Page 69 of Moon Raven Rising
One by one, my family says their goodbyes. They give their last show of support, and as a family who were all once warriors becomes that again, I can’t help but wonder if this will be the last time we embrace this way. It’s a glum thought but with everything that I have seen… everything that could be waiting…
“I brought your leathers for you,” Trent says as he sets the black armor next to me. Before he moves too far away, I lift my hand and wrap it around his wrist. My eyes meet his as I stand and walk into him, encasing him in my arms, and he returns the gesture. His hands pull to the nape of my neck, and he tilts my head to face him.
“I wish we could have the bonding ceremony before all of this happens. Doesn’t it scare you?” I slide my hands up his chest and rest them over the center. “The future?”
“No.” His answer is short and quick, and the intensity of his stare catches me off guard. “I have faith that the gods haven’t turned their backs on Aldramani, Raelle, The Moon Raven… Dax and Raelle’s bond…Our bond.It’s all proof of that. We’re going to get through this. You are a powerful warrior. We have good numbers.” He laughs, pointing toward the area in the mountains beyond the caves. “And a fuckingdragon,”
He leans down, pressing his forehead to mine, and we let a moment of silence pass between us as the rest of the regime are bustling around us in a clamor of movement, readying for war.
“You’re right. I let things get to my head.” I press my hand to his cheek, and as I do, I shut myself off from the visions. Only something divine would be able to penetrate the shield I put in place. “Let’s win this war. When it’s done, we can start the rest of our lives.”
His lips fall to mine, and I relish the warm feel of him pressing into me. The warmth that only seems to come from inside whenhe is around. This is what it feels like to be in love, and whatever happens next, I know that I lived because I found this peace with him, even if only for a short time.
Dax, Raelle, and Osiris have been in the caves nearly all day when the army reaches the first line of defense. They stopped for hours before actually attacking. Maki thinks it was to gather their numbers. Whatever the reason,war is here now. Magic of all sorts rips into the air, and the echo of metal on metal clashes in the distance as the fight begins and works on fighting toward the epicenter of the regime where we protect the cave our royals have entered.
Raelle is certain something is calling her to help Osiris secure the stones for him. Since they told me of the entrance to the chamber revealing itself to her, and Dax tells us all she is right. The feeling of magic that lingers over this place where we stand… so close to the ruins that held the late king and queen’s palace. This is the center of Aldramani, and where so many Fae fought in the previous war. This has to be the magic of the gods.
“Hold your ground!” Cano shouts from where he stands, battle axe in hand and his stance ready to run into the fight. The soundof swords hitting flesh and the clash of metal on metal jars my senses with every resounding clang.
Like a storm at sea, we watch as soldiers roll in like a dark wave—an ominous sense of death and darkness in a cloud that slowly morphs into the sharp edges of soldiers’ blades. The roar of battle cries echoing like thunder rumbling in the distance. Growing closer with each passing moment and every glint of metal like lightning from the reflection of the rising watchful moon.
Trent’s arm brushes mine as he unsheathes his sword, and out of the corner of my eye I watch as he narrows his eyes on the enemy approaching. This isn’t the first battle we have fought together; I know he is a vicious warrior, but if history has told us anything, it’s that even the mighty fall.
Sensing my gaze, his eyes fall to mine before he gives me one last dazzling smile, winks, and launches into the fray. My heart rate spikes as the soldiers come together in a monstrous discord. Pounding of feet and the blood in my ears, the crashing sound of sharp blades coming together is like a crescendo of chaos. I have to forcefully push the thought of the visions away, knowing that it could be the last time that I see the smile on Trent’s face.
I’m both horrified and mesmerized by the brutality in which these Fae fight. Each one personally victimized by the other and taking out their vengeful wrath. My name is shouted over the noise, and I spin just in time to shield an attack coming from behind. Dropping to one knee, I pull my blade along the back of the man’s legs. He screams in pain and drops, allowing the twin blade to find its mark in his neck.
Standing quick, I nod my thanks to Kait, who battles back to back with Maki in a dance of swords and power. Everywhere I turn there is blood and gore painting the scene red.
For a moment, the entire battlefield freezes when a screeching cry echoes through the sky. I smile knowing that Bracarva iscoming to our aid, that the battle is going to be short-lived, but when I look up and see the bright red underbelly and large expanse of deep red wings gleaming like a sky-bound ember, the blood drains from my body, and horror replaces any feeling of elation.
Shit. Bracarva we need you.
“Kait, cover me!” I yell out, and she and Maki both move to surround me. Planting my feet in a staggered stance, I look up at the dragon as it opens its massive jaw to release a torrent of fire on the soldiers below, but it’s not ready for our plan. Every air elemental in battle stops at my command.
“Let’s change the way the wind carries this dragon. Shall we?”I project the thought into the minds of many. They gain the attention of the others, who all bracket them in a protection barrier. Each one of them taking the same stance as me and with a cry of might, I throw my hands into the air with all of the others and we unleash the roaring gale that would rival even the cry of a dragon.
The magical air we release blows the dragon off trajectory and causes it to spiral out of control for a moment, but it’s just enough. The dragon has to change course to right itself against the maelstrom of our magic, and the disruption distracts it enough for our soldiers on the ground to catch their opponent by surprise. The death toll surging with a furious cry of effort.
In the distance, I hear another battle happening, and in my distracted state, I take a blade to my side. The knife enters deep enough to cause a severe pain to radiate through me, but as I look down at where I am hit, I know the wound is not fatal. I rip the blade free of my shoulder, sending a spray of blood down my chest, and grit my teeth through the pain.
“Nymeria! You don’t want to do this!”My head whips around in search of the voice that I hear so clearly, but where I stand there is nothing but chaos.“Fight for what you believe right!You have a mind of your own even if it’s trapped. You are stronger than him!”Confusion ripples through my mind as I realize the conversion is being had within its confines.
“He is my mate. You know what that means, just as we all do. I’m sorry that it has come to this.”Another voice now explodes into my brain. My feet begin to falter, and a splitting pain erupts into my head, but I realize when I see the dragons on the ground near the cave entrance that the pain I’m feeling must not be my own.
“STOP NYMERIA! Please! I’m your sister!”Searing fire storms Bracarva, and she screams in pain as she drops her neck to avoid most of the blast to her face. The silver dragon is like a bright star in contrast to the black as night that is Bracarva. The air around me trembles with my understanding that I am hearing a conversation between the dragons.
Bracarva recovers with a shake of her head as the flames stop and charges the silver dragon. A collision like a star falling from the sky rattles the ground we stand on, and the soldiers all around stumble with the violent shake of the earth.
Bracarva isn’t trying to hurt the other dragon though; I can sense her heightened emotions, and her words are a mantra in my head as she attacks with non-lethal blows as many times as she can.
“I don’t want to hurt you. Please. Stop fighting. I don’t want to hurt you, Nymeria.”Another blow; another ground-shaking fall.
“Please don’t make me hurt you! It is not your bond’s command; choose a different fate, sister!”Bracarva charges Nymeria with her head down, aiming to ram the other dragon with her onyx-horned head, and as she does, the silver dragon collapses right through the caves, causing the earth to split and the ground doesn’t stop shaking.
The quake causes men and women to run and scream as dirt and debris vibrate at our feet, becoming more brutal with every second. Frantically, I search for my friends, the family that chose each other. Alaric’s wings spread wide as he launches into the sky. Other shifting Fae follow suit as they realize the best route to get out of harm’s way will be in their shifted form.
Just as Alaric lands, I make brief eye contact with Trent before he continues battling in hand-to-hand combat with Soren’s men. Alaric lands at my side, grabbing me by my hand, and tries to tug me into him.
