Learning and Relearning
I let out a slow, measured breath. Tallyn and Maerryn rushed forward as a caravan rolled into the courtyard. An Elf of high degree had been found to come assist me in learning my role as a royal, as well as recover my connection with the Elements. King Naelym placed a hand at the small of my back and urged me forward. I walked only because I realized his next option was to drag me. I had felt her the very moment she crossed over into the realm.
Stepping from a carriage garbed in a long green gown that looked as if it fell off a LotR set, Alathea arrived. The sun made her hair appear more golden, her skin more like ivory, and did nothing to hide her disappointment in seeing me. We both forced smiles to our faces then politely clasped hands. She leaned in to kiss me on the cheek and just couldn’t help mentioning her displeasure at being here. “I warned you not to go looking for answers you didn’t want to find.”
“Answers YOU didn’t want me to find,” I corrected her. I leaned back with my grin still in place. “Aunt Alathea, it is an honor and a joy to see you again.”
She clasped my arm and walked with me as we were led back inside. “Well, at least you have mastered the diplomatic lie.”
I rolled my eyes but said nothing else as we entered the castle. I accompanied Alathea to her room and helped her unpack. It was after the maids had left and it was only the two of us that she finally spoke. Taking a seat on the small sofa she stared pointedly at me. “Did the Elements leave you, or are you blocking them from coming to you?”
“I felt them leave me. I commanded them, and while they did my bidding, they haven’t been back since.” I hated explaining the problem to her. “This isn’t necessary. I will gladly suffer the consequences of my actions.”
Sighing heavily, she patted the seat on the sofa beside her. Hesitantly, I complied. I watched as she poured two cups of tea and handed me one. “Do you know what I think?”
I resisted the urge to unleash my inner smartass, and simply shook my head and said, “No”.
“I think that you are punishing yourself for the loss of your mate. I think you feel that it was your fault he died and that it was your lack of control over your powers that caused it.” She took a sip of tea.
I let out an annoyed chuckle. “You think you know everything, don’t you?”
“More than you realize.” She sat the cup down and turned on the seat to face me.
“Alathea, I have no doubt that you are wise and competent in Elven magic. I just don’t think you can grasp what I’m going through.” I sat my own cup down and stood up with the intention of leaving. Her hand on my wrist stopped me. I did my best to pull free but it did no good. Finally out of frustration I sank back down on the seat.
“I do,” was all she said.
“You do what?” I snapped.
“I do know what you are going through.” I started to object but she held up her hand. “I lost the love of my life in an accident that I WAS at fault for. Or at least that’s what I believed for a century or so. I was so heartbroken I went to live as a Human because I was incapable of even thinking about Magic.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Your father and I were out along the cliffs playing. No, we shouldn’t have been and yes, we knew it was dangerous. I had just come into my full powers and was anxious to see what I could do. I connected deeply with the stone of the cliff face and was pulling them free and casting them into the ocean below.” She paused, a bittersweet smile on her lips. “Michael and I were going to be bonded in a week’s time and I was under stress. He was coming to bring me flowers. In my carelessness I ripped away the stone that supported the pathway down the face of the cliff he was taking. He had no way of knowing. He fell to the rocks and the ocean below. I turned just in time to watch him fall.”
I looked at her slack-jawed. It took me several moments to process what she said and what had happened. “Is that why you’re such a cold insensitive bitch?” I caught myself a little to late to prevent it from coming out.
It worked as well as a slap. She turned red and it took her a few breaths before she had calmed herself enough to speak. “Yes, partially. Part of it is the person I am speaking with. She squanders her talent and time. That frustrates me as well.”
“Look, I’m sorry. That was rude of me. My knee jerk reaction is to push people away right now. What you experienced was heartbreaking I’m sure, but I’m telling you, the Elements have left me.” I pulled my arm free and this time headed for the door.
“If that’s the case you shouldn’t object to a little experiment.” I paused to turn and look at her. She bid me back into the room, already standing. Sighing I turned away from the door and leaned back against it.
“That depends on the experiment.”
“I’m even willing to make it a wager.” She watched my face, waiting for me to agree.
I walked back into the center of the room. “Fine, what’s in it?”
“If I am incorrect and the elements have in fact left you, I will leave you alone to your misery.” She paused and raised a brow. “If I am correct, as I am pretty sure I am, you will let me help you and train you.”
I hesitated. “So if you win I have to LET you train me. You, who didn’t want anything to do with me?”
“Yes, because I have this theory that as a Tempest, you do actually command the elements.” It wasn’t the answer I was looking for.
I shrugged. “What do I need to do?”
“Have a seat where you are and hold this.” She reached out and handed me a bag. I did as she directed, watching as she made a circle of salt on the floor around me. She then called the four corners and sealed us both withing using a pinprick of blood. The circle was totally silent. Not even the sounds of our breathing could be heard. When she finally spoke I was startled. “Now, lay out the offering in the bag and ask the Elements to come and play.”
My eyes narrowed on her. “I don’t like this.”
“Liking it wasn’t part of the agreement,” she pointed out.
I opened the bag and reached in. I pulled out a perfectly hot order of fries, a cheeseburger, and a still frozen milkshake. I sat staring at the bag. “How does that work?” I said with confusion, knowing she had been here for hours.
“Magic,” she answered with a shrug, then pointed at the food.
I arranged it in front of me. Then I closed my eyes and lowered my head in concentration. “Elements, oh elements, come out and play,” I whispered. At first I thought I was right and nothing was going to happen, but then I felt a slight trickle of water down the back of my neck. Then a warm wind played with my hair. Sparks of fire danced across the floor as the stones there seemed to hum. Then with a sudden burst, it was like the world’s wildest storm was let loose. The wind picked up with storming force, rain began to fall as fog encircled me, and fire and sparks danced along the curve of the circle, causing it to sparkle and hiss. The ground beneath me shook and groaned, threatening to eat me up, and then in an explosion of elemental power the offering disappeared before my eyes.
“Now do you believe me?” she said over my shoulder.
“How do I know it was because of me?” I asked.
“Because the circle was devoid of everything before you called them. I didn’t summon, I warded against. The elements shouldn’t have been able to access you at all within the circle.” I turned to look at her questioningly. I pushed to my feet so I could better look her in the eye.
“That’s not possible,” I bit out.
“For me… it is,” she said.
“So what does that mean?” I said, looking up at the rain cloud hanging over my head.
“It means, their pull to you was strong enough to break wards and cross a circle.” She smiled smugly, rather proud of herself.
I looked up at the rain cloud above us again, and then to the sparks still dancing around the circle. “Elements, I thank you and bid you adieu.” Sure enough, everything stopped and I felt them as they rushed away.
Alathea kept her smug smile as she bent to open the circle. Once open, she stepped out and I headed towards the door. “Oh Alizeyah, I’ll see you in the morning after breakfast. We have a lot of training to do.”
At this moment, I hated her more than ever.
