A Soul For Chaos (The Soulbearer Trilogy)

by Crista McHugh

  “Love has blinded you to what she has become, to what lives inside her.”

  “I know damn well what lives inside her, especially after seeing him take control of her.”

  Marist’s eyes snapped open. “You’ve witnessed him taking control of her?”

  “Yes, and this Loku is not a very pleasant person.” A shiver coursed through him from the memory of it. “I didn’t believe it at first, but now I have no doubt that she has another being living inside her.”

  She stood and went to the window, chewing her bottom lip the way Arden did when she was lost in thought. It was just another striking similarity between two very different women. “Have you noticed any signs of madness in her?”

  “None.”

  “Very unusual.” She paced the length of the window and back again before returning to him. “I have lived through three Soulbearers, Prince Kell. The last two declined at an alarming rate, which we have attributed to their fragile human nature. But this one seems to be an aberration.”

  “Or maybe Arden’s stronger than you give her credit for.”

  Her face lengthened into a mournful expression. “For your sake, I hope so. It is not easy to watch insanity consume the Soulbearer.”

  The sinking feeling in his gut returned, but with less heaviness. Perhaps Arden needed time not to think about her answer but to see if she would be affected by this madness. Perhaps she wanted to give him time to fully understand what lay ahead of them. Did he have the strength to watch the woman he loved sink into madness? “I pray I never will.”

  “Ah, but you will. It is the nature of the burden put upon her. We mortals were not meant to channel the powers of a god, and the process eventually unravels the fabric of the mind. Hence why all the prior Soulbearers eventually slipped into madness.”

  “So there is no hope for her?”

  The Empress shook her head. “You’d be wise to douse those feelings you have for her. They will only bring you pain in the end.”

  His blood roared to life. He didn’t want to believe it. He couldn’t. Marist was just like Dev, intent on tearing him away from Arden. But the look of pity on the Empress’s face quelled his anger. If there was some truth to what she told him, then he’d heard more than he cared to hear.

  “Please, Empress Marist, let’s change the topic of our conversation. I’m here for more than just Arden. When you sent a delegation to Ranello years ago, relations between our nations did not improve. I’m here to see if we can mend that gap.”

  “Very well, Prince Kell. Let us see if we can reach a new concordance while you are here.”

  As the conversation shifted to politics, the Empress’s warning lingered in the back of his mind. Would Arden be showing signs of the madness the next time he saw her?

  Chapter 19

  The sun had descended behind the pinnacle of the mountain they climbed, bathing the road in long shadows. Despite the high altitude, the air was balmy and filled with the sweet scent of flowers rather than the icy snow that capped the surrounding peaks. Here, it was as though spring had moved in and refused to budge.

  A series of terrace and towers climbed up towards a structure that seemed to erupt from the very mountainside. “Is that the Conclave?” Arden asked.

  Dev nodded. “We’ll be safely inside its walls before nightfall.”

  A flap of wings sounded above her, and the same Ornathian from yesterday circled overhead like a vulture. After a few passes, it flew to one of the towers and disappeared through the window. Somehow, she didn’t feel like the Conclave was completely safe with those creatures roaming around it.

  “Are the Ornathians allowed in here?”

  “A few are in residence, learning about our magic.” Dev pointed to the tower she’d seen the winged creature fly into. “They usually stay there.”

  “Then I’ll stay away from it.”

  Dev laughed. “Terrified of something that’s different from you?”

  “You’re the one who warned me not to cross them.” Embarrassment prickled along her spine. “Are you changing your story?”

  “No. They can be dangerous when crossed, but from my experience, they are no different than anyone else. They just want to live in peace.”

  “You said they’re here to learn magic?” she asked, wanting to change the subject from how dangerous these strange creatures could be. If she could see they were like the others in the Conclave, maybe she’d be less intimidated by them.

  “The Mage’s Conclave is more than just a safe place. It is a school for magic, where all mages in the Empire come to be trained by the best. The Mage’s Council also resides here and oversees judgment for any abuse of magic.”

  “Do you think they know who was behind the attacks?”

  “Perhaps.”

  The weathered grey wooden doors creaked open as they approached, pulled by an unseen hand. Inside the walls, the air crackled with magic, reviving her while also setting her nerves on edge. If magic fed the land of Gravaria, then this was its source.

  A rotund man with only a fringe of hair circling his otherwise bald head came out to greet them. “Dev,” he said, vigorously shaking his hand before pulling him into a hug, “so good to see you again.”

  Dev bowed politely once the man released him. “It is good to see you, too, Mage Secundus.”

  Arden slid from her horse and waited for Dev to introduce her. But he never had a chance.

  The Mage Secundus pushed past her protector and grasped her hand. “And this must be the new Soulbearer. It looks like Loku did a right bit better with this one. Much easier on the eyes.”

  His compliment brought a smile to her face and set her at ease. “Yes, I suppose I look a bit better than Robb.”

  “You’re lovely, my dear.” He moved between her and Dev, his arms around both of their waists, and ushered them into the main building with Cinder bouncing among them like a young pup. “Welcome to the Mage’s Conclave, Arden Soulbearer. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. I must apologize that the Mage Primus isn’t here to greet you as well, but he got called away on an urgent matter and should return tomorrow.”

  Dev stiffened. “Do you know what the matter was?”

  The Mage Secundus shook his head. “You know how he is—a man of many secrets. I only hope to be privy to some of them one day.”

  The interior of the main building reminded her of the castles back home. The walls were heavy grey stone adorned with embroidered tapestries. A grand staircase filled the entryway, climbing up the very side of the mountain for at least a dozen floors. Chandeliers lit by magic rather than candles hung from the ceiling, bathing the interior in warm light.

  Older children in dark robes scurried back and forth along the balconies, carrying heavy books and talking amongst themselves. “You say this is like a school for magic?” she asked as she watched them.

  “If a child shows potential for magic, he or she is sent here for testing and to be assigned to a tutor.” The Mage Secundus smiled wistfully as he followed the children above. “Some return to their towns to act as healers or help ensure the crops receive enough water. The ones with the most potential stay here and train under the Mage’s Council.”

  It was a system so very different than Ranello’s, where the instant a child showed any magical potential, they were put to death. How would her life have turned out if she’d been born here instead of in Ranello?

  “You’re invited to dine with the rest of the Council tonight,” the Mage Secundus continued. “We’re all anxious to meet Arden and see if there’s any truth to the rumors we’ve been hearing.”

  “Depends on the rumor,” Dev grumbled. “If they involve her getting into trouble, then they’re probably true.”

  Arden sucked in a breath through her teeth. Dev had been sullen all day, but his mood had just crossed into downright pissy.

  “I was more curious about the one where she defeated the necromancer.” The Mage Secundus winked at her. “I can’t wait to hear mo
re about it over dinner.” He waddled up the stairs and disappeared down a corridor.

  “Come on, Trouble, let’s get you cleaned up for dinner.” Dev trudged up the stairs, not even looking behind him to see if she followed.

  “You’ll find your accommodation here to be similar to the ones in the palace,” Loku said.

  “Complete with mithral jewelry?”

  “Only the best for the Soulbearer.”

  Arden gritted her teeth and reinforced her mental shields. As cordial as their host had been, this place was just another prison. At least her quarters were nicer here. Dev led her to a room with a cheery fire and shelves full of books. Two walls enclosed a corner of the main room, forming a separate room. Inside the open door, she caught a glimpse of a bed with a thick mattress, a desk and chair, and a window looking out into the starry sky.

  She stepped inside and lowered her bag. “This is my room, I take it?”

  Dev nodded. “I hope you find it suitable.”

  The bed had the same paneled headboard as the one in the palace. “I’d feel better if the mithral chains were removed.”

  “If you behave yourself, they won’t be needed.” He carried in a pitcher of water and a small basin. “We have a few minutes to get ready for dinner.”

  “I don’t have to wear that ridiculous dress again, do I?”

  A flicker of amusement glowed in Dev’s eyes, and she saw a hint of a smile playing in his lips. “That was a formal dress for court. It’s not necessary here unless you choose to wear it.”

  “What he means is that he wouldn’t mind seeing you in it again.”

  Arden was tempted to call Loku a liar, but the mirth in Dev’s eyes darkened into something more primal that left her feeling flushed. “It’s probably best I don’t wear it again.”

  “Probably.” He took a step toward the door, then paused. “Kell really didn’t propose to you today, did he?”

  “He did.” She started unpacking her bags, hoping he’d take a hint and end the conversation.

  A muscle flickered along his jaw as he took a deep breath. “You’re not going to accept it, though.”

  “I haven’t decided.”

  “Yes, you have.” He closed the space between them. “If you truly loved him, you would’ve said yes right away.”

  She froze, her dress in her hands. With just a few words, he’d stripped her defenses and left her feeling alone and exposed. “That’s none of your business.”

  “Everything about you is my business. I’m your protector, and I’d like to know if I need to practice bowing before a future queen.” He demonstrated the motion in a mocking manner before exiting the room.

  Arden bunched the dress up in her fists, her blood seething with anger. Maybe it would be worth accepting Kell’s proposal just so she could appoint a new protector.

  “Dev has his faults, but would you prefer one of your backward Ranellians over him?” Loku asked.

  Based on Kell’s reaction, they’d be more likely to stab her if they witnessed Loku take control of her. At least Dev was familiar with the chaos god’s antics. “I suppose I’m stuck with him.”

  “Then perhaps he’s the one you need to learn how to control instead of me.”

  Arden laughed to herself as she changed. “I need to learn how to control both of you if I ever want some peace.”

  Dev hadn’t changed when she emerged from her room. A pang of disappoint reverberated through her. She liked the way he looked last night. Perhaps too much. The rich green tunic had matched his eyes and molded to the lean muscles of his body. Now, those muscles were concealed by the thick leather of his jerkin.

  His gaze flickered over her, devoid of any emotion. “That dress will announce to everyone that you’re a Ranellian from the moment you enter the room.”

  “But I am a Ranellian.”

  He came up to her and tucked her pendant into her bodice. “Keep this hidden for now.”

  “Why?”

  His mouth widened into a wry smile. “Are you going to question everything I tell you to do?”

  “Are you ever going to tell me why you want me to hide it?”

  He seemed to ponder her question for a moment. “I’ll tell you more once I hear from the Mage Primus.”

  “There’s something about this necklace that bothers you, isn’t there?” She covered the pendant with her hand, pressing its cool surface into her skin. “Is it because my mother was cast aside by my father?”

  “Partly.” He drew in a deep breath and looked like he wanted to tell her more, but stopped himself. “Again, I don’t want to jump to any unnecessary conclusions until the Mage Primus tells me more. But suffice it to say, there are several powerful people here in Gravaria who could use that pendant against you.”

  She tightened her hold of the necklace through her dress. “I’m not taking it off. It’s all I have left of her.”

  “Then, please, keep it hidden.” Dev pried her hand away from her chest and looped it through his arm. “Now, let’s have dinner with the Mage’s Council, and try not to get us into any more trouble.”

  The dining room was as warm and inviting as the rest of the Conclave appeared to be. The tapestries on the walls glowed with richly colored flowers embroidered from vibrant silk threads. The silver place settings on the table twinkled under the chandeliers, and the rich hum of voices didn’t falter when they entered the room.

  For the first time in her life, she wasn’t the object of everyone’s attention. She blended in with crowd. It was unsettling at first, and she kept waiting for someone to notice her and point her out to everyone else. But as the Mage Secundus broke away from conversation to greet them, she relaxed and prepared to enjoy the evening.

  Dev, however, tensed from the moment they walked into the room. A blanket of magic wrapped around her. His attention roamed across the room, his face a mask of concentration.

  “Is something wrong, Dev?”

  “Whoever tried to kill you was a very powerful mage,” he said so softly, she strained to hear him, “and we’re in the company of nine of the most powerful mages in Gravaria. Until I know for certain none of them cast the spells, I’m taking extra precautions.”

  An icy thread of fear wormed its way through her gut. “But you said I would be safe here.”

  “You are. The magics of the Conclave will disrupt any malicious spells, but it still doesn’t mean you’re not dining with your enemy.”

  And just like that, he’d managed to douse any warm, comforting thoughts about the Conclave.

  The Mage Secundus took her hand and led her to the group of men and women gathered in the room. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce the new Soulbearer, Arden.”

  One by one, she was introduced to the member of the Mage’s Council in the order of their importance, starting with the Mage Tertius and ending with the Mage Decius. They greeted her with the same warmth as the Mage Secundus, welcoming her to the Conclave.

  All except the Mage Sextus. She coolly assessed Arden before turning her attention and overly warm welcome to Dev. Arden’s breath quickened as the other woman adjusted her already revealing bodice to exposure more of her cleavage. When the Mage Sextus laid her hand on Dev’s arm, the raging desire to slap it off filled Arden.

  “Dev, you poor thing. Another Soulbearer, and a Ranellian at that. You must have had a trying time with her.”

  Dev smiled at her and looked toward Arden. “You have no idea.”

  A well of magic rose up inside her, threatened to spill over. If that woman didn’t stop flirting with him…

  “Jealous, my little Soulbearer?”

  Arden studied the Mage Sextus, noticing the fine wrinkles crinkling around her eyes and her large, hooked nose. “Hardly.”

  But the magic still roared inside her as Dev and the Mage Sextus continued their light-hearted banter.

  Dev glanced at her, his smile fading. He leaned toward Arden, so close his scent of leather and evergreens filled her nostrils, and hissed in her
ear, “Behave.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “Try harder.” He jostled her arm, disrupting her magic as he led her away from the other woman.

  A servant approached them with a tray containing two tiny glasses filled with a deep red liquid. She followed Dev’s lead and took one, sniffing the contents and wrinkling her nose from the sickeningly sweet scent. “What is this?”

  “Selgian cordial, a delicacy here.”

  Her fingertips burned from touching the glass, and ripples danced across the surface. She sniffed it again, trying to figure out what was so special about it. “It smells horrible.”

  “Just drink it when they raise the toast.”

  The Mage Secundus interrupted them by tapping on his goblet before she could ask what he meant. “I wish to raise a toast to welcome Arden, our new Soulbearer, to the Mage’s Conclave. We are honored by her service to the land and will strive to assist her any way we can.”

  Judging by the expression on the Mage Sextus’s face, she wouldn’t mind assisting Arden off a cliff.

  The mages and Dev raised their glasses and downed the cordial. Arden bought her glass to her mouth, but a twinge of warning kept her from consuming the contents. “I can’t drink this,” she whispered to Dev.

  He moved in front of her, blocking her from the others. “It’s rude not to.”

  “But what if—”

  “By Jussip, Trouble, why do you have to be so difficult?” He switched glasses with her and gulped the contents. “There.”

  When he moved away, she lifted her empty glass to the room and forced a smile on her face. What a strange place this was where they’d be offended if she didn’t drink that cordial. Furthermore, the sinking sensation in her gut told her there was something different about it, although she couldn’t imagine what.

  She didn’t dare ask Dev about it as he escorted her to the table. The scowl on his face told her he was still pissed off that she refused to obey him. He held out a chair for her, his anger waning into impatience. When she moved in front of it, he pushed it into the table so quickly, her knees buckled under her, and she fell back into the seat.