Seventy-six

Back in Thambair, Volencia and Venron hadn’t left the throne room. Her father had sent for Gregron’s Lieutenant General. Orders were given, and the in less two hours, the entire army was ready for the back lash of what Damion was likely doing at this moment. Volencia paced in front of her father’s throne. Only sitting when he became so irritated with her that he yelled for her to stop. From there, she would sit for a while before continuing to pace. She knew that it was going to be a long and arduous ordeal, but the longer they were gone, the more anxious she became.

“Father, how much longer do you think it’s going to take? I don’t how much longer I can take this.” Volencia asked, chewing on her finger.

“You’re going to have to love. And asking me the same question constantly isn’t going to change that.” Venron looked up from the book he was reading. “We’re ready for whatever will come. You aren’t going to be able to change the outcome. Sit down and relax. It’ll be better for you and the baby, Dear.”

Volencia threw her hands in the air in exacerbation. “Not all of them, Father. What will I do if something happens to them? I can’t live without him. I already know I can’t do that.”

“I know. So you’ve said. A hundred times. You’ll just have to trust them.” Venron tucked his nose back in the book trying to avoid her ranting. “Damion will do just fine and will be back soon. So, will Gregron.”

“How can you just sit there and act like nothing is happening?” Volencia asked, plopping down on her mother’s throne beside him.

“I’ve had fifty horrible years of practice darling.” This time, he didn’t even lift his nose from the book.

Volencia craned her neck to see what he was reading. “What is that?” Shrugging, Venron lifted the immaculate black cover up so that she could see the book. He stared at her too long, and she suddenly remembered, he couldn’t say everything he wanted. It was Necron’s book. “Oh. I wish you could tell me about it.” Her shoulders slumped and she let her head fall back.

“I’m sorry.” Venron said, not looking at her. He’d gotten good at making small, non-committal comments.

“Doesn’t it kill you that there’s nothing we can do?”

“It does. But wait we must.” He said it just as the words were leaving her mouth. He already knew everything she would complain about and more. And even this conversation was stalling. “You get used to it.”

“I never want to get used to this feeling.” Volencia pouted. Crossing her arms over her chest.

Yaron, Lieutenant General of their army burst through the door and walked up to them, bowing as he reached the steps leading up to the dais. “Your Majesty, a blue lizard showed up at the gates. I know we’re not supposed to let anyone in, but Damion described his brother, in detail, and I thought you should know that this lizard is on his way to the castle. I can stop him if you want me to.”

“No.” Volencia jumped from her seat, bouncing. “Let him come. His name is Travion.”

The Lieutenant nodded. “Correct.”

“I need to see him.” She couldn’t help it, she started pacing again. “He’s my brother.” The Lieutenant locked eyes with her. “Damion’s brother.”

“Fine.” He nodded. Turning on his heels. “He’ll be here shortly.”

“Thank you.” Volencia stepped down from the dais. “I need to know what’s going on out there.” Yaron stopped, turning to look at her.

“Your brother will be here soon. I want to get back.” Yaron nodded.

Volencia turned to her father. “I’m going with him. If Travion is here, that must mean something.” Venron looked at her in surprise but nodded.

“It will be good for you to focus on something else for a while. Lieutenant, I expect you to stay with the Princess and escort her back here with Damion’s brother.” Volencia grabbed Damion’s sword, buckling it around her hip. Her father watched her curiously, while Yaron remained impassive. If there was anyone in Rhelia more serious than Gregron, it was the Lieutenant. As she pressed on her gown, walking forward, Yaron fell into step behind her.

“He’s coming through the main entrance, correct?” Volencia asked over her shoulder.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Pulling her skirts up, she raced down the stairs. She was so excited to see Travion. Especially right now. She would need his support if things didn’t go as planned. A warm comfortable feeling curled in her chest as she flew out the front doors and saw him striding through the gates onto the castle grounds. Unlike when they were in Samanthia, today, he wore full pants, a large black tunic, and specially designed boots that covered his legs up to his knees. Volencia hadn’t realized they had formal wear.

Remembering to keep some decorum, she stopped at the top of the stairs to wait for him. At first she bounced on her toes with excitement. But she felt a heat welling up, as cold sweats broke out over her skin. Shaking it off as nerves, she breathed in deeply. That was a mistake. Her lungs felt like they were on fire. As her vision narrowed into a pinpoint tunnel, she swayed. Knees giving out, she felt herself falling, and strong arms wrapped around her as a male’s voice hollered orders. She didn’t know if she had actually fallen and gotten hurt, or what was happening, but pain seeped into every pour and tore at every nerve. The last thing she saw was Travion running toward them. As blackness crowded her vision, everything else was drown out by the screams.

* * * *

When Volencia finally came too again, she was cradled in Travion’s arms. Her entire body shook in pain. It still felt like fire ran through her veins, but it was all starting to ebb as soldiers bustled around the room, trying to bring in a seat big enough for Travion. “Are you okay?” He asked softly, his large free hand pushing the hair from her face.

“No…” She squirmed. “No. Something wrong!” She clung to his shirt. “Damion, he’s in pain. He needs our help.” Travion’s thumb caressed her cheek, wiping her tears.

“I know. I’ve seen this happen to him before. He’s going to be fine. His safety isn’t what I would be concerned with. It’s those who are about to cross his path.” The pad of his large thumb wiped the tears from her cheek as she squirmed in his arm. That he could hold her perfectly fine with just one arm was alarming, because he wasn’t letting her go.

“No, you don’t understand—”

“I do, Volencia.” The soldiers all around them bristled at him using her actual name, exchanging glances and watching them from the corner of their eyes. “There’s a darkness in him, and it’s coming out. Trust me. I’ve seen it more times than I cared for. It’s dangerous and I can’t let you go to him.”

“I need to go help him!” Volencia squirmed again, fighting to get out of Trey’s arms. A few of the soldiers looked like they were about to try to interfere. Not used to allowing anyone to man handle their princess.

Venron stood, waving at them to stand down. “Daughter, you need to listen. I’m sure if Travion thought Damion was in danger, he would be more than willing to go after him. If it’s safer to stay here and wait, then that is what you will do. You have more to think about than just him.”

“I won’t just wait here!” She screamed, slapping Travion, “Put me down!”

“You’re reminding me of Lenny throwing a tantrum because he’s not getting what he wants. Which means, until you settle down, the answer is no.” Trey’s voice was hard as he held onto her. “What are you going to do? Run into enemy territory when you don’t even know what’s going on? Damion can hold his own. Relax.”

“You have no idea—”

“I have every idea!” Trey shouted, Volencia froze in fear and shock. She’d not once heard him raise his voice while she was in Samanthia. “What I don’t understand is how you could possibly know?”

“We were wearing coursbine to connect us. He said that if he called to me through it, it meant he needed help!” She pushed at the blue lizard’s chest, still squirming and doing everything she could to get out of his arms. “He’s calling for me! I may be the only one who can do anything!” Tears were still streaming down her cheeks and she just wanted to get to him. She knew something was wrong, and she had to do something. “Trey, please. Please let me go. I’m begging you. I need to know he’s okay. I can’t-I can’t do this without him. What if he doesn’t come home because I didn’t go to him? Trey? I need to go!”