by Cameo Renae
There was a brisk rap on the door before it opened and a tall, slim woman with long golden hair and a pleasant smile walked in. I instantly recognized it was Spring’s mother. The resemblance was uncanny.
In her hands was a vase stuffed with a colorful arrangement of flowers mixed with greenery.
“Good day, miss.” She spoke with an accent. “I’ve been down to the gardens and brought this bouquet up for you.”
“Thank you,” I said giving her a smile. “They’re lovely.”
She stepped toward me and bowed her head. Her eyes as blue as the sky on a cloudless day.
“You’re welcome. I’ll set them here on your nightstand.” A variety of scents, from sweet to earthy and herbal, hit my nose as she set the vase next to me. “My name is Summer.”
I smiled. It was so fitting . . . Spring and Summer—perfect representations of their natures. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I picked these especially for you, thinking you might appreciate some fresh blooms to liven up the room.” She winked, picking out a stick from the center of the vase while holding a finger to her lips. “It’s okay, dear. Rest. We’ll be extra quiet while we clean.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
Swirling the stick above her head, Summer’s mouth started moving, but her words were barely discernible. That’s when I realized she wasn’t carrying any stick . . . it was a wand. She’d used the arrangement to conceal her magical tool.
When she opened her eyes, she grinned. “There,” she said, thumbing toward the door. “Now the ticks can’t hear us. But we must be quick, or they’ll suspect something is up.”
I chuckled. “Ticks?”
“It’s what we mortals call the bloodsuckers here in Morbeth,” Sabine replied, attending to her duties. Then her eyes flashed to mine. “Sorry. That doesn’t apply to you.”
I laughed. “It’s fine.”
Summer sat on the mattress next to me. “I overheard the kitchen help say the prince is leaving tomorrow at noon and taking a third of his army with him.”
I sat up. “Where?”
“West, to Northfall,” she replied.
I nodded, my thoughts racing. “He’s going to look for Nicolae.”
Sabine’s eyes narrowed on mine. “And you know this because?”
“Before I was brought here, a witch named Melaina performed a locator spell on Nicolae.
Being related, she used my blood and it worked. I saw him, for the first time, in a bowl of water. He was in a grassy area with tall trees filled with lavender blooms. There was also a lake or river nearby.”
“Jacaranda,” Summer said.
Sabine stopped mid-sweep. “What?”
“There is a large Jacaranda grove in Northfall with beautiful lavender blossoms,” she explained. “They are on private land owned by the Lord of Morbeth.”
“How do you know this?” I asked.
Summer’s eyes sank to the floor. “I used to live in Northfall with my husband, before Talbrinth’s Great War. He was one of the many soldiers sent to Morbeth and was captured by their army. Morbeth officials sent messengers to Northfall to deliver letters to the prisoners’ families. They were nothing more than demands. Those letters simply declared that our spouses would be executed if we didn’t travel to Morbeth to claim them.”
Her eyes drifted to the flowers, her fingers lightly grazing over a rose petal. “When we reached Morbeth, we were notified that every soldier had already been executed, and we were now slaves, forced to work in Morbeth as compensation for the bloodshed our men caused. I was six months pregnant with Spring. She was born in Morbeth and hasn’t seen anything beyond the Red Wall.”
I couldn’t begin to imagine what she had to endure. For what Spring had to face being born in this godforsaken place. “I’m so sorry.”
She shook her head. “You have nothing to be sorry for. But word is, you may be able to help us.” She shifted to Sabine, her lips curving into a radiant smile.
“I wouldn’t place any wagers on me,” I said.
“Well, there’s a reason why two vampire princes are contending to bond with you.”
I sighed, still struggling to discover the reason for that. “I’m leaning toward pride and covetousness on Roehl’s part. You know . . . one wants what the other has. Or in my case, what the other has claimed.”
“I despise being a killjoy, but we should hurry,” Sabine said. “Those younger guards outside are skittish.”
Summer nodded, her eyes met mine. “Sabine said you have magic blocked inside of you?”
“I’m not certain, but the Wanderer that brought me here said I do. But that it’s somehow contained by stronger magic. He said I need to find a way to release it to survive.” I grabbed hold of her hand. “Can you help me?”
“I’m going to try,” Summer said, patting my hand. She stepped back toward the flower arrangement and started to pluck some foliage. She folded a cluster of green leafy things together in her palm, forming a small square, then held it out to me. “Chew on this,” she said, and I did.
The concoction tasted sweet, with hints of citrus and mint. “Do you know where your power came from or who put the bind on it?”
“I’m not sure if it even exists. Neither of my parents were magical. And if they were, they never showed any signs of it. I’m pretty sure it’s from Nicolae. I watched him glamour his entire camp with a flick of his wrist.”
Her brow rose and so did a grin. “It’s safe to say the magic is from him.”
I swallowed her concoction and it made me cough. “What are the herbs for?”
She handed me a glass of water. “The mixture will help prepare you for the spell.”
I began to feel a little lightheaded and tingly all over. “Have you done this before?”
“No,” she answered. “but my mother is a powerful witch and has taught me everything she knows. The herbs will act as both a sedative and pain reliever.”
“Pain?” I asked, my tongue feeling numb.
“If you have magic that has been repressed all these years, I don’t know how it will react once it’s released. I saw something similar performed on a witch who had her powers bound because of a crime she was charged for, but they later found she was innocent. When they released her magic, it almost killed her.”
Sabine’s eyes jerked in my direction. “Calla, you don’t have to do this right now. We can wait.”
“No, I can’t wait,” I sighed. “Time is my enemy.” There was no backing out now. I had to do this, even with the risks. Who knew if we’d ever have another chance like this? “But—” I paused.
“What is it Calla?” Sabine asked.
“If I die, don’t bury me in Morbeth. I will come back and haunt the hell out of anyone who allows it. I want to be cremated and my ashes spread in Sartha, along the coast of the Argent Sea, where my mother died.”
“Calla,” Sabine said. She came and stood next to me. “Have you forgotten you are an immortal? You can’t die. And if you do, I’ll do my gods-damned best to beat you back to life.”
I giggled at her exasperated expression. “Fine. I’ll hold you to that.”
“Are you ready?” Summer asked.
I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, or what I was to expect. But I’d already endured excruciating pain and starvation. At least this pain would yield a purpose. Or I hoped it would.
“I’m ready,” I exhaled.
Summer instructed me to lie back, making sure I was comfortable. I peered up into her radiant blue eyes. “The magic. How will I know how to control it once it’s released?”
“It depends on what type of magic you possess. But, if you like, I can show you a few simple spells while the prince is away,” she replied. “Learning to connect with your gift comes with time and practice.”
I nodded, feeling a bit woozy. The herbs she’d given me were performing a magic all their own. “I feel sleepy,” I slurred, my tongue heavy, my brain numb.
“Th
en sleep,” she whispered, resting her hand on my forehead.
And I did.
I was standing barefoot in a vaguely familiar bedroom, bearing nothing more than a short, silky nightdress. It was revealing, a thin-strapped, biased cut fabric that fell mid-thigh. I felt exposed and had nothing but my hair to pull forward and cover my chest.
A fire cracked in an ornate fireplace to my left. White gossamer curtains fluttered in a wide archway to my right.
Heading toward the archway, I spotted the dark sky and the sea of stars glimmering above. Then, I found a familiar veranda of white marble and two large alabaster columns with dragons carved into them.
I felt a charge in the air, along with that undeniable tug.
“Calla,” a familiar voice said from behind me, causing my skin to tingle.
I twisted back and Trystan, who hadn’t been there a moment ago, was now sitting in a comfortable, black leather armchair next to the fireplace, a glass half full of amber liquid in one hand, the other raking through his thick, unkempt hair. He was wearing nothing but black slacks, and gods . . . he was perfection.
Across his chest were archaic symbols. Over his shoulder and down his right arm curled a long, barbed tail. A dragon, maybe. Like on his crest and the columns outside.
He slid from his armchair, setting his glass on the mantle before striding toward me. His eyes were fixed on my face, a modest grin lifting the edges of his full mouth.
“You’re here.” I wanted to run to him, but I remained still. Watching. Waiting.
His scent, that perfect blend of earth and wind and spice, filled the surrounding air. I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs. It was a scent that made me weak and heated my core.
“I’m sorry,” he sighed.
“For what?” My gaze met his.
“I failed to save you.”
“But you didn’t fail.” I exhaled and smiled at him, wanting to move closer, but remained in place. “You rescued Brynna.”
He tipped his head. His eyes went distant. “She’s secure in one of the rooms downstairs. Melaina is watching over her.”
Tears brimmed in my eyes. “Thank you, Trystan. I couldn’t leave her in that place. Not with Roehl dangling her life in front of me.”
Without thought, I strode forward, closing the distance between us and threw my arms around his neck. I wasn’t sure what he thought, but I didn’t care.
Trystan’s powerful arms folded around me, enclosing me in a tight embrace.
Emotions began to simmer, threatening to explode. I rested my head on his chest. I felt so safe in his arms. So secure, I never wanted to leave.
“We knew he wouldn’t let you go,” he finally spoke, releasing his arms and stepping away, letting cold air seep between us. I could tell he was wrestling with his own emotions. “We were only there as a diversion, so Melaina could sneak up to your room and get you out. I didn’t know he’d taken your friend. If I’d known—” Sadness swam in those azure eyes.
“I wanted, more than anything, to leave with you. You don’t know how much I wanted to take your hand and run out of that place . . . out of Morbeth, forever.”
“I know.” He breathed, raking his fingers through his thick, raven hair. “I was worried. Because I couldn’t make contact, I thought he might have killed you.”
“He almost did.” I moved to the archway, staring out into the darkened, starlit sky.
“What happened while you were there?” he asked, his voice tightened. “Tell me everything. I need to know.”
I exhaled, dredging up the memory I wanted to lose forever. I told him about the Wanderer and what he spoke, and how they’d stolen my pack. Told him about Roehl, and how he tormented me with the flask and his blood before emptying it down the drain. Thinking back to that time made me nauseous. It sounded so farfetched to be true.
“He bit me,” I breathed, the image of Roehl’s lips stained with my blood tainted the beautiful starry night. “And then he slit his wrist and offered me his blood.” I turned back to Trystan, who remained still with a rage building in his eyes. Every muscle in his arms, chest, abs were tense, his hands balled into tight fists.
“When I refused him, he hit me and shackled me to the wall. I had a few fractured ribs and he broke my leg.” I glanced down at my left leg that he’d kicked, splintering the bone in the process. “But a servant girl saved me. Against Roehl’s orders, she gave me just enough of her own blood to help, but not heal me.”
I swallowed, recalling those long, dark moments of horror and pain. Praying for death but knowing it would never come because I was now an immortal.
“The only food they offered me was stale bread and water, for over a month. But all that pain and suffering didn’t hurt as much as thinking I’d never be free. Thinking I’d die in that cell—never seeing the ones I love again.” I looked at him through tear-filled eyes. “Or you.”
Trystan walked over to me and drew me back into his arms, into a loving embrace. “I will get you out of Morbeth, Calla. And I promise . . . I’ll make him pay for what he’s done to you.” The sincerity in his voice seeped deep into my soul.
“Thank you,” I whispered against his chest. “Roehl is leaving tomorrow and heading to Northfall with a third of his army. I think his dark mages located Nicolae.”
“Brone and Feng are on their way to Northfall. I sent them right after we left Morbeth.” His hands moved to rest on my hips. “I’ll find a way to free you, even if it means taking on the entire Morbeth army myself.”
I shifted to meet his beautiful eyes, still unclear of why he was willing to give so much for me.
“I don’t want you to go to war or to die for me,” I said. “There is a woman with me right now. A witch who is trying to release a spell cast over me—the spell the Wanderer said is suppressing my magic. I’m not sure if it’s true, or if magic does exist inside of me, but if it is, it might be my way out.”
Trystan took both my hands in his. “Calla, you have no idea how powerful Roehl is.”
I loathed the sound of his name. “I don’t care. He thinks I’m just a newborn vampire, which he’s held on the verge of starvation.” A growl rumbled inside his chest. “So, if I do have magic, and can somehow release it, maybe I’ll stand a chance of surviving and finding an escape.”
“If you have magic, he can never learn about it. If he finds out, who knows what he’ll do.”
I groaned. “I’ll continue to play his game and make him believe I’ll agree to be his mate—”
In a split second, my back was fastened against the wall with Trystan’s rock-hard body pressed tight against mine. The tendons in his chest were taught, his eyes had gone completely black.
“You will never be his,” he growled.
Trystan’s lips crashed against mine, eager and unyielding. His lips and tongue were magic, making my entire body tingle and my insides melt with desire. His hands roamed my body. I couldn’t get enough. I needed more. I craved all of him.
His hips rocked into mine, causing a moan to burst from my throat. He smiled against my lips.
A sudden punch of pain shot through my center. “Trystan,” I exhaled. My body went rigid. Pain and heat consumed every part of me. I clutched his arms, holding on tight, not wanting to leave him or this beautiful place.
“What’s wrong?” Trystan asked, his arms folding around me. Anguish filled his face. “Calla? What’s wrong?”
“Don’t let go of me,” I cried.
Trystan’s arms curled tighter around me. His breath was ragged, his muscles tense.
Kissing the top of my head, he declared, “I’ll find you, Calla. I promise.”
Another piercing pain exploded through my body.
I couldn’t speak. The pain was excruciating.
I held tight to Trystan, but a blinding light burst around me. Pain pulsed from my chest and radiated through my entire body, causing me to scream out in pain.
I was torn away from Trystan. The beautiful dream ended.
&nb
sp; Chapter Seventeen
All at once the pain receded and I found myself standing in a long, brilliantly lit tunnel.
“Calla!” I could hear Sabine and Summer calling my name, begging me to rejoin them.
“Sabine!” I bellowed, but their voices were already fading.
Summer said the releasing of power almost killed a witch. What if my magic was too powerful? What if I was dead?
I ran toward their voices, down the endless bright tunnel. But as far as my eyes could see, there was no way out. No doors, no windows. Just an endless path.
“Calla, you don’t have to run anymore,” a familiar voice spoke, which seemed to be all around me. “Turn around, sweetheart.”
I stopped dead in my tracks and twisted back.
My mother stood behind me in a flowing white gown, her face flawless and bright, her long auburn hair spilling like silk around her shoulders. I couldn’t believe my eyes. She was here, wherever this was. And she was beautiful and so . . . alive.
“Mom!” I ran as fast as I could, straight into her open arms. She hugged me tight, peppering the top of my head and cheeks with kisses. Just like she had when I was a child.
“I’m just fine, darling,” she said into my hair. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
I pulled back and stared at her face, tears pouring down my cheeks. “Mom,” I sobbed, my lips trembling, “I miss you so much.”
“I know you do. And I miss you, darling,” she breathed, her palm tenderly stroking my hair. “Calla, always remember that you are never alone. I will always be with you.” She lay her palm in the middle of my chest. “Right here. Forever.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you,” I sobbed. “It was Nicolae.”
“I know,” she breathed. “I know. But although my life has ended, yours is just beginning. You must be strong.”
