Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
T he Trunsin Blade gleamed with an unholy light, its razor-sharp edge promising a swift end to whoever was unfortunate enough to encounter it. Fallon's fingers traced the runes etched into the powerful sword, regarding it with deep reverence…
And melancholy.
It was the oldest weapon known to exist not just in Sinaryos, or even the Ellunian Empire, but in all of Erit?hti. The ancient black blade had been forged from the purest daenomium in all of Desmondia, the home of every N?kki’s demon ancestors. It was so old, so priceless, that Sacred Sons and Daughters didn’t carry it into battle anymore.
Its use was reserved for special occasions, like ceremonies.
And executions.
Fallon carefully sheathed the Trunsin Blade and studied his reflection in the mirror, knowing that Cedric had gotten everything perfect about his full Sinaryan battle armor. There wasn’t so much as a speck of lint amidst the copper and gold embroidery of his black cloak. His helmet sat on top of the long dresser, fitted with long chimera horns made of copper and gold. Once he put it on, he wouldn’t look elven at all.
He’d transform into a demon lord...a dark prince of death and destruction.
"I can't watch you do this," Novi stammered from nearby. Hot tears dripped down her cheeks, landing on the soft blanket that Lucia was swaddled in. "Please…don't make me go."
Fallon reached out and stroked her hair, his touch gentle despite the power that thrummed beneath his skin. He moved closer, enveloping both Novi and Lucia in his strong arms. The warmth of his embrace did nothing to quell the ache in her heart.
"You don't have to. Stay here with Lucia. I'll... I'll handle this on my own."
Novi pulled back, searching his face. "How? How will you handle it? She’s someone’s daughter, just like Lucia. Why not sneak a portal down to the dungeon and help Annika leave Sinaryos? It’s not like she’s even from here!”
“I’m not going to argue with you about this,” Fallon said in a weary voice. “I did everything in my power to convince the Royal Council to spare her life. They refused to budge on this. The best I could do was spare Annika the pain of being burned alive.” Looking into the mirror, Fallon glanced at the sword secured to his hip. “I personally made sure the blade was sharpened. She won’t feel a thing.”
Novi winced as a shudder rippled through her body. The scent of smoke seemed to fill her nostrils, and phantom screams echoed in her mind.
“What’s the point of ruling a kingdom if nobody does what you want them to?”
“I’m carrying out the will of the people.”
“You’re carrying out the will of the Royal Council,” Novi told him. Her voice was tinged with suppressed rage. “And your mother.”
Fallon closed his eyes and rubbed his temple, trying to push away the image of Annika's face from his mind. If he were an absolute ruler it would be easy to call off the execution and let her live. But that wasn't what he'd spent the last hundred years fighting for. He couldn't have it both ways...the will of the people and the will of their prince. No, he had to prove that he would listen to what his subjects and his Royal Council wanted, even if it went against his own beliefs.
"I wish there was another way," he said softly, his voice barely audible.
“It’s not fair! None of this is fair!”
“The world is not fair.”
His throat grew tight with emotion, but he refused to let himself break down in front of her. He knew that he was doing what was best for Sinaryos. But then, as he looked at the love of his life sobbing while holding their daughter, he couldn't help but wonder if he really was doing the right thing. He shook his head and tried to push those thoughts away. He had to be strong. He was the ruler of Sinaryos, the largest kingdom in the empire.
Bells from the distant clock tower chimed beyond the windows, interrupting his thoughts.
“I have to go.”
His heart breaking, he released Novi and stepped away. When he reached the door, he paused, keeping his hand on the ornate handle. "I have a request before I go." His gaze lingered on Lucia's tiny form before drifting up to Novi’s red eyes.
“What is it?" she sniffled, then wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.
“You spent so much time learning and reciting prayers in the Temple of the Chimera. Surely Daiyana must’ve heard you, since she blessed you with the gift of a demonborn life. I want you to pray to her. Pray to our Queen of the Chimera for a miracle. And in case that doesn’t happen, pray for my soul."
Novi nodded, unable to form words past the lump in her throat. She stared at him desperately, willing him not to go. But Fallon had been raised from birth to put his duties above all other things.
All too soon, he was gone.
As the door closed, Novi sank to the floor, cradling Lucia close as she broke down in bitter sobs. The weight of what was about to happen pressed down on her, suffocating in its intensity. She prayed to Daiyana, the Queen of the Chimera, the mother of the demonborn, and any other god who would listen, begging for a miracle to save Annika from her fate.
“I’ll never let anything so terrible happen to you,” she whispered to Lucia. “Even if it means trading my life for yours. I promise I’ll always protect you.”
A tear fell on the baby’s cheek and she brushed it away with her thumb.
A gentle knock at the door jolted Novi from her grief-stricken haze. Callie. It had to be her. She said she wasn’t going to attend the gruesome event.
Novi hastily wiped her face, composing herself as best she could before calling out, "Come in."
Callie stepped into the room, along with a familiar black-haired beauty. Along with Callie, her warm smile faltered slightly as she took in Novi's disheveled appearance. “Is this a bad time? I can return later, if you like.”
Novi's eyes widened. "Oh, Tamira! I completely forgot about our appointment! I'm so sorry—with everything happening..." Her voice trailed off as fresh tears threatened to spill.
"No need to apologize," Tamira said softly, moving closer with elegance and grace. "I can only imagine how overwhelmed you must feel today…especially with a newborn."
Novi nodded gratefully, gesturing for her fellow concubine to sit near the fireplace.
“All the more reason to have you here,” Callie said as she brought over a damp cloth and wiped the tears from her friend’s face. “I was up half the night crying. It’s a difficult day.”
As Novi settled into the chair beside Tamira, her gaze drifted in and out of focus. The cool, damp cloth soothed her skin, but not her soul. How was she supposed to think about interviewing a potential nanny when Annika’s life was about to end?
“Let’s talk about Lucia instead.” Tamira's gentle voice broke through Novi's spiraling thoughts. “Babies have a way of making everyone around them smile. They also have a way of turning our worlds upside down, don't they?"
“You have no idea,” Novi replied absentmindedly.
"I remember when my older sister had her first child,” Callie said. She set aside the washcloth and sat down on the ottoman between the other women. “It felt like barely-controlled chaos for months. I tried to be helpful, but…”
“Oh, I remember that incident with the diaper,” Novi mused. “You should stick to playing the harp. Or baking. Anything but diaper duties.”
Callie’s face turned bright red in embarrassment, but she nodded in agreement.
“What happened?” Tamira asked. “Did you stick the baby with a pin?”
“No, thank the gods…” Callie’s face was pure mortification. “The problem was that nobody warned me that you’re supposed to keep to the side of the baby, not…downwind of them. I’d just taken off the dirty diaper when my nephew…”
“He peed on you, didn’t he?” Tamira guessed. “Rule number one with changing boys—cover their bits, or you’ll get hit.”
“Yes…I did that.” Callie buried her flushed face in her delicate hands, too highborn and well-mannered to finish the story.
Luckily for her, Novi was the lowborn daughter of a kitchen maid who’d spent years working in a tavern.
“He didn’t pee on her. He shit all down her dress,” she said, putting her hand beneath her chin. “From the neck down, nothing but brown. Callie was so surprised that she accidentally flung the diaper across the room. It got stuck to the ceiling!”
“Oh no !” Tamira exclaimed. “That’s awful !”
“It gets worse,” Novi added with a knowing look.
“How?” Tamira demanded, utterly beside herself. “How could it get worse ?”
Callie squirmed awkwardly, still blushing bright red. “I’m a bit sensitive to that particular smell.”
“She’s a puker,” Novi explained. “Can’t handle anyone’s shit but her own. She threw up everywhere, including on her nephew !”
“My entire family forbid me from childcare after that fiasco. So did the household staff,” Callie admitted, suddenly looking queasy. She took a deep breath and fanned her blushing face. “I’m not worthy of the task.”
“Not worthy ?” Tamira’s eyes were wide with wonder. “You deserve a medal for what you went through! As far as I’m concerned, you’re a war hero.”
“That’s very kind of you to say.” Callie unfastened the top buttons of her dress as she watched Lucia sleep in Novi’s arms. “I prefer to fight my battles in the kitchen. If something goes wrong it will smell like cupcakes. Just the memory of that event is making my stomach turn.”
“Yeah, you’re looking a bit clammy,” Novi observed. Still fanning herself, Callie gave her a weak smile.
“I just need some air.”
Tamira nodded sympathetically. “I can’t imagine being that sensitive. I’ve lost track of how many diapers I’ve changed. I don’t mind newborns at all, but there’s a certain… shift …when they start to eat solid foods.”
Novi's attention shifted back to Tamira. "You have experience with infants?"
"Oh yes, I practically raised my three younger siblings,” she said with a modest wave of her hand. “And I've cared for nearly all of my nieces and nephews over the years. My family is so large that someone always has a new baby that needs extra attention. There’s a reason why people say it takes a village to raise a child.”
As Tamira launched into stories of midnight feedings and diaper disasters, Novi found herself drawn in despite her inner turmoil. She’d always found Tamira’s animated gestures and self-deprecating humor were oddly soothing. And as unladylike as it was, Callie’s retelling of her experience had been the perfect icebreaker.
"...and then there was the time my nephew decided to 'redecorate' the nursery walls with mashed peas," Tamira chuckled before glancing at Callie. “I know it’s not as impressive as flinging a dirty diaper against the wall. I swear, I was finding green splatters for months.”
A small smile tugged at Novi's lips. "That sounds like quite the adventure."
"It certainly was," Tamira agreed.
“Perhaps too much adventure for me,” Callie admitted, still fanning her face. She turned to Novi. “I’m sorry, but I think I need to excuse myself and go lie down.”
“Take all the time you need. I’m sorry if we grossed you out.”
“It takes a village,” Callie said as she got up and walked to the door. “Perhaps when I return, it will be with cupcakes.”
“Every village needs a baker,” Tamira said with a wink. “I hope you feel better soon.”
After a few moments of silence, she glanced towards Lucia, who was still nestled in Novi’s arms. "May I?"
Novi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. As Tamira approached the sleeping infant, Novi felt a flicker of protectiveness. Nobody besides Fallon, the midwives, Cedric, and Callie had held her. But Tamira's movements were gentle and practiced as she peered down at Lucia.
"She's absolutely beautiful," Tamira murmured softly, not wanting to wake her up. "You must be so proud."
"I am," Novi replied softly, her chest swelling with love for her daughter, but also an accompanying pain. It felt so cruel to have the joy of new motherhood be tainted by so much anguish. But for a brief moment, Tamira’s compliments and conversation distracted Novi from her worries.
As Tamira continued to coo over Lucia, sharing anecdotes about child-rearing, Novi felt some of the tension gradually leave her body. The normalcy of discussing sleep schedules and feeding routines provided a welcome respite from the day's grim reality.
Bells began ringing throughout the city, as loud as they’d rung when Lucia’s birth was officially announced. Novi glanced at the clock, confused why so many bells were ringing at such an odd hour. A sickening sensation twisted in her gut as she understood the reason. She could easily imagine Fallon in the amphitheater with the Trunsin Blade raised over his head.
"Tell me more about yourself, Tamira," Novi urged, desperate to drown out the morbid symphony playing throughout Sinarya and invading her ears. “Tell me anything to take my mind off... things."
“I’ll do my best," Tamira said brightly. "I grew up here in Sinarya. My family has served the royals for generations. When I was chosen to be one of Prince Fallon’s concubines, it was a great honor. Of course I have absolutely no intention of coming between the two of you.” Her expression suddenly turned mischievous. “If I can be perfectly honest…”
“Please,” Novi begged. “Do you have gossip?”
“Yes, although it’s more of a confession,” Tamira said, grinning wider. “We all know that Fallon has no interest in his harem. You’re the only concubine he’s ever bedded since we were brought here. Well…the other girls and I were going a bit mad from years of neglect, so we’ve started playing a game with the guards outside our doors.”
Novi’s eyes widened. “Oh, you have to tell me the game!”
Tamira’s brown eyes sparkled with delight. She adjusted Lucia’s blanket as she went on.
“We take turns sneaking one of them into our chambers at night. We take off everything but their helmet. Then we rate them on their… appearance …before drawing matches to see who gets to claim him.” She laughed to herself, then saw Novi’s clear approval, which invited her to elaborate a little more.
“We’ve acquired quite the stable. We even trade them, just like horses.”
“You do not,” Novi breathed in wonder. Tamira simply nodded.
“We absolutely do! We’ve given them all absurd names so that if we’re caught, we can’t identify our faceless, nameless guards. Plausible deniability at its finest.”
For the first time in a long time, Novi’s mouth broke out into a girlish grin. Her eyes lit up with curiosity.
“What are some of the names you’ve given them?”
Tamira smiled even wider. “There’s Thunderbolt and Titan. Maximus is a good ride as well. Not for virgins. But we also have Saddle Sore and Neigh Sayer…”
Novi burst out laughing.
“Neigh Sayer? Oh my gods, I almost wish I was still there!”
“We do have fun in the harem,” Tamira admitted. “I wanted to tell you about our stable game so that you know I have no interest in adding His Highness to my roster. To be honest with you, things have gotten a bit more serious with Titan.” She looked down at Lucia, making exaggerated smiles at the infant. “I’d like to keep working here in the castle once Prince Fallon’s harem is dismissed. Then Titan would be free to court me openly.”
Novi snorted a laugh.
“What if his real name turns out the be Algernon or Horatio?”
Tamira burst into laughter.
“Then I’ll have to make him change it to Titan!”
The two of them burst into more giggles, and Novi found herself laughing so hard that her core muscles started to ache.
A thunderous bang shattered the moment as Queen Laena stalked into the room.
This time, she wasn’t alone.
Novi's heart leapt into her throat as she took in the strange woman’s weathered, sinewy features. Something seemed familiar about her braided brown hair and piercing golden eyes.
"Hand over the child," Laena demanded, her voice dripping with disdain. “I’ve had enough of your games, you insolent girl. It's high time your bastard was placed with proper royal caretakers."
Novi's heart pounded in her chest, a visceral reaction to the sudden intrusion. She pushed out of her chair and stepped between Laena and Tamira, who had stopped laughing and now stared up at the queen with wide, worried eyes.
"No!” said Novi, her voice steady but filled with defiance. Her fear was quickly turning into righteous anger. "Fallon and I have made it perfectly clear—more than once—we aren’t following that tradition!”
"Your decisions are irrelevant," Laena snapped. "Royal custom dictates?—"
“We’re not following that custom!" Novi seethed. "Lucia stays with us! That’s the new custom! And if you’re that concerned about me having a nanny, then you’re in luck! I just hired one!”
Laena's eyes narrowed dangerously at Tamira and Lucia before settling back onto Novi. "You dare?—"
The golden-eyed woman placed a restraining hand on Laena's arm.
As Novi met the stranger's gaze, a memory surfaced like a corpse rising from the murky depths of the sea.
She was back in the huge domed enclosure of The Temple of the Chimera, playing with Kai. Hushed voices conspired in the shadows of the wooded alcove. Even as a clumsy little baby, Kai had been terrified of the Prioress…and the golden-eyed woman she was meeting with.
Not safe , he had growled in Novi’s mind. Witch .
Ice flooded Novi's veins as recognition slammed into her. This was the same witch—the same one she'd found conspiring with the Prioress. What was she doing here?
Tamira, sensing the danger, cradled the baby closer. Novi's mind raced. She couldn't let them take her daughter. Not now.
Not ever.
How could she get word to Fallon? What dark magic might this woman unleash? She inched closer to Tamira, her voice trembling despite her efforts to remain calm. "You have no right to be here. Leave. Now ."
Laena's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Oh, you sad, sorry little fool. I have every right to be here.”
Novi's heart pounded as she assessed her options. With fluid grace, she turned to Tamira and took Lucia into her arms.
"Run. Find Fallon," she whispered in her ear, praying that she’d conveyed the gravity of the situation. Tamira nodded. In a flash, she darted towards the door.
"Stop her!" Laena shrieked.
Novi seized the moment of distraction. Clutching Lucia in one arm, she bolted for the bathroom, slamming the door shut with the other. She turned the lock with trembling fingers and pressed her back against the door, struggling to control her ragged breathing.
The sense of security offered by the solid oak barrier began to waver as Laena shook the handle until it rattled. A sinister laugh echoed from the other side. Time was running out. Novi steeled herself, every fiber of her being focused on one goal—keeping her daughter safe.
"You can't hide in there forever!” Laena shrieked from the other side.
Think! Think!
Novi’s eyes darted around the opulent bathroom, searching for anything that could serve as a weapon. The hand mirror? A comb? A toothbrush?
A sickening crackle blasted the door with such force that it pushed Novi across the smooth tiled floor. She whirled around, watching in horror as tendrils of inky darkness seeped through the tightly-knit wood grain. The oak began to wither and decay right before her eyes, crumbling away like ash.
Novi climbed into the tub, staring at the door in horror as a single golden eye met hers. Then two golden eyes were staring at her. Then Laena's triumphant face appeared in the disintegrating doorway
"Did you really think a simple lock could keep us out?" she sneered. Laena lifted her hand and pointed at Novi through one of the gaps, reciting a language she’d never heard before.
Darkness bled through the multiple holes in the door, then surrounded the tub before it swirled around her.
“No! What are you doing?”
Novi clutched Lucia tighter, her heart pounding so hard she thought she might throw up. She was completely cornered. Trapped.
Her head began to grow weary, too heavy to be held up by her neck. Novi’s eyes fluttered with exhaustion as shadows crept into her nose and her ears, tempting her to sleep.
She kept her eyes fixed on Lucia, then repositioned her body to make sure she didn’t smother her baby if she fell unconscious. It was only a matter of time before Laena and her accomplice broke through. And when they did, Novi would fight with everything she had left.
The only way they were taking her daughter was over her dead body.