The Sweet Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Bailey Ardisone

  “No, no!” he twisted in a deranged, frightened fury.

  The abundant force I had pouring out of me held him rigid in place as Mycah stalked forward and finally said, “I’m sorry, Uncle.”

  He plunged the dagger into the side of Ohtar’s head without allowing him any last words. In a final gust of breath, the night elf buckled to the ground once I released him from my hold, and his tormented soul ceased to exist.

  Mycah dropped to the ground onto his knees, and I followed him there. Gently, I glided my palm over his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  He nodded his reply, but didn’t turn to look at me. He stayed there in front of his fallen family member—his flesh and blood—and chanted a string of Elvish words in a soft, low voice.

  Rydan caught up to us and wiped a hand over his face, the other placed firmly on his hip. I stood up and launched myself into his chest, and he wrapped his arms around me. Lómë stood on her back paws and clobbered the both of us, nuzzling her head in my face and along the sides of our bodies. I reached out for Lissë, pulling her into our embrace.

  But I was in denial that it was truly over. Anxiety continued to pound in my gut, just waiting for Ohtar or some other evil thing to come storming in and announce that it was only a joke and we weren’t really done fighting.

  But that didn’t happen. Ohtar never did come back to life.

  Mycah healed his injured dragon and then immediately returned to the top of the mountain to heal Ender, Cathar, Naminé, and Calen, bringing them all back down to the ground afterward.

  We all hugged each other and rejoiced that we had made it out alive, but then we also mourned the deaths of those who weren’t so fortunate. It was both a happy and sad day for all those in Luïnil.

  Gradually, I noticed a change in the land. What moments before felt sick and dying was slowly blooming into fresh vibrancy. The darkness that permeated Aselaira was retreating. I sank to the grass and threaded my fingers through the blades. “Do you feel that?”

  “Yes, it seems the land is healing already.” Mycah examined a few leaves from a nearby bush, and we watched as the black goo lessened right in front of our eyes, until the leaf was vivid and green again.

  “Now that Ohtar has been defeated, you must return to your kingdom and restate your claim, King Remycah,” Ender said.

  “People will not follow an exiled king, Ender.” Mycah shook his head at the ground, unsure of himself.

  His Guardian took hold of his shoulders. “With yours and Nariella’s agreement to end things between you, your people should lift the exile order and accept you once and for all.”

  “Let’s hope you’re right,” Mycah said a bit sullenly, nodding his head. And that killed me. I turned away, afraid I would betray what I was supposed to do and change Mycah’s mind. My heart shattered at the thought of maybe never seeing him again. Not that I couldn’t see him again, but because I knew we shouldn’t for both our sakes.

  And that was a tough reality to swallow.

  Through Lissë’s mind, I felt an oncoming presence from the corner of the forest. I stopped in my tracks and waited for it to show itself. “Rydan,” I called, not wanting to be alone.

  “What?” he answered back.

  “Come here, please.”

  He was at my side in seconds, including Lómë who sniffed the air, immediately recognizing something was out there. “There’s an animal out there. One we’ve met before.”

  “Wait, really? Met before? What does that mean?” I inched closer to him.

  “It’s that black lynx of Ohtar’s,” he replied, surprise inflected in his tone.

  “Lureá,” Naminé informed us of her name once she joined our conversation.

  Cathar was next to us then. “Poor thing. Do you think she might miss her master?”

  “I doubt it. Who would miss Ohtar?” Rydan asked rhetorically.

  I still felt bad for her nonetheless. She didn’t know any better, nor did she have anyone else to take care of her. She had been domesticated, after all. Who was going to look after her now? Maybe Mycah would. Actually, I wouldn’t be opposed to taking her back to Lassaira, either.

  She appeared before us, breaking her cover of the trees and sat down right there, only feet away. It was the strangest thing as she blinked at each one of us. Mycah and Ender were in line as well, and we all wondered what to do with her.

  Then, like rain washing away dirt, blackness melted off her feline body, and she was suddenly transformed into an elf, curled into a ball. Mycah ripped the cloak off Cathar’s back and wrapped it around her naked body. She slowly rose into an elegant, standing position, not ashamed at all of being bare. Though she did use the cloak to cover herself, I knew it was only for our benefit. Because she was absolutely perfect in every way.

  Ender was on bended knee in a flash, bowing his head low out of respect. We all followed suit, though not understanding why or who she was.

  “Thank you, my dear friends,” she spoke calmly and oh-so slowly. Her voice was melodic and beautiful. A serenade that would soothe the weariest of souls. “Thank you for saving my life.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “My Lady, please help us understand what it is that happened to you,” Ender urged, but kept his head down.

  “Rise,” she requested, and we all obeyed without hesitation. She morphed the cloak into a stunning dress that touched the grass. Her straight black hair hung past her waist and ended in gorgeous wavy tendrils. Her flawless skin was luminescent and milky, and she had the brightest green eyes I had ever seen. “Long have been my days in wait for a time when evil would prevail no more. The shadows of Ohtar Zafriel’s darkness stretched to all living things in our kingdom of Aselaira. Poisoned has every mind been, for the plague of his evil could not be resisted. He cast a spell on me. A spell that almost meant his demise, and yet he endured. And I was forced to live as a beast. A servant kept at his side. With his life now forfeit, the spell has been broken as his darkness recedes. And therefore I thank you, my friends, for I now owe you my life.”

  “I’m really sorry for asking, and I don’t mean this to be offensive in any way, I’m just new to this realm and don’t understand…but…who are you?” my voice shook with nervousness, and I didn’t know why.

  She smiled as Ender quickly explained, “Nariella, this is Lady Almárëa. The greatest of our High Eldar in the whole of Luïnil. For she is the mightiest and most fair of all the elda in our realm.”

  “Oh,” I breathed, a deep heat blooming in my cheeks. I wanted to go hide in a hole. How horrible was it that the most beautiful, elegant, graceful creature I had ever met had to see me in this wretched condition? I was certain I now belonged in the bell towers of Notre Dame alongside Quasimodo, and yet here she was, subjected to my scariness. And I did look scary. My own reflection was going to give me nightmares.

  “King Remycah Avel and Prince Rydan Cael, sons of Remydan Zafriel,” Lady Almárëa began. “Your kingdom has suffered greatly without you. It is time you returned and restored pureness and peace amongst your people.”

  “Yes, My Lady.” Mycah bowed to his knee.

  “Right,” Rydan muttered. “Okay.”

  I held back a laugh. He had come a long way in the whole elf-thing, but there were still some areas that could use some improvements.

  “I bestow upon you gifts of my gratitude.” She held open her palm, and a stream of light gathered from the stars and moon above into a swirling, glittering motion. It was the crown that circled around the sword in Mycah’s tattoo—the royal emblem of the kingdom of Aselaira. She set it over his head, and it rested around his forehead perfectly. “A new crown for our new king. May you forever be valiant.”

  She glided slowly in front of Rydan and touched his temples with her fingers. “May your memories bring you peace and heal your scars. Come back to us, My Prince.”

  Rydan’s mouth dropped open and his eyes went wide. He didn’t say a word, but he looked taken aback. She moved to Ender with a kin
d smile. “And what gift would a Royal Guardian ask for?”

  “Nothing, My Lady.” He bowed his head. “For I now have all I need. My daughter is alive, and my Óre’Dae, my king, will reclaim his throne. I could ask for no more than this.”

  “Then may he live long and never endure such hardships again.” She lifted his chin.

  “Thank you, My Lady.”

  She continued down the line and stopped before Naminé. “Do not be troubled by your misplaced roots. Wherever you are to lay your head, you shall find peace.” She kissed her head. She did the same to Cathar, and even presented gifts to each of the Fëa. Lómë and Dúlin were given crowns, Calen a jewel around her leg, and Lissë received a beautiful crescent moon charm around her horn that was made out of a ring of silver and green leaves. They were to empower and protect each Fëa.

  I was last, and I could’ve guessed why. What gift would a mixed breed such as myself receive from the most important person in Luïnil? Execution. Exile. Banishment. Any one of those seemed about right.

  She floated in front of me like mist, and I trembled anxiously. “My dear Queen Nariella Ashwyn Woodlinn. It pains me to see your troubles. So much grief, turmoil, and hardship have been inflicted upon you since your birth. May you suffer no more.”

  The warmth of her palm that she placed along my heart seeped through my clothes and down into my core. I could feel her touch like I was completely exposed—stripped bare of skin, tissue, and muscle. I closed my eyes as a heavy weight deep within my being slowly eased, and I felt a lifting of a curse from my heart until it was there no more. The pain and guilt over Elizabeth were like open wounds that finally healed. I still throbbed for her, but it did not tear me up inside. It did not rack my heart any longer, and I felt for the first time since it happened that I could finally move on. Teardrops splashed my collarbone as I beheld a brilliant light that extinguished the dark from my soul.

  Gasps from the others came quickly once the gleam faded. “Nari, you’re back to normal,” Rydan informed me with a grin. “No more Devil Nari.”

  “What?” I cried. The tears fell harder then. He handed me his sword and I broke down even further at the purple eyes staring back at me. The black streaks were erased, and I looked healthier than ever. Never had I felt so wonderful. But I was different—like a whole new person. Stronger. Rejuvenated. It no longer felt like I had two separate entities at war in my veins—the Isil and Tavas blood were united as one. I dropped to my knees. “How can I ever thank you?”

  “You forget it is I who am thanking you.” Lady Almárëa gave me her kind, benevolent smile.

  “Does this mean I can heal again?” I held my breath, waiting for validation, too afraid to get my hopes up.

  She did a slow nod as she blinked. “You can. However, use your gift wisely, my child. For not all can be saved, nor should they be.”

  “I will. I’ll be extra careful. Thank you so much for everything.” I resisted the strong urge to run and give her a great big hug. “Um, may I ask you something?”

  “You may.” She smiled again.

  “It’s just that, before, I felt my Tavas connection at the forefront in myself. As in, I didn’t feel Isil at all. It was harder for me to connect to the land of Aselaira. But then, when I passed my limit of healing, I no longer felt Tavas. The Isil connection took over entirely. Then, when I went in Dae’Sûl’s cave, I felt like I was dying.” I shook my head, exasperated by all the craziness. “I’m just curious to know…what does all that mean? Why did that happen? Are you able to tell me?” I really hoped she could, otherwise it would bug the crap out of me for the rest of my immortal life.

  She lightly chuckled. “The Healer’s Death is not one to trifle with. It would have claimed your life upon the revival of your grandfather. However, the threads of your Healer gift are intertwined with your Tavas heritage. The Isil magic that lives inside of you buried the part that would have meant your demise—and therefore your Tavas magic lay dormant within. I suspect upon contact with Dae’Sûl’s enchantment, your Isil power was stripped from you, leaving the entombed Tavas blood riddled with the Healer’s Death to resurface with the intent to finish what should have been started once you had reached your limit.”

  “So my Isil blood saved me…wow.” I could hardly believe it, but it did make sense. “How do you know all that?”

  “Nariella,” my father reprimanded. “Lady Almárëa has knowledge of all things. She sees all.”

  She turned and began walking further into the open. “I see what no one else can see, my child. But fear not. Your two magics have come together as one, and there is now little in this world that which contains power enough to harm you again.”

  My brain couldn’t even grasp the meaning of her words. Was she saying I was one of the most powerful beings in Luïnil now that my blood was combined? That would be ludicrous. I couldn’t fathom it, and so I didn’t pry further into her meaning. “Well, thank you. Thank you for explaining it to me and for taking care of us.”

  We all followed her like shadows, eager to soak up every word she blessed us with. She whistled a beautiful melody, and before we knew it, three horses came galloping out of nowhere in the distance. Majestic, graceful beauties that had strength and power exuding from them with each fall of their hooves. Pristinely white in color, as if they had just stepped out of moonlight, and never more perfect.

  Lady Almárëa swept her gaze to Mycah once the horses reached us. “You no longer have to fear your Fëa’s presence.”

  One horse walked right up alongside Cathar, another in front of Naminé, and the last most magnificent one was designated for Lady Almárëa. Lissë was at my side, and I gently placed my hand on her neck, knowing she was my ride. Obviously Dúlin was Mycah’s. Seeing there weren’t enough horses, I couldn’t help asking, “What about Rydan and Ender?”

  The High Elf looked straight into my eyes. “Never stray too far from your Guardian, Queen Nariella. You should always be together, for it is the most precious of gifts.”

  “But I really shouldn’t go with you all. They hate me there. I’d just mess up Mycah’s chance at reclaiming the throne again.” And I couldn’t bear to see that another time—but I kept that little tidbit to myself.

  “The cleansing of Ohtar Zafriel’s persuasion has already begun,” Lady Almárëa replied. “Come. Let us return to them their lost king and prince.”

  I guessed that meant I had to escort Rydan back since she wanted us to always stay together. I did as she said and we both mounted Lissë. Ender rode with Mycah on Dúlin and took to flight as the rest of us started trotting to the castle of Aselaira.

  I held onto Rydan’s arm that lay around my waist. “So what exactly did Lady Almárëa gift you?”

  “My memories,” he answered. “I can remember my childhood here. It was long ago, but…they’re there like it was only yesterday.”

  “Oh, my goodness, Ry. I’m so happy for you,” I beamed. “That’s a good thing, right?”

  “It is. But it’s also sad,” he stated. “I remember my father’s death now and all that. It was a horrible night, to say the least. My Guardian Xavier did everything he could to keep me alive, but we were caught. He hid me and took my memories.”

  “Wow, I’m sorry you have to just now live through that again.” I rubbed his arm.

  “It’s fine. I’d rather remember.” He chuckled suddenly.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “There’s this one memory I have…”

  “What? What is it?” I laughed then, too, even before hearing it. The humor in his voice was catching.

  “It just surprised me, is all. But, uh, Mycah actually taught me how to play piano when we were kids. He would reward himself…instead of me…with chocolates and cake every time I did something right.” Rydan laughed, shaking his head.

  “Are you serious?” I busted out giggling. “That’s hilarious. And so like him to be all over those sweets.” My heart ached then, remembering him in Saucers the firs
t time he had told me he had a thing for sugar. I shook my head and cleared my throat to break myself from spiraling down that heartbreaking path. “Hey, so, now that I’m Queen of Lassaira and you’re Prince of Aselaira, where are we going to live? I mean, I kind of have to be in Lassaira for more reasons than one. Will you stay with me there?”

  “It doesn’t matter where I’m from, I’ll always stay with you.” He set his chin over my shoulder. “You’re where I belong, so I’ll go wherever you are.”

  My smile grew from ear to ear, and I rested my head back against him. “Thanks, Ry.”

  “Plus that’s where Naminé’s really from, and I doubt they’ll be going back to the kingdom that had brainwashed them, enslaved them, and tried to kill them. Sooo, I’m thinking she’ll be relocating to Lassaira with her family immediately,” he added off-handedly.

  I elbowed him in the gut. “Oh, so the truth comes out, I see. Of course you wanna live in Lassaira now that Naminé will be there. I should’ve known.” I shook my head with a chuckle.

  “Hey, that’s just a bonus. I pinky promise.” He held out his pinky for me, and I took it.

  My heart skipped a beat and a nervous twinge clenched my stomach. “Nothing could ever tear us apart, right, Ry?”

  “Nothing,” he affirmed with the timber of his voice deepened.

  “Not anyone?”

  “No one. Not anyone.” He grabbed my left ring finger. “Wouldn’t that be crazy if you married Cathar? Then we’d be like…in-laws. Well, if I can somehow convince Naminé to give me a chance.”

  “Yeah, that’d be crazy.” I sounded light and carefree on the outside, but on the inside I had broken in two at the thought of having to marry someone other than Mycah. I had already known that would be the case, but that didn’t mean I had to dwell on it. My eyes throbbed with unshed emotion, but I refused to shed another tear when I had so many other things to be grateful for.

  Such as that I had Rydan. I would have him for eternity. And I could be happy with that.