The queen’s eyes blazed, her expression cold, pitiless, hard and icy as a winter gale. “Then you will know suffering the likes of which you have only begun to fathom!”
With that Malek heard a sharp crack, gasping in horror as the mad queen cruelly tore open the once again screaming boy’s chest, and Malek understood two terrible truths in that moment.
He understood that blood was the key, and the heart was the fount of all blood, all power.
He understood as well that the final hour had struck. He would never see his beloved shieldsister again. For he knew in that instant that all the armies of Hell or no, he would fight. He would fight until every last scrap of humanity and fury and outrage was burned out of him, till ever fiber of his being had been burned to nothingness in his unquenchable drive to wipe as much of this infernal army into the halls of oblivion as he could. He knew no single blow alone would be able to slay him, but when he dropped, he would never rise again. Not in this life or any other. And with a fierce sort of exultation, he accepted that promise of oblivion. Welcomed it, so long as he made his greatest foe suffer as much as he possibly could, in what would be his final battle.
Strong hands upon his shoulder. He knew his friends were with him. "Lead the charge, brother and Hound. Lead us straight towards this queen of Hell." Morlekai's words. Quietly spoken, yet with a fierce, terrible intensity. Malek shook with the sheer glory of it, the immense weight of it, and began to tremble. He could feel himself shattering seals within his mind, seals he had long been terrified of breaching, seals whispering dark secrets of rebirth and destruction, darkest magics of blood and battle radiating like a dying sun, realizing at that moment he was no longer afraid.
With a terrible howl, Malek bid a fierce, final farewell to his sister, crying out one last time for her to seal the barrier between their beautiful world and this Hell for all eternity.
And in that moment of final farewell, lightning roared across the heavens, an ill green light causing even the terrible hordes to give pause and tremble, as the eerie howl of a thousand thousand wolves ravenous with need began echoing across that endless plane stinking of brimstone and death.
"By the gods." Alacabar whispered softly in awe, Morlekai giving a grim little nod, both gazing at the crackling figure before them, Malek roaring even as the mask of his humanity began to seethe and buckle as the final seals between past and present corroded to ash under the weight of terrible need, surrounded by a swirling sea of blood. Blood pooling in drops and trickles from the endless scores of fallen hellions, converging into tributaries and at last a raging river of power flooding into him, his shimmering blood armor beginning to blaze with the first of numerous fiery runes speaking of inconceivable power and madness.
Malek howled the hunting cry of all the wolves that had ever lived, his dread Zweihander blazing with a brilliant blue flame even as he crackled with a terrible seething vitality, gazing almost hungrily at the endless vile masses before them. Lord and master of all those that hunted and savaged. An ancient god of death and renewal, predator and prey, beginning ever so slowly to waken to his true potential.
Every inch of his body was now covered in blazing sigils. He cursed in a language so ancient and terrible even the hordes of Hell began to shriek and gibber in torment, Morlekai himself hissing with pain.
And with a second howl that shook the cursed land, the battle was rejoined, the terrible crimson specter crashing without pause into the endless ranks of the seething army before them, dread armor hungrily feeding upon dark magics and desperate strikes upon its liquid surface even as his sword savaged all opposition, rending and tearing a path of blood and gore through the very heart of their foe's ranks, Malek lost in a frenzy of absolute madness. His companions followed in his terrible wake, lashing out with a speed and fury greater than the mightiest armies of mundus above, their power as Delvers forcing their bodies to transcend their last vestiges of humanity, knowing they could never go back.
They all knew this was to be their final battle, even as the four cut a swath through the greatest army ever assembled upon the blasted lands of the lifeless Abyss.
49
"Jess." A beautiful voice, one she recognized, one that made her heart skip, sending shivers tingling down her spine. In that delicious space between sleep and awareness, Jess rode cottony soft dreams, sensing the pristine rustle of endless forest all about her. For she could feel her Joshua gazing up at the heavens, thinking about her, even as he and his men had set off at first light, Jessica herself first and foremost in his mind.
“Ah, my mistress has awakened at last. And what is the source of that enigmatic smile gracing your perfect features?”
Jess grinned at the glossy-haired cat gazing at her so curiously from the foot of her bed, his fur always catching the light oddly, as if it were a canvas of night sky, a thousand tiny stars sparkling within.
“You mean you can't tell?” she teased.
Twilight's sapphire eyes seemed to swallow her up for a moment, even as his own maw curved into a smile. “Ah. Well, then. You had best, prepare, no?”
Jess felt her cheeks flush. “So you can read my mind.”
“Hardly,” Twilight scoffed, before turning thoughtful. “Or at least, only when necessary. No, Jess. I don't have to be a mind reader to sense the giddy excitement any girl feels upon news that her admirer approaches.”
“Is it that obvious?”
Her cat forbore to comment. "Come. Let us visit Apple. No doubt she has some ideas for how you can look every inch the queen you truly are. You slept late, and the capital is a half day's journey from here if you are on a fast horse, a full day if one rides at a sedate carriage pace. So, I would guess we have but a few hours before it is time for you to put your best foot forward and claim him, body and soul, as if you hadn't already.
Jess blinked. Speechless.
Twilight turned to her. “This is what you want, is it not, my mistress? To win his heart, to charm him free of all hesitation?”
Jess flushed, even as she nodded.
"Well, there you have it, then. To Apple we go."
"Joshua is coming? Oh, that's wonderful news, Jessie! I'm not even mad anymore that you told him and, well, it was good to see him, to greet him as well... you know." Apple smiled softly, looking rather adorable, Jess thought, in her ivory white dress, auburn ringlets set in curls, soft green eyes sure to melt any man's heart, lips dyed with crushed rose petals, much as she did for Jess's own.
“Don't purse your lips, Jess, not till I'm done. How much time do we have?”
Jess closed her eyes. Opened them in consternation. “Only a glass. I thought we had more time.”
Apple nodded. “Very well, then. We will do our best. Focus, Jess, on being beautiful.”
Jess felt her cheeks flush as Apple chatted animatedly about the man Jess thought she just might be in love with, dying of impatience to see him even now.
"Wouldn't it be just the sweetest thing if he was actually the one for you, Jessie? My half-sister and half-brother, tied together only by me and their love for each other." Apple grinned. "While it's true you and Joshua share no blood, you just have to let me be the godmother! Your future daughters will probably look just like me."
Jess flushed at the thought even as Apple laughed. “I would be honored to have you be the godmother of your future nieces, Apple, whoever their father will turn out to be,” Jess said in all seriousness. Apple, in turn, shared a beatific grin, hugging Jess tight with her happiness.
“Careful, sister,” Jess teased, “lest you'd want to risk marring all your hard work.”
An hour’s glass couldn’t pass fast enough for Jess, for all that she spent it carefully donning her most elegant dress, allowing her sister to not only do her hair and lips, but also to apply rouge to her cheeks and kohl to her eyes, feminine matters she had never really cared for until now, for whatever odd reason.
"It's because you're in love," Apple sagely told her. "Sit still, Jessie, and sto
p fidgeting." She paused, giving her sister a thorough once over finally nodding her satisfaction with her handiwork. "You look a doll, Jessie. There is no way he won't fall for you."
And a single glance in the mirror was all it took for Jess to appreciate what a difference a little bit of makeup made. Her kohl lined eyes appeared all the more brilliant a shade of blue, rosy cheeks and upswept hair making her look as elegant and sophisticated as she ever recalled feeling. Jess flushed slightly, looking away. "Thank you, Apple. You didn't have to, but I appreciate it."
"Oh I rather enjoyed it sister, and it was worth the effort. You look absolutely stunning! Besides, how often do you let me do your makeup? Save for Mother's insistence, I think it's pretty close to never."
Jess gave a nervous chuckle. “I guess it’s because, before today, I never really cared.”
Apple nodded sagely. “And now, dear sis, you finally have a reason to.” She winked. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you the basics of the woman’s art before you know it! “ She paused then, a slight frown upon her rosebud lips. “Then again, I know your artistic proclivities as well as anyone. Perhaps it's best you let me or a handmaiden do it, and just stick to flowers.”
"Ha ha." Jess said to her sister's teasing grin. "Anyway, thanks, Apple. Hopefully Joshua will like my dress and, well, the rest."
And almost before Jess knew it, she was gazing upon her prince once more. Joshua, helmet removed, wearing a plain white tabard over a shirt of polished mail, golden curls blowing in the gentle breeze, looking as regal as ever upon his fine chestnut stallion, his mount whinnying softly, even as he patted his horse's flanks, dismounting with an effortless grace, sweeping Jess into his arms, his smiling eyes the last thing she saw before losing herself in a kiss that left her breathless, and hungry for more.
“My prince,” she said, gazing softly into his eyes, feeling her cheeks flush with a need she kept in check, determined to play the perfect girl for the man she adored, knowing that Joshua's unique position meant he needed a discipline and care expected of few other men.
"Jessica. By the gods, how I've missed you."
Jess felt her heart sing with happiness, just to hear those words, to know that her own feelings were not futile, lonely things. Tentative fingers reached for Joshua's hand. He favored her with an indulgent smile, lifting her hand up to his lips, kissing her softly. He smelled of sweat, leather, horse, and his own masculine scent, a bouquet that was strangely intoxicating.
She shook her head, off balance, surprised to find herself near dizzy with need.
“Jessica, are you all right?”
She waved his concern away, even as she gently led him to the heart of her apple grove, his contingent of royal armsmen dutifully staying behind with a few flashed hand signs to his second that Jess recognized at once.
"Your men look like a well-disciplined bunch. Mounts and armaments all freshly polished and well cared for," Jess ventured.
Joshua smiled. "I took your advice squarely to heart, my Jess. No man rides beside me whose loyalty I am not absolutely certain of. I had, in fact, recalled an entire unit from the border, just so I could always have men I trust by my side."
Jess nodded sagely. "The fact that they have fought by your side before forges bonds not easily broken. That and their distant location means it's unlikely any opponent has made much headway at corrupting them."
Joshua nodded. “My brother's thoughts exactly.” He turned to her, smiling. “And yet, my men are far from perfect, I fear. For they have allowed a beautiful maiden, a siren, perhaps, to lead me off deep into her grove and have her way with me.”
Jess caressed his hand, flashing a teasing grin even as he suddenly squeezed her tight, shaking his head as he gazed into her eyes. "Truly, my Jess, you are a vision of beauty. Bewitching and captivating. I would think myself bespelled, had you not already captured my heart."
Jess's throaty laughter rang through the courtyard, though of her whispered murmurs and the passionate kiss shared the trees muffled all sounds perfectly.
A flushed prince was the first to pull away, and Jess felt a momentary flash of hurt, before seeing how he suffered for it.
“My Joshua. Did I not know better, I would think you were madly in love with me.”
He shook his head ruefully. “Twenty witnesses beyond the grove, and you know how precarious things stand. A sweet kiss no man can fault us for. But more? 'Tis best, perhaps, we continue our conversation where my men can see me, so none may whisper words in innocence that turn to nastiest rumor.”
Pursing her lips, Jess nodded her understanding, gently leading her beau out of the grove once more, the pair sedately walking toward the walled college grounds just a short distance off, and from there to stroll amongst a garden Joshua swore was the equal of anything to be found anywhere within Erovering.
"Heavens above, my Jess. If anything, your garden looks as grand as ever, and truly we are in the heart of coldest winter!"
Jess nodded, gazing with almost maternal affection for the brilliant profusion of flowers blossoming splendidly in endless scores of nooks and alcoves in the winding paths about her lands, to say nothing of saturating entire fields with wonderful floral scents and color. Petals open wide to greet the glorious winter sun, all the colors of the rainbow and all the scents to be found in the height of spring despite the current season, her garden knowing neither winter's bite nor baneful weather. Jess enjoyed the laughter and play of children in the distance, noble and commoner alike, as the Lords Council entire made the academy the increasingly preferred winter home of so many of Erovering's elite.
Joshua gave an approving squeeze. “Truly a marvel, my Jess. And is that a new structure I see? It looks handsomely made, and in such a brief time! Though it appears to be made entirely of hardwood.”
Jess smiled and shrugged, feeling suddenly self-conscious. “Well, with so many nobles making this their winter home, and I didn't want to deny anyone making gentle overtures towards our family, and, well, you know what a difference a little space can make in assuring harmony between all the various families, so, well, I woke up one day and it was just sort of there.” She gazed curiously at Joshua. “To be honest, Joshua, you are one of the very few who is aware that it hasn't always been there.”
Joshua, however, was looking back at Jess with something very close to awe. He gave a slow shake of his head. “You never cease to amaze me, Jessica de Calenbry.”
Jess flushed and turned her gaze, comforted, at least, by his warm hand gently squeezing her own. “So tell me. How are things at the capital?”
There. She said it. Heart skipping a beat, it had bothered her how he had hardly said a word about what had really driven him to leave with such haste, even as he took such care to pay her the utmost attention, admiring every little thing she had accomplished while he had been gone.
The lighthearted mood was quickly replaced by a commander's hard gaze. His dark, rueful smile, however, was not a sight she expected to see. “Joshua?”
He chuckled softly. “It was a very interesting meeting that my brother and I had with the former Captain Vardelos's lieutenants.”
Jess swallowed.
"My brother was most... incensed to learn of these threats so close to his nest. And for all that two had the gall to recant their claims, the other two swore to it, revealing more details as well." His gaze turned cold. "Details that checked out. We have found the skeletal remains of a number of women and children squirreled in several foul nooks about the capital." Hazel eyes peered deeply into her own. "The problem, my Jess, is that in regards to the various members our lieutenants had claimed were members of this dark cult, all we have are the word of two terrified and formerly drugged lieutenants. It appears that our enemies, besides being very highly placed, are extremely crafty and as careful in covering their tracks as if their very life depended on it. Which, as I'm sure you have surmised, is exactly the case."
Jess blinked and swallowed. "Wait a minute. You are saying there w
as no discrete roundup in the depths of the night, or formal arrest during the day? The head of the Order of Inquisitors, the various agents and officers of the treasury, all said to be involved with this plot to see my head upon a pike, to see the throne wrested from the Trueheart clan, none of them have been arrested?"
Joshua locked his gaze to Jess's own. "That is exactly what I'm saying. Our suspects no longer walk the streets of Krona. It is as if someone had warned them, or..."
Jess swallowed. “Someone else got to them first?”
Joshua nodded.
“So that means we either have an unseen vigilante carrying out his or her own brand of justice, or someone warned them away, or...”
"Our enemies are now powerful and resourceful enough that they can wipe out some of the most well-guarded men in the kingdom, without getting caught, without any concern for it affecting their own operations."
“And none of them were found?”
Joshua frowned, spending some moments staring thoughtfully at children playing off in the distance, before slowly pulling out a rolled scroll case.
"Jess? This is important. For all that my brother insisted upon you seeing this, I will not force your hand. It is a bardic rendition. As realistic as any portrait could hope to be. You don't have to look, but Ulric is somehow convinced that you might be able to help."
Jess gazed solemnly into the eyes of the man who wanted to protect her so. "I was a Squire of War, Joshua. Trained for death and battle since fifteen summers, trained with the sword for three years before that. I can handle renditions of battlefields or murder. The gods above know I've killed enough men myself to haunt me for a handful of lifetimes."
Suddenly she felt Joshua's arms holding her close, and to her shame, she felt her eyes prickle with unshed tears. "Bloody hells," she laughed, "I don't want to wreck my dear sister's attempts at making this warrior's face pretty."
"Pretty? It is beyond lovely, my Jess. And it is my sincere hope that I will be able to protect and care for you for all my days, so you need never raise a sword in anger again."
Gods of Shadow and Flame Page 56