Page 44 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

Liria looked down at Thax and knew the miracle had been for him, not her.

Thax believed that the Source of Magic had spoken through him to save her, but Liria knew it was the opposite.

In all the great myths, the heroes must undergo a rite of passage—something that tests their faith and fortitude.

Thax was going through his rite of passage.

Source—maybe both of them—was testing him.

Magic was still with him, still inside him, and its source had a plan for her destru.

Liria was just a tool to ensure his survival. Or maybe to help Thax along his path.

She never liked being the second choice. A supporting role. Who would? No one. It's insulting. But for Thaxvarien Rennux, Liria would happily take second place. Because she agreed with the Source of Magic. This man was special. He would change Para—from the sky to the core.

A soft knock came at the door.

Hissing in annoyance, Liria slid out of her destru's embrace, unfolding the hands that clung to her even in his sleep, and hurried to the door. Opening it a crack, she whispered, “He's asleep, damn you!” Then Liria saw who it was. “Oh. Sorry, Commander.”

“No, it's all right, Chief Drask.” Commander Havers glanced down the hall and then back at her. “If Rennux is at rest, could you come out? We need to talk.”

“Yes, sir.” Liria looked down at her bare feet. “Let me just get my boots on.”

He nodded.

Liria hurried to where her boots sat, near the bed, and realized that she couldn't remember taking them off.

Someone else must have done it for her. For both of them.

Liria pulled on her boots and crept back to the door.

Keeping up the creeping, she slipped outside and then shut the door behind her.

“Come with me, Chief.” The Commander led her down the corridor.

That's when Liria saw that they were in the med hall.

Of course, they were. Where else would they be?

And the logical destination would be the Commander's office.

Liria bristled. She didn't want to be that far from Thax.

But then the Commander opened a door just a few feet down from the room Thax was in and led Liria into a sitting room.

Inside it, the Speaker of Icara waited, seated on a simple, low-backed couch made for Aethari.

His attendants stood in a group to one side.

Beside him on the couch was a stunning Aethari woman whose face was drawn in lines of bleak sorrow. It was also familiar.

“I thought you said you needed to speak with me?” Liria hissed at the Commander.

“I do. After them.”

“This is her,” the Speaker said to the woman beside him. “This is our new daughter, Liria Drask. She's a chief here.”

The woman shot to her feet, her shining white, speckled wings shivering, and raced over to Liria.

Despite her speed, she retained an elegance, seeming to float over the dull floor.

The Commander stepped aside. Liria wanted to as well.

Instead, she braced herself for the attack.

Thax's mother would doubtless blame her for—

The woman yanked Liria into an embrace. “Liria Drask, destra of my beloved son, thank you for saving him. Thank you for the life of my son!” She drew back, her cheeks wet with tears, and kissed Liria's forehead.

“No one has ever gone below, not even to save someone they love. But you went without hesitation, against all advice. You went and, Source be praised, you brought him back to us. Alive.” She shook her head.

“You are blessed, child. The Source loves you as it loves my son. I welcome you to my family and my heart, Daughter.”

Liria gaped at Thax's mother. Not what she expected.

With the shock of everything else still riding her, it was hard for Liria to form words.

“Uh, thank you. Yes, the Source of Magic came to me down there.

But so did the Source of Technology. They converged for me.

It goes against everything I've been taught.

And not only did I converge, but the sources also helped me.

They hid me, made me look like a Nethren, and even guided my aim when I freed Thax.

I mean, uh, Thaxvarien. He flew us up to a tunnel, and then I converged again.

I converged in the most impossible way, building a trav in seconds.

And that vehicle carried us to the surface.

But I don't think I'm the blessed one. I think it was all for Thaxvarien. Your son is very special. I was just the tool that was used to save him.”

Through her tears, Thax's mother smiled. “You are brave and humble. A good combination.” She laid her palm on Liria's sternum. “But make no mistake, Liria. You are special too. What an incredible pair you make. The Source must have great plans for the two of you.”

Liria cleared her throat. “Thank you.”

Thax's mother started to draw her over to the couch where her husband sat. But Liria stopped her.

“I think you should know that you protected him as well.”

“In what way?”

“The amulet you gave Thaxvarien. I believe it protected him until I was able to reach him. Just before we left, I saw it go black, and then it cracked.”

She blinked, her hand going to her throat. “Praise Source! It seems as if all has fallen into place. So many little pieces were needed to bring my son home alive. I'm grateful to have played a part.”

“My love, how can you say that?” The Speaker stood and went to his wife. “Our son is lost to us.”

“He is not!” She pointed at her husband.

“Thaxvarien is alive, and Source helped his destra save him. How can you, who channels the voice of Source, not see that it has a hand in this? The Source of Magic has a purpose for our son. It is not what you wanted or expected, but it knows best, my love. Where is your faith?”

The other Aethari around the room shuffled. Wait, no, they didn't shuffle their feet. It was their wings that Liria heard. A whole flock of birds upset by the words of a mother—a mother who had more faith than the lot of them combined.

“You shame me, Elanianvia.” The Speaker hung his head.

“That was not my intention.” Thax's mother lifted her husband's chin. “I merely wanted to remind you of who you are.”

The Speaker breathed in deeply and squared his shoulders.

“Just before he was taken, I told Thaxvarien something very similar—that Source had a plan for him.

I knew it wouldn't be easy on him, but I expected a battle.

Not this. I never thought he'd endure something this tragic.

Regardless, you're right. I must have faith that this is a part of Source's plan.” He looked past Liria.

“Commander Havers, please join us. I'm sure my daughter will want your input in this conversation.” And then, as if the fortress was his home and he were entertaining guests, the Speaker waved at the seats across from his couch. “Please.”

Liria would have taken one of the chairs across from Thax's parents, but his mother pulled her to the couch and down with her, seating Liria between her and her husband.

Liria was not thrilled. But she was so relieved to be welcomed by Thax's parents that she accepted it without protest. And then she waited.

Her brain couldn't come up with a reason for this meeting.

Liria had assumed the Commander was going to reprimand her for going below.

But after Lady Elanianvia's speech, Liria would be shocked if the Commander dared to discipline her.

“How is he, Liria?” Thax's mother asked. “How's my son? He must be devastated.”

“Thaxvarien is sleeping now.” Liria looked side to side at Thax's parents. “It's going to take some time for him to accept this. He's . . . he's distraught.”

Lady Elanianvia's face pinched inward. “My poor, sweet boy. The chosen ones suffer the most.”

“Love, let me speak with her, if you please.” The Speaker looked from his wife to Liria. “Will you care for our son, Liria Drask?”

“Always,” Liria vowed. What kind of question was that?

“No, Liria. Will you care for Thaxvarien in his current state? Look after him. Give him succor. He will not get past this easily. Thaxvarien will need constant supervision, patience, and support.”

“Constant supervision?” Liria scowled. “What is it that you think he'll do if left alone?”

Thax's mother made a sound—just a small sound in her throat, but it conveyed her fear. It conveyed a lot.

“Dear convergence!” Liria jerked back. “You think he'll kill himself?”

“As I said to you earlier, you cannot possibly understand what he's lost. For an Aethari, there is no greater horror. No greater loss. He is not one of us anymore, and yet, he is not one of you. He is alone.”

“Risanvuren!” Thax's mother snapped.

“You know I'm right, Elanianvia. What made him Aethari is gone. He is . . . I don't know what he is now.”

“Alive,” Liria snarled. “He's alive, and he's Thax.

His wings did not make him who he is. There are so many wonderful aspects to him, but those wings were the smallest—the least significant.

The best of him comes from within. I don't have to list his good qualities to you.

I'm sure you know how brave and loving he is. Because it was both of you, with your guidance and love, who helped to shape him into the man he is. You put your love into his heart. That is what makes him all that he is, including Aethari. And his heart still beats. His mind just needs some time to catch up.”

“Oh, you sweet girl! You sweet, beautiful girl. You're absolutely right.” Thax's mother stroked Liria's cheek and then glared at her husband. “Do you hear that, Risanvuren? Our daughter, a Medean child, has just spoken the truth and wisdom that you should have!”