Queen of Light (The Light-Bringer Trilogy, #3)

Seventeen

Cal had returned to the library and took the book she had been flipping through. She returned to her rooms with it and hauled a servant to bring her chalk. The servant returned with a stick of chalk and Cal locked the doors after he left.

She turned to the balcony, chalk and book in hand, and knelt down. Cal opened the book to the first rune and started to draw it. She drew them in a circle, making sure to get the runes for all of them.

Once all of the gods' runes were drawn, Cal stood up and set the chalk and book down on a bedside table. She returned to the balcony and stared down at the circle of runes.

What are you waiting for? her magic whispered. Step inside and save your husband.

Steeling her nerves, Cal inhaled deeply and prepared to step inside.

A loud crash from the doorway startled her and she turned to face it, fire dancing on her hand. Akaljot, Lucas, Lance, and Matias burst into the room. Her father and brother rushed forward. With a flick of her wrist, a wall of blue flames as high as her waist blocked their path to her.

"I thought I told you not to follow me," she snapped.

"Given everything that has happened and your recent behaviour, you can't be left alone," said Lucas.

She threw her brother a dirty look. "I'm not a threat to myself."

Akaljot scoffed. "You massacred fifty-thousand men. You are also having outrageous beliefs that you are a god."

Cal rolled her eyes. "Get it through your thick Krigerean skull. The Tenebrarum soldiers had to die. I have more power than you and it rivals that of the gods."

Matias stepped closer. "Your Highness, please tell us what you're planning."

She gestured to the book and chalk on the table. "I think that those are indication enough."

Akaljot crossed to the table. He picked up the book and flipped through it. He looked back at the chalk and swore. "Cal, the gods strike hard bargains. You should not mess with divine or demonic powers. Put out the fires, come with us, and tell us what the Helheim is going through your mind."

Lance stepped forward. "Luna has caused a lot of pain. I can see it. I've endured it. But, Cal, you can't let this pain drive you. Luna hurt you, I know she did, but her mother forced her to do what she did."

The fire in Cal's hand turned back to orange and yellow.

"James hurt you," Lance continued. "He hurt you through Matias. James and Melania are evil. Take your rage out on them when the time comes. No one else. Just James and Melania."

Don't listen to him. Save Matias.

The fire burned blue once more. "So you believe in second chances?"

"I'm asking for you to not do this and to give Luna a second chance."

"I hope you're willing to give the same leniency."

Without a second thought, Cal stepped into the circle of runes. At first, nothing happened. And then she felt like she was being torn apart. Cal shrieked as her magic was dragged out of her.

The world fell out beneath Cal and she was plunged into darkness.

-

Matias watched the princess's green eyes roll to the back of her head and fall silent. The fire separating them from her extinguished, the flames in her hand following simultaneously.

Matias lurched forward. "Get her out of there!" he demanded.

Akaljot stopped him. "We can't."

"Why not?" he snarled.

"She's at the mercy of the gods now," answered Lucas.