Page 61 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

“But, Father, I told you I had control over what I said. I remember it distinctly. I was afraid for Liria. I told them they would not touch her. I threatened them. Me, not Source.”

The Speaker, ironically, went silent.

“Father?”

“It's clear that you spoke, Thaxvarien. No matter how you did so, you spoke. I don't know why you remained in control, but I want you to keep that aspect to yourself.”

“Why?” Liria asked.

It was Thax who answered, “Because a Speaker who speaks his own words is dangerous.”

“Yes, Son.” The Speaker's tone went grave. “You are not the voice of Source, but a man who Source has empowered through his voice. And maybe more. As such, you are most definitely dangerous. Do not share that secret with anyone.”

“I won't, Father.”

“Of course, this is all moot if you cannot speak.” There was a question in the Speaker's tone and eyes.

“I don't know if I can still speak, but earlier, when I converged the willow tree, Liria said my eyes glowed.”

“Just his eyes?” the Speaker asked Liria.

“Yes. But he didn't speak.”

“Fascinating.”

“So, I don't know if I can still speak,” Thax concluded. “But even if I can, I don't know if I want to.”

“Why wouldn't you?”

“You just said I'd be dangerous.”

“No, I said that the Aethari, as a whole, would think you were dangerous. But I know you, Thaxvarien. I believe you'd be a great Speaker, maybe the greatest we've ever had.”

“Are you sure, Father? I could speak against the old laws.”

The Speaker of Icara drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yes, but that doesn't mean they'll listen. And that won't happen until after I pass on, Son. First, we need to determine if you can still speak. If you can, you must be trained.”

“No.”

“What? Why not?”

Thax looked on the verge of exploding, so Liria took over. “Speaker, he's not ready. Thax has only just begun to recover. He needs some time to figure out what the Sources have given him and what he wants to do with their gifts.”

“Sources? As in both of them?”

“Yes, of course. He can converge. Yes, he does it uniquely, but he still needs technology to blend with magic. Otherwise, it wouldn't be convergence.”

A strange look came over the Speaker's face. He whispered, “I didn't consider that. I don't know why that didn't occur to me.”

“There it is,” Thax hissed. “You understand now. The Aethari will never accept me in a leadership role if I am tainted by Technology.”

“You're not tainted.” Liria growled.

“I know that now. But they will see me as such.” Thax reached over and took her hand.

“I told you; they will persecute me for this.

To them, technology is synonymous with evil.

Why do you think they look down on Medeans?

It's not because you are wingless or weaker than us.

It's because you work with the Source of Evil.” He looked back at his father. “Isn't that right, Father?”

Thax's father had gone pale.

“Speaker, your son is blessed, not cursed,” Liria said. “The things I've seen him do today are miraculous. But you know your people, as you've said. So, perhaps we should keep more than his control a secret.”

“Yes.” The Speaker cleared his throat and tried again, “Yes, I agree. Oh, Thaxvarien. My son.” He swallowed. “I fear for you. But I must have faith that the Source of Magic knows what it's doing. If it has allowed technology to touch you, then there must be a purpose.”

Thax's eyes went wide. “You're saying that you've changed your mind about technology?”

“Not entirely. But I believe in the Source of Magic, and I believe in you. If it's inside you, it must be good. Because you are a good man. Evil cannot live inside a good man.”

Liria grimaced to herself. This man had called her “Daughter” all while believing she was tainted by evil. But belief was a funny thing. It could stretch when you needed it to.

“Thank you, Father.” Thax set his palm on the screen.

His father touched a finger to the screen on his side. “I love you, Son. Let me think on this and do some research into our history. I'll visit you soon.”

“All right. Goodnight, Father.”

“Goodnight. And, Liria.” He looked at her. “Thank you for all you've done for Thaxvarien.”

“I love him too.”

“I know. But you still deserve my thanks, Daughter.”

“Maybe I'm not so evil either.”

The Speaker winced as Thax chuckled.

“Go on, Father. Deny it,” Thax said.

“You certainly are recovering quickly, Thaxvarien. A day was all it took before you took up tormenting me again.”

“I'm not tormenting you. Liria just wants to know if you think she's evil. I think that's a fair question.”

“Of course, I don't think you're evil, Liria.” The Speaker grimaced. “Nor do the Aethari believe that Medeans are evil. We believe technology is evil, and by using it, you open yourself up to that evil. It doesn't mean you've been tainted.”

“But you'll gladly use our converged devices made with technology. Aren't you worried about getting tainted yourselves?”

Thax burst out laughing. “She has you there, Father.”

“Ugh! Maybe you have been tainted, Liria. You are just as determined to torment me as my son is.”

Liria snorted a laugh. “All right, I'll let it go.”

“Thank you.” The Speaker grinned suddenly.

“Now, Thaxvarien, if you aren't going to be training, you could spend your time planning your wedding.

You need to decide if you'll be performing the Star's Kiss. I will, of course, preside over whichever ceremony you wish.” He clicked off before either of them could react.

Then they looked at each other.

“Did he just go from calling us evil to telling us to get married?” Liria asked.

“Yes, but I think he's right,” Thax said.

“Thax . . .” Liria dropped his hand.

“What the fuck?” he whispered. “You do want to marry me, don't you?”

“Yes, of course.” Liria grimaced. “But you know what would have been nice?”

“What?”

“Being asked!”

“We talked about it. You even said that we were betrothed because you spoke the ancient words.”

“Yes, we discussed it. I did say that. But that was something Source compelled me to do after you handed me a bunch of bloody feathers. You never actually asked me.”

Thax blinked. Thought it over. Then he winced. “Fuck. Everything has happened so fast. You said we were betrothed, and then you accepted me as your destru. Right after that, I got taken below, and you brought me back. I . . . I'm so sorry, Liri. It never occurred to me to propose.”

Liria lifted an eyebrow.

He dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Forgive me, my love. We have been through so much together that I assumed we were beyond such common things.”

“Nope, wrong answer.”

“Don't be mad at me—I was taken by Nethren and lost my wings!”

“Are you seriously playing the wing-card?”

They stared at each other for three seconds before they burst out laughing.

“Hey!” Liria shoved Thax's shoulder. “You still haven't proposed. I want a pretty proposal!”

“Oh! Um . . . all right.” Thax cleared his throat and went serious. “Liria Drask, I have known from the start that you would change my life. But I never thought you'd save it too. You are the most courageous, beautiful, intelligent woman I've ever met.”

Liria lifted her chin.

“Oh, fuck it.” He grimaced. “Liri, I can't face life without you. I need you like air. You mean more to me than magic.”

“Do I? Cause that didn't seem to be the case just yesterday.”

“For fuck's sake, woman! Can't you let me be romantic? I'm trying to propose here. Isn't this what you want?”

Liria burst out laughing. “All right. Go on.”

Thax rolled his eyes before he continued. “I love you. I will only love you for the rest of my life. That is the one thing I'm certain of. Will you marry me?”

Liria stared down at him. She had seen Thaxvarien as a sweet, carefree guy.

Now, she knew that he'd been far more complicated than that all along.

There was strength in him, and weakness, both of which had nothing to do with his gifts.

Thax could become something great, but Liria suspected it was only if she was by his side.

Without her, he would crumble. That shouldn't have made her feel so good.

But she always tried to be honest with herself.

She liked it. Liria could lift Thaxvarien with her love or make him fall to his knees with desire.

She was his strength and weakness in the best ways.

And he was the same for her. She opened her mouth to speak.

“Wait!” Thax stopped her. “I don't want to marry you.”

Liria's jaw fell. Then she growled, “What the fuck?”

“You are my destra. I want more than marriage. I want to undertake the rite of the Star's Kiss with you. Will you bind yourself to me forever, Liri?

Her breath caught. Forever. But that didn't scare her. All she could think about was how grateful she was that they were both young. They had centuries to look forward to together. It may not be literally forever, but maybe it would be.

“Forever? Will it bind our souls? If we die, will we find each other in the light?”

Thaxvarien smiled, and it was the most peaceful look she'd ever seen on his face. “Yes, destra. It is truly forever. You must be certain before you accept. Take a moment—”

“Yes! Yes, I'll perform the rite with you. Forever. You and me.”

Beaming, peace turning to bliss, Thax stood up. As he did, his hands coasted up her arms and then slid inward to take her waist. He towered over Liria, but then he bent his head to kiss her. A kiss that held the promise of forever. When he eased away from her lips, he was still smiling.

“Stop it.” Liria pushed at his chest. “You knew I'd say yes.”

“Oh, I'm not smiling about that.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, I'm thrilled that you said yes. Beyond thrilled. I'm relieved and grateful and at peace because I know that even when we die, we will return to each other. But I'm grinning like this because we're going to have sex now.

“Oh, for convergence's sake! That is so like a man.”

Thax shrugged. “That's what I am.” He picked her up and carried her to bed. After laying her down on the mattress, he set a knee beside her. “But maybe I should save myself for marriage. I want you to respect me.”

Liria snorted a laugh and pulled Thax down on top of her.