by Erin Rhew
“Do not make us fight you.” Zed stopped his forward progress. “Poden and I are united. We’ve discovered a force more powerful than hatred.” Wil slipped his hand into Layla’s, and she squeezed it. Holding onto him gave her the strength to still her shaking legs.
Haddey released a dark, hard, sinister laugh. “I see you’ve adopted Mother and Father’s drivel. Love, peace, acceptance, togetherness.” She stuck her fingers down her throat and mock heaved. “Tell me you aren’t that sentimental.”
Poden’s green eyes flared even brighter. “Haddey, there is a better way. There is a better place, where we can all finally be a family.”
“I don’t want to be a family. I want to rule the world.”
Zed sighed. “Come, Poden, we will do what we must.” Layla raised her eyebrows at Wil, who shrugged. He tightened his grip on her hand.
Haddey rolled her eyes. “You’re always so boring and serious, Zed.” She rushed toward her brother, her shoulder aimed at his stomach. Before she connected, Poden encircled her throat with his hand and lifted her into the air. Her feet dangled off the ground as she clawed at him.
Poden gestured to Layla, Wil, and Nash. “Work quickly with my brother.”
Zed held out a hand to Layla as the trio rushed over to him. “Give me your bag.” He dug around inside and passed Layla the salt Holt had placed in it earlier. “Make a triangle on the ground with this salt.” She nodded.
He turned to Wil. “Use this sage to make a triangle that lies on top of her triangle but faces the opposite way.” Zed dug farther into the bag and produced marjoram. He placed the plant in Nash’s hand. “Encircle their triangles with this marjoram.”
Haddey gasped. “No. Zed, Poden, stop!” She struggled against her brother’s iron-clad grip.
Zed gestured to the symbol. “The three of you must stand together at the peak of the salt triangle and join hands.”
Layla placed her toes in the salt. Nash joined her on one side, Wil on the other. She slipped her hands into theirs. Electricity sparked as it had on the battlefield in Etherea. Buzzing coursed through them until they shook.
“No!” Haddey slapped and kicked at her brother as he placed her in the center of the symbol. She tried to run, but invisible walls held her in place.
Poden pointed at Zarina. “Join us.”
“Me? But I’m—”
The Vanguard First One opened his hand. “Please.”
Zarina nodded and intertwined her fingers with his. Zed linked his hand to hers on the other side. A spark charged the air.
Haddey pushed against the unseen walls that contained her. “Brothers, stop. I beg of you. I want to be a family. I do.”
Zed raised an eyebrow at Poden. The Vanguard First One shook his head. Zed closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Wil, Nash, Layla, and Zarina, you four represent the Prophecy in its entirety. You were created to usher in a new peace for the Three Kingdoms.” His teeth chattered from the current. “There is something in this world that’s stronger than Ree and Crus, stronger than the First Ones, stronger than evil and hatred. Love defines this powerful force. Focus on the love you feel for one another.”
Layla squeezed Wil’s hand. The current between them intensified. In his eyes, she saw his love—his pure, unfiltered adoration for her. His devotion and acceptance blanketed her in their warmth.
She pushed aside the emotional barriers she’d erected and allowed herself to feel. Her heart reached for his. All the emotion she’d bottled up—for the sake of the mission, for the sake of Wil’s future—released. He smiled the truest smile she’d seen from him in months.
Wil nodded his head toward Nash. She glanced over to find him staring across the circle at Zarina, their mutual affection evident. Though Layla once believed her future lay with Nash, she now realized the futility of their pairing.
An ear-piercing scream emanated from within the symbol. Layla watched as the beautiful, young Haddey morphed back into the grotesque spirit from earlier. As the apparition faded, a kaleidoscope of faces emerged. Each woman’s features contorted into pain and agony until the last one—Zarina’s face—appeared. Instead of pain, the Outlander’s face showed triumph. Layla realized she’d just seen every former Outlander queen who’d served as Haddey’s host. All had been driven insane except for one. Zarina—the one with unusual fortitude.
Haddey released a deafening roar. She shrank and then expanded. As her color dimmed, her vibrant orange muted to peach. A brilliant, blinding light exploded from within her. Layla squeezed her eyes shut against the sudden onslaught. When she opened them again, both Haddey and the circle had vanished, leaving no trace that either had existed.
For a moment, no one moved. Then Wil wrapped his arms around Layla and kissed the top of her head. “We did it.”
Samson rushed forward, the others close behind. “The real Poden, right here in front of us.” He pumped the Vanguard First One’s hand.
Vespa’s hands trembled as pushed a long strand of hair behind her ear. “Zed. I’ve seen Zed.”
Zed smiled at the Ethereal princess, but sadness lingered in his eyes. “We’re so sorry for Haddey’s behavior. Our parents foresaw this day, but we all hoped our sister would turn from her evil ways and return to our family.”
Poden placed his hands on Layla’s shoulders. “You are the true Fulfillment, Layla Givens. We have waited a long time for your arrival and for peace between our nations.” He shook Nash’s hand and then Wil’s. “Soldier on, brothers, until unity exists between Vanguards, Ethereals, and Outlanders.”
With a final heartbroken smile, the two First Ones disappeared.
Chapter Twenty
Nash
Nash stood outside Zarina’s door amid the silent bustle of the Volton main building. He debated whether or not to knock. She’d just been through traumatic events—near death, extraction, and the loss of her powers and queenship. But the way she’d gazed at him during the circle…His heart constricted. He had to know the truth.
Swallowing hard, Nash knocked. She appeared at the doorway in moments. He opened his mouth to speak, but his tongue refused to move.
The expression on her face surprised him. Though he’d assumed she’d be happy to see him, worry and sadness dominated her features instead.
He cleared his throat. “May I come in?”
“Sure.” She opened the door wider so he could enter. Her travel bag lay on top of the bed and the hem of a dress hung out. In a very short amount of time, she’d managed to erase all traces of her presence in the room.
His chest tightened, but he forced a smile. “Going somewhere?”
She nodded, her eyes downcast. “I’m going back to the Outlands.”
The lump in his throat made it difficult to speak. “What will you do there?”
“I’m not sure.” She ran a finger along the comforter. “After everything I’ve done, I’m not even sure the Outlander people will be happy to see me.”
“You didn’t do those things, Zarina. She did.”
“We know that, but the Outlander people don’t.”
“Then you’ll tell them. There are people who knew you before Haddey took over.” His mind screamed at him to stop convincing her to go, but the words toppled out despite the warning.
She bit her lip and nodded “You’re right. I will.”
“If you present yourself as Zarina instead of Cataleen, perhaps people will understand you are different.”
She picked at a stray string on the blanket. “Cataleen was such a beautiful name. My father gave it to me, but I’d rather forget it now since it reminds me of Haddey. Besides, without my powers, I have no reason to keep my birth name a secret.”
He slid closer and lifted her chin. “Well, I like the name Zarina.”
She smiled, a slow, sad smile that made him ache from deep within. He traced a finger along her cheekbone. His eyes roamed over her delicate features. Though he’d seen her hundreds of times, he still sought to memorize every detail of her
face.
“I don’t want you to go.” His heart hammered.
Her eyes widened. “You don’t?”
“No.”
A wave of shock washed over her face. Nash expected her to reply, but instead, she brushed past him and walked over to the dresser. She gripped it until her knuckles turned white, as if that piece of furniture could root her in place. He frowned, perplexed.
She turned back around and leaned against the dresser with her arms crossed. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“I know you only married Cataleen to save your family. I won’t hold you to those vows. You’re free to live your life however you choose, and I promise to not interfere.” She glanced away, but he caught the shimmer of tears in her eyes.
Nash crossed the room to stand before her, just as his heart stood before hers now. “You’re right.” Her head and shoulders slumped. He again placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “I did marry Cataleen to save my family, but that’s not the only reason. I knew you were trapped within that loathsome creature, and I couldn’t leave you like that.”
She set her jaw, as strong and brave as she had been out in the woods. “Your obligation to me is over, Nash. I sincerely appreciate everything you and your family did to help me get rid of Haddey, but please know you are not responsible for me any longer.”
He laughed. “Obligation? Responsibility? Do you really think that’s how I see you?” He exhaled in frustration and tried again. “I want you to stay here with me, Zarina, as my wife because I love you.”
Her whole face lit up. “You do?”
“So deeply that it hurts.”
Nash lowered his lips to hers. As their kiss deepened, she pulled him closer. Her body trembled against his. He smiled against her mouth. This time, he knew he’d found his match—strength with fortitude. The First Ones had known all along.
“Why are you grinning?” She ran her fingers through his hair.
“I’m thankful. All my life, I’ve been a true believer. What if I told you I believe we were always meant to be together? Would you think I’d gone crazy?”
She blushed as a wide smile spread across her face. “Nash, I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. I just never believed you’d feel anything but hatred toward me.”
“Why would I hate you?”
“Because of the things I did to you. Because of Layla.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I loved Layla once, but those feelings are gone. I want her to be happy—happy with Wil—but I love you . You. The woman who fought an insane First One just to talk to me; the woman who bravely surrendered her whole identity to free the world of an immortal terror; the woman whom I want to spend the rest of my life with…you, Zarina.”
Her face filled with delight. “I love you too.”
He scooped her up into his arms and kissed her with all the pent up passion he’d been holding back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed contentedly against his lips. Filled with unquenchable desire, he carried her to the bed, pushing her travel bag out of the way. She wouldn’t need that bag again until they were ready to leave…together.
Chapter Twenty-One
Layla
Layla tied the top of her saddlebag, threw it in the chair by the door, and collapsed onto the bed. Just as she closed her eyes, someone knocked on the door. She groaned and flung one arm over her forehead.
“Come in.”
Samson burst through the door and sailed onto the bed beside her. When his large frame made contact with the mattress, Layla bounced up into the air. She laughed and smacked his stomach as she came back down.
Grinning, Samson folded his arms behind his head and sighed. “So, we got that old hag Haddey out of the way. Now we need to head back to Etherea to defeat Vance. The way I see it, he’s bound to attack as soon as he realizes the Outlander queen has left the Outlands. He’ll consider it as a slight and go all ‘vengeful king’ on the rest of us.”
“I know. I’ve been thinking about that. We do need to get going soon.”
He cut his eyes and gave her a knowing look. “But you don’t want to leave your dad.”
She sighed. “It’s stupid, I know. He’s my father, but I’ve known since the beginning we could never be a real family. Though, I will admit, I’m still disappointed.”
Samson moved one arm out from behind his head and offered her a spot against his chest. She snuggled into him. “It’s not stupid to want a family. But just remember that you always have one, with or without Holt.”
“Thank you.”
He heaved a heavy sigh. “I need you to do something for me.”
“Do I get to hear what it is before I agree?”
“I want you to go easy on Mia.”
Layla rolled her eyes, though he couldn’t possibly see it. “Are you serious?”
“I’m very serious. She risked her life to impersonate the Elder and saved all of our behinds. She’s trying really hard to fit in. I know you don’t like what she did on behalf of the queen, but you should understand. I would have done something like that to save your life and you would have done it to save mine.”
Layla frowned, unable to argue with his logic. “Fine.”
“Don’t just say fine. Really try. Promise me.”
She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out in slow, measured puffs. “I promise.”
An urgent knock interrupted their conversation. Layla jumped up and opened the door to find an agitated Wil standing in the hallway.
“What’s wrong?”
“May I come in?” He glanced around her. Samson waved from the bed. “I could come back if it’s not a good time.”
“Relax, your Highness.” Samson rose. “I’m leaving. I need to go check on Mia and the baby anyway.” He shuffled out the door and slammed it behind him.
Layla shook her head. “I’m sorry about my brother. Just ignore him. What’s wrong?”
“I received a letter today from Rex and my mother.”
“And?”
Wil rubbed the back of his neck. “Vance and his army rode into the Outlands. When the people could not produce their queen, he flew into a rage and slaughtered most of the castle servants and guards. He lost several men, so he’s on his way back to Vanguard now, presumably to regroup and launch an attack on Etherea.”
Layla smashed her hand against the wall to release the barrage of pent up angst. “Is Etherea ready to defend against him?”
“Rex says training is going well, and he believes the Ethereal and former Vanguard soldiers will fight well together.” Wil shrugged. “I can only hope he’s right.”
“Rex is one of the best warriors to have ever lived. If he says the soldiers will be ready, they will be. I know you’re worried about your people, but they couldn’t be in better hands.” She stiffened as a terrible thought occurred to her. “Do Jule and Iris know about the attack on the Outlands?”
He shook his head. “I thought you might want to be there when I tell them.”
Layla sighed and imagined telling her sister and Jule about the horrors that had just befallen their people. Though she longed to ride to Vanguard and pummel Vance to death with her bare hands, she couldn’t. So, she nodded. “Thank you. I do.”
Wil held open the door for her. As they passed by Zarina’s door, it opened. She and Nash walked out hand-in-hand, laughing. When they saw Layla and Wil, they stopped mid-stride and mid-sentence.
“Wil.” Nash grinned. Zarina peered at Layla from beneath long lashes.
“Nash.” Wil smiled, but Layla noticed the tension in his mouth. “There’s news from the Outlands, and it’s bad.”
As he informed them of the note, Zarina started to cry. “I knew all of them. I can’t believe they’re dead.”
“Oh, Zarina.” Nash drew her into his arms. “Please excuse us.” He escorted her back inside her room.
Wil sighed. “They looked so happy earlier. I ruined that.”
Layla patted his shoulder. “You did nothing wrong. Vance did.”
Wil took a deep breath and knocked on Iris’ door.
“Come in.”
Inside the room, Jule applied a cold compress to Iris’ head. The girl sweated and moaned on the bed. Layla rushed to her side.
She touched her sister’s cheek. “What happened?”
Jule pushed a stray strand of graying hair off her face. “I don’t know. This morning, Iris said she had begun to have visions of our people. She said so many Outlanders were in mourning that she couldn’t handle their grief.”
Wil held up the paper in his hands. “We may know the reason. My mother just sent word that Vance and his army arrived in the Outlands in search of Cataleen. When he couldn’t locate her, he slaughtered most of the castle servants and guards.”
Jule gasped. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and she collapsed. Wil rushed to catch her before she hit the ground.
“Jule!” Layla rounded the bed to assist Wil. They lifted the older woman off the floor and settled her into a nearby chair. Her face oscillated between white and green.
Wil knelt before her and placed his hand over her clasped, shaking one. “I’m sorry to bring this dreadful information to you. I understand it’s a lot to take in.”
Jule’s eyes glazed. “Are they all dead? Everyone in the castle?”
Wil shook his head. “I don’t know. I’m sure it’s possible that some people escaped.”
Tears streaked down Jules’ cheeks. “My daughter.”
Layla jerked her head back. “You have a daugter?”
“Yes. Despite my protests, she entered the castle as a spy for the Resistance.” Jule wept. “My Adelia.”
Layla glanced at Wil. “Adelia? We met her. She was Cataleen’s assistant.”
Jule rocked in the chair, clutching her stomach. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Wil wrapped his arms around the older woman. She cried into his shoulder, soaking the fabric of his shirt. Unsure what else to do, Layla rubbed Jule’s back.
Adelia…Layla recalled the girl’s long red braid and her serious gray eyes. Gray eyes, just like Jule’s.