Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,149
my fae instincts, I duck and spin but cry out as something strikes my leg, restraining me to the ground. As I look down, the forest seems to shake around us, bringing a smile to my face. Kneeling, I press my hands to the magic that’s tethering me as Rhydian looks around in confusion.
“You may have magic,” I bite out, wincing as my gift unwrites his spell. Rhydian turns his attention back to me with a frown, opening his mouth, but I beat him to it. “But I have the forest.”
Vines burst from the ground, wrapping around him and dragging him down. He roars, his dark magic blasting through the plants, but just as quickly as he cuts through them, they grow back. Breaking the magic on my leg, I use my staff to help me up and hurry to his bound form.
Touch him, beloved. I shall enter him to subdue the darkness, the Mother instructs. Then you know what to do.
She’s right, I do know what to do. I just wish I didn’t have to. Taking a deep breath, I meet Rhydian’s rage-filled eyes as he struggles against the vines. Raising my hand, I press it against his forehead, ignoring his screams. The glow from my wrist is almost blinding as the goddess enters him. He stops shrieking, and his eyes clear, returning to blue, and I know it’s time.
“I’m sorry.” Slipping the dagger from my waist, I raise it high, and with both hands, I bring it down with all my strength straight into his heart. His body jerks, his eyes meeting mine as his mouth opens as if to say something, but nothing leaves his lips.
The vines release his body, and he falls to the ground, lifeless. I feel…numb. Rhydian was my enemy, but looking at him like this… I’m just tired of death. Even my thoughts are exhausted, and I know there is more death to come.
The Mother’s presence revives me as her love warms my body. Well done, beloved, although the queen won’t be so easy. I assumed as much. The queen is far older than Rhydian and will be a lot stronger. I caught the prince by surprise, the queen won’t be as easy to catch unaware.
The child forsaken steps forward and beckons before beginning to walk towards the gap in the trees ahead. I know what awaits me in that clearing, and the bright sunshine seems so at odds with the dread I’m feeling. My body tingles as my wrist glows softly, the goddess’ power weakened by the darkness, but she’s still here with me. Slowly, I follow and step from the treeline and into the sunlight. I’m momentarily blinded and raise my hand to shield my eyes.
“Well, well, you finally decided to join us,” the queen calls. Dropping my hand, I see her smug smile as she stares at me. She looks pristine, her glittering crown resting on her hair, which is glistening in the sunlight, her skin perfect. Despite the occasion, she’s still dressed in a gown. Her hands rest casually on her hips. She doesn’t seem at all concerned by the fact I’ve turned up without Rhydian, and she must have felt him use his power. Watching her face, I realise she knows he’s dead and just doesn’t care. Her callousness shouldn’t surprise me, but I’m taken aback.
Looking around the rest of the clearing, I fight back my despair as I see the wall of forsaken children that stand between her and me. Both boys and girls, they vary in age, but none of them seem to be older than ten, all of them bearing freshly branded marks on their wrists. The king stands to her left, his face carefully blank, but I see him looking for his son behind me. Past her are her two ever present ladies-in-waiting. They stand silently, their hoods hiding their faces and the horror beneath. A row of forsaken are behind them, and I realise with surprise they are comprised of both high elves and human guards. The king allowed his own people to be turned into forsaken.
Dumbstruck, I look between the two leaders. “You’re sick, both of you.” Turning to the king, I gesture to the slaves in front of me and allow my anger to surge forward. “Children? How could you allow this? What did they do to deserve this?” My voice gets louder as my anger threatens to consume me. “And you let her turn your guards into her forsaken?” I