by Lisa Rector
“Tell your betrothed she will see her brother again. Steel yourself. They will yet return.”
Einion grinned and lunged after her. He couldn’t resist teasing her.
Meinwen squealed. “This is not appropriate for the High Emrys,” she yelled while he chased her through the garden.
At least Einion had hope. If Meinwen gave one assurance, it was that. He had to hope he would see Catrin again and have faith that Meinwen spoke the truth. Einion smiled. Meinwen was never wrong. But one obstacle thwarted him. Patience—patience that he had plenty of time to perfect.
The End
Chronicles of the
HALF-EMRYS
Book 3 Master of Time
A novel by
Lisa Rector
Master of Time
Copyright © 2016 Lisa Rector
All rights reserved.
First Edition 2016
This novel is Reader Rated (RR) for ages 16+ for moderate violence, torture, and non-detailed fade-out sensuality.
Cover design by Cindy Canizales
Cover photos by Shutterstock
Time is only one enemy.
A malicious shadow trails Catrin and Meuric after they find themselves shoved backwards through time. As a wielder of darkness, only Meuric knows the enormity of the evil that wants to claim Catrin, a pure Daughter of Light. Though they are two immortal enemies thrown together, Meuric and Catrin band together, searching for the way home.
As time forces Meuric to relive a tortured past and face his fears, Catrin’s health rapidly declines from a prior injury. Meuric confronts reality—his long-ignored light could save her but using it will diminish his dark power, hindering his ability to pass through the ether to their own time. Returning home has become the least of his problems . . . if there’s a way home at all.
To Isadora
—To see into your eyes is to learn where imagination begins.
To see through your eyes is to unlock every portal into worlds beyond and even transcend time.
And to the MacKay family
—You truly shine for all the world to see your light.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
PART I
CHAPTER ONE
DEVASTATING REPERCUSSIONS
Meuric picked up a sharp red and black volcanic rock perfectly sized for the palm of his hand. The air had stilled, and the familiar sulfurous scent lingered, biting at his nose. He stood like an obsidian statue with only his hand moving as he turned the pointed rock over and over.
Sweat rolled down his nose, the perspiration a result of the continual heat pouring out of the ground from the volcanic mountain Uffern. Lava rivers flowed beneath the whole central highland and the great range that Uffern was the star of.
It was here, along this forsaken mountainside of jagged, loose sediment, where a single crevice ripped into the inferno, allowing access to the volcanic depths. It was here, where Meuric waited for his mother Siana and Einion to trek through the passages to the Dark Master’s chamber.
Meuric ran a finger along the somewhat straight bridge of his nose, shaking off the beads of sweat, and brushed a hand over his scalp, which was shorn to stubs for battle. He adjusted the sword at his hip before resuming his stance, continuously turning the sharp stone.
His dragon, Derog, mentally called out to him. I’ve reached the battle. I won’t wait for you. It’s brutal. I long to dig my claws into some flesh.
Rhianu, his sister, had sent his army to annihilate the Dragons of Light. Because of the smooth, round stone around his neck, Meuric saw dragon fighting dragon and heard the shouts and screams of battle through Derog. The Dragons of Light and their guardians, the emrys, fought against the Dark Dragon Riders. Meuric would rather be among the chaos, hours away over the desert with the rest of his men, soaring into battle on his beloved winged companion.
But he was here, seeing to another task first. He swallowed the lump in his throat. This night would have devastating repercussions; however, Meuric was prepared to go through with his plan.
Derog, have you spotted Rhianu? Keep her safe. Her flame of red hair—or her ferocity—would be simple to see in the onslaught.
Not yet, but I will not fail you.
How can I do this? I’m vile. I’m despicable. Meuric clutched the volcanic rock, and it cut into his flesh. A curse slipped under his breath. He dropped the shiny glasslike offender and watched blood bubble from an angry gash in the meat of his palm.
Stand by your decision. Derog growled as he clobbered a green dragon and raked his claws across her wings.
Annoyed at injuring himself before battle, Meuric pressed his palm to his pants, staunching the blood flow. He didn’t have time to find a healer. Rhianu will never forgive me. He shook his head and cleared his vision.
She might not, Derog said.
She’ll look at this as betrayal. Rhianu wouldn’t understand Meuric’s plan, his intentions, or his motivations for his actions. She wouldn’t understand how he plotted to release Rhianu from the Dark Master’s abusive grasp. When he learned Einion was foolish enough to attempt taking her place as the Vessel, Meuric didn’t stand in the way.
All because he loves her. Meuric scoffed.
Love caused people to make reckless choices.
Was that why Meuric was doing this? I can’t rationalize myself out of this one, can I?
She won’t show leniency, Derog replied.
You saw her face. Rhianu loves him! She begged me to save Einion—to stop him from becoming the Vessel. Meuric couldn’t forget the look on his sister’s face as she fell against his chest and pleaded with him. For a fearless ruler, her fit had been a lapse in conduct. Rhianu had softened. Her love for Einion had changed her. Now was the chance to liberate her from Evil’s clutches, even if Rhianu felt otherwise.
Still, Meuric felt guilty, but he used his animosity toward Einion to justify his actions. I couldn’t honor her wishes after what that cad did to her. Deep in his throat, Meuric hissed.
Easy, Derog said. Patience. Siana and Einion should emerge soon. I’ve spotted Rhianu. She’s in hand-to-hand combat with another emrys, a woman. Rhianu has the upper hand.
Good. Watch for the moment she loses power. You may need to intervene. Rhianu will weaken. Keep her from harm.
Derog roared.
Meuric’s vision flashed, and agony leached through him. Derog! Hovering midair, Derog ripped a spear from his hind leg. A searing jab tore through Meuric’s thigh—a drawback from sharing his dragon’s mind during battle. Though blood trickled down the dark blue dragon hide, the wound wasn’t serious. A mere splinter. Fly on. You’ve fought through worse. Find Rhianu.
Saving Rhianu was all that mattered.
Only one emrys coul
d be the Vessel, so without hesitation, Meuric allowed Einion to enter the fiery mountain, unchallenged, and follow the passages to the Dark Master’s chamber where he could access the power and take it from Rhianu.
Because I’m too weak to take the power myself. Too cowardly to rescue her from years of abuse that could have been prevented. Deep down, Meuric knew if he became the Vessel in Rhianu’s stead, there’d be no going back. Meuric would become more corrupted and malicious than his sister had ever been.
Rhianu doesn’t understand what you’ve been through. She doesn’t know how you’ve suffered. Death is nothing to her. She could never know your pain. Derog grunted, and tension filled Meuric as his dragon avoided a collision with another dragon and rider.
No, she couldn’t… Rhianu was a heartless warrior… until Einion. She’s suffered. For the past few months… Meuric muttered.
Yet you still use her lover to free her, against her wishes, Derog said.
Every muscle in Meuric’s legs pricked with the truth. I told you I’m vile. Einion would tarnish his gallant soul to unshackle Rhianu. One soul for another. What did it matter if Meuric didn’t stop him? If he practically wished Einion well on his journey? This mark against Meuric made no difference among the many disfiguring gouges on his soul.
Once Einion emerged from the volcano as the Vessel, Meuric’s betrayal would be complete.
A grin cracked Meuric’s stoic features. He had one reward coming. He was going to kill Einion.
Meuric would willingly bear the consequences—the wrath of the Dark Master and Rhianu’s malice—for eternity, as long as she was relieved of her stewardship.
With wide green eyes and her face drawn tight, Siana emerged from the mountain’s crevice, out of breath. “He’s right behind me, Meuric!”
He shut his eyes, and his shoulders relaxed. Rhianu was free. Derog, is she safe?
Yes. She faltered. She’s confused. His voice was grave. They’ve taken her! Rhianu needs you. I’m intervening.
Derog, wait! Let me finish this wretch, and I’ll take her away. Just keep your eye on her. The emrys won’t harm a prisoner.
The battle would soon be over for the Dark Dragons, and with a sudden realization, Meuric didn’t care. A weight rolled off him. Because of these events, he had forsaken the Dark Master. He no longer served him. Evil can rot in his eternal prison. Meuric’s dragon riders were no longer pawns for the Dark Master’s disposal.
Einion darted from the passage. Darkened eyes filled with sadistic horror locked on Meuric.
By the Creators! The change in Einion chilled Meuric. The lovesick, desperate whelp had morphed into a bomb of vengeance.
“Are you going to stop me?” Einion hissed in an unnatural voice—a voice contorted by the Dark Master’s essence inside him. Sweat plastered his brown curls to his forehead. “Surely, Meuric, you know this will be your death.” Einion contracted his arms and brought his hands up for an attack.
Meuric gauged the situation. Einion’s half-emryn body had not transitioned to the darkness before becoming the Vessel. The dark power couldn’t take complete control while light fought against the Evil that had entered him. Einion would find relief if he completed the change, and Meuric knew what that entailed—taking a life.
A spasm raked through Einion, and he groaned. “Meuric…” As if a switch had been flipped, Einion had possession of his senses. “Help me.” He reached toward Meuric. “I’m… in agony.”
Concern lined Siana’s eternally youthful face.
Meuric wanted this to be over for his mother. Hadn’t Siana carried enough worry over Rhianu? I can’t kill him in front of my mother—knowing she helped Einion for Rhianu’s benefit. Meuric screwed up his fortitude. “His light fights to free him from the darkness. He hasn’t fully transitioned. He can be saved.”
Einion snarled at the words, and his head twitched to the side. Time ran short. They’d have to act now.
“Meuric, will you help him—for Rhianu?” Siana asked. “Don’t kill him.”
Oh, how Meuric wanted to gut Einion for laying his filthy hands on Rhianu! Perhaps by saving Einion, Meuric could be forgiven for his treachery. Siana’s hopeful eyes pierced Meuric’s hesitation. “I will do this for her.”
Einion released an inky blob at him. Because the Dark Master’s power wasn’t at full strength, Meuric deflected the discharge with his own dark energy.
“We only have moments. He’s weak. Mother, project a shield,” Meuric said.
Einion shook, and a black cloud seeped from his body. Siana threw a shield of sheer, energetic light around Einion, like a shroud, and the swirling mass sucked back inside, retreating from the light.
“Let me go, woman!” Einion snapped. He flexed his power against the shield Siana struggled to hold. “Give me your neck to wring so I can be rid of this torment!”
Meuric strode up to Einion and grabbed him by his tunic. “I’m not sorry for this.” He punched Einion in the stomach—and not for the first time—bringing him to his knees. “Siana, give me your hand!”
“What do you mean to do?” she asked.
“Hand!” Meuric shook his empty hand at her while maintaining a grip on Einion. “There’s only one place we can go for help. We need more light than either you or I possess.”
Siana dashed forward and took hold of her son’s hand. Einion quivered in Meuric’s grip, and the world blackened as Meuric drew them through the ether of space, to his sister on the battlefield.
***
The trio appeared high on a cliff, which rose out of the desert floor. A dozen or so emrys from both sides, and their dragons, engaged in dangerous battle on the long, narrow ledge scarcely wide enough for a dragon. On the ground below, the battle raged for miles in every direction. Dragons and their riders volleyed attacks back and forth—streams of light and dark energy and flames of fire filled the night sky.
Meuric hoped the skilled emrys on the battlefield might be able to counter the power inside Einion. If anyone could deliver him from Evil, the Emrys of Light were his only chance. In the face of this new threat—a powerful vessel unable to control himself and able to kill them all—the immortal emrys would intervene immediately.
Rhianu was right in the thick of the battle, so Meuric went to her. He was able to slip instantly through the void of space by moving to a person or place he had a connection to.
Derog, I’m here. Where are you? Glancing over his shoulder, Meuric caught his dragon’s familiar pale blue, spiked ridge descending his snout, like an arrow pointing to bared teeth. Derog’s razor-sharp grimace was for an orange dragon clutching a squirming Rhianu.
“Oh, Meuric, what have you done!” Einion threw Meuric off while he was distracted. “Brought me to the scene of the battle in an eye blink! I never knew such abilities existed!”
Meuric spared Einion a glance before moving toward his sister. The Vessel wasn’t his problem anymore. The emrys would see to him. Meuric’s objective was to remove Rhianu from harm’s way.
The nearby emrys noticed Einion as the greater threat and turned their attention from the Dark Emrys they were fighting. Einion’s surging power would be detrimental to everyone on the battlefield if it were unleashed.
“Do something!” a voice yelled.
Derog, I’m grabbing Rhianu. You take down the dragon.
“Einion, fight it,” someone shouted. “Don’t give in to the Evil. You still have light inside you!”
I’ll await your move, Derog replied.
Another voice. “All of you, hold your shields on him.”
Another. “We must flood him with light. Force the Evil out!” Both sides of light and darkness confronted the Vessel. The Emrys of Light cast their energy, like a fishing net, around Einion to contain him. Their light poured into his body.
Meuric pushed his way through the encroaching crowd.
Words rasped from Einion’s throat. “It’s useless. He’s under my command.”
“Einion!” Rhianu struggled in the drag
on’s grip. “Let me go!”
Drawing his sword, Meuric rushed toward the orange dragon. Scales plated the ridge between his eyes, and two menacing horns jutted from his forehead.
“Let her go, dragon,” Meuric yelled above the tumult.
“Not a chance,” a hostile voice replied.
Meuric whirled around. This came from the mouth of a short, blonde emrys, whose scowl could have melted him into a smoldering pile of ashes.
“Back away, woman.” Sword poised for attack, Meuric barged in front of Rhianu. He didn’t care who he had to strike down to extricate her.
“No.” Siana brushed forward and laid her hands on the dragon’s claw. “Dragon, release her. Let her speak to Einion.”
Meuric didn’t see what talking with Einion might accomplish. Though she loved him, Rhianu wouldn’t give up her rule. Einion was light, and she was darkness. The two of them were so far from compatible that their relationship was laughable. Having been imbedded in her for ages, her glory outweighed her love. Rhianu would never choose love over power.
Upon hearing Einion’s name, the orange dragon frowned at the crowd constraining the Vessel. “Einion—they won’t kill him, will they?”
Siana stroked his face. “I hope not. Rhianu can help him. Let him see her.”
Smoldering Blondie observed Siana with curiosity, with recognition even, before stepping to the other side of the orange dragon and touching his cheek. “It’s all right, Trahaearn. Do as they say.”
Einion interrupted them when he shouted, “Leave me alone!” He dropped to his knees. His body was clearly succumbing to the Dark Master’s power.
Trahaearn loosened his grip, and Rhianu pushed out of his grasp. She rushed forward to Einion, reaching her hand out.
An emrys dressed in rich war apparel, someone of great importance, stopped her. “Do not touch him. Don’t get too close.”
Meuric moved forward to snap the man’s wrist, but Rhianu shook the emrys off. “I’m no fool. I was the Vessel. I know how this works.” She knelt in front of Einion and looked up at him.
