Chapter 65
Sixty-Five
The sound of giggles, murmurs, and chatter tinkles in the air as the villagers, bundled in cloaks, furs, and knitted hats, leave their snow-capped cottages.
A surge of emotion washes over me as they line the streets, their faces beaming as they point in a surprising direction.
I thought we might marry under the Alexra Tree, but it seems Ashland has other plans.
A little girl with silver eyes runs out from the crowd and hands me a bundle of forget-me-nots tied with twine.
The townspeople’s cheers and applause multiply as I journey toward the edge of town, where the worn path forks in two directions.
One way leads to the frosty beach dunes and the other into the Forest of Devana, where, as far as the eye can see, there is nothing but ivory trees in every direction.
The call of the whispers pulls me into the wilderness.
I don’t fight them because I’m done worrying about whether my choices are right or wrong.
Beneath a towering canopy covered in a thick layer of white, snowflakes tumble through the hanging icicles and crystals. Along the trail, a babbling brook winds serenely, singing its song to the prancing deer and frolicking foxes who watch with their young.
Once my cheeks are chilled and I’m deep into the forest, I find Ashland standing before a pillar of a tree trunk.
Letters and symbols are carved into its ancient bark.
On either side of him, his shadow hounds sit—waiting.
He’s dressed in his usual warrior armor and blackened breastplate, but a white fur cloak wraps and cascades down from his shoulders.
This is really happening.
The Witch-King will be my future husband—and I’ll be his bride. My heart skips a beat on that last word, and I have to remind myself how short this arrangement will be.
Ashland wears a reserved expression, making him appear mysterious and stately, even though I can only see half of his face. I would give anything to know his true thoughts right now.
Next to him, a female elder in flowing, wispy robes clears her throat and waits with a patient smile.
I suppress the nervous energy feathering through me like a bird about to take flight. Valora steps forward and kisses my cheek as she joins the crowd standing in a semicircle around us.
An attendant drapes a matching fur cloak around my faded black gown, shrouding me in warmth and protection.
I glance up, startled, to discover Ashland’s silver eyes fixed on mine as he smiles.
Searching his face, I look for something I’m not sure of.
Power pinches my palm as he takes my hand, and we step to the base of the tree trunk.
He glances over his shoulder, giving me another wry half-smile. Another spark ignites deep in my chest.
“We are here today at Ancestors’ Grove under extraordinary circumstances,” the elder calls to the crowd. “The union of a new Witch-King and Witch-Queen of Ashland, the highest commitment of the realm, a renewed hope to the world, forever corded and forged. Linked in Bonded Matrimony.”
There’s a murmur of appreciation from the crowd of witnesses.
“A Bonding Replacement demands sacrifice. It demands repayment of broken oaths. No longer shall a betrothal do, but a marriage in its stead, to fix what was shattered, what was due.” She opens her arms wide to the crowd, declaring, “Two halves become one where those before failed. Do you promise to fulfill your vows before these witnesses, lest your lifeblood consume you until you are no more?”
My breathing quickens. I look at my future husband, but he nods while holding a diamond dagger that is identical to the blade I used with Rett. The only difference is that, instead of two blades, there is only one between us. His voice rings out as he declares, “I do.”
Rather than waiting for me to prick my own hand, Ashland takes my shaking palm and drags the blade across my scabbed wound. I wince, sucking in my breath. He presses his thumb over the cut and holds it in place, applying pressure. The crimson lines etched into my skin ache and pulse in response.
Ashland passes me the dagger before flipping over his free hand, waiting for me to speak. The diamond fractals glimmer as I hold it to his pale flesh, and my voice is whisper-soft as I murmur, “I do.”
The gemstone blade silently punctures his palm as I slide it across his flesh. Droplets of crimson blood trickle out. Something in me is relieved that he bleeds the same as I do.
Ashland retrieves a ring carved from ivory wood from his pocket and slides it onto my finger. It fits perfectly. He does the same with a matching band on his own ring finger before taking the dagger and carving ‘G all that exists is the beating of two hearts sharing a true kiss. He pulls away, and I open my eyes, looking at him through tears.
Something moves behind him.
Women in ivory robes file out of the forest and circle the ceremony with their flickering lanterns.
At first, I think they are priestesses, but these female dancers appear different.
Their hair flows free, and iridescent markings cover their delicate faces.
And unlike actual priestesses, they still have full use of their tongues as they articulate every word of the melody they sing.
The whispers, singing in the Dead-Fae language, merge with their ethereal voices, growing louder and louder until they build into an overwhelming harmony, and I recognize the song—
My eyes roll to the back of my head, and my knees go weak.
Arms wrap around my thrashing body as a vision invades my consciousness.
* * *
I open my eyes, and I’m aboard the Cliodna—the rolling waves spray sea mist over the ship’s ivory edge, enveloping me in damp air.
Breathing heavily, I try to regain my bearings.
But the pale-gold tresses cascading down my shoulders, landing on a pink lace gown, send my heart racing—this isn’t my hair!
I extend a hand to touch the loose waves, only to realize I have no control over my limbs as I watch this unfamiliar body move.
My hands reach for my scalp of their own accord. For a second, it feels as if I’m pulling my circlet from my head, but instead I grasp the Ashland Jewel Tiara. It sparkles iridescently in the bright sun, nearly blinding me.
“Cliodna!” shouts a young man with similar golden hair, wearing regal attire. “You’re overreacting. Just calm down!”
I throw the tiara, and it skitters across the deck, finally stopping at the feet of the gathered crew. “Get out of my way, Tam—I’m not coming home.”
“You can’t do this! You can’t stay here.”
“I can do whatever I want. It’s my ship! Or does he plan to take that away, too?” I scream, my throat already hoarse and aching.
Wringing his hands, Tam pleads, “It was only a betrothal. Please don’t take it personally.”
A raven-haired man wearing circular glasses and a dark cape stands beside Tam, peering at me with swollen, red-rimmed eyelids. Pulling at my clothes, I moan into the blowing wind, “Was it worth it?”
“You know I didn’t support using you as collateral,” Tam beseeches.
“He disrespects the entire Metalla family name with what he’s done. What kind of brother are you that you would side with him?”
“A pragmatic one. Now, listen here, Cliodna. You’ll get over this heartache in time. And most importantly, his parents will still provide Alexandria with the Devana Ships. You’ve done your duty. So please, it’s time to come home.” Tam takes a cautious step toward me.
My tears turn into gasping sobs. “You might as well paint those ships crimson because they are drenched in my blood, my broken future. You speak of honor, but an honorable man would never claim a love that wasn’t true, and he surely wouldn’t look at another woman, much less abandon a princess for a peasant! ”
Aros’s silver eyes narrow as he draws closer. “Don’t speak of Danu that way. She’s with child,” he says, the breeze catching his hair. “I married her last night by the Ancestors’ Grove. I won’t father a bastard when I love her and want to spend my days with her by my side.”
“With child…” I trail off.
“Danu and I have the same goals—the same passions. We are going to figure out how to reopen the portal to the Fae Realm using the power of Alexra, but it’s going to take real work—more work than I’ve ever conceived of.
Everything in my training has led me to this point.
I’ll be able to use my healing powers for something miraculous.
And as a druid, Danu understands and wants to be a part of that.
Why can’t you understand how important this is? ”
“But… you said you loved me. We planned an entire life together… We were going to sail the realms until we reached the ruins of the Crescent Shore.”
He inches nearer. “I did say those things,” he admits, “and it was wrong of me.”
“How could you lie to me?”
A darkness crumbles my heart, slowly, bit by bit.
“Damn it, Cliodna, you and I grew up with each other.” His voice rises in raw emotion. “Of course, I love you, but I didn’t know love could be different—” Out of the corner of my eye, I see my brother pick up my tiara. The massive jewel glitters defiantly against the rageful sun.
But I’m unable to say anything through the choking sobs beating out of my chest. I retreat until my legs hit the deck’s railing.
The ocean welcoming, never forsaking me.
Tam peers up and yells, “Cliodna!”
My heart is blackened and dead, and in its place, an empty hull remains. Streaks of color flash by as people try to reach me.
Trapped in her mind, I desperately try to pull away from the edge, but I’m powerless.
Cliodna’s body tips, and it’s too late.
I fall.
Waves devour me until I sink below the fading light.