Ky ate the rest of the soup, and then Zevera commanded her to wash the pot, ladle, and sporks in the stream. When she started back to the hut, Ky froze, because in the mossy yard were two creatures grazing on small tufts of leafy stems in the garden.
The ten-foot-tall creatures had long frail-looking bony legs with no muscle on them. Two bony plates protruded from their shoulder blades. They ate peacefully, even as Ky drew near.
“I wouldn’t get too close if I were you,” Zevera warned. “Nitias are not mild-mannered. Then again, we wouldn’t travel on something meek in the forest while I’m not using magic.”
“What will they do if I come close?”
“Tear you apart with its claws.” Zevera spoke as if challenging Ky to be overly brave, but she stepped back, putting distance between her and the nitias. “Honestly, child, I’ve followed you from the City of Sterlings. Have you learned nothing since then? I don’t like questions as much as I dislike you. You killed my son. I’ll slaughter you, dissect you with pleasure, and hoard your body parts until I find use for every inch of you! I’ll take you to my son, prove to him that the prophecy is at hand, and then murder you with my bare hands. Hopefully, Cobaaron will follow you, and I can kill you both. He’s a callous warrior. I’m surprised he’s capable of feeling anything for you. But I had a vision of you both in Rathe’s castle. He will come for you; I’m counting on it. Then I will kill you both!”
Ky’s anger boiled, because Zevera threatened Cobaaron’s life. She felt like she could rip Zevera apart. Ky shook with rage and snapped, “He’ll come, and when he does, he will kill you. He’s fought witches before and killed them. He will do the same to you!”
Zevera cackled. “I’m Zevera the Untouchable. I’ve yet to lose a single challenge. I’d be worried about your own life, child, not mine. No mere man will destroy me. Don’t mistake my actions of keeping you alive as weakness. I’ll kill you as soon as I can, and in the most terrifying way possible. I’ve seen how you look at me; I see the dread in your eyes. I’ll soon discover your greatest fear and I’ll destroy you. Your heart will stop from fright. I prefer watching death that way. After what you did to my son, I thirst for vengeance and will wait until the opportune moment to rip off your cloak and see your light flicker out. Make no mistake, child; I keep you alive only to kill you.”
Ky said nothing. She stared into Zevera’s red eyes. In that moment, Ky was strong, remembering a great hope. She was glad Cobaaron shared the prophecy. It gave her strength and comfort to know she would survive. Whether or not she was tortured or spent long years away from Cobaaron she didn’t know, but she knew she would continue on. They would make it to the City of Lights. It gave her courage to smugly say, “Shall we depart?”
“Such insolence,” Zevera yelled, and her eyes churned from red to a solid black. A blazing whip of fire appeared from ash and smoke. Zevera cracked the whip; Ky twisted and was flogged. Ky crumpled to the floor by the force but the bludgeoning didn’t rend her skin. Her magic clothes saved the flesh of her back, but Zevera didn’t stop. Frenzied in her anger, she struck Ky again and again. The severe sting of the whip made Ky scream with each thrash. She was sure the beating would leave her bruised. She sobbed as Zevera guffawed with high spirits from the cruelty. “Don’t…tempt…me…to…use…my…energy…to…whip…you…into…submission. If…you…mock…me…again, I’ll…beat…you…with…pleasure, and…stay…another…day….” With each word, Ky received another lash, until she was weak.
Ky curled on the floor, racked with pain. She wished she wasn’t so defenseless against magic. Having no enchantments to combat a witch, it wasn’t a fair fight. Ky’s character weakened until she was depressed and submissive, deciding it best to keep quiet. Yet, Zevera whipped her furiously, and ranted about her son’s death until Ky thought she would surely die.
Ky’s low morale showed in her slumped defeat, while Zevera gloated and told her the flogging was a lesson. Ky held her breath, wishing for the beating to end. Eventually it did. “Are you silent?” Zevera asked and waited a full minute. When Ky didn’t reply, Zevera crowed in triumph. “That is better.” Zevera waved a hand and the two nitias lazily crouched. Their tall legs folded under as they waited. “Now climb onto its back, and we will travel to Rathe’s castle.”
Ky did as she was told, though she could barely move. Her back was bruised and excruciatingly tender. The movement of her dress rubbing against her skin was so painful she cried. Yet she followed Zevera to the patch in the garden where the creatures lay. Ky cautiously followed Zevera’s lead while seeking permission to approach. After slowly drawing near and the nitia ignored them for consent, Ky flung a leg over its back, and practically collapsed. The pale pink skin had velvety peach fuzz. Even the bony plates that Ky gripped were soft. When the nitia stood, Ky nearly toppled over its head because the creature’s long legs bucked her forward when it stretched its hind legs. Ky gripped the plates harder, and then she was rocked back, nearly sliding off the rump. The nitia took a few wobbly steps, apparently not use to carrying a human. Their stride was unsteady. Ky leaned forward until laying level on the creature. She simply didn’t want her thrashed, aching back to move if she could help it. Before Ky felt stable, both nitias ran.
The long strides weren’t smooth. To keep from falling, Ky flattened against its plates and squeezed her legs to keep from sliding. Within seconds, they crossed the glade. They quickly traverse open land by the edge of the forest, buzzing past trees so quickly Ky thought they would crash.
They hugged the tree line, sprinted along a stream until it merged with a river, and then wound along a deep gully. The current soon spilled into the canal. On the opposite side, waterfalls filled the deep gorge. Ky was yards behind Zevera when she saw a black streak from the corner of her eye. The beast stealthily moved faster than the nitias and zigzagged between trees.
Before Ky could discern features, the animal veered out of the forest and collided with Zevera; they toppled over the edge of the gully. More beasts ran from the forest. All at once Ky levitated, and a moment later her nitia was pummeled in the ribs. A herd of huge bear-like beasts roared as they pursued. These creatures were faster and twice as big as a Grizzly. Zevera was nowhere in sight, but Ky hovered until the last of the herd leaped over the cliff. Then she slumped to the earth.
“Ky,” Cobaaron yelled. Wyt, Noxis, Tyrus and Ambrosia were with him. They ran toward her. Ky hurried to her feet, ready to run to him, but he immediately commanded her to drop.
Ky looked over her shoulder as she followed Cobaaron’s demand and saw Zevera behind her. Zevera looked ghostly. She held her wand aloft, ready to duel. She shrieked: “Cobaaron, you come for Ky, but I’ve taken your partner’s blood and she’s under my control. If you want to see her again, you can follow us, but she is mine. She leaves with me.”
Just then, Ambrosia threw a glass orb at Ky, which shattered midair. Sparks burst over Ky. She felt the force of control lift as golden steam evaporated from her pores. The five continued to run for Ky; Cobaaron was at her side in seconds and stepped between Zevera and Ky.
“Ky belongs to me. Your stunt has marked you a dead woman. You made this personal,” Cobaaron threatened fearlessly, glaring at the eerie witch. Ky cowered behind him.
“Your threats mean nothing. Your arrogance to magic is laughable.”
“Yet you don’t end this now?” Cobaaron bellowed. “Fight me! It’s your move, Zevera.”
Zevera’s ghostly silhouette vanished in a whirlwind of bats and crows.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ky stared at Cobaaron. She never appreciated him as much as she did that moment. He rescued her from a captivity that terrified her. She was no longer in harm’s way, and his hands never felt so reassuring. His tight grip set her fears at ease. He squeezed her back too hard and she winced and let out a small pained cry.
“What is it?”
“She whipped me. Please, don’t touch my back,” Ky whimpered. He immediately loosened his hold, but shi
elded her with his body needlessly.
Ky had no idea how frightened she was until Zevera was gone, and she was safely in Cobaaron’s arms. As if she finally acknowledged her mortality, she cried. She dropped her head to his chest, and silently wished he could hug her without pain. Cobaaron put an arm around her, uncertain where he could touch her. “Bring Huntra, and tell the men we move out. We’ll reach the lodgings in the woods late, and rest for the night.”
“Yes.” Noxis bowed.
Cobaaron hugged Ky’s neck closer to him as she cried. “Love, it’s over.”
“But it’s not. Even if we don’t die, this week was proof how terrible this could get.”
“I’ll always find you—always,” Cobaaron vowed. His voice was low and soft, for her ears only. He dropped his forehead to hers. He took a deep breath, obviously pleased they were together again; he lifted her chin so she could look him in the eye to see his sincerity. “I’ll come for you.”
He was about to wipe her tears away, but Ky was knocked to the ground and trampled by her large snow tiger. She flinched, but Huntra purred and nudged her hand. The last thing she wanted was to be forced into doing something. “Don’t push me around, Huntra!” she snapped harshly. Huntra persisted to prod his nose to her hand until she complied.
“Cobaaron, she moves to Rathe’s castle,” Wyt warned, “and we have only a narrow window while she’s sick from Ky’s blood before she decides to leave for the curing springs. She’s weakened from transporting magically to the castle. A few days, as she rests, is all we have. You mustn’t linger!”
“Then we head out,” Cobaaron replied. “Just one more thing...Ambrosia…”
“Yes, my King.” Ambrosia approached them with her wand extended. Cobaaron hoisted Ky to her feet. But Huntra continued demanding her attention by bumping her with his cold wet nose.
Cobaaron squeezed Ky’s hand tightly, as Ambrosia made a circle with her wand over them. A chain-like silver glowing barbwire wrapped around their bodies. “Your fates are now one. You cannot be separated,” Ambrosia said, and the chain vanished. “Your partner can’t be taken from you, Cobaaron; though, you can be taken with her.”
“As long as she’s under my protection,” Cobaaron said, satisfied. “My partner is thin. She needs to eat and sleep. Hunt as we march for shelter, Noxis.”
Huntra grew large enough to toss Ky onto his back. Cobaaron soon followed. The sleeping cart bubbled into a wall around them. There was a thud against the silver box as Tyrus sat on top. His mumbled voice commanded Ambrosia to accompany him.
Cobaaron removed her lynksys, and then put it back on, looking pleased. “Come here, Ky.”
“Why did you do that?” Ky asked looking at her charm necklace.
“I noticed your lynksys. It changes people’s appearance. I had to make sure you were...well you.” Cobaaron gazed at her with a faint gleam of relief. “I’m sure, being a woman you’re ready to cry again, so now that we’re alone I can comfort you.”
“That makes me feel weak because I’m a woman. Any person would feel they’ve been through a lot.”
“Love, you’re not weak. I didn’t mean that. You’re not use to treachery like a warrior. We didn’t become brave overnight. Many men sicken from nerves and heaved after fighting in their first battle, amazed they survived. No, I wouldn’t describe you as weak. But perhaps vulnerable, at least I hope enough to me that you’d use me for your stronghold to let me try to ease your fears.” Cobaaron brushed her hair back with his fingers, and continued to smooth her locks lovingly. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I want to stare at you to make sure it’s really you, I’m really here, and it’s really over. I don’t want to think about anything else. I certainly don’t want to relive it, at least not now.” She unclipped Prism’s small home from her belt, and set it in the corner. Prism zoomed out, happy to be free, and no longer in hiding. Then she zipped out the window.
“Hey,” Cobaaron lifted her chin, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you to the trading territory. It’s just that...Wyt advised me to take that route. I’m furious. I didn’t learn until later that the only reason he wanted to travel through trading territory was so Zevera would take you. He jinxed me so that I wouldn’t ask him to take you from the traders’ realm.
“He said Zevera needed to take your blood. It weakened her. Light corrects all things; light always conquers darkness as good always conquers evil. Her wicked body and mind are deteriorating. Being evil she will not understand how it could defeat her. To defeat the kings, Wyt said it must happen. She had to take your blood. I swear I knew none of this until after we walked into her trap and you were gone.”
“Don’t tell me this. I’m angry with Wyt now. It will be hard to trust him again.”
“I’m mad too, Ky. He thinks only of the prophecies and how to fulfill them, and not of you. Remember, he’s thinking of the greater good. But it’s my job to care for you, and I…” Cobaaron took a deep breath. He rummaged in her things finding the flask of never-ending water, and jerky. “Eat this for now, love. You will feel better.” She drank thirstily, and then ate. He stared at her, unable to look away. Ky knew exactly how he felt, because she too had difficulty taking her eyes off him.
“I love you, Cobaaron.”
He kissed her, expressing the fullness of his love. He broke the kiss and encouraged her to drink more water. She crawled onto his lap and hugged his neck. “If it were possible to die, I thought I might while trapped in that tree. That was terrifying. I kept trying to escape; certain you’d never stop searching for me. But I couldn’t escape the tree for days. She was so terrifying.”
“I’m so sorry, Ky. If I could have crossed her barrier, I’d have come for you. But her hiding places are protected. We couldn’t even see the tree. Wyt is a powerful healer and could sense its presence. Being blind does help him to see what others cannot. Ambrosia could hear the hum of the magic, but no one could see it, and I’m certain you couldn’t see us. We were magically hidden. I’m vowing to you, Ky, I will always come for you. I want to make love to you and state that as a promise so you know the sincerity of my words.” He searched her eyes, begging her to believe. “I’ll always find you.”
“It’s not necessary to promise me, Cobaaron, but I won’t refuse an opportunity to make love. I can’t stand the thought of being separated from you.”
“Ambrosia’s spell sealed us together. I’ll always be close to you, and in the same realm.” He squeezed her, careful not to touch her back. “Sleep Ky, you must be exhausted. I’ll keep you safe.”
“I’ll have nightmares.” Ky shook her head. “Zevera slept with her eyes open, watching me. She was possessed and creepy. No, I’m not tired. I won’t sleep well for days; she continues to haunt me.”
“If you wish I could have Ambrosia make you forget.”
“I’m excellent at not thinking about stuff I don’t want to.”
“Oh, yes, I know,” Cobaaron playfully teased.
“We stopped.” Ky crawled off Cobaaron’s lap. She peeked out the window, but then there was a scratching sound from the roof. Tyrus opened a leaf-shaped door that Ky never saw before.
“Chief?” Tyrus stuck his head into the room, but then the walls dissolved.
Tyrus stood on Huntra’s shoulder blades, pointing to a rock with a gaping hole. “Zevera was heading to a portal, because look where this direction has led us. What do you wish me to do?”
Ky studied the flat upright rock with a chiseled octagon hole in the center. She saw hummingbirds without feathers, and the fleshy curlicue tail entwined around another bird’s tail. A mated couple fluttered to the gaping hole and disappeared with a zap.
“What are those?”
“Pairing birds,” Tyrus answered. “They cling for life.”
“Send in a stud,” Cobaaron instructed. “I want to know where it leads. If he doesn’t return, don’t send another warrior. We’ll walk around.”
Tyrus beckoned and his frie
nd Ram ran up, eager to prove his worth. Tyrus indicated the rock as he ordered, “Enter the portal, and report where it takes you.”
Ram shooed birds as he ducked to enter the octagon. Again the stone sent out a burst of electricity the moment he disappeared. This time the sound was louder, probably due to Ram’s greater mass. They waited for Ram’s return, as the birds hesitantly approached the portal. A minute passed before Tyrus asked, “Should we walk around?”
“Not yet,” Cobaaron insisted. “He could be battling a beast or two. Give him time.”
Ram reappeared bloody but alive; he limped as he ran. He was panting and out of breath when he reported. “There is a colony of patrols with their young. I was under the same moon, but uncertain of my location. I thought maybe the Valley of Charoite, or possibly, I was beyond Kyanite.”
“Either is days closer to Rathe’s castle,” Cobaaron said. “We will pass through. Take a hundred men and scare off the colony of patrols, and see to it that they don’t circle around, returning angry. They’re usually docile creatures and I’d rather not slaughter their young. Don’t show your weapons, and you’ll chase them out of the valley with ease.”
“It will be done, Chief.” Ram bowed. A hundred men poured through the portal as Cobaaron requested. The rest waited until Cobaaron declared they waited long enough, and he was sure they were far from the colony of patrols.
“Whistle for your druse, Ky, or she’ll never find you,” Cobaaron said as Huntra shrank to fit in the gap. Ky called and Prism streaked around as a busy silver light, and then sat on Huntra’s shoulders as she ate pollen from a tiny flower. As if petting was enthralling, Prism stroked Huntra’s fur rhythmically as she munched.
The Coming Dawn Trilogy Page 47