Dragon Aster Trilogy

7: OWNERSHIP



Sybl didn’t know how many of Urio’s cookies she had packed down, only that she was pushing it with the plate almost empty. Her promise to cut back on the sugar was failing because of her stress.

“There are better ways to fake sickness,” Urio said, taking the plate of cookies from her and setting it on the counter next to him in the kitchen. “And Kas said you were going to cut back.”

“Hey, I’m entitled to stress management just like everyone else. Now give back those cookies before I find a sword and a victim to rage on.”

Urio put up a hand in defeat as he let out a hearty chuckle, then gave her back the plate.

Sybl looked back when someone entered the kitchen and saw Kenshe.

“There you are,” Urio said as he dried his hands with a towel. “Well, I trapped her, now she’s all yours.”

Sybl swallowed the last bit of cookie in her mouth as Urio left, and Kenshe sat in front of her. They stared at each other for a long while before she found the courage to speak. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save your father.”

“I know. It would take a coward like Damek to try and kill you after you got nearly destroyed by that Phoenix, to force my father to react as he did.

“You haven’t spoken to your mother yet, have you?” Sybl asked.

“I tried. The High Guard won’t let me anywhere close, and when I talked to Cirrus about it, she up and vanished. You are going back with him to Toria, right?”

“He hasn’t said anything to me about it yet,” Sybl replied, then picked up another cookie. Kenshe snatched it away from her and ate it with one bite. “Hey! Aren’t you supposed to be at the ceremony instead of eating my food?”

Kenshe finished chewing and shrugged. “I’m still a Custos until you say otherwise.”

“Me? I’m not your mother,” Sybl replied, before looking at the paper Kenshe pushed her across the table. “What’s this?”

“My father left my Fate to you.”

Sybl read it over and gave it back to him. “I had my Fate written on a piece of paper like this once, and I won’t let that one rob you of your life. You can do whatever you want, Kenshe.”

“I would feel better if I just followed you around for a while longer.”

Sybl looked to the window as the drums for the ceremony started. “Kas needs you now.”

“Kas.” Kenshe paused with a short laugh. “Kas now has an army three times the size of the former Custos. I think he will be alright.”

Sybl got the feeling that Kenshe was hiding something more behind his wish to stay with her. “What are you not telling me?”

Kenshe set his hands before him. “I’ve just been worried about Kas since he took that Curse from you.”

“Is he acting differently or something?”

“Well, no, but Gwa and I have been brainstorming as to what its purpose is.”

Sybl listened more intently.

“That Curse is an emotional link that Damek now has on Kas. You would think that it would be worthless now as you’re the one he wants. But there’s still one angle he can play.”

“Which is?”

“Your memories, back on Earth—the ones when you almost—”

“Don’t go there,” Sybl interrupted.

Kenshe swallowed and took a moment to rearranged the words in his head. “Damek was powerful enough to drive you to rock bottom sadness. Now I think he’s doing the opposite with Kas, as he can withstand most estus emotions. I think Damek is twisting the Curse to use him against you.”

Sybl lifted an unbelieving eyebrow.

“He was your brother. The accident with Kira changed all that. By Law, blood and the past between you two—I mean, why have a female and male Fay if not to—?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard enough,” Sybl said as she got up to leave the kitchen.

Kenshe went after her and caught her arm to stop her.

“Let go of me, Kenshe.”

He slowly let go of her arm and stepped back.

“Is this about Kas or you not wanting me to go anywhere?” Sybl asked in a more serious tone.

“Maybe a bit of both.” Kenshe turned his gaze to the floor. “Maybe I’m just mad at the dragons and don’t want to lose anyone else I care about to them.”

“I’m not going to stay in Toria forever. Just long enough to get it back in order so I can figure out how to deal with Damek without everyone trying to kill each other.” Kenshe nodded, and Sybl hugged him. “I’m right here.”

“Yes, my Lady Caelestis,” he said, knowing it would spark her temper to be referred to so formally by him. But when it didn’t, he hugged her back with the fear going through his psi of just how much of the Sybl he knew was already lost to her past self.