The Last Scion (The Guardians of Light Book 1) Read online

  She looked into his eyes, his soul once again. “I can see your love and it is pure, true.” Master Elia looked away, eyes closed, letting out a long heavy sigh. “I just hope it doesn’t destroy us all.”

  “What? How?”

  “If you are seen to be in love then…”

  He found her thought and finished it. “Then others will want to know how this can be.”

  “Yes. Either our secret must come out, or you will be banished. Yet I fear that if this girl feels for you as you do for her then banishing you will only harm her deeply, weakening the one weapon we have against The Blacklord.”

  Ahrn remained silent. Only now did her exact words from earlier ring true to him: ‘don’t say this’ not, ‘you cannot feel this’. It had been a warning, a hint. If he kept his mouth shut about his feelings, did not speak of them, then no one need know. Yet they both knew he wouldn’t be able to remain silent.

  “I fear I have made a grave mistake.” Her words were careful, measured. “I couldn’t have known your love was true. Ahrn, I spoke with Senia just now, I told her… I told her you were dead.”

  “What?” Ahrn suddenly recalled how distant Senia had been in those many days before the Wizard. He wondered, briefly, did she weep for his loss, or did she even notice. “What did she do?”

  “She broke… and the stones of the abbey trembled with her cry.” Master Elia sighed, and when she spoke next her tone was odd, as if she were trying to convince herself now, not him. “But there are so many reasons you cannot be together. It will distract her from her training. It will throw our order into chaos. Ahrn, I was sure that this relationship could not be, that it would not last. A Scion is for all people, and there will be many who need her, who seek her attentions. Many calls she will not be able to ignore. I was certain that my decision was right, to cut the connection between you and she before it could become… what it already is.

  His heart fell.

  “I had thought,” she continued, “to convince you to leave before she discovered the ruse. I had hoped you would honor your vows, that you felt not love, but only affection. I see now that won’t be an option. You won’t leave her will you?”

  “No.” His voice was solid, strong. “I will never leave her.”

  Master Elia nodded with a sigh. “Then I guess it is time for all secrets to be revealed. The monks of Embreth must know of this higher law.” She released his hand and rose. A faint smile found her lips. “I always knew you would be trouble.”

  He returned the smile. His heart finally at ease.

  The door to his cell opened. There framed in the entrance was Senia, tall beautiful, radiant, Emberthorn held distractedly in one hand.

  “I knew it could not be,” she said, her voice holding within the heavy burden of a hope held tightly, now finally realized.

  “I think I’ll leave you two alone.” Master Elia said, moving toward the door. “That is if the Scion can forgive me and has mercy enough to let me live?”

  Senia glanced at Master Elia, a shadow of ire and grief passing over her features before she waved dismissively. “He is alive, that is all I care about.”

  CHAPTER 16

  M aster Elia left. Senia stepped into the room.

  Ahrn sat on his cot, looking lovingly at her, golden eyes catching the light from the tree of candles on the small table in the corner.

  She closed the door behind her.

  This was a dream.

  It had to be a dream, for only in her dreams was Ahrn alive and unharmed, as he had been before the wizard had scorched him. A smile grew on his face of purest joy and desire. He had never before worn such an expression for her. This must be a dream.

  Yet she knew this was real. She had heard what had passed between the two within the room as she listened outside. Ahrn had been healed by Daughters of Ehlani, but more wondrous than that… he loved her!

  If you’re about to do what I think you’re about to do, I think I’ll only be in the way…

  Her thoughts were barely on Emberthorn, but he had a point. “Float.” She recalled he had mentioned the command so very long ago. Releasing the blade, Emberthorn hung in the air. She lightly pushed the sword aside, sending it hovering into a corner of the room.

  Ahrn blinked. “What…?”

  “It doesn’t matter, not now. I’ll tell you later.”

  Rising from the bed, heedless he came to her, strong arms around her, crushing her in an embrace. His touch became the key to her soul, soothing all worries and unlocking all her vast reserve of passion and longing. Her arms wrapped around him, tight, her cheek to his, the softness of her body tight against the harness of his.

  Her emotions flamed and billowed within her, filling her every pore and every fiber of every muscle.

  “You’re alive,” she breathed, so grateful for that one simple truth.

  He released her just enough to bring his face before hers, tears in his eyes. He spoke, his voice hoarse, soft yet heavy with emotion. “I thought I would never see you again, and here you are. You’re truly are a miracle. I love you Senia, and I shall until I die… again.” The last he added with a hint of a laugh.

  Before she could answer his lips found hers, and he tightened his embrace once again. His kiss was hard, intense.

  Not a dream, but better, more than she could have ever envisioned. All her desires were being fulfilled. Dream or no, she would let herself float in the wonder of this singular moment.

  His eyes opened, surprised as she pushed into his kiss, tongues touching.

  Her body, already made sensitive from her connection with Emberthorn, tingled with heightened awareness. She could feel the coarse cloth of his monk’s attire through the thin fabric of her shift, and every slip of friction between them burned with bliss.

  Her hands slipped under his shirt finding cool skin over hard muscles.

  “By the Gods, your hands… are hot!”

  She couldn’t even respond, the air sucked from her voice by the flames in her chest. She ran her hands up his body, over the rolling hills of his abdomen, to a wide hard chest, and thick round shoulders. His shirt was up around his chin now, and she simply continued to explore the chill of his skin up his hard, round arms as she removed it entirely. When her hands met his, high over their heads, his fingers curled around hers, holding them tight, and he leaned in for another long and luxurious kiss.

  This time as his naked chest, hard and cool as stone, pressed against the sheer fabric of her shift, she simply let herself go. Diving fully into the burning emotions within her.

  She stood before him, her body trembling. She cupped his face in her hands and chocked out the words which were lodged in her heart.

  “I love you Ahrn.”

  Then she put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back the two steps so his legs were against his bunk.

  Taking a step back with a single fluid motion, she removed her shift and stood before him exposed.

  This time, unlike when he’d seen her in bathing in the river, he reacted. Removing his breeches, he came to her, scooping her up in strong arms and indulging in a passionate kiss before setting her on the bed.

  Then there was only passion… two bodies merged as one.

  CHAPTER 17

  Senia stood atop the high ramparts of St. Antin Abbey in the new light of dawn. The warm south wind streamed her hair to the side, wild and free, wisps tickling across her face.

  Ahrn was next to her, strong arms around her, comforting.

  It had been a week since her night with Ahrn.

  The next day Master Elia and the Other Masters of the Order of Embreth had told the monks of the Higher Law. It was new and fresh, some still unsure, but Senia and Ahrn were not going to hide their love. Standing atop the fifty-foot walls they were a beacon of love to all who saw them.

  Yet darker tidings threatened to overshadow their fledgling relationship.

  Senia watched as a long line of men, horses, wagons, weapons, and wounded wove their wa
y up the hills and through the gates of the Abbey.

  Kingdoms were falling to The Blacklord’s armies. She had known so little living in her little village, unaware that for years The Blacklord had been storming ever closer. Many wars had been fought in the east to keep The Blacklord at bay. She had learned a lot in her week at St. Antin. First Thania fell, fifteen years hence, then Perolia not five years ago. Now Vohria was taken as well. This meant The Blacklord’s realm now stretched as far west as the Velanor River, a great and wide divide between kingdoms. Yet if rumors were to be believed, The Blacklord’s armies had crossed the Velanor, and Sandria in the south, once Ahrn’s home, was now taken. Also Aestria, Senia’s home until just a few weeks ago, was waging a losing war, and the armies fleeing to the Abbey at the moment were what remained of the Hallanian forces that had tried to block The Blacklord’s advance into their kingdom.

  For two, in such a large world, love had prevailed. But peace was still a far-flung dream. Senia knew that if she were to be the hero that these kingdoms needed her to be, she needed to fully embrace and uncover all of her Scion abilities.

  Monks waited for her in the large yard of the abbey below. She was to train with them, learn the full extent of her martial prowess and the powers of Emberthorn.

  You’ve changed, Emberthorn remarked idly.

  I’m not the girl I was when I left Alindale. It was a fact, no regrets.

  No, no you aren’t. You feel… harder.

  A good word. It seems an eternity since I left home. Dragged through the dregs of the Deepest Void, then, finally shown the brilliance of the Heavens. Yet even that seems overshadowed now.

  A long road. Longer still to come I think. A great sigh.

  What?

  It’s silly.

  She laughed at that. What is it Em?

  She sensed a smile, a pause. It’s just… well… I kind of liked that innocent girl.

  You’re a weapon. A tool of war and death, you can’t expect me to stay innocent for long around you, can you?

  No, but… it was nice, for a while, to have someone who was so… open, so young and fresh as my companion. Truly pure of heart.

  She grimaced at his choice of words. ‘Pure’ was a word that had been floating through her thoughts. She and Ahrn had shared a bed since that night a week ago. You’re referring to what happened between Ahrn and I?

  No. As much as I didn’t want any part of that, it was pure, in its own way. Your soul is pure, but your heart… It’s hard. All the death and loss, which I know is because of me, well, you just don’t look at the world the same way.

  No. I don’t. It used to be full of light and laughter. Now… Looking out at the line of weary men headed to the abbey and, in the distance, a great black pall hanging over the land… I see only darkness ahead.

  Exactly.

  I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon.

  No, I guess not.

  Time to train then. I will become the weapon the world needs me to be.

  Ahrn looked over at her, and she realized she had said that last bit out loud.

  “If you are a weapon, you are a weapon of peace, of love and purity. Never forget that,” he said, his voice soft. He smiled at her. She knew he couldn’t see the hardness within her. In his eyes, she was still Senia, soft and innocent.

  And that was one of the reasons she loved him.

  Kissing him, long and lingering, arms entwined, she felt the darkness within diminish.

  She grinned as they separated. “Race you down.”

  He rolled his eyes, knowing he couldn’t win.

  She took five long strides to the other side of the thick wall, then off.

  Air rushed around her as she felt strength far beyond normal swell in her legs. She landed lightly with a slight spring, not the least phased by the fifty-foot drop, and walked into the swarm of monks waiting to train her.

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  Don’t miss the next book in the series!

  SCION RISING

  The Guardians Of Light: Book 2

  He’d have to be crazy to follow her.

  Wyllea is certain she’s going mad, or at least as certain as an insane person might be. The voice in her head is not her own and it’s been getting stronger as she grows weaker, trapped without provisions behind enemy lines. She needs help… soon, before she loses herself entirely. But the only man she can trust is a thief and rogue.

  Tirol just wants to be free and left alone, but he’s been living in a land occupied by the Blacklord’s army, dodging their “recruiters” for months in the wasted lands of the east. Then the mysterious Wyllea walks into his life asking for his help and he finds he can’t refuse her. As much as he wants to avoid any sort of entanglement and simply walk away, he helps her, as crazy as she and her quest might be.

  PROLOGUE

  T he night sang a discordant chorus of battle and Senia danced wildly to the tune.

  The armies of The Blacklord had come to St. Antin Abbey. Within that fortress, the monks of Embreth and what remained of the forces of Hallania stood against them. The Blacklord’s men outnumbered the allies by over twenty to one. The allied forces, however, had the strong walls of the abbey to guard them and a fully trained scion to defend them. All told, it was an even fight.

  Senia leapt. Her massive sword, Emberthorn, blazed with living fire in her hands. From a distance, she might have seemed like a spark flashing up from the combat on the hills before the abbey. Hundreds of feet up and across, she sailed through the air, lazily flipping herself backward. She landed lightly, elegantly, on the fifty-foot wall of the abbey next to Ahrn.

  Her lover used all of his fighting prowess to fling The Blacklord’s magically enhanced, black-clad assassins off the wall. The assassins led the fight, jumping to the top of the walls and trying to clear a path for the hundreds of regular warriors with ropes and ladders waiting below.

  A lull of battle around them gave enough time for her to lean in for a short but passionate kiss. She disengaged with a grin.

  “How are the defenses?”

  “Well enough. Two forces topped the wall in the past hour, but we rebuffed both.”

  “Keep up the good work.”

  “If you’re heading out again, there’s a Fire Wizard on that hill,” He pointed, “who’s been giving us some trouble.”

  Senia saw a stream of fire blowing from the hill in question to the top of the walls not far away.

  “I’ll give him some trouble then.” Another grin and she was off, bounding from the wall, arching high over the battle to land on the hilltop.

  The wizard, a woman, started at the sudden arrival of Senia before her. That hesitation was enough of an opportunity for Senia to spin in and slice her in twain, eliminating that threat.

  For a moment, there was peace around her. The battle raged below her as The Blacklord’s men surged forward around the hill she stood upon, but there were no threats here.

  The allies held, but these nightly attacks wore away at the defenses and the hope of those within the abbey. Runners had been sent west to the nations of Fjoria, Scandia, and Nehrista, kingdoms to the west. Help had been promised, but it had yet to arrive. Senia feared without that help, despite her best efforts, The Blacklord’s armies would probably overtake the walls of the abbey sometime before the end of the summer. She was doing her best, but they simply had far too many of the magical assassins and wizards for her to deal with, and more arrived daily.

  She sighed and turned to leap back into the fray, but something stopped her.

  It was an odd sensation, something she couldn’t name.

  She connected to the essence, the presence within her sword. Emberthorn, what is that?

  I… it’s been so long I can’t be sure, but… Emberthorn’s usually sure and steady baritone, which spoke within her mind, was h
esitant.

  But what?

  There’s an ability the monks mentioned in your training, one which they didn’t talk much about as they figured it would never be used.

  Senia racked her brain to remember, but the memory eluded her. I…

  You have the ability to sense other scions, but I… I never thought… And this doesn’t feel quite right either. It’s been a while, but I’m sure I’ve never felt a scion that felt quite so…

  Dark.

  Yes.

  Can you locate them?

  I… yes. Actually… they’re headed this way.

  Indeed, the sensation, the pull, she felt toward this unknown source was moving, drawing nearer…

  A moment later, descending from the night sky, a form landed on the hilltop near her, a tall, looming figure.

  “Hello, Senia.” His deep, resonant bass carried easily on the whispered breeze of the night. She didn’t recognize the voice, nor what she could make out of him. He was quite tall, though his body was well proportioned so he did not seem ‘lanky’ as some taller men did . He was actually very well built, with thick, rolling muscles under his black shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and wide chest. The fabric of his sleeves pulled tight over great, round biceps and forearms. Moonlight caught his features: sharp nose, heavy brow, rigid lines, strong jaw, framed by thick and full dark hair. He wore a smile that sent a chill down her spine. There was something about him that drew her, caught her and held her, yet another force equally as strong that scared her, shook her.

  “Do I know you?” she said, wary. Though still there was a tingling within her that she somehow knew or should trust this man.

  “You will, soon enough.”

  “Who are you?” she breathed.

  “You can call me Davar.” Several strides of his long legs brought him to within a sword’s length distance. He looked her over, appraising. The gaze from those cold eyes enveloped her, powerful and dominating.