Sword of Oak: Dragons Rising Book Four by Alisha Klapheke

Author:Alisha Klapheke [Klapheke, Alisha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Kyril roared, and the stone gryphon echoed the ear-splitting sound as it veered westward.

Vahly held her breath, waiting for Astraea to defend herself, to call up the sea and swallow everyone whole. What could Vahly do if the Sea Queen did this? Could the sword raise enough land to thwart such a move?

The sea quieted. The creatures swam away. The warriors on both sides stilled beneath the stone cage.

A layer of salt water undulated over Astraea’s body and face. Her eyes had gone flat black, and her red lips tightened into a straight line as she stared at Vahly.

Swallowing, Vahly urged Kyril closer. This was probably a trap. It had been too easy to capture the Sea Queen. The stone gryphon flew above them, a shadow of protection darkening the glistening water and the glow of the sun’s last rays on the pillars of Astraea’s prison.

Vahly’s magic surged inside her, and she saw a flash, a vision. Webbed fingers. A sea kynd slicing its own palm. Blood flowing onto the oaken sword.

“I can see you believe you’ve won, human.” Astraea’s voice was harsh as it crossed her thin, magical barrier of water to carry on the wind. “But I must submit to the balance by freely offering my blood to your fine weapon there. And that, I will never do.”

Run her through, Queenie! Nix soared above the cage, eyes catching the sunset’s last gasp. To hell with the balance!

Believe me, Nix, I want to. But I can’t rush into this. Not after what Lilia told Arc. There is no other Blackwater-marked sea kynd to take her place and share her blood with the sword. My magic tells me the ritual must happen. My stomach turns inside out when I consider any other alternative.

Vahly bumped Kyril with a heel, sending him in a gentle dive toward the rebels. Lilia’s head appeared above the surface. The rebel leader placed two leaves on her gills and watched Vahly expectantly.

“Have you heard anything new from your Watcher?” Vahly asked. “Any news on a newly born Sea Queen?”

Lilia shook her head. “The Watcher is hidden far from here. We’ve had no word or update. I hate the fact, but Astraea must be kept alive until we can persuade her to give up a portion of her blood. Only then will all kynd live in harmony.”

Vahly gritted her teeth. “She won’t do it. How are we supposed to talk her into this?”

The rebel leader set a cold gaze on Vahly. “This is war. Use what she loves to bend and break her.”

“What does that beast of a female love?”

“Her singer, Larisa.”

Kyril flew up and over the rebels, then floated on an air current back toward Lilia.

“A singer?”

Lilia dipped beneath the water, then rose again. “Astraea loves her like a prized possession. If you threaten the singer, then perhaps Astraea will yield.”

But they had to get their hands on this singer first. Vahly nudged Kyril, and they flew over the enemy army with Astraea at their back.

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