Page 77 of Chaos Tempted

I have nothing to look forward to now because the sad truth is with Wyn dead, then Oakes is likely dead, too. Oakes would have never allowed her to be hurt without giving his life to protect her. And if Jaden was around, then he would have risked everything as well.

I curse myself for going to the mortal realm. Losing my temper with Twyla was my second mistake. My third was letting Wyn out of my sight.

Slumping against the wall onto my mat, I allow my mind to drift. The pain of losing Wyn is too much.

I don’t want to imagine the horrific end of the most beautiful soul I ever met.

34

FRACTURED

TWYLA

Iwake in a meadow away from my castle, opening my eyes to the darkening sky above. The Mage Weaver is long gone. I’m alone. Completely alone. I can’t feel the connection with Wynstelle.

The bloody scratches over my changeling mark burn. What has the mage done? Is Wyn dead? Did the mage use the mark to curse my changeling sister?

In the far distance, sounds of violence echo throughout the land. There’s an orange glow from several fires. It’s probably homes in the village burning nearby. Is it only the ghouls and the mortals who are fighting? Or have King Magnus’ soldiers invaded?

I sit up, and my disorientation is exacerbated by the sudden movement.

Never have I felt so lost. I hold my head in my hands and cry. Wyn’s mark has anchored me in the world for twenty years, and now I’m adrift.

Before this moment, I wouldn’t have guessed the loss would be so devastating. But it feels as if my soul is gone. I’m hollow inside.

A dreadful thought comes to mind as the din of battle continues. Did Eldrin and the other elves die in their escape as well?

If so, then King Magnus will definitely attack, having all the justification he needs for Elven support.

Another sobering thought occurs to me… Will any thought be given to me missing in action? Will King Nathaniel seek vengeance?

My father already overreacted to Prince Eldrin’s hostility toward me.

Will he attack and push for a bloody war just as much as Magnus?

I consider the appearance of the Mage Weaver. It’s no coincidence that the mage showed her face again when all the strange behaviors and unusual circumstances occurred.

Scrambling to my feet, I look for my horse. No such luck. I’m abandoned in the woods. The mage also divested me of my sword. Add defenseless to the list of things gone wrong.

It will take much longer to get back to the castle. And what will I find? Ghouls attacking? Elves attacking?

I hike through the forest toward the castle. It’s my wisest choice. Maybe I can find an ally along the way.

But where will I land on the two sides of this war? Will the elves treat me as a mortal and kill me on sight? Will the ghouls listen to my creature magic, and not attack me? Will my father believe I had nothing to do with Wyn’s death? Or the fae attack?

Though, I suppose, inadvertently, Iamthe cause of Wyn’s demise. The Mage Weaver used me as a tool to kill off the real princess. To what end, I don’t know.

I fear Wyn was right, and the ghouls are too far under a spell to reach and influence with my ability. Then there’s the issue that I have to be careful not to reveal my magic in front of any mortal. What if someone sees me try to control the ghouls? It might look like I’m the one who made them attack.

I can’t trust anyone not to accuse me of being a traitor. Except perhaps Rhys, he might be trusted with my secrets. He seems to have suspected something is different about me for a while. And he is no longer prejudiced against elves after getting acquainted with Eldrin, Oakes, and Jaden. Rhys even helped the elves escape.

I can use that information against him. Holding secrets of mutually assured destruction might mean I can trust Rhys. Not that I would ever expose his betrayal to King Nathaniel. Freeing the elves was the right thing to do.

I stomp through the dense brush, frustrated with myself. I should have helped Wyn. If I had convinced King Nathaniel to let them go earlier, then perhaps they would have all been better off. But my fear and stubbornness probably cost Wyn and her elves their lives.

Tears fall again, but no amount of tears will fill the void in my heart. The ache will never be eased. That is the curse of a changeling. If one of Wyn’s mates survived, then they will know a similar suffering.

Coming over a ridge, I see fires burning within the outer castle walls. The small village surrounding most of the castle is being attacked. Ghouls aren’t fond of fire, so it must be elves, or perhaps an accidental fire. I pray it was an accident. Because if elves have joined the fray, King Nathaniel’s life is in imminent peril.

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