“I am the spell. I am the answer. I am the wraith.”
A shiver rippled across my skin.
Life was mirroring the game of Wraithweave, and I suspected the fates were playing their own game.
No one played the wraith; the wraith played itself.
InEmber’s Shadow, it said that if the rules of the treaty were broken, a spell would be activated. Kerune killed most of the Lieges. Had that activated the spell?
“Tell me what you need, High Lady.” Airia’s voice was a harsh shriek. A whisper capable of fracturing bones. A slice made with the sharpest of blades.
“End this,” I said.
Magic spun around her in reddish gray and white bands, tightening and expanding until it blurred into a pulverizing mass. With a smile that would still the heart of the most brutal fae king, she flung the magic at Kerune.
His body incinerated.
Wind burst through the room, removing the pall of his death with it.
She morphed into the deep red, scaled creature I’d freed from a small painting in the foyer not long after I’d released the marscapoles. Rising onto wonderfully thick hind legs, she extended her delicate, spike-tipped wings and dipped her head, almost placing her chin on the floor. “My debt is paid.”
A pop, and she disappeared from the room.
My chains released, as did Vexxion’s, and we fell to the floor.
Rising, we staggered, meeting in the middle of the room, wrapping our arms around each other.
His kiss took away my fear and horror, and when he lifted his head, he stroked my face with his threads and stared into my eyes.Are you injured?
I shook my head.I’m fine.
Good,he said grimly.
We flitted to Lydel.
65
TEMPEST
We only remained at my court long enough to dump the bone coins into bags before we dressed in new leathers and flitted to the border between Weldsbane and mainland Lydel.
At the sight of Ivenrail’s attacking force, I sucked in a breath, overwhelmed by what we’d soon face. A mass of at least two thousand winged dregs soared and dove above the enormous fae army spread out across the enormous plain.
The dregs wore scaled armor to deflect dragon flames. It shimmered steely gray in the harsh sunlight, blindingly reflective. Even at a considerable distance away, the air hung thick with their guttural growls and beating wings. The scent of sulfur and smoke invaded my nose, stinging like the ashes of some poor soul burned by dragon fire.
They flew toward us before darting back, teasing us with what we’d soon face. Wind from their enormous wings gustedme like the smack of damp palms across my face. Their claws dangled beneath them, and when one came too close to another, they shrieked and struck out, raking one another before peeling away.
Two-story-tall, furry beasts with long fangs and enormous horns jutting up from their heads paced at the front of the king’s army, their muscles tense, their glowing yellow eyes glaring at anything that moved. Spiked collars dug into their flesh, connected to chains binding them to the ground. The air vibrated with their low snarls, deep, guttural sounds that tore through my bones. The pungent odor of sweat and rage swirled through the air, a biting stench I’d remember until my dying day.
As they strained against their chains, their fur bristled, and their claws gouged deep grooves into the earth. Each pull on their bindings sent metallic clinks echoing across the plain. Poised for release, they’d roar toward us, their horns slashing, and their fangs ripping through anyone standing in their way.
The king’s fleets of dragons spiraled in the air, guided by black-cloaked riders, another force we’d have to defeat before I could reach Ivenrail.
A tall, colorful tent with bright green fluttering flags mounted on numerous peaks had been set up well above from the fury. Ivenrail must wait there, eager to stride out from the splendor to command his vast force on a collision course with mine.
“You’re here.” Reyla came up behind me, giving me and Vexxion each quick hugs. “Evergorne Court made good on their promise.” Her head tilted to the mass of fae warriors stretchedout behind us, bristling with weapons, their power pulsing in thick waves. “Six hundred soldiers.” She gave me a pert nod. “All with magic and armed to take on this challenge. They’re seasoned, too, fresh from battle on Evergorne’s borders. This is more than I’d hoped for.”
I wanted to ask her thoughts on Evergorne in general, but this wasn’t the time.
