Page 19 of Fate of Echoes and Embers
“She was raised”—Kael pulled Mev into his side—“by one of the most prestigious families in Aetheria, her lineage tracing back to the ancient air mages who first harnessed the power of the Wind Crystal that we are attempting to retrieve.”
A reminder of our mission.
“Can he do it?” I asked, only partially wanting the answer.
Kael was no longer smiling. “I grew up hearing tales of the ships that were lost in the Maelstrom Depths. How my father managed to hide the Crystal there, I have no notion. None have successfully navigated those waters before, as you know.”
“So why does he attempt it?”
“The friendship between you and I, Issa, runs deep,” he said, something I knew already. Kael had defied his father attempting to save my parents, despite his mistrust of humans. I could not repay him sufficiently during my lifetime.
“It does,” I acknowledged.
“Marek’s friendship with the new Thalassarian queen runs just as deep. I believe he attempts it for her, but also because he believes Elydor is stronger unified. We have been splintering slowly for many years, but never more so than since my father…” He paused. “Since my father closed the Gate.”
Mev leaned her head against her partner in silent support. The love they shared was evident, and I was glad for it. Even knowing how difficult it must be for Kael to now be an outcast among his own clan. His father’s hate was poisoning him, as it was all Gyorians.
“Marek never struck me as someone who cares about the greater good,” I said, avoiding looking his way. “His own enjoyment? Surely. Lining his pockets with smuggled goods? That I believe. But risking his life for the unification of Elydor?”
“What happened between you?” Kael asked as the wind swept through my hair. I attempted to pull it from my face, but a crosswind had picked up. “He refused to talk about it.”
Both he and Mev watched me expectantly. Though I had little desire to talk about Marek, they deserved to know.
“It was not long after my parents had died,” I said. “Marek had recovered a pendant that once belonged to my mother, the seal of Hawthorne Manor leading him to me.”
Kael’s brows raised. “Recovered?”
“His word,” I said, remembering Marek’s reluctance to tell me how the pendant had come into his possession until, a few days later, he admitted to some of his less-than-noble activities. “Later, he admitted to being curious about the ‘lady of Hawthorne Manor.’ Apparently, talk of the Estmere/Gyorian border and its strongholds, specifically Hawthorne, is a regular topic at port. At first, he was to just stay the eve, as my guest. But long days strategizing on how to best protect the border turned into longer evenings discussing politics and trade. He remained at Hawthorne for over a sennight, our bond…” Stopping to remember something I’d tried for so long to forget, memories of those days flooded back. “Marek had become a brief respite from my duties. Listening to his tales of adventures on the high seas and across Elydor…”
Kael understood. He knew me well enough. “Before her parents died, Isolde dreamed of becoming a diplomat for Estmere.”
Mev’s eyes widened. “Get out!”
Confused, I was about to question her when Mev added, “I just mean… wow. That’s cool. I didn’t know that.”
I smiled weakly. “I woke up one morning and he was gone. No note. No word to anyone. I saw him just once since then. While in Thalassaria a few years back, I sought him out at a port tavern I knew Marek frequented. But instead of speaking to him, as I planned, something inside me snapped when I spotted him with a woman. I slapped him,” I said, flexing my fingers, remembering the sting as my hand had made contact with his cheek, “and walked out. We never spoke again until you brought him into my keep. For so long I wanted an opportunity to talk to him, just once more. Ask why he left. But then when I was faced with that opportunity, I froze, leaving myself with the same unanswered questions. I realized later… maybe I didn’t want the answer knowing, as I do now, there isn’t one that could possibly take away the pain Marek caused.”
By now, Mev looked as angry as I had felt all these years. She was glaring up at him.
“What a complete asshole.”
That made me laugh. It was a word I had heard before, but rarely. “Asshole,” I repeated. “I think I will use it.”
“Oh, I have more,” Mev continued. “Douchebag, or douche canoe if you want. You can call him?—”
Kael cleared his throat.
Mev stopped, but scowled at him. “What? He deserves it. What possible good reason could he have for getting so close to her like that and then just up and leave?”
“Good question,” I said. “Something I still don’t have the answer to, but I can suspect it well enough.” Fact was, Marek cared more about himself than anyone else in Elydor. He wanted to leave, and so he did.
I watched Kael, wondering what he was thinking as he looked up toward Marek. Upset all over again with him, I refused to follow his gaze.
“I think I know what happened,” he said finally, so quietly, Kael’s words were almost lost in the wind.
“You do?” I asked, more than a little surprised.
Kael looked back at me.
