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Ch 25: The Other Fire Witch
Last Updated:
2023-04-11 15:52:10
B. ColeHello Lovelies! I'm so sorry for the long break in updates. I had some personal things come up that kept me busier than I would like. But I'm back and will be updating far more consistently now! Do you think Helia is a friend, or foe? Let me know in the comments! As always, Love & Light Everyone!
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Over and over, Astasha replayed her conversation with the demon, taking the puzzle pieces and trying to force them together. But nothing would fit, none of it made sense, and the picture refused to form. There was nothing that gave a clue as to who the accomplice could be, no hints as to what might happen next. And despite multiple attempts to reach out to Errant, he still had not come. She poured over pages of history and spells hoping to find something she had missed, but nothing was standing out. Frustration set in and she longed to be back in her bed with Cal, laughing and making love, not worrying about what was happening or going to happen. But all that did was shake the protective shield around her heart. Astasha slumped back in her seat. Wondering what Calder was doing, she gently tugged on the magical tether leading her to him. From its direction, she could assume he was still busy with his father in the War Room. She couldn’t imagine the kind of things he was being throw
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"The land gained from your conquest is indeed rich with resources, Your Highness, but they are useless unless you happened to secure a viable distribution route in the process. By sea perhaps?" The old advisor had been rambling for what felt like eternity, and Calder was desperately trying to drown his voice out. His mind kept wandering to the tether around his wrist that never changed its direction. Tasha was still a prisoner in her room, still trapped alone with a demon, without him by her side, and all his father and the advisors wanted to talk about were resources and distribution routes. "Your Highness?" Calder closed his eyes against the advisor's voice. "Calder!" The booming sound from his father forced him to look up. "No!” He barked back. “There is no viable route by sea. Nor by land, not without sending an army of workers to hack through the forest at its borders. It was how we were able to take them by surprise. There is no easy way into their country. It took us ti
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The forest Astasha stood in was not one she was familiar with. The trees were dark and cold, an eerie breeze blowing through the creaking old branches. It felt ancient, evil, a forsaken place of death and anger. She didn't dare to breathe or move. There wasn’t a sound but that of the leaves quaking in the wind. Where was she? What was happening? 'Astasha.' Her name was like a whisper rolled off the tongue of the air itself, surrounding her, filling her like ice. Dread settled in her stomach. Risking a glance around, she tried to use her power to sense where the voice had come from, but she was frozen, her magic stuck in her veins, unable to be pulled forth. 'The time is coming. The old will burn, and the darkness will rise.' Astasha's heart was hammering in her chest. The voice came from everywhere and nowhere. She couldn’t tell if it was female or male, old or young, near or far. It ran through her, sending chills over her body. 'Astasha.' It called her name again. 'Embr
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Astasha’s head was splitting as if fire was searing through it. What was going on? She tried to open her eyes, but her lids were too heavy. Maybe if she slept more, the pain would stop. Yes, rest was what she needed. As she tried to roll over in her bed, she realized her arms were very heavy as well. In fact, they refused to move. Why couldn't she make them move? It was then that she became aware of something wrapped around her, holding her in place. Slowly, panic set in, and everything began to come back to her; the salve, the dizziness, the darkness. But she had made it to Bryn. She had seen his face before losing consciousness. Something was wrong. She mustered all her willpower and forced her eyes to open. Her vision was blurry and the world dark, but she could make out a shape moving in the distance. Astasha attempted to shift her position again, but realized she was restrained, tied to something, and a chill went down her spine. The demon's accomplice had her. She h
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"NO!" Astasha didn't even notice the word escaping her lips, but it was too late. Blood poured from Bryn's throat as his lifeless body slumped to the ground. To her horror, Cordelia crouched down and reached out, the thick red running over her hands. She was chanting, her eyes closed. Just as Astasha had sacrificed her body, Cordelia had sacrificed a life, Bryn’s life… Tears were streaming down her face. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't real. Her head was spinning, everything closing in around her. Cordelia stood and turned toward Tasha. Her eyes were like a hurricane, a dark storm on the water raging forth. Astasha began to struggle against her bonds, fighting with everything in her to break free and escape what she knew was coming. She'd never felt so powerless, never realized how much her magic had defined her strength, and she hated it. Her entire life she had prided herself on being strong, on being capable of defending herself, protecting herself. She hadn't needed
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Calder didn't know how long he had sat there crying, but he was glad no one had disturbed him. The Crown Prince weeping over his forbidden love in the War Room; oh the things people would say. So once there were no more tears to weep, he dried his face, straightened his tunic, and left to wander the halls. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried. Even when he left on his trials, his eyes had been dry, for he knew that someday he would return to his Tasha. In fact, the last time he could recall shedding tears was when his mother had died. After that, he had sworn to himself he would be strong no matter what. The King had also wept that day, but he had a kingdom to run, and had returned to his duty. Calder knew if his father had to be strong for the people, he had to be strong for his father. But tonight, that strength had failed. He had been wandering the halls of the palace aimlessly when he realized where his feet had been taking him; they were following the tether aroun
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If nightmares were real, Calder would have traded everything to know that this was a dream. The scene before him was something he would have given anything to unsee. But it was very real, and his blood boiled and every fiber of his being became electrified with rage. The first thing he noticed was the Earth Sorcerer's body on the ground, his throat cut, eyes lifeless. Next to him stood the blonde Water Witch, Cordelia. Her eyes were wide, but with fear or excitement, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that they were locked on something that was happening at the edge of the clearing, and that something was what made him lose all rational thought. Against one of the trees, a naked figure loomed over the bound and limp body of a woman, a woman with deep red hair. Her dress was shredded and a large cut gaped over her right breast. There were slashes across her body and legs, as if claws had been raked across them, and blood, there was blood everywhere. Her face though. Calder knew tha
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How could this have happened? How could he have let any of this happen? Errant was a man who prided himself on his knowledge, on his wisdom, and on his ability to solve any problem that came before him. But this... he had failed at every turn to stop the worst thing he could imagine from happening. He had failed his King, he had failed his kingdom, but more important than anything, he had failed in his oaths of magic to protect those under his care, all because he had been too stubborn and too blind to understand that the threat before him wasn't one he could just throw the writs of magic at to make it go away. Astasha could drive Errant to the end of his wits, but that was part of why he found her so valuable, so endearing. She questioned everything, saw answers in things none would even begin to look at. But everything that had happened since the Prince had returned had driven him far beyond his wit's end. She had broken so many magical laws and oaths, and it was his job to uph
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Blood Magic's Bond Ch 73: The Banners Of Love & War
If Astasha had been in awe of Calder before, it was nothing compared to the utter reverence and wonderment she felt as she watched him before their army. The energy had shifted so drastically it was like night and day, and the buzz of optimism only continued to grow from there as everyone made ready to move out, into the Land of the Dead and onto the Stone of Balance. Only hours before, she had fought to keep the darkness at bay, Zephyr’s words haunting her as she realized the severity of her situation. Which was why she had asked of Helia something no one else could know of; should she be captured, should the demon’s plan work, and her soul broken and the darkness take her, her fellow Fire Witch was to do the only thing that could stop the Dark Mage from using her as a weapon… end Astasha’s life before it was too late. Helia had stood there in silence for what felt like eternity after she pleaded her case, but she knew the older Sorceress was the only one who truly understood wh
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 72: The Prince Of Hope
The first gray of morning was just starting to crawl over the horizon as Calder looked down at the ground stained with the blood of his father’s Air Sorcerer. He knew he should be exhausted, but sleep was something he had grown used to going without. He and Astasha had spent the last several hours trying to find how their combined power worked, but to no avail. Over and over they had tried to recreate the blast that had knocked back their enemy and seared the flesh from its bones, but each time their hands touched, nothing happened. The only times they had used it successfully, they had been under threat of death by a demon… perhaps that was the only way for it to work. It didn’t matter now, though. He still had to find a way to rally his troops, to convince all those who were about to gather, that they stood a chance against the most deadly army to ever exist. Tasha had gone with Helia to check on Zephyr, leaving him alone with his thoughts, and as much as he didn’t want to admit
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 71: The Troubles Of Calder
“Half the camp is in a right state, ready to tuck tail and run. They’re scared, and rightfully so. Most have little, if any, experience with magic, and none have seen the likes of a demon. It fucking blinded a man without even being near him. You can imagine the whispers.” “And the other half?” Calder continued staring at the candlelit maps before him as his Captain filled him in on the latest reports. “The other half, well, they’re not so easily swayed. Most are convinced more now than ever that this enemy has to be dealt with, here and now.” The Prince sighed deeply before finally looking up. “Do you think half will leave?” Talib shook his head. “I’ve got Olander and Kashor and whoever else can speak to it trying to convince them not to. But, we should prepare for the worst.” Someone had to be working against them, spreading fear and doubt, and there was only one person he could think of who would do such a thing. Cal could feel the darkness, it was stronger when Tasha f
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 70: The Tragedy Of The Air Sorcerer
The sound of Zephyr’s screams cut through the air as all chaos broke loose. Astasha was faintly aware of the shouts and cries of fear from the crowd behind her, but her focus was on the man in front of her, his body tensed in agony as blood began to seep from his eyes. “End the ritual, NOW!” Bellowed Calder, but the Grand Sorceress of the Moon Garden stepped in front of him. “No! You risk all their lives if you interfere!” Tasha’s mind worked furiously to find a way to bring him back. “They need to alter their channeling. Shift the direction of the air and use the earth to draw him down.” Belvana looked uncertain for a moment but nodded and turned to the circle. The four other sorcerers were still locked in the ritual, muttering under their breath as sweat dripped down their faces from the strain of holding so long against the power of the demon. “She’s going to try to join with them,” Said Helia. “She just needs to be able to communicate the shift to them.” Narelle chimed in
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 69: The Wind Walker
There was an air of tension about the camp as the mages made preparations for what was now being considered the last opportunity for a fair advantage. While no one had been outwardly informed of what they were doing, whispers ran wild of a delicate and dangerous ritual that could potentially turn the tides. The five sorcerers who would be participating had spent several hours with Astasha going over the details of what it was they were about to attempt, before excusing themselves to gather as much energy as they could hold. An area outside of the camp, near the sorcerers’ lodgings, had been designated for the ritual, and guards posted to ensure no one inadvertently wandered into it, disrupting the carefully drawn runes or buried herbs and stones. Tasha stood overseeing the finishing touches, Olander at her side, as she tried desperately to force down the feeling that had begun to grow in the pit of her stomach. Taking a deep breath, she focused on all the reasons she had given for
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 68: The Looming Guillotine
The moon was high in the night sky as Astasha and Calder made their way back to their tent from the Dorthshire camp, their Captains following close behind. Kashor had bid them to stay longer, but they knew the Sorcerers of the Moon Garden would be arriving at dawn, and Tasha needed time to transcribe her memories of the Wind Walking ritual. “May the Gods bless you dreams of good tidings my King and Queen of fire!” He had called after them as they departed. “I hear you were gifted a name, my Golden Phoenix.” Smiled Cal as they walked. “Yes, though, I don’t know that I deserve the title as much as Kashor seems to think I do.” Calder slowed, pulling Astasha to a stop with him. “May I?” His hands reached for the fur wrapped around her, and she nodded once. He pulled it away, revealing the charcoal symbol on her chest and his fingers danced delicately over it. “I felt the same way when he gave me mine. But he sees things no one else can sometimes. And personally, I think he was
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 67: The White Dragon & The Golden Phoenix
Astasha had wanted to stay and begin work on transcribing her memories of the Wind Walking ritual, but her engagement to the Prince meant that her attention now had to be split between her tasks as a sorceress, and that of Calder’s betrothed. And so, she changed into a warm gown with one of the furs gifted to her over her shoulders, and the two headed out toward Kashor’s camp, their Captains at their side. “So, Talib,” she said as they walked. “I believe you owe me a story.” Calder looked at her curiously, his friend awkwardly clearing his throat. “Oh, uh, well, there’s not much to tell honestly. We’d been traveling together on our way here, gettin’ to know each other along the way. One night, we came across some trouble. I uh, might have been caught off guard a bit—“ “A bit?” Laughed Calder. “You were caught with your trousers down, literally!” Astasha tried desperately not to laugh. “Hey, even the Captain of the Prince’s Guard has to attend to personal business from time to t
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 66: The Many Uses Of Magic
Despite all that was required to be done, the remainder of the day seemed quite calm compared to the meeting in the War Tent. Astasha’s fellow mages all seemed eager to learn more about her plan to trap the demons, and with the protection of her own Captain, Calder felt comfortable enough allowing her to go with them on her own, so long as Olander never left her side. They sat outside in a circle as Astasha explained what it was she had done all that time ago in the clearing to free Calder and ensnare the demon within herself. Once she had finished, the group sat in silence for a moment pondering all they had heard. It wasn’t until the question was raised that Astasha realized she had inadvertently left out a key component of her story. “How did you not drain yourself using your own blood? The energy that spell would have required… it should have killed you!” The man who spoke was an older Water Sorcerer, one of the few Narelle had warned could keep a conversation going far past
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 65: The Princess's Plan
The War Tent felt much smaller with everyone present who was required to be there for strategic meetings. Astasha had spent the better part of the morning being shown around the camp and introduced to many of the leaders and key positions in preparation for it. For the most part, they had all been at least respectful, if not surprisingly kind. Some had even given her gifts of furs or herbs or food. But not all were so welcoming. Now, standing in the confined space of the tent, her senses were on high alert, honed in on those she had already read as potential threats. Thankfully, there were fewer than she had expected, and alone, she didn’t fear them. But with their army of men behind them… she chose not to think about the chaos that could ensue should they choose to end their agreement with the Prince. If Calder was at all nervous, he hid it well, even from her. He stood like a true leader at the front of the congregation, head high, his crest on full display on his tunic. His eyes
