Imperial (Insight #8)(30)
The fierceness in each of their eyes sent powerful vibrations through my being.
“As sovereigns, we along with each of you were designed to be a cure. Several of my fellow kings have decided that it is best for us to be both a disease and a cure. They feel that in order for us to gain power that we must invoke emotions that were already at critical levels, and have been for some time. We are meant to be the cure—the cure that releases the souls under our watch and allows them to rise higher…that act and that act alone empowers us, not the former. We will be that cure and not embrace the savage ways other kings have chosen.” He paused, allowing his words to be absorbed by the masses. “At this moment, we only have one choice: to become an element of calm at the center of chaos. We will prevail in this war—a war that has angered us to our core and caused each of us not to embrace the past, or the present, but the future. A future that will be like no course that time has revealed. A future where our charge will not only be to take the emotions that create evil in souls, but also to help them rise, rise and embrace the royalty that is in each of our souls. We will reach this prized goal by measuring our every step, by evaluating every possible outcome. We will reach this goal by harming no one that has not thoroughly deserved such cause.”
Vade glanced across the masses, then to me. “We are not all here tonight.”
Unrest fell over the crowd before us. His returning stare settled them instantly. “Those that are missing will need our guiding hand and our protection; you will protect them by not hindering their anger…that is the emotion that they will use to defeat those that have imprisoned them. The emotion they will use to bring great change—the emotion that was meant to hinder them but will in turn be the weapon they use to render their enemies asunder. You will return to both the corporeal and non-corporeal realms of the universe; there, you will continue the charge that was given to each of you. You will prevent evil from manifesting within souls that cannot harness the emotions we rule. Every sense you have will be highly elevated. You will tell me of any revelations you find. You will not act until I charge you to do so.”
Vade gently squeezed my hand, telling me it was time for me to speak. Every part of my being was tingling. I think in the back of my mind I assumed that my line would be enraged at me, that they would feel forsaken by me and feel that they could not count on protection under my reign. I was wrong. From the moment they laid eyes on me, I felt their intentions, their emotions. My acts, my sacrifices, were applauded by them. They felt as if I would do the same for each of them, and they were correct.
“There is no finer bliss than hearing your souls call to me…I remember each one…each of your voices…your images. Those moments have saturated my memories in the time that I was away. I never thought I would see the likes of any of you again; therefore, this moment is not only a gift, but also a power that you have given me. Our line has suffered a personal assault. One that I will avenge.” I glanced to Mazing at my side, then to the crowd once more. “I imagined all of you in peace, living lives that brought you bliss. That was my intention—my intentions were not honored. I’m grateful that all of you found your way to Vade, that he found you. That you are in safekeeping.” I clenched Vade’s hand before I went on. “Wrath seizes my being, for I know that we are missing a precious few. Few that do not know of my name or our purpose.” I had to hesitate long enough to ensure that the quiver that was attempting to seize my tone was restrained. “I will avenge them as well, as I would avenge each of you. I’m eternally grateful to call you my own.”
With those last words, they each bowed, my line and Vade’s.
“I bid you courage as you carry out your charge,” I said so quietly that I knew their vessels could not hear my words, but surely their souls could.
The majority of them vanished at that moment to do just as Vade and I had asked. The only ones that remained were the ones that stayed on this level, the ones that managed the springs and the information and nourishment those waters gave us. Each of them went on their way, returning to the charges they had been given.
I knew Mazing was miserable in the gown she was in. I offered her a simple nod, and within that instant her warrior clothes returned. She moved from my side and leaned against the banister of the stairs. Rasp followed her lead, both ensuring that Vade had the private moment that his essence all but commanded.
Vade gripped my hand. “I ask that you not leave now,” he said under his breath.
Almost timidly, I glanced up at him. “Time is of the essence…Silas is in pain, and that pain puts your line at risk.”
“Yours as well,” he murmured with pleading eyes.
“That is why I must go to him now. You can come if you wish.”
“You know I cannot.”
If I had the strength, we would not only embark on the argument that those words always invoked, but for once and for all end it. I never really cared what others thought, what my actions led them to believe. Vade didn’t either, I’ll grant him that, but by the same measure he plotted his every move. He knew if he went with me at this instant that the other kings would not only be aware that I was given a temporary reprieve by the Reaper himself, but that Vade was aware of the mists that were stolen from each of us. That we were aware that they were silently seeking to bring Vade’s rule to an end. You would think that after what we have endured that he would boldly do so, but I knew this king, this boy that held my rush. He was protecting something that I could not perceive now, something that he had sacrificed deeply for; perhaps as deeply as I had sacrificed on some level.