Page 35 of Immortal Origins (Chronicles of the Immortal Trials #1)

The last two however, stood out among the group the most. Two men of identical height and appearance, with deep brown skin and hair.

One had a smile that could light up a room, while the other couldn’t be bothered not to scowl.

The only difference on them aside from their facial expressions were the scars that covered their bodies.

They wore a mixture or metal and leather armor and each had a large sword at his side.

Twins! Identical ones no less.

Ambrose was surprised to see them more than anything.

“They’re not wearing dragon leather,” she noted, taking in each warrior and mage.

“They’re custom-made and hard to come across.

Don’t let the palace fool you, dragon leather is exceptionally expensive and most can’t afford it, so they opt for other forms of armor and protection.

To have something that would fit your whole body could cost more than most make in an entire harvest season. ”

Custom-made? She remembered how well the leather stretched in her hand.

“Yes, yours as well,” he noted as he saw the expression on her face. “All dragon leather is custom-made so there’s no waste. I had yours tailored yesterday.” He straightened as they reached the waiting party.

“Ambrose!” Danthan waved, smiling wide as he bounced on the balls of his feet. He’d been so helpful during her lessons she really did need to thank him properly when she got the chance.

She eagerly returned his smile. “Danthan, I’m surprised to see you here.”

“You didn’t hear?” He puffed his chest and a piece of his blond hair dangled on his forehead.

Dressed in leather pants and a light brown tunic, he bore a silver chest plate for protection and leather shoes made for long journeys.

Comfortable, yet practical. Very Danthan.

“I got my calling, I’m a healer now! I’ll be here to make sure no one gets too banged up while we’re out there. ”

Her smile grew and she threw a hand up, which he met with the palm of his own. “That’s amazing, congratulations! I knew it would come for you soon. When did that happen? Your parents must be so happy.”

“Just a few days ago.” He nodded proudly. “I sent word to them in Nazuria, I’m sure I’ll receive their reply when we get back. My dad should officially name me as heir.” His smile grew from ear to ear. “I’m sure they’ll call on me for the celebration ceremony, will you come as my guest?”

“If I live that long.” She knew she had no intention of being in the Capital when he got that letter, but she was happy for him nonetheless. Danthan was kind and fair. He would make a great Governor. She gave him an encouraging smile. “I’m glad you’re here, thanks for doing this.”

“What are friends for?” he told her. “Besides, I’m dying to see what you can do outside of our lessons, I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

“Ambrose.” Akadian pointed at the short red-haired fae.

“Meet Felius. One of the best fire mages in the Capital and a hell of an arm with an axe.” Felius gave her a wide-toothed grin and bowed his head.

Akadian then gestured to the dark-haired and almond-eyed woman.

“This one is Podara. A hunter who can do things with a knife you don’t want to even imagine.

” The woman gave her a sharp dip of the chin as her only greeting.

Attached to her sides and hips were lines of daggers.

Ambrose assumed they didn’t stop with the ones she could see.

“And these two are Oryon and Eurus. Two of the most decorated knights outside the guard. All hand-picked for a special set of skills that should make this trip successful.”

“You’re twins!” Ambrose blurted out.

“Yes ma’am, last time I checked.” The one named Oryon with the bright smile bowed slightly at the waist to her. “I heard you are too. Fraternal. Actually, we’ve heard a lot about you, you’re kind of becoming famous in the Capital.”

“Oh?” Ambrose cocked her head. “And what have you heard?”

She tried not to entertain the fear that coursed through her when she thought about how many people knew Adym was her twin. The last thing she wanted to do was draw unwanted attention to him and make him more of a target than he likely already was.

“You’re quickly becoming a bit of a legend.” Oryon nudged his brother. He was bold and didn’t know how to hold back his tongue. Ambrose immediately liked him. “We heard all about your trial. Is it true you made a pledge at a criminal trial? What a brilliant move, what made you think of it?”

“I don’t—” She didn’t know what to say.

“Enough,” Akadian snapped. “I picked you two for your professionalism, show some respect.”

“I forgot myself.” Oryon straightened and placed a closed fist over his heart. “My apologies Your Highness, it won’t happen again.”

Just as the sun decided to reach over the horizon and bathe them all in warm light, a blood-curdling scream pierced the early morning.

Ambrose sprang into action, running directly towards the source of the scream, the others right behind her.

She pulled around to the front gate where a woman cowered, crying, as she pointed at something on top of the gate.

When Ambrose reached the woman, Oryon and Eurus stood on either side of her, swords drawn, while the hum of Akadian’s magick lapped against her back.

Felius stood ready, battle axe in hand to fight off whatever caused the woman so much distress and Danthan’s jaw dropped as he covered his mouth with one hand, wide-eyed.

All while Podara took her time sauntering over, flipping a dagger in her hand, unfazed by the commotion.

Ambrose wished she hadn’t come running.

She wished she wasn’t looking at what the woman saw.

She wished she wasn’t standing there, frozen and unable to look away.

Twenty feet in the air, atop the iron gates that protected the city, a body had been pierced clean through on the spikes.

Blood spilled from the corpse to the ground as though the person had still been alive when they were speared.

Every inch of his skin was charred and flayed to a crisp, so red and blackened it was unrecognizable.

Skin flaked off bone and melted fat pooled on the gate.

Smoke still rose from the fresh remains as its mouth hung open in an eternal scream.

The stench!

Far worse than during her altercation with Thornehart. That smell had singed the hairs in her nose, but this ? This smell was something she would never be able to erase from her memory.

The only part of his body that remained untouched was his uniform.

A guard’s uniform.

Someone murdered another guard! Ambrose choked down the fear that gripped her, eyes scanning the uniform for his rank, she desperately sent a prayer to Zyros. Please don’t let that be Adym stung up for the world to see.

But it wasn’t Adym.

On the guard’s uniform were three gilded stars.

Oh gods.

It was Thornehart.

“Ahhhhh… I see you found my gift.”

On instinct, Ambrose spun around into a crouching stance, reaching for an invisible sword on her hip.

Damn it. First. Priority. She chided herself. She wouldn’t be surprised unarmed again.

Casimir sauntered towards them as though he were enjoying a pleasant morning stroll—not announcing a horrible murder.

His light blond hair was tied back into a ponytail and his deep red suit stood out against the green grass.

Like he was cloaked in blood. Emerald eyes set ablaze with playful danger.

Icicles formed on the gate as he passed through.

Frost covered the iron and the body which stopped smoking as it cracked under the immediate temperature change.

“ You did this?” she asked, horrified.

“With a little help.” Casimir grinned as he reached Akadian and tapped him proudly on the shoulder. “It was quite the sight to behold.”

Akadian did this?

This wasn’t the usual execution of beheading or hanging. This was cruel. She hadn’t any love lost on Thornehart, but he only attacked her because she killed his son. No one could truly blame him for what any father would likely do. She wanted him punished, not murdered.

How could Akadian do something like this? She looked at him, disgusted with what she saw. She was a fool. Distracted by a pretty face and a garden of all things. How could she ever let herself forget what he was? A royal. Inhumane with no conscience, just an insatiable taste for cruelty.

“He was supposed to stand trial.” She could barely control her rage.

“He did,” Casimir cooed. “He was given the same choice as every criminal who isn’t already a servant: serve or die. He chose death.”

“That’s not an execution,” she spat. “That’s torture.”

“You seem to think there’s a difference?” Casimir tapped a slender finger on the iron gate.

“You’re both monsters.” She refused to look at Akadian, unable to look him in the eye.

Casimir feigned hurt, placing a hand over his chest. “I thought you’d be thrilled. He did try to kill you after all.”

“So that justifies…” She gestured at the body. “ This ?”

Casimir closed the distance between them.

“Oh, yes.” He tried dragging an icy hand down her arm but she ripped it away from him.

“No one defies our laws. I will make an example of anyone who does so.” He grabbed her bicep and pulled her close, his hand burning where he touched exposed skin. “Do you understand me? ”

Yes. She understood.

He was playing with her. Trying to get a rise out of her, looking for any weakness to exploit and she wouldn’t give it to him.

She wasn’t going to give him the chance to make an example out of her and would be long gone where no one would ever find her.

Even if she had to run for the rest of her life to do it.

She’d make sure he was sorely disappointed.

Ambrose wrapped her fingers around Casimir’s wrist and pried it from her bicep.

Her fingers burned from the cold, his skin like death as it touched her.

She wanted to bite back at the pain, pull her fingers away before they froze solid but instead, she took a deep breath and let the cold wash over her.

It reached its way up her forearm and though she could feel it cracking on her skin, it didn’t bother her anymore.

She pried his fingers away as she bit out, “Do not touch me.”

Casimir’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at her grip, before they narrowed and met her stare. “Excuse me?”

Ambrose stepped closer. “I am a Trial Champion of the empire in the name of Eltoria, and you will not lay a hand on me again.”

Casimir’s grin threatened to tear his face in half, his composure impenetrable.

“That is correct. For now. But you will do well to remember, there are other ways one can be harmed without being touched. And you’ll be gone for so long, I’d hate to see what becomes of your loved ones while you’re away. ”

Ambrose wanted to throw venom on him. “What do you want?”

“I want you to know your place. And you will,” he said as though it were a fact.

Ambrose squared her shoulders and let go of Casimir’s wrist. “Message received.”

Casimir’s emerald eyes glared at her. “Good. Safe travels then. I’ll be seeing you again in what, a couple of months?”

“I’ll be there,” she lied.

“I know you will be.” Casimir nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”

* * *

Casimir instructed the servants to leave the body up on the gate until they returned.

Their party made their way to the forest outside the Capital without a word to each other, the mood completely shifted as they started hiking.

The vision of burnt flesh and melted fat impossible to erase from their minds, all anticipation for the journey sucked out and violated by Casimir’s gift .

Ambrose’s mind reeled as they walked. Casimir had Thornehart executed without another thought.

A skilled mage and a three-star lieutenant?

Truly, no one was safe in the empire. She always assumed nobility had more protections, it was so rare that one ever stood trial so she thought the empire might be more forgiving. She was a fool.

She couldn’t bear to look at Akadian. What was she thinking letting her guard down so quickly around him?

Did a little mystery and an attractive face really make her forget herself so easily?

The royals only had one loyalty—to the gods themselves.

He would never be a safe place for her. She told herself she wouldn’t allow herself to be so ignorant again. She wouldn’t forget again.

Somehow, she would escape this.

Somehow, she would find a way to be free of the tyranny of the empire. Even if she had to disappear to do it.

She’d heard rumors once. There were isles off the coast of Nethyr that could offer her the perfect place to hide.

She didn’t know how to sail but maybe she could stow away on a ship and find an isolated one where she could build a life.

Those waters were controlled by pirates so it was practically suicide to go in or out of them, which might just make it the perfect place.

Or maybe, she could go deep into the Tundra Zone.

She had Fire Magick and could hide out in the ice and survive easily if she could master it.

It was such a harsh climate, hardly anyone went in or out who wasn’t one of Sepikara’s couriers.

And even then, they stayed to a specific trade route.

It would be difficult, but not impossible.

No matter what, now that she was outside the city, she could never go back.

She wasn’t going to let Casimir make the example out of her he so clearly wanted to.

Her fate was in her hands now.

No one else’s.