Below the Surface

Chapter Sixteen

“You do know this isn’t over yet,” Aerolus said as they waited for Arim.

“Obviously,” Marcus answered. “If it were, we’d all be going home. But I’m sure Arim will explain when he gets here.”

It was a sure sign how much Tessa meant to Marcus that the River Prince didn’t mind waiting for explanations. Aerolus couldn’t help the joy that filled him, despite his nagging certainty that the woman in white would bring more trouble than he wanted to handle just now. But she was a matter that could wait.

Both Darius and Marcus had found their affai, women to love and cherish, to bless them with children. Already the burden of gratifying the prophesied Tetrarch was half fulfilled. If something were to happen to him, at least Darius and Marcus stood a chance to reinstate the Storm Lord line.

He shook his head. Brooding about his possible death was pointless, so he returned his attention to his brothers. The mood in their living room was decidedly warm with Marcus set to return home today. However, a glance at Cadmus disturbed him. His brown-eyed brother had been worrying him for weeks.

“I’ve got to be at work early tonight.” Cadmus’ mouth tightened briefly before relaxing into a lazy smile. “Ellie has issues Gerry thinks he needs to address.”

“Issues?” Tessa asked curiously.

Since the fight in Davis’ apartment two weeks ago, Cadmus had been surprisingly upbeat. Granted, they had defeated ‘Sin Garu, but even Marcus agreed his brother was acting outside the norm.

Cadmus shrugged. “Issues with me. I don’t know. Half the time the woman’s a pain in the ass, the other half she’s not there. Who am I to complain?” He grinned and elbowed Aerolus, changing the subject. “Didn’t I tell you Marcus would be the next to fall? I knew he had the hots for her.”

“Cadmus, we both know you had no clue who Tessa really was,” Marcus said, his tone condescending. “It was only my decision to lower my standards after so many months at Tomanna that made her acceptable as an affai.”

Sudden silence met his declaration, and all eyes turned to Tessa. Marcus’, Aerolus noted, shone with laughter.

“I just love when that stick appears up his ass.” Tessa grinned and Cadmus laughed, a sincere chuckle that made Aerolus happy to hear. “Lowering standards, that’s a good one.”

“But you know it’s not true.” Marcus squeezed her tight and kissed the breath out of her. He whispered loudly in her ear, “Around you, sertia, nothing on me is lowered.”

Tessa flushed.

“Just what I love to see, a royal prince desperately in love with his affai.” Arim walked towards them, appearing from out of nowhere. “So you’re finally ready to go home, then?”

Marcus nodded. “Might as well. Then Tessa can find some acceptable clothes to wear.” He eyed her frayed jeans and blouse with disdain.

“You’re such a snot. Remember, Marcus, I’m about to become a queen. Show a little respect.”

Arim smiled and gestured them to the dark circle growing on the far wall of the living room. “Your future awaits.” Then he turned and stared at Cadmus, a frown on his face.

Marcus lingered while Tessa hugged Aerolus and lastly, Cadmus. Before stepping away, she whispered something in Cadmus’ ear that had him pulling back.

“Just think about it,” she said. At Marcus’ puzzled look, she shook her head. “I’ll tell you later.”

He shrugged and turned to his brothers. He grabbed Cadmus first, crushing him in a mighty hug his brother fully returned.

“Don’t give Aerolus a hard time,” he warned, a smile on his lips. “And tell him whatever’s bothering you.”

“Why should I?” Cadmus asked flippantly, all the while Aerolus remained aware Arim’s intent gaze hadn’t wavered from his brother. “You never did.”

“Yes, but that’s because I’m a conceited asshole, remember?” Marcus smirked and shoved Cadmus aside, considering Aerolus before he spoke. “I’ll miss you too, brother. Have you need of us, just ask.”

Us, he said. Marcus and Tessa. Aerolus lip curled in a smile, one that reflected in his gaze. “Would that I meet someone as well-matched for me as Tessa is for you. You’ve the luck of the Light, Marcus. Go on home, and tell Darius and Samantha we miss them. And Tessa,” he said, staring solemnly at his brother’s affai with a twinkle in his eyes, “keep him straight, will you?”

She grinned and nodded, eager to start her new life. Taking Marcus’ arm, she and her prince walked through the portal, turning one last time to say good-bye.

“Darius and your mother are waiting for you on the other end, Marcus. I’ll be along,” Arim said, and with a wave of his hand, gestured good-bye to Marcus and Tessa while closing the portal behind them.

Just great, he meant to stay a while. Aerolus mused the potential problems this visit would surely pose.

“Now that the happy pair has left, which one of you wants to share what the hell’s been going on since my last visit?” Arim narrowed his gaze. “What aren’t you telling me?” He stared at the two of them, no longer the affable spellcaster, but a furious mage on the verge of losing his patience.

Cadmus stared wide-eyed at Arim before turning to consider Aerolus with a sharp gaze. He whistled. “Holding out on me, too, eh, bro?”

Aerolus forced himself to remain calm, holding in place the shield that sheltered him from Arim’s prying mind. He turned back to Cadmus, sorry to put his brother on the hot seat, but grateful for the excuse to find out what bothered him. “I’m not sure what Arim’s referring to, but I think we both know you turning Djinn during the battle with ‘Sin Garu was no freak accident.”

Arim froze. “Turning Djinn?” He grabbed Cadmus by the shoulder and spun him to stare directly into his eyes. Then began the long inquisition Aerolus had hoped for, giving him more time to shelve his problems.

A bright light winked at the corner of his eye, and grateful for even the smallest of distractions, Aerolus turned in its direction. Paying it more attention than it probably deserved, Aerolus subtly studied it, using a small spell to enhance his vision, when his breath caught.

His lady in white was the size of a dime, complete with sheer wings, a warm glow, and an irritated scowl darkening her violet eyes.

Queen in council. The Aellei. Dark Lords. Suddenly it all came together, as his intense studies in the Great Hall bore fruit.

Her iridescent white skin. That otherworldly glow. Wings. She commanded the Shadren as evidenced by her familiarity with the Nocumat. And her reference to the Aellei. How had he forgotten mention of them?

Aelle—a land more notorious than Tanselm, one steeped in raw, shadowy magic. With a legendary reputation for amusing themselves through deception and a conceit that made Marcus look tame, the Aellei made poor allies and even poorer enemies. And they had, if memory served correctly, been briefly associated with the Dark Lords during Tanselm’s dark years, before the Storm Lords liberated the land.

His heart wanted to pound out of his chest. With a knowledge he wished, by the Light how he wished, he did not possess, he knew the woman in white was an Aellei, his affai, and trouble with a capital ‘T’.