Chapter 4
Chapter Four
VENTUS
The Temple
“ H oned through the strength of our training, the sharpness of our minds, and the lucidity of our dreams,” Bastian recited the words as he weighed the heaviness of the sword. “The power we are bestowed.”
He tossed the pommel from hand to hand, familiarizing himself with its flight–how the blade’s forging paired with his own. “Our sacrifices are for the realms. Our family.”
Bastian lunged. “Our name.” He arched the blade up and across, the definitive whistle of cold steel cutting through air. “Our brethren in arms.”
“We are the defenders.” He parried backward as the oath continued rolling off his tongue. Not the Fire Dynasty’s pledge. His family’s. “Ordained by the gods.” Bastian spun. “With the trust we earn.”
The old words grew louder in their resolve. “The world we battle for.” He threw his full weight forward and brought the blade down clean. “The future we bleed for.”
Bastian pulled himself to his full height and sheathed the weapon. The moon’s reflection was clear in the polished scabbard. Other than his beating heart, and a nagging unease he couldn’t seem to shake, the forest clearing was still tonight. He exhaled slowly.
“Is that the new sword Teakin brought you?” Oakley startled him.
Bastian turned. “It is.” He shouldn’t be surprised she’d snuck up on him. She had the stealth of a jungle cat. Another telltale sign she likely possessed the coveted High-fae magic. “What are you doing here, little imp?”
“I couldn't sleep.” She stepped further into the clearing, a stuffed dragon clutched in her hand by her side. “I don't know why I can’t go to Hornhall, too. I’m close enough to ten.” She stiffened her arms. Bastian half expected a foot stomp to follow.
“You’re two years away from being ten, Oakley.”
“So.” She did stomp her foot then. “Hanna is soooo excited.” She rolled her large eyes. “I think she wants to marry the king.”
“Prince,” he corrected, smiling. “The king is married.”
“Why can’t I go with you and Teakin?” She huffed, changing the conversation as only a child could do. “Surely you could convince Master Kastor.”
“A tourney is no place for a child.”
Her eyes narrowed. Before she could dispute it, Bastian added, “Hanna shouldn’t be there either. But Kastor and Sterling will keep a close eye on her.”
He didn’t like the idea of his cousin choosing Hornhall. Not one bit. But he couldn’t quite put his finger on the reason why. Just a niggling in his gut.
Whatever that feeling was, it wasn’t going to dissuade Sterling from going to Hornhall. His cousin wanted to see the famed Commander of the King’s Knights, Archer Voltaire, who would be fighting in the tourney. Bastian could only hope his cousin didn’t try to go up against the legendary High-fae with the silver hair and eyes.
Bastian absentmindedly twisted the ring on his finger. “Did Teakin give you that, too?” Oakley asked, her eyes going to the black and gold band.
“He did.” Bastian, sure this conversation was going to evolve–as all conversations with the inquisitive eight-year-old did–hopped up to sit on a fallen log. “My father and uncle had it made.” Oakley glanced from where he sat on the log to the ground. Then she stared at his foot. He stuck it out for her.
Using his boot as a step, she shimmied up beside him. “Your uncle, who is not your uncle?”
“Teakin is my uncle by blood, but Stefen has been with me my whole life. He is my uncle by choice.”
Her citrine-colored eyes studied him. “Would I like him as much as I like Teakin?”
Teakin, her favorite. The little girl had taken to him the instant his uncle had set foot on Temple grounds. Bastian was used to that, though. Teakin was a male of little words around other adults, a stone-cold warrior. Trusted, respected–feared.
However, the fire-dancer’s whole demeanor changed in the presence of children. He was more likely to be found playing toy soldiers or hosting a tea party with them than he could be counted on at a council meeting. They all adored him.
Then there was Stefen. Even their enemies liked the Fallen-turned-vampire. If charisma had a physical description, Stefen would be it.
Bastian finally said, “I think you would like them equally.”
She nodded resolutely before her gaze landed on the stuffed dragon in her lap. “I don’t want you to go,” she confessed, barely louder than a whisper. “Any of you.”
He looked down at her. In the year he had known the confident little girl, she had never once said anything that denoted apprehension. “Hey,” he coaxed. “We won’t be gone for long. ”
“It’s not that.” She refused to meet his eyes. “I…I have…a bad feeling.”
Bastian fought off the shiver trying to crawl up his spine. He wasn’t one to put much stock in coincidences. He didn’t believe in destiny –despite the fact all four realms believed either Eirik or Bastian was theirs.
But something in this child’s words… It hit a little too close to his own doubts to be ignored.
“Oakley?”
She slowly looked up from beneath her thick lashes.
“I’m not going to lie to you. I have never been good at sugar-coating stuff either,” he said. “So I’m not going to make you any promises I can’t foresee. And certainly can’t keep.” He waited for her nod, then continued, “I have my own reservations.”
Her bottom lip wobbled. He added quickly, “But you can take my next words to heart. For whatever they’re worth.” Bastian held her tear-lined stare. “Gut instinct is never a bad thing. It’s kept me alive more times than I can count. We shouldn’t fear it. Instead, we should consider it a gift.”
“A gift? To be scared?” she asked, skeptically.
“A gift to be prepared.”
Her eyes searched his, as if she were dissecting him, separating the truth from the bullshit. Finally she said, “Okay, then.”
She hopped off the log.
“I give you a mission, though.” She turned and looked up at him. “You must stay alive.”
He inclined his head. “I shall try, my lady.” She scowled. He amended, “I shall do just that, my ever-gallant warrior princess.”
She smiled and nodded her approval. “Good. You are hereby elevated to the station of my uncle. By choice.”
Bastian grinned, something in his cold heart thawing a fraction. “You do me a great honor.” To his surprise, he actually meant it. “Might I accompany you back inside? ”
She pulled herself up as tall as she could. “Only if you know I allow it. Because I do not require it.”
He pushed off the log and landed quietly beside her. “But of course.”