Page 36 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

“Here we are.” The Commander swept past his secretary and opened the door to his office. He stood just inside, holding the door open for the rest of them. As Liria came abreast of the Commander, he whispered, “Chin up, Chief. Remember, you're representing all of us.”

Liria glanced at him and nodded. Yup, it was as Thax predicted. Their relationship was going to shake up Para. And maybe the skies above as well.

When the Speaker's entourage attempted to follow them inside, the Speaker held up a hand. “This is private.”

The Aethari men bowed and withdrew. One of them—a man with icy blue eyes and hair so blond it was nearly white—stared at her as if committing her face to memory. Then the door closed.

With a sigh, the Speaker sat down before the Commander's desk. “What have you done to us, Thaxvarien?”

“To you, Father? Nothing. I have merely fallen in love.” Thax pulled a stool away from the wall and set it beside the other guest chair in front of the Commander's desk. He waved Liria into the chair and took the stool. “This may be hard for you to understand, but I didn't do this to spite you.”

“No, you never do.”

“You know what? I think I'll give you the room.” The Commander went to the door.

“One moment, Commander.” The Speaker held up a hand. “I do appreciate the offer of privacy, but before you leave, I'd like to know what you intend to do about the Aethari who attacked my son.”

Liria glanced at Thax. She wasn't sure if the Speaker normally spoke more forcibly in public or if it had just been his reaction to a shock, and now that he was calmer, he could be more himself.

Whatever it was, he seemed like another man—a man struggling under the weight of his office and true concern for his child.

“I have only just learned that there was an attack, Speaker,” the Commander said. “I need to investigate.”

“Investigate? You heard what happened. After that . . .” He glanced at Liria. “After the ceremonial reply that my, uh, son's intended gave, his actions can't be misconstrued. He was defending her. The Source of Magic wouldn't have blessed them otherwise.”

“Blessed them? That was a blessing?” The Commander cleared his throat.

“I mean, uh, I still need to speak to the others involved.

It's Paradefense law. We must give the accused a chance to defend themselves and rebut the charges. The attempted assault and rape of an officer is a serious offense, only exceeded by murder. If convicted, they face a public whipping and a decade in the stockade.”

“I see. Well, perhaps you could conduct that investigation while I speak to my son?”

“Yes, I believe I will.” The Commander hurried out of his office as if it were on fire.

Once he was gone, the Speaker turned to face Liria and Thax.

“Thaxvarien.” He shook his head. “Your path has always been a rough one.

Source has chosen you, but I'm afraid of what it's chosen for you. That your first speaking was a violent one does not bode well. Our people will see it for what it is—a sign of disruption and an ill omen. And you know how we Aethari feel about disruption.”

“It is not a bad omen, Father.” Thax took Liria's hand. “There is one other thing you need to know. I didn't want to say it in front of the others.”

“Go on.”

“She is my destra. We have acknowledged it but not declared ourselves publicly yet.”

The Speaker blinked. His wings rustled as he swayed. At last, he whispered, “That is impossible.”

Liria chuckled. “Your son doesn't seem to know the meaning of the word.”

The Speaker looked back and forth between them. He settled on Liria. “And you have felt . . . sensed things about my son?”

“Yes, I was drawn to him despite my doubts. I didn't understand what was happening until he explained it.”

“And you've clearly been led by Source,” he murmured.

“There is no doubt in my mind, Father,” Thax said. “We have a destiny bond.”

“Dear Source,” the Speaker murmured. “It can't be. It just can't be.”

“I suspected it from the beginning, but denied it as you do.

I couldn't see why Source would choose her for me.

But then I remembered that it isn't Source doing the choosing.

It saw our potential, so it led me. Guided us.

Opened us up to feelings we might have pushed aside.

But I chose Liria. And she chose me. Source merely gave its blessing.

I'm hoping you will do the same, Father.”

The Speaker took a shaky breath and rubbed a hand over his face.

Thax leaned toward his father. “Our people need to change. I think Source is speaking through me in multiple ways.”

“What our people need and what they want are two different things, Son. You don't like being told what's best for you, and yet, you want everyone else to do what you believe is best for them. A speaker is not a ruler, Thaxvarien. We serve the Source of Magic and our people. Our needs come third.”

“And well I know it. But I am not a speaker.”

“You are not the Speaker of a city, but you are a speaker.” Thax's father glanced at Liria before focusing back on Thax. “Source has made its choice. Now, it's up to the Aethari Council to accept you as my heir.”

“If being your heir means giving up Liria, I will never accept it.”

“Even if you were not my son and had not just proven that you are the next Speaker, this relationship would ensure terrible obstacles.” He waved at her. “Liria, is it?”

“Yes, sir,” Liria said.

“I'm sorry we have had such a poor introduction. As my son's destra, you are now my daughter. But you must see that being with Thaxvarien will condemn you both to persecution and maybe even start a war.”

“A war?” she asked. “Over love?”

“Aren't all wars fought over love?”

Liria frowned. “Uh, no.”

Thax snorted a laugh.

His father glared at him.

“Come now, Father. You spout shit like that all the time, and no one ever calls you on it. Liria's right. Wars are not started over love. Love might be a catalyst, but only because it is faced with hatred.”

The Speaker inclined his head. “Well said, Son. But it amounts to the same thing. You will face persecution and worse just to have her beside you.”

“So be it.”

Liria took Thax's hand. “Whatever the future brings, we will face it together.”

Thax smiled at her, and despite the terrible circumstances, his expression was peaceful.

“Thaxvarien,” the Speaker's voice went sad.

“Oh, my son. You will tear down our cities—bring them crashing to the surface of Para. An affair with a Medean is acceptable, but to take one as your destra? That will send shock waves through the skies. You must reject the bond. Deny your connection. Can you not see that this will go far beyond the two of you?”

“And can you not see that we have no choice in the matter? Our hearts are given. Our lives would be bleak without each other now. And the very controversial nature of this bond should tell you how important it is. This is Source's will, Father. There is no fighting this. Only fighting for this.”

Shivers ran down Liria's arms. That was precisely what they'd have to do.

But as a trained officer, she knew how to fight.

And she knew the battle had already begun.

“Speaker, I don't expect to be welcomed in your city or your home.

I don't even expect you to accept me as your son's destra.

But I do expect you to know your child well enough to see his heart—his noble heart—and know that there is no changing Thaxvarien.

Whether his beliefs are right or wrong, they are his, and he ferociously defends what belongs to him.

I love him. And so, I will defend his beliefs too.

You don't have to stand with us, but it would mean a lot if you didn't stand against us.”

The Speaker stared at her. So did Thax.

At last, Thax's father leaned toward them and held his hands out to them.

“Father?” Thax whispered as he took one hand.

Liria took the other.

“You're right, Liria. I know my son. I know his heart. And I know you now own it. Fighting a man in love is hard enough, but a destru? I will lose him if I try. There is nothing I can do except give you my blessing. How can I not when Source has already done so? I speak for it, after all. It is my master, and I must bow to its wishes. I have faith, you see? Faith that the Source of Magic knows best. Sometimes, my faith gets shaken, but I will always steady myself. Because there are other times when faith is all I have. Remember that. I fear that it will be the same for both of you.”

The Speaker's skin came alight with power, and that glow spread down his arms to touch Thax and Liria.

Just as it had been for Thax when he had spoken, his father's eyes lit up.

Liria felt the zing of energy enter her palm, but then it went warm.

Something coasted up her arms and over her body.

That flow of power branched out to connect with the flow going through Thax, and it sealed them together.

With a resonant voice, the Speaker spoke, “I give you my blessing, Thaxvarien Rennux and Liria Drask, beloved destru and destra. Seek me when the path grows rough, and I will guide you. Accept my gifts, and you will have all you need to defend your bond. Trust in me, and your love will only grow brighter day by day, its glow a warning to all who think to extinguish it. You are the future of Para. So has the Source of Magic spoken. So shall it be.”

The glow dimmed and faded.

“Thank you, Father,” Thax whispered, his eyes wide.

“That was not me, Son. As you well know. However, I offer my blessing as well. May Source protect you. May it be with you even in the darkest of places. May it always be the light that guides you home to each other.” The Speaker let out a tremulous breath and shook his head.

“The future of Para. Great magic above, Source has bigger plans for you than I feared.

I will help you as much as I can. But I'm afraid it will not be enough.

Not nearly enough. Do not let Source's words of love distract you from the message beneath.

It offered guidance and gifts because this is not just about your love.

Your union will be a banner to rally behind as well as one to fight against. And it will be your battle to fight, Thaxvarien. Yours and your destra's.”