Page 111 of Rook of Ruin
The green light grows brighter as we approach, humming with power. An old man stands silently in the center of the green orb of light, mouth wide, his white eyes focused on Simon. I drive the horse around the Wraith as the orb expands, watching as Simon and our warriors fight the swarm of white fur. Callan throws out his spear as a Roggenwolf leaps up before me. I maneuver my way through the teeth and claws, then take the mouth of an evil creature trying to bring me down off my horse. Callan takes the head of another with his sword as our warriors rush to our side.
“Orlaith! No!” Callan yells as I jump my horse through the green light. Power sizzles under my skin.
The old man greets me, his arm lifting, and the ground under my horse begins to shake as darkness spills. Unlike last time, this horse falters. I quickly dismount before the horse takes off, and the feeling of death crawls up my skin. I rush towards the naked old man, my feet burning in my boots.
“Bright One.” The man’s mouth is open and his white eyes connect with mine, but his lips are unmoving. “I see you.”
“And I see you, you fuck.” I swing my sword as he pushes his hands out as if he is a marionette.
Power radiates from his palm, hitting me square in the chest. It does nothing to me. I hear my name being yelled, but I look down to see my leathers holding up perfectly fine.
“Why are you doing this?” I breathe out. His white eyes change color, and now bright yellow-blue stares at me. Fear pulses through me as I realize I’m staring into Death’s eyes.
He opens his mouth wider. “We have been looking for you, Bright One.”
“Why?”
A horrific cackle rises. “Power.”
I bring my sword back up and ask again, “Who the fuck are you?”
“I am vengeance. I am merciless. I am your execut—” I strike him down before he can finish the words I spoke the last time I killed a Wraith.Fuck, fuck, fuck.My mind whirls. How did this Wraith know what I said so quietly to myself? The green light disappears along with the power under my skin. The earth is left scorched. Lightheaded, I drop to my knees and vomit. Grass rises under my hands, and I jerk back in shock.
My body is pulled back up. Brown eyes meet mine, but not the ones I need. Darkness threatens to pull me down as he lifts me up into his chest.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” Callan yells at me, shaking me in his arms. “Look.” Warriors kneel, their arms to their chests. “Stand strong. They need you.”
I lean back into him, swallowing the acid that is coming up again. Callan yells his eternal loyalty, “Aeternus fidelis!”
The warriors yell it back and rise. Callan releases me, and Simon comes to stand beside me. Shaking, I stand with my hand to my chest, waiting a few moments before I collapse into his arms. Bile comes up my throat again, but I can’t hold back, and Simon pats my back as I spew.
“Are you okay?” Simon asks. I nod and vomit again. “Get it all out. I’ve got you.”
I wipe my mouth with my hand and immediately regret it, as black blood smears across it.
“Fuck, Orlaith. I told you to stay back. You need to obey my command.”
I push off his chest, falling back into Dove’s hands. I vomit one more time and wipe my mouth again. She hands me a flask and a mint sweet, and I rinse out my mouth then suck on the treat slowly.
I put my hands on my hips and blow out a breath, my throat hurting as I speak. “I did what I thought was right, Simon. I saw our people struggling. They could have died. You could have died.” I don’t mind obeying commands from those more experienced than I am—I became more than used to that as a Rook—but my judgement should be respected too. Especially by my husband.
Dove, loyal to me, speaks out. “Sir, if we wouldn’t have intervened, it would have been a bloodbath.”
Simon frowns and looks coolly at Dove but doesn’t say a word.
Callan smiles. “It’s good that you have such a brave wife, Simon. You must be as proud of her as I am.”
“I am proud.” Simon stares at me like he is anything but. Swallowing my words, I gaze at him, confused, but he pulls a hand through his hair as Isle rides up.
Her smile is everything to me right now. “Ruin, the villagers would like to see you.”
Callan hands me the reins to his horse, but I hold up my hand. “Thank you, Callan, but I need to walk.”
Isle and Dove flank me as I slowly walk back. I leave Simon and Callan speaking in hushed tones. Breathing slowly, trying to slow my erratic heart, we make our way back to the road. I emerge, and villagers cheer, kneeling before me. I deserve none of their thanks, and that’s exactly what I say to them. In a calm, croaking voice, I explain to them if they want to show thanks, then show it to the men and women who fought so hard forthem, our warriors of Bethal. The villagers do just that. Hugging and kissing our warriors, who awkwardly hug them back.
“Fucking fierce.” Isle grins at me.
I shrug. “It’s the truth.
