To his surprise, she nodded, tears slipping down her face. “Is Nathaniel part of this?”
“No,” Desmond replied. “He is not.”
“Does he know?”
“He knows I was thinking of it.”
“And will he leave me, too?”
“I cannot speak for him, but it seems not,” Desmond answered. “You have every right to be angry with me, Sienna, or to seek...”
She settled beside him in the window seat, her tears coming slower now as she took a deep breath. “I'm not angry,” she said, as she closed her eyes. “It's just my worst fear come true.”
“Please understand, little one, it's not for your lack of effort or skill,” he said.
“It's for the magic,” she replied. “For Nature.”
“Yes,” he brushed some hair behind her shoulders. “It is.”
She took a deep breath. “Will you take another Tiro?”
“I don't know,” he answered. “I do not know if I have the energy, the capability anymore.”
“Mariah would not like you to,” she pointed out.
“No,” Desmond agreed. “She would not.”
“Did she know?”
“She did,” Desmond admitted. “This is not a decision I take lightly. I have wrestled with myself for ways around this for months. A few years, if I'm being honest.”
“So, it wasn't just…this trip?”
“No,” he assured her. “It has brought some things to light. The path Nathaniel wants you on is different than the one I am choosing, and that's all right. In a way, I knew it would always come to this. What the three of us did was beyond difficult. It was unprecedented, and we were bound to clash. But I think you are happier with him and his choices, yes?”
“Don't ask me that,” she looked up at him. “Don't ask me to choose.”
“I'm not asking you to choose,” Desmond assured her. “I'm simply removing myself from the equation because I feel it's best for all involved. I don't know that I'll take another Tiro, Sienna, because of my energy, my age.”
She was silent for a long moment. “You don't think Nathaniel should be continuing with me, either.”
“Nathaniel is no longer my Tiro, and so his choices are not mine to comment on,” Desmond said, but she pushed the issue.
“But do you think he should stop?”
Desmond sighed. “Yes,” he said. “I do. And I make no apologies about it, Sienna. However, the two of you have to make your own decisions from here on out.”
She clenched her shaking hand into her fist and went pale. Desmond was afraid she would be sick again, but instead, she took a few steps back. “What do we do?” she asked. “Should I go back to the ship?”
“We don't have to cease to speak to each other,” he said gently. “I'm doing what is best, Sienna, for both of us.”
'What do we do?” she repeated.
He sighed. “I would like to meet these children that Pedro is speaking of,” he answered. “To see if they would be willing to come with us. After that, we can gather the parts we need to return to the ship.”
“I should call Nathaniel,” she said but he shook his head.
“Sienna, we need to focus on the task at hand. If you call Nathaniel now, your emotions will flow.”
“He is my Maestro now,” she pointed out, her lip quivering.
“Fifteen minutes, Sienna,” he said. “I promise you, in fifteen minutes, we will have a decision”
She took a deep shuddering breath, and then eventually nodded.
“I'll leave you to take a moment,” Desmond said, heading down the stairs. He wanted to say something, to place a hand on her shoulder, but he knew she wasn't ready.
He wished she could see that he wasn't doing this to harm her and he wasn't doing it because he felt it would be the easiest option.
He was sure that only when she was free of the barriers magic put on her would she be able to grow.
He wasn't sure Nathaniel would be able to handle it by himself, but he didn't want to place doubt into his former Tiro. If Nathaniel was sure that training her was going to be the best option, then Desmond knew that he must accept that. Even if he didn't believe it.
Desmond felt like he had failed her. He had taken on a challenge much bigger than himself and he wasn't sure that he would ever succeed at anything again. But he had to try, for Nature's sake.
Pedro was waiting for him back downstairs, a quizzical look on his face.
“All is well?”
“All is well,” Desmond answered, even though it was the opposite of well. “Please, your potentials”
“Come this way.” Pedro ushered him through the floor, and Desmond followed, watching the mass amounts of magic shoot from tiny fingers. This was either going to be the moment that would define him or break him. Either way, he knew he had to step through the ring of fire to come out the other side.
Chapter 14
“What now?” Nathaniel was jerked awake by a crash. With the ship on standby, he couldn't do much except wait for Desmond and Sienna to return. The pirates were dead, outside the ship, and he was certain none of them were about to rise. The crash had rocketed the ship, his quick nap over, and he sat up, confused.
The lights went out just as he blinked.
The sun set at barely noon, the days short with the never-ending winter. It didn't bother him, he had been on planets with never ending sunlight and he had been on planets with never-ending nighttime, so he didn't need the natural light.
Except, of course, if they were on a ship with no power. Then, he figured he might need some natural light.
He used magic to whisk a light into his hands, making his way out of the sleep cabin and into the hallway. Not even the emergency lights were on, which told him the ship was completely dead.
The ship rocked again and he recognized that noise.
“Oh, Creator,” he swore as he sprinted down the hallway.
“Hey, Nathaniel,” Jonah grabbed him, pulling him into an open doorway. Nathaniel swung around, nearly hitting him in the face before he realized.
“Don't do that!” Nathaniel cried, trying to cover his own panic. To his credit, Jonah just smiled.
“Hope your nap was nice. Seems those pirates have some friends, who are angry that they are dead. That's long-range fire coming at us, but I imagine it will be shor- range in a minute.”
“Creator,” Nathaniel swore again, his mind racing. If the ship was functional, this would be no problem. But they didn't even have a shield, let alone guns. The exterior of the ship was strong, but it wouldn't hold for more than a few shots under short range fire. “Did you get a guess on how many? Not that it matters, because one ship is going to blow us off this frozen waste land.”
“I think it's just one,” Jonah said. “Don't suppose your magic can help?”
“Lift a whole ship?” Nathaniel asked. “Not likely. Not by myself. The only person who could do that…” he paused, realizing it wasn't possible. “My Tiro used to be able to do that. Obviously, not anymore.”
“That's a shame,” Jonah seemed extremely good natured about the fact that they were going to die. “What's our plan, then?”
“Where's Eliza?” Nathaniel asked. “There's an escape pod that we might be able to launch her out of before they get close enough. We could evacuate the ship, but that makes us easy targets in all of this.”
“I'm here,” Eliza slid in and joined them in the darkness. Nathaniel slipped his hand into hers, trying to think clearly. “And if you think I'm running and leaving you here, you've lost your mind.”
“Eliza, you have more to think about than me,” he said. “There's a whole planet, there's…”
“We have a better chance of fighting together,” she said. “If I thought all hope was lost, Nathaniel, I would go, for my people and my planet. But it is not.”
He squeezed her hand, frustrated with her stubbornness but also grateful for it.
“There's maybe a chance I can get the com system up,” he said. “I can hail them and possibly negotiate. We can't compete with their guns though.”
“What if we make them think we've evacuated?” she asked. “I've seen your magic create illusions before.”
“Huh.” He hadn't thought of that. “I might be able to pull that off. The com system, though, may still have enough juice to run. If I contact them and tell them we are running…play frightened…maybe it will work.”
“Or?” Jonah always liked a back-up plan, and Nathaniel was about to admit he was at a loss. He was a great warrior, yes, but this was out of his league.
Nathaniel, Desmond's voice was suddenly in his head. Standby.
Standby for what? Nathaniel responded. I'm in the middle of something. Don't come…
Five minutes out, Desmond said. Open the hatch.
Maestro, we're being attacked! Nathaniel cried in his brain. Do you have the parts? I need your magic and I need it now.
All is achieved, Desmond answered. Nathaniel's eyes flew open in hope.
“All right,” he said. “I have a plan. I'm going to divert any remaining power from the com link to the hatch.”
“The hatch?” Eliza said, in surprise “Are you mad?”
“Possibly, but my back-up needs to enter the building,” Nathaniel answered “Jonah, can you man the front? As soon as the hatch is open, I'll divert it back to the com system.”
“On it,” Jonah said. “Your highness, if you please, pick a direction and stay safe.”
“I'll pick a sunny planet,” Eliza grumbled as she stayed close to Nathaniel. “Stay safe as well, Jonah.”
He winked at her, barely seen in the darkness and headed off. Nathaniel pulled her hand forward, toward the back hatch.
“Just focus on the power diversion,” she assured him. “I'll cover you if anyone boards from the front.”
“Are you armed?” he asked in surprise
“Of course, I am,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “What do you take me for?”
“Forgot that you were my battle Queen,” he said with a half-smile as he started working with the wiring panel. There was very little power left lingering anywhere. He had already put the heat on half of what it would be, making them all gather blankets and cloaks. He knew there was enough to open the hatch, but that was before they started taking on damage.
In addition, with one hand, it probably wasn't the swiftest job he ever did.
Nathaniel! Desmond's voice was urgent, and Nathaniel bit his lip.
I'm trying, he said. Unless you've got enough magic to open the doors. And…are there other magical signatures with you? He shouldn't even be asking, because it didn't matter. The other signatures weren't hostile, but they were foreign.
There are, Desmond answered. Can you do this?
He was only halfway through the thought when the wiring finally managed to spark to life. Having Jonah at the front and Eliza watching his back was so helpful in a quick job, despite Desmond's distractions. He only had to focus on the task at hand, and he was surprised how quickly it came to him.
The hatch opened and he stepped back as another shot from the front rocked the ship. The hatch slowly lowered, and he was grateful for the high roof of the front of the ship to block the oncoming fire.
They had a small ship of their own, which Nathaniel noted the battery pack model and compatibility with their own. It was just a little four-person scooter, but there were parts they could scrap if needed.
Desmond was already shoving two young children, a boy and a girl up the ramp. Sienna's hair was wild and half frozen, and she lurked behind Desmond, moving up the ramp after he did.
Nathaniel did not need a bond to understand what had happened. Her eyes were dead and her nose running. She had been crying. He knew it well enough.
He ignored the children boarding and opened his arms for his broken-hearted Tiro. This wasn't the time or the place, but he couldn't move forward without offering her reassurance.
She fell into them, hiding her shaking hands.
“I am here for you,” he assured her. “I am still here.”
“Mm-hmm,” was all she could manage before he heard a screech from behind him. A laser shot had broken a window, and he turned around a split second too late.
One of the children had moved behind him, directly in his line of protection. Had he been faster, he could have used his good hand to block at least some of the shot. But because Sienna had been with him, he didn't move quick enough to save a life.
The child, the boy, fell to the floor, his eyes open and life less.
“NO!” Sienna hurled herself out of Nathaniel's arms and forward, her palms open. It was instinct., her magic wanting to flow in her heart.
But her body was damaged, blocked, and no resurrection magic would flow, even if she wanted it to, and even at the expense of her own life.
“No, no, no, no.”
“Sienna.” Nathaniel tried to yank her away, feeling the ship rock “You can't do anything. Come with me, little one. Come with me.”
“Please no, no, no.” She pushed harder on the boy's chest but everyone knew that it was no use.
These were her burdens. These were Nathaniel's burdens, the burdens Nature had placed on them.
“We have to go!” Nathaniel pulled at her as blaster fire came from the back. They had left themselves vulnerable, and clearly the pirates had more friends than they thought. “Sienna!”
Eliza rushed forward to cover them, her blaster firing at top speed.
“Desmond!” Nathaniel cried, physically trying to pick her up and move her. His arm hung limp and useless, and danger was getting closer. Desmond was linked onto the remaining child, who was screaming.
“Desmond, HELP ME!” Nathaniel demand, and Desmond's heart was torn. He had to make a choice between himself, which was of no consequence, the Queen, the new potential and his former Tiros.
They had never prepared for such a heart-wrenching situation. This was why they weren't supposed to form attachments.
Desmond put the child down. There was no time to talk to her, no time to teach her. He simply put her to his side, and channeled her magic, hoping for a fragment of connection.
Out of his hands shot magic powerful enough for both of them. He chose to slam the hatch closed rather than kill the three shooters approaching. It rose and latched with perfect precision, giving them a moment of safety.
“Go,” he said, throwing the bag at Nathaniel with the parts. “Sienna, go with him now.”
“We have to—” She sobbed, still lingering over the dead body.
“Sienna, attend to your Maestro,” Desmond snapped, picking up the crying child again. He and Nathaniel met eyes, their worlds colliding.
Sienna stood up slowly, as if she was a puppet on a string. She responded to Nathaniel's gentle pulls and followed him out of the room, toward the engine room.
“What the hell is going on?” Eliza asked, but Desmond was already moving. The girl was screaming in his ear, and the ship at front was still sending laser blasts.
Their chances of survival were low and they lowered each moment Nathaniel didn't get power to the ship.
He slammed into the pilot's seat, Eliza's captain of the guards ready in the co-pilot's chair.
Coils in place came, Nathaniel's voice in his head. It sounded flat, unemotional, and Desmond knew that the worst was yet to come for the three of them. Count to three and them power it up.
Thank you, Desmond managed and hit the switch. The control panel came to life, and he pulled the joystick.
They slid forward, a blast hitting their tail, and then rose, throwing off the aim of the enemy.
Desmond tried to feel the energy flooding through the ship, hoping there was enough. He then threw the thrusters forward, and they locked into hyperspace.
They were safe. At least, for now.
Chapter 15
“I promise all will be well.”
He used to do this when she was a child and upset. She liked to be reassured everything was fine, he wasn't going anywhere, and that she was stronger than she thought. He would repeat the words over and over until she felt them in her soul.
Only this time, the words weren't hollow blank reassurances that he thought she should already know. These were solid words when there were questions about her future.
“You knew?” she asked and Nathaniel sighed.
“He told me it was in his mind, but I was hoping that a quest with you would change his mind.”
“So, I did something wrong?” Sienna asked in horror and he took her hands, bending down from his place on the windowsill.
“No,” he said. “You did not, and you can't think you did. He did what he thought was best, Sienna, but that doesn't mean you took a wrong path.”
“He said I'll never pass the tests. And maybe he's right.”
“I took a vow,” Nathaniel said, “to serve as your Maestro and whether or not you will pass the tests in the traditional way doesn't make a difference to me, Sienna.”
“Nathaniel, had you not been distracted by me, had I had magic, that child might have lived.”
“Nature took its course,” Nathaniel said. “We all have a time to live and a time to die.”
“He was a child, Nathaniel.” Tears spilled down her face. “He didn't know any better. Someone just told him to come along, that he'd be a witch…and so he did, blindly.” The parallels to her own story were heartbreaking.
“Is that what you think?” he asked softly.
“I don't know what to think,” she replied. “I don't know how to feel, or what to do now.”
“You and I will figure it out together,” he said, and she nodded, although she seemed doubtful.
“Do you think…Desmond's in the cockpit. Should we stay here?”
“I don't think he wants to avoid you,” Nathaniel said. “He's not angry, Sienna. He's sad, mostly, from what I can feel.”
“I can't feel anything,” she pointed out, and he closed his eyes, fighting with his own emotions.
“You can,” he said. “Your magic is suppressed, but it's still there.”
“Our bond is broken,” she said.
“It isn't.”
“No, I mean…” she wiped away tears. “Desmond and I. He's chosen to break it, hasn't he?”
“It doesn't go away,” Nathaniel said. “Just because he chooses not to train you anymore. It's never really going to go away. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't bound to him, but it's as strong as when we were training. I don't think this has to be heartbreak, little one. I wouldn't be surprised if he chooses to retire, and that was the reason he stepped away when he did.”
“You think?” she asked. He tried to smile, not answering.
“Come on,” he said. “We'll do whatever you want. What is it that you want to do?”
She shook her head. “I'd rather just stay here,” she leaned back in her chair, watching space fly by. “If that's all right.”
“All right,” he said, settling into the lounge chair beside her. She looked at him in surprise
“You don't have to stay,” she said. “I know that you want to see Eliza.”
“I always want to see Eliza,” he replied. “But that doesn't change the fact that I want to be here for you.”
“You're not going to do the same thing?” she asked. “Do you promise?”
“I told you I made a vow,” he replied. “To you, to myself, to the magic.”
“But you didn't want me,” she pointed out, remembering the start of her training.
Nathaniel sighed. “I didn't know what I wanted, Sienna. I was young, I was…”
“No, you wanted a warrior,” she said. “Not a girl and not one who could never fight.”
“I thought that's what I wanted,” he answered. “But you've taught me so much, as a witch, as a Maestro. I was an idiot for thinking otherwise. And I want to train you now.”
She fell silent, staring off into space again. “He could have lived, Nathaniel,” she said, softly after a few minutes. Nathaniel didn't answer, knowing that words would not do her any good.
The boy could have lived, yes. She was right about those things. Had he not been distracted, if she had her magic, that child might have made it to the Academy. But Nathaniel wasn't going to dwell on those things when there was nothing that could be done.
He didn't see Desmond until long after dinner, when the ship was mostly asleep. At six p.m., Nathaniel felt his body shift, before reminding himself that they were no longer on that schedule. Six p.m. did not signal the time he needed to be alert and on call for his Tiro any longer. There was no off time, no relaxing. He was now all she had.
“We should speak,” Desmond said, as Nathaniel entered the cafeteria. The lights were flickering, but they were holding. The ship was sailing smoothly through space and would land by dawn, taking Eliza to hostile and dangerous negotiations.
“We should,” Nathaniel said. He didn't know what to say, really. Speaking to Desmond had always been comfortable and easy. Now, however, it felt awkward, difficult.
“Is she all right?”
“She might be,” Nathaniel answered. “I don't know. Losing a Maestro…”
“I'm still here,” Desmond said. “I still draw breath, and she can speak to me whenever she wishes. I will always answer.”
“If you're willing to do that,” Nathaniel pointed out. “Then why?”
“Because you and I both know it's best,” Desmond replied. “I believe we're playing a charade that needs to stop. I'm more useful elsewhere, as harsh as it is.”
“And you believe I should give up, too?” Nathaniel asked. “Two in one day?”
“I can no longer tell you what to do,” Desmond pointed out. “I can only advise.”
“Would you advise it?”
“I would.” Desmond leaned against the counter. “But I take it you are not open to that suggestion?”
“A child is dead,” Nathaniel replied. “Because you chose to leave Sienna and bring on a new batch of questionable potentials”
“That is not why that boy is dead,” Desmond said. “We both know it.”
“What did you want her to do? Resurrection magic opens a black hole of souls and nearly kills her,” Nathaniel half-spat. “Is that what you wanted? You wished she could do that, regardless of the consequences for herself?”
“No,” Desmond said. “I wished…” He took a deep breath, looking at the ground. Nathaniel was surprised to find a wave of emotion go through his former Maestro. “I wish that she could have had a normal few years, learning, training and succeeding When I took her on, that's all I wanted for her. For all my Tiros, really.”
“But we've all been such odd balls, and let you down, haven't we?” Nathaniel answered.
“No,” Desmond replied. “I've let you down. I've run many years on half-energy, on half a heart. I got us exiled, Nathaniel, for loving Mariah, and I taught you that it was all right for so long that you are in danger of doing the same.”
“It won't be the case,” Nathaniel assured him. “Don't worry.”
“That's what I thought,” Desmond replied. “And then suddenly I couldn't go a day without speaking with her, and I started to think of a life outside of this. I see the way you and see Eliza look at each other, how you dream. Your life is going to be between a rock and a hard place with a Tiro who will never succeed, and because of that, your success will be limited. Is that the best way to serve the magic? Don't be angry, Nathaniel, answer me truthfully.”
“No,” Nathaniel said, after a few moments, his breathing harsh. “That is not the best way to serve the magic.”
“Then why are you continuing to do it?” Desmond asked, and Nathaniel shook his head.
“Don't do that. Don't bait me. I can't do that to her. She's my Tiro, my first. I can't just walk away.”
“Then do it for her,” Desmond pleaded. “For the life she could live, away from this path she is not meant to walk.”
“The path she wants to walk is with me!” Nathaniel roared at him.
Silence fell over both of them and Desmond drummed his fingers ever so lightly against the counter.
“Yes,” he said. “That is true. But there are others.”
Nathaniel look away, afraid that he might cry or throw something. “Maestro, do not ask this of me,” he said.
“I'm not asking anything of you,” Desmond answered. “Only that you consider what you are doing.”
“I'm going to bed,” Nathaniel said as a reply.
“Find Devon,” Desmond called and Nathaniel spun on his heel, confused.
“What?”
“Find Devon for her,” he said. “Bring her to him. Maybe that will be enough for her to realize that she shouldn't be on this path.”
“And her path is with him? Are you mad?” Nathaniel said. “That boy was nothing but trouble for her. How many times did he nearly get her killed, make her sick? There's no way I'm letting…”
“When he was a witch trying to walk a different path, he was trouble for you,” Desmond said. “Because he showed her that way and she went willingly. And only when you and I showed up did she rethink, coward backwards. Her heart went in his footsteps.”
“Don't,” Nathaniel said. “Don't even think it around her. You chose to walk away, Desmond, and that is fine. I accept your choice. But now I am her Maestro, and you have to respect my wishes and orders with her. Do not even suggest her taking a walk in a garden by herself, do you understand me?”
Desmond looked away. “As you wish.”
“Thank you,” Nathaniel stormed off, resisting the urge to magically slam the door behind him.
He would not have gotten so angry if he didn't feel like Desmond's words had truth in them. Sienna's relationship with Devon had been dangerous for that very reason, and he wanted to make sure she had nothing to do with him. His relationship with Eliza was always under the understanding that they would not make each other stray from their duties, except in dreams. If she wasn't capable of forming a relationship like that, he did not want his Tiro to have one at all.
Not that she should be having one at all.
He knew he wasn't going to sleep, so he went to find his Queen in question.
Eliza was in the communications room, sending messages back to Jeffro. When she saw Nathaniel , she spun in her chair, holding her arms open.
He grasped her like she was his oxygen, kissing everywhere he could.
“Are you all right?” she asked him, concerned.
“Never leave me,” he said, and she pulled him close.
“Never,” she promised. “I promise you.”
He buried his face in her golden hair, inhaling her sweet scent.
“Good,” he said. “Because I can't do this alone.”
“You're not alone,” she promised him. “I'm here. She'll have us, always.”
“I love you,” he whispered, and she kissed him gently.
“I love you, too,” she said. “Come what may.”
He closed his eyes, taking comfort in her very presence.
“Hopefully,” he said. “What is coming is only happiness.”
Chapter 16
She couldn't stand to say it to him in a video, so she sent him a message. When her tablet started buzzing at three a.m. that night, however, she knew who it was.
“Devon,” she said, trying to keep quiet in the darkness as she answered. His face flooded the screen and her heart filled with joy.
Her nearly three year relationship with Devon had seemed like fate and yet doomed from the start. They had met in the hospital, both of them attached to IVs Devon was reckless, mischievous and strong – everything Sienna felt like she was not. His disease progression was quicker, but it was known to the med bay, and he felt no pain, nor illness, except at the worst of times. His Maestro, Laura, made sure he lived life to the fullest, and that involved allowing him to love Sienna. She followed her heart with Devon and it got them into severe trouble more than once.
He had been the last person she resurrected, when her magic was already faltering. Resurrection magic was thought to be impossible, and it made her almost take her life, not to mention, opened a portal to the world of the dead. But when Devon had been killed in battle, she had to override every sense of safety. She couldn't live in a world without him in it.
Resurrecting him seemed to have given him the courage and strength to finally break from the Witches Order, a place where he knew he didn't fit in. His Maestro, Laura, had agreed to let him go, for the good of Nature. When she trained him, although they had an amazing time, Laura did have to dedicate herself to caring for him, and Devon knew the day would come when he would no longer be able to be the warrior he was training to be. He thought it was best for everyone if he left. Sienna missed him terribly, but their lives were so different now. They talked when they could, and he had encouraged her more than once to join him, but she always hung back.
Now, she didn't know what to do.
“Hello, love,” he said. It was daytime, wherever he was, and he looked alert, awake. “Are you all right?”
She wanted to nod, but instead, a tear that she thought had long dried slipped down her face.
“It was unexpected?” Devon asked. “Or did you know this was coming?”
“He just… I thought he wouldn't actually do it,” she surprised herself by saying. “But actually, Desmond has been…hinting at such things for a while.”
“Oh, my love,” he said. “I'm so sorry. I wish I could be there for you right now.”
“I wish you could be here, too,” she answered, and there was a pause on the other end.
“We could,” he suggested. “Do you want to come here?”
“I can't,” she said. “We're escorting Eliza to highly hostile trade negotiations.”
“Surely, they can't expect you to work like this,” Devon answered.
“Of course, they…” She stopped. “Nathaniel does. He says that I can take it easy, but we aren't off the quest. There will be a lot of questions to answer when we get back to the Jurors, but he's still my Maestro.”
“And how do you feel about that?” Devon asked.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Do you want to still be there, Sienna?” he asked. “Because you now seem to be going through the motions, and it concerns me.”
“I've spent my whole life doing this, Devon,” she said. “I don't know how to do anything else.”
“That's what I thought, too,” he said, and she shook her head.
“I can't. I can't. I miss you so much, but I can't.”
“Would it help if I came to you?” he asked.
“Where?”
“Finish your mission. I'm due to visit the school, anyways, I was going to see Laura. I can meet you there.”
“That would be wonderful,” she said. “If Nathaniel lets me.”
“Sienna, one day you'll be making the rules,” Devon said. “He's got to start letting you do things sometime.”
She tried to smile, but her heart was too broken.
“I miss you,” was all she managed to get out.
“I miss you, too,” he said. “Have you been well?”
“I've been mostly well,” she said. “A few mishaps. You look well.”
“Mm,” he replied. “The same. Much better since you brought me back to life.”
“That could be a metaphor,” she answered. “For so much. Except it isn't. That was something I could do, once.”
“You can do so much more than that, my love,” he answered. “So much more.”
“Right now, I feel like I can't do anything at all.”
“Oh, Sienna.” He sighed, trying to think of what he could do from world's away. “You can. Think of all the lives you've saved, all the people you've helped.”
“But what good is it if I can't do any of those things anymore?”
“Maybe it's just a sign that your life is headed in another direction,” he answered. “But I don't want to get to into this, when you've had a shock and it's clearly late. I'm sorry I woke you up.”
“It's all right.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “I needed to hear from you. I just needed to know that you were out there.”
“Call me anytime,” he assured her. “I'll answer, for you.”
“I will,” she promised and he blew her a kiss before needing the call.
She fell back onto the pillow, her heart pounding. Talking to Devon, no matter how long they had been apart, always made her long for him. She wanted to be beside him almost every moment, and in the days following the interaction, she felt like she couldn't live without seeing him. It would fade, of course, but not by much.
On the other side of the small hallway, Desmond was locked in his own video conversation. He and Mariah had been talking for nearly an hour, but it wasn't getting any easier.
“What you're asking is the Jurors to overlook a huge incident,” she said. “They went out on a limb to give you Sienna.”
“I know they did,” he said. “But I won't be the first witch to see that his Tiro is not learning anymore. They have disagreed with every choice we've made with her. They never wanted her to be trained.”
“And you went against them, which is your signature,” Mariah said, with a sad smile. “And now you'll bring them another questionable source.”
“I didn't say I wanted to train this one,” Desmond answered. “And I don't see how making my obvious decision about Sienna affects my judgment of…”
“Desmond,” Mariah said, picking up a note in his voice. “Don't put me in the same box as the rest of the Jurors. You know I will not judge you for your choices. My only concern is that broken-hearted girl that you're bringing back. With your permission, I need to let her know that I will always be there for her.”
“You don't need my permission,” Desmond said. “Not anymore.”
She sighed. “I thought you wanted to train this new one.”
“No,” he said. “No, not for a moment.”
Mariah paused. “What do you want to do, then?”
“I think you know,” he said. Across a galaxy, she felt her heart leap.
“But that's not the reason,” she said. “That you left her, is it?”
“No,” he replied. “It's not the reason, but it could be a happy end to the story.”
She let out a long breath. She had waited years to have him say those words.
“When do you want to go?”
“I need to see this through,” he said. “But after that....”
“Well, we waited so long,” she replied. “A few weeks more is nothing.”
“I am serious this time, Mariah,” he said. “My mind is tired. My body is tired.”
“Then we shall rejuvenate each other,” she said. “Go, get some rest. It's late and you still have a dangerous day ahead.”
“Knowing my future, it will sail by,” he answered. “I'll see you soon.”
“Until then,” she said, and signed off.
Desmond sighed, putting his head in his hands. When he had taken this quest, he knew that it was going to be difficult. But he never would have been able to comprehend so many life-changing choices in one quest.
Saying the words out loud made things feel final, decided. He knew making the others understand his decision was going to be an upwards roller coaster He and Nathaniel hadn't really been apart in over 20 years. Nathaniel had grown so much, and today had forced him to step up to a whole new level. But would the young Maestro truly be all right on his own?
Would Sienna perhaps understand that he was tired. He was exhausted and not going to recover? Or would she stay angry and hurt for the rest of her career?
He couldn't think straight, shutting down the tablet and turning off his lights. He knew the morning was going to bring a difficult day, but right now, he just wanted the sweet oblivion of sleep.
It lasted about an hour, before commotion awoke him. He wasn't linked to Sienna, but he was linked to Nathaniel and he felt the panic as his former Tiro bolted down the hallway to Sienna's room. He scrambled out of bed, slamming his leg on the metal door frame as Nathaniel shot by.
There was a blue explosion that Desmond recognized as Sienna's unconstrained magic, the door crumbling and the momentary flash lighting up the room.
Desmond had never seen such an uncontrolled flash of power. Controlled, yes, as witches who were top of their game learned to divert their entire life force into their magic. But uncontrolled and raw was a brief reminder of how much power Sienna had within her.
“Sienna!” Nathaniel shot white magic to block hers, knowing that his paled in comparison Desmond pushed his wrists forward, adding to Nathaniel's shield as Sienna shrieked in horror. She hadn't done this in years, and she certainty hadn't done it since they started blocking her magic. “Sienna, you have to control this.”
“I can't,” came her anguished cry. “I can't.”
“Yes, you can,” Desmond said. “You have to, or you're going to bring this entire ship down.”
“Where's her meds?” Nathaniel asked. “Why does she have magic? What happened? Did you skip a dose?”
“I—” Sienna's tears were fresh all over again. “I wanted to-- I'm a witch. I'm a witch, I am.”
“Of course, you are,” Nathaniel said, confused. “No one said you weren't.”
“I did,” Desmond realized. “I told her she wasn't. I told her she couldn't be.”
“Wha---?” Nathaniel turned his head, and Desmond had to force the air out of his lungs.
“Not the time,” he growled but Nathaniel was stunned.
“Creator, damn it, could you not have—”
There was a sudden crack, and Nathaniel realized she was going to take the ship down in the next few moments. He didn't blame her. It wasn't entirely in her control. But if he didn't stop her, she was going to launch them into the nearest planet.
His Tiro was so powerful, so strong. She could have had such a bright future – had it not been for the fault in her stars. His heart was heavy as he pushed toward her, finally closing his fist over hers.
With her magic active, he could reach through the bond, trying to push calm into her, even though it would make it worse in the long run.
“Stop, stop, stop,” he cried, fighting against her as she whimpered. Having been this long without magic meant that she had lost any measure of control she would have had when using it constantly. “Sienna. Hush.”
Even as he was working with her, trying to absorb her magic through the bond and flood it out safety, his heart was breaking.
He knew what this meant for her future. She could never come off the magic blocking drugs, never slowly attempt to regain control. Every time she would try, there would be this pent-up explosion, this uncontrollable energy that she had all along.
“Ssh,” he said, as he was able to filter most of the magic out of her hands, looking up to Desmond. Sienna was shaking in pain, and he knew they would be in for a rough few days. She would be virtually useless in Eliza's negotiations, especially if they turned hostile.
Desmond was right, although he would never say it to her. She would never be a witch.
Chapter 17
“I never intended to have her pull a stunt like that,” Desmond said, near dawn, as they went to meet with Eliza. Neither of them had gotten any sleep since Sienna had nearly blown up the ship, eyes red tinged and moves slightly clumsy. “I would never suggest she try something so dangerous, you know that.”
“I know,” Nathaniel said, taking no offence. He felt incredibly odd that Desmond was apologizing to him for the treatment of his Tiro. They shared opinions and choices up until twenty-four hours ago. Now, Nathaniel was solely in charge and it was odd. “It's been an emotional bit. She wasn't thinking, and if it were any other circumstances, I would reprimand her. But now is not the time.”
“Your attention is divided,” Desmond said. “Between her treatment and this quest.”
“Eliza's safety will not be in danger,” Nathaniel replied, determined but Desmond gave him a look.
“You cannot take her out on a hostile mission, not when she's at risk at any moment. And I know you will not leave her here alone.”
“I'll figure it out,” Nathaniel answered, as they approached the board room, where Eliza was supposed to meet them.
“You have figured it out,” Desmond said. “You just don't want to admit it yet.”
Nathaniel said nothing, as they entered the board room. Eliza was sitting at the table. Her face was set, and Nathaniel knew that she had heard what happened the night before. She would never judge him for the choices he was making, but she would stand her ground when it came to her people. Her first and foremost responsibility was Jeffro, no matter what else was at stake.
“Can you do this?” Eliza asked, with no nonsense about her.
Nathaniel's mind flashed to his Tiro, hooked up to an IV and barely conscious as the magic she was allergic to flooded her veins He was the only one who knew how to work with her if something went wrong and that could be a matter of life or death.
“I—”
“Nathaniel,” Eliza said, firmly. “There is no time for me to call in another team. There is no time for me to reschedule, to try and negotiate for another second. If they launch those weapons, my planet will no longer exist.”
“Leave her here,” Desmond said, to Nathaniel.
“And come back to find the gene takes over at last?” Nathaniel turned to Desmond. “We took an oath, we swore...”
“We swore to serve Nature, the magic and the galaxy,” Desmond said. “The Queen of Jeffro needs your support, thousands of lives are at stake.”
“I know,” Nathaniel turned to Eliza. “Don't think I don't know. I just don't know what to do.”
“I need you,” Eliza said. “You have to decide whether Sienna's life-force needs you more.”
“Witches save hundreds of thousands of lives in their career, whole planets over and over again,” Nathaniel wavered “Our training is what determines whether or not we can do that.”
“Nathaniel, I'm not asking you to leave her forever,” Eliza said. “But I am asking you to do it now or step down from this quest.”
“This is the life of an entire planet,” Desmond said in his ear. “You cannot walk away from this.”
“I know!” Nathaniel cried. “I know. I'll leave her here, and beg Nature that this is not her time. I'll do it.”
But his voice wavered and his hands shook.
It was not the first time she had not gone on a quest. That was common. But when there was two of them, it was easier. They didn't take dangerous quests like this. They didn't risk everyone's lives against her own.
Nathaniel remembered the days when he and Desmond would head first into these quests without even blinking. They were warriors once, but the past ten years, they had been caretakers, exploring the emotional challenges of training. They weren't saving lives. They weren't the first line of defense
“Good,” Eliza said. She wanted to hug him, to comfort him, but now was not the time. She needed to be a Queen, not his lover. It broke her heart, but she couldn't waste a second. “We leave in twenty minutes.”
She left them and Nathaniel's head dropped, his eyes squeezed shut. Desmond put a hand on his shoulder, but said nothing for a long moment.
“Focus,” he said. “Trust Nature. Trust magic.”
“I find it hard.” Nathaniel raised his head, staring at the wall. “To trust magic right now.”
“That is when you need to trust the most,” Desmond said. Nathaniel wiped his face, taking a deep breath and turning his head.
“What about the potential witch?”
“She'll stay here,” Desmond said. “Even if she was properly trained, she's too young for such a situation.”
“Right,” Nathaniel said, trying to smile. “Just you and I again.”
“What memories,” Desmond answered. “Go, you have much to prepare.”
“Mm,” Nathaniel replied. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to hate Desmond, but his training was too good for that. He understood exactly why Desmond had done this, and that scared him.
His hands were shaking as he went back to the med bay, where they had pulled every trick in the bunk to keep Sienna's organs functioning normally. They were blocking her magic again, and he felt empty as he walked in, the brief moment of the bond was gone.
“Hi,” she said, surprising him by sitting up a bit.
“Hello, little one,” he said, glancing at the machines. Her heart rate was still off the charts, and there was enough anti-histamines in her to knock out a horse, but she was fighting it. “You should be resting it.”
“My tablet,” she pointed to the bed side table. “It rang but then disconnected.”
“Oh?” he asked, going to turn it on. His eyebrows raised as he saw who had called. “You missed a call from Devon.”
She yawned. “His signal is bad, he'll call back.”
“How do you know his signal is bad?” Nathaniel asked. “Where is he?”
“Dunno, he didn't tell me,” she said, watching him. “I'm sorry.”
“It's not time to talk about it,” he said. “Our quest is ahead.”
She said nothing, watching him, and waiting for a verdict.
“You're going to stay here, Sienna,” Nathaniel said, trying to sound like Desmond when he delivered a tough verdict. How did Desmond do this with such confidence, and a calm attitude? “I'm going to go.”
“NO!” she pulled upwards, her eyes wide in a panic. She reached for his arm, but he kept his distance. They had brought her up so attached, so dependent that it was too late to reprogram her for independence. “I need you.”
“I know you do,” he said. “But I need to go with Eliza.”
“She is not your Tiro,” Sienna shot at him. “You cannot separate from me.”
“I have to weigh the lives of her entire planet, of her people, of your people,” he said. “You will be all right, Sienna.”
“You don't know that,” she said, tears coming to her eyes. He looked away so that he wouldn't echo her emotions.
“No, I don't,” he said. “But I have to go.”
“What am I supposed to learn by you going?” she begged.
“Independence.” There was no way to say it without being harsh, although he didn't mean it that way. “I'm sorry, little one. I have to go.”
He turned before she could say another word, fighting every instinct to stay, to comfort her. His fists trembled as he walked back through the door.
Sienna pulled her knees up to her face, her shoulders shaking. She was so afraid, so broken. How was she supposed to be a witch when literally every factor was working against her?
She grabbed for her tablet, as her energy drained, and sank against the pillows. She called Devon instantly, hoping that his signal was good enough to talk for a while.
It only took Devon a moment on video to know something was very wrong. Her emotion replay broke his heart as she got half the words out, sobbing.
“Oh, my love,” he said. “I'm so sorry.”
“What if I die, Devon?” she asked. “What if this is it?”
“You won't,” he said. “And certainly not alone. How long will he be gone?”
“Days, if it's what I think,” she whispered. “Or forever, if it goes wrong.”
“If I leave now, I can be with you in twelve hours,” Devon said. “I think.”
Her heart rose.
“You're that close? You would do that?”
“Yes,” he said. “In a heartbeat, if you want me beside you.”
“I've never wanted you beside me more,” she replied. “But I…ow.” She winced. “This is getting worse.”
“I need you to hang on,” he said, alarmed at her paling pallor. “Promise me?”
“Yes,” she said. “I promise.”
“Good,” he said. “Then we'll steal a few days. Just remember that I love you. And I'll never leave you.”
That seemed to set her with a fresh set of tears. “That's what everyone has been saying,” she said. “I want to believe you but…”
“Believe me. Trust me,” he said. “I found a life, Sienna, when I thought my world was falling apart. I can show you how to do it, too, if you want.”
“I don't know what I want,” she said. “I just don't want to be alone. This is when I need my Maestro the most. I don't know what to do, or where to go.”
“Don't go anywhere,” Devon said. “Just stay there and wait for me.”
“All right.” It was all she could manage anyways, shutting down the video and closing her eyes.
She just wanted to be a witch, to live that life. She wanted to serve the magic, but it appeared magic did not want to serve her.
It was only Devon's voice, echoing in her head, that kept her grounded. For the first time, it wasn't the comfort of her Maestro's strength, nor magic, nor training that made her want to fight. It was waiting for Devon's touch, his hand, his smile, that brought her energy up and made her chest a little lighter.
She could still feel the magic in her veins, but she knew it would probably be the last time that she did. If she made it through this, she could never risk such a magical attack again, not if she wanted her life.
She rolled over, trying to control her breathing. She just had to hang on for twelve hours, one minute at a time.
Chapter 18
“I have to negotiate alone,” Eliza said, as they entered the royal palace where the negotiations would take place.
“I wouldn't recommend that,” Nathaniel said. “If you do, we cannot protect you if…”
“There is no way to hold negotiations with a witch escort that will go well. You are to be weapons outside the door,” Eliza said, her jaw set. She had the crown on her head, her royal jewels shining. She struck an imposing figure, not showing a sign of the strain that Nathaniel knew that she felt. “Can you feel me?”
“Yes,” Nathaniel said as he looked around. “There are a thousand things working to your disadvantage. Their guards…”
“I know,” Eliza said. “But this is the way life is. You should know, though.” She squeezed his hand. “Should something happen to me…or to you…Sienna will have a safe haven on Jeffro, always. I've made sure of it.”
“What do you mean?” Nathaniel asked, confused.
“There is a room in the palace that will be permanently designated by her, until the end of her life. She is a citizen of Jeffro and I have elevated her to royal status, ensuring no other royal can take it away from her.”
“Royal?” Nathaniel said and Eliza let out her first first smile all day.
“It's a formality, but she is a Baroness on Jeffro as of three hours ago.``
“Well,” Nathaniel said, trying to look on the bright side. “She'll like that, thank you. Although I may not tell her, as it will go to her head.”
“Mm,” Eliza said, as the others approached. Her guards and Desmond had swept the perimeter on their own, trying make sure that there was no obvious threat. The palace guards made no move to stop them, which made Nathaniel nervous. They were insulting their security, by doing their own sweep and yet no one seemed to care. Did they know something that Nathaniel didn't?
Eliza wants us to stay outside Nathaniel reached to Desmond, who raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He knew the risks in that, but he also knew that diplomacy sometimes meant a one on one interaction.
“You may enter,” one of the guards said, to Eliza, pulling open the door. Nathaniel reached out to her, touching her wrist to lock onto her mind. She didn't react, but he felt her heart rate surge as she entered.
Once the door was closed, Nathaniel’s heart rate rose in fear.
There is much hostility already, Desmond alerted him, as if the air wasn't thick with it. I do not doubt her skill, but I worry that this might be a trap.
If it is, it's well-hidden, Nathaniel answered, trying not to betray any emotion on his face. His mind kept wandering back to the ship, reaching out to see if there was anything left of Sienna's bond he could feel.
“Nathaniel.” Desmond surprised him by speaking out loud. “You are not alert.”
“Lack of sleep,” Nathaniel answered, and then caught Desmond's look. “Perhaps a little more.”
“Can you do this?” Desmond repeated. “I know the situation you are in.”
Nathaniel snorted.
“It explains why they tell us not to form attachments, doesn't it?”
“Just because the Jurors dictate it does not make it easy,” Desmond answered. “They implement many different things in theory rather than in practice, and they are not without fault themselves.”
“Of course, they aren't,” Nathaniel answered. “But it makes a place on the Jurors attractive. Sitting in a room, laying down the law without having to experience it on the field.”
Desmond nudged him. “Is that why you want to fulfill such a lifelong dream?”
“No,” Nathaniel answered. “I thought I would make a good addition to the Jurors one day, with such experience. And if I ever do make it there, I will remember moments like this, when my mind is in two places.”
“Mm,” Desmond answered, his eyes clouding for a moment. Nathaniel knew that look, and tensed.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, stay focused,” Desmond said, looking away but Nathaniel knew something was wrong. Desmond had years of experience on him. He knew that the older Maestro could sense things he couldn't. Desmond's signature was hiding his emotions, staying calm in the face of danger. He had so much skill, so much trust in magic, even if he walked a grey line about the rules.
“Don't say that,” Nathaniel snapped. “I know that something is wrong, you need to tell me.”
“It's not relevant to this quest,” Desmond answered. “If they attack Jeffro, thousands of lives will be lost.”
“If it's not relevant to…” Nathaniel's heart sank. “Sienna.”
“Nathaniel.” Desmond grabbed his wrist, meeting his eyes. “Stay.”
“I—” Nathaniel fought against his grip. They locked gazes, not wanting to say words that could never be taken back. And it was in that moment that there was a gun shot from the throne too, followed by another and another.
Desmond let go of Nathaniel's wrist, and they stormed the door. The guards didn't even have time to register the sound before the witches threw them aside.
The heavy door took a few seconds to pull open, and Nathaniel cursed the fact that he only had one good hand. It was only with Desmond's help that they could squeeze inside.
Inside, the King, a beige-colored, wide-eyed alien, stood on his throne stairs, a laser gun in his hand.
The Queen of Jeffro lay on the floor, blood pooling.
“NO!” Nathaniel didn't think, rage and panic filling him. He blasted magic forward, and the King fell to the ground in half a second, unmistakably dead.
It was an error that he knew he would answer for, for years. Killing a monarch under any circumstances, a monarch put in place by birth, was the ultimate disrespect of nature.
Even Nathaniel froze in shock, in disbelief of his kneejerk reaction. He knew what he had done, but his mind flashed back to the moment before.
No witch disrespected a birthright, and yet he had done it without thought, so distracted and so panicked.
“I'm all right,” Eliza said, as he reached her. He could see right away that the wound was on her arm, and while it had knocked her over, it wasn't fatal unless she bled out. He ripped a shred off his robe, tying it off right away. The blood stopped seeping, and he sat back, covered in sweat and shaking in shock.
“Yes,” he said. “Yes, you are.”
“You killed our King,” the Captain of the guards said, in shock, looking to Nathaniel. “You killed our King.”
“We are witches of the Order,” Desmond spoke, his hand up. “You cannot prosecute us for crimes, we are above the laws of each planet.”
For a moment, he thought they would respect the fact that witches were governed and only answered to their Jurors, who were known for being both fair and ruthless. They would be prosecution, but not in the local courts.
And the Captain raised his weapon and Desmond knew that he wouldn't.
With only one hand to shoot magic and the other one throbbing from even a simple wound tie off, Nathaniel had to rely on Desmond more than he was used to, streaming his magic rather than using his own.
In less than a minute, every guard who had attacked was dead, magic destroying their life-force. Silence fell over the room as fast as noise had taken it, and all they could hear was the beating of their own hearts, their own ragged breath.
“I have to take the planet,” Eliza said, into the echoing room. “I have to take control or they will blow Jeffro to Kingdom Come.”
“Eliza...” Desmond panted. “Your highness. You are asking us to stage a usurpery.”
“And if we don't, Jeffro will be in oblivion by this afternoon,” Eliza gripped her arm as she rose. “Terence, Alfred,” she snapped at the guards closest to her. “Call for re-enforcement. Lock the family in their bedroom, radio for our allies. This planet will be ours by sunset.”
“Eliza.” Nathaniel yanked on her arm, meeting her blue eyes frantically. “Think about what you are doing, please. This will mean war.”
“No, it won't, because I will win,” she said, her chin high. “This is to protect Jeffro. It's the only way. Will you help me?”
“We can't—” he said.
“Then you shouldn't have killed the King,” Eliza's tongue was harsh. “We will take the planet and we will do it now.”
“Creator,” Nathaniel felt the blood rush to his head. His body crumbled under the pressure. This had never happened before, and certainty never so quickly. Nathaniel was a warrior, with unlimited energy and endurance
But he had made a mistake, a mistake that may threaten thousands of lives, and end his career as a witch, threatening thousand more. Because he was worried about his Tiro, because he was worried about his lover.
“I need your help,” Eliza begged.
“We will protect you, highness,” Desmond said from behind. “You are monarch chosen by nature, and we will not fail you.”
“Desmond, what do you feel with Sienna?” Nathaniel demanded. “Please, please, tell me she is still there.”
“She is,” Desmond said. “We have to fight now.”
It was all Nathaniel needed to hear, although he desperately wanted to know what happened. He felt like he was walking underwater, his movements forced and his throat a sold lump of fear.
“We will follow you, your highness” he repeated to Eliza, who began to move toward the door.
What have I done? Nathaniel's thoughts echoed strongly in Desmond's head, but the older Maestro couldn't answer. When they got aback to the Jurors, it seemed both of them would be walking a path of fire.
Nathaniel barely remembered the next three hours. He knew that Eliza called in every favor and re-enforcement she had, and she sank onto the throne of Natrine before the sun had even hit the highest in the sky. She conquered the planet, threatened to take the lives of the family without a second thought, and barely glanced at the second throne, meant for a partner, a King if she ever desired.
She was beautiful and terrifying all at the same time, and Nathaniel worried that this was only the first taste of the power that was to come. Would she become addicted to expanding her empire?
Was this his fault, his move that made her inch forward on the path to universal domination? Or had she planned it all along?
It became clear that she would hold the planet by the second day. The messages coming in were only those of congratulations. No one dared attack the Jeffro powerhouse, for they knew what it could do. To the rest of the galaxy, it appeared that they didn't even try.
Only those in the throne room knew the price that was going to be paid.
By the third day, Nathaniel knew they had to go. As much as he wanted to be by Eliza's side, it was time to answer for the crimes that they had committed
“I am the ruler of this planet,” she said. “And I declare that you have committed no crime.”
He gave her a sad smile.
“But we answer to a higher judge, your highness.”
Eliza's voice dropped.
“I know you must go,” she said. “But remember what I said. There is always a place.”
He gave her another sad smile.
“Do you think, my love, that this is the end for me? That I will go back and they will outcast me and I will return to you, happily ever after?”
“It's a dream,” she said. “A blessing in disguise. But I know that your future is going to change upon your return to the Jurors, who have no right to judge you for movements of the heart.”
“I'm a witch,” Nathaniel said. “I'm not supposed to have a heart.”
“But you do, my love,” she put a hand to his face. “You do.”
Chapter 19
“I'm going to come with you,” Devon said, when they finally returned to the ship. Nathaniel had absolutely no idea how long Devon had been there, nor how much of that visit he had spent sitting on Sienna's bed, holding her hand. His only reprieve in all of this was that his Tiro looked a bit stronger than when he had left. She wasn't, however, speaking to him. Her face was toward the floor, and while her color was better, her vitals were still low. He was worried, especially when she wouldn't look at him. She had never been angry at him, not like this. His heart was already heavy with the burdens of the past few days, but this made it sink completely.
“To the school? To the Jurors? To the Order that you left?” Nathaniel couldn't help but snap at the boy. He didn't want him here, not at such a fragile time. If Sienna couldn't learn the balance her heart and her commitment, then he had failed her.
Just a few days ago, he would have given anything to see that she was well. To now be at such odds with her made him want to rewind and start from the top.
Perhaps the very top, the very first moment they had met.
“That's what she wants.”
“Sienna can speak for herself, Devon,” Nathaniel said. “And she can certainty speak to me. It's not appropriate.”
“Don't tell me about appropriate,” Sienna replied. “Don't talk to me about whether or not I don't have to feel alone. You left.”
“I had to,” he said. “And I didn't leave you for good, Sienna. I didn't decide to end your training.”
“But will you?” her eyes flashed. “Will you when we go back and they make you answer for what you've done, and why you did it?”
For that, he had no answer, which frightened him.
“Fine,” he said at last. “Devon can take passage with us back to the school. Whether or not the Jurors grant him entrance will be a different story. But that can be the case.”
“And Eliza?” Sienna asked.
“Eliza will stay here,” Nathaniel answered. Despite her anger, her heart panged for him. “She has a new planet to rule now.”
“Oh,” she said, softly.
“Devon,” Nathaniel made one last ditch attempt to regain control. “Can you at least give us a few minutes?”
“Do you want that?” he turned to Sienna, who nodded.
Devon slid off the bed and headed out the door.
Nathaniel knew he could say so many horrible things to her, so many angry things. Instead, he took a deep breath, trying to regain control in his voice, and spoke quietly, “He seems well,” he said, exhibiting all the control that a witch must exhibit.
“Better,” she answered, still not looking at him. He sighed, sitting down on the bed beside her.
“Sienna, what is it?” he asked. “What are you fearing?”
“What is going to happen when we return?” she asked. “Because something has changed.”
“It has,” he agreed, sinking onto the bed beside her.
“Are you going to leave me, too?”
He wanted to say no, with absolutely certainty. He wanted to assure her that it would never happen, just as he had done before he left.
But this quest had changed things, and now he wasn't so sure.
Or rather, he was sure, but he wasn't entirely positive he had the heart to do it.
“We don't know what is going to happen,” he said. “I killed a monarch, a birthright monarch. They could pull me away from you forever.”
“No,” she said, determined. “It is not the Juror's choice, only their recommendation”
“That may be the case in most choices,” he said. “But I went against Nature in one of the highest degrees, and you have to prepare for the consequence of that.”
She put her head on her knees.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, after a moment. “I haven't looked at the medical reports yet, but you look better.”
“Yes,” she answered. “Slowly. It might be awhile, I was told.”
“Well, then that's what it is,” he answered, closing his eyes. “I'm sorry, Sienna.”
“For what?” she asked. “I know you, you did what you had to do.”
“I responded that way because I couldn't think.,” he said. “All I saw was Eliza, on the floor. And three seconds before, Desmond had told me—did something happen with you?”
“I crashed,” she answered, and his eyes went wide.
“Oh Creator.” He put his head in his hands. “Sienna, I'm sorry.”
She said nothing to that, hugging her knees.
“Can I see Devon now?”
“Sure,” he said, sliding off the bed and feeling useless. He used to be able to think under pressure, thrive under it. Now, he might as well be half-drunk, for all his mind was working.
Eliza was still on board, retrieving her personal items. It wasn't a time for romantic goodbyes, but Nathaniel did want to say goodbye to her. Every time they say goodbye, it was on the hope, not the promise, that they would see each other again.
She was folding a jacket, which wasn't like her. She had people to do that for her, servants to do everything but breathe for her.
“This will not be an easy planet to secure,” Nathaniel said to her, leaning in the door way. “Your workload doubled, if not tripled.”
“Building an empire,” she said. “But do not think it's because I am power hungry “
“I know,” he said. “You have to take care of your people.”
“And you have to take care of yours,” she said, softly. “Don't give up, Nathaniel. Please don't.”
He sighed. “I may not have a choice in the matter. And even if I do…what kind of life am I giving her? Am I doing more harm than good, just because I'm stubborn.”
“I can't tell you what to do, my love,” she said, softly. “I can only be here to support you.”
He shook his head. “I'll call you,” he said. “As soon as I know anything. But it'll probably be awhile before we…go out again, her and I. She crashed, that's what Desmond felt. She could have died, and I wasn't there. Or worse…I could have pushed to take her out, and then what?”
“The death of a warrior,” Eliza said. “That is what she wants, ever since she accepted death was inevitable.”
He cocked his head. “How do you know that?”
Eliza smiled. “We are closer than you think,” she replied. “And we talk about you, often.”
“That, I don't want to know about.” Nathaniel stepped forward. “One last kiss, my love, before you depart?”
She leaned in, putting her arms around his neck. Their kiss was sweet, soft and passionate. She may be a Queen, and soon an Empress, but Eliza would always be his love, his one and only heart.
“Thank you,” he whispered, putting his forehead on hers. “I'll walk you out.”
“Don't,” she said. “It will be too hard.”
Her eyes flashed, though, it was with more than emotion.
“You don't want them to know you have a weakness, an attachment.”
“Usurpers are threatened their whole lives,” she said. “They will find anything to try to take me off their throne. It might be twenty years before this settles.”
“If only you could make them promise to just not attack Jeffro.”
'If only diplomacy was that easy,” she answered. “I think I have everything.”
“I'll bring it back to you if you don’t,” he said. “Personally.”
Saying goodbye to Eliza was always the hardest thing he ever had to do. But this time, as the ship took off, he felt his heart rip out.
“The Jurors are already aware of the situation that unfolded on Natrine,” Desmond said, when Nathaniel joined him in the cockpit. “We'll be met in the hanger.”
Nathaniel expected as much, and tried not to show his fear.
“And?”
“You and I will both be questioned, likely half the night,” Desmond said. “In solitary.”
“In solitary?” Nathaniel said in shock. “Why?”
“Because if the killing of a natural born monarch was premeditated, our ideologies could spread,” Desmond said. “And the last thing they want is for us to recruit others.”
“But it wasn't ...”
“I know,” Desmond said. “But those are the rules.”
“Wait,” Nathaniel replied. “I have a Tiro who needs me. They can't keep us apart. No one can separate us, those are the rules.”
“That is true,” Desmond said. “So she will be questioned, as well.”
'But she wasn't even there!” Nathaniel cried.
“Nathaniel,” Desmond said. “Are you thinking with your head? You know these are standard procedures”
“But Sienna's different,” Nathaniel said and Desmond gave him a sad smile.
'Yes, that's been the case all along, hasn't it?” Desmond asked. “They have always made allowances for her, for us.”
“They haven't made it easy,” Nathaniel answered. “We've had to lie to them, to seal her files, to go over and under rather than straight through. How were we supposed to train her, when they put all those roadblocks in our way? They crippled us from the start.”
“They told us that she wasn't going to make a good witch, for so many reasons,” Desmond answered.
“They did not mean to damn her. It was the way of Nature, Nathaniel, that her body is the way it was, and we are trying to go against the laws of Nature, with these drugs, with this training. She isn't meant to be a witch, Nature didn't intend that.”
Nathaniel said nothing, staring out into space as he let out a long breath.
“I can't think about this,” Nathaniel said at last, leaving forward. “Why don't you get some rest? I'm going to fly manually for a while.”
“Manually?” Desmond asked in surprise “It's a long flight.”
“I know, but I want a distraction,” Nathaniel answered. “The only way this could get worse is if they just filmed the fact that Eliza and I kissed in her bedroom. Which, knowing the Jurors, they probably already know.”
“Nathaniel,” Desmond ran a hand over his face. “Was Mariah and I getting us exiled not enough of a warning for you?”
“Devon is staying on board with us,” Nathaniel said. “Like Maestro, like Tiro.”
Desmond wanted to say so much, but he stayed silent, rising. Sienna was no longer his to reprimand, praise or comment on.
“Call me if you need me,” he said. “I don't mind taking over. Or, in reality, putting it on autopilot.”
“Thanks,” Nathaniel said, half-heartedly
“It's been a ride,” Desmond said, putting his hand on Nathaniel's shoulder “I don't regret it. I'm not sorry it happened.”
“It's been an honor,” Nathaniel said, meaning that as his former Maestro left. He just hoped that honor didn't turn into horror when they landed.
Chapter 20
“You are clear to land,” came the voice crackling over the radio. “Be aware you will be met by escort officers, to quarantine”
“Copy that,” Nathaniel said, as the sun rose over the planet. He loved flying into the sunrise. It was a golden explosion of beauty and colors. Today, though, as it erased the darkness, it made him feel like his time to hide was over. Facing the dawn meant facing the future, and he knew it was going to difficult. “Landing procedures in place.”
The radio crackled silent, but it wasn't silence in the cockpit.
“Can you tell her?” Nathaniel turned to Desmond. “I don't want her to be alarmed when we land. I've seen other escorts meet ships and it's aggressive”
“No,” Desmond said,. “That's not my responsibility to tell her.”
“I'm asking you as a friend,” Nathaniel said. “You're better at inspiring calm than I am. I feel like I'm going to shoot through the roof. I need to land this ship, focus on something simple.”
Desmond debating refusing. As a Maestro, you had to multi-task, calm your Tiro, while dealing with the most chaotic and high trauma situations. It was not ever easy, and Nathaniel had never had to experience that. There had always been two of them.
What Desmond noted was that it wasn't just nice to have that support, it was needed. There was no way a Tiro with needs like Sienna could be effectively managed by one Maestro. There had never been a Tiro like her, and there would likely never be a Tiro like her again. They had failed.
But, in a way, Desmond thought, they had succeeded. They had learned so much about themselves, about her, about working through difficult situations, about managing over walls and under tunnels. They had advanced medical trials and survival rates in the locust gene, and relations with so many nations who simply adored her, who loved the fragile but determined Tiro.
They had succeeded.
Except, with her heart, her status, and her training. They hadn't made her a witch because they weren't ever supposed to.
“I'll tell her,” Desmond said, getting up. “For old time's sake.”
“Excellent,” Nathaniel answered, not looking at him.
Sienna was not alone, as Desmond expected. She and Devon were snuggled up, playing with her tablet. They looked bright eyed and awake, happy, young.
Desmond saw himself reflected in the scene. His early days with Mariah played in his mind. He couldn't help but clear his throat, despite telling himself that he wouldn't reprimand her.
“Maestro,” Sienna couldn't help but jump, looking caught. Devon raised an eyebrow, with no intention to move, daring Desmond to say anything. “We are ready?”
“To land? Almost. Nathaniel just got the landing instructions, so a few minutes left. I need to talk to you, though.”
“Oh?” She sat up a bit more.
“Alone.” Desmond glanced at Devon, who turned to Sienna.
“Do you want that?” he asked.
“Devon,” Desmond hadn't ever gotten along with this boy. He had tolerated him, for Sienna's sake, but he didn't have time. “Out, if you please. I can have two minutes.”
“It's all right,” Sienna said, after a moment. “Desmond probably just wants to go over my packing list and make sure I didn't forget anything.”
Devon kissed her on the cheek and hopped off the bed, giving Desmond a smirk as he did. Desmond resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he left, instead sinking into a chair.
“It is that, isn't it?” she asked, turning to him. “My clothes? My things?”
“That's all packed,” he said. “I just wanted to talk to you about landing.”
“Nathaniel is landing?”
“He is,” Desmond answered. “We're cleared to land. But when we do, we'll be met with an escort guard”
“What?” she asked. “Why?”
“I think you know why,” he answered.
“But…but…Nathaniel didn't mean to,” she said. “It was an accident. Eliza was in danger.”
“Sienna,” Desmond said. “I'm not going to sugarcoat things for you. You are smart, you are educated, you know how many dangerous factors are at play here. We will be taking into solitary, into quarantine. You'll go with Nathaniel, of course…but it will be a trial.”
She paled, her hands twisted into fists and her eyes flooded with tears. He hadn't quite expected it, but then, she had an emotional few days.
“But—”
“I don't want you to be scared,” he said. “When they approach. You know that there will be no violence, and whatever care you need, they will give you. But they will be quite serious about it, and every detail will be gone over. Your association with Devon probably won't help matters. Especially given the fact that…”
“You and Mariah were already in trouble.” She picked at the blankets. “Why did Nathaniel send you?”
“Because I'm better at staying calm,” Desmond said. “And Nathaniel's scared.”
Sienna gripped the blankets tighter.
“I can't walk off a ship right now. Not on my own. But I'd like to.”
“So, one last time,” he said. “Between the two of us, then, toward defying the Jurors.”
“Desmond, do you have a plan?” she asked.
“Why do you ask that?” he said, but a smile played on his lips.
“Because you always have a plan,” she said. “Especially when it comes to defying the Jurors.”
“Ah, little one,” he said, and she felt the familiar surge of affection. “You do know me well.”
She giggled, and the tension dropped between them.
“We'll be all right, Sienna,” Desmond said. “Don't worry.”
“I never worried,” she said. “Not when you were leading the calvary.”
“Cavalry?” he asked, wondering if he needed to correct her on the translation. But he decided that it was fine. It made sense, even if it was a bit odd. He would miss that about her.
Devon, the young witch potential, and the rest of the crew de-boarded from the ship first, allowed to enter the academy, the city, roam free.
Sienna, sandwiched in between her two Maestros, watched Devon go as if she would never see him again.
“As soon as we hit the ramp, they will take us into cuffs,” Desmond said to Sienna, ready in case she fell. Nathaniel was silent on the other side of her, his jaw set. “They won't be rough, but we do have do as they say. A witch's guard is the top of any police force. They govern every other body.”
“You've done this before,” Sienna said, at last, looking up at him.
“Many times,” Desmond answered. “And I've always walked away, lived to tell another tale. We will this time. It just might not be the same tale.”
“Are you ready?” Nathaniel asked Sienna, and she nodded. He put his hand on the keypad, glancing to Desmond as the doors whooshed open. Everything was uncertain from this point onwards
It was exactly as Desmond had described. They reached the bottom of the ramp, Sienna gripping their arms as they were taken into custody. They were gentle with her, as Desmond promised that they would be, and the quarantine rooms were not as cold and unforgiving as she thought. However, she still stepped back, not letting the guards get close, cowering behind her Maestros as she had done her whole life. She looked to them for comfort, for reassurance, for hope, and Nathaniel saw a flash of the child she once was, so long ago. That world seemed a million years ago, a different person, a different life. He put an arm across her, indicating that they were to stand down. He was the one that had committed the crime, she was just an innocent bystander.
Luckily, they obeyed, and were only kind, only merciful as the process of booking them in began.
At Nathaniel's request, they reattached IVs, although her vitals rose now that she was back at home.
“Will you tell them the truth?” she asked, once they were settled in.
“Yes,” he replied. “And I will hope that they make allowances if needed.”
“It will be all right,” she said, comforted by the fact that they were back at home, in the walls she was raised in. “You will get us through this.”
“Mm,” he said, leaning his head against the wall. He wanted to give her confidence, wanted to tell her everything would be all right and he would take care of it, as he had done before.
“Do you have a plan, too?” she asked. “Like Desmond?”
“Yes, little one,” he said, his heart heavy. “I have a plan that's best for all of us.”
“I knew you would,” she replied, with a smile. “It's going to be all right.”
They were brought before the Jurors at dawn the next morning. Nathaniel had been in trouble with the Jurors before, but he had never felt as intimated by then as this moment. They were all in traditional garb, and their faces were expressionless Sienna had never seen them in their high court gear. Even Mariah's face was smooth, unable to offer her usual helpful and kind smile. In a circle, with intimating faces all around then, she shivered.
But then she turned to Desmond and Nathaniel, and knew that it was going to be fine.
The doors flew open, and Thomas hobbled in, also in high-court gear. The Maestros dropped to their knees, their heads bent as was ceremony Sienna was seated, but she dipped her head, staring at the floor and reaching for Nathaniel's shoulder to show solidarity.
They had been in trouble before, and it had always been fine. Even when it seemed like there was no way out, her Maestros had always found one. Despite the fact that Desmond would leave them after this, she had found a way to look forward to a future with Nathaniel and the adventures they could have.
She hadn't even thought about what she would say because they had always taken care of it.
“This court is now in session. Maestro Nathaniel, Maestro Desmond, do you know why you have been called today?”
“Yes,” Nathaniel said. “The King of Natrine was caught in defensive crossfire while we were protecting the Queen of Jeffro. As a natural born leader, the laws of Nature were interrupted.”
“That is the charge against you,” Thomas said, and internally, Sienna breathed a shy of relief. By procedural law, if they were being investigated for anything else, they would have to disclose it up front.
She was sure everything was going to be fine now, because she knew Nathaniel had only worked in self-defense and he had not intended to kill.
“Who fired the shot?” Thomas asked. “The killing blow?”
“I did, and I alone,” Nathaniel answered. Thomas's eyes shifted to Desmond. “Desmond was in the room, but he did not fire.”
“You are the sole cause of death of the King?” Thomas asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
“And you have a defense?”
“I do,” Nathaniel answered. “An explanation”
“Then,” Thomas leaned back. “Begin.”
“Jurors,” Nathaniel said. “It is no excuse for a witch to be distracted by any means,” he said. “But distracted I was. As you may have heard already, Maestro Desmond and I had decided that going forward, I would be training our Tiro solo. In the moments before the attack, I was distracted by her health, which as you know, has always been fragile.”
“Sienna, you were not present?” Thomas asked.
“No,” she said. “I wasn't…able.”
“She certainly was not able,” Nathaniel answered, not revealing that it was her fault in the moment that she wasn't. “And so, like times before, we decided that her fragile health would mean she would stay on the ship. Normally, one of us would stay with her, but both of us were needed with the Queen…and I was her only Maestro. We both went. Her vitals crashed, as I heard the gunshots. I saw the Queen of Jeffro bleeding on the floor and the King of Natrine prepared to fire again. I acted out of shock and panic.”
“I see,” Thomas said, taking it all in. The others stayed quiet, their hands templed at their lips or clenched in their lap. “That was not the only death during that quest.”
“No,” Nathaniel said. “There was a young witch potential we were bringing back that died during an attack. I could not defend both my Tiro and the witch potential.”
“That wasn't your fault,” Sienna cried out. “It was mine. I was upset, I distracted you.”
Nathaniel glanced to her, but said nothing.
“Before we reach into the details,” Thomas said. “What is it that you recommend for the outcome of this case?”
“I recommend,” Nathaniel said. “Given my multiple failures in the protection of my Tiro and my quest assignees, that I be removed from Sienna's training.”
“What?” Sienna said. She felt like she was going to faint.
“I recommend this as the best course of action for all involved,” Nathaniel said, holding Thomas's gaze
“You would leave your Tiro Maestro-less,” Thomas said.
“Yes,” Nathaniel replied. “Sienna has a future outside of the path of being a witch and we encourage her to follow it, to serve Nature in other ways.”
“Nathaniel—” Sienna cried, her eyes wide.
Nathaniel couldn't look at her, or he would lose his nerve. He knew this was best, and he knew that she could flourish if she could just walk away from this place, see a new dream.
“The Jurors will consider your pleas,” Thomas said. “Please tell us the rest of the story.”
Chapter 21
“Little one, listen to me,” Nathaniel said, as they stood just outside the Jurors chambers. It was the same place they had stood when they had accepted her as a Tiro, all those years ago. She was inconsolable, in disbelief. “Listen.” He got down to his knees, holding her wrists. “This is best. This is best for everyone.”
“You promised me—” she cried.
“I promised you that I would always take care of you,” he said. “And I am doing just that. Look at how much fun you had with Devon in the past few days, how many stories he told of his life outside of the Order. That is the life you are meant to have – the life you should have had.”
“But—” she protested.
“Sienna,” Nathaniel said. “You love him, don't you?”
She nodded.
“As I love Eliza, and Desmond loves Mariah. But so long as we are within these walls, in this Order, we cannot openly love them. We cannot hold hands on the street. We cannot live a life that the rest of the universe takes for granted. We cannot follow our hearts. But we can release you, little one, and you can do all those things for us. You can be anything you want, work anywhere you want, and love him if you want. Hold his hand downtown, live your life as you desire.”
She held his gaze, her heart quivering.
“You want to serve Nature, I know,” Nathaniel said. “But this was not the way you were intended to serve, and we went against natural law for so long. There is another way you are intended to serve, and I know you will find it. Will you do that?” he asked, wiping away her tears. “Will you do that for me?”
She didn't move for a long time, her head whirling and her heart nearly exploding out of her chest.
“For us?” Desmond asked her. “We didn't fail, Sienna. None of us failed. We explored so much. We learned so much. We made so many advances. Nature intended the three of us to come together, and now, Nature intends us to separate”
She looked between the two of them, unsure, but her tears had slowed.
“We aren't never going to see each other again,” Nathaniel promised her. “This transition will be smooth and we will remain close.”
“But—”
“Do you love him?” Nathaniel asked her.
“Yes,” she said. “And I've hated being away from him.”
“And you always loved languages, diplomacy, negotiation,” Desmond said. “You are brilliant at those things.”
“I am only good at them because I am trained as a witch. And I don't know where we would go.”
“Ah.” At last, Nathaniel felt confident in telling her something. “It so happens that you'll have a place on Jeffro, because Eliza made you a Baroness.”
“What?” she asked, in shock.
“You are Jeffro royalty, if you want, so that even if Eliza… is no longer on the throne, they have to honour you. You are safe there.”
“Oh,” she said, in shock.
“And you know Jeffro's medical facilities are second to none,” he said. “As well as Jeffro's palace. There is a future for you, and it is bright.”
She remained silent a long time, thinking.
“I don't know if I am strong enough to do this.”
“Sienna, you have been strong enough for everything else that came yout way,” Desmond said. “This is not the toughest hurdle you have faced.”
She bit her lip, thinking of the death, the destruction, and the hurdles they had overcome. In a lot of ways, this was not the hardest day of her life. Being unable to use magic, watching Devon's life fade, and thinking for a horrible second she wouldn't be able to save him, those things were much worse.
“I know that what you are saying is right,” she said, after a long moment. “I know that this is the right way, and I do think I've known it for a long time. I just thought… you promised me.”
“We did,” Nathaniel knew he had broken that promise. “I'm sorry for that. Promises change, little one, as the world makes our purposes more clear.”
“I could be Eliza's translator,” she said. “I could work alongside her.”
“That would make me happy,” Nathaniel replied. “I would know that you would be safe, and it would give me an extra excuse to visit.”
“Nathaniel,” Desmond said. “You're on trial and your status as a witch is up for questioning.”
“I take after my Maestro.” Nathaniel grinned. “Is this decided then? This is what we will do?”
The three of them looked at each other, keeping emotions at bay.
“Yes,” Sienna said. “This is what we will do.”
She had feared this moment for so long. She had expected to feel abandoned, thrown away, angry, sad. Her heart was torn, but she knew this was the right thing to do, to serve Nature.
Her heart also leapt at the possibility of being with Devon without sneaking around.
“All right,” Nathaniel replied. “Let's go, then.”
“The Jurors have taken your recommendation and your defense into consideration,” Thomas said, looking between the two of them. “And have accepted your recommendation to end Sienna's training.”
She felt it hit her like a wave, and leaned against Nathaniel, who slipped a hand around her shoulders.
It was sad, but they were free. Free of pushing, free of trying, free of hoping for something that would never happen.
“You will—”
“Excuse me,” Desmond broke in. “I will move on, as well.”
“What?” Everyone turned to him in shock. Mariah squeaked, betraying her emotions.
“I am past my prime, Maestro, too old to take another Tiro. And we both know that I have walked a grey line for far too long. Every time I walk in here, it's to argue semantics, and I imagine I would continue to do it until my death. Instead, I offer my honorable discharge, my retirement”
Sienna had expected that as well, but it still shocked her. She couldn't help but exchange a smile with Desmond, though. They were both sharing a secret, a life that would bring them happiness
“Desmond.” Thomas shook his head. “Why did I know that was coming? And I am guessing, by the way that you have reacted, Maestro Mariah, that you intend to go with him.”
“Yes!” Mariah was not wasting her chance. She rose, and Desmond gently scuffed his feet, making enough noise for her to hear him, and advance forward. He held out his hand and she took it. No one had any question in their mind as to what was going to happen when they retired.
Witches who retired were supposed to hold themselves to the same standards as when they were working. But those who walked the grey line, like Desmond, clearly had other ideas about how they were supposed to spend their remaining days when they had given most of their life to the service of Nature.
She squeezed his hand, turning to face Thomas.
“I announce my retirement as well,” she said.
It was such a beautiful love story. Sienna's heart soared. She hoped that she and Devon could have a story like that someday, with years behind them and smiles on their faces.
She knew it wasn't likely, but Desmond did inspire her to at least try.
She glanced to Nathaniel and he quirked an eyebrow at her. It would be just like him to also announce he was off to Jeffro, to marry Eliza and be a Prince. Sienna couldn't imagine a happier ending, really. They didn't have to be restricted to this life. They didn't have to deny their hearts.
But the Jurors had other ideas. Before Nathaniel could speak, Thomas cleared his throat. “Then your fate is also known, Nathaniel.”
“Is it?” Nathaniel asked, suddenly feeling a sinking in his stomach.
“The condition for taking Sienna was that we would pick the next Tiro of yours. Your skill and experience will be carefully matched.”
“Oh.” Nathaniel went pale as he remembered that promise, so many years ago. He didn't think that they would actually go through with it, though.
“We do not find you guilty for the death of the King, nor the death of the witch potential. But you will comply with our orders on the assignment of your new Tiro.”
Nathaniel knew that this was his last moment to rebel. He could walk away, he could decide that this life was it for him. He had always thought that he was different from the rest, always thought he was meant for a stronger path. He had two dreams in his life. One was to be with Eliza and the other was to sit on the Jurors.
He had also known that he couldn't have had both.
Desmond glanced to him, saying nothing with his voice.
You can walk away.
Of course, I can, Nathaniel said. But until Eliza says the word, I am here.
Like Maestro, like Tiro, Desmond replied and Nathaniel had to agree.
“I accept,” he said, squeezing Sienna a bit closer. She hadn't expected that, but she knew that one day, Nathaniel would go on to replace her.
“Dismissed,” said Thomas. “And onwards, to your new lives.”
“You will always be my Tiro,” Nathaniel whispered to Sienna, as they left the room. “I promise you. Just on a different path in life.”
“Will you get a warrior now?” she asked, a question she had asked since the start of their training. She had always known her warrior Maestro wanted a Tiro to walk in his footsteps. At the start, she resented it, followed by feeling sad that she could never live up to it.
“I don't know,” he answered. “Maybe not.”
“What do you think?”
“Maybe they'll give you someone who can teach you patience,” Desmond said, from the other side. “Or calm.”
“Doubt it,” Nathaniel answered with a smile.
Chapter 22
“You never realize just how much stuff you accumulate, until you have to pack it up,” Mariah said, three days later. They had been given a month to vacate their rooms, the only place they had ever known.
But Desmond thought it was best if they went as soon as possible. Starting a new life waited for no one, and he wasn't sure how many years either of them had left. As he packed Mariah's possessions into boxes, he looked around the single room. “How many hours, days we spent in here,” he said. “It's a room I will always think of when I think of you.”
“Laughter, tears, all of it.” She sank onto the bed. “Retiring means all our magical usage is reported back to the Jurors. Every time we open a cupboard, flip a switch, we have to tell them. I don't know how we are supposed to do that.”
“We do it the same way we always have,” Desmond answered with a shrug. “Walking a grey line, getting away with mischief/”
“Is that your answer to everything?”
“Perhaps,” he replied. “I did have a question for you, though, while we were in here.”
“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “You sound like you're up to something.”
“Down, actually,” he knew she couldn't see him, but he crouched down on one knee. His leg cracked and it ached slightly to touch his once strong leg to the carpet. He took her hands, pulling a box out of his pocket. “I was wondering if you would pledge yourself to me.”
Her face was no longer smooth, and her hair was no longer solid and dark. She had laugh lines, wrinkles, and scars. But he was not young, either, his own face tanned and weathered, his hands knicked and twisted.
Neither of them cared about their outer appearance. Forty years of love, of longing, surged in the room.
“I could do that,” she said, casually, although she couldn't keep the smile from her face. “If you wanted.”
“Yes,” he said. “If that's what you want. I don't know how many years we have left, Mariah, but I would like to make the most of them.”
“Then yes, I will pledge myself to you,” she said, leaning in and landing a kiss on his lips.
He breathed in deep, touching her face, kissing her neck. He was so grateful in this moment to just be in the same room as her. The idea that they were never going to be separated again was mind blowing.
“How shall we do it?” she asked. “It's not as if there is a space here for pledge ceremonies.”
“We could just go into town,” he replied. “Today, if you like?”
“Today?” She chuckled. “I think we should at least wait for Sybil to come back. She'll be angry to miss such a defiant move. She's due back tomorrow, if you can wait.”
“That I can do,” Desmond answered. “I've waited forty years for you, my love, I can wait another day or two.”
“Good,” she said. “And I'll assume you want yours with you?”
“Of course,” he said. “I'll show Nathaniel how it's done.”
Mariah chuckled
“Did you hear him after the Jurors? Speaking about how he had a dream to sit with them one day?”
“I often wonder where I went wrong with him,” Desmond said, with a smile.
“Are you surprised by his choice, though?” Mariah asked and Desmond paused.
“No, not really. I had to give him a little nudge, but in the end, Nathaniel always chooses the right thing. He knew long before me that this path had come to an end. He was just so attached to her, that was all, as one often is with their first Tiro.”
“You should tell Reynolds,” Mariah spoke the words both of them had been thinking. “He's in the dungeon, it's just a short lift ride.”
“And security clearance,” Desmond said. “Which we don't have if we are retired.”
“Surely, they will let you see your old Tiro,” she responded. “Just to say goodbye. There is a chance we could never set foot in here again.”
“I don't think the Jurors will be swayed by emotion.”
“Then sway them with fact,” she said. “Maestros always have a right to their Tiros, no matter what path they have taken. That's part of the bond, the strength of magic. It's forever.”
He sighed, staying silent.
“Mariah, there have been so many who have thought me strong. They have relied on me for so much. They have walked through the mouth of hell, knowing I would pull them out the other side. But I am not sure I am strong enough for what you ask.”
“It is because you are not strong enough that you must go see him,” Mariah replied. “It doesn't have to be today, and it doesn't have to be before we are pledged. But I will not let you leave here until you have said goodbye to him. For him. He needs to know that his Maestro also chose a different path, and there is a chance of happiness down it.”
He raised up to kiss her forehead. “You always know the right things to say.”
“I try,” she said. “Now, we should get back to packing.”
“And you are also always business,” he said, as he stood up. “I do wonder how you've accumulated so many things. I've got one bag, at most, and it's half-empty.”
“Keep packing,” she said, settling against the wall. “Complaining never got us anywhere.”
She was fully capable of packing. But he was happy to do it for her, as he was happy to do most things to make her happy.
“Pledged?” said Nathaniel, with a wild grin that night at dinner. Sienna and Devon had spent the day in a similar manner, packing her things, and they were reunited for a cafeteria dinner like nothing had changed. Only Nathaniel still belonged in the cafeteria, Desmond noted, among young Tiros and old Maestros. “Of course, you will, that's brilliant.”
“Will they still let you stay retired, if you are pledged?” Sienna asked. “Or will you be cast out?”
“If they haven't cast me out yet,” Desmond answered. “I highly doubt this is going to make them change their minds. We'd like you all to be there, of course, if you could. A day or two, at most.”
“You move fast,” Nathaniel replied, in surprise
“Or slow, depending on how you look at it,” Desmond answered, and Nathaniel smirked. “You'll attend then?”
“I will,” Nathaniel answered. “Sienna, eat.”
“You're not my Maestro,” she answered, with a smirk, but she did pick up her fork. “Of course, we will come.”
“We'll get ideas for our own day,” Devon answered, and the older two Maestros froze, turning to him with such a hard stare that he felt shivers going down his spine. “Not right now, I mean. Perhaps…in a few years.”
“Years?” Sienna echoed and Devon swallowed hard, stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“In some…time?” he tried again, and she appeared to accept that.
“Where's Laura?” Nathaniel asked and Devon shoveled food into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in years.
“She'll be back in a bit,” he said. “One day quest to a moon. She's been taking quirky quests lately.”
“Do you remember that quest we had?” Sienna answered. “To a planet that felt like it was stuck in the stone age?”
“Earth?” Desmond asked her, naming a well-known planet that was mostly a human settlement. She really should have known that.
“Yes.” She blushed. “I suppose I'll forget a lot of the planet names, now that I won't be constantly looking them up on a map.”
“Eliza will put you to work. Don't worry,” Nathaniel answered. “From what I can tell, she plans to have a base on Natrine, but continue to rule from Jeffro. At least, until Natrine uprises.”
“Which will only be a matter of time,” Sienna said, softly. “And when it does…”
“When it does, little one, you can call me,” Nathaniel promised her. “And I will come, in an eye blink.”
She exchanged a smile with him. There would always be a special bond between them, no matter what their status.
Both of the youngsters finished early, leaving the two Maestros at the table as the cafeteria began to clear out. Glad for a moment alone with his former Tiro, Desmond cleared his throat.
“You'll be all right here, after we leave?”
“I will be,” Nathaniel assured him. “Don't waste your remaining days worrying about me.”
“Days?” Desmond asked. “I should hope that I have more than days left.”
“Ha,” Nathaniel grinned. “My humor has rubbed off on you.”
“It'll stay here,” Desmond replied. “With your bad knock-knock jokes. Have you seen Christa, by the way? Mariah wants to borrow an outfit from her. I don't know why. She looks beautiful always.”
“Women like new outfits,” Nathaniel replied. “And Christa is in the hanger. I can go, if you want?”
“I wanted to ask you something, actually,” Desmond said. “If you wouldn't mind…being my pledge assistant.”
Nathaniel's eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
“Your pledge assistant?” It was the greatest honor at a wedding, to stand beside the groom. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Desmond answered. “I would be honored if you accepted.”
“Of course, I accept!” Nathaniel grinned. “Thank you!”
“It means that you will be responsible for our rings,” Desmond said. “And generally guiding the ceremony. And I remember the last time you were responsible for rings.”
Nathaniel grinned. “It was one time. It will be fine.”
“Of course, you can bring your Tiro,” Desmond said. “If they assign you someone before then.”
“Oh.” Nathaniel faded for a moment. “I don't think they will. Do you?”
“I don't know,” Desmond answered. “They may have someone already in mind, or they may be watching the tournaments late in the year. They will likely give you a warrior, Nathaniel. And you should be prepared for that.”
“I know,” Nathaniel let out a breath. “I just think I've grown so much since then.”
“You have,” Desmond answered. “And I'm sure the council sees that too. For now, don't dread the future. Whoever you get will join into our family, our bond.”
“Our bond,” Nathaniel said. “Is growing mighty large.”
“It is,” Desmond replied. “And one day, when you look back on all of this, you will see your accomplishments not in the quests you win, but in your Tiros, and their Tiros. It may seem a long way off, but trust me, Nathaniel, it will come full circle.”
“You've been a wonderful Maestro, Desmond,” Nathaniel said, in a rare moment of emotion.
“And you will be better still.” Desmond rose. “There is much to do. I'll see you tomorrow, then?”
“Yes,” Nathaniel assured him. “And by sundown tomorrow, you'll be pledged. No longer free.”
“Or more free than ever,” Desmond answered, “depending on how you look at it. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Nathaniel called, unable to keep the smile off his face. There was a time when these past few days would have been a nightmare. But now, they seemed like a good dream that was just beginning
Chapter 23
“Is this what Desmond had in mind when he suggested you pledge yourselves to each other?” Sybil asked, as she looked around the historic church. “It's beautiful, but it's a bit…old-fashioned.”
“They had a quest here once,” Mariah said. “And Sienna thinks it's stuck in the stone age, which makes me think of our love. Forever.”
“That's beautiful,” Sybil said, as they stood waiting just off the main alter. “And it's wonderful that it was free just when you needed it.”
“Aye, well,” Mariah replied. “That took a bit of magical convincing.”
Sybil shook her head. Mariah hadn't opted for the traditional white, flowing Earth dress. She simply wore a white tunic, with her hair gathered behind her head and her face bare. She looked stunning. Her sightless eyes on fire with hope and happiness.
“And maybe you'll be next,” Sybil nudged Sienna. “Now that you and Devon are officially going to move into together.”
“I don't know,” said the young girl, her blush prominent “But maybe…one day. He seems nervous about it.”
“That's just the way boys are,” Mariah said. “He'll come around, don't you worry.”
“Right. We're all ready,” Christa, ever the organizer, entered the room. Her hands were on her hips, her face determined. This ceremony was going to go off perfectly, and even better than perfectly, if she had anything to do with it. “The boys are waiting. The music is set. Mariah?”
“I suppose all they are waiting for now is me,” Mariah said, with a smile. “Does Desmond look nervous?”
“He looks cool as a cucumber, as always,” Christa said. “But I can feel his mind isn't quite as smooth. I've never really seen Desmond nervous before.”
“Hopefully for a good reason,” Mariah said, and Christa reached out her arm. She and Sybil were going to walk her down the aisle, to the organ playing a slow, romantic tune. “Shall we, then?”
“Are you sure you want me to throw these?” Sienna asked, picking up the basket of rice. “It seems odd.”
“Humans on earth throw flower petals,” Mariah answered. “Which we obviously aren't going to do. But we can throw rice, which they do often. It isn't going to cause you any issues?”
“No, I doubt I have any magic left,” she said, trying to smile. “I'll be fine.”
“Then you're on first,” Mariah said, shooing her on.
Desmond was watching the end of the aisle, his hands folded. His heart was thudding out of his chest as Mariah approached, her arms tight in their Tiro's.
“What do I do with this?” Sienna asked Nathaniel in a whisper, standing beside Desmond.
“Leave it.” He pointed to the alter.
“Earth traditions are weird,” she said to him with a smile, as she took a seat. Nathaniel smirked at her.
“Wait until you hear the vows.”
The priest, who had performed more than human weddings, was unphased by this as Mariah approached and put her hands in Desmond's.
“Well, my love,” Desmond said, as he squeezed her hands. “Forty years have led to this moment.”
“Forty years and a lot of hope,” she said. “I can't believe we are doing this.”
“Now or forty years ago, I have always belonged to you,” he assured her. “You know that.”
“Shall we?” she asked, and he nodded to the priest, who cleared his throat. The condition to getting married in an Earth Church was Earth vows, which Desmond didn't mind. He always had an interest in different cultures and Mariah knew it was more about the ceremony than the words that came within it.
“Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by His presence and first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and His Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people. The union of husband and wife is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given each other in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
She didn't know what half of those words meant, as they were using the Earth region that had been around for thousands of years, but it didn't really matter to her. Her heart soared with joy as Desmond squeezed her hand. She felt the happy presence of those around her and knew that she was making her dreams come true.
“Into this union, Mariah and Desmond now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace.”
No one dared say a word, although Nathaniel considered it, simply to be funny. But he knew that Desmond would knock him upside the head if he so much as tried to speak.
“I charge you both, here in the presence of God and the witness of this company, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be married lawfully and in accordance with God's Word, do now confess it?”
“No,” Mariah answered first, her confidence strong. "There is absolutely no reason why we should not be married."
“No,” Desmond replied. “There is no reason why we should not be married.”
Married was the old word, but they were happy to comply, as they stood even closer to each other.
“Mariah," the priest turned to her next.
“Will you have this man to be your husband, to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” she answered, remembering her prompting in the rehearsal that had taken place just that morning. She hadn't realized that there would be so many opportunities to speak. She thought that they would just sweep in, nod their heads, sign some papers and be done with it. But Earth clearly had different ways of doing things She was just happy that so far, she had remembered to speak at the right times.
“Desmond, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?”
“I will,” he said, his deep voice echoing through the stone arches. She always loved his voice deep, rumbling, and comforting. When she lay her head against his chest and closed her eyes, she knew that she was safe, no matter what danger was approaching.
“Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?”
“We do,” Nathaniel led the cry, enthusiastically Desmond resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Nathaniel, despite his age, would always be a child.
“Bless, O L’ord, these rings as a symbol of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
“Oops.” Desmond glanced to Mariah, who shrugged. The Earth God had come from Nature, had relied on Nature, had waived his hand and changed water to wine, a magic trick. As far as Mariah was concerned it was all one God, and that was Mother Nature herself.
“The rings, please,” the priest prompted and Nathaniel stepped forward. He had two small gold bands in his hand, plain and unarmored Neither had wanted flash bands. They were simple, in their love, in their dreams. All they wanted was to belong to each other.
Desmond went first, picking up the ring and Mariah's long fingered hand. He slipped it over her knuckle, whispering the words they had been taught, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.”
Nathaniel placed the ring in Mariah's hand next. She had also always taken comfort in Desmond's hands, his strong finger gripping hers.
“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you,” she said, as she put his ring on. It glinted in the sunlight coming through the windows, and Desmond vowed that he was never going to take it off.
“Now that Mariah and Desmond have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.” The priest crossed himself, which made Desmond wonder whether he was going to perform some magic as well. But instead, he just bowed his head.
“Let us stand and pray together the words our Savior taught us,” the priest said. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
It interested Desmond how close it sounded to what the swore to Nature, to magic.
“Amen,” he echoed, as he considered the pledges they had taken.
“God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you. The Lord mercifully with his flavor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace. That you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen. The peace of the Lord be with you always,"
“And also with you,” Mariah said.
“Mariah and Desmond, having witnessed your vows of love to one another, it is my joy to present you to all gathered here as husband and wife. Desmond, you may kiss the bride.”
He hadn't actually expected that part and he blushed. He had never kissed Mariah in public, and certainly not in front of all his Tiros. But then, if anyone knew that they were actually kissing in private, it was their Tiros.
He leaned in, planting a kiss on her lips with love. She kissed him back in such a way that his knees went weak.
“Forever,” Mariah said and he smiled. Witches believed that their souls remained together as they vanished in Nature, absorbed and reused. He would never leave her side, even if they were just two dust specks floating in the universe. In the whole galaxy, he had found his soul match – the one that was shaped by Nature to be beside him.
“Forever,” he promised her.
Chapter 24
“Watch the tournament with you?” Sienna replied in surprise to Nathaniel's request. “Why?”
“My new Tiro is competing,” Nathaniel said. “And I thought it would be good closure for both of us.”
“Your new Tiro?” she said. It had only been a week since Desmond and Mariah's pledge ceremony, and they had already moved out. As soon as she was strong enough to travel to Jeffro, she and Devon would be gone, as well. “Who is it? Already?”
“I don't know,” Nathaniel said. “The Jurors are being cryptic, per usual. They want to see if I make the connection on my own.”
“Is that because they feel guilty about randomly assigning you a Tiro?” she said. “Because they shouldn't do that.”
“I didn't think they would do it so soon,” Nathaniel admitted. “Nor did I really have any interest in them doing so. But I suppose…it's only right, given how none of us are going to live forever. They don't like inactive Maestros. You don't have to come if you aren't comfortable.”
“No,” she said, after a moment. “I'd like to come, at least to watch. I always wanted to compete in more tournaments than I did.”
He gave her a soft look. “I'm sorry we didn't find a way,” he said. “I wish we could have.”
“It's all right,” she assured him. “I learned early on that I couldn't experience everything. It's why I read so many books about warrior quests, why I always asked you. That was the way I experienced things, and I was all right with it.”
“I imagine you'll get quite a few fans,” he said. “The young ones are taught about you, the Tiro with determination.”
“But I'm not a witch,” she said, and he smiled.
“Of course, you are,” he said. “And you are as special now as you were that first day.”
“You're emotional today,” she teased as she took his arm. She was still razor thin, cheek bones bare of any plumpness, and eyes hollow. He would wonder for the rest of his life if blocking her magic was the best choice. But for now, he accepted he had to look forward to the future.
The tournament hall was crowded, with young potentials running to and fro. Maestros without trainees were sitting off to the side in the observation stands, looking at each move critically Those who were just spectators were on the other side, noticeably more at ease. Sienna looked around at the scene with a smile.
“Was that you and Desmond, once upon a time? In the observation stands?”
“No,” Nathaniel answered, in surprise “We were in the spectator stands when we found you. I believe I even sat on the floor, it was so crowded. We weren't looking, Sienna, but you got our attention anyways.”
“I wasn't looking, either,” she replied. “And I am grateful for the years I got.”
He led her over to the observation stands, trying to be blind to the many stares that they got. Their story was so usual, so outlandish and so odd, that the other Maestros couldn't help but stare. They didn't allow their Tiros to whisper, but Nathaniel felt eyes burn into his neck as he settled down beside her.
The tournament started with its usual razzle and dazzle showcase, usually by the top Tiro potentials who would be picked right away. It was stunning, with rainbow colors of magic, back flips and vanishing acts.
In the center of it, there was a girl who caught Nathaniel's gaze. Displaying levitation, that was uncommon in Tiros that young, she was literally head and shoulders above the rest. She was curvy, short, the opposite of Sienna's outward appearance, but it didn't seem to stop her. Her eyes were focused on her task, and he heard whispers as she displayed her skill.
It wasn't until the combat that Nathaniel knew that was his new Tiro. She entered the arena, and in less than ten seconds, had slammed her opponent to the floor, her face focused on his, and her magic effortless. She never displayed a hint of emotion, never moved so much as an eyebrow. Her magic was clear, flawless and her body was rigid as she flooded through it.
The next few opponents to face her were the same – put down within five seconds. There was almost an anger within her, a vengeance that was not acceptable in the magical world.
The crowd roared its approval and shock as she put down yet another. Her eyes flashed up, only for a moment, before she looked to the ground
“Such skill,” came the whispers.
“Such anger,” came another. “What happened to her?”
“Can she be tamed?”
“It's that one,” Sienna said, softly, as Nathaniel rose to applaud. “Isn't it?”
“Yes.” Nathaniel sat beside her as they continued to watch the display. “I think so.”
“Who is she?” Sienna's face was emotionless as she watched.
Nathaniel reached for his program, unable to take his eyes off a warrior potential that had scared even him.
“Prada Reigns,” he said, looking at the program. “Creator.”
“What?” Sienna leaned over, reading from the printed manual. “Princess of Powys…She's royalty. Powys doesn't exist?”
“It doesn't exist anymore,” Nathaniel said. “Her planet is dust now…Oh, my. I don't know if I can do this.”
Under Prada's picture, there was a description of her abilities and vices. Her magical levels were off the charts, but it appeared that was all. In classes, Prada displayed no emotion. She didn't speak. She didn't react. She destroyed.
“If they think you are capable…”
“Once,” Nathaniel said. “I would have been thrilled for a Tiro like that. But not now, not when you've made me more than a warrior. I hope it's not her.”
“Of course, it's her,” Sienna said, as the whispers went around them about the girl. “She needs you the most.”
Nathaniel's heart sank as he stared at the picture.
“I thought the Jurors would understand that I have become more than a warrior. That I need to be diverse to understand magic better.”
“But who else could take her, Nathaniel?” Sienna asked. “You are the only one who could deal with it and make her something great.”
He met her eyes. “I appreciate your praise, little one. But do not think I am so eager to replace you.”
“We accepted this, Nathaniel,” she said, looking away. “Didn't we?”
He let out a long sigh. “We did,” he said, standing up. “Come, we've seen enough.”
She still followed him like she was a Tiro at her Maestro's beck and call. She stayed two steps behind, just in arms-length, and moved in unison, used to the way he weaved in and out of crowds. And it was with Sienna at his side, later that day, when the Jurors asked him to head to a meeting room.
“I should go,” Sienna said, but his hand closed over his wrist.
“No,” he said. “You should stay and meet her. We will know for certain then.”
“I don't think knowing is what matters, Nathaniel, if they have decided,” she replied, but followed him anyways
It was Prada, just as they predicted. Standing alone in the middle of the meeting room, Nathaniel could feel the power in her from down the hallway.
Her eyes were hardened, her fist clenched. Did she even want to be trained, he wondered? Did she have any interest in him working with her?
“Hello,” he said, softly, staying at the doorway. He had stopped so quickly that Sienna nearly ran straight into him. Prada's eyes flickered right to her and she took a step back. “My name is Nathaniel and the Jurors have decided that…” he took a deep breath.
How could he say this? How could he do this? It wasn't a temporary commitment, taking a Tiro. This was ten years of his life, standing right here.
But he had to serve Nature, he knew that. He had always been committed to doing so, even when his heart lay with Eliza. He wanted to serve, to save lives, and he had been blessed with magic. This was his birthright, his duty.
“That you are going to be my Tiro,” he said, at last. “Do you want to be trained?”
Her hardened eyes went to Sienna, who took a step to Nathaniel's side.
“Sienna was my Tiro,” Nathaniel explained. “But now she's grown up and ready for adventures on her own.”
Prada said nothing, glaring at her. Sienna didn't need magic to figure out what the problem was.
“I should go,” she said. “She's threatened by me, Nathaniel. And I would have felt the same, all those years ago.”
“No…” Nathaniel replied, but she was already leaving. It was the turning point in his life, in his path. The moment one Tiro walked away and another one stepped up to join him.
He realized that, despite being so different in so many ways, they were finally normal. Every Maestro and Tiro pair had gone through this moment, and they had lived to see the other side. At long last, they were walking the same path as everyone else.
“I'll see you around,” Sienna said, and headed down the hallway.
Nathaniel turned back to Prada, who had watched her go. Her dark eyes were still trained on anything but Nathaniel, and her hands were now behind her back. She drew one hand out and signed something. Nathaniel's eyes widened.
What a time for Sienna to leave, he thought. She could understand sign language.
He grabbed a notepad from the side table, and handed it to Prada, who scribbled something quickly.
We are not bonded. This is not natural.
“Oh,” he said, looking at the words. “No. But…the Jurors do know best.”
You are not bonded with her, either.
“No,” he replied. “Not anymore. I was, but she was very sick and we had to…stop. I wasn't bonded with her at the start, either. It grew, over time. As I imagine it will for you and I. The Jurors have chosen us to train together.”
Prada said nothing to that, and Nathaniel smiled, remembering his first moments with Sienna.
It had been just as difficult in the start, but now he wouldn't have traded it for anything. If there was a chance of making just as bright of future here and now, he would at least try.
Besides, Sienna was right. There was no one else, now that Desmond was out of the picture, who could likely handle to issues this poor Tiro had. He knew he could do it and he could build her to be a great witch.
“We're going to have so many adventures,” he said, holding out his hand. “And one day, this will be you standing here, taking a Tiro of your own and vowing to keep them safe.”
Prada's eyes flickered at that, and she looked down at his out stretched hand. After a long moment, she placed her hand in his for a brief moment, before pulling back.
Her power was so strong it jolted him, and yet she was more afraid of him than anything else.
“Why don't we go to the cafeteria?” he asked. “Get some food?”
That earned him a nod, and he inwardly gave himself a thumbs up. Food was always the solution to any Tiro's heart.
He knew that it wouldn't be easy. There would be many struggles down the new road they walked, and many days when he'd wonder if he was doing the right thing. But he wanted to serve, and he wanted to fight, and this new chapter would be just what he needed.
At least, until Eliza said the words and then he would go willingly to her. But she wouldn't, not for years, and he knew that. He loved Eliza because she understood that he was needed where he was, and she would never put that in jeopardy He would do his duty and she would do hers, and they would be happy apart until the day they could be happy together
Until that day, he had a Tiro to train.
Chapter 25
Desmond knew that the dungeons under the school were dark, but he didn't realize they were damp and cold ,as well. He had expected the Jurors to treat their prisoners with respect and with dignity, but he was surprised to learn that wasn't exactly the case.
It broke his heart to see Reynolds looking pale and thing, sitting on the cold floor of his cell.
“Desmond,” Reynolds said, with a smirk. He was defiant, even now. “Have you come to gloat? Your happiness is sickening.”
“I have not,” Desmond said. “Although I have come to inform you of some news.”
“What? Has the Jurors elevated your defiant ass once again? You always did manage to get away with murder.”
“I am leaving the Order,” Desmond answered, and Reynolds fell silent. “I have left my Tiro, and I am leaving magic behind. Mariah and I pledged ourselves to each other.”
“What?” Reynolds couldn't believe what he was hearing. “Are you mad?”
Desmond had not expected that reaction.
“No? Maybe?”
“You can't just… arr,” Reynolds replied. “You just threw away your whole life.”
“No,” Desmond said. “I walked a path I thought was right for me, until I realized it was right no longer. You feel my happiness because I am now on the right path. There are other ways to be happy, Reynolds, besides magic. Besides darkness or light, the whisk of our hands. And I wanted you to know that.”
Reynolds fell silent, not expecting this kind of lecture.
“If there is a glimmer of hope in all of this, Reynolds, I hope that you find it.”
“Desmond, I walked away from you and from the Order. I used Acheronian magic, I killed hundreds, if not thousands. I was your first Tiro and I screwed everything up for you. And now you come and tell me about hope?”
“I do,” Desmond replied. “And when the Jurors lay down your verdict for the crimes you have committed, I will be there, beside you, supporting you as I should have done.”
Reynolds looked at Desmond in disbelief. His mouth gaped open several times before he spoke.
“And what of the girl?”
Desmond tried to smile.
“Sienna has found her own path, as well, outside of magic. If you have diabolical plans, you should know that the drugs have wiped magic from her system. She knows death awaits her if she comes off of them. She is useless to your cause now.”
“And your brave Nathaniel? Has he surged forward?”
“Nathaniel has stayed with the Order,” Desmond said. “So you may hear his name from time to time. That is the path he believes is right for him, and I'm not going to stop him.”
“Of course, he did.” Reynolds shook his head. “So much for different paths”
“We have each found our own,” Desmond answered. “And I know that you will as well.”
“Unless they execute me.”
“They won't,” Desmond assured him. “You are too powerful, too blessed by magic to lose such a force to the world. Try to find a way without it, a way to be happy, and you will find yourself free.”
“Not from prison bars,” Reynolds replied.
“No, maybe not,” Desmond answered. “But your mind will be at peace.”
The two stood in silence for a long moment, and then Reynolds spoke, softly, “You weren't a bad Maestro, Desmond.”
Desmond was surprised by this.
“I—”
“You weren't. It was nothing that you did or said. You were a good Maestro, and it was I that strayed. Don't blame yourself for it. I hope you do find happiness with Mariah.”
Desmond decided to accept this, bowing his head.
“Thank you,” he said. “I will leave you now.”
“Could you…Could you stay?” Reynolds asked, sounding so much like the boy Desmond had trained. “Not for long, I mean…but just a while?”
Desmond smiled at this, taking a step closer. “I could,” he said. “If you wish it.”
He settled down in a chair placed outside the cell. The two fell into a natural rhythm of conversation, as if the past few years had never happened. They spoke of their time on quests, of their moments at school, of the people they had known. Desmond felt himself go back twenty years, to a time when Reynolds filled him with hope and when nothing was too big of mountain for them to tackle.
The path ahead was clear for him, but he knew it was only because of the moments that were difficult that he could walk it. It had taken forty years to get the courage to walk away with Mariah, and it was because his courage had been tested so many times before. He didn't fear what was to come, for everything behind him had been fearful enough.
And despite having not taken Reynolds through to the tests, he felt he had succeeded with him. For despite the darkness, the past, his former Tiro still had strength within him, and still saw that he could live beyond all of this. He had taught him that. He had taught all of them that. Broken Christa, after the death of her Maestro, Nathaniel in the face of anxiety, Sienna in her daily struggles. And they had taught him patience and hope. They had taught him how to live.
There was a life beyond the magic, and he was eager to live it.
Epilogue
“Did you translate all of those?” Eliza asked in surprise Sienna had only been working for her 10 months, but it seemed that she learned a new language every week.
The former witch smiled as she handed her the tablet. “I did,” she said. “Some of them may be a bit shaky, but they are fine for the purposes you use. If that's all, my Queen…”
“It is all,” Eliza replied. “Baroness.”
Sienna blushed at the rank Eliza had given her. “It's Devon's birthday,” she said. “So we'll be off for the evening?”
“Of course,” the Queen replied. “It will be a relaxing…”
Just as she was finishing her sentence, the doors to the palace flew open and Jonah burst in.
The captain of the guards was normally cool and collected, but at the moment, his eyes were wild.
“Your highness,” he said. “The rebel forces are marching on us.”
Eliza's eyes hardened.
“Then attack. I won their throne here on Natrine. They need to accept that. Teach them a lesson.”
“No,” Jonah said. “They've had help. There're three outer rim planets that have come to their aid.”
“What?” Eliza asked. “Who allowed this?”
“Your highness, they took us by surprise,” Jonah said. “But regardless of semantics, we are currently outnumbered. You need to call Jeffro's forces, but we will need more back-up then that.”
“This is treason,” Eliza growled. Sienna, however, put a hand on her shoulder, calm.
“You took the throne,” she said. “The witches defend the thrones at all costs, as natural leaders must be protected.”
Eliza held her gaze.
“Will they send us aid?”
“Yes,” Sienna replied. “I believe they will.”
“Then call for it,” Eliza said. “Jonah, call the Jeffro forces. As many as we can spare.”
“My concern, your highness, is that if Jeffro is left half-defenseless, they will storm on there, as well.”
“No,” Eliza was defiant “We will defend both fronts. Call the witches now, Sienna. Ask for aid.”
“Aye,” Sienna nearly dropped the tablet and headed out of the large marble hall.
Devon was waiting just outside the door, expecting her to be finished work. Their life together on Natrine was much different from the rigid life the Order had demanded of them. Eliza was a kind mistress, expecting the work to be done when it was due and not much more. Sienna found herself happy, light and free. With her magic blocked, she was finally able to see what life was beyond the Order. With Devon's hand almost constantly in hers, she thought it was beautiful.
Today, though, her eyes were wide with panic.
“I need to call Nathaniel,” she said, as they ducked into a quiet corner. “We're under attack.”
“Mm,” Devon answered. “Somehow, I knew this day would come.”
“So did I,” she said. “We'll be flooded with witches in a few days. It's odd, this is the warrior excitement I always wanted. And now that it's here...”
“Now that it's here, you realize you are happy with your other path,” Devon answered. “Regardless, it will be nice to see our friends. I can call Laura, if you like.”
“Probably needed,” Sienna said, as she dialed through.
Nathaniel looked tired when he answered, his lighting dim. She could make out that he was at the school, in his room, and it was early morning. She hadn't thought about the time change.
“Maestro,” she said. “The day has come.”
“Oy,” Nathaniel replied, sitting up a bit more. “Do you need us to come now?”
“I do,” she said. “You and your Tiro. I'm going to put quest bids up. We'll need several teams.”
“We're ready,” Nathaniel replied. “Prada is stronger than any Tiro here. We will protect you.”
She remembered the days that he said that about her, and smiled.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Just stay safe,” he replied, and she sensed a grin in the darkness.
“Nathaniel…are you…excited?”
“I am a warrior after all, little one,” he said, as his tablet jiggled with him getting up. “And you always wanted to see me in action.”
“I did,” she answered. “I'm going to put a few calls out. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.”
“Look at us,” he replied. “Working together on intergalactic quests. Did you ever think that would happen again?”
She smiled.
“I didn't,” she said. “But we've found a way.”
“There's always a way,” Nathaniel said, “if you believe. I'll see you soon.”
“Bye,” she hung up, passing the tablet to Devon to call Laura. Despite the oncoming danger, Devon grinned at her.
“Well, this is exciting,” he said, as he keyed in Laura's number.
“It is,” Sienna drew her knees up as she perched on the window seat. “And I'm ready for it.”
“We're together,” he said. “We're ready for anything. And with you here, we can call in teams in any language. You're magic.”
His choice of words made her smile. “I didn't use to think I was,” she replied. “Not until you made me feel differently.”
“So, my love,” he said, as the call began to ring. “Are you ready for a new adventure?”
“I am,” she said, as Laura picked up. Like everything in life, it wasn't going to be easy. A year ago, she couldn't believe that she ever would have been happy with this reality. But today, with Devon by her side, and her skills sharp and making a different, she felt happy, and strong. It had taken walking away from her once dream, and from magic, to make her feel like she was indestructible
There was always another path, and she was so glad that she had found it.
***THE END***