The Guardian King

Chapter Thirteen

~ Phoenix

*

Against my better judgment, I made no argument when my new companion returned to Middlebrook for the night. I should have warned her of the danger, but didn’t want to frighten her. Instead, I ordered Knox to place a watcher near Beth Ashford’s inn. Since Ember made her public debut, she’d be under a potentially harmful spotlight. Which was a big part in why making her my companion so immediately had been a priority. Despite her being welcomed by the majority, there remained a small percentage of guardians who distrusted unknowns no matter what. These people would sooner eliminate her than take the risk.

*

The ball had ended while Ember and I discussed her accommodations. I suspected my family would promptly hunt me down and demand an explanation for my selection, especially my mother. Instead of returning to my chambers, I opted for a swim. My parents would be far less likely to locate me in the natatorium.

*

My partiality for the pool room came from a number of reasons apart from the obvious. The long exterior wall consisted of arched stained-glass windows, letting in moonlight while retaining privacy. The opposite wall butted up against the mountain which the castle had been built around. The room’s humidity caused the plant life within to flourish. Vines of ivy made themselves at home by wrapping around the thick mahogany support beams. On top of the naturalistic feel of the large room, it was often secluded, and therefore, quiet. Only a handful of people knew to find me there, when I wasn’t in my office, and my parents were not on that exclusive list.

*

The natatorium was equipped with everything I needed, allowing me to bypass a trip to my chambers. Without bothering to enter the changing room, I shed my formal tunic, trading it for swim attire, in full view of anyone who might enter. At the edge of the pool, I lowered my arm into the chilly water. By focusing energy into my hand, I radiated heat throughout the pool. Within seconds the liquid reached optimum temperature, at which point I dove into the comfortable water.

*

The natatorium was especially beautiful at night. As I stretched my muscles, savoring the weightlessness, I watched the light from the fixtures dance across the water and reflect in the stained-glass windows. Once fully relaxed, I began doing laps while willing myself to forget all concept of time. My mind cleared as I focused on nothing but the passing of water over my skin. Though after a while, I could no longer keep my thoughts from venturing back to Ember. She seeped into my subconsciousness like water into sand. She was as much a part of me as my own blessed abilities.

*

Our meeting had been a long time coming. It seemed surreal that after twenty-four years the object of my vision lay finally within arms reach. Memories of what began my search for her decades earlier came flooding back during my swim. That chapter of my childhood was the most vivid. I’d never forget it as long as I lived. It had, after all, shaped my very being.

***

An indeterminate amount of time later, I came up for air and spotted Ambrosia observing me from the side of the pool. When I locked eyes with her, she said, “You’ll have to try harder than that if you wish to hide.” With both hands, I brushed the excess water from my face and replied, “I am not hiding. I’m contemplating.”

“I hope you’re contemplating what you plan to say to your mother.”

“Is she still here?” I asked in annoyance.

“Do you really think she would leave the premises without speaking her mind?” I let out a long exhale and replied, “Very well. I suppose I can’t put this off any longer.”

*

I swam to the side and hoisted myself up onto the surface. Water rolled off my body and pooled at my feet. “Do not let her dissuade you,” Rosie warned. “I blame her for the time you wasted on Sadie Lamond. Its time you showed her how wrong she’s been all these years.” Ambrosia never wasted an opportunity to remind me of the brief time I’d lost hope in finding my destined companion. It was easy for her to pass judgment when she knew nothing of the crushing loneliness that came with waiting decades to cross paths with the other half of me. Years ago, I’d been in a dark place my grandmother could not begin to understand. Though at the time I thought differently, it turned out being in a relationship did nothing to ease the emptiness of life without my intended. Sadie’s infidelity had been a gift and a warning rolled into one.

*

“Don’t worry, Rosie.” I leaned down and gave her a small peck on the cheek, before adding, “Now that I’ve found her, I’m not giving her up for anything in the world.” She smiled when she wiped away the pool water I’d accidentally deposited on her face. I snagged a white towel from the rack, wrapping it around my waist as I left the room.

*

As expected, my mother awaited me in the main room of my private suite. “Maman,” I said in greeting when I entered. She couldn’t hold back a scowl, which I ignored as I moved passed her and into my bedroom. After donning dry clothes, I returned to face my mother’s ire.

*

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this intrusion?” I asked casually, only adding to her anger.

“Drop the act of ignorance, Phoenix. You know precisely why I’m here.”

“My goodness, is it time for another lecture already?” I asked rhetorically as I lounged in my favorite high-back arm chair nearest to the enormous stone hearth.

*

My mother glared at me over the coffee table and said, “Do not provoke me.”

“You clearly have a lot on your mind, Maman. So, why don’t you save us the run around and get it all off your chest.”

“What in The Creator’s name were you thinking taking that unknown as your chosen companion?” It never ceased to amaze me how articulate she could be through clenched teeth. “Have you any idea how this makes you look?” she asked.

“Like a benevolent and compassionate king for welcoming a lost sheep into my manly arms?” My playful smirk only served to stoke her fury. “Damnit, Phoenix!” My mother rarely, if ever, cursed. “Take this situation seriously!”

“Why should I?” I made my apathy clear by examining my fingernails. “It seems you are doing enough of that for the both of us.”

“You have to undo this,” she demanded. I didn’t look up from my hands, but replied, “You’re so concerned with my reputation, yet you’d have me look weak by backpedaling my decision?”

“You don’t know anything about this girl,” my mother argued, completely ignorant to her false assumption. “She could be dangerous. I knew you were reckless, but this-”

“Maman, trust me.” I finally met her gaze and continued, “Trust that I know what I am doing. I know more about her than you realize.”

*

Suspicion crept into her expression as she said, “Please, tell me this doesn’t have anything to do with what you think you witnessed as a child.” I kept my face void of any emotion when I answered, “This has nothing to do with the past and everything to do with the future.” After a brief hesitation in which she considered my words and countenance carefully, she replied, “I’m choosing to believe you, because I fear the repercussions if you’re lying. The Council of Elders has never in our long history dethroned a king. That doesn’t mean they don’t have the power. Do not give them a reason to strip you of your title.”

*

My restraint slipped as I snapped back, “You mean the title I wouldn’t have at all if I’d listened to you?

“Phoenix Benôit Rainier,” she warned in her deepest tone. “You will not disrespect me in such a way.”

“And what of the way in which you disrespect your king; coming into my private chambers to ambush me and question my decisions?” She looked away, stubborn as ever, knowing I was in the right.

*

While my mother simmered with anger, my phone buzzed from the table beside me and I spared a glance at the screen.

~ Message from Dad:

Call me when your mother is done berating you.

*

I flipped the phone upside down and returned my attention to the parent sitting before me. “I thought I’d proven my vision to be true when I claimed the throne,” I pointed out. “Why do you continue to doubt me?”

“Because it is simply impossible. You becoming king didn’t prove anything but that you were always meant to rule. You claim you were told of a class six guardian when none exist, nor have ever existed. I know you may not believe so, but my priority has always been your happiness and well-being. This so-called vision of yours has only set you up for disappointment. I’ve had to watch you put your life on hold for this phantom and it saddens me. I’d rather see you back with the Lamond girl than watch you hold out hope for a destined companion that will never come.”

*

In an effort to avoid rehashing old arguments, I simply said, “The past no longer bares weight. Only the future carries significance.”

“So, why did you chose this girl?” I didn’t have an explanation that wouldn’t lead to us going in circles. I ruffled my damp hair and replied, “Because I like her. Her heart is pure.” My mother sparked my anger when she scoffed and said, “Her heart is tainted by her human upbringing.” I shifted to the edge of my seat and replied. “See, that right there, that’s why I chose her.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not alone in thinking she’s somehow a lesser guardian because of how she was raised. I brought her into my inner circle to set an example. Greatness can come from the most unlikely of sources. With my guidance she will become a great guardian.”

“Is that all this is?”

“If you’re asking whether I plan to court her whilst she is under my guidance, then yes. I do. I am merely pointing out that it’s not the only reason I chose her.”

*

Having concluded our conversation wasn’t going her way, my mother stood, adjusted her silk wrap, and uttered, “You’re playing with fire.” I leaned back in my chair in a relaxed manner, gave her a broad smile, and replied, “Then it would seem I’m living up to my name.”

***

The phone call to my father hadn’t differed much from the conversation with my mother. Apparently, Audrey had to practically drag him home from the ball without getting the chance to make his displeasure known in person. However, after a lengthy discussion, he at least agreed to meet Ember and give her a chance before telling me I’d lost my mind. My father had always been the more levelheaded and reasonable of my parents.

*

Audrey, who’d briefly interacted with Ember during the ball, congratulated me on my selection, much to the chagrin of my father. And Lilly couldn’t wait to meet her. All in all my family were pretty evenly divided. Lucky for me, Ambrosia offered unwavering support and it was her opinion which carried the most weight.

*

With dawn only a few hours off, I elected to catch up on sleep. However, as I moved toward my bedroom, a sharp knock stopped me in my tracks. The fact I valued my privacy meant I never employed a valet when I became king. It also meant I had to answer my own door.

*

I ran my hands frustratingly through my hair and moved to answer. “Knox, what is it?” I asked in finding my head shield in the hall.

“Sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty. You asked to be notified on the status of your missing scouts.”

“And?”

“They’ve returned.”

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

Author’s Note:

Sorry this chapter is on the short side, sometimes that’s how the story goes.

I’m sorry to say, due to a nasty ice storm and my kids being home from school all last week, progress on this story has stalled.

No new chapter will be released on Wednesday, but if I manage to have a productive week, I will publish two chapters next Sunday. I’m hopeful.

Thanks for understanding.

~E. K.