Chapter 35 #2
Airess snapped out of her thoughts at the last half of Roz’s sentence. She remembered to respond, “Yes, of course.”
Roz paused and gave her a look, stopping in his tracks. She did the same and pivoted to face him.
“Airess, you are free here. You can speak as you’d like. You can do as you like. You are not Rune’s prisoner, or even my prisoner. Please, be as you are with me. I may be a King, but I am a person too.”
Airess truly looked at Roz and blinked her Sight forward. His aura shined bright, the azure tendrils shining true with every word he spoke. Although it was nice to have the reassurance, she still had many questions about her and Taryn’s fates.
“If we are truly free, what does that mean for mine or Taryn’s fate here in Rune?”
“You can live here as a normal citizen in society. Given your status, I’m sure we can find a place for you and Tarynon at court.”
“What about housing, what about our livelihood?” Though they were living in the guest house, Airess knew they needed to figure out what their next move would be. Everything comes with a price, even if it is free lodging.
“Is it money you worry about?” Roz asked inquisitively.
“One of many worries, actually. What if we don’t want jobs at court, what if I want to work and pave the way myself?”
Airess knew deep in her heart she didn’t belong in Roz’s court.
She had lived a life as someone else’s pet for far too long.
Airess wanted to create a life for herself worth living, worth her mother’s memory.
Only now, she realized she had the power within her to make her dreams come true.
Perhaps her life would have looked different if she would have realized sooner the power she possessed.
Now that she knew the truth, things would have to be different.
Yes, Airess would make a name for herself indeed.
“As I said, you can do as you wish. You can reside in the guest house free of charge until you find your way, or you can be a part of my court. You aren’t bound here, and if you wish to venture out and live on your own, then you are more than able to do so.
You will find Rune is a country of many freedoms and possibilities. ”
Airess sighed, physically relaxing at his words. They continued to walk onward as Airess said, “Well, then I look forward to the future here in Rune.”
“As do I.”
She looked out to the path beyond, the buildings from the city coming closer with each step.
The warm wind rustled her hair, and when she looked at Roz, she noticed he was looking at her with an unreadable expression.
Without thought, she blurted the very question that had been in the back of her mind.
“How does this Godling thing work? Are we immortal?”
Roz snorted. “Something like that.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Although your powers now are strong, they will only grow every time you access the Godspirit. Each time you become Spirited, your body begins to glow and your voice becomes distorted. Your power will grow until it reaches its full potential. I heard from Ismene you accessed it once before coming here. Impressive, considering your power was extremely muted from the ward.”
The Godspirit? Her mind whirled.
“What do you know about the Godspirit? Have you accessed it?”
Roz chuckled, rubbing the stubble on his chin. Airess had to admit, he was handsome. He had a genuine smile that lit up any space he came around, yet the comparison was null when she thought of Taryn. No one appealed to her like Taryn did, and Airess now knew why.
“You could compare the Godspirit to a possession, the only difference being you can learn to control the Spirit in time, and use it to your advantage. The Godspirit is the God themself channeling their power through you. I have only been Spirited once… when my father died,” Roz cleared his throat. “Have you even met your God yet?”
“No, I had no idea that was even possible,” Airess looked down to her sandals. Meeting her God? What else didn’t she know?
“There’s so much I have yet to learn. I have barely used my own power, but I feel it thrumming beneath my veins. I feel a calling to use it, but every time I do, I leave a path of destruction.”
For a moment, Roz was silent. “Sometimes I still feel that way too, but we were born for a reason. If the Gods Touched a child from all five Houses, then it can only mean the world is about to change. We are supposed to create balance, all five of us.”
All five of us. Herself. Taryn. Roz. Arzhel and… who could be the fifth?
Airess hadn’t realized her heart was pounding so loudly, but when Roz snapped his head to hers, she knew he heard it. His eyes softened, and he looked forward once more.
“Ah, worry not! All is unfolding as it is meant to be, it is only a matter of accepting it. Now, where are you headed? Anything I can help you with?”
Airess looked at him like he grew three heads. Wasn’t he a King? Didn’t he have more pressing duties than strolling around with her?
She sighed, internally wincing. She wasn’t ready to talk about Taryn. About the Bond. Or the fact that she had been aimlessly searching for him since he fled the temple.
“I was just going into the city for a stroll. No need to accompany me, I’m sure you have much better things to do as King.”
Roz studied her before nodding, another friendly smile gracing his face. He grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it. She was startled at the contact, but remained polite nonetheless. “Very well. I shall see you tomorrow. I’ll send some attendants to help you both get ready for the ball tomorrow.”
Airess gave her thanks as he mounted his horse and rode away. The civilians laughed and waved at him as he rode by. The familiarity between the commoners and King was jarring, to say the least. Melanth and Arzhel Lucien wouldn’t be caught dead anywhere other than the inner ring of the city.
A drizzle continued to fall steadily overhead, boosting Airess to move faster in her search for Taryn. Where was he? Why did he leave like that? It hurt her, and she hated to admit that to herself.
She checked the docks, scanning the area for any sign of him. She could feel him nearby, but he wasn’t here. Airess then tried countless shops, asking the folk if they had seen a Fae male with silver eyes nearby.
“Silver eyes?” an older male voice from behind cut in as she asked the cashier. Airess turned to the civilian. “Yes. Seen him near?” She grimaced, hoping he understood what she was trying to convey despite her lack of vocabulary.
“Yeah, I’ve seen him. He’s lingering in the bar downtown. Looks rough, if you ask me.”
“Thank you,” she said quickly, and left the shop.
Her steps increased as she rounded the corner and headed downtown– to the same bar her and Taryn danced at.
The memory heated her blood. The way he touched her.
The way he whispered into her ear that night, his breath tickling her neck.
He was seductive, and she liked it. She had mirrored it.
She could only wonder if she had the same effect on him.
She walked into the crowded bar nestled near the sea.
Males and females alike cheered and laughed, alcohol sloshing out of their cups as they moved.
Thick smoke plumed from their cigars, flooding the bar with its scent.
She weaved through the bodies, eyes scanning for Taryn.
Growing impatient, she blinked the Sight over her eyes.
She saw him immediately, his aura standing out like a sore thumb in the crowd. There Taryn was, currently exhaling a puff of smoke as he sat at a table full of Fae. They were playing cards, and he was laughing at one of their jokes.
As if he sensed her emotion, he looked up. He met her eyes. Taryn’s jaw tensed, the smile fading from his face. Did he really loathe the idea of them being mates that much?
She walked forward, hands on her hips as she approached. The Fae at the table fell silent, eyeing her with looks of curiosity. She ignored them, lifting her chin up and addressing Taryn, “So, this is where you have been?”
Taryn stood up so quickly she barely registered that he now stood in front of her protectively, shielding her body in possession. The Fae laughed, turning their attention to them.
“Uh oh, someone’s in trouble.” One of the Fae commented. Airess’s eyes narrowed, her fists clenching. Airess felt power welling beneath her skin, rising into her eyes. Whatever look she had given had shut them up.
Taryn gripped her shoulder, snapping her out of her trance, “Airess.”
She turned towards him, eyes hardened. “We need to talk.”
He looked down at her, a strand of curls falling over his brow.
“Yes, we do.” He replied matter-of-factly. Taryn guided her out onto the patio and down the steps to the beach.
They walked out far enough from the buildings that the noise from the bar faded.
Their toes touched the wet sand, the waves drowning out any thoughts of reason.
His back stood to her, clothes billowing in the ocean breeze, waiting.
The drizzle continued, but she didn’t care.
She let the water soak into her hair and clothes.
So many emotions flooded her mind as she gripped his shoulder and spun him, her strength surprising even him as his eyebrows raised.
“What is wrong with you?” Her voice cracked at the edges, thick with fury. Airess clenched her fists. She had never been so angry with him before. She had never been so angry with anyone. She was never allowed to be. Airess wouldn’t hold back now.
“What, you come to get drunk after finding out the truth? Am I really that disappointing to you?” She let the words linger as his face distorted, pain and regret lacing his features.
“Of course not. You could never–” He cut himself off, nostrils flaring as he scented her. He took a step closer, invading her personal space.
“Have you been with another male?”