At the end where Destiny awaits: Book 6 of the Kinstone series

“Aria?”

I feel my heart run cold as we all stop dead in our tracks. The voice is young, feminine, and very, very familiar. It belongs to someone I’ve fought before and yet one I really hope could’ve been a friend. However…that may not happen. I let out a sigh as my shoulders slump.

Oh you have got to be kidding me! Lana.

We all turn and do indeed find not only her, but with Mistral in tow. Honestly, these two always go in pairs. It makes me start to wonder if they’re more than simply friends and daughters of the great houses. Not only are they are, but have over a couple dozen troops with them. Well this is lovely.

Part of me really thinks the prediction I made in Japan is coming true.

Lana smiles, yet there’s nothing friendly about it. “We’ve been looking all over for you. Here we are, canvasing the woods along with many others, only to hear your voice after being apart for so long. So naturally we came running as fast as we could just to see you.”

Yeah…not buying the whole “buddy-buddy” routine. This pair hates me to no end. I look around, trying to figure out how they were able to sneak up on us without being noticed.

The winds rush around us, thinking they must’ve come downwind of us. I glance back at my wolves. This must also be true because they didn’t react. Another reason must be they masked their presence somehow.

I groan softly, dropping my head and rubbing it. This is partly due to my headache and also having to deal with this right off the bat. Honestly, is it possible to travel around and not get harassed along the way? Not really asking for much here.

I look up at her. “Lana, can we please not do this right now? I’m really tired and just want to go home.” My attention spans around their little group. “I’m really not in the mood for this.” I really do just want to leave and forget this. I just got back to America after nearly a year for me and I just want to go.

Mistral smiles at me. “Sorry Aria, but we can’t do that. For you see, you have a date with Lord Cromwell.”

In her voice, I can hear Raisa talking. It’s really subtle, but the tone of Mistral’s voice really reminds me of her ancestor and my classmate more. I stare at her, recalling how I had a similar feeling when I saw Raisa. Ugh, just thinking about Raisa drums up memories of my first two weeks at school.

I shake my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe that daughters from two of the Great Houses of the Citadel, not to mention the descendants of the four founding houses, have fallen this hard if they’re calling him ‘Lord’.”

I then smirk softly, “Granted, more than your ancestors.”

In their eyes I see anger starting to flare up. No real shock there. Hell, I’d be surprised if they ever were happy when I’m involved. Sadly…that’s probably never going to happen.

I look to Lana. “I see a lot of Aiden in you. Your voice, you carry the same pompous and arrogant attitude he did.”

She looks to me in shock. Her mouth quivers as I describe her ancestor. Oi vey, this family is just nuts. She then growls at me. “How…how dare you say my honorable ancestor’s name so casually. You never knew how great of man he once was. The proud son of the High General of Dewloura. You are nothing but an inbred Shyair bitch, not worthy to even utter it.”

I smirk, yep, that’s the Aiden I know in her. Makes me wonder about Mistral.

Mistral then steps forward. “We have a score settle to you, gutter-born trash.” Yikes not even a few minutes in and she’s calling me that. Honestly girl, your ancestor called me far worse.

“You humiliated us last summer,” she growls. “You…you touched my face with your dirty shoes that night.”

I look to her, seeing that her nose is back to normal. If memory serves, I broke it when I dropkicked her in the face. Even thinking about it feels rather satisfying.

“We shall never forgive you for how you defeated us,” adds Lana.

I shake my head, honestly, first Irina and now you two? How the hell do you girls function in life?

I smile to them. “I remember trouncing the both of you thoroughly that night.”

Speaking of Irina, I scan the group before us, trying to see if the vampiress is in fact here. My head tilts when I don’t find hide or hair of her. Did Beltrok finally put her into a hole she couldn’t crawl out of? Maybe.

What about Drakon? He wasn’t there that night, and I highly doubt he’d hold a grudge against me. I actually learned from Kerrigan that it was he who came and retrieved Irina after I went missing for that week. She said he was ready to aid in the search, which I do find sweet. Still creeps me out that he has feelings for me.

I feel a swell of magic growing as the pair snarls at me. I look to them, feeling their anger fuel their magic. “You’re not so lucky this time, Aria,” says Mistral. “You don’t have the advantage of being at home. This time, you truly are vastly outnumbered.”

She’s not lying about the numbers. Then again…it’s not like I haven’t added something else to my party.

Fenris and Athena then appear from behind us, each wolf snarling and growling at the pair, their fur bristling as ice and shadow swirls around them. My knights come up right behind Marron and me, both at the ready while not showing it.

Lana and Mistral step back as the both see Athena standing next to Fenris. The look on their faces is a mix between shock and anger.

“A-another wolf,” stammers Mistral. Her legs seem as if they just want to give out the more she looks at Athena.

Lana stares on, but then glares hot daggers at me. “How…how did you get another wolf you bitch? Where did you find it? TELL US!!!” I can feel her magic swelling even higher as she snarls.

I smirk, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.

“Daughters of Drakthul and Laevatain,” barks Athena. “I know your scent no matter where I go.”

Fenris in turn snorts puffs of icy mist from his nostrils. “Neither of you have changed since our first encounter,” he says. “Each still demanding that which you think is yours to be given.”

Both girls look to each other, mouths quivering. However, I can start to see the wheels in their eyes turning, which can never be good. I take several deep breaths to simply stay calm and level-headed as I watch. I still remember my first encounter with them in how they demanded that I leave my mother. Geez that still pisses me off.

Lana then smiles as she turns and looks to Athena. “Talvalrish Elevnaor-“

“That’s not going to work on her,” I interrupt, instantly remembering the so-called "words of subjugation". "Hell, they never worked except that one time, however it drove the poor wolf insane." Even now that story from Serasfall still gives me shivers.

I sigh, balling my fist. “Trying to magically impose your will upon a being who shares a kinship with is appalling and rather disgusting.”

Lana stares at me in horror and surprise.

I look to my wolves and then to both of them. “Your ancestors created them in order to create the illusion of control after they began to forget the wolves were your equals, family and so much more. In fact,” my heart sinks a little, “the words in of themselves actually in some manner break the ancient pact our progenitors made with them.”

I smile, reaching up and stroking Athena’s fur, then looking back to them. She gently swishes a tail against me. I may hold a slight bias thanks to Serasfall and Celes being the ones to teach me the history of the Great Houses and the wolves. However, the more I delved into their history and my interactions with the wolves and the ancestors of these two, I found that it was true.

“Your ancestors once highly respected the wolves as family,” I continue. “Yet in time they grew arrogant and slowly began to lose that respect, treating them as nothing more than status symbols to parade them around. They locked collars around their necks when they realized the words of subjugation didn’t work.”

My gaze lowers, closing my eyes for a moment. “I felt my heart breaking when I saw them.”

I grit my teeth, still recalling my first day in Dewloura and watching the wolves walk through the streets. They still had their pride, but much of the light in their eyes had gone out. The same wolves that were raised by Serasfall and Tyrion as their own children. Even while at school I fell in love with the wolves from the other houses, treating them as close friends. Hell, even the friends I made used to love them dearly.

I then bite the inside of my lip, fighting back tears as a lump starts to grow in my throat. I think of the wolves who fought for us during our mission to seal away the city. I can still hear their cries as some were slaughtered by Nethune’s undead soldiers. Chalk up another reason why I hate them so much.

I feel another tail wrapping around me. I look up, seeing Fenris smiling to me. A soft, mournful smile stretches on my face as I look at him. We each grew so close to the wolves at school and at the estate. I miss them all and he knows this. His eyes glint with a fatherly love, saying he’s here. I nod softly, reaching over and stroking him.

Athena too peers back to me, offering her motherly smile. I smiles brightly to her, loving her all the more. I feel her tail wrapping around me more, letting me know its ok. I nod softly returning my attention back onto the pair before me.

“You once held the kinship and the Bond with the wolves,” I say, “perhaps it’s still there. But after the first diaspora, your ties to them were seemingly cut. Like I said, it might still be there. However, after the diaspora, very few truly bonded with your ancestors.”

Both girls stare at me in utter shock, nearly ready to drop the ground. Above us I listen as the pine branches sway in the winds, creaking loudly around us. The cold winter chill bite into our bodies, chilling my face. It doesn’t really bother me all that much.

Lana nearly stammers her words, yet nothing comes out. Mistral on the other becomes rather indignant yet still shares in her partner’s shock at what I just said.

“How…how do you know all of this?” she asks. “This is only known in our collected records our ancestors saved when the city and empire crumbled.”

I smirk softly, so they did know.

I again reach over to Fenris, stroking him. He groans softly, brushing my hand with his head. I smile, digging my fingers into his midnight-black fur. I glance at them as a thought enters my mind.

“You both probably don’t know the significance of my bonded here, do you?” I ask. “What it means to see a black Uldulvan wolf?” The wolves of change, the wolves of kings or my case, a princess.

Again they stare at me in utter confusion. It’s as if I’m talking gibberish to them. I roll my eyes, honestly, how much do these two not know of their own history? Just what have they’ve been taught? Aren’t their fathers the keepers of such knowledge? I mean…they saw Fenris that day at Court. Surely they recognized what he meant.

Mistral shakes her head, breaking free of her stupor. “You speak to us, the true daughters of Dewloura, about not knowing our own heritage? You, you lowborn trash, not worthy to scrape the scum off my shoes. You are nothing compared to us, a single child of dead line, born in a feckless gutter whose own mother curses in the afterlife.”

A loud, barking snarl echoes through the woods as Athena’s fur bristles with freezing winds. Her pearlescent fangs shine brightly even in the fading light. “HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY LITTLE GIRL!!” snarls Athena. “You truly know nothing of her. Aimless, spoiled, arrogant children.”

Both girls stare at Athena shocked, now even more speechless. Lana’s mouth nearly looks as if it wants to drop to the ground. Mistral freezes in place at my wolf mother’s words.

I smile to Athena, blushing softly.

Fenris huffs loudly, blowing more streams of icy mist. “Neither of you has changed,” he says. “Your ancestors were the same as you. Attacking those you deem beneath you. She has dealt with far more than your petty words.”

My smile continues to Fenris, loving my wolf parents dearly. Marron holds onto me closely as she peers onto their forces, with my knights staying close behind us, doing the same.

“Why, why did that wolf claim you as her ‘little girl’?” asks Lana.

“That’s because she too is my bonded, and my wolf mother as Fenris is my father,” I reply smiling.

Both girls’ eyes light up in confusion and shock. No doubt the idea of a single person being bonded to more than one wolf never crossed their minds. Granted I asked the same question before myself.

I sigh, looking to them. “You call yourself ‘true daughters of Dewloura’ and even said I knew nothing of Dewloura.” I take a deep breath, “Well, let me ask you the same question, do you?”

A soft smile rises on their faces, indicating they have an answer for me. They always seem to.

“Of course we know of Dewloura, you worthless wench,” say Mistral. “We know of the great battles they fought, the glories of the achievements they obtained, how mighty and proud they were as kingdom, the true envy of the world.”

“What of you, little girl?” asks Lana. “What little scraps have you learned?”

I nod, trying to call back everything. I lower my gaze, smiling softly to myself, recalling the place I called home. “Do you know of the sacred crystal the floats over the palace? How it calls Dewlourans home in the evening, acting like a parent to its children?”

I look to Lana, “Did you know that the crystal gardens sing in the twilight? How as the sun sets, the crystal lamps glow to light the area? What about the café on the second tier that was popular with students from the Acadenora would frequent after school?”

I turn to Mistral. “Did you know the every market sold its own spiced fruit? What of the gondolas that ferried people to the floating isles where several had their own little café? Were you taught how the canals leading from the southern reaches of the city were where many came to enjoy the evening? How dragons flew overhead, elves danced in the streets to music? What of simply enjoying a lecture at the Acadenora with wolves sleeping under your desk or sitting in the courtyard during lunch and being with friends? Hell, have either of you even tried Jupta?”

I bit back my tears, missing all of them, my friends, family, my time at school, and my home there, all of it. What I gained and experienced there is precious to me, even recalling what was lost is painful.

Both girls look to me even more shocked and speechless after my rant. It’s a rant that I’ve been wanting to let out on them. Just to shut them up over their pomposity. I might be a little petty in this moment, I’ll admit to that.

I look to them, “You were taught the glories of Dewloura but never its subtleties. A kingdom can be defined by its great deeds, but often it’s the little things that truly make it great. The feelings of the wind through the streets, listening to the trees amongst the buildings, hearing the rushing water through the canals, or watching as the people go about their days.”

I feel tails gently wrap around me, smiling at my wolves. I silently thank them for everything and being here.

I sigh softly, “Your ancestors were once great and honorable people, who loved and revered the wolves and the pact. However they became petty and cruel, who loved to throw their status around, lording over others. Somehow believing others should simply kowtow to them.”

Anger and spite fill their eyes while still gripped with shock. Yet they hold fast, not moving an inch. I can see in their eyes how they’re trying to come up with a response yet nothing comes to mind. Every little twisted insult, cruel word, and demented phrase appears to turn naught but ash on their tongues.

I glare at them as I remember an insult that Veylana once taught me. A saucy girl my cousin, someone who really looked out for me like a sister while at school.

“E’shan kasul romiatsun kaleisch Drakthul sil Laevatain.”

The eyes of both girls grow wide as melons, their jaws dropping to the ground. I even watch some of their forces stagger back a little. My eyes focus on them; wait, could they also understand me? I know Alcoran isn’t exactly a widely spoken language these days but still, who are these guys? I remember learning of Dewlouran colonies, that a few were abandoned over the years, so did some flee to them after the Fall?

Behind me I hear Orga chuckling. Athena looks at me with shock, Fenris on the other hand simply sighs, shaking his head.

Kateryna nods, grinning, “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Marron looks to her, “She’s been teaching me Alcoran but what did she say?”

The elf smiles, “It loses something in the translation.”

That’s saying it mildly. Ooof, if Celes or Serasfall heard me say that they’d ream me for a month. Granted, Celes was also known to have a really sharp tongue. However it was Veylana who really taught me the best insults.

Marron looks to me both a bit confused and dismayed.

“Where, where did you learn that insult?” asks an exasperated Lana.

I smirk, “I had a really good teacher.”

I then take a long and deep breath, finally burning away my headache, yet the fatigue from all of this is really starting to get to me. A bed really sounds nice right about now and I can’t wait to see the Parkstons.

“I’m getting really tired of dealing with you. All I want to do is go home, so bye.” I tap on my wolves and turn from them, waving as I start to walk away as I glance up at everyone. My party follows suit, walking with me.

Marron looks to me, “You need to really learn to curb that mouth of yours.” I smirk, shrugging.