Chapter 29
Ryder
“How are you feeling?” I ask Damien when he steps into the study. It’s been just over a week since everything happened and from what I can tell he’s been acting normal, but you never know what mental battle someone is fighting.
“Good, I guess.”
The way he’s scratching the side of his head makes me think otherwise.
“Sit down.” He pulls out the chair opposite of me and takes a seat. Between his sunken eyes and grown out stubble, he looks completely drained. “How are you really doing?”
“I don’t really know. I haven’t slept much lately.
I should feel amazing, right?” He leans back in the seat.
“I’m back to being myself but I’m not even sure what that means anymore.
I’ve been bound by that curse for so long and my mind has been split into two for almost two years.
I don’t even know who I really am anymore. ”
“Then maybe it’s time for you to decide who it is you want to be.”
“Maybe you’re right.” His eyes glaze over like he’s lost in thought.
“I don’t want you to feel obligated, but there’s a seat for you on the council if you want it.” I’ve thought it over the last week and ultimately decided we could use him. He’s familiar with how my father thinks and there’s no denying his impressive set of skills.
“I’ll take it,” he agrees without further thought.
“Perfect. We have a meeting in ten minutes.” He nods. “There’s something else I’d like to run by you.”
“I’m all ears,” he says, sitting up with anticipation.
“I have a meeting with the leaders of the Infinite Sea Territories. I leave tomorrow and Reign is coming with me. Being that your father had a relationship with them, and your sister is living there, I thought you might want to join us.” I expected Damien to shoot out of the chair with excitement, but instead the space between his eyebrows pinches at the idea.
“You’re more than welcome to stay here, though. ”
“No,” he mutters. “You’ll have a better shot at making a deal with them if I’m there and I need to see her. It’s been over two years since we were last together.” He looks up at me with a strained expression. “She doesn’t know about any of it.”
“Wait, what?” I blurt out as I sit up. “Your sister doesn’t know about the curse that bound her own life?”
Damien leans back, running his hands down his face. “I didn’t want her to live in fear that she could drop dead at any moment, and I didn’t want her to feel guilty for my actions. It was better she was blind to it all.”
“Wow. Well, are you going to tell her now that it’s all over?”
“I don’t know. If I do, I’ll only be hurting her. Maybe ignorance is bliss.”
I stand up and walk over to him. “Trust me when I say keeping secrets from people you care about has a way of hurting them, too. I won’t tell you what you should do but think long and hard about who you want this next version of you to be.” I offer him my hand and he takes it.
“You make a decent sounding board, you know that?”
“I’ve been around a long time. Wisdom is a side effect of it.”
The two of us share a laugh and head down the hall for the council meeting. When everyone gets settled, there’s a noticeable anxiousness in the room.
“Who has something to report?”
Artemus stands and leans on the table from his spot at the end.
“King Cimmerian has ordered a lockdown on the Great Six Realms. No one is getting in or out of there which means information is going to be harder to come by. The latest update has reported dead bodies hanging from the Baltaire Viaduct outside of the kingdom. He’s making a statement now.
You’re either with him or against him and if you’re the latter then you better be ready to die for it. ”
Groans and sighs echo around the table as he sits back down.
I knew violence and fear is the path my father would take.
It’s the only move he knows in times of distress.
Those who remain in the realms won’t have much of a choice now.
We did the best we could getting everyone who wanted to join our cause out of there, but many were still unsure or too scared to take the risk.
Although they ultimately made their own choice, it doesn’t make me feel any better knowing there will still be innocent casualties to come.
“Any word on what attack he’s planning?”
“No. Whatever he’s got brewing, he’s keeping his cards close to his chest,” Artemus informs with a look of defeat.
I stand up and each of the council members instinctively straighten.
“We knew this was coming. Let it serve as a reminder of what it is we’re fighting for.
” I earn a few head nods, but it’s not enough.
Most of them have never experienced war, and it shows.
“Damien is joining me and Reign on our trip to the Infinite Sea Territories. While I’m away, Artemus is in charge.
My father has us out numbered and overpowered.
Getting the Infinite Sea Territories to join us is top priority.
While I work on that, I want the exact location of the lost island keeping Casstia Nircosa’s tomb.
I have no doubt that my father is working overtime to get his hands on that scepter, and we need to beat him to it if we want to stand a fighting chance against him.
Someone or some book out there has information. Find out what it is.”
“Hey, what’s up?” Reign asks when she answers the door.
“Are you all packed for tomorrow?”
“Pretty much.” She swings her bedroom door wide and motions for me to come in. “You said pack warm, right?”
“Yeah, it’ll be cold and windy like the caves were.” I scan the clothes already laid out on her bed. “These should work.”
I watch her roll up each garment and stuff it into her bag. It almost feels like how it did when we were back at the safe house in Cyron. I’m hoping that the next words to come out of my mouth don’t ruin that.
“So…” I begin, trying to stall as long as I can.
“Spit it out,” she orders, lifting her head to look at me.
“I invited Damien to come with us.”
“Oh.” It’s not much of a response and I’m not sure how to take it so I give her a minute to mull it over. “I guess that makes sense,” she finally adds.
“Is that going to be okay since you’re avoiding him and all?”
“I’m not avoiding him,” she snipes, turning away and walking to her closet. “I’m just taking some space.”
“Same thing,” I argue, grabbing the jacket she just pulled out. I roll it up and place it in the bag that is almost completely full.
“You have your ex that you’re still in love with after lying to you your whole relationship come back from the dead and then tell me it’s the same thing.”
“You still love him?” I hate that I even feel the need to ask. Why do I even care? It’s her relationship. She can feel how she wants.
“Yes.” She sighs after she says it and takes a seat on the edge of her bed. “I mean, I think so. Maybe it’s just a part of him I love. Or maybe it’s the illusion of who I thought he was. I don’t know anymore which is why I’ve been keeping my distance.”
“Well, maybe this trip will be the clarity you need,” I offer.
“Maybe,” she says quietly to herself.
“Would it make you feel better if Amaya tagged along?”
Her head snaps up with a smile that reaches her eyes. “Umm, yes!”
“Alright then. I guess you better go tell her to pack.”
Reign wastes no time jumping up from the bed and rushing to put on her shoes. Hopefully this gesture earns me a few points with her. Mother knows I have a lot to make up for.
She’s about to run past me but pauses. “Thank you.”
I let out a half laugh. “For what?”
“For always knowing just what I need.” There’s so much sincerity in her words that it catches me off guard.
“I see you, Reign.”
Something I can’t quite read flashes behind her eyes, but I’m already being swallowed by smoke before she can say anything.
I hesitate before knocking, wondering if I should’ve prepared a speech before coming here. I’m not sure it would do much good though, considering my audience. Maybe it’s best I go in blind and just wing it. I usually do my best work that way anyway.
“Checking up on the cripple?” Elias accuses as he wheels himself out of the way so I can enter the bedroom.
Already off to a great start I see.
“Actually, I’m here to ask for your help.”
“And what exactly is it you think I can do for you? I’m useless now,” he groans, motioning to the place his leg used to be.
“For starters, you’re not useless just because you’re missing a leg.” He’s about to argue with me but I continue before he can get a word in. “Besides, we’re going to find a mender eventually, so this is all temporary.”
“Yeah well, it’s been months so forgive me if I don’t seem so comforted by that sentiment.”
“Alright, enough of this sad shit.”
“What are you doing?” he demands when I grab the handles of his wheelchair.
“We’re going for a little ride.” Elias thinks about fighting me on it, but the smoke is already consuming us.
When we get to our destination, I immediately let go of his chair. I’m sure it’s hard enough having others see him in this state. He doesn’t need my assistance adding to the shame I know he’s already feeling.
“Let’s go.” I can tell he’s reluctant, but he respects the chain of command and follows behind. “It won’t be long until my father makes a move and I need your help getting them ready.”
His eyes scan the ashy wasteland that is covered by a couple thousand training men and women. I can tell by the tight lines forming in his face that he’s clocking every wrong move they’re making.
“This is the best we’ve got?” He asks, looking up at me with too much wariness.
“No. There’s an army, but these are the refugees we took in that haven’t trained since they were at the Sector.”
He takes another look around, this time with this new information in mind. “Alright. I’ll help, but I’ll need some back up.”
“I thought you might say that,” I confess with a coy smile that makes his brow raise. “I’ll be right back.”
A few minutes later, we’re joined by Emeric and Akari who instantly go quiet in Elias’ presence. I knew things between them have been off, but I guess I didn’t realize just how bad things had gotten.
“The three of you know how to spot people’s strengths and weaknesses. I need you to use that skill to help get them ready. Find out what they lack and work on it with them. We don’t have the luxury of time, so make quick work.” I start walking away to assess everyone for myself. “You coming?”
“Oh, we’re starting now?” Emeric asks with a surprised look plastered on his face.
“Did you all have something more important to do?”
“No,” Akari answers as she quickens her pace to catch up to me.
Elias doesn’t say anything, but he rolls alongside his brother, following me to the first set of civilians who are already training with Jace and Roman.
“Thought you guys could use a few extra pairs of hands.”
The two of them look at Akari, Elias, and Emeric like I’ve just gifted them an arsenal.
“Welcome to the team,” Roman says, offering his hand to Elias. “We sure as hell could use some help around here.”
“Then you’ve got the right people,” Akari reassures.
“Looks like you guys got it handled, so I’ll leave you to it.”
As the five of them fade away behind the wall of black, I feel a small sense of accomplishment settle in my chest. It’s been a long week, and I needed one more win before leaving tomorrow.