Page 93
Story: Of Mist and Shadow
Heart thundering, I stood in the center of the room and wrapped my arms around myself. The floor rumbled and shook, and in the distance, I could hear the unmistakable sound of stone fracturing apart. The storm fae really did intend on bringing down this building, likely to force Kalen out.
And it was working.
I began to pace, hating that I couldn’t see what was happening out there. At least three storm fae had surrounded this place. Maybe even more. And they’d found a way to mute Kalen’s powers. In his current condition, he did not stand a chance against them.
But what could I do? I had no magic of my own, no brutal powers that could stop them. All I had was a little wooden dagger.
And the Mortal Blade.
A weapon that could kill a fae.
I threw open the door and hurried back into the Great Hall, where rain and wind poured through half a dozen new cracks. Another tremor shook the building, and I slid sideways. My legs buckled, and I almost banged my head on the stone, but I caught myself just in time. Heartbeat racing, I crouched on the bucking floor, my eyes caught on the world beyond the windows.
Kalen stood outside, roaring at the storm fae. In his hands, he held a swirling ball of mist. My breath caught as he hurled it at the storm fae.
It died, as if it were nothing more than smoke on the wind. His powers were still useless against them.
A blast of wind hit him square in the chest. He hurtled backward, his body hitting stone.
Hands shaking, I rushed to his pack and searched for the Mortal Blade. I found a small ration of pooka meat, a canteen, and a pair of metal tongs. Fear rushed through me. The blade was gone.
Where the fuck had he put it?
“Tessa,” the goddess whispered, her voice filling the Great Hall despite the lashing rain and wind. Ice twisted through my veins. I fisted my hand around Kalen’s pack. “Tessa.”
“Stop talking to me,” I said around my tight throat. “I told you I’m not letting you out.”
“Do you know what it is that stops your lover from being able to draw upon his powers?” she whispered.
I stiffened and stood, ignoring the word she’d used to describe Kalen. “No, but let me guess. You do.”
“It’s me.I’vebeen muting them since you arrived.” She laughed. “Or toying with them in the shape of your dreams.”
“I don’t believe you,” I whispered, even though it made so much sense.
“You’re smart to distrust a god, but how do you think it is you got trapped in this castle with me?” she asked. “Why do you think the enemy’s powers are greater than his right now? Kalen Denare is one of the strongest beings in the world. Their powers pose no threat to him. While I numbed his, I amplified theirs. He stands no chance against them unless I release my hold on it all. Your choice, Tessa Baran.”
Tears burned my eyes as I bolted out of the Great Hall and took the steps two at a time. I raced into the ground hallway, stopping when I met Midnight just by the door to the dungeon. He blinked at me, nodded, and then shifted aside.
I didn’t stop to ponder what that meant as I hurried down the stairs, not pausing until I stood before the glowing onyx gemstone. Even down here, the walls shook. “Tell me why you’re doing this.”
“Why do you think? I need you to release me. Do that, and I’ll return the Mist King’s power to its full capacity, and I’ll stop amplifying theirs.”
I ground my teeth, my hands shaking by my sides. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Can’t?” she asked with a tsk. “Or won’t?”
“Does it matter? I’m not doing it.”
“And your lover will die. Because ofyou,” she said with a snap.
My breath hitched. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, you pitiful little thing. Don’t you understand why the storm fae are here, attacking you?”
“They’re trying to take control of Kalen’s kingdom.”
“Yes and no. They wantyou, Tessa Baran. You are their path to an alliance with King Oberon of Albyria. He wants you returned to him. You’re branded as his bride, after all. And once the storm fae and light fae have joined together, they can banish the mists and return the gods to this world.”
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