Page 19 of Winds of Darkness
Sorin waved him off. “What do you plan to do when you have accomplished these tasks of yours?”
Rayner blinked at him, the plate forgotten in his lap. “I’ve never thought about it.”
“You have family?” He glanced at the sleeping princess. “Children?”
“No,” Rayner answered. “No children.”
“Family then.” Rayner stared back at him. “I am not trying to pry,” Sorin said, setting his plate off to the side. “My parents were killed a few years ago. This war is finally dying down with the wards up to keep my people safe. We are … rebuilding.”
As terrible as it was, Rayner felt himself relax at the prince speaking of his own loss and keeping the focus on himself. He picked up a sandwich, listening to the Fire Prince speak of his Court, plans he had for the future, relations with the other Courts and territories, and Rayner found himself asking follow-up questions. Not because he cared per se, but because …
Because he’d never actually had casual conversation withsomeone like this. His gifts had emerged when he was twelve, and he’d immediately been sequestered away. He’d been trained by private tutors in all areas—his studies, combat, magic—and once he’d mastered them all, he’d been assigned as Moranna’s personal guard. No one wanted to be associated with the Baroness’s personal guard. He had been hers, just as she’d always wanted.
He’d always been alone. He’d never considered the idea that he didn’t have to be. That once Moranna was dead and those islands were nothing but a graveyard, it didn’t have to be just him and Aravis.
So when the Fae Queen returned, requesting to speak with Rayner privately, he stood while Sorin gathered the still-slumbering Talwyn. “I have connections across the continent and throughout your Court. I will have them start looking for this thief, and when my tasks are complete, I will find you.”
“That is not necessary,” Sorin replied. “As I said, you are under no obligation to repay me for anything.”
“I understand, but I will still have them look into it. They might already know something the way it is.”
Sorin nodded. “I appreciate it.”
When he had left, the doors being closed behind him, he found himself once again alone with the Fae Queen. She lifted a hand, and a dagger appeared amidst a flurry of snow. It wasn’t anything special. The blade wasn’t even shirastone. It was just … a dagger. Fiera steel maybe? But Rayner knew that would not be enough for Moranna.
He was trying to figure out a way to word his refusal of the weapon without sounding like a complete ass, when the ghost of a smile flitted across the queen’s lips. “I know it does not appear to be anything special, but since your gifts will most likely be inaccessible when you face her, you shall need something to fight with.” She held the dagger out to him, and he took it, turning it over in his hands, trying to see if he’d missed something. “It is imbued with magic not found on this continent,” she continued.
“Then how will I access it?” Rayner asked. It wasn’t uncommon for weapons to be imbued, but the bearer needed to possess that same power to access the magic.
“With ancient magic that has long been lost to this land,” the Fae Queen answered. Another flurry of snowflakes, and a book appeared in her hand. It was an old book, leather and worn, and when she opened the cover, it was a language he could not read. She flipped to a particular page before turning the book around and holding it out to show him. On the page was a Mark, but nothing like the Fae Marks that were given by the Artists. This one was sharper, harsher somehow.
“This is Blood Magic,” Rayner finally said.
The queen smiled softly. “That is one name for it, yes.”
“I cannot perform Blood Magic.”
“The Ash Rider gifts are rare gifts from Anala, Rayner,” she answered gently. “I think you will find there are still secrets to be discovered about what those gifts can offer you.”
“You speak like an Oracle,” he mumbled before silently chastising himself for the insolence.
She just laughed softly. “While I do possess Witch gifts as my sister possessed Shifter gifts, my gifts of prophecy are quite lacking, I am afraid.” The humor slipped from her features a moment later. “Moranna, however, was in service to a very powerful being who taught her many things. Moranna may not be a Witch, but many of their spells and ways can be learned without such gifts. It simply takes more effort and sacrifice. This Mark will activate the magic imbued in the dagger. The first Water Prince imbued it at the Eternal Springs when Fae first came to these lands. Study the Mark. Memorize it. I cannot let you take this book, but beware, Rayner. If that Mark is not done perfectly, things will not end well for you.”
“What is the cost?”
He wasn’t a fool. All magic had a cost, and Blood Magic required the greatest sacrifices of all.
“The magic contained in that dagger could very well take your life when it takes hers,” Eliné answered.
That was fine. As long as Aravis got out, he would gladly give his own life if it meant taking Moranna from this world. He could speak with the Fire Prince. After spending only a few hours with the male, Rayner could tell the prince would do whatever he could to help him, including helping Aravis get settled into his home. Rayner would leave everything to her. He already had. A will was secured at the bank with instructions for all his assets to go to her upon his death.
But if he did survive this …
He met the queen’s stare. “There is one other thing I was hoping you would aid me with.”
Chapter 6
“Fuck,” Rayner muttered when his boot slipped on the cliff side. The spray from the waves crashing on the rocks below made the surface extra slick, and the grips on his boots were doing absolutely nothing to help. He already had a particularly nasty gash along his brow from an earlier slide down the rocky side.