Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

13. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Savine

O rofine residents shouted curses toward the source of the wind as Savine looked up from the ground. All around him, his followers were toppled over by the gale. Some of his warriors even had their elk toppled over on them, crushing them as the beasts struggled to stand. Savine leaped to his feet, drawing his sword with one hand and his essence with the other.

The King's Residence of Latiah stood up the steep and wide path that snaked through the residential streets and bustling shops of Orofine. Now that they were just outside of the interior walls to the building, Savine knew exactly who had dared attack his rebels. Davian was the cause of the wind that had knocked so many of his followers—and himself—to the ground. He’d expected an entire force of resistance as he strode into Orofine, and he wouldn’t let one man stop him from claiming his throne.

“On your mounts!” Savine shouted to his disheveled rebels. This was not how he wanted to enter Orofine. Looking weak and powerless in front of the folk of this city. More so, he and Raikin planned to put Davian quickly in his place, dispelling him of the title of Sage and passing the honor to Raikin.

Around him, Savine’s warriors got off the hard ground, dusting themselves off and settled back onto their elk. Only a few seemed injured enough to need medical attention, including a man who’d been stabbed in the side with his own elk’s antler. Savine approached the man, murmuring words of comfort for the bleeding warrior. The man’s eyes already had a distant glaze to them as he looked past Savine and up to the clear autumn sky overhead. Fortunately, a healer from the crowd was at the injured warrior’s side in moments and Savine took his place on Jari’s back.

“Do you see how the loyalists still defy their true king?” Garnel roared, and the crowd responded with jeers and shouts at the loyalists.

Savine squeezed Jari’s side and the war elk was immediately running through the streets, the throng of the crowd separating as his rebel warriors reclaimed their city. Another bitter blast of wind threatened to topple them, but Savine cast his essence out, creating a wall of thick foliage that cut the wind.

From the King's Residence, Savine heard a jeering call toward him. “You are not welcome here, traitor! We shall not acknowledge you as king!”

Damn. Savine didn’t want to cause more bloodshed. Already too many Latians had died in this bitter conflict, but he wasn’t going to stand aside now and lose what was rightfully his.

At that same moment, a screeching groan came from the preserved trees of the building. Savine looked up to see the King's Residence in motion. An ancient branch came down at Davian as he stood guard at the edge of the King's Residence. A terrified scream echoed through Orofine as Savine saw that the very building itself grasped Davian in an ancient branch—a branch that had given its life to serve and protect the King of Latiah and this city.

It was yet another reason he’d never tried to attack Orofine. If the sentinels of trees that made up the city saw him as a threat, he’d be ripped to shreds.

“At least the trees took care of that threat,” Garnel muttered. “Made things easier, and after that who would question your rule?”

“Whoever does will need to be more crafty than Davian if they want to survive the attack,” Savine said.

And that was just what the trees in the King's Residence were doing now. Jari lightly snorted with nervous energy as Davian was tossed and shredded by the branches sworn to protect Savine.

Savine dismounted from Jari’s back and immediately a steward—it had been so long since he’d seen a Latian steward— was at his side, taking Jari for him. Jari let out a reluctant huff as Savine began walking away from his side. Savine saw as the steward took a small treat of some kind from his pocket and gave it to Jari. The bull elk settled down, following the steward without protest.

Raikin and Garnel were immediately at Savine’s side as they began walking up the cedar-planked stairs to his former home, stepping over what remained of his father’s former Sage.

“Say something,” Raikin muttered under his breath.

Savine gave the tiniest nod before he turned and looked at the crowd. The entire city of Orofine seemed to be staring at him, waiting for him to address them. Some had the whorls of essence like his own, others resembled fur, still others had that slight tinge of green to their skin, fae who drew their essence from grasses and underbrush. But they were all Latians, all looking to him to see what sort of ruler he would be. Finally, he let his voice carry over the crowd.

“Fellow Latians, we are no longer loyalists and rebels. Never again will brother fight against brother, sister against sister. Today is the day that tyranny ends. Today we are a united Latiah once again.” Savine’s voice rang out strong and proud. He’d always had this confidence buried in him. He’d mustered it out of the shadowy grave of his soul from time to time when his rebels needed it, but now he had to share that part of himself with his nation as their rightful king.

The crowd cheered and Savine felt the victory in this moment across the city. “Today we celebrate a new beginning. As your king, I vow to serve you .”

Raikin gave a subtle brush of his hand to Savine’s shoulders before motioning toward the imposing stairway that led to the King's Residence. Savine turned with his general and soon to be Sage as the crowd continued to roar.

The wooden stairs, carved into the mountainside, led them up to the cedar-built structure. It was all just as Savine had remembered it. Massive trees supported rooms interconnected by open air breezeways. On the lower levels were the king’s administrative rooms, offices, and throne room, while higher up the network of trees held the residency for the king and his closest advisors.

“Home. We’re home,” Garnel said with a sorrowful smile. “I didn’t think it would ever happen.”

“Now the hard work begins,” Raikin muttered, his face set into a stern expression as they walked past courtiers and servants on their way up the outer stairs to the throne room. They bent their knee for Savine, no doubt afraid the King's Residence would detect their traitorous actions or words.

The folk of the King's Residence had little choice but to accept his loyalty, or face death.

“Raikin, can we just enjoy this moment without your pessimism?” Garnel growled.

Savine let out a small chuckle. He was in Orofine, and it hardly felt real. As he walked, the sacrificed trees that supported the structure dipped in his presence. His hands itched with the urge to touch the bough and antler crown on his head, if only to remind himself that this was finally happening.

The halls were filled with Jasper’s court. Some cried out in anguish as they held the bodies of slain loyalists. Bodies torn limb from limb by the trees sworn to protect him. Others bowed low, a look of distrust and awe on their faces.

A fae he’d recognize anywhere waited for them at the top of the stairs. He felt the lines of his face harden as he looked at the moss hued woman. She bowed low as he reached the top step.

“Your highness. It’s my honor to serve you.” Her expression was unsure. Fear twinkled in her eyes as she looked up to him.

“Darby,” Savine muttered before his hard facade cracked. He couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his cheeks. “Rise, old friend.”

The apprehension faded and her face took on a crinkled smile as she stood tall and proud before him. She looked like she wanted to hug him close, but didn’t dare.

Garnel didn’t hesitate as he pulled the woman into a tight hug. “You made it through everything! I didn’t know if we’d see you here.”

She pulled back from his hug and gave a quick nod as the apprehension grew again over her face.

“I never understood why you didn’t leave with us,” Garnel said as he pulled back.

Darby wrung her hands as she turned her attention to Savine and said, “Someone had to stay with your mother.” She looked at him with deep brown eyes. “I knew you couldn’t do it. You had to get away before the king killed you, but I couldn’t leave her without knowing she was put to rest properly. Then I suppose I felt I had an obligation to her memory and to preserving this place for you. I became a good loyalist, never sharing what was in my heart. I knew I’d have to if I were to survive,” Darby said with a shrug, glancing at the mangled bodies being carried out of the hall.

“Where is she?” Savine asked with a frown. Darby had stayed to bury his mother, something he and Kyla should have done. She’d always been loyal to his mother, coming from the distant seafaring lands with Jasper’s bride so many years ago. She’d been a second mother to him, always there to bring him comfort when his mother couldn’t show it herself. So often, she’d been the one to tuck him in at night and read him stories. Yet after all these years, the sting of her perceived betrayal felt like an old bruise.

“She’s up the mountain just past the springs. We took her body and buried her in secret. Jasper never noticed, but I knew you and Kyla would want her near the place that gave her such comfort. We can finally honor her memory properly.”

Savine felt a knot form in his throat. His mother, who’d sacrificed her own life for his, was in an unmarked grave all these years. “We’ll do it immediately. Bring me to her.”

Raikin cleared his throat before he said, “There is much to do here, my king. Perhaps we should wait?”

“I have waited over twenty-five years to be at her grave. I won’t wait any longer.” Savine turned from his adviser and began making his way to the familiar path that led out of the residence and up to the hot springs his mother loved so much.

She’d never gotten over the loss of the sea. Orofine was far inland and high up a mountainous canyon. The water that ran through it was swift and shallow. He remembered her shifting into her finned form and splashing in the rapid’s spring runoff before shifting back and seeking the comfort of the hot mineral springs. She and Darby had taught him to swim in those springs and in the high alpine lakes above Orofine.

Beyond the springs was a copse of red cedars, hemlock, and spruce. Trees that thrived in damp forests that not only called Orofine home, but also his mother’s former coastal homelands. It’s probably why she’d always been drawn to this place. The feel and scent of this forest was home to her. The aerated water coursing through the river made the air smell clean and pure.

In the center of a ring of trees, with scattered ferns and coral mushrooms growing, sat a large agate stone.

“Here is where she rests,” Darby whispered. “The agate is from our nation, plucked from the ocean. I thought it would bring her peace to have part of our home with her.”

Savine nodded. “Leave me,” he murmured as he knelt beside his mother’s grave.

Morgan

Morgan looked down at the dark precipice over Sapphire Falls. All down the stairs and across the rocky outcropping along the edge of the canyon, Morgan had been working up the courage to jump again. She had to go home if she was ever going to find herself again and let go of the angry, insecure person she’d become. Hell, she’d almost let herself smash into the ground today because she couldn’t control the writhing shadows that threatened to overtake her and Rylo.

But knowing that this jump could hurt or kill her was terrifying. This morning when she’d tried, she’d been in a bad head space. She didn’t want to die at the falls, but she also really didn’t care what happened. Now she just wanted to be home, not dead, not here. Home.

“Morgan?” Avery’s voice shook with concern.

Morgan snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her sister. Despite the small scar that she bore on her forehead, she looked unscathed by the bear attack that had mutilated her own body. Whether Morgan stayed or not, she knew Avery was going to be alright. She was building a life here—a life that didn’t need to include Morgan.

“Yeah, Ave?”

“Are you ready? Susan and Rue just signaled that they’re below the falls. We should do this before any of the Nepheli catch on to what we’re up to,” Avery said, stepping a little closer to her.

Morgan nodded before she moved to hug her sister. “I love you, Ave. You can go to Savine right away now and I’ll let Mom and Dad know you’re safe and happy.”

Avery sniffled near Morgan’s ear. “I love you too, Mor. Be safe.” Avery planted a hard kiss on her sister’s cheek before Morgan scooted forward toward the edge of the cliff.

Without hesitating another moment, she leaped into the darkness. Immediately, she felt the wind whip around her before the icy water pulled her farther into the falls. That would be Susan’s help, Morgan knew. Down she tumbled as she held her breath through the cold pull of the falls. Her body slapped into the icy waters of the pool and she kicked up, gasping for that first breath as her body churned and tumbled through the thrashing current.

There was no bright light and no high pitched sound. She hadn’t been transported, and she knew it immediately, even through the sting of being hit by such cold water. She swam hard, fighting the current, thankful that she wore clothes light enough to manage the thrashing rapids below the falls. Her muscles spasmed in the frigid water and her body shook, but she still took long, even strokes toward the shore. Suddenly, the water began to warm and gently pull her along. She flipped over to her back, letting her breathing steady as Susan’s magic wrapped around her and brought her back to the rocky shore.

Susan was by her side, pulling her up from the water and giving her a steadying hand as Morgan found her footing. Avery and Susan were right. There was no way back home.

“I’m so sorry, Morgan,” Susan said as she led her to the others. Rue was ready with a wool blanket that she draped around Morgan’s shoulders. The length of it dragged the ground, but Morgan didn’t care.

Rue handed her a warm mug. “Drink, friend. It will help you.”

Morgan didn’t argue, just mechanically sipped at the spicy liquid. Immediately her cold muscles began to thaw.

“Morgan!” Avery yelled as she ran down the steep canyon trail. She was by her sister’s side in minutes, holding her in a tight embrace. “Are you okay? Are you freezing?”

Morgan was cold, but it felt like the cold had seeped deeper into her than just surface level. Even her insides felt numb. “Yeah, I’m okay. You were right though, Ave. We can’t go home.”

Kyla appeared behind Avery and Morgan looked at the tall, stately woman. “Can you take away the rest of the cold?” Morgan asked.

“I can warm you with my essence, yes. Do you want me to help you with what you are feeling?” Kyla asked, her hair tinkling as the bells and bobbles moved with her.

What was Morgan feeling? Nothing really, all the pain and sorrow that she’d felt was numbed. “No. Just warm me please.”

Kyla nodded, but her face was turned into a frown as she touched Morgan’s arm, sending a comforting warmth into her bones.

Rue and Kyla’s eyes snapped up to the night’s sky. “Someone is coming,” Rue murmured. Morgan saw what Kyla and Rue had already detected. Wings like the depth of night glided across the starry sky, followed by others. Selene. She watched as at least a dozen Nepheli landed in front of them.

Finally, she saw the golden brilliance of Rylo’s wings as he gracefully touched the ground, the others immediately moving to let him pass. The indolent expression on his face didn’t give his thoughts away as he tsked before saying, “Now Morgan. I thought I made it clear that you’d be punished for attempting to return to your realm. Selene, bring her to the Tower of Teeth.”

Morgan could hear her sister screaming in protest as she was wrapped into the arms of the woman and sent skyward.

The flight to the Tower of Teeth was short, just beyond the other side of the canyon and Selene didn’t seem inclined to talk as they flew there. That was fine with Morgan. She didn’t want to talk either. She didn’t want to do anything but curl in around herself and be left alone. There was no way that was happening now that she was sent to Rylo’s prison. They landed on the roof and were met by guards wearing leather armor and armed with long, sharp blades.

“This is King Rylo’s wayward witch,” Selene said. “I’ll be handling her situation.”

The guards let them pass without question. “What is he going to do to me here?” Morgan asked, smelling the metallic tinge of blood in the air.

Selene didn’t speak as she led her to a room draped in darkness. “Sit,” she ordered and Morgan didn’t hesitate to heed her command. Fear crept over her as the fae reached a hand out and touched Morgan’s scarred cheek. “Hold still. This will not take long.”

A searing pain ripped through Morgan as the woman seemed to protrude into her very soul. Images of her life flashed before her like a movie and all the feelings she’d ever had before streamed through her in a burning, overwhelming rush. A life of diligence, of being a good student and employee, of always working hard for what she had. A childhood filled with happiness and peace, but always the feeling of needing to work hard to be good enough, to be perfect.

Selene continued to dig into Morgan’s soul, searching for something until it seemed she found it. Buried so deep inside Morgan that she didn’t even know where it had rooted itself in, was a growing kernel of darkness. Morgan felt Selene poke at the darkness until it felt like it would burst. She continued to scratch and prod at it until the darkness began to seep out and Morgan felt those twisting, coiling shadows circle the room. With it came a wave of jealousy. Never feeling good enough. Never being able to give enough, to work hard enough. Morgan screamed and the sound seemed to carry on forever, but Selene continued to scrape at that bitter darkness in Morgan’s soul until a gleaming light poured from it. The light seemed to burn Selene and she flinched in pain before she removed her hand from Morgan’s face and the searing pain vanished from Morgan.

Selene panted as she recovered from using her essence to probe into Morgan’s soul. Finally she said, “I can examine a soul. Yours is… unexpected. King Rylo was right in choosing you as the witch for Nephel. While I haven’t had the opportunity to examine it as closely, your sister has the soul of a child. You on the other hand have ambition and cunning. It’s been wasted in such a frivolous capacity in your realm, sitting in front of that human device. But here? If you reach your potential here, you will be unstoppable. Did you know this about yourself?”

Morgan could barely make out the violet eyes shining back at her in the pitch-black room, but she felt those ever-present shadows coiling around her as if protecting her from another invasion. “What are you going to do to me here? Force that darkness out of me?” Morgan asked.

Selene let out a shrewd huff. “Dear girl, that darkness is dancing around you. No. All I believe you need is to become acquainted with your darkness.”

At that she turned, opening the door as the muted light from the hallway entered Morgan’s room. Without another word, she closed the door with a soft click. Morgan was enveloped in an ever expanding darkness.