Page 12 of Vengeance and Fire

“Grave times.”

“Much is at stake.”

They all say something different, making it hard to follow, and I can feel my anger rise because of it. I know this is their way, but I need to hear one clear voice right now.

“OurRealmsare in peril as one seeks too much power. She speaks in poisoned whispers, infecting others with her snake like tongue. It’s spreading like a plague, Dragons, Mages, Fae, all flock to her. You must make the sacrifice. Cordelia must live. One must die, so that one will live.” Theirs eyes are open wide, seeing but not seeing, as they tell us of our future and what will happen if we don’t let things occur the way they should.

“She must live, so that she can save us all.” One of the seers finally speaks alone, stepping out of the line they have formed in front of us.

“Your sacrifice will be great. One life for the lives of many.” She walks up to Thana and touches her face. “You will join them in the gardens, where they await you. You will not be alone. Don’t fight it. Let go.” The seer steps away and then turns to me.

“Thana is not the only one who must sacrifice. You must give away something you hold dear to your heart. Your daughters are all you have left of your mate. Yet, one of them will leave you out of duty, while the other will betray you. Do not try and stop this. It is already written. In the end, she will come, and you must choose, the rest is unclear,” she says and then steps away from me. I look over at Thana as the seers all retreat further and further into the cave past the waters and up the platformed edge.

“We have done our duty, given warning. When the time comes, we will show Cordelia the way,” they all speak as one once more, then vanish.

“What the fuck does that all mean.” I run my hands through my hair, aggravated by the cryptic messages, not knowing what to do with any of it. Thana holds Cordelia tight, rocking softly, lost in thought.

“It means that we prepare to die, Maddox, it means we prepare to die.”

"Sire.” A touch on my shoulder allows the memories of that night to fade into the background of my mind as a soldier stops in front of me.

“There is movement up ahead. Shall we continue on through the trees?” The soldier looks concerned when I don’t respond right away. I have a feeling I know what awaits us and I could be leading them into a trap.

“Yes, but I want you to send some of your men back to Twyla as fast as you can. In fact, I will go forward alone,” I say quickly.

“My King?” The soldier stops me by putting himself between me and the trees. “I can’t let you go in alone. At least take me. I will send the others away.” He stands tall and blocks my path, as if he could really stop me. I can respect a man who wants to do his duty, in that moment, regardless if I live or die, I cannot deny his request.

“Send the others away, quietly.” The soldier turns and hurries back to the others as I stare out into the darkness. My power simmers beneath the surface, sensing what I am about to do. There is no need to fight. Thana knew she needed to give her life on the day she died. I sent Twyla away, and despite my best efforts, Vivyn still made the choices she did to turn against me. For my daughter and my granddaughter, my blood, my life, and now my imminent death is for their future.

I can hear the soldier come back to me, and I instantly begin to move, making my way through the trees. I can see people amass up ahead. I don’t slow but walk right out into the open where scores of Fae, Mages, and Dragons await me.

“Maddox. You came.” Maurelle’s voice grates on my nerves, causing my fingers to twitch. I want to send them all to hell, especially her. I want to wipe that smug smirk off her face and show her what real power is.

I search the crowd and I see just how many people she’s convinced to join her crusade. How many of them know her real intentions? She has promised them power, wealth, and status. And all of these poor idiots are expendable to her. She doesn’t give a shit about anyone who isn’t Fae, and even that’s questionable. I stop my scan as I look right into the face of my daughter. I let the anger inside of me fall away. All I feel is sadness at the fury I see in her eyes. What did I do to deserve such ire? I gave her everything, and she spits it back in my face.

“Vivyn,” I say her name in greeting. What I really want to say is: Vivyn, you are a fucking fool. You’re following a woman who offers you nothing but false promises and pipe dreams. Instead, I follow her name with a small smile.

“Father,” she tries to sneer, but she can barely hold her eyes up to meet mine. “Don’t you want to know how I escaped?” she says changing tactics, replacing her misplaced anger for petulance. It’s almost laughable watching her fail at this game. That’s why she would never have made a good queen.

“I really don’t care, Vivyn. I am not here for you,” I bite back, letting some of my anger seep through my words. I watch her step back into the arms of her mates, as if she’d been slapped. If only I could. “No. I am here for Maurelle.” I turn my attention to the bitch as she steps beyond the line of soldiers and comes to a stop a few feet away in front of me. “What do you want, Maurelle? And why are you in Celestia?” I ask, already knowing the answer but if I can stall, then I will. What do they say about villains? Get them talking and they will reveal their masterplan.

“Oh please, Maddox. You know why I am here.” She tilts head, taking me in from head to toe, then smiles. “Although, I would have loved to have been welcomed into your home. We can speak of your surrender in a much more intimate setting.” She kisses the air in front of her and winks suggestively. I can’t help the laugh that follows. The sound of a growl behind us causes me to stop laughing prematurely, and my eyes lock with Thaddeus’s as he walks away from his group of Barons.

“Ah, oh. I think you made your pet upset, or has he stopped sniffing the shit between your legs?” I taunt as she holds her hand up to stop him.

“Stay where you are, Thaddeus.” She commands, then turns back to me. Thaddeus stands right behind her, like he has any power to do anything to me. I will enjoy killing him. Taking him out will be my pleasure.

“Out of respect for your kingship I was going to try to do this nicely, but for that—” She points at my soldier beside me. “You!” And he immediately tries to step in front of me. I throw my arm out to block his progression.

“Don't worry, he won’t be the first casualty of this war. He will be my herald instead. Take your king's robe, he won’t be needing it anymore.” She gestures with her head for him to move but he doesn’t, defiant and ready to defend me he begins to pull his blade.

“Stand down, soldier. Here, take it.” I quickly shrug off my long black robe and hand it over to him. Our eyes lock and I know in that moment he understands what’s happening here. I can almost hear him pleading with me to fight her, but I can’t.

“Good boy!” Maurelle shouts, taking too much joy from all of this. “Now, take your King’s robe back to your future queen and tell her that her father has surrendered, therefore, all Druids will surrender to me,” she says in triumph. I know my daughter, she will never surrender, but I guess that’s why I am out here, and she is still at the manor. “Hurry along before I change my mind and kill you instead,” she barks out at the soldier, causing him to step back. I look at him and nod, giving him my permission. He takes one last look at me, turns and rushes off through the trees.

“Don’t worry, I will take my time getting there. I know it takes time to spread the word,” she raises her voice, shouting to the retreating soldier. Turning her attention back to me she says, “Plus, we have a lot to discuss, don’t we, Maddox.” She steps closer and then waves Thaddeus over.

“Take him,” she tells him and walks away. Thaddeus smiles wide and approaches me slowly.

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