Remembrance Page 21

  “But…” Raiden’s words started but tumbled to a halt either second-guessing what he had been about to say or out of confusion as he looked between the three.

  “But we questioned our niece's decisions as ruler?” Baeraz filled in. Raiden nodded in reply not speaking up from where he stood close to Jexxa.

  “Yes, we did. It is considered respectful here to make sure each individual voices their concerns should they differ from our rulers. In this way, those with the sight and those without are heard. Everyone has a say,” Sarenn explained.

  “If you have this gift, why didn’t you know Varax would accept my people?” Gwelle asked, her mind working to piece together the loose ends of the questions swirling inside her.

  “It doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes we know, beyond a doubt, beyond reason, exactly what needs to happen; what we should do. But other times, it’s a gentle nudge down the correct path. Above all, Varax allows us to be ourselves despite its power coursing through us. We must listen and choose wisely when confronted with new things.” Sarenn smiled over to Gwelle, a soft, kind smile. One which said, she understood and Gwelle didn’t have to feel alone. And there it was, the soft niggling inside, something saying everything was going to be alright without any words spoken.

  She wasn’t sure she understood it all yet, or even if she accepted what she’d just learned, but she knew the truth. She’d been feeling the sight for a while, almost from the day she’d sat foot on the planet, but she’d been fighting it. It wasn’t until she let go of the pain had it grown. She’d been pushing both Raiden and Varax away. One purposely and the other without knowing. She was glad neither gave up on her.

  She slipped her hand in Raiden’s, a gentle squeeze bringing his concerned green eyes swinging in her direction. She smiled at the man she’d tried so hard pushing from her life, but now she couldn’t imagine not sharing this moment with him. Whether he understood her unspoken thoughts, or was simply reassured by her composure, the concern in his eyes faded. He was still the protector, standing close, but he was more relaxed now than since they’d arrived.

  “I know you will still have questions. That is why I’ll be joining you in the settlement soon. I will remain close until the calling is complete. You will know when I’m near and can signal if you need me,” Sarenn reassured Gwelle.

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea, sister?”

  “Yes. I refused Jexxa’s invitation the first time to see these newcomers, so set in my ways. I was sure Varax would never accept them. But I now embrace what my heart, what Varax, has known this entire time and I must see for myself what Varax whispers to me.” Baeraz nodded at Sarenn’s words choosing to understand despite concerns showing on his features.

  “If you’re ready, I think we should be heading back to Nova-Zera before dawn, before the entire settlement rises,” Gwelle interrupted looking at Raiden then Jexxa whose lips were now pressed in a tight line. “What?”

  “It is already much past dawn on the surface.”

  “But we’ve only been here a couple hours at most,” Raiden exclaimed.

  “As I said before, time moves different here in the Eather plane than on the surface. We aren’t sure why, but time here is slower.”

  “Meaning for however long we’ve been here, time was speeding past there.” Jexxa nodded at Raiden’s words as he raked a hand through his dark hair.

  “How long? What time is it there?” Gwelle asked, hating the sinking feeling rising in her stomach.

  “It’s late afternoon there.”

  “That’s twelve hours from now. I mean, then. Or when we came through,” Raiden fumbled over his words aloud exactly how Gwelle was thinking inside her head. She cast Raiden a knowing glance. Things could have gone very bad in twelve hours. Her mom would know she was gone. Corsin would know Raiden had escaped. And with her missing as well, it would be common knowledge around the settlement she’d helped him.

  “We need to return,” she spoke with more conviction than before. They needed to get to the end of what had been happening the past few days and now they had proof their suspicions had been right. Or did they? Raiden seemed sure about Uncle Jefferson’s garbled message, but they hadn’t exactly received a name, just a title.

  Gwelle shook off the unwanted thoughts as Jexxa carried them away from the cluster of pods sitting high in the trees. She watched the girl open the portal much the same as she had when she brought them through while she and Raiden followed behind her. She stumbled upon the cold stone beneath her feet, gone was the soft, bracken filled forest floor. Dizziness attacked from all sides blurring the grey stone as her eyes darted around the interior of the darkened cave searching for something, someone. Searching for Raiden. She found him leaning against the cave walls, his head resting on the soft blue glow. Jexxa, now back in her human, or tethered, form stepped from the shadows.

  “Gwelle, do you know where you are?”

  “The c- cave,” Gwelle stuttered as her words blurred to nothing in her mind.

  “Good. Do you know why?” Gwelle thought about the princess’ question but the words forming in her head stuck somewhere between her throat and lips. “Take your time. You should shake the fog soon and then we’ll find out how much you remember. You weren’t there long enough to truly be affected but the side effects of the plane jump will linger a few minutes.”

  Gwelle squatted against the wall where Raiden leaned. Two deep breaths later, the memories of their visit surfaced, rushing back over her filling in the empty spaces in her mind that had been there moments before. She clutched her chest, waves of emotions, words, and faces rolled back over her.

  “Deep breaths,” Jexxa coaxed from where she watched the two humans. Gwelle’s heart beat out a steady rhythm beneath her hand moments later, all traces of her fogged memories now clear as day.

  “Chosen.” The word slipped over her lips in a reverent whisper. “Was it a dream?” Gwelle blinked, pushing back the dark locks that had fallen over her eyes. Raiden coughed beside her. Jumping up, her feet hurried towards him. By the deep breaths and wheezing coming from his hunched form, his memories were returning just as hers had moments before.

  “It wasn’t a dream.” Raiden’s deep voice warmed her, igniting the bond she felt for him. Throwing herself towards him in a rush of feelings, they both fell backwards onto the hard ground. If he was surprised by her onslaught of emotions, it didn’t show. His arms wrapped around her holding her close. There he was, his scent, his warmth. Everything she’d needed and pushed away, but no more. Whatever they were walking back into in Nova-Zera, he needed to know, deserved to know exactly how she felt. The need to tell him pushed away everything else, the calling, the Zanareens, Jexxa standing discreetly several feet away, even the man trying to kill them.

  “Raiden…” Her breath hitched in her throat as she stared into his green eyes. Reaching up he tucked a piece of ebony hair behind her ear before cupping her face between his hands.

  “I love you, Gwelle. I have since we were children. I’m not afraid of what’s going to happen when we go back as long as you’re with me.” Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes. She didn’t want to be that girl, the weepy, emotional one just because the boy she loved said it to her first. But she couldn’t help it. She knew it was a huge leap to trust her enough to open up his heart to her.

  “I love you too, Raiden. I… I’ve just been too stubborn to see it before now.”

  “No, not stubborn. Just cautious with the one thing worth guarding. Your heart.”

  “Oh, now you tell me I’m not stubborn,” Gwelle mumbled beneath her breath.

  “Just hush and kiss me, Gwelle Airda.” Raiden pulled her close, his lips catching hers. Nothing mattered for the moment as his soft lips stole her breath away. The need for him filled her. Everything they’d learned in the Eather plane fled to the deep recesses of her mind at his touch until a soft cough sent them clamoring back, vying for her attention.

  “I’m sure there is much you two
wish to… discuss… but I believe we need to return now.” Jexxa’s face wore a smile, stretching ear to ear before it flickered away as she glanced towards the opening of the cave and back. It was time to go whether they wanted to or not, Gwelle thought as Raiden pulled her to her feet with a quick tug. Turning, they followed Jexxa until reaching the opening where it was decided they would enter the settlement separately, more for the princess’ protection than their own.

  “We’ll meet you tonight, like planned,” Raiden assured Jexxa as they walked hand in hand towards the colony, they’d left in the dark but now sat in the bright rays of Varax’s sun. She only hoped everything went as planned as the tall walls of Nova-Zera came into view.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Nova-Zera

  Gwelle’s heart leapt as she and Raiden eased themselves through an unguarded portion of wall. She tried recalling the peace she’d felt while in the Eather plane. She tried remembering she wasn’t alone, but with each step her feet grew heavier and heavier. Dread growing in them until they stumbled, well behind Raiden’s sure steps. How he kept his shoulders squared and feet swift as they crept through the back groves, she wasn’t sure, but it gave her courage.

  Gwelle jogged a couple steps to catch up to the young man who hurried them through the agricultural part of the settlement. She saw a few workers in the distance, but no one close who would recognize them. She trusted their quickly schemed plan as they prepared to leave Jexxa’s realm at the time, but now they were here, she wondered if they shouldn’t have waited until the cover of night. It was too late now as they wound their way slowly towards the other edge of the colony.

  Houses sat in neat, straight rows edged with trees and shrubs. Each flower-filled lane echoed the same word inside her head. HOME. It rang loud and clear as they crept towards the far side of a set of four houses, sitting close together. She’d never realized just what Nova-Zera really meant for the survivors, for her, for Raiden until leaving and returning from the Eather plane. Nova-Zera was home, refuge, for them all. Without knowing, each and every survivor had been embraced by Varax.

  Raiden’s arm shot out in front of her as they rounded a corner. Her feet skidded to a stop behind the back wall of a home just as two protectors walked by chatting with each other. The soldiers didn’t look in a hurry or like they were searching for them, but she didn't let that fool her. If they were spotted, it would be the same as a couple days before when they’d taken Raiden into custody.

  “Stay close,” Raiden whispered once the patrol rounded a corner out of sight. He darted across the open space separating them from their destination. They reached the back door of Raiden’s home, quietly slipping in after he made sure no one was watching. A quiet, darkened interior greeted them as she stood just to one side of the front windows keeping watch down the lane as Raiden slipped into a back room. Moments later he returned, laser pistol strapped to his waist.

  “I’m surprised they didn’t find it. By the looks of things, they’ve gone through every other inch of this place,” Gwelle whispered despite no one being able to hear them. Raiden chuckled patting the weapon at his side.

  “That’s because I was taught by the best. Uncle Jeff showed me a few tricks back in the day whether he meant to or not. I’m not saying the man was paranoid even back then, but he always had a backup only he knew about. Or at least, he thought he was the only one.” Raiden grinned at the memories as Gwelle shook her head.

  “And here, I thought I was the only mischievous one of the group.”

  “What can I say? You were a horrible influence, Gwelle.” Raiden winked as he teased her, his face bright despite the circumstances they found themselves in. But a rustling at the back door wiped the grin from his handsome face seconds later bringing the lighthearted moment to a quick close.

  “What is that?”

  “I thought you were watching,” Raiden said, crossing the untidy room with swift steps, his hand reaching for the laser pistol as he went.

  “I was. I didn’t see anyone out front. They must have come in the same way we did,” Gwelle whispered back, following close behind the tall boy. Raiden’s breath steadied as he paused just in front of his back door, his hand reaching out ready to throw the door open. Every moment she’d ever sneaked anywhere as a child flashed in her mind just as the door swung open, Raiden’s pistol leveling on a blonde head.

  “Woah, woah, woah. It’s just us!”

  “Knox!” Raiden hissed as the broad, blonde boy waved his hands above his head in a ‘I give up’ gesture. Tumbling in behind their friend was Lark who bypassed the glaring boys and headed straight towards her with open arms. For a moment, the hushed whispers coming from the guys faded as she embraced her life-long friend.

  “I thought you were…” Lark didn’t finish her thought as Gwelle tutted squeezing tight once more before stepping back.

  “Hey! Nothing’s going to happen to me. You know that. Don’t you remember all the adventures I’ve gotten myself in and out of before?” Gwelle’s light words had the effect she hoped as a broad smile spread across Lark’s face. Dark curls bobbed as her friend shook her head.

  “And that is exactly why she was worried,” Knox chimed in, him and Raiden now turned towards them. Gwelle rolled her eyes, throwing a playful punch at Knox’s arm as she looked to Raiden and then back to her friends.

  “Jexxa told them we were here when she came back into Nova-Zera not long after we did,” Raiden said with a slight shrug.

  “We made her. We’d been so worried. No one is saying anything,” Lark explained, the worried expression returning to her dark eyes.

  “What do you mean no one is saying anything?”

  “That’s just it. Nothing. Business as usual. Not even a whisper of Raiden escaping, patrols normal, everyone going on as if nothing happened,” Knox exclaimed throwing his hands up as he paced away then turned back.

  “That’s strange, right?” Lark verified.

  “Yeah. Very strange. Especially knowing just how fast news travels. It’s like…”

  “He didn’t want anyone knowing I was gone,” Raiden finished her statement, his dark brows dipping in confusion.

  “But your house was wrecked,” Gwelle reminded, her eyes glancing across the scattered belongings lying forlornly across the surfaces and floor wherever they’d fallen during the search of Raiden’s home.

  “More than likely that was done for show as soon as I was arrested.”

  “For show?” Lark asked softly, her voice not raising above a whisper as the four of them stared at each other in the darkened house.

  “Corsin knew I was innocent. But he couldn’t let anyone else know he did. What bothers me most is why he hasn’t made a big deal about my escape? It’s like he’s trying to keep the colony in the dark, keep them believing I’m there.” The scowl on Raiden’s handsome features deepened as he spoke.

  “Why?”

  “That’s what we’re going to find out. Change of plans,” Raiden whispered as he filled Gwelle, Lark, and Knox in on what he had in mind. And Gwelle didn’t like it. Not one bit, but she’d go along with it because they had to know. They needed proof.

  ***

  She watched Raiden sweep through the front room of the commander’s home with swift precision. He didn’t touch a thing as he walked through the room, his eyes scanning over every item. After the second sweep through the main room, he glanced to where Lark, Knox, and Gwelle waited by the front door.

  “Knox, you and Lark look in his room while Gwelle and I take the office. Don’t touch anything unless necessary and call if you find it.” Raiden motioned them towards a room off the small hall while he led her into the room directly across from it.

  Lark’s eyes grew large, but she followed Knox who took off towards the commander’s personal bedroom with a leap in his step. Gwelle knew how she felt, but they needed the proof when they confronted him, and this would be the only chance they had to get it. He would be at the command center a while longer, so
searching now made sense despite the mix of excitement and fear curling through her at the thought much like it used to while aboard Deliverance. And there was no way they would be getting near the core again. That left finding the commander’s personal files stored on a device here in his home.

  But it was easier said than done. Corsin’s home was immaculate, not one thing out of place. And she meant that literally. His home was sparse of personal items. Very little in the way of sentimental items adorned the modest abode. She’d been a bit taken back at first but it made sense when you thought about the man who’d ran their colony and ship for the past several years. He’d been invested in his profession even before rising in rank. Much too invested to spend the time having a family of his own.

  A pang of sadness trilled through her chest at the thought. Looking around the office, she saw it in different eyes now, saw Corsin differently despite not wanting to. Every unadorned space around her bespoke loneliness. Lonesomeness and solitude greeted her, seclusion, heartache… desolation. The emotions rolled over her, cloying at her, trying to drag her down until she spotted a plex-frame sitting on the desk.

  The image filling the frame was of Corsin, Jefferson, and her father, Neill, when they had first graduated training. Their youthful faces beamed out at her while all three were bedecked in their protector gear. They’d been friends much of their lives just as Knox, Lark, Raiden and herself. What had happened between them? Why did he still have the plex-image displayed when no other items embellished his home? From guilt? To remember better times?

  “Here it is!” Raiden called out. While she’d been frozen with emotions, he’d found the commander’s personal plex hidden in a secret drawer and had already booted it up. She watched his fingers swipe the display over and over, searching until they hovered a moment, then tapped.

  “What is it? What’s it say?” Lark and Knox entered the room on the tail end of Gwelle’s questions. The three looked on as Raiden skimmed the screen a few moments before he looked up.