Page 113 of Queen’s Gambit

Moss and ivy covered the gate’s arch and crept along the wall. My power sank into the plants, coaxing them to grow and spread between the stones, until they crumbled the mortar into dust. The ivy sent forth its tendrils and branches, digging between the stones, thickening and pushing them out of place.

It was working, but I could barely control it. The ivy transformed, growing thorns and strange flowers that shone like fireflies as they opened with a hiss. The wood of the gates bent and warped as my power returned the wood to life.

Songstress, Magura, Queen… The voices in my head grew louder, chanting as the stones crumbled. The Aether within me changed, the emerald glow tingling with golden light, its power multiplying.

It was tearing me apart.

‘Sana, that’s enough. You’re bleeding.’ Rey reached for me.

‘Don’t touch me!’ I snapped as blood dribbled from my nose and created new life when it hit the ground.

As if on command, the gates creaked, the metal groaning under the strain, while stone, brick, and mortar rained from above, covering the road with fine dust.

‘Cinared, hit it!’ I said, standing. My power flared, a wave rippling towards the gate, and for a moment, reality itself threatened to collapse.

The dragon swung his tail like a giant war hammer, slamming it into the foundation. The arches collapsed, slowly at first, then crumbled into dust. From the panicked shouts on the other side of the wall, the defenders of Tivalaran’s castle knew their last line of defence had fallen.

‘Again!’ I grunted through gritted teeth, bracing myself as stone blocks hit the ground. The dragon’s tail swung again, and this time, with a loud thud, the gates, the grate, and the entire western wall collapsed, clearing the way.

‘Huzzah! Charge, you sons of bitches! For the Queen!’ someone shouted, and the soldiers rushed forth, scrambling over the rubble.

I followed them, trying to ignore the spreading ivy as it reached the nearest corpse, devouring its flesh like a scavenger.

‘Don’t plunder the keep. Secure any civilians and corral any soldiers into the main hall,’ Rey commanded the officers.

I bolted into the castle, desperate to find a Light Fae mage to open a portal.

‘Roksana, wait!’ Rey shouted behind me, but I kept my eyes on the archers’ commander rounding the corner. His silver armour glinted in the sun before he disappeared inside. I didn’t have time to look for another fae. He was my target. My ankle twisted on a loose stone, but I would rather break my legs than let him escape.

My lungs burned as I ran; the sweat blurred my vision.

A growl caught me off guard, and as I raised my hand to defend myself, a dark shape emerged from the shadows. Aether flared around my fist, nearly causing me to stumble.

That’s never happened before.

I shook off my surprise, turning to the darkness given flesh, recognising it by the beautiful blue eye.

Niersen.

Gods, I had created something truly horrifying. Oily black liquid seeped from its wrinkled flesh, and its legs bent at the joints in unnatural directions. It was difficult to look at it directly. That it stared at me with devoted adoration? I straightened my back and pointed at the fleeing fae.

‘Hunt him down. Bring him to me alive.’ Niersen shot forward with a snarl, saliva dripping from his twisted mouth. I hadn’t expected him to make it here, but I refused to turn away a weapon.

I paused. Only long enough to catch my breath. Then I rushed down the corridor to follow Niersen’s trail.

The passage became a maze, but Niersen left behind drops of the oily substance, and I soon found them in an antechamber, the fae holding off the monster’s teeth with his bow.

Arrows stuck out from Niersen’s hide, but he strained to follow my command.

‘That’s enough,’ I said, coming closer. Niersen opened his mouth, revealing two rows of serrated teeth.

‘What are you?’ the fae whispered, his already white skin so pale it was tinged blue.

‘It depends who asks,’ I said, snapping my fingers at Niersen. He obediently sat on his haunches like a dog. ‘You see, this creature is the noble Niersen Ordo’lan, Herald of Lumivitae, and he was my enemy. For him, I’m mother; for you… I don’t know yet.’

The captain’s eyes widened, his legs buckled, and he fell back against the wall. I paid no attention to the stain growing on the floor beneath him as he stammered.

‘You… you’re going to turn me… I… into that?’