The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Nevina

Nevina was once more alone in her dark cell. It had been hours, perhaps even a full day, since Mothlenor had last magicked her to him, and Nevina had sat awake ever since, revisiting what had passed between them. Would it matter, in the end, that Mothlenor knew that Areanath's spell had been created with the help of Nevina's gift? Was he lying about possessing a dragon's egg?

Nevina considered what little she knew of Areanath's spell and what Mothlenor had confessed to her as sleep eluded her.

At least Areanath was able to pass his notes to Hasani... Hopefully he can make sense of Areanath's spell, and find a way to fulfill Areanath's last wishes.

She began coughing suddenly, a fit that lasted for nearly a minute. She drew a shaky, wheezing breath as the fit subsided, leaning her head against the cool stone.

That had been her idea, she remembered. She had been the one to suggest to Areanath that he leave instructions with someone he trusted, and she was glad when Areanath had chosen his adviser. Hasani would never fail Areanath.

And yet Mothlenor still stood to incite war across the kingdoms. He claimed to possess a dragon's egg, and had talked of forcing it to hatch so he could use the dragon it held to help him destroy the elves and dwarves. There were so many doubtful possibilities to the whole thing, and yet Nevina still found herself trembling at the thought of a great dragon burning the world to ash. If anyone could find a dragon's egg, it would be Mothlenor.

Part of her was content to lie on the stone floor and forget what she had heard. Layle was surely out of the castle by now, hopefully somewhere safe, and she had nothing left to concern herself with. But another part of her feared the future she knew she would never live to see. What if Mothlenor found the amulets and summoned the Great Soul? What if he did have a dragon's egg, and found a way to make it hatch for him? The beast would no doubt be just as cruel and powerful as Mothlenor himself, and would be tied to his power... There would not only be war, but complete destruction. And what of her Coven? Would Mothlenor find a way to hunt them out? Would they be destroyed as well?

It was the familiar fumbling sound of keys in the door that finally pulled her head up. She watched the door, the heavy weight of the cuffs on her wrists shifting as she wrapped her arms around herself. After a moment the door opened and someone slipped through, platter in hand, a rough hewn blanket draped over one arm.

"I'm not hungry." The words were already out of her mouth before she realized that the tray was empty. And the figure who strode towards her was far too tall and lithe to be the angry servant woman that usually brought her meals. Nevina pressed her back against the wall, fearing that the man who had tortured her and her girls had returned to molest her again.

Is this Mothlenor's punishment? For refusing him?

She opened her mouth to scream just as the man threw back the hood on his cloak.

Nevina's cry was caught in her throat, and her heart stopped beating.

"Nevina." It was a sigh, and Nevina's fears vanished in an instant.

She finally found her voice long enough to whimper, "Ajax."

He fell on her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. He smelled of the outdoors, of sweat and manure and pine. She let his scent waft over her, let his arms embrace her despite the frailty of her body. He pulled away long enough to cup her face in his hands and pull her into a long kiss before wrapping his arms around her again. She held him tight, clinging to the sudden hope his presence brought her. "How did you find me?"

"I found Layle. She just... appeared right in front of me. She told me where you were, and how I could find you."

She smiled, knowing Layle was safe. "Did you get her out of here?"

"She's on her way now."

Nevina squeezed him even tighter, taking in his warmth. "Thank you, Ajax."

"I'm so sorry. I looked for you, even when Mothlenor said you had confessed." He pulled away, searching her eyes. "He lied, didn't he? You didn't kill Areanath, did you?"

Nevina squeezed one of his hands with hers. "Mothlenor killed Areanath."

She watched as his expression hardened, and he nodded. "I thought so, but I couldn't be sure..."

"How did you know I was still alive?"

"The girl..." Ajax' voice was soft, and his gaze dropped. "...The one they hung in your place. I saw her face." His eyes found hers again, searching them. "It wasn't you."

"It wasn't me," Nevina repeated.

Relief washed over Ajax's face, as if he only truly believed it after hearing her say it. "Then it's over. I can get you out of here, we can confront Mothlenor. We can leave. Together." Ajax's eyes were pleading, but Nevina could only look away, ashamed. Suddenly all of her fears and worries came rushing back to her.

"I can't leave."

"What do you mean, you can't leave? He killed his own brother, and he'll kill you too."

"Yes." Nevina paused. "He will. And he'll kill you as well, if he discovers that you set me free. I have to stay."

Ajax sighed heavily, "Nevina, please-"

"He's seen my face, Ajax. He can find me, anywhere I go." Nevina's voice was thin but firm. "I can't go with you, or he will find you, too. I can't go back to the Coven, or he will find them. I could hide, but not with these cuffs blocking my magic."

"Then we'll take the cuffs off!" Ajax grabbed for her wrist, but Nevina pulled her hands away from him.

"Only Mothlenor can take them off."

Ajax rubbed a hand against the rough growth of beard on his cheeks, eyes wide in the dim light. "You can still do magic with them. I saw Layle—"

"I am not Layle, Ajax. I cannot do magic around these." Nevina's voice choked around the lump that had formed in her throat. "There is nowhere safe for me to run to." She took his hands in hers, searching Ajax's eyes for a hint of understanding. "I have to stay, Ajax."

Ajax groaned in frustration, his gaze going to the ceiling. "Nevina..."

"Stop." Nevina grabbed his chin, pulling him closer to her. She had Seen just a little glimpse... She stared into Ajax's eyes, and he obediently waited, staring back.

A dragon, blue as the sea, soaring overhead. Two elves, both young, standing beside her, laughing as they watched. A boy, nearly a man, runs across the deck of a boat and leans over the railing. A voice behind her calls out to him, and the boy turns around. His hair is dark, and his eyes are the color of midnight.

A small campfire in the middle of the night. A dwarf sits to her right, the boy across from her. The boy looks confused, and a little scared. He pulls a small leather book out of his vest pocket, handing it over to her. He says it belonged to his father, or so his mother told him once.

Nevina blinked her eyes rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the darkness after Seeing so much. Her mind was racing, reeling from the knowledge her short insight had given her. Why had her Gift not worked before? Had Mothlenor somehow blocked it?

There is power in love.

She chuckled a little, shaking her head. "I thought Hasani was the one to carry out Areanath's last task, but he's not."

Ajax pulled away from her, confused. "What are you talking about? What did you see?"

"I saw Hasani's son. Without his parents. But he was with you. And he had Areanath's book."

"You know about the book?" Ajax asked, incredulous.

"Of course I know about the book. I helped Areanath cast his spell, and he needed someone he could trust to finish his work. I was supposed to offer Hasani my aid, but perhaps you will do as well..."

"I don't know what you want-"

She pulled him close again, bringing his lips to hers. If I can still See, perhaps I can still do this...