"No!"
The Mirror King swung around. But he was too far away to stop Myra now that she knew exactly what had to be done.
Grimly pulling her sword from its sheath, she lunged for the Mirror.
A wry satisfaction flared through her, remembering that she'd bought the weapon with the coins the Mirror King gave away with such callous indifference. As if mere money compensated for the trauma and tragedy he left in his wake.
The tip of the sword hit the center of the Mirror, and Myra funneled a force wave of her own magic into it. This time, all of the magic channeled in the same direction with devastating power.
To the naked eyed, nothing seemed to happen at first. But Myra sensed the energy swelling up and bursting at the seams within the crystal.
And when it broke free, it erupted all at once.
The earth trembled, the mountain shook and the Mirror disintegrated. The crystal dissolved into a flurry of fine white powder before quickly disappearing on the swirling winds that wafted through the chamber.
The backlash of broken magic eons-old drove Myra to her knees, leaving her weak, aching, and fighting to catch her breath. Inside she felt as shattered as the Mirror.
Unable to even hold her head up, Myra gave in to gravity and slumped to the floor.
Before her eyes fluttered closed, she smiled with grim satisfaction to see the Mirror King on the ground several yards away.
The man had Taken her. Broken her. He'd haunted her nightmares and made her believe her only hope was to remain hidden.
But Myra had found the strength to fight him. And she had brought him to his knees.
Chapter Nineteen
STERLING HAD HIS teeth sunk deep in the arm of one of the few remaining Trolls when he heard the Mirror King shouting once again.
Dispatching the Troll, he turned to look for whatever the Mirror King had in store for them next.
Instead, he saw Myra, sword in hand and face fierce with reclaimed freedom. The sight of her free and defiant made his heart swell with relief.
Sterling's elation was short-lived, however.
He watched her slam the blade into the unyielding Mirror in a futile gesture.
Then the fur along his spine stood up as an uncomfortable swell of magic saturated the air. The sensation grew until Sterling was sure nothing could contain it.
Then the Mirror detonated in a surge of unleashed power and a shower of powdered crystal.
The shock wave roared through the lair, shaking the walls and the ground.
The earth rolled under Sterling, knocking his legs out from under him.
Even after the rush of power subsided, the ground continued to quiver. Sterling braced himself and sprang back to his feet. With a shake of his head, he cleared the disorientation and steadied himself.
The quaking mountain intermittently rained down gravel and rocks from the walls and ceiling. Around him, the handful of remaining Trolls scrambled to escape through the still open secret passage.
In the chaos, it took Sterling a few precious moments for his senses to find Myra, sprawled on the floor and unmoving.
With a growl of panicked fear, Sterling leapt forward. He left the ground on the four paws of a wolf and landed on the two feet of his human form.
Dropping to his knees beside Myra, he tentatively pressed a hand to her shoulder. He desperately wanted to turn her over, but he had no idea if she was injured and couldn't risk hurting her more.
He started to call for Helena, but the mountain heaved again, and he threw himself over Myra when the ceiling rained rocks down on them.
When the quaking subsided once more, Sterling automatically checked to see how much more damage it had caused and how the others had fared.
A huge chunk of the wall had broken away, tumbling down to obscure the entrance of the hidden tunnel, though thankfully the last of the Trolls had escaped first.
At the archway, Helena frantically worked to undo the shield that now kept them trapped in the Mirror Cavern. Theodoric hovered over her, protectively shielding her from any falling debris and Jelverck positioned himself on her other side.
Kaile, also in human form once again, was checking on the Mirror King, who remained prone and unmoving a few feet away.
Beneath Sterling, Myra moaned, and he shifted his weight back to give her room to move. But he stayed close enough to cover her if the tremors started up again.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly when Myra turned her head to look up at him with dazed eyes.
"I think so," she frowned, voice raspy and dry. "Just very, very tired and sore."
Another round of quaking shuddered the earth and more rocks broke free to fall around them. After a few minutes of hovering protectively over her, it became obvious that, this time, the tremors showed no sign of subsiding.
"The exit’s clear!"
Sterling closed his eyes and briefly sent a prayer of gratitude at Theodoric's shout.
"We have to get out of here," Sterling whispered through gritted teeth as rocks pummeled his back. "Can you run?"
Myra tried to shift her legs, but even that small movement left her grimacing in pain.
"Never mind," Sterling reconsidered. "Put your arms around my neck."
Myra swallowed, but her small arms wrapped trustingly around his shoulders. As soon as she had a secure grip, Sterling scooped her up in the cradle of his arms. Heaving himself to his feet, Sterling ran all out for the archway.
Helena and Theodoric took the lead while Jelverck and Kaile fell in behind Sterling as they raced through labyrinth-like caverns. Desperately trying to escape the lair before it was too late.
The ground shook continuously, and the sound of rocks crashing and walls collapsing behind them echoed alarmingly throughout the lair. There was no doubt in Sterling’s mind the whole thing was coming down. The only question was if they'd still be inside when it happened.
And then daylight beckoned, a bright circle of hope that had them redoubling their pace as they raced out of the cavern.
None of them even considered slowing until they were well away from the exit, huddled behind the boulders where they'd sheltered earlier.
It took a few moments of catching his breath before the Sterling realized there was barely a quiver beneath their feet.
The lair itself, however, continued to quake.
With the threat over for the moment, every drop of energy deserted him. In a controlled collapse, Sterling sank to the ground, still cradling Myra in his arms.
He tightened his hold slightly when Helena knelt down beside him to look at Myra. He was nowhere near ready to let her go. But the Healer didn't even suggest it, just set about checking her over with silent understanding.
They sat there for a long time, watching a handful more Trolls escape through the shaking passage.
Until the side of the mountain above the entrance gave way in a crescendo of sliding boulders, dirt, and rock. When the dust cleared, it was impossible to tell there had ever been any way in or out of the mountainside.
A few minutes later, the quaking stopped altogether.
The sudden silence was deafening.
***
Myra didn't remember the flight back down the mountain. She did, however, cherish the vague memory of how reluctant Sterling had been to let her go.
How he had eventually conceded to the wisdom of allowing the drakes to carry them down to the Clan home village. How he brushed his lips over her forehead before handing her over to the care of Helena's magnificent snowy white full form.
Mostly, what Myra remembered was how safe and warm and comforted she'd felt, cradled against Sterling. Certain of his strength and his gentleness.
After that, the rest of the day became a blur of fleeting images and dreams.
She'd slept for a few hours, but when she overheard Alna telling Helena it was time for the meeting with the Council, Myra knew she needed to attend. No matter how
exhausted and sore she still was.
Now, seated in the Council Chamber, Myra fought to keep her eyes open as Theodoric gave a succinct report of what had happened in the Mirror Cavern. Occasionally, a question would be directed Myra's way, and she tried to answer as coherently as possible.
When the room ran out of things to ask those who'd been inside the lair, Balyn stood up to give his report.
Myra tried hard to listen to what he had to say, wanting to know what happened to the drakes who'd offered themselves up as decoys to save her. His voice was steady and somber, however, and she found herself lulled into a daze, only hearing snippets.
The Trolls had reacted as expected and the Mirror King's magic shield deflected the drakes' flame. But then some of the Troll started to run away. Some turned on each other. Around the same time the forcefield weakened. Not long after, the earthquakes began and the rest of the Troll army fled.
"Do you think the Mirror King survived and escaped?"
The question, posed by one of the elder Councilors, roused Myra out of her stupor.
She remembered seeing him on the ground, not far from where she'd collapsed. And she'd known, as connected as he was to the Mirror, the backlash of it breaking must have hit him at least as hard as it hit her.
Myra had no idea what happened to him after that, though, and it sent a chill of fear down her spine.
"He was still in the Mirror Chamber when we left," Theodoric answered. "He didn't come out the way we escaped."
"He never came out the front either," Balyn added. "And the whole lair collapsed pretty quickly."
Myra wanted to believe the Mirror King was never coming back. But the man had haunted her nightmares for years. She'd never breathe easy about him unless there was proof he was gone for good.
"Even if did survive, he has no Mirror, no Troll army," a second elder councilor pointed out dismissively. "Probably any hoard of magic he had was destroyed. He won't be much of a threat anymore. It's more important now to repair the damages and replace equipment..."
The conversation shifted into logistics of supplies and reconstruction and Myra let herself drift off again.
When she next opened her eyes, for a moment she thought she was still dreaming.
Cradled once again in Sterling's embrace, she smiled dreamily up at him as he carefully lowered her onto her bed in the healing rooms. Unwilling to give up his comforting presence, Myra wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into his warmth with contentment.
"Hey. Helena says you still need to rest," he insisted with an indulgent grin, gently untangling her arms from around him. Tenderly cradling her hands in his, Sterling brushed a few kisses over her fingertips before letting go. "I'll be back to visit tomorrow, all right?"
Myra considered arguing but didn't have the energy to do more than pout as she watched him walk away. When he paused to look back at her one last time before slipping out into the other room, though, a warm surge of affection and contentment filled her.
She let her eyes drift shut and allowed the soft rumble of his voice to wash over her when he stopped to whisper quietly with the Healer.
"She really is going to be fine, right?"
"Yes," Helena answered, sounding both indulgent and amused. "She just needs sleep. She poured everything she had, first into fighting the Mirror King’s control, then into destroying the Mirror. It will take a few days of rest and food to replenish what she used up."
Everything fell quiet and Myra assumed Sterling had left. But a moment later, she heard him speak again. This time in a voice so low she had to strain to hear.
"I saw what you did. With your blood." Sterling hesitated, an uncertain note in his voice before adding, "And your full dragon form is... unusual."
Even without seeing them, Myra felt the rising tension in the air. And clearly heard the harsh edge in Helena's voice when she replied.
"If you're aware of the significance, then you know I'd prefer that no one else find out. Only a handful among my Clan understand what it means."
"Of course," Sterling answered instantly, with deep sincerity. "Your secret is safe with me. Better than you know."
Again there was silence and Myra struggled to stay alert. But fatigue refused to be beaten and she found herself drifting toward the siren song of sleep.
"We need to return to Ardell," Sterling said quietly. "There are people there who need to know what happened. You should come with us. There's someone I think you need to meet."
Helena made a vague answer that Myra didn't catch because Sterling's voice circled in her head.
...return to Ardell...return to Ardell...
It was significant. Important. The harder she tried to grasp the meaning, though, the farther it slipped out of reach as Myra floated in the hazy place between wake and sleep. In the end, the inevitable pull of exhaustion won out against the last of her resistance.
Chapter Twenty
STERLING FORCED HIMSELF to wait until after the midday meal before going back to the healing rooms. He desperately wanted to see Myra. Wanted to remind himself that she was safe and healthy. Because it would be an eternity before the image of her, sprawled unconscious on the cavern floor, stopped choking him every time it flashed into his thoughts.
But Myra needed sleep more than he needed reassurance, so he'd waited as long as he could stand.
When he stepped inside the building, Helena just shook her head with exasperation. "She's not here."
Sterling furrowed his brow, confused and concerned. "I thought she needed to rest?"
"She does. But she's as stubborn a patient as someone else I might mention," Helena explained with a sarcastically raised eyebrow.
Dipping his head, Sterling smiled at her apologetically. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask where Myra had gone, but he was pretty sure he already knew.
Instead he asked, "Have you given any more thought to coming with us to Ardell?"
Helena shook her head. "Not now. We were lucky not to lose anyone after two battles in two days, but there are still many wounded who need tending to. Not to mention all the upheaval and fallout the Mirror King left in his wake."
Sterling wanted to tell her his suspicions. Wanted to explain to Helena how important he thought it was.
Just as he'd sworn to keep her secret, however, he'd made the same promise to Jack.
So, for now, Sterling would have to keep trying to get Helena and Jack in the same place at the same time.
Instead of arguing, Sterling inclined his head in understanding and took his leave.
Once outside, he headed straight for the central aerie and took the stairs two at time.
"Found you," he teased with a grin when he settled on the top step next to Myra.
But she didn't smile back.
"You're leaving," she said, a soft hitch breaking in her voice. "You're going back to Ardell with Jelverck and Kaile."
Sterling's heart jerked in his chest. He'd been trying not to think too much about what that meant. Desperately, he wanted to ask her to come with them. But, no matter how quickly she'd become important to him, they'd known each other less than a month.
It was presumptuous of him to even ask.
So he took a deep breath and answered her as honestly as he could while keeping his heart in check.
"We'll be leaving in two days. The rest of the pack, along with many others, need to know what we found out here. We need to decide what to do about it."
"That's not the only reason you're going," Myra said, sadness weighing down her voice. "Your life is in the kingdoms beyond the mountain. Your pack. Your friends."
"Yes, they are." And then, despite his best intentions, the words tumbled out anyway. "I'd like you to come with me."
Her eyes widened with surprised pleasure, and, for a moment, Sterling thought she might say yes.
Then Myra turned her head away, staring off sightlessly into the distance and whispered, "I don't k
now if I can."
Again desperation overrode courtesy and he asked, "Why not?"
"I was born on Mount Acaelum. Most of my life, I've lived in my little cottage beyond the Winding Road. When I stayed with the Milners, after my mother's death, even Benhalle felt crowded and overwhelming to me."
Myra stopped and swallowed hard.
"The kingdoms below are huge and filled with people. And I have a life here. A home. A thriving craft that I've been away from for too long as it is."
Sterling's heart ached. For her and for him.
He couldn't ask her to leave her home. Sterling also knew, without a single doubt, that there was no way he could walk away from Myra for good.
Tentatively, he reached for her hand, cradling her fingers in his until she looked at him again.
"I have to go," he repeated, needing her to understand that this was about duty and loyalty. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the scrap of fabric he'd been carrying with him since he found out she was missing.
The edges were ragged. Dirt and blood stained the cloth in a dozen spots, and some of the stitches had pulled out. Yet it was still Sterling's most precious possession.
"I'll need to come back, however," he announced holding up the embroidery for her to see. "I hate leaving a project incomplete and I need you to show me how to finish this."
Myra stared at the bedraggled sampler with wide, round eyes.
"You kept it with you? Through everything?" Her voice was hoarse and tears glittered in the spikes of her lashes.
Sterling just nodded, his own throat choked with so much emotion he couldn't force any words out.
He had no idea how to tell her the embroidery had become his talisman. Holding it was like touching her.
He'd never willingly leave it behind.
***
A whirlwind of confusion, denial, and dawning belief kept Myra still and silent as she tried to sort out what she felt.
Sterling held the scrap of embroidered fabric like it was a treasure. Something priceless and cherished.
The Snow Wolf (Wolves Ever After Book 1) Page 14
