Queen to Ashes (Black Dawn Series Book 2)

by Mallory McCartney

  The heavy humidity of the Bogs had passed hours ago as the clear, warm air of the Risco Desert beckoned to them. The land below them changed from twisted paths to barren ground, sloping dramatically to the golden sands beyond them. They had flown for hours, his agitation turning to a hard fear as they landed. It was time. Time to convince the clans to join them, to ignore their warning. To try to make things right.

  Looking over at Nyx, her violet hair was piled high atop her head, and her crescent blade was out in front of her as she twirled it. It was about midday, but he felt as if they had entered a pit of fire itself. Heat scorched the land, and he could see the shimmering waves of the sand in the distance, making it seem as if the whole world was flickering in and out of perspective. Aella flattened her ears on her head and pawed the sand nervously, making low clicking sounds.

  Looking to Nyx, he murmured, “We need to rest and water ourselves before moving on.”

  “Not eager to get this over with?”

  Memphis ignored the question, knowing Nyx knew him too well to sense that something was wrong. He knew what seeking out the clans would mean. The Dust Clan leader’s warning tolled in his mind from when they last met outside of the Academy. But it was the only way. The Rebellion needed more numbers and so he resigned himself to the fact he would make the clans listen. Or die trying.

  Sighing, he turned to pull out their water skins. Passing one to Nyx, which she gulped down eagerly, he reached further down into the bag. He pulled out a thinly stretched leather skin, and he held all the corners while Nyx stood up and poured the rest of her water for Aella. The peryton dipped her muzzle down appreciatively and drank deeply. Once she was done, he grabbed another skin and closed his eyes as the cool water surged down his throat and filled his belly.

  Once they had all refreshed themselves, Nyx picked up her blade and, looking pointedly at him, asked, “What now? I have a feeling the clans are not waiting for us out in the open.”

  Neither did Memphis. Slowly chewing the inside of his lip, he went over what he knew about the clans. Vile, proud men that wanted nothing to do with the happenings of the monarchy but instead built their own judicial system and way of life. They hated outsiders, but there was one thing they prized above all else.

  His lips tugged slowly, lifting as he appraised Nyx. “I know how to get their attention, but you’re not going to like it.”

  She crossed her arms as he unfolded his plan.

  ***

  Night had fallen fast, the coolness kissing their skin in blissful washes as the wind danced around them. Closing his eyes for a second, gathering his bearings before opening them once more, he spotted Nyx’s fire speckling far below him from his view on Aella’s back. They had taken to the skies once dusk had fallen and flown in lazy circles high enough not to be spotted but not high enough to lose sight of her. Gritting his teeth, hours had passed with no sign, but Memphis knew the raiders would come. That they had already been watching. He patted the peryton’s soft fur, murmuring, “You know what to do. Stay hidden. Stay safe.”

  She snorted as they dipped again, repeating their loop.

  Leaning back, he scoured the horizon once more. Deep purple clouds tinged the horizon, diamond stars imbedded within them. His gaze trailed the rolling sands, scouring for any sign of life. Minutes turned into hours until finally... There. Squinting, his body tensed as he looked to the darkness that was rippling around Nyx. He watched as she stood, baring her blades and squaring her shoulders. Sweat trickled down his neck as her consciousness brushed up against his before disappearing. He knew she was reaching out to every raider that surrounded her now.

  There was one thing that the raiders found more appealing than protecting their lands, and that was a blatant challenge. He squeezed his thighs on Aella’s side as ten men materialized from the sands, weapons in hand, surrounding her. She gently laid her blades down, and he watched as she gestured with her hands, pleading their cause. They wouldn’t have listened to him if the clan had spotted him first, not with a price on his head.

  Minutes passed tensely, but finally, Nyx let out a low whistle. That was his cue that the clan knew he was here, but they wouldn’t kill him on sight.

  “Aella, now,” he whispered as she dove, wings tucked tightly into her side until she was low enough that he could jump without hurting himself. Pushing himself off the leather saddle, gravity took hold of him as he plummeted through the air, and tucking his limbs in, he met the rolling sands, his body being thrown forward from the impact. Rolling, he gruffly got up, knowing by now Aella was gone, seeking refuge in the skies. The peryton was too rare and too important to be gambled right now.

  Finding his feet, Memphis stalked toward the fire and Nyx while taking in the shadowed raiders in front of him. Severe brows framed their brooding eyes, and they were clad nearly head to toe in midnight-blue, being able to blend in with the cover of darkness. A slow clap resonated through the silence, and Nyx took a second to turn toward him, her features clouded with worry.

  The tallest man closest to them stepped forward, lowering his hood. “Memphis Carter of Black Dawn, it would seem we meet again. Though, I am surprised you sought us out after my warning.”

  “I am pleading for you to listen.”

  The leader of the Dust Clans stepped up. “Your lovely friend here already went over it. The Academy burnt to the ground by her mistake, and your queen is in the hands of your enemy. Things have turned dire for you over the months, it would seem, since we have been apart.”

  Nyx had taken a step back now, and he could feel her consciousness quietly start to expand toward him. The Dust Clan leader noticed the movement and barked in the tense silence, “I would take advice from your friend here, Commander. Leave now, and we won’t have to end this in blood.”

  With narrowed eyes, Memphis studied the man; he was tall with a strong build, his features alit with malice.

  Memphis stalked up to the man so that they were face-to-face and said, “We will not leave unless the clans are united in our Rebellion. Do you think that once Adair is through with us, he won’t target the raiders? Until you either bow to him or die?”

  The leader thundered, “You are as foolish as you look. Adair has not tried to invade our lands in years. This is not our war.”

  Memphis clenched his fists, his nails biting into his flesh as he whispered, “You’re right. Adair hasn’t tried to take on the clans because he has been happily destroying our world, and you have joined in with him. But what happens when there are no towns or people left to create havoc with and all that remains in this desolate world is you and Adair? I promise you; he will turn his attention on you then, and it will be your war. Adair was my friend; I know his lust for power and, above all, to rule. For the first time in six years, we have a chance, and I am begging you to help us.”

  By now, the remaining nine raiders had drawn ragged swords, and their leader laughed, nearly doubling over. Nyx threw him a blazing look, her fingers clenched and her knuckles turning white. Gasping for breath, the raider straightened and sneered at him, jabbing him in the chest. “Let that day come; for now, we are more than happy to watch you tear each other apart. Now leave.”

  Nyx stiffened as Memphis said, “No. There is no turning back now for us. There are no second chances.” No fear, just forward now. Memphis’s breath came to him in deep gulps as the tension rolled off everyone in waves.

  Lifting his gaze to the clan and, in a steady voice, he said, “If you refuse to see reason, then I challenge you for your position as Clan Leader.” It was like dropping a rock into still water. Surprise shone in all the raiders’ eyes as murmurs rippled and broke out amongst them.

  The closest man behind their leader gripped his arm hard. “Zander, end them. Now.”

  Memphis didn’t back down as he pushed on. “A fair trial, just you and me. If I win, you step down as Clan Leader, and I will uphold the position, and you will join us in the war. If not, then kill me, but let Nyx go.”

&n
bsp; Zander arched an eyebrow at him, while Nyx’s consciousness barrelled into him like a roaring wave. “Memphis, what are you doing?”

  He slammed an iron wall up and focused on Zander, whose face had darkened even in the shadows. His entire life, he had thought he had been making the right decision by protecting the Rebellion, by protecting Emory. Shutting out his friends and the people he loved most for the bigger picture. He was selfish and scared to lose what he held closest to his heart: Not anymore. Not when that suffocating urge to prove himself battered against him so violently, he had to let go and give in.

  Zander flicked a long thin blade from his wrist and stalked up to him. From his powerful strides to his gaze burning with pure vengeance, Memphis knew that he had him hooked.

  The Dust Clan leader breathed onto his face, the overwhelming stench of ale and meat colliding with his senses. “I accept your conditions. Except for a slight minor change on my end, Commander. The trial will be upheld by the traditions of the clan, and we will decide exactly how your worth will be weighed. As for her—” his eyes ravished every inch of Nyx, and in response, she flashed him a very vulgar gesture “—if you fail, Memphis Carter, she will die right beside you.”

  He chuckled, still looking bemused by Nyx, though the withering look on her face would send most men running. Ice ran through his body, and time seemed to twist and turn, flashes from the past and dreams of the future creating a kaleidoscope of memories that encased him and, in turn, helped him find his courage.

  He didn’t break Zander’s gaze as he said, “I accept.”

  The movement was so fast that he almost didn’t catch it; the thin blade sliced Memphis’s cheek in a fluid arc, hot blood rushing up and seeping out of the wound. Zander’s long finger brushed the cut, smearing Memphis’s cheek in blood. Zander mimicked the mark on his own skin, booming, “Then it is sealed. By the sands and the sun as my witness, Memphis Carter, you are now our prisoner until the trial. As for your friend...” Zander trailed off and low chuckles spread throughout his men as their leader sauntered over to Nyx, whispering, “Such a waste to also put you in the dungeons...”

  Lunging forward, Nyx loosened a growl and arced her crescent moon blade toward him. “Let’s get acquainted then.” The raiders were like wildfire as they fanned out, two pushing him into the sands and two shoving Nyx onto her knees as Zander squatted down in front of her, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

  Memphis’s muscles burned as he struggled to get to her, which just resulted in a sharp crack as the raider who restrained him stepped down hard onto his shin, bone breaking under the man’s boot. Red-hot pain laced through him, his cry making Nyx scream against the raiders restraining her. Zander lashed out, his fist colliding with her gut, cutting her off and leaving her panting, trying to find her breath. His world spun and spun as he gripped hard onto his consciousness. His stomach heaved and churned, begging for release as sweat slicked every inch of his skin. Do not look at your leg; do not look.

  Zander gently lifted Nyx’s chin, forcing her to look at him. He whispered, “I’m sure I can find a special place for you.” Jeers and hoots broke out as Nyx spat in his face, and he growled, standing up. “Let’s go and bring these prisoners back to camp, shall we?”

  The roars of his nine men seemed to shake the very core of the earth as Memphis was shoved forward but collapsed quickly, the pain from his leg making him throw up. The bitter taste of bile burned through his throat and mouth, leaving him gasping in the sand. Rough hands pulled at the collar of his shirt, trying to heave him up. He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Sluggishly, Zander came into focus, his dark eyes looking like empty pits; he was lost in them.

  “You won’t last ten seconds in the trial. You have doomed yourself, Commander.”

  Doomed. The word danced around his mind, licking at his heart, trying to feed the small spark of spirit in there, caged and dying. Memphis laughed, and the world of ghost and sands tilted and sifted as white-hot light raced into his vision. He could have sworn the sand beneath him solidified and rose, racing through the night across the land, carrying him. The dimmed yells of their travelling companions were honed into white noise as he focused on the stars high above him, glinting like lost gems, begging for someone to find them.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Emory

  She dreamt of great and terrible things. Of a world inspired by magic. Then a world abandoned, becoming isolated. All the while, Emory wandered, searching through the rubble of a life that once had been, walking down the street, sweat seeping through her pale blue dress. A lifetime ago, it had been one of her favorites. The straps hung loosely, hugging her shoulders, the downy fabric floating from her waist down past her knees. Mist blew in front of her as she exhaled, but she felt no cold. Onward, her feet carried her, her heart lost, but a path set out before her, the empty buildings cracked and deteriorating. She lurched forward as if being reeled in. The wind stirred, and she froze.

  “Emory.”

  A small whimper escaped through her lips. “Mom?”

  Nei Fae’s arms opened, welcoming her. “Come here, my darling.”

  She was running. The world splintered and changed but this... This was what Emory’s heart yearned for. Her family. They collided, Nei’s golden hair framed her face as Emory hugged her fiercely, tucking her face into her mother’s shoulder.

  “Mom, what are you doing here?” Emory asked.

  Breaking away, Nei smiled sadly. “Don’t you know when to stop?”

  The wind stirred again, Emory felt with every passing second, the sharpness to it, the shivers snaking up her spine.

  “What do you mean? I’m trying to make things better. To be better. I’m lost, Mom.” Her mother’s grin twisted, as she stepped back, tilting her head. At the end, her golden hair turned grey, her skin started to crack, her body shuddering.

  “Don’t you know when to stop killing? To stop fighting?” Nei took a step, her skin flaking off to ash, dissolving into nothingness. “Learn from my mistakes.” The wind picked up, and Emory watched her whisked away, nothing more than a memory. Just like her past. Her present. Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees and was doused in icy water.

  Cursing, her head swung wildly as she slammed back into reality. Sputtering, Emory blinked, and her surroundings came into focus. The room was different, a small desk tucked in the corner, a half-empty brandy bottle atop it. The lamp casted the room in a pleasant glow as she focused on those boots again.

  He was seated across from her, a glass clutched between his long fingers, the amber liquid swirling. Marquis smiled, those freckles stretching across his features, his green hair glinting. “Now, should we talk like civilized people?”

  “Where are my friends?” Emory countered.

  Marquis took a deep swig, mulling over her question. “In this scenario, it would seem, since you are bound and my captive, you’re not quite in the position to do the asking.”

  “Then what’s the point of talking civilly, when in your mind, I’m already your prisoner?”

  Setting the drink down carefully, he leaned forward. “How is it, exactly, that you have returned from the dead?”

  She spat, meeting his stubbornness head on. “My friends, are they alive?”

  His eyes ignited, as he chuckled darkly. “You really haven’t changed much, have you?”

  “On the contrary, I’m hoping I have changed completely.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “So, you haven’t changed at all over the last six years?” Emory retorted.

  “I find it extremely overrated, for the most part, self-growth.” She shook her head, lost in his impossible dance, in his sarcasm. He looked back to his drink, and he picked it back up, casually drawling, “The Isles are only hours away. I have pulled you from the shield to give you a chance, for your side of the story before I decide what exactly to do with you all.”

  Her breath came in fast gulps. “I come to you as Queen
of Kiero, pleading for you and your peoples’ help.”

  He paused. “Queen? What happened to our deranged king from across the sea, or have you forgotten about him?”

  The question slammed into her, and all that resonated was the dripping of water off her clothes. The ship rocked, and the catcalls of the crew above drifted down to them. An entire world away.

  “You tell me if my friends are okay, and I will tell you why I killed Adair.”

  Marquis froze, a muscle feathering along his jaw. Those green eyes cut into her, a tremor running along his hand as he set down the glass a little too hard.

  Emory back pedalled. “Years ago, when I saw you last, you swore to me that I would always find refuge amongst the Isles. With you.”

  Leaning closer, a darkness crossed his features. “And I also told you not to fall into the same mistakes as our parents.”

  “I did give him every chance,” Emory whispered.

  “Oh, I can imagine, especially seeing how eagerly you are using his death as leverage to get what you want from me.” He was pacing now. Back and forth. Back and forth. Scoffing, Marquis shook his head. “Your companions are safe.”

  It was like a taught line being cut as the relief flooded through her. Slumping back, Marquis raised an eyebrow at her, waiting.

  “You know I cared for Adair,” Emory sputtered, “and he was my...my...” Her words died as Emory tried to find where to begin.

  Marquis sat down, filling his cup, as Emory told him from the beginning of her story what had happened. What she had done. Had asked of Brokk. Where she had been. Earth. The Rebellion. Adair’s Kingdom, all but a distant echo now.

  The cup had been refilled and was half-gone as he sat in silence, his face unreadable. Her body was completely numb as she said, “In the end, we both destroyed one another. I completely shattered myself to give back something to the resistance. Something that wasn’t manipulated, something that I chose to give. I have made mistakes. But I am asking you to help me not make the same mistakes as our parents.”