Chapter 62
While Zena, Eula and Kezi tended to Sana, getting her bathed and pampered, Rhyel was relegated to Loic's room to get dressed for the evening's celebrations.
Rubbing a hand over his heart, Rhyel couldn't get Sana off his mind. Not that he wanted to, but he kept thinking about her kisses that still tingled on his lips and the vision of her standing on the plank with her eyes glowing and steam rolling off her shoulders.
"You've been doing that a lot lately," Loic said as he braided Rhyel's hair back from his face.
"I think Lady Sana has stolen more than your heart, my Lord.
I wish you could've seen her rise from the water.
" He sighed with pride gleaming in his brown eyes.
"She had the look of a true warrior and stunned everyone when she slammed your bracelet against your cage and then solved the last riddle without a thought or a moment of hesitation. "
Loic laughed. "And when she saved you, I thought our soldiers were going to lie down their swords and howl their allegiance to their Luna," he said, shaking his head at the memory. "Lady Sana, she is... she's truly magnificent."
"She is." A smile tugged at Rhyel's lips. "And I wish I could've seen that too," he said. "But can you tell me what happened after Sana fell into the water? She says she can't remember, but I need to know if she...revealed herself in any way?"
"No, not that we could see from the shore," Loic said, frowning as he fashioned Rhyel's locks into a bun with a black and silver clasp at the base of his neck. "Why? Do you think her phoenix is awakening?"
"I'm not sure," Rhyel murmured. "I took her to the phoenix shrine yesterday, thinking it would help her and when she found me, I've never seen her eyes glow like that," he said, rubbing his fingers over his chin. "And she said a voice spoke to her and helped her through the obstacles."
"Mm, I see." Loic nodded. "Well, that visit to the shrine might've done something and that voice must be her phoenix," he said, tapping his comb to his chin. "But if anyone saw something, it would've been Lady Elalia. She went in the water to help her."
A hard knock rapped against the door of Loic's room. Rhyel raised an eyebrow. "Are you expecting anyone?"
"No." Loic frowned as he crossed the room to open the door.
"Sir Loic, I apologize for the disturbance." The guard Rhyel's aunt and uncle spoke to earlier bowed. "But I'm looking for Lord Rhyel and I was told he's here with you."
"I am," Rhyel said, rising from his chair and tugging off the apron over his shoulders. "What can I do for you?"
The guard bowed again. "Lord Oberon and Lady Elalia would like to speak to you in their study. They have an urgent matter to discuss with you."
Good. We need to know what she saw and ensure our phoenix is protected.
Kal growled, baring his fangs.
Indeed and ensure our cousin is sufficiently reprimanded for the burns on our Sana's arms.
Rhys snarled, matching Kal's ferocious glare.
Rhyel nodded. "I have things I wish to discuss with them as well," he said, crossing the room in a few determined strides. "Let's go."
When Rhyel entered his aunt and uncle's private study, Elalia was biting her thumb and pacing the floor in front of the windows still dressed in her armor while Oberon sat with his hands clasped tight and worry etched in his green eyes as he gazed at the pages of a thick tattered book.
"My Lord, my Lady," the guard said, bowing. "Lord Rhyel has come."
Elalia's pacing halted and she slid her hands behind her back with her blue eyes hard as stone. "Thank you, Espen. You may leave."
Espen bowed again, slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him.
"Take a seat, Rhyel," Elalia said, gesturing to the high-backed chair beside Oberon. "And tell me, for the love of the Gods, you know what Sana is."
Rhyel nodded. "Yes, of course I do, but how—"
"And your dragon?" she said, cutting him off as she crossed the room, taking his hands and kneeling before him. "Has...has he awakened again?"
"He has," Rhyel said, frowning looking from her to Oberon who was gazing at him with wide eyes. "Aunt Elalia, what is this about?"
"Oh Gods, it's happening," Oberon said, sliding a hand over his mouth. "Just like Aloysia said."
Rhyel's heart clenched. "What did my mother say?"
What do they know that our mother failed to show us?
Rhys growled, digging his claws into Rhyel's insides.
Calm yourself, wolf.
Kal seethed, spouting fire.
Our mother was a Barshaa seer. They only reveal what one needs to see at the time.
"I can feel your wolf's anguish," Elalia said, standing as she dragged a hand through her damp hair. "There's no need for his anger, my Alpha. I've done what was expected of me to protect Sana and her gifts."
"Elalia," Rhyel said through gritted teeth, gripping the arms of the chair. "What did my mother tell you?"
Elalia took a step back from him and bowed her head.
"Your mother, she... she told me a phoenix will awaken and I must use my gifts of illusion to hide her when she burns," she said, wringing her shaking hands.
"I didn't know what she meant, until today, when I jumped in the water to help Sana and she.
.." Elalia looked up at him with awe filling her bright eyes.
"She was swimming to the surface engulfed in flames and I.
..I knew she was the one Aloysia wanted me to protect. "
Rhyel's heart thumped. How much of the future did his mother see? And how much more was there to the vision she showed him?
"Did she tell you why you needed to protect her?"
"She told all of us," Oberon said. "Your father, Dante, Inés, Elalia and me.
" He leaned forward, pressing his hand over the tattered book with fear clouding his eyes.
"The awakening of the phoenix will usher in a time of war and rebirth.
The same war our ancestors fought when Tsidia was a young realm fighting over the magic of the creatures your House protects. "
Elalia crossed her arms over her chest. "Only this time, Aloysia said they'll be fighting over—"
"Sana's blood," Rhyel said, sighing. "I've seen what that future holds and I don't intend for it to come to fruition, but thank you for protecting Sana like you did."
"Of course," Elalia said, pressing her hand to Rhyel's shoulder. "And House Grensea will continue to protect her."
Oberon slid his hand over Elalia's. "And we will come to your aid should this war come to fruition."
"Thank you," Rhyel said, looking between his aunt and uncle and a sense of relief washed over him that they knew. "But I know what I need to do to prevent that from happening."
Elalia nodded. "That's good," she said, squeezing his shoulder. "But I was afraid you didn't know what she was and if you didn't, I was going to tell you everything I knew to help you protect her."
Oberon looked up at Elalia before turning his gaze on Rhyel. "Forgive me if this is too personal of a question, but besides today, has Sana shown any signs of her phoenix awakening?"
Rhyel shook his head. "No, the game today was the first time she's ever shown any signs, but she doesn't remember doing anything."
"I see," Oberon murmured, sighing as he slid a hand over his face. "I'll never understand why Cyrillia kept her phoenix lineage from her."
Rhyel raised an eyebrow. "Do you know anything about Cyrillia's family or her coven?"
"We don't." Elalia shook her head. "Cyrillia lived with Dante and Inés for a while before she met Sirius. They're the only people who might know anything about her coven."
Ah, Sana's mother lived with our kin. That's how she survived without a dragon.
Kal murmured.
"Then Sana and I will speak to them. She deserves to know about her mother and it might help her awaken her gifts," he said, standing. "And if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to her."
"Yes, of course. I'm sorry I called you in here like this, but I'm glad to know you have a plan of sorts," Elalia said, sliding her hands to his arms. "I'm sure Dante and Inés will be able to help you both, but if you need anything, you know I'm always here for you."
"I know," Rhyel said, nodding. "Thank you for telling me what you know and keeping Sana safe when I couldn't."
"And we always will," Oberom said, standing and clapping his hand on Rhyel's shoulder. "But please don't gut my son like a fish. Sana never should've been attacked like that."
Kal and Rhys growled, baring their fangs.
He still deserves to be reprimanded.
"No she shouldn't have, but it still happened," Rhyel said as a snarl curled over his lips. "I'll have words with Rivo."
"Fair enough," Oberon said, squeezing his shoulder. "As long as it's just words."
"Mm, I'll see you both at the ceremony."
"Yes and congratulations to your House," Elalia said, smiling as she hugged him. "And do what you feel is necessary to Rivo," she whispered. "He may not have a wolf, but he knows better than to play games like that with the Darcanos."
"Indeed." Rhyel chuckled. "I'll be sure to remind him."
"And we'll see you in the great hall," Elalia said, patting his arm. "Thank you for speaking with us."
"Thank you for telling me what you saw," Rhyel said, giving them a small bow. "I'll see you soon."
As Rhyel left his aunt and uncle's study with his thoughts whirling after what they told him, he caught sight of Rivo nearing the door and a low growl rumbled in his chest.
"Rhyel," Rivo said, raising his hands as he backed away from him. "I-I had no control over—"
Rhyel snatched Rivo by the collar of his robes as a snarl curled over his lips exposing his elongated incisors. "You promised me Sana wouldn't get hurt."
"I-I know, cousin and I'm sorry," Rivo said with his eyes full of worry as sweat beaded on his forehead. "I spoke with Lady Aneera and Lord Zehev about the situation and I-I apologized to Lady Sana for my mistake."
"Good." Rhyel growled. "And what sanctions have you given House Issian for this incident?"
Rivo swallowed. "W-well, none. Lady Aneera's attack technically wasn't against the rules I gave them."
The air around Rhyel grew deathly cold as fire bubbled up in the back of his throat. "I see," he said, slamming Rivo up against the wall. "So, Sana was hurt because of your mistake."
"I'm sorry cousin! P-please don't gut me!"
Rhyel dug his claws into Rivo's robes, ripping the fabric.
"Let this be a lesson to you, cousin," he seethed.
"As the Alpha of Darcanos, I'm well within my rights to inflict the same injuries you allowed to mar my Lady and my fiancé's skin," he said as Rivo whimpered at the fire burning his skin. "Never let that happen again."
Rivo nodded. "Of course. I-I won't let this happen again."
"You had better not," Rhyel said, releasing him. "Or I will do far worse than singe your arms."
"Yes, cousin," Rivo said, sliding a hand over his smoking robes. "I'm sorry for my mistake."
"You're forgiven," Rhyel said, leaving Rivo with his burns and nodding to the guards as he walked down the hall to his rooms to find Sana.
He deserved far worse than those burns.
Rhys grumbled.
Probably.
Kal chuckled.
But now he will never allow any harm to come to our Sana, whether it is a game or not. Rhyel has secured more protection for our phoenix. That was your goal, right?
No.
Rhyel laughed under his breath, shaking his head.
I wanted to scare the shit out of our cousin, but if it turns out that he will protect Sana too, then I will welcome his aid.
Mm. Even so. He will help if we need him.
Kal murmured.
And it's good that we know what happened to Sana in the water. Her phoenix is awakening and she will need plenty of guidance which means you cannot hide me from her any longer. She needs to know we're her dragon.
Rhyel sighed, nodding as he knocked lightly on their room door.
I know and I will. Just not...not right now.
"Ah, my Lord! What good timing," Kezi said, smiling as she opened the door. "Lady Sana is ready for her debut as the champion of these games."
"Stop it, Kezi." Sana laughed with her vibrant eyes sparkling with joy. "I'm not the champion."
Rhyel's heart skipped, tripped and missed a beat as he gazed at her standing in the middle of their room dressed in a flowing navy blue gown.
Her crimson curls were twisted and pinned with tiny diamonds while strings of diamonds dripped over her shoulders and lined the 'v' of her bodice, extenuating her brown skin with her dragon's breath nestled in the curve of her bosom.
Gods, she was...
Perfect.
Rhys sighed.
No, she's everything.
Kal purred and their energy hummed and pulsed inside of Rhyel as if they were entranced by her captivating aura again.
"My Lady," Rhyel said, crossing the room with his heart pounding and aching to be near her. "You won the tournament for our House." He smiled, taking her hands. "You are our champion." He brought her hands to his lips, placing a kiss against her fingers. "And you look stunning this evening."
A soft laugh escaped her lips. "You honor me, my Lord," she said as a shy smile curled over her plump red-lacquered lips. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he said, kissing her cheek before leaning away from her and bowing his head. "Would you allow me the honor of escorting you to the great hall?"
"Of course," she said, sliding her hand to his cheek. "There's no one else I'd give that honor to."
"Thank you," Rhyel said with his heart soaring and Kal and Rhys roaring with pride inside of him.
Sana slipped her hand in the crook of his arm and her enchanting ambrosial scent teased his senses, making him yearn to keep her all to himself and spend the evening curled up with her in his arms instead of sharing her with anyone else.
But he couldn't do that.
She deserved to have this moment being praised by the realm for the fierce and beautiful Lady of Darcanos that she was.