Page 134 of Of Vows and War: Special Edition
“I think that is a lovely idea,” I agreed with a smile.
***
Herberto’s head was barely hanging onto his neck, the sight nearly as gory as the gaping hole in Florencia’s chest. I knew that devastation well. It was the work of demons. Not that anyone but Xavier and I would remember that.
Panic was filling me, overtaking me like weeds suffocating roses. Only two bodies were in the clearing. The younglings were missing.
Asherwas missing.
When the area surrounding Florencia and Herberto showed no signs of either youngling, I dove into the trees, tears streaming down my face as the memory of Asher’s soft giggles rang in my ears.
No. No. No. No!
A scream bubbled in my throat, blocking air from reaching my lungs. Still, I pushed on, searching desperately for a sign that she was still here. My power seeped into the ground, but I did not dare move a single tree. Not when she was at risk of being harmed.
Thorns sliced open my cheeks, vines wrapped around my ankles, dirt flew up into the air. All I could do was think of her as I ran and searched—as I begged the ethers. And then, Eternity saw fit to show me mercy.
Asher’s cries echoed across the forest.
When I finally found her, she was sitting up, still in the little white dress she had worn when Florencia had brought her along to fetch Baron. I dove down, grabbing her in my arms and sobbing openly as I hugged her close to my chest.
Reluctantly, I let my magic out, parting the trees to see if Baron was anywhere in sight. But no, Asher and I were the only ones there. Somehow, in that moment, I understood what had happened.
Florencia and Herberto must have hidden Asher and then tried to fight to protect Baron. Only for them to fall and the king or one of his warriors to take my son.
The king must have gotten word from his daughter before she was recaptured. He must have known she was pregnant. Did he think Baron was his grandson?
He would realize that Baron was not a demon, of course. Probably kill him. A weight lifted off my chest at the thought of not needing to deal with the male. Nor would I need to worry about the Daniox’s growing further attached to Asher.
Could I be so lucky?
No. There were still loose ends.
My eyes flicked down to Asher’s ears, the tips short, rounded points. Other if one had the foresight to search for discrepancies in her appearance. Someone like a king looking for his blood.
With a deep breath, I set Asher back down on the forest floor, summoned a sharp rock in my palm, and got to work cutting—the sound of her blood-curdling screams ringing in my ears.
All the while, my mother’s voice urged me on in my mind.
Nicola
~ Nicola experiences her first true visions as an Oracle ~
Acandle burned nearby.
Had Kafele lit that after we fell asleep? Suddenly, I realized I no longer felt him beneath me. What was happening?
My eyes blinked again and again, trying to see anything beyond the flickering flame. After a few moments, two figures finally emerged out of the darkness. They seemed to be standing still, their hands gesturing in angry and sharp movements.
In the distance, something roared. The sound was crisp, like a stormy winter night in the Tomorrow Lands. But that was not where I was. I could sense it, somehow. This was not my home.
Almost subconsciously, I moved forward, aiming for the pair ahead. As if that first step was a catalyst, sound and sight came back to me, the image clearer now.
A female and a male were arguing. Both wore black garments and black crowns, so odd when all I knew of fae royalty was their aversion to any color other than gold. Should I shout to them? Make myself known?
I thought about it, but their words were carrying, and something in my mind told me tolisten.
“You must stop this, Padon! I cannot take it anymore!” The female, her curly hair a startling shade of silver, grabbed the male’s wrist, his towering form growing rigid.
