Chapter 68
The water was like an ice bath. Her legs shook as she found her footing on the rocks beneath the dark water of the Black Deep. The wall of Magic isolating the Dread Lands from the Black Deep and Aterna wafted in an ethereal glow.
It reflected back at them, the illusion that there was nothing beyond it. She could not see Aterna’s lands.
It was no regular shield. It would take nearly all of her Magic. Mal wore the crown, the locket and the ring, so she’d have no Dread Magic to help her. Though, her mind was quiet without the Dread Ring, as so, she welcomed the absence of dark energy.
If his own strength was not enough, what if together they still were not enough?
The water’s temperature traveled up her body, chilling even the parts of her not submerged. She shook in the freezing lake.
Mal’s instructions were clear. She was to break the shield, and retreat to Castle Morana. The rest of their Bellator, now formally named The Dread Knights, would advance to one of the smaller cities of Aterna.
She was commanded not to go.
Command or not, she was certain she’d be unconscious soon enough.
She stood beside Mal. Mordred stood at his other side. His wolves were eager. Too eager.
She held her arm out at her side, two fingers at the ready. Mal mirrored her.
Mal didn’t look at her. “On my count, Sinclair.” He said calmly. “Not a moment sooner.”
The use of her last name burned in her throat.
“You do not falter until it is collapsed or you are.”
She steadied herself and prepared her mind to be drained of every ounce of Magic she had. Mal moved behind her. His fingers slid down her arm until his palm rested atop her hand. He extended their arms towards the wall of Magic, arranging his single finger with her two.
Her eyes lingered on The Dread Ring gleaming on his slender finger above her own. Power undulated from the jewel, thrumming at her core.
It’ll be back on your finger soon enough , he said into her mind. I put more Magic in it. I know you feel it begging to be one with yours.
The pulse of Magic from the Dread Ring fell into sync with her own. Or perhaps her heart slowed to match its rhythm.
Maeve looked up at the wall of Magic that had stood for three centuries. Reeve’s Magic radiated from the floating, glowing Magic. It resembled Crystalmore, with its pillars of pale stones that gleamed like a moon.
“Three,” he said, pulling her from thoughts of Reeve.
She closed her eyes, letting electric ice travel down her arm and swirl at her fingertips.
Reeve would never forgive her for what she was about to do.
“Two.”
She’d never forgive herself.
A bit of Dread Magic slipped into her own, popping her eyes open at the unexpected sensation.
“One.”
Their combined blast was catastrophic. It surged from them, parting the water and crackling the wall of Magic. She let all the walls of her own Magic down, and flowed every bit of herself into the volatile and destructive Magic pouring from her fingers.
The wall of Aterna Magic ripped open with a deafening and shrill break of Magic.
Maeve’s legs turned to nothing. The skin on her fingers burned and melted away. The bright lightning fizzled out as she stumbled.
Mal withdrew his Magic.
Water crashed back and surged around them, knocking her footing loose and sending her sideways. The onyx colored water encased her only for a moment as slender arms wrapped around her, pulling her from the waves. Bitter water prickled down her skin. The water grew colder and colder until she was certain she no longer had legs. Mal pulled her close. Her head rolled limply against his chest, her destroyed fingers pulsing with each slow heartbeat.
Castle Morana was quiet when her eyes opened. The Crown’s Quarters felt like a tomb. She’d been laid on the bed, her fingers healed, and left in the castle alone.
Mal was advancing on Aterna in the south. The attack would be quick, it was meant as a warning, not carnage.
If I destroy it all, who will bow? He had said.
She sat up. Beside the bed were three empty potions, all of them to ensure she healed quickly. The Dread Ring was back on her finger.
There was a chance she could get to Reeve, and return to the castle before anyone knew.
It was worth a try.
If he cared about the future of Aterna, and she knew he did, perhaps there was a chance he’d listen to her. Perhaps she was selfish, and wanted to persuade his forgiveness from him before it could fester into hatred.
She’d been there before. Obscuring onto the precipice of Celestian Palace was easy with a breach in their shields.
The swarm of Senshi Warriors that surrounded her moments after she appeared were not as easily handled. Eryx pushed his way between them. He stood tall in his full armor. His long Elven hair was slicked back in tight braids and numerous earrings connected to the silver necklaces he wore.
“I knew you’d come here,” he spat.
“I just want to talk to Reeve,” she replied.
Eryx’s scowl never faltered as he raised a single hand. The surrounding Senshi drew their swords in one fluid and synchronized movement.
Maeve sighed and cocked her head to the side. “I’m not very good at the whole ‘injure don’t kill’ thing,” she said. “And I do not wait to hurt your warriors. So perhaps you should stand down?”
“Dozens of Senshi Warriors against one Magical. I’ll take my odds.”
“Tell them to stand down,” she repeated. “Do not sign their death warrant.”
They pressed towards her.
Maeve flew into the closest Warrior’s mind, holding him on the edge.
“Please,” she said. “I don’t want to hurt them.”
Eryx’s eyes were on the captive Senshi. The Warriors continued to advance towards her. They moved as one, in a calculated dance.
“I don’t have much time, please,” she said, her teeth grinding together.
Eryx’s expression did not change.
Only a few more seconds and she would have to act.
A shot of air fizzed past her. So close a loose strand of hair whipped across her face. Her eyes widened at the archer atop the steps. He opened both his eyes and lowered his bow.
“Enough, Eryx,” said Drystan.
The most skilled archer in the realms missed her by a hair. From a short distance.
Maeve dropped her hold on the Senshi Warrior’s mind as the small framed archer made his way towards them with an arrogant smile.
He missed on purpose.
She hadn’t felt his oncoming attack at all. No threatening Magic made itself known. No surge of energy came with that arrow.
It was. . .just an arrow.
A lengthy breath escaped Maeve’s lips. So lengthy she wondered how long she’d been holding it.
Eryx drew both his swords and positioned himself defensively, ready to protect Drystan.
“We can’t beat her today,” said Drystan, who appeared at his side, and made no attempt to reach for another arrow.
Maeve’s eyes traced along the tattoo like scars. that ran through his under-shave. She’d seen such marks many times now since she first made his acquaintance. She herself wore traces of Dark Magic.
Of Vexkari.
“Today?” Asked Maeve, peeling her eyes away from the markings she was so curious about.
Drystan nodded. “I have faith your demise will come at your own hand. Though I am uncertain if it will be for your pride, or because of your stubbornness.”
“Enough cryptic bullshit,” snarled Eryx, his Elven eyes set with daggers. “Since when do you miss shots?”
“That’s Elven steel,” she remarked at Eryx. “Fine jewels for an army captain.”
“Smart words from a Second draped with Dread artifacts she is unworthy to wear.”
“What do you want?” Asked Drystan.
Maeve looked out across the waters, to Dark Peaks. Dawn was on the verge of breaking.
“To talk,” she said. “To Reeve.”
“You aren’t getting anywhere near him,” said Eryx. “Not today, not ever again.”
Maeve squinted at the horizon. A faint yellow line traced the peaks of the mountains. Like. . .sunlight breaking the day.
A warm heartbeat pulsed in her chest.
“He’s already here,” she muttered.
A burst of wind slammed around them. Reeve appeared before her in a swirl of violet fire. His dragon form towered over her as snarling flames erupted from his snout. His neck was long, like that of an eel, and covered in the same pointed spikes and barbs his long back and tail were. Thousands of glittering amethyst scales bore the same markings that traced along his human skin.
His own Vexkari.
He was divinely horrible.
Black steel claws scraped across the pale crystal stone. His demonic eyes were locked on her.
But her gaze was fixed on the mountains behind him.
“The sun,” she muttered in disbelief.
Violet fire exploded around her. She threw up her arms across her face, but her shield was too slow.
Reeve’s flames burned around her, burning her in a perfect swirling pattern up her arm. She snapped her eyes shut and pushed against his Magic. She didn’t move to strike back at him.
How dare you , he snarled into her mind.
Maeve steadied her breathing and gripped her burned arm closely. She looked up as his human form emerged from the tall flames.
“Leave,” he commanded Drystan and Eryx without a glance their way.
Eryx turned and sulked away, taking the Senshi Warriors with them. Drystan lingered only for a moment, and then obeyed Reeve.
Maeve looked back at the Dark Peaks, which were drenched in morning light. Soft grays and blues shadowed the mighty rocks, as vibrant orange beams pressed over the peaks.
“The sun shines here,” she said.
Reeve’s Magic cracked impatiently towards her, ringing through her ears. She turned towards him.
His claws were balled into fists at his side. Maeve met his furious eyes.
“Come to Castle Morana in three night’s time. And if you bend the knee, there will be no more attacks, no bloodshed, no war.”
Reeve scoffed. “Now you no longer desire an alliance? Merely dominance? When not one moon cycle ago you were begging for my help? Now you want my throne?”
Maeve didn’t answer. She looked back at the sunrise. Reeve laid into her further.
“I know it is not of your own accord that you are here attacking my lands, my Warriors. I know that your mind is lost where reason and logic are concerned.”
Her eyes darted to him defensively. “It is not my mind that is lost,” she whispered. “I warned you. I begged for your help-”
Reeve heaved a sigh. “Get out.”
“Will you come?” She asked.
Reeve didn’t answer. She turned towards him fully.
“For me?” She continued.
Reeve’s jaw loosened.
“For me, will you come? I fear the horizon before us if you will not bend.”
“Before us?” He seethed into the word. “There is no longer an us. There is only you. Alone.”
Maeve stepped towards him. He didn’t counter. He allowed her to be an arm’s length away from him.
“Please,” she said quietly. “You must come and you must bend the knee.”
Reeve bent forward until their noses were an inch from touching. “Your wide eyes and soft voice do not work on me, Witch. I know what it is you are.”
Maeve’s face remained poised. “Then it will be war.”
The light in Reeve’s eyes dimmed. “It already was, destined from the moment he was born. Fulfilled in the moment he claimed you.”
“Is that what this is? Your elitist pride in that you cannot have what that beastly instinct of yours desires to claim?”
“It is far from my nature to want you, the arrogant Dread Viper, as a mate.”
“Arrogant? It is you whose pride will be our destruction.” Her throat tightened. “The utopia I dreamed of slips away from me with each passing hour. The night grows darker and the hour grows late.”
“It is you who has darkened it! It is you who has re-created this never-ending cycle of destruction. I warned you what those lands would do to Malachite–”
“Stop it!” She cried.
Her arms pulsed with fiery needles. Her body was hot. Too hot.
She looked back towards the Dark Peaks. The endless twilight across their side of the realm nearly erased the memory of sunlight from her mind. The color was calming, like the hydrangea that grew year round at Sinclair Estates.
Reeve’s harsh voice snapped her out of her trance.
“This is my invitation to submit? His war Viper on my balcony, more preoccupied with the sunrise than the one who she asks the unthinkable.”
“I haven’t seen a sunrise in. . .truthfully I have no idea.”
She gripped her arm and stepped towards the edge of the balcony. Reeve continued to lay into her.
“That city you just attacked is full of citizens of Aterna who hold no ill will towards you. Most of them talk about you as if you are a work of fiction, praise ringing through their voices. How incredible The Dread Prince’s Viper is. How she is a marvel of Magic, and how she can traverse minds with ease. And now that image of you will be forever replaced with one of fear.”
“I should be feared,” she fired back.
“There is only one man who should fear you, and he is a blind fool who does not.”
“You are not afraid of me?” She asked.
“I cannot allow myself to fear. Fear is the absence of Magic.”
She looked back at him. “Fear is the absence of Magic,” she repeated, softly. Her arm burned all the way to her stomach. “Hmm.”
“Look at me,” his low voice commanded.
Maeve turned and faced him without argument. The fire burning deep in her core brought the corners of her vision dark.
“This is the end, Maeve,” he said. “This is the only time I will offer what I am about to. Return to Earth with your son and leave this war behind you. I will not pursue you. Do what you must to run far from the darkness that now resides in your Prince. Or you will fall, and I will not catch you.”
“I swore an oath,” she said. “It is scarred across my body.”
“Greater Magic has been broken.”
She shook her head. “When the raven from Abraxas arrives shortly, respond with acceptance. Come, and hear Mal’s terms.”
“Raven?”
Maeve nodded.
Reeve heaved a sigh. “You are not meant to be here.”
She didn’t reply. Reeve continued with the shake of his head. “You came without his permission.”
“Come,” she repeated one last time, preparing her palm flat behind her to Portal back to Castle Morana, fearful if she Obscured she’d vomit and pass out. “Please.”
Reeve watched her with sad eyes. Maeve’s footing faltered slightly.
“Your fire burns deep,” she said with a small laugh of exhaustion.
“Tell the Mavros girl you need a panacea potion to heal it. I am sorry. I was not aiming to burn you. Rage is. . .a deceitful being.”
Maeve stepped into the Portal. “So it seems.”