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Birth of a Queen BLADE OF ICE BOOK THREE JESSICA WAYNE AnotefromJess:
BladeofIce,book3 ByJessicaWayne
Copyright©2023.Allrightsreserved. Thisbookisaworkoffiction Names,characters,places,businesses,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorusedfictitiously Anyresemblancetoactual persons,livingordead,places,oractualeventsisentirelycoincidental Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformation storageandretrievalsystemwithoutwrittenpermissionoftheauthor,exceptforuseofbriefquotationsinabookreview
Edited
by Dawn Y
E-Book & Hardcover Design by Triff Cover Design Paperback Design by Covers by Christian
This one is for Nic and Jennifer N. You ladies are amazing!
Blurb Ourchoicesdefineus.
Unsurewhereelsetoturn,weleanedonthewrongally,anditnearlycostuseverything Now,myalliesareontherun,andmyrealmhasbeenclaimedbyourgreatestenemy.Amanwhousedmybloodtorelease thegiantsuponus Merciless.
Monstrous. Theyhuntforme,tearingaparttherealmIvowedtoprotect. ButIamnolongertheprincesstheyaredeterminedtofind. Iamtheslayertheywon'tseecoming Thequeenwhowilllaywastetoallthey'vebuiltagainstus.
Carleah “Fort,youhavetogetup.”Ipullathim,tryingtotughimtohisfeet.There’snotaninchofmybodythatdoesn’tache,and thebloodfrommycheekhasfrozentothesideofmyface,onlytopullmyskineverytimeIspeak
Atleast,it’snotbleedinganymore.Though,evenifitwere,thatwouldbetheleastofmyproblems.
Forttookthefallforbothofus,andhe’syettomove.Theminuteshavefeltlikehourssincethegiantsescaped,shatteringa holeinthesideoftheicecavern Theylaywastetomyfriendsoutside Tothearmythatmarchedatmyside,readytotakeback arealmthatIjustcostthem.
Bowman Ishovethoughtsofmybrotheraside Heisstrong Fast Resilient Hewillsurvive
He has to survive. IcannotbetheonlyRossingolremaining.
“Ican’t,” he manages Headleanedbackagainstthe boulder behindhim,he looks weaker thanI’ve ever seenhim Pale Small.TwowordsthatIneverwouldhaveattributedtoamanwithgiantbloodrunningthroughhisveins.“IthinkImighthave brokensomethings,”hesays.
Outside,warrages
Peoplescream.
Giantsroar
As soonas theywere gone,Iretrievedmyblade andbroughtitover,thoughafter seeingthe creatures oflegend,I’mnot entirelysurewhatgooditwilldometouseit.Theyarefarlargerthanevenmynightmareshowedme.Andnowthey’refree.
TearingaparttherealmIsworeI’dprotect.
Griefwagesitsownbattlewithinme,butIshoveitbackdown.Thetimeforgrievingwillcome.Rightnow,theonlythingI canthinkaboutisgettingFortupofftheground There’snotellingifthegiantswillreturn Ihavenointentionofbeinghereif theydo.
“Youbrokemorethanafewthings,youidiot”Tearsburninmyeyes,andIsitstillbesidehim “Whydidyoucomeafter me?Whywouldyoujumpinaftermelikethat?Youhadtoknowyouwouldn’tsurvive!”
“DidyouthinkIwouldjustwatchyoufall?”heasks,unabletoturnhisheadtolookatme.“Youknowmebetterthanthat, Carleah.”Hegroans.
“Pleasedon’tleaveme,Fort.Icannotdothisalone.”
“Youcan,”hereplies “ButIwon’t I’vetoldyou,I’mratherhardtokill”Hetriestolaugh,butitcomesoutinaragged gasp.
Footstepsabovepullmyattention,soIliftmyswordthenremainhiddenfromview,tuckedatFort’sside,readytofighttill the deathifthat’s whatprotectinghimmeans. Adrenaline pumpingthroughmysystem, Ilie inwait, trackingthe footsteps of whoeverhasfoundus.
“Carleah!”
Bowman! Atthesoundofmybrother’svoice,Irushoutintotheopening.Hebreathesasighofreliefandslidesdowninto thecavern,usingtheopeningthegiantsmadetocomedownsafely Lacraeisjustbehindhim
Thetwoofthemrushover,andmybrothercrushesmeagainsthischest.He’scoveredinblood.It’ssplatteredacrosshis clothes,hisface,andmatshiswhitehair,butthankfully,itdoesn’tlooklikeanyofitbelongstohim
“Yourface,”hesaysashepullsmeawayenoughtostudyme.
“I’mfine.ButFort ”Icannotevenfinishthesentence.
Lacraemovesaroundtheboulderfirst,andmybrotherfollows Fortstillsitsinthesameplace,completelystill “Hedoveinaftermeandbrokemyfall,”Itellthem.
“Youwonderfulbastard,”Bowmansaysashesinkstohisknees “Areyougoingtosurvive?" "Ifthebloodinmyveinsdoeswhatit’ssupposedto,yes.Butit’scertainlytakingalongtime.” “Youbrokeyourback,”Lacraetellshim HeliftshisgazetoBowman “Hecan’twalk” “Thenwe’llhavetocarryhim,”mybrotherreplies.
“Thegiants,”Isayquickly.“Theothers,arethey ”
Bowmanlooks up at me. “Those remaininghave retreated. Theywere givenorders to regroup just outside of Navalis. HarmonicaisswimmingstraighttoSorenotowarnAlastair.”
Thesirenwill getthereintime,ofthatI’mcertain Buttherestoftherealm “It’sall myfault IfI’dmovedfaster ”I chokeonasobasIimagineallofthatloss.AllofthosewhowillnowperishbecauseIfailedinmydestiny.
“Wewillfixthis,”Bowmanassuresme “Iswearit,Carleah”
“Weneedsomethingtocarryhimon.Somethingflat.Otherwise,weriskhisbackhealingpoorly,”Lacraesays,switching theconversationbacktoFort
“There has tobe somethingdownhere.” Iturntowardthe cavern,daringtoventure a bitdeeper inside.It’s massive,far largerthanitappearsontheoutside,andthestenchisonethatwillbeburnedintomynoseforallofeternity.
Urine Feces Allofitclingstothewallsofthecavern
Andunfortunately,nomatterwhereIlook,Ifindnothingbutmoresoiledground.
“Shit”
“We’regoingtohavetocarryhim,”BowmantellsLacrae.“Seeifwecanfindsomethingalongtheway.” “Thenweneedtoatleastbracehisspine Iapologizeforthis Knowthatithurtsmemorethanithurtsyou”Theelfrolls Fortoverontohisbellyandwithdrawshissword.HetearspartofhistunicandwrapsthetipthenlaysitonFort’sbackasa brace.
Forthissesthroughclenchedteeth,andIcringe,hatingthathe’sinpainandwishingthathe’dnotseenmefall Iwouldbe dead,sure,butFortwouldn’tbeinjured.
BowmanandIbothtearstripsofclothfromourclothes,andLacraebandagesitaroundFort’sbodywithusrollinghimto thesidetoensureitgetstiedsecurely.
“Thatwillhavetodofornow.”LacraeandBowmanmovetoeithersideofFortandwraphisarmsaroundtheirshoulders. Together,theylifthim.
Onceagain,Forthisses.“Youbotharedeterminedtokillme,aren’tyou?”
“Hardly,”Bowmanreplies
Igathermysword,andthefourofusleavethecavernbehind.Reachingthetopisadifficultyallinitself,andittakesme walkingbehindandhelpingpushForttogeteveryoneoutontothesnow
Oncewedo,Ifreeze.Bilerises,burningmythroat,andIcovermymouthtokeepitdown.Bodieslittertheground.Pieces ofwhatwereonceourpeoplescatteredaroundlikefallenleaves.Crimsonstainsthewhiteblanket,andIchokeonasob. Somuchcarnage.
Somuchdeath.
“Don’t focus on it,” Bowman tells me “See the tracks? They lead down the mountain With any luck, they will have abandonedNavalisforthetimebeing.”
“Luckhasn’texactlybeenonoursidelately,”Iremindhim “No,”heagrees.“Butwecanhopeforalittlenow.Weneedshelter,andit’stheclosestplace.”
Theideaofgoinghomeisbothdevastatingandalluring.Butaswesetoffintothesnow,we’removingslowlyenoughthatI honestlydoubtwe’llreachthekingdombeforefreezingtodeath Ahorsewhinniesinthedistance.
Iwhirl,raisingmybladeasanentireherdofPegasussoardowntothegroundaroundus Myheartthunders,hopewarming mychestdespitethechill.Elvenwarriorssitontheirbacks,highandproud,theirwhitearmorgleaming.
Butit’s the elfonShadow thatpulls myfull attention Affree climbs down, her hair braided ina halo around her head She’sadornedinarmoraswell,lookingeverybitawarriorandnothinglikethearistocratI’vecometoexpect. “Brother,”shegreetsLacrae.
“YoudarecallmethatafterwhatyoudidtoSalma?”hedemands,referringtotheelvenwomanAffreeabandonedinDead Man’sLandallthosecenturiesago.
Salma and the other elves had set out to imprisonthe beasts created bythe Tenebris soldiers meninfected withgiant blood andbeencapturedthemselves,trappedinaprisonofobsidian.
Affreeandtheothercouncilmembershadknownaboutitandleftthemtheretodie
Theelvenwoman’sexpressionfalters,butonlyforamoment.“Wecandiscussallofthatlater.Ibringyouwarriorsnow.” “You’relate,”Isnap.“Thegiantshavebeenfreedalready.”
Angerflashesinhergaze “Yes,Iknowasmuch ButNavalisisemptyandawaitingyourarrival” Istiffen.“You’vebeenthere?”
“Yes Oncewerealizedwhathappened,itwasthefirstplacewelookedforyou Wecanbeallies,Carleah,anditiswhatI hopefor.PleaseallowmetomakerightallofthewrongsIhavecarriedout.”Shedropstoherkneeandbowsherhead.“Let mebetheonetotakeyouhome.Letmebeabladethathelpsyousavetherealm.”
There’snotaninchofmybodythatdoesn’tache,butasIliehereinbed,it’stheuselessnessthatbothersmemost.Pain,I canmanage Pain,Iunderstand ButbeingunabletostandbesideCarleahasshefacesherhomeforthefirsttimesince herfamilywaskilledisdevastating.
Ilieinmybed,flatandunmoving,waitingforher tomakeherwayuptome.Thehealerappliedsalvetothewoundshe couldsee,butmybackwilltakeadaytofullyheal maybelonger Shit,hopefullynotlonger Ican’tremainlikethisforlong,orI’lllosemydamnedmind.
Thedoor opens,andCarleahcomesinside Her eyes areclear,her cheeks flushwithcolor “How areyoufeeling?”She crossesovertowardmeandsitsontheedgeofthebed,takingmyhandinhers.Herpalmiscold,andIlongtowrapherinmy armsandfightbackthechill “Alive,”Isay.
Sheletsoutabreath,andhereyesfillwithtears.“Youscaredme,Fort.Youkeepdoingthat,andIneedyoutostop.” “Iscaredyou?”Iarchabrow “Iwatchedyouplummetintothetopofamountain,unsureifyouhadbeenfatallyinjured” “Andyet,youjumpedinafterme.NotknowingwhetherI’dliveordie.” “I’llalwayscatchyou,Carleah Youfall,Ifall That’sthedeal”
“Ifall,youfall,”sherepeatsasatearslipsdownhercheek.“Idon’tknowwhatIdidtodeservesuchloyalty.” “Everything,”Ireply.
Carleahleansdownandpressesherlipstomine.Iwantsobadlytopullheragainstme,todeepenthekiss,butsinceI’m unabletoraisemyarmsasofyet,allIcandoistakewhatsheoffers,softkissesinmydarkeningroom.
“YouhavenoideahowbadlyIwanttowrapmyarmsaroundyou,”Iwhisperagainstherlips “HowbadlyIwanttoease allofthegriefyou’refeelingrightnow.”
“ProbablyjustasbadlyasIwantyouto”Carleahsitsupandstaresatthefirecracklinginmyhearth AnelvenwomanI don’trecognizestarteditshortlyafterLacraeandanelvensoldier,who’dbeenherewhenwearrived,broughtmeinside.
Shehadn’tspokenawordtome.Hadn’tansweredanyofmyquestions.
“Haveanyoftheothersgottenback?”Iask,mythoughtsonthedwarvenkingAlastair,theelventriballeaderSalma,and alloftheotherswe’dbeenforcedtoleavebehind.
“Nowordyet Affreeleftscoutsinthevillagejustoutsideofthecitygates They’llinterceptthemiftheyshowup” “Affree. That was a surprise.” The fact that the elven elder, Lacrae’s sister or not, decided to offer us any aid was shocking,giventhatshehasn’tmadeherdistasteofCarleahasecret
Carleahlaughssoftly,butitlacksnearlyallhumor.“Thatwasquiteasurprise,”sheagreesthenfallsintosilence,herhand stillholdingmine.“Shepulledthebodiesofmyfamilydown.”
Iinwardlycurse They’dbeenremovingtheking’sbodyfromthegatewhenLacraeandItoucheddown WhileI’mbeyond gratefulshedidn’tseeit,Iwishshehadn’tevenknownthey’dstillbeenhanging.Theimageofhispartiallydecayedheadless corpse,somewhatpreservedbyNavalis’perpetualwinter,isoneIwillneverforget
“I’vesaiditbefore,andI’llsayitagain I amsosorryforallyou’velost.”
“It’snotyourfault”Shetakesadeepbreath “Andit’sinthepastnow Weneedtore-groupandfigureoutjusthowwe’re goingtohandlethingsgoingforward.”
Somuchstrengthinawomanwho’dbeenshelteredfromthemomentshewasborn.Thenagain,Isupposewatchingyour familybe slaughtered rightbefore your veryeyes will rip awayeveryshred ofinnocence “Do youhave anyidea how you wanttohandlethings?”
Sheturnstofaceme,revealingcrystalblueeyesthathavecaptivatedmesincetheveryfirstmomentwemet “Iwanttoget married.”
“Married?”
“Soon.Youasked.Isaidyes,andIwanttogetmarriedhereinNavalis.Justincase ” We never come back. Iknowthat’swhatshe’sthinking.“Carleah ”
“No.Idon’twanttowait,Fort.Ifyou’vechangedyourmind,fine,wecandealwiththat.ButIwanttogetmarriedinthe placemyparentsstood.Mybrothers.So,insomeway,Icanfeellikethey’retherewithus.”Anothertearrollsdownhercheek, andItrytoraisemyarmtowipeitaway
Unfortunately,Imakeitnomorethananinchbeforemybodygivesout,anditfallsbacktothebed.Igroanwithfrustration. “Iwanttocomfortyou”
“Youdo.Byjustbeinghere.Breathing,”sherepliessoftly.
Iswallowbackmyfrustrationandfocusfullyonher “Ihavenotchangedmymind Ifyouwanttogetmarriedwhilewe’re here,thenwe’llgetmarried.”
Carleahsmiles,andmyentireworldbrightens.“Really?”
“Yes”
“Thankyou,Fort.”Shesnifflesandleansdowntokissme,lingeringjustabovemylips. “Thisistorture Menotbeingabletotouchyou” “You’llbebettersoonenough.”
“Yes AndI’llbemakingupforlosttime”Needforherrunshotthroughmyveins Aprimalfirethatonlyburnsforher Carleahgrins as she pulls away. “I’mgoingto hold youto that.” Before Icanrespond, a softknocksounds onthe door. “Comein,”Carleahcallsout.
The woodendoor swings open, and Bowmansteps inside, Lacrae athis side Bothmenlookas exhausted as Ifeel, and botharestillcrustedwithbloodfromthebattlewelostmerehoursago.
“Youlookpale,”Bowmancomments “Complainedtheentiretimewebroughthimuphere,”Lacraeadds. “GladIwasdelayedandcouldn’thelp,”Bowmanreplies. Irollmyeyes.“Areyousuremockingmeiswise?Iwon’tbeoffmyfeetlong.” “Havetotakeadvantagewherewecan,”Bowmansays.Thenow-kingofNavalislookslessthanpleasedatbeinghome. Hisowncomplexionispale,hiseyesfullofthesamegriefIseeinCarleah’s MyoldestfriendandthewomanIlovearesuffering.
AndI’mtrappedinthisfuckingbed
“Areyoufeelinganybetter?”Bowmanasksashetakesaseatinoneoftwochairsflankingatableinmyroom.
“I’minpain.Whichisprogress.”
“Painisprogress?”Carleahasks,lookinginstantlyworried.“Wecangetyousome ” “No,mylove.I’mfine.”Iholdherhandtightersoshecan’tleavemyside.“Painmeansmybodyishealing.”
“Youdon’tneedanything?”
“Justyou.”
WhereIexpectedBowmanwouldundoubtedlymockourdisplayofaffectionor,attheveryleast,lookturnedoffbyit,he merely sits in silence, staring straight out the window. “It feels strange to be back here. Like we’re doing something we shouldn’t.”
“Thisisourhome,”Carleahsays,tonesharp “Irefusetofeelunwelcome” Bowmannods,mouthflattenedinatightline.“Justfeelsoffwithout ”Hedoesn’tneedtofinishthesentencebecauseit’s thesamethingwe’reallthinking I’dhalfexpectedthequeentocomerushinginwithblanketsandteaasshe’ddonewhenI’dfirstbeenbroughthere.She’d cared for me as a mother did her ownchild, and honestly itwas thatkindness thatsolidified me remaininghere to protect Carleah.
Imayhavebeenyoung,butinthatmoment,Ihadfoundmypurpose. Carleahdoesn’tspeak,butIseeherjawclench Itightenmyholdonherhand “CarleahandIwanttogetmarried.Soon.” Bowman’seyeswiden “Howsoon?”
“AssoonasFortisonhisfeet,”Carleahreplies.“IwanttogetmarriedhereinNavalis,andsincewehavenoideawhat thefutureholdsforus ”Shetrailsoff “Ithinkit’sawonderfulidea,”Bowmansaysashepushestohisfeet. “Really?”Carleahquestions.“You’reokaywithit?”
“Youneverneededmyblessing,sister,”hesayssoftly “I’veonlyeverwantedwhatwasbestforyou” Idon’tbringup the factthathe’d nearlyforced her to marryPatrick the verymanwho betrayed us because doingso woulddampenthelightinCarleah’seyes AndIsobadlywanttoseeherhappy
“EvenifI’dbeenshitatshowingitbefore,”Bowmanadds.“Fortdoveintoacaveandbrokeyourfallwhenitcouldhave killedhim.Nomanwilleverbeworthyofyou,butIsupposethatmakeshimclose.” Ismileupather,andshesqueezesmyhandbeforereleasingmeandrushingovertowrapherarmsaroundherbrother.He returnsherembrace,andthetwoofthemremainthatwayforafewseconds,remindingmejusthowclosethey’doncebeen.
Bowmanwas theonlyoneofher brothers whoever botheredtoteachCarleahhow tobemorethansomeone’s wife.He taughthertouseabow,instructedherinself-defense bothofwhichsavedherlifewhentheircastlehadbeenattacked. IhatetothinkwhatwouldhavehappenedtoherhadshebeenunabletoprotectherselfwhentheTenebrissoldierscamefor her.
“Thankyou,Brother” Bowmankissesherontheforeheadandreleasesher.“Anythingforyou,Primrose.”Heturnsbacktome.“Heal,Fort.And thenitwillbemyhonortograntyoumysister’shandinmarriage” “Givemeafewdays,”Ireplywithcompleteconfidence.“AndI’llbebackatmyfullstrength.”
Carleah One week later.
I HAVEN’T BEEN tomanyfunerals
Infact,mybrotherAlex’swasoneofthefirstI’veeverattended.I’dbeenbeyonddistraughtthen.Anaïvegirlwholosther eldestbrotherinawarshehadn’tevenrealizedwashappening. Idon’tevenrecognizewhoIwasbackthen
Evenstill,thedaywelosthimisbrandedintomymind.Fortrushingin,Alex’slimpbodyinhisarms,bloodsmearedall overthemboth,myweddingdressstainedwithcrimson ithadbeenmyfirsttruetasteofdeath
AndasIstandherebesideBowmanandFort,staringatthecoffinsthatcontainthebodiesofourfather,mother,andthree brothers,Icannotfightthefeelingthatthisisonlythebeginningofwhat’stocome That,beforethisisallover,we’lllosefar more.
ItrynottoletmythoughtslingeronAlastairandSaffree.Thedwarvenkingandelventribeleaderarestillnowheretobe seen AlongwithGriffin,theonceheadofSoreno’sguard They,andcountlessothers,havebeenmissingsincetwoweeksago whenIfailedandthegiantswerefreed.
“Areyouokay?”Fortasks,threadinghisfingersthroughmine Hisvoiceisbarelyaboveawhisper,andIleanintohim
“No,”Ireply.Mythroatburnswithgrief,butIdonotcry.AnytearsIwouldhaveshedarelongdriedup.EvenasIlook overthecasketscontainingthoseIlovedmostinthisworld,allIfeelisanger.
Affree, Lacrae, and some elves Idon’tknow byname stand directlyacross fromus, prepared to carrythe bodies ofmy familyintotheroyaltomb.
Fortclearshisthroat “TheRossingolfamilyruledNavaliswithlove Kindness Generosity TheytookmeinwhenI’dhad nowhereelsetogo.Knowingnothingaboutme,otherthanI’dbeenachildonthevergeofstarvation.Theygavemearoomin thecastle,food,clothes,andletmetrainalongsidetheirarmybeforegrantingmeapositionastheheadoftheirguard Iwill misstheminallthedaystocome,andIvowtousemybladetoavengetheirdeaths.”Hebowshisheadthenreleasesmyhand andstepsforward,pressinghispalmtothetopofAlex’scoffin.“Goodbye,myfriend.”
Bowmanmovesforward.“Myfatherusedtotellmethat,ifthedaycamewhenIwouldbeking,Iwouldknowexactlywhat todo.”Hetakesadeepbreathandrestshishandonthetopofourfather’scasket,identifiablethankstohisnamecarvedinto thewoodbytheelves “Iwouldrollmyeyesandignoreeverythinghesaidbecause,ifIwereking,thenitmeantIlostbothhe andmybrother,Alex.”Bowman’svoicecracks,soIreachdownandtakehishandwithmyfreeone.“IneverthoughtIwould bestandinghere,neverimaginedthatI’dbesayinggoodbye notjusttomyfatherandthebrotherIlookedupto buttonearly everymemberofmyfamily.”Helooksatme,andatearrollsdownhischeek. Still,Idonotcry.
“DeidrickandEthanhadsuchvastplans”Hepulls awayfrommeandplaces onehandoneachofour brothers’coffins “They wanted to travel. See the world. Deidrick longed to fight in our army while Ethan wanted to write a book.” His shouldersshakeasheletslooseasob,soIreleaseFort,crossovertohim,andputmyhandonhisback “Ourmotherhadbeen elatedforthedayoneofuswouldgranthergrandchildren.She’dbeenpreparedtoseekoutAlex’sfuturebrideherself.” FortandIbothchucklesoftly
“Aspainfulasburyingourfamilyis,theyarenottheonlylivesthatwerelost,”Bowmansaysashestraightens.“Welostan entirehouseholdofstaff.Anentirevillageofinnocentpeople,slainwheretheystoodbecauseofoneman’shungerforpower.” His griefturns angrynow “Mysister and Ihave returned because we want to reclaimour home But not just so we might remainhere.No,wearegoingtotakebacktheentirefuckingrealm.”
Theelvesinfrontofusmurmurinresponseastheairaroundusshifts Thepainshiftstofury Toathirstforvengeance
“Wewillnotalloweviltodestroyallthatisgoodandrightinthisrealm,”hesays.“Wewillfight.Andwewillwin.The liveslosthereallthosenightsago andthoselostsince willnotbeinvain.”BowmanlooksatmethentoFort.“Today,we burythedead ”Hetrailsoffandsmilesatme “Tonight,mysistermarriestheonlymaninthisrealmgoodenoughforher” HisgazedriftstoFort.“Thentomorrow,weprepareforwar.”
DRESSED IN RIDING PANTS, boots, and an ice-blue tunic, I stare into my parents’bedroom. The bed is perfectly made, the surfacesoftheirbedsidetablescoatedinathinlayerofdust ItsmellsmustyinhereeventhoughIcannothelpbutimaginemy parentscominginafteralongday.
Imoveinfarther,runningthetipsofmyfingersovermymother’sdresses She’dbeensocarefulwhenshechoseoneeach morning.Oftentimessettingoneoutthenightbefore.Itwassomethingsheneverallowedherhandmaidentohelpwith.
Theycouldlaceuptheback,butmymother always chosethedress.
Ireachformyfather’spipeandsmallwoodenboxoftobacco.Openingit,Ileandownandinhalethescent.Itusedtobe oneIdespised,butnow,itfeelslikehome.
“IthoughtImightfindyouinhere”
Glancingovermyshoulder,ItakeinthesightofFort.He’sdressedsimilartome,thoughhistunicisadeepgreen,hisface clean-shaven “Iwantedtoseeitbeforeweleft”
“I’msorrywe can’tstay.” His expressiontwists toremorse,soIsetmyfather’s tobaccoandpipe aside before crossing overtocuphischeek.
“We’llbeback,”Itellhimevenasmerelythinkingaboutleavingshredsmyalreadytatteredheart Stayingistoorisky We mighthavegainedsomegroundbyreturning,butifweremain,Patrickwillknowexactlywheretofindus.
Andrightnow,theelementofsurpriseisallwehave
“Wewill,”heagreesthenleansdownandpresseshislipstomine.“Areyousureyouwanttodothisnow?”hequestions ashepullsawayandcrossestowardthewindow Fortlooksout,andIknow he’sscanningthehorizonfor anysemblanceof danger.
Hecan’tevenenjoybeinghomeagainforthisbriefmomentbecauseitwouldmeanlettinghisguarddown.WillFortever knowwhatit’sliketoliveanunburdenedlife?Orwilltheweightofhispastexperiencesalwaysdraghimbackintothepit?
“Iwanttomarryyou,Fort.”
Heturnstowardme,coppereyesfullofsympathy “Iknowyoudo,butthere’sstillsomuchuncertainty”
“Iwanttomarryyou,Fort,”IrepeatasIcrosstowardhim.“Iwanttotakeourvowsintheplacemyparentslived.Inthe homewewerebothlovedin EvenifweneverreturntoNavalis,wewillhavetoday” Amuscleinhisjawflexes,andhenods.“Thenthat’swhatwe’lldo.”
Istretchuponmytiptoesandkisshimgentlyonthecheekthenheadforthedoor.“I’llseeyouatthealtar,Fort.”
“I’llbethere,”hereplies,thoughthedarknessstilllingersinhiseyes
Fort Bodyslickwithsweat,Ijumpupandgripthewoodenbeamabovemyhead.Usingmyabdominalstrength,Idrawmylegs upthenlowerthembackdownagain,pushingmybodytoitslimits
There have been quite a few times I’ve been grateful for the giant blood in my veins, but breaking my back by jumpingintothatcavernafterCarleahtopsthemall.Beingunabletomovefornearlyaweek,barelyabletobreathethroughthe pain,I’dneverfeltsovulnerable Andyet,I’ddoitoverandoveragainwithouthesitation “Lookingprettydamngoodforamanwhohadabrokenbacknottoolongago,”Lacraecomments.
Idon’tsparehimaglanceasIcontinueraisingandloweringmylegs WhenI’mdone,Idropdownthenfacetheelfwho’s leaningagainstthefencejustoutsideofthetrainingring.“Amazingwhatalittlegiantbloodwilldo.”
“Evenmoreamazingwhatalotwilldo,”heretorts
Since Inearlydied as a child, Iwas injected twice once more thananyother Tenebris child. The extra dose gave me fasterreflexesandanevenquickerhealingratethantheothersofmyfaction.
“Isthereapurposetothisvisit?”Iquestion “Orareyoujusttryingtopissmeoff?”
“IsimplywanttoensureyouunderstandwhatyourmarriagetotheQueenoftheThirdRealmwillmean.”
“I’mmarryingCarleahRossingol Nothertitle,”Ireply TheelfandIhaveatremulousrelationshipatbest Neitheroneof uscanstandtheother,butthere’smutualrespectinknowingwebothserveapurposeinthiswar.
“Youaremarryingboththewomanandherdestiny,Fort.”
“Andyou’reheretotellmeI’mnotgoodenough?”Angersparksdeepwithinme,andIclenchbothofmyhandsintofists. Lacrae’sgoldengazeholdsmine.He’sclearlyunafraidthatIcouldtearhimapartinamatterofasecond.“I’mnottelling youthatyouaren’tgoodenough Itrulybelieveyouaretheonlymanalivewhostandsachanceatprotectingher”
“Thenwhatthehellareyousaying?”
“Thatyouwillbekingofthisrealm,Fort KingoftheThirdRealm Orperhapsyoualreadyknewthat”Thetoneheuses sparksanotherwaveoffury,andIchargeforward,preparedtoburythedamnedelfforwhatheisinsinuating. Istopjustshort.Iamnotfittobeking.Notinthis orany realm.ButifmarryingCarleahmeanscarryingthearistocratic title,thensobeit.“IfyouaresuggestingIamonlywithCarleahbecauseofhertitleletmeremindyou,thatIhadnoideawho shewouldbecomewhenIfellinlovewithher.”
“ExceptyoualwaysknewshewasthePrincessofNavalis Andyouarealow-bornTenebrissoldiersenttokidnapher” IrearbackandslammyfistintoLacrae’scheek.Hefallsback,splinteringthewoodenfencebehindhim.Buthedoesn’tget uptofightback Theelfrunshishandoverhischeek,brushingawaybloodfromhissplitlip,thengrinsatme “Angersuitsyou,warrior.”
“Andit’sgoingtogetyoukilled.”
Lacraepresseshispalmstothegroundbehindhimandflipsupontohisfeet “Menhavebeentryingtokillmeforcenturies; none have succeeded.” He brushes his hands onhis ridingpants. “Itis notmyintentionto insultyou, butwe all have a lot ridingonCarleah andyour marriage toher will either be a strengthor a hindrance Imerelyneededtodetermine whichit wouldbe.”
“ThereisnothingIwon’tdoforCarleah NothingIwon’tsacrifice”
“It’s good to hear you acknowledge that, Fort.” There’s something behind the elf’s eyes, knowledge he’s clearly not sharing.Whetheritbeoutofself-preservation,fear,orsomethingelse I’mnotentirelysure.
Istepforward,handsclenchedatmysidestokeepfromstranglingitoutofhim “Whatareyoukeepingfromus?”
“I ”Ahornblares,cuttinghimoff.Weexchangeaworriedlookthenbothbeginsprintingtowardthefrontofthecastle. BythetimeIreachit,InoteCarleahandBowmanarebothstandingonthestepsasbothmassivegatesswingopenandadozen menandwomenmarchthrough,flankedbyelves.
Attheheadofthegroupwalksabruised,beaten,dwarvenking Alastairlooksbeyondexhausted,andCarleahdoesn’tlet himgettwostepsinbeforeshe’ssprintingtowardhim.Irushforward,meetingherasshereachestheman.
“Alastair!”sheexclaims.
Helooksgenuinelyrelievedtoseeher,alargefeatforamanwhowearsapermanentscowl.“Youareasightforsoreeyes, girl,”herepliesasheswaysonhisfeet.
Griffin,Soreno’sheadoftheguardprior toPatrickrevealingthathewastheSonofFlame,reachesoutandsteadieshim with a hand on his shoulder. The man looks just as worn down, his other armin a makeshift sling. “We’ve been moving constantlyforthelasttwoweeks,”hesays “Gotlostinthesnow Itwasn’tuntiltheelvenscoutsfoundusthatwerealizedwe weresoclosetoNavalis.”Hegesturestowardthetwoelvesflankingeithersideofthesmallgroup.
Hundredssetouttodefeatthegiants
Andonlytwelveremain.
Itmakesmystomachchurn.Briefly,IglancetoLacrae,whoisdoingeverythinghecannottomeetmygaze.Whatdoesthe elfknow?
“Comeinandgetwarm,”Carleahsaysasshestepstothedwarvenking’sside.Heloopsanarmthroughhers,andtogether, theymaketheirwayupthestepspastBowman
Amanwithstarkwhitehair,whowasnotpreviouslywithus,isatthebackofthegroup.Ashetriestomovepastme,Istep intohispathandstaredownathim OnlyafewinchesshorterthanIam,he’sfarlargerthananynormalhuman
“Whoareyou?”Idemand.
“MacKennaUmbra,”hereplies.
“Umbra That’snotanameIknow”
“Youwouldn’t.”
“Andwhyisthat?”Icrossmyarms
Themandoes thesame.He’s dressedinridingpants andalong-sleevedtunic,thoughhewears nofurs despitethecold. Whilemybodyrunsatamuchhighertemperaturethanmost,it’saTenebristraitthankstothegiantblood.
“BecauseI’mnotfromhere.”
“Whereareyoufrom?”Bowmanquestions,comingtostandbesideme.
“CambrexianRealm AcrosstheCeruleanSeas Beforethat,IresidedintheShadowLands”
“No one crosses the CeruleanSeas.” Carleah’s presence directlybehind me warms mysoul, butthe waythe stranger’s goldengazetravelsoverhermakesmybloodboil
“Ido.”Hegrins,asmilethatismoreanimalthanman.
“MacKenna is the only reason we’re standing here,” one of the dwarven soldiers Halbrook grumbles. “He took on sevenTenebriswithoutsomuchasbreakingasweat.Savedourassesgivenmostofusstillweren’tatfullstrength.” MygazeneverleavesMacKenna’sface.“AsinglemanagainstsevenTenebris.”
“I’mmorethanaman,”hereplieswithanothergrininCarleah’sdirection Jealousysaturatesmysoul,soIstepinfrontofher.“Whyareyouhere?Whyaidpeopleyoudonotknow?”
“BecauseIhavenothingelsetodo,”hereplies “AndGriffininvitedmealong Figuredyoucouldusealltheswordsyou canget.”
“Youhavenointerestinthiswar?”
“Notasingleshred”
“Idon’ttrustmenwhofightfornothing,”Iretort.
“Can’tonesimplytakeuptheirswordandstandforthegreatergood?”
Istarttorespond,butCarleahtugsonmyarm.“Thankyouforbringingourfriendsbacktous.IamCarleahRossingol.”She extendsherhand
“MacKennaUmbra.”Hetakesitthenleansdowntopresshislipsagainstthetopofherslenderhand. IletlooseagrowlIbarelyevenrecognize.
MacKennacompletelyignoresme “I’veheardalotaboutyou,YourHighness SomuchsothatIthinkIlikelywouldhave recognizedyouevenwithouttheintroduction.”Releasingherhand,hestraightens.“Yourbeautytrulyisbreathtaking.”
“You’regoingtowanttowatchyourmouthifyouwishtokeepyourhead,”Igrowl,mytonelacedwithwarning Thestranger’sgazeliftstome.“You’rethefiancéthen?ThelegendaryFort?”
“Yes”
MacKennanods.“ThenIsupposeitisgoodtomeetyouafterall.”HeturnstoBowman.“YoumustbeBowmanRossingol. KingofNavalis.”
“Iam”
MacKennabowshishead.“Myoldestbrother,Merrick,isKingoftheShadowLands.Andmyotherbrother,Maynard,is KingofAurum”
“I’veheardofAurum,”Bowmanreplies.“IthoughtthekingwhoresidedtherewentbythenameofJulius.” “Hedid,”MacKennareplies.“Untilmybrotherandhiswifeputhimdownliketherabidanimalhewas.”
They overthrew a kingdom already. What if he’s here to do the same to Navalis?
“I’mnothereforatitle,”MacKennatellsusasthoughhecanreadmythoughts.
“Thenwhyareyouhere?You’veyettoanswerthat,”Carleahreplies.
“Let’sjustsayIfoundmyselfchangedafter thewar backhomewasover andneededachangeofscenery.Iwastracking gamethroughtheforestandsmelledthebloodofyourpeople WhentheTenebrisattacked,Ihappenedtobeintherightplaceat therighttimeand,givenmyheritage,wasabletogetridofthem.”
“Whatheritageisthat?”Iask MacKennasmiles,showingoffsharpcanines,hiseyesturningadeepergold.“Thekindthatmakesmeadeadlyally.”
Carleah Withafirecracklinginthehearth,Isit,engulfedinfragrantbathwater.Itwarmsmyflesh,thoughmybonesstill feel ice-cold
WiththereturnofAlastair,Griffin,andsofewoftheothers,wedecidedtopostponetheweddinguntiltomorrow morning,rightbeforeweleaveNavalisforwhatwillhopefullynotbethefinaltime
Though, evenas Ihate to leave, I’mfindingit hard to breathe withinthe walls where myfamilyonce lived and loved. We’vebeenhomeforweeksnow,dreadingthesoundofthehornthatwouldsignifyPatrickismarchinghisarmyoverthehills totakeourkingdomoncemore
Sofar,he has seemedtobe preoccupied,butthatdoesn’tmeanhe won’tcome soon.Closingmyeyes,Islipbeneaththe surfaceofthewater Icanstillseehiminmymind theSonofFlame comingtotormentmeeverysingletimeItrytosleep He’salwaysthere,arelentlessmonsterpreparedtoripmythroatout. Hetauntsme.
Fort will never marry you.
You’re a silly little princess who dreams of being a warrior. Those dreams will kill you all
Just as you caused the death of your family.
You can see them now, can’t you? Eyes unblinking Expressions frozen in fear
You did this.
You will kill Bowman
You will kill Fort
You will kill them all.
And if you don’t I will Ibreakthroughthe surface ofthe water witha gasp and wipe myeyes, breathinghard throughthe griefthatthreatens to consumeme Ithitsmeoutofnowhere,inmomentslikethiswhenI’malone Noonetodistractme,noonetopretendinfront of.
IfIcouldsleep,IimagineI’dfeelbetter,butwheneverIclosemyeyes,theSonofFlameisthere.Tauntingmewithimages ofFortdivinginto thatcavernafter me Icansee his expression the setofhis mouth, the hardness ofhis eyes He’d been preparedtodieformeinthatmoment,readytosacrificehislife. Why?
WhathaveIdonetoaidinthisfight?Itwasmybloodthatfreedthegiants.MyfoolishplanthatdroveusrightintoPatrick’s trap
“Thereroomforonemoreinthere?”
Ijump,pressingahandtomyheartwhenIseeFortstandingjustinsidetheroom.“Ididn’thearyoucomein.”
Hecrossesovertowardthetubandkneelsbesideit Reachingout,hegripsmyshoulder “What’swrong?” Ishakemyhead.“Nothing.Iwasjustlostinthought,that’sall.” “Carleah”
Imeethisgaze.“I’mokay,Fort.”
“No,you’renot”
Closingmyeyes,Ibreathedeeply.“I’mjusttired.Ihaven’tbeensleepingwell.”
Fortgesturestothetablebesidemybed.Amugsitsatopit,steamclimbingfromtherim.“Ibroughtyousomethingforthat. Affree’sspecialblendoftea Shenoticedyoulookedtired,too”
Jealousysnakesupoutofnowhere.“YouwerewithAffree?”Ican’thelpit.Itdoesn’tseemthatlongagothatthefemaleelf wastryingtogetFortintobed
“SheandBowman,yes.Weweretalkingaboutwhichrouteweweregoingtotaketomorrow.”
“WhywasInotthere?”
“Becauseyou’reexhausted,”Fortreplies.“Bowmanthoughtitbest ”
“ImaynotbethequeenofNavalis,butIamQueenofthisrealm,”Isnap “Ithoughtwewerepastkeepingmeinthedark?” “Weare.”Fortnarrowshisgazeonme.“Whatisgoingonwithyou?”
“I’mjust ”
“Ithoughtyou’dberelievedthatAlastairishome.”
Takingadeepbreath,Iclosemyeyesandnod “Iam I’mjusttired,that’sall” “Thencometobed.”Fortreachesoutandretrievesatowelfromtheshelfbesidethetub.Istand,andhewrapsitaround mybodythenliftsmeoffmyfeetbeforeIhavetimetostepoutofthecoppertub.
Withonehandheholdsme;withtheother,hepullsbacktheblanketsandsetsmeontopofthemattressthenkicksoffhis bootsandclimbsinbesideme.Wepullthefursupandsettleagainsttheheadboard.
“Talktome,”hewhispersasheliftsthemugfromthetable
Itaketheofferedmugandsipgenerously.Theherbalblenddancesonmytongue,amixtureofsweetandspice.“Istillsee him”
“Who?”
“TheSonofFlame.”
Fortstiffensbesideme,soIdrinkmoreoftheteathenofferhimthemug Hesetsitasidewithoutanotherword,soIsettle backonhischest.
“Notlikebefore Idon’tthinkhe’sactivelyspeakingtomenow,it’smoreofanightmare Remnantsofhimlingeringinmy mind.”Mymindbeginstogrowhazy thankstothetea,butstill,mythoughtsdonotcease.
“Whatdoeshesaytoyou?”
“HetellsmeI’mgoingtokilleveryone,”Ireplycandidlywithayawnasmyeyesgrowheavy.
“Helies,”Fortreplies.
“Iusedtothinkso But,I’mbeginningtowonderifperhapsI’mdestinedtowatcheveryoneIlovedie”
“CARLEAH ”
MystomachtwistswithnauseaasI’mshakenawake.Stilldazed,ittakesmeafewsecondsformyvisiontofocusenough toseewho’sshakingme AndevenwhenitclearsandIlookuponafaceIneverthoughtI’dseeagain,myfirstthoughtisthat I’mhallucinating.
“Saffree?”Iwhisperastheelventriballeaderleansdownandsmilesatme “Itisgoodtoseeyou,Carleah,”shereplies.
Isitupthenhavetosteadymyselfonthenightstandastheteacontinuestowreakhavoconmynervoussystem.“Areyou reallyhere?How didyougethere?Whendidyougethere?”Ilookaroundtheroom,notingthatFort’sswordandbootsare gone.“WhereisFort?”
“I arrived not longago And withnews of Soreno I relayed it to Fort, and he’s gatheringBowmanand the others just outsidesotheycanmeettheothersIbroughtwithme.”Shepullsthecoversback.“Come.Iofferedtoretrieveyoumyselfsince Iwassogratefultohearyousurvivedthegiants.”
“I’msohappytoseeyou.”Theteaismakingmeevenmoreemotionalthanusual,andItearupasIswingmylegsoverthe side.
Saffreekneelsandslipsmybootsovermyfeet
“Youdon’thavetodothat.”
“FortheQueenoftheThirdRealm?Imostcertainlydo”Shesmilesandhelpsmetomyfeet Isway.“Elventea,”Iexplain.“It’sevenstrongernowitseems.”Icanbarelykeepmyeyesopen. Saffreechuckles.“Affreeknowshow tomakehertea.Shewasknownforthatevenbeforethegiantswerefreedthefirst time.Come.”
Ireachformyswordandnearlyfallonitbeforemyhandcanevenclosearoundthehilt.Saffreesteadiesme.“Thankyou, Saffree”Istop,anabsolutelyridiculousrealizationdawningonme “Hey Yournameisalmostthesameashers”Iletouta laugh.“HowdidInevernoticethatbefore?”
“I’mnotsure,”shesayswithasmilethenretrievestheBladeofIceforme Shestartstohandittomethenpauses “Maybe Ishouldholdontothisuntilyou’resteady.”
“Probably,”Ireplywithalaughthennearlyfalloverasmyvisionswimsagain.“Thatteais ”
“AsIsaid,Affreeisknownforit,”Saffreerepliesasshewrapsanarmaroundmywaistandguidesmetothedoor “Afew hoursandyou’llbebacktonormal.”
Weheadoutintothehall,andI’msurprisedathowquietitseemstobe Theelvesthatwereplacedasguardsonthestairs
aregone,likelyoutwiththeothers.“Howmanycamebackwithyou?”Iquestion. “Fivesurvivedthegiantattack.ButIfoundmoreonmywayhere.”
“Onlyfive?”Ilookather,butshecontinuesstaringstraightaheadaswewalkdownthehall “Weweremassacredwhenthegiantscameout.Iwatched ”Shecloseshereyesandsucksinabreath.“Itdoesn’tmatter now becauseitwill beover soon Wehaveyou”Shesmilessoftlythenguidesmeawayfromthefrontdoor andtowardthe rearentrance.“Everyoneisouthere.”
Sodazedbythetea,it’snotuntilwegetoutthebackdoorthatatrickleofuneasepricklesupmyspine Themoonishigh tonight,glisteningofftheicyground.Ahead,Icanhearmutedvoices,buttheysoundworried hushed. “Fort?”Icallout.
Saffreecoversmymouth “Notaword,YourHighness”Thetipofabladepressesintomyspine “I’drathernothaveto carryyou,butifyoudon’tdoexactlywhatIsay,Iwillmakewhatremainsofyourlifeverypainful.”
Sheremovesherhand “Whatareyoudoing?”IdemandasIstumbleforward Saffree keeps me standing. “You were supposed to keep the giants fromgetting out,” she snarls. “Not let themfree! I watchedmyfriendsdiebecauseofyou!AndIwill notgobacktothatobsidianprison Notwhenthere’ssomethingIcando aboutit.”
“You’remyfriend.”Betrayalstingseventhroughtheherbalhaze.Itrustedherwithmylife.WithFort’slife.Mybrother’s. Howcouldshedothis?
“Ihaveadutytomypeople,”shereplies.“Andthatdutysupersedeseverythingelse.”Somethingslamsintothebackofmy head,andIfallforward,darknessinvadingmyvisionasachillsettlesdeepwithinmybones
