Hello Lovelies! Who else is excited to see our lovebirds reunited at last?? I can't wait to share this next part of their journey and to see what you all think of it! If you're liking the story, please make sure to gift a gem, leave a comment or review, or add to your library. Love & Light Everyone!
The moment Astasha and Helia disappeared into the forest, Calder turned to Talib. “Now for the hard part.” He headed toward the castle as his Captain shook his head. “I thought that was the hard part.” Cal knew he would be waiting for them, and so he was. Standing like a pillar of doom near the servant’s entrance, was the High Sorcerer. “We will find them, you know. And now, thanks to you, both have been marked as traitors to their kind, punishable not only by the stripping of their powers, but by death.” The Prince stopped only inches away from the man he was growing to loath more and more. “Thanks to you, Your Royal Highness.” Alaric cocked his head ever so slightly, a sneer fighting to cross his face. “Your Royal Highness.” Calder looked him dead in the eyes. “You will never find them. But mark my words, once you have exhausted your resources trying to do so, I will personally make sure that all the land knows, you wasted precious time chasing after a young, innocent woman,
Astasha and Calder were just about to try to find their way back to the cavern to get Helia, when they heard footsteps. Pulling his sword, Cal stepped in front of Tasha, ready to protect his love. But a small torch came into view, followed by none other than the older Fire Sorceress. “Helia!” Said Astasha, stepping around the Prince. The woman breathed in relief. “Thank the Goddess.” Her eyes moved to Calder. “Your Highness!” She bowed before returning her attention to Tasha. “What happened? I woke to what felt like a tidal wave of energy and a blinding light, and then I realized you were gone!” “I’m fine. We’re both… there was no danger.” She couldn’t help but blush. Helia looked between the two and a sly grin appeared on her face. “Love and light indeed.” Hoping to avoid further embarrassing discussion, Calder stepped forward. “Sorceress, I believe I owe you a debt of gratitude. You kept your word, and in return I give mine… whatever favor you should ask of me, if it’
“Astasha! Helia! It’s so good to see you both again!” Narelle turned to Talib, who looked shocked and relieved all at the same time. “I told you, three travelers, returning safely. You must trust the runes or they won’t trust you.” Calder was desperately trying to hide a smirk. “Yes, I can see you were terribly worried about us.” “I knew you were fine. The whole bloody camp was hooting and hollering about your safe return.” Countered the Captain. “It’s so good to see you both,” Interjected Astasha before the banter could continue between the two friends. “I’m surprised we got to see you so quickly.” Said Talib. “I would have thought it was a different tent you’d be off to first.” He winked and Cal shot him a look that was unmistakably a warning to shut his mouth. They were all saved from further awkwardness, however, by the entrance of another friendly face. “Your Highness! I heard you had returned. I have good news.” “Zephyr!” Tasha was shocked to see the old mage ente
While the voices of soldiers and the clang of metal echoed outside the tent, inside was silent as Astasha processed what it was she was hearing. He couldn’t possibly be serious. Calder couldn’t give up the throne, not now, not ever. It was what he was destined for. If there was anything she was certain of, it was that he would be the greatest ruler Trenue had ever seen. How could he even fathom stepping down? “Tasha…” He tried to pull her closer to him but she stepped away. “No.” It was all she could get herself to say. “It was the only way—“ “There are always other options, Calder.” She could feel the tornado of emotions between the two of them growing but she didn’t know if she could control it. He studied her in silence for a moment before sighing deeply. “When it comes to you, there aren’t. You are my only option, the only one I want, the only thing I need, and if having you, knowing you are safe, being with you, being able to love you without all this shit costs me t
It was another quiet walk through the camp, with the occasional soldier stopping them to ask a question, or a squire with a message for the Prince. Calder led them past the War Tent, and off to a secluded area at the eastern base of the hill, where a large, lone shelter was in place, with two guards at its entrance. “This is ours.” He said as they approached. The young men bowed as he stopped before them. “Would one of you go and fetch Captain Talib please. He’ll relieve you of your post when he arrives.” “Yes, Your Highness.” The older of the two responded before striding off into the growing dusk. Cal held open the curtain for Astasha and motioned for her to enter. She glanced at the other soldier, her mind suddenly filled with uncertainty about being seen entering the Prince’s private lodgings. “I told you, everyone here knows. There’s no point in hiding our relationship,” he said. She took a breath before walking inside. “Just because they know, doesn’t mean everyon
It wasn’t long after Astasha had settled on the bed and meticulously checked every piece of meat and cheese for poison, that she heard voices outside the tent. The conversation between Talib and Calder was short and tepid, very unlike the two. The enemy would have quick work in dividing and conquering them if they did most of it themselves. The thought made Tasha sigh with resignation as she realized this stubborn and haughty approach would do nothing to help her win this fight, with Cal or the Dark Mage. It wasn’t that she was angry with her Prince for making the decision he made. It was that he felt he had to make it at all. She was heartbroken for him, for them. Her anger was designated for all those who had brought him to that conclusion, who had led them to the position they now found themselves in; the High Council, those who had made the laws that governed their love and those who refused to see outside them, her grandmother, and father, the demon, and most of all, the dar
The most passionate depiction of lovemaking that can be remembered in the history of all time, paled in comparison to the union of Astasha and Calder upon their engagement. It was neither frantic, nor slow, gentle, nor aggressive. It was the perfect balance of all things, just as their souls were the perfect balance of each other. Astasha’s senses were alive, as if they were entities of their own. The smell of Calder’s skin, like a blanket of aroma, warm and comforting… the sound of his breath in her ear as he whispered her name, like a symphony of music from the Gods. The taste of his lips as their tongues danced together, the sweetest of temptations, and the feel of his body against hers, like silk over the most sensitive of flesh. And as she opened her eyes to look at him, his face, the most alluring thing she had ever witnessed. The way he moved within her was almost torture, each thrust of his hips, a shock of sensations coursing through her body. His eyes followed his hand a
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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