Conquering Fate

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  Anders froze; his eyes wide with horror. Several soldats shouted, but I couldn’t focus on what any of them were saying. Anders threw his body over mine, trying to protect me from more arrows. A soldat came up behind him. Anders swung his arm, striking the man without even looking. Two men came at me. Anders held my body tightly, protecting me, leaving his back exposed. A soldat poked him with a syringe. Anders’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed on top of me.

  Another soldat pulled Anders’s limp body off me.

  “What did you do?” I demanded. Anders couldn’t be dead. My vision swam. I tried to roll over to see him, but the arrow protruding from my leg prevented me from moving that way.

  “We used some of the potion on him,” a soldat said. “He’ll be fine.”

  Relief that Anders wasn’t dead washed through me. I could breathe again.

  “As for you,” the soldat said, kneeling beside me. “That arrow was meant for your friend, not you. Sorry about that.” He pricked my good leg with the potion.

  Cold liquid slid through my body and I jerked awake. I found myself lying in Morlet’s bed with him sitting at my side, a fire heating the room. The curtains had been drawn shut, so I had no idea if it was day or night.

  I pushed myself to a sitting position, wondering what had become of Anders. Since Morlet had the upper hand, making demands or tearing out of the room searching for Anders wouldn’t be a wise move right now.

  With the cape concealing Morlet’s face, I couldn’t discern his mood. “I wasn’t certain you’d wake me up,” I said, my voice raspy.

  “Neither was I.” He stood and removed his cape, tossing it on the chair. He rolled up his sleeves and once again, sat on the bed beside me. “I always said you’d be the death of me or set me free.”

  “And that is the crux of the curse.” One of us would die while the other was set free. My next words stuck in my throat: just let me kill you. But I knew it didn’t work that way. And the thought of being the one to end his life sent a jolt of wrongness through me. “I assume you didn’t wake Anders.”

  Morlet’s eyes flashed with anger.

  “Is he in the dungeon?” I asked, praying Morlet hadn’t killed Anders out of spite.

  He nodded. “I wanted to kill him. But if I did, you would never forgive me, would you?”

  I shifted uncomfortably on the bed, unsure how to answer.

  “I despise Anders for loving you,” he continued. “But how can I blame him?” He reached out and grabbed my hand, clutching onto it. “When I cast the truth spell on you, you told me you cared for him. I just didn’t realize you intended to act on those feelings. Especially now that we’re married.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but Morlet held up his hand, silencing me.

  “Did you even consider how it would make me feel?” he asked. He stood and went to the fireplace.

  How dare he try to make me feel guilty for kissing Anders when Morlet was the one who’d murdered hundreds of citizens because he feared for my safety. I threw off the covers and scooted to the edge of the bed. When my feet hit the floor, my leg buckled, and I fell, crying out in pain. The arrow had been removed from my leg, and a bandage had been wrapped around my thigh. Morlet rushed over to me, sliding his arms under my body and lifting me up. He gently placed me back on the bed.

  “I can heal that for you,” he mumbled.

  “Why would you?” I asked. He didn’t have to be kind or exert himself. My leg would heal on its own.

  Hovering above me, he replied, “I shouldn’t heal you. Any time I help you, it feels wrong.”

  “Then why do you do it time and time again?” If the roles were reversed, I wasn’t sure I’d help him again.

  “Because I want to. And it’s not very often that I want something. Usually my desires are guided by Heks magic. But not this. Not you.”

  With his face mere inches from mine, his bright blue eyes seemed as if they were dissecting every inch of me, searching for something. “When I felt you kissing him, your joy and elation bombarded me like the sun in the middle of a dark rain storm. It nearly killed me.” His face twisted in pain. “How could you do that to me? We’re married,” he whispered. “You’re mine.”

  I’d grown up without a mother and didn’t know how married people interacted. However, I was pretty sure couples didn’t hurt one another intentionally or claim ownership. “Marriage doesn’t work like that.”

  His eyes became glassy. “I have no one but you.”

  “Do not confuse loneliness with love,” I said.

  “Love has no logic, no rationale, it doesn’t make sense.”

  I glanced away, unable to hold his gaze. Unable to give him what he wanted or needed.

  “Let me have a look at your leg,” he said.

  Grateful for the subject change, I scooted back, leaning against the headboard. He unwrapped the bandage around my thigh, inspecting the wound. It had been stitched together—thankfully I’d been asleep for that part. He shook his head.

  “This complicates matters.”

  “How so?” I asked.

  “The muscle is torn and will require a good amount of magic to fix it. If I use that much, the Heks magic of the world will try to claim me.”

  “Then don’t do it.” I started to rewrap my leg. “It can heal on its own.” It would just take some time.

  “Be careful. It almost sounds as if you care about my well-being.”

  I did care for him. I just didn’t love him. And, deep down, I didn’t think he loved me either. I simply reminded him of Linnea. That was all. There was no way he could have true feelings for me. Not when his heart was corrupted by the evil magic he wielded.

  “Let me heal your leg.”

  “What about the consequences for using your magic?” The danger far outweighed the benefits.

  “I’ll only use a small amount of magic to heal the worst part of your injury. If I’m quick about it, I should be fine.”

  “I’m not convinced it’s necessary.”

  “You can keep me grounded here in the present so the magic doesn’t take me.”

  In his swamp dream, I’d been able to keep the magic from consuming him. My palms started sweating and I clutched the blanket. “Okay. But if it becomes too much, I want you to stop.”

  He smiled ruefully. “I need to take off your pants. Well, what’s left of them.”

  “Why?” The one pant leg had been cut off to expose my injury. There was no need to remove any more clothing.

  Morlet chuckled. “I don’t want to accidentally fuse part of your clothing to the wound. Since I’m only using a fraction of my magic and working quickly, it will be a little trickier than usual.”

  I pushed the fabric of my pants farther up my leg, completely exposing my injured thigh. The arrow had been removed and the wound covered with some sort of salve that numbed the area. “You heal me like this, or not at all.” There was no way my pants were coming off.

  “Fine.” He sighed and placed his hand over my wound, chanting words from the old language. The tips of his fingers glowed blue. He guided his magic into my wound. It slid around my muscle, repairing it.

  Dark shadows rose out of the floor, surrounding Morlet, begging him to join them. “Morlet,” I said. “I think the magic is trying to claim you. I’m healed enough, you can stop now.”

  He gave a curt nod and then his magic retreated. A sheen of sweat coated his forehead. When he looked at me, his eyes were lucid, clear, and the shadows in the room disappeared.

  “I never realized how much I’ve come to rely on my magic,” he said. “Now that using it is problematic, I understand my dependence on it.” He stood and went over to the serving table, pouring a glass of water. He handed the cup to me, and I drained it.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  His eyes roamed over my partially bare leg. He hesitated a moment and then leaned down, his lips hovering near mine, waiting for me to meet him halfway.

  21

  In that moment,
as he leaned toward me, his face revealed uncertainty, vulnerability, and love. My heart warmed as Espen showed through, and I leaned forward, my lips touching his. A jolt zipped through me as my power responded, begging to mix with Morlet’s magic.

  My hands slid to his chest, and I shoved him away. “What was that?” I demanded. Did he use his magic on me?

  “A kiss,” he replied, his face awash with confusion.

  “No.” I scooted away from him. “Why was my power responding to your magic? Did you do something?”

  “No, I swear I only kissed you.” His face shifted from innocence to pure mischief. “Why? Do you want me to do more?”

  I ignored his crude remark.

  Morlet stood and pulled the blankets over me. “It’s getting rather late. Go to sleep. I have work to do.” Blowing out the candle on the nightstand, he turned to leave.

  “Do you want me to return to my room?” Now that my muscle was healed, I could walk.

  “You are my wife,” he said, not looking at me. “I want you in my room.”

  A handful of soldats escorted me through the castle. “Where are you taking me?” I asked.

  “To the throne room,” the soldat on my right said. Then he cleared his throat and added, “Your Highness.” His eyes roamed over my body and his forehead scrunched in confusion. Probably because I didn’t look like a queen. I should use one of Morlet’s black capes and drape it around my body, concealing myself. Maybe that’s why Morlet did it—to prevent people from always looking at and assessing him. The man who hadn’t aged in a hundred years.

  This morning when I’d woken up in the king’s bed, he was nowhere to be seen. I had no idea if he had come back to his room last night or not.

  I eyed the soldats around me. I desperately wanted to find Anders, to demand they show me where Morlet had imprisoned him, but I refrained from doing so. The only one who could bring Anders out of his magical sleep was Morlet, so the last thing I wanted to do was upset him.

  We came to a set of double doors, two guards posted on either side. Upon seeing me, they stepped aside, announced me, and I entered the throne room. The soldats remained in the hallway. Morlet was sitting at a table situated near the fireplace. I didn’t remember there being a table in here the last time I visited this place. However, that had been in a dream communication with Morlet, and not in real life.

  “Sit,” the king commanded, pointing at the chair opposite his.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. With his hood on, I couldn’t see his face to determine his mood. However, something had to be going on since he summoned me here.

  The man standing guard at the doors announced Damaris and Norill. I spun around, shocked to see them here as well. Damaris entered first, wearing a simple floor-length dress with her blonde hair tied back. Norill sauntered into the throne room wearing a dress so short, her legs were exposed from the knees down. My face reddened in embarrassment. Her hair hung wild and untamed, matching her eyes.

  “Why have you summoned us here?” Norill asked, taking a seat at the table. She crossed her long legs, her foot tapping Morlet’s knee. He made no attempt to move away from her, and irritation coursed through me.

  Damaris took a seat. She squeezed my arm reassuringly, but didn’t say anything.

  “We have some issues to discuss,” Morlet said. “Like it or not, you are Nelebek’s highest ranking Heks and as such, must abide by the terms of the treaty.”

  “I’d hardly call myself a Heks when I can’t wield my own magic. It must be returned.” Norill leaned toward Morlet, placing her hand on his thigh. “I want it back.”

  “That’s why we’re here today,” he replied, throwing her hand off his leg.

  “We already know how to end the curse,” I interjected. “What else is there to discuss?”

  “We have a problem,” Morlet replied. “Neither you nor I can use our power without calling upon the Heks magic in the world.”

  Norill hissed. “All of the pieces have been found.” She splayed her hands on the table, her long fingernails filed to sharp points.

  “Yes.” Morlet rubbed his face. “And if you want your magic back, you will help me destroy the sapphire.”

  Norill threw her head back, laughing. “Destroy the sapphire?” She abruptly stood, her beautiful face turning severe. “You promised I could have the pieces once they were found. Are you reneging on your word?”

  Morlet pushed his hood back, his blue eyes shining bright. “You can have them, but then I can’t end the curse. Which means you will not wield magic for the rest of your life. The choice is yours.”

  I couldn’t believe he wanted to obliterate the sapphire. All this time I thought I’d have to go behind his back to do so. I never realized he’d want to help.

  “They are not yours,” Norill said. “Why do you decide their fate?” Before he could answer, she moved behind him, sliding her hands over his shoulders. She whispered in his ear, “I swore a blood oath to King Ferdin. I must give him the sapphire.”

  “Since you are now Nelebek’s Skog Heks, that supersedes the blood oath you swore to him,” Damaris said.

  Morlet drummed his fingers on the table, lost in thought.

  Norill released him and straightened, pacing in front of the fireplace. The blue veins under her skin pulsed. “What if I agree to this madness? Then what?”

  “Kaia and I use our power to end the curse, and your magic will be returned to you,” Morlet answered.

  “By damning my kind?” She stopped and cocked her head, observing Morlet.

  “No,” Damaris said. “There will be a new breed of Heks.” She looked at me with hope.

  “What if I don’t agree?” Norill asked, her eyes gleaming. “How do we know Kaia’s child will be the answer to our problem? This child will be a half-breed. What if I take the sapphire and leave?”

  Morlet chuckled. “You can’t leave Nelebek unless the curse is lifted. In order for that to happen, I have to kill the Krigers, or they have to kill me. We can’t do that until we can access our power. The only option is to get rid of the sapphire for good. I think the choice is simple, but we must all agree for it to work.”

  “But that’s the real conundrum, isn’t it?” Norill said, coming to stand behind Morlet again. “If I don’t help you destroy the sapphire, you can’t use your magic.” She looked at me, and I shivered.

  Morlet replied, “Technically, I’ll just end up becoming infused with Heks magic, which will make me a Heks. I’m not sure what will become of you. You may end up a mere human.” He raised an eyebrow, glancing over his shoulder at her.

  “What aren’t you telling me?” Norill asked, her focus on me.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said. If I told her she would die when the curse ended, she would never help us.

  Norill sat on the arm of Morlet’s chair. Running her hand over his chest, she purred, “Maybe we can come to another arrangement? I certainly enjoyed our last one.” She slid her hand between the folds of his cape.

  “Get off him,” I growled, surprised by my own outburst. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. My face went flaming red.

  Norill smiled. “Why? I know you’re married, but I didn’t think you were enjoying his flesh?” She nibbled on his earlobe.

  I stood and leaned forward over the table. “Get your filthy hands off my husband.” Ringing sounded in my ears and my hands flared with pain.

  Damaris wrapped her arm around my waist, pulling me back onto the chair. “Calm down,” she insisted. “The magic is responding to your emotions.”

  I forced myself to focus on Damaris and reason returned. Norill and Damaris shared a look with one another while Morlet kept his attention on me. I’m sure he rather enjoyed watching me make a fool of myself by being territorial.

  “I think we should destroy the sapphire,” Damaris said, surprising me.

  “This requires more thought,” Norill replied. She started pacing about the room again.

  “
Do we know where all the pieces are?” Morlet asked.

  “All but one,” I said. “I believe someone unearthed it in the mines.”

  “So a seedy human stole it,” Norill sneered.

  “I’ll ask my men in charge at the mines if they know something,” Morlet said.

  “How do we destroy the sapphire?” I asked. Was it even safe for us to do so?

  “The sapphire is not meant to be destroyed,” Norill said.

  “But there is a way,” Damaris assured me.

  “Are we certain that when we bring the pieces together, Morlet and I won’t be overtaken by Heks magic?”

  Norill ran her hands through her long hair, laughing as she did so. “Sometimes you surprise me, little queen.”

  Damaris’s gaze flickered to the fireplace, seemingly lost in thought. “It will work out,” she mumbled before standing and striding out of the room without a backward glance.

  “That was rather abrupt,” I said. “Are we done here?” I wanted to go to the dungeon to find Anders. Standing, I stretched, trying to figure out how to ditch my guards. Since I’d freed Anders from the dungeon once before, Morlet could have hidden him elsewhere. Although, since Anders was in a magical state, it wouldn’t matter because I couldn’t set him free. Still, I needed to see him with my own eyes.

  “Where is your crown?” Morlet asked, coming around the table to stand beside me.

  I rolled my eyes.

  “You need to take your position seriously. Put on the crown. Wear clothing befitting of a queen. Unless you don’t want the citizens to see you as their ruler?”

  “Why do you even care? Especially since you plan to kill me?”

  “Don’t get so upset, love. You simply look like a commoner and it’s embarrassing.”

  Norill chuckled. “You even smell like one.”

  I leaned in closer to Morlet. “It didn’t seem to bother you last night when you kissed me in your bed.”