Page 63 of Oath of War
‘That’s not ...’ The Lich King hesitated, then nodded with an indulgent smile. ‘Alright, if that is what you wish.’
Fury burned in my chest as I watched him manipulate her, his skeletal fingers brushing her hair with mock affection. My sister rested her head on his shoulder, defeated. He had broken her.
‘Rowena, don’t!’ I shouted into her mind. ‘He’s lying to you. Deep down, you know it! Ro, talk to me! I’m already free. You don’t have to do this!’
All I felt was deep, abiding sadness. She didn’t care anymore, and I didn’t know how to reach her.
‘I’m tired, Ari. Tired of the pain, of making monsters, of always looking over my shoulder. Maybe ... Maybe if he finally gets his kingdom, this will end. Maybe no one else will suffer.Youwon’t have to suffer.’
‘No!’ I cried. ‘I told you—I’m free. The Dark Mother granted me mercy. Listen to me, Ro. Give me a few days. I’ll open the portal. Just be ready to leave—’
The blood spell faded, cutting me off mid-sentence. I was wrenched from her mind, my connection severed. Ihrain must have died, the bastard’s meddling ending at the worst possible moment.
A scream escaped my lips as I opened my eyes and struck his lifeless body. I couldn’t let this happen. I had to reach Rowena before it was too late. Annika would never agree to me going alone or, worse, she’d insist on going with me. But Ro was my sister. Only a coward would turn his back on his family.
Hrae! She will be furious, but if Orm can be persuaded...
A plan formed in my head while I gathered the surrounding aether, tinted with my signature necromantic power. I let it seep into Ihrain’s corpse. His dead eyes filled with otherworldly light, and his body straightened in its restraints, following my movements as I approached.
‘Good,’ I said, stepping closer. ‘Now we can talk.’
Nothing came close to being surrounded by Vahin’s massive frame, his warmth radiating through me as a soft purr reverberated from his chest. It was like being cradled by love, knowing nothing in the world could hurt you.
I smiled, running my hand over his smooth scales. Yesterday, servants had brought a mattress and the softest of pillows for me to sleep on, but I’d simply grabbed a sheet and snuggled up against Vahin’s chest, giggling when he curled himself around me, locking me away from the outside world.
I’d fallen asleep in moments, and as the first rays of the sun teased my senses, I tugged his conveniently placed wing up over my eyes, determined to ignore life a little longer.
I was glad I’d come here. Vahin’s cavern, though not as deep as the one at Varta Fortress, was spacious and full of quiet charm. Vines and roots crept down the walls, softening the stone with touches of green, while moss thrived near shallow pools of water, lending the space a gentle cosiness.
The moment I’d seen it, I’d praised his grotto, seeing how happy it made him when I added a few floating firelights, bathing it in a warm, golden glow. Vahin had preened at the compliment, but it was him that made it truly feel like home.
‘Vahin? Did I ever tell you how much I love you?’ I asked, inhaling his metallic scent and basking in the heat radiating from his scales.
A wave of affection flowed through our bond, enveloping me like a comforting blanket. ‘What use are words when I can feel your heart in mine, Little Flame?’
I had once tried to describe to Orm how I felt about Vahin, but I couldn’t find the words to express how transcendent it was. All I knew was that even if the wheel of time rolled over us, grinding millennia into dust, my dragon wouldn’t forget me.
‘I just wanted you to know. Yesterday, my biggest regret was not saying goodbye. I wasn’t afraid of death, but I feared it would hurt you,’ I said, stretching in my snug, cosy dragon nook. ‘Today I can tell you and ... I just want you to know that even if I have to fight the gods themselves, as long as I live, I’ll return to you.’
A deep, rumbling laugh vibrated through his chest, and he shifted his wing just enough for one vivid blue eye to meet mine.
‘Only you would wake up with a challenge to the gods for the sake of a scaly old dragon,’ he teased, pulling his wing away.
I grabbed at its hard edge, fighting against his strength. ‘Don’t you dare! I don’t care who I need to fight, but if you pull this wing away, I swear I’ll bite your membrane. It’s way too early andwaytoo bright.’
‘We can’t have that. My wings are far too precious. You win, I bow to your wishes.’ He paused, his tone shifting. ‘But I woke you because I can sense Orm’s unhappiness. Something’s happened, and he is conflicted but keeping me away from his thoughts.’
‘If it’s because I slept here, he’ll survive,’I said, though I realised I had to talk to both men.
I hadthreeAnchors—only one other conduit in history had more. My potential to process aether was unparalleled now, amplified by my perfect synergy with Alaric’s calm strength and sharpened by Orm’s ironclad control over the wild power of Vahin’s fire. Together, they were the reason I could wield so much power.
‘He may survive,’ Vahin teased dramatically, ‘but will I? Have mercy on me and spare me his complaints about hogging your attention.’ A flick of his tongue against my calf made me laugh, the ticklish sensation breaking through my thoughts. ‘And quit overthinking. You have us to help you manage the aether.’
I was still giggling when the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the cavern. Vahin stretched languidly, easing me gently to my feet. Nudging his head against my hand until I laughed again, he purred contentedly as I stroked his eyelid.
‘To hear your laughter, I would summon thunder to a summer sky, or light it up with a meteor shower,’ he said, his voice brimming with sincerity. ‘All those aeons of waiting in the darkness was worth it for the joy you’ve brought me, my beautiful flame. You’ve made me a very happy dragon.’
Before I could respond, Orm and Alaric appeared on the final step of the cave’s entrance, smiling smugly as they took in the sight of us.
