Page 115 of Becoming D'Vaire
“Your son murdered me,” Carvallius sneered. The chains around his wrists clanged as he clenched his fists and shook with what Saura guessed was rage. His eyes were so full of evil, it was impossible for her to see beyond it.
“Oh, I know. He was always so gifted when it came to magic. I wish he’d been a little older though, so his magic would’ve been stronger. Then your death wouldn’t have cost him so much,” Saura remarked.
“You see this, Reverent Knights? A woman bragging about having a son for a murderer,” Carvallius spat out.
“What’s next, Carvallius? Dra’Kaedan asked to be tied to Latarian for over six centuries and robbed of his identity?” Drystan commented.
“You don’t need to make it like he had such a bad life. He and Latarian were shielded from the Cwylld. They were able to spend hundreds of years unspoiled by the world around them.”
“Did you hear that, T’Eirick? Our son was given a gift by being forced to do her bidding while she whipped him routinely, and I suppose the fact that he nearly died because of your spells was a necessary price?” Saura asked. She’d always known Carvallius had a twisted mind, but she could hardly believe the false reality he continued to hide behind.
“It was his matebond that caused that. I can’t help that Fate gave him his other half.”
“I’m sure Brogan’s going to be thrilled to hear it’s his fault Dra’Kaedan almost fully crossed the veil. Without the magic his parents gave him, he could’ve joined them in death,” Drystan said.
“You know, Carvallius did bring up a key point. My family does now include the Cwylld chieftain as well as his younger brother. Do you remember what you did to them? Robbed Talfryn of his identity and tore him away from his mate for a thousand years,” T’Eirick interjected.
“He’s mated to demon scum. The Acwellan are evil.”
“No, they’re not. Trust me, Lorcan’s a wonderful man and one of only two Acwellan because thanks to your actions, the Cwylld destroyed his people too. And Cadlyr? You carved a spell on his back, so he was unable to refuse any order his parents gave him,” Saura stated.
“Dark warlocks have often helped others and been misunderstood by the masses. T’Eirick would know if he’d possessed the guts to accept his true path,” Carvallius accused.
“I made mistakes. I should’ve gone dark. If I had, the dark warlocks wouldn’t be associated with your evil. You would’ve stood out as the exception, not the norm.”
“You know, T’Eirick and I did have the opportunity to make the acquaintance of Carvil. You remember your familiar, don’t you?” Saura asked.
“Worthless waste of space,” Carvallius muttered.
“He’s waiting for you now. Carvil’s got a gift he’d like to give you when you pass back onto the side of the veil where you belong,” T’Eirick said.
“I’m not afraid of dying. Dark magic will always reign supreme, and another necromancer will come along who’ll welcome the idea of working with me. My name is too well-known.”
Saura let out a humorless laugh. “I’m afraid not, dear. You see, T’Eirick and I crossed the veil with slivers of Cwylld stones pinned to our souls. Carvil has one for you and one for your granddaughter. We’re going to make sure you never breathe again.”
“That’s impossible.”
“We don’t use words like that at D’Vaire,” Saura told him.
“The entire Coven of Warlocks and the Coven of Familiars are waiting for you to cross,” T’Eirick added. “This is the end of the road for you. You’ll spend eternity with the agony of having that sliver buried in your soul. There will be no resurrection, and no one will mourn you.”
“But the good news is that Latarian will be at your side,” Saura said sweetly.
“Get them out of here,” Carvallius demanded. “If you think I regret the decisions I made in life, you’re sorely mistaken. The only thing I should’ve done was destroy both of your precious sons.”
Saura was granted many gifts and had enjoyed enormous success but other than T’Eirick, the greatest of those were her twins. She was murdered by this man along with her mate, even if it wasn’t his spear driven through them both. It was her turn to decide how this battle with Carvallius would end. Without giving herself a chance to rethink her actions, she wrapped her fingers around the short sword strapped to her right thigh.
Allowing her instincts to take over, Saura slid her weapon from its holster. Using the skill she’d practiced many times with Gavrael and the rest of the D’Vaire sentinels, she let the small sword fly. Her aim was true and landed square in the heart of her most hated enemy.
Carvallius made a choked sound of surprise, and blood gurgled out of his mouth. When his body hit the floor, his eyes were still opened in an expression of shock.
“You know, we kind of frown on killing people around here,” Drystan said.
“Well then, you should’ve stopped me. We both know you could have,” Saura retorted with a grin. She turned to walk out. “Let’s go speak with Latarian…and gentlemen? Would one of you be kind enough to get my weapon back?”
When the foursome was reunited in the hall, Conley was wiping the blood from her sword as he chuckled. He returned it to her, hilt first, and she sheathed it.
“I can’t wait to see what you do for an encore, Lichpriestess,” the Reverent Knight offered.
