Page 56 of Moon Raven Rising
“As heartwarming as this little reunion is, we really need to get out of here,” Osiris says. The metal-on-metal scrape of him pulling his sword from his scabbard draws my attention away from Dax to see that he is coming toward me. “Put your hands out wide on the pillar there.” He demands with a jut of his chin. I look at him incredulously, without moving.
“You have got to be kidding me… Dax? Use your magic to melt the chain.” I say, shaking my head in denial.
“Magic won’t work on the chains, Cano, you know that,” Dax says, looking over his shoulder to the shadows.
“Mother fucker.” I growl but comply. I raise my hands high above my head, splaying them as wide as they will go so the chain is pulled taut.
“On the longest night, the plight of the kingdom unravels—the fight of kings with a snow white raven queen. The gods themselves watch the flight, the battle of wills, and that of might. Balance is tried, but in the end cannot be denied.” The distant voice drawls out just before the clank of metal hitting stone above my head echoes through my ears. My hands fall to my sides as blood rushes through my body with a surge of adrenaline.
Dax’s shadows blast from his hands and cause my already pounding pulse to skip; my tar-stained hands ache with the reminder of shadow magic, and my veins burn with recollection.
“He’s harmless. Just a prisoner who has gone crazy in the depths of depravity.” Even as I say it, it doesn’t feel right. I know a little bit about depravity, and if I can read anything from the look on Dax’s face, he feels the same.
“Get him. Let’s go.” Dax commands before turning and leaving the way he came. Osiris lingers for a moment but then follows, leaving me to retrieve the riddler.
“You heard him; let’s go.” I say as I make my way into the shadowed corner. Reaching down I help the man to his feet, realizing that he is a much taller man than I had thought. Nearly matching me in height. His shoulders are wide, but his frame is narrow with the lack of movement and nourishment he’s received in the dungeons.
“How odd it is to be imprisoned by the father and freed by the son. ” He says as he slings an arm over my shoulder and I help him limp into the hall.
“Yea, balance and all that bullshit… just don’t get me killed yet,” I grumble as he struggles to keep his footing. Once in the hall, I curse as I see Dax and Osiris stopped by guards at the end, leading to the hollow in the mountain where the dragons were allowed to rest. They eye Dax warily but bow reluctantly to the prince. Until they see me and the other prisoner hobbling behind.
The guard with pale blonde hair puts his hand on the hilt of his sword at his hip, and the air stills around us with the threat. I recognize him as one who always had an attitude problem; his lip curls as my eyes lock with his.
Everything begins to happen so fast. He pulls his blade free, the guard to his right pulling a dagger from his chest holster, and the moment they advance, Osiris’s sword lights with fire.Shadows burst from Dax’s hands and dance around the eerie blue mixed with orange, a telltale of dragon fire illuminating the hall from the prince’s sword. The guard who lunged stands in front of him frozen and eyes wide. He blinks once before the prince pushes him with two fingers in his chest, and he drops in two pieces, cut in half at the waist. The two halves fall to the ground cauterized and still smoking.
Dax’s shadows block out all vision of him and the other man, but when they slowly begin to dissipate, it is clear who the victor is. The pale skin of the guard has become even lighter. Bruising around his throat and his bleeding eyes unseeing, as he falls to his knees. Both soldiers are dead with barely a blink of an eye.
“So the plan is to kill and ask questions later?” I joke and get death looks from both Osiris and Dax. “Noted.” I step over the blonde, but as soon as I get close to Dax, the look on his face has me pause. His mouth falls open, and his head begins shaking back and forth. He looks between me and the man I hold up; he tilts his head to the side. Pain fills his face, and moisture gathers in his eyes. He grabs the man by the chin to turn his face into the light provided by Osiris’s still-glowing blade.
“Uncle Declan?” Dax’s voice cracks, and my head whips to the side, looking at the man who is barely alive at my side.
Chapter forty-four
Snow is starting togather on the ground, though the tree covering the regime provides shelter from the worsening elements that winter brings. Regardless, the people who have come together to fight for our kingdom, formyreign… I can only hope that my presence now is reassuring them their queen is safe—that I got away from Soren’s clutches and am alive and well. Even if the worry is eating at me that Dax is not here yet.
Bracarva seems unphased that the prince is not yet here, so with that I at least feel some relief. I can’t let any of my concerns show to the people, though. So I walk among them with my head held high and my shoulders back, in hopes that the false confidence will bring them the strength they need for what I know is coming.
With each touch, each glance, I see it happening. Talk of the moon raven prophecy has run rampant, and now, with mewalking through the camp with my moon-cast, white, feathery wings on display, they whisper of the reckoning that is coming to Aldramani. They see me as their savior, and while I’m glad I can bring them hope, I worry that I won’t be enough.
I find a secluded area where I can sit in the presence of the Fae I have claimed as my family and watch as they interact with each other. Bickering and laughing as usual. It brings warmth to my heart that they are the same as if I had never been away, but at the same time, I know that so much has changed within each of them and as our group as a whole.
“You doing ok?” Kait sits down on the downed log I turned into a seat, and offers me a warm mug of bone broth. The steam curls around in the air, and I watch its dance as I consider her question.
“I feel like I always give the same answer whenever I’m asked that…” I laugh, but the sound is forced.
“I guess as long as it’s true, it’s well enough.” She replies with a tight smile. An understanding glint sparkles in her eyes as I look away and continue watching the others.
“In all honesty, I’m ok, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. All of these Fae—” I sweep my free hand out in a gesture to everyone in front of me. “Every one of them is my responsibility and now… Being tied to Valeska though, to the prince… I feel the weight of everything a little bit more than I ever have.” Saying this out loud makes it all the more real, and I don’t think I have really thought about how much my worries have changed.
The fact that roughly a year ago, I was searching for answers about what happened to my family. Fate sent me on this journey. I never could have imagined how my life has changed. At times it has seemed the gods have been cruel, but they also have shown kindness. Showing mercy in their own twisted way, but at the same time fate has built all of us into the strong Fae we aretoday; given us reason to be there for each other, and it's more than I could ever have hoped after I once thought I had lost everything.
Even knowing that they were not my blood family, I still refuse to accept they were anything less than my mom, dad, and brother. Wren would be proud of everything I’m doing. He couldn’t wait to join me in training. He would have been right at my side through all of this… My heart clenches that he’s not.
“I think that if you felt any different, I would be concerned. You have a lot to think about, but Raelle?” I pull my eyes away from the swirling steam from my broth and look Kait in the eye. “If anyone can choose the right path and save the kingdom from the evil that has been tainting it, it’s you and Dax.” My vision swims with tears as I take in the kindness that Kait is giving. The softness she doesn’t allow many to see, and my lip trembles as I nod.
“I am so lucky to have all of you.” My voice comes out smaller and more fragile sounding than I meant for, and Kait bumps her knee into mine.
“I think we are pretty lucky to have you too. I’m going to miss you guys when I leave.” She smiles as she stands.
