Ascension (Unbound Prophecy Book 1)

by J. L. Jackola

  “And I’m supposed to be happy with this…why?” he asked.

  “Don’t you see? I would still be without a true union as husband and wife. I would still be open to take true vows with you, well, once I figure out how.” She chewed her bottom lip.

  “Dissolve the union after a short time,” he stated, wondering why he hadn’t thought of it earlier.

  “What?” she asked incredulously.

  “Dissolve it, just end it.”

  “I know what dissolve means, but I don’t understand how it relates to a union.”

  “Don’t tell me your people are so strait-laced that they never break their unions. They don’t all keep their vows for a lifetime, do they?”

  She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “That’s incredible,” he said as he thought on what that meant.

  “Why? I find it incredible that anyone would take a pledge of commitment and love then turn around and break it. Is that what you would do to me?”

  “Vi, be serious. First of all, the king never dissolves his union. The union always lasts for his mate’s lifetime. Although it’s not a law as it is in your land, we do take it very seriously. Secondly, do you really think I could take vows with anyone but you? Well, given the circumstances, don’t answer that.” She had thought it and believed it, which stung a little, but he didn’t feel like drudging that up again at this moment.

  “Mmmm. So, you suggest I dissolve it after an appropriate period?”

  “Yes, give an excuse like it just wouldn’t work because of a conflict with his Council position. I don’t know, just give them something. They’ll forgive you and get over it in time.”

  “I don’t know, Sinow. It all feels wrong to me.”

  “You’re right, Vi, every piece of this is wrong, including that fact that you’re taking vows with another man.” He saw from the look in her eyes that this had stung her.

  “You just don’t understand.”

  His rage flared within him. “No, Violissa, I don’t understand! I don’t see how you can feel the way we both feel and still want to go through with this.”

  Her eyes darkened in response to his anger. “I don’t want to do this, Sinow, but I have no choice now!”

  He ran his hand through his hair and walked away from her.

  “I’ll find a way to get out of it before any vows are taken. I promise.”

  “You’d better find one, Violissa, and fast.” The heat was rising within him, but he felt the calming spell she was weaving take hold. He had to know the answer to one more question before he walked away.

  “Answer me this, Vi, why Daneele? Why not some random villager with a shorter life span?”

  She looked at him, those eyes paling to a crystal green shade. She looked down at the floor shyly and spoke softly, “I could only convince myself to take the vows.” She rubbed her hand along her neck and chewed on her bottom lip before continuing. “I didn’t want anyone else to…to…to touch or kiss or do anything more with me.” He couldn’t help but smile; so she really did feel everything he did. “I knew Daneele would want to keep his vow of chastity and would never ask anything of me. I trust him, he’s like my big brother, so I chose him.”

  Sinow moved close to her again and, taking every ounce of restraint not to kiss her, brushed the loose curl from her eye, running his finger through it as he did. “Don’t take vows with him, Vi. If you can’t break the commitment, then at least put off the ceremony. There must be another way to get out of it before that happens. If you go through with it, I won’t be able to control my powers any longer. You know what it will do to me,” he said quietly.

  “I know. I can delay it. I’ll find an excuse.”

  “Thank you for at least that much. So, I guess this means I’m resigned to sit back and wait once again? I can’t believe I’m even having this conversation.”

  She smiled seductively. “You did tell me once that you had all of eternity to wait for me.”

  “So, I did,” he replied as his hand trailed down her face past her throat and traced the line of her gown. “I didn’t realize it would be so difficult.”

  She closed her eyes momentarily; he was taken aback by the intense desire he saw flicker in them when she opened them again. She placed her hand on his chest, and her eyes sparkled with power. He felt his powers rise in reaction but then felt the calming spell she wove as she quietly began to sing. If it were anyone else, he may have laughed, but he knew the power of her voice, and as she sang, he felt it through his core. Her voice wove a spell around him, he felt its touch on his hair, across his face, over his chest, felt it lace within his heart. A binding spell, powerful and everlasting. He listened to her words and could not hear the spell, only feel it weaving. Her voice, lovely and haunting as it always was, sang of lost love hindered by mistakes and misfortunes, timeless yet fated to be unresolved. It told of longing destined to be fulfilled only after the love was tested and tried to its limits. Two souls bound to one another yet never to have the other. He was so lost in her song and the spell that he didn’t notice she’d stopped. He opened his eyes as she caressed his cheek with her hand.

  “That song is my promise and the binding of that promise to you. I’m sorry I can’t give you more right now, Sinow.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips, leaving it there to linger. She stepped back from him to signal that she knew the conversation had come to an end, and he knew it was time to deal with the true consequences of her decision to move forward with her commitment to Daneele even if she didn’t want to go through with it.

  He’d put this off for the end of their conversation and felt his eyes darken. He brought her hand back down and stepped further away from her. She nodded as though to agree that the time had come. He took a deep breath and brought his focus back to his power, letting it ripple through him again. He had to let the Darkness in if he was going to tackle this.

  “You know what must happen now, Vi? You understand I cannot avoid it?” She nodded. “Then the time is at hand to discuss the inevitable.”

  When Violissa finished the song, she nearly cried from the emotion of it. Though she’d told him she’d bound her promise to him, she’d not told him that she’d also bound their hearts and souls just as they were bound by prophecy. He’d know when the song was sung again to him. It would bring the bond to light and hopefully bring him back from the Darkness she feared would overcome him soon.

  This time together had been hard for her, and she knew for him as well. She’d wanted him so badly, to let him kiss her, to run away with him and just let it all go. But, alas, she couldn’t. Her people needed her, and she had a responsibility to follow this path she’d laid for herself. There was no going back, the Fate had told her that much. She’d made yet another falter on the path and had only herself to blame. Emotion seemed to be her downfall, and she had to learn her lesson the hard way. She knew the hardest part of the path was yet to come, and she understood that the difficult part of the conversation was about to begin. Thankfully he’d put it off, leaving it to this point, possibly hoping he could change her mind. Now, as he backed away and his eyes darkened, she prepared herself for what was coming.

  “Time for us to step back into our reality, Violissa, into our true roles,” he spoke quietly. She knew he didn’t want to do this but had no choice just as she’d had none. These were the rules they lived by. She had a sickening feeling that Tynan had planned it all, knowing this would be the outcome. She tucked her emotions back and conjured a robe to cover her exposed skin, hoping it would help him get through it.

  She tied the robe around her waist as their eyes met. By the Fates, he was handsome. She could spend days staring at him and never grow tired of it. Perhaps she’d have the chance one day.

  She drew her robe up closer to her, understanding what was coming and dreading it. She wanted to scream in
frustration. How could this all be happening? She wanted him so badly right now, but she was too proud to act on it, to let go of her stubborn need to abide by the rules. He was right, she did put her people first, and now they would all pay for it. Finally, they had come to a place where they both could accept their destiny, and once again, she had made the wrong choice. Once again, they were being pulled apart by her decisions.

  “Go on, Sinow, let it be done.” She felt the change in her eyes as she hardened herself to what was coming. All emotions were safely locked away.

  Sinow stood, lost in her gaze for what seemed an eternity then finally spoke. “You understand that I will be forced to declare war on you and your realm, Violissa?” She’d expected it, but a shiver still ran down her spine. “I have no other choice. You were promised to me, should have been mine. I cannot let the fact that you have chosen to take vows with another go without repercussions. Regardless of what agreement we’ve come to today, regardless of what has been discussed. The Council will expect it, my people will expect it. I have laws of my own land to follow, Violissa, just as you have yours.” He stopped, averting his eyes from hers. She knew he hated doing this, and that it would take releasing control of his Dark powers to do so. She made no attempt to weave a calming spell.

  “I understand, Sinow.”

  “I’ll give you time to place protection spells around your villages and to ready your people and Council. When I tear down the realm boundary, you will have no more time. That is the most I can offer.”

  “Thank you,” she said as he raised his eyes back to meet hers. They were blacker than night, but he was still in control. She knew how much effort it was costing him and worried how long it would be before he lost that control.

  “My brother will be dealt with swiftly and justly before that time. He will be punished severely for what he has done. The only chance you have of stopping this is by calling off your planned union. Find a way, quickly, I’ll hold back as long as I can. Goodbye, Vi…Violissa.”

  She heard the sadness in his voice as he said his last words to her. “Goodbye, Sinow,” she replied as he shifted. She stood there for a long time, breathing in what remained of his scent and replaying everything in her head. As a child would, she wanted to run after him and tell him to forget it all, that the laws could go the way of the Fates for all she cared. But she didn’t. Instead, she crumpled over and fell to the floor as the emotions of the evening and what she’d just given up came crashing down upon her. She wept until sleep finally overtook her.

  Forty

  Tynan looked around. Nothing. That’s all he saw for miles and miles. Nothing. He tried shifting and came crashing down as the magical barrier that held him slammed him back to the ground. He groaned in frustration and rubbed his neck. Picking himself back up, he took a deep breath. This was temporary, only temporary. He’d known Sinow would punish him but hadn’t seen this coming. Although, looking back, he should have. Tynan laughed at the predicament he’d caused for his brother. The spell with the wind had been perfect. He couldn’t have planned it any better if he’d tried. Violissa fell for it and just like any other woman, her jealousy got the best of her. Even with all that power, she was just as weak as the average woman and just as gullible.

  So, Tynan would wait here in banishment until his brother lost control again. Eventually Sinow would come calling for him, begging for his return to the realm. He could wait, he had waited this long. The book was hidden away underground below his study although he didn’t think anyone would have the time to go nosing around through his stuff. Not with a war going on, a war that wouldn’t take long to begin. Sinow would have no grounds to hold the Council from calling for war. The treaty had been broken, and they would jump at the chance to call for revenge. Once it began Sinow wouldn’t be able to control his Dark nature. Sure, he talked big, telling himself and anyone who would listen that he had it all under control. Tynan knew the truth, knew the call of their Dark powers all too well. There would be too much aggression in the air to fight it. When he finally tasted the true depth of power he held, nothing would be able to stop him. Nothing that is except Tynan. Yes, Sinow would come crawling back to Tynan seeking his advice again. He’d be back in Sinow’s favor all the while scheming for his fall.

  Tynan aimed his shift out a few miles within the Banished Realm’s borders. Still no sign of anything or anyone. He didn’t think there would be, those who were sent here were few, and it was believed they didn’t survive long in the dreaded barrenness. Immortals who were sent, which was very rare and hadn’t happened since before his father’s reign, were said to be driven so insane by the loneliness that they would give their lives back to the Fates to escape it. He waved his hand and created a small building for shelter. His magic would sustain him until Sinow called him back. Not too long to wait. No, it wouldn’t be long, and when he returned, he’d break the secret to that damned book once and for all and bring Tenebron to its knees.

  Forty-One

  As the days ran by, Violissa knew she was in trouble. No matter which way she worked it, she couldn’t find a way out of the impending union. She argued constantly with her Council about the situation, and thankfully they continually avoided telling her they’d warned her of this. It might have all easily been reversed, but somehow word had spread from the castle and people were beginning to talk. Rumors were flying, and so she’d sent Council out to address them knowing that they needed to be aware of the consequences of her mistake. Needed to prepare for what was coming. All she could do at this point was to try to delay the union for as long as she could, but she knew she was running out of time quickly. She felt the threat coming. Felt it in the air, in the ground, felt it with every breath she took. The wind, ever so apologetic about giving her the wrong information, had tried to make it up by feeding her news on Sinow. It insisted that the source would only be from Sinow’s words and actions. It told of his swift punishment of Tynan for causing such damage and the ever-present sadness in his eyes. He had sentenced his brother to a fate most felt worse than death, banishment. Banishment was seen as a kindness to the usual torture an offender might have in the realm, but for many, the thought of being sent from their families and the comfort of their homes to survive on their own in the Banished Realm was more frightening than the torture. Violissa wasn’t surprised Sinow had sent him there. It was really the only form of true punishment one could give to an immortal. Violissa feared, however, that as much as Sinow might hate what Tynan had done, he was still blood, and she knew Sinow had a soft spot for Tynan. Another weakness she hoped wouldn’t turn out to be his downfall although she suspected it already was.

  Violissa stood on the southern-most tip of her land and looked across the cliff where she stood, seeing beyond her border into Sinow’s land. From this viewpoint, she could use her powers to see far into his land. It was dawn in Tenebron, and the sunrise cast a brightness to the land that seemed ironic for what was to come. The land was dense with trees and lush green fields that welcomed the coming sunshine. Mountain peaks in the distance cast a shadow over part of the land, including Sinow’s castle. A vast amount of cleared land backed the castle while the front was guarded by thick woods that lined the border of a sprawling yard. Violissa imagined Sinow riding across the land and through the woods. She didn’t know why the image came to her, but she felt it was something he would do, something he would enjoy. The castle grounds spoke nothing of the Darkness that lie within the castle walls. The contrast was startling.

  The wind whipped Violissa’s hair across her face. It had told her today was the day, but it needn’t have, she felt it in every fiber of her being, sensed it in the tense feel of the land under her toes, the stance of the trees. War was coming. Although she couldn’t see him, she felt Sinow’s eyes on her. It had been so long since she’d seen him, an entire moon cycle had passed, and she knew he’d held this at bay as long as he could. He was waiting for her to announce the union had ended but tr
y as she might, she’d found no way to do so. He’d been patient, but now he had no choice but to move forward. She understood the pressure his Council was placing on him to act. What else could he do? Her eyes closed briefly as she felt him reaching out to her in enaigne.

  Violissa…Vi, I cannot deter them any longer, are you prepared? The sound of his voice, the feel of it in her head, caused her heart to race.

  Yes.

  I’m sorry it’s come to this, but you give me no choice.

  I understand the laws of your lands as you have understood mine.

  Goodbye, Vi, I will have them go as easy on your people as I can, if that’s possible.

  Sinow?

  Yes, Vi.

  Take care of yourself. Don’t let the Darkness cause you to lose control.

  Take care, Vi.

  And with that, he was gone. She felt his absence deep within her as she stood silently on the cliff, knowing he was looking toward her. The waves below crashed against the rocky shoreline in anger as if they knew what was coming. She waited with bated breath, one hand held to her chest feeling her heart beat quicken with anticipation. Her wait wasn’t long as she felt the rumble of the border being sieged by his magic. Sinow was destroying the magical border that had separated their lands for thousands of years. The ascension had granted him the power to do so, just as her ascension had. She did nothing to stop him, knowing it was no use. This war was inevitable; all she could do was watch and wait. The ground shook, and she saw the shield quiver before it shattered with a deafening thunder. Quickly she wove a spell to dissolve the shards that splattered her realm. They changed to a fine powder, layering the ground like a light snow. She felt the fear and panic run through her people as well as the land and knew in her heart this would be a long war, no matter what Sinow thought.