The Last Lullaby (The Spellsinger Book 1)

by Amy Sumida

  “Pain,” I whispered, and looked back at the broken bits of onyx.

  “What the fuck?” Cerberus growled behind us. He was seated on a massive stallion, and Banning came riding up behind him on another. “This is your first line of defense, isn't it? They're weakening your boundaries, testing your strength.” Cer considered it, then nodded like it was a good thing.

  “And they've done their job well,” Torin growled back. “It will take me months to replace these statues. In the meantime, our defenses are down. We are vulnerable.”

  “But they've also given us some insight into their capabilities,” Cerberus noted.

  “Not now, Cer.” I waved him off distractedly. There was something tingling around me, something teasing my skin, and compelling me. “Torin.” I pulled him closer. “Hold onto me.”

  Torin gave me a confused look, but didn't question me. His arms slid around me from behind, and I felt his body settle against my back. I gave his hand a quick, reassuring stroke, and then let the collar lead me. I knew it was the relic's magic pulsing over me, the relic that was truly responding to the hurt in the onyx. We were merging more and more each day, and I trusted in the collar now as much as I trusted in myself. It knew what needed to be done; all I had to do was give it a voice.

  “Help me guide the magic,” I said over my shoulder to Torin, just before I began to sing Cher's “You Haven't Seen the Last of Me.”

  The echoing, beating notes of fury burst out of me, a little startling in the sorrowful quiet surrounding us. The strength of the words surged through the stones in my collar, to combine all of the necessary properties from several different crystals into exactly what I needed. This unified magic took the pain around me and transformed it into power. Hurt became determination, and the song turned into a declaration of survival. Not just survival, but triumph.

  I felt like I was singing for them, on their behalf. Those broken guardians who had fallen in the line of duty. I was giving them a voice.

  Torin's hands moved over my body, as if he were feeling the flow of the magic within me. Then he lifted his right arm, laying it directly below mine, pushing up to support me. I placed my palm over the back of his hand, aligning our fingers. Together, we reached toward the shattered remains of the statues, and we began to manipulate the magic. I could have done it alone, but this was his kingdom, and I wanted his magic to be a part of this healing. Healing was another property of onyx, but it was difficult to heal yourself. So the relic and I would help Torin.

  My voice resounded out of me, words of suppression becoming a battle cry, and the collar flared bright. The depths of heartache had been delved, and the music was pulling us back to the surface. We came gasping into the air, belting out defiantly that we could not be drowned. We could not be destroyed so easily. We would shake our fists at the sky and fight on.

  The pieces of stone lifted around us, trembling as they came together. Every chunk, every shard, rose and found its way to its proper place. I guided them, urged the pieces home, while Torin filled them with his intent. His cheek slid down to press against mine, his heartbeat radiating through me. I'd never felt so close to another person. It was more intimate than sex. I could feel him, Torin, all that was him on a spiritual level. The magic tingled between us, mine pushing through him, blending with his before pulling back into me. Our intent was unified. Protect the Kingdom, protect the people. Defend. The stones started to vibrate proudly, ferociously, fitting perfectly together until the statues stood whole once more. But they stood by our will alone, the cracks of their injury still visible across their slick surfaces. I knew that as soon as we let go, they would fall.

  The power of the song rose with a tide of emotion in my throat- anger that this had been done, determination that it wouldn't happen again, conviction that these guardians would come together stronger than before. We would prevail despite the most harrowing damage done to us. I drew out a powerful note and felt Torin pull me tight against him, his magic soaking through my skin to blend with mine even more intimately. For a brief moment, I couldn't tell where he ended and I began. Then I pushed our united magic out through the collar with the last lines of the song, shouting out its challenge defiantly. The statues burst with dark light, a glow rising from base to tip as the stones joined seamlessly back together- healed completely.

  My voice echoed out across the Onyx Gardens, and with it a brilliant flash that flared through all of the statues, until my song faded grudgingly into silence. I sighed, and leaned back into Torin's embrace. He set his face into the nook of my neck and breathed softly against my skin. We let the vibrations of the magic drain out of us, and then Torin kissed my cheek tenderly.

  “I've never been a part of anything so wondrous,” he whispered into my ear. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” I smiled and turned to face him.

  “What the fuck just happened?” Banning ruined the mood.

  “We fixed the statues,” I said simply, stepping an arm's length away from Torin, but keeping his hand in mine.

  “Yeah, we see that,” Cerberus chuckled. “Damn, girl. That was mighty impressive.”

  “I believe the phrase is 'You haven't seen anything yet.'” Torin smirked at Cerberus. “Elaria is just beginning to delve into the powers of the relic.”

  “Great. Fucking fantastic,” Banning nodded. “There's just one more question I have for you two lovebirds.” He sneered the last bit.

  “What's that?” Torin lifted a brow, not at all bothered by Banning's tone.

  “How did someone manage to blow up your special, magic statues, whose whole purpose is to guard your damn castle?”

  Torin's face fell, and he looked around the still-scorched earth for some sort of clue.

  “Don't strain yourself, Your Majesty.” Cerberus chuckled as he held his palm out to us. There was something lying across it. “I've already figured it out.”

  “What is that?” Torin walked over to Cerberus, taking me with him.

  “Something I'm betting your stones weren't prepared for,” Cerberus said.

  I stared at the bits of metal and melted wires, my blood going cold. I knew exactly what Cerberus held.

  “It's the remnants of a bomb,” I said as I met Cerberus's grim stare. “Galen got his hands on some human weapons.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “How can human weapons harm magic statues?” Banning folded his arms across his chest. “I think perhaps your magic was flawed.”

  “It wasn't flawed,” Torin's eyes narrowed on Banning.

  “No, it wasn't,” Cerberus agreed. “Here; feel this.” He placed the bomb remnants in Torin's hand, and the Onyx King inhaled sharply.

  “There's magic in them,” Torin looked at me in surprise.

  “Someone was able to infuse a human bomb with magic? How? Magic can only empower pure, natural objects.” I scowled and touched a fingertip to one of the pieces of metal in Torin's palm. Sure enough, it vibrated against me. Most of the magic had been dispelled, but there were traces left. “Copper,” I whispered. “They must have covered the explosives in it. That's kind of brilliant actually.”

  “And deadly,” Banning added.

  “The Copper King and I share a long-standing animosity,” Torin growled.

  “Why?” I asked him. “What did you do?”

  “The Copper Queen.” Torin gave me a look that said it all.

  “Ah,” I chuckled.

  “Your guardians weren't made to withstand that combination of physical and magical attack.” Cerberus looked over the new statues, and then down the thick swath of the gardens. “Though I think they are now.”

  “What? All of them?” Banning scoffed. “Elaria only fixed the three.” He waved his hand toward the statues we'd reassembled: a gryphon, a dragon, and a winged horse.

  “She fixed only three,” Cerberus agreed, “but can't you feel that thrumming in the air? I think her magic spread out to include the others. What exactly were your intentions, Elaria?” Ce
rberus looked back at me.

  “What do you mean?” I narrowed my eyes on him.

  “When you sang,” Cerberus explained, “what was the intent for your spell? I mean, beyond repairing the stone.”

  “I focused on them coming together even stronger than before.” I thought about it. “And that this would never happen to them again.”

  “Ha!” Cerberus slapped his thick thigh. “You've empowered them all to withstand any kind of attack. This is fantastic. They've just tested your defenses and run home, thinking they know your weaknesses. But when they return, they'll find that the attack has only made you stronger.”

  “She will raise him up, stronger than before,” Torin mused as he looked over the statues.

  I absently touched the collar, and felt a zing of magic. It seemed happy to me, satisfied with itself. I had the distinct feeling that the relic liked working with Torin. Or perhaps it liked fulfilling the prophecy. Whatever it was, the relic was relishing this moment.

  “Let's go home,” I said to Torin.

  “As my lady commands,” Torin smiled brilliantly. “Home it is.” He swung himself onto his horse, and then held a hand down at me. After I settled into the saddle before him, he looked at his knights. “Back to the castle. Our gardens will stand firm now.”

  The knights cheered, and we all rode triumphantly back to Onyx Castle. It was a rather unexpected result from such a horrible event, and I think that made it feel even more successful. Everyone was smiling, except for Banning, who kept sending me brooding looks. I ignored him on principle.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “I think we should leave,” Banning said to me.

  I laughed at him.

  “We're perfectly safe here.” I shook my head at the young man who offered me his right wrist. I'd already drunk my fill from his left one, and his blood was still sweet upon my lips. With a shooing motion, I sent the feeder away. “Cosmina wouldn't dare hurt me. She knows you love me too much. If she harmed me, she'd never have you. Her only hope lies in keeping me safe until you tire of me.”

  “Which will never happen,” Banning had already discarded his jacket and vest, they were thrown over the back of a dainty, gilded chair.

  His crisp, white undershirt was open at the neck, showing off his pale, muscled chest, and his tan breeches were unbuttoned at the top, threatening to slide down his slim hips. I was hoping they'd make good on their threat. Banning padded across the thick carpet to me on bare feet, then knelt in front of the chair I lounged on. I watched his hands as they reached for mine.

  I loved Banning's hands. He could tone down his blatant masculinity beneath lace and satin and curl his long hair into the latest style, but he couldn't hide those barbarian hands. Inherited from his Romanian father, those hands were wide and rough looking, with thick fingers that worked magic on my skin.

  “I will never give you up, Fortune”-those strong hands wrapped around mine tightly-“and Cosmina will see that eventually. Then you will be in danger. We must flee now, before she has time to learn how enduring our love is.”

  “Where will we go?” I frowned at him. Banning had been singing this tune for years, and I was growing tired of it. “You want to give up our position in one of the most prestigious guras, to go into hiding on the chance that our gheara decides to kill me? It's ridiculous, Ban.” I leaned forward and kissed him. “Stop talking nonsense. The only place I want to escape to is our bed and your embrace. Take me there now.”

  Banning groaned and shook his head, but did as I asked. He lifted me, and my layers of skirts, as if I weighed nothing. As soon as I was in his arms, his anxiety disappeared, and he was caught up in our passion. It was always like this for us, from the instant I had awoken to my new existence. As a human, I'd wanted him. I cherished our first meeting, even though I'd spoken harshly to him for daring to approach me. It was the way things were done. You couldn't let a man know that you found him attractive. So I had been cruel, and hoped that he found me intriguing enough to pursue me regardless.

  I'd seen him watching me often, but he'd never approached me again. Not until the day I was stabbed in the streets and left to die. Banning had saved me, and taken me away from my mortal world. He'd given me a new life, an eternal one, and all the gifts that came with it. Including the gift of freedom. The boundaries of society held sway over me no longer. I could give into the desire I felt for Banning, without worry over ruining my reputation. What did human restraint have to do with me anymore? Nothing. I wasn't just a woman now; I was a blooder.

  What was so surprising was that the passion between us had never lessened, not in nine decades. If anything, we'd grown more attracted to each other through the years. It was hard for us to touch each other in any kind of manner without growing excited by it. And, as I mentioned, restraint was no longer an issue. So we gave into our needs as often as we wished.

  Including this very moment.

  Banning undid my petticoats and skirts, pulling them off, and tossing them to the side of the elaborately draped, Baroque bed. I had silk stockings on, held up by lace garters, and high heels on my feet. He yanked the heavy, wood heels away, and then slid the stockings down my calves. I scooted up onto the high mattress, teasing him by moving out of his reach, and then lay back seductively across the fluffy, silk pillows. My bodice was still tightly laced, displaying my breasts while simultaneously denying him access to them.

  Banning smiled and stepped out of his breeches with sensual intent. I sighed appreciatively as his manhood came free, lifting proud before him. I knew every inch of this man, and yet seeing him nude never got old for me. Banning yanked off his shirt, and then climbed up on the bed, stalking me like a predator. I shimmied farther back into the pillows, and he pounced. Those barbaric hands went beneath my knees, parting and lifting. He pushed me deeper into the mound of pillows, laughing a little as my curls fell into my face. I pushed the curls away, and pouted at him, making him laugh harder.

  Then he revealed the silk stockings in his hand. My eyes widened as he tied my forearms to my thighs, keeping my legs up where he wanted them. I lifted a brow, giving him a saucy look. He responded by tearing the front of my bodice open. I inhaled sharply as my breasts spilled free, the cool air tightening my nipples. He tweaked them playfully before settling in against me.

  “I love you, my sweet Fortune,” Banning said softly.

  He lowered his lips to mine as he slid inside me. I reached for him, but my arms were bound tight. So I settled for lifting my hips to meet his thrusts. I moaned into his mouth. The angle set him in me to the hilt. Nothing was better than being with Banning, than having him deep inside and pressed up against me. Life would never be sweeter than in these intimate moments, and I knew we would have thousands of them together. More moments than I had numbers to count with. That's how long our passion would burn. Our love would outlast the gods.

  I keened as we came together faster, my pleasure lifting inside me. At its apex, I cried out, finally answering him.

  “I love you too, Banning. Forever!”

  I sat up straight in bed, coming violently awake with the words shivering on my lips. My entire body was shaking, going from hot to cold, and I ached with need. I could still feel Banning inside me, still taste him in my mouth. Oh gods. I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart, and looked over at the man beside me. Torin, not Banning. It had just been a dream. Hadn't it? Was I truly remembering? And what was this pain in my chest? It was even stronger than the ache between my thighs, and yet felt similar. I was empty inside.

  I lay back in bed carefully, trying not to wake Torin. He didn't stir, and I ended up staring at his striking profile. Moonlight streamed in through the balcony, outlining his face in silver. Just seeing him there, beside me, settled my mind. It didn't matter whether I'd just dreamed up Banning or if it had been an actual memory. Fortune had been wrong about so many things. She and Banning hadn't been destined for eternity, and their love hadn't outlasted the gods. That mistaken
woman was long gone, dust in the ground, and Banning was all that was left of their love.

  Tragic yes, but that's the risk you take when you love so intensely. Fortune had been murdered, just as she'd been in her mortal life. Perhaps that's what was meant to happen. Fortune had to die so that I could be born. And maybe Banning was right about our meeting. Maybe we had been drawn together. Not to return to our love, but to give him the closure he needed to get over it. Because even after that erotic dream, I had no desire to seek out Banning. My hand reached for Torin automatically and gently smoothed back a lock of his hair.

  “I'm exactly where I want to be,” I whispered, and the stones in the relic glowed softly in agreement. “Where I'm meant to be.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  I woke early in the morning, the mist of a new day still hanging over the land. I slid from the warmth of Torin's bed and body, then padded across the silk carpets to the balcony. I was still half-asleep, mind fuzzy from dreams, eyes drifting open and shut. The metal handles were frigid under my fingertips as I pushed the balcony doors open, and the stone beneath my feet was nearly as cold. A wall rose up seamlessly from the balcony's ledge, enclosing the wide space like the rim of a bowl. Absently, I noted my wavering reflection in the smooth onyx. My sheer nightgown turned me into a ghost.

  The thought comforted me in an odd way, as if being a specter would be preferable to being solid in this moment. A spirit could walk the worlds without hindrance. It could stand there, on that onyx precipice, and not be seen. I didn't want to be seen as I reached out to the border between the worlds.

  Oh. Was that what I was doing?

  My vision hazy, I let it go, and mentally focused farther across the sleeping land. Over the steep hills, covered in pointed trees. Across glimmering lakes, turning gold with the sun's awakening. Abruptly, I veered up, feeling for that invisible energy that separated the Planes of Existence. The Veil. That nebulous membrane that held us all together while keeping us apart. There it was, a condensed sheet of energy, vibrating like a struck drum. I could almost touch it with my hands. I knew I could touch it with my voice.