Nectar of War: The Song of Verity and Serenity (The Nectar of War Series Book 1)

LAVEN HEPHAESTUS ARVENALDI, II

I sit in a corner chair of my chamber as Maivena rests. I look toward Esme. “What are these powers?” Given they are close family, there must be something Esme knows, possibly someone else in their family has a line of this magic that was passed on to her.

“I do not know,” Esme declares with confusion. “No one in our family has them.”

Roaner is leaned back against the wall with his hands tucked tightly into his pockets. “They mimicked the power of a Sorceress. Is anyone in your family from Galitan?”

Esme nods. “My mother is, but that in no way connects to her.”

Roaner continues to stare at Esme who watches over Maivena.

His lip’s part to speak but he says nothing more.

“Is she part Banshee?” I ask.

“No, that is not what happens after a Banshee shrieks.” Esme sits down on the edge of the bed, stroking Maivena’s hair.

“The only conclusion there is for such strength would be her having blood from Galitan,” Roaner thinks further before continuing. “Or a blessing from the Gods that she would not know of.”

“We would have to ask uncle Naius.” Esme refers to Maivena’s father. “Only he would know of a gift from the Gods or some lineage we do not know of.”

I cannot stop recalling the way her skin turned. How it looked as if her powers were appearing through her skin before projecting outward.

“Do you have a book on your family tree?” Roaner asks Esme.

“We do, but our grandmother would have it. She is old now and I would have to help her locate it.”

“No,” I stand. “Do not bother her with it. There are other ways to understand this without disrupting the elderly.”

They both nod, but something tells me Esme was not going to let us see the book in the first place. Books on family trees are sacred and tend to only call for family to observe it.

“Esme,” Roaner calls as he stands up straighter. “I need to leave soon for Wanora.”

She rises to her feet and he waits for her to leave first before following her down the hall.

“Laven,” Maivena quietly says. Her eyes are closed as she picks at the cloth on her chest—her face is bestowing deep distress.

I swiftly move from the chair and to the bed.

She seeks to sit up, but I do not give her an opportunity.

“My head,” she whimpers. There is a tear falling from her barely open eyes.

“I know, love,” I murmur.

I lift a hand, swaying the curtains all around to close, eliminating all light from the chamber.

Removing the rest of my clothing, I get into the bed next to her.

“Come here.”

Maivena’s hand weakly grips my arm as I pull her closer.

Her legs lazily weave with my own as we lay on our sides.

Her eyes do not open again as her head lays on my arm.

Using my healing abilities to alleviate the increasing strain in her head, my hand faintly gleams as I do so. I trace circles over her temples until I see the furrow in her brows rest and her head grows heavier.

*  *  *

I could not stay with Maivena for long, but Esme took over in my place as soon as Morano needed me.

“Amias has gone to the Training Grounds with Carmen and Lorena, and he will not be home before you leave. I have already assigned a messenger to Hua, so she knows to be home when I arrive. As for Maivena, travel after she has gotten several hours of rest.” He drapes his cloak over his shoulders before securing our brooch in place. “If it were up to me, she would not be traveling at all. What her body went through today was perilous, and plenty have died afterwards. You must be sure she never touches that contraception again.”

“How did it trigger so suddenly do you think?”

Morano’s arms cross and he looks me over. “You.”

“Why me? I did nothing, I was only showing her what happens when her body shifts and we–”

“Laven,” he interrupts. “For a man as intelligent as you, you are dreadfully obtuse. Her powers triggered because you were in danger. You had no perception of the rogues behind you, and she did. Her instincts have awoken and the first thing her mind thought of was to get you away from them. Ascension did not follow through, and her body panicked, forcing her powers to appear and it could have killed her. None of this is your fault, things happen, but you need to force her to realize the danger of continuing to take this contraception to tame her Wolf.”

“Believe me,” I say. “If I ever see it in her hands again I will burn it in front of her.”

“As you should.”

“Will she have struggles walking, eating, talking? Anything.”

He simpers at my solicitude, and he shakes his head. “You are prepared for the worst, but no, she should be fine. I just checked her temperature as well as her pulse. She is all right for now. Although, I know you would happily spoon feed her and carry her if it came to it.”

“Do not chaff.” I smile. “It is only a matter of time before you encounter someone, and you are forced into the same fret as me when something happens to them.”

Morano fastens his unruly black hair up in a knot, revealing his aureate skin and sharp features. “And when that day occurs I know you will never let me hear the end of it.”

“Oh, I will never shut up about it.”

He chortles. “I will see you in a few days.”

I nod. “Be careful, tell me when you are home.”

“I always do. Call upon me when Maivena wakes; I wish to know how she is feeling. Then, if you need me, I will come.” Morano smiles before vanishing into a heavy orange mist.