The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

When I wore the veil of the Maiden, no one knew that I was scarred. But after I went missing, news of my appearance traveled far as a means of identification. From their position, it was unlikely they were able to see my scars, especially since they had faded a bit after my Ascension.

“That’s her,” one of the newcomers said, an archer farther down the battlement. “I was here the night she damaged the Rise. I know her voice. Never will forget it.”

“Looks like you left an impression,” Kieran commented.

I had a feeling I would leave another as wind whirled through the meadow, carrying the stench of the city. “Then you know what I’m capable of.”

Forsyth abandoned his relaxed pose, standing straight. “I know what you are. You’ve got these people in here believing you’ve come to either free or terrorize them. Caused quite a bit of drama by spreading the word, telling them they needed to leave the protection of the Ascended. Because of you, many of them will die in the streets they called home. Because of your lies.”

The essence flared once more. I concentrated on the commander, letting my senses reach him. What I tasted was the same as I’d felt when I passed our soldiers before riding for Oak Ambler. Salty resolve.

“You would think that the Duke himself would be out here, defending his people,” Kieran countered.

“The Ascended honor the gods by refusing the sunlight,” Forsyth shot back. “But you, being of a godless kingdom, wouldn’t understand that.”

“The irony,” Emil drawled quietly, “is painful.”

“You know why they don’t walk in the sun,” I said, doubting that the Commanders of the Rises were unaware of exactly what they protected. Forsyth’s head tilted back, and I picked up the faint trace of something sour. Guilt? I seized on that. “But it’s you who is out here. You and your guards—protecting the people. Those who wish to leave the city, by the sound of it. The reason shouldn’t matter, should it? They should be allowed to leave.”

“Both you and I know that’s not the case, Harbinger,” the commander replied, and I sucked in a sharp breath as Emil’s gaze cut to me. “Yeah, like I said, I know exactly what you are. The Harbinger, Bringer of Death and Destruction. Some of these people may have been convinced otherwise, but I know better. Many of us do.”

Dear gods. If the people of Oak Ambler—of Solis—had been told about the prophecy… I couldn’t allow myself to think of the ramifications at the moment. “You believe in prophecies?”

“I believe in what I know. You already attacked us once,” Forsyth said. “You are no savior.”

In the back of my mind, I knew there would be no reasoning with him. That there may not be any reasoning for any who believed I was the Harbinger. But I still had to try. “No harm will come to those who wish to leave. Abandon the Rise,” I ordered, while silently begging that they listened to me. “Open the gates and allow the people to choose what they want—”

“Or what? If you could take down the gates, you would’ve already,” the commander barked. “There’s nothing that can take down these gates.” He turned away.

Feeling Emil’s and Kieran’s gazes on me, I looked at the archers, saw that many exchanged nervous glances, but no one moved. I could already feel those marks cutting into my skin. My heart hurt for what was to come.

“So be it,” I said, letting my will swell inside me.

A distant rumble answered, echoing with the wind.

Chapter 14

Commander Forsyth stopped as a flock of birds suddenly scattered into the sky, then turned slowly. All along the Rise, guards quieted, looking up as a shadow glided over the pines. Shouts of alarm rang out as the draken broke through the tree line, becoming visible.

With scales the color of ash, Nithe was roughly the size of Setti, a little bigger than the steed. He extended wings the shade of midnight, slowing his descent. A deep roar came from him, like a crack of thunder, sending the guards and the commander into a frenzied retreat.

“Too late for that,” Emil murmured.

I didn’t look away.

I wanted to.

But I made myself watch the end result of my will.

A funnel of fire and energy turned the world bright as Nithe swept forward, striking the air above the battlement. For a moment, the commander and the guards were merely twisting, writhing shadows. And then, when the flames receded, they were nothing.

Nithe rose, arcing swiftly as a much larger shadow fell upon us. Reaver dipped low, a third draken following, its greenish-brown body almost as large as Reaver’s. Aurelia flew down the length of the wall, releasing a stream of fire above the Rise, catching the guards before they had a chance to reach any of the stairs. Shouts rose. Screams. I didn’t look away.