Snow and the Shadows (Once Upon a Harem Book 2)

by Cara Carnes

  There was no way any Summoner’s Well survived.

  Nothing had.

  I fanned my aura outward, seeking power. Any power worthy of the risk my Shadows took. My aura bowed beneath the force, which struck me. I took a step backward, into Marden.

  “What happened?” he growled.

  “The Well.” I pointed toward a different mountain range opposite of the crumbling castle. “It is there.”

  “Historical accounts have it beneath the palace,” Dacian said.

  “It is there,” I repeated and motioned again. “Perhaps there was an underground tunnel, but I sense the power beneath the second range.”

  “Very well, then that is where we go,” Zelig said. He broke off from the group and spoke with the other Guardians and Shadows who’d come to the surface with us.

  They separated into groups and fanned out. One headed toward the palace. Another went in an entirely different direction. I feared for them. We’d yet to see Crunan or Skeron vessels, but their cloaking technology was beyond even the Avaru scanner’s abilities.

  The Avaru warriors had joined our expedition. Molden remained aboard their lead vessel and commanded the fleet of ships which had just arrived, while Xan led the forces interspersed with the Roterans. He stood with Zelig, Slone, and Zarx. I’d yet to perform any ceremony of any kind with the Avaru warriors. I should have.

  “There will be time later,” Ashan said.

  “No.” I shook my head. “Slone did theirs beforehand for a reason. The Oracle must see the Avaru as an ally. It is time their sacrifice battling the Crunans is recognized.”

  “You are right.” Ren huffed a breath. “Let me speak with Zelig. He will know what’s best. The longer we remain on Tezan, the more danger you are in. I’m unfamiliar with Avaru customs.”

  “They are similar to ours. Blood oaths mean a great deal. Doing one with Xan would cover all their warriors. He is one of their two Commanders. Commanders perform a blood oath with all warriors.” Intensity appeared on Dacian’s face. “He is a worthy warrior. They all are. I have no objection to you blood-oathing with him.”

  “I should have discussed what I did with Zarx and Slone,” I said.

  “Instinct took over. Likely, the Oracle guided your decision through the Well,” he said. “Whenever you are at a loss for what to do, summon the power and ask the Well for guidance.”

  I did. Eyes closed, I breathed in the energy rushing at me and opened myself to whatever guidance it would give. Images flashed through my mind in a whirlwind it barely noted. Yet the information poured into me. I grabbed at my Shadows.

  “Crunan and Skeron forces are here, on Tezan. They’ve been here a while. You must warn the others. They are in the palace, beneath it.”

  Dacian moved to warn Zelig and the others. I followed.

  I waited until they’d all issued the warnings to their men. Slone and Zarx regarded me curiously. Xan remained a bit further away, as if distancing himself from me. I approached. His eyebrows rose.

  “I was remiss in affirming my commitment to you and your people earlier, Xan. You have my apologies.” I pulled my Roteran blade, sliced the palm Varik had healed earlier, and held it up.

  The vow tumbled from my lips easily, an oath I felt soul deep. The Avaru had sacrificed much to battle the Crunan scourge. His jaw twitched as he regarded Zelig and the amassed Roterans around him. For a moment, I thought he’d refuse, then I sensed the raw emotion rushing through him. He took a knee and pulled a weapon out. Cut his hand and grasped mine.

  “I, King Xan of the Avaru, swear our fealty to the Tezan Queen Snow, rightful Omega Summoner of the Well. Our empire will remain loyal to the Oracle and all those within its power.” He looked up. “You honor our people with the trust you’ve given us.”

  “Thank you for helping keep me and my Shadows safe, for ensuring we got here.”

  “It was our honor, Queen.”

  Ugh. If I did hold any power over the Well, my first order would be to never, ever call me Queen. I loathed the title. I would never be like the vile woman who’d obliterated entire worlds. I would be like Slone. Xan. The latter was a freaking king, yet none used the title with him. His warriors did not bow before him. He led through example. That was the kind of leader I would be.

  Slade chuckled and drew me into his arms. “I do love your witty mind, mate.”

  “I projected all that, didn’t I?” Heat crawled up my cheeks.

  His smile was answer enough. I took comfort in Ashan’s and Ren’s alternating touches as we made our way toward the power source. I knew whatever happened at the Well would not matter. I had my Shadows. A family. We would get through whatever awaited us.

  Together.

  Whispers filled my head, images and voices from long ago, phantom memories shared within a plane I’d been trapped in. The closer we got to the Well, the stronger the voices became until my awareness straddled all three worlds. Though I walked within the physical world, my mind was cycling through reality, the telepathic world and the Oracle realm. The latter terrified me. I didn’t want to get trapped there again.

  But I wouldn’t.

  I took immense comfort from the weight atop me in the telepathic realm. The entire Roteran army was there, holding me firmly to the two planes I could safely navigate. My mind could safely wander within the Oracle realm now. I was permanently seated within my real world.

  I shifted our progression to a narrow path winding downward. My Shadows and the entourage never questioned how I knew where to go. The Well showed me each step, each movement. It also shared events unfolding with the other parties. I knew Queen Vilma and my father had navigated through the mostly destroyed underground passage and made their way to where we were going. They meant to take us by surprise, expected the Well to share our progression, comply with her commands.

  She watched.

  I sensed her evil within the energy seeping into me.

  She is there, at the Well. I must confront her and my father there. The Well has shown me what must come.

  Then we will confront her. Zelig’s confidence hastened my steps.

  We neared the end of the battle we’d waged aboard The Paradox. I wasn’t sure what would unfold afterward, but I knew my father would die today. The rest was hazy, as if the Well protected me from a future not yet carved into fact. Decisions I made from this point forward determined the fates of everyone around me, including Queen Vilma.

  I fed the images and anything else the Well offered me to my Shadows, who fed them to the other Roterans. I also shared them with Xan. The more I shared, the more I saw, as if the Well recognized my decision and rewarded me with even more intel for those protecting me and it. What we did today was for the Oracle’s benefit as well. The Oracle deserved someone who would be a real conduit, a proper one who would share rather than dictate.

  The path ended at a seemingly dead end. Jagged red rock jutted around us, angry spikes of once-molten rock fused into odd formations. I crouched, crawled along the base of the jagged spikes until I found the area matching the image in my mind. I placed my palm on the flat area. Pain scored my skin. I bit back the reaction rising in my throat.

  The rocks moved, exposing a narrow entryway into a cavern of some sort. We filed in, with me between Marden and Ren. Zelig and several of the Shadows fanned outward and entered the cavern first. Slade, Dacian, and several Guardians remained at my back while the Avaru closed along the sides. The progression through the cavern was slow, but methodical. An eerie silence blanketed the area, as if it entombed in the same death the planet suffered. My Shadows removed their face masks, so I did the same. I fanned my awareness outward, channeling the Well’s energy as a radar of sorts. I sensed movement to the right farther up the cavern. I sent the image to everyone around me. Though no one spoke, we operated as one cohesive unit.

  I pulled my daggers as we progressed nearer the source of the movements. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Zelig and two Guardians moved forward as Slade slowed our
progression. I sensed the silent battle as the three Roterans made quick work of the two enemies, those meant to signal our entry. Had they sent a warning? I hoped not, but we moved as if they had.

  Zelig was calmly standing with two Crunan soldiers. I jumped. He looked over his shoulder at me and grinned as he slid a mask into place. That’s when I realized two Guardians had donned Crunan gear, including the horrid masks. They ran through the tunnel. I was thankful Zelig had donned one and moved ahead, but I was worried about the other two warriors as well. I didn’t want anyone hurt today, but the Well had warned me there would be death. I kept seeing the blood on my hands, tasting it on my tongue. In my nostrils with every breath I took. There was always a price to pay.

  I just hoped those I loved did not have to pay it.

  Or anyone else. Enough blood had been shed because of Queen Vilma.

  The Well dragged me forward, demanded my attention. Its agitation and anxiety crawled beneath my skin. One final image assailed me. Queen Vilma’s hand in the Well, sealing it off from anyone but her.

  She knows we are here.

  I sent the image to everyone as a warning. I no longer knew what would befall us next. Waging war over the Well when I wasn’t near it was a risk, one which could harm everyone. It had warned me what must happen.

  I hoped my Shadows understood the risks I had to take to save them and all those who’d aligned with us.

  Zelig

  * * *

  Nausea pitched Zelig’s stomach. His footing faltered a moment as the images struck him hard. The Well spoke to him. Why?

  The ensuing barrage of knowledge and warnings infuriated him. The Well had ordered Snow to challenge Queen Vilma for reign over it. The challenge was to the death if the opponent so chose. Was she ready? He and his squadron had accepted that might be the case, but the actuality looming in the nearby distance made him wish otherwise. Surely there was another way. He and some of the Shadows and Guardians could blitz attack the Queen and her entourage. Then Snow would be safe, away from the fray of death.

  The barrage repeated, again and again in rapid succession until Zelig agreed. There was no choice, not if the Well was to be believed.

  The Well has ordered her to challenge Queen Vilma, as Dacian suspected would happen. We must stand strong, accept its will to ensure her safety.

  She will prevail. Ashan’s positivity never faltered where she was concerned. Zelig hoped the man was right.

  The Well has strengthened her greatly since we’ve landed. I feel the increased strength within our bond. Varik. Always assessing.

  One by one, his squadron weighed in. Only Marden refuted the decision. No. I will not stand aside while she risks her life.

  We must. Slade’s succinct, pained statement eased Marden’s rage within the link.

  The cavern’s low-hanging ceiling opened into a taller alcove. Pain struck his side. Zelig attacked. Crunans and Skerons flashed into view from nowhere.

  They have cloaking shields on their uniforms. He cast the warning to everyone within his telepathic channels, trusted they’d do the same. More and more enemies flashed into view, two replacing each one they downed. A Guardian fought alongside his back. They moved as one, carving anyone within striking distance. The battle continued, became a never ending war of wills.

  Who had Snow?

  She is fine. Marden. Good. He would kill anyone within her path.

  I have to get to Queen Vilma. This is madness. There are too many for this fight to continue.

  Your new mate already questions your stamina. That is not good. Slone’s amusement flickered within the Roteran telepathic network.

  Slade growled, as did many others. Inciting rage was a common technique to focus a warrior’s resolve on the task at hand. They’d been trained from an early age to react to such taunts. Zelig ignored the comment.

  We are en route. He didn’t recognize the voice. It didn’t matter.

  Damn you, Marden. Let me fight or so help me I will run you through with my sword.

  Let her fight. Slade’s order allowed no argument. Have her back, but let her fight.

  They needed every warrior they could get. If only she could draw from the Well. Images filled him. Of course.

  Snow, draw the energy you fed us all back into you. Use it as a weapon.

  No. You need it.

  Take from the others not there. Use the bond link with me and Zarx, female. Take from the warriors en route.

  Snow’s obedience was swift and fierce. The draw rippled an outcry of groans and warrior cries through the telepathic network. She stood in the middle of the room. Blood coated her hands, which both held bloodied Roteran blades. Carnage was spattered on her clothing and face. A shock wave of concussive force blasted through the cavern when she screamed. The ground trembled. Rocks from above crumbled. Screams echoed within the area.

  The aftermath resembled what’d happened aboard the vessel, when she’d downed the enemies with the Well’s power. Piles of ash sat where enemies had once been. He sent the images to Slone and Zarx. Neither man responded, as if not believing the results. Snow was far stronger than Zelig realized.

  Rage glimmered from her gaze, which shimmered with a white glint, as if the powers within her sought an escape. She stared down at her bloodied hands, wiped them on her pants. She repeated the movement with her blades, which she then sheathed on her thighs. The sight would be amusing if another battle didn’t await her. The warriors within him swelled with pride. She was their mate. A worthy warrior within her own right.

  He watched as she went to each of them, assessed for injuries, let them do the same. Since he was farthest away, he was the last. He smiled down at her, but her gaze was already locked on his side. Varik was behind her.

  “You’re hurt.”

  “Several of us are. It is nothing.”

  “Nothing doesn’t bleed.” She looked at Varik. “What can you do?”

  “It’s already stopped.” Mostly.

  He winced when she yanked on the top. Grumbled when she continued until he finally surrendered and let her tend the wound. He flashed Slade and the others a command to help. They smirked, crossed their arms, and watched. Several shared the moment along their warrior links. The moment of levity gave everyone, including Zelig, a mental reset. A reason to keep battling despite the pains.

  It took a couple minutes to tend the wound with the remote healer Varik had. By the time it was done, Snow was calmer. She kept nodding her head and whispering to herself. Zelig grasped her face and kissed her. She responded immediately, feeding him the angst and concern. Love. He severed the contact. “We must go before we lose the upper hand.”

  “That was an upper hand?”

  “No, but you ashing her forces is,” he said. “She would not have expected that.”

  17

  Snow

  Focusing on my Shadows and tending their injuries helped me ignore the fact I’d turned an entire Crunan unit into ash. I’d expended too much of the energy I’d sent to the warriors, though. They would need it for the fight to come. Residual beads of light drifted within me, just enough to fan my awareness outward, sense the next room.

  “She’s in there. With the Skeron king.”

  “How many others?” Marden asked.

  “Six, maybe seven. They were positioned around the room, it was hard to see them all.”

  “There are likely more in the periphery,” Slade commented. “Stay behind us until we give you the signal.”

  “The Well showed me what I have to do,” I argued.

  “We know,” Dacian said. “Trust us to get into position, then you can do what you must.”

  He was the tactician; I’d trust his judgment. They understood what was at stake. I nodded.

  I didn’t understand why a challenge was necessary. If I were the true Summoner of the Well, the Omega, why wouldn’t the Oracle simply stop responding to Vilma and only obey me?

  It is a blood driven conduit. It shouldn’t respond to yo
u at all unless you’ve given it your blood.

  I haven’t. I looked over at Dacian. He offered no further comment.

  If what he said was true—which I had no doubt it was because my Shadow was brilliant—I had more power than I’d imagined. If it already obeyed me without blood, all I had to do was give it some to break Vilma’s hold over it. The plan was simple. She’d avoided giving her blood to the Well for so long. Would she have been able to avert this entire thing if she’d been smart enough to do this long ago?

  At least she understood now why my father had never tested my blood.

  He knew.

  He knew I was a royal blooded Tezan.

  Why hadn’t she ordered the Well to destroy my Shadows, the Roterans and the Avarus? Maybe she had and the Well hadn’t listened.

  A high-pitched whistle drew my attention. Marden and Ren motioned me to head toward where Slade, Dacian, and Zelig had already gone—into the final cavern with Queen Vilma and the true Summoner’s Well. Nervousness flooded my stomach. Adrenaline shot through my system, a million arrows of frenetic energy with no outlet. They zinged around, demanding exit.

  “Well, I see you’ve come to your senses and returned her,” Queen Vilma said. “Come, Shadows. Kneel before me and beg for my mercy. Perhaps then I will let you and your little empire survive my wrath.”

  Marden gripped me as though I were a prisoner. The movement was ingenious. Of course she’d assume they came to cower. Then again, we had come to Tezan, not her palace on Crunan, so the vile woman was proving how ignorant she was. Or she was stalling.

  More forces are entering the cavern. Slone’s voice thundered through my head. We will wait until they’re in, take them by surprise once they are pinned inside.