Queen to Ashes (Black Dawn Series Book 2)

by Mallory McCartney

  “What plan do you have to get out of this?” They ran faster, as the woman holding Emory followed, her face paling.

  “I always have a plan, Brokk.” She winked and his stomach dropped.

  The mountainside loomed in front of them, the rock grey and impregnable. That was when he heard it. Boom. Boom. BOOM. They skidded to a halt as he looked behind them. The Oileans’ bodies were swept up in Kiana’s ability, drowning in the water, rocks pelting them. Fear sliced through him as he saw one pale hand shooting out from the rubble. And then another. And another. Below them, a roar vibrated through the stone.

  “One.” Kiana’s voice was low and urgent. “Two.” The woman beside him sheathed her hammer, gripping Emory’s body, and quickly nodded her head, determination sparking in her hazel eyes, as Kiana said, “Three.”

  The ground exploded from beneath them, and Brokk balked in horror. Five monstrous beasts bellowed at them, blinking furiously, saliva dripping from their maws. Their muscular bodies were scarred and tough, their long snouts flaring, their ears pinned back. Three of the five locked their eyes on them as Kiana bellowed a war cry, elation brimming into her features. The beasts shivered, an ancient acknowledgment sparking in their eyes as they bowed their front legs, offering their backs.

  A madness of survival had taken over them all.

  Kiana swung around, her energy blasting from her as it demolished the side of the mountain. And beautiful, crisp air howled at them. Confusion clawed at him, but there was no time. The Oilean had created the illusion of falling when they were nearly at the peak. They were so high, the world sprawling below the mountain range was nothing but lines. In the night, Brokk could barely make out the forests, and farther along, the horizon the Black Sea. His body was tugged, and he responded. Breathe.

  Kiana leapt at the beast, grinning madly, holding her hand out to him. Trust. If he lived his life without friends, where would that lead him in this war? Kiana was barking mad, but he would be dead without her. He wouldn’t be in Adair’s kingdom without her.

  Clasping her hand fiercely, he was pulled up. He twisted his body, trying to see Emory, as Kiana said, “Riona has her, Brokk. Trust me. The blacksmith won’t harm her. But right now, I need you to hold on.”

  Wrapping his hands around her waist, gravity left them. The beast barrelled forward, roaring, running full tilt-right at the opening. The mountain shuddered, and the last thing he heard was the Oilean screeching, the sound making his hair stand on end: It was a call for blood.

  And then they were falling. The beast had leapt without faltering, without fear. He glimpsed the night sky, the wondrous deep blue hues, purple lining the clouds, and above them stars embedded in the sky like crystals.

  Then everything was a blur. They raced toward the ground at a dangerous speed. His scream was lodged in his throat, adrenaline roaring in his ears—everything was a mass of grey. It sounded like thunder as the beast dug its claws into the side of the mountain, sparks flying in the night from the force. And then in a controlled arc, they were swung upward, freefalling once more. His scream dislodged from his throat, and it carried through the air as the monster repeated the powerful motion again. He realized they were using the mountain to travel down to the ground.

  Gagging, Brokk choked down bile. Clenching his eyes shut, he tried to block out the screams lacing the night, becoming more unearthly with each passing moment. He tried not to think about what had happened. That part of himself and the history that was tied to it. Prince.

  It was just a title. Just a claim that two people he never got to meet made. Earned. Prying his eyes open, they were dropping again, the shadowy forest rushing up to meet them too fast. Sparks flew in front of his eyes as the beast swung its weight, almost crashing into the rock face, only at the last minute to fling itself forward. Finally, they crashed onto the earth, dirt and grass flying from the impact. Kiana leapt off with a lithe grace, a string of filthy curses flying from her as she stared at the mountains. The blacksmith, Riona, by miracle, slid off, Emory cradled in her arms. He saw red.

  “Are you insane? Kiana, what are these things? You could have gotten us killed!” Brokk shouted. He hurriedly got off the restless beast, eyeing them carefully.

  Lifting her eyebrow, she shrugged. “And you would have died without them. You almost did. You played your part beautifully though. I was banking on the fact that you and Adair would be...preoccupied.”

  “Preoccupied?”

  Riona stepped in between them. “You two are forgetting yourselves. What do we do?” The ground shuddered, and Brokk looked up, the moon illuminating the silhouette of where they came from. A pulsing, green light was growing and growing, and he ripped his gaze from it.

  “We don’t have much time.” Kiana shook her head, turning as she looked past him. She bowed her head and whispered soft words to the monstrous creatures that had saved them. With bared teeth and vicious growls, they turned, disappearing into the shadows.

  Goosebumps rippled across Brokk’s skin as he stepped closer. “How did you even know about these beasts?”

  Those silver eyes locked on him. “Those beasts you are referring to were once wild creatures of these forests. They were free, fierce, and answered to no one. That was the treasure in our world, all the power and secrets it held at its core, and all the creatures that found their home.

  “That monster of a man enslaved them and drove them into madness. They were tortured. Had everything stripped from them. Were shown brutality, and they forgot who they were.” Kiana’s chest heaved as she set her jaw. Swallowing, she wiped angrily at her eyes. “I had heard rumors. Unfortunately, they proved true. Riona, put her down now.”

  Sizing up the other woman, he said, “Do I even want to know how you two know each other?”

  Gingerly laying Emory down, Riona smiled. “Some people don’t like talking about it.”

  Kiana scowled, the vulgar gesture flying before she sighed. “Brokk, may I introduce my sister.”

  He blinked. Sister.

  “Who against my better judgement purposefully went and joined Adair, posing as...just another person with an ability. It was beyond reckless.”

  “She really means intuitive and helpful.”

  “She could have gotten killed.”

  “Don’t talk over me. I didn’t get killed and our plan beyond worked. Now, Emory.”

  Kiana shot her sister a glare so vicious, Brokk wanted to laugh. He had forgotten what quick banter was like. What family was like.

  “It’s nice to meet you. And thank you for watching over her.”

  Kiana knelt, placing her hands over Emory’s chest, the needles digging in further. Light flared from her palms and Riona stepped back.

  “Don’t thank me yet, lover boy. I had no idea what Adair would do. What he put her through...” Shadows formed in her eyes, as Riona’s words died midsentence. His pulse picked up, and she sighed. “She won’t be the same person if she comes back.”

  “She has a choice?”

  The Warrior nodded. “I like to believe she does.”

  He was fixated, as a light grew, pulsing like a heartbeat. The world bled away, the mountains and the quaking of the earth about to be split in two: Bloodied and worn, barren and without an escape of the impending war. Tears burned in his eyes, and his breath hitched.

  Brokk. Ice shot into his veins as Emory’s voice resonated within his mind. Help me. Everything started to spin, and he was filled with Emory. Panicked, he looked at Kiana, her silver hair framing her face before a roaring washed over him. The world became fuzzy as he was pulled into his ability and was ripped from the sisters.

  The wind howled as he fell, his screams tearing from his chest. What’s happening? Squinting, Brokk tried to control his breathing, tried to focus. All around him were echoes of sounds, playing tricks on his ears. The gentle gurgle of water, smoothing and alluring, and then transforming into screams. The scents of hundreds of places: earthy, fresh, damp, and musty. Every time he had travel
ed the channels, he had a clear intention in view. But now? The colors around him churned, ribbons of silver and gold swirling around him, around his legs, his arms, his neck.

  Brokk. It was only a whisper, but he dove toward it, abandoning everything. He filled his entire body with the sound of Emory’s voice, honing his ability to it. There was a hush on the wind, an explosion of light, and everything went quiet. Shakily, he looked at the floor, his eyes trailing along the bookcase, the all too familiar bookcases and maps. His exhale was hoarse, as he stepped forward.

  “Emory.”

  She was seated away from him, stiff-backed, and slowly, she turned. Her delicate brows pinched together, her ebony hair cascading past her shoulders, the red-stained ends out of place in the neutral tones of the study. Her eyes met his, and he stilled as he watched that flicker burning in them.

  “I knew you would be here. That you would come.” Standing, her cheeks flushed. “So, I really did die then?” A pause. “Brokk, I am so, so sorry. I thought it wasn’t you that I killed. I thought I understood what I was doing better.”

  Tilting his head, his voice was gentle as he replied, “Em, you’re not dead.”

  She stilled, shaking her head. “Then how are you here? I killed you.” A dark chuckle erupted from her. “I tried, and I failed.”

  Clenching his fists, he took another step closer. “The Oilean. Em, it was dark magic. It wasn’t me but a doppelganger. An illusion.” She paled, her lips moving wordlessly. Panic bled into her features.

  “I don’t understand this either. But I am here with you. I traveled to... Where exactly are we? I was just with you, and Em...” The words tumbled out of him.

  She stood, closing the space between them. “I was dead. I am dead.”

  He choked on the words he couldn’t say, on everything, and just stared at her.

  Emory murmured, “I remember this study. Vaguely, but things have been getting clearer. This is my parents’ office. Which is impossible, with the Academy being nothing but ash.”

  Emory started to pace, her agitation rolling off in waves. “We are...what...on the brink of the afterlife?”

  Gods above, it ripped everything out of him not to hold her face, run his thumb over her lips, her cheek. He had so many things he wanted to try to explain, but the looming danger of what Kiana and Riona may be dealing with clouded his thoughts. They were running out of time. “I have friends trying to help you.”

  Emory locked her gaze back on him, and it was there. Subtle, but he saw her. The essence, of who she was, had been, and had become.

  “And what if I don’t want help?” She frowned and sat down. “I could just drift away. Everything that was banked on me was wrong. You were wrong.” The glint died in her eyes as she soaked in the room; the details. “Their memories are like ghosts. Translucent, and yet, I know they had been here. That I had been here. I had a life, hopes, and dreams. Had a purpose.” She played with the necklace around her neck, Brokk focusing on the amethyst, his eyes narrowing.

  “I accepted everything Memphis said without a doubt. That I must have glimpsed flickers of my past life in my dreams. That I had been in love. That I had been chosen.” She scoffed as she dug her fingernails into her palms. “I have been so wrong. I have done wrong by you.” Locking her burning eyes on him, she said, “All this time, you have been the only one who has truly looked out for me. Not for your own benefit, not because you wanted to attain something. Brokk, I—”

  “Enough.” The words snapped out of him brusquely.

  “No. I need to say this.” Emory jumped to her feet, shoved the chair back, pacing again. “I remember that day. In the woods. The war and the Academy was lost. My parents dead. I remember making the decision to leave. I remember what it felt like hoping to any god you would come with me. And Memphis took everything away. My judgement, my choice, my memories. As he did for years.” Her chin wobbled. “I never questioned it. I believed that story he spun in my mind. That you couldn’t be trusted. I walked right back into his arms, and all of it was a lie. I am so sorry. For not seeing through him until it was too late. To me, Memphis was safe. I wanted to believe that he was my path. But I wasn’t right.”

  Brokk couldn’t breathe as Emory continued. “I had hoped that maybe through all of this, Adair was still in there, fighting. That I could find out why he killed my parents.”

  “You can’t reason with a madman.”

  She stilled, and he saw the echoes of grief flooding her eyes as she whispered, “I know.”

  “Emory, you did what you had to,” Brokk said, closing the space between them.

  She blinked, looking past him. “Maybe I don’t have a choice, Brokk. Not anymore. That person who came to Kiero is dead. I have done terrible things that I can’t forgive myself for. I bowed to Adair’s will. All for what? To be a pawn for a more dangerous force to take over? For the Oilean to win? For Kiero to end?”

  A cool wind brushed up against his skin, sending shivers down his spine. His body responded, and he didn’t think. Not anymore. Not when he was so close to losing her.

  In two strides, he gently cupped her hands, his fingers curling around her frigid hands. His fingers shakily stroked her skin, his breath hitching. “You always have a choice, Em. I understand, about before. You weren’t the only one to be strayed by Memphis. To put all your trust in him.” Slowly, Brokk lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Whatever you choose to do, I am behind you no matter what. But choose what you want to fight for. What is worth fighting for. For you and no one else.”

  A thousand words flared on his tongue, a thousand things he wanted to say. I’ve missed you. A ragged breath loosened from his chest. I want to go back to those simpler days. Squeezing his hand, tears brimmed in her eyes. I wish it were different. I wish you hadn’t believed he was still in there. Emory was shaking. I wish you had believed in me. I am in love with you. I never stopped loving you.

  His gaze lingered on every shadow, every bruise, every haunted look flashing behind those emerald eyes, and he wanted to help. Wanted to ease her pain. But all he could do was wait. Heat flooded through his palm as she shuddered, stepping back.

  “Thank you.” Shakily she wiped the tears from her eyes, looking around. “You know, it was easier living a lie before. I was safe. But now, knowing the truth of who I am, knowing what is at stake, I want to fill my very bones with my rage. With my grief. My vengeance.” Pausing, she whispered, “But I am also not enough. And this darkness in me, Brokk, consumes me. It’s all I see. All I feel within myself. I don’t see a way through it.” Cringing, he watched her fold in on herself and crumble.

  The room was a blur. His arms were around her, and he swallowed through the tightness in his throat, as he whispered into her hair, “Emory Reia Fae, there hasn’t been a day that has passed that I haven’t thought of you.” Her body stilled against his rampaging heart. “Em, I want you to fight for you. You are enough. You have always been enough. We can work through anything together. Don’t give up on that, please. Don’t give up on us.”

  He pressed his eyes shut, murmuring, “Without darkness, we wouldn’t be able to see the stars. The flames when fire burns. We all change over time. It’s what you choose to do with the darkness you feel within you. Are you going to be blindly led by it, or is it time for you to use what has hurt you to make you stronger?”

  She shivered. “But to go back? To what?”

  Brokk broke away, lifting an eyebrow. “Are you saying you are coming with me?”

  Sighing, Emory looked around the room. “You are persistent, you know? For someone I killed and all.” Hiccupping, the tears rolled down her cheeks as she searched his face. “I thought I would never see you again. I tried to convince myself that it couldn’t be true, but all I can see is my blade and the blood—”

  Grabbing her hands, he squeezed them gently. “You believed a flesh and blood lie. Don’t tear yourself apart for not seeing it.”

  “I couldn’t live with myself. I can’t forget.”
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  Her eyes blazed, as he leaned in close. “I’m not asking you to forget. But to learn from it.”

  Her mouth twisted and she paused, scouring his face. In that moment of stretched silence, he caught a flicker. A pulse of shimmering light. The necklace around her neck started to burn like a star itself. Pinching his eyebrows together, he felt her fear, like a cloud surrounding them. Pulling her in close, her body tensed.

  “It’s time, Em.”

  With salt-crusted lips, her breathing wobbled. “Let’s go see what kind of queen I will become.”

  Then his ability crashed into hers. His breath was swept from his lungs, ice filling them as fire ignited in his veins. It was a crack of light, an explosion of space and matter, energy and expansion. Of give and take—it was all Brokk knew as he squeezed her hand tighter.

  They were falling; he felt the pull in his gut, the power thrumming in his veins. Most importantly, he felt her. He was screaming, the fractured light fading until darkness swept in around them. And he heard the voices.

  “Emory, darling.”

  “Em, we are so proud of you.”

  “Darling, come home. To us.”

  There was a flash of silver, and he saw their decaying hands tearing at them, just out of reach. The pale hair, broken and dull, Nei Fae’s face contorted. Another arm shot out toward them, the jacket torn and draping, the grey flesh underneath ripped and exposing bone. The empty eye sockets stared at them, and they were falling but also suspended in this moment. The crown was flawless: the curled iron, the thorn vines, and the roses.

  “Emory, darling, it’s time. Come with us. You’re ready.”

  She leaned forward, her hair floating around her face, as if they were underwater. She whispered, “Mom? Dad?” It was the slow tilt of their necks, at her voice, that gave them away.

  “Em, NO!” Contorting his body, the shadows exploded, revealing their true intention.