Page 64 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

Liria was pleased with the shopping trip.

They'd gotten all they needed for a basic setup, and Thax had even seemed to have a good time.

After they left Braxis's shop, that is. For a while there, she had worried that Thax might attack Braxis.

She knew it was their bond that made him so territorial, but that shit was getting old.

She was starting to wonder if she was going to have to play the role of mediator for the rest of her life.

Back at home, Thax and Liria unloaded their supplies in a ground-floor room the maids had emptied for them while they were out.

Without any furniture in the room, they had to set the supplies on the floor.

They left the crates lined up along the wall and then went out to the terrace to have their lunch.

Thax smiled and asked how she enjoyed the meal, but he also jiggled a leg under the table.

It was kind of adorable how eager he was to get started.

So after their plates were cleared, Liria suggested they try converging his design out on the terrace.

They gathered some supplies and set them out on the dining table. The thing was iron. It could handle it.

“This is probably better for your first convergence anyway.” Liria set out some metal ingots next to a box of springs, gears, plates, and tubing. “It can be dangerous.”

He instantly went still. “Dangerous how? I'm not going to risk your welfare just to converge.”

Had Liria just been whining about Thax's protectiveness? Suddenly, it wasn't so annoying.

“We'll be fine, I'm sure. Out here, we can jump back if we have to.”

“Jump back?” he growled. “Liria, no. If we have to jump out of the way of something, it's too dangerous to risk.”

“Thax, it's just a precaution. Trust me. It will be all right.”

“Very well.” He didn't seem convinced as he stared down at the supplies. “What do I do with all this?”

Liria looked over his plans for an improved crisper. “We start with the machine, remember?” Liria pointed at his drawing. “Just like a building, we go from the foundation up. So, the first thing you do is connect to the Source of Technology.”

Thax went still.

“You've done this before.” She laid a hand on his arm. “It won't hurt you.”

“Because I'm not pure magic anymore.”

Liria caught her breath, searching Thax for any kind of twitch—something to tell her that he was in pain. None came.

“No, you're something more.”

He grinned at her. “All right. So, I just feel for it?”

“You know how it feels, right? Reach down with your mind until you sense the clarity and heat. Feel the life of the planet bubbling within the core.”

Thax closed his eyes. “Yes. I sense it. Do I just . . . oh, I have it!” His eyes popped open even as his hands reached for the box.

Liria gaped as the metal jumped into his hands. Ingots melted, turning into red-hot ribbons that swirled with springs and gears. Plates slid into place, welded by tech. Everything came together so fast that it was dizzying.

“Well done, destru,” she whispered. “You did that like an expert converger.” Again, she was reminded of the converging she'd done underground. Now that he was working with metal, it was nearly identical to what she had done. And she had been converging for over twenty years.

“Thank you.” Thax looked up from his shiny machine and beamed at her. “Now, do I summon magic?”

“Yes, now you bring power to your machine. You could use the ley lines for a quick convergence, but I want you to get a feel for connecting to both sources, and the energy is always more powerful, direct from the Source.” She waved up and then down. “From above and below.”

“Right. Harmony. Balance. I thought converged devices were always connected to a ley line?”

“That's only when they require a continuous influx of energy. Not a lot of devices need that. Pit barriers do.”

“And sky cities?”

“Uh, yeah, the cities are linked to ley lines.” Again, Liria waited to see if he displayed any sign of discomfort, but he didn't.

“I've always wondered how they can roam without losing that connection.”

“It's not like a physical cord. It's energy. It simply extends.”

“Liri, this is really fascinating. And it's—” Thax looked from the fabrication to her. “This is fun. I'm thoroughly enjoying this. I can hardly believe I'm having fun with the Source of Technology. The energy, it feels zingy.”

“Zingy?” She laughed. “That's actually a good word for it. Now, focus. The most dangerous part is coming.”

“The reason why we're outside?”

“Yes, exactly. Now, reach for the Source of Magic, and when you feel it flow into you, direct that energy into the machine.”

“All right.” Thax closed his eyes.

The machine flared with light.

“Wonderful. Now, you set the convergence. Picture what you want this machine to be. See it doing the things you want it to do. Give it as much detail as possible, but don't worry if you can't imagine everything. Magic will fill in the blanks.”

“Done.”

“Now, merge the energies. Draw them together. Once they touch, they should blend easily. They want this as much as you. Remember, the universe thrives on connection.”

Thax took a deep breath. Liria felt the shift in the air around him and knew he had connected the sources. As he exhaled, she inhaled and held her breath. Because the machine was transforming. Glowing brightly, its metal pieces moved, converging into the form its master desired.

“Hey, you two!” Braxis called as he stepped outside onto the terrace.

Thax flinched, lost control of his convergence, and the whole device exploded. As the flames burst upward, Thax dove between Liria and the table, taking the full force of the blast.

“Thax!” Liria screamed as he shoved her away from the explosion.

Liria reached for Thax, but the pulse of magical and mechanical energy was too great. His body soared over her. Toward the low wall. Braxis shouted and ran for them. Thax's eyes went wide and locked with hers.

He went over the side, wreathed in fire and smoke.

“No!” Liria jumped up to grab his hand, but he was already gone. “Thax! Thaxvarien!”

Liria scrambled to the wall and latched onto the stone as she peered over the side. Smoke billowed, covering Thax's descent. Maybe that was a blessing. If Liria had seen him hit the rocks below, it would have haunted her forever. His death would be bad enough without that image in her mind.

Braxis pulled Liria to the side of the terrace, waving his arm to disperse the smoke.

They both coughed violently, but Liria also wept.

The combination threatened to make her vomit.

She huddled in on herself, crouched on the ground, weeping and hacking—trying to catch her breath so she could go back to the wall.

Liria had to see him. She wouldn't accept his death until she saw his body.

No, this couldn't be happening. It was impossible.

Oh, fuck, they didn't even have that forever bond yet.

He was gone. Gone forever instead of forever hers.

“Thax!” Liria screamed with her first deep draw of air. “Thax!”

“Liri!” Thax's voice cut through the smoke. “Destra, I'm all right!”

Liria went still. Then she looked up, peering through the thinning smoke. Her heart raced. Was that really him?

“Dear convergence,” Braxis whispered. “Oh, dear, sweet convergence.”

Thaxvarien rose above the choking fog, looking like a phantom. Wind lifted his hair and sucked the smoke away. Arms open as if in blessing, her betrothed landed on the terrace. No, not in blessing. He had opened his arms for her.

“Thax!” Liria shot to her feet and ran to him.

He met her halfway. “Liri! Did you see me?” Thax hugged her tightly and then eased back to look into her face.

His eyes were glowing—brilliant green. “Did you see me fly? I flew! I can fly again, destra!” With those words, he clutched her to his chest once more, and their feet left the ground.

“Look, Liri, no wings. No wings and still, I fly!” They rose higher.

“By accepting both Sources, I've regained what I lost!”

“Holy fuck!” Braxis stood up, gaping at them.

Liria was doing a lot of gaping herself. But then she realized how terrifying this would be for Braxis. And people do bad things when they get scared.

“Oh, shit! Put us down, Thax.” Liria patted his chest.

“What's wrong?” Thax landed. “This is a good thing.”

Braxis backed away.

Leaving Thax's question unanswered, Liria held out a hand, palm up, and went to Braxis. “Brax, it's all right. Don't be afraid.”

“Yeah, sure.” Braxis nodded rapidly. “Fine. It's fine.”

“The Sources of Magic and Technology have blessed him. Together. Thax lost his wings, but now he can converge.”

“That wasn't convergence.”

“It was convergence, just a new version. He's not like us. His talent is unique. He can converge living things, and that seems to include the elements.”

Braxis's wide eyes focused behind her. Locked on Thaxvarien.

Thax came up and took Liria's hand. “You've just witnessed a miracle, Braxis. The Sources have given me back the sky. You should be pleased. This is a historical moment, and you are the only witness other than my destra.”

“Sure. Sure. Uh-huh. Pleased. Yup, that's what I am.” Braxis backed his way into the house.

“Braxis, please!” Liria let go of Thax and hurried into the house. “There's nothing unnatural about this. It's a gift from the Sources of Magic and Technology. A blessing.”

“Yeah, I see that.”

Liria cursed under her breath. “Your words say that you understand, but your eyes are damning.”

“No, it's fine. I'm just in shock. It's fine, Li.” And then he turned and ran.

Thax grabbed Liria's shoulder. “Let him go, destra. We cannot chase him. It will only scare him more.”

“But what if he tells someone? Like his sister?” She turned to look at Thax. Fuck. Thax flew! He could fly again!

“He will tell her. I'm sure he will.”

“Thax, we're not going to be safe here anymore. Maybe not anywhere.”

“Yes, we will.” Thax pulled Liria into his arms. “I will protect you. Now, I can be the destru you deserve.”

Liria laid her cheek over his strong heart and hoped that Thax was right.

Maybe Braxis would keep their secret, and all would be well.

But Liria didn't think so. He would talk.

It's Medean nature to talk about things that scare them.

And Braxis was terrified. It was also in their nature to destroy things that scare them.

Like the Nethren. And an Aethari without wings who can still fly.

As if he could hear her thoughts, Thax whispered, “I can fly, Liri.”

Liria leaned back to look at him. Her heart and head were racing. “I thought you had died.” Her voice broke on the last word.

Thax sobered. “I thought I was going to die too. But then I felt this shivering rush of energy, and I spoke. I spoke your name, Liria. I cried out for you with the power of both Sources. And then I rose through the smoke, surging back to you.” He cupped her face.

“Your name was the word of power that gave me flight.

You were right, destra. All along, you've been right. The Sources have a plan for me. For us.”

“What do you mean? I thought you wanted to ignore your talent?”

“I can't. Not anymore. Not after this. I understand now. My convergence is different because I'm a Speaker. I converge better when I speak. Then I truly am unlimited in what I can do. As soon as I realized that, I knew what I had to do.”

Terror gripped her belly as Liria asked, “What?”

“Reclaim my place as my father's heir. I will fly you up to Icara, and we will show my people that it's time for a change. Source itself declares it. I am destined to herald in a new era for the Aethari, and you will be at my side as my destra.” He kissed her forehead.

“We will perform the rite of the Star's Kiss on Icara, Liri. I will have it recorded and sent to every city—Aethari and Medean. All will know that the Sources are demanding a new era. A time of true alliance between our races. We will change everything.”

“Oh, fuck,” Liria whispered.