The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 39

Tolanda’s hands were feeling far better now, thanks to Tergat’s remedies, and she had decided to go to Iefyr who had barely moved from his spot outside the temple of elders and neither had queen Tanith. Tolanda was bringing them food and drink and she sat beside Iefyr resting her head on his shoulder.

“Any news?” she asked and Iefyr shook his head.

“They know we’re out here and still no update,” Tanith said frustrated.

“They are probably just really busy trying to heal him,” Tolanda said, and the Queen scoffed before she stormed away but lingered nearby; she had been dismissive and rude towards Tolanda since Ievos had left but it did not bother her too much. Iefyr pulled Tolanda close and kissed her hair.

“I am so pleased that you are not dead, Ievos had me fooled for a moment when he tossed the heart of some creature before me saying he had torn it from your chest, I believed him.” Iefyr muttered holding her so tightly as though he was afraid that she would disappear if he let go. Tolanda snuggled close to him.

“Ievos hurt me, and he has promised that he would kill us both but part of me is still holding onto the hope that he can forgive us. I am holding onto the hope that he might come back one day,”

“Tolanda, your faith in him is almost absolute, why is that? I feel I have asked you this before.” Iefyr asked her.

“I do not know. I only feel that he is a tortured soul and that he might one day step back out of the darkness and join us again in the light.”

“That is a beautiful wish but the look in his eyes… I have lost my faith in him and if he ever tries to hurt you again, I will kill him. I do not want to but if it is a choice between him and you as to who lives, I choose you every time.”

“I love you, Iefyr, but my hope and my prayers will not change. I refuse to witness the two of you kill each other. I will do everything in my power to stop it. I know the look in his eyes better than most, it is one of hurt and pain but this time I felt his eyes were windows to his insanity. I feel he is spiralling. He was vicious before, but I do not think I ever saw him with so much hatred and anger.” She said.

“I do not think he will ever be coming back to us; he is going to the Shadow Dragons to seek their allegiance against us. We definitely have another battle looming over us but this time… my older brother is on the side of the enemy.” Iefyr said with sadness seeping through the anger he had previously felt. “I am going to train hard, just as soon as I get an update on Velkin’s condition. I will be relentless with my training so I can become strong enough to fight Ievos. As he is and as I am I will certainly lose to him.”

“He was stronger, far stronger it seemed, I wonder why he grew so strong,”

“Yes. Perhaps Cauldra did something to him like what she did to her elven army to bestow their elemental powers. I do not know.” He pondered a moment, “I felt an energy surge once I touched that dragon, perhaps she has some help she can give me. I will become strong enough so at least I can fight him,” Iefyr promised.

“I hate that that is your goal,” she said pulling away from him, he looked to her.

“Tolanda, if I cannot protect myself from him then I cannot protect you. What choice do I have?” he asked, and she had no answer, but she did not like to hear his words. “Also, at the next battle, I wish for you to remain inside the city walls this time. You are a target, let us not give him what he wants.”

“We are together, Iefyr, and I will marry you and be your wife, but I will not stay out of something where my skills will help. My healing skills could save a warrior’s life. I will not stay back.” She said as firmly as she could muster. He smiled but it held a hint of sadness.

“If you died then I would surely follow with a broken heart,” he muttered, and she linked her arm through his and held onto his arm.

“I would not want that but at least we would not be parted for long,” she smiled. “I refuse to stay away from battle when I can help,”

“You are so brave and so selfless, and I love you so much,” he said, and his eyes shined with tears.

“Iefyr,” she whispered, and they met each other in a kiss.

~~

Cauladra walked regally through the hall of the abandoned castle she still inhabited. She had called all her elven army and followers to fill this hall whilst she addressed them. They all watched her with anticipation as she took her throne. She scanned her eyes over her people before she addressed them.

“In two days, we march West after my son, we will join him at the kingdom of the Shadow Dragons but before that I intend another ritual. If there are any elves who did not take me up on the offer of Setka’Sier’s blessing before then this is an opportunity for those who had second thoughts. I also seek further power from Setka’Sier so I will be undergoing part of the ritual too,” she said and there were murmurs and looks exchanged throughout her claimed hall. Dakin stepped forwards and leant towards the queen as he was already nearby.

“Are you certain?” he asked her, and she looked at him with her cold eyes.

“I do not trust my son; I feel we must join him on this journey. Also, he has gained access to some mysterious power that I have no idea what it was. And I admit… it was a little terrifying. That is why I am addressing Setka’Sier once again to ask for more power but… as before we will need sacrifices, so, along our journey we will capture humans and offer them to her,” Cauladra whispered; her lips curling at the sides as she met Dakin’s eyes.

“We are a vast army even after the battle at the dragon kingdom but marching through the human lands to get to the West will certainly cause a stir, it might even bring down a human army upon our heels.”

“Human lands? This all used to be our lands! Humans are a blight on these lands, they are vile with their vile ways!” she yelled and looked around at all of the other elves still in the hall. “We need to weaken and defeat the dragons and then we will be able to crush the humans and claim back our world!” she clenched her fist with her words and Dakin stood down stepping away once more. She looked satisfied at this and sat back in her throne relaxed once more.