52. Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-One
Isoria
Creeping through the castle grounds and into the secret entrance for the tunnels was a painful reminder of the times I’d ventured down these passages with Lily, Owen, and Archer. Now everything was changed—perhaps irrevocably.
My chest was tight and my body buzzed with a strange new energy.
It was like I could feel Mortius' shadows whirling within me. I felt conscious of the heartbeats of everyone within the castle, their pulses reminding me of the ticking of a clock, counting down their time on earth until it ran out. And I couldn’t stop thinking of the burden I’d bear in the upcoming battle and the death I’d wield—for now that I carried Mortius’ power, there was no avoiding the fight.
I’d have to stay in Rainsong, for good or ill, and see Emberglade’s fate to the end, bitter or sweet.
Who knew how many fae the revenants would strike down before I could interfere, how many victims I’d have to work to send on instead of using my healing magic and trying to fight against death instead.
Mortius had claimed he also had mercy, but all I could think of was the heaviness that clung to Archer through his curse, the emotions that Mortius fed off to further fuel his power.
His flavor of mercy wasn’t the same as mine, wasn’t what I’d grown up with under Mama’s gentle teachings.
Clearly, the gods did not give our earthly lives the same weight and value we did.
As I entered Archer’s rooms, goosebumps rose on my arms. It was eerie creeping through the empty space, knowing that its owner wanted me dead. If the wrong person discovered me here, the king wouldn’t hesitate to order me killed on the spot.
Onyx was waiting, not on Archer’s bed, but on mine.
Curled in a semicircle, he looked small in the middle of the vast mattress.
The sight made my grief crack open further, a strange reminder that I’d never again be safe in these rooms, able to cuddle Onyx freely, read books with Lily, or bake in Archer’s private kitchen.
Sitting down, I nuzzled the cat, who rose, stretched, and promptly curled up in my lap purring.
His comforting presence was welcome as I considered my next move.
If I could find a way to get a message to Orchid without alerting everyone to my presence, then hopefully she could spread the warning.
Rainsong wouldn’t be utterly blindsided by the revenants.
Unless the army veered off course for some small village along the way, I didn’t think there was a chance for Archer and his friends to return before they arrived.
A tentative knock at my bedroom door forced me into action. Afraid it was a servant here to clean, perhaps only knocking out of habit, I leapt up, disturbing Onyx, and dropped to my knees to crawl underneath the bed. Footsteps crept inside, their movements tentative.
“Oh, Onyx,” a soft, familiar voice murmured, picking up the disgruntled cat as he approached her, clearly wanting someone to cuddle him.
Orchid. Hope unfurled in my chest, and I scurried out from under the bed. “Orchid!” I exclaimed.
The maid let out a cry of fear, rearing backward and dropping poor Onyx, who glanced at her, affronted. She pressed a hand to her chest, breathing heavily. “Isoria?” she breathed. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, a smile pulling at my lips in spite of everything. Seeing exactly who I’d hoped to see, someone who I could trust, was immensely relieving. “I have an urgent message to share, but I don’t know how to tell everyone without revealing that I’m here.”
And so, as swiftly as possible, I relayed our journey to my friend, explaining how Archer had turned on me once our bond was broken.
How Vithenna had offered to end her revenant army if he killed me or I killed him.
I finished by sharing about my wild escape and choice to come back to Rainsong after communing with the god of death himself.
Orchid sat side-by-side on my bed with me as I finished my tale, going quiet for a minute as she processed everything. “The barrier is broken?” she murmured at last. Her forehead was pinched, her gaze stormy.
I nodded somberly.
Orchid’s eyes filled with tears. “I can tell Liana, ask her to try to see the army if she hasn’t yet.
Then we can make it seem like her own news to share so no one suspects anything or asks how I found out.
” She hesitated a beat. “Once I finish with her, I’ll be back with food. I’ll help you prepare.”
“Thank you.”
Once Orchid left, I decided there was nothing but time to kill.
Trying to calm my racing, anxious thoughts, I drew a bath and scrubbed off the dirt and grime from my travels.
It was relaxing, soothing my aching muscles and helping me calm down a little.
By the time I’d finished drying off, dressing, and combing through my hair, Orchid had brought in a tray of food.
“Are you sure no one will suspect you for bringing food in here?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.
She grinned. “I was careful. No one saw me.”
“Were you able to share the news?”
Orchid nodded somberly, her pink curls bobbing with the motion.
“I spoke to Liana. She’d already seen a vision of the revenant army.
” She shuddered. “She also saw Vithenna appear briefly, probably whenever she undid the spell Maris cast to erect the border around Rainsong. She went directly to the king.”
I nibbled on bread, cheese, and fruits, but it was difficult to stomach much more than that. I left the heavier options Orchid had brought, choosing to sip a cup of steaming tea.
Not long after I started eating, I heard warning bells clanging throughout the city, along with shouts as news criers raced through the streets, telling the citizens to take cover while they rallied every available soldier and guard to prepare to fight.
Orchid joined me at the window, where we could see the castle grounds already filled with nobility retreating from walks through the gardens and guards marching off to receive their orders.
“You have to be tired from your travels,” the maid said at last. “Try to get some rest. I’m going to prepare some clothes for you before…
” She swallowed. “Before they’re on us.”
For a while, I sat snuggling Onyx and sipping tea as my mind whirled. Hours passed in uneasiness as I wondered when the revenants would draw near. If I’d sense them. Or if Archer would somehow arrive first and find me here.
But eventually, my weariness won, and I fell into a dreamless sleep.
A knock on my door pulled me from my slumber. Onyx was curled beside me, his stomach rising and falling peacefully. Early morning sunlight filtered through the window, but it was in a shade of grey that warned of a building rainstorm. It felt fitting, knowing of the horrors that were approaching.
“I’m sorry to wake you,” Orchid said softly, “but the prince has arrived.”
My stomach tightened with terror.
“Don’t worry,” Orchid hastened to add. “I’ve been watching for him. He hasn’t been to his quarters yet. He went straight to meeting with the king, and he, Owen, and Lily are in the war room now. We should have time to get you dressed, and you can sneak out as they prepare.”
Orchid offered me my clothes, letting me tug on my leggings and tunic before she helped me tighten the leather corset, one she said was magically reinforced to repel weapons.
“How do you do that?” I asked in awe.
Orchid smiled at my amazement. “Earth magic. I can craft the clothing to do my bidding—to an extent. It has been spelled to turn away other elements—metal, wood, or even more of the same, if someone were to strike you with a leather gauntlet, perhaps. It won’t last forever, but it will help protect you longer and more effectively than metal, but with more flexibility to move.
” Then she helped me put on a few leather pieces of armor she’d magicked the same way—a pair of vambraces that were secure yet pliable and left my hands exposed to wield my flames, and a set of greaves to help protect my legs.
“This is wonderful. Thank you, Orchid.” My eyes filled with tears as I turned to her. “Thank you for thinking of my magic and…” I swallowed, holding up my hands.
“It’s my pleasure. You’re one of the kindest females I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and serving.” Orchid sniffled. “Do you…do you think there’s any hope for us? For Emberglade?”
I met her anxious gaze. “Yes,” I said firmly, letting that conviction settle into my bones. “There is always hope.”