by LJ Rivers
The crowd went mute; all heads turned to me.
Inhaling deeply, I squared my shoulders and closed the distance between me and the Talani leaders.
“Queen Ruby of Avalon!” Naheena announced, giving me a hand onto the stage.
Zuwar fixed me with a stone-cold stare, while the fox took a step backward. The bear crossed his arms and retreated to the edge of the podium with his mate.
“Good to see you again, Naheena.” I inclined my head, noticing Naheena’s mate, Evonny, in the crowd. She grinned and pointed to her head, mouthing something, then ruffling her dark locks. I took it to mean she liked my new style.
“Rumour has it you went back,” Naheena whispered as she came in for an embrace.
I hugged her tight. “Couldn’t very well up and leave.”
She released me and gave me a gentle push to the front of the podium. The crowd of Shifters waited patiently, staring at me with wide eyes.
It wasn’t my first time in the spotlight, but facing the Shifters of Talani gave me a sense of stage fright. These were strong and wilful Magicals, and they were clearly divided. It didn’t matter if they were, as I needed as many as I could get on my team. Glancing at Zuwar, I thought back to Pullhelli’s words a few moments earlier. He was the man I needed to convince. Collecting myself, I pushed my shoulders back and assumed the best Morgana impression in my arsenal.
“Changelings of Talani, I am here to ask for your help. Auberon now sits on the Avalonian throne, but it does not belong to him. If I believed his rule would make this world prosper, I would not ask, but I have seen the future. Naheena is right, he will eventually come here, but that fact aside, his reign will bring the end of life in Gwyn Fanon.” I inhaled deeply, spreading my arms. “The light will not return as long as my father is in power, and I am saddened to say that I see nothing but darkness ahead. With or without you, I will march on Avalen. I would prefer the former. You are fierce and strong, and I know that with you by my side, we will stand a chance at defeating him.”
“Lies,” a deep voice thundered from the crowd. A man stood, tall and muscular, with auburn, wild hair sweeping around his head to merge with his beard like a lion’s mane.
“I would not lie to you.” I stared into his honey-coloured eyes. “What is your name?”
He sneered. “I am Dionidas Lobell, and I command the Lantani pride, the largest lion pride in this realm or any other.” He stepped forward with a heavy gait, parting the sea of spectators until he stood at the very front, his canines extending at the corners of his mouth. “You want to rule, so you’ll say whatever you have to,” the man growled, his voice carrying as if amplified by one of Morgana’s speaker horns. “We own this land, and my lions will not bleed on Avalonian soil for a princess with a Morgana complex. You’re not even from here. No, my lions and I will not join your quest for power. King Auberon has claim to the throne upon which he sits, and while he has illusioned himself the king of Gwyn Fanon, he will never rule Talani.”
I sighed. “I respect your decision, Dionidas. However, I’m not lying. One of my gifts is that of Truesight, and I swear on my ancestors that my word is the truth. That being said, I will not demand anyone go to war who does not wish to be a part of this.”
Pullhelli made it to the stage. He lingered beside Dionidas for a while, the two men sizing each other up. Compared to the lion, my great-uncle looked like a stick figure. The old man tilted his chin at the lion, then disappeared into Dionidas’ shadow, only to reappear in Zuwar’s.
“If I may?”
I motioned with my hand for Pullhelli to speak.
“We came here expecting you to doubt our queen’s words.”
“She’s not our queen,” someone shouted.
“Be that as it may, she is mine.” Pullhelli chuckled. “I understand your concern, which is why Halwyn the Cropkeeper provided us with something that might give some of you peace of mind. Or at the very least the opportunity to learn the truth for yourselves.” He retrieved a vial from somewhere in his sleeve and held it up to the light. The emerald pearls worked like tiny prisms, breaking the glow of the flames into all colours of the rainbow. “Beads of reverie.”
Naheena moved closer, eyeing the vial. “A legend,” she murmured.
“And yet, I hold it in my hand.”
I briefly touched Pullhelli’s shoulder. “We would like to offer the beads of reverie to any of the leaders here who want to see what I have seen. I must warn you, however, that the vision is painful. It haunts me in my dreams, and in my every waking moment. In addition to that, once you take this potion, you should know that you will be replacing this new knowledge with an older memory, and there is no way of telling which memory you’ll lose.”
“I believe you,” Naheena whispered, then raised her voice. “The queen has given us a lot to consider. I propose we feast now, giving our leaders some time to mull this over. The queen and her company will stay in my hut for the time being, and you may visit her there if you wish to accept her offer.”
Zuwar narrowed his gaze at me. “Very well. We will proceed with our discussion in the morning.”
As the crowd stirred, their attention turned elsewhere, the packmaster grabbed my wrist. “I will come to Naheena’s hut in half an awr.”
I paced the space of Naheena’s hut. Jen, Erica, and Jack were murmuring with each other, likely catching up on all that had happened since we last saw them. They had sat down around Naheena’s table along with Brendan and Pullhelli, but I couldn’t sit. I was too wound up. No one had come by yet, and I was beginning to think no one would.
The door swung open, and I stopped in my tracks, ready to greet the wolf packmaster. Instead, two welcome figures entered the room. Their hands were clasped together, both of them sporting an equally wide grin. My heart did a somersault in my chest.
“Charlie! Rowan!”
“Miss us?” Charlie asked.
I bolted forward and flung my arms around them. “So, so much.” I sighed. “I’m so glad you made it here.”
“Told you I would keep her safe.” Rowan took a step back, nodding to the people at the table. “Good to see all of you.”
“Man, have we got stuff to tell you,” Charlie said. “You’re not going to believe what—”
The door swung open again, and Zuwar Gwyll stepped into the room. He shifted his gaze around, then lumbered to the table and pulled a chair out, placing his chest against the backrest as he sat.
“I have spoken with my mate and advisors. They do not want me to take you up on your offer. Mayra even went as far as to say we should go back home tonight.”
My heart sank, and I excused myself from Rowan and Charlie to approach Zuwar. I took a chair and sat opposite him. “Mayra?”
“My mate for the past twenty winters.”
“I see. Since you have yet to leave, you must still have questions. What can I do to convince you?”
The wolf licked his teeth, his nostrils flaring. “My people have suffered immensely since the Fall of Light. It is increasingly harder to hunt, but it is hardest on our youngest. Our newborns and toddlers struggle, and too many do not make it through their first year.” A low raspy sound issued from somewhere deep in his throat. “We need the light to return if we are to survive. Can you give us that?”
I closed my eyes for a moment, then met his piercing green gaze. “I’m sorry, but I cannot.”
“Then we have nothing more to discuss.” He began to rise.
“Please, hear me out. If Auberon stays on my throne, the light will not return. I do not know if I’ll be able to return it, but I will do everything in my power to do so.”
“A maybe beats a definite, does it not?” Rowan interjected.
Zuwar didn’t look away from me, but settled back on the chair. “What makes you think you can do this if the Sorcerer king cannot?”
“Because I am his daughter, but I am also of Morgana’s blood. My heart does not yearn for power. Like Morgana, my only wish is for my peop
le to be safe. If my father stays on the throne, Gwyn Fanon is doomed, and I don’t want that. It might not be his intention either, but he will bring upon the end of this world whether he wants to or not because he is unable to see the errors of his ways.”
“And you are?”
“I know my faults, packmaster. I’m certainly not without flaws, but I will fight to the death if it means there is a chance for my people to see the light again.”
“I will lose a memory?”
“It could be something small, or it could be something monumental. I’m sorry I cannot tell you which.”
He stared at me for a long time, his dark brows furrowed.
I waited, holding my breath.
“Sorcerer,” Zuwar growled, reaching out his hand while keeping his focus on me. “The beads.”
Pullhelli’s eyebrows rose to his hairline, and he quickly retrieved the vial. “Cup,” he mumbled.
Jen strode across the room and found a ceramic teacup. She proceeded to fill it with water, and Pullhelli tilted the vial over it. Two pearls escaped the lip and fell into the cup. Gently, Jen gave it to Zuwar. Once in his hand, his fist closed around it, and he downed the contents in one gulp. Having some experience with this, I reached out and took the cup from him before he could drop it, then handed it back to Jen.
As with Galahad, Zuwar’s body went rigid. His green eyes were quickly veiled with tears, and the harsh expression he had carried melted into the face of a man in pain. His canines extended and the rest of his gleaming white teeth sharpened as he opened his mouth in a muted scream. Fur sprouted along his jawline and down his throat to his chest until he was somewhere between man and wolf. Hot rivers painted his cheeks. His back arched, and the silent scream turned into a furious howl, threatening to bring down the roof. He thrashed in place, his knuckles whitening as he clung to the edges of the backrest. Darkness descended in his irises before he closed his eyes. His body slumped against the chair, and his eyelids fluttered open. His face was wet, beads of perspiration and tears glinting on his coffee-coloured skin.
“You have my allegiance, Queen Ruby,” he said in a gasp. He gulped down air while wiping his face with the palms of his hands. His body slowly morphed back to the man as his breathing slowed. “I will help in any way I can. My wolves are yours, but I have no control over the other Changelings. The bears and birds don’t listen to me, and I think it’s safe to say you can forget about the lions. They are simply too proud to be convinced after Dionidas’ words in front of everyone. I do have some sway with Fernan and his foxes, and I will talk with some of the other leaders present.”
He stood, testing his legs for a moment. “There are others I can talk to, as well. I think it’s safe to say that you will leave Talani with hundreds of Changelings added to your army, Queen Ruby.” He crossed the floor and paused by the threshold. “We have to change the future.”
“Thank you, Zuwar. Your wolves are a most valuable addition to my army.” I inclined my head at him. “I’m sure your mate will be happy to have you back now, and I hope she won’t be too upset about your decision.”
He slanted his head and cupped a hand on his chin. “My mate?”
Chapter Eighteen
Jen and I entered the northern part of the glade, where the bear leaders had gathered for their evening meal. Three carcasses—I suspected deer—were roasting over dark red embers in the centre. I was glad they had chosen to dine as humans, meaning I wouldn’t have to watch them feast on raw meat.
There were ten in all, sitting in a semi-circle around the bonfire. I assumed they represented various bear clans in Talani. My mouth twitched into half a smile as my dad’s voice whispered in my head that the correct term was a sleuth of bears. I decided to keep my linguistic exercise to myself. No matter what they were called, I hoped I could convince them to fight alongside me.
In the middle, on a fallen tree trunk, sat the couple I had seen earlier. Ten sets of eyes followed us as we approached them.
“Welcome, Your Majesty,” the loin-clothed man said. “I was wondering when you would come.”
“Thank you.” I hesitated, trying to recall if I had heard his name before.
“My name is Anfaddol the Fearless,” he said, as if he had read my mind. “And this is my mate, Seren the Merciful.” The bear Shifter chuckled, which caused his impressive belly to wobble. “I only wish that side of her could come to my benefit more often.”
Laughter spread around the other bear Shifters.
“Oh, be quiet, you big honeypot,” his mate said. She motioned for Jen and me to sit. Although she was close to seven feet tall, she reminded me of Mari back in Perllanafal, and how she would mockingly scold Rhys, her bear husband. Like Mari, Seren’s words were flavoured with love.
“This is Jen,” I said, “leader of the Lune pack, and one of my closest friends.”
Seren stood and turned one of the spits with a deer halfway around. Fat dripped into the embers, causing them to flare up. “And you have pledged your pack to the queen’s army, is it so, Jen of Lune?”
Jen cleared her throat. “We are a small pack, but we are dedicated to bringing the Avalonian throne back to the Avalonian people.”
“Will you give your life for the cause?”
“If need be,” Jen replied.
Seren tore a piece of meat off the carcass, sniffed it and put it in her mouth, smacking her tongue. “A few moments more.”
“You are here to show me your vision,” Anfaddol said.
“If you wish,” I replied. “It might help you decide which path is best for you and your people.”
The giant man leaned back and inhaled deeply. His gaze drifted to the clear evening sky. “Come closer, Ruby of Morgana.” He raised his left hand and pointed to the sky. “Lean in, so you can follow the line of my finger.”
I did, feeling his warm, hairy arm on my chin. A sharp scent of pine found its way up my nose, and for a moment I feared I would sneeze. The feeling passed, though, and I located the tip of his finger with my gaze, then turned my eyes up.
“You see them? The three stars that sit so close they look like one?”
I did see them, a triangle of white dots. “Mhm.”
“The three bears,” Anfaddol said. “The one on the top left is the father, Gall Riau. His name means the sensible king in the ancient tongue. Below him, the smallest of the three, is the cub, Adellia—the righteous child. And then there’s the mother, to the right.”
“The biggest star is the mother?” I asked.
“The answer lies within your question.”
“I see. A nice sentiment to mothers. What’s that star called?”
He lowered his arm and sighed contentedly. “Seren. The merciful mother.”
If his mate’s voice had a loving tone to it, it was nothing compared to how the humongous bear voiced her name.
“Bears have looked at the three stars for guidance ever since the dawn of time. Tonight, I have asked the sensible king, the merciful mother, and the righteous child what to do.”
I waited as the man stared at the triangle of white dots.
“Gurian?” he finally asked.
“Here,” a low, growling voice responded from behind the roasting deer.
“Tell me what you learned from the wolves.”
A man approached, clad in the same kind of loin cloth as Anfaddol. “Zuwar took the beads of reverie.”
Anfaddol grunted. “I guessed he would. Did he see her vision?”
Gurian hesitated, his eyes shifting from Anfaddol to Seren, and then to me. “He did.” His dark golden gaze stayed on mine. “And now he doesn’t recognise his mate.”
Seren gasped. “Poor Mayra,” she whispered.
I nodded. “As I said, there is a price to pay for anyone who looks into my vision, and unfortunately, Zuwar paid a costly one.”
Mayra had taken it much better than I had feared, swearing to the memory of Gwyn Tala herself that she would make Zuwar remember why he had fallen in lov
e with her. I didn’t doubt for a second that she would be able to sweep him off his feet again, but at the same time felt horrible for being the cause of their pain. As Jen had said when we walked over here, whatever happened, the experience would leave its mark on the wolves.
“I can’t take that risk,” Anfaddol said through gritted teeth. “Not because I fear losing my love for Seren. There is no magic strong enough to take that from me.”
His mate put her hand on top of his and squeezed it gently.
“It could be that you just forget the name of a mountain or a village,” Jen offered quietly. “That would be a small price to pay for a glimpse of what awaits the realm, wouldn’t you agree?”
“And what guarantee do I have that whatever is in that vision is the actual truth?”
I started to reply, but he held his palm up.
“You said earlier that there is nothing but darkness in our future.”
“I did, and that is what I saw.”
He pondered it for a while, biting his lip. “As far as I know, you are of Morgana’s blood, and Pullhelli trusts you, facts that carry a lot of weight. On the other hand, if what you saw in your vision is the truth, then it means you won’t win the war against Auberon. You will fail to overthrow him, will you not?”
“Not necessarily. My vision is one of many possible futures.” I could only hope that was true. If not, the bear Shifter was right, and the war was already lost. No matter what he believed, I had to trust my vision could be avoided.
“My deepest apologies, Ruby of Morgana, but I can’t risk the lives of several hundred bears based on not necessarily.”
My shoulders slumped. “I urge you to reconsider. As my ma would say: sleep on it. Your mind will be clearer in the morning, and you might see another path for you and your people.”
“My decision is final,” Anfaddol said. “I wish you good fortune in your quest, and although my clans and I are neutral in this conflict, I sympathise with your claim. Should you succeed, I will be more than happy to work with you in upholding peace in the realm.” He pointed at the deer, which a few of the other Shifters had taken off the spits and placed on slabs of stone in front of us. “You are welcome to join us.”