Page 68 of Moon Raven Rising
“And is there something happening in the caves?” Raelle asks, looking over the people that are starting to spill out of the tents. Clouds that cover the sun blow away on a gust of wind, and the bright light that breaks through the trees illuminates our queen like a beacon. All of the Fae look up to where we stand, seeking answers. Answers we don’t have right now.
“Osiris is checking it out. Ordered Bracarva to stay out of sight until she is needed.” Trent responds, rubbing the back of his neck.
“What are you not saying?” I demand. I know my brother, and I can see the tension in him; something more has happened.
“Ambriel has been in and out of visions all night. She won’t let me come near her. I—I’m worried about her.” Trent licks his lips and looks down at his feet. “I don’t know what to do for her.”
“Trent, you are a good man. Just be there for her in whatever way she needs. We are all going to get through this.” Raelle says, placing her hand on his shoulder and then looking out over the now crowded plane of land below us.
“We thought we had more time to rest and prepare…but it seems that the war has arrived. You know what needs to be done. We fight for Aldramani and the kingdom we wish to thrive. We fight to protect those who can’t protect themselves. We fight for freedom from evil and for love.” She says, addressing the gathering crowd. Her eyes meet mine, and I nod, urging her on. I see the reverence in the people’s faces as they take in their queen now accepting her place fully as their leader, and my heart swells at being able to witness it.
“If there is anything that I’ve learned in this life, it’s that family doesn’t mean the blood that runs through your veins but the love you carry in your hearts. It’s more than just knowing, but actively choosing what is hard and doing it because it’s right.” Her gaze tracks to Cano as she speaks, who has stopped right before the rock we stand on. He swallows and then looks down,kicking dirt with the toe of his boot and shoving his hands into the pockets of his leathers.
“It’s accepting that things that may not have made sense at the time were leading you to a path you were meant to take.” Her eyes look up to meet Alaric’s, where he stands stoically at Ambriel’s side, and he accepts her words with a nod.
“Be there for each other, and let’s rise as one!” With that, she casts her magic in a show of power. Shadows twine around her arms as a gust of wind blows out from her like a tornado, not to cause damage but to bring awe. Her glowing white moon magic pools like a globe of light. In her other hand, crackling fire erupts with a plume of smoke. I’ve never seen a Fae wield so many magics at once and so effortlessly, and it is clear by the echoing gasps let out through the crowd that they haven’t either.
“Let’s show Soren Croix that the gods chose Aldramani’s heir and your queen chooses you!” The sky lights with a flash of lightning, and the dark clouds filter the sky ominously just as Raelle extinguishes her magic and turns to face me. All of her features darkening as the clouds once again shadow the land.
“Let’s get the stones and rebuild this kingdom into what it’s meant to be. Soren wanted a remaking; now he has one.” Her words are quieter. Meant for just those of us who stand close to her side. Taking her hand, I guide her down the rock face and toward the caves. Trent, Maki, Kait, and Cano follow close behind silently, awaiting what their orders are going to be. We stop just before the entrance.
“We don’t know what is going to happen once we walk into the mountain in search of this chamber. It’s up to you to lead the regime and the people to victory until we are able to join the fight.” I say, making sure to look into each of their eyes to make sure they understand how important each of their roles is.
“Bracarva has orders to intervene if needed. If my father shows up to fight with Soren… use your magic to get him awayfrom the dragons. The dragons won’t be a problem if he is out of the way. They would be with me if it weren’t for him being our king.” Osiris steps to my side, and those around eye him with cautious respect. Without hesitation, Osiris turns to face Raelle and me. Dropping to one knee, he offers a blade on the palms of his hands.
“Though I am not yet king, the title will be mine by blood. I offer you my blade in this fight, a king’s bond, and in doing so, good faith that we will bring peace to our kingdoms,together.” His eyes lock with mine, and I am in such shock of the situation that I don’t do anything but stare at him kneeled before me. It’s the nudge that Raelle gives me that breaks the trance that I’m in, and before the whole regime, I accept his oath and give him mine in return.
“Rise, and together, with a king’s bond, two kingdoms bind with blood.” As I look down to take the dagger that lay across his palms, my eyes flick back up to meet his, then immediately to Raelle. Her green eyes are vibrant, glowing with admiration and wet with tears as she watches me remove Meraki from his hands.
Using the sharp edge, I slice through the flesh of my hand and let the blood pool. Osiris takes the blade back and does the same before handing Meraki back to Raelle, who accepts the blade zealously.
“Thank you,” she says under her breath, eyeing the dagger with steadfast admiration.
The moment that Osiris places his hand in mine, the air around us begins to shift. The ground we stand on vibrates with the same magical energy as before, but our grips are firm as the magic burns within our veins.
The blood that binds snakes out of the joined palms of our right hands, where they are clasped. The deep red, vine-like lines twine around our wrists and create the design that will mark our skin forever. The magic sparks and cracks, and when it clears,what’s left behind is the king’s bond. It’s as unique as the magic that creates it. The magic itself is what determines the design, and no two are ever the same.
Osiris, Raelle, and I all look down the underside of our right forearms. There, a scepter of fire connected with a sharp blade illuminated with flames and a crescent moon wrapped in shadows along the axis is now visible. The perfect balance between kings and their magic, and the center of the bond is the moon.
Chapter fifty-three
The visions won’t letup their relentless hold on me. Whatever is happening, the fates are changing so rapidly with decisions, and my magic seems to be spiraling with the reality of it all. Maybe it’s that I was looking for answers… Maybe this is punishment for wanting to change the future for my mate… I’m not sure I will ever know, but as I try to catch my breath between visions, my brother is at my side.
“Drink.” Alaric pushes a canteen into my sweating face, and I shake my head. Even the thought of drinking anything makes me nauseous. “You need to keep your energy. We have a war literally on our heels.We need you.” I know he’s right, but I can’t seem to see past the visions trying to control me.
My mother, who has been actively assisting with preparing the regime for the war he speaks of, comes into view. Her petite body stomping through the sea of soldiers like the mini-storm she is. When she reaches me, she crouches down on the balls of her feet. “Your brother is right. If you don’t shut yourself off from these visions, they will consume all of your energy, and you will be as good as dead in a fight.” She takes my arm, turning it sothat the war maiden bond mark faces us both. “You must think like a war maiden.” I swallow looking up from the mark.
“I know that in my mind...but Ma, my heart is breaking from what the future could hold.” My eyes fill with moisture as the emotions get clogged in my throat.
“Use what I have taught you. You know how to prioritize the visions. Fate is changing so rapidly right now, you can’t look to the visions. You have to follow what is here.” Her fingers press into the center of my aching chest, and I close my eyes. The tears spill over my lashes as I nod.
After allowing myself a moment to reflect on what could be seen as weakness, I lift my chin and nod once more. More to myself than to anyone around me. Acknowledging my internal debate on what to do next. I know my mother and brother are right, but it doesn’t make this any less difficult.
We don’t have time on our side. A shadow darkens the space around us, and we all look up in time to see Trent as he lands in front of us. He stays in his shifted form, his wings tucked in tight to his body, clad in weapons. The leather armor he is now adorned in is black as night and embellished with the new royal crest. The Raven sitting within a turned-horned moon clearly visible.
“Alaric, Maki has the regime preparing. He’s asking for you on Dax’s orders. You all should ready yourselves.” He says, addressing my family, and then his eyes fall to me. “I’d like a moment alone with my mate if it’s not too much to ask.” His brows drop a fraction as his eyes flick between mine, worry creasing his forehead.
I know it’s not been fair how I have been isolating him since the visions started, but I have been so afraid that he would accidentally be thrust into one or that he may pry and ask too much. The magic I possess is as much a curse as it is a blessing.I want to ensure his safety and tell him about what to watch for, but still fate is not set; if I intervene, things could turn far worse.
