The chains were bolted into rock and reinforced with a substance resembling concrete. As he stood trembling, two Bellatis brought straw and threw it beneath him, and filled his manger with hay.
A figure appeared at the chamber entrance. Nikolai snorted steam as Galeran joined his tall Bellati companion.
Galeran gestured to the Bellati who’d watched Nikolai fight. “This is Sebastian. He is responsible for your care, among many other things.”
Nikolai bared his teeth and responded through the link.You cannot hold me like this.
Oh, but I can. I realize the accommodations are less than five star, but you must content yourself with the knowledge that you will serve a higher purpose. Eventually, when you embrace your destiny, we can discuss something more modern.
Nikolai was forced to resort to a blistering glare.How long have you been planning this?
Galeran grinned.Since before you were born. I selected your mother from a small contingent of those carrying the bloodline. She was easier to court than I’d expected. It seems dissatisfaction was running deeper through the Liberis than the Elders recognized.
Nikolai bared his teeth.Helps that she didn’t know she’d have to die for me to be created.
Galeran shrugged.Yes. Well, I’m sure she’d be proud of what you’ve become.
A slave to your ambition,Nikolai snarled.
Galeran drew himself up tall. I don’t expect you to understand right away. But the Bellatis exist for a reason. It is a destiny we have been denied for over a thousand years, and the realms have suffered terribly for our lack.
Nikolai raised his head.What are you talking about?
Galeran’s eyes flashed, and he replied aloud for the benefit of the watching Bellatis. “The Bellatis used to patrol the realms for transgressors against the life energy. We kept the balance between life and death, with force if necessary. Then the Elders decided we should be confined to Elandriel. Without our influence, the realms have become polluted by the greed of a few dominant species. Others are racing toward extinction. For many, it is already too late.”
Nikolai’s ears pricked. He’d only lived in one realm—the human one—but from what he’d experienced, Galeran spoke the truth. Was the imbalance in the human realm due to the Bellatis being locked on Elandriel all these years?
He glanced at the Bellatis and then responded aloud. “Are thou saying thou can restore balance to thee realms?”
Galeran nodded. “With your help, yes.”
The hard-won rage drained from Nikolai as he considered. The mental fog induced by the runes pushed in from the edges, spreading its calming fingers through his fevered brain. What Galeran suggested didn’t seem so bad. In fact, it sounded like something Nikolai would like to be involved in.
“How?” he asked. “How will thou use me to restore thee balance?”
His father’s eyes flashed silver. “We will use your power to stop the raping of the land.”
A spear of panic pierced the fog. “But—thaat only destroys.”
“Sometimes to save something, you must first destroy that which puts it at risk.”
The Bellatis surrounding his father stood ramrod straight, their eyes flaring just like his as they gazed up on him. It twisted something deep in Nikolai. The extreme devotion disturbed him.
Galeran smiled again. “I will leave you to ponder on it. My soldiers have selected a few promising initiatives. I must make plans. I suggest you eat and rest. We have much work ahead of us.”
The man left, with Sebastian falling in behind him, and the others stepping smartly along in formation. Two remained at the chamber door.
Did they think he’d be able to break the chains? Having tested them, he doubted he could do so. His animal form was powerful, but not powerful enough.
The reality was that he was stuck here, chained, fed, and bedded like an animal, for as long as Galeran deemed it necessary.
Was what his father suggested essential, if the realms were to survive? Did Nikolai need to choose between becoming a willing participant, or forever remain an animal in chains?
His father really believed that to save something, you must first destroy that which puts it at risk.
Nikolai’s gut twisted into a knot. If Galeran used his power, living things would die.
And only gods had the right to pick and choose who should do so.
