With My Last Breath, Book Three (17 page)

Lucan looked at me. ‚What is happening?' He sounded nervous for the first time.

‚I do not know,' I answered him truthfully. ‚But I think we will find out soon.' I glanced at Raquel. ‚Don’t worry, little one. Everything will be fine.'

Their chanting got louder and boards began flying from the rafters, crashing down around us. I jumped, but stood firmly in place as the women continued to chant. Eris threw her arms in the air and the roof of the barn lifted off and flew to the side, taking with it pieces of the walls. Bit by bit, the remaining walls followed until we were standing in the open air, next to a large pile of rubble.

And then, with an alarming wrenching split, the earth in front of us opened up, throwing back stones from the floor. Lucan grasped my elbow and pulled me slightly away, protective as ever. I kept my eyes on the churning mess in front of us because I knew it wasn’t over yet.

A giant hole formed in front of us, jagged and deep. And then before I could even process that… it filled with water. I don’t know where the water came from… it was most likely summoned from the earth itself. The pit filled, churning and rocking. The moisture from the water splattered onto me in droplets and I licked them from my lips.

And then everything was still.

I tensed in anticipation as the Hecate and Eris stared pointedly at the water, clearly waiting for something to happen. Lucan’s grip on my arm tightened as we kept our eyes trained on the newly formed pond.

And then ripples began bubbling from the center. I craned forward, anxious to see what would emerge. What could they have summoned here? What could possibly help us?

As I held my breath, a woman slowly rose from the water, her head down and her long blonde hair dripping all around her as she walked toward me. Her white cotton dress was completely sheer in its current soaked state. She might as well have been naked.

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She raised her head and met my gaze, her eyes shiny. She was ethereal, seemingly radiating light from within. Her skin was oh-so-pale, her lips a natural pink. I knew her.

‚Thalassa,' I murmured in surprise. She was a sea goddess, the daughter of Hemera.

‚They refer to me as the Lady of the Lake here,' she replied softly, the corners of her mouth curved slightly. ‚Hello, Harmonia.'

‚Hello,' I answered hesitantly, subconsciously moving closer to Lucan.

‚Aren’t you glad to see me?' she laughed. ‚I come bearing gifts.'

And then I noticed… a large sword dangled from one hand.

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Chapter Nineteen

Zeus’ sword, the one thing that could save everything, was directly in front of me. I took one step forward and Thalassa took one step back. She cocked her head as I looked at her questioningly.

‚Are you not here to give me the sword?' I was confused by her behavior.

She nodded. ‚I want to. But I was entrusted with the care of this sword by Arthur himself. He gave it to me in exchange when I gave him Excalibur. He took my word that I would never surrender it to anyone but him. And the only way I can do so now is to see proof that you are indeed the Chosen One.'

‚Proof?' I stared at her in bewilderment, before I turned my wrist over and thrust it toward her. ‚I am marked. See?'

She glanced at the bird-shaped mark on my pulsepoint. ‚I see. But that is not enough.'

‚Then what do you desire?' I asked impatiently. ‚We are wasting time here.'

She faced me patiently. ‚Harmonia, Ahmose came to me yesterday and explained who you are and why you need this sword. He also said that you would find me and that when you did, you would be happy to provide me with proof. Surely you understand, I gave my oath to someone. I am bound by that. I cannot simply break it without good cause.'

I nodded slowly, letting a thin rush of air exhale over my teeth as I thought.

As my mind spun in circles, I absently glanced around me at the demolished barn.

The wood and stone stood in jagged shambles around us, pieces scattered at our feet.

The stone foundation still stood intact, a perfect box around us. The barn owl, displaced when the building flew apart, fluttered to a rest on the edge of the foundation. He blinked his round golden eyes at me.

A bird. I fingered my birth mark as an idea came to me.

I could control the phoenix. I had done it only once before and I had been overwhelmingly afraid at the time, ruled by instinct. But surely I could do it again. I closed my eyes, keeping my fingers on my birthmark.

Concentrating, I felt my blood pulse through my veins, every beat of my heart pushing beneath the bird on my wrist. I focused, allowing every emotion inside of me to rise to the surface, pulsing against me.

The people standing with me faded away, the demolished barn slipped from my sight. All I could see was a blend of colors as everything swirled together and I closed my eyes.

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My blood turned warm and then warmer, pulsing faster and faster as my heart beat increased. Finally, I was hot, my cheeks flushed as I conjured every emotion I could think of, focusing only on the image of the Phoenix.

And then it came.

I knew from the gasps of those standing behind me and I opened my eyes.

Flying from the distance, it was vivid and bright as its feathers burned in the sky.

Orange, red and amber, it was a ball of flame as it descended upon us. His eyes were brilliant azure and they focused first on me and then on Thalassa with razor precision.

Swooping down low from the sky, it spread its fiery wings in a wide span as it glided in from the clouds above us.

I felt its intense heat as it dove in front of me, scooping up the sword from Thalassa’s grasp. With a shrill cry, it looped around above us and circled back, dipping once more in front of me as it dropped the sword at my feet. I watched it roll to a stop mere inches from my toes, before I looked again to the phoenix.

He flew to a stop on the far end of the barn’s foundation. As I watched, his flame died down to nothing and he stopped burning. His feathers were shiny and crimson, iridescent in the light. His brilliant gaze was trained on me and I dipped my head in thanks. He returned the gesture and I turned my attention once more to Thalassa.

‚Is that proof enough?' I asked drily.

She nodded, impressed and shocked.

‚The sword is yours,' she replied simply. ‚Use it well.'

I bent to examine it. It wasn’t that impressive, to be honest. It was plain, with a simple bone handle. The blade was long and thin, and although it was sharp, it wasn’t shiny. It was free of any jewels or embellishments…it was just a simple sword.

But it was oh-so- important.

I picked it up and a current of electricity moved through my arms. This was definitely the sword. I ran my fingers lightly along the blade. It seemed strange that something so normal carried with it so much weight. I shifted my gaze to Thalassa.

‚You had to know that this wasn’t a normal sword when Arthur gave it to you,' I raised my eyebrow.

‚I did,' she acknowledged. ‚But I had no way of knowing what exactly it was. I thought it was simply something that Merlin had conjured. But it wasn’t until he came to me yesterday that I knew it for exactly what it was.'

‚So Merlin knew what it was? Did he always know?' I asked in shock.

She nodded. ‚Yes. I believe that is why he arranged to have Arthur bring it to me in the first place. It was he who suggested to Arthur that I keep it safe for him. And now that Arthur is… not himself, it clearly should be used by you to set things right.'

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‚Thank you,' I uttered quickly, remembering my manners. ‚You have no idea how important this is. I appreciate your kindness. I don’t really understand the part that you play in all of this, Thalassa, but I do thank you.'

‚Oh, my part is fairly simple,' she sighed. ‚Once, long ago, I became smitten with Merlin, or Ahmose as you call him. I swore to him that I would help him in any way that I could if he should ever need me. When the Fates assigned him to Camelot, he needed me here.

‚I created Excalibur and enchanted it for Arthur’s use in battle. And truthfully, I did not mind. I grew to respect young King Arthur. A purer soul or gentler spirit I have never seen. To think of him as they tell me that he is now is heartbreaking. Don’t you agree?'

Her lovely face was pained and she didn’t wait for me to respond before she continued.

‚Merlin continued to visit me during his life here. The mortals here created the tale of the Lady of the Lake to explain things away to their satisfaction. I have been Arthur’s guardian, so to speak. I hesitate to hand the privilege to you, but Merlin has told me that I can trust you, that you are strong and brave.'

‚Merlin is kind to me,' I replied. ‚I hope that I can measure up to his expectations.'

‚If you do not, he will die,' Thalassa stated quietly. ‚And I feel as though he is the very air that I breathe. I do not wish to lose him. He has more wisdom in one finger than most of the gods on Olympus put together. You must save him.'

I nodded. ‚I will try, Thalassa. Trust me on that.'

Someone rustled nervously behind me, bringing my attention back to the present. I stared at Thalassa’s pale, calm face, ethereal in her beauty and made a decision. I had to keep Raquel safe. And I didn’t have many options right now.

‚Thalassa, I have a request.'

I felt everyone’s eyes upon me, wondering what I was going to ask at this particular juncture. Thalassa had, after all, just given us what we needed.

‚Can you keep this child with you for now, so that she stays safe during the battle that is coming? I wish no harm to come to her.'

Thalassa nodded thoughtfully, her blonde hair drying as we spoke. She lifted a pale hand and brushed it away from her face.

‚Of course, Harmonia. I shall keep her under the lake with me. She will be safe, I assure you. My underwater world is protected by enchantment. No one may enter without my permission, not even the Fates.'

I turned, motioning Raquel to the front. Kneeling in front of her, I grasped her hands. I started to tell her to go with Thalassa, but hesitated at the frightened look on her small face.

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‚Raquel, I must tell you something.' I glanced up at Lucan and he quickly joined me, kneeling next to us on one knee. He reached out and grasped my hand.

‚This might be hard for you to hear and we will discuss it more later, but I need you to know something before you go.' She waited expectantly, playing restlessly with her fingers.

‚You are mine,' I whispered.

‚Yours?' she repeated, confusion apparent on her face and in her voice. ‚I don’t understand.'

‚You are mine. And Lucan’s. We aren’t what you think. Our names are really Harmonia and Cadmus and we live in a beautiful place called the Spiritlands. You were taken from us long ago by wretched old women. I’m so sorry that you found out in this way, but I wanted you to know.'

She stared at me seriously. ‚I am not an orphan? You’re my mother, my lady?'

I nodded. ‚And when this is over, we will be a family and we will be so happy together. I promise.'

Lucan spoke up. ‚I have never seen a prettier little girl. You must get your beautfy from your mother.'

Raquel shifted her gaze to him and reached out with a shaking little hand, placing it on Lucan’s cheek.

‚Can I call you papa?' she whispered.

Lucan took a sharp breath and his eyes grew watery. I squeezed his hand.

‚Of course you can, little one,' he answered softly, drawing her into his arms.

‚And I will work hard to make you the happiest little girl in the world when we return.' He held her for a few minutes longer and then released her. She stepped back.

As I stared at her, I had the sudden need to see her true appearance.

‚Hecate?' I turned. ‚Can you reveal her true face? I know that the Fates disguised her. Can you show her to me?'

Hecate stepped forward and placed her hands on Raquel’s shoulders. She murmured for a moment, her body blocking Raquel from my sight. I waited anxiously, gripping Lucan’s hand. Yes, I knew that we had important things to be doing, but to me, this was the most important thing of all in this moment.

Hecate finally stepped away and there was a collective gasp from everyone.

She looked just like me.

Her skin was a golden tan, her hair dark. She did have her father’s chin, but her eyes were mine. Vivid jade green, they sparkled as she stared at us. I could clearly see why the Fates had disguised her. There is no way that I wouldn’t have known who she was otherwise.

‚Is something wrong?' she asked worriedly, her hand unconsciously moving to her throat.

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‚No, little one,' I answered softly, moving to hug her. ‚You just look different.

That’s all.'

Guiding her shoulders, I led her to the water’s edge where she could see her reflection. When she looked down, she gasped as well.

‚I look like you!' she exclaimed, moving her hand to touch her cheeks, her hair, her shoulders. ‚Just like you.'

‚Yes,' I agreed. ‚You do. Because you’re my daughter.' I would never get tired of saying the words. Gripping her skinny shoulders, I turned her to face me.

‚Go with Thalassa,' I instructed. ‚When this is over, we will return for you.'

She nodded obediently. ‚You’ll come back for me?' she asked worriedly.

‚Of course we will,' I assured her. ‚Just as soon as this is over and it is safe once again.' She nodded trustingly and took Thalassa’s outstretched hand.

‚This will be fun,' Thalassa promised her with a smile. ‚Do you like flowers and sea sprites?' Raquel was staring at her in wonder as they submerged into the water and disappeared. A couple of ripples spanned the pool before it went still.

I looked at Hecate and Lucan, taking a deep breath.

‚What now?'

Hecate nibbled her lip thoughtfully. ‚Much has happened over the past couple of days,' she said. ‚While the Fates have changed so much, there are some things that have stayed just the same. Look.'

She gestured toward the water and a picture formed on the still surface. There was a banquet in the castle and Mordred was somehow seated at Arthur’s right in Lancelot’s normal seat. Arthur was wearing an icy, dark expression, something I had never seen on his face before. He looked cruel, just as my mother had said. My heart sank in my chest.

I watched Mordred whisper something in the king’s ear and Arthur’s face clouded over. Leaping to his feet, his stormed through the mass of people from the room and down a hall. In a dark corner, Lancelot and Guinevere were sequestered, with Lancelot’s mouth by her ear. I didn’t know what they were doing, but it certainly looked compromising. Arthur rose up in front of them like an avenging, angry god.

‚What is this?' King Arthur boomed.

Lancelot jumped away from my mother, but I noticed that he kept her safely behind him. He returned Arthur’s stare without flinching, clearly unafraid, even though he still showed respect.

‚Nothing, your highness,' Lancelot answered loudly. ‚It isn’t what it seems.'

‚Then explain to me what it is!' King Arthur’s voice was sharp enough to cut glass.

‚Do you know the penalty for treason? And consorting with the king’s wife is most certainly treason in the highest form.'

‚Arthur, truly it isn’t…' Guinevere began, but the king cut her off.

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‚Be silent!' he roared. ‚You think to humiliate me in front of my people? You are condemned to death, woman. You can ponder your sins in isolation today. Your crown is stripped from you. You will burn at dawn.'

He spun on his heel and whirled around, his cloak swirling.

‚Throw them in the dungeons!' he called over his shoulder as he climbed the stairs to his quarters. There was not an ounce of emotion in his voice, but for rage. This was not the Arthur that I knew.

Mordred and Gawain stepped forward and restrained Lancelot, their faces impassive and cold. I expected that from Mordred, because he had clearly orchestrated this little revealing incident. But Gawain. This was unlike him, as well.

Percivale and Gaheris took the queen’s arms, pulling her with them down the long halls to the dungeons. To their credit, my parents allowed themselves to be taken prisoner, even though they could easily have escaped. They disappeared down the hall.