ã€ŠDark Of The Sunã€‹


 Chapter One

    In the soft dark near midnight, Grandma woke suddenly. She lay still for a heartbeat, listening, until the screams from her subconscious echoed into reality. She frowned and cocked her head, but they did not subside. With a shadowy sigh, she heaved herself from her bed, wrapped herself in a night-cloak, and shuffled from the room. Hiccoughed sobs, growing steadily louder, called her onward, and she followed them down the hall to her granddaughter¡¯s room. In the doorway, she paused, watching the young woman¡¯s head thrash to and fro, her fists clench and relent, belying the bleak dreams that plagued her. Grandma¡¯s frown deepened, and she moved to alight gently on the side of the bed.

    ¡°Jordan!¡± she whispered, reaching for her, ¡°Jordan, wake up!¡±

    With a sharp cry, Jordan bolted upright. She flung her arms instinctively around her grandmother, her chest heaving with soundless sobs. Silent tears wet her cheeks as she clung to the comfort of the older woman''s steady form.

    ¡°They killed her, Grandma!¡± she wept, ¡°They killed her¡­!¡±

    Her voice was hollow, heavy with unfounded despair. Grandma held her tight, rubbing her back with tender, comforting strokes. The night pressed soft dark around them, broken only by the light of the blossoming moon as it filtered through a gap in the curtains. All was quiet, except for the rush of Jordan¡¯s breath in her chest, and Grandma scowled out at the silver orb over Jordan¡¯s shoulder. Her steel-grey eyes narrowed, accusatory.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    But she kept her voice low, a mellow query. ¡°Killed who, child?¡±

    Jordan pushed back, trembling as she relived it. ¡°The Queen! They murdered her in cold blood!¡±

    Grandma crooned deep in her throat, reached out to tuck a strand of Jordan¡¯s hair behind her ear. ¡°Hush, child¡­ It was only a dream.¡±

    Jordan frowned, uncomprehending, shook her head.

    ¡°It was so¡­ real.¡±

    Grandma cleared her throat, pushed to her feet, turned on the sidelight. ¡°Only dreams, my love. Go back to sleep, everything will be brighter in the sunlight tomorrow.¡±

    Jordan met her liquid gaze, held it for a moment. Grandma¡¯s easy, encouraging smile did not falter, and at length, Jordan nodded.

    ¡°Only dreams¡­¡±

    She whispered Grandma¡¯s words over to herself as she reclined, clinging to them. Grandma retreated to the doorway, watched as her breathing settled, and then her brow knitted into a dark frown. She clucked under her breath, shook her head, and closed the door quietly behind her.

    It was the eve of Jordan¡¯s twenty-first birthday. Grandma had expected this.

    Dreaded it.

    And would deny it to her grave.

 Chapter 2

    Jordan¡¯s dreams did not subside; on the contrary, they grew more vivid with every night that passed. She stopped mentioning them to Grandma, whose vehement denial of them being anything more than ¡®only dreams¡¯ grew with the same intensity as Jordan¡¯s imaginings. Jordan took to keeping a diary instead, recording in excruciating detail everything she remembered when she woke.

    And so she sat, in the early hours before dawn almost a week later, a penlight clasped in her teeth and the blanket over her head. With deft fingers, she scrawled words and pictures across a fresh page.

    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not right,¡± she muttered, frowning.

    She redrew the delicate circlet that graced the Queen¡¯s head like a halo, shaded it in. Satisfied, she tucked the penlight against a pillow and sat back to appraise the portrait. The woman she had drawn was graceful, dressed in a long, flowing gown of sky-blue. She stared back with piercing silver eyes, the gossamer frame of her lavender hair gentle against slim cheeks. Her face bespoke royalty, but her gaze was kind, fair... Why anyone would want to murder her was beyond Jordan.

    She leafed through the pages, drawing out the images of two more women. One was fiery-haired and glamourous; the other, dark-haired, and haughty. They were the two, in her dreams, who had killed the Queen. She chewed at her pencil, and the vision replayed with startling clarity¡­

    The Queen stood with her back to the flickering fireplace, pearlescent shackles jingling at her wrists as she held up her hands in supplication. The redheaded woman laughed at her futile attempt at diplomacy, while the brunette stood aside, watching in impassive silence with uncanny amber eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s too late, Asbeth,¡± the redhead smirked. ¡°Tomorrow, Andoherra will have a new Queen. But don¡¯t worry darling, we will bury you ¨C and your little daughter ¨C with proper ceremony. I swear it.¡±

    Asbeth¡¯s face twisted, and she shot forth with a snarl of rage, leaping for the redhead with her bare hands outstretched like claws. But the brunette flashed her fingers, caught her by the throat in mid-air with a sharp barb of magic. The Queen kicked and struggled as she hovered in place, strangled words catching in her teeth.

    ¡°If you touch my daughter, Fayne¡­! I swear ¨C  to Malevelyn¡­ please ¨C no! You c-!¡±

    She choked off as the brunette applied heavy pressure to her windpipe. Flame-haired Fayne, smiling, rose to her feet. She pushed her face close, whispered insidiously into her ear.

    ¡°I¡¯ve waited two generations for my chance to dethrone the Bal¡¯Talanor bloodline, darling...¡± She fanned her fingernails, spider-like, along Asbeth¡¯s tear-stained cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll not give a third the chance to thwart me.¡±

    Asbeth tried to turn her head away, clawing at her throat. She fought for breath as silent tears streamed down her distraught face. The brunette, impassive, held her still as Fayne ¨C with great relish ¨C pulled a decorative dagger from the belt at her thigh. She ran the blade between her lips to taste sharp steel and the metallic tang of blood, and winked, gloating. With a swift, theatrical flourish of her bejewelled fingers, she plunged the weapon into Asbeth¡¯s racing heart ¨C before she could even think to scream. The Queen¡¯s face tightened with pain and horror, and she released her throat to claw instead at the hilt. Bloody foam bubbled across her tear-stained lips as she blinked at Fayne. Her legs kicked ¨C once, twice ¨C and then she fell still, hanging lifeless in the magical grasp of the dark-haired woman. Fayne wrenched her dagger free with a chortle of glee, spraying warm silver blood across the room in its wake. Droplets adorned her face as she plunged the blade again, again, until she had carved out the Queen¡¯s heart. She tore it free, lofting it triumphantly in the air.

    The brunette graced her a sideways glance, her jaw set with the subtle taint of disapproval. Fayne either didn¡¯t notice, or didn¡¯t care; chortling, she tucked the weeping organ into a pouch and nestled it upon her thigh belt, hidden safely away beneath her dress. Content, she set about wiping the blade clean on the side of the nearest armchair, waving her free hand at the other to get a move on. The brunette, mouth hard, lowered Asbeth¡¯s limp, bloody shell into a chair by the fire. Fayne cast her gaze past the dead Queen and bent to snatch up the iridescent shackles, which had released their hold in the absence of a lifeforce to cling to. Swinging the chains gaily, Fayne turned glittering emerald eyes to her companion.

    ¡°Come, Nerys, we must deal with the squab next ¨C I¡¯ll not be pleased if another Bal¡¯Talanor lives to challenge me. You must return me to the prison tower to preserve my innocence, then seek the babe, kill it, and leave it to be found with its mother.¡±

    She spun jauntily on her heel to saunter from the room, delighted with the smooth proceedings, but Nerys hesitated a moment before she followed. Asbeth¡¯s unusual silvery eyes were still open, a mixture of shock and terror etched into her expression. Nerys glanced down at the gaping cavity that should have held her lifeforce and pursed her lips to suppress a tight sigh. Gently, she reached out to shutter that unseeing gaze, offering a wordless prayer to Malevelyn for Asbeth¡¯s spirit. She straightened as Fayne, snorting impatience, stuck her fiery head back around the doorframe.

    ¡°Are you coming, Nerys? Taking over the world is a time-sensitive business, darling.¡±

    Nerys growled, deep in her throat, but she levelled her shoulders and answered the summons. Behind her, the room descended into eerie silence.

    The vision skipped, then, and a violent burst of the aftermath raced through Jordan¡¯s mind.

    The Kingdoms grieved. Asbeth Bal¡¯Talanor, Reigning World Queen of Andoherra, was dead. She had been found brutally murdered in her quarters, her babe sprawled bloodied and lifeless in the limp grasp of her dead arms. The news raced through the Palace like wildfire, burning across the lips of every person in the vicinity, spreading like a fever. Fayne Gri¡¯Svear had ascended the Throne, and at her side stood Nerys, ever her shadowed Guardian.

    Jordan blinked back to the present. She pursed her lips around the pencil, pulled it free, and scribbled on each picture. Redhead, Fayne¡­ Brunette, Nerys¡­ The Queen, Asbeth. She closed her eyes, pressed her palms against them to blot out the vivid image of the murder, and heaved a sigh. Only dreams¡­ Grandma was insistent, dismissive. But they were so clear, so detailed ¨C like watching a movie. Not until recently had Jordan dreamed like that, and she¡¯d never heard of anyone else who did, either. When the visions came, it was as if she was there, bearing witness with her own five senses.

    How was that possible?

    She sighed and glanced at the clock. Luminous digits glinted ¨C almost four in the morning. Deciding some air would do her good, she slipped her sheaves of paper into their binder and tucked them into a little backpack. It wouldn¡¯t do for Grandma to find them whilst she was out.

    Silent, she dressed, slid the pack over her shoulder, and slipped from the house. The full moon, almost at its zenith, washed the world pale. The dark woods of the surrounding countryside stood out in sharp relief, and it pleased Jordan to imagine that fantastical creatures might rove through those dark, secretive woods. Her woods ¨C a place she¡¯d roamed all her life. She made for them, following the gravelled drive away from the farmhouse, keeping her step to tufts of grass, her footfalls light. She didn¡¯t want Grandma to hear her and spoil her night-time sojourn ¨C and Grandma had near uncanny hearing.

    She mused upon the whimsy of impossible magic as she walked, remembering another from her dreams, a blonde woman as bright as the sunlight, all golden magic and glittering existence¡­

    The roar of battle reverberated, rattling the very walls of the Great Hall. Upturned tables served as shields for magic-folk and humans alike. Arrows, daggers, bolts of magic flashed from one side of the room to the other across pock-marked middle ground. Upon the raised dais at the head of the room stood a blonde woman, surveying the furore with casual interest.

    ¡°Calyx!¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    A tall, swarthy man grunted her name, his great, bear-like shoulders straining as he thrust up a shield of living stone. Though past his prime, he was powerful still, solidly built and striking. His magic ¨C rich and earthy ¨C stood tall and immovable, as was he.

    ¡°Any time you¡¯d like to get involved¡­¡± he growled, launching a spear of rock at an adversary across the room.

    ¡°Relax, Nalvadian,¡± Calyx tutted, ¡°I was simply ensuring that the Queen ported away safely first.¡± She cocked her head at him and grinned, showing small, sharp fangs. ¡°Stand back, while I clean up this mess.¡±

    Her eyes, sapphire as the evening sky, glowed like starfire. She hitched up the skirts of her long dress to saunter down the stairs of the dais, direct to the heart of the fray.

    Arrows rained; magic thundered. Unmoved, she stepped high over bodies that hadn¡¯t quite made it behind the tables, twitching her skirts clear of multi-coloured blood. When she reached the centre of the hall, she halted. Her unearthly gaze swept the room.

    Arrows lost their nerve in the air around her, dropping short of her proud form; bolts of magic hesitated, ricocheting away. Calyx seemed hardly to notice. Her magic sang through her veins with a delicious urgency. Her lips parted with the fever inside and she flicked her hands out, palms upward, igniting her magic. All around the room, the wooden tables leapt to her command, launching themselves high into the air. Abruptly coverless, fighters from both camps scurried back and forth, seeking shelter, flinging terrified glances at the glittering woman. Unhurried, Calyx kept one palm upturned, holding the tables aloft, and with the other began to conjure crackling lines of lightning. The powerful bolts of electricity arced in all directions, cascading downward to create a dome of bright, sizzling death that oscillated around Calyx as its pivotal point. Panic threatened as the combatants found themselves caged in with the hungry Sorceress. Even her allies lost their breath in fear.

    Every soul in the room froze, staring at the Sorceress who blazed with golden light. Her sun-bright hair wavered in a non-existent breeze, fanning around her haughty face, framing her glowing eyes. No one moved a muscle; barely did they dare to breathe. Every person present, both human and magical, knew that to so much as twitch her presence when she had released her magic was to invite certain death. She would not differentiate; anything that moved would become her prey. It was one of the traits that made her so formidable ¨C in the throes of her magic, she was pure predator. The guilt or innocence of her quarry was a trivial matter, she simply lusted after blood.

    Calyx swept her gaze from side to side, scanning the nervous crowd. She cocked her head, listening to their heartbeats, hearing the delicious purr of fear thrum through the room. A deathly silence held the moment in thrall. Above, the furniture turned leisurely on the spot as it levitated, and, stretching to the extremities of the hall, the bars of lightning fizzed and popped into the ominous quiet. At last, Calyx swivelled to face Nalvadian. He stood motionless, schooled his primal fear, forced himself to meet the intensity of her gaze.

    She regarded him for a long moment, hand raised as if to strike, but a distant thrum of magic distracted her. She cocked her head, her interest in the room abruptly lost, and evaporated in a bright billow of smoke. Flying tables crashed down, people leapt out of the way with startled cries. The cage of lightning vanished with her, along with the willingness of those present to resume their fighting. All were leery in case the Sorceress returned. Nalvadian shook away the thrall, set his face to grim lines, and began to pick up the pieces left in her wake.

    Jordan realised with a start that she had reached the edge of the woods. She shook herself, inhaled sharply the warm, rich scents of the forest, clearing her mind of the dreams that danced there. She swept her gaze forward, the ghost of a smile gracing her lips as she drank in the play of light and shadow beneath the trees. Limber, she stepped out, heading for her favourite place. She hadn¡¯t been there in a while, and her steps grew eager as she neared the narrow meadow. It was still rich with the last of the spring flowers, bobbing in the gentle breeze. At its centre stood a weathered granite tor, rising out of the ground like a majestic beast, statuesque and mysterious. Circling it, she headed for the side that played host to a gnarled old cedar tree, which had rooted between the stones sometime in the far distant past. Pausing as she rounded the last boulder, she stared up at it. Twisted, wind-sculpted, it looked like it had once been snapped in half, and yet had continued to grow. She cocked her head, noting its upside-down vee shape with the same wonder she always did.

    She resettled her pack and began to climb, heading for the shallow cave behind the tree. She¡¯d almost reached it, but the snap of a twig made her pause. She held her breath, ears straining to catch the faintest sound as she swept her gaze across the meadow. Clouds scudded across the sky, deepening the shadows as she tried to make out shapes in the darkness around her. She pressed against the boulder at her back, every sinew coiled, nerves vibrating in warning.

    Something was out there, but she couldn¡¯t see it.

    Inch by inch, she slid along the granite, reached for the tree. She tucked herself into the shadow thrown by one massive leg of its split trunk, breathing soft and shallow, and tried to quiet her heart. She couldn¡¯t hear over the thunder in her ears.

    At last, the clouds blew clear, and the meadow flooded once more with moonlight. Not far away, a fox threw up its head, barked a warning cry, and fled into the depths of the wood. Weak with relief, Jordan collapsed against the rough bark of the tree with a hand pressed to her racing heart.

    She breathed a sigh, but then realised the creature hadn¡¯t been looking in her direction. Across the clearing, something moved beneath the dark trees.

    Jordan stiffened, found herself holding her breath once more. She strained her vision against the night, brow beading with trepidation. She swallowed ¨C it was the first time in her woods she¡¯d felt afraid, and she suddenly wished Grandma were near.

    A shadow detached itself from a tree bole, stepped into view. Jordan¡¯s breath exploded in reprieve; it was a woman, looking decidedly worse for wear. She approached, her steps halting, gaze roving, keeping a wary eye for possible dangers in the night.

    ¡°What the hell¡­?¡± Jordan whispered, too surprised to move from her hiding place.

    The stranger crossed the glade, drawing closer. The moonlight illuminated her well enough ¨C smartly dressed, she might have been imposing¡­ But twigs tangled in her pale hair as it half-fell from its stern bun, her grey pantsuit hung dishevelled, dirt smudged her crisp white blouse. She carried a pair of stilettos and walked with the slightest limp.

    Jordan considered. The highway wasn¡¯t too far away. Perhaps this woman had broken down on her travels, and left the road to look for help¡­? Whoever she was, she was lost ¨C and afraid, to judge by her furtive movements.

    When she had almost reached the base of the tor, Jordan politely cleared her throat. The woman started like a deer, holding out one trembling stiletto like a weapon. Jordan pushed away from the tree, carefully placing herself in easy view. The stranger baulked, staring up at her.

    ¡°Hello,¡± Jordan offered, with an awkward wave of one hand.

    The woman¡¯s breath left her in a rush, but she managed a tremulous smile.

    ¡°Hello,¡± she returned. Her voice was soft, melodious, an odd counterpoint to her stern appearance. ¡°Can you help me?¡±

    ¡°Uh, sure,¡± Jordan said. ¡°Hold up, I¡¯ll come down to you.¡±

    ¡°No, wait!¡± the woman said quickly, ¡°Let me come up there ¨C I¡¯d feel safer with a view.¡±

    Jordan shrugged, nodded, watched as the other picked her way over the boulders. She took a far more direct route than Jordan had, heaving herself upward in her eagerness to reach high ground, and was panting by the time she made it. She tossed down her ruined stilettos, collapsed onto the nearest rock, and Jordan waited for her to catch her breath.

    At length, she straightened her slim spectacles and tucked a wayward strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her dark-blue eyes caught the moonlight as she appraised Jordan.

    ¡°What are you doing out here?¡± she asked.

    A nervous giggle escaped Jordan at the unexpected question. ¡°Me? I live around here ¨C what are you doing out here?¡±

    The woman sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a long story-¡±

    She broke off, lifted her head, tilting it as if to catch a sound only she could hear. Jordan shrank back as she boosted to her feet, her previous anxiety conspicuously absent as she turned towards the towering cedar. As she stared at the shallow cave beyond the natural arch, her lips curved into a strange, feral smile. A wave of unfounded fear froze Jordan to the spot.

    Hesitant, she cleared her throat, but the stranger seemed oblivious. She continued to approach the gnarled cedar as though mesmerised by it, and Jordan swallowed a rising sense of panic. The hair on the back of her neck prickled; moonlight seemed to burn at her skin. On some strange instinct, she leapt forward to grab the woman¡¯s shoulder.

    But she was half a step out of reach.

    Before Jordan knew what had happened, the woman had stepped under the arch and into the shadowy cave beyond. A quiet pop, a flicker of light, and then an uncanny silence descended.

    Jordan hitched a breath, feeling like she¡¯d been slapped by a silent sonic boom. She stood frozen, staring at the empty space where, an instant before, there had been a person. Gathering her courage, she sidled forward.

    ¡°H-hello?¡±

    She hesitated in front of the archway, assessing the cave from where she stood. It was a shallow dent, really ¨C hardly a real cave. And the floor beyond the tree was flat, sandy, and even. There was nothing extraordinary about it. And there was absolutely nowhere for a grown woman to disappear into. Jordan bit at her nails, wondering what to do.

    In a small voice, she called again, ¡°Hello¡­?¡±

    There was no answer, and Jordan felt fear sink its claws into the base of her spine. She hesitated for a moment more, but then shook herself as the ridiculousness hit her. It was impossible for someone to disappear into thin air ¨C she knew that. And there were a million ways for someone well-practised to achieve the illusion of doing so.

    ¡°That¡¯s not funny,¡± she growled, latching onto that more reasonable explanation. She glowered at the archway, wondering what the hell her strange visitor was playing at.

    She wasn¡¯t sure how the woman had done it, but she was confident that it was only the pale light and the darkness, the brooding forest, that was fuelling her overactive imagination. Resolute, Jordan squared her shoulders.

    ¡°Party trick,¡± she reassured herself.

    Taking a deep breath, she cleared the remaining distance between her and the tree with rapid strides, ducking under the archway before she could change her mind.

    Across the meadow, approaching at frightening speed, a pair of crimson eyes watched her plunge under the formidable vee of the cedar tree. Too late to intervene, they watched her disappear.

    And with a stricken roar, they raced to follow.

 Chapter 3

    Calyx materialized out of thin air, four feet up, in a burst of golden light. Instinctively reactive, she somersaulted down to ground and landed lightly on her bare feet. Her breath came hard and fast, her skin glowed with an unearthly illumination. She looked about, and her gaze was alive with unspeakable power behind her slim spectacles as she tried to gauge what had happened.

    A silent roaring hauled at her consciousness; the call of world-magic keened to her soul, hazing her mind. It had been so long ¨C so long!

    She shook her head, almost dislodging her glasses, and tried to settle her thoughts.

    She¡¯d followed Jordan, found her in the woods¡­ They¡¯d been at the mouth of the portal¡­

    Oh, dear God.

    Her heart stopped. She spun around, swinging her head this way and that, seeking the girl. But the darkness around her was thick and quiet, and she realised that she was unquestionably alone. The girl was gone, lost to the Betwixt¡­ Without magic to guide her, she knew Jordan would never make it through.

    With a stricken howl of rage and grief, she buried her face in her hands. In doing so, she knocked the spectacles askew, and, at last, reached up to tear them away. With grim gratification, she hurled them away into the darkness. Her mouth hardened, and she reached up to pull free the remnants of her stern bun in one smooth movement. With a flourish of her agitated fingers, she immersed herself in a swathe of bright smoke.

    When the haze cleared, the vulnerable businesswoman fa?ade was gone, and Calyx Dur¡¯Losarl, Lat¡¯Nemele of Andoherra once more, stepped back into her own skin. Her mane of golden hair fell wild and free, framing her haughty face. Her eyes glowed brighter than ever before as she breathed in the magic around her, and she rolled her shoulders to shake off the constrictive remnants of masquerading as ordinary for so long. But her fine-featured face remained contorted, and she let her desolate fury loose around her in a rippling flash of magic.

    ¡°God bloody dammit!¡± she cried, clawing her fingers, igniting a flaming ball of liquid light in each hand.

    With forceful ire, she flung the crackling spheres at the nearest tree, obliterating it. Yet the ease of its destruction only irked her more, and with a savage flick of her fingers, she tore the earth upward into a giant, shivering wall of sand and stone. Reigniting her fury, she battered her makeshift target with fireballs, cursing vehemently with every plume of unleashed flame.

    ¡°Twenty ¨C bloody ¨C years¡­!¡±

    She punctuated her tirade with gouts of fire.

    ¡°Slithering in the shadows! Living without my magic!¡±

    A boulder in the wall exploded into shrapnel.

    ¡°And for bloody what?¡±

    She hurled a lightning bolt, to emphasise her point.

    The remnants of the wall came tumbling down, bombarding the surroundings with a deluge of soil and pebbles. She paused, breathing hard, and then sat down with a groan. The electric fire crackling at her fingertips abated.

    ¡°Oh! Excellent work, Calyx!¡± She hung her head in her hands. ¡°Two Queens ¨C two! You had one job, and you screwed it up ¨C twice!¡±

    Biting at her lip as she ran out of steam, she raised her hands slowly in front of her and stared at them as if seeing them for the first time.

    ¡°All the magic in the world¡­¡± she whispered, flexing her fingers. A soft tear escaped her long lashes, trailing down her porcelain cheek. ¡°And I couldn¡¯t save either of you¡­¡±

    Her sacred duty was to stand as the Guardian of the World Queen. It was the Oath she had sworn to Asbeth Bal¡¯Talanor, on the day the Worldkin had Ascended.

    The Oath she had failed to uphold...

    ¡°Asbeth?¡± Calyx burst into the room, heart thundering. ¡°Asbeth!¡±

    There was no trace of magic in the air. The room was quiet, still as death but for the fire crackling in the hearth, which shed a sickly orange light across the couches that flanked it. Over the top of the high wing-back chair that had its rear to the door, Calyx caught sight of Asbeth¡¯s vibrant lavender head, unmoving and lolled to one side.

    ¡°No, no, no¡­¡± Calyx¡¯s whisper carried haltingly across the still room, and in its wake, she forced herself to approach.

    Rounding the chair, she came face to face with true horror. Her lifelong friend, dead; her heart viciously carved out, white dress soaked through with silver blood. Asbeth¡¯s left hand still clutched at the gaping hole in her chest, as if she could have stymied death¡¯s flow. Oddly, her eyes had been pushed closed. Calyx shut her own, feeling faint, and swallowed bile at the very idea of a murderer pausing to shutter the dead Queen¡¯s gaze.

    She forced herself to look once more upon the atrocity of the felled royal, and her sight wavered through threatening tears. Beyond the blood, the skewed coronet, and the loss of Royalty, she saw the woman ¨C her friend; a kind, thoughtful soul whose time had run out far too soon. With a stifled gasp, Calyx threw herself across Asbeth¡¯s body, clutching at her lifeless form. Sobs crippled her with an intensity she¡¯d never known.

    ¡°Oh Asbeth, Asbeth! Dear Malevelyn ¨C why? Oh, Asbeth, I¡¯m sorry, gods I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    Her chest heaved and she struggled to draw breath beneath her tide of tears. Time passed in a long eternity, but at last, her sobs slowed. Weak, she sat back, smearing her tears away, and pressed her hand to Asbeth¡¯s cheek. The Queen¡¯s skin had not yet lost all of life¡¯s warmth ¨C she¡¯d not been gone long from the world. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    That meant¡­

    Calyx leapt to her feet with a cry, ashamed that the thought had taken so long to materialize.

    The Heir! Her mind raced ¨C the babe was the next logical victim for a murderer who had attacked the Queen. And with Asbeth so lately gone, there was a small chance that they had yet not reached the child.

    Abashed, resolute, she looked down upon the fallen Queen and knew what her final command would be, had she been able to utter it.

    ¡°I will protect her, Asbeth,¡± Calyx whispered, ¡°If it takes me to my last breath.¡±

    She leaned down and pressed a kiss to the pale skin of her forehead, squeezing her eyes shut against the pain of goodbye. Heart aching, she stepped back.

    Knowing that time was essential, she spared no ceremony for the laws of porting in the palace. She tore her magic around her and vanished from the room.

    A heartbeat later, she arrived crib-side to the sleeping Heir. She shed silent tears of relief, sparing a strained, sad smile for the tiny babe who had no idea she¡¯d lost her mother. Gently, she reached in and lifted the slumbering child, not quite in her second year. With soft fingers, she wrapped her in the swaddling that lay nearby. The baby¡¯s nose twitched, and one chubby hand stretched out, but she did not wake. With a small sigh, she snuggled into the sheepskin wrap as Calyx bundled her into a sling against her hip.

    The Lat¡¯Nemele paused, considering.

    She could not find and fight an unknown murderer without compromising the child. The thrill of the hunt had already cost her dearly, luring her away from Asbeth, and she dared not indulge her full power again. She knew the babe was in grave danger, and she realised that she had to be smart to keep her alive. She sighed. For the first time in her life, patience and restraint appeared warranted ¨C Asbeth might have found that amusing. She tapped at her lip, wondering what the best course of action would be when sheer magical force was of no use to her.

    An idea leapt upon her, and, with a twitch of her skirts, she ported away at a blistering pace, down five floors to the ground-level kitchens. There, in a small back room, she sought out a young scullery maid. The girl did not notice her at first, wiping at her running nose as she kneaded bread. Calyx flicked her cloak around to hide the sleeping Heir and approached with rapid strides, condensing the air around them with a wave of her free hand to keep others out ¨C and their conversation in.

    ¡°Ho there, girl.¡±

    ¡°Mistress!¡± The young woman, no older than fifteen, fell to her knees and grovelled.

    ¡°Rise, child,¡± Calyx commanded. She ground her teeth, trying to remain patient, reached for the girl¡¯s shoulder to hasten her movements. ¡°I wish to know, how fares your babe?¡±

    ¡°She cries much, Mistress,¡± the girl sniffed, getting to her feet, bowing her head. ¡°T¡¯healer says she not likely to grown old. But I thankin¡¯ you, for sending me t¡¯her.¡±

    Calyx frowned, saddened, and yet darkly relieved. She was no stranger to the knowledge that many of the lower classes of humankind struggled with ill health and poverty. It had been something Asbeth had been trying to rectify for years ¨C she¡¯d given aid, lowered taxes, and yet, nothing ever seemed to be enough... Knowing the Queen¡¯s stance on such things, Calyx wondered if Asbeth would ever forgive her for the questionable morality of what she was about to do.

    She steeled herself with the decision that she must act ¨C with any means available ¨C to save the future of them all. And she had to do it now.

    ¡°The babe is with you?¡± she said, trying to curb her haste and maintain her demeanour. She needed to handle this delicately, yet she felt the pitiless claws of time tapping, tapping.

    ¡°Aye, Mistress.¡±

    The girl wiped her grimy hands on her dull skirts, reached down to pull a wicker basket out from under the counter she was working atop. She uplifted the child, and Calyx stared down at the tiny creature. The babe¡¯s upper lip was wet with mucus and her breathing rasped through her tiny lungs. Watching her struggle, Calyx¡¯s heart felt as though something was trying to force its way through from the inside out.

    ¡°What is her name?¡± she bit out.

    ¡°Mistress?¡±

    ¡°Her name, girl,¡± she repeated through gritted teeth, ¡°I wish to know her name.¡±

    ¡°She be called Aggie, Mistress.¡±

    ¡°Aggie,¡± Calyx breathed, her gaze softening on the child¡¯s innocent face. But she tore her eyes away, crushing the first hint of compassion before it could mature.

    Steeling herself, she held out her hand and summoned two large coins from her purse.

    ¡°A trade,¡± she said, holding them out to the wide-eyed girl, ¡°For the babe.¡±

    The scullery maid put the child back in the wicker basket and wiped at her weeping nose, trying to make out what the Lat¡¯Nemele required her to do. ¡°You ¨C you wish t¡¯ buy her, Mistress?¡±

    ¡°Indeed. But be warned, you shall not see her again. Not ever.¡±

    The maid looked down at the sickly, sleeping child, and her cheeks glistened with tears. But her fidgeting gaze flickered away again, and she eyed the two fat coins like a hen considering a grub.

    ¡°T¡¯healer¡­¡± she sniffed, hesitant, ¡°T¡¯healer says she not likely to grown old¡­¡±

    ¡°I am guaranteeing that she will not,¡± Calyx said shortly, her face hard, emotionless.

    The girl bit at her cheek, sucking at it hard. Quickly, she averted her gaze and held out her hand. In the same instant, Calyx dropped the coins into her grubby palm. The girl gathered her skirts with a sob and ran from the room faster than a Witchkin could teleport.

    Calyx sighed. She shifted the sleeping Heir in the carry-sling against her hip and reached down to pick up the other tiny babe. Holding her close, she ported back to the nursery.

    She breathed a hesitant sigh of relief to find it still undisturbed and quickly set about her business.

    As she laid Aggie down in the Heir¡¯s crib, tears streamed freely down her cheeks. She did not try to hold them back; she shed every last one that she had. In silence, she offered a prayer to Malevelyn, that she might come forth to claim her tiny soul, that the event might be quick and painless, with the child unaware.

    The Heir shifted against her hip, gurgling, a reminder that time was short. Calyx reached in and wiped Aggie¡¯s button nose, then leaned down and pressed a feverish kiss to her soft brow. She squeezed her eyes shut against the pain in her heart, and the babe sniffled, her breathing faint and shallow.

    ¡°Unsung Aggie,¡± Calyx whispered, ¡°The Queens of Andoherra thank you. One day, I will make you known as the hero who saved the realms. I will not forget. Safe travels and rest easy, little sister.¡±

    Before she could change her mind, she stepped back from the crib.

    ¡°Andoherra cannot survive without its Queen,¡± she reminded herself, ¡°Andoherra cannot survive without its Queen. The world only exists by the blood of the Bal¡¯Talanor line. You know that. You¡¯ve seen it. They must think the Heir is slain, that she might have time to grow into her power and return to claim the Throne.¡±

    She took quick advantage of her self-assurance, swept the room for the most necessary childcare items, and stood ready to flee with the Heir. With one last look at the tiny hero in the heavy crib, she pulled her magic across her shoulders and vanished from the room.

    She did not worry that the ruse might not work ¨C the two babies were young enough to be similar in appearance, and only one who knew them well might tell them apart. There was also no cause for anyone to suspect a trick ¨C the babe was in the Heir¡¯s crib, in the Heir¡¯s nursery¡­ There was no reason why she should not be the Heir.

    The secret was Calyx¡¯s alone.

    As was the burden of Aggie ¨C which she would carry all her life.

 Chapter 4

    Calyx lifted her stricken gaze to the bright fullness of the moon, remembering as if it were yesterday. She had made a hard, hard choice that day, comforting herself with the knowledge that the fate of the world depended upon it. Yet, now, Aggie¡¯s sacrifice had been for nought¡­

    Calyx had been caught off guard by the pull of magic from Andoherra through the portal, after being starved of it for twenty years. It was an unexpected challenge, one that she hadn¡¯t anticipated, and which had blindsided her.

    An anomaly, a fluke ¨C a fleeting moment that had cost her everything.

    She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin upon her knees, feeling powerless despite the storm of magic raging through her blood. If only they hadn¡¯t ended up on earth in the first place¡­

    She watched the fickle crowd roar, seethed at the injustice of mob-mentality as they crowed support for the glamourous Firekin. They should be grieving their Queen! Traitorous bastards! Beneath the thick wool of her clock, her magic flared. She broke her gaze away from the scene unfolding to settle herself and quiet it before it gave her away. For there, half-melted into the shadows of the opposite gallery, she could see a dark, brooding Witchkin.

    Irrevocably drawn to her, she paused to watch the other ¨C when Calyx had previously caught a shimmering strain of power from that Sorceress, the singular curiosity it had evoked had been responsible for keeping her in the vicinity far longer than she had intended. She could not deny her inquisitiveness ¨C a second Lat¡¯Nemele? Such a thing had not been seen in nine thousand years¡­ And so she had stayed to observe, to gain an idea of the opponent she might have to face when the Heir came of age. And she¡¯d overheard Fayne say her name, the sigh of it raising stippling across her skin.

    Nerys.

    The stranger she had not known existed, until recently. The stranger who should not, theoretically, be able to exist.

    Thankfully, Nerys was presently distracted and hadn¡¯t noticed her magic flare. The brunette¡¯s eerie gaze was fixated on the flamboyant redhead marching down the length of the Great Hall. Calyx turned her attention back to the proceedings beneath them, gritting her teeth to keep from crying out at the injustice.

    Below, the Firekin ¨C pretentious, presumptive bitch ¨C had reached the Throne.

    It was too convenient, too coincidental ¨C Calyx harboured no doubt whatsoever that it was she who was behind the murder of Asbeth. She would have stormed down and put a stop to it, thrown her immense power at the feeble Firekin, but for the fact that a Sorceress of her equal measure stood just across the hall.

    A Sorceress who was on Fayne¡¯s side.

    The Firekin sat down. Calyx could see she was afraid, and it lifted her heart a little. Too bad that the rumours about the Throne smiting one not of the blood were not true. The Throne only fed from True Queens ¨C that was the test. So she was pleasantly surprised when the room shuddered, and the ground opened up to birth a monstrosity made of lava. But the let-down followed fast as she glanced across at the other Lat¡¯Nemele, whose form shimmered with working magic. Nerys¡¯ hands danced, commanding the magma beast like a marionette, and Calyx, watching, had to admit that her magic was something to behold.

    As the crowd below watched the charade of fire and brimstone, Calyx watched its commander. Nerys¡¯ dark aura seethed with power. Her bright eyes were magnetic, all-encompassing. She moved like a dancer, flowing in time to the hum of the elements; shadow and fire teased across her smooth skin, rippling in arcs of muted light. Despite herself, Calyx was mesmerised. The woman was beautiful, deadly, irresistible ¨C the call of her magic hummed to Calyx, purring into the depths of her soul.

    Luring her. Daring her.

    It stopped. Calyx shook her head, coming back to herself with a crash. Below, a raucous cheer told her that the Firekin had been declared World Queen. Calyx¡¯s gaze drew down in surprise, and then, cursing her lack of concentration, snapped her attention back up to the other Lat¡¯Nemele.

    But Nerys was nowhere to be seen.

    Calyx stiffened and shifted the sling that held the Heir, wishing that she¡¯d left her somewhere safe. She listened hard; her magic wavered in warning, but she was hindered by the aftermath of the other¡¯s fiery conjuring. She couldn¡¯t gauge anything with certainty. Holding her breath, she squinted into the shadows.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    And Nerys¡¯ lilting voice puffed into her ear from behind.

    ¡°There you are, dear,¡± she purred.

    Shivers raced the length of her spine as Calyx spun around, igniting her magic. Nerys stood a hair¡¯s breadth away, staring her down with a cold, polite smile.

    ¡°Enjoying the show?¡±

    ¡°A farce, if ever I¡¯ve seen one,¡± Calyx growled in response, taking a step backwards.

    Nerys laughed, and her faux merriment tinkled through the brittle air between them.

    ¡°You don¡¯t like your new Queen?¡±

    ¡°Presumptuous to a fault,¡± Calyx hissed, taking another step away, ¡°That puny witch will never be my Queen!¡±

    Calyx took a third step as Nerys¡¯ tone dropped dangerously. ¡°I¡¯ll have your tongue for that, dear ¨C a gift for your new Queen.¡±

    Ice-blue fire licked at her palms, spreading along her forearms. Calyx moved again, sharply. Four steps clear, and with a fractional head start, she bolted into the Betwixt. Nerys leapt after her with cruel fingers outstretched, chasing her into the darkness. Calyx sensed her magic enter with her, and panicked. She knew she had to get away ¨C far, far away. With that thought held tight between her teeth, she stretched her magic to its absolute limits and ¨C accidentally ¨C teleported herself Beyond, well past the deepest mazes of Betwixt.

    Nerys did not follow.

    Clutching the Heir tightly against her, Calyx spiralled out of control, to the very edge of her consciousness, and then leapt for the only window she could see. She burst out into an alien place. Somewhere no Witchkin should ever be...

    Calyx ran her hand through her long, golden hair, tugging at it in morbid frustration. She remembered being insensible and disoriented, pushed to the limit of her power, which had abandoned her the second she¡¯d arrived upon the magicless Old World. Clear as day, she recalled the old woman stumbling upon her in the carpark of the shopping mall moments after landing. The old bitch had recognised her immediately, and swooped down to relieve her of the child. Caught unprepared, Calyx had bolted so that she might orient herself, thinking to retrieve the child later, when her magic returned ¨C but only a very faint shadow of it ever did.

    She twisted her nose in disgust, remembering the bureaucracy she¡¯d come up against, trying to regain the Heir. There were an awful lot of rules on the Old World, most of which had painted Calyx as mentally unstable, and leant themselves to ensuring that the old woman could become the child¡¯s legal guardian. And so had followed twenty years of Calyx stalking in the shadows, cautiously and without notice, diligently planting suggestions in the girl¡¯s mind from afar ¨C keeping myth and magic a priority in her imagination.

    She was basically a verified stalker, for God¡¯s sake.

    And in the interim, she¡¯d searched desperately for a way back, a way out ¨C a way that didn¡¯t require the immensely lacking power of a Lat¡¯Nemele. Finally, finally, she¡¯d found the map. She¡¯d recognised it immediately, spent long years trying to decipher it without her magic, crowed with delight when she realised that the old bitch had set up camp right nearby. Of course, the crone would have known about it, but why she hadn¡¯t taken the child far, far away from it was a mystery to her. As Calyx had expected, the girl, instinctively, had sought the place out ¨C she¡¯d grown up playing in its vicinity. After her twenty-first birthday, when the faint shadow of Jordan¡¯s magic had woken, there had been nothing to do but hide in the darkness and wait.

    On the fifth night, she¡¯d come, as Calyx knew she would. It should have worked perfectly.

    Calyx sniffed, pressing her forehead against her kneecaps to try and stave off a growing headache. After everything, she¡¯d botched it. And, in direct consequence, she¡¯d doomed the entire world of Andoherra. Without a True Queen to correct the imbalance, the world would corrode. It would consume itself, and everything on it.

    Twenty years ago, she had failed to protect Asbeth, World Queen of Andoherra.

    Today, she¡¯d lost Andoherra¡¯s Heir.

    Aggies¡¯ sacrifice had been for nought.

    And she¡¯d broken the last vow she¡¯d made to her Queen.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Asbeth,¡± she mumbled, blinking away fragile tears, ¡°I promised you I would keep her safe, that I would keep your world safe. Now, I can¡¯t do either¡­¡±

    She bowed her head, but a fitful wind interrupted her melancholy. It tugged at her dress, teasing her with elements of wild-magic. She looked up, alert at once. The eddying magic pulsed around her, prodding her to her feet, and she stood bristling, reactive, pushing her misery aside. In the distance, gaining rapidly, a dark storm of feral magics was brewing. The thrilling power of wild elemental magic driven before the calamity ghosted over her skin. A thousand barbs of electricity set her blood aflame. The sheer force of it reminded her of a different magic she¡¯d felt before, many years ago. A magic that had lured her, dared her¡­

    She remembered amber eyes, mocking her, haunting her dreams for twenty years.

    And the flame-haired Queen, sitting on Asbeth¡¯s Throne.

    Calyx had nothing left to protect, nothing to hold her back. She buried her sorrow beneath a hot tide of anger ¨C this time, she would answer their presumption with blood. Even as she felt the whispered promise of the ending world caress her skin, she realised she had time. She¡¯d failed at preserving life, but in returning to Andoherra she had reclaimed the power that could bring about death.

    And she had but one option remaining to her for a chance at redemption ¨C revenge.

    Somewhere high above, a shrieking cry rang out as ungainly silhouettes cruised along the thermals ahead of the approaching storm. Calyx looked up and smiled, showing off small, sharp fangs. Harpies. Perfect. A little target practice to get her magic flowing.

    With deadly deliberation, she built the magic in her palms until it overflowed in liquid fire, dripping in deadly golden drops to set flame to the ground around her feet. With the intensity of a hunting hawk, she watched the harpies come.

    She was ready. The world of Andoherra might be ending, but Calyx would make sure that before it did, Fayne and Nerys left it ¨C screaming ¨C on a tide of blood and tears.

 Chapter 5

    A flash of green lightning carved open the bruised sky. Sheets of rain lashed the horizon, indigo-grey and sinister. Perched at the top of a magnificent lone Devadaru tree, Nerys watched the storm approach. Her lips parted as she tasted the air, testing the veracity of the magic crackling through it. The breeze, growing steadily stronger, tugged at the long, shadowy cape that shrouded her shoulders. She hugged it to her breast with one hand, loosely gripping a strong branch with the other. Caressing the rough, dark bark with slender fingers, she found light purchase in its deep grooves, and hoped that the tree would survive the coming storm. Of course, the giant had weathered many others, but it was very exposed at the top of the hill it crowned. Nerys was partial to Devadaru trees; their wild, sweeping magnificence spoke to her appreciation of beautiful things.

    As she waited, she brooded. Teasing at the depths of her mind, a glittering sorceress rose up again ¨C the woman she¡¯d failed to forget for two decades. She remembered the proud ferocity of Calyx¡¯s sapphire gaze, the violent magic shimmering beneath her skin. She remembered appearing behind Calyx, the rounding of those exquisite eyes as the woman had spun, the perking of her lips as she¡¯d realised she¡¯d been caught unaware. The scent of her magic, warm as roses in summer sunlight¡­

    Nerys shook her head, scowling, and forced her mind back to the matter at hand. Across the expanse of farmlands, brooding black-and-purple clouds scudded almost at ground level, shrouding forest and dale without exception. The distant howl of the wind cowed the land as it raced, baying like a hellhound. Frightened creatures scurried for cover; humans rushed to hide in their cottages. Even from her remote vantage, Nerys caught the sound of snapping shutters as people frantically barred their homes.

    In the distance, tiny as ants, she could see a band of hunters desperately hauling a stag suspended between them. She watched their painstaking progress with mild amusement. They had a long way to go before they reached shelter ¨C she could already tell that they weren''t going to make it. The wild-magic storm was gaining on them, dark, oily clouds bearing down with fierce determination. The puny humans panicked and dropped their prize at last. They made a run for it, but it was too late; in seconds, they were mown down by the beasts hunting across the leading edge of the savage storm.

    Nerys snorted; the short-sightedness of humans never failed to amaze her. They should take better precautions ¨C at the rate they were going, there soon wouldn''t be any of them left. A half-smile crooked her ruby lips as she mused, but then a different kind of flash caught her eye. She froze, like a hawk that had spotted a mouse, and stared at the point of unexpected movement.

    There!

    Another flash, white hot, like a bolt of liquid sunlight.

    A delicious shiver ran down Nerys¡¯ spine, and she watched with the intensity of a cat, intrigued. She heard the distant echo of a harpy''s shriek, saw the grotesque bundle of black feathers plummet to ground, and smiled in pleasant surprise ¨C something was hunting the hunters. Few creatures would tangle with harpies; they were vicious, tenacious, and would fight to the death over a scrap of food. The unglamorous, vulture-like bird-women had a mean reputation for a reason; they were scavengers, opportunists ¨C would even tear each other apart if they felt they might gain from it.

    The flash came again, hissing through the leading edge of rain. This time, three harpies failed to dodge the inferno. Their echoing screams rang with pain and fury; their greasy black feathers flaming as they fell from the stormy sky.

    Nerys moved at last. Anything that brazen, with that much power, held too much temptation for her. She didn¡¯t know what it was, and she absolutely had to go and find out.

    She didn¡¯t usually approach the storms ¨C only observed them to gauge how badly magic was falling out of synchronicity ¨C but today she would make an exception. Leaning forward, she launched herself off the tree. She swung her magic out, catching hold of the air currents around her, using them to control her descent as she glided. It wasn¡¯t flying, strictly speaking, but it was as close as a Witchkin could come, and she relished the feeling. It was a past-time usually only reserved for the Airkin, but even they could not compete with Nerys¡¯ fluidity; she plucked at thermals like playing a lyre. Lat¡¯Nemele were exceptional, equally at home in control of all Elemental Magics, and Nerys revelled in her innate power.

    Her keen gaze fixed on the rain-blurred shadow blasting harpies out of the sky, and she swept unerringly towards it. She was almost there, but realised that she was too high to come in at an advantageous angle. With a wave of her hand, she ported in mid-air, evaporating in a cloud of shadowy black butterflies. A heartbeat later, she reappeared ten feet lower. She hit the ground running, fangs bared, and flung herself at her quarry with momentum as her ally.

    She caught the other woman around the shoulders, pulling her to ground, and they tumbled over and over beneath the pounding of the pouring rain. The other, a snarling blonde, rolled free and sprang to her feet, a savage growl rumbling deep in her throat. She faced Nerys, pushing wet strands of golden hair out of the way as the stream of rainwater cascaded off her body. Nerys crouched where she was, her fiery gaze snapping with amazement as she realised whom she faced.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    The woman who¡¯d arrested her attention all those years ago; her singular peer, her equal... and the woman she couldn¡¯t forget. Nerys narrowed her eyes, pushing aside the brief, pleasant surprise that had risen unbidden. She reminded herself that this woman was her Queen¡¯s enemy ¨C her enemy.

    ¡°Where the hell did you come from?¡± she snarled.

    ¡°Hell, indeed!¡± Calyx shot back, her magic singing around her, ¡°That¡¯s exactly where I¡¯ve been!¡±

    ¡°Well, dear, let me have the pleasure of helping you get back.¡±

    Nerys leapt upright, a ball of freezing blue fire coalescing in her palm. She hauled it at Calyx, who danced aside at the last moment and returned a bolt of searing liquid sunlight. Nerys felt the heat as it grazed past her, and conjured a shield of ice to deflect the second blast that followed rapidly behind. Calyx fired bolt after bolt, unleashing twenty years of frustration, hammering her without mercy. Nerys locked her shoulder behind the shield, gritting her teeth against the fusillade of magic.

    That had escalated a lot faster than she''d anticipated.

    Calyx was relentless. She bared her teeth in fury, her form glowing with magic and menace.

    ¡°I''ve done my time!" she shouted above the roar of the storm, the crash of her magic, ¡°Yours is about to begin!¡±

    The barrage started to crack Nerys¡¯ shield. She gasped a scathing response, but it was lost in the thunder of magic rending the sky. Forcing her focus, she pulled at the wet air beyond Calyx, snatching it towards them. The icy blast hit the blonde from behind, knocking her off balance, and Nerys used the window of respite to retreat to a safer distance. She called the chill from the air, borrowing power from the storm raging around them, and launched a volley of ice shards back at Calyx before she could recover. The leading wicked spine sliced past the blonde¡¯s cheek, drawing golden blood, and Calyx howled in fury as she flung up a living wall of flame to protect herself.

    Around them, the storm gathered momentum, and the two Sorceresses battered each other with savage intensity. Soon, each was bleeding freely, though neither could gain the upper hand. Trees cracked and fell around them; boulders uprooted and flew through the air, crashing down to crush large stretches of woodland. Charred ashes grew heavy beneath the weight of the rain, and charcoal-black mixed with flashes of gold where blood spatters marred the soil. The denizens of the forest skittered in terror, dodging death at every turn until, at last, the Sorceresses began to tire. They might be fit, strong, and in their prime, but the trading of magical blows took its toll. Like swinging a sword, the wielding of magic was not an infinite exercise.

    They moved further apart, a silent acknowledgment that they were heading for a stalemate, and the forest breathed a sigh of relief. The gouts of magic became sporadic, and at length, they retreated, each hiding in the eerie aura of the storm. They glared at each other from just outside striking distance, catching their breath, rethinking their strategies. They were two of a kind, an unheard-of occurrence. Between them, a blood feud raged, fuelled by loyalty to different Queens. The only resolution was for one to kill the other.

    Each took the other¡¯s measure in the brief moment of respite.

    A thunderbolt shattered the heavy air and, as if on unspoken command, both women re-ignited their magic. They leapt forward to resume their savage fight, but an earth-shuddering roar, louder than any storm-growl, halted them both mid-stride. Nerys cocked her head, eying Calyx warily, but the blonde stared back, equally bewildered. Nerys raised her eyebrows, and in unspoken accord, they turned to face whatever approached.

    Rapidly gaining ground in their direction, a monstrous silver shadow sped through the clouds, effortless, immense. With a resounding thud, a gigantic beast landed between the two Sorceresses, bellowing its fury. Nerys¡¯ gaze ran up, and up, and up, trying to take in all of it at once.

    The dragon¡¯s hot breath burnt clean through the closest thunderheads, and the beast gleamed in the bright sunlight that pierced the gap in the storm. It glared down at Nerys with large, crimson eyes, gnashed its teeth in irritation, and then swung its great head to face Calyx, who wore an expression Nerys had never thought to see on the face of a Lat¡¯Nemele.

    Fear.

    In a heartbeat, the blonde Sorceress disappeared, fleeing into the Betwixt. The dragon snapped furiously at the glowing smoke left in her wake, but then paused with a worrying amount of intelligence etched onto its scaly face. Nerys watched it, ready to bolt.

    But the beast ignored her.

    It huffed.

    And then, it did two things Nerys had never seen a dragon do before.

    First, it shrank ¨C down to the size of a large pony. And then, snuffing at the magic trail like a bloodhound with the scent of fox in its nose, it ported.

    Nerys¡¯ jaw dropped. She suppressed a shiver as the beast disappeared in a haze of silver smoke. Fear was an alien emotion to a Lat¡¯Nemele, and yet it had touched both of them in the space of two heartbeats. Nerys wrapped her tattered cloak around herself, pulling it tight. She stood, alone, chilled by more than the rain.

    Inexplicable magical anomalies were becoming more and more commonplace, which was why she was out watching the storm in the first place, but she¡¯d never witnessed anything as strange as she had today. She glanced up through the hole burnt through the clouds by the dragon, gauging the time by the height of the sun. It was hours earlier than she was due to return, but she decided that Fayne ought to know what she knew, immediately. The storm could blow itself out just as well without her assistance ¨C the wild-magic was in tatters anyway, thanks to the dragon.

    Nerys fixed her inner eye on the Palace and forced her heartbeat to slow down. She released her breath and her solidity at once, and, trying not to think of the impossible dragon inside it, ported into the Betwixt through a cloudful of smoky butterflies.

 Chapter 6

    Nerys endured with practiced ease the horrible sensations of Betwixt, her mouth set in a grim line against the charming combination of zero-gravity, freezing cold and pitch-dark. She felt herself, as if split into a million pieces like the breeze, racing and yet seeming not to move. She held her breath ¨C for there was nothing to breathe in Betwixt. She counted to six, one count for ten leagues, and then felt the pull of her destination. The absolute black around her faded by degrees as she approached, until she was looking at the world again as though from under water.

    She arrived, slipping out of the Betwixt through the smoky hole held open by her shadow butterflies. The sounds of Eoscan, the World Queen¡¯s Capital, hit her in a rush. Humans and Witchkin scattered with cries of fright when she appeared ¨C elusive, mysterious, deadly, there wasn¡¯t a soul in the Five Kingdoms who wasn¡¯t terrified of her. Her gaze flashed across the crowded, cowering courtyard, getting her bearings.

    She¡¯d arrived in the sprawling marketplace that clung to the square below the palace proper, thinking to pick up some candied figs for Fayne. The Queen was partial to the sweet treats ¨C and to gifts from Nerys. It was also definitely a good idea to take an offering to soften the bad news of Calyx¡¯s unexpected return. Nerys scooped up a box from a vendor who offered no protest and popped a fig into her mouth to suck on as she made her way up the steps toward the Great Hall, where Fayne would most likely be this time of day.

    All eyes followed her progress to the flight of marble stairs, and the silence was pervasive. She could practically hear them counting each of her departing steps. At the thirteenth, she stopped. She swung round, her midnight dress swirling with her, and unleashed a fireball at the crowds below.

    It exploded harmlessly like a giant firework several metres above their heads, but people ducked and fell over themselves in all directions, yelling in fright as they scattered like panicked mice. Nerys threw back her raven head and laughed, popped another fig into her mouth and continued on her way.

    A few minutes later, she was surprised to find the Great Hall abandoned but for two soldiers guarding the open door. They stood stiffly to attention as she approached, and she fixed them with a raptor gaze.

    ¡°Where is the Queen?¡±

    ¡°In her Chambers, My Lady,¡± the braver of the two replied.

    Nerys frowned, instantly concerned. ¡°Why? Has she been taken ill?¡±

    ¡°Forgive me, My Lady, but I don¡¯t know. I only overheard the chambermaids say she was there.¡±

    Nerys regarded him acidly for a moment, but judged him to have no further information to offer. She turned on her heel and stalked back the way she had come.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about ill,¡± the second guard sniggered under his breath when she was out of earshot, ¡°But I bet she¡¯s been taken alright.¡±

    He had misjudged the range of a Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s hearing.

    Nerys whirled. Her magic caught him by the throat. He yelped as she lifted him a foot off the floor, and she held him there, choking.

    ¡°What¡­ did you say?¡±

    The first guard tiptoed away into the shadows, trembling, silent prayers falling from his lips. Nerys ignored him, she had her prey in her clutches already. Her fingers curled, her magic holding the guard like a marionette. She used it to shake him like a rag doll.

    ¡°I will not tolerate jibes about the Queen,¡± she said. Her voice was soft, her eyes glittered.

    She pulled him towards her, his limp toes scuffing across the lushly carpeted floor, and stopped him mere inches from her face. With her free hand, she caught hold of his jaw, hooking her fingers like claws, her nails digging into his skin. Her eyes burned with cold fire, and he whimpered in pain and terror. His skin began to blacken under the scorching heat of her fingertips, and he squirmed, whining. Blue veins of hot ice spread down his neck from the points of her touch. He tried to scream, but the burning air in his lungs froze, followed by the rest of him. In short seconds, his entire form turned to steaming ice, and Nerys, still holding his chin, smiled crookedly. She squeezed.

    His icy effigy shattered into a million pieces, skittering across the floor in all directions. The Lat¡¯Nemele dusted her hands and then reached out a casual finger to snare the first guard with a magical thread. She pulled him out of the dark recess where he had been hiding and held him aloft.

    ¡°Clean this up,¡± she growled, gesturing at the frozen remains splattered across the carpet.

    The guard nodded furiously, his ears aflame as he felt urine trickle down the inside of his leg.

    ¡°If I find that the Queen truly is ill on top of his insult¡­¡± Nerys whispered, stroking his cheek, ¡°I will have to resurrect him and kill him again. You tell him that, while you clean him off the floor.¡±

    The guard blanched, tried not to look at what was left of his brother-in-arms. He didn¡¯t know if she could do that, but he was not wise in the ways of magic and decided to refrain from asking.

    ¡°At your c-command, My Lady,¡± he squeaked instead. His stomach roiled and he clamped his mouth shut, trying not to be sick in the presence of the Sorceress.

    Mercifully, she released her grip on him. He dropped unsteadily onto his feet, managed a quick, stiff bow, and then raced off, armour clattering. Nerys watched him go, snorting at his panic as he clamoured off down the hall. She knew that he was off to enlist the aid of the castle cleaners. Unlike the human guard, they wouldn¡¯t bat an eyelash ¨C they¡¯d grown used to cleaning up all kinds of body parts, over the years. She glanced disdainfully down at the remnants of the second guard, and then twitched her skirts and strode back the way she had come.

    The dead man¡¯s jibe played on her mind as she swept down the long corridors towards the Queen¡¯s apartments, and she shook her raven head to dispel the uneasy feeling that clung to the dark recesses of her mind. She shrugged it away; of course, the banter of soldiers should be ugly and crude ¨C they were lonely men, entrapped for long periods beneath the mantle of their duty. The Queen was an exceptional, fiery beauty¡­ it was no surprise that they should harbour such dreadful thoughts about her.

    Nerys blew out through her nose as she reached her destination, firmly dismissing such malicious rumours. She knew better; she¡¯d been Fayne¡¯s consort for decades. She glared at the two unsuspecting guardsmen stationed outside the Queen¡¯s quarters as she approached. The heat of her glower rattled them, and they were quick to avert their gazes. They bowed low and pulled open the doors to admit her, hoping she wouldn¡¯t pause.

    She did not, and they were quick to shut the doors again after her passing, exchanging glances of relief.

    Inside, Nerys stopped. She tested the air, her eyes narrowing. She caught the flicker of Fayne¡¯s magic ahead, unsteady, palpitating. It hitched and hiccoughed, feverish. Nerys frowned and hurried forward. Concern for her lover chased the last ridiculous shadows of doubt away. She felt anxiety tighten her chest ¨C something was most definitely wrong.

    A terrible thought struck her, and her heart skipped a beat.

    What if the other Lat¡¯Nemele had arrived before her?

    She knew what had happened last time a Lat¡¯Nemele had trapped an unguarded Queen in her chambers¡­

    Nerys lurched forward, terrified by the thought. She leapt for the inner door of the Queen¡¯s apartments, the one that led to her bedchamber. She snatched at the door handle, feeling the strange flutter in Fayne¡¯s magic grow more urgent, more inconsistent. The door didn¡¯t budge. She froze, staring down at it in confusion. She tried again, and realised that it was locked.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Fayne had never locked a door in her life.

    Panic engulfed Nerys ¨C the Queen was in trouble! She tried to listen for the hint of an intruder¡¯s magic, but all she could hear was her own blood rushing in her ears, drowning out reason. The sudden pit of icy-cold fear made her forget she was a Witchkin, and perfectly capable of porting around a locked door. She rounded her terrified lips to shout her beloved¡¯s name.

    But a low moan interrupted her panic. Her inhaled shout exhaled in a soundless rush, and she pressed her ear to the door, listening hard, until reality came crashing back down. It crushed her panic; it prompted her understanding. And then, it stood aside to let her deal with the consequences.

    Nerys¡¯ breath came in shallow gasps, ice flooding her veins. She stood back from the door, unable to believe her own ears. Her heart constricted, brittle as winter, and the box of figs fell from limp fingers as she reached up to clutch a hand to her breast. Liberated from their papery confines, they rolled sluggishly away across the floor. Nerys didn¡¯t notice; her head shook slowly of its own accord, her mouth opening and closing in abject silence, and she fisted agitated fingers through the lace of her bodice. Unwilling, but unable to stop herself, she cocked her head to listen as the sound came again.

    The sounds¡­ came again.

    And again. And again.

    And then¡­ Fayne came, by the sounds of things.

    The bloody guard had been right.

    Trembling, Nerys clenched her teeth; a savage growl rose in her throat. Her hand ripped away from her chest, roaring power. Without another thought, she blasted the flimsy door into a thousand splinters and stormed into the room, a veritable tornado of furious magic. Startled cries met her unexpected entry, and the dust cleared to reveal Fayne intimately intertwined beneath the Human King of the Third Kingdom. The Human King! Nerys whined like a wounded puppy.

    They sprang apart. Droahbar Len¡¯Korran fumbled for a bedsheet to cover himself, but Fayne stood tall in all her naked glory, escalating from surprise to self-righteous anger in less than a heartbeat.

    ¡°Nerys!¡± she snarled, tucking Droahbar behind her for his own safety, ¡°How dare you come barging in like that?¡±

    Nerys barked a short, breathless laugh, struck wordless by the audacity of the question. She glared at Fayne; she could still feel the erratic throb of her magic echoing in the air. She¡¯d never felt it from the outside before, but now she understood exactly what it was.

    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to be back for hours!¡± Fayne snapped, stepping towards her as she planted her hands on her generous hips.

    Nerys seemed not to hear. Her gaze raced from side to side, flashing with her thoughts.

    ¡°I loved you¡­¡± she said, slowly, as if trying to force herself to understand what was happening, ¡°I killed for you¡­ How¡­ how could you do this to me?¡±

    She lifted her gaze in a soul-wrenching stare. Fayne glared back, her expression cold, angry at being caught out.

    ¡°Oh come now, darling,¡± she scoffed, ¡°This is hardly the first time ¨C I thought you knew that?¡±

    Nerys choked on the words. ¡°Hardly¡­ the first time¡­?¡±

    She raised her hand, black strands of shadow snapping through blue flame. Desperately, she wanted to murder the heartless, arrogant Queen, to tear apart the human insect hiding behind her. But her vision grew blurry, and her heart hitched. Something inside snapped, and it hurt. Hot tears welled, threatening to drown her fury; her magic flickered, refusing to obey. But she revolted against the helplessness of her unexpected situation ¨C she resolved to keep her dignity, if nothing else.

    A deep breath, a defiant toss of her magnificent head, and she turned her back on them both to storm towards the splintered exit. Fayne suddenly realised that the fight was over and Nerys intended to leave. She took a quick step forward, one hand raised in appeal.

    ¡°Nerys, wait!¡± Her tone dropped immediately to teary honey. ¡°Let me explain, darling. I¡¯m sorry-¡±

    Nerys whirled, cutting her off with a sharp cry of vexation. She couldn¡¯t help it. She had to react.

    ¡°You are not! You are not sorry! I can feel it, Fayne! I can feel your lack of sincerity hovering in the air! You are not sorry that you took that worm into your bed, only that I caught you at it! I have done everything you asked of me ¨C everything ¨C for a century! And this, this is what I get? By the Grace of Malevelyn, you deserve everything that¡¯s coming to you!¡±

    Fayne snarled, reverting immediately. Fire blazed across her body, a physical representation of her spiralling temper. Nerys watched, feeling her anguish fortify itself into a shield of cold contempt.

    ¡°You may not address your Queen in such a manner!¡± Fayne spluttered, outraged.

    Nerys fixed her with an emotionless expression, punched out her next words with soft intent. ¡°You are no Queen of mine.¡±

    ¡°You are beholden to me!¡± Fayne seethed, ¡°You have sworn yourself to me! You do not get to choose the length of your contract!¡±

    ¡°Contract¡­?¡± Nerys snorted, feeling a thousand barbed arrows pierce her heart, yet somehow managing not to show it, ¡°That¡¯s what this is? That¡¯s what nigh a century of loyalty and affection comes down to ¨C a contract?¡±

    ¡°A binding contract, Lat¡¯Nemele,¡± Fayne reminded her darkly, ¡°Made to the World Queen ¨C to me.¡±

    ¡°World Queen indeed¡­¡± Nerys bit out. She completed her voyage to the door. ¡°¡­only because I made you so.¡±

    Fayne choked on her rage, sputtering for words. Nerys ran her spiteful gaze across Droahbar¡¯s mortified figure as he cowered behind the viciously fuming redhead. Her gaze flickered back to Fayne, and her lip curled as she spat her parting words.

    ¡°Careful lying down with humans, dear. You might catch something... unpleasant.¡±

    The air around her darkened, and then she was gone.

    Fayne, furious, launched a volley of fireballs at the remnants of shadow butterflies, but they only collided with the fragmented wooden door behind. Thwarted, Fayne let slip a shrill screech of frustration. She stared at the spot where Nerys had disappeared for a long, dark moment, her hands fisted tight at her sides, before spinning aggressively on her heel. Muttering to herself, she snatched her crimson neglig¨¦e up from where it had lain discarded on the floor, slipped it over her bare body, and turned to face Droahbar. He was pulling on his buckskin trousers, but stopped under the heat of her gaze.

    ¡°Leaving me too, are you?¡± the Queen snapped.

    ¡°Of course not, Your Majesty,¡± Droahbar replied, giving up on his belt buckle.

    His voice carried a deep, strong resonance. Like Rador¡¯s used to, before he¡¯d grown soft. Before she¡¯d had to murder the snivelling wretch. Fayne collapsed onto the sofa that faced the crackling fireplace, scowling. Why the hell did Nerys have to come home early today? How unbelievably inconvenient.

    She waved an irritated hand. ¡°For the love of Malevelyn, pour some wine.¡±

    The Human King obliged, collecting his mettle. He crossed the room to fill their cups, running a large hand through his dark, grizzled hair. Fayne watched his powerful muscles ripple across his barrel chest as he did so. Droahbar was past his prime, but fit, strong, and solid, like an ox. Fayne found him quite handsome, with his powerful build and commanding stature. She¡¯d also heard that he was formidable on the battlefield, and that a war axe was his preferred weapon, which fascinated her. She liked his greying hair and beard, too; he looked like someone in authority, with ambition. Fitting, considering that¡¯s why he¡¯d made it to her chambers in the first place. He returned with two brimming goblets of Trindian Merlot.

    ¡°Well, what do we do?¡± he asked as he offered her one. His heavy brow creased with thoughtful concern.

    ¡°Do, darling? About what?¡±

    ¡°The Lat¡¯Nemele.¡±

    The Queen huffed. ¡°You will do nothing. I will handle Nerys. You will simply uphold your end of our arrangement.¡±

    Droahbar dipped his head in acquiescence. ¡°Of course, Majesty. The raw anerradite is already on its way to Eoscan ¨C sixteen wagonloads of the finest crystals, as you requested.¡±

    ¡°Good. I am eager to complete the network through the Kingdoms.¡±

    ¡°And the Lat¡¯Nemele? This changes nothing¡­? Your Knights will stand aside when I annexe the Second Kingdom, as we agreed?¡±

    ¡°Of course, darling. Our little dalliance is simply the sweetener for our two lonely lives.¡±

    Droahbar snorted into his wine before he could stop himself. Fayne raised her eyebrows, and he cleared his throat to offer a tentative explanation.

    ¡°Apologies, Majesty, but I don¡¯t think the Lat¡¯Nemele would agree that you are lonely ¨C to judge by her reaction.¡±

    Fayne clucked her tongue in irritation. Truly, Nerys¡¯ unfortunate reaction had irked her. This was precisely why she¡¯d always kept her dalliances secret from the other woman ¨C Nerys never had understood the power of using one¡¯s body as a bargaining tool. To be sure, she never would. More honestly, though, there was another reason that Fayne was so incensed, and Droahbar¡¯s comment gave her brief licence to vent.

    ¡°I grow tired of Nerys¡¯ recent obsession with wayward magical occurrences. She seems to think there is some catastrophic imbalance looming over Andoherra; portended by wild-magic, or Corrosion, or something¡­¡±

    Fayne blew out through her nose, her frustration evident.

    ¡°In the meantime, she is oblivious to her Queen, and my bed sits cold and empty. I have needs ¨C and I do not like being side-lined.¡±

    ¡°Well, Your Majesty,¡± Droahbar said, setting his goblet down on the side table, ¡°I may be only a humble Human King, but I would be honoured to attend to those needs.¡±

    The handsome King slid down to his knees on the fur carpet between her and the fire. He looked up at her from between her fine legs and then pushed her neglig¨¦e aside. Fayne leaned her head back with a groan and didn¡¯t even notice as her wine goblet fell from her limp, distracted fingers. Her lustful moaning resumed, her argument with Nerys forgotten. Disregarded, the wine pooled in slow red across the white fur of the carpet.

    Like blood, staining the first winter¡¯s snow.

 Chapter 7

    Nerys exploded out of the Betwixt. She stumbled, half-fell, and pushed off against the ground with one hand to stay upright. No graceful butterflies formed this time from the Betwixt haze; ragged streamers of black mist clung to her, flying behind her like a tattered cloak of shadow.

    She bolted across the leafy floor of a forest; she had no idea which forest, and she didn¡¯t care. She dodged, reckless, as massive tree trunks flashed past, forcing her flight this way and that. Ducking late, she caught her shoulder against the coarse bark of an unforgiving tree, reeled past with a cry. Ropes of ivy snarled at her ankles; she blasted them away with a hot bolt of magic. Snatching thorns tore at her dress. She lashed a wild blast at them, too, obliterating the whole bush.

    She couldn¡¯t see through the fog of hot tears. Rhythmic sobs accompanied her pounding feet as she continued to dodge on dull instinct. Her gaze turned inward, focused on the image of Fayne, her Fayne, bucking beneath a mortal man like some common whore¡­

    The Witchkin she had Queened, whom she had loved for nigh a century. The Fire goddess she had sworn to serve and protect, for whom she had committed atrocities she didn¡¯t dare name in the cold light of day. The woman who had promised her a safe haven for her heart, in exchange only for her loyalty.

    Nerys¡¯ breath sobbed in her throat as her emotions gained force, and her flight became more and more haphazard. She raced on, ricocheting off obstacles in her path. Her magic dashed with her, sparking out of control in wild bursts of shadow, electric, ice. She gave up on her attempts at evasion as the forest began to flit in and out of focus, no longer bothering to aim her spiralling charms. Bolts of power smashed a rough pathway for her darting feet ¨C shattering trees, crushing rock, upheaving the very earth. Forest dwellers scattered in panic, fleeing the careening Lat¡¯Nemele as she haemorrhaged magic.

    Nerys ran all night, blind to the destruction. Only one thing hung in her blurred mind ¨C run. Her wild eyes were frantic, her fang-tips bared around her panting breath. She swung her head to and fro as she hurtled onwards, seeking a route to escape from the pain. Unwittingly, she headed uphill, and her lungs burned with the added strain of sprinting up an incline. But she was lost to insanity, pushing on with demonic desperation, wrenching the life force out of the forest around her to fuel her flagging muscles.

    At last, in the preternatural light before dawn, the trees opened out and she skidded to a halt, teetering at the top of a sheer drop down to a distant valley floor miles below. Her escape thwarted, Nerys balled her fists. She tilted back her head, howling her inhuman hurt and fury like a wounded wolf. Her eyes burned with devastating intensity, hardly seeing the realm around her as she watched, again and again, Fayne throw back her head in savage pleasure.

    Nerys raised clawed hands to the heavens, beseeching someone, something, anything. But she knew neither what nor whom, and received no answer. With a curdling scream, she tore open the sky.

    Lightning crashed down, intertwined with strands of darkness, a magic she rarely touched. A volley of bolts detonated with cataclysmic intensity across the expanse of the valley below. Nerys pulled the power down again, again, again. She screamed her anguish with each effort, battering the world below her feet until nothing remained of the vale but a charred, smoking wasteland. Finally, she grew weak. She released the magic and fell to her knees, spent.

    Yet the Darkness hovered.

    The acrid smell of burning scorched her nostrils as she panted for breath. In slow stages, her heart relinquished its race, and she shivered with the abatement of adrenaline. Feeling suddenly small and helpless, she curled into a ball on her side, weeping in the wake of such powerful loneliness. She tried to still her mind, but the image of her fiery lover beneath the puny Human King was etched onto the inside of her eyelids. Pressing cold palms against them, she tried to crush the image away. She fisted her hands, but Fayne¡¯s mocking face persisted.

    And the Darkness caressed her shivering form.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    She drew a deep, calming breath, and felt the touch of Darkness, her old friend. It watched with her, the vivid, exaggerated images in her mind. It whispered to her. Suggesting things. Reminding her of who she was, of what she was capable. It coaxed out a hot, deadly rage, pushing aside the hurt and bewilderment. She lay still, listening to it croon. Her heart rate strengthened, climbing once more.

    The Darkness waited, letting her catch her breath. Letting her mind unravel.

    For decades, she had lived in the shadows as Fayne¡¯s secret lover whilst the Firekin had played her part as Rador¡¯s gracious wife.

    For decades, she¡¯d schooled her impatience, knowing that there was a grand purpose. She¡¯d contented herself with their secret engagements, and Fayne had offered her an outlet for her thwarted emotion ¨C the systematic murder of Fayne''s enemies ¨C to offset her frustrations.

    Fayne had charmed her along, too, with promises that, one day, she would acknowledge Nerys. That the Lat¡¯Nemele would finally step into the light as Queen Consort. She would be, officially, the faithful shadow to Fayne''s bright flaring fire magic. But the politics surrounding a reigning Queen were complex and delicate, and Fayne had yet to honour her promise ¨C despite the twenty intervening years since she had taken the throne.

    Nerys had waited patiently, adoring her. Trusting her. Obeying her every whim.

    And now, she¡¯d caught her with a Human King in her bed.

    The Darkness whispered to her. Nerys rolled to a crouching position, burying her head in her hands. She tugged at her raven mane, as if she could tear the images from her mind.

    Desperately, she wanted to kill Fayne, but she knew couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it.

    With deliberate care, she pushed to her feet, staring across the ravaged remnants of what had once been a stunning vista. Her face hardened as she took in the craters she¡¯d blasted down to the bedrock. In the cracks on their lips, she could see the lingering stain of dark magic. It sang to her, but now that she was back on her feet, her upper lip curled. She abhorred releasing the Darkness ¨C it was such a fickle element. Even now, she could feel it clinging to the edge of her aura, leery of returning to its prison. It crooned to her, begging her to embrace it. Softly, it called her name.

    But she knew its game.

    If she let it in, she was lost. Scores of people would die ¨C unnecessary deaths. Deaths that lacked even the reasoning of those committed out of loyalty and for love. Deaths that would mar her soul, forever.

    She returned her reeling emotions to Fayne, blotting out the Darkness, turning her back on it. Fayne was safe, Fayne was her happy place ¨C even when she hated her.

    ¡°Bitch,¡± she whispered.

    But her heart wasn''t in it. It was flirting with the Darkness.

    Oh! This was Fayne¡¯s fault, all Fayne¡¯s fault! She felt her breath quicken despite herself, and tried again.

    ¡°Cruel, selfish, despicable bitch!¡±

    She shouted it, keeping her dark thoughts pinned on Fayne ¨C her safe target. One that she knew she wouldn¡¯t destroy. But the Darkness circled her, panting excitement. Insistent. Urgent. She felt her magic croon back at it, and she shook herself desperately.

    ¡°No, dammit!¡± she hissed. She threw her head back, fighting for control. ¡°Gods, Fayne! You ungrateful, self-centred, arrogant, heartless whore!¡±

    She pushed Fayne¡¯s face to the fore in her mind, holding it there with all her might. She outlined the heart-shape of it, staring into those bright, emerald eyes. She caressed the haughty, self-assured curve of her smile. But the redheaded Queen¡¯s cruel beauty wavered. Her eyes turned inky, and Nerys gasped.

    She couldn¡¯t hold it back; the tide of Darkness crashed through her mind with the all the force of a tsunami, burying conscious thought beneath an avalanche. Her magic was too volatile, too close to the surface ¨C she couldn¡¯t stop it. Every other element in her blood sang for their dark companion, released on the flood of emotion. Nerys stilled. Her amber eyes whirled slowly, burning with a cold, deadly fire.

    The Darkness in her mind swarmed, solidifying. Her eyes blackened, filmed by dense shadow. In short seconds, no trace of their glow remained. A murky image formed in her mind ¨C the silhouette of a man straining over a fiery-haired woman, his strong fingers digging into her thighs as he conquered her.

    Unerringly, she turned her gaze in the direction of the Third Kingdom. His Kingdom. Droahbar Len¡¯Korran had denigrated her haven, vilified her sacred refuge. He had defiled the Queen.

    Her Queen.

    The Darkness chortled. Nerys¡¯ tongue skimmed her lips, thirsty for the sweet taste of human blood. The allure of the hunt called to her, and, at last, she relented. She couldn¡¯t fight it; she no longer wanted to. She sighed, releasing the last vestiges of humanity that had held her hostage.

    And then, she laughed. Savage, wild, deadly.

    She revelled in the Darkness as it seeped into her core, and raised both arms with graceful flair. At her command, a cloud of dainty, swallow-tailed, shadow butterflies spiralled up to engulf her. They concealed her lithe, predatory stance in a heartbeat, and she ported effortlessly into the Betwixt.

    Tremulous, echoing, the strains of her vibrant laughter hovered in the bright dawn air long after she¡¯d gone.

 Chapter 8

    Jordan was falling. At least, she thought she was. She couldn¡¯t be sure ¨C the darkness was so thick it was suffocating. She was so cold, her teeth chattered; she felt weightless, like an astronaut. Maybe she was falling but¡­ up?

    Ahead, the absolute blackness seemed to be less solid. Somehow, without moving, she was upon it. Intrigued, she looked out at the picture it presented, as though from underwater. A moving painting of a great storm ¨C roiling purple clouds, green lightning, and what looked like two fantasy women cosplayers, fighting with magic.

    Then, it was gone. Before she could reach for it, she had flashed past, back into the void.

    She realised that she needed to take a breath, and raw panic engulfed her when she found that she could not ¨C there was nothing to breathe!

    In dreadful silence, she began to flail. She gaped, desperate for air, and a tear of terrifying despair formed at the very edge of her lashes.

    Infinitely, it dripped.

    It pulled free, spun away into the dark void. Jordan¡¯s body bucked, drowning. Tears welled in fat drops, clutching at her cheeks, refusing to fall away. Her consciousness began to swim.

    Another watery window flashed towards her. Desperate, she thrashed. She knew with fatalistic certainty that it was her only chance. With inhuman effort, she stretched out. The window hurtled at her, racing. Oh, God, it was too far! She was going to miss! She reached, straining with all her might. Her muscles screamed in protest.

    Miraculously, she hooked the outermost edge of it with a fingertip. She¡¯d only adjusted her course by a nanometre, but it was enough. The window sucked at her, and she crashed through it.

    Light and sound and air hit her in a rush. She coughed and choked, snatching great gasps of oxygen, refilling her starved lungs with explosive force. The sudden flood of noise and colour hit her like a landslide; she clamped her hands over her ears, squeezed her eyes shut, trying to escape it. After the utter silence and absolute darkness, she felt herself crushed beneath a sensory overload. Overwhelmed, she curled into a ball on her side, rocking, trying to block it all out.

    At length, the horrible buzz in her ears died away, the intensity of light dimmed, and she became aware of the breeze flitting around her, flicking her with grit. All she could hear was the wind, and she risked a peek out between her fingers at her surroundings. A great expanse of nothingness rolled away from her, bright desert beneath the setting moon. She sat up with a groan, felt herself down for injuries. With some surprise, she realised her pack was still resolutely hooked over her shoulders, and she adjusted the lay of the straps in comforting habit. The brightness of the celestial light drew her gaze up for a moment, and she caught her breath. The moon was three times the size it should have been; brilliant, beautiful, alien.

    ¡°Where the hell am I?¡± she muttered.

    She rubbed at her eyes, widened them, stretched her regard further afield, able to see reasonably well across the illuminated night. Occasional skeletal sticks stood tall, thin, and crooked, black against the night and interspersed with short, spiny tufts of grass. Among them, large, white, whale-backed rocks breached the surface of the desert sea, glowing ghostly beneath the abnormally large midnight orb. Rivulets of dusky sand swirled beneath the endless breeze; tiny cream pebbles marched along at its coaxing. Jordan watched them move like slow stars across the night sky, fascinated, until a stick lowered itself to ground beside her. She yelped, froze with her heart thundering in her ears, and stared as it trembled, detached itself from the stony ground. It lifted high, buried itself again, and it was not the only one ¨C three others moved in rhythmic succession. Jordan looked up, up, squinting against the brightness, blinking grit from her lashes. High above, a shadow loomed, blotting out the light. It swayed, moving forward with slow, deliberate strides. Some kind of desert creature ¨C four-legged and resembling a gigantic, short-bodied stick-insect. It had no head to speak of ¨C its thorax stretched out into a long, hooked silhouette, and its body was razor-thin, too. Each extensive leg was barbed with haphazard spines, resembling twigs on a tree, and ended in a single spear-shaped point that pierced the ground with each step. Its shell appeared hard, rough, like dusty bark. Jordan rolled out of the way as another great leg sighed down where she had been just a moment before, but the beast appeared not to notice her. It moved on, high-stepping over the smooth, massive rocks, covering ground gradually but in deceptively long stretches.

    Jordan bounded to her feet, her heart hammering. She squinted across the silk and shadow desert, wondering what else was out there, harbouring no doubt that she was not alone. Resolute, she pulled free the stoutest of the frail branches in her immediate vicinity. Hefting its weight, she decided it would have to do; it wasn¡¯t a particularly good weapon, but she felt better for having something to brandish. Pushing her hair back, she tried to decide which way to go ¨C there was no question that she couldn¡¯t stay where she was. But, as the silent wilderness rolled away to the horizon on all sides, no obvious path presented itself, and she swallowed a rising sense of dread.

    She decided to head in the opposite direction from which the unknown beast had come, reasoning that putting distance between it and her with every step was a good idea; after all she still had no idea if it might still turn out to be hostile. Squaring her shoulders, she set out, keeping the descending moon on her left, trying to maintain a straight course. The idea of wandering in circles across this unforgiving expanse did not appeal in the slightest.

    The quiet night pressed heavy around her, and her staccato heart kept steady rhythm with her footfalls. She avoided patches of dark shadow that lay in wait beside the large rocks, keeping a keen ear for anything that so much as sighed. Odd, fluting notes of melody reached her now and then, pretty calls unknown creatures. She scanned the terrain as she walked, but encountered nothing else; had no idea whether other monsters watched her in the night. One foot in front of the other, she pressed on, hoping desperately to stumble across some sign of civilisation.

    Far to her left, a line of light brightened the horizon by degrees. A long swath of indigo night brightened to burnt orange and bloody red, and Jordan paused to watch as the first rays of the burning sun crested the edge of the world. The magnificent star climbed with joyous rapidity, chasing the colours, lightening the sky to a speckled periwinkle blue. As she watched, the desert transformed, glowing beneath its scorching caress. The dusky silt turned bright black, the great rocks and glittering pebbles a stark, milky counterpoint. She looked about in wonder; the panorama was nothing she could ever have imagined. It was wild and untouched; its savage beauty captured her heart. She smiled, drinking it in, and continued with a lighter step.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    But the thrill was fleeting. As the sun ascended, so too did the temperature. Heat shimmered in waves, rolling across the landscape with little mercy for its denizens. Jordan quickly realised she was going to be burnt to a crisp. Resigned, she fished through her backpack, liberated the light hoodie she knew she¡¯d left at the bottom. Tucking her papers back inside, she slipped the jacket on for protection against the sun¡¯s scorching rays, and trudged forth. She leaned into the wind as it picked up, sparing a grateful thought for its marginal cooling even as she bowed her head against the stinging black grit it carried. As the day dragged on, she soon panted with the simple effort of walking. Her long sleeves clung to her damp skin, but she knew it was better than blistering, so she endured. The stick, far heavier than it had been beneath the cool light of the moon, weighed at her aching arm. Shifting it to her other hand, she licked at her dry lips and cast her gaze about again, still hopeful, though she had spied no sign of water amongst the endless sea of black sand.

    Something has to be out there.

    Still nothing moved as she plodded onward; only deep, narrow divots told of the passing of the strange, giant beasts she¡¯d encountered the night before. Once, another loomed in the distance, standing motionless above a copse of spindly trees, its four thin legs clumped tight together, body reposed against the merciless sky.

    As the sun crested its zenith, Jordan¡¯s head hung low and swinging, and she all but stepped over the edge of the cliff that fell away beneath her feet. Jerking away with a sharp, startled cry, she flung herself backwards. Her weak legs collapsed beneath her, dropping her into the dust. Adrenalin sang in her blood, and she stared out at the nothingness for a long moment. Then, on her hands and knees, she approached the drop-off.

    The sight that met her was a balm for her parched soul. The ground cascaded sheer, plunging down into a verdant valley far below. Immense trees in myriad colours carpeted its floor, interspersed with sweeping meadows of bright flowers and luminous grasses. She stared in wonder at a vast, glorious pocket of life in an otherwise barren land. Miniscule between the arboresque giants, the gossamer shimmer of a sinuous stream caught her eye, and she crowed with delight. Licking arid lips, she scrambled to her feet and roved the edge, looking for a way down.

    Frustration found her still pacing an unbearable amount of time later. She¡¯d no idea how far she had followed the edge, but it felt like miles, and still, the callous cliff taunted her. For a heartbeat, she toyed with the idea of simply leaping off. Mentally shaking herself to dispel such morose thoughts, she continued, and the sun began its slow descent in the eastern sky.

    As the shadows lengthened, she spied a towering tor that jutted out over the edge of the escarpment. She hastened towards it, hoping it augured rougher ground that she might be able to clamber down. Eager, she ducked beneath a shadowed overhang, and skidded to a halt with entreating hands upraised.

    ¡°Hey, whoa!¡±

    She leaned back as far as she could, away from the bite of the wicked blade at her throat. Shrouded in the shadows, a dark, brooding, woman cocked her head, setting long black braids to dancing. It was hard to tell much more about her, cloaked as she was by the deep gloam beneath the overhang. Jordan attempted to force a reassuring smile to her chapped lips, failing miserably. The other pressed the knife-edge of her glaive a little harder, the tip threatening to draw blood. Her dark eyes, bright as onyx, sparkled with intrigue as she regarded Jordan¡¯s dusty jeans and dirty hoodie.

    ¡°What¡­ are you?¡± Her voice was throaty and pleasant, if rather hostile.

    ¡°What am I?¡± Jordan queried, eyeing the blade, trying to lean away from its sting without flinching. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ a person?¡±

    The other¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You do not look like any type of person I have seen.¡±

    Any type of person? That was an odd way to word it.

    Jordan swallowed. ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to intrude or whatever, I just ¨C I¡¯m lost, I¡¯m thirsty, and to be honest, I¡¯m scared¡­ I think I went through a portal, maybe? I have no idea where I am, or how it happened.¡±

    The words left her in a rush, and the dark woman tilted her head the other way, like an inquisitive bird.

    ¡°A portal? Many portals on Andoherra. Which one?¡±

    Jordan¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°D-did you say... Andoherra¡­?¡±

    ¡°Aye.¡± The woman seemed to have decided she was possibly a simpleton, certainly no threat. She lowered her weapon, rested her elbows on the butt of it, and regarded Jordan with frank curiosity. ¡°What else would I say?¡±

    ¡°Um, Earth¡­?¡± Jordan breathed, gaping.

    The woman laughed. ¡°Why would I speak the name of The Old World?¡±

    Jordan stared at her. Subconsciously, she rubbed at the line on her throat, fingers probing at the purpling bruise. Memories of her dreams raced through her mind ¨C she¡¯d heard the term Andoherra often enough, but never understood the significance.

    She cleared her throat, remembered the other had asked her a question. ¡°Well¡­ Earth is where I¡¯m from.¡±

    The other¡¯s mirth faded. ¡°What? You cannot be. That is not possible.¡±

    Jordan shrugged, helpless to explain it. The woman came forward, grabbed her chin with strong fingers, turned her face this way and that. Jordan did not protest the inspection, glad that she hadn¡¯t raised the weapon again.

    The woman finally released her, shook her head, and eyed her foreign clothes anew. ¡°How did you get here?¡±

    Jordan flicked the tip of her tongue, more nerves than thirst, this time. ¡°Like I said, a portal, or something¡­ I was following this other woman ¨C she went under a tree and disappeared¡­ and then, I did too, I guess¡­?¡± She shivered. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I nearly died.¡±

    ¡°Who was the other?¡± The woman craned her neck, face a mask of suspicion as she looked behind Jordan for a companion.

    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know. I¡¯d just met her ¨C didn¡¯t even catch her name. I arrived alone, in any case.¡±

    ¡°Do you have a name?¡± The question was sharp, mistrustful.

    ¡°Jordan Ballimore.¡±

    The other repeated it slowly, as if the words were like an anathema to her, and then offered her own titles. ¡°I am Norae Dre¡¯Cor, Rider of Thallo. Callkin, Daughter of Nalvadian Dre¡¯Cor ¨C Grand Earthkin of the Order of Earth and former Advisor of Eoscan.¡±

    Much of what she said went straight over Jordan¡¯s head but, given the woman still held a weapon and appeared more than capable of using it, she nodded politely and focused on the most important bit ¨C her first name.

    ¡°Pleased to meet you, Norae,¡± Jordan said, holding out her hand.

    Norae took it, but clasped her by the forearm, rather than palm to palm as Jordan was accustomed. Jordan returned the pressure awkwardly.

    ¡°Welcome, Jordan Ballimore, to Andoherra,¡± Norae said. ¡°Pleased to meet you also. Have so many questions.¡±

    ¡°You have questions?¡± Jordan giggled, before she could stop herself.

    Norae smiled, then, but she shook her head. ¡°Now is not the time. Here is not the place. Come, we drop to the valley and seek shelter ¨C wild things roam The Bone Plateau at night.¡±

    Jordan shivered. ¡°I know, I¡¯ve seen them ¨C tall, strange-looking creatures, like massive insects¡­¡±

    Norae fixed her with a steady gaze. ¡°You describe the wanderers. Not to be feared, harmless ¨C unless one steps on you. No, it is not the wanderers to worry about.¡±

    Jordan swallowed, her throat somehow seeming to be even more dry than it had before, and crowded closer to Norae. She had no idea what else haunted the place that Norae had referred to as The Bone Plateau, and didn¡¯t want to find out. The wanderer things had been creepy enough. Norae tied a rope around her waist, looped the other end around Jordan¡¯s. She double-checked the knots, shouldered her glaive and a pack on the side opposite to a bow and quiver, which she collected from deeper back in the shadows, and gestured for Jordan to keep up. Together, they squeezed through a narrow gap in the rocks, coming out at the top of a steep scree slope that stretched almost sheer for a vertical mile. Jordan baulked, daunted.

    ¡°Not so bad as it looks,¡± Norae reassured. ¡°Watch feet, use hands for balance. Reach bottom before you know.¡±

    Jordan nodded, took a deep breath, and followed her down into the exotic valley.

 Chapter 9

    As the night drew close across the shoulders of the world, Jordan leaned back against smooth bark and tried not to look down. They were perched high up in a Voyager Tree, at the point where the bases of its large, spreading branches converged, resting on the concave natural platform formed by their meeting. There was room for two ¨C even three ¨C people to lie down in comfort, and Norae explained that the trees were often used as safe havens by travellers, hence their name. Jordan thought ¡®safe¡¯ was relative ¨C sleeping at the top of a ten-metre drop was not her ideal version of security, and the climb was a bitch. Still, it was better than discovering what manner of beasts might trawl beneath the canopy at night, hunting for their next meal.

    The forest sang around them, nightbirds and insects and the fluting wind all joined in harmonious chorus. Sharper calls sometimes cut across the melody, but even they had their place in the refrain of life. Norae tilted her head this way and that, catching a sound, releasing it, testing the next. At last, content, she settled against the nearest branch, lounging beside a bristling array of weapons, one leg swinging to and fro over the side of the platform. She peeled a bright blue fruit with her dagger, handed her companion half of its soft innards. Jordan sniffed it, revelled in the floral honey of its scent, and swallowed it down in delight. Norae smiled, handed her another, and the dagger.

    ¡°Do not take too much of skin,¡± she warned. ¡°If pith removed, whole thing falls apart.¡± She grinned, watching as the soggy mass oozed through her fingers. ¡°Aye, like that.¡±

    Jordan stuffed the whole in her mouth before it could disintegrate further and took a moment to work it into a manageable mouthful. She gulped it down, grinned back, and set about licking the juice from her fingers.

    ¡°Those are delicious! What are they?¡±

    ¡°Sky berries. Prolific in these valleys. Grow on shrub twice size of man. Pale blue leaves. Nice addition to traveller¡¯s fare.¡±

    She swung her pack onto her lap, dug out something that looked like an over-large biscuit, and offered Jordan half of that, too.

    ¡°Rationed,¡± she said with apology, ¡°Last one.¡±

    Jordan bit into it, smiling in surprise at the nutty crunch. It tasted of honey and ginger, and a stronger flavour she didn¡¯t recognise. ¡°What¡¯s in it?¡±

    Norae mentioned the things she¡¯d already recognised, added dried meat, crushed to powder, and dried fruits to the list.

    ¡°Good for travelling. Can last long time on those.¡±

    Something in the way she said it made Jordan meet her dark eyes over the hard biscuit. ¡°You know, I didn¡¯t ask¡­ what are you doing out here in the middle of the desert?¡±

    Norae¡¯s expression went blank. ¡°I¡­¡± She cleared her throat, ¡°Am running.¡±

    ¡°From what?¡± Jordan said, but then caught herself, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, if you¡¯d rather not say...¡±

    But Norae shook her head. ¡°Told your story, will tell mine. Am¡­ exiled.¡± She spat out the word as if it were bitter on her tongue. ¡°Am ¨C was ¨C Gryphon Knight. But father is Nalvadian Dre¡¯Cor, disappeared not long ago. People say he fled, abandoned post. Do not believe it ¨C she did something to him. Never liked him. Knew his sympathies lay with other Queen ¨C even though he was faultless in her court. Tried to find out what happened to him¡­¡± She fisted her hands, scowling. ¡°Questioned my honour! Stripped of Titles, cast out, and¡­¡± her voice broke on the last, ¡°Took Thallo.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s Thallo?¡± Jordan asked gently.

    Norae wiped away a small tear. ¡°Is ¨C was ¨C my gryphon. Well, property of Queen, as all gryphons, but was paired with me¡­¡± She swallowed, and then her head shot up, mouth hard. ¡°Rider and gryphon pair for life ¨C any fool knows! Will try to re-pair Thallo to another Knight, an apprentice... Thallo will pine self to death. Everyone knows what happens when gryphon loses rider!¡±

    She punched at the tree bole in her outrage, her face twisted with unhappy fury.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Norae,¡± Jordan said lamely, unsure what the appropriate offer of sympathy should be. She didn¡¯t dare ask if Norae meant an honest-to-God, actual gryphon¡­

    ¡°Going to get her back, though,¡± Norae nodded fiercely, as if Jordan hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°Heard being stabled in Nova Azuros. Am going to rescue her.¡±

    The words were both promise and plea. She shook herself and took a deep breath, abashed. ¡°Sorry, Jordan. Did not mean for outburst.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no, please, that¡¯s okay!¡± Jordan said. ¡°Maybe¡­ well, is there any way I can help?¡±

    Norae perked up. ¡°Hmm. Know how to fight?¡±

    Jordan shook her head, and Norae frowned thoughtfully. ¡°Wield magic?¡±

    Again, Jordan shook her head, feeling the first flush of embarrassment creep into her cheeks... She¡¯d offered help she couldn¡¯t really give.

    Norae shrugged kindly. ¡°Well, good company, at least. And, if like, can teach you.¡±

    ¡°¡­teach me?¡± Jordan repeated, a flutter in her heart, ¡°To fight, or to wield magic?¡±

    ¡°Fight.¡±

    Jordan¡¯s face fell. ¡°Oh.¡±

    Norae offered a gentle smile. ¡°My kind of magic not be taught. Was born a Callkin, in my blood. But,¡± and she winked, ¡°Kinds of magic can be taught. Although, never learned them. No need; am ¨C was ¨C Gryphon Knight. But you could learn some magic. If could find someone to teach.¡±

    Jordan heartened with a wistful sigh. ¡°I would love to learn magic.¡± It was true ¨C she¡¯d spent her entire childhood pretending she could command the elements, move things with her will. She¡¯d lived on books and movies that celebrated heroes with impossible powers. Clearing her throat, she gave a wry grin. ¡°I¡¯d also love to learn to fight, though. I don¡¯t have the faintest idea how to get home, and until I figure out how to do that, I¡¯d rather not be completely defenceless.¡±

    Norae nodded. ¡°Very well. Be honoured to teach.¡±

    They settled to companionable silence, looking out at the night forest far below. Shadows ¨C some small, some too large for comfort ¨C passed by beneath. Bright moonlight filtered through the leaves, ghosting against the inky blackness of thick tree trunks, and reflected by moonshrooms in a soft rainbow palette across the leaf litter. Norae pointed them out to Jordan, growing in clusters upon fallen logs, their bright crystalline caps glowing with faint, fractured colours.

    ¡°In daylight, hard to see,¡± Norae said. ¡°Clear, like stream, or glass. Only under lunar light become those colours.¡±

    Jordan stared in wonder ¨C and noticed one that appeared to be stirring between its fellows. She pointed to it.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Why is that one moving?¡±

    Norae smiled, soft delight illuminating her night-dark eyes. ¡°Not moonshroom. Is glass dragon.¡± She gave a happy sigh. ¡°Do not often see.¡±

    ¡°A glass dragon?¡± Jordan frowned. ¡°Is that some kind of lizard?¡±

    Norae chuckled. ¡°Exactly what sounds like. Here, watch.¡±

    She raised one hand in the little creature¡¯s direction, her fingers swirling like fern fronds in a breath of wind. Jordan inhaled ¨C she could see it, the magic, shimmering at Norae¡¯s fingertips. Mesmerised, she watched the Callkin¡¯s hand dance ¨C and didn¡¯t even notice the tiny creature answering the summons until it alighted on Norae¡¯s outstretched index finger. It clung there, lizard-like, curious, holding on with three-toed claws and gazing at them with a bright, powder-blue gaze. It was almost transparent ¨C Jordan leaned closer, eyes widening as she realised she could see its minute, thrumming heart.

    ¡°Here,¡± Norae smiled, nudging her palm forward, ¡°May hold her.¡±

    Speechless, Jordan held out her hand, and the miniscule creature obligingly traded Norae¡¯s finger for hers. It tilted its slim, delicate snout, blew a wisp of cool mist against her palm. She held it up to eye level and it stared back, unafraid. Then, it shook itself, raised miniature halcyon wings, and looked to Norae.

    ¡°Aye, may go,¡± the Callkin nodded. ¡°Thank for sharing time. Fair winds, tiny friend.¡±

    The little dragon huffed, content, and leapt from Jordan¡¯s fingertip. It spread its wings wide, floated back down to the incandescent moonshrooms. Upon landing, it paused to look back up at them and blew out a small streamer of mist. Then, it tipped its delicate head and disappeared with a swish of its translucent tail, lost to a thicket of glimmering caps faster than its watchers could blink.

    ¡°Norae, that was incredible!¡± Jordan breathed, eyes shining as she stared after it. ¡° How the hell did you do that?¡±

    Norae beamed. ¡°Told you, am a Callkin. In my blood.¡±

    Jordan turned to her. ¡°Yeah, you said. But what, exactly, is a Callkin? I¡¯ve never heard the word.¡±

    Norae cocked her head, trying to decide if she jested. Her eyebrows quirked as she realised she did not. ¡°True, then? No magic left on The Old World?¡±

    Jordan nodded. ¡°No such thing as magic ¨C back home, that doesn¡¯t happen. There are no wanderers or glass dragons, either. So,¡± she smiled, ¡°Are you going to tell me what a Callkin is, or not?¡±

    ¡°Callkin is a type of Witchkin...¡± She broke off as she noted Jordan¡¯s confused frown deepen.

    ¡°A witch¡­?¡±

    Norae decided careful explanation was warranted. ¡°No. Witch, as in traditional sense, is a user of magic ¨C spell-casters, potion-brewers. Learn words, use recipes. Anyone can be a witch.¡±

    She shrugged as she said it, implying that it was easy enough. ¡°But Witchkin are made of magic. Flows in our veins, derivative of the elements of Andoherra.¡±

    She drew a dagger from her boot, pricked her palm, held it up to the bright moonlight. ¡°Nalvadian ¨C my father ¨C is an Earthkin. I am not, but trace of the element remains. See?¡±

    Jordan looked closer. It wasn¡¯t the darkness ¨C Norae¡¯s blood definitely had a greenish tinge.

    Norae closed her fist. ¡°The blood of a true Earthkin is more potent. When spilled, it is a rich, forest colour.¡±

    Jordan exclaimed in surprise, remembering a finer detail from her dreams. Asbeth¡¯s blood had been silver! Norae noted put her reaction down to simple ignorance.

    ¡°Different Witchkin have different coloured blood,¡± she continued, ¡°Usually corresponding to whichever element is prevalent in their magic. Most are colours you would expect. Some are unusual, though ¨C the Worldkin, for example, have silver blood-¡± Jordan nodded hard, her visions confirmed, ¡°-because their power contains the very element of spirit. Are the only ones that do. Some Witchkin are stronger than others, but base nature remains truth ¨C magic is in their blood. Witchkin may study to be a witch, too, if desire to learn conjuring, or potioncraft. Many do, especially from higher Orders.¡± She paused, then added, ¡°But to call Witchkin merely witch is an insult.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± Jordan cocked her head, processing. She¡¯d seen enough fantasy movies to sum it up for her own benefit ¨C witches equalled borrowed magic, potions, and spells; Witchkin, raw, elemental-based, true magic. ¡°And¡­ you are a Callkin?¡±

    ¡°Aye. Some animals of Andoherra respond to my summons, will do whatever I ask of them. All Callkin are different, though. Some are immensely powerful ¨C for example, those who safeguard the Queen¡¯s gryphons,¡± She dropped her gaze, ¡°The ones who will force Thallo to accept a new rider¡­¡±

    She ran an angry hand down the length of her face to push the thought away, flicked her beaded braids fiercely over her shoulder, and sighed. ¡°For me, though, it is hummingbirds, geckos, and glass dragons.¡±

    ¡°Glass dragons are pretty cool¡­¡± Jordan offered. She no longer felt the need to ask to know that the Callkin meant exactly what she said when she mentioned her gryphon. ¡°What other kinds of Witchkin are there?¡±

    Norae accepted the milder subject choice, grateful to push problems from her mind for a little while.

    ¡°Many kinds,¡± she said, settling into her explanation, ¡°But important ones are the true Elemental Witchkin. Five Orders ¨C Earthkin, Airkin, Waterkin, Firekin and Dreamkin¡­¡± She paused, glanced furtively about, and her voice dropped to a hushed whisper. ¡°Then, there is the Lat¡¯Nemele¡­ Almost always female, also called Sorceress of the Elements ¨C because she may command them all. Enormously powerful, extremely dangerous. By tradition, the Lat¡¯Nemele stands as Sword and Shield of the Queen, Guardian of the Royal House. Far back as Andoherra¡¯s history goes, only ever been one in existence at any given time. Recently, was Calyx, but then, with her disappearance, Nerys stepped out of the shadows-¡±

    ¡°I know those names!¡± Jordan interrupted, astonished.

    Norae looked at her sideways. ¡°Thought you said you were not from Andoherra¡­?¡±

    Jordan shook her head vehemently, consumed by agitated disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m not! But I¡¯ve been having these¡­ dreams¡­ for the last couple of weeks ¨C like, really vivid ones. There were women in them who wielded staggering magic. I saw the one ¨C Calyx ¨C threaten an entire room full of fighting people with a huge cage of lightning. There were tables floating and- wait¡­¡± Her jaw dropped, and she met Norae¡¯s startled expression. ¡°There was a man called Nalvadian in my dreams, too! He was throwing up shields of stone, hurling spears of rock¡­¡±

    Her voice faded, and silence stretched between them.

    Norae¡¯s stared at Jordan as if seeing her for the first time. ¡°How is this possible? Jordan, what you describe¡­ happened. Twenty years ago.¡± Her mouth settled to a grim line. ¡°Was there.¡±

    Jordan was dumbstruck. She stared at her companion, helpless to explain.

    Norae met her gape with a bemused expression. ¡°Fifteen, I was, barely apprenticed to the Knights. Was an inquiry¡­ Rador Gri¡¯Svear, Grand Firekin, had been found murdered. His wife, Firekin also, demanded justice ¨C loudly. Railed at the Queen and things¡­ escalated. Some sided with the Firekin, demanding change of regime, ruler with a less lenient hand. Fighting was fierce ¨C until Calyx stepped in. How could you possibly know, Jordan?¡±

    Mute, Jordan shook her head. With trembling fingers, she reached for her pack, pulled out her sheaf of papers, and handed them to Norae. The Callkin leafed through, uttering small exclamations of amazement. She paused, caressing one of the portraits in fond remembrance.

    ¡°Asbeth, rest her soul¡­ Was Queen, before. Only knew her from afar, really. I was so young, but she and my father were close. Was always kind to me.¡±

    ¡°Who is the Queen now?¡± Jordan asked, afraid she already knew the answer.

    Norae¡¯s face twisted with loathing. ¡°The Firekin. Fayne Gri¡¯Svear.¡±

    Jordan blinked against the inevitable. ¡°But¡­ she is the one who murdered Asbeth-¡±

    ¡°WHAT?¡±

    The word exploded from Norae, making Jordan jump. Papers fluttered as the Callkin lunged at her, caught her roughly by the shoulders. ¡°Did you see this, too?¡±

    ¡°Y-yes,¡± Jordan stammered, holding her hands up in supplication. ¡°That other woman, Nerys, held her still, but it was Fayne who swung the dagger and cut out her heart.¡±

    Norae released her, hissing fury through her teeth. ¡°I knew it! Oh, by Malevelyn, I knew it! My father knew it! But there was no proof ¨C oh! How can this demon sit on the Throne?¡±

    She leapt to her feet, paced the narrow platform in her agitation, speaking ¨C no, cursing from the sound of it ¨C in a language that didn''t sound like any of Earth''s dialects. Jordan rescued her fallen papers and watched her in silence, her own mind racing with the improbability of her dreams being rooted so firmly in reality. An alternate reality, perhaps, but reality just the same. She leafed through the pictures, through descriptions of scenes that she now realised had, in all probability happened. She sighed in unhappy confusion.

    ¡°Norae¡­?¡±

    The Callkin paused mid-rant, blew out her breath in a huff, and turned her attention to the tremor in Jordan¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Norae¡­ why did I see these things? Why, when I am from Earth, and had no idea Andoherra existed¡­?¡±

    Norae shrugged helplessly. ¡°Could not hope to guess. Maybe Andoherra wants history known... Magic obeys own rules.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ there is no magic on Earth.¡±

    ¡°Well, then¡­¡± Norae said, ¡°Perhaps have some kind of connection to Andoherra, so could reach you...?¡±

    They regarded each other, shadowed by unknown things.

    A cool, fitful breeze danced around them. It teased at Jordan¡¯s sandy blonde fringe, rustled the papers in her hands. Distracted, she glanced down, and found herself arrested by the deep, luminous-silver gaze of a long-dead Queen.

 Chapter 10

    Jordan stirred as the soft rays of dawn filtered through the canopy to caress her cheek. She groaned and opened her eyes, and felt her heart stop as she looked down, and down ¨C one hand hanging off the edge of the platform. She rocketed back to safety, colliding with Norae, who slumbered still. The Callkin woke with an alarmed cry, brandishing a dagger.

    ¡°Whoa, Norae! It¡¯s me, Jordan!¡±

    Norae blinked blearily, tucked a wayward braid behind one seashell ear, and lowered her weapon.

    ¡°Sorry. Startled me. What are you doing?¡±

    A nervous giggle escaped Jordan. ¡°I, uh, woke up staring down over the edge.¡±

    Norae grinned sleepily, but then froze with her mouth ajar. Jordan started, spun to see what she was staring at, and her face lit up with wonder. For there, grown overnight, a slim creeper curved around one great trunk, its fuzzy leaves wavering in the gentle morning breeze. All along its extensive length, large flowers hung, blooming like swathes of violet fire. The flame of each jagged petal was edged with silver, and the violet lightened towards the base to the vibrant blue of a summer sky.

    ¡°Oh, wow!¡± Jordan breathed, ¡°What is it?¡±

    Norae¡¯s voice was reverent, a tear rolled down her cheek. ¡°By Malevelyn, it is a Pyr Lys!¡±

    ¡°Pyr¡­ Lys?¡±

    Norae nodded, her gaze never leaving the magnificent blooms. ¡°An Andoherran Fire Lily. It is the Sigil of the house of Bal¡¯Talanor, the long-reigning line of Worldkin Queens.¡± She shook her head, captivated. ¡°Pyr Lys are carved all over the Palace, emblazoned onto everything ¨C but no plant has been seen, nor bloomed, for thousands of years¡­ This ¨C this is a miracle, Jordan!¡±

    They stood in silence, drinking in the sight of the splendid lilies. Each was as large as a grown man''s torso and hung from the vine like a glorious lantern. Jordan reached out to touch the nearest one, the silk of its petals smooth and cool against her gentle fingers.

    It shivered beneath her caress, seeming almost to glow. She breathed in its heady perfume, somewhere between jasmine and fresh apples, and smiled at Norae. They looked up, at tens upon tens of them, spiralling away up the length of the tree bole. Norae offered a small prayer of thanks to Malevelyn, her cheeks shining with her joy as they stared, lost in the moment.

    Jordan yelped as a flash of lightning crashed overhead. The flowers nearest the sky snapped shut, followed in sharp staccato by their fellows in an agitated sweep down the length of the tree. Norae threw her gaze to the horizon, leaning left and right to see through the broad leaves of the canopy. She sucked in her breath ¨C a sharp, horrified sound ¨C and Jordan¡¯s blood ran cold.

    ¡°What, what is it?!¡±

    ¡°Wild-magic!¡± Norae hissed, ¡°Storm comes this way!¡± She was already moving, shoving items into her pack, slinging her weapons into their proper places across her lithe body. She tossed Jordan¡¯s pack at her. ¡°Hurry, Jordan, we go, now!¡±

    She was halfway down the tree by the time Jordan had even shouldered her pack, and gestured with nervous urgency for her to hurry as she picked her way down the rough, grooved bark. Barely had she made it to the forest floor when Norae had her by the arm, hauling her away as fast as she could run. They sprinted wildly, ducking branches, dodging uneven footing, racing breakneck through the trees. A strange static chased them, filling the air, snapping at their skin, making Jordan¡¯s scalp tighten until it hurt. Her breath sobbed in her chest, but Norae did not slacken the pace for even a moment. They broke out of the treeline, skidded to a halt as they caught full view of the valley stretching away.

    Bruised clouds gathered in thick waves upon the horizon. Thunder snarled, chasing crackling flashes of coloured lightning that sliced at the sky. Norae cast her gaze desperately, spotted a gigantic Devadaru tree, shoved Jordan to running in its direction. The ground growled, surging beneath them, dropping Jordan to her knees. Norae hauled her up by her pack, pulled her onwards on unsteady feet as the world shook. A prolonged rumble of thunder reverberated, echoing through their very skulls. They reached the massive, twisted Devadaru, ducked under its thick sweeping branches that brushed the floor. Close to the trunk of the great tree, the twisted branches overlapped to form a living cave, and Norae towed Jordan into its safe green depths. At lightning speed, she fished strong strands of thin rope out of her pack and set about tying the already interlaced branches together. Jordan quickly understood the intention of extra support, so that the makeshift cave might keep its form through the coming storm. She hurried to help her. When they ran out of rope, they collapsed against the gigantic trunk, breathing hard.

    ¡°Great Devadaru,¡± Norae whispered under her breath, ¡°Favoured of Malevelyn, safeguard us through this storm.¡± Her dark eyes flashed at her companion. ¡°No sound, Jordan, harpies come!¡±

    Jordan blanched, felt her tongue tie up against the roof of her mouth. Inside the thick, insulating layers of evergreen needles, an eerie hush descended. Into it, her heart pounded; anything within a hundred miles must surely be able to hear it. Outside, lightning ricocheted off the brewing clouds.

    Silence.

    And then, ear-splitting screams rent the air. The storm was drawing closer, and with it, the flocks of harpies that hunted across its leading edge. The screams echoed all around them, and Norae¡¯s dark face blanched as she listened. With one hand, she drew her short sword from its scabbard at her belt. With the other, she reached for Jordan¡¯s hand, afraid and not ashamed of it. Jordan, even more frightened because of her companion¡¯s reaction, squeezed her fingers back, hard, praying that their hiding place would be enough to shield them from whatever was coming.

    The violent shrieks rebounded, passing over close, veering further afield. Suddenly, the roof of their evergreen cave listed, bowing inwards beneath the weight of something heavy. A symphony of raucous shrieking accompanied the thing¡¯s arrival, and razor-sharp talons clutched at the needled boughs, seeking a better grip. Chittering, the creature outside settled itself, and then the roof stilled. Jordan¡¯s heart raced. Norae shifted her sword, gritting her teeth.

    Slowly, inevitably, a sharp, cruel face pushed its way through the pine needles above them. It was barely human; gaunt, beady-eyed, elongated, disproportionate. Its thin-lipped mouth brimmed with sharp, uneven rows of teeth beneath an oversized beak-nose. Jordan froze in terror, heart hammering. She leaned as far back into the shadows as she could, hoping it wouldn¡¯t see them.

    But it did. It clucked happily to itself, fixing them with first one bleak black eye, and then the other. Something shrieked past outside, and the monster ducked. It froze briefly, listening; the horrible creature had no intention of sharing its prize. The sound passed by and faded away, and, crooning under its breath, the harpy resumed its activity. With careful deliberation, it pushed aside the pine needles with one long, taloned bird-foot, using its greasy wings for balance as it slashed through several strands of reinforcing ropes. Carefully, it inched its way sideways into the gap. Its gaze never faltered; it cocked its head from side to side as it came, like a deranged robin regarding a worm.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    It discovered that the gap in the interlaced branches wasn¡¯t quite wide enough to admit it. The strange, ugly, almost woman-like face frowned, crooning in soft consternation as it considered. Undaunted, it leaned its weight on its wings, readjusted its grip on the outer branches with one powerful foot. The roof of boughs creaked, trembling beneath its weight. Halfway in, as far as it could fit, it stretched out slowly with the other long, scaly leg. It clicked its talons together and Jordan muffled a tiny squeak behind her hands as the wicked claws reached out to her. With a horrible, sinking feeling, she realised that she was well within range. She pushed back into the branches behind her, trying to increase the distance as the talons clicked closer. A hair¡¯s breadth away from her face, Norae lashed out with her sword.

    Crimson blossomed, and one claw dangled, useless. The harpy screamed its fury, its spiny red gash of a mouth stretched in a horrible grimace as it scratched at Norae. In the tight confines, the Callkin had little room to manoeuvre; with a savage kick, the monster managed to knock the sword from her grasp. As Norae leapt to retrieve it, the harpy plunged its remaining claws down to snatch at Jordan; the burning tips of its jagged talons pierced her shoulders as she shrieked.

    Before Norae could recover and leap to her defence, a hot, stabbing flash obliterated the beast. Jordan cried out at the searing heat on her eyelids, winced at the bang as the hot bolt carved clean through the tree above them, exposing them to the howl of wind and rain. The unpleasant stench of seared flesh and feathers engulfed them, and Jordan choked on the rancid taste in her mouth. The wind flurried, drowning the horrible smell with a billow of sweet smoke from the burning tree, giving Jordan a chance to draw breath and fling her watering gaze around her. Little remained of their haven-turned-trap; the entirety of the magnificent tree was on fire.

    Jordan, still clutched by the remnants of the harpy¡¯s dismembered foot, clawed the vile thing off. Panicked, she groped at her stinging, bleeding arms, ducking as another bolt screamed past. Thunder boomed; lightning crashed, and a silhouette stood stark in the flash of light. Jordan tried to shriek at Norae, but her words whipped from her lips on the stinging wind. She leapt forward, pulling the Callkin to the ground with her. They buried themselves beneath pine needles, mud, and shattered branches, and Jordan gesticulated wildly out at the haze of storm and magic.

    Beyond the tattered Devadaru boughs, a savagely angry woman, shrouded by rain, wielded her staggering magic with practised ease. Her golden head lifted high in arrogant defiance as she flung white-hot bolts of magic at a large, silver dragon. The beast circled through the black and purple clouds, using them for cover, diving down out of them to spit great gouts of indigo fire. The woman dodged, parried, flung back more of the bright magic. The magical missiles, lightning bolts made of liquid sunlight, flew wide of their weaving mark. They tore up the valley, destroyed oceans of cloud cover, razed another large contingent of harpies. The remaining bird-women were quick to disperse, cackling in alarm. The Sorceress didn¡¯t seem to notice, nor to care. She had eyes only for the dragon, venting her rage in a primal scream as she missed again, and again. Finally, as the dragon dipped into sight once more, she caught it a glancing blow. The beast howled in furious distraction, spiralling off into the tattered clouds.

    The woman¡¯s oaths pursued it, and then she took quick advantage of the diversion. She disappeared where she stood, leaving in her wake a fount of sparkling mist. The dragon circled around again through the ragged remnants of the storm. It swung its ivory-horned head from side to side as it flew, searching for her. The last speck of evaporating mist caught its bright red eye before it faded away, and, with a bellow of fury, it dived. An inch before it collided with the ground, it disappeared ¨C at precisely the point the woman had. A wake of silver smoke hung in the air where there had been gold but moments before, and then there was quiet, but for the steady patter of rain.

    Norae rolled to her feet, covered in mud and harpy blood. She wiped a splatter from her cheek, smearing it, and reached to help Jordan up.

    ¡°Are you hale?¡± she whispered.

    Jordan nodded, hugging her muddied, stinging shoulders, far more important things on her mind. ¡°Was that¡­?¡±

    ¡°It cannot be¡­ can only have been.¡± Norae retrieved her short sword, shook her head against discussion. ¡°Must find shelter. Harpies gone, as are others, but we will catch chill.¡±

    Jordan realised she was shivering, as much from adrenalin as the steady, freezing rain. She set her jaw, plodded after the Callkin through the remnants of the storm. She wanted to get dry and warm, avoid shock, and assess the damage the harpy had done. Time to discuss the Sorceress after.

    Wet, miserable, they traipsed across the valley to the far side, to the cliff opposite the collapsed scree slope they had descended. Drenched and buffeted by the wind, Jordan was grateful when they pressed through thick forest again, the movement helping to keep her shivers at bay. At last, they reached the foot of the cliff, and Jordan realised that it was riddled with caves. Some were shallow, some stretched far back into gloomy depths. Norae scouted each, chose one of the shallower ones with a good covering of undergrowth shielding its entrance, and beckoned Jordan inside. Grateful, Jordan sank down onto the sandy floor. Wincing, she extricated herself from her pack. She seethed at the pain, and Norae frowned at her through the gloom of the cave.

    ¡°Light a fire, then see about your injuries.¡±

    Jordan nodded, rearranged her battered, mud-caked arms to some semblance of comfort, and watched as Norae pulled a small orange crystal from the depths of her pack. From beneath the relatively dry bushes at the mouth of the cave, she gathered kindling. She arranged small sticks around the crystal, balanced larger ones on top, and muttered a few short words. The stone ignited, and soon the small fire crackled gaily, hissing as it fed on damp fodder. Jordan raised her eyebrows.

    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t do magic?¡±

    Norae used a long stick to point out the orange crystal, now glowing red and white with heat. ¡°Firestone. Enchanted, needs only a few words to activate.¡± She gave a one-shouldered shrug. ¡°Not my magic.¡±

    Jordan leaned closer, intrigued. ¡°Where did you get it? How does it work?¡±

    ¡°Can buy all over Andoherra. Charm magic.¡±

    She bent to rifle through her pack, caught sight of Jordan¡¯s expression, and resigned herself to a fuller explanation. ¡°Mineral called anerradite, ranging in colour from grey to pure white. Blank crystal from which all charmed stones are cut. Mined right here in Third Kingdom, from caves beneath Bone Plateau. Whole desert is hollow underneath. Best stones are kept for use of the Orders, but lower quality are sent to covens of Kitchkin, who are good at combining things. They imbue crystals with magic, tied to a simple activation charm. Firestones are only one kind. Very many potential uses. Satisfied?¡±

    Before Jordan could finish opening her mouth with her next question, Norae swooped down upon her, pack in hand.

    ¡°No more questions until wounds clean!¡± Norae scolded. ¡°Harpy claws filthy ¨C cuts will get infected.¡±

    She produced a small roll of soft cloth, a tiny pot of andothyst salve, and another crystal, this one a deep blue. Jordan eyed it.

    ¡°Waterstone?¡±

    Norae gifted her a wry grin. ¡°Catch on quick.¡±

    Jordan smiled, pleased with herself, and watched as Norae dug a depression in the sand. She lined it with a cooking skin and dropped the crystal into the middle, muttering words.

    ¡°Do those last forever?¡± Jordan asked, watching water seep from the stone.

    ¡°No,¡± Norae replied, wetting a piece of cloth, squeezing it out. ¡°All power fades.¡± With gentle strokes, she began cleaning the encrusted mud from Jordan¡¯s wounds. ¡°Varies, though. This kind of waterstone lasts about thirty uses before magic runs out, but have used that firestone at least half a hundred times..¡±

    Jordan bit at her lip to keep from crying out as the Callkin worried mud and grit from each cut, stymying further questions. Mercifully, the cloth pulled away again, but Norae¡¯s startled exclamation set her heart to hammering once more.

    ¡°What? What is it! What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Norae had pushed back from her. She held the cloth limply in her fingers, staring at her with incredulity and a hint of fear.

    ¡°Norae! What?¡± Jordan craned her neck to try and see the patch Norae had been cleaning on the back of her shoulder.

    ¡°You are bleeding¡­¡± Norae whispered.

    Jordan fixed her with a sarcastic expression. ¡°Yeah, that tends to happen when you dig dirt out of wounds. Thanks for scaring me ¨C I thought something was really wrong!¡±

    Norae shook her head, mouth slack with unconcealed surprise. ¡°No, Jordan, you are bleeding, look¡­¡±

    She wiped the cloth across a thin line of blood trickling down Jordan¡¯s back, handed it to her with trembling fingers. Jordan huffed, snatched it.

    ¡°What? You afraid I¡¯m carrying some disease or-?¡±

    She choked on the rest of her scathing remark as she opened up the cloth.

    The blood ¨C her blood ¨C was silver as the light of the moon.

 Chapter 11

    As Jordan stared down at the unassuming cloth in her hands, a croak of denial escaped her. She forced her gaze to rise, to meet the unnerved, accusatory stare of her friend.

    ¡°You said you were not from Andoherra," Norae whispered, reproach heavy in her tone, ¡°That you knew nothing of magic¡­ You¡­ lied to me?¡±

    Jordan tossed the offending evidence away from her as if it burned. ¡°No! I swear to God, the last time I saw my blood, it was red ¨C normal! First the visions, now this¡­¡± She sank down with a groan. ¡°What the hell is happening to me¡­?¡±

    The anguish in the slump of her injured shoulders, the tremor of fear in her voice, softened Norae¡¯s suspicions. She came to sit cross-legged opposite Jordan, her expression thoughtful.

    ¡°You did not know.¡±

    It was a statement, not a question. Jordan shook her head, pushing tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me, Norae?¡± Her voice was hoarse, afraid of the answers.

    Norae regarded her steadily. ¡°Nothing is wrong with you. But you have magic in your blood ¨C that is undeniable.¡±

    ¡°How?!¡± Jordan almost shouted it. ¡°I am from Earth! I have never heard of Andoherra!¡±

    Norae shook her head, at a loss. Then, so quiet Jordan almost didn¡¯t hear, she said, ¡°I know who to ask, though.¡±

    Jordan looked up, a wave of curiosity dampening her fear. ¡°D¡¯you¡­ d¡¯you think that was really her?¡±

    ¡°I have never seen another with power like that, who could hold at bay a dragon. She has been gone for two decades, but¡­ Jordan, I am sure that was Calyx Dur¡¯Losarl we saw today. I do not know where she has been, or why she is returned now, but I fear her appearance at the same time as yours is no coincidence.¡±

    ¡°How will we find her?¡± Jordan asked, thinking of the vastness of the desert beyond the valley, and the world beyond that ¨C for the desert could not be all there was.

    ¡°A Lat¡¯Nemele is difficult to track down,¡± Norae mused. ¡°But, if I were her, I know where I would go. To Eoscan, the World Queen¡¯s Palace, for revenge.¡±

    She lifted the pot of andothyst in query. Jordan nodded acceptance, happy that they were on the same side once more, and Norae moved around to finish treating her wounds.

    ¡°How d¡¯you know she would do something like that?¡± Jordan asked, steeling herself against the pressure of the Callkin¡¯s fingers working at her tender shoulders.

    Norae barked a sharp laugh, making her wince. ¡°Because. A Lat¡¯Nemele is a predator. A weapon by her very nature. Calyx served Asbeth. She will not rest while a false Queen sits on the Throne.¡±

    Jordan swallowed, remembering the immense power of the Lat¡¯Nemele. ¡°Will¡­ will she hurt us, though¡­?¡±

    ¡°Hope not,¡± Norae snorted.

    She finished affixing the last dressing and came round to face Jordan again. The look on her face sobered her jesting.

    ¡°Do not worry, Jordan,¡± she reassured. ¡°She knew my father very well. Were fast allies in the protection of Asbeth. And though I was young when Calyx disappeared, am confident she will remember me.¡±

    Jordan huffed assent, rolling her shoulders against their dressings. The pain was less beneath the cool balm of the andothyst ointment. ¡°What about your gryphon?¡±

    ¡°We will have to pass through Nova Azuros on the way to Eoscan,¡± Norae said, determination set hard in her features. ¡°If we free Thallo, it will aid our travels. She can fly faster than we could walk. It is a long way from here to the Capital.¡±

    ¡°How far to this Nova Azuros place?¡±

    ¡°If we leave now, we can make it by dusk. It lies at the head of this valley.¡±

    Jordan pushed to her feet, wincing a little as she lifted her pack. ¡°Well, what are we waiting for? I don¡¯t fancy spending another night in a tree, to be honest with you.¡±

    Norae smirked. ¡°Not so bad ¨C if you do not fall out.¡±

    Jordan rolled her eyes, and Norae scooped up the cooking skin to douse the fire. She retrieved her two anerradite crystals and stowed them in her pack, and then affixed her glaive in its baldrick. She checked the daggers in her boots, slung her bow over her shoulder, and loosened her short sword in its scabbard at her hip.

    ¡°D¡¯you¡­ want me to carry something for you?¡± Jordan asked, watching her.

    Norae looked her over, raised an eyebrow, and drew the longer of her two daggers. She offered it hilt first. ¡°If it make you feel safer, take this one.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Jordan smiled, sheepish. The Callkin had seen straight through her.

    ¡°Use the sharp side on your enemy,¡± Norae smirked.

    Jordan graced her a doleful expression, slipped the blade through the belt on her jeans. Norae''s eyebrow tipped higher.

    ¡°First thing we do in Nova Azuros is get you some new clothes.¡±

    Jordan looked down at herself, at her shirt, tattered by harpy talons, her worn sneakers, and the dagger hanging precariously from a belt not designed to holster weapons. She giggled. ¡°All right, but they¡¯ll have to be on you, though. I have no money.¡±

    ¡°Deal,¡± Norae said, tossing her head. Her braids danced; the colourful, interwoven beads catching in a ray of sunlight that quested through the entrance. ¡°Do not lose my dagger in the meantime.¡±

    Jordan gave her shoulder a playful shove, and, grinning, the Callkin led the way out of the cave.

    Out beneath the cool cloak of the forest, they settled into a swinging walk that ate up the miles. They hugged the edge of the valley, keeping to the cover of the trees, stopping now and then to sip water from Norae¡¯s flask. When it was empty, she refilled it with the waterstone ¨C too many beasts in the river, she said.

    They pressed on as the sun began to descend to the edge of the valley rim, and finally, dropped behind it. The valley plunged into an odd, muted twilight, the shadow of the desert above, and Norae quickened their pace.

    ¡°Almost there,¡± she said. ¡°Last stretch of forest before we reach the city.¡±

    Jordan looked about, finding it hard to believe there was a city hidden down in this vast, wild wilderness. But she took Norae¡¯s word for it and they hurried on, racing the falling darkness. Ahead, stars twinkled into view as the forest thinned, and then Jordan realised that they were not stars at all. They were lights, but not of a kind she had ever seen before. The small deer track they had been following widened into a rough path, and then into a cobbled road that split small, prolific fields. The walls of the city loomed into view. The gates were open, and though two soldiers manned the guard towers on either side, no one stopped them. The buildings, a charming mixture of wood and sandstone, crowded close along the main road as they followed its sinuous bends deeper into the city. Tall streetlamps glowed with warm yellow light, illuminating the way as darkness descended. Jordan looked up at one as she passed, realised that it had no bulb. Instead, a large yellow crystal was affixed with ornamental chains ¨C an orb of anerradite, put to yet another use. Norae drew ahead, and she scurried to catch up, wending her way between citizens hurrying home after a long day of business.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    She baulked as they rounded a bend and almost collided with a cart coming the other way ¨C though it wasn¡¯t the near collision that alarmed her. Rather, it was the massive, two-headed, boar-like creature snorting down at her in consternation that made her retreat. Norae laughed and pulled her aside, apologising to the driver as he carried on his way. The cart trundled on, and Jordan stared after it.

    ¡°What is the matter?¡± Norae chortled. ¡°Never seen a marmoda before?¡±

    ¡°A mar-what?¡± Jordan said, only half listening. ¡°What the hell is that thing?¡±

    ¡°Mar-mo-da,¡± Norae repeated, grinning at her surprise. ¡°Common beast of burden in the Third Kingdom. Equally at home above and below ground. Useful, for the mines.¡±

    ¡°It had two heads¡­¡±

    ¡°Observant,¡± Norae nodded sagely. ¡°Must be your magical blood.¡±

    Jordan elbowed her, and they carried on, keeping a more careful eye for carts going in either direction.

    At last, they stopped outside a tall, narrow inn. A large wooden sign proclaimed it The Merry Marmoda, and Norae sniggered as she led the way inside.

    ¡°Appropriate, no?¡± she smirked. Jordan huffed derisively.

    She let the Callkin do the talking, and did not protest when she procured one room for the two of them ¨C she had no inclination to be alone in this strange land. The landlord handed them a key, and Norae followed his directions up three flights of stairs to find their room. They entered, doffed their packs, and Jordan rolled her sore shoulders.

    ¡°Would you like first use of the washroom?¡± Norae asked, noting her discomfort. Jordan nodded, grateful, and Norae crossed the room to her. ¡°Let me remove the dressings, and then go ahead.¡±

    When she was free of her bindings, Jordan entered the small adjacent room, but shortly reappeared with a look of consternation pasted on her face.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how anything works,¡± she admitted, sheepish.

    Norae smiled understanding, and led the way back in. She showed Jordan how to activate the two stones set into the inner side of the brass tub, one a waterstone and the other a firestone, linked together to provide warm water. They required no words, only a simple twist of each, and Norae told her that twisting the firestone further provided hotter water. She adjusted it until she was satisfied with the temperature, and Jordan watched as water seeped from the twin stones, quietly filling the tub. It took far less time than she expected, and soon Norae twisted the two stones back again to stem the flow. She pointed out the shelf on the wall, which held several small vials of thick, coloured liquids, and recommended two of them. Jordan retrieved them, and then, blushing, asked about the sanitation.

    ¡°That is my favourite part about staying indoors,¡± Norae smiled, ¡°No need to crouch in the woods.¡± She slid open a wooden panel on the far side of the room. ¡°Here, the latrine. Quite simple, do your business, press this crystal, and it clears itself. See, in the bowl, beneath the spell-liquid, the inner coat of crystals? Imbued with a conjuring charm. Transports whatever is inside down into the sewers when activated.¡±

    Jordan marvelled, never in her life expecting to be impressed by a toilet. She thanked Norae, and the Callkin left her to it, shutting the door behind her. Jordan doffed her tattered clothing and sank into the hot tub with a contented sigh.

    When she had finished, she returned to the room wrapped in a large cotton towel. Norae offered her the simple shirt and loose trousers she had been out to acquire while Jordan was in the washroom.

    ¡°These are not proper clothes,¡± the Callkin sniffed, ¡°But they are all that the small store next door had to offer. We will find a proper store tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Norae,¡± Jordan said, moved by her thoughtfulness. She retreated back to the washroom to don them, and then vacated it for Norae.

    Whilst the Callkin was busy, Jordan reclined on one of the two feather-stuffed beds, revelling in its softness, and pulled her papers out of her pack. She settled on another dream she had written down, and reread it to pass the time, hoping she might stumble upon some answers along the way. Her dreams never seemed to have any order to them, but she guessed this one fitted in shortly before the death of the Queen¡­

    ¡°Enter,¡± Asbeth commanded, unable to keep the broodiness from her voice.

    The Queen stared moodily at the fire as soft footsteps approached, the familiar magical signature of the Lat¡¯Nemele washing over her like a balm. She felt better immediately in the presence of her life-long friend, felt herself relaxing despite her wish to stay irritable. She heard the sound of wine poured from the decanter, and the hint of a smile crept across her lips. She held out her hand to accept the heavy crystal goblet, but didn¡¯t look up from observing the fire. She wanted Calyx to know she was displeased at being kept waiting.

    At the same time that her fingers closed around the stem of the jewelled vessel, a pearly manacle closed around her outstretched wrist. The abrupt dimming of her magic caught her off-guard, and she inhaled sharply in surprise. With the damper curbing her power, she felt as though she had been blinded. It was not a sensation she had ever experienced before, and it was not one she ever wished to experience again. But before she could react, the other bracelet of the Shackles of Soul clicked closed around her opposite wrist, and then she was staring into a pair of beautiful eyes ¨C eyes which most certainly did not belong to Calyx.

    ¡°You!¡± she gasped. White-knuckled, she clutched at her goblet.

    Nerys studied her for a long moment, her curious gaze framed by a cascade of ebony hair. She withdrew, sat down in the chair opposite, and sipped at her own goblet of wine. In the whole exchange, not a droplet had been spilled.

    ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Asbeth tried to still her whirling mind, to make sense of the abrupt turn of events. ¡°Your magic ¨C you are a Lat¡¯Nemele!¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± Nerys agreed. She rolled the wine across her tongue. ¡°What vintage is this? It¡¯s excellent.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ you cannot be! Calyx is the Lat¡¯Nemele.¡±

    Nerys tilted her goblet to criticise the summer hues glinting within, unperturbed by Asbeth¡¯s incredulous stare.

    ¡°This must be from the Southern Coast,¡± she mused, ¡°I can taste the sunshine... Is it?¡±

    Asbeth did not respond. She stared in disbelief at the second Lat¡¯Nemele, her thoughts racing. Such a Sorceress had not existed since the creation of the world ¨C in thousands of years, there had only ever been one Sorceress of the Elements at any given time. Their lifespans did not overlap, and there were never two born at once. This woman looked to be similar in age to Calyx ¨C which made the possibility all the more implausible.

    ¡°Where did you come from?¡± Asbeth asked, intrigued, and terrified at once.

    ¡°I¡¯ll not answer any more of your questions until you tell me about the wine, dear,¡± Nerys admonished. Her velvet lips quirked with a suppressed smile.

    ¡°Summer vintage from Khaeross,¡± Asbeth answered. She continued to stare at the handsome woman as if seeing magic for the first time.

    ¡°Southern Coast, indeed. Will you not have some, dear?¡±

    ¡°What do you want?¡± Asbeth snapped, gathering her thoughts.

    Pointedly, she set her goblet down on the table. The pearlescent shackles jingled as she did so, a stark reminder of her predicament. As a Worldkin, she was mostly immune to the magic of others, but with her own magic impeded she was vulnerable. The thought did not sit well with her. She remembered a conversation, long ago, one that she¡¯d thought she¡¯d forgotten. The Grand Dreamkin, a powerful seer, had offered her an obscure prediction about the end of her magic, and the chaos that would ensue as a result. The Vision had been cryptic at best, and she had long since dismissed it. Now, however, its possible meaning loomed without sympathy. She eyed the Lat¡¯Nemele with a mixture of fear and fury. Nerys held her gaze, a strange softness in the set of her jaw.

    ¡°I wished to meet you,¡± she said, ¡°Before your demise.¡±

    ¡°Is that a threat?¡± Asbeth exploded, fear and fury growing in volatility.

    ¡°No, dear,¡± Nerys sighed, and her enigmatic eyes clouded with sadness, ¡°It is a fact. And I will be sorry to see you go.¡±

    Her unexpected answer gave Asbeth pause. The World Queen snatched up her goblet and drained half of it. She slumped back in her chair, took a moment to gather her emotions. Giving in to temper was not the way to get out of this mess. She schooled her features, reminded herself that she was a Queen.

    ¡°At least tell me why,¡± she said at last, buoyed by the softness she saw in the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s strange, beautiful gaze. ¡°Why have you killed so many Witchkin? What did you hope to gain?¡±

    Nerys toyed with her goblet. ¡°I did not hope to gain anything, I am merely the weapon. The business of killing is not my choice, but it is my duty.¡±

    ¡°You are trying to tell me that the trail of mutilated corpses scattered across my Kingdoms wasn¡¯t your idea? That you are not to blame for it?¡±

    Nerys¡¯ gaze hardened. The softness fled; buried once more. ¡°Believe what you will, dear. My presence and my motives both appear to exist in the same fictitious conundrum.¡±

    Asbeth regarded her, seeking answers in that cold, haughty face. She almost felt like she was bearing witness to some strange, unspoken confession; this dark, troubled creature asking for understanding without quite saying so.

    ¡°If not you,¡± she sighed, ¡°Then who?¡±

    Nerys¡¯ mellow voice coloured with the barest hint of regret. ¡°I believe you will easily guess the answer, dear.¡±

    Footsteps echoed gaily down the hallway beyond, and Nerys fell silent. She watched Asbeth over the rim of her crystal goblet as Fayne Gri¡¯Svear swept through the unlocked door. The Queen¡¯s face blanched in horrified realisation as she remembered ¨C death by fire, the Dreamkin had said.

    ¡°Asbeth, darling!¡± the Firekin gushed, spreading her hands wide as if ecstatic to see her. Her whole form was vibrant, shimmering with excitement. She tossed her scarlet ringlets with a tinkling laugh and reached for the goblet of wine that Nerys was already holding out for her.

    ¡°Nerys, my love,¡± Fayne simpered as she took it, ¡°You do know me so well! Now tell me, what horrible threats have you been offering the Queen in my absence¡­?¡±

    Jordan sucked at her teeth, rereading it again. That dark witch, the one who had helped murder Asbeth, hadn¡¯t truly seemed like she¡¯d wanted to. It was odd, and Jordan wondered why. But she shook her head to clear unanswerable conundrums and laid her papers aside as Norae reappeared, fresh and comfortable in loose clothing, not a weapon in sight. She flopped onto the other bed, reaching up to dim the glowing stone above it.

    ¡°Get some rest, Jordan,¡± she advised. ¡°Tomorrow will be a testing day.¡± She smiled, an expression of uninhibited delight. ¡°Tomorrow... we will rescue Thallo.¡±

 Chapter 12

    As Jordan tossed in fitful sleep that night, she dreamed ¨C a dark vision of the kind she had never experienced before. As cold sweats plagued her, her fitful mutterings roused Norae. The Callkin rose to light a candle and sit beside her, cooling her knotted brow with a damp cloth. She had heard tales of Dreamkin who must not be woken in the throes of their Sight, and though Jordan did not quite fit the mantle, she had silver magic in her blood. Norae assumed the same might still apply, and so she sat vigil, murmuring soothing words late into the night. Jordan, thrashing in slumber, might have thanked her for waking her from her nightmares, but Norae couldn¡¯t possibly know that¡­

    Dark of the Sun! Dark of the Sun! Dark of the Sun!

    Shrill and ear-piercing, the phrase echoed over and over, clawing at Jordan¡¯s mind. She pressed her hands over her ears against the insidious, screaming whispers. Her own screams rose against the grating refrain in her skull, but she could not drown it out, for it was within her. She spun, or the world spun around her, and the ground opened up beneath her feet. Terrified, she scrabbled for purchase, scraping her hands to raw against rock and soil, but blood rained from her torn fingers, and she could gain no grip. She slipped back, falling.

    The world roared. A great pit rose to consume her, a demonic maw with teeth of stone and breath of sulphur, and she tumbled into its hungry reach. Down, and down, into oblivion. With a rush, she burst through the darkness, landed in a great ocean, caught by the wave rearing high to raze a city. And the water was red, and green, and blue, and silver; a multicoloured mess of the blood of the peoples of Andoherra, flooding across the land, consuming mountains, drowning all in its path. She was flung high into the air by the force of the wave, tossed amongst the stars, and then she looked down upon the death of a planet. Continents collapsed, drenched by the spray of the bloodied seas; mountains crumbled, civilizations fell. Screams of terror rose to form a single, terrible refrain, the keening of a world, destroying itself. Creatures great and small fled, struck down by violent lightning, falling mountains, rising oceans. The very winds tore them apart, scattering their blood to the corners of existence, painting the future black. Even the stars were stained.

    Above it all, a nefarious shadow tore apart the sun with an appetite like thunder.

    Dark of the Sun¡­ Dark of the Sun¡­ Dark of the Sun¡­

    A face swam, blurred and distant; abruptly close, clear as crystal. Glowing, ethereal, Asbeth¡¯s gaze was heartbroken, terrified, awash with devastated fury. Her tears fell, silver rain, but were lost to the surging seas. Beyond her, blurred by the fog of the unknown, shadows of other Queens wept, raged, crumpled to their knees in desolation. Asbeth turned to Jordan, started with surprise. Her tears stilled, and time stilled with them. She floated close, held out an uncomprehending hand, cupped Jordan¡¯s cheek with featherlight fingers.

    Into the sudden silence, her awed words fluted.

    ¡°Jordenna¡­ My own dear princess¡­ Oh, thank Malevelyn¡­! Only you, my love, only you can redeem Andoherra¡­ Only you can save our world¡­¡±

    Jordan pulled free of the vision with a great cry, surging upright in her damp bed. She shied away as a dark shadow loomed beside her, but then it was just Norae, dim in the light of the single candle, holding out a cup of water. Her thirst drove all else from her mind and she snatched it, draining it in great gulps. She leaned back, panting, and Norae pressed a cool cloth to her clammy brow. Grateful, she leaned into its refreshing comfort.

    After a time, her hammering heart slowed to erratic leaps, and Norae offered a small piece of some kind of sustenance. Fudge, she realised, as she popped it into her dry mouth. The sweetness revived her, settled her nerves, and the roar in her ears subsided. Outside, the first break of dawn crested the horizon.

    ¡°Bad dream?¡± Norae asked when she judged Jordan had calmed enough.

    ¡°Understatement of the century,¡± Jordan murmured. She groaned, swung herself off the bed.

    She padded to the shuttered window, swung it open, and drew in great gulps of the cool grey air. Norae came to stand beside her, looking out over the sleepy city.

    ¡°Want to talk about it?¡±

    Jordan shook her head half-heartedly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t begin to describe the horror¡­¡±

    But she did, in excruciating detail. Norae listened, fear and revulsion contorting her handsome features, knuckles turning pale as she dug her fingers into the soft wood of the windowsill. When Jordan finished recounting her visions of destruction, Norae drew a deep, shaky breath.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Dark of the Sun,¡± she whispered, her voice taut in her throat, ¡°End of the world¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve heard of it?¡± Jordan asked, perplexed. Her frown deepened.

    Norae nodded, swallowing down the fear in her heart. ¡°Old prophecy, spread carelessly amongst housewives. Used to threaten naughty children, no gravity given it. The Dreamkin who foretold it, aeons ago, scoffed at. End of the world? Ridiculous notion...¡± She raised her dark eyes to the lightening sky. ¡°Cannot be true, Jordan¡­ can it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Jordan replied bleakly, ¡°I have never had this dream before¡­ All the others have been echoes of things that already happened, years ago, on Andoherra¡­ Maybe this is that, too?¡±

    ¡°Has never happened,¡± Norae whispered.

    Jordan lowered her head, chewed at her lip.

    ¡°There¡¯s something else¡­¡±

    Norae turned to look at her with a shadowed expression. ¡°What?¡±

    Jordan drew a breath, steadied herself. ¡°I saw Asbeth again. But this time, she saw me, too. She recognised me, Norae. She said ¨C she said I had returned¡­ that I was her ¡®own dear princess¡¯¡­ But she didn¡¯t use my name, she called me Jordenna. And¡­ she said that only I could prevent Andoherra¡¯s fate.¡±

    Norae faltered, staring at her. ¡°Oh, this is bad¡­! Very bad!¡±

    Jordan snorted. ¡°It¡¯s hardly true, Norae ¨C how could I possibly be Andoherra¡¯s princess? She was murdered as a baby, at the same time Asbeth was killed. I saw that in my visions. You know that¡¯s a fact ¨C Fayne wouldn¡¯t be on the Throne, otherwise.¡±

    But Norae would not be dissuaded. ¡°Your blood is silver¡­ only Worldkin blood is silver¡­¡± She paced the room in her agitation. ¡°Arrived on Andoherra at same time Lat¡¯Nemele miraculously reappeared ¨C after twenty years. Precisely the right age¡­ By Mav¡¯s Grace, even look like Asbeth ¨C minus the purple hair and silver eyes.¡±

    ¡°Asbeth¡¯s child was murdered,¡± Jordan repeated, reaching out a hand to stay Norae¡¯s pacing.

    Norae spun to face her. ¡°Was she, though? Found a slain babe with Queen, yes, but no one ever thought to check and make sure it was princess. Assumed. Maybe was not ¨C perhaps was a trick¡­!¡± Her hands flew, forceful in time with her words. ¡°And¡­ where has Lat¡¯Nemele been for last twenty years? Precise length of time since day Queen and baby were discovered?¡±

    Jordan folded her arms. ¡°Well, she certainly wasn¡¯t with me, so bang goes that theory. Listen to yourself, Norae, you¡¯re clutching at straws. It¡¯s entirely possible that I was just having a nightmare this time.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡± Norae¡¯s face tightened with fear. She stared over Jordan¡¯s shoulder, pointing with a trembling finger. ¡°Oh, gods, do not think so¡­ Dear Malevelyn, Jordan, look!¡±

    Jordan turned, baulked. Outside the window, a wounded sun was hauling itself above the horizon. Its rays shone brightly, but for the side blighted by a slim sliver of shadow. There, they seemed to dim to nothingness, devoured by the first taint of the Dark of the Sun.

    As Jordan stared in disbelieving horror, Norae swept around the room like a startled wasp, flinging their belongings into their packs. She settled her weapons at a blistering pace, tossed Jordan¡¯s pack at her, and hauled her away from the window.

    ¡°Have to go! Have to find Lat¡¯Nemele!¡±

    Jordan wasted no more time arguing the point, donned her pack and shoes, and swept out of the room hot on Norae¡¯s heels. They hit the street with pounding feet, racing over the silent cobblestones, running in the opposite direction from which they had arrived.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Jordan gasped, her breath sobbing with exertion.

    ¡°Get Thallo!¡± Norae shouted back, not slackening her pace for an instant. ¡°Need her to get to Eoscan ¨C the gryphon stables are in grounds of castle, just ahead!¡±

    A sound like the whistle of a firework fizzed through the air. Jordan ducked reflexively as it ended with a loud bang, like she¡¯d had half-expected.

    ¡°What the hell was that?¡±

    ¡°Do not know, but castle is not far ¨C hurry!¡±

    Abruptly, it was raining.

    Raining fire.

    Immense swathes of blue flame poured from the sky, blazing blue-black rivers snaked across the ground, incinerating everything in their path. Jordan yelped in pain as Norae, panicked, grabbed her by one wounded shoulder and pulled her under an imposing stone archway.

    ¡°There, Jordan, up there!¡±

    Norae gestured wildly at a narrow niche in the sandstone, about halfway up the inner stone wall of the massive arch. The slim ledge, gouged out by the wind over the centuries, might just be wide enough for the both of them.

    Norae hoisted Jordan up onto the slender sill, and, with a running start, managed to scramble up behind her. Jordan caught hold of her pack, hauling her up.

    They pressed their backs against the rough stone behind, catching their breath. Despite the roaring flames, the temperature was dropping fast. Jordan turned frightened eyes on Norae and saw her exhaling gouts of mist, too. She ducked as another monstrous bang, like the sound of a grenade, rocked their precarious haven. She dug her desperate fingers into cracks in the stone behind her as the ground shook violently. The roaring persisted, like the long, unstoppable sliding of an avalanche. Jordan breathed fast and shallow, terrified on a primaeval level. She couldn¡¯t speak, she couldn¡¯t scream; she couldn¡¯t even hear herself think above the crescendo of obliteration.

    Beyond, the whole world was engulfed by flame. Jordan watched the very cobbles catch fire, burning, freezing, shattering. Ear-splitting screams rent the air, echoing over and over ¨C and on and on through Jordan¡¯s mind. She sobbed at the horror of the sounds, wishing she could drown it out.

    Rivers of blood spilled across the broken cobbles, flowing down the street below. They caught alight, flickering in long ribbons of blue flames that licked at the city, devouring it alive. And all around, the screaming.

    Oh, the screaming!

    A howling soldier, burning flesh melting from his bones, careened past beneath their hiding place. The two women recoiled, horrified.

    They cowered, trapped and helpless, and the world dissolved around them.

 Chapter 13

    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Fayne snarled. She slammed her hands down on the stone windowsill, drawing an impatient jingle from myriad bracelets. ¡°What the hell is that?¡±

    She whirled to glare at the timid faces standing in a semi-circle around her. As one, the group of apprentice Dreamkin recoiled from her flaming form, each hoping not to be singled out. The Queen bounced on the balls of her feet in agitation, flourishing a finger out through the window at the bright-burning sun. Five sets of terrified eyes followed the direction of her animated gesture.

    ¡°Well?¡± she demanded. ¡°It bloody wasn¡¯t there yesterday!¡±

    Across the eastern edge of the great orb, the light seemed to have disappeared. The effect was only a tiny sliver, but it was enough to be noticeable. It was as though the powerful rays of Andoherra¡¯s closest star were being swallowed, disappearing into an unimaginable blackness before they reached their full potential. The density of the shadowy blight reminded Fayne of the darkness of Betwixt, and an anxious shudder almost escaped her.

    ¡°By the Grace of Malevelyn!¡± she cried, ¡°What did I ever do to be cursed with the likes of you lot? You¡¯re Seers, gifted with Vision¡­! Are you telling me that none of you knows what that is? Oh, for the love of our Blessed Saviour ¨C where is the Grand Dreamkin?¡±

    As though summoned, a sixth figure quietly entered the room. Sighs of abject relief escaped from the other five, and Fayne whirled at them, spitting like a cat.

    ¡°Get out!¡± she shrieked, flailing her hands in impatient dismissal, ¡°GET OUT!¡±

    The snap of her voice was like the start gun to a comedic race. Within seconds, all five had tripped over each other in a gangling bid to vanish into the Betwixt. Fayne rolled her eyes and turned her back on the furore to face the newcomer ¨C an ancient, white-haired woman with a blank, milky gaze.

    ¡°About time you got here,¡± Fayne grumbled.

    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± the woman murmured. Her voice was soft and wispy, and she inclined her head ¨C barely.

    Fayne frowned. She wasn¡¯t quite sure if that was supposed to be an apology for lateness or a random statement of greeting. It always was hard to tell with the Dreamkin. She decided to let it go ¨C she had a far more pressing concern.

    She flashed out one heavily bejewelled hand in the direction of the sun. ¡°That¡­ was not there yesterday. What is it?¡±

    Galva Zkr peered with rheumy eyes at the blight upon the great star. She pursed her wrinkled lips, uttering soft curses under her breath.

    ¡°Warned her¡­¡± she mumbled crossly. ¡°Warned her I did¡­ Should have seen you coming. End of her magic, end of us all.¡±

    ¡°What are you babbling about?¡± Fayne snapped.

    ¡°Another time¡­¡± Galva said. She looked Fayne up and down vaguely, as if she¡¯d only now realised who stood beside her. ¡°Another Queen¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, no! Oh no, you don¡¯t!¡± Fayne snarled, thrashing her fiery head at the cryptic comment. ¡°No whimsy, witch! I will not fall victim to some ambiguous prophecy! If you had just told Asbeth ¡®look out for the Firekin, she¡¯s going to kill you¡¯, instead of some ridiculous vagary, our dear old Queen might still be with us today!¡± She paused, jabbing a painted fingernail at Galva to emphasise her point. ¡°BE. SPECIFIC.¡±

    Galva¡¯s gaze lost that faraway look in an instant. She snapped her frowning gaze direct to Fayne for the first time.

    ¡°That¡¯s better, darling,¡± Fayne crooned. ¡°Now, out with it¡­ What does it mean?¡±

    Galva harrumphed, unapologetic. ¡°The world is ending, that¡¯s what it means.¡±

    ¡°WHAT!¡±

    Fayne leapt back to the window, the layers of her glamorous green gown lagging half a step behind her action. The Fire Queen glared at the sun, and its dark spot, as though it had personally insulted her.

    ¡°Why is it ending?¡± she shrieked, hammering a fist on the stone sill. ¡°It can¡¯t be! Things are going so well!¡±

    She rounded on the Grand Dreamkin, but Galva didn¡¯t flinch. The elderly woman regarded the sparking Firekin with unruffled calm, raising one bushy grey eyebrow at her ostentatious reaction.

    ¡°Something appears to have set it off, Your Majesty.¡±

    Fayne seethed. ¡°How¡­?¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not entirely sure¡­¡± Galva replied slowly. ¡°The Visions of a Dreamkin are often clouded and difficult to ascertain-¡±

    ¡°I meant,¡± Fayne interjected, ¡°HOW in all the Realms did you end up First amongst your Order?¡± She pouted and adopted a dull monotone. ¡°Something appears to have set it off, Your Majesty¡­ Gracious, you don¡¯t say!¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    She groaned, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead, squeezing her eyes shut. ¡°Malevelyn¡¯s Mercy ¨C however am I to survive you fools?¡± Emerald flashed, and she glared at the Grand Dreamkin. ¡°For the last time¡­ Do you have anything useful to contribute about this¡­ this¡­ shadowy sun¡­?¡±

    Galva looked as though she had a thousand things she¡¯d like to contribute. But she bit her tongue, resigned herself to the Queen¡¯s bidding.

    ¡°The Dark of the Sun is-¡±

    ¡°An old wives¡¯ tale!¡± Fayne exploded. ¡°Is that the best you¡¯ve got? Children¡¯s stories?¡±

    Galva scowled. ¡°The Dark of the Sun is not an old wives¡¯ tale, Your Majesty. It is a terrible omen. Legend says that it happened once before, aeons ago, in the time of Malevelyn the Blessed. Andoherra corroded then, too, consuming itself, and most everything upon its surface.¡± Fayne cocked her head, fuming as she heard the bad news, but Galva adopted a careful calm, and continued. ¡°Fortunately, Malevelyn put a stop to it nine thousand years ago. Unfortunately, you recently saw to the end of her bloodline, so there is no one left to ask how she did it.¡±

    Fayne spluttered, sparking. Oh! Asbeth was likely laughing from her grave! The Queen¡¯s expression darkened at the thought. ¡°Talk about a well-kept family secret!¡± she cursed. ¡°Come now, Galva, there must be something. You are the Grand Master of Dreams ¨C Keeper of Histories, Seer of Unseen Things, etcetera, etcetera¡­ Tell me how to fix this!¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Galva¡¯s pursed her lips as she thought. ¡°There might be a way¡­¡± Her voice took on a quiet drone, dragging out each word as she shuffled through her thoughts. ¡°Hmm, perhaps¡­ No. Yes? Could it work¡­?¡±

    ¡°Tell me!¡± The Queen bit out.

    She all but shook the woman by the shoulders, regretfully deciding at the last moment that it might not be wise. She folded her itching arms and ground her teeth, resorting to palpable silence as the old woman collected her musings.

    ¡°Yes, yes¡­ it might work¡­¡± Galva said, nodding to herself.

    The film of otherness drew across her vision once more. Fayne mimed pulling her hair out, but Galva appeared not to notice. She was seeing things not of the mundane. All Fayne could do was wait, and she did, but tapped one clawed finger against her pursed ruby lips the entire time.

    At last, Galva wobbled her head, dispelling the fog of Vision from her mind.

    ¡°I believe there is a way to avert disaster, Your Majesty,¡± she whispered, her tone sombre. Fayne leaned forward, tense as a spring. ¡°There is an old spell, an Unmentionable, which could divert the corrosion into a¡­ vessel, of sorts. It is not a pretty spell ¨C and can have disastrous consequences ¨C but it is the only possible option open to you. I can make the necessary preparations, but, of course, you will need the Lat¡¯Nemele to achieve the best results-¡±

    ¡°Oh, great,¡± Fayne interrupted. She sniffed, tossing her glorious head. ¡°Of course we need the Lat¡¯Nemele...¡±

    ¡°Indeed, Majesty,¡± Galva agreed gravely, misunderstanding the connotations of Fayne¡¯s comment. ¡°It cannot be achieved without her.¡±

    Fayne huffed out a sigh, wondering how on earth she was going to convince Nerys to cooperate, considering how they¡¯d last parted ways.

    ¡°Fine,¡± she snapped, ¡°Prepare the spell in the Vaults. I have no wish to incite panic amongst my subjects. We will work this magic where no prying eyes may bear witness. Commandeer whatever supplies you need from Eoscan¡¯s reserves, in my name. Meanwhile, I will summon the Lat¡¯Nemele. Be sure to have everything ready by sundown. I will bring Nerys then. I wish the whole unpleasant business completed as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Majesty. As you command.¡±

    Fayne nodded her dismissal, and Galva ported away through a white fog that looked a lot like powder. Fayne wrinkled her nose in distaste ¨C the old woman smelled funny, as did her magic.

    With a sigh, the Firekin strolled back to the window. She plopped herself down upon the broad stone bench beneath it, rested her magnificent head on her fist with a sulky pout. Outside, the late-summer sky was blue and clear. The sun, bright burning yet shadowed, hung above Andoherra like an accusation. She glared at the disease crusting upon its surface, cursing the promise of disaster.

    The Dark of the Sun.

    The portent for the world ending.

    Fayne growled deep in her throat, balling her fists against her cheeks in frustration. Oh! And things had been going so well. The past two decades truly had been the summer of her life. The influence she wielded as World Queen had proved sweeter than she¡¯d imagined. The games of intrigue between opposing factions across any and all races were like a drug to her.

    She liked manipulating people¡­ kingdoms¡­ history.

    If the world ended, it would all be for nought. She sighed crossly. Corrosive wild-magic was a little more than she had bargained for. She had an idea of how to fix it, but to do so she had a hard choice to make ¨C of the irrevocable kind. Although she hadn¡¯t admitted it, she was vaguely familiar with the course of action the Grand Dreamkin had suggested.

    It really wasn¡¯t pretty¡­ Nor was it guaranteed to work.

    And it commanded a high price.

    She pursed her lips, forcing a breath through them. She closed her eyes tight against the course of action she was walking herself into. She felt her resolve falter, opened them again in a flash. No, she decided, she had to go through with it; she couldn¡¯t let go of the fruits she¡¯d toiled for more than a century to bear.

    Indeed, there was only one thing to do. She would have to swallow her pride, and go find Nerys. She turned her back on the sun to lean against the sill with a frustrated groan.

    ¡°Could this day get any worse¡­?¡±

    Running feet answered her, and a scurrying soldier all but fell through the heavy doors. He opened his mouth to spill his news, but Fayne threw up a hand to stay him.

    ¡°Hold!¡± she snarled, ¡°I swear to Malevelyn, if you do not have good news, I will incinerate you!¡±

    The soldier¡¯s breath exploded out of his nose. His stymied words bubbled at his lips, but he held his tongue in confusion.

    ¡°Oh, fine,¡± Fayne snapped. ¡°Out with it, then.¡±

    ¡°Majesty-King-Droahbar-messenger!¡± the soldier blurted ¨C as if delivering his breathless words at speed might lessen their effect, ¡°Lat¡¯Nemele-Third-Kingdom!¡±

    ¡°What kind of garbled message is that?¡± Fayne exclaimed, ¡°Summarise, man!¡±

    ¡°Majesty!¡± He snapped a salute, breathing hard, ¡°The Lat¡¯Nemele is laying waste to Nova Azuros!¡±

    Fayne stiffened as his words sank in. The soldier cowered, trembling in his boots ¨C he wouldn¡¯t be the first bearer of bad news that the Fire Queen had destroyed. He braced, expecting the worst.

    Fayne exploded in a swathe of crimson fire.

    ¡°Dammit, Nerys!¡± she roared.

    The soldier found himself engulfed in a fog of hot smoke and yelped in terror. But the red haze shortly faded, and he found himself still standing, still in one piece. He fell to his knees, sobbing unabashed tears, unable to believe his luck.

    For the World Queen was gone, evaporated into the Betwixt on a tide of unspeakable fury.

 Chapter 14

    A lifetime had passed. At least, it felt like it ¨C Jordan surely had watched hers flicker before her eyes. Her breath leapt in terrified gulps and her heart bucked in her chest, but the world beyond had fallen still.

    Silent.

    Jordan turned her head sideways, seeking Norae. The other was still there, clinging to the wall like a rock gecko.

    She blinked back at Jordan and whispered, ¡°Are you hale?¡±

    Jordan nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She leaned into the wall at her back for security and looked down.

    Below, the eerie fire had scorched the rivers of blood onto the ground like the charcoal sketch of some macabre artist. They no longer burned, and the stark network of etched black lines had cooled to a sprawling, grisly web. Jordan chewed at her lip, unnerved by the idea, and fervently hoped that they would not meet the spider.

    Somewhere outside and above, shadows flew past with frightening speed.

    Norae took a deep breath and leapt down from their perch, landing on steady feet amidst the rubble. Furtive, she checked their surrounds before nodding up to Jordan. She began to clamber awkwardly down, using precious time they didn¡¯t have.

    ¡°Hurry, Jordan!¡±

    Jordan panicked and let go of the ledge, dropping down with a sharp yelp. Norae caught hold of her sleeve to steady her as she landed, keeping her upright. She caught Jordan¡¯s eye and brought one finger against her dark, full lips in wordless warning. Jordan nodded, abashed, and pressed her own lips tight together to quell any other unexpected sounds she might utter.

    The eerie quiet persisted.

    Together, they stepped out from beneath the archway, listening hard.

    Nothing moved.

    Not a single sound disturbed the pervasive silence. Norae picked her way across the rubble, intent on finding Thallo and leaving the city as fast as possible. Jordan followed without complaint. She fixed her gaze on her companion¡¯s back, trying to avoid seeing the destruction around them. In the distance, soldiers shouted, and the rattle of armour floated through the still air. High above their heads, a feral call distracted her. Jordan looked up, to see creatures larger than horses flying in a staggered grid pattern above the city. She caught her breath ¨C gryphons! She strained after them, but in short seconds, they had passed over. Disappointed, she dropped her gaze back to her feet, but too late ¨C she tripped on an upturned cobblestone. With a strangled yelp, she tumbled sideways, rolling instinctively to lessen the fall.

    She landed with her face mere inches away from another. Glassy eyes stared back, unseeing.

    The left cheek was burnt clean away, exposing a line of clenched ivory teeth. The slack, tattered mouth wobbled as if suppressing a tortured scream. It emitted instead a single black fly. The insect crawled out, paused on the remains of the lower lip. It twitched out its wings, buzzed, and flew away.

    Jordan pushed herself violently backwards, away from the horrible head. Her mind swam as she realised it was just a head ¨C still trailing part of the spinal cord.

    Her stomach heaved and she turned aside, retching until her belly was empty. Tears of horror clouded her lashes. Norae knelt beside her, rubbing her back, frowning accusation at the remnants of the head. It was Jordan¡¯s first dead body, but a far cry from a first for Norae.

    ¡°Come on,¡± she said at length, tugging Jordan upright. ¡°Will get used to it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to get used to it!¡± Jordan croaked, wiping her mouth with her sleeve.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Norae replied ¨C for want of anything else to say.

    Jordan scowled but said nothing; it wasn¡¯t Norae she was upset with.

    The Callkin urged her onward, cautiously checking around each corner before proceeding. They passed many more severed limbs, shattered torsos ¨C the carnage was unprecedented. Even Norae swallowed at the savagery that had torn the town apart. She set a careful course through the fleshy debris, skirting the blood and gore wherever possible.

    Jordan trained her gaze on her feet, absorbed with avoiding a repeat fall, ignoring the horrors around her as best she could. She didn¡¯t look up, she didn¡¯t look around, she simply followed Norae. She was so engrossed in watching the progress of her feet that, when Norae held out a hand to stay her, she walked straight into it.

    She flung her head up with a start, heart hammering, but Norae snapped a hand over her mouth to prevent her from uttering a sound. The Callkin pulled her roughly towards the base of a shattered statue, and they ducked behind it. Silent as a mouse, Norae peeked around the edge.

    A sea of red spread across the large square ahead, dotted by islands of bodies. Massive crystals, black, glassy, and tall as three men, broke through the smashed cobblestones at erratic intervals. They reared high into the sky like tortured icicles. Several sported recently impaled corpses, most of which were already topped by bickering jackdaws. Toppled soldiers lay in their hundreds, fanned out like autumn leaves.

    Deep in their midst, a lone woman stood in dreadful silence.

    She was covered in blood, and ribbons of shadow magic swirled through the air around her. The smoky streams of Darkness curled, clinging to her midnight dress, caressing the bare skin of her arms and shoulders. She pivoted her head from side to side, lips parted, tasting the burnt air. Her eyes, black as the depths of night, roved ¨C seeking a new target.

    Norae ducked back down and pressed her back to the cold stone, mouthing a quick prayer for salvation.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Jordan trying to peer over the edge of the plinth to see for herself. Norae hauled her down out of sight.

    ¡°Nerys Dur¡¯Borran,¡± Norae groaned. She leaned forward to grip Jordan by the shoulders and her voice dwindled to the barest squeak. ¡°She is hunting ¨C she sees us, Jordan, we dead!¡±

    Jordan sobered, staying low behind their pitiful shield of her own accord. Their breath sounded loud in their own ears as they waited.

    ¡°What do we do?¡±

    A phalanx of running soldiers, bedecked in crimson armour, distracted them. The troop carried a bristling array of weapons and wore dire expressions. Jordan leaned around the plinth to check on Nerys ¨C she had definitely seen the soldiers. Twin balls of black flame ignited in her palms, and the strange darkness coiling around her undulated with gathering momentum. She smiled, showing sharp, pearly fangs.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Jordan hunkered back down. ¡°We¡¯re right in the middle! We have to move!¡±

    Norae hesitated, her voice cracked with fear. ¡°We move, we dead.¡±

    ¡°If we don¡¯t move, we¡¯re dead!¡±

    The soldiers were almost upon them. The Lat¡¯Nemele unleashed a howl from the other direction. Horrified, Jordan peeked out once more. Ribbons of Darkness flowed from her eyes and mouth, consuming her, turning her into something inhuman. The orbs of black flame she held in each hand were growing larger by the second, fizzing and popping with savage electricity.

    Jordan¡¯s heart hammered as she realised it was far too late to move, anyway. She cowered close to Norae, who rocked silently and mouthed prayers to anything that might listen.

    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re going to die! We¡¯re going to die!¡± Jordan wrapped her arms around her knees, hoping death didn¡¯t hurt as much as she thought it would.

    Above them, the plinth began to mist over with a red haze. Jordan spun away with a stifled yell, pulling Norae with her. They ducked behind a pile of broken stones, staring wide-eyed at a font of red smoke. It billowed upward into the shape of a cruelly beautiful, redhaired woman. She materialised in a rush, dressed in an ostentatious, bottle-green dress. Her oversized coronet glittered in the sunlight; myriad rings flashed as she planted her hands on her hips. She stood in full view of the Lat¡¯Nemele, tongues of red and orange fire dancing up her arms to shimmer in waves across her shoulders. The colourful flames offset the smoky cherry hues of her hair, and Jordan caught her breath. After her myriad visions, she would recognise Fayne anywhere.

    Behind the Queen, the soldiers skidded to an uneven halt, dropping to their knees. They hailed her, begging her command, but she ignored them. Her attention was riveted to the brunette across the square.

    ¡°Nerys!¡± she called out, ¡°Enough!¡±

    Her voice rang across the silence, firm, unafraid, and buoyed by the sharp edge of temper. But the Lat¡¯Nemele only growled. The Darkness around her flared as she collected her power, fusing it into a tangled sphere of malevolence. She drew back to strike.

    ¡°Come, Jordan, our chance!¡± Norae tugged at her, indicating that they should run.

    They bolted, but instinct turned Jordan¡¯s head, and horror stopped her cold. The Lat¡¯Nemele had seen them ¨C and shifted her attack to the moving target. With reactions she didn¡¯t know she had, Jordan leapt forward and knocked Norae out of the way just as Nerys launched the black firebolt. Jordan braced for the impact, but she wasn¡¯t quite prepared for the force it delivered.

    She cried out as the magic lashed across her back, tearing into her with demonic claws. It lacerated her shirt and skin with the speed of a whip tail, leaving an unholy burning sensation in its wake. The breath exploded from Jordan¡¯s lungs; her eyes popped wide in horrid surprise. The darkness plunged through the open wounds. It roared through her blood, gushed into her mind, filled her with poison as it consumed her from the inside out.

    Time stood still.

    Jordan heard herself gasp a quiet, desperate breath.

    Infinitely, she looked up, met the shocked gaze of the open-mouthed Queen.

    Agonisingly, she blinked.

    Slowly ¨C so slowly ¨C she exhaled.

    And then she passed out.

    Nerys threw back her dark head and screamed like a wild animal. But she did not attack again. The shadowy magic billowed around her, thickening with sinister speed until it obscured her altogether. She vanished on the spot, another wild scream echoing through the air in her wake.

    Fayne¡¯s head snapped up as the Lat¡¯Nemele disappeared. With a furious cry, the Queen launched herself off the plinth in the direction of Nerys¡¯ vanishing. She ported in mid-air through a rush of red smoke, and in the wake of their departure, silence descended.

    It hung in the air. Palpable, frightening.

    Norae screamed, flung herself over shattered stone and flesh alike, racing to reach Jordan, who lay unmoving in the dust and blood. She caught her up by the shoulders, shaking desperately. Tears rained down her cheeks as she begged her to wake. In a lucid state, she would have known that no one could survive a blast of dark magic like that, but she was too full of grief to comprehend reality. She sobbed, cursing Jordan¡¯s stupid heroics, begging her not to die. Jordan did not respond, her skin grey, her breath stopped. Around them, the square emptied of soldiers, pressing on to inform their King of events befallen.

    Soon, silence resumed but for the Callkin¡¯s wailing. She lowered Jordan to the ground, her tears wetting the other¡¯s face. She stroked Jordan¡¯s cheek, shaking her head in despair, murmuring her name over and over.

    Heat flared. She jerked her hand away with a yelp, nursing it as her palm throbbed an angry red. Her eyes watered from pain as much as grief, and confusion plagued her. She looked back at her fallen friend, baffled, until comprehension dawned ¨C she flung herself out of the way as Jordan¡¯s body caught fire.

    Hissing flames tipped with blue the colour of sky, erupted around her. The inferno raged, forcing Norae to retreat to a safe distance. She did so with uneasy steps, her astonished, fearful gaze never leaving the burning girl for a moment. As the fire roared, Jordan¡¯s entire body surged upright, levitating above the ground like a puppet suspended on strings. A sharp cry fled from her lips; her back arched as her eyes flew open. The flames gathered intensity, hugging her form, coalescing in brilliant illumination. As Norae gaped, Jordan¡¯s hair shimmered from mousy blonde to a vibrant shade of lilac, her eyes turned from blue-grey to true silver. Time seemed to hang suspended as a dark bubble gathered above Jordan¡¯s prone chest. Shadows chased each other within the translucent, smoky orb, until ¨C at last ¨C it burst, setting free hundreds of smoky black butterflies. Purple whips of flame flashed out with incredible speed, incinerating the shadows, and not a single butterfly escaped.

    The inferno subsided, and Jordan¡¯s body drifted to the ground. The flames snuffed themselves, and Norae blinked at the return to the normal light of day ¨C dull in comparison to the flaring magic. Jordan groaned and rolled over, pushing herself unsteadily to a sitting position. Foggy, she squinted, blinking hard.

    ¡°Norae¡­?¡± she croaked. Her voice was parched, papery. ¡°Got any water? I¡¯m so thirsty¡­¡±

    The mundane request spurred the incredulous Callkin to action. She leapt forward, scrabbling in her pack. Speechless, she held the waterskin out to Jordan, who drained it immediately. The water had hardly cleared her throat before she was asking for more. Norae hurriedly fished out the waterstone and refilled the skin, and Jordan drained that, too. When she was sated, she wiped her lips with the back of her hand and looked up at Norae with a strange expression.

    ¡°What¡­ happened?¡± she whispered, hugging herself and suppressing a shiver.

    Norae, shaking her head in amazement, crouched down beside her.

    ¡°Jumped in front of shadow magic, what happened.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t die?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Norae stated flatly. ¡°So now can kill you for scaring so.¡±

    Jordan managed a laugh, and Norae smiled back weakly. The Callkin looked her over.

    ¡°Not all,¡± she continued, her expression shadowed and serious, ¡°Have changed, Jordan.¡±

    ¡°Changed? The hell does that mean?¡±

    Norae dug a small signal mirror out of her pack. She handed it to Jordan, who took it in both hands and stared at her reflection. Words failed her as strange, silver eyes blinked back. She reached up, ran a cautious hand through her bright hair.

    Norae reached out to take the mirror back, lips pressed to a thin line. ¡°Any more argument about if are the princess?¡±

    Jordan stared at her in mute appeal.

    ¡°Cannot believe survived that,¡± Norae added with a snort, ¡°No more heroics.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± Jordan exclaimed, ¡°I was saving your ass!¡±

    ¡°Am grateful,¡± Norae allowed, ¡°But are the Heir of Andoherra.¡± She held up a hand before Jordan could renew her protest. ¡°Undeniable now ¨C fool can tell by looking at you. Cannot throw self in front of deadly things.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Jordan huffed, folding her arms. ¡°Next time I¡¯ll let you get hit by the evil fireball.¡±

    Norae smiled. ¡°Thank you, for saving my life, Jordan. Or should call you Jordenna now?¡±

    ¡°My physical appearance might be doing strange things, but I¡¯m pretty damn sure I¡¯m just regular old Jordan.¡±

    ¡°If say so.¡±

    Norae held out a hand to help her to her feet and she rose, blowing purple strands out of her face.

    She tugged on a lock and grimaced. ¡°I wonder if I can dye this back¡­? I never was the punk type.¡±

    ¡°Pretty colour!¡± Norae objected. ¡°And¡­ look much like Asbeth, now¡­¡±

    Jordan snorted. ¡°Trick of the light, or something. C¡¯mon, are we going to get your gryphon, or not?¡±

    Norae smiled, though it did not reach her eyes. ¡°Aye, but perhaps rest awhile. Regain strength. Eat something.¡±

    ¡°You mean you¡¯re worried about me keeling over again.¡±

    ¡°You died, Jordan.¡±

    Jordan¡¯s face darkened. A hum shivered across her shoulders, rippling across the rest of her body. She forced a deep breath, and then nodded.

    ¡°I do feel a little shaky,¡± she admitted.

    Norae lifted her gaze to the blighted sun, quartering its descent to the horizon. ¡°Not for long, mind. Do not know how long Dark of the Sun is supposed to take. Come, will find quiet corner until nightfall, scavenge something from shop.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that, like, stealing?¡±

    A wry grin ghosted across Norae¡¯s worried face. ¡°Do not believe princess can steal. Not worry, will leave some coin.¡±

    Jordan sighed, feeling strangely light-headed. The thought of food heartened her, whatever the means of attaining it.

    ¡°All right. Lead the way.¡±

 Chapter 15

    ¡°Nerys!¡±

    Fayne cried out as she plunged after the Dark Sorceress. Her outstretched fingers missed the hem of her dress by inches.

    ¡°Nerys, stop!¡±

    But the Lat¡¯Nemele ducked around a giant tree bole, two steps out of reach. Her breath came in hitching sobs, her image glitched on the spot. The Darkness pulled at her without mercy, clawing at her skin, calling her back into the Betwixt. On a primal level, she fought it, knowing that if she went in again, she would never return.

    In desperation, she pushed away from the gnarled trunk, resorting to the only option left open to her.

    She ran.

    Living streamers of shadow, hissing and spitting, pursued her as she fled across the dense forest floor. Fayne dashed after her, too, but didn¡¯t manage ten strides at full throttle before she stopped, gasping. It had been a long time since she''d physically run, anywhere, and she clutched at her side to ward away a niggling stitch. Out of breath, she huffed at the ridiculousness of it as she watched Nerys pull away.

    Rolling her shoulders, she gauged the direction of her flight and ported with a snort of impatience.

    She came alongside Nerys from the inside of Betwixt, far faster than any Sorceress could run. She threw herself back out into the world, colliding hard with the Lat''Nemele and knocking her to the floor. They rolled across the carpet of pine needles, grappling until Fayne managed to pin Nerys down beneath her. Nerys fought like a wild cat, snarling in her desperation to escape. With an inhuman effort she launched Fayne off, but the Firekin recovered quickly and flung up a fiery cage around them both before Nerys could bolt once more.

    Trapped, Nerys growled and backed against a tree, bristling and feral. Her eyes dripped black poison, her image wavered in and out of focus even as Fayne watched ¨C as if something evil were stealing her very humanity. The Queen held up both hands and adopted as calm a tone as she could manage in the face of the snarling Sorceress.

    ¡°Nerys,¡± she whispered, ¡°Darling, it¡¯s me...¡±

    Nerys panted, spasming on the spot, clawing at the tree behind her. The Darkness roared, whipping her black mane into flurries around her gaunt face. She cut a frightening figure, but Fayne kept up her soothing monotone, inching forward one slow step at a time.

    ¡°Nerys, it¡¯s me¡­ You¡¯re alright, darling¡­¡±

    Infinitesimally, she closed the distance. Nerys¡¯ head whipped back and forth like a thing possessed, seeking an escape. But the bars of flame roared on all sides.

    ¡°Darling ¨C darling!¡± Fayne pressed, ¡°Look at me! Nerys, love, listen ¨C look at me!¡±

    Nerys, twitching, glitching, managed to affix her nightmare gaze on Fayne. She contorted, fighting the Darkness.

    ¡°That¡¯s it, darling,¡± Fayne breathed as she realised she¡¯d caught her attention at last. Gingerly, she pulled a pair of pearlescent shackles out from a fold of her dress and held them up for Nerys to see. ¡°Look here, love, these are for you ¨C okay? Let me help you, Nerys.¡±

    Nerys pressed herself against the tree trunk behind her, agitated, trying to stay still and focus. The Darkness whipped around her, holding Fayne at bay.

    ¡°Let me help you, darling,¡± Fayne persisted, keeping her tone low and steady, ¡°Remember, Nerys? It¡¯s me, I will help you.¡±

    Nerys whined, the sound escaping her lips on a tide of Darkness.

    ¡°You have to fight it,¡± Fayne urged. She swung the shackles like a metronome. ¡°Let me help you, love.¡±

    Nerys glitched, two inches to the left, and back again. Her image wavered, and the Darkness roiled. She clawed her fingers, fighting. Slowly, painfully, she forced out her trembling hands. Fayne closed the remaining distance in one smooth movement, shackled her with practised ease. She dodged away, and Nerys fell to her knees with a strangled cry.

    Shadow-magic roared.

    It swirled frantically, finding its claws thwarted as it tried to keep its hold. A tornado of dark screamed around her, consuming her. Nerys screamed with it, her head thrown back and her hands fisted in agony. The whirlwind thickened and rose upwards, pulling away. It rose higher, higher, tearing at her soul.

    At last, it swirled into nothingness, winking out of existence. Nerys remained behind, crumpled in a shivering ball on the forest floor. Fayne swooped down, pulling the diminished woman into her arms. She held her tight, rocking and crooning. She stroked her hair, kissing the top of her head.

    ¡°Oh, darling! You¡¯re alright, you¡¯re alright¡­¡±

    A sob tore from Nerys¡¯ throat, hot tears fell with abandon. She flung her arms around the redhead¡¯s neck, setting the shackles to jangling as she clung to her.

    ¡°I¡­ lost control¡­¡± Her voice was harsh, strained. She shivered uncontrollably.

    Her body spasmed still, but the violence of it had lessened. Fayne stroked between her shoulder blades, soothing her. Gradually, her breathing slowed, and her eyes returned to their warm amber shade. She sighed with quiet relief, but suddenly her thoughts constricted. She pushed back from Fayne as if she¡¯d been burned; Fayne caught her wrists before she managed to pull free.

    ¡°I tried to kill you!¡± Nerys whispered, struggling against Fayne''s grip. Her face was contorted with self-loathing, her mouth a hard, bitter line.

    ¡°But you didn¡¯t, darling,¡± Fayne murmured, refusing to relinquish her hold.

    ¡°But I tried,¡± Nerys repeated, horror winding through her tone.

    Fayne cupped her cheek with one bejewelled hand, and Nerys clung to her fingers.

    ¡°I forgive you,¡± Fayne said, quietly.

    Nerys relented, nodding with a sigh. She slumped down into the safety of Fayne¡¯s embrace, her consciousness waning. She was tired, so tired¡­ Her head lolled against Fayne¡¯s shoulder, and the Firekin murmured a spell to help lift her dead-weight. With magic¡¯s assistance, she bundled Nerys into her arms. Holding her close and cradling her dark head against her chest, she gathered her magic and ported them home.

    When Nerys woke next, it was sundown, though she gathered that by instinct rather than by fact. Wherever she was, she could feel that the energy of the sun was far away. She groaned and shifted, uncomfortable on the hard surface beneath her. She blinked, adjusting her vision to the dim light of crystal torches that lined the walls, and was confused to see that she was in a room hewn out of thick, milky stone. Flexing her fingers to get the blood flowing, she felt the hard presence of granite beneath her touch, and stiffened. Gathering herself, she tried to sit up.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    And failed.

    With growing alarm, she realised that she was tied down. She looked at the ceiling above her more carefully, and her whereabouts hit her in a rush. She knew this room ¨C she was down in the Vaults, prone atop an altar. Immediately she clawed her hands, reaching for her magic, but she hit only a hollow echo. Upon her wrists, Shackles of Soul jingled, invalidating her power. She growled under her breath at her predicament, and pulled at the bindings with sheer physical strength instead. But she was not so strong without her magic singing through her veins, and she sank back against her granite cradle.

    Thwarted, she paused to catch her breath and consider what to do.

    Her thoughts were interrupted by a sniff of disdain, and she whipped her head sideways in suspicious surprise. Her gaze lit upon an aged woman, hovering over a heckling cauldron. The nefarious black pot gurgled and belched ominous, mustard-coloured smoke.

    ¡°Galva!¡± Nerys hissed, recognising the ancient Witchkin, ¡°Release me at once, crone!¡±

    ¡°I cannot,¡± Galva cackled, not looking up from her stirring. She measured obscure powders from tiny vials, adding them to the viscous contents of the iron pot.

    ¡°When the Queen hears about this-¡± Nerys growled, but she broke off as Galva chortled.

    ¡°The Queen?¡± the old woman hooted in her wispy, ancient voice. She glanced over to the far side of the room. ¡°You mean, that Queen?¡±

    Nerys swung her head the other way, to see Fayne standing with her arms folded and her jaw clenched as she leaned against the cold stone wall.

    ¡°Fayne! What is the meaning of this?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nerys,¡± the Firekin said, shaking her fierce, fiery head. ¡°Truly I am.¡±

    Galva cackled quietly to herself, and Nerys¡¯ eyes flashed to her as she tried to understand her predicament. She turned back to Fayne, and her expression darkened.

    Her tone dropped to a low growl, and she strained at her shackles. ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡±

    ¡°If there was another way, Nerys¡­¡± Fayne lamented, swooning against the wall, ¡°But this is our only chance.¡±

    ¡°Chance for what?¡± Nerys pressed. Her fists were clenched, to stem her rising fury.

    Galva cackled in Fayne¡¯s stead. ¡°A chance to save the world.¡± She came to hover over Nerys and pressed two gnarled fingers against the soft skin of her throat, feeling for her pulse. ¡°You will be a hero, Lat¡¯Nemele.¡±

    ¡°I have no wish to be a hero,¡± Nerys growled. She thrashed her head violently, and the aged Dreamkin relinquished her efforts to time her heartbeat. ¡°Mark my words, witch, the moment this is over, you will be the first to die!¡±

    But Galva smiled and seized her wrist with surprising dexterity. Nerys sucked in a furious breath as the old woman sliced her palm with a curved dagger, and Galva pressed a piece of cotton cloth to the wound to soak up the golden stain. Nerys tried to close her fist to prevent her from doing so, but to no avail ¨C the cut was deep, and the blood flowed freely.

    When the white cloth was gilt and sodden, Galva turned away, holding it out in front of herself like a glittering trophy. Gleeful, she dropped it into the cauldron, which sparked and frothed at the limit of spilling over. When the foam died back down to a dreadful simmer, Galva dipped a long, contorted shard of anerradite into the concoction. It discoloured in seconds, taking on a brown-grey hue shot through with sickly yellow strands.

    The Dreamkin lifted it gingerly out again with a long pair of iron tongs, shaking off the thick, residual liquid. She placed it on a fresh piece of cloth to dry, and then turned to Fayne with a shallow bow.

    ¡°It is done, Majesty,¡± she rasped, ¡°The rest is up to you.¡±

    She gathered her things and made to leave, but not before pausing to whisper quietly in Nerys¡¯ ear. ¡°Consider this repayment, witch, for the murder of Asbeth Bal¡¯Talanor.¡±

    She threw her wispy white head back with a gurgling laugh and creaked from the room.

    Fayne didn''t hear her parting shot. She had stepped across to pick up the crystal dagger and turned now to Nerys with an impossible expression. Nerys stiffened her spine against the granite slab, staring at her with a hard, feral expression.

    ¡°Fayne¡­ whatever that old crone has told you, it is a lie ¨C a trick!¡±

    But Fayne approached with measured steps, holding the dagger out with two hands. ¡°It is not a trick, darling.¡±

    The strange sadness in her voice gave Nerys pause.

    Something was wrong ¨C very wrong.

    She eyed the dagger, and the still-simmering cauldron beyond, trying to place the spell. It didn¡¯t feel familiar, but she was damned sure by Fayne¡¯s expression that she wasn¡¯t going to like how it worked. She tugged at her bonds again, feeling the first stirrings of helplessness. Wryly, she understood how Asbeth must have felt, and ¨C not for the first time in her life ¨C experienced a tinge of regret.

    She stilled, raising her gaze. ¡°I urge you to reconsider, dear,¡± she said, holding her voice perfectly reasonable. ¡°You need me ¨C I am your Guardian.¡±

    Fayne sighed. ¡°I know, darling ¨C and I need you to stand as my shield one last time. The world is ending, and you are the only one who can stop it.¡±

    Nerys¡¯ eyes narrowed to slits as her memory stirred. She realised that she recognised the crystal shard, remembered the obscure magic it represented. She recoiled in horror.

    ¡°No! Fayne ¨C don¡¯t do this!¡±

    A stray tear escaped Fayne¡¯s long lashes. ¡°Do you think this is easy for me, darling?¡±

    ¡°Fayne¡­¡± Nerys whispered, in the vain hope that hearing the consequences out loud might stay her hand, ¡°The Fetters of Chaos will kill me¡­¡±

    But Fayne¡¯s green eyes turned hard as glass. ¡°Left unchecked, Chaos will kill us all. I am the Queen, Nerys, I have no choice.¡±

    ¡°Of course you have a choice! Choose me, as you promised you would! Leave Andoherra to its fate!¡±

    ¡°I cannot. I have worked too hard for this.¡±

    Nerys fell silent, and her expression became icy. Fayne hesitated.

    ¡°I am sorry, darling,¡± she offered.

    ¡°You are not, dear,¡± Nerys returned softly. ¡°You have never been sorry for anything in your life.¡± She lay back and stared at the ceiling. ¡°Get it over with, then. But know this, you make a mortal enemy of me. There is a fine line between love and loathing, and you cross it irrevocably today. If I survive, I will kill you.¡±

    Fayne''s smile was rueful as she shook her head. ¡°I want you to know, Nerys, I am grateful for your loyalty ¨C and your love ¨C all these years.¡±

    Nerys stared doggedly at the polished stone above her. ¡°You should have left me to die with my family at the Dawn Palace. Life with you has been nought but a misery.¡±

    Fayne closed the remaining distance between them and came to a halt beside Nerys¡¯ prone form. She raised the crystalline dagger, but Nerys turned her head and arrested her with a smouldering glare. Fayne faltered beneath the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s sudden detached curiosity.

    ¡°Are you truly so acrimonious that you couldn¡¯t love me?¡± Nerys mused. ¡°I have done all you asked of me ¨C everything, without question, for nigh a century.¡±

    A thoughtful frown creased Fayne¡¯s smooth brow. ¡°Indeed, darling, and you have succeeded admirably. But you should know, better than anyone else, that I have only one true love ¨C and her name is Power.¡±

    Nerys propped herself up on the back of her elbows. ¡°Is that all you''ve loved about me, all these years...? Only the Power?¡±

    Fayne¡¯s expression shifted infinitesimally, but Nerys caught it, and sucked in her breath in preposterous realisation. She opened her mouth to protest the injustice, but Fayne leapt forward, plunging the dagger down to cut off her accusations.

    She hit Nerys in the centre of her chest, pulled free of the cursed weapon as it burned her fingers. The shard waited there, lodged in the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s sternum, and Nerys¡¯ words choked away as she stared down at it in agonised perplexity. Of its own accord, the fragment shuddered. It dove deep without warning, tearing a savage scream from Nerys¡¯ lips. In seconds, the nefarious piece had disappeared. It burrowed down into the core of her being, leaving the Lat¡¯Nemele a quaking, writhing mess atop the stone altar.

    ¡°Yes, darling, I loved your power,¡± Fayne admitted in a whisper to her convulsing form. She forced herself to watch as Nerys¡¯ body bucked, and swallowed hard. ¡°But¡­ I never dreamed things would come to this.¡±

    At length, Nerys¡¯ wild thrashing quietened, and Fayne squared her shoulders. Swiftly, she reached over Nerys and unhooked the leather bonds pinning her down. Nerys still quivered, wavering on the very edge of consciousness, and Fayne released the pearly shackles last of all, freeing her magic. Nerys¡¯ back arched, pulling a strangled gasp from her lungs, and she hovered above the altar for several long seconds. As she dropped back down, unconscious but breathing, Fayne lingered over her.

    She pressed a kiss to the brunette¡¯s damp forehead. ¡°I did love you, darling¡­ in my own way.¡±

    With soft footsteps, she retreated. She did not look back at Nerys. Behind her, the discarded Sorceress lay deathly silent, fractured and alone. She teetered on the brink between life and death, a shade of her former glory ¨C a wasted life, nought but a cursed vessel of Chaos.

 Chapter 16

    In the dark silence hours before dawn, gentle barbs prickled against Nerys¡¯ awareness. She roused with a moan, fighting the last of her magic as it urged her back to consciousness with quiet desperation. There was a heavy, exhausted haze dulling her senses, and she wanted so badly to sleep. But the tic in her mind refused to let her rest, and at last, she gave in to it. Her eyelids fluttered open.

    Around her, the darkness was thick; the crystal torches dimmed out long ago.

    She was utterly alone. And she hurt.

    With a groan, she dropped one shoulder and rolled stiffly onto her side. She eased her legs over until they slid off the edge of the altar. Gritting her teeth, she used the momentum of their drop to hoist herself into a sitting position. She cried out as she did so, teetering on the edge of overbalancing, but she made it. Mostly upright, she sagged in place, nursing the stabbing pain that seared in needled waves across her chest. She could feel the crystal blade grate against her sternum with every breath she took, and each abrasion seemed to shear away a little more of her will to live.

    She drew a long, slow, careful breath, filling her lungs despite the agony.

    Biting at her lip to keep from crying out again, she found the edge of the stone shelf with her fingertips. Bracing, she pushed away from it. The effort it took was disproportionate, but she managed to lever her body off. Landing unsteadily on her feet, she clutched white-knuckled at the altar behind her. Shaking hard, she paused to catch her breath, and squinted through the darkness.

    Across the room loomed an aperture, less solid blackness than the space around it. In fits and starts, she manoeuvred herself across the empty floor towards the doorway. She took her time ¨C she had no fear of Fayne, or Galva, returning. There was no reason for them to do so; both knew that she would play out her purpose and expire in no more than a couple of days, at most. She kept her breathing shallow, forced herself in halting steps across the length of the dark room. At last, she reached the doorway ¨C more by instinct than physical sensation ¨C and paused again to rest. Hanging onto the doorframe, she clenched her jaw as her bucking heart hammered its protest against her ribs. The pain was making her dizzy, but, merciful as it might be, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to simply lie down and die.

    Holding out one shaking hand, she called to her magic. Lethargic, broken, the barest remnant answered its mistress ¨C a weak, tiny flame sputtered to life above her palm. It wasn¡¯t much, but in the sheer darkness, its feeble light was enough. Heartened, Nerys continued her slow, painful exit from the palace catacombs.

    Finally, she left behind the maze of Vaults that ran for leagues under the palace. She stepped clear of a little-used back entrance, and the night sighed soft around her. She rejoiced in the mild sensation of natural elements in the outside world; her magic might elude her, but the simple freshness of the air gave her heart.

    She had no idea where to go, or what to do. All she knew was that she had to do something ¨C or count herself amongst the myriad minions of Death. She staggered away, her strength deteriorating even as she pushed herself onward through the darkness. She had no plan but to keep herself moving, trusting to blind faith for her deliverance. She¡¯d nought else to call upon ¨C with Fayne against her, she had no friends in the world, and no one to turn to.

    Every other sentient creature either feared her or hated her.

    She¡¯d never cared for her unpopularity ¨C and she hitched a short, grim laugh ¨C but now it would be nice to have a friend. She let her hand hover above the crystalline curse embedded in her chest, not quite daring to touch it. Bowing her head and shedding a shameful tear, she admitted to herself that she was afraid.

    Yet she gathered her courage, knowing that to stand still was to despair. She followed the rough path beneath her feet, away from Eoscan proper, out into the caldera that surrounded the capital city of Andoherra. Her journey seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Her conscious thoughts abandoned her, and she shuffled forth one tired step at a time.

    Eventually, a brightening light caught her attention. She stopped, blinking to adjust her vision.

    Tucked into the treed skirts of a copse ahead, there stood a roadside inn. She frowned, trying to make out the shadowed signage as it creaked in the breeze. The board swung forward, into the light of the listing lantern; the peeling paint picture was of an absurdly busty woman, who held a mug of ale in one hand and a fireball in the other.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Nerys shut her eyes for a moment, wrinkling her nose. She knew this inn. It was one of her old hunting grounds, where she¡¯d often picked up thieves and petty criminals who¡¯d displeased the Queen. The Witch¡¯s Tits, it was called, and it was about as savoury as its name. It was the kind of establishment not permitted within the city confines ¨C a tavern with a questionable brothel upstairs. Worse, it specialised in catering for the lowest ranks of human men.

    The door opened, belching out a swaying giant of a man, who staggered forth atop a tide of bawdy singing. Nerys froze, watching in disgust as he relieved himself where he stood ¨C right in the doorway. He hiccoughed and sang a muddled verse of an unintelligible song as he did so, and then wiped his hand on his grubby pants. He half-turned to go back in, but stopped as he caught sight of her. He blinked, staring for a suspended moment. Realising she was real, and not a figment of his drunken imagination, he pursued his lips and cat-called at her.

    Nerys¡¯ fingers twitched.

    He stumbled a few steps in her direction and she called urgently to her magic, willing it to rise to her defence. It tried to answer her, sputtering at her fingertips. The man paused, his face draining of its rosy glow as his foggy gaze drew down to her sparking hand. But the attempted flame fizzled out and, try as she might, she could not reignite it. The drunkard returned his gaze to her face and his fearful expression disappeared. He focused with frightening clarity as adrenalin banished alcohol.

    ¡°Ayu,¡± he growled, cracking his filthy knuckles, ¡°Ah knows ye¡­ Ye be that damned bitch from up yonder o¡¯ t¡¯castle! Sumfink wrong wi¡¯ your witchy business, luv?¡±

    He shook his head to clear the last of the drunken stupor hanging about his ears, and regarded her with a wolfish grin.

    ¡°Narry a care, luv,¡± he simpered, all grease and mocking charm, ¡°Me ¡®n t¡¯lads¡¯ll take great care o¡¯ ye!¡±

    His stance shifted to menacing, and he resumed his approach. Weak, desperate, Nerys called to her magic ¨C again, again. Sparks fizzed and died at her fingertips as she backed away, but she couldn¡¯t hold it, couldn¡¯t reach it. Before she knew what had happened, he snatched a fistful of her hair, and ¨C with ¡®nary a care¡¯ for her impaled heart ¨C slung her roughly up and over his bull-broad shoulder.

    Blinded by the jolt of pain that seared through her from the shard in her chest, she could do nothing more than gasp for air, but she fought to stay conscious, to have a hope of defending herself. He carried her back and kicked the door open, causing the room to start in drunken surprise. All heads turned in his direction, and he flashed an uneven, toothy smile.

    ¡°Ayu, lads!¡± he crowed. He dropped his prize with a thump to the flagstones and held his arms out in a sweeping gesture of triumph. ¡°See here wha¡¯ mefound!¡±

    The room fell quiet. The patrons stared at the gagging, coughing brunette as she curled into a ball around her crippling pain. Her breath sobbed in fits and starts, but she tried to force herself to rise. As she lifted her head clear of the floor, the crowd gasped in terror and recoiled.

    ¡°Reyo!¡± a booming voice cried out in alarm, ¡°Ye fecken mad, lad? That be t¡¯fecken Lat¡¯Nemele!¡±

    Unperturbed, Reyo turned magnanimously to the speaker ¨C a second bear-like man who was the spitting dirty image of him.

    ¡°Ah know!¡± Reyo purred at his twin, offering an exaggerated wink. ¡°P¡¯raps we share, Jago?¡±

    Nerys almost made it to her knees, but Reyo kicked out at her with one giant, booted foot. He laughed as she collapsed under the blow, hissing in agony. She sparked and sputtered faintly, and Jago grinned, showing yellow, broken teeth.

    ¡°Her magik¡¯s broked!¡± Reyo explained with vicious amusement. He snatched her up again to make his point, held her dangling by her hair. She fell limp, hurting too much to fight him, and he shook her like a doll. ¡°See, lads? Free fer all, aye!¡±

    ¡°Ayu, lad!¡± Jago chuckled, wiping his nose on one meaty forearm, ¡°Ain¡¯ ye a good sort?¡±

    He clapped Reyo on the shoulder, reached out to grab Nerys roughly by her dainty chin. He tilted her pale face up to the dingy lighting, and her delicate features stood out in stark contrast to his thick fingers. ¡°Pre¡¯y sort, ent she? Ye Mav, she sure show ¡®er teeth t¡¯us afore!¡± He leaned close, his breath reeking of stale ale, and smiled a crooked smile. ¡°Luck! Now she jus¡¯ a bitch who los¡¯ her bite!¡±

    Summoning the very last dregs of her strength, Nerys spat at him. Jago laughed raucously and hit her with the back of his hand, splitting open her lip. His brother laughed, too, and trapped her wrists in one giant fist. He held her slender frame aloft, and Jago twined his thick fingers through the lace front of her fragile dress. With a nasty smile, he tore it open.

    Helpless, Nerys turned her head aside and squeezed her eyes shut, willing her mind away. Somewhere deep in her psyche, a golden figure swam into view. She clutched at it, fighting for focus, pinning the unexpected picture of her fellow Lat¡¯Nemele in her mind. She saw the blonde in all her glory, fierce and furious and raining down wrath, and her heart cried out for her. She tucked her thoughts safely into Calyx¡¯s tender hands, abandoning her terror into her charge.

    A wild thrum of magic escaped her, but someone lashed out with a furious cry. The desperate ripple of power raced away, fading fast, as the blow sent Nerys reeling. The room swam around her, distorted and darkening. Sobbing, she clung to the image of Calyx as her senses shut down, abandoning her body, blanking out her fate.

    In her oblivion, she didn¡¯t notice the flash of gold.

 Chapter 17

    Calyx gritted her teeth, firing off a rapid volley of molten balls of sunlight that seared across the dark sky. Her face creased with a frown of intense concentration as she glared at her target ¨C a monstrous dragon, spitting fire. Her fear was long forgotten, what remained was simple fury. She ignited another shivering ball of lightning around her palm and drew back to fling it.

    High above, the dragon roared.

    She unleashed the searing orb, watched it arc across the night, and then ducked back down. In its wake, the world fell silent, and, suspicious, she peered out from beneath the rocky outcrop she was using as a bolthole.

    Above, the moon was full, bright in the velvet sky. Thousands of stars glittered, frosty pinpricks of fire in the deep darkness. It was a clear night, beautiful and peaceful.

    Well, except for the damn dragon hellbent on her destruction.

    Calyx pursed her lips as its shadow reappeared, swallowing the lunar orb for a brief moment. It circled her position, and she scowled. Surely it was time to end this ridiculous game of cat and mouse? How long had the damn thing been hounding her? She wasn¡¯t sure, exactly, but it had been on her tail since the moment it had spotted her. She was no fool ¨C she knew exactly why it was so infuriated, but she thought it a little unfair how persistent it was being about the whole thing. She had grand plans of revenge, which should (theoretically) please the irritable beast, but it appeared that her death was preferable. She supposed she deserved it, but she would not go down without a fight ¨C it was not in her nature to die on her knees. A flare of prickling temper boosted her, and she launched a double fireball as the dark shadow came around again.

    She¡¯d tried, damn it! All her life, she had done her best to do her duty. She had fought against insurmountable odds for as long as she could remember. It wasn¡¯t her fault that a fluke event, right on the cusp of everything, had sent it all tumbling down into Chaos. Her brows knotted with indignance, and she leaned out from under the heavy granite slab to shout up at the boundless sky.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t my fault, damn you!¡±

    The dragon swooped low with an infernal roar, dousing her hideout with purple fire. Calyx ducked, waving the flames away, and then stuck her head back out again.

    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk!¡± she screeched, ¡°God damn it ¨C I mean ¨C Malevelyn damn it! This is as much your fault as mine ¨C probably more so!¡±

    That did it.

    With a howl of rage the beast threw itself to ground atop the rocky outcrop. Cursing, Calyx threw up her arms to shield her head against the falling scree, regretting her taunt. The dragon tore at the great boulders with sharp, savage claws, frantic to get at her.

    But abruptly, it stopped. Calyx risked a peek out, saw the dragon silhouetted against the stars, its head raised, testing the air. It snorted, spread its wings, and glided down in a sweeping circle to land in front of Calyx¡¯s refuge. Calyx set her teeth, ignited her magic once more as it advanced on silent claws.

    It stopped a mere breath away, enfolded its wings around its glistening body. They swept up again in a swath of silver smoke, and Calyx readied her fireball to strike.

    ¡°Enough, Calyx.¡±

    The magic fizzled at her fingertips, and the dragon, no longer a dragon, approached with measured strides.

    ¡°Esadora¡­¡± Calyx hissed, ¡°Decided to kill me with your own bare hands, have you?¡±

    ¡°Oh, hush, child,¡± Esadora waved her indignance away. She beckoned for her to come out from under her rock. ¡°Something has happened ¨C don¡¯t you feel it?¡±

    Curious ¨C wary ¨C Calyx stepped out into the clear night air, lifted her senses to the wind. She caught the forward song of a ripple of magic, rolling across the world. It sang nearer, engulfing both of them at once, and Calyx sighed in ecstatic relief.

    ¡°How did you feel that so far off?¡± she asked, impressed.

    ¡°Dragon sense,¡± Esadora answered, ¡°Far more sensitive to magic than any Witchkin ¨C even you.¡±

    Calyx nodded, seized upon her chance. ¡°Look, Esadora, I¡¯m sor-¡±

    But Esadora held up her hand, and Calyx bit off her words. ¡°No time for apologies, dearie, we have work to do. Jordan is alive, her magic begins to awaken. We have to find her before Fayne does. We can discuss your failures later ¨C rest assured, her being alive certainly helps your case.¡±

    Calyx curtseyed stiffly. ¡°Thank you, Majesty.¡± She raised her head, stifling a shadow of defiance. ¡°How will you command me?¡±

    ¡°I am no longer your Queen, child,¡± Esadora scoffed. ¡°I have not been so for a very many years. You would do better to find Jordan, and ask her how she might command you. I am merely asking for your help ¨C consider it a penance, for failing to protect Asbeth.¡±

    Sobered, Calyx bowed her head. ¡°There is not enough penance in the world to make up for my failure.¡±

    Esadora nodded, satisfied. ¡°Well enough. We must follow this ripple back to its source, and ensure Jordan is unharmed.¡± She stepped forward, menace palpable, and Calyx stiffened. ¡°Be under no illusions, Lat¡¯Nemele, you dragged my granddaughter back to this god-forsaken land. If anything happens to her, I shall hold you personally responsible. Your demise will not be quick, nor will it be pleasant.¡±

    Calyx swallowed. She had no doubt the Worldkin meant every word. Esadora readied herself to port, but Calyx cleared her throat to stay her.

    ¡°Majesty, a moment. Having been on the Old World for so long, there is something you don¡¯t know¡­¡±

    Esadora¡¯s eyes flashed, more steel than silver. ¡°Out with it.¡±

    Calyx took a deep breath. ¡°There is a second Lat¡¯Nemele. She serves the False Queen.¡±

    Esadora raised her eyebrows, and then laughed. ¡°That is impossible, child. There is only ever one Lat¡¯Nemele ¨C it has been this way for nine thousand years.¡±

    Calyx stood her ground. ¡°That does not change the verity of what I have said. Her name is Nerys, and she equals me for power.¡±

    Esadora¡¯s face turned grave. ¡°Are you certain of this?¡±

    Calyx nodded. ¡°I have faced her.¡±

    ¡°Who won?¡±

    ¡°Neither.¡± Calyx shifted. ¡°You¡­ interrupted¡­ before we could finish.¡±

    Esadora¡¯s mouth rounded with surprise. ¡°I saw her, then! I did not realise she was Lat¡¯Nemele ¨C I thought that was the stain of your magic hanging in the air.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°It was, but it was hers, too. Our magic is remarkably similar.¡±

    Esadora¡¯s lips tightened with disapproval. ¡°This is an unexpected thorn. Very well, Calyx, I will find my granddaughter, and you will seek out this Lat¡¯Nemele and finish her. Consider that a command.¡±

    Calyx bowed her head. ¡°As you wish, Majesty. I shall re-join you soon.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t dither,¡± Esadora warned, ¡°I will need your help to return myself and Jordan to the Old World.¡±

    ¡°To the¡­? But, Majesty, she must reclaim the Throne!¡±

    ¡°She will not!¡± Esadora snapped. The vehemence in her words made Calyx step back, and the elder woman levelled her with an icy glare. ¡°Look around you, Lat¡¯Nemele, look at the state of Andoherra ¨C the wild-magic storms are a clear indication that it is far too late! You served my daughter; you know as well as I what will happen if Jordan sits upon the Throne now.¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡± Calyx could think of no argument. It hadn¡¯t occurred to her before, but she did know. She understood it, had seen it ¨C was one of the very few who had. Esadora was right, it was too late for Andoherra ¨C all she could hope to save now was Jordan.

    ¡°I will hear no more of it,¡± Esadora said with grim finality. ¡°Deal with this other Lat¡¯Nemele, and return to me. We will wait for you at Queenhaven. My magic and Jordan¡¯s will not be enough ¨C we need your elemental power as an anchor. Together, we will open a portal and leave this doomed planet. Perhaps¡­ I will let you travel back with us, as a reward.¡±

    Calyx curtseyed low, genuine this time. ¡°Thank you, Majesty. It will be my honour to serve.¡±

    Esadora glared at her for a moment more, then spun on her heel. Her skirts billowed around her as launched herself into the sky. She transformed back into the dragon as she did so, gaining rapid altitude with powerful wingbeats. When she was high enough, she ported, disappearing in a haze of smoke that glowed in the moonlight.

    Far below, Calyx sighed, scuffed at the ground with her foot. She had been so hell-bent on ensuring the return of Andoherra¡¯s Queen, she hadn¡¯t spared a thought for the physical consequences of the elapsed time. She set her jaw, lifted her head; she would not be responsible for Jordan¡¯s death. She¡¯d been given a second chance, and she would make the best of it.

    She took three quick strides for a running start and waved her free hand to port into Betwixt.

    The cold, crushing darkness engulfed her, but she surged through it, heading for Eoscan and the World Queen¡¯s Palace ¨C the place she deemed most likely to find the other Lat¡¯Nemele. She counted, waiting for seven, but had only tallied three beats when an unexpected surge knocked her off balance. She spiralled sideways, expelling half her breath in surprise as a spectral hook of magic caught behind her ribcage. Merciless, it altered her course. Powerless to fight it, she let it draw her, concentrating instead on extending the last of the oxygen in her lungs. Just before she ran out of breath, a window hurtled out of the darkness.

    She braced herself.

    And hit it.

    Out of control, she careered from Betwixt in a flash of magic, smashing into a table and three stools upon exit. The smell of stale beer and vomit assaulted her, and the smoke from pipes hung thick in the air as she skidded to a halt in an unceremonious heap.

    With a groan, she pushed to her feet, using a broken stool for leverage. Before she was even fully upright, the strange hook tightened cruelly in her chest. The searing pain hit her like a kick from a mule, knocked the breath out of her. She doubled over, hissing until it faded to a dull throb once more. When it had receded, she took a moment to gather herself. She realised that she was holding onto the side of the toppled bar table and pushed it away from herself with unnecessary force.

    She crushed the remnants of the strange pain with sheer willpower. Wearing a mask of fury to hide her discomfort, she swept the room with violent eyes. Something beckoned ¨C she licked at her lips, tasting the hint of wounded magic in the air. Her petite fangs lengthened.

    Across from her, several unsavoury patrons had turned to stare. One kneeling man, trousers half-undone, was tugging at his belt, trying desperately to fasten it back up even as he hovered above the helpless figure of a battered woman on the floor. The diminished shape at his feet stirred with a feeble moan, and Calyx didn¡¯t need the next searing muscle spasm to tell her that this woman¡¯s distress was what brought her here.

    She also didn¡¯t need to be told that she¡¯d inadvertently arrived just in time.

    Her fury ignited. With a vengeful snarl, she kindled cruel balls of lightning in both hands. She bared her sharp fangs, regressing into the depths of her magic, and unleashed hell upon the ragged band before her.

    Their world imploded. Her feral hiss of fury echoed beneath the whining crackle of lightning, and she set to obliterating every soul she could see. A big, burly man yelled and ran at her from behind, brandishing a broken table leg. He didn¡¯t make it within three steps of her.

    She spun, wild with hungry retribution. A wicked flash of lightning cleaved him lengthways in two. A second giant man, the spitting image of the first, howled with horrified rage at his brother¡¯s rapid demise. He leapt at her from her other side.

    She whirled to catch him by the throat.

    Clawed fingers, a sharp barb of magic. She tore out his jugular before he could think to scream. His blood spewed across the already-slick floor, and, effortlessly, she cast his husk aside.

    The remaining bandits scrabbled like rats beset by a cat, but it was far too late for salvation. Calyx, her skin smoking with the lightning-hot touch of her magic, barred the doors with bolts of power, and eradicated them all.

    At last, at last, the dreadful screaming stopped. The smoking room fell still.

    In the appalling silence that followed, Calyx extinguished her magic. Shaking herself to dispel the dregs of feral power, she swept her predatory gaze around the ruin, alert to any sign of movement.

    But there was none. She was alone, but for the brunette curled up upon the floor.

    She approached with soft steps, cocking her head as she felt for the magic that had pulled her here, but it seemed to have disappeared. She reached the woman¡¯s motionless form and crouched down beside her, extending one gentle hand to touch her shoulder. There was no response to her mild nudge. She began to turn the woman towards her, but recoiled with a gasp.

    The curtain of dishevelled dark hair and rising bruises could not hide her identity. Calyx rocketed back on her heels, unwilling to believe that she was staring down at Nerys Dur¡¯Borran. She took two deep breaths, and then reached out and rolled the other all the way over onto her back, to be sure.

    Nerys moaned, but didn¡¯t stir.

    ¡°What in the hell happened to you¡­?¡± Calyx whispered, horrified.

    Chewing at her lip, she reached out absently to tug Nerys¡¯ torn dress back up over her exposed bosom. As she did so, her magic hissed in warning. She flinched, snatching her hand away, and narrowed her eyes to look closer. A growl pulsed low in her throat as she spied the yellow-black glint of the crystal shard embedded in Nerys¡¯ chest.

    ¡°Jesus¡­!¡± She pushed away in horror, the word a shocked gasp escaping her lips.

    She pressed a hand over her thundering heart as she stared. Nerys groaned, her eyelids fluttered. Her gaze roved for a moment, before settling unsteadily on Calyx¡¯s face.

    ¡°Wh¡­?¡±

    She didn¡¯t quite manage to push the word through her swollen lips. She tried to rise, but hissed in agony and slumped back down into unconsciousness once more, unable ¨C or unwilling ¨C to fight the pain. Calyx watched in silence, biting at the inside of her cheek, trying to decide what to do.

    On the one hand, here was her sworn enemy, helpless and at her absolute mercy.

    On the other, Nerys was clearly victim to the Fetters of Chaos. The likely consequence of killing her would be the start of a chain reaction, hastening the end of the world. The Fetters was also a hellish curse to bear, no matter how evil the host might be.

    ¡°Well, nothing for it,¡± Calyx said, squaring her shoulders and coming to stand over her. ¡°If you die, you¡¯ll kill us all ¨C and Esadora will kill me twice.¡±

    She dipped her head beneath the weight of her decision, and reached down to hoist Nerys into her arms before she could change her mind. She settled the brunette against her torso, cupping her head against her shoulder. Once more, she felt a subtle twinge, mirroring the location of the shard in Nerys¡¯ chest, and she frowned, wondering at the connection. It was odd, too, that the brunette¡¯s magic had pulled her off-track in Betwixt ¨C taking into account, of course, the fact that it was tied up in an unspoken battle with the magic of the shard. It was fighting to keep Nerys alive, which made it next to useless for anything else. More importantly, she was positive that Nerys would not have called her intentionally, which meant that their magic was somehow connected on a fundamental level. It was possible, she supposed, considering that they were both Lat¡¯Nemele ¨C and the only two to exist at once since the Dawn of Andoherra ¨C but the idea was exceptionally unsettling.

    She shook her head to dispel her wayward thoughts. She did not have the time to dissect it now.

    No, now... she had to do something about the ticking time-bomb she held in her arms. With a sigh of frustration, she adjusted her grip. She had but one choice: take Nerys to the only Witchkin who could help her, who also happened to be the person least inclined to do so. She was under no illusion of the wrath she would face when she returned to Esadora with the Dark Lat¡¯Nemele cradled in her arms, and she scowled down at the unconscious woman.

    ¡°This is all your bloody fault!¡±

    But she gathered her resolve, pulled her magic around herself, and ported ¨C carrying Nerys away with her.

 Chapter 18

    ¡°Majesty!¡±

    A breathless young Dreamkin hammered on the door to the Queen¡¯s bedchamber, sparing no thought for his own safety beneath the weight of the news he carried.

    ¡°Majesty! Please, open the door at once!¡±

    He reached for the handle, urgency making him foolhardy, but it was snatched from beneath his fingers. Fayne exploded into view, dressed in flimsy negligee, eyes ablaze.

    ¡°You better have a damn good reason for waking me at this hour!¡±

    The tall, willowy Dreamkin bowed so low his nose nearly swept the floor. ¡°Forgive me, Majesty! It couldn¡¯t wait ¨C the Grand Dreamkin, sh-she collapsed with a vision!¡± He stumbled over the words, wide-eyed and shaking. ¡°Sh-she has seen the Heir!¡±

    Fayne leaned against the doorframe and folded her arms, trying to decide if the boy was crazy or plain stupid.

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± she said after a moment. ¡°The Heir is dead.¡±

    He looked up at her, real fright plastered across his face. With impressive willpower, he collected his thoughts to speech.

    ¡°Forgive me, Majesty, but she is not ¨C Galva has seen her! The Heir will return!¡±

    Fayne clicked her tongue. ¡°If this is another of that old crone¡¯s tricks, I swear to Malevelyn¡­¡±

    But the young man shook his head violently, his emotions rising again at her lack of acceptance.

    ¡°Please, Majesty,¡± he implored, ¡°She bade me fetch you at once ¨C p-please, you will see¡­ I¡­ I think the Grand Dreamkin is dying¡­¡±

    ¡°WHAT?¡±

    Fayne swept her hand up, ensconcing her frame in a luscious dress of yellow that set her hair aflame. She pushed from the doorway, eyes hard as uncut emeralds.

    ¡°Take me to her!¡±

    Tripping over the hem of his robes, the young Dreamkin scurried to oblige. He accompanied her through the twists and turns of the palace halls at a blistering pace, sometimes half a step ahead, more often, she leading him. They reached Galva¡¯s quarters and Fayne threw open the door with little sympathy for whatever state the ailing woman might be in. Inside, the lumostones were muted, their warm yellow light barely throwing shadows across the walls. Galva lay, trembling and short of breath, in her modest bed beside the fireplace. Attendant Dreamkin hovered around her, but retreated in haste as Fayne swept across the room. The Firekin loomed over the old woman, glaring down at her.

    ¡°What nonsense are you spouting now, old hag?¡±

    Galva met her gaze with moony eyes. Her skin was sallow with sickness, pulled tight like paper over her stark cheeks. Still, a slow, spiteful smile puckered her lips. ¡°My time¡­ is done¡­ but I am grateful that life¡­ agreed to sit with me this while¡­ that I might dream the Heir returned.¡±

    Fayne folded her arms, impatient, incensed. ¡°The Heir is dead!¡±

    ¡°Is¡­ she?¡± Galva shifted her old bones in discomfort, but the smile did not abandon her lips. ¡°More fool¡­ you¡­ for not believing the visions¡­ of an old woman. Your time¡­ is soon done¡­ too.¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Fayne leaned forward over the bed, one hand fisted on either side of the old woman¡¯s head. ¡°Tell me what you saw.¡±

    Galva¡¯s smile softened as her thoughts turned inward. ¡°I saw Jordenna Bal¡¯Talanor¡­ hale¡­ beautiful¡­ full of life. Rebirthed¡­ from the darkness. Flanked by¡­ the ghosts of past Queens. Her eyes silver¡­ as evening stars, hair aflame with¡­ lavender fire. She will¡­ walk¡­ with a warrior at her side. A dragon¡­ at her heel. Sun¡­ and shadow¡­ watching over her.¡±

    Fayne pushed away and began to pace, confusion making her furious. ¡°She died with her mother, Galva! All the Kingdoms know it! They placed the babe on the same pyre as Asbeth!¡±

    Galva¡¯s breath rattled and she subsided into a fit of coughing, weakness spreading through her aged body. When she recovered, she forced words from her trembling lips. ¡°Mine is not to reason why, only¡­ to dream what is. I have seen her, a babe no longer¡­ come of age and into the blooming of her power. She will only grow stronger with¡­ each passing day, until she comes to claim her¡­ throne and save Andoherra¡­ from Chaos.¡±

    ¡°I saved Andoherra from the Chaos!¡± Fayne shouted, brandishing a fiery fist. ¡°I cast the Fetters!¡±

    Galva¡¯s eyes flashed open and her smile strengthened with a valiant effort, buoyed by victory. ¡°Aye¡­ you cast it. You couldn¡¯t have known it¡­ doesn¡¯t work.¡±

    Fayne baulked. ¡°What?!¡±

    Galva heaved a gurgling chortle. ¡°The Fetters of Chaos¡­ doesn¡¯t work. You have simply helped remove the¡­ single person who might have stood between you and¡­ your demise.¡± She stopped to catch her breath, fixed Fayne with a long, eerie stare. ¡°Nerys loved you, you know. The kind of love that¡­ can¡¯t be bought. I never understood the unsympathetic bent of her¡­ merciless actions, but in the shade of¡­ my death, I realise¡­ she was blinded by love. Her light¡­ never stood a chance. She lived¡­ her entire life¡­ in the shadow of evil ¨C your shadow. You¡¯ve ruined a¡­ perfectly fine Sorceress, Fayne. And you will pay dearly¡­ for it.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know what you are talking about!¡± Fayne snarled. ¡°Lies, all of it! A desperate attempt from a dying woman to lash out before her life fades!¡±

    Galva managed a half-hearted shrug against the pillows. ¡°Believe¡­ what you will. You¡¯re running out of time¡­ to do anything about it¡­ anyway.¡±

    Fayne paused in her anger, scowled as the old woman sank back against the feathers. The milky light in her eyes dimmed fast. ¡°What do you mean? When is your promised princess supposed to come and thwart me? Galva! Answer me!¡±

    The old woman drew her last breath, let it out in a long, slow sigh. ¡°She¡­ already walks¡­ among us.¡±

    Her soul slipped away, and Fayne threw back her head with a roar of fury. Beset by a terrible trembling, she turned from the dead woman, shoulders tensed, lips white-tipped. Her hands clawed at her sides, snapping flame, and she lifted a cruel, fiery finger to encompass the watching Dreamkin.

    ¡°One of you¡­¡± She fought for enough calm to make her words intelligible, and her throat constricted with the effort, ¡°One of you better tell me¡­ where I can find this little bitch¡­ You have one hour. Go, now.¡±

    The last word erupted on a tide of flame. Her magic thrummed red hot beneath her skin, and the Dreamkin paled. They ported away in a rush to attend their desperate quest.

    Fayne, breathing hard, was abruptly alone. She leaned against her palms on the edge of Galva¡¯s bed, scorching the sheets as she glared down at the dead Dreamkin. Galva, her greying face passive, peaceful, ignored her. A twitch began in Fayne¡¯s jaw.

    She knew ¨C Galva bloody knew all along! She¡¯d played her, plotted her revenge for Asbeth¡¯s murder, led Fayne on and astray. And now she was gone ¨C dead ¨C and Fayne was left to deal with unexpected consequences. The Heir was alive ¨C worse, she was of age, her magic awakening on an unstoppable tide. Fayne gritted her teeth, fisted her hands, watched as Galva¡¯s body caught alight. How? How had this happened? She had seen the baby placed on the pyre with Asbeth¡­

    Her face drained of all colour ¨C she hadn¡¯t checked, hadn¡¯t even thought that the child found dead with the Queen might not be her baby daughter... She¡¯d simply trusted Nerys to take care of it.

    Nerys...

    The Fire Queen growled, deep in her throat. Suddenly, she didn¡¯t feel so bad for condemning her lover to oblivion. Instead, she was disappointed that she hadn¡¯t torn her living heart out first.

    At a swish of magic, she looked up. The young Dreamkin who had summoned her to Galva stood a polite distance away.

    ¡°Majesty,¡± he whispered, ¡°We found her.¡±

 Chapter 19

    ¡°Jordan! Wake up!¡±

    With a gasp of fright, Jordan answered the summons, surprised to consciousness by Norae shaking her.

    ¡°Get up! Get up!¡±

    The urgency in Norae¡¯s tone sparked a surge of adrenalin and Jordan leapt to her feet, alert immediately despite heavy, lingering sleep.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Slumbered too long!¡± Norae exclaimed, her tone grim and frightened as she threw their belongings back into their packs.

    She swung her gaze about the small shop they had sheltered in, jumped up to commandeer a large cloak hanging by the door. She shook it, filling the room with specks of dust that shone in the light of glowing lumostones. Jordan coughed as she tossed it to her.

    ¡°Put hood up,¡± Norae instructed. ¡°Will help go unnoticed. Hair conspicuous.¡±

    Jordan held it up.

    ¡°It¡¯s too big,¡± she said doubtfully.

    Norae paused in her activity. ¡°Are serious?¡±

    Jordan blushed, ¡°Right, right, sorry.¡± Of all the stupid things to worry about ¨C but her mind was wont to ponder silly things when she was under stress. She flung the garment on and raised the hood, and Norae nodded in satisfaction.

    ¡°Come,¡± she said, ¡°No time! Must find Thallo and leave city fast.¡±

    Jordan nodded, shouldering her pack awkwardly over the bulk of the cloak. It really was too big, hampering her movements, but if it helped her blend in she wouldn¡¯t complain. Norae furtively studied the streets on either side, hefting her glaive in her hand and drawing comfort from its familiar weight. Her brows drew down, heavy with concern, for the streets thrummed with people despite the late hour and the day¡¯s terrible events.

    She chose a moment when no passers-by were too near, bundled Jordan out, and adopted an easy posture that belied her steel-sprung nerves. She turned them away from the shop, in the direction of the castle. Jordan followed as nonchalantly as she could.

    ¡°Why are there so many people?¡± Jordan whispered over Norae¡¯s shoulder as she sidestepped to avoid yet another hurrying individual.

    ¡°Do not know,¡± Norae returned uneasily, ¡°Something happening.¡±

    ¡°I hope we don¡¯t get caught in the middle of it all,¡± Jordan muttered.

    The crowds thickened, inexorably forcing them to follow along, deeper into the city, pushing them towards the castle. Norae kept trying to make headway through the throng, to push them out of the uneven centre of the road towards the shadowed buildings, but they were boxed in. Jordan followed as close as she could so as not to be swept away by the rivers of people, trying to keep her feet over shattered cobblestones in the dark. At sporadic intervals, the street lumostones that had survived the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s attack listed, throwing long shadows over the treacherous footing.

    ¡°Cannot get through!¡± Norae snarled through gritted teeth. She pressed against Jordan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Crowd too thick. Stay close ¨C stay on feet, could get trampled. For love of Malevelyn, keep hood up!¡±

    Jordan nodded, clutching the rough brown fabric tight over her luminous hair with one hand. She reached to clasp a strap of Norae¡¯s pack with the other. They were pushed past the street that led to the castle stables, and Norae gritted her teeth, crowding closer to Jordan. They had no idea where they were going, but they would go together.

    The stream of people flowed onward, drawing them with it, until at last the pace slowed. The river of people pushed through the bottleneck of the last narrow street, flooding into a massive square at the foot of the castle. Jordan glanced around, trying not to unsettle her hood. The open area was many times bigger than the square Nerys had decimated, and looked to be untouched by the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s tirade. Giant marble statues of fantastic beasts dominated the sides of the quarter, rearing high above the heads of the puny crowd. Castle-side of the plaza, a giant stage had been erected. It was bedecked with ostentatious d¨¦cor, hung with fantastic swathes of red and orange, and dominated by three immense white fabric screens above it.

    Norae clicked her tongue, scowling. ¡°Oh, not good.¡±

    She reached back to take a fistful of Jordan¡¯s oversized cloak and pulled her bodily through the crowd as it settled, taking them as close to the furthest edge as she could manage. Her scowl darkened as she realised the exit was guarded, as they all were, by soldiers in the livery of the Third Kingdom. She hissed through her teeth as she spotted Gryphon Knights, on foot, scattered throughout the crowd, calmly watching for instigators of unrest. One looked in their direction and she shouldered Jordan under the wings of a gryphon statue, tucking her against the plinth.

    ¡°No choice but to wait it out,¡± she said grimly.

    ¡°Wait what out?¡± Jordan asked, but a thunderous fanfare answered her instead.

    The stage hummed, exploding with tongues of fire. Acrobatic dancers in outrageously revealing costumes leapt wildly. A roar went up from the watching crowd; music filled the stadium, seeming to come from every direction at once. Electric, alive, it tumbled through the masses, setting their blood to racing. Lights flashed and the dancers cavorted, dominating the stage, working their way in ever-widening circles until they teetered on the edge. There, they assumed athletic poses and froze in place, and the music stopped on cue. In the sudden silence, the rush of crimson smoke was audible even from where Jordan and Norae stood.

    The World Queen appeared ¨C her image projected ten times larger than life onto the three giant sails above.

    The crowd went wild, sobbing and screaming, in a way that Jordan expected a stadium full of fans would react when their favourite popstar took the stage. She frowned at the analogy, watching as Fayne preened along the length of the gigantic stage. Her images echoed her; crystal clear, brighter than life ¨C more intricately defined than anything Jordan had ever seen on any screen on Earth. Jordan squinted, unable to see a trace of cameras anywhere, and wondered how they did it. As she watched, the Firekin flourished herself back along the stage the other way, basking in the adulation of her subjects. At last, she held out her hands for quiet.

    A pregnant silence reigned, and then the Queen spoke. Jordan jumped, for it sounded as if she was standing right behind her. Norae stilled her with a hand upon her shoulder. She steadied, and the Callkin pointed to a small crystal that was set into the statue behind them.

    ¡°Whisperstones,¡± she explained. ¡°See, Fayne wears King Crystal for this set, on choker. The stones echo every word, so all may hear.¡±

    Jordan turned for a closer look at the insignificant little stone, which resembled nothing so much as a shiny chip of gravel from where she stood. Another intriguing use for the malleable anerradite crystals.

    ¡°Do not touch,¡± Norae warned quietly.

    Jordan nodded, standing on her tiptoes to peer at it. Up close, she realised that the stone was more quartzlike, translucent ¨C shot through with greenish strands. She imagined it was quite pretty in the sunlight.

    ¡°Amazing,¡± she said, shaking her head as she listened to the melodious strains of the Queen¡¯s voice floating out of the whisperstone. ¡°I really have to get myself a piece of anerradite.¡±

    ¡°Will buy you one, if live that long.¡±

    Jordan shot her a scowl, but Norae shrugged with a lopsided smile.

    They turned their attention back to the proceedings. The Queen, a vision of remorse and regret, spoke in velvet tones that caressed the ears of her enraptured audience.

    ¡°¡­this tragedy is recognised by the Crown as the worst thing to befall the Kingdoms in a decade. I, myself, am consumed by sorrow for those poor souls who have lost their precious lives!¡± The back of her hand pressed against her brow; her mouth downturned in misery.

    ¡°Man, she¡¯s good,¡± Jordan muttered, ¡°No wonder the people love her.¡± Norae made a derisive noise deep in her throat, but Jordan shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s good to know what your enemy is capable of ¨C killing is easy, this¡­ is hard. She¡¯s clever, that one.¡±

    No matter what else the Queen may or not be, she was an accomplished dramatist. Her performance was mesmerising to watch. Fayne lamented some more, sympathising and crooning, promising retribution while the crowd lapped up her every word. She even went so far as to denounce Nerys, claiming that she had been sentenced to death for her crimes. Jordan and Norae exchanged a glance.

    ¡°The Lat¡¯Nemele served me faithfully for many years,¡± Fayne sorrowed in a sing-song voice, ¡°She is filled with regret by her errant behaviour and has agreed to aid me, one last time, as penance for her sins.¡± She paused, looking thoughtfully into the distance. ¡°As you are all well aware, wild-magic is loose on Andoherra. It has been for some time.¡± The crowd followed her gaze to the horizon, where distant lightning flashed with frightening rapidity as if to illustrate her point. She turned her gaze back down again, noticed their malcontent.

    ¡°Hush, hush,¡± she crooned, ¡°There is no need to fear.¡±

    She snapped her fingers, and four men dressed in yellow robes leapt to her command. They took up positions on raised podiums, north, south, east, and west around the plaza. As one, they began a synchronized dance in place, their hands swivelling with practised ease. Magic flashed, luminous in the darkness. Around them, the wind picked up, murmuring, whispering, condensing. Beads of sweat graced their brows, but in short moments a dome of air, visible by reflected light from lumostones, encased the entirety of the square. Beyond it, the lightning ricocheted, thwarted.

    ¡°You see,¡± Fayne smiled, ¡°I will keep you safe. That is my duty, as your Queen.¡±

    The crowd murmured their approval as the four men remained at their posts, feeding the shield. The Queen went back to her musings.

    ¡°Of course, simple shields cannot keep us safe indefinitely¡­¡± She paused for effect, letting the weight of her words sink in. ¡°But, I have discovered a solution, hidden deep within the archives ¨C an ancient spell which will be our deliverance.¡± The crowd sighed in happy relief, nodding to each other, whispering of their all-knowing, benevolent Queen. Fayne¡¯s smile broadened as she continued. ¡°This spelling will ensnare the wild-magic and put a stop to the spread of Chaos. The realms will sleep easy once more.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Cheering met her words, but she held up her hand for silence. The hubbub died away at once. High above, the storm descended in a crash of thunder, the first eddies of rain pelting the shield. They flashed where they collided.

    Fayne bowed her head as if the weight of the world rested upon her shoulders. ¡°There can be no great deliverance without great sacrifice,¡± she said. ¡°Magic of this magnitude requires no less than the price¡­ of life.¡±

    Ragged gasps gripped the crowd. Terrified whisperings stirred like leaves in an autumn breeze. Fayne let them wallow for a long moment, her gaze rippling across the square.

    Lightning flashed in the dark sky.

    ¡°What happened here¡± ¨C she gestured at the expanse of the city ¨C ¡°was a terrible tragedy. The Lat¡¯Nemele sorely regrets her loss of control ¨C indeed, wielding such great power can be its own burden. To redeem her soul, she has agreed that her execution should be in the best interests of the people.¡±

    Fayne stopped, sweeping her gaze across the masses once more, ensuring that every soul present hung upon her words. She let her expression grow grave, the face of a hero who has done what they must ¨C and at great personal cost.

    ¡°The spell has been cast,¡± she said softly, ¡°Nerys has been Marked, and she will take Chaos with her to her grave.¡±

    An explosion of sound met her words; the roar rocked the city. The shouts of jubilation echoed, again and again, off the walls of the air shield, even as sparking rain hammered the outside of it. Thunder rippled, the electric air whipping the crowd to a near frenzy of exultation. They were beside themselves ¨C Chaos and the Lat¡¯Nemele, both gone from the world at once? Fayne smiled benevolently down at her legions of faithful subjects. She basked in their adoration as a flash of lightning illuminated her proud visage.

    Jordan spared a fearful glance for the storm as she leaned over to Norae. ¡°They really don¡¯t like Nerys, do they?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Norae agreed, leaning on the butt of her glaive as she watched the crowd, ¡°Responsible for too many atrocities. Odd, though. Did not think cared much for ¡®common people¡¯¡­¡±

    Jordan made to reply, but the whisperstone vibrated behind her as Fayne cleared her throat. The Firekin straightened her crown, assuming a business-like pose.

    ¡°Now, there is just one more teensy-tiny thing I want to get out of the way¡­¡± She planted her fists on her hips. ¡°It has come to my attention¡­ that there is a traitor in our midst.¡±

    The crowd gasped, each person shooting suspicious glances at their neighbours; Fayne swept a steely glare across them all.

    ¡°This woman,¡± she continued, ¡°Brazenly insults our dear Queen Asbeth ¨C Malevelyn keep her ¨C by impersonating her murdered daughter.¡±

    Seething murmurs followed her pronouncement, growls of anger, whispers of injustice. Jordan¡¯s face drained of colour as she turned to Norae, hugging her hood close about her head. Norae set her jaw and sidled protectively up against Jordan, pinning her tight against the statue base to shield her from prying eyes. Far above, the ominous rumbling of the sky grew louder. Fayne¡¯s bright gaze swept the plaza once more, her face a picture of righteous wrath.

    She lamented, the sorrow in her voice pervasive. ¡°We all mourn still, for Asbeth, cut down before her prime¡­¡±

    Pensive, she advanced to the head of the stage, almost close enough for the crowd to touch. They reached out to her, restive, eager to show their loyalty to both the old queen and the new.

    ¡°I wished to tell you, darlings, that such an affront will not be tolerated.¡±

    She crouched down, silk dress fanning gracefully around her, her eyes hard as cut gems. She held out one slender hand, ran it through outstretched fingertips, bestowing her blessing as the people fawned their concern.

    ¡°I beseech you, fine people of Nova Azuros, do not fear. I will root out this insidious upstart before any damage can be done.¡±

    She rose ¨C to cries of distress from the front lines of the crowd ¨C and snapped her fingers. There was a commotion to one side of the stage, and three guards hauled forth a white, spotted gryphon. On either side stood Callkin in royal livery, each with a hand extended, forcing the creature to obey. Norae gave a strangled cry, her face tight with horror.

    The gryphon ¨C Thallo ¨C was made to bow down before the Queen, and Fayne loomed over her entrapped head. Unwilling disciplinarian, she besought the crowd.

    ¡°This creature is innocent,¡± she said, flourishing a hand, ¡°But¡­ she is tainted. She belonged to a disgraced Gryphon Knight ¨C a treasonous wretch ¨C who fled the capital under suspicion of conspiracy. This Knight is here, in Nova Azuros, playing accompaniment to the impersonator.¡±

    Shocked gasps agitated the crowd, setting it to buzzing. Fayne let the tension build for a long moment as she scrutinized the sea of faces. Norae and Jordan shrank back, sheltering in the shadow of the stone gryphon above them. The air hummed, electric with storm and emotion.

    Someone shouted, ¡°I¡¯ll find them! Let me kill them for you, Majesty!¡±

    A raucous crescendo of agreement followed, rising beneath a tide of ominous thunder. But Fayne held up a hand, and they stilled. In the shadows of the thickening storm, a harpy shrieked, thumping against the air shield like a vulture against glass.

    Fayne ignored it, gesturing magnanimously. ¡°Your courage is commendable, darlings, but I have no wish for any of you to put yourself in harm¡¯s way for my sake.¡±

    Her eyes flashed; lightning echoed.

    ¡°I only wished to warn you, that you might protect yourselves, your families, from the evil that stalks at our door. Tonight, in keeping with my solemn oath to you, I will make an example of this tainted gryphon. Let it be known that the same fate shall befall these two lurking traitors!¡±

    Norae sagged against Jordan, her breath left her in a desolate rush.

    ¡°Will kill her¡­¡± she whispered.

    Fayne drew herself up, flicked a finger in summons. A gravid hush sank over the watchers as the executioner stepped forward. She presented her great sword to the Queen, lighting it aflame with her magic for Fayne¡¯s approval. Thunder growled, rocking the shields.

    Expressionless, Fayne nodded her command. The Callkin pushed Thallo to her knees and held her there, her ears flattened in fear, beak snapping her distress. The executioner raised the wicked blade, illuminated by a triple flash of lightning.

    Jordan leapt to the top of the plinth, bellowed across the square.

    ¡°STOP!¡±

    Below her, Norae¡¯s face was stricken with immeasurable disbelief. ¡°Jordan, NO-!¡±

    But the words, the warning, fell on deaf ears, and it was too late. Across the sea of people, Fayne¡¯s head swivelled in their direction.

    ¡°Ahh¡­¡± the Queen purred, dropping all pretence of duty and demureness. Her smile grew wide, rapacious as a lioness, ¡°¡­ there she is.¡±

    Lightning flashed once more. The crowd surged, but was checked by the Queen¡¯s Knights standing staunch at their intervals throughout the square.

    ¡°Jordan!¡± Norae yelped, clawing at her face in agonized dread, ¡°Get down! Run!¡±

    Jordan ignored her unhappy, terrified friend. She cried out, with as much vehemence as she could muster, ¡°Release the gryphon!¡±

    The crowd buzzed, a swarm of angry wasps, but Fayne collapsed into laughter, and they quietened uncertainly. Mid-stage, the Firekin clapped jubilant hands. Her dress rustled, the gems at her fingers tinkled. She wiped mirth from her eyes, smiling broadly.

    ¡°Come, child,¡± she beckoned, voice lilting with amusement. ¡°Come here and let me look at you.¡±

    Jordan stood her ground, teeth gritted. Norae shuffled below, unsure what to do. Above, the storm roared.

    ¡°You said you wanted me,¡± Jordan called as the thunder paused, ¡°Release the gryphon, and I¡¯m yours.¡±

    Fayne hooted, entertained by her audacity.

    ¡°Oh, very well.¡±

    She flicked a disinterested finger at the executioner, who still held the flaming blade aloft. Disappointed, the woman lowered it and stepped back. The Callkin eyed their Queen hesitantly, lowered their hands as she raised an impatient brow. The white gryphon snarled at the handlers who held her captive, forcing them away. She lifted herself to her feet, shook out feathers and fur. Her beak snapped in warning, and the guards dropped her leads as she bounded away. She took flight, sweeping low over the heads of the crowd. Those in her path ducked as she banked sharply, and she glided to land on the statue above Jordan. Her claws sank into the stone, and she lifted her wings high with a hooting roar of challenge.

    ¡°Well?¡± Fayne gestured at the newly-freed gryphon. She held out her hand to Jordan.

    Jordan nodded, took a deep breath, and slid off the plinth. The hissing crowd parted before her, standing aside to grant her passage to the Queen. Above, a deep booming threatened to crack the dome. Lightning sundered the sky, and fat, poison drops of rain hammered at the shield. Norae shrank against the statue, stared with longing at her gryphon, and then, offering a small prayer, pushed forward to accompany Jordan.

    But Thallo launched herself off the statue and swept down to land in Jordan¡¯s path. Jordan stopped short in surprise, just out of range of the heckling wings and claws of the white gryphon. Thallo plunged in warning, and Jordan glanced sideways at Norae.

    ¡°Make her move,¡± she whispered.

    Norae swallowed the lump in her throat, stepped forward ¨C against her base instincts ¨C to oblige. Thallo snapped her beak, flattening her ears. Norae lifted a steadying hand, crooning to her, but the gryphon lashed out to drive them back the way they had come.

    Norae retreated, shaking her head, and whispered, ¡°Won¡¯t!¡±

    Fayne tapped ringed fingers upon her folded arms. Her warning whisper echoed from all quarters through the whisperstones. ¡°I do not appreciate being kept waiting¡­¡±

    Jordan widened her eyes at Norae, who gave a helpless shrug. She tried again, but Thallo became further agitated, refusing to relinquish her blockade. Behind the gryphon, Fayne ignited a ball of flame in her palm, bouncing it like a toy. Her affable expression darkened.

    Above, a bright flash of lightning threw a monstrous shadow down into the square.

    The crowd quailed. Every eye turned to the storm, searching for the source. A deathly silence fell, drawn out along a refrain of muted thunder. Fayne shifted her attention, ignited a second ball of flame, and scowled suspiciously at the oppressive sky. The four Airkin holding the shield around the plaza renewed their efforts at her unspoken command, and four more joined them to strengthen the buffer. The silence stretched out, even the storm seeming to hold its breath.

    Norae tugged at Jordan¡¯s cloak, trying to pull her away while the Queen was distracted, but Jordan¡¯s boots were rooted.

    An ear-splitting roar rent the air, borne forth upon a tide of indigo flame that smashed through the shield like the aircushion it was. The Airkin were blasted off their feet by the backlash of their magic as it was obliterated; they crashed to earth amidst the rising screams of the crowd. Howling wind and driving rain made short work of the remnants of tattered power. A swarm of harpies breached the gap, falling upon the defenceless people below with gleeful shrieks. Fayne erupted with flame, snarling orders. Gryphon Knights leapt to their steeds, bristling with weapons as they took to the sky.

    The disembodied roar sounded again. Witchkin of all elements converged around the Queen, igniting their magic against the unknown foe, ready to defend her to the death. Lightning illuminated the colossal shadow once more. The panicked crowd fragmented in every direction, colliding with each other, trampling the less fortunate, screaming and wailing beneath the lash of the storm. Exuberant harpies cackled, dodging Gryphon Knights, swooping down to feast with voracious delight. Thallo bundled up close to Jordan and Norae, shielding them with her wings, keeping the harpies at bay with vicious swipes of her talons.

    Suddenly, a gigantic dragon dropped to ground behind the gryphon, roaring in displeasure. The catbird hissed in fright and whipped round to face the beast; the mob of harpies were blown clear by the downdraught of the beast¡¯s great wings, tumbling over each other to disperse like flies. Jordan yelped, crouching beside the gryphon to prevent herself from suffering the same indignity. Norae held fast to her cloak on the other side, staring up at the silver fiend. The dragon lashed its tail, obliterating a statue, but paid them no mind. It swivelled its sinuous neck to the stage, roaring fury, and belched fire at Fayne. A shout went up from the Witchkin defending her. Shields of earth and air and water leapt around her in instant response, colliding, solidifying, protecting the World Queen. Fayne roared her frustration, thwarted by her own guardians, closed off behind protective shields. The dragon snorted derisively as the Witchkin cowered behind their defences with their accidentally trapped Queen. It turned instead to the only two people left in the vicinity, who trembled beside a snarling Thallo.

    ¡°Norae!¡± Jordan squeaked, ¡°What do we do?¡±

    Norae did not respond, her face pinched, eyes blank and misty. Abruptly, she reanimated, shaking herself. Her expression turned grim and determined.

    ¡°Quickly, we go!¡±

    She grabbed Jordan¡¯s cloak, raced forward, hauling her onward.

    Towards the dragon.

    Jordan screeched in protest, digging in her heels, but Norae was relentless. She towed her friend right up to the dragon¡¯s scaly side. Jordan, shaking, stared up as it turned its head in her direction. Rivulets of rain turned to steam upon its smoking snout as it stared back.

    ¡°Hurry up!¡± Norae pushed her around the beast¡¯s side, ¡°Climb!¡±

    Jordan¡¯s jaw dropped. She leaned into Norae¡¯s shove, unwilling. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Oh, will challenge Fire Queen, but not ride dragon?¡± Norae snorted, bundling her up the ridges on the back of the beast¡¯s foreleg. The Callkin was stronger than she, and Jordan had no choice but to climb. Her protests were lost to the whistle of storm-wind.

    ¡°Thallo!¡± Norae shouted, clambering up behind Jordan, ¡°Follow!¡±

    The gryphon took to the air with a sharp call, circling them.

    And then they were settled between the spines on the beast¡¯s back, holding on for dear life as it launched itself into the sky. Rain lashed, lightning flared, thunder boiled around them. Jordan cried out in terror, hugging the spike in front of her, clinging to it with every ounce of her strength. The wind whipped her wet cloak to smother her face, but she didn¡¯t dare shake it loose ¨C instead, she took comfort in burying her sight in it.

    What she couldn¡¯t see wouldn¡¯t kill her, right?

    Whistling filled her ears as the dragon climbed away from the earth. It gained height with powerful wingbeats, closely flanked by the white gryphon. From somewhere far below, half lost to the noise of the storm, came Fayne¡¯s scream of fury.

    But they were away, and the Firekin was left shaking her fists at an empty sky.

 Chapter 20

    They flew for what seemed an age, steadily gaining altitude. Jordan shook with cold, her lips chapped and blue, her fingers numb around the pointed spine she clung to. The dragon¡¯s flight was rhythmic, lulling her, the cold air dulling her mind. Norae had to reach forward more than once to jolt her awake, lest she fall.

    But at last, the dragon began to descend in a slow spiral. Its wings billowed, parachuting, down, down, until it landed with surprising grace in a flurry of snow. Thin mountain air crackled around them, drawing gouts of steam from their tight lips. The beast dipped its shoulder for them to slide from its back. Norae descended first, reached up to help Jordan, who fell, half-frozen, into her clumsy catch. No sooner had their boots sunk into the glittering snow, than a plume of smoke erupted around the dragon. Jordan threw up her hands to shield her face, Norae¡¯s fist tightened around her glaive, and the smoke faded to reveal a cloaked Witchkin.

    She faced them with her hands tucked beneath the cuffs of their opposite sleeves, waiting. Norae glanced at Jordan, hefting her glaive in readiness. But a cry from Jordan startled her into holding her ground.

    ¡°Grandma!¡± Jordan rushed forward, crushing her in a bear hug, ¡°H-how¡­?¡±

    Esadora Bal''Talanor smiled. She looped an arm around Jordan¡¯s shoulders, turning her. ¡°Come on, dearie, let¡¯s get inside first. You¡¯re bloody freezing.¡±

    She bundled Jordan forward, caught Norae¡¯s bewildered eye, nodded for her and Thallo to follow. With quiet steps over muffling snow, she steered her granddaughter through a stand of frosted trees towards the rising mountainside. Beyond, tucked into a natural stone archway in the side of the peak, grand wooden doors loomed, silvered by frost, studded by moonlight. Engraved across them was a proud gryphon, holding a stem of Pyr Lys flowers in its beak. Its paint glimmered even in the dark. As they approached, the doors swung open of their own accord, hinges hissing with years of disuse. Esadora ushered them all inside, and the doors swung closed once more.

    Darkness descended.

    Jordan caught her breath, but then lumostones winked alight in pairs, stretching away down a long, carpeted corridor. Jordan and Norae blinked in the sudden shift of illumination.

    ¡°What is this place?¡± Jordan asked, staring.

    ¡°Queenhaven,¡± Esadora replied.

    It was a secret refuge of magnificent proportions, but the visitors hardly had a chance to take in the unexpected grandeur concealed on the inside of the mountain. Esadora swept them along, winding through a maze of passageways. At last, they turned into a small kitchen. Esadora waved her hand at the empty hearth, and a roaring fire leapt to life, filling the room with cosy warmth. She muttered words under her breath, and a kettle appeared over the fire, steaming with immediate heat. Three mugs filled themselves with fragrant herbs, and Esadora filled them with a ladle from the kettle. She set them aside to brew, conjured another bowl, and offered Thallo a large helping of steaming mash. The gryphon chirped in delight and lay down by the fire with it clasped between her claws, picking at it happily. The Worldkin gestured for the girls to make themselves comfortable at the beautiful wooden table; Norae hesitated, and then obeyed with unexpected reverence. Jordan cast her a sideways glance as she sat down opposite.

    ¡°Here,¡± Esadora said, placing steaming mugs down in front of them. ¡°Devadaru tea ¨C this will warm you right up.¡±

    She sat, fixing her gaze on the Callkin, and an expression of curiosity graced her regal features. ¡°You are Norae Dre¡¯Cor, if I am not mistaken?¡±

    ¡°Aye, Majesty,¡± Norae affirmed shyly. In the light of the interior, she recognised Esadora from the many portraits that used to grace the Palace. She ducked her head, ears burning at being spoken to by a World Queen.

    ¡°Majesty?¡± Jordan exclaimed.

    ¡°Obviously,¡± Norae hissed sideways.

    Esadora smiled. ¡°You do not have to call me Majesty, child, for I am no longer a Queen. Esadora will do.¡±

    ¡°Aye, Majesty,¡± Norae responded, and then averted her gaze in embarrassment.

    Esadora''s lips quirked. ¡°As you will. Thank you, for heeding my message in the square. I had hoped you might hear me, and I am glad I was not wrong.¡±

    ¡°Aye, Majesty,¡± Norae said. She bit at her tongue, plunged on. ¡°But¡­ how could hear? Witchkin not telepathic¡­¡±

    Esadora nodded with amused patience. ¡°Of course they are not. But... I was not in the guise of a Witchkin, was I?¡±

    Norae opened her mouth to utter another question, closed it in the face of too many plunging through her mind at once. Esadora winked at her before she could collect her thoughts and turned her attention to her granddaughter.

    True happiness lit her soft smile as she reached out to pat Jordan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Now, Jordan... You gave me a hell of a scare, my girl.¡±

    Jordan dipped her chin, abashed. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Grandma ¨C I didn¡¯t mean to end up here, it just¡­ sort of... happened.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Esadora raised her eyebrows. ¡°Oh, it was no coincidence ¨C that had Calyx written all over it. And she botched it, losing you in the Betwixt like that!¡±

    ¡°Betwixt¡­?¡±

    Jordan frowned, remembering the crushing darkness that had engulfed her after she had ducked under the cedar arch. She shuddered.

    Esadora watched her with quiet curiosity. ¡°However did you get out, dearie?¡±

    ¡°It was so dark, but there were like¡­ windows?¡± She paused, and Esadora nodded that she understood the comparison. ¡°I, uh, missed the first one, but somehow I managed to catch the edge of the next one. I ended up in a desert above that city ¨C what was it?¡±

    ¡°Nova Azuros,¡± Norae murmured when she looked to her for clarification.

    ¡°Yes, Nova Azuros. That¡¯s where I found Norae.¡±

    ¡°Found you, you mean,¡± Norae smirked, but she caught Esadora¡¯s eye and sobered. ¡°Did not hurt, Majesty, swear¡­¡±

    Esadora ignored her, patted Jordan¡¯s arm. ¡°You are quite something, dearie. I have never heard of an untrained Witchkin surviving Betwixt.¡±

    She paused to wipe away a stray tear, and Jordan gave a lopsided smile.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to worry you, Grandma.¡±

    Esadora nodded, sniffed.

    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Jordan pressed into the pause, ¡°How are you here? And¡­ the dragon thing¡­?¡±

    Esadora sighed. ¡°There is so much you don¡¯t know, child. I had hoped to keep it from you, to spare you, but... I should not have underestimated Calyx.¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± Jordan interjected with a frown, ¡°I thought Calyx was one of the good guys?¡±

    Esadora sipped at her tea, amused. ¡°There is no such thing as ¡®the good guys¡¯, Jordan ¨C that is the stuff of fairy tales. People are far more complicated, and Calyx has made her share of mistakes.¡± She cleared her throat, set her tea aside. ¡°As for how I am here ¨C I followed through the portal. I tried to stop you, but it was too late. I was too far away.¡±

    ¡°How the hell did you know it was a portal?¡±

    Esadora rolled her eyes at the accusation in her tone. ¡°I didn¡¯t know, dearie, I suspected. I set up close to the site years ago when I was still trying to get back to Andoherra ¨C long before you arrived.¡± She tapped her finger against her lips, musing. ¡°In hindsight, we should have moved¡­ But it was the last link I had to Andoherra, and I couldn¡¯t bear to.¡±

    She broke off as she caught sight of the mistrust etched on Jordan¡¯s face.

    Jordan folded her arms, jaw set.

    ¡°You knew! You knew, and you lied to me¡­! You told me my visions were nothing more than dreams!¡±

    Esadora met her gaze, calm, and level. ¡°Yes, child, I knew. I dreaded your magic¡¯s awakening all your life, hoped it might remain dormant on Earth, as mine had become.¡±

    Jordan leapt to her feet, fisting her hands at her sides. ¡°Why, Grandma...? How could you lie to me!¡±

    ¡°Because I did not want to burden you with false hopes for a homeland we could not return to. Better to remain happy in ignorance ¨C trust me. I tried, Jordan, when you were a child, to bring you home, to reclaim your throne and avenge your mother¡­ But, thanks to Earth¡¯s dampening effect on my power, I could not open the portal. I never dreamed that your damned magic might.¡±

    Jordan ground her teeth. ¡°You could have told me; you could have said something. Especially when I started having those dreams! I thought I was going crazy!¡±

    ¡°I was going to,¡± Esadora sighed. ¡°I just hadn¡¯t figured out how, yet... Come now, Jordan, if you hadn¡¯t seen what you¡¯ve now seen, would you have believed me?¡±

    Jordan tapped her foot, blew out her breath in an unhappy sigh. ¡°No, I suppose not. I¡¯d have thought you were crazy.¡±

    Esadora half-raised an eyebrow, and Jordan relented. She sat down, sipped at her untouched tea, widened her eyes at the pleasant, spicy taste. She swished it around her mouth and swallowed thoughtfully.

    ¡°Well,¡± she pouted, ¡°You¡¯re not forgiven, but I can see your point, I suppose. Will you at least tell me how we ended up on Earth in the first place? The story doesn¡¯t add up.¡±

    Esadora nodded over an inaudible sigh of relief. ¡°Calyx brought you ¨C an accident, I believe. You would have to ask her the full story¡­ I was already there, trapped for decades ¨C an accident, too, but that¡¯s a story for another time.¡± She sipped, turned her thoughts away from unpleasant memories. ¡°I was nearby when Calyx burst out of the Beyond ¨C the extension of Betwixt between the worlds. It was pure coincidence, but I took it as fate. Of course, I recognised Calyx, and there was no doubt who you must be.¡±

    She paused, lips thin, eyes hard.

    ¡°The simple fact that the Lat¡¯Nemele had appeared on Earth with you told me that she had failed in her sacred duty. She was Guardian to your mother, and Asbeth... well¡­ it is a crime I cannot forgive. So, I took you into my care, banished her from our lives. She never really went away, hovering in our shadow as she learned to survive without her magic. But I let her be ¨C she was no threat, not without her power.¡± She clicked her tongue, incensed. ¡°Should have known she¡¯d find a way ¨C tenacious, Lat¡¯Nemele. They never cease, not until the hunt is finished.¡±

    ¡°Well, she managed, and now I¡¯m here.¡± Jordan met Esadora¡¯s gaze. ¡°So now what?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll wait for her to re-join us, and then we¡¯ll go home.¡±

    ¡°Home? And where is that, exactly?¡±

    ¡°Earth, of course.¡±

    Jordan¡¯s face clouded. ¡°That¡¯s not home, Grandma. We belong here.¡±

    Esadora leaned forward over her mug. ¡°We do not, Jordan. We must return to Earth before the whole of Andoherra bloody collapses.¡±

    Jordan leapt to her feet, outraged. ¡°I can¡¯t leave! I saw what will happen if I don¡¯t take my rightful place as Queen ¨C I saw my mother! She spoke to me! She told me I have to save this world!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough Jordan,¡± Esadora said, her voice low, thick with warning, ¡°This is not a negotiation.¡±

    ¡°A negotiation?¡± Jordan sputtered. ¡°Damn right it¡¯s not! The visions I¡¯ve had have been dead-accurate so far. I can¡¯t live with myself knowing that I let this world ¨C our world ¨C destroy itself! Not knowing that I¡¯m the one person who can stop it!¡±

    Esadora¡¯s lips tightened. She stood, and Jordan¡¯s protests died in her throat. She raised herself up to her full height, glittering with cold fury. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose your dear mother told you what would happen if you did take the Throne¡­?¡±

    Jordan¡¯s ears flamed in the face of her grandmother¡¯s ire. ¡°Well, no... But she showed me what would happen if I did not...¡±

    Esadora rounded the table, loomed over Jordan. The younger woman shrank back from the heat in her eyes.

    ¡°It has been twenty years since the world of Andoherra was last fed,¡± Esadora said. She reached out with icy fingers to tuck a strand of lavender hair behind Jordan¡¯s ear. ¡°If you were to sit upon the Throne now¡­ it would bleed you dry.¡±

    Jordan¡¯s face paled in confused fear, her mouth opened and closed in silence. She shivered, and her skin turned pale as winter snow.

    ¡°Do you understand what I am saying?¡± Esadora asked.

    She tucked one fingertip against the bottom of Jordan¡¯s chin, forcing her granddaughter to meet her gaze.

    ¡°If you take the Throne, child¡­ you will die.¡±

 Chapter 21

    Calyx stumbled, almost dropping the volatile bundle in her trembling arms. Somehow, she kept her balance, righted herself with a gasp of frustration. She sniffed back a tear, glared down at Nerys, and rolled her shoulders against the ache of the strain. In all her long years, she¡¯d never been this tired. Dog-tired, she¡¯d heard it called on Earth. She still didn¡¯t know exactly what that meant, but she was certain she now knew how it felt. Resigned, she adjusted her burden and pressed on down the overgrown path, picking her way through the soft dark of night. Thorny vines clutched at her already ragged dress, slowing her further, and drops of golden blood trickled down her legs where barbs had caught more than fabric.

    She¡¯d tried to port, at first, spiriting Nerys away with her into the Betwixt. It had been a near-fatal mistake. The moment they had entered the unreality, the talons of Chaos had roared through the breach, hungry to claim them both. Barely, she¡¯d pulled them out ¨C had no time to decipher an exit, only leapt for the nearest one. They¡¯d emerged into the depths of a forest, leagues from anywhere. Since then, carrying Nerys¡¯ unconscious form, she¡¯d walked, and walked¡­ and walked. Nerys had grown heavier with each hour that passed, her arms weaker, thoughts duller. Now, she wasn¡¯t even plotting her way by the stars anymore. She simply followed whatever faint deer track came up beneath her feet, hoping it might take her somewhere.

    At last, she stopped. She couldn¡¯t summon the will to keep moving any longer; the hours had taken their toll. Carefully, she rolled Nerys from her numb arms, laying her down at the foot of a young Devadaru tree. Its branches were slim, dusted with lighter needles than its ancient cousins, and it hardly offered a shadow beneath the bright moon. It didn¡¯t matter, Calyx could have dropped down in the midst of a harpy flock for all she cared. Gods, she was tired. Stray tears chased each other down her cheeks, her taut emotions a mere fraction beneath her surface. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to take a breath, to be calm, to think.

    ¡°Mundane things,¡± she muttered, ¡°Just do the mundane things.¡±

    Forcing her protesting body to rise once more, she called to her mutinous magic. It rose like a child too early from bed, rebellious and temperamental. Still, she managed to conjure the basics ¨C a blanket, a pitcher, a platter. From the surrounding woods, she drew forth water, summoned nuts and fruits that were good to eat. She threaded a tent-like tapestry of magic above herself and Nerys, blocking out the world around. Digging for the last dregs of her energy, she imbued the little haven with a protection charm to ward away anything that might disturb her sleep.

    Finished, she half-fell into a seated position beside Nerys. Despite her fatigue, she forced herself to pick at the food, sip at the water. At last, she gave in, hooded eyes heavy as the weight of her problems. Numb fingers half-pushed the blanket over them both as she reclined beside her mortal enemy. With no further thought for potential disasters, she let herself be claimed by a deep and dreamless sleep.

    When she woke, she stretched languorously. A slow smile spread across her sleepy lips as she discovered she felt years better. Outside her haven, birdsong flitted through the trees, rousing her in slow stages. At length, she opened her eyes, drank in rich sunlight muted to a gentle glow by the translucence of early morning. She pushed away the blanket ¨C tucked more snugly than she remembered ¨C and turned over with a sigh.

    A glittering gaze arrested her, and her heart bucked in surprise.

    Nerys lay on her side, inches away. She was alert and watchful, despite the wound in her chest.

    ¡°You¡¯re quite peaceful, when you¡¯re asleep,¡± the brunette murmured.

    She reached out, brushed away a strand of hair clouding across Calyx¡¯s eyes. At the featherlight connection, a spark of magic hummed. Calyx shied from her touch with a gasp, but the strain hung in the air between them like a breath of summer at dawn.

    For a long moment, they remained suspended ¨C suspicious, curious. The whispered melody of magic faded softly away.

    Calyx rolled to crouch on the balls of her feet, tense as a steel spring. ¡°What the hell was that?¡±

    Surprise softened the edge of Nerys¡¯ eyes. ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t do anything.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me again,¡± Calyx scowled. ¡°How long have you been awake, anyway?¡±

    Nerys¡¯ face darkened. ¡°Long enough, dear.¡±

    Calyx understood the implied threat, ran her gaze briefly over herself, but found nothing out of place. She eyed Nerys. The other did, indeed, appear to have been awake for some time. The pitcher of water, half-empty, was propped beside her, and she looked to have nibbled at a pear. The fact that Nerys hadn¡¯t disabled her while she slumbered piqued Calyx¡¯s curiosity.

    ¡°I was dead asleep. Why didn¡¯t you take advantage?¡±

    Face impassive, Nerys regarded her. ¡°I don¡¯t like to destroy beautiful things.¡±

    Calyx made to retort, but faltered.

    ¡°Did you just¡­ call me beautiful?¡±

    ¡°I did,¡± Nerys said, unapologetic. ¡°You are. Up this close, especially.¡±

    Calyx blushed despite herself. ¡°And here I thought you hated me,¡± she mumbled.

    Nerys shifted, tucked a palm beneath her ear to support her head, and raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do I have a reason to hate you? Of course, we served different Queens, but our vendetta was never personal.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Calyx swallowed. ¡°It¡­ wasn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Was it?¡±

    Calyx opened her mouth to respond, closed it, cheeks flaming.

    ¡°I see,¡± Nerys said. Her eyes glittered, raptor-like, and she turned away onto her back with as much dignity as she could muster.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Calyx began, ¡°Nerys I-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t apologise,¡± Nerys snapped, ¡°It doesn¡¯t suit you. Perhaps I should have killed you, while I had the chance.¡± She snaked her head sideways in irritation, caught herself on a breath of pain. ¡°How¡­ did you find me¡­ anyway?¡±

    ¡°You called me,¡± Calyx replied, derisively.

    ¡°I did no such thing.¡±

    ¡°Oh? So the snap of magic that pulled me off course in Betwixt and landed me in that ale house ¨C just in time, I might add ¨C had nothing to do with you¡­?¡±

    Nerys curled her lip around a scathing response, but then remembered her last, desperate thoughts had been of the golden Lat¡¯Nemele, and fell silent.

    Dear Malevelyn, had she called Calyx?

    Crushing the conundrum away, she retreated behind a sniping comment, ¡°Tell me, dear¡­ what, exactly, are you intending to do with me?¡±

    The question caught Calyx off-guard. She swallowed her immediate response ¨C somehow, staring at the broken woman roused a strange sense of kinship within her. She had called her ¨C Nerys might not admit it, but Calyx knew it was true. Lowering her gaze, she sighed. ¡°Truth be told, I have no idea ¨C I seem to swing from one disaster to the next.¡±

    Nerys¡¯ ire vanished as quickly as it had come. She squeezed her eyes shut, as much against physical pain as the pain in her soul. ¡°I know what you mean.¡±

    Calyx watched her drawn face, and chewed at her lip.

    ¡°How did this happen to you, Nerys?¡±

    ¡°I trusted someone I shouldn¡¯t have. Quite a simple mistake, really.¡±

    Calyx¡¯s mouth rounded as she put the pieces together. ¡°Fayne did this?¡±

    Nerys lifted her chin, eyes frosted, mouth pulled tight. ¡°I¡¯d rather not discuss it.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Calyx whispered, bowing her head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Nerys hissed, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare pity me!¡±

    Calyx looked up to meet her furious gaze, saw a hint of the power that bespoke her once. She remembered that she was a formidable foe, and certainly not one to indulge an empathy for. She frowned, incensed.

    ¡°I¡¯ve far more important things to do,¡± she snapped, ¡°Than pity the likes of you.¡±

    She got up with more force than necessary, swung her magic out in a snapping arc to clear away the shelter. Bright sunlight dappled them, shining unimpeded between the needles of the little Devadaru tree. Calyx put the forest back the way it was, the only sign of their stay now themselves, physically still there. When she was done, she turned to glare down at Nerys.

    ¡°Would you like me to carry you?¡± she sneered, holding her arms out in sarcastic invitation.

    Stone-faced, Nerys forced her broken body to rise under Calyx¡¯s critical gaze. She swayed on her feet, reached for the slim trunk of the Devadaru to steady herself, but remained upright.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything further from you,¡± she growled. ¡°Let¡¯s go, then, before I change my mind and kill you.¡±

    Calyx scoffed. She lifted her skirts and strode forth with no regard for Nerys¡¯ halting steps. Sparking ire, she stopped a short distance away. She swung her head back and forth, eyeing the faint deer tracks eddying in every direction.

    Behind her, Nerys snorted a laugh.

    ¡°You have no idea where you¡¯re going, do you?¡±

    Calyx swung round, eyes ablaze. ¡°I know where I need to be! And if I wasn¡¯t trying to save your ungrateful ass, I¡¯d be there by now!¡±

    Nerys folded her arms ¨C carefully ¨C across her chest. She bared her teeth in a sneer.

    ¡°Go on, then. No one is stopping you.¡±

    ¡°You are, dammit!¡±

    ¡°Me? I¡¯ve not asked for a single grain of your help, dear.¡±

    Calyx clucked her tongue, tugged her fingers through her hair. ¡°If I could have just killed you, Nerys, I would have! But if you die, the world ends ¨C faster than it needs to ¨C and I need time to get Jordan to safety.¡±

    Nerys quirked a brow. ¡°Jordan¡­? You can¡¯t mean¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly who I mean,¡± Calyx snapped impatience, ¡°Jordenna Bal¡¯Talanor, the Heir.¡± She marched back to grab Nerys roughly by the arm. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this ¨C will you get a move on, please? I can¡¯t afford any more delays; Esadora wants to roast me alive as it is.¡±

    But Nerys planted her feet, teeth gritted against the agony Calyx¡¯s tugging affected.

    ¡°Esadora¡­?¡± She refused to budge another step, and her tone dropping in warning. ¡°Calyx. You¡¯d better start talking, right now.¡±

    Calyx flashed a glare. ¡°You¡¯re hardly in a position to negotiate.¡±

    Scowling, Nerys sat down, half-dragging Calyx down with her; the movement forced Calyx to release her hold to keep her balance. Nerys suppressed a whimper as the ground jarred up to meet her, and her eyes watered, but she schooled her features into immovable stone and glared up.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Calyx huffed, ¡°Short version. You didn¡¯t kill the Heir. I stole her away, took her with me on my accidental over-reach in Betwixt ¨C your fault, since you were pursuing me ¨C and landed up on the Old World.¡± She pursed her lips. ¡°There, as luck would have it, our Lost Queen, Esadora, happened upon me and took the child into her own care. When I returned here with Jordan, the old hag bloody followed. Satisfied?¡±

    ¡°No. Who was the child in the crib?¡±

    ¡°Scullery maid¡¯s daughter. Her name was Aggie.¡±

    ¡°You left an innocent child behind¡­ as a sacrifice?¡±

    Calyx bridled at the accusation. ¡°You¡¯re the one who killed her!¡±

    Nerys bared her teeth, hissing in fury. She rose, oblivious to her weakened body, threat evident in every line of her scowl as she advanced.

    ¡°I don¡¯t kill children! I used a Draught of Living Death, left the babe with her mother, retrieved her before they lit the pyre. She spent eight years living on a farm outside of Eoscan, with enough coin to keep her and her adoptive family comfortable and happy until she died of some incurable disease.¡±

    Face pale, Calyx stepped back. ¡°Y-you didn¡¯t kill Aggie¡­?¡±

    Nerys snarled, breathing hard and trembling. ¡°What kind of monster do you take me for?¡±

    Calyx held up her hands in mute appeal as the Dark Lat¡¯Nemele bore down upon her, and Nerys stopped mere inches away, mouth twisted, fangs bared. She held tight to her chest, hands shaking with pain and fury. Her eyes burned shadowed gold; ice crackled in her voice.

    ¡°You sacrificed a child! If it had been Fayne herself, the babe would have been dead!¡± Her breath became ragged, in fits and starts, but she managed to point a trembling finger at Calyx. ¡°Don¡¯t you¡­ ever¡­ judge me¡­ again.¡±

    She wavered, clutched involuntarily at Calyx¡¯s shoulder to stay on her feet. Calyx automatically slipped an arm around her waist, supporting her as she ran out of steam. A wave of excruciating pain left Nerys unable to pull away, unable to speak, and she had to content herself with staring hatefully up at her saviour.

    Mouth set to a grim line, Calyx swung her bodily into her arms, unwilling to risk the use of magic that might affect the curse. Nerys tried to resist but could do nothing more than pant and curl around her agony.

    ¡°If you knew the stakes,¡± Calyx growled, starting down the closest dear track, ¡°You would have done the same. It was the most difficult decision of my life, but I did it for the greater good.¡±

    Tucked helpless against the crook of her shoulder as she was borne away, Nerys gasped a laugh.

    ¡°Good¡­?¡± she bit out, ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as good and evil, Calyx. There is only power, and consequence.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Calyx snapped, jolting her into silence, ¡°You would know.¡±

 Chapter 22

    The forest had fallen silent, its denizens hiding from the humid heat of the midday sun. Calyx shifted Nerys, trying to release some of the ache from her shoulders, and peered through the leafy canopy at the great star. The shadow on its eastern edge seemed to be a little wider than yesterday. Frowning, she lowered Nerys down, propped her against the soft moss upon a fallen tree. With cool fingers brushed against her pale cheek, she roused her. Nerys looked up with feverish, pain-filled eyes.

    ¡°Are we there?¡± she murmured.

    The desperate hope in her expression constricted Calyx¡¯s heart, but she shook her head. ¡°I thought we would have come across something by now. I want to go scouting, figure out where the hell we are, but I can¡¯t take you with me through the Betwixt. Will you stay here for a little bit?¡±

    Nerys leaned her head back against the green cushioning and closed her eyes. ¡°Where else would I possibly go? Look at me, Calyx, I¡¯m a wreck.¡±

    Calyx bit at her lip, unhappy how accurate that description was. Her brow creased deeper, and she crouched down in front of Nerys.

    ¡°Will you be alright?¡±

    Nerys¡¯ eyes flashed open. ¡°What are you, my Guardian? Will you just go, please? I will still be here when you get back ¨C unfortunately.¡±

    Calyx bit back her automatic retort, rose to her full height. She rolled out her shoulders, roused her magic in ripples across her skin, and quirked a brow at Nerys.

    ¡°Don¡¯t die while I¡¯m gone.¡±

    Nerys snorted. ¡°You wish.¡±

    A half-smile crooked Calyx¡¯s lips, and then she disappeared.

    Abruptly alone in the quiet, deserted woods, Nerys allowed a heartfelt sigh to escape her. She slumped back against the massive log, relinquishing her hold on her self-control. Soft, silent tears shimmered down her cheeks, and for once, she didn¡¯t fight them. She tucked her chin in, looking down at the wound in her chest. Angry red glared beneath the green and black lines of infection that spiderwebbed across her flesh. At their centre, the parasite itself glinted dully in the sunlight. As she gazed down at it, it hummed, and the dark stain of Chaos gathered close about her. Unintelligible, insidious whispers echoed around her ears. They crooned to her, offering a way to end the agony. She shook her head to dispel them, tearing her gaze away from the crystal with an effort. The hoarse mutterings faded unwillingly, but soon the world returned to natural silence, punctuated only by the drone of insects attending their busy lives. Nerys tipped her head back, stifling her sobs to spare the stab of the crystal, fisting her hands in the leaflitter on the forest floor. She drew comfort from the earthy feel, opening her heart to Andoherra, drawing what power she could into her waning form. Her magic stirred, a breath of wind on a sweltering day, but it merely shifted to better comfort and returned to slumber.

    She hoped Calyx would not be gone long. For all her bravado beneath the blonde¡¯s scrutiny, her strength was fading. Chaos remained at her peripheral, as aware as she was that her time was running out. She wondered if Calyx actually had a plan, and whether it had an ice-lily¡¯s chance in the desert of working. She didn¡¯t want to die, but she was finding it harder and harder to cultivate the will to live. She considered a prayer to Malevelyn for salvation, but the ghost of a wry smile touched her lips. Malevelyn might find her current predicament fitting ¨C considering her life course thus far. She had, after all, helped murder her descendant.

    Deciding against prayer, she settled herself to wait, trying to keep her consciousness from swimming too far out of her reach. Her breath came laboured, and the dull aching kept up a steady metronome. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the elements around her to pass the time. The warmth of dappled sunlight, the richness of the forest¡¯s heartbeat, the soft soughing of the wind¡­ The breeze brought her hints of life ¨C loamy, damp soils, warm leaves, the musky spice of a passing beast. It eddied, shifted, changed course, and Nerys¡¯ eyes flashed open.

    Soft padding drew closer, from the direction the wind had promised it would. Something followed her scent on the changeling breeze. Nerys stiffened her spine, tilting her head into the silence, listening hard to gauge the angle of approach. She caught sight of a sleek feline shape slipping between the trees. It was approaching from the side, unaware that she had seen it, stalking her with measured strides. Nerys watched it out of the corner of her eye, swallowed as she identified it ¨C an onza. The snake-leopard was a ferociously efficient predator, and not one to be trifled with without the aid of magic. It continued its effortless prowl, its abnormally long, striped legs covering ground in large stretches. Its hare-like ears were fixed on her position, and the black swash of its coat, peppered with green and yellow rosettes, made it fade into its surroundings every time it paused. Only the flick of its forked tongue between bared, double-rowed teeth gave it away.

    Nerys cast her gaze about, reached for a short, stout stick. The onza noted her movement and paused, considering. Nerys took advantage of its hesitation, hefted her impractical weapon, and delved into the deepest depths of her core to the slumbering well of her magic. She forced it to rise, every inch of her body straining, moulded it into a feeble fireball that hovered sickly over her palm. The beast pricked its ears, met her gaze, and judged her wanting. It advanced, its forked tongue caressing its jowls between long, viper-like fangs. Sharp, reptilian claws unsheathed as its whip-snap tail lashed. It drew within striking distance, gathered itself to pounce. Nerys snarled, teeth bared, and braced for collision. It leapt.

    Exploded.

    Smattered with gore, Nerys scowled up at Calyx¡¯s impish expression.

    ¡°You know, I¡¯m getting really tired of saving you.¡±

    Nerys¡¯ expression darkened further, and she threw her useless stick at Calyx. The blonde raised an eyebrow as it fell far short of her.

    ¡°Good thing I was here.¡±

    Nerys reached up to wipe a smear of blood from her cheek. ¡°Tell me you have good news. I¡¯m sick to death of this bloody forest.¡±

    Calyx nodded, leaned down, and helped her to her feet. Nerys glowered, but allowed herself to be hefted into her arms once more.

    ¡°Gods, you reek,¡± Calyx smirked, wrinkling her nose.

    ¡°Well, if you hadn¡¯t splattered me with bits of snake-leopard¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, by the way.¡± Calyx shifted her against her shoulder. ¡°There¡¯s a small town, perhaps three leagues from here. If we set a good pace we should reach it before sundown.¡±

    ¡°Thank Malevelyn for small mercies,¡± Nerys murmured with a sigh.

    She laced her arms around Calyx¡¯s neck, braced herself against the swing of her stride. Calyx set out, her course unerring, this time knowing exactly where she was going.

    As she had promised, they cleared the edge of the forest before sundown. Only a short span of open country separated them from their destination. Calyx shifted her burden, squared her stinging shoulders for the last leg. In her arms, Nerys stirred with a low moan, her face contorted with pain.

    ¡°Calyx,¡± she mumbled, ¡°Stop. It hurts¡­ everything hurts ¨C please, Calyx, stop¡­ I can¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re nearly there,¡± Calyx whispered, redoubling her stride, ¡°Hold on, Nerys, just a little further¡­¡±

    She traversed the field with as much speed as she could manage, trying her best not to jar Nerys more than she could help. By the time they made the town perimeter, Nerys had passed into oblivion. Calyx strode past the guards at the gate, stifling their challenge with a snap of her glare and a show of her teeth. She headed straight for the inn she¡¯d discovered on her scouting foray.

    Sparing no ceremony, she slammed open the door with a flick of her fingers, and the innkeep scurried to attend her.

    ¡°A room,¡± she growled, ¡°Now.¡±

    The man quailed before the Lat¡¯Nemele, scampered for a key. ¡°O-of course, My Lady!¡±

    He returned, offered his arms to relieve her of Nerys, but Calyx curled the brunette protectively against her chest and snarled. He skittered away up the stairs, and the Lat¡¯Nemele swept after him with all the furious glory befitting a Sorceress of her status. Patrons stared in startled silence, fear and amazement etched onto stunned faces. The innkeep did not glance back, and beads of perspiration gathering upon his brow. He led the way to the best room in the house with all haste, unlocked the door, and stood back for Calyx to stride past him. She did so, turned back to arrest him with a glittering glare.

    ¡°Food. Fresh clothes.¡±

    ¡°At once, My Lady!¡± The innkeep bowed low, retreated backwards, closed the door with a quiet click.

    Calyx¡¯s shoulders sagged. With the last of her strength, she bore Nerys to the lavish bed in the centre of the room. She set her down, collapsing with a groan beside her. Nerys lay unmoving, barely breathing, and Calyx raised herself up on one elbow to gaze down at her. She pressed the back of her hand against Nerys¡¯ brow, felt the fever burn. With a grim frown, she turned her hand over, palm hovering just above the brunette¡¯s tousled head. Taking a deep breath, she released her magic in a soft trickle. She gifted it to Nerys subtly, so as not to rouse the Chaos, trying to buoy her flagging strength. As the golden strands seeped into Nerys¡¯ broken soul, her breathing slowed, came more easily. The taut lines of her face relaxed to peace, and she shifted with a murmur. Slowly, her eyes opened, glittering in the soft semi-darkness.

    ¡°What¡­ did you do?¡±

    ¡°I leant you some magic,¡± Calyx said.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know¡­ that was possible¡­¡±

    Calyx shrugged it away. ¡°I didn¡¯t either, but I had to try. I assume, by the fact you¡¯re awake, that I was correct. You can be thankful our magic is so similar.¡±

    Nerys blinked, heady with the slow spread of borrowed power through her veins. Held in check by the upsurge of magic, the pain was far enough away to let her breathe. Moving with care, she propped herself up with her elbows behind her and raised her gaze over Calyx¡¯s shoulder to the aperture in the corner.

    ¡°Is there¡­ a bath¡­?¡±

    Calyx nodded, and a rare, genuine smile curved Nerys¡¯ lips. Calyx smiled back, unbidden, as Nerys rolled over.

    ¡°Gods¡­ what I wouldn¡¯t give to be clean.¡±

    She pushed herself upright in slow degrees, made her way haltingly across the room. The sound of rushing water soon filled the air, along with cloudy wafts of steam. Calyx perched on the edge of the bed and settled herself to wait. She, too, was eager at the thought of cleanliness. She¡¯d been carrying Nerys for forever, or so it seemed, and she couldn¡¯t wait to soak her sore back and shoulders.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    A soft knock at the door interrupted her musings, and she got up to admit the innkeep and his husband, bearing large trays laden with fine foods and two crisp, beautiful dresses.

    ¡°I hope these are suitable, My Lady,¡± the innkeep said, holding them up for her to see as his husband deposited the trays on the table. ¡°Forgive me, they were the best we could find at short notice¡­¡±

    His hands trembled, but he held the dresses steady, and Calyx made a show of inspecting first the fine white silk, and then the gossamer blue. They were exquisite.

    ¡°These will suffice,¡± she allowed.

    He nodded in relief, and they retreated from the room.

    Calyx hung the dresses on the side of the wardrobe and followed her nose to the tantalizing fare spread across the small table. A summer-fruit tartlet caught her eye, and she reached for it, but before her fingers had quite closed around the delicate pastry, Nerys¡¯ meek voice floated out of the washroom.

    ¡°Calyx¡­?¡±

    The embarrassed appeal in that single word piqued Calyx¡¯s curiosity. She padded across the room to stick her head around the door frame. Nerys was standing beside the filled washtub, still clothed in her tattered dress. A light blush coloured her cheeks, but she held her head high, defiant.

    ¡°I can¡¯t get this damned dress off. It keeps catching on the crystal.¡±

    Calyx smirked and conjured a pair of scissors.

    ¡°Hold still.¡±

    She cut a long line up Nerys¡¯ back and across the underside of the sleeves. Waving the scissors away, she peeled the fabric off, moving around to the front to extricate threads from the crystal¡¯s grasp. Nerys whimpered under her movements, and she glanced up in apology, but continued to work until the remnants of the dress were free. At last, she stood up and slid the garment from Nerys¡¯ shoulders, sending it cascading down to a rumple at her feet. For a split second, Calyx stared, enraptured by the flawless lines of Nerys¡¯ body. She caught herself and, blushing hard, spun away.

    She retreated, but snapped over her shoulder to cover her embarrassment, ¡°Will you hurry up, so I can bathe too?¡±

    Nerys paid her no mind; she soaked her broken heart in the washtub for a good half hour. When she emerged in a soft towel, bare legs stretching smooth for miles, damp hair framing her glowing cheeks, Calyx was hard-pressed to keep her eyes away. Nerys perched on the edge of the bed, the towel barely high enough to cover her as it dipped beneath the crystal. With a sigh, she reached up to run a brush through her long, raven hair, and the towel inched lower.

    ¡°Damn it, woman,¡± Calyx growled, stalking across to the wardrobe, ¡°Will you put some clothes on, please?¡±

    Nerys met her gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve been constricted in that dress for days, Calyx, and this is the best I¡¯ve felt in a long time. Give me a chance to breathe, would you?¡±

    Calyx muttered inaudibly, hooked the blue dress up with one finger and removed herself to the washroom. There, she made the most of the moment, immersing herself to the neck in piping hot water, soaking her aching muscles at last. She pushed Nerys from her mind and indulged, soaping her body and her hair with an assortment of lathers and rubs to wash away the grime of travel and torment. To keep her thoughts in check, she aimed them at what might happen upon her return to Esadora. That curled her lip ¨C she better ready a damn good explanation, for lightning-fast delivery.

    At last, she emerged, swept the water off her body with a swish of her hand, and slipped into the soft silk of the blue dress. She twirled her fingers, drying and styling her hair, checked her reflection with satisfaction in the looking-glass, and returned to the bedroom.

    Nerys had moved to the table and was delicately attacking the array of food. She was still sitting in her towel.

    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Calyx scowled. She marched over to snatch the white dress up, tossed it at Nerys. ¡°How long do you need to breathe?¡±

    Nerys raised a smouldering glare. ¡°If you must know, I couldn¡¯t get it over my head. It hurts to move like that, at present.¡±

    Chagrined, Calyx dipped her head. ¡°Here,¡± she offered, ¡°Stand up and I¡¯ll help you.¡±

    Nerys glared at her, but she swallowed her dainty mouthful and rose with all the grace of a queen. Calyx arranged the dress, held it up over her head, and, to her relief, towel and clothing managed to drop down as one. Nerys sighed at the soft silk, smoothed it down across her belly and hips. The shimmering folds clung to her skin in liquid waves, accentuating her figure, and Calyx briefly wondered if that was worse.

    ¡°Happy now?¡± Nerys scoffed, turning back to continue her supper.

    Calyx huffed, sat down opposite her, and reached for the pitcher of wine. She filled her cup to the brim, drained it, refilled.

    ¡°Are you going to share that?¡± Nerys asked. She swung her goblet pointedly by the stem.

    Rolling her eyes, Calyx filled it. With slow deliberation and a challenge set upon her face, Nerys lifted it, drained it, and held it out once more.

    Calyx scowled. ¡°Are you¡¯re intending to drink it all? Do you know how long it¡¯s been since I tasted Andoherran wine?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care, dear. This vintage happens to be my favourite.¡±

    Calyx deposited the pitcher and pushed to her feet. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll go order some more, then.¡±

    Nerys flashed a sweet smile, and Calyx stormed away to fetch two more pitchers. Upon her return, she set them down with a clatter on the table, and Nerys bridled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t spill it!¡±

    She reached protectively for the one closest to her and topped her goblet up once more. She sipped it, slower this time, eying Calyx over its rim. Calyx ignored her, helped herself to a sweet pastry and washed it down with wine.

    ¡°I appreciate what you¡¯ve done for me, Calyx,¡± Nerys commented, conversationally.

    Calyx almost choked on her mouthful. ¡°Well. You¡¯ve hardly made your gratitude obvious, but¡­ you¡¯re welcome, I suppose. Although, as you know, I have an ulterior motive for keeping you alive.¡±

    Nerys raised an eyebrow. ¡°I know, dear. Still, I am grateful for your kindness. You could have left me in my tattered rags, and saving me from those thugs really was a boon¡­ I¡¯m curious, though ¨C when you¡¯ve cured this curse to save your princess, how will you kill me?¡±

    Calyx took a sip of wine. ¡°I don¡¯t intend to kill you.¡±

    Nerys cocked her head.

    ¡°I intend to release you,¡± Calyx continued, ¡°Give you time to fully regain your strength. If it happens before I manage to leave for the Old World once more, we can see who slays who in a fair fight. Because I, too, am curious.¡±

    Nerys laughed, soft and sweet. ¡°That¡¯s your plan?¡±

    Calyx nodded. Nerys shook her head, raised her goblet.

    ¡°Well, here¡¯s to a true test, then.¡±

    Silver clinked as Calyx tapped hers against it. She set the rim to her lips, drained it once more, and offered Nerys a refill as she topped up her own. The corners of Nerys¡¯ lips twitched in amusement, but she accepted.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I can match your pace, dear.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Calyx mocked.

    As it turned out, Nerys could, indeed, match Calyx¡¯s pace. Between them, they emptied several pitchers as the night grew late and the world outside grew quiet. They spoke of non-committal things, Nerys filling Calyx in on the events of the last two decades ¨C Fayne¡¯s reign, and the current thriving state of all five Kingdoms.

    ¡°She¡¯s made an excellent Queen ¨C surprisingly,¡± Nerys topped off her monologue, ¡°The only problem is the Dark of the Sun. That was¡­ unexpected.¡±

    Calyx snorted, almost spilling her wine. ¡°Hardly! If you¡¯d served the right Queen, you would have known that the Dark of the Sun is exactly what happens if you remove the Bal¡¯Talanor bloodline from the Throne.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°Oh, no! I haven¡¯t had nearly enough wine to make me spill Royal secrets.¡±

    Nerys pouted.

    ¡°Come on, Calyx¡­ It¡¯s the end of the world, and I¡¯m dying. What could possibly be the harm?¡±

    Calyx pursed her lips, but they melted into a giddy grin. ¡°You make a fair point.¡± She leaned across the table and lowered her voice. ¡°Andoherra only remains in existence thanks to blood magic ¨C and it¡¯s tied to the Bal¡¯Talanor Queens.¡±

    Nerys frowned, stifling a shiver at the mention of blood magic. Even by her standards, that branch of magic was sinister. Calyx glanced about the room, even though they were alone, before she continued.

    ¡°Every year at Equinox, the reigning Queen performs a blood sacrifice, feeding the heart of Andoherra by means of the Throne.¡± She stifled a shiver as she spoke. ¡°It¡¯s terrible, Nerys ¨C the thing comes alive and pierces them with spines of stone, leaching their blood until it is sated. Some years, it¡¯s only a little. But sometimes...¡±

    She broke off, let the words hang, and her face creased with remembered horror. Nerys watched her expression, gripping her own goblet with white knuckles.

    ¡°And¡­ if the blood oath is not fulfilled¡­?¡±

    Calyx swept an extravagant hand at the world at large. ¡°This happens. Wild magic, destruction, Chaos¡­ The world becomes unstable without the consistent influx of magic. In the end, Andoherra will tear itself apart. An eventuality which is not too far away now that the shadow has begun to swallow the sun.¡±

    ¡°Lovely,¡± Nerys said, ¡°And I was having such a nice evening.¡±

    Calyx looked up, an uncanny depth in her eyes. ¡°¡­were you?¡±

    Nerys met her gaze, a bright challenge burning. ¡°And if I was?¡±

    Calyx laughed, topped up their goblets. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about something else, then. I¡¯m curious¡­ why Fayne?¡±

    With an exasperated sigh, Nerys drained her wine.

    ¡°It¡¯s a legitimate question,¡± Calyx pouted, ¡°I mean, I can¡¯t deny that she¡¯s beautiful, Nerys, but she¡¯s such a bitch.¡±

    Nerys stifled a giggle, and then a hiccough as she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ She rescued me as a child, raised me. We had a deep bond. There was a moment, just after I had come into my power¡­ Mm, no, I forget the details¡­¡± The way she said it made Calyx doubt very much she¡¯d forgotten anything about it. ¡°Anyway, in my third decade, she came to me one night, upset about something¡­ I suppose the affection I had for her came into its own ¨C simple comforting turned to something¡­ more.¡±

    Calyx shifted forward, intrigued. ¡°Did she return your affections?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes ¨C in secret. Of course, she could not acknowledge me in the light of day ¨C a Lat¡¯Nemele is not supposed to harbour affection for anyone, and especially not for the Mistress she serves.¡± She paused to sip at her wine, and her eyes clouded. ¡°But she encouraged my emotions, kept me in the palm of her hand for a century. And then... well¡­¡±

    Calyx slammed an outraged fist down on the table, making Nerys jump. ¡°Let¡¯s kill her!¡± she slurred.

    Nerys stared, dissolved into laughter.

    Calyx snorted her affront. ¡°I¡¯m serious! Hell, you don¡¯t even have to come ¨C I¡¯ll do it for you.¡±

    Grinning unevenly over her goblet, Nerys shook her head. She stopped and, with a groan, put a hand up to steady it as it swam. Opening one eye, she looked over at Calyx.

    ¡°What I think we should do,¡± she mumbled, ¡°Is go to bed¡­ I think I¡¯ve had enough wine to last me the rest of my life.¡±

    Calyx giggled, covered her lips with mischievous fingers, and hiccoughed. ¡°P¡¯rhaps you¡¯re right.¡±

    She got to her feet, wavered, and broke out into ridiculous laughter. An echo tumbled from Nerys¡¯ lips as she watched Calyx sway around the furniture towards her. Holding on to the edge of the table, she pushed to her own feet, reaching for Calyx¡¯s hand to steady herself.

    A crackle of magic flared between them. They froze, gawping as it split into strands and whirled around their clasped fingers, glowing brightly.

    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Calyx whispered, tearing her hand away.

    Nerys managed a shrug, frowning. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything¡­¡±

    A purring fitted about their ears, sparks of power like fireflies in the semi-darkness. Calyx watched them with her mouth agape, and Nerys, still frowning, reached over to lift her jaw shut. As her fingertip connected, a bolt of power surged with such intensity that they both gasped. Time stood suspended for a long moment. Their vision locked, sapphire and amber linking with startling clarity. The air shimmered, humming, and Calyx lifted a gentle hand to caress Nerys¡¯ cheek. Magic teased around her fingertips, and, with a sigh, she leaned in to close the space remaining between them. Nerys rose to meet her, soft lips curious, ravenous, spurred by the strange magic that sang between them.

    But at last, hands braced against Calyx¡¯s shoulders, Nerys pushed back.

    ¡°Wait, Calyx¡­¡± she said, shaking her dizzy head, ¡°This isn¡¯t a good idea.¡±

    ¡°No, no, you¡¯re right,¡± Calyx agreed, pressing her hands over her ears to drown out the sweet song of power, ¡°You¡¯re right, let¡¯s just¡­¡±

    Her meandering mind failed her, and she waved vaguely towards the bed.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Nerys nodded, ¡°Sleep it off. That¡¯s what we should do.¡±

    Careful not to connect so much as a fingertip, they stumbled to the bed. Calyx flung back the covers, gesturing theatrically for Nerys to precede her. Nerys obliged, gave her half a bow in return, overbalanced, and collapsed in a heap into the feathered mattress.

    ¡°Ouch,¡± she said, turning over and looking down at her chest. A vague tint of surprise coloured her features. ¡°Oh¡­ I forgot about that.¡±

    ¡°Thanks to the company?¡± Calyx grinned, tumbling onto the bed beside her with a groan.

    Nerys snorted. ¡°Thanks to the wine, dear.¡±

    Calyx rolled over to face her, a perfect pout on her ruby lips. ¡°Only the wine?¡±

    Nerys shifted onto her side, keeping a safe distance. Partly sobered by the pain in her chest, she tucked a hand under her head and met Calyx¡¯s gaze with a spark of amusement. ¡°Well, I concede the company was better than I expected.¡±

    Calyx¡¯s pout evolved into a smile, unexpectedly gentle. ¡°I enjoyed your company, too.¡± She paused, sighed. ¡°You know, I remember the first time I watched you wield your magic¡­¡±

    Nerys tilted her head, curious. ¡°You do?¡±

    ¡°The gallery, above the Great Hall, the day Fayne took the Throne. You were-¡±

    ¡°I remember,¡± Nerys nodded, ¡°I had no idea you were watching that long.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it¡­¡± Calyx murmured, half to herself, ¡°The play of energy in your hands, the tease of magic, the way it rippled around you, sure and precise¡­ I could hear your power, as if it were a part of me,¡± Her voice dropped to the barest whisper, ¡°You were the most breath-taking thing I had ever seen.¡±

    Nerys bit at her lip. She hesitated, and then, gently, reached out and trailed one finger down Calyx¡¯s cheek. Magic hummed, sweet and gentle.

    ¡°That¡¯s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Calyx said, leaning into the featherlight pressure of her fingertip. ¡°You still are ¨C breath-taking, I mean.¡±

    Nerys whispered, ¡°Well.¡±

    Warmed by wine, enraptured by magic, she buried her fingers in Calyx¡¯s tousled hair. Hesitating for the barest fraction, she drank her in, warring with herself. Calyx stared, lost in her starlight gaze. Soft magic sang between them, reaching across the divide. With a sigh, Nerys answered it, and Calyx rose to meet her. In soft darkness they collided, coiled hearts unleashed beneath the tide of a burning kiss.

 Chapter 23

    Nerys sat brooding in the darkness, in a chair opposite the bed she had shared with Calyx. The object of her intent was oblivious to her regard, lost to the deep peace of slumber. Nerys raised one fingertip to her lips, brushed it over the lingering taste of Calyx¡¯s kiss. In her veins, the echo of the blonde¡¯s magic still burned. She lowered her hand, a half-smile softening her full mouth. Part of her hated herself for it, but another part, equally adamant, was not sorry at all.

    Calyx shifted, turning onto her back. Nerys let her gaze rove across each firm muscle, every soft curve that dipped and rose beneath the sheets. She lay with one arm thrust above her head, and Nerys allowed herself to stare without remorse ¨C she¡¯d always had a soft spot for beautiful things. The radiance of Calyx¡¯s hair fascinated her, a spectrum of shimmering sunlight, deep gold through bright copper and every shade between.

    Calyx murmured in her sleep. Nerys watched unknowable dreams flutter beneath her eyelids, and leaned her chin in her hands with a heavy sigh. For a moment, her impenitence wavered.

    If Fayne could see her now¡­ If she knew what she had done¡­

    No. She didn¡¯t care what Fayne would think¡­ did she?

    She got to her feet, pulled the light blanket tighter across her shoulders. Soft-footed, she returned to the bed, slipped beneath the covers, and looked down at Calyx. She hesitated, a silent war raging within her, but then reached out and caressed her cheek. Gods, she was beautiful ¨C fine-featured, full of power¡­ It hummed just beneath her skin. Nerys didn¡¯t even have to lean down to hear its soft singing ¨C she could feel it thrum in time to her heartbeat. It still danced within her, a drug she didn¡¯t want to refute.

    ¡°What am I to do with you?¡± she whispered, shaking her head softly against the enormity of her dilemma.

    Calyx opened her eyes as if summoned by her words, and they stared at each other for a tense moment.

    Nerys pushed upright, away. ¡°Good,¡± she snapped, ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡±

    Calyx groaned. ¡°Still here, are you?¡±

    ¡°We need to talk about last night.¡±

    Calyx rubbed sleep from her lashes. ¡°Seriously, Nerys? It still is last night!¡± She squinted against the pounding in her head. ¡°Gods, if you¡¯re this much of a morning person, this definitely isn¡¯t going to work.¡±

    Nerys waved her hand and held out a steaming mug of Devadaru tea. Calyx¡¯s glower lightened.

    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, sitting up and accepting the cup with reasonable grace. ¡°I suppose you just want to pretend it didn¡¯t happen?¡±

    Nerys brooded. ¡°Excellent, something we can agree on.¡±

    ¡°Spoilsport,¡± Calyx muttered.

    She pushed back the covers and slid from the bed. Turning her back on Nerys, she took her mug to the window. Cupping it with both hands, she sipped at it as she watched the rising dawn.

    Nerys got to her feet, feeling empty at the distance between them, and padded across the room to join her. Gazing out, she folded her arms, drawing on her resolve.

    ¡°I mean it, Calyx.¡±

    Calyx huffed onto her tea. ¡°Am I arguing? I¡¯ve done some stupid things but, really, this takes the prize.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Nerys flipped her a sideways glance, ¡°Sleeping with the enemy? What a grand idea. Esadora is going to kill you.¡±

    Calyx snorted. ¡°And Fayne? She hardly seems the forgiving type.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Quite right ¨C she¡¯ll be eager to destroy you, too.¡±

    ¡°I meant¡­ Oh, never mind,¡± Calyx sighed, hugging her tea close. ¡°I blame the wine. That, and the infernal magic that keeps sparking between us.¡±

    Nerys rubbed her hands up her arms, smoothing the gooseflesh that rose at her words. Calyx glanced across, set her teacup on the windowsill, and turned to face her. As if invited, power hummed. It hung in the air, soft between them. Calyx reached out to swirl a hand through its shimmering wake, and Nerys met her starlight gaze.

    ¡°Why does it do that?¡±

    Faint sparks glittered, dancing on her words. Silence stretched, deep, tenuous.

    ¡°Nerys, I¡­¡± she faltered, and Nerys¡¯ brow knitted with barely concealed emotion.

    ¡°You¡­what?¡±

    Calyx bit at her lip. She lowered her gaze, shook her head, and made to turn away, but Nerys caught her arm. Magic snapped.

    ¡°What?¡± Nerys whispered, holding fast, ¡°Say it now ¨C or forever hold your peace.¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡± Calyx looked down at the hand restraining her, back up into eyes warm as summer. She let her breath explode. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can pretend this didn¡¯t happen, Nerys. I¡¯ve been dreaming about you for twenty years.¡± She dipped her head, a blush colouring her cheek. ¡°Ever since that night, you chased me Beyond¡­¡±

    ¡°Calyx-¡±

    ¡°I know, it¡¯s ludicrous! But I can¡¯t help it; I had twenty years upon the old world with only my thoughts for company ¨C and I know, we stand Guardian to different Queens, I know, we¡¯re destined to war on opposite sides¡­ I know, I know! I just¡­¡±

    Words failed her and her lips twitched into an unhappy line. Nerys loosened her grip, slipped her hand down to intertwine their fingers. Power hummed warm, and she looked up from smoky eyes.

    ¡°Calyx¡­¡±

    Calyx¡¯s lip trembled, but she forced herself to hold her gaze, holding onto her hand like a lifeline.

    Nerys spoke slow, careful. ¡°I want you to know, I won¡¯t forget this-¡±

    Calyx¡¯s eyes flashed. ¡°Nothing that comes before ¡®but¡¯ ever matters.¡±

    ¡°-but¡­ I belong to Fayne.¡±

    Calyx tore herself free, spun away. She gripped the windowsill, white-knuckled, and lashed out at her cup, smashing it into a million pieces. Nerys closed the gap between them, spinning her forcefully against the window. Calyx pressed her back against it, losing her breath beneath the ferocity of Nerys¡¯ gaze.

    ¡°If you¡¯d let me finish...¡±

    The words were a devilish whisper; her lips hovered, a fraction away. Calyx bit at her own, staring up into Nerys¡¯ soul.

    ¡°¡­ as you belong to Jordenna. Remember? Ours is to bow to duty ¨C I can¡¯t begin something with you, even if I wanted to.¡±

    Calyx swallowed. ¡°If you¡­ wanted to?¡±

    Nerys stepped back, Calyx¡¯s body followed. She caught herself, remained where she was, and Nerys¡¯ stern posture diminished.

    ¡°Thoughts of you have haunted me too, Calyx. But what I want¡­ is of no consequence.¡±

    It was a murmur, heartfelt, overflowing with longing. But she lifted her chin, laced her fingers against her lap.

    ¡°We are Lat¡¯Nemele, Calyx ¨C for better or for worse. We do not get to play with affection; our emotions make us weak, volatile. You know that, as well as I. You have a princess to attend ¨C do you think she¡¯d understand your present distraction? That the World Queens would forgive your dereliction of obligation?¡±

    Calyx blew out. ¡°What would you know about that? You¡¯ve never met a true World Queen.¡±

    Nerys¡¯ eyes glittered, though she remained passive.

    ¡°Actually, I met Asbeth ¨C I¡¯ve never felt power like that. They are important ¨C and you are the reason I know that now. You are the Guardian of the next Queen, Calyx.¡± She paused to look out at the horizon, watching the unsympathetic passage of time. If only the day would wait¡­ A brief shadow of emotion crossed her face. ¡°I will not forget this night we¡¯ve shared, but dawn is calling, dear.¡±

    Calyx clucked her tongue. ¡°By Malevelyn, you are frustrating.¡±

    Nerys raised an eyebrow. ¡°Especially when I¡¯m right.¡±

    Calyx cocked her head, then nodded with a sad smile. Nerys stepped closer.

    ¡°Do not misunderstand me, Calyx,¡± she sighed, ¡°In another life, I could have been yours.¡±

    ¡°Nerys¡­¡±

    The name, the plea, hung suspended. A thrum of magic flooded, rising between their impossible emotions. Nerys held herself rigid, fighting it, but the tide engulfed her ¨C as Calyx moved, she melted to meet her. The soft rays of the rising sun illuminated their embrace; a moment stretched tender, steeped in longing, yet a salute to reality. Calyx stood back at last with a heavy sigh.

    ¡°Alright¡­ you win.¡±

    Nerys snorted with a toss of her head.

    ¡°There are no winners, dear. Not with something like this.¡±

    Calyx gave a curt nod. She pursed her lips, straightened her spine, and the magic faded unwilling. A dying flicker, snuffed beneath the gusts of practicality.

    ¡°Come on, then,¡± she growled, ¡°As you said, dawn breaks ¨C and we have a long way still to go. We must reach Esadora before the power I leant you fades, otherwise, none of our present problems will matter much anymore.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be a blessing.¡±

    Calyx raised her eyebrows but chose not to respond. Resolute, she swept from the room on a tide of bravado. Nerys, sagging beneath the weight of the argument she¡¯d held tight in her teeth, paused for a breath.

    She gathered herself, threw one last, despondent glance at the unforgiving break of day, and forced herself to follow.

 Chapter 24

    Jordan pushed her hair away from her face, tugging at it in frustration. She rolled her eyes at Norae, who sat on a log nearby, observing. The Callkin gave no reaction, so Jordan turned back to Esadora.

    ¡°It¡¯s no use, Grandma!¡± she pleaded. ¡°I can¡¯t do it! I can¡¯t feel anything!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re trying too hard,¡± Esadora observed.

    Jordan threw her head back, groaning in frustration as she stamped at the snow underfoot.

    Esadora smiled patiently. ¡°Remember when you were little, and you were learning to ride a bicycle?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with magic?¡± Jordan snapped.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Esadora mused, ¡°And everything. Both are about balance ¨C about feeling, rather than thinking. When you finally stayed upright and made your first trip down the driveway, were you thinking about keeping your balance? Of course not, you were only feeling the euphoria of accomplishment. This is exactly the same.¡±

    Jordan frowned down at the little twig clasped in her gloved hand. It was dormant, grey, and lifeless, protecting itself against the harsh depths of winter in the mountains. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tried again.

    ¡°Imagine the glow of energy surrounding each tiny shoot,¡± Esadora instructed, her voice soft and unintrusive. ¡°Watch it budding ¨C what colour do you see?¡±

    ¡°Green,¡± Jordan replied slowly. ¡°I¡¯m imagining a kind of green aura around it¡­ But pink where the flower will grow from.¡±

    Esadora nodded in satisfaction, watching the play of energy that Jordan was unwittingly enacting around the twig as she imagined it. Norae leaned forward in silence, intrigued.

    ¡°Watch the leaves unfurl,¡± Esadora continued in quiet monotone, ¡°See the shoot that will become a flower bud¡­ Pink, you said ¨C imagine it glowing brighter, within and around the bud, strengthening it, changing form from energy to tangible mass. See the petals lengthening, unfurling¡­ What kind of flower is it?¡±

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± Jordan¡¯s frown deepened with concentration, ¡°It¡¯s a hibiscus.¡±

    ¡°One of my favourites.¡± Esadora¡¯s whisper was approving. ¡°Open your eyes, Jordan.¡±

    Jordan obliged, and stared in wonder as the twig in her hand finished doing exactly what she¡¯d seen in her mind¡¯s eye. Tiny leaves sprang up and unfolded, darkening to a lustrous forest hue as they reached full size. A hibiscus bloom, larger than life and coloured a delicate pink, unfurled. The pale rosy petals darkened towards their centre, meeting in a vibrant swathe of ruby. Jordan whooped in delight as the transformation completed.

    ¡°I did it, Grandma!¡± she gushed, ¡°Look! I really did it!¡±

    She brandished the twig like a trophy, and Esadora let her have her moment, muttering complimentary things. Jordan grinned, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

    She winked at her grandmother. ¡°So¡­ when can I turn into a dragon?¡±

    Esadora laughed. ¡°In about two hundred years or so, if you keep practising.¡±

    ¡°¡­What?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Esadora mused, ¡°Your Callkin friend would not have thought to mention it. She is a Common Witchkin-¡±

    ¡°Grandma, that¡¯s so prejudiced!¡± Jordan interrupted, leaping to the defence of her friend. Norae opened her mouth to correct Jordan, but shut it again as Esadora snorted.

    ¡°You are now showing your ignorance, dearie. Common Witchkin is merely descriptive ¨C like saying someone is an American. No need for overt sensitivity. Pay attention whilst I enlighten you.¡± She rapped Jordan on the top of her head ¨C her personal symbol for engaging the brain. ¡°I assume by now Norae would have at least mentioned to you the different types of Witchkin?¡±

    Jordan nodded, Norae shadowing her action subconsciously.

    ¡°Good. Shorter lesson, then. As you know, there are different Orders of Witchkin, corresponding to the Elements they draw power from. These are called the High Orders. Those that fall outside of the High Orders are called Common Witchkin ¨C an informal Order of its own. They are so named because, in short, they are more common than the true elemental Witchkin. There are, of course, many Witchkin from all orders on Andoherra, but the Common orders are far more numerous ¨C everything from Callkin-" she nodded acknowledgement at Norae ¡°-to Kitchkin, Creakin, Ferrakin etcetera.¡±

    She paused, made sure Jordan was listening.

    ¡°The major difference between the High and Common Orders is that Common Witchkin have less derivative magic. They cannot port, and ¨C the point, incidentally ¨C they live roughly average human lifespans. Because of the potency of magic in the veins of High Order Witchkin, they live much longer.¡±

    Jordan squinted. ¡°How long?¡±

    ¡°Elemental and Obscure Witchkin can live as long as a thousand years,¡± Esadora said. ¡°We age normally until we turn twenty-one, at which time our magic comes into its full potential. After that, our physicality evolves, and we age one year for every ten. These decade-long years are known as andoyears.¡±

    Jordan hesitated, eying Esadora suspiciously. ¡°How old does that make you?¡±

    Esadora raised her eyebrows. ¡°I am approaching my seventieth andoyear.¡±

    Jordan ran a quick calculation. ¡°You¡¯re seven hundred?!¡±

    ¡°Approaching seven hundred,¡± Esadora corrected, folding her arms.

    Jordan went weak at the knees, mouth agape. Absently, she fingered her blooming twig, a reflection of her whirling thoughts.

    ¡°Hold on¡­¡± she said, the barest tremor shadowing her voice, ¡°I will also live forever¡­?¡±

    Esadora rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. ¡°Not forever, Jordan.¡±

    ¡°You know what I mean ¨C I will live for centuries, but¡­¡± She shot a nervous peek at her friend, ¡°But¡­ Norae¡­ will not?¡±

    Esadora¡¯s face softened, and she passed her gaze between the two. Norae appeared unruffled, which was to be expected ¨C she was Andoherran, and understood the way things worked. Jordan, however, wore the face of a lost, frightened child, and Esadora edged the bite out of her voice in sympathy.

    ¡°Callkin live approximately a hundred and twenty years, on average, child.¡±

    Jordan flashed an anguished glance at Norae, turned her pleading gaze back to her grandmother. ¡°Isn¡¯t there a way¡­? I don¡¯t want to live for hundreds of years when my friend has to die!¡±

    ¡°Everyone dies, dearie,¡± Esadora said kindly, ¡°Who can say when? Do not despair ¨C Worldkin have a notoriously bad habit of dying young. Your mother only counted six andoyears ¨C that¡¯s well within a Common lifespan.¡±

    ¡°Gee, thanks, Grandma. That makes everything better.¡±

    Norae got up, laid a comforting hand on Jordan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°All have our time, Jordan. Many years as have, enough for me. Will be privilege to share as your friend.¡±

    Jordan nodded at her words, blinked back the burn of tears, and straightened her shoulders. Esadora graced Norae with an approving glance, and Norae dipped her head with a small smile.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°Life is hard, sometimes,¡± Esadora said to Jordan, ¡°Best not to think too long on things you can¡¯t control, dearie.¡± Quietly, she handed her granddaughter another lifeless twig. ¡°Far better to work on what you can control. Here, try again.¡±

    Norae stepped back and returned to her vantage as Jordan took the little branch. She stared down, flexing her fingers around it, trying to shake her morbid thought train. Despite her valiant efforts, her lip trembled. A heavy melancholy sank claws into her heart. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate, but saw only the shadow of Norae¡¯s face, a sad, resigned smile painted on her lips.

    ¡°Jordan¡­¡± Esadora¡¯s tone was a warning, ¡°Control yourself, girl.¡±

    Jordan¡¯s eyes flashed open at her tone, and she shook herself, sniffing in an attempt to stem her tears before they resurged. She took a deep breath, looked down at the twig to capture its image in her mind, and closed her eyes once more. Immediately, imaginings of a long, lonely life attacked. She saw herself, alone, weeping at the graves of everyone she had ever cared for. Slowly, despair burned to anger¡­ She didn¡¯t want to accept it ¨C she wouldn¡¯t!

    ¡°Jordan!¡± Esadora barked, surging forward to knock the twig from her hands.

    Jordan jolted back to the present, staring down in horror at a spreading circle of inky blackness that rippled out from the fallen twig. The nefarious shadow shrivelled everything it touched ¨C even the snow turned hard and crusty, like crumbled charcoal. The twig contorted in silent agony where it had fallen, disintegrating into nothing more than ash and dust. Esadora whipped out a hand at the seeping destruction, stopping it in its tracks. Norae sat on the edge of her seat, white-knuckled and staring.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Jordan whispered, tense with fright.

    ¡°There are two sides to a Worldkin¡¯s magic,¡± Esadora explained, her tone grim, ¡°Creation¡­ and Chaos.¡± She gestured to the circle of charred snow and twisted brush. ¡°This is what Chaos looks like. Your first twig is what Creation looks like. You must be completely focused with magic Jordan ¨C horrible accidents can happen, otherwise.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Jordan said, still gawping at the destruction she had caused, ¡°I wasn¡¯t doing magic¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t do magic, Jordan,¡± Esadora sighed, ¡°You are magic. It is part of you, colouring everything you do. You can¡¯t turn it off either, so be aware of its presence.¡±

    Jordan wrung her guilty hands. ¡°Creation and Chaos¡­ what does that mean, Grandma?¡±

    Esadora put an arm around her shoulders, and they stared at the disintegrating charcoal together.

    ¡°Think of it more simply as life and death,¡± Esadora said. ¡°And no, before you ask, your power does not stretch to resurrection. Once something is dead, it¡¯s dead ¨C that¡¯s why we are working with dormant branches, not dead ones.¡±

    She lifted her free hand and painted a shimmering picture in the air. Norae craned her neck to see better, and Esadora, noticing, beckoned for her to join them. The young women watched, mesmerised, as she illustrated her explanation.

    ¡°Worldkin can Create, that is to say, we can give life to inanimate things, can conjure something from nothing. You could make a tree pick up its roots and walk, for example. Or form water into a solid creature that acts independently, though it has no mind of its own. You can alter one shape to another...¡±

    A tiny Worldkin transformed herself into a dragon as Esadora spoke, breathing purple fire above an animated tree and a snake made of water. Then, the little apparition shifted back to her usual form, clawing her fingers on both hands. The tree jerked to a halt, blackened, and tumbled down to shatter into a thousand pieces; the snake exploded in a hiss of steam. Jordan and Norae flinched.

    ¡°Or¡­¡± Esadora continued, ¡°A Worldkin can wield Chaos. You could tear the life right out of that tree, smite the water beast where it stands. Our magic works on energy, the giving, the taking, and enhancing of such. There is a lot more to it all, but it will take you a lifetime to learn.¡± She caught Jordan¡¯s eye. ¡°Even I am still learning.¡±

    ¡°Are there any limits?¡± Jordan asked, her voice hushed with wonder as she reached out to the fading picture in the air.

    ¡°Of course there are limits,¡± Esadora smiled, ¡°I just haven¡¯t discovered them yet.¡±

    Jordan threw her a questioning glance, and she saw fit to elaborate.

    ¡°Look around you, dearie,¡± she gestured to the world at large, ¡°The whole of Andoherra was created by a Worldkin¡¯s magic, torn into existence from nothing. Incidentally, that¡¯s why it¡¯s unstable¡­ but it serves the purpose of an example of the limitations of a Worldkin¡¯s power.¡± She paused thoughtfully, and then added, ¡°I believe your boundaries depend entirely on the strength of your will ¨C and the level of confidence with which you wield your magic.¡±

    Jordan wrapped her arms around herself, stifling a shiver. Somehow, she didn¡¯t find the idea exciting ¨C it terrified her.

    ¡°I hope I¡¯m up to all that,¡± she said, bleak.

    ¡°Andoherra is an extreme example,¡± Esadora comforted, ¡°There has never been another Worldkin quite like Malevelyn. She was incredibly attuned to her power, and she reached a level of skill unheard of before or since.¡±

    Suddenly, Norae¡¯s head jerked up, her eyes narrowed. Esadora switched her attention to the Callkin, guard raised.

    ¡°Something coming,¡± Norae growled, answering the Worldkin¡¯s unspoken question.

    Her dark gaze roved, keen as a falcon, seeking movement in the white and shadow of the surrounding forest. High above, Thallo screeled a warning cry, and then Norae pointed to a speck moving haltingly through the trees.

    ¡°There!¡±

    Esadora followed her finger, face grim, and positioned herself half a step in front of the two younger women. They waited, silent as death, watching the figure come. Soon, they could see it was a man, or what remained of a man, shirtless despite the crackling cold. He moved in their direction without apparent intent. His steps were strange, jarring, his arms mechanical at his sides. At the edge of the treeline, he stumbled, falling hard to lie unmoving, face down in the snow. Jordan¡¯s breath left her in a rush.

    ¡°He¡¯s hurt!¡± she exclaimed, jumping forth to his aid.

    Esadora barked a command and Norae dashed after her, pulling her up by the arm before she quite reached him. Incensed, Jordan struggled against the Callkin¡¯s grip, but Norae held her fast until Esadora caught up to them.

    ¡°Enough, Jordan!¡±

    The gravity of her tone surprised Jordan into obedience. Norae released her, and they stood quiet as Esadora approached the fallen man. She gasped Malevelyn¡¯s name as she drew near, her face grey with trepidation. With an agitated finger, she summoned Jordan and Norae to bear witness. They tiptoed closer, standing behind Esadora as she stared down.

    ¡°The hell¡­?¡± Jordan exclaimed, and Norae tapped her eyelids against evil.

    ¡°Keep well back,¡± Esadora warned, ¡°But I wanted you to see.¡±

    With a strand of magic, she turned the man onto his back and gusted the snow from his body. His breath rose and fell shallow, his skin taut and cracking across his chest. A strange, orange-brown mould covered every inch of him, and his joints were swollen into unnatural shapes. In several places, the blight appeared to have eaten clean through his skin, leaving wounds that seeped black, viscous blood. His eyes, nose and ears wept the same tar-like substance, thick rivulets staining his cheeks.

    ¡°What happened to him?¡± Jordan whispered, horrified.

    ¡°Rust,¡± Esadora muttered, her face contorted with a mixture of disgust and worry. ¡°Whatever you do, do not touch him ¨C Rust is viciously contagious, and there is no cure.¡±

    ¡°Never seen like it,¡± Norae murmured, crouching down to inspect, but keeping her limbs well clear.

    ¡°It¡¯s a disease caused by magic, or, more specifically, the breakdown of magic,¡± Esadora explained. ¡°It has only happened once before in all of Andoherra¡¯s history ¨C it comes with the Dark of the Sun. He is a Witchkin ¨C what kind, now, is impossible to tell. You see how the magic in his blood has turned black with sickness?¡±

    The young women nodded, morbidly fascinated. Esadora lifted her chin, gazing into the distance.

    ¡°He must have come from Avacor Reach ¨C there is a pass through the mountains not far from here.¡± She turned her gaze back to her companions. ¡°He will not be the only one suffering from this. I must go and see if there is anything I can do for the people there, even if mercy is all I can offer.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll go with you!¡± Jordan exclaimed, but Esadora shook her head.

    ¡°It is too dangerous.¡± Her tone brooked no argument. ¡°I will not be gone long. You two stay here, stay close to the bastion, and keep far away from anyone else who might wander through. Exception of Calyx, of course. She should be here any time now ¨C frankly, I¡¯m surprised she hasn¡¯t arrived already.¡±

    She swept her gaze from one to the other to ensure they had marked her words, and the set of her granddaughter¡¯s jaw made her frown.

    ¡°I mean it, Jordan,¡± she warned, ¡°If I return to find you lost to the talons of Rust, or anything else for that matter, you will discover new meaning to the word wrath.¡±

    Jordan sighed. ¡°What about him?¡±

    Esadora glanced down, saw that the man¡¯s eyes had opened, crusted, and bleary. Rigid, he tried to rise, but she swept out her hand and pinned him to the ground. With an air of grim finality, she carved her magic down his chest, splicing it to reveal his soul. She crooked a finger and pulled it free. It left him, a faint, translucent shadow.

    The barest tint of yellow coloured it, and Esadora nodded to herself. ¡°Airkin, as I expected ¨C a band of them live at Avacor Reach.¡±

    ¡°What did you do?¡± Jordan whispered, horrified by the display.

    ¡°Another example of the power of Chaos,¡± Esadora replied, unruffled. ¡°Though we may not wield magic in the same tangible proportions as Elemental Witchkin ¨C no throwing fireballs or rock spears, in other words ¨C we can touch the very essence of life itself. Either to harm, or to heal ¨C that¡¯s up to the individual¡­ and the circumstances.¡±

    Jordan shook her head. ¡°That kind of power¡­ It shouldn¡¯t be allowed¡­¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t be helped, dearie, it runs in our veins. Learn to control yours, before you do things like that-¡± she waved down at the human shell ¡°-by accident.¡±

    Jordan gulped, turned wide eyes on Norae.

    The Callkin shrugged. ¡°People die in magic accidents.¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Esadora agreed. She readied herself to leave, fixing Jordan with a pertinent stare. ¡°You two keep out of trouble, you hear?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Grandma,¡± Jordan said, and meant it.

    Esadora noted no further shadow of rebelliousness and, with a satisfied nod, pulled a shawl of magic about her shoulders. She shimmered in a smoky haze, porting away. In the notable emptiness left in her wake, Norae and Jordan exchanged glances, sobered by the discarded man sprawled at their feet.

    ¡°Uh, shall we go inside?¡± Jordan asked.

    ¡°Good idea,¡± Norae nodded.

    She whistled for Thallo, and, together, the trio retreated to the depths of Queenhaven.

 Chapter 25

    Eoscan Palace was in an uproar, flustered shouts echoing through its halls. With a crippling bang, the left wing of the Great Hall exploded. Bright shards of white-hot stone screamed through the air. Councillors ducked for cover, some too slow to avoid the torrent of fire lashing in all directions. Walls smoked beneath the relentless barrage; the shadows of victims burned onto their faces. Shrieks of fury rebounded, slicing high across roaring fire and cracking stone.

    At the heart of the mayhem, Fayne glittered with wrath. She flung her arms out, ringed fingers awash with flame, and redoubled her efforts. The remaining Councillors leapt for refuge in all directions, throwing up shields of air, water, rock. She ignored them; she wasn¡¯t targeting anyone, specifically. She was simply venting ¨C and none dared attempt to halt her tirade.

    Standing guard at one side of the hall, a grizzled Gryphon Knight hefted his shield to block a ball of fire that eddied in his direction. He made no other movement, remaining stoic, but the flash of steel reflecting firelight caught Fayne¡¯s eye. She paused in her diatribe.

    ¡°Sir Jeddrin!¡± she barked.

    He leapt to attention, marching to stand before her. She snuffed the flames that swirled around her ¨C though her green dress smoked, some of the dreadful heat left her.

    ¡°As it please, Majesty,¡± he growled, saluting her with a fist over his heart, ¡°How may I serve?¡±

    Fayne flopped onto her Throne and bounced a fiery ball in one hand, pouting as she considered. Sir Jeddrin paid it no mind, keeping his attention riveted to the face of his Queen. Members of the Council peeked around their magic shields, waiting with bated breath to see if he would be incinerated.

    Fayne unleashed a theatrical sigh. ¡°I appear to have lost several soldiers... They may or may not have been burned alive. Regardless, I find myself in need of more guards. See to it, please.¡±

    Sir Jeddrin bowed low. ¡°At once, Majesty.¡±

    He left at a smart pace and the room breathed a sigh of relief. It appeared that Fayne¡¯s tantrum was over ¨C at least for the time being. The Queen extinguished her fireball and leaned forward in her chair. She cleared her throat, and the Councillors rushed to disassemble their makeshift shields and gather before her once more.

    ¡°Cowards, the lot of you,¡± Fayne grumbled.

    She huffed her fringe out of her eyes and tapped her fingers on the elaborately carved arm of her seat, thinking. A soft, jingling melody floated from the collection of rings and bangles she wore. Fortunately, its music had a calming effect on the volatile Firekin. Unfortunately, she noticed something else which grated on her already agitated nerves. From her vantage, she could, through the great glass window on her left, see the growing shadow clutching at the edge of the sun. Luckily for those present, she was tired from her outburst. Sucking at her teeth, she shifted to sit sideways on the Throne ¨C her back to the view and her legs thrown over the armrest.

    ¡°Is Nerys dead yet?¡± she asked acidly, of no one in particular.

    An aged councillor, pushed forward by his fellows, answered with a tremor in his voice.

    ¡°N-no one has seen her, Majesty...¡±

    ¡°Do I not command an army of powerful Witchkin?¡±

    The councillors coughed, cleared their throats. The one at the front affirmed ¨C in a high, squeaky tone ¨C that she did.

    ¡°You know¡­¡± Fayne rounded her lips in sarcastic surprise, ¡°That¡¯s what I thought!¡±

    She pushed to her feet and every soul in the room cringed away, though each tried not to seem like they did.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°Why, then¡­¡± she continued, ¡°¡­do I find myself still awaiting news of my Lat¡¯Nemele?¡±

    No one dared answer. With a sigh of resignation, she sat down on the Throne once more and snapped her fingers.

    ¡°Where is Galva¡¯s acolyte?¡±

    A rustle from somewhere in the crowd, and then a tall, willowy young man stepped forward ¨C the same who had summoned the Queen to Galva¡¯s deathbed. Fayne quirked a brow, her predatory gaze sweeping over him.

    ¡°If it please, Your Majesty,¡± he said, in a voice soft as spring rain, ¡°Here I am.¡±

    Fayne leaned forward, intrigued. A bright curiosity transformed her face from terrible to beautiful. Her voice dropped to a summery lilt.

    ¡°What is your name, Dreamkin?¡±

    ¡°I am Adimar Val¡¯Ery, Majesty.¡±

    Fayne surveyed him like a lion with a lamb. ¡°You were apprenticed to Galva, yes?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Majesty. For the last six andoyears.¡±

    ¡°You are so young¡­¡± Fayne smiled. She beckoned for him to come closer, well out of the stuffy crowd of Councillors.

    ¡°As I¡¯m sure you are aware,¡± she continued, ¡°I find myself suddenly in need of a new Grand Master of Dreams, to stand as my permanent advisor.¡± Her lips curved, languorous. ¡°I think you would do nicely.¡±

    As he blushed crimson and muttered his gratitude, a muffled protest filtered out from the Councillors. Fayne¡¯s head snapped in its direction like a snake.

    ¡°Someone wishes to contend my opinion?¡± she asked. Her voice dripped poisonous honey.

    The crowd parted, and an older man was thrust forward, into her line of sight. He wrung his hands, licking at his lips.

    ¡°M-Majesty,¡± he croaked, ¡°I have no wish to contend anything! Only... the Order of Dreams usually select from within their own ranks¡­ who will be the next Dreamkin to stand as Grand Master at the Palace¡­¡±

    Fayne leaned her chin in her palm.

    ¡°Are you suggesting, Tadber, that I am not of the appropriate insight and intelligence to make a proposal as to the next Grand Master of Dreams?¡±

    ¡°N-no!¡± he gasped, his cheeks turning liver beneath his agitation. Belatedly he added, ¡°Your Majesty!¡±

    Fayne¡¯s patience escaped her. She turned to command her personal Angel of Death to attend this man, but faltered as she came face to face with an empty space. The words never left her lips, escaping her on a silent rush of air instead. Of course, she had no more Lat¡¯Nemele... And she¡¯d lost Galva, too.

    She was running out of useful allies, and fast.

    She composed her face into a simpering smile. ¡°Of course, Tadber, you make a valid point...¡±

    He heaved a quiet, yet hearty, sigh of relief.

    Fayne cocked her head. ¡°...The Queen does not interfere with the election of Grand Witchkin within the Orders ¨C that is a private and personal choice for each school of magic.¡± She leaned back in her chair, conceding demurely. ¡°I was simply suggesting, due to Adimar¡¯s diligence and devotion to his duties, that he should perhaps be considered. After all, he was training directly under Galva herself, even if he is yet young... Perhaps the Dreamkin will consider my words?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Majesty!¡± Tadber all but fell over his response, ¡°Very wise, very wise¡­¡±

    Fayne dismissed him with a wave of her hand, not bothering to conceal the roll of her eyes.

    At the entrance, the chink of armour distracted her. She lifted her gaze as Sir Jeddrin and six Knights approached in double file. They jogged to a halt in front of the Queen, and she surveyed them critically. All were young and attractive ¨C strapping examples of what Fayne expected a Gryphon Knight to be. She nodded her approval at the four men and two women, and Sir Jeddrin barked an order for them to take up positions around the room.

    ¡°Thank you, Sir Jeddrin,¡± she smiled, ¡°As always, I cannot fault your efficiency.¡±

    She got to her feet and floated down the dais steps, coming to run one finger flirtatiously down the steel of his breastplate.

    ¡°Tell me, Sir,¡± she purred, ¡°How many Knights do you have under your command?¡±

    ¡°Three thousand, Majesty,¡± he growled, staring straight ahead.

    ¡°And Karkadann?¡±

    ¡°Seven thousand, Majesty.¡±

    ¡°Remaining forces?¡±

    ¡°Twenty thousand foot soldiers, ten thousand Skur Riders, six thousand reserves.¡±

    ¡°Excellent,¡± Fayne smiled. ¡°Call them all to arms.¡±

    ¡°Majesty?¡±

    ¡°You heard me. Every. Single. One.¡±

    Masking his surprise, Sir Jeddrin saluted and strode away to see it done. Fayne returned her regard to Adimar. She appraised his handsome copper face, noting the intelligence, the adoration, in his almond eyes. Yes, he would do nicely. She twirled towards him, stopping inches from his position.

    ¡°Grand Master or not,¡± she purred, ¡°I have a particularly delicate task for you, Adimar.¡±

    He puffed himself up. ¡°Of course, Majesty! Name it, and it is done!¡±

    Fayne¡¯s smile widened. She swept her gaze condescendingly across the ranks of stuffy, aged individuals leaning in with keen ears, and further closed the gap between herself and the young Dreamkin.

    ¡°I need you to pay a visit to an old friend of mine,¡± she crooned, running one finger across his sculpted jaw. ¡°We will need her help if we are to remove that bloody dragon from the field.¡±

    She leaned in, slid her tongue playfully up the side of his neck, and whispered her instructions into his ear.

 Chapter 26

    ¡°Hear that?¡± Norae hissed. She held her glaive tighter.

    Jordan shrank back. ¡°Are you kidding? The whole mountain heard that!¡±

    They fell silent, pressed on either side of Thallo in the hallway, drawing comfort from the solid feel of her tensed body. The gryphon growled, and it vibrated through them as they strained to listen.

    A second deafening boom rocked the gigantic doors, and the wood groaned in protest. The third collision blasted them open. A flurry of snow howled through the gap, fleeing from the tempestuous night outside. In its wake came a Sorceress, stumbling over the threshold with a heavy burden in her arms and two exhausted horses staggering behind her.

    ¡°Calyx!¡± Norae exclaimed in relief, recognising her.

    She leapt to grasp the lead-lines from the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s numb fingers. The horses snorted, flattening their ears as they spied the gryphon. Thallo inspected them with interest, but a sharp command from Norae made her sit to one side as they passed, a mutinous expression on her strigine face. Calyx limped forward with the last of her strength, the heavy doors creaking closed behind her. Jordan peered suspiciously at the cloaked figure in her arms.

    When Nerys stirred with a groan, turning her head to see where they were, Jordan leapt back in alarm. Calyx murmured quiet assurance, setting Nerys unsteadily on her feet. With an arm around her waist to keep her upright, she looked about for a chair, a stool, anything for them to collapse onto. But Jordan gathered her resolve. She stepped forward, mouth grim, barring their way.

    ¡°We¡¯re expecting you,¡± she said, ¡°But you¡¯re supposed to be alone. She is supposed to be dead!¡±

    Calyx fixed her with a withering expression.

    ¡°Nice to see you, too, Jordan. Where is Esadora? I must speak with her.¡±

    ¡°She isn¡¯t here, luckily for you.¡±

    Calyx¡¯s face drained of colour. ¡°What?! Where is she? We¡¯re running out of time!¡±

    ¡°Went to Avacor Reach,¡± Norae said, overhearing as she returned from stabling the horses.

    Nerys listed, mumbling incoherence, and Calyx adjusted her grip with an effort. Avoiding Jordan¡¯s unsympathetic expression, she turned to the Callkin instead.

    ¡°Norae Dre¡¯Cor,¡± she appealed, her voice soft, wavering with fatigue, ¡°Please... we need to rest.¡±

    But Norae folded her arms, jaw set. ¡°Normally, obligated to assist, Lat¡¯Nemele. But have brought mortal enemy with you. Nerys almost killed Jordan ¨C not welcome here.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t,¡± Nerys slurred, stirred by affront, ¡°Not my fault she got in the way.¡±

    ¡°You were supposed to get rid of her!¡± Jordan seethed, ¡°Not bring her to us!¡±

    Calyx drew herself up, eyes flashing. Her ire drove away her weariness. She twisted her mouth to respond, but a flash of smoke silenced her.

    Esadora strode forward before she¡¯d even cleared the Betwixt, closing in on Calyx like a hurricane.

    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± she thundered.

    With iron fingers, she wrenched Nerys from Calyx¡¯s grasp, but released her with a snarl. She recoiled, and Calyx dived forward to catch Nerys as she slumped down.

    ¡°Is the Fire Witch completely mad?¡± Esadora hissed, ¡°She will kill us all!¡±

    A muscle in her jaw twitched as she glared at the pair of Lat¡¯Nemele. Her eyes narrowed to slits, but she gave a curt nod.

    ¡°Come,¡± she commanded.

    She spun on her heel and marched away, and Calyx hurriedly hoisted Nerys into her arms to follow. Nerys¡¯ gasp of protest was lost to a whimper of pain, her conscious mind lapsing in its wake.

    Jordan and Norae trailed at a safe distance.

    ¡°The hell is going on?¡± Jordan muttered.

    ¡°Something bad,¡± Norae guessed, grim. She looped an arm over Thallo¡¯s whither, drawing comfort against the unknown. The gryphon pressed protectively against her side as they walked.

    ¡°...I don¡¯t think she knew the full extent of the curse she cast,¡± Calyx was saying as they entered a small room, ¡°I imagine Galva was behind the suggestion. She would have taken the opportunity for revenge.¡±

    Esadora¡¯s eyes glittered. ¡°You¡¯re right about that. Galva adored Asbeth, even when she was just a little girl. And Fayne never was her favourite Witchkin...¡± She strode towards a table, conjuring a blanket to cover it. ¡°Here, lay her by the fire.¡±

    Calyx did as she was bid, settling Nerys as best she could in her unconscious state. Esadora loomed over her to inspect the shard buried in her chest.

    ¡°Amazing that she is still alive,¡± she observed, acid dripping from her voice.

    ¡°She¡¯s a Lat¡¯Nemele,¡± Calyx offered tiredly, ¡°We¡¯re not easy to kill.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, unfortunately,¡± Esadora cocked her head at Calyx. She muttered to herself as she examined Nerys¡¯ still form, and then stood back with a sharp nod.

    ¡°You¡¯ll help us, then?¡± Calyx asked quietly. A faint lilt of hope eddied through her voice.

    Esadora¡¯s lip curled. ¡°Us, is it?¡±

    ¡°Us, as in Andoherra,¡± Calyx shot back. She bristled at the implied accusation, a faint shadow of her temper welling despite her fatigue.

    Esadora rolled her eyes and caught sight of Norae and Jordan hovering in the doorway.

    ¡°You two, come here.¡±

    Sharing a glance, they obeyed ¨C Norae flashed a command at Thallo to remain at the door. The white gryphon folded her paws with a yawn, feigning complete disinterest in the proceedings, but Norae knew she would watch like a hawk, and her vigilance always made her feel better.

    As they reached the edge of the table, Esadora held up a hand for them to stop. She fixed them with a frank stare, and Jordan shivered; she knew that look ¨C it never portended anything good.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Next lesson, Jordan,¡± Esadora clipped, ¡°This-¡± and she waved a distasteful hand at Nerys¡¯ prone form ¡°-is what a curse looks like. There are many varieties, of course, and of varying degrees of destructiveness. This one is particularly nasty. Banned, in fact. It''s called the Fetters of Chaos, and,¡± she leaned over Nerys once more, ¡°By the look of it, has been exceptionally well-cast.¡±

    ¡°Majesty,¡± Calyx voiced a soft objection, ¡°Is this really a time for education? Nerys grows weaker by the moment-¡±

    ¡°It is the perfect time for education,¡± Esadora snapped. ¡°There will never be another opportunity to see the Fetters of Chaos in tangible form, and Jordan should know the full extent of what¡¯s possible on Andoherra.¡±

    Calyx bit at her lip but dipped her head in acquiescence. Esadora motioned the young women closer, stepping aside so that they could look down upon the unconscious Witchkin.

    She pointed to the embedded shard of crystal, though she did not touch it. ¡°Do you see, here? This is the tying key for the Fetters of Chaos. It holds the essence of the spell, and it¡¯s this that we have to remove. In all of Andoherra¡¯s history, the Fetters of Chaos has rarely been cast, much less reversed. Also, I don¡¯t believe it has ever been implemented with such... magnitude of intent.¡± She shook her head with grudging respect. ¡°Honestly, I can¡¯t believe this woman is still alive. Her will, her magic, is incredible...¡±

    Her hands hovered above Nerys for a moment, and then she looked sharply up at Calyx.

    ¡°That¡­ is not just her magic I feel. Is it?¡±

    Calyx held her gaze, unapologetic. ¡°No. I shared mine with her, to keep her alive.¡±

    ¡°Impossible...¡± But Esadora closed her eyes, felt for the strands, ¡°Dear Malevelyn, you really did, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    The Lat¡¯Nemele raised her chin in defiance. ¡°I couldn¡¯t let her die, Esadora. She would have taken the whole bloody world with her ¨C you and Jordan included.¡±

    Esadora pressed her lips into a thin, white-tipped line. A tense silence fell, stretching well into the realms of discomfort as the two women stared each other down.

    At length, Esadora clucked her tongue. ¡°Too late to do anything about it now,¡± she motioned Calyx brusquely to Nerys¡¯ other side, ¡°You will help me with this.¡±

    Calyx responded with a caustic bow. ¡°My power is yours to command.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s going to hurt,¡± Esadora said, unsympathetic.

    Calyx called to her magic with a contemptuous snort; it answered in a heated shimmer. Satisfied, Esadora turned to Jordan and Norae.

    ¡°Keep well back,¡± she warned, ¡°And don¡¯t touch anything. Especially you, Jordan ¨C if your power gets involved and you lose control, it could very well be the end of us.¡±

    Wide-eyed, Jordan nodded and clasped her hands together behind her back. Norae bumped comfortingly against her shoulder.

    ¡°Right, then,¡± Esadora flexed her fingers, rubbing her hands together, ¡°The Fetters are tethered to the soul. We will have to extricate her magic at the same time as we remove the physical key. Containment is also vital.¡± She looked to Calyx. ¡°Do not let go until it is done.¡±

    Calyx gave a sharp nod to indicate she was ready. Esadora rolled her shoulders to limber them against the influx of magic, and reached over to take one of Calyx¡¯s hands in hers.

    In unspoken accord, both women assumed intense expressions of concentration. Jordan watched in awe as a vibrant glow bloomed around Calyx, ebbing and flowing in time to the movements Esadora made with her free hand. The air grew hot around them, fizzing and snapping with sparks of power as Esadora hovered her fingers over Nerys¡¯ damp brow. She murmured unintelligible words over the brunette, reaching for the soul of her magic, calling to the dormant power in her blood.

    Nerys¡¯ form turned icy; a pale, pearlescent shimmer weakly answering the Worldkin¡¯s call. Beads of sweat dripped from Esadora¡¯s brow, and her lips pinched tight around her words. Her face held the only hint of fear Jordan had ever seen her display.

    Calyx cried out suddenly. Her face twisted in agony as savage bands of energy rippled across her skin, burning where they touched. Tiny lines of blisters raised themselves like gooseflesh along her arms, and Jordan stared in horrified fascination as Esadora bled power from the Lat¡¯Nemele in whipping arcs of golden light. A cage of gilded lightning enshrouded them, containing the rising magic. Calyx¡¯s shoulders caught rigid, her breath exploded as she braced, but she held fast to Esadora¡¯s hand as she had promised.

    Esadora forced her fingers down from Nerys¡¯ head to her chest, to float over the shard. Her arm appeared to fight the movement for all it was worth. The stone screeched as Esadora¡¯s fingers drew near, and Jordan clapped her hands over her ears against the piercing pain that shot through her head. Esadora¡¯s hand shivered with exertion; she pressed it down, fighting the repulsion of the agitated crystalline evil. The elder woman panted, forcing numb fingers to shift and weave, undoing the knots that bound the spell. The whining intensified to ear-splitting. The shard trembled, grating against bone as it fought to stay in place. Nerys¡¯ back arched, her own screams rising counterpoint to the magic¡¯s wail. Jordan found herself shivering, crying ¨C overwhelmed by the traumatic magic hanging thick in the air. Norae clung to her arm, fear like she had never known crashing through her, and Thallo creeled her agitation from the doorway.

    A sound like a heartbeat thrummed, heavy in baseline silence. They felt, more than heard, its resonance. Jordan¡¯s hair stood on end, an icy wash of dread sliding down her spine.

    ¡°Brace!¡± Esadora cried.

    The magic imploded, sucking into the crystal in a screaming rush, tearing at clothes and hair with tangible claws. The force pushed the crystal up, out ¨C mere millimetres, but Esadora was ready. She threw out a whip of magic, borrowing force from Calyx, and lassoed it tight.

    ¡°Pull!¡±

    Esadora¡¯s voice cracked under the strain, but she and the Lat¡¯Nemele both leaned back against the savage, bucking force, driving it to obey. They cried out as one, in pain and fury, and the shard pulled free on a tide of loosened magic. The ripple it expelled knocked Jordan and Norae clean off their feet, but the wave crashed against the lightning bars of the magic cage and went no further. Esadora snatched her hand out and captured the crystal. Its sickly, yellow-green light abruptly extinguished in her palm, and her fingers slipped loose from Calyx. Her shoulders drooped. She stood trembling, catching her breath, while Jordan and Norae picked themselves up off the floor. Calyx slumped forward, barely supporting her weight with both hands braced on the side of the table. Her skin was raw and burned, and she shivered uncontrollably. Tears flowed unnoticed down her pale cheeks.

    Esadora watched the laboured breathing of the unconscious Lat¡¯Nemele. She lifted her gaze to Calyx, something unfathomable in her storm-grey eyes.

    ¡°It took its toll,¡± she murmured. ¡°She is slipping away, Calyx. It is your choice ¨C share your magic once more, or do not. I will not interfere.¡±

    She turned and shuffled away, catching an arm around the shoulders of Norae and Jordan to steer them from the room. The gryphon followed, eartufts pinned flat against the hum of magic that hung in the air.

    Calyx watched them go, before turning stiffly to Nerys. With one trembling hand, she reached up to wipe her tears away. The brunette lay in dreadful silence after the screams, unmoving, barely breathing. Her skin was ashen, her face hollowed by days of unrelenting pain. Calyx gathered herself, hissing against the agony of movement, and carefully shifted her seared flesh to perch on the edge of the table. She watched as Nerys¡¯ magic hitched in its last moments of life ¨C erratic, weak, broken. The faint echo of her own shadowed it, fading fast. She reached out to brush a damp strand of hair from the brunette¡¯s cheek and whispered her name, but received no response.

    With a quiet sigh, she sat up a little straighter and rubbed her palms together. The burn of her magic across the angry blisters on her skin made her wince, but she called to it regardless. It pulsated in her hands, vibrant and eager, expanding with shivering force as it rose to her command. Clenching her teeth, she lifted the ball of liquid light and offered a quick prayer to Malevelyn for strength. She plunged her hands down, to the centre of Nerys¡¯ chest, where the shard had been. She cried out as magic roared forth once more, carving power from her very soul as it chased itself across the breach and into Nerys¡¯ still form. Nerys¡¯ body arched beneath her fingers, illuminated as borrowed magic surged beneath her skin. She convulsed, and a savage cry tore from her lips, but then it was done. Calyx fell forward with her hands on either side of Nerys¡¯ head, supporting herself with trembling arms as she stared down.

    For a long moment, nothing happened. But then, slowly, Nerys¡¯ eyes fluttered open. Her warm gaze alighted on Calyx¡¯s drawn face.

    ¡°Calyx¡­¡± she murmured, wincing, ¡°Gods¡­being around you hurts.¡±

    Calyx managed a tremulous laugh. She collapsed beside the Dark Sorceress, and Nerys turned her head to face her.

    Her voice trembled beneath the effort of her rebuke. ¡°You¡¯re out of your mind¡­ you could have died.¡±

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t,¡± Calyx murmured back, eyes closed already as fatigue claimed her, ¡°And neither did you.¡±

    Nerys half-nodded, tucking her chin against the softness of Calyx¡¯s hair. She sighed, and within seconds had given herself to sleep. Too tired to move away, Calyx followed her into silent oblivion. The link in their magic lulled her, and she spared no thought for tomorrow.

 Chapter 27

    Screams split the air, ricocheting, rolling over themselves until the sky was full to bursting with terror and pain.

    Calyx wasn¡¯t sure if they were real or not, so unearthly their echoes. She shook herself, blinking against the fog of night, wondering where the hell she was. Feeling oddly detached from her magic, she lifted her hands and baulked at their ethereal appearance. She flexed her fingers, a disturbed expression clouding her face as she stared at their translucence. She swallowed as she tried ¨C failed ¨C to reach her power. She could feel its echo, but it was muted, and far, far away.

    She fisted her hands, rubbing them on her thighs, trying to incite some feeling. Swinging her gaze around, she tried to make sense of what had happened. She was in unfamiliar territory, magically speaking. Slowly, the world came into focus, sight and noise and sensation accosting her in parts ¨C like a stop-motion exit from Betwixt, if such a thing existed.

    Torches flared around her, piercing shallowly the darkness, illuminating small flakes of falling snow. Hoarse shouts rebounded ¨C desperate orders to mount a defence. Soldiers rushed back and forth through the thick, frosty night. One sprinted straight through Calyx, stippling a wild chill across her translucent skin.

    Had she died?

    The last thing she remembered was giving her magic to Nerys¡­

    The flood of soldiers thickened but she moved freely amongst them, unhindered by solidity. She realised she was on the battlements of a stronghold she didn¡¯t recognise, and reached out to run a curious finger across the pale marble wall. It was smooth and cool, even to her ethereal touch. She looked up at the glorious rise of a palace on the crest of the hill, visible in the flickering lights of millions of torches. Its marble spires rose proud into the night, glinting in the pale light of the crescent moon. A medley of arches and gables flared like the proud feathers of a white peacock, fanned out in silent tribute to true beauty. It had been built for grace, not as a fortification, that much was clear. Her slender eyebrows arched in pleasant surprise as she drank in the view.

    A soft, rasping echo accosted her attention. She turned back, looked out across the black landscape.

    And it seethed.

    A subtle hissing of husks, the quiet clicking of claws; an exodus of unholy beasts approached through the darkness. The soldiers descended into fresh waves of panic. They fumbled for bows, loosed arrows, yelled through hoarse throats. Calyx stepped to the edge, squinting out. In the distance, flashes of fire illuminated the valley ¨C and the giant, mantis-like skitters that boiled across it. They were headed for the walls, for the beautiful, fragile palace. Calyx looked beyond them, to the glare of firebursts. She realised that the flames were the product of magic ¨C the beasts were being spurred. She narrowed her eyes, scanning between the sparks of light. There! Barely visible, even to her exceptional vision, a silhouette stood on the crest of a ridge, driving the beasts with lashes of flame.

    She had little chance to observe further ¨C a giant, shiny beast launched itself over the top of the battlements. Slick, black, and covered in spines, it impaled the nearest soldier by means of two massive scythe-like claws on its front legs. Another followed, and then another, and suddenly the walls were awash with the swarm of skitters.

    ¡°Where did they come from?¡± a wild-eyed soldier shouted, frantically fencing with a pair of bone-scythe limbs, ¡°It¡¯s winter, they should be dormant!¡±

    His comrade turned to yell at him to calm himself, to focus, but his head jerked unnaturally high. Up, and up, it tore free of his neck with a spray of crimson. Behind the crumpling body, a skitter reared up in uncanny silence, brandishing its bone-scythe forelimbs as it tossed the head away into the snowy darkness. It took no pause, leaping for the wild-eyed soldier who stood, frozen with fear. The monster¡¯s fellows swarmed over the walls in its wake, lashing out with predatory ease. They painted the white battlements red with gore.

    Calyx lifted her arms to come to the castle¡¯s aid, but her power eluded her. Magicless, her face paled as the creatures raced in her direction, but each passed through her shimmering form as if she did not stand in their way. She pressed against the wall, hugging herself, relieved ¨C and afraid. She could hardly feel her own skin beneath her fingertips¡­ The skitters paid her no mind, swarming past her by the thousand, razing the town beyond, rushing towards the glittering palace.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Time jumped.

    Calyx reached out to steady herself, her fingers brushing against smooth marble that she could hardly feel. The world seemed muted, and then she realised that she was indoors ¨C inside the great white palace. She had no idea how she¡¯d got there. She pressed her back against the wall, scouring the room for something, anything, to help her make sense of it all. She was in a chamber, opulently decorated by someone of exceptional taste. Linens the colour of moondust and shadow draped the snowy walls. A large bed occupied the centre of the room, canopied with a dark fabric beset by sparkling stars.

    A soft, fearful hiccough caught Calyx¡¯s attention. She stared, for under the bed was a child, five or six years old, tiny, and trembling. Her bright eyes were huge, filled with silent tears, her face shadowed by a cascade of midnight hair. She pressed her small fist against desperate lips, trying not to make a sound. Calyx crossed the room with soft footsteps, bent down in front of her refuge.

    ¡°Come, child,¡± she whispered, holding her arms wide, ¡°Come, let me help you.¡±

    The girl seemed neither to hear nor see her, and Calyx turned to look over her shoulder as she caught a sound in the hall beyond the half-open door.

    An eerie quiet fell. The girl wept in silence, trying not to give herself away. Her eyes were fixed wide, seeing through Calyx, flickering to every shadowed movement beyond her refuge. She held her breath as a pair of the horrid creatures entered her chamber. She couldn¡¯t see their blind, mantis-like heads, nor their bone-scythe forelimbs, from her vantage, but she could see the heavy talons of their dual-paired rear limbs. Calyx could see the whole of them, half as large as a horse, all spiked, gleaming shells, and long, deadly scythes. Their heads twitched from side to side, mandibles opening and closing as they tested the air. They were horrifying, but she had no fear for herself ¨C only for the defenceless girl. She tried, tried, and failed to summon her power. Hopelessness descended.

    The skitters¡¯ giant claws clacked on the white-marble floor, drawing nearer.

    Click. Clack. Pause. Click-click. Pause.

    They made no other noise. They hunted by sound, hesitating every few steps to listen for quarry.

    The girl stifled her exhale, shaking hard. Calyx crouched in front of her, desperately calling to her magic, the girl¡¯s only chance for salvation.

    The monsters shouldn¡¯t be here. They should be deep beneath the bulk of the southern Dawn Mountains, sheltering from the encroaching winter. They shouldn¡¯t be here... But they were. And only Calyx¡¯s ghost stood between them and the vulnerable girl.

    The world rocked.

    Calyx found she hadn¡¯t moved, but time had. She blinked. The girl stood across the room, staring at the charcoaled remnants of the two skitters. She held tight to the strong, slender fingers of her rescuer. The monsters convulsed, still burning, victims of death¡¯s hot embrace.

    With her back to Calyx, the woman reached out to tilt the child¡¯s chin, turning her gaze away from the horror, enticing her to look up into impossibly emerald eyes instead. The girl stared with terrified adoration at the Angel of Fire ¨C her blazing saviour.

    ¡°Wh-who you?¡± the child murmured. Her face was pale, and she¡¯d tucked one finger into the corner of her lip, a gesture of self-comfort.

    ¡°I am your future, darling,¡± the glittering woman whispered.

    She crouched down to her level, inspecting her. As she turned the girl, she cried out and buckled. The stranger caught her around her waist, supporting her before she fell.

    ¡°Oh, darling! You¡¯re hurt!¡±

    A quick spell, and a bandage wrapped itself around the child¡¯s thigh, binding the shallow slash from a bone-scythed limb.

    ¡°You are one lucky little girl,¡± the woman crooned, wiping her tears.

    The girl sucked on her finger, stared down at the bandage, and then tugged on the woman¡¯s hand. She hiccoughed. ¡°Want mama!¡±

    The woman reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°Your mama is gone, darling, the monsters got her. But they won¡¯t get you, I will keep you safe.¡±

    The girl stared, trying to understand.

    ¡°No monsters?¡± she said.

    ¡°No monsters,¡± the woman promised.

    She stood up, offering her hand again. Hesitant, the girl took it.

    ¡°Don¡¯ leave me,¡± the child whispered.

    ¡°Never, darling.¡±

    They turned for one last look at the broken room, the shattered monsters, and Calyx¡¯s blood ran cold. In the pale moonlight, she made out the woman¡¯s haughty face ¨C one she knew all too well.

    Realisation hit her all at once, chilling her to her core. It was Fayne who had driven the monsters out, used them to swamp the castle. Fayne, who had engineered the massacre of an entire city. Fayne, who had come to claim her future weapon.

    For the child, dark-haired and amber-eyed, was Nerys.

 Chapter 28

    Esadora leaned against the doorframe, lips pursed in tight disapproval. She watched as magic hummed, strands of copper laced with gold, chasing flits of shadow in black and blue. It shimmered, ensconcing the Lat¡¯Nemele in its essence. They lay cocooned in shared slumber, twitching against dreams, oblivious to her presence.

    She pushed off with a brooding sigh, quietly crossing the room to stand over them. Nerys¡¯ arm tightened around Calyx as if she sensed they were under scrutiny, and Calyx murmured, pressing her head deeper into the protective curve of Nerys¡¯ shoulder. The magic brightened, and Esadora reached out to touch it. It solidified beneath her fingertips, and her mouth rounded in surprise.

    There were few magics she wasn''t immune to.

    She tried again, pressing harder, but the intrinsic shield hummed a warning. She withdrew, astonished. The twitching magic calmed, resuming its soft undulations.

    ¡°Extraordinary,¡± Esadora whispered.

    She looked at them with new eyes, their sun and shadow intertwined, and wondered.

    But she shook herself. It didn¡¯t matter, anyway ¨C they could have their moment, it would make no difference when the world ended. And that eventuality was drawing closer by the day. Restlessness took her, and she decided some fresh air would do her good. It had been a long time since she¡¯d had to worry about unruly magics, and the future of Andoherra. She didn¡¯t want to think about it anymore ¨C Sorceresses and dying worlds be damned.

    She would take Jordan home, back to Earth, where it was safe and simple.

    The silk of her skirts swished as she spun for the door, and she didn¡¯t look back as she left. Unerring feet carried her to the entrance hall, and a wave of magic sprung the doors wide. Possessed by restive energy, she swept out into the snow, revelling in the crisp caress of the night air on her skin. Her magic rose within, warming her, and she spread her arms to embrace it. She brought them down, hard. Wings, blooming from between her shoulder blades, mirrored the movement. She was airborne before she¡¯d even finished transforming, and the kiss of winter tingled through her scales as they rippled into place. Wrapped in dragonhide, she felt nothing, feared nothing. Her roar echoed across the mountains.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Strong wingbeats bore her upwards, beyond the peaks, into the dark, boundless sky. Above, winking stars bore witness to her passage. She banked, dropping down, down, only to rise up once more. She glided for moments ¨C for aeons ¨C but, at last, turned her back on the powerful call of freedom. Thoughts of Jordan beckoned her home. In perfect silence, she glided across the large meadow in front of Queenhaven, dipping low over the glistening sea of snow. Worldkin did not long taste the nectar of freedom; duty always hovered at the door. Something she wished Jordan to avoid ¨C it was time to plan their escape to Earth.

    She snorted in surprise as something stung her beneath her belly, and craned her long neck to see what it was. A wave of dizziness drowned her senses; she faltered, losing altitude. Then, like the ocean drawing out before a tsunami, her magic abandoned her. With a wild cry, she crashed to earth in a flurry of snow, carving a deep, narrowing path as she slid to a halt. The cold bit at her, mere human flesh no barrier to frosted teeth as dragon scales faded. Unnerved, she summoned her magic, but met only an empty abyss.

    Pain shot through her ¨C another savage sting behind her shoulder, one in her side. She clutched at them, crying out, and met with the wet warmth of her own blood as it escaped to silver the snow. She tugged violently at the one she could reach, tearing it free, shredding her fingers on wicked spines. Trembling, she held it up. Her heart dropped as she recognised the seven-sided throwing weapon, pearlescent beneath the shine of her blood.

    A Soulstar.

    Beneath her slippery fingers, she could feel her own magic, trapped within it. Numb, she raised her gaze to the shadowed figures closing in, and knew she was lost.

 Chapter 29

    Dawn approached. Calyx could feel it, though there were no apertures to the outside from the cosy depths of the bastion. She shifted in her chair by the fire, wondering what the new day would bring. There seemed to be a shift in energy, though she couldn¡¯t quite place it ¨C perhaps it was just the aftermath of the strange dream she¡¯d had. She watched the grown version of that little girl, curled still in the arms of slumber, her chest rising and falling more easily than it had in days. She wondered if she knew the truth of what Fayne had done to her, to her family. She shivered, tucked the blanket closer over her lap, and pushed the thought aside. Fayne did not bear thinking about.

    Across the way, Nerys stirred. She stretched, and her eyes flashed open. Pushing herself up on her elbows, she raised an eyebrow and looked down at herself.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not dead. That¡¯s a plus.¡±

    ¡°You know-¡±

    ¡°I know, dear. You¡¯re getting really tired of saving me.¡±

    But she smiled, and the tight pinch of her face released for the first time in days. Calyx returned her soft grin, crossing the room to sit beside her. She reached for Nerys¡¯ hand, and Nerys did not protest as she laced their fingers together.

    ¡°You almost died,¡± Calyx murmured, stroking her palm with her thumb, ¡°But we did it. The Fetters are no more.¡±

    Nerys sighed, heartfelt in relief.

    ¡°Thank you, Calyx. I owe you a debt I can never repay.¡±

    A thought occurred to her, and she snatched her hand back from Calyx as if it burned. She squinted into the shadows.

    ¡°Where is Esadora?¡±

    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Calyx replied, ¡°She helped us, though, and you¡¯re awake, and hale. That¡¯s what matters. We¡¯ll deal with Esadora later.¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    She shifted closer, reached out to tuck a strand of night-dark hair behind Nerys¡¯ ear. Despite herself, Nerys leaned into the silk of her fingertips. Her eyes closed, and her voice tremored as she whispered a warning.

    ¡°Calyx¡­¡±

    Calyx blushed. She withdrew her arm, pushed to her feet.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m just¡­ happy to see you in one piece, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Nerys opened her eyes, arrested her with a smouldering gaze.

    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t take me wrong, dear, because I am, truly, grateful¡­ but perhaps it would be best ¨C now that our adventure is over ¨C if we go our separate ways.¡±

    Hurt blossomed upon Calyx¡¯s face, and Nerys bit at her lip, at odds with herself.

    At last, she offered, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s¡­ wise¡­ for me to be around you much longer.¡±

    Calyx tilted her head, and a small smile unfurled as comprehension dawned.

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    Nerys looked up, beseeching, and Calyx schooled her features.

    ¡°Stay long enough to gather your strength, at least. You¡¯ve been through a lot.¡±

    She turned away, and a flash of unhappy surprise coloured Nerys¡¯ expression.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°Out. I¡¯ve not been running in days.¡±

    Nerys retreated behind a scowl, jealous, and Calyx smiled at her mutinous expression.

    ¡°You said you didn¡¯t want to be around me,¡± she reminded her wryly, ¡°I won¡¯t be long ¨C make yourself comfortable, and, for the love of Malevelyn, keep out of Esadora¡¯s way.¡±

    She ported, and Nerys gave a sarcastic salute behind her.

    Abruptly alone, the Dark Lat¡¯Nemele groaned and buried her face in her hands.

    ¡°Leave while you can,¡± she advised herself firmly, ¡°Nothing here is going to end well.¡±

    Resigned, she got to her feet; cat-like, she stretched, every sinew reaching to its furthest extent. Gods, it felt good to be free of the curse. She shook out her arms, calling her magic to her fingertips. Blessedly, it answered. She allowed herself an indulgent smile as she feathered it into fantastic shapes, dancing them from palm to palm. Oh, how she¡¯d missed it! A miniature phoenix, carved from flames, hatched in her hands. She cast it out, manipulating the fire to hold its form in a beautiful effigy. It circled her head, showering her with sparks, and she laughed in delight as she made it swoop and soar. At last, she closed her fist, and it erupted in a brilliant dazzle of light.

    Perhaps she would not move mountains yet, but she felt worlds better than she had. Relieved, she turned her attention to more important things ¨C like finding her way to the front door. Although she was much improved, she wasn¡¯t sure she felt up to porting just yet. The terror of Chaos still lurked at the edge of her mind, and the only way to find out if it still hunted her in the Betwixt was to go in.

    Shaking herself against the memory of its hunger, she padded from the room.

 Chapter 30

    Norae sat on a stool near the fire of the wing she shared with Jordan, whittling at a log with her hunting knife, watching. Almost oblivious to her presence, Jordan stood with her feet firmly planted, a long stick held out before her with both hands. A heavy frown constricted her face. She had stolen these few moments before dawn to practice, hoping to show her grandmother that she could do it unassisted. But she was struggling to focus her thoughts, to wade through the hazy, clashing colours in her head. She took a conscious breath, closed her eyes, and imagined the glow of energy as Esadora had instructed. She frowned more deeply still, until the stick vibrated in her fingers, and she opened her eyes in dismay as it curled in upon itself, blackening, crumbling to dust.

    ¡°Penchant for the darkness, I see.¡±

    Jordan jerked her head up to see Nerys leaning against the doorway, arms folded in quiet nonchalance. As Jordan¡¯s cheeks flamed pink with embarrassment, the Lat¡¯Nemele entered the room uninvited, looking about with interest. She focused her predatory gaze on Jordan as she came to a halt before her.

    ¡°Hello, Jordenna.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Jordan.¡±

    ¡°Why call a thing what it isn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°What do you want?¡± Jordan snapped, ¡°Grandma said I should stay away from you.¡±

    ¡°Smart woman, your grandmother,¡± Nerys mused.

    She conjured a small stick, twirled it through her fingers and then held it out to Jordan, but the Heir tucked her hands mutinously under her armpits. With a shrug, Nerys tossed it up, made it hover in the air.

    ¡°Magic is a fickle thing, dear. You must know exactly what you intend.¡± She took Jordan¡¯s measure with a thoughtful gaze. ¡°Do you like to read?¡±

    ¡°Read?¡± Jordan repeated in suspicious surprise.

    Nerys studied her, unblinking. ¡°Yes, read.¡±

    ¡°What has that got to do with anything?¡±

    Nerys made the stick whirl lazily in place, six feet off the ground. ¡°Answer the question, dear.¡±

    Norae bristled at the veiled threat in the Sorceress¡¯ tone, and crossed the room smartly to put herself between them. She opened her mouth to voice a warning of her own, but the Lat¡¯Nemele merely raised her eyebrows and flicked her wrist. Suddenly, Norae was sitting back on her stool, rooted in place, her mouth open in a silent ¡®O¡¯ of surprise. Jordan felt the first true flicker of fear lick the base of her spine, and returned her perturbed gaze to Nerys. She decided the best idea was to play for time.

    ¡°Where is Calyx?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Out running,¡± Nerys replied, a hint of longing in her tone.

    ¡°Running?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± The Lat¡¯Nemele circled her, appraising her from every angle. Jordan stood her ground. ¡°Magic is not an infinite thing, dear ¨C didn¡¯t your grandmother teach you that? It is only as strong, as enduring, as the vessel that wields it. Consider if you were to exercise a sword, the first thrust is easy, the second harder ¨C by the tenth, you are tired. You need more than will-power to continue to brandish it for any meaningful period. You must be fit, strong, and¡­ in practice.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    She reached the front of Jordan again, stared at her with those bright, predatory eyes.

    ¡°You, clearly, need practice. Now, answer my question.¡±

    ¡°Where is Grandma?¡± Jordan said instead.

    Nerys blinked. ¡°I have no idea. Probably out chasing Calyx.¡± Her eyes bored into Jordan¡¯s. ¡°Last chance. The question.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Jordan huffed at last, ¡°I like to read.¡±

    Nerys nodded, tapped a slender finger against her lips. Above her, the twig continued its sluggish oscillation. ¡°That, I can work with.¡±

    She conjured a scrap of paper, a torn page covered in scribbled words, and floated it before Jordan¡¯s nose. She moved to stand at Jordan¡¯s shoulder and gestured at it.

    ¡°This is unambiguously wood ¨C mulched and dried to parchment, peppered with spots and splashes of crushed dye.¡±

    Jordan glanced at her sideways, wondering if there was a point.

    ¡°And yet,¡± Nerys continued, turning Jordan¡¯s chin back to the paper with one fingertip, ¡°It holds a castle upon its face. White marble, dancing spires, an autumn valley that sweeps into the distance through a riot of colour. Soft breezes blow, the scent of cinnamon rides the air, drying leaves whisper in cheerful surrender to the change of seasons.¡±

    Jordan stared at the page, mesmerised by the words the Lat¡¯Nemele painted in her mind. She could see it, the castle, and its grounds, as clearly as if she were standing on a rise looking down upon it.

    ¡°That¡¯s the secret of your magic, Jordenna. You are seeing only the ink and the paper, and not what it contains.¡±

    The stick swooped down, hovering within easy reach. Jordan hesitated, and then plucked it out of the air. Nerys nodded encouragement as she clasped it with questing fingers, feeling for its story. It was a birch twig, its papery bark pale, soft to the touch. In her mind¡¯s eye, she saw its truth ¨C the tall, majestic tree it had snapped away from, pulled down to earth by heavy snows.

    ¡°You are a Worldkin,¡± Nerys whispered, watching her, ¡°You control its story. Are you writing its beginning, or its end?¡±

    Jordan sighed, looked down at the twig. Because it felt right, she twirled one hand over its surface, tugging at the cords of life she could feel pulsing within it, and watched in fascination as swirls of magic responded. Nerys stepped back, out of range, as Jordan drew the strands of power into fronds, long leaves unfurling. It didn¡¯t matter that it was a birch twig ¨C she wrote roses into its story, ferns, carnations, baby¡¯s breath¡­ They all grew from it as if they belonged there. At last, she held it up before her, a living bouquet of floral beauty.

    She turned to Nerys, her eyes shining with wonder.

    ¡°I felt it,¡± she whispered, ¡°It was all around me, the pieces of the world.¡±

    Nerys nodded, offered a small smile. ¡°Magic is beautiful, Jordenna. Never forget that.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Jordan said, and meant it.

    The Lat¡¯Nemele dipped her head. ¡°Helping you awaken your magic is the least I could do, considering I almost killed you with mine.¡±

    Jordan smiled, realising that was as close to an apology as she would ever get.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t meant for you,¡± Nerys continued, lifting her chin, ¡°It¡¯s your own fault you got in the way. I don¡¯t recommend indulging a hero complex ¨C that kind of stupidity will get you killed.¡±

    Jordan rolled her eyes. ¡°You sound just like Grandma.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already said that she is a smart woman.¡±

    She spun lightly on her heel, and Jordan understood that the conversation was over. When Nerys was gone, Jordan turned to Norae with a strange expression.

    ¡°Is it just me, or is that woman absolutely terrifying?¡±

    ¡°Made good point about magic,¡± Norae shrugged, getting to her feet and testing that her legs still worked after the magic bind, ¡°But scary. And rude.¡±

    Jordan laughed. ¡°Will you come outside with me? I feel like I need some air.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Norae nodded, following her, ¡°Want to feel dawn, too. Hate being target of magic ¨C lingers too long after.¡±

 Chapter 31

    Calyx ported back in a rush of bright smoke, cheeks shining pink from the cold mountain air and the exertion of her run. She felt alive, refreshed, and her power hummed in soft waves beneath her surface. As Nerys walked back into the room, Calyx turned and gifted her a blazing smile ¨C unintentional, but heartfelt.

    ¡°Good, then?¡± Nerys scowled.

    Calyx carefully relaxed her face. ¡°Adequate, yes.¡±

    Nerys huffed, mutinous. She prowled across to the fire and slumped into a chair, cursing her inability to escape. The place was a maze ¨C she¡¯d walked herself in circles trying to leave, and somehow found herself back where she¡¯d started. If she¡¯d been less proud, she¡¯d have asked the two young Witchkin when she¡¯d come upon them. But she hadn¡¯t, and by the time she¡¯d resigned herself to the idea, she hadn¡¯t been able to find them again.

    Wary of her strange mood, Calyx came gingerly to sit opposite her.

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Fantastic, obviously.¡±

    Calyx sighed. She gave up on small talk and got up to warm her hands by the fire, but the pounding of racing footsteps made her pause.

    ¡°Calyx!¡±

    The panic in Jordan¡¯s voice as she bolted into the room caused both Lat¡¯Nemele to whirl in surprise. Calyx caught Jordan¡¯s wild form by the shoulders as she rushed within range, and a wide-eyed Norae skidded to a halt beside her, panting with fear.

    ¡°Jordan! What is it?¡±

    Jordan, speechless for the sobs choking her throat, waved a piece of paper in her face. Calyx snatched it from her, spurred by the girl¡¯s alarm. Her face drained of colour, and Nerys narrowed her eyes.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Calyx turned to her, sparking magic. ¡°They¡¯ve taken her!¡±

    ¡°Taken who?¡±

    ¡°Grandma!¡± Jordan screeched, leaping forward to confront her, ¡°This is all your fault! You show up here, and Grandma gets taken away! You knew! You did this!¡±

    Calyx caught Jordan by the back of her shirt, hauled her away. She thrust her into Norae¡¯s grasp with a meaningful glare, and then rounded on Nerys.

    ¡°Did you do this?¡± she asked, her voice perilously soft.

    ¡°Did I do what, dear? I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to.¡±

    Calyx scowled, but Nerys stared her down until, exasperated, she thrust the paper at her. Nerys took it, clearing her throat pointedly before she shifted her gaze down to the scrawling script.

    ¡°Jordenna Bal¡¯Talanor,¡± she read, ¡°Will present herself to the Queen before the fortnight, or the dragon dies.¡± She looked sharply at Jordan and Norae. ¡°Where did you get this?¡±

    Jordan shook her head, overwhelmed. Norae answered in her stead.

    ¡°Pinned to door,¡± she said quietly, ¡°With this.¡±

    She held out a burgundy-hilted dagger, its black blade insubstantial as a moonless night, and Nerys recoiled with a snarl.

    ¡°Shadowkin!¡± she hissed, vibrating with defensive power.

    She leapt to her feet, buoyed by a mixture of fury and fear. Her eyes snapped black and amber as she bared her fangs, and the girls shied from the savage expression she wore. Calyx, realising her intent, dove forward with a hand outstretched.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Nerys! No, wait-!¡±

    But it was too late. Her fingers closed on shadowed butterflies, and her magic shimmered as she sprang to follow.

    ¡°Calyx!¡±

    Jordan¡¯s sharp cry caught her halfway into Betwixt. She stumbled back to solidity, righting herself with a stricken face. She opened her mouth to speak, shook her head, and buried her face in her hands. As she collapsed into the closest chair, her magic whirled around her in fizzing sparks, as if seeking something torn away. It surged, and then crackled to nothing, until she was just a quaking woman, sobbing like a child.

    Jordan and Norae exchanged alarmed glances, and Jordan took a deep breath for fortitude. She inched forward, patted Calyx clumsily on the shoulder. The Lat¡¯Nemele looked up, her liquid eyes luminous, a trembling hand pressed to the ache in her breast.

    ¡°She left me¡­¡± she whispered, ¡°How¡­ how could she leave me¡­?¡±

    Her gaze flickered, focused suddenly ¨C as if only just realising who she was lamenting to.

    ¡°Gods, Jordan,¡± she forced a laugh, tremulous, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­ Of all the Lat¡¯Nemele Guardians, over all the centuries, you had to get stuck with me.¡±

    Norae thrust the dagger at Jordan and retreated to the doorway. ¡°Will make tea,¡± she announced as she ducked out. She was careful to ignore Jordan¡¯s pleading, accusatory glare.

    Kneading her fingers against her palms, Jordan resigned herself. She turned back to the Lat¡¯Nemele.

    ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯s okay, Calyx¡­¡± she offered.

    Calyx dabbed angrily at her offending tears, crushing the melancholy that arose in Nerys¡¯ absence. ¡°Hardly. I¡¯ve failed a second Queen ¨C likely a matter of time before I let you down too, so that¡¯ll make three. Absolute record for a Lat¡¯Nemele.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ at least you¡¯ll go down in history?¡±

    Jordan attempted a smile as she perched on the chair arm beside her, keeping a tight rein on her own emotions. Calyx met her gaze.

    ¡°You¡¯re just like your mother; she always had a good head for a crisis.¡± She sighed, rubbed her hands together in her lap. A soft glitter shimmered across her fingertips as she stared down at them, at the spaces between which fitted Nerys¡¯ fingers perfectly.

    Jordan cleared her throat, grasping at something more to say. ¡°So, uh¡­ what¡¯s a Shadowkin, anyway? D¡¯you think they really took Grandma?¡±

    Calyx blew her fringe out of her eyes with an explosive sigh. ¡°Shadowkin are a legend¡­ scary stories for naughty children. There is no proof of their existence.¡±

    Wordless, Jordan held up the dagger.

    ¡°Well, yes, there is that I suppose.¡± Calyx took it, studying it from all angles. The shadowed blade seemed to suck all light from its immediate vicinity. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s horrible,¡± Jordan whispered, stifling a shiver.

    ¡°You can feel its magic,¡± Calyx observed.

    ¡°I guess. It feels like a hole in the world¡­¡±

    Calyx sucked at her cheek. Hole in the world seemed like the perfect way to describe the void within her, too. Her brows drew down at the odd, empty pain in her heart. She¡¯d thought Nerys¡­ But, just like that, she was gone. And she knew whoever had taken Esadora. Perhaps the whole thing had only been a charade from the start ¨C an unintentional reaction on Nerys¡¯ part to Calyx¡¯s magic burning through her veins. Gods, she was so stupid¡­ How could she have imagined it might be more than that? One allusion to Fayne (because Esadora¡¯s capture had Fayne written all over it) and Nerys had left without even a backward glance...

    Something snapped inside her. Her eyes burned hot, resolve tight in the set of her jaw.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to get Esadora back, Jordan.¡±

    Jordan recoiled from the heat of her glare. ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°The only way I know how.¡± She got to her feet, brimming with power. ¡°We¡¯ll raze the kingdom, upturn every stone, and hang Fayne from the palace gate.¡± She snorted, and her magic shuddered in a rage around her. ¡°Nerys, too.¡±

    Jordan dipped her head, picking at a loose thread on the chair. Voice soft, she asked, ¡°Why did you help her, Calyx?¡±

    The Lat¡¯Nemele took a deep breath for fortitude. ¡°She carried the Fetters of Chaos. If I hadn¡¯t helped her, we¡¯d all be dead already.¡±

    Jordan lifted her uncanny gaze. ¡°Is that all? You know, I hardly know you. And the first time I met you, you were pretending to be a helpless city girl lost in the woods. Doesn¡¯t bode well as far as trust goes.¡±

    Calyx dampened her power with an effort, pushing the last thoughts of Nerys from her mind.

    ¡°Fair enough,¡± she said, ¡°But I couldn¡¯t get near you any other way. Your grandmother¡­ she¡¯s a wily woman. Protective, and dangerous ¨C even without her magic.¡±

    ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Jordan said, pulling the thread free. ¡°She kind of had a point, though, don¡¯t you think? Ever since I¡¯ve been here, everything keeps trying to kill me.¡±

    The Lat¡¯Nemele laughed, and the mood abruptly lifted. Norae reappeared as if on cue, balancing three steaming cups and a plateful of biscuits. She hesitated in the doorway, and then, encouraged by their laughter, joined them.

    ¡°Everything well?¡± she asked, her searching gaze roving from one to the other.

    Calyx smiled, held out her hand for a cup. ¡°It will be.¡±

    Norae raised her eyebrows at Jordan, who nodded.

    ¡°Have plan, then?¡±

    ¡°Calyx wants to destroy the kingdom.¡±

    ¡°Which one?¡±

    Calyx reached for a biscuit, dipped it in her tea. ¡°All of them, if necessary.¡±

 Chapter 32

    Nerys clung to the shadows at the edge of the palace, feeling the air for every trace of power. She sifted through it all, the loamy hints of Earthkin, the sighing passage of Airkin¡­ The Capital was a hive, bustling, restless, filled with a million distractions. But at last, she found the strain she was looking for ¨C heat like the desert at dusk, rich and full and familiar.

    Fayne.

    The signature was above her, towards the centre of the palace proper ¨C likely the Great Hall. In silence, she ported, forcing herself to hold off in Betwixt and gain her bearings as she neared it. She ignored the fear that prickled at her mind; the Chaos was gone. No long tendrils of darkness ensnared her, and she compelled herself to focus on the matter at hand. Through the shimmering window, she could see the Queen. Fayne lounged on her Throne, one leg thrust carelessly over the side, deep in thought. The room was empty ¨C if she¡¯d been meeting anyone, they were long gone. Nerys materialised behind a pillar, in the shadow of opulent draperies, and watched her for a moment more.

    Did she seem just a little less energised than usual? Were those lines of worry upon her glorious face?

    She felt around the expansive room before she moved, came across the echo of a power that had been there earlier. It was damp and cool, like a cave interior that hid many mysteries, and she scowled as she recognised it. Unbidden, a hot wave of fury coursed through her. She stepped out of the shadows with a growl.

    ¡°You called Tabitha?¡±

    Fayne jumped so violently she nearly lost her coronet.

    ¡°Nerys!¡±

    She stared, open-mouthed, and then flung herself from her seat. She bounded down the dais, crossed the room with running strides, and threw herself at Nerys. Suddenly, she was sobbing, clinging to the Lat¡¯Nemele as if her life depended on it.

    ¡°Oh, darling!¡± she gushed between her tears, alternately crushing Nerys to her and pulling back to caress her face in wonder, ¡°You¡¯re alive!¡±

    Nerys caught her by the wrists and held her at bay. ¡°No thanks to you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Nerys!¡± she wailed, ¡°Galva tricked me ¨C I had no idea the consequences of the spell!¡±

    Nerys pushed her away, folded her arms. ¡°I think you did, dear.¡±

    Fayne paused, measured the lack of sympathy in her face, and stopped crying. ¡°Fine. I did ¨C but I regret it, Nerys. That much is true.¡±

    ¡°You sentenced me to death.¡±

    Fayne squared her shoulders and turned back to her Throne. She settled herself upon it, looking down at the Lat¡¯Nemele, a bright challenge burning in her emerald eyes.

    ¡°So I did, and yet¡­ here you are, darling.¡±

    Nerys bridled. ¡°Why did you summon Tabitha? You know what that woman is capable of.¡±

    Fayne leaned forward, a serpentine smile curling her lip. ¡°Of course I do. I needed her ¨C you were dead, after all. It¡¯s been weeks, Nerys. If you hadn¡¯t delayed your return, darling, I wouldn¡¯t have had to seek help elsewhere.¡±

    Nerys snorted. ¡°It¡¯s my fault?¡±

    Fayne purred. ¡°Isn¡¯t it always? Oh come now, darling, come here¡­ I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡±

    Nerys sucked at her teeth, mutinous. Fayne waited, watching her. At last, Nerys relented ¨C Fayne needed her, and as always, she found herself unable to refuse. She mounted the stairs, allowed Fayne to pull her down onto the Throne beside her. The Firekin curled her arms around her neck, claimed her lips in a searing kiss, and then leaned her head on her shoulder.

    ¡°I have missed you, darling,¡± the Queen sighed, ¡°And I mean my sorry, too. Cursing you was a stupid thing to do.¡±

    ¡°Probably the stupidest thing you¡¯ve done to date.¡±

    Fayne tilted her head, gleaming eyes deep and vulnerable, looking up from beneath her flaming fringe. ¡°Even I am not infallible. Will you forgive me?¡±

    Nerys met her gaze, hesitated a moment, and then sighed. ¡°Is there a time I do not, dear?¡±

    Fayne smiled, snuggled against her shoulder. Nerys closed her emotions away, too confused by her own actions to do anything about them. Fayne had an uncanny knack for disarming her. Nerys felt herself relax against the familiar fit of Fayne¡¯s body in her arms, the heady summer scent of her, even as some deep part of her screamed its rebellion. They sat together for a few quiet moments, companionable in silence, until a thought occurred to Fayne.

    Her brows knitted together suddenly. ¡°How did you renounce the curse?¡±

    Nerys stiffened, a flash of gold rising in her heart. ¡°I¡­ had help.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Fayne sat up, pulling free of her embrace. ¡°Whose help?¡±

    ¡°Calyx.¡±

    ¡°Calyx?¡±

    The Queen all but exploded in a whirl of flame, and Nerys pulled diamonds of ice across her skin to fend off her ire. Fayne leapt to her feet and rounded on her.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been consorting with that pompous, audacious bitch?¡±

    Nerys stood, too. ¡°You left me little choice.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but Nerys¡­ Calyx¡­¡± Her eyes opened wide, horrified. ¡°Did you¡­?¡±

    Nerys looked down without meaning to, a faint blush upon her cheek. ¡°Her magic¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡± Fayne collapsed onto her Throne, one hand pressed to her forehead, the other shielding her heart. ¡°Oh, Nerys! How could you?¡±

    Nerys stuttered beneath her disappointment, a young girl again. ¡°Fayne¡­ I-I¡¯m sorry¡­ I didn¡¯t mean-¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t mean¡­!¡± Fayne cried, ¡°Your intentions are going to be the death of me! What were you thinking?!¡±

    Nerys gaped for a long moment, but then something erupted inside. ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking,¡± she growled, ¡°In fact, I couldn¡¯t think for pain and delirium.¡±

    She crossed to stand over Fayne, teeth gritted, eyes bright with malice.

    ¡°You pushed me to that,¡± she whispered, and Fayne shrank back despite herself, ¡°You pushed me, with your deception and betrayal. I didn¡¯t mean to go there, there was magic at play, and I was out of my mind with the effects of the curse. But ¨C now that I think about it ¨C I¡¯d do it again. Consider it a reprisal, dear.¡±

    She straightened, and Fayne brooded up at her but held her tongue.

    ¡°Let¡¯s drop it, shall we?¡± Nerys continued, ¡°We¡¯ve more important problems to deal with. Calyx stands Guardian to the True Heir, and you¡¯ve kidnapped Esadora ¨C there is going to be hell to pay. I just hope for your sake you were smart enough to keep her alive.¡±

    Fayne scoffed. ¡°Of course she¡¯s alive, what do you take me for?¡±

    Nerys narrowed her eyes. ¡°And Tabitha?¡±

    ¡°Watching over her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill that woman,¡± Nerys stated flatly.

    ¡°Of course, darling,¡± Fayne made her feet with a sultry smile, slipped an arm around Nerys¡¯ waist. ¡°But as you said, let¡¯s drop it. Tell me¡­ how, exactly, are we going to deal with Calyx?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just Calyx,¡± Nerys muttered, turning that sore subject aside, ¡°Jordenna¡¯s magic has awakened.¡±

    Fayne dismissed it, steering her to the door. ¡°She¡¯s young, green. There is no time for her to learn to wield her power.¡±

    ¡°She is gifted, dear. Do not underestimate her.¡±

    Fayne tugged her onward, turning down the passage towards her private chambers. ¡°I am more concerned about you, darling ¨C whose side are you on?¡±

    ¡°How can you even ask me that? A century I have stood at your side.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Fayne pouted prettily, ¡°But this is the first time you have been away from me for any length of time that wasn¡¯t agreed upon. And¡­¡± she dropped her voice ¡°¡­the first time you¡¯ve been alone in the company of a pretty young blonde with more magic than me.¡±

    Nerys stopped, turned Fayne to face her. With an effort, she reached out, tucked a wayward strand of crimson hair behind her ear. As she met that pair of glittering emerald eyes, she remembered a starlight blue. The shadow of Calyx¡¯s face haunted her, and a strong upsurge of guilt eclipsed her resolve for a fleeting moment. But too much was at stake, and she smothered it, forcing her full attention to her Queen.

    ¡°Fayne¡­¡± she made herself say the words, ¡°Your fire burns in my soul.¡±

    Fayne smiled, took her hand with gentle grace, and stepped light the last few lengths to her chamber. Nerys kept pace, but her steps were heavier ¨C her heart fought her, and she was losing.

    * * * * *

    Silent in the darkness, slipping between the shadows, Nerys ghosted through the forest. The hour grew late, and she couldn¡¯t sleep. She called to her power, released it, searching for anomalies, hoping it had recovered enough to keep her alive in the battles to come. She pressed onward, following faint paths tracked over damp leaves by skittish deer. She surprised two on her way; their graceful heads flew up, flicking ears betraying their astonishment as they watched the lone Witchkin trot through the dark.

    A tiny waterfall sang somewhere off to her left, and she followed the sound to its source. The cascade tumbled jovially from an artform of rocks. Crystal drops flashed and fell, leaping from one rock to the next in a never-ending symphony as they rained down into a deep pool. Nerys paused at the edge of the small clearing, mesmerised by the sparkling water. A small smile curved her lips, and she raised a gentle hand. A dusting of frost scattered from her fingertips, floating into the night, falling to glaze the meadow with silver crystals. Tiny flowers bowed their heads, made sparkling gems in a kaleidoscope of muted colours. Leaves twinkled like myriad stars, ephemeral in the flitting breeze. The sigh of magic washed over the waterfall, coaxing its streamers of water up and out into glittering sculptures of ice. A faint frown puckered Nerys¡¯ brow as she concentrated, plucking at the chords of power, weaving them in silent symphony. After a moment, she stopped, staring in disbelief at the figurine she had unwittingly carved from moonlight and magic.

    Calyx.

    The likeness was uncanny ¨C even she hadn¡¯t realised she was capable of such precise detail. The sculpture glittered, its frosted face frozen in an accusing frown, and that irrefutable upsurge of guilt accosted her once more. Irked, she closed her fist, and the statue shattered. She turned her attention to safer things, a unicorn, a gryphon¡­

    A twig cracked behind her, and it all came crashing to earth with a sound like breaking glass. She whirled, magic searing her palms, an unsteady thrum accosting her heart for who she hoped it might be.

    But Fayne stepped quietly out from the shadows.

    ¡°That was beautiful,¡± she said, gesturing at the melting frost, the broken waterfall. ¡°Don¡¯t stop on my account.¡±

    Nerys narrowed her eyes, perversely disappointed. She huffed through her nose, swirled her wrist, and the remaining ice magic evaporated. The clearing plunged into sudden darkness, and Fayne blinked at the change in illumination. The dark seemed to press in, filling the void, so she raised her own hand. A rose of sparks unfurled, erupting, dispersing to float in fantastic patterns ¨C where there had been swirls of silver, there now spun eddies of burning red. Nerys watched the sparks dance like fireflies, glittering, teasing. Not to be outdone, she formed a shimmering white ball above her palm, threw it up into the air. It exploded, and snowflakes swept around them with no regard for gravity, dancing in delicate counterpoint to the sparks.

    Red and silver whirled, illuminating the clearing with the soft light of a thousand stars. Six feet apart, the two Sorceresses regarded each other in silent appraisal.

    ¡°We¡¯re good together, Nerys,¡± Fayne whispered across the divide. ¡°Come home, darling.¡±

    The Firekin closed the distance, arm outstretched. Nerys hesitated for the barest moment, but she could not refute a lifetime of acquiescence. Wordlessly, she accepted her hand. Turning her back to the waterfall, she let Fayne lead her away through the dark.

 Chapter 33

    Jordan lay flat on her stomach, trying to ignore a sharp stone that jabbed at her hip. Norae lay beside her, her shoulder lightly pressing against her own. Calyx crouched nearby, shrouded by bushes and magic.

    Together, they stared down at a valley filled with certain death. Behind them, the blighted sun dipped low. It shielded them from view, blinding any scout who might happen to look in their direction. Jordan swallowed as she ran her gaze across the expanse. Calyx had mentioned there might be some ¡®trouble¡¯ to get through before they reached the Capital, but she¡¯d never imagined anything like this¡­ It was all spread out below her now, as far as the eye could see ¨C a seething camp of soldiers that stretch in a bristling ring the entire way around the caldera of Eoscan. Calyx had scouted as far as she could to check, but no passage was left unguarded. Gryphons patrolled the skies, leant kind winds by Airkin. Earthkin had sunk solid barriers deep into the ground, blocking off any caverned entrance. Dreamkin watched over Betwixt, poised to destroy anything that moved through without their permission.

    ¡°Nice of her, to roll out the entire welcoming party,¡± Calyx snarked.

    ¡°How are we ever going to get through all of that?¡± Jordan asked, eyes wide, ¡°There¡¯s three of us¡­ against, what? Fifty thousand...?¡±

    ¡°Four,¡± Norae offered, ¡°Forgotten Thallo.¡±

    Jordan fixed her with a flat look. ¡°Oh, excellent, that should shift the odds solidly in our favour.¡±

    Norae elbowed her, and they retreated, sliding down the back of the rise they were perched upon. Out of sight, they trotted soft-footed back to their hidden glade half a mile away. Thallo crooned softly through the gathering darkness, happy to see them ¨C and not altogether pleased at having been left on her own. She pressed her head to Norae''s chest, and the Callkin ruffled her feathers as a thank you for guarding the camp. Calyx swept out to check the perimeter, and then they settled down to share a quick, quiet meal without daring to light a fire. As the night gathered around them, Norae looked up to the glowing moon that dominated the horizon.

    ¡°At least none can sneak up tonight,¡± she said, gesturing to the flooded landscape beyond, ¡°Keep to the shadows beneath the trees, we will not be detected.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve cast a shield around the camp, too,¡± Calyx said. She threw a small twig at a near-invisible shimmer a few metres away, and it hissed and disintegrated to ash. ¡°Only we may pass.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Jordan sighed as she wiped the last crumbs from her lips, ¡°What¡¯s the play?¡±

    ¡°Not playing, Jordan,¡± Norae scowled, disapproving, ¡°It is not a game.¡±

    Jordan managed a small smile. ¡°It¡¯s a reference, from the Old World. I mean, what is the plan? How do we get to Grandma?¡±

    Norae cocked her head, confused, then shrugged and let it slide.

    ¡°There¡¯s only one way to get to Esadora,¡± Calyx said grimly, ¡°We will have to fight our way through.¡±

    Jordan¡¯s head jerked up as an icy chill ran down her spine. ¡°Are you nuts? Did you not hear me say three against fifty thousand?¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°Four,¡± Norae corrected, under her breath.

    Calyx shook her head, unsympathetic. ¡°There is no other way."

    Jordan huffed. ¡°Take on an entire army, that¡¯s your plan?¡±

    ¡°Head-on is not a plan,¡± Norae said darkly, ¡°That is a suicide mission.¡±

    ¡°If we strike hard, and fast, we will get through. Lat¡¯Nemele have razed armies before.¡± Calyx encompassed them with her raptor gaze. ¡°I will take care of anything that stands in our way, but I will be grateful if you¡¯d watch my back. We don¡¯t know if there will be any of these Shadowkin ¨C or how many there are.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Calyx¡­ That sounds like insanity.¡±

    Refusing to be dissuaded, Calyx leaned forward and cast a miniscule battlefield onto the ground. ¡°Look, we will enter the field from here, down this rise.¡± Their tiny silhouettes glowed as they moved together in tight formation, descending into the jaws of hell. Inky black shadows descended on them from all sides, but flashes of magic obliterated them.

    ¡°They will come at us from every angle,¡± she continued, adding glowing gryphons into the mix, making them sweep down, claws outstretched. Airkin plunged from the gryphons¡¯ backs, riding the thermals to rain down death from above. The Gryphon Knights dove and slashed, trying to force them apart. Deep bogs opened up underfoot; spears of rock and gouts of fire hammered against their shields.

    Jordan gulped, stared down in horror, watching wave after wave of enemies swamp their tiny unit.

    Norae narrowed her eyes, gestured derisively at the carnage. ¡°See. Suicide mission.¡±

    ¡°You know, Calyx,¡± Jordan said, tearing her eyes away, ¡°This visual is not helping.¡±

    ¡°It will not be easy, but we can do it,¡± Calyx said softly, ¡°We¡¯ve only to keep our nerve.¡±

    A bottomless silence stretched; glances were exchanged.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Jordan said at last, ¡°But if we die, I¡¯m going to kill you.¡±

    ¡°Crazy as she is!¡± Norae threw her hands up in the air.

    ¡°Do you have a better idea?¡± Calyx asked.

    Norae tossed her a dirty look. With a sigh, she looked to Jordan.

    ¡°Do not trust Lat''Nemele. But if you say we go, Jordan, we go.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, my friend,¡± Jordan smiled, earnest, ¡°If I ever become a queen, I promise to give you whatever your heart desires.¡±

    ¡°Heart desires not to die,¡± Norae scoffed. But she offered an impish smile in return.

    ¡°It¡¯s decided, then,¡± Calyx said briskly. ¡°We will rise before dawn and make our move. It will be easy at first ¨C¡± she ignored Norae¡¯s derisive snort ¡°¨C sleepy soldiers, mostly infantrymen in the outermost ranks ¨C but it will become more difficult as we make headway towards Eoscan. The inner circles will contain the bulk of the Witchkin, the Gryphon Knights, and whatever else Fayne has managed to drum up. Be prepared for anything, and make sure you get plenty of rest tonight. There will be no recourse tomorrow; once we begin, we must see it through.¡±

    She held their gazes each in turn until they nodded acquiescence. Satisfied, she turned away, seeking her own private corner of the night to prepare.

    With an exaggerated sigh, Norae flopped down beside Jordan.

    ¡°Good, then,¡± she scoffed. ¡°Tomorrow we die.¡±

    Jordan pulled her knees up, wrapped her arms around them. ¡°It¡¯s no joke.¡±

    ¡°Know that. Already said so.¡±

    Jordan rested her chin on her kneecaps and met Norae¡¯s dark gaze. ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡±

    Norae nodded, her lips pinched tight together. ¡°No shame. Fear will keep us alive. Am scared, too. This plan is the craziest thing I have ever heard, but¡­ we must save your grandmother.¡±

    Jordan lifted her gaze to the distance, as if sheer willpower would stretch her sight right into the Vaults of Eoscan. ¡°I hope she¡¯s okay,¡± she said, her voice small and sad, ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without my Grandma¡­¡±

    Norae reached out to squeeze her arm. ¡°Will get her back, Jordan. You will see.¡±

    Jordan nodded tiredly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I got you into this mess, Norae¡­ I bet I¡¯m the worst friend you¡¯ve ever had.¡±

    ¡°Regret nothing,¡± Norae smiled. ¡°Been the best adventure. If we die tomorrow¡­ well, at least I have walked beside a Queen.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the best,¡± Jordan said. She stifled a yawn. ¡°One day, I will pay you back for all of this.¡±

    ¡°No need. That is what friends are for.¡±

    They exchanged a smile, and then Norae added, ¡°Come, get some rest. Tomorrow will be a crazy day.¡±

    She pushed to her feet, hauling Jordan up with her. They shuffled off to their little tent, shoulders heavy beneath the weight of Destiny.

 Chapter 34

    The grey light of dawn stretched over the hills like a sleeping cat, unfurling one misty paw at a time. Norae stood sentinel beside Thallo, watching from a distance as Calyx harangued Jordan for the hundredth time. They stood in the half-darkness, practising the shielding spell over and over. Jordan was getting more frustrated by the minute, and Calyx appeared about ready to explode.

    ¡°Jesus, Jordan! It¡¯s not that hard!¡± Calyx gritted her teeth, dancing on the knife-edge of impatience. ¡°Here, watch again.¡±

    Her hands flashed, quick, angry, impossible to follow. Jordan let out her breath in a hard rush.

    ¡°Enough, Calyx,¡± she snapped, ¡°I can¡¯t do it.¡±

    ¡°You have to!¡± Calyx snarled, ¡°You¡¯ll never make it across without the bloody shield!¡±

    Jordan folded her arms, stared her down.

    ¡°Perhaps you should tell me what, exactly, is bothering you,¡± Jordan suggested, ¡°Because it damn sure has nothing to do with this stuffing shield.¡±

    She sounded so much like Asbeth that Calyx took pause; the Lat''Nemele relented, embarrassed.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m just¡­ nervous?¡±

    ¡°Nervous!¡± Jordan scoffed, throwing her hands in the air, ¡°You¡¯re an all-powerful Witchkin who is, quite literally, capable of razing this entire army. What do you have to be nervous about?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Calyx blew out her breath, ¡°You¡¯re right...¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± Jordan said tartly, ¡°That¡¯s fine. But would you stop taking it out on me, please? Show me again. Slower.¡±

    Calyx nodded, chagrined, and went through the motions once more ¨C step by step this time. Jordan¡¯s face scrunched in concentration as she copied her, at last managing to draw a weak shield in the air.

    ¡°I wish our magic worked the same,¡± Jordan sighed, struggling to hold it there, ¡°This would be so much easier...¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got it,¡± Calyx offered encouragement, feeling bad, ¡°See it in your mind, and your magic will follow. Try it again.¡±

    Jordan gritted her teeth, emptying her mind of distractions. Unbidden, Nerys¡¯ proud face swam into view behind her eyelids. Her soft, remembered words seemed to float on the breeze.

    You are seeing only the ink and the paper, and not what it contains.

    Jordan frowned, held up an imaginary pen. Again, and again, she drew, seeing the body of the spell, tweaking it, rewriting it. By the time the first rays of the sun nosed at the horizon, she was ready.

    ¡°There!¡± she exclaimed, exulted.

    Calyx stepped forward, prodding, and pushing against various points on the shield. She appraised it critically from every angle before turning back to Jordan.

    ¡°It¡¯s good,¡± she said, a faint hint of surprise tinting her approving smile, ¡°Be sure to maintain your concentration, no matter what is going on around you.¡±

    Jordan nodded, letting the spell dissipate. She rolled her shoulders, hoping she wouldn¡¯t tire before the day was won.

    ¡°Jordan?¡±

    Norae appeared beside her, wicked glaive glinting as it rested casually against her shoulder. In the crook of her arm, she carried her bow and quiver, upon her hip, dual Dao swords, and in the side of either boot, long daggers. Thallo pranced beside her, bristling with as many spare weapons as she could carry. The gryphon wore thick leather armour, razor-edged battle gauntlets and a peaked helm. Jordan appraised them, impressed.

    ¡°Where did you get all that?¡±

    ¡°Calyx.¡±

    ¡°Next town over,¡± Calyx nodded, ¡°They had a decent armoury.¡±

    ¡°You stole them?¡±

    ¡°Hardly,¡± Calyx drew herself up, affronted, ¡°I am a Lat¡¯Nemele ¨C the only Sorceress who outranks me is the World Queen. I simply requisitioned them.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t ask why?¡±

    ¡°Death-wish to question a Lat¡¯Nemele,¡± Norae said.

    Calyx raised an approving eyebrow, and Jordan opted to let it go.

    ¡°While we¡¯re about it,¡± Calyx said, moving swiftly on, ¡°I¡¯ve got something for you, too.¡±

    She twirled her fingers, and a small trunk shimmered into solidity. It clicked open of its own accord, and a series of weapons floated out.

    ¡°Take your pick,¡± the Lat¡¯Nemele smiled.

    ¡°Wow, thanks!¡± Jordan grinned, quick to snatch a short, graceful sword out of the air.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    Norae snorted. ¡°What do you want a sword for? Do not know how to use it.¡±

    Jordan hugged its scabbard protectively. ¡°I know, but it¡¯s pretty. And it will make me feel the part.¡±

    ¡°Here,¡± Calyx said, smiling at her enthusiasm. She brandished her hand, and a richly indigo, studded-leather cuirass appeared, along with the greaves and gauntlets to match it. ¡°This is the kind of armour your mother wore. It may not look like much, but it is expertly charmed for protection against mortal weapons. Your power may imbue you with invulnerability to the magic of others, but a swift sword or arrow can easily find its mark.¡±

    ¡°So, I¡¯m magic-proof, but not bullet-proof?¡± Jordan clarified, accepting it with careful hands.

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    ¡°Bullet?¡± Norae said, unfamiliar with the term.

    ¡°Pray you never find out. Go on, Jordan, gear up, and then we will begin our task.¡±

    Jordan did as she was bid, fixing the armour onto her body, and sighed at the exquisite fit. She hardly felt like she was clothed at all, so light and flexible was her outfit.

    ¡°It¡¯s amazing, Calyx, thank you.¡±

    Norae helped her strap her scabbard to her back, and showed her how to draw her sword. They teased each other about her ability to wield it, and whether Norae more needed to watch out for Jordan or the entire army.

    At last, they were ready.

    ¡°What about you?¡± Jordan asked Calyx, ¡°Are you going to war in a dress?¡±

    The Lat¡¯Nemele looked down and laughed. ¡°Good point.¡±

    She threw up a hand and a font of smoke obscured her. It dissipated in the space of two heartbeats, and Jordan and Norae both stared in awe at the transformation. Calyx looked down her nose at them, glittering with bright fury, glorious in her deadly attire. She wore fitted scale mail, expertly crafted, light as a hummingbird¡¯s feather, and spun with burnished colour ¨C indigo, silver, sky blue. Her golden hair was part-braided, tied with white feathers, hanging in gilded waves down half the length of her back. Charcoal paint swept in a wide band from temple to temple, accenting blue eyes that snapped with crystalline wrath. Petite fangs snarled between lips the colour of blood; lightning crackled at her fingertips.

    ¡°Holy shit,¡± Jordan said.

    Calyx smiled, soft and deadly as the calm before a storm. ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    ¡°As I¡¯ll ever be.¡± Jordan exchanged glances with Norae, who gave a decisive nod.

    Together, they slipped through the forested hills, treading light and talking little. Calyx led the way, every fibre of her alert, alive, riding on the thrill of her magic. She held up her hand for a halt as they neared the edge of the trees, motioning them close.

    ¡°Remember,¡± she cautioned, ¡°Stay behind me, and within your shield.¡±

    She tilted her head, listened hard for a moment, and then turned her full attention back to them.

    ¡°Jordan, hark now, this is important ¨C a Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s magic is fickle when unleashed at its full potential.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Jordan whispered.

    ¡°It means I am as likely to kill you as anyone else if you get in the way.¡±

    Calyx smiled gentle reassurance as Jordan¡¯s face paled. ¡°It¡¯s nothing personal, it¡¯s simply that my magic is predatory ¨C most anything that moves is fair game. I¡¯ve marked you two and Thallo with a simple warding charm, so as long as you do not end up directly in my path, you will be fine.¡±

    She clapped a reassuring hand on Jordan¡¯s shoulder and strode off to get a lay of the land from the crest of the rise.

    ¡°Great,¡± Jordan muttered, ¡°Why is everything always trying to kill us? I didn¡¯t realise we¡¯re in danger from Calyx herself ¨C I¡¯d never have agreed to this insane plan!¡±

    Norae shrugged, tossing her beaded braids out of her eyes. ¡°Too late, now. We go on. Stay alert ¨C we will make it.¡±

    ¡°Well, if we die, at least we¡¯ll die together,¡± Jordan said, the poor attempt of a smile trembling on her lips.

    ¡°No one dies today,¡± Norae growled.

    ¡°Ready or not¡­¡± Jordan said, looking over to where the Lat¡¯Nemele was rapidly drawing away.

    Norae whistled Thallo into the sultry morning sky, and they trotted after Calyx. They caught up with her at the top of the small hill, quailed as they stared down at the mass encampment spread out below. Calyx stood atop a precipice, proud and fearless, cutting a formidable silhouette against the multi-hued dawn.

    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± she said to them, her feral smile widening. Her eyes lit with an unearthly glow, her aura pulsing in time to the thrum of her magic. ¡°Remember, keep behind me.¡±

    She leapt off the crag, her power fanning out through the air beneath her. The speed of her descent was frightful; she swooped down, silent as a shadow, and as deadly. She dived straight for the nearest gaggle of makeshift tents, hit it with the force of a hurricane. Startled shouts rose up around her, a distressed warning to the rest of the bivouac. Calyx adjusted her course, gathered her magic, and hit the next clump of tents amidst a tsunami of fire. The yelling crescendoed to screams, and soldiers scurried to defend themselves.

    This was no green army, however, and in moments a counterattack was launched.

    Jordan and Norae ducked between ruined tents together, keeping as close as they dared behind the Lat¡¯Nemele as she swept across the encampment. Jordan held tight to her shield, making it as broad as she could, protecting their backs. Norae reacted with the dexterity of a hawk, loosing arrows at anything that came within six feet of Jordan. Thallo flashed in and out of view, keeping close, using momentum to her advantage as she cut down attackers at the perimeter of the shield.

    With a sulphurous roar, a gigantic fissure sliced open the earth beneath Jordan¡¯s feet. She yelped, only just managing to throw herself to one side and avoid plummeting to her death. Tents and soldiers tumbled in, sliding into the abyss amidst echoing screams of terror. The golden Lat¡¯Nemele flashed past, eyes ablaze, magic searing the air in great blasts of heat and light and death. Norae pulled Jordan back, away from the earthen maw, pushing her onwards.

    ¡°Calyx did that!¡± Jordan yelled above the clamour, ¡°She nearly killed us!¡±

    ¡°Warned you!¡± Norae shouted back.

    ¡°She said don¡¯t get in the way!¡± Jordan screeched, ¡°We were nowhere near in the way!¡±

    Norae slashed at a soldier, dismembered his sword arm with the long reach of her glaive, plunged its razor tip deep into his chest. ¡°Focus, Jordan! Stay alive!¡±

    Jordan scowled so hard it hurt, but she reforged her shield and kept a closer eye on the careening Lat¡¯Nemele.

    Around them, smoke grew thick in the air, making it hard to see, harder to breathe. Arrows flew sporadically. Thallo kept swooping down to protect the women from their wayward passing, and her charmed armour was soon peppered with shafts.

    ¡°Thallo!¡± Norae yelled as she reached back to pull another arrow from her sheath and found none.

    The gryphon dived, rolling above and over her, and Norae snatched a handful of shafts out of her leather breastplate as she flew past. Quick as a cat, she discarded those broken, plunged the rest unceremoniously into her quiver, and kept firing.

    Gamely, they followed in the wake of the Lat¡¯Nemele. Once or twice, they lost sight of her in the fog of war, but followed the trail of mass destruction until flashing magic was visible once more. They couldn¡¯t hear each other speak any longer. The clash of arms, the thunder of magic, and the hellish screams drowned out all attempts of communication. They stayed close together and pressed on, cutting down each enemy that ran at them.

    Abruptly, the ground began to rise in a long, even slope, and a gust of wind whipped the smog away. Jordan stumbled to a halt, Norae at her shoulder, Thallo dropping down with a thump behind.

    Jordan stared.

    ¡°Oh, shit.¡±

 Chapter 35

    The Lat¡¯Nemele was nowhere to be seen. Ahead, a chilling horde of cavalrymen stretched as far as the eye could see, in numbers impossible to count.

    ¡°What the hell are they?¡± Jordan whispered. Her eyes grew round as she ran her gaze across the ranks.

    The riders, undoubtedly, were human, but they sat upon steeds that could not quite be called horses. Each beast had long, snapping jaws filled with rows of wolfish fangs that hung over tight lips, dripping venom. Their front legs ended in gigantic claws that tore at the earth as they pawed their impatience. They ranged in colour from beige and dark brown to true black, and each had a long, curved black horn ¨C sharp as a scimitar blade ¨C protruding from the centre of their foreheads. They looked a little like unicorns ¨C if unicorns came from hell.

    ¡°Karkadann,¡± Norae whispered back, fear turning her voice thick and nasal, ¡°Cavalry Legions of the Fifth Kingdom. Feast off their fallen enemies.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Jordan nodded with desperate sarcasm, ¡°Excellent.¡±

    The captain, astride a gleaming black steed, gazed at them with open contempt.

    ¡°What a waste of a Cavalry charge!¡± he roared, darkly amused.

    He raised his sword ¨C to the accompaniment of laughter from his men ¨C and gathered his reins. The violent beast beneath him fought his control, eager to descend upon its hapless prey.

    ¡°All the Queen¡¯s horses, and all the Queen¡¯s men¡­¡±

    Calyx appeared to Jordan¡¯s left, chiming softly. Her head was cocked with demonic intent, eyes hot as hellfire. She toyed with insidious strands of hot lightning, twirling them absently about her fingers as she regarded the snorting barricade.

    The captain¡¯s face drained of colour, and he wasted not a second more. He slashed his sword down with a desperate yell of Charge!, and the Karkadann moved at frightening speed. Far faster than any horse, they leapt in great bounds down the slope, claws thundering, gaining terrible momentum as they raced to attack.

    Calyx laughed and threw out her hand; the air exploded with an unholy howl. A bladed breeze smashed down through the cavalry like a grenade through glass; screams echoed as living shrapnel painted the air.

    In short seconds, nothing remained but melting gore.

    ¡°Jesus¡­¡± Jordan whispered, horrified.

    ¡°Come,¡± Norae said grimly, tugging at her shirtsleeve, ¡°Lat¡¯Nemele is moving already.¡±

    And so she was ¨C spattered with blood, darting like a cat at play. Systematically, she murdered anything that moved within her line of sight. Jordan tried not to look down as she followed, tried not to see the shattered bodies ¨C tried not to slip in the blood as it warmed beneath the climbing sun. She took a deep breath, recharged her shield, held it up high to prevent an attack from behind. She wondered if it was necessary ¨C the splendid, lethal woman ahead hardly seemed like she needed any help. But she had promised to carry it, to keep a wary eye out for the Shadowkin that could sap all of that immense power in a heartbeat.

    So she trudged on.

    The heat was rising beneath the shadow-edged sun, and the true victors of war rose to take advantage of the spoils. Clouds of flies plagued the fields, feasting on the dead and dying. Carrion crows followed shortly, descending on the carnage left in magic¡¯s wake. And on, and on, the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s magic flashed, eviscerating, pulverizing, ricocheting, smashing a path to Eoscan. The glittering Sorceress did not seem to tire, even as Jordan and Norae grew weary.

    ¡°Did not expect to be clean-up crew,¡± Norae complained, slicing the head off yet another dying soldier.

    ¡°She hasn¡¯t got much use for us, after all, has she?¡± Jordan said, casting her mutinous gaze forward to the flashes of magic. Her feet hurt from walking, her ears rang with the persistent echoes of the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s power, and she was desperately thirsty.

    ¡°Anything could happen,¡± Norae counselled caution, ¡°No Witchkin or Gryphon Knights, yet.¡±

    ¡°Mmhmm,¡± Jordan said, ¡°Can¡¯t wait.¡± She rolled her shoulders, arms tired from holding the shield in place. ¡°Got any water?¡±

    Norae tossed her a waterskin, and she sucked at it thirstily. The Callkin took a drink after, and then Thallo landed with a thud beside them. Norae offered her a sip, and Jordan smiled as the gryphon crooned, tipping her head high to let Norae pour a little down her gullet. She pushed at Norae¡¯s arm when the Callkin packed it away, but Norae tapped her beak.

    ¡°Enough,¡± she scolded, ¡°Far to go.¡±

    The gryphon shook her mane of feathers, sulking, and took to the sky once more. Norae shook her head with a wry smile, and turned to cut down a wayward infantryman who gave his last in a desperate charge.

    ¡°You know,¡± Jordan commented, watching the soldier crumple, nearly immune now to the crimson spray that gushed from his neck, ¡°I really thought war was more glamourous.¡±

    Norae snorted. ¡°It is not. Days of being more tired than you know what to do with, going hungry and thirsty. Covered in blood, losing sleep for fear something sneaks up and kills you in the night.¡±

    ¡°Basically, it sucks,¡± Jordan agreed, ¡°I hope this is the only taste I¡¯ll ever have.¡±

    ¡°She is enjoying herself,¡± Norae said darkly, gesturing with her head.

    A lone soldier ran, his breath sobbing in his chest, blood pouring down one side of his face. Behind him, Calyx leapt into the air, launched herself up on a gust of wind and dived down like a hawk, clawed hands outstretched for the kill. She snatched him up, condemned him to Betwixt in the blink of an eye. Another scarpered; Calyx obliterated him with a bolt of lightning. She hooted with laughter and swept on to the next.

    ¡°She looks like she¡¯s playing,¡± Jordan said with disgust.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Norae shrugged. ¡°Lat¡¯Nemele lives for the hunt.¡±

    Thallo landed inelegantly in front of them, agitated.

    ¡°Less grace than a cat,¡± Jordan scoffed amiably.

    ¡°Hold,¡± Norae said, dropping her voice.

    They crept forward, and the scrub trees that dotted the rolling plains around them gave way abruptly, clearing the view ahead. Thallo crowded close as they stopped short. As one, they gawked up at an imposing skyline, dominated by the black volcanic rock of the caldera that housed Eoscan.

    And, on the slope of the mounting hills, the other half of Fayne¡¯s army rose to meet them.

    A bristling Calyx stood out in the open, glowing eyes fixed on the renewed threat ahead. Ranks of Witchkin stared back with fatalistic resolve ¨C if they were afraid to find themselves facing a dose of death, they didn¡¯t show it.

    Unobtrusively, the Lat¡¯Nemele beckoned with one hand behind her back, and the others inched close. She damped her ravenous magic, and her eyes flickered back to normal for a short moment as she spoke.

    ¡°You two, keep close now. Mount up, Norae ¨C playtime is over. Jordan, this is the part where your shield will make the difference ¨C don¡¯t let it drop, no matter what.¡±

    Jordan nodded, gritting her teeth, and pushed everything she had into it to hold the thrum of magic steady. Norae whistled Thallo down, swung herself astride, and pulled a long halberd from its scabbard at the gryphon¡¯s shoulder. They closed ranks, the Lat¡¯Nemele facing the bulk of the host ahead, and the others standing rear-guard.

    ¡°They will target me,¡± Calyx said, ¡°But they will not hesitate if they see you vulnerable. Do not let your guard falter.¡±

    Her power roared, her snarling savagely with the force of it, and her eyes swirled with an impossible riot of fire. Jagged streaks of molten light wound down her forearms, culminating in snapping balls of sunlight. She leapt forward on a tide of thunderous magic.

    The response was instantaneous; boulders rained down upon them, blasts of fire seared air that moved with a life of its own. Treacherous bogs opened up underfoot, sucking, restricting movement. Calyx glittered, raining down bolt after bolt of crackling lightning, obliterating whole stretches of the hillside at a time as she swept unchecked across the vista.

    The legions of Witchkin spread out, circling, trying to get behind. A phalanx of Earthkin succeeded, and the first blast of magic that hit Jordan¡¯s shield sent her reeling. She ricocheted off Thallo¡¯s steady shoulder, barely managing to keep her feet, and her face turned white with fear. Before she could recover, a barrage of rock, sharp as spears, hammered her forcefield. It cracked beneath the pressure. Norae unleashed a fearsome yell, ready to defend her if the shield fell, and Thallo snarled beneath her.

    In desperation, Jordan closed her eyes, throwing every ounce of willpower she had at it. Beyond, she could hear the Earthkin mocking her as they battered her shield without mercy. Their derision goaded her ¨C it wasn¡¯t fair, fifty of them against a girl who had but recently discovered what magic was. And¡­ if her shield fell, if she fell, her friend ¨C her brave, loyal friend ¨C would die with her. The thought sat badly. An instinctive rage rose within her, fuelled by panicked fear ¨C she wished she could lash out and smite them all with her feeble shield. Her eyes flashed open, snapping bright as her magic sang in response. A million sharp barbs, translucent shimmering energy, flung out like the blast from a shotgun.

    The barrage on her shield ceased, and her eyes widened with disbelief as she surveyed the accidental damage she¡¯d caused. The phalanx of Earthkin was felled to a man. They sprawled, dead and dying, skin blackened by cadaverous decay wherever a barb had touched. Confounded, ecstatic, Jordan threw back her head, unleashing a primitive holler as she raised her fists to the sky. Inspired by her success, high from the rush of her magic, she reimagined her shield bristling with spines like a porcupine ¨C invisible, invincible. She held it there with one hand; with the other, played the strings of her power, feeling the glory as it flooded through her. She imagined dragons, and they came ¨C surreal embodiments of pure energy, forced into existence by the creative might of a Worldkin. They swamped the battlefield by the hundreds, eviscerating, dismembering, destroying with razor teeth and claws as they breathed ethereal fire. Invulnerable ¨C the product of a spell far beyond the ken of most ¨C they razed Jordan¡¯s enemies by the thousand. They tore gryphons out of the sky, crushed Earthkin to dust, extinguished the Firekin, gifted the Dreamkin nightmares. They scattered the Airkin to the four winds, rained down upon the Waterkin, burned the Shadowkin out into the light, and, at last, even the Lat¡¯Nemele paused to watch them dance.

    Jordan stood in the centre of it all, a Worldkin with more vital magic than Malevelyn herself, and Andoherra trembled to behold her. She oscillated with terrible power, her form shuddering in and out of reality, her eyes burning quicksilver as magic poured from her soul. Norae stood at her back, puny beside her, weapon at the ready still. Calyx turned, astonished by the devastating exhibition of Chaos, mesmerised by the savage beauty of the eerie beasts that dominated under Jordan¡¯s command.

    She¡¯d never seen a Worldkin do that. Hell, she¡¯d never seen anything do that.

    She stood in raptured silence, watching as the battle caved in on itself ¨C the last Witchkin fleeing for their lives as Jordan¡¯s imaginary dragons dogged their heels. At last, silence fell, the army nought but a broken memory. Jordan dropped to her hands and knees as her power abandoned her ¨C as abruptly as it had come. Norae leapt forward to help her upright, hooking Jordan¡¯s arm over her shoulders. Thallo leaned into her from the other side, and together they limped over to the Lat¡¯Nemele. Calyx extricated herself from her vigil, flinging herself forth to engulf Jordan in a suffocating hug.

    ¡°You were magnificent!¡± she exclaimed, pressing a reverent kiss to her forehead, ¡°Truly a Queen for the ages!¡±

    ¡°Uh, thank you,¡± Jordan mumbled, smothered by the feathers in her hair, ¡°Is¡­ it over?¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Calyx smiled, ¡°You destroyed them all!¡±

    Jordan grinned, pushed free of Calyx¡¯s embrace, turned to her friend. But she faltered as she caught sight of Norae. The Callkin¡¯s expression was a mix of trepidation and antipathy, emotions she had never seen on her face before.

    And they were directed at Jordan.

    ¡°Norae?¡± she said, her voice suddenly small, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Norae swung her gaze out, past Jordan, to the smoking ashes of the battlefield. Jordan turned to follow her regard, and reality came crashing down. Torn and tortured corpses crusted the earth in every direction, frozen in various poses of terrible death. The land itself was blackened, burnt bare by the devastating backlash of magic.

    ¡°Of course, Lat¡¯Nemele would congratulate,¡± Norae said softly, casting a sideways glance at Calyx, predatory slave to her own power, before turning her sad and troubled gaze back to look at Jordan. ¡°Do not take wrong, friend ¨C am grateful you have won the day, made sure we stayed alive. But¡­ Jordan¡­¡± She waved a sorrowful hand at the desolation that surrounded them, stark in the bright light of her words. ¡°The cost¡­¡±

    As Jordan looked afresh, an icy chill shot through her; she stared, and a terrible bleakness rose up in her soul. In every direction, countless, countless lives snuffed¡­ by her hand.

    ¡°Oh, God¡­¡± she whispered, bowing her head, ¡°What have I done¡­?¡±

    Norae laid a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up into those dark, earnest eyes.

    ¡°Saved us,¡± the Callkin murmured, ¡°That is what you have done. But I know you. This is not the way you would have chosen to do it ¨C if you had had a choice.¡± Her gaze flashed to the Lat¡¯Nemele, back again. ¡°Do not want you to turn into her.¡±

    Jordan nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. After the rush and abatement of power, the reality-check hurt like hell. But she was grateful for it, even if she was drowning in the truth of what she had done.

    Suddenly, she remembered something, and determination brushed away her tears.

    ¡°I will make up for this,¡± she promised, resolute, ¡°After we rescue Grandma, I will take my place and sit the Throne. Grandma told me it will kill me, but it will save Andoherra, so¡­ I will pay for these lives¡­ with my own.¡±

    ¡°Jordan!¡± Norae exclaimed, ¡°Not what I meant-!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s insanity, Jordan-¡± Calyx began to add her objection.

    ¡°It¡¯s my decision,¡± Jordan cut them off. She looked at each of them, stony-eyed, indisputable.

    A Queen.

    ¡°Come,¡± she commanded, ¡°We are not finished.¡±

 Chapter 36

    ¡°Nerys¡­¡± Fayne murmured into the cosy half-darkness of her chamber, ¡°Come back to bed, darling.¡±

    Staring out through a chink in the heavy drapes, Nerys rubbed her hands down her arms.

    ¡°It¡¯s broad daylight out there,¡± she said.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Fayne crooned, ¡°But it¡¯s still dark in here¡­¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll be halfway through your army by now.¡±

    Fayne slipped out from the sheets, padded across the room. She slipped her arms around Nerys¡¯ waist, tucked her head onto the crook of her shoulder.

    ¡°Exactly. They¡¯ll be tired when they get here. You, on the other hand, will be well-rested.¡±

    Nerys pulled away. ¡°Your faith in me is unwarranted, and stupid.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the second time you¡¯ve called me stupid in as many days,¡± Fayne snapped. She strode away, pulled a gown over her shoulders, and unstoppered a steaming flask. ¡°You¡¯ve never failed me before, why would you start now?¡±

    ¡°There is a second Lat¡¯Nemele out there, and a Worldkin, remember?¡±

    ¡°Oh, darling¡­ you¡¯re not afraid, are you?¡±

    She poured tea into two fine cups, stirred a scoop of sugar into each. She offered Nerys one, and when she made no move to take it, shrugged and set it on the ornamental table.

    ¡°Besides,¡± she sipped her tea, ¡°I have collateral. And Plan B.¡±

    Nerys whirled. ¡°If you invite Tabitha to this party, you can entertain your guests on your own.¡±

    Fayne smiled, languorous. Nerys snapped daggers in her glare.

    ¡°Jealousy does not become you,¡± Fayne purred.

    ¡°Death won¡¯t become you, either, dear.¡±

    Fayne rolled her eyes and set her cup aside.

    ¡°Malevelyn¡¯s Grace, you¡¯re impossible this morning. Fine ¨C the mood is ruined anyway.¡±

    She flung her hand up, a glitter of temper burning in her eyes, and a crimson dress cascaded down her form.

    ¡°Are you going to join me of your own volition?¡± She reached up to straighten her coronet, glaring, ¡°Or do I need to command you as your Queen?¡±

    Nerys erupted in a font of shadow. When the haze cleared, she stood tall in silver-studded leather armour, black as sin, her hair tied back out of the way. Her gaze snapped amber, bright as new coals, and her mouth settled to a grim line.

    ¡°Well? Lead the way, dear.¡±

    Fayne harrumphed and marched down to the Vaults. Nerys followed behind at a more leisurely pace. As they stepped beneath the heavy stone archway marking the entrance to the prison, lumostones opened sleepy, glowing eyes. They vivified in a rush as Fayne swept past, and soon the long stone corridor glittered, stark. The Firekin spared no time for pause as a pair of startled guards leapt to their feet, snapping fists over their hearts. She kept her gaze focused on the intent of her destination, ignoring each cellmate as she passed. Nerys took her time, noting the other occupants. Many of them were Witchkin of high-standing, whose most likely crimes would be disagreeing with the Queen. Several of them spat at her as she passed, and she tilted her head, forcing their retreat with a hard look. As she neared the end of her trek, she paused. One man did not spit at her. Neither did he back down from her glare. She turned to study him.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°You look surprisingly well, Nalvadian,¡± she said.

    His arms rested on the crossbars of the grate; his hands loosely interlinked on the outside. His dark, intense eyes regarded her calmly.

    ¡°I find I have new purpose,¡± he replied.

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°Try me.¡±

    ¡°Someone I thought I had lost has returned, and with her, hope for my lonely future. My heart is light, even if my shackles are heavy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m flattered, dear.¡±

    He smiled at her sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯d know what I mean, if you ever fell in love.¡±

    The comment caught her by surprise. She dropped her gaze as a strange, halting skip sequestered her heart. A golden silhouette danced at the edges of her mind.

    ¡°Ah,¡± he breathed, ¡°You do know what I mean.¡±

    ¡°Lat¡¯Nemele do not fall in love,¡± she snapped.

    He smiled and withdrew into the dark shadows at the back of his cell, but offered a parting gift. ¡°Tell them what they are, before it¡¯s too late. I did, and, despite our cages, we are happy.¡±

    Nerys straightened her shoulders and turned her back on him, ignoring his gentle chuckle as she strode to the next cage over, where Fayne was goading her prisoner. She caught Esadora¡¯s eye as she neared, and the Worldkin¡¯s face darkened like a storm.

    ¡°Nerys.¡±

    The world was an oath, slipping from Esadora¡¯s bitter tongue. Fayne cocked her head, flashed a glittering smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re acquainted?¡± she gloated, ¡°How wonderful!¡±

    Esadora ignored her, steel gaze fixated on the Lat¡¯Nemele. ¡°Alive, are you? How unfortunate.¡±

    ¡°Spare me the niceties, dear.¡±

    The Worldkin flung herself against the bars with a loud clang, making both jump. ¡°Where is my granddaughter?¡± she hissed, rattling her shackles, ¡°What have you done with her?¡±

    Nerys recovered before Fayne. ¡°I have done nothing.¡±

    ¡°Of course you have done nothing!¡± Esadora growled. She let her hands slip down from the enchanted steel. ¡°What a poor excuse for a Guardian. You do not know your own truth, Lat¡¯Nemele.¡±

    Nerys fell silent.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Esadora,¡± Fayne stepped in, ¡°She¡¯s on her way here. You will have your happy little reunion in no time ¨C short-lived though it may be. Well¡­ if she makes it past my army, anyway.¡±

    ¡°An army is no match for Calyx,¡± Nerys commented before she could stop herself.

    Esadora¡¯s falcon eyes changed target. ¡°And neither are you, dearie.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Fayne smiled, intervening smoothly, ¡°You¡¯re invited, by the way. Front-row seats. Silly me, didn¡¯t I tell you...? That¡¯s why we¡¯re here.¡±

    She snapped her fingers, and the guards came running. One fumbled with keys, unlocked Esadora¡¯s cell. The other dropped to his knee, gingerly holding up a round, spiny object with both hands. It looked like nothing short of a crown of thorns, though it wasn¡¯t a crown at all.

    Esadora knew exactly what it was, and her face paled.

    ¡°Put it on,¡± Fayne commanded, her voice soft, electrified.

    Esadora lifted her chin, a small, desperate flash lighting her eyes. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°If you want to see your granddaughter¡­¡±

    Fayne¡¯s voice trailed off, gloating, and Esadora hesitated a moment more, fidgeting against the manacles that bound her power. She took a deep breath, blew it out, and then stepped forward. She snatched it from the guard, who scurried away as soon as it left his fingers. With a silent prayer to Malevelyn, she settled it around her throat., and the Mor¡¯Torquem tightened to a perfect fit, clicking closed with a soft hiss. Slow spines lengthened by degrees, pricking against her skin in silent warning.

    Fayne smiled, triumphant. She turned to stride away, but, on afterthought, flashed out a finger at the next cage ¨C Nalvadian¡¯s cage.

    ¡°Bring him, too. He¡¯s not going to want to miss this. He has a vested interest, after all.¡±

    She sauntered off, leaving Nerys to keep watch as Nalvadian held out his fists for restraints. The Lat¡¯Nemele spared a moment of derisive thought for the charmed anerradite crystals set into his bonds to dampen his magic. Such puny shackles would never hold her ¨C her gaze flashed to the collared queen ¨C or Esadora, for that matter. No, Witchkin of their power were tamed only by the Shackles of Soul.

    The guards accompanied the prisoners, prodding long spears into their backs from a safe distance to keep them moving in Nerys¡¯ wake. Fayne had long since disappeared from sight, and at the end of the corridor, Nerys waved the soldiers away.

    ¡°I will escort them from here,¡± she said, ¡°Resume your posts.¡±

    The soldiers exchanged glances, but neither dared argue with the Lat¡¯Nemele. She swept her prisoners away from the Vaults, heading up and out of the bowels of the palace. Shortly before they made the surface, she paused.

    ¡°You may walk in front,¡± she said, stepping back, ¡°Together. We¡¯re heading for the walls ¨C I trust you know the way?¡±

    Esadora narrowed her eyes. ¡°My patience for tricks has expired, dearie.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve no tricks left,¡± Nerys said, her face expressionless, ¡°Lead on.¡±

    Nalvadian caught her eye, and, infinitesimally, she inclined her head. He smiled and reached for Esadora¡¯s hand. She made to snatch it away, but he held fast.

    ¡°She understands,¡± he murmured.

    Esadora glanced back, careful not to prick herself on her collar. Nerys stood impassive, waiting for them to proceed. The Worldkin sighed, twined her fingers through Nalvadian¡¯s.

    ¡°Then, she is as condemned as us.¡±

    Under Nerys¡¯ emotionless vigil, they ventured forth, stealing a few timorous moments before the end of the world.

 Chapter 37

    Far above, the sun glimmered a weak shade of bronze, struggling to hold its head high beneath the impossible weight of the shadow upon its shoulders. Subdued beneath its wan light, Eoscan was eerily quiet. Not a soul moved through the deserted streets. Tight shutters guarded close the frightened families that lived within their bounds.

    ¡°Where is everyone?¡± Jordan asked, squinting against the strange lighting as they made their way down the high street.

    ¡°Hiding,¡± Norae answered grimly. ¡°Witchkin go to war, common people die. Everyone knows that.¡±

    Calyx scoffed, but did not comment. Furtive, they moved on, heading for the palace proper. It towered above them, dominating the skyline. Spires of black rock and white marble soared, sculpted by an artist¡¯s hand. Malevelyn¡¯s hand. Jordan could feel her presence in the very stone ¨C aeons of World Queens whispered at her passing, their curiosity flitting on the breeze.

    ¡°Can you hear them?¡± she asked quietly, pausing.

    ¡°Hear who?¡± Calyx said, her bright gaze snapping across the surroundings.

    ¡°Do not hear anything,¡± Norae grumbled. ¡°Too quiet.¡±

    Jordan listened to the whispers, like fallen leaves trembling beneath the caress of the wind. She could almost see them, a parade of her ancestors, aligned to welcome her home.

    ¡°There¡¯s a strange taint of magic in the air,¡± Calyx offered, testing it with her tongue, ¡°Like dust motes in sunlight. It¡¯s dampening any other hint of power, but I don¡¯t recognise it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s them,¡± Jordan said with soft resolution.

    ¡°Who?¡± Norae pressed, straining to hear something beyond her ken.

    ¡°The World Queens.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Calyx and Norae exclaimed.

    ¡°I feel them,¡± Jordan whispered, ¡°All around us.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ this is the Heart of Andoherra,¡± Calyx said, ¡°If ever there was a place where the spirits of Worldkin would rest, this would be it. I just hope they¡¯re on our side.¡±

    Jordan shook her head slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t think they take sides. They¡¯re here to observe.¡±

    ¡°Observe what?¡± Norae asked. Her dark eyes roamed the strangely deserted streets.

    ¡°Nothing yet,¡± Calyx said, ¡°But we¡¯re almost there.¡±

    They turned a corner, and the buildings abruptly fell away. Ahead, a great grass sea, peppered with wildflowers, stretched to lap at the black walls of the Palace. A long curving road, white marble and rose stone, offered passage to impossibly tall gates. They were guarded on either side by immense gryphon statues, carved from cobalt and indigo.

    ¡°Wow!¡± Jordan said, jaw agape, ¡°It¡¯s beautiful!¡±

    Calyx lifted her head, the tips of her fangs showing beneath her curled lip. ¡°Perhaps. But we are not here for the scenery, I¡¯m afraid. Look, there, atop the walls.¡±

    Ranks of Witchkin stood in stony silence upon the battlements. Above them, red pennants snapped in the breeze, the only sound beneath the dying sun. Above the gates themselves, a grand gallery had been erected, bedecked in swathes of red and orange, complete with a large, glamorous Throne.

    ¡°Fayne always did have a flair for the dramatic,¡± Calyx scoffed.

    ¡°Making a mockery of this,¡± Norae agreed, incensed.

    Jordan squinted up. ¡°Where is she?¡±

    As if summoned, the Fire Queen appeared in a plume of flame, gloating down at them from her advantageous height.

    ¡°What do we do?¡± Jordan whispered, fists tightening at her sides. A murmur of magic hummed around her, defiance starring her silver eyes.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Calyx warned, ¡°Keep your head. Fayne will have Esadora on a tight leash. Let her make the first move.¡±

    Fayne raised her hand, snapped her fingers. Two Witchkin in chains were thrust roughly into view, and Jordan and Norae yelped at the same time.Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Grandma!¡±

    ¡°Father!¡±

    ¡°Keep your heads,¡± Calyx repeated, her voice tight in her throat, ¡°Do not let her bait you ¨C either of you. Esadora wears a Mor¡¯Torquem; one wrong move from us, and she dies.¡±

    Jordan glanced at Norae, saw her own horrified, hopeless expression mirrored on her friend¡¯s face.

    ¡°That¡¯s your father?¡± she whispered.

    Norae nodded, fiercely blinking tears away. Her knuckles turned white beneath the force of her grip on the glaive. ¡°Thought he was dead.¡±

    Jordan returned her gaze to her grandmother, wounded righteousness rearing within her.

    ¡°Fayne!¡± she called, pushing as much gravity into her tone as she could manage, ¡°Release Esadora and Nalvadian, and no harm shall come to you!¡±

    The Queen looked down, amusement colouring the cocky tilt of her head.

    ¡°The hell was that?¡± Calyx growled, eyeballing Jordan, ¡°I said, nothing stupid!¡±

    Fayne stepped to the edge of the battlements, holding out her hands in a sweeping gesture. Leisurely, she swung her gaze to the captains along the wall in either direction, a silent instruction to await her command. Then, she disappeared.

    The font of red smoke had hardly cleared before she materialized again, a hair¡¯s breadth from Jordan. Jordan stepped back, heart racing in fearful surprise, but Fayne simply folded her arms and looked her up and down.

    After a moment, she said, ¡°So it¡¯s true. Jordenna bloody Bal¡¯Talanor... How dare you be drawing breath?¡±

    Jordan raised her eyebrows at the ludicrous admonishment. Fayne¡¯s expression changed by degrees from savage to serpentine.

    ¡°Well.¡± With a pointed glance at Calyx, she glided close to whisper in Jordan¡¯s ear, ¡°I have a proposition for you, darling¡­¡±

    She caught the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s eye and held it. Playful, she ran the tip of her tongue down Jordan¡¯s cheek, dipping coyly away before she quite reached her lips. Jordan stood stock still, forcing herself not to retaliate. Fayne stepped back, eyes glinting malevolent mischief. She cocked her head, setting her glittering earrings to dancing, and reached out to cup Jordan¡¯s cheeks. Pouting condescension, she squeezed them between forefinger and thumb as one would a child.

    ¡°Surrender now,¡± she said, releasing one cheek to tap Jordan¡¯s nose, ¡°And I will give you back your grandmother.¡±

    Jordan clenched her teeth. ¡°No.¡±

    Fayne hooted with delighted laughter. She swooped in and kissed her full on the mouth ¨C a theatrical, ostentatious gesture. Pulling away, she clapped her hands together, an infectious smile on her glorious face.

    ¡°So be it, darling! Oh, isn¡¯t this fun?¡±

    She twirled on her heel, disappearing once more, and Jordan violently wiped the smear of crimson paint from her lips. Jordan turned to Calyx, but though magic seethed in slow circuits across the Lat¡¯Nemele¡¯s skin, she didn¡¯t move a muscle. Jordan returned her glare to Fire Queen ¨C now safe upon the walls ¨C with murder in her eyes.

    As if she had all the time in the world, Fayne sauntered to recline on her throne. She looked down upon them for a long moment, one thoughtful finger pressed against her full lips. High above, the sun shimmered, the sickly shadow spreading merciless across its face.

    ¡°What is she waiting for?¡± Jordan hissed.

    ¡°Nothing good,¡± Calyx growled.

    Her attention wasn¡¯t on Fayne ¨C her glare pulled to the left, a little behind, where Nerys stepped out of the shadows. The dark Lat¡¯Nemele dipped her head at her Queen, and then, with a wave of shadowed butterflies, ported down to meet them.

    She emerged from Betwixt with placating hands upraised, her gaze locked on the golden Lat¡¯Nemele. ¡°Calyx, wait, I-¡±

    But Calyx cut her off with a savage snarl. She flew at her, and Nerys was forced behind an icy shield to ward off the thunder of her magic. Over the clash of their power, she tried again.

    ¡°Calyx! Will you let me explain¡­?¡±

    Calyx paused, panting with her attempt at control.

    ¡°Why?¡± she bit out, snapping magic, ¡°You left, I¡¯m glad ¨C it was the reminder I needed.¡±

    ¡°But I need to tell you-¡±

    ¡°I have no interest in words!¡±

    Nerys¡¯ expression darkened, hard hurt twisting her expression.

    ¡°Fine,¡± she hissed, ¡°Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t try, dear.¡±

    She raised her arms, and an explosion of icy flame erupted from her. Living shadow twined through it as her eyes emptied to darkness, bleeding magic. With fangs bared, she pulled a sharp burst of rock up beneath Calyx¡¯s feet, launching her high into the air. With a swing of her magic, Calyx caught a thermal, hovering like a wrathful phoenix. Hot air and lightning swirled around her, and then she dived down on a torrent of glittering fire.

    They collided in a brilliant flash; the explosion of their magic shook the palace walls. Fayne clutched at her Throne for balance as the stones groaned. When she righted herself, she was spitting fire.

    ¡°Bring me their heads!¡± she cried.

    A legion of Witchkin answered her, pouring down from the battlements in a never-ending wave. Jordan pulled a rush of magic around her, acting on instinct, crushing conscious thought. Norae took to the air with Thallo, swooping down to raise havoc with her glaive. Bolts of magic flashed, blasting craters in the earth, the palace, the combatants. The roar of power rose to monstrous proportions, and soon the spring field was slick with blood.

    Nerys and Calyx held centre stage, their devastating magic terrible to behold. Around them, the world burned, torn open, consuming everything. The rest of the battle waged out of their range; any caught in the crossfire met with immediate, horrible death. Nerys launched herself upward, commanding the air, and a snarl of shadow escalated at her fingertips. The primal scream torn from her lips gave the world pause ¨C the fight dimmed to sporadic as time stood still.

    Calyx roared up at her, alive with golden flame. Fayne sat forward upon her Throne, white-knuckled. Time seemed to take a breath, and then Nerys unleashed her full potential. A screaming spear of darkness raced down, a blur of shadowed speed. Calyx, fangs bared, braced herself to meet it.

    But a wayward stab of magic ¨C an erratic blast from a nearby Airkin ¨C caught her in the back. She faltered, caught by surprise, and her shield hitched. In the split second it dropped, Nerys¡¯ power collided with her.

    It hit her full in the chest.

    And Nerys¡¯ face crumpled with horror.

 Chapter 38

    Nerys plummeted to earth with a heart-rending cry, obliterating the culprit on the way down. She touched the ground amidst his ruins, and launched herself forth with frantic energy. A heartbeat before Jordan and Norae, she reached Calyx¡¯s side.

    It was too late.

    Calyx, fighting to pull breath into her non-existent lungs, stared up at her in desperate silence. Nerys took her hand, crushing her fingers, begging her not to die. But Calyx had nothing left; she closed her struggling mouth, accepting she had no last breath to take. She rolled her head, finding Jordan, and a single tear escaped her. The hurt was too great. She blinked, giving in to the darkness. The spark faded from her eyes as her shattered heart thrummed its last, and then she was limp in Nerys¡¯ arms.

    Nerys threw her head back and unleashed a primordial howl. Her magic snaked out in frantic ribbons, fighting her, fighting the world, angry and unwilling to accept the truth. Clouds raced in, low and scudding, hounded by ominous thunder. Black lightning flashed, and an unholy pressure began to build. A whipping wind, winter-cold and brittle, buffeted the landscape with a blood-curdling wail. Nerys turned her head, seeking Jordan. Her eyes turned black, inky, bottomless. Her mouth twisted; savage fangs bared. The tortured expression on her face chased ice down Jordan¡¯s spine, and she yelped in terror as the Lat¡¯Nemele flung herself at her. Nerys caught her by the shoulders, shrieking at her.

    ¡°Return her to me, Jordenna! Return her to me!¡±

    She spun from Jordan, lifted her hands in terrible claws. The world rumbled in dark threat as she sucked power from the very heart of Andoherra. Pure magic wailed from its rocky bones in torrents, and, with a gut-wrenching cry, she raised her fists. Her face twisted with the pain of the effort as she dragged it free, gathering it into a sinister mass of terrible, volatile power. She screamed as she plunged her hands down.

    Impossible.

    Unstoppable.

    She tore open the sky.

    An appalling howling rent the air. Black fissures crackled across the heavens, searing them asunder. A gigantic maw of darkness loomed, frenzied storm winds driven before it. Merciless, they tore at the feeble bodies of the living as they raced.

    Terrified by the inconceivable darkness consuming the sky, Jordan made to cover her face with her hands. But a flash made her look up, into the whirling breach. High above, and rising, she made out the limp, otherworldly outline of Calyx¡¯s soul. Her jaw dropped and she pointed frantically. Nerys, black eyes pouring darkness, followed her gaze.

    ¡°Return her to me, Jordenna!¡± she commanded, the malice in her tone undercutting the scream of the gale, ¡°Do it now!¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Jordan quavered beneath her fearsome regard, tried to say she couldn¡¯t, that she didn¡¯t know how. Nerys turned one sparking hand in her direction, panting with the strain.

    It was not a warning.

    It was a direct threat.

    ¡°DO IT NOW!¡±

    Her voice was not her own ¨C a slick and shadowed roar that tore at her throat. Jordan swallowed, face upturned, and saw that Calyx had almost reached the darkness. In the inky shadows of its edges, questing claws reached out for her glowing form. They jousted each other to claim her. Jordan panicked, cried out for her magic, for help, for something to show her what to do. Her power rose in a desperate wave, snapping in confused whips beneath her lack of direction. She watched as the talons of darkness stretched, swiping, closer and closer. She heard Nerys¡¯ broken howl as she fought to keep the breach open, and felt the echo of her heart breaking as she watched Calyx borne away.

    The first claws touched their target, snatching at her, but a sudden font of light flashed out and drove them back. Jordan stared, amazed, as a luminous figure appeared beyond Calyx. She hovered, tall and proud, hands aloft to hold the darkness at bay. Jordan¡¯s breath caught when she recognised her mother, the spitting image of her visions; she was so much more vital, beautiful, and powerful than her dreams could ever hope to capture.

    Jordenna!

    The word echoed softly, teasing at her ears. The wind still whipped around her ¨C she could see it ¨C but the world had fallen mute.

    Reach for her, child! Asbeth¡¯s musical voice urged her to react. It must be now!

    ¡°I don¡¯t know h-¡±

    Reach! NOW!

    Jordan flung out her hand with a surprised cry. Bright threads surged from her fingertips, racing away in a wild arc to tangle themselves about Calyx¡¯s motionless form. Instinctively, Jordan closed her fist around them, was nearly swept off her feet by the power of the pull from the other side. She slid several paces and Norae leapt for her with a shout, fastening her arms around her waist to anchor her to the ground.

    Pull! Asbeth commanded. Her ethereal arms shook with the strain of holding the darkness at bay, but her mouth was set in a grim, determined line.

    Jordan did as she was bid, reeling the threads in one inch at a time, her shoulders burning against the pressure. She gritted her teeth, dug her heels into the ground, leaned into Norae¡¯s firm grip. Slowly ¨C infinitely ¨C Calyx¡¯s shimmering figure pulled back, away from the breach.

    Recreate her, Jordan. See her healed, hale. See her gasping her first breath, glowing with life. You can do it, child ¨C your power is formidable.¡±

    Jordan closed her eyes, did as she was told. She reimagined Calyx as she was before she was struck down. She shook with the effort of her working magic. She hardly realised what she was doing, hardly understood, but she did not have to open her eyes to know when it was over. She felt the bond of soul and body as they met.

    At Nerys¡¯ ecstatic cry, she snapped her gaze back to the breach, rapidly fading as the dark Lat¡¯Nemele released her hold on it. Asbeth stared back, one sorrowful hand outstretched.

    I am proud of you, Jordenna. Her whisper floated on the breeze. You are my world, my love.

    The breach knitted closed around her, and Jordan choked on her sorrow, tears streaming down her face. She stared into those silver eyes ¨C the echo of her own ¨C until the last.

    ¡°I wish I¡¯d known you¡­¡± she whispered as the other faded into the breeze. Her heart bucked beneath its burden.

    Asbeth¡¯s last words shivered within her very soul.

    There will be time.

    And then she was gone.

 Chapter 39

    Jordan choked down a sob and buckled. The rush of receding power reduced her to a trembling wreck, and Norae flew to her aid, face creased with worry.

    In mirror image, Nerys crouched over a stirring Calyx, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. She smiled through a sob as Calyx came to.

    ¡°What¡­ did you do?¡± Calyx croaked, struggling to sit up.

    Nerys shook her head with gentle amazement, lost for words. She reached out, tucked a wayward strand of hair behind Calyx¡¯s ear, and stared as if she¡¯d never seen her before. Calyx blinked, and then tore free.

    She jolted upright on a surge of violent energy, her power exploding around her.

    ¡°You killed me!¡±

    Taken aback, Nerys lifted her hands, her own magic ready in defence.

    ¡°That was an accident!¡±

    ¡°Seriously, you two?¡± Jordan gasped from where she trembled uncontrollably on her hands and knees, ¡°Calyx¡­ she tore open the sky to save you.¡±

    Calyx hesitated, staring at Nerys. ¡°You¡­ what?¡±

    Nerys folded her arms, cocked her head. ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret it."

    Fayne¡¯s voice ricocheted across the divide, startling them all.

    ¡°Nerys!¡± she snarled, marching forth on a tide of flame.

    Nerys lifted her head, eyes swirling with soft wrath. She moved to stand in front of the others, barring the Queen¡¯s way, and Fayne jerked to a halt, ire burning bright around her.

    ¡°What the hell do you think you are doing?¡±

    ¡°Choosing sides.¡±

    Nerys raised one shimmering hand. Fayne recoiled, untold emotions flashing across her face. But she recovered fast. With a violent flick of her hand, Esadora and Nalvadian were thrown down at her feet. She bent, lifted the end of their chains, and her eyes never left Nerys for a second.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°Very well,¡± she growled, ¡°Their blood is on your hands, darling.¡±

    Esadora struggled, gaze locked on Jordan, trying desperately to spit free her gag. With a cry, Jordan tried to rise, but her movement only provided the distraction the Firekin needed ¨C a flash of her fingers, and a glitter of steel rained from the shadows. With sharp gasps, both Lat¡¯Nemele staggered. Jordan cried out again, this time with physical pain ¨C for the Shadowkin¡¯s aim was true.

    Fayne quirked a brow as they reeled, their magic eclipsed by the Soulstars. She smiled, savage and triumphant, as Jordan collapsed against Norae''s bolstering shoulder. Nerys and Calyx kept their feet, but barely, and the shimmer of their magic sparked pale and feeble. Fayne smirked as the Shadowkin came forward to stand beside her.

    ¡°Quite the magic trick,¡± Fayne gloated, slipping an arm around the Shadow Sorceress¡¯ waist, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±

    Nerys snarled. Fayne tossed her head with dark joy, and knocked her down with a blast of flame. She winked at Nerys as she rolled to douse the flames, and then turned her attention back to the prize at her feet.

    ¡°Ahh¡­¡± she smiled, enjoying herself, ¡°The great Esadora Bal¡¯Talanor ¨C World Queen, Lost Queen... So many years you have been a thorn in my side, but the fall from grace is far, is it not?¡± She tilted her chin, dripping condescension. ¡°Oh, this is a rare treat! Who¡¯d have thought I¡¯d get to kill three Bal¡¯Talanors in one lifetime ¨C and with my own hand!¡± She splayed her fingers, inspecting her crimson nails, and then leaned down as if imparting a secret. ¡°I was going to kill you all, anyway, but now I get to do it with so much more¡­ flair.¡±

    She straightened, tossing her fiery curls, and twirled her hand. In her palm, something glinted ¨C the trigger for the Mor¡¯Torquem.

    ¡°Any last words, Esadora?¡± she whispered beneath her serpentine smile.

    The Lost Queen bowed her head. Jordan¡¯s face drained, and she pushed herself up with a desperate shout, but Fayne dropped her fist with an air of finality, and magic flashed. Jordan stumbled, gagging on her frantic cry, and Fayne threw her head back to crow her victory.

    But she choked off.

    For Esadora rose to her feet.

    With a clink, the collar fell away; the shackles abandoned the Worldkin¡¯s wrists. Every soul in the vicinity fell silent, not daring to draw breath as the Lost Queen rolled her shoulders. Quicksilver and fury, she lashed out and caught Fayne by the throat, entrapping her with a vicious snap of magic. Kicking, and screaming, she dragged her away from the Shadowkin. Tabitha made to react, but a blast of power sent the Shadow Sorceress reeling. Fayne hung helpless, choking, and sparking fire.

    ¡°Well, well¡­¡± Esadora smiled, ¡°How¡¯s that for a magic trick, dearie?¡±

 Chapter 40

    High overhead, the sun tipped over its zenith, beginning the long, slow descent to its rest beyond the horizon. It glowed glum, heavy in the sky. Under its halting gaze, Esadora held the Fire Queen aloft. The others stirred, shaking off the tinkle of charmed steel as the shuriken fell away beneath the Worldkin¡¯s indomitable power. They watched with wide eyes.

    ¡°No!¡± Fayne snarled, clawing at the magic vice constricting her throat, ¡°NO! You can¡¯t¡­!¡±

    ¡°I can, and I did, dearie. Did you really think that a Mor¡¯Torquem would kill me? That the Shackles of Soul would hold me indefinitely? You should have killed me when you had the chance.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ you were¡­ trapped¡­ tortured¡­!¡± Fayne gasped, desperation tinting her words.

    ¡°I¡¯ll admit the torture was an inconvenience,¡± Esadora mused, ¡°And it did take me rather longer than I had anticipated to unravel the spell of the Mor¡¯Torquem... But, at least, you had a chance to play out your little charade.¡± She paused, raised her eyebrows pityingly. ¡°Your penchant for games is the reason you never win. You think you¡¯re so clever, dearie¡­ And that¡¯s why you find yourself where you currently are.¡±

    She tightened her grip. Fayne¡¯s fingers flicked violently, her magic sparking in erratic fits, breath rattling. Her face contorted with hateful fury as she struggled against the Worldkin¡¯s magic ¨C like an insect against an avalanche.

    But Esadora abruptly set her down, lessened the pressure on her windpipe. Fayne drew great gouts of air, rubbing at her lacerated neck, tears of pain rolling down her pinched cheeks.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, dearie,¡± Esadora gave a feline smile, ¡°Today is not your last day.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ offer¡­ mercy?¡± Fayne managed, her surprise undoing the fury on her features.

    Esadora laughed ¨C long and loud ¨C as if her suggestion were ludicrous.

    ¡°Today is not your last day,¡± she repeated, circling her like a fox with a mouse, ¡°Because you killed my daughter in cold blood. You tried to kill my granddaughter. I offer you no mercy...¡±

    She reached the front of her again, and Fayne paled beneath her wild and wicked smile.

    ¡°...Oh, no. You will live out the rest of your miserable days in untold agony ¨C doused and drenched and kept with just enough air to leave breath in your fiery lungs.¡±

    Fayne quailed. ¡°Esadora, darling, please¡­¡±

    The Worldkin raised an eyebrow, allowing her the grace to finish, but Fayne found she had no words to redeem herself. Esadora¡¯s eyes snapped, lips twisted as she opened her mouth to give the command to take her away.

    But the Firekin shimmered. Face alight with surprise, Fayne melted, dispersing on the breeze like a shadow fleeing candlelight. Esadora snatched at her with a bright flash, but she was ephemeral, borne away into oblivion. The Worldkin snarled, spun; the Shadowkin was gone, too.

    Thwarted magic sparked high. ¡°God-damned Shadowkin!¡±

    ¡°Grandma!¡± Jordan exclaimed, limping forward with Norae at her shoulder, ¡°What happened? Where did she go?¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Esadora turned to her, mouth set grim. ¡°That¡¯ll teach me to harp on about games.¡± But she opened her arms, engulfed Jordan in a suffocating hug. ¡°I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re okay, child!¡±

    Jordan pushed back, tears in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m okay? Are you kidding me? God, Grandma, I¡¯ve never been so worried in my life! How did you do that?¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy,¡± Esadora confessed with a gentle smile, ¡°But I had good reason to make sure I succeeded.¡± She cupped Jordan¡¯s face. ¡°Try not to ever find yourself shackled or collared, dearie. It is not an easy magic to undo. You need a lifetime of experience to even make the attempt.¡±

    Jordan nodded, and her smile stretched to bursting as she hugged Esadora again. Over her grandmother¡¯s shoulder, she caught Norae¡¯s eye. The Callkin had moved to greet her father; she leaned against Nalvadian, his great arm squeezing her tight.

    ¡°Happy reunions all around,¡± Nerys commented darkly.

    She stood off, holding herself on the edge of present company, her power humming at the ready.

    Esadora fixed her with an expressionless stare. ¡°Nerys Dur¡¯Borran,¡± she said, ¡°Still alive, are you?¡±

    Nerys curled her lip. ¡°I am in no mood, dear.¡±

    ¡°Quite a piece of magic you pulled off, there,¡± Esadora remarked, unruffled.

    Nerys folded her arms. ¡°Stranger things.¡±

    The Worldkin stepped away from Jordan, giving her shoulders a quick, reassuring squeeze. She drew herself up to her full height, standing before Nerys with her hands folded. Silent, Calyx watched.

    ¡°We live in a world of strange things,¡± Esadora mused. She cast her gaze east, and the light of the dying sun reflected in her steely gaze. ¡°Not least of which is the manner of the endings¡­ Time is nearly up.¡±

    Nerys¡¯ eyes sparked, hot as coals. ¡°Do you always ramble, dear?¡±

    Esadora tilted her head. ¡°The long and short of it is, tomorrow will be a new day ¨C a strange day. And you have¡­ choices to make. Better ones, I hope.¡±

    She turned away, tucked an arm over Jordan¡¯s shoulders, and began the trek to the palace. The others followed, gingerly skirting craters and corpses, and the gates swung wide to admit them.

    Brooding, Nerys was left alone.

    Almost.

    ¡°She has a point,¡± Calyx said quietly. She moved up to stand beside the Dark Lat¡¯Nemele, gazing at the bleeding sunset.

    ¡°Hardly,¡± Nerys sniped, scowling at the broken star, ¡°Has no one noticed? It¡¯s the end of the bloody world.¡±

    ¡°Not quite.¡±

    Nerys turned to her, expression guarded. ¡°What do you want, Calyx?¡±

    Calyx did not look round. ¡°I just wanted to say thank you.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡± Nerys snorted, ¡°A stupid decision on the spur of the moment? Mmm, yes¡­ I helped saved your life ¨C so now you can die in flaming agony along with the rest of us. You¡¯re welcome, dear.¡±

    Calyx faced her at last. ¡°Why did you leave, when we found that dagger?¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°Try me.¡±

    Nerys drew a breath, released it explosively. ¡°I spent time with them ¨C the Shadowkin¡­ I know what they are capable of, I¡­ had to go.¡±

    Calyx scowled. ¡°To protect Fayne.¡±

    ¡°To protect you.¡±

    They regarded each other for a long moment. Nerys dropped her gaze first.

    ¡°Fayne has a long-standing relationship with Tabitha, the Scion of the Shadowkin,¡± she sighed. ¡°If I had not been there ¨C an option with less consequences ¨C she would have unleashed their full army instead. You saw how Tabitha scooped Fayne out from under Esadora¡¯s very nose ¨C they are infinitely dangerous, Calyx. Esadora may be able to combat them, but she was incapacitated. How was I to know she¡¯d cast off the Mor¡¯Torquem all on her own?¡±

    ¡°Never underestimate that woman,¡± Calyx said darkly.

    ¡°Indeed.¡±

    Calyx reached out, tentative, and took her hand. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything? We could have talked about it before you went rushing off¡­¡±

    ¡°There was no time,¡± Nerys replied, thumbing the back of her fingers with soft strokes. ¡°Tabitha had already been, and gone, by the time I arrived.¡±

    ¡°And¡­ killing me? Was that part of some grand plan, too?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you that was an accident, dear.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Calyx smiled, ¡°At least we know who won.¡±

    ¡°Extenuating circumstances,¡± Nerys frowned. ¡°If it hadn¡¯t been for that damned Airkin¡­¡±

    ¡°What happened to him, by the way?¡±

    ¡°Nothing good.¡±

    Calyx laughed. She laced her arms around Nerys¡¯ waist, looked up from beneath heavy lashes. Around them, magic flitted like fireflies.

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, isn¡¯t it?¡± Calyx murmured, watching them.

    ¡°As you are,¡± Nerys whispered, bright power reflecting in her bottomless eyes.

    Calyx sighed as the dark Lat¡¯Nemele pulled her close, and magic bloomed around them, rivalling the setting sun. Soft and sweet, their lips met, a tentative promise of hope for tomorrow.

 Chapter 41

    Jordan hesitated beneath the sweeping stone wings of the gryphon statues. She tipped her head back, as far as it would go, following their grandeur to dizzying heights. Esadora caught an arm around her shoulders, nudging her forward.

    ¡°Come, dearie,¡± she said, ¡°It does not do for royalty to stand and gawk.¡±

    Jordan lowered her gaze, caught sight of myriad faces watching her with a mixture of curiosity and fear. She blushed, dipped her chin, and Esadora pushed her on. Guardsmen fell in to flank them, marching in stern silence, keeping the crowd at a respectful distance. They passed beneath the shadows of the gateway, and the onlookers parted like the sea. Whispers followed them as Esadora moved with sure strides, leading her small entourage across a glittering courtyard of polished marble, right up to the doors of the palace itself. She raised her hand, and they flew wide, revealing a long, richly decorated hallway beyond, that lay in disarray after the ripples of the battle outside. Palace staff scurried to and fro like ants, furiously swiping at dusty statues, straightening crooked pictures, rearranging wayward drapes. Gentle flashes of homely magics accompanied their ruthless cleaning, and, somehow, they managed to keep ten paces ahead. Everything was perfect by the time the Lost Queen¡¯s feet reached it, and Jordan marvelled at their quiet efficiency.

    Esadora swung right, through a graceful archway, leading the way down a smaller, yet equally opulent, corridor. They halted at last as they entered a large, formal drawing room, tastefully arranged with cream and copper furnishings. A large fire crackled cheerfully in its marble hearth, and to one side of the room a long table was bedecked with all manner of fine finger-foods. There was no sign of the palace staff ¨C somehow, they had already been and gone.

    Jordan caught sight of the food and swung a glance at Esadora. The Worldkin inclined her head, and Jordan towed Norae with her to the table. They fell upon the feast, ravenous from the rigours of their day. Smiling at their enthusiasm, Esadora and Nalvadian settled themselves upon a pair of tall, padded stools, and a Kitchkin materialised with a silver tray of tea and dainties. Nalvadian accepted it cordially, and then the silent attendant was gone, the door swinging closed with a soft click in his wake.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Thallo kneaded the rug by the fire, circled it, and then lay down with her belly to the flames. Norae took her some meaty pastries, and she purred like a kitten as she picked at them with delicate claws. Jordan watched with a smile, waiting for Norae to re-join her, and then they settled themselves at the high table with Esadora and Nalvadian. Nalvadian poured them each a cup of tea, and then sat back with his arm tucked around Esadora¡¯s waist.

    Jordan raised her eyebrows. ¡°Something you¡¯d like to tell me, Grandma?¡±

    ¡°Actually, yes,¡± Esadora smiled, leaning against the Earthkin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Now that the insanity of the day is over, I would like to properly introduce you to Nalvadian Dre¡¯Cor ¨C your grandfather.¡±

    Norae nearly toppled from her stool. ¡°What! All these years, father, you never said a word!¡±

    Nalvadian smiled, unperturbed by her astonishment. Esadora raised an eyebrow at him.

    ¡°I¡¯m equally surprised,¡± she said, ¡°That you never mentioned your true position to your daughter.¡±

    Nalvadian lifted his chin beneath her scrutiny. ¡°You were gone a long time by then, Esadora. Asbeth was a grown woman, a Queen in her own right, and I did not want Norae to live in her shadow. Besides, people have a funny way of forgetting who sired a World Queen¡± ¨C he winked ¨C ¡°only the mother is important.¡±

    Esadora slapped his arm. ¡°That is not true!¡±

    Nalvadian shrugged, a twinkle in his dark eye as he looked to Norae. ¡°It matters not. Both of my daughters grew into fine, capable women.¡±

    Norae swallowed in stunned silence, and Jordan leaned over to elbow her with a grin.

    ¡°D¡¯you know what this means¡­?¡± she smirked.

    Norae found her voice with a scowl. ¡°Do not dare say it!¡±

    ¡°That makes you my aunt.¡±

    Norae groaned. ¡°Do not accept it ¨C makes me sound old.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s not speak of age, dearie,¡± Esadora said flatly.

    Nalvadian laughed, and the exuberant resonance of it was infectious. ¡°You haven¡¯t aged a day since I last saw you, Esadora.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t say the same for you, dearie,¡± Esadora shot back.

    ¡°Maturity becomes me,¡± he chortled.

    They laughed, and joked, suspended in a familial moment that belied the ending of the world.

 Chapter 42 (Final Chapter)

    Esadora brooded, swirling the dregs of her tea as she sat by the fireside. It was strange to be back within the walls of Eoscan, after all these years. It felt empty ¨C most everyone she¡¯d known was long dead and gone. Outside, the last night hung heavy with the promise of a shattered dawn. Nalvadian, sensitive to her worries, settled his strong arm around her shoulders, and she leaned against his chest.

    ¡°Cheer up,¡± he smiled, ¡°It¡¯s nearly the end of the world.¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± she sighed, ¡°What am I going to do?¡±

    ¡°Take Jordan home, where she will be safe.¡±

    ¡°And leave you behind?¡± she scoffed.

    He shifted, gently squeezing the fingers of her free hand. ¡°Your power may be formidable, my love, but you can¡¯t save us all.¡±

    She blew angrily through her nose. ¡°Curse this blighted world.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean that,¡± he chided, ¡°Andoherra has always been close to your heart.¡±

    ¡°Once, perhaps ¨C but now it stands poised to destroy everyone I love.¡±

    ¡°Nothing lasts forever, no matter how high our hopes. Fear not, though. I will die a happy man, Esadora ¨C I never thought to see you again, and yet, here you are.¡±

    She smiled despite herself. ¡°My heart never left you, you know.¡±

    He winked. ¡°I know.¡±

    She tilted her head back and gifted him a tender kiss. He lifted her, turning her to embrace her properly, but a snap of magic seared the air. It burst through the door with a Lat¡¯Nemele in its wake, and Esadora sprang away from Nalvadian with an indignant scowl.

    ¡°Calyx! We have closed doors for a reason!¡±

    The Lat¡¯Nemele did not pause at the acid in her voice. Her eyes were wild, her hair flyaway and her power sparking.

    ¡°Esadora!¡± she cried, ¡°You have to come, now! She¡¯s going to do it ¨C we can¡¯t stop her!¡±

    ¡°Who? What?¡±

    But the Guardian was gone, exploded into Betwixt on a tide of frantic magic.

    ¡°What the hell was that about?¡± Esadora growled.

    She flung her power out, scouring the Palace for anomalies, and then she felt it. It reached through the dark, humming beneath her ¨C the hunger of Andoherra awakened. She leapt up with a startled cry, porting before she was steady on her feet. Nalvadian, ignorant of her reasons, nonetheless threw himself after her.

    They erupted into the Great Hall, Esadora casting wildly about. She locked eyes on her granddaughter, six feet from the Throne. Calyx, Nerys, and Norae surrounded her, imploring ¨C held at bay by a wall of her magic.

    ¡°Jordan!¡± Esadora cried, her face white with dread, ¡°Get away from there, child!¡±

    Jordan, face pinched with fearful resolve, stood her ground. She shook her head and took another step. A growl reverberated from the stark depths of the white marble Throne. She hesitated, her magic fluttering a warning inside her chest.

    ¡°Jordan, please!¡±

    Esadora crossed the room with desperate strides, one hand outstretched in terrified appeal. Jordan met her gaze, and steeled herself.

    ¡°Andoherra is dying, Grandma¡­ I have to do this.¡±

    ¡°It will destroy you, child!¡± Esadora was halfway across the room, approaching as fast as she dared without pushing Jordan to act rashly. ¡°There is no way to salvage the magic!¡±

    ¡°There is,¡± Jordan whispered, ¡°It¡¯s in my blood.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    The Throne unfurled, its soft lines sharpening to terrible claws, blooming like some demonic flower. Marble vines stretched, clicking thorns in its eagerness, and Jordan stepped back as her courage failed. She lifted her hands with a sharp cry as living stone lunged for her, and Esadora ported with a feral howl. She exploded from the darkness, knocking Jordan aside, out of its range. Jordan looked up from where she had fallen, her heart jolting at the sound of crystalline barbs clamping shut.

    Staccato thorns rolled, clacking delight.

    And then Esadora¡¯s screams began.

    The others rushed forth, magic flared, but lashes of stone crushed their advance. Esadora¡¯s form lifted high in the grip of stone talons, and Jordan leapt to her feet, shrieking against the unstoppable. The Throne reared high, spikes unfurling. They hovered, plunged. A terrible shriek tore loose from Esadora. Crystalline spines slashed with abandon; it mattered not which piece they claimed ¨C Andoherra thirsted through every inch of her sparking skin.

    Jordan lunged for her grandmother, but a desperate flash of magic from Esadora knocked her back.

    ¡°No, Jordan!¡± she screamed.

    Jordan froze beneath her pleading gaze, sobbing hysterics, watching with crushing despair as her grandmother forfeited her life to save them all.

    She crushed at her ears as an unholy keening stung through the air, gaining intensity until it was an unbearable shriek. The room trembled. Underfoot, massive flagstones heaved, rolling like the sliding scales of some gigantic viper. A brilliant flash of light ignited in the heart of the throne, shining like a new-born star. Its incandescence expanded, engulfing Esadora¡¯s crippled form, drowning her in liquid light. Those bearing terrible witness shielded their eyes against the burning glare, and it brightened until they could feel its heat on their skin. Jordan stared at her grandmother¡¯s silhouette as long as she could stand, but she too, at last looked away.

    The brilliance blinked out suddenly, plunging the room into darkness. Slowly, lumostones winked on.

    Esadora was gone. Not a trace of the Worldkin remained, bar the silver stain of her blood on the white marble Throne. Jordan collapsed to her hands and knees, unable to breathe for the horror in her heart. Her face twisted with the pain of her loss, and she beat her fists against the ground. Around her came the echoes of her sorrow ¨C even Nerys stood with an indescribable shock etched onto her disbelieving face.

    In dreadful silence, Calyx pulled Jordan to her feet, supporting her as she sagged.

    ¡°It¡¯s not over, Jordan,¡± she whispered, voice bleak and brittle as winter, ¡°Come, you must take your Throne.¡±

    Jordan blanched, baulked, broke free and tried to run. But she collided with Nerys. The dark Lat¡¯Nemele caught her shoulders, meeting her distraught gaze with deep sympathy. She, too, knew what the kiss of darkness felt like.

    ¡°Come, Jordenna,¡± she said softly, ¡°Do not let your grandmother¡¯s sacrifice be in vain.¡±

    ¡°You have to continue the cycle,¡± Calyx nodded, her face fiercely impassive, ¡°Andoherra must know its new Queen. Quickly now ¨C before the sun rises.¡±

    Numb, Jordan let the Lat¡¯Nemele manoeuvre her to stand before the innocuous Throne. Norae cried out in protest, sharply echoed by Nalvadian, but Nerys snarled to keep them at bay. When Jordan stood where her grandmother lately had, she broke into a fresh wave of sobs and covered her face with trembling hands. The Lat¡¯Nemele released her and stepped back, immovable Guardians on either side of her shivering form.

    ¡°You must take the Throne of your own volition, Jordan,¡± Calyx said quietly, ¡°No one may force you.¡±

    Jordan turned, raking her nails down her face, leaving red marks upon her cheeks. She met their gaze, refusing to look at the brooding, bloodstained Throne behind her. She shook her head over and over in mute appeal, but Calyx offered no further words of empathy or encouragement. She simply stood statuesque beside Nerys, bearing witness.

    Jordan felt her heart flutter, wild as a trapped butterfly, and closed her eyes. Her magic reared up in protest, urging her to flee ¨C away, anywhere. But a whisper interrupted her decision to fly, and she opened her eyes in surprise. Turning to the Throne, she came face to face with her mother and grandmother. Both shimmered softly, wearing gentle smiles.

    ¡°Grandma!¡± Jordan¡¯s breath exploded with desperate longing.

    There, there, child. Esadora¡¯s voice tremored, ethereal.

    ¡°I¡¯m so scared!¡± Jordan choked, tears slipping down her pale cheeks.

    Esadora nodded. Of course you are, dearie. No one said being the Queen would be easy.

    ¡°We should have gone home! Grandma, I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Jordan lamented. She shuddered with guilt, and fresh tears pricked at her eyes, but Esadora shook her glowing head.

    No, Jordan, you were right. Our duty is to Andoherra.

    Asbeth stepped forward, laid a featherlight hand on her arm. It¡¯s your turn, now, Jordenna. You will be the greatest Queen since Malevelyn herself.

    Esadora smiled, translucent. We¡¯re so proud of you.

    Jordan managed a watery smile herself.

    ¡°D-does it hurt?¡±

    Both spirits nodded grimly, and Jordan sucked her breath through her teeth.

    ¡°Will I die?¡±

    They shook their heads.

    You will live, Jordan, Esadora whispered. Long and well and happy. And so will Andoherra. Be brave now, girl. You are Jordenna Bal¡¯Talanor, daughter of Asbeth Bal¡¯Talanor, granddaughter of Esadora Bal¡¯Talanor, descendent of Malevelyn The Blessed, and Ascending World Queen. She paused, and fire burned fierce in her eyes. Own it, dearie.

    Asbeth nodded proud agreement, and Jordan looked from one to the other. They smiled encouragement, and, somehow, she drew valour from their ethereal gaze. With the world watching, waiting, she turned. Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

    She took a deep breath¡­

    And sat down.

    [  END  ]