Chapter 32 Raith
RAITH
Ijerked awake when sunlight began streaming through my window, my heart already pounding. I was on top of my bed, still wearing my clothes and shoes, my head throbbing. Memories of last night came back, searing me with pain. Sun and Moon, what had I done?
I hauled myself out of bed and went to the door connecting my room with Rose’s, but when I threw it open, she wasn’t there.
The bed was still made, signaling that she hadn’t slept in it all night.
I crossed into the other room of her suite, checking to make sure she was truly gone, and then I stood in the center of her space feeling lost and more alone than ever before.
I’d told Rose to leave. I’d pushed her away.
I’d said I didn’t love her or need her. Of course she was gone now.
She’d probably teleported back to Talador to be with her family in her own kingdom.
My heart clenched painfully, and I tried to remind myself this was what I’d wanted.
I was a monster, and she was safer away from me.
Even if the loss of her made me feel like a hollow shell.
I dragged in a ragged breath as I left her room. Now that I knew the truth about the darkness, I had to act quickly. For years I’d been looking for the beast terrorizing my kingdom, trying to find a way to stop him, but I was the beast. And I had to be stopped.
I didn’t know what had caused me to become this monster, but I had a suspicion it had something to do with Silena’s death.
The darkness had started attacking the kingdom not long after that so it seemed only logical, but knowing the two events were somehow connected didn’t give me any clues about how to stop it from continuing.
My shadow magic was part of the problem, but that was all I knew.
Once in my workshop, I tore through books, looking for a solution to this new problem or for reports of something like this happening before.
After countless hours spent hunched over dusty old tomes, I finally admitted defeat.
There was nothing in any of them that recounted a similar situation, and no hints as to how to end it.
I left my workshop and entered my study, where the light was already fading. Night would soon fall, and when that happened, everyone around me would be in danger. It was becoming clear there was only one way to protect my kingdom.
I had to be contained. Every night. For the rest of my life.
Oren appeared in the doorway. “There you are. I wanted to inform you that the Queen has returned to Talador—”
“Yes, I know,” I snapped. “It’s for the best.”
He nodded. “Did the two of you fight? She seemed upset.”
I waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter. I need you to bring me some moonroot immediately. As much as you can find.” I strode from the room with a quick step, knowing Oren would match my pace. “After that, find us a way to keep a constant supply in the castle. We’re going to need a lot of it.”
Oren’s brow furrowed. “Moonroot? Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t that prevent fae from using their magic?”
“It does, yes.”
His lips pressed into a tight, disapproving line. “Are you planning to use it on Queen Rose?”
“What? No, of course not.” I led us down stone steps that would take us below the castle, into cold, dark depths I rarely visited. “I plan to use it on myself.”
“Yourself?”
I ignored his startled question as we entered the dungeons. A foul, decrepit smell made its way to my nose, and torches were the only light down here. We’d need more of those tonight.
I turned to the guard who seemed to be in charge, who blinked at me in surprise. “I need to see your most secure prison cell. Preferably one that can hold a fae mage.”
The guard bowed, while Oren’s entire body tensed at my question. “Of course, your majesty. Right this way.”
The guard led us past numerous prison cells, most of them empty.
We stopped at the end of the dungeon in front of a heavy stone door covered in chains.
The guard picked out one of his keys and began unlocking the door.
“This was built to hold fae and magical creatures, or so I’m told. It hasn’t been used in some time.”
He tugged the door open and it scraped against the floor with a sharp sound, the chains rattling.
Iron chains, designed to hold fae. The cell inside was pitch black, and I conjured a sphere of light in the air so I could get a better look.
The room was small, with no windows and no other doors.
More chains were attached to the farthest wall, but otherwise the room was empty except for dust and dirt.
“It’s perfect.” I removed my cloak and handed it to him. “Chain me up, please.”
The guard stared at me with his mouth hanging open. “Your majesty?”
Oren turned to the guard. “Give us a moment alone.”
The guard nodded quickly, looking relieved as he darted away.
Oren frowned at me. “What is this all about?”
I clenched my jaw, but there was no way to hide this from Oren. I needed someone to make sure my orders were carried out, and Oren was the only person I trusted implicitly. “I’ve discovered what is terrorizing our kingdom and casting darkness across the land. Me.”
Oren’s frown deepened. “I don’t follow.”
I quickly told him everything that had happened last night and everything I’d pieced together. His face paled with each new part of the story.
“Are you sure about all this?” Oren asked. “Perhaps Rose saw wrong. Or maybe there’s a better explanation, or…”
“I’m sure. The only solution is to lock me up every night, at least until we can find a better way to stop me or to end this curse.”
He drew in a long breath as he stared at the prison cell beside us. “I don’t like this, not one bit. But I’ll do what you ask, for tonight at least.”
“Tonight, and every night thereafter. As long as it takes until the kingdom is safe. You must promise me, Oren.”
He scowled, but reluctantly nodded. “And what of the Queen?”
“She’s gone, and I doubt she will return.
” Why did Oren have to bring her up? Thinking of her only brought more pain, especially knowing I might never see her again.
It had only been a few hours, but I was already empty without her.
I missed the way she made me feel, like there was more to life than darkness and grief.
“But—”
I held up a hand to stop him from mentioning her further. “Forget Rose. Find me some moonroot before the sun sets. It won’t be long now.”
“Yes, my lord.” Oren gave me a reluctant bow, before departing.
Once he was gone, I entered the prison cell, making my way to the iron chains on the wall. Many of them were covered in rust, but they were thick and heavy. I only prayed they would be strong enough to hold me when night fell.