From Spirit and Binding

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  It seemed the firedrake and Brae had become fast friends, even if I didn’t understand it. Not that I understood much about Braelynn anymore.

  However, Drake hadn’t touched Easton once the entire trip. Now, it seemed as if they had become friends, as well.

  “I don’t want to be walking around alone either,” Easton said, bringing me out of my reverie.

  “What?” I asked sharply.

  “We don’t know what kind of hold The Gray still has on me. So, don’t let me walk around alone. Bring guards, do whatever you need to.”

  “You know that none of your guards will be strong enough against you while at full strength,” Teagan said casually.

  “Fine, then one of you stay around me.”

  “None of us is as strong as you either.” Teagan let out a sigh.

  “Well, maybe prince boy over here,” Wyn said, gesturing to Rhodes. “And, of course, Lyric.”

  Rhodes just glared at Wyn for a minute at the nickname she’d used and then shrugged.

  “If you want me at your side, I’m there. Though I don’t think you’re going to allow anyone to control you. Now that you know the connection exists, you can fight back.”

  “Do you know that for sure?” Easton asked, glaring. “Because I sure as hell don’t. And I’m not going to risk any of you and this kingdom with my ignorance. I already risked enough by leaving as I did and going on this journey for the prophecy.”

  “You weren’t alone,” I put in. “We were all there with you.”

  “Yeah, trying to protect you, and to make sure that I didn’t mess anything up because we don’t know who’s controlling me. So, yeah, great job.”

  I just shook my head, letting him do what he needed for his temper. I’d already grumbled to the others. Apparently, it was his turn.

  “We’re going to figure it out,” Ridley said calmly. “Speaking of figuring things out, how did the search go? Did you find anything else out about the prophecy?”

  Everyone looked at me, and I rolled my shoulders back, trying not to look as defeated as I felt.

  “We met a Spirit Wielder, one who told us the rest of the prophecy.”

  Ridley’s eyes widened, and he and Justise just stared at me as I told him the rest of the prophecy, including the first part that we had heard in the northern Spirit territory.

  It didn’t make any more sense now than it had before. Maybe with all of us together, we would figure it out. I had a feeling that, no matter what, things were going to happen, and I would lose something or someone in the process. Maybe even myself like the prophecy stated.

  “Okay, then, we have it. And not just the idea of the Spirit Priestess, we know what you need to do.”

  “In theory,” Justise corrected his husband. “In theory.”

  “Let me get this straight, we have to watch Garrik, and apparently, our king,” Teagan said, pointing at Easton and in the direction of the stairs. “We need to unravel the rest of the prophecy. We need to fix the crystal. Make sure that our people don’t rise against us because they don’t have answers, and they’re all starting to stress out from the fact that we’re still losing power. Anything else?”

  “I need to fix Emory,” I said. Everybody looked at me.

  “Really?” Rhodes asked. This time, his voice was sharp. “After everything she did to you?”

  “She said some cruel things. Now, she’s in pain. The last time we saw her, she was writhing in agony after someone did something horrible to her. They made her a siphon.”

  “And she’s currently in my parents’ dungeon, right?” Teagan asked. I nodded. He was the son of the Lord and Lady of Fire. Technically, he could be considered a prince like Rhodes. Just like Wyn could be a princess of Earth. Not that any of them used those titles.

  “I know we have a lot to do. We’ve been focusing on the prophecy, that and training, and we haven’t come up with anything. We can try to help Emory, as well.”

  “We don’t know that we can help her, Lyric,” Easton said softly. I hated it when he spoke in that tone as if he were afraid to hurt my feelings.

  I didn’t really allow myself to have many feelings when it came to him, not that I would tell him that.

  “We need to try. We need to figure out something. I don’t know what to do about the other things. And, frankly, I don’t know what to do about Emory’s situation either. Putting it on the back burner just seems cruel. Emory didn’t ask for this. None of us did. But she for sure didn’t ask for what ultimately happened to her. If we can help her, we should try.”

  Everyone was silent for a moment as they listened to me, and I wondered if they were going to try and talk me out of it. Teagan gave me a tight nod before speaking. “Okay, looks like we’re headed to the Fire territory.”

  “Just what we wanted, more traveling,” Teagan said wryly. “This won’t take that long, though. We can use Fire to get us there, now that we have so many strong Fire Wielders.”

  “It’ll just be the three of us, then?” Easton asked, and I tried to catch up.

  “We’re going to get her?

  Easton nodded, reaching out to touch my hair again before letting his hand fall away. The gesture did not go unnoticed. Everybody did their best not to say anything or overreact.

  I hated the pity, the confusion in their expressions. It was par for the course these days, though. And if I could at least do something for Emory or anyone, then I would try. And that was why we needed to find Emory.

  “Yes, just you, me, and Easton. We can use our powers and the crystal without taking too much from it. The connection between the Fire territory and the crystal is stronger than that between it and Earth.

  I frowned. “Really?”

  “Yes, though I don’t know exactly why. It’s always been that way.”

  “Because Fire is stronger, or at least more temperamental. And even though I’m a dual Wielder, just like the rest of my family, our Fire has always been a little stronger than our other elements. We won’t hurt the crystal or our people by using it to transfer us there. And, hopefully, we’ll be able to bring Emory back through.”

  Wyn folded her arms over her chest and nodded. “I’ll make sure to keep an eye on Garrik. And get the place ready to hold a siphon.” She looked over at Rhodes. “Want to help with that?”

  Rhodes pinched the bridge of his nose but nodded. “Yes, though it’ll be interesting to figure out how to do that. Siphons usually don’t live long enough for captivity.”

  “Because you kill them?” I asked honestly, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice.

  Rhodes winced. “Yes. And even if we could let them live, they have to learn how to control their powers, just like you do. Nobody knows how they’re made or if they’re born that way, and something just unlocks within them at some point. They can wipe out an entire army of Wielders if you’re not careful. That’s why Lord and Lady of Fire put the shackles on her. It nullifies her power.”

  “Is it hurting her?” I asked.

  Rhodes gave me a look, and I knew that the answer was yes. It was hurting her. However, it was also keeping her alive.

  I hated that.

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  Easton searched my face, and I didn’t know what he was looking for, or if he found it. He just gave me a nod, and we headed towards the crystal room.

  He handed Drake to Justise, and his uncle’s eyes widened.

  “You caught a firedrake?”

  I shook my head. “He came to us. I keep calling him Drake in my head. Not very original, I know.”

  “Drake it is, then. Others without Fire Wielding will be able to hold him if he feels like allowing it, they’ll be immune to him as long as he doesn’t purposely try to reach out with his power. He’s a young one yet, though. He should be fine.”

  “He’s made friends with Braelynn,” I said, probably unnecessarily.

  Justise and Ridley shared a look, and I wondered what that meant.

  “That makes sense,�
� Ridley said, a little mysteriously. I didn’t have time to question it. And, frankly, I wasn’t really sure I wanted to know the answers to what was going on with Braelynn. Everything so far was enough for now.

  We made our way to the crystal room after saying goodbye to Drake and Braelynn as Justise and Luken stayed behind to deal with them.

  The crystal room looked as it had when I first walked in before everything almost shattered.

  Where I’d died.

  The walls were dark stone that shined in the light, the crystal itself black with jagged lines running through it. The lines looked deeper today, the gouges far more dramatic than they had before.

  The crystal was dying, and that meant the realm was, too.

  We needed to figure out how to seal the fissures.

  Teagan held out his hands as he walked around the side of the crystal. “Ready?”

  When Easton took one hand and held out his other for me, I slid my palms against both of theirs and nodded.

  “Ready,” I whispered.

  And then Easton said something in a low tone, and the crystal glowed dark before Fire reached out and encircled us. The flames were hot, but they didn’t burn. Instead, they slammed into our chests and then swirled around us like little cyclones before everything went dark, and we were no longer standing in the Obscurité Court. Instead, we were in the castle where I had been once before. It had been long enough ago now that it was hard to remember every detail of the estate.

  “Son,” Griffin, the Lord of Fire said as he walked forward, his battle leathers worn but elaborate. “It’s good to see you.” Griffin held Teagan in a warrior’s hug before nodding at Easton. “My king.” He looked at me. “Priestess.”

  He turned his attention to Teagan again. “Your mother is on her way. She was dealing with an issue regarding some of the landowners.”

  Easton’s eyes narrowed. “Issues?”

  “We have more Danes near us than ever before. The power is seeping from others at an alarming rate. We’re dealing with the fallout, trying to help where we can. But it’s not easy.”

  “Have you made a report?” Easton asked his lord. Griffin nodded.

  “We were just about to send it. We can discuss it now if you’d like. Why are you here? Is something wrong?”

  “They’re here to see the siphon, of course,” Shimmer said, her dark hair flowing behind her as she walked in. She wore court colors, red and black, and she looked like a princess of old walking through the archway.

  “I knew you would come.”

  “Acting like a Seer now, Mother?” Teagan asked, coming forward to kiss her on the cheek. She patted his shoulder and smiled, real warmth infusing her eyes.

  I had never been able to figure out the Lord and Lady of Fire. Were they on our side? Or were they simply too cunning for their own good?

  “You’re here without warning, and I can see the look in your Priestess’s eyes. Your friend Emory is where you last saw her. Still in the dungeon. I’m sorry we couldn’t move her, but it was the only safe place for her and our people.”

  I nodded, knowing it was the truth. “She tried to kill us, you know?” Griffin stated.

  “She tried to siphon your powers, darling,” Shimmer corrected. “But she didn’t in the end. Instead, she allowed herself to be caught. I wonder what that means.”

  My eyes widened as I listened to the two of them. I looked over at Easton, who just shook his head.

  “Will you be taking her back, then?” Shimmer asked.

  “Yes,” Easton answered for all of us. “The others are getting her room ready.”

  “No dungeon, then?” Griffin asked, snorting. A tendril of smoke escaped his nostril, and my eyes widened.

  Interesting.

  “No, our rooms are a little better warded because of the dual nature of the courts. Not that your rooms are anything shabby.”

  Griffin threw his head back and laughed.

  “You were always a better warrior than you were a diplomat. But I understand. She’s a siphon, it takes more than a single element to keep her safe and keep us safe from her.”

  “She’s not going to be easy,” Shimmer said, looking directly at me.

  I blushed before I shrugged and cleared my throat. “She was never easy.”

  A smile twitched on the lady’s lips, and she shook her head.

  “We’ve done our best to take care of her. She was able to bathe, eat, read, and sleep in a bed. Yet, it’s still a dungeon, and she has not been easy, like I said.”

  “Hopefully, we’ll be able to take her through with just the magic of the crystal and our Wielding.”

  “We’ll help,” Griffin said. “You’ll be able to pull on the crystal’s magic if there are enough of us to replenish its reserves with our Wielding. We’re strong enough not to succumb to the temptation of using too much—or giving too much.”

  I didn’t quite understand the physics of it all, but since Easton and the others nodded, I assumed they did. I only wanted to make sure we could do something. At least help someone. If we did, then maybe I could sleep.

  We followed the others to the dungeon, the heat coming off the walls radiating through me and stabbing into my skin. I would have thought most dungeons would be cold and dark and dank.

  Not those of the Fire territory, it seemed.

  “Prepare yourself,” Shimmer whispered, reaching out to touch my forearm.

  I looked down at her hand for just a moment before she pulled it away, and Griffin opened the door.

  The bed was on its side, food splattered against the walls, and Emory sat on the floor, screaming obscenities and other things as she thrashed against her chains.

  It looked as if they’d tried to make the place as comfortable as possible. Clearly, Emory hadn’t wanted it. After all, she was still chained, a prisoner.

  Even with all the power floating through her and me, I wasn’t sure if I would have been able to react any differently than I had.

  Of course, Emory had always had a temper, a cruel streak that I didn’t understand before this. Though I hadn’t known where it came from back then. Not truly. Her parents lack of love and attention might have been part of it, jealousy other parts. I just didn’t know.

  Emory noticed us and sat up, glaring at everybody.

  “Look at what your family has done to me!” Emory screamed. Not at me, not at Easton.

  But at Teagan.

  “Excuse me?” Teagan asked, raising a brow. “You’ve done this to yourself.”

  “What?” Emory asked, shaking her head. Confusion slid over her face, and she shook her head violently. “You’re not the light one. The bearer. Who are you?”

  I looked at Easton, confused. “What is she talking about?”

  Emory screamed. “Where is the precious prince? The one of light and air and all that crap? His family did this. Where is he? I thought you would be with both of them. Just like always. Leaning on those you think can help you,” she snapped.

  I could only look at her, shaking my head.

  “That light bearer’s precious king wanted me to be this. And now, look at me. Look at what they’ve done. Look where I am. And it’s all their fault.”

  She glared at me. “It’s your fault, too.” She spat on the ground as waves of energy pulsated off her, sparking at the shackles on her wrists.

  Easton cursed under his breath and then met my gaze.

  “It seems the King of Lumière has some explaining to do.”

  I nodded tightly as the others spoke about how we were going to get Emory back, and what magic we needed to do it. But I could only half-listen.

  Because someone had done this to my friend. And I had a feeling that everything surrounding what had happened was far bigger than Rhodes, his family, or even the king. Far bigger than any of us.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Lyric

  * * *

  I knew the screaming would live on in my nightmares until the end of my days.

  J
ust like I knew so many other things would weave and tangle themselves into my dreams. Maybe to the point where they didn’t feel like fear or sadness or anger anymore. Maybe this would just be my life, and I would become numb to it. Did I truly want to become numb to the fear?

  I wasn’t sure. Perhaps that was exactly what I needed.

  Because every time I closed my eyes, I could see Arwin’s face. I could see the slight edge of fear and panic slide across his eyes as he tried to defend me. As he attempted to save himself.

  I closed my eyes, and I could see Braelynn. I saw her fall and turn to ash.

  I saw her ashes blow away in the wind as Lore screamed and shouted and tried to kill us all.

  I could see the sword slicing through my flesh as if through warm butter.

  I could see the shock in Rhodes’ eyes as he tried to heal me, as he realized that he did not bleed as I did. For I had been carrying a mortal wound, and he hadn’t had one to match.

  Therefore, we weren’t soulmates. Instead, we were only connected in infinitesimal ways. The prince to the Priestess. Friends.

  He hadn’t been enough to save me. And Easton hadn’t known what I was. He had sat by my side, trying to protect me and Rhodes and himself as the castle fell down around us. He had been bleeding from a wound in the exact same spot on the side of his stomach as mine. But he hadn’t noticed. Or at least hadn’t connected the dots.

  Because he hadn’t known I was his soulmate then. Why would he?

  The curse wouldn’t let him feel what he should.

  All of those things slid through my mind as I tried to sleep. Because those were the nightmares I had. They weren’t what could happen. No, they were what had.

  The Negs clawed at the edges of my mind, the absence of light and shadows, yet filled with magic all the same. Lore had been the one to send them into the human realm for me. And it wasn’t until I had been healed by Rosamond and Rhodes after I fell off that mountain that I had been able to see them at all.

  They were the monsters that haunted nightmares. The things under the beds of children if they didn’t obey their parents.