19. Sax
SAX
E xhilaration laces through my veins as magic seeps from my limbs, feeding the earth beneath me. It’s intoxicating, and I’m addicted. Running my fingers through the blades of grass, I smile, content and calm.
The forest is littered with Land Protectors, each connecting their magic to the ground in their own way. Some press their palms into the trees, others hide in the bushes, covered in leaves, while I always find a smattering of wildflowers.
From afar, they look fine, but as you draw closer, paying close attention to the land around you, it’s easy to spot the wilting flowers and lack of energy keeping them bright and full.
That is, until I lay among them. I love the visual gratification of offering myself to the earth, to the kingdom, and that’s what I get as the petals strengthen and flower buds open once again, their colors becoming more vivid.
Regenerating the power at Neverbound Academy is one of my favorite things to do. Sure, it helps the Fifth Kingdom, but it also makes such a difference to my mental wellbeing that I’m always on board to offer myself as a vessel.
Each sodality handles it differently. Water Protectors basically throw a party in the water, laughing, joking, and splashing around carefree until everything is restored.
While Air Protectors withstand the elements, finding calm in chaos until the air draws still.
Fire, on the other hand, is a different breed altogether, giving in to the heat as they hide away in their cave, succumbing to temptation in some cases, until the temperature impacts the kingdom.
Land Protectors are the calmest, the quietest, those set on ensuring the land is at peace as we give and take.
I believe that’s what helps me think and see so clearly: the tranquility of the moment, the silence among the foliage.
It restores me almost as much as I rejuvenate it.
Even more than that, it offers me a moment to be closer to nature; it feeds my soul just as much as my mind.
I can’t imagine ever being assigned to a different sodality because Land is my everything.
Lights shimmer in the distance, confirming the restoration of power, but I linger a few moments longer among the wildflowers, letting my breathing settle as my mind seeps into serenity. Focus claims me as it always does, quieting any worrying thoughts that played at the back of my mind.
Closing my eyes, I let my new focus appear before me, a tradition I do every time, letting it guide me until the next outage, and a vision of long, blonde curls, bright, green eyes, and pouty lips dances on the back of my eyelids.
Ivy.
It’s no surprise, not when she’s occupied my every thought for so long, mostly from afar, but now she’s right here before me, and after the past few days, there’s no denying it.
I just have to decide where my focus lies when it comes to her and what I want to achieve without causing her any more pain or distress.
There’s a way to come back from all of this, to restore the errors that disrupt our path.
There has to be. I just have to be willing to find it.
I hear the soft footsteps of the other Land Protectors leaving. It’s melodic, until the pitter-pattering turns into harsh thuds, and I know my peace has come to an end.
Prying one eye open, I spy the familiar outline of my brother in the distance.
His eyes scorch the forest before him, seeking me out.
I’m still pissed at him for the whole scene with Ivy last night, but it doesn’t linger as harshly.
Not now that it’s brought me clarity and understanding on where I stand with our fated mate.
His poor actions have recentered my focus.
That’s the positive I have to take from this.
With a heavy sigh, I alleviate the strains that have been weighing me down when it comes to my brother, and push against the soil to sit up.
“Baron,” I breathe, and his eyes find mine.
He nods, trudging the short distance toward me as he stuffs his hands in his large hoodie pocket. He scans the area twice before he speaks. “Meeting.”
Understanding washes over me and I quickly rise to my feet. Although my lips purse, wondering if that’s why Hugo came so quickly when requested. I shake it off. There’s no time to waste energy on assumptions when I’ve just managed to find peace. “I’ll meet you there.”
He’s already taking a few backward steps before I speak, knowing my ritual after a Rejuvenating Ceremony better than most. “Be quick. They’ll be waiting.” He’s gone before I can answer, but that’s fine, my magic is thrumming beneath the surface, and it needs my attention.
Stalking away from him, I opt for the longest route to our destination, waiting until I’m far enough away from the forest to not feel exposed to the lingering pull of magic.
Step one.
My bones crack.
Step two.
My clothes shred.
Step three.
My flesh is gone, my entire body shifting from head to toe, leaving me unrecognizable as I prowl through the academy grounds.
Being blessed with anything from The Fates is a gift; receiving the ability to transform into something else entirely is above and beyond.
Tiger.
Technically, a were-tiger.
Specifically, a white tiger.
I love my life.
My heart gallops as my paws rumble against the ground beneath me, my vision tinted by a red haze that only seems to heighten my senses and create a beacon on my path.
Everything is red.
Redder than red.
Except a slim sliver of light in my vision, which is clear.
I’ve spent the past two years chasing it, and each time it takes me to the same place, but there’s no time tonight.
I cut and weave through the lingering shadows, mindful not to scare anyone else while also keeping my shifter’s hunger at bay.
I need to eat soon. I don’t have the time right now, but arrangements need to be made.
The desire to connect with my tiger is always the greatest after a ceremony, and tonight is no different.
Exhaustion clings to me, my tiger weakened from the power claiming, but there’s enough for me to enjoy the moment I have.
Especially since connecting with my beast only connects me more deeply to the land.
It feels even more prominent now that my mate is on campus and the beacon in the sky is closer.
The desire to follow her scent is real, to trail the sliver of brightness in my tiger’s otherwise crimson light is everything, but I fight against it and focus my attention on the main academy building and the meeting that awaits my attention.
A roar vibrates from above as I draw near, tilting my eyes to the sky just in time to see the spread wings of my brother’s dragon gliding through the air with him firmly in place. I grin.
He loves his beast, and I love being a beast.
There’s a hunger in both of us. It’s not quite the same, but it’s a constant reminder that we’re more alike than even our bloodline could’ve made us. There are many differences between us, most of which are matters of opinion. I can deal with that. Whether it’s our family or his views on…
My tiger shakes his head, yanking me from my thoughts as he once again clouds my vision with the clear glimmer of light in the sky.
Ivy.
I need us to find common ground when it comes to Ivy. Nothing else matters.
A whimper parts my lips as I reach the academy doors. I can’t decipher whether it comes from my tiger or me, but I feel it regardless. Taking a deep breath, I slip into the downstairs bathrooms before shifting again.
I’m bare from head to toe, but the backpack I always keep above the third cubicle awaits me. I make quick work of dressing, appreciating the loose sweatpants and sweater as I hike my empty backpack over my shoulder and head toward the attic.
There’s not a single student in sight as I take the steps two at a time, placing my hand against the panel by the door when I reach the top for the lock to disengage and allow me access.
As I enter, it’s no surprise to see I’m the last one to arrive, but no one acknowledges me as they stand in small groups, talking quietly about anything and everything.
Approaching my brother, he offers me a nod as Teddy talks animatedly to him and Archer.
“Sax, man. You won’t believe what?—”
Baron clamps a hand over his mouth, effectively shutting him up. “Don’t make me listen to it again,” he grunts before grimacing. He retracts his hand and wipes his palm against his jacket. “And don’t fucking lick me,” he adds, glowering at Teddy, who smirks at him in amusement.
“But I really thought she was going to lick my?—”
Teddy doesn’t get to finish his sentence again, because Archer shoves him this time.
Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I turn my attention to the Fire Protector among us. “How was Ivy?” I ask, and he looks at the floor.
“She was fine.”
I tilt my head. There’s something in his tone that feels off. “Did she participate?” He nods, glancing toward the rest of the room as he avoids my stare, and my lips purse. “And you protected her from everyone?” Another nod. “Where is she now?”
“Back in her room, sleeping. The heat tired her out.”
I glance at Teddy and Baron, but if they sense anything off in his tone, they don’t acknowledge it. Before I can press him any further, the sound of someone clearing their throat echoes around the room, drawing everyone’s attention to the large table in the middle.
Silently, everyone falls into step and takes a seat. As we all get comfortable, I take a moment to gloss my eyes over those in attendance.