Lights of Aurora (The Stone Legacy Series Book 3) (23 page)

She gasped when the light in her chest burst to life with hues of white and blue, intertwining with the lights of Aurora, and creating an invisible bond that could never be broken.

The heartache and fear lifted, finally allowing her to embrace what was underneath. The desire she’d pushed down for so long rose up like an army, staking its claim over her heart.

As the lights softened and lifted, Zanya opened her eyes and peered through the colorful layers. A smile spread over her lips, and she let out a long exhale.

As the colors drifted upward, she stood breathless, smiling the first real smile in a long time.

Tara and Jayden had let go of her hand. They stood on either side of her, their eyes wide. Zanya swallowed, not sure what had just happened. She was…different. Excitement bubbled in her chest. Her heart was open and free. The bonds that had shackled her with such deep regret had been broken, and all she wanted was Arwan.

***

Arwan

Arwan held his breath, his feet rooted to the ground. Drina fisted her hand and pressed it over smiling lips, staring at the sky.

He raised his gaze to the heavens. The wavering outline of a woman’s face lingered in the lights. Arwan blinked and peered more closely at the familiar features. The image danced and wavered for a moment longer, then dispersed into the starlit night.

“What just happened?” Arwan said. He stilled, and for the first time since he could remember, the darker half of him was quiet. There was peace. “Tia Drina?” He turned to the old woman, who was pointing at the hillside. A soft laugh pushed between her lips.

Arwan’s breath picked up. He scanned the hillside, and spotted Zanya, her light like a beacon.

A breeze ran over the land, lifting Zanya’s dress and pushing strands of hair across her face.

He brushed his fingers together with the urge to touch her.

Drina smacked him on the back of the head. “Stupid boy. Go to her.”

Arwan stepped forward, his chest rising and falling with every anxious breath. Something had happened. Something impossible.

He burst into a full sprint, darting between people and weaving up the trail leading to the peak of the hill.

When he reached the top, Zanya stepped forward with her lips gently parted, looking beautiful and surreal. He closed the distance between them and then slowed his pace as he drew close.

“What the hell is going on?” Eleuia snarled.

Arwan heard her rigid voice but never broke his focus on Zanya. He took her hands, and a current of energy sparked between their fingers. “How is this possible?”

She slid her fingers between his, shaking her head. “I have no idea.”

A moonlit shadow swooped over the ground. Arwan lifted his gaze and watched as a great white owl soared above, her eyes glowing like two small gems.

Zanya rested her hand on his chest, her fingers splayed. She shifted closer.

The bond pulling him into her nearly ruined him.

“I’m not just going to stand by and watch my daughter bond with that
thing
.” Eleuia charged toward them with a scowl.

Zanya spun and shielded Arwan. “Mom, please—”

“No!” Her body trembled. “This isn’t even possible. He must have done something. Something dark.”

“Ellie.” Renato rested his hand on her shoulder.

She slapped it away. “Don’t you try to stand up for him! He is an abomination, and as long as he’s here, he’ll do nothing but bring the middleworld down in smoke and fire.”

“You don’t know that, Mom.” Zanya’s tone had turned desperate.

Arwan gripped Zanya’s hand tighter. She needed to know he was there. That he’d never falter.

Eleuia’s eyes narrowed. “Then I won’t allow it. Choose. Him, or us.”

Zanya glanced at Arwan. “You can’t be serious.”

She squared her jaw. “It’s your family,” she said, gesturing to the group behind her. “Or the half-breed.” Her glare shifted to Arwan. “Make your choice.”

Epilogue

Contessa

Contessa smoothed down her hair, content to see her beauty and charm had been rejuvenated when she’d returned to the underworld. The souls of those men—those stupid, piddling, mortal men—did nothing for her. She would have to find another source of energy if she was going to continue to exhaust so much power.

Contessa waited, tapping her polished nails against the petrified chair in the king’s greeting room. The once-majestic castle had deteriorated since she’d last visited the ninth realm of the underworld.

The king hadn’t seen it yet—the first layer of the underworld. She’d passed it as she descended. It was still in ruins from Sarian’s failed attempt to stake his claim. That was one of Sarian’s most treacherous downfalls. He thought small.

The heat from the ninth layer of the underworld was fierce, scorching her cheeks. This time she took the opportunity to examine what she hoped would be the kingdom under
her
rule one day. Fire, death, and anger flourished and grew here as if the realm itself were alive.

Giant arched doors made of charred wood burst open, and a sweltering breeze crawled over her. Contessa blinked and squinted against the inferno. She stood from her seat and pulled her shoulders back, her chin tipped up. “Your Majesty.” She curtsied.

“What news have you?” he demanded. His eyes flashed red and black.

She sauntered toward him, swaying to and fro, enjoying the decomposed mush of death and rot under her feet. “It seems the prince is reluctant to reclaim his throne. I gave him ample opportunity to come home.”

“You delivered my message? You told him I still have hope he will accept his place as heir to my throne?” He watched her intently, homing in on any clue she was being untruthful.

Fortunately she was a very talented liar.

“I did, and rather than returning to his father, he returned to the group of Riyata instead.” Her gaze shifted to the pair of hellhounds trotting into the room, their fur singed to expose boiled flesh. She used her power to demand they heel at her sides. When they obeyed, she ran the backs of her fingers between their ears, grinning at the king. “It seems your guards have taken a liking to me, my lord.”

He watched the hounds pant, their tongues licking at their oversized jaws. “It seems they have.”

She tilted her head. “I’ve come to wonder if they are the only ones who find my company…” She licked her lips. “Pleasing.”

The king squared his jaw and his eyes darkened. “What kind of trickery are you playing, witch?”

She cringed at his final word and pressed her lips into a tight line. “I play no tricks. But if you prefer this to be all work and no play, I can certainly get straight to the point.”

“Please do.” He paced while listening, his hands linked behind his back. Getting into the king’s head would be more difficult than she’d thought. It would take finesse.

“Your son rejects his rightful place,” Contessa stated bluntly. “He has made that abundantly clear. Your general is dead, killed by the very person you hoped would take over your throne.”

The king continued to pace with no change in his expression.

“As I retained the power of Sarian’s mother after her death—”

“Do not attempt to cloud my knowledge of what really happened, dear witch.” He stopped pacing and faced her. Her throat tightened under his gaze. “You slaughtered Aditya. She was one of my most trusted allies, and you ended her.”

A fierce fire rose in Contessa’s chest. “I did not simply end her. I
consumed
her,” she snarled, clenching her fist in front of her,
possessing
her words. “I drove a blade through her chest, pierced her heart, and then ate it.”

His eyes narrowed, and he stepped toward her, each foot pushing lava and fire from the ground. Her chest jumped when he grabbed her arms. Her bones ached under his tight grip. “You are a force of the gods.”

Her lips curled into a grin. “Are you flattering me, Your Majesty?”

He jerked her forward and hovered his lips above hers. “Perhaps.” His gaze flickered to her mouth.

“You do not need a general any longer,” Contessa whispered. “You do not need a prince, nor your guards, nor any other
pathetic
creature under your command.” She cautiously rested her hands over his armor. Her skin burned on the heated steel. “What you are in desperate need of, Your Majesty, is a queen.”

***Sneak Peek***

Find out what happens next in:

Anarchy

Book Four of the Stone Legacy Series

Chapter One

The glittering lights of aurora wrapped around Zanya’s body, spinning in a cyclone of ghostly blue, emerald green, and purple. The light in her chest beamed with life as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Jayden still hadn’t figured out what exactly happened. The lights were meant to bond souls, both in this world and in the afterlife. If they were touching Zanya, it could only mean one thing.

The crowds near the base of the temples gathered around fires with offerings of jade and maize. They cheered and chanted, beating on drums and dancing like the aboriginal Mayans, who had carried out the tradition for thousands of years.

Jayden backed away from Zanya, nearly stumbling on protruding rocks buried in the grassy hill. Everyone in their group waited with wide eyes, their chests puffed out as if they were holding their breath.

Jayden fisted his hands, watching the woman he would die for, wrapped in the arms of the guy she was never supposed to be with.

It should have been
him
holding her close.

It should have been
him
kissing her.

He swallowed against a dry throat. It didn’t make any sense. Arwan was half underworlder. Bonding with Riyata was forbidden. Hell, it was impossible. The two bloodlines just weren’t compatible.

Zanya’s mother, Eleuia, shook with fury. “I mean it,” she said in a demanding tone, her sharp eyes trained on Zanya. “Choose him,” she jabbed her finger at Arwan, “or us. Because I won’t allow that
thing
back in my house.”

“For the gods’ sake, Ellie,” Renato pleaded.

“No!” She spun and glared at her brother. “You’ve done enough damage as it is. She is
my
daughter.”

Jayden’s gaze stayed trained on Zanya. She was so damn beautiful in that dress. He clenched his fists tighter.

“You can’t be serious,” Zanya said, shaking her head. “How can you ask me to do that?” Her chest rose and fell with every quickened breath, her fingers still interlocked with Arwan’s.

She held him so close, as if letting him go would ruin her. For the first time, Jay believed it actually would. Any chance Jayden had with Zanya was lost.

A collection of cheers shook the air. Jayden’s head jerked up. He’d almost forgotten where he was.

With the lights retreated into the sky, the winter solstice celebrations had begun. Newly bonded couples were hugged and congratulated, though their group was far out of the crowd’s reach.

“How can you guys just stand there and let her do this?” Zanya’s desperate tone brought his focus back to her. It took him locking eyes with her to realize she was speaking directly to him.

He parted his lips to talk, but couldn’t speak. He couldn’t—couldn’t stand up for them. Not when everything he wanted was torn away. Not when he still loved her.

Zanya’s gaze shifted to Tara, who walked toward the newly bonded pair. “Yeah, this is messed up.” Tara reached Zanya’s side and faced the rest of the group, then crossed her arms over her chest. “They don’t have any control over this stuff,” she said, gesturing toward the lights in the sky. “There’s got to be something more going on here that you guys missed.”

“Missed?” Eleuia’s tone had turned deadly. She stepped toward Zanya, who shifted in front of Arwan as if she were protecting him. “I didn’t spend all this time hidden and running, just to return to a piece of underworld garbage like him,” she spat, glaring at Arwan. “He’ll ruin our kind’s only hope at a future. He is the reason I missed you growing up, Zanya. Why your dad isn’t here anymore.”

Zanya flinch and dropped her head. Waves of hair drifted in a warm breeze, a soft sheen in her eyes. “No, Mom.” She pushed out her chin and pursed her lips. “My father died because you fell in love with someone you weren’t supposed to.” She looked at Arwan and took both of his hands.

Jayden’s throat tightened and he swallowed hard. His breath increased in speed, and the dread building in his gut only worsened while he tried desperately to collect his thoughts.

He raked his fingers through his hair. Shit. He had to get the hell out of there before he lost it.

Jayden caught a glimpse of Hawa studying him. She held his gaze for a split second before he looked away.

He couldn’t stay if he had to watch Zanya be with someone else, and he’d be damned if he spent another second as anyone’s doormat.

Jayden analyzed his surroundings. The city of Tikal was crowded with parked cars of every type for the celebrations. The taxi drivers had abandoned their cabs to participate in the solstice.

He slipped away from the group and peered in car windows, one at a time. If he left on foot it would take twice as long. He needed a ride.

He paused when he spotted a pair of keys dangling from the ignition of a taxi.
Bingo
. He slipped into the driver’s seat and turned the key. The engine roared to life. He took a moment to draw in a deep breath. Leaving was the only answer. He had to look out for himself now. No one else would. He wrung the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.

When he glanced in the rearview mirror, he was able to see the others, still crowded in a tight group, none of them realizing he was gone. Zanya backed away from her mother, drawing even closer to Arwan.

Jayden ground his teeth. To hell with this.

Just as he shifted the car into drive, the passenger door flew open and Hawa sat, then slammed the door behind her. “Where do you think you’re off to?”

He exhaled sharply. “Get out.”

“Uh, not happening. I saw how you looked back there. There’s no way I’m letting you just take off alone.”

He scoffed. “What do you care?”

“Who said I do?”

“Then get out,” he barked.

Hawa bit the inside of her cheek, examining him. “Look. I know how bad it sucks to watch the person you care about be with someone else.”

Jayden relaxed his grip on the steering wheel. He’d almost forgotten that she and Peter used to be together, and Hawa was forced to watch while he fell for Tara.

Hawa shrugged. “Plus, it’ll be nice to get the hell out of the jungle for a while.” She gestured to the carved path of crushed grass. “Well? Are we going or what?”

He hesitated, glanced once more in the rearview, and then slammed his foot on the gas. Grass and dirt spit out from the back tires.

He didn’t look back.

A blur of green streaked past their windows as he sped out of the jungle. Anger bubbled inside of him, paired with a deep, unsetting humiliation. How could he be so stupid? He never would have gotten Zanya back. It was just his luck. Always the underdog. Always the loser.

The tension in his muscles wound tighter until he couldn’t stand it anymore. Searing range exploded through him. He balled his fist and punched the center of the steering wheel as hard as he could. “That
wasn’t
supposed to fucking happen!”

The car swerved and Hawa grabbed the wheel, preventing them from flying into the trees. “Whoa! Either pull over or calm the hell down before you get both of us killed!”

Jayden punched the steering wheel one more time, and then relieved some pressure from the gas pedal. The car slowed to a reasonable speed.

“You good?” Hawa slowly let go of the wheel.

He nodded and took back control of the car. Both of them were silent the rest of the drive out of the jungle. He needed the time to think, and thankfully Hawa wasn’t one of those girls who couldn’t shut up if her life depended on it.

He slowed when they reached a paved road, making the rest of the ride smoother.

“You
do
realize when we get in town, the cops will probably be looking for this taxi, right?” Hawa slouched in the passenger seat and kicked her heavy leather boots on the dashboard, bobbing her foot left to right. “Unless the owner of the cab is too wasted to realize it’s been taken, at least until tomorrow morning. That’ll buy us a couple of hours.”

That was the best-case scenario. It would give him enough time to figure out what he was going to do next, because at the moment, all he knew for sure was that he wouldn’t go back to Renato’s house.

“So, where to,
el
capitán
?”

The muscles in his shoulders tensed again. “I don’t really know.”

“Sweet.” Hawa flipped on the FM radio and fiddled with the stations until Latin music thumped from the speakers. She leaned back again, mouthing the lyrics.

He glanced at her. “That’s it? You don’t care that I have no idea where the hell we’re going?”

She shrugged. “Not really. I’m always in for a good adventure.”

“I’m
not
going back to Renato’s house.”

She yawned and laid her head back on the seat. “Let’s roll down the windows.” Hawa used the hand crank to let the night air pour into the cab.

Since when did she want to be around him? Hawa gave off a
screw you
vibe every second of the day. Suddenly, she was up for a road trip? Maybe she’d decide to split when they arrived at the next town…or maybe not. He glanced at her again. Slouching in her seat, her eyes were closed and black hair whipped wildly around her.

He swallowed, his stomach twisting and bubbling. Why was he so freaked out about her being around?

Who cared?

Jayden blinked and shook his head as if trying to clear the thoughts out of his mind.

He did, apparently.

He had to keep his shit together. He stole a quick look at the gas gauge. Full tank. Good. He’d just drive through the night until they reached civilization. At least he didn’t have to worry about getting tired anymore. His muscles relaxed. This whole kinda-dead thing had its advantages.