Chapter Seven
He never wanted to stop kissing her, never wanted to stop feeling her breath and heartbeat.
But Curse Creatures continued laying waste to the gardens as Conan, the king's forces, and the warrior guests fended them off.
Flashes of light glinted from blades, brilliant colors that represented the ancient Star Magic of the thirteen kingdoms. Enchanted arrows must have been obtained as faint glowing hues cascaded toward the beasts.
A distinct emerald flash shone brighter than any other, followed by a hellish howl.
Conan had just brought down a beast.
Faith in his brother smothered his nerves. But despite his trust in Conan's imminent victory, Aidan couldn't risk Bella. Foul odor overwhelmed him as they ran through the remains of the Curse Dragon. His throat burned as he fought down vomit. He couldn't get distracted.
Not when they were so close to safety. They had reached the edge of the garden, near the stone path leading to an entrance to the palace.
Relief bubbled up, only to be swiftly punctured. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a Curse Creature circling a young woman. She didn't have the appearance of an ostentatious guest, likely a servant.
Someone who could die all for serving the royal family, eaten by a beast with a snakelike head.
An innocent dead because of him. Guilt scorched him. Bella needed him, but he couldn't leave the young woman to the beasts.
Bella glanced back. "Aidan..."
He swallowed. "I must."
"Of course." She nodded. "Let's hurry."
He hadn't meant for her to accompany him. She could reach the sealed room in the palace. "Bella..."
She grabbed his hand, and amber light twirled around his sword. "We're in this together." She managed a wan smile. "If you wish to dispatch a Curse Creature, you've need of my dagger. And I promised my dear mother it would never leave my side."
"And didn't you promise your dear mother that you would avoid danger?" he asked as they ran to the servant's aid.
"No." Brief, weary laughter burst from her. "It's not honorable to make a promise that you never intended to keep!"
Fiery pain slowed his legs. He feared they wouldn't reach the servant in time. Her slight figure was no match for the beast, its canine form the size of a horse. The maroon flesh seemed leathery, rough, and ridged. Chunks were missing, revealing jagged bone. Its serpentine head moved near the girl.
Thankfully, the twisted aberration refrained from doing more than snapping at her as they approached. It came closer to the servant, only to twist its head back to gaze at Aidan. No eyes, just a vast gaping mouth with more sharp teeth than any carnivorous creature required.
Aidan's feet faltered. He understood Curse Magic crafted these creatures, but now it struck him that these beasts weren't meant to exist. He couldn't help thinking that the beast must suffer from its very existence.
The horror distracted him, but the demon never lost its focus. It continued circling the girl while keeping its face fixed on Aidan and Bella.
It made three languid loops around the servant before leaping toward Bella.
Aidan lunged forward, attacking the creature.
His skin blazed as the enchanted blade bit away at the Curse Magic.
He dug his feet into the ground, forcing himself to withstand the magical impact.
The serpent reared back, turning to Bella.
Fear and rage erupted, driving Aidan to batter the beast. Magic scorched his hands, but he didn't stop the attack until the creature crumbled.
As it climbed up, Bella rushed at it and thrust her dagger into the rough flesh.
Its head spun around, whipping toward her, and Aidan swung for the head.
He missed.
It reached Bella in a blink of an eye, then crumbled. The body collapsed, leaving only disgusting debris. Bella fell with a cry. Shock froze her face as she trembled with exhaustion.
Aidan stumbled over to her. She shook her head and gestured to the servant. He nodded and rushed over to the unfortunate servant.
"Mistress?" he asked. "Are you all right? Did that foul beast harm you?"
The girl hugged her knees, hiding her face behind long, blonde hair. She clutched a satchel like a precious child who needed protection. Though trembles wracked her body, she managed a shake of the head. Relief trickled through his tense shoulders.
"Blessings of the Old Dragon," Aidan said. "Mistress? Come along with us. I am Prince Aidan. I am escorting Princess Bella to a chamber warded against Curse Magic. You'll be safe there."
"You... you promise?" she asked in a hushed tone, as though fear stole her voice.
He held out his hand. "I promise. You can trust me. I never forsake a promise."
"That's good to know..."
Confusion kindled as she tilted her head up. An unnatural dark mist concealed her eyes. It was like looking into a void.
Like looking at death.
"Aidan?" Bella's voice pulled him out of the haze. "Get away from that... thing."
He couldn't turn from those nightmarish eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked, even as every inch of him screamed the answer.
"It's a Curse Mage!"
"Aye. I am one of those things. And you?" The girl turned her gaze of death to Bella. "You're the granddaughter of a Star Champion. Those beasts sense your blood. Your magic has made them run out of the Curselands. This beautiful attack would not have been possible if not for you, Princess Bella."
A noise of horror escaped Bella.
"Don't heed her." Aidan gave a frantic wave. "Move away, Bella!"
"Aye, flee," the girl said, her vicious tone all the more unnerving because of her blank expression.
"The creatures shall keep coming from the portal.
Your Star Magic cannot reseal it while they pour out.
As long as you live, they'll shall hunt your blood.
There is nowhere that you can hide in these Starlands.
They won't stop until your final heartbeat. "
Aidan shook his head. "We'll stop them. The beasts require direction from Curse Mages, and your kind cannot stay away from your poisonous lands for too long. You'll die if you remain, and the foul spell will break."
"Aye, but not before many die this day." The Curse Mage pushed her hair back. "All on account of Princess Bella. Perhaps we'll need to retreat to the land of the dead, but she shall be remembered as the death of Dalon."
Aidan glanced at a horrified Bella. "Don't listen to her," he snapped.
The Curse Mage rose to her feet. "You can end this all now, Princess Bella."
He kept his sword pointed at the witch, readying to plunge it into her chest, despite his whole being revolting at the idea.
She didn't resemble a mage of nightmares or a hellish enchantress.
She was just an ordinary maiden. Little chunks of dirt and grass stuck to the hem of her dress, and filth covered her feet.
He tried to focus on her eyes, the only feature that reminded him of her monstrous nature.
Frustration choked him as she rifled through her satchel, like a girl at market.
Then she pulled out a black, jagged dagger, shattering that illusion.
Ignoring his ready blade, she stepped closer to Bella. "You can save them all, Princess. If you die... they'll stop coming."
She pointed the dagger in Bella's direction. Aidan quivered, almost thrusting his sword through the mage. Bella held up a hand to halt him.
The Curse Mage gingerly caressed the dagger.
"As soon as I plunge this into your heart, you'll be free of this burden.
No one else shall die. This dagger will kill all the Star Magic in your blood.
If you die through any other means, the Star Magic will linger.
The Curse Creatures will still seek any remaining blood. "
Aidan's sword swung, coming to a halt at the witch's throat. "Stay away from the princess!"
"Aidan..." Bella whispered. "I can't let this happen..."
She lurched toward the Curse Mage, each step a bit shaky. Aidan pressed his sword closer to the mage's skin, his need to vomit intensifying as the edge cut into pale flesh.
The Curse Mage didn't flinch. "You can kill me. This cursed attack isn't linked to my magic or blood, it's all from her." She ran her fingers over the jagged edges of her blade. "This will still be here after I'm dead. Your princess can make the honorable choice.
"She's lying," Aidan said, desperation quaking his voice. "Curse Mages always lie. The truth is poison to them."
His heart thundered as Bella neared the Curse Mage.
The mage slowly extended her arm, offering the dagger to Bella.
He bit his lip, trying to imagine the mage as a monster, trying not to imagine a maiden's head rolling to the ground.
Then Bella changed direction and approached him.
Her fingers grazed his hand that held the hilt, her soft touch not easing his tense grip.
Little amber sparks entwined the blade. His throat stung as he resigned himself to the mage's death.
Pressure flared as Bella squeezed, attempting to wrest the sword from him.
Her grip tightened until she wrenched it away.
She stumbled back, pointing the sword at the Curse Mage.
Her arms shook, and she tossed the weapon aside.
"If I am to make this sacrifice... I need a promise that you won't hurt Prince Aidan. "
The girl inclined her head. "I promise... if you can trust a promise from my kind."
Sadness and determination washed over Bella's face before closing her eyes.
Aidan couldn't breathe as the Curse Mage lifted the dagger.
All he wanted was a sign that a nightmare had entrapped him.
But there was no escape from the screams of battle, the sweat soaking through his ceremonial clothing, and the sickening sight.
And in a matter of seconds, she would be dead.
The dagger sliced through the air, an unforgiving, dark blur. Blade struck flesh in a flash.
Aidan's flesh.
Warm blood trickled as agony surged. Bella's shocked face met his gaze. He opened his mouth, only managing a cry of pain. He wouldn't have even known what to say; his body seemed to have moved of its own accord. The dagger had almost plunged into her heart, his arm only just blocking the blow.
"Aidan!" Bella cried. "What have you done?"
Gritting his teeth, he positioned himself in front of her and faced the mage, preparing for another attack.
But unprepared for the expression on the mage.
A faint hint of satisfaction flickered on her face. "I knew the Dalon prince would die for you," she said in a faraway voice. "Sacrifice magic has substantial power. The very intention of sacrifice is a potent ingredient. I just needed to provide the motivation."
He flinched as his fingers grazed his cut skin. "You wanted this? What is the meaning of this madness?"
"No madness at all. It's a curse... you're cursed."
He stiffened, almost yanking his hand away from the wound.
The Curse Mage touched the bloody blade. "You were right. Those tainted by the Curselands cannot stay long in the Starlands. But now... it is the same for you. This curse bonds us, Prince Aidan. If we are ever too far apart, we will die. And... if one of us dies, so shall the other."
His mouth dropped open. "Why?"
"Your Star Magic," Bella said, her voice hollow. "They want your power. It must've been what they always wanted... what they knew you wouldn't be willing to give."
"They won't get it!" he said, harsher than intended. "My father died to rid this land of poison. I will not aid them, even to save my own life."
"No, Aidan." Bella shook her head. "You mustn't! We need to subdue this mage and... and wait for her to perish."
The Curse Mage swung the dagger back and forth. "Death also counts as a parting."
She might as well have wrapped her hands around his throat. The last glimmer of hope was just one final gasp of breath.
Bella's magic lashed out, knocking the mage to the ground. The witch's head missed a stone by inches. Bella covered her mouth, face crumpled in her horror. She almost took the girl's life, as well as Aidan's.
He placed his hands on Bella's arms. He couldn't tell which of them was trembling. "Killing with magic can twist your mind. My friend Kane always said that is why Curse Mages have no hearts."
"Use your magic to weaken, never to kill." Her eyes watered. "I've been taught all my life. But I can't allow her..."
"No." He winced at a distant scream. "Don't risk your own sanity. You have to let me go. You were ready to do the same..."
It was the right thing to do. Those were the right words to say. Heroes in sagas always made such speeches. But his heart clenched at the sacrifice. In the moment of death, no world wonders wandered into his mind. Instead, the small things struck him.
This would be the last time his eyes stung. The last time formal clothing would irritate his skin. He wouldn't eat or drink again. He couldn't even remember the last thing he consumed.
"Are you certain?" the wicked girl whispered, standing up. "Sacrifice isn't so easy. I've seen death all my life. There is nothing heroic about it. Bodies become cold meat. A feast for the beasts."
"Better than aiding your foul work," Aidan said, words that he must say.
Words that meant nothing at all. Soon there would be no more words. No more thoughts.
Nothing.
"Don't listen to that thing!" Bella's voice barely pierced the buzzing in his ears. "We will summon a Star Mage to break the curse."
In all the stories, Curse Mages were tricksters. Curiosity was the greatest sin of all, a path to destruction in every tale.
His heart pounded as he turned to the Curse Mage. "What do you mean?"
She dusted some dirt off her skirt before approaching him. "Self-sacrifice can be a tricky business. A few drops of blood weakened the sealing stone. Because sacrifice invoked this curse, another curse was born. If you die by the curse or any natural cause, the second curse will spare your life."
"You are surely jesting?" He tried to laugh, but only managed a brittle cough. "How does that help you? Why even tell me?"
"You asked." Her unblinking black eyes chilled him. "That was my own fault. This spell was too difficult to manage without your willing self-sacrifice. The second curse will keep you alive, but bring death to the one you love the most."
His mind whirled from the convoluted nature of the magic, almost certain he misheard her. But Bella stepped forward and held out her dagger.
As if intending to kill him.
But though an inch away from his chest, death pointed at her heart. "Do it then." She took a deep breath, placing his hand on the hilt. "Strike true and quick."
"He won't." The Curse Mage kept a careful watch on him. "He believes he loves you too much."
"Aidan!" Bella pushed the dagger closer, tearing a small hole in his tunic. "You cannot let them have your magic."
She was right. But his stomach twisted. "I—"
"Another self-sacrificing fool," the mage said, almost spitting her words. "But are you certain that he loves you the most? Are you certain it isn't just infatuation? What if it's familial love for his brother or mother? The love of a friend? Do you really want that blood on his hands?"
There wasn't time to scrutinize the ramifications of the curse. He twisted away from Bella's dagger, chest stinging as the blade cut a shallow wound into his him.
Bella stared at the bloodstained blade, revulsion splattering her face. He wanted to reassure her, insist that he understood. But the words choked in his throat.
And he felt so dirty. He couldn't bring himself to be responsible for her death. One foul moment destroyed his honor.
He turned to the Curse Mage and tried to look past the dark magic to see the girl. "What is your name?"
"Why ask?" She stiffened. "Your true love called me 'that thing.' Isn't that good enough for you?"
Despite his distress, he didn't miss the barbed tone, as if the insult stung her. "Please..." Aidan forced the word out, the courtesy tasting like vinegar. "I would like to know. Since you know mine, it's only fair."
"Carys."
"Carys," he repeated, his voice cracking. "If I am to go with you willingly, you must call off the attack."
"That has nothing to do with our arrangement," she said flatly.
"I love Princess Bella. But I cannot place her life above others. End this attack on Dalon... or there can be no agreement."
She shrugged.
"I would do it," Bella said, sharpness in her tone. "This attack could still take my life, or others who Aidan loves. Then your curse would be useless."
Carys rummaged through her bag, pulling out a small bottle.
Murky blood coated the bottom, and specks of amber glinted within the red.
"If I burn this blood, the Curse Creatures will stop hunting the princess.
It shan't banish them from the lands, but they'll no longer be attacking together.
At this moment, the only thing uniting them is a desire for her.
Without a common cause, they'll more likely rip each other apart. "
The din of battle had dulled for Aidan, but the noises roared back when Carys revealed the bottle. He reached for it, but she held it just out of his grasp.
She waved it back and forth. "I need your word that you'll allow my people to return to the Curselands unharmed."
A harsh sound escaped Bella's lips. "You ask for a peaceful retreat while your kind are slaughtering innocents?"
Carys clenched the bottle. "Those are beasts doing the slaughtering. We contend with those same creatures every day."
"You set them upon us," Bella snapped.
Carys narrowed her eyes. "You sent us down to damnation!"
"You have my word." Aidan stepped closer to Carys. "If your people leave, I will have my brother allow you to go peacefully."
She tilted her head, shadows obscuring her face. "Go peacefully to hell... and you'll accompany us."
He forced his hands to remain steady. "I will accompany you."
"You are fortunate." She raised an eyebrow. "Curse Mages seal a bargain with a kiss. But I wouldn't ask that of you on the day that you must say farewell to your true love."
He recoiled. The words had little inflection but carried a taunt. He tried to see the girl.
But all he saw was a monster.