Crowned (Beholder #4)(56)

One last gateway was still spewing forth warriors. This time, it was Viktor who strode onto the field. Behind him, there came his army of Changed Ones. They were all in their mostly-human forms now, meaning they had only an arm or leg replaced with an animal part. That said, I had no doubt that Viktor would transform them into fully merged human-animal shapes when it suited them. A telltale glow emanated from all of their skin.

I pointed at the Changed Ones. This wasn’t easy to do with your hands bound, but I managed. “Do you see the glow on those Changed Ones?”

“I do.”

“Then do you know what it means?”

“Viktor is controlling them with a possession spell.”

“The Changed Ones are still Casters. You can’t let Viktor lead your people this way.”

Rowan’s gaze locked with mine. Hurt and hope swirled in his eyes, both in equal measure. “Why do you care?”

“You know why.” I gestured again to the Changed Ones with my bound wrists. “I’m your mate and we need to free those Casters.”

“What a courageous soul you have.” Rowan ran his finger along my jawline. “Whoever you are, I’ll miss you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” This was pure bravado talking, but if I were about to die today, I might as well do it without cowering.

Across the meadow, the Lady and Sire stood side by side. They could be a painting, they two of them looked so perfect. The Lady stared at me and snapped her fingers. That part wasn’t as lovely.

“I suppose that’s her way of asking me over for a chat.” In truth, I called to farm animals with more gentleness. “What a sweet mother I have.”

“Shall we cross the meadow and speak with her?”

“Not yet.” I dug in my heels and examined the Caster ranks. There were some faces missing. “Where are Nan, Mrefu, and Jicho?”

Rowan’s eyes gentled. “They are with my army and still being transported on stretchers. Once this is all done, I’ll cast healing spells to bring them back.”

“Good. Thank you.”

“You act so strangely for one of Viktor’s kind.”

“Because I’m not.” My voice cracked with grief. “I keep telling you. I’m your mate. You have to know it’s true.”

For a moment, our gazes locked. The mate bond pulsed between us. A unique kind of energy filled the air. Somehow, I could sense Rowan’s desire to kiss me once more.

I licked my lips slowly. “I want that as well, you know.”

Rowan’s brows drew together with confusion. “How could you know what I—”

The earth roiled beneath our feet. Great fissures opened in the checkerboard grasses. I’d seen all this before with Kila Kitu. The gateways were almost out of energy and world would soon tear be torn apart. Every muscle in my body seemed to constrict with worry.

Across the meadow, the Lady raised her arms. It seemed that she’d given up on snapping and was moving up to larger gestures. “Come to us, dear daughter. Let us speak a while.”

“Are those really your parents?” asked Rowan.

“It’s true.” My mind reeled with a thousand thoughts at once. I could try to escape, but that wasn’t looking likely. I still couldn’t cast a spell and Rowan, who could wield magick, didn’t know who I was. The world was splitting apart and evidently, I might be the only person who could save it.

The Sire spoke next, his voice a deep rumble. “Come here, sweet daughter.”

How many times had I craved to hear these words form my true parents? Only, I never imagined they would be spoken across a meadow lined with warriors who were ready to kill me. Life is strange when it gives you what you wish for.

I turned my attention to Rowan. “Let’s go.”

Without another word, Rowan and I began marching across the checkerboard ground. Our every footstep was in sync, as if our bodies remembered our mate connection, even if both our minds couldn’t. As we closed in on the Lady and Sire, it took all my focus not to weep at their beauty. My mother was a vision with her sun-kissed skin, fair hair, and dancing green eyes. My father was all things austere, pale, and magnificent. The two of them looked so godlike, I could almost forget their betrayals.

Almost.

I paused before them. “Mother. Father.”

“Dearest daughter,” began the Lady. The lovely bell-like tones in her voice had me aching with sadness. How could someone who speaks so sweetly do such horrible things to her own blood? “Viktor told you who we really are.”

“He did.”

“I trust you’re pleased,” boomed the Sire.

“I’m not. All things being equal, I’d rather be back on Braddock Farm with Rosie.”

“My child,” said the Lady. “You must understand how horrible this is for us. If there were any way to save all this worlds from ruin without harming a hair on your head, then we would do it. But this is the only solution. And if you take the Sword willingly, it will be a much gentler passing.”

Petra stepped forward from the crowd. “You’re surrounded. It’s hopeless. You must do what needs to be done. You should have taken on the Necromancer rule—and thereby accepted this fate—a long time ago. Your hesitance reflects poorly on all Necromancers.”