Tempest (The Chronicles of Winterset Book 2) Page 25

  Kellin, like many of the others winced when I spoke so passionately about my desire to save Calix. But I couldn’t let myself be worried about what they thought. I had enough to deal with.

  “I still have the Shadow Blade. It’s the one weapon I think I can use to send Calix back, to save him. And I plan to use it, no matter what you think,” I said defiantly. I left Tarek out of my explanations.

  They all stared at me terrified and silent.

  “Ana, no.” Kellin swallowed thickly, shaking his head at me. “No. It’s too dangerous.”

  “It’s the only way. And if I fail, I’m sorry. I have to try regardless of my fear, of your fear.”

  Everyone broke into shouts and arguments, and I watched helplessly, wondering what Tarek had planned. He was who I was relying on. If I couldn’t do this, it was all on him.

  “Analia, are you certain you can get close enough without the compulsion taking you?” Soran asked above the commotion.

  Everyone quieted down and turned to look at me.

  “Yes. I can fight it for a short time, and it’s in that time that I’ll try to kill Calix.” The words tasted like poison in my mouth, bitter and unwashed, terrible. My Calix. I was going to kill him. Again. I wanted to throw up.

  “And if you can’t?” Kellin demanded. “Then what? They take you, and you align with them. It’s not a good plan, Ana.”

  “It’s the best plan we have,” I murmured.

  It took a long time before everyone finally agreed. They broke to ready the troops for the portal to Wells which Kellin would open.

  “I don’t like this,” Soran said, coming up to me. “Analia, you’re insane, you know that?”

  “Is that what it’s called?” I tried to force out a laugh, but it came out sounding restrained.

  “Yes.” He gave me a small smile. “But you’re also brave. You’re different than you once were. I’ll stand by your side through this. Through whatever. You have my sword, baby sister.”

  “Soran,” I said softly. “Can I tell you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “Tarek… he’s not who you think. Not even close. He’s not even what you think. Whether tonight is a failure or not, afterwards, let me go, OK? I want to go. I need to.”

  “What are you talking about?” Soran searched my face for answers.

  “I have a Plan B,” I whispered, the knowledge making my heart ache. “And you’ll need to let go of me. All of you will. Even Kellin. Especially Kellin. Get him to marry a nice girl, maybe that Cyrena?”

  “Ana,” Soran warned, his eyes sweeping my face quickly. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m not able to marry Kellin. I-I am promised to another. You know how the laws of Winterset work. I’m doing this for all of us. The pain will be great, but it is not a betrayal. It’s me protecting you. Let me go. Let this war go until the time is right. Don’t seek me out. Don’t go after Zaros or the Mortae. I’ll take care of them. It’s my destiny, not yours, not Kellin’s. Mine.”

  “You’re scaring me, Ana,” Soran said softly. “Whatever you’re thinking of doing, don’t do it. We can figure this out.”

  I sighed. “We can’t, and that’s the problem. I can’t be worried about you and still do what needs to be done. As long as I’m linked to any of you, I run the risk of you all becoming harmed. Once they see my choice, especially this choice, they’ll come looking for me, and then you’ll have your chance. Take it. You’ll know when that moment is.” I knew they would never get on board with me running with Tarek or being on my own. They longed to protect me. But it was my duty to protect them.

  “Prince Soran, your father needs you on the grounds,” a soldier interrupted us.

  Soran stared hard at me, a muscle working in his jaw as he nodded to the soldier.

  “Ana, I’m going to trust you. I’ll do all that I can and will wait for your word when the time comes.”

  “Thank you, Soran.” I breathed out a sigh of relief. “And keep Kellin safe. Rowan too.”

  “I will,” he nodded solemnly. “I love you, Analia.”

  “I love you, too, Soran.” I hugged him, tears burning my eyes.

  He rushed from the room, and I followed him out at a slower pace.

  Kellin met me outside the palace. “Don’t do anything crazy, Ana,” he said, his hands fisting in frustration. “I know you’re up to something. I don’t like it.”

  “Kellin…” I licked my lips. “I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time, even before Calix. It was a different kind of love, but still love just the same. I care for you now. So much so, that I wish for you to let me go. After tonight, let me go. For your own good.”

  “Don’t talk like that,” he scolded. “I love you too. We’re going to be fine. You and I, together. I-I don’t care about what you said earlier, Ana—”

  “I’m not coming back after tonight. Understand that. We can’t be together. The situation doesn’t allow for it. It never has. I’m sorry.”

  “Ana?” He frowned at me. “What are you saying? Are… are you serious? If it’s the issue with Cyrena, I admit I’m a screw up, but please, Ana, don’t. Just… don’t, OK?”

  “I’m saying goodbye, Kellin. I’m sorry.” I had to be firm as much as it hurt.

  “I won’t let you.” His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he stared at me, despair on his face. “I’m going to keep fighting for you. I always will.”

  I nodded. “If this were a different world, you and I would’ve ruled it.”

  A sad smile tipped his lips up, a sheen of tears in his eyes. “Someday, Ana.”

  Leaning in, I pressed a kiss to his cheek, my throat aching from the force of holding back my tears. “Goodbye, Prince.”

  Chapter 60

  The sounds of the thundering hooves blanketed the night. The Mortae was fast approaching the city of Wells on the outskirts of the realm. Kellin had portaled Bornian and Dar’ish armies through the tear he created. It had weakened him considerably, but judging by the determination in his blue eyes, it wouldn’t slow him down. Thousands of people from the city of Wells would be threatened tonight. And if the black army breached the city, more would fall. Many of the townspeople had already fled to the safety of the palace walls through Kellin’s portal, others remained stoic in their homes, armed with whatever they find to defend themselves with.

  The moon was the color of blood, hanging in the sky like an open sore. I gazed up at it, my white war dress blowing in the breeze. I liked white. I wanted to be seen in the dark, and it was the best I had.

  I knew this wouldn’t end well. I knew that my vision of the blood moon, of Incaendium, might happen, and I feared it, for myself, for everyone around me.

  I had no idea what would really happen. I knew I had to try to kill Calix before he finished what he’d started. And I knew Calix wanted me to burn for him. Deep down I think he knew there was another who could save me—who could save us.

  The wind blew, and lightning streaked the sky. The tiny hairs on my arms stood on end. I knew who was creating the storm, a storm which symbolized more than his power—it showcased his pain, his hurt, his anger at everything.

  I looked up at Kellin as he stood on the walls with the bowmen. He was concentrating on the storm he was brewing. His Wind ability was a fantastic thing to have on our side, fueled by his pain. It was all part of the plan. A plan which tore at my very core but was necessary.

  I ripped my gaze away from him and dared to glance back at the approaching army. Enormous beasts stomped alongside the army, their giant horns and sharp teeth something nightmares were made of.

  “They’re called Bunyips,” Rowan said from my side, following my gaze, the wind whipping my hair around wildly. “And those creatures prowling the edges are called Chimeras. Their tails are venomous snakes, and if that isn’t enough, they have those horns, claws, and rows of razor-sharp teeth. They’re fast. Brutally fast.”

  I swallowed hard as I gaped at the lion-like creatures which sli
nked along the edges of the army, nearly cast in shadow, their large red eyes already proving to me they weren’t something I wanted to tangle with. Ever.

  “Hold,” Kellin yelled above us to the bowmen. “Hold.”

  The men had their bows at the ready, and I watched fascinated as the army grew closer. I peered out at it. My heart plummeted. In the front and center was a man clad in all black armor. He sat upon a large, black horse with red eyes—the same horse I’d seen him on when I’d realized he was the Mortae.

  “Calix,” I breathed out.

  Chapter 61

  I knew he sensed me because his black-eyed gaze flew straight to me. He was able to see me without any effort at all. His lips curved up into a smile at the sight of me.

  “Come to me, Ash Queen,” his voice called out on the wind. “I’ll leave the city and people unharmed if you simply come to me, my love.”

  Those around me stared at me. I knew they were thinking what I was thinking. Just walk out there and save the people. No one needed to die. I didn’t believe him though. He’d probably turn me against them and make me burn the city to the ground.

  “Where’s my father?” I asked suddenly.

  “He commands the front lines with your brother,” Rowan answered tensely.

  The dark army stopped and stood silently in the field before us.

  “We come to take what’s ours,” Calix’s voice boomed out, carrying easily over the wind. “Give us the Oracle, and we’ll leave you in peace ... for now.”

  “The Mortae.”

  The whispers broke out amongst the ranks, and many of the soldiers continued to stare at me. The familiar pain of an impending vision struck me, and I fell to my knees gasping.

  “Ana?” Rowan wrapped his arm around me, holding me as I rocked through my vision.

  My father.

  A sword.

  I ran, racing toward him, desperate. His face was set in determination. His sword expertly cut through his enemies. Then, a rogue, a sneak, sprang forth. The man plunged his blade through my father’s back. My father fell to his knees, blood leaking from his mouth, his eyes glassy.

  No.

  He fell back. Soran screamed for him. Rowan rushed forward. Soran fell to his knees at our father’s side, tears streaming down his face as he cradled Father’s body in his arms, the fight continuing around him.

  He was dead. I didn’t need to be close to see it.

  I sagged against Rowan weakly, my breathing shallow.

  “I-I have to go to him,” I said suddenly, not wanting anyone to die for me. I struggled to my feet, my body weakened by the vision.

  “No,” Rowan hissed at me. “You’re weakened, Ana.”

  “R-Rowan,” I choked out, realizing he was right. “G-Get to my father. Please. Hurry. My father will die. I-I can’t…” I fell forward, coughing, grabbing my head as it screamed in pain.

  Luckily, Rowan didn’t question me and raced toward my father. I didn’t know if he’d make it in time. Another soldier approached, moving to stand guard over me.

  I shook my head, terrified, trying to clear it. My heart hammered painfully in my chest. There was silence all around us, with the exception of the blowing wind.

  “Will you not submit?” Mortae shouted over the wind. He waited, peering at me intently, so much like my Calix, but not. When I didn’t respond, he said, “Then you leave me with no choice.”

  A chill ran up my spine as his maniacal cackle reached my ears. The black army rushed forward and crashed into our troops who’d gathered outside of the gates. I covered my ears as the clang of metal and death surrounded me. Kellin and the bowmen launched volleys of arrows down on the enemy army, knocking many to the ground. Those who died seemed to be replaced by ten more each.

  Kellin’s storm blew in and tossed many opposing men aside, and even managed to take out a slew of Chimera as they stalked the outer edges, picking off stragglers.

  My attention was drawn to my brother who fought at the front alongside my own father. He looked tired as he turned and pivoted, his strikes hitting their targets, causing men to fall dead at his feet. He pushed forward, his mask drawn over his face, the brilliant blue plumes waving in the wind.

  Soran wasn’t going to last much longer. Neither would. I already knew this. I pushed myself forward, needing to get to them, needing to save our father. They were talented warriors and strong Fae, but they weren’t miracle workers. They needed me.

  I pushed past men as I tried to get out of the gate and was stopped by a rough pull on my arm which nearly knocked me to the ground. A solider from the Dark Army had seized me. I pushed him off with a wave of my hand, the wind knocking him into more of his comrades, sending them all to the ground far from my father and Soran, who’d fallen as he struggled to fight off more men than he could handle.

  He quickly got his wits about him, climbed back to his feet, and continued to exterminate any who came near him. But I’d had enough when I saw my father kill five, only for them to be replaced by another five. My family wouldn’t die for me. I wouldn’t allow it.

  “Analia,” Mortae whispered on the wind. “Come to me, my love. I’ll end this now, and your family will survive.”

  I was knocked to the ground by another soldier from the Dark Army, and I let out a groan as the air left my lungs from the impact. I rolled quickly as he tried to pushed his sword into me. He narrowly missed, and it dug into the ground. I took that opportunity to send a gust of wind at him. It tossed him violently back, and he hit the ground many feet away, taking out at least ten Dark Army soldiers. I climbed shakily to my feet, and I looked to my brother and father who continued to fight, Rowan beside them. I wouldn’t let them die for me. I tore my gaze away as I felt that ugly pull hit the center of my chest. I glanced up at the moon. It hung above us now, a red stain in the sky.

  The ash is born beneath the red.

  It was time.

  Chapter 62

  Slowly, I approached Calix as he stood in the center of the fray, nothing touching him. He smiled a slow, lazy smile at me and cocked his head as I approached. When I stopped, a circle had been made around us, troops backing up from both sides, some stopping their fight completely to just watch us.

  I lifted my hand, and a circle of fire erupted around us, keeping others firmly away.

  “I like how you think,” the Mortae spoke, his sword in his hand.

  I heard Kellin shouting out for me and saw as he tried making his way forward. Rowan caught him around the middle and dragged him back.

  “You used to like a lot of things about me,” I murmured, looking him in the eye.

  “What makes you think that I still don’t?” he replied. He was the same Calix, but not. The playful words were there, but my Calix was locked away in a prison of darkness, controlled by a wicked man. “I only want you at my side, Ana. Is that so wrong? I died for you. I think you owe me something for that.”

  “Calix died for me. Not the Mortae.”

  “We are one in the same, my love.” He smirked, his black eyes reflecting the fire that surrounded us. “Even then, it was always me. The girl—Courtney—ah, yes… it was I who burned her, not you. You needed a little push.”

  My hands shook at the information.

  “You were always a barely contained storm. My tempest,” he murmured.

  “I was never yours. I was Calix’s.”

  The Mortae smiled at me. “Was? Do not tell me you’ve fallen for the Bornian prince.”

  “Calix wanted me to love again.”

  The Mortae chuckled darkly. “And so you chose a creature who lied to you?” He tsked. “Such a silly girl, my tempest.”

  “I’m not your tempest. I belong to another, and you know it. You’ve lost me, Mortae. I’ll never love or want you.”

  The Mortae let out a low growl, his feline, black eyes glinting at me.

  “I don’t need your acceptance. I only need you on your knees. Past that, I’ll take what I want from you while you scream your pleasur
e. I remember being buried deeply inside you. It’ll happen again, and this time, I’ll plant a seed.”

  I’d had enough.

  I whipped up a bolt of lightning and flung it down at him. He dodged it, his face twisting angrily. He came at me just as fast as the bolt of lightning, but I darted away, hitting him with a gust of wind which knocked him back.

  He responded with a whip of fire that struck me hard across my back. I cried out, falling to my knees. I was quick to recover, and we began a dance—he’d attack, and I’d defend. Then I’d attack, and he’d defend. The sounds had deadened as we tore at one another, our screams echoing through the night.

  It wouldn’t end like this. I pulled the Shadow Blade from my belt and charged him, shaking the ground beneath his feet. He faltered, losing his balance, but righted himself before I could land my blow. He caught my wrist with one hand and my neck with another. He bent my hand, and I cried out as I dropped the blade to the ground.

  “You will not win,” he growled at me.

  “Calix,” I rasped out, my feet swinging above the ground as he held me. “I-I know you’re in there. Please. You have to fight it. You have to.”

  The black of his eyes wavered, and he shook his head.

  “It’s me. It’s Ana. You don’t want to do this. Calix, please.”

  The brown flashed quickly over the black, and his grip on my neck loosened.

  “Ana?” he asked, looking around at his surroundings. “Why are you here?”

  “To save you,” I breathed out. “To save us.”

  “You must kill me. The Mortae cannot be controlled. It’s the darkness dwelling inside me. I cannot fight it. It’s too strong. Master the elements, Ana. The bond must be broken!”

  I shook my head, a tear slipping from my eye. “I miss you, Calix. So much.”