A gust of wind lifted her hair in a tender caress while those closest to her stumbled away, pushed back by the power they felt.Caris raised her palms to the blue sky as though in prayer.She threw back her head, and her voice filled the air, speaking in a language no living thing could remember, not even the trees.
This was no longer Caris.
This was the goddess of the night who existed inside her.She wasn’t calling to the sun – she was calling for the moon and stars.She brought her hands together in a single thunderous clap, and like blowing out a candle, she turned morning to midnight.
Chaos erupted around us as battle-hardened men screamed in terror.
I felt a tug, and the bonds around my legs were gone.I didn’t know the words, but I knew she was calling me to her.
It was like sleepwalking.The closer I got to her, the more it felt like a dream.
The goddess of the night took my hand in hers, and the face that belonged to Caris came close to mine in the darkness.I stared into her eyes, feeling the power that lay within her.Could I trust her not to destroy the vessel of the woman who held my heart and soul?
‘I need you.’That was all she said before I felt a jolt like a lightning strike shoot through the hand she held.I gritted my teeth as she drew energy from where I kept it hidden.
Our people had the common sense to stay behind us as the king’s men regained their wits and tried to get back into formation.A haphazard line of men formed, and someone shouted a command.They charged at us in the darkness with swords raised.
Heat scorched my face as hundreds of soldiers ignited simultaneously.They burned so intensely that they turned as dark as coal in seconds.Then they were gone.The air transformed into a desolate abyss of swirling black ash.
Her grip weakened, and I felt her hand slip from mine.She had drained me to do whatever she had done to those men, and all I could do was break her fall as I dropped to the ground with her.I held her limp body tight in my worn-out arms as boots and ash surrounded us.She had saved everyone.
Atlas reached down with powerful arms to relieve me of her weight.I snarled at him.‘Just get her horse,’ I bit out.He nodded and disappeared.
I could sense something shift as Tomas, my father and Braya came to where I sat on the ash-covered ground, clutching Caris in my weary arms.I looked up long enough to meet the eyes of some of my soldiers.They looked back with narrowed eyes and pallid faces.
‘Get her out of here before they turn on us,’ my father said in a low voice to Atlas, who was already back with Nightmare.
My legs trembled and buckled under me when I tried to stand with Caris in my arms.Atlas took her from me as if she were the most precious thing he had ever held and helped me get her on the massive beast she loved so much.The restless mare whinnied, and I loosened my grip on her reins, allowing her to turn towards Atlas and see that Caris was safe.He held Caris in his arms until he was sure I could stay upright in the saddle.I gathered her to me, resting her head against my shoulder.I took the reins in my free hand and let Nightmare have her head.
That damned wild horse of hers had us past the city gate before anyone could think about stopping us.
CHAPTER 39
CARIS
The night enveloped me as I strolled through the woods, listening to the melodic chorus of creatures emerging from their hiding places.The air was warm, and I could smell wood smoke.In between the trees, the glow of a campfire appeared.
Sitting alone by the fire was a young woman with long, flowing auburn hair and light eyes.She greeted me with a smile as if she had been expecting me.
‘Come sit with me, Caris.’The young woman’s voice was familiar.When I sat next to her, I looked closely at her face.
‘Who are you?’I asked.
‘Mable, but you call me Mae.’
‘Are you dead too?’
‘No, and you aren’t either.’
‘I am.’I died in the dungeon with Cillian.‘Where’s Cillian?’I wanted to be with him again, looking at the stars together in the woods by the fire.
Young Mae looked at me sadly.‘You must wake up, Caris.’
‘No.’I was dead, not sleeping.Cillian would appear through the trees soon.
Mae sighed and shook her head.
‘What’s wrong?’I asked.
