The Forsaken Hero

”What do you think Fate meant by that?” I asked, resting my chin on my hands as I stared at R’lissea.

We sat at the garden gazebo, a day after our visit to Haven. Emlica had given me back the mana cannon, claiming to have already recreated one of her own to study. Luke had been strangely quiet after his spar with Arantius, mumbling a little before changing the subject, refusing to allow me to press him.

”About getting out? I think it’s a good idea,” R’lissea answered, sipping her tea. ”The garden’s nice, but being isolated isn’t good for anyone, especially you. The only thing is...it’s a little dangerous outside.”

”I think it’s a good idea,” Elise said from the other side of the table. ”Everyone knows about the explosions and battle the other week, and there’s a lot of public speculation you were injured or killed. Everyone already knows it was the church behind it, even if they can’t say it. If you appear smiling, laughing, and not retaliating, it would do wonders for public perception. They’d see we’re more than vengeful, violent demons, and people who can actually be reasoned with.”

”But is it safe?” R’lissea asked.

”Nothing’s perfectly safe, but you’ve already survived two attacks. I can’t imagine they were withholding anything from those, and any follow up will be weaker,” Elise said.

”True. And Luke’s here, now,” R’lissea said, eyeing me with a look that reminded me of Fable stalking. ”Why don’t you go out together? Didn’t you say you wanted to show him the flower market?”

I colored, gripping my hands in my lap. ”I, um...no?”

She giggled. ”Oh, come on. You know you want to. What if he let you hold his hand?”

”R’lissea!” I squeaked, blushing furiously. ”That’s not....I’m not...” I stared at my lap. After a second, I peeked up, biting my lip. ”Do you, um, think he’d let me?”

I covered my mouth, but it was too late. They burst into giggles, and I buried my face in my hands, glaring through my fingers at them.

”It’s not funny,” I mumbled.

”Sorry, sorry,” Elise said, her laughter subsiding, ”You’re just too easy. It’s just...who would have thought you’d be blushing over a boy? I know it’s a long time coming, but I never could have imagined this when we first met.”

”Don’t worry about us, or anything,” R’lissea said, putting a hand on my shoulder, smothering a smile. ”Just enjoy yourself, and have a nice time. There won’t be many more months of peace before we’re at war again.”

”Assuming we can get these stupid elves to agree,” Elise muttered.

”Are you certain you don’t want me to go with you to your audience?” I asked.

”Positive.” she forced a smile. ”You wouldn’t be much help, anyway. It’s all trade, politics, and threats. Nothing that would interest you.”

”I...alright. It would be nice to see more of the city than from just the carriage window.”

”Perfect. I’ll let Luke know you’re interested in going out tomorrow,” Elise said. ”I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

”I’ll tell Fyren. He’s not going to like this,” I muttered, rubbing my horn.

”Not going to like what?” Selena’s voice came.

I turned as she glided up to us, the train of her dress drifting in the wind. Her soul was restrained, but radiated such light and warmth I nearly squinted.

”Lady Sunsinger,” Elise said, nodding politely.

”Oh, please, it’s always been ”Selena.’ No sense changing it now,” the elf replied with a huff, sitting between Elise and I.

Elise hesitated, glancing at me before replying, ”Forgive me, but it’s only natural I treat you with more deference now. There’s less than twenty ninth-level beings in the world, you know. You’ve earned some respect.”

”And I like that respect to come in the form of friendship,” Selena replied, eyes narrowed. ”So please, act as you did before, in this country, at least. It’s not like power means much, anyway. But Xiviyah, what was that I heard? Are you planning on going out?”

I nodded, unable to take my eyes from her soul. Beneath her aura, its fabric was tranquil as a forest pond, yet beneath the surface, I could sense endless currents of power that dwarfed anything I could muster. Truly, the difference between eighth and ninth was staggering.

”Are you really okay?” I asked, starting as I realized she was still waiting for a response.

She smiled faintly. ”I’m fine, Xiviyah. Your methods were...unorthadox, but it worked out in the end. My soul doesn’t have the same sensitivity as yours to sun magic, and there was little more than a tingle when I finally consolidated my level.”

”How does it feel?”

She raised her hand, curling her fingers. ”Powerful. Very, very powerful. I have so much mana it’s almost a little scary. I’m almost eager for a chance to use it all.”

”I hope that day never comes,” R’lissea said, shivering. ”Ninth-level power is truly terrifying, and I only glimpsed a fraction of it at Blacksand.”

She dipped her head. ”I understand that now. But that brings me back, Xiviyah. What are you going out for? Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?”

It was a playful jab, but I ducked my head, tail curling. ”I...I wanted to see the city with, um...with Luke. And R’lissea and Elise thinks its a good idea.”

”You don’t have to defend yourself. I was just curios, is all. I would have liked to go with you, but I’m afraid duty calls. Aerion is set to return two days from now, and there are things I need to set in order before his return. Turns out, when you’re the head of the estate, work piles up when you take a few days’ nap.”

”What of your parents, Lord and Lady Sunsinger?” I asked.

She shrugged. ”I think they’ve about turned over everything to Aerion and I at this point. They had us rather late in their lives and getting up there in years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they retired within the next decade or two and fled to one of our country manors. When this whole mess is over, of course. But if you’re planning to leave, I’ll see to it Anrynth is prepared to accompany you. It wouldn’t do to leave the estate without an elvish escort.”

I thanked her, and after chatting a little more, retired to my room. It was a long time before I could sleep, excited and nervous of the prospects of tomorrow. How long had it been since I’d had a chance to be alone with Luke? It had to have been when we watched the sun in Blacksand, before everything had happened. It felt like a lifetime ago.

The next day, I awoke with a flutter in my heart. The maids, sensing my trepidation, circled me, whispering.

”You’re going out into the city today?” one finally asked.

I jumped, my tail twitching. ”H-how did you know?”

”It’s all over the manor! Will it really just be you and the apostle? How romantic!”

They broke into giggles and gossip as they set about brushing my hair and choosing a dress. To my horror, they selected one of my Blacksand dresses, with soft red fabric and light gold embroidery around the slit sleeves and plunging neckline. They circled me like a pack of wolves, eyeing me hungrily.

”This one?” I asked tentatively, edging back against the wall.

”Certainly. He’ll love it!” one said.

”It’s so beautiful! He might pass out just seeing you,” another chittered.

Another shook her head in disagreement. ”I could never wear something so revealing.”

I nodded furiously, but was quickly overruled by the others. In minutes, they’d finished, leaving me clothed in the breezy fashion of the empire. After the conservative dresses of the elves, it felt particularly scandalous. Did the neckline really have to go so low? And who had though the slits on the dress should cut above the hips? Though, if I were being honest, I loved the whisper of the silken fabric across my skin, and the tail slit was a welcome change, letting the appendage twist and roam freely.

Giving one last twirl in front of the mirror, a light blush colored my cheeks. One of the maids set the wreath of flowers on my head, their soft glow reflecting the luster of my hair.

”You look beautiful,” Jenna said, flashing me a smile.

I avoided her eyes self-consciously. Was she really the kind of woman I wanted praising me? But I couldn’t deny the small thrill it sent through me. Did Luke really like this kind of thing? Jessia hadn’t just been teasing me, right?

”Ready?” Luxxa asked.

I nodded, and with an anxious breath, left my room. The maids gathered behind us, giggling as they wished me luck.

The manor seemed especially busy this morning, but perhaps it was just the eyes I drew walking to the entrance. My tail curled and twitched restlessly, and I clung to Luxxa’s side, hiding behind her armored frame. But before I could convince myself to turn back, we arrived at the top of the grand staircase, overlooking the entrance. And there, waiting for us, was Luke.