“Well… isn’t this a surprise.” His cruel voice whipped through the air, stinging as it struck my cheeks. King Roderick had always been scary, but seeing him with blood spattered over his clothes and a thirst for violence in his eyes made him downright terrifying. “My soldiers spotted my son’s ragged and flailing beast flying through the sky. I’d thought he fell from injury, but now I see I’ve come upon him and his concubine.”
All of the beast’s eyes turned to me. It took everything I have not to quake with fear. “I’m not his concubine.”
“No?” King Roderick’s smile was anything but friendly. “Silly me. I thought he’d sealed the deal once he had my blessing to make you the first member of his harem.”
I sucked in a breath. My eyes landed on Finn. That had to be a long time ago. The prince’s latest plan was to marry me.
Finn struggled to his feet. Erwin lent him a steadying hand, then stepped back when the prince waved him off. “Father.”
King Roderick looked at his son, and I believe I saw the smallest hint of relief cross his expression. “Son. I see you’ve survived your trip to Avelin. Though, not unharmed.”
“There was a misunderstanding,” Finn stated, trying his best to not sound weak. He attempted to straighten his back, but his shoulders rolled forward the next moment.
“A misunderstanding? That’s one way to put it.” The king looked back at me. “So, this is the young woman my Avelin spies have been telling me about. I must say, I was stunned to hear the missing princess had a daughter, but I’m even more stunned to see she once served as a lowly kitchen server in my castle.” The three draekon beasts snorted. I took it as their version of laughter.
Erwin stepped in front of me, blocking the king’s view. Roderick’s lips pulled back in a maniacal grin. “Ah, Ambassador Erwin. Pleasure to see you looking so alive.”
Erwin’s fingers flexed, but he didn’t say a word.
“Tell me,” King Roderick waved a hand toward the elf. “Were my spies also right when they named you as a conspirator with the rebellion? I must say, you certainly had me fooled while living under my roof. I had no idea you were ferrying elven rebels to help this doomed cause.”
Again, Erwin said nothing.
His silence made the king’s face turn red with anger. “You will answer me.”
“I will not.”
The beasts growled. The king held up a staying hand. “Not yet.” He locked eyes with his son. “Finn, come. Abandon these vile creatures, and I will forget this transgression.”
Finn didn’t budge. “Where’s Brion?”
Roderick’s nostrils flared. “Your brother is alive.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
The king chuckled, as if he found his youngest son amusing. “Finn… I know you are injured, but I grow tired of your disobedience. Come here, now, before I don’t care if you are in the line of fire when I destroy these Avelin-loving criminals.”
Lorie whimpered behind me. I wanted to console her, but I would not take my eyes off the king. Not even for a second.
When Finn did not move, King Roderick released a heavy, exaggerated sigh. “So be it.”
One moment, we all stood at a standstill. The next, a thick draekon tail shot out and knocked Finn and Erwin over. I heard both grunt on impact, and I saw Erwin’s protective shield disintegrate when he lost focus.
Time seemed to slow down. I met the king’s stare, horrified to see he had a clean shot. His eyes alighted with violent victory just before he lifted a finger, and two soldiers stepped out from behind the trees at his side.
I barely had time to react. I snapped my arm back, pushing Lorie to the ground, just as the two soldiers released their nocked arrows, aiming for my heart.
42
I never truly thought about my death. Logically, I knew it would come one day. But I supposed I’d always assumed it wouldn’t happen until I was an old woman with gray in my hair. I realized, as the arrows arched through their air, flying true to their target, that I would’ve wished to have a family. Children and grandchildren.
I’d want someone to miss me after I left this world. I wanted someone to share stories of my well-lived life with those around them, keeping me alive in their memories though my soul would have faded away. I’d never expected my life to be filled with such violence and animus. I never thought I’d die at the hands of an enemy, much less the king of the draekon.
The arrows drew closer. This was it. My end lied at the sharp edge of those arrows.
I closed my eyes and thought of Brion. I pictured his broad smile. It had taken my breath away the first time I saw it, and even now in my imagination, it had the same effect. I loved him with every part of me. I could not regret the journey which led me to him, only the pain that I knew he was sure to suffer once he learned of my death.
An eldest son,
A prince of his people,
Disarm the cursed nation,
The days of old shall end,
The ruler shall die,
Killed by the eldest son’s own hand.
The prophecy Brion had spent his whole life dreading might finally come true. For there was no doubt that Brion would kill his father once he learned he was responsible for my death. Perhaps it would be for the best. King Roderick needed to die, and his eldest son might be the only one able to do it.
All those thoughts and more raced through my head as I waited for the sting of those arrows. The world on the other side of my eyelids had grown silent. Peace descended on my mind as I accepted my fate.
Then, something shifted, and the change broke my tranquility.
My eyes flew open. The arrows were only feet away. I braced myself for impact just as a body flew across my field of vision.
Erwin collapsed onto the ground, two long arrows sticking out of his chest. I screamed.
“NO!” I fell to my knees. My hands hovered over his body, but I didn’t know what to do. Should I rip the arrows out? Erwin should be able to heal himself. Could he do it with the arrows in him?
Roderick didn’t order another attack to finish the job and kill me. Not immediately, anyway. I didn’t know why he delayed. Maybe the king’s evil made him enjoy watching people’s suffering.
Scratch that.
There was no maybe about it. King Roderick definitely enjoyed seeing others’ pain.
Lissa. A voice said in my mind. Brion?
Hold on, Lissa. I’m coming.
I shoved the voice away. I didn’t trust my mind at the moment. I could be hallucinating, for all I knew. Grief was known to do strange things.
“If you’re thinking about removing the arrows to heal him,” King Roderick called out smugly. “Don’t waste your time. The poison has already reached his heart. He won’t survive two more minutes.”
Monster.
I ignored the king and leaned over Erwin, determined to remove the arrows and help him. Long, slender fingers stopped me. I looked up and Erwin caught me in his gaze. He offered a wobbly smile. “Don’t. He’s right.” Blood leaked out of the corner of his mouth. “I can feel the poison working. Don’t waste your energy.”
“No,” my voice cracked. Then, in a stronger voice, I repeated, “No. You can’t d-die. You saved me. I’ll save you back.” I resumed trying to pull out the arrows. I tugged, but immediately released the sturdy wood when Erwin winced.
Oh gods… I can’t get them out.
The arrow hadn’t budged. Erwin’s face turned white. The brightness in his eyes started to dim.
This couldn’t be happening. Tears fell freely from my face. Not Erwin. Not like this.
Erwin gave me a bloody smile. “Don’t cry, Lissa.”
Finn got to his feet. He stepped between me and Erwin and our enemy. My eyes stayed on Erwin.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” I choked on a sob. “You… you shouldn’t have done that!”
Erwin sighed, and his eyes closed. Panic made my heart stop. But he reopened his eyes, allowing it to
beat again, “I did exactly what I should.”
“No,” I shook my head. “The people in Eelie need you. I need you.”
His lips spread a little wider. “No… you don’t. But I—” He coughed and spat away some of the blood threatening to choke him. “But I need you to live. This is my purpose.”
“It’s not,” I disagreed. I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone sacrificing themselves for me. I’d rather die a thousand times than lose someone I cared about.
“It is.” The lines around his eyes softened as the poison numbed the pain of the arrows. That wasn’t a good sign. “This is what I was meant to do. This is why we are Kyrie Spirits. You and your family will change the world. I’d sacrifice myself again to make sure that happens.”
My soul was breaking. My heart was shattering.
“Don’t die,” I whispered through my tears. “Please, don’t die.”
Erwin’s fingers brushed against my cheek, wiping away a tear. “It’s not forever, Amelissa Allaway. The Mother will reunite us one day.” Then, Erwin’s eyes shuttered closed. And they never opened again.
43
“Erwin,” I sobbed. “ERWIN!” I grabbed his shoulders and shook him with all my might. He didn’t move, and no air passed his lips.
“No.” Agony ripped me apart. “No. No. No.”
This couldn’t be happening. It was dream—a terrible, monstrous dream. Erwin couldn’t be gone. He couldn’t. It wasn’t fair.
Slender arms wrapped around me, pulling be back from where I leaned over Erwin. Lorie held tight. Even when I tried to fight out of her grasp, she wouldn’t let go. I couldn’t stop crying. I didn’t think Lorie had ever seen me cry. Not like this.
“Son,” King Roderick’s awful voice broke through my misery. “Move out of the way.”
“No.” Finn widened his stance, and he pulled draekon fire into his hands. He zeroed in on the three beasts, watching their movements. They wouldn’t be able to surprise him with another strike.
“Move,” the king roared.
“You will not touch them,” Finn growled. Gone was any sign of fatigue or injury. Either he’d healed, or adrenaline gave him the strength to stand up against his father. Whatever the cause, I thanked the gods for the protection. Not for me, but for Lorie. I didn’t deserve it. I glanced back at Erwin’s still body, and a fresh pain pierced my chest.
Amelissa, I’m coming.
I lifted my head. My eyes scanned my surroundings, but I couldn’t find the source of that voice. Grief continued to play tricks on my mind.
“You would defy me, your father and king, for this whore?” The veins in the king’s neck throbbed with anger.
I didn’t even flinch from the insult. It barely registered. Everything around me was trumped by my sorrow.
“I defy you for no reason other than that you have overstepped your authority,” Finn growled back. “For too long you have abused your subjects and reigned with fear. It’s over. You are no longer fit to rule.”
The three beasts shuffled their massive feet. They looked at one another, clearly unsure of what to do next. They were soldiers. They’d been trained to obey the king on pain of death, but they were also trained to obey the draekon princes. What would they do if the king ordered them to attack Finn?
King Roderick took one menacing step forward. “You think you’re brave, but you are a fool. This woman and that brat behind her are heirs to the throne of our greatest enemy. They cannot be allowed to live.”
My hands found Lorie’s forearms. She continued to hold onto me, but now I gripped back with equal strength. I’d hoped, in vain, that King Roderick didn’t know Lorie’s identity. I’d hoped she could run away from this attack at the earliest opportunity. I was wrong.
“She’s more than that,” Finn snarled.
“She is not,” the king snapped back. “Kody, Mitchell, and Pav. Attack.”
“No!” Finn roared, and the sound echoed off the trees. “She shares a gliminee bond with Prince Brion,” he informed the beasts. “If you kill her, you will face his wrath.”
The draekon, once again, glanced at one another. I could practically hear their silent communication. Prince Brion had spent his life leading the army. He was a trained soldier, and an honorable leader. They did not want to betray him. Not in any way.
But they were confused. I was elven. Not draekon. Or so they thought.
“Impossible,” the king barked back. “Gliminee bonds only happen between—”
“Draekon,” Finn finished for him. “I know.”
The beasts’ necks reared back in shock. Once again, Finn focused his efforts on them. “This young woman is half-draekon. She is the bonded mate of Prince Brion of Draekon. To act against her is to act against your prince! I command you to stand down.”
I held my breath. Lorie squeezed my body. We waited for what the draekon’s reactions. Would they stand down? Or would they listen to their king and attack?
The seconds passed by fearfully slow. But, at last, the draekon sat back on their haunches and dipped their massive heads, submitting to Finn.
King Roderick was not so easy persuaded. He did not have the same loyalty to his heir that the draekon did.
“If that’s the case, then your brother can die with the whore!” Spit flew from the king’s mouth. “No son of mine will taint our bloodline with such filth.”
Ouch.
The three beasts visibly recoiled from the force of the king’s words. They saw, now, that he would not think twice about ordering his own son’s death.
“What are you waiting for?” The king shouted. “Finish them.”
An earthshattering roar vibrated through the air, shaking the trees and rattling the ground. Lorie buried her head in my neck, frightened to face what was to come. I held her close, trying to give her the last of my comfort. I couldn’t save us, but I could make the end less lonely.
Another roar sounded. I realized it didn’t come from any of the draekon in front of me. I looked up. There, diving towards us with the speed of a demon, was a familiar draekon. This time, I knew I wasn’t mistaken when I breathed, “Brion.”
My prince broke through the treetops with ease. Smoke trailed out of his flaring nostrils, and fire crackled behind his sharp teeth. His talons punctured the forest floor as he landed between us and his father. A blond head of hair popped into sight just before Lin slid down Brion’s back, jumping into a crouch. Another draekon joined the fray, and none other than King Aquin dismounted from that beast’s back.
The brush behind us rustled. I turned and watched my parents, Jem, Hyde, and several other rebels stroll out of their hiding spots. I blinked through my shock as I also saw Avelin citizens walking with them. There were many elves, and several humans, three of whom I recognized. Kurtis, Charles and Rachel strolled with the group. Rachel carried a bow, while the two men brandished a sword and dagger. Tear stains marred the young woman’s cheeks, and I had no doubt she’d seen Erwin die.
“Stand down, Roderick,” King Aquin’s voice boomed through the air with authority. “You are outnumbered.”
“Hardly,” he scoffed. “I have countless draekon ready to come at my command.” To demonstrate, the king lifted a hand and whistled against his fingers.
Several seconds passed, and the king’s expression shifted from haughty to furious. He whistled again and, again, no draekon came.
“What is this?” He growled with accusing eyes. “What have you done to my army?”
“Nothing,” King Aquin replied. “They are simply not your army anymore.”
I sucked in a breath. The three draekon around their king, also, looked like they held their breath.
“You lie,” King Roderick said. He waved a hand to his army of three. “Finish them.”
And for the third time, the draekon king’s signal received no response.
He whirled on the beasts. “Did you not hear me?” He shouted. “On pain of death, I command you to finish them.”
Br
ion’s talons cut the ground menacingly. He looked ready to charge his father at any moment.
No! I shouted my thought towards Brion. Seeing him in his beast form, I was convinced I hadn’t imagined his voice in my head. He’d once told me that when my emotions ran high, he could hear my thoughts. It was a benefit of our gliminee bond.
My father must die. He will never stop trying to kill you.
I gulped. Brion was right. King Roderick would never stop. I could see the hateful determination in his gaze. But I couldn’t let Brion become his own worst nightmare. Prophecy or no, I couldn’t let that happen.
It doesn’t have to be you. I stared at his large, draekon eyes, willing them to turn towards me. As if hearing my request, the slitted eyes shifted to me.
I touched my hand to my chest and repeated. It doesn’t have to be you.
Brion was torn. I could see that and so much more in his eyes. His instinct was to protect me. And at that moment, his father was the greatest threat to me. But guilt would destroy him if he killed his father. There had to be another way. There just had to be.
“Your army has sworn its allegiance to Prince Brion of Draekon, heir to your throne,” King Aquin announced. “You have no army, Roderick. Surrender.”
The king’s responding growl sent dread through my limbs. He was furious. Not surprising. He’d lost. If he were anyone else, I would say he’d realize his situation and end his aggression. But that wasn’t King Roderick. He would never give up. Never.
The draekon king eyed those around him, scowling when the three draekon shifted their dangerous snouts toward him. “Well,” his voice was dangerously calm, “if I am to be defeated, I shall not leave this world without a fight.”
I didn’t even see the draekon fire building under his skin. The king acted so suddenly. It caught us all off guard.
The hottest Draekon flame I’d ever seen rippled blue with its extreme heat. It shot out of the king’s hands and collided with its target in the blink of an eye.
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