The realization that Astasha could carry the blood of Dark Sorcerers was not an easy one for any of the group to swallow. But it was immediately determined that the only way to know for sure, was a visit to her mother. If anyone had clues as to whether Tasha’s father or grandmother were involved in the dark arts, it would be her. Errant had wanted an entourage of sorts to go with her into the village, including himself, Narelle, Helia, and a full guard of men. But Astasha knew her mother, and a party of sorcerers and soldiers showing up on her doorstep would send her into a frenzy of worry. If she wanted answers, she needed to be able to speak with her alone and in peace. Calder would hear nothing of her going by herself, however, and so it was that he, Astasha, Talib, and one of the Captain’s most trusted men, made their way down to the village. Not wanting to draw attention to themselves, they went on foot. It wouldn’t be unusual for the Prince to be seen in the streets with a me
It was a silent walk back to the castle. Astasha had performed the protective spells around her mother’s house as Calder filled Talib in on what they had discovered, but she was grateful neither pressed her as they made their way through the village. She could feel Cal watching her from the corner of his eye, and the raging mix of emotions emanating from him wore on her already downtrodden soul. He was scared and worried, and she knew he was trying to figure out any way to change the fate she was tied to. But there were no answers, and it frustrated him. Talib had sent his man ahead to inform Errant that they needed to call a meeting of those involved as soon as they returned, and so everyone was waiting in the Grand Sorcerer’s study when they arrived. Still, Astasha said nothing as the Prince filled them all in on what they had learned. She stood in downcast silence as she felt the energy of the room shift from anticipation, to fear and nervousness. They had brought the ri
**TRIGGER WARNING** There was chaos in the halls as Astasha and Calder raced to find the rest of the Advisory and his Guard. They were exactly where they thought they would be; in position, ready to defend the castle from the battlements. A young man, part of the Prince’s Guard as Astasha could tell from his crest, met them at the opening to the vast walkway between the palace turrets. “What’s happening?” asked Calder. He was no longer a prince or a lover, but a knight and commander. “It’s a single woman, Your Highness. She claims she’s not alone, though our scouts have yet to find anyone in the surrounding forest.” They walked as they spoke. “She said she would only speak with you, and the Fire Sorceress.” The pair quickly exchanged a worried glance. Astasha spotted Errant, who stood with the King, the Captain of the King’s Guard, and Talib. The Grand Sorcerer’s eyes met her own and his voice echoed in her head with a single word. Cordelia. She grabbed Calder’s wrist to stop
**TRIGGER WARNING** What hope they had had of keeping panic at bay and the truth hidden, was shattered. Josnen and Talib had been extraordinarily careful about what they had said to their military leaders and soldiers, but Cordelia’s arrival and extremely public threats and demands now meant the secret was out; demons were among them and not only did they want the Prince, but his lover too, who happened to be the King’s Fire Sorceress. The gossip had spread like wildfire through the palace in just the short time it took to get the wounded to the Healing Ward and call a meeting in the War Room. The chatter was so loud it was deafening as everyone gathered. There was the King and all of his advisors, councilors, and Captains, Calder, Talib, and the entirety of the Magical Advisory, including Astasha. They all spoke at once while nothing was actually heard. Tasha found herself shrinking into the corner, the sound overwhelming her. Her mind had stayed focused on the fight, but the
Calder stood outside the door to his mother’s chambers… Astasha’s chambers. What would he say? What could he say? He thought he had known the horrors she had faced in that clearing. But deep down, if he was being honest with himself, there was a part of him that had known it was far worse than even the most horrendous things he was aware of. He had just been too afraid to find out for sure. Everything in the War Room had happened so quickly… The second Helia left, he ordered the piece of shit, Argryn, stripped of his title and removed to the cells in the tower. No one, not even his father, dared to disobey. He would deal with that bastard later. Calder had been ready to cut off the asshole’s manhood himself before Astasha snapped, so he understood her rage. But he had never seen her like that before, nor felt the likes of the emotions pouring through their connection. Her pain and anguish and anger had almost taken him to his knees. He tried to tell the guards to stand down whe
The answer seemed so obvious now that they had come to it. No one knew how the sacred stone in the Land of the Dead had come to be, but sorcerers from across the world had studied its power for ages. It held a perfect balance between light and dark, life and death, and acted as judge, jury and executioner for those who asked. The tradition of Trenue’s leaders using the Stone of Balance as a final test had been around for as long as history could remember, and only once had a ruler failed. The stone had weighed the ancient Prince as unworthy, and marked him, burning a sigil into his chest for all to see. Should the Forest of the Damned actually exist beyond the stone, there was no knowing what else could lie between the worlds. But unless they could find how it worked, it didn’t matter. There was only one way to figure it out; they needed to go to the Land of the Dead. “We have to leave tonight,” Said Calder. “You won’t be safe once the High Council gets here tomorrow. If we’re t
The arrival of the High Council and arrest of the Sorceress Astasha might have kept the angry mob from tearing apart the castle to find her, but it didn’t stop the people from demanding answers and retribution. A multitude of folk had gathered at the palace entrance, some curious, others furious, and all had been promised by the recently arrived High Sorcerer that they would be appeased soon enough. If the War Room had been deafening the previous evening, it was the exact opposite in the Magical Archives Library, where the High Council had designated their occupancy. Not a soul dared to speak unless asked. The King and Calder were present, as well as the entirety of the Advisory (save Astasha of course, who was locked away in a cell up in the tower under the watchful eye of the High Council’s Water Sorcerer). Talib had been there, but Josnen had sent him away when he was unable to contain his loathing for Sorcerer Terrin. He had continued to swear vengeance upon the Earth Sorcerer
For the second time since Calder’s return, Astasha found herself locked away in a cell in the castle tower. The first time, she had been heartbroken, scared, and uncertain. This time, however, she was resolute. There would be no more tears, no more fear. Deep down, she did fear for Calder, for what could happen to him, but she couldn’t let that consume her. She needed to keep her resolve. When the High Council had arrived, it was obvious that they would immediately bind her magic. Which was why she found herself shocked when they had tried, and failed. How could it be that the greatest sorcerer in the land had been unable to do what Errant had done so easily not so long ago? But she didn’t dare let on. If they truly believed her powers had been muted, so be it. She would play their game for now, until she figured out what to do. Calder’s determination had come through their connection with brute force. The wheels had been turning in his head from the moment the council had appeare