Page 2 of A Rising Hope

“No, you’d rather haveyourpeople suffer instead. Until you’ve drained and killed them all. Why bother with Destroyers—our magic is not of any use to you.”

She shrugged, not denying the fact. But it was that unwavering stretch of her lips in that smug, evil smirk that sent my heart racing. Whatever she was hiding, whatever secrets she had woven, I had seconds to figure it out. My thoughts raced a million miles an hour, each cell sounding an alarm. I honed my magic, ready to attack.

“I guess that’s the principle in question, General. Who do you care about more? The well-being of Destroyers or Magic Wielders?” The shadows swirled around, the fog became a thick, oily darkness, making it almost impossible to breathe. She took a step closer, my fire reflecting in her hatred-filled eyes as she pierced me with her menacing glare. “Surrender, and I’ll let you rule over the Destroyers. I will let you be their king, and together, we shall rule over Esnox in power.”

“And if I don’t feel like being a puppet to the Mad Queen?” I retorted, keeping my rising ire at bay.

“Oh, I think your young nature prevails your reason because I don’t think you understand, General. There isnoother option. There isnonegotiation. This is myonlyoffer. Otherwise, your people will suffer and, unfortunately, die. So, I would highly recommend you to consider it.”

I gave a pointed look, lowering my head closer to her as I matched her hostile glare.

“I must decline,” I hissed as shadows crawled over my skin, air running dangerously low in my lungs.

“Ah, see, I was afraid that would be your answer, General. It’s a shame, but I truly hope you reconsider.” With a snap of herfingers, the shadows parted briefly to the open window at the manor.

The window to my bedroom.

The window leading to where Finnleah was peacefully asleep.

My heart dropped to my feet and magic exploded, burning the shadows.

That single blink.

The glance towards the open window cost me.

The Queen was gone. As if made of thin air, she disappeared between the smoke.

If not for your people’s sake, at least for hers.Her words drifted through the burning darkness. My powers lunged, searching for her, but it was too late. The shadows incinerated with a flash.

“Gideon?!” Zora shouted, coughing through the fumes. Her words were muffled by the drumming in my ears, the blood rushing past making me deaf.

I was already running. Running faster than I ever had.

Heart frozen mid-beat as I crossed the fields, then flew up the curved staircase to the top wing of the ancient manor.

My mind focused on only one thing. Chanting her name as if it were a spell.

Finnleah. Finnleah. Finnleah.Finnleah.

The large door flew off its hinges as I ripped it open.

No. No. No. No. No. No

No. No. No. No.

No. No. No!

The long curtains billowed with a gust of wind from an open window.

An agony filled scream erupted from my chest as my eyes beheld the empty bed. Tousled sheets dropped on the floor where my heart, my soul, mywifewas only minutes ago.

“FINNLEAH!” I roared into the emptiness; my voice broken and hoarse. My muscles trembled, knees ready to buckle, and pure desperate rage tore through every cell in my body.

But none of it would bring her back.

She was gone.

Her lingering smell was the only memory of her presence.

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