Page 133 of Born of Starlight
This felt nothing like a horse.
Amara watched us ascend before yelling up to us. “Make her pay!”
I held on, hoping Fenris could do the same for a few more moments.
* * *
From the heightof the Griffith’s flight over the palace, I could see the grounds, and the city was in shambles. Fire sprung from shop windows, walls crumbled and bodies of the fallen lay scattered in the streets. The repugnant smell of dark magic hung heavy in the air.
Horns of retreat were sounding in the distance. Cassidee landed the Griffith in front of the barbican. The northern soldiers were beginning to retreat.
Luz was not for the taking. Neither was Fenris.
“Here.” Cassidee handed me a sword from a sheath built into her saddle. We dismounted and headed for the palace entry.
Cassidee guarded my back as I pushed open the large white-oak double doors.
Where would she take him?
Firose would wish to defile a place sacred to this Corridor.
The throne room.
“Down the hall,” I called over to Cassidee.
Cassidee flanked my left. A group of northern guards approached from the hall, shouting for reinforcement. Dark amber orbs grew in their palms, but Cassidee sheathed her blade and clapped her hands hard in front of her. The men were blasted back by a gust of wind so strong they were left unconscious. But more soldiers swarmed us, wielding Death.
We blocked the magic with our blades as orbs were slung at us. Cassidee used her shield to push our way toward the long hall. We were still outnumbered.
Wyeth burst through the castle doors behind us, shouting Phynnic charms that pulled vines through the windows. The vines grew thick like tree roots before winding around the ankles of guards that approached Cassidee.
Cassidee paused to marvel at the magic Wyeth spun. Her mouth hung open but edged up at the sides.
“How did you find me, love?” Cassidee asked.
Wyeth answered, “The trees…they whispered. I hate you for worrying me.” Wyeth’s black hair flashed green, but with her command over the soil, she wasn’t lying about the trees.
“Your left!” Cassidee shouted to me as she turned to meet the sword of a mortal northern guard. Wyeth held off the entryway by cracking the marble ground beneath her feet. The stone gave way, and the dirt opened to swallow enemy forces in a sinkhole.
Blue light grew in my palms, and I launched it at the two guards approaching from my left. To my surprise, instead of throwing blue flame, it left my hands as a constant stream of light and seared through the soldiers. It burned holes in the hallway walls behind them before I fisted my hands to stop it.
“Go! I’ll hold the door,” Wyeth shouted at Cassidee. She’d cleared a path to the throne room.
I didn’t wait for Cassidee. Instead, I ran down the hall before throwing the silver-trimmed doors of the throne room open.
“Firose!” My voice boomed.
My whole body stilled at the glint of a blade being drawn up toward the sapphire ceiling.
Fenris was on his knees, his head bowed. He lifted his head, and his eyes widened as he reached out a hand toward me.
No.The blade was coming down.
Where was Van?
“He has some of his own free will. He just chooses to listen to me.”I remembered Fen’s words.
“Vangard, come!”
