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

Chapter 53

C HAPTER 53

LOR

W e arrive in The Aurora under the cover of night. Snow blankets the forest, and the wind whips through our clothing. Compared to just a few short weeks ago, the temperature has changed drastically as we’ve moved into winter. It contrasts vividly with the heat and humidity in Aphelion.

The lights ripple overhead, blue and green and scarlet, and I stare up at them, grateful they’re here. I remember how the Empyrium told me The Aurora lost them at the end of the First Age. As many terrible memories as this place holds, the sight will always be beautiful to me.

Nadir wraps his arms around me, and I lean into him, realizing that I’m making new memories in their place. I look up at him and smile. We have everything working against us, and the odds of surviving are almost nothing, but I have him. No matter what happens, we’ll have had this and each other, and I’m fighting for him and everyone I love, and that has to be enough. If I die, then at least I’ll know I did that.

“Come on,” he says, “you must be cold.”

He uses his magic to envelop me, taking away the worst bite of the chill as we weave through the trees. The lights of the manor peek through the dense brush, and while my first visit to this place was anything but ideal, it, too, creates the sum of these moments. Those days in the manor when Nadir and I reached a tentative agreement to search for the Crown led us all to this spot.

Willow, Tristan, Bronte, Cedar, Cyan, and Linden follow behind us. After Etienne dropped us off, he returned to Heart to ferry Anemone back to Alluvion so she could retrieve the Book of Night.

Once D’Arcy destroyed her ark, she returned to her home in Celestria. I’m trying not to hold it against her—she did help us, and we were all nearly killed for it—but it’ll be tough not to harbor a grudge.

As I note everyone’s scant clothing, I realize they must be freezing.

Nadir uses some of his magic, which seems to help, but we better get them all inside.

When we enter the manor on a gust of wind, Brea is there to greet us.

“Welcome home,” she says warmly, and I smile, remembering when she had to serve breakfast with me chained to the foot of Nadir’s bed .

“Brea,” he says. “We have some special guests with us.”

She nods. “The princess sent word. We have rooms ready for everyone.”

“Make sure you get them some warmer clothing, too,” he adds, and Brea gestures for everyone to follow.

“Come,” Nadir says, and he drags me up the stairs to his room, where we fall on the bed, wrapped in one another’s arms. For several long moments, we hold each other. I can’t get the image of the Heart Castle collapsing out of my head. Logically, I know a building doesn’t matter. I understand it was just mortar and stones and not truly the legacy we left behind. I think of my grandparents’ portraits, which already survived one tragedy, worried they’re gone forever. Despite their actions, they’re still a part of who I am.

I also can’t stop seeing Nadir wrapped up in Zerra’s magic. She almost took him again.

A soft shuffle from the corner of the room draws our attention, and we look over to see Morana and Khione in front of the fire. They’re staring at Nadir with such longing in their dark eyes that I burst out laughing.

Nadir smiles and slides off me, kneeling on the floor. That’s their cue because both giant ice hounds bound over, practically knocking him over as they paw at his clothing and lick his face, their tales wagging hard enough to snap right off. He laughs, and the sound twists in my chest.

Was this cold prince always capable of thawing? Or did I help him along?

Morana turns to me, placing her paws on my thigh, and I rub her head as she yips .

“You’re not planning to eat me anymore?” I ask, and then she licks my hand with her rough tongue.

“I would never have let them eat you,” Nadir says. “Perhaps just a nibble.”

“Will you let me sleep in the bed tonight? No tying me up?”

He eyes me up and down. “Oh, I’d be happy to tie you up again,” he replies, the suggestion in his voice clear.

“Or maybe we’ll do it the other way around.”

His eyes light up. “I like the sound of that, Heart Queen.”

Khione whines, shoving her head under his hand for another dose of affection, when a knock comes at the door.

“Come in,” Nadir calls, and it swings open.

Brea stands there again. “The princess and the captain have arrived and asked that you come downstairs to speak with them.”

“We’re on our way,” he answers, and she nods, closing the door behind her.

Nadir reaches out and takes my hand. “Are you ready for the next part?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Not at all.”

He kisses my knuckles and the red stone of my ring as my eyes burn with tears. I collapse against him, wrapping my arms around his waist as he presses his nose to the top of my head.

“I don’t want to lose you,” I say.

“You won’t,” he replies into my hair.

“You can’t promise that.”

“But I do.”

I look up, seeing the conviction in his eyes.

My breath sticks in my lungs with the heavy certainty that someone will soon take him from me forever. I can’t let that happen. I will fight until I’m nothing but a pile of dust.

I let out a strangled breath. “Then let’s go,” I say.

The dogs trot in front as we head downstairs. Everyone is gathered in the library, perched on the various velvet upholstered chairs and sofas scattered throughout the room. Bookshelves line the walls and a fire roars in the hearth. The tall windows leak with plumes of colorful light, gilding everyone in rainbow edges.

Anemone, dressed in a tunic and leggings, has arrived with Etienne and the Book of Night. Cyan has also acquired some warmer clothing, and the dark colors seem to make his bright hair glow with even more brilliance.

“Have a seat,” Amya says as Nadir and I enter. She stands with her hands clasped, the lines around her mouth tight. Her dark hair is slicked into a high bun, and she wears black leather leggings with a corset, all of it embellished with bright streaks of violet, emerald, and fuchsia. Though I wasn’t expecting good news, she looks more worried than I’d like.

“What’s happening?” Nadir asks, clearly picking up on the same feeling.

“So, we returned to the Keep prepared to convince Father that Mael and I had abandoned you to your own devices . . .”

“And?” Nadir asks.

“And he’s not there.”

A pause of silence echoes around the room.

“He never returned after I escaped them in Alluvion?” I ask.

“No,” Amya says. “They returned, but everyone I’ve spoken to—his guards and attendants—all confirm that Father disappeared two days ago. His study is a mess—empty glasses and bottles lie all over the place with papers and books strewn everywhere.”

Nadir shakes his head. “That . . . doesn’t make sense.”

“I know,” she replies. “Mael and I searched through his things, but either he left, or someone took him.”

“Did you find anything useful?” Nadir asks.

“I’m not sure. There was a chest full of journals. From what I could tell, they were written by Herric.”

“What?” I ask sharply. Herric left journals?

“How could anything survive that long?” Cyan asks.

“I don’t know that either,” Amya says. “They must have been enchanted. There are dozens, and Father was definitely reading them. We found crumpled notes everywhere, too.”

“King Herric ,” Cedar says, as if he’s tasting the bitter syllables while we all share a wary look.

Herric, the Lord of the Underworld.

Is this connected? Have the strings been pulled from such a distance?

“So we can enter the Keep,” Tristan asks, “without worrying about your father?”

Mael shakes his head. “I’ve questioned all his guards, and they could be lying, but it seems they aren’t currently in contact with him. It’s impossible to say. It could also be a trap, and we’d be playing right into his hands.”

“But we need to get the Torch,” I say.

“So we sneak in,” Nadir says. “We would have had to do that anyway.”

“What do we do about Zerra?” I ask, my gaze flicking upwards. Along with the destroyed castle, I can’t get the image of her screaming out of my head. The way she bent with pain and the look on her face when she sent that final blast my way. “If we go near the Torch, she might see us again.”

“You said the Keep is made of virulence?” Anemone asks, and Nadir nods.

“It should shield you long enough to get the Torch. That amount would block out her sight.”

“I wondered if that’s why Herric built it.”

She nods. “That would make sense.”

“What about the ceremony?” Willow asks. “Can we all go in?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mael says. “It’s one thing for us to sneak in, but all of you will draw too much attention.”

“So, you will go under the mountain for the bonding,” Bronte adds a moment later, and every eye turns to her.

Anemone nods. “That would work if we can find a large enough deposit.”

“I think we also need to take a closer look at those journals,” Nadir says. “Maybe that will give us a clue about where he went.”

Amya nods. “We spent hours in there. If it’s a trap, then he’s either not worried about his study, or he’s specifically waiting for both of you.”

“He’s likely to have the ark with him,” Nadir says. “We might need to spring any trap he’s set.”

I wrap my hand around his forearm, and he covers his hand with mine.

“There’s something else you all need to know,” he says, looking at me before he turns to his sister. “After we get the Torch, I also will ask it to release me from my role as Primary.”

Collective surprise moves around the room. Everyone stares at the two of us.

“You’re . . .” Mael says, trailing off. I wonder if he’s ever been at a loss for a clever remark.

“We’ve discussed it and agreed that I would be the one,” Nadir says.

“I’ve been wondering,” Amya says. “I didn’t want to pry. But—”

“But nothing. I want to do this. I’m choosing to do this—for Lor and me and for everyone in this room and on this continent. It has to be one of us, and it can’t be her.”

“But that means . . .” Mael says.

“That means it might be you, Amya,” Nadir says, and the princess of The Aurora sighs out a long breath.

“I’m sorry if this isn’t what you want and that it might alter the path of your destiny, too.”

Amya squeezes her hands and nods as silver tears build in her eyes.

“I’ve never thought much about it,” she says.

“You would make an amazing queen.”

“The best,” Mael adds warmly, making Amya smile.

She swallows, and I see it all so clearly.

Amya, with a crown and in a long black dress with those colorful strands of her hair spilling over her shoulders, stands before her people, maybe with my sister at her side.

“What if it doesn’t choose me?” she asks, her voice a paper-thin whisper.

Nadir stands up and draws his sister into a hug. “I can’t be sure, but something tells me you’d be perfect. It should have been you from the very beginning.”

They hug tightly, and I wipe a tear from my eye. Even Linden looks somewhat moved, her stony expression softening just a little.

The prince and princess pull apart.

“This is going to feel so strange,” she says, looking up at him.

“I think it’s going to feel just right.”

“You’re sure, Nadir?”

“Amya, I’ve never been more sure about anything.”

She nods as he turns to address the room.

“So I’ll sneak into the Keep, find out what I can in my father’s room, and get the Torch.”

“I’m coming with you,” I say. He gives me a dark look. “Don’t even bother arguing. I’m coming.”

He opens his mouth and then closes it before he says, “Fine.”

“We’ll come too,” Amya says, gesturing between Mael and herself.

“Once we have both Artefacts, we can proceed,” Anemone adds. “I’ll study the book and ensure I have the process right.”

“I will find somewhere to perform the bonding,” Bronte says.

I give her an expectant look, and she shakes her head as though she can’t believe she’s agreeing to any of this. She convinced D’Arcy to destroy the ark, and despite what she claimed about just coming along when we headed north, she’s offering more of her help.

“I know I said I was undecided . . . but I like you, little queen. You remind me of me.”

“That’s . . . I was in awe of you from the moment I saw you,” I say a little breathlessly, and that earns me a warm smile.

“Etienne, you’ll need to retrieve the Crown,” Nadir says and Etienne nods. “Bring it directly to Bronte once she secures a location.”

“Absolutely.” He presses a hand to his chest and bends at the waist.

“We’ll also come with you,” Tristan says to Bronte, and Willow nods.

“We should make it nice,” Willow says. “Find some decorations.”

“Willow, that’s not necessary,” I say.

She turns to me, eyebrow raised. “My little sister isn’t bonding to her mate in some dusty mountain cave without a little something to liven it up.”

She glares, daring me to argue. This emerging form of Willow is so different from the sister I knew.

I offer her a grateful smile as everyone goes silent, lost in their churning thoughts.

It feels like the end. Like we’ve been running towards this place for almost three hundred years when our grandparents made a mistake that has rippled across centuries.

“Then we have a plan,” Nadir says after another minute, returning to the business at hand.

“Not a very good one,” Mael drawls.

“No,” I say. “But when have we ever let that stop us?”