Chapter 63 #3
Her hand lingered against my cheek, her eyes gleaming with newfound admiration and pride. "Then hold fast to that love. May it shield you and give you the strength to always gain what you seek."
I gave her a curt nod, nothing more. But inside, my vows cut deep. I would never stop. Never stop fighting, never stop trying until Elariya chose me as fiercely as I had chosen her.
The Seer’s hand slipped from my cheek, the warmth of her touch fading, though the weight of her gaze did not.
"More than anything, I pray that strength keeps you safe, my boy, because your future is..." She drew in a breath and that look in her eyes amplified. Few things shook me, but seeing the Seer’s uncertainty did.
"What of my future, Lady of Sight and Memory?"
Her gaze deepened. "When I look upon you, Wolfe Nightblade, I see only darkness. That is not good, for it means your path is unclear. It appears the enemy was keeping you alive all this time because you alone could wield the power of the ring. But now... you are no longer the only one."
My scalp prickled, heat snapping down my spine. I narrowed my eyes. "Who else can?"
"Your mage."
A humorless smirk tugged at my mouth. "Impossible. How could that be?"
"On the ship, when you tore your soul to save her, you did more than spare her life. Your essence bonded with hers."
I froze, breath stalling inside my chest. "That shouldn't be possible."
"Her ancient bloodline responded to yours and her power clung to your essence as the dragons do.
Her magic is always feeding, always growing.
When you gave her your essence, her magic absorbed it and the soul connection magnified her bloodline's power.
Through that bond, the ring will now heed her as well. "
Her words cracked something within me. I thought back to the moment Elariya commanded the dragons, how they bent to her will without hesitation.
Gods. It all made sense now. It wasn't only her blood, it was my essence, bound to hers, amplifying what already burned inside her.
The Seer's gaze lingered on me, steady and unyielding, as though she loathed the truth she carried but would not spare me from it. "The enemy knew the instant she first heard the dragon song. That was when they realized they no longer needed you."
Fuck. I’d become expendable. The thought clawed through me, but I crushed it down and tried to stay focused. "So they planned to take Elariya and train her, unlock her powers and groom her to wield the ring's magic."
"They did. But I don't believe they know about her curse. I hate to think how they would have handled that and the mistreatment Elariya would have received."
I didn't want to think about that either. "All I can do now is keep her safe and find that ring as soon as possible."
"That is where your focus should lie."
My gaze sharpened, and I thought of the other key parts of this plot against me. "What about Dreynthor? I refuse to believe he has no part in this. My heart tells me he does."
"So does mine," she agreed. "But your uncle remains as much a mystery to me as your mage's father, who should have left a greater trail, given that he managed to take the ring from your father.
I cannot trace either of their deeds or intentions.
Your uncle, in particular, has cloaked his movements well and hidden his hand too carefully for me to see. That alone should trouble you."
My jaw locked as I ground my teeth. "They must be linked somehow. It's too much of a coincidence. Dreynthor has been focused on the political advantages of his leadership and he parades as though he's against the rebels, but something is off."
"Do not dwell on either of them now. Greater matters press upon you, my boy.
For now, guard yourself." She gave me a poignant stare.
"Let all your actions be done in secret, especially from your uncle.
If he is linked to the enemy, he is the last connection they have to you.
Be careful who you trust and who you speak to.
The enemy is even more desperate now that their plans failed to take your mage. "
She made a fist, then opened her palm, revealing a rune stone forged from ruby and onyx. It gleamed in the light, the Septimus Rune for protection etched into its center. "This should help you."
"A protection rune?"
"One born of the last molt of a phoenix and shadows taken from the etherplane, it carries the power to cloak your steps and protect you. Use it to amplify the wards and your Veythral bond with your circle, so the enemy cannot listen in. May it protect you when you need it most."
She handed it to me. The moment I took it the glow brightened and it melted into the palm of my hand, disappearing beneath my skin.
I bowed my head. "My Lady, my deepest thanks."
She exhaled a weary sigh and rested a delicate hand on my shoulder. "You have three days left with your mage. Make the most of them. Regroup later and focus on finding the ring."
I forced myself to nod. "Alright. That's what I'll do." Finding the ring was still the surest path. At least I had the missing piece of the puzzle: Elariya's time-touched magic.
"You will not be able to reach me as the dark forces have blocked our paths.
But rest assured I will return to you whenever I have new information that will help you.
" She gazed at me, as if she could see straight through to the war raging inside my soul.
"May the gods guard your steps, Prince of Shadows. "
The title struck like a brand, blessing and warning both.
"La níyneria, a mun dair," I said with a humble bow and my hand pressed to my heart.
"La níyneria, Your Grace. I look forward to seeing the crown atop your head, as it was meant to be. Take heart, young Nightblade."
Her words hung in the air, then her form softened at the edges, her glow unraveling as though the air had come to claim her. She faded before my eyes, the faint chime of her crystal charms lingering in the stillness.
One heartbeat she was there, the next gone, leaving only the hush of power in her wake and the echo of her warnings.
Gods above, there was so much to think about.
My future—the one I might not have—had never felt further from my reach.
Darkness awaited me, with nothing but the ache of all I'd lost, and all I still stood to lose.
But who was I, if not the names they branded into my skin?
Death. Prince of Shadows. Lord Nightblade. Darkness.
Darkness was mine. It always had been. And now it was time I mastered it.
My gaze slid to the door and I thought of the world beyond where my mage waited.
My Ziyka.
I moved toward the door, needing to be with her.
I found her in the hallway, waiting for me by the balcony. The instant she saw me her face brightened and she rushed toward me, her eyes searching mine.
"Is everything okay?"
It wasn't, but I wouldn't tell her that. "It will be." I cupped her face and gazed into her eyes.
"The Seer's words really... struck harder than I expected. I never imagined I had such a power. Me.” She chuckled. “The girl who thought she had no powers worth mentioning."
"I never thought that about you, Ziyka." I gave her a weak smile.
"Thank you." She beamed at me. "At least now we know what to do to find the ring. We can start working on that straightaway."
"Actually, I want to take you somewhere." I took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Somewhere we can spend the next three days together. Just us."
Her beautiful eyes widened. "Really Wolfe? Can we do that?"
"We... should. It would be good for us. It's space to think and prepare. Besides there's nothing more important to me than spending the last few days of this reset with you."
She pressed her hand to my chest and smiled. "I love you, Wolfe Nightblade."
Those words tugged on my heart and I committed them to memory, praying she would always say them to me. "I love you too. And you're about to love me even more."
"Am I? I'm not sure that's possible."
"I'd beg to differ. I was thinking we could fly the dragons."
She gasped. "You're serious?"
"Absolutely."
"Oh my gosh." She squealed with delight. "And when you say dragons, does that mean I get to fly Hedion on my own?"
I hesitated, my protective instincts warring with her obvious excitement. "We'll see. After everything that's happened—"
“Oh Wolfe come on, you know I’ll be fine. I was perfectly okay before. The dragon magic will keep me safe.”
My resolve crumbled under her excitement, even with dread coiling in my gut.
"Alright," I gave in, though my jaw remained tight. "But we fly together. I'm not letting you out of my sight.”
"Thank you, thank you.” She threw her arms around me. “I can’t wait."
"Then let's pack and aim to leave at noon."
"You're right. I do love you even more."
If only it were that simple. I pulled her closer and kissed her, savoring every second of the moment.
Elariya was the only light I would allow in the dark.
I had three days before her curse pulled her away from me and left my life empty all over again.
I'd make it count. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every moment the gods allowed me.