Chapter 7
Kayzar, Kast and Kai took special interest in Jericho. They, all three, were hardly ever apart being cousins and now Jericho had been included. Half of what they did or talked about I didn't know. Sometimes I'm glad I don't know because I'm sure I'd have to hurt those Guardian's. They're as bad as teenagers and I remember a few, Connor being the most recent.
Of the three Guardian's Kayzar is the oldest and maybe that's why he tends to be the more level headed though he manages to act his age- or rather like a kid. He does tend to be more serious when the situation calls for it. Aside from his moments of 'leisure' which pale in comparison to Kast, he's actually very mature. Then again a couple of centuries really help considering men are just big children most of the time.
He's about the same height as Kast, though both are taller than Kai. Dark eyes with little flecks of grey (its very striking) dark hair slightly long and… pretty.
Not that pretty is a word a man would like to hear when being described, it's just his hair… sort of reminds me of Sebastián's baby waves. He had the silkiest hair, with slightly reddish tips and soft curls… Kayzar's waves are sort of like that- pretty.
Now all Guardian's have the same uniform, black leather vest and trousers, full gear… but of these three I'd say Kast wears it better. At least he seems more comfortable but I swear he could go naked and not care who saw him. Then again he's the youngest and completely, absolutely the most troublesome. I've heard some of his scrapes and it baffles me how he's not dead. I think the only thing that keeps him alive is that 'innocent' look in those puppy brown eyes. It's a wonder Gemma didn't kill him when she had the chance. She's the Fury that he was sent to retrieve only he botched the job from the start.
Then there's Kai, he's the prankster of the three with sandy brown hair cropped shorter than Kast's whose straight locks barely graze the back of his neck. All of them are born from Fury's, each with their own element.
Kayzar bonded to the Air while Kai bonded to Metal. When Kast joined his cousins in teaching Jericho it was clear why Kayzar had sounded exasperated by his fire element. Kast more than once left scorch marks on their bodies but it was he that could explain to Jericho the bonding by sharing his experience.
They are all from the House of Kaoz, descended from her child and some Slaver. That's their histor-err, ours I guess now that I'm one…
It was this 'Goddess' who brought the Guardian's into being. The Od VaiLumen just took the credit and it was her life- her light, that gave us life; Fury's.
Those three, they are so proud to be hers, the first to give her light for us- uhm, you… mortals… and it's those three who've kept my son alive.
It's dangerous for Jericho to bond simply because he's a male. I could loose him… whatever they say, do- its Kast I tend to believe. He's been through this and managed to survive…. Seven years my boy has been studying, learning, focusing only on this one aspect of his legacy and I am to blame.
I gave him life.
We're about to find out if I'm the one who gets him killed.
***
"You know her legend."
He sat down in the empty chair across from me. All perfectly presentable in his black shirt and trousers. I swear, he could pass for another what's-his-name, that romance novel model… Flavio! That's the one, I think; I mean the pirate shirt hanging open to reveal the 'manly' chest- jeez it's so tacky. I'm surprised no one's told him.
"I've heard all about Kaoz and your part."
Heard all about it and couldn't decide who was worse; her for letting him use her or the Lord of Fire for taking Kaoz and making her into their 'Champion'.
"She saved us more than once." Reyth had the nerve to smile and he sounded as if what he did, taking her that way, half dead and forcing h-. It wasn't natural. As if there hadn't been any other way to save the Od VaiLumen.
"You may think you're all better than the Powers That Be because there's more of us but your stupid rules only get us killed."
That part, the one about my mouth getting me in trouble someday seemed to be coming true. Reyth's eyes flashed silver and the air around him shimmered with heat, it smoldered, a clear sign he was upset over something… maybe what I said.
"Those rules." He said leaning towards me. "Stupid as you may think ensures your humans survival. Ensures the continued existence of the universe by our absence from direct conflict." The heat coming off him fluttered the hem of my robe. (We don't walk around fully armed and in our leathers on Hë'lîa.)
"You answered. You chose."
"Right." I did choose but, "Did Kaoz? Did she choose to be your puppet?"
Because I'm thinking that's why she 'chose' to leave Hë'lîa and wander among us mortals.
"Kaoz did her duty." He sat back, the scorching breeze dying down as he went. Thankfully I'm a Fire Fury but that doesn't mean I can't get burned. After all, he is our main guy.
"You've done well, Fury."
I wanted to tell him my name was Phade not Fury but then he'd know who I was but I'm sure he knows me already. I am one of the few troublesome Fury's on Hë'lîa, though Gemma seems to be calling a lot of attention than I ever did on arrival.
Could be a good thing…
"Sorry, I don't think I heard right."
Because it sounded as if he were proposing that I-.
"We can increase our number. You've added two already. A Fury, strong and capable as I've been witness to. When this boy is bonded he can join the Guardian's like him but we need more."
Oh my God! This fool was actually- he was so off his meds!
"Are you stupid?"
He looked at me, not sure I'd actually said that and I couldn't believe I'd said that to the Lord of Fire, to one of the Powers, the Od VaiLumen…
"Pardon?" a dark eyebrow rose in question. I suppose he was probably giving me the opportunity to recant but instead…
"I know you heard and understood me because I heard and understood me."
Great, that just makes sense. Uh-huh.
"You want me to make mo- to hav- that me an- No."
I just couldn't believe he had the nerve! I'm already dying for him and the others now I'm supposed to pop out more Guardian's and Fury's for them as well?
"No, absolutely not. I'm not some- some-. How could she stand you?" I shot to my feet with absolutely no idea of what to do. I mean, what was I supposed to do? Blindly obey what they told me to do? Not fucking likely.
So, I walked. I left him sitting there with a smug look on his face, eyes flashing silver-grey with no idea what would come next.
****
"You should be proud." Nazrin said at my shoulder.
Standing there, watching my children accept their duty as Guardian and Fury… I was conflicted. Of course I'm proud of them, these last couple of years they've become dedicated students, learned everything they were supposed to and Jericho survived his bonding. He's not as adept as Valkyrie or any Fire Fury and he's not as powerful as we but he won't die from misuse of his gift. So long as he doesn't over extend trying to do more than he's able. I know my son; I know he'll run the risk if he thinks it will help us win. That's why I worry.
"They've been paired." Ahalya sighed.
"We can always hope they don't kill each other intentionally." Tane answered in a dry tone.
"They know better than that." Because I made it quite clear there would be no more fighting after the combusting incident. That didn't mean the twins didn't bicker because there was a lot of that over the years. Now that they are older it's died down a bit but still, they have their moments…
Valkyrie tends to boast of her abilities, I've told her time and time again how ugly that makes her look but she's proud of herself, of what she can do. It just gives her a big head.
Jericho is more laid back; he tends to be quiet though there are moments when he turns into this awful prankster. That's how he gets his sister back, makes a plan that doesn't involve use of his gifts and more than once has managed to get the upper hand. He's resourceful, my boy…
Now they're old enough to fend for themselves, old enough I can go back and care for my youngest who by all rights should be the oldest of this bunch.
You know, I never thought I'd have a big family, more than one kid yet here I am… Mother of three.
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AN: We are going back to AI! Questions nayone?
