Chapter 29 #2
“The Dundaia,” Kaem cut in, pushing to his feet and casting a look over the room.
“What is that?” Elariya asked. Good question. I didn’t know the answer myself.
“It occurs after the passage of the fourth Phantom Moon. When the stars of the Asterion belt cross the heavens. It hung above the world the night the Deathless were bound. Its magic was woven into the prison itself by my forefathers.”
He looked at me, then, as I straightened. Kaem had always been resourceful, but that was because his people had taught him well.
“If they get the ring, the Dundaia would be the last element the Deathless need to escape completely,” he added. “They’d be strong enough and prison barriers would be easier to weaken during that event.”
“Then we have to stop them before that happens,” Elariya spoke up.
I admired her for it. More and more, she was showing how brave she could be. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that it wouldn’t be that simple.
“We need the ring and more than what we have,” I said.
Kaem focused on me. “You can hurt them. That has to count for something. They’ve never been known to show fear.”
All eyes focused on me.
I relaxed my shoulders. “I figure it must be the Deathwalker curse.”
“It’s more than that. I have a theory,” the Seer supplied. “But you might not like what I have to say.”
“Go on. There are plenty things I don’t like. What’s one more?” At this point, I’d become a well of disappointment.
“It goes back to my warning the other day about your curse.”
“What about it?”
“I believe the curse has gone beyond corruption. I believe you are now both Fae and Death.”
We’d feared it, but hearing her say that without any hope of change was a punch to my gut. “Cursed forevermore.”
The Seer didn’t answer. I took that as a yes.
“What about the ring?” Elariya asked, her voice hurried. “It’s supposed to break the curse.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen, my dear.” Finally, the Seer spoke.
I dared not look at Elariya.
“But do not despair,” the Seer continued, turning back to me. “I cannot imagine the ring abandoning the true heir to Galaythia. I believe you’ll be able to control the power within, that it may no longer be a curse but something more. And you may be pleasantly surprised at what else you may find.”
It was hard to imagine anything pleasant about my condition.
My gaze drifted to my mate. She was already looking at me, already sensing my deep, deep disappointment.
I thought of her, of when I first met her. Three hundred years of my existence and suddenly, I was consumed by wanting a girl to like me. I hadn’t told her about my curse until I was forced to because I didn’t want her to think anything was wrong with me.
Some part of me thought I’d get rid of the curse without her knowing. Then she’d know the real me.
Now there was no possibility of ever being rid of it.
There was no fixing to come, no restoration. This was me forever.
And now she was married to Death.
She deserved better, so much better.
“Getting that ring is the priority,” Kaem said, pulling me from my thoughts. It was as though he could hear me and knew I needed the reality check.
I looked away from Elariya and nodded toward him.
“We get the ring, then we deal with the Deathless.” I took back control. “When is the eclipse?”
“Two weeks from now,” Garrick replied. “Give or take a day.”
“Two weeks. We’ll make full use of the time.” I set my shoulders back and stood a little taller. “I say we take the battle to the Deathless. Right there in their prison. Cut them off before the eclipse. Don’t give them the chance to get any stronger.”
“I like that idea, my boy.” Kaem nodded.
“Can you get inside the prison?”
“I can get into anywhere.” Pride filled Kaem’s eyes.
The others did not share his enthusiasm.
“Wolfe, we should talk about this,” Alaric cautioned. “We’ve only ever gone up against Zyrra and never truly defeated her. Declaring war on her and her ancient Elder Fae brothers may not be the best solution. They’re the Deathless for a reason.”
“Dear brother, I think war is the only solution. The kingdom did it before. We will do it again.”
Alaric thought for a moment then nodded. “Then we will march with you.”
“Good, then we march to war the moment we have everything in order, then to wrath and ruin.”
“Um, you’re forgetting I need my dragon,” Elariya pointed out in a meek voice.
“I haven’t forgotten, Ziyka.” I gazed at her again. “Nothing can happen without you. Getting the dragon is our next move.”
“I need more training for the bonding ritual.” Her pulse galloped. “We haven’t practiced with Archmage Magdalena in weeks.”
“You will not have time to train with the archmage,” the Seer cut in. “But she is in possession of something that will help you achieve your goals faster. That is why only she can help you.”
“What does she have?” I asked, intrigued to know what it may be.
The Seer gave me a soft smile. “Sadly, that is not my secret to reveal. You must make haste and contact her.”
Secret. Sounded ominous and very unlike the archmage.
I just prayed she agreed to see us. Everyone associated with me was being extra careful, watching their backs a little more.
“We will make contact within the hour and hopefully see her tomorrow.”
“Good.” The Seer clasped her hands and brought them up to her chest. “I must go now. There are things I need to see it on my end. We will be in touch. Take courage, Lord of Shadows.”
“And you, Lady of Light.” I bowed deeply, and she faded.
In her absence, a subtle silence entered the room. No one spoke for a few minutes. As the leader, I took the reins.
“Let us take the rest of the day. We will have lunch together, then you may take your leave. We’ll reconvene in the morning.”
There was a lot to think about. A lot to do. And we had more enemies than ever.
The officials would come looking for Elariya and the hunt for me would become even more vicious than before.
We all needed a moment of reprieve.
They all rose and nodded. Then they each filed out of the room, leaving Elariya and me alone.
She approached me, taking slow, measured steps. I kept my gaze on her, my heart warming again at the fact that she was home.
She stopped before me and gazed into my eyes. A myriad of emotions filled hers. She lifted her dainty hand to my chest and kept it there, feeling my heartbeat.
My previous worries about my curse returned.
“What a damn day, Ziyka.” I tried to make light of the situation.
She slid her hand up my chest and up to my jaw, running her fingers across my beard. “If the gods sent me through a thousand lives, I’d spend every one of them finding you.” Her gaze softened. “And I would choose you every single time."
Emotion lodged in my throat.
For a moment, I simply stared at her.
I'd faced monsters, wars, death itself. Yet nothing had ever undone me quite like this woman.
“Elariya…” I touched her beautiful, perfect face. “I’ll always be a Deathwalker.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You’re Wolfe. Just Wolfe. Wolfe Nightblade. The love of my life. And that is perfect for me.”
I leaned in and touched my forehead to hers briefly.
“Thank you for saving me,” she whispered.
“Always.” I inched away, reached into my pocket, and took out her wedding band. She smiled when she saw it and held out her hand for me to slip it on her finger.
“That stays on now, Lady Nightblade.”
She nodded. “Yes. I won’t take it off again.”
We moved to each other for a kiss.