Heartrender, page 8
CHAPTER 9
SILAS
Silas ran his fingers along the edge of the shield when drumming music thudded through his mind. The tune captured him, smooth, sultry, way too familiar. He whipped around, dread crawling up his spine. It couldn’t be. Not the Fourth Choice again.
The valley of bones spun into the familiar dark dance floor that haunted Silas’s thoughts.
“Why am I here again?” Silas demanded, fear and guilt slithering in his gut.
“This was the landscape chosen for your next test,” a voice he recognized replied.
Silas spun around, holding the shield high. But as soon as he saw the plaid shirt and dark slacks of the figure, he lowered it.
“James?”
A pained expression overcame the Magister’s face. “Hello Silas, I’m happy to see you’ve passed the first two tests.”
Relief relaxed Silas’s shoulders and he dipped his head. Gripping the shield’s handle, he asked, “So, what happens now?”
James nodded stiffly. “Unfortunately, this test requires more than just me.” He waved his hands, as if summoning someone. Silas waited, but no one came.
“Love is a gift, not a trade,” James began. “Those are the words I used to justify my decision for leaving my wife alone. I became wrought with guilt, believing that it was my fault she had lost everything she desired by marrying me.” A solemn look overshadowed his face as he rubbed his chin. “What I never realized was how that guilt would consume me, leaving me vulnerable to Ophidian.”
A memory of Silas and Nana huddled in a cellar resurfaced in Silas’s mind. Silas’s face was as expressionless as fresh parchment as he held a bowl of broth up to Nana’s thin lips and helped her drink. He remembered thinking she was a living corpse. Her arms were thinner than twigs, her skin paler than snow. It was awful to witness her withered state.
James kept his eyes focused on the dance floor. “Anna taught me that love is not only a gift to another, but a sacrifice for the one giving it.”
“But James,” Silas said, raising his voice above the blaring music. “I took care of Addie for all those years, and I don’t regret any of it. I would do it again in an instant. Have I not proven my love for her yet? What more do I need to sacrifice?”
“You will find the answers to your questions soon.” James faded into the red hue surrounding him.
The jagged scar on Silas’s arm burned as dancing bodies surrounded him. Hips bumped his sides; hands caressed his back. It was like he had never left the Seven Choices at all.
“Well, well, well,” a sultry voice from his past sang, sending his nerves on edge. “Look who came back to play.”
Silas lifted the shield, using it to block his view of the tall blonde sauntering toward him. A memory of entangled limbs, intimacy, and ecstasy pulsed through his veins.
“No,” Silas said, squeezing his eyes shut to suppress his former lust. “Things are different now. Leave me alone.”
Dacenda’s seductive laugh rang loud. “Oh, little king, you don’t want to be alone.”
Silas lowered the shield, dread layering his shoulders. Her soft, pale skin beckoned him to touch. Thick, blonde hair rolled down her back, a few strands catching on her lush, red lips. She ran a finger along the scarlet gown that clung to her figure, then she shot him a devious grin.
“You liked me before, don’t you remember?” Dacenda stabbed her pointed nail into the scar on his arm.
A memory of him and Dacenda together tried to squirm into his thoughts.
“No!” he yelled, pounding the shield into Dacenda’s shoulder.
A pulse of energy burst from the shield, catapulting Dacenda across the floor. Her skin screeched against the slick surface.
Around them, the others continued to dance, too absorbed in their own desire to notice.
Silas stayed on defense as he glared at the crumpled body, trying to suppress the memories. But they still lingered there, the guilt clawing at him every time he was near Addie. When he had first entered Ophidian’s Realm, he didn’t know who Addie was. He had never seen her beautiful face or heard her bubbly laugh. He didn’t know how much better his life would be once she was a part of it.
So, like a fool, he wasted his time on Dacenda instead. He had never experienced such intimacy with another person and found himself craving more. Gritting his teeth, Silas turned away, hoping to find an exit from this torture chamber.
Dacenda pounced up from the ground. “No?” she asked, her smile still plastered on her face as blood dribbled down her temple. She cocked her hip to the side. “You didn’t say no before.”
“But I’m saying it now.” Silas stood firm and held the shield between them. More memories tried to wriggle through his thoughts, but he barred them from entering. “I don’t love you, and I never will.”
Dacenda snorted as she examined her finger nails. “Who said anything about love?” She stalked closer. “Love is a fantasy. Only fools believe in it.” She circled him like a vulture, ready to feast. “What you should believe in is power.”
Silas twitched before lowering the shield, hating that he wanted to hear what she had to say.
Dacenda ran her fingers along his scarred cheek, her scent of jasmine and roses swirling around him. “You’re the Rexus, the future king of all the realms. And the future king needs a powerful queen. Someone beautiful and cunning.” Dacenda gestured to herself.
Silas barked out a laugh. “You’ve got to be joking. I would never be with you again. You don’t love me. You only love yourself.”
Dacenda growled. “You prefer this peasant over me?” With a flick of her finger, a blue bolt shot out and formed a staticky blue figure of Addie.
Silas almost choked, seeing her. Addie would be horrified, hate him, for the things he had succumbed to in Ophidian’s Realm. She was the one girl who could ever love him. And yet, like a coward, he lied to her. Over and over, he covered up the truth of his past. If Addie knew even half of the terrible things he had done in Ophidian’s Realm, she would never forgive him. And Ophidian had made sure he would never forget it.
“She isn’t worth your time, my king,” Dacenda whispered as she placed her slender fingertips on Silas’s shoulders. Her cool breath sent shivers down his spine. “You deserve someone better.” He tried to pull away, but her sharp nails bit into his flesh, holding him in place. “Someone who is loyal and will treat you with the respect a king deserves. That peasant won’t forgive you if she knew how much you loved our time together.” Dacenda traced his jawline with her fingernail. “But I appreciate you for who you really are.”
The blue Addie before him morphed into a figure that looked exactly like the real one.
“Addie,” Silas breathed, reaching out, before Dacenda jerked him back.
“That Addie is no longer loyal to you, my king. Just look.”
Silas watched as another figure came beside Addie. The glowing golden eyes told him all he needed to know. Romen stood tall, his thick muscles clad in leather armor. He then leaned down and whispered something in Addie’s ear. She giggled wildly and playfully slapped him on the arm. Jealousy and pain pounded in Silas’s chest. How could she be laughing at a time like this? Disaster lurked around every corner, and Addie was flirting with a man at least twice her age?
Silas blinked and shook his head. No, Addie wouldn’t act like that when people’s lives were in danger.
Silas wrenched out of Dacenda’s grasp, raised the shield, and slammed it forward. A blast of energy spun into Dacenda’s face, connecting with the bridge of her nose. Years ago, he would have felt guilty about harming her. But he knew who this viper sided with. He had spent too long in her clutches last time.
With a screech, Dacenda stumbled back, grasping her bleeding nose.
Silas held the shield between them. “You won’t succeed in your temptations again, Dacenda. I was a fool once, but I won’t make that mistake again.”
Dacenda sneered. “Very well, have it your way.”
As she pointed her finger at the scene of Addie and Romen, Addie was pulled from it, forming in front of Silas.
“Are you willing to tell her the truth?”
“What?” Silas asked.
Addie’s eyes widened, her playful demeanor diminishing. “Silas? What’s going on?”
“Come, little king.” Dacenda’s grin twisted into something menacing. “You say you love her more than anything. Shouldn’t she know everything?” She wrapped an arm around Addie’s shoulders. “Doesn’t she deserve to know about your past choices?” Dacenda hissed like a snake.
She ran her pointed nail down Addie’s cheek, drawing a droplet of blood. Addie jerked away, but Dacenda held her steady.
Silas swallowed, feeling the blood drain from his face. A fake version of Addie couldn’t bleed. But how was Addie actually here?
“Well?” Dacenda growled, arching her brow.
Silas’s throat went dry. He had used so many excuses not to tell Addie about his past. About how he was protecting her. How he was saving their fragile relationship. He didn’t want to hurt her, and he especially didn’t want to lose her. But now he realized, not telling her was the worst decision he could have made.
“Addie,” Silas whispered, keeping his head bowed. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Dacenda scoffed. “Too late.”
Coating her hand in blue lightning, Dacenda struck the ground, causing a thick cloud of smoke to appear.
Silas stood, horrified, as the smoke scene displayed every wrong decision he had made in the Fourth Choice.
Groans of pleasure radiated from the scene and Silas turned away, unable to watch it and the horror on Addie’s face that followed.
When the scene finally ended, Silas readied himself for Addie’s look of utter disgust. But when he finally glanced up, he didn’t find repulsion on her face, but sorrow.
“Silas, she’s lying right?” Addie whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. “This is one of her tricks.”
If Silas had his heart, it would be breaking in two. “No,” he managed to say. “This is the truth.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I—” he started but stopped. He had no excuse. He could’ve told Addie but didn’t. He couldn’t bear the pain of her hating him for what he had done. Silas fell to his knees, defeated. “I’m sorry.”
“And here you thought she would love you regardless.” Dacenda placed a hand on her chest and laughed. “You’re a disgusting, pathetic worm. Nothing more.”
“No.”
Silas glanced up to find Addie wrenching away from Dacenda. That was definitely his Addie. No copy would act that defiantly.
“No, he isn’t pathetic or disgusting,” Addie said, glowering at Dacenda before turning to him. “He’s kind and understanding. Always putting others before himself.” She shook her head. “He isn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t want him to be.”
Silas’s chest felt like it was about to burst. How could Addie still love him after seeing all he had done? He hated himself; how could Addie not hate him, too?
“I knew connecting your minds was a mistake,” Dacenda roared, igniting her hands again. Addie tried to speak again but Dacenda yelled, “Quiet!” and raised her hands.
A wave of lightning filled the air before washing over Addie. The static crackled and zapped the air around her, deafening her cries.
“Addie!” Silas screamed, darting for her, but he was too late.
The lightning consumed Addie entirely. Her body convulsed before it disappeared.
“What did you do?” Silas yelled, racing toward Dacenda. “Bring her back.”
Dacenda clucked her tongue. “Your Magister only allowed me enough power to bring her mind momentarily. It’s not my fault you wasted it.”
Screaming, Silas barreled into Dacenda, launching her across the dance floor. He expected her to return with her own fury of lightning, but she only cackled.
“Do you really think she forgave you so easily?” Dacenda stood and adjusted her dress. “The damage is already done. She knows the truth: you’re just as much of a snake as me.”
Lifting her hand, Dacenda snapped. The ground swallowed Silas whole, sending him spiraling into darkness.
CHAPTER 10
ADDIE
“Addie? Hey, Addie, wake up,” Lyle said, gently slapping my cheek.
My lids felt heavy as I forced them open. Confused, I peered up into the concerned faces of Lyle, Romen, and Magister Dyle. The crimson fabric of the grand tent billowed behind them.
“What happened?” I asked, blinking as I sat up.
Had I seen Silas? Like a rushing river, the memory poured into my mind. Dacenda. Silas. The Fourth Choice. I squeezed my eyes shut again, wishing it were all a dream. Was it a dream? It didn’t feel like one. It felt so real. Reaching my hand up, I brushed my fingers against my cheek, feeling the small cut. My stomach squeezed.
“You passed out after you saw the horse of death, Nex,” Lyle explained, placing a cool hand on my forehead. “No fever, that’s good. But I’m not sure you’re in any state to go rushing into battle right away.”
“Be smart, Addie,” Romen said, handing me a cup of water. “If you need more rest, take it. We can’t have you passing out everywhere.”
I rolled my eyes and took a sip before shaking my head. “No, I’m okay.”
Rubbing my temples, I tried to subdue the buzzing between my ears. Intimate images of Silas and Dacenda kept flashing through my thoughts, and I didn’t know why. Was someone trying to send me a message? Closing my lids, I forced the images of Dacenda and Silas to the back of my mind. Right now, I needed to focus on defeating the horse of death. But how could the small power in my broken heart save Decim’s souls?
Placing a hand on my temple, I remembered the image of Nex capturing the people of Julal. I had never seen anything like it. And the black door. Was that door how Ophidian was capturing souls? The evil that plagued the previous Lands was horrid. But this was an entirely new level.
As I stood, dizziness overcame me, and I reached out toward the closest thing to steady myself. Unfortunately, that thing was Magister Dyle’s arm. Thankfully, the stoic Magister wasn’t too insulted about my lack of decorum and helped me stand.
“Thank you,” I said before gathering my satchel.
I pulled out Eman’s book, praying for an answer. But only blank pages stared back at me. My heart fell to my feet. The pages had stayed blank since Eman was murdered, but I still yearned for any small sign of hope. Sighing, I snapped the book shut and faced Romen and Lyle.
“Any ideas?” I asked them.
“First, you need your alme,” Romen said.
I ran my hands across my hair, realizing that when the Nex had attacked before, I had dropped my alme. How could I have forgotten it so easily?
“Just summon it,” Lyle said with a shrug. He faced his palms to the ceiling, and instantly white light collected on them before James’s axe appeared.
I pursed my lips but mimicked Lyle’s motion. A shower of sparkles glittered over my hands before my rod appeared. As soon as I wrapped my fingers around it, a rush of cool energy cleared my once fuzzy thoughts, and I felt complete.
Before I could speak again, an elderly gentleman hobbled beside Romen.
“Nex fears the light,” the elderly man said, clutching his cane. “Pure light. That’s why it’s always night.”
I faced him, and my chest weighed with sympathy. Sunken eyes rimmed with wrinkles peered up at me. His hand shook as he hunched over the cane, and when I looked closer, I noticed brown aging spots covering his frail arms. Yet besides the sagging skin and lack of hair, the gentleman held a kind smile, lighting up his dark eyes with hope.
Lyle slapped his forehead. “Of course. It’s not the fire that Nex is afraid of, it’s the light.” He ignited his hand in a white glow, much more vibrant than when we first arrived in Julal. “And it’s not just any light; it’s a Magister’s light.”
I frowned. “But I’m not a Magister.”
“No,” Romen replied, twirling his pipe between his fingers. “You’re so much more. A Magister’s light is powerful because that power is gained from Eman’s teachings. You’ve been gifted a specific power from Eman that is unique to you alone.”
The pieces of my heart thrummed. Despite the pain and suffering I had faced, even now, Eman’s power still resided deep inside of me. Even now, I still had a purpose.
A snap reverberated between my ears, along with a slight pinch in my chest. I flinched. What was that? I ran my hand over my broken heart as a pulse of strength flowed through my body. Was my heart mending itself back together?
Rejuvenated by the small surge of power, I faced Magister Dyle and bowed. “Thank you for saving us from Nex before.”
The Magister motioned to his armed guards. “My men are at your disposal. Please use them wisely.”
I took in the fierce but paling faces of Magister Dyle’s men. They had already seen too much death.
“Thank you,” I replied. “But I will face Nex on my own.”
Spinning around, I headed toward the tent flap, hoping my confidence wouldn’t retreat. Romen and Lyle stood on either side of me, their weapons tight in their grasps.
I stopped them. “What are you two doing?”
Lyle quirked his brow, trying to steady his shaking hands. “We’re helping.”
“No,” I replied.
“Too bad,” Romen countered and darted out of the tent.
“Romen,” I hissed. “Come back.”
Lyle grinned, excitement lighting his eyes. “We got this, Addie.”
He grabbed my hand, and we ran into the frigid eternal night.
Everything was quiet. Eeriness crawled over my skin, lifting the hairs on the back of my neck as I crept forward. Lyle held James’s axe high, his gaze scanning over the cluster of tents. Romen was nowhere to be seen. I prayed he was watching from the shadows.
