“I’m sorry, Prince Mikail, this is what happens when she goes through an intense healing. She will be fine. She just needs rest.” The young woman tried to help Willow off the deck, but I held out a hand to stop her.
“No, please, stop. Allow Baleon to carry her to her quarters and assist with her rejuvenation.”
Only once I was standing did I realize I felt one hundred percent like myself. Better than myself. I stepped to Baleon as he lifted Willow into his arms. She was already asleep, likely passed out from the exertion, as Amelia had done many times before. There was only so much power a body could take before it shut down out of self-preservation — especially one whose power had been withheld for so long. The women from my mother’s labs weren’t much different than Amelia when we first met in Brighton. The Keeper power was too much to handle. Her outbursts, her sporadic emotions…it all lined up with what these women were also going through as they acclimated.
“Stay with her for as long as she needs, Bale,” I directed as I looked over his shoulder at the dispersing crowd. At least a dozen Immortals had watched Willow do her work. “Make sure she’s okay and then find me so we can begin our work breaking the binds.” He nodded and followed the women toward the barn. As I watched their progress, I realized the area where Willow had allowed Mother’s spell to release was now a charred hole in Derreck’s deck. That was what she’d placed inside her son.
Only my mother would believe there was a lesson to be learned from that.
With Baleon busy and Aidan gone, I was free to roam the area. Since Amelia and I had been at Cresthaven, I hadn’t had a free moment when I wasn’t shadowed by Bale, Amelia, or my mother’s Hunters. It was freeing to have my thoughts and actions to myself, even for just a few minutes.
I thought about heading into the house to check on Amelia, but was afraid I’d run into Bethany since I’d seen her going that way only minutes before. My pride still stung from Cora’s admission, but she wasn’t wrong. Bethany was the only person who had ever known me as simply me. I missed her strange southern language, her silly analogies, and her laugh. There was a light inside her nothing could put out and it shined so brightly, I was drawn to her in ways I knew I shouldn’t be. But, what’s done was done, and her feelings were clear.
I didn’t need magic to feel the anger and hurt she felt while near me. What she would never understand was I was only trying to keep her off my mother’s radar. Had my mother realized Bethany meant anything at all to me, she surely would have taken action against her. I couldn’t handle the possibility.
Rather than coming up against the storm of fury that was Bethany, I walked toward the barn. Aidan had given me the job of collecting the abilities of those around us, and he was right. We needed to understand who and what we were working with. What he didn’t understand was not everyone wanted to disclose their individual abilities. Those were often a best-kept secret until the battles were fought and the element of surprise was yours.
I stepped into the dimly lit barn and allowed my eyes to adjust. There were people loitering in various groups, but all their chatter stopped when I entered. Trying to stay casual, I approached the first group. A young man and two women stood together. I stretched out my hand and introduced myself, as if I hadn’t just been made a spectacle of and they didn’t obviously know my name and title.
“Hello, I’m Micah. It’s nice to meet you all.” I spoke as they shook my hand, each of them seeming intrigued, yet hesitant. I looked toward the women as I continued, “I want to apologize for all you’ve been through. I know simple words are not enough, but the actions of my mother are not mine, and I had no idea what was happening beneath the stones of my own home. The barriers in place kept me from feeling any of you or realizing what you were going through. Please know I will do everything in my power to right this wrong and you should never hesitate to come to me.” The two women looked at each other and then back at me. A tingling in the air suggested they were discussing who would respond.
The first woman to speak identified herself as Sully. She pushed her long black hair back as she squared her shoulders. “Thank you, your highness.”
I interrupted her, touching her arm to allow her to feel the genuine emotion behind my words. “I am just Micah, and I am here to help all of you however I can.”
Her blue eyes widened in surprise and then her lips curved upward. Sully was a beautiful woman, and her belly swelled in a way that made it obvious she was one of those who would give birth soon. “Okay then, just Micah, you should know that even before we were bound, we were also unable to feel anything outside the walls of our room, so I believe you. And I appreciate your thoughtfulness to come see us. It is…unexpected.”
The AniMage who helped with the rescue, Eric, interrupted. “Do you honestly think we’re safe here? You understand the Queen and the power she holds over the Hunters, can’t she find us?” He stood with his arms crossed and his feet wide, making himself appear as large as possible. His posture clearly communicated that though he knew he wasn’t a Prince, he was someone who believed he should be feared. The smaller woman crossed her arms as well, her face pinched in a way that made her wariness obvious as she stepped closer to Eric.
I stood still, but relaxed my posture and clasped my hands behind my back. It made me vulnerable, but it allowed him to understand I was not there to challenge. “I do believe we are safe here, for the time being. There are many decisions to be made, but there are also lives at risk. We cannot take the chance of women like Sully giving birth on the run. There are too few children born to our races right now. Others will join us soon and we will begin to build our strategy. The time will come when we will need to leave this place, but not yet. And, as far as the Queen is concerned,” I continued, refusing to acknowledge my blood ties, “she was weakened in the attack and the Hunters are not free to leave Cresthaven without her allowing it. Until she is of sound mind, or she dies, they are locked there.”
I hadn’t admitted that fact to anyone yet, not even Aidan, but this felt like the time to do it. The others in the barn were listening, and my voice carried across the stalls and into the rafters. I had just shared a very valuable secret, had committed treason, and could not have felt more relieved to betray my family and my crown.
10
I felt them all standing around me, and she felt them, too. An AniMage, a Mage, a Hunter, and Charlie, whatever he was — distinct, powerful entities that held my fate in their hands. I didn’t understand the specifics of the plan — there was no easy way for them to tell me beforehand — so I prayed Aidan stayed away like he’d promised.
She stalked through my system, immediately seeking me out. She knew I played a part in their presence. She knew I could stop them, but I wouldn’t. No matter what happened today, I would not stop them. And so, for the first time since Cresthaven, I pushed back. Aidan gave me courage and Baleon gave me strength, so I fought against her, pushing my violet flame higher and higher, lighting up the darkness I normally hid behind. I shined as brightly as I could to remind her I controlled us. This was my body and mind. I was coming to claim what was mine.
As she reared back, preparing to counter my small onslaught of power with her own, I felt him there. Cole was scared. His fear washed over me like the first swim of summer, the water like ice until you fully submerged. Once his emotion settled, he began to feed me his calming magic, and I allowed the deep green to swirl amidst my pulsing violet.
With one quick blast, the Keeper pulled away as she shrieked and howled. She remembered this. She knew what we’d done at Cresthaven and how I’d kept her sidelined, only pulling what I needed and could control from her. This time, though, she didn’t understand what I wanted from her.
I forced my way toward her, the mix of my and Cole’s powers becoming smoke, filling my veins and spreading through my system. Our only intent was to force her into a corner. Cole whispered in my ear, our sibling connection allowing only me to hear his hushed instructions. We had to cont
ain her power in one place, to force her into a situation where the binding could contain all of her at once.
I could feel him holding back, keeping a tight grip on his power, giving me only what he felt I needed. I wanted to pull more, I knew he had it to give, but his apprehension was clear, so I kept myself controlled. When the Keeper retaliated, which she did with waves of nauseating emotion and blots of darkness that tried to envelope our light and force it away, he upped the ante, and I felt lightheaded with the rush of power. She ran from our collective brightness and moved through the dark shadows our light had yet to reclaim.
We chased her slowly, working methodically and filling my physical body one inch at a time with our combined power. It took effort to maintain the energy flowing through me while remaining strong enough to keep her from pushing back.
Cole had to help more and more. I struggled to maintain. I missed the boost the captive Keeper provided. I could have used a charge from any of those bright orbs of light right about now. But, finally, we cornered her, there was nowhere else for her to go. She hissed and wailed, throwing darts of power at us, slicing and tearing at the web we built around her. The closer we came, the harder she fought, seeming to realize what was coming next.
I didn’t know what it would feel like, and Cole barely had time to warn me before Baleon blasted in, fully entering my mind, his orange inferno raging toward her. I couldn’t avert my eyes. It was like staring down the center of a solar flare — orange, yellow, red, and black swirling together and away from each other in a force that radiated domination and promised pain. I fought to maintain my hold on the Keeper and screamed at Cole.
Stop holding back! You have to help me. We have one chance and Bale’s power is too much for me to handle alone. He could rip me apart getting to her!
Cole hesitated one long second, and then I felt him fill me up. I almost sighed at the sense of completeness our combined energy gave me. He calmed the ragged edges and frayed pieces while bolstering my power and forcing the Keeper to recoil further. He was her kryptonite and my complement. I was stable, strong, and sure. The exhaustion disappeared and as Baleon’s power burst through our barrier, surrounding the Keeper, I thought I was ready.
What I didn’t expect was the searing pain. A white hot lance shattered my illusions of strength and dropped me to my knees. I screamed out as I heard him. You must hold her! You must contain her or I will fail!
The pain spiraled out from my core and with every bind he was able to make around her, I felt the same agony she did, like he stripped my flesh from my bones and replaced it with a spiked rope he twisted and tied. With every knot he completed, she shrank, but so did I. The idea that we were truly one being was never something I considered. This was torture.
Take it, Amelia! Take what you need. We’re so close. I’m here, just do what you have to do!
Cole’s voice broke through the haze. I felt him push more of himself toward me, giving me complete access. I grabbed at him and took. I quickly drew from the only power that could ease the pain, but it wasn’t enough.
With every second of peace he brought me, Baleon’s persecution by flame caused double the pain. The roped connection between Cole and I was strong. It was a connection I’d held my whole life and a constant I’d always counted on.
He told me to take what I needed and I stopped holding back. I drew from him without reservation, taking everything necessary for me to stand strong as Baleon continued to wrap his fiery tentacles around her to complete the binding.
I couldn’t stop the screams, but with each lashing burn, I pulled from him again, and Cole’s power soothed the pain just in time for another bind to wrap itself around me. As her shrieks and my screams died out, I heard Cole’s anguished cry. The last bind still scalded my skin and instinctively, I pulled once more, only to feel nothing.
11
Her screams didn’t end. She thrashed to the point where I called in Micah and Elias to hold her down, and all the while, I was completely helpless. I couldn’t touch her, I couldn’t help her, I couldn’t give her anything to make it easier. Her cries were raw, guttural admissions of pain I not only heard, but saw. Each bind Baleon placed welted across her skin and slashed through her aura. I watched the violet and green smoke enveloping her glow bright, dim, and then brighten again as she pulled more from Cole. Tears streamed from her eyes and pooled in the curve of her neck, eventually spilling over to the pillowcase.
Cole gave her final permission and he slumped further and further over her, until he was draped across her chest. He gripped her hand in his as he paled and his breathing became more shallow. I wanted to pull him away, but knew they were close. Then Baleon shouted and Amelia’s cries became more than I could take. I struggled to maintain human form as my wolf battled me to get to her, to protect what was ours, no matter the cost.
I took two steps toward the door when Cole bolted upright and roared, a bellowing scream that turned every head in the room. Charlie bayed uncontrollably and Cole tried to let go of Amelia’s hand, to free himself, but Baleon latched his hand over theirs and forced him to stay the course. He fought and screamed and tried to make words as he whipped his head back and forth, only able to wail, “NOOOOOOO!”
The seconds dragged on until his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He fell over her body again and Baleon let go, sitting back in his chair. The room was too quiet. The terror of the last hour silently echoed as we all stood staring at each other without directly looking anyone in the eyes. Finally, Charlie whimpered as he tried to nudge Cole, and then licked Amelia’s cheek.
“She has taken it all from him. I feel nothing.” Baleon stood, picked up Cole’s motionless body, and gently laid him next to Amelia. “He will recover, but he will never be the same. He gave all of himself to her, but it is done. The Keeper is contained. For how long, I do not know, but for now, she is whole.”
Charlie leapt onto the bed and squeezed his massive frame between Amelia and Cole. He rubbed his head against each of their faces before settling, small whimpers still escaping. The sound of nails clicking and feet pounding down the hallway alerted us that Onyx would soon follow. He burst through, his black eyes wild and barrel-chest heaving. Sweat coated his fur. Without hesitation, he joined Charlie on the bed, bowing the mattress down as he stood next to Cole and leaned over to nudge his brother. He settled on Cole’s right and laid his head on his shoulder.
“They will both sleep for some time,” Baleon said, answering my question before I could ask.
“Th-thank you, Baleon,” I managed to stutter. My voice came out a loud whisper, my throat tight and jaw still clenched. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Truly, thank you.”
The giant Hunter dropped his head in a small bow and then turned to Micah. “We should go, Prince Mikail.” Micah stood, still looking dumbstruck, as I’m sure I did. “Yes, of course, Bale. She needs to rest. And so do you, Aidan.”
I shook my head more violently than intended. Elias found the words I could not.
“You need to run, Aidan. I can feel him prowling inside you. You need to free him. Let him feel her through your bond and know she’s okay. The dogs won’t react. You can shift here and I’ll stay with her. The women are with Nell and I’ll be able to tell you if she wakes.” Elias maintained eye contact with me as Baleon and Micah left the room. Then he turned and released the window, pushing it wide open. “Shift now and use the window. She is your mate, Aidan. You cannot stop this part of you. Just give him the reassurance he needs — you need.”
I didn’t bother taking off anything but my shoes. In one explosion of cellular rearranging, I dropped from two legs to four and let out a deafening howl. The Danes chimed in with deep bays and Elias’s eyes lit blue as he fought to maintain his human form against the natural instinct to respond to my call.
Howls erupted from all over the area as fellow AniMages confirmed they were there, they would protect her with their lives, and they were ready to run. I paced the perimeter of t
he bed and finally buried my nose in the crook of her neck, pushing under her hair so I could trace a path from her collarbone to her hairline. I could feel peace within her that hadn’t been there in as long as we’d known each other. Her breaths were even, the heartbeat in her jugular was strong and steady, and her power was calm. She would be okay. We had succeeded.
“Go, Aidan,” Elias growled. If my friend was going to be able to hold to his word and stay with Amelia, I had to get out of there.
Thank you, Elias. I won’t be gone long.
He nodded stiffly and I leapt out the window, vaguely noticing Bethany standing in the doorway of the barn holding Rynna’s hand. Both women cried silently as they stared at me, wanting answers I couldn’t give them yet.
12
I opened my eyes and was struck by how warm I was, even though I could feel the breeze across my skin. A dry tongue scratched against my cheek and a whimper whined in my ear. I realized Charlie was the heater lying next to me. I reached across my body to scratch his head and just as I felt the coarseness of his short coat across my fingertips, it all came flooding back.
The Keeper. The binding. Something happened, but what? My mind couldn’t find the information, but the gnawing in my gut told me it was bad.
I bolted upright, only to sway back and forth as dizziness took over. When my eyes focused, I found Aidan sitting in the chair in the corner. His posture was stiff, but he leaned slightly toward me, his lips parted and eyes questioning. He looked at me like he wasn’t sure if I was real, like he needed permission to move.
“Hi,” I said cautiously, the room still slightly swaying. Or maybe I was. In a second, he was next to me, on his knees as he wrapped his arms around me. Aidan still hadn’t spoken, but I held his head against my chest and allowed those few seconds of silence. I was here. He was here. We were in the same place, together, for the first time since this had all started.
Finally, Aidan pulled away and my eyes traced up his arms, to the tattoos peeking out from his shirtsleeves, continuing up to his strong jaw, thin lips, and emotion-filled eyes. Eyes the color of a foggy mist. I was struck by how much I’d missed seeing his human eyes.
Bound by Prophecy (Bound Series Book 3) Page 5