Union (33 page)

Cahlith and Glaevahl were still chanting, their arms weaving intricate patterns in the air above her, and she seemed to moan and flinch with each turn of their hands.

She suddenly went still, and Ryneq couldn’t tell if she was still breathing or not. “Is she dead?”

Avelor moved to stand beside him. “Not yet, but I think that’s only a matter of time.” He pointed at Ryneq’s sword, still buried to the hilt in her chest, the purple glow diminished but still there. “Faelon’s magic is strong.”

“Thank the Gods.” Ryneq reached to pull it from her body, but Avelor stayed him with a hand on his arm.

“Wait.”

The witch stirred, her black eyes fluttered open and focused on Ryneq. “You may have killed me”—she coughed violently, and dark red blood dribbled down her chin—“but it’s too late for your kingdom,
Sire
.” Each breath sounded wet and raspy, as blood began to fill her lungs.

“What do you mean?” Ryneq took a step toward her, but Avelor pulled him back again. “Tell me!”

The witch laughed, and Ryneq flinched back as more blood flew out of her mouth. “Seran is on his way to Torsere. Your kingdom will soon be his.” Her gaze drifted over to land on Nykin and Selene. “Shame.” She licked her lips, and Ryneq moved to block her view. “I really wanted some more dragon’s blood.”

Her eyes fell shut, but Ryneq was far from done. He needed answers, and from the state of her, he needed to get them fast. He kicked her hard in the thigh, jostling her back to consciousness.

“What?” she hissed, scowling up at him.

“Why didn’t he take you with him?” Ryneq couldn’t understand why Seran would try to attack Torsere without the witch, when he’d failed on his last attempt.

“Didn’t need to.” She laughed again. “He has another.” Ryneq froze, his hands curled into fists as her words sunk in. “I stayed to keep… you busy… while they marched… on Torsere.” Her breathing was ragged now, and she had to force the words out between each gasp for air.

“When did he leave?” Ryneq jabbed her with his foot again when she didn’t answer, but Cahlith shook her head as she and Glaevahl lowered their hands.

“She’s dead, Your Highness.”

Ryneq turned away from the body and kicked at the ground. Seran could be at Torsere’s borders by now, and neither Nysad nor Eldin would know he had a witch with him. “Nykin?”

Nykin was at his side in an instant. “I’m still waiting to hear from Fimor.”

Ryneq sighed, frustrated.

“What now?” Nykin spoke softly, just for Ryneq’s ears. “She could be lying, you know.”

“I know.” With the witch dead, they had no way of knowing if she’d been telling the truth or not. But with Seran’s absence, Ryneq was inclined to believe her.

“Fimor should be able to tell us for certain when he gets back.”

He glanced up at the sky through the branches, the sun already dropping low. They needed to get back to the city as soon as possible. The one thing Ryneq knew for sure was that they had to get back to Torsere. “Nykin, get Selene and meet me at the horses.”

He walked over to Avelor without waiting for Nykin’s reply. The urge to get things in motion pulled at him, and Ryneq knew he wouldn’t relax until they were on their way. “We need to get back to Alel. If what the witch said is true, Seran is most likely already on his way, or even there by now. I have to get back to my people.”

Avelor nodded. “Of course, Your Highness. Lerran will be back soon and can organize transportation of the body. I’ll escort you and the others back.”

Ryneq followed Avelor to where the horses were tethered. Nykin and Selene were already waiting, and Selene’s gaze went over his shoulder, clearly searching for someone. “Selene,” he said, quietly beckoning her closer. “There’ll be time to say goodbye to Lerran before we leave, tomorrow.”

Selene’s eyes widened a little, but she just bowed her head. “Yes, Sire.”

F
IMOR
CONTACTED
Nykin on the way through the forest. The news wasn’t as bad as Ryneq had feared, but it wasn’t good either.

“The dragon-rider patrol just got in. There’s movement along the border with Athisi, an allied army readying for attack, but it hasn’t crossed into Torsere yet.”

Ryneq silently cursed. “Did Fimor warn him there may be another witch?”

“Yes.”

They couldn’t do anything else from here, and Ryneq just hoped they’d make it back before Seran decided to attack. With any luck, he was still under the impression that Torsere was now protected by elf magic. It wouldn’t take him long to discover the truth, though.

They went to see Ahlyria as soon as they reached the city. Avelor explained what had happened with the witch. Both Ahlyria and Nihathyl agreed that Ryneq should return home on the morning tide and tasked their people with helping prepare for the journey. “How will you fight the witch?” Ahlyria asked. “Do you have magic users of your own?”

Ryneq shook his head. “No. But we have the dragons, and their magic is as old as the witch’s.” He had no idea if it would be enough, though. They’d managed to break the spell out at sea, but that was just one attack. Who knew what else she had been capable of?

“We will send Glaevahl back with you and some of my guards. Their magic is powerful and they’ve been researching the old ways.”

“Thank you.” Ryneq smiled warmly at her offer. They needed all the help they could get. He rose to his feet and gestured for Nykin and Selene to follow. “If you’ll excuse me, we need to get ready for tomorrow.”

“You realize Cerylea must remain in Alel for at least another month for the magic to work,” Ahlyria said as she stood to walk them to the door.

“Yes, I’m aware.” Ryneq paused with his fingers wrapped around the door handle. “Their isolation ends tomorrow, does it not?”

“It does.”

“We’ll say our good-byes in the morning,” Ryneq said good night and led Nykin down the passageways to their room.

Two of Ahlyria’s maids were already packing up their things, and Ryneq went straight over to the windows. He felt Nykin come up beside him, and he smiled softly when Nykin slipped a warm hand under his shirt and laid it against the base of his spine.

“I want to be there now.” Ryneq looked out of the window at the slowly fading light. “If we leave in the morning, it’ll take the best part of three days to get home, maybe more, and it’s too long, Nykin.”

Nykin tensed beside him, his fingers digging into the skin on Ryneq’s back. “I could get you there faster.”

Nykin’s voice was soft but firm, and Ryneq felt the hair rise on the back of his neck as he realized what Nykin was offering.

“Fimor?” He shifted so they were facing each other.

“Yes. You could ride with me.” Nykin smiled. “I’m not sure how far he can fly without needing to rest, but I bet he can get us home in under a day.”

Ryneq’s stomach clenched at the idea of riding a dragon. He used to dream about it all the time when he was younger, but that was years ago. “Have you asked him?” He met Nykin’s gaze as he asked, and Nykin’s blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Of course. Do you really think I’d offer to let you ride Fimor if I hadn’t already asked his permission?”

Ryneq laughed despite the gravity of the situation. Dragons were notoriously fickle, and Ryneq could well imagine Fimor’s reaction if Nykin just turned up and expected him to let Ryneq ride him too. “No, I suppose not.”

The silence settled between them while Ryneq considered the offer. After Cerylea’s disastrous ride, their father had forbidden them from doing it, and Ryneq hadn’t given it much thought since his death.

Nykin nudged his arm. “Do you trust me?”

Ryneq looked at the sky a moment longer before turning back to face Nykin. “With my life.”

“Then ride with me back to Torsere.”

T
HE
SUN
had barely risen when a soft knock sounded at the door. Ryneq and Nykin were both dressed and ready to leave. Their things would be loaded onto the ships soon, and Peros would see everything safely back to Torsere.

Ryneq pulled the door open and grinned as his sister threw herself into his arms. He swept her up, burying his face in her hair, and her familiar perfume filled his senses. “I’ve missed you.”

She laughed against his chest, pushing gently so he’d give her some space. “It’s only been a week.”

“But so much has happened, Cerylea, it feels like months.”

The smile fell from her face, and she walked into the room and closed the door behind her. “Yes, Ahlyria has been filling us in on everything. Morkryn is still with her.”

Ryneq couldn’t help but smirk at the mention of her husband. “So, how was your week in isolation?”

Cerylea cocked an eyebrow at him and rested her hands on her hips. “Do you want details, Brother?”

When Ryneq really looked at her, he saw the color in her cheeks and the healthy glow that covered her skin. He could well imagine what had put it there. “No,” he replied quickly, ignoring Nykin’s smothered laughter from behind him.

“So,” Cerylea said, smoothing out her dress as she perched on the end of the bed. “You’re leaving soon?” Ryneq nodded. “I want to go with you, but you know why I can’t?”

“Yes.”

She got up off the bed and walked toward him. “I want you to take this.” She pressed a small object into his hand, and when Ryneq opened his fingers, he recognized the link stone that Morkryn had given her. “I asked Morkryn to link it to you, so you can contact us when you get home.”

“Thank you.” Ryneq slipped it into his pocket, reached for her again, and drew her into his arms. “We need to go now.” He kissed her forehead and held her tight for a few moments before letting her go.

Her brow furrowed. “But the ships aren’t loaded yet?”

Ryneq cast a quick glance at Nykin. “I’m not going back by sea.”

Cerylea turned so she could look between Ryneq and Nykin, and frowned. “You’re going to ride with Nykin.”

“I am.”

“Ryneq, are you sure that’s—”

“I’ll be fine.” He took both of her hands in his. “Nothing will happen to me, and I’ll be back in Torsere so much sooner this way.

She held his gaze for another moment or two before managing a small smile. “Be safe, my brother.” She turned to Nykin, and walked over to kiss him as well. “Take care of him.”

Nykin nodded in reply.

She squeezed Ryneq’s arm as she passed him on the way out, and then he and Nykin were alone again. It would be strange going home without her, but neither of them had a choice.

“Fimor is waiting for us.” Nykin’s voice startled Ryneq out of his thoughts. He passed Ryneq a pair of thick leather gloves, before pulling on his own. “Are you ready?”

A
HLYRIA
WAS
waiting for them at the steps leading down to the beach along with Nihathyl, and Ryneq was surprised to see who else was with them. Not only had Cerylea and Morkryn come to see them off, but Avelor was there too, supporting a pale but smiling Faelon.

“Good to see you up and about, Faelon.” He clapped him gently on the shoulder.

“I should be fully recovered in another two days.” Faelon steadied himself and stood on his own. “Avelor and I would like to accompany Glaevahl on your ships to Torsere.”

Ryneq was a little taken aback by his offer. He hadn’t thought either of them would want to get involved with fighting a witch again, but he wasn’t about to turn them down. “I would be honored.”

Faelon nodded in response and leaned a little into Avelor.

“We thought you might want this back, too.” Avelor said as he handed Ryneq back his sword, hilt first. “Faelon and I both renewed the magic on it.”

Ryneq grinned as he accepted it and slid it into the scabbard at his hip. “Thank you.”

Ahlyria stepped forward, smiling at Avelor as he moved back out of the way. “Lerran has also offered his services to Torsere, and I have granted his request, as long as you are agreeable.” Ahlyria smirked as Ryneq looked around for him. She gestured to the beach, and Ryneq turned to look where she was pointing.

He sighed as he spotted Selene and Lerran standing next to Kalesh and Fimor. He should have known that’s where he’d be. “Of course. We’re grateful for all the help you can offer us.”

Ahlyria placed her hands on Ryneq’s shoulders. “May the Gods keep you safe, King Ryneq of Torsere.”

“And you, Queen Ahlyria of Hervath.” He took a deep breath and then followed Nykin down the steps to the beach.

“How will this work?” Ryneq asked as they neared the dragons. “Isn’t Fimor’s saddle and harness made to fit you?”

“I didn’t say it would be as comfortable as the ships.” Nykin grinned over his shoulder at Ryneq. “Just faster.”

As they got closer, Selene approached them, with Lerran behind her. “Sire. With your permission, Lerran would like to ride back to Torsere with me.”

Ryneq had half expected this when he’d seen them together on the beach, but it was no less of a shock to hear the words. It had been a huge concession on his behalf to allow the elves to talk to the dragons and their riders so freely. This was something else entirely.