Oath of War (The Cursed Bonds #2)

6. Chapter 6

D espite Reynard’s threat, soldiers still fought. However, that changed when the throne room’s doors crashed open, and the deafening blare of trumpets brought everything to a halt.

The male that strode in, resplendent in imperial dark fae armour, made jaws drop, but the woman who followed provoked a wave of astonished gasps. Magnificent in a long, flowing robe, tall and silver-skinned, she dominated the room with her mere presence and looked down her nose at the carnage with no attempt to hide her disgust.

My amazement at the spectacle turned to confusion. I recognised the male in the armour. Valaram’sa Dern’ra was the dark fae ambassador in Truso, but the woman? Several moments passed before I realised who she was. Valaram, a conceited male who never bowed to anyone, had kneeled to lay his cloak before the beautiful female.

Is she? What the—? Could she be the dark fae empress?

The ambassador stood up, his arrogant smirk back in place as he turned to face Reynard and the helpless chancellor. Unfortunately for him, no one noticed, as all eyes were riveted on the empress as she stepped forward onto her subordinate’s cloak.

‘You were right to bring my attention to the events in Dagome, dear brother. Still, I didn’t expect such ... barbarity in the court of our allies,’ she said, casually drawing a complex sigil. As soon as she finished, immense power flashed out, and all the dead soldiers rose up, surrounding each fighting group in the room.

‘Since I now have everyone’s undivided attention, shall we talk? Who is in charge of this charnel house?’ she asked. I couldn’t stop staring. She shouldn’t be able to cast in here, yet she had torn through the powerful wards without a second thought.

Silence reigned until, with a clatter and a curse, Alaric burst into the room. Covered in blood and sporting a wild, unhinged look, my fae cast around, ignoring his empress and the gathered nobles until his eyes fell upon me, and he let out a short cry.

‘Domina, I thought I was too late!’

The relief in his tone dulled the pain of my injuries. When he took a step towards me, two fae guards blocked his way, and I heard coldness replace the disdain in the dark fae woman’s voice when she spoke again.

‘Well, well ... Alaric’va Shen’ra, it has been too long. Won’t you greet an old friend?’

Alaric turned, looking as if he’d only just noticed her presence.

‘Oante’terec evako, Domina Tenebris,’ 1 he intoned, dropping to one knee. I was beginning to think everyone had turned to statues. Not one person dared to move as the situation unfolded.

‘So, you haven’t forgotten how to be a noble of my dark court,’ the empress crooned, approaching him with a soft, gentle smile before gesturing toward Valaram. ‘Val, darling. Kill him. But make it quick.’

‘As you command,’ the fae male answered, and I felt the aether gathering around him.

Rage—pure, unbridled fury—blinded me. I didn’t care why Alaric was so casually sentenced to death, or that Valaram was kin to the dark fae empress and a legendary primaeval high mage. He would not kill my man. Ari belonged to me, and even if Veles, god of the Underworld, came to claim his soul himself, I would fight him.

‘No!’ I shouted, staggering forward, but I was too slow. Still, my actions seemed to break whatever spell held everyone silent, and chaos erupted.

The dark fae ambassador cast a spell over Alaric, its silver threads covering my lover and ensnaring him. I recognised the net from my duel with Ari at the fortress. However, this one seemed more substantial, more dangerous, and I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine at seeing him held in its deadly embrace.

I threw myself forward, skidding across the bloody floor. The breath knocked out of my lungs as Orm picked me up before I hit the marble tiles. He turned, pointing his sword at my attackers, shielding me with his body from the two dark fae guards.

‘Nivale, you’re bleeding. You’ve got a godsdamned hole in your side!’ he muttered frantically as I pressed my hand to the still-seeping wound. ‘You need a fucking healer!’

‘I’m fine—stop worrying about me. We need to protect Ari!’ I answered, and he supported me as we moved to face the empress. She looked at me with such smug superiority, clearly enjoying the moment.

‘Tell your mage to release my fae,’ I demanded, not even bothering with pleasantries.

‘ Your fae ? The Shen’ra family belongs to me. His life is mine, and I’ve already decided his fate.’

‘I won’t let you do this,’ I said, reaching for the aether. I had little time. Soon, blood loss would render me unconscious, but with Orm holding me, I felt able to access the aether long enough for a single attack.

As I opened myself up to the power, Reynard pushed the chancellor into someone’s arms and jumped in front of us, arms outstretched.

‘No, Lady Annika, Valaram will kill him and you if you fight.’

The incantation died on my lips, but I held onto the aether with uncertain control. Suddenly, a mournful keening interrupted our standoff as the king’s groom staggered through a small back door, wailing like a vjesci. 2

‘The king ... the king is dead. The mages killed the king! The blood ... Oh gods, the blood ...’

The world I knew crashed and burned before my eyes. I didn’t know what to do. The old fool may not have been a good king, but his presence kept the nobles from tearing each other apart to replace him. Orm had told me that when they’d discussed the rebellion, most of the nobles had agreed on Reynard becoming king. Still, they’d planned on deposing the king, not killing him. Now we had to deal with the dark fae empress witnessing not just a rebellion but the regicide.

I had to salvage this situation in our favour, and if I couldn’t fight, I needed a king to fight for me.

I detangled myself from Orm’s grasp and hobbled to the centre of the room, feeling all eyes on me as I concentrated on not falling. I stopped next to the groom, and Ormond moved to my side. Locking eyes with Reynard, I sank to one knee with as much flourish as I could muster.

‘Long live the king! All hail King Reynard Erenhart!’ I exclaimed. Then, surging unsteadily to my feet, I pressed a fist to my chest, saluting as a crown mage. ‘I, Annika Diavellar, conduit and loyal battle mage, hereby acknowledge Reynard Erenhart as king of Dagome on behalf of the Council of Mages and Court of Aether.’

Reynard’s eyes widened before I saw the hint of a smile. We both knew I didn’t have the authority to make such a proclamation, but once he took over the kingdom, whoever had a problem with my unwarranted statement could take it up with the new king.

‘I, Ormond Erenhart, Lord Commander of Varta Fortress and the dragon riders, acknowledge Reynard Erenhart as king of Dagome on behalf of the Conclave of Dragons.’

A few nobles dropped to their knees, followed by a few more, until, after several moments, all the nobles of Dagome had kneeled and pledged their loyalty to the new king. I turned to look at the dark fae empress, who, in turn, stared back. The broken mage’s blood still dripped from my hand, staining the polished floors as we measured each other’s resolve.

‘Thank you, little mage. Now I know who to discuss matters of state with,’ she said with a smirk. I didn’t smile back.

‘If you are grateful, then release Alaric,’ I responded without sparing a glance at the man I’d just proclaimed king.

‘No, I don’t think I will. But I have to say, I enjoyed the show. I’d heard so much about Dagome’s conduit mages, and you didn’t fail to impress. I hadn’t thought you aspired to be a kingmaker. So refreshingly bold and unlike others of your kind who follow their male guardians.’

‘Really? Maybe you should meet my friend Bryna,’ I quipped. Both the pain and her attitude had grated on me. ‘I can show you just how bold I can be if you don’t relinquish my fae. So I ask again, politely. Please, Your Majesty, as one woman to another, release my mate.’

‘And if I don’t?’

‘Then I will request the presence of Vahin and use conduit power laced with dragon fire to change your mind,’ I said, surprised by the satisfied smile that transformed her face into a breathtaking work of art.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ormond shift his stance, his jaw clenching, and I hoped he wouldn’t throw himself at the fae ambassador just when the empress’ smile hinted that we were getting somewhere.

‘What is your name and affiliation, mage?’ she asked, snapping her fingers and gesturing at a woman wearing a veil. ‘Heal her. I don’t want her bleeding out before we finish our conversation.’

‘Annika Diavellar. I’m of the Primal Order, and my element is fire,’ I said, nodding to the healer when she approached me.

I didn’t trust the empress, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth if this could keep me conscious a few moments longer. When the healer’s fingers dug into my wound, it took all of my strength to stay upright and hold back an agonised sob. Another fucking test , I thought when the empress’s eyebrow lifted as I refrained from screaming.

‘Alaric’va Shen’ra is a fugitive of the dark fae court who killed his compatriots, including a member of the royal family, to escape. He also released a malevolent spirit in the palace catacombs, a former dreamwalker that drove several warriors to madness. Some even took their own lives to escape the nightmares. That doesn’t even include the charges that put him there in the first place. Alaric was to be tried for his part in Roan’va Shen’ra’s betrayal and the subsequent war,’ the empress stated before nodding toward her captive. ‘You want to save your mate, but I want justice for mine.’

‘His part? What part could an unfledged youth have had in creating an undead monster and starting a war? If we’re apportioning blame, then who was it that sent Roan’va Shen’ra to appease that insane mage in the first place? Alaric is a victim of this insanity as much as anyone, and you, instead of blaming the person who betrayed his people, tormented a son still grieving his dead mother. You disappoint me.’

The sound of a dozen swords being drawn drowned out the murmuring of the surrounding crowd as the dark fae soldiers reacted to my words. Only Valaram nodded approvingly before turning his head to the side, trying to hide a smirk.

‘You would risk starting a war for this criminal?’ she asked, waving a hand toward Alaric.

‘Would you risk one to kill him?’

Footsteps sounded behind me. I didn’t turn, assuming Orm was joining me, but to my surprise, it was Reynard who stood by my side.

‘Why fight a war with each other when a common enemy threatens us both?’ he asked.

‘So you will not object if I deal with my subject as I see fit? Despite the objection of your kingmaker?’

‘Give me an army to fight the Lich King, and I won’t.’

I sucked in a hard breath as Reynard’s words punched me in the gut. I looked up at the man who was actively betraying my trust and met his apologetic eyes.

‘I’m sorry. One life for the lives of the kingdom? If it was mine she demanded, I would still agree.’

The empress thought for a moment before speaking. ‘That is wise. I will consider abiding by the terms of our two nations’ treaty. Could we discuss the details in more pleasant surroundings?’ she said, extending a hand and dismissing my presence as she waited on the new king’s response.

Reynard stepped forward, a confident statesman’s smile on his face, but stuttered to a halt as Orm burst into action.

‘Enough!’ Orm bellowed, pushing towards Alaric, but my attention was firmly on Valaram, who’d been staring at me since I’d started arguing with the empress.

‘There is always the Dark Mother’s mercy. If Lady Annika is willing to face the trial,’ he mentioned nonchalantly, but something in his posture felt odd—as if he was testing me. The empress’ head snapped in his direction.

‘That is for blood-bonded dark fae only. Humans can’t appeal for the trial.’

Noticing her angry expression, I realised how much it irked her and eagerly leapt at the opportunity.

‘I agree to this trial. I call on the Dark Mother’s mercy,’ I proclaimed loudly enough that Reynard flinched, Alaric gasped, and Valaram looked at me with a small half-smile and an expression I couldn’t decipher.

‘Do you even know what you are requesting?’ the ambassador asked.

‘I have no fucking idea, but if it saves Ari, then I’m all for it,’ I responded in kind. As soon as I spoke the words, the net around Alaric’s body loosened, and Valaram bowed to his empress as he spoke.

‘Domina Tenebris, even you cannot go against Dark Mother’s will.’

‘Annika, it’s a trial by combat. You have to fight for the privilege of begging for the Dark Mother’s mercy. It’s just a way for the empress to look merciful while still executing those that defy her,’ Alaric said, straining to be heard, but I huffed, ignoring the desperation in his eyes, before I turned to the empress.

‘So, Your Majesty, if this trial is such a hopeless task, can you trust in the judgement of your goddess? Alaric submitted to me. I can go through any test you desire in order to prove I’m blood-bound to him,’ I said, using the strategy Valaram had moments before. ‘I have one request, however, if you’re willing? If I survive, will you still fight with us against the Lich King?’

The empress frowned, no longer amused by my resistance, before she grumbled with annoyance, shaking her head.

‘You arrogant ... Are you trying to goad me into allowing this? I should just kill you both and leave Dagome to its fate,’ she said before looking at my broken fae.

‘Annika, no, it’s too dangerous. I won’t accept the trial.’

‘It is decided, then. Alaric has refused. Valaram, put an end to this farce,’ the empress snapped.

‘Decided, is it?’ Looking Ari in the eyes, I lifted my bloody weapon, lighting it with aethereal fire. ‘Then watch me die fighting for you, knowing it is your decision. I won’t let them touch you, Alaric’va Shen’ra. You belong to me .’

‘Annika, no! Stop! I agree!’ Alaric’s voice cut through the mayhem of Orm grasping my arm and immobilising me completely. I nearly cried when the big bear of a man kissed the top of my head and spoke up.

‘I will fight as Annika’s champion, but after this idiocy is over, Alaric will be free from your machinations and be allowed to live freely wherever he chooses.’

‘The trial is the duty of the accused couple. No other can bear the burden. It is between the goddess and her daughter whether his redemption will be granted,’ Valaram said, and I felt Orm’s arms tighten around me.

‘Are you challenging me, Lord Commander?’ The empress’ voice dripped venom, her measured poise fracturing as her power erupted, rippling through the chamber. Her beautiful face twisted with a hatred born of centuries of grief. ‘For five hundred years, I have endured the knowledge that the murderer of the man I loved walks free, unpunished, and you think I will let him escape so easily? That I would allow you to fight in place of the woman who offered such insult to my face? No, Commander. I will not be taken for a fool a moment longer.’

The empress’ mask of disdain shattered, revealing the raw agony beneath. Her grief resonated with my own pain, and I spoke softly, hoping to pierce through her fury. ‘I’m sorry. I know the pain never truly fades but punishing him won’t bring you peace. Let me put an end to this. Let your goddess decide. I’ll go through the trial—for your mate and mine.’

For a moment, her rage abated. I glimpsed the bitterness etched into her soul before she hid it once more behind an indifferent facade. ‘Very well, little mage,’ she said, her voice cold but composed. ‘Let the goddess judge you both. But understand this—if you fail, whatever treaty exists between our kingdoms is null. You are not just fighting for him; you’re fighting for all of them. I have no wish to ally with a nation of regicide and traitors.’

Reynard’s face darkened with disbelief. ‘You can’t lay our future on the results of this trial.’

‘I can, and I will. Your court is riddled with the Lich King’s spies, and my informants report that you have no army to fight him off. I would be better off seeking an alliance with other nations while that monster wastes his time destroying yours. However, if our Dark Mother lets her live, then I’ll consider aiding you.’

Nodding to the ambassador, she turned to me and said, ‘I’ll grant you two days to say your goodbyes.’

The spell holding Alaric dissolved, freeing him, and the older fae looked at Ari with a strange combination of pity and envy. ‘You chose your domina well. May the Dark Mother have mercy on you,’ Valaram said, pulling out a golden vial from beneath his breastplate. Whispering a few words, he drew a glyph with his sharp nail, and the contents of the vial blackened in front of my eyes.

‘Drink,’ the ambassador said, passing the vial to Alaric. ‘If she fails, death won’t be swift.’

With a bow, my broken fae accepted the ominous liquid. ‘As long as I follow my domina, nothing else matters,’ he said, tipping the thick, oily liquid into his mouth.

‘What is it?’ I asked, dread curling in my stomach.

‘Icta poison, to ensure Alaric won’t flee once he’s free of his bonds,’ Valaram stated.

I scoffed, masking my fear. ‘Alaric isn’t someone who backs down from a challenge.’

‘No. Neither are you, it seems.’ The fae mage bowed, taking my bloodied hand and kissing my knuckles. ‘It’s a shame you aren’t dark fae. I would fight for the privilege of serving you. Perhaps I still will. Your resistance was ... enlightening.’

I stood there, stunned, as he rejoined the empress, who spoke with bored disdain.

‘It looks like we have two days to discuss how involved our empire will be in your fight if the mage succeeds. My courtiers will call on you presently. I will leave you to sort out your . . . succession, King Reynard.’ Her gaze swept the room with disgust. ‘Hopefully, when I come tomorrow, you will still be sovereign.’

Without another word, she departed, the undead she’d raised collapsing lifelessly to the floor. As the last of the dark fae vanished, I turned to Orm. His worried expression deepened my exhaustion.

‘Can we go home, please? Wherever it is, can we just go?’

Instead of my man, Reynard spoke up. ‘My home is yours, my lady. Especially since I have to stay here now. Use it as you please . . . and I’m sorry Orm, but we need her to even stand a chance.’

He looked genuinely remorseful, but I’d just been dragged through a pit of pain, and I wasn’t even sure if we’d won or lost. Even if the man I had declared king deserved compassion or understanding, I couldn’t forget that he had chosen to sacrifice Alaric, so all I had to offer was civility.

‘I will ... Your Majesty,’ I replied dryly.

Reynard sighed but nodded, turning away as more nobles poured into the throne room in response to whatever gossip had undoubtedly swept through the palace halls like wildfire.

‘Ormond—before you leave, call for my officers. I need to secure the palace,’ the king ordered. ‘Someone clean up the bodies and mop the floor—it looks like a slaughterhouse in here.’ Finally, he turned his gaze to the chancellor and the men restraining him. ‘Lock that traitor in the darkest cell you can find, then hunt down that bastard, Ihrain.’

‘You can use the one I was in. It’s rather cosy,’ I muttered.

‘Yes, sire.’ The guards saluted before dragging the bound and gagged chancellor away. Reynard smirked, turning to the gathered nobles.

‘Go home. Prepare for war. Any household with their own guards must return with them in two days. Those who don’t comply will forfeit their wealth. As for your grievances, I will open petitions tomorrow morning. You are welcome to bring them up then. For now, I grant you leave to put your affairs in order. Go!’

Gasps rang out, and several nobles left quickly. Others lingered, protesting, but Reynard silenced them with a sharp gesture. As the throne room doors closed behind the last of them, my strength finally gave out, and I crumpled to the floor.

1. I kneel before you, Dark Lady. ( Domina Tenebris is an official title of the dark fae empress.)

2. Vjesci (s./pl.) /pron: vi-yes-chi/ — an undead demon that preserved the thoughts, personality, and body of a person. Their cry is a premonition of upcoming death.