Imperial (Insight #8)(41)

My eyes moved back to him. “Now your battle is over. I suggest you find a nice place to sit and think. I will return for you before the next moonrise.”

I released the hold on him, but before he could rise I moved my essence back to the springs, finding Rasp and Mazing at my side.





Chapter Eleven





That did not go the way I wanted it to at all, but I had to hide that from Rasp and Mazing, which didn’t seem like it was going to be hard. Mazing was having a complete come apart; she was pacing viciously and trembling violently as she took in deep, gasping breaths. Rasp was doing his best to help her and figure out what was wrong by pacing at her side, saying her name, and trying to get her to snap out of wherever she was in her head.

My essence reached for her and took the overload of wrath, anger, and terrified emotions that were swarming through her. That took her down a notch or two. One glance into her mind showed me that Colton, the memory of him, was amping her up. She must have caught the scent of lilies in The Realm just before.

One second later, she nodded, telling me she was in control. So she wouldn’t feel self-conscious, I acted like nothing happened by talking to Rasp.

“Did you wipe the memories of those two Witnesses with Silas?” I asked him.

He furrowed his brow at Mazing, gave her a once over, then answered me. “Before we even stopped time, they’re young. Probably the only reason why it was so easy.”

“Great,” I said under my breath. Maybe those two were part of the reason Silas was holding back. He was their leader.

Maybe I should have asked more questions. Listened more intently to him.

“Rasp, I’m done. Vade has made it clear that he wants to see me. You can go.”

Rasp seemed somewhat disappointed that that was as far as I was going today, but he vanished anyway.

I glanced to my side to find Mazing staring at the dark springs.

“Are you all right?” I nearly whispered, seeing how vacant yet alert her stare was.

“I have to figure out why I can still sense Colton.”

“You will stay far away from him,” I ordered, still not knowing how at risk she really was, if the coupling she confessed to had any merit in the eyes of the Creator.

“I think it’s her. That petal. She must know I am out and is seeking a duel.”

“That, you will not engage in or honor without my consent.”

“I wouldn’t, but you know that any act of war is null and void at this point. The lines have already been drawn.”

I knew this warrior to her core. She was right. That Cadence girl very well could be taunting her, holding the scent of Colton out so that if or when we returned, she would know, they all would know. I never imagined that Mazing and I would end up in the Veil, a personal guest of the Reaper, but maybe those other kings knew that was a possibility.

“I will let you leave here—cloaked—to hunt. You will report back to me any findings. You will not engage anyone. Rasp will travel with you.”

At that moment, Rasp appeared again.

“Well, you’re highly tuned in,” I said with a mere glance to him.

“Or a skilled eavesdropper,” Mazing said with absolutely no thrill in her voice; she knew what was coming next.

“Rasp will go with you.”

“Of course he will,” she said with heavy sarcasm.

“What have I done to you?” Rasp said, matching her glare.

“I don’t like the way you look at me.”

“I don’t like the fact that you fell for someone from the line of shock. That you put everyone’s life on the line for the sake of a fever, but you don’t see me throwing that drama in your face.”

“You just did, you tool.”

“Do you want me to throw it in your face? Tell you what, instead of hunting some lowlying, despicable petal, why don’t I give you a tour of The Realm? Why don’t we sit down and I explain to you the raw anger that had eaten my king alive? Why don’t I describe how hard it was to find your line and bring them here? Why don’t I tell you how hungry they were, how vulnerable.”

I raised my hands to stop the bickering, but they were both amped up at this point.

“Tell me he was worth it. I dare you,” Rasp said with a glare as he leaned forward and I dove between them.

“He was, you bastard! He was worth every ounce of that heartache. Who would say that about you? Who would sacrifice what I have for the likes of you?”

Rasp smirked as his scowl all but burned her where she stood. “You! At one time, you.”

Mazing tensed but had no words. They had both hurt each other, but that was fine; now that the truth was spoken, they could work through the pain, something I could not aid them with, that they had to do on their own.

“Mazing, if you leave here you are leaving with him. And when the two of you return, you will be over this fight.”

That was a command that they each knew they had to obey. They vanished at that moment.

I threw my head back and let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

As I breathed in again, I took in the sensual aroma of mint, of my Vade. He was close.

I turned to walk down the hall of springs, knowing that would give me time to absorb and process my last few hours.

These springs divided into several vast halls, but one hall was meant for only Vade and me. In that hall, we did not see the dimensions below; we saw our lines, not their sensual private moments, but their path, their challenges. We could look forward and see all their woes and guide them away from harm. Of course, they always had the choice to take in the symbols and signs we were giving them or find their own way. Thankfully, those under our care usually recognized our hand and would follow it.