by Kristen Day
Holding her gaze, I stepped up to her, “A leader does not demand from weaker beings. A leader does not take advantage of her abilities. She leads from within; with dignity and grace. She always puts herself last and she is willing to sacrifice for what is right.” I stepped even closer as she gawked at me with wide eyes, “You will never be a leader,” I hissed at her.
“Anastasia,” I turned to Persephone as she motioned for me to stand beside her. “Come.” With one last glance at Nadia, I turned and walked to Persephone. She put her hand on my shoulder.
“Never have I met a woman more willing to sacrifice for the man she loves, and willing to fight so hard for what is right. You have proven me wrong, young goddess. And for that; I have decided to give you amnesty.”
“What!?” Nadia lashed out, but Persephone held up her hand.
“I also dismiss your betrothal to Finn.” She sighed as she eyed her daughter in disappointment, “It pains me to say this, but you truly do not deserve him.”
“Mother!” Nadia gasped, as Persephone smiled at me.
“I grant you amnesty, Anastasia. Use my pardon wisely.”
“No!” Nadia screamed as my world once again went black.
The roar of the crowd above hit me with a force that caused me to snap open my eyes. My head fell to the right as a sudden movement caught my attention. I looked over just in time to see Finn drive his axe into Maddox’s chest. He quickly yanked it out and angrily threw it across the arena. He knelt and quietly spoke to Maddox as he leaned over him; hugging him with urgency. My eyes filled with hot tears and an overwhelming pride filled my every cell.
I was lying near the wall of the arena, and it would appear that no one had noticed my reappearance just yet. Two men ran onto the arena floor and struggled to wrench Finn off of Maddox’s body. He collapsed into a heap of tears and defeat, as they dragged Maddox’s body away while the crowd cheered and chanted Finn’s name.
Too exhausted to move, I simply called out his name, “Finn…” He either heard me somehow or felt my essence, because his eyes lifted and met mine automatically. In that moment the world disappeared and all that was left was us. His darkness reached out to me as he stood slowly. The crowd, seeing his attention diverted, began to murmur and gasp as they laid eyes on me.
As Finn continued to make his way over to me, they quieted and seemed to hold their breaths. I forced my body to turn on its side and I painstakingly lifted myself up to my knees. He stopped in front of me and fell to his knees as well, grabbing my arms and supporting me.
“Oh Stasia, I’m so sorry.” I silenced him with my finger and smiled through my tears. His own tears continued to fall as I wrapped my arms around him and brought my lips to his. My heart exploded into a million pieces, raining down on us and blanketing me with euphoria. The crowd in the arena erupted into cheers that I felt all the way down to my soul. He glanced up at me in surprise.
“You have darkness in you… I can feel it…” he said only to me, amazed. “But how…”
“Persephone pardoned me,” I laughed from the joy I felt, “and she dismissed your betrothal,” Finn simply shook his head at me in astonishment.
“And here I thought I was going to be the one to find a way around it and save the day.” He chuckled, “I should have known you’d show me up.”
“It’s what I do,” I teased him.
“And loving you is what I do,” he whispered, as he embraced me again for another passionate kiss. The incessant chanting of the crowd drew our attention back to our audience, who was demanding the induction of their new Prime.
“Your Order awaits,” I grinned at him, beaming with pride. The arena was quickly cleared and a rolling platform was brought out for the ceremony. As Finn was ushered up the steps, he refused to let go of my hand.
“I don’t belong up there,” I hissed at him.
“Of course you do.” He smiled at me and dragged me up the stairs as my cheeks flushed and my heart beat wildly.
“This is amazing,” I marveled at the pomp and circumstance surrounding us. Finn simply grinned at me.
“Just wait until your eighteenth birthday. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
We were soon joined by Natasha, who hugged me before hugging Finn - drawing a laugh from the crowd - and finally by Charon. I recognized him as the same older man I saw Finn talking to the night of the Ball. He was in his late fifties with salt and pepper hair and warm blue eyes.
“I’ve heard a great deal about you young lady,” he bowed to me. “My son is a better man with you by his side.”
“Thank you,” was all I could manage. Charon produced a staff that was covered in black onyx with an immense diamond adorning the top. He beat it three times on the platform in quick succession, and the crowd quickly quieted.
“Tonight, I induct my son as your new Prime! This is a new era for the Sons’ Order. One which will flourish and shine beneath his strong hand.” He turned and held out the staff to Finn, who stepped towards him and grasped the staff as well. They both closed their eyes and muttered something inaudible. They then met each other’s gaze and slammed the staff down onto the platform in a loud boom. An intense light shot up from the top of the staff and a thumping shockwave flew outwards. When I looked back up at Finn, my breath caught. An inner glow I had never seen before was shining from him. His eyes were even brighter, and he stood tall with dignity. Charon released the staff and turned around. As he held his arms up, the entire stadium bowed to Finn. It was a surreal and majestic experience, and the pride that I felt was magnified each time I looked up at him. He diverted his shining eyes to mine and placed his hand on my neck, lifting my chin with his thumb.
“No matter what, you will always be my true destiny.” He brought his soft lips to mine and I felt my legs melt as my heart soared. I knew in that moment that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
As the crowd sat back down, a loud clapping brought everyone’s attention to the newcomer, who had just entered the arena. She sauntered towards us with an air of arrogance I was beginning to despise. Her bronze skirt had somehow inched higher up her thighs and the white blouse had been replaced with a tight black one. Her peep toe leopard skin stilettos tapped impatiently as she stopped just short of the black circle and platform we currently stood on.
“Bravo! Bravo!” she cheered cynically. Her eyes fell on me with a hatred I could feel before her gaze slid to Finn with a smile dripping with evil. “Hi love, remember me?”
“What are you doing here?” he asked calmly; his anger sizzling just below the surface. She smirked at him, and then her golden gaze pierced mine. Her features darkened considerably and the evil tendrils began lifting off of her sparkling, golden skin.
“Taking back what’s mine,” she growled. Before I knew what was happening, she had lifted her arms and ripped Finn’s soul from his body. His soul-less body flew backwards and landed hard on the circle below with a heart-stopping thump.
“Finn!” I screamed as the arena erupted into chaos around us. She gave me one last devilish smile and I saw Finn reach for me as they both disappeared. As I met the horrified eyes of Natasha, I knew the real fight had just begun.
Daughters of the Sea Trilogy
(Coming February 2013!)
About the Author
Kristen Day is a native North Carolinian who, in true southern fashion, is addicted to sweet tea, baked goods, and football. She graduated from Appalachian State University and bleeds black and gold. When she’s not kayaking or making jewelry, she writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. Forsaken is the first novel in the captivating and addictive Daughters of the Sea Trilogy.
Connect with her online at:
www.kris10-day.blogspot.com or www.goodreads.com/kris10day
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