by K.N. Lee
“Have you always been here?”
The red wine began to warm me from the inside out, and relaxed my shoulders. How divine was this new life.
“No,” she said. “I’ve lived in many places. Some by choice. Some by chance.”
I wasn’t sure what that meant, but didn’t press the issue.
She tapped her nails on the table, and then stood.
“Let’s begin, shall we?”
Eager, I shot to my feet and joined her on a walk inside the temple.
Such beauty and history awaited. When Xander first brought me to Sky Keep from the prison, I barely had a chance to take it all in. Now, as she led me to the vaults of the keep, I didn’t squander my opportunity to truly marvel.
Each hall was wide, with walls laden with heavy tapestries and portraits of the different monks who had served as Father to the keep over the centuries. In none of them did I see a female. As I followed Ocura Maga, I noticed how the other monks either bowed, or cowared, racing back the way they’d come when she began their way.
It became obvious quite quickly that these sun elf monks were afraid of her.
It was almost refreshing to see a woman command such attention, but it also made me wonder if I should fear her as well.
Two monks guarded the vaults, however, they stepped aside when Ocura Maga approached. She pushed open the heavy doors and we stepped inside.
The air was stale, and stuffy. It smelled of rain water and mildew. It was unlike any other part of the keep that I had explored.
Nonetheless, the amount of books and scrolls piled high on bookshelves and tall cases was appalling.
Keeping close behind, I scanned the room of dimly burning candles that were covered with glass to keep any flickers of flame from licking the delicate sheets of parchment littering each desk.
“The monks spend their days studying these ancient scrolls, hunched over with spectacles to see the tiny print, desperate to make sense of our existence,” she explained, motioning to the desks and stools pushed beneath them. “It has always been known that the gods of Aden are unable to interfere with the lives of their creations. But, it has also been documented times when the gods were forced to intervene. I sometimes wonder if the monks are simply searching for a way to contact the gods or summon them to the mortal world. Either way, they are misguided.”
She paused, and stared off into the distance. I watched her as she closed her eyes and balled her hands into fists.
“I’ve seen what it is like to have the gods war with one another. It’s not something any of us want to relive.” She turned to me. “But, I am not opposed to being prepared. Life will always be threatened, and we must have defenses lined up and ready.”
“Is that why I am here?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yes. You might be the greatest weapon Aranthia has ever seen.”
My brows lifted as she went to pull a scroll from a shelf.
Weapon?
“You see, you are the first human to be born with magic,” she said. “There are prophecies with such an instance written in these scrolls. I believe your birth is the signaling of something great—something monumental.”
That word didn’t set well with me. I didn’t want to be monumental. I just wanted a comfortable life for me and my family.
“Do you know who my real parents are?” I asked.
She flickered a look at me.
“No,” she said, then traced a few lines on the parchment she studied. “You don’t have parents.”
My face paled, and I stepped closer. “What did you say?”
She didn’t meet my dumbfounded gaze, but answered off-handedly.
“You weren’t born, Ava,” she said, still reading the scribbles of symbols and words on the dark paper. “You were created.”
My breath was caught in my throat, and I had to grab the back of a chair to steady myself. Wobbly on my feet, my stomach churned, and I nearly lost my supper all onto the stone floor of the vaults.
Not born? How was that even possible?
“Who created me?” I asked.
She finally looked up, and watched as I heaved between my legs.
“No one of importance,” she said, and I coughed. Then, I stood, catching my breath.
“It’s important to me.”
Shrugging, she returned to reading the scroll. “It really doesn’t matter, dear. He’s dead.”
So, it was a he. Who was this mysterious creator?
“Found it,” she proclaimed, and lit her glowing staff toward the text before her. “Its here. The truth of your purpose.”
I watched her, nauseous, nervous, and filled with anxiety about it all.
“Your birth has awakened The Dark again,” she said, smiling, as if that was a good thing. She rolled up the scroll, and tucked it into her robe. Then, she clasped her hands, and looked to me. “You are the key to unlocking the beast—the beast who can cleanse this world.”
Chapter Thirty
X A N D E R
King Kirian’s back was to me as he signed the documents sprawled across his desk.
I walked into his study and Lord Grogan—one of his advisor’s—sneered at me. He didn’t bother to hide his disgust for my presence.
The study was as opulent as the rest of the palace. With bookcases that stretched from the stone floors to the vaulted ceiling, and thick carpets woven by the Tryans of Saint Aria, it had a distinct feel that separated it from every other room. This was the king’s favorite place to be. It was where he went for peace, and planning. I just hoped he wouldn’t be offended by my presence.
In the grand scheme of things, I was useless to him. I refused a marriage that would serve the kingdom, and shirked my duties as a prince. That’s what I had a wide array of older brothers for. I’d always felt myself to be exempt, as I was so far removed from being in line for the throne. Almost as if I was immune.
“Your Majesty,” Lord Grogan said. “Prince Alexander has requested an audience.”
He wore his indigo cape with gold embroidery of a wyvern on the back, and sleek leather pants that were tucked into his riding boots.
Father’s face was alabaster, and smooth like porcelain, despite being nearly a hundred years old. With long, white hair and dark eyes, he looked me up and down before folding his arms across his chest. His life force was still strong, and he was full of vitality.
It would be decades to another hundred years before he perished from old age. Perhaps even longer.
I cleared my throat, and my father glanced over his shoulder.
He lifted a golden brow over bright, green eyes. “Xander, what a surprise. Have a seat,” he said, calmly.
Always calm, quiet, and calculating. I’d known him my entire life and still had yet to know what emotion hid behind his eyes.
Sometimes when I stared at him when he wasn’t looking, I didn’t want to know what went on in my father’s head.
I’d seen him execute elves and humans without batting an eyelash. He’d yawn when their families cried out in agony for having to watch the murders of their kin.
Father was king.
He was also a monster.
Every muscle tensed as he turned and gave me his full attention. It was a skill I’d learned from a young age—to hide my fear in his presence. As soon as I’d leave the palace, my muscles and jaw would unclench, and I’d be free to breathe. My brothers and sisters wondered why I chose a house of my own in the city.
They didn’t know Father the way I did, and the ones who did know his true nature, were just as lethal—just as evil.
“What is it you’ve come to see me about?”
The question was so simple, yet my throat had gone noticeably dry, and ached as I tried to muster enough moisture to speak without croaking.
Clearing my throat, I adjusted my collar, and forced myself to meet his critical gaze.
“I’ve decided to uphold my duty and enter the Blood Lottery.”
His brows lifted, and I knew t
hat I had his attention. Leaning forward, he clasped his hands on his desk and peered down at them.
“What has ushered this drastic change in heart?”
“It is our duty to keep the numbers of full-bred human children low, to preserve our culture.”
That made him skeptical, for he shot a look up at me with narrowed eyes.
“You never felt that way before. On the contrary, you always petitioned for the rights of humans.”
I kept silent. It was my best bet at swaying him.
Then, he sat back in his seat, a knowing look on his face. “I see,” he said. “You’ve met someone you fancy. A human girl. Am I right?”
Nodding, I swallowed. “Yes,” I said, and he chuckled. “There is one particular girl I have set my sights on.”
“I always knew you’d come around as soon as that member in your pants sensed someone of the opposite sex. Who is she?”
Peering out the window, toward the Sky Keep, my plan began to fall into place.
“A human girl, from the lower East End,” I said, and met my father’s gaze. “Her name is Moira. I wish to put my name in for a match with her.”
Father gave a nod. “You have my blessing. Best wishes in the Blood Lottery.”
A smile came to my lips. “Thank you, Father,” I said. “Thank you very much.”
Chapter Thirty-One
After I left the palace, Kastia waited for me outside, astride her black wyvern.
I climbed onto mine, and we took flight and headed upward into the sky above the city. While the world below went about their day, we plotted from the clouds. She would be given more than she would have ever had as a mere princess. And so, she was now part of the team—part of my plan.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“What did he say?” she asked, her hair flying behind her as we zipped through the sky.
“He was surprisingly reasonable,” I replied. “Supportive, actually.”
“Of course, he was. He just wants to see you participating in Veruth politics. Now, he’ll be waiting for you to choose a wife. Anyone in mind? If you want to be king, you will be expected to produce a legitimate heir.”
I still had no aspirations of such things, but wasn’t opposed to it. Though Kastia was right, I’d still rather choose a wife myself.
For a moment, I actually envisioned making Ava my wife. That would set the entire kingdom ablaze with gossip. A human wife, and her sister as a mistress. That would be positively devilish.
No, she was meant for greater things than being my woman.
She was going to stand by my side as an equal, as we crushed Veruth beneath a wave of fire and destruction.
“Perhaps I will,” I said. “One day.”
We flew over the golden roofs of the temple district, the white Citadel, and the garden plaza. Once they reached my manor, we landed our wyverns on the rooftop. The wyverns knelt to the ground, and rested, while one of my servants shuffled forward.
“Welcome home, your highness,” she said. “Can I get you anything?”
I shrugged off my cloak. “Water,” I said. “For the wyverns.”
Kastia cracked her knuckles and stretched her neck. “How about a drink?”
“Sounds brilliant,” I said, and we entered through the double doors that led inside. The sitting room was quiet, with the scent of burning candles.
I tugged a rope that would summon one of the servants.
“What do we do now?” Kastia asked, kicking off her boots and sitting on the long, plush chair that was pushed against the far wall.
I requested wine, and sat in a chair that faced an open window that looked out to the Garden District.
The sounds of birds fluttered in, and I peered past the trees to the Sky Keep.
“We prepare for war.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
K E M
Soft rain fell onto me as I waited in the shadows, silent, pensive. If any of the guards who patrolled the streets saw me, I'd have to run or fight my way to freedom.
As I cleaned my nails with the sharp end of my pocket-knife, I was taken back to times when I’d wait for Ava to leave her job of scrubbing floors in the blacksmith’s shop, and walk her home.
I would never admit to anyone that it had always been my favorite part of each day, or that I looked forward to seeing her smile weakly at me, even after being worked relentlessly from sun up to sun down. She’d always walk out of the shop with her empty lunch sack, and wave hello when she saw me waiting for her.
We were both just kids back then. But, I knew her mother was too busy and her sister was too sickly to see her home safely. From an early age, I’d taken it upon myself to look after her. How little did she know I never really stopped—even after I left and started The Crows.
Now, that blasted girl put me in danger, and now, as Bella’s words haunted me, I wondered if she’d be at the center of that prophecized fire, and judgement.
Fingers curled into fists, I stood from leaning against the slick alley wall.
Either way, Ava was worth it. If only I had a chance to tell her that. I doubted she believed or knew how special she was.
A rustling sound alerted me that either my contact had arrived, or I was in for a brawl.
I turned to see Hensley standing in the darkness, his golden eyes glowing as they lifted to meet mine. He wore a black duster over his vest, and carried a walking stick with a round orb at the tip.
"Make it quick," he said, his voice deep and grating. “I don’t have all day.”
“Ah, Hensley,” I said, grinning. “Don’t you have time for an old friend?”
“Perhaps,” he said. “But, you’re not my friend.”
I rubbed my knuckles across my jaw, chuckling quietly. “Very well. What information do you have for me on the girl?”
“The silver-haired human seems to have garnered the attention of a Royal,” he said.
My grin faded, and I stepped closer. “A Royal? Bloody brilliant. Of course, she has.”
“Yes. He bought her freedom, took her from the prison, and she was last seen heading to the boats and to the Sky Keep.”
What was a blasted Royal doing by taking a human girl to the Sky Keep? I didn’t dare to wonder. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. I had to get her back, before they tainted her. Before they spoiled her innocence.
“Do you happen to know who took her?”
Hensley’s lips curled into a grin then. His eyes flickered a light. “I make it my business to know who does what.”
“Are you going to make me beg? Tell me.”
He stepped backward, back into the shadows. “Prince Alexander.”
He left me then, and I was left with silence and frazzled thoughts.
“Which one is that again?” I asked, recounting the dozens of boring sun elves to make up the royal family.
“Not the one you’d want her to be taken by,” Hensley said. “My sources say he has unsavory…tastes.”
My eyes widened.
Oh, that Royal.
What was that blond bastard doing with Ava? Imagining his skinny fingers on her, made my blood boil with rage.
Then, I realized something.
This might be the beginning of a beautiful future.
Doors were being opened, and she was my key into the grandest of them all.
The palace.
Chapter Thirty-Three
A V A
Days passed since my first evening of revelations with Ocura Maga. We spent each evening, going over important practices of magic, theories, and finally, summoning my inner power.
As of yet, it hadn’t shown itself, and I could tell Ocura Maga was beginning to doubt I was who she and Xander thought I was.
The mist rolled off the mountains, like thick, gray smoke.
The sun began to rise, and I stood at the edge, watching it appear over the horizon. My hair was lifted from my shoulders by the wind and danced within the brightening sky.
While Ocu
ra Maga slept, I would be free to explore the grounds. Once the sun set, my training would continue.
Perhaps I would get answers about what magic healed me that fateful day I fell from The Wall.
Memories of peering over the top returned to me. I wanted to see what was out there, but the vast array of mountains were all I could catch a glimpse of from the floating island I stood upon.
“Beautiful,” someone said from behind. “Isn’t it?”
I tensed, and turned to stand face-to-face with the monk who had walked in on me in the bath house just the days before.
“It is,” I replied, hesitant.
He smiled, his hands clasped before his robes. “Morning,” he said, with a slight bow.
“Morning,” I said.
He stood to his full height, bright eyes meeting mine in a way that nearly took my breath away.
Who was this miraculous sun-elf?
“Miklaus,” he said.
It was as if he’d read my mind.
“Ava.”
“Lovely to meet you. My deepest apologies for yesterday. It’s not often that a woman bathes in our bath house.”
My cheeks burned. He’d seen me naked. No man had seen me as such.
“No problem at all,” I said. “It was an accident.”
“Purely,” he said, then an uneasy silence passed between us.
I began to walk past him when he cleared his throat.
“Might I ask what brings you to Sky Keep?”
“Prince Alexander brought me here,” I said. “Ocura Maga will begin training me at sunset.”
He nodded, rocking on his heels as he thought over what I’d said.
“So, that means you have no activities planned for today?”
His question caught me off guard. He seemed eager. Hopeful.
Could he truly be as intrigued by me as I was of him? For a moment, he appeared to be as innocent as a boy, just wishing for a friend. I had to know more about him.
I shook my head, tucking loose hair behind my ear. It was to no avail. The wind blew it back outward, and it wrapped around my face.