by Donna Grant
Elin shook her head. “Sybbyl isn’t gone. She’s right there.”
To Brom’s astonishment, Elin pointed at Runa.
30
Sybbyl laughed as she looked at the group. It was odd walking around in someone else’s body, but at least she was still alive. It had been close. Too close, actually. Had she not struck Runa, and had the Gira queen not held on as tightly as she had to stay alive, Sybbyl would be dead.
But she had felt her magic calling to her from Runa’s body. It had taken little effort to inhabit her form and take command of it since Runa was buried under too much darkness to dig herself out. She had begun healing the wound shortly before Brom added his spell, which had only sped up the recovery.
“Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?” She didn’t hide her smile at the shocked and angry expressions on the others’ faces. “I told all of you that I was destined for greatness. Perhaps not in the body that was mine, but that doesn’t matter. What this proves is that I’ll live forever, moving from body to body. You’ll never be able to kill me.”
She tightened her hands on Brom. “I’ve even got my pick of three Varroki men to fill my womb with seed.”
“I warned you before that you’ll never have my body,” Jarin said.
Brom jerked his hand from hers. “And you willna have mine.”
“Even if you do get with child, it won’t be yours,” Leoma stated. “It won’t have any of you in it.”
Ravyn laughed. “That’s right. If you get pregnant using Runa’s body, it’ll be Runa’s child.”
“Which means, it won’t have your magic,” Braith replied with a smile.
Carac nodded. “Music to my ears.”
Sybbyl rolled her eyes. “I’ll raise it, which counts for a lot.”
“It’ll never happen,” Synne stated.
Sybbyl threw out her hands. “Who is going to stop me?”
Brom frowned because it felt as if someone were trying to get his attention. He looked around and found his gaze locked on one of the snow nymphs. The being gave a nod as if Brom were supposed to understand. Then it dawned on Brom precisely what he was supposed to do.
The nymphs had told him that he’d know. Asrail had also warned him. He’d been so adamant that he couldn’t do it. Now, as he stared at his beloved Runa, her body currently occupied by none other than Sybbyl, he knew he wouldn’t hesitate.
“That doesn’t even scare me,” Sybbyl said as she pointed to the skull Braith held.
Braith quirked a brow at her. “Then you’re a fool. We were brought here because of the First Witch.”
“So what? She’s dead. And while she had great power, she can’t kill me. None of you can.” Sybbyl threw back her head and laughed.
“Brom!” Armir shouted and threw him Lachlan’s sword.
Brom caught it and pulled Sybbyl toward him as he plunged the blade into her stomach. Her eyes bulged as black smoke billowed out of the wound. She clawed at him, trying to stay on her feet. Brom yanked the sword free, but she had a firm grip on his other hand. He tossed the weapon to Lachlan as Sybbyl’s knees buckled and she hit the ground.
No matter how hard the witch fought, there was no stopping her death. The more black smoke filtered from Runa’s body, the weaker Sybbyl became until she was gone. Brom kneeled beside Runa, more heartsick than he thought possible. He’d believed he had saved her from the brink of death. Realizing that it had all been a trick was the cruelest kind of torture.
“What just happened?” Synne asked in a whisper.
Armir came to stand beside them. “Brom had to kill her.”
“Just as Asrail foretold,” Lachlan said.
Jarin put his hand on Brom’s shoulder. “It’s for the best. Runa can finally rest in peace.”
“She was alive,” Brom said. “Runa fought. That’s what Sybbyl said. She fought to stay alive before Sybbyl took over.”
Helena squatted down beside Brom and caught his gaze. “There’s still a chance that she’s in there. You fought so hard for her. Don’t give up now.”
“I’ll help,” Elin said. Then she looked at Synne. “And I will pay for what I did. First, let me help here.”
Armir, Jarin, Helena, and Elin gathered around him and Runa. Finally, Brom nodded to them and placed his hands on her. Together, they began the healing spell.
Her hearing came back in a rush. It was so loud that Runa tried to turn away from it. Her body, however, still wouldn’t move. On the heels of the noise was debilitating pain that crashed over her in wave upon wave until she screamed.
She didn’t know how long she battled the agony running through her body before she realized that there was light. A pinprick that gradually started to grow. She focused on it to take her mind off the pain. The more light that surrounded her, the easier she could breathe. No longer did it feel as if she were being held down by something.
While she basked in the light, her thoughts drifted to Brom and how he had healed her injured knee when they first met. The rush of magic through her had been heady and amazing, leaving chills prickling her skin and making her desire him even more—if that were even possible.
She smiled because that’s what Brom did to her. He accepted all of her without hesitation. If only she had told him everything to begin with, but she had been too much of a coward. That was time wasted. She might have told him of her love, but they’d had no chance to do anything else with Sybbyl’s arrival.
Runa’s heart hurt because she knew she might have lost Brom forever. She didn’t know if she hung between the world of the living and the world of the dead. She wasn’t sure if Brom had fought Sybbyl or not. She wasn’t sure of anything, and that made things so much worse.
She took a deep breath. Only then did she realize that the pain was almost gone. There was only a small twinge, and even that was ebbing away. It was then that she felt it, Brom’s magic. His wasn’t the only one, but because she had such a connection to his, she could pick his out amidst the others.
Suddenly, she felt the cold of the snow as it dampened her clothes and chilled her skin. She wanted to move her body, to lift her lids and search for Brom. But a part of her worried that this was all a dream, and she would be left disappointed once more.
But she had already lost so much by being afraid. She couldn’t do that again. If she were to have the life she dreamed of, she needed to face this head-on. Runa opened her eyes and blinked against the bright sun and blue skies through the limbs of the trees swaying above her.
Something grabbed her hand. She curled her fingers around it and turned her head to find herself looking into Brom’s beautiful hazel irises, more gold than ever. His smile was wide as he hastily blinked his eyes.
“You came back,” he said and gathered her in his arms.
Runa wrapped her arms around him tightly. For several moments, they simply held each other. He had been all she could think about, and now, she was in his arms. She squeezed her eyes shut, amazed that she was alive. “I love you,” she whispered.
“And I love you,” he said and kissed her head. He sniffed, adjusting his arms to tighten his hold.
She blinked open her eyes and saw something on the periphery of her vision. Runa turned her head to find a couple watching her. That’s when she pulled away from Brom and looked around.
“There’s a lot we need to fill you in on,” Brom said.
Runa’s gaze returned to him. She cupped his cheek. “You’re alive.”
“We did more than stay alive. We won,” he said. Sadness filled his gaze. “Well, we lost one.”
Synne knelt beside her and wrapped her arms around Runa’s neck. “I thought we had lost you, too. Thank you for hanging on.”
“I’m not entirely sure I had a choice.” Runa pulled back and shared a smile with her sister. There were tear tracks down Synne’s face that made Runa’s gut clench. “What is it?”
Fresh tears fell from Synne’s eyes. “Asrail.”
“It might be bett
er if we start from the beginning,” Brom said. “First, let’s get out of here.”
Runa got to her feet with Brom’s help and noticed that her tunic and vest were not only cut but also covered in blood in two spots. One was from Sybbyl’s attack. She wasn’t sure what the second was from, but she would find out.
Instead of returning to the loch, the group walked in another direction. There were so many questions running through her mind, but Runa managed to keep from voicing them. Their group walked for another half-hour down the mountain until they reached a small cottage with smoke billowing from the chimney.
A woman bent with old age smiled at them. Her hair was stark white, and there were many lines upon her face, but her eyes were sharp and clear. No one said anything to the old woman as they walked past her and entered the domicile. Runa immediately went to the fire and stuck out her hands in an effort to warm them. It felt as if she would never get warm again.
The silence was uncomfortable. Thankfully, Brom came to stand beside her. His nearness offered more warmth that she eagerly accepted. Runa watched as two of the other women in her group tried to help the old woman, but she shooed the young ones away.
It wasn’t long before the old woman motioned everyone to the table. Once they were all seated, the food was passed around, and everyone’s plates were filled. The old woman took a seat at the head of the group and sighed loudly before her gaze met the man’s at the other end of the table.
Runa was curious about him since he had a shaved head and tattoos. She suspected that he was a Varroki warrior just because of the way he held himself. Although, he looked very sad.
“I wondered who it would be coming off the mountain,” the old woman said. Then her blue eyes met Runa’s. “This one has a lot of questions. I think it’s time she learns what happened.”
Brom lowered the piece of bread he had been eating and nodded. “It is time.”
Runa put down her spoon and listened. By the time she had been properly introduced to everyone, learned of Asrail’s fate, Malene’s battle with Sybbyl, the snow and water nymphs, and the fact that Sybbyl had briefly taken over her body, everyone had finished their food, and the table was cleared.
“I missed a lot,” Runa said.
Helena smiled at her from across the table. “You were fighting your own battle, though you didn’t know it.”
“I’m not sure many others could have withstood it,” Leoma said as she nodded to Runa. “It proves how formidable you are.”
Ravyn grinned. “And why the Gira wanted you as their queen.”
Runa shifted in her seat, unsure if everyone knew of her ancestry. Then she realized it didn’t matter. The only one she cared about was Brom. “Thank you,” she told Leoma and Ravyn.
“What now?” Jarin asked.
Runa’s gaze landed on Armir. Discovering what happened to Malene, the Lady of the Varroki, helped her to understand Armir’s despondency. Armir hadn’t said a word since she had woken, and Runa had a feeling that he wouldn’t. His grief was too new, too raw.
Helena put her hand atop Jarin’s as she glanced at Armir. “We return to Blackglade.”
“And what of her?” Synne asked as she gazed pointedly at Elin.
Runa frowned as she looked between her sister and the brunette witch. “What did Elin do?”
“I was the one who released my sister, Avis,” Elin said before Synne could. The witch moved her gaze first to Lachlan and then to Synne. “I’ll never be able to apologize enough. I believed Avis when she said that she wanted to be a family again. I was tired of being alone, and I made the mistake of trusting her.”
“It wasna a mistake,” Lachlan said.
Synne shot him an angry look. “You nearly died.”
“I didna,” he told Synne calmly. “Elin didna do anything to harm us.”
Synne rolled her eyes. “I disagree.”
“Look at her,” Armir said as he lifted his eyes to Elin. “Take a long hard look at her, Synne. If you think Elin hasn’t suffered, then you haven’t looked closely enough. I believe her when she says she was tricked.”
Jarin nodded. “Besides, if Elin was guilty, she wouldn’t have helped us against the Coven.”
“I agree,” Helena said softly.
Elin swiped at her cheek and cleared her throat as she got to her feet. “I’m prepared to return to Blackglade and face whatever punishment you deem I deserve.”
“The Varroki won’t be punishing you,” Armir said and dropped his chin to his chest.
Synne blew out a breath. “If Lachlan can forgive you, then so can I.”
Elin bowed her head and turned to walk to the door.
“Where are you going?” Carac asked.
The witch paused at the door and looked over her shoulder at them. “I don’t know.”
“Wait,” Runa said as she rose and walked to Elin. “You should know that Avis is dead.”
Elin nodded and glanced at the sword strapped to Lachlan’s back. “I assumed so but thank you for telling me.”
Runa watched the witch walk from the cottage. After the door had closed, she faced the table. “Do we know if all the Gira are gone?”
“Based on what we saw, all the tree nymphs at the loch were killed,” Lachlan said.
Her eyes slid to Brom. “I need to see.”
“Then you shall,” he told her.
Armir got to his feet and bowed his head to the old woman. “Thank you for opening your home to us.”
“You all need to rest. Stay the night,” she said.
Braith shook his head. “We’ve imposed enough already.”
“I said you need to rest.” The old woman held his gaze until Braith relented. Then she rose and walked away.
Brom took Runa’s hand and led her to the fire. He sat and pulled her down before him so she leaned back against his chest. They twined their fingers and simply sat together for a time as everyone paired off. Some went outside, some remained at the table, and others moved to corners to talk privately.
“Are you all right?” Brom asked.
She leaned her head back against his shoulder and shrugged. “I’m…fine. I’m just trying to reconcile the fact that last night I had planned to take out Sybbyl on my own, yet I ended up not being a part of the battle at all.”
“That isna true. If you hadna been so strong mentally, you wouldna have been able to survive what Sybbyl put you through. You do see that, right?”
She rolled her head to him and smiled as he looked down at her. “I do.”
“What was it like?” he asked.
Runa swallowed and looked at the fire. “Blackness. That’s what took me first. Oddly, there was very little pain. However, I couldn’t see, hear, talk, or move. I didn’t know if you were battling her or if you had gotten away.”
“I wouldna have left you.”
She glanced down at his bloodied shirt. “You were hurt.”
“She got in a lucky hit. I hurt her as well.”
That made Runa smile. “I was so idiotic to think I could take out Sybbyl myself. Nine of you were involved.”
“Actually, it was mainly Malene. I saw her face. I think she knew exactly what was going to happen. That’s why she put up the bubble so Armir and the others couldna stop her. He’s in love with her.”
Her gaze slid to Armir, who still sat at the table, lost in his own thoughts. “I could tell he cared, but I thought maybe it was just because she ruled the Varroki.”
“It’s much deeper than that.”
“You like the Varroki.”
There was a smile in his voice when he said, “Their city is beautiful.”
“Do you want to return there with the others?”
Brom looked down at her and waited until she met his gaze before he said, “I want to go wherever you do. It doesna matter to me as long as we’re together.”
“Do you think the Varroki would allow me inside the city?” she asked hesitantly.
He shot her a lopsided grin. “With
out a doubt.”
31
Brom didn’t close his eyes once that night. He couldn’t stop looking at Runa as she slept in his arms. It wasn’t until dawn approached and Armir quietly walked outside that Brom gently laid Runa down and hurried to follow the commander.
The Varroki warrior stood outside, watching the sky. “I had a feeling you wished to talk.”
“I did,” Brom said as he came to stand beside him.
“Then talk.”
Brom glanced at the snow. “What happens now that Malene is…?”
“You can say it,” Armir said. “She’s gone. Malene is gone. What happens now is that the magic finds another to take her place. I’ll be shown the girl, and I’ll set out to find her and bring her back to Blackglade to start the process all over.”
Brom watched Armir closely. There was irritation in his voice and fury in the way he held his body. “You’re angry at Malene.”
“I am,” Armir said and glanced at him. “Malene should’ve allowed us to fight. We could’ve taken out Sybbyl together.”
“Maybe. Maybe no’. You trusted Malene to lead you, and she did what she saw fit.”
Armir snorted, causing his breath to billow around him in a pale cloud. “I thought she would be around for a lot longer.”
“She made quite a few changes that will continue to have a good impact on the Varroki.”
“Perhaps.”
Brom kicked at the snow and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m beginning to think it isna Malene you’re upset with but yourself. You had a chance to tell her your feelings and you didna.”
“You got your woman. You’re lucky.”
“I know,” Brom said with a nod.
Armir faced him. “What are your plans? Will you be returning to Blackglade with us?”
“Runa is worried she willna be welcome.”
“She’ll be welcome. You both will.”
Brom blew out a breath. “I’d like to come.”
“Let me know. We’ll be heading out later this morning.”
Armir walked away, leaving Brom alone. After a moment, Brom returned to the cottage to find everyone awake. Helena had used magic to mend and clean Runa’s clothes. Brom decided to do the same with his tunic. The old woman was nowhere in sight. A large loaf of bread rested on the table that everyone ate from. Then, they went outside.