True North [True North series book 1/3]

I could’ve sworn I felt the gentle caress of Warrian’s fingertips grazing my face again, brushing against my eyelids and over my lips. I felt the sparks rushing over my skin, like they had last time. My eyelids fluttered open, and I woke to a dark, quiet room. I blanket had been draped over me, but the bed beside me was empty. I slowly rose and looked around.

“It’s not morning yet,” Thoridor’s voice called out from the darkness, “go back to sleep.”

I squinted, trying to focus my eyes on him. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” I asked, “it seems like you have a big day ahead too.”

Thoridor stepped into view. “Mostly mentally,” he mumbled, “I will lose a lot of my people tomorrow.”

I walked toward the window, and peered out into the darkness. I could just barely make out the battlefield. “All the bloodshed,” I mumbled, “how often does it occur, the three red moons?”

Thoridor scratched his beard, and picked a paperweight off his desk. He threw it in the air, and caught it in his palm.

“It’s pretty rare, luckily,” he said, “most Ardanians only have to partake once before finding their mate. Some twice, if their mate is born much later.”

I sighed, “how often has Myrtha partaken?” Thoridor placed the paperweight back on the desk and approached me slowly. “This will be her first time,” he said.

I didn’t know whether to feel glad she had never been put through it before, or sad she was being put though it now that she stood so little chance, as her body had been used up.

“How does it work?” I asked, “how do you find your mate? What do you do at the Sorael to see if she’s there? What if it isn’t a she at all — if only females are invited to that part?”

Thoridor glanced down. “It will be a female — as a large part of the mating bond is about reproduction,” he explained, “and to answer the rest of your questions… touch.”

“Touch?” I repeated in confusion.

“Yes,” Thoridor said, “I touch their hands, one by one. The mating bond is very clearly distinguishable through touch.

“Oh,” I said, “what does it feel like?”

“Magic,” Thoridor said plainly.

“Have you always known how to wield your magic?” I asked.

“I don’t remember not being able to, so yes, I suppose,” he replied, and sat back down on the bed.

“Does everyone have those types of power here?” I inquired, thinking about Phaedra, Aricor and Maista. Each of them seemed to have some sort of power.

“No,” Thoridor replied, “come here, sleep some more. It’s still a while until morning.”

I sat down next to him.

“No, lie down properly,” he said, gesturing to the pillows near the headboard, “you need all the strength you can get.”

I silently shifted to the spot he had pointed to. The bed was comfortable, but I still preferred my sleep on the way here, snuggled into Sol’s fur. I closed my eyes and the next time I opened them, Thoridor was standing by my side.

“I need to get to the Throne room. And you need to go get in line.”

I sat up. “I’ll go get Myrtha,” I said, but Thoridor put both his gloved hands on my knees, and leaned in.

“Listen closely, Serin,” he said quietly, “I cannot stress this enough. You need to stay away from everyone there. Engage in as little conversation as possible, do not let them know you are human. If anyone asks, tell them your Kinian. They will view you as an easy target on the battlefield if you tell them your human. Keep trying with Myrtha the whole time. I will try to bestow some of my magic onto her as she touches my hand, so it is key you will go in line right before she does. I will summon my magic when you come into the room, that’s how I know she’s next.”

I nodded.

“I am not finished,” Thoridor continued, “this next part is probably the most important of all. The magic will be transferred onto her by touch. I need you NOT to touch my hand at the Sorael. You need to make it look like you do — but do not touch me. If you do, the magic will go to you, and I will not have enough to give her any as well — so I won’t be able to help Myrtha bring out hers.”

I swallowed, and nodded again. “I understand,” I said.

“I hope you do,” Thoridor pressed, “I hope you understand me.”

Thoridor kept his leather-coated hands on my knees as he spoke again.

“Go to your chambers,” he said, “I have assigned a servant to bring you new garments — there will be a tunic and leggings too, so you have better mobility. Cut your gown, if need be. You need all the mobility you can get.”

I nodded.

“You’re quick, and nimble. Use that to your advantage. Focus on getting away from everyone. As soon as Myrtha opens the gateway, go through. Don’t wait for anything, or anyone. Do not hesitate. A gateway will close as soon as anyone, or anything has passed through. Even if it’s a fleck of dirt, or a piece of cloth.”

I made a mental note to go say goodbye to Warrian on my way to my room. He might have betrayed my trust, but he had likely done it with my best interest in mind. He was still my friend — the only one who had been nothing but kind to me so far. I got up.

“Thank you, Thoridor,” I said, as he rose to his feet too. I looked into his eyes, and a strange sort of dread filled me.

“You will always have a home here,” Thoridor said, “if you do not make it home, you can stay. I know I haven’t been good to you, but I’d make sure you’d have a good life here.”

I was quite taken aback by his words, and although I didn’t truly want to admit it to myself, my mind started wondering to what it might be like, living here. Besides my brothers of course, there was nothing tying me to my old life — I would have gladly stayed here if it hadn’t been for them.

I was intrigued by this new world, and the possibilities it bore. But my brothers — I had to get back to them. As soon as possible. I needed to heal Tophyn — and I was sure I could, now. I had felt it when I had taken the Altenite, something inside me had pointed me in its direction, and made me use it. I was certain I’d be able to find it within myself in my own, earthly world too. I would will him to heal.

“Thank you,” I said, trying to ignore the conflicting yearning inside my chest.

“Go now,” Thoridor said, “I will see you at the Sorael.”