Chapter 43 #2
He throws his arm over her shoulder, pulling her in, and they turn to us.
Silas clears his throat, and Fen flashes a quick smile up to Warrick as he plants another kiss atop her head.
Silas steps forward, clasping his hand around Warrick’s. “Without you, brother, we would have been blindsided. Thank you.”
Warrick nods. “Just keeping those I love safe.”
Silas turns to me, and the others follow his lead.
“Does everyone remember the plan and their positions?” I ask.
“I'll remain closer to the center of the kingdom to assist any stragglers. I’m sure it will take people some time to reach the mountain for safety,” Fen says. “If you need me nearer to the pier, just shout, and I can make sure my post is covered. If the center is breached, I’ll be there to fight.”
Warrick speaks next, “I’ll stay between the pier and the city center.
This way, if things go wrong, I can get to Fen, alerting her to get those people to safety as quickly as possible.
” He glances at Silas. “I can monitor how the pier holds and prepare for whatever is needed, but leaving Fen completely alone isn’t an option. ”
I shoot him an understanding glance along with Silas, who I know appreciates Warrick in thousands of different ways right now.
“I’ll be on the pier with Oak near the water.
Once the Andorwood ships enter our waters, I’m going to create a wall of shadows to shield us and the civilians for as long as I can,” Silas says.
“This will give you time, Fen, to get the remaining women, children, and men who don’t want to fight out of the city and give the people fighting time to prepare,” Silas finishes, and Oak nods in agreement.
“And I’ll be here,” Oak chimes in. “Trying not to shit my pants.”
Silas slaps his shoulder and smiles, appreciating the bit of laughter breaking the tension that fills the air.
They all pause and turn to me, waiting for my orders.
The sea around us is furious, and the waves crash together in a chaotic, dark rage.
Black storm clouds fill the night sky, obscuring all signs of light and stars.
I open my mouth to speak, but stop when I feel two solid hands clasp around my shoulders and squeeze.
I peer up through my lashes to see the familiar chiseled face dusted with facial hair.
Larkin stands above me.
“Briar and I will be on the ship.” He squeezes my shoulders again with a sly grin.
“We have two ships filled with strong warriors ready to confront the resurrected. We will hold them off as long as possible and take out as many as we can.” Larkin’s voice demands attention.
“I need all of you to be ready and prepared, but understand that we will fight. We will fight fiercely to keep those on the shore safe. If we can, we will return to the pier and fight on land alongside all of you.”
I feel a sense of relief knowing Larkin will be with me, and I won’t be on the ship alone, but this is my fight, and I plan to take on those creatures headfirst. But his choice of words lingers.
If.
“We should move to our positions immediately,” I command. “We don’t need to waste any more time.”
Fen races toward Silas and wraps her arms around her brother, pulling him in so tight he groans.
I hear her whisper, “Fight hard. I love you,” before releasing him so she and Warrick can venture deeper into the city. She shoots Larkin a quick glance and winks before turning away and stepping off the pier onto the streets of Andorwood.
Warrick slaps Larkin’s shoulder and pulls him into a quick embrace. “Love you, brother.”
“Don’t be sappy,” Larkin says. “You are too big for that.”
Warrick booms a laugh and turns, following Fen into the alleyways.
Larkin takes a second to watch them move into the distance, and shouts, “Love you too, buddy.”
I watch Fen and Warrick for a moment. Even on the brink of battle, Warrick is gentle with Fen—almost tender—as he leads her into the dark alley. He places a hand on the small of her back, and she doesn’t recoil; instead, she steps into his touch, and their hands wrap together.
They disappear, and I think to myself that Warrick would follow Fenmore almost anywhere.
“He would,” I hear Silas say back as he watches them vanish into the darkness, too.
I give him a weary smile.
“They will be alright.”
“I’m worried,” I respond.
“Fenmore is strong, and Warrick won’t let anything happen to her, just as she won't let anything happen to him. They will protect each other,” Silas hums into my mind.
“I know,” I respond.
Oak lets out a heavy sigh, “Can you two stop speaking without me? Let’s do this.”
Silas, Larkin, Oak, and I walk toward the edge of the pier, and in this moment, I feel as if we are on the world's edge with only darkness below and before us.
The howling wind rips in all directions, making it hard to hear anything else.
The large ships beside us rock in the angry water, and many warriors on board prepare the masts, ensuring the boat is in perfect condition before we set sail.
Captain Darcy leans over the side of the first ship. “Spiridon, we will push off in a few minutes. Get on board the second ship or stay back.”
He nods and turns toward Oak and Silas. Their faces are resolute and tense, showing no signs of fear in their eyes—only strength and determination to emerge victorious. Larkin reaches toward Silas and pulls him into an embrace.
“Fight like the Gods are watching,” Larkin says, releasing him, and gently taps his cheek with his palm.
“Good thing they are,” Silas responds, pulling Larkin’s forehead to his. “Keep her safe.”
They quickly part, and Larkin turns. He squeezes Oak’s shoulders and climbs onto the rocking ship from the bridge.
Oak rushes toward me, and I open my arms, expecting a massive hug from the smiling Lumor Wielder.
He grabs both my shoulders and looks in my eyes with fury. I flinch, waiting for the statement to burst from his lips.
“If you die,” he says, frantically, “can I have your axes?”
“Fucking Gods,” Silas mumbles under his breath.
I punch him in the chest and laugh. “Yes. Yes, you can, my friend.”
Oak smiles and quickly hugs me tight. He steps back a few paces before getting into position. I turn to Silas and gaze at his handsome face. He inches closer and rests his forehead against mine.
“Are you sure you want to go out there?” he whispers.
I nod against him. “I can do this; I can stop some of them from docking.”
“I know you can, my love.”
I hear a shout from the ship's edge. “Blackbyrne, either board the ship now or stay back,” Larkin’s voice travels through the dark. “It’s time.”
“Don’t let down that wall, Nastronde. Keep it strong and high. I will see you soon.” I kiss him, and he kisses me back, hard, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and pulling me in tight. “I promise.”
The weight of the world sits upon us, but I kiss him deeper, knowing this could be the last time.
“I love you,” I say in my mind.
“My soul belongs to you,” he responds. “It’s yours.”
We part, and I turn, stepping up the wooden bridge onto the ship.
Each step feels like a weight trying to hold me back, but I push forward.
From this height, the vast sky appears darker before us.
I look over the edge as the large boat moves ahead and see Silas in the same position.
His gaze burns into me as I watch his figure shrink in the distance.
As the second ship leaves the dock, my heart fractures.
I watch him turn, taking a few steps away from the edge of the pier. His hands drop to his sides, and his palms open, but he hesitates. For a second, I swear he is going to bound for the ship, but he stops himself, focusing on the plan.
The plan I created.
The darkest shadows begin to paint his hands as he dives into his magic, building a wall of darkness from pure fear and rage.
The memory of leaving Daramveer hits me as I see the wall rise, the shadows being stacked brick by brick, and obscuring my view of the shore, my friends, and Silas.
This feels familiar because I’ve seen it before, except this time, I’m the one sailing into danger while Silas remains on the pier—safe for now.
The wall rises higher and higher until the only thing visible is the faint flicker of torches through the thick shadows.
I turn away as Shadow and Lumor Wielders rush around the deck. I scan each one to see if Larkin is nearby, but I don’t spot him.
The water around us heaves and swells, while the roaring wind seems to pulse with tension, anticipating the impending battle that is about to begin.
A flash of white catches my eye in the crow’s nest, and I see Larkin standing there, surveying our surroundings.
I ensure my axes are properly positioned and begin to climb up the shrouds toward the highest mast, where Larkin perches.
My arms burn as I reach the top and climb onto the small surface that seems miles above the ground. My heart races, and my palms are slick with sweat as I observe my surroundings.
Gods, I fucking hate heights.
Larkin huffs a laugh as I grasp onto the rail, as if any moment I’m going to fly over the edge. My legs wobble, and a tingle starts in my hands.
“I forget your insane fear of heights,” he laughs, as he turns to me. “Oh, I’d better say ‘falling from heights’ before you yell at me.”
“Thank you for correcting yourself,” I say, and quickly catch my breath, refusing to look down as I hear the groan of the ship below.
“See anything?” I ask.
“Look,” he responds, and points.
I look across the sea, and that’s when I see them—the two ships in the near distance.
They are not ones I recognize, and they bear no indication of which kingdom they come from.
Their sails are torn to pieces, the wood nearly as black as the sea, and I can hear a thundering coming from the ship—a steady drumbeat preparing them to fight.
I can barely make out the heads standing on the boat, but from what I can see, the entire deck is filled with horrifying creatures.
Nerves settle into my core like buzzing bricks, and I grab the railing to keep my hands from shaking.
Larkin looks ahead. “Remember when we first met up here?”
“I wouldn’t call that a meeting, Larkin.” I turn to him. “You wouldn’t even look at me, similar to now.”
He smiles and peels his gaze to mine. “Are you ready?”
“I think so,” I respond. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.”
“Battle is ugly, Briar. It's so ugly, but whatever happens, you can’t stop.” He looks back toward our uncertain future.
“You need to swing those axes until the last creature falls. No matter how tired you are, keep moving, because once you stop, they will take advantage of any weak spots. Use your magic, but sparingly—you can’t run out. ”
I nod.
“Don’t worry about anyone around you. Focus on the creatures and fight.”
My stomach rolls, and I can’t help but grab his hand to keep my nerves steady.
“I will worry about you,” I admit.
“Don’t.”
I narrow my gaze. “Too bad.”
He smiles.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
“To wipe these fucking creatures from this realm? Absolutely.”
“Aim for the nape of their necks,” I advise. “They are weakest there and go down easily if you can injure them enough with the first blow. Hitting their arms or legs does nothing, so don’t waste your time trying to aim there.”
“What do they look like?” he asks.
I flinch at my memories. “Awful. They look familiar, but haunting—alive, but dead—and something about how they resemble who they once were is more frightening than the creatures that stalk these woods.”
“Do you think we will know any of them?”
I look into his dark eyes. “I hope not.”
“Same.” He squeezes my hand. “I’ve got you, Briar. Thank you for being out here with me. I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side.” His eyes fill with pride. “Your brother would be so proud of you for your bravery, your resilience, and your…”
Larkin trails off and looks past me.
His eyes widen, and before I have time to turn, Larkin wraps his whole body around mine, becoming a shield of strength, and pulls me to the floor of the crow’s nest.
“Fuck!” Larkin screams.
Two boats sail toward us, while a third lingers in the shadows.
The two boats ahead kept us focused and ignorant of the looming presence of the third ship, and as we approached the impending doom that awaited us, they struck.
A loud crash fills my ears, and the wood of the crow’s nest splinters into a million pieces as the ship nearly rips in half. The warriors below us scream in horror. Larkin’s large body presses against mine, and our eyes meet. Terror floods his dark eyes, and I know.
It’s starting.
The drop makes my stomach roll, and I scream as my fear finally comes to life, and we fall from the height I’ve always dreaded.