The Burning of Sana Lightbourne

Chapter 31

Although Rhyel was annoyed that his uncle showed up in the manner that he did, he was kind of sad that he was leaving so soon. He didn't know what Sana and Dante spoke about, but whatever he said to her lit a spark in her and he'd never seen her glow with so much joy.

It warmed his heart to see her speak with such pride about her life in Darcanos to his uncle. He knew she was happy here, and he wanted more than anything to keep that light shining in her eyes.

"There's no need for those tears, Sana," Lord Dante said, taking her hands as they stood on the steps of the castle. "You'll see me again soon and you can always write to me as much as you wish."

"I know," she said, blinking back her tears. "I'm just glad we got to spend this time together."

"So am I," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "Just remember what I said, and you'll be fine."

Sana nodded, hugging him tight. "I will. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, pulling away from her. "I'm looking forward to welcoming you to House Barshaa during the festive season."

Sana smiled. "And I look forward to seeing Lady Ine?s and Troya again."

"Ah yes, they are looking forward to it, too. We'll have a splendid feast in my son's honor for his impending nuptials," he said, turning to Rhyel. "And you, my nephew." He patted his hand against his shoulder. "Your mother and father would be proud of the man you've become."

"Thank you, I appreciate you saying so," he said, clasping his hand around his uncle's arm. "And thank you for coming to Darcanos' aid as swiftly as you did."

"You're welcome. I hope my men serve you well. The security of the wall benefits all of us in the realm," he said. "And you had better take good care of Lady Sana."

Rhyel nodded, looking down at Sana and taking her hand. "Of course I will."

"Good," Lord Dante said, wrapping his hands around theirs as his brown eyes glowed in a golden hue. "You have so much to learn about each other, and I wish you both well on this journey."

"We should get going, my Lord," his coachman said, bowing as he held the carriage door open for him. "Lady Inés is expecting you in the morning."

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't want to keep her waiting," he said and smiled, squeezing their hands. "Take care of each other, and I'll see you soon."

"Safe travels, uncle, and give my love to Ine?s and Troya for me."

"Of course," he said and slid his hand to Sana's cheek. "No tears, my dear. I'll send you a letter when I get home so you'll know I'm not going to disappear again."

"I'd appreciate that." Sana smiled, wiping away a tear that escaped down her cheek. "I hope you have a swift and safe journey."

Lord Dante nodded. "I will and see you soon," he said as he walked to the carriage and waved to them before he stepped inside.

They waved back as the coachman steered the carriage through the gates of the castle. Rhyel looked down at Sana as she heaved a sigh. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she said, looking up at him with her violet eyes glossy with unshed tears. "But would you mind if we take a walk somewhere? There's...there's something I'd like to speak to you about before I lose my nerve."

"Of course. We can take a walk to the courtyard," Rhyel said, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. "And you can tell me whatever is on your mind."

"Okay," she said as they walked down the steps to the cobbled path that curved around the castle to the courtyard nestled amongst a flourishing of tall black leafed trees.

Sana took a deep breath as she gripped his arm.

"This may sound a little strange because Dante is your uncle, but he. .. he was like the father I never had."

Rhyel nodded. "I kind of gathered that you were close to him."

"I was," she said with a slight smile tugging at her lips. "He was the only one I could confide in after my mother passed away."

"What about your friend, Uma? Did you confide in her?"

"Yes, but not as much as I could have and after spending time with Dante again it made me realize that I..." she said, slipping her hand from his arm. "I should be more honest with you about who I really am."

Rhyel frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Sana bit her lip as she squeezed her hands together. "When we first met, I told you my family deceived you."

"Yes, and I told you it didn't matter to me that you don't have any gifts or abilities. That hasn't changed, Sana," he said, reaching for her hands, but she took a step back from him.

"I-I know, but that wasn't the only reason you were deceived," she said, looking down at the ground. "I love being here and I'm so grateful for the way I've been treated."

She took a deep breath, wrapping her arms around herself. "I don't want this to change the way you see me, but I-I have to tell you before we go on the tour of the realm and you find out from...from someone else."

"It's okay, Sana," he said, reaching for her again, sliding his hands to her shoulders. "You can tell me anything. I promise it won't change the way I see you."

She nodded, keeping her eyes downcast. "I.

..I wasn't raised to be a Lightbourne like my siblings.

I was raised as a servant in my home. That's why I came here with nothing and why my father ordered my carriage to leave me in the forest," she said as her lip trembled and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I-I don't think my father wanted me to make it here alive and he certainly never meant for me to become a Lady or-or live in a beautiful place like this. "

"Thank you for telling me," he said, catching the tear on her face with his thumb. "But knowing you were raised like that would never change the way I see you."

She looked up at him with her eyes wide. "It... it doesn't?"

"No, of course not," he said, brushing away the windswept curls that blew across her face and tucking them behind her ear. "Your past doesn't define who you are and it doesn't change your status here."

"But the other Houses and nobles in the realm might.

.. might look down on Darcanos because you're betrothed to someone with a lowly upbringing," she said with worry tainting her violet depths.

"I know my siblings will be gossiping to everyone they know about your misfortune being saddled with the ungifted Lightbourne and I-I don't want my presence during the festive season to be a stain on this House. "

Rhyel's wolf and dragon growled low inside of him.

Sana could never be a stain on this House.

Tell her she is worthy, brother.

"That won't happen," Rhyel said, sliding his hand to her cheek. "Nothing your siblings or the nobles say about you will ever change the fact that I and the people of Darcanos are honored that you are our Lady."

"But you... you don't know the awful things they're going to say about me."

"Then tell me, Sana. Tell me everything. You don't have to be afraid to confide in me," he said, leaning down and pressing his forehead against hers. "I want to know everything about you. Your hopes, your fears and, if you're willing, your desires too."

"Okay," she whispered, pressing her hand against his chest. "And will... will you tell me yours too?"

"Yes. I would love nothing more than to share myself with you."

"I want to know everything about you, too." The small smile that tugged at her lips made his heart soar. "I want you to be proud to travel the realm with me by your side."

"That was never in question," he said, caressing her cheek. "I just want you to be proud of who you are no matter what your siblings or the nobles say about you because I'll always defend your honor, my Lady."

"Thank you," Sana said, pulling away from him.

"I'm sorry it took a visit from your uncle to give me the courage to tell you the truth about my upbringing.

" She bit her lip. "I'm... I'm not good at talking about myself, but it's not fair to expect you to want to lead Darcanos with someone you don't truly know and I promise to be more open with you from now on. "

"There's nothing you need to be sorry for," he said, gazing into her soft violet eyes.

"I would've waited as long as it took for you to open up to me.

" He curled his hand around hers, bringing it to his lips.

"I promise to always listen and accept you as you are. You never have to worry about that."

"My Lord, my Lady," Zena said as she walked out of the doors to the courtyard and bowed to them. "Forgive me for the interruption, but Junak has returned from the eastern border and wishes to speak with you, my Lord. He said it's urgent."

"Right." Rhyel sighed, looking back at Sana. "I'm sorry, but I need to deal with Junak. I hope you'll want to continue our talk later."

"Yes, of course. I understand," she said, as he guided her inside. "I need to speak with Loic anyway, and I believe it's your turn to host tea in the morning."

"It is." Rhyel smiled. "And I look forward to it."

"So am I," she said, squeezing his hand. "Now go take care of your duties."

"Thank you. I hope your meeting with Loic goes well," he said, pressing another kiss to her fingers before turning to Zena. "Let's go, Zena."

"Of course, and I apologize again, my Lady," Zena said, bowing to Sana.

"It's alright, Zena," she said, nodding. "All is forgiven and I... I hope everything is okay on the border."

"I'm sure it will be," Zena said. "Loic is in his office. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."

Rhyel glanced over his shoulder, watching Sana walk down the hall toward Loic's office. She looked back at him as if she could feel his eyes on her and his heart simmered at the smile she gave him before disappearing around the corner.

"You and Sana were certainly getting close in the courtyard," Zena said as they made their way through the castle to his office. "I'm so sorry I had to interrupt that."

"We were, and I'm annoyed you came to get me. Sana was finally opening up to me," Rhyel said, sighing. "So Junak had better have a good reason for being here. He was meant to stay on the eastern border and send any reports by letter."

"He mentioned that." Zena nodded. "But Junak was adamant that he gave you the report in person. I've never seen him so worried. He may be young, but he's not usually disturbed by too many things, you know?"

"Mm, I know, and that is concerning. Do you think we need to bring Oziel back from the wall for this?"

"No, let's see what Junak has to say before involving Oziel. I want him to concentrate on the renovations with Cori. It needs to be completed before you and Sana return from your travels."

"Fair enough."

I don't have a good feeling about this. Junak wouldn't disobey an order like that for nothing.

Rhys rumbled, stretching his claws.

The east has always been troublesome and I fear that the attack on the wall wasn't a mere coincidence.

Kal growled, baring his fangs.

Calm yourselves, brothers. We don't know anything for certain yet.

But Rhyel was worried, too.

The east had always been the culprit of the many attacks on the wall in the past and he'd always been wary of the peace the east and the north have shared in recent years.

"Forgive me for returning like this, my Lord," Junak said, standing and bowing low as Rhyel and Zena entered his office. "But I didn't want the intel I have for you to be intercepted by anyone."

"I understand," Rhyel said, sitting at his desk before weaving privacy over the room. "You may be seated, Junak. Tell me what intel you have."

Junak nodded, taking a seat. "As you know, you sent me to the border to see how much they knew about Lord Zehev's betrothal to Lady Aneera.

The people are well aware," he said, running a shaking hand through his short curly black hair.

"While I was there, Lord Zehev, his wives and Lady Aneera were there too, doing a tour of the eastern Houses.

I thought that was a nice gesture of Lord Zehev to show his new bride the lands of the Issians, but he constantly gloated that Lady Aneera was the eldest daughter of Sirius Lightbourne.

" Junak frowned. "And I thought that was odd because surely, Lady Sana is the eldest, right? "

"She is, but it's best that the realm believes she's not," Rhyel said, raising an eyebrow. "Was that the news you needed to tell me?"

"No... no." Junak shook his head and his brown eyes filled with worry as he dragged his hands over his thighs.

"I overheard a few of Lord Zehev's guards talking about their orders to travel to the edge of the border where the wall meets the frozen seas of Mortend," he said, clenching his hands in his lap.

"So, I followed them, wondering what Lord Zehev wanted them to do in those barren lands. "

Tears pricked the corners of his eyes as he shook his head.

"They... they buried a-a basilisk amulet at the base of the wall and I-I'll never forget the sound of their screams as they burned from the inside out," he said, dragging a hand over his face to wipe away the tears that escaped down his cheeks.

"I don't know what kind of power that amulet held, but once they burned, the wraiths screeched and roared from the beyond as if they'd been awakened.

I thought they were going to breach the wall and I was going to have to do all I could to keep them from breaking free.

" He took a deep breath. "But they didn't."

"No," Rhyel said through gritted teeth as he curled his hand into a fist. "They traveled down the wall to seek out their intended victim."

I do not like this, brother.

Kal snarled as fire sizzled through Rhyel's veins.

"Junak, you did the right thing coming back to tell me. Does Colonel Einar or anyone else know what you saw?"

"No." Junak shook his head as another tear rolled down his cheek. "I'm sorry, my Lord, General Zena, but I-I couldn't stay there after what I witnessed. I came home as soon as it happened. Colonel Einar... he doesn't know I left my post."

"It's alright, Junak," Zena said, sliding a hand to his shoulder. "I was frightened just like you when I saw my first wraith and what they can do. You're not old enough to know the horrors of the many attacks we suffered from the wraiths trying to break free."

"But why did they do it? Why did Lord Zehev send them out there?"

"I don't know," Zena said, patting his shoulder as she looked over at Rhyel with concern tainting her brown depths. "But Lord Rhyel and I will find out."

"Yes, we will, and I'm glad you came home. Don't worry about leaving your post. I'll sort that out with Colonel Einar," Rhyel said. "It's best that this information stays between us."

"Yes, my Lord." Junak nodded.

"Good. Now, I believe you deserve some rest and a reprieve from your duties. You may train and you may run with your wolf, but under no circumstances do I want you to take any shifts on the wall unless General Zena clears you for duty. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Go on and take a bath and get some rest," Zena said, nodding to the door. "You have made this House proud, Junak."

"Thank you, General," Junak said, standing and bowing. "My Lord, I truly hope you get to the bottom of this and when I am fit for duty, I hope you will allow me to help you."

"Thank you, Junak," Rhyel said, nodding to the young warrior. "We'll talk when you've rested enough."

Zena turned to Rhyel as Junak left the room and the shimmering tendrils of the privacy weave sealed back over the door. "So, it was Lord Zehev who caused the breach."

"It would seem so," Rhyel said with a growl, lacing his words. "But if he knew anything about Aneera's mother being a phoenix and what it would mean for her to be the eldest daughter, why would he ever put her in danger by releasing the wraiths?"

"Maybe it was a test." Zena shrugged. "You know he only weds those with exceptional abilities and gifts.

Maybe he wanted to know if the legends and myths of the daughter of a phoenix were true," she said, crossing her arms over her chest and frowning.

"But what I want to know is where the hell he got a basilisk amulet from?

I thought they were all destroyed the last time we suffered the breaches. "

That is what I would like to know too.

Rhys growled.

So would I, and we must find and destroy that amulet buried in the ice.

Kal seethed.

"Clearly, they weren't," Rhyel said, shaking his head. "I don't know how or why Lord Zehev had that amulet, but my dragon is adamant that we find and destroy it."

"Agreed." Zena nodded. "And I hate to say this, but the festive season will be the perfect time to find out what Lord Zehev is up to and if he senses Sana was the one he was hoping for."

Rhyel grit his teeth as anger bubbled up in his chest. "No," he said as the room grew deathly cold. "Sana won't be used as bait, and I can't believe you would suggest something like that."

"Forgive me, my Lord. I didn't mean it like that," Zena said, casting her gaze to the floor. "I would never intentionally put Lady Sana in danger."

"Then what did you mean, General?" Rhyel seethed. "Because I don't like the sound of your intentions."

"I-I can see that," she said as the power of his anger cracked the windows, threatening to shatter them.

"I only meant that if he was testing Aneera, he may try again to find the Lightbourne daughter he's looking for and the festive season engagements will give us the opportunity to catch him in the act. "

General Zena has a good point.

Kal murmured.

"Mm, I see," Rhyel said as his anger slowly dissipated and the heat in the room returned while the cracks in the windows faded. "Then I will craft something from the scales of my dragon to shield Sana from any effects of his actions."

"I thought that was what her dragon's breath was for? Isn't that why Lord Dante brought so much with him?"

"Yes, but my scales will provide her with extra protection.

I don't want her to suffer another attack during her debut to the realm.

She won't understand why it's happening and she'd be sick with embarrassment if it happened in front of anyone," he said, dragging a hand through his hair.

"I don't want that for her and I won't let anything ruin the festive season for her, either. "

A smile tugged at the corners of Zena's lips. "Of course not, but hopefully you'll be further along with your plans to help her discover what lies inside of her by then."

"Maybe, but I can't rush anything with her. I'd rather prepare to protect her as best as I can than hope we'll be further along in our... relationship by then."

"Mm-hm, that is very true," Zena murmured. "Then we have plenty of work to do before your travels. If you, your wolf and your dragon are willing, why don't we travel to the border now to destroy that amulet? We'll be back by early morning in time for your tea with Lady Sana."

Yes, let us go now and we can work on our merging on the way.

Kal huffed.

"Alright," Rhyel said as he stood. "But I'm going to tell Sana I'm leaving for the evening. I don't want her to worry when neither of us is here for dinner."

"Oh yes, of course, my Lord." Zena grinned as she stood. "Lady Sana should always know where her betrothed is. Wouldn't want her to think you've abandoned her."

A snarl curled over Rhyel's lips as he glared at his cheeky General. "Are you going to take the piss out of me all the time now that you know I have feelings for Sana?"

"No, no, my friend. I don't need you threatening to shatter the windows again," Zena said, laughing softly. "Forgive me. It's just good to see you care for someone so much."

A blush burned over Rhyel's cheeks as he nodded. "It's strange to feel this way," he said, rubbing a hand over his heart. "But Sana will always have my loyalty and I guess that means I will always care for her no matter what."

"Mm, come on then," Zena said, gesturing to the door. "The faster we get to Mortend, the quicker you can return to our Lady."

Rhyel nodded, following Zena out of his office to find Sana. He was thankful to Junak for coming home to deliver the news of what he witnessed in the icy tundra of Mortend.

The amulet would be destroyed and Rhyel would do whatever he could to safeguard Sana from any tests or attacks Lord Zehev might have up his sleeves. It bothered him that Lord Zehev might know something about the blood of the phoenix and he needed to know why.

More importantly, he needed to know what Lord Zehev planned to do if he ever found her.

You know what he wants, brother. We saw it. We lived through that future.

Rhys murmured as worry rolled down Rhyel's spine.

And we cannot let him or anyone have Sana. I will not fail to protect my phoenix again.

Kal growled as fire burned through Rhyel's veins.

Then we won't. We'll keep her safe, brothers, but we must do this together.

Rhyel held a hand over his heart as he neared Loic's office.

Sana is all that matters.

But have we established a villain? ?? I'm glad Junak returned with this hefty bit of information. I bet Aneera is eating it up that Lord Ze'ev thinks she's the eldest daughter....the festive season is going to be mighty interesting I believe...