Chapter 35 Aura #2
At last, the Wyvern parts her lips. “Halvguds were not always a rare find.
A millennium ago, the gods discovered that halvguds represented an extension of their seidr, in a sense.
Your dear grandfather bore several children with abilities like your father's, but more for his enjoyment in having a family than for any real enhancement to his seidr. Most gods had a collection of halvguds that spanned the centuries. Except Volund and Noxumbra, of course, as that was beneath them. However, it was Makt who took the concept to an unnatural level.”
Aura’s blood runs cold as the vision takes shape in her mind. “Did he breed them?” she whispers.
Her words cause the Wyvern to flinch. A disgusted expression spreads across her lovely features.
“That was the least of the concerns. He commanded an army of male halvguds across the continent, responding to his vile bidding. Yet, it was the Daughters of Makt–as they were called–who fell to his depravity,” she clutches her mouth, shaking her head.
“He thought he could extend his seidr further if his halvgud daughters produced another by his sire. He kept those poor women locked in the bowels of Nightwall Keep, visiting them in hopes their children would be more powerful.”
Aura pales, swallowing the sickness brewing in her gut. “What happened to the children of his daughters?”
“A halvgud rebellion arose that divided the loyalties of the pantheon. Children of all the gods united, led by a son of Makt, to seize the afterlives. I sided with the gods defending against them. I killed each and every one of Makt’s children, mistresses, daughters, and his army.
All to ensure no descendant of Makt could ever rise again. ”
Aura senses an unspoken pain and boldly asks, “Did you have children with him?”
The Wyevern leans against the tree, her eyes focused on the past. “Yes.” She peers at the ground, nudging the dirt with her bare foot.
“He sought to make a point with me and slew them, even knowing he was diminishing his precious numbers. Even at the expense of innocent lives who chose peace over power.”
Aura places her hand on the Wyvern’s arm, unable to comprehend such agony. “None of them deserved such an end.”
“No, no, they did not. After Makt was locked in the Abyss, I believed I could isolate myself in the Sanctum and spend my life seeking salvation with the Norn. Then, a rumor spread about Calder, and,” she swallows hard, “I could not kill another child of Makt. Especially not an untainted child.”
“Untainted?” Aura dares to ask.
“One not born of an unholy mix. It matters not.” She waves her hand in the air. “Calder’s mortal father took great lengths to shield him from Lavinia, even advising him to sail under my helm.” She snorts. “I respect a man willing to burn himself to prove loyalty.”
“He is a good man.”
“I know of your quest, little witch. Skalor’s salvation requires two.
Liberation bleeds at the hands of the god-born child.
To make equal upon a field of sunless roses, a willing sacrifice must be taken.
Only when Salt melts Ice will peace descend upon the realm.
It is not you who is the god-born child but Calder.
Although, from what I can discern, you are the Salt to melt his Ice. ”
“How do you know-”
“The runes, darling! The runes! Worry not, I will teach you in due time. I understand the critical value of your mission and shall not hinder you or your companions.”
Relief floods through her veins as she feels the tension leave her shoulders. “What is the exchange for your grace?”
She considers the Princess. “Crystal, call me by my given name, little witch. My terms are thus: you agree to spend one week in the Sanctum and allow me to uncollar you from the Treland Sacred Stone. I cannot stand a woman of your abilities bound.”
Aura instinctively touches her fingers to the nautilus shell.
“Understand, darling, everything the gods have told you is a lie. You were born with the ability to access every power because you are a witch, as am I. Someone whom the Norn intends to train other Sacred Stone wielders. Aura, you have barely brushed the surface of your powers or your true meaning upon the continent.”
Aura looks away at the sun’s rays dancing off the lake's surface. Why would her grandparents have lied to her? Briny has been nothing but supportive.
Do my parents know?
“Do you wonder how you entered Calder’s fear in the forest?”
Aura holds up the nautilus shell as if this were an obvious revelation.
Crystal shakes her head with a chuckle. “Only a witch could enter into a pocket of the forest crafted by the Norn with their seidr. The gods and their creations are forbidden to set foot in the Sanctum. Witches, on the other hand, are controlled by the Norn.”
She catches Crystal watching her with sad kindness in her emerald eyes. Her heart thuds at the idea of delving into her abilities and truly exploring her power. She feels giddy, as if a new life burns in her heart.
“How did the gods collar me if the Norn govern my seidr?”
Crystal’s eyes sparkle with the same unhinged fury she grew up knowing from her father. “Carefully.”
“Will you help us destroy Makt and Lavinia?”
Crystal strokes her jaw. “The Wicked Wyvern will stand by you. I may choose chaos when needed, but my heart craves peace.”
Crystal glides over the lake on her way to the Sanctum, letting the tips of her wings dip into the water and splashing Aura playfully. The Princess braves the height this time, clutching tightly to Crystal’s snow white scales as her belly bounces with the Wyvern’s dives.
At last, the sky dims into warm hues of violet and orange as they return to the Inner Sanctum. The hamlet bustles with laughter, and the scents of roasting food gently waft as they touch the ground again.
A handsome man stands beside Crystal as she transforms back into her bare human form. He slips a soft robe over her arms before enveloping her in a passionate kiss.
Aura glances away, blushing at the open display, wishing she and Calder could be as bold in their affections.
Crystal’s companion bows away with a hard look that promises her more.
Before Aura can ask, she laughs, “The common people may associate me with Makt, but that does not mean I live the life of a sad Gothi. That man has been my consort for centuries.”
Aura smiles, pleased that at least someone finds happiness in the cruel realms of the gods.
They turn away from the revelry and enter a cluster of similar dwellings she noticed when they arrived.
“Tonight, the Inner Sanctum celebrates the arrival of the first witch since the Halvgud Rebellion a millennium ago.” Crystal clutches her shoulder, pride shimmering in her gaze. “Please, relax and enjoy the food and drink.”
They stop beside one of the brick buildings with a sloping roof standing apart. A single door rests on a slide, slightly open. Beautiful bell-shaped blue flowers thrive along the steps, imparting a serene and pleasant atmosphere.
“I will call upon you in the morning for your first training session.”
“Looking forward to it.” She follows Crystal’s gaze to the door, where Calder leans with his seidr-scarred arms crossed over his chest and his jaw tight with tension.
Aura glances between him and Crystal, realizing that the seidr within the Inner Sanctum must be much more advanced than she had initially thought for the Wyevern to have released her companions while they were away.
“I will leave you two alone to speak.” Crystal pats her back. “This cluster of dwellings is empty, which should offer privacy during your stay. I look forward to getting to know you better, Aura Sigvidsson-Redwood.”
Once the Wicked Wyvern reenters the celebration in the clearing, Aura steps inside hesitantly without glancing at Calder.
There is a single bed, larger than any they have slept in since leaving Coldheart Keep. It sits low to the ground, facing a floor-to-ceiling window that frames the snowy forest. Adjacent to the main room, additional spaces include a small library, a washroom, and a kitchen.
“The toilet flushes, and water flows from a faucet in the bath. I cannot locate the plumbing, so I assume it’s seidr.” Calder remarks.
She nods, finding it all surreal and strangely calming to take in.
“Cousin?” An oddly sheepish Edmund appears on the bottom step leading up to their dwelling, with Argnier lurking behind him. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”
She has a sneaking suspicion about what this is and gestures for them to enter.
As she collapses onto the edge of the bed, she sighs a small breath of relief at the softness of the fluffy bedding. Calder looms in the corner with his icy stare fixed on their guest.
“I uh,” Edmund scratches the back of his neck, “I’m sorry for acting like such a bitch when we were younger.”
She holds up a hand, silencing him. “If I was concerned about your behavior, I wouldn’t have embarked on a continent-saving quest with you.”
He smiles lightly.
“Besides, I can always turn you into a toad again.” She winks.
He insists on hugging her tightly before ushering in Argnier and bouncing toward the hamlet’s center, humming a song she is almost certain is about stealing mead barrels.
“Aura,” the pain on Argnier’s face cuts through to her heart, “I-”
She slips her arms around his waist, laying her face against his chest. “Please, Uncle Argnier, don’t apologize. Lavinia is a manipulative bitch, and Father has always said my captor returned me to Blackwood with a carton of biscuits.”
“Child, you heal my fractured heart.” He returns her embrace.
“Plus, I swiped the biscuits from Svala’s Bakery, and no one can stay mad at her baking.
” He holds her tight before pulling away and wiping his nose.
“I’ve been carrying this around for too many winters.
It feels like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.
” He stands up straighter, with a few cracks coming from his back.
“My spine hasn’t felt this good in winters! ”
She hates that these men, who have supported her through so much, would feel guilty about actions taken decades earlier.
Why hold a grudge now?
“You made a mistake that you rectified. I hold no ill will toward you.”
“Thank you, child.” He leaves them alone in the dwelling.
Her leg bounces as she anticipates her final conversation.
“I know you have questions.” Calder breaks the silence.
Where do I begin?
“Have you always known that Makt was your sire?”
“For most of my life. I was raised as a sacrifice to him.”
Damn his parents!
The earlier heartbreak is nothing compared to how her heart beats for him now. He has grown up knowing nothing but hate from those who should have shown him unconditional love.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She finally peers up at his unreadable expression. “Of all people, I would have understood.”
“Makt has damaged so many lives.” His deep voice resonates in her bones. “I feared losing you, too. And I cannot lose you, baby girl.”
“You have not lost me!” She approaches him carefully. “Calder, I wish you had trusted me to share your fears. Please,” she says, placing her hands on his chest, “I am not so small that I cannot shoulder your burdens.”
Calder holds her hands. “My mistakes have haunted me for far too long, and I have forgotten the warmth of sunshine against my skin. But you, Princess, are that single ray in the darkness. Beautiful girl,” he cups her cheek and looks into her soul with his icy gaze. “I love you.”