Page 46 of Oath of War
‘I don’t want your pity, little mage,’ whispered a voice in my head.
‘But you want to feel the love of someone who would burn the world for a hint of your smile, don’t you?’
My question was met with silence. I opened myself to her, welcoming not just the power of the goddess who ruled over the living but of the woman who deserved to experience life herself.I felt her surprise at my acceptance, her pleasure that mirrored mine, and the awe when we came close to cresting.
‘Let me feel you both,’ came the pleading whisper. Feeling my body tighten in anticipation, I grasped Ari’s arms and gazed into his beautiful, crimson eyes.
‘Su aetheram, vede aligname faleter.
Me tuor, la’coren datro, sa fallorn.’1
The Anchoring Oath slipped eagerly from my lips, and its magic tore away a shard of our souls, the pain triggering Alaric’s climax. My body jerked, and euphoria overwhelmed me as the darkness of Arachne’s magic and Ari’s spirit fused with my own.
I could feel them both: Alaric’s love filling my soul, and Arachne’s awe and burning desire to feel more, to be more, tolivemore. My fragile, mortal body had humbled the goddess, and for a moment, I sensed her fear of losing me and her access to the world she’d left behind.
‘You will live and live well. I give you my blessing and will shelter your thread. Remember my name, child. You’ll need it.’
The goddess shuddered, her spindly legs contracting, pulling her away. The wave of power subsided, but my soul was still struggling to accept the new bonds, and I slumped into Ari’s comforting embrace. As I sighed in contentment, the gentle caress of a hard claw on my cheek nearly made me scream, but as I turned, I saw Arachne’s tender expression and took a shuddering breath in relief.
‘Thank you, sweet child. You have found yourself a good man.’ Her syllabic voice was surprisingly comforting now that I could feel the emotion behind it. ‘And I certainly approve of our combined symbol on my avatar’s body.’
I pulled back slowly, looking down to see my Anchor mark enriched by a dark ring with thorny vines wrapping around the sword and the dragon. It was done, and I was exhausted.
I wrapped my arms around my chest, feeling vulnerable, and as if sensing my discomfort, Arachne laid a soft, grey robe over my shoulders. The fabric was warm and cosy, weighing almost nothing despite its thickness, and I quickly pulled it closed, revelling in the feel of it.
‘What now?’ I asked, studying the content expression of the goddess.
‘Now . . . I will look over you, Annika. You’ve given me more than I expected. I will visit every now and again, but you are free to live your life, even if that life belongs to me.’ She shifted her gaze to Alaric, and his magic responded, reaching towards her. ‘As you are mine.’
Her gaze flickered to his chest, and I gasped, seeing the curse transform to mimic the markings that covered her back.
‘What . . .?’
She smirked. ‘I can’t allow anyone to mark what is mine,’ she responded before turning to Ari, who patted his chest in awe. ‘You are free from your curse.’
I gaped at her in disbelief, grasping my throat when a string of darkness flew from the goddess to wrap itself around my and Alaric’s necks.
‘You will not speak of this day’s events. Some secrets must stay shrouded in mystery. Enjoy your life, little mage. I can’t wait to see what you do with your Anchors and my blessing.’
The world dimmed and faded away. The soft skitter of countless legs the last sound we heard as we fell back into our own world.
1.With aether aligned in this world and beyond. Forever united with our Anchoring bond.
A day before the trial
The wind lashed my face as Vahin leapt into the air, his formidable wings slicing through the sky. I raised a hand to shield my eyes, bracing myself for the punishing ride ahead. My anger simmered. I’d had two bloody days to enjoy being with Annika before duty dragged me back to the borderlands.
‘I don’t want to part with her, either,’ Vahin grumbled, his voice a growl in my mind.‘But Reynard’s concerns have merit. If the sleeping army has stirred, we need to know—and warn the fortresses. You know I’m the only one who can get us there and back in time for the trial.’
His logic only sharpened my frustration. I should have sent a warning the moment we had uncovered the monsters beneath the keystone, but Annika’s capture and my inability to think straight had delayed everything.
‘I know my duty,’ I snapped, the words bitter.‘But the trial istomorrow. The love of my life isn’t just fighting for the kingdom—she’s fighting for her life. And there’s a chance I won’t be there.’
Vahin rumbled uneasily, exhaling a stream of fire that shimmered in the icy air. ‘No, Orm, we’ll be there. We will be there even if I have to break my wings to get us back.’
I knew his barracks humour was a misguided attempt to soothe my worries, and I smacked his scaled neck, the gesture more fond than reprimanding. ‘Just pray the winds favour us,’ I muttered, leaning into the saddle as he climbed higher, where the air thinned and froze. It was hard to breathe at this altitude, but Vahin needed speed, and I trusted him with my life.
‘I don’t need to pray, Ormond,’ he replied with draconic pride. ‘I’ve been flying this world since before your kind learned to crawl.’
