Chapter 8
“So, do we try to find all the crystals now or stand guard?” Mina asks, biting her lip and looking around for answers.
Honestly, I have no idea. Squeezing my hands together, my knuckles crack, and I focus on the rune in front of me. We finally have a solution to our magic problem. But what if this isn’t our allies trying to reach us? And it’s more enemies? I look around at my friends—my court.
Tane is still very injured. The immense blood loss has leeched him of all color, and he leans heavily upon Mathilda for support.
She is barely keeping it together. A vacancy haunts her bloodshot eyes.
And I don’t think she realizes the amount of his blood that is splattered across her face.
Mina shifts on her feet as her eyes dart around the group.
Her chest trembles with her fluttered breath.
Evander draws his sword, his feet widening in a defensive stance.
Luna focuses on the rune, the light flaring casts her face in its glow and shadow as it dims. Lachlan’s hand grips mine, grounding me. He stands confident and unfaltering.
The exact person I need him to be right now.
He gives me courage—and strength.
“Evander, assemble the guards and bring them here. We need constant watch over the bridge.” He sheaths his sword and nods before jogging from the Great Hall.
“Mina, start with the crystals. Go to Olundy. Tell Agatha what we discovered and what you’re looking for.
And send word when you find it.” Striding for the terrace, she flares her wings out wide, the scarred feathers catch and glimmer in the light.
She launches into flight, thundering wing beats signal her departure.
“Mathilda,” my voice softens when I take in her tortured expression, “take Tane to your chamber, and we will send a healer to you.” With each of my orders, the anxiety that pumps through my veins recedes.
As Mathilda helps Tane to her room, Luna, Lachlan, and I stand quietly watching the light continue to flicker from the rune.
“What do you think this means?” I murmur, toeing the rune with my boot.
“I think you’re right. Our enemies wouldn’t come through the bridge, but our allies would,” Luna answers while picking at her nails stretched in front of her. “You said last time there was a beam of light outside of the Great Hall, right?”
“Yeah, it was bright green with blue in the middle.” The color of that light has been seared into my mind.
“Jotnar, probably,” Luna replies and glances around the room, her eyes narrowing on the asphidra corpse still nailed on the wall behind where my throne used to be.
Lachlan clears his throat, bringing my attention up from the rune and to him. He nods to the empty dais.
“We’re going to ha’ to get ye a new throne.”
I scoff at his suggestion, shaking my head at the lunacy of it. Now isn’t the time. We have what feels like a million other things happening.
“What? Ye don’t want a new one?”
I shrug my shoulders, and the comforting weight of my wings gives me a small measure of peace. “It’s not like I’ll be using it much. We’ve got to get our realm ready for war, demolish some crystals, figure out how to help Tane, and find Odessa and Odin.”
My scowl becomes more pronounced with each item to accomplish. Lachlan and Luna share a look and, for the first time, it’s not full of malice.
“If that is our allies trying to come through, you’ll need a new throne. It’s a show of power,” Luna replies.
Thoughts of how my mother would think I’m doing spring to my mind.
Would she be disappointed it took me so long to pull myself together just now?
Would she think I doled out assignments correctly?
Am I handling any of this well? Glancing down at myself, I see the blood from Tane’s amputation has darkened the leather across my chest and pants.
A lump builds in my throat. I swallow past it and inhale through my nose, counting to four.
Marching reverberates across the terrace and through the marble room before Evander breaches the hall with five guards.
Each is tall and muscular, with shiny black wings.
They all wear the same chocolate brown leathers, except for the guard to the left of Evander.
Two red poppies in the shape of a V adorn the upper right of his chest, signifying his rank as their leader.
His dark bronze skin and equally dark hair glow with vibrancy, and his eyes are the most piercing shade of gold.
However, it’s the kindness of his eyes that stands out the most.
Evander inclines his head towards the man. “This is Ramses. He is the second in command and who I leave in charge when duty calls Lachlan or myself away.”
Ramses thuds his right fist across the poppies on his chest and bows lowly. “Your majesty.” His voice is deep and smooth. I can’t help the answering smile that stretches across my face.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you formally, Ramses.”
He smiles broadly, his teeth flash brilliantly against his dark skin. The guards behind him stay in an attentive position as he gestures to them.
“This is the alpha squadron. I’ve left the other two squadrons on their regular duties and will switch them out regularly on this post. Is there anything else we can do for you, your majesty?”
I shake my head. “That will be all, thank you.”
He seems formidable and loyal, the exact warrior I want guarding this city when I’m called away. My eyes scan his face, looking for what—I don’t know.
“Ramses, were you in Olundy with us?”
For a split second, guilt flashes across his face. “No, your majesty. My—my mother and sister couldn’t travel, so I stayed here with them.”
I knew I could see loyalty in him, even if it wasn’t for me.
Evander shifts on his feet, his wings ruffling lightly with his movement. “Ramses led the remaining citizens into the mountains when the demons began making their way up through the capital. He saved many lives.”
“I’m pleased he did.” I smile at Ramses, and the tension leaves his shoulders. “Wait—you said up through the capital?” My chin tips up and towards the side.
“Yes, my queen. They began their assault in the bay and worked their way up the island.”
My brow furrows as I store that tidbit of information, but bob my head. “Thank you for your service to our realm, Ramses.” He bows low, and I nod, not feeling completely worthy of such respect.
Needing fresh air, I walk to the terrace.
Lachlan and Luna follow and keep a close eye on me as I pace.
The crisp air and bright sun ease some of the weight on my chest. We are one step closer to solving our magic problem.
My boots thud against the stone as I walk back and forth beside the stone and filigree metal railing.
We know how they’ve done it, and we know we can undo it. So that’s something, at least.
My attention swings from the ground in front of me to the sprawling city down the hillside, and I stop.
The rest remains unknown. Who is trying to come through?
How will Tane manage? And what the hell is going on outside of our realm?
A leaf flutters down from the tree beside the terrace.
Autumn is right around the corner. The season of changes.
All I’ve faced are changes. I remember the first time I came here, thinking it was all a coma dream or that I had died.
Lachlan brushes his fingers against mine, interrupting my thoughts. “I’ll track down a healer for Tane. But do ye ha’ an idea of what the next steps are? What do ye need from me?”
The thought of anyone else getting hurt the same way Tane did—I can’t. I can’t have anyone else risking their safety. It makes my stomach roil.
“I know we sent Mina to Olundy to track down crystals there, but I think … you and I should travel to Ishtar and Scota to begin searching for quartz there.”
“I ken what ye mean.”
“And what am I supposed to do?” Luna asks, looking from me to Lachlan. She looks different, either from the sunlight or the magic regenerating here. Her face is still exquisite, but not as gaunt. The sun kindles a rosy blush high on her cheekbones.
“Can you go through the rest of the books we took from the cave and see if there is anything we missed? Anything about extracting venom? Or maybe the rest of their plans?”
“You want me to just read?” She asks dully, her brows lowering over her pale green eyes.
“Well, is there something else you’d like to be doing?” I ask sharply.
She huffs, rolling her eyes and looking out at the capital below us. “I’ll do research, and I’ll also check on the forges and districts. The rest of your tasks, so you can fully focus on restoring magic.”
“That would be perfect, thank you.”
“I’ll get the boat ready after I send a healer to Tane,” Lachlan throws over his shoulder, striding from the terrace. His large black wings morph into tattoos that stretch down his arms and wrists.
Luna follows my gaze and snorts. But I ignore her as my thoughts linger on him. I’m so grateful for him. For being here, for helping me.
“I think there might be something important about the words they carved onto the table.” Luna’s words sound distant, and I pull my eyes from Lachlan’s retreating form.
“Hmm?”
She sighs, shaking her head. “The words on the table, they read just like a prophecy. It could be important.”
“Remind me again what it said?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “A ruler of two worlds shall rise up and lead.”
I tap a finger to my lip, staring out at the city below again. “Could that have been about them? He was a shifter, and she was an asphidra?”
Luna’s lip curls in disgust. “I highly doubt that. You killed the asphidra, and he left the corpse behind. Clearly, she was just a means to an end.” She shakes her head. “No, I think this prophecy is about you.”
Her words have my eyes widening as I reel back. “Me?”
“Yes. You. Your mother was from here, and your father was not. Two worlds.” She holds up her fingers like I don’t know what the number means.
I laugh, but it comes out halfhearted. In a way …
“I guess it’s already come true then. I am queen here.” I shrug.
Luna’s eyes shimmer. “There’s going to be more. They’re never that short.” Her shoulders stiffen, and I can tell she’s gearing up for a fight.
But I have none left in me.
“Alright. Well, if you think it’s important, continue to look into it, please.”
I’ve ripped the wind from her sails, and her shoulders drop immediately.
“What?”
I shake my head, turning around. “If you think it’s important, then I trust you. It can’t hurt, right? But I’ve got to get the magic fixed before I can worry about hypotheticals.”
I pass a healer as she’s leaving Mathilda’s room. Her face is lined with worry and anguish. I speed up the pace.
My knuckles rap lightly against the carved leaves on the oak door, and I lean closer to listen for a response.
Mathilda’s soft voice calls me in, and I ease open the door to her darkened room.
The curtains are drawn, the burgundy fabric blotting out the sunlight.
Candles flicker from the sconces hung on the stone walls, making the room seem cozy and inviting.
But the sight before me stops me in my tracks.
Tane lies sprawled across Mathilda’s bed, his body so massive it takes up most of it.
His eyes are closed, and there’s a steady rhythm to his breathing.
Good, he seems to sleep peacefully at the very least. Resting against the iron headboard, Mathilda softly strokes his remaining hand.
My gaze roves over her, noticing the leathers that are still covered in his blood, the tear-streaked lines of her face.
She’s ripped her hair out of the tight braids, the honey colored hair falling in loose waves down to her lap.
My chest tightens, but I force myself to take a step closer.
“Can I get you anything?” I whisper, not wanting to wake Tane.
“No,” she replies. “They gave him a sleeping tonic. He just needs rest.”
I pad quietly to her side and begin stroking her hair. “It will be okay.” My words seem empty and meaningless, but it’s all I can offer right now.
She nods, another tear slips down her cheek, but her gaze remains fixed on Tane.
“He’s brave and resilient. But—I fear this will be a significant challenge for him.”
My fingers still at the worry in her voice. “Yes, but he’ll have you by his side.”
A small smile tugs the corner of her lips up as she tilts her head towards me. “He will.”
I pad lightly to her bathing room and track down a small towel before wetting it and returning to her side. I tilt her face up and, with slow, soft strokes, I wipe his blood from her face.
She sighs, closing her eyes and letting me clean it all away. “What’s the plan?”
I scan her face, making sure she’s ready to hear it, and when I see her steady composure, I begin.
“Mina has gone to Olundy to track down crystals there. Lachlan and I are going to head to Scota and then Ishtar. Ramses has squadrons rotating in and out to watch the bridge. And I’m leaving Luna in charge of the districts until I return.”
Mathilda stiffens with my last words, and I tilt my head, reading what she’s not saying.
“I’m leaving Luna in charge so that you can focus on Tane. I want you to send me updates as frequently as possible. And do not let him train until we come back home.”
Her shoulders relax, and she stifles a chuckle. “You think anyone will be able to keep him off the training ground once his wound is completely healed?”
I purse my lips and set the towel down on her bedside table, thinking about how difficult he’s likely to become once he’s strong enough. “I’m counting on you to be creative. Use whatever means necessary.”
Her attention slides back to him, a sad smile stretching across her face.
“I think now is the time for us to have a talk.”
I pat her shoulder. We were so close to losing him today.
“I think you should.”
Mathilda eases off the bed, placing Tane’s hand down with a tender softness that makes my chest ache. My eyes burn, and she turns to look at me.
“If you think I’m bad, you should’ve seen Lachlan with you.”
I bite back a smile. “Was he bad?”
“The absolute worst. I had to fight tooth and nail just to stand next to you sometimes. He was a mess,” she smiles sadly, “that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him cry.”
I couldn’t imagine what he must have felt, seeing me that way. That close to death. I couldn’t even stomach thinking about him ever being that injured. A shiver shudders through me, and Mathilda steps closer, enveloping me in her arms.
“I’m going to miss you,” she whispers. “Come home quickly.”
I squeeze her back tightly. “Not as much as I’m going to miss you.” A tear slips down my cheek. “Write to me often, okay?”
“I promise.”