2: Chapter 31

We had gone around helping the villagers secure the livestock, loose items, and other various tasks. As the others helped tie down some final things I sat back and really thought about my life. Being a leader was similar to writing a book, you can’t have nonstop chaos all the time. Once in a while it’s good to have a few calm, flowing chapters to keep your book more interesting as you can see into their imagination. Plus a constantly fast paced book may be for some, but I prefer the flowing books. Plus it helps keep the author sane. I chuckled thinking of the differences of the two with my own life, all the times I had begun a book and gave up, but being a leader it hadn’t been an option nor would I even consider it after everything. Although being an author would have been pretty cool, I’d rather be what I am now. A queen, an elemental awakened, a mother to, soon to be, 3, and so much more. Though chaotic and rocky at times, this was my life and whether I was fighting or be a peacekeeper I was happy. I sat for a few minutes as I reflected some more. Unaware that I had five pairs of eyes on me, watching my every move as if I was making a piece of art. Finally feeling a bit unnerved I looked up at them.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was off wandering around in my own thoughts, did you ask me something?”

“No, we were just taking in a beautiful masterpiece.” Elre smiled warmly.

“Truly a one of a kind.” Rugan winked. Oh goddess, he has been taking notes from Alastar.

“Remarkably breathtaking.” Hummed Shura.

“Absolutley stunning.” Alastar cocked his head slightly as he smiled.

“Flawlessly created.” Lazarath softly spoke.

“Mmhmmm, and with all these compliments my head won’t fit through the door.” I smirked at them.

“Well, let’s get you to my house so that you may rest. The morning will be quite tiring and with a little one on the way, we need you at maxiumum power.” He smiled as he gently grabbed my hand, leading us along the maze of streets. As we entered a rather large home, Elre took my cloak and handed it to a young woman, a scornful look etched acrossed her face as she took me in. The others caught her and piled their cloaks on top of mine, each one giving her a sneer or dissatisfied look. Elre tsked her and led our recon team to, what looked to be, a spacious apartment on the lower level, making sure the butlers orchestrated everything smoothly. Once Elre was satisfied we continued up the stairs, his house was quite large and the further we went the more I felt the drain of the day pulling at me. As Elre neared to large doors, he looked back excitedly and smiled.

“I haven’t been in this room since the day I had met you. I couldn’t set foot in here,” He pulled hard as the door began to swing open. “ everytime I did I felt the urge to find you. To take back my foolish thoughts. Now I can sleep peacefully as my fated mate is here beside me with my comrades.” His grin could have reached his eyes with how happy he was. Going inside the large room a circular bed lay in the middle, a hanging sheer, canopy surrounding it. A piano to the right and a gorgous fireplace to the left. The craftsmanship with the stone and wood were captivating, every piece a tale of songs and poems. The most eye catching was a piece of art above the the fireplace. A woman sat in the grassy meadow with her left hand laying flat in the lush green grass, and her legs bent slightly to the right. She staring up at something not in the picture, curled behind her, a white and black dragon gazed up in the same direction. While by the woman’s right side, her palm resting on the back, of a multicolored wolf that was also looking in the same direction. Every detail was beautifully painted, from the deep green shade to the brightly lit meadow, each blade of grass, leaf, bubble, trickle, stone, and pebble masterfully positioned. Each one as if they would pop off the canvas at any time.

“I see you like my painting.” A teenage boy stood beside, never making a sound. “That was the last vision I had, so I painted it over and over, until this was finished.” He smiled.

“I absolutely love it, you captured everything beautifully, each stroke magnificently placed.” I said looking wide eyed at the painting.

“It took me a year to paint her, just the way the vision was. I am glad to finally meet the woman I painted tirelessly. It’s quite a pleadsure Queen Dragoness.” I was stunned for a moment as I studied the picture closer. Everything dawning on me all at once.

“I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.” I said stunned.

“Tobias, Elre calls me Tias but only he knew that name.” He chuckled. “We made that rule up when he was ten and I had just turned three, he would call me Tias in secret so if anything happened, if we were in danger, and we needed to send a message. That was our code word.” He smiled.

“That’s really amazing. Brotherly love right their.” I smiled. Looking at the painting once again. Tobias had a vision of me, but what in the world were we looking at? When I had turned back around, I was stunned to find Tobias gone. I never heard him walk away, never felt his energy move, so where did he go. I looked around the room, puzzled as to where the boy could have gone.

“Anya, what seems to be the matter? You seem like you’ve lost something.” Shura cocks his head curiously.

“The boy that was just here, I can’t figure out where he has gone.” The guys looked at one another and back to me puzzled.

“What boy? We’ve been the only ones here.” Rugan looks around slightly on guard.

“Maybe you are more exhausted than we thought.” Elre looks concerned.

“No, there was a boy here, the one who painted that picture.” I said pointing up at the vision picture. “He said his name was Tobias.”

“Anya that’s impossible.” Elre said his voice wavered a minute before composing himself. Looking Elre dead in his eyes I spoke the secret name.

“Tias!” This caused Elre to stop in his tracks, his eyes widened, and his mouth fell open with a gasp.

“Anya, did he say anything else?”

“Well he spoke of his last vision being the painting,” I repeated what Tobias had told me to the t. “However, I went to ask him what I, the dragon, and the wolf were staring at, but he was gone. Now here we are.” I said confused by this all.

“Anya, Tobias was killed four years ago when the village was raided and burned.” A tear trickled down his face. “He was 16 and just finished the painting, we were planning on going fishing but I was called away last minute to help aide another village a day away.” He sat down on a cushioned foot rest. “I told him we would go the day I got back.” Elre put his face in his hands.

“He said he would run all the way back if he had to. I remember waiting by the door, our fishing poles strung and ready to go. Sadly, he didn’t arrived until hours after the man took my life, but I promised just as he did, no matter what I would always be here for him.” Tobias had appeared beside me as I repeated his words.

“I am so sorry Tias, I failed you, I should have never gone. I should have been here, we should have been fishing, you would have still been here. I regret that day so much.”

“How can I help him see you and hear you?” I looked at Tobias with my own tears.

“Anya, I am not sure it’s possible. You are the first to be able to hear and see me.” He said concerned. I sat for a moment remembering something the mages were teaching us about mate bonds and sharing our powers.

“I got it!” I spoke excitedly, closing my eyes as I place my hands over my heart. “I call upon the powers within me, share my gifts with my mates. Our bodies many may be, but our souls are linked by the fates. I grant them my gifts but all things will go back, hurry now time is of the essence.” I spoke the spell as my body glowed, matching my five mates. Their eyes widened as they saw the boy that they thought I was hallucinating.

“Tias?” Elre stood, running to Tias and wrapping him. They both sobbed as they held one another. Tears welling up in my eyes as I felt the heartbreak through our bond. Elre finally seeing his brother after kicking himself and tearing himself apart for four long and agonizing years.

“Ellie, please don’t beat yourself up. No one knew about the attack not even the seers. Please do not blame yourself for my physical death. I casted my soul in my pendant you wear. I am still here I just no longer have a physical form.” He cried. “I love you big brother. That has never changed and nothing would ever change that.”

“I’ll find a way brother, to bring your soul from the stone. I will avenge you.” He declared.

“She weakens as we continue. Elre we will speak again. She must rest. We will see each other again, her heart is pure and she has a plan. Later brother I love you” Tobias faded away as Elre spun towards me. The others had zoned in on my paling figure, casting what little bit of energy I had left for them to see one another was worth it.

“Shura, I need to take you up on that offer.” I wobbled and swayed. Shura was beside me, picking me up gently and quickly laying me on the bed.

“I’m so sorry Anya.” Elre whispered as he kissed my knuckles.

“I will recover, the consequence is far less than the healing it gave.” I smiled as my eyes slowly closed. “I will find a way to help bring his soul back. Just give me some time. It was worth seeing you two reunite after so much heartbreak and sorrow.” I smiled as he gently kissed my forehead and sleep overtook me.