14. Kellian

CHAPTER 14

Kellian

K ellian found Ember on the training grounds. He beckoned her over to explain the new mission and told her to go check on Aura and Nox, and send other royal messenger sprites to get reinforcements as well. She nodded happily, asked about Kyeria—whom Kellian promised was okay—and then went on her way.

Kellian made his way back to his rooms. The moon was high in the sky and it was well past midnight. He found a large traveling bag and filled it with some clothes, a warm blanket, supplies, and other necessities. He then headed to the kitchens to get three days worth of rations for their trek to last through the land before they would reach any water. He sent another light sprite with a message, to a Captain Grim, the High privateer of all the seas in the northern waters and beyond, to ready passage for them. Kellian cursed himself for needing to contact Grim.

Grim ruled with an iron fist, an the illusive pirate lord of the black tide fleets that ran the trades and dark markets across all the seas. Many had never even seen his face. He was untouchable from the kingdoms—they even paid him to keep the passages open for trade. His fleet was well over the hundreds now, fully manned by those of the Nivarian Island, or most commonly called The Pirate Rock. Kellian had known Grim since childhood, as he too was from The Hollow. It was a lifetime ago now and Kellian shook off the memories.

A knock hit his door, a soft tap in a melodic pattern. Kyeria.

"Ready to go, your highness?" Kyeria smirked. A matching leather bag hung on her shoulder, weighing her small frame down. Kellian reached and slipped the bag off her arm and whispered, "I told you, I'd follow you anywhere." His breath tickled her cheek and a blush grew over them. She took her fingers and drew his chin towards her, kissing him deeply.

"Where you go, I go." She nodded, filling him with a sense of calm.

"We will take horses, one each, and travel to the outer edge of the Hollow until we hit the sea. It is a day's journey to hit water," he explained.

"Alright." Kyeria turned and began walking away. Kellian admired her ability to greet any challenge with her head held high. Kyeria wore brown trousers and a dark leather corset lined with golden leaves embroidery. He wondered if she had added that herself. Long sleeves covered her arms, which still bore the remnants of the burns. A heavy wool cloak rested in her arms. He was glad for her knowledge of living in the woods, and being on foot. While he tried not to think about those hard years on the run, he admired who she was now because of them. How strong and unflinchingly sure.

"How is the wind tonight?" he asked, falling into step with her. Her bright smile reached him quickly.

"No warnings in the north," she confirmed after a minute of silence once they reached the steps outside. They walked to the training grounds, meeting a stablehand. Kellian's horse was as black as the night sky, with a dark mane to match. Kyeria's was a very sturdy brown mare. He had requested one of the strongest riders for her, not taking any chances.

"We will need to travel through the night. The Northern Gates are a bit different than other parts of the border," Kellian informed Kyeria as they mounted the horses.

"How so?" she asked, receiving a smile from Kellian and knowing eyes.

"You'll love it," he assured her.

They rode for hours through the night, letting the silence envelope them. Only the wind and the trees shuffled alongside them, Kyeria smiling here and there in reaction to them. He wondered what it must be like to be so attuned with nature the way she was. While Kellian held the ability to take the form of a dragon, he held no other magic. From the first time he shifted, he wished his ability to conjure fire would translate to his true self.

The sun had not broken the horizon yet, but the sky was brightening as they approached the Northern Gates. He knew the timing was perfect. Right as the sun broke over the horizon, golden light gleamed towards them, then the gate—seemingly invisible without the light of dawn—was aglow. Golden spires twisted in all directions, forming an arch. A purple bloom was sprouting—so rare, it only bloomed where magic touched that specific border of The Hollow.

Kyeria gasped, her hand rested on her chest as her gaze bore into the gate, taking in every detail. She dismounted her horse and fell to her knees, both hands palm down into the grass. Kellian chuckled and dismounted next to her.

"This—this is wondrous." She beamed. "The magic here, it is so bright and full," she said, looking up to him. She brushed her hands off and stood.

"These flowers," she began reaching for them, her finger barely touching a petal and the color changed to a bright blue.

"They are the flowers of the dawn, the Aura flower. Is this your sister's namesake? I had read about them but never seen them. My mother would tell us stories of flowers that only bloomed at dawn that held a form of magic in them, but in person—" She paused her stream of consciousness.

"My mother," Kellian began, clearing his throat, "she was given the seeds, after a happenstance, the witch told her to plant them where all the light of dawn could reach them unrestricted, and that if any magic need be strengthened it could be planted near." A ghost of a smile passed his lips. " When my mother worked to put the magic border in place, to protect the Hollow from the surrounding wars, she planted this one at the farthest border, one that reached towards the ocean, so that we may not be in danger from attacks on the northern side."

Kyeria took his hand, squeezing once, then twice, then a third time.

"You have yet to speak much about her," Kyeria replied.

"She was the most selfless woman I have ever known. I am proud to be her son," Kellian stated, squaring his shoulders. "We must go now, while the dawn light hits the gates is the only time we can pass it on foot."

Kyeria reached for the reign of her horse, and began walking into the gate, Kellian behind. The usual cool touch of magic brushed past Kellian as he passed through after Kyeria. He shook off his shoulders gently, then remounted his horse. Kyeria followed suit. They rode for a short amount of time before resting for lunch. Tying the horses to a nearby tree, they sat on a higher spot, overlooking the grassy meadows and beyond was the sparkling sea.

"We will rest here, Grim will be here at dusk." Kellian pulled out food from his pack, and they ate. Kyeria spoke of her mother more, moving Kellian to speak of his own more freely. He had loved his mother, but her death was difficult for him to speak of. He wished he could talk to her, wished she wasn't taken so young alongside his father, wished Aura had known them as she grew.

"What is bothering you still?" Kyeria asked as the sun sank lower, the day pressing on. He leaned back, pulling her to him and kissing the side of her head. She let out a small laugh, nuzzling into him. Her small hand pressed on his chest, finding a necklace laying there.

"When did you get this?" she asked.

"It is a family symbol." He flipped it over in his hand, an intricate design with a raven in the middle stood raised off the golden pendant.

"That is not the Galanis symbol." She shook her head as her thumb brushed over the raven.

"No, my mother's." He smiled sadly. Her hand reached up, cupping his rough stubbled cheek. He leaned into it. His eyes opened golden and bright and he was about to speak when a shriek cut through the trees, Kyeria jolted up.

"Are we past the magical barrier?" Kyeria asked through the bond.

" Yes ," Kellian answered and stood slowly, reaching for his sword. It was a twin to Aura's but even larger, a golden gemstone in the hilt, signifying the Galanis line. Kyeria pulled a short sword from her back, using her other arm to pat her leg ensuring her daggers were in place.

"Get behind me," Kellian ordered. They stayed low, but the fire and the horses were a giveaway, they could not pretend they were not here, not now.

Shadows moved through the trees, Kyeria pushed out her magic like a web, sensing three sources.

" I count three ," she informed him down the bond. Kellian nodded up towards the far trees, she saw another, high up in the trees, something glimmered. Four, then.

Then with a shove she yelled at Kellian, "Get down!" Arrows flew through the air. Kyeria was so shocked she barely rushed her arm up to block the arrow with a dense screen of vines. She let it crash back into the ground then took a fighting stance, short sword out, and glimmering magical vines wrapping around her other arm.

She felt a presence slightly behind her and with a swish she grabbed the dagger at her thigh and spun, launching the dagger. The dagger hit its target, a grunt and a curse before a woman revealed herself.

Raiders.

She was dressed in raiders clothes, mismatched armor and clothing, and stolen goods.

"You bitch!" the raider screamed and lunged for her. Kyeria swung again and blocked a hit with her sword. She threw her magic, vines exploding from the ground and wrapping around her ankles.

"Good try." Kyeria smirked, and walked forward, unarming the woman and leaving her tied up in thick vines. She could hear Kellian fighting off what felt like two men. She stalked forward, around a tree, keeping to the shadows. And just as she was about the lung forward towards one of the raiders, a hand wrapped around her neck, covering her mouth before she could scream.

"Not so fast, missy," a man hummed, slamming her against the tree.

"Let her go," Kellian boomed. His voice was unrecognizable, filled with fury. She had seen Kellian fight, she had seen him train, delegate, and rule, but this, this was different.

"You better pray to all your gods, because I will end you if you so much as leave a single mark on my woman." His voice was feral, growling even. Kyeria's eyes were wide.

"Behind you!" she screamed down the bond as another man advanced on him. Kellian spun, their swords only meeting each other twice before Kellian struck him down. Kyeria tried to use her magic but the man holding her quickly pinned both her hands with one of his. Holding them down. She had to have her hands to cast. She bit down hard on the hand over her mouth. The man cursed and his hand fell. She spit out the piece of flesh from his hand. It always was an effective way to get an unwanted man off of oneself. She smirked to herself, unsheathed another dagger and sliced at him. But the man was faster and slashed her side; she let out a guttural sound before falling.

"Careful now, miss," the raider snarled and grabbed her again, holding her back to him, a knife on her throat. Kellian froze, the two men he had been fighting were down, lifeless crumples onto the ground, their blood seeping into the earth. While her face stayed blank, Kellian could feel an icy tendril down the bond from his soulbound. Knowing it was the loss of life and the earth's reaction causing the coldness to wash over her.

"Move another step," the raider growled, "and I'll slit her throat."

"I'd like to see you try," Kellian snarled. Kyeria had been working her hands free, slipping one off and shoving at the man. He let out a grunt, but her attempt was futile, the wound on her side was deep and not healing fast enough. She tried to spin out of his grip, slashing her body. She screamed out, bit down on his arm, and the man squirmed under her.

"You're a feisty little thing, huh, lass?" the raider snarled in her ear.

"I want your horse, your gold, and your bags," the raider announced.

"Fuck you," Kellian spit out.

"Or your lass here will bleed out on the grass." His grip tightened and Kyeria let out a gasp at the air being squeezed out. She couldn't breath, her eyes were watering as his grip became tighter and tighter wrapped around her neck.

"Fine," Kellian spoke loudly and dropped his sword to the ground. The raider's grip loosened and Kyeria coughed, her lungs on fire. Kellian saw red. He wanted to rip the man to shreds for laying a hand on her. On what was his.

"See we can be civil after all," the man said. "Stand over there," he instructed Kellian and dragged Kyeria with him, knife cutting at her skin, a thin trail of blood left behind. She winced at the stinging pain.

The raider turned his back, but Kyeria kept her eyes on Kellian. She shook her head at him, signaling him. But his eyes, once golden, were black. His features contorted. Fury overtaking every essence of his body,

He moved so fast Kyeria gasped. She had never seen any human move like that, but Kellian was closer to fae than human, he was stronger and faster, could see farther and hear farther.

The raider's grip was off her and he was on the ground in less than the time it took her to blink. Kellian plunged the sword down his neck. He pulled the sword free, his wild eyes found hers, and slowly the black haze faded and she was greeted again with the gold she loved so much.

"Are you alright?" he said, his voice raw.

"Yes," she whispered back. He nodded and wiped his sword on a spare piece of fabric before placing it back in its holder again.

"I—" she started, but Kellian pulled her to him. His large hand pressed the back of her head, holding her there.

"You're okay," he muttered. She dipped her head into the crook of his neck, letting out a sigh as the scent of him washed over her. She pulled away, eyes searching his and leaned forward kissing him, both hands on either side of his face. But the moment was cut short when an awful screech filled the air, making Kyeria jump and spin around.

But Kellian knew that awful squawk anywhere.

A large black raven was diving directly at them.

"Hello Lucius." Kellian glared at the black eyed raven.

"Time to go." The raven's voice sounded like the shadow of death, deep and awful. It never sat well with Kellian.

"Who are you?" Kyeria sat up, getting closer to the wretched creature. Kellian placed a hand on her arm to stop her. "You are not alive," she stated, head turning as she analyzed the creature,

"Quite right Ma'am, but rather rude I must say." Luci's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?'' The words were strung out, sounding like creaking wood, but Lucius' head turned as well, matching Kyeria's.

"You are not of this land," Lucius squawked.

"No, I am from the fae lands," she said, brushing her hair back and revealing her pointed ears.

"Yes," the raven replied, looking as thoughtful as a bird could possibly look. "We must leave now. Follow me." And he took off into the sky. Kellian sighed deeply.

"I fucking hate that bird," he announced as a squawk reeled in the distance. Good, he hoped that damned bird heard him.

"It is not a bird," Kyeria said, watching it circle them high above in the sky. "It is most definitely not a bird." She shuttered, and Kellian had half a mind to sweep her up and ride back to the castle, abandoning the mission all together. Just wrap his arms around her and stay there, not worry about anything else.

While Kellian packed up their small camp, Kyeria walked around picking some flowers, wrapping them in a long vine and pocketing them. She then reached out her hand on a tree, it shook in response to her magic. Lucius flew out of it sounding annoyed. It brought Kellian deep enjoyment.

"Watch it, witch," Lucius screeched.

"I am no witch." Kyeria glared. Her voice was stone. "I am derived from the goddess Luna herself. I honor all living things and you are not living."

"I am living-adjacent," Lucius said, landing on a rock.

"What are you?" Kyeria sounds angry, like seeing something that was basically made of death itself went against everything she knew and honored.

"You shall see," the bird chirped. The raven drew its wings again. "Time to go."

Kellian cleared his throat.

"Something is wrong with that raven," Kyeria said to him, taking the reins to her horse out of his hands with some force.

"Oh I know," Kellian muttered to himself. They rode their horses down the hills and across another meadow, getting closer and closer to the sea. Lucius screamed from above as they went. Kellian really hated that fucking bird.

They came around one last bend of trail before a steep cliff was between them and the sand below. A scarcely skinny path lay there big enough for one person, but no horse. Kellian rolled his eyes, taking his and Kyeria's bags down and rolled the reins up into their saddles.

His voice boomed. "Go home," he said and his hand whipped in the air making both the horses take off in a gallup back the way they came.

Kyeria stood at the small path looming ahead of them. She squared her shoulders, pulled her cloak tighter against the harsh winds, and began to walk. Kellian did the same. Twin bags crossed over his back. Doing his best to focus on Kyeria and not the raven circling them from above. Kellian had already zeroed in on the small ship sitting not too far off the shore. An even smaller raft in the sand, the shore crashing near it. A dark figure in the shadows under the cliff side.

Grim .

He was sure Kyeria could sense him. Magic meeting magic would unceremoniously make.

"Captain Grim?" she asked, letting her voice drift on the wind as she walked the sand. Grim pushed himself off the rock he was leaning on and slowly walked towards them. The swagger of a pirate lord and too much confidence. Lucius circled before flying down and landing on Grim's shoulder.

"Hello, my Lady." He bowed his head slightly and held out a hand. She shook it and pulled it away, reaching into her pockets for the bundle of wild flowers she had collected. She held it out in her palm.

Lucius made a soft noise, the only soft noise Kellian had ever heard the bird utter in the long years of knowing him.

Grim slowly smiled, his dark features, shaggy dark hair, black as night eyes and tanned skin from living aboard a ship stared back at Kyeria.

"You are fae?" he asked, gazing back at her after looking at the flowers.

"I am." She nodded. "As you are," she announced. Grim bristled. Kellian of course knew this fact, but it was a closely guarded secret of Grims.

"You—" he started.

"I can feel the magic of Hades on you," she explained. He nodded and opened his own palm. Shadows erupted from it, small tendrils of it, they weaved into the air around him and towards the flowers. They tickled her palm and while Kellian would have retracted his hand, Kyeria simply smiled.

"An ancient offering of peace." Grim's voice was deep and gravel-filled. The flowers dissipated into the shadow tendrils and dissipated.

"Is he your familiar?" Kyeria asked, nodding to the raven on his shoulder. Grim nodded, eyes dark.

"Yes," he replied. Kellian knew of them only through stories. It was rare, but in old tales fae from the fae lands, commonly the wild fae, would be able to conjure a familiar. A piece of one's soul or being projected into an animal of any form. Grim's was a raven, its feathers the exact hue of his hair.

Kellian cleared his throat, his eyes were narrowed on Grim. And Grim turned slowly to him, meeting his eyes, head held high.

"Brother," Grim greeted Kellian. He could feel Kyeria stiffen next to him.

"Grimwald," Kellian said lowly.

"Gods, do not call me by that name."

"It is the name our mother picked," Kellian shot back.

"Goddess rest her soul, dear brother, but it would be Captain Grim."

"I am not calling you that."

They stood in a standoff, eyes fiercely glaring. Kyeria watched them, even Lucius was silent.

"Would you like a passage to the Isles and an audience with a princess of the sea or would you prefer a long walk back to your stone castle?" Grim looked fierce, shadows trickled from his fingers, as if coming directly from the tattoos that covered his forearm and hands.

Kellian knew better.

"Fine, Grim." He conceded.

"Good enough." Grim smirked and turned an easy smile on Kyeria. Kellian's clenched fit twitched, wanting to punch his idiot brother right there.

"After you, my lady." Grim held out a hand, Kellian cursed at him and side stepped him to be next to Kyeria. He has one of those glimmering sneaky looks like he did when they were young. Kellian and Grim were not, however, raised together. Grim was the child of his mothers by one of her courtesans. It was no secret that his parents had them. They chose time together and apart but after producing a legitimate heir to the kingdom, things shifted. Grim was younger than Kellian but older than Aura. It was no surprise that Grim was not of the Galanis line, with his dark hair and features in direct contrast to Kellian and Aura's pale skin, white hair, and golden eyes.

Grim was raised by his father in a far away village. They had met a few times through the years but Grim was harsh by the way he was raised. And while Kellian hadn't seen his brother in some years, he seemed rather the same; a sly confidence radiating off him, with questionable intentions. Perhaps hardened by the years at sea but still full of his dark light, eager to be an annoyance to Kellian.

They piled into the small raft and Grim and Kellian paddled them toward the small ship. The dark banner of the black tide fleet flew in the wind. A raven drawn in the middle. Lucius flew off ahead and sat on the edge of the ship. Few crewmen wandered the boat pulling a string and odd ends Kellian had no interest in. But what stood out instead was a woman. Kellian knew Grim did not employ many women, only those he trusted entirely. Whichever few and far between. She was wearing a loose flowing white shirt and brown trousers, high boots, and a long sword was strapped to her back, her dark hair blew in the wind and she sat on the edge of the ship where Lucius had landed. But it wasn't until Kellian watched her reach out and pet Lucius that Kellian was in utter and complete disbelief.

"Who the hel is that?" Kellian asked and Grim groaned.

"Only another favor-owed freeloader." He cursed under his breath and pushed the paddles harder into the water. Kyeria sat with her head tilted up and out looking over the water, the wind sweeping her hair back. Her red hair was even brighter surrounded by the grey sea. He was in awe of her. Her beauty and grace.

" You look beautiful." He pushed the thought out to her. She turned suddenly and smiled back.

" You're not so bad yourself, Prince." She smirked. He loved and hated her calling him by royal names.

"So brother, huh?" Her eyebrow was raised.

"My mother's son. He's very different," he warned. Kyeria nodded, giving him a look that said tell me later.

Grim let out a grunt. "Please tell me he's not using that weird head-talking method of communication." He looked to Kyeria. A blush creeped up her cheeks and she shook her head.

"Gods, help me." Grim glared at the water ahead. They boarded quickly after that, the woman helped tie up the raft to the side of the ship before her hips swung towards Grim and she muttered something to him before he glared back.

"This is Inaya," he said simply. No last name indicated. Interesting.

"Pleased to meet you." Kellian nodded his head in greeting. "I am Kellian and this is Kyeria."

"An honor to meet the dragon prince." Inaya curtsied then turned to Kyeria. "Hello," she said brightly.

Kyeria smiled gently in turn, ever unsure of new people. Grim made an announcement to his crew and then dismissed himself. Inaya and Kyeria wandered to another part of the ship, leaving Kellian standing alone looking out back to his homeland. He let his mind wander for a bit, sending a prayer to the goddess to watch over his sister. A squawk interrupted his thoughts next to him—Lucius.

"What?" He glared.

"You've grown rather testy in your old age," Lucius said.

"I am not old," Kellian retorted.

"Older than the captain. So old."

"Fuck off bird." He seethed.

"Suit yourself, princeling." The bird let out another screech before flying away.