by Donna Grant
They didn’t know how she did it. No one but Morea did. And since she was gone, no one else ever would.
Runa lifted her gaze to the sky to see clouds beginning to roll in. Breath billowed past her lips, creating a cloud. She missed Brom’s warmth, and she knew it would be some time before she was warm again. This was the price she paid for helping her family.
She wished she had Morea with her. It would have been nice to have someone watching her back. Her thoughts drifted to Brom, but she shut them down again. He was a distraction she couldn’t afford. From here on out, she needed to make sure every step, every move, every word was done just right. Otherwise, she would pay with her life.
Runa drew in a deep breath and looked down the mountain to where the forest grew even thicker. This was her last chance to turn back. Once she started the descent, there would be no changing her mind.
She might like the notion of magic. She might even like the idea of witches being able to walk freely without persecution. But she wouldn’t stand by and watch Sybbyl and the Coven take over the world. It wasn’t a perfect scenario, but there wasn’t such a thing. There was only good and bad and the balance between both.
Sybbyl had altered that balance dramatically, and the Gira had helped. Someone had to take a stand. The Hunters had done that and been squashed by Sybbyl in the process. The only ones left were the Varroki. Runa knew little about them other than that they had warlocks and lived in a secret location that couldn’t be found unless they wanted you to find it.
The Varroki might well be able to save the day—eventually—but she wasn’t going to wait around for someone else to do what she could. Too many sat back and let others do the hard work. That wasn’t Runa.
She had been raised by a dedicated, strong Gira, who had loved her. Runa’s parents had thrown caution to the wind for their love. They’d had a few years together and two daughters, but in the end, the nymphs had caught up with them and cut short their happy life. Runa and Synne should have been killed, as well. But somehow, they had survived.
Now, the Gira were going to pay for what they did to her parents, and whatever they had done to Asrail.
Runa started down the mountain, a plan forming.
12
Blackglade
Armir walked up the tower’s winding steps as the bitter wind of winter blew from the sea and iced everything in its path. He pulled his fur-lined cloak tighter around him as he reached Malene’s door. The Lady of the Varroki had once been a frightened young girl who had resisted her destiny.
Now, she was a woman who embraced all that she was and had become the leader long prophesied for the Varroki. She might be petite, but the power running through her veins was tremendous. He didn’t think she had a clue how much she had—not yet, anyway. Soon, Malene would be tested.
He knocked on the door and then opened it. A look inside showed the chambers empty. He glanced upward and shook his head. He should’ve known she would head to the top of the tower. It was her favorite place, a destination she went to when she needed to think.
Armir backed out of the room and shut the door before continuing up the last flight of stairs to the top of the tower. A gust of wind barreled into him when he reached the last step. He had to bend against the force so he wasn’t blown back. Blinking, he raised his hand to block the wind and searched for Malene. He found her standing in the middle of the tower, her cloak billowing around her. But her long, flaxen locks set against the stormy sky were what captured his attention.
It was his duty as second in command to go out into the world and find a new Lady of the Varroki whenever one died. The fact that the magic chose young girls not in their city made it difficult to convince them to follow him. Some, he had taken by force. Because once they were chosen, they were the only ones who could lead.
He remembered the day he’d found Malene. She had been frightened and wary, but she had gone with him. Once in Blackglade, she had begged to return home. Under the weight of her duties, she had faltered several times. They all did. Many didn’t even last a year. Those who did hadn’t made it past five.
Then there was Malene.
After she’d accepted that she wouldn’t be leaving, she had settled into her role as Lady, but she hadn’t truly embraced it until the past year. And in that time, everything had changed for the Varroki. Because of Malene, they actually had a chance at survival now. Because of Malene, they would defeat Sybbyl and end the Coven once and for all.
Armir knew it in his soul. Malene was the first Lady in a very long time to have the blue radiance in both hands. It was a particularly strong magic that only existed in those chosen to lead the Varroki.
He braced himself against the wind and took the last step to the top. With his gaze locked on Malene, he walked to her, noting that she leaned into the wind with her arms out. When he reached her, he saw she was smiling with her eyes closed. Only Malene would dare to venture to the top of the tower in such weather and bask in its perilous splendor.
But that’s why she was so unique.
It was also why he loved her.
And why he could never have her.
Without opening her eyes, she shifted her hand and touched his arm. Her hand traveled down until she threaded her fingers with his. He didn’t even bother to wonder how she’d known he was there. Malene was the epitome of all the Varroki stood for. She might not have been born one of them, but not a single soul in all of Blackglade didn’t adore her and embrace her as one of theirs.
He let his gaze slowly move over her face. The delight etched into every crevice made his breath lock in his lungs. She looked at everything with love and wonder, welcoming it and enfolding it into herself so she could experience every beautiful and ugly thing about it. It was because of her that Armir had hope. It was because of her that he looked at everything differently now.
Even with the threat that loomed over them from Sybbyl and the Coven, and Lachlan’s sword with the bone of the First Witch having been stolen, Malene didn’t let that stop her. She simply shifted focus and tried to forge a new path.
Her eyes opened, her soft gray orbs moving to look at him. Armir was powerless against returning her smile. He tightened his hold on her fingers as their gazes held. Slowly, she shifted to face him. As she did, he moved closer to her. It was pure instinct to wrap his arm around her when she got caught by the wind. He knew dragging her against his body was the wrong thing to do. He knew he should release her or at least put some distance between them, but he couldn’t seem to make himself do either.
As he looked into her eyes, he didn’t try to ignore or push away the feelings for her that had developed over the years. Once, his position had been one of celibacy. He hadn’t cared because there had never been anyone he imagined sharing his life with. Then Malene came along and wormed her way into his heart little by little until he couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t been a part of his life.
Many positions in the Varroki demanded celibacy. As a result, it had caused a decline in the Varroki numbers over time. Being the Lady of the Varroki, Malene had the ability to change that. Any of the other Ladies could have, as well, but Malene had been the one to read all the books bestowed upon those in her position. She was the one who’d learned how to change such laws, and then made sure to do it.
Because of her, Armir could have a wife now. Because of her, he could give in to the desires raging through him.
Touching the Lady was something no one was supposed to do. Not even him. And yet, he had found ways throughout the years to snatch small touches here and there. Like now. Except, each time he did, it became more and more difficult to let her go. Every fiber of his being bellowed at him to tell her how he felt, to kiss her and show her how good things could be between them.
Yet, he didn’t.
He had been honed by too many years of rules. Then there was the fact that he wasn’t sure how Malene felt about him. He liked his position and the ability it gave him to be near her. If he told
her about his feelings, and she didn’t return them, then she would replace him. And he would lose everything. If what he had with her now was all he could ever have, he’d take it. Because it was better than nothing.
A frown marred her forehead as she blinked up at him. “What’s wrong?”
The wind yanked her words away, but he read her lips. Armir shifted so the wind was to his back, blocking it from hitting her. “Synne and Lachlan are getting anxious.”
“They have been for days.”
“Something has changed.”
Malene’s gaze slid away as she let her mind wander. Armir knew she was letting her magic sift through everything. She had the uncanny ability to see things from distant places. Her visions had granted them access to things they otherwise wouldn’t have known.
He remained silent until Malene’s eyes jerked back to him. “What is it?”
“I’m not sure,” she said warily. “Something has changed. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is, though. Did Synne say something specific?”
Armir shook his head. “She simply said the trees were irritated.”
“They aren’t talking to her?”
“Nay. They’re giving off a feeling of impatience and frustration.”
Malene was silent for a moment. “I missed that.”
“You can’t see or feel everything. You have many duties.”
“My duty is to protect this city. Blackglade is our home.”
He bent to capture her gaze and held it. “Your magic is what keeps us shielded from the outside world. Your magic has given us more power than we’ve had in generations. You have allowed us a giant leap in a new direction. Then there is everything you did for those fighting the Coven. Shall I list everything with Edra and Radnar, Leoma and Braith, Ravyn and Carac, Helena and Jarin, and Synne and Lachlan?”
“I didn’t save Edra or Radnar or anyone else at the abbey.”
“You’ve done so much more. Don’t let the weight of the dead drag you down. Too many count on you to allow that to happen.”
She blew out a breath. “You’re right, but I’ll never forget the sight of those bodies at the abbey.”
“It’s one of the many reasons we’re fighting Sybbyl and the Coven.”
“And the Gira,” she added.
Armir had a particular dislike for the nymphs. They kept far from the Varroki, and the Varroki kept their distance from the Gira. When the two clashed in the past, the result was devastating for both sides. It was the prime reason the nymphs had never thrown in to support the Coven. All that had changed when Sybbyl took over.
Synne being at Blackglade had given the Varroki an advantage because she could communicate with the trees thanks to the half of her blood that came from the nymphs. No one in Blackglade had told her how a tenuous truce between the Varroki and the Gira existed, going back centuries.
With everything coming to a head soon, Synne would have to fight the nymphs. Since they were responsible for helping to kill everyone at the abbey, that wouldn’t be a problem. The issue was Asrail, Synne’s grandmother. The former queen of the Gira was being held by the Coven.
“You’re thinking of Asrail,” Malene said.
Armir nodded. “We need to make a decision soon before Synne takes it out of our hands.”
“She was always going to take it out of our hands.”
His brows snapped together. “You intend to let her go out there?”
“Let her?” Malene laughed. “I have no hold over her or Lachlan. They’ve been able to leave anytime they want. Lachlan has known that all along, but he, like us, has been buying time.”
Once more, Malene had surprised him. Just when Armir thought he knew everything, Malene saw an aspect he hadn’t. He’d been fully prepared to tie Synne and Lachlan down to keep them from leaving. They were too important in the fight against the Coven to let them loose to try and free Asrail.
“For?” Armir pressed.
Malene shrugged. “That’s just it, I don’t know. It’s only a feeling.”
None of her feelings had ever led the Varroki wrong, so he wouldn’t ignore her words. “What do you need me to do?”
“What you always do. Stand by me and protect Blackglade.”
His prime directive was to help guide the Lady—and protect her at all costs. And he would adhere to that until his dying breath. “Always.”
A soft smile curved Malene’s lips. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You don’t need me. You don’t need anyone.”
“That’s not true,” she said as her smile faded.
Her free hand came up to rest on his arm, her other still entangled with his. If anyone looked at them, they might think that he and Malene were lovers. Every night, his dreams were filled with him making love to her. And each morning when he woke and found his arms empty, he got up and sought her out to hear her voice, look into her beautiful face, and wait for a reason to touch her.
Malene cleared her throat as their bodies bumped together after a gust of wind caused him to shift forward slightly. “Synne wants to save Asrail, but the moment she steps through our gates, it’s only a matter of time before Sybbyl finds her.”
Armir’s entire body buzzed with the brief contact he had with her. It was a heady feeling that made him hunger for more. “Sybbyl knows we won’t let Synne go alone. She’s counting on the Varroki to go with her.”
“To weaken us. She believes with the Gira and her witches, they’ll easily defeat Synne, Lachlan, and whatever Varroki go to battle. Then it’ll be easy to take the rest of us down here at Blackglade.”
“That’s never going to happen.”
Malene smiled. “Nay, it isn’t.”
“You have a plan?”
“I have a thought. I came up here to sort through it.”
He quirked a brow. “And?”
“I think I have it figured out now. There’s just one problem.”
“What’s that?”
Her brow creased. “I need to figure out if it’s in our favor or Sybbyl’s.”
Armir grinned. “That way, we know how to use it to our advantage.”
“Precisely.” Her chin lifted then. “And I presume we’ll continue having our lessons in battle magic?”
It was what he looked forward to most every day. It allowed him to touch her freely—and often. “Of course. You’ve made a lot of headway over the last week.”
“Will it be enough?”
He never wanted her to leave Blackglade, but he knew it was pointless to continue that argument. All he could do was make sure he was by Malene’s side when she left. She would be prepared for battle, and with the strength of her magic and mind, she would be victorious. He would make sure of that.
“Aye,” he replied.
Once more, a smile was back in place. The wind was growing fiercer.
They should go inside, but neither moved.
13
She was here somewhere. Brom knew it. He swiveled his head from side to side as he looked through the forest. He’d given Runa a half-day’s head start. With the clear skies, he’d been able to track her easily enough. She had crossed some rough terrain, over streams, and across sections of rock that held very little snow thanks to the cover of trees, but he had always managed to find her tracks.
Now, with trees all around him and snow several inches thick, her tracks had just stopped. It was like she just sprouted wings and flew off.
Brom’s head lifted as his gaze took in the thick branches above him. From this vantage point, he could see how it would be easy to climb the trees and then use them to travel. The branches were plentiful, the limbs sturdy. It was the only plausible explanation that made sense. The problem with that scenario was that he had no way of knowing which way she had gone. She could have purposefully led him here, then used the trees as a means to shift her direction.
He sighed. From below, he couldn’t tell if any snow had been knocked off a limb as a means to track her. He debate
d whether to climb a tree himself to see if he could follow her, but at the sight of a red squirrel running across a branch and dislodging snow, he knew it might be futile to even attempt such a thing.
If he couldn’t track her, what was he going to do? There was no way he would just return home. He didn’t care if she had said she’d look for him until she found him. He had been meant to meet her now for a reason. Not later. Not after whatever she was about to face. Now. And if that meant he had to find her using whatever means were necessary, then he would.
Brom fisted his hand as his magic swirled, ready to be used, but he hesitated. He scanned the woods one more time. Runa had known about magic. While she hadn’t said that she was a witch, she knew enough to tell him that she had been around it. All she had told him was that she had to help her family and that it was dangerous. Did that mean she was going to the Coven?
“Shite,” he mumbled, realizing too late that’s probably exactly where she was headed.
If he used magic now, the Coven would sense it. He’d listened to many stories from the Varroki of how the Coven tracked witches by their magic. If he used his powers now, he would be leading them straight to him, because he had a suspicion they were close.
“Runa,” he murmured, wishing she had let him go with her.
If she didn’t have magic, she didn’t stand a chance against the Coven. But he wasn’t sure whether she had magic or not. She hadn’t used any to heal herself, but he hadn’t given her a chance. After she had fallen, he had rushed straight to her and gotten them both out of there. Then, he had offered to heal her himself.
Had he been played for a fool? Had Runa instigated everything to get him to confess to being a warlock?