Page 142 of A Trial of Two Worlds
I felt powerful. My blood sang with a new song of strength, my magic flowing effortlessly through my limbs as I charged headfirst into the fight. My blades wereextensions of my will, cutting down my adversaries without hesitation as they tried but ultimately failed to take me down.
My gift of foresight answered my call, no longer a hindrance but an ally in battle. Death bowed to my command as glimpses of my foes’ attacks flashed through my mind’s eye, mere breaths before they struck. I felt unstoppable, predicting their movements before they even made them. My twin blades dripped crimson; countless bodies left in their wake as I pressed forward to join my brother.
“Dax!” I called, guarding my high prince from any foolish enough to try and land a killing blow.
Daxton said nothing as he impaled a line of warriors with an ice spear. He teleported to my other side to cut down another charging in for an attack. “Leave her for me.”
I glanced ahead at the edge of the lake where Minaeve stood in wait.
“Where is—”
“Seems I’ve arrived just in time,” Seamus sneered as he attacked Daxton.
The two mighty foes clashed as their powers met with a thundering boom. Aelius was gifted with powers of the mind, but Seamus was a formidable warrior as a high prince of his realm.
Blades collided in a flurry of silver, and the two warriors appeared to be in a standoff. With Seamus catching Daxton off guard and seizing the upper hand,my brother had to summon every ounce of his skill and strength to overthrow the High Prince of Aelius.
“Gods-dammit, Anjani,” I cursed, knowing she wasn’t far.
Aelius’s second could not be underestimated. My head swiveled, searching through the crowds of battle to find the magic wielder lurking amongst the disorder. Minaeve approached the two high princes, her magic casting shadows and mists in her wake as her intentions focused on my brother.
“No!” I roared as I hurled a spear of ice in Minaeve’s direction.
The high queen easily deflected my attack, her shadows creating a shield. But killing her was not my endgame. My assault caused Minaeve to pause, and I grinned as her turquoise stare narrowed on me.
That’s it.
“You always did have an aptitude for stepping out of line and thinking you matter enough to make a difference,” Minaeve sneered.
“Can’t disagree. I’m never one to shy away,” I taunted, drawing her undivided attention.
Her shadows expanded, her mysterious magic granting her the power to command and wield them as lethal weapons. “How do you believe this ends, Prince Castor? You’re no match for my power, let alone my guards. What do you hope to achieve?”
I grinned as I planted my feet on the ground, preparing myself for an onslaught. “What makes you think this,” I said, gesturing between us, “is my goal?”
Minaeve looked me over, magic caressing my skin like a snake slithering amongst the rocks. It felt wrong, unnatural.
“I see,” she said. “No matter. This will all be over soon.”
An uneasy tremor crept up my spine.
“Enough! Stop!” Daxton’s commanding voice boomed across the battlefield, bringing us to a halt.
I turned, seeing Seamus on his knees with Valencia pressing against his throat. Blood trickled down the high king’s neck as his emerald-glowing eyes burned with a menacing vengeance. Seamus tried but failed to free himself. He was trapped, unable to regain control.
I couldn’t help but grin.
“Release me,”Seamus commanded inside my mind, causing me to jump back in surprise.“You’re not the only one who regained their true powers.”Seamus’s grin widened as he took in my state of shock.
Seamus attempted to latch onto my mind, but I managed to construct a barrier around my thoughts to protect myself from his magic and push him out.
What kind of powers were unleashed from the Heart of Valdor?
Unfortunately, others nearby did not deflect his magic in time and began approaching Daxton with their weapons drawn. Daxton remained calm, creating an icewall around them. Gods above, my brother didn’t even blink at the effort it took him to construct his barricade.
“Ahh, I see,” Seamus grunted as the blade at his throat pressed into his neck. “Your gifts advanced as well.”
“Daxton.” Minaeve spoke my brother’s name with a familiarity she didn’t deserve. “What is all this? Why are you fighting to—”
