The Guardian King

Chapter Thirty-four

~ Ember

~ Two weeks later…

*

“You really didn’t have to go out of your way, Jasmine,” I said to the dressmaker. “I would have been happy to meet you at the dress shop.” I inspected my reflection in the floor length mirror as I added under my breath, “Anything to get out of this castle for a few hours.” We stood in my bedroom as the master seamstress pinned the front of the gown I would wear to the banquet the following evening.

*

The Adlegatio celebration came in three stages. On the eve of Adlegatio itself, every major guardian city threw a massive outdoor festival, complete with tons of tasty food, fun activities, and a variety of entertainment. The morning of Adlegatio guardians considered to be a time of deep reverence and reflection. Traditionally, people remained home and silently spent time in prayer over their purpose on earth. The way Gemma described it made it sound so beautifully cleansing. After spending the first half of the day in seclusion, lavish dinner parties were hosted, while the nobility portaled to Eden for the royal Adlegatio banquet.

*

I’d hardly seen hide nor hair of the guardian king over the past fortnight, though I knew he never left the castle. Somehow my sense of him had only gotten stronger. The only communication we had went through either Phyneas or Gemma and focused solely on banquet planning. So far, neither of our friends made any comment on the matter, but I knew it was only a matter of time before one of them butted in. My money was on Gemma.

*

“Don’t be silly, Ember,” Jasmine replied. “It’s my pleasure to make a house call for the royal companion. There… how’s that?” I turned slowly in front of the mirror, admiring her fine work, as I said, “Impeccable. I can definitely move easier now. Thanks for altering it on short notice.”

“It’s part of my service. You think I want anyone wearing my creations if they aren’t completely satisfied?”

“Well, I appreciate it nonetheless.”

*

Jasmine began packing up her sewing box when Gemma entered my bedroom. “Another message from Phoenix,” she announced passing me a small piece of paper. I unfolded the note and scanned the king’s confident handwriting:

~ Meet me at the base of the main staircase at half-past five. ~

“Why can’t he just say what he needs?” I muttered, refolding the slip of paper.

“What’s with the mood?” Jasmine asked. “Are you two not getting along?”

“You could say that,” I responded. Gemma turned to Jasmine and said, “You could say they’re competing on who’s the more stubborn.”

“I’m not stubborn,” I refuted. “I would gladly admit my fault in our disagreement if he would man-up and quit sulking, hiding behind notes passed between our friends.”

“You talk big when he is nowhere around.” I rolled my eyes at Gemma’s comment.

*

“I don’t see how you can be so resistant to his charm,” Jasmine said. “Phoenix is strong, powerful, and extremely handsome. And there was certainly no shortage of chemistry between the two of you, dancing at the companion’s ball. It was positively electric.”

“I just love to dance,” I mumbled.

“Ember you can’t deny you and Phoenix share a connection,” Gemma insisted. “I don’t understand why you go through such lengths to deny it.”

“I am not resistant to the king’s charm and I’m not too proud to admit I do feel drawn to him.”

“Then what is the problem?” Gemma asked in frustration.

“I don’t want to be in ANY relationship. As I’ve already told you, romance has burned me before. It’s much safer to avoid it altogether. I don’t trust my own judgment of men. And Jasmine, you list Phoenix’s power as being a draw, well for me it’s a deterrent. Men of power are blind to their own arrogance and entitlement.” I lowered my voice and, as a reminder to myself, muttered, “At the end of the day, the only thing they value is control.”

*

My cousin moved closer and looked at me with gentility as she said, “Em, you’ve spent weeks with Nic. Does he really come off as such a man? If so, you clearly haven’t been paying attention. Nic doesn’t seek power. Power finds him because of who The Creator made him to be.”

“What’s the difference?” I asked. “Either way he is accustomed to being in control and I can’t be with someone like that.” She scoffed, shook her head, and replied, “I’m disappointed in you, Ember.”

“I’m merely going off my own experience,” I said in defense.

“But you’re wrong,” she insisted. “About Phoenix at least.”

“Look, I know we’re family and I’m immensely grateful for all you’ve done for me, but my history with men carries more weight with me than your opinion. I’m sorry.”

*

I turned back towards the mirror, believing that I’d put an end to the conversation. But Gemma wouldn’t back down without getting her point across. In the reflection, I watched her toss her silky black hair over her shoulder, before she stepped closer and placed a soft hand on my shoulder. “Don’t just take my word for it,” she said. “Phoenix’s true character is literally written all over him.”

“What do you mean?” I asked in interest.

“I mean, everything you need to know about Phoenix you can discern from his tattoos.” In the mirror, I gave her a look of disbelief as I replied, “That can’t be true.”

“No, she’s right, Ember,” Jasmine agreed. I turned to face her as she went on, “Tattooing is a lot more meaningful in the guardian world than amongst humans. Every bit of ink we carry holds significance.”

“Then what do all your Disney tattoos mean?” I inquired, eyeing the design on her neck which depicted tinker bell and the words, ‘second star to the right.’

“Simply that no matter how old I get or what life throws at me, I will always be a kid at heart.”

*

I looked at my cousin and said, “Okay, Gemma, say for a moment that you’re right. Phoenix told me he has seven tattoos. Can you decipher them all?”

“Challenge accepted,” she said, moving to make herself comfortable on my canopy bed. “Starting with the first and most obvious…”

“The phoenix bird on his back?” She nodded and said, “Obviously that shows his self-assuredness.”

“Audrey did mention Phoenix has always been sure of himself,” I admitted.

“Yes, Nic has always known who he is and never let the criticism of others deter him from his destiny.”

“I can see that. What’s next?”

“The guardian motto on his hip. Nic, Phyn, and I had that one done together. Not only does it link us as friends, but it represents loyalty to our sacred purpose as guardians and our way of life.”

“Check,” I said in agreement.

*

Gemma toyed with the pendant around her neck as she continued, “Then there’s the tattoo on his inner bicep.”

“I’ve seen it briefly,” I confirmed, “but I didn’t get a good look at it.”

“It’s a sword and shield. But the design was created uniquely for him. It’s a very accurate depiction of the Hand of God.”

“You mean the king’s sword?”

“That’s right. And the shield bears the royal crest in addition to the words, ‘armor of God’ in Latin. That one represents his faith in his destiny. It’s part of a set actually. It pairs with the compass tattoo on his heel that represents God’s guidance.”

“Okay… I understand he puts thought into his markings.”

“Most guardians do,” said Jasmine, “but the king even more so.”

*

“What else?” I asked, fully invested at this point. Jasmine sat beside Gemma on the bed, but as I was still wearing a cumbersome ball gown I remained standing. “Um, let’s see…” Gemma thought. “Oh, Phoenix holds deep respect for those who came before us. In honor of our ancestors, he has the tree of life tattooed on the back of his neck. It’s concealed by his hair.”

“Don’t forget the lily on his wrist,” Jasmine said.

“Right, I think that’s his most recent one. He’s only had it a few months. When he missed his sister’s birthday he sought to make it up to her and she requested the tattoo. There isn’t anything he would deny that little hellion.”

“He mentioned he would do anything for her,” I said, “but I didn’t realize the extent of his sincerity.”

“Family is exceedingly important to Phoenix. Even though he rarely sees eye to eye with his mother, he still holds her in high regard.”

“Then why did he so easily defend me to her?” Gemma thought before answering, “Many of the wounds Phoenix carries were inflicted by Magnolia. I think there’s a part of him deep down who’s still a little boy wishing his mother had more belief in him. The way she reacted to his selection of you reopened the wound caused by her constant doubt.”

*

Silence fell as I absorbed all that Gemma told me. “Do you see the point that I’m making, Em?” she asked. “In avoiding the risk of pain you also risk missing out on a love that’s life changing. Choose your risk. And if you need any further proof that Nic is a man worthy of taking a risk on, look no further than his own skin.”

“I do see your point,” I admitted softly.

“And?”

“And I’ll think about it. Maybe once I’ve made more progress with my abilities I’ll have the confidence to trust my heart again.”

“That’s fair,” she conceded. “Just don’t push him too far away in the meantime.”

*

When Gemma stood to leave, Jasmine grabbed her sewing stuff and followed. I walked them to the door, but then stopped Gemma, saying, “Wait, what about the dove? What does the dove represent?” My cousin looked to Jasmine who simply shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not exactly sure,” Gemma said, looking back at me. “Peace I suppose.”

***

In honor of the celebration, and knowing I would need them the next evening, I encouraged Freya and Winnie to take the day off. In charge of my own attire, I chose a midnight-blue tunic with silver and copper embellishments; the traditional colors of Adlegatio. After intricately twisting my hair into many small braids which I knotted at the back of my head, I touched up my make-up and slid on my flats. I took care to lock the door on the way out of my suite.

*

As expected, Phoenix awaited me right where and when he’d said he’d be. I hadn’t laid eyes on the guardian king in almost two days. My heart sped up at the sheer sight of him in his tunic which looked complementary to mine. It occurred to me that I’d taken his small smiles for granted, the ones he usually offered whenever he saw me. His face remained blank as I descended the staircase and approached him.

*

“You look good,” he said plainly. Before setting out to meet Phoenix, I’d been resolved in apologizing for the part I played in our argument. But when I saw his look of indifference, irritation came flooding back and put all thoughts of apologizing out of my head. “So do you,” I replied coldly.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“To attend the festival?”

“To open the festival. It’s our duty.”

“No one told me.”

“You don’t have to stand with me if it’s truly distasteful to you.”

“I didn’t say that. I was merely caught off guard. If it’s what’s expected, I don’t want to let the people down.”

“You can’t live your life for other people,” he stated.

“That’s not what Gemma tells me.”

“It’s her job to be concerned with what the public thinks and feels.”

“I trust her judgment.”

“Of course you do,” he replied facetiously.

“What’s that supposed to mean? She’s my family, why wouldn’t I trust her?”

“Never mind. If you’re ready, let’s go.”

*

It was quiet in the car as we drove into the city; a polar opposite experience from our previous drive together. Back then I couldn’t get him to stop staring at me, whereas this time he didn’t look in my direction once in the duration of our trip. Though I knew I’d been wrong to press him about his past while safeguarding mine, his silent treatment came off as extremely childish. He was the ruler of all guardians yet he couldn’t bring himself to hash things out with me like an adult? It irked me how much I wished to know his inner thoughts.

*

When we exited the car, directly outside the entrance of the festival, we were immediately greeted by Phoenix’s parents. Magnolia did her best to tolerate my existence without a single passive aggressive comment. Audrey gave me a kind hug as did Phoenix’s father. Lilly was busy trying to figure out the magic trick Phyneas had just shown her. Gemma looped her arm through mine as we all made our way toward the front of the gathering crowd.

*

With a foot of space between us, I somewhat listened to Phoenix’s speech as he welcomed everyone to the Adlegatio celebration. He spoke of faith, hope, and love being greater blessings than even our abilities, sparing me a glance as he spoke. His golden eyes sent heat straight to my chest and there it simmered. Even having hardly seen him for the better part of two weeks, his power over me had in no way lessened.

*

As the crowd moved into the festival fanning out in all directions, I took the opportunity to leave the king’s side. “What do you recommended we do first?” I asked Phyneas with a smile. I was determined not to let Phoenix’s sour mood or searing glances dampen my first guardian festival. “That depends,” Phyneas responded. “How hungry are you?”

“Don’t you know by now? I’m always hungry.”

“Good point. Come on, I’ll introduce you to all the best of guardian cuisine.”

*

I followed Phyneas through the festival, stopping at several booths to sample delicious foods. Apparently cinnamon was a favorite amongst guardians, because they incorporated the spice into nearly everything. Not that I minded in the least as it had always been a weakness of mine. The thought made me feel even more at home with my people.

Cheerful chatter and laughter, noise from games, and live music spread levity and lightness through me. Phyneas showed off his skill with a bow at the archery booth. And I clapped delightedly when he achieved a perfect score. But when I turned my head, I caught a scowl from an older woman observing us. As he cheered me on when it was my turn, someone bumped into me, causing me to lose concentration as well as the game. I thought I’d had a run of bad luck until my third encounter with blatant rudeness had me wondering if it was my presence which seemed to attract animosity.

*

Before I had the chance to mention the strange occurrences to Phyneas, he looked at his phone and said, “I have to go oversee the arrangement of the midnight fireworks. Do you want to come with me?”

“No, thanks. I think I’ll check out the tattoo artists at the far end.” With eyebrows raised in surprise he said, “Shopping for new ink?”

“I might be. I need to see what they have to offer first.”

*

Over at one of the largest booths in the festival, several stations were set up where guardians could stop in for a new tattoo. The tattooing technology in the guardian world far exceeded humans’. While the process still involved needles, the equipment they used and the artists trained to use it could complete the process in a fraction of the time.

*

As I observed the samples they had on display, I sensed a familiar presence and turned to face Phyneas’ little brother. “Anything caught your lovely eye?” Jasper inquired. With a friendly smile I replied, “Not yet. It would have to be an exceptionally meaningful piece of art to entice me.”

“Come now, don’t tell me the king’s companion is afraid of a tiny needle.”

“No. I happen to like my skin the way it is, that’s all.”

“And what delectable skin it is.” His flirty nature didn’t phase me anymore. Anyone who knew him expected nothing less. He wasn’t coming onto me, he was simply being himself.

*

When he began rolling up his shirt sleeve I asked “Are you getting some work done?” He nodded and said, “Nothing new, just some touch up work to an old tat.”

“Can I watch?”

“You’d be welcome company.” Jasper took a seat in an open stall and I listened intently as he explained his needs to the artist. But when the artist set to work on him, someone jerked me aside. “Come with me, now!” Sadie spat as she nearly yanked my arm out of socket, pulling me out of the tattoo booth.

*

“What is your problem, Sadie?” I asked in annoyance, pulling my arm back when she’d finally stopped moving.

“You are my problem. Have you given any thought to your behavior tonight?”

“Have you been watching me?”

“I don’t have to. Whispers have been following you everywhere you go. You are supposed to be at Phoenix’s side. Or have you forgotten that you are his companion?”

“Of course not, but I do have other friends. Am I not allowed to spend any time with them?”

“Don’t be stupid, Ember.”

“I wish everyone would stop thinking I need to be handled. I’m a grown woman, I can make my own decisions.”

“You’re right, you are a grown woman. So start acting like it! A mature woman would admit she knows nothing about our world. Have you considered maybe the need to handle you stems from concern? You should be more grateful.” I had no rebuttal, because I knew she was right. I was out of my element and until I got a solid handle on how the guardian world operated I needed to let people guide me.

*

With a reluctant sigh I said, “You’re right, Sadie. I’m sorry I griped at you.” Her expression softened as she replied, “It’s alright.”

“It is?”

“I’m trying to imagine what it must be like to be in … your shoes.”

“How very sympathetic and altogether unlikely of you.”

“I know.”

“I just don’t understand why my relationship with Phoenix is anyone’s business. Why is it so important to them?”

*

Sadie sighed in exasperation, before asking, “Did no one explain to you that guardians are stronger in pairs?” I looked at her attentively and answered, “No.”

“Unbelievable,” she muttered with a typical eye roll. “This is why the marital bond between guardians is so unbreakable.”

“But… Phoenix’s parents are divorced,” I pointed out.

“They are among the rarity. Most guardians are paired for life. We are stronger with a lifelong partner. And who do you think would benefit most from being perceived as strong?”

“The guardian king,” I mumbled my admittance reluctantly.

“Precisely. It’s your responsibly to make him appear as stable and strong as possible. When the people grow concerned about the king’s ability to rule, they grow worried and restless. Phoenix’s appearance has to remain solid.”

“I didn’t consider that side of things.”

“It’s not your fault. It should have been the first thing Ambrosia taught you.” I didn’t know what I’d done to earn her sympathy, but I could see that her counsel wasn’t exclusively driven by her care for the king. She was warming up to me.

*

Having no desire to be at odds with one of my valuable tutors, I sincerely replied, “I’ll consider your advice, Sadie. I promise.” I turned to walk away, but with a gentle hand on my arm, she stopped me. “Ember.”

“What is it?” She lowered her voice to the point I could hardly hear her over the noise of the celebration. “You’ll want to be particularly wary of that one,” she advised, nodding her head toward the tattoo booth where I’d left Jasper.

“Jasper? Why? He’s harmless.”

“Just because he means no harm, doesn’t make him harmless.”

*

Sadie left me alone at the edge of the festival to contemplate her words. I didn’t fully comprehend why she seemed so intent to warn me away from Phyneas’ little brother, but I sensed her advice came from past experience. I decided to ask Phyneas for a clue as to why Sadie felt the need to warn me. After a quick text, inquiring about his whereabouts, he responded almost immediately with instructions on where to meet him.

*

As I passed through the center of the fray, a strange man stepped into my path. “You seem to be all anyone can talk about, Lady Ember,” the man said. He wore an Armani suit making him appear vastly out of place. His grey eyes appraised me as he continued, “Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Kierkan Argyros.” He took my hand and gave a slight bow. His touch was cold despite the warm evening. He seemed to be almost as tall as Phoenix, with short hair greying around the edges. Something told me there were more years behind him than his features suggested.

*

“My apologies for ambushing you like this. Only, I’ve been eager to make your acquaintance for weeks.”

“And why is that?” I asked, withdrawing my hand from his chilling grasp.

“To welcome you, of course, and to offer my congratulations on being chosen for the role of royal companion. You’ve certainly made quite the impression on our king to receive such an honor.” Try as I might, my abilities were not the least bit useful in gauging the man’s intentions. I sensed nothing from him at all, good or bad.

*

“Thank you,” I said for want of any other words to speak.

“I do hope you are pleased with your training within the capable hands of the king’s inner circle.”

“Yes, though truthfully, I wish I was a more apt pupil.”

“Nonsense, I’m sure you are coming along in your skills quite brilliantly. The guardian king must sense great power in you to choose you as his companion, considering he’s gone without for so many years.”

“I think King Phoenix merely sought to take me under his wing. Though I am honored, I’m not so sure I’m worthy.”

“My, my… you are the modest one, aren’t you?”

*

Mr. Argyros withdrew a card from his breast pocket and passed it to me, saying, “Should I be able to offer any assistance to you in future, please do not hesitate to call on me.” His long slender fingers bore a gaudy ring with a blood-red stone. “Thank you,” I said again, observing the simplicity of his calling card; completely white, with his name and number embossed in the thick luxurious paper. When I looked up, the unusual man had already disappeared into the crowd.

***

“Did you get lost?” Phyneas asked as I made my way into the makeshift cafe tent. He sat in the corner at a small table across from Gemma who sipped a cappuccino. “I ran into someone,” I replied, sitting in a third chair which seemed one too many to comfortably fit the table. “Who?” Phyneas asked. In response, I withdrew the card from my back pocket and passed it to him. When he examined the card he stilled. I couldn’t determine what led to his strange reaction to Mr. Argyros’ name.

*

Phyneas swallowed hard before he said lowly, “Keep your distance from that man, Ember.” Gemma snatched the card from Phyneas and a second later her eyes went wide. “What’s he even doing here?” she softly hissed.

“I don’t understand,” I said. “Who is he?”

“It’s kind of hard to explain,” Phyneas replied.

“Try.”

“This isn’t the place. Let’s just enjoy the rest of our evening and I’ll tell you more about him at a more appropriate time. In the meantime, just trust me and give him a wide birth.” I nodded in agreement.

*

“Can we talk about your brother instead?” I asked after I’d ordered a latte. Phyneas looked at me curiously and asked, “Jasper? Why?”

“Something Sadie said I thought you could shed some light on.” I expected a snarky comment about either his irresponsible little brother or Sadie’s crocodile-like personality. Instead, Phyneas fidgeted uncomfortably. I looked to Gemma for clarification to find her checking her phone and pretending she hadn’t heard a word I’d said.

*

“Okay, what is going on?” I wanted to know. “Since when do you pass up an opportunity to take a jab at Sadie or your brother?”

“Since the two of them have a history,” Gemma mumbled into her cappuccino mug. Phyneas sent her a glare I’d never expected from his normally lovable face. “Mind your own business, Gem,” he growled.

“While I am very eager to know the situation, I get the feeling it’s none of my business.”

“Its fine,” Phyneas said. “As Nic’s companion I guess you should know.”

“What does this have to do with Nic?”

“I told you about the cause of their breakup.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Jasper was the one in the limo.”

“Oh… oh.”

“Yup.”

“Wait… so why does Phoenix even tolerate your brother’s presence?”

“Because… my brother may be a selfish i***t who never considers consequences… but he’s still my brother. Nic and I have been best friends since Jasp was born. Nic considers him family as much as he does me. And I told you, he wasn’t in love with Sadie. Only his pride was damaged.”

“And his ability to trust.”

“How do you know that?”

“Just a hunch.”

*

We sat in silence for a little while as I drank my latte. When we eventually returned to the festivities, I found I wasn’t in the mood to enjoy myself anymore. My thoughts continuously drifted back to Phoenix and what he must have endured in discovering his girlfriend in the arms of a man who was, for all intents and purposes, his brother. I’d been betrayed before too, but not to that degree.

*

Phoenix was not the only reason I struggled to enjoy myself. As the three of us made the rounds throughout the Adlegatio festival, a small pang at the base of my skull had me on edge. My instincts told me this was not the result of too many sweets mixed with caffeine and overstimulation, but of the uncomfortable feeling from being watched. I searched the crowd around us from time to time, but found no sign to verify my irrational suspicion. The feeling didn’t leave me and I was relieved when the festivities finally came to an end.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note:

Sorry for repeatedly getting off schedule, but with my husband’s birthday this weekend I will not have time to post on Sunday. Enjoy two chapters today and the next one will come next Wednesday. Thanks for understanding!

~E.K.

P.S. to those of you who leave comments, your feedback keeps me going. THANK YOU!