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“I sent out an incantation for her spirit and I could not find it. There is a low buzz signaling that it should be present, but there is a discordant note inside of it. Her spirit is different. I cannot taste it, feel it or learn its essence because its essence is fractured.”
“How are you even able to connect to feel the discordant note when you have not used any charm to bond her?”
“The relaxing of her mind due to pain and death’s stealthy approach is what has allowed me to slip under her guard. Otherwise I would not have been able to penetrate the natural barrier guarding her spirit.”
“What are her chances?” The grimness in Gavyn’s voice was not lost on Acheron.
He refused to create false hope. “We have staunched the blood flow as much as possible, but I would say she has lost more than half. Her wounds are severe, and the shock alone would kill most. Only her will to survive can keep her alive for the few minutes needed to get the elixir.”
They rode in a somber silence that stretched interminably. With her actions, she earned the loyalty of the rest of the Kingblades. Unbreakable and unbendable. Their only thought now would be to save her as she had saved their king.
With a flex of tendons and muscles, the wraiths landed in the bailey.
His king flashed from the wraith with speed, the flames of his charka pulsating around him as he moved to save her. Acheron allowed the darkest of power to ebb through his veins, needing to save her. It was not lost on him that a few hours before, he had been advocating for her death. But now…he saw something he never thought he would have before this hari’s presence in Nuria—his king deeply caring about someone.
Ajali cradled Tehdra in his arms and flashed through the courtyard, ignoring all cries and exclamations at the sight of so much blood. The speed that Ajali flowed with had her blood flying through the air, peppering the ground like rain drops. Within seconds he entered the healing room on the upper floor of his wing. Several healers gathered with Bastien, holding the glowing, clear crystal jar that contained the healing elixir.
“Administer it!”
The healer flinched at the rasped command, and Bastien stepped forward in concern. Rage or any deep emotions displayed by their king was not something to which they were accustomed.
“My king.” With a quick obsequious bow, the healer approached Tehdra’s still form laid out on the massive bed. With quick efficiency she arranged Tehdra’s limbs, set a golden funnel between Tehdra’s lips that would minimize spillage and poured the elixir inside. The healer cradled her head as they waited, tension strangling their breath.
“What are you waiting on?” Gavyn rapped out, harsh and impatient.
“She breathes no longer, my lords. The elixir does not work on those who death has already claimed,” the healer said, her tone heavy with regret.
“The buzz of her spirit has flamed out,” Acheron confirmed, closing his eyes.
The healer gasped, splattering drops of the precious liquid as Ajali approached.
She dislodged Tehdra and bowed at his feet, trembling.
Acheron flashed to Ajali. His subjects revered him, but the woman was shaking. When Acheron looked into Ajali’s eyes, he inhaled deeply, understanding what had inspired the fear in the healer. Twin orbs of flames replaced the green of his king’s eyes, giving them the most diabolical cast. Strong emotions bled flames into his kings’ eyes, obliterating iris and natural color, leaving only a flaming pit of fire.
Acheron observed the hari who seemed to have ruffled his king from the moment of her arrival. It disturbed Acheron in some deep unfathomable way that she meant something to Ajali. His king did not agitate easily.
Acheron flared out his senses, searching for her spirit. He punched deep inside, digging, moving through barriers which should not be, barreling through with su
ch brutal momentum to find the lowest of energy. He almost missed it. “Her spirit barely hangs on; its final flame is dying as we speak.”
With a blur of speed Ajali had Tehdra in his lap and filled the funnel with elixir. He poured until the jar emptied. Minutes passed in a tense silence as they waited for her body to heal.
“She is not healing. Did you give her the required amount?” asked Gavyn.
Without answering Ajali refilled the golden jar and trickled the elixir down her throat once more. The hari did not stir. He gently shifted her on the bed and stood.
“Stand,” Ajali ordered the healer.
“Thank you, my king,” the woman said, surging to her feet.
“Tell me all you know about the elixir and why her body does not respond.”
The healer stiffened, and clasped her hands before her. “I do not know, my king. Whispers say that if one’s sprit has passed beyond this realm the elixir does not work.” She glanced around the room. “Only a witch has the power to incant and holds the spirit to a body while healers work, my king. Should I summon the white witch who lives in Adara?”
“Her spirit does not respond to the call of the incantation,” Acheron said with impatience. “Is there anything else?”
“My lord, it would be best if I summon Eowenna as you are not a full…” she trailed off, belatedly realizing her mistake.
