Page 14 of Eclipse of Fate
“So he faces Cano. He will win. Right?” Her gaze drops to her feet. “Ambriel? He will, won't he?”
“There is no way for me to know.”
“I had a vision once about the duel. Perhaps a prophecy even, and Ambriel—I think I will ascend during the duel.” She gives me a soft smile and then stands, striding to face me. She grips both of my shoulders, stopping my movements.
“You will be what is needed to end this between Dax and Cano. You are the answer for the kingdom of Aldramani and for the Realm of Orendara. That I know. I don’t know what the outcome will be of their fight, Raelle, but I can tell you that your ascending—will cause a shift in fate that only the gods can see.” She rubs the center of her chest. “I can feel it.” Her eyes intensify as her brows drop. Taking a deep breath, I nod in agreement and place my hand over the one she still has on my shoulder.
“I’m ready to ascend, but I’m not ready to watch as my fated mate, my husband and the king of Aldramani, risks his life for something as punitive as revenge—on a man whose end is already guaranteed.” She purses her lips, and she thinks our options over. “We will go along with their plan, but we need a plan of our own in case things go south.”
Chapter twelve
Looking into Raelle’s eyesand not telling her what I saw was quite possibly one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Swallowing hard, I take a deep breath and leave through the door she just exited. I need air.
Making my way to the courtyard, I look around the mostly empty halls, and already I’m beginning to breathe a little easier. Though the pressure on my chest is unrelenting. Having seen what appeared to be the king’s death… and having to keep that from Raelle is choking me. I can’t believe that will be the outcome. My visions are subjective. Nonetheless, the vision was seen, and there is again nothing I can do about it.
On the far end of the courtyard, where the flowers line the walkway, I take in their silent beauty and the scent that envelops me. The silence reminds me of being back on the farm and causes a pang of longing in my heart. I miss Ma and Pa. It’s been just us for so long; it’s weird being away from them for this long. I worry about Pa.
Rounding the corner, I venture further into the gardens and find a sitting area. Three benches in a half-moon alcove are backed up against beautiful anemone flowers. Sitting on the center bench, I lean back and take another deep breath. The many scents of earthy musk and floral notes flood my senses and calm my racing heart.
A flower juts out just above my head, and I look at it as I tilt my head back. The lone flowers sticking out among the others remind me that even though I may feel alone in this because of my visions. I’m not alone. This group of Fae, who have taken me in without much effort, are the reason I’m here. Reaching for the flower, my fingertips brush the small, delicate pink petals. Momma used to tell me about the meanings and uses of flowers. I have so much knowledge about them, but most of the time the information is useless.
As I pinch the thin stem between my fingers and try to recall the meaning of this particular flower, magic slams into my senses. My fingers tighten, and I pluck the flower, breaking the stem and pulling it into my grasp. My lips part on an inhale as a strong vision takes me over.
Chaos disorients me as I stand far above the wastelands on a mountainside with a cave at my back. A huge man I don’t recognize stands tall at my side with his hand on my lower back. The warm press of it is almost comforting. I look up to him, and he nods before a dragon—dark as midnight––soars over us with an ear-splitting screech. My body flinches just enough for me to notice.
Magic ripples, and I’m thrust into another angle of the same night. The sun is just sinking below the horizon, lighting the sky purple with its diminishing glow. The dragon roars once more as it dips down, menacing fire erupting from its dangerous throat. The fire sweeps overthe land where Fae soldiers fight. Blood and gore cover the land—dead bodies everywhere.
I can’t tell whose perspective I’m seeing this vision from, but as I look up to the mountain—-confusion and hurt slams into my chest. Raelle stands fierce, her stark-white hair billowing around her in a storm of waves. Her eyes glow like the moon, and as she raises her hand, I see that the man I was standing next to a few moments ago stands at her side. The look of raw aggression on his face as he lifts the opposite hand of Raelle in unison. Mass power vibrates through the entire field of ruin. Black darkness consumes the early night as the sun’s waning light is snuffed out completely. Screams of pain and panic echo through the crowd around me in a frantic, swirling vortex of madness.
Another ripple of magic, and I’m standing further within the cascading pandemonium. Lifting a sword, I run into the fray. Blood coats my blade and sprays my face. The metallic, bitter taste fills my mouth as I roar a battle cry—lunging and sinking into a body, a deadly blow. Dark hair falls into my eyes as I look up to see Trent. He yells something in my direction, but I can’t hear him over the disarray.
A deep growl comes from my chest as I hear Cano’s name being called out from behind—my body spins to meet the eyes of a blood-soaked Dax, as he runs forward toward me. And I realize, I’m seeing this vision through Cano’s eyes. Spinning, I climb to the top of a dilapidated cottage. Careful of my footing, I need a better view of the carnage. He’s looking for someone. When my gaze locks on a man with deep brown hair, a sharp angular chin, and matching brown eyes to mine—Cano’s eyes. Anger consumes me, the emotion so strong coursing through Cano that it racks me, and the black wolf that lives insidehim shudders bursting through my skin with a ripple of magic at the same moment that the vision changes.
Sickness consumes me. The dizzying back and forth, making my stomach clench from the different views and the magic holding me in the vision. Confusion jars my senses as I try to decipher once again who’s eyes I’m seeing through now. A cry of pain comes from my lips. Hot blood fills my mouth, and when I look down deep crimson stains the hard planes of my chest. The sharp end of a sword juts through my leathers. My mouth opens to say something to the man running toward me, but nothing understandable comes past my trembling lips. Only racking, bubbling, blood-filled coughs come from my throat as the thick, metallic moisture fills my lungs and I drop to my knees. Darkness descends as I hear my own voice sobbing Trents name.
When the magic drops me back into reality, I suck air into my lungs. I’m on the ground with sharp gravel biting into my palms as I sit on my hands and knees doubled over panting. Sticky sweat coats my skin, and as the wind blows, my hair sticks across my forehead and a chill breaks out over my exposed flesh.
Boots come crunching through the gravel as a strong hand grips my shoulders and pulls my body into his arms. Extreme,unexplained sadness fills my heart, and the salty tears fill and spill from my eyes without a thought as to why. The emotion that was felt through all the perspectives in that vision—overwhelms me, and I sob into the hard chest of a man. Not even caring who it is coming to my aid. I let his scent of earthy-leather and mint fill my nostrils, and something about the warmth and power that he holds me with calms my nerves, and I find myself breathing slower. The pounding of my heart evening out.
“Are you—okay?” I look up to meet Trent’s eyes. Concern brackets his mouth as his gaze flicks over my face, then he pushes me out at an arm’s length, looking over my body. “Are you hurt?” Mentally, yes.
“Im ok. I just…It was a panic attack. I get them every now and then.” The lie comes easily because I’ve told it so many times. He rubs both of my arms up and down before letting me stand on my own. My knees wobble as I stand freely again. He unclasps his cloak and wraps it around my shoulders.
“It’s cold tonight, let’s get inside. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.” I let out a laugh.
“I’m a fighter. I don’t need a man to protect me.”
“Oh? Sure looked like it a minute ago…when you were on all fours, and I pulled you into my arms…” I roll my eyes as I look up at him, and he smirks.
“And what are you doing out here alone? Or are you out walking the dog?” His grin falls flat, and my words taste bitter on my tongue. “I’m sorry; sometimes I don’t realize how my words might affect someone. I’m not used to caring, actually… I don’t know your relationship with Kait; the bitch just pissed me off.”
“She tends to do that.” He wipes his hand down his face as we begin to walk, and I open myself up to him, curious about histhoughts and unable to help myself. Again, there is nothing. My brows knit together as I concentrate, looking at him out of the corner of my eye. I don’t know what to think of not being able to get into his head, but before I’m able to question it any further, the dog herself walks into the hall at the same time we enter the castle.
Kait takes one look at us and scoffs—spinning in the opposite direction. Trent then looks to me with an apology in his eyes before my hand whips out palm up at Kait. He doesn’t say anything but gives me a tight-lipped smile before turning back to her and jogging to reach her side.
“Gods forbid the dog walks herself to her room.” I grumble under my breath as I walk in the other direction. Trying to put as much space between us as possible.
Chapter thirteen
