The Light of Asteria (41 page)

Even though the intensity of his gaze was
unsettling, I agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 26—The
King

When we walked through the wall, Rena’s
painting was magnificent, although incomplete. The detail of the
Ancient One was incredible, right down to the faceted markings of
his diamond irises.

“I see you are not the only one who gives
honor freely in your clan, young Light of Asteria,” Malachi said
with true warmth in his voice; Rena blushed.

“When you get here tomorrow, enter the
mountain alone. I will be waiting in the room of knowledge.” My
eyes rounded in surprise. I never really paid attention to the
direction we were going. Malachi chuckled.

“My dear, if you have need, the mountain will
show you the way.” He shook his head and smiled.

Rena left her painting in the Ancient’s
quarters to finish up tomorrow. We headed down the coarse stone
hallway in silence.

“Rena, could we go see the butterflies
again?”

“No dice. I remember too well the lessons of
the attic.”

“Oh for Pete’s sake … you can ask Gavin. If
he says no, fine, but it’s such a pretty day … I just thought it
would be nice.” Rena’s eyes blanked; she paused, and then
smiled.

“The prince said it would be fine, but asks
you take a little more protection with you when you venture out
into the courtyard. Is that all right with you, my lady?” Her
amusement made me leery.

“Fine,” I mumbled, and we veered right.
Suddenly, I didn’t know if this was such a hot idea, but we were
already on our way and I wasn’t going to chicken out now. When we
reached the main corridor, I froze.

Silver uniforms lined the hall as far as the
eye could see. The warriors did not acknowledge our presence, but
their emotions held determination, protection, and purpose.
Hundreds of footsteps marched in time and their echo sounded all
the way to the front foyer. Rena giggled, and I threw her a dirty
look. She tried to straighten out her face, but failed and broke
into a grin again.

As the garden came into view, the front half
of the brigade stopped and stood shoulder to shoulder, lining the
mosaic wall. The back half jumped to the mountainside to scour the
rough terrain, making sure Mia was nowhere near.

Rena gasped. I automatically checked my
shield and searched her emotions; both were fine. Her eyes stayed
fixed on the mountain’s side, and I followed her gaze. Hundreds of
jeweled wings poured out of the small crevice high above us and
floated to the garden below.

Joy spilled into laughter, as the ancient
butterflies danced around our heads. The air was so thick with
color that I couldn’t see the warriors guarding the wall. My heart
filled with elation, as the butterflies celebrated Asteria’s
lineage finally coming home. The pink aura of health was a solid,
separate color, and I longed to open my mind and tell them how
wonderful they were. Wings fanned the air, and intelligent eyes
sparkled in the sunlight. The energy surge cause Rena some
discomfort, but the butterflies danced and fluttered around us in
simple bliss. Several landed on my palm and bowed. I returned the
gesture with a giggle, wishing Gavin were here. I simply wanted to
admire their beauty, and they were more than happy to oblige my
request. A vibrant orange butterfly sat on Rena’s shoulder;
illumined antennas dipped as if to say hello. I thought Rena was
going to explode in celebration.

The king floated down, and the others
immediately made room for him. The immortal leader paused for a
moment as Rena shook with excitement, her brow rose in surprise. He
hovered over her hand, turning to meet my gaze. I smiled at him,
joy apparent, and he bowed once more before flitting back to his
home. Soon, the others followed; the last to leave the garden was
the orange and brown that favored Rena. She looked one last time,
dipped her antennas once more, and then darted into mountain.

I took in a deep breath, admiring the
botanical scent surrounding this place. The sun warmed my face, as
I looked at the butterfly’s entrance. They truly were magnificent.
Turning to Rena, I winked, forever wishing I could just speak. Her
eyes were wide with awe, and I became acutely aware that the
warriors and the hundreds of kinsmen beyond were completely still.
Every expression was one of open surprise—no one moved. What on
earth could have possibly brought on this reaction? My gaze darted
to Rena; she rolled her eyes and pulled me forward.

We marched back into the castle, leaving the
guard where we found them, and wound our way back to Gavin’s
suite.

“What happened?” I asked, as Rena closed the
door.

“Only a few butterflies come out at a time.
They have lived for so long, they grow weary of elves begging for
enlightenment. It is their choice to stay within the protection of
mountain where only the Ancient One can go. Nora, I believe we saw
the entire population of immortal butterflies. I don’t think anyone
has ever seen them all together, ever. Not even Gavin or the
queen.”

“What did the leader say?”

“Oh, so you caught that did you? I tell you,
Nora, having you for a best friend has its advantages. I never
thought the butterflies would fly around me, much less their king
speak to me. I will remember this day forever.” She stared
aimlessly into space, her face still rosy with excitement.

“What did he say?” I repeated, and she
giggled.

“He has a gift for you. He requests you
accept it after your strengthening time.” Rena hugged me again, and
I walked her to the door.

“I have to go, but if you have need, speak to
the guard and they will send for me at once. It may freak them out
a bit, but that’ll have to be okay.” A man and a woman in silver
uniforms stood guard in the entryway. Waving one last time, I
quietly closed the door and sprinted up the three flights of
stairs.

Inspiration struck, and I found my sketchpad.
Willing the curtains open, I looked at the entire courtyard below.
The garden took shape, and Rena’s elation jumped off the page as
the king’s antennas lit her palm. I wished for paint; the charcoal
did this scene a grave injustice.

The day turned to dusk, and my concern grew.
The webs warmed the room; energy lit up as a beacon in the night. I
went to the windows and searched. Surely he would come through the
front gate if he were beyond the castle’s wall. I looked in the
yard, but no one was kneeling. The road beyond the guard towers
could only be seen a short distance before tall pines protected it
from sight. A knock on the door startled me, and I reluctantly put
the blue shield in place. Elaine was there with a tray of food, her
eyes alight, her beautiful face smiling.

“My lady, I would ask that you close your
curtains; you are causing quite a panic in the kingdom. Gavin is
fine. He is working on procuring where you will spend time after
your ceremony. It is customary in our land that the newly mated
couple be given a few months to grow. The prince seeks a place of
solitude that will allow you to have your mind open at all times so
you can fully focus on other things.” Elaine’s grin never left her
face, and I awkwardly kept my gaze on the doorframe.

“Sorry, should I send out an apology in Morse
Code?” I muttered, as embarrassment rang through the room. I willed
the curtains closed, and Elaine laughed.

“The queen has addressed the issue of our
newfound power source. She has also requested I remind you that
most of the kingdom will be here in a few days.”

As if I could forget. Elaine’s eyes glinted
in the orbs light.

“As you know, it is our tradition that the
betrothed to the heir speak at this affair. The evening will be
completed with a formal ball. The prince has commissioned another
pink gown as it is his favorite.”

“Thanks, Elaine.” I bowed and watched her
startle in surprise. A giggle escaped my lips, and I softly closed
the door.

I went to the closet and put on Gavin’s
maroon pajama top. Really, it was no shorter than a dress. Sitting
down in middle of the bed, my knees peeked out from under the
shirttail, and I wrapped my hair to one side, laying the tray of
food next to me. If Gavin weren’t back soon, I would ask the guard
to summon him. It was getting rather late, and even though Elaine
had reassured me, I knew he would not leave me this long without
cause.

I took a bite of pink fruit, admiring the
creamy texture when the door’s latch turned. Desire flooded the
room as he took in my appearance.

“I find that extremely attractive, you in my
shirt. It is an intimate intent, my lady.” His smile widened as he
came to me.

We ate dinner together, but he wouldn’t tell
me where he had been.

“It has been a long day, and it seems even
longer without seeing you. I want to tell you all I can, and I also
want to hear of your adventures with the Ancient One. The whole
kingdom already knows of your travels to the garden. I would have
loved to have been there.”

“The butterflies have a gift, but I can’t
receive it until after we come back from our honeymoon. Do you know
why that is?”

“I do not know for certain, but I have my
suspicions,” he murmured, trying not to grin.

I playfully smacked him on the arm. “Come on
… how will our being married change you or me? Why is everyone so
cryptic about it? Gavin, it’s a bit unnerving.” He searched my
eyes, and then sighed.

“It’s because no one really knows. As you are
aware, we all are born with gifts and talents. When you join with
your mate, your gifts are shared as well. That’s why newly mated
couples are alone for several months. They must learn from each
other how to use and harness the new talents that have been
bestowed by becoming one. It’s different for every couple as no one
is exactly alike. Your gifts haven’t been seen in this land since
before Malachi was born, and I am the strongest warrior and healer
in the land. It will be interesting to see how we strengthen each
other.” I didn’t know he was the strongest healer in the land. His
smile widened.

“I never thought of it that way. I was just
looking forward to being with you in every way … it never occurred
to me that there would be more.” His emotions spiked, as my
thoughts ran away with me. “You go and shower. Your sunshine smells
of sweetness, and I’m trying not to think of what could’ve been so
close that you’d carry it home. It must be something absolutely
breathtaking to demand such a scent.” His surprise coursed through
me. I could hear the shower start, and tried not to think of him in
it.

“We got sidetracked helping some of the
animals.” He hollered through the door. “My power has grown so much
since I’ve known you; I helped birth a unicorn today.” Recognition
blazed. That was the smell I’d picked up.

“Is a baby unicorn as stunning as the
adults?”

“Actually, they are solid silver when they’re
born. It’s a magnificent sight, and one I will cherish forever.” He
came through the door toweling off his hair with blue pajamas in
place. “Now, it’s your turn,” he commanded, as he crawled in bed
and took me in his arms. Suddenly, I was chicken.

“What is it that has you so pensive, my
love?” he asked, his concern churned, as he willed open the
curtains.

“We’re learning about the power of
forgiveness.”

His eyes warmed, and he patiently waited for
me to continue. I took a deep breath.

“In order to complete this lesson, I must
first know of the story of your father.” His emotions spiked, and I
opened my mind. “Malachi asks I hear the story before I meet him
tomorrow so I can fully appreciate the gray sprite encased in the
cave.”

“I never knew what happened to that
creature,” he murmured. The webbing lit around us in a gentle
glow.

“The king’s death was a horrible mistake,” he
said with a sigh. “I was but a child, and we just lost Mia’s father
as he died from old age. I don’t know if the Ancient One has shared
this with you, but the love for your source is what keeps you
young. If your source ages or perishes, you follow their fate.” He
took a deep breath and returned to the story at hand.

“My father, King Orrin, was a fierce warrior.
He never quite understood the necessary compassion that is needed
to tend the animals. He was not cruel; he was just thoughtless,
insensitive, and at times, selfish.” Gavin stroked my hair,
momentarily lost in thought.

“One day, he and his guard were walking
through the countryside and came upon some sprites. Not knowing the
massive power sprites have, he tried to catch one with the idea
that he could bring it home to the queen. The guard warned him
several times, but he continued his quest, confident it was a great
idea. Sprites have many defenses, as they are the keepers of the
most precious of flowers and are the reason for the blooms that
never fade. One of their defenses is that they are extremely
venomous. My father lunged for the sprite, forcing him into his
satchel. The sprite, not knowing who had captured him, reacted
defensively and bit my father several times on the hand. Not
wanting to admit the guard was right in their caution, he didn’t
alert anyone and walked back to the castle with the sprite’s poison
coursing through him. He never said a word to mother, and after
dinner he collapsed. The venom had done too much damage for any
healers to help … he died that night,” he murmured. His arms
tightened around me. “The sprite you saw in the cave was the one
who killed my father.” I gasped.

“My mother, not knowing what had happened,
searched the king’s satchel. She found the sprite and tended to his
wounds. The sprite recognized her right away and tried to alert her
to villains in the meadow that were capturing his kind. She told
him of his mistake and of father’s folly. The sprite immediately
fell into despair, and refused to forgive himself or King Orrin. He
eventually went mad.”