Secrets and Stardust

Chapter 52

Iyana

An arm wound across her waist, grabbing her from behind. Without thinking, she swung her dagger backwards towards the man’s fleshy abdomen. Only for a warm hand to wrap itself around her wrist, halting her momentum.

Lips she would recognize anywhere caressed her ear. “Careful, astalle, that would have stung.” The murmured words made her shiver. Iyana thought she had to be a little twisted to be turned on when gore and death surrounded them. “If you’re into knife play, you only needed to tell me.”

Iyana frowned, jerking her hand out of Altair’s hold. Shoving his chest lightly, Iyana gave him a full once-over to ensure he was uninjured. When she was satisfied the blood covering him was not his own, she smiled up at him. She must be a sight—hair mussed out of her braid, blood splattered over her, dirt on her face. Power continued to hum from the amulet into her veins; she hadn’t even scratched the surface of the amount of magic contained within the small gem. It was exhilarating. But she didn’t want to take too much all at once and turn into a vengeful, murderous Aztia again. Altair dragged a thumb along her cheekbone and Iyana closed her eyes at the soft touch.

“So beautiful,” he murmured, before placing a restrained kiss on her lips. They couldn’t tarry for long, the battle still raged around them. The lone remaining wailer was lumbering around, taking out multiple members of Uther’s army and unintentionally aiding their cause. Breaks were taken downwind from the wailer while it tore through men left and right, momentarily distracting the soldiers from her friends. The sight was gruesome, and something that would turn Iyana’s stomach if she thought on it too much. The face of the man she’d killed flashed through her mind, but dwelling on it now would get her killed. There would be time later to face her sins.

Hopefully.

A quick check of the others revealed Emmeric covering Talon and Kaz as they guzzled water—Kaz was currently in human form to drink from a flask. As she finished, water dribbling off her chin, she shifted again to take on a new opponent, allowing Emmeric a brief respite. They appeared to be uninjured, only tired, and there was no pain radiating through her bond, which eased her mind. But where…

“Altair, have you seen Zane?”

The star’s brows drew together. “Last I saw, he had his father on the ground with a knife at his throat. He appeared to have everything in hand.” Iyana’s spirits raised. Maybe Zane had killed Uther and saved her from the task. Immediately, she felt terrible for wishing patricide upon someone, no matter how wicked Zane’s father was. Altair pointed out the direction he’d last seen them.

Squinting, she made out two figures in the distance. One standing with a sword, a head of dark hair—Zane. The other with white hair, bent over—Uther. “He can’t do it…” she muttered under her breath.

“What was that, my star?”

“He can’t do it. He can’t kill Uther.” A tendril of magic wended its way to her eyes, sharpening her vision in time to see Uther reaching into his boot. Iyana gasped; Uther was going to murder his own son. Before she thought it through, which appeared to be becoming a habit, she rushed towards Zane, putting an extra boost of magic into her legs. The super-sprint was quickly becoming her favorite aspect of her newly unlocked powers.

Uther launched himself at Zane, who stumbled backwards in shock. Iyana reached them as the dagger aimed for the prince’s heart was only inches away from landing a killing blow. Hurtling her hands out in front of her, she shoved the emperor away with a blast of air. Spinning end over end, Uther finally came to rest almost ten feet from where they were.

It was an uncoordinated attack, and Iyana was surprised at the amount of wind which had left her body. She hadn’t consciously thought of how she would save Zane, only that she wanted to, and her magic responded in kind. Trembling hands were the only indication of how much power she’d produced, because still Iyana had not delved into the depths of the amulet. It was astounding how much magic she was capable of without siphoning much from the amulet, and nothing from her Kanaliza. Fatigue wasn’t even a thought in her mind.

Zane was on his back, propped up on his elbows, and stared up at her, eyes wide in shock. “I couldn’t do it,” he said, quietly. “I’m sorry.”

Iyana’s heart wrenched. Zane really was a gentle soul, and she wondered how she had ever thought otherwise. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, Zane.” She reached out her hand, helping to haul him to his feet. “We never should have put this on you.”

Green eyes flashing with anger, Zane shook his head. “I should’ve been able to,” he growled, running a hand through his hair and tugging at the roots. “That man killed my mother and was a monster to me my whole life. Ending him should be easy.”

“But he’s still your father,” she said tenderly, looking over towards where Uther had landed in a heap. Iyana swore under her breath; he had landed directly next to his cape with the astmina still affixed to the cloth. The emperor’s shaking hand grasped the tattered clothing and tied it around his neck. Everything became so much more difficult than it had been ten seconds before.

Gripping her two necklaces, she watched as Uther stood on shaking legs, a crooked grin spreading across his face—his icy stare losing any semblance of sanity. Over his chest the astmina continued to gleam gold, belying the shadows lying within. It was clear he wanted Iyana and Zane both dead and was willing to go to any lengths to achieve his goal. Zane needed to leave; he had no powers, no magic, to protect himself against the magical relic. While Iyana didn’t doubt he could beat his father in a one-on-one combat, he no longer stood a chance of coming out of this battle alive.

“Zane, go,” she muttered from the corner of her mouth, unwilling to take her eyes off Uther. The emperor continued to stand there, stock still, the maniacal grin stretched across his face. He no longer appeared human.

“I won’t leave you on your own with him.”

“While I appreciate the sentiment, Your Highness, I’m the only one at the moment capable of defeating the astmina.” Maybe. Hopefully. “He will kill you if you don’t leave. I can’t face him and worry about you at the same time.”

Zane huffed a sigh behind her. “Fine. But I’m getting Altair for reinforcement.” Iyana gave a brief nod. Uther’s gaze flicked over her shoulder, telling her the prince was leaving. Before his father focused his attention on him, Iyana took two steps forward.

Fire ran lazily through her body, both necklaces warming in her palm. The essence of both women within guiding her, teaching her, and loving her.

Mata Imo, Alessia. Please guide me so that we may end this man’s reign of tyranny. And keep my friends safe.

Without warning or a single movement from Uther, shadows shot out of the astmina, spearing towards Iyana. Based purely upon instinct, she raised her hands as if to protect her face from a physical blow, and she directed her magic out. Silver light erupted from her palms, connecting with the shadows and bursting them upon impact. Uther raised an eyebrow, a crazed smile still plastered across his face. His gaze dipped to the necklace resting on her skin. Though he hadn’t looked at her in a lewd manner, her skin still crawled. Iyana remembered the emperor leering down upon her while she was strapped to Azazel’s table, those shadows writhing around him. All she wanted was to curl into a ball, to block those memories out, but the man responsible for her pain was standing right in front of her. Iyana wanted to end him, and that scared her more than anything else.

“Well, well, looks like the Aztia has a new trick up her sleeve.”

Emmeric’s panic jolted through her and she knew Zane had reached the others. It was only a matter of time before they reached her. Uther needed to be dead before that happened. She refused to put her friends at risk. Though she had only known them for such a short period of time she loved them each dearly, and she didn’t think she could live with herself should any of them be harmed. And they would be if she couldn’t do the one thing she was put on this earth to do. The amulet lay warm in the hollow of her neck, and the spirits of powerful women lay within her—Les, Imo. Her mother. All the Aztias before her. No, she was ready for this.

“My offer still stands, Iyana,” Uther said, caressing the astmina resting against his chest, tattered cape hanging limply behind him. The Dead Lands offered no wind to stir the cloth. It made him appear bedraggled, insane. “You give me the star, and I let you and all your friends live—even my son. You’d need to leave Arinem, of course, but you’d live out the rest of your life and grow to an old age. Have children with that dashing soldier of yours. Watch them grow.” Uther’s grin became feral—all teeth. “What do you say, Aztia?”

Multiple scenarios played out in her head.

What if Iyana agreed and gave Altair to Uther? She’d live out her days on another continent, and the worries of Arinem would no longer concern her. The Aztia could retire. Wasn’t she just thinking about how easy it would be to love Emmeric in another life? That might be a possibility. Maybe with time she would view him as more than a friend, and they could have a life together. Or they would go their separate ways, and she’d find another man wherever she landed. Talon and Zane could be together, and Kaz could come with them if she wanted. But would Iyana be able to live with herself knowing she so easily handed over someone she was supposed to love? Knowing Uther would raze Arinem to the ground, not caring for innocent lives in his quest for more power? And, deep down, she realized he would never stop with Arinem. No, once the emperor had achieved immortality, he would set his sights on the rest of the world and any new home she found would no longer be safe. He wouldn’t stop until he had conquered everything, making himself a god.

Then she imagined not giving Altair over, finishing the battle, and killing Uther. She and Altair could live out their lives. Iyana would tell him, yes, she wanted to become immortal, and she would go through with the ceremony at winter solstice. Stay wrapped in his arms forever. Arinem would be safe from Uther’s tyrannical rule, Zane would become emperor, and actual change could happen—Talon standing at his side. Emmeric and Kaz could rekindle whatever it was they’d briefly had before. She would return to Imothia as their healer, as she was always meant to, and leave the Aztia days behind her. Everyone would be happy.

But what if she didn’t hand over Altair and she lost? If Uther killed her on the battlefield in the Dead Lands. Would her friends be next to die? Uther would capture Altair, anyway; her star was exhausted and almost depleted of magic. Arinem would be doomed, Uther still won, and all was for naught. Being honest with herself, this was the most likely scenario. Although Iyana had been doing well with the amulet so far, minus the murder spree she almost embarked on, she hadn’t had time to practice with it. Everything was still unknown and foreign to her. The power contained within the necklace was too deep, too much. Should she scrape the bottom, what would happen? Would there be drastic consequences? Her body was not attuned to carrying so much magic. Could she burn out? Could her heart stop? All valid questions Iyana knew she would never get answers to. Not in time.

All this flashed through her mind in mere seconds. A tear ran down her cheek, cleaving its way through the blood and grime. It was an impossible choice. Purely based on the greater good for all, rather than the few, Iyana shook her head slowly. She had to try. Even if these were her last few moments alive…she had to try.

“I won’t give him to you,” she said. More determination rang through her voice than she felt in her soul. Hopefully it was enough to convince Uther, and maybe even herself. Iyana took precious seconds of the momentary silence to send soothing emotions to Emmeric, who was still thrumming with panic. She willed him to feel her intent. To let the others know she loved them. Just in case. The panic and anxiety only increased, and wishing he could hear her, Iyana thought, Goodbye. I love you. And then she raised her walls to block Emmeric out.

Uther cocked his head to the side in a purely animalistic movement. “A pity.”

Tired of always waiting around for men, Iyana moved on the offensive. Bright silver magic released from her in a heady rush. Simultaneously, Uther’s shadows erupted from the astmina. The might of the two magics collided within the space between them, exploding outward—knocking over deadened trees, rolling bodies away, and creating a mostly invisible barrier just as Emmeric slammed into it. Her Kanaliza screamed her name, though she couldn’t hear it, banging his fist around the dome, faintly sparkling silver and black. It was similar to the golden shroud covering the tomb—coming and going, only visible at certain angles. Uther glanced upward at the crown of the dome. Tendrils of shadows tentatively prodded against the walls and ceiling. Anywhere they touched flared brightly, the shadows recoiling back to the astmina. Iyana hazarded a touch on a wall. A bolt of electricity shocked her finger. There was no damage, but it was clear she and Uther were both stuck inside, and her family outside.

Good. That was good. They’d be safe.

“Your friends won’t be able to come to your aid,” Uther drawled, gesturing to the dome enclosing them. “This will stand until one of us is dead.” Of course it would.

“Then we should carry on and get this over with.”

“In that much of a hurry to die, Aztia?” Uther coiled a shadow around his hand, idly threading it between his fingers.

Iyana shrugged. “Honestly? I have dinner plans and don’t want to be late.”

Uther snarled, hurling more shadows towards her. She deflected them and jumped to the side, tucking into a roll. Briefly, Iyana wondered how much control the emperor had over those shadows, or if the magical heart was directing things. Was it possible that the will of the astmina was overpowering Uther? Maybe it was the relic wanting more power, and Uther was simply its puppet. She thought it was a question he probably wouldn’t take kindly to. So, of course, she had to ask.

“Tell me something, Uther,” she said, as they circled each other slowly. Each of them waiting for an opening, a tell, a weakness. “When did the astmina take over? I need to know how many of your accomplishments to actually attribute to you.”

The emperor frowned. “What are you talking about, you silly girl?”

It was a risky strategy, but if she could throw Uther off balance by making him furious, maybe he’d be more sloppy. Make more mistakes.

“You see, I figured it out. Twenty years ago, the stars lost sight of you, and it triggered their curiosity about what you were up to.”

Uther glanced at Altair, the star hacking at the dome with a sword.

“That was also around when you killed your wife, is it not? I’ve overheard Zane telling some stories about his childhood before Empress Selena died, and it sounded like it wasn’t completely terrible—only dealing with normal narcissistic daddy issues. Things only worsened once his mother was gone.” Uther opened his mouth, but she waved him off. “Yes, yes, I realize you killed my parents twenty-five years ago. I have an explanation for that as well.”

His eyes narrowed on her, but she had his attention. “I would love to hear what ridiculous notion you’ve come up with.” They continued circling around the dome, Iyana searching for any weak spots in the structure and finding none.

“Now, I think before all of this, before you killed your father, you took a little trip. To a certain library where a certain relic called to you. I’m sure you couldn’t help yourself, breaking open the glass case and stealing the astmina. You would tell yourself nobody would notice, nobody goes to the library anymore, and if they did, there was no reason to suspect you. But I don’t think you ventured there specifically for the astmina. No, I think it chose you and over time has corrupted you further.” Uther’s frown continued to deepen as she spoke, and Iyana thought she was on the right track. “I think it gave you the courage and motivation to murder your father and take his place as emperor. Then, once you had a wife and an heir, the temptation for power grew. You wore the astmina more and more, and its influence drove deeper within you over time. It wants Altair, and me, and the amulet, and it’s going to drive you crazy until you possess all three. And now, you’re nothing but a puppet for an inanimate piece of jewelry.”

Uther growled and charged towards her. She spun out of reach, turning to face him yet again. His eyes were red-rimmed, white hair disheveled, hands clenched into fists at his sides. Shadows writhed around his feet, oozing from the astmina to join the others.

“My shadows have tasted you once already, my dear. They’d love to devour you whole this time.” Hearing from Uther’s lips that the shadows had actually pierced her chest in Azazel’s chamber threatened to undo her. She wasn’t completely crazy—it wasn’t all a hallucination. Did that mean the shadows would track her like a hound on a scent? Iyana didn’t want to find out.

Her steps faltered as a sudden influx of magic threatened to flood her, causing her to overflow. A silver haze glowed at the edges of her vision. She hadn’t tapped into the amulet more than what was necessary, so where was… Emmeric.

He was sending magic, thinking it might help, but with the amulet, she didn’t need any extra. It was too much. The killing frenzy was stretching beneath her skin, some innermost part of her ready to break free and wreak havoc. But in that frame of mind she couldn’t recognize friend from foe, and this was a fight in which she needed all her wits about her. With tremendous effort, she tamped down the murderous goddess living within her and shoved the magic back to Emmeric. Daring a glance to the side, Emmeric’s vivid blue eyes gazed at her in fright, his palms flattened against the barrier. Iyana reinforced the wall between herself and the Kanaliza. He frowned, rubbing at his chest. She hated the absence of the bond as well, but it was necessary.

A shadow whipped out during her stupor, slashing into the meat of her arm. Iyana cried out in pain, warm blood running off her elbow in a river of scarlet. Pulling from the amulet, she mended the laceration, an echo of the pain lingering. Iyana pushed magic into her legs, circling Uther in her super-sprint. Her dagger laid heavy in her palm, but she had it poised to cut the cape from his neck. As Iyana was about to slice through the cloth, her body slammed into a wall of darkness. She ricocheted backwards, nose broken and bleeding. Tipping over backwards, she flailed her arms for balance, but it was too late. If Uther got her on the ground, she was done for. A sudden puff of air lifted her back onto her feet. Iyana silently thanked all the gods that her magic was now coming to her instinctually. And she thanked Les for the amulet, because without it she’d already be dead.

“Neat trick,” Uther said. “Now watch this.” Gods, does this man ever shut the fuck up? Still regaining her balance, Iyana was unable to avoid two shadowy tendrils from wrapping around her arms, lifting her into the air. A shriek left her lungs. Doing the first thing she could think of, Iyana slashed at one of her shadow binds with the dagger. Something akin to a scream emanated from the shadow before it let her go, retreating into the astmina. But now she dangled high above the ground by only one arm, the tendons in her elbow and shoulder screaming for the pressure to be released before they tore. Reluctantly, she agreed with Emmeric—she really needed to start thinking things through before acting.

Fuck fuck fuck.

It wasn’t as though Uther was going to put her down gently, so she swiped the dagger through the other shadow. The same scream sounded, and then another from her own mouth as she plummeted towards the earth. Though she couldn’t hear it, Altair and Emmeric both yelled her name, and everyone else watching collectively gasped, which, Iyana noticed—time slowing as she fell towards her death—now included Uther’s men. They were all standing around, not fighting her friends, simply waiting to see how this battle ended. There was no way for them to come to Uther’s aid, and, if he lost, maybe they could curry some favor with Zane by not murdering them all where they stood.

Her arms thrashed about her as she fell, but as she extended her hands to break her fall—which would inevitably break some bones—a gust of air burst free, kicking up dust and slowing her descent. Iyana tumbled off the brick of air, still landing on her back with a thud, knocking the wind out of her. But she was alive. Gasping, but alive.

Boots entered her line of sight. Iyana couldn’t roll away. Her ribs hurt, her lungs hurt. She’d hit her head at some point, and her arm continued to yell at her from being overly stretched. Delving into the amulet, she was surprised to find it was half-empty. Iyana didn’t recall using that much magic, or how she’d wielded it without noticing, but she spared some of what was remaining to heal her aching body. Only for one of those boots to crunch down on her hand.

Iyana screamed as multiple bones were crushed. Her other hand flew to Uther’s foot, trying to pry him off her. The emperor only ground his boot into her hand further. A whimper crawled up her throat, but she’d already screamed for the man; she wouldn’t do so again. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing her reaction, she thanked her lucky stars he was on her non-dominant side and bared her teeth at him.

Uther lorded over her, looking down his nose as if she were lower than dirt. Probably the way he actually views me, Iyana thought. A lowly healer from a miniscule village, given visions of grandeur because the gods had gifted her with some parlor tricks. Gods, she should have stayed in Imothia. Run when she had a chance—gone anywhere outside of Arinem with Altair at her side. Lived out their immortal lives in anonymity, not worrying about emperors, coups, stars, or gods. Why did she ever think she could win?

Uther crouched down, his boot still firmly on her hand. Iyana grit her molars together to keep from crying out. He glanced over towards where she knew her friends—her family—stood. She really, really did not want to see them die. Let alone at the hands of this man. How would her death affect the bond with Emmeric? She didn’t want to think about it.

“A shame I can’t kill them while you watch, since one of us has to perish to leave this barrier. I’m only sorry you didn’t see how much we might have accomplished together. You could have been an empress.” He stroked her face with his knuckles. It took everything in her not to shudder. Instead, Iyana laughed.

A frown formed between Uther’s brows. Once she began, Iyana found it hard to stop. She knew if she stopped, she’d cry, and that was a weakness she did not want to show the emperor. But empress? The very idea was ludicrous. A traitorous tear streaked down Iyana’s face, and she wiped it away, still giggling. “I’m sorry,” she said, trying to sober her mood, which only led to another peal of laughter. “It’s just—you genuinely thought I’d marry you? And do what exactly? Pop out another heir to replace Zane? Or maybe you thought you could send me to do your magical dirty work.” Iyana shook her head, suddenly serious. “Uther, I’d rather you stab me through the heart than ever have to touch you.”

Uther’s scowl deepened. “That can be arranged.” He drew his sword from its scabbard, holding it poised over her throat with both hands on the hilt. “Any last words?”

“Actually, yeah.” Icy blue eyes locked with hers. “You shouldn’t have underestimated me.”

Iyana’s good arm, which had been concealing the dagger underneath her body, arced above her, slicing through Uther’s wrist, then his makeshift knot for his cape, knocking him off balance, and freeing her hand. The astmina landed with a heavy sound as Uther still tried to bring his sword down into her throat, his wrist gushing blood. Warm droplets splashed on her face. Iyana rolled free directly into Uther’s ankles, causing him to stumble further. She snagged the cape and bounced to her feet. Rushing behind the emperor, she threw the cape around his neck and yanked it taut, circling her wrists in the fabric so it wouldn’t slip easily from her grip. Her left hand was on fire, but she held her grip tightly even as Uther scrabbled at the noose with his fingernails. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she tightened the noose, directing strength into her arms. The level of power in the amulet continued to diminish. She’d been using too much, too fast, with no training. But she would finish this, and then she could finally rest.

Iyana only let go of the cape when blue-tipped fingers brushed the ground and Uther’s head lolled forward.

One hand on the impromptu noose, she watched Uther’s body slump to the ground. Iyana fell to her knees, barely registering the shock of pain on impact. I killed him. While she had prayed for this outcome and had realized it was inevitable one of them would die, a part of her was obviously still hoping he’d step down, crown Zane as emperor, and send himself into exile. But Uther didn’t operate that way, and once the dome had appeared, the ultimatum was set—kill or be killed. Now she’d ended two men’s lives, when her only ambition in life a few moons prior was to help everyone heal.

She saw Emmeric calling for her through the silver-black barrier. Were her friends nervous about approaching her now? Maybe they thought she’d dived into the killing frenzy again. Glancing up towards them, reassurances springing to her lips, she paused. The dome was still intact. Emmeric and Altair were banging against the flickering magic. But that meant…

Whipping her head back to Uther’s body, his cold blue eyes met hers. Iyana only had time to lift her hands in surprise before he was on her, a blade slicing into her forearm, her own dagger lying on the floor out of her reach. It took all of her strength to hold his arm above her, but she was slowly losing the battle. Blood flowed down her arm, her hands slick and losing their traction. The dagger inched down towards her exposed throat, Uther’s eyes gleaming with malice. Sweat and drool ran in rivulets down his face, dripping onto her. His teeth ground together and he shoved the sharp point closer. Her death was only inches—seconds—away.

“Who are you to kill me?” Uther seethed. “I’m the fucking emperor!”

The knife slipped another inch. The cool bite of metal touched her skin, a small pinprick of pain at her throat, where her carotid artery was thrumming with her life’s blood. Waiting for Uther to finish the job.

“And I’m,” Iyana said through gritted teeth, “the fucking Aztia!” She shouted the last words, barreling the last of the amulet’s magic into her voice and hands. Uther flew off of her, spinning through the air, and finally crashing into the dry earth mere feet from where Iyana still lay. Rest was the only thing on her mind, her only desire to curl up right there on the ground and sleep for at least three days. Expending so much magic at once made her dizzy, but the dome was still intact, which meant Uther wasn’t dead yet.

Hauling herself to her feet and staggering towards the prone emperor, she palmed Emmeric’s dagger in her right hand. Her arm continued to bleed, left hand a throbbing mess, and exhaustion tugged at her. Black spots flitted through her vision; vertigo threatened to drop her back onto her knees. But she pushed through the dizziness. A quick check of herself and the amulet told her she had no magic to spare to heal herself. It would need to wait.

Using her toe, she rolled Uther from his front to his back. The emperor moaned. Iyana catalogued his injuries—at least four broken ribs, possibly a punctured lung, and multiple lacerations, including one on his scalp, turning his white hair into a brilliant red. His eyes were open but glazed over. Iyana knew it was only a matter of time before he shook off the shock and attacked her again. There wasn’t much more she had left. Another battle would end her within seconds. She needed to end this before exhaustion consumed her. But she took precious seconds to lean over and whisper in his ear.

“Long live Emperor Zane.”

Then she slammed the dagger through Uther’s chest. He gasped, hands flying to the handle. Iyana stumbled backwards, falling onto her tailbone. Dimly, she recognized the fresh pain, but could only watch as the former emperor of Athusa coughed blood, the red rivulets running down his cheek. The light slowly dimmed in those icy blue eyes. Iyana never took her gaze from his, witnessing his descent into the nine hells. Because, even though he was an evil man, he was still human. Something inside her wanted him to know he wasn’t alone as he died.

As soon as Uther’s eyes whitened and became unseeing, the dome burst like a bubble. Small bits of silver and black rained over Iyana like glitter and dissipated before they hit the ground, as if even the magic wanted no part of the Dead Lands.

Numbly, she registered loving arms wrapping around her as a sob ripped from her throat.