Janus and Juniper waited for Tyrian and Cassie when they reached ground level. Tyrian was able to actually focus on them this time. He had only been dimly aware of their presence and their position as Stars in his sky. "Hello," he said. He studied Juniper and then Janus, and a smile tugged at his lips. "I apologize for not saying anything sooner."
"Please don't," Juniper disagreed. "We are the ones who wish to apologize, Lord Tyrian. There was nothing we could say or do to sway General Southerwind from his intent. We understood when he said that his life was already lost, but we didn't want the task to be on your shoulders."
Tyrian shook his head slightly. "There was no one else it could be," he admitted simply. "This was not simply some illness he had." His hands clenched at his sides for a moment and then relaxed. "I'm handling it. I can't say everything is alright because it isn't. But this has only made me more determined to remove Blaine entirely."
Juniper pulled a face. "I never liked her when she came on the scene. She just never looked . . . pleasant to me."
"I still say your Faerie blood is to blame for that, thin as it is," Janus said. "And I'll admit she fooled me initially, but it didn't take long to realize she was bad to the core."
"At the least, you listened to me about that," Juniper groused.
"I always listen to you. I just don't always act like I do."
Cassie's brows slowly raised and she looked at Tyrian. He just smiled. A bit bemused, she linked her hands behind her back. "How long have you two known each other?" she asked the knights.
"Years," Janus offered. "When I enlisted, Juniper decided to join me. When we were in our early twenties, we found ourselves in a battle with Foresalia." He shook his head. "We don't really talk about what we saw. But General Southerwind had us knighted."
"It's been more of an annoyance than anything," Juniper added dryly.
Never one to beat around the bush, Tyrian asked, "Why? Because it's much harder to keep your marriage a secret when you're constantly in the public eye?"
"I told you he'd notice," Janus said dryly as Juniper stared at Tyrian.
"I know my Stars," Tyrian said simply. "And, well, you do sound a bit like an old married couple." He smiled as he said it. "To be sure, just friends can bicker all the time, but they don't usually have that . . . particular look in their eyes, or tone in their voice."
Juniper winced a bit wryly. "There is no law saying you have to disclose your marital state, and I listed my next-of-kin as my sister." He had to grin. "Janus listed his husband, though. So, no one has ever questioned that Janus and I are best friends and always together; after all, Janus is married to a farm boy from our hometown whom he loves so very much. He talks about him all the time."
Janus grinned as well. "Do admit I stay close to the truth, other than changing your name. I have to have some way of bragging about you, don't I?" He added to Tyrian, "We were always lucky, too. General Southerwind always deployed us together."
"He knew the truth," Tyrian said simply. He cocked his head. "By your preference, do you want it to remain a secret, or be out in the open? You know that the laws will change, so choose what will make you happy."
The couple exchanged a look and then nodded. "In the open," Juniper decided. "I've never liked hiding how I feel, especially when Janus is his most frustrating. I keep wanting to kiss him to shut him up!" He snorted. "And, anyway, there are not enough married knights around. There's a strange stigma to knights that implies most of us stay unwed."
"I have a married lady in mind for knighting when the dust settles," Tyrian assured him. He opened his mouth to say more when he heard a sudden commotion from the direction of the kitchen. He had never heard Evelyn squeal like a child before, therefore his attention was understandably caught. "Pardon me?"
"Certainly. We're due to train soldiers anyway. If you need us, call us." Janus bowed gracefully and walked away with Juniper at his side as his equal. Though there was nothing intimate in their body language, Tyrian had a feeling that everyone knew Janus' beloved husband was actually not far from his side. He also had no doubt that respect for both knights meant no one spoke of what they saw so that they would not be separated for fear of a 'distraction'.
When Tyrian and Cassie got to the kitchen, they found Evelyn being swung around in the arms of a tall young man. Tyrian knew two things on one look. One, the two of them were either brother and sister or cousins, and two, the young man was also a Destined Star. The entire restaurant was happily buzzing, and he asked Aquatico, "What happened?"
The bath maker grinned. "Eve was flipping pancakes when this guy came out of nowhere. She dropped the pan and jumped on him. They've been talking so fast we can't understand a word of it, but they're both really happy."
Cassie hastily scooted over to the kitchen and saved the pan from catching fire. The pancakes were beyond repair, and she worked on prying them out. Lane was in the vicinity and created a quick breeze to blow through the area to remove the smoke and the smell. Tyrian walked over to his chef and cleared his throat.
Evelyn glanced at him and then laughed. "Oh, Lord Tyrian!" She wiped at her eyes and stood on her own feet. "This is Terrence Summers. He's my oldest friend; we went to cooking school together! We're cousins too, but we've been friends from the time we were babies. We're even the same age!"
"Our mothers had a bet on who would be older." Terrence grinned quickly and it lit up his handsome face. "Evie beat me out by two days, the brat."
"You were just lazy," she sniffed in return.
Tyrian found himself smiling. He knew how they felt because Marian had always been his friend as well as his cousin and surrogate older sister. "Welcome to Aon Castle, Terrence. Are you here to help Eve?"
Terrence gave a jaunty salute. "I'm here to help you, Lord Tyrian. Eve and I have stars that are cousins as well, so I am also a Destined Star. You can count on me to help feed the masses. I hate vegetables, though, so you won't see them in my dishes."
Whether it was destiny, a guess, or Evelyn being a tattletale, Tyrian had no idea, but he felt exceptionally grateful. "I'm not fond of them either," he admitted. "I will be glad to have your help. Eve has done a brilliant job keeping up with everyone, but she needs your help." He held out a hand that Terrence clasped. The white star instantly appeared on the new chef's shoulder. "Thank you."
"No, thank you," Terrence said softly. He released Tyrian's hand and rubbed his own together. "Let's make some breakfast!" A cheer rose in the restaurant and he laughed at Evelyn. "You have them trained."
"Of course!"
Tyrian smiled as he watched them take control of the kitchen with seamless teamwork. Glad for it, he grabbed a seat at a table with Emma, Dylan, and Thomas. All three were watching him very closely, and he found a smile for them as Cassie sat down beside him. "I'm handling it," he told them. "We're just here for some coffee. Matthias and the others are waiting for us." He cocked his head slightly. "How did Terrence get here safely, anyway? I thought he and Evelyn came from Larksville."
"Me!" a male voice said behind Tyrian. When the Kaiten turned around, the Grimalkin behind him grinned. "My name is Grimwell, though lots call me Grim. I have no idea why; I'm rarely ever grim."
Tyrian believed it. He smiled again as he felt the tug inside. In his moment of lowest hope and deepest despair, Stars had surged forward to surround him safely. He needed them and they responded. It was the miracle of his birth and he would always be grateful for it. "Thank you, Grim," he said, "for bringing Terrence here safely." He studied the sheath with daggers on the taller male's hip. "Medium or long range?"
"Medium, long, and if someone gets too close, I stab fairly hard too. I'm better on a large combat scale than a small combat, but if you point me at something, I can hit it." He saluted sassily, and his silvery eyes looked a lively compliment for his silvery hair and fur. His tail swung merrily behind him, covered in the same silver fur as his ears and hands. "Just leave it to me." He wiggled his brows. "I hear there's a lovely bard running around here who also uses daggers."
"Who happens to be good friends with another dagger user named Vee," Dylan noted dryly.
Grimwell winced. "Oops. I know Vee. She's a protective sort. I hope she at least lets me smile at the bard." He sighed wistfully. "I love watching bards dance. They're as free as the stars." He saluted Tyrian again. "Count me in the army, Lord Tyrian. I even wash dishes if needed."
"I bribe him with crepes," Terrence called, and set the room off into laughter.
Grimwell wandered off with a whistle, and Thomas said, "Myr's only fifteen!" He scowled. "He can't court her yet."
"He may only wish to flirt with her," Cassie said gently, "and that is perfectly acceptable at her age. He could even date her if she was interested back. He's a Star, Tom, just as you are. He won't hurt Myr." She smiled. "We should be more worried she'll break his heart." Certainly it seemed she had captured Thomas' heart as well!
Coffee was served shortly thereafter, and Tyrian and Cassie took their leave. Halfway to the meeting room, Raven caught up with them and rode along on her mother's back. She was wearing her leggings and tunic again, and this time a jaunty cap had been added that rested delicately on her pointed ears. "Fluffy slippers!" She stuck out a foot happily to show off the ridiculous, yet comfortable, house shoes a lot of people wore inside the castle.
"Indeed!" Tyrian tapped the bottom of her foot. "Very nice ones, too."
The six Lower Generals, Matthias, Cherry, Ewan, and Kyle waited inside the meeting room. Leonard was also present. He was slowly taking on more tasks and duties; as a mayor, he was well used to being in charge, and Tyrian guiltlessly took advantage of his organizational skills. He also intended to take advantage of his leadership skills soon enough, though he suspected only Matthias knew his intent. He sat down beside Marcus and asked quietly, "How is Marian?"
Strain still lurked on the general's face. "Doing better than she was the first day or two. She's a strong woman, and she's pulling herself up for you. She told me that she refuses to let you worry about her when you have your own pain to handle."
"I've turned my pain into determination." His green eyes burned as he looked around the table. "I want Blaine's head. This isn't about the Rebellion anymore. If you told me that I could lead the Rebellion or go after Blaine, then I would walk away."
"Lane said that this would happen," Kyle said quietly. "And we support you without question, Tyrian. You know that. I, more than any other, support you. When you go after Blaine, I will be by your side."
"And so will I," Ewan promised softly.
Tyrian nodded briefly. "Good." He looked at Marcus. "Blaine is after me. She will strike at the ones I love. I am trusting you to be Marian's protector. If she isn't with me, she will be with you. On the field of battle, she will ride with your unit or mine. If she has to be in a healing unit, you will ride with her instead."
"Done," Marcus said instantly.
Tyrian turned to Matthias. "I am removing Liang from active duty in battle unless absolutely needed. I want him here to protect Serentia, Tavi, and Raven. If something happens to Liang, the task of guarding my family will fall to Kyle, Ewan, or Laia. There is no one else I would ever trust with the task of guarding my daughter's life."
No one took offense. They understood entirely why he felt the way he did. Matthias linked his hands together on top of the table. "Then there is no time left to waste. Larksville is our next target. It stands protected by twenty units of Special Forces. We are now in a position to engage them thanks to the addition of General Southerwind's troops. Sir Janus and Sir Juniper have already begun enhanced training of our other troops. They make a . . . remarkable team, I must say."
"Yeah, I noticed that," Ewan said. "To be fair, they reminded me a bit of Laia and Rourke, how they can just read each other's mind."
Tyrian smiled. "Rightfully so. Janus and Juniper are married."
"Called it," Ewan told Kyle. "Pay up."
The Lower Generals also felt no surprise; most of them had become suspicious if not outright sure, and they had kept their silence for the same reason everyone else had. If a couple found a way to get around the ridiculous law, then they deserved the respectful silence of those around them. As Tyrian had noted, the knights were not the only married or engaged pair within the ranks of the Imperial Army who put up a lie about their relationship status.
Matthias just shook his head in sympathy. "Then their accomplishments are all the more note-worthy; it is very hard to hide a secret so significant when you are in the public eye."
"What do we do next?" Leonard asked. "Do we even know where the Special Forces stand in this whole scenario?"
"The SF are now under control of General Reyu." Vincent made a slight gesture. "We can't be sure if he has corrupted them or not."
Kell walked into the meeting room at that point and said, "Larksville has ceased to pay taxes to the capitol." As brows lifted, he grabbed the seat beside Cherry. "My sources have informed me that as soon as word was official that General Southerwind was dead, they promptly cut off all funds flowing to Trinan. Grace is checking on the state of Pardue to see if they have done the same. However, we have found no sign that the Special Forces have struck back at the cities for their sudden 'betrayal.'"
"Interesting." Matthias frowned thoughtfully. "Can we be sure the SF know that the taxes have been stopped and simply don't care? Or is it something they're unaware of?"
"They know." Grace walked in and sat down beside Kell. She deliberately bumped her shoulder against his, causing most everyone in the room to hide grins. "I have gotten confirmation that Pardue also ceased to pay their taxes. Supposedly, the lieutenant in charge of the forces outside Pardue 'accidentally' lost a missive from General Reyu. Coincidentally, the missive was found by someone in town. It specifically said to retaliate against Pardue for treason."
"And Reyu doesn't dare actually organize the attack himself," Tyrian said, "because he knows that he would be outnumbered at this point. If Pardue's militia joined with the SF, they'd be thirty-five strong. Reyu commands only twenty. He'd have to pull everyone off Trinan to take them down, and that would give me an open shot at the capitol."
"It wouldn't be worth his effort. At best, he can try to squeeze the city and hope that the lieutenant is as big an asshole as he is." Ewan huffed out an annoyed breath. "Which, obviously, they aren't. We might finally be culling the bad apples out of the barrels. By the time we get to the capitol, it's going to reek."
"And the people will be casualties," Matthias noted. "We will have to investigate possible ways of evacuating the people as the battle commences. For now, our eyes are set on Larksville." He grew thoughtful as he considered the possible ramifications. "With the current status quo, I do not think we need to play along with the farce of resistance. We played along with the checkpoints because it was time for Lord Tyrian to prove himself."
"I think he's proven himself time and time again," Kyle muttered distinctly. He held nothing against the Lower Generals for needing to be sure, but he was tired of the hoops Tyrian had to jump through. "If they're on our side, they can damned well just join us! The cities are safe from retaliation if the units outside are already proving to protect them."
Samantha opened her mouth and then closed it. She was silent for moments before saying slowly, "The Special Forces were under General Southerwind's control until Lady Annareal's death. We can no doubt assume that his reaction to the events was as much because of the curse he bore as it was her actual death."
Tyrian looked at her quickly. "You suspect that Father may have issued final orders to the Special Forces like he did to Janus and Juniper? Orders contingent on his death. If he is dead, then they are to join me in my battle." His hands gripped together under the table as he felt a sharp stab of pain inside. His father had left the fate of the country in his hands with the full knowledge that only he could save it. It had hurt to think his father had stopped loving him for following his heart. It hurt deeper to know he had never loved him more.
Cassie covered his hands with hers and held on. "Then we may only need to talk to the lieutenant in charge of the forces outside Larksville and Pardue." She drew his hands to her lips and held them there. His fingers felt like ice. "He said it himself, Tyrian," she reminded him. "He was going to join you to fight against Albanion and Blaine. He knew he couldn't so he made sure in every way he could that you would succeed. He believed in you the entire time."
Tyrian took a deep breath. "Thank you," he said quietly. He looked at Matthias. "I will take a party with me to Larksville. Have units on standby just in case we're wrong. At my side, I will take Cassie, Ewan, Vee, Kris, and Halkern." He turned to Raven and ran his hand down her hair. "Stay with your grandpa and grandma," he said softly.
She nodded and hugged him tight around the neck. It took a lot of willpower to let him go, and it was only when the door shut behind him that her lower lip began to quiver. "I hate this!" she shouted. She turned on Kyle as tears welled in her eyes. "It's not fair!"
Kyle scooped her up and cuddled her close as she cried against his neck. "I know, honey." He sighed as he looked at the other adults. They all felt the same way. "I know."
The uncanny connection between Destined Star and Kaiten was a strong and profound thing. Because of it, the rest of Tyrian's party waited for him near Miranda. They had felt his need for them and they had responded. "Larksville, huh?" Vee said. "It's been a while since I was back. Is that why you asked for me, to make the trip shorter?"
"One of the reasons. The other is how good your aim is." Tyrian looked at Miranda. "Vee has been to Larksville, so use her as a beacon."
"Okay, here we go! Gah!" The last was added as she narrowly missed beaning Rourke as he was going by.
Sadly, it threw her aim off, and it therefore threw off her magic. The party landed, literally, in the middle of the Special Forces units. Kris and Vee found themselves at the feet of a couple startled archers. Halkern landed somewhere near a mage unit. Ewan ended up in the middle of puzzled swordsmen. Cassie and Tyrian landed in the main unit, and Tyrian found himself at the feet of the lieutenant in charge.
The elder soldier studied Tyrian for long moments and then asked, "Have you ever had one of those days?"
"I'm having one of those years," Tyrian admitted on a sigh. "And despite the inelegant entrance, I hope you would still consider joining my forces. I'm not really in the mood to play games anymore. Either you stand beside me, or you stand beside Blaine."
The lieutenant dismounted his horse and offered a hand to Tyrian. "We stand beside the people," he said calmly. "General Southerwind told us that if we are to save the people, we must join with you. He fully believed you are the only one who can save this land. And I believe it too."
Tyrian took his hand and got to his feet gracefully. "Despite my entrance."
If anything, the lieutenant thought, it was only a further testament to Tyrian's character that he still looked every inch a leader even while sitting on the dirt. There was a fierce glitter in Tyrian's eyes that spoke of a spirit strong enough to lead thousands, if not millions. It was a glitter not unfamiliar to the older man. "You remind me of my son," he admitted. "Though if he had landed there, he would have asked me to join him before we started the conversation."
Tyrian smiled at that. "He sounds like a fascinating character."
"That he is. Rihou's only a few years younger than you." He bowed with all the grace of a long-time warrior. "My name is Divan Royaltine, Lord Tyrian. My skills are yours to command, as are my soldiers."
"Divan." Tyrian frowned thoughtfully. Around them, things had become a flurry of activity as the transition from Imperial to Liberation was made. Several of Tyrian's units transported in to help make the change, and Tyrian's party was making its way back to him. "I know that name." It dawned on him suddenly. "Wait, I remember. You were fighting on the side of Foresalia during a skirmish with Melodina."
Divan smiled. "Indeed! I was lamenting not getting to see my family one last time when your father came out of nowhere." He shook his head. "He told me to either fight beside him or sit out of the way. I chose to fight. From that day forward, he had my friendship. Not even a year ago, he contacted me and asked me to come join the Special Forces as a lieutenant."
Tyrian felt his stomach clench with fresh pain. "Roughly ten months ago?"
"Indeed." Divan's smile faded. "I arrived at Trinan just as you claimed Aon Castle. To be honest, a part of me thought Donald had called me out here to fight you. It was not long before I realized he expected me to eventually fight beside you. His final orders to us confirmed what I had known all along."
Cassie slid her hand into Tyrian's as she stepped up beside him. "I find it interesting that a Lower General from an enemy country would be allowed to come fight on behalf of the Empire. Or at least the people."
"King Utheron is not a fool," Divan said. "From the moment the Rebellion gained momentum over here, he has been watching. He knew of my friendship with Donald but did not argue against it. As long as it did not interfere with war, he didn't care. When I told him that Donald had asked me to come join the fight, he said that as long as I reported to him the goings-on, he was amiable."
"And where does Utheron stand now?" Ewan asked. He had come up behind Tyrian with Kris, Vee, and Halkern. "Is he going to start crap with the country protected by the legendary Kaiten Star?"
"No," Divan said instantly. "It is obvious now who the winner will be. Foresalia may not be an ally to whatever the Empire becomes, but they will assuredly not be enemies any longer."
Tyrian let out a little breath. It was one less pressure on his shoulders. He had hated all along the idea that two countries could so casually be at war for so long. He had no doubt that Foresalia would have its own troubles with the ruthless nature of so many soldiers, but the troubles would not touch the Empire. "Good."
"Only Pardue and Trinan after this," Kris murmured.
"For which I am also glad," Divan admitted. "I miss my family."
"Your wife and son?" Tyrian asked.
"My son and daughter. She's slightly older than Rihou. It's just Rihou, Naomi, and me since my wife died many years ago. While I am here, my kids have been staying with the family of Rihou's best friend." He shook his head on a wry smile. "The terrible two. I dread when they are adults. There will be no stopping them."
"Sounds like someone else we know," Halkern said dryly.
Tyrian ignored him. "Let's touch base inside the city before we head back to Aon Castle." There was a whisper in the wind, a sort of feeling in the air, that told him more friends waited inside the borders of the city that was even then beginning to hum with an air of excitement. Not paying taxes was one thing. Being officially liberated was another.
Larksville looked like Trinan but on a grand scale. It covered many square miles and had people everywhere. Some buildings were even three stories in height, a feat seen only in the highest level of cities. There were at least three or four of every kind of shop, and musicians played on several corners.
Both Tyrian and Cassie had a sudden feeling of being boxed in by all the people moving around them. Automatically, their relic hands clasped together in mutual support. It was a very disorienting sensation to feel as if you watched time move past while you held still. With every passing day, eternity affected them more strongly. Even Miranda, for all her vivacious and social personality, preferred to live out of the way of cities. It was simply another price to pay for bearing a Pure Relic.
A young man with short and spiky brown hair suddenly came out of nowhere and planted himself in front of Tyrian. "Tell me you know where my irresponsible band members are," he demanded.
Tyrian had to smile. "They're at my castle. You must be Capricorn."
"Cap for short." Cap sighed. "Taurus sent me a letter a while back saying that destiny bound her and Aries and Virgo to your side. Rather than risk my hide trying to get to the castle, I figured eventually you'd find me. I mean, obviously we're a package deal." He saluted with the guitar he carried. "You can count on me to help play the music that inspires you!"
"And keep the other three out of trouble?" Vee asked dryly.
Cap winced. "That too." He was almost afraid to ask what his friends had been up to lately. They had a knack for getting in trouble if he wasn't there to pull the reins. "Should I set out for the castle?" he asked.
"Wait for us," Tyrian suggested. "I have a mirror that can take us all home. I want to see if there's anyone else here waiting for me. I also want to speak with the mayor."
"Fair enough. I'll be waiting here for you." He sat down on a bench with a smile.
The party didn't get much further into the city before they were assailed by the sudden scent of perfume. It was two scents, in fact, and in clashing odors. It was so strong and potent that Ewan felt his eyes water. "Holy hell, are we somewhere near the city brothel?"
By tacit agreement, no one asked how he knew what the city brothel smelled like.
"Over there." Kris pointed over Tyrian's shoulder.
He followed her direction and barely hid a wince. Descending on the party like perfumed steamrollers were two excessively well dressed women. From the top of their curled hairstyles to the bottom of their fancy shoes, everything about the women screamed they were not only high society, but narcissists as well. Resigned, he stopped walking. Raven would get to see firsthand just why narcissists were considered vexing to everyone else.
"You!" The blonde pointed her fan directly in his face. "You are Tyrian Southerwind, correct?" Before he could speak, she rolled on, "Obviously you must know who I am! Everyone knows the name of the De Jardin family! Tell this . . . uncultured cow beside me that you are here looking for us! Of course you are, aren't you?"
The redhead snapped before he could speak, "Oh, come down off your ivory tower, Marigold! Obviously a man of such refined taste as Tyrian Southerwind would never stoop to wanting your kind in his castle! Only a Kween family member would ever bring some culture to that drab army!"
Marigold sniffed loudly. "Do not mind Frances. She is only sore because she has been stood up at the altar five times. Why, you would think there was something wrong with her!" She tossed back her perfectly curled ringlets. "You do not mind if I come out and bring some style, do you? Of course not! I will make my way there immediately!"
Frances sniffed back. "Of course you would think to walk when there is an army outside! I will simply make them take me along. Lord Tyrian is in need of style, not catastrophe, which is all you would bring." She turned on her heel and walked away, her fluffy silk skirts swirling around her legs.
Marigold went chasing after her and blessed silence descended. "Did you get a word in edgewise?" Halkern asked. "If you did, I missed it."
"I didn't try," Tyrian admitted. "I've discovered that it's better to let you all make your own decisions about your reasons for joining me. I'm simply too grateful that you're there. No matter how snobby those two are, there's a reason for them to be Stars. Something about them is what I need."
"A headache?" Vee grumbled.
Tyrian smiled. "You might be surprised. Come on. There's more to be seen."
The size of the city meant that seeing all of it in a few hours was near impossible. By the time evening approached, they had only covered half the landscape. The city was not in the same disrepair as other cities, but there was still a much more jubilant air. People believed that the war was already won, and conversations already flowed about what sort of new government they wanted. A republic seemed to be the general wish, but everyone was already putting Tyrian in charge.
"If they try," Kris promised, "we Destined Stars will sneak you and Lady Cassie and Raven out under the cover of darkness. They'll never find you."
They had been walking past a rather plain looking little building while she spoke, and Ewan abruptly stopped in his tracks. "Whoa. Tyrian, you need to see this."
Curious, Tyrian stepped closer. He instantly caught his breath in wonder. Hanging in the window of the small shack was a painting. It wasn't just any painting, though. It was a brilliant depiction of the battle outside Lupine when Tyrian had dueled the dishonest lieutenant. There was a great deal of love in every brushstroke, and he immediately went into the building. The others followed.
Paintings stood stacked all over the place inside the front area of the shop. Nearly all of them depicted Tyrian. The one that caught his eye in particular, though, was not only of him. It was of him and Cassie. It showed them dancing together at the inn during their one date, and the background had been blurred away until it was as if they were in their own world. "So that's what I look like," he said softly as Cassie knelt beside him. "That's how I look when I look at you."
It almost seemed as if the eternity that bound them was visible in the painting. Cassie could hardly believe she was looking at her own image, but she recognized the look on her face as she looked at Tyrian. She had never seen how she looked either, but it looked exactly as it felt. Powerful, unstoppable. A bit terrifying to love someone that much, to need him to be safe and smiling and believing in her. "Amazing," she breathed softly.
"Thank you."
At the voice, they turned to see a slim young woman standing behind them. The feline ears, fluffy tail, and tilted eyes spoke of her Grimalkin bloodline. Her paint streaked shorts and tunic spoke of her skill. Like others of the animalistic species, some Grimalkin looked more like a cat than a Human. Others looked more like a Human than a cat. The artist was caught in a strange and exotic middle ground that made her surprisingly beautiful.
Tyrian stood and fully faced her, and her eyes went wide. With a smile, he said, "May I buy this painting?" He gestured to the one showing him and Cassie.
She shook her head. "It's not for sale." She walked over and picked up the painting and then turned and held it out to him. "But it is a gift." She smiled and her pale green eyes crinkled at the corner. "I'm Catherine."
Since she knew well who he and Cassie were, he only gestured to the others. "Ewan, Kris, Halkern, and Vee."
She gave a little salute. "It's nice to meet you." She linked her hands behind her back and began to circle Tyrian while she studied him intently. She had seen him in her dreams for a long time, but there was nothing like having a model on hand. She nodded decisively. "You need family portraits. You're a dad, right?"
"I am."
She held up a finger. "Then you need portraits! And you need the best, so you need me! I'll illustrate your story, Lord Tyrian, and I'll bring color to the Liberation Army. You can count on me to show you the way we see you even when you're feeling oppressed."
"I have every confidence in you," he said firmly. "But watch out. Raven will become one of your favorite subjects."
The painter giggled. "I like kids because they're expressive. I don't mind at all!"
"We'll stay and help her pack up," Halkern told Tyrian and Cassie. "Come get us before you leave. You can probably cover a bit more ground."
Tyrian didn't mind at all. It seemed as if he never quite got enough time alone with Cassie, and he firmly tangled her fingers with his as they walked down the street. "I suppose some things even eternity can't stop." He brought her fingers to his lips. "My desire is to be alone with you. Preferably somewhere private and away from prying eyes. I tell myself that when this is done that we'll have millennia to be alone together, but I think I'm a greedy man."
If he didn't stop looking at her with that familiar heat in his eyes, she was going to find a private place to drag him off to at that very moment. "I'm greedy too," she admitted. "I'm not jealous of the other Destined Stars, exactly, but I also don't like to share. It's a very strange thing to feel. I want to hide you away where no one can find you."
"You promised you would once the war was done. I'll hold you to it." He stopped walking and tugged her into his arms for a lingering kiss. People who were going past began to whistle and giggle at the sight, but no one had the nerve to actually interrupt. There was something incredibly beautiful about the way Kaiten and Kentei glowed together under the halo of the stars. Protector and protected, hero and guardian . . . something was familiar about the image they presented though no one could put their finger on it.
"Ahem."
Tyrian reluctantly lifted his head, and his fingers glided over Cassie's cheek. Her eyes shimmered like melted blue gems, her lips begging for another kiss. It was highly tempting to just find the inn and stay there for the night. Having a six-year-old who could sneak into their room at any time certainly made things interesting. He wanted to take his time loving Cassie. He would happily take forever.
"Ahem." The feminine voice sounded highly amused.
With a sigh, he turned his head and found himself looking at a hauntingly beautiful young woman with a toddler perched on her shoulders. Both mother and daughter had matching powder blue hair and eyes and the elegantly pointed ears of ancient Elf blood. The woman wore a slim silver dress inlaid with relic symbols, but she wore no relics of her own. Instead, there were delicately tattooed symbols over her lower arms in the many symbols of lesser relics.
She was also a Destined Star.
She smiled as she saw the recognition in his eyes. "Hello, Lord Tyrian. My name is Jeanine Tallium. This is my daughter, Zellanna. I am one of the hundred and nine, and my star is a fixed position. I have known for many years that my path would cross yours. I am a Relic Master. It is my honor to offer my services."
"It is my honor to accept them," he said simply. "You are greatly needed, Jeanine."
Cassie studied Zellanna, feeling a distant sense of kinship not dissimilar from what she felt toward Jeanine. "Is Zellanna . . .?"
"Not yet," Jeanine offered readily. "Her path follows another for the future." She sighed fondly. "She wants to be a Scroll Master."
Zellanna beamed. "Like Daddy!"
"Yes, like your daddy." Jeanine shook her head in amusement. "Once the war is done, we will go back to the City-States to see him." She gave a graceful bow not at all marred by the child perched on her shoulders. "We will see you at the castle, Lord Tyrian." A little shimmer of light swirled around her and she disappeared.
Startled, Tyrian looked at Cassie. She smiled. "Relic Masters, by nature of what they do, tend to absorb bits of power from every relic they ever fuse to someone. That's why all those tattoos are on her arms. She can use a little bit of power from every relic. The flipside to that is that she will never be able to equip a relic herself."
"It seems a fair trade." He let out a long breath. "A future Destined Star," he murmured. "You recognized her but I didn't. That means the Kentei Star is considered a fixed position. An unusual fixed, I suppose, as Laia said fixed stars usually only belonged to one person. I wonder why."
Cassie thought about it. "Because fixing the position of the Kentei ensures that I, and therefore you, will be drawn to aid future Kaitens in whatever way we can, perhaps keeping them from stumbling around the way we have so often." She slid a glance up at him. "I suppose it is just as well. I'll have to give guidance to future Kenteis on how to handle stubborn, overworked, and bossy Kaitens."
He just smiled. "And I can give guidance on how to handle pushy, overprotective, possessive Kenteis." He stole another kiss. Against her lips, he said, "Should we stay here tonight or go home? I want to be alone with you."
Her fingers framed his face tenderly. "Let's have Unca Ewan distract Raven so we can be home. Our bed is much more comfy than any inn."
"It's a date," he agreed. He glanced around and let himself 'feel' the air of the city. It told him that there was no one else waiting for him. "Let's talk to the mayor then go home." With a little sigh, he said, "Ninety-two found."
The
end was, finally, in sight.
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
