CHAPTER 30
A bright flash of light filled the Hall of Scriptures, blinding Kaelyn. She covered her eyes just as a violent gust of wind whipped through the room. Several old texts crashed to the stone floor, the fluttering pages a gentle counterpoint to the chaos.
Saar wrapped his arm around Kaelyn’s waist, steadying her. “Are you okay?”
She gripped his hand and opened her eyes. “I’m fine. What happened?” Without waiting for an answer, she glanced at the others and raised her voice. “Is anyone hurt?”
Dust from the ancient texts floated in the air, bits twinkling in the light. Aramie and Demir rose from the ground. Tanen and Sheri each gripped one of Ginnia’s arms, helping her to her feet. In the center of the room, two figures crouched, one male, one female.
As the couple straightened, Kaelyn’s pulse quickened. “Noeh, Melissa!”
At the sound of her voice, Melissa turned to face Kaelyn. Noeh followed Melissa’s gaze. Anlon struggled in Melissa’s arms, as if eager for release. She set him on the ground, and he crawled toward Ginnia.
“Your Majesty, what…”
“Noeh, you’re…”
“Melissa, is it really…”
The others’ voices echoed Kaelyn’s thoughts. “You’re alive. How is that possible?”
Noeh met Melissa’s gaze then a smile quirked at the corner of his mouth. “It’s a long story.”
Sheri held out her arms and hurried to Melissa, wrapping her in a firm embrace. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Saar strode to Noeh and bent on one knee. Noeh gripped him by the arm before he could make it there. “Saar, no need, my friend.” Noeh clapped Saar on the back and they gave each other a quick manly hug.
Kaelyn stepped forward. “Noeh, Melissa, we thought you were dead. What happened?”
The others gathered around, as eager as Kaelyn for answers.
Noeh glanced at Melissa for several long seconds, their gazes locked as if they were in a deep conversation. Noeh then peered at each member individually. “We did die. Mauree,” his jaw tightened, “killed me with a dagger, her Gossum minions finishing me off.”
Melissa clasped her hand on Noeh’s arm. “As soon as Noeh died, I did, too. Not all of you knew this, but we shared a soul. Which is why we are both here.”
Demir narrowed his eyes. “That makes little sense and doesn’t explain your arrival here now.”
Noeh wrapped his arm around Melissa. “Good point. We were both on the character board on Lemuria. It was strange. I could see everyone’s lights. Green for Alora’s characters, red for Zedron’s. I don’t know how long we stayed that way, but there was a flash, and I stood in Alora’s home, Melissa by my side.”
Melissa inhaled. “Alora’s friend Carine held Anlon. I was so happy to see him.”
The small babe cooed. Ginnia sat in one of the chairs, Anlon on her lap, an open book clasped between her hands.
Noeh’s eyes widened. “Why is Ginnia out of her cell?”
“Ginnia’s visions have been instrumental in unraveling some important information about Roan’s Rock.” Kaelyn met Noeh’s disapproving stare. “She promised to be on her best behavior.”
Noeh studied her for a long moment then nodded. “I regret ever placing her there in the first place.”
Kaelyn exhaled. “I have so many questions, but tell us, why are you with us now? How could you come back into the game?”
Noeh drew his hand through his hair, and the ring on his finger caught the light. “Alora sent us here. She didn’t elaborate—”
Demir snapped his finger. “What else is new?”
Aramie rolled her eyes and nudged him with her elbow.
Kaelyn stifled a laugh. “Please, continue.”
Noeh pulled his focus away from Demir’s mouth and met his gaze. He smirked. “You make a good point, cat. Alora is never forthcoming with details. All she mentioned was she ran across an exception to the rules, so she returned us to Earth.”
Saar cleared his throat. “Much has happened while you were away. We’ve found vital information in the scriptures, thanks to Ginnia. Roan’s Rock is a conduit to send water to Lemuria and it has the power to wipe out Mauree’s entire army. I’ll explain in more detail before we leave, but I think we can win this war. We need to get Sheri, Melissa, and Nik…”
“Except Nikki is missing, along with Gaetan.” Kaelyn peered at Noeh and raised her chin. “Gaetan lost control of his beast and escaped through the tunnels. He had the blue sunstone with him. Nikki, his new mate, went after him. We suspect they are dead.”
Melissa placed her hand on Noeh’s arm. “Wow, a lot has happened since we were gone.”
Noeh’s mouth thinned. “Gaetan is alive. I saw his green dot on the character board. He was at Blue Pool. There was another green light with him, one I didn’t recognize. Perhaps that was this Nikki you mentioned.”
“Then we have a chance.” Saar glanced at Kaelyn, one brow arched.
She swallowed. Noeh was the official king. Now that he’d returned, he would resume his duties. She bit down on the ache that built at the back of her throat. “Noeh, while you were away, I stepped into your role as leader since I am the only one with royal blood. Now that you have returned…”
Noeh regarded her for a long moment. “Craya.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Not sure if you’re aware, but I’m deaf and am no longer the warrior I once was. In the interest of what’s best for the residents of the Keep, I will step aside. You should continue to rule.”
Respect for this strong, proud male made Kaelyn’s throat tighten. “I could use an advisor, someone with your experience and expertise.”
Noeh’s eyes sparked with bits of amber. “If I’ve read your lips correctly, you want me to be your advisor. I’d be happy to help in any way I can and have a suggestion.”
Kaelyn smiled. “Perfect. What’s your advice?”
Noeh placed his hand on Kaelyn’s. “We need to get the special Dren to Roan’s Rock—”
“Along with the blue sunstone,” Saar interjected.
Noeh nodded. “To ignite the portal and beat Mauree and her troops. You, with Saar at your side, should lead the warriors on the battlefield. If I know Gaetan, he’ll do everything in his power to find Anlon, even hunting down Mauree. He’ll have to go by Roan’s Rock. I’ll work with Tanen, Sheri, and Melissa to see if we can locate Gaetan and Nikki and meet you there.”
The need to obtain their goal, to wipe out Mauree and her minions, flared within Kaelyn. Yet, some of them were her people, the Ursus. A sour taste filled her mouth, but she wouldn’t let that stall her plans, her need to end this war, once and for all. Kaelyn raised her hands. “Okay, everyone. Let’s proceed with the plan. Sunset is about an hour away. Demir, Aramie, gather the warriors at the portal. Tanen, Sheri, see if you can find anything else of value in that book then join us.”
Noeh gave Kaelyn a quick nod. “As soon as it’s dark, Melissa and I will track Gaetan and Nikki. We’ll meet you at Roan’s Rock.”
Melissa gripped Noeh’s hand. “Anlon…”
All turned their attention to the babe. He stared in rapt attention as Ginnia read from the book. “…and Roan picked up the…”
Noeh walked over to the pair and knelt beside them. “Ginnia…”
“Are you mad at me?” She peered at Noeh, her eyes flitting back and forth.
Kaelyn wanted to run to Gaetan’s sister and give her a comforting hug, but she held back. This was Noeh’s job, not hers.
Noeh exhaled. “Why would I be mad?”
Anlon wriggled from her arms and crawled toward his mother. Ginnia glanced at the floor. “Because I escaped from my cell. I had to. Nikki needed me to help her get out of the Keep.”
Noeh exhaled and placed a strand of hair behind Ginnia’s ear. “You never should’ve been in that cell in the first place. I should’ve trusted your visions. Can you forgive me?”
Ginnia’s eyes widened then a smile bloomed on her face. “I love you, Noeh. Love you, love you, love you.” She wrapped her arms around Noeh’s neck.
“I love you, too, Ginnia.” He laughed then pulled back to look at her. “Melissa and I need to leave the Keep for a while. Would you like to watch Anlon, perhaps with Bet and Jax?”
Ginnia’s smile grew. “You mean I can play with him some more?”
“Yes, honey, you can.” Noeh stroked her hair then rose to his feet. He met Kaelyn’s gaze. “We’ll meet you at Roan’s Rock. May the gods be with you.”
“We’ll have the warriors ready to go, along with Tanen and Sheri.” Kaelyn gave him a quick nod, conviction pulsing in her veins. This war would end tonight, one way or another, she was sure of it.