Chapter 44
Chapter
Forty-Four
There were more pressing matters, but I needed to feel at peace once more before I left this world.
“My star…”
I ignored the voice of Blythe, as I had been for about an hour now. I sat on the water's edge, admiring the sunset. My last one.
“Come to me…”
It was pathetic—me sitting here. Secluded and arguably safe while the ones I cared about battled to the death over our kingdom. Battling over a piece of land and me.
“My star?”
The voice that encompassed my mind was relentless, not giving me a moment of peace. I knew where she wanted me to go, but despite her orders, I sat here, putting it off.
My vision roamed the orange horizon for any sign of my mother. Searching through the faded, pink clouds for a glimpse of my sister’s soul. I prayed for a sign that they were okay beyond the veil.
“I am not ready to die yet, but soon I will join you,” I cried out to the heavens as the last glowing beam of sun sank away into the depths of the ocean.
“Come to me. The stars will soon light up the sky.”
“No.” Staying crouched in the sand, I rubbed the singed skin on my arm.
I couldn't stop thinking about the look of betrayal on Sebastian's face. If I somehow survived this, I didn't know if he’d ever look at me the same.
“Do not fight the sacrifice.”
“Maybe if you told me the purpose of this damn sacrifice then I wouldn't be so reluctant,” I replied to the nothingness.
“You can stop this.”
Palms opened to the heavens, I shouted in disbelief, “Stop this? I'm the reason for all of this!”
“You can put it off no longer. Doing so risks too much.”
I pondered the goddess’ words, knowing that she was right, but not wanting to admit it. If I didn't fulfill the prophecy, more people I cared about may die, and I’d never forgive myself if I lived and they didn't. I’d already done enough damage in this deranged world of ache and betrayal.
The sun had dissipated and the sky had turned navy. I’d been sitting here too long. Soon enough, someone was bound to find me. Maybe they’d kill me before the prophecy did, which somehow frightened me even more than the alternative.
Everyone was counting on my death, though they didn’t know it. All those who gave me the cold shoulder when they learned of my gift, would soon be thanking my memory for saving their lives. All the horrible, twisted comments people said about me, would soon be replaced with words of praise.
Although she said it was not my death I needed to fear, maybe Blythe meant that as a reminder that I will be remembered when I am beyond the veil. Or maybe she meant that it would be quick and painless. Who knew.
I picked at some dried blood on my wrist, wondering which of my rivals it belonged to.
“Stop wasting time, Maeve.”
“Get up.”
“Move.”
I took my helmet from beside me and shook the sand off before securing it over my head.
My feet reluctantly pulled me to a stand, my nerves for what was about to come making my bones shake.
Forcing my legs to work, I left the safety of the shore and made my way back up the cliffside, climbing and clawing at the stones to pull my body weight up the ledge.
“Good. Come to me. You can stop this.”
“So I've been told,” I panted sardonically as I threw myself over the edge and onto grass.
The castle came back into view when I stood up, and holy shit.
Blazing flames and their corresponding smoke created a haze for as far as I could see. The castle was only a wavering shadow, masked by destruction. Red clouds coated the sky, and the air smelled exactly how it had in my vision, making me gag.
My pulse quickened as I continued on, submerging myself in the fate I'd been in denial of for so long. As I got closer to the castle itself, shrieks of the tortured became audible. I swallowed the fear over who those victims may be, assuring myself that those I cared for were safe.
“They are. For now. Come to me, my star.”
Though my breathing was shallow, I marched on. With the haze of smoke clouding my field of vision, I relied on my other senses to take me where I was needed.
Apparently, my other senses were shit.
I didn't get far before I was met with a glinting, silver blade directed at my throat. I jumped back, pulling my dagger instinctively, as it was easier to unsheathe than my sword.
A male soldier came into view—a Draemornian, based on his armor. Their protective gear was much like ours, but black instead of the deep silver metal we wore. The only reason I was able to see him was thanks to a crack of light that flashed every few seconds—the result of another soldier's magic.
The man chuckled at my dagger as he inched his sword closer to me, the tip of it skimming the side of my forehead. I don’t know why, but I froze in place, unable to counter his threat with one of my own.
His head tilted as he noticed the jewels on my cheekbone. Smiling deviously, he placed pressure on his weapon, drawing some blood. “I should cut these little beauties right out of your skin. Then finish the job and leave you for dead,” he snarled, his voice gruff and cruel.
Was this it? Was this the sacrifice I'd been waiting on? Was this how I died? Was this why I couldn't bring myself to fight back?
“You know that it's not. Kill him. Get away. Come to me.” The goddess’ voice rang in my ears—a grave warning.
My reluctance was the curse of panic—my body trying to protect myself from the torments of the past. I couldn't function, though I really fucking needed to. My mind wouldn’t quiet. My brain wouldn’t untangle itself to allow me free will.
“My king would prefer you alive though, he has great intentions of creating more of you—that would be impossible to do without the woman alive to breed,” the soldier grumbled, his breath wreaking of malice.
My lungs ceased to expand in response to that cruel truth.
Beaumont wanted to breed me? That's not how this even worked. The gods chose who they gave their powers to. You couldn’t just create more of us on demand. Could you?
I didn't want to find out.
My dagger shook in my quivering hand. I tried to summon my body into allowing me more motion, but my mind wouldn't allow it.
The soldier's blade twisted into my skin and my blood leaked faster, dripping down my cheek. He grabbed a hold of my arm before I could react, dragging me towards him. I ground myself into the dirt, fighting his strength.
“You have a gift, use it.”
Gods. She was absolutely right. What in the hell was I doing?
The soldier most likely had his shields up, but if I could get through Sebastian’s, then I could get through his.
I allowed my eyes to close, needing more peace than the war amongst us would grant me. My gemstones pricked at my skin as I summoned my magic, feeling it flood through every organ inside of me as it painted over my soul.
“Remove your weapon from my skin…”
I opened my eyes and watched the soldier pout in confusion as he did what I said.
“Now stab yourself in the heart.”
The Draemornian tried to fight my magic, but such a thing was not possible when I held onto it so tightly it could shatter stone.
He angled his sword towards himself, then jammed it so hard that it pierced through the walls of his chest plate.
His gaze went hollow as he stopped his own heart.
Deep, red liquid pooled from the hole in his armor as he fell backwards, his sword sticking straight up in his chest.
I gazed blankly at him as I side stepped around his corpse, continuing on into the fog. My legs wobbled a bit, but I ignored the lingering ache the best I could. If there were ever a time to push through the pain of my weakness, it was now.
The sky started to clear the closer I got to the castle. Most of the battle has been centralized near the main gate. I could see the mass of Draemornians trying to break inside the wards, and it looked as though they were close to being successful.
“Hurry.”
I started off running, bolting through the damaged terrain and heading towards the courtyard.
The smoke and fog made it difficult to see, but I put my head down to pick up speed.
My boots kicked up crimson dirt as I ran, my pace continuous until my helmet met metal.
My headgear rebounded off of my skull as my body crossed into something—or rather, someone.
The bleeding from my forehead seeped into my eyes, creating a red film over the world as I fell back on my ass. Anxiety placed its cruel hold on me as I recalled this moment, recognizing this same situation as one of my visions.
I’m on the right path.
I jumped to my feet, drawing my sword in preparation to kill whoever was in my way. Not even really looking, I aimed my weapon.
“Maeve, stop. It's me.”
I blinked out some of my blood, allowing the person to come into view, arms up in a sign of peace.
Kohen.
I sighed—in relief or dread, I was not quite sure.
“Are you okay?” he asked, not giving me a chance to answer before asking a follow up question. “What the fuck were you thinking? Using your powers on Seb like that.” He grabbed the front of my armor, holding me in his face as he demanded a reason.
I tried to wriggle out of his hold, but he had no problem making me aware of his strength.
“Answer me. We are in the middle of a war here. And in case you didn't know, you're not exactly what I would consider to be an experienced soldier. You shouldn't be alone out here.”
I contemplated using my magic on him as well, but the more I thought about it, I might actually need his help.
I was sure that setting Blythe free was the key in all of this, but how was that possible without using a force of magic that I had no ability of?
How did one release a goddess from constraints put on her by other deities?
My brain replayed the visions to myself. Something I'd neglected in all of this was Blythe’s appearance when she reached out for me. Her hand resembled her statue, stone-like and cracking as if it were breaking into rubble. Pieces had crumbled off of her skin as I touched her.
“Maeve?” Kohen's purely irritated expression turned to one of concern. “Can you hear me?”
I looked over his shoulder as a break in the haze cleared, a crystalline statue peeking through the musk in the courtyard, illuminated by the starlight that had surfaced in the heavens.
“You're so close to stopping this. Come to me.”
I looked up at Kohen, finally responding to his concerns with a nod. “I don't have time to explain, but if you don't want to die, I need your help.”
His brows raised as he loosened his grip a bit, but not fully letting me free.
“Kohen. Please,” I begged.
He glared at me like I was deranged, then to my surprise, swallowed audibly and released my shoulders. “What do you need me to do?”