Hello Lovelies! I'm so sorry for the long break in updates. I had some personal things come up that kept me busier than I would like. But I'm back and will be updating far more consistently now! Do you think Helia is a friend, or foe? Let me know in the comments! As always, Love & Light Everyone!
Over and over, Astasha replayed her conversation with the demon, taking the puzzle pieces and trying to force them together. But nothing would fit, none of it made sense, and the picture refused to form. There was nothing that gave a clue as to who the accomplice could be, no hints as to what might happen next. And despite multiple attempts to reach out to Errant, he still had not come. She poured over pages of history and spells hoping to find something she had missed, but nothing was standing out. Frustration set in and she longed to be back in her bed with Cal, laughing and making love, not worrying about what was happening or going to happen. But all that did was shake the protective shield around her heart. Astasha slumped back in her seat. Wondering what Calder was doing, she gently tugged on the magical tether leading her to him. From its direction, she could assume he was still busy with his father in the War Room. She couldn’t imagine the kind of things he was being throw
"The land gained from your conquest is indeed rich with resources, Your Highness, but they are useless unless you happened to secure a viable distribution route in the process. By sea perhaps?" The old advisor had been rambling for what felt like eternity, and Calder was desperately trying to drown his voice out. His mind kept wandering to the tether around his wrist that never changed its direction. Tasha was still a prisoner in her room, still trapped alone with a demon, without him by her side, and all his father and the advisors wanted to talk about were resources and distribution routes. "Your Highness?" Calder closed his eyes against the advisor's voice. "Calder!" The booming sound from his father forced him to look up. "No!” He barked back. “There is no viable route by sea. Nor by land, not without sending an army of workers to hack through the forest at its borders. It was how we were able to take them by surprise. There is no easy way into their country. It took us ti
The forest Astasha stood in was not one she was familiar with. The trees were dark and cold, an eerie breeze blowing through the creaking old branches. It felt ancient, evil, a forsaken place of death and anger. She didn't dare to breathe or move. There wasn’t a sound but that of the leaves quaking in the wind. Where was she? What was happening? 'Astasha.' Her name was like a whisper rolled off the tongue of the air itself, surrounding her, filling her like ice. Dread settled in her stomach. Risking a glance around, she tried to use her power to sense where the voice had come from, but she was frozen, her magic stuck in her veins, unable to be pulled forth. 'The time is coming. The old will burn, and the darkness will rise.' Astasha's heart was hammering in her chest. The voice came from everywhere and nowhere. She couldn’t tell if it was female or male, old or young, near or far. It ran through her, sending chills over her body. 'Astasha.' It called her name again. 'Embr
Astasha’s head was splitting as if fire was searing through it. What was going on? She tried to open her eyes, but her lids were too heavy. Maybe if she slept more, the pain would stop. Yes, rest was what she needed. As she tried to roll over in her bed, she realized her arms were very heavy as well. In fact, they refused to move. Why couldn't she make them move? It was then that she became aware of something wrapped around her, holding her in place. Slowly, panic set in, and everything began to come back to her; the salve, the dizziness, the darkness. But she had made it to Bryn. She had seen his face before losing consciousness. Something was wrong. She mustered all her willpower and forced her eyes to open. Her vision was blurry and the world dark, but she could make out a shape moving in the distance. Astasha attempted to shift her position again, but realized she was restrained, tied to something, and a chill went down her spine. The demon's accomplice had her. She h
"NO!" Astasha didn't even notice the word escaping her lips, but it was too late. Blood poured from Bryn's throat as his lifeless body slumped to the ground. To her horror, Cordelia crouched down and reached out, the thick red running over her hands. She was chanting, her eyes closed. Just as Astasha had sacrificed her body, Cordelia had sacrificed a life, Bryn’s life… Tears were streaming down her face. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't real. Her head was spinning, everything closing in around her. Cordelia stood and turned toward Tasha. Her eyes were like a hurricane, a dark storm on the water raging forth. Astasha began to struggle against her bonds, fighting with everything in her to break free and escape what she knew was coming. She'd never felt so powerless, never realized how much her magic had defined her strength, and she hated it. Her entire life she had prided herself on being strong, on being capable of defending herself, protecting herself. She hadn't needed
Calder didn't know how long he had sat there crying, but he was glad no one had disturbed him. The Crown Prince weeping over his forbidden love in the War Room; oh the things people would say. So once there were no more tears to weep, he dried his face, straightened his tunic, and left to wander the halls. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried. Even when he left on his trials, his eyes had been dry, for he knew that someday he would return to his Tasha. In fact, the last time he could recall shedding tears was when his mother had died. After that, he had sworn to himself he would be strong no matter what. The King had also wept that day, but he had a kingdom to run, and had returned to his duty. Calder knew if his father had to be strong for the people, he had to be strong for his father. But tonight, that strength had failed. He had been wandering the halls of the palace aimlessly when he realized where his feet had been taking him; they were following the tether aroun
If nightmares were real, Calder would have traded everything to know that this was a dream. The scene before him was something he would have given anything to unsee. But it was very real, and his blood boiled and every fiber of his being became electrified with rage. The first thing he noticed was the Earth Sorcerer's body on the ground, his throat cut, eyes lifeless. Next to him stood the blonde Water Witch, Cordelia. Her eyes were wide, but with fear or excitement, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that they were locked on something that was happening at the edge of the clearing, and that something was what made him lose all rational thought. Against one of the trees, a naked figure loomed over the bound and limp body of a woman, a woman with deep red hair. Her dress was shredded and a large cut gaped over her right breast. There were slashes across her body and legs, as if claws had been raked across them, and blood, there was blood everywhere. Her face though. Calder knew tha
How could this have happened? How could he have let any of this happen? Errant was a man who prided himself on his knowledge, on his wisdom, and on his ability to solve any problem that came before him. But this... he had failed at every turn to stop the worst thing he could imagine from happening. He had failed his King, he had failed his kingdom, but more important than anything, he had failed in his oaths of magic to protect those under his care, all because he had been too stubborn and too blind to understand that the threat before him wasn't one he could just throw the writs of magic at to make it go away. Astasha could drive Errant to the end of his wits, but that was part of why he found her so valuable, so endearing. She questioned everything, saw answers in things none would even begin to look at. But everything that had happened since the Prince had returned had driven him far beyond his wit's end. She had broken so many magical laws and oaths, and it was his job to uph