Magicorum Box Set (Books 1-5)

29. Chapter Twenty-Nine

29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Bryar Rose

A few minutes later, Knox and I step back into the temple. The Colonel flows along behind us. Once inside, we find Elle and Alec standing by the geyser and decidedly far away from Reggie, who’s grinning manically from ear to ear. Everyone looks up as we enter.

“You okay?” asks Elle.

“Fine,” I reply. “We have a lot to talk about.”

Alec gestures toward Knox. “And you look like death warmed over.”

Unfortunately, Alec is right. Whatever healing magic the Colonel had given all of us, it’s already failing my mate. Not that it’s polite of Alec to point that out, but that’s Alec and Knox for you. If they hugged and said love you man when greeting each other, I wouldn’t know what to do.

Alec frowns. “Although technically, Reggie here actually is death warmed over and you look way worse than him. So there’s that.”

Knox barely lifts his right brow. “Great story, Alec. Thanks for sharing.”

I brace myself, waiting for my inner wolf to start up her commentary. She doesn’t. Apparently, the stasis spell from the Colonel is still in effect. On the way over here, I’d asked the Colonel when my wolf would awaken. He said the spell is set to protect my animal until I’m ready to explain my status as the fountain to her.

Guess I’m still reeling from the news, because my wolf is most decidedly still in stasis.

Everyone stands around, staring at me with expectant looks on their faces. I realize they’re waiting for me to say something here.

That’s right. I went to talk to the Colonel.

I clear my throat. “Well, everyone. The Colonel spoke with me and Knox.” I pause. There’s so much to say here; I’m not sure where I can even begin. I decide it’s best to start small and lead up to the big stuff. “Elle, I have good news for you.”

Reggie moves to lurk over Elle’s shoulder. She takes a pointed step away from him. “Tell me we’re sending Reggie away.”

“Not that. So.” I rub my palms together, waiting for the best speech in the world to appear in my mind’s eye. It doesn’t. “You’re the warden of fae magic. How about that?”

Elle’s normally-animated features fall slack. “I’m what?”

“The warden of all fae magic, sugar.” The Colonel tips his hat. “Congratulations.”

“Don’t con a con artist.” Elle flips her hair over her shoulder. “How would know that I’m the warden of fae magic?”

“Did you know Blackaverre and I are good friends?”

Color drains from Elle’s face. “No, I didn’t.”

“We are. In fact, Blackaverre did me a great service. She helped me escape the Fairy Lands when I was entrapped by my enemies. In response, I promised her a boon—one request and no matter what it was, I couldn’t say no.”

“What boon did she ask for?” Elle’s face is crumples with confusion, but she rubs her shoulder blade, right where her wings would be attached.

“I think you know, sugar. Blackaverre had a charge who needed to escape from a terrible situation.” The Colonel lets out a long breath. “I didn’t want to wake your wings, but it was the only way you could change the way you look and so escape. The whole reason your captors imprisoned you was because they knew you were warden of fae magic. I’m so sorry. ”

Elle’s hands ball into fists. “Why didn’t you ever tell me I was the warden? Or Blackaverre, for that matter?”

“Now, that one’s on me,” says the Colonel. “I made one condition after taking your wings. Magic usually chooses close friends for wardens, or folks that magic knows will become close friends. I forbid Blackaverre from telling you because, well, you might have figured things out with Bry here.”

Elle rounds on me. “Figured out what?”

Worry, fear, and excitement battle it out in my nervous system. Once again, I wish I had a great speech at the ready. I don’t. I steel my shoulders and meet Elle’s gaze straight on. “I’m the fountain.”

Elle glances between me and the geyser top. “You don’t look like a fountain.”

“The fountain isn’t a thing,” I explain. “It never was.”

Knox steps closer to Elle. “The glyph for fountain can also be translated as geyser or form. That means it can be a person.”

Reggie’s huge smile grows even larger. “Cheers, tears, hopes and fears. A fountain is born once every five thousand years.”

I stare at Reggie in disbelief. “You knew I was the fountain? How long has this been going on?”

“The Colonel told me,” says Reggie. “Ever since, I’ve been trying to tell you over and over.”

“Next time,” I say. “You might want to stop with all the cryptic sing-songs and just say stuff.”

Reggie lifts his chin. “That’s what I get for helping the living.”

“When it comes to Reggie,” drawls the Colonel. “I needed his help to protect you, so I explained things a little. Plus, I knew he’d never be able to explain what he knew, even if he wanted to.” He focuses on Reggie. “Your communication skills are thankfully limited.”

Alec goes into one of his men’s catalog poses. This is the classic one where he sets his hands in his pockets and looks up. “Wait a mo. I remember Knox talking about the autumn equinox. That’s tomorrow night, isn’t it?”

Elle narrows her eyes. “Why do I think I’ll hate whatever comes next after that little equinox comment?”

“The fountain—that’s me—is supposed to give its bounty on this autumn equinox. And yes, that’s tomorrow night.” The way I say the words, it’s like I’m reading my own obituary.

Elle’s voice takes on a dangerous edge. “What happens when all this bounty-giving is over?”

“Red, thread, trials and bread,” sings Reggie. “After the ceremony, Bryar Rose will be dead.”

Nice. Of course, Reggie shares that little piece of information, no trouble.

“Now, now.” The Colonel raises his hands so his palms face outward. It’s his motion for calm down. “Knox here thinks we can try to change that. Maybe there’s some way to keep Bryar alive.”

Reggie starts singing again. “Red, thread, trials and bread—”

“Can it, Reggie,” snarls Knox.

In reply, Reggie closes his mouth with a popping sound.

Elle focuses on me. “What do you think happens after the ceremony?”

“I don’t know, but…” I swallow hard past the knot of fear in my throat. “I hope I can write my own story. Get a happy ending for all of us.” I sneak a glance at Knox. A look of pain flashes in his ice-blue eyes. For once, I know it has nothing to do with whatever magical spell is draining his energy.

It’s me.

All this time, Knox has been so patient and solid. He didn’t believe magic was punishing him for choosing me. Later, he refused to believe that I had to share the same fate as Calibur, the last fountain.

We can write our own story.

With all my heart, I wish I could believe that was the truth. But this isn’t like anything else I’ve ever encountered. Before, my worst challenge was fighting Jules. Sure, the guy was an evil mummy-zombie and had an army, but he was still a person. And the rules of what it meant to be Denarii were pretty clear. Now, I’m facing down all the power of magic—and it’s inside me. No one knows how any of this works. I just can’t pretend everything will work out right.

Stepping over to Knox’s side, I rest my hand on his lower arm. He gives me a small smile and whispers three words: “Our own story.”

I force a smile in return. “We’ll give it everything we’ve got.” Turning, I focus on Elle and Alec. “Knox and I are going to the pyramids. We’d like your help, but we totally understand if you don’t want to.”

Alec rolls his eyes. “Like I’d be anywhere else.”

“I’m in too,” adds Elle.

“Try, fly, pretty little cry,” says Reggie. “This is where I say goodbye.” With that, he skips out the door. Nut job.

One by one, my gaze moves across everyone in the temple. There’s Knox, Elle, Alec and the Colonel. Here, in this place, stands everyone in the world that I truly care about. And they’re all risking everything to help me. And if we screw up? The totality of magic may get drained from the world, I’ll end up dead, and so will everyone’s shifter animals. No pressure.

Knox inhales. “I smell your fear.” His gaze locks with mine. “Whenever you get afraid, just look for me. I’ll always be here.”

Stepping closer to Knox, I wrap my arms around his waist and lean into his embrace. This man everything solid and strong in my life. “Thank you.”

Across the room, Alec reaches into his pocket and pulls out a handful of gems. “Let me guess. Now, you need me to transfer everyone over to Egypt and the pyramids.”

“Actually,” says the Colonel. “I was hoping I might be of service in that regard.”

“You’ll magically transport us?” asks Alec.

“No, I was more thinking that I’d loan y’all my personal jet and pilot,” says the Colonel. “We need to keep up our magical strength up for whatever comes next. Transport spells are a drain.”

For some reason, my brain stays stuck on one fact only. “You have a personal jet?” I ask.

The Colonel shrugs. “Why wouldn’t I? The pilot is a troll, so be polite. Don’t stare.”

I’m not a hundred per cent clear here. “Do you mean a troll as in ugly?” I ask.

Sure, I’d heard the stories about trolls, but I’s always put those tales in the same category as soul shepherds: super cool stuff, but until I see one with my own eyes, I wasn’t going to believe anything.

“No,” says the Colonel slowly. “A troll as in…a troll.”

“Right.” Elle purses her lips. “So we’re flying to Egypt, human style, and our pilot is a troll. I’ve got time to make a few calls. Maybe I can find us some weapons.” She rubs her palms together. Elle loves magical weapons. “There must something that fights the Void.”

“Look, I’m not so sure the Void is a big bad,” I say. “All the guy’s ever said is that he wants the fountain. The jury is out on that one, in my opinion. He might want to help me.”

“What about the Shadowvin?” asks Alec. “Nothing’s changed there, right?”

“The Shadowvin are not too big,” I reply. “But they’re definitely bad.” I shiver, remembering how they possessed Knox.

The Colonel waves his hand. “Y’all don’t need weapons. Once the ceremony starts, you’ll only be dealing with magic.”

Elle narrows her eyes. “So we need protection spells.”

“With that much magic around,” says the Colonel. “No ordinary spells would work. That’s why the Luxalta wardens gave you those glyphs of protection on your backs.” His silver eyes glisten with regret. “Or in your case, they were on your wings.”

All Elle’s excitement about weaponry evaporates. She takes a half-step backwards. “Oh.”

My inner wolf takes this moment to awaken. Within my heart, she yawns and stretches. “What happened?” she asks. “What did I miss?”

“The Colonel had some big news. He thought it best to explain it to me first, so he put you in stasis.”

My wolf lowers her head and growls. “How dare the Colonel put me in stasis?”

“I’ll explain more on the plane ride.”

“But I hates planes!”

“I get that you’re upset, but please don’t go Gollum on me now.” When my wolf starts talking like that evil creature from Lord of the Rings, she’s so loud, I can hardly think. “I need to focus on Elle right now.”

My best friend shifts her weight from foot to foot. “No protection glyphs and no other way to guard myself. Thanks for clarifying.”

“You won’t be without protection.” I shoot a pointed stare in the Colonel’s direction. “That’s why the Colonel is coming along with us, to guard you.”

“Sorry, sugar.” The Colonel shakes his head. “I need to make sure my fountain is safe.”

Now, it’s sweet that the Colonel is calling me his fountain and wants to guard me, but there are limits to this fatherly-protection situation. Elle is my best friend and she’s risking her life with no one to watch her back. Not acceptable.

“I’m calling in my boon, Colonel.”

My inner wolf perks up at this news. “Boon? What boon?” she asks.

“The Colonel gave me a boon,” I explain in my mind. “It was his way of apologizing for putting you into stasis without asking permission.”

Across the temple, the Colonel blinks innocently. “Fine. You call in your boon and I’ll play guard.”

I haven’t been around fae all my life to miss those verbal acrobatics. The Colonel said he’d play guard, but he didn’t specify anyone in particular. “Colonel.” I lower my voice to a level that says I mean business. “You’re guarding Elle.”

“I disagree,” says the Colonel. His skin glows with silver light, and he looks more like a supernatural being than ever before. “When the fountain gives its bounty, no one can be there except the wardens. No one. I refused to accept that for my little one. Do you know how many years I searched for information about the fountain? I made so many sacrifices, cast so many spells, and all so I could be at your side when the time comes. Your side, sugar. No one else.”

Elle steps forward. “Look, Bry—”

“Forget it,” I say to the Colonel. “I appreciate all you’ve done, but you’re guarding Elle, first and foremost. That is the only way to satisfy the boon.”

The Colonel bows slightly and tips his hat. “Agreed at last.” He straightens his stance. The frightening fae disappears and the Colonel becomes all smooth human-like charm once again. “Now, if y’all don’t mind, I’ll call my pilot and get the flight set. I expect everyone to sleep and eat on the plane. Y’all need to be prepared for what’s to come.”

Those last three words reverberate through my soul.

What’s to come.

That’s the core of the problem, really. We’ve no idea what’s about to happen. Whatever it is, it might kill me along with everyone I care about. Worry presses in around me, tight as a vise. I force my spine to straighten.

Remember, you can write our own story.

Redouble is, I can’t even picture a happy ending, let alone make it come to pass.