“His hand is free,” Nick yelled and she understood her error. She had unbound Angus’ hand, allowing him the chance to use his power. She rolled onto her elbows in time to see a large tree branch lift from the ground and fly at her head. With no way to escape, she moved to cover her face with her arms, stopping when the air shimmered in front of her. The branch hit the ground.
Miles walked around her, holding his hand in front of him as the shimmering pushed toward Angus. “Did you bring the Mardróch?” Miles asked. “You didn’t answer her question.”
“Not this time,” Angus snarled in response. May gasped and charged toward him, but Nick caught her. He locked his arms around her waist. She struggled, but could not break from his grasp.
“You killed them,” she sobbed, her grief sharp in her voice. “How could you? They trusted you!”
“I was after Meaghan. Vivian and James got in the way.”
“Monster!” She surged forward again, but when Nick did not let her go, she collapsed against his chest.
Sam moved to May’s side to console her. Miles glanced over at her, and while both men remained distracted, Angus inched across the ground. Though the vines tightened their hold on him again, he fought them, stretching his hand toward the object he had dropped. It wiggled, sliding across the dirt in response to his power, and Meaghan dove underneath Miles’ shield, reaching the object a moment before Angus did. Her fingers tightened around it. His fingers closed around her wrist.
He smiled, and then the forest disappeared.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
THE WORLD bled back into focus, streaking across Meaghan’s vision in patches before turning solid. Trees stood tall in front of her, ominous in their posture. Dried leaves and the scent of fresh dirt greeted her from a forest floor no different from the one she had left. The grip on her wrist released, but she knew the reprieve would not last long. Angus had teleported her away from the others. She had no protection and no way to escape, but she would fight. She had too much of Adelina’s personality within her to allow Angus to kill her so easily.
Tensing, she flipped onto her back, set to spring to her feet, but paused when four faces she did not expect stared back at her.
Nick pulled her to her feet and she felt relief wash through him. “That was stupid,” he said. “You’re lucky I was able to pull you out of Angus’ grip before he could finish teleporting you. You could have been in the middle of a volcano by now.”
She pressed her lips together at the thought, but chased it and the image of molten lava from her mind as fast as it had formed. The hard object locked within her fingers reminded her she had done the right thing. “I didn’t have a choice,” she told him. “I had to save your powers.”
“And you almost lost your life in the process,” he lectured before nodding at the ground. “Watch out for the creeper.”
Meaghan looked down at the tangled mass of wriggling vines, and then stepped to the side when a tentacle shot toward her. Another snapped at her leg and she moved out of its range before opening her hand. A five-sided gem lay on her palm, glinting varying shades of amethyst in the sunlight. She focused on it, on the heat emanating from it, and it flashed. Nick smiled and the emotions fighting to overwhelm Meaghan’s mind ceased to exist.
“Is that what I think it is?” May asked. “Is that the Reaper Stone?”
“It is,” Sam replied, stepping to May’s side to examine the object. “Do you think Angus has had it this whole time?”
“Most likely,” Miles answered, and then addressed Meaghan, though he kept his eyes locked on the stone. “How did you know he had it?”
“I saw it flash. I think he took Nick’s powers with it.”
Miles frowned. “I didn’t realize,” he said, looking up at her. “I’m sure he planned on killing Nick after he killed you. Have you returned Nick’s powers to him?”
Meaghan curled her fingers around the stone. The warmth continued to pulse against her skin. “I did, but I don’t know how I did it.”
“Perhaps the ability is innate.” Miles said. “I’m sure you’ll learn how to control it in time. For now, keep it well. You’ll need it on your journey.”
“What journey?”
Miles looked from her fingers to her face. “You aren’t safe with us any longer. You need to go.”
“Go?” she asked, though her voice sounded hollow to her. “Go where?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Miles turned his gaze on Nick. “You need to leave, too.”
“I understand,” Nick said, slipping an arm around Meaghan’s shoulders. The thought of travelling again, of spending nights in the woods and days attempting to avoid death made her feel week. She leaned against him to keep steady.
“I don’t,” she said. “There are people here who can protect us—”
“And one of them tried to kill you tonight,” Miles reminded her. “Unless Angus was lying about letting the Mardróch into the village. Was he?”
Meaghan did not respond. She did not want to utter the truth, but Miles nodded and she knew her face had given him the answer. “I was afraid of that,” he said and turned to Nick’s mother, “do you have your commcrystals?”
“I do.”
“Bring them here. We don’t have much time. Angus will return soon if he has reinforcements.”
“Time for what?” Nick asked.
“We have two things to accomplish before you go. I need to gather the villagers so you can teleport safely. I’ll send groups in different directions.”
“And the other thing?”
“We need to ensure your safety,” Miles answered. May returned and he took two oblong crystals from her, rubbing them together with a flick of his wrists. They shifted from smoke-gray to bright white, then back again, and he handed one to Nick before giving the other back to May. “Two people can hide better than three. I’m reassigning you as Meaghan’s Guardian, but I expect you to be smarter about it this time. Stay firm with her safety, and use the crystal to communicate with your mother. Keep us up-to-date on everything, save for one secret you’ll be required to keep.”
Nick clutched the crystal between his hands. “What’s that?”
“Your location. Only tell us if danger requires it. May will be your Guardian going forward.”
“My Guardian?” Nick shook his head. “I don’t need a—”
“The King always needs one,” Miles interrupted. He took Meaghan’s hand in his, lifting it so he could see the stone still nestled in her palm. It flashed again.
“But I’m not,” Nick started to protest, stopping when Sam chuckled. Nick’s eyes grew wide before falling on Meaghan.
“This stone belongs to your family,” Miles said, drawing Meaghan’s hand closer. “It was taken from Adelina’s amulet the day she was murdered. We believe it’s for protection though no one outside the royal family knew its full purpose or its origin.”
“So it does more than steal powers?” Meaghan asked.
Miles nodded. “Istera told me as much.”
“Shouldn’t we destroy it then? It could be dangerous if Garon ever got it.”
“He wouldn’t be able to use it. It only works for members of the royal family. There are only two of you left, about to be three.” Miles gestured toward Nick. “Place your hand on the stone, please.”
Though Nick’s hand trembled, he did as Miles requested of him, covering Meaghan’s fingers with his own. Miles pressed his hand on top of Nick’s, and the stone flashed, sending light through his fingers. It glowed for a full minute before the light went out and Miles released their hands. “It’s done.”
“What is?” Nick asked.
“The stone has recognized you as the rightful King. It can’t be used against a royal family member, so you’re now immune to it.” Miles passed his hand in front of his waist and bowed low. A smile spread across his face. “And now it’s my honor to officially recognize you. Welcome, King of Ærenden.”
EPILOGUE
THEY
LANDED in another endless forest. Rough bark blended into dark shadows and Meaghan closed her eyes against it. She had hoped Nick knew of a place where they could settle, a place where a bed would greet them when they were weary, and a fireplace would warm them when they were cold. But they were back in the woods, which meant they were back to misery until she learned to control her powers. She pressed her lips together, releasing them with a heavy breath when Nick kissed her forehead.
“We’re alone here,” he said, drawing her against him. “Would it be okay if I didn’t use my power?”
She nodded and then sensed him again as she had on Earth. His emotions lay open to her. She felt relief and understood it well. It had been no small accomplishment to live through today. And she felt grief, too.
“I’m sorry about Cissy,” she whispered.
Nick tightened his hold on her, but said nothing. She reached for the amulet now sparkling around her neck and closed her fingers around it. There would be more dead before this war was over. She turned her head to press it against Nick’s chest. His heart beat a steady rhythm and it paired with the calm she sensed from him. She held on to that. They stood still and quiet before his lips found the top of her head. Then he let her go.
“We shouldn’t stay here,” he told her, and laced his fingers together with hers. “Do you smell anything?”
She closed her eyes and inhaled. Her stomach rumbled. “Something’s roasting,” she said.
He laughed. “I meant anything bad. I don’t sense any Mardróch, but you can sense them better than I can.”
She shook her head. “They’re not around. Where are we?”
In response, he tugged her behind him through a group of trees and into a clearing. A small cabin appeared. Smoke curled from the chimney and sitting on the front porch, several packages waited. A quick scan of the surrounding woods revealed a dozen crystals glowing blue against the sky.
Nick smiled. “I didn’t want to teleport directly here in case there were Mardróch around, but I couldn’t think of a safer place for us.”
“Neither could I,” Meaghan responded. Her eyes drew to the smoke again and her hunger responded to the roast she had no doubt would be waiting inside. “Who’s been here?”
“You mean you haven’t guessed?” Nick asked. She shook her head. “Cal. I’m certain he’s known all along where we would end up. And I’m just as certain we won’t see him for some time, because he’ll also know I intend to find out what else Vivian told him. Come on.” He led the way across the clearing, and then scooped up the packages from the porch step. “He left clothing and supplies, all the comforts of home.”
She sighed. “I’ll kiss him next time I see him.”
“Another reason he’ll stay away,” Nick joked. “Let’s eat and then watch the sun set. We need a break after today.”
Meaghan nodded. Swinging open the cabin door, she stepped aside to let him pass. “And tomorrow?” she asked.
“Tomorrow,” he said and paused on the threshold long enough to study her. His eyes locked with hers. “I’m going to turn you into a warrior.”
The adventure continues with
ÆRENDEN: THE GILDONAE ALLIANCE
Coming Soon!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
John Donne once penned, “No man is an island” and in this regard, no book is the creation of a single person. Without the efforts of so many, the world of Ærenden would have been no more than black print on yellowing pages, lost to the back of a closet for eternity. I owe a hearty Thank You to my friends, family, and beta readers for their amazing support and guidance. In particular, I must mention my sister and mother for reading and providing daily feedback on work in progress, even when chapters were less than scraps and bones; my husband for refusing to let me stop believing; Jessica Lux, my editor, for her firm hand and never-ending patience; Jaime Palmucci of Debutante Media for having faith in me, and for lending me her expertise and courage; Lisa J. Yarde, the amazing author, my mentor, for teaching me to think of sentences and publishing in ways I never dreamed possible; and, of course, my Grandfather, the man who first introduced me to storytelling and encouraged me to create.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in Bangor, Maine, Kristen Taber spent her childhood at the feet of an Irish storytelling grandfather, learning to blend fact with fiction and imagination with reality. She lived within the realms of the worlds that captivated her, breathing life into characters and crafting stories even before she could read. Those stories have since turned into a wide range of short tales, poems, and manuscripts in both Young Adult and Adult genres. Currently, she is working on the Ærenden series from her home in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Learn more about Kristen and her work at www.kristentaber.com.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Aerenden The Child Returns Page 30