Anara steps up to us. “Now ... show us where to go.”
As per the women’s request, we bring them to the exact location where thekukhewill flow into the camp. The men still fight at thetreeline far in the distance, which buys us more time. Ereon has the remainingPrelform a semicircle around the designated spot that Reph is leading the monsters to.
“If Carnaxa and Anara do this, everyone will know they have the madness.” Rhenor steps up between me and Ereon.
Ereon pops a knuckle on his left hand. “I know.”
“You killed the last person who showed evidence of having it,” Rhenor retorts.
“I know.” He pops another knuckle.
“So you are just going to let everyone go run and tell your father that they have it — he will want their heads.”
Ereon turns so quickly that Rhenor has to take a step back so they don’t collide. Ereon now wears his crown, a reminder to everyone here who is in charge. “I will kill everyone in this camp if I have to in order to protect them. Do not think I like this any more than you do, but I am the Prince here. Most of these men fear me more than my father. He made sure of that. Every punishment they have received during their training came from my hand. I will deal with the fallout later.”
Rhenor bows. “Yes, Prince. I’m sorry to suggest otherwise.”
Ereon’s face momentarily shifts, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath his cold exterior. “Don’t worry about it. I understand the consequences of the choices that are being made here today. I’ll stand by them. And I’ll protect the women, even if it requires my last breath to do so.”
Rhenor accepts the decision and returns to his place in formation. I direct my attention to the rest of the men with us. We donot have any solid plan other than Reph bringing them here where we have more soldiers. We will fight to survive. Anara and Carnaxa remain tight-lipped about what was said in the tent between the two of them, but the approachingkukhesuggests that their secret conversation will be revealed soon.
Ereon shouts a command to sound the retreat and the horns blare in five short bursts.
Carnaxa steps up wearing her mother’s crown. She raises her arms over her head, letting the symbol of the Goddess form between her fingertips. As sunlight cascades around her, she lifts her head and silently prays.
I turn my attention back to the battle before us. Reph runs with his soldiers at breakneck speed, the monsters on their heels; I only know it’s him by instinct. Perhaps because of all the years I called him father, a piece of me is able to recognize him from a distance, even now.
My fingers grasp the pommel of my sword and I step next to Carnaxa, just as Anara’s cloak falls to the ground.
She casts a glance at Carnaxa, smiles, and then whispers, “Just like breathing.” And with that, her hands burst into flames — the soldiers stumble back, gasping as the fire rises higher in her palms.
Following her lead, Carnaxa takes a deep breath and then closes her eyes. She opens them as bands of sparkling water flow from her palms, encircling her in impenetrable rings of raging waves. Her skin glows as the beauty of her power takes over her. She smiles, allowing her waves to rise around her.
“The madness!” a man shouts from the side of us, the sound of his sword swinging in the air breeches my ears. He runs at the women, weapon raised. Before I can move, Ereon stops the metal with his own as it arcs down towards the women.
“Stand down!” Ereon yells, their swords still crossed between them.
“We are mandated to execute those who show symptoms!” The soldier pushes against Ereon and tries to advance once more. Again, Ereon pushes the man backwards, holding his swords in his hands. My eyes dart between thekukhewho are nearing, and the men who are now worried about the madness.
“Another step and I will kill you. She is my wife and your future queen.” His words drip with venom. “You will stand down!”
“She is a future queen-consort, nothing more. You can get another, we however can’t let the madness spread. Both your wife and yourorurare inflicted. How much longer until you have it as well?”
When Ereon looks at Carnaxa, she returns his gaze with a smile. She silently mouths something to him while nodding her head. Without hesitation, he lets go of one of his swords. Holding his hand at his side he says, “Too late for that.” Ice suddenly erupts from his palms. Coiling around the man like a snake, the frozen shards clutch him. The soldier struggles to breathe as Ereon walks to him. His fingers twist and the ice squeezes against the man’s throat. “Now you can either agree to fight with your future queen or I can kill you now and we will continue on without you.”
The deafening steps of thekukheecho through camp, sending shivers down our spines as Reph and his men get closer. We don’t have time for this, but Ereon never falters and he never looks to the monsters gaining ground. The perfect future king, mask clear across his face, calm even now.
Ereon’s hold on the man tightens, causing the soldier to whimper in pain and fear. “I’ll fight.” His words, a whisper on the wind. With the closing of his fist, Ereon releases the man from the icy restraints. The soldier falls to the ground sputtering as he tries to draw breath.
Ereon readjusts his crown as he raises his voice to speak, “If anyone would like to see tomorrow, I suggest you realize how quickly things are changing. The madness, I admit, was something I feared. It was something I didn’t comprehend and I killed because of it. What I’ve come to understand is that it’s not a disease, but a source of magic unlike what my father may have you believe.”
“But the King commands the death of anyone who shows evidence of the madness!” a soldier cries out from those gathered around us.
“The King of Shaston no longer knows what is best for this kingdom. For so long he has built his kingdom on fear. Thinking only of his wants and his needs … but he will not always be king. Today is the day you must make a choice. Stand with us against thekukheor run.”
He turns to Carnaxa, her power still radiating around her. Walking through her waves unscathed, he kneels before her. Grasping her hand, he loudly declares, “My queen and the future Queen ofShaston.” He stands up and looks to the men once again. “Time is limited and a decision must be made.” That is why he deserves her, because he’s willing to fight for her, to protect her.
Because you were meant for more.
