22. A Witch Reborn

22

A WITCH REBORN

(ROWENA)

“ P ut your hands on the runes,” Morgath says. “Both hands.”

I close the distance between me and the altar and lift my hands, but the moment my palms near the runes, there’s a strong repelling force that almost pushes my hand away. However, I ignore this and force my palms on the runes, unwilling to jeopardize this moment.

My mind is reeling from everything I’ve heard about my father, and knowing the whole story, it hurts that I’m giving my powers away to Morgath, but as much as I love my parents, they’re gone. But Riven is here right now. I’d rather save him than watch him die because I’m holding on to my powers.

“You gave me your word, Rowena,” I say. “Set him free.”

“You have my word.” She approaches the altar, the joy in her eyes evident.

When she launches into powerful incantations, there’s a powerful surge in my body. It’s like a resistance, fighting against the energy released through the words coming out of Morgath’s mouth. I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s scary because I’ve never felt this kind of rage inside me.

Morgath continues to spew incantations, and the more she does, the harder my body fights. I’m afraid of this new phenomenon, and I wonder what will be left of me when Morgath takes everything.

Just when Morgath’s voice hits a crescendo, my body rocks backward, releasing a bright burst of light. Morgath stumbles backward, and the walls tremble and crack. I can feel a new energy course through me, and it’s more powerful and intense than anything I’ve ever felt. I feel stronger and energized, and I lift my hands from the runes as the light disappears back inside me.

The six witches in the council rush to their feet, their shocked gazes on me. Morgath gently walks toward me, her lips falling open.

“Rowena!”

At the sound of the beautifully familiar voice, we all turn to see Riven running toward us. The shock on the witch's face intensifies, and so do mine.

“How did this happen?” Morgath whispers. “He’s free.”

Riven wraps his arms around me. “Rowena, your hair,” he says, grabbing a lock in his hand. He whips a mirror out of thin hair and holds it to my face. My red hair is glossier than ever, but on the right side is a lock of silver, shiny and healthy, like the faes.

“You saved me, Rowena,” he says. “When that light came out of you, it broke the stone and freed me; I think the curse is broken!”

“Impossible!” Morgath growls, and the mirror cracks, distorting my reflection.

“It’s Thandor’s magic!” Ruby whispers from behind. “She has turned into a hybrid! Half witch, half-fae!”

I feel powerful, but I’m afraid I may not be able to control the energy flowing through my veins.

Morgath growls again, and the trembling walls come crashing down. When we turn to her, the fake calm in her expression is gone, replaced by a devilish anger that chills my bones. Yet, I’m not scared of her. I’ve unlocked my father’s magic, and I’m confident I can hold my own.

“You think you can rebel against me in my coven?” She slaps. “Foolish children. I don’t care that you have Thandor’s magic; you underestimate mine.”

I grab Riven’s arm. “Stay behind me.”

“No!” He shakes his head. “I’m going to protect you.”

Morgath raises her hands, and the other witches in the council do the same. They begin to chant in unison; a dark harmony of voices rising in a scary chorus. A shroud of dark energy fills the air, and serpent-like creatures erupt from the ground and slither towards me and Riven.

Riven wastes no time in attacking. With one sweep of his hand, he produces a spear of light, sending it in the direction of the serpents. But the more he destroys them, the more they materialize from the ground and attack.

I shut my eyes and channel the energy inside of me, causing a burst of fire to emanate. Morgath immediately raises her barrier, saving her and the council by merely a few seconds. She angrily twists her arm, and the fire turns into writhing serpents with smoke breathing from their nostrils. Riven continues to attack, but I know he won’t be able to hold them for much longer.

I clap my hands, and the serpents freeze midair, causing my eyes to widen in astonishment. Riven glances at me, pride in his eyes.

“This isn’t over,” Morgath fires, waving her arm and chanting another line of incantations. We hear a loud growl from behind and turn to see six wild dogs form out of thin air. They are as huge as direwolves, with big heads and sharp teeth.

“Attack,” Morgath shouts, and the dogs sprint towards us.

“Rowena!” Riven covers me with his arms, and a thick wall of protection rises around us. The dogs throw themselves at this barrier, angrily waiting for it to crack so they can take a bite out of our flesh.

“We need to find a way to get out of here,” Riven says.

“Neither of you will get out of this place alive!” Morgath yells back, her eyes wild with anger. “I will kill you, Rowena, even if it’s the last thing I do.”

“You will never get your hands on her!” Riven answers, keeping up the barrier. “I promise you that.”

“Your promises mean nothing to me, boy,” Morgath says, throwing a dart of light toward the barrier, which cracks. “If you want to leave here alive, you better let Rowena go.” She throws another dart, and the barrier breaks even further. The dogs stand at attention, panting and waiting for it to crash.

“I will never let her go!”

“Very well.” With every dart Morgath throws, the barrier weakens. Just when she’s about to throw another, a loud, authoritative voice interrupts the pandemonium.

“Morgath! Stop it right now!”

A powerful man struts into the hall, his eyes sharp and angry. I’ve never met King Faelor, but I instantly recognize him because of his striking resemblance with his son. He looks like the older version of Riven, with the same long silver hair and forest-green eyes.

Morgath ceases her incantations, and the crazy dogs disappear. In turn, Riven brings down the barrier and lets me go.

“Your D-dad.” I nod at the man walking into the room, and Riven gravely nods.

“Morgath! What is this?” King Faelor growls.

“Your son walked into my coven,” Morgath answers. “You know the rules. He’s mine to do with as I please.”

“You will not touch my son!” King Faelor fires.

“The law is the law, King Faelor!” Morgath fires back at him. “Do you think I don’t know that you kill any witch that dares cross your border? Even accidentally? What makes your son’s life any better than theirs?”

King Faelor all but breathes fire from his nose. “You will not touch my son, Morgath.” He turns in our direction, his angry eyes resting on Riven.

“Riven,” he snaps. “Let’s go!”

Riven starts to pull me toward his father but is stopped by his father’s daunting voice. “If that witch comes within a few feet of me, I will strike her dead.”

Riven freezes, his hand tightening around mine. “Dad?—”

“You heard me,” King Faelor cuts him off. “If she comes within a few feet of me, I will strike her dead.”

The hall falls silent again, and it’s Riven and I against the rest of them. On one side, there’s Morgath and her cohort; on the other, there’s King Faelor.

“Riven.” I try to snatch my hand away from his, but his grip tightens. “Riven, let go.”

“No.” He shakes his head, his attention on his father. “He either accepts the both of us or none of us.”

“Riven, don’t be foolish,” King Faelor snaps. “What is wrong with you?”

“I love Rowena,” he confesses, causing my heart to stop. “I love her so much. I can’t leave her here alone.”

“She’s a witch!”

“She’s half-fae. Look.” Riven flips my hair. King Faelor’s eyes widen. “That’s impossible.”

“She’s half fae, Dad.”

King Faelor turns to Morgath, whose eyes start to brim angrily again. “What is this, Morgath? You told me she was an outcast.”

“And still is,” Morgath answers. “She will be sentenced to death for frolicking with a fae Prince.”

“She’s half fae and half witch,” Riven growls at her. “The rules don’t apply to her.”

“You were with her before you realized she was half-fae, so it applies.”

King Faelor angrily snarls. “How is this witch a half-fae? Will somebody speak up?”

“I’m Thandor’s daughter,” I answer, and his head snaps toward me.

“You’re what?”

“Thandor’s daughter.” Beside me, Riven nods, and the King looks at me with fresh eyes. I hold my breath, hoping he’ll accept me now that he’s found out I’m the daughter of one of the most powerful fae sorcerers ever to exist.

For a few seconds, the silence in the room suffocates me. Eventually, King Faelor says, “I’m sorry, son, but that doesn’t change anything. The coven laws govern her, and if she’s sentenced to death, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I am not letting her die! If you want to uphold laws, why not start with Kaelith?” Riven asks. “Or you want to stand there and act like you don’t know she’s been meeting with Morgath in secret?”

King Faelor narrows his eyes at Riven before glancing at Morgath. “Is that true?”

“You’re going to have to ask Kaelith that, Faelor. I don’t owe you an explanation for who I meet with,” she snaps. “Your son disrespected the witch coven by coming here without warning. Don’t act like you don’t know the rules. You would have killed a witch if she tried that.”

King Faelor doesn’t respond because he knows the truth.

“The only way your son will leave here alive is if he leaves without Rowena. She’s ours.”

“Riven,” King Faelor calls. “Don’t be stupid, son.”

Instead of responding to his father, Riven inches towards the door. Queen Morgath snaps her fingers, causing the door to melt into the wall, disappearing from view. The walls that fell earlier also rose, caging us in what looks like a four-walled prison. There are no windows and no exit doors. I can easily create a doorway out, but what’s the point? Morgath will stop me.

I may be powerful, but how strong am I? The only one on my side in this room is Riven. The others will not hesitate to steal my powers and watch me die. There’s no way out. It’s either Riven leaves alone, or we both die.

“Riven.” I square my shoulders and stand straight. “Go with your father.”

“What?”

“Go with him. I’ll be fine,” I answer.

“No.” He shakes his head. “I’m not leaving without you.”

Morgath raises her arms again, and a ball of dark energy erupts from her balled fists. King Faelor steps in front of her, a staff of light appearing in his hand. I’m shocked he’s even defending his son, and from the look on Riven’s face, he’s also surprised.

“Morgath,” he says in a voice as cold as ice. “Raising your hands to my son is unforgivable. You overstep your bounds.”

“Oh, please.” Morgath rolls her eyes as the two circle each other. “Tell your son to make the right decision now. If he doesn’t, I’ll kill them both.”

“I will not let you touch him again,” King Faelor growls. “You cursed him even before he was born. This ends now!”

Riven gasps as the truth finally hangs in the air. It was Morgath who cursed him!

“The curse was a gift, Faelor,” Morgath laughs. “It was supposed to be my ticket into fae power and a reminder that your bloodline isn’t untouchable.”

Before Faelor can respond, a spinning portal appears beside me. Auren steps out of it.

“Auren!” Queen Morgath sighs in relief. “Thank goodness you’re here. Strike them down!”

Auren ignores Morgath. “You both come with me,” he says. “If you stay here for one minute longer, you’ll die.”