“Let her go, High Priest,” Jalomar ordered.
The dark Vespa scoffed. “I've no desire to, nor can you force it. You see, you are in no position to make demands. But I am…and I do. Move clear and allow me safe passage.”
Jalomar gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. Why would Azer request such a boon? He had the ability to travel with a mere thought. He assessed the Vespian and noticed a slight tremble in his grip. Weakness. Could it be his newfound dark majik had limits and he’d used it up? The weary look upon Azer’s face confirmed Jalomar’s suspicion. Jalomar reaffirmed his stance. “Nay. You will not leave here with the woman. Or alive.”
“I think I will,” Azer replied.
“I have at least fifty men outside this chamber right now should you make it past me.”
“Moot point. I could merely slit your auntie’s throat, and take her light and majik for my own.”
“You won't.”
Azer dug the blade deeper into Cynthe's neck, producing a fresh trickle of blood.
Jalomar growled deep in his throat, but ultimately lowered his sword. “Nay. Cease!”
Azer beamed his amusement. “What's the matter, Lord Jalomar? Did you really believe I would make threats I could not abide by? Foolish human.”
“Then what was the point of giving your light for her if you're going to take the life you saved?”
“That was when my weak soul cared.”
“Why do you want her now? Do you plan to kill her?”
Azer’s tongue ran the length of Cynthe’s cheek. She cringed at the unwelcomed assault. “I have no plan to kill her. Consider this a payment arrangement for serviced rendered, if you will.”
Cynthe gasped. Azure eyes begged Jalomar for help.
Jalomar weighed the odds in his head. He had little doubt Azer would kill her where she stood. But he had to take the chance he could distract the high priest long enough for Cynthe to wiggle free. Jalomar threw his head back, let loose a bloodcurdling battle cry, and lunged.
Cynthe screamed. Her aura expanded and encompassed everything in a blinding flash. “I'm sorry!” her voice echoed in the wake of the beams.
Jalomar blinked against the whiteness. When his sight returned enough to make out some detail, he found the room empty—Cynthe and Azer had vanished. Damn the Vespa. She had saved Azer and denied Jalomar his revenge.
A faint glow coming from outside caught his attention. He peered out the window, preparing himself to see Ramona’s broken corpse. The light masked the ground and blocked his direct view. Nay…can it be? He dared to hope for a miracle as he ran from the bedchamber.
Every freaking bone hurt as Ramona came to. The memory of the fall hit, and her body instinctively tensed as she relived the moment of impact. Dry gravel scratched her palms as she felt the ground around her. She brought a shaky hand to her head and inspected it for wounds. Nothing. Not even a bump. She stared up at the window, dumbfounded. It had to be at least a twenty-five feet fall. Oh shit. “I’m freaking dead,” she whispered.
“Nay. You are very much alive, Maiden.”
“Who is that?” Ramona managed to sit up despite the intense throbbing of her extremities. “Hello?”
A pale glow illuminated the castle’s wall; a cloaked figure approached from within. “Cynthe?”
“Aye.” She lowered her hood. “I have shared with you my light and saved you. As was always ordained.”
Tears filled Ramona’s eyes. “I don’t understand. Does that mean…are you…the prophesy said you had to die…”
Cynthe shook her head no, smiling as bright as the light surrounding her. “I am very much alive. With Azer’s interference, a new path has been chosen to fulfil my part. Simply know your time is not yet done, Ramona. May your fire grow ever stronger as you prepare for the final battle. You have done your duty, and it is now my turn. We shall meet again. Of this I am certain.” She faded into nothingness.
“Wait! I have questions! You can’t just bring me back to life and then leave me!”
“Ramona!”
The sound of her of name ringing through the dark courtyard generated pure euphoria; adrenaline renewed her strength. She sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Vespa and Cynthe before shouting out. “Jalomar? I’m here!” She tried to stand, but shaking limbs refused to support her weight. “Over here!”
Jalomar damn dear plowed into her. He lifted her up and cradled her against his chest, sprinkling kisses across her entire face before claiming her lips. “How is this possible? Forget it. I don’t care. Thank the Vespa!”
A stampede of boots followed a minute behind. Jalomar turned around with her in his arms. His men erupted into wild cheers as they spotted a smiling Ramona. “Yep. Thank the Vespa.” She giggled into Jalomar’s neck. “You can put me down now.”
Reluctantly, he set her on her feet, an arm wrapped around her waist for support. She leaned into him and placed a hand over his beating heart. It pulsed beneath her palm in frantic rhythm, as if he’d just finished running a marathon. She smiled up at him knowingly. Her heart was no stranger to a hyperactive beat when he was near—despite their problematic history. Ramona tilted her head back and stared up at him with a guilty smile. It was time they put their differences aside and learned to compromise. If not for the sake of their own relationship and undeniable newfound love, but for their daughter. “I’m sorry for all the crap I’ve put you through, Lord Jalomar. Can we start over again?”
Jalomar pulled her into his arms. He grinned as he lowered his lips to hers. “You may call me Jalo.”
The End
Afterword
Dear Reader,
I hope you’ve enjoyed Ramona and Jalomar’s tale! But the story doesn’t end here, not by far. Be on the lookout this year for Book Two: Maiden of Light. The saga continues!
About the Author
When Ishabelle Torry stole Warrior’s Lady by Madeline Baker from her mother’s glass “no-no” cabinet at the age of fourteen, she had no idea that it would be the start of a love affair with romance that would last a lifetime… so far! She loved the escapism from the real world, the strong and relatable characters and the powerful concept of love conquering all. Even having these books confiscated at school couldn’t cool her passion for them, and she swore that one day she would also write the kinds of stories that kept people turning the pages no matter where they were!
Since then, she’s found her own sexy “happily ever after” and added some beautiful children to the mix. Her writing skills have been honed and her own “no-no” cabinet now contains stories that she herself has crafted.
You can find Ishabelle on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/IshabelleTorry
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