A Crown of Cursed Hearts (Kingdom of Blighted Thorns #3)

61. Tempest

61

TEMPEST

“ H e’s gathering along the border,” Aunt Vera shouted. Hitching her legs up, she clutched her face and rocked on the sofa.

“How many?” Vexxion asked, standing near the fireplace.

I hurried over and sat beside her, putting my arm around her back. “Are you alright?”

Her attention remained on him. “Dregs. So many flying dregs. We can’t count them all. He’s discovered how to make more, and they’re a churning mass of rage and dismay.”

“Dismay?” Zayde asked, joining his brother in front of the flickering flames.

“There’s no balance,” she cried. “No balance. He’s with them, driving them, feeding them power without end. We have to stop him!” Her head snapped around and her gaze drilled into mine. “ You must stop him.”

“How? ”

“Where a blood-red sun does sink,” she chanted. “In dawn’s embrace—it's there you must seek.”

“Can you tell us where this place is?” Zayde asked.

“Whispers will reveal what shadows keep,” she snarled, swaying on the sofa, knocking into me and Layla sitting on her other side.

“Did the Liege mention this?” Vexxion asked. Like me, he must recognize Iasar and Amronth’s riddle.

“Lieges. Lieges. Lieges.” My aunt tipped her head back and gaped at the ceiling. “I’ll do my part because we must restore the balance.”

Drask flew into the room and landed on the back of the sofa, looking from me to my aunt. He cawed and soared up around the outside of the room, hitting the walls as if trapped.

Vexxion lifted a window, and the crow flew outside only to dart back in and land on the sofa again. Watching Vera. Me. If only he could speak.

I rubbed my aunt’s back, wincing at her bones jutting against her frail skin. “How can we restore the balance?”

Her head turned my way, and the profound sorrow there roared over me like an enormous wave, toppling me under its suffocating weight. “Only you can do this, my sweet niece.”

“How? I assume you’re talking about the Blade of Alessa.”

“Yes, yes, the blade.”

“But I don’t know where it is or how to find it. Can’t you tell me anything else?”

“That’s all I saw,” she said sadly.

“Did the Liege hurt you?” Layla rubbed my aunt’s leg. Her starkly cratered face told me she felt as helpless as me. We had so little information and now, not enough time.

“The Liege shared,” Aunt Vera said.

“Shared what?” Reyla came over to sit on the table in front of us.

“Everything,” Vera moaned, cupping her face. “It was too much. Not enough. For a blade to be forged in light,” she chanted in a sing-song voice, “it must be torn away from thorn’s blight and veiled beneath the gaze of eternal right.”

“How can we do any of this?” Layla asked. “ Where is the blade?”

“If a particular blade can end this,” Airia said sharply, “we need to find it.” She crouched down in front of my aunt and tugged her hands away from her face. “Can you tell us where it is? Be specific.”

Aunt Vera’s gaze spiraled around the room before she focused on Airia. “Yes, you know.”

Airia’s complexion took on a ghostly hue. “I don’t know anything. Where is the blade?”

“There are no sounds there,” my aunt said, her face knitting. “Not even the wind or a roar or a peep of a bird. Just endless sorrow you’ll never escape from.”

Reyla’s hand on my knee trembled. “I remember a place like that, and I hope I’m never sucked into that world again.”

The ether? I asked Vexxion.

He shrugged. I barely remember being there. I don’t have . . . visuals.

Is it silent there?

Yes .

How terrifying.

“Describe it for me,” I told Reyla.

“Sand.” Tears hitched down her cheeks. “Everywhere.”

“A wall,” Vexxion barked out. “I remember a wall.”

“It was too tall to climb. I walked forever, and I couldn’t find a way past it.” Reyla wiped her face. “I wanted to give up. I’m not sure why I didn’t.”

Vexxion walked over and eased her to her feet, putting his arms around her. “You’re never going back there again.”

She looked up at him. “I wish I could believe you. We’re barely holding on here. Once he attacks . . .”

“We’re not alone,” I said. “Zayde, can you notify Lord Dultrette that they’re gathering on Weldsbane’s southern border? The king has annexed the mainland portion of Lydel, and I doubt he expects resistance. Anything Lord Dultrette and his friends— our friends—can do to slow them down is welcome. We need more time to figure this out.”

Zayde dipped his head my way. “Consider it done.” He flitted from the room.

“Evergorne Court’s army will land on the southern shore soon.” I bit down on my lower lip as I decided what we needed to do next. “Airia?”

She straightened and nodded.

“Prepare the riders. We’ll meet them on the southern most part of mainland Lydel and keep the advancing army from surging across the sea to take what’s left of my court.”

“I’ll sound the alarm.” She hurried from the room.

Madrood? I called out, trying not to give into the panic slashing through me .

We’re ready, High Lady. Give the command, and we ride.

Warmth surged across my soul, and my eyes stung with tears. Airia’s sounding the alarm. Armed riders should be arriving soon. They’ll have provisions with them. Food. Extra weapons—

I know what you mean.

I explained what had happened. We need a strategy. We can’t fly right at them with our full force.

Dragons are never consulted about battle strategies, he said quite carefully.

Maybe they should be. I assume you’ve battled at one time or another. Maybe. He could’ve spent his entire life pinned to Ivenrail’s side, dispensing fire at the king’s command.

Madrood huffed. Despite the monster on Bledmire’s throne using me to burn whoever offended him, I was given full training. When I was younger, I even flew riders from one of the fortresses. I don’t enjoy burning people, though there are exceptions. I do, however, enjoy burning dregs.

We have no choice but to destroy them. I ask again. Do you have ideas?

He laid out a plan that brought a feral grin to my face.

I shared it with my friends, explaining where the idea came from.

Vexxion nodded. “I suspected that beast might have a suggestion or two. Wise of you to ask him.” The pride in his eyes made my heart surge up into my throat. I didn’t need anyone to prop me up and give me support to do this, but knowing he loved me and that he supported me meant everything.

Zayde flitted back into the room, breathing hard. “Lord Dultrette is gathering a formidable force.” He glanced Vexxion’s way. “I took the liberty of giving him permission to cross into Weldsbane. They’ll come at them from behind.”

“Perfect.” Vexxion flashed a rapid grin. “It’s all coming together.”

“Except for the blade,” I said, looking from one friend to the next. “I assume it’s hidden in the ether.”

“Even if you could find your way there, no one could pull you back,” Vexxion said. “I’ve never been able to master that spell.”

Zayde shook his head.

“I have to find a way.” I slid off the sofa and gazed at my aunt. “Thank you. I couldn’t do this without you.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. “Don’t go there. If you do, you may not find your way back.”

“Did you see this?”

She shrugged.

“It could be the only way,” I said.

With Madrood’s plan in mind, we split, each taking a task to put into motion. Dragons and riders from Lydel would fly across the channel and some flights would continue to the northern Weldsbane border to meet up with my rogue forces. Zayde and Layla would go with them to help lead the flights who would ready themselves to attack from the northern and western flanks.

Airia would fly with one of the forces hitting them from the east.

Reyla would meet those sent from Evergorne Court on the shore and give direction. “I’m the best suited for that. Don’t you agree? I’ll ask them about the king. Get an idea of what I’m dealing with.” Her spine stiffened. “He wants a bride. Other than willing, which . . .” She shuddered. “Fuck that. But he didn’t clarify exactly what kind of bride he hoped to receive. If he believes I’m fluffy, he’ll soon learn not to get in my way.”

I hoped things worked out for my friend. She was going into this without any knowledge of what she faced.

“What do you see for Reyla?” I asked my aunt.

She tilted her head around to gaze at my friend. “Danger.”

Reyla snorted and tapped one of the many blades strapped to her body. “Let it come for me.”

“A test,” my aunt added.

“What kind of test?” Reyla’s eyebrows lifted.

“I see the word, not the meaning behind it.” My aunt appeared to be recovering. If that Liege was here, I’d drive a blade through his chest for scaring her. She frowned once more, staring down at her clasped hands on her lap. “An uncertain ending.”

“Nothing new there, but thanks for trying.” Reyla sighed and strode toward the hallway. “I’ll go get ready.”

“Don’t leave without saying goodbye,” Vexxion snarled.

She huffed and kept going, calling over her shoulder. “Goodbye, suddenly irritating older brother.”

It would take time for them to get used to the idea they were siblings and sort out the role they would play in each other’s lives.

“I’m with you, Fury.” Vexxion’s hand landed on my shoulder.

Madrood and a few other dragons would remain here. Me, Vexxion, and my aunt would remain on the island, though not for long.

Once the king’s army reached the edge of mainland Lydel, Vexxion and I would leave to join those attacking from the south.

Despite her protests, my aunt would remain here.

Our full force would confront the king from all directions.

If we didn’t stop him, there’d be no one left to confront him.

May the fates protect us.