Page 12 of Bride of the King
At some point, I must have fallen asleep, for I recalled dreaming of my mother. Which was odd. Her face was one I hardly saw in dreams, for I could barely recall what she looked like. She stood in a field, dotted with majestic trees which seemed to reach the ancient blue sky and graze the fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily through it. Laughing, mother spun around, her chestnut colored hair flying in the breeze. Cupping her hands, she smiled at me.
Why are you smiling?I asked.
Because of the magic.She winked.It is within you.
Frowning, I replied.No, it isn’t. If that were true, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
She shook her head, a smile still playing around her lips.Oh, sweetheart, you are where you are because of it.
* * *
When they camefor me it was late. I smelled the smoke from a fire and heard chanting as they removed my hood and led me out. There were two on either side, women, I thought, because of their slim forms even the robes could not hide. Leaving my arms tied behind my back, they grasped my elbows and led me out into the twilight. I swallowed hard, my throat dry from lack of water, but my stomach churned, too nervous to recall I hadn’t eaten in almost a day. At least, that was how long I thought it had been.
They led me down a path between the weaving trees, where fairy lights brightened the way. I couldn’t help but think of my wedding for it was a similar procession. But instead of walking freely, with flowers in my hair and hands, I was led unwillingly down the path toward the flickering bonfire where the assembly was gathered.
The darkness made it difficult to see how many there were, dressed in black, chanting and weaving between the shadows as we approached. In the background I saw a thick forest, it had to be the enchanted wildwood, and beneath the scent of fire I smelled bog water. River water. I shifted my gaze to the right, and sure enough, we’d come to a place where the riverbank curved away, leading further into the thick wood.
The river goddess must have come to watch. But why?
Numbly I allowed myself to be led up past the fire, sparks hissing, to an altar crafted out of stones. It was higher than my waist, and I realized what their intention was as the rope binding my arms was cut. I cried out as my arms came back to life, pinpricks of pain shooting up and down them. But my captors paid no heed, only chanted in low voices as they lifted me up onto the stones. Four of them bound me in place, lifting my arms above my head and securing the rope to my ankles. I was laid out as a sacrifice to the wildwood. As they retreated, the surrealness of my situation melted away, replaced with hard, cold, fear.
For all my life, I’d let experiences happen to me. I’d let my father teach me how to craft potions, I’d let my step-mother abuse me, and I’d left grief overcome my desires and needs. But it was Zander who’d showed me. Despite taking me as his own, he was willing to give me anything, everything I wanted. It was he who was concerned about my happiness, even though he wanted to protect his people. And now, before I could find out what kind of life I could have with him, or save his people, I’d been laid out to die. Just because I wished. Nay. It wasn’t my three wishes that summoned the death bell. It was the river goddess.
Above the chanting I could almost hear her laughing, and hate rose thick in my gut, swelling, growing, building. A buzzing began in the back of my mind and my fingers tightened into fists, despite my bounds. What right did the river goddess have to determine who lived and who died? What right did she have to take away my happiness? Deserved or not, I would take it. It was time to stop being passive and letting things happen to me. It was time to take control. Why hadn’t I fought earlier?
A shadow rose beside me. A man with a curved knife raised in his gloved hand. I opened my mouth and screamed.
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The roarthat flooded my ears sounded like a wave of rushing water. I arched my back and strained about my bounds with all my might as a rush of energy filled me. Vaguely I heard shouting as though it came from far away. “Now! Do it now!”
The figure holding the knife glided closer and, holding the blade with both fists, hovered it over my heart. I thrashed as he lifted the blade high and a flash of light split my vision. I yanked hard on my bonds as fury twisted through me and a wave of rage I did not recognize in myself. This man did not know me at all, and yet he would take my life as a blood sacrifice. Hatred made my screams taste like ash in my mouth, and there came a ripping sound as something tore free. It took me a moment to realize it was the rope that held me, shredding.
But it was too late. The knife descended, aimed toward my heart. Quick as a flash, as though it were not myself making the movement, I brought my fist up and punched the man’s wrists. He gave a cry of surprise. Taking advantage of his disconcertion, I brought my knee up and kicked out. My heel slammed into his belly and he dropped the knife with a groan. I snatched it up in my hands and rolled to a crouch in one fluid motion.
My screaming had stopped. The chanting died away and a sea of shadows stared at me, frozen in horror. It was then I noticed the glow around my hands and felt something surge within, something deep and powerful. Something strong. I swallowed and pressed one hand to my belly, but it was still there. I raked my mind for an explanation. I’d taken a drought of the strength potion a couple of days ago—was it possible that it worked? Dizzy with the thought, I stood to my feet and leaped off the altar.
I’d forgotten about the river, but I quickly remembered as the waters churned and the river goddess surged toward the bank, arms reaching for me. She was only a dozen feet away and would have to leave the river to reach me, yet still I recoiled, stumbling as I backed away.
“Your debt is not fulfilled,” she roared. “You owe me your life, your magic, it is the price you must pay.”
Magic? She thought I had magic? But the thought died away as the people chanted and moved closer to reclaim me. Even the man whose task it was to kill me had recovered and stood to his feet, lurching toward me as he held his stomach with one hand.
I whirled, searching for an escape, for help. The enchanted wildwood rose behind me, fearsome and dark. If I went inside, would I escape? Or be entwined in more magic? My momentary indecision vanished as a bolt of what looked like black lightning streaked out of the wildwood.
“Enough!” roared a woman’s voice.
The bolt came again, but this time I saw it land in the waters, as though a ball of power had been thrown. Darkness surged out of it like rope and wrapped around the river goddess. She screamed as the darkness took her, swallowing her whole. She continued to wail as magic dragged her down and the waters swallowed her. I watched, unblinking, as she disappeared, and it felt as though a weight was removed from my shoulders. I turned to face the wildwood and gripped the blade tighter.
A woman walked out of the wood, one arm outstretched, her forest green cloak billowing out and her dark hair flying. Her eyes flashed as she took in the gathering, and something twisted on her face. Behind her were two men, one wearing a cloak of feathers with raven black hair. His fists were clenched while the other held a sword, a green cloak over his shoulder and light dancing in his waves of ruffled hair.
I’d heard the tale of the Queen of the Wildwood and her knights, those who helped her contain the enchantments of the wood. Was it possible they were here because of me?
“Haven’t you had enough?” the woman shouted, her voice laced with anger. “Enough bloodshed? Enough battle? Enough death? Why do you come here on this eve, determined to ruin it all? If you ever do this again, I will bring ruin upon you. Free your prisoners and leave before I unleash my anger on you.”
Another ball of light came from her fingers, this time she hurled it into the fire. It exploded, knocking those closest to it on their backs, while wood and fire twirled through the air. Screams and shouts came and then running as the crowd disbursed. Gray smoke covered their flight, but still I heard the thunder of horse hooves and people crying out as they fled in terror for their lives.
My lips curved upward, and for the first time in my life I felt strong, invincible. Until the Queen of the Wildwood turned, and her eyes fell on mine. My hand came open, and the knife dropped to the ground as she examined me. “You are free to go,” she said, an edge to her tone. “The river goddess will make demands from you no more.”
