Chapter 45

Bastian glanced at his brother, who shook his head slightly telling him not to mention the angel-god theory. He hadn’t planned to; he knew it made him sound crazy talking about an angry woman with see-through wings…

“Your brother said you made some discoveries.”

Bastian dragged his mind back to the present. “I went through some items confiscated by the Alterealm royals from their raids when they were hunting down Arwan.” He noted his father watched him without that look of impatience on his face. When had that happened? His father taking him seriously. “They were trying to reverse engineer one of our wands.”

The expression on his face hardened. “Did they?”

Bastian shook his head. “It doesn’t look like they succeeded.” He rubbed his hand over his hair. Why hadn’t Nova called or messaged him? “Uh, they had one of our wands. An old one. One of Alterealm’s elders is trying to reassemble it so we can get a serial number off it.”

“We can find out who it was used by.”

Bastian nodded. “Yes. I would have brought it back to our people, but we still have no idea who to trust here.”

“Of course.” His father’s expression was screaming vengeance, which surprised and excited Bastian. He’d never seen anything more than annoyance from his king in his long life—and that emotion was usually directed at him.

“The bad news.” Bastian scowled. “Worse news?” He waved it off. “They collected enough of our elixir vials to extend Arwan’s—or anyone else they shared with — for a long, long time.”

“You think they gave the elixir to more than just the mage?”

“I’m not ruling anything out at this point.”

“Wise.” His father nodded his head in agreement.

That was also a first, his father agreeing with him on—anything.

“How is your woman? Still safely tucked away?”

Bastian wanted to laugh, not from amusement. “Yes.” He said it slowly, dragging out the word. “She’s currently in a house, I don’t know where, that was spelled by a member of FaTerra, a long time ago to keep her from me.”

Trendan closed his eyes and then pinched the bridge of his nose.

Bastian paused, replaying what he said in his head. Okay, he didn’t make sense. He waved his hand around for dramatic effect. “Everything that’s going on started a long time ago. Someone knew it was happening and that my other half would be involved.”

“Do you know who?”

Bastian wanted to laugh. Trendan gave him another warning look. “No. Not yet.” He pulled out his phone and looked at it, checking it had a signal. Of course, it had a signal. Why hadn’t she called? He’d left her enough messages, probably too many messages.

“He hasn’t heard from her in over a day.”

Turning around, Bastian saw his brother and father watching him.

Getting up, his father came over and place a hand on his shoulder. “I can’t imagine being separated from your other half, son, it would drive me to absolute distraction.”

Bastian was shocked, not by his father’s words, although those were surprising too, but by the fact that he was being so understanding and endearing toward him.

“I—” His phone rang in his hand. Bastian answered it without checking who it was.

“There’s a man that looks like you, but isn’t you.” It was Crissy. “Oh, hi, it’s Crissy.”

He smirked. “Hi. What man?”

The door opened and his brother, Elyas walked in. Bastian was thankful for the call and for him not walking in on the previous conversation. His getting involved in all of this would have every detail brought before the court because Elyas had to follow exact protocol all the time. He watched Trendan and his father go over to talk to him. “What man?”

“I-I don’t know. I don’t see names and there’s hardly ever sound with my…”

“He looks like me?”

“Oh. Yes. Yes, but he’s not.”

Bastian grimaced. “Clearly. What about him?” He remembered staring in the mirror and thinking he looked too much like the stiff, unapproachable Elyas.

“I don’t know if it’s him.” She dragged out the m for a few seconds. “But there’s a girl and it’s not good. Not with him.” She mumbled something. “You have to save the girl.”

The last time he was told that it was Nova. “Where is she? Is there a bus or some other—”

“No bus. Why would there be a bus?” She made that sound like what he’d said was ridiculous. “I just see the man and the girl; I don’t know where they are.”

“But I must save her from him?” Bastian loved that they all had their own little secret weapon in the form of a very excitable, petite, Crissy. Unfortunately, none of what she saw, advised or suggested came with instructions or clarity. It would have made life so much easier if she could just fill in some of those tiny details to help decipher things, but he was always up for a challenge and solving the puzzles she presented him. In his mind, nothing was unsolvable, ever. “So, I’m just to save her, but we don’t know from whom. Am I saving her from the man or the situation?”

“I think...” She paused. “I think it’s the man. I don’t see evil around him, but I don’t see good either. There are still many pieces.” She ended it with a tone that said that was all she had to say about it.

“Okay.” He sucked in a breath. “Anything else I need to know, any visions, or lottery numbers? Anything?” He smirked.

Crissy laughed. “I don’t think I see things like that. I don’t think we need money. We have too much money. We need to give all the money away to those that need it. Oh, I have to go, Vic is looking for me.”

She hung up. Bastian looked at the phone, and away from it twice. Shaking his head, he glanced over to his brothers and father. Trendan sent him a look asking what was up. Bastian rolled his eyes, not sure whether to convey he didn’t know or couldn’t say, in truth, it was a bit of both.

Elyas turned and looked at him and the ever-present look in his eyes was of course there. The one that said he was dirt. Bastian cocked his head to the side, a man that looked like him and a woman that needed saving. He almost smiled. “Big brother, tell me how is it going with your chosen one? I hear she’s having trouble resisting your charms.” Elyas scowled at him, which always fueled Bastian to dig a little harder where he was concerned. “You know...” He paused, just to make sure he annoyed him by not speaking ‘clearly’ and in ‘good time’, as he always complained about. “I heard that she, your chosen one, she’s totally fascinated with humans, everything human.” He shrugged. “I completely understand her love of them, I can’t get enough of watching them, they are so interesting and entertaining. What a lucky choice you’ve made.”

Elyas looked at him, no part of his body moving. Was he even breathing? The disdain was clear on his face. He turned and nodded once to their father. “I must go, Father.” Without more explanation, he spun on his heel and stiffly walked from the room.

Trendan turned and looked at Bastian, amusement on his face. “What was that about?”

Bastian waved his phone around, “Crissy, she saw a man that looked like me, but wasn’t and woman that needed saving, or rescuing from him.” He lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “All I could think was if it was the woman Elyas chose at the banquets.”

“So, you think the woman was his chosen and you had to save her from, what?” His father looked confused.

“I don’t know.” Bastian tucked his phone into his pocket, “I just wanted to cover all bases. I mean obviously, it’s not love at first sight, because she can’t decide if she wants to spend eternity with my stiff, boring sibling.”

His father grinned, another surprising thing. “Normally, son I’d be angry you did such a thing to your brother, but there is something off about that whole situation, even your mother thinks so.” He rubbed his hand along his jaw, “I can’t recall a situation like that ever happening before, where a woman can’t decide. The draw to one another’s soul is either there or not…”

Bastian shrugged. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be a queen someday.”

Trendan and his father exchanged a look.

“What?” The look made Bastian nervous.

His father looked amused. “Elyas doesn’t automatically ascend to the throne of Solrelm.”

Bastian was sure he had a ‘huh’ look on his face, but couldn’t help it. “What do you mean, he’s the oldest?”

“Do you ever pay attention to anything?” Trendan gave him a blank look and then shook his head.

“I do when it’s of interest to me.” He said it slowly, still feeling that something was happening he should already know. He smiled and looked at his brother. “So, you’re to be king. That’s fantastic. I have this recurring nightmare of Elyas, as king and demanding we wear suits and ties all the time, even to bed.”

“The oldest doesn’t take over the realm, son.” His father’s expression was one of tenderness. “The first child to share their soul with their other does.”

Bastian frowned. “So he was trying to rush that?” He rolled his eyes, centuries probably weren’t considered rushing by normal standards, but it was the same thing.

“You have already found the true other half of your soul, so you—” His father tilted his head. “—will be the next king of Solrelm.”

Bastian opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. “What?” He looked at his brother, hoping this was a joke. Trendan nodded, without a trace of a smile on his face. “This is—” His phone rang again; he almost tore his pocket off trying to get it out. It was Nova. He held up his hand, “This talk is to be continued.” He answered it and turned his back. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner; I just got your messages.”

“Too busy entertaining a ghost to go outside?” He smirked.

She chuckled and it disarmed the tight feeling in his chest he’d had since she left.

“I don’t even know where to start, Bastian.”

Trendan got his attention and lifted his wrist showing his link. He needed to go do a retrieval. Bastian nodded and flicked his hand telling him to go. “Why? What’s happened?”

His father went and sat down, looking at his phone in front of him. Bastian didn’t know why he was staying, but he was glad because this next king talk wasn’t finished.

“It’s a lot to grasp.” She was speaking slowly as if she were trying to meter each word she said. “I met the spirit and it’s... she’s all of them, Bastian. Her appearance is constantly changing to resemble the faces of the past keepers.”

Bastian cringed. “That’s not creepy at all.”

“It’s shocking at first, but each one has a face and voice, even their own memories.”

He didn’t want to make it seem insignificant, but he was under pressure to resolve many things. “Do they have any useful information?”

“I think so.” She was hesitant with her words. “A fae spelled the house and set up everything, Bastian. Well, I’m sure she didn’t do it all, but they knew our soul, my soul was going to carry on this long. They knew what was coming.”

Bastian nodded. “Princess Aireese is already looking into that, or the one that bewitched the house.”

“Oh good. I’d like to know more.” She blew out a breath. “I’d like to have answers for all of us.”

She sounded calmer, and it brought him a small measure of comfort. He wanted, no needed to see her soon.

“They say I’m the one to save all, Bastian.” She made a sound of exasperation. “I’m not ready to save the world.”

“Your spirits seem to know a lot. Does she, or they, know who is behind this?”

“No.” Another breath was blown into the phone. “There’s a whole journal period missing, the woman couldn’t write, the one that is the reason I have the bad feeling with the tunnels.” She paused. “Bastian, I think answers are there.”

“That’s not shocking.” He looked over to see his father watching him. “Arwan’s maggots were using them to hide in.”

“Could the dark-souled ones be there?”

He wanted to throw his arms out and ask his father, ‘what?’, but managed to hold his composure and look away. “We’re going to have to find out.”

The line was silent for a few seconds. “Bastian, I’m the last body for this soul.”

Bonus points for the spirits, he thought, they had no trouble telling her like it is. “I know.” He closed his eyes and stood like that thinking of the first moment he’d seen her. “I knew as soon as I saw you.” He took a quick breath and used the moment of exhale to prevent himself from blurting out that she needed to come back now. “When are you coming home?” At least it came out as a question and not a demand.

“I was going to in the morning, we have to put a stop to this, bring all the dark-souled ones to justice.”

He smiled, later he’d tell her there was no we, she was not getting involved any more than she already was. “You text me the departure and arrival time of the bus.” He scowled at the floor. He hated she would be alone. “And wear that porter Crissy gave you. Any sign of those dark bastards, you use it.”

“Yes. Okay. Uh...” She hesitated. “Does my bag port with me?”

“Anything or anyone you’re touching does.”

“Oh, okay.”

His heart felt like it had jumped into his throat now. “Nova, be careful, we have much to do and discuss when you return.”

“I know,” she whispered. “Oh, I’m supposed to tell you that they had a very hard time resisting you and staying away from you.”

Bastian grinned. “There’s only one keeper of your soul I’m interested in, my lovely other and she needs to get her ass back here before I lose my mind.” Her soft laugh made him picture her cheeks flushed as they did when they’d held hands.

“I have a few ideas I’d like to share when I get back.”

He quirked an eyebrow and then looked at his father, the comments he wanted to say involved nakedness and a bubble bath, which he couldn’t say in front of his father. “I have many of my own ideas.”

“I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing.” Her tone was lighter.

“I know we’re not.” He grinned and then sobered when his father held up his phone. “I need to go, please be careful and let me know when you’re leaving, from where would be helpful too.”

“I will let you know.”

“Feel free to call and talk to me for the drive as well.”

“I’m sure you have better things to do.”

“No. I really don’t. You are at the very top of my list of priorities.”

“I’m flattered.”

“You should be, I’m told I have the attention span of a goldfish.”

“Oh, my fish.”

Bastian grinned. “And just like that I’m forgotten.”

She laughed. “You know you’re not. I’m going to go now; this rain isn’t letting up.”

He winced. She’d been standing out in the rain. “Yes. Go. We don’t need you getting ill.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Bastian.”

“Anytime you need.”

“Thank you. Bye.” The line went quiet.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so awkward when speaking with someone.” His father grinned at him. “I was a complete idiot with your mother in the beginning.”

That surprised Bastian but made him feel better. The moment was over that fast.

“Your brother messaged, the mother and child are now in Alterealm awaiting Glen’s arrival.”

Bastian checked his phone for messages, but seeing none he put it in his pocket. “Nova will be back tomorrow.” He rubbed his hand over his hair, trying to sort through what she told him. “A fae intentionally kept us apart all this time.” He glanced to see if he had his father’s attention. “Knowing that it would be Nova that could find the lawless and potentially who is behind it.”

“Does she know who?”

Bastian shook his head.“No, but we’re finding out more in bits and pieces.” He pushed on the center of his forehead, trying to decide what in the long list of crap was most important to get one. He opened his eyes. “I will go check on Glen getting over to Alterealm and I need to speak to Troy about an exploration of the tunnels near Nova’s home.”

“The tunnels?”

Bastian nodded. “One of the past keepers believes there’s something of interest there.”

His father’s expression darkened. “I am not happy with not being able to use our own guards for any of this.”

Bastian shrugged. “It’s what the Alterealm giants were made for and should never have been forsaken that responsibility.” He leveled him with a look. “Maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess then.”

His father looked more annoyed by that comment. “What do you know about the wand base? Is it something that could be duplicated?

“It took decades of trials and the combination of three of the realms to make what we use now; I don’t see duplication being possible without all the original plans.”

“Good.” Bastian nodded his head slowly. “Can you check into ours? That has to be something the king can wonder about—” He made quote marks in the air. “—without raising suspicion.”

His father nodded. “I often check on the maintenance and functioning of our items.”

Bastian shrugged; he had no idea he did that. “I’m going to get going, see if we can get a few more answers before Nova is back.”