Valiant (The Blood Trail Chronicles Book 3)

by AE Watson

A shiver crept up my body as I held myself so tight I thought I might cramp up.

  They stayed down there for what felt like an eternity.

  My hands began to sweat when finally Grayson shouted, “Hail Queen Amillia, long may she reign!”

  The crowd cheered, shouting the same thing. They stood and hugged and cried and I didn’t know how to react to it. So I offered the smile I imagined looked like my mother’s. It was serene and soft and without a spot of judgement.

  “My queen,” Grayson whispered in my ear, making me twitch with his warm breath as he took the orb and secretly slid a ring of his own on my finger. It was a thin band covered in white diamonds. Somehow I knew it was his mother’s.

  And it was done.

  I was the queen.

  And he was the king.

  And we were each other’s.

  Chapter 33

  The forest of light was stunning as the sun began to set. The little lights in the trees still glowed, though the entire city had emptied. All the houses and shops and cobbled streets were bare.

  Every single one of the elves had gone to Altaros.

  “How do you like being queen, Your Grace?” Isil, the leader of the witches asked as we made our way to the boundary.

  “It’s been a strange two days, milady. I am overwhelmed and underprepared for every aspect of this life.” I didn’t bother lying. The ring gave a weird ping on my hand whenever I did. I almost wondered of the elves could feel my lies, like the ring was reporting back on me. “Will we stretch the barrier of the forest of night?” I asked.

  “No, my dear. You have something inside of you, elemental and ancient. It is what it took to break the worlds we know. It is also what it took to mend them. It’s a different type of magic than we use. We created the barrier to bring peace to the Fae up here. But you can change the elements.” She glanced at me. “Did you know that an ancient mage created the light village where we witches live? Our coven’s home. It’s in the mountains and yet on the sea. A different plane than the world of man. You could destroy Enderoth and our home would still stand. It is outside of your time.”

  “I didn’t know that.” I admitted.

  “Ready, darling?” Katy asked, offering me her normal smile and bright eyes. She had not changed even a little in her behavior toward me. Her, Ed, Max, Grayson, Egar, Erick, and Thomas treated me exactly the same. Keanna was trying to be relaxed around me but it was going to be some work. Master Lindley refused, and bowed now constantly, even with me warning him he might put his back out.

  “I guess so, though I don’t really know what to do,” I replied and glanced about for Clarabelle.

  “Trust your instincts, Millia,” she whispered from beyond the barrier. A shimmer of her was there, behind the wall of magic.

  “Okay,” I muttered and began rubbing my hands together. As if I was warming up my magic.

  “Just do it.” Katy scowled at me like I was being ridiculous.

  “I am.” I snapped back and walked to the barrier.

  “Take down the wall first and then draw the darkness to the shore. Encompassing the entire forest in night,” Clarabelle instructed. At least she was being helpful.

  Pulling off my boots and ignoring the strange looks I was getting from Katy, I stepped barefoot into the grassy field at the barrier. “The moment I get the barrier down, shield yourselves in light,” I said and closed my eyes.

  Water and air an earth crawled up into me, mixing with my flame and becoming my strength as I needed them. I created a ball of light made from this energy and blasted the barrier with it, shattering the wall into countless pieces.

  It looked like glass with more cracks than one could count but light and darkness mixed in those cracks and then pieces broke away, drifting like leaves into the air and floating off. It resembled snow.

  My fire burned in me, seeing this was its time to shine.

  I burst with light, fiery wings and arms, and drew the energy from the ground, air, and inside of me, combining it.

  Without realizing it, I lifted from the ground, taking flight. A symphony of lights that danced around me, green and blue and red and white. I pushed my strength and magic into the darkness of the forest of night, offering everything I had in me to the trees and vines and bushes. The darkness began to creep out, slithering and sliding it came for me but I held my hands out and wings drew me back, toward the sea. The darkness became a fog, dense and thick and heavy. I rolled out to the sea, stopping at the shore. The branches of the trees and the canopy soared and twisted, blocking out the light of the sun as it set.

  Darkness consumed the entire forest of light.

  I dropped to the pebbled beach and stared as the fanged devils began to roam out of their woods and into the forest of light. Clarabelle walked out onto the shore and sighed, facing the sky from the shadow lands I’d created. My wings faded into mist as I walked to her, no longer feeling the effects of the forest. It didn’t drain or consume me like last time. It was peaceful and calm now, just another side of nature.

  “Thank you, my love,” Clarabelle hurried toward me. Hugging tightly.

  “Of course,” I said, hugging back. It was strange being with her and not worry about her devouring me or luring me into anything. She had no effect on me. None of them did.

  They walked amongst us, fangs out and eyes like lizards. I made them nervous.

  We walked back to the witches through what had once been a stunning forest flooded with light and sparkles. Now mushrooms began to spring up and leaves widened, making more space for dew to gather.

  There was beauty in the shadows, if you knew where to look.

  “When will I see you again?” Clarabelle asked as we strolled along, nearing the ball of light the witches were inside of.

  “I should think we will see each other quite soon. I imagine Ed and Keanna will have a baby in no time. And Max will want to marry his new love.”

  “Yes, she is a fine girl. I think you will like her.” She smirked. “As much as one can love the person their first love marries.”

  “I’m sure she’s lovely. You liked her.” I glanced at Clarabelle.

  “I said I had no objections to the girl but never said anything about liking anyone.”

  I nudged her the way my brothers always nudged me. “Hard to love someone married to your friend’s first love.” I joked.

  “Indeed, it is. My loyalties will always lie with you.”

  “And mine with you.” I stopped when we reached the trapped witches and turned to her, hugging once more. “I’ll send a raven or a dragon with word of when we should meet next.”

  “Perhaps I’ll find my way to you. Surprise you in the night.” She chuckled, quite aware of how I felt about that.

  “I’ll see you soon enough.” I kissed her soft cheek, lingering to inhale a little of the incense on her skin, and then walked into the bubble of light. I took their hands and we stepped into the witch’s village, out of time from my world.

  “You flew!” Katy said animatedly. “Were you scared?”

  “Technically it’s the second time, but I still kept my eyes closed,” I admitted, making the witches giggle as we walked to the cobbled road of their town. Seeing it gave me an idea. “You said a mage made this. Could I do it?”

  “Eventually, I believe you could. You’re the only one of you so it’s hard to say. I’ve never seen a mage do magic before this.” Isil nodded as we walked to the beach.

  “How would I learn?”

  “I imagine you would make something small. A room. Then a house. Then a castle. Then a town. And finally a place such as this, with oceans and mountains and rivers. Creationary magic is arcane in its nature but I believe the castor would need to know how to tap into divine magic as well. Particularly when changing something from one form to another. You must master both of those before you attempt the room.” Her advice might as well have been in another language.

  “So easy then,” I chided. “I guess I’ll see if we can’t
find some old texts on it at the white ivories.” I glanced at Katy. “See you at home?”

  “I’ll be there in a while. Can you make sure Thomas has done his studies?”

  “Of course.” I nodded to the witches in an informal bow. They returned the gesture.

  I imagined home and made the portal in my mind, stepping through into Thomas’ room where he was sat at his desk. He hardly glanced up from his paperwork as the governess glared down on him. “You nearly done?” I asked him but looked at her. She shook her head disapprovingly.

  “I was going to see if Artan wanted to stretch his wings. Thought maybe you would be interested in that. But if you aren’t done your studies—”

  “It’s boring, cousin.” He moaned and spun on his chair to face me. His scars were healing beautifully and it was almost impossible to tell he had been injured at all.

  “Ten minutes,” I said warningly and walked from the room.

  The sound of him turning back quickly and shuffling the papers made me smile as I hurried to the staircase leading to the great hall.

  When I arrived Master Lindley met me at the front of the table where a massive map of Enderoth and the seas and oceans and Southern Isle was laid out. Blocks of buildings and cities and ships were constantly moved around as intelligence was gathered and reported back.

  “How is the forest of night?” he asked as we walked to the map. Everyone in the room bowed.

  “The forest of night and the forest of light are one. It’s dark and protected. The fanged ones will be safe. They’re setting up their own council under the guidance of Queen Clarabelle. Shipping and transport of the rare goods will begin as soon as next month.”

  “Excellent.” Master Lindley beamed with pride.

  “My queen, the progress reports from the stewards will be arriving the day after tomorrow. They would prefer to address you in person.” Lord Paddon, my chief advisor bowed as he spoke. He was from Florents but had fled to live in Ettelbruck during the reign of Queen regent Anamay. Michael had chosen him for his council before he died.

  “I will send Katy to fetch them one at a time. I can’t listen to them all at once. We’ll have a council meeting of the stewards with our small council here to ensure we’re all in agreement for the major decisions still needing to be made.”

  “Exactly what I would have advised, my queen.” He glowed with pride.

  “Cousin!” Thomas came into the room, interrupting but not caring. “I finished.”

  “Then let’s fly, young sir.” I winked at Master Lindley and the small council of men and women who practically lived in this room.

  Thomas hurried outside and for the stretch of forest north of the castle where Artan liked to spend his days.

  We had settled in nicely, considering all things.

  Artan got up from his slumber and stretched his wings when he saw us. Thomas ran for him, hugging the dragon tightly.

  “You ready for a ride?” I asked him.

  He grumbled and grunted and in Artan speak he said he was.

  We’d had a conversation about how the quiet life of just me and him was probably never going to happen. He didn’t seem to mind as much as I did.

  I suspected he always knew it was just the dream of a silly girl.

  As we climbed onto Artan’s back I pulled my locket bracelet off and slid it over Thomas’ wrist. “I meant to give you this, before. It’s a magical locket that will show you the face of anyone who wishes you harm.”

  “Really?” He gasped, impressed by the small trinket.

  “Yes. The aunts made it for me and it only seems right to hand it down to you.” I kissed the top of his head the way my brothers always did me.

  Artan jumped into the air, a little rougher for the boy along for the ride.

  Thomas cried with joy and a piece of my heart mended. I suspected he would be part of many of the pieces finding their way back to the spot from which they fell.

  Chapter 34

  A month later the smell of the desert and the spices of the city wafted into the oasis as I walked from my bedroom at Baltole castle through a portal to Grayson’s castle. He was in the garden, looking troubled.

  Stilling time with the divine magic and freezing everything but me wasn’t the easiest spell to master but once I’d done it, I knew there was only one place to go.

  I touched him, sending a wave of magic into his body.

  He came to life, turning, scowling. “How is this happening?” He turned to the guard who was standing in place, mid step. “Am I dreaming?”

  “I learned something new last week from the parchments we found in the white ivories. It’s a time spell using divine magic that comes from belief and faith. Something similar to what the witches use.”

  “You learned new magic and its first real use is to come here and see me?” He tilted his head. “I don’t know if I should be disappointed in your frivolous nature or grateful that you chose to come here.”

  “Be grateful,” I said with a grin.

  “Grateful it is,” he said, taking me in his arms. The warmth of his embrace and the firmness of his skin lit the fires inside of me. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Me too.” I kissed him, wishing this was where I’d decided to freeze time and we could both be stuck this way.

  “Can you feel your feelings for me?” he asked not only randomly but awkwardly.

  “I can.” I pulled back and gave him a curious look. “Why?”

  “Clarabelle said you wouldn’t feel anything but the magic. She said you would be different, how the witches all are. Closed off to love. Which is why they’re all alone. No mates.” He furrowed his brow. “But I did notice that the light witches from the coven are the only ones who seem that way. Katy loves you and Mani did.”

  “The need for all those trinkets makes sense now.”

  “Indeed.” He narrowed his gaze at the thought of them.

  “I think the connection to their families kept Katy and Mani from the coven and still feeling their love for us. I didn’t know this but Katy is the youngest witch there. The others are old. Like old as you are old.” I cracked a grin, toying with him.

  “I see.” He raised his eyebrows. “I see how it is. I’m too old for you now.” He gave me that grin. The one that nearly stopped my heart. If that were possible.

  “You said it,” I offered cheekily, earning a shocked look as he dragged me back into his arms and kissed me.

  There was no stopping the passion from there. He carried me into the palace, spending the stolen time as best as we could.

  Once we were both exhausted, he convinced me back into the soaker tub, though it wasn’t as hot this time. We soaked and grinned like prize fools at one another.

  “How’s Aril?”

  “Cheeky. The kid’s got wit. I don’t know that Anamay was the sort to understand it or tolerate a good joke.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m betting not. But as he’s gotten more comfortable, he’s dinging my pride something fierce.”

  “It’s good for you,” I took a bite of the weird apples they grew down here, savoring the sweet juicy fruit.

  “And Thomas?”

  “He is trying to steal my dragon’s heart constantly and Artan is determined to let him.” I sighed. “I’m jealous of the amount of time they get to spend together.”

  “Time, that has become something I didn’t realize how much I miss. There is someone lodged in my arse all day. And they’re trying to be up there at night now too.” He leaned forward, rippling the water and kissed me. “Not that you should be worried. It’s a bunch of old men asking me more questions than I have the sense to answer.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Please, if you wasted your efforts on bedding someone else instead of running your kingdom, I’d just hop across the water and take this place over and run it myself.”

  “You’d do a finer job than I am,” he lamented but the truth was the southern isle had never known such peace and prosperity. His expectations were too high.
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br />   “Speaking of advisors, Katy has been spending more time with the witches. I suspect she will slowly move there, now that this is done. My mother’s crazy scheme is fulfilled.” I took another bite of apple and chewed. “She didn’t tell me but I can see the difference in the amount we see her already.”

  “And I suppose Thomas won’t be going with her.”

  “No.” I laughed. “He wouldn’t leave Artan, and I can’t imagine him there asking all his questions. But he still doesn’t want to go to Marana. Lord Enderby comes and visits and they get on well, but I don’t know that he’ll end up going there.”

  “You’ll keep him then?” Grayson smiled wide. “Look at us. Parenting kids that aren’t ours. Running kingdoms we never wanted. Freezing the known lands to get a little alone time. We’re like regular commoners struggling with the daylight always burning.”

  We laughed.

  “Seriously though,” he said as he moved closer, pulling me into his lap. “I’m proud of us. Our kingdoms are coming together. You have stewards on all the seats.”

  “And my friends and family are all happy. Erick and Egar are planning on getting married midsummer. Ed and Keanna should be pregnant any moment.”

  “Maddox and his lass sound fairly committed, though he was stone faced about it last time I talked to him.” It was his turn to roll his eyes. “Stoic bastard.”

  “You’re right. Our story seems to have worked out a happy ending.” I kissed him on the tip of his sweaty nose.

  “Maybe not the happy ending we wanted, Princess, but I can’t really complain except for the fact I don’t sleep next to you every night.”

  “I’ll work on that next.” I winked as if it was a joke, but it wasn’t.

  Grayson was right. We had managed to find our way into something resembling happily ever after.

  Maybe it wasn’t exactly what we asked for. But I wondered if maybe the happy ending you didn’t ask for was the one that would bring you much more joy. And maybe, all the loss and pain and death had happened so we could celebrate the good that much more. This happy ending was sweeter after so much sour and instead of looking down on the darkness we could find a way to celebrate the small things and see light in even the deepest shadows.