Chapter 23

‘Another one over here! I need back up!’ Shouts rang out as pure chaos unfolded before my eyes.

From my vantage point on the cliffs, I could see it all. Figures hurriedly moved along the shore to fight the two tidal beasts. Three of the fighters were strong with the earth element and were attempting to use trees from a nearby clifftop to ensnare the beasts without luck. I wondered who was heading up this fight and why they bothered bringing earth mages into it. The mages had poor form and the lack of strategy was making the fight harder than it needed to be. They were burning themselves out for no good reason.

At least the fire mages in the group were getting some hits in. But it wasn’t enough to deter or stop the beasts. The orange creatures were on the bigger side, and each had two fins that had razor sharp ends sticking out of their backs. Their jaws only opened a fraction and had no teeth, so initially not too threatening or scary, but that was if you didn’t consider the long tail, silver blades running up and down both sides of it. Those could slice you in half in the blink of an eye. On top of that, there was also the fact their skin is poisonous and results in instant death.

I’d seen beasts like these before. They were a frequent sight in the Tidal Seas. Varqel and I had taken down five of them by ourselves once after a particularly gruelling training session. I was seventeen at the time and still learning the ropes when we heard the commotion near the cliffs of his house. So given that, I was surprised at how the mages here were struggling. Granted, V and I were a lot stronger than these warriors. But there were ten mages and two beasts in front of me – well, seven mages because I’m ruling out the earth wielders as liabilities and not worth counting. Even then, they all looked like graduates, so it shouldn’t be this difficult.

It was a serious concern if this was the calibre of graduates staying behind to protect the Isles. I can’t help but wonder what Varqel thinks about all of this. More importantly, where was Bastra? As the general he should be involved in these attacks and fighting them off.

The beasts were only a few metres from the shores now, close enough that if they were to flick their tail and hit one of the graduates it wouldn’t end well. That thought concerned me, especially paired with the fact I was watching these amateurs colossally mess up a fight that should have been over within a couple of minutes.

I decided it was time to assist. I sent a gust of wind towards the beasts, putting a decent amount of strength behind it to ensure they were pushed away from the shore. Once I was satisfied they were far enough away that a tail couldn’t deal a fatal blow, I envisioned a circle surrounding the creatures. I directed my energy into pulling the water away from the beasts in the space while simultaneously summoning and throwing green fire balls towards the middle of their bodies. The shots landed, and wails resounded throughout the cove.

Green fire balls could only be created by a Sol who specialises in fire and air. Regular fire balls will simply land on a beast and burn for a few seconds. But green ones? The dash of air made sure that once the hit lands the fire sinks into the skin, courtesy of the air component’s ability to sink into the beast pores and expand inside the body. This meant the creatures had about thirty seconds before their whole body would be burned from the inside out.

I watched the light of the beasts’ eyes die as they crumbled to ash then relinquished my hold on the water. The beach returned to normal, calm waves lapping on the shore giving no indication of the fight that had just unfolded.

I stepped behind a tree as the graduates’ heads flicked around to try and discern the mage who’d finished their job in mere minutes. Before they could sense me, I teleported out. Even if they’d worked out it was me that was there, none of them would be game to say it. Not if it showed they’d failed at their task. No, they’ll take the credit for the kills, and that was fine by me. Hell, if I was in their positions, reporting the mission back to Bastra I don’t think I’d be game enough to tell him there was outside help.

I landed in the middle of Varqel’s kitchen, not bothering to be polite and walk through the front door. I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. Not after the bombs Qynthia and Orlandia had dropped.

‘Where’s Lyz?’ I asked Varqel, surprised to see him eating by himself.

He shrugged, picking at the chicken meat left on the bone in his hand. ‘She mentioned something about staying late for a new potion she was tampering with. You know how she can be. When she feels she’s onto something there’s no pulling her away from it.’

I nodded in understanding. It didn’t surprise me at all. Once while she was obsessing over a new way to heal poison bites, I hadn’t seen Lyzia for a whole month. I may not understand the pull or her interest, but her devotion to the craft was admirable. Considering she gives me my contraceptive remedy and has healed me countless times when my Sol and I had one too many bruises from training, I couldn’t say I was complaining either.

‘So,’ I started conversationally, taking the seat across from him. ‘How long’s Bastra been stationed here?’

He dropped the chicken bone, using his nails to scrape out the meat stuck between his teeth. ‘Let me guess, Slaviya?’

‘The one and only.’

He rolled his eyes. There was no explanation required, and no point bitching about it. Our thoughts of Slaviya were aligned. ‘About two months or so.’

‘And you didn’t tell me, because …’ I trailed off.

‘Because there’s nothing you can do about it. Plus, you’ve got enough going on. I can handle an inadequate man who thinks he’s all that.’

I laughed at his condescending tone, but we both knew Bastra could be lethal when he wanted to be. And volatile.

‘Well, you’re not wrong. I just saw ten graduates try to take down two tidal beasts. Remember the orange ones with spiked tails we took down after training that time?’ He nodded in confirmation. ‘I watched the show for about half an hour before I handled it myself. The creatures were a few metres off the shore. Rookie error. What are you teaching the kids these days?’ I raised a palm to my forehead in mock disbelief.

‘Where was it? Who was leading the attack?’ he demanded.

‘A couple of kilometres out from the Temple. I felt bodies scrambling around like headless chooks, so I went to check it out. From what I could see, there was no leader. Just ten graduates trying to figure it out.’ I tutted.

V shook his head. ‘That’s not good,’ he said sharply. ‘You’re not the first person to tell me of an instance like this. I don’t know what Bastra is playing at. There’s no excuse for him to not be there. Especially with those juniors. Makes me wonder …’ he started, before stopping mid-thought.

We tended to think on the same lines, which gave me confidence to finish his sentence. ‘Whether Bastra’s presence on the Isles is not to only take care of the army? Because if it is, he’s doing an awful job. He must be occupied with something else.’

We sat in quiet contemplation for a moment, both of us theorising the possibilities for his presence. Slaviya was up to something.

‘The Solistans can take care of the Isles themselves. We have been for the last however many years. We have the experience to dispose of the tidal beasts efficiently with minimal to no casualties. Yes, there’s been an influx of graduates staying back on the island, but I can still handle the army and the training. I haven’t seen Bastra much since he’s been here.’ V was leaning the side of his head on his hand, tapping his middle finger on his forehead, deep in thought. ‘I’ll keep an eye on the situation and let you know of any findings.’

‘Please do. Feel free to pull a couple of Maz’s spies, if need be,’ I offered.

He shot me a thankful look. ‘I think at this stage it’s best to keep it to myself. If I need to, I’ll reach out.’

Staring at him, I suddenly noticed the bags under his eyes. And were those wrinkles I could see? V never had wrinkles. He must be tired. I refused to acknowledge they could be due to age. In my stubborn mind, Varqel was immortal. He would never leave me. I would not entertain the thought.

He caught my appraisal and pasted on a fake smile that I saw right through. ‘Was the Bastra discussion all you came for? Not that I’m upset with your company, of course. You know I love seeing you.’

Also, classic V with the redirecting of conversation. In truth, I can’t be annoyed. I learnt it from him and utilise it often.

‘Partly,’ I shifted apprehensively, nerves coming back in a heavy wave.

‘You’re giving me ‘I want to know this information, but I’m scared to say it or ask for help’ energy. You know I’ll always help where I can. What is it, Little One?’ His gentle voice soothed me like I was a baby bear who’d been reunited with their mother after being separated for too long.

‘Do you know what a True Infinite is?’

Varqel dropped the cutlery he was holding loudly on the ground. I didn’t miss the scared shock on his face but he quickly covered it up, pasting on an expression of indifference. ‘Where are you going with this?’

I wasn’t about to reveal that a psychic mage, let alone a Queen, had projected a seemingly pivotal moment in our continent’s history into my mind. I was keeping that information to myself.

‘The prophecy?’ I made sure my voice held a dash of naivety in there.

I don’t think he was buying my act based on the doubt written all over his face, but he bit. ‘I was under the impression you skipped your religion classes for bakery taste-testing.’

I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

He sighed in resignation. ‘A True Infinite is a very rare and special bond between two people. They are life partners whose strengths and weaknesses complement each other. It’s believed that a True Infinite pairing is fated and the most sacred pairing. Think of it like a soulmate, your one true love, but rarer. Extremely hard to find, those who find theirs are lucky.’

Damn. He explained it with such reverence. Like it was something to spend your life seeking. ‘Are they always a love connection? Can they be a friendship?’

‘Any good relationship starts with a friendship, Little One. And in a long-lasting relationship, such as a True Infinite one, naturally they become your best friend. I guess it could just be that, but the pull of a True Infinite relationship is hard to resist. Almost impossible. The bond is created in such a way that, even if the intention isn’t romantic, it tends to fall into that.’

I can’t say I was enjoying how this was turning into a lecture and somewhat of a warning. But it was information, and I wasn’t having to chase down answers, so I was keeping my mouth shut.

‘You mentioned it was a rare bond? Is this bond only for mages? I don’t think I’ve heard of any True Infinite bonds …’ I trailed off, racking my brain and coming up with nothing.

A contemplative air settled in the room as he considered how to answer. ‘It is, though many people have no idea about it. The True Infinite bond was supressed when Wystia and Merlot sacrificed themselves for the greater good of the continent. I don’t think they realised at the time the ramifications it would have on the True Infinite bonds. It’s believed that once the prophecy comes to fruition, the fated rulers of Fyriane will unite the Doms and unlock whatever spell was placed on the continent. Only then will couples know whether they are with their True Infinite.’

Fated rulers? I knew V believed in the prophecy, but he had never pushed it on me, so I didn’t like the expectant look he was pinning me with, like he was trying to work out whether I was going to continue to skirt around the elephant in the room. I pinched my nose, gearing up to admit that maybe I shouldn’t have disregarded the Solistan religion all these years, as well as the news I still hadn’t quite wrapped my head around.

‘Well, it is looking like I have a True Infinite. Which is kind of not great for me right now, considering the tidal beasts are becoming more of a problem, I’m supposed to kill my husband to become sole ruler, and I have a lover who isn’t treating me well. Oh, and I’m pretty sure I’ve just met my True Infinite in real life, and I’m beyond furious with him because he knows all this information and has been hiding it from me.’ I grimaced at the rush of words, and received a similar reaction from Varqel.

‘Well, that’s a lot to unpack.’

Understatement of the century. I groaned. ‘Try living in my head right now. It’s a lot of fun.’

V’s lips twitched at my retort. ‘Is it the King of Marlyst?’

‘Goddess, somehow it sounds worse when it’s spoken into existence,’ I moaned dramatically, knocking my head on the table and staring at the floorboards in the hopes I would morph into a puddle and seep through the cracks, never to be seen again. Hearing Varqel guess what I suspected was just not fun.

Varqel’s laughter cut through the room. It was the kind of laugh that came deep from within his belly, filling the entire space.

‘Please, floor, please make me a part of you. I promise I’m a good person,’ I whispered, refusing to look at him as my comment sent him into another round of laughter. This was not the reaction I had expected.

‘Why are you so annoyed by this? I overheard you telling Lyz how attractive you thought he was when you were picking up your contraceptive remedy.’

I looked up to see a cheeky smile. ‘That was a private conversation. Girl talk. Not to be overheard,’ I defended, and he rolled his eyes.

‘Well, Meredith was in on the chat too. You know nothing is private with that girl around.’ He’s not wrong. Meredith liked to gossip. Unless she was keeping a secret for me, that is.

‘Like I said, girl talk.’

He let it drop, circling back to my prior ramblings. ‘Your lover isn’t treating you well? Has that been going on for a while?’

I winced, not really having meant for that to come out, but I nodded as I stood up and started pacing. I couldn’t remain seated while I admitted to V what had been going on. ‘Pretty much since I married Eliasson. He wanted the assassination over and done with months ago. But what was I supposed to do? Marry Eliasson and kill him within a month? Forgive me for not wanting to implicate myself. No one would’ve believed it wasn’t me. He’s become worse with the assassination coming closer. And now that I’ve met Xylan, it doesn’t feel right to continue it.’

‘It won’t feel right with Xylan in the picture, if you’re fated to be together. Even if that is simply a friendship,’ his face screamed his doubt, ‘you won’t want to be with anyone else. Which is an interesting concept for a physical mage to understand, considering the usual preference for more than one partner. But the True Infinite attraction will always trump those needs. Every single time.’

He’s not telling me anything I wasn’t already feeling myself. Eliasson was great in bed and everything, but maintaining that act was becoming a struggle now I had had a taste of Xylan, even without the guilt eating at me.

‘Speaking of True Infinites,’ Varqel segued. ‘The Ophiscair Prophecy in its entirety, what are your thoughts?’

I gnawed my lip. ‘Well, admitting I have a True Infinite is a start,’ I replied reluctantly. ‘Some of it I don’t understand. Like moon phases? Knowledge finds those who are meant to see?’

Varqel cocked his head, refusing to buy into my efforts to avoid addressing his real question.

I sighed. ‘I think it is ridiculous that a simple mention of an eye colour automatically means I’m a part of this bigger plan for Fyriane. However,’ I hesitated. ‘I have recently discovered some information about Wystia and Merlot. The fact they were the King and Queen of Fyriane, once upon a time. And that her eyes were the exact colour as mine. It’s weird.’

Varqel nodded.

‘It’s just hard, you know?’ The words tumbled out of my mouth, unable to be stopped. ‘I go from flying under the radar being the third heir to the Salistyan throne, to receiving my powers by myself and have my eyes change so everyone looks at me differently. I fall in love. Then, I’m shipped off to marry a King, earn his and his country’s trust, learn their culture, eventually assassinate him, and then rule the Kingdom I’ve only begun to properly feel connected to. Before I can do that, though, I meet a man who is apparently my True Infinite and the other half of a prophecy I have blissfully ignored since I was sixteen. And now? Now there’s apparently an expectation that I’m supposed to unite Fyriane with him. A guy that, in the grand scheme of things, I know nothing about. Not to mention, he’s been keeping important information to himself. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hurts and it’s overwhelming.’

Varqel reached his hand towards mine, squeezing it tight, offering comfort. ‘Little One.’

‘When do I catch a break, V?’ My voice cracked. ‘When will it be my time to decide what I want, who I want to be again? I can’t stand the feeling that I don’t have a say in the trajectory of my life. That because there’s a prophecy out there, my fate is signed, sealed, and delivered.’

And that was truly the crux of the matter. The reason I had denied the prophecy all these years. Sure, I put on a good front. Charging ahead with the complete alteration of my life plans, with the mission, my role as a queen, the natural leader of my Sol. But at the heart of it all? I wanted to have a choice. To choose my own path. And if that path was in line with the prophecy? So be it. But I wanted to trudge down that path because I chose to.

Varqel stood from his chair, rounding the table, and engulfing me in a hug. I returned the gesture, sinking my head into his chest.

‘Can I provide some words of advice?’ he spoke, his words muffled with how I had pressed my face into him.

I waited, my response not required. We both knew he’d say it anyway. He’d clearly read it in my body language as he pulled away to place his hands on my shoulders.

‘Get rid of your lover, but tread carefully, especially at this point in time. Do what you have to do with Eliasson. But remember, it is your choice whether you accept the prophecy and your role in it.’ He paused, staring into my lime green eyes. ‘If you do, then you’re destined to be the Queen of Fyriane. Destined for more than just a Dom’s queen. So, if you do accept it, you need to start acting like Fyriane’s ruler. But you can do it on your own terms. You can choose how you navigate it. The ball’s in your court. When you make your decision though, if you do decide that’s the path you’ll take, consider if you really want Eliasson’s death on your hands, or if you want to outplay your sister and have someone who knows Arlom intimately and will be on your side when you properly take Fyriane’s throne.

‘Have a good long think on it before you make any rash decisions. And that goes for your True Infinite as well. Maybe it’s worth asking him why he kept information from you before jumping to any conclusions.’