Chapter 42
Firo was furious. What kind of game were the elders playing? First, they almost crushed her with a tree, and now they had a wild cat standing there looking at her like she would make a nice snack. He went to walk by his princess when she put her hand out to stop him. He looked down at her, she shook her head.
Scowling, he looked back at Avalie and watched her fold her wings. She was showing the animal she wasn’t a threat. It took every ounce of training he’d ever had to stand still and not rush to her aid. Was he the only one? He glanced at Aslac, who made a pointed move to look down at his hand. Firo looked down at his hand to see his sword was in it. Opening his hand so it would disappear, he looked back at the other guard. He lifted one eyebrow at him and gave him a slight smile. Firo sighed and turned back to see the animal was walking by Avalie now.
He watched her compose herself again and then start walking. She had the heart of a warrior; that’s all he knew, and it was good enough for him. Before he took another step, he paused to look around and see if anything else was lurking nearby. He sensed nothing.
With long strides, he followed his princess while keeping his eyes on Avalie. How could anyone possibly look anywhere but at her? In her true form, she was absolutely breathtaking. Her appearance in Interealm was eye-catching, and he was always intrigued with how she handled herself—but here, now, in this form, she tempted him beyond anything he’d ever felt. How was he going to have a meal with her and not make a fool of himself?
When they reached the elders, he wanted to step forward and claim the right of protection. To do so would mean any ill-intended decisions against her would fall on himself instead. The only thing that stopped him from doing so was Ava herself. She would never approve of such a thing. She wasn’t one to allow another to stand between her and anything, even if it meant her own demise.
Someone touched his shoulder. He turned to see Aslac giving him a cautious yet curious look. It didn’t take much to interpret that he was asking him if he’d fallen and hit his head recently. Exhaling, he tilted his head, and with a look of his own, conveyed that he would tell him later. His fellow guard bowed his head in a way that Firo knew he would back him up in any decision he made in the moments that followed.
Firo was torn between standing at his princess’s back and moving so he was also closer to Avalie, lest she needed him. He chose the latter and positioned himself so he could watch over both females. A move that garnered a raised eyebrow from Amyas.
“You reveal yourself, young Firo.” She said with a hint of amusement on her face.
The other three elders paused their whispers to look at him.
“Ah, I see it.” One of them said. He didn’t recognize her, but he showed her respect with a slight bow of head.
“His restraint is solid,” Nirani said. “If not amusing.” She smiled at him. He had been taught by her when he was a fledgling, and for that, he would always be in her debt.
Amyas was looking at Ava now, and it felt as if his heart was lodged in his throat. Choking him and beating hard. “You have graced us with a wonderful gift today, Avalie.”
Ava stood there looking at her. “Am I supposed to bow to you?” She asked quietly. “If I am, I’m not trying to be rude. I’m just scared that if I move too much in this getup, I’ll end up flashing you more than you want to see.”
Amyas laughed and then looked at Firo. He held his breath. Was her laugh a good thing? He could never be certain when the elders were concerned. No one openly spoke to an elder in such a way as Ava just had. “It is refreshing to hear one speak with unfiltered honesty.” Amyas looked back at Ava.
Ava pulled her shoulders back, her wings following the movement. “Yeah, well, I’m not big on playing games.” She glanced at the other elders. “Let’s get this test done so I’m not wasting any more of your time.”
The elders exchanged looks with each other.
“The test has already happened, young one,” Amyas told her.
Ava looked from one to the other and then back to Amyas. “I don’t understand.”
Amyas nodded slowly. “What good would come of something you were prepared for?” She looked at Aireese for a second. “It began the moment you arrived in FaTerra.”
Firo noted that even his princess looked confused.
“Okay.” Ava inhaled a slow breath and then shrugged. “So, I’m done here?”
Amyas smiled. “Don’t you want to know how you did?”
Ava shrugged. “I’m still breathing, so I think it may have gone okay.”
Amyas’ smile widened. “It was surprising in many ways.”
Firo was biting his tongue, literally, so he wouldn’t demand plain speak from those that could likely end him without more than a glance. He inhaled a deep breath and tried to blow the frustration from his body.
Nirani moved forward and looked at Ava from head to toe. “The earth accepted you as soon as your feet were upon it.” She nodded and then looked over at Madoc. “Saving the child without hesitation was an act of selflessness and bravery.” She turned back to Ava and then stepped back.
Ava rolled her head from side to side, and Firo understood she was trying not to tense and react.
The elder to Amyas’ left side stepped forward. “The first animal you saw, the hare, it would never run toward danger.” She smiled at her and then looked at Amyas.
“Continue, Diora.” Amyas motioned to Ava.
Firo had heard of this elder. She was known for her skill with animals. He wondered if she’d called many creatures to this part of the Valley for the test.
“The cardinal was the next creature to come to you.” She smiled. “A message from a departed loved one that was here with you today.” She glanced at Amyas. “Your father or mother, I would assume.”
“My mother.” Ava blurted out. “My father still lives.”
Amyas cocked an eyebrow at her. “You know this?”
Ava nodded. “He left me a letter yesterday.”
Aireese bowed her head. “Ava brought it for you to read, Amyas, perhaps when you are finished telling her the results.”
Amyas looked at the other elders and then at his princess. “I would be honored to see it with my own eyes.” She nodded to Ava. “Thank you for sharing it.”
Ava shrugged. “Thought you might want to know what he said.”
“Indeed.” She turned to the last elder. “Florin, would you like to tell her about the third animal?”
Florin moved to stand where Diora had been. Firo looked to see Aireese giving her a long, hard look. She was one of those responsible for giving the realms the solutions they would need. If he hadn’t been so distracted by Ava and this test, he might have studied her more.
“The final animal, the leopard,” Florin said in a soft voice. “Means many things. Some are questioned.” Firo tensed. “Royalty, that part is clear.” Amyas was nodding and looking at Aireese. Florin turned back to the other elders for a second. “The next it represents—is death and destruction.” Firo held his breath, and his princess gasped. “It can be interpreted two entirely different ways.” She nodded to Diora. “The obvious one, we don’t feel is meant for you. We feel that you will destroy any that harm others and that is the meaning we all agree on.”
Amyas nodded her head slowly. “The leopard represents strength and courage, and we already have heard that you have both.” Amyas looked at the other elders, and each one nodded. She turned back to Ava, and Firo wished he could read what her expression was saying. “We agree that the halfling, Avalie, shall be trained in our ways of magic.” She gave an abrupt nod and then smiled at Ava. “Congratulations.”
Ava didn’t smile at all. Just nodded and gave a quick bow of her head. When she lifted it, she looked at Firo and held her hand out. “The letter.”
Firo nodded and retrieved it from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Thanks.” She turned back to Amyas and held it out. “The letter from my father.”
Amyas looked at it for a moment and then made a hissing sound so the other elders would be quiet. She extended two hands lying flat to Ava and then inclined her head when Ava set it on them. “Thank you.” She turned to the other elders, and they circled her.
Firo blew out a breath and looked down at Ava. She puffed out her cheeks and then shook her head. She was as relieved with the results as he was.