Chapter 18
Eighteen
Shaye
Before I can take one bite of the chocolate chip muffin Finn made for breakfast, Nyx stampedes down the stairs like he's on fire. With a bright grin, he swings his legs over the banister and jumps down into the dining room and snatches one of the muffins and scarfs it down in two gigantic bites.
"Are we in a rush or something?" I sip my coffee, watching him with keen interest and equal concern.
I would never describe Nyx as a morning person. The fact he's gotten up religiously to be my bodyguard and attend all my classes and meetings before noon is a feat in itself. But he's extremely chipper today and I'm afraid if I ask why, I might spook him and his typically grumpiness will set in.
Instead, once he finishes his breakfast, he says, "You'll be proud of me."
I flash a look across the table at Finn and Eris, also equally concerned watching the youngest Harland bounce around.
"Why is that?" I dare to ask.
He points a finger at me and smiles. "I took the liberty of seeking Professor Riggs out last night.
He wasn't particularly thrilled I found his house at such a late hour, however," he pauses for some dramatic effect, "he agreed to meet with us first thing this morning before his other classes.
I didn't tell him anything about the portal or the glass shard we found, so that's completely on you, Kitarni.
" He downs the cup of coffee Finn prepares for him within seconds and wipes his mouth with the edge of his sleeve.
"So, in answer to your earlier question, yes, we are in a rush.
We have to go," he peeks at the clock on the wall, "now. "
"Wait," I'm flabbergasted. "You went to Professor Riggs' house?"
"You requested a meeting?" Finn seems more surprised by his ability to orchestrate an appointment than anything else.
Nyx holds his hands up, eyes narrowed. "Hold on. Are you not impressed by my effort? Because it sounds suspiciously close to judgment."
"No," Finn and I blurt simultaneously.
"No judgment," I say sweetly, knowing we are awfully close to teetering the line of a happy or irritated Nyx. I scoop his hand in mine and squeeze which softens his gaze. "We don't want to be late."
His confidence restored, Nyx waves me to follow him out the front door after exchanging goodbyes with Finn and Eris. Atlas left early this morning to prepare for office hours, so I'll have to update him on all things portal related later.
The carriage is already outside, ready to whisk us to Magikos Grammata.
"Thank you for arranging the meeting," I tap my foot atop Nyx's, garnering a grin. "That was really thoughtful."
He shrugs, uncomfortable with the compliment. "Figured it was important. Thought I'd help."
"It is a big help." I settle in the cushioned bench as we zip through the city.
"Wait!" Nyx's eyes bulge. "Did you grab the shard?"
I smile and pat my breast pocket. "I always have it.
" For some reason I refuse to explain to the others for risk of sounding borderline insane, the shard brings me comfort.
It might end up being useless, but it's something my father touched.
Something connecting our worlds. If nothing else, it makes me think of Enver Sol, and that's enough reason for me to always keep it close.
He nods. "Prepared. I like it."
"Out of curiosity," I lean forward, staring at him on the other side of the carriage. "What exactly did you say to Professor Riggs last night?"
Nyx takes a moment to ponder. "I'll be honest, Kitarni, Ronan and I had just left Prue's when I thought of visiting him.
All I really remember was knocking on his door, him frowning, and me asking if he'd meet with us this morning for something important.
Come to think of it, the second I mentioned your name, he agreed.
" His brows furrows. "Meaning if I'd wanted an audience… "
"I think you're misreading the situation," I offer, but it's flimsy reasoning and Nyx knows it. "Maybe he was just… tired?"
"Yeah, yeah," Nyx waves me off. "I'm used to it. Let's just hope he can help us."
After a brief recap of our time in Elowen, I present the shard to Riggs, but his reaction surprises me.
I thought for sure his curiosity would overtake him and he'd snatch the glass, rattling on and on about the historical significance. Instead, he stares wide-eyed, his mouth twisting into a grimace. He doesn’t even attempt to touch it.
Nyx and I exchange a bewildered look. Good. It's not just me who finds Riggs' behavior odd.
"Professor – "
"Do you know what that is?" His interruption throws me.
"It’s a shard of the portal to Orabelle," I confirm. "My kin, we went to the Northern Crest to find evidence of the portal and this is what we found."
"You went to the Northern Crest?" He looks up at me over his glasses, wide-eyed.
That's what garners his interest. Not the literal piece of glass in my palm that could possibly be used to reforge the portal.
"Ye-es," I nod, side-eyeing Nyx. "My mother remembered where the portal used to be and – "
"Why search for the portal?" He once again interrupts me, and my nerves are starting to burn in aggravation.
"Can the portal be reforged?" I blurt my question before he can redirect the conversation.
Riggs takes a long moment to wipe his glasses clean, clearly digesting my line of thought. "In theory," he draws out his words, "I suppose you could reconstruct the portal if you had all the pieces. But…"
"My father shattered the portal to Malvolio from this side of the realm. The pieces are on the mortal side. So that’s why Bastian is able to rebuild their portal. But my father broke the portal to Orabelle on the Celestial side, so all that’s left is this piece. We’re lucky this even remains."
His eyes are heavy. "Bastian will need your blood to truly reforge the portal."
"I’m aware," I huff flippantly. "In your opinion, is there a way we can rebuild a new portal to Orabelle with this as the base?"
"The only people who could possibly come close would be the crafters in Durne.
The Dwarves forged the original portals, granted they did so by happenstance," a dark chuckle escapes his lips before a sorrow overtakes him.
"They were attempting to make transports to different kingdoms. They didn’t anticipate opening doorways to new realms entirely. "
My brow furrows. "Why have they not attempted to rebuild them?"
"Why would they have need to? Enver Sol destroyed them, sealed them to protect our realm. Up until recently, the threat of Drogon actually being released was non-existent. I’m not sure they’d know how to craft a portal. They were built one thousand years ago and destroyed."
"But you are saying there’s a possibility the Dwarves could take this shard," I lift it between my index finger and thumb for emphasis, "and try to reconstruct it. With my blood to open it, we could open the gateway to Orabelle again?"
"In theory it’s possible, but that doesn’t mean it’s plausible," he resituates the blanket over his legs. "And then there’s the issue with convincing the Dwarves to go along with your plan. They’ve sworn off any portal construction, fearing what they might unwittingly unleash.
All their research to my knowledge was also destroyed after the Great War. "
Despair threatens to tear my heart in two. My mother's face flashes in my mind, and there's no way in hell I'm giving up this easily. "Professor, I need your help."
I see a reluctance flood his face, but suddenly, as quickly as it appeared, it disappears. He smiles, though it isn't the full, lively one I'm used to. "Ask away."
Nyx nods in encouragement when I glance up at him.
I inhale and then blurt, "The Dwarven delegation will be arriving for Prince Ronan’s nuptials in a few weeks.
Would you be willing to help me convince them to try?
If there’s a chance at defeating Drogon, should he be unleashed, we’ll need my father and the Celestials. "
Riggs chokes on a bewildered laugh. "Princess, I’m flattered you hold my sway in such high regard, but I’m afraid the Dwarves won’t listen to someone like me. I’m just a professor."
I grab his hand. "You are a scholar, and the most intelligent man I've ever known. If they'll listen to anyone, it'd be you."
"Again, you’re being very generous - "
"Please," it comes out a broken plea. "I won’t be able to convince them on my own. I have enough weight on my shoulders to prove to the other kingdoms I am who I say I am when I don’t quite yet believe it myself.
In a matter of weeks, we will ask them to join us in preparing for battle when war is all but a whisper and rumor.
I cannot do this alone. I need help." I scooch my chair closer to him. "I need your help, Professor."
A softness warms his face. "My dear girl, you are not alone," he pats my hand still clutched in his. "Never will be."
"So you will help me?" Hope swells in my chest.
He sighs, fully giving in to my request. "I will help you as best as I can. I will need some time to scour Calmara and my own records of how the portal was formed to formulate a compelling argument. Dwarves are quite stubborn you know." His eyes finally brighten for the first time today.
I smile. "I haven’t the pleasure of meeting many Dwarves I’m afraid. I’ve only been in contact with one and that’s the Master of Literature at Calmara. Perhaps, Penelope can help us as well?"
A renewed sense of purpose flashes in his gaze. He taps his chin with his index finger. "She would be a valuable asset! I will reach out to her immediately."
"Thank you, Professor."
"And if I might be so bold, Princess?" When I nod, he continues, "You might not believe in your heritage or the legacy that you were thrust to bear, but there are many of us who do not question who you are.
You are Aurelia Basilius-Sol. The light to impending darkness.
I may not be a warrior, but I would follow you to the very end. "
His words feel like a knife to the chest. I swallow hard, forcing the tears welling to stay away. "Professor, if I can be honest, I’m scared. I’m not my father. Everyone expects so much of me but I’m afraid if I claim my birthname that I will not live up to expectations."
"The only expectation you should require of yourself is to be who you were born to be. You’re right.
" My eyes widen, but he presses onward. "You’re not your father. Nor are you your mother. You are you. And that’s who we need you to be right now.
Not who you think we need you to be or who we think you should be.
That’s a life you’ve suffered with until you reached our shores.
Take up the helm. Walk in your own power.
Will you fail?" He squeezes my hand. "There’s always a chance of that. But if you don’t accept who you are, then I’m afraid you’ve already failed. "
I swipe a rebellious tear slipping down my cheek. "I’ve been Ilaria Shaye Kitarni my entire life," I rasp. "I can’t just forget that."
"No one is asking you to forget your past. We are asking you to take ownership of the life that was unwittingly stolen from you.
Names have power. The name Kitarni does not illicit fear in the enemy.
But Sol does. The demons know that name.
They cower and bend the knee to that name, not because they respect it, but because they know they are no match for a Sol. The name bears power."
"So, you are advising I should have people address me as Aurelia?"
"I’m saying you need to remember who you truly are, Princess." Riggs' smile fills me with a sense of power I haven't experienced.
"I haven’t done anything to deserve the name Aurelia Basilius-Sol."
"It doesn’t matter what you've done or not done. You do not need to earn your name. You do not need to prove to anyone you deserve to be Aurelia Basilius-Sol. You only need to rise and reclaim what is yours."
Nyx places his hand on my shoulder and with that light touch, my bottom lip quivers. Why am I getting so emotional right now?
I grimace, wrestling with my thoughts of being unworthy.
Then I remember when I battled Bastian in Elowen, I claimed my name, but I felt like a fraud.
But Riggs is right. I’m not an imposter.
It’s who I am. My parents gave me my name.
It’s time I stop shying away from the power flowing through my veins, stop downplaying the legacy I now bear. I inhale and exhale slowly. It's time.
"I am Aurelia Basilius-Sol. I am the daughter of Enver Sol and Sylvane Basilius. I will not cower. I will not bend. I will not break." I open my eyes, meeting Riggs' watery gaze. "I will not let this realm fall."
"I believe you," he smiles warmly, squeezing my hand.
A knock on Professor Riggs' door jars all of us. It's not time for his classes to begin so his aide shouldn't be coming to fetch him.
"Come in," Riggs releases my hand and squares himself to the door.
One of King Soren's guards opens the door. My throat bobs. Why is a soldier here? But he's not looking at me or Professor Riggs. His eyes are fixed on Nyx. That's when he steps forward and hands Nyx a sealed envelope and turns on his heel to leave.
Nyx wastes no time opening the summons and his shoulders slump. "Shit."
"What is it?" I ask.
"It's Ronan. Got into it with his father this morning. Uncle Soren wants me to come talk some sense into him." Nyx folds the letter and stuffs it into his pocket. "You can come with if you want or I can escort you home – "
"I think I'll run a few errands." I motion for him to go ahead. "You don't need to worry about me."
"Kitarni – "
"I promised my mother I would visit her anyway," I insist. "I'll catch up with you later. Promise."
His lips twist, but there's nothing he can do or say to make me change my mind and he knows it. Relenting to my will, he wags a finger at me. "Don't do anything dangerous."
I smile, "I'll save all the danger for when you're with me."
"I'll hold you to that." Nyx bobs his head toward Riggs. "Thanks for meeting with us, Professor."
"Oh," he's taken aback by Nyx's politeness. I am too quite frankly. "It's always a pleasure."
With that, Nyx stomps out of Riggs' office and after a few more minutes, I, too, find my way into the hallway. I promised Nyx I wouldn't do anything dangerous. I didn't promise him I'd be on my best behavior.