Adrious shifted uncomfortably. “I wouldn’t have helped you had I known.”
“You tell a good lie,” Mae said. “Yes, I did place Aja in an orphanage. You left her in deplorable conditions in that lower city makeshift shelter you called home. Her hair was matted, clothes tattered, and she clearly needed a few more meals.”
“What was I supposed to do?” Morgan asked. “You kicked me out of the order.”
“You could have found employment. But you became obsessed with revenge—on me, on the order—on anyone you felt wronged you. By the time they locked you up all of Selandis was your enemy.”
Morgan pointed to her. “You turned them all against me!”
She remained calm despite Morgan’s temper. “You are delusional.”
Adrious put his arm around Aja. “When you met us on the road, you lied! You could have told Aja of her mother.”
“I’m not surprised,” Morgan said. “You’re still the same old power-hungry Maeva.” Morgan summoned a ball of vibrant yellow light. It crackled with energy as it spun in a tight circle. “And now, to make good on my promise to make you pay…”
Morgan released the sphere toward Niv. Maeva slowed time and channeled a rapid teleportation spell, sending Niv and her companions behind the barrier protecting the inn.
“Leave Niv out of this!” she yelled.
She extended a hand toward Morgan and channeled the power of the Amulet of Darkness through her arm, blasting her with an intense pulse of energy. Morgan’s golden magical barrier absorbed her assault.
“Pathetic,” Morgan said.
She pointed both hands at her, summoning more power from the amulet. She paired it with her own magic, mixing a dark-blue spherical charge of energy that she could barely contain. It flew from her with incredible speed, hitting Morgan’s shield and knocking her off her feet.
She took a few steps toward Morgan. “You could have been more reasonable. The order took great care of you.”
Morgan sprang to her feet and sent a quick fireball her way, halting her advance. “Your kind of care cost me my daughter.”
“That was your problem. You couldn’t take any responsibility for your actions. Your failures were always someone else’s fault.”
Morgan screamed in frustration and pushed her to the ground. She grabbed hold of the Amulet of Darkness around her neck and pulled the chain, trying to strangle her. She closed her eyes and channeled its power through her body, propelling Morgan into the air. She landed on a snow-covered bush beside the town hall.
Maeva stood beside the bush and gathered her energy. The amulet’s power coursed through her veins as she raised her hands to put an end to Morgan’s misery. Just before she released the magic, Morgan teleported across the square near the shield around the inn. The bolts of energy surged into the bush, obliterating it.
“Stop! Both of you!” Aja yelled.
She shook her head. “Morgan cannot be saved. The amulet has corrupted her beyond redemption.”
“The Amulet of Light?” Aja asked.
“Extremes of light and dark corrupt,” Shareis said. “One with zealotry, the other with depravity. Both are toxic to the soul.”
Morgan sneered. “You should listen to your Proctor-in-law, Maeva.” Morgan pointed to the ground, melting snow with a searing beam of light that flared in a straight line directly underneath her feet. “If I am beyond redemption, so are you!”
The intense heat burned her feet even through the snow. She moved out of the flame, but the soles of her boots continued to smolder. Only the snow stifled the terrible burn. Morgan took advantage of her pain and fired another bolt of energy toward her. The blast removed her shield and pushed her into the snow behind her.
“There are no better angles for us, Maeva.”
Morgan prepared to fire again. Her energy was too low to cast another shield. Before Morgan could release her killing blow, Mae leapt to her feet and locked hands with her, forcing a powerful surge of magic through her arms and into Morgan’s body.
Their two energies collided between their grips. She felt the searing light emanating from Morgan’s hands, and the corrupting darkness leave her burning palms. The clash created a horrible vibration that shook her entire body.
She heard Niv, Farius, and Aja yelling from behind the barrier but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. The collision of power consumed them both in a twisted vortex. Swirls of dark purple and pale-yellow energy danced between them. Her body began to shake so violently her muscles ached under the strain.
In the brightness, she saw Morgan—not the woman consumed by jealousy and hate but the poor, misguided human who so desperately sought to reunite with her daughter. In that woman’s eyes, she understood that her opponent saw her, too—not the beautiful, enchanted gown, not the powerful, ambitious sorceress, and not the bureaucrat who craved power at the expense of her own family’s happiness.
Beneath Morgan’s zealotry, there was innocence. Beneath her own shroud of glamor and prestige there was a pit of self-despair that could never be filled. Morgan’s sole purpose—her quest for her daughter, was Maeva’s greatest regret.
In me, you see that which you hate.
The brilliance faded, and the two were flung apart with such ferocity it propelled her into a wall. Her vision turned red, then faded.
Chapter 61
Farius and Niv rushed to Mae.
Her father put his hands over her mother. “Help me.”
Niv rushed to the other side and joined in his effort to revive her. She closed her eyes to appraise the injury. She felt a magical hum from the Amulet of Darkness, but her mother’s body was devoid of energy. She instantly knew her mother was gone.
She looked up at Farius. He slowly opened his eyes. They both understood there was no hope in reviving her.
Shareis’s hand rested on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Niv.”
Aiden and Frasie approached. Frasie knelt beside her. “Is she really…”
Farius gathered his love’s body and cradled her head in his arms, gently rocking her. She rubbed her father’s shoulder as he cried. She was stunned and saddened, yet she had no tears. In that moment, she felt worse for her father.
She looked to Adrious. “Will you go get Cherin and Ren?”
Aiden nodded and darted into the inn. He quickly returned with her adopted parents and Jarris. Cherin sat next to Mae and held her sister’s hand.
Jarris hugged her. “I’m sorry, Niv.”
She welcomed the love and support from her brother.
Jarris joined Cherin and Ren at Mae’s side, and Shareis walked up to her. “Niv, how are you feeling?”
“I don’t know. I feel bad for Farius.” She took a deep breath. “That would have been me.”
Her wife held her. She buried her face in Shareis’s shoulder and cried.
* * *
Aja leaned over Morgan while Adrious stood behind her. Her newfound mother took ragged breaths and her color was fading. She tried to heal her with magic, but it was soon clear she was beyond hope.
Morgan took her hand. “Don’t…”
She continued appraising her wounds. “I just need to stabilize—”
“No, Aja. Don’t waste our time like this.” Morgan coughed and struggled to regain her breath. “I have much to say.” Morgan looked to the sky. “But I don’t have the time.” Morgan put her hand on her face. “Close your eyes.”
She did as she was asked. Instantly, her field of vision was filled with the vibrant fruits and vegetables, tapestries, and clothes sold on the streets of Selandis. The sun was bright, and the energetic din of the city filled her ears.
“Pretty!”
Morgan knelt next to her and examined the exquisite red fabric that had caught her eye. “Do you like that?”
She nodded exuberantly.
“Five yards, please,” she told the merchant.
“I remember that dress,” she whispered.
Her vision changed to a beautifu
l sunny day at the dock in Selandis. Morgan held her hand, and she sagged against her mother as she watched the fishing boats set out for the morning.
Then she saw a fireplace. Morgan rocked her in a chair. She caught a hint of sweet lavender from her mother’s perfume.
“You had a fever. You wouldn’t rest until you were in my arms. We slept all night, together, by the fire, in my rocking chair.”
The flames faded into a watercolor-like vignette. Eventually, the vision disappeared. She opened her eyes and saw Morgan’s lids were closing.
“No, no… Mom…”
Morgan opened her glassy eyes. “I’m tired.”
She latched on to the warm fire she savored that fevered night as she laid her head on her mother’s chest. She still wore the same perfume, and the sweet smell of lavender stirred even more memories from her childhood.
Her vision blurred with tears. “Please… Please don’t go.”
Morgan’s hand rested on her head. She waited for what seemed like an eternity between her mother’s labored breaths. Soon, her chest rose no more.
* * *
Niv walked to the center of the town square. Aja still held Morgan’s body as Adrious did her best to console her. Farius grieved for his wife. And she, tears still not dry, felt utterly alone. She wasn’t, of course, as she still had family and friends. She thanked the stars for that, as so many in the eastern half of the continent couldn’t count themselves that lucky.
And yet, despite having prevailed, the victory felt hollow. So many lives had been lost, large swaths of the Jeweled Woods were charred, and her childhood home, Brenloh, was no more. Nothing would ever be the same.
Morgan’s soldiers, sitting on the ground, held at gunpoint by the remaining militia, would occasionally glance her way. She needed to tell them something. She gathered the doctor and commander Phillip.
“You are free to return to your continent. You no longer have your ships, but Selandis has a small fleet of sailing boats that could take you to Asaria. Or, you and your associates may stay on our continent. The choice is yours.”
Sarah blinked. “You trust us?”
“No, I don’t. But I doubt you remain a threat to our safety.”
Sarah looked over at Morgan’s body. “Our leader…had magic.”
“Everyone has magic,” she countered.
Sarah shook her head. “I was educated as scientist. I’m not sure I’d fit into your world.”
Aiden approached. “I’m an engineer, and I fit in well. I believe in the power of invention—using my mind to solve problems.” Aiden smiled at her. “Before I met Niv, I had no use for magic. To me, magic is just another form of science. Something we don’t really understand but nevertheless exists.”
Sarah took a deep breath. “It goes against everything I believe.”
“I thought it was all superstitious nonsense,” Phillip said. “Cadrin was right. Look at all the death it has caused.”
“Magic is real,” she said. “Magic has been used for great evil, but it has also done a lot of good. It is a tool, and its wielder determines the outcome.” She pointed to Phillip’s weapon. “Your gun can kill or provide a meal. The choice is yours.”
“I’m not sure we can change a lifetime of belief,” Sarah said.
“Changing your belief is what magic is all about.” She pointed to her heart. “True magic is within yourself—the power to change, to transmute the darkness into light, fear into love, and despair into hope. That is magic.”
Chapter 62
On a beautiful summer day, Niv stood before Frasie and Aiden by the fountain in front of the Temple of the Ael’Shanar. It was on days like this—these special occasions—that she thought of her mother the most.
Frasie’s face was flushed from nerves, and she feared Aiden’s stoic stance would cause him to fall over at the slightest breeze.
“You’re doing fine,” she whispered. “We’re almost done.”
Marcus handed Aiden his ring.
“With this ring, Frasie, I thee wed. It is a sign of my love. I have chosen you, above all else.”
Olivia handed Frasie her ring. “With this ring, Aiden, I thee wed. It is a sign of my love. I have chosen you, above all else.”
They extended their hands toward her, and she tied a rope around their wrists. “This cord symbolizes your love and eternal promise to one another. No steel, might, or magic under the heavens shall ever sunder its bond. In its grasp, you are one.”
She took their hands. “By the powers vested in all of us, through which I am blessed to channel, I declare you bound forevermore. A new family is born, and a new chapter begins.” She turned them to face the crowd. “Now, seal this magic with a kiss.”
Frasie let a brief squeal escape before they kissed. She held their hands in the air. “I am honored to introduce Aiden and Frasie, two of my dearest friends. Please pray they go in peace.”
Frasie jumped for joy as the gathered crowd cheered.
“Merry did we meet, and merry do we part. Let us go in peace.”
The happy couple worked their way through the crowd, taking in well-wishes from their friends. Frasie tossed the bouquet toward the altar. Mauria caught it. She smiled as Mauria and Lilly exchanged a loving gaze.
After the crowd diminished, she walked up to Frasie and Aiden. “I love you both.”
Frasie hugged her. “Thank you, Nivvy! For everything.”
“I love you too, Niv,” Aiden said as he embraced her. “I never would have thought a travel-weary group of women in my favorite watering hole could have changed my life.”
Marcus pulled Aiden aside, and Frasie gave her another tight hug. Just before she was going to have to beg for air, Frasie released and stood next to her, looking out over the city. “I feel guilty for having this much fun.”
She wrapped her arm around her best friend. “Your parents would have wanted you to enjoy your wedding day.”
Frasie took a deep breath. “I know. I… I just wished they could have been here.”
“Me too.”
Cherin, Ren, and Jarris approached them. Cherin hugged Frasie. “We’re so happy for you, Frasie.”
“Are you going to stay in Selandis with us?” Frasie asked.
Cherin looked at her. “After much persuading, Niv has convinced us.”
Frasie smiled. “Marcus is staying, too.”
She playfully rubbed her hands together. “My plan is working perfectly.”
Shareis and Olivia walked up to them. “My wife has been waging a campaign to bring everyone to Selandis.”
She shrugged. “I just want to be near my friends and family. I want you all in one place.”
“I want to go back to Brenloh,” Jarris said.
She frowned. “I see I still have my work cut out for me.”
“I want to be near you all, but this big city life just doesn’t agree with me,” he said. “Besides, Brenloh and Ashmar will need to be rebuilt.”
“They’ll need bright, hard workers like you,” she said.
After her family left, Frasie turned to Olivia. “About that nickname.”
Olivia looked confused. “Nickname?”
“All my best friends get a nickname,” Frasie said. “Like Nivvy.” Frasie paused. “Well, I guess not all my friends. I don’t have a name for Cherin, Ren, Jarris…or Farius for that matter.”
“What did you have in mind?” Olivia asked.
“I’ve given that a lot of thought. I’ve settled on Liv.”
Olivia grinned. “Liv, hmm? Works for me.”
Frasie nodded. “Good. You’re staying in Selandis with Aiden and I, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely,” Olivia replied. “I think I’ve had more than enough travel for quite some time.”
She caught a glimpse of Farius standing by the fountain. She walked to him.
“Good ceremony,” he said. “You officiated well.”
“Thank you,” she said.
He turned to her. “And you are beau
tiful. Your mother would have loved your dress.”
She looked down at her clothes. “I don’t normally wear red, but Frasie wanted me in a color that matched her hair.”
“You and Shareis are the only family I have now,” he said.
She put her hand on his shoulder. “I hardly knew her, and I miss her. I regret we argued and fought so much.”
“Your mother was a stubborn woman. But that determination saved us.”
“She was a brave soul,” she said.
“I have both amulets,” Farius said. “What should I do with them?”
“I think they should be destroyed,” she replied.
“They are almost indestructible. You see what it took to break apart the Amulet of Balance.”
“What do you suggest?” she asked
“I will take them to the grove,” he replied. “They should be safe there. I will leave tomorrow at first light.”
“You will be back, won’t you?”
Farius’s gaze wandered over the upper city. “Yes. But not for a while. This city… It brings back too many memories.”
“I understand.”
“Come eat with Shareis and I this evening,” she offered. “Enjoy one last meal with us before you go.”
He nodded. “I will.”
He handed her a well-folded piece of paper. “Your mother wanted me to give this to you.” She started to open it, but he stopped her. “Don’t read it now. Wait until I leave.”
“If you wish.”
She watched as her father solemnly walked back to the temple. She couldn’t help but to wonder if she could continue if she lost Shareis. She shuddered at the thought, and her heart ached as she pondered the depths of his loneliness.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you, High Priestess.”
She turned to see Aja standing behind her. “No, it’s fine. And as I told you, Niv is perfectly fine.”
“I still can’t get used to calling you that.”
“How are you?” she asked.
Aja looked to the sky. “I’m… I don’t know.”
“I understand,” she said.
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