Page 6 of Return of the Darkness
With the wings no longer obscuring Tajana’s face, the tears streaming down her dirt-ridden cheeks were clear to see. Soren rushed into the opening and opened her mouth to scream Tajana’s name. Even with her blackened heart, Soren wished to reassure her friend she had come to save her. The chain in Osiris’s hand was suddenly in Arik’s as he rushed forward in a blur of black, blocking Soren’s advance. Finely tailored black covered him from head to toe, except for his visible face and hands, revealing skin much paler than Soren’s. His hair was just as dark and tied back low. Everything about him was pristine, except for the scar starting midway down his cheek and ending beneath the high neck of his collar. He stared Soren down, the amber rings around his irises a splash of colour amid the darkness. Judging by his appearance, he likely aligned with Caligh, blending into the shadows.
“I wouldn’t if I were you.” His tone was hushed, his meaning unclear. “Not if you truly want to end up dead.” Osiris angled his head in Caligh’s direction, who turned to survey his surroundings. He had not yet seen Soren’s arrival or watched her rush to Tajana’s aid. Foolish. She was foolish to have placed someone above him. When Caligh’s shadows cleared, he finally noticed Soren, who glanced around cautiously for prying eyes. She was ready to kneel and apologise for her failures, begging for his forgiveness, when she spotted the flaming wings circling above. If Farid was near, so were Nyzaia and Elisara. Her steps faltered, and she stilled, watching the shadowed guard tower above the army. To his left, a determined Elisara moved, her face etched with fury. She was three lines of soldiers away from reaching the centre, where Soren faced Caligh. Nyzaia swung and brought down a soldier. When he fell, their eyes met, and she furrowed her brow, glancing between Soren and Caligh.
This was it. This was the moment Soren either won her place byCaligh’s side or was named a traitor to the Garridon crown—to Novisia.Stay calm, her mind whispered. She reached for the pommel of her sword, angling it low in Caligh’s direction. He laughed.
“You are wiser than I thought, making it appear as though you are here to kill me while we talk.” Soren glanced around, but Nyzaia and Elisara were no longer there, swallowed by the shadowed army now blurring with Novisia’s. The occasional copper soldier broke through the lines. Caligh’s voice skated over Soren’s spine; what was once a gentle caress felt different now she knew his face. Soren had never questioned the life lived by the Lord of Night; she had only ever wondered about their future. But now, as she truly acknowledged his existence, she questioned his intentions. What had led him down this path? He was old—centuries old, in fact—but his true face, not that of the Historian’s, was more youthful. The dark stubble on his jaw had not greyed like his hair, and his scar-coated hands were not yet wrinkled. Who had inflicted such scars?
“Tell me, little bird. What do you desire from this conversation?” Slowly, Caligh circled Soren, constantly scanning the surrounding battle. If he continued this path, Elisara and Nyzaia had no chance of making it here. He was assessing every entry point. “From where I stand, you have failed at nearly everything I asked of you.” Soren winced. “But you have always been so loyal, so unwavering in what I ask. Loyalty is hard to come by these days.” Osiris scoffed behind Soren, and Caligh narrowed his eyes and continued circling. He paused behind her and stepped closer, slowly moving her braids aside until his breath tickled her ear. “We could have been so successful, Soren.”
Could have.Soren opened her mouth to plead, but he shushed her, bringing a finger to her lips.
“You could have been Queen of Garridon or the queen of this entire kingdom. You could have taken Osiris’s place as the commander of my armies. Perhaps I would have even made you my queen, if you had so desired.” Soren froze, listening toall the power she craved. A memory flashed through her mind of a young girl running carefree through the fields. Had she always wanted this?
“I did not fail you,” Soren whispered as Caligh trailed his hand over her braids and gripped the back of her neck. “I separated them, as you asked. I separated Elisara and Kazaar during the battle. Had I not, you never would have reached or killed him.” She raised her voice, trying to plead her case in the hope he would change his mind.
Chuckling, Caligh stepped back.
“I suppose you’re right, little bird. You are the reason Kazaar Elharar is dead.” Grinning, Caligh peered at something over Soren’s shoulder, his shadows grazing her cheek one last time. When he stepped away, Soren turned to find Nyzaia across the sand, with Farid hovering above her. Flames coated Nyzaia’s arms, her eyes ablaze.
“I’ll make you wish you were dead.” Nyzaia spat. Then, she lunged.
Chapter Three
Nyzaia
The Queen of Keres propelled herself forward. She heard it all, every sickening word of Soren’s true betrayal: the dreams Caligh fed her about the throne, the things she willingly did at his request. Soren Mordane was the reason Nyzaia’s brother was dead. Nyzaia was conflicted between ending her life right there or making the death slow and painful, torturing her for information. All Nyzaia knew for certain was Soren deserved to feel pain, and she alone would inflict it.
All aspects of the plan left Nyzaia’s mind after hearing Caligh’s declaration.You are the reason Kazaar Elharar is dead.Without checking to see if Elisara had made it to the other side of the clearing, Nyzaia ran at Soren. Flames burned in her eyes and sparks flew from her skin. Soren ducked at Nyzaia’s first swing, narrowly avoiding a blow to the face. Soren stumbled back with wide eyes, confused, looking from Nyzaia to where Caligh had been. She reached for the head of the sable wolf beside her, steadying herself before dodging Nyzaia’s next swing. She could set her alight in seconds, but what was the fun in that?
Nyzaia had watched Soren fight before but was surprised by her speed. She ducked every punch, rolled from every kick, and dodged every one of Nyzaia’s fury-fuelled moves.
“Fight back, you coward,” Nyzaia spat as the pair circled one another. Soren’s face remained neutral, her eyes devoid of emotion. She mirrored Nyzaia’s movements before glancing at Caligh. Despite the sweat dripping down Nyzaia’s forehead, she felt a chill run over her as he wielded his shadows. She followed Soren’seyeline briefly, watching him. He was uninterested in the pair. Instead, he wielded his darkness amongst Elisara’s army. Nyzaia winced at the pain still to come for her friend. Every felled soldier reemerged from Elisara, and now multiple streamed from her at once. Although she had cried out before, Nyzaia knew Elisara was holding back just how much it was affecting her.
Soren’s blonde braids spun in front of Nyzaia as she ran, flanked by two sable-coloured wolves. Nyzaia cursed. She should know better than to let such a small movement distract her. Springing into action, Nyzaia followed Soren across the opening, where Osiris, Arik, and Tajana waited metres away, close enough to watch the fight unfold. The younger boy, Arik, widened his dark eyes. Nyzaia imagined she looked like a predator hunting prey, teeth and all. Unlike the others, Osiris seemed amused. He stood with a smirk, his arms crossed and legs wide, gripping the chain connected to Tajana’s bindings. Nyzaia clenched her hands, digging her nails into her palms for focus. If her eyes lingered on Tajana too long, she feared she would run to her.
“Are you that much of a coward, Soren?” Nyzaia sneered as Soren hid on the other side of Tajana, who frantically turned her head between the women as they strategically danced around the chained female. Nyzaia would chase Soren forever if she had to. For Kazaar, she would follow Soren to the edge of the universe. When Nyzaia’s eyes met her lover’s, she wavered at the deep black within them. Gone were the pools of evergreen Nyzaia had so often lost herself in over the years. Her golden-brown skin lacked its former glow, and it was like she hadn’t seen sunlight since the day she left Novisia.
Tajana’s arms were bare beneath her torn leather sleeves, exposing a littering of scars on her skin, some still fresh. Tears stained her dirt-ridden cheeks. Tajana never cried. In the years they had known one another, Nyzaia had never glimpsed a trace of sadness in her eyes. What had she endured to develop the wings weighing on her back? Was the pain enough to mirror how Nyzaia felt at the stab ofher betrayal? Nyzaia narrowed her eyes, her pity quickly replaced with the reminder of what she had done. How long could Tajana have pretended to love her?
“You think hiding behind your friend will protect you?” Nyzaia called to Soren, who moved again. Nyzaia tore her eyes from Tajana to face the blond braids appearing between Tajana’s wings. “I’ll happily gut her to get to you.” Nyzaia ignored the voice inside her head, calling her a liar. She also overlooked the pain in Tajana’s eyes.
“No, you won’t,” Soren goaded with a smirk. “No matter how much you hate her loyalty to me, a part of you will always wonder if her feelings were ever real.”She’s trying to distract you. Do not fall for it.“I can tell you, if you want.” Nyzaia lunged around Tajana to snatch Soren’s braids, but Soren was too quick, kicking sand into Nyzaia’s eyes before turning to run. Tajana was no longer between them when low growls entered the clearing. Blinking the grit from her eyes, Nyzaia saw the four wolves approach, watching her intently. Soren retreated, moving towards a line of copper soldiers engaged with Garridon’s forces. With a wave of her hand, the two sable wolves prowled to different sides, ensuring there was a wolf evenly placed in every corner of the clearing. Sir Cain towered over the other men, confusion etched on his brow as he looked between Nyzaia and Soren.
“Whilst we’re talking of truths,” Nyzaia called, loud enough for those fighting to hear. “If you were working for Caligh this entire time, why did he place you in Garridon? Was it to kill the king?” Behind Soren, the Garridon soldiers stalled, and their movements lost urgency. They were listening.
“I would not be stupid enough to tell you anything,” Soren sneered, raising her sword. Nyzaia dived to keep Soren’s eyes from Sir Cain, breaking through the final line of defence. Their swords met in a hurried match, with both women frantically aiming for the upper hand. Nyzaia grunted when their swords crossed. The shadows of Farid’s wings darkened the clearing, raining sparksfrom above that burned Soren’s hands, forcing her to either fall back or push towards Nyzaia. She must have known Farid would not risk harming his queen, for she chose the latter. Their swords clashed again, pressed closer this time, their faces inches apart.
“Come on, Soren. Don’t lose your cockiness now.” Out of the corner of her eye, a ring of Nerida soldiers broke into the opening. Caligh was now blocked on the other side. Nyzaia hoped Elisara had reached him. “You collected spies over the years. I know of the ones in Keres through the Red Stones, but I assume you had them everywhere, even Nerida.” Nyzaia purposefully named the realm to garner the attention of the guards on her right. “What were his instructions? Convince Sadira to fall in love with Caellum in case you could not immediately take the throne? Do you plan for her to rip his heart out?” Nyzaia narrowed her eyes at Soren’s changing expression, softening at the mention of her sister. She shook her head.
“No.” Soren shook her head again, as if trying to free something from her mind, her determined expression replaced by a furrowed brow. “Sadira had nothing to do with it. It was all me.” Soren stumbled, and growls rang louder around the space as the wolves inched closer.
“Don’t lie. You were in it together.” Nyzaia stepped forward, but Soren did not back away. Instead, her green eyes looked frantically around as she continued shaking her head. “You both colluded with Caligh to kill the King of Garridon, to separate Kazaar and Elisara, and have my brother killed!” Nyzaia screamed. Soren stumbled, with only her sword keeping her upright. “You and Sadira are traitors to the kingdom.” Only a few paces behind Soren, Sir Cain stepped through the line of soldiers.
“No!” Soren screamed, meeting Nyzaia’s eyes. “None of it was my sister. It was all me. I planted spies in all the realms and created doubt about Caellum’s claim.Iwas supposed to kill him. Sadira didn’t know about Caligh or the plan to separate Kazaar and Elisara. It was me. I failed,” Soren panted, speaking quickly. “None ofit was Sadira.”
A grin spread across Nyzaia’s face, but it soon vanished when Sir Cain lunged. He was about to steal her one shot at revenge. The Commander of Garridon lifted his sword as he ran towards the fallen queen. Nyzaia set his blade alight. If Soren could not die at Nyzaia’s hand, she should at least feel Keres’s flame when the weapon struck her flesh. Soren tilted her head when Nyzaia paused her advance, and as Sir Cain brought down his flaming sword, Nyzaia uttered two words.
“For Kazaar.”
