| |
––––––––
Izdahl smiled at Armando when he entered the living room. “How was your ride?”
“Great. Yohan really likes this weather the most. We walked through the forest for a long time. The next time you and I go riding, we should...” Armando’s words trailed off. “What’s wrong, Iz?”
“What makes you think anything’s wrong?”
“Don’t do that. I know you.”
“Please come here, ‘Mando.” Izdahl patted the spot next to him on the couch. “I need to tell you something.”
Armando settled next to Izdahl, concern clouding his eyes. “What happened?”
Izdahl gave him a small smile. “Nothing. Really. I...” He released a long breath. “All right. That’s not true. I messed up and GG’s punishing me for it. Or at least she will.”
“What does that mean? And why?”
Izdahl picked up his tablet from one of the end tables. He flicked to the official decree and handed the table to Armando. “GG’s beyond pissed off with me for how I spoke to Dagmar at the festival. Apparently, she wants the entire solar system to know. She has decided I will be undergo DaraNehroz, SoulBound.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ll be imprisoned in a cell for all the public to see. GG will make me extend my wings and pin them. Other than small privacy breaks, I’ll have to stay like that for seven days.”
“This can’t be,” Armando said. “She’s really going to do that?”
“Yes.” Izdahl grimaced. “I didn’t want to talk about it. But I’d rather you find out from me than from the news.”
Izdahl watched as Armando searched the multinet for details on being SoulBound. Armando’s shoulders slumped as he read the information. DaraNehroz originated almost three thousand years ago. Unless someone was reincarnated from that time, no one alive had seen it, yet alone had to endure it.
Armando pointed to the image of someone enduring being SoulBound. The Nitelvosa’s face was carved with anguish. “That’s what Xeira decided to do to you? Because you insulted the Havad Velzo?”
“That’s her plan.”
“No.” Armando shook his head vigorously. “We can get Xeira to change her mind. She has to—”
“The punishment has already been publicized. GG will not change her mind.”
“Why would she even pick that punishment?”
“To make a point. The rule about respecting the Velzos of other clans is an ancient one. I said, to a Velzo’s face, I hoped his soul shattered and he never gets a chance to reincarnate.” Izdahl hung his head and let out a long breath. “Wars have been fought over smaller insults. GG wanted to remind me of that.”
“I’ll talk to her. This is unreasonable.”
Izdahl held up a hand. “Please do not try to defend me. She’ll add to the punishment. She’s really furious I gave Dagmar serious leverage.” Izdahl flinched, anticipating the immense pain he’d have to endure. “I just need to endure being SoulBound.”
“This isn’t right. Your grandparents. Or your parents. Your brother. They’d have to do something.”
“Armando no. Let it be. Too many want to get involved. Grandfather Calnian and Grandmother Zarifa want to fly in from Hasev. I’ve asked them not to because it will only lead to arguments with Xeira.”
Izdahl’s grandparents on his mother’s side, who lived on the second largest Nitelvosa planet, had never really gotten along with Xeira. Him being punished by Xeira wasn’t going to improve family relations.
Seeing the sharp concern in Armando’s eyes, Izdahl put a hand against his cheek. “If you want to help, be there for me, especially afterward when I’m healing.”
Armando nodded. “Whatever you need.”
“Thank you.”
***
Izdahl waited on the platform in the city square, with his stomach tightening. Soon, his SoulBound punishment would start.
Erol, his paternal grandfather, was now formally Xeira’s second-in-command. He stepped forward to read the announcement.
“Izdahl Kandros Ziyad Amasi publicly insulted Velzo Dagmar Havad,” Erol said. “As a result, the youngest son of Jaxon Amasi and Hadil Ziyad must endure DaraNehroz. Izdahl will be imprisoned in a cell, bound by magic, with his wings fully extended and pinned. For the duration of seven days, he will not be permitted to interact with anyone. His Velzo, Xeira Amasi, is the only one who will release him.”
With the official sentence read, Izdahl flew up to the wide platform. He knelt and released his wings.
Erol leaned close to Izdahl. “I am sorry. I do not agree with my mother on this. As a concession, she’s allowing me to cast the spell for the spike. You’ll feel pain but it will be at the hands of one who supports you and is trying to keep a balance. I hope that makes it easier.”
“Thank you, Grandfather,” Izdahl said.
Erol brushed a hand against Izdahl’s wings, weaving a spell that drove a baltium spike through the humerus of his wings and bound them together.
As his grandfather walked away, Izdahl knelt on the platform, forced to face the direness of his circumstances. He glanced up into the sky, where a hovering clock counted down the time until he’d be released. He also saw various drones recording. He wished he hadn’t looked. His punishment would be on the news, viewed on mobiles and massive screens in city centers. Broadcast through the entire Nitelvosa territory, the most shameful event in Izdahl’s life would reach the three planets and every interstellar outpost.
He lowered his head and caught Armando watching him at the front of the crowd. Armando’s face was resolute. In that moment, Izdahl was certain he could endure the process with dignity.
Over time, others gathered by Armando. At the foot of the platform where Izdahl was caged, members of the Amasi and Ziyad Families, as well as Nitelvosa from other Families, began to leave Kriava’s Lament. The flower was used as a sign of solidarity with those who’d been wronged. There were many who didn’t agree with Xeira’s decision to punish Izdahl. This was their way of showing it. Even as he suffered, Izdahl took heart in seeing the growing offerings of the bloom.
As the hours passed, the spike connecting the humerus of each of Izdahl’s wings became heavier each day. The spike released a pulse that cascaded pain through his body, making his muscles violently contract. Even his nerve endings were aflame. Those pulses came at random. One would last ten seconds, while another could inflict agony on him for ten minutes. He never knew how long the torturous periods would last and he rarely slept. The worst part was the spell that siphoned soul energy. He watched it rise out of him, collecting in a glass vase above his head. It felt like his soul was being battered, leaving him confused and weakened.
Though Armando and supporters tried to bring Izdahl food and water, the guards turned everyone away. Izdahl knew most Nitelvosa could endure going without sustenance for seven days, but he imagined how much more anguish he’d feel by the end of his punishment. Seeing others determined to help sometimes seemed to make things worse. He tried to keep his dignity as much as possible. He felt embarrassed that he was glad at least a spell had been cast on him, so he didn’t need relief from any bodily functions.
Days stretched into nights. The size of the crowd ebbed like tides, humans and Nitelvosa keenly watching him, witnessing a spectacle that hadn’t happened for thousands of years. He could feel their eyes studying him and wondered how many thought he’d crumble. Through it all, he returned to focusing on Armando, who seldom left the punishment site. Izdahl saw his family pull Armando away, forcing him to take a break from his vigil. On the last day, Armando sat solemnly, being the source of the light brightening Izdahl’s soul.
***
Izdahl glanced up, feeling the heat of the midday sun. The cage door opened and a guard shifted to the side and motioned with one hand. The spike disappeared from between Izdahl’s wings. He gasped, feeling deep relief and stifled a sob. While he was still in great pain, the physical cause of it was gone.
“Rise to meet Velzo Amasi,” the guard said, handing Izdahl the vase of glowing soul essence that had been drained from him.
Released from his prison, Izdahl moved away from it, took the vase, and flexed his wings to fly. He had to make it up the one hundred foot marble pillar to genuflect. Hovering screens showed Xeira standing with her arms folded. Her expression was cold, with one eyebrow raised.
Izdahl flapped his wings and gasped. It hurt too much to move his wings and the pain trapped him on the ground. After six attempts, he was able to rise, carrying the vase. He traveled up, grimacing as he landed on the platform where Xeira stood. Two of her highest level assistants were at her side, their face as dispassionate as hers.
Izdahl bowed his head and offer the vase with his soul energy. “Velzo Xeira Amasi, I deeply apologize. I will not be disrespectful again. Thank you for the lesson.”
Xeira took the vase and handed it to an assistant. She pointed to her feet, an eyebrow raised. Izdahl gritted his teeth, releasing his damaged wings out to their full span, and kneeling. He touched his forehead to his great-grandmother’s feet. More pain pierced him, radiating through the joints of his wings and cascading down his back. The column slowly began to lower to the ground, as Xeira kept him in submission, increasing the agony flooding his system. With forty percent of his soul energy drained, Izdahl felt the heat of Xeira’s gaze and the furious pressure from her immense spiritual power. He did his best to fight down the resulting nausea. He was glad when the platform reached the ground. It meant that his ordeal would be over soon.
“Remember this experience,” Xeira said. “Do not repeat your actions. You may rise, Izdahl Kandros Ziyad Amasi.”
Izdahl slowly stood, stifling a gasp of anguish. Xeira’s expression remained one of cold detachment. He never wanted to see that lack of emotion on her face again.
He bowed his head. “Velzo Amasi, thank you for your mercy.”
Xeira opened a portal, entering it with her two assistants. With them gone, the crowd began to disperse. Even reporters, used to pushing for information, avoided asking Izdahl questions. He was grateful for that, unsure he’d be able to respond without showing the agony he felt.
His family and Armando, stepped forward and offered him solace.
Izdahl gave them a tired smile. “I’m sorry I brought shame on you.”
His father rested a hand on Izdahl’s shoulder. “Don’t speak like that.”
“Xeira has forbidden me to help you heal,” Hadil said softly. She glanced at Jaxon and then back at Izdahl. “Your father has convinced me to respect Xeira’s order.”
Jaxon let out a frustrated breath. “Hadil, you know the decision wasn’t made lightly.”
Izdahl put a hand on each of his parents’ arms. “I don’t want to make a rift in the family. I know this is more than enough strain.”
Hadil put a hand against his cheek. “If tomorrow, you still need me, your father and Xeira’s opinions won’t matter.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Syrik gave him a small smile. “Well, I can say I’ve never messed up this badly.”
Valeria elbowed him. “Stop it.”
Izdahl tried not to laugh but failed. He stifled a groan, as his entire body spasmed. He reached for Armando, who opened his arms.
“It’s over,” Armando said softly. “You’ll be all right.”
Izdahl buried his face against Armando’s neck for a few moments. He bit his bottom lip hard to keep from sobbing. Then he looked at Armando, giving him a shaky smile. “I don’t want to fall apart in public. Please take me home.”
***
Armando gently lay enchanted heated gel pads onto Izdahl’s upper back. The area around Izdahl’s wings were intensely swollen, but the magically infused heat seemed to be helping. Three days had passed since Izdahl’s punishment. The effects had started fading.
“How much longer will the pain last?” Armando asked. “Xeira let your mother cast a spell to reduce the suffering, but you’re still hurting.”
“Yes, but Xeira won’t let Mother take all the pain away. That won’t happen for at least another week.”
Armando shook his head. “Xeira really is furious.”
Izdahl chuckled. “This is her being merciful. I’m surprised she let Mother reduce the pain.”
“If this is mercy...Never mind” Armando sighed. “Am I doing everything you need?”
Izdahl nodded and held him tightly. “Perfectly.”
Armando adjusted one of the packs and checked all of them, making sure they put out sufficient heat.
“Izdahl, this may be a strange time to ask, but will things be all right between you and Xeira?”
“I’m like her in many ways.” Izdahl gave a mirthless chuckle. “We’ll be angry with each other for a while longer, but we’ll get over it.”
“You two are so close. I’d hate for this to break your relationship.”
“GG and I will be fine. It’s Mother and GG that have me worried.”
***
Izdahl listened to the furious conversation between Hadil and Xeira. Three weeks had passed since his punishment and the two had refused to speak with each other. He and Armando had invited them over for a lunch, to hopefully get them back on better terms. They hadn’t even made it to the table to have their meal. Instead of that happening, Hadil and Xeira had begun arguing in the living room about tactics to handle Dagmar.
Izdahl glanced at Armando, knowing he was also at a loss for how to reduce the tension. They hadn’t been able to get a word in sideways in the past five minutes. It didn’t look like that would happen any time soon.
Xeira pinched the bridge of her nose. “Hadil, we can’t get to Dagmar right now. How many times must I tell you to—”
“How patient am I supposed to be? Dagmar’s scheming led to Izdahl dying. What if we weren’t able to bring Izdahl back? We were lucky that Armando and me were in the same area. But that won’t always be the case. You need to deal with Dagmar.”
“Hadil, even as the Prime Velzo, I cannot just arrest Dagmar,” Xeira said, her voice filled with exasperation. “He’s not only a Velzo, he also leads the second most powerful Family. Any of my attempts to remove him will look like I’m taking out a possible rival, as opposed to finding justice.”
Hadil took a step closer to Xeira, her head tilted. “Then how will you fix this situation, before it spirals further out of your control?”
“To succeed at handling Dagmar, I must build strong alliances.” Xeira let out a long breath. “That means convincing other Velzos to risk their Families, by challenging him. I don’t see why you can’t understand that.”
Izdahl looked back and forth between his mother and great-grandmother, as the atmosphere became even more heated. “Maybe we should—”
“We’re dealing with the Havads and Teradas,” Xeira said. “The Marnels and Shabotas are still deciding if they even want to support me. Things aren’t so simple.”
Izdahl put a hand on Xeira’s arm. “You’re right, GG. Just remember everyone in this room is on the same side.”
Xeira shrugged off Izdahl’s hand and stepped closer to Hadil. “There are likely others in a shadow coalition working against us. We have to move carefully. You must listen to—”
“You listen.” Black flames with silver soul fire flashed off Hadil’s skin, making Xeira back up and whip a shield around herself. “These maneuvers between the Velzos will get people killed.” Hadil’s eyes glowed amber, as her flames flashed out farther, wrapping around Xeira and effortlessly yanking the Amasi matriarch to her.
Xeira’s shield began to crack.
Hadil fully changed to one of her more powerful Nitelvosa forms, with her skin shifting to a dark blue and her wings unfurling. “If I lose anyone because of you, I will tear you limb from limb, burn you, and scatter your ashes in space. I will shatter your soul. I will make sure you never reincarnate. You will be—”
Izdahl gripped Hadil’s arm, wanting to calm her. “Mama, can I hug you?” His voice shook with the strain of being so close to Hadil, as the power of her fury and magic whipped through the air. “I can’t do that with you like this. You’re scaring me.”
Hadil immediately changed back to her regular Nitelvosa form, extinguishing the flames and putting Xeira down. Xeira breathed hard and clutched her chest, swallowing repeatedly.
Hadil turned to Izdahl and put a hand against his cheek. “My sweet boy. Mama’s so sorry for scaring you. Seeing you SoulBound made me think of...Made me remember when...” Hadil closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Never mind. I’m under control now.”
“It’s all right, Mama. I know you just want to protect me.”
“Hadil...” Xeira looked at her, then at Armando and Izdahl. “All of you. I need you to be patient, just a little longer.”
Hadil took a step closer to her. “I’m running out of patience with you, Xeira Amasi. I won’t take back anything I said.” Hadil waved her hand and opened a portal. Before stepping into it, she sent Xeira another blistering glare. Izdahl carefully watched his mother go, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind to make another threat. When Hadil disappeared, Izdahl let out a sigh of relief.
Izdahl turned to Armando. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I think so.” Blood dripped from Armando’s nose and landed on the wooden floor. “Izdahl, why’s this happening?”
Xeira wove a spell, conjuring a handkerchief for Armando.
Armando held the handkerchief to his nose. “Why am I bleeding?”
“That’s your body responding to my mother’s spiritual power. She was actually holding back, even then.” Izdahl glanced at Xeira. “She could have really hurt you.”
Xeira cleared her throat. “I know.”
“Are you all right?” Armando asked.
Xeira slowly nodded, but she looked off into the distance and clenched her jaw.
“What about your mother?” Armando asked Izdahl. “I’ve never seen Hadil that angry. She’s terrifying.”
“She’ll be okay. She’ll go to my father. He’s the best at helping her become calm.” Izdahl let out a sigh. “I’m just glad you could withstand that much of her power.”
After checking again that Armando’s nosebleed had stopped, Izdahl looked at his great-grandmother. “GG, please tell me you’ll be all right.” Izdahl waited, knowing Xeira would be stubborn about responding. “I don’t want you to leave until you promise me.”
Xeira sighed and shook her head. “Of course I’ll be fine. I’m the head of the Amasi Family. I don’t have any other option.”
“This burden isn’t yours alone, Xeira,” Armando said.
“I know that, but you’re not the only architect. This coalition I’ve been building is restless. I need results soon or the bonds will shatter. What am I even doing here? I don’t have time for this.”
Without another word, she opened a portal and left.
Armando let out a long breath. “They need more time to cool down.”
“Right, but we’re not giving up. We’ll try again to get them to reconcile.”
***
Armando had returned with Izdahl to the house on Mount Cyvdon. Now, he relaxed on a wide lounge chair and looked up at the night sky. Above him flew Izdahl in his memdor hawk form. Armando grinned as Izdahl dipped and swooped.
A few minutes later, Izdahl dove and did several rolls, before gracefully landing on the lawn. He morphed back into his main form.
Armando opened his arms to him. “You’re incredible when you fly.”
“Tonight’s perfect for it.” Izdahl went to lay at Armando’s side. “It’s so crystal clear. I might go up again later.”
“And I’ll watch you every time.”
Izdahl chuckled. “Glad I can please you.” He changed positions to rest his head in Armando’s lap. After a few moments, he asked, “Are you really all right? I know what you’ve been telling me, but...”
“I can’t pretend some things aren’t weighing on my mind. I’m still worried about the Blood Replica. I know I can’t have any contact with him yet, but it’s frustrating not having answers.”
“Mother might know more soon. I’m sure she’ll tell us when it’s safe to be around him.”
Armando sighed. “I feel strange even thinking about the Blood Replica, considering who made him. I can’t believe the lengths Dagmar has gone.”
“Dagmar won’t win you know.” Izdahl held his gaze. “Rasmun gave us a lot of information. We’ve been verifying those leads.”
“I know what Rasmun told you, but you had him under physical and psychological strain.”
“I wasn’t as tough on him as I could have been.”
“True, but he might have said anything to get out of that cell.”
“Well, regardless of what happens with Rasmun, Dagmar’s still our main target. Volpe’s going to pay too. No matter how much he tries to ingratiate himself with GG.”
“What does all this mean for us?”
“It could mean Dagmar will become more dangerous. He likely has others more eager and much smarter than Rasmun helping him. Whatever he does will cause ruptures.”
“Do you think we’re heading toward a major fight between the Velzos?” Armando asked.
“Yes. Entire factions will fight. The Amasis and Ziyads will work together. The Havads and Teradas will push us. Some of the other family members might join them. But we’ll have support too.” Izdahl tapped Armando’s chin and winked at him. “Velzo Nieri’s on your side. She’ll wreck others, just to clear time to talk about architecture with you.”
Armando laughed, glad to have a light-hearted moment. His humor faded as he looked up at the night sky and thought of a heavy question. “Did I cause these problems?”
Izdahl changed positions to sit up and face Armando. “No. These issues started long before we were ever born. That’s why the night your parents died led to the battle between Nitelvosa Families. That night was a catalyst for more rifts, but there had been other issues.”
“I’ve heard that, but it’s hard to believe.”
“No humans are to blame for what happened.” Izdahl held Armando’s gaze. “Or what’s about to happen. It’s been a long time coming because Dagmar wants to control you and ultimately Zaitiv. We’re not letting that happen. We’ve begun calling in some family from different parts of Rivkaen, as well as from the other two planets and the outer zones.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“Amasis and Ziyads will remind others of our power.” Izdahl let out a long sigh. “I never thought we’d return to those days, though that’s how it’s looking.” His powers pulsed around him and reached out to Armando as a protective layer. “But I swear, Armando, I’ll protect you.”
“And I’ll do the same for you. I know I’m not like a Nitelvosa but—”
“You are more than enough.” Izdahl leaned in and kissed him lightly. “Come on. Let’s not spend this entire time worrying. Maybe we should thank the Goddess Evutana.”
“What do you mean?”
Izdahl explained about the Ziyad Goddess of Flight and Luck. “When I took a trip with Mother a few months ago, we trailed our hands in the River Shan, which the goddess made. That’s supposed to be good luck.” He smiled gently at Armando. “I’d like to think that’s been helping.”
“How long is that luck supposed to last?”
“Seven years. We’ve been incredibly fortunate so far, considering. Let’s hope that holds.” Izdahl glanced at the night sky. “Now, that’s enough grim conversation for a while. How about you fly with me?”
Armando nodded eagerly. “I’ll get our flight gear.”
Soon, they were soaring in the sky, enjoying the time that remained before chaos descended.
––––––––
I wanted to show my appreciation for the following fantastic people:
Deranged Doctor Design Team – They built upon the wonderful elements from the cover for the first book in this series. The gorgeous cover for the second book helps to show the increasing confidence of my characters.
Mica – She agreed, yet again, to support me in crafting another tale. Her advice on strengthening my story has been incredible, allowing me to capture the characters’ journey in the way I imagined.
––––––––
Octavia Atlas is pretty mellow, on any given day. She writes contemporary, fantasy, and science fiction romance. When she’s not writing, she also enjoys playing video games, reading, traveling, or watching TV/movies. She’d love to hear from you. Connect with her through her website, where she includes story trivia.
––––––––
balance@octaviaatlas.com
––––––––
The Agitator’s Code Series
––––––––
The Architect’s Guardian Series
––––––––
Published by GeistPrime Publications.
Other than for media coverage or reviews, no part of this work can be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any form, without written permission from the publisher, GeistPrime Publications, via geistprimepublications@gmail.com.
Copyright © 2024 by Octavia Atlas.
eBook ISBN: 9781734511284
Print ISBN: 9781734511291
Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design: https://www.derangeddoctordesign.com.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, and locales is entirely coincidental.