Heartrender, page 21
Sorrow weighed on my chest, and I held back my own tears. Another loved one lost because of Ophidian. “I’m so sorry, Nemrac.”
“I’m sorry, as well,” Romen added, placing his hand on Nemrac’s shoulder.
The young Magister nodded firmly, straightening his stance. “Baba had taught me Eman’s ways since I was a child.” A small grin came to his thin lips. “I’m glad I was a fast learner.”
The young Magister shuffled back to where Lyle lay sound asleep. Crouching down, he placed a hand on Lyle’s forehead.
“May I ask another question?” I asked, gently.
The young Magister glanced up with a genuine smile. “I love questions.”
“You two will get along great,” Romen muttered, rolling his eyes.
I shot him a glare before turning back to Nemrac. “Where is everyone?”
Another look of pain twisted Nemrac’s face as he rose from his position. “I will show you.” He strode through the door of the hut without looking back.
I hesitated.
“Go,” Romen said, pulling up a chair next to Lyle. “I’ll watch over Master Lyle.”
“Thank you,” I replied before quickening my pace to catch up with Nemrac. I found him gliding along a dirt path. Large, green trees lined the perimeter. I ran my fingers along their needle-like leaves, enjoying the pine aroma left behind.
The path was long, the end not visible. The silence between us was unbearable. First, the Magister wouldn’t be quiet. Now he wouldn’t talk. I sucked in a breath and let it out slowly.
“My mother was killed because of Ophidian,” I offered. “Well, I mean, he was the one who ordered for her to be killed.”
Nemrac pushed the long hair on the side of his head out of his face. “He has destroyed many families without care.”
I nodded, deciding another topic would be better. “So, did your father teach you how to use medicine, too?”
The smile returned to the young Magister’s face. “Yes. Our medicinal herbs and tinctures are Piet’s greatest pride. We have helped many other Lands with our discoveries.”
The pathway before us narrowed, fading into verdant grass. The trees had also narrowed, becoming thick with vines until they were completely covered.
“Sadly,” Nemrac continued, walking up to a curtain of vines. “Our medicine couldn’t save our own people.”
He pulled back the vines to reveal a great river, dissected in two. On the left, the water was rose-colored, like what we had seen before. On the right, it was a deep red. But what was the most horrifying were the crystallized bodies lying around the rivers’ shores. Rose-colored figures stood adjacent to the rose water and red figures beside the red water.
“These two waterways are the only way for Piet to have water,” Nemrac said, motioning me through. “The rose water shows you your best future, convincing you that if you drink it, it will come true.” Nemrac strode a few paces behind me, then stopped. “The red does the opposite. It shows you your worst future, also convincing you to drink.”
Nemrac had said the cursed water worked from the outside in. Was Ophidian extracting the souls of the people of Piet while they were stuck in their crystal cocoons? I shuddered at the thought before turning to see Nemrac’s feet planted into the ground. His knuckles had turned white from his grip on the circular blade.
“I dare not go any further,” he said, his eyes glued to the crystallized figures. “I don’t trust myself to be strong enough to resist.”
“I understand,” I replied, my curiosity growing.
Grasping my alme tight, I crept to the rose-colored water, careful not to disturb the crystal bodies. As I peered in, the image of myself with the beautiful diadem resurfaced. When it didn’t change, I started toward the red river.
“Careful,” Nemrac said, flinching with each step I took. “I don’t know how to counteract the curse of the red water.”
I absentmindedly nodded, but my curiosity led my footsteps closer to the crimson water. Stepping over a half-submerged figure, I peeked over the edge. The water instantly came alive, swirling with vigor.
Excitement flooded my veins, but it quickly turned to fear. The waves settled into an image of myself, motionless at Ophidian’s feet, my pure heart pumping in his hands.
CHAPTER 27
CLAIRE
A pounding throb smacked against Claire’s brain. She moved her eyes beneath her lids, trying to remember what had happened. Was she still in Regno? Memories of Damien, a small knife, and a glowing door entered her mind. She sat up with a gasp, but instantly regretted it. A sharp pain sliced through her chest.
“Ow!” Claire cried, grasping the spot. What in the realms? Her head thrummed again. She wanted to go back to sleep, but the pain had already woken her up.
Claire ripped off the flowery blanket strangling her. Somehow, she had made it back to Ramni. As she pushed the blanket to the side, she looked around the dim healing room. A shining oval tray winked back at her, and she grabbed it. Delicate braids cascaded from her head, tied off with rosebuds. Claire frowned. Her hair was a mess. Did the vines attack her while she was sleeping?
She tenderly touched the green bruises covering her face. So, she had been in Ophidian’s lair on Regno after all. Suddenly, the pain stabbed at her again, and the tray fell from her hands, clattering to the ground.
Claire smashed her fist into her chest. Could it be? She squashed the hope. No, it was impossible. Ophidian still had her heart. There was no way it could be here.
The pain jabbed again, and she yelped.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Claire demanded aloud.
Scooting to the edge of the bed, she whisked up the shining tray and held it up again. With trembling fingers, Claire pulled the collar of her shirt slightly down.
A blood-curdling scream erupted from her throat as she launched the tray across the room.
“What happened?” Doctor Magnum flew through the doorway. Strands of white hair escaped his braid as he scanned Claire’s face.
Claire’s chest heaved as she stared, dumbfounded, at the pan. After all these years of waiting, hoping, could it be true? Could her heart be with her again?
“Claire,” Doctor Magnum said, cautiously approaching. “What happened? Are you all right?”
Swallowing, Claire turned toward her father, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “Dad? Are you really there?”
He strode over and scooped her up in a hug. “Yes, I’m here.”
Claire stilled, whispering into his chest, “Do I have the mark of the Mender?”
Doctor Magnum pulled away, tears welling in his eyes. “Yes, you do.”
Unable to hold back the tears any longer, Claire allowed the years of pain, torment, and waiting to unleash upon her father’s shoulders. Waterfalls rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed. She had always dreamed of being mended, protected from Ophidian’s darkness. But after her mother traded her away, that hope had died.
Claire cried until there were no tears left. Pulling away, she wiped her wet face with her palms and asked, “But how?”
Doctor Magnum smiled and motioned to another body lying in a bed across from Claire’s. The somehow still perfectly coifed hair answered her question.
“Stupid lord,” Claire grunted as she eased off the bed and shuffled to the sleeping body.
If it weren’t for the bruises on his face, she would’ve thought Damien was merely taking a nap, not recovering from a prison break.
“From what I understand,” Doctor Magnum began. “Our own Lord Farmount saved you from that horrible creature.”
Claire tried to scowl at the sleeping lord but found she couldn’t. “Why?”
Doctor Magnum stood and strode next to her, hesitantly placing his hand on her shoulder. “He always seemed to enjoy a lady’s company.”
Claire scoffed then remembered Damien’s story about all the women he saved from poverty. “No.” Claire shook her head. “He never liked me.”
Doctor Magnum shrugged. “Well, he liked you in some sorts. He saved your life.”
“Oh, you’re awake!” Sana’s voice echoed from the dimly lit doorway. The petite healer hurried over, carrying a tray with two steaming cups. “Quite a courageous one, isn’t he?” Her brows furrowed in concern as she assessed Damien’s listless state.
“I know he saved me, but what else did he do?” Claire asked, taking the steaming cup Sana offered. Lavender and lemon swirled through her nose as she took a sip.
Nursing her tea, Claire glanced around the healing room. It seemed that Ramni was a lot darker than she remembered. As she ran her fingers along the walls, the vines didn’t dance, but shriveled up before drifting to the floor. “What’s wrong with this place? Where are all the annoying plants?”
Sana lifted Damien’s foot. “Ramni is still protected by Eman, but as the darkness encroaches, Eman’s enchantment weakens.” She rotated his ankle back and forth. “As for Damien, I’m unsure of all the details, but I know he saved you from Ophidian and brought Master Lyle’s and your hearts back.”
Claire choked on the tea. “What? How did the lord get our hearts? Where’s Lyle? Is he here?”
Claire started toward the door when Sana said, “Master Lyle’s not here. He left with Addie to finish Eman’s mission.”
Claire spun back around. “Without me?” She squeezed the hot cup in her hand, ignoring the heat. “How dare they leave me here? Who’s going to heal them after they get beat up?”
“Forgive me, Claire, but you had to heal yourself,” Sana replied. She placed her hand on Damien’s forehead before gently shaking his shoulder. “One can’t go on a long journey with a newly mended heart.”
“Well ...” Doctor Magnum started before Sana shot him a look that would make any man cower.
“Right,” Claire said, placing her hand over her pulsing chest.
It felt so ... alive. She could feel everything: hurt, sadness, happiness, love. The emotions were dim with Addie’s half-heart, but now they were bright and wild, rushing through her like a heavy stream.
But that wasn’t all she felt.
The memories from her time in Ophidian’s Realm shot into her mind. Each and every Trader, injured, maimed, or dead, filed through her thoughts like pages in a book.
Claire squeezed her eyes shut, trying to bear the pain of all the people she had led through the Seven Choices—all the ones she lost.
“Claire, are you okay?” Doctor Magnum asked, and her eyes shot open.
“Why?” Claire asked, facing him. “Why did you let her do it? Why did you let Mom trade me away?”
Doctor Magnum took in a breath, as if preparing himself for a long-overdue conversation. “I could play the victim and say I didn’t know. The truth is I knew your mother was researching Ophidian’s darkness for a while, but I didn’t know what to do about it. Instead of trying to confront her, I ignored it.” He bowed his head in shame. “I didn’t know you were going to inherit the consequences of my disregard.”
Claire glared into the purple tea as her new anger rolled over her heart. “Why did you let Ophidian take me? Why didn’t you try to save me?”
Doctor Magnum looked away, his voice breaking as he replied, “Because I’m a coward.”
Claire glanced up, confused at the feelings churning inside her heart. She was angry at her father for being a coward. But James had been a coward too, and Addie was strong enough to forgive what he did to her grandmother. Could she forgive the same way? She had been stewing over his betrayal for years. Maybe, with the help of her heart, she would be able to forgive him.
Taking a breath, Claire slowly reached out to her father’s sobbing form.
“You were stupid and made a bad choice,” Claire said, remembering the same speech she had given Addie. “But the choice that was made is done. There’s nothing we can do about it now.”
Doctor Magnum’s white head tilted up, his youthful eyes stained with regret.
Claire placed her bronzed hand over his. “What matters is what you choose to do now.” She studied her father. Ophidian had used him, too.
“Y-yes,” Doctor Magnum replied, placing his long, thin fingers over hers. “I want to help, but I don’t know how.”
A crash sounded from down the hall, causing Sana to shriek and rush toward it, leaving Damien still unconscious.
Claire glanced at Doctor Magnum before following Sana through the darkened corridor. The footsteps of her father trailed close behind. The once bright bark of the hallway of trees was now withered and peeling, flaking to the floor in droves.
Claire and Doctor Magnum hurried behind Sana until they ended up in the mending room.
“Careful!” Sana cried as another clank sounded from a back room. “You need to give your body a chance to adjust.”
Doctor Magnum gave Claire a confused look. “Who is she talking to?”
Claire shrugged.
“Everything—” Sana huffed. “Everything is fine. Wonderful in fact.”
“It doesn’t sound wonderful,” Claire muttered.
“We don’t have time,” a haggard voice said.
Claire’s ears perked up at the voice. “Wha—” she started before Sana appeared from the back room.
Claire gasped and rushed to help the small woman. Draped around her shoulders was the stone-covered figure of Silas.
“What happened?” Claire exclaimed, slinging one of Silas’s obsidian limbs around her neck to hold him up.
Chunks of the hard, dark material crumbled off him, exposing his creamy skin underneath. As Claire got a closer look, she realized something still wasn’t right. Black veins poked through his light complexion. Just like in Obesque.
“You need to lie down,” Sana instructed, wobbling under Silas’s tall form.
“I-I can’t,” he replied, dark pieces of stone tumbling from his lips. “I need to fight.”
Silas tipped forward when Doctor Magnum caught him and hoisted Silas around his shoulders. “Where do you want him, Sana?”
Pointing to the back room where they had just emerged, Sana explained, “Back there. He’s just come back from his tests, and Ophidian’s heart is still within him. We need to get it out.”
CHAPTER 28
ADDIE
The crimson water boiled, and I sprang back. Thick, bloody waves rose above the shore, morphing into a familiar figure.
“Hello, Adelaide. It’s been a while.”
“Duck!” Nemrac shouted as he whipped the chakram toward Ophidian. It sliced through his watery midsection and returned to Nemrac’s hand.
The red liquid figure faced the young Magister, unfazed. “Ah, the young boy of the weak Magister. I see you’re just as dim as your father. Have a drink and join him.” Ophidian lashed a whip of scarlet water toward Nemrac.
I shoved Nemrac out of the way before pointing my alme at the Beast. “What do you want?”
Ophidian’s yellow eyes focused on me. “I hadn’t spoken to you in some time. So, I thought I’d check in.” He grinned widely, red water dripping from his pointed teeth. “Did you enjoy your future? It’s my favorite. And do you know who I’ll give your heart to? My beautiful assistant.”
Ophidian conjured up an image of Dacenda in the red liquid.
I tried to squelch the hate burbling in my chest. I could try to forgive Dacenda, but she would never have my heart.
“That’s only one future,” I growled, my alme glowing the same shade as the crimson water. “That doesn’t mean it will happen.”
Ophidian cackled. “A chance is all I need.”
As the liquid forms melted back into the river, a red tendril whipped out and twisted around my legs. Panicking, I sliced my alme at the water, but it was as if I were cutting through air.
The tendril yanked my feet from beneath me, and I fell with a thud. Scrambling, I punctured my alme into the grassy earth and held on.
“Nemrac!” I yelled. “Help!”
“Right!” the young Magister said, pouring white light over his chakram.
Another tentacle whipped out and wrapped around my waist, pulling harder. My knuckles turned white. Sweat beaded at my brow from the strain, but I held on. My alme tilted toward the scarlet waves.
“Nemrac!” I screamed.
“I’m coming!” he huffed. “Make sure you don’t drink the water!”
Nemrac’s glowing circular blade multiplied into six as he started hurling them at the red river. The liquid sizzled as his power evaporated the water, and I planted my feet into the ground. Summoning his blades again, Nemrac shot them into the next tentacle, freeing my waist.
Panting, I rushed away from the water’s edge when hundreds of tendrils burst from the river, consuming me before I had a chance to scream. My body splashed into the roaring waves. Pinning my lips shut, I forbade the red liquid from entering my mouth. Memories from the First Choice and the green haze flew into my mind. I couldn’t hold out long enough then, but I was stronger now. I wouldn’t let Ophidian win.
Straining, I tried to breach the surface, but my limbs were like stone. Horror pierced my chest as a crystallized layer of red liquid crept up my arms.
Nemrac stood above the red waves, his arms flailing, trying to communicate. My lungs shriveled as the moments ticked by.
Suddenly, a bright light sliced through the water around me. The red waves hissed and thrashed away. More beams of light struck all around me until a hand reached down and yanked my stiff body out of the water.
“Hold on!” Nemrac said, quickly placing a wooden tube in my mouth before the crystal hardened around my face.
Within seconds, I was completely frozen, stuck within the crystallized red liquid covering my body. Nemrac bit his fingernails as he paced around me.
“I-I’ll figure it out,” he stammered.
Grabbing two vines, he tied them around my arms. With a grunt, Nemrac pulled me from the cursed water toward the path back to his village.
White dots spotted my vision as I frantically sucked through the tube. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move. Before I let the panic take over, I tried to think what Lyle would do. He would stay calm and think. Sucking as much air as I could through the tube, I calmed my trembling pulse and took in my surroundings. Though I couldn’t speak, I was aware of exactly what was happening. Every rock Nemrac tugged me over, every tree limb that was in the way, I felt through the crystal surface.
