Chapter 91: Elian’s Danger
Koda;
I stare at the book in my hands, and words stare back at me, but say nothing to my mind.
I let out a sigh and read through the first line for the umpteenth time, but the result is the same. Futile.
I shut the book in annoyance and let out a frustrated sigh before looking up at the garden ahead.
I can not for the life of me concentrate on anything!
"I’ve never seen you look so gloomy with a book in your hand before." Zephan’s unmistakable voice speaks from behind me, and I don’t even bother turning to look at him.
I grab my cup of juice off the table at my side and take a long swig as he sits on the vacant chair beside me.
"Still worried about Elián?" He questions, and only then do I look at him.
"Aren’t you?" I question, and he shrugs.
"I am. The young lad isn’t built for Rhydian’s torture. But it’s a bit too late to cry over spilt milk, don’t you think?" He replies, and I fall silent for a while.
"You don’t think..." I begin, and Zephan completes my thoughts.
"That Rhydian will hurt Elián?" He questions, and I nod slowly. Dreading the honest answer I know he’ll give.
He sighs, and I find myself holding my breath.
"I hope not. But even if Rhyidan by some miracle doesn’t hurt Elián... his mother... that entire kingdom... Howleroot is a vicious stomach waiting to digest Elián. I’m scared for him. If I had my way, I’d go there and bring the boy back. But Father..." He adds, and I listen in silence.
"Father never listens to anyone. He only does what he wants, and nobody understands him." He concludes, and I nod before taking another drink from my cup and looking ahead.
"I have no idea why Father sent him there... but I’m pretty sure he has his reasons. He always does." I speak, and Zephan scoffs.
"Of course you’ll say that. You always defend him. You’re the only one who tries to find sense in his nonsense." He says, and I chuckle.
"I just can’t help but be worried, though. My mind hasn’t been at peace for a long time. It feels like Elian has some kind of arrow targeted at his heart, and I have no way to stop it." Zephan then says in a suddenly solemn tone, and my heart drops as I turn back to look at him.
"I fear he’s in danger. Not... from Rhydian... but from something bigger. I can’t shake off the feeling that his life is at risk, and I hate it. It feels like..." He begins, and I sit up as I complete it.
"Like someone is going to try to hurt him." I complete, and Zephan looks up at me in surprise.
"You feel it too??" He questions, and I swallow and nod.
How would I not feel it!? It’s the one thought that’s been disturbing my mind all these days.
Since Elián left, I haven’t been able to take my mind off him. I’ve been constantly worried.
Scared for him.
And there are so many reasons to be scared. Father sent him to a den of trouble, and I have to sit here on my hands hoping that he comes back in perfect health.
On the very second day of their trip, I received news that he had been stung by a scorpion, and now he had to live with one. Alpha Liandria. I fear the danger Elián is constantly facing there.
Has that sharp mouth of his gotten him into trouble? Has Rhydian ordered another beating session for him, or has he by some miracle changed? I have no answer to all these questions, and it worries me.
I just want him back. I don’t know how I could get so fond of the young boy... but his absence has proved that out to me.
I want him back home. Maybe I can talk to Father too...
"Is that... Smoke!?" Zephan suddenly questions as he shoots to his feet, and when I follow his gaze, my eyes widen when I see thick, black smoke coming out of Elián’s room window.
"What the..." I begin as I drop my glass, and before I get the chance to, Zephan starts running back towards the castle.
Why is smoke coming from Elián’s room!? Who set fire to his room? And why??
I’m about to head there when Rowan suddenly runs up to me.
"Alpha Koda... The King demands your presence. It’s urgent." He says amidst pants and my brows crease.
"What... is this about? And why is there smoke from Elian’s room?" I demand, and he sighs.
"I think someone tried to make an attempt on Master Elian’s life. They must have thought he was still at home." He replies, and my stomach flops in horror.
"The room was locked with an unknown padlock from the outside, and the windows were shut. Whoever did this... wanted him dead." He adds, and a wicked, hot shiver runs down my spine.
"However, earlier today, his Majesty had asked one of the servant boys to sleep in Master Elian’s bed. The attacker must have mistaken the servant for the young master." He concludes, and my jaw drops.
"Father anticipated this!?" I demand rhetorically, but Rowan nods nonetheless.
"He saw it coming. Perhaps he sent Master Elain with Qloha Rhydian to protect him from something. And now, he’s calling for you... I think with respect to Howleroot. If his attacker knows he’s not here... It’s only a matter of time before they find him." He replies, and my heart skips a beat.
Shit!
****
Rhydian;
"You need to constantly be on alert! Every opening you create is a window to your opponent!" I hear a voice command, and I stop walking.
That voice. Fierce, commanding, unmistakable... Igma’s voice.
It’s been ages since I last saw her... or even heard from her.
The last time I heard her voice was when she broke me out of Mother’s command through a mind link. Even after that, we never got the chance to talk.
I should thank her. Just check in on her and find out how she’s doing.
She and uncle Erymas...
I walk off the corridor toward the lawn where her voice rings out.
As I get closer, I hear the sound of staffs ranking against each other and a smile splits my face.
Defence training. Igma and I were always trained side by side. I could take on men five times my size, but for some reason, the skinny little tomboy was always my hardest opponent to face.
I soon come across the ground of young Betas receiving training from Igma.
She has her long hair up in an apology of a bun and is in shorts and a simple vest.
She’s sweaty and looks Nothing like a proper lady should.
The aura shifts as soon as the Betas see me.
"Alpha!" The calm in reverence as they start bowing, and Igma stands straight to look at me.
"Ah. Fancy pants. Came to learn a few things?" Igma teases, and I scoff as I stare at the panting young woman.
"Let me guess. You’re the new head of the trainees?" I question as I walk closer to the training ground, and she crosses her arms.
"Hasn’t that always been predictable? Who better to train these younglings to be fit enough for our army?" She replies, and I smile at her.
Proud of her growth and confidence.
"Say... why don’t we show them what a real spar looks like? They’re all fragile and inexperienced. I’m tired of going easy." She says as she picks up another training staff from the ground, and my smile grows.
"Is this punishment for not keeping in touch all this time?" I question, and she chuckles.
"Something like that." Is the reply she gives before tossing the staff at me, and I catch it before taking off my robe.
I toss it to one of the Betas and take my stance as I tighten my grip on the staff.
"Uff!! Reminds me of when we were little kids!" She says as she starts hopping excitedly, and I roll my eyes.
"Well, take your stance. Don’t expect me to go easy on you." I reply, and she smirks at me as she takes her stance.
"Oh... did you have such empty expectations of me?" She replies, and my smile shifts into a smirk.
She hasn’t changed one bit. She’s still the same overconfident, arrogant little rebel she’s always been.
I’ve missed that.
"Round one!" She suddenly announces before charging at me, and my body’s muscle memory takes over.
Blocking her first hit and avoiding the second.
"Fast." I compliment as I regain my ground, and she raises her head in a small, approving nod.
"Smart." She replies regarding how well I avoided her hits, and I shrug.
"I mean... I’ve always been better." I reply before charging at her, but she blocks my hit.
"You wish!" She replies before planting a kick at my stomach, and just as I’m about to respond with my own hit, gasps from the students around stop me mid strike.
Even Igma stops, and we follow their gaze.
I stand up straight and feel my heart run cold when I see a naked, bloody young man walk onto the lawn and collapse face-first into the grass.
My heart dies in my chest at the possibility of it being Elián.
"No..." the words escape me as I drop the staff and run over to the body.
"Light, please no. It can’t be Elián. Please... it can’t be him..."