The Last Hope

34 - Gift

SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER - The Wire, Haim. Linked above! If you enjoy the chapter please vote and share, it means a lot. Also, I actively encourage commenting and am trying my best to reply to any as quickly as I can. Want a chat? Don't be shy!

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Through the swirling mists inside the pearl, the high arching ceilings and stained glass of the temple came into view. The relieved sigh that wracked her body had her knees buckling, if it weren't for a strong hand at her side, she'd be sprawled on the floor. "A queen should never bow to anyone but her kingdom."

Mercy ignored Sebastian's words, watching the temple shift and focus in the mist, finally Lincoln came into view.

Blood. He was bleeding everywhere. It gushed from his side and ran in silver rivulets down his arm as he forced himself upright, staggering into the room. Mercy gasped as Mona and Keenan rushed to his side, Ariah close behind them. His wings dragged against the floor behind him, and his tanned skin was ashen, his face drawn in pain.

"Keep pressure on the wound!" Keenan was yelling, but the sound was far away and garbled like it was coming up through water. Keenan tucked Lincoln's arm around himself, making sure Lincoln didn't take his other off the gaping hole in his flesh, and half walked, half carried him into the room.

"Not the couch!" Mona yelled and pointed with a manicured finger into the alcove, where a stone altar had been raised. Lincoln groaned and hissed through his teeth as Keenan laid him upon it as gently as he could. The buttery yellow of Keenan's healing magic lit the dim room, for once, the candles weren't flickering.

"What happened?" Mona asked calmly. "Where is Mer?"

"It was a trap." Lincoln's face was coated in a thin sheen of sweat, his skin usually golden skin ghastly pale. "Grunts." He managed to hiss out, "they knew we would be there. They were waiting when-" he screamed through his teeth, and beside him, Ariah shifted to hold him down as Keenan began knitting his side back together. "When Mer came out of the caves. They made a play for the sword. Grunts got me before I could get them away." Ariah gently wiped the sweat from his brow with a damp cloth, and Mona chewed on her lip, "where is Mercy? Where is Sebastian?"

Lincoln's chest heaved as he forced the words out, "I was... too injured. To move them. Both. Sebastian mimicked my gift to get them away. I thought they'd be here."

"It appears Sebastian had other plans."

"Would he hurt her?"

"No. I don't think so. She's too valuable. He knows that."

"Then where would he take her?"

"I don't know. But wherever it is -"

The words were becoming more garbled, further away. Mercy strained herself to hear them, but it was useless. She turned to Sebastian, "did you bring us here on purpose?"

"No. Believe me, this is the last place I want to be. Your boyfriend's gift is harder to control than most. It was an accident."

"An accident?"

"Yes."

If he was telling the truth, then why did he look so guilty? Before they could argue further, all conversations in the room ceased, silence blanketing the room and Mercy looked up in surprise. The Mirans were bowing deeply, even Katerina and Heleyna, facing the tall doors to the entrance of the Great Hall.

And the woman stood there... she was ice in human form. Her skin was as pale as the alabaster her citadel was built from. Long white-blonde hair coiled around her head in a crown. A real crown, fashioned in the same way as Heleynas, to look like water droplets, but much grander, was nestled atop her head. Her eyes were like chips of frost, pale blue and cold. Deep red lips were fashioned into a frown as she beheld Mercy and Sebastian.