She looked down. “I should have told you.”
“Yes. And I should have told Niv’leana.”
Shareis walked behind Narelle and tilted her head to the side.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Don’t you hear that?” Shareis asked.
He listened carefully. “No.”
Narelle’s eyes grew wide. “That noise...”
Shareis drew her dagger and pointed it forward. “It’s coming from that direction.”
He drew down light from the stars and moon and concentrated it in his hand, then cast it, scattering shimmering rays in front of them. The celestial light illuminated a tall, well-armored undead ghoul. He groaned and slobbered as he walked toward them.
Narelle grabbed his arm. “It’s Drox!”
Chapter 59
Narelle’s fingers dug into Farius’s arm.
Olivia rushed to his side. She waved her hand and erected a translucent purple wall of energy in front of them. Drox walked right into it, sending rippling waves across its surface.
“Why is he following her?” Frasie asked.
“He may remember Narelle,” he replied. “Necrotic magic is… unstable.”
Narelle approached the barrier. He tried to pull her back, but she resisted. “Maybe I can reach him.”
He grabbed her arm and jerked her back. “No.”
She ripped away from his grasp and put her hands close to the barrier. “Drox. It’s me. You’re following me for a reason. Why? Are you trying to tell me something?”
Her questions were met with grunts between painful shocks when Drox impacted the wall has he continued to mindlessly bump into the barrier.
“Get back, Narelle!” he yelled. “He’ll kill you!”
“I was foolish to run away before,” she said. “I… I didn’t understand.”
“He is trying to kill you,” Olivia said.
“Drox cannot speak,” he said. “He may remember you, but he will kill us all if we let him.”
Narelle bowed her head and rested her arms at her side.
“What are you doing?” Olivia asked.
She remained silent, then slowly rose her hands. The barrier shimmered and began to fade. Frasie nocked a flaming arrow.
“Get back, Narelle!” he yelled.
Narelle gazed upon Drox’s distorted face. His horrific groaning ceased. He stood motionless, his pale eyes scanning hers.
“Can she charm him?” he asked Olivia.
Olivia shrugged.
“Don’t you remember?” Narelle asked.
Drox sniffed her hair with his half-decayed nose, then grunted.
Narelle nodded. “Rosewater.”
His misshapen hand touched her shoulder, then made a clumsy attempt to play with a lock of her hair.
“You do recall,” she said.
The exposed muscles in Drox’s jaw flexed, and his face formed what appeared to be a frown. Drox grabbed her hair and yanked her head against her chest.
“Stop. You’re hurting me!”
Frasie stepped forward and adjusted her aim, then fired an arrow. Narelle shrieked in pain as it grazed her shoulder.
Olivia walked toward them and captured Drox’s attention until he was forced to loosen his grip on Narelle’s hair.
“Go,” Olivia said.
Narelle quickly ran to Farius. Frasie readied another arrow, but he motioned for her to wait. Drox was falling deeper into Olivia’s thrall, yet the ghoul still restlessly moaned.
“She can’t hold him for long,” Aiden said.
“Step out of the way,” he commanded Olivia.
Without breaking her gaze, she moved to the side. Drox’s attention followed her.
Farius leaned his head back and raised his arms, calling the celestial power of the starry heavens. The cold, white light descended from the sky, and imprisoned Drox in a curtain of astral energy.
“Now!” he yelled.
Frasie launched another flaming arrow. It hit Drox squarely in the chest. The monster made no effort to remove it as the fire spread across its ribs. She continued to lodge arrows in the exposed parts of its body, skillfully dodging the tarnished armor. The pillar of light coupled with the onslaught of flaming arrows brought Drox to his knees.
Aiden approached the ghoul, spun his sword in his hand, then decapitated Drox and ended the foul threat. The body decayed, sending embers and fragments of burning necrotic flesh ascending into the moonlight. Dark blood dissolved on the portion of Aiden’s blade that remained in the light. He bathed his blade in the celestial pillar, cleansing its taint. He sheathed his sword.
“Are you alright?” Farius asked Narelle.
She looked up at him, then put her hand on her shoulder. “He was there. I… I know he was.” She opened her blood-covered then glared at Frasie. “You shot me.”
Narelle recoiled when Frasie attempted to examine the wound. “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry. I was trying to hit that thing.”
Olivia approached while Narelle walked toward the corpse.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
Olivia nodded. “She was right. I caught a glimpse of him.”
“He was a strong solider,” he replied.
“He was a tortured man,” Olivia said. “They are aware of all they do.”
Narelle leaned over the slain warrior and sifted through his charred remains. Farius approached and put a hand on her shoulder. “I am sorry.”
Drox’s ashes filtered through her fingers. “It didn’t have to be like this.”
Chapter 60
Narelle fiddled with the small amber vial she had removed from Drox’s remains. It provided a distraction as she endured the platitudes dispensed by Farius and his followers over his death. Their words focused on the fear they had experienced, not the loss she suffered. Her panic over his persistent pursuit vanished when she peered into his soul while attempting to charm him. He was there. She experienced the connection.
The events brought back a torrent of memories. She kept to herself and avoided conversation, allowing a thorough wallow in her tortured introspection. It was painful, but in this flood of thoughts she recalled the Drox that was, not the one who perished in Farius’s cold moonlight prison. To them, he was a monster that needed to die. To her, Drox was a cherished lover.
It didn’t start out that way. The stalwart military commander of the Masola guard rode into town to bend her city to his will. His arrogant display of force and quick subjugation of Lahara sickened her, but his confidence stirred something in her long forgotten. Despite her checkered past in keeping her vows, she promised herself to remain true to her husband.
Drox accepted no compromise from Cadrin, and soon her husband was forced to take orders while Drox decided how the town should be run. Even though Vorea had nefarious plans for her city, he did his best to accommodate his demanding boss with reasoned, sensible policies. He felt a sense of duty to Lahara.
She spotted a moment of weakness in a late-night negotiation between her and Drox. She knew she might not get another chance, so she made her move. She successfully charmed him into submission to gain the upper hand in the management of her city. Her magic worked, but the commander worked his own charm on her. His long, captive gazes into her bewitching eyes rendered her speechless. Soon, her requests focused less on her people and more on her own needs.
She teased him mercilessly with flashes of skin, but her coy efforts left her vulnerable to his confident demeanor and handsome appearance. The charm worked both ways, and their twisted power play provided a level of attention she wasn’t getting from Cadrin. She used sex to save her city, but that sex soon turned to lovemaking that quickened her heartbeat and made her skin bead with sweat.
That charming and considerate soldier perished, and all her companions could think about was how lucky they were to have saved her. Their arrogance turned her stomach so much that she refused her portion of their meager rations.
As they prepared to retire for the
evening, Olivia approached. “Do you want to talk?”
She sighed. “Not really.”
“You know I’m going to talk to you anyway, right?”
She motioned for her to sit beside her.
Olivia took her hand. She was glad it was not the one holding the vial. “I understand what you saw in Drox.”
“Under all that death and vile magic, it was him.”
Olivia gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Then we did the best thing possible – free him so that he may move on to his next life.”
It pained her to think of his soul being trapped in that decaying body.
Olivia leaned back against the ground. “You should try to rest, dear. Come here.”
She relented, resting her head against Olivia’s chest. “It’s so cold.”
Olivia held her. “At least we have the fire.”
“I loved two men, and now both are gone.”
Olivia stroked her hair. “We don’t know about Cadrin. He may yet have escaped.”
“I hope.”
She appreciated Olivia’s efforts to calm her, but no one would ever understand. Olivia was merely a citizen of Lahara – she had no responsibility for its citizens’ welfare.
Narelle stayed awake, resisting the hypnotic effect of Olivia’s steady heartbeat, until a slight snore escaped her friend’s lips. She stood, taking care not to disturb her, and walked alone into the frozen landscape.
When she was far enough away to not be seen or heard by her companions, she closed her eyes and concentrated on communicating with Vorea. She uncorked the amber vial and poured a few drops on the snow, sending a tremendous plume of steam into the air. A faint image of the High Priestess formed in the rolling fog.
Vorea leveled a keen stare. “Who is this?”
“I am Narelle.”
Vorea tilted her head. “Narelle?”
“Wife of Cadrin, the mayor of Lahara.”
“Former mayor.”
Vorea’s dismissive attitude angered her, but that would not serve her. Charm magic required her to be in person, so manipulation was the only way to restore her city.
“My friends killed Drox.”
“Was he a walking corpse bent on eating all living flesh in his path?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “But—”
“What did you expect them to do?” Vorea asked.
She bit her tongue. “We could have saved him.”
Vorea snarled her nose. “Why? He was incompetent.”
“I…” She caught herself, then took a deep breath and repressed her anger. “My friends don’t trust me.”
“Some friends,” Vorea replied. “I’m confused. What does this have to do with me?”
“I can help you.”
“You? Help me?” Vorea rolled her eyes. “This is tiresome.” She walked away.
“These friends will soon reunite with Niv’leana.”
Vorea stopped.
“What do you want?”
“I want an end to the siege of Lahara,” she said.
“You would sell them out to get what you want?”
“In a heartbeat. As you said, they aren’t my friends.”
A wicked smile crossed Vorea’s face. “I can respect that.”
“What must I do?”
“Kill Niv’leana.”
“She has the amulet. It won’t be easy.”
Vorea sighed. “Not with magic. A dagger would do the trick. Just get close to her.”
“And in return, you will end the occupation of Lahara?”
Vorea touched her lip. “I will expel the undead army and install you as mayor, but only if you agree to rule the city as I see fit. You must pledge an oath of loyalty to me.”
She knew promises could be broken.
“Get them out of my city, and I’ll dispose of Niv’leana.”
Vorea shook her head. “Not so fast. I will require proof my cousin is dead.”
“Fine.”
“Do you have more of the communication potion with you?”
“I do.”
“If you wish to save your city, next time we talk you’ll show me Niv’leana’s rotting corpse.”
Chapter 61
Dailen nudged Niv. “You will soon have company.”
She was so engrossed in her reading she didn’t notice. He put his hand on her shoulder. “Did you hear me?”
She struggled to adjust her focus. Her eyes were strained. “Company?”
“They’re climbing the mountain now.”
“Who?”
Dailen nodded toward the door. “Why don’t you go see?”
She tightened her cloak and walked into the cold. Even in the long shadows of the afternoon sun she was forced to squint.
I’ve been cooped up far too long.
She walked to the ridgeline. “I don’t see anyone.”
Dailen pointed to a cluster of rocks about half a league down the hill. “There.”
She wiped her eyes and tried again to no avail.
She extended her palm and concentrated on a brass scope her uncle used for surveying. She envisioned its well-worn, tarnished exterior, its hefty weight, and the metallic smell of brass. She waved her other hand above her palm and conjured a telescope just like the one she remembered from her childhood.
She scanned the terrain with her newly created scope and spotted some hikers near the location Dailen had indicated. Even her slightest movement disrupted the view, but she steadied it long enough to know it was her friends. The sight of a tall, dark-haired woman in a long black dress quickened her pulse.
“She’s here!” She looked at Dailen. “They’re here!”
The magic that held the conjured item waned with her lack of focus. The telescope faded before she could hand it to him. She ran down the hill, gliding over the difficult terrain with ease. Dailen cautioned to mind her step, but safety was the furthest thing from her mind. Her legs couldn’t carry her fast enough. She called out to them when they were within earshot, but they didn’t increase their pace. Frasie walked with a limp and her steps slowed. Aiden steadied her and paused to apparently catch his breath and rest his own injured body.
Cold air burned Niv’s lungs as she increased her speed. They were alive. “I’m coming!”
Large rips crisscrossed Frasie and Aiden’s clothes and bruises and partially-healed cuts covered their exposed skin. Narelle’s tattered, low-cut nightgown and flimsy cloak couldn’t have protected her from the elements. She might as well have been naked.
Farius and an unknown female companion fared the best of the group yet were clearly exhausted.
Niv pinned her gaze to the target she most wanted to reach. “Shareis!”
No response. Shareis gave a blank stare that raised the hairs on her skin, even though the sight of her seemingly unhurt lover warmed her insides and propelled her across the last stretch of rocky terrain.
She closed the distance between them and pressed herself against her warm body. Shareis’s fingers touched her face. “I’m so glad you’re safe, Niv.”
“I’ve been safe, thanks to you. And I have missed you…” She searched her face. “But something is wrong. What is—”
Shareis’s demanding kiss stopped her words. Niv leaned into the embrace and parted her lips. Passion overtook her and banished all thought of those who stood nearby. “I am sorry,” she said, as she forced herself to pull away. “It’s not like me to be so… uh…”
Farius stepped forward and smiled. “There is no need. I believe we all understand.”
She smoothed her wind-blown hair. “I have been worried sick about all of you.”
“We are fine, Niv’leana,” Farius replied.
Narelle and the dark-haired woman approached.
“Do we all get such a warm welcome?” Narelle’s companion asked.
Her cheeks warmed as delayed embarrassment took hold.
“This is my friend Olivia,” Narelle said.
Olivia curtsied. “Pleased to meet
you, High Priestess.”
She clutched the amulet. “I am not the High Priestess.”
“I know precisely who you are, Niv’leana. I avoid wishing for things to come true.” She waved her hand toward the sky. “You must tell the universe what you want and be direct about it.”
“Agreed,” she replied. “I am honored you wish for me to be High Priestess.”
“Olivia is great, Niv,” Frasie said. “You’ll like her.”
She noted the lack of spark in Frasie’s eyes. “You called me Niv.”
“Sorry,” she replied.
She embraced Frasie. “There’s no need to apologize.”
“We have much to discuss,” Farius said.
“You must be starving,” she said.
“We are, but we’re too tired to care,” Aiden replied.
“Well, we have plenty to eat and drink,” she said. “Want some hot chocolate, Frasie?”
A glimmer briefly returned to Frasie’s eyes. “Sounds good.”
“With cinnamon?”
Frasie nodded.
She motioned toward the top of the hill. “Then follow me.”
Before they took more than a few steps, Frasie turned back to her. “Oh, Nivvy, you’ll have to take Shareis’s hand and help her. She’s blind.”
She stopped in her tracks.
Of course. The vacant stare.
“Shareis?”
Farius put his hand on Frasie’s shoulder. “We will go on ahead.”
“What happened?” she asked.
Shareis turned away. “I… I am hesitant to talk about it.”
“Why?” She put her hands on Shareis’s face and turned her head to her. “You know what? it doesn’t matter. There’s no need to relive that trauma. Is it something I can heal?”
“Yes.”
She channeled healing energy through her hands and into Shareis’s eyes. A warm glow surrounded her hands and permeated Shareis’s head. She thought it odd there was no resistance from infection or injury. She intuitively knew the wound was emotional rather than physical, but this made no sense. She shoved aside analysis and focused on her restorative magic. When she felt enough energy had been absorbed, she removed her hands.
Shareis’s long lashes twitched as she tried to open her eyes. She smiled and embraced Niv. “Thank you,” she said in a broken voice. “I’ll forever treasure my first sight – your beautiful blue eyes.” She hugged her. “Oh, I have missed you.”
Niv'leana Page 25