Death Bound (The Soulsworn Chronicles #1)

Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

The ship pitched and rolled beneath me, the wooden planks groaning with every wave that slammed against the hull. I clung to the edge of the small makeshift bed in my cabin, my knuckles white as I tried to steady myself against the relentless nausea. It was only the fourth day at sea, but I was convinced that hell itself couldn’t be much worse than this.

Bertha knelt beside me, her strong, calloused hands rubbing slow, steady circles on my back. “Ah, poor lamb,” she clucked, her voice full of sympathy, though she wasn’t one to coddle. “Ye need to rest, lass. The sea sickness’ll pass, but ye’re only makin’ it worse by frettin’ and fussin’.”

“There’s no time to rest,” I gasped, feeling bile rise in my throat again. I clamped my teeth and forced it back down. “We need to go over it again.”

Bertha sighed. “Stubborn as a mule, ye are. But I s’pose I can’t blame ye, not with what’s waitin’ for ye in Emberfall.” She settled beside me on the bed with a heavy sigh, her body creaking as much as the ship. “All right then, let’s get on with it.”

She pulled out a battered leather book from her apron, flipping it open to a page full of faded drawings. “Now, let’s start with the basics again, eh? The marriage system—ancient as dirt, and just as dry. But ye’ve got to know it inside out if ye’re to survive. ”

I nodded weakly, trying to focus on the drawings instead of the rolling waves. Bertha leaned in closer, tapping the page with a gnarled finger. “See here, lass. The wives are ranked. Everyone after the first wife is a concubine. The concubines ain’t wives, not officially. It’s a lowly rank, no title or proper recognition, and they serve only at the pleasure of the husband. Their status? Depends entirely on how much favor they curry. You’ll be called a seventh wife, but don’t be fooled. You’re a concubine, dear.”

She turned the page, showing a more elaborate drawing of a regal woman. “The first wife, now she’s the top of the heap. Her official title’s First Wife, not queen—there are no queens in Emberfall. She’s the most recognized by title and rank. Everyone knows her place.”

I nodded again, trying to ignore the lurching in my stomach. “And I’ll be the seventh wife,” I whispered, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “The lowest of the low.”

Bertha clicked her tongue, turning another page to show a line of women, each one slightly less grand than the last. “Aye, that’s the lot of it. But ye’re not without ways to rise up. The second wife’s a noble lady who’s earned her place through her family’s influence or her own doings. Then there’s the third wife, followed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth. The lower ye go, the less power and recognition ye have. Icespire follows a similar system.”

She paused, looking at me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “But ye’re a special case, lass. Ye know that, don’t ye?”

I raised an eyebrow, unsure of where she was going with this. “What do you mean?”

Bertha reached into her pocket and pulled out a small faded photograph. “Here, take a look. This is yer mother, back when she was the second wife. Beautiful, wasn’t she?”

Her words made me pause. Bertha didn’t know my secret identity, but hearing the words your mother made me feel a deep-rooted sadness. I never had a mother. Bertha showed me a photo and I blinked, surprised to see a younger version of Aeliana’s mother, looking proud and strong. “She gained favor with the king because of you,” Bertha continued. “When ye showed that power at yer calling at just five years old, it was enough to elevate her status. She was no longer a concubine, she was mother to a princess .”

I stared at the photograph. “So I have to do the same,” I muttered bitterly. “Seduce him or produce a powerful child.”

Bertha let out a loud cackle. “Oh, he won’t be easy to win over, that one. But here’s a tip, lass. If ye can’t charm him in bed, ye can at least keep him amused.”

I grimaced, the idea of using such tactics making my stomach turn even more than the sea sickness. Bertha, however, was far from done. She reached into her apron again and pulled out a small vial of dark liquid. “And if ye’re thinkin’ of takin’ the shortcut,” she said, waggling the vial in front of me, “I’ve got fertility potions right here. Works like a charm, they do. But no need to rush into it if ye’re not ready.”

I shook my head vigorously. “No, I’m not relying on that. I have to win him over in other ways.”

Bertha’s eyes sparkled with approval as she tucked the vial back into her pocket. “That’s the spirit, lass. But remember, ye’ve got to be prepared for court life. It’s a snake pit, and ye need to know how to avoid gettin’ bit.”

I groaned inwardly as she pulled out yet another photograph, this one of a lavish court setting. “See this? The marriage ceremony for concubines ain’t the grand affair ye’re probably imaginin’. No vows, no promises—just a ceremony of submission. Ye’ll swear yerself to him, body and soul, but don’t be expectin’ the same in return.”

I swallowed hard, staring at the image of women bowing before the king. “So what do I do?” I asked.

Bertha patted my hand, her expression turning serious. “Ye make a grand entrance, that’s what. Show him ye’ve got spine. Be strong, be graceful, but remember yer place. If ye can strike the right balance, ye’ll make an impression he won’t forget. And who knows? Ye might just find a way to rise above the rest.”

I nodded slowly, the enormity of the situation pressing down on me like the weight of the ocean itself. “And if I can’t?” I asked.

Bertha’s eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of true concern. “Then ye’ll be just another face in the harem, and ye’ll have to survive as best ye can. But remember this, lass—ye’ve got more power than ye think. Use yer wits, yer charm, and ye might just outlast them all.”

Before I could respond, the ship lurched violently, throwing us both against the wooden walls of the cabin. My head slammed into the side, stars dancing in my vision. The sound of cracking wood and shouts from above deck filled the air, mingling with the roar of the sea.

Bertha grabbed onto the edge of the bed, her eyes wide with alarm. “What was that?” she gasped, struggling to regain her balance.

I pushed myself up, ignoring the throbbing pain in my shoulder. “Stay here,” I ordered, determination settling over me. “I’ll go check it out.”

Bertha reached for me, her face pale with worry. “Wait! Ye don’t know what’s out there!”

I shook my head, already heading for the door. “Stay here, Bertha. I’ll handle this.” And with that, I stumbled out of the cabin, the ship groaning and creaking beneath me as I faced whatever awaited us.

As I climbed the narrow staircase, the sound of chaos intensified. The ship pitched violently from side to side, the waves crashing against the hull like thunder. When I finally emerged onto the deck, the scene before me was one of pure pandemonium. The night sky was black, the moon hidden behind thick storm clouds, and the air was thick with the scent of salt and burning wood.

Rhydian was at the helm, barking orders to the crew. His voice was nearly drowned out by the howling wind and the furious roar of the sea. Sailors scrambled across the deck, desperately trying to secure the sails and keep the ship from capsizing. The ship swayed dangerously, the deck slick with seawater that sloshed around my ankles.

I fought my way toward Rhydian, clinging to the railing as the ship rocked beneath me. “What’s happening?” I shouted over the noise, barely able to hear my own voice.

Rhydian’s head snapped around, his eyes narrowing when he saw me. “We’re under attack!” he bellowed. “Get back below deck, now!”

The ship shuddered again, and a deafening roar split the air, louder than anything I’d ever heard. My blood ran cold as the sound echoed through the night—a roar that was unmistakable.

A dragon.

I scanned the skies, searching for the source of the terrifying noise. The storm clouds churned overhead, blotting out the stars, and in the distance, I saw it—a massive, shadowy figure moving through the darkness, its wings beating against the storm like a thunderclap.

Lightning flashed, illuminating the night for a split second, and I saw it clearly—a dragon, its scales shimmering in the brief light, its eyes glowing like embers. It was enormous, its wings stretching out over the ship, casting a shadow that swallowed everything beneath it.

A sailor screamed as the dragon swooped low, its talons slicing through the rigging with ease. The ship tilted dangerously to one side as the ropes snapped, sending men tumbling across the deck.

“We need to get out of here!” I shouted, grabbing onto the railing as the ship heaved again. The dragon circled above, its roars reverberating through the air, a terrifying symphony of power and fury.

“Get below deck!” Rhydian ordered. He drew his sword, pointing it toward the dragon. “Now!”

But I couldn’t move. My feet were rooted to the deck, my mind racing as I stared up at the creature that had haunted my nightmares ever since the attack on the crypts. The dragon roared again, and this time, it opened its mouth, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.

“No, no, no…” I said, my voice barely a whisper, panic clawing at my throat as I watched the beast. The fire in its throat grew brighter, the flames casting a hellish glow across the deck. I needed to move, to run, to do something, but my body refused to obey.

The dragon’s roar shook the ship, the force of it rattling the very bones of the vessel. I stumbled backward, my hands groping for something—anything—to steady myself. Around me, soldiers were rushing past, their shouts a cacophony of panic and desperation. But it was no use. One by one, they were plucked off the ship like dolls, their screams piercing the night as they were lifted high into the air and dropped into the churning ocean below.

“This can’t be happening,” I whispered as I backed up against the railing.

I could only watch as another soldier was snatched into the air, his scream echoing in my ears as he was carried high above the ship. I covered my mouth with my hands, a sob escaping as I heard his scream cut off by the cold, unforgiving ocean.

The dragon’s shadow loomed over me, its massive wings beating the air with a deafening whoosh. I pressed myself against the railing, my heart pounding so hard I could barely think. The ship lurched again, and I felt my balance slipping, the deck tilting dangerously beneath my feet.

“Move!” Rhydian screamed, and I turned to see him rushing toward me, his face twisted in anger and fear. He grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the edge just as the dragon swooped low, its talons slicing through the air where I had been standing moments before.

I gasped, my legs trembling as I clung to Rhydian, the reality of what was happening crashing down on me.

I stumbled after him, my feet slipping on the wet deck as I tried to keep up. Soldiers were still rushing past us, their faces pale with terror as they struggled to fight off the dragon’s relentless attacks.

Another roar echoed through the night, and I looked up just in time to see the dragon swooping down again, its jaws wide open.

“Get down!” Rhydian shouted, pushing me to the ground as the fire roared overhead. I hit the deck hard, the impact knocking the breath out of me. The ship shuddered, the wood beneath us splintering and cracking under the strain.

I pressed my face against the deck, my body shaking with fear. “We’re not going to make it,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

“We have to try!” Rhydian yelled, pulling me to my feet. “Come on!”

I forced myself to move, every step a struggle as the ship continued to rock violently. The dragon was still circling overhead, its roars filling the night with terror.

My vision blurred with tears and fear. All I could do was keep moving, following Rhydian’s lead as he fought to keep me safe.

“We’re almost there!” Rhydian shouted, his voice hoarse from shouting orders. “Just keep moving!”

But as I looked up, I saw the dragon diving toward us again, its jaws open wide. The world seemed to slow down, the sounds of the battle fading into the background as the dragon’s massive form blotted out the sky.

The dragon’s claws closed around Rhydian, lifting him from the deck. My heart plummeted, and a scream tore from my throat, raw and filled with terror.

“No!” The word was a desperate plea, a cry to the heavens, but there was no one to answer.

Panic surged through me, but it was followed by something else—something primal and wild, a force I had never felt before. Energy flowed through my veins like liquid ice, cold and sharp, filling me with a power I didn’t understand.

Without thinking, I lunged forward and grabbed onto Rhydian’s waist, my fingers digging into the fabric of his coat as I held on with all the strength I had left. The dragon roared in anger, its claws tightening around Rhydian’s body, but I refused to let go.

A scream of fury ripped from my throat as I thrust my free hand toward the dragon, the ice surging from my fingers like a living thing. Sharp, jagged shards shot out, striking the dragon’s scales and spreading across its body. The dragon shuddered, its wings beating erratically as the ice crept over its form, crackling with a freezing force that made the air around us bitterly cold.

The dragon’s grip faltered, its claws slipping from Rhydian’s body as the ice spread further. With a snarl of frustration, the beast released us both, and we plummeted back toward the deck. The impact was brutal, knocking the wind out of me as we crashed into the wooden boards. Pain exploded in my ribs, my vision going white for a moment as the force of the fall rattled through my bones.

I cried out. Rhydian groaned beside me, his arms wrapping around me protectively as he tried to shield me from further harm.

“Hang on,” he rasped. “Stay with me, Elara.”

But there was no time to recover. The ship lurched violently as the dragon king’s soldiers began to climb up the sides, their armor clinking ominously in the night. They moved with deadly precision, scaling the ship’s walls with ease and surrounding us in a matter of moments.

I struggled to my feet, Rhydian still holding onto me as we faced the inevitable. They were unlike any soldiers I had ever seen, their armor black as night, adorned with dark, twisted symbols that seemed to thump with a sinister energy.

Then, with a thunderous crash, the Dragon King himself leaped from the back of his dragon, landing on the deck with a predatory grace that sent a shiver down my spine. His very presence was a force of nature, an aura of raw power that made the air around him hum with energy. It were as if the night itself bowed to him, the shadows growing darker, the wind whispering his name.

He straightened slowly, every movement deliberate, exuding a confidence that bordered on arrogance. His armor was as black as the void, polished to a gleaming finish.

As he moved, the armor shifted and molded to his body like a second skin, emphasizing his broad shoulders and powerful frame. The helmet obscured most of his face, but what little I could see sent my heart racing in my chest. His eyes, visible through the narrow slit in the helmet, burned with a cold fire—a deep, molten gold that flashed with the vehemence of a dragon’s flame. They were the eyes that had haunted my nightmares, the same eyes that had watched as the crypts were reduced to ashes, as he took Aeliana from me.

He was the embodiment of every fear I had ever known, every nightmare I had ever had.

“Hello, Princess ,” he drawled, his voice smooth and dark, cutting through the night like a blade. The sound of it sent a jolt through me, a cruel reminder of the moment in the crypt when everything I had ever known had been ripped away.

I stared at him, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. Fear and anger warred within me, a storm of emotions that threatened to consume me whole. This was the man who had destroyed my life, who had taken Aeliana, my best friend, my sister in all but blood. The man who had reduced the crypts to ruins and left me with nothing but ashes and a hollow ache in my heart.

“What do you want from us?” I screamed.

The Dragon King took another step forward, his gaze fixed on me, and I could feel the heat of his presence like a physical thing, scorching the air around him. His smirk widened, a flash of sharp teeth behind his lips, and I knew in that moment that he was enjoying this—that he took pleasure in the fear he inspired.

“Why, Princess,” he said, his voice a low, dangerous purr, “I want you.”