“But Valac would die with them. Why would he sacrifice himself?” Rowan asked, but I wasn’t sure if he was talking to himself or us.
“He doesn’t believe we’ll call his bluff,” Orion answered. “He thinks we will give him whatever he wants to save ourselves.”
The room silenced.
Rowan was the first to speak. “Okay, worst-case scenario. What happens if Valac does slice open the veil? Can the veil be restored?”
All eyes turned to me.
I searched my memory. When my akasha powers kicked on, I received the information from the journals all at once. I was still trying to process what jumbled in my head, but I thought I remembered something about the veil. Something that stuck out. “There was something in the journals. It had to do with blood. It was―”
I cut myself off when I realized what I remembered. I wasn’t sure I could say it. I didn’t want to think about it, or even worse, have to go through with it.
Rowan grabbed both of my hands. “What did it say about the blood?”
There was no getting around it. I just had to say it. “A puncture in the veil can only be repaired using the blood of the akasha.”
Orion let out a sigh of relief. “Well, that’s nothing. Letting go of a little bit of blood will be a relief compared to what you’ve already gone through.”
“No, you don’t understand. My blood won’t mend the cut.” Rowan tensed as if preparing for the rest of my words. “The veil can only be healed by the blood of the akasha. All of the blood. My blood.”
Rowan shook his head. In barely a whisper, he asked, “You can’t mean―?”
A knot swelled in my throat. I tried to push it down with a hard swallow. The knowledge from the journals continued to race through my mind giving me a migraine. I focused through the pain, searching for another solution. But there was only one answer flashing in my head. One way I could save the ones I loved. “I will have to sacrifice myself to save Avalon.”
Eternal Sacrifice
Prologue
Prisma
18 years ago.
The pathway was about to implode.
Panic rippled through me in waves—no time to spare. My core fire kept the portal steady, but the attack slowly drained my energy. I had to run. It shouldn’t be much farther. A series of screeching pops went off as cracks appeared on the interior of the tunnel. I had to go faster. Why was she doing this? For centuries, the water court had welcomed me. There was only one possible explanation: she knew I was coming and had foreseen the purpose of my visit. This attack only confirmed what I’d feared.
Britta chose a side.
His side.
Meeting the water queen in her territory was risky. Her power was strongest beneath the sea, surrounded by the magic of her element. As I fought my way through, my legs had begun to burn. I’d used too much of my power. That was likely her plan. She’d anticipated a confrontation and needed to make sure I wasn’t at full strength. I’d hoped I could reason with her. We were sisters. Queens of our courts. The best of friends.
And yet she’d conspired with my lover to end the life of our child.
A glowing light appeared. I’d reached the other side. Leaping toward the opening, I landed on my knees. I took a minute to catch my breath. When I stood, I studied my surroundings. It had been years since I’d been down here. I stared at the separate shimmering mist that kept the ocean water out. I imagined it was like living inside a sealed terrarium. Although this place resembled land, there were a few differences. It was always dark. Without the tiki torches lining the exterior, it would be pitch black. Air circulated freely, making it easy to breathe. Greenhouses filled with greenery and vegetation went on for miles.
Several water elementals passed through the mist. Each one transformed into a creature that looked similar to a mortal. They stood on two legs, but their skin remained scaled. The silence was deafening—no wind, rain, or storms. And all of the water elementals spoke using telepathy. In the distance, I spotted Britta’s tower home. The creamy yellow bricks on the exterior of the castle looked like sand. Coral in a riot of colors served as decoration. A path made of crushed seashells led to the front gate.
As I approached, I’d expected guards to appear. I was sure Britta had attempted to close the pathway. She didn’t want me here, yet no one came. My eyebrows furrowed as I made my way through the interior. I didn’t see even a single elemental inside. It was unusual for the palace to be empty. Had she forced her kin into hiding when she realized I was coming? Was my friend so sure I’d attack? Or had she been persuaded?
I brushed it off for the moment.
There wasn’t much furniture as I passed through hallways. The only decoration was the succession of beautiful paintings that lined my way. Each told the history of her court through the centuries, all the way back to the creation of the world.
Once I arrived at the end of the walkway, I headed up the stairwell. Britta’s private quarters took up the entire uppermost floor of the tower. If she were still here, that was where she’d be. I reached the top and pushed two heavy wooden doors open.
Britta.
She stood on a stone balcony with her arms at her sides. Hanging tea lights illuminated the area, giving her ocean-blue, iridescent gown a sparkling hue. Flowing black hair poured down her back. The silvery tattoos on the sides of her face glowed as she gazed at the mist above our heads. I slowly moved closer, not forgetting that she had tried to prevent me from entering her realm. Her pupils were gone, eyes completely white. She was using her power to look into the future.
There was a buzzing in my head. Then I heard her voice. “You should not have come, Prisma.”
I closed the distance between us. “You used your foresight without my permission.”
“I did not seek him out. He brought him to me.”
The Ring of Dispel, our sacred object, blocked my court from her visions. It wasn’t a weakness she freely admitted, but I kept her secret. I wasn’t fond of her premonitions. Some of her visions had caused more harm than good. “You had no right. He is my son.”
Britta crossed her arms. “Shielding this child will only lead to your demise.”
“I’m willing to die to protect any of my children.”
Lowering her head, she replied, “You will set events in motion that you cannot undo. This choice will be the end for us all.”
“Enough,” I screamed. “I know why you tried to close the pathway. You’ve hidden what is mine somewhere within this castle.”
“I will not allow you to stop him.”
The sting of her betrayal pierced my heart. There was nothing left of our friendship. I was alone. “He stole our son.” A fire ignited, burning in my core. “He’s going to kill him.”
“He will save us all by making the ultimate sacrifice.” Her voice rose up an octave. It was a rare slip of emotion. “Can you not see that?”
“I see that my son is in danger,” I sneered. “I see that you have betrayed me.”
“You are in danger, sister. I sense darkness growing inside of you.” She reached out to me like she was extending an olive branch. “Let me help you.”
I pushed her hand away. She was correct. There was an anger building, but she was the cause. Britta had never gone against me. Not until now. “The only way you can help me is by returning my lover and my son to me.”
Her eyes had become white once more. “Evil remains hidden within your veil of protection. Lift the barrier. Together, we will identify the cause and rid the world of it.”
She made accusations against my son, turned my lover against me, and now she wanted more? “How could you think I’d even consider giving you entry into my court? Never.”
“You have gone beyond reason.”
Igniting a ball of fire in my hand, I ordered, “Bring them to me.”
Her eyes flashed. “You would use your power against me?”
I watched as she called to the ocean. A stream of water shot out. I spun arou
nd, creating a swirling fire that wrapped around me. The burning heat turned her weapon into vapor.
As I extinguished the blaze, I glared at her. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect my child.”
She blinked once, and her blue irises returned. “Then, we are all lost.”
Why had it come to this? She was the one person I’d always counted on—my sister. Surely I could make her see my side. If there was even a shred of hope, I had to try. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Britta shook her head. “I will play no further part in this.”
“You are the cause,” I argued. “We’re here right now because of your premonition. You have interfered where you shouldn’t. Can you live with yourself if you’re wrong?”
There was a long pause. “If I had seen even one other possibility, I would not have shared my vision.”
Fire burst from my fingertips, encircling us into an inferno. The flames burned the stones we stood on. “I will kill the akasha myself if that’s what it takes.”
“That would be treason.” Her voice remained calm.
“What about what you’re doing?” I screamed. “You’re trying to kill an innocent child.”
Water rained over our heads, fighting the flames for control. “One life in exchange for thousands is mercy.”
“I cannot let you do this,” I replied. As I raised my hands, the circle of fire rose several feet.
“He is the destroyer.” She took a step forward, trying to avoid the flames. Facing me, she blinked once. “His whole life is in shadows. There is no other outcome for him.”
“You see possibilities. I know the future can change. You taught me that.” I shook my head, sensing there was more to the vision than she was letting on. “I refuse to believe there is no hope for him.”
“Every potential choice leads to devastation.”
“I can stop this.” All I had to do was alter what I’d planned. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Even if it broke my heart in the process, I’d do anything to prevent this. “I’ll send him far away. Keep him out of my court. Out of Avalon, if necessary.”
A tsunami appeared from the sea, creating waves as high as the castle. “There is no way to prevent what will be.”
“He will not be harmed in any way. I won’t allow it.” With only one chance left, I tried to appeal to her heart. “You once loved a mortal as if he were your son. Thanks to me, you were able to raise him. You know what it feels like to be a mother. Can’t you understand how I feel?”
The water calmed instantly, returning to its normal state.
Waving my hand, I extinguished my fire.
For the second time today, I saw a small bit of emotion on her face. Losing Lancelot had devastated her. It took centuries before she allowed anyone even to mention his name in her presence. “I do understand your pain.”
“Then help me, sister.” I gripped her shoulders, leveling our eyes. “We can save Rowan together.”
Chapter One
Rowan
Kalin had to sacrifice herself?
Pain seared my chest, burning its way into my heart. I watched her mouth as she continued to speak. Words I didn’t hear. The only sound in my ears was my heavy breath. I wasn’t sure how long we sat motionlessly. Each one of us waited for the other to react. Frozen in a circle of marble chairs, we were seemingly unable to comprehend what Kalin had said. I met eyes with Britta, then Orion. I wanted desperately for one of them to say there was another solution. That this wasn’t the only way, it couldn’t be. Not after everything we’d been through together. Everything we’d lost.
I couldn’t lose her too.
It had been eighteen months since I first saw her. Prisma sent me to kill her. She was supposed to be a danger to us all. Yet she seemed so fragile. More mortal than elemental. Untrained in her element and naive of the world that waited for her. There was no way I could end her life. I decided soon after that she needed to be protected. I’d keep her safe. If I were honest with myself, I’d admit my feelings for her started then. And now, I couldn’t imagine my life without her. I loved her. How was I supposed to stand by and be okay with her decision?
I wouldn’t. “You can’t do this. I won’t let you.”
“It won’t come to that, Rowan,” Kalin replied. “I’m not going to wait for Valac to make a move. We’ll strike first.”
There was something different about her. Since she’d gained her akasha power, she spoke with a confidence I hadn’t heard before. Her voice was stronger. Even her facial features had changed. Her cheekbones were more defined, while her lips were fuller. Even her eyes had changed. They were slightly larger, and the evergreen color was sharper. If I were seeing her for the first time, I would’ve never guessed she was half-mortal. It was as if her other half was gone. Perhaps it had something to do with her new power? Maybe it gave her an upgrade. Since I’d never met another akasha, there was no way to know for sure.
I smirked. “Sounds like you have a plan.”
Orion cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “I think we all need to step back and process this before we make a move against Valac.”
I wasn’t surprised by Orion’s reluctance. He had joined with Jared and attacked the fire court, believing they had kidnapped King Taron. The desperation to save his best friend made him vulnerable. In addition to the loss of elemental lives, the four elements shifted out of balance. Natural disasters continued to wreak havoc all over the mortal world. We were spread too thin to keep them contained. Sadly, he could’ve avoided the devastation had he listened to reason. It was a decision he regretted more than any other.
“What are you suggesting?” I asked.
“We need to examine what we already know.” He stood, pacing around us. “Valac has the Ring of Dispel and Excalibur. But Selene cannot be trusted. The fact that she came to us with this information makes me highly suspicious.”
“What I told you was the truth,” Selene argued, her face red with anger. “Valac wants to control all four courts. He will cut the mist if you don’t surrender.”
“Your word means nothing to me,” Orion sneered.
Although Valac was the one that had kidnapped Taron, Selene supported him. Only minutes ago, Orion learned Sebastian killed Taron. The iron cuffs Valac used to imprison him had weakened his power. In his frail condition, he was only able to use his healing power to save Kalin’s mother, Tricia. Judging by his clenched jaw and flared nostrils, Orion appeared as if he were moments away from attacking Selene.
I had to say something before this went any further. Selene was a lot of things and certainly deserved punishment, but she wasn’t to blame for any of this. None of what had happened was her idea. She’d always been weak. “You could be right, Orion. I have more reasons to distrust her than any other. But I know Valac. He desires power more than anything else. That’s why we need to focus on finding him.”
He continued to glower at Selene. “And how are we going to do that, Rowan?”
“I can use my connection to the ring to sense its location.” I approached Orion, putting my hand on his shoulder. “We can put an end to this if we get the sacred objects back. I agree with Kalin. We need to figure out his next move and attack first.”
“You cannot defeat Valac,” Britta announced, telepathically.
I turned around to face her. “Why not?”
Britta held up her palm, and a white light flashed in front of my eyes. When my vision returned, I stood on a flat field with miles of grass in every direction. I was no longer in the air court castle. At least, that was what I thought. It took me a couple of seconds to realize Britta had connected with my mind. She showed me a great battle. Hundreds of mortals fought all around, but no one noticed I was there. The men wore metal armor and rode horses. It looked like something out of a movie. My attention shifted to one knight emerging out of the crowd. He carried a large sword. One after another, he sliced into his opponents. The cuts he made didn’t appear very
deep, but each challenger instantly fell to the ground.
They were dead within seconds.
I heard Britta’s voice in my head. “As long as Valac wields Excalibur, he cannot be defeated. A small cut from its blade will kill you. Even the power of the akasha cannot save your life.”
There was another flash, and then I was back in the air court throne room. I glanced around, and everyone had their eyes on Britta. She must’ve shown each of us the vision. “Valac isn’t much of a swordsman. He’s much better at giving orders. I can take him.”
Britta shook her head. “Excalibur will increase his abilities. He will kill you, Rowan. No one will be a match for him.”
This situation had gone on long enough. My biggest regret was that I didn’t let Taron put him to death when he had Prisma executed. At the time, I thought mercy was the best way to go. Give him a chance to redeem himself. But how many had lost their lives because of my sympathy? And now, it was Kalin’s life in danger. It was time to end this. “He may have the sword, but I am the king of the fire court. The element is strongest in me. I will not lose.”
“I have foreseen this exactly,” Britta responded as she signaled something to the other water elementals. They nodded their heads and made their way toward the exit.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
With her palm facing me, she replied, “I will play no further part in this.”
She turned away and headed for the balcony.
“Where are you going?” I followed her.
“Back to my realm beneath the sea.” She made her way toward the stone railing. The wind caught her hair, swaying her black waves like a flag. “If this is to be our end, I will die defending my kin.”
As she leaped from the edge, her body liquefied into water. She landed on the ground with a splash. She headed right into a stream that ran down the side of the mountain. I no longer sensed her in my head.
Mortal Enchantment Complete Box Set Page 48
