by K. A. Linde
Cyrene’s jaw dropped. “I cannot imagine having seen what you saw. You’re strong for running with Alessia.”
Kaliana swallowed hard. “I felt like a coward.”
“Kael would have killed you and your daughter for magic. That’s a certainty.”
“It’s his,” she whispered.
Cyrene startled at the news. At the fact that Kaliana would ever dare tell her that fact. There had been whispers about Kaliana and Kael, but Cyrene had never believed them. Never considered it might be true.
“Does he know?” Cyrene whispered back, imagining the terrible possibilities.
This entire curse between Viktor and Serafina had started with the death of Viktor’s firstborn. If Kael knew that he had a child…she couldn’t even consider it.
Kaliana nodded with a sigh. “I wish I had never told him.”
“Creator, we need to get you somewhere safer. If he found out that you were here…”
“There’s nowhere safer than here.”
“A boat out of Emporia would be a hell of a lot safer,” Cyrene said.
Her eyes shot to Dean’s in distress. He caught her look and tilted his head in question. When her eyes just rounded further, he extracted himself from the conversation and came over to them.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
Cyrene quickly explained the situation. “We need to get her out of Emporia. Drop her off in Kinkadia or, if we can’t go that far, a hideout in the Drop Pass or maybe Ika Roa. Wherever is farthest away.”
“I’m not just going to run away from the entire world,” Kaliana objected.
“It’d need to be somewhere Malysa has never heard of.”
Kaliana cleared her throat. “I am the dowager queen of Byern. I am not going to abandon my country. And anyway, who is Malysa?”
Cyrene shared a glance with Dean. That was an excellent question. One they needed to explain to everyone seated. But they had agreed, no politics tonight. They would discuss it openly with the Ancient Ones tomorrow.
“We’ll discuss it in the morning,” she said. “We should enjoy the evening. We can’t make any decisions tonight anyway.”
Kaliana got to her feet. “Tomorrow then. I am going to go check on my daughter. I know that we had our differences in the past, Cyrene, but…it is good to see you.”
Cyrene smiled and stood, too. It was unbelievable that they were here, in this moment. After all they had gone through to harm one another. After how utterly terrible Kaliana had been…and how Cyrene had thrown it back in her face. That they could still stand strong before each other, if not as friends…at least, on their way there, showed how far they had come.
Cyrene took a separate room from Dean even though one together had been offered. She turned bright red and disappeared inside when everyone laughed. Somehow, despite traveling across the world and beyond, she still was embarrassed so easily. She knew that she had been raised in a prudish society, and it always came out in the most inopportune times.
Unfortunately, she had the hardest time trying to sleep. She was tossing and turning. All the nerves about what to say tomorrow and what to do about Kaliana. It wouldn’t leave her brain, and as ever, meditating didn’t help.
Then, just when she had almost gotten to that place of relaxing, the door to her room cracked open. And Dean slipped inside. She rose to her elbow in confusion. He put a finger to his lips.
She narrowed her eyes, but he just slid under the covers and wrapped an arm around her. She stiffened in surprise.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Sleeping.”
“This is sleeping?”
He kissed her again. “Unless you’d like to do something else.”
“Shush, you,” she said, forcing herself to relax again.
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”
“Just because not everyone has Eleysian sensibilities…”
He silenced her with another kiss to her neck. “I’ll be good. Go to sleep. I could hear you tossing and turning from the other room.”
“And you’re going to help?”
He tugged her closer so that her back was flat against his broad, warm chest. “Yes. Now, close your eyes.”
Cyrene didn’t think it would work.
She was wrong.
25
The Ancient Ones
Cyrene woke, feeling the most well-rested she had felt in months. She rolled over to wake Dean up but found her bed empty. She blinked away the sleep in her eyes. She would have thought it all a dream, except that there was an indent where his body had been. She didn’t know how he had snuck out without her knowing it.
She stretched and then carefully changed into her white Domina dress. Appearances were important today. She took extra care with her hair and then stepped out into Avniella’s home.
“Oh my dear,” Avniella gushed, “you look stunning.”
“Thank you,” Cyrene said.
“Sit and eat. That is, if Dean left anything.”
Dean just grinned from the table. “I cannot help it that you are the best cook in this world and the next.”
Avniella blushed at his compliment. “Well, I suppose I can make more if you keep buttering me up.”
Cyrene laughed and dug into her own meal. Dean wasn’t far off. She didn’t remember having eaten something this good in a long, long time.
Reeve and Aubron appeared then, holding hands and laughing. Reeve ruffled Aubron’s hair, and the boy responded by pressing a kiss to his lips. Cyrene’s heart leaped in joy at the easy motion. At how happy everyone here seemed. But not just seemed…how happy they all were. Even Kaliana.
She hated that she was here to do anything to ruin that. The whole reason she wanted to defeat Malysa and bring magic back out in the open was so that everywhere could be as amazing as Fen already was.
“I know that look,” Dean said softly. “It will be okay. The Ancient Ones will listen to you.”
“Yes, but…what will I do to Fen when they do?”
“What will be done to Fen if you do nothing?” he countered.
And he was right.
If she did not warn them, then Malysa would surely kill them all. But it didn’t make it any easier.
The mood lightened as a ball of sunshine exploded into the room. “Cyrene, do I get to ride on your dragon today?” Cal asked, swiping a piece of bacon off of her plate and chomping down.
“Caldreva, has no one taught you manners?” Avniella asked.
“They try. But I’m rubbish at them.”
Cyrene laughed. “Perhaps today. I will have to call Sarielle and see if she is back from her hunt.”
“Her name is Sarielle? That’s kick-ass.”
“Cal!” Avniella cried. “Watch your language.”
Cal rolled her eyes and then beamed at Cyrene. “So, should we go now?”
“Afraid it’ll have to wait,” Cyrene told her. “I have to meet with your grandmother first.”
“Nana can wait.”
Cyrene grinned and then finished her breakfast. “Coming?” she asked Dean.
“You mean, you want me to come with you? I could take the squirt on Halcyon while you’re busy.”
“I’m regretting letting you come with me already.”
He laughed and got to his feet. “Of course I’m ready to go. After you.”
“We’re coming, too,” Reeve piped up. “We want all the details on what’s actually going on out there. It’s difficult, being this isolated.”
Aubron nodded. “I wasn’t a High Order long, but it’s still hard to get news here. We trek to Levin when we can, but even they don’t get everything that’s happening in the capital.”
“Well, if you two are going, then I am, too,” Cal said.
“Caldreva, your mother will have my neck if you go to that meeting,” Avniella said. “Sit down.”
“She can come,” Cyrene said gently. “She’s too old to shield from
such things.”
They had other fifteen-year-olds learning in her army that were a worse shot than Cal. Probably a lot who were worse with a blade, too. If they could fight for this world, then Cal at least should get the chance to listen.
Cal didn’t wait to hear what Avniella would say to that. She just darted out of the house after Dean.
“Be careful, Cyrene,” Avniella said softly. “She is just a child, and she worships you.”
Cyrene nodded once at her because there was nothing left to say to that. She would protect Cal at all costs. Her soft heart and wild nature and bravery. The world needed more Caldrevas in it…not less.
With her chin held high, she left Ahlvie’s home behind and walked to the center of the village where Old Mana was set up with the rest of the Ancient Ones. Twelve in total. Ten women and two men of varying ages. Cyrene remembered what it was like to link with them and the way they had all glowed, as Cyrene could now from the diamond.
To Cyrene’s surprise, Kaliana, Thiago, and Alessia were also in attendance. The latter waddling through everyone’s legs. Not that anyone seemed to mind. The child appeared to know and love every person in her path. They all tickled her and kissed her head and played with her. It really took a village.
“Thank you for hearing me today,” Cyrene began. “The last time I was here, you helped me break my blood curse. You call me Bloodbreaker, as I am the only one who has ever done so. It is with more bad news that I come before you today. Long ago, the goddess of destruction, Malysa, was trapped in the Haeven Mountains. Her spirit still enacted her evil deeds, culminating two thousand years ago with the fall of magic as we know it. Unfortunately, she has been freed from her prison and now wants to rule Emporia. She plans to kill all magical users unless we stop her.”
A gasp rang out through the crowd as Cyrene laid it all out there.
Aubron clutched at Reeve. “Ahlvie…is with this goddess?”
“Yes, she called him in his Indres form. But I believe that we can win Ahlvie back and stop this goddess. But, to do that, I need all the magical users to band together. You once said, when this was all over, that you would love to learn the ways of the Doma,” Cyrene said passionately. “We would like to teach you now to stop this wave from stretching any further. She has already taken the throne in Byern and Aurum. She has stolen Ahlvie, unleashed the wraiths and the Braj, and infected the minds of the corrupt. She will not leave Fen alone. I am certain of it. Will you stand with me?”
Old Mana was the first to speak. “That is quite a proclamation you made. You are a much different girl than when we first met you, Cyrene. A strong-willed and powerful magical user. But you are still…just a girl.”
Cyrene narrowed her eyes. “I am not just a girl.” She took the damper off of her powers. Her magic shone bright golden through her entire body. Her power radiated. She felt the energy capacity of every person here. Smiled to see that Cal had definitely begun to come into her own powers. “I am the Domina Cyrene. I am duty bound to all Doma—past, present, and future. I was chosen by the Domina Serafina to lead the Doma into the light. To start a new path for our people. And you are my people.” She gestured to the Ancient Ones assembled. Then, Cal. “And you.” Then, a boy she hadn’t noticed before. “And you.” Then, little Alessia at her feet. “And even her.”
Kaliana gasped. “Alessia will have magic?”
Cyrene nodded. “It must come from your line.” Then she turned back to the Ancient Ones. “I request your help this one more time. I know that you would rather remain in your mountains. That it is easier here. That this disrupts your way of life. I would not ask it if it were not necessary.”
“Allow us a moment,” Old Mana said.
And then they all convened together.
Cyrene couldn’t hear what they were saying. She didn’t want to know what they discussed. She had put it all out there. She hated to ask. But allies were necessary to stop Malysa.
“I’m sorry,” Old Mana said, finally turning back around. “We cannot afford to leave the village undefended if this goddess is to come here.”
“Bring the village with you.”
“We said no,” Mana said. “I am sorry, Cyrene. I know that you think you are doing right, but this is our home.”
“Well, I’m going,” Cal announced, jumping into the circle.
“No, you are not, Caldreva,” Mana barked.
Cal narrowed her eyes. “I am Doma. Cyrene just said it. That means that I owe my allegiance to her.”
“You are too young.”
“I am fifteen! If I were a boy, you would have already sent me in the lone wolves ceremony, and I would be a man. You would be sending me to hunt and protect the village. Instead, you coddle me by forcing me to do things that I abhor. I am a fighter. Not a lady. I can work a bow and a sword. And I want to learn my magic and train in Cyrene’s army.” Cal put her hands on her hips. “I am not afraid.”
“You should be,” Cyrene said softly.
Cal’s eyes widened.
“War isn’t fun. It isn’t easy.”
“You don’t want me?” Cal asked, heartbroken.
“I do, Cal. I do. But I won’t take a soldier who doesn’t understand that this isn’t a fairy tale. It’s not something you read in your books. It means fighting and killing and blood. Your life will be on the line.”
Cal lifted her chin. “I understand.”
Cyrene nodded once. “Then, I will have you.”
“Cyrene!” Old Mana gasped. “You cannot.”
“I will go, too,” Reeve declared, stepping toward Cyrene.
Aubron stepped up next. “And I.”
“Thank you,” she breathed.
“I will go, too,” Kaliana said, slowly rising to her feet.
Cyrene gaped at her. “But…Alessia.”
“I know you wish to protect us, Cyrene, but this is Alessia’s legacy that we are fighting for. I will go.”
Thiago reached for her. “Ana…no.”
“Come with me,” Kaliana asked him.
But he just shook his head in despair. “I cannot leave my home. And this is your home, too. You cannot leave.”
“You should all want to leave,” Kaliana declared to the entire circle. “You stand here and say that you want to protect the village. Staying does not protect anyone. It saves us a breath from death, but going, that could save everyone.” She threw her arms out. “I know what it is like to doubt Cyrene. I was once like you. I did not listen to her. I thought she was a threat and full of her own importance.” Kaliana smiled sadly at her. “But I believe her now. We need to follow her. We can’t be neutral in this war. Neutrality only means that we are helping the enemy. If that is what you wish, then stay here. Tend your fields and care for your young and have your ceremonies. You might not have them next year though. And it will be your fault.”
Cyrene stared at Kaliana in awe. Standing before her was not the jealous, jilted queen or the soft villager’s wife. Those were her old roles. Right now, she was stepping into who she was always meant to be—a queen.
“Our decision is final,” Old Mana declared. “Cal, we need to talk.”
“No,” Cal snapped. “My decision is final.”
Kaliana walked into Cyrene’s inner circle. “I am sorry it did not help.”
“Kaliana, thank you. But you can’t come with me.”
She just raised an eyebrow. “Not only am I going with you, but I also have an idea on where we should go next for allies.”
But then Thiago was there at her elbow. “Ana, you can’t just leave. What about Alessia? What about me?”
Kaliana tenderly touched his arm. “Thiago, I have to go. I am a queen. This is my duty.”
He shook his head in what was clearly disgust. “Fine. Fine. Go off and play queen, Ana. But I won’t let you take Alessia into danger.”
“You have no choice about what I do with my daughter,” she told him.
He crumpled. “No, of course not. But…she is my daug
hter, too,” he whispered. “I thought…I mean…at least, I believed that’s where we were headed.”
“Oh, Thiago, I wish my life were this simple.”
He kissed her brow, unable to let her go in anger. “I will keep Alessia. I will keep her safe. And I will wait for you, my love. Just…come back to me.”
Then he turned, picked up the baby that could decide a throne, and walked away with her. Cyrene could see Kaliana wanted to go after them both. Her hand was half-reaching to them.
“You don’t have to come,” Cyrene said.
Kaliana straightened. “You need me. Where we’re going…you’ll need me.”
“And where is that?”
She took a deep breath. “My home—Tiek.”
26
The Spymaster
Rhea
“Stay right here and do not move or say anything,” Fenix said, pressing her into an alcove that she would never have noticed in the darkened interior of the spy tunnels. “There are eyeholes so that you can see inside, but I must stress that you cannot even breathe loudly, or he will know. He will rip into your mind and extract everything that you know.”
“I have been practicing shielding my mind,” she reminded him.
“A week is not enough time against Kael,” Fenix said. “I wish I had somewhere else safer to put you. But I would rather have you close than worry about you. Worry can put me at risk.”
“I get it, Fenix,” she said, bringing her hand to his chest. “You won’t even know I’m here.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips to hers. “I will be quick.”
She nodded, tucked herself into the alcove until she was completely hidden, and then watched Fenix disappear through a trapdoor. Rhea pressed herself against the small eyeholes in the wall and stared into the king’s private chambers.
She couldn’t believe that they had even gotten in this easily. Fenix really did have a full network of people that he worked with. They’d had a place to stay in Levin and slipped into the castle here in Byern without anyone even blinking an eye.
