Page 30 of Of Serpents and Ruins
The abyssal-damned curse that started it all off was draining the life and magic out of the land and air of Sepeazia. It was the whole reason we had killed the Gola Resh and Babadon, but their curse remained. And it had ticked down steadily downward for days, even after their deaths.
The hourglass had appeared here before this castle became the capitol. It sat proudly in the center of the black iron table, approximately three feet in height. The sands were a mixture of red and black, teasing stripes of color and darkness. The bottom half had two bulbs. The smaller interior bulb held a replica of the first capital, Taivren, the former capital of our dual monarchy.
The first time I saw the hourglass, my blood had chilled. It was a threat. I had known that then, even before the seers spoke.
The sands had filled that inner bulb first, creating an effect that looked like the replica had been engulfed in toxic fire.
When that bulb filled, the entire capital city and the strip of neutral territory upon which both kingdoms had pledged peace, cooperation, and understanding all plunged into the sea and the very waters turned toxic.
The violent screams of the earth as it had torn itself apart echoed in my mind, stone shattering and land splitting, choking filthy waters surging. Stone walls, seamless and unyielding as the sea itself, had risen, trapping the toxic waters and displaying in vivid horror the fate that awaited our people and the rest of our lands.
Had it not been for the seers and arcanists, it would have been a bloodbath. Some died that day. More than should have. Not as many as would have, thanks to the seers, rescuers, and our allies.
Tile droned on, making the same points he had for the past three months.
My gaze flicked to my right where she had once sat beside me. That was her place. My queen. My love. Right here on the same throne.
This throne had been carved from a great chunk of stone that had been found on the boundary line of the two kingdoms. It was ungodly large, cut to seat two. When we weren't holding court, she often curled up beside me and complained that her side was too small so she had to sit on my lap.
Or she'd put her icy feet on my thighs and pretend not to understand why I was annoyed.
The throne had been rescued before the fall of Taivren. Dromar and his sons had dared the toxic waters and plunged beneath the surface to rescue it when the first attempt to retrieve it had failed. A few others had rescued other items. Ultimately, all that had mattered to me on that day was Stella.
That toxic vortex had nearly ripped her from me while she was in the middle of a rescue. Despite being a water seer, when swimming, she lacked strength and endurance. I had let the blessed Sword of Kairos—pride of our people—fall into the devouring depths to seize her.
It had been worth it.
That day…that was the day I knew I would rather die than lose Stella, the day I pledged to make her my wife and queen.
My hand flicked over my brow to wipe away sweat. The heat from the lava coils usually kept the castle comfortable in the autumn and winter months. Yet I was sweltering.
Everyone else was at ease. Hands folded in their laps or resting on the carved arms of the low-backed bastion chairs, each member of the various councils paid adequate attention. Not even Hord, my cousin and arch general, appeared even slightly flushed.
It was just me. I imagined my appearance was even more haggard than usual. Heavy bags under my eyes. An unhealthy flush at my cheeks and throat. The years had been harsh.
The curse we faced was even harsher.
Being away from Stella was worse still.
But she had come back.
Abyssal damnation, she'd come back!
And I didn't have any more answers for her now than I did when she had laid down her life fifty years ago.
The hot ball of rage in my chest burned stronger, settling deeper.
Answers. There had to be answers. And soon.
If Stella had come back, it would not be to her death. I would die before I permitted that.
Somehow, we would find a way.
Scarlet nipped my finger.
Snapping my hand back, I glared down at her.
She cocked her head and chirped.
