11. Chapter 11
O nce Orm left, the meeting wrapped up with me volunteering to talk with the mages, though the idea of seeing my old colleagues left me feeling tense.
‘Ani, someone else can deal with the council. It doesn’t have to be you,’ Alaric said as soon as we left the throne room. I sighed heavily, realising I hadn’t hidden my feelings as well as I’d hoped.
‘No, we need their help with the portals and ... I know those assholes. With the bells tolling, they’ll lock the gates and sit behind the walls like frightened sheep bleating about how to avoid fighting. I’m going to knock some heads together before they can talk themselves out of joining us. I just wish I was better dressed for the occasion.’
He chuckled slightly. ‘Do I sense some lingering resentment?’
‘No, I just ... I wanted to return to university dressed like a battle mage, wearing my pin with pride. To show them I had survived against all the scheming. Instead, I’m arriving like some married noble who’s forgotten they even have magic,’ I said, gesturing to my courtly dress. Much to my dismay, Alaric was now openly laughing.
‘You look powerful, Domina, but if you want to show them who’s in charge, ride in on Orm’s stallion. With a dark fae who is ready to serve you at the snap of your fingers and a mount ready to bite off the hand of anyone that dares touch you, no one will question your authority.’
‘Ha! I’d prefer making an entrance like the empress. That woman turned my blood to ice with her stare.’
Alaric only smiled, leading us to the stables, and I couldn’t help but stare at him as we walked. My beautiful, wicked fae looked so dangerous that I was sure no one would pay attention to me, even in my hideous dress.
He’d dressed in a black kaftan and matching trousers with long daggers attached to his belt. His hair, braided on the temple, not only revealed but enhanced his dark fae traits. I smiled when he reached out, smoothing a few unruly strands of my own hair that curled around my neck.
As he effortlessly lifted me onto my horse’s back, I said, ‘You know what? I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to be an empress. Being your domina is all I’ll ever need.’
Our ride through the city was uneventful, bringing us quickly to the university grounds. The place was isolated, built on a large island created by the meandering river centuries ago. The single bridge was heavily guarded by wards and charms, and if that wasn’t enough, the illusion of its never-ending path was bracketed by tall walls and heavy stone gates guarded by mages.
I looked up, exhaling slowly as I listened to the shrieks of river birds while I gathered the courage to enter. All the memories of my happy years spent in training with Tal and Arno were locked behind those gates, along with the betrayal of the events after their deaths. Though I’d finally accepted their passing, it was still a dull ache in my soul.
‘Wait here, be a good boy, and I promise to bring you some tasty oats from the kitchens even if I have to steal them,’ I whispered to my mount, sliding off his back. When I patted the soft mane on his neck, the stallion snorted and pawed at the ground. I swear he understood me, but when I raised an eyebrow at Ari’s amused expression, he just smirked and shrugged his shoulders.
I walked towards the guard post with a confidence I didn’t feel, and the men instantly straightened, sigils of ward spells lighting up at my presence—a warning and a precaution, ready to be discharged as we approached.
‘You heard the bells, my lady. The grounds are locked to visitors. Please step away.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not a visitor. I’m our kingdom’s single conduit mage and I demand to see the provost.’
The men shuffled uncomfortably, eyeing my dress. ‘Our orders are explicit. We’re in a state of emergency. Unless you are a student or faculty, you shall not pass, my lady.’
I felt sorry for them, but I didn’t have the time nor patience to deal with overly zealous guards.
‘I know about the emergency. I felt the Barrier fall; its power still fills my veins. So, I ask you kindly—please go to the provost and tell him that Annika Diavellar is waiting. I will enter one way or another. It is his choice whether he gets to keep these gates in one piece.’
Alaric snorted, trying to cover it with a cough. I had to resist the urge to smack him, imagining how hard he must have been rolling his eyes. We both knew the problem with my threat: both of my Anchors were slightly too far away for my comfort, and I didn’t want to cause too much damage.
‘Go, send the message,’ the older guard said to his younger colleague, observing me warily.
‘Wise choice,’ I said, adjusting my dress when the damned thing billowed around my knees from a gust of wind. As I was fighting with my unruly outfit, the second guard returned to whisper something in the other’s ear. Both men bowed deeply before the younger rushed to open the gate.
‘Lady Annika, we meant no offence,’ the older one called as we passed, and I turned towards him with a smile.
‘I know, and thanks to your understanding, we avoided any unpleasantness, so no offence taken. Is the provost’s office still in the main building?’ I asked, and the man nodded.
We walked away undisturbed. As soon as we were out of their line of sight, Alaric came closer, whispering, ‘I love this imperious look on your face.’
I chuckled, feeling the tightness in my chest ease a bit.
‘It didn’t put you off?’ I asked, still troubled about Alaric resorting to playing my guard.
Pointing to his trousers and raising an eyebrow, he responded, ‘Darling, I enjoyed it immensely .’ And I wanted to smack the impossible rogue, but we had an image to maintain.
Alaric fell back a step as we marched towards the provost’s office while I pondered my options. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, but I had to ensure the mages’ cooperation.
The groups of students stared at us, whispering as their eyes tracked our movements, while expressions of hostility mixed with awe on their faces. One young mage traced the sigil for protection as I passed and I stopped, looking him straight in the eyes as I opened myself to the aether just enough for my power to be felt. As the poor boy’s knees buckled, I smirked and turned away, forcing the connection closed.
At the sound of a familiar voice, my smirk dropped, and I turned.
‘Lady Annika, it is a pleasure to see you again.’
The elderly artefact master approached slowly, the ornate crutch he used to compensate for the leg lost during an artefact hunt clicking steadily as he drew close. I felt myself relaxing, and the sincere smile that tugged at his lips reminded me of the fantastical stories the professor had spun about the loss of his leg.
The last story he’d regaled us with mentioned an attempt to tame a striga. Unfortunately, the sausage he’d used as bait had contained garlic, and the demon decided to take his leg instead. I suspected the old man just enjoyed fabricating more and more impossible tales.
‘Master Nurad, it is a pleasure to see you,’ I said with a polite bow.
‘Are you surprised I’m still alive? Admit it, girl. And who might this young man by your side be? Hmm?’ he asked, patting my shoulder. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alaric shift closer, but I shook my head.
I liked the old teacher. He was a powerful mage, yet so cheerful and straightforward that he’d almost convinced me to try my luck at being an artificer.
‘This is Alaric’va Shen’ra. He is my ... ehh ... kind of husband,’ I answered, wishing I could just call him my Anchor. Much to my surprise, Nurad reached out and grasped Ari’s chin, tilting it to the light before stepping back.
‘Shen’ra? It seems the apple fell far from the rotten tree if our Ani chose you. We all carry our own sins, boy, so don’t let your father’s infamy weigh on you.’
I bit my lip at the irony of calling a five-hundred-year-old fae a ‘boy,’ but Alaric didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he placed his palm above his heart, bowing slightly, pure mischief flashing in his eyes.
‘Thank you for your wise words, Master Nurad. My “kind of wife” and I will remember them, and your kindness.’
‘We’re going to the provost,’ I cut in. ‘Master, you must have felt the wave of magic. I need to find the royal mage. If you knew where he was, you would tell me, wouldn’t you?’
He looked at me with gentle pity in his eyes. ‘The royal mage has good reason for being difficult to find—but go to the provost as you planned. You will find your answers there.’
‘Thank you, Master Nurad. I’ll go there immediately.’
Pivoting to Ari, the old teacher issued him a warning. ‘Guard her, boy. Even here, you will find rotten seeds.’
Alaric nodded, saying his goodbyes, before heading towards the provost’s office, leaving me no choice but to follow him.
‘How do you know where to go?’ I asked, and he rolled his eyes.
‘I spent hundreds of years searching for a way to remove the curse, remember? It’s safe to say I know every university, library, and bookstore in the Lowland Kingdoms.’
‘And now, my wise old man, you are bound to a fledgling,’ I teased.
Ari stopped abruptly, turning to face me. The sudden movement caught me off guard, and I slipped on the fallen leaves of an old cherry tree. Before I could hit the ground, he was there, his arms steady around me, his crimson eyes meeting mine. I hadn’t even realised he’d moved. The vibrant tree branches framed his face like a living portrait, but it was his gaze that held me captive.
I swallowed hard, glancing away as warmth crept up my neck, desperate to compose myself. His nearness made it impossible.
‘Now,’ he said softly, ‘I’m bound to a woman who cradles my heart in her hands, my “kind of wife.” I would give up all my years, all my knowledge, for one day with you, even if that was all the time I’d get.’
Before I could say a single word, his lips brushed mine, silencing my racing thoughts.
‘You’re irresistible when you blush,’ he murmured as he pulled back, his breath warm against my cheek.
‘Sweet talker,’ I muttered, trying and failing to sound indifferent. ‘And stop calling me your “kind of wife.” I panicked, okay? I didn’t know what to say, so I made something up.’
‘Oh, but I like the sound of it,’ he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.
The moment sharply ended as I caught the words being said behind us.
‘Look, the necromancer and his whore,’ someone sneered, their tone dripping with malice. ‘He dragged the dark fae empress here to slaughter the rightful king.’
I turned slowly, my gaze locking on a group of young mages loitering beneath the tree. They seemed oblivious to the precarious situation their slander had just led them to, secure in the supposed safety of a mob.
I memorised each face, and my mind was already planning a fitting retribution, but Alaric had other ideas.
The temperature dropped, the air tinged with the unmistakable chill of necromancy. The metallic scrape of daggers leaving their scabbards cut through the tense silence.
‘Care to repeat that?’ he asked politely, though his quiet tone didn’t mask the menace beneath his words.
‘You wouldn’t dare!’ one of the mages stammered, trying to project confidence. ‘We’re on university grounds. Duels are forbidden.’
In a blur, Alaric closed the distance between them, the sharp edge of his dagger shaving a layer of skin off the man’s throat. I shook my head in disappointment at the mage’s lack of defence. Did he forget he could cast? He didn’t even try to set up a shield. The rest of his cohort scattered, hastily drawing protection sigils.
‘Duel?’ Ari’s voice was soft, almost conversational. ‘I don’t duel—I kill. But for someone who insults my domina, I might make an exception. Perhaps I’ll grant you a long, agonising existence instead. And if I get carried away, don’t worry—I can always bring you back. I am dark fae, after all. We find blood to be an excellent cleanser of disrespect.’
The dagger pressed deeper, drawing a bead of blood. The mage whimpered, shaking like a leaf as his skin turned ashen grey. When purple tendrils of necromantic magic coiled around him, the acrid scent of urine filled the air, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he hit the dirt.
The remaining mages hesitated, then rallied, casting hastily drawn sigils towards Alaric. He flicked his wrist, and their spells fizzled into harmless sparks, dissipating in the air. He smirked as they scrambled to try again.
‘Stop.’ I sighed. ‘I’m not so offended that you need to kill this many mages. Leave the fools alone.’
Alaric paused, his shoulders relaxing. Without a word, he crouched by the unconscious mage and carved a small sigil into his cheek. The act was precise, almost delicate, and I shivered at its implication. Then, as swiftly as he’d moved before, he was back at my side, his crimson gaze steady on mine.
‘As you wish, Domina.’
The man screamed as magic burned deep into his skin, cauterising the wound and scarring the sigil into his flesh. I placed my hand on Alaric’s forearm as we continued on our way to the library, quietly watching as the mage’s friends picked him up and stumbled away.
‘That was unnecessary. He was just a stupid child. You realise everyone will have heard about this by tonight?’ I asked when we were a safe distance away, noticing everyone dispersing from our path the moment they spotted us.
‘There is no excuse when it comes to defamation like that. Once someone makes such claims, they make the rounds, and soon, no one will remember that Ihrain killed the king. They will blame Reynard, or the empress, or even you. Now, the idiot will think twice before opening his mouth. And anyway, I enjoyed making him suffer. He called you a whore, and for that alone, I should have cut out his tongue.’
‘So you made him piss himself for political expedience?’ I sighed, trying to hide my irritated smile. Alaric just shrugged before entwining his fingers with mine.
‘Yes, that sounds like a valid reason. Besides, as I said, no one insults my domina.’
‘Alaric’va Shen’ra, you are an incorrigible bastard,’ I said, choking on laughter, and he sighed dramatically.
‘My mother would respectfully disagree, although my father would be happy to know if that were true. Family does seem to always make life complicated . . . or cursed, in my case.’
I couldn’t help laughing at his self-deprecating joke. If we survived the trial, I vowed to make this delightfully impish male as happy as I was right then with him.
The provost’s office was just as I remembered it.
The room held a massive table entirely covered with manuscripts, a large bay window, and a strange candelabra with fae lights floating above it, all vying for space amidst rows and rows of shelves overflowing with even more old volumes and manuscripts. Then there were the precious artefacts radiating strange power yet sitting haphazardly on piles of books or loose vellum. Among others were sigils whose magic made the room one of the most secure in the entire academy.
There were also uncomfortable chairs where students awaited the provost’s mercy or punishment. I remembered those monstrosities far too well, and I was sure they were bespelled to make your rear end ache in the most unexpected ways.
Talmund and Arno’s faces flashed in my mind’s eye, Tal insisting I sit on his lap when I complained of my backside hurting while Arno counteroffered with a healing massage. I smiled at my reminiscence. What was once a painful dagger to my heart was now a bittersweet memory; I could look back and fondly remember the men who had been my entire world.
I turned towards Alaric, who watched me with an eyebrow raised in an unspoken question.
‘Just a fond memory,’ I answered, stepping closer to embrace him, laying my head on his shoulder. I wondered if Ari, too, would offer his healing services.
We were alone, which was an incredible show of trust from the provost’s aide—leaving us unattended in a room filled with precious artefacts. It made me wonder if we were being observed.
‘I advise you to wrap up this observation period, or we’re going to make out on your desk, and trust me, you don’t want a dark fae messing with your precious manuscripts,’ I said loudly, pressing my lips together to prevent my manic laughter from escaping at seeing Ari’s shocked expression.
‘Annika, what—?’ he asked, shaking his head.
‘ Three ... two ... one ... ’ I mouthed before a hidden door opened and an old man with a lion’s mane of grey hair stormed in.
‘Annika Diavellar, don’t you bloody dare!’
‘Pleased to see you again, provost. I was hoping to see the royal mage as well. After what happened with the king, and now the Barrier, his death is the only acceptable excuse for not showing up,’ I said, placing my hand over the symbol of my Anchor bonds in a battle mage salute.
Suddenly, Alaric pulled me away, positioning himself in front of me, a dagger and shield sigil appearing under his hand.
‘What—’ I began, just a noise alerted me that something wasn’t right.
‘I knew the dark fae were sensitive to magic, but I didn’t realise how much. I’m glad you survived, child. Now, can you tell your fae to lower his weapon? I don’t want to get skewered before he realises I’m not a threat,’ said the man who emerged from behind the provost.
‘Ari, that’s the royal mage,’ I said, placing my hand on his until he lowered the blade. ‘My lord, I’m happy to see you. It is about time we talked.’
‘I know who he is, but what I don’t know is what Ambassador Valaram is doing here,’ Alaric responded, staring straight into the darkness of the passage.
A rich, melodic laugh flowed out and Valaram emerged.
‘Is that everyone, or should I expect a party? I don’t know if I should call for reinforcements, not that a dragon would fit in here anyway, but we could try,’ I deadpanned, hoping they wouldn’t see through my bluff.
‘Your dragon is flying to the borderlands as we speak. Stop posturing, child. We are all here because we’re concerned about the same things,’ the provost said, gesturing towards the chairs and transforming them into a comfortable sofa. ‘Let’s sit.’
‘I bloody knew it,’ I muttered under my breath before addressing the royal mage. ‘If you all knew that Vahin was flying to the border, you know the Barrier has fallen. I can’t be the only one who felt that wave of aether.’
‘Yes, we know,’ the provost admitted. ‘Is that why you came? To deliver the news?’
I looked each of the three men in the eyes. How were they so calm? There were people in the borderlands, most with no idea that the Barrier had collapsed. Yet here we were, sitting around like it was high tea.
‘No, I came to tell you it’s time the Council of Mages pulled their heads out of their arses and help. You have trained battle mages, healers, and artificers, and I want to send them where they are needed most. I get it—the old king was a puppet controlled by our enemy, but now? Why are you just sitting here when there is so much to do?’ I turned towards the royal mage. ‘And why aren’t you in the palace helping Reynard? Where were you when Ihrain drew the portal to drag me to Katrass?’
‘I can’t help because Ihrain has my geas,’ he finally confessed. ‘When I first noticed something was wrong, I confronted him, only for the scum to pull my geas from his pocket. The only thing I was able to do was give Ormond yours to protect you.’ Seeing my shocked expression, he continued, ‘I’m not in court because I still have a key and spells that unlock the geas vault. Would you like me to give it to him when he orders me to?’
‘What—? Fuck. How? Only the king holds royal mages’ geasa—’ I started.
‘And we both know how lucid the king was,’ he interrupted.
‘But you can help now. With Reynard as king . . . You know about the Barrier, but did you catch the part about Ihrain creating portals to the Barren Lands? You need to send a team to the city to ensure all those who serve the Lich King are brought to justice. You should also send battle mages and healers to the borders and, for the gods’ sakes, have them train with dragons— really train, as in, fighting in the air on dragon back.’
The royal mage looked at me for a long while. The silence stretched on, and the provost shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
‘She may be right, Riordan.’
‘I never said she was wrong. Alright, Lady Annika. Here is my compromise: the council will support your king, and we will follow your demands . . . under one condition.’
‘Which is?’ I asked.
Judging by the smirk that ghosted his lips, I knew I wouldn’t like the answer.
‘If you survive tomorrow’s trial, you will find and kill Ihrain and become my apprentice, just like I had planned for after you killed the wlok.’
‘What?’ I gasped, and only Alaric’s quick reflexes saved the wine glass I’d grabbed when I cocked back my arm to launch it at Riordan’s head.
‘That has to be the—I don’t have the patience or desire to deal with the politics of that position. Besides, I’m needed in the army. The riders need me to fight the spectrae,’ I said when I regained the ability to speak.
He simply shrugged. ‘I can’t live at the university until Ihrain is dead, and I need someone who can speak to the king on the council’s behalf—someone the king will trust.’
‘Fine,’ I conceded. ‘If you don’t find a better candidate, I guess I can do it.’
The ambassador chose that moment to begin slow clapping, startling me.
‘Bravo, my lady,’ Valaram declared with an inscrutable smile. ‘I look forward to working with you and your king.’
‘And what about your people?’ I snapped. ‘Will you fight with Reynard?’
‘That’s not my decision to make, pretty mage. The empress is the only one that can make that choice.’
‘Okay, then what can I do to convince her to join? Our two nations won’t stand a chance apart; together, we might defeat him,’ I urged, desperate to get something from him.
‘Survive the trial, lara’mei. 1 My empress cherishes strength, and I’ve given you the opportunity not only to save Shen’ra’s line but make her believe humans can be worthy allies.’
‘So that’s why you helped me?’ I asked, confused. ‘What if I fail? You’re wagering the fate of two kingdoms on a supposedly impossible task.’
Something in Valaram’s stance softened at my words, though his expression remained unreadable. I thought I may have even detected a flicker of sincerity, a wish for my success.
‘I helped you to see how far you’d go to defend your man,’ he replied. ‘But even if I hadn’t, there is no other way, lara’mei. Your court is not the only one affected by the Lich King’s corruption. When your king faded into insanity, messages promising peace and prosperity to the fae and dwarven kingdoms arrived from the Barren Lands. If we sacrificed Dagome. Even my empress is swaying, believing she may have to choose the lesser evil for the survival of our people.’
The world slowly began to tilt beneath me. I placed a hand on my chest, breathing hard as my heart raced, fighting a wave of panic.
‘Breathe, Domina. There is still hope ...’ Alaric’s voice echoed through a fog.
Now I understood. No one else had answered Reynard’s call for aid because they sought to purchase peace at the expense of Dagome’s future.
Valaram’s voice broke through my thoughts. ‘But the empress cannot refuse the goddess. Those who survive the trial earn the right to speak for the Dark Mother. All you have to do is ask for what you want.’
A question surfaced in my mind then, insistent and unshakable. ‘How did you know to bring the empress at the exact time of the attack?’
‘I have my spies,’ Valaram admitted with a faint smile. ‘I knew Alaric was in the city. What I didn’t know was whether the rumours of you being blood-bonded with him were true.’
This male—this scheming politician—had orchestrated events to force the empress into a corner, gambling my life on the slim chance I could accomplish the impossible.
I stepped forward, extending my hand to him. ‘Thank you.’
Valaram hesitated before taking my hand, his eyes searching mine for any sign of unease at touching a dark fae. His magic tingled on my fingertips as he bowed and lightly brushed his lips along my knuckles.
‘You’re welcome, lara’mei. What an intriguing creature you are. It’s a shame you are already mated—’ Valaram’s voice was velvet smooth, but it cut off as I felt Alaric’s hand settle firmly on my waist, pulling me closer to him.
‘She is,’ Alaric said, his voice laced with menace. ‘So please remember she is not your lara’mei.’
Valaram’s lips curved into a smirk, his head tilting slightly, unfazed by the warning. ‘My apologies, Shen’ra. But if your domina has any objections to me, I’m sure she’s capable of speaking for herself.’
I glanced between the two men, unsure of what had just happened. Valaram’s smug composure contrasted sharply with Ari’s coiled fury. Unwilling to be caught in the middle of their posturing, I turned towards the royal mage.
‘Are we done?’
‘Yes, we are done,’ he answered.
I exhaled slowly. ‘Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Let’s hope the Dark Mother truly proves merciful.’ Not waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and left without a backward glance.
We slowly made our way to the gates, my mind racing over what we’d learned. Even though we’d gained more than I expected, I couldn’t escape the feeling that I was a puppet on someone else’s strings.
When we finally reached the horses, Alaric placed a hand on my shoulder, turning me before grasping the nape of my neck and kissing me, roughly staking his claim for the entire world to see.
‘Ari?’ I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainly as I pulled back slightly. This wasn’t like him—not my calm, steady fae. I’d have expected such an outburst from Orm, not Alaric.
‘Don’t let him get into your head,’ he said. ‘Valaram may have helped us, but don’t let him court you. You might think it’s harmless wordplay, but he knows exactly what he’s doing.’
Crimson swirled in his eyes, and his fingers pressed painfully into my flesh.
‘Are you jealous?’ I asked softly, the realisation dawning on me. My question seemed to strike a chord, and his grip softened as a shadow of guilt crossed his face.
‘Yes,’ he admitted after a long pause, his voice quieter. ‘I thought I was above such things, but I’m not. You are mine , Annika, mine and Orm’s. And I can’t—’
‘You don’t have to,’ I interrupted gently, placing a hand on his chest. ‘But please . . . take me home. I’m tired, and if I’m meant to face the fates tomorrow, I need to rest. You do, too.’
His second kiss stopped me before I could say anything more.
1. Lara mei /pron:Lara-may/ — My chosen. Endearment used by dark fae males for the women they consider suitable mates—a signal of intention used in courting rituals.