Fragile Reign (Mortal Enchantment Book 2)

by Stacey O'Neale

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rowan

  We climbed to an opening in the volcano. Wind from that height chilled the air. Had I not been a fire elemental, I would be freezing. The setting sun had just enough light to see Valac’s army slowly approaching. I would make a guess that he had several hundred elementals with him. It would appear they had all come from our court. How had he convinced so many to join him? This was worse than I had anticipated.

  As far as I was concerned, Valac had perfect timing. My sword had been clean far too long. I was ready to filet someone alive, and now, I had a befitting prey. Imagining all the lives these rogue fire elementals had taken made my power surge at the tips of my fingers. I needed a release. Valac had successfully ignited the war between the courts, dismantled the high court, and unbalanced the core elements. His death would bring an end to all of this turmoil. Peace would finally be restored.

  “What should we do?” Ethan asked, his eyes darting between Marcus and me.

  “It’s your call,” Marcus said to me, crossing his arms.

  Valac had an army, which meant he has no plans to challenge me one-on-one. But if he came here prepared, he must feel he has enough to take out our side. I doubt he knew the hounds would still be here. Someone probably told him they left. That could work out to our advantage if this comes down to an actual battle. “I would like to hear your opinion, Marcus. Tell me what you think.”

  Marcus stared out into the distance, watching the army as they drew closer to the volcano. He remained silent for several long moments. “I think we can take them, but it will cost us many elementals. With the elements out of balance, how many losses can we endure without creating a larger rift?”

  “What about the eternal flame?” Ethan asked, voice as low as a whisper.

  My eyebrows knitted together. “What about the flame?”

  Ethan opened his mouth, but Marcus put his hand up before he could speak. “It’s just a myth, Rowan. Don’t listen to him.”

  How was it possible that I hadn’t heard about this myth? Was this something only known to the hounds? I needed to know more. “No, Marcus. I want to hear it.”

  Ethan kept his eyes on Marcus, but spoke to me. “Prisma was born from within the flame, correct?”

  “Yes.” I answered, not sure where he was going with this. My mother was the first fire elemental. Along with the other three original elementals, she oversaw the creation of the first generation of elementals born from the core elements. Since then, all of the other generations have come from live births. It was rumored that Prisma entered the flame—and used her own blood—to create the first Gabriel Hounds. No one knew for sure because she never shared the stories with anyone. If she told Valac or Selene, they never told me. “Why do you ask?”

  Sweat beads formed on Ethan’s forehead. I wondered if he might pass out before he answered. “If the queen of the fire court could stand in the eternal flame, so should the true heir.”

  “Have you lost your mind, Ethan?” Marcus asked, eyes wide with shock. “Are you actually suggesting that Rowan step into the fire to prove he is the rightful king of the fire court? No one has ever attempted something like that. It could kill him.”

  Ethan had a point. If I withstood the flames, I could show Valac’s army I was meant to lead them. I could end the rift in my court without a drop of blood being shed. I patted Ethan on the back. “He’s right, Marcus. I am Prisma’s only blood heir. If I stood in the fire, it might unite our court. How could they choose to fight for Valac after witnessing something like that?”

  Marcus shook his head. “You’re assuming everything will work out when you have no idea what will happen. No one has ever entered the flames. You could die in there. Would you really risk your life to prove a point?”

  “If we go out there with what’s left of our court, hundreds will die. I could save all of their lives by doing this.”

  Marcus shrugged. “Or, you could enter the flame and die. Then we’re all screwed.”

  I put my hand on his shoulder. “I have a feeling about this. I believe it will work.”

  “I agree with Rowan.” Ethan added.

  “No one asked you, pint-size.” Marcus said, scowling at Ethan.

  “Ethan, I want you to send a message out to Valac. Tell him to meet us in the caves of the eternal flame.”

  “I don’t like this.” Marcus said, growling.

  “I know.” I nodded. There was nothing he needed to say. Any number of things could go wrong. I had weighed out the possibilities already. But if I wanted to prevent another war within our court, I had no choice. Valac had to be eliminated, but I wouldn’t risk hundreds of lives simply to take his. The only way to defeat him would be to prove I was the rightful king of our court.

  Marcus released an exaggerated breath. “I’ll summon the rest of the hounds. We’re all going with you.”

  Smirking, I said, “I know.”

  The caves of the eternal flame could only be reached through a pathway. The location was deep within the core of the planet. There was no way to get there from the surface. Once inside, only a fire elemental could withstand the heat. As we entered the caves, I remembered how easy it was to get lost down here. The tunnels go on for miles in every direction. Lucky for us, I knew the way. Mother brought me down here a few times, threatening to throw me into the fire. She told me the spirits of the dead fire elementals existed within the eternal flame.

  The bulk of our army stayed behind. If something were to go wrong down here, I needed to make sure they still had the numbers to defend themselves. And by wrong, I meant the possibility that I might die the moment I enter the flames. The closer we got to the fire, the more my confidence was tested. My mother’s words echoed in my ears. When speaking about the eternal flame, she once said, “What can be made, can also be unmade.” Not the most comforting words to think about as I prepared to step inside the inferno.

  I turned around, glancing at the army of hounds behind me. Some were staring at their hands as if they expected something to be there. Others closed their eyes, wearing expressions of enjoyment. They must have sensed the energy from the eternal flame, but likely had no idea what it was. Most fire elementals had never been down here. The portal has always been guarded. I spoke loud enough for everyone to hear me. “What you’re feeling is the presence of the flame. Your power will soon be the strongest it’s ever been.”

  Ethan made his way to the front of the crowd. “Is that true for everyone?”

  It was easy to see what he was implying. “Yes, this includes all of the rogue members of our court.” The crowd rumbled. “But I don’t plan on anyone having to fight today.”

  The large cave tunnels were made of solid rock. The walls were covered in lava, thumping like a heartbeat. Marcus had to swat the hands of a few hounds attempting to touch it. We walked over ash covered ground as we continued our journey to the core of the planet. Beyond the crackling of burning fire—and Marcus smacking curious hands—the area was silent. None of the caves had artificial light. The flames illuminated every inch of space. The closer we got to the eternal flame, the more my body radiated with power. I had the urge to stretch my wings, but I quickly remembered I no longer had them.

  For the most part, I had gotten over losing my wings. Mending my friendship with Marcus had helped me to let go of those left-over emotions. That, and seeing the leader Kalin has become. We would all be in a far worse situation if I had not refused my mother’s order. And I hated to imagine how lonely life would be without Kalin. When I am with her, everything makes sense. I wished she were here with me now. There was just something about Sebastian I didn’t like. I couldn’t say for sure what it was, but I intended to find out as soon as I dealt with this.

  As I reached the end of the final tunnel, I looked upon a massive cave held up by rock pillars. The room was as large as an NFL football field and covered in a thick layer of steam. The dry heat took my breath. It was as if we had stepped inside a sauna. I should
have brought water, but I didn’t think of it until now. The hounds around me took short breaths. Because they aren’t typical fire elementals, being down here may be difficult for them. Tension built in my shoulders. Whatever was going to happen here had to be done quickly.

  I glanced to the other end of the room, noticing a small opening. With my hand held up, I urged the hounds not to follow me. Marcus did not obey my command. He had a knack for not listening to me. But now he was a king in his own right, so what could I really say? From about fifty feet away, I examined the entrance. The door was just large enough for me to enter. Twisting balls of fire shot out but lost the flame before it hit the ground. From within the blaze, I could see the fire went back a long way. It could be miles or yards. Since no one had attempted what I was about to do, there was no way to know for sure.

  It was the eternal flame.

  I attempted to take a closer look when Marcus pulled on my arm. “What are you planning to do?” He asked, frowning.

  Overprotective didn’t begin to describe Marcus at this point. When he and Kalin had rescued me, he swore never to leave my side again. He had certainly kept up his promise. Maybe a bit too much. “I’m pretty sure we’ve already established the answer to that question.”

  He tightened his grip. “Aren’t you going to wait for Valac to get here?”

  I snatched my arm back, making Marcus scowl. “I’m only going to take a closer look, that’s all.”

  “Why have you summoned me here, false king?” a voice said.

  Valac.

  I turned. All around the room hounds shifted into their animal forms. Once they were fully changed, I heard nothing but growling. Each bared their teeth with spit foaming at the corners of their lips. They watched Marcus as if they were waiting on him for a signal. It didn’t take much to get the hounds all roused up. The possibility of battle brought out their feral nature. This was when they were the most deadly.

  If the hounds intimidated Valac, he didn’t let it show. His entire army took up most of the space within the cave. He must have felt confident about his numbers. Little did he know, the bulk of my army waited within the fire court castle. As I was about to respond to Valac, Marcus blocked my path. He shielded me as he morphed into his hound form. His protective move didn’t surprise me. Marcus made it clear he wasn’t feeling optimistic about my plan. I only hoped he would not get in my way when I attempted to enter the eternal flame.

  I twisted around Marcus, making eye contact with Valac. “I’m so glad you brought your entire army with you. It saves me the trouble of having to repeat myself.” I shouted.

  “You asked me to meet you here for a reason.” Valac said, with a wicked grin. “I assume you wish to surrender.”

  I spoke loud enough to address the swarm of rogue elementals. “I don’t know what Valac has told you to get you to fight by his side, but I am offering you one opportunity to change your minds.” The walls echoed with the sounds of their laugher. “I am Rowan, the last remaining member of the House Djin, and the only child of Queen Prisma. I am the rightful king of the fire court.”

  Valac clenched his fists at this side. Reminding him that he was not a member of my family probably hit a sore spot. I was sure he saw himself as Prisma’s child and heir, certainly above me. “You may be the only remaining member of your house, but that says nothing of your leadership. You abandoned this court in favor of the air court. You went to war against us, standing alongside the air and woodland courts. Many members of this court died at the end of your blade. You are no leader for us.”

  The crowd shouted in approval.

  “Perhaps it’s time to set the record straight. Every one of my actions was made with the best interest of my court in mind.” I pointed at Valac. “It was you who started the war between the courts by kidnapping King Taron. You used his lead knight—your biological father—to make the high council believe Queen Liana was behind the crime. This court was attacked because of your actions. Because you want to rule. Because you want to wear the crown you don’t deserve.”

  Whispers broke out among his army.

  Valac’s face turned blood red with anger. He took several steps toward me. As he moved, the Gabriel Hounds encircled me, daring him to try to get past them. “You’re a liar. You will say anything to try to sway them. You have no proof of any of this.”

  I did have proof, but without King Taron, I could not prove anything. “I have all the proof I need.”

  “Really? And what is that exactly?”

  “The true king of the fire elementals can stand within the eternal flame, as Prisma had centuries ago when she created the first Gabriel Hounds.” I pointed to the doorway leading to the eternal flame. “If you are the true king, I challenge you to step inside that door and prove it to your army.”

  “Do you take me for a fool?” Valac screamed. “No elemental, fire or otherwise, can step inside the eternal flame. Attempting such a feat would be suicide.”

  I laughed. “You are a fool, Valac. You just proved my point. You refuse to enter the flames because you know you’re not the rightful king.”

  Valac unsheathed a sword. “Fight me on the battlefield. The one left standing will be the true king.”

  He had no intention of fighting me. That was a battle he’d lose without much effort from me. No, he planned to cower behind his rogue army and pray that they were enough to take me out. If I wasn’t opposed to the bloodshed, I would end him right here. But that would most certainly ignite this war and we’ve lost enough fire elementals already. “Not only do you refuse to enter the fire, but now you wish to hide behind your army. Is that why you’ve campaigned so hard for support? Are you hoping they will win the crown for you?” I shouted directly to his army. “Is this the leader you want?”

  Valac let out a frustrated growl. “You are nothing, Rowan. Your mother despised you. She sent you to the mortal world wishing for your death. She would never want you to supersede her.”

  If he hoped to cause me pain with his words, he was out of luck. There would be no response from me. No shattered heart or pained remorse. I was well aware of my mother’s feelings for me or lack thereof. I never felt any love for her, nor she for me. It took me a long time, but I let go of those feelings a long time ago. Kalin was the one who brought me back. She showed me how to open up again, to share part of myself. “Her feelings toward me have nothing to do with your ability to lead this court. You are no warrior. If you were, you would have challenged me for the throne. But we both know how that would end, don’t we?”

  Valac pointed his blade in my direction. “I have had enough of your lies. I am giving you one last chance to surrender. Otherwise, I will order my army to attack and leave no one alive. We will create a new court. A better court. You are simply a pebble in my shoe. A burden my mother was forced to tolerate.”

  “You will order no such attack. Even now I question whether your army will stand by you.” I spoke as loud as I could. “I will prove to you that I am the true king. I will stand in the eternal flame, and when I return unscathed, you will give me your allegiance.”

  “By all means, Rowan.” Valac waved his hands, urging me toward the doorway. “I will be happy to watch you die.”

  Obviously, my mother had told Valac the same story she told me—the flame could unmake a fire elemental. That was the only way to explain his confidence. It didn’t matter to me either way. There was something about the inferno urging me forward. It was as if it somehow sensed my presence. There wasn’t much known about its power. The history books told us very little. The eldest members of our court decided the information was best kept a secret, even from our own kind. I did know that the soul of the fire elemental returned to the flame upon death. I started to make my way over to the door when Marcus stepped in my path. He was still in his hound form, but the worry in his eyes told the story for him.

  I put my hand on top of his furry head. “You have to let me do this.”

  He whimpered, lowering his
head.

  My voice turned stern. “You need to make me a promise. No matter what happens, you do not go in there after me. I want you to swear on my life.” The hounds had been breathing heavy from the moment they set foot in this cave. The closer Marcus got to the flame, the more he fought to breathe. If he went in after me, I doubted he would survive. I needed to know he’d be okay before I could step in there.

  Tears welled in his eyes as he nodded. A second later, he moved to let me pass by.

  There was nothing left to do except enter the eternal flame.

  With each step I took, the temperature increased. If I had to guess, I would say it was about as hot as the surface of the sun. A rush of heat blew against my face. Although it didn’t bother me, I still sensed its presence. Hot steam pressed against my skin. The inferno pulsated with energy. Fireballs spit out from the doorway, hissing as they flew by. I had to duck a few times or else one would have smacked me right in the face.

  When I reached the rock doorway, I glanced inside. Fire filled every crevice of the room that seemed to go on for miles. Round, flat surfaced rocks made a pathway between the pools of smoking lava. I had no idea where the path led, but there were no other options. I stepped onto the first rock. It didn’t sink, which was a positive. Then I stepped onto each additional one like I was a frog leaping on lily pads. I unsheathed my sword, preparing to throw it out of the room before it melted. To my surprise the handle was cool. Apparently, the eternal flame was not made of the core fire element. It was something more, something magical.

  The rock pathway led to a massive flat surface in the middle of pools of lava. I leaped onto it and circled around, taking in everything around me. There were no caves in sight. The only sound I heard was the crackling of the flames. I was surrounded by endless walls of fire. Minus the ocean of lava, the inferno was everywhere. The yellow and orange burning light increased as if someone had added fuel to the flames. It got so intense I had to cover my eyes with the back of my hand. Something seemed to be happening. Everything around me pulsated like a heartbeat.