Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos #4)

Chapter 50

C HAPTER 50

LOR

Q UEENDOM OF H EART

T he next morning, someone knocks on our door, and I slide out of bed to find Tristan on the other side, his hand running across the back of his neck. He’s wearing a dark green tunic and black leggings with knee-high suede boots. His midnight hair has grown longer over the last months, curling in waves around his pointed ears and the base of his neck.

“Tris, what’s wrong?”

“Cedar asked to speak with me.”

“Oh,” I say, immediately understanding why my brother is nervous. “Does he—?”

“I don’t know,” he says, cutting me off. “I don’t know.”

“Tris, it will be okay. It’s not like this is a bad thing.”

“Isn’t it? What if he thinks it’s a terrible thing? You saw how much Linden hates us.”

He paces back and forth, and I’ve rarely seen my brother this nervous or unsure of himself.

“What’s worrying you, specifically?” I ask.

He sighs and plants his hands on his hips, dropping his head.

“When you told me about it, I kind of just pushed it away. I didn’t want to think about or deal with it. I was never prepared for this. I feel . . . overwhelmed, Lor.”

By now, Nadir has appeared at the door, half-dressed and mussed from sleep.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

Nadir and Tristan exchange a look.

“Sorry. I heard what you were just saying,” Nadir says. “Come in.”

He jerks his head for Tristan to follow, and my brother hesitates for a moment before he enters. They’re still warming up to one another.

“Sit down,” Nadir says, and when Tristan hesitates again, he adds, “Look, I’m giving up my crown, and you’re getting one. Things that neither one of us ever expected. I think we can talk about this.”

Tristan’s eyes move between us. “You mean—”

“Yes,” Nadir says. “I will be giving up my place as The Aurora’s Primary.”

“You would do that for her?” Tristan asks.

“I would do anything for her. I hope that’s obvious by now. ”

Tristan blinks before his gaze narrows, his eyes dragging over Nadir as if he’s testing the truth of his words. Something softens in his expression.

“Thank you,” Tristan says, bowing his head. “For taking care of her. For . . . being there for her. I know I’ve been hard on you.”

Nadir raises his hand. “With good reason. You don’t owe me anything.”

Tristan’s gaze slides to me. “Maybe not, but my sister seems pretty fond of you, and I—” He sighs and rubs a hand down his face. “And we’re going to be family soon.”

Tears burn the backs of my eyes as Nadir’s face cracks into a grin.

“Then have a seat,” he says. “Let’s talk about this.”

Tristan settles onto one of the divans arranged around a low table while Nadir and I sit across from him. Nadir scoots forward, his elbows braced on his knees and his hands clasped.

“Feeling overwhelmed about this is perfectly normal. But Cedar is High Fae and will go on to live for many years. You don’t have to figure out how to rule a kingdom overnight.”

“Right,” Tristan says. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“And Cedar is a good king. His people revere him. I don’t know him extremely well, but he’s been kind to you and your sisters, and I’ve only heard good things. Even if he can be an arrogant bastard sometimes . . . well, that kind of goes with king territory.”

He smirks, and Tristan’s shoulders drop. I watch as something passes between Nadir and my brother. They’re more alike than they realize. Both fearless and loyal. Both full of passion for the things and the people they love. Both willing to do whatever it takes to protect them.

“So I should just go and talk to him.”

“I think you should,” Nadir says. “And forget about Linden. She lives in Alluvion and has no say in this.”

“Do you want me to come?” I ask, and Tristan shakes his head.

“No. I think I can do this alone.”

“Okay. You know where to find me if you change your mind.”

“Thanks.” He stands up, and Nadir holds out a hand. Tristan takes it, and they shake. “Thanks to you, too.”

After Tristan leaves, I turn to Nadir.

“I think you might be finally winning him over,” I say, and he shrugs as if it’s of no importance, but I catch the bright, hopeful look in his eyes.

An hour later, we head down to meet everyone in the foyer.

Our plan is to use the walls of Heart as a buffer against whatever might happen when we destroy the arks. It’s already in shambles, so how much more damage could we do? We’re all going—Nadir and I, most of the rulers, Tristan, Amya, and Mael—basically, almost everyone with protective magic. Willow is staying with Rhiannon and Etienne to reduce any potential casualties. I don’t know what will happen when we destroy them, but I imagine something big, loud, and explosive. And messy.

D’Arcy left late last night, returning to Celestria. I don’t know how we’ll change her mind, and I have no idea how we’ll proceed if she continues to refuse.

At the end of the hallway, Tristan and Cedar emerge from a room, both of them smiling, and my heart lightens.

I catch my brother’s eye, and he walks over.

“How was it?” I ask.

“Good,” he says with a smile. “Good. He’s thrilled and wants me to come and stay with them in The Woodlands after all of this is over.”

“I’m so glad,” I say. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better,” he says. “I’m . . . really looking forward to getting to know them all. You know?”

“I know,” I say.

“Okay, everyone,” Nadir says, and we all turn to him. “That’s all of us. Let’s go.”

We file out of the house and head towards Heart to gather inside the city walls.

“How do we do this?” Nadir asks Anemone.

“Each of you will need to direct as much power as possible into your ark. It will be a matter of concentrating it into one point for long enough to essentially fill it to the point of bursting.”

Nadir looks around. “Everyone move to higher ground. Use the walls or the rubble. Whoever goes first will stand here.” He points to a spot in the middle of the large plaza where we stand.

“Any volunteers?” Nadir asks.

“I’ll go first,” Bronte says, her hand on the hilt of the sword at her hip and her chin lifted. Her pewter armor glints in the sun as a breeze tosses her shiny iron hair, and there’s not an ounce of fear in her expression.

“Great,” Nadir says, and then we all jog away from the center, each finding a place to observe from above.

Bronte pulls the ark from her belt and contemplates it before she places it on the ground and takes a few steps back. Her gaze sweeps over us, and she dips her chin to indicate she’s ready.

I swallow a thick knot, really hoping this doesn’t kill her. Or us.

From each of our perches, we spin out our magic. I have no idea what Mael is capable of, but when dark violet ribbons emerge from his fingertips, circling him like a cage, I’m somehow not surprised. He might play the role of the irreverent, but it’s obvious he’s also lethal.

My fingers curl into fists as I consider what to do with mine. It sparks under my skin, begging to break free, but I don’t want to hurt anyone. A moment later, ribbons of Nadir’s light magic circle around my limbs, and instantly, my magic calms.

“Better?” he asks, and I nod.

“Better.”

He uses his other hand to join his magic with Amya’s as the two of them create a protective barrier over our heads. Tristan and Cedar add ribbons of their dark green magic, while Cyan and Mael add their power, a net of water and streams of those dark ribbons enclosing the barrier to fortify the shield.

I hope it’s enough.

Bronte focuses on the ark and then holds out her hand as her own brand of magic seeps from her fingertips. It’s dense and solid mist, grey, silver, and white coalescing together .

Her magic hits the ark and absorbs her power. With everyone else concentrating on keeping the shield in place, I stare at the ark, watching as it pulls in more of Bronte’s magic . . . It takes about half a minute before it starts to glow with silver light.

“Keep going!” I shout. “Something is happening.”

I exchange a look with Nadir, who watches me, and then I look back at Bronte.

The ark is vibrating now, jumping around where it lies.

Don’t stop , I say to myself, my lips moving with soundless words.

“Is it working?” Bronte shouts.

“I think so!” I shout back.

She continues filtering in her power as the ark glows brighter and brighter. A flicker appears above it, like an apparition emerging from its depths. Though the image is faint, it becomes obvious that it’s Zerra. Fear floods the back of my throat as she stands with her arms out, glaring at Bronte. She bares her teeth, her mouth twisting into a snarl.

“Don’t stop!” I scream. Something tells me that if Bronte lets go, we’re all fucked.

Zerra’s back arches, her mouth opening like she’s screaming. Her head tips up, and then, in a flash of light, the ark explodes. I duck instinctively, but the barrier holds. After a few seconds, everyone releases their magic just as the sky fills with clouds and flashes of silver lightning streak across the horizon.

I listen closely and wonder if I hear a scream.

“Did you all see that?” I breathe. “She was there. Do you think she can get to us? ”

Everyone shares a wary look across the plaza. No one was expecting that.

“Next one,” Nadir barks. “Let’s get this over with quickly. Cyan! You’re up.”

We repeat the process, and once again, the ark absorbs his magic until it must reach some kind of threshold and starts to glow blue. I hold my breath, hoping Cyan has enough power to see this task through. Again, Zerra appears in that barely there form, snarling and screaming without sound.

She spins around as if trying to see us. Can she tell who’s killing her? Her fingers curl into claws as she sneers and then begins clutching herself, curving in on the pain. I swallow against the dryness in my throat. While I know this is necessary, watching her suffer makes my chest hurt. She was once a young queen forced into this role, and then someone she trusted turned on her.

Again, the ark explodes before the sky turns dark, more flashes of silver-white lightning forking across in jagged streaks. When she’s gone again, I expel a short breath of relief. Cyan did it. And it seems like she can’t reach us in this form.

“Cedar!” Nadir barks as he rolls his neck. We’ve all been shaken by the sight of Zerra. Before long, the broken pieces of the three arks sit in the center of the rubble. We clamor down from our places and stare at them as silver lightning continues to crackle across the sky.

“What do you think it did to her?” Tristan asks as he peers up.

I also cast my gaze skyward.

“I don’t know,” I say.

“What do we do about the last one?” Amya asks.

“I don’t know that either,” I say. “I don’t think this works if we can’t destroy them all.”

“Does D’Arcy have a Primary?” Tristan asks.

“She does,” Bronte says. “But the Celestrian Primary is still a child, far from the full force of their magic.”

“So we’re fucked,” Mael says, and we all nod when I notice something falling from the sky.

Everyone’s attention slowly turns towards it. A star streaks through the air, glowing brighter and brighter before it drops into the courtyard and hovers a few feet off the ground. I look around at everyone, but most of them seem just as confused as I am.

I notice the ghost of a smile plays on Bronte’s face before the light dissolves, revealing the queen of Celestria standing at the end of the square, watching us.

“D’Arcy,” I say as she approaches us on smooth steps while I try not to get my hopes up.

“I saw everything,” she says, indicating the broken arks. “I still don’t agree with your bonding”—she pins us with a dark look—“but I do understand what it is to lose your mate.

“Last night someone convinced me that this isn’t about what I want. Celestria has always claimed neutrality in matters of Ouranos.” She exhales a sigh. “But perhaps that is not the most prudent course of action in this case. I have no desire to witness the final death of Heart either.”

Her gaze finds Bronte, and we all watch as they exchange a look. The queen of Tor dips her chin.

“I returned home to speak with the Diadem,” she continues. “ It confirmed your story and the truth of your words.” She studies me with her hands folded in front of her stomach.

“Does that mean you’ll do it?” I ask.

She presses her lips together and stares me up and down. “I will do it.”

Relief collapses in my chest. I exhale a sigh. “Thank you,” I say, walking up and throwing my arms around her. “Thank you.”

I feel her stiffen.

“Please,” she says. “If you ever hug me again, I will rescind my offer.”

I hear everyone trying to stifle their laughter, and then I drop my arms, wiping a tear that’s slipped down my cheek with the back of my hand.

“Sorry,” I say. “Sorry.”

“Hmm,” she replies, withdrawing the ark from her cloak. We all return to our places, prepared to repeat the process again. This still doesn’t solve the issue of my impending fate as a god, but at least we’re one step closer to giving me a chance to survive.

D’Arcy spins up her magic, focusing a concentrated beam of pure starlight into the ark. It’s as beautiful as I imagined it would be.

The ark absorbs her light before it starts to glow. Again Zerra appears, wavering in and out. She spins around to face me, and it’s then that I’m sure she can see me. Her form flickers again, and then suddenly, she becomes solid, like she’s standing right there. I take a step back, stumbling over the rubble under my feet, feeling the stones give way.

“You!” she screams as her arms fling out. Silver lightning spears from her fingertips as everyone blocks her with their magic, but Zerra is strong. I can see everyone struggling to hold her back as more and more magic filters from her hands.

Red lightning twists up my arms, my power swelling in answer.

Zerra flings out a silver whip of light. It circles around Nadir’s ankle and yanks him towards her, dragging him over the rough ground. He roars as he fights and kicks, trying to break free of her tether.

“Nadir!” I call. I don’t think. All I can focus on is the fact I’m about to lose him again. I leap off the wall, my feet slamming into the stones as I land in a crouch.

“Lor!” Someone shouts my name. “Don’t!”

I ignore the call as I run for Zerra. I watch in horror as more of her silvery magic wraps around Nadir, like a caterpillar building a cocoon.

“Lor! Don’t go near her!” he shouts as magic closes over his throat and chin, but she will not take him.

Zerra flings out a burst of magic and I react, blocking it. Red lightning surrounds me in a burst of jagged streaks. I pray everyone has taken cover. My pace never slows, and then I knock into her with my full weight. She stumbles, though she doesn’t move from the circle of the ark.

Snarling, she blasts out more magic and I duck before I slam my hand into her chest, filtering out more of my magic, trying to inject it into her blood. We scream together as she bows, her back arching. She bends slowly like a tree fighting a gust of wind. With my teeth gritted, I cling to my power, shoving more of it in .

A moment later she snaps up, and I go flying, landing on the stones with a thud, scraping my palms and tearing the leather at my knees and elbows.

I noticed more of Zerra’s magic surrounding Nadir, swallowing him up. All I can see now is the top of his head as the entire horrible creation writhes with his movements, still fighting to break free.

And then I’m up and running, once again slamming into her. She grabs my wrist and squeezes so hard my knees buckle. “You little brat!” she hisses. “You took my arks and my Herric. You won’t get away with this.”

Then she grabs me by the throat and lifts me up, squeezing hard enough to make stars burst in my vision. My feet dangle in the air, my toes just barely scraping the ground.

“Herric betrayed you,” I choke out, yanking on her hand and trying to loosen her grip.

“I trusted him,” she says. “The others refused to visit me. He was the only thing I had left from the surface.”

I hear the anguish in her voice, and it makes a small piece of my heart twist with pity. She squeezes harder as she lifts me higher, and spots swim in my vision. Dimly, I register magic flashing around us as the others try to help, but they also don’t want to hit me or Nadir.

“That’s not Herric. You can’t have him,” I gasp as my legs flail uselessly against the air.

I grab onto her wrist and call up a blast of lightning. It spirals around her arm, over her shoulders, and down her torso, before her heart starts to glow right through her skin. She screams and then drops me. I roll over, coughing, trying to catch my breath, but I’m fueled by something primal and the need to save Nadir.

I leap up, grabbing her wrist before I douse her with another surge of magic.

Her eyes spread wide before she clamps a hand over my face. I jerk when I feel an opposing surge of her magic flow into my blood. My skin glows with that same silvery color, and we both cling to one another, battling for dominance.

I moan as it feels like I’m being cooked from the inside out. We are nearly equal in strength, fighting for our lives. But hers is coming to an end, and mine has barely begun.

Another blast of power sends me flying with a scream. I crash into the wall and collapse in a tumble of limbs. I try to get up, falling to my hands and knees as I stare at Zerra. She stands straight, flinging her arms wide as she bursts into silver light so bright I use my arms to shield my eyes.

The noise around the square mutes to nothing as rocks and debris fly towards her, the force tugging at our hair and clothing. She sucks everything in, and we all cling to the rubble as she pulls and pulls like a giant gaping mouth, preparing to swallow us whole. D’Arcy remains where she started, her stance hunched as she continues filtering starlight into the ark, but Zerra only has eyes for me.

I’m on my feet again, ignoring everything around me. I’m running as debris pelts me left and right, ignoring the jabs of pain. I hear my name. People screaming as I throw myself on top of Nadir.

My ears hurt from the absence of sound as she sucks every last drop of air towards her, and then . . . everything pauses for a long unbearable heartbeat before she drops her head, staring right at me before it all reverses, everything flying out with a sonic boom that shakes the foundations of the earth.

Nadir and I go flying, tumbling end over end against the rubble. My body hits something hard and sharp, pain spearing through me as I roll down, crashing, bumping, and then eventually come to a stop.

Breathing heavily, I lie on the ground, willing my head to stop spinning. Blood leaks into my eyes, and I move to wipe it away, every limb seizing with pain. In a moment, the aftermath silences as everything again reduces to stillness.

Nadir. I roll over and let out a sob of relief when I see him lying a few feet away.

I drag myself over and throw my arms around him. “Are you okay?” I whisper, and he nods.

“I think so. She almost killed you.”

“She almost took you.”

He squeezes me against him before I lift my head, trying to see where everyone else landed. D’Arcy kneels in the middle of the chaos, the pieces of the broken ark scattered around her. I have no idea how she held on through all of that.

I scan the plaza. Where is Tristan? Amya? The action sends a stab of pain across my scalp.

Slowly, I roll over onto my hands and knees, ignoring the painful scrapes and bruises, when a sound draws my attention. The earth shakes with more snapping and cracking.

I look up towards the Heart Castle and then slowly rise to my feet, my injuries temporarily forgotten. The tallest towers shudder and then start to collapse, toppling against one another. They crumble together, crashing down, roaring against the silence as the entire castle slowly sinks into a heap.

I feel the force of the breeze it generates against my cheeks as dust coats the air, my skin, and my clothes. Time seems to stop as the castle finally implodes in a mountain of wreckage. It takes another minute before everything goes silent again.

With my mouth open, I look around. It seems like everyone is accounted for, though we’re all bleeding from various scrapes and cuts. I take two steps, nearly tripping over the rubble, but Nadir is already behind me. I cling to him, my head spinning.

The Heart Castle is gone. I blink and blink, staring at the spot where it stood a few seconds ago. I can’t look away.

“Do you think . . . that’s a bad omen?” I ask.

Mael strides up next to me, his thumbs tucked into his belt loops. He’s limping, and blood coats the side of his face.

“Well, Heart Queen. It definitely isn’t a good one.”

I glance up at him.

“But look on the bright side. You were going to have to rebuild it all anyway.”

I choke out a sound that is half laugh, half sob.

Great. Just great.

But that’s it.

We’ve held Zerra off for now.

We destroyed the arks.

Four down.

Two to go.