Ayla had known she was too weak to use her magic. Everything that Galian did to her and the little food she was given daily had taken a toll on her body, but she did it anyway because she couldn’t let Galian kill those she cared about. It was enough that he killed her mother and grandmother. While Ayla was still in the Black Tower, she had promised herself she would use her magic to protect innocents from Galian. She had felt a dark presence inside him and spent a lot of time thinking about what Beliar offered Galian in exchange for his soul. There was so much the Dark God could give someone—power, magic, money, a long life. What could a man like Galian, who had money and power, want? Magic? Long life? Or something else entirely? After healing Godefray, Ayla closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she was in Sarya’s room. It was not the first time Sarya summoned Ayla’s presence with the help of the Crystal Mirror. Sarya had told Ayla that the crystal used to make the mirr
Ayla lifted her hands and put them around his neck. Her fingers kept twitching, but she ignored them as she started telling Rhobart a story.“Lifetimes ago, in a faraway land, lived a princess,” Ayla said. Rhobart stopped breathing as he listened to Ayla’s gentle voice. “The princess lived with her three older brothers in a big castle. She loved the castle and spending time with her brothers. The oldest brother loved to explore and learn new things and was often gone. The second one loved to forge and make all kinds of things. Sometimes he would make things for the princess of the other brothers. The last brother was quick to anger and often sought to fight with his brothers, but the older brothers mostly ignored him.The castle was built in a magical garden her older brother made for her, and the princess loved spending as much time as she could tending to her flowers. She loved creating new ones and showing them to her brothers. Of all her brothers, only the oldest seemed to enjoy f
‘Rhobart had been a God in another world,’ Ayla thought. “Your world, what was it like?” she asked. Rhobart said it was a violent world, but even chaos could be beautiful. “Do you miss it?”There had been many scholars, mages, and astronomers who claimed the possibility of other universes. Books had been written about parallel worlds and how one could travel between universes with the help of powerful spells or magical objects. Ayla had read some of those books, but she never thought much about other worlds. Not until Rhobart. Could more Gods come to her world? And if that happened, would her world be in danger?Outside the cabin, some of the Paladins were talking and laughing.Rhobart frowned. “I remember only bits and pieces. Many wars and death everywhere.” He kissed her. “When I gave up on my immortal body to be with you, Ayla, I did it because I love you. I don’t regret it, not one bit. My existence as a God—I remember everyone fearing me. I was lonely until you. If this mortal l
Someone knocked on the door before entering. Rhobart and Ayla turned their heads to look at who it was.“Milton asked me to bring some food,” Godefray said as he entered. Two bowls of food were in his hands, and he put them on the table together with two spoons. He trimmed his hair and beard and was wearing clean clothes.Ayla was glad to see Godefray. Despite everything that had happened to them, they became not only close friends, but how they understood each other without the need to use words intrigued Ayla.Godefray looked at Ayla, and a silent conversation took place between them. ‘You look better, my Queen.’Ayla blinked. ‘You too, my Paladin. Thank you for everything you did for me.’‘Always.’Droyn entered the cabin. “Rhobart, there're Orcs and mercenaries on the main road. They seem to search for tracks. The Mages are setting some shields, but I wanted to let you know in case we need to rush out of here.”Ayla found it difficult to breathe. “They are looking for us!”Rhobart
Around a year had passed since Ayla last saw Drax. Ever since Drax became Saturas’ apprentice and came to live at the Royal Palace, he and Ayla have been friends. Even if Drax had not been the only child living in the Palace, he was the only one allowed to talk with Ayla. When Saturas sent Drax to the Water Monastery to have the Water Test, Ayla had never felt more alone. Drax closed the door and laughed bitterly. “Each time I see you, you either get into trouble or need healing.” He sighed. “You look terrible.” Ayla’s lips curved up. “I haven’t seen you in almost a year, and this is the first thing you say to me? That I look terrible?” Drax went to her, sat on the bed, and pulled Ayla in for a hug. Kerra hissed at him before moving to sit on Ayla’s lap. “I was having my last test when word came that King Rhobart claimed he would destroy all Myrthana and kill all the Water Mages unless you went with him to be his personal slave,” Drax said and looked into her eyes. “I feared the wo
Drax looked at Rhobart. “You might be a king, but Ayla is my friend, and I will not let her alone with you until you are calmer.”Rhobart clenched his jaw. “Drax, Rho won’t hurt me. I think it is time for me to have this conversation with him,” Ayla said softly, but Drax kept staring at Rhobart. “Drax!” Ayla hissed, and finally, the Water Mage left.Rhobart paced around the little cabin while Ayla and Kerra looked at him. His anger felt like torment in the middle of the sea. From time to time, he would stop and look at her, only to walk again.Rhobart stopped in front of the window, his back to Ayla. “I have been in battle with men and women for many years, and sometimes things have been kept away from me, but no one has disappointed me more than you did.”“Rho—” Ayla said softly.“I am not done talking!” Rhobart said, his voice harsh. “When you said that my plan would have not worked and that you knew you had to come to Myrthana, I thought that Sarya only warned you about it.” He tur
Ayla inhaled sharply. She thought of Nixx, and how Scar used to control him because of a blood oath. When Nixx disobeyed Scar’s orders, he died. What if she asked Godefray to do something, and he would not listen? “No, Godefray! I can’t accept your oath!” Even if a lot of time had passed, Nixx’s death still hurt.Godefray looked as if someone had slapped him. His throat quivered. “I promised you I would always be your Paladin!” His sword trembled in his hand. ‘Let me pay you back for everything I did to you!’ his eyes begged her.‘They forced you to do it! You don’t owe me anything!’‘And before Eluvene and Galian?’ Godefray asked. ‘Let me be your Paladin!’ he said when Ayla hesitated to reply.“You are my Paladin, and I don’t need a blood oath from you!” Ayla protested. She hoped he understood. “You are more than a Paladin to me, Godefray. You are my friend.” Ayla looked at the other Paladins. She knew some more personally because she had spent a long time with them, traveling. “You
Rhobart scratched his beard. “I think those two will end up killing each other. At least I am not the only one to dislike the Dark Mage. I don’t want her near you, and I mean it!” he said to Ayla. She decided not to argue with him. Not yet, at least. “We should leave! The longer we stay here, the bigger the chances of being found by the Orcs! We should have brought our armor with us! Damn!” Rhobart whistled a low tune, and his black horse rushed to him. “You are riding with me, t’xoria!” he said while helping Ayla get on top of Runner. He looked at Godefray. “Take Ayla’s horse!” he said before entering the cabin to grab Ayla’s messenger bag.Tizgar, Gorn, and Hewe started gathering their belongings and packing them in satchels while Milton, Drax, and Droyn checked the potions and magical plants’ supplies.Godefray went to where the horses were tied. Eluvene followed him.“What about the blood oath?” the twins asked.Ayla grabbed the reins. “While I grew up with Galian as my brother, y