by M. L. Greye
Slowly, Olinia raised her hands above her head, just as Tyra had done generations before. Then, with a determination Olinia had never felt before, she urged her thoughts upward, thrusting her gift through her fingertips and extending it to the sky. Olinia cried out in pain as her treasured skill left her. The Globing evaporated first, followed closely by her ability to pause time. Olinia was vaguely aware of a bright light above her and Legann somewhere nearby, kneeling in shock. The sky was claiming her attention though, prohibiting her from turning. It was demanding more from her. Olinia clenched her jaw. Had her precious gift not been enough?
The sky was now reaching down to her, sucking out her insides. Olinia blocked herself from its ravenous hunger with another gift as an offering. Her invisibility was pulled from her just as swiftly as was the others. Olinia bit back the tears from her loss, as emptiness filled the place her gifts had possessed only moments before. Still the sky wanted more.
Olinia gritted her teeth. She wasn’t willing to give it more. How much further did the bowl she was in the midst of creating have to go? She meant for it to just cover the castle and Delvich. Letting out another cry, Olinia veered her eyes up to the bright light. Even though she’d expected to see it, the silvery-blue beam shooting form her hands startled her. But the bowl was complete. The ceiling of Delvich had given way to her light, opening a gap in the branches for Olinia to see through. If the bowl was finished, why was the sky still slurping up gifts? What sort of creature had she awoken? In order to stop it, she would have to release herself from its grasp. It would never be satisfied until there was no more of her to claim.
As difficult as the bowl had been to create, Olinia found it worse to end. She first fought to lower her arms, thinking that effort would be sufficient, but her arms wouldn’t budge. They remained frozen in place, pointing high above her head. It was as if they no longer belonged to her. Still unsure of the next step to take, Olinia suddenly realized she was losing strength fast. The sky was not being offered her gifts, so it was stealing her life-force instead. Panic swept over her. If she did not free herself soon, she would most assuredly die. She needed to obstruct the steady stream out of her.
A barrier! Olinia would use a mental blockade to keep the sky from destroying her. Just as she kept Eves from reading her thoughts, she would stop the blue light from destroying her life. Using what was left of her energy Olinia formed an inner wall. As quickly as she could, she stacked the bricks that would lock out the sky from her body. Olinia was weak, though. In order to give the wall the durability it needed, she was forced to exert herself beyond what she had thought herself capable. Olinia shrieked as something inside of her broke. She felt like collapsing but the sky wouldn’t let her move. This barrier idea had proved counter productive. She was dying either way – with or without the help of the wall. Maybe she should have just given the sky all her gifts. At least then she would still be living. Too late for that now. Olinia laid the last mental brick and sent the finished product into the sky. It ate it up eagerly.
Olinia gasped, relieved instantly of the monstrous appetite. Her barrier had worked after all. But her feet wouldn’t hold her. She crumbled into a pile, utterly exhausted. A new darkness played at the edges of her thoughts, seeking to claim her conscious mind. Legann appeared above her, shouting. She never heard him – his words were lost to thunder.
19
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Tiara landed on a stuffed sofa with Pavn on top of her. She grunted as her body absorbed his impact. He was really heavier than he looked. “Get off,” she groaned, shoving him to the floor.
As he rolled off her, she pushed herself up to a sitting position, leaning back on her hands. He had taken her to the library. Two levels of shelves, filled with books, lined the tall walls. Even though the walls weren’t as tall as those of the throne room, they were still much higher than any library she’d encountered. Several couches like the one she sat on were scattered along the main floor with small tables beside them. A few flickering candelabras offered the room its only light.
“Enjoying the scenery?”
Tiara glared down at Pavn. He looked the same as when they had first met. His handsome eyes still held that twinge of insanity at their edges. She grimaced. “What do you want?”
He laughed, almost bitterly, and stood so that he was the one looking down on her. “There was a time when just your death would have satisfied me.”
“When? This morning?”
His smile faded. “Close.”
Tiara ran her tongue along the back of her teeth. Her ride through the passageway had given her time to assess her situation, as well as to catch her breath from his blow to her stomach. She was sure to find some bruises later, but that was the least of her worries at the moment. During her fall, she’d come to two conclusions. Either she was to be raped and murdered by Pavn – not necessarily in that order – or she was to kill him. There was only going to be one happy ending in this scenario and Tiara needed it to be hers. It would be difficult claiming her throne if she were dead.
“It was before I discovered your birthright.”
She flinched as Pavn’s words registered. Somehow the brothers, or at least Pavn, had discovered her background. “Who told you?”
“Did I mention an informant?”
She snorted. “Oh please. We both know you could never have figured that one out on your own.”
Suddenly, Pavn thrust his face inches from hers – close enough for his breath to hit her skin. Tiara blinked and then wrinkled her nose as he hissed. “Careful, princess. You have no protectors here.”
Tiara narrowed her eyes in an attempt to ignore the meaning of his words. She knew she was in danger, but what use would it do to show her growing anxiety? “What makes you think I need them? If I remember correctly, the last time we met you ended up with a dagger in your side at the bottom of a staircase.”
Before Tiara had time to react, Pavn’s arm swung at her head, backhanding the side of her face. Tiara flew to the floor, unable to keep herself upright after being hit. Above her, Pavn was laughing again. “Not so fun to be on the receiving end, is it, Tiara?”
She gasped, her head reeling. Her cheek stung and she was sure the inside of her mouth was bleeding. Her teeth had managed to bite down on the soft flesh in the midst of Pavn’s slap. She swallowed down bile – a mix of her saliva and blood.
“How unfortunate your companions left you unarmed.” Pavn crouched down beside her, sneering.
Tiara winced, from both pain and fear. This was how it was going to be. Pavn would continue battering her around until he had his fill of her. After that, who knew what would happen? Tiara guessed it would ultimately be her death.
Where was Archrin when she needed him? He couldn’t possibly still be fighting Flortt. The Kendren lord had been drunk after all. So, it was only a matter of time until he found her and Pavn. And he would find them. Her scent was inescapable to him. Still, until he did find her, Tiara was stuck on her own. She swallowed down more blood, struggling to think of a way to stall Pavn from committing any more damage.
She decided to go with the first set of words that came to her head. “Who said I was unarmed?”
“If you had a weapon you would have used it by now.”
She smirked. “That’s not the sort of weapon I was referring to.”
“Oh no?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m capable of, Pavn.” She grunted. “You know who my mother was, who my cousin is.”
He blinked. “Are you suggesting you’re gifted?”
“I wasn’t suggesting.”
“A gifted Saerd?” He let out a short laugh. “I don’t believe you.”
“Why not? Because I’d be a woman with power over you?”
“What does that have to do-”
“Everything!” She cut him off. “You hate the idea that a woman could have control over you, because that would eliminate your one source of power.”
�
��I have plenty of power.”
“No, you don’t,” she challenged.
“I am a Kendren lord.”
“And Ryth is really more like the king, isn’t he?”
A muscle in his neck tightened. Tiara grinned. She must have struck a tender spot. Good. It could buy her some time. “Flortt is the idiot who just came along for the ride,” she continued. “Ryth is the military genius with all the important decisions, and you’re the youngest brother who longs for something more.” She chuckled. “No wonder you delight so much in your conquests among women; it’s the only domination you’ll ever have.”
In a flash, Pavn grabbed her wrist, yanking her closer to him. Tiara cried out in surprise as Pavn pulled a short knife from his boot. Keeping her hand out in front of her, he drew the blade close to her fingers. “Congratulations, Tiara. You’ve figured me out.”
Slowly, he slid the steel across her knuckles, drawing blood. Tiara screamed as the pain registered and attempted to jerk herself free. Pavn laughed, somewhat tauntingly. “I thoroughly enjoy my one dominion.”
He turned his attention back to her hand as she bit back tears. The blood was flowing freely now onto her lap, staining her dress. Pavn raised the blade again, this time pointing it at her middle finger. “Such a worthless appendage,” he commented. “It doesn’t really serve a purpose. Here, let me get rid of it for you.”
“No!” She shouted, struggling to yank her hand away. “Let me go!”
His reply was a firmer grip on her wrist. “I have been waiting for this moment. Your annoying inner flames are about to be extinguished.”
“No!” She shrieked, tossing her body to one side in hopes of throwing him off balance. The move broke his grasp around her upper body, but it ended up putting both of them on the floor – Pavn on top.
“Sorry, princess,” he jeered. “Your little stunt didn’t quite work.”
Tiara glared up at him. She was scared. No, she was terrified. Against Pavn unarmed, she was helpless. Her heart began to pound inside her chest. Death was only moments away now. Tiara began to tremble.
All at once, the library door crashed open, followed closely by a thunderous growl. Both Tiara and Pavn whirled. A black blur leapt through the doorway, heading straight for them. Pavn yelled, shoving Tiara at it as he scurried away. Tiara screamed, raising her arms to brace herself from the impact of hitting the beast. But it completely ignored her, sidestepping her easily. She landed on the stone floor. Tiara didn’t let her back face it for long, though. She turned just as the black mass of fur fell onto Pavn.
The Kendren lord howled as sharp teeth tore into first the arm that held the knife and then the leg that tried to kick it. More shrieks and wails erupted from Pavn until at last the beast ripped out Pavn’s throat. The Kendren went limp instantly. Tiara could only stare, mouth wide open, as the dark animal snarled down at him before fixing its eyes on her.
Her breath caught, and she realized she was shaking uncontrollably. There was nowhere for her to go. She was trapped beneath the animal’s gaze. A low growl filled its throat as it began towards her, padding over the stone floor slowly. Tiara locked eyes with it, refusing to shirk away. If she were going to die, then she would face her killer, even if it wasn’t human.
It stopped directly in front of her and dropped its eyes to her hand. Tiara froze. It most likely smelt her blood. But it didn’t leap down on her like she expected it to. Instead, it drew close to her head, sniffing her hair. Tiara blinked, her heartbeat loud in her ears. What was the thing doing? Suddenly, the growl gave way to a deeper, softer sound, and the beast nuzzled its head against hers. Tiara audibly gasped. It was purring! The thing had devoured Pavn in only a moment, despite his knife, and now it was purring at her scent.
Her scent! Tiara gaped. Could it possibly be him? “Archrin?” She breathed.
The animal raised its head, locking eyes with her once more. Tiara let out a short laugh. “It’s you, isn’t it?”
A lick on her cheek was its answer. Tiara grinned, releasing a sigh of relief. “It really is you!” She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his fur. He stiffened but didn’t move away. She took a deep breath, letting his scent fill her lungs. It was Archrin. No one could smell so good but him. “You saved me!”
“Princess Tiara!”
She turned back to the door, surprised. The man’s voice had sounded strained. In the library’s entrance, bow notched, stood one of Voiel’s followers. Tiara smiled at him as she pushed herself to her feet. Archrin rubbed up against her thigh, still purring. “Yes?” She asked.
“Don’t-” He had to take another breath to finish. “Don’t move.”
“Why?”
“The panther,” he managed to croak out.
“Panther?” Tiara glanced down at Archrin. “Is that what you are?” She raised her gaze to the soldier. “Don’t worry. He won’t hurt me. He saved me from Pavn.” She pointed to the Kendren lord’s remains.
The soldier dropped his bow, gawking. “It killed Pavn, but isn’t harming you?”
“Nor will he,” Tiara replied, scratching behind one of Archrin’s ears.
“But I heard shouts.”
Tiara pulled a face. “Those were Pavn’s.”
“What about your hand?”
“Given to me by Pavn.”
The soldier was quiet for a moment. Then, “Aren’t you supposed to be at Voiel’s home?”
Funny story. She forced another smile. “I was at Voiel’s.” Before he could pester her further, she asked, “Where is he now?”
“In the throne room. We’ve captured Ryth.”
Tiara raised her eyebrows. “Really?” That was good news. She looked at Archrin, catching his mismatched eyes again. To the soldier, she said, “I want to see that for myself.”
“Follow me, m’lady.”
* * * * * *
It was the crack of thunder that finally broke the focus of Will’s mind. He had been giving Sazx and Dagon his full attention for what felt like hours. They had left Dagon’s study for the hallway, and then the hallway for some large banquet hall. In the midst of their flight, tables and chairs were tossed to the side, walls chipped, and servants scattered in terror. The three men had barely noticed. Their interest was on each other and their swords.
Dagon was an exquisite swordsman. Against him alone, Will would have struggled. Combined with Sazx though, it was Dagon who was suffering. Still, he was an aggressive and competent opponent.
But the thunder startled all of them. Just before it had begun, Sazx slid his blade across Dagon’s chest, opening a fresh wound and an opportunity for Will. In one fluid movement, Will managed to slice into Dagon’s left thigh. He staggered backward onto the floor. Will and Sazx were about to follow after him when the ear-splitting crack ripped through the air, waking Will from his instincts, forcing his brain on again.
And unfortunately the first thing his mind registered was pain – pain in his shoulder from where Dagon had thrown him into a pillar, pain above his right eye from the candlestick he hadn’t managed to duck, and a new pain in his ears from the odd thunder. Will cried out as the adrenaline gave way to his consciousness. He dropped to his knees, hands over his ears. A few feet to his left, Sazx was doing the same. Only Dagon seemed unaware of the noise – sprawled on his back, the front of his tunic stained with his own blood. Will frowned at the still form, wondering if Dagon was simply unconscious or actually dead.
All at once, the room filled with a bright blue light, coming from outside. Will stared. The shade of blue seemed all too familiar. He whirled to the nearest window. Déjà vu couldn’t begin to describe the scene. A giant blue bowl covered the castle, as well as a nearby forest. It was Balinorre all over again.
The thunder ceased just as suddenly as it had begun. Will grimaced, anticipating the second round. He didn’t have to wait long. Only a moment later, another clap erupted. He turned his eyes upward, and as expected, the bowl began to evaporate – its edges drawin
g together to a central point. This time, that point was a spot high above the forest outside. Once the edges met, a single, soundless flash of lightning forked the sky. And, just as before, the ground began to shake.
Sazx gaped at the castle floor, and Will groaned inwardly. Someone was trying to destroy the castle. He was in the midst of Balinorre’s fall once more. Only one other person knew how to create the bowl. Will swore, his words lost to the roar. Olinia was trying to be the heroine, just like his great-grandmother. He suddenly understood how Trenton must have felt. Will remembered well how weak Tyra had been. It was doubtful that Olinia was doing any better. Wend or not, to destroy a portion of a world was physically draining.
Letting out a string of curses, Will leapt to his feet. Sazx glanced up at him, clearly surprised. “Get out of the castle,” Will shouted. “It’s going to collapse.”
“And Dagon?”
Will shrugged. “Take him with you if you want. Personally, I think we should just let the castle fall down on top of him.”
He turned back to the forest and was startled to find it burning with some sort of blue fire, the same shade the bowl had been. Olinia was inside of there. What had she been thinking? “I’ve got to go after Olinia.” He glanced back at Sazx. “Make sure you get as far away from the castle as you can.” The last few words Will tossed over his shoulder as he ran for the hall’s door, sword still in hand.
Sazx watched him leave just before standing himself. It was his turn to exit. He had no desire to be crushed by the castle he had deemed silly and impractical for generations. As he faced the only door out, though, his legs froze. The binding was pulling at him. A Nagreth would never desert his master. Sazx gritted his teeth. With Will nearby it had been easier to ignore the binding. Now, alone, it was nearly impossible. His body refused to respond. The binding wished him to either remain with Dagon to the death, or to take the emperor with him in an escape.
