Page 61 of Oath of War
Gripping his hair, I yanked his head back until his tear-streaked face tilted up towards me. Annika had once thought me broken, a man defeated by his curse. But thanks to her, I had survived. My sweet domina had seen whatever light was hidden within my darkness and bound it to a shard of her soul.
Her love had not just saved my life but made me want to be a better man. Now, it was my turn to ensure that no one—least of all Ihrain—ever threatened her. I would die for her, kill for her, and protect her even if I had to dirty my hands with the dark arts. It was time her enemies learned that whoever threatened her light would die in my shadows.
‘You believed the lies that desiccated corpse fed you? You belong with each other, you arrogant, malicious piece ofshit,’ I spat, my voice sharp with anger as memories surfaced. I forced myself to calm down. ‘It doesn’t matter now.’
I raised my dagger, and Ihrain started thrashing so hard I was left with clumps of his hair in my fist.
‘No! I’ll talk! About the portals, the Moroi . . . I’ll tell you who works for us. Don’t do it! Don’t!’ His screams broke into desperate sobs as I dragged the blade across his neck, just enough to let dark, opalescent blood drip steadily to the floor.
‘No, please! I’ll tell you about the chancellor,’ he blurted. “I saw corrupted Moroi heading to the palace before the trial. They’re going to free him! He knows where the wraith army is, where the Moroi generals are stationed. If you go now, youcan catch them. Just—please, stop! I’ll tell you everything! Just please don’t kill me.’
‘You’ll tell me anyway, my friend,’ I said coldly, my voice steady as I surveyed the growing pool of blood at my feet. ‘The dead don’t lie to a necromancer.’
Wielding my dagger like a quill, I began inscribing symbols on the floor. Each line, each mark, had to be perfect—one mistake, and my mind would shatter under the spell’s strain. The weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on my shoulders. Ever since Ormond had told us about Roan Fortress, I knew I had to contact my sister. If she could stall the Lich King until Reynard could gather an army, the Lowland Kingdoms would have a chance of surviving.
It took several minutes for Ihrain’s cries to quieten until only defeated whimpers fell from his lips. It wouldn’t be long now. I knew it. I had taken pleasure from taunting him, but now I almost cursed as the thought of Annika’s disappointment flashed through my mind. My hand slowed, moving to carve the last symbol, one that would set Ihrain on his final path.
I called forth the power of my necromancy. Purple strands of energy wrapped around my hands before drifting to the marks on my victim’s body and infusing them with primal power. I had to be quick. The spell would only work while the sacrifice was on the brink of death, still tethered to dying flesh but already drifting towards the Veil.
‘Rowena’va Shen’ra, I call upon you,’ I whispered, binding the spell to my sister’s mind.
The world darkened. My body felt weightless, as though I was falling into a deep well. The sensation intensified as I felt the familiar touch of her mind, and my perspective shifted. Before I could adjust, I heard my father’s voice.
‘This is the last time you will hide things from me, daughter,’ my father snarled. ‘He punished me for your insolence—me!When it is all your fault. Why didn’t you tell me your research was successful?’
The crack of a whip followed, and pain lanced through our connection. I shared her suffering, but I couldn’t reach her. She was staring straight ahead, eyes fixed on the wall. There but not there. I realised that my deranged father had whipped her into a semiconscious state, where the mind seemed to detach itself from the body.
Rowena wasn’t aware of my presence, shielding herself so strongly that I barely felt her. I still tried to get her attention, but just then, another voice interrupted my efforts.
‘What is going on in here?’ The dry snap of the Lich King’s criticism made my father bristle. ‘You were supposed to extract the information on her discovery, not kill her.’
‘She is stubborn, my lord, and she isn’t dead,’ my father replied, his tone obsequious. ‘She’s not even unconscious. She just drifted away, but I’ll find a way to reach her. We will start again once her mind returns from the void.’
I’d always known my father was a sadist with no respect for life, but hearing him speak so emotionlessly, as if torturing his own flesh and blood was nothing, made my blood boil.
‘No, you will not. You’ve destroyed every tool you control, Roan. It’s almost as if you don’t want us to succeed. I sent a Moroi mage to free the chancellor and recall Ihrain to Katrass; he has become a hindrance and will be more useful as a subject for one of Rowena’s experiments.’
‘The Moroi can’t be trusted, their hunger—’
‘They are good at spying, especially those whose illusory powers were enhanced by the blood hunger, and theycanbe trusted. They simply hate you.’
‘So, what happened to turn you against your pet, Ihrain?’ My father’s niggling tone made me smile. It was petty, but I loved to see him not getting his way.
‘He endangered my conduit mage and disappeared to gods know where for days,’ Cahyon growled. ‘But this afternoon, I received his drivel through the portal. Apparently, Annika survived the trial. So did your boy. Ihrain claims he found a way to bring them here.’
The room fell silent for a moment. When the Lich King finally spoke again, his voice cut like steel. ‘But I don’t trust that incompetent fool. Prepare to advance our plans. We need to make a move before the empress brings her army to help Dagome.’
My father muttered a curse under his breath. ‘We should wait ... my lord.’
‘Wait?’ The Lich King’s voice rose, brimming with disdain. ‘For what? I’m sure they’re building portals even as we speak. Why was I cursed with such fools? Your schemes handed Reynard a kingdom. Talena stands with him. Annika bears the Dark Mother’s blessing, and now the entire empire rallies behind their goddess-chosen.’
He began pacing furiously before halting to glare at my father. ‘It was supposed to be a simple takeover. We nearly had Dagome on a silver platter! If Ihrain hadn’t killed that senile bastard, I’d already be king. Now, we’ll be lucky if I don’t end up ruling over another desolate kingdom.’
‘Will it be desolate once we defeat their army? Is it inevitable?’ My father’s smirk was brazen, though he tempered his tone with mock humility.
‘If I didn’t need you ...’ The Lich King’s knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. ‘Get the chancellor and the Moroi to mobilise my army. We just need to hit them before they’re ready. A single, decisive strike should wipe out their forces. If only I could increase the distance of my influence over the monsters ...’ He trailed off, then pointed to Rowena.
‘Call for a healer to tend to her.’ As my father reluctantly complied, he added, ‘Tell me what you’ve discovered so far. Is it true that she can do it?’
