WRATH (Rise Book 2)

by J. M. Kearl

  Nella’s hand shoots to cover her mouth. “No, I couldn’t possibly accept it. Benson would never.”

  “It will sit here empty and unattended, and the wild will take it if you don’t. You can farm to feed those children of yours. Nella, I mean it when I say we are never coming back.”

  Nella contemplates something, Madison can tell by her silence and expression that she’s working something out in her mind. “I’ve always wondered if-- I mean, when you were able to save my son…” She stops, twisting her mouth. “With the war and everything, is it dangerous for you now?”

  Madison now understands that Nella has figured out she’s a magic user. She suspected that Nella would guess that after her “tonic” worked wonders. But Nella never asked and Madison guessed that she didn’t care. “Yes, Nella.”

  Nella takes Madison’s hands and squeezes them. “I wish you all the joy in life. I know you were never quite the same when—well, after what happened to Jordane.” Nella’s eyes begin to water. “I hope someday you find happiness. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving us your home.”

  “You’re welcome,” Madison says, then she turns, with tears in her own eyes. She didn’t think she’d miss this place, even a little but seeing Nella brought a little warmth to what she had believed to be only pain.

  37. Daelyn

  The evil book sits on the floor just below the shelf where Daelyn left it. Daelyn, Boaden and Kendoa stare at it, none of them have been willing to touch it. Boaden said he can feel the darkness coming from it and with arms folded he stands in silence.

  Daelyn finally speaks, “Should we throw it into the fireplace?” As soon as she finishes the words, the cover flips open.

  All of them take a step back. “Daelyn’s already touched it,” Kendoa says. “It's most likely reacting to her.”

  Daelyn sighs and strides across the room and picks up the cursed object. Boaden and Kendoa watch her warily. She moves to the fireplace and tosses it, it lands with a thud much harder than it should. She brings fire to her hand easier than she ever did before, and pushes it onto the book until the flames appear to have taken hold. Boaden and Kendoa both come up behind her.

  “It’s working,” Boaden says, but then the fire dies out within moments and the book remains unmarked. “All right, it’s not working.”

  “I think we should bring it with us.” Kendoa folds his arms. “Until we can find someone who knows what to do.”

  Daelyn stares at it, wishing she could make it burn with her thoughts. If that was possible it would be ashes by now. She thinks that partly it’s reacting to her because she opened it but the other part is because of her power. It must like what she is capable of. It wanted her to kill those men, and she did. Daelyn hadn’t even realized she was capable of a shock wave that strong and one that didn’t want to turn off.

  “Who would know what to do about it?” Boaden asks.

  “Madison. She’s worked with hexes before,” Daelyn says. “I’ll send her a note.” So she does and they wait in the front room talking about nothing in particular until night falls. Just when Daelyn begins to worry that she won’t get a response, a note floats out of the fireplace. Daelyn catches it and the reply is unexpected. “She says only something pure can destroy it. A unicorn is her suggestion.”

  Boaden pushes off the chair and runs his fingers through his hair. “They’re not easy to find.”

  “Doesn’t Queen Kyria have one?” Kendoa sits with his hands folded on his belly. “I’m almost certain she does.”

  Boaden eyes meet Daelyn’s. He’d told her all about Kyria’s plan to marry him and how angry the queen was when she found out he’d wedded Daelyn days before. Would she be willing to help? Boaden worried that she’d even try to have Daelyn killed. But if Kyria has any lingering feelings for Boaden, she might be sympathetic. Especially if he says he’s the one who’s been cursed.

  Boaden nods. “She does. I think she has two and they’re under constant guard. But she’s not exactly happy with me right now.”

  Kendoa sits upright in the chair. “I’m sure you’ll convince her, Boaden. I’m going to go help the boys bury those bodies, if they haven’t gotten the job done already.”

  Boaden gives Daelyn a look, like he’s sorry. She isn’t sure why until he says, “I’ll take the book and fix this. But I think it’s best if you stay here.”

  “But shouldn’t I come with you?” Daelyn asks. “What if destroying the book doesn’t work.”

  “It will,” Boaden says and takes the cloth wrapped evil object off the shelf above the fireplace. He kisses Daelyn briefly and is out the door before she can say anything else.

  Boaden

  With the book of curses stuffed into his bag, Boaden makes his way to the castle. He’ll have to do whatever he can to get Kyria to grant him a meeting. Though he’s going to try to see Lord Everon first and get permission from him. He’ll be much better to deal with.

  Lord Everon appears concerned seeing Boaden walk through the doors to the war room. “Boaden.” Lord Everon steps away from the three men he’s talking to and greets Boaden with a firm handshake. “Is something wrong?”

  Boaden pats the brown leather bag hanging at his hip. “Actually yes. I’ve mistakenly attracted a curse upon myself. An evil book. I need one of Queen Kyria’s unicorns to destroy it.”

  Lord Everon raises an eyebrow. “I wish we could get a little luck around here. You being cursed on the eve of leaving isn’t good.” He clears his throat. “She’s out with them now, I believe. I’m sure she’ll help in any way she can.”

  Boaden was hoping he’d get a simple yes, and be on his way down there, alone but no. She had to be with them at this exact moment. Yes, a little luck would be nice.

  After a quick jaunt through the castle and a brisk walk he finds himself outside the white barn where the unicorns are kept. Letting out a slow breath he slides open the barn door and slips inside.

  Kyria is there, with her fiery colored hair flowing down her back, brushing the white, nearly shimmering, coat of one of the unicorns. The unicorn lifts it’s head from a bucket of grain and it’s golden horn glimmers in the torchlight. Kyria peeks over her shoulder and stills, her gaze holding his. “This is a surprise.” She sets the brush down, wipes her hands on a nearby cloth and then makes her way toward him. The queen’s placid expression gives nothing away as usual. “What do you want?” she asks.

  “I need the help of your unicorn, your highness.” He knows she doesn’t want him to call her that but with several guards around, he can’t be informal.

  “Leave us,” Kyria commands and the guards quickly file outside.

  “What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?” she asks, her face softening into nearly smile but he has a feeling she already knows. She’s smirking.

  Boaden hopes that she has truly let everything that happened go, as Lord Everon promised she would. “This.” He takes the book from the bag and lifts the cloth away from the cover to reveal part of it. “I need your unicorn to destroy this book. It seems I’ve attracted a curse.”

  Kyria sets her hands on her hips. She doesn’t seem at all surprised, almost as if she’s seen it before. “A curse? My, how unfortunate for you.”

  Boaden wished she would make this easy. “I can’t do what I’ve been assigned to do by your father with this problem. So please…”

  Turning her back on him, Kyria strokes the neck of her unicorn. He waits for several moments. Is she even going to respond? After knowing her for so long he’s vexed by the way she’s acting toward him. They’d been, what he considered, friends for years.

  “I let Verra go,” she says and continues brushing the unicorn.

  Boaden wraps the book back up and stuffs it in the bag. So she wants to chat; not what I expected. “I guess if you had good reason to let an attempted murderer free, that’s your right.”

  “She’s a good fighter and we need her in the south.”

  “Reason enough,”
Boaden says with a shrug. He isn’t sure where she’s going with this. Maybe she just wants to talk with him—make amends. Boaden would like to be friends with Kyria.

  “If I allow my unicorn to break this curse, what do I get in return?” She finally looks at him. Her lavender eyes catch his own green ones, and don’t leave.

  “I’m already going west to get Warlord Asger to fight for you.” Kyria, still staring at him, makes him uncomfortable. He can sense a curious feeling about her. She wants something from him that she’s hesitant to say aloud. “Is that not enough?” he asks.

  She slowly saunters toward him, and his discomfort grows. “Boaden, soon I will need an heir… a successor.”

  Boaden breaks their eye contact. If she’s implying what I think she’s implying, it’s not happening. I’ll never betray Daelyn and it’s absurd to even think; it would go against longstanding tradition on her part. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, Kyria.”

  “You’re an intelligent man, Boaden. I think you do know what I’m getting at,” she says with a slight blush coming to her cheeks. She waits for that to sink in. “Not now of course but soon.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find a suitable husband,” Boaden says, dodging any conversation that would involve him in that process. “Look, I’m leaving tomorrow. We’re at war, and I need this curse gone. Are you going to help me or not? I can find another unicorn if your help requires implications.”

  Her face hardens. “Why do you think you can talk to me that way?”

  Boaden’s palms become clammy and the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. This doesn’t even seem like the Kyria he knew. “I was under the assumption that we’re friends but I guess I was wrong.”

  “Do friends speak to each other in such a derogatory manner?”

  Boaden clenches his hand around the strap that hangs across his chest. “I’m being forthright not derogatory. And I’d appreciate it if you were as well.”

  Kyria tries to hide her smile but he can see it developing. He doesn’t understand her at all. Not that misunderstanding women is anything new but she’s particularly mysterious, and not in a good way.

  “I will require you to bed me as many times as it takes until I become pregnant and bear a child. A girl child. I’ve chosen not to marry, and I think you will give me the strongest heir. You’re Nerendae, which means you’re exceptionally smart and skilled, your magic is powerful for a man and you’re strong.” She walks in a circle around him. “You have excellent muscle development, are large in stature, and-- attractive.”

  Boaden holds his breath for a moment, shocked that she is demanding this of him. He needs to tread carefully here and make his intent very clear but he doesn’t know how to respond; worried that anything he might say will put Daelyn in danger.

  “No response?” she asks, folding her arms. “Do you not agree?”

  Boaden agrees that everything she said about him is true, but not only will he not bed her even once, he doesn’t appreciate being looked at like a prized stallion who’s stud services are up for the highest bid. Had she always seen him this way? Just a man for good breeding to produce a strong heir and future queen? “You know I won’t do that,” Boaden finally says and then swallows down the lump that is in his throat.

  “You’ll change your mind in the future or maybe something else like this cursed book will find your wife again,” she says and then tugs at his bag. “Now give it to me.”

  Boaden hesitates for a moment, did she just admit to placing this curse on Daelyn? He slowly takes it out and hands it to her. She clicks her tongue and the unicorn walks to her side. Kyria pushes down on the magical creature’s nose so that the horn is at her eye level. The book touches the tip of the golden horn and a white glow emanates. Within seconds the book vibrates until it bursts into dust.

  “There, your curse is no more.” Kyria picks up the horse brush again. “Good luck with Asgar. She has a rebellious streak much like you. I’m sure my father told you but if Asgar should choose not comply with my wishes then you will kill those she loves until she falls into line, understand?”

  That statement confirmed all Boaden needs to know about what she meant when she told him that he would change his mind in the future, when it comes to giving her an heir. She will kill those Boaden loves unless he complies. “I understand,” Boaden responds. “Have a good night -- your highness.” He slides out of the barn and into the cool air. This issue with Kyria will have to be dealt with when the time comes. She might not even survive the war-- he might not. He could die in any battle at any time. Deep down he finds himself wishing that she won’t live long enough to make good on her coercions.

  Boaden never dreamed when he was going through the academy as a young man, bright eyed and ready to take on the world, that one day he’d even consider betraying what he thought to be unwavering loyalty to the crown.

  38. Enden

  Saveena stands with fingers intertwined in Enden’s when her father and a small troop of ten others are escorted through the front gates. “I can’t believe they got here so quickly,” Enden says quietly. “It’s only been just over a week.”

  “The magical stone my father carries gives the horses’ unusual stamina. They likely haven’t rested.”

  Enden is in constant wonder of magic. Sometimes he even wishes that he had the ability. “Just in time for our wedding tonight.”

  Enden straightens his spine and pushes his shoulders back as the foreigners move closer. Peter and Dean step in front of the couple providing protection. “That isn’t necessary,” Saveena says. “My father would never hurt you, not here. It’s not honorable.”

  “I don’t know that for sure,” Enden says, staring straight ahead.

  The group from Collweya, all dress in a similar fashion of grays and dark blues. They wear animal furs on their shoulders and have more weapons attached to their bodies than any of Enden’s soldiers. Enden can feel the tension of his guards. “Allow King Faustus to come forward.”

  The burliest and most gruff looking man ascends the steps and stands before Enden. He appears younger than Enden would have thought with few wrinkles, and pale skin just like Saveena. A jagged pink scar on his cheek just below his left eye stretches through his dark beard leaving a gap with no hair, and continues down his neck and under the collar of his shirt. Enden wonders where that came from.

  Tensions grow when no one speaks and Faustus and Enden stare at each other. Enden thought Faustus would want to hug his daughter, say a hello, or even look at Saveena but he doesn’t. So Enden makes the first move and clears his throat. “King Faustus of Collweya, I am King Enden of Hesstia. Welcome to our land.”

  Faustus’s harsh face breaks into a grin and then he begins laughing. “You’re prettier than I would have thought for a king.”

  Well groomed, clean shaven, and scarless; to Enden that is what a king should be but he finds himself laughing along with Faustus. He glances down at Saveena to see her reaction, she’s smiling.

  “I’m happy you’re here, father,” Saveena says and then wraps her arms around his broad chest, pressing her face against him.

  Faustus embraces her. “When I saw your beacon appear on the map we were planning your funeral. I thought you’d been killed with the others.” Faustus grabs Enden roughly and pulls him into a three way hug with Saveena. “Thank you for saving my daughter.”

  Enden invites them in for a hot meal and a few minutes later they’re sitting in the dining hall. “I can’t believe you made it from the north to here in a week,” Enden says and takes a sip of wine. “It’s remarkable.”

  “We have our ways,” Faustus says, careful to not reveal how he’d done it. “Along the road I heard talk of war. Your kingdom is at odds with Delhoon?”

  Enden takes a bite of a fruit topped pastry, the sweetness of it bursts on his tongue. He nods while chewing. “We are. We’re winning, one battle at a time.”

  “Before you marry my daughter in a few hours, I need to know
if this involves me in any of your kingdoms affairs. Wars or otherwise.”

  Saveena sits up taller and her blue eyes fall to Enden.

  Enden holds his glass firmly in his hand ready to take a drink. He’d hoped that Faustus would bring this up so he wouldn’t have to. “Whether you involve yourself or your kingdom is entirely up to you. We outnumber our enemy and we don’t need your help.”

  Saveena takes Enden’s free hand that rested on the table top and wraps her fingers around his. “Father, Hesstia is a great kingdom. It’s where our language comes from so at one time we must have been a part of them. They have a large army, you don’t need to worry about us losing.”

  Faustus leans back in his chair, carefully eyeing his daughter. “You say ‘us’ as if you are one of them already.”

  Saveena doesn’t even pause. “I am your daughter but soon to be his wife and queen. I am part of Hesstia now.”

  Faustus’s hazel eyes glance to Enden then back to his daughter. “I must say I was incredibly surprised that you arranged this marriage, Saveena.” Faustus doesn’t look pleased at the moment. “You were betrothed to Nicos, and you know our rules about outsiders.”

  Enden had no idea that she’d been promised to another and isn’t sure where the king is going with this. What rules is he referring to?

  “I’ve made my choice, you don’t have to agree with it,” Saveena says and Enden can feel the tension rise.

  Faustus pushes back in his chair and shoots to his feet. Enden’s nearby guards move in closer so he holds up his hand to stave them off. “Please sit, Faustus. Tell me about your rules. I’ll do my best to abide by them.”

  He looks to Enden with fire in his eyes. “Coming here was against my rules. Speaking to you is against my rules. We stay in Collweya where no one will bother us because of people like you.”