13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Ryker
I had only ever been to the Temple of the Sages once in my life. It was over a hundred years ago when the last full panel was held. Standing before it now, I was reminded of the intricacy of the structure. Just as most temples took architectural inspiration from the Temple of Odes, it too was crafted of white marble with excessively large pillars holding up the rectangular building and its dome ceiling.
I commended the Sages and their sacrifice to gain spiritual enhancement. But meddling in my mating had killed any shred of respect I previously held.
In light of everything, this mating trial seemed so trivial. Something that was once so important to my and Kya’s mating was now meaningless. All I had to do was tell the panel—the council of Sages, Lords, and Ladies—it was now irrelevant, and I could move on. I didn’t want matters to be worse once Kya returned. I would have this settled to absolve her of this burden.
I entered the temple and was immediately hit with a wave of spiritual presence. It was a feeling I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to. Once I made it to the large panel room, everyone was already seated at a long table along the opposite wall to the entrance doors. Five places for the Sages and the remaining four for the other Worthy. Each seat was occupied, alternating between Sage and Worthy—to keep them separated—with one chair on the end left empty for a Sage. I knew that seat was meant for Vicria, but what they didn’t know was that she wouldn’t be attending this panel she had been so adamant about. Or any other, for that matter.
A small, stone table sat across from them. As I approached the table, I noted the two chairs. One intended for me, the other for Kya. A deep sadness filled me as I moved the chair away from the table. It wasn’t that I had wanted her to have to endure this with me, but the fact that it wasn’t a choice stung. I didn’t get to argue against her attending, only for her stubbornness and strong-willed nature to push back until I would begrudgingly relent.
Gods, I missed her…
But then I remembered this was her own doing. She willingly sacrificed herself to the dark wielder. My hands balled into fists as I continued to think about it, festering in my anger.
The clearing of a throat brought my attention to the panel before me. All eyes were on me but it was Zareb, sitting between Lady Asmen of Dusan and Lord Voron of Ulrik—the two newest Worthy—who leaned forward.
“Lord Ryker,” Zareb began. “You came alone?”
“Worthy Kya was to attend as well. This is not just about you,” Eldrick, one of the Sages and an arrogant prick, added.
“I am aware,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Then why has she failed to appear? Where is she?” Jymar, Lord of Gaol, interjected and was only stoking the fire of my temper. He had a knack for getting under my skin the few times we encountered each other.
Pompous ass.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
“Interesting,” Jymar said with a smirk. “As her mate, I would think that you’d keep better track of her. Unless, perhaps, she finally realized you simply aren’t worth the trouble—”
That was all it took. I stood abruptly with a snarl, knocking over the chair. The Sages gasped at my outburst. Fuck them and their trial. They, along with Daegel, were contributors to my and Kya’s delayed mating.
I blasted out my shadows, aiming to suffocate the words from Jymar’s throat. But in my fit of rage, I had forgotten his magic nullified elements within a certain proximity. My shadows surrounded him, but with his hand raised, they never touched him. I didn’t let up, heating the shadows with my fire to singe any part of that bastard I could.
“Enough!” Zareb demanded.
I stopped and pulled back my shadows but continued to glare at Jymar, who displayed an amused smirk.
“Lord Ryker,” Zareb stood with his palms planted on the table, “you will remain civilized and diplomatic during this panel in accordance with Spiritual Law or be subjected to temporary restraint of your abilities.”
His eyes flicked to the corner of the room and I followed them. Standing in the corner was a male with a cold, calculated expression—waiting for a command to perform the Raith or the Nex. A blood wielder. One of the only ones left alive and under the strict control of the Sages.
Having grown up with a blood wielder for a brother, I knew what they were capable of and why they were so dangerous. I bit back my retort about where Zareb could put his Spiritual Law.
Zareb turned his attention to Jymar. “And you, Lord Jymar, are to comply with the conditions of your participation in this panel and refrain yourself from accusatory comments during this trial.”
I, personally, would have used far fewer words and told him to keep his fucking mouth shut, but Zareb got the point across well enough because Jymar shrugged and leaned back in his seat. I used my shadows to pull the chair back upright and sat with my arms crossed, keeping my eye trained on Jymar.
That sleazy bastard… It was no wonder his Nation was the scum of the continent, somehow allowed to go about its heinous ways without punishment. He could rot in a Voltaryn cell for all I cared. Maybe Gaol would be better for it.
“Now, let’s resume this panel, and the issue of the mating between the two Worthy, Lord Ryker of Oryn and Worthy Kya of Atara.” Zareb lowered into his seat.
“Lord Ryker, please roll up the sleeve on your left arm,” Eldrick requested.
Without breaking eye contact, I did.
Disapproving gasps escaped their lips as I held up my mating mark and the metal marriage band around my wrist.
“So it was you we felt.” Eldrick gave me a look of disdain.
I didn’t care. I had no regrets, and I would display my mark proudly for the realm to see.
“You were to wait until after this panel was convened before you mated,” Eldrick chided.
“I’m certain he’s aware of that,” Zareb sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “Moving on…”
“Lord Ryker,” Fayeth, the only remaining female Sage on the panel, spoke. “If you do not know of Worthy Kya’s whereabouts, do you at least know why she is not in attendance? This is a serious matter and her failure to appear will result in an equally serious consequence.”
What should I tell them? Should I hide the truth about her being in another realm? Should I lie and say she’s dead? Maybe the truth was just what was needed to resolve all of this…
“She fell into the Rip.”
Everyone stiffened. Except for Jymar.
“Please describe the events of what happened,” Fayeth requested.
So I did. Sort of. I only provided the information I knew could be verified should they go investigating it. None of it was a lie. She did go after the dark wielder and she did fall into the Rip, taking him with her.
Let them decide what to think.
“And you can’t feel her at all?” Fayeth asked.
I shook my head and her face, along with the other Sages, turned to a look of pity. But it was Lord Jymar’s attempt at hiding a triumphant grin that had my suspicions raised. My eyes narrowed on him. What did he have to be so Godsdamn happy about—thinking my mate was dead?
Needing to know, I entered his mind. I had no qualms about doing so. Not when it came to Kya. And not when he was such an asshole.
“How convenient…quite the opportunity…” was all I could skim from this distance as his magic prevented anything more.
Convenient? What the fuck was convenient about Kya’s disappearance? I would turn his mind inside out if not for his ability.
“Then this mating trial is no longer required,” Dainos, Lord of Torx, stated. I didn’t miss the brief glance he and Lord Jymar shared.
I entered his mind as well, but all he was thinking was that he and Jymar shared similar interests—which didn’t make a bit of sense seeing as they had been bordered enemies for decades.
Zareb nodded slowly, though the look he gave Dainos was skeptical. “But a decision still has to be made. Seeing as they have already mated, and their combined power is no longer a threat since Worthy Kya has been claimed by Odes’ grave, this matter seems settled. Any opposition? ”
The other Worthy shook their heads, some more eagerly than others.
“Then your mating has been approved, and you do not have to undergo the Raith. This panel is now concluded,” Zareb faced me. “Lord Ryker, you are free to go.”
That’s it?
I wasn’t going to wait around for them to change their minds. Standing to leave, I noticed Zareb eyeing the Worthy, all seeming relieved with the exception of Asmen who appeared tense and apprehensive of them. But I’d had enough. I wasn’t going to question the ruling even if it was mostly on a technicality with them assuming Kya was dead.
I still pondered Jymar’s thought about her death, but it didn’t matter. She was gone, and he couldn’t hurt her. Besides, I had bigger concerns.
I had a realm to find.