Jack didn’t spare them a second glance; he sprinted for the open cell, leaving the others to behead the creatures. Jack skidded to a halt, in shock.
Griana was lying on the filthy ground tethered to the wall in iron chains, her belly swollen. She was screaming, drowning out the sound of his approach. “I am. Your queen!” she yelled. “And you are my provost! Get me something. Ahh! To take away this pain! Now!”
“No!” hissed the provost. “You are nothing but his whore. You are no longer my queen. For all your scheming, you have no power now. It is my lord’s wish that you bring his child into this world with nothing but pain.”
“Bitch!” Griana screamed as though the child were splitting her in two.
Jack’s attention fell on the girl. Their gazes locked.
Her eyes were bright with intelligence and understanding. She nodded at him. A step back silently told him she would do nothing to hinder his plans.
Jack nodded. His sword flashed as he lifted it and swung with all his strength.
The provost’s head rolled off her shoulders. Blood spurted from her severed neck, coating Griana and splattering the walls.
Jack swallowed down the bile that hit his throat.
Griana turned her head, yanking on her chains.
Jack stared down at her. He should feel pleasure at seeing her like this, defenceless and in agony, but he felt nothing except an urge to save the child.
Griana snarled at him. “Kill me.”
Jack squatted down and looked at her belly. “No.”
Griana began panting and laughing hysterically. “After all I have done, you want to save me?”
“Not you. That child.”
“This child is not the one I wished for. It. Is...ahh!” A spasm took her breath and all she could do was pant.
Jack felt the others at his back, but it was the young acolyte who pushed past him and laid her hands on Griana’s belly. Her eyes flew to Jack’s and she shook her head.
“Get. Your hands. Off me!” yelled Griana.
The acolyte held Jack’s eyes, lifted her hand and made desperate noises in her throat as she twirled her finger.
Roin dropped to his knees, Unis by his side. He frowned at the girl then looked down as Griana screamed and panted again. “My king, I think she’s trying to say the baby is not in the right position. One of my children was upside down and my wife, she screamed like this,” he looked at the ground between Griana’s thighs. “She also bled like this. The child must come out or it will die and so will she.” He pointed down at the once-queen of these lands.
The girl nodded her head vigorously.
A dagger appeared over Jack’s shoulders. He wrapped his fingers around the hilt and took it.
“You should do it,” Rayan said gravely.
Griana thrashed as another spasm took her. She half screamed, half laughed. “You. Can’t. You. Are. Too cowardly.”
Jack looked down at her. “No, Griana, I am not. You have lived for a millennium, and during that time you have waited for Hugo—for the one who would give you this child. Know that I am going to end your long life, just as you ended my father’s, but you will never hold this child in your arms.”
“You. Goddess. Damned. Fool! Hugo is not. Its father! That betraying. Dark. Lord. Is.” She cackled a crazed laugh. “I don’t. Want. It. It should die. Now. Kill me!”
Jack swallowed, unsure what to believe. Was this Eryanth’s child or Erebos’?
He waited whilst another contraction had the once regal queen panting and cursing with all her might. Her face was pale and she was sweating heavily, her chest heaving.
The acolyte peered under Griana’s torn and filthy skirts. When she raised her eyes, she met Jack’s gaze then lifted her hands. They were crimson.
Jack made his decision. “Unlike you, I do not enjoy inflicting pain on anyone, even in their dying moments.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “I will give you a quick end. More than you gave my father, you evil bitch—and far more than you deserve. I will save this child purely because you want it dead,” he uttered in her ear as he drove the dagger into her heart.
Griana’s eyes widened and she clawed weakly at his hand before she became lax and her eyes lost their light.
Jack quickly pulled the blade out. Blood covered his hands. “Help me!” he ordered the girl, ripping at Griana’s skirts to reach her belly. His hands were shaking now, conscious that the child would not survive if he did not hurry.
“Why not just leave it inside her to die if it’s that dark god’s bastard?” asked Rayan.
“Because she might be lying,” bit out Jack. “And because every child deserves a chance, regardless of who their parents are or might be. You should know that! Now help me!” he commanded.
Rayan looked like Jack had slapped him before he dropped to his knees and began helping the girl rip Griana’s dress open.
The stench of blood filled the stale air as Jack placed the dagger against Griana’s waxen skin. He whispered a prayer to Lunaria that he wouldn’t go too far and hurt the child.
Still, he hesitated.
“Majesty, should I do it?” asked Roin gently.
“No!” barked Jack. This was his decision and therefore his responsibility. Then more gently, “No, Roin, I will not ask any of you to take the responsibility.” With that, he drew the knife across Griana’s belly.
Blood and fluid covered his hands and sleeves. Jack felt his gorge rise. He had never done anything like this in his life.
The curved back of a baby became apparent. Everyone murmured behind him. Jack threw the dagger down sending it skidding across the floor. Quickly, he reached in. His fingers closed around the baby, pulling the tiny body out. Jack did his best to manoeuvre it out of its mother without dropping or hurting it.
The girl held up a clean linen and made urgent noises in her throat.
“No!” barked Roin, pulling the cloth from her hands. “I’ve done this with my own. Give it here, and cut that cord. Quickly!”
The girl dived for the dagger. Picking it up she swiped the cord that attached the child to Griana. All the warriors looked on utterly helpless. Without exception, none of them other than Roin and ever seen anything like this before.
The girl tied the cord off with a bit of string whilst Roin vigorously rubbed the child and breathed in its nose and mouth.
“It’s blue! Is it supposed to be blue?” Jack asked anxiously. He had no idea about babies.
Roin grunted and breathed in the tiny nose and mouth again. Suddenly the baby gave a pitiful cry. Everyone, even Rayan, gave a sigh of relief.
Jack peered at the baby. It didn’t look evil or swathed in shadow. Its eyes were a watery grey colour. “A girl,” he stated as Roin wrapped her into the linen.
“Indeed,” agreed Roin. “She hardly looks like the spawn of the most evil god ever known,” he commented dryly as the child squawked again.
The girl tapped Jack’s arm and held out her hands to Roin. She frowned and nodded.
Roin glanced questioningly at Jack.
The girl stamped her foot and gestured at her own breasts.
Jack gaped at her until she rolled her eyes pointing to the baby and then her breasts once again.
“Oh,” muttered Jack. “Roin, give her the baby.”
“We have to leave, prince. We have achieved our purpose but we must still fight. The Lord of Chaos is still out there even if Griana is dead.” Rayan pointed out.
“I know. Stay here,” he said to the girl, who promptly ignored him and walked swiftly past his guard, babe in arms.
They all watched her in amazement.
“Roin, deal with Griana. Karl, Unis, get in front of her up those steps before she runs straight into more guards. Girl!” Jack shouted, sprinting after her and pulling her to a halt. “If you go up there, we cannot guarantee your safety—or hers,” he said peering down at the wrinkled face of the baby. “We are here to wage war—and so is your true queen and her army.
”
She nodded her head slowly and looked down at the baby who was beginning to grizzle. She sighed and gave him a watery smile and a shrug.
“Fine,” said Jack grimly. “Here.” He fixed a red piece of linen around her arm. Every one of their soldiers and warriors had one to mark them as part of their army. At least she wouldn’t be killed on sight—hopefully.
She nodded her thanks, and they continued up the steps.
Karl, Unis, Somal, Vico and Gunnald burst into the throne room. The four Seekers who stood guard did not stand a chance. Within seconds their blood and the foul stench of their insides permeated the air.
Jack’s boots clicked as he ran across the tiled floor. On one side of the throne room, a huge hole gaped in the wall. They ignored it and ran into the palace.
The girl turned left.
Jack gestured right. “We go this way, as planned,” he told his men.
The girl gulped and stared at him then the child, clearly torn.
Jack hesitated. He hated to leave a vulnerable girl and a new-born baby alone. “Do you know where to find her milk?” he asked.
The girl nodded.
“Fine. Get what you can and return here. Hide behind the throne. I will return for you when I can,” he told her.
The girl nodded, relief shining in her eyes.
Jack watched as she ran down the dim corridor and disappeared.
“Majesty?” urged Tom loudly. “We need to leave. Arades has breached the palace walls. I can hear the fighting. We need to join him now!”
Jack nodded. At least Griana was gone. His father’s death was avenged, though Jack felt no satisfaction from it—no relief from the pain in his heart. His only thought as he ran beside Tom was that he hoped he had made the right decision saving that tiny child. If she survived today, he hoped she would not grow into a mirror image of her mother—or her possible father.
Jack’s blood ran cold at that thought. He shoved it away and instead cleaved his sword into the neck of a charging Dust Devil.
Chapter 29
Eryanth roared as the power of the gateway set the ruby in his forehead alight. Instinctively he tightened his grip on Diamond. He felt for their bonds, his magic forming a shield around her.
The shadowed dragon ahead surged forward, propelling himself through the kaleidoscope of colours and magic to reach Catava.
In turn, Eryanth beat his wings faster and harder, closing the gap. Sulphurious shot into the mortal world, disappearing from view.
Eryanth pulled Diamond up near his body to protect her from whatever might be waiting on the other side of the gateway. They burst through.
Sulphurious was already across the cave and heading towards the main tunnel.
Erebos peered over his shoulder. His black eyes narrowed upon them before he attacked with writhing serpents of shadow. Eryanth sent his own silver serpents to wrestle with them before he roared and absorbed Erebos’ power into his own. Erebos did not stop and did not turn again before he entered the large tunnel that led back to Valentia.
Stop and help them. Please! Diamond begged Eryanth.
Eryanth tore his focus from the tunnel. Below, their friends fought a surge of Dust Devils and Ashmea. Erzion shot red burning magic from his palms as he cast, sending the Ashmea flying through the air as if hit by a storm. Even Ophelia fought nearby. She held a small sword, fighting to protect a small group of children cowering near the rocks.
Nearer the mouth of the huge tunnel, Attion and Tawne fought together. Attion emitted a pulsing green aura, commanding the trees and vines from the nearby gardens to do his bidding. Tendrils and branches whipped through the air, yanking the monsters to the ground where he severed their heads with powerful sword strikes whilst Tawne ripped their heads from their shoulders.
The wolf’s eyes glowed as he saw his king and queen. He howled a greeting. Eryanth roared and banked around. He called upon his fire. He hoped his friends would see his glowing belly and realise his intent.
“To me! Now!” bellowed Erzion, calling them and his men from the tunnel. He cast a shield just as Eryanth opened his jaw and fire poured from him.
The Dust Devils and Seekers disintegrated to nothing but ash, but the Red Wizard’s power held true against Eryanth’s fire.
Beyond Eryanth’s power, Diamond sought out their enemy, honing in on the darkness that surrounded them. She burned them with no hesitation.There are no soulless creatures left near the tunnel, Diamond told him.
Eryanth grunted and together they pulled their magic back.
Erzion dropped his shield and looked to his mate. Ophelia smiled with relief as Erzion made his way towards her. His attention was fixed wholly upon his mate, a fierce protectiveness shining in his eyes as he kept a shield up behind her and the children.
Eryanth banked round, throwing Diamond up upon his neck. As she sailed upward and caught his horns in her hands, Eryanth heard the twang of a bow. Diamond twisted sideways, her armour glowing brightly as she sensed the arrow.
It sailed past her.
Eryanth’s anger flared. His head whipped towards the arrow’s trajectory. Across the cave, a familiar face gave a cruel grin and lowered his bow. Eryanth snarled but the pained scream that echoed through the cave drew his attention.
“No!” yelled Erzion his voice full of rage and pain.
Oh gods, no, whispered Diamond, her voice raw with grief.
As much as he wanted to go after Thorn, Eryanth turned back. He landed with such force the cave shook. Around them red fae warriors began firing their own arrows and magic into the Ashmea and Avalonian soldiers Thorn led. Diamond vaulted from Eryanth’s neck and began to run towards Erzion’s kneeling form.
Eryanth changed immediately.
Sorrow and heartbreak filled the energy around the Red Wizard. His grief-stricken eyes found Diamond’s and then Eryanth’s.
“She jumped in front of me,” he croaked, tears streaming from his eyes as blood flowed from Ophelia, coating the ground under her and pooling around Erzion’s knees. He cradled her in his arms.
Ophelia’s face turned ashen.
“Why?” Erzion whispered to her, his voice breaking. “Why did you do that?”
Ophelia coughed, specks of blood coating her white lips. She tried to lift her hand but couldn’t. “Because. I. Love. You,” she answered and smiled weakly.
“I could have healed.” A sob racked his body, shaking his huge shoulders.
“Not. From. This,” she wheezed as blood seeped from her eyes and nose.
“Oh gods, poison,” Erzion choked out. “Please, help her,” he beseeched Diamond.
Eryanth felt tears prick his own eyes at the utter devastation he saw in Erzion. This male had lived for a thousand years and had given his heart and love to only one person, his soulmate, and now she was dying.
“Diamond? Can’t we do something?” he asked urgently, as a tear trailed through the dirt upon his face.
Diamond swallowed, her own grief wrenching at Eryanth’s heart. Her eyes turned opaque as she called upon her magic.
“Please, my love. Please don’t leave me. I need you—so much. I can’t do this without you. Not again,” Erzion sobbed, rocking Ophelia back and forth against him as his warriors pushed the dark army back.
Diamond’s magic weaved its way into Ophelia, seeking out her severed flesh and blood vessels. She sobbed, the sound sending Eryanth’s heart into a frenzied pattern. Her distress, her utter helplessness had him reaching for her.
“I can’t do anything,” she uttered helplessly. She placed her hand upon Ophelia’s head, stroking back her hair then looked tearfully at the Lord of Catava. “She has lost too much blood and the blood she has left is poisoned. I am so sorry,” she told him.
“Ahhh!” bellowed Erzion, his eyes glowing with anger and grief. His fingers gripped Ophelia’s, pulling her lax body against his as he sobbed.
Eryanth tensed, not bothering to wipe away his own tears. He swore he could feel the Red Wizard’
s heart shatter.
Footsteps pounded over the rock, skidding to a halt. Attion slowly stepped forward before he knelt beside the Red Wizard and bowed his head. “I cannot save her, but that is a poison I know. I can feel it. I do not have the antidote but I can make her passing less painful,” he gently told the grief-stricken lord.
Erzion squeezed his eyes shut, tears pouring from them as he gripped Ophelia to his chest. “I-I can’t,” he sobbed. “I can’t let her go.”
Diamond clenched her jaw, tears tipping from her eyes. Diamond’s grief and helplessness drifted into Eryanth but also her compassion for the woman who had saved their lives. “Lord Riddeon. I command you, as your queen, to give your soulmate peace. You will not prolong her suffering.”
Erzion snapped his head up and stared at Diamond as the force of her command settled upon him. He gulped, eyes wide and nodded, allowing Attion to shuffle closer.
Attion gripped a fist full of herbs. His eyes shone like emeralds, his now green hair fell about his face as he leaned forward and twisted a little to give himself space. His wings snapped out, their markings glowed brightly.
Eryanth blinked.
Attion’s true magic was stunning. Bright green, it filtered from his palm and into the herbs. They turned to dust. Without delay, he blew it gently into Ophelia’s face and over the entry site of the arrow embedded in her stomach. Ophelia’s whole body seemed to relax and her breathing eased. Attion nodded and moved back.
Erzion exhaled, lifting a shaking hand to brush Ophelia’s cheek as she opened her eyes once again. They travelled to Attion. “Thank you,” she rasped then she looked up at Erzion, her eyes so full of love and devotion that Eryanth couldn’t stand it. He tried to swallow down his tears but he could not. He knew this might happen to him—to Diamond. He knew he was to lose her and he could not bear the thought. Looking at Erzion—at Ophelia—was like looking into a small part of his future, one he could not stand to think about.
“Thank. You. My love,” Ophelia whispered. “For loving me, and for giving me our son. I. Love. you both. So. Much,” she managed to say before her eyes closed and her chest ceased to rise again.
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