The Bound (Ascension #2)(18)

Avoca had removed her own weapon from the sheath and attacked an Indres. She killed two before Cyrene let loose a burst of energy at the remaining six. Two scattered before it reached them, but the other four went down at her targeted hit. With their brothers on the ground, the remaining two tried to flee, but Avoca had her bow off her back and arrows through their foreheads before Cyrene could blink.

“Don’t draw so much,” Avoca snapped.

“Sorry.”

“What if a Braj had been nearby or worse?”

“You’re right,” Cyrene agreed.

It was a reprimand, but from Avoca, it didn’t feel like it. It was just a reminder. Cyrene had always had a problem with controlling how much energy she drew from her source. She just had so much power.

“Let’s go,” Avoca said, nodding toward the woods.

They broke through the tree line and down the secret passage that led to the gate of Eldora. Two Leifs stood guard with their bows ready to slice down any intruders.

Avoca pulled back her headdress that had been hiding her revealing golden blonde hair. “Open the gates!” she called.

“Princess Avoca,” one of the men called in greeting.

“Open the gates,” the second called down to the ground level.

As soon as the doors were open, Avoca and Cyrene trotted through the narrow opening and into Eldora. When they reached their destination, they dismounted and threw the reins to the nearest bystanders.

Avoca led the way into the Queen’s chamber and bypassed the guards at the door.

They tried to block Cyrene’s entrance, but Avoca hissed at them, “She is family.”

“Pardon, Princess, but we have orders.”

“And your orders are to stand down, soldier,” she growled.

The soldier stepped out of the way, and Cyrene followed Avoca inside.

Queen Shira lay on her bed. Cyrene had always thought she was a beautiful, strong woman, but lying there, she appeared so weak. Death hung over her.

Then, she opened her eyes, and those same wise eyes focused on the two girls. “You came,” Queen Shira said.

“As fast as we could,” Avoca said. She sat next to her mother and took her hand.

“I can pass now, child,” Queen Shira murmured. “You will take the throne and lead our people, as you were always meant to.”

Cyrene could feel the turmoil roiling through Avoca. Cyrene had tried to talk Avoca out of her decision so many times. She was to stay and rule. That was her destiny. They’d done much together, but this was Avoca’s time. Cyrene would give her up.

“No, Mother,” Avoca said. She brushed back the Queen’s hair. “I am bound. I will pass the crown.” She choked on the last word, and tears streamed down her face.

Cyrene wasn’t sure if she had ever seen Avoca cry in all these years.

“My child, please. Please, you must.”

“I’m sorry, Mother. I love you.” She kissed the Queen’s frail cheek. “My place is with Cyrene.”

Avoca’s eyes locked on Cyrene, and she felt the power rise between them, as it always did when the other was emotional.

“Avoca,” Cyrene whispered.

She shook her head and then smiled down at her mother. “I will visit you soon,” she whispered morbidly. Then, she strode from the room.

Cyrene stared down at the dying Queen, brought her fingers to her lips, and showed her deference to a majestic ruler.

“Take care of her,” the Queen said with her last breath.



Cyrene wrapped an arm around Avoca’s shoulders until her tears halted. Neither of them had been able to hold back their sorrow for the lost Queen.

Cyrene couldn’t believe that Avoca had given up the throne. She had been preparing her whole life for this opportunity, and now, she would have to give the responsibility to someone else. It was unfathomable that she would do that all because of the war.

She glanced up to say another word of comfort to Avoca, and then her heart stopped.

She stared up at the Nit Decus castle in Byern. Her home. The majestic construction jutted out of the side of the Taken Mountains. The Keylani River gleamed from the mountain pass, and the giant gate that separated the castle from the city beyond was closed tight.

Byern would always be her home. Though she had traveled far and wide with Avoca, she never felt entirely whole until she was back in the city or walking the palace grounds. Her clothes had changed back into a vibrant silky red, and her toes wiggled in slippers.

Why did I think I would wear anything else? Of course she would be wearing her finery.

As soon as she had gotten back into town, she had been summoned to court, and they had changed promptly. Now, they were in the carriage and on the way to the castle.

“What do you think he wants?” Avoca asked.

“Oh, who knows with Edric?” Cyrene fluttered her fingers in an impatient gesture and sighed. “It’s hard to read him.”

“That’s because you’re still in love with him,” Avoca said as a matter-of-fact.

Cyrene felt her cheeks heat, and she glared at Avoca. “I am not, nor have I ever been, in love with him. He’s married.”

Avoca shrugged, and a small smirk touched her lips. “You play a dangerous game, Doma.”

“Careful with that title.”

“What am I but careful in this Creator-forsaken country?”