by Olivia Ash
To protect herself, she willed her magic forward to create a shield against the pain. Once that was in place, she concentrated on the machine picturing it in her mind, dissecting all its parts to find its weaknesses. She tried to overwhelm it, to break it and make the torture stop. Little sparks jumped out of one of the wires and shorted out the machine. The headmistress rushed into the box to turn off the machine before it broke into a hundred pieces like the last one.
“We’ll take a break,” Headmistress Mittle said as she unstrapped Sophia. “Come back to it in a little bit. Go get some air.”
Sophia nodded, but she knew this was it, the moment she was going to quit. The moment she realized that these two would never help her. Maybe they could never do it, or maybe they never wanted to. They had been lying to her about many things, she suspected.
When the head gear was removed, Sophia collapsed onto the ground. Grindel was there at her side, lifting her up, but she smacked him away. She didn’t want or need his sympathy now. She stood on her own, limped out of the box and across the room, the final betrayal too much to bear.
These two knew more than they were letting on, and she couldn’t tolerate the lies any longer. She couldn’t trust them. She wouldn’t. She would heal herself with the help of one of her men, restore the heirs to the throne, and get the bloody hell out of the city forever. She was tired of being broken, of being pried apart and studied, to be put back together only to be torn apart again, too tired of being a freak.
On the way out through the tunnel, Grindel came up behind her. “Stop, Sophia. Where are you going? We’re not done.”
She whirled on him. “We are done. You and me, and the headmistress. You’ve been lying to me from the beginning. Both of you.” She poked him in his bony chest. “It was no accident that I was broken, was it? This was done to me. Someone did this to me!”
He sighed, his whole body sagging into itself. After a glance over his shoulder, he grabbed her arm, pulled her close and whispered, “One day, you’ll understand. You must trust me.”
She wasn’t having it. She pulled away from his grip and turned to continue the walk through the tunnel back to the woods and eventually the cottage, alone. That was all it seemed that she would ever be, was alone. Alone in her fight to fix her soul, alone in her mission to find the heirs.
She stepped out of the tunnel and instantly found Haris waiting for her. He must’ve sensed that she needed him. Without a word, she climbed onto his back and he took off at a gallop, knowing she needed to go, and fast.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Edric
Edric sat in the back of the Black Horse Pub, among the shadows, with three pints of ale in front of him on the long, worn, wooden table, waiting on his guests. He’d chosen the pub because it was off the main roads, in a working-class district in Nighthelm and not frequented often by castle guards. It was quiet, except for the table of smiths and cattlemen nearby who were very loudly celebrating the impending marriage of one of their young members, and not too many people would recognize him to interrupt his plans. He didn’t wear his uniform, opting to dress in simple trousers, shirt and leather overcoat. He forwent his sword as well, but still had two daggers strapped to each ankle under his boots. He never went anywhere unarmed. And in this neighborhood where bar brawls were frequent, he liked to be prepared.
The buxom barmaid sashayed up to the table again. He swore there was one less button done up on the bodice of her dress. “Are you sure I can’t get ye something to eat? The lamb pie is quite good.”
He shook his head. “No food, thank you.”
She leaned forward, giving him a full view of her ample cleavage. “Can I interest you in anything else?”
Three weeks ago, Edric might have taken the girl up on her brazen offer. She wouldn’t have been the first barmaid he’d bedded. But now he only had eyes and feelings for one woman. Sophia. She was the reason he’d invited Andreas and Ezekiel to meet him in this pub for a drink. She was quickly becoming the reason for many things.
He sat back farther into his seat, placing as much distance between him and the offering as he could. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m well spoken for.”
She pursed her lips and pouted. “That’s too bad. You're the best-looking man to ever walk into this pub in years.” She sashayed away, giving her wide hips an exaggerated swing for his benefit.
Moments later, Andreas walked in, looked around, spotted Edric, and then joined him at the table. He eyed the beer warily.
Edric laughed. “If I wanted to kill a wraith, I wouldn’t be lame enough to do it with poison. It would be with my blade and nothing more.”
“You wish.” Picking up the mug, Andreas sat on the sagging bench and took a sip. “Thank you for the drink.” He took another hearty drink, and then wiped the froth from his mouth with the back of his hand. “Why did you ask for a meeting?”
Before Edric could answer, Ezekiel swept into the pub, sat, and chugged the ale down. “Thanks, I needed that. All the sorcerers and alchemists have been working overtime at the castle trying to figure out where these tremors are coming from.” He shook his head. “I swear its some kind of magic, but I can’t discern what kind and from whom.”
Andreas visibly tensed and dropped his gaze to this beer. To Edric, it appeared that he might know something about the disturbances. Edric made a mental note to ask him for more information later. For now, they had other matters to discuss. Except Ezekiel kept talking.
“Did you feel that last tremor?” He shook his head. “It really shook the castle. I couldn’t get much work done after that.”
Edric gave Andreas a look, but the wraith just shrugged and continued to drink his ale.
“Oh, and don’t even get me started on all the fear mongering going on in the city by the duchess and her cronies. Yes, there was a minotaur attack, but that is so rare, you can’t base new laws around that. It’s not right.” He shook his head, and then looked at Edric.
He gave Ezekiel a look. “Are you quite finishing complaining?”
Ezekiel shrugged. “Maybe. Depends on why you’ve summoned us here.” Then took another sip of his drink.
“Yes, why are we here?” Andreas asked again, now that Ezekiel had shut his mouth.
“It’s about Sophia.” Edric sighed.
The other two tensed, anticipating what he was going to say.
“I’m in love with her,” Edric said. “Really and truly. For me, this isn’t a contest anymore. I want nothing more than to win her heart.” He looked at Andreas and then at Ezekiel. “If either of you are in this just for the contest, to win, then I ask you to stop. Please.”
They looked at each other then back at Edric.
“I will give both of you whatever you want to end the contest, to bow out. Gold, steel, jewels, a command post in the guard, doesn’t matter.”
They all sat silently at first. Andreas finished his ale, and crossed his arms. Ezekiel spun his mug on the table. It made a hollow, ringing sound.
Then Andreas said, “I’m in love with her too.”
Ezekiel nodded. “l confess I am as well.”
“Well, shit.” Edric finished his ale, slammed down the mug, then signaled for the barmaid to bring them three more.
When the barmaid arrived with the tray of drinks, each man took one. She batted her eyelashes at them, but Edric was happy to see that neither Andreas nor Ezekiel gave her a second look. It confirmed in him that they were being true to their word. That they only had eyes for Sophia, as did he.
Andreas finished his drink in two gulps, and signaled for another, while Ezekiel barely sipped his. He looked as miserable and forlorn as Edric did at the prospect of all three of them being in love with the same woman, and not being able to do a damn thing about it except wait for her to make her decision.
Edric looked at his companions and wondered what he could share with them. He and Andreas were seasoned warriors, fighting for their city and the people in it. He supposed Ezekiel
did as well, just in a different way. Edric knew the sorcerer was a devout loyalist to the realm. And they all obviously loved Sophia, so they had that in common. They’d known each other all their lives, always battling, always competing to see who was better. Maybe the three men could be more than just competitors.
He cleared his throat, realizing that if there was going to be change, he was going to have to be the first one to open up. “She makes me feel worthy of something great,” Edric said.
Andreas unfolded his arms, and leaned on the table, nodding. “I feel that too. She gives me purpose. Real purpose.”
Ezekiel traced a finger in the spilled beer on the table and didn’t look at either of them as he spoke. “For the first time in a very long time, I feel happy when I’m with her.”
“I’m not sure I could imagine a life without her in it.” Edric looked at each man. He did it as a challenge. Daring each of them to back away. What he didn’t expect was to see the same sentiment in their eyes. Edric sighed. With a woman like Sophia, he really shouldn’t have expected anything less. He lifted his drink. “May the best man win.”
Andreas and Ezekiel lifted their beers and toasted.
EDRIC
Several ales later, Ezekiel was standing on top of the bar singing a rousing rendition of a drinking ballad he had learned during one of his travels to another kingdom. Edric and Andreas stood off to the side cheering him on.
I’ll drink from dusk till dawn
I’ll drink a toast to day’s end.
Yes, I’ll drink from dusk till dawn
And I’ll drink to the health of me friends.
He swung his mug toward Edric and Andreas, sloshing ale over the rim, then spun on his boot heel on the last note, holding it until he ran out of breath.
Though he’d never admit as much, Edric thought it was pretty impressive. The sorcerer had a decent singing voice, much to Edric’s surprise.
During the night, he’d learned a lot of things about Ezekiel and Andreas. They’d known each other their whole lives, but hadn’t really known anything of real importance. Until now. Sophia had brought them together.
When he was done spinning, Ezekiel flung out his arms and let himself fall backwards off the bar.
Luckily Edric and Andreas were there to catch him, or else he would’ve landed on a burly farmer who had scowled through Ezekiel’s entire ten-verse song.
The beefy barkeep glared at them, his little, beady, black eyes narrowing into tiny points. “Better carry him out of here. He’s done drinking.”
Edric nodded, tossing a few gold coins onto the counter top. “For your trouble.”
As they half-carried, half-dragged Ezekiel out of the pub, the sorcerer was still singing his song about “me friends.” When they got outside, he perked right up and started to dance a little jig. Despite being completely sloshed, Ezekiel was quick and light on his feet. Edric had been sure he was going to fall flat on his face the moment he’d stood without their help.
“Let’s go to another pub,” the sorcerer said, with a lopsided grin. “I have a lot of coins to spend.”
Edric shook his head. “You’ve had enough.”
“But he hasn’t.” Ezekiel pointed his finger at Andreas.
Andreas shrugged. “I can’t get drunk. Alcohol doesn’t impair wraiths. I could drink ten more ales and be completely sober.”
Ezekiel made a face. “That’s interesting. They don’t teach you that in the academy.”
“I think they miss a lot of things at the academy,” Edric said. After all that he’d seen and was startling to learn, he realized that the academy wasn’t doing the best job.
“Look at what I can do.” The sorcerer rubbed his hands together and produced a small ball of blue light between them.
“That’s impressive,” Edric said. “However, I don’t like the idea of drunk magic. Seems like an easy way to lose a leg.”
“Psh, you old hen.” Ezekiel scrunched up his nose in drunken disappointment.
Edric chuckled. “Now, let’s get you back to the castle.” He glanced at Andreas. “Let’s flip a coin to see who carries him.”
While they were busy figuring out the coin flip, Ezekiel precariously bounced his ball of light from hand to hand. “The color’s the same as Sophia’s eyes, don’t you think?”
Then it got away from him, and landed on the bench nearby. It burned a hole right through the wood.
“Whoops,” he said.
“Let’s both carry him,” Edric said, “it’ll be faster.”
Andreas nodded. “Agreed.”
They picked him up and started the walk back up to the castle.
Ezekiel closed his eyes and started to hum. “You know, if Sophia had to end up with someone, and not me, I suppose the two of you are the better choices than anyone else in the city,” Ezekiel said, with a bit of a slur.
Andreas laughed. “That’s mighty big of you to admit there, Zeke.”
Ezekiel lifted his head and smiled. “My pleasure.”
During the long walk to the castle, and as Ezekiel regaled them with a story about the time he played chess with a giant in the kingdom of Verheim, Edric thought about Sophia and the contest. The same question was likely running through their minds, who was Sophia going to pick and when? Edric didn’t have the answer. Neither of them did, but what he did know was that regardless of the outcome, he had gained two brothers. Men he’d fight for, and defend to the end. Hopefully, it would never come to that.
A small thread of dread weaved through his mind. The attacks of the minotaurs and the grimms on the city seemed like a harbinger of things to come. Something was brewing in Witch Woods. And Edric had a feeling that it revolved around Sophia.
Chapter Thirty
Sophia
Sophia was having a really shitty day. She wasn’t feeling all that well either. Her head ached, as did the muscles in her arms. The machine had done some damage the other day, and she was still feeling the after effects despite the long, hot bath she’d taken and the eucalyptus ointment she had slathered all over her body to ease the pain.
She sat at the fountain, which had become a place for her to think in relative solace and feel connected to her men, even though her date with Ezekiel wasn’t for several hours. She couldn’t be at the cabin. Not after yelling at Grindel back in the tunnel. And with the grimms hunting her, the woods were no longer safe for her, so she was here.
She made Haris promise he would find a safe place and that he wouldn’t wait around for her on the edge of the woods where the last grimm attack had occurred. She didn’t know what she would do, if her best friend got hurt because of her. She’d never forgive herself. If only he could be in the city with her.
She lifted her face to the sun and closed her eyes, enjoying how it warmed her skin. Living in the Witch Woods and training every day, didn’t often give Sophia an opportunity to bask in the sunlight as she was surrounded by shadow and darkness. It was such a simple thing that most people took for granted. She reveled in it now, soaking it up. Then there was a subtle shift in the air next to her and she opened her eyes.
Winston sat next to her without an invitation, and she repressed an impulsive groan of disgust. Her aversion to him had to have been written all over her face, but the man just couldn’t take a hint.
“I can tell you’re not feeling great,” he said matter-of-fact, as if they were best friends. “Did one of those bastards hurt you?”
She flinched. “No, of course none of them hurt me. It’s unrelated.”
He gave her a knowing smile. “It’s okay, I won’t say I told you so or make you feel dumb about dating them. I just want to help.”
No, she thought, you just want to parade me around the town like a sex trophy you won.
Winston leaned close to her. “You know I’ll always love you, Sophia, no matter what you are.”
Sophia stared at him in surprise, and he simply nodded with that ever present condescending smirk on his face.
�
��I’ve seen a few of your meetings with Headmistress Mittle.” He titled his head to regard her. “Terrible secret, that. It would be a shame for anyone to learn about it.” He gave her an unwelcome wide smile, that made her jaw clench. “Thankfully I’m very loyal and honest. I just want to make you happy. Can’t be too sure what Edric, Andreas, and Ezekiel would do if they knew. I would think they wouldn’t be as forgiving as I am.”
She didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to confirm or deny what he was saying in case he was bluffing. She couldn’t be too sure, as she was certain someone had watched the last time she’d been in the glass box, despite Headmistress Mittle’s assurances that they’d been alone. Someone had been spying on her for a long time.
He leaned in again, and she had to fight the urge to pull away. “My loyalty does come with a price though.” His voice was like the slithering of a snake over her skin.
Instead of leaning away, Sophia got right into his face. “The last few monsters who threatened me screamed as I slowly slit their throats.”
His eyes widened, and he stumbled back a step. She grinned in satisfaction, but it was short lived, because he straightened his shoulders and grinned back at her, and some of her bravado vanished at the absolute vileness of that smile. “You’re the mistress of the wild and I’m the master of Nighthelm.”
He set his hand on her arm. Her skin crawled at the contact.
“But as long as you’re in my realm, the one I control, I’ll give you one last chance to make the smart choice.” He rubbed his thumb along her wrist as her pulse jumped. His grin widened, as he likely thought her heart rate had picked up in response to his touch. It was not the reason that he was expecting.
She was tired of people in high places trying to make her dance like a puppet on strings. She was tired of being controlled, of being tortured and abused in the name of people who swore they actually cared about her. No more. Never again.
