Mystic's Touch, page 22
Ceros and Danet exchanged glances.
He was relieved the queen was taking the news so well. Danet, however, looked as if tension was holding her together.
“How is it that you knew about her mother and grandmother and yet they were allowed to remain in Licosia? Mystics were banished long ago.”
The queen waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss the idea. “Phish. That decree should have been overturned before your father ever sat on the throne. It was originally written during the Great Wars.” The queen began telling the group. As she spoke, Mdjai, Gehiji and Runihura moved closer to listen.
“The king, your great-grandfather,” she nodded to Ceros, “was led to believe that one of his most trusted advisors, a very powerful mystic, was behind a series of treasonous acts that directly impacted the balance of power during the war.” The queen turned thoughtful. “I don’t remember exactly what he was accused of, but sleeping with the king’s wife would have been a lesser crime.”
Mdjai let out a low whistle.
“Thankfully it was proven the man was innocent before he was executed. However, to flush out the true culprit, the king and that advisor developed a plan. They knew a mystic was involved but they didn’t know who it was.” She looked to Danet apologetically. “It is far too easy for mystics to hide their gifts so they decided to banish all of them through this decree.”
“They banished all mystics because of one bad one?” Danet protested.
“Yes. A rescinding order was supposed to be issued before the end of the week, once most of the families had left. They wanted to make it legal for the two who were chosen to return to Licosia to search for the traitor.”
“But they didn’t want to advertise that fact, otherwise the flood of mystics and their families would return, hampering their efforts,” Ceros guessed.
“That’s correct,” the queen nodded.
Danet crossed her arms in front of her chest. Obviously she didn’t care for his great-grandfather’s plan.
As a soldier, he could see the value in their strategy. Especially during those harsher times. But he also knew it must have been difficult for those families who were forced out of their homes with very little notice.
War was never pretty.
“Would you get me a glass of wine, my dear? I’m getting rather parched telling this story,” the queen asked Gehiji.
“I would be happy to.” Gehiji made a slight bow and hopped up to get the requested drink.
If the frown on Danet’s face was any indication, she was confused why she wasn’t asked to retrieve the wine for the queen. He saw her fighting the urge to get up out of the chair and do as the queen requested.
Gehiji delivered the cup with exaggerated flair, making the queen laugh. After she had a few sips, she continued.
“It took time to locate the traitor. Several cycles of the moon, I believe. By the time they did, the war had reached its height. Unfortunately, that rescinding order never got signed. Partly due to who the traitor ended up being.”
She nodded as if she were telling one of the greatest secrets ever known. “The king’s scribe. A seemingly simple and relatively unimportant position, but it put the traitor in a position to know all of the kingdom’s business. And he had the power to alter documents, changing the meaning ever so slightly. More than one key document went missing in his care too.”
Ceros shook his head. “No wonder Father handled his own correspondence.”
“Exactly,” the queen concurred.
The queen smiled at Danet. “I strongly suspect both families wanted to bring their loved ones and friends back, but since the last battles of the war were fought at Licosia’s doorstep, no one wanted to return.” She looked at Ceros. “It was some time before trade was reestablished with our neighbors. Communication would have been slow and irregular outside the city walls. Even if the decree had been rescinded, it is doubtful many would have returned.”
He nodded his understanding. “So the bottom line is, I need to complete that rescinding order.”
“That is correct,” the queen agreed.
The stunned expression on Danet’s face was priceless.
“That can’t be one of your first orders as prince,” Danet declared.
“Why not?” Ceros asked.
“Well… Because people might not approve,” she blustered.
“Approve of what? Me dissolving some antiquated order that should have been rescinded two generations ago? Or me honoring you and your father’s years of service to the royal family and the city of Licosia by dissolving that same order so you no longer have to worry about your heritage?”
When he saw a teardrop glisten on her lashes, he had to fight the urge to rush to her side like a lovesick fool. Before he could get out of his chair, his mother reached to comfort Danet.
“Why are you sad?” The queen put her arm around Danet’s shoulders. “You should be proud. You come from a line of very brave, very loyal mystics. Why, your great-grandmother even saved his,” she pointed at Ceros, “great-grandmother’s life.”
“I’m sorry.” Danet wiped away her tears. “I’m just having a hard time coming to terms with the thought that I wouldn’t have to hide what I am any longer. That I wouldn’t have to worry that someone might take away our home or Father’s clinic or even worse, harm Father, all because of me. It’s just too much.” She looked at Ceros. “But I don’t want you to risk public displeasure by doing this.”
Ceros moved to stand next to Danet. He put his hand on the back of her neck to offer what comfort he could in front of others. What he really wanted to do was scoop her up and drop her onto his lap and wrap his arms around her. But that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
“I want to do this, Danet. I truly doubt there will be a public uprising. But I am willing to discuss it with the chancellor first. Will that make you feel better?”
“Yes, if you will promise to wait if he feels it will be an issue.”
Ceros growled. “We need to discuss your tendency to argue with me.”
That brought a smile to her face. She sniffed back her tears. “I’ll put it on the list.”
Satisfied they managed to avoid an emotional upheaval, he wiped a stray tear from Danet’s cheek then turned to his mother. “There’s one more thing to be dealt with.”
“What’s that? The date for your wedding?”
Gehiji snickered in the background.
Danet choked and turned pale. Ceros patted her on the back and shot his mother a look that spoke of retribution. “No, actually, I was thinking along the lines of Aleric and his allegations that he has a claim to the throne.”
“That is just nonsense,” the queen declared.
“I agree, but if he has spoken to a large part of the population, he’s bound to have attracted some attention. Especially when those people don’t know our family history,” Ceros pointed out.
“Your father descended from a long line of kings. And the blood of the last known omegamorph runs in your veins,” she said proudly. “He may share a similar heritage, but the throne rightfully falls to you.”
Mdjai cleared his throat and gave Ceros a meaningful look. Gehiji was looking at him in a similar fashion. Each of them believed he should have told his family years ago that he was now an omegamorph. There had been more than one heated debate on the subject.
Ceros took a deep breath. “There’s something else you need to know, Mother.” He toyed with a strand of Danet’s hair, seeking comfort in the silky feel.
She reached for his free hand, silently offering her support.
“Just before I left for Shirghada, I was visited by one of our Gods. He came to me in a dream and said I was needed to maintain peace in our lands.” He looked at his friends. “I was told I would journey to a faraway place. There I would meet others like me, brothers in arms, with similar destinies.”
The queen looked at Gehiji, Mdjai and Runihura.
“Each of us would come from a different part of the world. And each of us would be gifted with a different talent.”
“What is your talent?” the queen interjected.
Gehiji answered for him. “Strategy.”
“I would have said justice,” Mdjai added.
“They’re both right,” Runihura said.
Ceros bowed his head in thanks.
“What are your talents?” Danet asked, looking at each of them in turn.
“Gehiji has a silver tongue. He can obtain supplies when there are none to be had.” Runihura’s voice held only sincerity.
“He also has an uncanny ability to sense a lie. Even the most gifted trickster cannot fool him,” Ceros said. The others nodded in agreement.
“Runihura can track anything. If it has breathed, much less moved, he can follow it,” Gehiji said with a touch of pride.
Mdjai grinned. “And I like to blow things up.”
“He is our explosives expert,” Ceros admitted.
“Mdjai also has the ability to find water in the middle of the desert,” Gehiji reminded them.
“Because he can control it and make it bubble to the surface,” Runihura scoffed.
“And he can best anyone with a blade,” Ceros added.
“Wow,” Danet said. “You’re just a mobile army, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much.” Ceros shrugged.
“So it’s up to the four of you to keep the peace in the world?” the queen asked.
“No, we’re one short,” Ceros answered.
“Kneph,” Gehiji said.
“Where is that whelp?” Runihura asked. “Couldn’t be bothered with a puny issue like a throne being overturned?”
“I believe he mentioned a family issue that needed to be dealt with when we parted ways,” Gehiji answered.
“What? Did his high-and-mighty father want to deliver another cart full of gold to him?”
Mdjai snickered. “Actually, I believe he said something about needing to get out of an arranged marriage.”
Runihura sat stunned for a few seconds then doubled over in laughter.
While Runihura struggled to control himself, Gehiji diplomatically redirected the conversation. “I believe we interrupted your story, didn’t we, Ceros?”
“Since I don’t remember where I left off, I’ll just jump right to it.” He looked at his mother. “You may or may not be pleased to learn the Gods have blessed our family with another omegamorph.” At her blank expression, he added, “Me.”
She finally shook free of her shock. “When?”
“It was part of the dream I was telling you about. When I woke, I was in the middle of the desert on top of a rocky cliff and I was not my usual form.”
“What form were you?” she asked quietly.
“That would probably be easier shown than explained,” Danet suggested.
“You knew of this?” the queen asked.
Danet nodded slowly.
“You’ve seen his alternate form?”
“Yes,” Danet said simply.
Looking back in his direction, his mother demanded, “Show me.”
He exchanged a look with Danet. The support and what looked a lot like love in her eyes overrode any doubt he had. He stepped away from the furniture and transformed.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Seeing the beast from her dreams in the same room with her, with no shadows to hide him, was surreal. To know without a doubt it was Ceros made her a little dizzy.
His mother seemed to be handling the news well enough. Then again, the queen had always been a strong woman.
“Oh my,” the queen murmured.
Does it hurt when you transform? Danet asked Ceros.
No.
Just checking.
He chuckled in her mind.
“If I hadn’t seen him change, I wouldn’t believe it,” the queen said.
“Believe it,” Gehiji said as he eased next to the queen.
Mdjai and Runihura moved closer to the entrance. It probably would create a scene if someone came in while Ceros was in this form.
Ceros padded over to his mother and nosed her knee.
She froze with her hand in midair as if she were torn between petting him and climbing over the back of her chair.
In his beast form, Ceros really was a large creature. The size of his head alone might make someone think he could chew an arm off.
Finally her hand settled on his head. Tentatively, but nonetheless, she touched his fur. Once she did, the texture seemed to fascinate her.
Tell her I won’t bite. Ceros said. Well, at least not her.
Danet smiled. “He said he won’t bite.” She didn’t think it was possible for the queen to appear any more surprised.
“He did?” the queen asked.
Danet nodded.
“But how…?” The queen’s voice trailed off.
“He told me to tell you.”
She doesn’t look as if she’s taking this well, Ceros said.
The queen looked at Gehiji, a question in her eyes.
He stood next to her with his arms folded across his chest and nodded in affirmation.
“We can talk to each other.” Danet pointed to her own head. “We discovered it while he was immobilized with the plant poison.”
“You were able to talk to him the whole time?” the queen asked.
“Yes. Most of it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” the queen demanded.
“First, it would have been hard to prove. And, second, we agreed it would be safer if you didn’t know.”
“Why? I’m his mother. I would have protected him,” she insisted.
Nope. She’s not taking this well at all, Ceros said. I’m changing back.
“We know you would have,” Danet said gently. “But you needed to be able to face the high council and dozens of other people without any hint of what was really going on. Any of whom could have been the one trying to kill him.”
Ceros backed away from his mother then transformed into his usual form. Like the time at the oasis, he wore a simple linen wrap. Only now that she wasn’t disoriented and there was light, she could see he also wore a royal-purple sash and gold armbands.
“I’m never going to get used to that,” the queen mumbled.
“It is a bit unsettling to watch, isn’t it?” Danet agreed.
“Not any more than watching your friend race into battle unarmed, then seeing an oversized animal come out the other side in his place, flinging bodies as he went.” Gehiji shook his head. “For the longest time we thought he was crazy for not wearing any armor or taking any weapons with him.”
“It was too hard to find where I dropped it,” Ceros shrugged, “so I gave up carrying it.”
Danet shook off the images of what he might or might not have done in the heat of battle. “Do you always transform back wearing the same thing?”
“You noticed that.” Ceros smirked. “It’s what I was wearing when the Gods made me an omegamorph.” He shrugged. “At least I was wearing something that night.”
Danet’s cheeks heated as she imagined the places he might have been when he transformed back.
“I believe I’ve reached my limit for surprises for this evening.” The queen stood and approached Ceros. She studied his face for a moment. “I am proud you were chosen and even prouder that you have accepted your destiny. The people of Licosia will rejoice the return of the omegamorph.” She rose up on the tips of her toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. “We can finish talking tomorrow after I’ve had a chance to rest and absorb everything you’ve told me.”
Ceros smiled down at his mother. “That may be the best idea I’ve heard all evening.”
The queen turned and took Danet’s hand. “Make sure this one,” she pointed to Ceros over her shoulder, “gets some rest tonight.”
“I will.”
“Good night, my dear.” The queen placed a quick kiss on Danet’s cheek as well, leaving Danet baffled once again.
The queen opened her mouth to say something, caught Ceros’ wary expression then seemed to change her mind. Mdjai, Gehiji and Runihura each wished her a good night’s sleep as she regally swept out the door. One by one they turned to face Ceros.
“Is there anything else you need our help with this evening?” Gehiji asked with a quick glance at Danet. “Or will you be retiring soon also?”
“I believe we’ve all had enough for one day.”
“Then we’ll bid you a good night.” With a tip of his head, Gehiji turned and gestured for Mdjai and Runihura to precede him.
Runihura grabbed his plate of food and made a gesture of farewell then lumbered out the door behind Mdjai.
When the door clicked shut, he looked to Danet.
“I suppose I should get my things.” She stood. “Would it be asking too much to have an escort called for me?”
“No.”
“Thank you.”
“You mistake me. I meant, no, I won’t call an escort for you.”
He didn’t need to prod her mind to know what she was thinking. The play of emotions across her face was telling. Everything from anxiousness to shock to irritation in only a few seconds.
Her back stiffened. “Very well. I can manage then.” She turned to stomp off. “Have a pleasant rest of your evening, my prince.”
He rolled his eyes then quickly reached out and grabbed her arm. “I meant you don’t need an escort to find your way back to my room. I’ll be happy to escort you personally.”
She attempted to resist his grasp. “I can’t go back to your room with you. That wouldn’t be proper at all.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re the prince and I’m not some tart that warms the bed of anyone who looks at them prettily.”
“Damn right you’re not.” He pulled her fully into his arms even as she tried to wiggle free.
“Then you agree that it isn’t proper for me to return to your room with you.”
“No.”
