Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
So, the creature did want Jellan.
He wanted them both.
But he also wanted Jellan.
“You scheme,” she said disinterestedly.
He stiffened. “I-I don’t.”
“You do and feel free,” she allowed. “It will get you nowhere. But if hope keeps you performing to our standards…” She shrugged and let that trail.
Jellan thought for a moment before he decided to say quietly, “I honestly feel I could be of use to you. To you both.”
“Oh, but you are.”
“A different use,” he stressed.
Abruptly, she leaned toward him.
He pressed himself to the wall.
“I like your use,” she whispered, and he saw, even in the shadows, the flash of her malicious smile.
She then walked away.
And that was that.
So be it.
Once she was gone, as best he could, Jellan brushed the dirt from the joint before he gnawed on it, burrowing with his teeth to get all the meat, cracking the bones at their weak places to suck out the marrow.
He needed to keep his strength.
For she was right.
He did.
He schemed.
And he would find some way.
Some way to exact his vengeance.
Some way to be victorious.
He would make that happen.
No matter what it took.
82
The Hope
The Great Coven
Silbury Henge, Argyll Forest
AIREN
In the clearing of the forest, the first flash of light came before the first of the five standing stones.
The light was marine blue.
The witch Lena of Mar-el.
The next came and it was crimson.
The witch Nandra of Firenze.
The last was green.
Rebecca of Wodell.
And the witch who strode from the last flash did so speaking.
“I cannot be here, my queen is—”
“Rebecca,” Lena spoke softly, “We are so sorry. But we had to call to you.” She paused and finished, “Fern has been taken.”
Rebecca gasped.
“The gentry of Airen did not even know of the changes that would be made once Cassius was proclaimed regent,” Nandra said. “The moment he heard his son was to marry a Nadirii, Gallienus starting plotting. While they’ve been traveling, with great secrecy, the gentry allied their militias and created their strategy. When their spies noted the Firenz regiments camped close to Airen’s southern border, they knew all did not bode well for the continuation of their regime with the heir to their throne soon to be wed do a Nadirii. Thus, they forged ahead with the first moves of their attack.”
“And it was Fern?” Rebecca whispered.
Both fellow witches nodded, but only Lena spoke.
“Cassius had her guarded, but he could not understand the fullness of their desire to capture and imprison her. They sent great numbers to be certain this was so. His man, Otho, perished during the effort to try to spirit her away.”
“Oh goddess, no,” Rebecca breathed.
“This as well as more than thirty other Airenzian soldiers loyal to their crown prince,” Nandra bit out.
“I did not feel the veil shift due to Fern—” Rebecca began.
“She is not dead,” Lena told her. “She is only taken.” She tipped her head to Nandra. “We believe they intend to try to use her powers. We also believe, as naught yet has moved forward with it, they do not know that she’s raised an army of her own. Fern’s army has just lost their commander…for the time being.”
“They further do not know that all nations have allied with Airen to quell such a revolt,” Nandra put in.
“I fear Wodell may not be able to join in that effort,” Rebecca said sadly.
Her fellow witches both nodded, their expressions just as melancholy.
“There were two prongs to their attack,” Lena went on, moving them from that subject. “Taking Fern and besetting Sky Bay. Cassius’s men are holding the Bay, but they’re under siege. They need reinforcements.”
“I am sure this will be forthcoming,” Rebecca murmured.
And it likely would.
“The Enchantments were attacked,” Nandra announced.
Rebecca blinked.
“The Go’Doan fools,” Lena mumbled.
“They didn’t—” Rebecca started.
Lena shook her head. “They were trounced by the Nadirii. But they used a unicorn horn and Melisse to bring down the shield.”
Rebecca’s back shot straight and her eyes shot daggers. “A unicorn horn?”
“The creature will be avenged,” Lena stated flatly, staring her sister right in the eyes.
This meant whatever glorious creature had been maimed for this vile effort would be avenged.
“And Melisse?” Rebecca asked.
“She holds to life, but barely. I have not seen good things,” Nandra answered.
“I told her,” Rebecca hissed, deciding to feel angry, rather than full of despair, for she’d had enough despair for one day.
“Melisse, like none of us, is perfect,” Nandra replied.
“And this is why Ophelia isn’t with us right now,” Rebecca remarked.
“This is why, amongst other things,” Lena responded.
Rebecca was confused. “But I have felt her strengthening.”
“I as well, but I urge you, do not put too much hope in that,” Lena advised.
They all knew.
What would be with Ophelia was not a possibility.
It was an eventuality.
“You have had much on your mind,” Nandra said, unusually gentle. “And much occurring in your realm. But,” she looked to Lena, bringing together their abbreviated circle, “there is hope. The veil strengthens. The lovers grow ever tied to one another. It is the first time I have felt real hope since the quakes began.”