Page 65 of Oath of War
‘Domina, please ... the Lich King hasbrokenmy sister. I saw it when I connected to her mind. He’s broken Ro’s body and will, and once she begins trusting him, he’ll have access to everything. Every monster she’s created, her research, her magic. I can’t let that happen. If he grows even more powerful, imagine the danger that would put you in.’
‘Then let me go with you. You brought me to Varta to be your weapon, so let me be that weapon.’ My vision blurred as tears fell from my eyes. ‘Ican’tlet you go alone—’
‘You cannot go, Annika,’ Orm cut in. ‘Your presence would endanger him, and worse, if you were captured, Cahyon would torture you both until you’d do whatever he wanted.’ He said it so evenly, and I wanted toripthe emotionless mask off his face. ‘He could even force the Anchor bond on you. It’s ... That’s what I’d do.’
‘And how exactly do you intend to stop me?’ I asked, seeing his jaw tighten in response.
‘Domina, only the fae can manipulate portal magic,’ Alaric murmured, ‘and I will ensure you cannot pass.’ He lowered his gaze, his hands balled into fists as if he were in an ocean of pain.
‘Domina? Alaric’va Shen’ra, if I’m your domina, then ... you have to do as I desire.’ I hid my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably while Vahin hissed, his tail thumping the floor in distress.
‘Ani ... I have to go,’ Alaric whispered. ‘She’s mysister. Bringing her here will protect you both. Please understand ...’ He embraced me then, and I realised that no matter what I said, there was no stopping him. For a brief, shameful moment,I considered asking Valaram to help me keep him in Truso, no matter the cost.
If I only had his geas ...
The thought made me gasp. Had I gone that far? Was I really thinking of taking his free will to keep him here? Suddenly, all the rage was gone, replaced by resignation and a deep sadness.
I was losing him. If I let him go, I might never see him again. But if he were forced to stay, our bond would corrode into something abhorrent, and I couldn’t do that to my beautiful fae. I was with Orm because he had chosen my freedom over his fears, and now it was my turn to trust Alaric, as my Ursus trusted me.
‘Fuck, it hurts,’ I whispered, thumping my chest as my tears blurred his face. Stroking the silken strands of his hair, I swallowed the sob threatening to escape. ‘Fine. I won’t stop you,’ I said, my voice trembling. ‘If you must go, then go with my blessing—and a promise.’
My fingers tightened in his hair as I leaned closer. ‘If you’re taken from me, I won’t run. I won’t hide in some backwater town. I will burn the Lich King’s world to ash, and the gods have mercy on anyone who gets in my way,’ I swore, swallowing my tears when he dropped to his knees. ‘Go, knowing I love you. I hope the shard of my soul you carry will protect you wherever you are.’
‘Annika ...’ he whispered, pressing his forehead to my midriff and inhaling deeply.
I tilted his head back until his gaze met mine, then bent to kiss his forehead. ‘Go,’ I whispered, barely audible, ‘while I still have the strength to let you.’
Turning away so I wouldn’t have to see him leave, I waited. I didn’t hear him rise, but I felt the absence of his warmth. I knew he was gone.
Orm’s voice broke the silence, low and close. ‘That required a strength few possess. But it was the right choice. Let me hold you, love. We both need it.’
He stood so near that his warmth seeped into my skin, but I couldn’t let it soothe me. ‘Was it?’ I asked bitterly, my voice raw. ‘The right choice? Maybe it was thestrategicchoice—the one that might win us the war. Maybe he’ll succeed and return to us, not too broken to mend. But what if he doesn’t?’
I hadn’t meant to lash out at Orm, but my irrational anger demanded an outlet. It felt like I had been dealt a curse I couldn’t fight, and I didn’t understand how it kept happening.
‘Annika,’ his voice softened, ‘don’t you think Itriedto stop him? I used every argument I could think of, but he just stood there, covered in blood, telling me he had to go. I love him too, but Ari is right. He’s found Cahyon’s weakness, and we must take advantage of it. If you’d seen all those bodies at Roan Fortress ... How could I stop him? Alaric’s a powerful necromancer—’
‘Stop,’ I said sharply, raising a trembling hand to silence him.
His jaw tightened, but he fell silent, watching me with careful eyes.
‘Please, don’t. I know you’re trying to help,’ I said through gritted teeth. ‘I know how important this is. But all I see is another sacrifice. How many times must I lose those I love? Gods, am I cursed?’ My voice broke as I pressed shaking hands to my temples. ‘I can’t talk right now. I’m so angry I’ll set the world on fire if you push me.’
The aether crackled around me, the need to lash out so strong that my elemental power responded. Crimson strands shimmered, blazing and pulsing to the rhythm of my heartbeat.
‘Annika, please—’ Orm began, his tone pleading.
‘Orm, leave.’ Vahin’s calm voice echoed through the cavern, and I raised my head to look at my dragon. His eyes reflecteda kaleidoscope of emotion. He understood. My beautiful beast, who’d loved and lost, knew that the last thing I needed were excuses for Alaric’s choice. I felt his compassion flow through our bond. ‘Come to me, Little Flame,’ he purred softly, ‘let us calm this raging inferno.’
I stepped away from Ormond’s outstretched hand until I fell against the dragon’s powerful body, feeling it coil around me.
‘Alaric will return,’ Vahin rumbled softly. ‘And your magic cannot harm me. Orm still struggles to express his emotions, so give him some time to explore them. I can take your fury and your fire, but you need to let it out before it turns your heart to ash.’
Orm’s voice was strained, an unusual vulnerability evident on his face. ‘Annika, please don’t push me away. I know you’re hurting.’
I gripped Vahin’s neck tightly, burying my face against his scales. The words I wished I could offer Orm wouldn’t come. I was too raw, too distressed to comfort anyone, including myself.
Vahin stirred, silent conversation passing between them before he spoke. ‘Trust me, Ormond. Annika will join you when she is ready.’
