The Guardian King

Chapter Twenty-one

~ Phoenix

*

I needed a new word for tired. Exhausted no longer seemed strong enough. As I stumbled through the portal into my office, I breathed in relief at being home again. I’d pushed myself past the point of exhaustion many times before, but this past week it seemed to be maximized by the distance between myself and Ember. My frustration approached a breaking point due to my duties keeping me too preoccupied to further explore our bond. Though perhaps keeping my distance was for the best. At least until I worked out how to reveal what we were to each other.

*

I peered through the window behind my desk. Morning was still hours away. I should have gone straight to my chambers and slept for a day, but my mind raced too loudly to achieve rest. Phone in hand, I sent a message to my advisor. No matter the hour, Phyneas would come when I needed him.

*

Ordinarily, I didn’t care for strong drinks, but the current situation called for guardian alcohol. I poured myself a glass of solani, the guardian equivalent to vodka, as I waited for Phyneas to appear. I’d only taken my first sip and rested my weary bones in a chair near the fireplace, when Phyneas stepped through the same mirror I had moments before.

*

“Welcome home, Majesty,” my friend said in greeting.

“Thanks,” I replied, surprised by the depth of fatigue in my voice. Phyneas evaluated my appearance, but I spoke before he could comment on my dishevelment. “Drink?” He shook his head and I asked, “How’s Ember?”

“Fair.”

“Fair? That is not what I wanted to hear, Phyn.”

“I know. She’s struggling with her abilities. I think her slow progress is a result of self-doubt.”

“I had a feeling that would be a problem.”

“Yet you didn’t think to mention it to me or Gemma?”

“I’d hoped the two of you could inspire her confidence.”

“Wouldn’t her destined companion be better suited for that?” My advisor seemed to be as aggravated by my absence as I was. “You don’t think I want to be here for her?” I snapped back.

“Of course I know you do, I’m sorry if I implied otherwise. How are things going?”

“They aren’t. That’s the problem.”

*

I took a long draught of solani, giving Phyneas the opportunity to voice his observations. “You look like hell.”

“Thanks, buddy.”

“How long’s it been?”

“Hmm?”

“Since you’ve slept. How long?”

“Six days.”

“Geez, Nic.”

“Don’t you dare tell my family.”

“Are you kidding? As your advisor they’d rake me over the coals first.” I let out a sharp laugh, before I took another long drink.

*

“Let me open a portal to your bedroom,” Phyneas offered.

“Not now,” I answered. “I wouldn’t have summoned you in the middle of the night just for an update on Ember.”

“I know, but I hoped I could persuade you to sleep before filling me in on your travels.”

“It’s too important.”

“I’m guessing you’ve been telling yourself that for the past five days.”

“Shut up and listen, Phyn.”

*

He balanced on the arm of the chair across from me as I continued, “The reports I’ve been getting from scouts and hunters are not anomalies. Depraved activity is not only growing, but they are breaking their own norms by working in pairs, some even in threes.”

“I never thought that would happen.”

“Not only is it happening, it’s happening more and more frequently.”

“What do you want to do about it?”

“Until I can get to the root of the reason why they are behaving in such a way, I want hunters going out in pairs too.”

“I’ll make it known.”

*

“Furthermore,” I went on with my report. “I spoke to two dozen people who knew Roderick personally. No one can explain why he took his own life. I’ve managed to obtain oaths from everyone aware of his true cause of death. They’ve sworn to me to keep the information private. A guardian committing suicide is highly suspicious in someone with absolutely no prior signs of emotional trauma. I have my best seekers on the investigation, but I’m not confident even they can give me answers on his death.”

“Which means how much danger Ember may possibly be in remains unknown.”

“Yes. I’m sure you can imagine how that’s not exactly helping me to sleep.”

*

Phyneas moved to sit properly in the chair as he said, “I hate to pile on…”

“And yet you’re going to.”

“Soren has requested a meeting with you.”

“Requested?” I asked skeptically.

“Okay, demanded.”

“He doesn’t have the power he thinks he does.”

“Someone needs to tell him that.”

“Soren can wait. I need to see Ember.”

“She’s asleep, as is any normal person and as you should be.” Even prior to becoming king, I’ve always been annoyed by others thinking they knew what I needed. I loathed being told what to do.

*

I drained the last drops in my glass, stood from my chair, and said, “You are dismissed. I’m going for a swim.”

“Oh, no you’re not,” my best friend stated as he also stood.

“Don’t push me, Phyn,” I cautioned.

“It’s my job. Listen to me, Nic. You insisted on making me acting king should anything ever happen to you. I didn’t ask for that responsibility, you insisted on it. Therefore, I’m extra invested in your overall health.”

*

Phyneas back-walked towards the mirror all the while keeping his gaze locked on me. I was vaguely aware of the silver glint in his eyes as he said, “Go to your bedroom, lay down, and don’t get out of bed until you’ve slept.” Too weary to fight the compulsion, my feet brought me closer to him of their own accord. When I was within arms reach, he grabbed the front of my shirt and shoved me through the portal.

***

The sky was still dark when I awoke in my bed only a couple hours later. I would’ve been irate over Phyneas using compulsion to make me sleep, were it not for the fact his power shouldn’t have even worked on me. My exhaustion left me vulnerable and he knew it. Such an offense, as using an ability against the guardian king, was considered treason. But he’d been right to do what he did.

*

Even Phyn’s compulsion, however, could not quiet my restless mind. Especially with the very safety of my angel called into question. Morning light couldn’t have been far off, when I set my feet on the floor once again and went to my closet to grab what I needed for a dip in the pool.

*

Few activities could clear my mind like swimming. Though Ember never left my thoughts, the motion of my arms and legs gliding through the water calmed me. I swam laps back and forth across the length of the pool, thankful to whichever one of my predecessors decided the room was a necessary addition to the palace.

*

When sunrise made itself known by the soft orange rays filtering through the stained-glass windows, I decided I couldn’t put off my day any longer. After gliding to the steps and climbing out of the pool, I squeezed the excess moisture from my shoulder-length hair. I took my time using a thick towel to remove beads of water from my arms and legs. With a deep inhale, feeling somewhat rejuvenated from my exercise, I threw the damp towel over my shoulder and left the natatorium.

*

Making my way through the vacant halls, I hadn’t expected to meet a soul. As I rounded a corner, I nearly ran over my own companion. “Oh!” Ember exclaimed, losing her balance. My hands automatically grasped her shoulders to steady her. The divine scent of honey and vanilla filled me with ease and acted more rejuvenating than the swim.

*

Ember’s brilliant blue eyes looked up at me in surprise. “Hi,” she spoke softly. Her warm feminine tone settled in my chest. “Hi to you too,” I said in response with a half smile.

“I didn’t know you were back.”

“I only just arrived a few hours ago. Do you always get up this early?”

“I like to walk at sunrise. I’m actually a little late today.” Her voice wavered slightly. The closeness of our bodies, combined with my lack of clothing, made her pulse quicken. I could practically hear it.

*

I reluctantly removed my hands from her arms for her own comfort. As I stepped back, I took in the sight of her. She had her hair fixed in what I began to view as her signature style, wrapped in a braided knot and fixed to the back of her head. The long-sleeved tunic she wore matched her eyes and a gold braided leather belt cinched her narrow waist. She looked more guardian than I’d ever seen her, appearing perfectly at home in my domain.

*

A droplet of water fell from the tip of my hair onto my nose, snapping me out of my visual exploration of Ember. “How have you been fairing in my absence, little dove?” I inquired.

“Fine,” she replied, “How was your trip?”

“Aggravatingly unsuccessful.”

“Would you like to tell me about it?”

“Yes. But not right now. You are long overdue for a telekinesis lesson.”

“And you want to rectify that now?”

“What’s wrong with now?”

“You… you’re half-naked for one.”

“I am mostly naked,” I corrected. “Does that bother you?”

“I, um… well that is…” she flustered her words, before she cleared her throat and said, “You’re trying to rile me up again, aren’t you?”

“You make it too easy, mon ange.”

*

Ember made to move past me as she said, “I’m going for a walk.” I cut her off, stepping into her path. “Wait, Ember.”

“What? I’m missing my sunrise.”

“There’ll be others. Meet me on the veranda, where we first met, in ten minutes.”

“For a lesson?”

“For a lesson.”

“And… you’ll be dressed?”

“If it would please you.”

“It would.” But she’d hesitated too long for me to believe her.

*

Faint traces of Ember’s perfume clung to me as I entered my suite. I normally washed the chlorine from my skin and hair after a swim, but to save on time I merely donned a clean pair of jeans and black t-shirt. I spared a few seconds to work a comb through my tangled hair, before leaving my room, barefoot as usual.

*

Along the way to the veranda, I considered the report from my advisor that progress with Ember’s training had been slow at best. Perhaps success lay with the right teacher. It grieved me that my other responsibilities kept me too busy to help her. She deserved more from me, but she wasn’t in the right frame of mind to seek it yet, and I had to let her get there on her own.

*

When I arrived at our meeting place, I found Ember perched on the concrete railing ledge, with her ankles crossed, eating a chocolate croissant. The plate in her lap held a spare and I asked, “Is that for me?”

“Only if you want to fight me for it.”

“Don’t tempt me, little dove. You may not like the result.”

“I was merely making the point that I don’t share pastries.”

“I see.”

*

I leaned my back against the thick column that supported the balcony above. With a casual flick of my fingers, I lifted the pastry off her plate, brought it towards me, and snatched it out of the air. I responded to her look of outrage with a crooked grin. “Give it back, Phoenix,” she demanded. No one demanded things from the king. She wasn’t even aware of her own boldness.

*

“It’s yours to take back if you wish.” I held out the croissant flat in my hand and said, “If you use your ability to do so.”

“You’ve already robbed me of my morning walk, now you’re taking half my breakfast?”

“I’m giving you the chance to retrieve it, yet you won’t even try?”

“I can’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Nothing has worked for me this past week. Not that you would know.”

“Are you displeased with me for being absent, mon ange?”

“No. … Maybe. … A little.”

“If it makes a difference…” I moved towards her, and when within reach, dropped the pastry back onto her plate. “… I missed you.”

“You did?” The hope in her voice was unmistakable. I brushed the tip of my index finger along her jawline and answered, “Yes.”

*

Ember composed her expression in an attempt to make it unreadable. “That doesn’t make a difference,” she claimed. “I wasn’t upset by your absence because I missed you. You sold me on becoming your companion when you claimed there were none better to guide me than the guardian king. But you’ve so far neglected your end of the agreement.”

“You’re right. I have been neglecting you.” I didn’t know what she’d been expecting me to say, but admitting she was right came as a surprise to her.

*

“Unfortunately,” I said, “being king often monopolizes my attention. Sometimes it cannot be helped.” She lifted her plate and kindly offered me the croissant. “I thought you didn’t share pastries?” I asked.

“I don’t like being expected to share. But you look like you need it. I didn’t notice before; you look tired.”

“Occupational hazard I’m afraid,” I replied as I accepted the croissant. “Comes with the territory.”

“Can’t Phyneas take something off your plate?”

“I’ve already burdened Phyneas with the most important task; overseeing the tutoring and well-being of my companion.”

“I’m grateful, but if you need him for other things-”

“I don’t. Nothing is more important than you.” My declaration caught her off guard.

*

I gave her a moment to find her voice, not the least bit regretful I’d shocked her. But when she finally spoke, it was my turn to be caught off guard. “Phoenix, you say that as if you really care.” I looked at her with a puzzled expression and replied, “Why does that come as a surprise to you?”

“Because we hardly know each other.”

“And I have to know you in order to care?”

“Well… yes.”

“What do I have to know in order to care? That you light up whenever you’re in a garden? That when you dance, you do so with your whole heart? That you have the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I’ve ever met?” An automatic smile appeared on my face from relaying the little things I’d already noticed about her.

*

Ember’s cheeks turned a delectable shade of pink as she returned my smile, and it occurred to me I could count on one hand the number of times I’d seen that stunning expression on her. “You don’t smile enough,” I commented.

“I guess… I haven’t had much reason to.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. I’ve smiled more since I’ve been here than in the past year.”

“Then I’ll take that as a hopeful sign of your future as a guardian.”

*

“What’ve you learned about your abilities in the past week?” I asked, returning to lean against the column as I began eating the croissant.

“That using them is more difficult than I thought it would be,” she answered. I chuckled and she quickly chastised me, “Don’t laugh, Your Majesty.”

“I’m sorry, little dove. But it’s amusing that you seem to have overlooked the fact most guardians spend between two to four years learning to use their abilities. You’ve been blessed with five abilities, yet somehow you expected to master them in a matter of seven days?”

“For your edification, I didn’t expect to master them. I expected to be able to at least access them.”

“You haven’t accessed any of your abilities yet?”

“Not intentionally, no. The only times I’ve managed to use any of my abilities has been on accident.”

“Hmm.”

“Is that a bad sign?”

“It’s a sign something’s blocking you.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure. Let’s begin your lesson and I’ll see if I can pinpoint the problem.”

*

Ember hopped off the railing and asked, “Where do we start?” I reached into the nearest potted plant and picked up a small stone which I then placed on the railing. After I stepped a few feet away, I said, “Come here.” Ember moved to stand beside me. With a mouthful of pastry, I muffled, “Move the stone.”

“But I don’t know how.”

“It’s not about knowing. It’s about doing. You already know you possess the ability, that’s all the knowledge you need. Feel the energy within you and use it to move the stone.”

*

Ember stretched her hand out in front of her. I watched a crease appear on her forehead, in between her eyes, as she concentrated on the pebble. After I swallowed the last bite of croissant and licked the remaining chocolate from my fingertips, I said, “You’re concentrating too hard.”

“You want me to concentrate less?”

“I want you to trust yourself more.”

*

Ember raised her arm again, focusing on the small stone. I stood directly behind her. With very little air between my chest and her back, I leaned down to speak softly near her ear. “Can you feel the power inside yourself?”

“No.” I gently put a hand on her arm, guiding it back down to her side. “Ember, listen to me for a moment.” She stood perfectly still in anticipation. “All guardians have a unique energy embedded into every cell within our bodies. It’s what fuels our abilities.”

“I’m not certain I have that.”

“You do, mon ange. Not only can I sense it in you, but your energy is stronger than most.”

“How do I feel it?”

“Focus within yourself. Somewhere between your heart and your soul lives an energy reservoir.” I watched her eyes close and her chest rise and fall in a steady fashion.

*

With a hand on her back, I spoke softly. “Locate the source of your guardian energy. Let go of all the doubt you’ve accumulated from living within the human realm. You’re not that person anymore. You never were that person. You are and have always been a guardian. It’s time to let go of all your predispositions. Learn about yourself anew.” Her eyes remained closed as her hand raised, outstretched towards the stone for the third time.

*

I smiled widely as the tiny rock slid along the railing. With my lips a breath away from her ear, I said, “Open your eyes, little dove.” Her eyelids fluttered open. When she focused on the pebble, two feet to the right of where I’d originally placed it, her mouth fell open in surprise.

*

Ember’s joy was short lived, however. All at once her surprise fell away and she suddenly turned, scowling at me. “You’d benefit from communicating better with your own advisor,” she told me with an angry edge. “He tried that trick already. I don’t appreciate being lied to.” I looked at her in bewilderment and replied, “What are you talking about?”

“You moved the stone to make me feel good about myself.”

“I didn’t.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Don’t you remember what I said to you the night you agreed to be my companion? I said I’d never lie to you.”

“That’s what a liar would say.”

*

Ember walked away, taking the stone steps down onto the palace lawn. Without hesitation, I followed. “What happened to you?”

“What are you talking about?” she bit back.

“How did your trust in others become so shattered? I’ve given you no reason not to trust me, yet you’re convinced I could so easily deceive you.”

*

We’d only ventured a few feet away from the veranda when she turned on me. “My life before I came here is none of your business.”

“It is if it’s keeping you from trusting me. How can I help you if you have no faith in me?”

“How do you hope to help me by fooling me into thinking I can move that stone?” She swung her arm angrily up toward the railing where the pebble had been abandoned. Her gesture not only moved the stone, but sent it flying through the window with a resounding clink of broken glass.

*

Both our heads immediately shifted toward the damage to the castle window. “You were saying?” I said facetiously.

“I did that?” she questioned in a whisper.

“You did, little dove,” I answered with a prideful smile. She hurried back up the steps to the veranda.

*

When I reached her side again, I found her staring open-mouthed at the hole in the window. With the backside of a single finger, I gently grazed her cheek, regaining her attention. “You didn’t trick me before,” she stated.

“No, mon ange.”

“I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t given you enough reason to trust me… yet. I should be here to help you.” After a moment, she slowly looked up at me and asked, “Why do you say that like you are leaving again?”

“Because I am.”

*

I gauged her face carefully as I asked, “Do you want me to stay?”

“I didn’t think that was an option.”

“I could find a way.” There was no doubt in my mind the bond between us was strengthening. If she felt a fraction of what I felt as we maintained eye contact, she would have asked me to stay. But my little dove was a stubborn creature.

*

Ember broke free of my stare and composed herself. “That’s not necessary,” she claimed. “I have Phyneas and Gemma to help me. I’ll be fine. I don’t need you.” Her words fell out so casually, she remained oblivious to how they’d wounded me. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to reveal everything to her, but my instincts held me back. There was still so much she needed to learn on her own first.

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

Author’s Note:

Chapter 22 coming Sunday, March 12th.

Thanks for reading! And a special thanks to all who’ve left comments and feedback!! They help me more than you know!

~ E. K.