Valiant (The Blood Trail Chronicles Book 3)

by AE Watson

  “As husbands,” I said obviously.

  “Ohhhhhhh,” Egar caught up and flushed.

  “Husbands.” Erick beamed.

  “Florents is the most important part of the kingdom. It would make sense to have you both there.” Michael gave me a proud stare. “Well done again, little sister. That is a brilliant idea.” His eyes narrowed. “Though I suspect it was mostly to save your own skin.”

  “Can we revisit the important part of this. Your grandmother?” Mani folded her arms over her chest. “I’ll carve the doorway and signal Artan to go to Katy at the cottage. You prepare to see the coven too. You’re both coming this time,” she said to Michael and walked from the room.

  Michael winced and I knew exactly how he felt.

  Chapter 24

  “This is incredible,” Michael spoke softly as we wandered through the village where the witches lived, heading in the direction of the stone circle on the seashore.

  “How did things go with Grayse?” I asked, not caring about how majestic he thought the village was.

  “He really is powerful. It was terrifying to see. The second he walked into the grove, they tried to fight him. Wolves jumping and lunging and getting angry and not one could get close. He swiped them away with his hands as if they were nothing more than a feather.” Michael blew out his breath sharply. “Something to witness for sure. And then he forced them all to kneel and recognize him as the true alpha. As the one power over them all.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  “Basically all the wolves are equal now. There are two levels of wolf, Grayson and everyone else. No one can hold sway over anyone else—”

  “Silence now!” Mani shushed us as we drew near the circle where again the witches were gathered.

  “What did Ed and Keanna do?”

  “Nothing. They were quiet in their defeat. Grayson laid out a bunch of new laws—”

  Mani shot us a look, shutting him up.

  He might have been the king of all of Enderoth but Mani was the one leading this expedition.

  We bowed our heads and followed in silence to the circle.

  “Princess, I see you brought your brother with you. King Michael,” the leader whispered on the wind. She bowed in front of the flames of the spell the witches were conjuring.

  “Her voice is in my head,” Michael whispered.

  “You get used to it,” I lied.

  “Have you come to claim your magic then?” she asked directly, her glistening eyes focused on me.

  “We’ve come because I think my grandmother was doing blood magic.”

  The witch waved her hands and the flame died down to a tiny flicker and the witches in the circle took their seats. The head witch walked to me, placing her cool hands on my warm cheeks. “Remove your necklace and share your memories with me,” she said.

  Hesitant but determined to find answers, I removed the necklace and placed it in Mani’s waiting hands. Immediately I felt different in this place. The air was magic. It instantly soothed me.

  I closed my eyes and before I could even think about it, the witch forced my mind to wander through the night of the attack. She moved faster than they happened, rifling my memories and pausing at the scene with the dead body.

  “Blood magic,” she confirmed and jerked her head to the right, to Mani. “You did not see this?”

  “She has cloaked herself well.”

  “This child has memories that are meddled with.” She pointed at me and then Michael. “And he believes he has stolen memories which have returned now and he doesn’t understand them.” She waved a finger at Michael, drawing him to her. She placed her hands on us, one on each forehead and closed her eyes.

  Pain shot through my mind, like when Grandmother had been using magic on me. But this was swift and sharp, moving quickly.

  My mind was a mess of jumbled thoughts and then it was clear.

  The night of my father’s murder flashed and froze, moving slowly from scene to scene.

  I saw myself in my room.

  Grandmother came in.

  She led me to the room, the little reading nook.

  But the walls melted, taking the books with them.

  The bed was replaced with a massive flat stone.

  The space spread and grew until it resembled the altar I had seen in Florents.

  She had led me to her magic room, whatever it was called, and disguised it as a private reading area. There was no maid with tea, it was fake. She was there the entire time, feeding me the poison to make me sleep. The smells and sounds and coziness were created to lull me into the sleep she needed me in. So she could take my blood and use it.

  The memories moved again until they were caught up. Her hand dropped from my face and she stepped back.

  Michael furrowed his brow. “Grandmother was at the cells the night we were captured. She was with us one moment and the next she walked out, opening the door though no one else could. The doors had been spelled so only Roland could get them open. But grandmother managed it. I heard her speaking to Anamay. She told her Master Lindley was nowhere to be found. He had escaped.”

  “She is one of the dark witches—”

  “But she’s married and had kids. Shouldn’t she have given up her magic?” I was lost.

  “Dark magic can still be done by those who marry and bear children. It is done through a sacrifice of life. Blood magic,” Mani whispered. “Is it possible there is a coven?”

  “Gods.” I covered my mouth, feeling nauseous. “A coven of dark witches?”

  “It is more than possible.” The leader spoke softly, “We have had our animal friends watching for them. Signs of dark magic. There is a trace of them in every kingdom.”

  “Clarabelle saved your life with this.” Mani held up my necklace. “I would imagine they have been trying to find a way to get Artan’s blood and tears from him. And your grandmother was probably trying to do magic on you to convince you to lure him right to her and do her bidding.”

  “You must claim your magic,” the leader said. “But there is someone who you have to see first. That dark queen of the elves who gave you the necklace.”

  “Clarabelle?”

  “She will know what to do. She can see.” The witch leader nodded.

  I took the necklace back from Mani, wanting so badly to put it on but decided there was a need greater than my own. I placed the necklace on my brother.

  “What are you doing?”

  “This will prevent anyone from doing magic on you.”

  “But it leaves you open to manipulation.” He tried to stop me.

  “Not if I claim my magic,” I muttered. The awareness that my life was heading in that direction had hit. It was akin to being punched in the face, but I reconciled myself with the idea of being a witch on top of everything else. Royal blood. Dragon blood. Ancient blood. And now magical blood. The mix would be deadly. That was all I knew for sure.

  “Did grandmother arrange mother’s rape by Barrel?” Michael asked something I’d already struggled with. His tone suggested his level of horror.

  “I think so,” I said. “I think she might also be the reason Barrel met Anamay’s mother. She is not the child of Master Lindley. He knew Anamay wasn’t his and left her mother when she was small. He swore Anamay’s mother wasn’t a witch.”

  “This tangled web began somewhere. At your grandmother’s feet seems to make the most sense.” Mani offered us both a sympathetic smile. “I’m very sorry.”

  Michael slipped his hand into mine and squeezed. “What do we do now?”

  “We wage war!” the leader of the witches said with a ferocity that I understood and feared simultaneously.

  Chapter 25

  “Amillia,” a voice I knew called me on the wind. It was different this time with no necklace to protect me from her. Her words seeped into my soul, calling to the darkest recesses of my heart. Though I was sleeping, I was up and out of my bed before I could think and walking to the window
where she sat. She tossed a necklace at me. “Put it on,” she whispered.

  I listened, obeyed even. I wanted her to be happy—and as the necklace clasped shut I exhaled. Her magic was washed away. “Thanks.”

  “Luckily I brought that with me. It was the only one I was able to get.” She flashed a grin and I chuckled, grateful for the flex of the necklace. “No need to appraise me of the situation. I saw your thoughts before I woke you. Isil, the leader of the witches is correct. I have something to tell you.”

  “If it’s bad news can I request a delay in the delivery? I’m exhausted and my poor heart is a pile of rubble in my chest. I don’t think I can take much else.” I walked to the windowsill and sat across from her.

  “It’s not bad news.” She beamed in the moonlight as it was her time to shine. She glowed with it. “It’s not good either.”

  “I can’t do your riddles tonight, Clarabelle.” I yawned and blinked a few times, trying to wake after so little sleep.

  “You must claim your magic, as they said, but there is a specific time and place it must be done.” She ignored my desire to avoid riddles. “And there is a cost.” Her eyes glistened.

  “Let me guess, all my happy memories? No, wait, the soul of a person I love more than anything?” I scoffed bitterly, afraid that was going to be the temperature of my humor for the rest of my existence.

  “Claiming one’s magic is an expensive transaction. There is only room in your heart for one thing. The flow of the fire that the flame of life and creation construct, or love.” She widened her eyes and I understood her meaning perfectly. It was bad news. She’d lied.

  “I see,” I muttered, furrowing my brow as I processed that statement. A life without love.

  The sadness of this cost seemed heavier than I imagined it would be. I suspected it was weighed down by the other emotions I hadn’t dealt with yet as the wheel of time didn’t stop to let me grieve or process anything.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “More than you know. I always wished you would be my sister.”

  “Me too.” I leaned in, hugging her and savoring the scent of incense and flowers.

  “I will join you for your war, and if it’s all the same to you I would like to fly on Artan with you to Grayson.”

  “Okay.” When I pulled back, I whistled for Artan out the window. “We might as well leave now then. Try to get as far as we can before the sun rises.”

  She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll tell Michael we’re going.” I got up and hurried from the room, still a little tired from the witches and my grandmother and everything else that had gone wrong just in the last few days.

  He was up still though it was the middle of the night and pacing in his room when I arrived.

  “Can’t sleep?” I asked as I entered past the guards.

  “No.” He swallowed hard. “We found the magical lair grandmother used here. Aunt Mani is destroying it with the help of some of the other witches. It’s under the castle and appears older than the Black Keep itself. As if the castle was built upon it.”

  “Odd.” I leaned against the doorframe. “But I’ll leave it to you to sort out. I’m going to Fantol now. Clarabelle is here and we’re flying to Grayse, to meet his army. Are the witches still planning to meet us on Altaros? I don’t think an army can fight a coven of dark witches alone.”

  “Yes, Mani gave you a summoning pearl?”

  “She did.” I pulled it from my pocket and held it up.

  “It will summon them when the moment is right.” He walked to me, taking my hand in his. “I wish I could come with you.”

  “Me too. But you can’t. You and the stewards have to stay here and keep the kingdom running. We can’t risk you.”

  “Did Clarabelle mention your claiming of magic situation?” His eyes danced with worry.

  “She did. We’re going to discuss it further on the flight south.” I didn’t burden him with it, knowing he would wish me not to claim anything that would hinder my possible happiness. “I love you, brother.”

  “I love you too,” he said, kissing the top of my head. There was a tremble in his fingers and an intensity in his grip.

  “I bet you never imagined it would be you and I left to save the known world,” I said with a weak laugh. “Of all our siblings and family to choose from—”

  “You are mistaken, little sister. I have forever known what you are capable of. My coin would always be placed in your corner.” He squeezed tighter.

  “If anything happens to me, take care of Artan. Tell the witches to take him back to their magical land. I think he will be safe there. But visit him when you can.” The words tasted like ash.

  “Nothing will happen to you. I’m unsure how I know this, but I have always believed you would be the last Morgentstein standing.” He kissed me again and squeezed. “Fly safe and kill Anamay and grandmother, for mother and father.”

  “I will,” I promised, though it was the strangest request anyone had ever asked of me. Wiping away a stray tear, I hurried from the room back to mine. I pulled on my swords and the red cloak.

  Artan breathed through the window of the massive dragon landing Michael had put outside my bedroom door. His green eyes met mine and for a moment I swore he looked forlorn. Like he didn’t want me to come.

  But there was no stopping this.

  Not even if it meant my death.

  I’d come too far down this blood trail to turn back now.

  Chapter 26

  Clarabelle wasn’t the easiest riding companion. She hummed and sang and spoke with her mind and I got no sleep as a result. And then when the sun rose I covered her in my magical cloak and she fell fast asleep as I sat bleary eyed. Artan flew faster than I’d ever seen. He knew the risk of her being exposed to the sun, even the weak morning rays.

  At least her stories before she’d slept had been entertaining.

  She told me of the breaking of the world and the killing of the dragons and the ways in which man had betrayed the magical folk. She knew so many things I wondered what it was like in her mind. A chaotic mess perhaps.

  The sun was setting when we arrived at the palace on Fantol. This time Artan had no issue landing in the oasis. He dropped down as if this was his personal garden.

  Clarabelle breathed the air deeply, as if she connected to the land here in a way I couldn’t understand.

  “Millia?” Grayse called as he came running outside. “You’re back already?” he ran to me, hugging me tightly. “Clarabelle.” He said over my shoulder when he realized she was there too.

  “Hello brother,” Clarabelle said aloud, no doubt for my benefit. “It’s time,” she said softly. “We must move the troops tomorrow night and wage war on Altaros.”

  “We are ready,” he agreed.

  “I have so much to tell you,” I stepped back, wincing when I thought about the claiming of the magic part.

  “I’ll stay with Artan and sleep under the moon,” Clarabelle muttered and curled up in my dragon’s side. “It’s better if your men don’t see me, brother.”

  “Okay,” I whispered and linked my fingers into Grayson’s, pulling him in the direction of his chambers.

  “Do you want another tub?” he asked, grinning.

  “No, I need to focus.” I leaned in, letting him kiss the side of my head. The feel of his body against mine was bliss. I wondered if I would be able to feel that still. Maybe not love, but lust or pleasure perhaps.

  When we got to his room I pushed him to the large chair and stood in front. “What is this?” He laughed, visibly confused but I held up a hand, trying to find my words.

  “My grandmother is part of the dark coven Anamay belongs to. At least I think she is.”

  “What!”

  “Just—listen. I left here and went to Florents. My grandmother asked me about Artan’s tear and blood. Once it’s taken it makes him mortal. He can be killed. But the gift of a dragon’s tear and blood is the
strongest magic in the world.”

  “I know this,” he added.

  “Right, so she asked me about it. Insisted I take it from him before Anamay figured out a way to do it.”

  “But it would make him mortal.”

  “Exactly. I have no intention of ever doing that. Not for anyone. I would never ask Artan to give up his safety.”

  “Nor do you have the right to ask it.” Grayson seemed annoyed by the conversation.

  “Precisely my thoughts. Though in ancient times, it was how the king and dragon rulers gave each other their trust. The dragon offered his gifts and the king protected him and they ruled together.”

  “That’s bizarre,” he said with a laugh.

  “I know.” I moved on. “Anyway, in Florents we had a feast and I met some of the dignitaries she thought would be excellent stewards. We were up quite late. And when I went to bed I was exhausted. I passed right out. But then something happened.” I paused and remembered the intense pain. “The necklace was choking me as if someone was doing magic on me. So I got up and followed the feeling of it getting worse—”

  “Like playing hot and cold with your siblings as a child to find treasure?”

  “Just like that. The closer I got to the source the hotter the necklace got.” I lifted a hand and touched the new one around my neck. “Finally it was unbearable when I arrived at a strange door in the basement of the palace. I opened it a crack and found my grandmother doing blood magic.”

  “What!” He shot up out of the chair. “She’s really a dark witch?”

  “She is. I barely made it back to Prince Erick’s room before I fell unconscious from the pain. He took care of me all night and protected me.”

  “I bet he did.” He cocked an eyebrow.

  “You’re focusing on the wrong part of the story.” I rolled my eyes. “My grandmother was doing something, likely to sway my mind on Artan or to force me to lure him to the palace. Erick and I fled the next day, back to the black keep.”

  “So she’s working with Anamay? Your grandmother?” He paled. “She plotted to kill her own son?”