Chapter 30
Nothing stands in Daramveer but ruin and the now-familiar figures before me—always bloody and beaten by my hands.
Barlowe lies at my feet, a brutal slash from my axe across his body, the wound split wide and deep.
Thatcher stands beside me with a twisted grin on his face.
He’s celebrating the fall of the kingdom and what’s to come as we rebuild together in a world that we rule.
I try to move, try to scream, but my movements are sluggish, like I’m trapped somewhere deep in my body.
My hands raise in the direction of the figures, black veins now covering my arms completely.
I watch the tattoo-like lines creep toward the center of my body, fully taking control.
I am not in control, and for the first time, I know who drives my body—Kalix.
Someone screams my name in the distance, the voice sounding more familiar than before.
I try to listen, to respond, but my hearing is muffled like I’m floating underwater.
I feel trapped and completely submerged.
Thatcher ushers me forward—toward the fallen kingdom and the still-standing castle—where we will rebuild a world created in fear, darkness, and chaos.
Briar!
The voice sounds like it’s right in front of my face—a voice I now know.
Briar!
I open my eyes to see Silas standing before me in the House of Hedro. Still heavy-eyed, I rise from the bed.
“What the hell were you thinking?” he snaps, anger fueling his shadows. He wraps his strong body around mine. “You’ve been out for twenty-four hours. Maines let us know where you were. I went to your room and found it empty. I almost ripped the town apart trying to find you.”
I nearly burst out of bed. “Rose! Where is she?”
“She’s okay. She lost a lot of blood and has a long road ahead of her, but she’s going to be okay.” I nod, trying to understand through my intense mind fog. “Briar,” he cups my face. “I thought something happened to you. I was ready to burn this kingdom to the ground to find you.”
His lips brush against mine, and my body instantly relaxes as I kiss him deeper, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling his body closer.
He pulls back, a hungry smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.
“You need to rest. And before you decide to run off again, please think of the people who care for you next time. Times are too dangerous right now for you to be doing shit like that, Briar.” He grabs my hand.
I rest my head against his chest and relish the feeling of being surrounded by him. Guilt rushes through me. He's right, but I did that because I was thinking about them.
The healers bustle around the rooms, treating each patient like they never tire.
The House of Hedro has a light about it—a feeling of rebirth—even with the death that unfortunately looms here.
The white, airy rooms counter the darkness from the streets, and you almost forget that you’re in the heart of Daramveer.
“You’re awake!” Maines shuffles into the room, not an ounce of exhaustion weighing on her. “Rose is going to be okay. She is lucky you found her when you did. She wouldn’t have made it much longer.”
My blank stare is answer enough that I’m not interested in speaking.
“Briar, the healers won’t ask questions outside of those necessary for recovery—everything here is confidential.
We take a vow of secrecy, so don’t worry.
Whatever happened between you and her is safe here.
Since Lang thinks she’s traveling, I also think it’s best that it remains a secret she’s here. Your father can’t know.”
I nod my head. “I agree,” I whisper. As much as I want to feel relieved, the weight of what Rose disclosed to me hangs heavy on my shoulders.
“We need to get back to the castle and find Oak,” I stand, barely keeping my legs from buckling.
“He knows we found you. He was almost as concerned as Silas. Ready to take down the castle if he needed to find you quickly. They were quite the team,” Maines nods in Silas’ direction.
I’ve never seen Silas look so tired, but his eyes are drained and worried, and I can’t help but feel bad knowing I caused it.
A few silent moments pass, and finally, I reveal, “I know what my father is planning, and we need to find a way to stop it.”
They exchange weary looks, nodding in agreement.
“Okay, we can pack up and head back. Rose is going to be fine here. I have my top healer, Eden, watching over her. I’ll come back and check on her in a few days when she’ll likely have regained consciousness.”
Silas grabs my arm, keeping me steady. Shifting would be the fastest way back to the castle, but there is no way my body can handle that right now.
Maines takes off her jacket, placing it over the back of a chair. “I’m going to go ahead and shift to find Oak. Can you two make it back in one piece?”
Silas flashes a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ve got her.” Maines shifts, leaving Silas and me alone once more—the silence driving me wild. “Let’s get going.”
As we leave the House, I glance behind me.
The brilliance of the structure takes my breath away.
The tower itself looks as if it’s growing toward the sun like a flower, desperate to reach the warmth above and escape the bleak kingdom below.
After being in the darkness of my father’s study and then the House, the fresh air tickles my nose.
Silas grabs my hand and pulls me forward through the gates.
“I have a surprise for you,” he smiles.
Two horses wait for us at the gates—the strong, beautiful creatures similar to those I once loved as a child.
Silas cuts his eyes to mine as my mouth opens wide, thrilled to ride again.
Daramveer used to have many horses, but years ago, my father sold most of them to surrounding kingdoms with open terrains to gather more riches.
“Myah and Xena? These are your horses?” I shriek, like an excited child, jumping in place.
A deep laugh booms out of him. “Yes, I wanted you to finally meet my friends. Plus, don’t you think it’s time we have our first date?”
A burst of energy hits me as I rush toward them, my excitement overwhelming.
The two white horses tower over me, their legs long and powerful, making the House of Hedro seem small in this moment.
A slight difference is visible between the two, with gray spots marking one of the beasts' noses.
Their beauty is breathtaking, embodying pure strength and stamina.
“That’s Xena. She’s been mine since I was ten.
Her mother was my father’s horse. When she was born, my father trained her, and she was a gift.
The first and only gift he’s ever given me.
” He points to the stark white horse as she meets his gaze and snorts in delight, her long gray mane flowing in the breeze like she’s proud he’s speaking about her.
“The one with gray spots is Myah. She’s gentle but strong.
You don’t want to get on her bad side—just like you, Princess,” he laughs.
“I’ve had her almost as long as Xena. During one of my father’s punishments, the man I was fighting had her chained.
When…I killed him, I took his horse and vowed to give her an amazing life, better than she would have received from that monster.
We’ve all been inseparable since—like family. ”
I press my hand against her cheek. Her piercing blue eyes shine into mine.
She nudges me back as if saying hello. “They are both so beautiful.” The widest grin graces my face, showing all my teeth.
True happiness in this moment casts away all darkness.
I turn to Silas to see him staring at me with just as much delight.
“What?” I ask, still giddy.
“You are beautiful,” he replies.
My face reddens as guilt flushes through me once more about my earlier actions. “I’m sorry.” I lower my head.
“I know,” he responds. “You just scared me, is all. I’ve waited so long to be with you, and I don’t want to lose you now, Briar.”
“I promise I’m not going anywhere.” I flash him a soft smile. “Can we ride them?”
“Well, that’s why they are here, of course.”
I mount Myah, lightly kicking her side as we begin to trot toward the castle—the small movements causing pain to radiate through my sore body.
Silas follows me, allowing me space to ride in silence through Daramveer.
The sunset acts like magic before us—a promise that the sun will return to bless us with another day.
I can only hope to live long enough to witness a few more magical moments like this.
The town around us is quiet, and most houses are dark for the night.
“Briar,” Silas cuts the silence. “I’m not sure why I’ve dreamed of you for so long or why we are connected, but my life for so long has been filled with a darkness that I think you can understand.
However, when you are around, I feel lighter.
I know you were cautious of me—I can’t say I blame you—but I intend to protect you and those you care for.
I will work the rest of my life to prove to you I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
The horses’ hooves echo down each dark alley we pass, sending an uneasy feeling through my body. An instant shift puts us both at full attention. Silas glances in my direction, refusing to make eye contact and risk distraction.
“Myah,” he clicks his tongue, “Stay close.”
The horse follows, moving closer to Xena’s back, indicating a genuine trust between the two beasts. The breeze seems to pause as we move down the cobblestone streets, and darkness creeps over the tops of the buildings.