The 7th Relic, page 20
The coolness of this room helps ease the burning, and I slowly withdraw. I break the kiss when she tightens her hold, turning so my lips are near her ear. I set her back on her feet and she trembles against me, her breathing unsteady. With her forehead on my chest we cling to each other and we both know something has broken between us.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I inhale her scent, never wanting this moment to end.
Grace lifts her head slightly and breathes into my neck. “I hate you, Andrew Teo.”
Instead of releasing her, I tighten my hold and silently let my heart bleed.
~ * ~
Chapter Thirty-One
~ Grace ~
And even the stars hide from us.
“How can you see in this darkness, this moonless night?” I whisper to Haro, walking beside me.
“You become accustomed to the way of life here.” He gives me a smile. “You learn to read the signs, the weather, the lay of the land and the stars, even when there are none out.”
I stare ahead at the colorless sky, the shadowed horizon, the dark silhouettes of strange giant trees. Last night there were millions of stars, tonight only a splatter on the endless canvas. And despite the landscape’s wintery look, the temperature is a steady seventy degrees.
We started off early this morning and kept moving, resting when needed, but no more than a half an hour or so. The feeling of someone or something following us kept us on the move, especially with Jleroh’s attack fresh in our minds. As for Andrew, he continues to keep his distance, and when he gives orders, his eyes never seem to find me.
I should be grateful for that. After all, I did tell him I hated him last night, and each time the memory of that moment comes up it hurts to breathe. Of course I don’t hate him. I find myself staring at him when he isn’t looking, which only brings up frustrating emotions, confusing me even more. The worst is how my body reacts to those thoughts; it’s euphoric and annoying at the same time. If I can’t control my emotions or control my physical reaction to him, how the hell am I still able to move one foot in front of the other? After determined concentration and miles of hiking, I was finally able put it aside and become aware of my surroundings.
We are always in water. Sometimes less than an inch; other times it’s up to our chests. The others seem to know where we’re going, so I leave it up to them to guide me to Kalorii while I stay alert for any signs of danger.
“How you doing?” Reiko appears at my side, his eyes straight ahead, but I sense his awareness is everywhere.
“Okay. How much longer?”
“Another six miles. Look there,” he says, lifting his chin to the north.
As we continue along the hidden path, the trees part. In the distant horizon where the hills dip and connect, the sun’s rays fight to climb the hills from the other side. Wait…there is no sun.
“That’s Kalorii,” says Reiko. “When we breach those hills, you’ll see Kalorii in all its splendor. The lights are never off, a beacon to travelers from all over Omakei.”
The closer we get, the more light comes over the hills, and I notice our pace picking up. Maybe it’s the light promising a warm bed and food, or maybe we’re just tired of walking and our bodies ache. Before we know it we are on the hill looking down at a valley the size of San Francisco.
Kalorri is surrounded by mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see. At the bottom of the mountains a basin circles the city, a moat the size of the Frisco Bay. The only ways into the city are four bridges made of giant stones, three times the size of the Golden Gate Bridge. From here it looks as if the bridges are sitting right on top of the water, except for the last archway near the city shores. That arch is big enough for the Titanic to go through. I also notice harbors with hundreds—if not thousands—of boats, scattered around the city’s perimeter. From here I can’t see how the boats would leave the basin, unless they’re only used for local transportation from one end of the valley to the other.
What I first thought were large boulders along the mountainside, I can now see are cave openings sealed with giant metal doors. “What are those?”
“That’s where the farming is done. The mines run upward to a level where caverns of farmland are cultivated under thousands of artificial lights. The lights are set to imitate the sun’s cycle through the seasons.”
“Farmland?”
“It’s where we get our produce and meat. Along the side of that end of the mountains, the animals are kept in their own cavern, close enough for well-guarded outings, not to mention ventilation.”
“I can’t see any of that from here.”
“Trust me when I say it’s huge—cities within mountains. Every territory has their own. The caverns are high enough for them not to worry about any flooding for the next century.”
“What is that?” My attention is back on the city walls, and I point to the balusters midway above the water’s surface.
“Fungi,” he replies. “Like much of the plant life here, they glow in the dark, lighting our way across the bridges. They also keep the boats and ships from running right into them.”
“Is it like Alorn’s panswas?”
He shakes his head, laughing softly. “No. They’re nothing like that. But they do help during Karou.”
“Karou?”
“Karou is when the stars disappear for three weeks, night and day. During the day the moon is only a sliver of herself, her brilliance dulled to a rust color. It happens once a year during winter.”
“Huh, I can see how those would come in handy.”
The bridges are connected to the sides of the mountains, which shave off to sheer rock walls. At the end of each bridge are massive steel doors that are connected to the matching steel wall that borders the city. Along the outside of the barrier are rows of buildings jutting from the walls, encircling the entire steel border.
“What are those?” I say, pointing to the steel buildings.
“That’s where Andu’s military is housed, along with some serious weapons.”
“But they go all the way around the city. How big is his army?”
“Ha! That’s just what he has on land. Wait until you see his air and naval strength.”
The full impact of who Andrew is starts to hit me. All these years, not only did I think he was Konè’s nephew, but a student at the Ranch. I steal a glance at him, only to be startled to find him staring at me. I cast my eyes downward, not ready to meet his gaze, but like a magnet it draws mine and I glance up again. Too late—he’s already moved on, leading us down the path to join the throng of people at the bottom of the hill.
I sigh. How can I hate him? I only said I did because I was hurt and humiliated. Losing control like that and then forcing myself on him when he did everything he could to throw me out of his room. It wasn’t until I was in my own room that I realized how he feels about me. He doesn’t. Why else would he try so hard to push me at Reiko?
I would confront him, but I’m still too embarrassed about last night…and mad. Where are the damn Skytes when you need them? Some ass kicking would do me some good right about now.
Compared to the wilderness literally outside its front doors, the city lights are blinding. The light stretches out beyond the hills we came over, but it soon becomes obvious the path we are on isn’t the only path to the bridges. We are caught up in the mass of travelers heading to or coming from the city gates. I look across the expanse to the next bridge, first on one side, then the other. They are just as busy, but both have traffic that looks like semi-trucks and buses.
I ask no one in particular, “Where do they all come from?”
“They come from the other sixteen territories of Omakei. There are also nomads and merchants who have no ties to the territories, either seeking shelter or trading their wares.”
It is the first time Andrew has said anything to me since last night. I nod. “I didn’t realize how big Omakei is.”
“There is a lot for you to discover, Grace. Welcome home.”
Welcome home.
The only home I know is the Ranch, but I can’t go back there. And I never said I would make this place my home. This is just a mission, to deliver the relic for the Rising, then…and then I didn’t think about what would happen after that. The whole “you may not make it” from Vilzen kind of stopped any future planning beyond the Rising. Does Andrew expect me to stay here? And do what?
I realize I’ve stopped in the middle of the foot traffic, caught off guard by his remark. They continue to walk ahead, and I come back to my senses when someone bumps me.
“Andu!” She runs by me but turns to say, “Sorry!”
My knees shake as dark brown eyes twinkle at me, with an infectious smile that stops several passersby to take note, smiling at this exotic stranger. Her black hair is loose, bouncing about her as she turns back to “Andu.”
Andrew turns, obviously recognizing the voice, and a huge smile comes over his face at seeing her. He quickly steps up to meet her, taking her in his arms, hugging her hard.
What the hell?
“Seelah!” He says her name with such familiarity that something twitches in my chest. He sets her down, kisses her on the head, then hugs her again in a tight embrace.
“Seelah!” greets Reiko from behind Andrew. His eyes seem to devour the sight of her, and although I get the impression he wants to hold her, too, he refrains from doing so. Haro, on the other hand, pushes Andrew aside and embraces the petite beauty. When he lets her go, “Seelah” runs the rest of the way to a waiting Vilzen.
“Goska!” she cries, throwing herself in the waiting arms of the mage. His usual stoic visage softens as he whispers to her. He sets her down and plants a loving kiss on her cheek. They gather around her as I slowly make my way over. So this is Seelah? Andrew was right, she’s absolutely gorgeous.
Seelah moves to Andrew, hugging him around the waist as he puts an arm around her shoulder, squeezing her warmly. I can’t help but think she is the reason he rejected me last night. Okay, that one still hurts. I push the image and pain aside and walk to stand just outside their small but intimate circle.
“So,” she says with adoring eyes on Andrew, “where is she?”
“Where’s who?”
Bastard, he knows exactly who she’s talking about.
I step forward, but before I can introduce myself she spots me, recognizing me as the girl she bumped into. “Oh, no! I should’ve known who you were by the way Andu and Reiko described you all these years.”
Really? Because until a few nights ago I’d never heard of you.
She pushes away from Andrew, coming at me with her hands extended. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’m Seelah.”
I smile, reaching for her hands hesitantly. “Grace. It’s nice to…” I’m unable to finish as Seelah pulls me in for a hug. I’m five-eight, maybe two inches taller, but still find that I have to lean down to meet her embrace. And did I say “petite?” I feel like if I hold her as hard as she’s holding me I’d break her.
She steps back to smile at me as if we are old friends. And just like that she pulls me in, and despite the earlier twitch of jealously I find that I like her. How can I not? She has to be the sweetest person I’ve ever met.
“Come on, we can take my zrin back to the palace,” she says, slipping her arm around mine and leading me away.
“What’s a zrin?”
She tilts her head and laughs, a chime of musical notes drawing out a small laugh of my own. “My…um…what do you call it…?” She looks at Andrew, but before he can help, the answer comes to her. She brightens at me and says, “Car! My car, as you call it in Pathen.”
“Oh,” I say, starting to really like this girl. “Did you say palace?”
“Yeah…didn’t these guys tell you we live in a palace?”
We stop to look at the “guys.” She shakes her head at them; I give them a look of “thanks for the heads up” before she pulls me after her again.
When we are several yards from them, with them following behind us like Seelah’s private bodyguards, she leans in. “Don’t worry about them; they’ll keep their distance so we can chat.”
We are still arm in arm, and I notice how people part as we pass. I scan the crowd around us. A few feet to the side of us, a man dressed in dark brown with a thick hood keeps pace with us. I glance over to the other side and see two others dressed identically to the first guy. My eyes search ahead and see three more, all walking toward the main gates. I look over my shoulder to find Andrew staring at me, his eyes intent. I reach for one of my blades, as Seelah is still holding the other arm, but Andrew gives a slow shake of his head. I then notice that five more men dressed the same are walking directly behind Andrew, Vilzen, Haro and Reiko.
Seelah laughs and I turn to look at her. “Don’t worry, Grace, those are Andu’s guards. Besides, if they weren’t, Andu, Reiko, Haro and my Goska would take care of them.”
“Goska?”
“Grandfather,” she answers with a smile.
“Vilzen is your grandfather? Are…are you an elf?” I try to find pointed ears under her long hair.
Again with the laugh like musical chimes. “No, but I have called him ‘grandfather’ all my life. He used to visit often when I was younger. Not so much now; that’s why I get excited when he does. He is the funniest man alive.”
I am dumbfounded by that statement. Are we talking about the same mage?
She lets go of my arm, taking a hold of my hand as she pulls me along. We move toward a glass cylinder to one side of the bridge, an elevator. I turn to look at the opposite side and see a similar elevator. In fact, there is one about every hundred yards. The second we step into the elevator we are at the top, looking down at the mill of people moving along with their business. I stare at them, noticing their clothing for the first time.
“The people here must like bright metallic colors,” I say, my back to Seelah.
“It’s not a preference, but a necessity. If you’re not seen, you could be mistaken for a criminal, an assassin, or worse, a demon. People here have learned to survive without the sun; we make do with what we have.”
“Huh, makes sense. But Andrew, Haro and Reiko are wearing dark clothing and so are Andrew’s men. Are they considered criminals, too?”
I turn to watch five circular buttons with sunken surfaces appear in front of her. She places her fingers on them, each to a button. A screen with her photo and what looks like binding code appears under her picture. She removes her hand and turns to me, smiling.
“No. Andu is prince here; everyone knows who he is. Reiko is the prince regent of Molsna, the second territory of Omakei. All the rulers of the sixteen territories are regents to Kalorii, the ruling state and sovereign of this realm. Andu’s father was king until his death. Once Andu becomes victor of the Rii, he will be king like his father.”
That last part about Andu becoming the victor seems to take the wind out of her. She stares down at her hands, lost in thought.
“You okay?”
She straightens, clearing her throat delicately. “Yes, of course…sorry. I zone out sometimes.”
I nod, and an awkward moment sits quietly between us. I change the subject. “So, Andrew is king? Or going to be king?”
She shrugs. “He will be soon. He only has one more challenger in the Rii. Reiko.”
I stare at her in disbelief and her words come back at me. Reiko is the prince regent of Molsna. “Reiko? You mean he and Andrew have to fight each other?” Of course, one challenger left…Reiko.
“Well, yes. Reiko is entitled to take his chances of becoming king. Why? Don’t you think he would make a good king?” she asks a bit defensively.
I lift my hands to calm her. “It’s just I have known them all my life; they’re like brothers. Why do they have to fight? Nothing against Reiko, but does he really want to be king? If Andrew is the rightful heir, then why not just let him have it?”
“I don’t know,” she says, irritated by the whole subject. “It’s some stupid law from the beginning of time that they have to honor. It’s ridiculous, and like you I don’t see any point to it. We spent the night together before Andrew left and I begged him not to go through with it, but he’s so damn stubborn.”
I nod in agreement, distracted by her mention of her and Andrew spending the night together. Suddenly I don’t feel like talking anymore.
“Here it comes.” Seelah looks down a giant tunnel made of glass. Wait, not glass, but ice. How is that possible? It’s not even close to freezing in here.
Something that looks like a block of ice makes its way to us on an invisible rail beneath it. The only reason why I can see it is because as the “zrin” passes over the tracks, sparks of ice fly out from under it. It zips out of what I thought was an endless mirror, but upon closer inspection and concentration I now see hundreds of zrin speeding faster than the eye can track. There is no door into the zrin that I can see. Sensing my confusion, Seelah gives me an excited smile before placing her hand on the “vehicle.” A portion of the iced wall falls away like snow and entry is made available to us. We step in and my jaw drops.
The inside of the ice cube is bigger than our cottage’s living room and kitchen combined.
“This isn’t a car,” I say, taking the three steps down to a living area. “This is an RV on steroids.”
“Make yourself at home. I need to put in our destination. It won’t be long.” She moves to a small round dais that looks like a sundial. She waves her hand over it and I hear a “click” sound as the top of it slides to the side. She places her fingers on the small panel, closes it and then turns to face me.
“What about the others?”
“Don’t worry about them. Andrew has his own zrin. It’s so much nicer than this one.”
Much nicer than this one? I look around at the light wood paneling, with gold trim along the ceiling. My eyes wander to the off-white furniture, plush and inviting, the soft ash wood coffee table and long buffets behind the sofa. And flowers—glass vases of flowers are scattered about the room. None I recognize, but the scent reminds me of roses.
