Chapter 31 #2
I doubt I’m doing well to hide my surprise. My thoughts continue to flurry. I consider our relationship up to this point, why he’d keep this from me. And one question rises above the rest: why does he have dark energy in his eluviam?
Before any of us can say any more, I hear the whistling of wings, and a slight gust of wind brushes along my cheek.
I no longer sense him.
My heart leaps to my throat, not because Ether’s fingernails are now digging into my hand, but because of the overwhelming sense of loss burrowing into my stomach. A chill runs through my center, as if the foundation of trust we’ve been building has easily snapped like a brittle twig.
I silence my panic, standing quickly. I angle my head at the sky and cup my hand around my mouth.
“Ronan!” I call raspily, though it feels pointless. He’s long gone.
Devastation stings along my arms and neck. My heart does not settle.
I’d doubted him before, but now his actions make sense.
He had been hiding an integral part of himself from me, probably for his own peace of mind, and I’ve done something to make him feel unwanted, other .
He and Ether are sworn enemies, and he put up with her because of me. What have I done in return?
Accuse him.
Blame him.
I called him my friend…but I haven’t even acted like one.
Ether’s hand finds mine once more, giving it a comforting squeeze, which coaxes me to sit. Damn our bond for immediately easing me into a calm.
“I’m sure he wanted to tell you. He probably had his reasons for keeping this a secret for so long.” She must be trying to cheer me up. Her usual sarcastic twang when she speaks of Ronan is still present, even seated among her smooth words.
I blow out an even breath. “You knew.”
She stutters. “I—I don’t like him, but he’s one of the most loyal people I know. I didn’t say anything, because he told me he wanted to do it on his own terms.” She pauses to pat my hand. “He probably just has some inner demons to take care of. He will return, I’m sure of it.”
With a deep breath, I nod. Of course, I know this too. Ronan has always had that inspiring protectiveness to him. Even when we were younger, he was always rambunctious, yet focused when he had to be. If Xavelor ordered him dead, he’d oblige without question. I’m sure if I asked, he’d do the same.
Ronan wouldn’t have removed himself if he meant to harm me once I found out. This I am sure of.
It hurts less to know Ether kept his confidence even though their people are sworn to hate one another. Rather, the thought is strangely comforting.
Ether brushes her thumb along my knuckles, sending a shiver up my arm.
“Sir Qor, can you please continue your story? I believe you left off with dragons?” Ether guesses, her tone brightening when she realizes she’s correct.
I’m too focused on Ronan’s absence and Ether’s steady pulse as she presses her thumb into the vein on the back of my hand to listen too closely.
Apparently, Queen Nadia had saved Qor’s soul from its death so he could profess the truth to wanderers who crossed his path. And that is what he is doing now.
I straighten when he describes the famed scene we all learn as children, though darkness shades my heart with a mortal understanding of Ronan’s disillusionment. Could he and Ether both be wrong about what happened?
“I remember how beautiful Nadia shone that day.
Her hazel eyes sparkled with genuine tears of sorrow and loss, and her long, flowing black hair was so dark and pure that it reflected light as though it were made of shining metal.
I remember telling her my name when she asked, how she smiled at me, caressed my cheek, and told me I had a name fit for a king.
“The fairy king accompanied her as she whispered her death song over me. He was telling her something, but I couldn’t tell what he said.
At that point, it was too late. A dragon plunged its taloned claws through the fairy king’s torso, and a cry ripped through his throat.
The beast lifted him and deposited him amidst the burning trees and bodies littering the battlefield.
The queen’s face was wrought with fear and abandonment at the sudden loss of her closest ally.
That’s when he came, waiting for this moment of vulnerability.
King Arioch stole her away, forcing our legions to dwindle under the merciless attacks of dragons.
He declared his victory once he thought all of us were dead.
“Shortly after, he decreed that the war should be named to glorify the many human soldiers who survived, thus it would thereafter be known as the ‘War of Undying.’ But as I’ve told you, many died that day, making the name as disrespectful as it is political.”
We are all silent for a moment. I’m the first to speak.
“So whose story was right? The elves or the fairies?”
The ghost grunts. “Neither. Modern accounts twist and disfigure the truth. Neither Nadia nor Elias abandoned one another. Rather, King Arioch had separated them. However, it’s still a mystery as to how he was able to turn everyone against us, even the dragons, who were always closest to our people. ”
I gulp.
A mystery, indeed.
But my ancestor had clearly done something heinous to forever break the relationships across all creatures of Aldorin. And it might be something I can work toward fixing.
“I will find out,” I say through my teeth. “When I’m coronated this autumn, I will get the answers.”
“Ah, I sensed a regalness about you, boy. But tell me, why are you not yet crowned? Has the current king other heirs?”
“He does not.” I grimace. “Not anymore. My brother, a gifted warrior, died in battle. I’m the king’s only other son. I’m to prove myself against a dragon at the Feast of Undying.”
Ether’s hand gently squishes mine. My confidence soars at the slight gesture of comfort.
“I see.” Qor coughs. “I offer you my encouragement, then. Make our people proud.”
“O- our people, Sir?” I laugh.
Ether audibly swallows.
“Yes. Our people.”
“What do you mean? My people are human.”
The fire’s warmth seems to fade before me.
After a moment, Ether clears her throat.
“Qor has disappeared,” she says softly. “And he’s right. You are not entirely human, Ramiel.”
“That’s—”
“True,” she finishes for me, her voice firm. “There is no other explanation for our bond. You are more than human, and more than elf. You are both. Which means you can fight for my people too.”