Jovan held up a hand to stop Aggravain’s retort. “I’ll be back. Rhodoban, tell them what you know of Semaj,” he called over his shoulder on his way to the kitchen. “We need to be prepared.”
Senna stepped aside to let him pass, but the kitchen was empty. With a hand on his sword, Jovan threw open the rear door to reveal Melody, miserable and sick beside the well. A quick look around showed no danger in the area, so he went to his knees beside her.
“I’m here,” he said, retrieving the rag she had dropped and offering it to her when she finally stopped retching. “What is it?”
She held the cloth to her lips and met his eyes with an expression of raw, nameless terror. He pulled her into his arms. She was shaking, but not feverish.
“It’s all right,” he said, searching once more for any threat while stroking her back. There was nothing. “Tell me.” There was a long silence, broken only by a light wind in the branches overhead. He started to wonder if she would ever answer.
I’m pregnant.
Jovan could feel the dread in her admission, her whole body was rigid in his arms. He remembered the night they had spent in Foley, before everything went so … wrong. He had made mistakes since then, but was he so terrible a man that she would not want his child? Or did she fear the Lich King’s return, and what it would mean for a baby?
“Some might be glad of such news,” he said, uncertain of how to reassure her. He touched the strands of her hair that had escaped his attempt at a ponytail, pushing them back from her face, trying to get her to look at him. “I’m here, Melody, I’m with you. Our child will be well cared for, and safe.”
What about Garen?
Jovan stiffened, suddenly cold. Garen. He remembered that name.
Melody pulled away, sensing the change in him, but he gently pulled her back into the circle of his arms as he recalled the rest of that night. The memory of Melody’s experience, which had forced its way into his knowing when she spoke Garen’s name, was still painfully real.
His jaw clenched. No wonder she was shaking, and sick. The chance that the child within her had been gotten in such a manner— He put his hands on her shoulders and gently moved her back, lifting her chin with his thumbs so she would finally meet his eyes. Tears hovered on her lower lashes.
“It’s all right,” he told her, willing himself to be calm for her. “It doesn’t matter.”
He could see that she desperately wanted to believe him, but she didn’t. Not yet. Pushing his own doubt and worry and anger out of his mind, Jovan turned his full attention to making Melody relax, helping her trust him. She would take her cues from him, he knew, so he took a deep breath. He cupped her cheeks in his palms.
“This child,” he said. “Our child, will be well cared for, and safe.”
But– She was blinking her eyelashes free of tears, still hesitant.
“Regardless.” Jovan moved his hand and ran his fingers across the fabric over her belly. “This is our child.”
She laid her hand on top of his, searching his eyes. Yes?
“Yes.” He kissed her forehead, and felt the panic slipping away from her.
“You two all right?” Senna leaned out the door, wiping her hands on a towel.
Jovan helped Melody to her feet. “I think so.”
“Yes,” Melody said, her voice rough from being sick. “Thank you.”
“You knew?” Jovan asked Senna. “About the baby?”
“I was the one that told her,” she said. “I’m a midwife. My Healing is strongest there.”
Jovan thought about that for a moment. “Will you come with us? To Estfall? I won’t know how—”
Senna smiled. ”Here I thought I’d have to fight you to let me come,” she said. “Lesha can run the place. I’ll go.”
“Thank you,” said Melody, one hand drifting to her belly. “I’ll be glad of your company.”
“Speaking of company, Jovan,” Senna said, stepping back to allow them through the door. “Yours could use you in there. Your mage got them stirred up about the Lich King and they’re arguing whether Melody’s really the key to defeating him or not.”
Jovan sighed and ran a hand through his close-cropped hair as he looked down at Melody. He didn’t even know the answer to that one. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Melody met his gaze, thinking of her father’s journal, and her dream-self telling her what she had to do, how important it was … this was it. It was time. She straightened her shoulders.
“Let me,” she said. “I’ll talk to them.”
Jovan shook his head. “You’ve done too much already,” he said. “You’re exhausted, Melody. No. Go rest, I’ll—”
“This is my path,” she said, moving to the door before she could rethink her decision. She had waited long enough.
The room went quiet as she walked to the head of the table, Jovan following close behind her. Every eye, again, was on her. The mood in the room was less than friendly, making her stomach clench. Rhodoban stopped himself in mid-sentence, and moved aside for her.
Melody trailed her fingers along the aged plank surface, taking a long moment to gather her thoughts. She took a deep breath, focusing herself. The men shifted in their seats. Goddess give me words, she prayed silently, and lifted her face to the assembled men.
“The Lich King is returned. He has taken form, and he is coming. His creatures, the dead men who walk with his power - they were just the beginning. You know it to be true.” Her voice was quiet, her words deliberate.
“War is coming, and you are ready to fight. Yet you find yourselves here, looking for hope. You hear the promise of a solution, of a weapon … and see only me.” Melody was met with a few mumbles of assent, and some nodding heads. She fingered the pendant at her neck as she continued.
“I am weak,” she admitted. “I am small. I healed your companions, but wars require weapons and soldiers. Why waste your time?” She took a deep breath. “You’re right. I am not the answer you seek.”
“Melody—” Calder’s voice was lost in the wave of voices that spoke up, each one fighting to be heard over the next.
The words all blurred into each other in her ears, and the noise was deafening. Most were agreeing with her. Many were angry. She waited, patient, keeping her eyes on the grain of the wood table until they settled down.
“A world cannot be saved by one person, anymore than it can be destroyed by one.” Again the outbursts, again the protests. Melody waited. She didn’t know what she was talking about, they said, the Lich King was no person, he was a monster with armies that refused to die, he was returning to power a thousand years after he was killed and what person could do that—
“Let her speak.” Jovan drew himself to his full height behind her, crossing his arms when he spoke, but he did not shout. The men quieted with obvious reluctance, and Melody continued in her small, controlled voice.
“A thunderstorm is not a single raindrop. A forest is not only one tree. I am only a part of the answer you are seeking.”
“What part is that?” Aggravain’s voice was a challenge. “What exactly do you do?”
Jovan bristled behind her. She ignored him.
“Magic is the only way to defeat the Lich King,” Melody replied calmly. “Magic in numbers. Numbers we don’t have, not yet. I can awaken magical ability in others, I can bring it to the surface and teach them how to use it.” She had done it in Ravenglass, though she had left too early to see the results. Her dream-self had assured her that this was her path, and Melody trusted her.
“What kind of help is more magic?” The speaker was the young man from earlier, his voice shaking with rage. In Melody’s vision, he now shimmered with the smallest aura of blue – dark blue, and so tiny it was hardly there.
“Nathen?” Rhodoabn was shocked. “What are you saying? Her magic saved your life!”
The boy ignored him and went on, his voice harsh. “Magic is worthless at best and dangerous at worst. My ma had the magic, and Korith ha
d her killed. Magic didn’t save her, did it? They sent me to my uncle in Foley after, but Foley wasn’t there. The whole city, just gone. He wiped it out. How can we fight something that can do that?”
Melody felt her insides twist and clench, but she kept her face calm. This time, she did not bother to control her voice.
“You don’t.”
In that instant, every person in the room knew what she had done. The knowledge forced its way into their minds with the full strength of her magic, brutal and raw and insistent.
A few of them – Nathen among them - shouted in surprise. Several brought their arm up to block the visions they couldn’t explain or prevent; several more went for their swords. Rhodoban’s knuckles were white on the edge of the table, and Calder had gone pale. Tears spilled down Senna’s cheeks.
Jovan had suspected, but never truly known. He kept his feet as the understanding slammed into him, but it was not an easy task.
Melody remained still, waiting for them to recover. There was blatant fear in every eye that dared to look at her. The full weight of her responsibility became unbearably clear. She would guide them, she would help them … but she would never be one of them.
End, Book 2.
Thank You and How to Contact Me
You there, with the book in your hand. YOU are why I do this, and YOU make it amazing and rewarding and fun. (You also look great today, by the way!) So I will first thank you - and then I’ll thank the friend to whom you’re going to recommend the series :)
P.S. I hope you forgive me for the Book 1 cliffhanger now.
Aside from my constant gratitude to Andrew at Cobble Publishing, I would like to specifically call out a few people for their endless support, humor, patience, and logistical assistance:
Bethany provided me with enough Jared Padalecki gifs to get me through months of edits, and consistently challenges me through her concise, evocative writing to improve my own. See you at the beach!
Since before Melody was even a glimmer of an idea, Lindsy and I have had each other’s backs, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Your mad skills made this book so much better, baybee. (/rfoof Alyia)
Sometimes a person comes into your life out of the blue and everything improves in surprising, extraordinary ways. Lynn is that person. I can’t thank you enough - now get back to writing!
Alyssa gave me my absolute favorite review ever, hands down. I’ve never felt more like I was doing this thing right. I hope this one was gentler on the feels.
But Enough About You, What About Me?
You can find me (and all my internet haunts) at tanyaschofield.com
I’ve got a monthly newsletter, too, you never know what might show up there (spoiler: neither do I. Subscribe, we’ll both find out!)
Thank you again, my friends. If you ever, even for a moment, doubt that dreams can come true, remember this: you’re currently holding my dream in your hands. Now, go follow yours.
Tanya
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