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

71. Tempest

71

TEMPEST

“ N o.” My voice shot around the room and slammed back into me, making me stumble, jarring my hip against the stone box. “Where’s the blade?” I pawed inside the big onyx box, scrambling my nails across the smooth bottom and sides. “There’s no blade here!” Jerking my head back, I peered around as if a figure might appear beside me. They’d give me a benign smile and tell me another twist to the riddle before they handed me the glorious, wonderful, mythical Blade of Alessa.

No one appeared.

The riddle remained unspoken.

Diving inside the box, I landed hard on the bottom and ran my hands along the cold stone surface, seeking a hidden catch or compartment that would open, revealing where the blade had been hidden .

“Where is it?” I bellowed, my words snapping back to hit me.

I tumbled out of the box, landing hard enough on the mosaic tiles to knock the wind from my lungs. With my gasps ringing out, I stumbled to my feet and reeled this way and that, looking for a clue that would tell me what I needed to do. Tears fell from my eyes, and I let them fly.

It couldn’t be over already. I’d come so far, suffered so much. I’d sacrificed everything to reach this moment.

I leaped back up onto the platform and rushed around to the cover, swiping away the sand that had already collected to read the second bit of words inscribed again, because they reminded me of the riddle.

Beneath the dark, dreamless expanse, something hidden sleeps—far from helpless hands and distant leaps.

Something hidden sleeps . . .

“Something hidden sleeps.”

Many believed the blade had been forged by trolls, but what if there was no blade but something . . . hidden instead?

In Ember’s Shadow , I read that the sword was lost but if found, it could fulfill the will of the cursed heart. A weapon isn’t always the right choice in a time of great need, the book said. All it takes is the will of a true hero.

Oh . . .

Calm swept away my dismay, worry, and fear, and hope surged within me, filled with that of all those who’d been lost in the ether, those whose lights still twinkled here at night.

The dreamless spoke to me, and I listened.

“Thank you,” I finally whispered. “I understand. ”

Go . . . they cried out.

“Only if you come with me,” I told them.

Closing my eyes, I pictured my well, finding it full once more. I gathered every bit of power and massed it together in a mighty ball that churned and flamed.

I sent it out, blasting it across the ether.

And they answered.

Echoes of the battle stomped through my mind, and those I’d just freed joined in with harsh cries, slashing their blades, giving everything they had to defeat the monster who’d stolen their lives from them.

Dragons soared overhead and bone coins rained down on the dregs who . . .

Drawing a wisp of power, I traveled again, leaving the ether. I slipped through the slice in the tapestry and then, to the middle of the plain. Around me a fearless army of those freed from the ether battled alongside our allies from Evergorne, Lord Dultrette’s friends, the people my mother protected at Lydel, and the creatures and beings I’d freed from Ivenrail’s portraits.

All friends allied to this cause.

Beasts ripped through my army and Ivenrail’s wicked fae lords and ladies wielded gruesome magic, slashing through my people in broad sweeps.

Guttural cries overhead called to me, and I tipped my head back, watching as the stones in the bone coins winked in the sunlight. Dregs snatched coins from the sky, their shrieks echoing around me. The moment they touched a coin, they shuddered and dove away from the dragons, toppling toward the ground. Their magic-spawned wings fluttered as their bodies succumbed to death spirals.

They changed as they fell and people—glorious, powerless people—landed squarely on their feet, peering around in bewilderment. Some cried out and ran across the plain toward the low hills, seeking safety, while others grabbed swords from the fallen and charged toward Ivenrail’s army.

Five Lieges stood at the top of the tallest hill, their tattered robes whipping around their skeletal frames in the stiff wind. Their glowing eyes took in the carnage below.

Aunt Vera flitted to join them, and when she caught my eye, she dipped her head my way.

With their hearts returned, they can now be whole once more, she said in my mind. The balance, such a precarious thing, can be restored. It’s time for me to do my part.

I would kill Ivenrail, but she . . . What do you plan to do? Panic cut through my voice.

Everything, she breathed. Her face softened, and it was all I could do to breathe. You’re the joy of your mother’s heart and the power of your people . Just as I will serve a greater purpose today, so must you. You know what we need, sweet one.

“I do,” I croaked, my eyes stinging. Restoring balance would come at such a great cost.

A low hum rang out, and soldiers around me paused, seeking the sound. Beasts stopped slashing their horns and sucked in deep breaths. Monsters and people alike came to a standstill, their weapons dropping to their sides. All turned to face the Lieges who’d formed a circle with their hands linked together .

Aunt Vera stood in the center.

“For Lydel,” she shouted, her voice blazing with feral excitement. Her words shot through the air, churning past me in a furious wave.

Her hands lifted as if conducting a grand concert, and the hum erupting from the Lieges grew to a din that pierced the very air around us.

The powerless stormed toward the hill, massing around the Lieges and my aunt. With hands clasped, they bowed down before the Lieges, worshiping the cloaked beings who would protect them while they restored the balance.

My aunt’s gaze met mine. Live in peace, sweet one.

Her arms dropped, and light blazed across this world and beyond, a flash of power so bright everyone gasped and shielded their eyes.

I stumbled backward, barely maintaining my footing.

The light winked out.

In the place of the five tattered Lieges stood pristine, glowing silver pillars, sentinels who would watch over the powerless once I’d finished helping them restore the balance.

The powerless bowed again before streaming across the plain, touching one person after another. Each shuddered and dropped their weapons.

My aunt was gone, fused with the Lieges.

“No,” I whimpered. “No!” I flitted to the top of the hill and walked among the pillars, touching each warm stone statue, seeking the woman who’d protected me, loved me, and given what she had left to ensure this world would finally be rid of a monster. “Aunt Vera. Aunt Vera! ”

My words shot around me, blasting across the plain and those who stood stunned by what had happened.

You know what you have to do. Her words echoed in my mind.

“Aunt Vera,” I cried, letting my tears fall.

Oh, how I’d weep. But if I understood anything, it was sacrifice. All of us would do what we must to make sure good triumphed today.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I’ll miss you.”

Blinking fast, I tipped my head back, seeking a sapphire dragon with a rider I craved above all others.

I found the dragon, but . . .

Glim held no rider.

I knew where I’d find Vexxion.