Chapter 41
“I
’m proud of you,” Xol’s tone was condescending, even though she was smiling. “You permitted her to leave.” It wasn’t as if she wasn’t inclined towards Azahara’s departure. The Yuul was probably just as uneasy as he was about allowing it.
“We are never going to be in her way,” He said, crossing his arms over his chest and taking in a deep breath, “To be honest, I felt her anger in there, especially when…” Shaking his head, he wanted to laugh, “he was about to threaten me, and I swear the world shook.”
There was a laugh that came from Xol then, “I felt it, that, and Death.”
He didn’t want to say the word fear, because Death was much more than what awaited one when they passed from this realm.
They were the life beyond their existence as they knew it then.
However, to say that he did not feel the rapture that was brought when it arrived, he would be a lie.
Knowing that Death was coming, only by Xol’s warning, he had to think quickly to protect not only himself but the crew, and people of Ilkiz.
It hadn’t been an easy decision to expose who he was to them, but it was for their good, and ultimately, Azahara’s.
Witnessing her in that state was also no easy ordeal.
He could have forcibly extracted her from Jaakobai’s mind, but when she signaled him to stop, even without fully articulating the words, he had to trust her instincts.
The way Jaakobai treated her made restraint nearly impossible for him.
Then, when he attempted to seize her, behaving as if she were trapped and defenseless, everyone sprang into action.
Alyse, Rowlin, and Xol were on her, poised to intervene.
They were unwilling to let him take her, likely believing it was once again the god at work.
It wasn’t until Xol turned to Jayce and pleaded for his help that he overtly repelled them, shielding Azahara, and ultimately, Death.
Pulling him from his own darkening thoughts, he heard not one, but three dragons calling out to the sky.
Glancing at Xol briefly, he lifted his head and witnessed three dragons soaring across the sky.
Both Akua and Kaen were visible, their smaller dragons evident, with their arms raised straight into the air as they screamed in joy.
Somehow, she had made Akua and Kaen’s Dragons into solid, tangible creatures.
Although he couldn’t see her, he knew Azahara rode Ilkiz, her silence carrying the anger and hatred she felt in that moment.
“Incredible,” Xol said, “I watched the war against Ilkiz. I never hated mortals and gods more than I did then. Dragons were meant to rule the skies.”
He nodded, “I agree.”
“Did you fight in the war?” She asked while he kept his gaze on Ilkiz as they crossed over the tree line.
“I did, unfortunately. It was when I was preparing to become the next Elder successor. However, and this never needs to be spoken beyond us and Azahara,” he turned his attention back to her, “I never killed any of them, but placed memories in random Fae’s minds to believe that I had.”
“Why does it matter who knows that?” Xol countered.
“It is one thing to use our Magic against mortals, but another to use it on another Fae. I’m already in hot water with my own kind, I don’t need more.
” He sighed, and shook his head, “Not that I care what they think of me, it’s more for the sake of Azahara.
If she needs to call on the Fae to fight with her, in any capacity, it will affect how they look at her.
With me standing by her side, they will see a traitor more-so than someone who attempted to overthrow the Rite election. ”
He watched her, noting the disgust that crossed her expression, “Fae are weird,” she commented, and despite being one of them, he found himself in agreement.
“Hey,” Alyse’s voice interrupted their conversation, drawing both of them back to the present moment. Jayce dropped his arms and straightened, keeping Alyse in his line of sight as she approached. “Where did Aza go?” Her neutral expression was a promising sign.
“She and the twins are off to deal with a Kraken,” Xol replied. “We’ll inform her once we set sail, and she’ll catch up with us.”
Alyse crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “Who said you’re setting sail with us?” Jayce struggled to contain his smile; her attempt at projecting toughness was both endearing and amusing.
“You guys talk so loud,” Xol interjected. “We heard you.”
“I—” Alyse deadpanned, dropping her head. Jayce couldn’t help but laugh, and soon, Xol joined in.
“How could you guys trick me like this?!” Alyse stomped her foot and swung both fists at them. Jayce allowed it, while Xol sidestepped. “You both have so much explaining to do while we walk to the ship.” She emitted a loud grunt and turned around. “Let’s go.”
We are heading to the ship, Sunshine.
“Is it safe for you to be here? In the winnox with me?”
Jayce rolled his eyes as they started walking behind Alyse. He could hear Xol beginning to explain her side of the story, but he redirected his focus to Azahara. You would be concerned about me. Yes, I’ve locked your window and my own.
“How are you here then?” Her curious voice, though adorable, was tinged with anxiety.
She was upset, angry, and prepared to unleash her frustration on something.
Truthfully, he wanted to witness it. Observing her—or rather, listening to her tell Jaakobai that she would relish killing him while he watched—sent a strange chill up his spine. The “he” she was referring to was him.
I’m just inside your window. He said, and for a moment, he could hear her thoughts fluttering through as though passing his own mind, think of it as I’m visiting, and you closed the door behind me. Same thing, basically.
“Fascinating.” Her tone conveyed little enthusiasm, but he understood.
“Thank you.”
For what? This time, he had no idea what he did.
“Do you want specifics, or can I say everything?” He laughed aloud, earning a questioning look from Xol and Alyse. They inquired, but he waved them off, explaining that he was talking with Azahara. While Xol understood, Alyse looked around in confusion.
Specifics, but will accept everything for now, and you can tell me later.
“I’ll tell you later, Kaen is signaling we are about to break through the cursed—I have no idea how to say what she said. It’s like a barrier or some sort, once we cross it, the Kraken shows. Have you ever seen one?”
No, he confessed, but I’ve heard a great deal about them. They were monsters created by the gods thousands of years ago, and the Kraken is one of three that remain. Soon, to be two.
“Your confidence in me turns me on.”
He stifled the laugh that was ready to spill from his lips but, instead, just coughed. His chest tightened, I do like you turned on, and angry, as long as it’s not at me.
Somehow, he felt her laughter, and he wondered if it was their souls. He acknowledged that he would need to tell her about that at some point. It didn’t really make too much of a difference whether she knew about the bond or not. It wasn’t what drew her to him, or him to her.
“I can tell you I am quite angry.” Her admission wasn’t necessary because he could feel it, and he sighed in frustration for her, “Don’t forget, it was his right hand.”
Oh, Sunshine, I will not ever forget that.
“I need to go now; by the Mother that thing is fucking huge. You know, Ilkiz—wait, this is the winnox, how do I swap? Shit.”
There was no holding back his laughter then. Placing his hand over his face, he looked up at the sky, Good luck, be safe please.
“Okay, funny guy, your turn. Spill the story, or I’ll snip, snip those wings,” Alyse declared. She was amusing, and while Jayce wouldn’t typically find humor in someone threatening his wings, it was fine. She meant him no harm, and he had no problem explaining to her his and their story.