Out of the Mountain

by Violet Chastain

  I pulled him to me roughly, lips crashing into his, and he immediately responded with a rush of relief and joy, as he placed a hand behind my head and held me firmly to him.

  “My heart aches,” he mumbled against my lips, and I couldn’t help the half laugh tinged with a fresh round of tears that came from nowhere.

  “Yes, I’m familiar with that feeling.” I sniffled, and he wiped my eyes.

  “Why are you crying anew?”

  “I don’t even know anymore.” I snorted, and he stood pulling me into his chest.

  “The ache in my heart, it’s a good ache,” he said, and I smiled at his words.

  “So . . . you don’t always say the wrong things,” I admitted.

  “I love you, Vivienne Cosette Reinhold.” I stiffened.

  “I don’t even know your full name.” I gasped at the absurdity of it and was gifted with a loud and full laugh from him that had my heart swelling with joy.

  “Rowan Alastair Leander,” he said when he realized I was serious.

  “Hmm . . .” Vivienne Leander. I blushed at the line of my thoughts, and a smile lit up his face.

  “It does have a nice ring to it.” He chuckled. He had actually read my mind.

  “Don’t do that!” I complained, and he lifted his hands in surrender.

  “I am sorry, but it seems that thoughts of me, much like your dream last night, come through loud and clear. It is quite gratifying for me.” He purred.

  “Yeah, well, keep it to yourself,” I replied, mortified, and he chuckled again.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  We met Mauve in Council HQ. The palace was in a tizzy, and frustration was clearly pronounced in the purse of her lips.

  “How nice of you to finally join us.”

  “I was—”

  “Save your excuses, girl. We don’t have time for them,” she hissed, and I stiffened, anger flaring.

  “Play nice.” Rowan’s voice echoed in my mind, and I took a deep breath.

  “What do you need of me?” I acquiesced, and she thrust a paper into my hand.

  “These are the vows you will be expected to take. Read them and the suggested answers below them. There aren’t as many as there used to be, what with the government being completely changed since a monarch was last crowned.” I scanned the paper and handed it off to Rowan. My attention was solely on Mauve and the dark energy that was surrounding her.

  “Is something the matter?” I asked, and she glared at me fully. I returned her look with a blank expression of my own, and she blinked first. I took that as a win.

  “I had everything planned out perfectly. I was to perform the ceremony myself . . . ,” she said with sneer on her face.

  “What happened?”

  “We have an unexpected guest.” I felt fear pulsate from her and had to hide my discomfort.

  “There you are, my little light.” I jumped up from my seat and spun, head snapping toward the door with tears of joy instantly filling my eyes.

  “Master Liung!” I squealed, jumping into his arms, unable to help myself. This man was like a father to me, the only I had ever known. I hadn’t realized just how much I had missed him, missed them all really. I sniffled into his shirt.

  “I am happy to see you as well. The others send their greetings.” He smiled at me, and I drew back remembering what Farran had said about the no-touching rule. I glanced at Rowan and Mauve in turn and saw the shock on their faces at the exchange. Master Liung looked blankly at Mauve before turning a glare on Rowan that was so out of character that I stiffened. Rowan dropped his eyes to the ground, also out of character, and I wondered just what had transpired between them. Then I thought of all that had transpired between us and almost vomited on the floor. That was so not OK.

  “I was just telling Vivienne of your unannounced arrival,” Mauve said barely hiding the disdain in her voice.

  “Yes, well . . . I am here now, and I do not wish to waste any more time. Vivienne?” He motioned to the open door, and I eagerly followed. Rowan trailed behind us slowly. We walked in silence until we reached my room. I had no idea how he knew which was mine, but knowing things they shouldn’t was normal with the monks.

  We entered the room and found Farran waiting inside. His complexion had taken on a green sickly tone, eyes bloodshot and droopy. He waved his hand and I felt a sudden oppression around me, as if being inside a bubble. He dropped to the chair and closed his eyes, his breath heaving.

  “Farran?” I yelped, rushing to his side. He looked much worse than when I had seen him only hours ago. I put a hand to his head and felt the heat there. He was burning up, but beyond that he felt almost hollow. The magic that usually spilled from him at all times was now nonexistent.

  “There is always a high price to be paid for the use of such magic,” Master Liung said gravely.

  “I thought I was the one making the sacrifice for the blood magic? I bear the marks!”

  “Child, nothing is as simple as you would wish it to be. You bear the marks of the use of said magic. Farran instrumented the rituals, spent his nights preparing the blades, weaving his blood and magic into them. Blood magic isn’t always dark, but it is meant to be. A much greater toll is paid by those who would use it to help instead of harm.”

  “It had to be done, Vivi, and I will pay whatever price comes of it,” Farran rasped, eyes fluttering, a grin trying to lift his mouth.

  “I wouldn’t have done it had I known this would happen.”

  “Yes, you would have. You would have just tried to bear it on your own, but you couldn’t have. You wouldn’t have been able to prepare one ritual, let alone twelve. I have had many years to hone the gifts my parents gave me. You are only at the beginning of your journey, Vivi.”

  “Will he survive this?” I eyed Master Liung, and he didn’t answer immediately.

  “I cannot say, but he has a battle of his own coming at the rise of the full moon, and I will help him fight it,” he said, eyes firm in promise to me. I exhaled in relief, hoping that would be enough.

  “Is that why you came?” I puzzled. In all my life I had never seen any of the monks venture farther than the valley. Knowing what I did now, though, I was sure that couldn’t be true.

  “In part, the official story is that I came to see you crowned,” he replied.

  “We have seen things. I came against the wishes of my brothers with the promise that I would not interfere,” he admitted.

  “I’m going to die, aren’t I? You came to see me one last time.” I sat on the side of my bed, fear taking over.

  “You will not die,” Rowan barked in outrage, and I felt his spill of emotions from beyond his barrier: fear, disbelief, anger. Master Liung turned on him as if just remembering he was there. Rowan stood straighter. I grimaced, preparing for the onslaught.

  “You would do well to keep quiet, boy. I find that I have limited patience with you.” Master Liung said, and I flinched. Since when did any of the monks’ patience come with limits?

  “Master Liung?” I questioned, and he sighed.

  “If what you have seen and felt through Vivienne has made you question me so, I would implore you to look within me as well to ease your mind,” Rowan all but whispered. Silence descended on the room before Master Liung walked to stand in front of Rowan.

  “So be it,” he said as he grabbed his arm in a tight grip. A minute passed before Master Liung stepped back and nodded at Rowan.

  “None would be worthy, but you will never stop trying to be.” He said it like a threat.

  “Never,” Rowan intoned, looking at me solemnly. My heart clenched.

  “Well then, now that that is settled, let’s move on to more pressing matters.” Master Liung said, relaxing into the man I knew and loved.

  “So I’m not going to die?”

  “I cannot tell you your fate, Vivienne. You know that,” he chastised, and I huffed.

  “I can, however, state the facts of now.” He grinned mischievously.

 
“What might those facts be, Master?” I returned his grin.

  “Kieran and two other men have entered into the Fae realm as of just moments ago. They have a long and perilous journey ahead of them, and Ambrosine is none too happy with the way their bargain was broken. Something was taken from her, you see.” His eyes got that faraway look, and I itched to reach out and touch him, to know what he was seeing.

  “There are many possible futures in play, Vivienne, and only a few have endings that are acceptable. Loss is inevitable in any future, many battles will proceed the war that is to come. You must remain strong, and if your strength falters you must allow others to compensate and help you reach your potential. You are a crucial part of what is to come, your life affects so many others. You must do all that you can to preserve it.” His eyes were sad, pleading.

  “Well, I don’t want to die, so I will most certainly try not to.” I snorted, and he eyed me ruefully.

  Farran coughed hard and loud, body racking with the force of it. Blood splattered from his lungs.

  “Farran!” I cried and his eyes fluttered open.

  “Don’t worry, Vivi. When I die, I intend to go down swinging,” he tried to joke, but it fell flat and I hugged him to me.

  “Don’t you dare die. You’re the only blood family I’ve got, and I’m only getting to know you. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “That’s not true. You have another blood relative who is actively trying to kill you and steal your powers.”

  “You’re the only one I claim, then.”

  “Ditto, kid,” he rasped, and I frowned at Master Liung.

  “I must take him now, it will only get worse with the pull of the full moon so near. I will do all I am allowed to ensure his survival, and you will do the same for yourself.”

  “Promise?” I eyed him.

  “Promise,” he agreed, and he walked over to Farran and scooped him up in his arms. I was a bit awed at the sight of Master Liung’s small frame easily supporting Farran’s much longer and larger one. He winked at me, and I smiled.

  “Until we meet again. Tell Mauve I had an emergency to attend to. She will be happy enough at my absence not to ask questions.” He smiled and nodded gravely at Rowan before disappearing from the room. I slumped into the chair that Farran had vacated and let out a frustrated huff of air. Things just kept getting more and more complicated. Rowan crossed the room and knelt down in front of me.

  “We will make it through this fight,” he said as he placed his hands over mine in my lap.

  “Yeah, unless we don’t . . . which seems more likely.”

  “Do not say that; do not even entertain the thought of failure. It is not an option.” His eyes flashed, and I felt his emotions wash over me. They were as fierce as my own when thoughts of him coming to harm entered my mind.

  “I’ll watch your back, if you’ll watch mine.”

  “You mustn’t worry about me during battle. I can protect both of our backs,” he grumbled and I laughed.

  “Watch that ego. You wouldn’t want Master Liung to have to set you straight again,” I joked, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

  “Any man who was measured in such a way would be found wanting.”

  “I highly doubt you would ever be found wanting,” I protested truthfully. It was a flattering thought, but the man was gorgeous, skilled, smart, strong, caring. A smile split his face, and I groaned.

  “Don’t listen in on my thoughts!”

  “I could hardly help it. You were practically gushing them at me.” He laughed, and I blushed, but I felt his gratitude, his happiness and pride flowing steadily toward me, and that softened the blow.

  “You are all those things and more. Beautiful, clever, capable, magnanimous, extraordinary, resilient . . . If I were to list all the things you were to me, I would run out of words.”

  “You’re getting better at this,” I complimented, and he chuckled, bringing his hand to my cheek and tracing my jawline with his thumb.

  “You make me better.” He sighed, and I breathed it in, heart swelling. I leaned in and planted a soft kiss to his lips before pulling him into me. Being with him like this, calming and comforting each other’s minds, was just as fulfilling and enjoyable as the physical side of our relationship. I felt a tingle in my mind before I heard him.

  “I have waited my entire life to feel this whole, this loved and safe. Her beauty, her strength, her trusting nature . . .all of it must be protected. Nothing will come between us, I will not allow it.” His thoughts were possessive and raw. I pulled back to look him in the eye and saw confusion. He hadn’t told me that; I had overheard his thoughts!

  “Well then,” I said, grinning.

  “What is it?”

  “Your inner thoughts are quite possessive of me.” I chuckled, and he blanched.

  “You heard my thoughts?”

  “Only a snippet.”

  “Hmm . . .” was all he managed before there was a loud knock at the door.

  I stood and he followed suit as I walked to answer it. I was surprised as a flood of people filtered in. All of the guards and novices entered my room at once: Briony, Luca, Finley, Genevieve, Jonah, Peyton, Griffin, Malachi, Tamora, Tasmin, Adelaide, Willa, Marlowe, and Felix.

  “What’s going on?” I yelped, room full of people and feeling quite exposed to their prying eyes.

  “Guard HQ is filled with people. We received a note from Farran telling us to gather here. He said he had placed a seal on your room to keep prying eyes and ears out,” Malachi said, flopping down onto my bed.

  “Everyone find a place and be seated then,” Rowan growled, unhappily eyeing Malachi. I pulled Briony along with me and smacked Malachi’s leg.

  “Shoes off my bed! Scooch over and make some room.” I barked and he huffed sitting up and scooting to allow us to sit. Rowan sat in his chair and the others made themselves spots on the floor. Luca sat on the floor, back against the bed rail in between Briony and me. Peyton and Genevieve sat next to him, and the others made a kind of circle around the room facing one another, leaning on walls and furniture. Adelaide sat herself at Rowan’s feet and I bristled.

  His eyes met mine with a flash before he glanced at Malachi beside me. He was jealous as well. The difference was that Malachi and I had never had a relationship of any kind. I had seen Adelaide pressed against him on more than one occasion. I glared at him, and he looked away guiltily.

  “Is it true that one of the monks visited you?” Briony blurted out next to me, and I jumped looking at her.

  “What? Yes,” I said, startled by her outburst.

  “Sorry, I was dying to know, and we were all just sitting here not saying anything,” she apologized and I laughed.

  “Yes, he came with a sort of warning.” I looked at Rowan for help.

  “Against the wishes of his brothers, he came to see Vivienne. The monks are bound by their duty to safeguard the prophecies and not interfere, but they have a unique relationship with our princess and Master Liung could not leave without offering advice and lending a margin of help.” Pride shone through him as he spoke of me, and I sat up straighter.

  “It seems that Farran has taken the true sacrifice of the rituals that we have been performing in an attempt to protect me. I had noticed his health was declining a bit, but he assured me it was just exhaustion. Master Liung said that the marks I bear are only a side effect of use of the blades to complete the ritual and not actually the sacrifice that had to be made. He said that Farran will face a battle of his own to survive when the full moon rises. He promised he would help him as much as was allowed,” I assured them, but their faces fell.

  “So we are down another person,” Tasmin grumbled, glaring at me.

  “His sacrifice, as well as Vivienne’s, will ensure that we are able to hold our own in the battle that is to come. You would do well to show respect,” Rowan said to her, and she nodded.

  “She’s right, though; we are now down Silas and Farran. We need to adjust our strate
gy.” Adelaide pressed, and Rowan nodded.

  “I think it would be best if we worked in pairs,” Luca suggested, and I nodded.

  “I agree. It would be easier to watch one another’s backs and try to keep from killing as many as possible. The creatures are terrible and horribly frightening . . . but underneath there is an innocent victim who has no control. I have noticed that there are tethers that connect them all to the darkness. The dark magic recoils from the light of my healing powers. All it will take is a small prick, enough to put blood on your blade and the light will enter and expel the shadow.”

  “Yes, but then we will have a potentially incoherent person, confused and vulnerable, caught in the fray,” Adelaide said, and I frowned. She was right about that.

  “It cannot be avoided. It is better to save some than to allow chaos to reign and for all to perish,” Rowan said.

  “I will find Narissa as soon as possible and stop it from the source,” I said, and they all looked at me appraisingly. I felt the weight of that as well as the looks of disbelief on more than a few faces. They didn’t believe me capable, and though I wasn’t sure I was either, it stung all the same.

  “How will you find her? None of us even know what she looks like,” Tamora asked, and I smiled.

  “Oh, I am positive she will make herself known, and besides—with that much darkness surrounding her, I am sure she will be seen easily enough.”

  “How should we split into partners?” Marlowe asked, orange hair bright in the corner of the room.

  “Maybe as dates?”

  “We already have dates,” Adelaide said, motioning between herself and Tasmin.

  “You invited potential suitors to what you knew would put them in the direct line of danger?” Rowan scoffed, and Adelaide glared at him.

  “There isn’t any potential to it, and they are more than capable of defending themselves against any threat.”

  “And if they are the threat?” Tamora asked, glaring at her sister.

  “Rest assured, we have checked every inch, and there is no mark to be found on either of them.” She grinned at Adelaide, who laughed in return.