I’d heard many rumors about the island of Kessel in my lifetime, but none of them live up to what I’m facing right now.
No one has ever really known what the island is like other than its inhabitants. Many men and women have tried venturing to the island only for their boats to explode or to simply fall apart. It could never be explained why no one could venture to Kessel, yet the people of Kessel could come and go as they pleased.
There have been stories about how it is the most beautiful, vibrant place in all of Vakeeli, even better than Vanora, and how there is freedom in living, no concerns over currency, and that all the water found on the land keeps you healthy and youthful. In Vanora, there was only the Lake of Youth, and that’s where we collected our barrels. But on Kessel, the source of water is everywhere and available to everyone.
The fruit is better, the animals healthier, lives are much longer. And there is one rumor that I never believed but turns out to be true: there are no men. Only women live on the island of Kessel, and that would be any other man’s dream, but not mine because they all stare at me with questions in their eyes.
It’s been said time and time again that any man who entered Kessel was an immediate threat. Apparently, Kessel had been created by a colony of women who had been given the gift of procreation without man from one of the Regals. I now see that that particular Regal is Hassha. This meant that they could become pregnant when ready through a water ritual and conceive their own babies.
I always thought it was bullshit, but I see it now, as I sit in front of a large bonfire. There is nothing but women and children around, all chatting, laughing, and eating. I’ve been offered vegetable kabobs and wine, but I can’t stomach a damn thing because Willow is still in the Wellness Bay. She hasn’t woken up, though I’ve been informed that they’ve ridden her of Decius’ energy. And Garrett is currently wrapped in chains Hassha has touched that will soon rid him of Decius’ control. She still has no plans for what she’ll do when he’s clear, and that alone irritates me.
I feel eyes on me and look to my right, spotting the twin girls and Carra sitting between them. Minka shoots up and rushes toward me. Carra reaches to stop her, but she isn’t quick enough. The other girl pops up too, and Carra gives up, shaking her head and leaning against the log behind her.
“Milandra says we shouldn’t trust you,” Minka tells me matter-of-factly. “She says you’re a man, and all men only want one thing.”
“And let me guess. Milandra is that large woman standing beside your mother, still wearing her armor, and holding her sword?” My eyes flicker to Milandra, who already has her eyes pinned on me. She’s the woman who shoved me when I had Willow in my arms. I won’t lie, she’s not a woman I’d pick a fight with. She’s enormous, probably bigger than Killian. And there’s a menacing look in her eyes, like she’d strip me of all my skin and use my bones for a stew.
“Yep. She’s our godmother,” Minka goes on. “She told us not to talk to you.”
I smirk. “You’re being quite rebellious then.”
Minka shrugs and smiles, then points a thumb at Maia. “This is Maia. She pretends to be shy, but she told me she thinks you’re very handsome.”
“Minka!” Maia wails, shoving Minka on the arm. Minka hardly stumbles and instead laughs, finding her embarrassment humorous. Maia’s face turns as red as a ruby as she backs away, avoiding my eyes.
“Well, I’m glad someone around here likes me in some way,” I say, pointing my gaze to Maia. She smiles, her face still red. “No sense in bothering with a man like me, though. You’re better off looking for someone the opposite of me as you get older.” If only she knew. Too bad her tiny mind can’t comprehend it.
Her silver eyes drop to the gun on my lap, and I pick it up. As I do, Milandra takes a giant step away from Hassha’s throne, raising her sword. I ignore her, showing the gun to Maia anyway. If she wanted my head, she’d have it already.
“Ever seen a Blackwater gun?” I ask.
“No,” Maia quips.
“They’re quite dangerous. Probably not as dangerous as your Kessel weapons though.”
“That’s right,” Minka says, arms folding. “My mum always says real weapons are those made from scratch and graced with Regal energy. Not man-made things like yours.”
“Is that what your weapons are then? Graced with Regal energy?”
“Yes, all of them are.” Minka whips out her sword for the second time today, and I’ll be damned. She’s good with it, swinging it all sorts of ways and throwing jabs at invisible enemies. She draws back, her hand stuck out to show me the blade. “One cut of our blades and you’ll easily die.”
“What if you cut yourself?” I ask.
“It won’t kill us. Only our enemies. Our weapons are bonded to us as we age.”
“I see.”
I shift my gaze to Milandra who has lowered her guard, only a bit, and only because Hassha has pressed a hand to her shoulder.
“So, is that woman in Wellness Bay your wife?” Minka asks. “Maia wanted me to ask.”
Maia goes rosy again, and this time she punches Minka in the arm. I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. These girls, they’re adorable…and so innocent. I haven’t encountered anyone like them in ages. So young and carefree, living their lives and doing what siblings do best: pick fights with each other. How nice it must be to not have to worry about things you can’t control, like abuse from a father, or your mother being tortured and murdered.
“She not my wife, no, but she is my mate. I’m Tethered to her,” I inform them.
“Isn’t a Tether a bad thing?” Maia asks in a soft voice.
I start to answer, but someone approaches them from behind. Hassha places a gentle hand on their shoulders, bowing her head to drop kisses on the tops of their heads. “It’s time for bed.”
“What?” Minka whines. “No! Can we stay up a little longer? Pleeeasseeee, Mum!”
“Pleaseeeee?” Maia clasps her hands together, begging too.
“I’m afraid not, my loves. Come on, run to Carra. Get to bed.”
“Yes, Mum,” the girls say in unison. They walk around their mother to meet with Carra who is already standing near a trail. Carra takes their hands and guides them along the trail leading to overwater bungalows.
When they’re out of sight, Hassha sits next to me, facing the fire. The flames crackle, even more so when one of the women tosses more logs into it.
“My colony believes you’ve seen too much,” she states, eyes still forward. “We normally end the lives of men who see what Kessel provides.”
“Why?” I ask.
Hassha glances at me before focusing on the fire again. The flames dance in her multi-colored eyes. “Do you know that ever since Selah created the Tethered, men have tried dominating everything?”
I drop my gaze to the dirt. “Have they?”
“Yes. There are the gilded, who were an army of men at first before they slept with or raped women and had offspring with the same abilities. There is The Council, who were all men at first, as well as the appointed monarchs.” She presses her lips, as if agitated by the facts she’s presenting. “It’s fortunate a woman has finally taken over Vanora and still runs it now. But the man who ran it before that, he was just as bad as you and your father.”
“What makes you think I’m bad?”
“I read energies and thoughts. I normally avoid it, but I’ve had to tap into your mind to make sure you aren’t a threat.”
“And am I? A threat?” I ask.
She cuts her eyes at me. “I know you’ve done bad things. I know you’ve tortured many people, just to have your way, but no…I do not see you as a threat. But let me inform you that if you lay a finger on my daughters, or any of the women on my island, I will take your head myself. Decius be damned.”
I huff a laugh, nodding. Fair enough. “I don’t hurt women or children.”
“Yet?”
“Ever.”
She draws in a breath. “But you have hurt many people previously.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“Only when necessary.”
“Oh, please,” she scoffs. “Some of it was not necessary.”
I drop my gaze again. I’m not sure what she’s seeing or how deep she’s gone into my memories, but whatever she’s seen, I’m sure it’s what Korah saw too. Their fault for prodding around in my brain and digging between the cracks. My mind is no place to linger.
“When can I see Willow?” I ask, shifting the subject.
She stares at the fire again. “When she’s awake.”
“And when will that be?”
“Whenever she wakes.”
I release a slow breath. “We’re in a bit of a hurry.”
“Are you always so impatient?”
“She’s my mate, and Decius is trying to kill us. Right now, my patience is very slim.”
“If you think Decius will ever come here to Kessel, he won’t. His energy is useless here, and if he ever manages to set foot on my island, he’s aware that I will kill him on sight.”
“Why don’t you just kill him now? Why wait for him to possibly attack one day?”
“There is no need. He is not a threat to me or my people. He cannot penetrate my energy.”
“So you’ve been okay with him robbing Tethered mates of their souls?” I demand.
“I suggest you remove the bass from your voice,” she warns, and I straighten my back, softening my shoulders. She is right. I’m in her territory. Hell, I’m in her world.
“I apologize. I just can’t wrap my mind around this Decius thing, or the fact that the Regals are letting him do as he pleases. What if one of your daughters grows to have a Tether? Then what? Because you know he’s not just after Cold Tethers anymore, right? He’s after any Tether he can find, even the commoners, so long as it gives him some sort of energy.”
“It’s impossible,” she counters while shaking her head. “I gave birth to them and rid them of all Regal origins. They live a normal life with none of the chains of my past. They will never have to worry about being Tethered or an attack from Decius because they are protected with my energy. And even if I die, the land of Kessel will shield them.”
“I see.” After a few seconds of silence, I say, “They’re beautiful girls.”
“I know.”
“Were you the first to grow life without man?” I ask.
She cuts her eyes at me, nostrils flaring. “If you’re asking about their father, that is none of your concern,” she snaps.
I lift an innocent hand in the air. “I was only curious. I heard stories about how women in Kessel can conceive on their own. Wasn’t sure if that included you.”
Hassha swings her eyes to the trail her daughters took, where the tips of the bungalows are faint in the night. Standing, she says, “Walk with me, Caspian.”
I push to a stand, following her around the fire. Milandra appears before we can reach another footpath.
“Your majesty?” she calls.
“We will be fine, Milandra,” Hassha murmurs. “Stand down.”
I look back as we continue along the path, and Milandra scowls at me, then huffs before turning away.
“I’m certain she wants to kill me,” I say.
“She wants to kill every man, not just you.” Hassha chuckles, leading the way between a grove of trees. “Caspian, women have always been seen as lesser than. Men in Vakeeli think we are their objects. They assume women know nothing, that we have no power, that we don’t belong unless we’re in their beds, on our knees, or in their kitchens. In Kessel, we don’t have that. Here, the women can thrive. They can be themselves. They can laugh and nurture and still be strong and fierce. And any man who dares come here and disturb that peace will have his bloody head chopped off.”
“I completely understand.”
“I can tell you’re not like those men though, despite your horrid past. You carry something that keeps you from being like them.” She pauses. “Or should I say from being like the man who raised you.”
My jaw clenches, and I fight the urge to stop in my tracks. “Get out of my head.”
“Oh, I’m not in your head. These are surface thoughts. I hear them very clearly.”
The path shifts from grass to sand, and we’re facing the ocean. The water shimmers beneath the moon like indigo jewels, and Hassha turns her face up at the moon, drawing in a deep breath. When she exhales, a large wave rises and drifts toward us, bringing a boat with it. The boat’s exterior is made of Vanorian Steel with ivory sails flapping in the breeze.
“We will get you and your mate to safety,” she assures me. “I’ve created this boat for a fleet of my women to take to The Trench. They’ll gather wood from a Trench tree, bring it back, and we’ll create weapons. But be aware, Caspian. I will not send my women to war for you. They have peace here, and they shall continue to have it. The same goes for me. I must remain here for my daughters.”
“Just get me the weapons. I’ll handle the rest,” I tell her.
“What about your mind?” she probes, tapping her temple. “He can get in there and stop you. He starts there first.”
“Can you protect my and Willow’s mind?”
“I can, but only for a few hours. If I am not with you, it cannot last for long. If you were my creation, that would be different.” She shakes her head, focusing on the boat. “I always told Selah she made the original Tether too strong. She gave them too much at once.”
“Yeah, Korah said the same.” I look past Hassha at the bungalows perched above water. The warm gold lights glowing in the dark bring peace, comfort. This place is an oasis. I see why they protect it so fiercely.
“You and Korah must be stronger than Decius when you’re together, right?” I ask. “Surely, you could’ve killed him before now. He’s only causing torment and pain. It’s not fair, especially not to me and Willow.”
Hassha sighs. “Back then, I never signed up for protecting anyone but my sisters. Not the Tethered. Not the babies, nor those who came after the Tethered. It was never my job to do any of that because I didn’t ask for it.”
“But you protect people now.”
“Yes, now. I protect people who are understanding and not looking to overthrow a Regal. Believe it or not, it took me a while to trust commoners. There was only one I trusted, many eras ago.” She smiles, but just as quickly as that smile appears, it vanishes. “I gave him a bit of my energy, and he became a Mythic. He shared his energy with others and since then, there have been Mythics running wild with part of what makes the Regals powerful. Believe it or not, after my encounter with that man, I tried not to be too upset about Selah creating the Tethered because I see how easy it is to create something, only for it to backfire in many ways. Plus, the Tethered aren’t all so bad. The original Tethered were loyal and dutiful—all but Decius. As for the Cold Tethered, well you and your mate are the first I’ve ever met, and I wouldn’t say I’m fond of you, but I do think I will like her. She’s strong, and I sense that she’s kind. Then again, I think women are better than men in general, so I digress. Why do you think there are only women and girls here? I made it so that all we birth are girls.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be easier for Decius to just be dead? He took down Selah. What makes you think he won’t take you down too?” I ask.
“If he comes for me, I’ll be prepared, just as I’ve always been. But it has been centuries, and I’ve heard not a peep from Decius. I have my warriors. They have my energy in their weapons. He knows this. He doesn’t bother me, so I don’t bother him. As for Selah, we told her this would happen. There is nothing we can do for her now.”
“Hmm.”
“Besides, it isn’t like he can take over the world. He’s not that powerful.”
“Oh, but don’t you see? That’s his goal. When he had me, only for a split second, he told me my half of the Cold Tether alone would be enough for him to take over all of Vakeeli. With me, he says he can do it, and that you and Korah don’t stand a chance. And if he does, well good luck to you and your warrior women. I’m sure his first mission will be to take you down, then The Council.”
She stares at me, unblinking. “Do you mean to tell me that you have all three binding bloods in you? Monarch, hybrid Mythic, and a Cold Tether?”
“According to The Council, yes.”
“But I…how can that be possible? This wasn’t supposed to happen, ever. How can I not feel it?” She looks me from head to toe. “I should be able to feel it.”
She points her gaze another way, the moon causing her silver eye to glisten. “It’s no wonder you made it to Earth, that you are not dead yet. He’s waited a long time for someone like you. You are right. We must take him down.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you all along.”
“But once he’s gone…” She taps her chin, eyes distant. I don’t even think she’s talking to me anymore, just thinking out loud. “Once he is out of the way, it is what comes after that will…” She trails off, and a fiery blue light emits from her hands and builds into flames. She gasps and shakes her hands, ridding herself of them.
“What do you mean what comes after?” I take a step toward her. “Hassha, is there something I should know?”
She turns her gaze to me, blinks a few times, then walks past me, the blue fading from her fingers. “It’s nothing we can’t handle. Come on. I’ll take you to your mate.”
She walks away from the bungalows and rounds the island, but I still sense some unease within her. She’s not telling me something, I know it. She and Korah are hiding something, and it doesn’t sit well with me, but who am I to demand answers? One stroke of Hassha’s finger, and I’m as good as ash.
We approach a white shelter on thick wooden stilts nestled between towering trees. The leaves brush the walls of the shelter as it overlooks the ocean, and I notice a large wraparound porch with chairs upfront. Lights illuminate from the inside, pouring onto the porch, and a marble staircase leads to the front door.
“You’ll find your mate in there,” Hassha says, pointing upward. “Give her a few hours, and she’ll be awake and better than ever.”
“Thank you, Hassha. I appreciate your hospitality.”
She nods and starts to turn away, but before she goes, she says, “Oh, by the way, I took your Blackwater gun.” She raises it in the air, and I drop my hands to my coat, feeling around for it with no luck. “I assure you it’s not to punish you, but my daughter Minka tends to develop these wild ideas in her head. I already heard her thinking about stealing your gun to try to use it, and to keep us all safe from random bullets, it’s best that I hold on to it.” Hassha flashes a smile. “I’ll give it back when you leave Kessel. Goodnight, Caspian.”
