Of Claws & Chaos, page 12
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
EVERA
“Our land has been plagued with darkness, saturated with the blood of innocents—take mine to cleanse it.”
Those were the words I had spoken before drinking from Abba’s chalice alongside the other seven women bearing witness to the sacred tree’s pain and impending death. It was the reason we’d been called here—to save her.
All because of him. King Valandril.
I felt justified in my choice to come—I would willingly sacrifice everything my parents would never give to save our people—even if it meant losing everything I loved. It would be worth it to save those my family was supposed to lead, supposed to protect.
Even though I now understood that this would be the end of the line for me, I felt calm and centered. My only possible regret was that I’d leave Axel behind, though I didn’t try to stop myself from thinking about him. If anything, it strengthened my resolve, knowing he would make the same choice. It was the only solution to the disastrous consequences of Valandril’s actions.
Snarling and thrashing brought my attention from the roots of the tree to where King Valandril was strapped to the trunk, his expression monstrous. He’d returned in an attempt to take more from the sacred tree in his unending pursuit of greed.
I felt no sympathy for the man.
The silence beneath his screams was deafening as all eight heiresses walked forward. Warm, wet soil greeted my feet as I entered the pool surrounding the tree, the eight of us spreading out so that we circled around it. My gaze moved past the man responsible for this, my chest aching for the sacred tree. Its once vibrant, colorful bark and leaves were now a dark grayish blue. Not for much longer, though—we would fix this.
We had to fix this.
I stood proudly next to the other women, feeling stronger and braver knowing they would be doing this with me. I may not have met each of them individually, but I could feel the strength they radiated—the complete resolve.
This was what it meant to be a leader. To be part of something bigger than yourself.
Pointing the sharp tip of my blade at the tree, our voices sounded clearly through the night as we chanted in unison.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Valandril let out a panicked gasp, his skin turning white as snow. He thrashed harder against his bonds, looking like trapped prey.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Violet mist coiled around the king’s hand and filled his palm. The same power was echoed by his queen, Rhodelia, who stood next to me—a dark smile of victory on her face. My eyes widened, realizing just how powerful this woman was, but my head snapped back to Valandril. I wanted to see every ounce of his suffering. It was only fair for all the death he caused—I wanted to bear witness to his punishment.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Following the others, I brought my blade up and dragged it across my palm before doing the same to the other hand. My wolf howled inside of my chest, trying to break out in an effort to protect me from my own actions. Once the cut was complete, my blade turned to dust, scattering into the pool of water at my feet as the sacred pool began to ripple and pulse with power.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Grabbing the hands of Stella and Rhodelia, our blood mixed as my body burned with the power of the magic surging through it.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Blood burst from between our grasped hands and a pained sound left me, my vitality and magic flowing from my veins and to feed the tree, our blood tinting the water of the sacred pool pink.
My blood shifted and shimmered in the water as the shadow of my wolf ran across it like a phantom, followed by others. Tears welled in my eyes at the sight of Axel’s wolf, and somehow I knew he could feel my pain. I hoped it wouldn’t last for long.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Our blood hit the trunk of the sacred tree and all at once—it came to life.
The roots rose from the depths of the pool, coiling around Valandril to squeeze him tightly. The sound of his bones snapping filled the air, his bloodcurdling screams accompanied by the roots digging deep under his skin.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Inhaling sharply, I closed my eyes and drew Axel to the front of my mind for what I knew would be the last time. This was almost the end, and I needed his strength, his memory, to push through the agony that awaited. I wouldn’t give up now; we’d almost done it.
“BY MY BLOOD, MAKE THEE WHOLE. SEVER THE BONDS, CLAIM HIS SOUL.”
Pain like I’d never experienced before shot through me in agonizing waves, jagged roots shooting up through the water and spearing my hands, digging into my veins. Sharp points tore up my arms as the roots ripped flesh from my body, blood pouring from me as I screamed silently.
“On the night The Veil shall open, Nightmares claim thy sacred tokens,” Abba chanted loudly. “But magic stolen comes with a cost, For by His hands blood will be lost. Bound in war, triumph is hopeless, Thy future lies In death and darkness.”
I rose into the air as roots tore through the bottom of my feet and through my bone. My body was numb with agony, but I didn’t break my hold on the other women’s hands. Bright golden light surrounded us as the tree devoured our life force, roots and branches slithering across our skin and cocooning us so that we were one large mass feeding the tree. Water rose around our bodies, and my breath stuttered to a stop as I trembled against the force of it. But my resolve did not falter.
“Yet on the Eve thy battle ends, eight fierce souls will make amends,” Abba continued, louder. “Hand in hand they shall unite, A pact in blood, heiress to fight.”
The tree was taking back what Valandril stole, draining the life and magic from his soul before swallowing him whole, consumed by the trunk of the tree, until there wasn’t even a whisper left of him. Tears of happiness broke through the pain, overpowering it, as the world around us trembled with power. The pure force of the tree affected everything, flashes of color lighting up the sky and its leaves shimmering in shades of red, pink, blue, and purple.
It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
“When gifted power pays sacrifice, Mother Terrea shall repay the price.” Abba’s voice was strong, and it pushed me to hang on. I could feel my life force fading, and I knew this was the end. This was it.
Axel’s howl echoed in my ears and I trembled, wishing I could’ve seen him just one more time.
“Blessed be her soul reborn, Seek from where the Earth was torn. To bring peace to all lands that burn, In fifty years eight heiresses will return. The lines of fate have been spoken, On the night The Veil shall reopen.”
My last breath whooshed out of me, and for just a moment I thought I heard Axel bellow my name. It was the last sound I heard before everything went dark.
I woke in a cold sweat, my heart pumping so hard that it felt like it’d soar out of my chest. I stared wide eyed at the fireplace, crackling away as if I hadn’t just been hit with a memory that resurfaced some of the worst pain I’d ever experienced. My nerve endings were alive with acute agony at the feeling of the tree spearing me, its roots delving under my flesh…but none of that was as intensely painful as the moment I arrived at the Sacred Temple and realized what the high priestess was asking of us…when I realized I would never see Axel again.
Even now, tears ran down my cheeks in hot streams, my heart aching painfully for everything I’d lost.
Axel—I needed to see Axel. I needed to make sure I hadn’t imagined that he was within reach, that we were back within the same realm.
My gaze fell on a chair near the bed, empty and cold. Reminded of the way he’d stormed out on my yesterday—twice—I resisted the urge to go find him.
But maybe…maybe if I told him about the memory of the sacrifice, it would help. If I explained how I’d felt realizing I would never see him again, that my sacrifice was going to be the end of it all…
Or at least I’d thought so.
Groaning, I shook my head. No. No, I wouldn’t do that. I had to maintain some level of pride right now. Pushing that idea from my mind, I slipped out of bed and went towards the bathroom, finding a pile of clothing on the counter along with a note.
Evera,
The closet now has clothing of all kinds in your size. I figured this selection would be the best for wandering around the castle unnoticed.
Vanessa
I smiled at that, feeling like she already knew me so well. I had no idea what would be in that closet, but I wasn’t ready for anything crafted from the fine materials that Axel wore. Not only because it was so different from my modern clothing, but because back in Las Vegas, I never would have worn anything so extravagant.
Sorting through the pile of clothes on the counter, I picked out a simple green dress that was made of a cotton material, throwing a sweater over it. I brushed my teeth quickly and washed my face before tying my hair back into a loose braid. Happy with my appearance in the mirror, I pulled on a pair of wool socks along with my boots.
Making my way towards the door, I passed a tray that had been set out on a cart in the living room, the silver domes making me think it was possibly breakfast. That wasn’t what fully caught my eye though. No, it was the flowers that were in a vase on top of the tray—a bouquet of white morning glories. I didn’t need to wonder who they were from—there was only one man who knew that was my favorite flower, and he’d often gone with me to pick them from a field near the castle in Eventide.
This was why it was so hard to stay mad at this man—he could be so sweet.
As I left Axel’s room, taking a moment to eat some of the fruit and pastries left for me on the tray, I greeted the guards good morning and set off. As I passed the windows in the hallway, I realized that I must have slept in, the amount and angle of the light coming in suggesting it was early afternoon. The memory of the dream still hung onto me like a dark shadow, and I didn’t even know where I was going until I heard a familiar voice. Axel.
Clearly something had led me here to him. Convenient. Or maybe not, since I probably should’ve been avoiding him.
Stopping outside a set of doors, his rough, deep voice carried into the hallway. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I do,” Xakery insisted. “The entire kingdom is talking about her.”
How much did we want to bet that her was me?
“Let them talk,” Axel said dismissively.
“With the current state of things, you can’t take her as queen,” Rhaegal pointed out. “Nor your mate—but you know that.”
“You’ll have to choose someone else,” Xakery concluded. A growl echoed through the room, and I took a step back at the sound of something crashing to the floor.
Choose someone else? And why couldn’t he take me as queen or as his mate? Not that he’d mentioned that to me.
“Leave. Now.”
“Just remember what I said,” Xakery drew out, growing closer to the door. “Your people expect a queen and heirs. She can’t do either of those things, Axel. Not now.”
The door opened, and Xakery’s eyes clashed with mine. A smile pulled onto his lips as my gaze darted to where Axel stood over his desk, head hanging as his younger brother talked to him in low, sharp tones.
“Why hello, Evera,” Xakery drawled. “You move so quietly I didn’t even realize you were here—listening.”
Axel’s head snapped up, his expression livid.
“Axel,” Rhaegal warned.
“Evera, come here,” Axel said quietly.
Xakery’s smirk widened, looking downright delighted at the turn of events. “Just remember—he didn’t deny it,” he said in a quiet whisper before striding down the hall.
My stomach plummeted as I realized he was right. I stood in the doorway, frozen, as Rhaegal moved past me as well, silently and without voicing his opinion on the matter.
“Evera.” Axel’s voice was softer this time, a complete contrast to the way he was rigidly holding himself in place. It was almost like he was holding himself back.
“I came here to tell you about a dream I remembered—of the sacrifice—and to ask why you never came back,” I murmured, rocking back on my heels. “But it’s clear that I still don’t have a grasp on everything going on here.”
His gaze tracked my movement. “What you heard is far more complicated than Xakery would lead you to believe.”
“Then explain it, Axel, because you didn’t deny that I couldn’t be your queen, or more importantly your mate.” Axel’s jaw tightened as I spoke. “Do you plan on taking another?”
Fated mates were something that couldn’t be denied, and I’d always thought that we were…something special. But now that I didn’t have magic, I didn’t know what to think.
“Absolutely not,” he said vehemently. “And neither will you.”
I tried to not find his possessive words appealing as I crossed my arms and shrugged. “I mean, if we can’t be mates, I don’t understand what we’re doing—
“Axel!”
My back was suddenly pressed against a wall next to the door, Axel lifting me and slamming his lips against mine. I whimpered, letting out a soft moan as he gripped my hair.
“You’re mine, çiçeğim. That’s all that matters—no one else is involved in this.”
My chin tilted up. “Then what are you hiding?”
His gaze darkened. “It’s not a matter of what I’m hiding. Just trust me that nothing else matters—the queen or mate element. We’ll figure it out.”
Letting out a slow breath, I tried to hide my annoyance. I could tell once again that he truly believed what he was saying, but it didn’t make me want to know what he wasn’t telling me any less.
“Put me down.”
Axel let out a low rumble but let me slide down his body.
“I want to know everything, Axel. I don’t expect you to tell me now, but this isn’t going to work if you’re keeping secrets.”
I pulled away from him and turned on my heel, feeling confident in my decision. It stung, though, when he didn’t follow me out the door.
A breath of relief filled me as I stepped outside into the fresh air. My guards followed quietly behind me, as usual.
Enough of that.
I turned and walked backwards, examining their neutral expressions—though the younger of the two began looking unsure at my sudden attention on them. “Okay—if you’re going to be part of everything and see everything, I should know your names.”
The younger man offered a bright smile, completely friendly. “Arthur.”
“Nice to meet you, Arthur,” I said, returning his smile before looking towards the other man. He scowled at Arthur, making it obvious he didn’t consider it professional. “What about you?”
“Balon.”
“Well it’s wonderful to meet both of you,” I offered before turning around, feeling a bit better. I had no idea what was happening with Axel, but maybe I could find some friends here—build normal relationships. Something I hadn’t gotten to do as a princess, not that I’d had the time.
My dream of normalcy was dashed, though, when I turned a corner and found myself on a training field. Everyone froze, their eyes moving towards me in shock before quickly looking away. Of course. My very presence made them uncomfortable.
I nearly groaned but simply continued on, trying to brush it off.
“They’re just being respectful.” Clari walked down the path the opposite way, a woman in uniform standing by her side. Was that her guard, or a friend? The way she offered me a bright smile, I was going to assume the latter.
“Respectful?” I asked, coming to a stop.
“Axel let it be known far and wide who you belong to,” she mused. The girl next to her smiled, looking amused by the concept. Despite her uniform, she had a softness to her, her golden hair falling down to her waist and her nails painted a lilac color.
“Maybe he should act like it then,” I grumbled.
“Men rarely have an idea what they want, or better yet, need,” Clari pointed out, her eyes shading dark for a moment before she returned to her bright smile.
I think Axel knew what he wanted, but he wasn’t good at telling me—although I was pretty sure she was talking about Rhaegal.
“By the way, this is the Kingdom of Nightfall’s Great Prothonotary. She does all the important stuff that no one has the patience for—announcements and treaties and the like.”
“Great to meet you. I’m Evera.” I offered my hand, and she immediately met it.
“Kathleen. We were actually going to do some light training if you’re interested. We’ll be mostly shifted, so no need to change.”
“I could try,” I said, admitting, “I haven’t shifted yet since returning.”
Clari’s eyes darted around as she squeezed my hand. “Keep that quiet for now. Let’s do it somewhere more private.”
I didn’t have an opportunity to ask why, though, before a demanding, powerful voice filled the space.
“Kathleen, what are you doing out here?”
“Goddess,” the woman groaned, my gaze darting behind her as a massive man approached.
Unlike her, he looked exactly like he belonged in the military, his jacket covered in medals and pins and his face severe. His dark hair was short, and his bright green eyes were solely focused on her.
“Training, since I’m in the military,” she drew out. Turning to me, she said, “Evera, this is Captain Arnoux.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said. Captain Arnoux offered me a nod in greeting and then literally picked Kathleen up over his shoulder and strode towards the castle. She gave us a small wave before hitting his back and voicing a series of half-hearted complaints that didn’t deter him.
