by Tara West
The Elementals!
She flung off her furs and jumped out of bed. After gathering supplies from the food stores, she flew quickly toward the heptacircle. It had been so long since she’d last fed her daughters, she hoped they weren’t yet dead, for she still had need of them.
After leaving the basket of food nearby, she grabbed a palma fruit and flew to the ceiling. Their emaciated forms huddled around a listless Ariette, softly sobbing while stroking their sister’s hair.
“Mother!” Kia looked up at her with a scowl. “She is dying because of you! What kind of a monster would kill her own children?”
She tossed the fruit down to them. It crackled when it passed through the invisible shield but landed safely at Kia’s feet. “I’m willing to feed you all on one condition.”
Kia eyed the fruit, an anxious hunger in her eyes. “What condition?”
Madhea jutted hands on her hips, smiling down at her daughter. “That you sign a blood oath to obey me, Kia.”
“No, Kia, no.” Ariette lifted her head, waving a skeletal hand at her sister. “Let me die.”
“Hush.” Kia leaned over her sister, smoothing back her hair. “Save your strength.” Kia turned to Madhea, determination in bloodshot and frightened eyes that screamed of desperation. “If I sign this blood oath, I want you to free my sisters.”
“I will.” Madhea inwardly smiled. How easily Kia was breaking. “Once you have completed your service to me.”
Kia wrung her hands. “What will you force me to do?”
If she couldn’t have their love, she’d settle for their fear. She tapped her chin, pretending to be lost in contemplation. “I haven’t decided yet.” In truth, she’d thought of a few wicked chores for her daughter, starting with turning Markus’s heart against that stupid ice girl and the rest of his worthless family.
The dark shadows beneath Kia’s eyes were even more pronounced as she turned up her chin. “I’m not fighting Dianna for you.”
Madhea shrugged. “If you wish.”
“Sister, don’t do this,” the other girls cried, tugging on Kia’s robe as she slowly stood.
“That will be included in the blood oath.” Kia yanked the hem of her robe out of their clutches and kicked the palma fruit toward her sisters. “I will not harm Dianna.”
Madhea smiled. “Of course.”
When Kia stepped forward, her sisters lurched for her ankles. She jumped into the air, her shoulders sagging with the effort while they tried to drag her back down. “Sister, no,” they pleaded. “It’s a trap.”
Kia shook them off with a hiss. “I cannot not let Ariette die.”
“You must,” they begged.
“Come, Kia.” Madhea leaned forward, holding out a hand. “I will release you from the heptacircle.”
Kia flew to the top of her prison, eyeing Madhea with disdain. “Drop the food first.”
Madhea quickly flew down and back, not wishing to give Kia time to change her mind. “There.” She dumped a basket of fruit, breads, cheeses, and bladders of drink onto the floor beneath. Also included was a blade which clanked against the hard stone. “I have honored my word.” She pointed at the blade. “Now you must honor yours. This is your final chance.”
Kia flew down and swiped the blade before her sisters could reach it. She sliced open her thumb, swaying when blood trickled down her hand.
“No!” Ariette feebly cried.
“I must.” Kia turned pleading eyes upon her sister. “I will not let you die.” She placed her bloodied hand upon her heart and pledged her loyalty to Madhea while also vowing not to harm Dianna.
Madhea held out a hand to her daughter. “Good girl.” She did her best to channel her sweet motherly voice, one that she’d practiced for years. “Come with me. I will nourish you and let you sleep in your soft bed tonight.”
Madhea winced when she placed her hand through the barrier, and it sent a jolt up her arm, but she was able to pull Kia through it to freedom.
Madhea narrowed her eyes. “My first command to you is that you shall not return here to free your sisters without my blessing.”
Kia landed with a wobble, needing to lean against the tunnel wall for support. “You’re just going to leave them trapped?”
“Don’t worry, daughter.” Madhea patted Kia on the back, trying not to be offended when her daughter jerked away. “I’ll feed them as long as you obey me.”
“Of course I’ll obey you, Mother.” She glared at Madhea with a look of pure malice. “You’ve left me with no choice.”
Madhea smiled. Too bad she couldn’t make Kia destroy Dianna, but her traitorous daughter wouldn’t have agreed to the blood oath without that provision. Madhea shrugged, tossing back her silky mane of hair. It made no difference who killed Dianna. If Kia refused to do it, Madhea would persuade the boy hunter to kill his sister. His arrows always struck true.
DIANNA HAD NEVER BEEN happier than when they finally landed in Aloa-Shay. A journey that would’ve taken a few days by dragon had taken over a week. How badly she wanted to steal away with Simeon and leave the ice dwellers to fend for themselves, so she could retrieve the final stone and save Markus. But she knew he would’ve wanted her to ensure Ura’s safe arrival in Aloa-Shay, so she confined herself to that crowded boat. Lydra was too preoccupied with Tan’yi’na to offer her a ride anyway, which filled Dianna with a mixture of joy that her friend had found love and sadness that her bond with the dragon would no longer be as strong.
She was eager to stretch her cramped legs as Simeon helped her onto the dock. It was warmer here, though not as hot as she remembered. A breeze from the north tickled the nape of her neck and sent chills down her spine, for she understood the ominous portent of the cooler weather. The air was pungent with the smells of the ocean and rife with the sounds of waves, crashing on the shore. She admired the vast evening sky lit in myriad colors of fire, while the sun dipped into the ocean as if quenching its thirst. ’Twas at that moment she realized how much she enjoyed being by the sea.
A crowd of curious onlookers, eager to catch a glimpse of the blue people, swarmed the docks. Simeon pulled her through the throng until they reached a cobblestone road dotted with several thatched cottages and various shops. The news of the ice dwellers’ arrival spread fast enough that Alec and Des were racing to greet them by the time they’d finished unloading the last boat.
She was vaguely aware of Simeon saying he needed to help the ice dwellers as she fiercely hugged her brothers. She planted so many kisses on Des’s face that he finally pushed her away with a grimy hand.
Alec’s brow furrowed as he scanned the throng of people on the docks. “Where’s Markus?”
Her heart sank, for Alec was close to Markus, and she feared he wouldn’t take the news well. “I-I had a fight with Madhea, and she took him.”
The color drained from his face, and he slumped onto a wooden bench beside a thatched cottage.
She sat beside him while he cried, placing a gentle hand on his knee, though she felt unworthy to touch him. She’d failed Markus. She’d failed everyone.
She swallowed the rising tide of emotion that welled in her throat. “Ryne thinks she means to use him as leverage in the coming battle.”
Alec swayed, hand over his heart while his skin turned deathly pale.
“Alec?”
When he didn’t answer, she took his clammy hand, rubbing warmth into his skin. “Brother, I swear to you I will do everything in my power to get him back.”
He silently nodded, then sniffled as the tears slowed.
She cursed herself for failing to save her brother. Throughout her quest, she’d struggled to stay strong, but seeing Alec cry was too much burden to bear. “Brother, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She ended on a sob.
He wiped her cheek, his eyes softening. “Don’t blame yourself, sister. None of this is your fault.”
“Yeah.” Des sat beside her, resting his head against her shoulder.
She didn’t deserve suc
h kindness. If only she’d struck Madhea when she’d first fallen into Ice Kingdom. If only she hadn’t been ruled by fear. When her brothers wrapped their arms around her, she sank into their embrace, crying so hard, she feared her remaining two brothers would be washed away by her tears.
“Dianna?”
Markus’s sweet wife looked from Dianna to Alec while biting her lip.
Dianna wiped her face, then gestured to Ura. “Alec,” she said to her brother, “this is Ura, Markus’s wife.”
Alec’s knees wobbled as he rose. “I’ve heard so much about you.” He pulled her against him for a hug.
“And I you. I have wanted so badly to meet my husband’s brother.” She dropped her gaze. “But not under these circumstances.” She swayed in his arms. Alec lowered her to the bench. “Are you unwell, Ura?”
“Just tired. I need rest.”
He knelt beside her, clasping her hands in his. “Are you with child?”
Ura looked up at Dianna. “I believe so.”
She nodded to Alec. “She is. I felt a quickening in her womb.”
“You can feel it, sister?” He flashed a watery smile. “Indeed your magic is strengthening.”
Alec patted Ura’s hands. “Let me take you home. My wife can attend you.”
“Your wife?” She recalled how Alec and Mari had had eyes only for each other on their journey back from Eris’s island. Was it any wonder they’d marry soon after? “Why am I not surprised?”
Alec stood, dusting off his breeches. “Tung and I are nearly finished building a bigger barn. We’ll have room for at least two dozen ice dwellers to sleep there. The rest are welcome to set up camp around the field.”
“All of them?” Dianna asked.
“Aye.” Alec nodded to the throng of ice dwellers as they exchanged greetings with the people of Aloa-Shay. “They sheltered my brother when the ice dragon pursued him. It’s time I returned the favor.”
Ura looked up at Alec with an appreciative smile. “Markus didn’t exaggerate your kindness.”
Dianna had to agree. Of all her brothers, Alec had the gentlest heart. The smell of fresh, warm bread accosted her senses. She realized they were sitting in front of a bakery, for there were myriad pies and cakes in the window, some with fresh fruit and others with thick icing. What a welcome reprieve from salted perch and dried meat. The sight made her mouth water.
“Let’s get you something to eat,” she said to Ura, mayhap a little too eagerly, for she had her eye on a berry tart.
Ura place a hand over her belly. “I’m not sure I could hold any food down right now.”
“Let’s get something anyway.” The rumble in Dianna’s stomach rivaled a snowbear’s roar.
Des jumped from his seat. “I agree.” He rubbed his hands together, licking his lips.
“Oh, how I’ve missed you, brother.” She ruffled his hair, which had sprouted considerably and was starting to resemble the wild mop of curls she had always adored. She took his hand and fumbled for a few coins in her satchel, wishing she had enough gold to buy out the entire shop.
“YOU WANT ME TO WHAT?” Kia could hardly believe what her mother was asking. She’d always known her mother to be selfish and unkind, but this act of cruelty was beyond belief.
Madhea eyed her daughter with a look of pure hatred, one that made Kia’s heart weep with sadness. Though she’d never known love from her mother, she wasn’t prepared for this level of contempt.
The Sky Goddess fluttered over to Kia’s bed, plopping beside her and examining her painted fingernails as if she had not a care in the world. “You heard me.”
Kia crawled out from under the furs, praying that beneath Madhea’s façade of ice, her cold, dead heart would beat once more. “But, Mother, that kind of curse requires dark magic. Do you not remember what it did to your beauty when you cursed Rowlen?”
Madhea flashed a devious grin. “Of course I remember, which is why I’m having you curse Markus for me.”
Kia’s hands flew to her face, her smooth, youthful face that would soon be a bag of cracked leather. “Oh, Mother. Your cruelty and selfishness knows no bounds.”
Shadows darkened Madhea’s eyes, revealing the cold, fathomless depths beneath. “You knew this, and yet you accepted my blood oath.”
“I did it to save my beloved sister.”
Madhea patted Kia’s knee, her smile not enough to mask the coldness in her serpentine stare. “And now you shall save your beloved mother.”
She jerked away as if she’d been scalded by Madhea’s touch. “You are no mother to me!”
“Silence!” Madhea slapped her so hard, her face throbbed and her ears rang. She jutted a finger toward the door. “Go to Markus!”
Now Kia understood why Ariette had begged her not to accept the oath, for in saving Ariette, Kia might have damned the world.
Chapter Twenty-One
Dianna rested against the trunk of a tree along the bank of the stream that ran beside Mari’s farm. She enjoyed the cool water lapping at her heels while her brother chased fish downstream with a few of the ice children. Though her heart was heavy from worry and grief, listening to the children’s laughter gave her a momentary reprieve from the ugliness of the world.
The stones in her pocket buzzed with activity, reuniting after some of them had spent hundreds of years apart. During their voyage Sindri had introduced her to Metis, Dalia, and Thesan, who’d been living with the ice dwellers, warming their baths and ovens. Dalia had spent most of her time with Odu, silently watching her brother’s mind decay. Dianna could tell she was kind and patient, though she would have to be to live with the senile prophet. Metis had warmed an oven for the Eryll clan. She’d been neglected and mistreated, and as a result, was the quietest of the three. Thesan had been with Chieftain Ingred. Dianna didn’t know if the chieftain’s abrasive personality had rubbed off on Thesan, but the only time she spoke to Dianna was to chide her for not defeating Madhea. Sindri had to repeatedly intervene, begging her sister to show kindness and understanding, which resulted in quarrels between the sisters.
Dianna had finally given up and handed Thesan to Simeon. He quickly smooth-talked the stone into submission. The cold wind from the north was getting stronger, so Dianna generously allowed Simeon to keep the stone. He’d thanked her with a smile that made her knees go weak and then he’d returned to Alec to help him finish the barn.
About half of the ice dwellers accepted Alec’s gracious offer, which meant the small farm was bustling with activity. The other half made camp along the river, preferring to be close to easy fishing and to keep an eye on the boats should they need them again.
The split also enabled her to separate Odu and Dafuar. She had taken Dafuar to the farm to keep an eye on him. After listening to him prattle on about how a belt of thorns would soon serve justice, she decided to leave him in Mari’s capable hands. She had wanted to help with the barn building, but Alec and Simeon both insisted she rest. She couldn’t be useless, so she’d agreed to supervise the children, which was how she ended up at the creek. She wasn’t needed, though, for several of the children were old enough to take care of themselves and the others.
“You never said if you accepted my apology.”
She looked over her shoulder, surprised to see Ryne standing behind her, looking sheepish.
She turned back to the children. “I kept Simeon from punching you. That should be acceptance enough.”
“You didn’t need to.” He sat beside her, pressing his shoulder against hers without so much as asking. “I’m not afraid of him.”
“Why must there always be a competition between you two?” She scowled at the ice dweller. Gone was her fleeting moment of rest, for now she had to put up with Ryne’s complaints.
“Because of this.”
Before she could stop him, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers.
She jerked back as if his mouth was a scalding poker. Then she slapped him so hard, she sucked in a hiss at the venomous
throbbing in her hand. She rose on shaky legs, clutching the tree for support. “How dare you think you can kiss me! You have annoyed and berated me this entire journey. You don’t get the privilege of winning my heart after treating me so poorly.”
He rubbed his face, which swelled with the imprint of her hand. “I know I can behave like a slog at times, and I’m sorry.”
She tried to shake the pain out of her hand, wishing she hadn’t struck him so hard. She recalled the time she’d slapped Simeon, the only differences being she hadn’t hit Simeon quite so hard and she’d actually enjoyed Simeon’s near-kiss, whereas she’d been repulsed by the feel of Ryne’s lips on hers.
“I accept your apology.” She pressed her back into the tree, watching him with mistrust as he stood beside her, looking down at her with doe eyes. “But that doesn’t mean I’m obligated to give you any affection.”
“So is it to be Simeon then?” Ryne leaned against the tree once again, filling up far too much of her personal space. “Because you know he won’t be faithful.”
She was so angry, she saw red. How dare this cocky broot drag Simeon into this! “You know what, Ryne?” She jabbed a finger in his chest. “You can take back your apology. I hope you choke on it.” She stormed off before she slapped him again.
MARKUS WAS TIED TO the bed, the ropes having cut deep welts into his wrists and ankles, no doubt because he’d been thrashing. That would explain why the furs had fallen to the floor and the bed frame tilted to one side.
“You can’t do this, Kia,” she whispered to herself. “You will be a monster if you do.”
