Page 82 of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

Cahra may have nearly killed the man, but she’d been possessed by Hael’s magicks – the Nether’s bloodlust. But the Oracle…

Cahra swallowed.

Thelaema cut that man down like it was nothing.

Her eyes floated to Wyldaern’s as the weight of Thelaema’s actions struck them both. The young women stared at one another, dust flaking from the ceiling like fresh snow.

Paralysed by her horror, sinking further into herself with each breath, Cahra stood – until finally Raiden rushed to her, glanced past, looking for someone, then went rigid.

‘Cahra,’ Raiden managed to choke out, shaking her. ‘Where is Thierre?’

CHAPTER 32

Cahra’s heart was attempting to leap from her chest in the eerily torchlit tunnels. Catching Raiden’s wild grey eyes, she stumbled over her words.

‘Thierre’s not with you?’

Raiden shook his head before admitting, ‘He wanted to go with you, to the Oracle. Stupidly, I agreed. But Commander Tyne discovered us and we got separated. I assumed he’d made it to you and the others, but…’ Raiden looked up as Piet, Siarl and Queran approached, all reflecting the look on their Captain’s face.

Panic. The Prince of Luminaux was missing.

Cahra dared a glance at Wyldaern, the Seer still staring blankly at the soldier, the one Thelaema had slain.

All because Cahra had lost control of Hael’s powers, and nearly killed someone.

Turning from Wyldaern, Cahra tried to swallow the quaver in her voice as she asked, ‘So what do we do?’

‘Return to the palace,’ Raiden said. ‘Notify the King and Commander.’

A shuffling sounded, Thelaema coming slowly into view.

‘High Oracle,’ Wyldaern cautioned, ‘some of these soldiers are merely unconscious. It is not safe—’

‘Bah,’ Thelaema said, dismissing her concern. ‘I have seen it.’

Was that all she saw? The Oracle had told her apprentice she couldn’t be discovered. So why did she intervene?Did Thelaema see me, bludgeoning that soldier—

Raiden, realising whose presence he now graced, spun to the Oracle. ‘And Prince Thierre? Please, where is he, High Oracle? Is he close?’

Thelaema’s amethyst orbs flickered to Cahra. ‘The Prince, I cannot see.’

Her warning echoed.What if whoever was watching has found you?

Cahra stood, still feeling Hael’s magick in her body, and thought.

‘What if…’ Setting her jaw, Cahra said, ‘What if I left for Hael’stromia, right now? The last omen is for me to go free Hael. If I could, we’d have the weapon to find Thierre.’ She glanced at the Oracle.

Of all the people she’d thought would object, she hadn’t expected Raiden to be first. ‘While I appreciate your offer, it’s too dangerous. We don’t know where he is and, besides, the sheer number of Kolyath and Ozumbre military camps between here and the capital – it would be a death trap. Our best course is to return to Luminaux.’

‘But I have the weapon’s powers now,’ Cahra argued, her voice rising in frustration. ‘It’ll take a day to get back to Luminaux. In a day, I could make it inside the capital and—’

‘I concur with the Captain.’ Thelaema interrupted. ‘Despite the powers you possess, you are assuming too much, Cahra. A mindful response is required, not a rash one.’

Cahra’s anger flared. ‘What if it’s too late by then?’

Raiden’s iron eyes hardened at Cahra’s words. ‘We all want to find Thierre, but we can’t risk everything just because you say so.’

Cahra clenched her fists, the power of Hael’s dark magick surging through her veins. She spun to Thelaema. ‘Isn’t that the point of being an Empress?’