Page 119

Magic erupted from her guards in a whirlwind of frenzied movement. Fire spun out from the arms of those furthest away, illuminating the field. They lit the nearest trees and flames raced up the tall trunks, eliciting screams of pain from the individuals hiding within.

Wind tore from the air, redirecting the raining arrows back to their owners. Shrieks of pain told Arianna more than one had found its mark.

Plant life of all forms tore from the ground, splitting the earth as they reached with spindly fingers for whoever was unlucky enough lurk in their path. Water and ice surrounded her in a protective circle, acting as a last line of defense should anyone break through the others’ offensive strikes.

Arianna watched the magic work together in perfect sync, those from different countries fighting for the same cause.

Fighting together.

In unison.

Those in Ruadhán constantly talked about the peace she’d bring as if she could heal the land single handedly. But maybe it wasn’t a single action that would bring that peace about. Maybe it was this, the four nations working together to achieve a common goal.

They’d been separated for so long and for reasons never clearly explained.

Warriors leapt from the shadows, clashing with her guards head on. But those fighting for their queen drove the assailants back.

The warriors surrounding her joined the fray at Talon’s command, leaving her friend and the injured warrior to stand by her side. Almost over. Just a few more minutes and their assailants would be subdued.

The scent of the wounded warrior’s blood drew her attention as it soaked though his sleeve. Sweat rolled down his neck and he gritted his teeth against the pain, struggling, once again, to raise his blade.

She swallowed hard and moved to his side. The arrow had gone straight through, thank the gods. It would make extracting the offending object easier. She studied the dwindling battles and once satisfied that none would be coming after them, Arianna grabbed the shaft of the arrow and snapped it in half. The male cried out, hissing between his teeth. She muttered an apology before yanking the shaft from his shoulder.

Arianna covered the wound with her hand and the male winced when her palms illuminated and the magic began its work. She watched the battle, her heart slowing. Three more. There were only three more fighting. Once they gave up, the rest of them could get out of here.

Only two of her guards appeared hurt, their crouched silhouettes illuminated by the fire rising high in the trees.

“Thank you,” the male whispered and Arianna stepped back, his blood covering her hands. Fire spun from his body and the trio watched another of their enemies fall. Then another.

Bandits. They’d just been bandits likely hoping to collect easy coin from passing travelers.

She breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived.

Talon cried out from her left. Her head whipped around to see his chin painfully collide with the earth. She ran for him, heart pounding, teeth clenched and fear tearing through her body as he continued screaming.

What—then she saw them. Two tendrils of darkest black against the already shadowed earth. It wrapped around his legs and crawled up both his calves, burning through the fabric of his boots and pants as it traveled.

She didn’t think, Arianna just moved, launching freezing crystals into the darkness ahead.

The tendrils didn’t let go.

Talon blindly hurled his own magic before forming a wall of ice that severed the tendrils of shadow. He scrambled away, attempted to rise to his feet, and cried out against the pain.

The guard with them stood to Talon’s front and Arianna slid to her knees beside her friend, already working on the scorching wound of his left leg.

Her hands shook and every muscle in her body had tightened all over again. There were more. So many more judging from the scents and sounds. Feet sliding through the grass, ragged breathing that told her they were ready for a fight, rapid heartbeats picking up speed the closer they drew to their targets.

The ambush had simply been to feel them out, test their strength. And they’d isolated Talon as the biggest threat. They knew, she realized. Somehow they knew she was out here and they’d come for her.

Arianna worked on Talon’s other leg, but she hadn’t finished before fire illuminated those closing the distance. A dozen. Two. Three.

Gods. Oh gods, how many were there?

Those who’d been fighting by the tree line closed around her, their weapons already drawn. Talon stood, ignoring the blistering skin on his right leg. He shoved her body behind his own and Arianna stared into the angry faces coming for her.

How did they know? Did someone from the village tip them off? Had there been members of the rebel factions present after all?

Arianna drew the two long knives from her back with trembling hands. There weren’t enough of them, not nearly enough to fight off so many, even with their magic.