by Eve Bradley
“It’s too much,” he told her through locked teeth.
“You can do it,” she replied, pressing harder into his brand. “This is nothing.”
When she finished importing her magic, she moved to Darrian. She could feel stores of her power reducing, but it didn’t feel like she was really losing any of it. She was just loaning it to them, and she could tell that she could feed from it whenever she needed.
Their reaction was strange. It was as if it were nearly like torture to take on the power. But maybe that was because humans weren’t ever meant to bear the taste of magic. Their mortal bodies could only carry so much. She overrode the feelings inside her that told her to stop, filling them up to the brim with the elements of their world.
The rolling loops of magic were gold, pure unadulterated power. Raw. When she finally moved to Glend, both Valryn and Darrian were silently buckled on the ground. Their eyes were red as if they’d been pressurized from within. Valryn gasped.
Glend accepted the magic fully, biting down hard when the full influx came.
Maru watched with her mouth gaping.
“Now you have parts of me inside you,” Catryn told them. “You can kill those bastards just the same as me.”
She could sense their bodies evolving, changing, transforming into higher versions. It was similar to how she felt when she’d realized the full magic. Her senses were alive, her mind alert, and she was strong. She dipped into their emotions and could nearly watch as their insides were congealed with the magic. All human flaws were being fixed, and what was left in their place was perfection and power.
Valryn’s mouth turned upward, and beyond the sweating mop of his black hair she could see his silver eyes flashing with full understanding. He liked the power. Once they’d fully converted to magic-holders, their reaction was won over by the thrill of possessing god-like power.
“I didn’t think it would be like this...” Valryn spoke with awe on his tongue.
“How can you carry all that? Do you still have magic inside you?” Glend asked her.
Catryn went to each of them. She kissed them all. If they died, she’d have them know that she cared. She wanted them to know this. That they were not only slaves to her but that she was to them as well. She was a slave to their pleasure, to their wellbeing, to their minds. She wanted to give them every part of her previously concealed. Last, she kissed Maru. The woman’s cheeks bloomed red.
“We will survive,” Darrian told her, adamant that it was true.
They walked out the city gates. The Vulzonic djinn were sprinting furiously towards them now in one massive line, kicking up the sands behind them so that great plumes of dust rose into the air. They most likely wouldn’t be able to see. But she could send her faerus out to send the sandy veil back. Her heart pumped with the same strange sensation, filled with what seemed like ardor. But it was not passion. It was wrath that filled her up and contorted her mind.
Wrath, so fucking sweet.
It was a desire to kill. She wanted to be coated in the black blood of Vulzon’s creations, tear their hearts out and watch everything the god of chaos created dissolve into heaps of defeated, oozing embers.
Don’t be afraid. You were meant to do this. She told them, and it sounded only a bit ironic.
The fine silver of her crown dripped with the black blood of the enemies she’d already taken. When the wave of juddering hungry demons was nearly upon them, she grinned, high on the pleasure of killing.
Joa
The Citadel
Joa and his brother scrambled for a better hiding place. The Citadel, the city of rainbows, was crumbling before their eyes. He wished his mother was there. She would have protected them. But now, they clung to one another as siege weapons sent giant stones crashing through buildings and walls. The large iron gate that marked the entrance to the Citadel, the one that all the scholars and professors claimed could never be broken, had fallen when the enemy’s blasts had bent it and eventually it gave way.
“Kellas!” Joa cried into his brother’s shoulder. His brother, only one year older than him, hushed him.
They hid in a pathway just outside the fortress’s Vault. The magical rainbow glass at the top glittered as if laughing at the armies. Hidden away, deep beneath the earth of the sanctuary, that was where the gods could speak. It was where the crown had been formed for the Peacequeen, who he prayed, would save them. What good was she if she couldn’t save them? If they only just waited...
Mother had gone with the woman into the unknown desert. The worsts place for an Evanonan to be. Would she come back for them? Maybe last second she would come, and then this would all be for nothing. He should be strong. He was his mother’s son, and his mother did not cry.
The blue Soulsa river raged beyond the low stone lip that allowed people to amble through the bridges and walkways, admiring the fantastic waters from a closer view.
Their hiding place afforded him a view of the soldiers that came loping in. They wore black armor, causing them to look like barbarians. Their pikes were raised in pattered angles, each soldier in his place. The forces stopped when they aligned just outside of the Vault sanctuary, and then a man with white blonde hair dropped from the ranks of cavalry. He held his helmet at his side. His face seemed familiar. Like he’d once seen it in a dream...
But then he recalled his mother’s yelp that night. The King of Raspandar had been in their personal chambers. Why she’d been upset, he didn’t know, but he remembered his mother’s fearful noise as if he was hearing it now. This man had shorter hair than the other, but the similarities were obvious.
“Raspandians,” Joa whispered to Kellas.
His brother hushed him again.
The man with ivory hair waited in front of the sanctuary. There was a flood of crazed wild-men that looked like something out of nightmares. They had bones over their heads and paint on their faces. They chanted strange, unintelligible words. Joa could not shut his eyes, but he wished he could.
A few of the wild men went into the sanctuary. Only a few moments later, they dragged out the old men that lived there communing with the gods and goddesses. Joa hadn’t known they were real until they’d come here. Still, the sea dragons were their idols, and he prayed to them as he had been taught to do.
Kellas vomited when the wild men disemboweled the councilmen. Joa held his bile in his throat.
There was an altercation between a large brawny wildman and the white-haired Raspandian. The black-haired man seemed to be yelling, his eyes alit with fury. Why were they squabbling amongst themselves? Joa blinked rapidly, swallowing down the sick.
Without a warning, the Raspandian speared the man in his shoulder. The man was so strong and large that he stepped forward, pushing the spear and the white-haired man back into his ranks. There was yelling, whatever the Raspandian was yelling, it stopped the wildmen from intervening to save one their own. Suddenly more spears went at the giant man, and he was pushed back. One final blow was dealt, and he fell backward into the rushing Soulsa river.
The Raspandians turned their attention to the sanctuary. Arms lifted giant crates and they began to file into the gleaming building. They took a long time, and then Joa and Kellas realized what they were doing.
“They’re going to blow it up,” Kellas whispered. “We have to get out of here.”
Joa was frozen in fear. He could hardly move. The pink skies glared as if they were a reflection of the blood-soaked streets. Carrion birds crowed overhead, signifying a feast that they’d been so lucky to find.
They ran from their safe place, but not before a pair of the wildmen caught them. Bone helmets and painted faces were all Joa could remember seeing before everything went dark.
Catryn
The Eastroads, Malavashi Territory
They’d won.
If you looked out the palace windows, you’d see the sands outside stained with the blood of the Vulzonic offspring. A color that spoke of their victory. But she wasn’t looki
ng at that now. They were on progress, nearly out of the desert, and coming into a greener land. A spry verdant place that made her heart alight with a feeling that she was home. Although she wasn’t, and Malavashi soil was only one of their stops. She could never have a true home like she used to wish. But that was fine.
The Sultan and many of his citizens had decided the best course of action was to abandon Yamar until they were sure everything was safe. Catryn couldn’t promise them this, thus, they’d come with. The train of caravans and legions were the largest she’d ever seen. But even with the slow progress, they were achieving good time.
She rode her black horse, Phallon, beside the others.
“This doesn’t look like your army. It looks like his,” Darrian commented in a low voice.
But he was right. She’d begun to think it herself.
“We should make sure everyone knows who they’re dealing with,” Glend supplied, and smirked.
He rode up close beside her, and winked.
“The Peacequeen needs her own sigil,” he said.
Valryn laughed, gripping the reins hard.
“What do you think, then, Glend of the Rose Hills?” Maru was shrewd.
“If you’re to manage the other kingdoms, you should form your own house. This is a surefire way for you to command their respect. These royals...they’re all about the show.”
“I have a thousand men...don’t you think that’ll be enough?” she spoke with amusements and argumentativeness.
“We don’t know what we’re going into,” Valryn agreed with Glend. She saw the steady flick of his eyes, the slow appraisal of Glend’s figure. “I say he’s correct.”
“That means you should shut up about it,” Darrian snickered, and the rest followed.
Catryn could tell that they felt different. It had been an adjustment watching Glend flip the pages of his books with his mind, watch Darrian use his power to break down trees for sport, and see Valryn playing with spirals of light. The sacred elemental magics that brought life and death were now apart of them.
“She’s no meek girl anymore,” Maru said. “I doubt you could get her to be quiet even if you wanted, Val.”
“I could think of a few ways,” his lips tilted in satisfaction.
Then do it. Catryn said. If you think yourself up to the task.
He smirked at her, eyes dark and lustful from across the pack of clopping horses.
Maru chuckled.
“What are you laughing at,” Catryn admonished her, keeping her tone silky. “You’re not better than he is.”
“On the contrary,” she flirted. “I have double what a man can offer.”
Her words struck Catryn in her core. It was an ache that bloomed and needed to be satisfied.
Brand her, Darrian offered the idea.
Catryn sighed out, enjoying that the sunlight was not dangerously hot on their backs, and reveling in the surroundings that for now, were peaceful. The desert was giving way to pretty grasses and springtime flowers. It was as if the horrors of the east were melting away. It was easy to laugh and joke when this was their setting.
They’d defeated an army of devilish Djinn, just the four of them with their magic. Now, they had time to plan. She didn’t know how quickly Vulzon would be able to form his forces, but she was satisfied that defeating the fiends had at least left a dent in his progress. Her mind only briefly flit over Kalif. She wondered if she’d ever see him again. She wondered about his story, and why he’d died for her.
Catryn also feared for the Djinn. The colorful assembly that no doubt were ambling about somewhere in the wilderness. She wished she’d done as Kalif told her and taken Sarth, even if he hadn’t wanted it, she could have kept them safe that way. Now there was an ancient race on the loose, and they were glaringly vulnerable to all sorts of terrors.
They set up camp in the afternoon, a lovely orange sunset bordering their encampments. Catryn took Maru aside once the woman had finished organizing her cart of herbs and elixirs.
“What?” she asked. “Do you need something to stop pregnancy?”
“No,” Catryn balked though, noting that she hadn’t taken the necessary precautions. She wondered if it was even possible for her to become pregnant. She would remind herself to take them that night. “No. I wanted to...I have to ask you something.”
Catryn took Maru’s hand, and bit her lip.
“Maru,” Catryn’s breath was shaky as she held the woman’s hand. It was so strange staring into her face, feeling the awkward tingle of attraction. It made her stomach flip. Yet, she felt that she still didn’t truly know her. She could be attracted to her, but they were completely different. That much was obvious. Still, she needed Maru. She was extremely useful in the group.
Maru shivered, eyes darting about as she tried hard not to give away what exactly Cat was doing.
“I want to go set up my own court in Solbriar. There’s an old fortress there that Peacequeen’s and king’s before me have used. I was going to ask you if…What if I had your family come stay there? It’s one of the safest places in the realm. It’s close to Malavash and at the center of all the kingdoms.”
Maru shut her eyes and winced. Catryn could tell she was reluctant.
“The Citadel is the safest place for them,” her tone was firm.
“Valryn said that Solbriar is even safer than the Citadel. Not only this, but you could have the rest of your family join them. You said you had a brother and an uncle? Do they have wives? They could live there and care for your sons while you’re away,” Catryn said drawing Maru further away from listening ears.
“Oh of course,” Maru snickered. “Let me ask my pureblood Evanonan family to leave the sea. I’m sure they’d love it.”
“They won’t have a life to enjoy the sea if you don’t keep them safe. We don’t know where Vulzon will go next. We have no idea what his plans are. Wouldn’t you rather them be where you know you can protect them? Where they have an army at their disposal?” Catryn rounded on her, annoyance tensing her back.
Maru sighed, shaking her head. She reached out and touched Catryn’s chin.
“You’re so stubborn,” she uttered, but Catryn saw the calm swirl of adoration hidden in her eyes.
“Maybe more than you,” Catryn said, and had to stop herself from grabbing the woman. She remembered their time in the cave. They’d given in to their desire that night, although never going further than gentle touches and kisses, it felt like they’d bared their souls to one another. She didn’t know what to do. Everything had changed. Catryn felt closer to the men than ever before, her magic residing within them, their thoughts entering into hers. Vulzon was planning his attacks, and there was only so much she could do. Selfishly, she wanted Maru to stay with her. They’d been through hell together in the cave, and now being without her felt so final. She didn’t want her to leave.
“I can’t just…” Maru began, staggering through her words until she came to a realization, and her expression rounded off to a cold acceptance. “Fine. If they’ll be safer there, then yes.”
“And you’ll be a Guardian?” Catryn raised her brows, smirking at the woman’s resolve.
“Y-yes.” she nodded. “If you need me, I’m yours.”
Catryn smiled, feeling chilled to the bone. She wanted to kiss her, but she wouldn’t unless Maru clearly wanted it. She released Maru’s hand, feeling the warmth leave her swiftly. She looked down. Even if Maru decided that she didn’t want to explore things with her, it didn’t matter. She could have her outdated views. Regardless, Maru was an irreplaceable asset.
“I do.”
That night the bonfire crackled, and Catryn felt far more prepared than the last time to do the actual branding. She knew that Maru would handle it well. She smiled at the woman, and then glanced at Val, Darrian, and Glend, whose eyes were full of severity. The sky was black, ominous overhead.
Valryn spoke the otherworldly words, and Catryn pulled at the magic. She looked down on the intense
plume of Maru’s hair as she knelt before the flames. Cat tugged at the back of the woman’s shirt so that she had access to her shoulder. She’d been wearing her traditional Evanonan garb. A simple long skirt and tunic over that. Smooth brown skin appeared as she drew the cloth aside.
“If you do this...you’ll be one of us. You have to accept what we do. You don’t have to join us…but you’ll be aware of everything. If that is not going to be acceptable to you...”
“Catryn,” Maru snapped. “I understand what it is that’s done between all of you.”
Catryn could hardly contain the happiness fluttering in her stomach. Owls hooted in nearby trees, and the Yamarian’s were settling down to rest. Catryn had moved their things away from the rest to preserve a bit of privacy.
The magic glowed in her palm, and without warning she pressed down against Maru’s skin. White light burned into her skin, the flesh tearing away and then threading back together. Maru winced, but as the bond was forged, Catryn latched onto her. She felt her then, her soul, mind, and aura. She was the ocean, brilliant and deep. Cat let the magic in her hand subside and wrapped her arms around her from behind.
“Thank you,” Catryn murmured in her ear, and then kissed the lobe and traced her lips down the cord of muscle in her thin neck.
Maru pulled Catryn down in front of her. She stared into her eyes.
I can hear you, she thought.
This is how it is, Catryn told her.
You get magic too, Glend interjected, trying to add some humor.
Catryn glanced up at Valryn and Darrian, who stood like tall mythological creatures, staring down at them with desire tilting their features. Maru swallowed, and Catryn could tell that she was nervous around the others. She could pretend that she was careless, but now that Cat could hear her inner monologue she could tell that Valryn, Darrian, and Glend brought her unease. Catryn wondered if it was because of her previous experience with a man. Her husband, Banato. Maybe she felt like if she longed for a man she was betraying the man as he lay in his grave.