Soul Relenter (Soul Saga #3) (10 page)

“I already sent the guildsmen to gather carts from the neighboring cities.” Aleco raised an eyebrow to him, surprised he had made the decision without his approval. The Chief ignored his look. “I knew you would agree, Aleco. I just saved you the time.”

“
Well, that was fortunate.” Aleco leaned back in his chair behind the desk. He still didn’t feel like the office belonged to him. Father Giloth’s presence still filled the room. Aleco could hear his annoying voice in his ear, berating him for drinking all the rum. “I’m glad you avoided any repercussions with your assumption.”

“You would do nothing, Aleco. You’ve already made it quite clear that you need me.”

“Let’s keep it that way.”

The Chief sighed and stared into the flames. “It seems every
thing is in order. Now we are ready for the final phase of the plan.”

“I’m not.
” Aleco laughed. “I’ll never be prepared for the chaos we are about to cause. I suspect I won’t live through it either.”

“Then consider yourself lucky. If we fail, there won’t be a reason to continue on anyway—we will probably be slaves.”

“I can’t think about that, Nolan.” Aleco sipped his glass of amber liquid and stared into the flames. He lost his voice and spoke no further—there was nothing left to say. The guild had prepared the attack on Paso Robles. If the plan succeeded, they would return to Orgoom Forest before the king even knew what happened to his realm. The Chief wondered where Aleco hid the Soul Binders that he swore he would protect with his life. He knew their mission was to free the souls of the dead Asquithians—the dead ancestors of Accacia’s race—but he couldn’t help but wonder. Just one stone would ensure his immortal life.

Aleco rubbed his thumb along the rim of his glass, feeling the coolness under his finger. He felt so stressed about the upcoming siege on Paso Robles that he had l
ost his appetite, too nauseated by the thought of his failure. Accacia’s soul was resting in his hands and so were the souls of her parents. He couldn’t fail her by losing the battle—it wasn’t an option. If Aleco lived through the event he could return to her arms and be happy like he was before. Aleco had never felt that elated in his life—not before her departure or after.

The Lorunien Tree brok
e into his mind like a worm digging into the soil. It conveyed such a flash of emotions that Aleco couldn’t comprehend the message of the tree. The feelings rushing through him were too sporadic to discover. He stood to his feet and dipped his head, trying to focus on the message. The Chief stared at him, concerned for the sudden movement. The Nature God grew frustrated with Aleco’s inability to understand, so the tree transferred one image into his brain. He gripped his chest as the picture flooded his mind. Aleco dropped the glass to the floor and it shattered into a hundred pieces. Aleco reached for the secret doorway in his study and sprinted toward the harbor.

Accacia stood at the grounds of the forest with her hands at her side, looking up into the branches of the trees. The squirrels were climbing up the bark, carrying a variety of nuts in their mouths until they reached the top of the tree. Orgoom Forest was buzzing with life at the heat of the season. Accacia felt the warmth on her skin and it reminded her of Suaden, her home on the island. Summer was Accacia’s favorite season on the Continent but it was nothing like the heated weather on the island—warm, humid, moist. The air was dry and harsh on her lungs when she breathed in the scent of Orgoom Forest. Accacia stood alone on the deck for several minutes, waiting for Father Giloth and the Naturalists to approach her. She hoped Aleco wouldn’t come, but at the same time, she prayed that he would.

Accacia looked up when she heard the sound of a
n approaching horse. The hooves beat against the earth with the footfalls of a sprinting steed. She knew they had arrived. She took a deep breath as she waited for them to break the line of trees. The sight she saw caused her heart to stop.

Aleco broke through
the rise of the hill and stopped his steed. He jumped from the horse, landing on his feet, and then walked toward the harbor. He stopped when he saw Accacia standing at the edge of the shore. His crystal blue eyes stared at her for a moment, trying to determine if she was truly real, that she was really here. He saw the green dress billow in the wind and he thought she looked more beautiful than he had ever seen. Accacia felt her heart quicken at his approach. He walked toward her without blinking. She knew how much she missed him this past year, but the pain of his absence washed over her when she looked at him. He was free of the heavy cloak he always wore and his face was exposed to the elements. His white shirt revealed the contours of his body and he appeared exactly as she remembered him, handsome and strong. Accacia remained glued to the spot. She couldn’t move. Aleco closed the gap between them until he stood directly before her.

Aleco stared at her. He reached out and touched her face, feeling the smoothness of her cheek and
the strands of silky hair he adored. His hand trailed down her neck and stopped at her shoulder. He grabbed her waist with his other hand and felt the shape of her body. His eyes reddened as he looked at her. They began to bubble with tears. “You’re really here.”

Accacia felt the tear
s fall from her eyes. She nodded, too overcome with emotion to respond in any other way. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her, burying her face into his shoulder. Her falling tears soaked the fabric of his shirt. “Yes.”

Aleco squeezed her to his chest and felt his own tears fall. He had endured so much
pain in her absence and he finally felt whole again. She was everything to him and he was finally with her. He kissed her forehead and continued to hold her against him. “I missed you—so much. I—I can’t even describe it. I thought I was never going to see you again.” His hands ran over her body and he recognized the shape of her muscles, although they were slightly more toned, and felt the smoothness of her skin. “You have no idea how agonizing this has been. I never should have let you go. I—I won’t do it again—ever. I can breathe again.” He kissed her cheeks and then he brushed away the tears with his lips. “I still can’t believe you’re here—with me. Gods, I hope I’m not dreaming. I’ll take my own life if I wake to the pathetic reality I was living before—a miserable life without you.”

Accacia breathed through her tears. “I—missed you. I’m so happy to see you again.”
She ran her hands down his chest and felt his body, relishing the physical touch of his physique. She had dreamt of it often and she was amazed that she could really feel him—touch him. The strong smell of liquor tickled her nose and she smiled at the familiar scent. Her heart ached when she remembered all the times she watched him drink his life away before the fire. The happiness left her body and was replaced by despair. Their moment would end soon.

Aleco grabbed her face and kissed her. Accacia f
elt her body shake at his touch. She had missed his embrace during his absence, and she enjoyed the feel of his lips on hers for a moment. She couldn’t stop the transaction and she didn’t want to. She thought about kissing him often when they were apart—along with other fantasies. Accacia let her lips linger on his for a moment before she pulled away. She knew Zyle was watching from the ship. Aleco stared at her for a moment, confused by her rejection. Accacia hugged him. “I need to tell you something, Aleco.” She hid her face in his shoulder, hating herself for what she was about to do. She was going to break his heart—again. Accacia didn’t know if he would recover from the rejection a second time.

An Asquithian sailor approached her from behind and cleared his throat. “Would you like us to relocate your belongings, Your Majesty?”

Aleco pulled her hands from around his neck and held them within his own. He smiled at Accacia. “Why am I not surprised? I told you they would adore you, Accacia.”

Accacia turned to the man. “
No thank you, Boven. I will take care of it.” He nodded and walked away.

“Tell him
to bring it to Asylinth Cottage,” he said with a smile. His hands ran down her waist and stopped at her hips. She could feel his hands expand over her body, so petite was her frame in comparison to his large palms. Accacia felt her heart break at his words. “I insist that you stay in the guest cottage—with me, of course.”

“I love you, Aleco.” The words slipped from her mouth.
“I love you. I love you. I always have and forever I will.” Accacia ran her hands up his arms and cupped his face. “I love you, Aleco.” She wanted to tell him how she felt before she shattered his world. Accacia wanted him to know that she loved him—still.

Aleco’s eye softened at her words. “I love hearing you say that—I thought I would never hear it again.” He kissed her lips and pulled away. “And I love you, Accacia.” His thumb trailed down her cheek, feeling the delicate skin underneath. The color of her complexion had darkened and he suspected the island was in a warm climate. “I never stopped.”

Accacia grazed his cheek with her fingers. “I need to tell you something.”

He grabbed her hands and kissed each one. She felt her tears fall at his embrace.
“Tell me after we go to Asylinth Cottage.” He stared into her eyes and recognized the emerald color in an inferno of emotions. “I need to be with you—I can’t wait any longer. A year was long enough. I need to reunite with you—join my body and soul with yours. I have felt so empty and lost without you.” Aleco pulled her away but she didn’t move.

“Aleco,
listen to me,” she said through her tears. She hated herself more than ever. Accacia knew how much the revelation would hurt him. It made her not want to tell him. She wanted to die instead of destroying his world.

“It can wait,
” he said firmly. “I can’t.”

Accacia squeezed his hand. “No.” Aleco stared her
for a moment and she saw the fear enter his gaze. He didn’t understand what was happening, why the love of his life was stalling. Aleco knew she needed him as much as he needed her. Accacia heard the Asquithians exit from the ships and walk down the pier. They were admiring the wildlife of Orgoom Forest and the beauty of the landscape, in awe of its size. She heard Zyle direct orders to the others. He was telling them not to wander off into this foreign land. She heard her soul mate approach her from behind and she felt the anxiety flood through her body. He promised her he wouldn’t interfere. Aleco was oblivious to everything and everyone. Accacia was the only one who had his attention.

Accacia heard Zyle speak to
Boven before he walked away. She was relieved that he didn’t approach her and Aleco. Accacia knew that Zyle needed to be far away from Aleco when she told him. Her heart sank when she realized the task before her. She had to tell him.

Aleco pulled her body cl
oser to his and closed his eyes. He still couldn’t believe she was here. They had only been talking for minutes but they were already arguing. The thought made him smile.

Boven walked up to Accaci
a and cleared his throat. “The King is asking for you, Lady Accacia.” Accacia felt her heart drop at his words. “He is waiting for you on the pier.” Boven walked away and left Aleco and Accacia standing in silence. The awkward quietness drenched the air and made Accacia’s skin prickle.

Aleco dropped her
hands and stared at her. She could see the devastation in his face as the meaning of the Asquithian’s words settled into his mind. “That’s what you wanted to tell me.” Aleco couldn’t believe his own words. He couldn’t accept them.

Accacia nodded. She felt the tears stream down her cheeks at the pain in hi
s eyes. She hadn’t wounded him—she had broken him.

Aleco took a step back and looked away from her.
His heartbeat changed and became irregular. The pulse of his blood pounded in his ears and made him weary, like he was about to complete his first mission in the guild, which was the only time he felt truly afraid. It was nothing compared to this. It was the worst thing that could possibly happen. Aleco knew Accacia would move on eventually, but this was too soon. He couldn’t believe the information that was flooding his mind. It couldn’t be true. He wanted to vomit on the grass before him. He suddenly felt dead, no longer living. “You’re married?”

Accacia nodded agai
n. She had lost the ability to speak.

Aleco shook his head as he paced before her. He looked at the Asquithians walking across the grass of the forest, admiring the summer day. He scanned the crowd until he saw
a man standing alone on the pier. He was adorned in heavy armor and was attired in a kingly wardrobe. He knew this was her husband. Bile rose up his throat as he met the man’s gaze. The idea of Accacia making love to someone else sent him to the brink. He felt his body flare in anger at her betrayal. They have been apart for only a year and she was already in love with someone else. He felt like an idiot for holding her and touching her, completely ignorant to her husband standing nearby. Aleco tried to bottle his anger, something he had been practicing since he was granted the office of the Chief Nature Priest, but all the practice vanished.

Accacia reached for him. “Aleco—”

Aleco pulled away from her grasp. “Don’t
touch
me, Accacia.” He walked away from her toward the heart of the forest, needing to be away from her. He couldn’t believe that the one thing he needed more than anything was going to kill him. The only purpose in his life had vanished. It was like she had died. Aleco felt his body convulse in every painful emotion imaginable. He wanted to die, cease living for all eternity. Accacia chased him and grabbed him by the arm but Aleco pulled away from her hold. “Get away from me, Accacia. Go back to your husband.”