared.
It’s serpent-like body slithered along his arm and up to his shoulder.
The Dragon was made of pure water, unlike when she touched it and saw a fully formed creature of beauty. “They will protect you.”
Azahara had stayed quiet the entire time they walked away from the harbor.
She had a lot on her mind, mostly Akua’s last words and the title of Keeper.
Thankful as always for Jayce and Xol, they had caught the crew up and asked that they allow her to be in silence.
Alyse was the only one that protested, she could see that something was wrong, and immediately blamed the two twins.
She wanted to know, from Azahara, what they did because she felt that Jayce and Xol were keeping a secret from them.
Understanding her frustration, Azahara broke her silence for the briefest of moments to give her some peace.
While the twins had attacked them, could she really blame them?
They were invaders in their mind, coming to their land.
It was the same that Zhal and her people felt when her and Kaed were too close to their home.
Granted, that had ended a lot bloodier than this did.
Jayce had stayed by her side but refrained from making any physical contact with her.
It was what she wanted, she needed to have a clear head to process everything that already happened, while also preparing for what was going to happen.
She appreciated him beyond belief because she didn’t need to tell him.
He took the cue from her tucked arms and slouched shoulders.
Though, now, she wasn’t surprised anymore. Not after everything that had happened.
“Oof—” Accidentally bumping into Kaen, as they appeared to have come to an abrupt halt, Azahara looked up. She was turned, looking deep into her eyes, a neutral expression on her face. “Sorry, Kaen.”
The fire twin was beautiful, but she was absolutely nuts. For that, she would be directing any questions to her brother, the least hotheaded of the two.
“It’s all good, Azahara.” She struggled with her name, like her brother, but it didn’t seem to bother her like it did Akua. “We are here.”
In front of them, was more forest.
They had entered Isis, the massive forest that took over eighty percent of the realm of Ilkiz, a few hours ago. The sun had moved from one side of their shoulder to the other by the time Akua made the proclamation.
The problem was that there was nothing in front of them, above them, or under them. It was just more of the beautiful forest.
“Brother, we should let her go first.” There was a smile, unfriendly, lining Kaen’s face. She was hoping that this misplaced anger towards her was not due in part to being jealous. She didn’t want another Zephyra or Tillin.
Jayce stepped between her and Kaen.
Akua didn’t move, just rolled his eyes. Kaen looked Jayce up and down before crossing her arms over her chest. “Such a brute. Can’t allow your woman to fight her own battles?”
“I’m not fighting a battle for her.” He clarified, “I’m merely getting you out of her face.” Her chest tightened and her hands tingled.
“Kaen, back off. Why are you acting like this?” Jayce stepped aside as the twin skipped backward. “If she would like to go first, she can.”
“What am I going first into?” Azahara finally asked.
“Beyond the Vail. It is similar to Magic Warding but created with Dragon scales and the elemental storm. If someone tries to enter through without a descendant of Ilkiz, they are –”
“Obliterated!” Everyone turned their head to Kaen, who was wide-eyed and grinning.
“Please excuse her, no, you won’t be obliterated. You will be shot back into the sea, right outside the harbor.” Akua was just as done with Kaen as everyone else seemed to be.
“Why do you want me to go first then? Since you both are descendants, I should pass right through.”
“We will have to pass each of you through individually, but she is suggesting you walk in alone. Only if you would like. I won’t pressure you.”
“I will.” Nearly immediately, a wave of water splashed into Kaen, sending her rushing backward a solid distance away.
Azahara stepped away from Jayce, and he didn’t stop or warn her, even if Xol and Alyse tensed toward her. “Where is the border?” She asked, and for the first time, she saw Akua’s lips grow to a larger smile.
“Look.”
Watching him gesture ahead, she did as instructed. Nothing, all there was in front of her was the forest—nothing out of the ordinary.
“Not with your eyes.” Akua stood beside her, his hand hovering below hers, making sure not to touch her. “Power comes from every part of the body. Your eyes can be deceitful, tricked, and blinded—” I can’t see anything, I can’t see. “Allow your body to see what your eyes cannot.”
Taking a breath, she closed her eyes and outstretched her hand.
She could feel Akua step away from her and then silence.
The darkness behind her eyes was heavy, but she had done something like this before.
She concentrated on the Light that Death gave her, finding it and bringing it forth to be her strength and the light in her darkness.
This felt the same, but instead of grabbing the light that now appeared in front of her, she allowed it to spread—illuminating the darkness behind her eyes.
When she opened her eyes, she found a translucent gate just inches from her fingertips, stretching so far into the sky that it disappeared among the trees.
Her gaze shifted from left to right, catching Akua’s wide smile in the corner of her eye.
The gates appeared jade, but she knew they wouldn’t feel tangible if she touched them.
They were simply her interpretation of what she believed the wall would look like, mirroring the gate that had brought them to this place.
Her hand was waving and reaching behind her, and she didn’t need to wait long for Jayce to take it.
“Can I take him?” Azahara asked, not taking her eyes off the expansive wonder in front of her.
“You can,” Akua said, and that was all she needed to step through.
Nothing could have prepared her for what she was stepping into.
Within the thick, lush, and dense tapestry of greenery, with towering trees that reached the clouds, was a vibrant, very much alive city.
Within the canopies of the trees were houses crafted from an enchanting blend of wood and foliage, perched delicately upon sturdy branches, manmade posts, and some were even hanging with the trees woven fabrics.
Completely losing herself in its beauty, she took another several steps forward.
Mesmerizing sights of cascading waterfalls added more elements to the awe that was this place.
Some of the homes were even nestled within the glistening precipice of the waterfalls, where she could hear the soft, melodious sound of the water dancing along the rocks.
The trees were towering giants, and while she couldn’t see the sky, she knew they kissed it. She had once said that Celadon would be a place she could live, but this place, she wanted to call it home.
As if the trees themselves were a cocoon from the world, she felt safer than she had ever felt in her entire life.
“Incredible,” Jayce said beside her, his hand tightening around hers.
“I’ve heard stories of the City of Spirits, but nothing does this justice.
” His tone mirrored her awe, and she felt the stinging in her cheeks and across her nose.
The tears weren’t out of sadness or pain but were instead out of happiness, and that alone pushed them forward.
They were silent, but of course, he noticed and placed his opposite hand holding hers to her cheek, catching them.
She leaned into his touch, the smile still plastered on her lips.
She inhaled unsteadily, “Do you think they would come for me here?” With gentle tenderness, he slipped his hands up to cradle her face, lifting her gaze to meet his.
“They would,” he said, and she was thankful for his honesty, “but I will protect you. If you say we stay, we stay. There are no questions.”
Their gaze was so intense then, and she wondered if it was the atmosphere around them or simply just because it was him. Her heart raced, yearning to find solace within the sanctuary of his chest.
She had been watching him just as much as he watched her. He had always been cautious with his affection, even before the incident with Goddrick.
“Thank you,” her voice was breathy, and whatever resolve he had broke in that moment. He leaned in towards her, and she didn’t want to pull away. She wanted him to kiss her, and she didn’t care about anything else.
“By the gods this place is beautiful!”
“Wow!”
“What is this place?”
“Aza? Jayce?!”
She could smell the minty scent on his lips; that’s how close they were when the outpour of screams echoed around them.
“There you both are!” Alyse called out to the two of them, “Did you guys sprint or something?”
Jayce leaned away from her, a smile adorning his face.
Although she could see the hint of pain reflected in the wrinkle between his eyebrows, she appreciated his strength at that moment.
The last thing she wanted was to be interrupted when it happened, and despite the butterflies swirling in her stomach, she was determined to find a way to manage them—for now.
“No, Alyse, we didn’t.” He said, never looking away from her.
One of his hands dropped, and she took another unsteady breath in, this time for a different reason.
In that moment, she realized something which terrified her more than she ever imagined.
While she felt the butterflies in her stomach and yearned for him to kiss her, no other feelings came.
There was no urge for him to touch her. No heat between her thighs.
No desire for anything, absolutely nothing, else.
I fucking hate you, Goddrick. What have you done to me…
Feeling Jayce wrap his arm around her back, she swallowed back the lump in her throat and smiled. “Let’s get going. It’s already been a long day,” he said, and his words resonated within her. She nodded, determined not to dwell too much on that revelation, hoping it was caused by something else.
Don’t be naive, he did this …