Gewey could see Linis tense and placed his hand on the elf's shoulder. “It's fine. I'll tell you what they say.”
Linis' eyes never left Aaliyah. “These elves have plans for you, Gewey. Be careful.”
“I am with him, Linis,” said Kaylia. “They can plan all they wish. But they still must account for me.”
This brought a smile to the elf. “I believe they think us savage and ignorant. But I would wager they have not given you full account.”
Kaylia flashed a fiendish grin and took Gewey's hand. “And that would be a mistake they would not soon forget.”
This brought a round of laughter. Then Kaylia and Gewey headed off to speak with the elves. As they neared they could see Theopolou, Chiron, Bellisia and the other elders standing in a circle with Aaliyah. Nehrutu and Mohanisi were nearby gathering together the other elves in two groups. Gewey noticed Theopolou held the Book of Souls.
Aaliyah beamed as they joined the circle. She bowed. “Shivis Mol.” She turned to Theopolou. “I see you have brought the Book of Souls. Good.”
“Gewey has already opened it once,” Theopolou reminded her again.
“Could you read it?” she asked Gewey.
“I read the cover,” he replied. “But I didn't try to read the rest. There was no time.”
Aaliyah looked at Gewey thoughtfully. “Try it now.”
Gewey took the box and opened it. The book glowed and shimmered in the fading light. Handing the empty box back to Theopolou, he slowly opened the Book. The pages glittered with intricate gold writing. As when he read the cover, at first the words meant nothing. Then slowly they changed in his mind. But this time, only a few. He stared intensely at the first page for several minutes. “I only understand some of it,” he said finally. “The rest means nothing to me.”
“I am not surprised,” said Aaliyah. “These pages were meant for a God. Although a God you are, you have not realized your full power. You only use power from the earth. There is so much more. And once you learn what I will teach you, then you will be able to read from these pages.”
“I don't understand,” said Gewey. “I use what I can feel.”
“You only feel what is easy to feel,” said Aaliyah. “The powers of water, air and spirit are more elusive.”
Gewey recalled Lee saying that because his father was Saraf, God of the Seas, he could draw power from the water. “How do I learn?”
“Through me,” she replied. “I can teach you what you need to know. But there is a price.”
Kaylia stepped forward. “What price?”
She leveled her gaze on Kaylia. “He is to come with me to seek out the weapons in the desert.”
“Is that all?” asked Gewey.
“No,” she replied flatly. “You must allow me to show you why I am the best choice for a mate.”
Kaylia's hand flew to her knife. But before she could pull it free, Aaliyah waved her arm. Heat flashed through the air and Kaylia was thrown back, nearly losing her footing. Theopolou and Gewey jump in front of her.
“Are you hurt?” asked Gewey.
Kaylia steadied herself, glaring at Aaliyah. “No. She did not hurt me.”
“Still your fury,” said Aaliyah. “Fierce though you may be, you cannot do me harm.”
Gewey looked over his shoulder at Aaliyah. “I am bonded to Kaylia…I love her. And if you do that again, you'll find out just how powerful I really am.” He let the flow swell inside him until the ground trembled.
Aaliyah lowered her eyes and stepped back. “Please, Shivis Mol. I meant no offense.”
Gewey allow the power to ebb.
“I do not doubt your love for Kaylia,” said Aaliyah. “Nor hers for you. But I was chosen for a reason, and I will not be deterred. You are a living God, bound to this world. Destined to save it. Destined to save us. Should you not choose a mate that can meet such a challenge?” Her eyes met Kaylia's. “Have you not doubted that you are worthy? You are fierce and strong. Perhaps, in time you could be even stronger. But should Shivis Mol not have the deepest well to draw from? Are you that well? Or am I?”
Kaylia moved Gewey and Theopolou aside. “You speak of Gewey as if he were a tool…a mere object. You do not love him.”
“I speak of him as he is,” she replied. This time her tone matched Kaylia's ferocity. “A God. You say that I do not love him. And I do not. Not as you love him. But he is Shivis Mol. And we are not children. For him to bond with me would give him even greater strength. Strength he will need if we are to survive. You must look beyond your own selfish desires.”
“This is all irrelevant,” Theopolou interjected. “Kaylia and Gewey are already bonded. This cannot be undone.”
Aaliyah shook her head. “How little you know. Of course it can be undone. You may have lost the ability, but we have not.”
“I don't want it undone,” Gewey objected. His voice was cold and menacing. “And if you try-”
“I will do nothing without your consent,” said Aaliyah. She looked on Gewey and Kaylia for a long moment. “I offer you this bargain. Allow Shivis Mol to go with me…alone. I will present my case during our journey. If I am rejected, so be it. In return, I will instruct him, and help him reach his true potential. I am the most powerful among my people. You will find no better teacher.”
“I will not be parted from Kaylia,” said Gewey. He pulled Kaylia close.
Aaliyah looked into Kaylia’s eyes. “If you are meant to be with him then you have nothing to fear. Your bond shall remain intact unless Shivis Mol decides otherwise.”
“I refuse to-” started Gewey, but Kaylia pulled away.
“If it means saving our people, then you must,” said Kaylia. Her voice was tender and sad. “I fear losing you.” She gave Aaliyah a contemptuous glance. “But not to her. Go, and learn what you must to save us from the darkness that comes. I will be waiting.”
“You have made a wise decision,” said Aaliyah.
Theopolou placed his hands on Gewey and Kaylia. “If this is to be, then you shall complete the bond. You cannot know what perils lay ahead. I would see you as one before you are parted.”
Kaylia smiled and took Theopolou's hands. “Thank you.” She released him, and looked at Gewey. “Assuming you are agreeable?”
Gewey nodded, smiling. “Of course, I am.” He scanned the area for Linis. “Would someone tell Linis to come here?”
Bellisia stepped forward. “I will find him.” She left and returned with Linis a short time later.
Linis grinned, and squeezed Gewey's shoulder. “I am happy for you.” He glanced at Kaylia. “Both of you.”
“Kneel,” said Theopolou.
Without another word Kaylia and Gewey fell to their knees. Theopolou placed his hands on their heads and began to recite the ritual. Though Gewey couldn't understand the language, the sound of Theopolou's voice caused images to erupt in his head. Colors swirled and danced until he was dizzy, and he had to reach out to Kaylia to steady himself. The moment he touched her he could feel their bond grow stronger, taking root within his soul. Minutes passed until he realized Theopolou was no longer speaking. He looked across at Kaylia. Her face was aglow with joy. He could feel every fiber of her being. In that moment, he knew how deeply she cared. It was as if the bond they shared before was a shadow of what it had become.
“Normally, the ceremony is a bit more involved,” said Theopolou. “But every minute you have left together is precious.”
Gewey and Kaylia rose. Aaliyah was expressionless. The rest of the elders bowed and took a step back.
“When shall you depart?” Theopolou asked Aaliyah.
“At dawn,” she replied. “My ship is less than two days journey.”
Theopolou turned to Gewey. “Prepare whatever you intend to take with you, then return here.” He took Kaylia's hand. “In the meantime, come with me.”
Linis smiled. “I envy you, my friend.”
“One day, such joy will be yours, Linis,” said Gewey. “I just know it.”
Linis let out a hearty laugh and slapped Gewey on the back. “I hope so, but now…this is your time.”