It happened fast, just as his mother described it. The inferno laid waste to every plan he’d set out for himself until all that mattered was Coral, and never having to live life without her.
Which was exactly what he was facing now.
Even worse? He’d never see his child.
“I need to go.” Armes pushed past them, walking angrily down the hall. If he passed anyone, he didn’t notice, his thoughts centered on the one thing he could never have.
“Centaur,” a woman’s voice stopped him in his tracks. Looking up from the ground, his eyes met that of the Sorceress.
A woman who’d stood idly by and watched, as Coral was drug from this world. From his world.
“Sorceress,” he growled. “You have a lot of nerve.”
She smiled. “I do not fear you, it is not me you wish to harm.”
“Pretty certain it is. You let them take her!”
“It was her destiny to be back in Atlantis, just as it is yours to remain here.”
“What is that supposed to mean? Because I’m the chosen Champion? You think that matters to me anymore? Do you honestly believe I’ll even go through with my transition?”
Shaking her head, the Sorceress stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Not because of that. There will come a time when both your worlds need you two, Armes. Darkness is on the horizon, far away but not that far.”
He stared at her with complete confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You will see her again one day, and when you do, you both will be instrumental in the survival of the worlds. You have a part to play, and it is only possible if you each stay in your own world.”
“When? When will I see her again?” His mind having only latched on to those words, he’d already forgotten the rest.
She smiled. “Someday, Centaur, but only if you complete your transformation. You need the guardian powers to survive. Others around you will fall, only those with pure hearts will remain.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Has she lost her mind? Succumbed to the power as some of her predecessors had?
“You will one day,” she said simply. “Come, it is time.”
“Time for what?”
When she didn’t answer, just turned and began walking the opposite direction, Armes followed, unsure as to whether he was making the right decision. He couldn’t decide if she was crazy, or this was just some ploy to get him to fulfill his role as Champion, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was the chance that one day he’d see Coral again.
One day was a lot easier to live for than never.
They entered the chamber with the life core, and Armes followed her into the center so they stood right beside the altar.
“Give me your hands,” she requested softly.
He did as he was told, allowing her to slip her small hands into his much larger ones.
The Sorceress closed her eyes and looked up to the ceiling. As her skin began to glow, the room filled with a soft breeze that lifted the loose strands of dark hair from her shoulders.
He watched, transfixed by the power radiating off of her, and around them the light began to grow. Shades of red and gold painted the walls as the life core began to rotate faster and faster. The breeze grew to a howling wind, and the Sorceress flung her head back, eyes bright with power as the light enveloped them both.
“Be sure your heart is pure, Centaur,” she said, her voice deep with power. “Do you vow to protect the core? To protect this world and the others by ensuring it stays pure?”
Armes nodded, then realized she wasn’t looking at him. “I do,” he choked out, still not sure how he ended up in here when only moments ago he was determined to not complete the transition.
After a moment, the light died down to an ethereal glow, and the wind disappeared just as the Sorceress opened her eyes.
“It is done,” she said, releasing his hands.
“I don’t feel any different.”
“You won’t. You have two hours before the slumber sets in. Choose your army wisely, Centaur. Ensure it is only people you trust to protect the core with their lives. Not all of you are honorable.”
“My army?”
She leaned in closer. “You will need them.”
Chapter Eight
Atlantis: 10 months later
Coral
Coral stood in front of her mirror and rubbed her hands over her swollen stomach. Ten months had passed, and the extra time made her nervous. Sirens were only pregnant for six months before giving birth to their children. Everything moved faster for them.
After doing research in the library, she learned that Faeres carried Centaur children for twice that long before giving birth.
The idea that her child would not be protected by the Siren bloodline terrified her. Not that it would be much protection.
If the child were a girl, a Siren, she would be raised in a world that hated her mother. Word of her supposed betrayal had spread quickly through Atlantis, and other than the occasional visit from the queen, Coral hadn’t had any contact with anyone outside of this room since she’d returned.
The castle was kept empty, even the staff avoided her, leaving meal trays outside her door rather than calling upon her to come to the dining room.
She’d never had any friends, had grown up with her mother’s explanation that it was a waste of time and she’d only hurt them when she left to guard the core. Even still, she’d had acquaintances that she was sure would’ve called upon her before now.
Her daughter would live a lonely life of solitude just as Coral had, and the thought of that brought tears to her eyes.
None of that bothered her as much as the thought of her child being a male, though.
Reaching down, Coral brushed her fingers over the hilt of the dagger she carried with her at all times now.
If it came down to the life of her baby or the life of another Siren, she wouldn’t hesitate to protect her own.
This baby was all she had left of Armes, and regardless of gender, it was hers.
She’d been steadily waiting for an opportunity to leave, but just outside her door stood two Siren warriors, a gift from her mother and an assurance she wouldn’t be able to escape.
At least not yet.
They followed her everywhere, but Coral didn’t lose sight of her goal to make it back to Terrenia.
Back to Armes.
One day the warriors would be called away, and then Coral and her child could escape.
They could go back to Terrenia, find Armes, and live the life he’d promised her.
Coral turned to walk back toward her bed. Just as she started to move, a sharp cramp shot through her abdomen.
She bit her tongue, trying desperately to not make any noise. Panic sent her heart racing. What if it was a boy? What if they tried to take him away? If they didn’t know she had the baby, she could find out for herself first! Then she could make a plan to save him.
Falling to her knees, Coral held her stomach with one hand while bracing the other on the floor in front of her.
Tears blurred her vision as another contraction tore through her. Sirens weren’t known to have long labors, but she hadn’t expected it to hit her this quickly.
The door opened, and Coral forced herself to her feet, although it wasn’t quick enough.
“What is it?” Queen Iris asked.
“Noth—nothing,” Coral stammered.
A knowing smile spread over her mother's face. “It is time to see this abomination.”
“No, I hit my leg on the vanity, that’s all.” Heart thundering, Coral tried to straighten but fell as her abdomen tightened with another contraction.
“I’m no fool, Coral.” Turning to the door, she ordered the guard outside. “Go get the midwife. Now.”
“Yes, my Queen.”
Iris turned back toward her, and Coral reached for the dagger on her vanity table. She held it out, and Iris eyed it before laughing
.
“Seriously? What do you think you’re going to do with that?”
Coral’s hands shook. She’d never thought of herself as weak, but being pregnant and not in control over anything happening with her body left her feeling insecure.
“You are not taking my baby.”
Iris stepped toward her. “I’m afraid you don’t have much control over what happens now,” she told her.
“No!” Coral slashed out with the dagger, and her mother leaned back, just out of range. Fury burned her veins, and she screamed as another contraction tore through her, sending her to her knees.
Iris kicked the dagger away. “Looks like we won’t have to wait long. Do you know that human women labor for days at a time?”
Coral screamed again, clutching her belly.
The door flew open, and the midwife rushed in with two Siren warriors.
“Get her on the bed,” Iris ordered, and Coral scrambled back as they came toward her.
“Stay away!” she yelled, slapping at hands when they reached for her.
The Sirens gripped her arms and lifted her, laying her back on the bed and moving to stand on either side.
Completely helpless, Coral spread her legs apart so the midwife could check her progress.
“She’s nearly there,” the Siren told the queen. “Only a few more minutes, by my guess.”
“Good.”
Coral shot daggers at her mother, glaring at her with all the hatred she’d kept locked away these past few months.
Growing up, she hadn’t hated her mother. Coral’s grandmother had been queen when she’d sent Coral out into the world to bring about the next generation.
Had it been left up to her, she never would’ve chosen to have a child. But after seeing what she was willing to put Coral through just to hold onto the crown, after watching her threaten to kill Armes and take her child, Coral couldn’t think of a single being she despised more.
“I hate you,” Coral growled.
Iris touched her forehead gently. “I’m sure you do.” She leaned down, and lowered her voice so only Coral could hear. “But not as badly as you will, my dear.”
Someone pounded on the door, and Iris looked angrily at it. “I’ll return shortly.” Nodding to the two guards, the queen left the room with them on her heels.
“Okay, Coral. It’s just us,” the midwife said softly. “I need you to push, it’s important this child is born as soon as possible.”
“No!” Coral refused. The longer she kept the baby inside of her, the longer it was hers.
No one could take it if it wasn’t born.
“Trust me, Coral. You will only cause yourself and the baby more discomfort if you keep refusing.”
Head falling back, Coral breathed rapidly as sweat dripped down her back, and she pushed, no longer able to refuse her body’s natural instincts.
Please let it be a girl.
Then there wasn’t a way Iris could get rid of it without the entirety of Atlantis coming after her.
Chapter Nine
Terrenia
Armes
“You must wake, Son.”
Armes opened his eyes slowly. Vision blurry, it took him a moment to recognize the Centaur standing above him.
“Father?” He shot upright. He shouldn’t be awake, he wouldn’t wake unless there was an attack on the core. “What is it?”
“Easy, Son,” his father placed a hand on his shoulder. “It wasn’t the core that woke you.”
“Then what was it?”
“Her.” He turned, and Armes caught sight of the Sorceress standing behind him. She bowed her hooded head.
“Nice to see you, Armes.”
“What is it?”
“Your child is coming into the world.”
“My—how do you know?”
The Sorceress narrowed her eyes as if she couldn’t understand why he’d ask such a foolish question.
“Is Coral here? Is she all right?”
“She is in Atlantis.”
Armes balled his fists in anger. “Why would you wake me to tell me my child is born when I cannot see them? That is cruel, even for you, Sorceress.”
“I don’t believe I said you could not see them.”
“You did, before I became the guardian!”
“I said you would see her again, that is true, consider this my gift to you.”
“Gift? Why would you give me anything?”
The Sorceress pursed her lips. “Because I feel guilt for your loss, even though it is necessary.”
Armes studied her, then looked back to his father, who nodded. “It’s okay, Son,” he said softly.
Looking back at the Sorceress, Armes swallowed hard. “I can see them?”
She nodded. “It is why I woke you. Come, we must go now, but you need to understand something.”
“What?”
“She will be unable to see you, and you must not touch her.”
“Why? I don’t understand, I thought we are going to see them.”
“Coral’s destiny prevents her from knowing you were ever there.”
“But she needs to know I’m there for her. We need to rescue her.”
“Centaur, I need you to trust me. This is what’s best. Coral has her own future ahead of her. If she sees you now, she will not be able to fulfill it.”
Afraid she would deny him the trip to even see them, Armes nodded softly. He could decide what to do once they arrived.
The Sorceress returned the gesture. “Come, we need to hurry.”
Armes followed closely behind, his father beside him as they traveled down the stone hall and toward the pond where he’d first seen Coral. He could see her now, dark hair threaded with gold ribbon.
The water glittered before them, and the Sorceress turned to him. “You need to use your human form, it will be easier to enter Atlantis and shield us both from view.”
Armes nodded and closed his eyes, letting his Centaur magic transform him. When he stood on two legs, the Sorceress looked back toward the water.
Closing her eyes, the Sorceress lifted a hand, palm out toward the water, just as her skin began to glow.
The water moved before him, transforming into a whirlpool filled with bright shades of purple and green.
Opening her eyes, she reached for him. “Let’s go.”
Armes accepted her touch, and when her slender fingers slipped into his hand, they jumped into the water together.
Warmth enveloped him, and Armes held his breath as the Sorceress pulled him deeper into the water. He kicked his legs, as they went further and further down until the light was nearly gone.
Just as his lungs began to burn, and spots swam in his vision, the water disappeared, and they tumbled to the ground.
Coral’s scream was the first thing Armes heard.
“Coral!” he called her name, rushing to where she lay, red-faced and drenched in sweat.
“That was good,” a nude Siren between her legs said as she lifted a child for Coral to see. “It’s a girl.” The baby began to cry, and Armes’s eyes filled with tears.
Transfixed, Armes could do nothing but stare at the tiny child as the Siren carried her over to Coral.
“She’s so beautiful,” Coral whispered, pulling Armes’ attention back to her.
Since the moment he’d first seen Coral, Armes had thought her beautiful. But seeing her now, glowing from the birth of their child, he had to admit she’d never looked more glorious.
“Do you know what you wish to name her?” the Siren asked as she placed the new life into Coral’s arms.
Coral nodded, tears in her eyes. “Rosabel.”
Thundering sounded outside the hall just as the door flung open. Armes growled low in his throat as the queen stepped inside in full battle armor, flanked by two others donning the same. Cheeks flushed, eyes wide with panic, he was unsure just what had caused it. Was it the birth of the baby? Or was something else going on?
Looking to the Sorceress
for confirmation, Armes nearly jumped back at the look of complete and utter hatred she wore for the queen. That night in the cavern, when Coral was ripped away from him, she’d betrayed no emotion. So what changed?
“Give me that child,” Queen Iris demanded, stalking toward her. Coral held the baby tighter, and the other Siren stepped in between them.
“Can’t she at least hold her for a few moments?”
The queen raised an eyebrow. “It is a girl then?”
The Siren nodded.
Looking around the Siren, the queen shook her head. “Looks to me like she’s been holding her. Move.”
The Siren didn’t budge, and the queen clenched a fist.
“I am your queen, you will obey.”
The two warriors stepped up, their golden armor clinking as they moved.
The Siren stepped out of the way, and Iris moved toward Coral. “Give me that child. She cannot be allowed to live.”
Armes rushed forward, but the Sorceress stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Let me go! We have to stop them!”
“Trust in her destiny, Centaur,” she said softly. “Trust in her.” She released him and gestured toward Coral, who clutched their daughter to her chest.
“No! You can’t have her! She’s a girl!” Coral screamed, eyes wide.
“She’s a threat!” Queen Iris reached down, and Coral fell from the bed, still clutching the screaming child to her chest.
The room began to shake violently, and Armes glanced around for the cause of it. He didn’t have to look long.
The Sorceress was glowing brighter than anything he’d ever seen, and as the light grew, he was forced to shield his eyes.
“Are you doing that?”
The Sorceress smiled, but there was no humor in it. “Not alone.”
The queen rushed to a window and looked out at the water beyond. “What are you doing?” She spun to the other Siren, who stood smiling.
“This is not us,” she whispered with a smile. “Your reign is coming to an end.”
“What is happening?” Armes asked, not taking his eyes off Coral, who sat in the corner of the room, eyes wide. He wanted nothing more than to rush to her, to gather her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay.
Champion: A Prophecy Series Novella Page 5