by A. K. Koonce
Eyes from the crowd vary between watching the figures of water move and mimic their natural movements and watching me.
“We are here to announce the trials of those who have done a great wrong-doing.” My voice carries, putting an end to any still-estranged bickering. “You have been lied to.” The crowd gasps as the water version of Chaplain grins and bows and the water witch winks and shakes his hand. “This curse from Goddess Celeste was not goddess appointed. It was a lie told by a witch and carried through by the chaplain with the help of Aisha Joveth. Aisha has been poisoning the water system.”
Water Aisha pulls a vial from her pocket and drops the contents into the fountain while Chaplain and the water witch laugh. It's a bit of a dramatic retelling, but it gets the story across.
Sir Bartley pales, his hand covering his mouth. Even at the small distance, I can see the way his eyes become red-rimmed. Near him, Miranda’s mouth tenses. I didn’t think he would take it well. Maybe the trial won’t be so hard on my mother.
“We have been poisoned. I have experienced symptoms of this poison.” Memories of the moment I got sick after playing in this very fountain come to mind. Iri’s fast decision to use his only remedy of magic to save me was the only thing that made it possible for me to be here today.
“Today we announce the trial of the three who have committed such great crimes.” Some in the crowd begin to clap, others still trying to register what they have been told. “Today we rid our waters of their poison so we can begin to heal.”
Guards beat their shields with the swords they wield, a two-beat rhythm of rally. Fae stand a little taller as they look over each other’s shoulders, trying to get a glimpse of their King and Queen and the watery figures that collapse at the closing of my fist.
I turn toward my husband and extend my hands. He nods, understanding his role in this purge. He leans closer to me, reveling in the way that I breathe in his scent. A strong want tugs at my core, but I ignore it as our powers flow between us. The mental bond is taut but strong, becoming stronger yet as our powers mimic and flow against each other till it’s a braid that no one else can feel but us.
Water layers itself against my hands. His body sears heat in the form of bright sparks that fly and die as water touches them and puffs into small clouds. The entirety of the fountain and the unseen water that flows under our feet to the remainder of the kingdom separates. Instead of one pool of water it becomes standing rain that strings itself through the air.
A child reaches out to touch a droplet that hangs in the air near them, a mother swatting their hand quickly away. Fae lean away from the rain that waits in the air above them but doesn’t fall down to touch them. Some murmur their fear, some marvel.
Power surges through us, flowing from our heads, to our hearts, to our feet, then out through our hands to each other. It lifts our hair off our shoulders.
Iri keeps his gaze trained on me. His eyes narrowed in concentration, his chest tight with need. It’s a contained want, an oddity that we both sink ourselves in so that our magic can work together.
Fire begins to kiss the rain hanging in the air. Water steams and disappears, hissing away into mist. Nervous onlookers cover their mouths with their shirts like the poison burned from the steam will readily be breathed into their lungs. It won't, though.
We can’t change what’s been done. But we can protect them. For now, and always we will work together to give these people the prosperous kingdom they deserve.
Hazy evaporated water rises high into the sky hanging over us until it falls. Like a downfall after a hundred-year drought, water drenches our clothes and clings our hair, to our faces. Splashes of it splatter against part of the crowd and soak nearly all of their shoes.
Iri grins, watching his wide-eyed kingdom.
I watch him.
Fate brought us together in the magic of the flames and the waves of the sea. Not to break a curse or to save a kingdom.
But to save each other.
THE END.
Also By A.K. Koonce
Reverse Harem Books
Origins of the Six
Academy of Six
Control of Five
Destruction of Two
Wrath of One
The Hopeless Series
Hopeless Magic
Hopeless Kingdom
Hopeless Realm
Hopeless Sacrifice
The To Tame a Shifter Series
Taming
Claiming
Maiming
Sustaining
Reigning
The Royal Harem Series
The Hundred Year Curse
The Curse of the Sea
The Legend of the Cursed Princess
The Severed Souls Series
Darkness Rising
Darkness Consuming
Darkness Colliding
The Huntress Series
An Assassin’s Death
An Assassin’s Deception
An Assassin’s Destiny
The Villainous Wonderland Series
Into the Madness
Within the Wonder
Under the Lies
The Monsters and Miseries Series
Hellish Fae
Stand Alone Contemporary Romance
Hate Me Like You Do
The Mortals and Mystics Series
Fate of the Hybrid, Prequel
When Fate Aligns, Book one
When Fate Unravels, Book two
When Fate Prevails, Book three
Resurrection Island
Also By Rebecca Grey
Stand Alone Contemporary Romance
Hate Me Like You Do
About A.K. Koonce
A.K. Koonce is a USA Today bestselling author. She’s a mom by day and a fantasy and paranormal romance writer by night. She keeps her fantastical stories in her mind on an endless loop while she tries her best to focus on her actual life and not that of the spectacular, but demanding, fictional characters who always fill her thoughts.
If you want more A.K. Koonce updates, deleted scenes, and giveaways, join her Newsletter or Facebook Reader Group!
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About Rebecca Grey
Rebecca Grey is a mom and wife, but also a Friends nerd. When she’s not writing she spends her time binge watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers while making her husband crazy.
