Chapter Three #2
“I’ll release you to the woods. Hopefully your people will find you before the wolvin do.
Rumor has it they have been hunting people now.
But first, you’ll drink an elixir to bind you to our deal.
If the rebellion doesn’t meet their end of the bargain, the tonic will turn to poison.
If I get my meeting, you’ll have nothing to worry about.
” He nodded slowly, twisting his ring more aggressively.
I didn’t actually believe the wolvin rumors, but he didn’t have to know that.
I tossed him an apple on my way out.
After leaving a note for Delah to provide one of her experimental elixirs for Dag, and explaining the parameters of our deal, I took off on my horse to the Keep. The king’s castle, nestled at the base of the mountains, included a military barracks, training ground, and the great palace.
A cool breeze chilled my skin when I dismounted my horse. Shadows nipped my hands and swirled around my ankles, giving me pause.
“Good work yesterday, Ruin.” His silky voice curled around me.
I turned, finding King Nolan taking shape before me.
His cold shadows receded to reveal his wavy, blond hair and a smile that could melt iron ore.
The scent of smoke and steel accompanied his appearance.
His presence roused my exhausted muscles.
I stood at attention, facing the Good King, lapping up his compliment.
A few curious shadows coursed their way along my arms, sweeping back a stray hair from my face in a fatherly gesture.
“I seek to serve you, Your Majesty. I desire the protection of this realm from those that would seek to destroy it.”
His shadows iced against my skin. Everything beyond the king blurred. I tasted the metallic zip of power, the sensation overwhelming my senses.
“You have become a formidable weapon. Your team is one of the best.” He circled me slowly.
“I hope you will take hold of the power destined for you. The dreki are my most trusted, the most revered warriors in all of Haluma. It is the highest honor you can hold. Once you align yourself with me, your world will be opened to innumerable possibilities.”
I nodded, my mind clouded with the urge to taste more of this power and maintain Nolan’s approval. His attentions calmed an aching part inside of me.
He scrutinized me, his face carefully blank. “Your next mission will determine the invitation you crave. You will have everything you could ever need. Together, we can finally destroy our oppressors.”
I perked up at this. The king knew me well, having comforted me when I was brought in as a terrified child. Had always abundantly provided for me. Only he knew my secret, and he never judged me for it. His presence brought me comfort.
“When you take hold of this power, you will be trained in using it so that what you love will not be destroyed. Not like last time.”
My shoulders dropped. The open sore in my soul festered despite my efforts to bind it. Had I not spoken the curse over my father, my mother would still be alive. This was my burden. King Nolan had helped as best he could, and now he offered me this beautiful chance at redemption.
His shadows coalesced around him once more. The sounds of the night infiltrated my senses as my awareness slowly returned. His stare bored into me as his body dissolved into a swirling mass of wild shadows. “You are very valuable to me. I’ll follow up soon.”
Then he was gone.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. The king’s presence often left me with a slight tremor, sometimes nausea. It was simultaneously magnetic and off-putting; his power pulled me in, transfixing me. I struggled to think straight when he was near.
My life transformed the day my house burned down, and a cavernous space remained.
This opportunity felt like the missing piece.
I made it to the highest level I could in the king’s army, his elite force.
It’s what they trained us for. Becoming a dreki meant I would have full authority and power to divest our realm from the rebels seeking to subjugate it.
And now that invite would be mine. Elation coursed through me.
I continued my trek with an extra bounce in my step, reflecting on what the king said and actions that needed to be taken. I still had one more mission. I had to make it count to solidify my place.
I committed to continue training hard, knowing my strength in combat along with my magic would set me apart, even from the power of the dreki.
If I had any hope of maintaining my position in the army, in the event I did not get invited to make the trade, then I had to be even better than them.
I wouldn’t let it come to that, though. The lesson of being twice as proficient was ingrained in me, as it is for every woman who dares to succeed in a man’s domain.
The king was right; I had become one of his primary weapons. I smiled at the thought. I knew he wanted me to succeed, maybe even more than I did. I rubbed my hands together as hope ignited within me. I would prevail no matter what mission they gave me.