CHAPTER 8
Helena finished tightening the strap of her belt with a frustrated huff. She hadn’t slept well and was feeling decidedly grumpy as a result. Her eyes were scratchy and the muscles in her back and neck felt knotted. It was not an ideal way to start a journey, but her dreams had kept her tossing and turning into the first hours of the morning. Even now the sky was more black than pink, the sun just starting to peek up from its hiding place beyond the sea.
Helena could not recall her dreams in any real detail. She could only grasp at the wispy memories, a certain color or feeling all she could hold onto until even that much had slipped away. The one thing that hadn’t faded entirely was the soul-deep terror she had felt when her eyes would snap open and her heart would pound between bouts of dreaming. Her dreams had been some kind of warning; she was sure of it. It was infuriating that the Mother would find it important enough to send her the warning, and then not see fit to let her hold onto it. Did everything need to be cloaked in such mystery? Just once, it would be really nice to have something neatly packaged and handed to her with explicit instructions on what to do with it. That would certainly be a welcome change of pace, given all that had transpired since Darrin had come to the cottage so many months ago. Apparently, the Mother disagreed.
She was still muttering darkly under her breath when Darrin approached her. “Are you ready to go, Helena?”
“Mother’s tits!” she snarled as the leather strap snapped against her skin, his voice startling her despite its softness.
Darrin lifted both hands defensively and stepped back. Kragen placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder, “Perhaps we should get the Kiri some strong black tea before we start. It might do much to brighten her mood.”
Unamused, Helena bared her teeth at the men. Feeling more feline than human at the moment, she felt a low growl start in her throat and wasn’t at all surprised to see Starshine quietly stalking towards the trio.
Kragen laughed at the display of temper, entirely unimpressed since he knew she had no intention of acting on it. Helena scowled. It was rare for her to be in such a mood, but her growing sense of unease due to the dreams she could not recall, and the lack of sleep said dreams had caused, were taking a toll.
Serena made her way over to join the growing group. She wrapped a comforting arm around her friend and said in a low voice, “Here now, Kiri. Perhaps you would like to ride Starshine this morning? That always seems to help refresh you.”
“So she can fall out of the sky when she falls asleep? Look at her; she’s barely awake as it is!” Darrin retorted with some heat.
Serena spun towards Darrin, levelling him with a cool stare. She blinked her violet eyes once, twice, and then dismissed him entirely by turning her back to him. Helena’s lips quirked up despite themselves and Serena’s own lips lifted at the sight.
The thought of riding Starshine was tempting, but she knew how her Circle felt about her being too far out of their sight. She wouldn’t allow anyone except Von to ride the Talyrian with her, so her compromise was to ride Karma, Von’s Daejaran wolf, beside the others instead. She had her own wolf, Shepa, but since Von’s disappearance, both Helena and Karma had found solace in spending time with their human’s other favorite companion.
Starshine nudged her mistress with her massive head, the turquoise eyes studying her carefully. Helena buried her fingers in the thick white mane and had just rested her forehead against Starshine’s snout when a barely audible gasp had her lifting her head back up to track the owner. Miranda stood near the manor; the hand pressed against her lips did little to cover the growing smile on the Keeper’s face. Helena’s brows furrowed as her tired brain tried to decipher Miranda’s reaction to the Talyrian.
Miranda moved quickly toward the small group. Starshine’s reaction was instantaneous. She growled, a deep rumbling sound, and shot a jet of flame at the woman’s feet. Miranda jumped back, her mouth agape, but she recovered quickly, “I see you have found your rider.”
Starshine’s massive head dipped in the semblance of a nod.
Helena looked between the two, her look of shock mirrored on her friends’ faces. “Have you two already met?” she finally asked.
Miranda nodded, “Oh yes, the Keepers have always been familiar with the Talyrian pride.”
Timmins, unfortunately, chose that moment to join them. It seemed he was destined to be outshone by the Keeper. He had overheard Miranda’s last comment and was already scowling when she asked, “What do you know of the Talyrians?”
Helena shrugged, not in the mood for a history lesson. She was far too exhausted for that. “I know that they are very possessive and quite fierce. They can cause the earth to quake, shoot fire, fly, and have no trouble expressing their opinion despite their inability to talk.” Despite feeling irritable, Helena was smiling as she spoke. Starshine’s gaze was tracking her closely as she turned to face Miranda.
“Your Starshine is more special than you know. A Talyrian will only choose a rider that can match them in power. To try and form a bond with one of lesser power would destroy the rider.” Miranda’s voice was mild as she shared her information.
Helena could feel her heart begin to race erratically. She sent a startled glance to Timmins, whose own eyes were focused with a single-minded intensity on the Keeper.
“Starshine is the Queen of the Talyrians. Just as the Chosen have a matriarchal society, so too do the Talyrians. She is the most powerful Talyrian in the pride. It says much that she came to you, Kiri. Especially when her ancestors retreated many centuries ago because there were no Chosen who could match them in power.”
Helena’s entire body stiffened. “I’m sorry,” she blinked a few times trying to clear her mind, “what exactly are you saying?”
“With the Mother’s power becoming so diluted in the Chosen, the Talyrians could no longer risk linking themselves to their riders. The link between a Talyrian and its rider requires the rider to be able to withstand the additional flood of power. If the rider is not strong enough they would become overwhelmed by the power flowing through their bodies and their minds would shatter.”
“Like the Fracturing?” Helena asked in a soft voice.
Miranda’s head tilted as she paused, considering. “In a way, I suppose it is similar. The Fracturing is a loss of self that causes a Kiri’s power to overtake her body. She is still alive, but she is no longer herself with unique thoughts or desires, merely a receptacle for her power. What happens to a Talyrian rider is more of a slow death. When they are not strong enough to contain and channel the additional power, it eventually burns up everything within them, leaving nothing in its wake that can continue to animate the body and so they die.”
Helena was floored. She turned towards Starshine and stared in horrified awe.
Miranda continued, “As a Mother of Spirit you can access all five branches of the Mother’s magic: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Talyrians also possess all five branches, although their ability to wield it is obviously in a different capacity.” She paused in consideration for a moment before asking a bit incredulously, “Have you never heard the story of the first Talyrian?”
Timmins scoffed, looking deeply aggrieved, “Obviously not, Oh Wise One, but perhaps you would indulge us, humble simpletons, a little while longer.”
Miranda’s midnight eyes flashed with annoyance, but she ignored him. Looking back to Helena she said, “I will save that story for another time. For now, it should be enough to know that a Talyrian is a creature of Spirit. Whereas a Kiri has the potential to control or influence with their gift, a Talyrian can link to their rider and share their abilities. My granddaughter told me that when you are angry, you grow claws similar to Starshine’s?”
Helena merely nodded while Darrin added in a shaking voice, “And when she’s in the midst of one of her tantrums she’s also prone to starting storms, but that is hardly a Talyrian ability. It is not like she begins to breathe fire or sprouts wings and start flapping around.”
“At least not literal fire,” Kragen muttered.
“She has been known to call it from the sky though,” Serena interjected, just as softly.
Helena rolled her eyes but remained quiet.
Miranda was deeply amused, “Her power remains her own. How she influences the elements and people around her can manifest in many ways, but this is something unique to her and Starshine. There are some Chosen that can take on the forms of others, but never their actual powers. When Helena channels Starshine through their link, she’s taking on actual qualities of her Talyrian. Perhaps she will one day grow wings and learn to fly, but I have never seen nor heard of such a thing happening before.”
“I have heard of some Kiris that were able to control animals, is that something–”
Miranda cut Timmins off, “Do you really think the Queen of the Talyrians is going to allow anyone to control her? What woman, let alone queen, would ever be okay with someone else telling them what to do? What she agrees to do is a result of her own will and her trust in her rider’s decisions. Make no mistake; she is very much in control of her own actions.”
Timmins’ face was bright red; his lips flattened with annoyance. Miranda’s own lips twitched with mirth. She took far too much enjoyment putting him in his place.
Helena was done merely being a silent participant in this conversation. “You said that I can take on the characteristics of Starshine. Do you mean that I will be able to turn into a Talyrian? Like a shifter?”
Miranda shrugged, “It is possible you could shift into a Talyrian if that were your gift, but you would not be a Talyrian. I find it highly unlikely that this link would allow you to become a hybrid version of Starshine and yourself, Kiri. However, those claws of yours are certainly for more than pretty decoration. You and Starshine are both very powerful; who is to say what you will learn to do now that you are linked. I almost feel sorry for the one who causes you to find out.”
Helena shivered at that. Starshine pressed against her, those turquoise eyes assessing her. Helena stroked the velvety fur until she felt the deep rumbling reverberate through her hand. I always knew you were special, beautiful girl, but I never anticipated you were a Queen. Starshine huffed, little wisps of smoke flaring from the great cat’s snout. Helena chuckled, You’re right, I should have known better. Anyone as majestic and as used to getting her way as you must certainly be a Queen.
Timmins cleared his throat; he was pale now, but desperately trying to retain his position of authority as a member of her Circle. She offered him a gentle smile, empathizing with his consternation.
“It seems we still have much to learn,” he said in a stilted attempt at compromise.
Miranda lifted a sculpted brow, “The Mother’s Chosen should always be open to learning. It is their mistaken belief in their own excellence that gets them into trouble.”
Timmins looked ready to launch himself at the Keeper. Serena and Kragen were trying, unsuccessfully, to muffle their laughter.
“Time to head out you lazy layabouts,” Ronan shouted from a short distance away.
Thankful for the distraction, Timmins hurried off without another word. Helena shrugged apologetically as Miranda shook her head, “You think for one tasked with being a pillar of knowledge, he would be more open to learning.”
Serena lost it completely and was snorting with her mirth. Helena was little better off. “I... I think he is simply not used to being the one without answers,” she finally offered.
Miranda huffed, “His pride is wounded, the foolish male. I will try to treat him more delicately so as not to offend one of your Circle.”
“Please don’t put me in the middle of it, I beg of you,” Helena insisted, still chuckling despite herself. She wasn’t sure what “more delicately” looked like, but she had a feeling it would continue to rub her Advisor the wrong way.
“Hmm,” Miranda replied, her gaze narrowed as she watched Timmins’ retreating back.
Feeling significantly better than she had when starting her morning, Helena gave Starshine one last rub between the ears before starting towards Karma. At least there would be no shortage of entertainment on this leg of their journey. It would be a welcome distraction from what awaited them at the end.
It turns out that entertaining was the absolute last word Helena would use to describe this particular journey. Despite being a smaller close-knit group of friends, the overall mood and energy of the group could only be described as cautious apprehension. There was a palpable underlying tension and little, if any, playful banter between them. In its place, there was only a strained silence that was broken intermittently by half-hearted attempts at conversation.
It wasn’t just Von’s missing presence that had them on edge either. Traveling again only served as a reminder of what they had unexpectedly stumbled upon the last time. They had been woefully unprepared to come face to face with the remnants of the Shadows’ savage attacks, and it was impossible to forget the sight of those bodies lined up alongside the road. Especially the tiny ones. The knowledge of what could be waiting for them kept them ever vigilant. It was exhausting.
The worst part of being constantly alert, at least in Helena’s opinion, was that nothing ever seemed to actually happen to warrant that level of focus. They were jumping at every crack of a branch, but so far there had been nothing more threatening to face than their own idling tempers. Perhaps that was threatening enough.
The days were long and the bitter winds of Daejara were swiftly replaced with a thick wall of humid air as they moved into Bael. Bael was a tropical region, the trees thick with ropey vines and the air heavy with the buzz of colorful insects. Where Daejara was a pristine and untouched beauty, Bael glittered like a jewel and seemed to be in a constant state of shimmering motion. There were explosions of color and life everywhere she looked. If it wasn’t for the heat that had her shirt sticking to her skin as soon as she stepped out of her tent, Helena thought she might quite enjoy it here.
Miranda and Timmins had started bickering as soon as they stopped for the night to set up camp. She had refused to tell him how much farther it was until they were to meet up with the rest of the Keepers. To be fair, it was not merely that she had refused, rather she had shrugged with a slight smile and stated cryptically, “We will know once we’ve arrived.”
As amusing as she found their disagreements, she wasn’t much up for refereeing another one at the moment, so she had peeled away from the group and called Starshine to her for a quick exploration of the jungle around them. When Helena had heard they would be traveling through the Baelian Forest, she had anticipated a traditional forest. One filled with dappled light filtering down through thick branches and dark green leaves, with crisp air scented by the clean smell of pine. Instead, she had been caught completely unawares by the bright bursts of flowers that ranged back as far as her eyes could see. The only thing that seemed to live up to her expectations was a sky primarily concealed by the unseen tops of the trees that towered above her. Even so, she didn’t have a name for the massive trees with their waxy green leaves that were as large as she was.
Helena’s steps had slowed. She was distracted by visions of the vibrant blooms growing alongside the rest of her favorites in the Palace gardens. It was a peaceful image that captivated her with remembered smells and feelings. Her fingers itched to find the seeds that would make it a reality.
Starshine snorted beside her, the small wisps of smoke seeming to hang in the heavy air. Her wings were pulled in close to prevent them from brushing against the foliage. It was clear the Talyrian was on edge. Helena had assumed that it was because there was a sense of confinement underneath the trees when you were used to soaring in the sky. Starshine shook out her mane and let out a soft huff that emphasized her desire to be elsewhere.
Sighing, Helena was about to give in. As she turned to fully face the Talyrian and tell her it was time to head back, she caught a flash of movement from the corner of her eye. The shadows between the trees had rippled. Startled, she froze, going completely motionless for a series of thumping heartbeats. Curiosity ate at her, causing her to slowly turn her head back towards the trees. There was nothing there. Letting out a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding, her shoulders started to relax.
Before she could move, she saw the shadows flicker, flaring infinitesimally brighter before fading back into their normal shade of black. Now certain there was something there, Helena called her magic to her, using it to enhance her senses. Sounds that had been too low for human hearing were suddenly clanging loudly in her ears and the rich scent of damp earth flooded her nose. Each color was so bright it was almost painful in its intensity, but she was able to dilute the effect by focusing intently on the ground.
Nestled between two trees was a patch of darkness that seemed to pulse and grow, feeding itself with the surrounding shadows as it began to take shape. Its form was barely discernable and its edges were blurred, dangling vines momentarily visible around it until they were consumed again by the inky darkness. She felt her mouth grow dry as a distinctly feline shape emerged. It was still cloaked in shadow, but its outline was unmistakable.
There was another ripple and suddenly the darkness came lunging at them. Helena cried out, too stunned to react. Starshine roared and sprang forward to meet the massive shape that was now hurtling towards them. Helena tried to form her magic into a ball of fire, but could not. Frantic, Helena tried again, she could feel the pool inside her slosh, but there was no answering surge. Her eyes widened as she watched Starshine swipe her massive paw at the now-visible cat.
The beast was large, although nowhere near the size of the Talyrian. It was a soft gray with lavender stripes running through its fur. It snarled, saliva dripping from its gleaming fangs that were easily the width of her wrist. Its fur bristled as it crouched in preparation for another attack. Starshine bellowed, jets of fire shooting from her mouth aimed in the direction of the striped beast. It dodged the attack, barely, and let out an angry roar.
Helena was shaking. She could not stand there and do nothing. She pulled at her magic, trying to shift it from her senses into one of the other branches. A small ball of light began to build in her hand and thunder softly growled in the sky.
Her heart raced. She let out a grunt as she tried to make the lightning expand in her hand, but it flickered out.
“No!” she shouted desperately. Starshine’s large turquoise eye turned towards her at her cry. Sensing its opportunity, the cat prepared to lunge again, now having a clear shot at Starshine’s exposed neck.
Fury built and something snapped within her. Helena could feel her magic rise up and overtake her. The claws pushed out of her fingers and her toes, and her muscles were bunching as she launched herself at the beast. She struck it on the side, knocking it down before those dripping fangs could reach her Talyrian.
Starshine bellowed, pacing behind her. The Talyrian wanted to strike, to defend her mistress, but could not attack without hitting her, so she paced and snarled, her wings flapping uselessly at her sides.
Helena’s claws raked at the now-exposed belly of the beast. She could feel the warm blood coating her fingers, but she did not stop. She had turned completely feral. Helena was still snarling and digging into the now dead corpse when arms like steel wrapped around her waist.
“Be easy, Kiri. You have done well.”
She was thrashing and snapping in the arms, the voice unrecognizable in her current state.
Her claws pierced through the skin of the one holding her and an angry male voice hissed, “Mother’s tits, Helena! Sheath those thrice-damned things! I’m not here to hurt you.” The arms about her tightened as bit-off fragments of cursing continued.
Starshine was snarling, crouching low as she approached Helena. Her iridescent gaze met the turquoise one and something began to settle inside her. She took a few shuddering breaths and slumped in Ronan’s arms.
She was surprised he was the one holding her, instead of Darrin or Kragen, but then again he was a fearless warrior in his own right. He probably hadn’t stopped to think and had simply done what he felt necessary once he saw her.
The claws receded and she was in her normal state once more. She gasped for breath, her heart still racing with adrenaline after the attack. She pushed weakly at the arms holding her; they released her slowly ensuring that she could stand on her own before dropping her completely.
Helena lifted her eyes to his. Ronan’s scar was pulled more harshly than usual as his lips were tipped in a frown. His ice-blue eyes shone with worry. She could feel them on her as he searched her face for the answer to a question he had not asked.
She took a deep breath, inhaling the metallic tang of blood. Her brows knit together and she wiped at her nose. Ruby red liquid smeared on her fingers. It was hers. The beast’s blood was a silvery purple that matched its matted fur. Helena held out her trembling hand to Ronan, wordless.
He tore at his shirt, a piece tearing away so that he could wipe at her face. “Here, Kiri, allow me. Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asked in the soft voice one reserves for use when speaking with the gravely injured or a frightened child.
She did an internal check of her body and met his eyes as she shook her head in the negative.
Ronan nodded and then pulled her to him for a bone-crushing hug. “I was terrified for you, little one. What would Von do to me if something happened to you while he was away and unable to protect you himself?” the question rhetorical.
Warm tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she rasped, not certain what she was apologizing for other than causing him concern.
Ronan stepped back, clearing his throat. “You have no concern for your own safety. You should have run; the Talyrian could have handled the caebris on its own.”
Her brows furrowed at the unfamiliar term he had used to name the beast. She turned her head to look down at it, but he grabbed her chin and firmly shook his head no. She swallowed, her stomach rolling.
No longer satisfied with the distance, Starshine nudged her with her head. Helena automatically began to stroke the velvety fur, “Thank you, beauty, for acting when I could not.”
Ronan stilled at that, “What do you mean you couldn’t?”
“I-I tried to use my magic and it wouldn’t come,” she stuttered, shrinking slightly under his harsh scrutiny.
Ronan’s frown deepened. She didn’t like saying it aloud any more than he liked hearing her say it. Miranda had warned them this was an eventuality the longer she and Von were parted. The sluggishness of her magic, combined with the blood dripping from her nose when she had sustained no attack, were clear signs that the bond was straining.
“Say nothing to the others of this,” she ordered, forcing herself to assume the role of Kiri once more.
He moved to protest, and she shot him a narrowed-eyed glare. He muttered to himself before nodding once and saying, “Fine, Kiri, but you will not be without an escort again.”
Starshine protested the insult by shooting a small spout of flame at his feet.
Ronan let out a startled shout and jumped to the side, “I meant no insult, lady,” he said hurriedly as he addressed the Talyrian, “I just want to assure that your mistress is well protected.”
Starshine lifted her paw as though to swat at him. Sensing all he had done was insult her further, Ronan looked at Helena for intervention. Amused, despite the corpse leaking blood on the ground behind her, Helena simply shrugged.
Ronan gave her a glare of his own. “Why weren’t you carrying a weapon?” he snapped instead.
It was her turn to look sheepish, “I assumed between my magic and Starshine I would be fine. We hadn’t seen anything to indicate...” she trailed off.
“Why do we bother training, Helena, if you fail to use those skills when you need them?”
“I wouldn’t say I failed, Ronan. I did kill the caebris after all.”
His arms were crossed against his chest, as he considered her words. “So you did, but at what cost?” he asked, referring to her still-dripping nose.
Helena scowled and Ronan shook his head, ready to let the fight go, as the words had stemmed from his concern for her rather than any real disapproval.
“Help me find him, Ronan,” she pleaded softly, “before it gets worse.”
Ronan’s nod was stiff, worry evident in every line of his body. “Let’s get you cleaned up and back to the others.”
Helena sighed, she was not looking forward to that conversation at all.