46. Chapter 46 #2
Hearing her confirmation to our theory should have been helpful but only deepened my rage all the more.
“It was too easy telling lies to such a young soul. I needed you to stay weak so he could mold you into what he needed. You would never fight back; you’d just take anything I would say to you.
Keep you docile until…” The jade of her eyes morphed into red and practically gleamed.
She leaned in closer, Sury’s knife digging farther into her open wound.
“The Raiders were meant to grab you that night to make most of his plans work, but they grabbed the wrong one and obviously failed at keeping her.
“ She turned her head to Ora and grimaced.
This woman’s body deserved to be relieved of her head.
“Who’s looking for me? The King of Dokvalon? Why?” I pushed my blade in deeper. “What does my magic have to do with you breaking my parents’ trust? The prophecy?”
“My child, because when you stepped into the room that day, you didn’t need to test your ability.
Your power ricocheted in the room and proved your potential.
You bypassed everything as your power focused on what it’s called to be: the controller of death.
I just needed you to stay…dormant. It was easy.
Your sister radiated with Endromeon power to the degree no one could mistake she was destined for greatness, so I just needed to wait until you came of age to test, to confirm what I knew. ”
My heart stopped. For the entirety of my life, she’d known I was powerful. Had more magic than anyone would dare to believe, and yet she’d whispered such ugly words to hold me at bay. Oh, how words could build but also destroy. And to a child?
There was a special place in the giants’ hell for those who brought harm to children.
I thought back to that day of my testing, when my weakness had seemed evident. Even my parents had been led astray. “Why?” I whispered, my hand threatening to shake again as the blade continued pointing at her chest. “What do you have to gain from all of this?”
Ariadne began to cackle in a way that sent shivers down my spine. “Such a simpleton. Power. Together, we will accomplish so much. Not just Gria, but the entire realm. All of Wieldera will tremble at his feet.”
“You were regarded as fucking royalty to my parents and their giant-forsaken court! What else could you ever ask for? You had jewels, power, everything!” Sputum flew from my mouth as I roared.
“He’s been looking for a Death Wielder to control the Ancient One.” Her eyes quickly moved to Peiro before locking onto mine. “The true Wielder can control the being that can end wars…”
I played her bluff. “You speak of fairy tales.”
“Do I?” She tilted her head.
“So the king wants me and then wants me to control some bedtime story?” I mockingly tilted my head to match hers. “Am I understanding your delusion correctly?”
“My girl.” Ariadne leaned in close to me. “You alone can destroy nations once you truly harness your power.”
“And who says I am the true Death Wielder? What if I’m just another abomination with a curse?”
She leaned back in her chair and out of Sury’s hold. “You’ve touched your power. Even an idiot can’t deny the magic that radiates off of you.”
“But haven’t you claimed for years that you hold death magic?” Sury questioned as he shifted his stance, his dagger repositioned next to her temple.
Ariadne smiled wildly. “Who says I don’t?”
Fyom stood. “This is the same woman. The woman even my sister recalled. How she looks the same, I don’t know, but—“
Ariadne looked to Fyom with a jeering expression, her eyes turning from red to jade and back to bright red.
Focusing on the blood that dripped down her cut skin, she inhaled deeply as the mist entered her nostrils.
Immediately her limp hair turned back into boisterous red curls while her eyes resumed their bright jade green.
“I’ve been around a very, very long time, Ophelia.
You can’t even begin to imagine what I know. ”
Everything became so simple as the pieces clicked into place.
This was how she’d gotten by for years; she was a Follower and used blood magic to change her appearance.
A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of who she could have pretended to be over the years.
What could the King of Dokvalon grant her?
“You defy every law of nature.” I inched closer to her. “I don’t know who or what you are, but you are the epitome of hypocrisy. Your dark magic is vile and doesn’t belong here.”
Ariadne laughed in a way that said she was almost bored. She leaned more into my blade, blood blooming against her now punctured tunic. “Isn’t that rich, coming from someone whose very magic was created by hypocrisy?”
I gripped her by the column of her neck with my free hand, feeling it crush under the pressure of my fingers.
My illicitus thrummed through my skin, begging me to take her life.
To end my heart and heartache in an easy swipe.
Before I could make a move, a strong hand gripped my elbow to pull me back entirely.
“Breathe. Ground yourself,” Peiro gritted in my ear, his skin warming mine. Rapidly I blinked, forced a new breath, and took a few steps back.
I straightened my tunic and released my Wielded blade and the shadows that ensnared her, the magic entering my skin again. I looked over to Peiro, who nodded that he was okay after my reckless use of magic. Fyom and Uriah stood there quietly, waiting for my next move.
“Looks like these royals are still overly emotional the same way they were in their youth—even with that tickle of power.” Ariadne cackled.
I didn’t hesitate to step toward her chair and punch her on the other side of the jaw, surely creating an identical bruise to the one already forming where Ora had left her mark.
“I hope that tickled.” I spat at her feet. Peiro’s eyes flashed with satisfaction as he cracked a small smile.