The Last Lullaby (The Spellsinger Book 1)

by Amy Sumida

  I faced the East, and began the chanting lyrics of Wendy Rule's “Circle Song.”

  It was a witch's chant, used to cast a circle of protection in preparation for spellwork. An odd choice to sing to the Veil, but I hadn't really chosen it. The words had risen inside me all on their own.

  My mother used to sing this song; she loved it, but it was my father who had taught it to her. He told me once that I was a natural progression in the evolution of witches. Words had power, so it made sense that singing them could cast a spell. Dad had sung this particular song to me only once, to show me how regular witches were already headed toward the evolution I represented. But they had a long ways to go. For now, they needed tools and ingredients to cast spells, not just the magic they were born with. It was much simpler for me, especially when I sang a song that already had magical intent within its lyrics. I didn't even have to focus much. I faced the direction in which I wanted the magic to go and sang. The words vibrated into the air and hung there.

  East was complete.

  I turned to the North, and chanted more of the powerful warding. Calling the corners as my father used to do. Between each line, I moaned out the sounds that connected the corners, dragging the magic with me to the next direction. I shifted toward the West, and my voice lifted higher, the lilting sounds seeming to gather their power in preparation for the finale. I turned to look to the South, and felt the air sizzling around me as the last of the chant surged through the relic.

  My spell intensified within the jewels, like sunlight through a magnifying glass, and I was briefly pulled along with it, out to the Veil. I saw the border as a shimmering thing, a collection of limitless energy around each realm. My spell pulsed out to touch it, hardening that energy into an impenetrable shell. A circle of protection closed around Tír na nÓg.

  My awareness pulled back into my body, and I came fully awake, staring across the Onyx Kingdom from Torin's lofty balcony, as the sun blazed over the horizon, warming my skin, and lifting my spirit. I inhaled deeply. The bright scent of evergreens helped to clear my head further. As much as my siren's blood loved the ocean, my witch's heart gloried in the alpine feel of the Onyx Kingdom. Such a contradiction. Half of me longed for salt on the breeze while the other half craved the scent of snow. Had I been born to never be satisfied?

  “Elaria.” Torin's low whisper wrapped over me from behind. A warm cloak against my chilled thoughts.

  Then his hands replaced his words, sliding over my shoulders, skimming down my chest to finally rest at my waist. His heat surged around me as he leaned into my back, his hips set firmly to mine. Torin's hands closed in tighter until he had his forearms crossed over my belly and I was fixed perfectly into his angles. I sighed, and leaned back into him.

  “What have you done now, little bird?” Torin's cheek slid down beside mine.

  “Can't you feel it?” I looked over at him. “I think the relic was guiding me.”

  “You've closed the Veil.” His eyes lifted, caught the rising sun, and turned into fire. “How is it possible?”

  “I don't know.” I followed his gaze to the fading crimson that had streaked the sky with the last echoes of my song. “The collar must possess more magic than we'd thought.”

  “Indeed,” Torin whispered. “It knows what to do before we do. Healing the guardians. Closing the borders of our world.” He shook his head in disbelief. “We have the threat contained now. No matter what happens here, Earth is safe.”

  “Yes.” I trailed a fingertip over the relic. “Earth is safe. Now we must make sure it stays that way.”

  “When Galen realizes what you've done, he'll come for you,” Torin said with a smile. “He'll have no choice.”

  “Or we could go to him,” I suggested. “Take him unaware. After this, he won't be expecting us to march on Sapphire.”

  “True.” Torin frowned in thought. “But here, we'd have the advantage.”

  “And here, they would be free to ravage the rest of your kingdom.” I turned in his arms to face him. “I don't like that possibility.”

  “Neither do I.” Torin sighed, and brushed his lips across mine. “But I like the thought of you riding through several enemy kingdoms even less.”

  “I don't think I've ever been so powerful.” I slid my hands up his back. “It's kind of ironic that I've found someone who wants to protect me after I no longer need protecting.”

  “You can still be hurt, Elaria,” Torin's gaze went grim. “Don't make the mistake of thinking yourself indestructible.”

  “I know I can be hurt,” I assured him. “I just don't think I need your protection.”

  “And I think you're wrong.” He pulled me in closer, so I could feel his words upon my lips. “You need someone to watch over you, and I intend to be that man.”

  “If you insist.” I smiled into his kiss.

  Torin eased me backward until I was pressed against the stone railing. As I lifted my hands to his face, smoothing the tension I found there, he lifted my sheer, silk sheath, and wedged himself between my thighs. I sucked in a breath, feeling him hard through the fabric of his cotton breeches. One of my hands went to his shoulder, to help pull myself up, and the other slid into the front of his pants, pulling him out. In seconds, we were together, moaning our desire into the morning.

  As the sun finally settled into its full glory, lighting the Onyx Kingdom in brilliant clarity, Torin and I found our own brilliance together.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Well, that will stop the importing of explosives,” was what Cerberus said to the news of my closing off the Veil.

  “You trapped them, just as you did Lincoln's army,” Banning nodded. “Well done.”

  “She's kind of trapped us all.” Cerberus frowned a little.

  “I'm sure her spell will be broken once this is all over,” Banning defended me.

  “It wasn't really me.” I shrugged. “The relic guided me into doing it. I was only half-awake.”

  “More susceptible to magic's influence,” Cerberus said. “Your will was weakened.”

  “The relic has its own agenda,” Sir Hugh observed. “Interesting.”

  “It was created with a purpose,” Torin said, “and it's extremely powerful. It makes sense that it would work toward its goal with or without Elaria's help.”

  “It had my help.” I shrugged. “I would have done it anyway. I just didn't think to do it.”

  “Whatever the case,” Sir Arnet said, “we'll have to patrol the kingdom more diligently now. Lady Elaria has crippled their impetus. They'll need to get free of her restriction before they can do anything else. And they know exactly where to find her.”

  “You're right,” Torin agreed. “Add more patrols. We want to make sure our people are safe as well. Galen is just the sort to take out his frustration on innocents.”

  “Yes, sire.” Arnet stood. “I'll dispatch more patrol units immediately.” He strode from the room.

  We were in Torin's study, meeting with the generals and Torin's advisers. When Torin and I had come downstairs that morning, we'd found the generals impatiently awaiting us, pacing the hall. They'd felt the difference in the Veil as soon as the spell had been cast, all of them being strong magic users, and they wanted an explanation. The one we'd supplied had shocked them into silence. And necessitated this meeting.

  “I need to inform my queen,” the Howlite commander said. “She'll be worried, I'm sure.”

  A murmur of agreement went around the table. He wasn't the only one who had important Shining Ones to reassure.

  “Of course.” Torin waved regally. “Why don't all of you return to your kingdoms, and put your monarchs's minds at ease? We will continue to prepare for battle while you're gone. But tell the royals that we will need their troops soon, as this new development has sped up our anticipated schedule.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” the Chrysocolla Commander stood, followed by the others. “I'll return with our troops as soon as I'm able. I dearly hope that
this is a sign that the war shall both start and end swiftly.” Then he surprised me by turning to me, and bowing, “By your leave, Queen of Song.”

  The room went quiet, but only for a moment. The other commanders in the room bowed as well, echoing the new title Chrysocolla had offered me. I managed to give them all a shaky nod, as Torin started to smile. By the time all the commanders had exited, Torin was beaming.

  “Queen of Song,” he repeated smugly.

  “I'm not a queen.” I frowned at him. “I'm not even a Shining One. Why did they call me that?”

  “You know why,” Torin chided gently. “How do Shining Ones become royalty?”

  “They show a powerful affinity to a particular stone.” I shrugged.

  “You currently control all the stones,” Torin smirked. “And you do it through song. Your new title is both fitting and diplomatic.”

  “Diplomatic?” Cerberus cocked his head at Torin.

  “The other monarchs would have felt threatened if Elaria had been named Queen of Jewels or something encompassing like that. It would essentially put them under her rule.”

  “So he called me 'Queen of Song' to acknowledge my talent without acknowledging my authority.” I chuckled. “Smooth.”

  “But he also asked for your permission to leave, instead of Torin's,” Cerberus noted. “He did acknowledge your superiority; he just did it subtly.”

  “Cunning,” Torin nodded. “And he did it before I could claim a title for Elaria. The words have been spoken, and they've been accepted by you.” He gestured to me. “You are now the Queen of Song. There's nothing anyone can do to change it.”

  “Tricky,” I said. “He played on my ignorance.”

  “I would have stopped you from accepting if I'd thought it was a hindrance to you,” Torin assured me. “As it is, I believe Sir Barret has done you a great service. I shall remember to thank him, and to be wary of him. It's best to keep a man like that within your sights.”

  “I like the way you think, King Torin,” Cerberus laughed.

  “Thank you.”

  “So do I get a kingdom now?” I smirked.

  “In Tír na nÓg, you can have anything within your power to claim,” Torin said seriously. “If you want a kingdom, Elaria, we will get one for you.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” I gaped at him.

  “Told you,” Cerberus muttered to me.

  “Shut up, Cer.” I kept my eyes on Torin.

  “I'm very serious,” Torin said. “May I recommend Sapphire? It matches your eyes.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Don't trust him,” someone whispered.

  I swung about, fists at the ready, searching my guest room.

  “Are you all right, Your Majesty?” Sara asked.

  “Didn't you hear that?” I scowled. “And also . . . are you fucking kidding me? How did you know to call me 'Your Majesty'?”

  “I heard nothing but your heavy, human-like tread across the carpet.” Sara grimaced. “And gossip spreads fastest among the servants. I knew you were a queen, practically the moment you were declared one.”

  “Betrayal . . .” The word drew out in a creepy hiss.

  “There!” I pointed to the air in accusation. “You had to have heard that.”

  “Are you losing your mind, Your Majesty?” Sara cocked her head at me consideringly. “It's been known to happen to great magic users.”

  “Shit”-I blinked-“maybe I am. I swear I just heard someone talking.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Sara sighed. “That was me.”

  “Not you, you ass,” I growled. “It sounded like a man's voice. Deep. Rumbly. Powerful.”

  “Powerful?” Sara seemed to consider. “What did this deep, rumbly, powerful voice say to you?”

  “It said”

  “Don't trust him.” The voice came again, right on cue.

  “Damn it, there it is again,” I snapped. “Don't trust who? Which him? You wanna be a little more specific, Mr. Creepy?”

  “Perhaps your power over the stones has provided you with a precognition talent?” Sara suggested.

  “Perhaps.” I scowled at the room in general. “I highly doubt that I'm the Heir of Slytherin.”

  “Elaria.” Torin strode into the room. “Would you come with me please?”

  “Don't trust him.” The rumble came again, and a shiver went down my spine.

  Torin? Was that who I wasn't supposed to trust? Oh dear gods.

  “Elaria?” Torin frowned, and came farther into the room. “Are you all right? You look a little pale.”

  “Yes.” I swallowed hard, and sent a quick, silencing look to Sara.

  She nodded once, crisply.

  “I'm fine.” I went to Torin. “Where are we going?”

  “Just to my study.” He gave me one last, piercing look, then offered me his arm.

  I took it and let him lead me down the hallway to his private office. The door opened to reveal a spacious room with a curving bank of windows directly across from the door. A padded bench was set into the curve, its cushion wrapped in forest green velvet. The walls were covered in expensive, tapestry wallpaper in a slightly lighter green, but most of the wall space was taken up by ebony bookshelves, filled with leather-bound books.

  The ebony shelves matched the grand desk, crouching before the windows. It was hand-carved and looked heavy enough to require a troll to move it. Or possibly the animal whose skull hung over the desk. The bleached skull leered at me, eye sockets and gaping mouth full of fey lights, which came on as soon as Torin waved his hand in the room. Magically powered, motion-sensing fairy lights. At least he didn't have to clap them on.

  Torin walked over to a table, set off to the left of the desk. He waved me into a seat before it, then pulled a velvet-lined tray over to me. There were chunks of crystals on the tray. Too many to count. My hand went to my collar subconsciously, and Torin smiled.

  “All the kingdoms of Tír na nÓg are represented here,” Torin took the seat beside mine.

  “Okay.” I cocked my head at him.

  “I thought you might like to have some loose stones to focus on,” Torin explained. “Maybe it will be easier for you to discover the properties of each jewel if you have them separate, and can concentrate on them individually.”

  “You want me to hone my skills,” I said thoughtfully.

  “We are all preparing for war.” He nodded. “I thought you might like to have a way to train as well. These are the jewels of our known enemies, you may want to start there.” He pointed to a grouping that was separated from the rest.

  “Thank you.” I picked up a jagged-looking, lavender-blue chunk.

  “You're welcome.” Torin set a quick kiss on my lips before standing. “I'll leave you to it. No one will bother you in here.”

  “Okay.” I rolled the rock in my palm, and immediately felt the magic flare within it.

  “If you don't make an appearance at the mid-day meal, I'll return for you.” Torin winked at me, and closed the door behind him.

  “Sure,” I said absently as the power of kyanite revealed itself to me.

  One after another, the properties of the jewel rolled through my mind. Images of what was possible flashed like movie trailers, each one describing what kyanite could create. But most of its properties were too general or were useless in a war. I needed something to help me in battle, to fight back against those who already held power over this gemstone.

  As soon as the thought formed, more images flashed into my head. I gasped as the creativity of kyanite showed itself capable of forming unusual battle tactics. The property of commitment revealed that it could band our assorted armies together. Loyalty would make sure that no one betrayed us. Meditation would calm us, and open paths we had not considered. Communication would keep our orders precise, and our troops focused. Cleansing offered me purity to face the fight without the past hindering me. Dreams whispered about finding truth in my subconscious. And finally, honesty promised to disco
ver the truth in others.

  I dropped the stone and fell forward, catching myself on my palms. Instantly, I saw more images, and I jerked back. My palms had fallen over other gemstones. I pushed my chair away from the table to get some space. Jagged breaths sawed in and out of my lungs, and I slowly realized that the relic was glowing. The light spread over my chest, seeping into my skin, and my hands went to the collar in fright.

  But it wasn't trying to hurt me. The relic only sought to comfort me and show me how to handle the influx of information. The collar was the key. I shouldn't have tried to delve into the jewel energy without its help. I sighed as the heat of its compassion eased my tension, and I found myself sliding back to the table, and picking up another stone.

  The process began again, but this time, I was prepared for it.

  Malachite, Selenite, Tiger's Eye- I went through each gem carefully, analyzing its properties with cool calculation. I could weave these talents into my music, and use them to hobble our enemy before they employed them against us. It was devious, but the fate of all existence was on the line, and I was down with devious if it meant winning.

  By the time I'd worked my way through half of the known Sapphire supporters, my head was spinning and my stomach rumbling. I'd forgotten all about the creepy voice in my guest room. I was lost to the jewels and their multitude of powers. I got to my feet in a daze, and headed for the door. Surely it must be time for lunch.

  A few steps was all it took to clear my head completely. I took a deep breath, feeling strong and confident at last. Torin had been right; I needed this. Every other warrior was out honing their combat skills daily. I'd practiced with the relic, but it felt as if I were fumbling through the spells. I was grasping in the dark, trying to guess my way into mastery. When all along, this was what I'd needed. What better way to understand a thing than to learn about its components?