Page 3 of Immortal Origins
The edge of his blade sliced through thick flesh, blood soaking the new wound beneath it as Rowland—who hadn’t even bothered to move—curled his hand and brought it up to connect with the other fighter’s chest. The man-giant smiled a wide-toothed grin as a gasp and a wet scream carried throughout the crowd.
The young man’s fingers uncurled from around his sword as his body slumped lifelessly to the ground. Eyes fading, blood seeped from every orifice of his body.
The stranger was utterly mangled and without a doubt dead.
That’s not possible.Ambrose stumbled back.
The fighter’s body…was obliterated.
Rowland caved in his entire chest. Withone punch.
Whispers and cheers erupted from the crowd as everyone worked out what they had all just bore witness to. A few servants swept forward and removed the body now soaking blood into the grass. Grass that had grown on a steady diet of it.
Ambrose stood there, stunned for a moment and the air around her began to warp away. She quickly regained her focus and it was over in less than a second, but in that second, Rowland looked right to where she was standing. Their eyes locked and though she was sure her magick was holding, he was looking right at her. She decided that was enough voyeurism for the day, turned on her heel, and ran as fast as she could out of the courtyard, through the halls and back to the servants’ dormitories. Avoiding the pit in her stomach as the image of Rowland’s eyes burned into hers.
Eyes that knew.
Eyes that saw.
Chapter 2
Ambrose made it back to her quarters, making quick work about changing. She struggled out of the leather pants that were so formed to her they were perfect for combat but made it rather difficult when she needed to remove them. Once they were folded, she moved her hands to unwrap the corset strapped firmly around her body—the leather worn from the amount of training she and Adym had been doing lately.
Her brother had given her the corset as a gift for her birthday before last. Where he’d gotten it, she still didn’t know. Dragon leather was extremely expensive and usually something only the upper class or nobles could afford. Her brother was a no-star and the only wages he received were housing, a meal, and the honor of dedicating his life in service to the empire. There was no way he could afford it the traditional route and her brother was not one to break the rules lightly, even for her. So, how it had come into his possession was beyond her.
The corset relented its grip as she unhooked the last strap and released a small, relieved breath. Slipping the cotton undershirt over her head, she folded the items, slipped them into her usual hiding spot behind her bed frame and switched into the servant attire they were all required to wear. The stone walls of the palace were as empty and suffocating as always, but the sun was just now shining through the windows and washed her skin in its warmth. She tilted her face towards the sunlight and allowed herself a few quiet moments to feel its warm rays as the sun cradled her face, showering her in radiance…before the rest of the world had to come crashing down.
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” a sweet voice scolded from behind her just as Ambrose wrapped her colorless dressings around her and clipped them into place. Draped over her, the white gown wound its way around her entire body, clinging to her chest, and held in place with a single brooch that bore the same emblem her brother’s sword had. Silver and gold intricately designed with the crest of Eltoria.
The crest that told the empire which kingdom she belonged to. Not that she would ever get to see another one.
Ambrose turned to meet a deep brown face shining back at her. Ernaline’s slightly pointed ears—the ears of an elven fae—poked out from under her dark, curly hair that had been braided and pulled up into a bun with flowers of all colors from the gardens woven in. Though she wore the same uniform as Ambrose it screamed sophistication on her in a way few could ever emulate. Everything about Ernaline was elegance and regardless of being a servant she’d managed to turn more than a few heads at court, even among some of the highest nobility. But Ambrose knew her real talents were her unfiltered brilliance and her Nature Magick.
“Just finished up. I was just about to come and find you.” Ambrose returned her smile enthusiastically.
“Don’t tell me you just woke up.” Ernaline shook her head in disapproval.
“I may have slept in a little unintentionally,” Ambrose said as guilt clawed at her chest. She hated lying to her best friend, but if anyone knew about her nightly excursions with her brother they could be punished as well. Severely. Looking at Ernaline’s smiling face, she knew she would never allow anyone to hurt her.
“You’re lucky I came to find you before old lady Asquith did, or you really would’ve been sorry,” Ernaline warned.
“You’re right, the last thing I want to do is unleash that woman’s wrath.” Ambrose thought of Ms. Asquith, short and authoritative as she barked orders down in the kitchens while servants scrambled to their morning duties. Morning dutiestheywere no doubt going to be late for.
“Then let’s make sure she doesn’t notice when we slip in.” Ernaline raisedher finger to her lips and Ambrose eagerly nodded in agreement.
Whispering between them, the girls slipped out of the dorms and made their way down the never-ending corridors that would take them to the palace kitchens. The smell of breakfast filled the air as nobles began their morning, the halls coming alive with life. Some nobles had taken to enjoying the early morning sun in one of the many open courtyards, while others had taken to lounging around in other ways, already making demands of the nearest servants. As they rushed past the training yards, Ambrose tried to keep calm but couldn’t stop herself from scanning the crowd, looking for a man that towered above the rest. Fighters of all kinds had gathered and it looked to be that almost all of them were awake now and training among themselves. She glanced around, shoulders relaxing as she realized he was nowhere to be found. Just pairs of fighters circling one another as bystanders watched, betting on who the winners might be. No matter, how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled into her stomach since her encounter with Rowland.
Something about it wasn’t quite right.
Her brow furrowed as she struggled to come to an answer.
What did he see?Had he seen her magick or her? Was he telling someone and that’s why she couldn’t find him. Was he telling someone at courtright now?
Her mind wouldn’t stop racing at the implications but she did her best to shove them away. Whatever problem might arise from it, she would just have to deal with it if it presented itself. Across from the fighters’ courtyard the mages were all gathered for their lessons in their own respective yard. Murmuring excitedly between each other, no doubt in anticipation of the morning’s lessons. Ambrose’s stomach fluttered as she thought of her own Magick lessons that week and her excitement swelled.
Standing in a circle, one mage stood in the center that far stood out among the rest. A magickal current surged through the air, powerful and controlled. Only one mage in Eltoria could command the power that sizzled on their skin. The air surrounding the Grand Mage erupted with Magickal energy as lightning ripped above his head. He lifted an aged handtowards the white streak before it could hit him, pulled it from the sky and contained it into a ball of pure energy, now crackling before him. The silver and gold specks on his robes flickering lights as they reflected the glowing ball.
The circle of mages clapped furiously at the demonstration as the Grand Mage pushed his hands together and the ball dissipated. He smiled, swooping his hands high into a deep and dramatic bow towards his students.
