The Legend of the Gods- The Complete Trilogy by Aaron Hodges

Author:Aaron Hodges [Hodges, Aaron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780995105669
Publisher: The National Library of New Zealand
Published: 2019-01-21T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

“Enala!”

Braidon spun as the Queen’s voice echoed down the tunnel, his eyes widening to find her standing on the path behind them, her chest heaving, hand clutched at her breast. Without her guards and crown, she no longer looked like the intimidating woman who’d ordered his capture, but vulnerable and human, her eyes shining with emotion.

“Merydith, what are you doing here?” Enala asked.

“Please, Enala, you can’t leave us. Not now, when we need you most,” the Queen gasped, the words rushing from her in a torrent.

A lump lodged in Braidon’s throat. Around the corner ahead, the light of a new dawn beckoned. There, the dragon Dahniul waited to fly them south, deep into the Tsar’s territory. Enala had thought to leave in secret without causing upheaval, but apparently the Queen had heard of their plan.

Yet she had come alone, without guards or advisors, to beseech the ancient Magicker to stay, when she could have brought an army to stop them.

“Merydith,” Enala murmured, stepping forward and placing a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “You do not need me. You are a brave, intelligent woman. I believe in you. If anyone can lead Northland through this turmoil, it’s you.”

The Queen swallowed, a tear streaking her cheek. “Through all our short history, you have stood beside us, Enala.” She broke off, swallowing hard. “You served my father, and his mother before him. You are the only thing that stands between Northland and chaos.”

“That’s not true!” Enala said, both hands on the Queen’s shoulders now. “For decades I have watched you grow, Merydith, and barely needed to lift a finger to aid you. Northland has its own spirit, its own soul, and you are the heart of that. I am but a remnant, a shadow that holds you back. That is why I left the first time, all those years ago, to return to my homeland.” She smiled, reaching up to stroke the woman’s cheek. “You have outgrown me, girl.”

“What if I make a mistake?”

“You won’t,” Enala insisted.

The Queen took a great, shuddering breath and nodded. Braidon watched as her shoulders straightened, her face settling back into the familiar mask. For a moment, he’d glimpsed the woman behind the crown, seen her humanity, her vulnerability. But now it was the Queen who stood before them once more, regal, untouchable. She sighed, gesturing to the way ahead.

“You would take our most powerful weapon as well?” she asked.

Enala sighed. “You know Dahniul is not ours to command. She has chosen this path—it is not our place to question her.”

“Very well.” She looked at Braidon, and he shivered as she approached him. To his surprise, she knelt to meet him at eye-level. “I wish you would stay, young Braidon,” she said, her voice soft, “but I respect your decision to search for your sister. I pray it does not prove the end of you.”

“It won’t,” Braidon replied. “I know her.”

“We can only hope,” the Queen replied, drawing him into an embrace. “Good luck.”

Braidon nodded, surprised at the warmth in the Queen’s voice.

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