Thunder rumbled ominously outside. I glanced over to Calli. She looked away, her gaze pained and troubled. A nervous bead of sweat mixed with the rainwater. Something was up.
"What's wrong?" I asked, chuckling nervously.
"How long?" Lyterias was almost trembling with rage. "How long have you been hoodwinking me?" My stomach dropped. Had he found out about our night together?
"It was only last night," I said, trying to be reassuring. Calli's eyes snapped to me, and she shook her head quickly. Well, now I'm confused.
"Just last night?!" he snapped. "Ye were able te further back'n that! Don't lie te me!!" Now I was really confused.
"Able to what?" I said slowly. His eyes flashed, and he leaped up.
"TA DESTROY TH' LIFE-STEALER!!!" he bellowed.
Oh.
Ice flooded my veins. A million thoughts raced through my mind as quick and thick as arrows. How did they know? Who told them? When?! It had to have been soon for this to come out now. But who? Why?! For what purpose?
"Ye can't even deny it," I faintly heard and snapped free from my thoughts. Lyterias's face was contorted in disgust. I ground my teeth.
"I don't know for sure that I can destroy it," I said, almost pleadingly. I directed it at Calli. She looked away, her lip trembling. My heart sank more. Please don't send us away, the voice in me begged. I wholeheartedly agreed.
"An' if ye could?!" Lyterias demanded.
"What difference does it make?!" I shot back. "I--!" I swallowed hard, suddenly afraid. Lyterias took a menacing step forward.
"You . . . ?" he growled. My hands tightened into fists. Ah, storms drown it all!
"I don't want to leave!" I shouted. Lyterias recoiled in shock. Calli turned back to me, her eyes shining and hopeful. "I love this place. And . . . I love Calli." Lyterias looked between us, his eyes darting back and forth. Slowly, he began to shake, and his face grew redder and redder. Calli took a step towards me.
"Chance . . . ," she whispered.
I held out a hand. "My dear . . . ," I said. Suddenly, Lyterias stepped between us.
"Tel'mak," he snarled in a low, dangerous tone. He pointed a thick, gnarled finger at me. I realized what he meant to do, and I felt my stomach tighten with dread. Don't.
"Fulfill your oath!" he ordered.
Blinding, searing pain in my head.
I screamed.
Through tearful eyes, I could see myself marching outside. I fought to stop myself, but it was like trying to redirect the flow of my own blood. Rain splashed on my face and hair, and I saw myself heading straight for the life-stealer. Iron bands of pain squeezed my head as I desperately ordered my own limbs to freeze. In panic, I dipped into my Well and called on my magic to stop myself. A chain of lightning torment spasmed through my entire being, ripping another scream from my throat. My every joint ached like I had tried to blast them apart. But still I marched forward.
I stood before the life-stealer. My Well poured energy down into my hand, and I felt power gather into my fist. Feeling panicky and sick, all I could do was watch as my spasming hand raised up and back. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lyterias and Calli watching. I locked eyes with Lyterias. I begged him with my eyes. His were firm.
YOU ARE READING
The War God's Wife
Roman d'amourShe has no desire for marriage. Calliena has her hands full being the assistant in her father's clinic and keeping them afloat. Not that she hasn't had her fair share of suitors; she just never had any interest in boys looking for a pretty face or...
