Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) (14 page)

“Well, now that we’re all here and about to indulge in this wonderful meal, I was wondering, what changes do you plan to make once you’re in
charge?
” Elise was eating daintily, but Mathieu could tell that her attention was focused on Avian. “That’s only a few years away, after all, and I really would like to know what I’m in for.” Mathieu thought that the topic was a bit heavy for casual dinner conversation, but who was he to judge what they people considered ‘casual’.

Avian considered, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Well, to start, I’d open conversations with all the regions of the Korinth, not just the Southern District.” She said. It was something she had been going over for quite some time.

It was obvious that Elise hadn’t been expecting that for an answer. “Well that’s…that’s…reassuring to hear. You are more aware than my country believes.” She furrowed her brows for a moment before smiling warmly. “Simply adorable, I swear. Oh, and Mathieu, your…pet desires your attention.”

Looking at her curiously, he felt Nikola brushing his mind.
What’s wrong?
He queried.

I think she can hear me…I don’t like it.
The ball of light
began to swirl quickly, becoming much more dense and trembled slightly. Nikola was beginning to panic.

Shh. I will handle it.
Mathieu gave Elise a very pointed look. “Thank you for pointing it out, but you
are
making my friend very uncomfortable. I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from doing that too often tonight.” After that, dinner passed between the small
group
in an odd fashion. Elise continued to ask rather disjointed questions of Avian; Mina sat silently, staring pointedly at her plate; and Mathieu kept a private string of conversation going with Nikola.

Mina was the one that put him on edge, he decided. Elise by herself was harmless, just a smiling, curious woman who was interested in what was best for her country; whereas, Mina gave off an aura of…he didn’t know. But it was meant to unnerve people and it was rather effective.

Taking a deep breath, he took a plunge. “Mina, was it?”

“Yes.” The stern looking woman didn’t look up.

“How are you?” He had finished eating and had his arms folded over his chest, Nikola tucked into the crook of his elbow.

Her grip on her fork tightened, “I’m fine.” Her tone was clipped.

Smiling, he tilted his head.
“Fine?
That’s a rather…mundane answer from such an intense woman.
Kind of a disappointment.”
Mathieu jested lightly.

A muscle in her cheek ticked. “Well, aren’t you feeling
observant. I’m fine. Elise is content, therefore, I am fine.”

Standing from his seat, he held out a hand to Mina and bowing slightly. “May I have this dance?” A silence fell over the room.

Mina cast a glance at Elise, who nodded, and she pushed her seat back, standing. Her hand slipped into his and she followed him onto the dance floor. She laid one hand on his shoulder, the other resting in his. The band struck of a decent paced waltz. Placing a hand on her waist, Mathieu pulled Mina close and counted out a beat in his head before starting into the waltz, pushing her lightly around the floor. He stumbled once or twice, but she recovered smoothly and didn’t comment. All the while, Nikola kept a beat for him in his head while hiding in his pocket.

“What are you playing at?” Mina’s voice was as tight as her dancing.

Mathieu looked at her curiously, an eyebrow
raised
. “We are dancing.
Nothing more.”

Narrowing her eyes, she pushed against him as they danced, “You’re lying to me. You wanted me away from Elise. Why?”

“Simple. You are not a positive influence on conversation. Try relaxing. No one is going to attack her here.”

A small huff escaped thin lips. “You’re a traitor, you know.”

“Excuse me?” Mathieu said, almost coming to a complete stop but managing to keep dancing.

“You’re a User like us, given a gift that these simple-minded humans will never understand. Yet you serve them like a pet, not embracing who you are. I bet if you used your power here, there would be pandemonium.” Mina was looking at his shoulder, avoiding his gaze.

Mathieu, who was just barely taller than her, pulled her closer and whispered into her ear. “I’m not a pet. I protect someone very important to me, just like you do. And if I used my power, it would be awe-inspiring, not something worthy of mass panic. However, I feel that you would be more deadly than beautiful if you used your gift. Somehow, I think you are rather ugly when you want to be.”

Closing her eyes, Mina nodded. “My…gift is not something to play with. It’s meant for destruction, as all of our gifts are. I’d bet you’re just as dangerous as I am, if you so desired to be.” The blonde trod on his foot in what could only be an intentional manner.

Mathieu grinned through the sharp pain, dipping her in an elegant end to their dance. “Thank you, Mina, for a wonderful dance. You make an excellent partner.”

People around them politely applauded, having been watching the pair. As they concluded their dance, the others were rising and taking up position. Couples danced across the floor happily, swaying about. Mathieu gave Mina a squeeze and righted her. “If you get in Avian’s way, you will see how destructive my powers can be.” He released her.

Avian bounded towards him, taking his hand and dragging him into her version of a waltz, half pushing
Mina out of the way. She was not as delicate as his last partner and instead, she pushed him around the floor, grinning. “Tell me, what were you two talking about?”

“Not much. I just told her that she should loosen up.” Mathieu said, having been expecting the Princess’s curiosity.

Smiling, they danced in silence for a moment. Then, her face took on a very serious look. “Elise wants to take you home with her. She feels that you are a prize that can be bought.” The lines on her face were hard. “She actually asked what bargain could be struck for her to gain you.”

Mathieu tilted his head so that his cheek was resting on top of Avian’s head. “Don’t
worry,
I have no intentions of leaving you. Elise couldn’t win my favor even if she tried.”

Her face visibly softened at his words, golden eyes glowing and holding happy glint they normally did behind their glasses. “Thank you Mathieu. You’re my very best friend.”

“And you are mine. You know, Mina is the true danger here.” He murmured.

Avian hummed off tone. “Yes, I know. Elise is very sweet when her lap-dog is away. We had a lovely conversation and she has invited me to her manor once I take over.”

He looked across the room at Elise who was dancing with a very stately man. “That is very kind of her. I wish that we knew her under different circumstances. She would be quite the friend.”

They had reduced to just swaying on the spot, talking. “I think Mina is nice too, when that stick isn’t up her--”

“May I cut in, Avian?
You can’t hog the cute guy all night.” Venee wrinkled her nose at them, hands clasped politely at her waist. With a roll of her eyes, Avian let go of Mathieu’s hand and let Venee step into her place. She returned to her seat, watching them from afar.

Mina came to sit beside her. Mathieu closed his eyes, listening through his connection to Tesla.

“Tell me, where did you find him?”Mina said stiffly.

Avian smiled. “He found me. And don’t worry, he’s not going anywhere. Mathieu is mine and I won’t give him up without a fight.” Behind her mask of sweetness, a hint of chill was there, peeking out.

Mina nodded before looking away.

“Avian is very happy around you, you know. She is normally quite…rude to people.” Venee peeked up at him,
a genuine
warmth in her face. “You two really must come visit me. We’d love to have you.”

“That is strictly up to Avian, but I will suggest it to her.” Nodding to her, he swept her around the room in a wide arch, making her giggle happily.

After a while longer, the night began to wind down and people were taking up pairs, seating themselves around the room for a night cap. Drinks were passed around for all and Mathieu found himself sitting beside Avian on a loveseat, her head on his shoulder.

“Tonight has been fun. And I learned a lot more than I thought I would. My father is going about the relationship with Korinth the wrong way. Soon, I’ll be in charge, though.” Stretching, she slipped her shoes off and pulled her legs up under her. “I think that this is the beginning to a bright future.” Avian barely hid a yawn.

“A golden age of Unith.
Oh, Venee wants us to visit.” Taking a sip of some sour liquor, Mathieu sighed before relaxing into the seat. “This is the life, I swear.”

“Don’t I know
it.
” She closed her eyes. “Best part
is,
no lessons tomorrow.” Her eyes snapped open and she looked around, “…Hey Mathieu, can I ask you something?”

“Hm?”

She did a quick sweep to ensure no prying ears before continuing. “Did Mina say anything to you…that might indicate that there are…uh, potential issues in their government?”

“Issues?
Like what?” Mathieu said, recalling his conversation with the strict woman.

“Like maybe Korinth is considering starting a war; I’ve been hearing rumors of it lately, but I wasn’t sure. Elise seemed very on edge when I mentioned my father and I’m afraid that war really may be coming soon. And that could be disastrous…” Her eyes were full of concern as she looked around the room at everyone there. “I don’t want to see a war erupt. I want to find a more permanent peace within the land, not this tenuous thing that we have now. Fighting accomplishes nothing, but I know my
father. He’d never back down if he thought that Korinth was thinking of starting a conflict. He’d strike first.”

Mathieu pet her hair calmingly. “Avian, from what I know of your father, he’s a smart man. Surely he’ll see through any rumors and find a way to fortify the peace between the two countries. He doesn’t seem like the kind of person to jump at shadows.” His voice was full of convictions as he took a sip from his drink.

Chapter

Seven

“He’s jumping at shadows, Matt, I swear!” Avian huffed and kicked at the dashboard of the carriage.
“Gaa!”
  

Mathieu looked over at his best friend; she had grown up a lot in the past six years. Her face had slimmed from its childish roundness and her figure had lost its baby fat, leaving behind a curvaceous woman. At a ripe age of twenty-five, everything about her had changed, with the exception of her brazen personality and her need for glasses.

“Elise is
not
trying to start a war and he’s stupid for thinking so! Why is he being so damn difficult about this?” She kicked the dashboard a few more times for good measure before sighing and resting an arm over her eyes. Something else that had changed over the years was her outlook on clothing. She knew how to fit in a dress when the occasion called, but otherwise it was almost guaranteed she was in jeans. “If war breaks out, it’ll be because he provokes it. I think it’s time for him to abdicate the throne. Two words, Matt: Damage.
Control.”
Her nose wrinkled in annoyance.

Smiling to himself, he focused on driving. They were head to Venee’s manor in Fallon for a long weekend. It hadn’t really been a planned trip, more like the King had ordered them out of the castle because Avian had lost her temper in the middle of a meeting with the advisors, but their friend had never failed to take them in whenever they showed up. They were in the mountains somewhere between Lorke and Fallon, only an hour or so from their
destination.The mountains made for a slow trek, but overall, the trip had gone smoothly. “Avian, relax. Your father is just being overly cautious. You know for a fact that he loves you and just wants to protect you. Sometimes he just takes it a bit…far.”

“A bit?
A
bit
?
A bit would be taking the carriage away. A bit would be imposing a curfew. Telling me that a war is on the way and that I need to barricade myself in the underground bunker of the castle for an unknown length of time with no contact with the outside world so that I don’t ‘become collateral damage’ is being tyrannical! It’s pissing me off.” She crossed her arms and huffed, brow furrowed. Avian folded her legs up under her. “Why would he act this way? I mean, all those years ago, I might have believed that a war was on the way, but Elise makes monthly trips to have face-to-face negotiations to ensure peaceful relations and
now
he thinks we’re gonna have a war?”

Mathieu rolled his eyes. “Avian. Beating a dead horse again…”

“It is not a dead horse! Something weird is going on and I don’t like it!”

A pop sounded and Mathieu sighed. “Wonderful.” They were in the middle of nowhere and the carriage had just gotten a flat. “Stay here.” He instructed. Opening the door and going around to the back of the car, he saw that the driver side rear tire had pop, a nail sticking halfway out. Grumbling, he opened the trunk and pulled out a spare, complaining about the inconvenience of it all. Putting his hair, which now reached just above his hips, into a quick bun, he got out the jack and started to lift the carriage. He stopped only for a second to push up the
sleeves of his sweater.

Avian appeared to his left, kneeling beside him. “Let me help…”

Bumping her with a small smile, he winked. “Don’t
worry,
hun. I got this one. You should’ve stayed in the carriage.”

“Oh jeez, it isn’t like anything is going to happen. Let me help. I feel bad for nagging at you over things that you can’t change. Let’s do it together.” Her hand landed on top of his and she looked at him with a genuine smile.

“Fine.”
Mathieu surrendered, knowing it was pointless to fight with Avian, especially after this many years. He had never won an argument in over six years of working with her. Combined, it only took them a small fraction of time to get the tire changed.

Standing with her hands on her hips and carrying an air of victory about her, Avian kicked their handy work. “Damn fine work, my loyal comrade!” She leaned against him.

As she spoke, a shiver slunk up his spine that he had come to associate with being watch. “Avian,” his voice was low, only loud enough for her to hear, “get back in the car.
Now.”
He grabbed her upper arm and all but dragged her to the nearest door while keeping low; Avian didn’t protest about being manhandled. The door, however, wouldn’t open. “Damn it!” A bullet whizzed past him and he put his hand on the top of his best friend’s head, forcing her down into a crouch.

Growling, his eyes began to lighten until the irises were
pure white, ringed in gold. Concentrating, he created a cocoon of solid energy that wrapped around Avian, protecting her. “Don’t move.” He said, reaching through to touch her face reassuringly. Straightening, he turned to face the thick trees that ran all the way though the mountains; a twig snapped to his left but he kept his stance relaxed.

Another shot rang out and Mathieu managed to strike out with his energy and deflect it. He ‘tsk’ed and tapped his foot, sending a small shockwave of energy through the forestry. A man fell from the tree not five feet from him. Narrowing his eyes, he formed a stiletto made of his own swirling energy. Grasping it, he sprung from his spot in front of Avian and struck at the man, stabbing down into his chest. Blood dripped from the man’s mouth, but the place where the blow was placed appeared undamaged. Energy damaged from the inside. As he stood there over the now dead man, his energy vibrated back to him. There were more enemies, but the trees prevented him from getting a clear idea of how many.

Not a moment after he had moved away from her, bullet began to spray Avian’s protective shell. Her hands flew to cover her ears and she hunched down, scared. Her body was trembling finely, but to Mathieu’s relief, the barrier held. He used the attack to trace where the other men were.

The stiletto in his hand lengthened, becoming a blazing sword. He ran into the cover of the trees, spotting two of the men shooting at Avian kneeling in the underbrush. A feral growl clawed up his throat from deep within him as he savagely torn through the first one with his energy. He grasped the back of the second soldier’s head, unprotected by a helmet, and channeled his energy
straight into the man’s head; the body he held twitched for a moment before going still. Again, the wounds didn’t physically manifest, however, both men were on the ground, dead.

He couldn’t tell how many shooters were left, and the count began to matter less as three men descended from the
trees  on
wires and surrounded him, far enough back to be out of range of his weapon, but close enough to do serious damage.

Searing pain bloomed down across his chest as a bullet tore through his shoulder and another just above his hipbone. He clapped a hand over the wound in his side, keeping his blade in the hand of his uninjured limb. The bullets these men were using blossomed out when they made contact, and now he was losing blood fast; his vision was blurring. Mathieu dropped to a knee and looked over to where Avian was cowering, only protected by his energy.
Have to hold on, Avian…I’m coming…

Anger gave him the strength he needed to force himself to his feet, sweeping the sword made of energy around in a large arc, managing to take out two of the enemies closing in on him with restraints. The third man took a step back and lifted his gun again, aiming for his head.
Avian.
His mind was fogging over and his vision was swimming. F
orgive me…
Mathieu couldn’t hold on any longer. His consciousness slipped as he hit the ground.

~*~

A pounding behind his eyes was the first thing that alerted him that he was, in fact, alive. Groaning, he slowly cracked one eye open and allowed it time to adjust to the light. It was a painful experience, but soon he
managed to get both eyes open and properly functioning. The room he was in was bare, just a small cot, which he was laying on, and a door that seemed extremely heavy. The light seemed to come from the room itself and as he tried to sit up, he winced.

Laying back and lolling his head to the side, he could see that his shoulder and upper body were wrapped in a bandage, while his hip bore a thick, circular scar where he’d been shot. It hurt.
A lot.
“A-Avian?”
His voice reverberated oddly around the room and back at him. He sounded scared and meek, even to himself. Mathieu aimed to sit up again and his eyes watered with the pain that laced through him. “Damn it…what the hell happened?” His limbs shook and the effort of breathing was causing him to pant. His body, however, was not his primary concern. The last thing he remembered was Avian being safe, but who knew what happened after he had passed out.

The lack of response was starting to piss himoff more than the debilitating pain, though; if the Princess was close by, she should have been yelling, fighting, something so that he could find her. Gritting his teeth and balling his hands into fists, he forced himself to stand and approached one of the walls. The short trip was strenuous and painful, so much so that he thought he was going to vomit. Leaning against the wall, he looked at the reflective surface that he could see himself in. It was a pretty horrid sight.

His white hair was tangled and knotted, stained a light brown with dirt. It had also been cut unevenly, probably by a knife, to just
passed
his shoulders. His eyes were still white with gold ringing them and a thin gash was visible just below his right eye; the energy was probably
trying to protect him while he was unconscious. Dark circle around his eyes told him that for however long he’d been sleeping, it hadn’t been very restfully. And to top it all off, he had been stripped to boxers. The scar on his hip was a peachy color and was highly visible against his lightly tanned skin. The slightly blood spotted bandage stood in stark relief compared to his flesh, as well.

Going to the door, and attempting to power through a slight limp that the wound on the hip had left him with, he knocked politely on its hard, cold surface. It struck him as odd that the door was colder than the floor, and the floor was bone-chillingly cold under his bare feet.

No one answered. So he knocked harder.
A lot harder.
He was pounding on the door when his own stupidity struck him. Closing his eyes, Mathieu licked his top lip, tapping into his already strained energy. It was a painful process, severely impeded by the throbbing behind his eyes, the pain that flowed through his body, and the fact that it probably hadn’t been recessive since he passed out. After a few more moments, he finally gave up his efforts. Gimping back to the bed, he collapsed on it and curled up in a ball and tried to even out his breathing. There wasn’t even a blanket.

Staring at the wall, he tried to work through how he had gotten here and where
here
was, exactly. He could clearly remember the carriage getting a flat and
Avian
moaning on about how her father was ‘jumping at shadows’. Then there was the attack. He knew that a few men had died at his hand, but he couldn’t remember anything after getting shot. It was just a blank in his mind. No sounds filtered through to him, no weird flashes of memory. From what he had managed to piece together, one would think that he had gone from laying below the cover of some trees in
the middle of the mountains to this…room. He wouldn’t call it a prison, but he was getting that vibe. It was sort of like a holding cell.

And then there was the issue of where was Avian? She had been there, being protected by his love and energy one moment, and now she was gone.

A creak caused him to turn on the bed with a sharp intake of breath, averting his eyes from the wall and laying them on the door. A shadowed figure entered the room and set a chair just inside the door, laying a neat stack of clothes on top of it. The outline was feminine, but she didn’t say anything as she pulled the door closed again and the scrape of a locked could be heard loudly in the silent room. There had been a bright light just beyond the door and he hadn’t been able to distinguish details about her.

He wanted to get up and retrieve some clothes, but he wasn’t sure he could do it so soon. Laying back down had been a moderately good idea, except that he hadn’t planned on having to get back up so quickly. Mathieu’s muscled protested sharply as he attempted to push himself to a sitting position, immobilizing him. The clothing wasn’t going anywhere, so he collapsed back onto the bed and closed his eyes. His body just needed to rest.

After what could have been an hour, he bit his lip until it bled to give himself a sense of control over the pain in his body, he managed to sit up and swing his feet onto the floor. He only managed to push himself up to stand again with the thought of seeing Avian, but a light headed, nauseous feeling came over him the moment he was erect. This pain needed to go
away,
and quickly if he was going to accomplish anything.