Chapter 61

~Aneth~

When Aneth gets far enough, he lets his anger out of the stone wall of the castle wall. This was going to be harder for him than he thought; just seeing Mael made him want to burn him alive. The witch even seemed troubled by Mael's presence and hinted at Aneth to bring along his brethren. He heeded the witches' warning this once since he felt his sanity was at stake as well. He finds Nye and Koa entertaining Ignis. Nye ignites his hand, then blows it out, making Ignis giggle. Koa lounges on the sofa, and he catches Aneth's gaze. "A shame if your face got stuck like that." Koa's witty remark poked at his already weening restraint, but his stupid smirk wasn't helping.

"You two are accompanying me while Kamari learns." Aneth commands.

Nye sneers and takes his daughter in his arms, "I'm sure you're quite armored for the task." 

Aneth hadn't experienced this when he was in dragon form. He never needed help and didn't know how to ask for it without being seen as weak. I made him think of when he was sick years before. He groans and crosses his arms, "Maybe so, but you're coming." Aneth's gut twists in knots.

Koa tilts his head, "Why?" His serpent brother stands, walks over to him, and starts circling him, "Are you feeling ill?" The question wasn't from concern; it was Koa's sick way of taunting him. Aneth growls low in his throat and throws a left hook at Koa's jaw, making Koa back off. Koa was too bold for his good sometimes. Aneth looks to Nye, who threads his hand through Ignis's long raven-colored hair. Nye sighs in frustration as he sets his daughter down and looks at Aneth, "Shades are mischievous by nature, and I don't trust that witch." Nye looks to Koa, "You watch Ignis."

Aneth feels a weight lift off his chest. As Aneth and Nye leave, Nye places a hand on Aneth's shoulder and squeezes it, acknowledging Aneth's inner struggle. If anyone knew him well, it was Nye. Aneth only went against Nye a couple of times for the lead. Other than that, he didn't try to fight him, not because he was weak but because Aneth and Nye had a deeper understanding of one another. When they get back, Aneth sees Calea standing between Mael and Kamari.

Seems the witch had some sense, he thinks to himself. The smug grin on Mael's face makes Aneth leer at him. Kamari places a hand on his chest; her touch settles the beast inside, and with those violet eyes boring into him, he feels his soul be still. Aneth held her against his chest; to Aneth, Kamari was the calmness he never had. A dragon's life was chaos; there was always someone out to harm you. Although that hasn't changed that much, out in the forest, it was normal for them to go days or weeks without sleep; Koa would be far from water and start to dry from the inside out if they didn't find a lake or fly him across the skies without being attacked thinking he was prey. And if it weren't for Nye's viciousness, half the battles they had to go through wouldn't have gone well. Aneth admitted to himself long ago that Nye held his respect even though his rashness and cold behavior seemed to rise to the surface now and then. 

"Daylights are burning, Kamari," Mael sings. "I think we should get going, don't you?" Kamari looks to Aneth, asking permission in silence. His hand goes to the small of her back and nudges her forward. Aneth agrees to let her learn, but his other condition is that Kamari's sessions can't be in Mael's garden. So, they go far out to a meadow, and he lets her take lessons there. Aneth keeps a close eye on Mael, every breath, every movement.

"So, since you don't know anything, I'll teach the first thing I was taught. How to make the land you stand upon yours." Mael bites his wrist; his blood drips upon bladed grass like dew drops. "Think of yourself as a shock wave, a jolt that starts the heart of the land. Sink your hand into it's flesh." Kamari watches, her gaze fixed on Mael's hand as it sinks into the ground, "Then imagine a spark of life." Mael closes his eyes. Aneth feels a jolt underneath the earth, and when he looks down, he feels a purple glow, and with every pulse, the area gets bigger. "However much land you want, take; the land drinks your blood; it's at your mercy now." Mael pulls his hand out, and with it, a flourish of nature starts to sprout around him. Aneth never knew how their gardens began; it seems a deep link exists in protecting them.

"Go ahead, try," Mael says, stepping backward. Aneth watched Kamari do the same; he couldn't help but smile at the goofy smile she wore as she did it successfully. "Can I do the same to Nivilia?" Kamari asks. Nye and Aneth lean in interest. Mael smiles meekly as if holding something back. "I wouldn't. Leave it as it is; the land is healing; you're helping it by being there, not claiming it." Aneth notices the glance Mael gives to Aneth and Nye. 

"Interesting." Aneth says with an underlying guile, "And what would happen to that sprout that can, along with your hand, was ripped out?"

"Oh, that's an excellent question," Nye adds sardonically. Mael smiles at both of them. "Oh, this?" Mael grabs the sprout and pulls it out. Nothing." Mael throws it at Aneth's feet and dusts off his hands. "Well, do you have any more questions?" 

"Mael." Kamari stands up, "Don't test my husbands; I'd hate for your new fields to be riddled with your blood." She gives him a pinched eye-smile, even though her statement is far from sweet. Aneth can't help but smile as Kaamri acknowledges their power and strength aloud for Mael to hear. Mael crosses his arms on his chest, "Oh, I would never; they asked a question, and I simply answered it." Mael gives her the same smile back, "Throwing the plant was for dramatic effect." 

Kamari snorts laughter and turns away from him. "I don't want to be away from Ignis for long, so I'll have to learn more later." She looks over her shoulder at Mael. "Thank you."

Mael smiles at the ground, casually kicking a pebble, "It's my pleasure. You're welcome, my Queen." Kamari stalls for a second, then walks away with Nye. Aneth looks behind them to find Mael smiling at him specifically, and then Mael makes a motion with his hand as if he's tearing away the skin in the exact area where a Shade stabbed Aneth. A sickening realization hits Aneth as he stares at Mael.

The same Shade who wounded him long ago.

No. Now wasn't the time engage in a fight, Mael puts a finger to his lips. Aneth growls low in his throat and turns away from Mael—aneth strides away, more determined than anything to kill Mael when the time is right.

I'll make him suffer the way he made me suffer.