Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“She is not to be harmed,” he grated.
His mistake—one that would cost him dearly. No mercy! Viori spread her arms, lifted her chin and tilted back her head to sing. The first notes left her, her voice crackling at the edges. The soldiers conveyed confusion, then a growing horror. Gradually, the notes of her song solidified. Her volume grew louder and louder, sweeping across the land. Pained groans rose from Micah’s soldiers.
Too bad. She planned to hit Micah and his forces with everything she had all at once. And she would.
There would be no survivors.
Viori sang even louder, a thick fog seeping from the ground, rising to form a wall around the army. A torrent of winds kicked up. Locks of hair whipped before her face. Shouts replaced the groans.
“Can’t see!” someone cried as mutilated bark, crumbled rocks and leaves whirled together, collecting, adhering...becoming something beyond beautiful.
Her finest creation. His name was Gravemaker. Graves for short.
“Whatever you are attempting to do, don’t,” Micah bellowed. Blood leaked from his ears. “I order you to stop this!”
She did not stop this. Not even as she weakened. That weakness started as a lapping wave in her heart, spreading through her. If she continued singing much longer, Graves would come to life, but deep sleep would be forced upon Viori—his creation was draining more energy than she’d expected. More energy than she’d ever expended for one being. But if she stopped, Graves would be fully formed yet lifeless. Defenseless. Micah could carry out his plan to destroy her newest handiwork. Conversely, if she slept, she would be defenseless.
Or would she? Thump, thump, thump. Her heartbeat slowed, the sleep approaching.
There’s still time to stop...
But she didn’t stop. Not yet. Think! What was the better bet for victory here? She would be imprisoned at best and Graves would be destroyed, as feared. And what if Micah chained her up and gave her whatever pain toxin he’d used on the oracle and his former mistress? How much worse would the queen be punished for a betrayal?
Soldiers collapsed, writhing and thrashing on the ground. Micah labored over each of his inhalations, his muscles bulging from strain. Blood no longer leaked from his ears but poured. But fall? No.
If only he would topple. Graves could carry her away from the camp, wreaking destruction on the way out. They could return when she awoke. Creating a single giant should require only a short rest. A few days. Perhaps a week. A time frame she could work around. Maybe. Possibly.
And if Micah didn’t fall? Graves would have to fight his way out while protecting her. Could he succeed?
“Vee,” Micah shouted. “Enough! Let us talk this out.”
Talk? Talk! The time for chitchat had ended. I’ll make the king crash. Viori sang louder, the wind growing fiercer. The hem of her gown flapped against her calves.
Other soldiers collapsed, but Micah locked his knees, a tower of immobility, glaring at her. “You don’t have to do this,” he grated between panting breaths.
Not sure how much longer I can stay upright. Gah! Micah was too stubborn and powerful to topple. Very well. She would do it; she would command Graves to do whatever proved necessary. As big as her little giant was, he could do anything. Please, do this.
For the first time, a plan struck Viori as, perhaps, possibly wrong. But that couldn’t be correct. Because what other choice did she have? Without Graves, most of her children would be forever lost. What’s more, she would never escape this battlefield. At the moment, Micah could flitter. Without the pebble, she could not.
What if Graves were gravely injured during a showdown?
No choice then. She must encourage Micah’s determination to keep her and her child alive and unharmed.
She serenaded a command to the still-unanimated Graves. “Take me home as soon as you’re able.” Then she sang to Micah himself. “Never forget I am your forever queen, and you vowed to protect my children as if they are your own. If you have any honor in your being, my safety—the safety of Graves—will always be your highest priority. Isn’t that right, husband?”
Graves jerked, roaring to life as a blanket of darkness swept over Viori’s mind...
* * *
BETRAYED! MICAH HUFFED each breath, shackled in place by a rage and agony unlike any he’d ever known. Not Red. Anyone but her. The female he’d trusted. The one he’d prepared to show his greatest shame. But all along, she’d known her creations had demolished his lands. Killed his people. Nearly killed him.
No, not Red. Anyone but her. Whether he’d wanted to admit it or not, every dream he’d ever entertained had revolved around this female. Without her, what would he have? More loneliness? No hope for a family of his own? An eternity spent as foes?
Their actions this day had assured it. What couple could recover from such treachery?